Interesting stuff, although I think she attributes the remnants of Fred's personality with far more influence on Illyria than the show supports, particularly concerning "The Girl in Question." While there were glimmers of Illyria adopting some of its host's fondness for Wesley and Gunn, it wasn't puttering around the lab and eating tacos as a way to explore Fred's identity. It adopted her appearance and behavior for a specific purpose: manipulating the emotions of the Burkels and sparing itself unpleasantness with the least possible effort. I think the gesture was also a useful demonstration of power over Wesley shortly after he disparaged its remaining abilities.

Oh, Matt's note brought forth something to continue the "heartbreaking moments in the 'verse" discussion:

Change back; be blue.

With my luck today, someone already posted that one in the Buffy thread.

When did you two stop sharing a brain?

We haven't. "Anne" marked the stylistic beginning, introducing the more "Real World" of Buffyverse!Los Angeles (If LA can ever be said to be "real world") whereas "Amends" marked the beginning of Angel's next journey, his proper search for redemption and the flat-out admission that higher powers were actively involved in his life.

We haven't. "Anne" marked the stylistic beginning, introducing the more "Real World" of Buffyverse!Los Angeles (If LA can ever be said to be "real world") whereas "Amends" marked the beginning of Angel's next journey, his proper search for redemption and the flat-out admission that higher powers were actively involved in his life.

Hmm. Where was "Amends" in terms of the halfway mark of season 3? For some reason, I love the idea of it being the first show of the second half of season 3.

But I've got a thing for symmetry sometimes.

Where was "Amends" in terms of the halfway mark of season 3? For some reason, I love the idea of it being the first show of the second half of season 3.

It was the Christmas episode, so just a bit past sweeps.

"Amends" was episode 10 of season 3. ("Gingerbread" is episode 11 - or the last episode of the first half of the season.)

Damn. Really close, though.

Damn. Really close, though.

That was the season when the Columbine killings happened, so "Earshot" wasn't shown until the fall and "Graduation Day (Part 2)" was shown almost two months after part 1 (dates per Buffyworld.com). So in a way "Amends" was the midpoint, at least in terms of how things aired in the regular season.

So in a way "Amends" was the midpoint, at least in terms of how things aired in the regular season.

But more importantly, it marks Angel's transition as a character. Up to his transformation back to Angelus, making amends for his past was, well, not really an issue. He wasn't a bad guy, by any means, but he wasn't really a hero, either. Mostly he just lurked around and fed Buffy information, occasionally backed her up in a fight.

He was one of the good guys, certainly, but he was still defining himself by his relationship to Buffy,and when he died and came back, he didn't even have that to work from. Frankly, the two of them had doomed stamped across their forehead the entire season.

With "Amends," we get a sense that there's some higher purpose for Angel--the First wants him evil or dead echoes of the Shanshu Prophecy and Wolfram & Hart's desire to have him on their side in the Apocalypse.

There was a little destiny tied up with Acathala, certainly, but really Angel had always been second-fiddle in the higher-calling orchestra. But with Amends, we have the embodiement of evil acting directly against him, and some force or another manipulating the very weather to save him. And we never really learn who, do we? Who made the snow, and who returned Angel from Hell? The First claims the former, but is suspect--although we DO see the foreshadowing there of Angel's role in the Apocalypse. But the snow? No. Jasmine perhaps, as part of her long-term plan to return? Wolfram & Hart, protecting a future investment? God? It's a mystery.

Angel's totally at loose ends in BtVS Season Three, and can no longer define himself by his relationship, even when they're back together. It's too problematic, it's too painful. He really only sticks around because of the danger of the Mayor.

Of course, when he leaves, he's still a wreck, brooding in the dark, saving people but looking a little too long at the necks of the people he saves. It's not

That was the season when the Columbine killings happened, so "Earshot" wasn't shown until the fall

Many Canadians saw the ep in the regular slot. Our slot just happened to be Monday, so we got the ep before the censorship hit the fan. This spawned many tape trees.