Buffy the Vampire Slayer Theory Fixes a Big Angel Problem

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Throughout Angel’s five-season TV run, viewers witnessed the soulful vampire and his band of allies acting as benevolent forces in Los Angeles, yet their influence extended far beyond the city limits. This was largely due to the presence of an overarching prophecy that significantly influenced the series. Known as the Shanshu Prophecy, this prediction suggested that a soulful vampire would transform into a human (or be “Shanshu-ed”) once his destiny was achieved. Although this transformation was never explicitly shown in the series, an intriguing fan theory exists that not only resolves the cliffhanger but does so in a way that elevates one specific episode to even greater emotional depth.

What Is The Shanshu Prophecy?

To begin, let’s focus on the original artifact, which was translated by Wesley from an ancient manuscript. In the storyline, Wesley explains that the concept of Shanshu is deeply embedded in various languages, with its earliest origins tracing back to Proto-Bantu. According to these ancient beliefs, life and death are seen as interconnected aspects of a cycle; something that’s not alive can never perish, but only experiences change. It suggests that one lives until they die. The term Shanshu is associated with vampires who possess souls. When such a vampire completes their destiny, they will undergo Shanshu and transform into humans. This transformation is seen as their reward.

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In the series, this particular property played a significant role, serving as both Angel’s lofty ambition at certain moments, yet instilling fear within him regarding its potential consequences, particularly after he had glimpses of his darker self taking control. At times, Angel would come to terms with it never coming to fruition, only for Spike to be initially believed as the one the prophecy referred to, before this notion was debunked later on.

The Theory Ties It All Together

It’s surprising that the show didn’t provide a conclusive ending to its significant plot points considering the open-ended cliffhanger finale. However, a Reddit user named ComedicHermit offers an interpretation that adds depth to one of the most emotional and impactful episodes in the series (and the Buffyverse).

In simpler terms, ComedicHermit stated that according to his viewpoint, the Shanshu prophecy was completed with the phrase “I will remember you.” The character with a vampire soul is expected to play a crucial part in the ongoing apocalypse. This role ends when they experience both life and death. By the time this idea is presented, it has already passed.

After the pivotal episode in season 1, the rest of the show takes a drastically different turn, with everything that followed being part of the prophecy but not as we initially understood it. He had already carried out his destined life, and from then on, he became an integral player in the apocalypse until the series concluded. This perspective gives a new dimension to the ending, since having fulfilled his personal prophecy, he seems unfazed by whatever more this world may offer, as if he has already lived no matter what happens next – which is quite intriguing and definitely worth contemplating for a while.

Reframing I Will Remember You

In Angel’s debut season, there was a two-hour crossover event special. It commenced with an episode of Buffy titled “Pangs” (set during Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s fourth season), followed by an Angel episode entitled “I Remember You.” This specific episode stands out to many fans as it introduced a poignant twist that significantly altered the bond between Angel and Buffy, leaving a lasting impact.

In this episode, Buffy travels to Los Angeles to challenge Angel over his presence in Sunnydale and secretly following her. Angel defends his actions as protection, maintaining his stance, but their encounter is interrupted by an attack from a demon. This triggers a joint effort between them. Ultimately, they manage to defeat the demon, however, during the fight, the demon manages to wound Angel, causing his blood to mix with the demon’s. It’s only then that Angel discovers he has a pulse and is indeed alive.

In a charming sequence of events, the episode unfolds as Angel acclimates to his transformed human self, devouring everything in the office due to his intense hunger. Later, it is revealed that because of Angel’s newfound humanity, the curse that turned him into a monster and forbade his love for Buffy no longer applies. As a result, they can be together without fear of any ominous future, at least theoretically speaking. After an unforgettable night, Angel and Doyle track down a demon thought to be deceased but is actually alive. Upon locating him, the demon rambles about apocalyptic events and dire predictions. In his current state, Angel receives a one-sided beating from the demon until Buffy arrives and dispatches the demon, with Angel providing assistance in exploiting the demon’s weakness.

In a subsequent talk with the Oracle, Angel discovers that the demon’s predictions were correct: if he remains human, Buffy will be the sole individual fighting against the dark powers and she will meet an earlier demise. Angel manages to strike a bargain with the Oracles, turning him back into a vampire once more. However, the condition is that the entire day must be expunged from history, leaving only Angel as the one who recalls the events. Angel confides in Buffy about this and they both feel a whirlwind of emotions during their final moments together, embracing and shedding tears as Buffy vows to never forget. The seconds tick down, and suddenly we are back at the moment when Buffy initially confronts Angel about arriving in Sunnydale. As he remembers the previous events, Angel is now prepared for the demon and swiftly dispatches it, leading to a brief exchange before Buffy leaves.

In light of the fact that this could have been the realization of the prophecy, everything here assumes a new significance. Though it didn’t endure as long as he desired, it’s something he will cherish forever. During the subsequent seasons, he grapples with the prophecy and whether his actions are justified, but in this instance, he had already reaped the benefits of making a choice that was extraordinarily challenging yet beneficial for the world.

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2025-07-05 18:10