Spuffies only: Do you see chemistry in Bangel?

[WillowFromBuffy]

Rarely does sparks fly as wildly as when Buffy and Spike share the screen together. However, how do we feel about the relationship that came before? Personally, I think there are some really great Bangel moments. Unlike James and Sara, David is a inconsistent actor at best, but when he is good, he can be really good.

How does the rest of you feel? Did Bangel have any chemistry at all?

 

[Puppet]

Well, I already stated my opinion in another thread today, but I guess I don't mind repeating myself 🙂 I can even expand on my answer and go with the whys.

No, I've never seen any real, romantic chemistry between SMG and DB. The closest they came, imo, was when Angelus was loose, and even then he had better chemistry with Spike, or Giles, or hell even Xander in Killed by Death.

I found them very wooden, their kisses just looked awkward and like that of a pair of siblings, and their OTT dramatic scenes felt very soapy (if you catch my drift) and unrealistic.

Had I actually believed in their chemistry, chances are I would be one of those fans that is capable of shipping both Bangel and Spuffy, because on paper the relationship isn't as bad as it comes out on screen, when played by two actors who don't know the meaning of 'acting off one another' in a single scene.

 

[Fool for Buffy]

I see the chemistry there. I actually do think they play off each other very well. Angel's quick and short wit works with Buffy's long rants while Angel's emotional stability counters Buffy's high highs and low lows.

What I think they lack is the sexual chemistry. Everything with them seems so serious and over the top. Buffy and Spike may have some serious emotional moments but they also constantly look like they are just going to jump on top of each other. (Which they often actually do)

 

[Antho]

LOL there is exactly the same type of thread in the Bangel section 😛. What kind of games is that ? Shippers are in war even when they don't talk one to the others ^^
It amuses me to see how the two clans share ideas 😉

 

[Stoney]

I don't like romantic schmaltz so a lot of the emotionally intense Bangel moments just fell totally flat for me. Also the whole notion of a Romeo/Juliet 'insta-grow' love just seems so immature. So the onscreen aspect of the chemistry of the relationship just didn't zing for me. I believe they'll always be really important to each other, they have just grown past that young relationship. I did find the tae kwon do scene great and you can't not feel Buffy's grief in Becoming. But despite my general lack of connection to the visual chemistry of it, I do get the narrative strength of their connection. I think that the role they played for each other at that early stage on their paths was really significant and an important experience for them both. For Buffy in a romantic connection that bridged the supernatural/normal and for Angel in connections to humanity and learning to walk a heroic path. But I would't describe those narrative elements as part of the ship's chemistry.

 

[WillowFromBuffy]

What I think they lack is the sexual chemistry. Everything with them seems so serious and over the top.

I think they have plenty of sexual tension, it is just a different kind. They are both virgins in a way. Angel hasn't had sex in like a century and the sex he had with Darla wouldn't really work here, so he needs to learn it all again. The scene in Surprise is just so beautiful and tender. It is the antithesis of Smashed. I think they do a good job with the tai chi and walking home from the cinema in s3 as well. It is a little precious, but I think it works.

LOL there is exactly the same type of thread in the Bangel section 😛. What kind of games is that ? Shippers are in war even when they don't talk one to the others ^^

We've retreated into separate corners, scowling from over the shoulder 😛

 

[Antho]

We've retreated into separate corners, scowling from over the shoulder

You're not funny 😀 Bored now 😛 Don't spy us again 😛

 

[Fool for Buffy]

I think they have plenty of sexual tension, it is just a different kind. They are both virgins in a way. Angel hasn't had sex in like a century and the sex he had with Darla wouldn't really work here, so he needs to learn it all again. The scene in Surprise is just so beautiful and tender. It is the antithesis of Smashed. I think they do a good job with the tai chi and walking home from the cinema in s3 as well. It is a little precious, but I think it works.

The scene in Surprise is probably the exception, because it's where it works that it's over the top. I love that scene; I was referring to the more everyday conversational scenes if that makes sense. Though I've never really been a fan of the tai chi. I don't really understand its point or why it's great.

 

[WillowFromBuffy]

For Buffy in a romantic connection that bridged the supernatural/normal and for Angel in connections to humanity and learning to walk a heroic path. But I would't describe those narrative elements as part of the ship's chemistry.

I really like this. Both Angel and Buffy need to exist in a liminal space.

The scene in Surprise is probably the exception, because it's where it works that it's over the top. I love that scene; I was referring to the more everyday conversational scenes if that makes sense. Though I've never really been a fan of the tai chi. I don't really understand its point or why it's great.

I am with you here. One major flaw with Bangel is that you can reduce it down to a number of great scenes and then a few where they are just phoning it in. Spike and Buffy spent a lot more time together and they killed it each time.

The tai chi is supposed to express mastery over mind and body. At the same time, it is quite sexy, so it turns out to be counter productive.

 

[buffy1990]

I think they share chemistry in S1-3, and I genuinely enjoy them during their time together. I think it ended in the right place.

I think it's as they grow older that the fit they once had doesn't seem quite right. As @WillowFromBuffy said, DB can be an inconsistent actor so sometimes with Buffy I feel the emotional connection and other times I don't. Their scene in Chosen is a great example for me, where their relationship felt off.

Buffy grew so much and changed over the series, and I will always prefer her and Spike's complex relationship to the one she shared with Angel. That being said, there are many moments between Buffy and Angel in their relationship that I adore!

 

[GoSpuffy]

I feel the chemistry from SMG to DB more than the other direction. But for me the whole relationship is just so common, you can see similar stories all over the place. The thing that drew me into Spuffy was the uniqueness Of the story. I never would have predicted them bring together But I totally bought into the journey that made it happen.

 

[PaulParmar1]

Here's the thing in a way yes I do see the chemistry in Bangel but honestly like said before it was a very repetitive story and it was almost a fairytale story which is nice & all but it's not realistic or relatable. The plots Spuffy had to go through happen to real life couples while Bangel's worst foe was Angel being a vampire and turning into Angelus with sex which wasn't relatable cause normal couples don't have to worry about that.
I'm not saying Spuffy was all real but it was definitely more realistic and interesting over Bangel.

 

[white avenger]

Did Bangel have any chemistry at all?

Certainly Bangel had chemistry. And just like any chemical reaction, it begins, peaks, then dies down. That in no way rules out the possibility that it may reignite at some point in the future, but as of now, it has fizzled out.

 

[Priceless]

One of the reasons I am not a fan of AtS is the lack of real chemistry between the characters, so there has to have been chemistry between Buffy and Angel or I wouldn't have kept watching for 20 years 🙂 I do think it's more of a soapy romantic chemistry then a sparks-flying sexual chemistry, but it's definitely there.

I agree with what has already been said, that their on screen relationship suffers because DB is very wooden, when other actors are emoting around him, his face is blank, so SMG tends to carry them both. Luckily her natural chemistry with DB comes through and translates to the characters.

My favourtie scenes for them are at the ice rink, where I think they are very sweet together and their friendship is evident. I really feel Angel cares for Buffy in that scene. And in Amends, where DB probably gives his best performance as Angel, and their natural chemistry is most evident.

But of course JM and SMG have a far more sexual chemistry, it's as though their bodies are drawn to each other by an unseen force. You can see it in S2 Becoming, walking alongside each other, eyeing each other up. It's palpable, and it's that intensity that makes me a Spuffy rather than a Bangel.

 

[Stoney]

I like the tai chi because it is them sharing an interest, doing something together that is more than facing the threats and discussing the dangers. I like the ice rink scene too which I've just been reminded of and I really liked their picnic in the cemetery. I thought that was a great way to show them making the most of their available time to still do couple-y things. I think it was there to somewhat support the Mayor's point of incompatibility (and their conversation during it probably supports that), but I liked it. 🙂

I think they share chemistry in S1-3, and I genuinely enjoy them during their time together. I think it ended in the right place.

Definitely. I did really enjoy Bangel in the early seasons. I do find the romantic elements cheesy, but I definitely liked the relationship for what it brought during its run.

 

[flow]

Hi guys,

at the end of Prophecy Girl Angel told Buffy, that he likes her dress. It was an ugly dress - the ugliest Buffy ever wore in seven years - and as Angel is a man of taste, he must have noticed that. I thought, it was really cute to pay her a compliment nevertheless and I think it showed some of his insecuritiy about him being in love with her and wanting to have to say something nice that would make her smile and feel good.

I also loved the coffee remarks, Willow made in Reptile Boy to both Angel and Buffy. That again was about them both feeling a bit shy and insecure about how to start dating.

Ice skating was a very nice idea for a date, but I did not understand, why they had to go, when it was closed. Does anyone have an idea ?

And another cute scene was Angel cuddling Mr. Gordo. i don`t remember the episode but it shows again a bit of his insecurity and also a longing to be close to her.

I am also a huge fan of the cookie dough speech but I guess it doesn`t really count as a Bangel scene, does it ? Anyway, Angel asking "Do I have to go along with the cookie analogy ?" was one of his sweetest lines ever.

flow

 

[Skanky Vamp]

at the end of Prophecy Girl Angel told Buffy, that he likes her dress. It was an ugly dress -

WAIT!! What was wrong with the dress! It was so iconic. It reminded me so much of the movie. I loved that dress.

 

[flow]

OMG, it looked, as if she was wearing her grandmothers curtains and it did not flatter her figure. And it is not her colour either. And it made her look older.

flow

 

[debbicles]

Well chiming in here with my tuppence-worth: I do enjoy the scene in Surprise as it is so sweet. When Angelus is on the screen I do tend to feel that Angel is now showing his true colours. It's as though DB has given himself permission to be animated and dangerous. I didn't feel any sexual chemistry between DB and SMG because I do tend to think that DB gains screen aura from those around him rather than by himself. By contrast I think JM's portrayal of Spike in his many glories - even when he is being humiliated and beaten down - is mesmerising and that SMG and he quite literally set the screen on fire no matter what is going on in the scene itself. JM I could listen read the phone book to Buffy - with candles of course! But if sexual chemistry between SMG and JM was all there was I would find it very dull very soon. There's something more going on there which I can't really define.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

OMG, it looked, as if she was wearing her grandmothers curtains and it did not flatter her figure. And it is not her colour either. And it made her look older.
flow

Here's why I liked it:
movie

show

I was happy in some way it acknowledged the movie... even though I was just getting around the fact it was a reboot.