#S2 is actually fascinating as it simultaneously builds up Bangel as an epic love story and a cautionary tale about abusive older men

[herinsectreflection]

Both 2x06 halloween and 2x07 Lie to Me open with Buffy walking in on Angel talking to another woman, becoming jealous, and immediately leaving. They're remarkably similar scenes, and only when binging the episodes did I notice this. It's an interesting parallel - firstly, because it's fun to realise that Buffy's jealousy is not totally unfounded, as Angel does become romantically entangled with both these women in future. And secondly because it reminds us that Buffy is looking at two women that represent possible alternate timelines for Buffy. Cordelia as the girl she could have been (and still on some level wants to be), and Drusilla as the girl she is at risk of becoming. She is staring down the barrel of Surprise, looking at these women that represent alternate versions of her talking to Angel, which casts these scenes in a different light, especially given the metaphor at play here with Angel as an abusive boyfriend. Remember that Drusilla is not a rival for Buffy - she's her boyfriend's last victim. These should not be moments for Buffy to be jealous of the other women here - they should be warning signs.