The part that struck me false, however, was that Cordelia wasn't a virgin yet, was she? In my experience, once people start "doing it" they rarely stop without some reason.

do you mean she's already lost her virginity by the time she and Xander were dating? I honestly have no idea. Though I agree with the rest of your statement.

I was under the impression that our Cordy got around. Later on in Angel she seemed suddenly de-hotted and chaste.

I think Cordy, in her pre-Xander days, was more likely a tease, as opposed to being sexually experienced. I doubt her first demon pregnancy (there's a phrase you don't use every day) was her first sexual experience, but I don't think it's clear she had sex in high school.

I definitely got the impression Giles and Jenny had never gotten a chance to have sex. There were two fallings out, that seemed to get in the way. Poor Giles. I should go comfort him.

Yeah, I realized after posting that I probably shouldn't have said "never." Because there's always a counterexample. You'd think I'd learned that after almost four years of Married Arguments, if nothing else...

BWAHy BWAH BWAH BWAH

That's kinda ... absolute.

There *is* a point in most relationships, adult or no, where you haven't had sex yet. I didn't see a level of casual physical intimacy between them that said "nookie". Olivia -- clear, Joyce -- clear through dialogue. Jenny? NSM. He loved her a lot, wanted her, but I see no intimation other than each of our own personal interpreatations of "Adult" that they was groin bumpage.

Let me clarify. I should have said "eventually."

I meant their kind of adult relationship was headed towards The Sex.

t sigh It was romantic and adult and occasionally steamy and all the more tragic because Giles and Jenny had a bumpy road...and Giles looked so happy until he found her body.

I meant their kind of adult relationship was headed towards The Sex.

Oh, not contending that. I'm sure it's exactly what Giles thought was going to happen as he went up the stairs. Just his pesky stance against necrophilia got in his way.

I just don't think they'd done it yet.

I really need to clear my head with decongestant before writing.

I think Matt the Bruins Fan is in this camp.

Yep, although I generally see Seasons 1-3 as more or less a block of Best. Television. Evah. 3 just slightly annoyed me when the B/A stuff slid into melodrama—the characterizations and dialogue were still exemplary for the most part.

I think Cordy, in her pre-Xander days, was more likely a tease, as opposed to being sexually experienced. I doubt her first demon pregnancy (there's a phrase you don't use every day) was her first sexual experience, but I don't think it's clear she had sex in high school.

Yeah.

I could see Cordy, in some post-Xander funk maybe going off and losing it to some guy from the opposing school's football team, having a miserable time, and then not having sex again until she hit L.A., where she didn't manage to have sex more than occasionally until Groo.

I totally agree with ita in this case. It enhances the tragedy that they never consummated their relationship. Furhter enhncing the tragedy is Giles' revelation that Jenny was the first person who had died that he loved (I think he meant in the "adult relationship" context here, but that might imply that his parents are still alive, too).

On the way upthread subject of whether Buffy & Spike kicked it in "Chosen", two excerpts from the script (I posted some of this on PF, so pardon my repetition):

INT. SUMMERS' HOME - BASEMENT - NIGHT

It is later, and Buffy is wrapped in Spike's arms, facing away from him. They both wear enough to indicate they did not get sweaty. Spike sleeps, but Buffy cannot. She looks at his hand, resting on the bed in front of her. Runs her hand along it.

(I know this is not where we thought the Sex was, but note the other scene:)

INT. SUMMERS' HOME - BASEMENT - NIGHT

Spike sits, shirted this time, on the bed. He looks at the amulet, thinking.

He stands as Buffy comes down the stairs. They stand on opposite sides of the room, looking at each other.

I think it's totally suggested that they did have lovey sex in the second scene, both by the script and by the direction (Fade to Black.)