Innocence

These snapshots may contain SPOILERS for the entire series, so if for some reason you haven't yet seen some of the episodes and do not want to know what is going on, read no further.
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After a night of passion with Buffy, Angel awakens as a soulless monster. After killing a human for the first time in decades, he remembers what it is like to be a true vampire. He then joins Spike and Drusilla in their plan to destroy the world. A two parter continuation from Surprise.
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Cordelia: Well, does looking at guns make you wanna have sex?
Xander: I'm seventeen. Looking at linoleum makes me wanna have sex.


A lot of character development, good dialogue and a great plot.

Buffy at its inspired, dark and poignant best tackling some real issues better than other show out there. This episode starts the journey to a brilliant season story arc and culminates in just as dark of a twist in the season finale.

Sunnydale just keeps getting bigger. So, as well as two schools, an airport and a set of docks, Sunnydale also now has its own barracks. For a small California town, it's sure growing at a grand old rate.

Buffy and Angel's final confrontation is again in the rain, same as the previous episodes momentous conclusion.

Just love this scene.
Giles: It's not over. I suppose you know that. He'll come after you, particularly. His profile, uh, well, he... he's likely to strike out at the things that made him the most human.
Buffy: You must be so disappointed in me.
Giles: No. No, no, I'm not.
Buffy: But this is all my fault.
Giles: No. I don't believe it is. Do you want me to wag my finger at you and tell you that you acted rashly? You did. And I can. I know that you loved him. And... he... has proven more than once that he loved you. You couldn't have known what would happen. The coming months a-are gonna, are gonna be hard... I, I suspect on all of us, but... if it's guilt you're looking for, Buffy, I'm, I'm not your man. All you will get from me is, is my support. And my respect.


The film Buffy watches with her mother at the end of the episode is Stowaway, a 1936 musical starring Shirley Temple, Alice Faye and Robert Young. The song playing is Goodnight Sweetheart. This scene has been said to signify the finality of the of the Buffy/Angel romance, but it think its more than that. I feel it signifies the end of Buffy's innocence, not just her sexual innocence but her loss of innocence with life in general and growing up. Joyce asks her to blow out the candle and Buffy says "I'll just let it burn." Coming to the sad conclusion that the adage be careful what you wish for unfortunately has real significance for her now.


Foreshadowing

Spike: You've really got a yen to hurt this girl, haven't you? (referring to Buffy)
Angelus: She made me feel like a human being. That's not the kind of thing you just forgive. - Passion and the rest of this season.

Jenny: Buffy loves him.
Enyos: And now she will have to kill him.
Jenny: Unless he kills her first! Uncle, this is insanity! People are going to die.
Passion and Becoming pt. 1 & pt. 2 Jenny, Kendra, and Angel

Angel/us: You can't do it. You can't kill me.
Buffy: Give me time.Becoming pt. 2


Giles: It's not over. I suppose you know that. He'll come after you, particularly. His profile, uh, well, he's likely to strike out at the things that made him the most human .... The coming months are gonna be hard. I suspect on all of us.
Passion and Becoming pt. 1 & pt. 2 Giles tortured by Angelus. Buffy - kicked out of her house, expelled from school, has to kill the first love of her life right after he's been turned good again, and then runs away a complete wreck.


My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Spike - like
Angel/us - like
Oz - like

Overall I consider this a very good episode compared to the rest of the season.