This is an article I posted on some Angel forums, right after the time the show ended (2005). I recently saw it was still there, and decided; my own work should also be on my site. Plus it deals with alot of events about Connor.

Spoiler warning if you haven't seen all of Angel yet. whether it hasn't aired yet, or you have it on tape/DVR waiting to get a chance to see it.

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-Wesley & "The Apocalypse"-

I don't know about you, but I was a bit disapointed (that is at 1st glance) when I see such a fine character die.

1st off, he was the only one who seemed not to handle his challenge, and needed someone to come and do it for him. It would have been fione with me if he dies whiel fighting Vail, but mangaged to kill him off as well.

Over all the scene worked, so I am not complaining. However I would not rate it a perfect 10.

There is also the fact that Wesley was supposed to have a major role in The apocalypse. You may not remeber, but Lorne (who we all know is psychic) said, or rather implied, so in "Happy aniversary" (epsidoe 13 of season 2).

The exact quote is:
"I dont know why you fired those 3 plucky kids. Especially Cordy, hot orama, and the british boy, he's going to be playing a huge roll in the... well"

It seems to be that at the bad news of a cancellation. Wesley's character took the brunt of the bad news, and got axed. All to make the ending more powerful.

I don't know about you, but I didn't feel depressed at he end of the season. At the cancellation, sure. But not at how the last episdode ended. I actually thought it was a rather high note to end a season on. I think there was enough room between the death of Wesley & the end credits for us to get over it, and smile at the last scene. (While all the other seasons ended on a very sad note, except season 1.)

So while Wesley was supposed to play a big role, he got used to push emotions forward, because either way he was not going to get a chance to play his role.

Or did he already play that role?
Lindsey said the apocalypse was here, that it was here all along.

Look at the actions Wesley has done over the last 5 years (on Angel.)

1-He joined the A-team, and became book man.
2-He took over as leader after Angel wigged out in season 2.
3-He kidnapped Connor.
4-He came back in season 4, and was quite the unofficial leader when Angelus was running around.

If he did not to that, think of what would not have been.

1-Connor would not be grown up now.
2-Angel (& company) would not have taken over Wolfram & Hart.
3-Fred would not have been taken over by Illyria (& that final battle would be unwinnable).
And the most important difference:
4-Wesley was the one who brought back Connor's memories. Had he not done that, Sahjhan would have killed Connor.
5-If Connor was not grown up, & had his memories back, he would not have been able to interfere in Angel's fight with Hamilton, and buy him enough time to figure out how to kill him. (Without him, Angel surely would have died.)

So just because one does not live through an era, doesn't mean their action will not have an impact on it. You can never know how your actions may effect the future.

Wesley caused alot of strife by kidnapping Connor. He & Fred died, Connor lost a childhood. But how many people will be saved because Angel lived?

While at 1st glance many decisions look wrong, it seems Wesley's turned out for the best.

Addition (2007): Angel himself realized that in season 5 ("Lineage"), and told Wesley that he knew he was the guy who made the hard decisions.

-W68