#as in yes technically this is all under the umbrella. but i rlly prefer specificity

[jennycalendar]

I can't put it into words properly but you referring to Ethan and Jenny as the two great loves of Giles' life reminded me of Angel and Spike being called the same for Buffy (rip Riley) in one of the comics and something something Parallels. Jenny reflected in Angel,trying to do better, high school years, doomed by the narrative, not fully moving past it. Spike as Ethan, indulging in life's joys even when it's harmful, English, constant denial that there's anything there, being entirely defined by this love. Buffy as Giles, learning some relationship habits partly by seeing them in Giles, given a destiny at far too young an age, always feeling a step apart from your loved ones and support network. Idk if there's something there but I needed to write it down. Cyclical narratives that repeat in different generations also everyone involved here is bisexual

hmmmm i'm gonna have to push back against this a lil. the "jenny is to giles what angel is to buffy" reading -- while they occupy very similar spaces in s2, i have always been of the mind that jenny and buffy parallel each other much more neatly than jenny and angel. both have complicated relationships with older men, both have a martyr complex about things that aren't their fault, both have an attitude to cope with how shackled they are to a horrific patriarchal system, etc etc. to say that jenny inhabits the same space as angel sorta diminishes how much of angel's story is also about his own role in the patriarchy that is fucking over buffy -- how she is looking for stability and guidance from him! there's a big Gender Thing and also a big Age Thing going on in angel and buffy's relationship, which is why, for me, it is always gonna be "jenny is to giles what buffy is to angel."

i can see the spike/ethan thing a little bit, but i think it's also a huuuuge simplification, because spike to me has always been in a constant state of evolution & ethan is defined by his unwavering entrenched position that giles's life is a lie. spike changes over the course of the show; ethan...really does not? so. yes. not so sure about this one.

(i think i am also not into defining jenny as being giles's version of angel specifically because angel occupies almost the exact same space in jenny's life as he does in buffy's! so to say that jenny is "giles's version of angel" when angel literally Defined Jenny's Identity & the two of them have a really specific narrative connection As Individuals feels a little strange.)