Jenny Calendar

Lore & Background

During the second season her true identity is revealed: she is Janna of the Kalderash, a member of the Romani group that cursed Angel. In response to an elder's visions that Angel is suffering less due to his growing romance with Buffy, Jenny is instructed to impede their relationship. As a result of events during the second season storyline (specifically in Season 2, Episode 14, "Innocence") Angel loses his soul and reverts to Angelus, his evil alter ego, eventually making Jenny his victim. Among the main cast, she is the series' first recurring character to die, and the manner of her death is noted for its disturbing effect on audiences. Jenny refers to herself as a techno-pagan, not a witch. She says she does not have the necessary power to be a witch, but is adept at researching demons and other occult topics to assist Giles and Buffy. Jenny introduces viewers to the series' expression of magic. In contrast to the more clichéd portrayals of magic in the media as an evil force akin to Satan-worshiping tinged with sexploitation, magic in Buffy instead represents a more earth-bound force that can be harnessed for a physical price. Jenny tells Giles that email and bone-casting are equally valid forms of receiving information.

In Their Own Story

Jenny Calendar's first appearance is in the episode "I Robot, You Jane", which deals with the risks of online romance. Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan), one of Buffy's friends, is spending time online with someone she knows as Malcolm, who turns out to be a demon named Moloch the Corrupter. Jenny challenges Giles' traditional approach and helps him to solve the problem of how to find and kill the demon when Giles reveals himself to be a technophobe; she both frustrates and flirts with him in the process. Jenny's character was not intended to be recurring, but the chemistry exhibited between LaMorte and Head encouraged the writers to make her a regular member of the cast. Jenny's role as a recurring character was cemented in "Prophecy Girl", where she acknowledges that she is aware of the many evil forces in Sunnydale and indicates she is willing to join the Scoobies in their fight against them. Jenny and Giles begin dating in the episode "Some Assembly Required". In "The Dark Age", it is revealed that Giles' past includes a youthful exploration into dark magic, when he was known to his friends as "Ripper". The result of this experimentation 20 years ago calls a demon named "Eyghon" to Sunnydale; the demon temporarily possesses Jenny, prompting her to halt their relationship. In "Surprise" it is revealed that Jenny is an emissary from the tribe that cursed Angel. Her true name is Janna (pronounced Yannah), and she has been sent to ensure he continues to suffer for his past brutality. Janna's Uncle Enyos (Vincent Schiavelli) comes to remind her of her duty to her people. By the episode "Passion" it has become clear that Angelus is targeting Buffy's friends and family. Despite the improbability of success and without telling Giles or Buffy, Jenny attempts to restore Angel's soul by using her computer to translate the ancient curse. Upon learning what she is doing, Angelus destroys the computer, taunts Jenny, then laughs as he chases her through the school, finally killing her by snapping her neck. He then takes Jenny's body to Giles' apartment and sets up music, champagne, and roses, as if she is awaiting him in his bedroom for a romantic encounter; Giles then finds her dead body arranged on his bed.

Reader's Guide

Jenny Calendar is the computer teacher at Sunnydale High School. She is a recurring character in the first two seasons. Her key role is as Rupert Giles' primary romantic interest and as a counter to his technophobia. She is a rare adult female role model for the young women in Buffy's circle. Jenny is a techno-pagan, not a witch, and uses her access to and knowledge of technology to help the Scoobies. She is adept at researching demons and occult topics. Her true identity is Janna of the Kalderash, a member of the Romani group that cursed Angel. She is sent to Sunnydale to keep an eye on Angel and later instructed to impede his relationship with Buffy. Her death occurs in Season 2, Episode 17, "Passion", when Angelus kills her by snapping her neck and leaves her body in Giles' apartment. She is the series' first recurring character to die.

Did You Know?

• Jenny Calendar was originally not intended to be a recurring character, but the chemistry between Robia LaMorte and Anthony Head encouraged the writers to make her a regular member of the cast.
• Robia LaMorte was originally trained as a dancer who toured and appeared in music videos with Prince.
• In 'The Dark Age', the make-up requirement for LaMorte's appearance as the demon Eyghon nearly gave her an anxiety attack, though she considered it the most fun episode she filmed.
• Jenny's true name is Janna (pronounced Yannah) of the Kalderash, a member of the Romani group that cursed Angel.
• Jenny is the series' first recurring character to die, and the manner of her death is noted for its disturbing effect on audiences.