Innocence (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Episode)
From Iwe
| "Innocence" | |||
| Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode | |||
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 14 | ||
| Directed by | Joss Whedon | ||
| Written by | Joss Whedon | ||
| Production code | 5V14 | ||
| Original air date | January 20, 1998 | ||
| Guest actors | |||
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| Episode chronology | |||
| ← Previous "Surprise" | Next → "Phases" | ||
| List of Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes | |||
"Innocence" is episode 14 of season two of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This is renowned not only as one of the most critically acclaimed episodes, but also has the distinction of being the highest rated episode in the series' history, attracting 8.2 million viewers as the series moved from its Monday timeslot to Tuesday.
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Plot synopsis
After making love with Buffy earlier that night, Angel escapes into the alley with a piercing pain in his heart, as his soul is ripped from him. When a kind streetwalker tries to help him a few minutes later, he quickly and gleefully kills her. When he shows up at the factory, Spike is surprised and Drusilla is pleased that the Judge cannot burn him—Angel has truly reverted to the evil Angelus. The three are clearly pleased to be together again - grinning and gleeful, Angelus kisses Spike on the forehead in the only friendly moment seen between them this season, while Drusilla claps.
While researching a way to defeat the Judge, a demon whom "no weapon forged" can harm, Xander and Cordelia get caught kissing in the library by a crushed and furious Willow. Buffy finally finds Angel in his apartment, not knowing that he is now Angelus, and he blows her off, laughing at her feelings as she weeps. Jenny is castigated by her Uncle Enios, who tells her that if Angel has one moment of true happiness, one moment where his soul no longer plagues his thoughts, that his new soul would be taken from him. Angelus terrorizes Buffy and the Gang at school, emotionally shattering Buffy. Later, as they discuss Angel's transformation in the library, Buffy realises that having sex with Angel is what's caused him to turn evil and leaves in distress, returns home and, heartbroken, cries.
Buffy has another dream in which Angel helps her realise that Jenny knows more than she's letting on. The next morning she confronts Jenny at school, who admits she is a member of the Clan Kalderash that cursed Angelus with his soul so long ago, and that if Angel ever felt a moment of true happiness, he would lose his soul (revealing to Giles that Buffy and Angel made love). When Buffy, Jenny, and Giles arrive at one of the clan member's homes for advice, they find that Angelus has brutally killed him, leaving Buffy a message written in blood on the wall - "Was It Good For You Too?", forcing Buffy to realize that she has to kill Angelus.
Xander hatches a plan using memories from being a soldier on Halloween, pretending that he is a private in the army and he is sneaking around with Cordelia. Oz declines to kiss Willow at her request, given that it's obvious she only wants to kiss to make Xander jealous. Willow's respect and feelings for Oz grow. The four return to the library with their "present" for Buffy. Jenny offers to help in the confrontation with the Judge, but Buffy refuses to accept her offer.
Writing
In the commentary, when Joss Whedon is asked about his decision to turn Angel evil, he said that he feels it was necessary to keep the story fresh as viewers would quickly become bored with Angel and Buffy's relationship. Although the fan base wanted Buffy and Angel to be together romantically, Whedon says, "What people want is not what they need."
In the DVD commentary, Whedon says the interaction between Buffy and Angel following their night of passion was supposed to have taken place outside of Buffy's house. However, he comments that the scene was simply not working as it was lacking intimacy and was thus later shot in Angel's house.
Arc significance
- The Big Bad for season two, Angelus, has finally appeared.
- Jenny's past and ulterior motives for being in Sunnydale are revealed.
- This is the first instance where Xander reveals he has retained military knowledge after the events of the Halloween episode.
- Willow learns of Xander's and Cordelia's relationship.
Continuity
Broadcast and reception
References
External links
| Buffy the Vampire Slayer | ||
|---|---|---|
| Canon • Index • Joss Whedon | ||
| Series | Film • Television • (Episodes • 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7) • Comics (Season Eight • Season Nine) • Buffyverse canon | |
| Main characters | Buffy • Willow • Xander • Cordelia • Giles • Angel • Spike • Oz • Anya • Tara • Dawn • Riley | |
| Major villains | The Master • Drusilla • Angelus • The Mayor • Adam • Glory • The Trio • Dark Willow • The First | |
| Spin-offs | Angel • Fray • Tales of the Slayers • Tales of the Vampires • Buffy the Animated Series | |
| Expanded universe | Novels • Undeveloped productions • Video games | |
| Auxiliary | Academia • CCG • DVDs • Guidebooks • In popular culture • Magazines • Music • RPGs | |
| Universe | Big Bads • Hellmouth • Main characters • Minor characters • Monsters • • Scooby Gang • Sunnydale • Vampire | |
