What If Angel Had Stayed Dead? The Shocking Impact on Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

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Over two decades after its initial airing, ‘Becoming’, the climactic finale of Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s second season, continues to be cherished by fans. The somber ending to Season 2 saw Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) fatally wounding Angel (David Boreanaz) with a magical sword and sending him to hell, causing a significant stir among the devoted fanbase. It was surprising how the show’s creators decided to eliminate such a significant character. What made it even more stunning was that the character’s death was initially intended to be permanent. However, due to the WB Network’s desire to feature the character in a spinoff, Buffy brought Angel back for Season 3.

Hardly envisioning how different the show might’ve been without Angel being a central character, following his temporary exit at the end of Season 2, is almost incomprehensible. There are two key factors supporting this assertion.

Killing Angel After Season 2 Would Have Changed Buffy Forever

Fans felt disappointed as the program ended on a cliffhanger at the close of its second season. Yet, their dismay transformed into elation when Angel reappeared in Season 3, episode 3. There wasn’t much explanation about his return, which could be due to the initial intention to keep the character dead for good.

While many viewers enthusiastically welcomed the return of the broody vampire, some critics point out that introducing Angel again weakened a deeply emotional and impactful departure, primarily to extend the franchise’s creative potential.

Looking back now, it’s hard to conceive that the show would have continued without Angel. Even though his storyline mostly transitions to the spinoff Angel after Season 3, he still makes frequent appearances until the end of its seven-season run. He has remained a crucial element in our shared universe throughout this entire period.

One aspect that might have been influenced by Angel’s permanent departure was Cordelia’s (Charisma Carpenter) storyline. In season 3, her part became smaller to make room for her transition to the spinoff. Had Angel not died, what would Cordelia’s role in the series have been? Would the writers have given her a more significant presence, or would she still have been written out at some point?

It’s intriguing to imagine how the third through seventh seasons of Buffy could have unfolded differently if Angel wasn’t part of the same television universe, as his absence might have significantly changed the storyline.

Both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the Spinoff Series Angel Made a Lasting Mark on Pop Culture

Growing up, these two shows left a lasting impression on me and countless others who tuned in during their original runs. Even now, as I revisit them or introduce them to new enthusiasts, they continue to captivate and inspire us.

One aspect that keeps these shows impactful even today is the deep emotional connection they create with their audience. Despite having limited budgets, their compelling narratives and captivating performances managed to draw us in. The unpredictable nature of these series, where major characters could be killed off at any moment, keeps viewers on edge. Knowing that any character might be written off at a moment’s notice keeps fans constantly on high alert.

Overall, the return of Angel in Season 3 was a delightful surprise for many viewers, given that key characters like Joyce, Anya, Wesley, and Tara all met their permanent ends. It’s heartening to see Angel defying expectations and continuing his fight, as his survival would have significantly altered the series had he not returned after his heartrending death at the end of Season 2.

Fans might recall that “Buffy” ended its television run around the turn of the millennium, but all seven seasons can be streamed on Hulu. Post-cancellation, the franchise lived on through comics for quite some time. In 2023, several original cast members collaborated for an audio drama titled “Slayers: A Buffyverse Story,” although a second season is not planned. Excitingly, Hulu is currently working on a reboot of the series, which will center around a fresh slayer. The most thrilling aspect about this development is that Sarah Michelle Gellar will make recurring appearances in the new show.

We don’t have any news about when the Hulu series will start filming or air on their platform, but we’ll share updates as soon as we get them.

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2025-05-28 02:14