Jumping in very late so I don't leave this unfinished! Apologies if I repeat a lot of what has already been said. Also, no proof-reading here just rambling so... apologies in advance for that as well.
Day 11 – If you could have had another BTVS/ATS crossover, where in the seasons would you put it?
I would take any crossover, I'm not picky! Maybe I would go for BTVS season 6 just because it's the only season without a direct crossover and of course I think Angel would've been a good presence for Buffy at that point in her life. That being said, I really would've liked to have seen more of Buffy/the Scoobies on ATS because we got so little! Crossovers are done so easily on TV now, so it's interesting to think about how many BTVS/ATS crossovers would've been done in today's climate.
Day 12 – Why do you think Angel is a good fit for Buffy?
The big one, I think, is that Angel is a good support system for Buffy – after season 2, Buffy's relationship with her friends seems to weaken a bit (which is no doubt partly due to all that Buffy goes through during the season). After that, Angel is one of the few people Buffy allows herself to be open and vulnerable around; he's there to listen to her and offer his input where needed. Angel fits so well into this role in Buffy's life because he doesn't judge and he can relate to and understand Buffy due to their similar journeys/experiences. He allows Buffy the space to take charge (season 3; season 7) because, as we know, she's "not much for the damseling." and at the same time, Angel is willing to stand up to Buffy and challenge her (Sanctuary). I'm not sure how best to explain this but Angel has a way of bringing out Buffy's humanity in that he encourages her to strive for more. Despite the circumstances, they both have a way of making each other feel more human, which make for sweet moments to watch considering all of the responsibility on their shoulders and the hardship they've each gone through. Lastly, he makes her happy! I always think of the way Buffy's face just lights up in season 7 at the sight of Angel; such a pure moment and would probably be a good enough answer to this question.
Day 13 – Why do think Buffy is a good fit for Angel?
Buffy was a formative figure in Angel's (un)life, obviously. Before meeting Buffy, Angel could not find his place in the world after losing his faith in humanity and general self-loathing; Buffy inspired him to become the hero we now know him as. I don't really like the "good girl fixes bad boy" narrative often found in media, but I don't feel that's what happened in the Buffy/Angel relationship; Angel didn't change
for Buffy, he changed
because of Buffy and for himself. Basically, Buffy had a profound and lasting effect on Angel's outlook on life. It's difficult to pinpoint the exact ways in which Angel was inspired by Buffy, but it's clear that she had an effect on him based on the subtle arc he goes through during the first three seasons of BTVS – he started off wanting to help Buffy but not in a direct way because he was "afraid" and unsure of himself. Come "Graduation Day," Angel is right in the fight, even leading a group. It's because of Buffy's unconditional love that Angel was able to believe in himself and find his purpose; like in season 1 when Darla says "Did you think she would understand?" she speaks to Angel's self-loathing and doubt, but Buffy never gives up on him and we see this quality in Angel over on his own show. I think this all makes Buffy a good fit for Angel because I believe Buffy will always have that humanising effect on him. I gave this reason above as well but Buffy made him happy, which can't really be argued considering being cuddled up in bed with her was a moment of true happiness for Angel!
"Angel's moment of true happiness occurred because he was with Buffy. Do you realise how rare that is? True happiness?"
To add to both: Buffy and Angel keep each other balanced.
Day 14 – Favourite season of B/A post-BTVS season 3?
Okay, this one is really difficult because we get some great stuff from every season! Their scenes in "Forever" are so good that it makes me want to choose season 5 but it doesn't feel like we got enough to pick that one as an entire season... I think I'll go with season 7 because the moments they share are such a welcoming, bright light in an otherwise dull season. Also, I like the note they leave off on.
Day 15 – If you were going to pick any Bangel-y episode to watch right now, what would it be?
I'm gonna go with "Angel" for this one – since we see so many facets of their relationship, there are so many good moments in the episode that remind me of why I love B/A as much as I do! That cross-burn ending is really affecting. Also, I'm not one to watch episodes at random, so "Angel" is early enough in the series that I'm not jumping into the middle of the story without the build-up of the episodes prior.
Day 16 – Favourite moment of physical affection
Hugs! I wish we got more hugs between them.
Day 17 – Have you created a B/A fanwork of any kind that you love?
Yes! Gifsets and vids, I'll share my favourite of each:
Honourable mentions:
one |
two
Months later and there are still very few things about this I'd change! Still happy with the results
🙂
Day 18 – Favourite B/A dream sequence?
Maybe the visuals cloud my judgment, but I like the wedding dream in "The Prom."
😉
Day 19 – Favourite "I love you" or romantic declaration in general
"I loved him more than I will ever love anything in this life." I just love that years later, we're still hearing these words + Sarah's delivery is very powerful.
Day 20 – Favourite episode/scene that showcases Buffy and Angel's ability to work as a team?
There are so many episodes I could choose (Lovers Walk; IWRY; End of Days/Chosen, to name a few) but I'm gonna go with a strange one for this... "The Wish." I mean, yeah, Buffy doesn't even flinch at the sight of Angel dying right in front of her
but I appreciate the implicit trust we see between them in this alternate universe, as well as how it translates to the Buffyverse we know.
Day 21 – What do you think people overlook most about Buffy and Angel's relationship?
I think the intensity of their relationship bogs down the influence they had on each other and how happy they made each other. Also, their relationship is often written off as "first love" or "high school love" which is interesting considering each season of both BTVS and ATS following season 3 of BTVS make it a point to reference how important Buffy and Angel are/were to each other.
Day 22 – Favourite quote about B/A from other characters
I always go to this one just because I like it as a summation of their relationship: "A vampire in love with a slayer, it's rather poetic. In a maudlin sort of way." But I also want to mention this one...
(
source)
Day 23 – Were you satisfied with the B/A storyline in canon?
As someone who doesn't intend to ever read the comics... I was! There's one canon relationship I was
not satisfied with – Buffy/Spike, just to be clear – but I don't feel it ever had any effect on the B/A story. Like I said in one of the above questions, I like the note they leave off on in BTVS season 7 and it makes me optimistic.
Day 24 – Favourite Angel reference on BTVS
For these reference questions, I'm just gonna go with the first thing that comes to mind because I'm sure a lot of good ones have been said!
"I was never there for Riley, not like I was for Angel."
Day 25 – Favourite Buffy reference on ATS
"A weakness for slayers. You're definitely his son."
Day 26 – When would have been the best time for Buffy and Angel to renew their relationship? Or would you prefer they didn’t?
Honestly, I'd prefer they didn't until Angel gets his curse sorted out. I wont let season 3 of ATS let me believe that curse isn't a big deal!
Day 27 – Is there a particular quirk about Buffy and Angel's relationship that you find endearing?
Hm. I don't know if "quirk" would be the right word to describe this, but I like when they're just doing regular things while they're in these morbid contexts – graveyard picnics; emotional conversations in sewers; "Sorry, honey!" while they're fighting vampires together; the ice skating date that gets interrupted but ends on a really sweet note;
"It was rude. We should go kill it." / "I'm free." etc.
Day 28 – Favourite B/A headcanon
Personally, I'm not really one for headcanons; the only one I really have is that during their offscreen reunion, Buffy tells Angel she thinks she was in heaven.
Day 29 – Do you relate more to Buffy or to Angel?
To be honest, I don't relate strongly to either character haha. Anything I can think of are applicable to both characters: first, I like to help people. Second, I can be........awkward. I'd say that Buffy and Angel are both awkward but in different ways and I can relate to both. I'm about as conspicuous as Buffy is when she's going undercover, so I guess I'd lean more on Buffy's side.
Day 30 – Why do you think the B/A relationship became iconic in pop culture?
This is a question I like to think about because in terms of archetypes, I don't typically enjoy the angsty, high drama, star-crossed relationships on television that are always going back and forth
and yet Buffy/Angel are my most loved romantic relationship on TV. On paper, their story may seem predictable and not at all unique in the world of television, but something about the execution works so well. David and Sarah's chemistry is probably a big part of this in that they really sell the love between Buffy and Angel – their off-screen friendship could be attributed to how natural they are together. The high drama scenes feel earned; season 2 was building up to the "Close your eyes." moment and it delivered. Actually, the whole Angelus arc probably played a big part in establishing B/A's mark in pop culture. Personally speaking, Buffy and Angel deliver this forbidden love trope so well and unlike any other, which is maybe why I don't go for other TV ships of this nature; Buffy and Angel ruined it for me!
Thanks so much for organising this! And now, I leave you with a cute little B/A moment I love but could not work into any of the questions above:
