Throughout Season 1's serialized (but steady plot-moving) episodes, basically Buffy does what she was born to do, slay the monsters. Each new mission also finds her getting closer with Angel even after his true identity as a vampire is revealed the first time they kiss. However, as the relationship with Angel reaches it's breaking point, it's the first time I can honestly say I saw Buffy be human. Yes, she tried and failed to mix normal teenage life with her slayer duties, but it was comically written off on Willow's wit, Giles misunderstandings and Xander's protectiveness (referencing, "Never Kill A Boy On The First Date, 1.5). Up until now Angel has been her ally and first love, someone she envisioned herself to be with for a long time, regardless of his...undeadness. As "Surprise" concludes to Angel screaming in the rain, and Buffy has taken the first step in her womanhood, she is unaware of the consequences she will soon face. "Innocence" takes the leap and turns her entire world around, leaving our slayer little more than agonizing heartbreak and her most vulnerable moment. As she steps into her room, momentarily stopping to touch the cross Angel had previously given her, she lays down on her bed with the Claddagh ring in her grasp and has a real, human moment alone. Buffy sobs uncontrollably onto her pillow, grieving not just from Angel's horrid "morning-after" reaction, but for herself because her nightmare has come true. Buffy feels she has made a sacrifice with Angel and now she has lost him, truth told to her in dreams by her very own counterpart, Drusilla. By the time Buffy reunites with her friends, she has begun to accept that loss and resume what she was chosen to do. This will ultimately lead to her making the biggest decision of her life at the end of the season.
I have to end with a favorite quote and another animation from the episode. This was my favorite special effect:
Favorite line - The Judge: What does that do?
3 comments:
I have to say that despite how campy that scene is, every time I watch it, I still am taken aback at how different and badass Angelus is as compared to Angel. I thought the smoking trick was a beautiful touch. :D
You've gotta admire the mind and creativity of Joss Whedon. It's really such a simple vampire effect, but I don't think anyone else has done something cool like that.
Joss does an excellent job of making the vampires very multifaceted, even if it is through making Angel both Angel and Angelus, he also gives characters like Spike who are both bad and "good" depending on the season. I love that he makes Angelus, not this evil guy per say, but more just an ass, because that is the more perfect opposite of the Angel that Buffy had fallen in love with
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