Why did Jenny ask 'Angel! How did you get in here?'

[Xin Rong]

I was just wondering why Jenny asked this question... Angel points out that the school sign says: "Formatia trans sicere educatorum" (enter all ye who seek knowledge)

My question is why did Angel need this invitation, the school was a public place, why did he need inviting in? The school isn't a home, and vampires aren't allowed in homes without an invitation, this rule doesn't apply to public buildings.

Was this just Jenny being suprised and saying the first thing that sprung to mind, and Angelus showing off his knowledge of latin, or whatever language it is. Or was it an oversight made by the writers/Joss?

 

[white avenger]

Angel didn't need an invitation to enter a public building. Vampires only need specific invitations to enter private homes the first time, and the invitation has to be given by an actual resident, not a guest. The writers made a giant faux pas with that scene.

 

[Gum Gnome33]

Meh, in defense of the writers, I'd say it's perfectly logical that Jenny didn't know that vampires could enter public places. I mean just because her family history takes her back to a clan of people that were severely victimized by Angelus doesn't mean that she herself knows the rules regarding vampire "entry" to that extent.

Her uncle didn't know the rule, right? That's why Angelus could get into his hotel room and kill him; he was taken by surprise. And it stands to reason that he'd be far more occupied with vampire lore than his niece, what with his vengeance mission, etc. So if he didn't know, why would she? She probably just knows what she's always heard: they need an invitation to come in.

 

[Valjavertjinn]

I always figured that she was panicking and blurted out the first thing that came to mind, and was perhaps referring to the fact that he had entered the small space of her classroom without her noticing. Angelus just gave her a mocking answer.

 

[Aloverssoulz]

I think she meant how did he get into the room without her seeing it, not the school it's self, and as Valjavertjinn said, he just gave her a silly reply.

 

[crazysoulless]

The Scooby Gang were de-inviting Angel(us) from private locations (Buffy's house, Willow's house, Cordy's car), maybe Jenny knew a way to de-invite him from public ones.

We know that the rest of them didn't know how since Willow said as much to Spike in S5's I was made to love you but maybe Jenny did.

 

[TiMER]

Well when a dangerous, sadistic blood sucking vampire catches you off guard, people tend to say stuff without thinking. Angel was just mocking her with his snappy dialogue.

 

[Wild At Heart]

I think it's safe to say that whether she knew he could come into the school or not, she was completely surprised and taken off guard. Also, I think it was a way for the writers to explain to viewers (especially new viewers) why Angel could get into the school without an invite.

 

[VisionGuy]

I always figured that she was panicking and blurted out the first thing that came to mind, and was perhaps referring to the fact that he had entered the small space of her classroom without her noticing. Angelus just gave her a mocking answer.

This here. ^

A better question would be why was Jenny doing such important spellwork somewhere that isn't in the safety of her own home? It really annoyed me. It's almost like she was asking to get murdered. I always thought she was smarter than that.