Interesting, how do you explain Spike's arc in the Buffy series then? Because Spike basically contradicts the entire Standard Theory pov. Angel not so much. Actually Angel the Series upholds the Standard Theory more than Buffy does.
I think the dividing line between the two series is one is a coming of age tale, and the other is about seeking redemption in a dark nasty unforgiving world. Of the two, the standard theory is upheld more consistently in Angel - sort of has to be, because otherwise you short-circuit Angel's story arc. Although, I got the feeling the writers were nipping away at that theory and questioning it -- until by S5, they'd more or less threw the Standard Theory out the window, after ripping it to shreds. (I can see why, it tied their hands and made it difficult to tell an interesting story. ) Buffy, it was easier to rip the theory to shreds -- because one of the themes of Buffy was not to trust authority and to ask questions. So pretty much anything the Watcher Council stated was debunked by S7.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2015-09-01 12:34 am (UTC)Because Spike basically contradicts the entire Standard Theory pov. Angel not so much.
Actually Angel the Series upholds the Standard Theory more than Buffy does.
I think the dividing line between the two series is one is a coming of age tale, and the other is about seeking redemption in a dark nasty unforgiving world. Of the two, the standard theory is upheld more consistently in Angel - sort of has to be, because otherwise you short-circuit Angel's story arc. Although, I got the feeling the writers were nipping away at that theory and questioning it -- until by S5, they'd more or less threw the Standard Theory out the window, after ripping it to shreds. (I can see why, it tied their hands and made it difficult to tell an interesting story. ) Buffy, it was easier to rip the theory to shreds -- because one of the themes of Buffy was not to trust authority and to ask questions. So pretty much anything the Watcher Council stated was debunked by S7.