Wesley in Not Fade Away

[patriot1123]

So we finished AtS last night. And I was blown away by Wesley's death, and my reaction to it. I knew from being here on this forum that he would die, but I was still shocked and saddened, and feeling *real* grief. What's up with that? I've only felt real grief at the death of a fictitious character one previous time - when my favorite character in "24" (Bill Buchanan) sacrificed himself to save the President and a roomful of hostages.

And then I woke up this morning still thinking about it, and still grieving. I'm really sad about Wesley's death!

Which is, when you think about it, a tribute to Alexis, the writers, and everyone else who contributed to making such a great character.

 

[white avenger]

You become invested in a character or group of characters to the point that they no longer DO seem to be mere fictional characters. Whether you cry when Ol' Yeller dies, you feel a catch in your throat and a surge of pride when Spock, dying, tells Captain Kirk, "I have been, and always shall be, your friend."

Wes was someone who you saw grow and mature over 5 years, from a buffoon to a real hero. And, though all heroes should be allowed to die heroic deaths, like Vikings dying with swords in their hands, surrounded by the bodies of their dead enemies, it doesn't make it any easier to see them die, even if it is just an actor playing a part.

 

[patriot1123]

Thanks, and you're right. And to be able to feel that deeply about a fictional character is just one of the many gifts of fandom.

 

[BuffyElevated]

I knew he died, 'cause I got spoiled on the board. LOL However, when I watched the scene and Illyria "lying" to him, I was so heartbroken! Wesley has always been one of my favorite characters, even when he was the weasely little watcher on BtVS, and his growth as a character is probably my favorite in both shows. I still hate that he died in the finale. 🙁

 

[wickedtiger86]

Yes. I knew that he was going to die too. But I was still very very upset by it.

Wesley was one of my favorite things about AtS. 🙁

And Illyria really made his death even more moving for me. Since even she grieved.

 

[Hale Caesar]

Wesley was awesome. That's why you were sad 😀

Joss has said he would have never killed Wesley if the show got picked up for a sixth season (can you imagine watching Angel without Wesley?)

 

[patriot1123]

Angel without Wesley would be like BtVS without Giles!

Wait ....

*sigh*

But I do love Wesley.

 

[nmcil12]

Wesley's death was really such an emotionally powerful part of the series finale but also the wonderful story that became his love for Fred through all its phases. You could not experience his death without also seeing Fred disappear right before his eyes. Even if you knew that Wesley was ready to face his death and that he had also lost so much of his will to live with Fred's death, that he died at the hands of such a vicious evil character was very hard to take. And what a great piece of high drama when Illyria turns into Fred: bringing together the very life form that destroyed his beloved Fred as his last moment of life and giving him that peace, it made me cry.

One of the reasons that Wesley and Spike made such strong connections with a great many viewers was how they both found something inside themselves and through love that transformed them entirely. Wesley went from the that weak male totally incompetnet Watcher to the extremely strong and yet still flawed man at the end - he had such a great story.

Wesley ended up being one of my top 5 characters -

 

[Goby]

I have written about my love of NFA in a few posts. Without a doubt (IMHO), it is the best the episode of Angel.

Let's reflect...... Joss, his writers, and the actors are amazing. NFA is based on 12 brilliant Buffyverse seasons over 8 years; it is not just one well written episode with a touching scene.

I absolutely HATE BtVS Wesley. Probably more than Kennedy. But AtS Wesley is amazing. And he's amazing for 5 years of Angel. Fred is brilliant for 3 seasons. They are both amazing characters that I fell in love with.

Unlike you, I had no idea that Wesley was going to die. I knew Fred would die (my secretary spoiled me), but since Amy was still on the show, it really didn't sadden me. So when Wesley died, I was stunned and cried. Wow. That scene is one of my all-time favorite television scenes. Every moment is perfect. Ever word uttered by Alexis and Amy is painfully beautiful. Wow. At the end of the scene, I was in tears. My son watched it later, and he felt the same thing. We both cried when we watched it together for the first time.

And then there is the ending of NFA, which happens shortly thereafter. I thought it was perfect. And in my mind, they all die as heroes.

And when the credits role, the sadness really set in. Because unlike BtVS, which many of you think hit its zenith in Season 5, AtS was brilliant in Season 5. This is a show that had so many more stories to tell. This is a show that ended when it was in its prime.

BTW, for me the sadness of the credits, knowing my journey in the Buffyverse had ended, and knowing that I would never watch another "new" episode of Buffy TV was all melded into the death of Wesley. The death of Wesley and its sadness is not based on a two minute scene... to me it's the end of 12 seasons of ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT television.

 

[The Scourge]

Wesley's death was perhaps the most affecting scene in Buffyverse for me. The performances by Alexis and Amy were among their best in the series.

If you would have told me during season 3 that Wesley's death would affect me this much I'd laugh myself silly. But now, whenever I think about it, I just get depressed.

 

[Whirlwind]

I thought his death scene was amazing. Alexis and Amy were amazing in it. It was so sad to watch, but I have to admit it brought much poignancy to Angel's final episode.

 

[hazzard]

angel season 5 is an incredible season of television. fred's death and wesley's reaction to it and then his subsequent decline, and then wesley's death and illyria's transformation into fred just destroyed me. "a hole in the world," "shells," and "not fade away" depress the absolute shit out of me and touch me really deeply.

 

[The Scourge]

Its probably a good thing that Wesley died. If he had lived, well... what were the chances that his life would actually get any better?

I was going to say that at least he has peace in death, but I just remembered his soul is bound to Wolfram & Hart.

Poor Wesley.

 

[Willow My Love]

I'm among the many who was spoiled by the board on Wes' death. Though I didn't know it would happen like that. I love how Illyria actually cried and actually felt grief, even if she was pretending to be Fred. Even though it was a lie, I was happy to see Fred again! I'm not really a fan of Illyria...

What Lorne did affected me more, I think. I just did NOT see that coming.

One thing that bothered me: "Fred" told Wesley that they'd be together again and that he'd be where she was. But Fred's soul was destroyed when Illyria came to be, right?

 

[The Scourge]

One thing that bothered me: "Fred" told Wesley that they'd be together again and that he'd be where she was. But Fred's soul was destroyed when Illyria came to be, right?

It was Illyria lying to him to make his death easier.

 

[Anarchy]

Wesley was the best character in Angel, I was gutted when he died and I still cry every time I watch that episode. His life was so tragic it was unfair, his father was a tyrant, he was left for dead after his throat was cut and his friends all abandoned him, he finally got with Fred only for her to die, poor old Wes!

 

[Zombierella]

Wesley's death was almost unbearable to watch. Seeing him dying with Illyria by his side was just heart breaking.

Illyria: [Wesley has been fatally stabbed] You'll be dead within moments.
Wes: I know.
Illyria: Would you like me to lie to you now?
Wes: Yes. Thank you, yes.
[Illyria morphs in to Fred]
Wes: Hello there.
Illyria: [as Fred] Oh Wesley. My Wesley.
Wes: Fred, I've missed you.
Illyria: It's gonna be okay. It won't hurt much longer and then you'll be where I am.
[Begins crying]
Illyria: We'll be together.
Wes: I-I love you.
Illyria: I love you. My love. Oh, my love.

 

[patriot1123]

Absolutely heartbreaking.

Wesley must be the most emotionally and physically battered character in the history of television. First, the horrendous treatment from his father. Then, in BtVS, he is mocked and ridiculed by everyone and finishes his appearance getting trampled in Grad Day Pt 2 and asking for pain medication. In s1 of AtS he's tortured to within an inch of his life by Faith. In s2 he's shot in the gut and his girlfriend breaks up with him. In s3 he has his throat cut and his friends turn on him. In s4 I think he stays out of the hospital for a change. Then in season 5 he shoots his father (or so he thinks), loses Fred, and then loses his life.

 

[Zombierella]

^ I know right. Someone other than Buffy got the short straw for once. He was treated unfairly in BTVS and Angel. At least he got the chance to grow as a character which is more than I can say for Doyle. He got killed off before the end of the first season.

 

[Hale Caesar]

Wesley was the best character in Angel, I was gutted when he died and I still cry every time I watch that episode. His life was so tragic it was unfair, his father was a tyrant, he was left for dead after his throat was cut and his friends all abandoned him, he finally got with Fred only for her to die, poor old Wes!

Don't forget that he failed Faith as a Watcher. Then got kicked out of the Watcher's council (which was his purpose in life), and his whole "Rogue Demon Hunter" was a mask to hide his pain, until he found Angel who gave him a new and greater purpose in life.

Wesley is frickin awesome.