I’m going to keep a running log on how much time Angel and Buffy actually spend together, talking to each other (and what they discuss) before they hook up in 1x07 "Angel" because they can’t resist the other, that they're in love. This endeavor is because it always seemed to me like there wasn’t much foundation, so I’m going back for evidence on if that’s true. Buckle in and let’s go!
1x01 - Welcome to the Hellmouth
(22:59-24:05) - Angel follows Buffy on her way to the Bronze; Buffy lays a trap in the alley.
(24:06-25:37) Buffy surprises Angel and knocks him down, asks him why he’s following her. Angel implies he’s not a vampire. “I know what you’re thinking, I don’t bite.” He also knows she’s the Slayer, wants to team up, and questions her about being able to be left alone on a Hellmouth. He gives her a cross necklace, says she needs to be ready for the Harvest, refers to himself as a friend (“didn’t say I was yours”) and leaves.
*Buffy admits she thinks Angel is attractive. Giles reveals he doesn’t know Angel unlike what Buffy assumed. Angel doesn’t explain who he is or what the Harvest is.
TOTAL TALKING TIME: 1 minute 31 seconds
RUNNING TOTAL: 1 minute 31 seconds
(13:18-15:13) Angel appears in the crypt that Buffy is investigating. He says that [the vampires] really don’t like him dropping in. Buffy asks why and he says “they really don’t like me.” He says he knew she’d figure out the entrance but that he thought she’d do it quicker. She says if he’s going to continue his cryptic wise man act then he should give his name. Buffy's voice is soft in her response: “Angel…it’s a pretty name.” Angel tries to prevent her from going in, avoid the risk since tonight is the Harvest and the Master walks. Buffy asks why he doesn’t stop it. Angel says it’s because he’s afraid. Buffy ignores that and breaks the chains to the door which surprises him. It is revealed that Angel doesn’t really have friends. Angel gives directions to the Master through the tunnels. He doesn’t wish her good luck until she’s out of sight.
*Buffy wears the necklace Angel gave her. Angel reveals he knows about the Harvest, the Master, and their location, but didn’t stop them because he’s afraid. The vampires know and don’t like him. He does not appear during the Harvest itself.
TOTAL TALKING TIME: 1 minute 55 seconds
RUNNING TOTAL: 3 minutes 26 seconds
1x03 - Witch (no Angel scenes)
TOTAL TALKING TIME: 0 minutes 0 seconds
RUNNING TOTAL: 3 minutes 26 seconds
(7:25-8:34) Buffy catches sight of Angel at the Bronze and approaches him. [Sidenote: unprompted, Xander talks about how buff and attractive Angel is 😂] Angel says he won’t be long. Buffy is very sarcastic about how he’ll “give a cryptic warning about an exciting new catastrophe and then disappear into the night, right?” Angel takes the opportunity to give her his leather jacket, putting it on her himself, leaving him in a tank top that shows his arms because she “looks cold”. [Xander makes a comment about it being a blatant move.] Buffy notices a wound on Angel, who says “he’s coming” about the attacker. He says not to let Fork Guy corner her and to not give him mercy. She makes a quip about him being less cryptic and he says he has to go.
(42:37-43:21) Angel approaches Buffy at the Bronze. She’s still wearing his jacket. He says he heard a rumor she killed Fork Guy. She says she should thank him for the tip and hints it’d be easier if she could contact him. Or knew who he was. He smiles and says he’ll be around, starting to leave. Buffy blurts that she can give him his jacket back but he says it looks better on her. He leaves, looking back at her through the crowd. Buffy mutters to herself “oh boy”.
*Buffy makes several remarks about Angel being cryptic and tries to play it cool but is flustered by the jacket manœuvre and she continues to wear it. There’s a pointed discussion on how an older woman being interested in a teenage boy is more about preying on their naïveté rather than his maturity or compatibility. [Nope, no similarities here!] The Fork Guy that Angel warns Buffy about is scared of the other monster she’ll face. Angel still does not tell Buffy who he is and leaves their meetings to when he finds her. Buffy is clearly interested in him.
TOTAL TALKING TIME: 1 minute 53 seconds
RUNNING TOTAL: 5 minutes 19 seconds
1x05 - Never Kill a Boy on the First Date
(27:35-30:33 [screentime]; 27:53-28:46 [direct conversation with Buffy/Buffy & Owen])
Angel walks into the Bronze and Cordelia is lusting immediately despite only seeing the back of him. He walks right up to Buffy and says he was hoping to find her there. She looks happy until he says there’s serious stuff out there and that she should be slaying. Immediate disappointment from Buffy “not you too”. She tries to walk away but Angel pulls her back and asks what she knows. She’s flippant but mentions the Prophecy and Anointed One and Angel, combative, hits back that he “just thought he’d warn her”. Frustrated, Buffy mentions that she’s here on a date and points out Owen. Angel repeats it back “you’re here on a date?” Buffy confirms it, exasperated at the question, right as Owen shows up with food and a smile. The guys both look at each other. Buffy introduces them as Angel and Owen “who is my date” and stands next to him. Awkward greetings ensue. Owen asks how Angel knows Buffy and he says from work. Owen uses that to ask Buffy directly about work. Before much more can happen, Xander and Willow arrive about Giles. Owen notes how odd it is that it’s the second time he’s seen them when he only expected Buffy. Xander questions Angel’s presence who insists they’re there for the same reason. Buffy asks why they’re all here. Obvious fake dating as an excuse. Owen is very confused. Buffy wants to go back to her date with Owen. Willow suggests the funeral home with heavy implication that Buffy notices. Owen seems down for a double date there. Xander confirms in a veiled way that it’s vampires. Buffy mutters “bite me!” and then looks to Angel who stares at her, I guess it’s meant to be confirmation? Buffy tries to leave Owen while she checks it out. He asks her directly if she wants to bail on him, while Angel is clearly in frame watching them. Buffy reassures him that she’s interested, she’s been having a good time, and will come back. He nods, accepting. She leaves, and then rushes back to give him a kiss. She does not look at Angel at all. Owen stares after her, besotted, and says “she is the strangest girl”.
*Buffy has been completely enamored with Owen this entire episode despite how the previous one ended on Angel. Owen also rushes immediately into danger in order to help Buffy. Angel came to warn Buffy about danger but did not come with - unlike the four fragile humans. Buffy sees how her lifestyle could put Owen in danger so she regretfully tells him they can’t date. Buffy feels the responsibility of needing to be the Slayer over being a teenage girl. The Anointed is shown as a child.
TOTAL TALKING TIME: 0 minutes 53 seconds
RUNNING TOTAL: 6 minutes 12 seconds
1x06 - The Pack (no Angel scenes)
*Willow does reference Angel at the Bronze and how Buffy is still wearing his jacket, which Buffy deflects. She admits he’s hot but “he’s never around! and when he is all he wants to do is talk about vampires and…I just can’t have a relationsh-“ she is cut off by Willow noticing Xander’s arrival, and disappointed because she thought it might be Angel.
TOTAL TALKING TIME: 0 minutes 0 seconds
RUNNING TOTAL: 6 minutes 12 seconds
So there you have it! Buffy and Angel interact in four episodes, for a grand total (actual talking, not just looking at each other or speaking about the other) of 6 minutes and 12 seconds before the episode in which they declare/heavily imply their love for one another. Not a single conversation lasts even 2 minutes. And one episode of that is Buffy being super into another guy and annoyed by Angel being so vague and disappearance-prone. While there are moments of Buffy appreciating his good looks, and thinking about him when he's not there, I am desperately struggling to see how love happened. But hey, she's sixteen and he's hot older guy?
