The beginning of Bangel

[VisionGirl]

A discussion in another thread made me think more about Bangel's beginnings. What was it about them that drew them together? In the episode Angel, Buffy laid down her weapon and bared her neck to him. Was she just naive & reckless? I mean, she didn't even know him very well, didn't find out until that episode who he really was. How did she acquire this absolute trust in him, and absolute belief in him that he would do the right thing? Yes she took a huge risk, but she knew implicitly that he would not hurt her, that he would choose her over Darla, that he could be good. Where did that come from? It couldn't have been just simple physical attraction. The beginnings of Bangel were deep and strongly emotional, and it's why I'm so drawn to them.

[and can anybody find a good- meaning not too dark- screencap from that moment?]

 

[TaylorSwift]

I think it was instinct...a feeling in her gut that made her think she could trust him..a little bit at least. Knowing Buffy, she still had some reserves..I think she may have taken into account he could hurt her but she gave him a chance because she felt he wouldn't hurt her in the end and that's a strong trait in Buffy's character..she gives chances. For me, it wasn't about physical attraction..not at all..we later discovered Angel already "knew" Buffy ..he saw her heart..how she was scared and lonely even if she was surrounded by friends...how much love she could give and how strong she could be. Buffy saw an old soul in Angel...she knew he could've killed her when she brought him in he room but for a reason he didn't. Before she knew he was a vampire, he treated her gently and saved her... therefore she knew she could trust him, they felt a connection from the very beginning.

Are these pictures good?

 

[VisionGirl]

I agree that she did indeed have some reservations. I think it was mostly because it was taboo: a Slayer with a vampire. Even in Lie to Me she told him that she loved him, but didn't know if she could trust him. She was questioning who she could trust in general though.

 

[TaylorSwift]

That's right. She went into this relationship all the way and when stuff like in Lie To Me happened she considered how much she could trust him but that trust was always given out to him and he deserved it. In Lie To Me, she knew much of his history but not everything...with the end of season 2 with Angelus she knew everything about him and then in season 3 they had the most complete relationship cause they really knew each other at that point.

 

[Kean]

In terms of her barring her neck, I think it was a combination of instinct, experience and hope. By the time we get to this point of this episode Angel had several chances where he could have hurt or killed Buffy. Buffy remarks on this herself to the Scoobies. I think she believed that if he was going to hurt her, he would have done it already. Especially when she had seen him fight against his own kind with her. I think she trusted her feelings for him, in the connection that they shared, and that could be nothing but pure instinct. In saying that, there really was no way she could have known, so that's where the hope comes in.

 

[BuffyElevated]

I think Buffy was drawn in by the mystery of Angel and she felt drawn to him after their exchange in the tomb in "Welcome to the Hellmouth". I think she could tell he was a lonely soul, and something in her was drawn to that.

 

[Flannen]

I share Kean's sentiments really. Her actions show that the connection between them was incredibly strong, real and near on instant. And like you, I'm really drawn to that and it's a similarity between all the ships I love: Lucas/Peyton, Stefan/Elena, Ryan/Marissa, Syd/Vaughn and the same with Buffy/Angel. Recognising and feeling a connection of that magnitude with someone so quickly, is not something to be doubted or belittled, as far as I'm concerned, it's something to be admired. It's because of that connection that she did what she did. She knew he wouldn't her because she not only believed in him, as you said VG, but because she believed in them and whatever was going on between them.

 

[Kean]

I share Kean's sentiments really. Her actions show that the connection between them was incredibly strong, real and near on instant. And like you, I'm really drawn to that and it's a similarity between all the ships I love: Lucas/Peyton, Stefan/Elena, Ryan/Marissa, Syd/Vaughn and the same with Buffy/Angel. Recognising and feeling a connection of that magnitude with someone so quickly, is not something to be doubted or belittled, as far as I'm concerned, it's something to be admired. It's because of that connection that she did what she did. She knew he wouldn't her because she not only believed in him, as you said VG, but because she believed in them and whatever was going on between them.

When issue 35 of S8 came out I made a post about it in my LJ, one of the main focus' of that post was B/A and trust.

Buffy and Angel have this implicit, absolute trust in one another. When he rejects Twilight and the Universe's plan, he is trusting her completely. The same way he trusted her when she asked for a second front, when she told him to close his eyes, when she told him to just kiss her. It is the same trust as when he gave up his humanity (at least for the few moments that she knew what was happening), when he left Sunnydale, when she forced his lips to her neck. Alot of the time these decisions have caused unimaginable pain for both them and those around them but they keep doing it.

Every. Single. Time.

If Buffy and Angel believe in anything, it is each other.

 

[PrincessBuffy16]

I think it was the kiss. When you kiss someone.. well, with the first kiss, comes that spark, you know? That spark that tells you that person is the right for you. If she hadn't kissed him, I don't think she would be so easy on him.

 

[Kean]

I think it was the kiss. When you kiss someone.. well, with the first kiss, comes that spark, you know? That spark that tells you that person is the right for you. If she hadn't kissed him, I don't think she would be so easy on him.

I disagree. The spark has to be there for the kiss to have fireworks. If you kiss someone you don't have that chemistry or connection to, then it's just a kiss. It doesn't feel like anything. Just lips...smooshing. You could be kissing your fist for all the sparks it would generate.

 

[PrincessBuffy16]

I disagree. The spark has to be there for the kiss to have fireworks. If you kiss someone you don't have that chemistry or connection to, then it's just a kiss. It doesn't feel like anything. Just lips...smooshing. You could be kissing your fist for all the sparks it would generate.

Well, that's what I mean to say, just couldn't find words. LOL.

 

[BibliophileAnn]

The beginning of Bangel really and truly was when they first met. It was the seeds of what would later be the love story that we all know and love. Angel at that time we find out later loved Buffy already although he was trying to keep it business-like and had no intention of letting it go as far as it did. Angel got to Buffy more than she wanted to admit and even though she most likely tried to put him out of her mind she couldn't and even put him in the same category as an acquaintance of Giles. Although finding him annoying she was attracted to him and curious enough to stick around instead of walking away.