I watched "Innocence" again today and I will have to say that I picked up on a lot more the second time around. This episode was based on love, sex and loss. Each character faced some form of these three themes. The Xander, Willow and Cordelia triangle took an interesting turn. The kiss between Cordelia and Xander was discovered by Willow and created tension between them. This tension resulted in Willow propositioning Oz in his van when she asked "Do you wanna make out with me?". It is obvious that Willow is in love with Xander but he is unsure of his feelings for her (is it friendship or something more?) and then there's his lustful feelings for the shallow Cordelia. This is apparent during their comical exchange when Cordelia asks, "Do looking at guns make you wanna have sex?" to which his response was, "I'm 17, looking at linoleum makes me wanna have sex".
There is also the tragic relationship between Buffy and Angel. They confess their feelings for each other and give in to a night's passion. It ignites a flame in Buffy she had never experienced before and it changes her. It also changes Angel too but not for the better. As the saying goes, everything is always clearer in the light of day. I believe it applies in this case too. It is the next day she finds out what happened to her true love. There are many sexual exchanges between Buffy and Angel throughout the latter part of this episode. When Angel kills Jenny's Uncle he wrote on the wall "Was it good for you too" in blood. I believe writing that in blood could have also been a symbol for her lost virginity. Later when Buffy and Angel confront each other Angel instigates her by saying "Come On Buffy, you know you want it" I also think the knee to the groin scene was sexual statement as well.
The end of the episode had two parts that really stuck out to me: the song playing on the television when Buffy and her mother were on the sofa and Buffy's choice to let the candle burn. First, the lyrics that were easily heard were "Goodnight, my love. My moment with you now is ending. Remember that your mine sweetheart". I think that it symbolizes the realization that Angel and Buffy's time together must come to an end but that he will always be hers. The decision to "let it burn" when her mother tells her to blow out the candle is Buffy's way of saying that even though Angel is lost to her now, her love for him is still alive and still burning within her heart.
and now a little limerick for your amusement!
Buffy and Angel had sex
Neither understood the effects
So Angel's soul is now lost
By the gypsies-- been tossed
And a flame--her true love now reflects.
3 comments:
I like that you brought up the "sexual exchanges" in the episode between Buffy and Angel. It symbolizes the beginning of Angelus' personality and what he became famous for originally as a vampire. It's his way of teasing Buffy about her own humanity and how he can use it against her. He continues his torment of Buffy and her friends (especially Giles) in following episodes, but it really shows through in the examples you gave.
I also liked the limerick, great job! :)
Thanks! Except for taking a break to re-watch "Innocence" I have been trying to complete the first season. I have succeeded! I look forward to what lies ahead in season two (apart from "Surprise" and "Innocence") and your comment has definitely sparked my curiousity!
Congrats on completing Season 1! Season 2 is definitely a step further into Buffy's personal life, especially after the two episodes we watched in class. After them, it gets really interesting! And just when I thought it couldn't get any better, Season 3 came along... ;)
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