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- Why Does Oz Leave Buffy The Vampire Slayer?
- Oz’s Buffy The Vampire Slayer Arc, Explained
Oz’s (Seth Green) departure is a big surprise on Buffy The Vampire Slayer since the character is a memorable part of Buffy Summers’s (Sarah Michelle Gellar) Scooby Gang from the beginning. Throughout his time on the TV series, Oz dates Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan) and adjusts to the fact that he is a werewolf. His storylines are always as funny as they are exciting since he has a goofy, warm personality.
Before being cast as Daniel “Oz” Osbourne on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Seth Green starred in a few episodes of sitcoms and TV dramas, including The X-Files, Beverly Hills, 90210, and The Wonder Years. In 2005, he would star in the animated series that he co-created, Robot Chicken. But just like Angel (David Boreanez) leaves Buffy, so does Oz. Where did Oz go?
Why Does Oz Leave Buffy The Vampire Slayer?
Seth Green left Buffy The Vampire Slayer because he was filming a movie and also because of the storylines that his character Oz was getting. In 1999, Entertainment Weekly reported that Green appeared in episodes one through six of season 4. After that, he filmed the movie Knockaround Guys. The article suggested that he might return, but no one was sure at the time if that would end up being true. While Oz is often on the outside of the main action, it was still surprising to see him go, especially since he was one of Buffy’s good friends.
Fans who wondered what happened to Oz on Buffy The Vampire Slayer got real answers thanks to an interview that Seth Green did. In 2007, he shared the reason why he quit with The A.V. Club. He explained that Oz didn’t have any major plotlines or interesting, meaty dialogue. Green said:
“There was a point at which I approached Joss and just said I was really… I felt like we hadn’t done anything that we had talked about. I felt like the character’s potential vs. what we actually were doing were in drastic opposition. And I was getting other opportunities, so I asked to be let out, because I spent an entire season as a regular on the show, not doing or saying anything.”
Green also said that he asked to leave for six episodes to film Knockaround Guys. He explained that he ended up leaving for good instead:
“As much as the character was peripheral, to get me off for six episodes apparently would’ve caused too much turmoil, so they just found a way to make me exit gracefully.”
In season 4 of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Oz moves away from Sunnydale permanently. He realizes that there is no place for him there anymore, especially because Willow is now in a relationship with Tara Maclay (Amber Benson).
What Is Oz’s Final Episode Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer?
- “Ruthless” (season 4, episode 20)
- Willow dreams about Oz
Oz’s Buffy The Vampire Slayer Arc, Explained
Oz’s Buffy The Vampire Slayer character arc centers around him finding out that he’s a werewolf and his love story with Willow. Oz dates Willow before she becomes evil and the two develop feelings for each other in season 2. Willow proves that she’s a kind person who doesn’t care about appearances when she starts a relationship with Oz despite the fact that he keeps turning into a werewolf.
Oz’s Best Buffy The Vampire Slayer Episodes
- season 2, episode 4: “Inca Mummy Girl”
- season 2, episode 6: Halloween”
- season 2, episode 15: “Phases”
- season 3, episode 10: “Amends”
- season 4, episode 19: “New Moon Rising”
Many of Oz’s Buffy episodes are fairly dark since he can’t stop his werewolf self from coming out. However, he tries his best to be a good person and not hurt or kill anyone. While he goes to UC Sunnydale with his friends in season 4, he still wrestles with his penchant for violence. He often goes to a cemetery and puts himself in a cage.
When Oz leaves Buffy The Vampire Slayer, he has come to terms with his true nature and knows that there is no place for him there anymore. In season 4, Oz comes close to killing Veruca (Paige Moss), and he moves away from Sunnydale twice. When he comes back, he promises Willow that he is in charge of his abilities and that even if there is a full moon, he will remain in his human form. Unfortunately, Oz turns into a werewolf again when he is envious of Willow and Tara Maclay’s relationship. Like the strongest vampires on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Oz is powerful, and he shows growth by knowing when it’s time to move away.
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