Werewolf (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

In the fictional Buffyverse established by Buffy and Angel, a werewolf is a human who tranforms into a wolf-like figure on nights of the full moon.

Origins

A person becomes werewolf once they are bitten by another werewolf. From this point on, they transform into a half-man half-wolf creature and remains so from sunset to sunrise during the three nights of the full moon. When transmuted, the human side of the psyche is completely dormant, taken over by a feral predatory mentality that knows only the hunt. [1]

At first these two identities are largely separate, but over time the psyche begins to become influenced from the other. A werewolf in human form develops an enhanced sense of smell [2]. In the wolf form, an older werewolf may actually be able to tell the difference between strangers and those it knows in its human form. Not enough to communicate with perhaps, but enough to know not to eat [3]. However, at first the human psyche will be totally oblivious to its bestial nature, until consequences and evidence to the contrary supports otherwise. [4]

Control

Werewolves can sense powerful emotions, sometimes from miles away. They can track more successfully than bloodhounds by sheer scent. They can also detect the presence of other werewolves even if they're in human form [5]. If not properly trained in the ways of meditation, or otherwise controlled, the darker wolf side of can begin to rule the human side, bringing the victim into a belief structure in which s/he is above other humans and will consider them prey. This mentality may lead to a downward spiral from where the humanity slips away until there's nothing left but the feral. [6]

There is no known cure. However it is possible to control the beastial nature. Monks in Tibet taught Oz meditation techniques that they combined with herbs in his diet, along with chanting and charms. He's now able to roam about under a full moon in apparent ease and comfort. However, intense negative stimulation, such as great physical pain, or overly stressful social situations can reverse this cure, as seen later with Oz [7].

Species

File:Werewolf (Angel episode-Unleashed).jpg

Lycanthropus Exterus

There are more than one species of Werewolf. In "Unleashed", Nina Ash contracts lycanthropy from a breed of Werewolf never seen before in North America called Lycanthropus Exterus. Thus Nina is a different species of werewolf to that of Oz and Veruca [8]. As far as we can tell from what is seen on both BtVS and AtS, the more common Werewolf is smaller, with a heavy coat of fur, and while still being very dangerous, doesn't have a large mouth or canine set of teeth. The Lycanthropus Exterus on the other hand has longer, more powerful arms, is bigger and sports a snout and canine fangs [9].

References

1. "Phases"

2. "Lover's Walk" - Oz in human form can detect Willow's scent.

3. "Wild at Heart" - OZ seemingly knows not to eat Willow

4. "Phases"/"Unleashed" - Oz and Nina are oblivious to their bestial nature

5. "Living Conditions" - Oz senses he another werewolf.

6. "Wild at Heart" - Veruca lets the beast take over her psyche.

7. "New Moon Rising" - Oz learns to control his werewolf urges.

8. "Unleashed"

9. "Unleashed"

See also

• Werewolf (cultual and folklore)
• List of Buffyverse Villains and Supernatural Beings

Werewolves in the Buffyverse

• Nina Ash
• Daniel "Oz" Osbourne
• Veruca (Buffyverse)

Werewolf-related Buffyverse episodes

• "Phases"
• "Beauty and the Beasts"
• "Wild at Heart"
• "New Moon Rising"
• "Unleashed"