#you can have the shanshu as long as spike can get his girl ;)

[mcgnagallsarmy]

Spuffy style Reading Challenge - #27: Monthly Key Word Reading Challenge #3

1st month - Secret, Heaven, True, House, Come, Only, Know, Winter:

A Wonderful Awful Idea by The Danish Bird [NC-17]

With nothing apocalyptic looming on the horizon and hoping to avoid a certain thick-headed commando, it seems like the perfect opportunity when Giles mentions a monster terrorising the good people of Lake Tahoe. What could be more merry than a Christmas trip to the mountains to investigate? The gang is all coming along, defanged vampire in tow. Buffy should totally be able to deal with the demon, ignore Spike and their recent “engagement,” enjoy some resort-town shopping, and be back with Mom on Christmas Eve. Right? What could possibly go wrong? Set in season 4 at the beginning of Doomed.

2nd month - Heir, Night, Bride, Down, Women, Hand, Teach, Guest:

Drive by Holly [NC-17]

Freshly turned and very grumpy about it, Buffy finds herself in a weird place. One where her friends smell like food, her former mortal enemy smells like heaven, and the so-called love of her life has made it clear that killing her is on his to-do list. Throw in some overly zealous army guys and this is not Buffy's idea of a party. So she and Spike decide to hit the road at least long enough to figure out why neither of them can hit anything else. And since they're both single and free, well, Buffy wouldn't say no to a distraction from the never-ending laugh riot that is her life. And Spike can be very, very distracting. Good thing soulless vampires can't fall in love or she might be in trouble.

3rd month - Story, Hunt, Plot, City, You, Cry, Another, Paint:

I Can Get Money by scratchmeout [NC-17]

Spike puts his past to good use to get money for Buffy. However, things become complicated when her ex shows up and targets Spike.

4th month - Darling, Funny, Familiar, Somewhere, List, Meet, Never, Word:

First Alternate by Soulburnt [NC-17]

After ‘Not Fade Away,’ Angel gets the Shanshu. A thrilled Buffy gets her curse-free soulmate. And Spike? He gets his heart shattered again. Gutted and seeing no point in staying in a world without his Slayer, Spike doesn’t hesitate when pursuing a deadly demon through a portal. He finds himself stuck in an alternate reality where he truly died closing the Hellmouth. He also finds another Buffy, one who is devastated that her Spike didn’t believe she loved him. They console each other over their losses… but are they only consolation prizes? Or can two heartbroken people get a second chance for love?

5th month - Library, Dark, Drown, Ex, Iron, Done, Love, Stranger:

If I'm Butter Than He's a Hot Knife by scratchmeout [NC-17]

Buffy meets a man at a bar on Valentine's Day.

6th month - Ink, Fragile, Road, Summer, Breath, Every, Push, Sorry:

Favor by EllieRose101 [NC-17]

Spike asks an impossible thing of Buffy––and is stunned when she says yes. Could he really have gone up in her estimation?

7th month - Mine, Again, Honey, Paradise, Still, Club, Train, Legend:

Eucharist by Holly [NC-17]

He had it all. The prophecy and the girl, merrily ever after and all that rot. But life doesn't stop.

8th month - School, Cut, Sky, Fate, Wing, Belong, Justice, Way:

The Time We Had by Dusty [NC-17]

She was there and then gone. All his life long.

9th month - Twice, World, Man, Quiet, Sweet, Hold, Shallow, Invisible:

Pardon My French by Girlytek [R]

In retrospect, it was probably a bad idea to let Buffy perform a spell in French. Begins at No Place Like Home.

10th month - Vampire, Here, Mist, Death, One, Missing, Bite, Witch:

Sweet William by cawthraven [PG]

After the fall of Sunnydale, Buffy’s living in Boston and working as a waitress, grateful that here, not everyone knows her name. She’s free for once to be herself—and to grieve.

11th month - Spice, Life, Hello, Keep, Truly, Couple, Joy, Young:

Candy Corn Mischief by honeygirl51885 [NC-17]

Spike gets roped into taking Dawn trick-or-treating.

12th month - Snow, Season, Ice, Merry, White, Under, Mistletoe, Inn:

A Christmas Wish by all choseny [PG-13]

On one lonely Christmas Eve, Buffy makes a wish to a stranger and is given a glimpse of what might have been with Spike.

[gh-0-stcup]

Angel. Hun. It's called the Cup of Perpetual Torment. Do you really think it's Spike's destiny to drink from that thing?

[nileqt87]

Ramblings about Lucifer referencing Bones, “Close your eyes.” and shows influencing each other

That was never just a Bones reference being made and the season finale admitted it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv_1dJk5yEM

David Boreanaz played the ironically-named Angel on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: the Series. His character has *so many* parallels with Lucifer (far more than Booth outside of the law enforcement/crime procedural connection).

Angel's spinoff also has noir crime drama aspects mixed with the supernatural starring an immortal protagonist with a dark past and infamously villainous reputation fighting evil as a supernatural private detective in the City of Angels (a city known for its dark underbelly juxtaposed with fame and glamor, broken dreams and chasing eternal youth) and navigating human law (including the LAPD and evil lawyers) while not legally existing.

Angel also fell in love with a blonde human heroine (Buffy Summers) after lifetimes of self-destructive, not-so-heroic behaviors (getting his soul back did *not* make Angel a hero and human Liam was a lecherous drunk with unfulfilled ambitions and father issues) who inspired him to become a better man and make human connections.

AtS made heavy use of sprawling nighttime Downtown L.A. cityscape shots, which Lucifer also shared an abundance of.

During both of their first cases, they failed to save the troubled blonde girl they were trying to help (Tina and Delilah, respectively). They also have a connection inside the LAPD through a blonde cop who also takes their identity secrets pretty badly (Kate Lockley in Angel's case).

Note that Buffy not only screamed (twice, given it repeated during her memory loss in Halloween), but also came after Angel with a crossbow when she thought he'd attacked her mother (it was Darla), so Chloe taking the Devil face reveal (Monster Reveals are iconic old horror imagery) poorly to the point of considering poisoning is par for the course. However, it only took Buffy seven episodes instead of three seasons to get the identity reveal via seeing the horrific second face (arguably also an accident on Angel's part).

They are metaphorically or literally Hell's angels. They also had long stays in Hell or a hell dimension.

Lucifer and Angel are also both Prodigal Sons with long-held grudges against their long-absent fathers (patricide in Liam/Angel(us)'s case) and they're later faced with a situation where they have unexpected, thought-impossible offspring who show up as adults (neither got to raise their miracle child) wanting revenge. Yup, major Connor/Rory parallel there.

Angel is also in a constant struggle with the Powers that Be manipulating his fate and free will (like Lucifer, he's a champion of free will no matter the cost) and making him prophecy's bitch.

Bones famously got jokes about how Booth is Angel getting his Shanshu (made human), since the character is given constant Angel-isms like references to a dark past having killed people (Booth is also named after a historical murderer, in addition to having been a sniper), both being Catholics full of Catholic guilt (note that the Buffyverse is most accurately polytheistic, though Angel does face off against a take on the antichrist--Angel has constant biblical imagery/themes and not just because of vampire iconography), kicking down doors (just not off their entire frames--LOL), turning on a dime and threatening people up against walls, constant wink-wink references to the Buffyverse (familiar casting, references to the Hyperion Hotel, etc...), etc...

The Lucifer finale used the words "Close your eyes." right before Lucifer is sent to Hell. This is literally the BtVS season 2 finale where Buffy kisses Angel and sends him to hell for a century with a stab to the gut (see the season 5 finale, not to mention Lucifer giving up his life for Chloe's à la I Will Remember You).

Note that D.B. Woodside was on BtVS (playing Robin Wood, whose Slayer mother Nikki Wood was killed by Spike). Aimee Garcia was in both episodes of AtS (Birthday--she's older than she looks!) and Bones. See her also playing a cross-wearing religious girl on Supernatural who was slaughtered in a police precinct by Lilith. Kevin Alejandro was also in an episode of Bones.

Tricia Helfer was in an episode of Supernatural playing a ghost who reenacts the night of her death every year. BtVS also had an episode along those lines, but with Buffy and Angelus possessed (not to mention Phantom Dennis!). Lucifer having Dan as a ghost is yet another thing they all have in common (ditto referencing Ghost, Patrick Swayze and/or Unchained Melody--Vincent Schiavelli a.k.a. Ghost's subway ghost was Jenny's uncle Enyos, whom Angelus killed).

Lucifer name-checked Castiel and Supernatural referenced Lucifer using their Lucifer (crime-fighting angel in L.A. made it a double-reference whammy). Supernatural returned the favor again by having Castiel forced to sing in Enochian. Lucifer's reference to his singing voice was already a zing about Misha Collins having to put on that monotone gravel voice and Enochian being far from melodious.

Russell T Davies was quite heavily inspired by the Buffyverse when he revived Doctor Who and spun off Torchwood, so there are absolute tons of Buffy, Angel and Spike respectively in Rose Tyler, the 9th/10th Doctors, Captain Jack Harkness and Captain John Hart (right down to the actor). School Reunion is the episode where the Buffyverse inspiration is most on the nose, complete with Anthony Stewart Head saying "shooty dog thing" in a school setting and a Mayor/Angel-esque speech about the curse of immortality. The Time War gave the Doctor a huge genocide-level guilt complex. Note that the creator of DC comics' version of Lucifer, Neil Gaiman, has also written for Doctor Who and is also the co-creator of Good Omens (the show is brimming with Doctor Who Easter eggs thanks to David Tennant). A barely-recognizable Tom Ellis played Martha Jones' ex-fiancé Tom Milligan during the Year that Never Was, as well.

A lot of shows take inspiration from the Buffyverse and you've probably seen some of them. It isn't just the copycat vampire romance stories either.

Angel's forerunners in turn were a mix of guilt-stricken, rat-eating Louis de Pointe du Lac (his Jekyll/Hyde-esque alter-ego Angelus is closer to the pre-retcon, fully-evil Lestat de Lioncourt, who got woobified into an antihero rocker not unlike Spike--the entire Fanged Four mirror Anne Rice's character lineup), sword-wielding, immortality trope-influencers Connor/Duncan MacLeod of Highlander fighting for the Prize of humanity (akin to Pinocchio becoming a "real boy"--see also Barnabas Collins of Dark Shadows, though he was before vampires became antihero superheroes, not just sympathetic antivillains) and Nick Knight of Forever Knight (vampire detective).

Additionally, Tom Welling was famously the longest-serving Clark Kent of them all (Smallville) on the old WB (there's that DC comics connection, too), so it's not just a Fox shows thing (though Fox, not just Warner Brothers, did indeed own the Buffyverse). One of the least-known things about Clark is that he also has an immortality problem where he wouldn't age parallel to Lois (they wouldn't be able to have kids either) without a workaround. The Kryptonite line directed at Cain/Pierce by Lucifer was quite on the nose! Lucifer and Smallville sort of crossed over even further in Crisis on Infinite Earths, so Tom is canonically the face of both Clark and Cain in parallel universes of the DC multiverse.

Supernatural had quite recently had their own takes on Cain (played by Timothy Omundson, who also played God Johnson) and the Mark of Cain when Lucifer did it. Dan's killer Le Mec was, of course, Rob Benedict, who was God a.k.a. Chuck Shurley, the ultimate villain of Supernatural. Richard Speight, Jr., who was archangel Gabriel/Loki the Trickster, directed a lot of Lucifer's later episodes in addition to being a prolific Supernatural director.

Supernatural and Lucifer use the exact same font for their titles (Supernatural Knight).

The X-Files (which Supernatural referenced constantly) and Supernatural also had stories about nephilim (see the apocryphal Book of Enoch). Lucifer ultimately had two nephilim (forbidden interspecies offspring of angels and humans), even if not saying so as a known concept. Connor can also be compared to the vampire equivalent of being something like a dhampir, though he's not quite that (mostly-but-not-quite-human offspring of two vampires instead of a human/vampire hybrid--see Blade for an actual dhampir). Supernatural has also covered the even rarer cambion species (human/demon hybrid).

[veliseraptor]

okay, been meaning to make this post for ages so finally buffing this off (har, har) and posting these recs over here for @jaggedcliffs. (old fics, basically just ported from my very old Livejournal reading list.)

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER/ANGEL FICS

Disclaimer one: a lot of these are very old and I haven’t reread most of them in a while. Disclaimer two: most of these are Angel-centric and most of them are also Angel/Buffy. Disclaimer three: no I think that’s about all the disclaimers.

Backstage 26: Walking After Midnight by Aadler

Sometimes the enemy you can count on is the friend you need most. Angel+Xander.

Windows to the Soul by HonorH

Kate is of two minds concerning Angel at the end of "Somnambulist."

One Lucky Guy by HonorH

During Riley's visit to Spike's crypt in "Into the Woods," Spike lets Riley in on a few things re: love, hate, vampires in general, and Angel in particular.

Artistry by Estepheia

Rumors of another souled vampire lure Angel back to Sunnydale. Set in an alternate S7.

Damnation's Castaway Awakening by Kairos Impending

Angel is back from Hell. Buffy does what she can.

That Chanuka Spirit by Katriena Knights

Xander confronts Angel. Somewhere between "Lover's Walk" and "Amends."

The Chat by Katriena Knights

Joyce learns the truth about Angel, and confronts him about his relationship with Buffy. S3, somewhere post Amends.

This Innocent by Eurydice

Giles is confronted for his betrayal of Buffy, and does some confronting of his own.

Grief That Does Not Speak by Estepheia

What else could bring them together? Angel+Giles, post-The Gift.

Ties That Bind by chrisleeoctaves

Angel/Buffy, post Not Fade Away.

And All the World Besides by Willa

Spike and Angel after the battle. Spike/Angel, post NFA.

Baker's Dozen by chrislee

Buffy/Angel, post Not Fade Away.

Smoke Damage by Kairos

Something very personal got left behind in the wreckage of Angel's LA apartment. Now it's resurfaced, and it may be all that's left of him. Kate, post-Not Fade Away.

Waiting to Exhale by biggrstaffbunch

Buffy might never get over Angel (or Spike, as this story suggests) but in the end- she must still choose to live her life. Post Not Fade Away.

Guilt Trembling Spoke My Doom by a2zmom

Angel's post NFA journey (and his reunion with Buffy). Angel, post Not Fade Away Shanshu.

Kindred by Ares

Buffy is in Los Angeles one week after Angel and his team stood and fought in that alley.

Intermezzo by Maren

Intermezzo: a short dramatic, musical, or other entertainment of light character, introduced between the acts of a drama or opera. Buffy/Angel.

If I Had Another Chance by Fleur

Angel's been through so much that he isn't sure what redemption is any longer. Buffy/Angel, post NFA.

Ever After by White Rain

"Did you draw up visitation rights?" Connor asked casually. "True, it's normally reserved for kids. But I've learned not to take anything for granted recently."

In the Waiting by R Ellen Hanna

Angel does therapy.

Reflections Revealed by Mike Dewar

Angel finds himself transported into the realm of the Wishverse by an unknown force, leaving him fighting for his life in the much darker reflection of his world. Meanwhile, Wesley and Cordelia, with the help of an old friend, try to fend off a new enemy, who's hungry for revenge and about to strike at a weakened A.I...

Bloodbath by Kelsey

After the return of Angel's soul in "Orpheus," everything seems to return to normal. But what's going on in Angel's head, after Angelus' ruthless actions?

Here, Your Wandering One by Marenfic

Several years after the events of Not Fade Away, Buffy moves to San Francisco and does her best to try to grow up and move on. Buffy/Angel.

Talk Like Lions by WesleysGirl

It's Buffy's turn to remind Angel how to be strong. Buffy/Angel, post NFA.

What Am I To You by a2zmom

When Angel unexpectedtly shows up at Buffy's door, she realizes how little she knows him and wonders if she ever did. Buffy/Angel, post-NFA.

Gamble On Destiny by Leni

Suppose Angel avoided getting staked, and then managed to save Buffy from the Master. The story starts an hour after the worst of the battle has passed.

Revolutions by bite_or_avoid

So, she was a little late for the first act. But it totally wasn’t her fault. It’s not like anyone called to invite her, right? Buffy/Angel, post-NFA.

Weight of Life by bite_or_avoid

Absolution is not his to have. Post-NFA. Angel, Buffy/Angel, angst with a happy ending.

And Heaven Burns by Lar

How bright can the future be for Angel?

Miles To Go by Rachel Anton

Two souled vampires with a long way to go. Angel/Spike, post-Grave/Tomorrow.

Secrets We Keep by chrisleeoctaves

Giles and Angel share a secret. 

Left Behind by chrisleeoctaves

Angel/human!Spike, post-NFA.

The Confessional by tkp

Angel visits Faith in prison.

Splinter by Yahtzee and Rheanna

"listen; there's a hell / of a good universe next door; let's go" - e. e. cummings. Longfic.

Counting the Days by Dira Sudis

Dawn needs to get out of the house, so Spike takes her to L.A. Dawn and Spike/Angel (and company), post-The Gift.

Five Times Angel Drew Buffy by a2zmom

Drawing her was the only way he got to keep her. Through post-NFA.

A Human Condition by chrisleeoctaves

Post-NFA. Why we fight. Spike/Angel.

Stasis by Head Rush

Picks up immediately where 'Grave' leaves off.  Giles and Willow (and others), post Grave.

Five Ways Buffy and Angel Never Meet and Never Have to Say I Love You, Post NFA by LAndrews

What it says on the tin.

Testament by Beer Good

The Angel gang's last stand didn't go unnoticed, especially given their last communications on the eve of the battle. Two letters and a phone call force the survivors to re-evaluate their situation.

Best Souvenir by Lettered

Whistler never existed. Buffy meets Angel for the first time after the End of Days is over. Futurefic, alternate reality.

Orion by sweptawaybayou

Spike/Angel, post-NFA, angst.

Summerbreeze by doyle_sb4

Spike/Angel, human!Spike, post-NFA.

Vampire Winter by glassdarkly

On the run from Wolfram & Hart, Angel and Spike come to Rome intent on seeing Buffy. Spike/Angel, Angel/Buffy, Buffy/Spike, post-NFA.

Five Ways to Kiss the One You Love: A Valentine by seraphcelene

The kisses Buffy and Angel have exchanged over the course of their relationship have a story to tell. Angel/Buffy.

Valley of Ashes by Hannassus

Post-episode for "The Gift"/"There's No Place Like Plrtz Glrb."

Reconstruction by AriaAdagio

Post-Epiphany. The A-team struggles to get back on track, but with Angel's soul in jeopardy, things are tense, at best.

Rough Magic by karabair

Season 5, post-"Origin," Angel and Wesley have a talk about the aftermath of the memory wipe.

Those We Wish Were Here With Us by Kairos Impending

Buffy wanders around a post-Apocalyptic wasteland with her loved ones, doing what they do best.

Windows to the Soul by Taaroko

Wishverse. Thanks to better timing with her crossbow than she demonstrated in the episode, Buffy takes out the Master in one shot. She and Angel survive to continue the battle for Sunnydale another day.

Saved the World, But I Never Saved You by thenyxie

There are some things in life you never get over. This is one of them. Buffy/Angel, post series.

vicarious (the buffy-in-the-mix remix) by lynnenne

Buffy is bossy. Angel and Spike like it. Buffy/Angel/Spike.

Five Ways of Becoming Someone Else by Kyra Cullinan

Five Willows who never were. A study in transformations.

Vivere by Rheanna

What does it mean, to be alive? AU.

Another Life by Rheanna

Even now, she finds it difficult to believe that this is real, this is her life, that this is who she is.

Showing Sunnydale by huzzlewhat

“Tonight, I’m going to tell you a story. And it’s up to you, what you do with it.” Post-series.

No Place Like Home by Chrislee

There’s a curious comfort to be found, in the most unlikely places. Buffy/Angel/Spike. Post-series.

Blood and Water by Rheanna

When LA's vampires start falling prey to a mysterious plague, Cordelia's unsympathetic. Then Angel gets sick, and she and Wesley have to find a cure -- before it's too late.

Prelude With Tears by Katriena Knights

Sensing something is wrong with Buffy, Angel seeks her out in LA, where she's come to attend the Ice Capades with her father. All is not well in Buffyland.

Together Again For the First Time by femmenerd

Buffy/Angel/Spike, post-Not Fade Away.

Cunctari Moribundum by Lint

Willow struggles in the aftermath.

A Brief History of Time (A Love Story) by Lamia Archer

Now she realizes that, had they never met, she wouldn't be. She'd be some other girl, some other Buffy. Buffy/Angel.

All These Things That I’ve Done by Taaroko

Angelus killed the Romani elder woman before she could complete the Ritual of Restoration in 1898. A hundred years later, Janna Kalderash finds the old curse amongst family heirlooms while spring cleaning, and after months of the seemingly unstoppable Fanged Five terrorizing Sunnydale, the Scoobies are desperate enough to use it. Buffy/Angel. AU.

Baked Goods by Leni

Buffy makes a call. "Hi, Angel. If it’s not a bad time – I mean. I probably shouldn’t be calling you. In fact, if you ignore this call, I'll understand. I just - I need…. You know what? Never mind. Forget I called."

[queennsansa]

Returning the favor with four characters: Thor Odinson, Rose Tico, Angel (:'D), and Bellatrix LeStrange!

Whew, this was a challenge! Thanks for the ask, and for making me think of these characters a little more than I usually do. Answers under the cut!

 Thor Odinson (Marvel)

do I like them: Yeah, definitely!

5 good qualities:

He’s brave, and willing to sacrifice himself if necessary. And, okay, fair enough, basically all the Avengers do. But it’s genuine, and it still means something.

His kindness; for such an intimidating dude he’s extremely lovable. He has such a capacity for love. Like an overgrown puppy, really.

He’s great at finding the humor in every situation and putting things in perspective.

He’s an excellent leader, one who has the best interests of his people at heart. And his people is basically everyone he likes.

He’s forgiving and doesn’t hold many grudges.

3 bad qualities:

He can be a little hotheaded, rushing into things without considering the consequences.

He’s gullibe at times. Well, when it comes to Loki at least. To be fair, Loki knows exactly how to play him (and his love for snakes).

He’s improved a lot, but he can still be a little proud, and even cocky. 

favourite episode/etc: Thor: Ragnarok because it shows how far he’s come and really showcases his personality, but I loved the first Thor movie as well for the character development he goes through.

otp: I don’t really have one, but I like Thor/Sif or Thor/Valkyrie.

brotp: Thor/Loki, Thor/Valkyrie, Thor/Sif, Thor/Darcy. Yeah I’ve got a bunch of these. Thor’s just so lovable you know?

ot3: Ok, so, I don’t usually go for the pseudo-incest thing, but if anyone would write me Thor/Loki/Valkyrie I would probably be into that.

notp: Don’t have any. Thor’s shippable.

best quote: 

“I’d rather be a good man than a great king.”

headcanon: Even though Thor’s no good with technology, Darcy somehow got him hooked on video games. He gets extremely heated when he plays them and loves strategic/battle games especially. When he returned to Asgard he took a Playstation with him, but it turned out Midgard technology doesn’t work on Asgard. Thankfully, Tony found out about Thor’s new hobby and had a special gaming room installed in the Tower. 

Rose Tico (Star Wars)

do I like them: Of course. Look at this cutie.

5 good qualities:

She’s not cynical, but she’s realistic. She’s seen what the world is like, what people are like, and she doesn’t close her eyes to it.

Her realistic outlook on life hasn’t made her cold, though. It’s only fueled her to fight for a better world.

She strongly believes in doing the right thing, despite everything that’s happened. 

Even though she saw Finn as a hero, she still stood up to him when she thought he was abandoning the ship. She doesn’t let herself be intimidated, and she’s loyal to her own beliefs.

She’s brave, doing her part in the Rebellion even if she’s not a major player. 

3 bad qualities:

She holds fast to her own beliefs, even when they may be wrong, leading (in this case) to pretty disastrous results.

Linked to that, her saving Finn can also be read as taking away his choice to sacrifice himself. She barely knows him at that point, so it wasn’t really her decision to make.

That’s about it, really. We barely know the girl!

favourite episode/etc: Going with scene for this, since she’s only been in one movie. I loved her first scene, where she confronts Finn and tasers him. And I also love the one where she schools him on the weapons trade.

otp: Rose/surviving the next movie

brotp: Rose/Finn, Rose/Rey, Rose/Poe, Rose/BB-8

ot3: Ehhhh if they’re gonna do the dreaded love triangle, I propose Rose/Finn/Rey.

notp: Don’t really have one. Rose/Kylo, I guess.

best quote:

“That’s how we’re gonna win. Not fighting what we hate, but saving what we love.” 

I mean, yeah, I didn’t like the kiss. But the quote’s good.

headcanon: Rose immediately befriends BB-8 when they meet, and they spend a great deal of time gossiping about Finn, who still doesn’t understand what BB-8 is saying. After a few weeks, Poe and Rey join in, and then it just turns into the four of them waxing poetically about how great Finn is. And Rose misses her sister, but she realizes she’s found a new family after all.

Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel)

do I like them: Ehhhhh *wiggly hand gesture*. 

5 good qualities:

He owns his mistakes, and he works at making up for them. 

His redemption isn’t for show, or purely selfish reasons either; he just genuinely believes in doing the right thing, which is why he’s such a hero. See him giving up the Shanshu prophecy in s5.

I love his personal philosophy, that even though the world is terrible, there should still be people fighting. Even if it’s no use, even if it doesn’t amount to anything. See also the quote I picked.

His own background means he’s able to sympathize with people who have done wrong, and it allows him to be generous and help them.

Despite being a self-professed loner, he has this tendency to pick up strays, resulting in a family he genuinely loves and which he’ll do pretty much anything for.

3 bad qualities:

His forgiveness policy doesn’t seem to apply to everyone. He’s a petty bastard when he wants to be, especially towards men (Spike, Wes). 

Vaguely stalker-ish behavior as well as hooking up with a 16-year old girl. No bueno, Angel.

Tends to isolate himself when things get bad (or even slightly difficult). Basically every small inconvenience is a good excuse to brood.

favourite episode/etc: 1x19 Sanctuary, when he sticks by Faith, despite Buffy’s wishes; 2x16 Epiphany, when Angel realizes what his purpose is and apologizes to the gang; 5x22 Not Fade Away, when he signs away the Shanshu prophecy.

otp: Despite my comment about the age thing, I do actually like Angel/Buffy. Also, Angel(us)/Darla.

brotp: Angel/Cordy, Angel/Wes, Angel/Faith.

ot3: I’ll do you one better and say the Angelus/Darla/Drusilla/Spike ot4.

notp: Angel/Cordy as it was written on the show. 

best quote:

(From Angel 2x16, Epiphany): “If there’s no great glorious end to all this, if nothing we do matters…  then all that matters is what we do. ‘Cause that’s all there is. What we do. Now. Today. I fought for so long, for redemption, for a reward, and finally just to beat the other guy, but I never got it. (…) All I wanna do is help. I wanna help because, I don’t think people should suffer as they do. Because, if there’s no bigger meaning, then the smallest act of kindness is the greatest thing in the world.”

headcanon: When Cordelia used to bring Angel his morning mug of blood, back when they first started Angel Investigations, she had a special way of preparing it. Her secret recipe, she called it. She never shared the secret with him, and Angel never figured it out. Later, after she’s died, he asks Wes about it, who tells him Cordelia added a pinch of cinnamon to every cup. Angel tries it, after that, but it never tastes the same.

Bellatrix Lestrange (Harry Potter)

do I like them: She’s an amazing villain.

5 good qualities:

She’s loyal. To an evil nazi, sure, but you can’t deny her devotion!

Solid sense of humor, if a bit inappropriate.

Great style. She really commits to that gothic Victorian look.

She’s… upfront about being evil?

Yeah idk either, that’s about it I guess.

3 bad qualities:

Evil. Like, tortures and kills people and stuff, which isn’t great.

Loyal to a fault (literally). She’d die for Voldemort without him ever really repaying her. I feel like she needs to learn to stand up for herself.

Needs a therapist. Stat.

favourite episode/etc: It’s been ages since I’ve seen the movies or read the books, so nothing jumps out at the moment.

otp: ??

brotp: Bellatrix/Narcissa, Bellatrix/Nagini (I bet they’re buddies)

ot3: ???

notp: Bellatrix/Voldemort. No but really though, what the hell.

best quote: 

When she’s taunting Harry by shouting “I killed Sirius Black, I killed Sirius Black.” I liked Sirius, but that was a power move.

headcanon: Born in a wealthy and prominent family, Bellatrix got a classical education, which included piano lessons. Occasionally, she’ll still play. It’s one of the only benign activities she takes pleasure in.

[conversationswithmyrabbit]

Get Out of My Brain

[nileqt87]

How I’d write a Buffy/Angel spinoff!

I still say the best spinoff they could possibly ever make would be all the Chosen Slayers getting deactivated, then Buffy and a Shanshu'd Angel (IMO, this plot really would only work with Angel, because it actually matches his story arc, not Spike's, to want a human life and fatherhood) have a daughter who grows up not knowing the truth about her parents (and half-brother!) until it's forced to come out.

I would particularly note that the first thing that happens to newly-called Slayers is their prophetic dreams. If ever there was a way to start breaking secrets to this new heroine that also serves as flashback exposition featuring the old shows, this seems custom-built for it. It’s exposition for the audience that never saw the old shows as well as an introduction to a key Slayer ability, but most importantly, it’s personal family revelations that go far deeper than historical flashbacks of unrelated persons or monsters that mean nothing personal. These would be scandalous secrets for a baby Slayer, given Buffy was the rule-breaking Slayer who is most famous for having romantic relationships with the very creatures she’s supposed to slay. Angelus would be the worst family secret of all! This story has all the makings of an existential crisis before acceptance. That would also be a good place to drop in Connor’s history. Buffy never actually got to react to that bombshell either, so that would be an interesting drama with her, as well. Buffy and Angel both tended to feature heavily in prophetic dreams, so it also just feels right to continue that.

If there's some reason why David Boreanaz (who, let's face it, is really not getting younger and SEAL Team can't go on forever) can't or is unwilling to appear, one could have an explanation that Wolfram & Hart has had him trapped in a holding dimension for years as punishment.

You could even build an arc around that with Buffy or the daughter trying to find him. Basically, a kind way of explaining Angel's absence if necessary and Buffy unfortunately having to mirror her single mother (which was a fear of hers), despite it being no fault of Angel's. It would be yet more cruelty for him to miss out on yet another child growing up, which would be a dramatic plot point itself. It could actually become a story where he does matter quite a lot, despite initial absence or mystery.

An even bigger shock than mom having Slayer superpowers and a world full of supernatural forces would be a reveal that dad is a 394+-year-old (depends on if you count hell--in a modern-day spinoff, Angel is rapidly approaching 400 years!) ex-vampire.

The most interesting and fitting story you could ever do with a maturing Buffy would be having her be a mother and trying to have a normal life.

This would also give Sarah Michelle Gellar a starring role that allows her to be age-appropriate, yet also having a younger generation that the original audience can still care about because she isn't completely divorced from the two previous shows in the way that an unrelated Slayer spinoff would be. It allows the core storylines of *both* shows to truly matter, far more than a Buffy Steele-Gunn offspring would.

---

Just a a few notes about my pitch for a continuation that works with the real ages of actors and their availability... I should also note that Xander (played by Nick, anyway--Kelly might work for a flashback) is a character who could never appear in live-action again, so maybe he could be used as another event that contributed to Buffy's retirement besides pregnancy.

If the Shanshu and conception were directly post-NFA, any offspring would be 16 years old right now. IMO, if there were any plans to give SMG a series with her in a major supporting role, this just means that the space for how long between NFA and the Shanshu or how long Bangel got to be with each other widens for however many years it would take to revive the franchise.

I strongly believe that the best option for the franchise would be a back-to-the-suburbs story exploring age-appropriate Buffy facing motherhood, rather than trying to turn Buffy into a war general surrounded by nothing but subordinates (horribly alienating future for her) with a lack of equals or a grounded setting à la the season 8 comics. If you want to introduce the Buffyverse to a new audience whom you can't expect to watch 24-year-old shows until they're interested enough by the revival, you're going to have to ground characters in a relatable reality.

As for how a new Slayer would be called after deactivation, I firmly believe the line is through Faith now anyway, so it would just take her dying for a minute à la Prophecy Girl for a new Slayer to be called. I would definitely want Faith in the show!

--- Facebook discussion

I feel like SMG's concern was less wanting to reprise the role entirely, but more concern that she'd be expected to play the same exact role in her 40s. This is giving her a role that fits a woman (and a mother in real life) who is in her 40s and is a major supporting role rather than he young lead whose story is being centered on.

As for the Angel situation, SMG might actually be more willing to return if she could beg DB to come back for perhaps an initially-limited role and the scenario is one I believe she'd actually support, as it fits with her preferences!

While it might seem that Buffy as a single mother retreads the original, Angel is obviously nothing like the Hank situation (not to mention Joyce and Hank being completely clueless), so the circumstances of the father would be quite different from Buffy's own situation, while also feeding into her own stated fears about her future.

This also brings up all the conversations in Bad Eggs, The Prom and the Chosen cookie dough analogy (children are mentioned again) to the forefront. Unlike with the other options, it was something that came up repeatedly. Admittedly, it was always by Angel due to his infertility and the human life he most desired; all of which ended up being an important part of *his* story.

However, a part of Bad Eggs that is woefully underrated is that Buffy was disappointed when Angel told her vampires can't have children. She immediately covers it up with a babble speech and then starts making excuses for why Slayers are unlikely to have that kind of future. Young Buffy did not disregard it because she didn't want children ever at all, but because the person whom she saw that future with was someone who couldn't have them.

Enter Nikki Wood, where Buffy learns that at least one Slayer was definitely a mother, which she was clearly surprised by.

That's another reason why I can see Buffy, if she got her hopes up with post-Shanshu Angel and conceived, would do anything to be a good mom by not being all about "the mission". She would never want her child to be raised without parents. And I think she'd be doubly sensitive to that, not just because of Nikki, but because of Hank leaving and Joyce dying.

Buffy also became surrogate mother to Dawn, who was made out of her (in a sense, she is her real mother), so Angel's situation with Connor actually had a direct mirror in Buffy's situation with Dawn.

But those conversations were also not just about wished-for children that couldn't be conceived, but also asking Buffy to think about what she wants for her future if she took out the belief that Slayers don't live long enough to have one.

This show would be the answer to what happens to a Slayer when she does live long enough to have the future she barely wanted to get her hopes up for before.

Buffy (ditto Angel) is the character for which this story actually has a ton of setup in the shows themselves. These characters talked about it! And the circumstances are really nothing like Joyce and Hank, even if the initial setup plays into both Buffy and Angel's worst nightmare scenarios about parenthood: being a single mother and not getting to raise the miracle child you thought you'd never have. That kind of bittersweet writing that shirks too-good-to-be-true wish-fulfillment is a cornerstone of what makes it a Buffyverse storyline. If the daughter's family lied to her about their history to keep her safe and protect her from knowing what goes bump in the night (making them the polar opposites of Hank and Joyce in regards to knowing all too well--especially Angel's experience of being the worst thing you could bump into at night, rather than utterly clueless), that would certainly be a conflict. Especially if she found out in a particularly shocking way (say, prophetic dreams). And if Angel (I'd like to imagine he has the company of ghost!Wesley and maybe Illyria and Spike) has been taken for punishment by Wolfram & Hart, it might really confuse her if she doesn't know that he didn't just leave or some other excuse Buffy covered it up with. Wolfram & Hart would also probably love the irony of Angel getting what he most desires (to be human and a father), only to punish him with it by wasting his remaining years separated from all that he loves.