Tiz the end of an era

[WarLocke]

Angel,May 20 2004, 02:36 PM]I suppose I don't mind Angel being kiled at the end of the series. If he's not going to be with Buffy, or if he's not turned evil, that's the third option I'd like for that character. But I wanted a more folklory-aspect of his end? Is this really the end of The Scourge of Europe? Is this how the fiercest beast in European history goes out in flames? I guess I just wanted a little more reflection on his life towards the end.

Well, here's the way I looked at it:

Angel signs away his role in the Shan-shu prophecy. Now, we don't know if that actually meant anything - as you pointed out earlier, Giles says that the prophecy isn't written in stone. But we don't know if he's right or wrong - or even if this is a continuity error. Maybe he really did sign away his chance to become human.

In that case, what does Angel have left to 'live' for? He can't become human, he can't have Buffy... all he has left is the fight. And while I can't claim to have been a regular watcher of the show, I've been trying to catch as much of the last season as I can. Angel looked tired - tired of fighting, tired of taking down one threat, only to find that there's another, worse one behind it. He only had three reasons to keep on living - and he had to sign away the pivotal one for the greater good.

Angel dying in that alley would be a bittersweet ending, no doubt. But it's perfectly fitting his character. No one person (or vampire) can triumph over evil, and Angel has earned his peace - whether it be by Buffy's side, or in oblivion.