source #2

For my second source, I used the Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode called “Graduation Day: Part 2” and found many of the same themes that were in the first part. However, the “love” theme evolves into something along the lines of “not all things are meant to last.”

Though trying to keep himself at a distance from Buffy, Angel is poisoned and longing for her. He’s delusional while talking to Willow and, thinking it’s Buffy, solemnly says “I need you.” Throughout both episodes, Angel is the stronger party in the relationship and not showing his weakness without Buffy, up until now.

Shortly after, it is found out that Angel can be cured by draining the blood of a slayer, i.e.: Buffy. He drinks most of her blood in a scene that can only be described by this Ludo lyric: “Kill me, romantically.” After going to the hospital, she wakes up and tells Angel the same thing he told her after being shot with the arrow: “I heal fast, like you.” This is the only time in the two episodes where Buffy tries to relate to Angel and align themselves onto the same (emotional) side again.

After the good fight is fought and most of the graduating class survives, Buffy assumes that Angel has left without saying goodbye, like he told her he would. Suddenly, she sees Angel from far away and they stare at each other for a long time- Buffy’s eyes saying “come back” and Angel’s saying “I have to let you go now.” In the end, it was Angel who had the strength and the courage to walk away, leaving Buffy heartbroken. Faith said it best, “human weakness never goes away, even his.”