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Angel: 1x19 Full Reaction (Patreon)

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2024-05-06 02:11:17
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2026-06
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Content

"Sanctuary"

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Comments

Land Howard Johnston

I can't wait to see this reaction! Five by Five and Sanctuary are two of the best episodes from Angel S1. Sanctuary is something of a controversial episode because Buffy is considered to be written out of character however I want to defend her here in general. In the argument between Buffy and Angel about Faith, I absolutely saw it from Buffy's perspective. Buffy did so much to try and be Faith's friend during Season 3. To then be betrayed so many times. But even after Faith woke up from the coma, Buffy's first instinct was to try and think about how Faith could be rehabilitated. However, Faith immediately turns around and holds her mom hostage and sleeps with Riley in order to inflict maximum pain on Buffy. That was so much more painful to Buffy than any battle she's been in - as she said, no one had ever made her a victim before. Faith never actually tells Angel about the body swap and holding Joyce hostage, etc. Only about having sex with Riley. Angel only hears from Giles that it was vaguely "rough." We also don't talk about how Faith sleeping with Riley in Buffy's body was essentially nonconsentual sexual assault of both Riley AND Buffy by Faith. So, of course Buffy is stunned to see Angel with Faith when it immediately reminds her how Faith slept with Riley and how traumatized she felt seeing Angel and Faith make out in Consequences. And it reminds her of how Buffy herself used to embrace Angel, particularly on their first night together. It's actually nice tie-in to what Angel said prior to Buffy's entrance, that just because you say sorry, that doesn't mean the scales automatically balance out all the evil actions that took place before. Faith murdered multiple people and tortured and assaulted others, which is why Buffy said she needs jail. In the end, ironically, it was Faith that understood that Buffy was absolutely right - turning herself in was the only way to truly begin the redemption process. (An interesting note, consider how Buffy turned herself in after she thought she killed human Ted. To your point on the previous episode about human laws, Buffy utterly believes - rightfully so - that being a Slayer doesn't give them the right to abuse the law. That if they intentionally use their powers to harm or kill an innocent, they should absolutely be held accountable). It's also worth noting all the times Buffy was sympathetic and advocated for Faith in S3 & S4 before the final straw of the body swap. "She hasn't been hanging out much. Slaying a rough gig. Stuff gets pent up." "She had it rough. Different circumstances, that could be me." "You can trust me. I'm on your side." "She needs help now." "She could be terrified. Or maybe she doesn't remember. Or maybe she does and she's sorry and she's alone, hiding somewhere." "It doesn't have to be like this, you know." "I gave you every chance. I tried so hard to help you and you spat on me." Think about how different Buffy's reaction would have been if Faith came to her after the coma to talk it out and apologize rather than doing the body swap, etc.

Sean Stuart

Scully and Mulder are the lead characters of XFiles

StephanieB
>>137186530

Love this comment. All excellent points. But- I believe Faith and Angel made out in Enemies.

Michael Labs

The final scenes between Buffy and Angel in the police station gives me some thoughts... I see Angel as a deeply emotional being (hence the brooding and moodiness at times) and he was dealing with Faith who shares the same general type of crimes he has a history about. The key difference is that Angel did them a lot more and performed a higher quality of evil (as in worse). I don't imagine that Angel had any more in his gas tank for dealing with Buffy's issues in addition to Faith's crisis of the soul and the continuous reminder of his own evil acts which were countless and high on the level of magnitude. There is a limit to what even heroes can take.

Vicky Nguyen
>>137186530

I think people just say she's OOC because they're upset with her behavior. IMO Buffy is in character. What she says is kind of petty, but it's totally understandable, given what she's been through and what she saw. She's still a hero, she's just human, and she can be wrong. I think she knows deep down Angel is right, but she felt a need to lash out. It's okay for our heroes to be wrong sometimes. I'm ok with how she behaves, I think it makes sense from her POV.

James Smith

Sarah Michelle Gellar got great moments when she got to act a little different than normal in these Faith episodes. The "killer"-Buffy in Faith's dream sequence, portraying the character of Faith in the body-swap story, and being an antagonist in this episode; (in the sense that Angel the protagonist wants to redeem Faith and Buffy challenges that). They are all great scenes and interesting to see the main character get to do something different from just be the hero. Also I noticed that both the Watchers Council Special Operations Team and Wolfram&Hart lawyers have a trio of characters that kind of mirror each other. Collins and Lindsey lead their respective teams. Weatherby and Lilah are very vocal in their opposition (saying working with vampires in an abomination) or support of demons (apologizing for being species-ist). Smith (strangled by Buffy in Faith's body and thrown off helicopter by Angel) and Lee (head repeatedly smacked on table by Faith) are presented as kind of pathetic.

Aaron Price

First off, you don't know who Scully is? WHAT?!?!!! You don't know one of the most iconic characters in television history? Good Lord. Well, happy day. You have another show you can put down on your list to react to. The X-Files just happens to be one of the best television shows ever made. Hands down. Second, we almost never see Buffy without the moral high ground. This is one of those very rare occasions, maybe only occasions, where we see Buffy looking up instead of down. Third, you don't have to rely on fanfiction. There are Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel comics. They expand the Buffyverse and the characters you know and love. It's never a bad thing to have a little Faith. Pick up a comic and you can have a lot more. Fourth, next time stop in at Taco Johns. Taco Johns is way more worth food poisoning than Taco Bell. I hope you start feeling nice and rested soon!

Melissa

I'm glad that Angel rightfully called out Buffy about wanting vengeance on Faith as her reason for being there. I'm in the minority in that I kind of wish we had spent more time on just Angel and Faith, and even Wesley and Faith. There was more than enough going on without Buffy there. There was so much going on that you really don't even notice Cordelia not being there after she leaves. And while I feel Buffy is of course valid in her feelings, I just wasn't interested in hearing it on this show in this episode. Loved your response of f you back to the Council on Wesley's behalf. Thanks for another great reaction!

Dissonant Bard

After both TV shows end, there are graphic novels that carry them on so you don't have to turn to the fanfic immediately.

Jontor11

I love Faith! She is such a charismatic character. And if you think about it, this is the only satisfying conclusion to her story arc. I think the writers realized they had written themselves into a corner with the slayer lore. There is only supposed to be one slayer, then Buffy died for a couple of minutes and Kendra got called. Then Kendra died and Faith got called. The writers knew that if they killed off Faith they need to bring in another slayer. To avoid that, we keep Faith in jail. And it wouldn't have been realistic to keep Faith around unpunished as she has murdered a lot of people. I think the council guys lied to Wesley. They obviously intended to kill Faith, not rehabilitate her. And they probably also lied to him about the council wanting him back.

Ashley Simmons

I'm currently reading the season 8 buffy comic! It has been an awesome read and is a great way to continue the story after you watch season 7!

Ariel17

Great reaction Cass! I'm just gonna recommend now, since you mentioned not feeling very energetic or just feeling kinda tired lately, that you rest up before you watch the Buffy season 4 finale. Like, maybe take a good break, after watching eps 4x20 and 4x21, before watching 4x22. Trust me you'll wanna be well-rested and alert for that one. Bring snacks! =)

spikeysnack

You know what's funny? The Council guys don't know they were fighting Buffy both times. Also Buffy's plan to defeat the Mayor ended up killing a lot of people, even turning some into vampires, and blowing up a high school. Not murder, per se, but not clean. Also she kind of ripped the face off her teenage roommate in a rage, and did actually try to kill Faith with a knife. But hey kids huh? Part of growing up? A few stabbings, faces ripped off, swords through the chest, shoving boyfriends into hell, you know the usual. Also, I guess Adam doesn't rate too high on the priority scale. He just eviscerates children, but Faith has to pay. It is a bit weird that Faith submitting to the Police makes Buffy feel cheated of revenge, I mean it figures. I don't think Buffy cares about the humans Faith killed at all really. In fact Buffy really has left a lot of her friends and Giles hanging on their own against big danger, just trusting they will be fine, and then rescuing them when they aren't. Danger is part of the show, but man Riley could be a dead man anytime, Xander was down with Syphilis, Giles has been knocked out so many times one of these days he's going to wake up in a coma. Joyce got bit by a vamp, Willow too. Cordy actually bit a vampire. If she wants revenge, she should go after Drusilla for killing Kendra. All this is part of the logic that is not of the Buffyverse. We get what we get. Let's just say that we have not seen the last of Faith Lehane, Vampire Slayer.

Holy Stregas
>>137186530

It's not exactly that she's out of character, it's that she's framed in an antagonistic way even though Faith's body swap means that she effectively raped both Buffy and Riley. Buffy's body was used for sex without her consent, and when Faith had sex with Riley in Buffy's body, he only consented because he thought she was his girlfriend and wouldn't have consented if he'd known who she really was. And yet Buffy is the bad guy. She's an antagonistic force who stomps into the episode and, aside from the scene on the rooftop where she talks about how Faith made her a victim, is treated as an obstacle to Faith's rehabilitation and not a character in her own right with very justifiable reasons to want Faith punished. Possibly because if the episode fully grappled with what Faith did to Buffy and Riley, the audience might not want to see Faith rehabilitated.

The Testimony of Mushroom
>>137201865

We should roleplay that there are no episodes beyond what the reactor has seen so as not to leave spoilers. Maybe rethink the last sentence in your comment.

CeNedra

I was waiting for Cass to say she didn't know what Yoko meant, I wasn't disappointed 1🤣🤣

Stephanie Kinman

I really like this episode, but I think it had the potential to be great. To me, the most compelling moments are the scenes with Faith and Angel, so I wish they would've spent more time exploring that instead of adding unnecessary Bangel drama. Oh well, it's still one of my favorites from season 1.

Kazza

Two things to note: Angel did not know everything that Faith had done to Buffy & The Watchers's Council's idea of rehabilitation of Faith involved machine guns 🤣

G. Smith

Still not sure how Angel could enter that guy's apartment in 1x18

dreamsofspike

That scene with the microwave is one of my all time favorite scenes in this universe. It's brilliantly hilarious, the self-awareness of the show and the way they play us as well as Angel. :P

Melissa
>>137207659

Totally agree, and I'm even a Bangel fan and love to see them together in any context.. But she wasn't needed here. Well said that this was a good episode, but it could have been great.

G. Smith
>>137195494

Not sure I would recommend them though. Buffy Season 8 is... rough.

dreamsofspike

Sometimes Buffy can be a bit of a hypocrite. I definitely feel for her in walking in on what she did and not getting any satisfying answers for it. But her look of total betrayal when Angel hits her BACK is kinda infuriating. She hit him first, like he points out, and she is a LOT stronger than him. Slayers are inherently stronger than vampires. And it's okay for Buffy to hit but not to be hit back? *fumes*

Bernhard

Fan fiction about Faith?—Nah, I can’t imagine that’s a thing. 😁

Bernhard
>>137207017

That’s probably quite common if you’re not old enough to remember The Beatles.

Dissonant Bard
>>137220537

Absolutely, her "I am just a girl" stick does wear thin sometimes. Gwen Stefani she is not and her tendency to resort to her fist when frustrated both deepens her character while in those moments making it very unlikeable. It's like if a male character went around putting his hands through walls.

Melissa
>>137198858

Who did she murder besides the professor? She killed Alan accidentally, she didn't murder him. Giles even said accidents happen. Yes, she tried to cover it up and dispose of the body. Yes, she has also beat up a lot of people, landing them in the hospital. I'm not excusing her crimes at all. But I'm not seeing that she "murdered a lot of people". Who are they?

StephanieB
>>137199317

There is an animated version of the comics I have seen some others react to. Maybe Cass would consider it as she gets closer to the end of the TV series...?

Rebecca

I love the slight smile on Faith's face at the end of the episode. It hinted that she's has finally found the beginnings of some semblance of peace. Buffy was acting on about 70% righteous anger and 30% jealous rage in this episode 😂. I completely understand Buffy's fury at seeing Angel comforting Faith after what Faith did to her. To Buffy, it felt like a massive betrayal. In my opinion, Buffy's anger towards Faith is totally warranted. Her attitude towards Angel, less so. The fact that she purposely rubs her new relationship in his face just to hurt him is rather mean spirited and petty. But I also love it when the writers make characters do things that are unlikable because people get angry and they say mean things. Including heroes like Buffy. Seeing Angel comforting Faith after everything she did was triggering for Buffy. I adore Buffy and Angel's relationship. But I also really love what Angel says to her when they argue at the end: 'Buffy, this wasn't about you. This was about saving somebody's soul. That's what I do here, and you're not a part of it.' This is so huge for Angel's character. Buffy was his reason, his salvation. He started to fight the good fight because of her. But here we can see that she's not the only thing he has to live for now. He's got a mission and is finally on the road towards self- self-actualisation.

Rebecca
>>137195494

Yeah the comics are... interesting. They're also veeery expensive!

CeNedra
>>137207017

I think it's more of a meme now than a remembrance 🤔 (I think meme is the right word) 🤣🫣

Holy Stregas

"Talk to him, let him explain." I mean, she is a detective and Angel was, in fact, aiding and abetting a fugitive. That interaction on the rooftop was justified. She had backup who didn't know about the supernatural, so it's not like Angel could have explained "I couldn't take her to the police because she has super strength and can't be arrested if she doesn't want to be." ...Her comments about the east-facing cell are much, much less justified.

Dissonant Bard
>>137186530

You are right that Buffy has every reason to hate Faith. What many people over look is so does Angel. She nearly killed the love of his "life." She nearly killed him. She nearly caused him to kill the love of his "life." She came close to turning him back into a soulless killing/torturing machine a fate worse than death to him. She drove a wedge even deeper between him and Buffy when he had to do his great act. She attacked and tortured the people now under his protection and took money to kill him. In this moment Buffy is no better than the gypsies that cursed Angel. She wants Faith to suffer and not to get better. The gypsies would rather other people to suffer as they did rather than Angel take joy in life.

Belle GC

you have such great commentary and insight on the whole Buffy situation. so many people take Angel’s “side” or even say Buffy’s out of character in this episode- which i understand because it seems like the show WANTS you to see her as the bad guy. but like you said, when you really think about it she has every right to feel the way she did. she came after Faith because of what literally just happened in Sunnydale and Faith trying to KILL Angel. and he still has the audacity to say this was “none of her business”?? i do think that last argument in the police station felt a little forced and unnatural, but other than that Buffy was entitled to her anger and i don’t really like how the show was trying to frame it like she wasn’t.

Anthony
>>137219681

Tbf I've not seen many reactors caught out by it, but when they are, like Cass was, the reaction is all the better for it!

Anthony
>>137207017

I was hoping for a comment about bad eggs, at the very least 😀

Ross Nolan

"Scully" and "Mulder" is a reference to 'The X-Files' which was a megapopular show in the 1990s. Special Agent Fox Mulder and Special Agent Dana Scully were two FBI agents working weird paranormal cases - UFOs, ghosts, cryptids, general eerie stuff. Mulder was an avid believer in aliens while Scully was a firm skeptic, always looking for 'scientific' explanations - though the two swapped positions when it came to more religious tinged weirdness with Scully a devout Irish American Catholic and Mulder a cynical agnostic or atheist. It's a great show and well worth watching though unfortunately it started to go off the rails in later years.

spikeysnack
>>137189071

There are a lot of pop culture references of the early 2000s that will be lost on Gen Z, but will be found. Angel brings them up from much longer ago because vampires are old, and the writers are Baby Boomers, and can't resist. The introduction of period-drama flashbacks into Angel is something to treasure in the show that Buffy doesn't have. Buffy's show is about growing up with demons and vampires as a metaphor for the hell we have to go through growing up to adulthood. Angel uses the supernatural as a way to talk about society and its flaws and how there is in everyone a need to fight through temptations and inner corruption. Wolfram & Hart is totally both a joke about lawyers and an indictment of the system in real life. A major theme in both shows is manipulating characters into thinking they are all alone, then finding out in the end that their friends are mistaking their feelings of isolation for something else, and then violently working it out. This episode had the twist that Faith finally came to terms that she had to be alone in this, nobody was going with her. Angel knows this, he did for 150 years on earth and the 100 years in Hell -- Buffy knows it too but desperately wants it not to be true for her.

Aurelius 19
>>137198858

Well the man she beats up in the beginning of "five by five" has died in the hospital otherwise Angel could not enter his flat when he came to rescue Wesley from Faith. Edit: They said in this episode that he is alive. Ok, I think we do have a plot hole^^

JD Sharpe

Oh boy is there fanfiction. Buffy fanfic might be considered a pillar of fanfiction.

Thom Purdy

I hope you noticed the most important event in the episode: Angel broke another window! *OK, it was a skylight, but still*

DanielOrme
>>137269461

Confession: I have contributed to building that pillar. Some of it is still out there somewhere on the interwebs, but I ain't gonna tell you where.🤐

Dusty Hill
>>137254497

The end of season 8 would have been a good series finale. Season 9 and The 2 season revival they did a few years ago were mostly awful.

DanielOrme

Maybe my favorite part of this great episode is that Angel finally says how he feels about leaving Buffy: " You moved on. I can't. You found someone new. I'm not allowed to, remember? I see you again; it cuts me up inside, and the person I share that with is me." That last is what gets me most. This is what has been eating at him all season, but he couldn't say it to Doyle, or to Cordy or Wes. Buffy is the only one he can tell and, of course, telling her doesn't help, it just makes it worse.

DanielOrme

This is also a great Wesley episode. Called on to make a crucial choice, he chooses Angel (as we knew he would).

Ian Ramsey
>>137220537

Agreed. As long as we're allowed to call stuff like that out for what it is, regardless of who it is, I say bring on the flaws. Me love Buffy - warts and all ❤

Gung Ho

Sanctuary, or The Sanctuary, is also the name of the show's theme song by Darling Violetta. https://youtu.be/yTODtHr3HfU