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Amy Madison

2025-10-12T00:15:06Z

2001:D08:1C12:DEBE:4462:8B94:7FF6:7513:

{{Short description|Fictional character from Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}
{{Multiple issues|{{more citations needed|date=November 2007}}
{{in-universe|date=October 2011}}}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Amy Madison
| series = [[Buffyverse|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]
| image = Amysmashed.jpg
| caption = [[Elizabeth Anne Allen]] as Amy Madison in 2003.
| first = "[[Witch (Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode)|Witch]]" (1997)
| last = ''Lost and Found'' (2015)
| creator = [[Joss Whedon]], Dana Reston
| portrayer = [[Elizabeth Anne Allen]]; uncredited [[rat]]s
| lbl21 = Classification
| data21 = [[Witch (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Witch]]
| lbl22 = Notable powers
| data22 = [[Magic (paranormal)|Powerful magical abilities]]
| family = Catherine Madison (mother)
}}
'''Amy Madison''' is a fictional character on the American television series ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]],'' portrayed by [[Elizabeth Anne Allen]]; the character is a [[witchcraft|witch]], and is portrayed by unnamed [[rat]]s for parts of three seasons, having transformed herself but inadvertently losing the human intelligence needed to cast a spell to revert herself. The character{{snd}}human and rat{{snd}}appears in every season of ''Buffy'' except the fifth.

Although initially a seemingly good-natured individual, Amy gradually begins misusing her [[magic (paranormal)|magic]], eventually becoming an enemy to [[Willow Rosenberg|Willow]] ([[Alyson Hannigan]]) and her friends. In the [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight|series' comic book continuation]], the character is a villain.

==Appearances==

===Television===
Amy is a classmate of [[Buffy Summers]] at [[Sunnydale High|Sunnydale High School]]. In [[junior high]], she would often go over to Willow's house to escape her mother's abuse. The character first appears in the first season episode "[[Witch (Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode)|Witch]]", when she and Buffy both try out for the [[cheerleading]] squad. At first, Amy performs poorly in the tryouts, but a series of strange injuries to other contestants move her up in the standings. Amy's mother Catherine, a very powerful witch, has switched bodies with Amy because she wants to relive her youth. Buffy and the Scooby Gang succeed in restoring Amy to her own body and (unknown to them) trapping her mother in the cheerleading trophy she won while a cheerleader for Sunnydale High. Afterward, Amy talks to Buffy and mentions that she is now living with her father and [[step-mother]], and that she is much happier.

The character appears as a Sunnydale student in other episodes. In the second season episode "[[Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered]]", [[Xander Harris]] discovers that Amy inherited her mother's power. Xander [[blackmail]]s Amy into helping him perform a love spell on [[Cordelia Chase]], however, the spell goes awry and causes the entire female population of [[Sunnydale]], except Cordelia, to become infatuated with Xander. Under the influence of her own spell, a jealous Amy invokes the goddess [[Hecate]] and temporarily turns Buffy into a [[rat]]. Eventually, [[Rupert Giles]] forces Amy to undo both spells.

In season 3, the character has joined a coven with Willow (now a practicing witch) and warlock Michael Czajak. In the episode "[[Gingerbread (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Gingerbread]]", the parents of Sunnydale (under the influence of the demonic Hans and Greta) become paranoid about the supernatural's influence on their children, and prepare to burn Amy, Buffy, and Willow at the stake. To escape her bonds, Amy turns herself into a rat, but is then unable to remove her own spell. Willow captures Rat-Amy and keeps her in a cage. Willow makes several unsuccessful attempts to return Amy to human form over the next two seasons. In the season 4 episode "[[Something Blue (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Something Blue]]", Willow accidentally turns Amy back into a human, but Willow does not notice, and accidentally changes the character back into a rat. [[Doug Petrie]], a writer on the show, describes this series of events as "as cruel and funny as anything could be".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/buffy/interviews/doug/blue.shtml |title=Doug Petrie discusses Amy the Rat |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |access-date=2011-03-20}}</ref>

By the sixth season, Willow has become an extremely powerful witch and permanently "de-rats" Amy. The two become friends again, though Amy now seems to be drastically different. The character had been involved with the warlock [[Rack (Buffyverse)|Rack]] before becoming a rat. Amy gets Willow involved, leading her to become addicted to black magic. Later, when Willow decides to give up magic, Amy casts a spell on her, causing her to magically manipulate everything she touches for a while; Willow complains that Amy's actions are encumbering her attempts to quit magic. As a result, Willow cuts Amy out of her life entirely.

Amy's final appearance in the television series occurs in the season 7 episode "[[The Killer in Me]]." [[Elizabeth Anne Allen]] said, "I think after all the things that she went through, there were a lot of reasons why she was so angry."<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite web| title =Interview with Elizabeth Anne Allen| url =https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/buffy/interviews/allen2003/page3.shtml| access-date = 2007-07-17}}</ref>

Having physically transformed into [[Warren Mears]], whom she tortured and [[flaying|flayed]] in a rage over the murder of her girlfriend [[Tara Maclay]], Willow seeks help from the UC Sunnydale Wicca Group and discovers that Amy is a member. Amy explains that she had hit "rock bottom", and was doing better now. However, Amy is responsible for transforming Willow, apparently out of jealousy and spite. Allen says she would have liked to explore Amy's struggle to overcome her anger, so that she could "get a grip and come back to the fold with her friends."<ref name="bbc.co.uk" />

===Literature===

Amy makes minor appearances in several ambiguously canon novels set before the season 3 finale, most notable ''[[The Gatekeeper (novel series)]]'', where she helps defend Sunnydale from a horde of magical threats while Buffy and her friends are busy elsewhere.

In the first issue of the Season Eight comic book story "[[The Long Way Home (Buffy comic)|The Long Way Home]]," Amy works together with the US Army to locate and attack Buffy.

Later, in "[[Time of Your Life (Buffy comic)|Time of Your Life]]," Amy and Warren are shown working under direct orders from [[Twilight (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Twilight]]. Together they construct a missile covered in mystical runes and candles and use it to destroy a Scottish citadel, killing seven of the many Slayers residing there. When Twilight betrays Amy and Warren, she attempts to switch sides and forms a truce with Buffy in "[[Twilight (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Twilight]]." In the final arc, "[[Last Gleaming]]," Amy and Warren have fled far from the final battle scene. At its conclusion, after Buffy destroys an ancient relic and effectively brings about the end of magic on Earth, the spell keeping Warren alive breaks, and Amy watches as he suddenly turns into a pile of blood and bones.

Amy also appears in the second volume of ''Angel & Faith'', tying into ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten]]'', in issue four. In the story, magic was recently restored to the world at the conclusion of ''Buffy Season Nine'', while London in ''Angel & Faith'' was the site of a failed attempt by [[Whistler (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Whistler]] to restore magic which resulted in the mass mutation of locals in one borough, creating the ghetto known as 'Magic Town.'

==Powers and abilities==
In the television series, Amy possesses formidable witchcraft abilities that she has inherited from her maternal lineage, and these powers undergo significant augmentation over the course of the series. Initially, Amy's magical prowess surpasses that of Willow, as demonstrated when she casts a rat-transformation spell that initially stumps Willow's attempts at reversal. However, in season 7, Amy concedes that Willow has eclipsed her in magical proficiency. In the comic book, ''Season Eight'', she is significantly stronger.

==Romantic interests==
*'''[[Xander Harris]]''' - After a spell Amy casts which was supposed to make [[Cordelia Chase|Cordelia]] love Xander goes wrong, she, along with every other woman in [[Sunnydale]], falls in love with Xander ("[[Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered]]"). This attraction ends after [[Rupert Giles]] gets Amy to reverse the spell.
*'''[[Larry Blaisdell]]''' - Amy stated that she thought Larry was considering asking her to the prom, apparently unaware he was [[homosexuality|gay]] and the fact that the [[Graduation Day, Part Two|graduation of her class]] occurred three years before, when Larry died.
*'''[[Warren Mears]]''' - Amy's skinless boyfriend in ''Season Eight''. It is revealed in "The Long Way Home" that the two had been in a relationship since "[[Villains (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Villains]]"; after Warren was flayed alive by Willow, Amy saved his life. Amy refers to Warren as "sweetie", while he claims that "her magic is my skin."

==Appearances==
Amy has appeared in 32 canonical Buffyverse episodes and comics.
; ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' : Amy appeared as a guest in eight episodes:
*Season 1 (1997) - "[[Witch (Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode)|Witch]]"
*Season 2 (1998) - "[[Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered]]"
*Season 3 (1999) - "[[Gingerbread (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Gingerbread]]"
*Season 4 (1999) - "[[Something Blue (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Something Blue]]"
*Season 6 (2001–02) - "[[Smashed (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Smashed]]"; "[[Wrecked (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Wrecked]]"; "[[Doublemeat Palace]]"
*Season 7 (2003) - "[[The Killer in Me]]"

;''[[List of Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics|Buffy the Vampire Slayer Classics]]''
*"Bad Blood, Part Three: A Boy Named Sue"

;''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]''
*"[[The Long Way Home (Buffy comic)|The Long Way Home, Parts 1-4]]"
*"[[Time of Your Life (Buffy comic)|Time of Your Life, Part 1 & 4]]"
*"[[Retreat (Buffy comic)|Retreat, Part 2, 3 & 5]]"
*"[[Twilight (Buffy comic)|Twilight, Part 1-4]]"
*"[[Last Gleaming|Last Gleaming, Part 1, 3 & 4]]"

;''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten]]''
*"Where the River Meets the Sea, Part 1 & 4"
*"Lost and Found, Part 1-5"

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{clear}}

{{Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Madison, Amy}}
[[Category:Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters]]
[[Category:Buffyverse characters who use magic]]
[[Category:Fictional characters who use magic]]
[[Category:Comics characters who use magic]]
[[Category:Female characters in comics]]
[[Category:Female supervillains]]
[[Category:Television characters introduced in 1997]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from the 20th century]]
[[Category:Fictional characters who can teleport]]
[[Category:Fictional mice and rats]]
[[Category:Fictional private military members]]
[[Category:Fictional shapeshifters]]
[[Category:Fictional telekinetics]]
[[Category:Television supervillains]]
[[Category:American female characters in television]]
[[Category:Teenage characters in television]]

[[sv:Buffy och vampyrerna#Amy Madison]]

Kennedy (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

2025-10-12T00:13:03Z

2001:D08:1C12:DEBE:4462:8B94:7FF6:7513:

{{Short description|Fictional character from Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Kennedy (''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'')}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{In-universe|date=October 2011}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2013}}
{{Notability|date=January 2024}}
}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Kennedy
| series = [[Buffyverse|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]
| image = Kennedy-(buffy).jpg
| first = "[[Bring on the Night (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Bring On the Night]]" (2002)
| last = ''New Rules, Part Two'' (2014)
| creator = [[Joss Whedon]], [[Marti Noxon]], [[Douglas Petrie]]
| portrayer = [[Iyari Limon]]
| affiliation = Scooby Gang
| lbl21 = Classification
| data21 = [[Slayer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Slayer]]
| lbl22 = Notable powers
| data22 = [[Superhuman strength|Supernatural strength]], speed, stamina, agility, and reflexes. Rapid healing, enhanced [[intuition (knowledge)|intuition]] and [[Prophecy|prophetic dreams]].
}}

'''Kennedy''' is a fictional character in the television series ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]''. Portrayed by [[Iyari Limon]] in the TV series, the character was introduced in the seventh and final season of the series and goes on to appear in the [[comic book]] series ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]'', which continues the story of the television series.

Kennedy is introduced as a [[Slayer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|"potential Slayer"]]: one of many girls who might become endowed with supernatural abilities, destined to battle evil creatures such as [[vampire (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|vampires]] and demons, like [[protagonist]] [[Buffy Summers]]. Distinctly, Kennedy is also a love interest for [[Willow Rosenberg]]; Kennedy is openly [[lesbian]] with an assertive personality, which contrasts with the shyness of Willow's deceased girlfriend, [[Tara Maclay|Tara]].<ref>{{cite magazine| last = Govert| first = Hannah| title = In Defense of Willow and Kennedy...| magazine = Paste Magazine | date = June 15, 2023| url = https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer/willow-kennedy-relationship-season-7-history-lgbt-representation| access-date = July 2, 2024}}</ref> In the series finale of ''Buffy'', Willow magically activates the potential in all girls like Kennedy to become full-fledged Slayers, like Buffy. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' named her one of the "21 Most Annoying TV Characters Ever".<ref>{{cite magazine|title=21 Most Annoying TV Characters Ever|url=https://ew.com/gallery/21-most-annoying-tv-characters-ever/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=April 12, 2013|date=April 1, 2013}}</ref>

==Appearances==
===Television===
Kennedy only appears in the seventh and final season of the television series. Kennedy is one of the first three [[Potential Slayers]] to arrive in [[Sunnydale]]. She comes from a wealthy family in [[New York City]] and has at least one sibling—a [[Half-sibling|half-sister]]. An out [[lesbian]], Kennedy has known about her sexuality since the age of five (commenting that she found out watching ''[[Gone with the Wind (film)|Gone with the Wind]]''). Kennedy is immediately interested in having a romantic relationship with [[Willow Rosenberg|Willow]] when the two meet in the [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 7|season 7]] episode "[[Bring On the Night (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Bring on the Night]]".

Kennedy witnessed her [[Watcher (Buffyverse)|Watcher]]'s death; he was murdered by Bringers, lackeys of [[The First Evil]]. Prior to being chosen she knew of the existence of Watchers and also demonstrated understanding of how the [[Slayer (Buffyverse)|Slayer]] line works, indicating that she was approached by them during her youth, similar to late Slayer [[Kendra Young]].

Kennedy becomes Willow's lover before she fully comprehends Willow's magical prowess. In the episode "[[Get It Done]]", she gains first-hand understanding when Willow drains a significant portion of her [[Energy (esotericism)|life force]] in order to reopen a portal for Buffy. This puts a strain on their relationship until they eventually reconcile.

Kennedy becomes one of the more prominent Potentials, overseeing their training in "[[Get It Done]]", and giving them orders in "[[End of Days (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|End of Days]]" while Buffy is absent and [[Faith (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Faith]] is incapacitated. She supports Willow in her attempt to activate all Potential Slayers. After Willow's activation spell is completed, Kennedy joins Buffy and the other Potentials in the final battle against the First Evil's army of [[Turok-Han]] as a fully activated [[Slayer (Buffyverse)|Slayer]].

In season 5 of ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]'', a year after the end of ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer|Buffy]]'', it is mentioned that Kennedy and Willow are living in Brazil together.

===Literature===
[[Image:Buffy Season Eight Issue 16-2.jpg|thumb|Vi, Kennedy, Buffy and Willow in the variant cover of "Time of Your Life" part 1]]

Kennedy continues to appear in literary follow-ups to the television series. In ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]'' (2007–2011), an in-canon comic book series, in the story titled "[[The Long Way Home (Buffy comic)|The Long Way Home, Part III]]", Buffy catches up with Willow in [[Scotland]], after the latter's year long absence. During this conversation, Buffy asks how Kennedy's doing and Willow reveals that she died, though it was only a short-lived mystical death. However, this impeded her and Willow's relationship. In the issue "[[Anywhere but Here (Buffy comic)|Anywhere but Here]]", a flashback recounts a conversation that reveals that Kennedy is worried that Willow keeps her away from Buffy's inner circle because she is ashamed of her. Willow explains that she blames herself for Tara's death because she kept her close to Buffy and therefore to danger. Willow then states that she refuses to let that happen to Kennedy. In ''Season Eight'', Kennedy directs an army of slayers in [[New York (state)|New York]], along with Vi. She and Willow finally reunite in the fourth arc of the series, "[[Time of Your Life (Buffy comic)|Time of Your Life]]", in which Buffy is accidentally sent to the future and Kennedy is helping Willow in an attempt to bring her back. Over the course of the series, Willow remains distant from Kennedy, in part because she is having a sexual relationship with her magical mentor, the demon [[List of minor Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters#S|Aluwyn]]. Kennedy antagonizes Buffy when she learns of Buffy's lesbian affair with the Slayer [[List of Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters#Satsu|Satsu]], in part fearful that Buffy will pursue Willow, and later helps Satsu get over Buffy. It becomes clear that this fear is unfounded. In "[[Retreat (Buffy comic)|Retreat]]", Kennedy and her unit are forced to regroup with Buffy's main unit as the Big Bad, Twilight, closes in on them. She fights alongside the main Scoobies up until the finale "[[Last Gleaming]]". In its aftermath, after Buffy's actions have brought about the end of magic, Kennedy is dumped by Willow, who is in turmoil as a result of the loss of her powers and her connection to Aluwyn.

In ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine]]'' (2011–2013), Kennedy first appears in the "Guarded" story arc where it was revealed that since the disbandment of Buffy's Slayer organization, Kennedy has established a [[private security]] firm employing Slayers to protect its high-profile clients. Buffy joins Kennedy's organization, and before long it becomes apparent that their client—a social network founder and Internet billionaire—is on the run from the demonic law firm [[List of Angel characters#Wolfram & Hart|Wolfram & Hart]], who funded his website's development and plan to use it to return from their extra-dimensional exile. Buffy and Kennedy defeat the threat and shut down the site, and though Buffy quits the job, Kennedy pays her handsomely for her services. Kennedy's company has made her a millionaire and she sends Buffy a private jet so the trio of Buffy, Xander and Willow are able to fly from San Francisco to the Deeper Well in England in an effort to save Dawn's life. At the conclusion of the ''Season Nine'' companion series ''Angel & Faith'', Faith leaves Angel in an effort to find her own direction in life and mentions Kennedy offered her a job as a trainer for the Slayer bodyguards. Kennedy next appears on a recurring basis in the second volume of ''Angel & Faith'' (2014–), as well as in crossover scenes in the first two issues of ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten|Buffy Season Ten]]''. In the first arc, "Where the River Meets the Sea," she attempts to smooth out Faith's rough edges and help her new recruit adjust to life on the payroll, but not without difficulty—both from younger Slayers who resent Faith, and by the difficulty Faith has with the business taking on demons as clients. As Faith is about to quit, however, Kennedy offers her a mission to find [[Riley Finn]], who has gone missing in South America. After leading a team to successfully to save Riley, his wife Sam and the woman Reese Zane who runs a pharmaceutical company, Faith quits Deepscan to work for Reese. Reese is starting to look at the ways magic altered the humans in London's new Magic Town ghetto, taking Faith back to Angel.

==See also==
* [[List of minor Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters|List of minor ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' characters]]
* [[List of women warriors in folklore]]
* [[Women warriors in literature and culture]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
* [http://vrya.net/bdb/character.php?char=57 Vyra.net]

{{Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kennedy (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)}}
[[Category:American female characters in television]]
[[Category:Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters]]
[[Category:Fictional bodyguards]]
[[Category:Fictional businesspeople]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from New York City]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from the 20th century]]
[[Category:Fictional LGBTQ characters in television]]
[[Category:Fictional lesbians]]
[[Category:LGBTQ characters in comics]]
[[Category:Slayers (Buffyverse)]]
[[Category:Television characters introduced in 2002]]

Connor (Angel)

2025-10-12T00:11:38Z

2001:D08:1C12:DEBE:4462:8B94:7FF6:7513:

{{short description|Character in the television series Angel}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Connor (''Angel'')}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Connor
| series = [[Buffyverse|Angel]]
| image = Connor_(Angel).png
| caption = '''Connor''' from season 3 finale "[[Tomorrow (Angel)|Tomorrow]]"
| first = "[[Lullaby (Angel)|Lullaby]]" (2001)
| last = ''Family Reunion'' (2012)
| creator = [[Joss Whedon]] [[Tim Minear]]
| portrayer = [[Vincent Kartheiser]]
| affiliation = {{Plain list|
* [[Angel Investigations]]
* [[Jasmine (Angel)|Jasmine]]
* [[Daniel Holtz]]
}}
| lbl21 = Classification
| lbl22 = Notable powers
| data22 = [[Superhuman strength|Supernatural strength]], speed, endurance and agility Acute sensory perception
| relatives = [[Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Angel]] (father) [[Darla (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Darla]] (mother) [[Jasmine (Angel)|Jasmine]] (daughter)
}}
'''Connor''' is a fictional character created by [[Joss Whedon]] and [[Tim Minear]] for the television series ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]''. The character is portrayed as an infant by the triplets Connor, Jake, and Trenton Tupen and as a teenager by [[Vincent Kartheiser]]. Connor has a recurring role in season 3, becomes a regular in season 4, and has his last television appearance in the series finale as a guest star. He continues his story in the [[canon (fiction)|canonical]] comic book series ''[[Angel: After the Fall]]''.

Connor is the son of the title character [[Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Angel]], who is a [[Vampire (Buffyverse)|vampire]]. Of vampire descent, Connor's birth is a mystery even to Angel, as vampires typically cannot reproduce, and was born with their abilities, making him [[superhuman]] but not a vampire himself and having a human soul like his father, and thus, like him, he struggles with his own dark side and likelihood to become evil, as well as his guilt over his father's demonic alter-ego Angelus's wicked actions. Introduced in the third season as a newborn, Connor is kidnapped and taken to a hell dimension in an act of revenge against his father. He returns as a battle-hardened, disturbed teenager who has been raised to hate Angel. His consequent violent and estranged relationship with his father and increasing internal conflict make him shift alliances between protagonists and antagonists forms the storyline for his character. Towards the end of season 4, events take their toll on Connor's sanity, and his memories are rewritten to give him a normal life. The next time he appears in season 5, Connor is a well-adjusted person. At the return of his memories, Connor finally reconciles with Angel in the series finale. The comic book series follows Connor accepting his abilities and role of a hero in addition to maintaining a normal life as a college student.

Created to give Angel a paternal bond, the infant Connor was used to develop other characters. After he grows up, he initially becomes a tragic figure and [[Foil (literature)|foil]] for the protagonists before eventually evolving into a protagonist himself. Connor has received attention in [[Buffy studies|academic texts]] related to family studies and masculinity in fiction. The character proved to be controversial among fans, while critics have given mixed views.

==Appearances==

===Television===

====Season 3====
{{Main|Angel season 3}}
In a seemingly impossible event, vampires Angel and [[Darla (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Darla]] [[Dhampir|had a child]], the end result being Connor, a human-like offspring of vampires and the first of his kind. Connor is introduced in the episode "[[Lullaby (Angel)|Lullaby]]", when Darla sacrifices herself to give birth to him, by staking herself in the heart.<ref name="Lullaby">{{cite episode|title=[[Lullaby (Angel)|Lullaby]]|series=[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]|credits=[[Joss Whedon]] (executive producer), [[Tim Minear]] (writer and director)|network=[[The WB]]|airdate=2001-11-19|season=3|number=9}}</ref> Darla's sacrifice for their son allows Angel to make peace with her, and welcomes Connor into his life with hope for their family's future, especially since Angel is prophesied that he eventually become human again and thus one day a normal life as a father. For the first few months of his life, Connor is jointly raised by Angel and his [[Angel Investigations|team]], including [[Wesley Wyndam-Pryce|Wesley]] and [[Cordelia Chase|Cordelia]], though he is constantly targeted by different factions. Connor is prophesied to destroy the time-shifting demon lord [[Sahjhan]]. In attempt to negate the prophecy, he travels through time and rewrites the prophecy to read "The father will kill the son" in reference to Angel and Connor, and recruits Angelus's nemesis [[Daniel Holtz]] whose family the vampire killed centuries ago with Darla. Wesley kidnaps the baby in a misguided effort to save his life from Angel, conveniently leading him into the hands of Holtz. Holtz steals the baby and is forced to escape to the hell dimension ''Quor'Toth: Darkest of the dark world''.<ref name="sleeptight">{{cite episode|title=[[Sleep Tight (Angel)|Sleep Tight]]|series=[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]|credits=[[Terrence O'Hara]] (director), [[David Greenwalt]] (writer)|network=[[The WB]]|airdate=2002-03-04|season=3|number=16}}</ref>

Holtz raises Connor as his son and instills him with a deep hatred of Angel, although revealed later that he also occasionally abuses Connor when training him out of his hatred towards Connor's parents. As time runs more quickly in Quor'Toth, Connor ages at an accelerated rate in relation to time on Earth. Surviving the hell, a teenage Connor returns with the goal of avenging the Holtz family by killing Angel. After failing in his first attempt on Angel's life, Connor tentatively begins to reconcile with him.<ref name=anewworld>{{cite episode|title=[[A New World (Angel)|A New World]]|series=[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]|credits=[[Tim Minear]] (director), [[Jeffrey Bell]] (writer)|network=[[The WB]]|airdate=2002-05-06|season=3|number=20}}</ref> Fearful of the development, Holtz has himself killed by [[List of minor Angel characters#Justine Cooper|Justine Cooper]] in a manner that frames Angel for the action.<ref name="Benediction">{{cite episode|title=[[Benediction (Angel)|Benediction]]|series=[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]|credits=[[Tim Minear]] (director), [[Tim Minear]] (writer)|network=[[The WB]]|airdate=2002-05-13|season=3|number=21}}</ref> In the finale "[[Tomorrow (Angel)|Tomorrow]]", an enraged Connor seals Angel in a metal box and sinks him to the bottom of the ocean.<ref name="Tomorrow">{{cite episode|title=[[Tomorrow (Angel)|Tomorrow]]|series=[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]|credits=[[David Greenwalt]] (director), [[David Greenwalt]] (writer)|network=[[The WB]]|airdate=2002-05-20|season=3|number=22}}</ref>

====Season 4====
{{Main|Angel season 4}}
The opening episode "[[Deep Down (Angel)|Deep Down]]" picks up three months after last season. Angel returns, and Holtz' deception is revealed. Relations are shaky as Angel kicks Connor out of the house in punishment for sinking him,<ref name="deepdown">{{cite episode|title=Deep Down|series=[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]|credits=[[Terrence O'Hara]] (director), [[Steven S. DeKnight]] (writer)|network=[[The WB]]|airdate=2002-10-06|season=4|number=1}}</ref> but secretly keeps a protective eye on him from afar.<ref name="state">{{cite episode|title=[[Ground State (Angel)|Ground State]]|series=[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]|credits=[[Michael Grossman]] (director), [[Mere Smith]] (writer)|network=[[The WB]]|airdate=2002-10-13|season=4|number=2}}</ref><ref name="house">{{cite episode|title=[[The House Always Wins]]|series=[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]|credits=[[Marita Grabiak]] (director), [[David Fury]] (writer)|network=[[The WB]]|airdate=2002-10-20|season=4|number=3}}</ref> Stricken by the betrayal of his adoptive father and the apparent abandonment by his real one, Connor seeks solace in Cordelia's arms.<ref name="towards">{{cite episode|title=[[Slouching Toward Bethlehem (Angel)|Slouching Toward Bethlehem]]|series=[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]|credits=[[Skip Schoolnik]] (director), [[Jeffrey Bell]] (writer)|network=[[The WB]]|airdate=2002-10-27|season=4|number=4}}</ref> When an all-powerful demon lord [[Beast (Buffyverse)|The Beast]] rises from the ground at the place he was born, Connor feels responsible. As The Beast causes fire to rain from the sky in an apparent apocalypse, Cordelia sleeps with Connor to give him some happiness before the end. While an apocalypse does not occur, Angel (also in love with Cordelia) doesn't take kindly to the development, causing another rift between him and Connor.<ref name=nowish>{{cite episode|title=[[Apocalypse, Nowish]]|series=[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]|credits=[[Vern Gillum]] (director), [[Steven S. DeKnight]] (writer)|network=[[The WB]]|airdate=2002-11-12|season=4|number=7}}</ref> Unbeknownst to all, Cordelia is possessed to be with Connor by a cosmic entity, [[Jasmine (Angel)|Jasmine]], looking to give herself birth in this world through their union. As Cordelia becomes pregnant and manipulates Connor into helping her sacrifice an innocent girl for their child, his inhuman actions begin conflicting with his inner good, accelerating his already deteriorating mental health.<ref name=insideout>{{cite episode|title=[[Inside Out (Angel)|Inside Out]]|series=[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]|credits=[[Steven S. DeKnight]] (director), [[Steven S. DeKnight]] (writer)|network=[[The WB]]|airdate=2003-04-02|season=4|number=17}}</ref>

Jasmine arrives as a grown woman and immediately bewitches everyone to bask in immense joy and do her bidding.<ref name=shiny>{{cite episode|title=[[Shiny Happy People (Angel)|Shiny Happy People]]|series=[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]|credits=[[Marita Grabiak]] (director), [[Sarah Fain]], [[Elizabeth Craft]] (writer)|network=[[The WB]]|airdate=2003-04-09|season=4|number=18}}</ref> Connor is the only one left in misery because of sharing a blood link with her, which results in his further isolation. As Jasmine enacts her plans for world domination, Angel and his team break free from her spell.<ref name=magicbullet>{{cite episode|title=[[The Magic Bullet (Angel)|The Magic Bullet]]|series=[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]|credits=[[Jeffrey Bell]] (director), [[Jeffrey Bell]] (writer)|network=[[The WB]]|airdate=2003-04-16|season=4|number=19}}</ref> Caught between his father and daughter, Connor initially supports Jasmine against Angel,<ref name=sacrifice>{{cite episode|title=[[Sacrifice (Angel)|Sacrifice]]|series=[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]|credits=[[David Straiton]] (director), [[Ben Edlund]], (writer)|network=[[The WB]]|airdate=2003-04-23|season=4|number=20}}</ref> but this conflict, combined with the belief that neither truly cares about him, eventually makes him completely snap. Connor kills Jasmine after Angel manages to break her hold over the city but fails to kill her.<ref name=Peaceout>{{cite episode|title=[[Peace Out]]|series=[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]|credits= Jefferson Kibbee (director), [[David Fury]] (writer)|network=[[The WB]]|airdate=2003-04-30|season=4|number=21}}</ref> An emotional wreck and attempting suicide, Connor wires himself, a comatose Cordelia, and shop full of innocent people to explosives. The season finale ("[[Home (Angel)|Home]]") shows Angel desperate to save his son. Angel agrees to take over [[List of Angel characters#Wolfram & Hart|Wolfram & Hart]] in exchange for Connor's life. As per the agreement, Connor is to have a whole new existence as an ordinary boy who is raised in a happy family. Other than Angel, everyone's memories are rewritten to accommodate this new reality.<ref name="home">{{cite episode|title=[[Home (Angel)|Home]]|series=[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]|credits=[[Tim Minear]] (director), [[Tim Minear]] (writer)|network=[[The WB]]|airdate=2003-05-07|season=4|number=22}}</ref>

====Season 5====
{{Main|Angel season 5}}
A few months after the events of season 4, episode "[[Origin (Angel)|Origin]]" shows Connor as the son of Laurence and Colleen Reilly. Connor crosses paths with Angel when the demon warlock [[List of minor Angel characters#Cyvus Vail|Cyvus Vail]] draws him out to make him fulfill his destiny of killing Sahjhan. Angel informs Connor of his special abilities and helps prepare him for the fight, but he does not reveal that he is Connor's real father. As the duel with Sahjhan begins, Connor is outmatched due to having forgotten his formidable fighting skills. Meanwhile, Wesley discovers Angel's deception of altering reality. Distrusting Angel, Wesley shatters the Orlon Window, which restores Connor's, Wesley's, and [[Illyria (Angel)|Illyria]]'s memories. Remembering his old self and discovering that Sahjhan is directly responsible for all the pain he has endured, Connor slips to his original persona of 'demon-killer' and dispatches Sahjhan with ease.<ref name=origin>{{cite episode|title=[[Origin (Angel)|Origin]]|series=[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]|credits=[[Terrence O'Hara]] (director), [[Drew Goddard]] (writer)|airdate=2004-05-21|season=5|number=18}}</ref>

In "[[Not Fade Away (Angel)|Not Fade Away]]" the finale of the series, Angel visits Connor for coffee on the eve of his final battle with the Circle of the Black Thorn. Connor reveals that he remembers that Angel is his father. He tells Angel he is grateful for all he has done for him, but he prefers to leave it at that. When Angel fights [[Marcus Hamilton (Angel)|Marcus Hamilton]], Connor shows up to fight by his father's side (knowing that Angel wouldn't do something so innocuous unless the world were about to end), saving Angel from being staked by Hamilton and helping him gain the upper hand. As the [[List of Angel characters#Wolfram & Hart|Senior Partners]] begin to exact their vengeance, Angel tells Connor to go home to his foster parents and assures him that as long as Connor is safe, the Partners can never destroy Angel.<ref name="NotFadeAway">{{cite episode|title=[[Not Fade Away (Angel)|Not Fade Away]]|series=[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]|credits=[[Joss Whedon]] (writer and executive producer), [[Jeffrey Bell]] (writer and director)|airdate=2004-05-19|season=5|number=22}}</ref>

===Comics===
{{Main|Angel: After the Fall}}
[[Image:Connor comic.jpg|thumb|upright|In the 13th issue of the comic book ''After the Fall'', Connor mourns a dying Angel.]]
The comic series ''[[Angel: After the Fall]]'' picks up immediately after the events of the television series. Connor is shown sprinting home as ordered by Angel. He debates going back but gets drawn into the battle when the whole city is sent to hell by the Senior Partners.<ref name=AngelAtF6>{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]|artist= Stephen Mooney |title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=2|issue=6|date=2008-04-21|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> A veteran of hell, Connor takes it upon himself to provide sanctuary to humans and good demons. Along to help him are the benevolent werewolf [[List of minor Angel characters#Nina Ash|Nina Ash]], the mutant [[List of minor Angel characters#Gwen Raiden|Gwen Raiden]],<ref name=AngelAtF1>{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]|artist=[[Franco Urru]]|title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=1|issue=1|date=2007-11-21|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> and the vampire [[Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Spike]].<ref name="AngelAtF3">{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]|title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|artist=[[Franco Urru]]|volume=1|issue=3|date=2008-01-14|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> Connor also becomes much closer to Angel as he joins his newest battle to wrestle back control of the city from Demon Lords.<ref name="AngelAtF9">{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]|artist=Nick Runge|title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=3|issue=9|date=2008-06-18|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> Part of the story centers on Connor and Gwen's romance, which ends when he discovers Gwen has betrayed the team.<ref name="AngelAtF12">{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]|artist=Stephen Mooney and Nick Runge|title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=3|issue=12|date=2008-09-04|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref>

Following the event, [[Charles Gunn (Angel)|Gunn]] reverts Illyria to her demonic form, after which, Illyria decides to wholly collapse time and all existence. In an attempt to prevent Angel and his team from stopping Illyria, Gunn mortally wounds Connor. Connor pleads with Angel not to let the Senior Partners win and assures him that he is a good person despite being a vampire. Connor then dies in Angel's arms.<ref name=AngelAtF16>{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]|artist=[[Franco Urru]]|title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=4|issue=16|date=2008-12-17|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> He is restored to life when Angel provokes Gunn into killing him, forcing the Senior Partners to turn back time to the moment of the original alleyway fight in the [[Not Fade Away (Angel)|television finale]]. All those who died in the time since the city was sent to hell come back to life, and all who experienced that time retain their memories.<ref name=AngelAtF17>{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]|artist=[[Franco Urru]]|title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=4|issue=17|date=2009-01-21|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref>

''[[Angel: After the Fall#Spike: After the Fall|Spike: After the Fall]]'', a companion piece to ''Angel: After the Fall'', shows how Connor came to form his alliance with Spike shortly after Los Angeles went to hell. Connor appears when Spike and Illyria are in a violent showdown with a group of demonic women. Catching the demon leader off-guard, he rescues the last human hostage and then has to be rescued by Spike.<ref name=SpikeAtF3>{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]|artist=[[Franco Urru]]|title=[[Angel: After the Fall#Spike: After the Fall|Spike: After the Fall]]|volume=1|issue=3|date=2008-09-17|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> On their second encounter, the two strike up a connection immediately, leading to their joint crusade of saving the remaining humans.<ref name=SpikeAtF4>{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]|artist=[[Franco Urru]]|title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=1|issue=4|date=2008-10-29|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> Connor is set to appear in the arcs of ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine#Angel & Faith|Angel and Faith]]''.<ref name=gage >{{cite web|url= http://slayalive.com/content.php/181-Buffyverse-Season-9-News-Nexus|title= LIVE Twitter chat with Christos Gage about "ANGEL & FAITH"|work= slayalive.com|date=2011-08-25|access-date=2011-10-24}}</ref>

Connor appears in the Family Reunion arc of ''[[Angel & Faith]].'' Willow, on a quest to restore magic to herself and the world asks Angel and Faith to travel from London to LA with her so she can use the residual magic in Buffy's scythe and Connor's connection to Quor'toth to reopen the tear in reality at the Hyperion Hotel to get to a dimension that has magic. Angel and Faith agree to this in order to gain the piece of Giles's soul in the scythe, but will only help reopen the tear and go to Quor'toth if Connor agrees to it. Connor is living a normal life as a college student studying social work with a girlfriend. Though initially disappointed Angel ignored his attempts to contact his father, Connor is glad to have Angel in his life and realizes that his normal life is precious, but he still wants Angel to be a part of it. Angel is genuinely proud of the man his son has become. Connor agrees that magic needs to be returned to the world as the most vulnerable in society are already starting to lose hope without it.

Once in Quor'toth, Connor briefly falls back into more aggressive behavior before he is able to shake off the negative influences of the dimension. His fake magical memories of the childhood Wolfram & Hart created for him have faded since magic was taken from the world, but he has made enough real memories of a happy life to not fall back into his unstable behavior. Dog-like demons of Quor'toth came to fear and respect "The Destroyer" and overheard Holtz telling Connor about love. Generations of these demons expressed love and compassion in Connor's name and were slaughtered for it. Connor, Angel, Faith, and Willow are able to rescue the last few of these demons while fighting off the Old One that rules Quor'toth, and Willow sends the dog demons to a peaceful dimension.

Angel obtains the piece of Giles's soul. Angel, Faith, and Connor return to the hotel just as the tear closes while Willow goes off on her own to find a new source of magic for Earth. Connor accepts Angel has important business to do in England, and wishes his father well. Angel agrees to spend a week in LA with his son before going back to London.

==Character development==

===Creation and casting===
{{quote box
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|quote = [[Joss Whedon|Joss]], [[David Greenwalt|David]] & I were [..] talking about what could season 3 be, we didn't really have any ideas [..] Joss says, 'We can't bring Darla back in a box again,' [..] and I said, 'Well, can we bring something back in Darla's box?' Because that was supposed to be a joke. Joss ''stopped'' walking, turned and looked at me and said, 'Actually, we can.' And that's when he came up with the idea that when Angel sort of quasi-forced himself on Darla at the end of [[Reprise (Angel)|'Reprise']], that a baby had been conceived.
|source = -[[Tim Minear]] on Connor's conception.<ref name=tim>{{cite web|url= http://investigatingangel.com/podcast/tim-minear-interview|title= Tim Minear Interview|work= investigatingangel.com|date= 2011-04-13|access-date= 2011-10-24|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110820194053/http://investigatingangel.com/podcast/tim-minear-interview|archive-date= 2011-08-20}}</ref>}}

The intent for Connor's character was to put "Angel in an emotional space."<ref name=eonline>{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/Gossip/Wanda/Archive2002/020503d.html |title=Buffy Creator Joss Whedon Talks Climaxes, Criticism and Angel's Fate |work=eonline.com |date=2002-05-03 |access-date=2011-10-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021016153215/http://www.eonline.com/Gossip/Wanda/Archive2002/020503d.html |archive-date=October 16, 2002 }}</ref> He was meant to give Angel more to live for than just the usual "day to day" living he was experiencing. "Plus, I just love the idea of this embarrassing effect of a one-night stand,” [[Joss Whedon]] explained in his decision to introduce Angel's son.<ref name= eonline /> The character was given the Irish name Connor, meaning ‘counselor’ or 'helping warrior', to match Angel's Irish ancestry.<ref name=dad >{{cite web|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/buffy/angel/episodes/three/page10.shtml |title= Dad|work= bbc.co.uk|date=September 2005|access-date=2011-10-24}}</ref> Three different babies, triplets Connor, Jake, and Trenton Tupen, were chosen to portray Connor so that none of them had to remain on the set for very long.<ref name= dad />
Baby Connor was a main focus of season 3, but the creators were well aware of the limitations of a baby character. With Connor's initial role in plot decided, they came up with the concept of a 'teenage' version for further appearances.<ref name= eonline /><ref name= overview3>{{cite video|people= [[Jeffrey Bell]], [[Steven S. DeKnight]], [[Vincent Kartheiser]]|date=2004|title= "Featurette: Season 3 Overview "Angel DVDs|medium=DVD (Region 1)|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref>

[[Vincent Kartheiser]], then 23, was looking for something more stable than the usual feature movies. He decided to audition after his agent sent him the role and tapes of all previous seasons.<ref name=teenager >{{cite web|url= http://www.whedon.info/Vincent-Kartheiser-Angel-Magazine.html |title= Vincent Kartheiser - Angel Magazine Interview|work= whedon.info|date=November 2003|access-date=2011-10-24}}</ref> The producers wanted the character to be a surprise to audiences, so not even Kartheiser was informed that he was trying out for Angel's son. Instead he auditioned for a character created for the purpose of audition, ‘the Street Kid’, a normal teenager who had Angel as his guardian. "Right away everyone kind of had a good feeling about me joining the cast," Vincent says. "It seemed that I just fit right in."<ref name=kicks>{{cite web|url= http://www.vincent-kartheiser.org/vincent/articles/796-teenage-kicks|title= Teenage kicks|work= Xposé Magazine|year= 2006|access-date= 2011-10-24|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120425231948/http://www.vincent-kartheiser.org/vincent/articles/796-teenage-kicks|archive-date= 2012-04-25|url-status= dead}}</ref> Kartheiser was excited after learning that his real role was 'Angel's son, a demon killer from Quor'toth.’<ref name=son >{{cite web|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/buffy/angel/interviews/kartheiser/printpage.html|title= Vincent Kartheiser - Interviewed in London |work= bbc.co.uk|date=April 2003|access-date=2011-10-24}}</ref> He was confused about his portrayal, thinking that the character was to have a "living-in-the-brush kind of ‘failed being’ attitude." Instead, he was told to just "stand up straight, [use a] normal voice," and let a regular boy come on. Vincent Kartheiser was initially contracted for three episodes with an option to pick him up further.<ref name= teenager />

===Characterization===
{{quote box
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|quote = He's his father's son, same dark good looks, same lost boy sweetness. And the broodiness, boy he's got that stone cold!
|source= -[[David Fury]]'s script for [[The House Always Wins]] establishes Connor's attributes}}
Teenage Connor is an angry, brooding, intense, and volatile teenager who is vindictive towards Angel.<ref name=overview3/> Vincent Kartheiser described him as withdrawn and "not willing to open up to the group happiness everyone is so inclined to be part of". He also highlighted his alienation of this world and resulting caution and unwillingness to trust others.<ref name=teenager /> [[Tim Minear]] further characterizes Connor by his strong need for family which "means everything to this kid because he's never had one" and put emphasis on his "conflicted" personality triggered by his upbringing.<ref name=cHome /> [[David Fury]] and Minear also highlight Connor's similarity to Angel. Fury worked on the resemblance of strength, fighting style, and personality.<ref name=cHome/><ref name=likeAngel /> Minear compared their trait of accepting responsibility even in the worst times.<ref name=cHome /> Intending to show Connor as a formidable fighter, Kelly A. Manners described him as "quite the hunter, quite the killer."<ref name=overview3/> Kartheiser notes him as "truly badass",<ref name=teenager/> and jokingly compares his fighting style to that of [[Jackie Chan]].<ref name=tvguide>{{cite web|url=http://www.vincent-kartheiser.org/vincent/articles/807-tv-guide-article|title=TV Guide Article|work=TV Guide Magazine|year=2002|access-date=2011-10-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425232020/http://www.vincent-kartheiser.org/vincent/articles/807-tv-guide-article|archive-date=2012-04-25|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is attracted to women older than him, which becomes a running gag in the series.<ref name=origin/>

Connor, despite being the son of two vampires, is meant to be human, though with super powers, and therefore was not given the vampire makeup of the series. Kartheiser expresses his simultaneous joy and dismay at this, considering makeup an added benefit for the character and agreeing that the lack of it saved him much time.<ref name= son/> Connor was initially clad in clothes made of animal skin, said to resemble those of [[Peter Pan (character)|Peter Pan]] and [[Robin Hood]]. He was also wearing, as a trophy, a necklace made of parts of demons he killed in hell.<ref name=anewworld/> After he settles in this world, he drops the necklace and is given more casual clothes: jeans, T-shirts, and jackets. The concept behind Connor's wardrobe was that, unconcerned with this world's fashion sense, he "just took whatever was available." Yet, one interviewer notices his clothing to be "conservative [..] for somebody who's never seen an advert".<ref name= son/> Connor's hairstyle at the start was short and choppy as if cut with a knife.<ref name=anewworld/> Afterward he's given a modern and cleaner look with longer, styled hair. Kartheiser was critical of the new hair style, calling it "[[David Cassidy]] hair-do" and feeling it was a "little bit heavy'.<ref name= son/>

Connor undergoes dramatic changes in season 5. Very much an opposite to his earlier persona, the only features common with his previous self are his protectiveness of loved ones, attraction to older women, and later his fighting prowess. Otherwise he's a prosperous, sweet young man, due to his fake memories of a happy childhood.<ref name=origin/> Jeffrey Bell wanted to highlight Connor's "well-adjusted" mentality for this season.<ref name= cnotfadeaway>{{cite video|people= [[Jeffrey Bell]]|date=2005-02-15|title=Commentary for ''Angel'' episode Not_Fade_Away"|medium=DVD (Region 1)|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> Kartheiser called him a "happy" person and enjoyed the contrast with the previous "brooding" version.<ref name= return2/> The comic book Connor develops in the same direction as he starts emerging a hero still keeping his pleasant personality. Joss Whedon characterizes the comic book Connor as "the closest thing to a superhero hell has" because he has powers without any of the weaknesses of the vampire, and is well adjusted.<ref name=lynch/> Brain considers him "one of the coolest characters in any series or comics".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://normantranscript.com/archive/x518748871|title=Angel' comic drags readers in where popular TV series left off|work=normantranscript.com|date=2007-10-12|access-date=2011-12-15|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130044158/http://normantranscript.com/archive/x518748871|archive-date=2013-01-30}}</ref>

===Story progression===
{{quote box
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|quote = [Connor] is the foil. He's the guy who didn't fit in. Who grew up in the wrong place and no matter what he did, it couldn't be the right thing.
|source= -[[Jeffrey Bell]]'s commentary for [[The Magic Bullet (Angel)|The Magic Bullet]]<ref name= foil/>}}
As is characteristic for Joss Whedon's characters, Connor goes through drastic changes with the series progression. Introduced as an 'impossible birth' at the start of season 3, as an infant the character still had little chance of his own development. So he became an agent for evolution of others; [[Darla (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Darla]] through him, redeems herself of her villainous acts spanning two television series, and [[Wesley Wyndam-Pryce|Wesley]] transform from a goofy sidekick to a brooding anti-hero.<ref name= overview3/><ref name=julie >{{cite web|url=http://www.whedon.info/Julie-Benz-darla-Tv-now-com.html|title= Julie Benz (darla) - Tv-now.com Interview|work= Tv-now.com|year=2004|access-date=2011-10-29}}</ref> Once these developments came to fruition, the creators chose to upgrade Connor to a teen. Taking advantage of the fantasy genre, they were able to accelerate his growth within a few weeks of the show's normal timeline, thus not affecting the ages of the rest of the characters and setting up stage for the next act.<ref name=eonline/> The middle of season 3 sees the infant kidnapped by Angel's long-term adversary [[Daniel Holtz|Holtz]], who takes Connor to a hell dimension where "time moves differently," explains [[David Greenwalt]]. "We didn't want to raise a baby for 18 years."<ref name=tvguide/>

Connor returns near the end of the season as a feral teenage warrior who is vindictive towards Angel. Connor's age at his return is disputed: both the creators and episodes vary between putting him at 16 and 18.<ref name="Tomorrow"/><ref name=overview3/><ref name=tvguide/><ref name="spinthebottle">{{cite episode|title=[[Spin the Bottle (Angel)|Spin the Bottle]]|series=[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]|credits=[[Joss Whedon]] (writer and director)|network=[[The WB]]|airdate=2002-11-10|season=4|number=6}}</ref> Regarding Connor's upbringing, [[Mere Smith]] elaborates that "Holtz has brought up Connor to hate his father, his father is the devil as far as Holtz is concerned and he tells Connor that"<ref name=overview3/> This development allowed the writers to explore a unique 'foil' to protagonists because Connor was established to be "deep down" much like Angel himself.<ref name= likeAngel>{{cite video|people= [[David Fury]]|date=2004-03-01|title=Commentary for ''Angel'' episode "The House Always Wins"|medium=DVD (Region 1)|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref><ref name= foil>{{cite video|people= [[Jeffrey Bell]] |date=2004|title=Commentary for ''Angel'' episode "The Magic Bullet"|medium=DVD (Region 1)|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> Minear goes on to explain with Smith that immediately following Connor's return from hell, Angel had started "converting the boy to his side," showing him that he's no longer a bad guy. Just when Connor is bonding with Angel, Holtz kills himself upon sensing the danger of their reconciliation.<ref name=overview3/> This makes Connor back track and sets off a back and forth pattern that continues to repeat till the end of season 4 with [[Cordelia Chase|Cordelia]] and then [[Jasmine (Angel)|Jasmine]] taking Holtz' position between father and son.

Much of Connor's development in seasons 3 and 4 is his continuous shifting alliances between protagonists and antagonists; he is unable to find his place or his purpose for being. Jeffrey Bell says that all the confusing and conflicting circumstances never allow Connor a break, which he thinks "makes him empathetic in midst of making all wrong choices".<ref name=corpheus>{{cite video|people= [[Terrence O'Hara]], [[Jeffrey Bell]]|date=2004|title=Commentary for ''Angel'' episode "Orpheus"|medium=DVD (Region 1)|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> [[Steven S. DeKnight]] says: <blockquote> We really wanted to highlight [..] that he is a tragic victim of circumstance. He never had a childhood, he's been lied to and manipulated and in this episode we find out his whole reason for being was to bring this other thing into this world, so he's been played his entire life. You really root for him to make the right decision in this one, but you know tragic figure he doesn't.<ref name=cinsideout>{{cite video|people= [[Steven S. DeKnight]]|date=2004|title=Commentary for ''Angel'' episode "Inside Out"|medium=DVD (Region 1)|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref></blockquote>

Season 4 also sees the writers exploring teenage sexuality through him, in a small arc with [[Faith (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Faith]], with whom Steven S. DeKnight compares him in their characterization of misguided youth with superpowers;<ref name=cinsideout/> and the overarching arc with his father's love Cordelia. [[Jeffrey Bell]] states [[Matter of Britain|Arthurian Legend's]] animosity between [[King Arthur]], his son [[Mordred]], and their love triangle with [[Guinevere]] as inspiration for the Connor-Cordelia-Angel plot line.<ref name= overview4>{{cite video|people=[[Joss Whedon]], [[Jeffrey Bell]], [[Steven S. DeKnight]]|date=2004|title="Prophesies: Season Four Overview" Angel DVDs|medium=DVD (Region 1)|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> Whedon notes that while he already has decided that Cordelia and Connor were going to have sex, the story had to be changed and move faster because [[Charisma Carpenter]] became pregnant.<ref name=cspin>{{cite video|people= [[Joss Whedon]]|date=2004|title=Commentary for ''Angel'' episode "Spin the Bottle"|medium=DVD (Region 1)|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> The Cordelia plot line additionally gave writers opportunity to explain Connor's birth via Jasmine, a character brought in to replace Carpenter as final villain. Taking Jasmine as a base point the writers started connecting back the dots they'd set up in previous seasons. In the words of DeKnight, "It's always been the big mystery of how and why Darla and Angel have a child, 'cause vampires are sterile. We find out this miracle birth was created kind of like a secret ingredient all planned out to sleep with Cordelia and create this superbeing."<ref name= overview4/>

Regarding the resolution of the character at season 4 and dropping of Kartheiser from regular cast, Minear says that they had an idea at the conception of teenage Connor that he would only last a season, and "it was time to end the character's story". But, they changed his original "violent, morbid" sendoff to a relatively happy one, citing their likability of actor and character as the reason. Also it was "nice to give someone a happy ending for once."<ref name=cHome/> Kartheiser was satisfied with the sendoff, particularly because the issue between Angel and Connor was confronted: <blockquote> That to me is the soul of the character. The name of the show is Angel so it all comes back to him. For Connor, everything stems from this place with Angel and Holtz, and when we got the opportunity for him to let that out, I think he came out of his tough shell and showed a little bit of his sensitivity. He showed that he was hurt by his father and that he was hurt by Holtz.<ref name=teenager/></blockquote> The last scene of Angel watching memory-wiped Connor dine with his new family and slipping away quietly was Whedon's idea, derived from 1937's classic movie ''[[Stella Dallas (1937 film)|Stella Dallas]]'':<blockquote> "I've given up my child. I see my child is happy, and does not know me, and I'm happy. That is the thing that made Stella Darlas the greatest, the thing that made this episode work."<ref name= overview5/></blockquote>

Despite Whedon's claim that the fourth season is a ‘final statement' for Connor,<ref name= overview5 >{{cite video|people=[[Joss Whedon]] |date=2005|title= "Featurette: To Live & Die in L.A.: The Best of Angel" Angel DVDs|medium=DVD (Region 1)|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> the character returns for a couple guests appearances in the fifth. This season sees a big development with a "well-adjusted" Connor and the long-due reconciliation of father and son; Connor is able to accept and appreciate all Angel did for him after his memories return. Minear and Bell were open to and had mentioned the possibility of character's return to Kartheiser at the end of season 4.<ref name=return>{{cite web|url=http://www.vincent-kartheiser.org/vincent/articles/795-cult-times-article|title=Cult Times Article|work=Cult Times|year=2006|access-date=2011-10-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425232007/http://www.vincent-kartheiser.org/vincent/articles/795-cult-times-article|archive-date=2012-04-25|url-status=dead}}</ref> But following his return, Kartheiser isn't sure if the re-appearance was not only due to the necessity of tying up loose ends after the series was reckoned to be canceled.<ref name=return2>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofangel.com/behindTheScenes/bts4/hyperionHapps.html|title=Welcome to the Hyperion a 3-Day Event for the Fans of Angel|work=cityofangel.com|date=2004-07-04|access-date=2011-10-29|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008014245/http://cityofangel.com/behindTheScenes/bts4/hyperionHapps.html|archive-date=2008-10-08}}</ref> Originally Kartheiser was asked to appear for one episode "[[Origin (Angel)|Origin]]" but the crew and Kartheiser enjoyed working with revamped Connor so much that "it became clear to [them] that he had to appear for the series finale".<ref name= cnotfadeaway/>

Connor again returns for ''Angel:After the Fall''. [[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]] was initially confused about how to incorporate Connor into the story. It was Whedon who hit upon the arc that Connor would follow in the series. He said, "Connor's a young kid, he's got powers, he doesn't have any of the bad things, he's not a vampire, so maybe he would enjoy it, and maybe he would be the closest thing to a superhero hell has". Well-adjusted now, Connor is shown "fully embracing his qualities and role of a hero" for the comic series.<ref name=lynch/> Originally Lynch had planned for [[List of minor Angel characters#Nina Ash|Nina Ash]] to be more involved in his storyline, but with time it became clear to him that Connor's story is more about his relationship with Angel. So Nina fell to the wayside and Connor-Angel went on to become a much closer father-son unit. Connor also went from the character Lynch had the most trouble with to the character he enjoys writing most.<ref name="A:AtF#16"/> Regarding Connor's upcoming role in ''Angel & Faith'', Whedon joked about time-traveling him to the early 1960s and making him an ad executive, referencing Kartheiser 's [[Pete Campbell|recent role]] in the television series ''[[Mad Men]]''.<ref name=alli >{{cite web|url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=34982|title= NYCC: Dark Horse Does Vampires Right with "Buffy" & "Angel"|work= comicbookresources.com|date=2011-10-19|access-date=2011-10-24}}</ref> Author [[Christos Gage]] describes the necessity of Connor's appearance with "otherwise Angel is just a deadbeat Dad!"<ref name=gage/>

In the Angel & Faith Comics, Connor returns in the "Family Reunion" arc, beginning with Issue #11. Willow telling Angel that she needs Connor to act as a compass to Quor'toth, the world he grew up in, to help restore magic to the world. Connor is now a college student studying social work with a girlfriend named Natalie he's been dating 3 months. He rapidly agrees to help Willow and a very reluctant Angel. Connor has seen the toll on society, especially the disenfranchised, that has occurred since magic seed was destroyed in Buffy Season 8. With a blood ritual using Connor's blood, Willow tears a fabric in reality to Quor'toth and Willow, Faith, Angel, and Connor head into the "darkest of the dark worlds".

==Reception==

===Merchandise===
Several pieces of merchandise, based on Angel television and [[Angel: After the Fall|comic]] series, featuring Connor have been released. These merchandise includes a few action figures,<ref name="toy">{{cite web| url= https://www.amazon.com/Tower-Exclusive-Vampire-Figure-Connor/dp/B000BOODO4| title=Tower Exclusive Vampire Angel Figure w/ baby Connor |work=[[Amazon.com]]|access-date=2011-11-01 }}</ref> but more prominently [[List of Angel novels|novels]] and spin-off [[List of Angel comics|comic books]]. Connor stars as a regular in ''After the Fall'''s spin-off ''[[Angel: After the Fall#Ongoing spin-off series|Aftermath]]'' and one-shot ''[[Angel: After the Fall#One-shots|Angel Yearbook]]''. He is the title character of ''[[Connor: Spotlight]]''. Continuing his appearances in other media, Connor stars in novels ''[[Dark Mirror (Angel novel)|Dark Mirror]]'',<ref name=DarkMirror>{{cite book|last=Gardner|first=Craig Shaw|author-link=Craig Shaw Gardner|title=Dark Mirror|publisher=[[Pocket Books]]|year=2004|location=[[United States]]|isbn=978-0-7434-8998-0|title-link=Dark Mirror (Angel novel)}}</ref> ''[[Love and Death (Angel novel)|Love and Death]]'',<ref name=LoveandDeath>{{cite book|last=Mariotte|first=Jeff|author-link=Jeff Mariotte|title=Love and Death|publisher=[[Pocket Books]]|year=2004|location=[[United States]]|isbn=978-0-7434-9554-7|title-link=Love and Death (Angel novel)}}</ref> and ''[[Monolith (Angel novel)|Monolith]]''.<ref name=Monolith>{{cite book|last=Passarella|first=John|author-link=John Passarella|title=Monolith|publisher=[[Pocket Books]]|year=2004|location=[[United States]]|isbn=978-0-7434-9235-5|title-link=Monolith (Angel novel)}}</ref> These appearances, though a part of official merchandise, are not considered [[Buffyverse canon|canon]].

===Reviews===
The show's cast and crew repeatedly praised Vincent Kartheiser for his professionalism and ability to bring much to his character.<ref name= likeAngel /><ref name=foil/> "You can bet the family fortune on this kid, he can really do it," stated director [[Vern Gillum]].<ref name= cnowish>{{cite video|people= [[Vern Gillum]], [[Steven DeKnight]]|date=2004|title=Commentary for ''Angel'' episode "Apocalypse, Nowish"|medium=DVD (Region 1)|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> Producer Tim Minear described Vincent as one of the main reasons of their avoidance of giving the character a ghastly send-off as planned before, “We’ve all grown so fond of the character and the actor that we didn’t want do that.”<ref name=cHome >{{cite video|people= Tim Minear|date=2004|title=Commentary for ''Angel'' episode "Home"|medium=DVD (Region 1)|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> Although fans and critics reception to Kartheiser's portrayal of the disturbed teen was also very positive, the character and his storylines turned out to be controversial.<ref name=strega1>{{cite web|url= http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/angel/inside_out.php|title= Angel-This Ain't No Love Song|work= televisionwithoutpity.com|date= 2003-04-06|access-date= 2011-10-29|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110825080920/http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/angel/inside_out.php|archive-date= 2011-08-25}}</ref><ref name=creature>{{cite web|url=http://www.creature-corner.com/reviews/angelseason4ukdvd.php3 |title=DVD: ANGEL: SEASON 4 (UK) |work=creature-corner.com |date=2004-03-06 |access-date=2011-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040817190032/http://www.creature-corner.com/reviews/angelseason4ukdvd.php3 |archive-date=August 17, 2004 }}</ref><ref name=coa1/><ref name=coa22>{{cite web|url= http://www.cityofangel.com/episodes/reviews/ep4_22.html|title= Review of Episode 22, Season 4|work= cityofangel.com|access-date= 2011-10-29|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081209035333/http://www.cityofangel.com/episodes/reviews/ep4_22.html|archive-date= 2008-12-09}}</ref>

His sexual relationship with his surrogate mother, Cordelia, particularly evoked attention. Most responses to this couple were negative. ''Darkworlds.com'''s columnist Amy Berner declared them a "finalist in the Most Disturbing Couple In Television History".<ref name=Oedipus/> In her academic essay "The Assassination of Cordelia Chase," [[Jennifer Crusie]] complained that this plot line led to the destruction of Cordelia's character.<ref name=cordelia>{{cite web|url=http://www.jennycrusie.com/for-writers/essays/the-assassination-of-cordelia-chase/|title=The Assassination of Cordelia Chase|work=jennycrusie.com|date=October 2004|access-date=2011-10-29|archive-date=2011-10-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111031233151/http://www.jennycrusie.com/for-writers/essays/the-assassination-of-cordelia-chase/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Charisma Carpenter herself, despite previously noted to have fun portraying the role,<ref name=corpheus/> became critical of the storyline over time, declaring her character's seduction of a teenage boy creepy.<ref name=denial>{{cite journal|date= February–March 2007|title=The Thrill of the Chase|journal=[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Magazine incorporating Angel Magazine]]|issue=92|page=83}}</ref> Yet, a few gave a positive response. Liz Gasto of ''Moviefreak.com'' included the Angel–Cordelia–Connor triangle in the plus points of fourth season.<ref name=liz>{{cite web|url= http://www.moviefreak.com/dvd/a/angel_s4.htm|title= Angel - Season 4|work= moviefreak.com|date= 2004-09-09|access-date= 2011-10-29|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111209133950/http://moviefreak.com/dvd/a/angel_s4.htm|archive-date= 2011-12-09}}</ref> ''Underland.com'' praised the plot line as a "very King Arthur like tale of love and betrayal."<ref name=underland>{{cite web|url= http://www.underlandonline.com/main/dvds/tv/a/angelvol4.shtml|title= Angel - The Complete Fourth Season|work= underlandonline.com|access-date= 2011-10-29|archive-date= 2012-04-30|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120430110434/http://www.underlandonline.com/main/dvds/tv/a/angelvol4.shtml|url-status= usurped}}</ref> Another group was neutral towards the development. In his book ''[[Blood Relations: Chosen Families in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel|Blood Relations: Chosen Families in Buffy and Angel]]'', Jes Battis simply observed that the relationship completes the already present "circuit of erotic incest within ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer|Buffy]]'' and ''Angel''."<ref name=BloodRelations/> [[Jean Lorrah]], in her academic essay "A World Without Love: The Failure of Family in Angel," agreed with previous statements, further noting that Connor is the product of a relationship with incestuous tones: "Angel is seduced by Darla, formerly his sire (mother), now his granddaughter [..] Connor's life, unbeknownst to either parent, has begun."<ref name= jean />

Connor's characterization and main storyline with his father in seasons 3 and 4 received mixed reviews. Ben from ''thescifichristian.com'' was not fond of the initial episodes with baby Connor because Angel wasted time "baby-talking," but he loved the development with teenage Connor, “The [third] season ends with a great storyline as Connor returns [..] and betrays Angel.”<ref name=babytalk>{{cite web|url= http://thescifichristian.com/2011/07/buffyangel-retrospective-part-2/|title= Buffy/Angel Retrospective Part 2.|work= thescifichristian.com |date= 2011-07-28|access-date=2011-10-29}}</ref> Jes Battis praised the father/son dynamics and described as “highly dramatic and (engagingly perverse)”.<ref name=BloodRelations/> Journalist [[Sarah D. Bunting]] called Connor "a frustrating character" and wrote that while she "gets where he is coming from" and his ”twitchy, PTSD-ish interactions ring true", they become old too quick due to lack of real development of character and the relationship with Angel for most of season 4.<ref name=ptsd>{{cite web|url=http://tomatonation.com/planb.shtml |title=What bedeviled Angel. |work=tomatonation.com |date=2006-01-09 |access-date=2011-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060111083144/http://tomatonation.com/planb.shtml |archive-date=January 11, 2006 }}</ref> Kartheiser himself expressed this development concern, but he said that "Towards the end of the season I was really happy about the chances I was getting."<ref name= teenager /> This last statement is echoed in Jamie Pool's review, who called the “ending” to Connor "emotionally satisfying", despite noting him to not have been particularly endearing through most of the remaining season.<ref name=creature/> S.Wiebe of ''eclipsemagazine.com'', described Connor’s overall characterization "sharp" with "really intriguing sub-textual material" and among the saving graces of the season.<ref name=eclispe>{{cite web|url=http://www.eclipsemagazine.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1127&page=0 |title=Angel, Season Four – The Milk Chocolate Season |work=eclipsemagazine.com |date=2004-09-21 |access-date=2011-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041224043300/http://www.eclipsemagazine.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1127&page=0 |archive-date=December 24, 2004 }}</ref> Strega of ''[[Television Without Pity]]'', also praised the character's psychology, "The thing I like most is that they've not only created a teenager who doesn't just feel like he's the most alienated person in the world -- he actually ''is'',"<ref name=strega4>{{cite web|url= http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/angel/peace_out.php?page=10|title= Family Tradition|work= televisionwithoutpity.com|date= 2003-05-06|access-date= 2011-10-29|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://archive.today/20130204114722/http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/angel/peace_out.php?page=10|archive-date= 2013-02-04}}</ref> and "I love how unloved Connor [thinks he] is…”<ref name=strega2>{{cite web|url= http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/angel/home_1.php?page=16|archive-url= https://archive.today/20130203152513/http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/angel/home_1.php?page=16|url-status= dead|archive-date= 2013-02-03|title= Angel-Home of Deranged (Writers)|work= televisionwithoutpity.com|date= 2003-05-13|access-date= 2011-10-29}}</ref> Jean Lorrah described the Darla-Angel-Connor-Jasmine arc as "surely one of the most ambitious story arcs any television show has ever attempted“<ref name= jean /> Stacey Abbott of ''[[PopMatters]]'' called the Darla-Angel-Connor storyline "provocative" and "pure family melodrama".<ref name=pop/> ''Cityofangels.com'''s Tara DiLullo summed up:
<blockquote> "Vincent Kartheiser [Connor] had a challenging year playing Angel’s errant son, to say the least. While audiences may have hoped for a reconciliation between the two, it was never meant to be. Connor instead started and remained [..] as petulant and unsympathetic as many teens are in real life. [His pairing with] Cordelia completely fouled just about everyone and made him the whipping boy for fan ire. But [Vincent] earns serious kudos for his amazing last inning transformation of Connor from brat to tragic figure worthy of pity and understanding in [[Peace Out]] and [[Home (Angel)|Home]]. That Vincent was able to redeem Connor in such a short time is a true feat in itself and it was singularly responsible for making the finale as heartbreaking and haunting as it ended up being."<ref name=coa1>{{cite web |url= http://www.cityofangel.com/episodes/reviews/season4review.html |title= Season 4 Review |work= cityofangel.com |access-date= 2011-10-29 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081209035343/http://www.cityofangel.com/episodes/reviews/season4review.html |archive-date= 2008-12-09 }}</ref></blockquote>

A revamped Connor received praise during the final season. Phoenix of ''cityofangel.com'' declared Connor's return as “triumphant”, saying this “shy, sweet, happy young man” is the kid Angel always wanted, and “for the audience, a version of the character finally worth liking and supporting.”<ref name=coa2>{{cite web|url= http://www.cityofangel.com/episodes/reviews/ep5_18.html|title= Review of Episode 18, Season 5, "Origin"|work= cityofangel.com|access-date= 2011-10-29|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110825042515/http://www.cityofangel.com/episodes/reviews/ep5_18.html|archive-date= 2011-08-25}}</ref> Roz Kaveney, in his essay "A Sense of the Ending: Schrödinger's Angel," praised the new Connor as a “heroic youth”.<ref name=roz>{{cite web|url=http://slayageonline.com/essays/slayage16/Kaveney.htm |title=A Sense of the Ending: Schrödinger's Angel |work=slayageonline.com |access-date=2011-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011073722/http://slayageonline.com/essays/slayage16/Kaveney.htm |archive-date=2008-10-11 }}</ref> Writer [[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]] admitted that he did not love season 4's Connor, but that he "really liked him" in season 5"when he came back and he was well adjusted."<ref name=lynch>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=11911|title= Brian Lynch talks "Angel: After the Fall"|date=2007-11-06|access-date=2011-10-29}}</ref>

Connor's name is often mentioned with ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'''s [[Dawn Summers]] younger sister to [[Buffy Summers]] similarly created to give a strong emotional connection to the titular character. Four years after the cancellation of ''Angel'', ''[[IGN]]'' included Connor along with Dawn in their list of classic TV's cliché of ‘Adding a Kid’ as a last-ditch effort to save a dying show. In order to avoid swamping themselves with comments from irate fans of either side, they did not say if his addition was a good or bad choice.<ref name=addakid>{{cite web|url= http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/angel/inside_out.php|title= TV Playbook: ''Let's Add a Kid!''|work= tv.ign.com|date= 2008-12-10|access-date= 2011-10-29|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110825080920/http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/angel/inside_out.php|archive-date= 2011-08-25}}</ref> David Hofstede in his book ''What Were They Thinking?'' openly criticized Connor and Dawn's addition, appointing them number No.98 in his list of "100 Dumbest Events in Television History".<ref name=thinking>{{cite book|last= Hofstede |first=David |title=What Were They Thinking: The 100 Dumbest Events in Television History|publisher=[[Backstage (magazine)|Back Stage Books]]|year=2004|isbn= 978-0-8230-8441-8}}</ref>

Connor's appearance as a regular in ''After the Fall'', was initially met with dismay by some fans. [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] representative [[Chris Ryall]] responded to these complaints with optimism, assuring the fans that the character would win them over, just the way he has been, by the time the series end.<ref name="A:AtF#3">{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]|title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=1|issue=3|date=2008-01-14|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> True to his words, ''After The Fall''’s Connor was received positively. Brian Lynch confirmed this in an interview, stating that Connor has not only been the most pleasantly surprising character for him to write, he has been the most surprising for the fans as well, "Connor was a great character on the TV show but, I don’t think he was ever a favorite. But he’s slowly but surely become one of the most popular characters in ''After The Fall'', which is wonderful."<ref name="A:AtF#16">{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]|title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=4|issue=16|date=2009-01-21|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> He further said that he himself like the character so much now, he wants to do a book called 'Son of Angel' based on him.<ref name=lynch />

===Analysis===
Connor has been analyzed and compared with other male characters of the series in terms of the presentation and evolution of masculinity in fiction. His sexual relation with his surrogate mother, coupled with his struggles to kill his father, led to numerous speculations that mythical Greek figure [[Oedipus]] was the inspiration for the character.<ref name=Oedipus>{{cite web|url=http://www.darkworlds.com/ls/art_15635.html |title=THE WATCHER:ANGEL season four review: FAMILY MATTERS |work=darkworlds.com |date=September 2004 |access-date=2011-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701213718/http://www.darkworlds.com/ls/art_15635.html |archive-date=July 1, 2007 }}</ref><ref name=BloodRelations>{{cite book|last=Battis|first=Jes|title=Blood Relations: Chosen Families in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel|publisher=[[McFarland & Company]]|year=2005|isbn=978-0-7864-2172-5|title-link=Blood Relations: Chosen Families in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel}}</ref><ref name=jean>{{cite book|last=Lorrah|first=Jean|title=Five Seasons of Angel|publisher=[[Benbella Books]]|year=2004|isbn=978-1-932100-33-4|title-link=Five Seasons of Angel}}</ref><ref name=oedipal3/> and references to Arthurian Legend were also made.<ref name=underland/> In Erin B. Waggoner's book ''Sexual rhetoric in the works of Joss Whedon,'' he found it interesting that the ancient [[Oedipus complex]] continues to be used as a way to underscore one's masculinity, but he added that "Connor is not the only one [..] Angel, Wes, [[Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Spike]] and even [[Winifred Burkle|Fred]] (through [[Charles Gunn (Angel)|Gunn]]) kill father or father figures in order to come into their own as individuals." Further citing [[Gwen Raiden|Gwen]]'s role among Connor and Gunn in the comic series triangle, he observed the unrelenting use of women as a device for men to shore up.<ref name=oedipal3>{{cite book|last= Waggoner B|first=Erin |title=Sexual rhetoric in the works of Joss Whedon: new essays|publisher=[[McFarland & Company]]|year=2010|isbn= 978-0-7864-4750-3}}</ref>

Stacey Abbott of ''[[PopMatters]]'' cited David Greenwalt's statement that "''Angel'' is about how hard it is to be a man." Greenwalt observed that the show raises questions about what it means to be a man and does this not only through the characterization of Angel but also the men around him. He said that like other male characters, taken alone Connor may seem a stereotypical teen boy, but considered with rest of the cast offers a complex image of modern masculinity. Greenwalt also compared Connor's journey with others in terms of identity, which he considers a poignant theme within the series. He found it ironic that Connor who was "initially the most damaged of all the characters", was the only one able to "reconcile his actions and new man existence together" and be at peace with himself in the end.<ref name=pop>{{cite web|url= http://www.whedon.info/Angel-Tv-Series-Popmatters-com.html|title= "Angel" Tv Series - Popmatters.com Review|work= Popmatters.com|access-date=2011-11-21}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Portal|United States|Television}}

{{Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}

{{Good article}}



[[Category:Angel (1999 TV series) characters]]
[[Category:Buffyverse demons]]
[[Category:Adoptee characters in television]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Television characters introduced in 2001]]
[[Category:Fictional characters displaced in time]]
[[Category:Fictional demon hunters]]
[[Category:Fictional half-demons]]
[[Category:Fictional half-vampires]]
[[Category:Male characters in television]]
[[Category:Fictional teenage parents]]
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Dawn Summers

2025-10-12T00:10:07Z

2001:D08:1C12:DEBE:4462:8B94:7FF6:7513:

{{Short description|Buffy the Vampire Slayer character}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Dawn Summers
| series = [[Buffyverse|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]
| image = Dawn Lessons.jpg
| caption = [[Michelle Trachtenberg]] as Dawn Summers in 2002
| first = "[[Buffy vs. Dracula]]" (2000)
| last = ''Finale'' (2018)
| creator = [[Joss Whedon]]
| portrayer = [[Michelle Trachtenberg]]
| affiliation = Scooby Gang
| lbl21 = Classification
| data21 = Human (formerly: non-sentient magical energy)
}}
'''Dawn Summers''' is a fictional character created by [[Joss Whedon]] and introduced by [[Marti Noxon]] and [[David Fury]] on the television series ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'', portrayed by [[Michelle Trachtenberg]]. She made her debut in the premiere episode of the show's fifth season and subsequently appeared in every episode of its remaining three seasons. Within the series, Dawn is the younger sister of main character [[Buffy Summers]] ([[Sarah Michelle Gellar]]), a girl chosen by fate to be a [[Slayer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|vampire Slayer]]. Whedon introduced Dawn to the series because he wanted to introduce a character with whom Buffy could have an intensely emotional non-romantic relationship.

After years of [[foreshadowing]], Dawn was introduced at the start of the fifth season as part of a large in-story [[retroactive continuity|retcon]]: Characters accepted Dawn's presence as if she had always been there, and as if Buffy always had a sister, with only the audience aware that this was not the case. As the series went on, the significance of Dawn's arrival is revealed to the series's other characters, and they come to understand that she has not always been Buffy's sister, or indeed a sentient being; Dawn had originally been the mystical "key" to unlocking dimensions and was made into Buffy's sister so the Slayer would protect her. Dawn is, however, a real girl, Buffy's biological sister, and has real memories of her fictional childhood.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sara |first1=Raffel |title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Technology, Mysticism, and the Constructed Body |journal=Studies in Popular Culture |date=2017 |volume=40 |issue=1 |page=36 |jstor=44779942 }}</ref> She struggles in a very human way when she discovers the truth about her origins and later endures problems with [[self-harm]] and [[kleptomania]]. The show's sixth and seventh seasons, as well as its [[canon (fiction)|canonical]] comic book continuation, follow Dawn's journey toward adulthood.

==Appearances==
===Television===
Dawn Marie Summers is first introduced as Buffy's ([[Sarah Michelle Gellar]]) younger sister at the end of ''Buffy'' season 5 premiere "[[Buffy vs. Dracula]]", though Buffy had been previously established as an only child. Initially, the mystery of Dawn's sudden existence is not acknowledged in the series, with the other characters accepting her as a part of the [[status quo]]. Four episodes later, Buffy discovers Dawn is, in fact, a mystical object known as The Key; a group of monks transformed The Key into human form and sent it to the Slayer for protection from the villainous [[Glory (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Glory]] ([[Clare Kramer]]). The memories of Buffy and her associates were altered, along with relevant records, so that they believed her to have always existed as Buffy's sister. She is shown to look up greatly to Willow and Tara and has a crush on Xander. She also is friendly with Spike, who is as protective of her as Buffy herself. When Dawn learns of her origin, she suffers [[existential crisis]] that causes her [[self-harm]] and runs away from home, until Buffy assures her, they are real sisters no matter what, securing it with a blood oath. Her relationship with Buffy, having been portrayed with a typical sister dynamic in the first half of the season, changes when she discovers what she is. The two become closer as Dawn becomes Buffy's sole focus once she drops out from college to protect her, going as far as to warn her friends she is prepared to kill anyone who attempts to go near Dawn in the finale.

Dawn suffers more pain when [[Joyce Summers|her mother]] ([[Kristine Sutherland]]) dies unexpectedly from a [[brain aneurysm]], which leads to Dawn resorting to [[black magic]] to try to bring her back from the grave, an action she immediately reverses upon realizing the consequences of her actions. It is eventually revealed that Dawn's purpose as The Key is to open portals to alternate dimensions — a power the hell-god Glory wishes to exploit to return home. When Glory successfully uses Dawn's blood to break down the dimensional barriers, Buffy sacrifices her own life (realizing that their blood is now the same) to end the apocalypse and save Dawn; Buffy's sacrifice also neutralizes the power of The Key, giving Dawn the opportunity of a normal life. Seeking a purpose for her existence, Dawn chooses to join Buffy's friends to protect the world against evil.

The following season opening sees Dawn struggle with [[Abandonment (emotional)|abandonment issues]], as well as her escalating [[kleptomania]]. Having been devastated by her sister's death, Dawn is overjoyed when [[Willow Rosenberg|Willow]] ([[Alyson Hannigan]]) casts a spell to bring her back to life. However, with Buffy spiraling into a deep depression, Dawn feels highly neglected and is often seen alone and seeking attention from her sister, as well as other members of the group. She later experiences her first kiss with a [[Vampire (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|vampire]] named Justin, whom she is reluctantly forced to stake (her first vampire kill) when he tries to turn her. Dawn's isolation from the other characters reaches its apex in "[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 6#Older and Far Away|Older and Far Away]]," when she inadvertently makes a wish to the vengeance demon [[Halfrek]] ([[Kali Rocha]]), which results in trapping everyone who enters the Summers house. Halfrek herself is inadvertently trapped, and undoes the curse to free herself; meanwhile, Dawn's kleptomania and feelings of neglect by her friends and family are exposed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Noel |date=11 February 2011 |title=Buffy / Angel: "Older And Far Away"/"Couplet" |url=https://www.avclub.com/buffy-angel-older-and-far-away-couplet-1798167270 |access-date=13 December 2023 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en-us}}</ref> Buffy vows to mend their relationship and starts spending more time with her sister, whilst still trying to shield her from her life as a Slayer, much to Dawn's disappointment, as she is eager to help Buffy in her duties. While helping Buffy battle demons in the [[Grave (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|season finale]], Dawn proves herself to be capable in a fight, finally earning her sister's respect and a promise to train her.

In the final season, Dawn becomes more grown-up and a full-fledged member of the "Scooby Gang" — as witnessed in the first few episodes when she aids Buffy and Xander during Willow's absence, and is trained by Buffy in combat. When Buffy expresses her doubts about her first day as a guidance counselor at the newly rebuilt Sunnydale High in the episode "[[Help (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Help]]", Dawn assures her that she'll be fine and that she'll be a great counselor. Falling victim to a love spell in the episode "[[Him (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Him]]", Dawn displays dangerous behavior such as attacking people and trying to commit [[suicide]] to prove her "love" for classmate RJ Brooks. While home alone one night, Dawn is forced to perform a solo [[exorcism]] to protect what she believes to be her mother from a demon, though it is revealed to be [[First Evil|The First Evil]] attempting to cause Dawn to doubt her bond with Buffy, which she does for several episodes following this. Dawn's feelings of neglect begin to resurface as Buffy spends time training the potentials now living in their home. After wrongly believing herself to be a [[Potential Slayer]], [[Xander Harris|Xander]] ([[Nicholas Brendon]]) explains to Dawn that being normal is perhaps the hardest burden of all, as nobody understands the pain of being overlooked — as he has been in Dawn's shoes. Dawn then falls into a watcher-esque role offering the group answers from research, such as ways to communicate with The Bringers and translating texts given to Buffy in a 'slayer keepsake'. When Buffy tricks her into leaving town before the impending apocalypse, Dawn adamantly returns to fight against the First, during which she battles alongside Xander, and once again proves her value as a fighter by killing several [[Turok-Han|Ubervamps]] and survives.

Dawn was intended to appear in the ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]'' episode "[[The Girl in Question]]", but [[Michelle Trachtenberg]] was unavailable for filming, so [[Andrew Wells]] (played by [[Thomas Lenk|Tom Lenk]]) replaced her.<ref>"[[The Girl in Question]]" commentary</ref>

===Literature===
[[File:Longwaycover07.jpg|thumb|upright|In the comic book ''Buffy Season Eight'', Dawn goes through a series of bizarre physical changes.]]
In the [[canon (fiction)|canonical]] [[comic book]] continuation to the television series ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]'' (2007–2011), it is revealed that Buffy and Dawn's relationship has been strained and conflicted since the events of "Chosen." Dawn is revealed to have been cursed, apparently as a result of sleeping with a "thricewise demon" named Kenny while a college student, and is a [[Giant (mythology)|giant]]. Throughout her affliction she spends a lot of time with Xander, to whom she reveals she was cursed as a result of cheating on Kenny with his roommate. While her personal issues are made to take a backseat with Buffy, in battles, her gigantism shows some utility; she is able to assist fighting [[Amy Madison|Amy]] in "[[The Long Way Home (Buffy comic)|The Long Way Home]]", and rampages through [[Tokyo]] to distract their enemies in "[[Wolves at the Gate (comics)|Wolves at the Gate]]". In "[[Time of Your Life (Buffy comic)|Time of Your Life, Part One]]" she shrinks to normal size again, but then turns into a [[centaur]]. Xander surmises she will likely experience a third such transformation before she can return to normal. In "[[Predators and Prey|Living Doll]]", the twenty-fifth issue of the series, Dawn undergoes a transformation into a living doll and is kidnapped by a disturbed dollmaker for her 'protection'. After her sister, Andrew and Willow track down Kenny, he later appears to undo the curse, and the two have a heart-to-heart, where Dawn apologises for her infidelity and explains she had been unprepared for the seriousness of her feelings for Kenny. She subsequently spends some time bonding with Buffy. Dawn and Xander's growing friendship leads to them kissing, where they are discovered by Buffy, in "[[Retreat (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Retreat]]". In the series' [[Last Gleaming|final arc]], Buffy brings about the end of magic, following which Xander and Dawn decide to settle down in [[San Francisco]]. They allow Buffy to live with them until she finds her own place.

''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine|Season Nine]]'' (2012–13) begins with Dawn and Xander living an ordinary domestic life, with much less contact with Buffy than before since she has moved out. They intend to capitalize on a world without magic and embark upon a life of normalcy. Their relationship is seen to be going through some difficulties, such as when Xander forgets Dawn's birthday. Buffy also reflects that Dawn is not on her mind much of late. In "Welcome to the Team," Dawn becomes sick with what appears to be a very serious flu. Buffy also forgets about one of Dawn's allergies. In the concurrent second issue of spin-off series ''Willow: Wonderland'', Willow sees a worrying omen about Dawn while in an alternate dimension. Later in the ''Buffy'' arc, Dawn begins to die and the gang recognise it is due to magic leaving her body. Buffy contacts Faith for help, but (as seen in ''Angel & Faith'') neither she nor Angel can remember Dawn. Spike, however, heads straight from Faith's apartment in London to be by Dawn's side, and Willow returns to California with her powers restored and attempts to prolong Dawn's life. In final arc "The Core", Buffy, Willow and Xander head to the Deeper Well in England in hopes of finding enough magic to restore Dawn. Fearing for his memories, Spike tries to record himself talking about Dawn but the tapes all become static, indicating that everything Dawn affected is also fading. Dawn continues to rapidly fade until she disappears altogether. After the gang restart magic, they return to San Francisco where Willow is able to bring back Dawn using Buffy's blood in conjunction with the spell which created her. Willow expresses that something feels different as she brings Dawn back, and Xander is suspicious of Dawn's knowledge of very recent events. Buffy tries to tell Xander that he is being paranoid.

In ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten|Season Ten]]'' (2014-2016), Xander continues to be suspicious of Dawn, and insecure concerning their relationship. Buffy compares their behavior to that of her parents prior to their divorce. It is revealed that when Dawn was brought back she was reset emotionally. While she still remembers her relationship with Xander she does not feel love for him anymore and recently re-experienced her grief for her mother's death, among other traumas.

==Concept and creation==
The arrival of Dawn Summers is foreshadowed in cryptic dream sequences in both the season 3 finale "[[Graduation Day (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Graduation Day, Part Two]]" and the season 4 episode "[[This Year's Girl (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|This Year's Girl]]", in which a still-comatose [[Faith (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Faith]] says, while making a bed with Buffy in her bedroom, "Little sis coming, I know." Buffy replies, "So much to do before she gets here." (The first appearance of Dawn is in Buffy's room.) In the season 4 finale, "[[Restless (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Restless]]", [[Tara Maclay|Tara]] warns Buffy to "be back before Dawn."

According to ''Buffy'' creator Joss Whedon, the introduction of Dawn in season 5 was partly so [[protagonist]] [[Buffy Summers]] could experience a "really important, intense emotional relationship" with someone other than a boyfriend. "She's as intense as she was in season 2 with Angelus, but it's about her sister," Whedon says. "To me that was really beautiful."<ref>{{Citation
|last=Miller
|first=Laura
|title=The man behind the Slayer
|date=May 20, 2003
|url=http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/tv/int/2003/05/20/whedon/index.html?pn=3
|access-date=July 17, 2007
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107103615/http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/tv/int/2003/05/20/whedon/index.html?pn=3
|archive-date=January 7, 2007
}}</ref>
Trachtenberg says she was thrust into the role without knowing much about Dawn's personality; she describes her initial meeting with Joss Whedon as "Alright, welcome to the cast, you're a teenager, you're a Key, have fun."<ref>{{Citation| title = Dawning glory Interview with Michelle Trachtenberg| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/buffy/interviews/trachtenberg/page2.shtml | access-date = July 18, 2007| publisher = [[BBC]] }}</ref>

==Characterization==
In the beginning of season 5 Dawn is portrayed as less mature than her age of fourteen. She is seen to be immature, sulky, and klutzy, often breaking objects, and she keeps a diary. Buffy and Joyce also infantilise her to some degree; they are shown finding someone to babysit her, although they later become more relaxed about this as seen in "[[No Place Like Home (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|No Place Like Home]]".

Responding to fan complaints of Dawn being whiny throughout season 6, Joss Whedon says, "I scratched my head. I was like, 'Excuse me, she's been abandoned by about six parental figures. The girl has huge issues.'" However, he acknowledges that he and the writers hit "the same note for a while... We needed to make some changes."<ref name="movies.ign.com">{{Citation|last=P. |first=Ken |title=An Interview with Joss Whedon |date=June 23, 2003 |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/425/425492p9.html |access-date=July 18, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210072147/http://movies.ign.com/articles/425/425492p9.html |archive-date=December 10, 2007
}}</ref> Whedon has expressed regret over not being able to go further with Dawn's character in season 7, but, as he says, "You get into a situation that you do like to stand alone [but] 'Dawn Goes on a Date' is not something that people would really sit for."<ref name="movies.ign.com" />

Author Nikki Stafford saw the season 7 episode "Potential" as an example of Dawn's growing maturity. She praises the character for taking charge and accepting the possibility she might be a Potential Slayer, and for quietly stepping back when she turns out to be wrong, without revealing how disappointed she really is. Stafford states, "Dawn has come a long way from the annoying adolescent she was in season 5, and the screechy, difficult teen she was in season 6 ('get out, Get Out, GET OUT!'). She is a mature young woman, the same age as Buffy was in season 1, but she is handling her problems with even more grace and acceptance than her older sister did."<ref name=BiteMe>{{Citation|last=Stafford|first=Nikki|title=Bite Me!: The Unofficial Guide to Buffy the Vampire Slayer|publisher=ECW Press|year=2007|location=[[Toronto]]|pages=338|isbn=978-1-55022-807-6}}</ref>

==References==
{{Portal|United States|Television}}
{{reflist}}

{{Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Summers, Dawn}}
[[Category:Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters]]
[[Category:Child characters in television]]
[[Category:Teenage characters in television]]
[[Category:American female characters in television]]
[[Category:Fictional vampire hunters]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from California]]
[[Category:Television characters introduced in 2000]]
[[Category:Female characters in comics]]
[[Category:Fictional attempted suicides]]

Oz (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

2025-10-12T00:09:13Z

2001:D08:1C12:DEBE:4462:8B94:7FF6:7513:

{{Short description|Fictional character in the supernatural fantasy television series}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Oz (''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'')}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Daniel "Oz" Osbourne
| image = btvs-oz1.jpg
| caption = Oz playing at the Bronze.
| first = "[[Inca Mummy Girl]]" (1997)
| last = ''Turbulence'' (2010)
| creator = Matt Kiene Joe Reinkemeyer
| portrayer = [[Seth Green]]
| affiliation = Scooby Gang [[Angel Investigations]] (ally)
| lbl21 = Classification
| data21 = [[Werewolf (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Werewolf]]
| lbl22 = Notable powers
| data22 = Superhuman strength, agility and speed in werewolf form, and acute sensory perception in both states.
}}

'''Daniel''' "'''Oz'''" '''Osbourne''' is a fictional character created by [[Joss Whedon]] for the [[television series]] ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]''. The character is portrayed by [[Seth Green]]. Green also portrays the character in [[In the Dark (Angel)|one episode]] of the spin-off series ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]''.

In ''Buffy'', Oz is a [[Silence|taciturn]], guitar-playing teen who becomes [[Willow Rosenberg|Willow]]'s ([[Alyson Hannigan]]) boyfriend. He is a recurring character in the second season who first appears in the episode "[[Inca Mummy Girl]]". He discovers he is a [[werewolf (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|werewolf]] in the episode "[[Phases (Buffy episode)|Phases]]". Green gets elevated to main cast for the third season, and departs from the series in season 4. Green portrays the character for a final time in the season 4 finale "[[Restless (Buffy episode)|Restless]]" as part of a dream sequence. The character made a [[canon (fiction)|canonical]] return in the 2007 ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]'' storyline "[[Retreat (Buffy comic)|Retreat]]".

==Appearances==

===Television===
Oz's most outstanding trait is his detached, ironic approach to life, masking a deeply philosophical interior and a very calm, devoted, gentle nature.<ref>''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', season 3, episode 18, "[[Earshot (Buffy episode)|Earshot]]"</ref> He is also the lead [[guitarist]] for the band [[Dingo ate my baby|Dingoes Ate My Baby]] (a reference to the death of [[Azaria Chamberlain]]), which performs frequently at The Bronze. A high school senior, one year above Willow and the rest of the group, he is highly intelligent and "tests well", but his only real ambition lies in music.

He notices Willow in her Eskimo costume at a dance at The Bronze, and seems to be interested in her at first sight; but does not meet her directly until [[What's My Line, Part One|several episodes later]]. They have several dates, on [[Surprise (Buffy episode)|one of which]] he witnesses a vampire being dusted by Buffy for the first time, and is unsurprised upon learning vampires exist and merely remarks that "it explains a lot". After this he becomes a member of the Scooby Gang, helping with research and fighting.

In the episode "[[Phases (Buffy episode)|Phases]]" Oz learns he has become a [[werewolf]], [[shapeshifting|turning]] into a monster on the three nights around a full moon, having been bitten on his finger by his cousin Jordy. On his third night as a wolf, Oz is nearly killed by werewolf hunter [[List of Buffyverse villains and supernatural beings#Dangerous Mortals|Gib Cain]] for his pelt, but is saved by [[Buffy Summers|Buffy]] and the Scooby Gang, with whose help he quickly finds a way to minimize the danger posed by the wolf: he locks himself into a cage for the appropriate nights, watched over by the Scoobies in shifts. The revelation that Oz is a werewolf does not dissuade Willow from dating him, and they become a couple.

Even though he is intelligent, several incompletes in his senior year require that he repeat it, putting him in the same graduating year as the rest of the gang. During this year, his relationship with Willow goes through rough water as he and [[Cordelia Chase|Cordelia]] catch [[Xander Harris|Xander]] and [[Willow Rosenberg|Willow]] kissing. They break up, but get back together again after Oz confesses he misses her ("[[Amends (Buffy episode)|Amends]]"). In the episode "[[Graduation Day, Part One]]," Oz and Willow make love before the impending confrontation with the evil [[Richard Wilkins III|Mayor Wilkins]].

After graduation, he attends UC Sunnydale together with Buffy and Willow, and is seen taking 'Introduction to Psychology' by [[Maggie Walsh|Professor Walsh]] along with them. Unlike the other two, he does not have a dorm room, but stays in a house off campus along with the rest of the band,<ref>''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', season 4, episode 1,"[[The Freshman (Buffy episode)|The Freshman]]"</ref> and now locks himself up into a cage in a crypt at a local cemetery. Oz makes one appearance on ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]'' to deliver the Ring of Amarra, and plays a crucial role in the plot of that episode ("[[In the Dark (Angel)|In the Dark]]"). He was rumored to be a recurring character in the unproduced sixth season before the show's cancellation at the end of season 5.

While appearing to the outside world to have come to terms with his lycanthropy rather easily, evidence arises he indeed is fearful of his werewolf side ("[[Fear, Itself (Buffy episode)|Fear, Itself]]"), and especially of hurting others with it.<ref>Writer David Fury in ''The Monster Book'' (2000) by C. Golden, S.R. Bisette and T.E. Sniegoski, New York: Pocket Books, page 51. {{ISBN|0-671-04259-9}}. ''"[...] [T]he fears are personalized: Oz fears hurting Willow [...]."''</ref> Moreover, he starts to see that he and his wolf side may not be as separate as he'd like to think. When he meets a female werewolf, [[Veruca (Buffyverse)|Veruca]], a seductive UC Sunnydale student who sings in a band, they are immediately drawn to each other, and unbeknownst to him, they meet as wolves in the woods and have sex on the first night of the full moon. Veruca, who, unlike Oz, is conscious of her state and believes they are "the wolf all the time," tries to convince Oz that they belong together. Unlike Oz, Veruca sees nothing wrong with killing humans when she is a werewolf; she feels that that is her true identity. Instead of telling the others about Veruca, he convinces her to join him in his cage on the next night they are due to turn into werewolves. They have sex again and are found the next morning lying together naked by Willow, who is devastated. Willow considers using magic to hurt Veruca, but changes her mind at the last minute. Veruca, who watched Willow, then attacks her. During the attack, Veruca transforms into a werewolf and tries to kill Willow, but Oz, also in werewolf form, protects Willow and kills Veruca.<ref>''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' season 4, episode 6, [[Wild at Heart (Buffy episode)|Wild at Heart]]</ref> After he kills Veruca, he nearly attacks Willow, but Buffy stops him in time. Oz realizes that Veruca was correct, and tells Willow that he is, indeed, "the wolf all the time" and needs to leave in order to try to better understand his own nature.

Some months later, Oz returns to [[Sunnydale]], having made progress with his [[lycanthropy]] through techniques learned in [[Tibet]].<ref>''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', season 4, episode 19, [[New Moon Rising (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|New Moon Rising]]</ref> He no longer uncontrollably changes into a werewolf during a full moon, and can now control his transformations, and shows Willow this when he takes her outside and shows her that the moon is full and he has not changed. However, when experiencing the powerful negative emotion of jealousy evoked by the discovery that [[Tara Maclay]] has replaced him in Willow's affections, he does change, and is seized by The Initiative and locked in their cells until Buffy, helped by [[Riley Finn]], sets him free.

The knowledge that Willow now loves Tara makes Oz leave [[Sunnydale]] for good, though he and Willow each affirm the depth and permanence of their connection. He is last seen in Willow's dream in the episode "[[Restless (Buffy episode)|Restless]]."

===Literature===
In 2007, Joss Whedon launched a [[canon (fiction)|canonical]] ''Buffy'' continuation in comic format, ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]''. The series follows Buffy and her allies some time after the events of the television series finale. Oz initially features in a minor dream sequence in Whedon's premiere story arc, "[[The Long Way Home (Buffy comic)|The Long Way Home]]" arc amid a collage of friends and family, but is not featured in any principal role until the 2009 story arc "[[Retreat (Buffy comic)|Retreat]]", written by [[Jane Espenson]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|title=Joss Whedon Sends Buffy Back To The Future In New Season-Eight Comic|url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1590279/story.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917120747/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1590279/story.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 17, 2008|publisher=[[MTV]]|date=2 July 2008|access-date=4 July 2008}}</ref> The story sees Buffy and her army of Slayers magically transport themselves to Oz's sanctuary in Tibet to escape the pursuit of her masked enemy, the mysterious "Twilight". There, they hope to learn from Oz how to suppress their magical abilities, as he did, and therefore to avoid Twilight's detection. Oz introduces Buffy, Willow and friends to his wife Bayarmaa, who is also a werewolf, and his young son, Kelden. Oz and a number of other werewolves assist the rendered-powerless Slayers when Twilight's armed forces attack, though Oz subsequently remains with his family when Buffy and her company depart once again.

Oz also appears in ''Buffy'' Expanded Universe materials; the details offered in these appearances would later be contradicted by canonical stories, such as Espenson's arc for ''Season Eight''. In addition to supporting roles in a number of novels and comic books, Oz is central to the comic book trade paperback ''Oz'' (2001) and the novel ''[[Oz: Into the Wild]]'' (2002). Both of these appearances are written by [[Christopher Golden]]. ''Into the Wild'' is set during Oz's quest to control his wolf-side, set after the television episode "Wild at Heart". Golden's frequent writing partner [[Nancy Holder]] also wrote the 2005 novel ''[[Queen of the Slayers]]'', set after the events of the season 7 finale. In ''Queen of the Slayers'', forces conspire to kill Buffy for destroying the Hellmouth in Sunnydale. When Buffy encounters Oz, he is the leader of a pack of werewolves who can completely control their wolf forms; Oz assists in the final battle of the book, set during a full moon.

==Dingoes Ate My Baby==
Oz plays guitar in a rock band named Dingoes Ate My Baby.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Rocklopedia Fakebandica |last=Childs |first=T. Mike |year=2004 |publisher=[[St. Martin's Press]] |location=New York |isbn=978-0-312-32944-0 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/rocklopediafakeb00chil }}</ref> The name alludes to the widespread news coverage of the death of nine-week-old [[Death of Azaria Chamberlain|Azaria Chamberlain]] in Australia in 1980.<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/09/1089000350153.html]"Azaria still a vestige of human frailty," TheAge.com.au, July 10, 2004. Retrieved July 1, 2011</ref>

The only band member mentioned by name, other than Oz, is lead singer [[Sunnydale High School students#Devon MacLeish|Devon MacLeish]] (played by [[Jason Hall (actor)|Jason Hall]]). Devon is a friend of Oz and he also briefly dated both [[Cordelia Chase]] and [[Harmony Kendall]].

Willow has the band's poster on her dorm room wall beginning in season 4 episode 2.

=== Buffyverse appearances ===
The band is first mentioned in the [[unaired Buffy pilot]] with a title card date of 05/03/96. Xander says, "They don’t know any actual chords yet, but they have really big amps." They did not appear on the show until the second season, in "[[Inca Mummy Girl (Buffy episode)|Inca Mummy Girl]]," October 6, 1997. Dingoes continued to appear throughout Seasons 3 and 4 until Oz left Sunnydale. A poster of theirs is seen once afterward, in the episode [[Superstar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Superstar]]. Most of their performances took place at The Bronze, Sunnydale's local nightclub.

{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="lightsteelblue" align=left
! '''Episode''' || '''Location''' || Songs
|-
| "[[Inca Mummy Girl (Buffy episode)|Inca Mummy Girl]]" || The Bronze || "Fate" & "Shadows"
|-
| "[[Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (Buffy episode)|Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered]]" || The Bronze || "Pain"
|-
| "[[Dead Man's Party (Buffy episode)|Dead Man's Party]]" || Buffy's House || "Never mind", "Pain" & "Sway"
|-
| "[[Homecoming (Buffy episode)|Homecoming]]" || The Bronze || "She knows"
|-
| "[[Band Candy (Buffy episode)|Band Candy]]" || The Bronze || "Violent"
|-
| "[[Revelations (Buffy episode)|Revelations]]" || The Bronze || "Run"
|-
| "[[Living Conditions (Buffy episode)|Living Conditions]]" || Buffy's dorm room || "Pain" (on stereo)
|-
| "[[The Harsh Light of Day (Buffy episode)|The Harsh Light of Day]]" || The Bronze || "Dilate"
|-
| "[[The Initiative (Buffy episode)|The Initiative]]" || Frat House || "Fate" (on stereo)
|}

=== Music ===
The music of Dingoes Ate My Baby was actually composed and performed by [[Four Star Mary]]. Most of the songs that were used on the show featured on their 1998 album, ''Thrown to the Wolves''. The band is featured on ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Album]]''. They also made a one-time appearance as themselves in "[[Restless (Buffy episode)|Restless]]". They provided the music along with [[Christophe Beck]] to the Joss Whedon-written song, "Giles' Epiphany".

==Concept and creation==

Oz originated as a temporary cast member for the show. He was based on a student with whom Buffy-creator [[Joss Whedon]] attended college, as Whedon mentions in his commentary on "[[Innocence (Buffy episode)|Innocence]]" in the Season Two DVD boxed set. In the writers' original plans Oz was to be killed early in season 2 by a vampire, presumably [[Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Angelus]], before this dubious honor went to [[Jenny Calendar]].{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} The plan changed, as shown in "[[Phases (Buffy episode)|Phases]]" when Oz's plot is expanded as he becomes a werewolf. On the season 4 featurette: ''Oz Revelations: A Full Moon'', the writers related Oz's inner werewolf to the dark urges every person encompasses. Even Oz, being a stoic and calm persona, still had a strong and violent force inside, which became increasingly harder to control.

In several episodes during season 4, Oz can be seen wearing a sheepskin jacket, alluding to the Aesopian fable, origin of the well-known phrase "[[The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing|a wolf in sheep's clothing]]".

==References==
{{Portal|United States|Television}}
{{reflist}}

{{Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}

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[[Category:Angel (1999 TV series) characters]]
[[Category:Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Fictional werewolves]]
[[Category:Fictional vampire hunters]]
[[Category:Fictional rock musicians]]
[[Category:Fictional Buddhist monks]]
[[Category:Television characters introduced in 1997]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from the 20th century]]
[[Category:Fictional demon hunters]]
[[Category:Male characters in television]]
[[Category:Teenage characters in television]]
[[Category:American male characters in television]]
[[Category:Fictional college students]]

Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

2025-10-12T00:08:31Z

2001:D08:1C12:DEBE:4462:8B94:7FF6:7513:

{{short description|Character in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Spike (''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'')}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Spike
| series = [[Buffyverse|Buffy the Vampire Slayer / Angel]]
| image = Spike (Buffyverse character).jpg
| first = "[[School Hard]]" (1997)
| last = ''Finale'' (2018)
| creator = {{plainlist|
* [[Joss Whedon]]
* [[David Greenwalt]]
}}
| portrayer = [[James Marsters]]
| affiliation = The Whirlwind Scooby Gang 
[[List of Angel characters#Wolfram & Hart|Wolfram & Hart]]
| lbl21 = Classification
| data21 = [[Vampire (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Vampire]]
| lbl22 = Notable powers
| data22 = Common powers of vampires, enhanced
}}

'''William "Spike" Pratt''', played by [[James Marsters]], is a fictional character created by [[Joss Whedon]] and [[David Greenwalt]] for the television series ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' and ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]''. Spike is a [[Vampire (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|vampire]] and played various roles on the shows, including [[villain]], [[anti-hero]], [[trickster]] and [[romantic interest]]. For Marsters, the role as Spike began a career in [[science fiction television]], becoming "the obvious go-to guy for US cult [television]."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/jun/08/torchwood-who-should-join-team|title=Torchwood: who should join the team?|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=2010-08-01|date=August 6, 2010 | location=London | first=Dan | last=Martin}}</ref> For creator Whedon, Spike is the "most fully developed" of his characters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scifitv.com.au/Blog/2010/08/joss-whedon-says-serenity-was-firefly-season-2/|title=Joss Whedon Says Serenity Was Firefly Season 2|publisher=[[SyFy|SciFi]] Australia|access-date=2010-08-31|date=August 29, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830145307/http://www.scifitv.com.au/Blog/2010/08/joss-whedon-says-serenity-was-firefly-season-2/|archive-date=August 30, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The character was intended to be a brief villain, with Whedon originally adamant to not have another major "romantic vampire" character like Angel. Marsters says "Spike was supposed to be dirty and evil, punk rock, and then dead." However, the character ended up staying through the second season, and then returning in the fourth to replace [[Cordelia Chase|Cordelia]] as "the character who told Buffy she was stupid and about to die."<ref>[http://www.411mania.com/movies/columns/228484/411mania-Interviews:-James-Marsters-(Buffy-the-Vampire-Slayer,-Angel).htm 411mania Interviews: James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel)], March 10, 2012</ref>

Within the series' narrative, William was an unsuccessful aspiring poet in the [[Victorian era]] who was mocked and called "William the Bloody" because of his "bloody awful" poetry. Sired by the vampire [[Drusilla (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Drusilla]] ([[Juliet Landau]]), William became an unusually passionate and romantic vampire, being very violent and ready to battle, but not as cruel as his companions. Alongside Drusilla, [[Darla (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Darla]] ([[Julie Benz]]) and [[Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Angelus]] ([[David Boreanaz]]), Giles thinks William acquired the nickname Spike for his preferred method of torturing people with railroad spikes, but it is revealed it is because his poetry was "so bad you could stick a railroad spike through your head." He was noted for killing two [[Slayer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|vampire Slayers]]; one in China in 1900 during the [[Boxer Rebellion]], the other was Nicki Wood in 1977 New York, where Spike acquired his trademark leather duster. During the second season of the series, Spike comes to [[Sunnydale]] hoping to kill a third Slayer, [[Buffy Summers]] ([[Sarah Michelle Gellar]]), with whom he later forges an uneasy alliance. Over the course of ''Buffy'', Spike falls in love with the Slayer, reacquires his [[soul]] to prove himself to Buffy and dies a hero in [[Chosen (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|the show's series finale]]. He is subsequently resurrected in the first episode of the fifth season of the spin-off series ''Angel''.

Considered a "[[breakout character]]", Spike proved immensely popular with fans of ''Buffy''.<ref name="Spike">{{cite web |last1=Carroll |first1=Larry |title=Movie File: Jon Heder, Ryan Reynolds, Alyson Hannigan, Mike Judge & More |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1506922/movie-file-jon-heder-ryan-reynolds-alyson-hannigan-mike-judge-more/ |website=MTV News |access-date=May 13, 2022 |date=August 3, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114222315/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1506922/story.jhtml |archive-date=January 14, 2009}}</ref> The character appears substantially in [[Expanded Universe]] materials such as comic books and tie-in novels. Following the cancellation of ''Angel'' in 2004, Whedon considered creating a [[Spike movie|''Spike'' film spin-off]]. [[Canon (fiction)|Canonically]], the character appears in issues of the comic books ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]'' (2007–11), ''[[Angel: After the Fall]]'' (2007–09), ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine]]'', ''Angel & Faith'' (both 2011–2013) and several ''Spike'' [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]], spinning off from both ''Buffy'' and ''Angel''. Currently the character is in the canonical comic ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eleven '' (2016–2017) and in ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Twelve]]'' (2018).

==Appearances==

===Television===

====Early history====
Spike's story before he appears in [[Sunnydale]] unfolds in [[Flashback (narrative)|flashback]]s scattered, out of sequence, among numerous episodes of both ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' and ''Angel''. The first flashback occurs in ''Buffy'' season 5's "[[Fool for Love (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Fool for Love]]", and reveals William as in fact a meek, [[Wiktionary:effete#Adjective|effete]] young man of aristocratic background<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/buffy/indetail/foolforlove/trivia.shtml|title = BBC - Cult - Buffy - Episode Guide - Fool for Love}}</ref> (and an aspiring poet) who lived in London with his mother, Anne.<ref name=FoolforLove>{{cite episode | title = Fool for Love | episode-link = Fool for Love (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) | series = Buffy the Vampire Slayer | series-link = Buffy the Vampire Slayer| credits = [[Joss Whedon]], [[Douglas Petrie]], [[Nick Marck]] |network = [[The WB]] | airdate= 2000-11-14| season = 5| number = 7}}</ref> Anne would often sing the folksong "[[Early One Morning]]" to her son, right up until the time he was turned into a vampire.<ref name=LiesMyParentsToldMe>{{cite episode | title= Lies My Parents Told Me | episode-link= Lies My Parents Told Me | series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer | series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[David Fury]], [[Drew Goddard]] |network= [[UPN]] | airdate= 2003-03-25| season= 7| number= 17}}</ref> William's surname is given as "Pratt" in the non-canon comic ''[[Spike: Old Times (Angel comic)|Old Times]]'' and is written on the label of his jar of blood in the comic ''[[Spike: Asylum]]'' #002. This surname became official with the publication of the canon comic ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 11'' #7, in which Buffy calls him by it. The name William Pratt may allude to horror actor [[Boris Karloff]], whose birth name was William Henry Pratt, and can also be understood as the British slang term "prat", describing a person of arrogant stupidity.

Spike is one of the youngest recurring vampires on the show, though the evidence of his age is contradictory, as the concept of the character evolved over time. When he was introduced in "[[School Hard]]" (season 2), Giles read that he was "barely 200," implying that he was either born or sired in 1797 or slightly earlier. In "[[The Initiative (Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode)|The Initiative]]" (season 4) he said he was 126, thus born or sired in 1874. Flashbacks in "Fool for Love" (season 5) show that Spike was sired as an adult in 1880. Assuming he was in his early to mid-20s when he was sired, Spike would be in his 140s during the series. In the comic ''[[Spike: Asylum]]'' #002, Spike's jar of blood has a label giving his assumed human birth date in 1853, about 27 years before he was sired.

[[File:William pratt.gif|thumb|left|William, before becoming a vampire]]
In 1880, William was a struggling poet, often mocked by his peers who called him "William the Bloody" behind his back because his poetry was so "bloody awful."<ref name=FoolforLove/> The true origins of this nickname were not revealed until three years after it was first mentioned in season 2, when it was believed to have purely violent connotations.<ref name=SchoolHard>{{cite episode | title= School Hard| episode-link= School Hard | series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer | series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[David Greenwalt]] |network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 1997-09-29| season= 2| number= 3}}</ref> William showed a strong capacity for loyalty and devoted love, which remained after his siring. After his romantic overtures were rejected by the aristocratic [[Halfrek#Cecily Addams|Cecily]], William wandered the streets despondently and bumped into [[Drusilla (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Drusilla]]. She consoled him, drained him of blood and made him drink of her blood, thus transforming him into a vampire – "siring" him, in the jargon of the series.<ref name=FoolforLove/> Spike's grand-sire, [[Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Angelus]], became his mentor (leading Spike occasionally to describe him loosely as his sire): "Drusilla sired me, but you, you made me a monster."<ref name="Destiny"/> Whereas new vampires in the [[Buffyverse]] often delight in killing their families once they become evil, William was a notable exception. Having always been very close to his mother, he turned her into a vampire to save her from [[tuberculosis]]. But his mother, as a vampire, taunted William and insinuated he had always had a sexual fascination with her. William chose to stake her because he found he could not bear to see his mother behaving like the soulless vampire he had made of her.<ref name=LiesMyParentsToldMe/> She, like most vampires, lacked his unusual capacity for some of the softer human emotions, like love and compassion.

After staking his mother, William began a new life with Drusilla, to whom he was utterly devoted. Euphoric with his newfound vampiric abilities, he adopted the poses and trappings of a cultural rebel, affecting a working class [[Estuary English|East London]] accent and embracing impulsiveness and extreme violence. He adopted the [[nom de guerre]] "Spike" based on his habit of torturing people with railroad spikes – possibly prompted by criticism of his poetry: "I'd rather have a railroad spike through my head than listen to that awful stuff."<ref name=FoolforLove/> In "[[The Weight of the World (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Weight of the World]]", Spike mentions having spent "the better part of a century" in delinquency, suggesting criminal activities other than killing for blood. In the company of Drusilla, Angelus, and [[Darla (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Darla]], Spike terrorized Europe and Asia for almost two decades. He had a strained relationship with Drusilla's sire Angelus, who continued a sexual relationship with her despite Spike's strong disapproval.<ref name=Destiny>{{cite episode| title= Destiny| episode-link= Destiny (Angel)| series= Angel| series-link= Angel (1999 TV series) |credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[David Fury]], [[Steven S. DeKnight]], [[Skip Schoolnik]] |network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 2003-11-19| season= 5| number= 8}}</ref> Although Angelus did enjoy the company of another male vampire in their travels, he found Spike's recklessness and lust for battle to be unnecessary risks. Angelus regarded killing as an art, not a sport, and killed for the sheer act of evil; Spike did it for amusement and the rush.<ref name=FoolforLove/>

In 1894, Spike and Angelus developed a rivalry with the enigmatic [[The Immortal (Angel character)|Immortal]], who later had Spike sent to prison for [[tax evasion]].<ref name=GirlinQuestion>{{cite episode | title= The Girl in Question | episode-link= The Girl in Question | series= Angel | series-link= Angel (1999 TV series) |credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Steven S. DeKnight]], [[Drew Goddard]], [[David Greenwalt]] |network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 2004-05-05| season= 5| number= 20}}</ref> In 1900, Spike killed Xin Rong, a Chinese Slayer while in China during the [[Boxer Rebellion]].<ref name=FoolforLove/> In 1943, he was captured by [[Nazis]] for experimentation and taken aboard a [[submarine]], where he was briefly reunited with Angel.<ref name=WhyWeFight>{{cite episode| title= Why We Fight| episode-link= Why We Fight (Angel)| series= Angel| series-link= Angel (1999 TV series) |credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Steven S. DeKnight]], [[Drew Goddard]], [[Terrence O'Hara]] |network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 2004-02-18| season= 5| number= 13}}</ref> By the 1950s, Spike had reunited with Drusilla, and they traveled to Italy.<ref name=GirlinQuestion/> At some point, Spike also became a rival of the famous vampire [[List of minor Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters#Dracula|Dracula]]. The enmity between Spike and Dracula was explored in the comic series ''Spike vs. Dracula'', in which their mutual hatred is caused when Spike, along with Darla and Drusilla, slaughtered the Romani (gypsy) tribe who had cursed their patriarch Angelus with a soul, although it is unclear if either Spike or Drusilla knew precisely why Darla was so angry with the tribe. That clan (unknown to Spike) was favored by Dracula, and he sought revenge for their deaths. Spike later mentions in a conversation with Riley Finn, "Dracula? [[Wiktionary:ponce#Noun|Poncy]] bugger owes me £11, for one thing," because Dracula tossed Spike's signed copy of [[Bram Stoker]]'s ''Dracula'' in a fire in 1898. Spike also notes that Dracula's fame has done more damage to vampires than any Slayer, since it made their weaknesses more widely known.<ref name=BuffyvsDracula>{{cite episode | title= Buffy vs. Dracula| episode-link= Buffy vs. Dracula| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer | series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Marti Noxon]], [[David Solomon (producer)|David Solomon]] |network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 2000-09-26| season= 5| number= 1}}</ref> Spike attended [[Woodstock Festival|Woodstock]] in 1969, whereupon he accidentally became high after ingesting the blood of a hippie. He claims to have spent the six hours following the incident "watching my hand move".<ref name=SchoolHard/> In 1977, he fought and killed a second Slayer, [[List of minor Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters#Nikki Wood|Nikki Wood]], aboard a [[subway train]] in New York City, taking from her a black leather [[Duster (clothing)|duster]] which he wears throughout his appearances on ''Buffy'' and ''Angel'' until it is destroyed in an explosion in season 5 of ''Angel'', whereupon he gets a new one that looks exactly like the old one ("[[The Girl in Question]]"). At some point post-1977, [[Billy Idol]] allegedly "stole" Spike's look and made it famous as his own (as revealed in season 7’s "[[Sleeper (Buffy episode)|Sleeper]]"; see "Appearance" below); Spike's thoughts on this are unrecorded. Inasmuch as Buffy knew of the "theft" as of "Sleeper," Spike presumably shared the detail with her in an undepicted moment.

Spike's flashback appearances, in chronological order, include:

*[[Lies My Parents Told Me]] 2nd flashback: In 1880 England, William, pre-Spike, tends to his ailing mother Anne.
*[[Fool for Love (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Fool for Love]] 1st flashback / [[Darla (Angel episode)|Darla]] 3rd flashback: In 1880, William is rejected by Cecily and sired by Drusilla, with whom he immediately falls in love.
*[[Lies My Parents Told Me]] 3rd and 4th flashbacks: In 1880, William sires his mother Anne who, as a vampire, turns against him, forcing him to destroy her.
*[[Destiny (Angel episode)|Destiny]] series of flashbacks: In 1880, Drusilla introduces William to her sire Angelus. Although the two become fast friends, they later clash when William discovers Angelus having sex with Drusilla. Angelus, informing William that when one is a vampire "you can take what you want, have what you want, but nothing is yours," fights William for the first time.
* "Fool for Love" 2nd flashback: Months after being sired, William, now called Spike, has through acts of public mayhem forced Angelus' vampire group (himself, Spike, Drusilla, and Angelus' sire/paramour Darla) to flee London. Spike first learns of the existence of the Vampire Slayer.
*[[The Girl in Question]] 1st flashback: In 1894, Spike and Angelus are imprisoned by the mysterious Immortal, who seduces Drusilla and Darla in their absence.
*[[Darla (Angel episode)|Darla]] 4th flashback: In 1898 Romania Spike and Drusilla, on Darla's orders, attack the Kalderash tribe who ensouled Angelus, later called Angel. Following this incident, Angel parts company with the group and the other three vampires resume their travels without him.
* "Fool for Love" 3rd flashback / [[Darla (Angel episode)|Darla]] 5th flashback: In 1900 China, Spike kills the Chinese Vampire Slayer. Angel, still ensouled, briefly reunites with the group; when Spike and Drusilla, neither of whom seem aware that Angel is ensouled, boast of Spike's deed, Angel pretends to be impressed but is actually disgusted. Darla ultimately rejects Angel because he can no longer bring himself to kill innocents, and Angel again leaves the group. Precisely what Spike and Drusilla make of these developments between their "elders" is unrevealed. At some point over the next few decades, Spike and Drusilla part company with Darla, and Spike's reputation for bloodshed and chaos eventually rivals even that of Angelus.
*[[Why We Fight (Angel episode)|Why We Fight]] series of flashbacks: In 1943, Spike, temporarily adventuring without Drusilla, and two other vampires are abducted by Nazi agents onto a Nazi [[U-boat|U-Boat]]. Angel, working for the US government, helps Spike seize control of the sub. The two escape and then part ways. As far as is known, this is Spike and Angel's last meeting prior to the events of ''[[School Hard]]'' in 1998. Even a century after the fact, Spike, genuinely pleased to be reunited with Angel, is initially unaware of Angel's re-ensouled status, as he clearly invited Angel to join him in his mayhem.
*[[The Girl in Question]] 2nd flashback: Spike and Drusilla visit Italy.
*[[Lies My Parents Told Me]] 1st flashback: In 1977 New York, Spike fights Vampire Slayer Nikki Wood while her young son Robin watches from a hiding place.
* "Fool for Love" 4th flashback: In 1977 New York, Spike again fights Nikki Wood, killing her. These are Spike's last depicted activities preceding his arrival in Sunnydale, California.

====Sunnydale====
[[File:S203 Spike.jpg|thumb|left|Spike's first appearance in the episode "[[School Hard]]" (1997).]]
Spike first arrives in Sunnydale in season 2 of ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', in the episode "[[School Hard]]", accompanied by Drusilla.<ref name="SchoolHard" /> Spike and Dru were modeled on [[Sid Vicious]] and [[Nancy Spungen]]; punk, "badass" vampires to contrast sharply with the more ceremonial tradition of the [[The Master (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Master]] and the Order of Aurelius from season 1.<ref name="BuffyBestiary">"A Buffy Bestiary" ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' season 2 DVD featurette</ref> Spike is in fact a fan of Sid Vicious' band The [[Sex Pistols]] and punk band [[The Ramones]]. In the final scene of the episode "[[Lovers Walk]]", he can be seen singing to a cover of "[[My Way]]" by [[Gary Oldman]], who portrayed Vicious in the film ''[[Sid and Nancy]]''.<ref name="LoversWalk">{{cite episode | title= Lover's Walk| episode-link= Lover's Walk| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Dan Webber]], [[David Semel]] |network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 1998-11-24| season= 3| number= 8}}</ref> Spike's first act in Sunnydale is to attack Buffy and a large group of people at her school, making his first appearance the deadliest of any of ''Buffy''{{'}}s "[[Big Bad]]s".He very nearly kills Buffy, but Buffy's mother distracts Spike long enough for Buffy to recover by hitting him in the head with a fire axe. Throughout season 2, Spike and Dru are the canon's most prominent example of affection between vampires, displaying the humanity and intricacies of vampire relationships. Spike was initially conceived as a disposable villain to be killed off, but proved so popular with fans that Joss Whedon decided to merely injure him instead,<ref name="BuffyBestiary" /> in the episode "[[What's My Line (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|What's My Line, Part Two]]". Spike is crushed by a collapsing [[pipe organ]] and left paralyzed.<ref name="WhatsMyLine2">{{cite episode | title= What's My Line| episode-link= What's My Line (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Marti Noxon]], [[David Semel]] |network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 1997-11-17| season= 2| number= 10}}</ref> (Later, it is revealed that Spike's injuries have healed and that he has been deceiving everyone by remaining in his wheelchair, feigning injury.)

Spike and Drusilla are major enemies of Buffy for much of the second season. They arrive shortly after Drusilla is seriously weakened by an angry mob in [[Prague]], as recounted in the canon comic book ''[[Tales of the Vampires#The Problem with Vampires|The Problem with Vampires]]''. Spike is a devoted caretaker to Drusilla in her weakened condition and initially hopes the Hellmouth's energy can help restore her strength. He reunites with Angel and seems genuinely pleased to see him, but is disgusted to find that Angel has a [[Soul (spirit)|soul]] (whether or not Spike in fact knew that Angel's acquisition of a soul is why he left the group nearly a century before has never been made clear) and is in love with the current Slayer, [[Buffy Summers]].<ref name="SchoolHard" /> When Angel loses his soul and rejoins Spike and Dru, Spike's initial celebration soon turns to resentment when Angelus pursues Drusilla as a lover and taunts him. Spike decides to ally himself with Buffy against Angelus; as he explains to Buffy, in addition to wanting Drusilla back, he also wants to "save the world":<ref name="Becoming2">{{cite episode | title= Becoming| episode-link= Becoming (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]] |network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 1998-05-19| season= 2| number= 22}}</ref>

{{Cquote
| quote = "We like to talk big, vampires do. ''I'm going to destroy the world.'' That's just tough guy talk. Strutting around with your friends over a pint of blood. The truth is, I like this world. You've got – [[dog racing]], [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], and you've got people. Billions of people walking around like [[Happy Meal]]s with legs. It's all right here. But then someone comes along with a vision, with a real passion for destruction. Angel could pull it off. [[It's a Long Way to Tipperary|Goodbye Piccadilly, farewell Leicester bloody Square]]."
| author = Spike to Buffy
| source = "[[Becoming (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Becoming, Part Two]]"
| width =
}}

Spike reappears in the season 3 episode "[[Lovers Walk]]", in a drunken depression after Drusilla, offended by his alliance with Buffy, dumps him for a Chaos Demon. He kidnaps Willow and Xander, and forces Willow to conduct a love spell for him to make Drusilla love him again, even coercing Buffy and Angel to help him in exchange for the safe return of their friends. The excitement of a brawl with the Mayor's vampires helps him see that Drusilla left him because he had begun to go soft; he resolves to win her back by [[torture|torturing]] her until she likes him again, and tells Buffy where to find Willow and Xander. He also tells Buffy and Angel that they can never be 'just friends' because of their love for one another.<ref name=LoversWalk/> This insight foreshadows Spike's later role as the "truth-seer" of the group.

Spike returns to Sunnydale alone in season 4, in the episode "[[The Harsh Light of Day (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Harsh Light of Day]]", briefly living with [[Harmony Kendall]], a shallow former classmate of Buffy, now a vampire.<ref name=HarshLightofDay>{{cite episode | title= The Harsh Light of Day| episode-link= The Harsh Light of Day (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Jane Espenson]], [[James A. Contner]] |network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 1999-10-19| season= 4| number= 3}}</ref> He is in Sunnydale to look for the Gem of Amarra, a ring which makes a vampire effectively invulnerable. He finds it and attacks Buffy in daylight, but she wrests the ring from his finger and sends it to Angel. Spike goes to Los Angeles, and hires a vampire named Marcus to torture Angel in order to get the ring, but Marcus takes the ring himself and Angel finally destroys it.

After being captured by the Initiative and implanted with a [[Microchip implant (animal)|cerebral microchip]] which punishes him with debilitating pain whenever he harms or attempts to harm any non-demon life forms (he initially assumes it works the same with anything living), Spike turns to the Scooby Gang for protection, bartering his knowledge of the Initiative. (Though he still spars with Buffy, provided he has no real intent on harming her) His inability to bite is comically compared to [[impotence]], much to Spike's constant humiliation;<ref name=Initiative>{{cite episode | title= The Initiative| episode-link= The Initiative (Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Douglas Petrie]], [[James A. Contner]] |network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 1999-11-16| season= 4| number= 7}}</ref> in "[[Doomed (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Doomed]]", he attempts to commit suicide by staking himself at Xander's house, but is stopped by Willow and Xander. Eventually, he inadvertently discovers that he can harm demons and enthusiastically joins a fight with this knowledge, showing that he's less concerned about what side he's fighting on than fighting for the thrill of it. Occasionally helping the Scooby Gang by providing them with information and/or combat assistance in exchange for cash<ref name=ANewMan>{{cite episode | title= A New Man| episode-link= A New Man| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Jane Espenson]], [[Michael Gershman (director)|Michael Gershman]] |network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 2000-01-25| season= 4| number= 12}}</ref> or for the joy of fighting, but having no qualms about betraying them to such enemies as [[Faith (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Faith]]<ref name=ThisYearsGirl>{{cite episode | title= This Year's Girl| episode-link= This Year's Girl (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Douglas Petrie]], [[Michael Gershman (director)|Michael Gershman]] |network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 2000-02-22| season= 4| number= 15}}</ref> and [[Adam (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Adam]].<ref name=YokoFactor>{{cite episode | title= The Yoko Factor| episode-link= The Yoko Factor| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Douglas Petrie]], David Grossman |network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 2000-05-09| season= 4| number= 20}}</ref> In season 4, Spike was introduced to fill the antagonistic role that [[Cordelia Chase|Cordelia]] had in seasons 1 to 3; as Joss Whedon explains on the DVD featurette, "All of our characters got to the point where they were loving and hugging, and it was sort of like, where's Cordelia?"<ref name=IntroducingSpike>"Introducing Spike" ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' season 4 DVD featurette</ref> Spike appeared in every episode thereafter with the exception of "[[The Body (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Body]]".

In season 5, after some erotic dreams, Spike becomes aware to his horror that he has fallen in love with Buffy.<ref name=OutofMyMind>{{cite episode | title= Out of My Mind| episode-link= Out of My Mind (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Rebecca Rand Kirshner]], David Grossman |network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 2000-10-17| season= 5| number= 4}}</ref> He becomes a more active participant in the Scooby Gang, jumping into several of Buffy's fights to provide assistance, whether she wants it or not. When Buffy rejects his advances, Spike attempts to prove his love by kidnapping her so that she can witness him killing Drusilla for her, to little avail; in her disgust, Buffy un-invites him from her house (something she had not bothered to do in almost three years since their alliance against Angelus) and alienates him from the group.<ref name=Crush>{{cite episode | title= Crush| episode-link= Crush (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[David Fury]], [[Daniel Attias]] |network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 2001-02-13| season= 5| number= 14}}</ref>

Spike then has [[Warren Mears]] make a [[Buffy Bot|robot in Buffy's likeness]], programmed to love and obey him. Though Buffy is disgusted by this, her hostility towards him fades considerably when she learns that Spike refused, even under intense torture, to reveal the identity of the Key to [[Glorificus|Glory]], nearly laying down his life to protect Buffy's sister [[Dawn Summers|Dawn]]. Buffy is moved by this unexpected loyalty and kisses him, saying she will not forget what he has done.<ref name=Intervention>{{cite episode | title= Intervention| episode-link= Intervention (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer |credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Jane Espenson]], [[Michael Gershman (director)|Michael Gershman]] |network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 2001-04-24| season= 5| number= 18}}</ref> In the days and hours leading up to the final showdown with Glory, Spike fights by Buffy's side, earning her trust and a re-invitation to her house. Spike displays unabashed grief after Buffy dies in the showdown with Glory.<ref name=TheGift>{{cite episode | title= The Gift| episode-link= The Gift (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]]|network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 2001-05-22| season= 5| number= 22}}</ref> He honors her memory by remaining loyal to the Scoobies, fighting at their side and serving the role of babysitter / older brother / protector to Dawn, helping Willow and Tara to raise her in Buffy's absence.

After Buffy is resurrected at the beginning of season 6, she is despondent and detached from her friends. During this time, her relationship to Spike deepens and she is able to talk to him about things she feels she cannot share with the Scooby Gang. She gets drunk with Spike, and calls him "a neutered vampire who cheats at kitten poker." After a demon's spell makes them express their emotions in song, and Buffy sings "I want the fire back",<ref name=OnceMorewithFeeling>{{cite episode | title= Once More, with Feeling| episode-link= Once More, with Feeling (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]]|network= [[UPN]] | airdate= 2001-11-06| season= 6| number= 7}}</ref> Buffy and Spike begin a physical relationship, consummated two episodes later.<ref name=Smashed>{{cite episode | title= Smashed| episode-link= Smashed (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Drew Z. Greenberg]], [[Turi Meyer]]|network= [[UPN]] | airdate= 2001-11-20| season= 6| number= 9}}</ref> The relationship is frequently violent, with Buffy most often initiating both the violence and the sex between them; the violence is made all the easier when Spike finds that (as a side effect of Willow's resurrection spell) his chip now does not stop him from harming Buffy. Buffy threatens to kill Spike if he ever tells anyone about their relationship. Both are unsatisfied; Buffy is ashamed of her dark desires, while Spike obsessively craves the love, trust, and affection that she is unwilling to give. In "[[As You Were (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|As You Were]]", Buffy tells Spike she is using him and ends their relationship.<ref name=AsYouWere>{{cite episode | title= As You Were| episode-link= As You Were (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Douglas Petrie]]|network= [[UPN]] | airdate= 2002-02-26| season= 6| number= 15}}</ref> Believing he still has a chance with Buffy after seeing her reactions of jealousy and hurt when he has a drunk sexual encounter with Anya, Spike corners her and makes aggressive sexual advances. When she refuses him, he grows desperate and attacks her, nearly raping her in the process—though Buffy manages to kick him off long enough for him to realize what he was about to do and stop himself.<ref name=SeeingRed>{{cite episode | title= Seeing Red| episode-link= Seeing Red (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Steven DeKnight]], [[Michael Gershman (director)|Michael Gershman]]|network= [[UPN]] | airdate= 2002-05-07| season= 6| number= 19}}</ref> Simultaneously horrified by his actions and angry with his status as somewhere between man and monster, Spike leaves Sunnydale soon after. He makes his way to a remote area of Africa, where he seeks out a legendary demon shaman and undergoes the Demon Trials, a series of gruelling physical challenges, in return for a wish. Having proven his worthiness by surviving the trials, Spike is granted his wish, which is then revealed to be to have his soul restored.<ref name=Grave>{{cite episode | title= Grave| episode-link= Grave (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[David Fury]], [[James A. Contner]]|network= [[UPN]] | airdate= 2002-05-21| season= 6| number= 22}}</ref>

In season 7, a re-ensouled Spike must cope with the guilt of his past actions and try to win back Buffy's trust. But under influence of the [[First Evil]]'s hypnotic trigger, Spike unknowingly starts killing again. Upon discovering what he has done, he begs Buffy to stake him, but she refuses and takes him into her house, telling him she has seen him change.<ref name=Sleeper>{{cite episode | title= Sleeper| episode-link= Sleeper (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[David Fury]], [[Jane Espenson]], Alan J. Levi|network= [[UPN]] | airdate= 2002-11-19| season= 7| number= 8}}</ref> Buffy guards and cares for Spike throughout his recovery, telling Spike she believes in him,<ref name=NeverLeaveMe>{{cite episode | title= Never Leave Me| episode-link= Never Leave Me (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Drew Goddard]], [[David Solomon (producer)|David Solomon]]|network= [[UPN]] | airdate= 2002-11-26| season= 7| number= 9}}</ref> a statement which later sustains him throughout his imprisonment and torture at the hands of the First.<ref name=BringontheNight>{{cite episode | title= Bring on the Night| episode-link= Bring on the Night (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer |credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Marti Noxon]], [[Douglas Petrie]], David Grossman|network= [[UPN]] | airdate= 2002-12-17| season= 7| number= 10}}</ref> When Spike's chip begins to malfunction, causing him intense pain and threatening to kill him, Buffy trusts him enough to order the Initiative operatives to remove it from his head.<ref name=KillerinMe>{{cite episode | title= The Killer in Me| episode-link= The Killer in Me| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Drew Z. Greenberg]], [[David Solomon (producer)|David Solomon]]|network= [[UPN]] | airdate= 2003-02-04| season= 7| number= 13}}</ref> When Nikki Wood's son [[Robin Wood (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Robin]] tries to kill Spike, he unwittingly frees Spike from his hypnotic trigger: the song "[[Early One Morning]]", a favorite of his mother, which evokes Spike's traumatic memories of his mother's abusive behavior toward him after she turned; after Spike is able to address these issues, he realizes his mother had always loved him, knowledge which frees him from the First's control.<ref name=LiesMyParentsToldMe/>

Later in the season, Spike and Buffy achieve an emotional closeness; he alone stays loyal to her when the Scoobies and Potentials mutiny against her, and his words and encouragement give a depressed Buffy the strength to continue fighting. They spend three nights together, one of which Spike describes as the best night of his life, just holding her.<ref name=Touched>{{cite episode | title= Touched| episode-link= Touched (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Rebecca Rand Kirshner]], [[David Solomon (producer)|David Solomon]]|network= [[UPN]] | airdate= 2003-05-06| season= 7| number= 20}}</ref> It is unclear whether they resume their sexual intimacy during the third night; creator Joss Whedon says on the DVD commentary for "[[Chosen (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Chosen]]" that he intentionally left it to the viewers to decide how they felt the relationship progressed. In the final battle inside the Hellmouth, Spike, wearing a mystical amulet, sacrifices himself to destroy the Turok-Han and close the Hellmouth. He is slowly incinerated in the process, but not before Buffy tells him "I love you." He replies, "No, you don't; but thanks for saying it."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://enisy.livejournal.com/1654.html |title=ENISY – Spike/Buffy VIP Quotes (Part 2) |publisher=LiveJournal |date=May 15, 2008 |access-date=2011-03-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815174931/http://enisy.livejournal.com/1654.html |archive-date=August 15, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Even as he burns and crumbles to dust, Spike laughs and revels in the destruction around him and the burning presence of his soul, glad to be able to see the fight to its end. In dying to save the world, he becomes a Champion.<ref name=Chosen>{{cite episode | title= Chosen| episode-link= Chosen (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]]|network= [[UPN]] | airdate= 2003-05-20| season= 7| number= 22}}</ref>

{{Cquote
| quote = "You listen to me. I've been alive a bit longer than you, and dead a lot longer than that. I've seen things you couldn't imagine, and done things I prefer you didn't. I don't exactly have a reputation for being a thinker. I follow my blood, which doesn't exactly rush in the direction of my brain. So I make a lot of mistakes, a lot of wrong bloody calls. A hundred plus years, and there's only one thing I've ever been sure of: You."
| author = Spike to Buffy
| source = "[[Touched (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Touched]]"
| width =
}}

====Los Angeles====
Spike had previously appeared in the season 1 episode of ''Angel'' "In the Dark", Spike goes to Los Angeles at the same time as [[Oz (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Oz]] arrives to give [[Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Angel]] the Gem of Amarra, Spike's objective was to get the ring and kill Angel. Oz gives Angel the ring who then hides it in the sewer, just as he is about to leave for another case, he is ambushed by Spike who hits him with a wooden plank, Angel defeats Spike but Spike warns him that he will get the ring one way or another. Angel takes precaution and goes on a manhunt for Spike, Angel finally finds him, chases him through the alley, and corners him only to fall into Spike's trap. Spike captures Angel and hires a vampire named Marcus to torture Angel until he tells him where the ring is. After a while Spike gets bored with waiting so he goes to Angel's apartment to find the ring and leaving Marcus to torture Angel, he gets to the apartment only to find [[Cordelia Chase|Cordelia]] and [[Doyle (Angel)|Doyle]] aiming at him with weapons and demanding to know where Angel is. Spike reveals Angel's location and tells them that the only way he will release Angel is if they find him the ring. Cordelia and Doyle find the ring in the sewer and head straight to Spike. When they arrive at the location they find out that Spike had lied about releasing Angel. Taking precautions however, they then throw the ring away and just as Spike was about to retrieve it, Oz bursts through the wall in his van and rescues Angel. Spike looks for the ring but finds out that Marcus took it. Spike begins smashing Marcus's things and shouting about how he is going to work alone from now on until a hole that was in the ceiling lets sunlight in and sets the back of his hair on fire.

Despite his apparent death at the end of ''Buffy''{{'s}} final season, Spike returns in the fifth and final season of the spin-off series ''Angel''. Resurrected by the amulet in the Los Angeles branch of supernatural law firm [[List of Angel characters#Wolfram & Hart|Wolfram & Hart]], he spends seven episodes as an incorporeal being akin to a ghost; he starts to understand being one when he battles "the Reaper" Matthias Pavayne.<ref name=HellBound>{{cite episode | title= Hell Bound| episode-link= Hell Bound (Angel)| series= Angel| series-link= Angel (1999 TV series) |credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Steven S. DeKnight]] |network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 2003-10-22| season= 5| number= 4}}</ref> During this time he realizes he is being slowly pulled into hell. Later he becomes corporeal, due to a mysterious gift that arrives at the office of Wolfram and Hart. After this, Spike takes on Angel to prove which one of them is the Champion spoken of in the Shanshu Prophecy. Spike defeats Angel, but the prophecy remains ambiguous (the Cup of Torment is revealed as a fake containing Mountain Dew).<ref name=Destiny/> Manipulated by [[Lindsey McDonald]] into "helping the helpless", Spike becomes a sort of rival to Angel; resembling the heroic Champion Angel was in earlier seasons before becoming disillusioned and corrupted by the bureaucracy of Wolfram & Hart.<ref name=SoulPurpose>{{cite episode | title= Soul Purpose| episode-link= Soul Purpose (Angel)| series= Angel| series-link= Angel (1999 TV series) |credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Brent Fletcher]], [[Elizabeth Craft]], [[David Boreanaz]] |network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 2004-01-21| season= 5| number= 10}}</ref> Soon afterward he is kidnapped by the psychotic Slayer [[Dana (Angel)|Dana]], who believes he was responsible for kidnapping and torturing her as a child.<ref name=Damage>{{cite episode | title= Damage| episode-link= Damage (Angel)| series= Angel| series-link= Angel (1999 TV series) |credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Steven S. DeKnight]], [[Drew Goddard]] |network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 2004-01-28| season= 5| number= 11}}</ref> Cordelia comments on this strange turn of events after coming out of her coma in "[[You're Welcome (Angel)|You're Welcome]]", exclaiming to Angel, "Okay, Spike's a hero, and you're CEO of Hell, Incorporated. What freaking bizarro world did I wake up in?"<ref name=You>{{cite episode | title= You're Welcome| episode-link= You're Welcome (Angel)| series= Angel| series-link= Angel (1999 TV series) |credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[David Fury]]|network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 2004-02-04| season= 5| number= 12}}</ref>

When [[Winifred Burkle|Fred]] is killed by [[Illyria (Angel)|Illyria]],<ref name=AHoleintheWorld>{{cite episode | title= A Hole in the World| episode-link= A Hole in the World| series= Angel| series-link= Angel (1999 TV series) |credits= [[Joss Whedon]]|network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 2004-02-25| season= 5| number= 15}}</ref> Spike mourns her death and decides to join [[Angel Investigations|Team Angel]] in her honor.<ref name=Shells>{{cite episode | title= Shells| episode-link= Shells (Angel)| series= Angel| series-link= Angel (1999 TV series) |credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Steven S. DeKnight]]|network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 2004-02-03| season= 5| number= 16}}</ref> Upon learning that [[Buffy Summers|Buffy]] is now dating [[The Immortal (Angel character)|The Immortal]], Spike and Angel travel to Rome on the pretext of business but spend most of the time there trying to find Buffy. In the end, they fail to catch up with her. (The blonde glimpsed in Rome is [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight|later]] revealed to be a decoy Buffy, set up by [[Andrew Wells]], who had researched the history between Angel, Spike and The Immortal, and thought the idea would be "hilarious".)<ref name=GirlinQuestion/> During the final episodes of ''Angel'', Spike is the first to vote for Angel's plan to wound the [[List of Angel characters#Wolfram & Hart|Senior Partners]] by massacring the Circle of the Black Thorn. He then spends what might be his last hours on Earth returning to his mortal roots as a frustrated poet, triumphantly knocking them dead (figuratively) in an open mic poetry slam at a bar. After single-handedly (literally, he held the baby in one hand and a sword in the other) rescuing an infant and destroying the Fell Brethren, Spike joins Angel, Illyria, and a badly wounded [[Charles Gunn (Angel)|Charles Gunn]] in the alley behind the [[Hyperion Hotel|Hyperion]] as the series draws to an end, preparing to incur the apocalyptic wrath of the Senior Partners, as a way of going out in a blaze of glory that will probably cost their lives.

===Literature===
Spike appears significantly in a number of canonical [[Expanded Universe]] literature concurrent with and subsequent to the television series, including both ''Buffy'' and ''Angel'' comic books. Many of these novels and comic books concern Spike's backstory in the periods between the events shown in flashbacks in the television series. From 2007, both [[Dark Horse Comics]] and [[IDW Publishing]] began telling [[canon (fiction)|canonical]] continuations of ''Buffy'' and ''Angel'', respectively. Marsters himself wrote for the miniseries ''[[Spike & Dru (Buffy comic)|Spike & Dru]]'' in 2000. The collection also featured the [[Christopher Golden]] stories "The Queen of Hearts", "All's Fair", "Paint the Town Red" and "Who Made Who?", set in or around episodes of ''Buffy'' in seasons 2 and 4; "Who Made Who" is set during the ''Buffy'' episode "[[Lovers Walk]]" and depicts the disintegration of his relationship with Drusilla when they were together in [[Brazil]]. After ''Buffy'' finished in 2003, Spike appeared in a comic story from the canonical ''[[Tales of the Vampires]]'' series. Written by series writer [[Drew Goddard]], "The Problem with Vampires" establishes his adventures in [[Prague]] prior to his introduction ''Buffy'' episode "School Hard". Christopher Golden's 2000 novel ''[[Spike and Dru: Pretty Maids All in a Row]]'' depicts Spike killing a Slayer named Sophie in the 1940s, contradicting the two Slayers whom Spike is later established to have killed; the second Slayer Spike killed was established as New Yorker Nikki Wood. The short story "Voodoo Lounge" from the collection ''[[Tales of the Slayer]]'' is a sequel to this novel. Golden's 2006 novel, ''[[Blackout (Buffy novel)|Blackout]]'', is truer to the series' chronology by depicting Spike's fatal encounter with Slayer Nikki Wood in 1977. [[Diana G. Gallagher]]'s 2005 novel ''[[Spark and Burn]]'' depicts the struggling early-season 7 Spike remembering an account of his life, amounting to a chronological character history of Spike's life from the 19th century to the time of the [[framing device]].

[[Image:Spike twilight final.jpg|thumb|right|This promotional poster for Brian Lynch's IDW ''Spike'' series was drawn by artist [[Franco Urru]] in response to the [[Twilight (Buffy comic)#Spoiler leak|spoiler leak controversy]] for the Dark Horse Comics series ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Chris Ryall |url=https://ryalltime.blogspot.com/2010/01/canon-fire.html |title=RyallTime: He definitely isn't Twilight |publisher=Blogspot |date=January 8, 2010 |access-date=2011-03-20}}</ref> The image is reflective of Spike's role in both franchises. Note that as the series' central character, Spike receives his own stylised logo.]] Most Spike-centric stories, however, have been published subsequent to ''Angel''{{'}}s finale episode. The 2005 IDW comic book ''[[Spike: Old Times]]'', by [[Peter David]], depicts Spike's encounter with the vengeance demon Halfrek, explaining his recognition of her in ''Buffy'' episode "[[Older and Far Away]]", and clarifying that she was in fact his beloved Cecily. [[Mutant Enemy]] approved the story, even though IDW did not have rights to a ''Buffy''-only character like Halfrek, because of her importance to Spike's backstory, on the condition that the story's timing was deliberately ambiguous.<ref name="newsarama">{{cite web|last=David|first=Peter|title=Spike, Old Times (From Buffy/Angel) PAD book|date=August 31, 2005|url=http://forum.newsarama.com/showpost.php?p=1104840|access-date=2007-06-16|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929120517/http://forum.newsarama.com/showpost.php?p=1104840|archive-date=September 29, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Following ''Angel''{{'}}s cancellation, Spike immediately appeared in the ''Angel'' miniseries ''[[Spike vs. Dracula]]'' by [[Peter David]], a sequel to the ''Buffy'' episode "[[Buffy vs. Dracula]]" and expanding on the characters' century-old rivalry established in that episode. Scott Tipton's 2006 comic ''[[Spike: Old Wounds]]'' is [[detective fiction]] set during season 5, and also features allusions to Spike's activities in the late 1940s. Tipton's ''[[Spike: Lost and Found]]'' in 2006 is a season 5 story that acts as a sequel to the 1999 ''Buffy''/''Angel'' crossover episodes "[[The Harsh Light of Day]]" and "[[In the Dark (Angel)|In the Dark]]", featuring the immortality-bestowing Gem of Amarra in 2005 Los Angeles. Lastly, writer [[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]] teamed up with [[Franco Urru]] to produce the story arc ''[[Spike: Asylum]]'' (2006–07), depicting Spike's stay in a supernatural medical facility. Although originally of the same ambiguous relationship to canon, the characters it introduced would reappear in the canonical ''Angel'' comic books to come later. Whedon appreciated Lynch's writing of Spike in ''Asylum'' so much that he commissioned him to co-write the canonical continuation of the series, ''[[Angel: After the Fall]]'', in 2007.<ref name="CBR 1">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/brian-lynch-talks-angel-after-the-fall/|title= Brian Lynch Talks "Angel: After the Fall" |work= [[Comic Book Resources]] |date= November 6, 2007|access-date=May 13, 2022 }}</ref> Lynch and Urru also penned ''[[Spike: Shadow Puppets]]'', featuring Spike and Lorne doing battle with the [[muppet]] demons of Angel episode "[[Smile Time]]" in Japan. In the explicitly canonical Whedon stories of 2007, Spike and Angel first appear in a joint cameo in ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]'' (Dark Horse) as part of Buffy's sexual fantasies.<ref>''Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight'' #3, "The Long Way Home, Part Three"</ref><ref>DiLullo, Tara, "Pieces of Eight", from ''[[Buffyverse Magazines (UK)|The Official Buffy & Angel Magazine]]'' #93 (UK, April/May 2007), page 23-24.</ref> In the [[Dark Horse Presents]] #24 ''Season Eight'' tie-in, "Always Darkest", Spike and Angel appear (again in a dream sequence) at Buffy's side when she is fighting Caleb, but to her dismay the two start flirting with and kissing one another.<ref name="Always Darkest">{{cite comic | url = http://www.darkhorse.com/Features/eComics/1087/Dark-Horse-Presents-No-24?part_num=0&page=1 | title = [[Dark Horse Presents]] | story = Always Darkest | issue = 24 | date = July 1, 2009 | publisher = [[Dark Horse Comics]] | pages = 2–5 | access-date = July 6, 2009 | archive-date = July 4, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090704085436/http://www.darkhorse.com/Features/eComics/1087/Dark-Horse-Presents-No-24?part_num=0&page=1 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Spike appears in ''Season Eight'' properly at the conclusion of the "[[Twilight (Buffy comic)|Twilight]]" story arc. Lynch's ''[[Spike (IDW Publishing)|Spike]]'' series features some collaboration with Whedon to connect the IDW and Dark Horse series' continuities.<ref name=Buffyfestinterview>{{cite web|url=http://whedonesque.com/comments/24495|title=(SPOILER) Brian Lynch talks about his upcoming Spike series.|access-date=2010-08-01|date=July 31, 2010|work=[[Whedonesque]]}}</ref> IDW had planned to launch the series as a ''bona fide'' ongoing series, and as such it establishes a support cast for Spike suited to his position headlining the title.<ref name="Sin City">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/lynch-takes-spike-to-sin-city/|title=Lynch Takes "Spike" to Sin City|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=May 12, 2022|date = September 14, 2010}}</ref> The transfer of ''Angel'' rights from IDW to Dark Horse necessitated that it end instead as an 8-issue miniseries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://buffyfest.blogspot.com/2010/08/exclusive-interview-chris-ryall-and.html|title=Exclusive Interview: Chris Ryall and Mariah Huehner Discuss Angel Leaving IDW|work=Buffyfest|date=August 20, 2010|access-date=August 21, 2010}}</ref>

In IDW's ''[[Angel: After the Fall]]'', Spike does not appear until the second issue, written by [[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]] with art by [[Franco Urru]] (the creative team of ''[[Spike: Asylum]]'' and ''[[Spike: Shadow Puppets]]'') with plotting and "executive production" by Whedon himself. In ''Angel: After the Fall'', Spike has adjusted to Los Angeles' new status as a literal hell on Earth; he and Illyria both serve together as the Demon Lords of Beverly Hills, living in the [[Playboy Mansion]] after the death of [[Hugh Hefner]] and served by a harem of human and demon females known collectively as the "Spikettes." How Spike and Illyria got to be Lords of Los Angeles is detailed in the ''Spike: After the Fall'' (2008) miniseries, which also introduces a human friend for Spike in Jeremy Johns. In their new capacity, Spike and Illyria secretly rescue humans and benevolent demons, evacuating them into the care of [[Connor (Angel)|Connor]], [[Nina Ash]], and [[Gwen Raiden]]. Spike rallies alongside Angel against the other demon Lords. When vampire Gunn causes Illyria to revert to her monster form, memories of Fred from Spike and Wesley are transplanted into her to restore her humanity. After the Senior Partners revert time to before the Fall, Spike begins a loosely affiliated relationship with the reformed [[Angel Investigations]] company, collaborating with Angel and his associates while maintaining independence. Spike continues to appear in the ongoing ''Angel'' spin-off series by IDW, under the pens of [[Kelley Armstrong]], [[Bill Willingham]] and others. As part of its ''After the Fall'' franchise, IDW also published Bill Williams' miniseries, ''Spike: The Devil You Know'' (2010), which follows Spike's journey from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, where he acquires a spaceship and a crew of alien bugs after learning from Wolfram & Hart of a prophecy concerning the impending apocalypse (featured in ''Buffy'') which has driven them to abandon this dimension.

Spike's IDW series feeds into the "Twilight" and "Last Gleaming" arcs of ''Buffy Season Eight'', concluding that series in 2011. In ''Season Eight'', Spike and his crew come to Buffy's aid to help prevent the end of the universe. Due to his own research into the prophecies concerning this apocalypse, Spike is able to lead Buffy and friends to the site of the final showdown with Twilight. When Buffy's decision sees the world lose its magic, Spike is the only one to be emphatically supportive of the decision she had to make. In the follow-up series ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine|Season Nine]]'' (2011–2013), Spike bases his ship in San Francisco to be near Buffy, but eventually leaves due to the complicatedness of their relationship, setting up the miniseries ''Spike: A Dark Place'' (2012), which follows Spike and his insectoid crew aboard his spaceship. Dark Horse also gives the ''Spike'' title a new stylised logo, distinct from the ''Angel''-typeface logo used prior. The arc serves to divest Spike of the ship and crew, and sets up his 2013 crossover stint in ''Angel & Faith'' ahead of an eventual return to the main ''Buffy'' series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/cbr-tv-cci-2012-andrew-chambliss-christos-gage-prepare-the-end-of-buffy-season-9/|title=WC13: Gage, Espenson, Jeanty & Chambliss Wrap "Buffy" Season 9
|website=Comic Book Resources|access-date=May 13, 2022|date=August 2, 2012}}</ref> In issues of ''Angel & Faith'', Spike helps Angel defeat a demon in possession of Giles' soul, but leaves London where they are based without hesitation when he learns that Dawn is gravely unwell back in San Francisco. He returns to San Francisco to provide comfort to Dawn who is rapidly fading away without magic in the world to sustain her form. However, his memories of her start to quickly fade and recordings he makes of himself talking about her turn to static. Spike appears unconcerned he missed the chance to talk to Buffy who, along with Willow and Xander, has gone to find magic to save Dawn at the Deeper Well in England. When nobody can remember the name of Buffy's sister, he phones her boyfriend Xander, and also warns him that the rogue Slayer Simone Doffler has been seeking a way to become the ultimate vampire. When the others return and Dawn is restored Buffy thanks him for staying with her sister, Spike says all that matters to him is that Dawn is safe again. Spike continues to appear in ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten|Season 10]]'', in which he and Buffy finally resume their romantic relationship while juggling the responsibility of rewriting the new rules of magic with the rest of the Scoobies. In ''Season 11'', he alongside Willow and Buffy, enter a demon internment camp where they uncover a government plot to drain the world's magic. In the final fight against White House Press Secretary Johanna Wise, who spearheaded the conspiracy, he and Buffy sustain serious magical burns–though both are nearly fully recovered soon after due to augmented supernatural healing abilities. In the final issue, they tell each other they love each other and kiss.

==Characterization==

===Personality===

As a human, William's core personality traits were passion and loyalty, though both were heavily sublimated by the conventions of Victorian England. As a product of his time, he channelled these attributes in conventional pursuits, such as nurturing an unrequited romance, an active scholarly life, and care for his ill mother.<ref>[[Lies My Parents Told Me]]</ref>{{Circular reference|date=February 2021}} Highly creative and imaginative, William devoted considerable time to study, reflection, and literary arts, particularly romantic poetry. While his most fervent aspiration was to achieve recognition and acceptance by his peers, romantic interests, and literary community, his pervasive fear of rejection held him back from taking risks; as such, most of his contemporaries regarded him as a timid object of ridicule.<ref name="ReferenceA">Fool_for_Love_(Buffy_the_Vampire_Slayer)</ref>

Upon becoming a vampire, his newfound romance with Drusilla, acceptance into a new peer group with Angel and Darla, mixed with the radical changes to his physiology (particularly physical strength), completely dissolved his fears in an experience he considered to be "profound." The sudden erosion of his societal and emotional barriers created dramatic shifts in his attitude and behaviors, allowing him to craft an entirely new persona that was enthusiastic to the point of recklessness, fearless in confrontation, and which reveled in having the power to flout laws and traditional morality. William so embraced this lifestyle that he no longer felt his name was appropriate, instead adopting the name, "Spike", as his infamy grew for torturing victims with railroad spikes; in his words, he "had to die before [he] really felt alive".<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Spike is also rare among vampires because he does not fear Slayers; he seeks them out and has killed two by the time he arrives in Sunnydale.

Spike is a highly perceptive and emotionally intelligent vampire, which starkly contrasts his raucous "devil-may-care" attitude. As a soulless vampire, his core personality remained intact but less inhibited, exhibiting the capacity for passion and deep affection, loyalty, and aesthetic appreciation. Later, after securing the return of his soul, his conscience returned without his old inhibitions, leaving his love of "a good brawl" unapologetically intact. Similarly, Spike's intense zest for life (a passion for art, love of life, devotion to specific people) remains consistent.

{{Cquote
| quote = "You're not friends. You'll never be friends. You'll be in love 'til it kills you both. You'll fight, and you'll shag, and you'll hate each other 'til it makes you quiver but you'll never be friends. Love isn't brains, children, it's blood; blood screaming inside you to work its will. I may be love's bitch, but at least I'm man enough to admit it."
| author = Spike to Angel and Buffy
| source = "[[Lovers Walk]]"
| width =
}}

Quick wit is one of the character's hallmarks, as Spike enjoys verbal sparring as much as physical fighting; in all his appearances, he has a habit of pithy remarks and glib insults, even toward the few he does not view as antagonists. Among his favorite targets are Angel, [[Xander Harris|Xander]], [[Rupert Giles|Giles]], and (to a lesser extent) Buffy – in season 5's episode [[The Gift (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Gift]] as he and Giles are leaving to fight Glory, he wryly paraphrases Giles' quotation of [[Shakespeare's]] [[Henry V (play)|Henry V]] 'we band of brothers' speech to 'we band of buggered'. Joss Whedon credits this antipathy as what convinced him in the episode "[[Lovers Walk]]" to bring Spike back as a cast regular. As James Marsters put it, "I was supposed to be the one who stood at the side and said, 'Buffy, you're stupid, and we're all gonna die'."<ref name=IntroducingSpike/>

Spike often nicknames people, both as insults and as terms of endearment; for example, he calls Dawn "Little Bit" or "the Niblet". Spike's classical romanticism also manifests in his frequent references to poetry, songs, and literature; on occasion he even waxes poetic on the nature of love, life, and unlife as being driven by blood, reasoning that blood is more powerful than any supernatural force because it is what separates the living from the dead.<ref name=LoversWalk/><ref name=TheGift/>

Frequently, the power of Spike's passions override his physical limitations. His pain tolerance, in particular, is exceptionally high due to his willingness to disregard physical discomfort in favor of his goals, interpersonal attachments, and general defiance of any limitation. Notably, when Glory tortures him to reveal the identity of the Key, he defies and insults her at every opportunity; privately, he later reveals in confidence that he would rather die than see Buffy hurt.<ref>Intervention_(Buffy_the_Vampire_Slayer)</ref> In terms of his defiant nature, he often treats his vulnerability to the sun as simply an annoying inconvenience. He drives in broad daylight in vehicles with blacked-out windows (often listening to punk rock while he does so), and on several occasions travels outside during the day using only a blanket for cover.

Since becoming a vampire, Spike's core personality trait of loyalty has occasionally been at odds with his resentment of being controlled. While he prefers to see himself as a rebel against any kind of authority, he recognizes that his devotion has allowed others to manipulate him and, at times, for him to put self-imposed limits on himself for the sake of others. In an extreme example, Angel was able to manipulate Spike's allegiance based on his attachment to Drusilla; in a less extreme example, he often modifies his crass tendencies around Dawn to keep from disappointing Buffy, though he ceases when she is not around.

Like many characters in the series, Spike has battled depression at times; however, this was less a tendency towards self-pity or a psychological character trait than a reaction to new limitations. After being 'chipped' by the Initiative, Spike's inability to act out violence put him at odds with his desire to resist control and authority, and he became sullen when the pain inflicted by the chip was simply too powerful to resist. Upon realizing that he could still battle (and kill) demons and other supernatural creatures, his confidence immediately returned. Later, Spike's greatest internal conflict arose due to simultaneously wanting to kill the Slayer (Buffy) due to her authority and position as the "one thing" that vampires fear, until discovering that he was sexually and romantically attracted to Buffy as a person. Recognizing that his affection for her gave her power over him caused him a great deal of self-doubt; seeing no other means to reconcile the dissonance, he chose instead to 'rebel' against his vampire nature itself, and eventually seek to be re-ensouled and purify his passions.

===Appearance===
[[File:BILLY IDOL (8346663699).jpg|left|thumb|328x328px|The character's look has been compared with rock musician [[Billy Idol]] (pictured)]]
Spike has a [[punk (subculture)|punk]] look which strongly resembles English rock musician [[Billy Idol]]; humorously, Buffy claims that Billy Idol in fact ''stole'' his look from Spike.<ref name="Sleeper" /> His hair is [[peroxide blond]] for the duration of his time on ''Buffy'' and ''Angel'', although in flashbacks it can be seen in its natural medium brown state as well as dyed black.<ref name=WhyWeFight/> His nails are often painted black and was often paired with “guyliner”.

{{Quote box
| title =
| quote =
'''Buffy:''' I need some help. I'm looking for this guy. Bleach-blonde hair, leather jacket, British accent? Kind of sallow, but in a hot way? 
'''Bouncer:''' Yeah, yeah, I know the guy. Billy Idol wannabe? 
'''Buffy:''' Actually, Billy Idol stole his look from... Never mind.
| salign = right
| source = "[[Sleeper (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Sleeper]]"
| width = 35%
| fontsize = 95%
}}

A Y-shaped scar on Marsters's left eyebrow, received during a mugging,<ref name="scar">{{cite web
|url=http://www.jamesmarsters.com/james/faq.html#When_did_he_get_the_eyebrow_scar
|title=The Official James Marsters Site FAQ
|access-date=2006-11-24
|archive-date=March 1, 2012
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301044830/http://www.jamesmarsters.com/james/faq.html#When_did_he_get_the_eyebrow_scar
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> was worked into the show; make-up artist Todd McIntosh decided to shave out his eyebrow in order to make it more prominent. He also included the scar on Spike's "vamp face" [[Prosthetic makeup|prosthesis]], albeit slightly altered as though the skin has stretched.<ref name=BeautyandtheBeasts>"Beauty and the Beasts" ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' season 2 DVD featurette</ref> In Spike's first appearances the wound still looks fresh, but it gradually fades until, in ''Angel'' season 5, it is barely visible. A flashback in "[[Fool for Love (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Fool for Love]]" reveals that Spike received the scar from the sword of the first Slayer he killed in 1900.<ref name=FoolforLove/>

Spike usually wears long black leather coats, including one that he took from a Nazi officer<ref name=WhyWeFight/> and another that he took as a trophy from Nikki Wood, the second Slayer he killed.<ref name=FoolforLove/> He wore the Slayer's black duster for over twenty-five years. When the coat was destroyed by a bomb from the Immortal in Italy, Spike heartbrokenly declared it to be irreplaceable; but the Italian branch of Wolfram & Hart quickly supplied him with a whole wardrobe of new ones, nearly identical, which he happily began wearing.<ref name=GirlinQuestion/> His trademark look includes the leather duster, a black T-shirt or v-neck shirt and black denim pants, usually with heavy boots or Doc Martens. He also wore a red long-sleeved shirt fairly often, particularly during the earlier seasons of ''Buffy'', and a bright blue shirt early in Season 6 & 7. He explained that the shirt was supposed to show Buffy that he had changed and give him confidence (because the First was messing with his head and he did not want Buffy to think he was still evil or crazy). But later, he returned to his trademark look, commenting that he was back.

==Powers and abilities==
In addition to possessing the common powers and weaknesses of vampires, Spike's age and experience makes him a highly effective, skilled, and versatile fighter in both armed and unarmed combat. For example, he is able to briefly overcome Illyria during a testing of her abilities prior to her powers being greatly reduced by Wesley. Illyria criticizes his (and others') ability to adapt, calling it "compromise."<ref name=TimeBomb>{{cite episode | title= Time Bomb| episode-link= Time Bomb (Angel)| series= Angel| series-link= Angel (1999 TV series) |credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Ben Edlund]], [[Vern Gillum]]|network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 2004-04-28| season= 5| number= 19}}</ref> He is able to withstand excessive amounts of pain for extended periods of time, particularly when properly motivated, as seen in the episodes "[[Intervention (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Intervention]]"<ref name=Intervention/> and "[[Showtime (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Showtime]]".<ref name=Showtime>{{cite episode | title= Showtime| episode-link= Showtime (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[David Fury]], [[Michael Grossman]]|network= [[UPN]] | airdate= 2003-01-07| season= 7| number= 11}}</ref> While not as skilled or as sadistic as Angelus, Spike also proves himself to be effective at torture, noting he had gained "screams, various fluids, and a name" from Doctor Sparrow.<ref name=Shells/> Much like Angel, he is highly proficient in various forms of martial arts, and his typical fighting style blends [[karate]], [[kung fu]], and others.

Spike often displays insight and skills in perception and observation, especially with regard to relationships and personalities, so long as the relationship in question does not concern him personally. This ability allows him to wield powerful psychological weapons as easily and effectively as physical ones. For example, when he wants to create disharmony among the Scoobies, Spike divides-and-conquers with "[[The Yoko Factor]]", exploiting tensions that exist under the surface to alienate Buffy and her friends against each other.<ref name=YokoFactor/> Spike's skills of analysis allowed him to realize Willow was barely holding it together after Oz's departure even though Giles and Buffy thought she was doing better, to be the first to see through [[Tara Maclay|Tara]]'s abusive and controlling family,<ref name=Family>{{cite episode | title= Family| episode-link= Family (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| series= Buffy the Vampire Slayer| series-link= Buffy the Vampire Slayer|credits= [[Joss Whedon]]|network= [[The WB]] | airdate= 2000-11-07| season= 5| number= 6}}</ref> forced Buffy and Angel to admit that they were more than "just friends"<ref name=LoversWalk/> and identify when and why some relationships, such as between Buffy and [[Riley Finn|Riley]], are not meant to last, masterfully feeding Riley's insecurities in an effort to sabotage his relationship with Buffy, so Spike can pursue her. He also predicted that Willow would go fighting against Glory after what she did to Tara even though Buffy believed that she had talked Willow out of the suicidal attempt because he would do so if Glory hurt the people he loved.

His analytical skills and intuitive insight also help him in battle from time to time, helping him to defeat, or hold his own against, very formidable adversaries. For example, he explains to Buffy he was able to defeat two Slayers because he sensed and exploited their secret desires to be free of their burden.<ref name=FoolforLove/> In "[[Time Bomb (Angel)|Time Bomb]]", he identifies Illyria's fighting style as a [[Tae Kwon Do]]/[[Capoeira|Brazilian Capoeira / Ninjitsu]] hybrid.

While many vampires cling to the mannerisms and speech patterns prevalent at the time they were sired, Spike has been shown to easily adjust to changing fashions and styles over the decades and displays an impressive knowledge of both British and American popular culture, demonstrating another aspect of his potential for analysis and adaptability.

Although capable of developing sound battle strategies, Spike (particularly in the days before receiving his chip and being re-ensouled) often loses patience with anything more complicated than outright attack.<ref>[[Joss Whedon]], [[Doug Petrie|Douglas Petrie]], [[Bruce Seth Green]]. (October 19, 1999). "In the Dark". ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]''. Season 1. Episode 3. [[The WB]].</ref>

He is also impatient to fight the Slayer upon his initial arrival in Sunnydale; the attack is supposed to coincide with the Night of St. Vigeous (when a vampire's natural abilities are enhanced), but he "couldn't wait" to go after the Slayer and recklessly leads a mass assault against Buffy at Sunnydale High, which fails and results in the deaths of many Aurelian vampires. However, Spike did exercise patience throughout the latter half of season 2 of ''Buffy'', when he used a wheelchair for several months after a brutal battle with the Scoobies in the episode "[[What's My Line (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|What's My Line]]" left him [[Paraplegia|paraplegic]]. Feigning weakness, he endured torturous weeks watching Angelus sexually pursue Dru as he waited for the right time to strike against his enemy.

Spike's "vampire constitution" provides him with an extremely high tolerance for alcohol (which he regularly consumes in copious quantities). His experience in crime gives him skill at picking locks, [[hotwiring]] cars and [[pickpocket|picking pockets]]. He is also capable of easily operating various vehicles, such as various cars, a [[Honda CB400T]] motorcycle ("[[Bargaining (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Bargaining part 2]]"), and a [[Winnebago Industries|Winnebago]] ("[[Spiral (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Spiral]]"). He has also been shown using video game systems and a computer, treating injuries, and playing [[poker]] and [[pocket billiards|pool]]. Spike is also seen speaking/understanding [[Latin language|Latin]], Luganda (a language of [[Uganda]], where he meets the demon shaman), and the language of Fyarl demons, two of whom he once employed as muscle during his pre-Sunnydale days. He is also shown to be capable of recognizing literature; in the last episode of season 5, he paraphrases a line from the [[St. Crispin's Day Speech]] while in conversation with Giles after Buffy tells them her plan of attack on Glory.

When Spike was transformed into a ghost-like intangible state following the destruction of Sunnydale and the Hellmouth and his subsequent materialization at Wolfram & Hart, he was capable of walking through solid objects. He was initially unable to make contact with objects around him until he learned how to focus his abilities through desire, allowing him to make brief contact with people and things if he concentrated enough. This ability was relatively useless in a fight; he was unable to pick up a wooden bar to hit the demon Tezcatcatl in "[[The Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco]]", and required a few moments to properly punch a [[cyborg]] strangling Gunn in "[[Lineage (Angel)|Lineage]]". Naturally, he lost these capabilities when he was recorporealized by Lindsey.

==Unproduced spin-off movie==
In 2004, [[Joss Whedon]] set plans for a [[Spike movie|''Spike'' movie]]. The film, if ever greenlit, would star [[James Marsters]], [[Alyson Hannigan]] and [[Amy Acker]]. At a 2006 convention, Acker stated the film was not going ahead due to money issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/000495675.cfm?page=2 |title=''Wizard Universe'' – Whedon says that "money is standing in the way" of the project |date=August 5, 2006 |access-date=2011-03-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060805103806/http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/000495675.cfm?page=2 |archive-date=August 5, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.syfyportal.com/news.php?id=2584 |title=Amy Acker confirms that the project will not be going ahead.|work=Syfy Portal|author=Leigh Christian Ashton |access-date=October 27, 2014 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614164001/http://www.syfyportal.com/news.php?id=2584 |archive-date=June 14, 2006 }}</ref>

==Reception==
In 1999, Spike won a [[TV Guide Award]] for "Scariest Villain."<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/tvguidebookoflis0000unse |title=TV Guide Book of Lists |publisher=Running Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-7624-3007-9 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/tvguidebookoflis0000unse/page/40 40] |url-access=registration}}</ref>

For his role of Spike, [[James Marsters]] won [[Saturn Award]] for [[Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor on Television|Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series]] in 2000 and 2003, and was nominated for the award in 1999, 2001, 2002, and 2004.

Spike is also featured in ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine's "Hollywood's Most Powerful Vampires" list along with Angel.<ref>{{cite news |last=Streib |first=Lauren |date=August 3, 2009 |title=Hollywood's Most Powerful Vampires |url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/08/03/true-blood-vampires-business-entertainment-vampires.html |work=[[Forbes]]}}</ref>

Spike was ranked #2 out of 177 on ''[[BuzzFeed]]''{{'}}s list of "117 Buffyverse Characters, Ranked From Worst To Best.<ref>Vary, Adam B. (Jan 9, 2014). "[https://www.buzzfeed.com/adambvary/buffyverse-characters-ranked-worst-to-best 117 Buffyverse Characters, Ranked From Worst To Best]". ''[[BuzzFeed]]''. Retrieved September 9, 2024.</ref>

Spike was placed first in ''[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]]'' magazine's "Top 50 Vampires" on television and movies list.<ref name="SFXVampires2">{{cite journal |year=2009 |title=The Top 50 Greatest TV and Film Vampires of All Time |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/top-50-vampires/ |journal=[[SFX (magazine)|SFX Special Edition]] |issue=39 |page=33 |access-date=2017-02-19}}</ref> The same list featured rival [[Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Angel]] in the third place. Spike was described as an "antihero in the true sense of the word, Spike is morally ambiguous and ready to fight pretty much anyone, for fun. But underneath it all, he loves deeply and earnestly in a way that remains achingly human. Although, ironically, his personality remains pretty much the same, whether he has a soul or not — in stark (and more entertaining) contrast to Angel." Other [[Buffyverse]] vampires to appear on the list included [[Drusilla (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Drusilla]] (at 10th place), [[Darla (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Darla]] (at 25th place), Vampire [[Willow Rosenberg|Willow]] (at 32nd place), [[Harmony Kendall]] (at 31st place), and the [[Master (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Master]] (at 39th place).

In 2017, Spike made the list of "25 Villains We Love to Hate from the last 25 years" for the 25th anniversary of [[Syfy]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-09-02 |title=25 villains we love to hate from the last 25 years |url=http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/25-villains-we-love-to-hate-from-the-last-25-years |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523101204/http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/25-villains-we-love-to-hate-from-the-last-25-years |archive-date=May 23, 2018 |access-date=May 22, 2018}}</ref>

[[TVLine]] ranked Spike as 6th on their Best TV Vampires of All Time list in 2020. He shares the list with fellow Buffyverse characters Drusilla (at 19th place), Darla (at 18th place), and Angel (at 1st place).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Team TVLine |date=November 5, 2020 |title=Best TV Vampires of All Time |url=https://tvline.com/gallery/best-tv-characters-vampires-ranked-all-time-photos/moonlight-mick/ |access-date=September 8, 2024 |website=[[TVLine]]}}</ref>

In 2021, when discussing [[Joss Whedon#Accusations of workplace harassment|accusations of workplace harassment by Whedon]], Marsters said that Whedon intended for Spike to be killed off from ''Buffy'' because "in Joss's world evil is not cool" and the show already had "a sexy vampire" in Angel. Because of the positive audience reaction, the network insisted that Spike survive. Marsters said, "I was basically ruining [Joss's] show," changing it from parables about teenage adolescence to one in which "those problems are kind of sexy."<ref name="insideofyou202109222">{{Cite podcast |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hynZ2j9M9IE |title=Was JAMES MARSTERS Aware of the JOSS WHEDON Toxic Workplace on BUFFY?!? |website=Inside of You |last=Rosenbaum |first=Michael |date=2021-09-22 |access-date=2023-04-14 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

Marsters recalled that the ''Buffy'' audience loved Spike and demanded more of the character. That annoyed Whedon so much that he pushed Marsters against a wall and told him, "I don't care how popular you are, okay? You are dead, you are dead, you are dead, you got me?" Marsters believed that Whedon was not joking about killing off his character and said that he would not disagree with the veracity of his ''Buffy'' castmates' harassment allegations. He cited another incident in which Marsters told Whedon, "It must be wonderful to wind up this universe and watch it play out." Whedon responded, "Yeah, it's great, James, except I have to keep winding!" Marsters described both conversations as examples of Whedon's intensity toward the cast, caused by the great pressure the show creator put on himself.<ref name="insideofyou20210921">{{Cite podcast |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd8m6r9zdFw |title=Buffy's JAMES MARSTERS: Dark Side of Playing Spike |website=Inside of You |last=Rosenbaum |first=Michael |date=September 21, 2021 |access-date=September 7, 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

In 2022, ''British [[GQ]]'' placed Spike in 11th place on their "Pop culture's best vampires" list. He is the only vampire from the Buffyverse to be featured.<ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Jack |date=August 17, 2022 |title=Count Duckula, Tom Cruise's Lestat de Lioncourt, Morbius: Pop culture's best vampires, ranked |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/best-vampires-tv-movies-ever |access-date=September 7, 2024 |website=British GQ}}</ref> That same year, ''[[Syfy]]'' placed Spike on their list of their "fanged favorites from television and film."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Armstrong |first=Vanessa |date=September 19, 2022 |title=VAMPIRES, VAMPIRES, EVERYWHERE! OUR FANGED FAVORITES FROM TELEVISION AND FILM |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/best-vampires-academy-reginald-dracula-true-blood-list |access-date=September 8, 2024 |website=SYFY}}</ref>

In a 2023 interview, James Marsters said he would've killed off his character in "a heartbeat" if he was in charge of the series after he noticed that Spike was changing the fan perspective toward the vampires on the show. The original idea for ''Buffy'' was that vampires were just metaphors for the challenges of high school or the challenges of life," he explained. "They were designed to be overcome; they were designed to die. ''Buffy'' is not an Anne Rice kind of thing, where you're supposed to feel for the vampires. It's why we're hideously ugly when we bite someone. They did not want that to be a sensual kind of thing. It was supposed to be horrific." Because of this, Marsters said, the decision to keep weaving Spike into the show's longterm arc was "a weird fit." He admitted that he thought "they never really knew what to do" with his character, who quickly became a fan favorite, or how he should be part of the larger storyline." Every season, the writers would come to him and admit not knowing what to do with the character, but were eventually "able to figure something out" for Spike to do each episode.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Travis |first=Emlyn |date=May 20, 2023 |title=Buffy star James Marsters would have killed off his character Spike 'in a heartbeat' |url=https://ew.com/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-james-marsters-would-have-killed-off-spike-in-a-heartbeat/ |access-date=September 7, 2024 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref>

''[[MovieWeb]]'' placed Spike in 1st place on their 25 All-Time Best Vampires in Movie and TV History list in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holley |first=Leila |date=Sep 28, 2023 |title=25 All-Time Best Vampires in Movie and TV History, Ranked |url=https://movieweb.com/best-vampires-in-movies-tv-shows-all-time/ |access-date=September 8, 2024 |website=[[MovieWeb]]}}</ref>

In the summer of 2024, ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'' listed Spike as 10th place on their 25 Strongest Vampires list. Angel is also featured on the list at 15th place.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Allan |first1=Scoot |last2=Vinney |first2=Cynthia |last3=Aravind |first3=Ajay |last4=Mehanna |first4=Alan A. |last5=Goyaz |first5=Arthur |date=June 13, 2024 |title=The 25 Strongest Vampires, Officially Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/strongest-vampires/ |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* http://www.myths.com/pub/tv/buffy/quotes_Spike.html

{{Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}
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Harmony Kendall

2025-10-12T00:07:54Z

2001:D08:1C12:DEBE:4462:8B94:7FF6:7513:

{{Short description|Character in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Harmony Kendall
| series = [[Buffyverse|Buffy the Vampire Slayer / Angel]]
| image = HarmonyKendall.jpg
| caption = [[Mercedes McNab]] as Harmony Kendall
| first = "[[The Harvest (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Harvest]]" (1997)
| last = ''Future Shock'' (2018)
| creator = [[Joss Whedon]]
| portrayer = [[Mercedes McNab]]
| affiliation = Wolfram & Hart
| lbl21 = Classification
| data21 = [[Vampire (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Vampire]]
| lbl22 = Notable powers
| data22 = [[Superhuman strength]], speed, stamina, agility, and reflexes Acute sensory perception, rapid healing and [[immortality]]
}}

'''Harmony Kendall''' is a fictional character created by [[Joss Whedon]] for the television series ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' and its spin-off ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]''. The character is portrayed by [[Mercedes McNab]]. Originally cast as a minor character, McNab's credited status elevated to guest star and ultimately series regular over the course of her tenure in ''Buffy'' and ''Angel''.

==Appearances==

===Television===
Harmony appeared in the [[Unaired Buffy the Vampire Slayer pilot|unaired pilot]] as a member of [[Cordelia Chase]]'s [[clique]], the "Cordettes."<ref name=UnairedPilot>{{cite episode | title = Unaired pilot | episode-link = Unaired Buffy pilot | series = Buffy the Vampire Slayer | series-link = Buffy the Vampire Slayer| credits = [[Joss Whedon]] | airdate= 1996}}</ref> She subsequently appears in the second episode of season 1, "[[The Harvest (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Harvest]]," and makes appearances throughout the first three seasons, and then a larger role in another two. When Cordelia begins dating [[Xander Harris]], Harmony shuns her from their clique and usurps her position as leader of the group. After Cordelia and Xander's breakup, Harmony cruelly tricks Cordelia into thinking she has been re-admitted into the clique, only to humiliate and reject her. However, when Xander has [[Amy Madison]] cast a love spell in "[[Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered]]," Harmony is one of the many women who becomes temporarily infatuated with him, then falls silent when Cordelia rebukes her and returns to dating Xander.{{efn|name=note a}}

In the episode "[[The Wish (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Wish]]," a vengeance demon grants Cordelia's wish that [[Buffy Summers|Buffy]] had never arrived in [[Sunnydale]]. Harmony appears in the alternate, hellish reality, again a follower of Cordelia's "Cordettes."<ref name=Wish>{{cite episode | title = The Wish | episode-link = The Wish (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) | series = Buffy the Vampire Slayer | series-link = Buffy the Vampire Slayer| credits = [[Joss Whedon]], [[Marti Noxon]], [[David Greenwalt]] |network = [[The WB Television Network|WB]] | airdate= 1998-12-08| season = 3| number = 9}}</ref>

In the final showdown with [[Richard Wilkins (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Mayor Wilkins]] during his Ascension in the episode "[[Graduation Day (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Graduation Day]]," Harmony (as part of an attempt by Buffy to help organize a student resistance) is killed/sired by a [[vampire (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|vampire]]. She reappears in the episode "[[The Harsh Light of Day (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Harsh Light of Day]]" as a vampire, having retained her characteristic pettiness, susceptibility to stronger-willed people, and an affection for [[unicorn]] figurines. Harmony begins a sexual relationship with [[Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Spike]], her "blondie bear." Neither Spike nor Harmony are satisfied with their relationship; Spike is frustrated by Harmony's ignorance and clinginess while she is exasperated with his endless broken promises and repeated attempts to kill Buffy. They separate, although she agrees to rekindle their relationship after Spike escapes from the Initiative. Harmony quickly regrets this decision after recognizing Spike's renewed campaign against the [[Slayer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Slayer]], and even chases him out of her lair with a stake when he desperately seeks her help in the episode "[[Pangs]]."<ref name=Pangs>{{cite episode | title = Pangs | episode-link = Pangs (Buffy episode) | series = Buffy the Vampire Slayer | series-link = Buffy the Vampire Slayer| credits = [[Joss Whedon]], [[Jane Espenson]] |network = [[The WB Television Network|WB]] | airdate= 1999-11-23| season = 4| number = 8}}</ref>

Spike's ambition to kill the Slayer apparently rubs off. After separating from Spike, Harmony wants to be an independent, strong vampire who can get by on her own; accordingly, in the episode "[[Real Me (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Real Me]]", she gathers her own gang and makes her own attempt to kill Buffy, which ends in disaster. Her minions destroyed, Harmony returns to Spike for protection until it becomes clear that Spike's infatuation with Buffy has become an obsession (cf. "[[Crush (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Crush]]").<ref name=Crush>{{cite episode | title = Crush | episode-link = Crush (Buffy episode) | series = Buffy the Vampire Slayer | series-link = Buffy the Vampire Slayer)| credits = [[Joss Whedon]], [[David Fury]] |network = [[The WB Television Network|WB]] | airdate= 2001-02-13| season = 5| number = 14}}</ref>

Having departed Sunnydale, Harmony is next seen in the ''Buffy'' spin-off ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]'', in the episode "[[Disharmony (Angel)|Disharmony]]". She visits her old friend Cordelia in [[Los Angeles]], not telling Cordelia she has become a vampire. Harmony tries to connect with Cordelia, but has difficulty controlling her demon side. She enters Cordelia's bedroom at night, driven by bloodlust, but apologizes for her actions and intentions when Cordelia wakes up. Cordelia misunderstands her explanation, believing her to be a [[lesbianism|lesbian]] until the matter is cleared up by [[Willow Rosenberg|Willow]] in a phone call. Despite this, Cordelia insists on giving Harmony a chance, while the rest of the team grows increasingly frustrated with her habits such as popping gum or tearing pages out of old, irreplaceable books. She accompanies the [[Angel Investigations]] team on a mission to investigate a new vampire cult, but soon betrays them to their enemies. Cordelia nearly kills Harmony, but, out of some respect for the friendship they once shared and realizing that Harmony is struggling to find her own purpose in life, allows her to leave.

Over two years later, Harmony tries to make a life for herself in L.A. She gains employment at the L.A. branch of [[List of Angel characters#Wolfram & Hart|Wolfram & Hart]], as a member of the secretarial pool. Harmony is attracted by the building's necro-tempered glass windows (designed to protect vampires from [[sunlight]] which would otherwise cause them to burst into flames), as well as the firm's non-judgmental workplace culture and dental plan. A few weeks into her employment with the firm, [[Wesley Wyndam-Pryce]] hires her out of the blue to be [[Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Angel]]'s new personal secretary, after Angel and his staff are given control of that branch of Wolfram & Hart; Wesley apparently thought a familiar face would be good for Angel. Angel reluctantly agrees, on the strict condition that Harmony continues to refrain from drinking human blood.<ref name=Conviction>{{cite episode | title= Conviction| episode-link= Conviction (Angel episode)| series= Angel| series-link=Angel (1999 TV series) |credits= [[Joss Whedon]] |network= [[The WB Television Network|WB]] | airdate= 2003-10-01| season= 5| number= 1}}</ref>

Harmony is reunited with Spike when he returns, first as a ghost and then in corporeal form. She tries to connect with him, and initially hopes to renew their relationship now that he has a soul. Spike shows no interest for Harmony until he regains his corporeal form and proceeds to seduce her into a brief, disastrous fling, after which neither of them puts any effort into rekindling their tumultuous relationship.

At this point in her un-life, Harmony feels isolated and alone. She knows that she is incompetent as an evil vampire, but her struggle to lead a more normal life is hindered because she lacks a soul. Angel often treats her with distrust and barely masked hostility, and her input, ideas, and presence are generally ignored by his team. Harmony also experiences an inability to connect with her co-workers, who resent her quick rise to the position of the CEO's secretary. In the episode "[[Harm's Way (Angel)|Harm's Way]]", she is framed for murder by Tamika, another vampire secretary who wants her job; Tamika also substitutes human blood for her supply of otter blood, to make it appear as though Harmony drank from the victim.<ref name=HarmsWay>{{cite episode | title= Harm's Way| episode-link= Harm's Way (Angel)| series= Angel| series-link=Angel (1999 TV series) |credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Elizabeth Craft]], [[Sarah Fain]] |network= [[The WB Television Network|WB]] | airdate= 2004-01-14| season= 5| number= 9}}</ref> She clears her name and ironically saves a demon summit by staking her scheming rival on a conference table with a pair of chopsticks, since the demons required a W&H employee's death to seal their deal. Despite her incompetence, Harmony manages to prove a 'sort of' asset to the team, "torturing" [[Eve (Angel)|Eve]] (i.e. hitting Eve in the face a few times) to get information, helping Wesley search for information about [[List of Angel characters#Knox|Knox]]'s plans, and aiding [[Lorne (Angel)|Lorne]] in protecting Eve from her replacement as their liaison to the Senior Partners. She strikes up a brief friendship with [[Winifred Burkle|Fred Burkle]], though her relationship with [[Illyria (Angel)|Illyria]], the demon who later inhabits Fred's body, is quite frosty.

Harmony becomes a member of the regular cast starting with the episode "[[Underneath (Angel)|Underneath]]". In the series finale, "[[Not Fade Away (Angel)|Not Fade Away]]", she betrays Angel, revealing his plans to go after Archduke Sebassis to [[Marcus Hamilton (Angel)|Marcus Hamilton]], the Senior Partners' new liaison, with whom she has a sexual relationship. Angel, however, always expected her to betray him at some point, so he had only confided information he wanted her to reveal. After her betrayal (which Angel blames on her lack of a soul, and she blames on his lack of confidence in her), he fires her, but not before providing her with a letter of recommendation (which he had already written and signed, in anticipation of her disloyalty). As Angel and Hamilton prepare to fight each other, she runs off, wishing them both luck: "May the best man win!"<ref name=NotFadeAway>{{cite episode | title= Not Fade Away| episode-link= Not Fade Away (Angel episode)| series= Angel| series-link=Angel (1999 TV series) |credits= [[Joss Whedon]], [[Jeffrey Bell]] |network= [[The WB Television Network|WB]] | airdate= 2004-05-19| season= 5| number= 22}}</ref>

===Literature===

According to the ''[[Sunnydale High Yearbook]]'' tie-in book, Harmony is a member of the field hockey team, Dance Club, and Drama Club in addition to cheerleading, writes a brief fashion article about the Homecoming Dance dresses, and is voted "Biggest Attitude" by her peers.

In the [[canon (fiction)|canonical]] continuation of ''Buffy'', ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight|Season Eight]]'', Harmony features in the twenty-first issue, "[[Predators and Prey#Part I, Harmonic Divergence (Issue#21)|Harmonic Divergence]]" by [[Jane Espenson]], which begins a story-arc about the public revelation of the existence of vampires and Slayers. Harmony becomes a [[MTV]] [[reality television]] star in her own TV series, ''Harmony Bites'', which also stars [[List of minor Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters#Clem|Clem]]. Harmony came to instant notoriety after she killed a Slayer who attacked her on live camera. Thanks to Harmony, Buffy and her Slayer army were publicly outed by [[Anderson Cooper]] on [[CNN]]'s ''[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]'' later that day. [[Dark Horse Comics]] created a [[MySpace]] page for Harmony,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myspace.com/harmonybites|title=Harmony at Myspace.com|access-date=9 January 2009|publisher=Myspace.com, Dark Horse Comics}}</ref> and the Myspace [[Dark Horse Presents]] features a special comic book 'episode' of ''Harmony Bites'' written by Jane Espenson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://myspace.com/darkhorsepresents?issuenum=18&storynum=2|title=Myspace Dark Horse Presents Issue 18: Harmony Bites|date=7 January 2009|access-date=9 January 2009|publisher=Myspace.com, Dark Horse Comics}}</ref> Harmony is now considered a vampire rights spokeswoman. At the end of the twenty-second issue, "[[Predators and Prey#Part II, Swell (Issue#22)|Swell]]", she is seen being interviewed on TV about the destruction of the Vampy Cat toy line by the Slayers, which she blames on their blind hatred of anything vampire-related (in actuality, the toys were possessed demonic creatures). This, in combination with the criminal activities of rogue Slayer [[List of minor Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters#Simone Doffler|Simone Doffler]], the destruction of Sunnydale and the machinations of the villain [[Twilight (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Twilight]] has forced the Slayers into retreat as the whole world now views them as terrorists.

Harmony appears twice in [[Angel & Faith]]. During "In Perfect Harmony" it is revealed she used her fame to create rules that when vampires feed from humans they can never kill nor sire and must bite only after the human gives permission. The vast majority of vampires follow these rules for the easy food. Harmony is being threatened with a sex tape that shows her siring a man who was dying of cancer. Angel & Faith reluctantly agree to help her find the blackmailer so vampires continue following her rules and do not start killing humans again. Harmony's staff create a plan to restore Angel's image after his actions as Twilight have left him hated by both humans and demons. The blackmailer is revealed to be Clem who has fallen in love with Harmony and wanted to be her hero by stopping the blackmailer. Harmony won't date him but is easily willing to forget people's past actions, and tells Angel He should do the same with his overwhelming guilt over his centuries of killing humans. In turn, Angel tells Faith that famous people are crazy, and instantly throws the image plan into the trash.

In "Spike & Faith" Angel gives Spike Harmony's phone number when Spike is trying to get over his depression about his relationship with Buffy. Spike and Harmony have loud sexual activities in Faith's home; much to Angel & Faith's discomfort.

Harmony returns in the tenth issue of [[Buffy season 10]] in an issue titled "Day Off (Harmony In My Head)." The Scoobies have taken up residence in San Francisco, and are tasked with writing the rules of the new magic in the world by using the pages of Buffy's ''Vampyr'' book. They invite several species from the mystical world as lobbyists to consider when creating the rules. Buffy is annoyed when Harmony shows up representing the older type vampires, but is happy to see Clem is with her. Buffy is also displeased that the new breed of vampires have selected a vampire named Vicki as their representative, because Vicki previously attempted to kill her.

The new breed of vampire is immune to sunlight and can shape-shift. Harmony creates a compromise; the new breed will follow her rules for peaceful interaction with humans, and the Scoobies can create a rule so the new breed will be unable to shape-shift in the daylight. Harmony then visits Spike who apologizes for using her in London, but she doesn't care. She feels that she used him in payback for the way he dumped her in Sunnydale. Harmony then knocks Spike unconscious. Harmony then tries to have Clem write in the new rule book which would make her beloved by the whole world, and for Buffy, Spike, and Angel to finally make peace with each other. Lastly, she wants the book to make Buffy's love triangle to agree to a marriage polygamous marriage amongst the three. Clem does not do this, as the book may hurt Harmony due to its wish fulfillments often being twisted like a [[Monkey's paw]]. Spike takes back the book from Harmony and Clem, then kicks them both out.

However, Clem wrote one thing in the book for Harmony; [[unicorn]]s are now real.

Harmony appears next in the twenty-first issue, "In Pieces on the Ground, Part I." Demon invasions have become a global problem, the Scooby Gang is reluctantly working with the human military to battle this problem, but they also need the strength and numbers of both breeds of vampires. With Harmony leading the old breed and Vicki the new, they have Buffy and Spike compete in trials of combat to win the vampires' allegiance. While the other one fights, Harmony taunts Spike and Vicki taunts Buffy about the relationship insecurities they each have. With the vampires' loyalty won, Buffy and Spike leave rattled, while Harmony and Vicki congratulate each other for their accomplishment.

==Powers and abilities==
Harmony has the standard powers and vulnerabilities of a [[vampire (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|vampire]]. Several episodes make comedy of her subpar fighting skills, though after later training she holds her own against [[Riley Finn|Riley]] and [[Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Spike]], and in "[[Harm's Way (Angel)|Harm's Way]]" she kills another vampire after a long battle. In "Harmonic Divergence", she kills a Slayer, though partially by accident. In the ''Harmony Bites'' e-comic, she easily kills Justin, a vampire she sired, by quickly deflecting his attempt at staking her.

In "[[Conviction (Angel episode)|Conviction]]", she claimed to "type like a superhero, if there was a superhero whose power was typing."

==Appearances==

Harmony has 48 canonical appearances in the Buffyverse.

===Television===
Mercedes McNab guest starred as Harmony in 33 episodes of television. She was promoted to series regular in the ''Angel'' episode ''[[Underneath (Angel)|Underneath]]''.

; ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]''

* '''Season 1''' (1997): ''[[The Harvest (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Harvest]]'', ''[[Out of Mind, Out of Sight (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Out of Mind, Out of Sight]]''
* '''Season 2''' (1998): ''[[Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered]]''
* '''Season 3''' (1998–99): ''[[The Wish (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Wish]]'', ''[[Graduation Day (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Graduation Day, Part 1 & 2]]''
* '''Season 4''' (1999-2000): ''[[The Harsh Light of Day (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Harsh Light of Day]]'', ''[[The Initiative (Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode)|The Initiative]]'', ''[[Pangs]]'', ''[[Restless (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Restless]]''
* '''Season 5''' (2000–01): ''[[Real Me (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Real Me]]'', ''[[Out of My Mind (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Out of My Mind]]'', ''[[Family (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Family]]'', ''[[Fool for Love (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Fool for Love]]'', ''[[Crush (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Crush]]''

; ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]''

* '''Season 2''' (2001): ''[[Disharmony (Angel)|Disharmony]]''
* '''Season 5''' (2003–04): ''[[Conviction (Angel)|Conviction]]'', ''[[Just Rewards]]'', ''[[Life of the Party (Angel)|Life of the Party]]'', ''[[Destiny (Angel)|Destiny]]'', ''[[Harm's Way (Angel)|Harm's Way]]'', ''[[Soul Purpose (Angel)|Soul Purpose]]'', ''[[Damage (Angel)|Damage]]'', ''[[You're Welcome (Angel)|You're Welcome]]'', ''[[Smile Time]]'', ''[[Shells (Angel)|Shells]]'', ''Underneath'', ''[[Origin (Angel)|Origin]]'', ''[[Time Bomb (Angel)|Time Bomb]]'', ''[[The Girl in Question]]'', ''[[Power Play (Angel)|Power Play]]'', ''[[Not Fade Away (Angel)|Not Fade Away]]''

===Comics===
Harmony appeared in 15 canonical issues of comics.

; ''[[List of Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]''

* '''Season 8''' (2008–10): ''[[After These Messages... We'll Be Right Back!]]'', [[Predators and Prey|Harmonic Divergence]]'', ''Swell'', ''HARM'', ''Harmony Bites'', ''Harmony Comes to the Nation'', ''Carpe Noctem, Part 1''
* '''Season 10''' (2014–16): ''Day Off (or Harmony in My Head)'', ''Relationship Status: Complicated, Part 1'', ''In Pieces on the Ground, Part 1'', ''Where Are They Now?''
* '''Season 11''' (2017): ''One Girl in All the World''
* '''Season 12''' (2018): ''Future Shock''

; ''[[List of Angel comics|Angel]]''

* '''Angel & Faith''' (2011, 2013): ''In Perfect Harmony'', ''Spike and Faith''

==Notes==
{{notelist
| refs =
{{efn
| name = note a
| Essayist Theresa Basile remarks that Cordelia "needs to continue to impress Harmony and the others, who don't think she should be dating Xander. What kind of guys are Harmony attracted to? Well...
:'HARMONY: Cody Weinberg called me at home last night.
:CORDELIA: Cody Weinberg? The one with the 350SL?
:HARMONY: The very one. Said he's thinking of asking me to the pledge dance on Thursday.
:CORDELIA: That's so huge!
:HARMONY: Yeah, there's just two other girls he's gonna ask first, and if they refuse, then I'll...'
Harmony thinks Cordelia is pathetic for dating a 'loser' like Xander, yet she's the one excited to be the third choice of a rich douchebag who treats her badly. I wonder if, deep down, Harmony is jealous of Cordelia's ability to shrug off societal expectations and date a boy she actually cares about, and teased her about Xander because she didn't want to see someone else happy."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Basile |first=Theresa |date=10 December 2012 |title=BtVS and Consent Issues: Episode 2.16 – "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" |url=http://theresabasile.com/wp/2012/05/22/btvs-and-consent-episode-2-16-bewitched-bothered-and-bewildered/ |access-date=24 December 2023 |website=TheresaBasile.com |language=en-US}}</ref>}}
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==

* Abbott, Stacey. ''Reading Angel: The TV Spin-off With a Soul.'' I.B.Tauris, 2005. p. xvii. {{ISBN|1-85043-839-0}}
* Topping, Keith. ''The Complete Slayer: An Unofficial and Unauthorized Guide to Every Episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer''. Virgin Books, 2004. {{ISBN|0-7535-0931-8}}
* Tracy, Kathleen. ''The Girl's Got Bite: The Original Unauthorized Guide to Buffy's World''. St. Martin's Press, 2003. pp. 33–34. {{ISBN|0-312-31258-X}}

==Further reading==
{{Portal|United States|Television}}
* Gallagher, Diana G. ''Prime Evil''. Simon and Schuster, 2001. p. 66. {{ISBN|0-7434-3154-5}}
* Jowett, Lorna. ''Sex and the Slayer: A Gender Studies Primer for the Buffy Fan''. Wesleyan University Press, 2005. p. 83. {{ISBN|0-8195-6758-2}}
* Kaveney, Roz. ''Reading the Vampire Slayer: The Complete, Unofficial Guide to Buffy And Angel''. Tauris Parke Paperbacks, 2004. p. ix. {{ISBN|1-86064-984-X}}
* South, James B. ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy: fear and trembling in Sunnydale''. Open Court Publishing, 2003. p. 70. {{ISBN|0-8126-9531-3}}
* Stevenson, Gregory. ''Televised Morality: The Case of Buffy the Vampire Slayer''. University Press of America, 2004. p. 233. {{ISBN|0-7618-2833-8}}
* Wilcox, Rhonda V. ''Why Buffy Matters: The Art of Buffy the Vampire Slayer''. I.B. Tauris, 2005. p. 81. {{ISBN|1-84511-029-3}}

{{Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}

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[[Category:American female characters in television]]
[[Category:Angel (1999 TV series) characters]]
[[Category:Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters]]
[[Category:Buffyverse vampires]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from the 20th century]]
[[Category:Fictional cheerleaders]]
[[Category:Fictional female murderers]]
[[Category:Fictional secretaries]]
[[Category:Fictional television personalities]]
[[Category:Teenage characters in television]]
[[Category:Television characters introduced in 1997]]

Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

2025-10-12T00:07:34Z

2001:D08:1C12:DEBE:4462:8B94:7FF6:7513:

{{Short description|Character in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel}}
{{About|the character|the episode|Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode)}}
{{italic disambiguation}}
{{Infobox character
| series = [[Buffyverse|Buffy the Vampire Slayer / Angel]]
| image = Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).jpg
| caption = [[David Boreanaz]] as Angel in 1999.
| first = "[[Welcome to the Hellmouth]]" (1997)
| last = ''Finale'' (2018)
| creator = [[Joss Whedon]]
| portrayer = [[David Boreanaz]]
| lbl2 = Television Studio
| data2 = 20th Television
| lbl3 = Television Network
| data3 = The WB
| affiliation = Scooby Gang [[Angel Investigations]] [[The Powers That Be (Angel)|The Powers That Be]] Wolfram & Hart The Whirlwind
| nationality = Irish
| lbl21 = Classification
| data21 = [[Vampire (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Vampire]]
| lbl22 = Notable powers
| data22 = [[Superhuman strength|Supernatural strength]], speed, stamina, agility, and reflexes Acute sensory perception, rapid healing, and [[immortality]]
}}'''Angel''' is a fictional character created by [[Joss Whedon]] and [[David Greenwalt]] for the [[United States|American]] television programs ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' and its spin-off series ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]''. The character is portrayed by actor [[David Boreanaz]]. As introduced in ''Buffy'' in 1997, Angel is a love interest for heroine [[Buffy Summers]] ([[Sarah Michelle Gellar]]), a young woman whose destiny as "[[Slayer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|the Slayer]]" is to fight the forces of evil, such as [[vampire (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|vampires]] and [[demon]]s. However, their relationship is complicated by the fact that Angel is himself a vampire cursed with remorse and a human soul, which motivates him to assist Buffy in her duties as Slayer. The character's popularity led to the production of the spin-off ''Angel'', which follows the character's struggle towards redemption after moving to [[Los Angeles]]. In addition to the two television series, the character appears in the [[comic book]] continuations of both series, as well as much other [[expanded universe]] literature.

In the character's backstory, he was born as '''Liam''' in [[18th-century Ireland]] and, after being sired, assumed the name '''Angelus''', achieving infamy as the most sadistic vampire in European history. After angering a [[Romani people|Romani]] [[Kalderash|clan]], he was cursed with his human soul, leading to great personal torment and the decision to resist the evil impulses that come with being a vampire. He later assumes the shortened name Angel, and over the course of ''Buffy'' and ''Angel'', he matures into an altruistic champion of mankind, and learns he is a central figure of several prophecies concerning an approaching [[apocalypse]]. In later editions of the comic series, Angel adopted the identity of the masked '''Twilight''' and gathered a cabal of humans and demons who had become wary of the rise of multiple Slayers.

''Angel'' ended its five-year run in 2004. However, the [[canon (fiction)|canonical]] comic books ''[[Angel: After the Fall]]'' (2007–2009), ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]'' (2007–2011) and ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine#Angel & Faith|Angel & Faith]]'' (2011–2013) depict the character's continued story, in which he is caught up in events of cosmic proportion and must deal with the fallout from enormous mistakes he has made.

Season 2 of ''Buffy'' and season 4 of ''Angel'' feature storylines in which, deprived of his soul, he resumes his Angelus persona and torments and kills some of his allies. He has attracted significant interest due to his [[dichotomy|dichotomous]] personality in the presence or absence of his soul, and the ways in which his relationship with Buffy conforms to and subverts the [[trope (literature)|tropes]] of romantic drama and horror fiction.

==Appearances==

===''Buffy the Vampire Slayer''===
Angel's first appearance is in "[[Welcome to the Hellmouth]]", the first episode of ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' in 1997. In it, he meets the protagonist Buffy Summers ([[Sarah Michelle Gellar]]), a young girl destined to fight evil in the small town of [[Sunnydale|Sunnydale, California]]. For the first half of the season, Angel is an enigmatic love interest for Buffy, showing up only to offer her cryptic messages about upcoming threats. It is not until the episode "[[Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode)|Angel]]" that the character is revealed to be a benevolent vampire from [[Galway (city)|Galway]], [[Ireland]], who emigrated to the United States to escape his past as the sadistic Angelus after his soul was restored by a vengeful Romani clan. Although uneasy about trusting a vampire, Buffy and the Scooby Gang eventually come to view Angel as an ally. In the second season (1997–1998), Buffy and Angel's romantic relationship develops and the pair make love in the episode "[[Surprise (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Surprise]]". For experiencing a moment of pure happiness, however, the Romani curse on Angel is revoked, unleashing his soulless alter-ego, who reunites with his old friends, vampires [[Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Spike]] ([[James Marsters]]) and [[Drusilla (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Drusilla]] ([[Juliet Landau]]), and begins terrorizing Buffy and her friends. Upon discovering Romani descendant [[Jenny Calendar]] ([[Robia LaMorte]]), who is working to translate the text of a spell to restore Angel's soul, Angelus murders her by breaking her neck, and places her body in the bed of her boyfriend, [[Rupert Giles|Giles]] ([[Anthony Head]]), for him to discover. Angelus then attempts to destroy the world by awakening the demon Acathla. In the season finale, neophyte witch [[Willow Rosenberg|Willow]] ([[Alyson Hannigan]]) manages to restore Angel's soul at the last moment, but Buffy is forced to kill him to save the world from Acathla, and Angel is sent to [[hell]]. In season 3 (1998–1999), episode three, "[[Faith, Hope & Trick]]", Angel is inexplicably returned from hell by an unknown party and is soon found by Buffy. The Scooby Gang are outraged when they discover that Buffy has been secretly caring for him since his resurrection, but grudgingly accept him after he saves Willow's life in episode seven, "[[Revelations (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Revelations]]". In the episode "[[Amends]]", the primordial [[First Evil]] attempts to manipulate Angel to murder Buffy, but Angel chooses suicide instead by waiting for the sun to rise on Christmas morning. California's heatwave is suddenly interrupted by a freak snowstorm hiding the sun, sparing Angel's life, which he takes as a sign [[The Powers That Be (Angel)|from God]] that he was brought back for a reason. Buffy and Angel initially attempt to be friends but eventually resume their romance. However, Angel becomes more and more aware of their limitations as a couple and breaks up with her in the hopes that she will be happier without him, leaving Sunnydale altogether after attending Buffy's prom and helping her in the battle against [[Mayor (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Mayor Wilkins]] ([[Harry Groener]]).

===''Angel''===
After his departure from ''Buffy'', Angel appeared in his own spin-off series, titled ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]''. Moving to [[Los Angeles]], he starts a supernatural detective agency called [[Angel Investigations]]. He dedicates himself to "helping the helpless," and becomes a Champion of [[The Powers That Be (Angel)|The Powers That Be]], who send him psychic visions through his employees [[Doyle (Angel)|Doyle]] ([[Glenn Quinn]]), and later [[Cordelia Chase|Cordelia]] ([[Charisma Carpenter]]). In doing so, he frequently clashes with the powerful law firm [[List of Angel characters#Wolfram & Hart|Wolfram & Hart]], who represent the evil of the world. During this season (1999–2000), Buffy and Angel appear in each other's shows (the ''Buffy'' episode "[[Pangs]]" and the ''Angel'' episode "[[I Will Remember You (Angel)|I Will Remember You]]"), but are forced to accept that nothing has changed and they still can not or should not be together. Later in the television season, Buffy crosses over into the episode "[[Sanctuary (Angel episode)|Sanctuary]]" where she attempts to kill rogue Slayer [[Faith (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Faith]] ([[Eliza Dushku]]) to whom Angel shows compassion, and Angel appears in ''Buffy'''s "[[The Yoko Factor]]" where he squares off with Buffy's new boyfriend [[Riley Finn|Riley]] ([[Marc Blucas]]). They finally decide to stay away from each other's business and stick to phone calls at this point. In the season 1 finale, Angel is given some hope at redemption when the Shanshu prophecy reveals that a vampire with a soul may eventually become human after fulfilling his role in the upcoming apocalypse.

In season 2 (2000–2001), Angel discovers that Wolfram & Hart has brought his [[Vampire (Buffyverse)#Vampire's siring and rebirth|sire]] and former lover [[Darla (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Darla]] ([[Julie Benz]]) back from the dead in human form. Although Darla is intent on bringing back Angelus, Angel hopes to save her soul and help her seek redemption while she still has a chance. However, just as it looks like he might succeed, Wolfram & Hart bring in Drusilla to turn Darla back into a vampire. Angry at the lawfirm and embracing his darker side, Angel fires his employees, Cordelia, [[Wesley Wyndam-Pryce|Wesley]] ([[Alexis Denisof]]) and [[Charles Gunn (Angel)|Gunn]] ([[J. August Richards]]) (secretly to protect them from this dark territory, as he later revealed to [[Lorne (Angel)|Lorne]] ([[Andy Hallett]])), and embarks on a vendetta against Wolfram & Hart, even allowing Darla and Dru to massacre a group of lawyers. Eventually losing faith in his mission, Angel has sex with Darla in the hopes of losing his soul. Instead, he experiences an [[epiphany (feeling)|epiphany]] and realizes that the good fight is still worth fighting. A disgusted Darla flees L.A. and Angel reconciles with his friends, who eventually forgive him. Angel also appears in ''Buffy'' season 5's "[[Forever (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Forever]]", comforting Buffy after [[Joyce Summers|her mother]]'s death.

Season 3 (2001–2002) sees Angel struggle with fatherhood when Darla returns pregnant with his child, despite the fact that vampires supposedly are unable to conceive. When Darla kills herself to give birth, Angel is left to raise the baby [[Connor (Angel)|Connor]] (played by triplets Connor, Jake and Trenton Tupen) and protect him from those who wish to get their hands on a child of two vampires. False prophecies, time travel, and betrayal lead to Angel losing his infant son to an old enemy, [[Daniel Holtz|Holtz]] ([[Keith Szarabajka]]), who abducts Connor into a hell dimension where time passes differently. Connor ([[Vincent Kartheiser]]) returns days later, fully grown and under the belief that Angel is a soulless monster. Holtz kills himself and Angel is framed for his death by Holtz's lover, prompting Connor to take revenge by sinking his father to the bottom of the ocean. Over the course of this season, Angel's friendship with his colleague Cordelia evolves into romance, but circumstances prevent him from ever confessing his feelings.

In ''Angel'''s fourth season (2002–2003), Angel is rescued from the ocean by his former friend Wesley. As Los Angeles crumbles under signs of the apocalypse, Angel is forced to cope with the romantic relationship between his son and Cordelia. In order to find out more about the [[List of minor Angel characters#The Beast|Beast]] ([[Vladimir Kulich]]) terrorizing L.A., Angel Investigations remove Angel's soul and bring back Angelus after a vision from Cordelia suggests that Angelus has history with the Beast that Angel does not remember. Angelus, however, manages to escape, kills the Beast for fun and wreaks havoc until an old friend, Willow, manages to return his soul for the second time. It is eventually revealed that Cordelia has been possessed by the Beast's master, [[Jasmine (Angel)|Jasmine]] ([[Gina Torres]]), a [[deity|higher power]] who manipulated many events in Angel's life in order to be born in this world. Once born, she puts humanity under her thrall in the hopes of achieving [[world peace]]. When Angel restores [[free will]] and ruins Jasmine's plan, Wolfram & Hart offer him control of their L.A. branch as a reward for putting a stop to world peace. Angel accepts when they agree to rewrite Connor's memories of growing up in hell, allowing him to live a normal life with a new family. Afterwards, Angel appears in the [[End of Days (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|penultimate]] and [[Chosen (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|final]] episodes of ''Buffy'', presenting Buffy with an amulet, which is given to Spike, to help her battle the First Evil.

In the fifth and final season of ''Angel'' (2003–2004), the character has made a [[deal with the Devil]] to become [[chief executive officer|CEO]] of Wolfram & Hart's Los Angeles office. All of his friends have also become W&H employees, hoping to reform the organization from within under Angel's supervision. Angel's life this season is complicated by the increasingly blurred line between good and evil, the deaths of loved ones Cordelia and [[Winifred Burkle|Fred]] ([[Amy Acker]]), and the possibility that the Shanshu prophecy may in fact be referring to Spike (who is now also a vampire with a soul and has joined the team) and not Angel. Allowing his friends to believe he is being corrupted, Angel secretly plots to bring down the Senior Partners of Wolfram & Hart by assassinating the Circle of the Black Thorn, the Partners' primary agents on Earth, even signing away his prophesied humanity in the process to convince them of his complex deception. Realizing that he may never be able to fully stop the forces of evil, Angel and his friends enter into a suicidal battle against the armies of the Senior Partners, and the series ends with the question of their survival unanswered.

Between 2001 and 2004, Joss Whedon and [[Jeph Loeb]] developed a 4-minute pilot episode for ''[[Buffy the Animated Series]]'', which was set during the show's first season. Had the series been picked up by a network, it would have featured Angel (voiced by David Boreanaz) in more adventures set during ''Buffy'''s first season. Following a 2008 [[internet leak|leak]] of the pilot to [[YouTube]], Loeb expressed some hope that the series may be resurrected in some form.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/08/26/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-animated-series-to-be-resurrected/|title='Buffy The Vampire Slayer' Animated Series To Be Resurrected?|access-date=2008-09-05|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|date=2008-08-26|work=[[MTV|MTV Movies Blog]]|publisher=MTV.com| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080904124117/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/08/26/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-animated-series-to-be-resurrected/| archive-date= 4 September 2008 | url-status= dead}}</ref>

===Comic books===
In 2007, Angel began appearing in two [[canon (fiction)|canonical]] continuations of ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' and ''Angel'' from Joss Whedon. The first of these was ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]'', published by [[Dark Horse Comics]], which continued the story of the ''Buffy'' television series. Later that year, Whedon and [[IDW Publishing]] released the series ''[[Angel: After the Fall]]'', which continued on from the series finale of ''Angel''. The two series were published by different publishers due to Dark Horse initially giving up the rights to licensed ''Angel'' comic books several years ago when the series was still on air.

In Dark Horse's ''Buffy'' continuation, Angel initially appears to feature in Buffy's dream sequences (in the comic's [[The Long Way Home (Buffy comic)|third]] and [[After These Messages... We'll Be Right Back!|twentieth issues]], as well as in the ''[[Dark Horse Presents]]'' special ''Season Eight'' comic "Always Darkest"), but is later revealed to have been in the series from the beginning.<ref name="Behind Buffy's Twilight Reveal">{{cite web|url=http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=24354|title=Behind Buffy's Twilight Reveal|last=Phegley|first=Kiel|date=January 8, 2009|access-date=January 9, 2009|work=Comic Book Resources|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301144700/http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=24354|archive-date=1 March 2010}}</ref> He then features substantially in the remainder of the series. Angel features as the central character in IDW's ''After the Fall'', however, which has no crossover with the events of ''Buffy''. Whedon devised the storyline for ''After the Fall'' issues 1-17 with writer [[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]], but did not write for the series himself as with ''Buffy''. Beginning with the eighteenth issue of the series, IDW chose to continue telling ''Angel'' stories in an ongoing comic book with rotating writers and artists, although these stories "did not come from Whedon himself".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whedon.info/Kelley-Armstrong-Angel-Aftermath.html |title=Kelley Armstrong - "Angel : Aftermath" Comic Book - Q&A |publisher=Whedon.info |date=2010-06-13 |access-date=2011-03-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Furey |first=Emmett |date=Feb 5, 2009 |title=Armstrong talks "Angel: After the Fall" |url=https://www.cbr.com/armstrong-talks-angel-after-the-fall/ |access-date=November 18, 2024 |website=cbr.com}}</ref> In the continued series without Whedon's involvement, Angel engages in episodic adventures, while the series also takes breaks to focus on other characters. Subsequent writers included [[Bill Willingham]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tfaw.com/blog/2009/10/07/bill-willingham-talks-about-angel-fables/ |title=Bill Willingham Talks About Angel & Fables at The Blog From Another World |publisher=Tfaw.com |date=2009-10-07 |access-date=2011-03-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091219001638/http://www.tfaw.com/blog/2009/10/07/bill-willingham-talks-about-angel-fables/ |archive-date=2009-12-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref> When rights to ''Angel'' settings and characters reverted to Dark Horse, IDW promised to end their ongoing ''Angel'' series with its forty-fourth issue in 2011, and began negotiating with Dark Horse so that it would bridge continuity with ''Season Eight'' and the upcoming ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idwpublishing.com/news/article/1360/ |title=The official ANGEL IS LEAVING IDW Q&A |access-date=2010-08-24 |date=2010-08-23 |work=IDW Publishing |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827182042/http://idwpublishing.com/news/article/1360 |archive-date=2010-08-27 }}</ref> Its final ''Angel'' story is the hardcover send-off ''Angel Yearbook''. During its tenure, IDW also published various miniseries depicting Angel and related characters, such as [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]]'s ''Angel: Blood and Trenches'' (2009), and several ''[[Illyria (Angel)|Illyria]]'' and ''Spike'' stories.

In ''After the Fall'', set after the fifth season, Angel and his friends struggle as Los Angeles has been moved to a hell dimension by the Senior Partners who have also turned Angel human as a punishment.<ref name="A:AtF#1">{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]| artist=[[Franco Urru]]||title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=1|issue=2|date=2007-11-21|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref><ref name="A:AtF#2">{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]| artist=[[Franco Urru]]||title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=1|issue=1|date=2007-12-19|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref><ref name="A:AtF#3">{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]| artist=[[Franco Urru]]||title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=1|issue=3|date=2008-01-14|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> With the help of Wesley's ghost,<ref name="A:AtF#1"/> magical spells to simulate his old abilities,<ref name="A:AtF#4">{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]| artist=[[Franco Urru]]||title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=1|issue=4|date=2008-02-20|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> and a friendly dragon (seen in "Not Fade Away") which he names after Cordelia,<ref name="A:AtF#12">{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]| artist=Stephen Mooney and Nick Runge||title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=1|issue=12|date=2008-09-04|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> Angel continues helping the helpless. Angel eventually outsmarts and kills the Demon Lords of Los Angeles to win the city back for its people.<ref name="A:AtF#9">{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]| artist=Nick Runge||title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=1|issue=8|date=2008-06-18|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> Gunn, now a vampire out for revenge against Angel following the fight in the alley,<ref name="A:AtF#2"/> confronts Angel,<ref name="A:AtF#10">{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]| artist=Nick Runge||title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=1|issue=10|date=2008-07-02|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> and brings him to the point of death.<ref name="A:AtF#11">{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]| artist=Nick Runge and [[David Messina]]||title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=1|issue=11|date=2008-08-13|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> Cordelia's spirit comes to convince Angel to keep fighting, in spite of a vision of the "final battle" which sees Angel responsible for countless deaths.<ref name="A:AtF#12"/><ref name="A:AtF#13">{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]| artist=Stephen Mooney||title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=1|issue=13|date=2008-10-22|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> Wesley also confirms that Angel is still viable for the Shanshu prophecy, because his signed contract was never filed.<ref name="A:AtF#12"/> Angel's body is subsequently taken by the Senior Partners and restored to health while Gunn successfully manages to restore the demon Illyria (introduced in season 5) to her true form, hoping she will restore time to before the Fall of Los Angeles only to embark on a destructive rampage instead.<ref name="A:AtF#14">{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]| artist=Stephen Mooney||title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=1|issue=14|date=2008-11-19|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> Gunn kills Connor,<ref name="A:AtF#15">{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]| artist=[[Franco Urru]]||title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=1|issue=15|date=2008-12-17|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> but rather than avenge the death Angel allows Gunn to kill him, forcing the Senior Partners to restore time back to before the Fall, as he is necessary to their plans. Restored to the fight in the alley with memories intact, Angel saves Gunn this time and later is happily reunited with Connor.<ref name="A:AtF#16">{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]| artist=[[Franco Urru]]||title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=1|issue=16|date=2009-01-21|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref> Angel enjoys celebrity status from the citizens of Los Angeles, and gives Cordelia the dragon over to [[Groosalugg]]. As a mark of respect for his friends, he names a wing of the Los Angeles public library after Wesley and Fred; Wesley is no longer a ghost. Angel leaves the human, traumatised Gunn an Angel Investigations card and returns to his duties helping the hopeless.<ref name="A:AtF#17">{{Cite comic|writer=[[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]]| artist=[[Franco Urru]]||title=[[Angel: After the Fall]]|volume=1|issue=17|date=2009-02-11|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]}}</ref>

In ''Season Eight'', Twilight appears in the [[The Long Way Home (Buffy comic)|premiere issue]], written by Whedon; his shoes are seen floating in the air as he surveys Buffy. At the end of the arc, the military general who coordinated a large-scale attack on Buffy is revealed to be a follower of "Twilight";<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Joss Whedon]]|title=[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]|story=[[The Long Way Home (Buffy comic)|The Long Way Home]]|volume=1|issue=4|date=2007-06-06|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]}}</ref> later issues show that many of the anti-Slayer forces serve under the leadership of a masked person known as Twilight.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Brian K. Vaughan]]|title=[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]|story=[[No Future for You]]|volume=1|issue=9|date=2007-12-05|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]}}</ref> Buffy herself finally confronts Twilight in "[[A Beautiful Sunset]]", along with the Slayer [[Satsu (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Satsu]], but Twilight's superior strength and ability to fly ensures his easy victory.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite comic|writer=[[Joss Whedon]]|title=[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]|story=[[A Beautiful Sunset]]|volume=1|issue=11|date=2008-02-06|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]}}</ref> In [[Jane Espenson]]'s story arc "[[Retreat (Buffy comic)|Retreat]]", Twilight locates Buffy's allies through their use of magic, forcing them to converge and retreat.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Jane Espenson]]|title=[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]|story=[[Retreat (Buffy comic)|Retreat]]|volume=1|issue=26|date=2009-07-01|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]}}</ref> In Tibet, Slayers and witches suppress their magic,<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Jane Espenson]]|title=[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]|story=[[Retreat (Buffy comic)|Retreat]]|volume=1|issue=27|date=2009-08-05|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Jane Espenson]]|title=[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]|story=[[Retreat (Buffy comic)|Retreat]]|volume=1|issue=28|date=2009-09-02|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]}}</ref> which ultimately leads to a mutually destructive military conflict between the Slayers and Twilight's forces.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> In its aftermath, however, Buffy mysteriously acquires abilities conspicuously similar to Twilight's.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Jane Espenson]]|title=[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]|story=[[Retreat (Buffy comic)|Retreat]]|volume=1|issue=30|date=2009-11-04|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Joss Whedon]]|title=[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]|story=Turbulence|volume=1|issue=31|date=2010-01-13|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Brad Meltzer]]|title=[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]|story=[[Twilight (Buffy comic)|Twilight]]|volume=1|issue=32|date=2010-02-03|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]}}</ref> In [[Twilight (Buffy comic)|the penultimate arc]], written by [[Brad Meltzer]], the newly empowered Buffy faces up to her masked enemy again. Twilight reveals himself to be Angel, and claims to have been distracting the various groups that would seek to destroy Buffy while pushing her towards some other end.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Brad Meltzer]]|title=[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]|story=[[Twilight (Buffy comic)|Twilight]]|volume=1|issue=33|date=2010-03-03|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]}}</ref> Buffy and Angel — destiny's agents in discarding the old reality and ushering in a new one — are overcome with desire for one another. They kiss, have sex and fly through space, eventually ascending to a dimension called Twilight. Meanwhile, Giles [[exposition (literary technique)|exposits]] a prophecy pertaining to the creation of a new universe, brought about by a Slayer falling in love with a vampire.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Brad Meltzer]]|title=[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]|story=[[Twilight (Buffy comic)|Twilight]]|volume=1|issue=34|date=2010-04-07|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]}}</ref> The two come to their senses and return to Earth to fight off the hordes of demons unleashed by their ascension.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Brad Meltzer]]|title=[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]|story=[[Twilight (Buffy comic)|Twilight]]|volume=1|issue=35|date=2010-05-05|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]}}</ref> Espenson's ''Riley'' [[one-shot (comics)|one-shot]] flashes back to an uneasy Angel, early in his Twilight masquerade, convinced by [[Whistler (Buffyverse)|Whistler]] (Angel's mentor in flashbacks from ''Buffy'' season 2) that this course of actions leads to the only possible future in which Buffy survives.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Jane Espenson]]|title=[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight|Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight: Riley]]|story=Commitment through Distance, Virtue through Sin|date=2010-08-18|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]}}</ref> The final arc, "Last Gleaming", depicts Angel's first encounter with the higher power which bestowed Twilight's superheroic abilities on him. Spike explains the next step in the prophecy, which concerns the new universe springing from the mystical Seed of Wonder, a source for all the magic in the universe, buried beneath Sunnydale.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Brad Meltzer]]|title=[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]|story=[[Last Gleaming]]|volume=1|issue=36|date=2010-09-01|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]}}</ref> Although he tries to stop more of the damage caused by the Twilight dimension's coming, the Twilight dimension (the aforementioned higher power) possesses Angel.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Joss Whedon]]|cowriters=[[Scott Allie]]|title=[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]|story=[[Last Gleaming]]|volume=1|issue=38|date=2010-11-03|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]}}</ref> To protect the seed, a possessed Angel then tries to kill Buffy and Spike, and goes so far as to snap Giles' neck. This prompts Buffy to destroy the Seed. This stops the Twilight dimension from destroying the existing world, and Angel is dispossessed, but the universe is also stripped of all magic.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Joss Whedon]]|cowriters=[[Scott Allie]]|title=[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]|story=[[Last Gleaming]]|volume=1|issue=39|date=2010-12-01|publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]]}}</ref>

{{Update|date=July 2016}}

Following on from this, Angel headlines the series ''Angel and Faith'', primarily set in London. Its stories aim to be respectful to the storylines featured in IDW's forty-four issue ''Angel'' run,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/78/angel-returns-dark-horse-comics|title=Angel Returns to Dark Horse Comics :: Blog :: Dark Horse Comics|date=2010-08-19|access-date=2010-08-29|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100823043921/http://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/78/angel-returns-dark-horse-comics| archive-date= 23 August 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> and maintains a very tight continuity with ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine|Buffy Season Nine]]'' and other related comics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whedonesque.com/comments/24652|title=(SPOILER) Big Buffyfest Interview with Scott Allie about Angel's return to Dark Horse.|access-date=2010-08-24|date=2010-08-20|publisher=Whedonesque.com| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100822164125/http://whedonesque.com/comments/24652| archive-date= 22 August 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> In his series, Angel faces the looming threat of his now unstable former mentor Whistler, who helped bring about his transformation into Twilight, as well as his two dangerous former acolytes, half-demons Pearl and Nash, in addition a group of British Slayers who cannot forgive his actions as Twilight. Along with Faith, he lives in Giles' London apartment where they are joined by Giles' ageless aunts, witches Lavinia and Sophronia. Angel intends to honor Giles' memory, and seeks to collect fragments of Giles' soul from magical items as part of a plan to resurrect him. In the series' conclusion, Giles is successfully resurrected, albeit as a young teenage boy, and the gang pursue Whistler, Pearl and Nash to a rooftop, where they plan to unleash a horrific magical plague on the world as an inelegant means to restore magic to the universe. Nash is killed, and Angel is able to persuade Whistler to see the error of his ways, successfully limiting to the extent of the plague to an area of [[London Borough of Hackney|Hackney]] in London. In the season's denouement, Faith returns to America alongside Giles, while Angel remains behind to guard over the plagued neighborhood, now called Magic Town, where residents—magically mutated into all manner of creature—are already causing problems.

A second volume of the series launched alongside ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten]]'' in 2014. Angel defends Magic Town against threats such as [[Amy Madison]] during Faith's absence, and acquires several new allies: Eldre Koh, an ancient Nitobe demon freed from his prison by the end of magic; Detective Brandt; Rory, a magically-mutated bartender; and the mutant Tricia and her boyfriend Parker. Angel is also aided by Sophronia and Lavinia, as well as Nadira, a Slayer who hated him for his actions as Twilight but found inner peace after being mutated, and has a deep connection with the magic of Magic Town, which has become sentient. Following Illyria's death in ''Buffy Season Nine'', Angel finds Fred alive again, having been restored by the reset of the laws of magic; she is forced to share her body with Illyria but is able to keep the ancient demon mostly under control. Faith also returns, now working for Zane Pharmaceuticals. A crossover with ''Buffy Season Ten'' reveals a new demon villain: Archaeus, who sired the Master and is able to control all the vampires from that bloodline, including Angel, Spike and Drusilla. Angel travels to San Francisco to help Buffy combat the demon lord, discovering that Buffy and Spike are now in a relationship, which Angel believes will not last. Meanwhile, Faith and Fred discover Drusilla in Magic Town, building a vampire army for Archaeus, who follows Angel back to London. The season ends with a conflict between Archaeus and his vampire army (including Drusilla and Detective Brandt), and Angel and his makeshift 'family' (Faith, Fred/Illyria, Koh, Nadira, Sophronia and Lavinia, and the Magic Town populace). Observing the battle, the sentient magic is almost convinced to join Archaeus, but ultimately defends Nadira from him and traps Archaeus inside a statue.

==Reception==
''[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]]'' magazine named Angel as the third greatest vampire in television and film, with rival Spike in first place. They stated that, while he could have worked simply as a brooding love-interest (''Buffy'') or redemption-seeking hero (''Angel''), the character also has a "wonderfully appealing, self-effacing humour, helped no end by Boreanaz's ability to look like a slapped puppy". While Angel could be "big and hard and manly", he could also be "sulky, pathetic, in need of a hug". They also cite his poor singing and dancing as examples of his "amusing awkwardness", which "spoke volumes about who he was".<ref name="SFXVampires">{{cite journal|year=2009|title=The Top 50 Greatest TV and Film Vampires of All Time|journal=[[SFX (magazine)|SFX Special Edition]]|issue=39|page=33|access-date=2009-09-04|url=http://www.sfx.co.uk/2010/06/05/top-50-vampires/10/}}</ref> For his role in ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' season 2, ''Whatculture'' placed Angelus at number 1 on their list of ''Buffy'' [[Big Bad]]s, alongside Spike and Drusilla, stating that having Buffy's lover become her enemy "emphasiz[es] the tragedy at the show’s centre that Buffy’s Slayer responsibilities mean she has to make difficult choices."<ref>{{cite web|title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Ranking the Big Bads|url=http://whatculture.com/tv/buffy-vampire-slayer-ranking-big-bads.php/7#WUROxou3ACvPYA1Z.99|publisher=Whatculture|access-date=2014-04-19|date=2014-04-08}}</ref>

Angel was voted by thousands of ''[[Hello (magazine)|Hello!]]'' readers as the sexiest on-screen vampire in 2009. He gathered 34 percent of the vote and finished ahead of other popular vampires like Edward Cullen, Eric Northman, Lestat de Lioncourt and Spike.<ref>{{cite web|title='Angel' hunk David takes 'sexiest vampire' crown from Robert Pattinson in our poll|date=27 August 2009|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/film/200908271911/david-boreanaz/robert-pattinson/vampire-twilight-angel/1/|publisher=Hello Magazine}}</ref> ''[[Forbes]]'' named the series ''Angel'' as Hollywood's second most powerful vampire show. Rankings were based on television ratings, inflation-adjusted box office performance, as well as presence in popular culture through blog and press mentions since 1979.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hollywood's Most Powerful Vampires|url=https://www.forbes.com/consent/?toURL=https://www.forbes.com/2009/08/03/true-blood-vampires-business-entertainment-vampires.html|work=Forbes Magazine | first=Lauren|last=Streib|date=2009-08-03}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|United States|Television}}
* ''[[Forever Knight]]'', 1992–1996, a Canadian TV series, also about a redemption-seeking vampire cursed with a conscience.

==References==
* ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'', 1997–2003, created by [[Joss Whedon]].
* ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]'', 1999–2004, created by [[Joss Whedon]] and [[David Greenwalt]].

===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [[wikia:Buffy:Angel|Angel]] at the [[Wikia|Buffyverse Wiki]]

{{Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Angel (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)}}
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[[sv:Angel#TV]]

Drusilla (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

2025-10-12T00:04:19Z

2001:D08:1C12:DEBE:4462:8B94:7FF6:7513:

{{short description|Fictional character from TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel}}
{{Other uses|Drusilla (disambiguation)}}
{{notability|date=September 2023}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Drusilla (''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'')}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Drusilla
| series = [[Buffyverse|Buffy the Vampire Slayer / Angel]]
| image = Drusilla.jpg
| caption = [[Juliet Landau]] as Drusilla.
| first = "[[School Hard]]" (1997)
| last = ''Finale'' (2018)
| creator = [[Joss Whedon]] [[David Greenwalt]]
| portrayer = [[Juliet Landau]]
| affiliation = [[List of Angel characters#Wolfram & Hart|Wolfram & Hart]] The Whirlwind
| lbl21 = Classification
| data21 = [[Vampire (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Vampire]]
| lbl22 = Notable powers
| data22 = [[Superhuman strength|Supernatural strength]], speed and durability Enhanced healing [[Immortality]] [[Psychic]] abilities include [[precognition]] and [[hypnosis]]
}}

'''Drusilla''', or '''Dru''' for short, is a fictional character on the television series ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' and ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]'', portrayed by [[Juliet Landau]]. Created by [[Joss Whedon]] and [[David Greenwalt]], she is introduced as a main antagonist alongside her lover [[Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Spike]] in the [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 2|second season]] of ''Buffy''. In addition to returning in subsequent seasons, the character is featured as a villain on the [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] show ''Angel'' as well. [[Flashback (narrative)|Flashbacks]] in both series reveal Drusilla's past as a young [[psychic]] in [[Victorian era|Victorian]] London who was driven insane by [[Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Angel]] before he ultimately turned her into a [[Vampire (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|vampire]]. Spike and Dru are notably more subversive compared to other "[[Big Bad]]s" that have opposed [[Buffy Summers]]. The duo was conceived as a ''[[Sid and Nancy]]''-inspired vampiric pair so Landau chose to portray Drusilla with a [[Cockney]] accent, while the character's physical appearance drew from sources such as [[supermodel]] [[Kate Moss]] and the 1990s [[heroin chic]] aesthetic.

Following the conclusion of both series, Drusilla continued to appear in [[Expanded Universe]] materials in other media. Landau went on to co-write a two-issue ''Drusilla'' story arc for [[IDW Publishing]]'s [[Angel: After the Fall|''Angel'' comic book series]] in 2009, which continued her character's storyline.

==Character history==
Drusilla's history unfolds in [[Flashback (narrative)|flashback]]s scattered among numerous episodes of both ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' and ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]''; they are not presented in chronological order. In "[[Lie to Me (Buffy episode)|Lie to Me]]", [[Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Angel]] explains that, in 1860 when he was still Angelus, he became obsessed with Drusilla, a beautiful young [[Roman Catholicism|Catholic]] woman who lived with her parents and two sisters in [[London]]. Angelus's sire [[Darla (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Darla]] first discovered Drusilla, and presented her to Angelus as a new possible victim to torment. At first, Angelus suspected Drusilla of being a burgeoning [[saint]], but he learned that she instead had psychic abilities (an uncommon but confirmed power of random humans in the Buffyverse), and was capable of occasionally foretelling the future, especially tragic situations. However, she believed this to be an evil affliction and wished to enter a [[nunnery]] to cleanse herself. Angelus sensed her purity and became obsessed with destroying her, as Drusilla had the potential for sainthood. Angelus first made contact with her by murdering Drusilla's priest, and impersonating him when she went to confession. When she confessed that she believed her abilities were evil, Angelus toyed with her by suggesting she embrace the evil instead of rejecting it. At some later point Angelus tortured and killed Drusilla's entire family, causing her to flee to a [[convent]] in [[Prague]]. On the day she was to take her holy vows, Angelus made her watch as he killed every person in the convent and engaged in sexual relations with Darla. The trauma of Angelus's atrocities drove Drusilla insane, and Angelus chose to turn her into a [[vampire (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|vampire]], as he considered her a masterpiece, a testament to his talent. Believing death to be a mercy to her at this point, he chose to sire her to make her pain eternal as an immortal.

After being sired, Drusilla, now a predator, joined Angelus and Darla on their murderous travels. In 1880, Drusilla sired the young poet William, (first mentioned in “School Hard”). William the Bloody joined Drusilla and Angelus. Drusilla and William, later known as [[Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|"Spike"]], shared an intimate relationship, though Angelus continued to engage in sexual relations with Dru as well.

Shortly after Angelus is cursed with a soul, Spike and Drusilla (unaware of the ensoulment) go their separate ways from Darla and Angel. At some point before their arrival in [[Sunnydale]] in late 1997, Drusilla is attacked and severely injured by an angry mob in [[Prague]], leaving her in a weakened and frail condition. Spike cares for her, and the couple decide to travel to the Hellmouth in hopes that its energy will help to restore Drusilla's strength and health.

They arrive in Sunnydale in the episode "[[School Hard]]", and Spike plots the downfall of the current [[Slayer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Slayer]], [[Buffy Summers]]. When he discovers that Drusilla can be cured by the blood of her sire, Spike captures Angel and allows Drusilla to torture him until it is time to perform the ritual. Although Buffy and her friends save Angel, the ritual is successful. Drusilla, fully restored, now takes care of Spike, who has been temporarily paralyzed by Buffy's attack. When Angel reverts to Angelus, he re-joins the couple. Drusilla soon kills [[Kendra Young|Kendra]], another Slayer, by hypnotizing her and cutting her throat with a fingernail (which impresses Spike when he learns of it).

Drusilla is delighted by Angelus's determination to destroy the world and encourages his ongoing sexual attention; both dynamics strongly disturb Spike, who wants Drusilla to himself again and does not particularly want the world to end. Spike decides to help Buffy save the world in exchange for his and Drusilla's safe passage from Sunnydale. Drusilla resists Spike's betrayal of Angelus, and he attacks her, ultimately carrying her unconscious body from the fray.

Drusilla and Spike flee to [[Brazil]], where Drusilla becomes disillusioned with their relationship. Spike's alliance with the Slayer, combined with Dru's skills of foresight and perception, prove to her that Spike is now tainted (not "demon enough" for her) and that he is developing feelings for Buffy. Drusilla breaks up with Spike, and he rejects her offer to remain friends.

Drusilla reappears on ''Angel'' in 2000, when [[List of Angel characters#Wolfram & Hart|Wolfram & Hart]] brings her to [[Los Angeles]] to re-sire Darla, who had been resurrected as a human dying of [[syphilis]]. Drusilla, who loves Darla like a "grandmum", and also more than that, over their 150-year-old complicated relationship, genuinely believes she is doing Darla a favor by siring her and is puzzled by Darla's brief rage before her renewed vampire nature kicks in. Reconciled, the two wreak havoc in the city until Angel sets them on fire. The two go underground to heal, but Drusilla leaves Darla, who is then protected by [[Lindsey McDonald]].

Drusilla returns to [[Sunnydale]] in the episode "[[Crush (Buffy episode)|Crush]]" to persuade Spike to join Darla and herself in reforming their "family" unit, but instead, Spike seizes the opportunity to try to prove his love for Buffy by offering to stake Drusilla. Heartbroken by the actions of her former lover, Drusilla departs Sunnydale and remains at large. However, in season 7 of ''Buffy'', the [[First Evil]] impersonates Drusilla in an unsuccessful attempt to break Spike's spirit. Spike claims that the First Evil's impersonation is not crazy enough to be Drusilla.

In [[Angel: After the Fall|''Angel'']] comics by [[IDW Publishing]] set after the television series ended, Drusilla reappears, breaking out of a psychiatric institution, in the story arc ''Drusilla'' (2009). Still mentally ill, her whereabouts since her last appearance in ''Angel'' remain unexplained. After assault by a crowd, she awakens, still pallid-skinned, in what appears to be Georgian London, in broad daylight and enters what seems to be her parents’ home. She encounters a doll (which may or may not be "Miss Edith") and is called by a third party, possibly her parents. It is uncertain whether this is an elaborate hallucination, [[time travel]] to her personal past or an alternate universe where she was never turned by Angelus. It is strongly implied, however, that the story actually takes place before Drusilla is sired, and the parts of it set in the modern day are actually a premonition in the human, 19th-century Drusilla's mind. She later reappears in the [[Spike (IDW Publishing)|''Spike'' mini-series]] (2010–11) by IDW, where she encounters Spike in Las Vegas, having allied herself with a human who believes Spike stole his soul. Spike has Buffy's friend [[Willow Rosenberg|Willow]] magically transfer his soul to Drusilla to give her a shot at redemption, but they are forced to reverse the spell when it drives her even madder than she already is.

The character next appears in ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine|Angel & Faith]]'' by [[Dark Horse Comics]] in the story arc "Daddy Issues" (2012), in which Drusilla has become sane thanks to the Lorophage demon, popularly referred to as the Highgate vampire, which ate her trauma and pain. In her new role as "Mother Superior", she sought to perform similar treatments on the citizens of London, which Angel likened to lobotomies. When Angel killed the Lorophage, Drusilla becomes insane once more, and is free. Dark Horse intended to release the 5-issue miniseries ''Drusilla: Run and Catch'', examining what happened next for her, but it was delayed until the conclusion of ''Season Nine''. Later in the ''Angel & Faith'' series, it transpires she went on to kill one of the London Slayers affiliated with Faith. She returns in the second series, in which she helps the demon Archaeus (the Master's sire) build an army of vampires to take over Magic Town. However she flees in the finale when Angel, Faith and their allies defeat Archaeus and his army in a battle.

==Powers and abilities==
Drusilla has all the standard powers and vulnerabilities of a [[vampire (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|vampire]], plus minor psychic abilities. She is immortal, regenerates damage, drains human blood to survive, and is stronger than most humans. Drusilla's technique in combat, although awkward-looking, has allowed her to briefly hold her own in a fight against Angel (in "[[Reunion (Angel episode)|Reunion]]") and Spike (in "[[Becoming, Part Two]]"), along with besting [[Kendra (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Kendra]] the Vampire Slayer (in "[[Becoming, Part One]]") before using the hypnosis technique and then killing her. It was also in this fight with Kendra that Drusilla showed that her fingernails are sharper than one would normally expect, as she uses them to slit Kendra's throat. Darla had demonstrated a similar technique when she sired Angel; whether this is due to vampiric abilities or physical manipulation of nails is unclear.

Drusilla is also a [[Clairvoyance|seer]] with minor [[psychic]] abilities. However, since she had these before becoming a vampire their source and cause are unknown. She receives vivid visions that contain possible glimpses of the future, and can also see into people's minds and project false imagery into them (e.g. in "Becoming, Part Two", when she convinces [[Rupert Giles|Giles]] that she is really [[Jenny Calendar]]). She is also capable of hypnotizing people, which she does by catching their gazes, pointing her fingers towards her victim's eyes and then to her own, whispering to them ("Be in my eyes, Be in me"). Drusilla uses this technique to murder Kendra in the episode "[[Becoming, Part One]]". The Master uses a similar skill to paralyze Buffy in "[[Prophecy Girl]]".

Like all vampires, she is vulnerable to holy items and sunlight, can be killed by [[decapitation]] or a stake to the heart, and cannot enter the home of a living human without first being invited by someone who lives there.

==Personality and appearance==
Actress [[Juliet Landau]] said that when she first received the script, it indicated that Drusilla's accent could be British or American. Landau felt Drusilla "should really be [[Cockney]], especially with the whole ''[[Sid and Nancy]]'' analogy." Though she never considered portraying Drusilla with a [[Southern American English|Southern American accent]], as James Marsters had considered for Spike, she notes that invited comparisons with [[Blanche DuBois]] would also have been interesting.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/buffy/interviews/landau/page2.shtml |title=Cult – Buffy – Juliet Landau – Southern-style Spike |publisher=BBC |access-date=November 10, 2011}}</ref>

Drusilla's madness is exhibited in her often-strange dialogue, which is peppered with [[Non sequitur (literary device)|non sequitur]]s like "Spike, do you love my insides? The parts you can't see?" Her behavior is girlish, accompanied by a dark, [[irony|ironic]] twist. For instance, when she is happy, she will squeal and laugh like a young child, but she is happiest when committing [[torture]], hunting humans, or witnessing mass destruction. She has a fondness for china dolls but keeps them blindfolded or gagged. She also loves flowers and cute animals, but is not [[sanity|sane]] enough to care for them; as she says, "Do you like daisies? I plant them but they always die. Everything I put in the ground withers and dies." She even goes so far as to own a [[Pekingese]] puppy. She speaks in a soft, mellow voice which contrasts with her dialogue.

Drusilla's costumes were initially intended to be a "cross between a [[Victorian fashion|Victorian]] period look and the Kate Moss [[heroin chic]] fashion look," says Landau.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/buffy/interviews/landau/page14.shtml |title=Cult – Buffy – Juliet Landau – Wickedly fashionable |publisher=BBC |access-date=November 10, 2011}}</ref>

==Appearances==
Drusilla had 49 canonical Buffyverse appearances.

; ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]''
Drusilla appeared in 17 episodes.
* '''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 2|Season 2]]''' (1997–98): "[[School Hard]]", "[[Halloween (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Halloween]]", "[[Lie to Me (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Lie to Me]]", "[[What's My Line (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|What's My Line, Part One]]", "[[What's My Line (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|What's My Line, Part Two]]", "[[Surprise (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Surprise]]", "[[Innocence (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Innocence]]", "[[Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered]]", "[[Passion (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Passion]]", "[[I Only Have Eyes for You (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|I Only Have Eyes For You]]", "[[Becoming (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Becoming, Part One]]", "[[Becoming (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Becoming, Part Two]]"
* '''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 5|Season 5]]''' (2000–01): "[[Fool for Love (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Fool for Love]]", "[[Crush (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Crush]]"
* '''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 7|Season 7]]''' (2002–03): "[[Lessons (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Lessons]]", "[[Bring on the Night (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Bring on the Night]]", "[[Lies My Parents Told Me]]"

Drusilla appeared in 3 canonical issues.
* '''Tales''' (2003): "The Problem with Vampires"
* '''Season Ten''' (2015): "Relationship Status: Complicated, Part 1"
* '''Season Twelve''' (2018): "Finale"

; ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]''
Drusilla appeared in 7 episodes.
* '''[[Angel season 2|Season 2]]''' (2000–01): "[[Dear Boy (Angel)|Dear Boy]]", "[[Darla (Angel episode)|Darla]]", "[[The Trial (Angel)|The Trial]]", "[[Reunion (Angel)|Reunion]]", "[[Redefinition]]"
* '''[[Angel season 5|Season 5]]''' (2003–04): "[[Destiny (Angel)|Destiny]]", "[[The Girl in Question]]"

Drusilla appeared in 22 canonical issues.
* '''Spike''' (2010–11): "Alone Together Now", "Everybody Loves Spike", "You Haven't Changed a Bit", "Bedknobs and Boomsticks", "Something Borrowed", "Give and Take", "Stranger Things"
* '''Angel & Faith''' (2012): "Daddy Issues, Parts 1–4", "A Dark Place, Part 3", "Death and Consequences, Part 1"
* '''Angel & Faith: Season Ten''' (2015–16): "Those Who Can't Teach, Teach Gym, Parts 2 & 3", "A Little More than Kin, Parts 1 & 2", "A Tale of Two Families, Parts 1–5"

Drusilla appears in a number of non-canonical comics and novels, notably in her own mini-series: ''[[Spike & Dru (Buffy comic)|Spike & Dru]]''.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|United States|Television}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170214033952/http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0004942/ Drusilla] on [[IMDb]]
* [http://www.fearnet.com/news/b16032_exclusive_5_pages_from_idws.html Drusilla Comic at FEARnet]

{{Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Drusilla (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)}}
[[Category:Angel (1999 TV series) characters]]
[[Category:Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters]]
[[Category:Buffyverse vampires]]
[[Category:American female characters in television]]
[[Category:Female villains]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with mental disorders]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with precognition]]
[[Category:Fictional hypnotists]]
[[Category:Fictional immigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Fictional mass murderers]]
[[Category:Fictional people from London]]
[[Category:Television characters introduced in 1997]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from the 19th century]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from the 20th century]]

Willow Rosenberg

2025-10-12T00:02:38Z

2001:D08:1C12:DEBE:4462:8B94:7FF6:7513:

{{short description|Character in Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Willow Rosenberg
| series = [[Buffyverse|Buffy the Vampire Slayer / Angel]]
| image = WillowRosenberg.jpg
| caption = [[Alyson Hannigan]] as Willow Rosenberg in 2001
| first = "[[Welcome to the Hellmouth]]" (1997)
| last = ''Finale'' (2018)
| creator = [[Joss Whedon]]
| portrayer = [[Alyson Hannigan]]
| affiliation = Scooby Gang [[Angel Investigations]] (ally)
| lbl21 = Classification
| lbl22 = Incredible powers
| data22 = [[Magic (paranormal)|Powerful magical abilities]]
| full_name = Willow Danielle Rosenberg
| family = Ira Rosenberg (father) Sheila Rosenberg (mother)
}}

'''Willow Rosenberg''' is a fictional character created for the fantasy television series ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' (1997–2003). She was developed by [[Joss Whedon]] and portrayed throughout the TV series by [[Alyson Hannigan]].

Willow plays an integral role within the inner circle of friends—called the Scooby Gang—who support [[Buffy Summers]] ([[Sarah Michelle Gellar]]), a teenager gifted with superhuman powers to defeat vampires, demons, and other evil in the fictional town of [[Sunnydale]]. The series begins as Buffy, Willow, and their friend [[Xander Harris|Xander]] ([[Nicholas Brendon]]) are in 10th grade and Willow is a shy, nerdy girl with little confidence. She has inherent magical abilities and begins to study witchcraft; as the series progresses, Willow becomes more sure of herself and her magical powers become significant. Her dependence on magic becomes so consuming that it develops into a dark force that takes her on a redemptive journey in a major [[story arc]] when she becomes the sixth season's main villain, threatening to destroy the world in a fit of grief and rage.

The ''Buffy'' series became extremely popular and earned a devoted fanbase; Willow's intelligence, shy nature, and vulnerability often resounded strongly with viewers in early seasons. Of the core characters, Willow changes the most, becoming a complex portrayal of a woman whose powers force her to seek balance between what is best for the people she loves and what she is capable of doing. Her character stood out as a positive portrayal of a Jewish woman and at the height of her popularity, she fell in love with another woman, a witch named [[Tara Maclay]] ([[Amber Benson]]). They became one of the first [[lesbian]] couples on American television and one of the most positive relationships of the series.

Despite not being a titular character, Willow Rosenberg holds the distinction of having the second largest number of appearances on episodes of ''Buffy'' and the spin-off series ''Angel''. Alyson Hannigan appeared as Willow in all 144 episodes of ''Buffy'', as well as guest appearances in three episodes of the spinoff ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]'', for a total of 147 on-screen appearances over the course of both series. She is also featured in an animated series and video game, both of which use Hannigan's voice, and the comics ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]'' (2007–2011), ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine]]'' (2011–2013), ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten]]'' (2014–2016), ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eleven]]'' (2016–2017), and ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Twelve]]'' (2018) which use Hannigan's likeness and continues Willow's storyline following the television series.

==Character history==

===Pilot and casting===
''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' (often simplified as ''Buffy'') was originally conceived by Joss Whedon for a [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (film)|1992 feature film]]. However, in its development Whedon felt it lost some of the quirkiness he considered was the heart of the project, and it was not received as well as he would have liked. He began to develop for television the concept of a fashion-conscious girl named Buffy, who is imbued with superhuman abilities and attends a high school situated on a portal to hell.<ref>{{cite news|first=Robert|last=Bianco|date=January 18, 1998|title=Cool and Complicated Creator of ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' Shaking up Plots so as Not to Hit the Same Beats|newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|page=G-2}}</ref> Whedon created a group of friends for the main character, including Willow Rosenberg and [[Xander Harris]]. A half-hour pilot was filmed starring Riff Regan as Willow, but it was eventually left unaired and network executives requested that Regan be replaced. Willow's character demanded that she be shy and unsure of herself, and the casting department encountered some difficulty finding actors who could portray this effectively and still be likable.<ref>''Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Complete Fifth Season; "Casting Buffy" Featurette.'' (2008) [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.</ref> [[Melanie Lynskey]] turned down the role as she wasn't interested in TV acting at the time.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://ew.com/tv/melanie-lynskey-passed-buffy-the-vampire-willow-slayer/ | title=Melanie Lynskey passed on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' because she 'wasn't super into' TV at the time | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] }}</ref> After seven auditions, 23-year-old Alyson Hannigan was hired for the role.<ref name=bonka/> She was chosen for being able to spin the character's lines with a self-effacing optimism. She later stated in an interview, "I didn't want to do Willow as someone who's feeling sorry for herself. Especially in the first season, she couldn't talk to guys, and nobody liked her. I was like, 'I don't want to play somebody who's down on herself.'"<ref name=cox>{{cite news|first=Ted|last=Cox|date=May 11, 1999|title=Hannigan's Willow becomes a favorite of 'Buffy' fans|newspaper=[[Chicago Daily Herald]]|page=3}}</ref>

In the beginning of the series, Hannigan used her own experiences in high school—which she called "overwhelmingly depressing"<ref name=cox/>—to guide her portrayal of Willow: "My theory on high school was, get in, get out and hopefully I won't get hurt. Basically it was a miserable experience, because you're a walking hormone in this place that is just so cruel. There were times that were OK, but it's not the little myth that high school is the best years of your life. No way."<ref>{{cite news|first=Rob|last=Owen|date=September 22, 1997|title=Teen Life, with a Macabre Twist|newspaper=[[The Cleveland Plain Dealer]]|page=5E}}</ref><ref name=mason>{{cite news|first=Charlie|last=Mason|date=May 16, 1998|title=Beyond the Impaled Blossoming Wallflower's Appeal is Play to 'Vampire' Buffs|newspaper=[[Times-Picayune]]|page=E1}}</ref> Whedon intended Willow to be realistically introverted, saying, "I wanted Willow to have that kind of insanely colorful interior life that truly shy people have. And Alyson has that. She definitely has a loopiness I found creeping into the way Willow talked, which was great. To an extent, all the actors conform to the way I write the character, but it really stands out in Willow's case."<ref>Stafford, p. 72.</ref>

===Television series (1997–2003)===

====Seasons 1–3====
The ''Buffy'' television series first aired mid-season in March 1997, almost immediately earning positive critical reviews.<ref>Grahnke, Lon (March 10, 1997). "Biting satire: 'Buffy,' a sly new series, raises the stakes", ''The Chicago Sun-Times'', p. 33.</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=David|last=Okamoto|date=March 10, 1997|title=Transylvania, 90210: 'Buffy' is back with bite in stylish new WB series|newspaper=[[The Dallas Morning News]]|page=15A}}</ref> Willow is presented as a bookish nerd with considerable computer skills, dowdily dressed and easily intimidated by more popular girls in school. She grows faint at the sight of monsters, but quickly forms a friendship with Buffy and is revealed to have grown up with Xander ([[Nicholas Brendon]]). They are mentored by the school librarian who is also Buffy's [[Watcher (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Watcher]], [[Rupert Giles]] ([[Anthony Head|Anthony Stewart Head]]), who often works closely with Willow in researching the various monsters the group encounters. Joss Whedon found that Hannigan was especially gifted reacting with fear (calling her the "king of pain") and viewers responded strongly when she was placed in danger, needing to be rescued by Buffy. Scenarios with Willow in various predicaments became common in early episodes.<ref>Whedon, Joss (2008). ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Complete First Season; "DVD Commentary for "Welcome to the Hellmouth"'' [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.</ref><ref>Jowett, p. 38.</ref> However, Willow establishes herself as integral to the group's effectiveness, often willing to break rules by hacking into highly secure computer systems.<ref>Golden and Holder, p. 29.</ref>

In the second season when the characters are in 11th grade, Willow becomes more sure of herself, standing up to the conceited [[Cordelia Chase]] ([[Charisma Carpenter]]), and approaching Xander, on whom she has had a crush for years, although it is unrequited as Xander is in love with Buffy. [[Seth Green]] joined the cast during the second season as [[Oz (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Oz]], a high school senior who becomes a [[werewolf]], and Willow's primary romantic interest. The show's popularity by early 1998 was evident to the cast members, and Hannigan remarked on her surprise specifically.<ref name=bonka>{{cite news|first=Larry|last=Bonka|date=January 12, 1998|title=Buffymania Sweeps the Land as Ultra-cool Kids Conquer the Un-dead|newspaper=[[The Virginian-Pilot]]|page=E1}}</ref> Willow was noted to be the spirit of the Scooby Gang, and Hannigan attributed Willow's popularity with viewers (she had by May 1998 seven websites devoted to her) to being an underdog who develops confidence and is accepted by Buffy, a strong, popular person in school.<ref name=mason/> Hannigan described her appeal: "Willow is the only reality-based character. She really is what a lot of high-schoolers are like, with that awkwardness and shyness, and all those adolescent feelings."<ref>{{cite news|first=Virginia|last=Rohan|date=February 23, 1999|title=The Dark Side of the Good Friend|newspaper=[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]|page=Y01|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61492939/the-dark-side-of-the-good-friend/ |access-date=2020-10-20 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

At the end of the second season, Willow begins to study magic following the murder of the computer teacher and spell caster [[Jenny Calendar]] ([[Robia LaMorte]]). Willow is able to perform a complicated spell to restore the soul of [[Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Angel]] ([[David Boreanaz]]), a vampire who is also Calendar's murderer and Buffy's boyfriend. During the third season, episodes explore Willow's backstory and foreshadow her development. In "[[Gingerbread (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Gingerbread]]", her home life is made clearer: Sunnydale falls under the spell of a demon who throws the town's adults into a [[moral panic]], and Willow's mother Sheila (Jordan Baker) is portrayed as a career-obsessed academic who is unable to communicate with her daughter, eventually trying to burn Willow at the stake for being involved in witchcraft;<ref name=jarvis>{{cite journal|first1=Christopher|last1=Jarvis|first2=Viv |last2=Barr|title=Friends are the family we choose for ourselves: Young people and families in the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer|journal=[[Nordic Journal of Youth Research]]|publisher=[[SAGE Publications]]|location=Thousand Oaks, California|volume=13|issue=3|date=August 1, 2005|pages=269–283}}</ref> her father is never featured. In "[[The Wish (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Wish]]" a vengeance demon named [[Anya Jenkins|Anya]] ([[Emma Caulfield]]) grants Cordelia's wish that Buffy never came to Sunnydale, showing what would happen if it were overrun with vampires. In this alternate reality, Willow is an aggressively [[bisexual]] vampire. In a related episode, "[[Doppelgangland]]", Willow meets "Vamp Willow", who dresses provocatively and flirts with her.<ref>Kaveney, pp. 284–286.</ref>

====Seasons 4–6====
Willow chooses to attend college with Buffy in Sunnydale although she is accepted to prestigious schools elsewhere. Her relationships with Buffy and Xander become strained as they try to find their place following high school. Willow becomes much more confident in college, finally finding a place that respects her intellect, while Buffy has difficulty in classes and Xander does not attend school. Willow's relationship with her boyfriend, Oz, continues until a female werewolf appears on the scene, aggressively pursuing him, and he leaves town to learn how to control the wolf within. She becomes depressed and explores magic more deeply, often with powerful but inconsistent results. She joins the campus Wicca group, meeting Tara Maclay, for whom she immediately feels a strong attraction. Willow adapts to her newfound [[sexual identity]], eventually falling in love with and choosing to be with Tara, even when Oz returns to Sunnydale after apparently getting his [[lycanthropic]] tendencies under control.<ref>Kaveney, pp. 287–291.</ref>

Each season the Scoobies face a villain they call the [[Big Bad]]. In the fifth season, this is a goddess named [[Glory (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Glory]] ([[Clare Kramer]]) that Buffy is unable to fight by herself.

The writers of the series often use elements of fantasy and horror as metaphors for real-life conflicts. The series' use of magic, as noted by religion professor Gregory Stevenson, neither promotes nor denigrates Wiccan ideals and Willow rejects Wiccan colleagues for not practicing the magic she favors. Throughout the series, magic is employed to represent different ideas -— relationships, sexuality, ostracism, power, and particularly for Willow, addiction -— that change between episodes and seasons. The ethical judgment of magic, therefore, lies in the results: performing magic to meet selfish needs or neglecting to appreciate its power often ends disastrously. Using it wisely for altruistic reasons is considered a positive act on the series.<ref>Stevenson, pp. 128–130.</ref>

Through witchcraft, Willow becomes the only member of the group to cause damage to Glory. She reveals that the spells she casts are physically demanding, giving her headaches and nosebleeds. When Glory assaults Tara, making her insane, Willow, in a magical rage that causes her eyes to turn black, finds Glory and battles her. She does not come from the battle unscathed (after all, Glory is a goddess and Willow "just" a very powerful witch) and must be assisted by Buffy, but her power is evident and surprising to her friends. The final episode of the fifth season sees Willow restoring Tara's sanity and crucially weakening Glory in the process. It also features Buffy's death, sacrificing herself to save the world.<ref>Kaveney, pp. 293–295.</ref>

Willow and Tara move into the Summers house and raise Buffy's younger sister [[Dawn Summers|Dawn]] ([[Michelle Trachtenberg]]). Fearing that Buffy is in hell, Willow suggests at the beginning of the sixth season that she be raised from the dead. In a dark ceremony in which she expels a snake from her mouth, Willow performs the magic necessary to bring Buffy back. She is successful, but Buffy keeps it secret that she believes she was in heaven.

Willow's powers grow stronger; she uses telepathy which her friends find intrusive, and she begins to cast spells to manipulate Tara. After Willow fails Tara's challenge to go for one week without performing magic, Tara leaves her, and for two episodes Willow descends into addiction that almost gets Dawn killed. Willow goes for months without any magic, helping Buffy track three geeks called [[Trio (Buffyverse)|The Trio]] who grandiosely aspire to be supervillains.

Immediately following Willow's reconciliation with Tara, [[Warren Mears|Warren]] ([[Adam Busch]]), one of the Trio, shoots Buffy; a stray shot kills Tara right in front of Willow. In an explosion of rage and grief, Willow soaks up all the dark magic she can, which turns her hair and eyes black. In the final episodes of the season Willow becomes exceedingly strong, surviving unharmed when Warren hits her in the back with an axe. “Axe not gonna cut it,” she quips. She hunts Warren, tortures him by slowly pushing a bullet into his body, then kills him by magically flaying him. Unsatisfied, she attempts to kill the other two members of the Trio but is unsuccessful due to her weakening power. She solves this problem by killing her 'dealer' from earlier in the season and draining him of his magic. When she is confronted by Buffy they begin to fight, only to be stopped by Giles who has borrowed magic from a coven of wiccans. Willow successfully drains him of this borrowed magic, fulfilling his plan and causing her to feel all the pain of everyone in the world. She tries to ease the pain by destroying the world, finally stopped by Xander’s passionate confession of platonic familial love for her.<ref>Kaveney, pp. 295–300.</ref>

====Season 7====
The seventh season starts with Willow in England, unnerved by her power, studying with a coven near Giles' home to harness it. She fears returning to Sunnydale and what she is capable of doing if she loses control again, a fear that dogs her the whole season.

Buffy and the Scoobies face the [[First Evil]], bent on ending the Slayer line and destroying the world. [[Potential Slayers]] from around the globe congregate at Buffy's home and she trains them to battle the First Evil. Willow continues to face her grief over Tara's death and, reluctantly, becomes involved with one of the Potentials, [[Kennedy (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Kennedy]] ([[Iyari Limon]]).

In the final episode of the series, "[[Chosen (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Chosen]]", Buffy calls upon Willow to perform the most powerful spell she has ever attempted. With Kennedy nearby, cautioned to kill her if she becomes out of control, Willow infuses every Potential Slayer in the world with the same powers Buffy and Faith have. The spell momentarily turns her hair white and makes her glow—Kennedy calls her "a goddess"—and it ensures that Buffy and the Potentials defeat the First Evil. Willow is able to escape with Buffy, Xander, Giles, Faith and Kennedy as Sunnydale is destroyed.<ref>Kaveney, pp. 300–304.</ref>

Through the gamut of changes Willow endures in the series, [[Buffy studies|''Buffy'' studies]] scholar Ian Shuttleworth states that Alyson Hannigan's performances are the reason for Willow's popularity: "Hannigan can play on audience heartstrings like a concert harpist... As an actress she is a perfect interpreter in particular of the bare emotional directness which is the specialty of [series writer Marti] Noxon on form."<ref>Kaveney, p. 242.</ref>

===Comic series (since 2007)===
{{Main|Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight}}
[[File:Willow Goddesses and Monsters Chen cover.jpg|thumb|upright|The one-shot comic cover of ''Willow: Goddesses and Monsters'' showing the character in an embrace with Aluwyn. Artwork by [[Jo Chen]].]]

Subsequent to ''Buffy''{{'}}s television finale, [[Dark Horse Comics]] collaborated with Joss Whedon to produce a [[canon (fiction)|canonical]] comic book continuation of the series, ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]'' (2007–11), written by Whedon and many other writers from the television series. Unfettered by the practical limitations of casting or a television special effects budget, ''Season Eight'' explores more fantastic storylines, characters, and abilities for Willow. Willow's cover art is done by [[Jo Chen]], and [[Georges Jeanty]] and [[Karl Moline]] produce character artwork and provide alternative covers. It was followed by two closely interlinked sequels, ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine]]'' and ''Angel & Faith'' (both 2012–14).<ref>[http://www.darkhorse.com/Interviews/1421/Interview-with-Buffy-creator-Joss-Whedon-3-26-07 Interview with Buffy creator Joss Whedon 3/26/07] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326191528/http://www.darkhorse.com/Interviews/1421/Interview-with-Buffy-creator-Joss-Whedon-3-26-07 |date=March 26, 2015 }}, Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved on August 17, 2010.</ref><ref name=vary/> Willow features at different times in both series, as well as in her own spin-off miniseries.<ref name="Allie on Wonderland"/> Jeanty continues to provide Willow's likeness in ''Season Nine'', while Rebekah Isaacs and Brian Ching are the primary pencillers of ''Angel & Faith'' and ''Willow: Wonderland'' respectively. While ''Season Nine'' and ''Angel & Faith'' are substantially less fantastical in tone than ''Season Eight'',<ref name=vary/> Willow's spin-off is [[high fantasy]] and focuses on her journey through magical alternate worlds.<ref name="Allie on Wonderland">Glendening, Daniel (November 30, 2012). [https://www.cbr.com/allie-discusses-willows-quest-to-bring-magic-back-to-the-buffyverse/ Allie discusses Willow's quest to bring magic back to the Buffyverse], Comic Book Resources. Retrieved on May 12, 2022.</ref>

Willow appears to Buffy and Xander, who are in charge of thousands of Slayers, a year after the destruction of Sunnydale. Willow reveals a host of new abilities including being able to fly and absorbing others' magic to deconstruct it. The Big Bad of ''Season Eight'' is a being named Twilight who is bent on destroying magic in the world.<ref>Stafford, pp. 367–373.</ref> A one-shot comic dedicated to Willow's story was released in 2009 titled ''Willow: Goddesses and Monsters''. It explores the time she took away to discover more about her magical powers, under the tutelage of a half-woman half-snake demon named Aluwyn. Willow is still involved with Kennedy through ''Season Eight'', but becomes intimate with Aluwyn while they are together. She also continues to deal with grief from Tara's death, and struggles with the dark forces of magic that put her in opposition to Buffy.<ref name=darkhorse>Whedon, Joss; Moline, Karl (December 2009). ''Willow: Goddesses and Monsters'', Dark Horse Comics.</ref> At the conclusion of the season, Buffy destroys an object, a seed, that is the source of the magic in the world, leaving Willow powerless.<ref>Phegley, Kiel (December 10, 2010). [https://www.cbr.com/behind-buffy-season-8-last-gleaming/ Behind Buffy Season 8: "Last Gleaming"], Comic Book Resources. Retrieved on May 12, 2022.</ref> Whedon divulged that recovering her magical abilities will become Willow's "personal obsession" in a miniseries where she will be the central character.<ref name=vary>Vary, Adam (January 19, 2011). [https://ew.com/article/2011/01/19/joss-whedon-buffy-season-8-comic-exclusive/ Joss Whedon talks about the end of the 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Season 8 comic, and the future of Season 9 -- EXCLUSIVE], ''Entertainment Weekly''. Retrieved on May 12, 2022.</ref>

=== Other publications ===
Willow returns to Sunnydale in [[Kendare Blake]]’s young adult novels, ''Buffy: The Next Generation Series''. This trilogy is a sequel series to the television show and focuses on Frankie Rosenberg, Willow’s daughter.

==Identities==

From the inception of Willow's character in the first season, she is presented with contradictions. Bookish, rational, naive, and sometimes absent-minded, she is also shown being open to magic, aggressively boyish, and intensely focused. Willow is malleable, in continuous transition more so than any other ''Buffy'' character. She is, however, consistently labeled as dependable and reliable by the other characters and thus to the audience, making her appear to be stable.<ref name=battis>Battis, Jes (2003). [http://slayageonline.com/PDF/battis.pdf "She's Not All Grown Yet": Willow as Hybrid/Hero in Buffy the Vampire Slayer."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716083945/http://www.slayageonline.com/PDF/battis.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.slayageonline.com/PDF/battis.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |date=2011-07-16 }} ''The Online International Journal of Buffy Studies'', '''8'''. Retrieved on August 16, 2010.</ref> She is unsure of who she is; despite all the tasks she takes on and excels at, for much of the series she has no identity.<ref>South, p. 134.</ref> This is specifically exhibited in the fourth season finale "[[Restless (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Restless]]", an enigmatic pastiche of characters' dream sequences. In Willow's dream, she moves from an intimate moment painting a love poem by [[Sappho]] on Tara's bare back,<ref group=note>The lines are in Greek addressed to Aphrodite, translated as "I beg you, don't overcome my spirit with pain and care, mistress", foreshadowing Willow's conflict between her devotion to Tara and her addiction to magic (Battis).</ref> to attending the first day of drama class to learn that she is to be in a play performed immediately for which she does not know the lines or understand. The dream presents poignant anxieties about how she appears to others, not belonging, and the consequences of people finding out her true self. As Willow gives a book report in front of her high school class, she discovers herself wearing the same mousy outfit she wore in the first episode of the show ("[[Welcome to the Hellmouth]]") as her friends and classmates shout derisively at her, and Oz and Tara whisper intimately to each other in the audience. She is attacked and strangled by the [[First Slayer]] as the class ignores her cries for help.<ref>Driver, pp. 67–70.</ref><ref>Stafford, pp. 244–246.</ref>

Long a level-headed character who sacrifices her own desires for those of her friends, she gradually abandons these priorities to be more independent and please herself. She is often shown making choices that allow her to acquire power or knowledge and avoid emotional conflict.<ref>Richardson and Rabb, p. 60.</ref> The story arc of Willow's growing dependence on magic was noted by Marti Noxon as the representation of "adult crossroads" and Willow's inability and unwillingness to be accountable for her own life. Willow enjoys power she is unable to control. She steals to accomplish her vocational goals and rationalizes her amoral behavior. This also manifests itself in a competitive streak and she accuses others who share their concerns that she uses magic for selfish purposes of being jealous. No longer the conscience of the Scooby Gang, Willow cedes this role to Tara then revels in breaking more rules.<ref>Stevenson, pp. 181–183.</ref> After Tara leaves Willow, Willow divulges to Buffy that she does not know who she is and doubts her worth and appeal—specifically to Tara—without magic. Contradicting the characterization of Willow's issues with magic as addiction, ''Buffy'' [[Essay|essayist]] Jacqueline Lichtenberg writes "Willow is not addicted to magic. Willow is addicted to the surging hope that this deed or the next or the next will finally assuage her inner pain."<ref>Yeffeth, p. 131.</ref>

===Vamp Willow===

Vamp Willow appears in the third season episodes "[[The Wish (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Wish]]" and "[[Doppelgangland]]". She is [[Wiktionary:capricious#English|capricious]] and aggressive, the opposite of Willow's usual nature; her bad behavior so exaggerated that it does not instill fear into the viewer like other female vampires in the series, but indicates more about Willow's personality. Shocked upon seeing her alter ego in "Doppelgangland", Willow states "That's me as a vampire? I'm so evil and [[Wiktionary:skank#Etymology 2|skanky]]. And I think I'm kinda [[gay]]!" Angel is stopped by Buffy in telling the Scoobies that the vampire self carries many of the same attributes as the human self, at which Willow says that is nothing like her. Many Buffy fans saw this as a funny [[Easter egg (interaction design)|Easter egg]] when Willow revealed herself to actually be [[lesbian]] in later seasons.<ref name=battis/> As surprised as Willow is with Vamp Willow, she feels bound to her, and does not have the heart to allow Buffy to kill her. Both Willows make the observation that "this world's no fun",<ref>South, p. 139.</ref> before they send Vamp Willow back into the alternate dimension from which she came, whereupon she is staked and dies immediately.<ref>Jowett, pp. 80–82.</ref>

===Dark Willow===

A shadow of Dark Willow appears to fight Glory in the fifth season episode "[[Tough Love (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Tough Love]]", but she does not come into full force until the sixth season in "[[Villains (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Villains]]", "[[Two to Go]]", and "[[Grave (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Grave]]". The transition from Willow into Dark Willow, precipitated by Tara's immediate death when she is shot through the heart, was ambiguously received by audiences, many of whom never foresaw Willow's psychic break. It was simultaneously lauded for being an overwhelming depiction of a powerful woman, and derided as representative of a worn cliché that lesbians are amoral and murderous.<ref name=mangels>Mangels, Andy (August 20, 2002). "Lesbian sex = death?", ''The Advocate'', '''869/870''', pp. 70–71.</ref><ref>Barlem, Edwina (2003). "Coming out on a Mouth of Hell", ''Refractory: a Journal of Entertainment Media'', '''2''', p. 16.</ref> Dark Willow proved to be exceptionally more powerful than Buffy. She changes visually when she walks into the Magic Box, a store owned by Giles, telekinetically retrieves dozens of dark magic books from the shelves, and leeches the words from the pages with her fingertips. As the words crawl up her arms and soak into her skin, her eyes and hair become black and her posture "aggressively aware and confident".<ref>Driver, p. 79.</ref>

Susan Driver writes that it is "crucial to recognize that never before in a teen series has raw fury been so vividly explored through a young queer girl responding to the sudden death of her lover".<ref>Driver, p. 81.</ref> Dark Willow is preternaturally focused on revenge, relentless and unstoppable. Lights explode when she walks past. She forcefully takes advantage of any opportunity to further her goals. She saves Buffy by removing the bullet from her chest, but later commandeers a tractor trailer, making it slam into Xander's car while he and Buffy are inside protecting Jonathan and Andrew, the other two members of the Trio. She floats, flies<ref>{{cite episode |series=Buffy the Vampire Slayer |title=Two to Go}} BUFFY: Willow's got an addictive personality, and she just tasted blood. She could be there already. ANYA: No. She couldn't, a witch at her level. She can only go airborne. (they stop walking and look at her) It's a thing. More flashy, impresses the locals, but it does take longer. XANDER: Longer than what? ANYA: Teleporting.</ref> and dismantles the local jail where Jonathan and Andrew are held.

She is cruelly honest to Dawn and Buffy, and overpowers everyone with whom she comes in contact. When she takes Giles' magic from him, she gains the ability to feel the world's pain, becoming determined to put the world out of its misery. She does not acknowledge her grief, and only Xander can force her to face it when he tells her that he loves her no matter what or who she is, and if she is determined to end the world she must start by killing him. Only then does Willow return, sobbing.<ref>Ruditis, pp. 145–153.</ref>

At [[Salon.com]], [[Stephanie Zacharek]] writes that Dark Willow is "far from being a cut-out angry lesbian, is more fleshed out, and more terrifyingly alive, than she has ever been before. More than any other character, she has driven the momentum of the past few episodes; she very nearly drove it off a cliff."<ref name=zacharekwillow>Zacharek, Stephanie (May 22, 2002). [https://www.salon.com/2002/05/22/buffy_4/ Willow, destroyer of worlds], Salon. Retrieved on May 12, 2022.</ref> Several writers state that Willow's transition into Dark Willow is inevitable, grounded in Willow's self-hatred that had been festering from the first season.<ref>Yeffeth, p. 132.</ref><ref name=south143-144>South, p. 143–144.</ref> Both Dark Willow and even Willow herself state that Willow's sacrifices for her friends and lack of assertiveness are her undoing. In "Doppelgangland", Willow (posing as Vampire Willow) says "It's pathetic. She lets everyone walk all over her and gets cranky at her friends for no reason." In "Two to Go", Dark Willow remarks "Let me tell you something about Willow. She's a loser. And she always has been. People picked on Willow... and now Willow's a junkie." Vamp Willow served as an indicator of what Willow is capable of; immediately before she flays Warren in one violent magical flash, she uses the same line Vamp Willow used in the third season: "Bored now."<ref name=south143-144/><ref>Jowett, p. 60.</ref>

Following the sixth season, Willow struggles to allow herself to perform magic without the darkness within her taking her over. She is no longer able to abstain from magic as it is such an integral part of her that doing so will kill her. In the instances when she is highly emotional the darkness comes out. Willow must control that part of her and is occasionally unable to do so, giving her a trait similar to Angel, a cursed vampire who fears losing his soul will turn him evil. In a redemptive turn, when Willow turns all the Potentials into Slayers, she glows and her hair turns white, astonishing Kennedy and prompting her to call Willow a goddess.<ref>Jowett, p. 61.</ref>

==Relationships==

Willow's earliest and most consistent relationships are with Buffy and Xander, both of whom she refers to as her best friends although they have their conflicts, and Giles as a father figure. Willow takes on the leadership role when Buffy is unavailable, and her growing powers sometimes make her resent being positioned as Buffy's sidekick. Some scholars see Willow as Buffy's sister-figure or the anti-Buffy, similar to [[Faith (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Faith]], another Slayer whose morals are less strict.<ref>Wilcox and Lavery, pp. 46–56.</ref> In early seasons, Willow's unrequited crush on Xander creates some storylines involving the relationships between Xander, Cordelia, and Oz. Willow is part of a powerful quartet: she represents the spirit, Giles intelligence, Xander heart, and Buffy strength of the Scoobies. Although they often drift apart, they are forced to come together and work in these roles to defeat forces they are unable to fight individually.<ref>Kaveney, p. 26.</ref>

===Oz===
{{Main|Oz (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)}}

Willow meets stoic Oz in the second season. Their courtship is slow and patient. Oz is bitten by a werewolf, and just as Willow begins to confront him about why he does not spend time with her, he transforms and attacks her. She must shoot him with a tranquilizer gun several times while he is wild, but her assertiveness in doing so makes her more confident in their relationship.<ref>Waggoner, pp. 10–11.</ref> Oz's trials in dealing with a power he cannot control is, according to authors J. Michael Richardson and J. Douglas Rabb, a model for Willow to reference when she encounters her own attraction to evil.<ref name=richardson92>Richardson and Rabb, p. 92.</ref> When Willow and Oz decide to commit to each other, Willow is enthusiastic that she has a boyfriend, and, as a guitarist in a band, one so cool.<ref>Richardson and Rabb, p. 94.</ref> Her relationship with Oz endures the high school storylines of exploring her attraction to Xander, which briefly separates them. She worries that she is not as close to Oz as she could be. They stay together through graduation into college, but Oz is drawn to [[Veruca (Buffyverse)|Veruca]], another werewolf. He admits an animal attraction to Veruca, which he does not share with Willow. He sleeps with Veruca and leaves shortly after to explore the werewolf part of himself. Willow becomes very depressed and doubts herself. She drinks, her magical abilities are compromised, her spells come out wrong, and she lashes out at her friends when they suggest she get over it ("[[Something Blue (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Something Blue]]").<ref>Jowett, pp. 124–127.</ref><ref>South, p. 138.</ref>

Joss Whedon did not intend to write Oz out of the series. Seth Green came to Whedon early in the fourth season to announce that he wished to work on his film career. Whedon admitted he was upset by Green's announcement and that if he had wanted to continue, Oz would have been a part of the story. However, to resolve the relationship between Oz and Willow Whedon says, "we had to scramble. And out of the heavens came Amber Benson."<ref name=stafford15-16/>

===Tara Maclay===
{{Main|Tara Maclay}}

[[File:willow-rosenberg-sexuality.jpg|thumb|Willow and Tara's first on-screen kiss did not occur until the fifth season episode "[[The Body (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Body]]" in a story that diverted attention away from the display.]]

''Buffy'' earned international attention for its unflinching focus on the relationship between Willow and Tara Maclay. Whedon and the writing staff had been considering developing a story arc in which a character explores his or her sexuality as the Scoobies left high school, but no particular effort was made to assign this arc to Willow. In 1999, at the end of the third season, the ''[[Boston Herald]]'' called ''Buffy'' "the most gay show on network TV this year" despite having no overtly gay characters among the core cast. It simply presented storylines that resembled [[coming out]] stories.<ref>Perigard, Mark (May 18, 1999). "Television; 'Buffy' promises finale with bite and takes high-stakes gamble", ''The Boston Herald'', p. 44.</ref> In the fourth season episode "[[Hush (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Hush]]", Willow meets Tara, and to avoid being killed by a group of ghouls, they join hands to move a large vending machine telekinetically to barricade a door. The scene was, upon completion, noticeably sensual to Whedon, the producers, and network executives, who encouraged Whedon to develop a romantic storyline between Willow and Tara, but at the same time placed barriers on how far it could go and what could be shown.<ref name=freshairwhedon>"Interview: Writer and producer Joss Whedon discusses his career and his latest show, 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'", ''Fresh Air'', National Public Radio (May 9, 2000).</ref><ref name=mcdaniel>McDaniel, Mike (May 16, 2000). "Coming Out on 'Buffy': Willow discovers she's attracted to another woman, Tara", ''Houston Chronicle'', p. 6.</ref> Two episodes later, Hannigan and Amber Benson were informed that their characters would become romantically involved. The actors were not told the end result of the Willow–Oz–Tara storyline, not sure what the eventual trajectory of the relationship would be, until Hannigan said, "Then finally it was, 'Great! It's official. We're in luurrvvve.'"<ref>Stafford, p. 73.</ref>

Whedon made a conscious effort to focus on Willow and Tara's relationship instead of either's identity as a lesbian or the coming out process. When Willow discloses to Buffy what she feels for Tara, she indicates that she has fallen in love with Tara, not that she is a lesbian, and avoids categorizing herself. Some critics regard this as a failure on Willow's part to be strong;<ref>Driver, p. 74.</ref> Em McAvan interprets this to mean that Willow may be [[bisexual]].<ref>McAvan, Em (2007). [http://slayageonline.com/PDF/McAvan.pdf “I Think I’m Kinda Gay”: Willow Rosenberg and the Absent/Present Bisexual in Buffy the Vampire Slayer] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717034222/http://slayageonline.com/PDF/McAvan.pdf |date=2011-07-17 }} ''Slayage Online: The Online International Journal of Buffy Studies''. Retrieved March 13, 2011.</ref> Scholar Farah Mendlesohn asserts that Willow's realization that she is in love with Tara allows viewers to re-interpret Willow's relationship with Buffy; in the first three seasons, Willow is often disappointed that she is not a higher priority to Buffy, and even after Willow enters a relationship with Tara, still desires to feel integral to Buffy's cause and the Scooby Gang.<ref>Lavery and Wilcox, pp. 45–60.</ref>

Willow's progression has been noted to be unique in television. Her relationship with Tara coincides with the development of her magical abilities becoming much more profound. By the seventh season, she is the most powerful person in Buffy's circle. Jessica Ford at [[PopMatters]] asserts that Willow's sexuality and her magical abilities are connected and represented by her relationships. In her unrequited attraction to Xander, she has no power. With Oz, she has some that gives her the confidence she sorely lacks, but his departure leaves her unsure of herself. Only when she meets Tara do her magical abilities flourish; to Ford, sexuality and magic are both empowering agents in Willow's story arc.<ref name=ford>Ford, Jessica (March 10, 2011). [https://www.popmatters.com/137992-coming-out-of-the-broom-closet-willows-sexuality-and-empowerment-in-2496068198.html Coming Out of the Broom Closet: Willow's Sexuality and Empowerment in 'Buffy']. PopMatters. Retrieved on May 12, 2022.</ref> David Bianculli in the ''[[New York Daily News]]'' writes that Willow's progression is "unlike anything else I can recall on regular prime-time television: a character evolving naturally over four seasons of stories and arriving at a place of sexual rediscovery".<ref>Bianculli, David (May 2, 2000). "Buffy Character Follows Her Bliss", ''New York Daily News'', p. 77.</ref>

Not all viewers considered Willow and Tara's relationship a positive development. Some fans loyal to Willow reacted angrily as she chose to be with Tara when Oz made himself available, and they lashed out at Tara and Amber Benson on the fansite message boards. Whedon replied sardonically, "we're going to shift away from this whole lifestyle choice that Willow has made. Just wipe the slate. From now on, Willow will no longer be a Jew. And I think we can all breathe easier." However, he seriously explained his motivation, writing "My show is about emotion. Love is the most powerful, messy, delightful and dangerous emotion... Willow's in love. I think it's cool."<ref name=stafford15-16>Stafford, pp. 15–16.</ref> Hannigan was also positive about the way the character and her relationship with Tara was written: "It is not about being controversial or making a statement. I think the show is handling it really nicely. It's about two people who care about each other."<ref>"Star stakes out Sydney", ''Sunday Telegraph'' (November 5, 2000), p. 31.</ref>

Contrasting with some of the more sexual relationships of the other characters, Willow and Tara demonstrate a sentimental, soft, and consistent affection for each other. Some of this was pragmatic: the show was restricted in what it could present to viewers. Willow and Tara did not kiss until the fifth season in an episode that diverted the focus away from the display of affection when Buffy's mother dies in "[[The Body (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Body]]". Before this, much of their sexuality is represented by allusions to witchcraft; spells doubled for physical affection such as an erotic ritual in "[[Who Are You (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Who Are You?]]" where Willow and Tara chant and perspire in a circle of light until Willow falls back on a pillow gasping and moaning.<ref group=note>''Buffy'' scholar Edwina Bartlem asserts that many of the sexual relationships on ''Buffy'' are symbolized. Willow and Tara's tend to be represented by otherworldly passion, "disembodied and spiritual". (Barlem, Edwina [2003]. "Coming out on a Mouth of Hell", ''Refractory: a Journal of Entertainment Media'', '''2''', p. 16.) Hannigan noted in an interview, "Obviously during a couple spells they are ''so'' fucking. I was like, 'This isn't a spell—this is just the sex you can't get away with on television.' "(Epstein, Jeffrey [August 2001] "Alyson's Wonderland", ''Out'', '''10''' (2), pp. 46–53.)</ref> Within the ''Buffy'' universe, magic is portrayed in a mostly female realm. As opposed to it being evil, it is an earth-bound force that is most proficiently harvested by women.<ref name=ford/> The treatment of the lesbian relationship as integral to magic, representative of each other (love is magic, magic is love), earned the series some critical commentary from conservative Christians.<ref name=richardson92/> To avoid large-scale criticism, scenes had to be shot several different ways because censors would not allow some types of action on screen. In the fourth and fifth seasons, the characters could be shown on a bed, but not under the covers. Hannigan noted the inconsistent standards with the other relationships on the show: "you've got Spike and Harmony just going at it like rabbits, so it's very hypocritical".<ref>Dudley, Jennifer (November 16, 2000). "Charmed, I'm Sure", ''Courier Mail'' (Brisbane, Australia), p. 7.</ref> As a couple, Willow and Tara are treated by the rest of the Scoobies with acceptance and little fanfare. Susan Driver writes that younger viewers especially appreciate that Willow and Tara are able to be affectionate without becoming overly sexual, thus making them objects of fantasy for male enjoyment. Willow and Tara's influence on specifically younger female viewers is, according to Driver, "remarkable".<ref>Driver, p. 75–76.</ref>

Academics, however, comment that Willow is a less sexual character than the others in the show. She is displayed as "cuddly" in earlier seasons, often dressing in pink fuzzy sweaters resulting in an innocent tomboyishness. She becomes more feminine in her relationship with Tara, who is already feminine; no issues with gender are present in their union.<ref>Jowett, pp. 56–57.</ref><ref>Wilcox and Lavery, p. 58.</ref> Their relationship is sanitized and unthreatening to male viewers. When the series moved broadcast networks from [[The WB]] to [[UPN]] in 2001, some of the restrictions were relaxed. Willow and Tara are shown in some scenes to be "intensely sexual", such as in the sixth season episode "[[Once More, with Feeling (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Once More, with Feeling]]" where it is visually implied that Willow performs [[cunnilingus]] on Tara.<ref>Kaveney, p. 207.</ref> When Willow and Tara reconcile, they spend part of the episode in "[[Seeing Red (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Seeing Red]]" unclothed in bed, covered by red sheets.

Willow is more demonstrative in the beginning of her relationship with Tara. Where in her relationship with Oz she described herself as belonging to him, Tara states that she belongs to Willow. Willow finds in Tara a place where she can be the focus of Tara's attention, not having to appease or sacrifice as she has in the past. Tara, however, eclipses Willow's role as the moral center of the Scoobies, and as Willow becomes more powerful and less ethical, Tara becomes a maternal figure for the group.<ref>Jowett, p. 52–53.</ref> Willow acts as a sort of middle child between Xander's immaturity and Buffy's weighty responsibilities. She becomes completely devoted to and enamored of Tara, and then manipulates her to avoid conflict when Tara does not conform to what she wants.<ref name=battis/> Displeased with how Willow abuses her power, especially toward herself, Tara leaves Willow while continuing to counsel Dawn and Buffy. Long after Tara's death, Willow faces the choices she made: in the ''Season Eight'' issue "[[Anywhere but Here (Buffy comic)|Anywhere But Here]]", Willow tells Buffy that she is responsible for Tara's death. Her ambition to bring back Buffy from the dead inevitably led to Tara getting shot and killed. In the one-shot comic, Willow is offered Tara as a guide for her mystical path to understanding her own powers, but rejects her as being an illusion, too much of a comfort, and not a guide who will force her to grow. She begins a relationship with Kennedy.

===Kennedy===
{{Main|Kennedy (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)}}

Following protests angry about the death of Tara, Whedon and the writing team made a decision to keep Willow gay. In 2002, he told ''[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]]'' about the possibility of Willow having a relationship with a man, "We do that now, and we will be burned alive. And possibly justifiably. We can't have Willow say, 'Oh, cured now, I can go back to cock!' Willow is not going to be straddling that particular fence. She will just be gay."<ref name=mangels/> Kennedy is markedly different from Tara. She is younger, outspoken, and aggressively pursues Willow, who hesitates to become involved again.<ref>Kaveney, p. 44.</ref> When they first kiss in the episode "[[The Killer in Me]]", Willow's realization that she let Tara go reacts with a curse put upon her by another witch named [[Amy Madison]] ([[Elizabeth Anne Allen]]), turning Willow into Warren, Tara's murderer. The spell is broken when Willow acknowledges her guilt and Kennedy kisses her again. Kennedy expresses that she does not understand the value of magic and assumes it involves tricks, not the all-consuming energy that Willow is capable of. When Willow eventually exhibits what power she has, it briefly frightens Kennedy. Willow worries about becoming sexually intimate with Kennedy, unsure of what may transpire if she loses control of herself.<ref>Ruditis, pp. 205–229.</ref>
In season 7 episode 20, "Touched", in which practically all the main cast has sex (two by two) Willow and Kennedy take part in the first lesbian sex scene on primetime television.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.afterellen.com/buffy-to-show-first-lesbian-sex-scene-on-broadcast-tv/04/2003/|title="Buffy" to Show First Lesbian Sex Scene on Broadcast TV|work=AfterEllen|access-date=27 October 2014|date=3 April 2003|last1=Warn |first1=Sarah }}</ref>

In ''Season Eight'', Kennedy and Willow are still romantically involved, but separated during Willow's self-exploration. Unlike her relationship with Tara, Willow is able to hold a separate identity while with Kennedy.<ref>Waggoner, p. 9.</ref> When she realizes her powers have gone at the end of ''Season Eight'', however, Willow ends her relationship with Kennedy, saying that there is someone else Willow is in love with, who she will never see again.<ref>Hill, Shawn (January 24, 2011). [http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/129590750588125.htm Buffy the Vampire Slayer #40] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130072013/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/129590750588125.htm |date=January 30, 2011 }}, ''Comics Bulletin''. Retrieved on January 30, 2011.</ref>
Kennedy's role split many Buffy fans into two groups. Many viewers hated Kennedy, because they saw her as a way of saying; "Tara's dead, let's move on." and they weren't ready to. After the emotional death of Tara and Willow's reaction (nearly ending all life on Earth) many fans thought that it was ridiculous for Willow to recover and move on so quickly. Kennedy overall, has received much hate, but there is the other side who say that she was exactly what Willow needed to recover and continue a happy life.

==Cultural impact==
{{Quote box
| width = 30%
| quote = Willow Rosenberg is undoubtedly the most complexly represented girl in love and lust with other girls to be developed within a mainstream network television series.
| source = Susan Driver in ''Queer Girls and Popular Culture''<ref>Driver, p. 62.</ref>
}}

Willow's religion and sexuality have made her a role model for audiences. Whedon, however, has compared her Jewish identity to her sexuality, stating that they are rarely made a significant focus of the show.<ref>Jowett, p. 58.</ref> Willow at times reminds the other characters of her religion, wondering what her father might think of the crucifixes she must apply to her bedroom wall to keep out vampires, and commenting that Santa Claus misses her house every Christmas because of the "big honkin' menorah". ''Buffy'' essayist Matthew Pateman criticizes the show for presenting Willow's Jewish identity only when it opposes Christian declarations of holidays and other traditions.<ref>Pateman, Matthew (2007). "'That Was Nifty': Willow Rosenberg Saves the World in Buffy the Vampire Slayer", ''[[Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Jewish Studies]]'', '''25''' (4). pp. 64-77.</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'', however, named her as a positive example of a depiction of a Jewish woman, who stood out among portrayals of Jews as harsh, unfeminine, and shallow. Producer [[Gail Berman]] states that as a Jew, Willow "handles herself just fine, thank you".<ref>Hannania, Joseph (March 7, 1999). "Playing Princesses, Punishers and Prudes", ''The New York Times'', p. 35.</ref>

In ''Queer Girls and Popular Culture'', Susan Driver states that television ascribes to viewers what lesbians look and act like, and that realistic portrayals of girls outside the norm of white, upper or middle class, and heterosexual are extremely rare. Realistic depictions of lesbians are so rare that they become strong role models and enable "hope and imagination" for girls limited by the conditions of their immediate surroundings, who may know of no other gay people.<ref>Driver, pp. 58–59.</ref> The time and space given to Willow to go from being a shy scared girl into a confident woman who falls in love with another woman is, as of 2007, unique in television; it does not occur in one flash or single moment. It is a progression that defies strict definition. Manda Scott in ''[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]'' states that Willow's lack of panic or self-doubt when she realizes she is in love with Tara makes her "the best role model a teen could ask for".<ref name=scott>Scott, Manda (August 17, 2002). [https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/11955396.if-the-buffy-generation-turns-out-an-excess-of-teenage-dykes-ill-be-happy-but-surprised/ "If the Buffy generation turns out an excess of teenage dykes, I'll be happy but surprised"], ''The Herald'', p. 5. Retrieved May 12, 2022</ref>

When viewers realized that Willow was falling in love with Tara, Whedon remembered that some threatened to boycott the show, complaining "You made Willow a fag", to which he responded, "Bye. We'll miss you ''a whole lot.''"<ref name=epstein>Epstein, Jeffrey (August 2001) "Alyson's Wonderland", ''Out'', '''10''' (2), pp. 46–53.</ref> However, he also said, "For every (negative) post, there's somebody saying, 'You made my life a lot easier because I now have someone I can relate to on screen'."<ref name=mcdaniel/> Gay characters had been portrayed before on television, and at the time the popular sitcom ''[[Will & Grace]]'' was on the air. Lesbian-themed HBO special ''[[If These Walls Could Talk 2]]'' won an Emmy. Twenty-three television shows depicted a gay character of some kind in 2000.<ref>Daly, Sean (November 11, 2000). "Ellen's children: No doubt, this is the Year of the Queer, with an unprecedented 23 prime-time programs featuring homosexual characters.", ''National Post'', p. W06.</ref> However, these other characters were mostly desexualized, none were partnered or shown consistently affectionate towards the same person. Willow and Tara's relationship became the first{{citation needed|date=February 2016}} long-term lesbian relationship on U.S. television. ''[[Jane (magazine)|Jane]]'' magazine hailed Willow and Tara as a bold representation of gay relationship, remarking that "they hold hands, slow-dance and lay in bed at night. You won't find that kind of normalcy on ''Will and Grace''."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2001/01/03/magazine-hails-gutsy-gals-who-bold-us-over/ |last=Hoffman |first=Bill |date=3 January 2001 |title=Magazine Hails Gutsy Gals who 'Bold' Us Over |work=New York Post |page=3 |url-status=live |archive-date=17 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217043138/http://nypost.com/2001/01/03/magazine-hails-gutsy-gals-who-bold-us-over/|access-date=May 12, 2022}}</ref> Despite Whedon's intentions of not making ''Buffy'' about overcoming issues, he said Willow's exploration of her sexuality "turned out to be one of the most important things we've done on the show".<ref name=epstein/>

Although the show's writers and producers received a minimal negative reaction from Willow choosing Tara over Oz, the response from viewers and critics alike was overwhelming towards Whedon for killing Tara, accusing him of [[homophobia]]. Particularly because Tara's death came at a point where Willow and Tara had reconciled and were shown following an apparent sexual encounter, the writers were criticized for representing the consequences of lesbian sex as punishable by death. Series writer and producer [[Marti Noxon]]—whose mother fell in love with another woman when Noxon was 13 years old—was unable to read some of the mail the writing team received because it was so upsetting. To her, the pain expressed in viewers' letters was a logical reaction to the lack of realistic lesbian role models on television.<ref name=mangels/> Willow's storyline in season 6 as Dark Willow, inspired by "[[The Dark Phoenix Saga]]", became quite popular within the genre. The character Josie Saltzman from the show ''[[Legacies (TV series)|Legacies]]'' has been accused of copying the Dark Willow.<ref>{{cite web | title=Did Legacies Miss Obvious Buffy Nod? Will Good Survivor Twist Offset Bad? Was Schitt's Sexy or Sad? And More Qs | date=February 14, 2020 | url=https://tvline.com/news/legacies-dark-josie-willow-buffy-tv-questions-answers-1159296/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=This Vampire Diaries Spinoff Tried (& Failed) to Copy 1 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Most Iconic Storylines | date=March 18, 2025 | url=https://www.cbr.com/this-vampire-diaries-spinoff-failed-iconic-storyline/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Dark Josie, Dark Willow, and the queer witch in crisis | date=May 13, 2020 | url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/dark-josie-dark-willow-and-the-queer-witch-in-crisis }}</ref> ''[[Screen Rant]]'' also wrote an article talking about how ''[[Riverdale (American TV series)|Riverdale]]'''s [[Betty Cooper#Live action|Betty Cooper]] did the same storyline as Dark Willow for Dark Betty.<ref>{{cite web | title=Legacies 'Dark Josie' Repeats Riverdale's Buffy Steal (But Better) | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=November 28, 2021 | url=https://screenrant.com/legacies-dark-josie-riverdale-betty-buffy-willow-comparison/ }}</ref>

Willow's cultural impact has been noted in several other ways. Patrick Krug, a biologist at [[California State University, Los Angeles]] named a [[Opisthobranchia|sea slug]] with traits of sexual flexibility ''[[Alderia willowi]]'' partly for his grandmother and partly after Willow's character.<ref>[http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/pkrug/lab/Res1-poecilogony.html Variable Larval Development Modes (poecilogony)], California State University, Los Angeles Krug Labs. Retrieved on August 17, 2010.</ref> Willow was included in [[AfterEllen.com]]'s Top 50 Lesbian and Bisexual Characters, ranking at No. 7.<ref>{{cite web|title=AfterEllen.com's Top 50 Lesbian and Bisexual Characters |url=http://www.afterellen.com/TV/2010/3/top-fifty-lesbian-bisexual-characters?page=0%2C1 |publisher=AfterEllen|access-date=June 16, 2012 |date=March 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130101231322/http://www.afterellen.com/TV/2010/3/top-fifty-lesbian-bisexual-characters?page=0%2C1 |archive-date=January 1, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She was also ranked No. 12 in their Top 50 Favorite Female TV Characters.<ref>{{cite web|title=AfterEllen.com's Top 50 Favorite Female TV Characters |url=http://www.afterellen.com/content/2012/02/afterellencoms-top-50-favorite-female-tv-characters?page=0%2C13 |publisher=AfterEllen.com |access-date=June 24, 2012 |date=February 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130116122857/http://www.afterellen.com/content/2012/02/afterellencoms-top-50-favorite-female-tv-characters?page=0%2C13 |archive-date=January 16, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[UGO.com]] named her one of the best TV nerds.<ref>{{cite web|title=Best TV Nerds|url=http://www.ugo.com/tv/best-tv-nerds|publisher=[[UGO Networks]]|access-date=July 7, 2012|date=March 7, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309225549/http://www.ugo.com/tv/best-tv-nerds|archive-date=March 9, 2012}}</ref> [[AOL]] also listed her as the #1 TV witch of all time, and one of the 100 Most Memorable Female TV Characters.<ref>{{cite web|last=Potts|first=Kim|title=100 Most Memorable Female TV Characters|url=http://www.aoltv.com/2011/03/02/100-most-memorable-female-tv-characters/|work=AOL TV|access-date=July 16, 2012|date=March 2, 2011|archive-date=May 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531022650/http://www.aoltv.com/2011/03/02/100-most-memorable-female-tv-characters/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Television}}
* ''[[Willow & Tara (Buffy comic)]]''
* ''[[Unnatural Selection (Buffy novel)]]''
* ''[[Deep Water (Buffy novel)]]''
* ''[[Apocalypse Memories]]''
* [[LGBT themes in speculative fiction]]
* [[Queer horror]]

==Notes==
<references group=note/>

==Citations==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==

* Driver Susan (2007). ''Queer Girls and Popular Culture: Reading, Resisting, and Creating Media'', Peter Lang. {{ISBN|0-8204-7936-5}}
* Golden, Christopher; Holder, Nancy (1998). ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Watcher's Guide, Volume 1'', Pocket Books. {{ISBN|0-671-02433-7}}
* Jowett, Lorna (2005). ''Sex and the Slayer: A Gender Studies Primer for the Buffy Fan'', Wesleyan University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-8195-6758-1}}
* Kaveney, Roz (ed.) (2004). ''Reading the Vampire Slayer: The New, Updated, Unofficial Guide to Buffy and Angel'', Tauris Parke Paperbacks. {{ISBN|1-4175-2192-9}}
* Richardson, J. Michael; Rabb, J. Douglas (2007). ''The Existential Joss Whedon: Evil and Human Freedom in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly and Serenity'', McFarland. {{ISBN|0-7864-2781-7}}
* Ruditis, Paul (2004). ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Watcher's Guide, Volume 3'', Simon & Schuster. {{ISBN|0-689-86984-3}}
* South, James (ed.) (2003). ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy: Fear and Trembling in Sunnydale'', Open Court Books. {{ISBN|0-8126-9531-3}}
* Stafford, Nikki (2007). ''Bite Me! The Unofficial Guide to Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', ECW Press. {{ISBN|978-1-55022-807-6}}
* Stevenson, Gregory (2003). ''Televised Morality: The Case of Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', Hamilton Books. {{ISBN|0-7618-2833-8}}
* Waggoner, Erin (2010). ''Sexual Rhetoric in the Works of Joss Whedon: New Essays'', McFarland. {{ISBN|0-7864-4750-8}}
* Wilcox, Rhonda (2005). ''Why Buffy Matters: The Art of Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', I. B. Tauris. {{ISBN|1-84511-029-3}}
* Wilcox, Rhonda and Lavery, David (eds.) (2002). ''Fighting the Forces: What's at Stake in Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', Rowman and Littlefield Publishers. {{ISBN|0-7425-1681-4}}
* Yeffeth, Glenn (ed.) (2003). ''Seven Seasons of Buffy: Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors Discuss Their Favorite Television Show'', Benbella Books. {{ISBN|1-932100-08-3}}

==Further reading==
* [https://www.stephenbooth.org/lesbiancliche.htm The Death of Tara, the Fall of Willow and The Dead/Evil Lesbian Cliché FAQ]

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Xander Harris

2025-10-11T23:54:51Z

2001:D08:1C12:DEBE:4462:8B94:7FF6:7513:

{{short description|Character in Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Xander Harris
| series = [[Buffyverse|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]
| image = Xander season six 2.jpg
| caption = [[Nicholas Brendon]] as '''Xander Harris''' in 2001.
| first = "[[Welcome to the Hellmouth]]" (1997)
| last = ''Finale'' (2018)
| creator = [[Joss Whedon]]
| portrayer = [[Nicholas Brendon]] Kelly Donovan (Xander double)
| affiliation = Scooby Gang
| significant_other = [[Anya Jenkins]] (ex-fiancée)
| lbl21 = Classification
| data21 = Human
| lbl22 = Notable powers
| data22 = Vague knowledge of military training, tactics, and weapons handling Vampire hunting Melee combat
| occupation = Construction worker and repairman
| family = Anthony Harris (father) Jessica Harris (mother)
| relatives = Rory Harris (uncle) Carol Harris (cousin) Karen Harris (cousin)
}}

'''Alexander Lavelle Harris''' is a fictional character created for the action-horror/fantasy television series ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' (1997–2003). He was developed by [[Joss Whedon]] and portrayed throughout the television series by [[Nicholas Brendon]] and in two episodes by his twin brother, Kelly Donovan. He was conceived as an [[everyman]] and a male character for series heroine [[Buffy Summers]] ([[Sarah Michelle Gellar]]) to interact with, and to provide [[comic relief]] in the series. Xander is one of several friends of Buffy who assist her in saving the world against numerous supernatural events that plague [[Sunnydale|Sunnydale, California]], a town built over a doorway to hell.

Xander is based in part on Whedon himself, particularly in his high school years; as such, he is often the most geeky as well as witty and verbose of ''Buffy''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s characters. The character's overriding arc through the series has been his struggle towards maturity and earning the respect of others. In the [[canon (fiction)|canonical]] comic book continuation of the series, ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]'' (2007–2011), Xander comes to achieve these goals in becoming the tactical leader of a global army of [[Slayer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Vampire Slayers]] alongside Buffy.

Academic attention to the character has frequently come in the form of [[gender studies]] or with a focus on [[social class]], reflecting Xander's [[working class]] home life and his fears of inadequacy. However, Xander's unique position as both outside and within the main group enhances his insight into the other characters, especially as the series continues; in ''Season Eight'', he is Buffy's unofficial "[[Watcher (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Watcher]]", who watches over her and has a clear perspective. Critics have noted that although Xander frequently exhibits a struggle of [[masculinity]], his storylines often focus on his romantic conquests. Following his unreciprocated love for Buffy, these include the tumultuous relationship with rich girl [[Cordelia Chase]] ([[Charisma Carpenter]]), brief fling with his best friend [[Willow Rosenberg|Willow]] ([[Alyson Hannigan]]) and his long-term relationship with ex-demon [[Anya Jenkins|Anya]] ([[Emma Caulfield]]).
In ''Season Eight'', the character's older-brother relationship with Buffy's little sister [[Dawn Summers|Dawn]] ([[Michelle Trachtenberg]]) also develops along romantic lines, too late for Buffy to act on her recognition of her own compatibility with Xander.

The character of Xander Harris also appears in numerous items in the series [[Expanded Universe]], such as comic books, tie-in novels and video games.

==Appearances==

===Television===
[[File:Xander Harris (season one).jpg|thumb|left|187px|Xander, as he appeared during the first season.]]
Xander Harris is introduced in season 1's (1997) two-part premiere "[[Welcome to the Hellmouth]]"/"[[The Harvest (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Harvest]]". Xander meets Buffy Summers (Gellar), the Slayer, on her first day at [[Sunnydale High]], as well as her Watcher [[Rupert Giles]] ([[Anthony Head]]). While in the library, he secretly listens in on a conversation between Buffy and Giles in which she identifies herself as the Slayer. After his friend Jesse ([[Eric Balfour]]) is made a [[vampire (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|vampire]], Xander accidentally kills him, resulting in him resenting vampires. Xander and his best friend Willow (Hannigan) become Buffy's reliable sidekicks. He pines for Buffy's romantic affection, oblivious to Willow's affections for him, and distrusts Buffy's boyfriend, the ensouled vampire [[Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Angel]] ([[David Boreanaz]]). Typically, Xander is a target for bullies at school, but one dangerous situation forces him to pummel a man for the first time and was surprised of knowing that he can throw a powerful punch, and later he finds that he can even stagger a lesser vampire. In the season finale, "[[Prophecy Girl]]", Xander saves Buffy's life by administering [[CPR]] after she is drowned by [[Master (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|the Master]] ([[Mark Metcalf]]).

In season 2 (1997–1998), Xander begins a turbulent and ambiguous relationship with popular girl Cordelia Chase (Carpenter) after they are thrown together in several life-or-death situations. He tells Willow that she is his best friend but that he has no romantic feelings for her, to Willow's dismay. Xander is briefly turned into a soldier in the episode "[[Halloween (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Halloween]]", and retains extensive military knowledge and training thereafter; in "[[Innocence (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Innocence]]", this knowledge proves essential to helping Buffy defeat a demon known as The Judge who had been believed practically invincible. In times, Xander gradually honed his fighting capabilities after a chain of events against supernatural and human threats. When Cordelia decides she needs to break up to preserve her social status, Xander coerces witch [[Amy Madison]] ([[Elizabeth Anne Allen]]) to cast a love spell, which misfires; Cordelia is unaffected but, seeing how much Xander loves her, reunites with him in defiance of her former friends, in "[[Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered]]". The episode "[[Go Fish (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Go Fish]]" focuses on Xander, after he joins the swim team to investigate the disappearances of Sunnydale High swimmers. In the season finale "[[Becoming (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Becoming, Part Two]]", Xander decides not to tell Buffy about Willow's plan to re-ensoul Angel—who has lost his soul, reverted to his vampire persona Angelus, and is going to bring about the [[apocalypse]]— so that she will not hesitate to kill him in order to save the world. Buffy is surprised and grief-stricken when Angel regains his soul moments before she must kill him.

Season 3 (1998–1999) begins with Xander and his friends slaying demons since Buffy ran away to Los Angeles. Some time after Buffy's return, Xander sees Angel and Buffy together and rushes to tell Giles of Angel's return in [[Revelations (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|"Revelations"]]. Xander and the others confront Buffy, angry that she concealed Angel's return. While still angry, Xander tells Faith that Angel is alive. When Faith decides to slay Angel, Xander is eager to join her. When Cordelia catches Xander kissing Willow in "[[Lovers Walk]]", she dumps him. They ultimately part as friends, although only after an extended period of mutual antagonism. "[[The Zeppo]]" is a comedic episode focusing on Xander: the episode begins with Cordelia mocking him as a "loser", which upsets him. A solo adventure begins when the rest of the Scoobies insist he stay away from the dangerous fight with the Sisterhood of Jhe; he borrows his uncle's [[classic car]], loses his virginity to mentally unstable rogue Slayer [[Faith (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Faith]] ([[Eliza Dushku]]), and single-handedly stops a band of zombies from destroying Sunnydale High School. His calm handling of the incident significantly enhances his self-confidence and, when again mocked by Cordelia, is unperturbed. Xander takes Anya (Caulfield), formerly vengeance demon Anyanka, to his [[prom]] in "The Prom", and his retained military training proves useful in defeating the evil [[Mayor (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Mayor]] ([[Harry Groener]]) in season finale "[[Graduation Day (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Graduation Day]]".

In season 4 (1999–2000), Xander's feelings of inferiority and isolation increase, as he has not enrolled in college with his friends. Outside the core group, Xander strengthens his relationship with Anya and the two eventually fall in love. In the season 4 climax "[[Primeval (Buffy episode)|Primeval]]", Xander becomes the "Heart" in the spell, which conjoins him with Buffy, Willow and Giles to defeat [[Adam (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Adam]] ([[George Hertzberg]]), a part-demon, part-human [[cyborg]] monster. Finale episode "[[Restless (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Restless]]" delves into the characters' psyches through [[dream sequence]]s; Xander's dream involves his erotic attraction to [[Joyce Summers|Buffy's mom]] ([[Kristine Sutherland]]), Willow and her girlfriend [[Tara Maclay|Tara]] ([[Amber Benson]]), his fear of his abusive father, and features a re-enactment of 1979 film ''[[Apocalypse Now]]''.

In season 5 (2000–2001), Xander matures. He becomes a carpenter and construction worker, and moves into his own apartment with Anya. He comes under the thrall of [[Count Dracula|Dracula]] in premiere episode "[[Buffy vs. Dracula]]", becoming his [[Renfield]]. The episode "[[The Replacement (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Replacement]]" focuses on the two aspects of Xander: the emotionally sensible, driven man, and the comedic buffoon. Xander-centric episode "[[Triangle (Buffy episode)|Triangle]]" sees him defend Willow and Anya equally from Anya's ex-boyfriend [[List of minor Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters|Olaf the Troll]] ([[Abraham Benrubi]]) when ordered to choose between them. In the season finale, he asks Anya to marry him, and in the final battle he uses a [[wrecking ball]] to assist Buffy in defeating the season's villain, hell-goddess [[Glorificus|Glory]] ([[Clare Kramer]]).

In season 6 (2001–2002), Xander and his friends resurrect Buffy, who had sacrificed herself to close the portal between dimensions opened by Glory, and whose soul they believed had been sent to a Hell dimension as a result. However, Buffy had ascended to a "Heaven" dimension instead, where she existed in bliss, and she sinks into [[Depression (mood)|depression]] after returning to the mortal world. Xander's doubts about his future with Anya are expressed when he summons the all-singing demon [[List of minor Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters#Sweet|Sweet]] ([[Hinton Battle]]), in the musical episode "[[Once More, with Feeling (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Once More, with Feeling]]". A demon exploits these fears in "[[Hell's Bells (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Hell's Bells]]"; Xander leaves Anya heartbroken at the altar, and she resumes working as a vengeance demon. In [[Grave (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|the season finale]], when a grief-stricken Willow tries to end the world, only Xander's compassion and love for her is able to stop that apocalypse.

In season 7 (2002–2003), when Buffy's little sister [[Dawn Summers|Dawn]] ([[Michelle Trachtenberg]]) mistakenly believes herself to be a Potential Slayer, Xander empathizes with her disappointment over not being the one in the spotlight, in "[[Potential (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Potential]]". Season 7 episode "[[Conversations with Dead People]]" is the only ''Buffy'' episode in which Xander does not appear. In the episode "[[Dirty Girls (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Dirty Girls]]", Xander's left eye is gouged out by the evil preacher [[Caleb (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Caleb]] ([[Nathan Fillion]]), and he begins wearing an eyepatch. Though he and Anya get back together, in the series finale, "[[Chosen (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Chosen]]", Anya is killed by a [[Bringers of the First Evil|Bringer]]'s sword. [[Andrew Wells|Andrew]] ([[Tom Lenk]]), the only witness to her death, tells him Anya died saving his life. Xander responds, "That's my girl. Always doing the stupid thing."

Though Brendon does not portray Xander again subsequent to "Chosen", the ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]'' episode "[[Damage (Angel)|Damage]]" (2004) mentions that Xander is in [[Africa]], recruiting newly activated Slayers for Buffy's team. Between 2001 and 2004, Joss Whedon and [[Jeph Loeb]] developed a 4-minute pilot episode for ''[[Buffy the Animated Series]]'', which was set during the show's first season. Had the series been picked up by a network, it would have featured Xander (voiced by Nicholas Brendon) in more adventures set during ''Buffy'''s first season. Following a 2008 [[internet leak|leak]] of the pilot to [[YouTube]], Loeb expressed some hope that the series may be resurrected in some form.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/08/26/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-animated-series-to-be-resurrected/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828141315/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/08/26/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-animated-series-to-be-resurrected/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 28, 2008|title='Buffy The Vampire Slayer' Animated Series To Be Resurrected?|access-date=2008-09-05|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|date=2008-08-26|work=[[MTV|MTV Movies Blog]]|publisher=MTV.com}}</ref>

===Literature===
[[Image:longwaycover03.jpg|thumb|right|160px|Xander along with Buffy in the comic book continuation ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight''.]]Concurrent with the television series, Xander appears in [[canon (fiction)|canonical]] tie-ins to the television series. Xander appears in most ''Buffy'' comics and novels (those set within Buffy's Sunnydale years), and is the featured character of several. ''The Xander Years, Vol 1.'' and ''Vol. 2'' for instance are each novelization of three key Xander episodes from the show's first three seasons, spanning "[[Teacher's Pet (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Teacher's Pet]]" to "The Zeppo".

The 2004 comic "Antique" depicts Xander resuming his position as Dracula's loyal manservant at the vampire's Translyvanian castle for several months, before Buffy and two new Slayers rescue Xander.<ref>"[[Tales of the Vampires]] #3, "Antique" (2004)</ref> Subsequently, the character appears three years later in the ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]'' series of comic books. Xander appears from the premiere issue, "[[The Long Way Home (Buffy comic)|The Long Way Home]]" (2007) by Joss Whedon. In ''Season Eight'', Xander leads the Slayers and operates their central command in Scotland; Buffy describes him as her unwilling "[[Watcher (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Watcher]]". Xander invites comparison to [[Marvel Comics]]' character [[Nick Fury]]. Xander's new relationship with Slayer [[List of minor Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters#Renée|Renée]] is cut short when she is killed in "[[Wolves at the Gate (comics)|Wolves at the Gate]]" (2008) by Drew Goddard. Goddard's story is also a continuation to "Antique"; Xander ends his friendship with Dracula. In [[Jane Espenson]]'s "[[Retreat (Buffy comic)|Retreat]]" story arc (2009), as Buffy begins to realize she has developed a romantic attraction to Xander, she discovers his newfound romantic relationship with Dawn; Xander had previously been her confidante throughout ''Season Eight''. Buffy tries to explain her feelings to Xander in Joss Whedon's "Turbulence" (2010), though he dismisses these feelings as her need for stability; Xander admits to Buffy, that he truly loves Dawn. In its final arc, "[[Last Gleaming]]" (2011), Xander witnesses a possessed Angel kill Giles in the ruins of Sunnydale, as well as Buffy's destruction of the source of all magic. Subsequently, he and Dawn settle down and move to San Francisco, where they allow Buffy to stay with them while she waitresses and hunts vampires by night.

In the follow-up comic book, ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine]]'' (2011–14), Buffy has moved out of Xander and Dawn's home, and they have less contact with her than before. Following the events of ''Season Eight'', Xander struggles to control his anger. In "Welcome to the Team" (2012–13), Dawn falls ill and begins to die as a result of magic's absence. What's more, the world, including Xander and Buffy, is slowly forgetting she ever existed. In "The Watcher" (2013), the season's villains, mystical 'Siphon' [[List of minor Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters#Severin|Severin]] and rogue Slayer [[List of minor Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters#Simone Doffler|Simone]] persuade Xander to assist them in their plot to turn back time and avert Twilight. In the final arc, "The Core," Xander supplies them with information from an ancient tome on vampires Buffy owns. Acting on the same information, Buffy and Willow decide that the Deeper Well in England—a prison for [[Old Ones (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|ancient demons]]—may contain enough magic to save Dawn, and Xander travels with them. While entering the Well, Xander confesses his betrayal to Buffy and informs her of Severin's plan to use the magic in the Well to turn back time, which could destroy the universe. He stands beside Buffy when they discover Simone's ulterior motive for entering the Well; she has allowed herself to be sired by the very demon which created the first vampire, transforming herself into a powerful vampire/Slayer hybrid. During battle in the Well Severin dies as he explodes with power. The energy is absorbed by the new Seed of Wonder Willow had created, restoring magic to the world. Buffy dusts Simone and Willow returns everyone to San Francisco and saves Dawn with magic and Buffy's blood. Xander thinks Dawn feels different and is guiltily convinced she somehow knows about his betrayal, despite Buffy forgiving him and telling him he is being too hard on himself.

In ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten]]'' (2014–16), Xander has more of a starring role, and the first arc, "New Rules," is co-written by his former portrayer, Nicholas Brendon. Following ''Season Nine'', Xander and Dawn's relationship is strained. Xander, wracked with guilt, is convinced something is odd about her, and has begun talking to possibly hallucinated visions of his ex-girlfriend Anya. He does not know, as Dawn later confesses to Buffy, that she is experiencing intense emotional anguish from reliving her entire life at the moment Willow brought her back. When Dracula rolls in to town to help the Slayer combat the threat of new, more powerful vampires with powers like his, Xander slips back into the manservant role and confesses to Dawn that he knows she does not really love him, which Dawn tearfully admits is true. After Xander is freed from Dracula's influence Dawn admits the truth of her emotional state to him and they agree to end their relationship. However, Xander pledges he will get Dawn to fall in love with him once again.

===Video games===
Xander appears in [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer video games|video games based on ''Buffy'']]. Brendon lent his voice for Xander in the [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Xbox)|2002 ''Buffy'' game]] for [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] and the multi-console 2003 video game ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds]]'', in which Xander is a playable character. In the 2002 game, Xander is not a playable character, but Buffy can acquire weapons from him over the course of the game. ''Chaos Bleeds'' is set in season 5 of the television series; in Xander's levels, he is sent to an alternate universe. After the level at Sunnydale High, he has to do battle with an alternate universe Anyanka, the level's [[boss (video gaming)|boss]]; a magical tophat that releases rabbits evens their playing field slightly. Following the level at the zoo featured in "[[The Pack (Buffy episode)|The Pack]]", Buffy battles against an evil alternate reality version of Giles, styled "Ripper". ''Chaos Bleeds'' prompted prequel comic books published by Dark Horse and a novelisation, which treats it as a "lost" episode of season 5.

==Casting==
{{multiple image
| align = right
| image1 = Kelly Donovan2011.jpg
| width1 = 180
| alt1 =
| caption1 =
| image2 = Nicholas Brendon crop.jpg
| width2 = 130
| alt2 =
| caption2 =
| footer = [[Kelly Donovan]] (left) would occasionally appear as a stunt double for [[Nicholas Brendon]] (right)
}}
Nicholas Brendon's twin brother Kelly Donovan would often stunt double for Xander in the series, most notably in the episode "[[The Replacement (Buffy episode)|The Replacement]]", where dual Xanders appear on-screen at the same time. They both use stage names; their surname is Shultz; as children, they were inseparable.
Before landing the role of Xander, Brendon had hit "rock bottom": his girlfriend had left him, he was working as a waiter and could barely afford his rent, and had almost given up on getting good work. After buying the wrong kind of [[Pop Tarts]] for his co-workers, his boss fired him and told him "You should be acting." Brendon was attracted to the pilot script for ''Buffy'' because of how much he had hated high school. Brendon recognised that Xander was based on Joss Whedon when he had attended high school, accounting for why Xander "gets all the good lines". Brendon did not get much acting work after ''Buffy'' finished, and went into an [[alcoholism]] [[Drug rehabilitation|rehabilitation centre]] in 2004.<ref>[http://www.whedon.info/article.php3?id_article=4382&img "Former Buffy star Brendon enters rehab"]. Whedon.info. April 30, 2004</ref> As of 2007, as Niki Stafford notes in her ''Unofficial Guide'', the actor has had comparatively more work since with stage productions.<ref name=UnofficialGuide>{{cite book|title=Bite Me!: The Unofficial Guide to Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Chosen Edition|last=Stafford|first=Niki|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|location=Ontario|year=2007}}</ref>

For the season 5 episode "[[The Replacement (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Replacement]]", where a demon splits Xander into two people along the lines of his immature and his more adult characteristics, Donovan is cast to play the "other" Xander in scenes where both appear onscreen together.<ref name=Koontz>{{cite book|page=195|title=Faith and choice in the works of Joss Whedon|first=K. Dale|last=Koontz|chapter=Notes on Chapter 3|publisher=[[McFarland & Company]]|year=2008}}</ref> Both actors found playing the character together to be a fun experience.<ref name=UnofficialGuide/>

==Analysis==
{{quote box|''Cordelia'': It must be really hard when all your friends have, like, superpowers; Slayer, werewolf, witches, vampires; and you're, like, this little nothing. You must feel like [[Jimmy Olsen]]. ''Xander'': I was just talking to... hey, mind your own business. ''Cordelia'': Ooo, I struck a nerve. The boy that had no cool.| — Cordelia mocks Xander for his lack of specialness in "The Zeppo".}}
One academic analysis of the series finds that Xander has much in common with the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' character [[Ron Weasley]]. The writer cites his proximity to the main character, his comparative working class status to best friend Willow (as with Weasley and [[Hermione Granger|Hermione]]), his status as an object of mockery in school. For both Xander and Ron, their comparative lack of special gifts "accentuates the loyalty and bravery... [each] offers as a friend" given that the characters often place themselves in mortal danger. Cordelia's statement to Xander in "The Zeppo," which compares him to ''[[Superman]]'' character [[Jimmy Olsen]], is noted as another example qualifying Xander's everyman status.<ref>{{cite book|title=Why Buffy Matters: The Art of Buffy the Vampire Slayer|first=Ronda |last=Wilcox|chapter=When Harry Met Buffy|pages=66–78|location=London|publisher=I.B. Tauris & Co. Ltd, and [[Palgrave Macmillan]] (distributor)|year=2005}}</ref>

Though Xander is often "the heart" of the Scooby Gang, in "The Zeppo" he is excluded from their battle against a hydra-like demon. Through the use of [[jump cut]]s between melodramatic scenes with Buffy, and for instance, informant Willy the Barkeeper (Saverio Guerra) to Xander and a gang of zombies in a drunken car journey, Xander is used as a vehicle to point out the ways in which ''Buffy'' ordinarily avoids being "over the top" by integrating Xander (as the show's source of humour) into the main narrative rather than separating the two. His loss of his virginity to Faith, for example, is musically cued as an anti-romantic parallel to the swelling, symphonic romance scene that Xander oversees between Buffy and Angel; on his departure from the carnal bed, the music is re-cued. The episode depicts Xander single-handedly saving the school, and potentially the world (given the Hellmouth beneath it) from an explosion in simultaneity against glimpses of the other Scoobies' struggles with the hydra demon. As the episode draws to a climax, the two settings begin to erode into one, as the demon breaks through walls in the basement and enters into the episode's Xander scenes. Stevenson notes that it is fitting for the character to have his most heroic moment in the school basement, given that in season 4 he will be reduced to living in his parents'; Xander's fears in "Restless" explore his feeling of being "trapped" in that basement. Wilcox argues that the basement is a representation of the subconscious, and that young carefree zombie Jack O'Toole ([[Channon Roe]]) represents Xander's [[id, ego, and super-ego|id]], his inner desires. The episode brings to light how the basis for heroism rests in the subconscious, and also how as the two battles increasingly merge, his friends cannot hope to save the world and save others unless Xander's battle with the [[Self (psychology)|Self]] is also won. In his confrontation with Jack, just as in his confrontation with Dark Willow in season 6's "[[Grave (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Grave]]", Xander saves the world through his words. As the "warrior of words", Wilcox feels that this makes Xander the character who most clearly represents series creator Joss Whedon.<ref>{{cite book|title=Laughter: For Those of Us in the Audience Who Are Me|first=Ronda |last=Wilcox|chapter=When Harry Met Buffy|pages=129–145|location=London|publisher=I.B. Tauris & Co. Ltd, and Palgrave Macmillan (distributor)|year=2005}}</ref>

Throughout the series, Xander's family are seen to be [[dysfunctional family|highly dysfunctional]] and composed of alcoholics. In "[[Homecoming (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Homecoming]]", he admits to swallowing his pride to borrow a tuxedo from his cousin Rigby, from a wealthier branch of the family, who, as Xander puts it "shun us... as they should". Xander relates in "[[Amends]]" that he sleeps outside at Christmas to avoid the family quarrels. This leads him to seek a surrogate family in his friendships with Buffy, Willow and Giles. Xander lacks Giles's and Willow's academic intelligence, and Buffy's physical prowess. Cordelia is initially ashamed to be Xander's girlfriend. Throughout the series, Xander struggles to contribute meaningfully to the group dynamic. His dissatisfaction reaches a nadir in season 4: Xander's physical dislocation from his friends, who are now in college, leads to a profound sense of being useless. In "Restless", his menial jobs and degrading habitat rise to the surface of his dream narrative. Before falling asleep, he begins to watch ''[[Apocalypse Now]]'' with Willow, Buffy and Giles, who comments, "Oh, I'm beginning to understand this now. It's all about the journey, isn't it." Xander's dream, in turn, is one of intense self-exploration. In his dream, Xander goes to use the bathroom, and is emasculated and infantilized by Buffy asking him if he needs any help: this scene shows Xander's "sense of insecurity and powerlessness". Nevertheless, he becomes lost and finds himself in his parents' basement. From there, he finds himself in his ice cream truck, where Anya asks if he knows what he is doing, underlining the aimlessness of his journey; he is in the basement once again. When suddenly he is in the army and [[Principal Snyder]] (as a character in ''Apocalypse Now'') asks where he comes from, he says, "The basement, mostly." He fears that his military interrogator is correct in saying that he is "the whipping boy" and "set on a sacrificial stone". (This position of being less "chosen" for social inclusion and great things than his peers makes him uniquely able to comfort Dawn in season 7's "Potential".)<ref name=Stephens>{{cite book|title=Televised Morality: The case of Buffy the Vampire Slayer|first=Gregory|last=Stephens|chapter=Identity and the Quest for Self|location=Maryland|publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield|Hamilton Books]]|year=2003|pages=91–104}}</ref>

Although "The Replacement" sets up its narrative as an [[evil twin]] [[Trope (literature)|television narrative trope]], its catch is that ''both'' Xanders are in fact the real Xander. In this episode, Xander uncovers that he has the power within himself to be the adult, suave and confident man whom he had spent the episode envying. "The dual Xanders", Stephens argues, "represents the duality in all of us." The episode demonstrates that Xander is not defined by his weaker personality traits but by the core personality that is a merger of his stronger and weaker traits.<ref name=Stephens/> Xander's costume choices in various Halloween episodes show the audience his desire for macho credence: he comes, variously, as a cowboy, a soldier and as James Bond. As a soldier, he was in fact magically turned into his costume, and got to retain his macho status along with the useful military knowledge. Following this incident, his choice of costume represents explicitly whom he would like to actually become. Various episodes highlight Xander's intense bravery; for example, he faces down evil Angelus (Boreanaz) at Buffy's hospital door in the episode "[[Killed by Death (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Killed by Death]]", and he offers his life in place of Willow's in "[[Inca Mummy Girl]]". When Buffy prepares to face Angelus in the [[Becoming (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|season 2 finale]], he arrives with a rock in hand saying "Cavalry's here. Cavalry's a frightened guy with a rock, but it's here." Stephens argues that this makes up the essence of Xander's character; though powerless, he is always both loyal and brave. As his relationship with Dawn in "Potential" and his support of Buffy show, Xander finds that his real calling seems to be in his role as the "eternal supporter".<ref name=Stephens/> One journalist describes the character as a modern-day [[Greek Chorus]], always an outsider looking in, and a version of Joss Whedon himself. One author writes that the focus of Xander's character development has always been his quest for maturity.<ref name=UnofficialGuide/>

While their characters were an item, Brendon was close friends with Charisma Carpenter, who portrays Cordelia. When they broke up on the show, and Cordelia transitioned to the spin-off ''Angel'', he commented that they had hardly spoken due to being in different scenes all the time. This felt like a real-life breakup in many ways. When Xander got to become serious with Anya in season 5, the actor commented that it was nice to see Xander mature after four years of playing the "[[nerd]]".<ref name=UnofficialGuide/> Lorna Jowett feels that Xander's romances throughout the season almost seem to "make up" for the character's shortcomings,<ref name=Jowett>{{cite book|title=Sex and the Slayer|last=Jowett|first=Lorna|publisher=[[Wesleyan University Press]]|year=2005}}</ref> which Stafford attributes to Xander's origin as Whedon's [[author surrogate]] in the show.<ref name=UnofficialGuide/> Anya comments that Xander is "a Viking in the sack" in "[[The Yoko Factor]]", indicating not just masculinity but also virility. Within the show, gay character Larry mistakes Xander for being gay, and Xander's unguarded comments towards Spike have led some fans who write [[fan fiction]] to depict Xander as being gay. Jowett attributes this to Xander's internal struggles (which concern a crisis of masculinity and his role amongst his friends) do not contain a readily accessible solution for viewers to hold onto. She argues that some fans see this as a "stumbling block", perhaps unconsciously, to recognising the character's masculinity and at a wider level, in constructing a notion of contemporary masculinity.<ref name=Jowett/>

In the [[DVD]] commentary for the episode "[[Dirty Girls]]", writer [[Drew Goddard]] mentions there was talk of killing off Xander towards the end of season 7 and having the [[First Evil]] assume Xander's appearance when conversing with [[Buffy Summers|Buffy]] for the remainder of the season. This was ultimately rejected since Xander was thought to be too important to the series, and his death occurring so late in the season would leave little time to deal with it correctly, and that throughout the series' run, Xander was the one character who never wavered, and to punish that characteristic with death would send a message the staff was not trying to convey. Instead of killing Xander, he was blinded in one eye.

==Reception==
For his role as Xander, Brendon was nominated for [[Saturn Award]] in 1998 and 1999 for Best Genre TV Actor and in 2000 for the Supporting Actor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0107183/awards|title=Awards for Nicholas Brendon|work=[[IMDb]]|access-date=2010-07-24}}</ref> At least one later critique of Xander's character regarded him less sympathetically as a "[[nice guy|Nice Guy™]]".<ref>{{cite news|title=Reconsidering the Feminism of Joss Whedon|url=http://www.themarysue.com/reconsidering-the-feminism-of-joss-whedon/|access-date=16 March 2017|work=www.themarysue.com|language=en}}</ref>

===Impact===
"The Zeppo" in season 3 was a Xander-centric episode, which only featured the other characters in humorous aside glimpses of their struggle to save the world. This episode has proved very influential on later television writers. In his "Production Notes: Doodles in the Margins of Time" in 2007, ''[[Doctor Who]]'' executive producer [[Russell T Davies]] cites "The Zeppo" along with ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' episode "[[Lower Decks (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Lower Decks]]" as an influence on his 2006 ''Doctor Who'' episode "[[Love & Monsters (Doctor Who)|Love & Monsters]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-medium-is-not-enough.com/2006/06/love_and_monsters.php|title=Review: Doctor Who 2x10 - Love and Monsters|access-date=2010-07-24|date=2006-06-19|work=The Medium is Not Enough}}</ref> The episode provided a television format that came to be known as the "[[Doctor (Doctor Who)|Doctor]]-lite episode", an annual tradition for ''Doctor Who'' from 2006 to 2008, often featuring a significant [[guest star]] carrying the bulk of the acting responsibilities as ''Doctor Who'' has a much smaller cast than ''Buffy''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/s7/doctor-who/news/a102299/doctor-light-the-doctorless-who-stories.html|title='Doctor-Light': The Doctorless 'Who' Stories|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=2010-07-24|date=2008-06-22}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite journal | first = Katherine E. | last = Whaley | title = There's nothing wrong with my body': Xander as a Study in Defining Capability of the Disabled Body in Buffy the Vampire Slayer | journal = Slayage | volume = 12.2/13.1 [40-41] | date = Winter 2014 – Spring 2015 | url = http://www.whedonstudies.tv/uploads/2/6/2/8/26288593/whaley.pdf | issn = 1546-9212 | archive-date = 2016-05-07 | access-date = 2015-03-03 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160507175243/http://www.whedonstudies.tv/uploads/2/6/2/8/26288593/whaley.pdf | url-status = dead }}

==External links==
{{Portal|United States|Television}}
* [http://btvswritersguild.dymphna.net/characters/xander.html The BtVS Writers' Guild] - Main character page for The BtVS Writers' Guild featuring Xander's various incarnations and relationships. Each page features character profiles, essays on the character and writing, as well as fan fiction and links.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080205051152/http://vrya.net/bdb/character.php?char=3 Buffyverse Dialogue DB:: Xander] - Character profile for Xander Harris including his main story arcs and a detailed list of episodes and script lines.
{{Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}

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Anya Jenkins

2025-10-11T23:43:16Z

2001:D08:1C12:DEBE:4462:8B94:7FF6:7513:

{{Short description|Character in Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Anya Jenkins
| alias = {{unbulleted list|Aud|Anyanka|Anya Emerson}}
| series = [[Buffyverse|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]
| image = Anya Jenkins (season 6).jpg
| caption = Emma Caulfield as Anya Jenkins
| first = "[[The Wish (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Wish]]" (1998)
| last = ''Own It'' (2016)
| creator = [[Joss Whedon]] [[Marti Noxon]]
| portrayer = [[Emma Caulfield]]
| affiliation = Scooby Gang
| lbl21 = Classification
| data21 = Vengeance demon (formerly) Human (formerly) Ghost (currently)
| lbl22 = Notable powers
| data22 = Wish-granting. [[Superhuman strength|Superhuman physical attributes]], [[teleportation]], [[telekinesis]], invulnerability.
}}

'''Anya Christina Emmanuella Jenkins'''{{Efn|In ''[[Checkpoint (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Checkpoint]]'' Anya gives this as her full name while trying to convince the Watcher's Council she is an ordinary human. Later, in ''[[Selfless (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Selfless]]'', she calls it a "lame-ass made up maiden name". In the 1999 ''[[Sunnydale High Yearbook]]'' tie-in book, she is named "Anya Emerson".}} (born as '''Aud''') is a fictional character created by [[Joss Whedon]] for the television series ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]''. Portrayed by [[Emma Caulfield]], she appears as a recurring guest in the third and fourth seasons, before becoming a series regular in the show's fifth, sixth, and seventh seasons. She made her last TV appearance in ''Buffy''<nowiki/>'s [[Chosen (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|series finale]] that aired on May 20, 2003.

Anya begins the series as '''Anyanka''', a vengeance demon who wreaks havoc by granting the wishes of women wronged by men. In her first appearance in "[[The Wish (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Wish]]", she becomes trapped in human form, and is forced to re-learn what it means to be human in subsequent episodes. Anya is unaware of social conventions, and speaks bluntly and honestly—flashbacks reveal that she was much the same before becoming a demon. Over a decade after her death in the series finale, Anya returns as a ghost in the 2014 comic book series ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten]].''

==Character history==

===Backstory===
Anya was originally a human woman named Aud living in 9th century [[Scandinavia]]. She is depicted as raising rabbits, alienated from her village because of her strange mannerisms. In 880, she discovers that her lover [[Minor characters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer#Olaf|Olaf]], a boorish [[Viking]], cheated on her with a bar matron, and takes revenge by magically transforming him into a [[troll]]. This impresses the demon [[D'Hoffryn]], who offers to transform her into a vengeance demon for scorned women, naming her Anyanka, Patron Saint of Scorned Women and granting her a wish-granting pendant.

Around 1199, Anyanka goes to the Koskov valleys above the [[Ural Mountains|Urals]] to curse an unfaithful man, where she witnesses a demonic ascension. The death and carnage—only a few people survive—shocks even her. Around 1580, Anyanka meets (and briefly dates) [[Dracula]]. She witnesses the [[Salem witch trials]] in 1692.

In the 19th century, Anyanka becomes a close friend and rival of [[Halfrek]], another vengeance demon who avenges wronged children. They spend time together during the [[Crimean War]]. Anyanka impresses "Hallie" with a wish in [[Saint Petersburg, Russia|Saint Petersburg]], which sparks the [[Russian Revolution of 1905]]. In 1914, Anyanka travels to [[Chicago]], to exact vengeance on a man named Stewart Burns, turning him into a demon and sending him to a hell dimension to be tortured for all eternity.

===Seasons 3 and 4===
Anyanka arrives at [[Sunnydale High School]] in 1998 ("[[The Wish (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Wish]]") as a student named Anya. She came to Sunnydale in response to the distress of [[Cordelia Chase|Cordelia]], distraught after catching her boyfriend [[Xander Harris|Xander]] kissing [[Willow Rosenberg|Willow]]. After some prompting, Cordelia says she wishes [[Buffy Summers|Buffy]] never came to [[Sunnydale]], which Anya grants, transforming the world into an alternative reality where Buffy is absent and vampires have overtaken the town. After discerning what has happened, the Giles of this reality summons Anyanka and destroys her necklace which contains her powers, returning the word to normal, and leaving Anya a mortal and powerless teenage girl.

Though Caulfield only expected to be in one episode,{{citation needed|date=March 2014}} Anya returns seven episodes later in "[[Doppelgangland]]", where she tricks Willow into assisting in a failed attempt to magically recover her necklace. Once again experiencing human emotions, she asks Xander to the prom while simultaneously lecturing him about her abhorrence of all men. Caulfield says, "[Whedon] found this great way to have her interact with the storylines that had developed throughout the entire [third] season."<ref name="Springer">Springer, Matt, "Hollywood Zen", from ''[[Buffyverse Magazines (UK)|Buffy the Vampire Slayer magazine]]'' #11 (UK, August 2000), page 12.</ref>

Anya develops feelings for Xander and asks him out again just before graduation, despite Xander's apparent lack of interest. When he tells her of [[Mayor (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|the Mayor]]'s planned ascension (a transformation into pure demon), she decides to flee town and invites Xander to join her, worried for his safety. Xander refuses, and she leaves without him.

Anya returns to Sunnydale early in season 4, still infatuated with Xander. She seduces him ("[[The Harsh Light of Day (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Harsh Light of Day]]"). Her straightforward, often tactless remarks put her at odds with other the Scoobies, especially Willow, who distrusts her. Anya's tactlessness is played both for humor and to highlight the truth in situations where others are reluctant to be frank. This is seen most poignantly in "[[The Body (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Body]]" when her inability to comprehend the permanence of Buffy's mother's death leads to inappropriate remarks which angers the others but then allows for catharsis and comfort.

===Seasons 5–7===
Anya becomes a regular in season 5 of the show. While playing ''[[The Game of Life]]'', she discovers her love for money and capitalism (as opposed to her belief in [[Communism]] during the early 20th century and her charitable attitude of her years as Aud). Anya's budding retail skills encourage Giles to hire her as a cashier at The Magic Box. In the episode, "[[Checkpoint (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Checkpoint]]", Anya is questioned by members of the Watchers' Council, and invents the full name Anya Christina Emmanuella Jenkins, and claims to have been born on the [[Independence Day (United States)|Fourth of July]] in Indiana.<ref>{{Cite web |title=05x12 - Checkpoint |url=https://transcripts.foreverdreaming.org/viewtopic.php?t=8394 |website=Buffy the Vampire Slayer Transcripts |access-date=16 December 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>

During an impending apocalypse, brought about by [[Glory (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Glory]] at the end of season 5, Xander proposes to Anya and they are engaged for most of season 6. Xander's doubts grow, however, and it is not difficult for Stewart Burns – escaped from [[Hell]] and impersonating Xander's future self – to persuade him to leave Anya at the wedding by showing him an illusionary life where Anya apparently cheats on Xander and is later killed in an argument between the two ("[[Hell's Bells (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Hell's Bells]]"). Grief-stricken, Anya is vulnerable to D'Hoffryn's coaxing, and becomes a vengeance demon again.

In the season 6 episode "[[Entropy (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Entropy]]" Anya returns to Sunnydale. The audience can see her as a vengeance demon but the other characters are unaware until "[[Villains (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Villains]]". Anya cannot find anyone who wishes vengeance on Xander and so she takes comfort in sex with Spike, an act which puts her relationship and friendship with Xander and Buffy in jeopardy. Spike nearly wishes for some kind of vengeance upon Xander, but after seeing how much her actions hurt him, Anya stops him, unable to go through with it. In the season 6 finale, Willow destroys The Magic Box, leaving Anya jobless in the mortal world. Anya does not enjoy her return to being a vengeance demon—her experience as a human has led to empathy, which makes exacting vengeance too painful for her to manage. She spends a summer granting half-hearted wishes and gains a reputation among demons as "Miss Soft-Serve".

When asked what direction she would like to see Anya's character go, Emma Caulfield said she hoped that in season 7 Anya would become "kind of a badass". Caulfield said that Anya has always been strong in unorthodox ways, but "I'd like to see a more blatant display of her strength."<ref>{{Citation| last = Lee| first =Patrick| journal=Science Fiction Weekly| title =The creators of Buffy head into season seven with a lighter heart| url =http://www.scifi.com/sfw/issue282/interview.html | access-date = 2007-07-18 }}</ref> Appropriately, after Halfrek encourages Anya to return to her former level of work, Anya exacts a terrible vengeance on a group of college boys by unleashing a spider-like Grimslaw demon on them. This results in a battle with Buffy, in which they are almost evenly matched. The battle is interrupted when D'Hoffryn, summoned by Willow from the Summers home, shows up. D'Hoffryn asks Anya what she wants, and she asks that her vengeance be reversed. D'Hoffryn tells her the price will be the life of a vengeance demon; Anya agrees, assuming it is she who will die, but D'Hoffryn summons Halfrek, incinerating her before Anya. "Never go for the kill, when you can go for the pain" he tells the distressed Anya, and strips her of her powers, making her once again mortal.

Anya decides that she has been too dependent on others and resolves to find an independent purpose in life for herself. She eventually rejoins the Scooby Gang as season 7 focuses on the long fight against the [[First Evil]] and eventually becomes friends with Xander; although Xander and Anya still love each other, they never officially resume their relationship.

In the [[series finale]], "[[Chosen (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Chosen]]", Anya fights with the others in the climactic battle against the First Evil and is brutally slain from behind, bisected by a [[Bringers of the First Evil|Bringer's]] sword. Her body lies in the school's remains although Xander attempts to locate her while fleeing the collapsing building. After Sunnydale collapses into the Hellmouth, [[Andrew Wells]] comforts Xander by telling him that Anya had died saving his life, to which Xander tearfully replies, "That's my girl, always doing the stupid thing."

In an interview with ''Buffy The Vampire Slayer/Angel'' magazine #93, Emma Caulfield stated that she was okay with her character's abrupt death, stating, "She didn't get a big, maudlin send-off, it was very quick and to the point - very Anya in that respect." Although later, at [[Wizard World]] Philadelphia 2009 she said she didn't realize it was going to be abrupt and without fanfare, and would have appreciated a little something more.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igeBbGCkF3U |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/igeBbGCkF3U| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=Emma Caulfield Q&A Pt. 3 at Wizard World Philadelphia 2009|work=YouTube|date=22 June 2009 |access-date=27 October 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Joss Whedon joked at the Nocturnal convention in 2001 Anya was originally supposed to die during the season 5 finale, "[[The Gift (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Gift]]", but he had to keep her alive because Emma Caulfield couldn't keep still while Xander was carrying Anya's supposedly lifeless body.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://groups.google.com/group/uk.media.tv.angel/msg/519ef3ade688181d?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&rnum=1|title=groups.google.com/group/uk.media.tv.angel/msg/|access-date=27 October 2014}}</ref>

===Comic books===
It was stated that Anya would return in the ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight]]'' comic book series, even with Joss Whedon telling MTV that she was "definitely dead... but that doesn't mean she's gone."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1551286/20070131/index.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202204347/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1551286/20070131/index.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 2, 2007|title=MTV News - Re-Buffed: New Comic Book Series Resurrects Vampire Slayer|work=MTV News|access-date=27 October 2014}}</ref> However, [[Dark Horse Comics]] editor [[Scott Allie]] stated that there were no current plans for Anya to appear.

In the first issue of ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten]],'' Anya returns as a ghost, having a conversation with Xander during a battle with both a mindless breed of vampires, which Xander has dubbed "zompires," and another new breed who are stronger and have abilities of withstanding sunlight and shape-shifting. Currently, she is only visible to her former fiancé, and Xander hasn't yet informed the gang about Anya. It soon turns out she was a fake ghost who was created by D'Hoffryn who wanted revenge on Xander. Anya's fake ghost realizes that the one thing Anya wanted before she died was taking care of D'Hoffryn. D'Hoffryn was pulling Anya's strings for a long time, even when she was human. She never cut her strings and finally got her vengeance on D'Hoffryn and knew that Xander felt bad about what happened between him and Anya. Before departing, she assures Xander that he is a good man and that the original Anya would forgive him as well.<ref name="Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten #1">{{cite book|last=Gage|first=Christos|title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten|date=March 2014|publisher=Dark Horse Comics|page=12}}</ref>

==Powers and abilities==
Anyanka has the power to grant wishes made by women seeking revenge against men who have wronged them, even changing reality to accommodate these wishes, a gift which is supported by her ability to detect women's emotional pain at a distance. She has supernatural strength, teleportation (although in "[[Same Time, Same Place]]" she mentions that her use of teleportation is temporarily limited and requires bureaucratic paperwork), telekinesis and rapid healing, being able to survive impalement. As a demon she will not die of old age, having lived over a thousand years, but can be killed if her body is sufficiently damaged.

With over a thousand years of experience as a former vengeance demon, Anya's knowledge of demonology and various dimensions is immense, surpassing both Giles and his successor [[Wesley Wyndam-Pryce]], but not as skilled as them in research. Although her native language is [[Old Norse]], Anyanka/Anya speaks fluent [[English language|English]] as well as some [[French language|French]], [[Latin]] and can read and speak [[Ancient Sumerian]]. It is implied that she can speak any human language, as she has granted wishes in many countries all over the world throughout many centuries. Despite being human, Anya still has contacts with some of her former associates.

Anya also exhibits some basic knowledge of magic, often commenting on Willow's spellcasting and interest in magic with a reasonable degree of insight, and she occasionally participates in the casting of spells herself ("[[Doppelgangland]]"). As a human, Anya's experience and practice of combat from her time as a demon allows her to be an effective fighter, as seen in the series finale.

As a ghost, Anya is incorporeal and invisible to everyone except Xander.

==Personality==
Commenting on the personality of her character, Caulfield said, "Anya remains mortal and ambivalent. She's just struggling with being human, and really, don't we all struggle with that from time to time? She's very indifferent - and definitely sarcastic and bitter at times."<ref name="Springer" /> Anya states in the "Selfless" flashback that she likes to [[bowling|bowl]] and she's "good with math".

===Bunny phobia===
Anya's irrational fear of rabbits ([[List of phobias|leporiphobia]]) is established for the first time in the season 4 Halloween episode "[[Fear, Itself]]", in which she appears in a bunny costume after Xander tells her to come to the party as something "scary". Her phobia becomes a running joke for the remainder of the series. In "[[The Gift (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Gift]]", Anya sees a stuffed rabbit in the basement of The Magic Box (while looking for the Dagon Sphere with Xander), causing her to scream and exclaim, "Who would put something like that there?!" In "[[Once More, With Feeling (Buffy episode)|Once More, With Feeling]]", Anya sings, "Bunnies aren't just cute like everybody supposes. They got them hoppy legs and twitchy little noses, and what's with all the carrots? What do they need such good eyesight for anyway?", a verse reminiscent of Willow's speech about spiders ("[[Nightmares (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Nightmares]]"). In "[[Tabula Rasa (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Tabula Rasa]]", while suffering from memory loss, she repeatedly casts a spell that does nothing more than cause rabbits to appear in increasing numbers. The phobia also manifests itself in her final moments. As the final battle approaches, [[Andrew Wells]] suggests she "picture happy things: a lake, candy canes, bunnies..." The change is drastic and instantaneous. She confidently raises her sword, saying grimly, "Bunnies. Floppy, hoppy, bunnies."

In her "origins" episode, "[[Selfless (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Selfless]]", Anya (then known as Aud), is surrounded by rabbits without showing any signs of distress over their presence.

==Academic analysis==
Anya has been the subject of at least one academic article. For Tamy Burnett, "Anya ... stands alone as the only woman in the Buffyverse to remain unshamed and unpunished for her expressions of sexuality". Burnett argues that, among ''Buffy''{{'}}s female characters, despite their varying versions of personal and/or mental strength, Anya is the only one who is truly sexually liberated. Buffy and her friends tend to be "girly girls", who learn that "Sex is bad" and have their transgressions of traditional gender performance punished; Burnett cites the loss of Angel's soul,  punitive interpretations of Tara's death, and Willow's transformation into Warren among other consequences. Faith comes "the closest" after Anya to breaking these traditional patterns because, while she is "just as sexual and outspoken" as Anya, she pivotally does not achieve Anya's acceptance within the group; for Anya, this "legitimizes her perspective". She identifies this motif with typical traits of [[horror fiction]], citing Dawn Heinecken's feminist analysis in ''Warrior Women of Television''. Anya frankly admits to masturbation and to her favourite sexual activities with Xander, and assumes that others share her attitudes. To Burnett, Anya's death in "Chosen" positions Anya as "failing to achieve [her] ultimate narrative legitimacy". Burnett concludes that "Anya's attitude toward sexual desire marks her as transgressing traditional forms of female sexuality, a significant break to the pattern by which other women on the show are constrained."<ref>{{cite book|last = Burnett|first = Tamy L.|chapter = Anya as Feminist Model of Positive Female Sexuality|title = Sexual Rhetoric in the Works of Joss Whedon: New Essays|editor-first = Erin B.|editor-last = Waggoner|location = Jefferson, NC|publisher = McFarland|year = 2010|pages = 117–145|isbn = 978-0-7864-4750-3}}</ref>

==Appearances==
''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'': Anya appeared in 81 canon episodes. Anya was a series regular from Seasons Five through Seven (2000–2003), but did not appear in "[[Normal Again]]", "[[Help (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Help]]" (her scenes were cut), "[[Conversations with Dead People]]", and "[[Dirty Girls]]". Prior to season 5, Anya was a recurring character for seasons three to four, appearing in the following episodes:

* Season 3 (1998–1999): "[[The Wish (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Wish]]", "[[Doppelgangland]]", "The Prom" and "[[Graduation Day (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Graduation Day, Part One]]".
* Season 4 (1999–2000): "[[The Harsh Light of Day (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Harsh Light of Day]]", "[[Fear, Itself]]", "[[Pangs]]", "[[Something Blue (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Something Blue]]", "[[Hush (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Hush]]", "[[A New Man]]", "[[The I in Team]]", "[[Goodbye Iowa]]", "[[Who Are You (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Who Are You]]", "[[Superstar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Superstar]]", "[[Where the Wild Things Are (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Where the Wild Things Are]]", "[[New Moon Rising (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|New Moon Rising]]", "[[The Yoko Factor]]", "[[Primeval (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Primeval]]", and "[[Restless (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Restless]]".

Anya has also appeared in a number of comics including ''[[Past Lives (comics)|Past Lives]]'', ''[[Ugly Little Monsters (Buffy comic)|Ugly Little Monsters]]'', and ''[[Reunion (Buffy comic)|Reunion]]'', and in novels including ''[[Unseen (Buffy/Angel novel)|Unseen]]'', ''[[Wisdom of War]]'' and ''[[Monster Island (Buffy/Angel novel)|Monster Island]]''. She also makes a brief appearance in the 2003 video game ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds]]''.

==Merchandise==
In 2005, Diamond Select Toys produced several action figures in the likeness of Emma Caulfield for their ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' line. Each figure featured a "real-scan" likeness of Caulfield and episode/character specific outfit. Figures produced were: "Season 5 Anya" in red top and black skirt, "Hell's Bells Anya" in wedding dress, "Once More, With Feeling Anya" in butterfly top and green skirt, "Anyanka" in demon dress, and "Bunny Suit Anya" in removable bunny suit. A repaint of "Bunny Suit Anya" was featured in the Vengeance Book box-set.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|United States|Television}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170401213138/http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0004934/ Anya] on [[IMDb]]

{{Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}

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