10 things abotu Angel that would never fly today.

[David]

https://screenrant.com/buffy-vampire-slayer-angel-character-never-fly-today/


Buffy the Vampire Slayer: 10 Things About Angel That Would Never Fly Today

Angel started out on Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a brooding, mysterious
vampire. But his dark past and stalker behavior don't work in today's
society.

BY LEAH FLAVELL
MAY 03, 2020

Angel was one of Buffy's primary love interests in Joss Whedon's Buffy the
Vampire Slayer. The vampire with a soul was portrayed as a dark and
mysterious figure who assisted the Scooby Gang and gave Buffy cryptic
warnings from the shadows about the evil entities in Sunnydale.

Buffy and Angel shared an epic and tragic romance before the vampire
departed the Hellmouth to forge a new life in his spin-off series, Angel.
Angel is a fan-favorite in the Buffyverse but there are problematic elements
to his character that wouldn't fly today.


10
The Age Difference Between Angel And Buffy

The vast age gap between Angel and Buffy is one of the more uncomfortable
aspects of their relationship. Buffy is 16 when she meets Angel in Season 1.
Angel was turned into a vampire when he was 24, though he is technically 241
years old when he starts a relationship with the Slayer.

Angel is older than Buffy as a human and a vampire. The drastic age
difference in their romance would never fly in today's era.


9
Stalking Buffy Before She Moved To Sunnydale

It is later revealed in the show that Angel's feelings for Buffy predate her
move to Sunnydale. The vampire with a soul first encountered the Slayer
while she attended school in Los Angeles, watching her from a distance as
she struggled with her new identity.

This makes the age difference between the couple more disturbing as Buffy
was even younger when Angel first decided he loved her. He continues to
stalk the Slayer after she moves to Sunnydale, though Buffy quickly
confronts him. Today's audiences have moved on from the dated, problematic
idea that stalking someone is romantic.


8
He Fell In Love With Buffy Before He Knew Her

Angel and Buffy's romance is widely regarded as a tragic tale of
star-crossed lovers. Like in Romeo & Juliet, Angel fell in love with the
Slayer at first sight, despite not knowing or ever speaking to her.

It could be argued that Angel loves the idea of Buffy as opposed to her
personally. Buffy represents his redemption and an opportunity to be a
better person. Loving someone because they can "fix" you isn't exactly
romantic by modern standards.


7
His Toxic Relationship With Buffy As Angelus

Buffy and Angel sleep together for the first time in Season 2. This has dire
consequences for the Scooby Gang as Angel loses his soul after experiencing
a moment of true happiness and reverts to the sadistic Angelus.

Angelus wastes no time tormenting Buffy and her friends. The evil vampire
attacks Buffy, murders Jenny Calendar, and almost kills the Slayer in an
epic duel before he is re-souled. This toxic element of Angel's relationship
with Buffy would likely be considered inappropriate by modern audiences.


6
Making Decisions For Buffy & Taking Control Of Their Relationship

Angel could be overbearing during his relationship with Buffy. He recognized
he was toxic for Buffy, yet continued to stay with her. When he departed
from the series in the Season 3 finale, it was after he dumped Buffy during
the Mayor's Ascension without saying goodbye.

Angel meant well, but he chose the worst moments to break up with Buffy. The
vampire disregarded Buffy's choices and tried to make her decisions for her,
believing he knew what was best. Not cool in the 21st century.


5
His Treatment Of Drusilla

Angel committed countless acts of atrocity during his days as the soulless
Angelus. One of his most deplorable crimes is his torment of Drusilla. The
vampire stalks Dru, murdering her family before driving her to a convent
where he continues to torment her.

Angelus eventually turns Drusilla into a vampire after driving her to
insanity. He does this to ensure she suffers for eternity as an immortal,
demonstrating toxic and abusive elements that many of today's viewers
wouldn't be able to get past, especially for a romantic lead.


4
Buffy Didn't Trust Him During The Beginning Of Their Relationship

Buffy admits in Season 2 that she doesn't trust Angel, despite her romantic
feelings for him. Angel has a soul but he is still a vampire, Buffy's mortal
enemy. Buffy is wary of her boyfriend, and with good reason.

She herself recognizes the problematic elements of her relationship with
Angel. Her distrust of him is a red flag that would not go ignored by
viewers nowadays.


3
His Bloody History As Angelus

Angel is regarded as one of the good guys in Buffy The Vampire Slayer, but
he still has a bloody history. As Angelus, Angel killed and tortured
hundreds of people. The evil vampire has a notorious reputation for being
one of the most despicable killers in vampire history.

Angel tries to atone for his actions after he is re-souled and spends his
time throughout Buffy and Angel seeking redemption for his past.
Nevertheless, this is another unsavory part of Angel's story that wouldn't
fly today.


2
Murdering His Family

One of the worst crimes Angelus committed was the murder of his family.
Angel, originally known as Liam, awoke as a vampire and under the tutelage
of his sire Darla, viciously killed his younger sister and his parents.

Angel's history is littered with murder and loss. This bloody history of
familicide is another reason why his relationship with Buffy could be
considered toxic by modern standards.


1
His Creepy Introduction In Season 1

Angel first appears in Buffy The Vampire Slayer as a mysterious figure who
stalks Buffy and sporadically offers her ominous advice. Buffy herself
comments on the creepiness of Angel's presence, despite the instant
chemistry between them.

Angel's enigmatic entrance in the narrative portrayed him as a tall, dark,
and handsome love interest for the Slayer. Nowadays, however, his unsettling
presence and cryptic warnings would be off-putting for a lot of viewers.


[ I have to disagree with # 1 - 10. Stuff on some of today's shows
are much worse than what went on with Buffy and Angel/Angelus.
But maybe I'm looking at everything from a man's perspective, and the
author is looking at things from a 'modern' woman's perspective.]


David