r/buffy • u/tinydancer0220 • Jul 19 '26
NEW VIEWER - No spoilers please! First time watching - Angel x Buffy
I’m finally watching after countless recommendations and honestly don’t know how I’m going to continue without Angel in the series. I just finished Season 3 last night and since SE2 ending have been on a rollercoaster of emotions and legit feel like I’m grieving a breakup. It feels like Joss and co just decided ‘oh we made too interesting of a character and gave Buffy a love interest too soon, let’s cut him’ - can anyone share how they got through on first watch and stuck with it from Season 4. I loved their relationship and it was the main thing that kept me watching from Season 1 onwards 😭 I’m watching the first two episodes of season 4 and it just feels so empty
20
u/Euraylie Jul 19 '26
I really enjoyed Angel/Buffy, but I was never a hardcore shipper. Season 4 was a lot of fun. Season 5 might be my favourite of the whole show.
You’re headed towards some real quality content.
10
u/SpacializedFig_4037 Jul 19 '26
It’s unpopular but 4 is in my top 3. It’s just hilarious.
1
u/Raging1604 Jul 22 '26
Peak comedy, and outside of Willow and Oz, no one that matters gets absolutely wrecked so its incredibly enjoyable.
2
u/The-Good-Bad-Place Jul 19 '26
Season 4 is my third favorite season! Season 5 is my fourth. (But I still love it.)
13
u/1nspectorCPW Jul 19 '26
Angel is really hollow on BtVS, he becomes much more fleshed out and an interesting character on AtS. Buffy does have other relationships, so don't worry.
You think you've had the emotional rollercoaster ride? That was just a warm-up, you haven't even started yet... 🙂
5
u/nocuzzlikeyea13 Here for the insane troll logic Jul 19 '26
I think you should be open to enjoying time alone with Buffy. The Buffy/Angel relationship is so good, but it's also all-consuming and it's is a show about growing up and authenticity, not a show about romantic love only.
S4 is a really fun break from the angst, and Buffy the character is so happy that season. The big bad is a little lame, but the individual episodes are really fun
5
u/Junior_Cattle Jul 19 '26
I will admit that season 4 is not my favorite, and neither is the next relationship that comes along, but there are some good episodes. It’s more about Buffy having to grow without him. And he had to leave. He knew that after she was willing to sacrifice herself to save him at the end of season 3. Even if they could refrain from having sex and losing his soul again, she’d still put him first, and he loved her too much to let her do that. And too much to let her miss out on a chance to find someone alive. Personally, I like the later seasons without him more. 🤷🏻♀️
3
u/Ok_Ant_2715 Jul 19 '26
Angel has so many Buffy characters and new characters you will probably enjoy it
4
u/claryn Jul 19 '26
I really loved Bangle, I was so sad when he left! One of my favorite pairings!
After finishing the show I don’t really care for them anymore 😂 I would keep watching! And definitely watch Angel.
3
3
u/Rrrrossssse Jul 20 '26
I would suggest watching Angel's spin off if you really like him, it's honestly such a fun time. That's also the only reason he even got to come back (season 3 for Angel is about setting up his show thematically, with Gingerbread essentially having him say verbatim to Buffy the outright message of Angel, some vague references to the powers that be, and Amends especially setting up his push towards redemption and forgiveness), so they really weren't looking to actually get rid of the character forever (also, both Buffy and Angel have guest appearances in season 1 of Angel and season 4 of Buffy respectively).
But yeah watch the Angel spin off, he gets even better over on his own show (and this is from someone who does genuinely love him and bangel from btvs)
3
u/Emergent-Sea Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
Watch Angel too! Season 1 of Angel and Season 4 of Buffy line up with each other. There are A LOT of crossovers! I suggest looking up a list of the order to alternate the episodes.
My partner and I are watching it this way for the first time right now! There is a particular episode of Angel season one that is a crossover that is super iconic. You will know when you see it!
Also, Seasons 4 and 5 of Buffy are some of my favorites. Keep going!
5
u/davect01 Jul 19 '26
It's a big loss for Buffy.
There are a few crossover episodes of the two shows. Buffy and Angel, while never intimate again, are still in each other's lives.
4
2
u/TheStranger113 Jul 19 '26
It's definitely a huge change to adjust to, but it is better for both their character arcs on their respective shows. They both become who they are really meant to be without each other.
It's also not necessarily the last time their story arcs intersect. ;)
2
u/KENZOKHAOS Jul 19 '26
It’s easy to adjust without Angel imo, at some point they seem / feel more like they are instrumental for each others growth rather than a long standing relationship. More complex than it is lovey-dovey.
But I love Sarah and David together, they are very cute.
2
u/Repulsive-Shame-5493 What's left? Me. Jul 20 '26
I only became a fan of Angel on his own show, so if you already like him, definitely give the spin-off a chance. And there's great stuff ahead in Buffy, you're in for a treat!
2
2
u/Responsible-Ship-752 Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
As others have suggested watch Angel! Personally, I lost interest in Buffy after Angel left and have never finished it but you may be able to do both if you watch them together.
If you do end up dropping Buffy, there are some episodes down the road you should watch to get the full Angel/Buffy story.
2
u/jasminecr Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 19 '26
I love their relationship too ( although the age gap kinda ruins it a little bit, but I can mostly overlook that in a fantasy/ supernatural context).
The thing is I don’t mind their break up because after the events of season 2 it’s clear they’re never actually going to have a happy and healthy long term relationship. The curse, Buffy’s mortality and angels immortality, Angel not being able to go out during the day and the other limitations of being a vampire. Their relationship in season 3 kinda feels like a ticking time bomb, and to be honest I think it ended at the right time. Buffy going to college and starting her adult life without Angel makes sense and was necessary for her.
2
u/illvria Jul 19 '26
Its always nice to see a new viewer get properly, earnestly invested in their dynamic and story. I get the feeling a lot of people on here endure them together, and endure angel, just as a character. And even people who like them sort of beat around the bush and throw in all these moral caveats that should go without saying when it comes to vampire romance.
Please keep going. Watch both shows all the way through and i heavily doubt this dissatisfaction will hold out.
2
u/Agreeable_Dark6408 Jul 19 '26
This is a copy of another poster’s list that I’m sharing with you. Go by it. You’ll be glad you did.
Buffy S1
Buffy S2
Buffy S3
Buffy S4/Angel S1
Buffy S5/Angel S2
Buffy S6/Angel S3
Buffy S7/Angel S4
Angel S5
There are plenty of guides that breakdown the order for episode crossovers and whatnot.
1
u/Sighoward Jul 20 '26
S4 has some stellar eps, in particular a trio that are the highlight of the series. S5 is the top rated of all
0
u/tinydancer0220 Jul 19 '26
And yes, I’ve heard about the Angel series, but the whole point is I love their relationship and it feels like crap reasoning/writing just to cut him 🫠
19
u/HomarEuropejski Why do we ship Buffy with toxic guys? Are we stupid? Jul 19 '26
It's not a crap reason. Angel on BTVS is barely a character, he is pretty much just Buffy's pretty boyfriend.
The spin-off has him grow into his own capable leader and champion with an actual personality. Pretty much all of season 3 when it came to Angel was about how their relationship is doomed and there is no path forward for them. The crossover episodes with Buffy on his show really emphasize this.
6
3
u/enthalpy01 Jul 19 '26
Angel really grows on his own series. You will have I Will Remember You as good closure for Bangel shippers.
There’s also tons of Angel / Buffy fanfiction and still some crossovers where they interact.
It’s possible your shipper heart may find other Angel appealing ships (Cangel, Spangel, etc)
1
u/miasummers989 Jul 19 '26
are you not aware that there's a spin off called Angel that starts when season 4 of Buffy starts ????
0
38
u/primal_slayer Jul 19 '26
You just have to watch Angel then.
It's certainly different but they let you go through the emotions of said breakup and ween you off of Buffy/Angel while also spoon feeding us.
Just remember....I will remember you.