Xander's Jealousy

[Chosen Enemy]

Maybe because Angel tried to kill them all last year? Maybe because Angel killed Jenny? I personally think Xander was out of his wits and wouldn't have gone through with it. He was so angry at Buffy to think clearly and saw an opportunity to get back at her with Faith. What makes me sure about this is because when finding Giles hurt, Faith assumes it's Angel, but Xander disagrees because he didn't find any bite marks on Giles. Later, Xander implies to Buffy that Angel did it in a rather mean-spirited way.

His jealousy of Angel was even before all that. His jealousy created the hate, the anger. It's all coming from the jealousy.

He wanted to hurt Buffy more than kill Angel.

Sure. Because she chose Angel over him. Hence the jealousy. By hurting Buffy, he's also hurting Angel. And by hurting Angel, he's also hurting Buffy. At this point he had to hurt this relationship.

Jealousy isn't the only motivation to kill someone.

Not always. Each case is its own case. Like I said above, the jealousy is what motivated the hated and anger and revenge.

Jealousy isn't an enough reason for Xander to want Angel dead. Don't forget, Kendra was ready to kill Angel but Xander was against it even though he disliked Angel. Don't you think there are more reasons for Xander lying to Buffy than jealousy - which I personally disagree with? If jealousy was all Xander needed to have Angel killed, he'd have backed up Kendra when she demanded Angel must be killed. Xander didn't.

See above re: jealousy's source and results.
It didn't even accure to Xander yet that there's a way to have Angel gone. Watch the scene where he tells Buffy the lies. He wasn't going to, it was an idea of the last moment, as he was going to tell her. He chose not to.

There were so many reasons that made Xander lie. Joss himself talked about it before and said that Xander lied because he was afraid Buffy would stall and get killed. I also think Xander was scared the world was gonna end and probably didn't trust Buffy enough to kill Angel after she failed before. This wasn't about "let's kill Angel so that I'll have Buffy to myself", Xander has more depth than that.

And again, all the other reasons came from the jealousy. They were all a result of it. Yes, stalling could cause Buffy's life. But it could also have saved Angel's life.
I don't think Xander even thought he had a chance with Buffy anymore at this point. Not as long as Angel is in the picture. Therefore, he wanted him gone. Then he might have some chance with her.

 

[Amethyst]

I love Xander, he's a great character in Buffy, Brave, Loyal and Funny but I must admit his slight obsession with Buffy and hatred for Angel did bug me quite a bit, maybe it's because I'm a Bangel shipper 🙄 lol

 

[sosa lola]

I don't think Xander even thought he had a chance with Buffy anymore at this point. Not as long as Angel is in the picture. Therefore, he wanted him gone. Then he might have some chance with her.

And that's where we completely disagree. I just don't think Xander lied to Buffy because he wanted to have her all to himself. I think he's past this by this point. And honestly, with an apocalypse, Willow in the hospital, Giles being kidnapped, Buffy's history of hesitating when fighting Angel.... I just can't see Xander thinking, "Yo, I'm gonna make Buffy kill Angel so that we can be together!" Especially since he already had a chance to have Angel killed before, Kendra, and he rejected that idea.

Killing Angel to have Buffy wasn't something Xander was thinking about at that moment.

 

[Chosen Enemy]

And that's where we completely disagree. I just don't think Xander lied to Buffy because he wanted to have her all to himself. I think he's past this by this point. And honestly, with an apocalypse, Willow in the hospital, Giles being kidnapped, Buffy's history of hesitating when fighting Angel.... I just can't see Xander thinking, "Yo, I'm gonna make Buffy kill Angel so that we can be together!" Especially since he already had a chance to have Angel killed before, Kendra, and he rejected that idea.

Killing Angel to have Buffy wasn't something Xander was thinking about at that moment.

The shorter version of what I'm saying? Strong feelings such as jealousy and anger can make someone insane in the moment, and not think straight. That's what was going though in Xander's head. He wasn't thinking, he was just full of emotions, including the emotions about Willow and Giles. Which also explains his anger towards Angel at the time especially, it wasn't just about Buffy. It was his fault that it happened to Willow and Giles. He blames Angel for that too. Another reason to want Angel dead. So he WAS thinking about Willow and Giles.
And if Xander was past this at this point, how come he kept going with his agenda in season 3 as well?

 

[Icarium]

If that wasn't jealousy, then why did he go out to kill Angel?

The same reason why Faith did? Or she was also jealous? The question for me is why Buffy should get to decide if Angel lives or dies, considering she is extremely biased in the situation and that many people have already paid with their lives for her inability to kill him in S2. Let's say you live in Sunnydale and Angel losing his soul is not an exciting plot twist - it means he might come after you. Who do you trust to take a decision regarding Angel's fate - Buffy or anyone but Buffy?

I find it mind-boggling that people keep on insisting that Xander hated Angel only because of jealousy. Angel in S3 is a disaster waiting to happen and yet except for the episode where Buffy and Angel were almost literally playing with fire Xander has no desire to get rid of him. Kind of odd, if he were that blinded by jealousy, IMO. He could have tried to influence Giles against Angel, or influence Faith (post-Revelations) or tell Travers that Angel was a danger that needs to be dealt with, etc. He did neither.

His jealousy of Angel was even before all that. His jealousy created the hate, the anger. It's all coming from the jealousy.

Yes, like Xander hated Riley for so long... Or Oz. Oh, wait, he didn't.

And again, all the other reasons came from the jealousy. They were all a result of it. Yes, stalling could cause Buffy's life. But it could also have saved Angel's life.

Stalling might have caused the end of the world. Risking that for a very small chance of saving Angel - if you lived in the Buffyverse would you agree with that? Would you say "Oh, well, my life isn't that important, let's prioritize saving some guy who has killed thousands." If not, why expect Xander's priorities to be that altruistic, to an almost suicidal extent, even?

I don't think Xander even thought he had a chance with Buffy anymore at this point. Not as long as Angel is in the picture. Therefore, he wanted him gone. Then he might have some chance with her.

Except that unless Xander had read the script for S3, he must have thought that Buffy would discover his lie very soon which would have destroyed any chance he had with her. As far as Macchiavelian plots go, this one would be of the spectacularly backfiring variety. Not to mention at the time Xander was with Cordelia and there were some vague clues abotu budding feelings towards Willow.

 

[Chosen Enemy]

The same reason why Faith did? Or she was also jealous? The question for me is why Buffy should get to decide if Angel lives or dies, considering she is extremely biased in the situation and that many people have already paid with their lives for her inability to kill him in S2. Let's say you live in Sunnydale and Angel losing his soul is not an exciting plot twist - it means he might come after you. Who do you trust to take a decision regarding Angel's fate - Buffy or anyone but Buffy?

Umm... no. Faith had complete different reasons. She didn't even know Angel. She just knew he's a vampire, who used to be evil and might be again.
Please read my posts again. I wasn't justifying Buffy in any way either. BUT! It wasn't Xander's place to decide either.

I find it mind-boggling that people keep on insisting that Xander hated Angel only because of jealousy. Angel in S3 is a disaster waiting to happen and yet except for the episode where Buffy and Angel were almost literally playing with fire Xander has no desire to get rid of him. Kind of odd, if he were that blinded by jealousy, IMO. He could have tried to influence Giles against Angel, or influence Faith (post-Revelations) or tell Travers that Angel was a danger that needs to be dealt with, etc. He did neither.

He didn't? Go back to the earlier posts again. What he did in season 3 (just in the begining of it I mean, he stopped later), was another way to just getting rid of Angel. Or in other words, to put him out of the picture, in any way, not just death.
The fact that he finally came around after Revelations, doesn't mean he was okay with it during and before that episode. Everybody changes. But if we're talking about pre all that, which we are.... His actions after, don't exactly make the actions from his past to disappear.

Yes, like Xander hated Riley for so long... Or Oz. Oh, wait, he didn't.

Xander was never jealous of Oz. Not even when he cheated on him with Willow. He actually respected Oz and his relationship with Willow. He never respected Angel when she was dating Buffy. And what do you know, he started respecting him a little bit more after they broke up.

With Riley... well, notice how he has a problem only with the vamp guys Buffy is dating or are interested in or are interested in her. Why? Because it's really hard for him to believe that Buffy would prefer dating a vampire than him. She rejected him for a vampire. And even if he knew Spike had no chance with Buffy in the begining, that was still an evidence that Buffy has the tendency to fall for vampires. I mean, Buffy was never really in love with anyone who's not a vampire. Buffy was not in love with Riley. Xander, even if he wasn't aware of it, didn't feel very threatened by Riley. Maybe because he was human, he maybe, even a simpler explanation: he was over Buffy at that point and completely in love with Anya. So your Riley example doesn't cover. Not only because of the first thing I said about him, but because of the second part.

Stalling might have caused the end of the world. Risking that for a very small chance of saving Angel - if you lived in the Buffyverse would you agree with that? Would you say "Oh, well, my life isn't that important, let's prioritize saving some guy who has killed thousands." If not, why expect Xander's priorities to be that altruistic, to an almost suicidal extent, even?

The benefit of having Angel killed in time is also a factor. If Willow didn't perform the ritual (like Buffy thought, because Xander didn't tell her), Buffy would have killed Angel. The stalling wasn't in Buffy's plan, because she didn't even know about the spell. She simply came to kills Angel before he destroys the world. If she knew, she'd stall. And the only way she'd now is if Xander told her about it. And that's why Xander didn't tell her. Because he wanted Buffy to kill him. For Buffy, for the world (again, before the sucking thing begins), and yes, for himself too.

Except that unless Xander had read the script for S3, he must have thought that Buffy would discover his lie very soon which would have destroyed any chance he had with her. As far as Macchiavelian plots go, this one would be of the spectacularly backfiring variety.

Do you really think he thought that long ahead? Like I already said, this was a thought of the last second. He didn't think it over at all.

Not to mention at the time Xander was with Cordelia and there were some vague clues abotu budding feelings towards Willow.

And he was also with Cordelia at the time when he fell for Willow and cheated. So what does it prove about his true feelings for her?

About Willow, already answered in the part about Willow and Oz.

 

[Icarium]

Umm... no. Faith had complete different reasons. She didn't even know Angel. She just knew he's a vampire, who used to be evil and might be again.

And that's not a reason enough to at least consider killing him? I guess they should have told her he almost ended the world, this would have made letting him live such an easy decision, right?

He didn't? Go back to the earlier posts again. What he did in season 3 (just in the begining of it I mean, he stopped later), was another way to just getting rid of Angel. Or in other words, to put him out of the picture, in any way, not just death.
The fact that he finally came around after Revelations, doesn't mean he was okay with it during and before that episode. Everybody changes. But if we're talking about pre all that, which we are.... His actions after, don't exactly make the actions from his past to disappear.

In case you missed my point, I never said Xander didn't want Angel dead, just that jealousy was not his motivation.

He never respected Angel when she was dating Buffy. And what do you know, he started respecting him a little bit more after they broke up.

What? How?

With Riley... well, notice how he has a problem only with the vamp guys Buffy is dating or are interested in or are interested in her. Why? Because it's really hard for him to believe that Buffy would prefer dating a vampire than him.

Or maybe because Buffy's job is to, you know, kill the vampires? If Angel loses his soul again (or Spike's chip would stop working) who is going to have to kill them? That's right, Buffy. What happened when she couldn't do it in S2? A lot of people died. Is that really an acceptable risk? I like comapring Buffy dating vampires with judge dating a mob boss or a president sleeping with a foreign spy. Sure, maybe the mob boss and the spy are redeemed and/or misunderstood but if you hear such news would you say "Well done, judge/president, go for it"?

The benefit of having Angel killed in time is also a factor.

What are you talking about? Are you saying that Xander lying made Buffy less likely to kill Angel in time?

Do you really think he thought that long ahead? Like I already said, this was a thought of the last second. He didn't think it over at all.

And you know that how exactly? One can always invent some motivation for a character to prove a point and when people say "This makes no sense", they can always reply "You see, the character didn't think about it". No offense, but while your interpretation isn't completely implausible, it's just your personal fanon. Joss Whedon called Xander's lie "a general's decision" but if you think it was about irrational burst of jealousy - be my guest.

 

[Chosen Enemy]

And that's not a reason enough to at least consider killing him? I guess they should have told her he almost ended the world, this would have made letting him live such an easy decision, right?

Faith hated Angel because he was a vampire. Xander had a different reasons, one of them is hate. Nothing to do with each other. Faith didn't need a reason to kill Angel. She didn't really care. She didn't even care that Buffy had a loving relationship with Angel. Xander knew she loved Angel. Yet, he wanted to kill Angel.

In case you missed my point, I never said Xander didn't want Angel dead, just that jealousy was not his motivation.

In case you didn't notice my earlier posts, I said where the other reasons came from: the jealousy. I mean, he didn't even know Angel or who or what he was when he started to hate him. He just started hating him because of Buffy. Because he was jealous. He had no other information about him, including the fact that he was a vampire. So why would he hate him if not for that?

What? How?

Does the fact that he wanted them to break up and him and Buffy together mean he had respect for their relationship. When he was finally over Buffy, he could respect their relationship and had no jealousy anymore. That also explains his no Riley jealousy. That's why he respected Buffy and Riley's relationship. He can't respect someone he's jealous of, almost never.

Or maybe because Buffy's job is to, you know, kill the vampires? If Angel loses his soul again (or Spike's chip would stop working) who is going to have to kill them? That's right, Buffy. What happened when she couldn't do it in S2? A lot of people died. Is that really an acceptable risk? I like comapring Buffy dating vampires with judge dating a mob boss or a president sleeping with a foreign spy. Sure, maybe the mob boss and the spy are redeemed and/or misunderstood but if you hear such news would you say "Well done, judge/president, go for it"?

Again, Buffy does mistakes. Especially when love is involved. I was never justifying Buffy. Xander was trying to help, yes. But not just Buffy or the world, but also himself. Jealousy WAS involved here, it affected his decision. And not only at times when the rest of the world is the main issue.

What are you talking about? Are you saying that Xander lying made Buffy less likely to kill Angel in time?

By lying, Buffy wouldn't know about the spell, so she wouldn't stall. She came to kill Angel, before the end of the world. She did not come there to wait for his soul restoration. She thought it was done, Angel was gone forever. She had no idea that Willow wants to try again. Xander did know. So he was keeping that info to himself, and didn't tell Buffy, not letting her know that there's a chance to save Angel. It's not about 'less likely'. Buffy didn't have a clue that Angel is savable.

And you know that how exactly? One can always invent some motivation for a character to prove a point and when people say "This makes no sense", they can always reply "You see, the character didn't think about it". No offense, but while your interpretation isn't completely implausible, it's just your personal fanon. Joss Whedon called Xander's lie "a general's decision" but if you think it was about irrational burst of jealousy - be my guest.

Well, what I said exactly. His thought was a one-second thought. And that's a fact. He only thought: "this is my chance to get rid of Angel". That's all. He didn't think to himself: "but what if Buffy found out? What if she'll never be friends with me again?" Don't you think that if he really thought ahead he would have NOT said that lie? That there actually could be consequences? No, THAT doesn't make any sense. He cares too much about his friendship with Buffy. Why would he risk that? Because he didn't think ahead. And that's what proves me that.

 

[Icarium]

By lying, Buffy wouldn't know about the spell, so she wouldn't stall. She came to kill Angel, before the end of the world. She did not come there to wait for his soul restoration. She thought it was done, Angel was gone forever. She had no idea that Willow wants to try again. Xander did know. So he was keeping that info to himself, and didn't tell Buffy, not letting her know that there's a chance to save Angel. It's not about 'less likely'. Buffy didn't have a clue that Angel is savable.

And all this has to do with "The benefit of having Angel killed in time is also a factor" how exactly? Seriously, I have no clue what your point is.

Don't you think that if he really thought ahead he would have NOT said that lie? That there actually could be consequences? No, THAT doesn't make any sense. He cares too much about his friendship with Buffy.

There wouldn't be Buffy or Xander or a friendship between them if Acathla had sent the world to hell, so the interpretation that Xander knew the consequences but thought the risk of ending the world is far too great to give give a damn about saving the poor serial killer is way more obvious to me than yours.

Faith hated Angel because he was a vampire. Xander had a different reasons, one of them is hate. Nothing to do with each other. Faith didn't need a reason to kill Angel. She didn't really care.

Seems like you completely missed my point. The argument that Xander hated Angel mostly because of jealousy is weak (IMO) and I illustrated that by showing that Faith was actually more willing to kill Angel than Xander was, despite feeling no jealousy at all.

Does the fact that he wanted them to break up and him and Buffy together mean he had respect for their relationship. When he was finally over Buffy, he could respect their relationship and had no jealousy anymore.

In your previous post you said "never respected Angel" not "never respected Bangel". So which is it?

I mean, he didn't even know Angel or who or what he was when he started to hate him. He just started hating him because of Buffy. Because he was jealous. He had no other information about him, including the fact that he was a vampire. So why would he hate him if not for that?

Hate is a rather strong word, I wouldn't use it to describe Xnader's attitude towards Angel before it was revealed he was a vampire.

 

[Chosen Enemy]

And all this has to do with "The benefit of having Angel killed in time is also a factor" how exactly? Seriously, I have no clue what your point is.

Because if Angel is killed in time, the world is saved, but Angel is out of the picture.

There wouldn't be Buffy or Xander or a friendship between them if Acathla had sent the world to hell, so the interpretation that Xander knew the consequences but thought the risk of ending the world is far too great to give give a damn about saving the poor serial killer is way more obvious to me than yours.

Again, like above. If the world is saved but Angel is out of the picture... no Angel for Buffy. Xander knew that Buffy would win, he trusted that, he belives in her. Not that he didn't give a damn about the world. He wanted Buffy to win and save the world, but also kill Angel while doing it. The fact that he didn't think about how it will effect his relationship with Buffy (otherwise he wouldn't have done it, because he wants his friendship with Buffy, no?), means he didn't think it through. That simple. And that explains his lie.

Seems like you completely missed my point. The argument that Xander hated Angel mostly because of jealousy is weak (IMO) and I illustrated that by showing that Faith was actually more willing to kill Angel than Xander was, despite feeling no jealousy at all.

Not weak at all. I gave you examples. I showed you that he hated and was jealous of him way before all the mess with him started. That (and more) not good enough for you to see that he was jealous of him?
Your Faith part-exactly my point. Faith hated Angel without any reasons. Simply because she hated vampires (for a reason). Xander had his. So they joined forces, to kill a mutual enemy. Their reasons had nothing to do with each other. And the fact that Faith's reasons had nothing to do with jealousy, has nothing to do with the fact of what Xander's reasons were and his jealousy.

In your previous post you said "never respected Angel" not "never respected Bangel". So which is it?

Both. I was referring to a particular point. Doesn't have to be one or another. And yes, I also said their relationship at some point. I never said "Bangel" by its name, but I did refer to their relationship many times in this thread, in more than one way.

Hate is a rather strong word, I wouldn't use it to describe Xnader's attitude towards Angel before it was revealed he was a vampire.

Doesn't really matter. He didn't like him AT ALL without even knowing him. He had NOTHING but negative feelings for him and all he said about him was hating words. He never respected him, even when Angel showed that he's good. There was no point where Xander came to him and said thank you. He didn't like him before and he didn't like him shorty after that.

 

[Icarium]

The fact that he didn't think about how it will effect his relationship with Buffy (otherwise he wouldn't have done it, because he wants his friendship with Buffy, no?), means he didn't think it through. That simple. And that explains his lie.

Fact? Joss apparently disagrees with your "fact" and so do many other viewers.

Xander knew that Buffy would win, he trusted that, he belives in her.

No, he didn't, that's the whole point of the lie - to not break Buffy's resolve to kil lAngel and save the world.

He had NOTHING but negative feelings for him and all he said about him was hating words. He never respected him, even when Angel showed that he's good.

Which isn't the same as hate. There is an awful lot of people who annoy me but far fewer number whom I actually hate. I would venture this is the case with most people. Xander didn't really hate early Angel ("Angel is our friend. Except I don't like him") or Owen or Ampata (the exchange student, not the mummy impostor). He did hate Tom the frat boy but not only because of jealousy.

 

[Chosen Enemy]

Fact? Joss apparently disagrees with your "fact" and so do many other viewers.

Joss doesn't disagree. "General decision" - which could mean that it was an impulsive decision. And actually, no. It was discussed many times before how other viewers see it as jealousy. If Joss meant that this decision had nothing to do with anything, "general one", isn't it bad writing? Also, there are many things on the show that could be argued, even if Joss didn't mean them. Like the Cheese Guy. There are many things Joss writes without noticing how it could be viewed and explained later. He's surprised too sometimes. Joss admit that it had no meaning. And fans had given it a meaning themselves. So even though Joss was "just writing" Xander's decision, doesn't mean what I'm saying isn't true. Because what I'm saying makes a lot more sense than a decision that was random. And I gave you my proof for that. If you think it isn't true, well you probably believe Xander didn't really care about his relationship with Buffy. Or Joss belives that.

No, he didn't, that's the whole point of the lie - to not break Buffy's resolve to kil lAngel and save the world.

No? So was Xander pretending he wasn't trusting her all along? If he believed she wouldn't win, that means he'd be dead. When he took Giles and took off because he knew Buffy could hold her own. If he thought Buffy would die, would he take off? Wouldn't he want to at least try to help her? Even if he knew he had no really chance to protect her? Because he did manage to help her and save her and others' lives many times.

Which isn't the same as hate. There is an awful lot of people who annoy me but far fewer number whom I actually hate. I would venture this is the case with most people. Xander didn't really hate early Angel ("Angel is our friend. Except I don't like him") or Owen or Ampata (the exchange student, not the mummy impostor). He did hate Tom the frat boy but not only because of jealousy.

Call it what you want. The strong negative feelings were there. Xander's feelings for Angel were more than "Angel is annoying".
Go back to earlier posts of mine where I said why he felt this way towards Angel and not other guys. There's no need for me to say it again.

 

[Icarium]

If Joss meant that this decision had nothing to do with anything, "general one", isn't it bad writing?

Maybe I should have phrased that better - Joss's words were about general's decision as in an army general who sees the pros and cons of different battle plans and decides what sacrifices might be needed for the victory. Not general in the sense of universal, common.

If he believed she wouldn't win, that means he'd be dead. When he took Giles and took off because he knew Buffy could hold her own. If he thought Buffy would die, would he take off?

I didn't say Xander was sure Buffy would lose, I said he wasn't sure that she would win, hence he took no chances and didn't tell her about Willow's spell, lest this break her resolve. Let's put it this way - chances of victory in Xander's mind - if he had told the truth - X%, had he lied - Y%, where Y is bigger than X.

Call it what you want. The strong negative feelings were there. Xander's feelings for Angel were more than "Angel is annoying".

But that happened after Angel was revealed to be not just a vampire but the vampire with thr highest body count ever. I was talknig about the pre-reveal episodes.

 

[Chosen Enemy]

Maybe I should have phrased that better - Joss's words were about general's decision as in an army general who sees the pros and cons of different battle plans and decides what sacrifices might be needed for the victory. Not general in the sense of universal, common.

So that takes me again to what I said earlier (not sure if that was to you), Xander thought about the people who already got hurt by Angel (like Willow, Giles, Jenny. etc.) and thought this was a good chance to get rid of Angel. Yet, that doesn't prove he thought ahead. He was still impulsive, doesn't matter which type of decision this was or how heroic he tried to be. Buffy is always trying to be a general, like in season 7. That means she thought that ahead? She also thought it was the right decision to do when she led the potentials to die in Dirty Girls.

What are you talking about? I didn't say Xander was sure Buffy would lose, I said he wasn't sure that she would win, hence he took no chances and didn't tell her about Willow's spell, lest this break her resolve. Let's put it this way - chances of victory in Xander's mind - if he had told the truth - X%, had he lied - Y%, where Y is bigger than X.

I didn't say that this was what you said.
And actually, if he told Buffy about the spell=Buffy will 100% stall and there's a chance Angel will be back and Buffy will be back to his arms; Xander not telling Buffy=Buffy won't stall at all, simply kill Angel before the world ends. I mean, he could have told Buffy the truth. And give Buffy to make the decision. He could have told her a different lie that would actually help her. But he basically said nothing. "Kick his ass"-nothing. He was going to tell her the truth, but then decided to tell her nothing. If this was a general's decision, he could have told Buffy the truth, they could have made up a plan, he could have said to her an actual helpful thing. The "Kick his ass" line, was just an excuse, because he already opened his mouth and started telling her something. So he just made something up, instead of something that would actually make sense for the fight.

 

[dj651]

And actually, if he told Buffy about the spell=Buffy will 100% stall and there's a chance Angel will be back and Buffy will be back to his arms; Xander not telling Buffy=Buffy won't stall at all, simply kill Angel before the world ends. I mean, he could have told Buffy the truth. And give Buffy to make the decision.

Sorry to jump into this discussion so late, but here goes:

What about the possibility that if Buffy knew they were trying to restore Angel's soul again, she wouldn't have fought him as hard as she did? If she thought there was any chance at all that Angel would be back, she wouldn't have had the resolve to kill him. She would have tried to stall and by doing so, probably would have made a fatal mistake. She barely won the fight as is. Xander knew that her knowing the truth would have just made it harder for her to kill Angel, regardless of Xander's feelings towards Angel.

 

[imperatrix]

Xander is my fav!

Xander's jealousy of Angel in the beginning (pre-Angelus) was definitely because Angel was a romantic rival. It was more lighthearted than anything else. Once Angel became a real threat to the entire gang, I think Xander's feelings were justified. Angel killed Jenny and did lots of other horrible things.

Even though I always related to Buffy and understood her decisions in terms of her later relationship with Angel, I liked that Xander continued to remind Buffy -- and the audience -- of what Angel was capable of. Furthermore, I think a lot of Xander's dislike of Angel came out of his concern for her. For example, although I would say that Buffy's decision to let Angel drink her blood was noble/romantic/etc., Xander didn't like seeing Buffy put herself in danger for a boy like that.

 

[Chosen Enemy]

Sorry to jump into this discussion so late, but here goes:

What about the possibility that if Buffy knew they were trying to restore Angel's soul again, she wouldn't have fought him as hard as she did? If she thought there was any chance at all that Angel would be back, she wouldn't have had the resolve to kill him. She would have tried to stall and by doing so, probably would have made a fatal mistake. She barely won the fight as is. Xander knew that her knowing the truth would have just made it harder for her to kill Angel, regardless of Xander's feelings towards Angel.

It would have been a possibility if they weren't actually trying to show us that it's what I basically said. That was the point of that scene. And even after that episode, they made us clear that this is where it comes from. His feelings towards Angel.
And I gave my explanation why this is why I think that. But again, this was an impulsive thought, the lie he told Buffy. If he actually had a plan or a better thing he thinks Buffy should do, he would have told Buffy, or Willow. He would have not said that lie, but simply say to Buffy something helpful. He didn't even have to tell her the truth. He could have told her something helpful. When Xander told Buffy that Willow wants him to tell her something, and Buffy asked what, Buffy thought Willow actually had useful information, or that there's something really important tell tell her. Once she realized that all Willow had to say is "Kick his ass", she wasn't even interested in hearing it, it doesn't matter to her. She just walked away, not saying a word to Xander. Like: "if you don't have something useful to say, don't say anything at all".
If Xander really wanted to help, he wouldn't have done what he did and wouldn't have said what he said. And I've already explained why and how and showed the evidences more than once and more than twice. It's not just theories I pulled out from nowhere.

Do I blame Xander for feeling this way toward Angel? No. Do I always diagree with him about anything to do with Angel? Hell no! I don't even like Angel, and I kinda like Xander, so I'm being objective here.