Season Towers

Keep in mind also what it is they have as common ground. They've both got an extremely practical streak, and both tend to pull away from their friends when they could most use them. They both internalize a lot of things, have unresolved parent issues—not to mention the unresolved Angel issues.

"....He's not really evolving from one type to another, we're just seeing what lies under that carefully controlled exterior as we get to know him better. The Lost Soul was there all along, but his rigid control in Sunnydale kept it from showing too much (except in his desperate need for belonging and approval). He's definitely shown himself to be devoted, vulnerable and discerning. He doesn't brood quite like Angel does, but showing himself to be brooding would be revealing too much about himself to others. He can be unforgiving of himself and others. While Angel is the Wandering type of Lost Soul who can't find commitment and who has trouble attaching, Wes is more of the Outcast who isolated himself from the outside world and who doesn't let anyone close to him. Wes and Cordy may criticize Angel for not talking about his feelings or connecting with others, but Wes is even worse. At least they can tell Angel is having feelings. Wesley's generally placid exterior keeps others from knowing that anything's going on inside...."

"In SHELLS, Wesley stabbed Gunn. Calmly. Without remorse.

And yet, nobody was really all that surprised about this, were they? I wasn't. Shocked and saddened, yes, but not truly surprised. But, taking a step back, I have to wonder why that is. Why aren't we surprised? How is it that a character can be that brutal to former friend and comrade-in-arms without a huge outcry from fans?...."