Buffyverse Fan
* The 28th *
I'm beginning to believe the Frayverse Apocalypse will not happen exactly the same way due to Twilight's actions.So let me get this straight: are we completely sure that Joss would not under any circumstances ruin Angel's character and make him voluntarily evil? I mean, yeah, I get what you're saying but are you positive this is the case?
If this Frayverse (THE) Apocalypse definitely going to happen, yes? Then the whole Buffy/Angelverse will be destroyed anyway if I'm correct...so why not make Angel evil?
I think Joss realized that Buffy's world eventually becoming Fray's would make Buffy a complete failure (remember Buffy's exposition in TOYL?), so he decided to make them two separate time lines. With a more peaceful Prime!Buffyverse in the future, and Fray's chaotic one being separate, like the new Star Trek movie.
No, you're completely right Joan, there is the possibility that our Angel will be Twilight. In fact, that's the least convoluted scenario. But still, for the reason of Joss' sticky legal situation with IDW alone...
Allowing Fred to die when it could have been prevented isn't quite the same as taking her head off with an axe, but the results are exactly the same. By not taking the appropriate action to prevent Fred's death when it was presented to him, Angel has to take direct responsibility for that death. That his actions were for the greater good for the most people is without argument, but making decisions that affect other people's lives, sometimes quite drastically, is what Angel does. It can be justified because it resulted in (Angel's interpretation of what would be) the greatest good for the greatest number of people, but the fact remains, Angel has in the past made decisions that result in someone dying in order for others to live.
It's a decision that is understandable, perfectly defensible, and there is no doubt whatsoever that it was the necessary decision to make under the circumstances. There is no argument there. But if Angel would, no matter how reluctantly, sacrifice Fred's life to avoid killing thousands of others, then he would most certainly sacrifice the lives of Buffy, her friends, all of the new Slayers, and all of Twilight's army, plus his own, to save the entire world.
And please, PLEASE don't get me started on what Obama, Bush, or Clinton should have done but chose not to.
If you believe that preventable death is the same as murder then we really have nothing further to talk about. Angel did nothing to kill Fred. By your logic, you are currently murdering at least a dozen Haitians this very moment by not flying down there and helping the relief efforts and by not going broke sending every dollar you have.
Do I believe that you are a murderer due to inaction? Not at all. Are you by your standards? Very much so. Saying murder is the same as someone dying a hypothetically preventable death--it's just nonsensical.
You have to realize just how absurdly sticky that kind of reasoning is; and, to avoid the slippery slope, it's best not to step onto it in the first place.