I didn't accept the story of the First. I mean, how could this evil have the power to bring someone back from a Hell dimension, and for what purpose? Just to make Angel evil again? It seemed unlikely that the First would go through all this trouble just to gain one more person on its side. Especially since its ultimate goal was what we saw in season 7. However, I do like Joss' famous continuity with the First. I just don't think its a coincidence that this happened right after Buffy placed the ring on the floor, since the ring was never found again, or mentioned. If it was just a coincidence, then the ring would still be on the floor, right? But it's like Buffy gave away the ring and got Angel in return.

I was watching this ep the other day and I was thinking exactly the same thing as you tisha.
I dont think it was a coincidence, why else would he come back so soon after she left the ring and why would he land on the exact spot that she left the ring???

It annoyed me who unclear that storyline was because of what a lot of what angel and wesley discover in angel i believe that he was brought back by the powers that be, once they saw that buffy was able to move on

person above me, good point but i think buffy's love had something to do about it.

oooooo...point debs!!! I never even thought about that!! I never bought the whole thing with the First...it did seem like a lot of trouble for a great evil to go to for something that may not have worked out for the first. I was also sort of confused with the story line...however I think the Claddagh ring and Buffy had something to do with it. Even if it was just symbolizing her "moving on"...not that she really did. I mean they're together for the 3rd season after he's come back. Not like she really "moved on". I think that the first just saw an opportunity when Angel came back and decided to use it to the firt's advantage. Good pick tish and good comment debs!!

i think it was bffy's love. i probably only think that because i am a really romatic person, but who cares? it was cute!

It was Buffy's love that brought Angel abck. He saw just how much she loved him.

Just curious, I thought the reason Angel was brought back was because he had a prophecy??

It was just one of the (few) examples of really sloppy story telling to serve a certain purpose. They must have been in a hurry. At least they came back to The First later I guess.

I agree with nosemuffin.

They knew Angel was an asset to the show. Plus I'm sure Joss and Co. were already working on ATS then. Can't have a spinoff show without the character your spinning it for!

it show how much thier love is strong

It definitely had something to do with her love, I believe. It might not have been any initial *witch craft* thing like willow, but it was definitely, something unexplainable.

Too bad though because then he was the big bad :(

Ahhh you people have obviously never seen Angel before. He was brought back by The Powers That Be. Duhh!!!!

In shows nothing is a coincidence, and everything happens for a certain reason. The fact Buffy went to the mansion and left there Claddagh ring, was obviously responsible for bringing him back. It was never explained in the show, because I think Joss knew the fans will interpret it in the right way. I think it was Buffy's love that brought Angel back.

I doubt it was a coincidence. That's just too simple and not meaningful enough. And I don't buy that it was the First's doing, because that makes no sense to me. Why would the First bring back someone who could have ultimately defeated its plans? It just claimed that to try to manipulate Angel in Amends.

I think it was the PTB who brought him back because they had plans for him (basically the Angel series). I think the timing with the ring meant something though. It was like they were waiting for Buffy to show that she could let him go.