I've Somewhat Surprised Myself.

[shipperx]

So, I've been reading about the BtVS Season 8 comic and my position has long been that if Spike and Angel aren't in it, I have no interest whatsoever in Buffy and pals.  However, I have to admit that the other night, it struck me that I must enjoy Buffy (the character) more than I tend to think. The reason I say this is that, while trying to write my noel_of_spikestory (operative word there being try), I realized that I missed the Buffster (so much so that I've kinda, sorta thought about almost having her in the story).  The reason this feels like such an odd realization is that I'm one of those who wished that the school bus in Chosen drove off a cliff, and I've felt quite skeptical about any post-Chosen Spuffy.  Add in a distaste for Sarah Michelle Gellar, and I'm simply not a fan of on-screen Buffy.  That said, I realize that somehow or another Buffy has become the primary POV character for my WIP Perfect Vengeance (which -- hah! -- I'm still writing, believe it or not.  Sad, isn't it?), and I find I miss her view point in my noel_of_spike story.  I miss having a central female character (and somehow Illyria doesn't exactly count because of her being a godKING.  Poor Anne is having to serve this purpose in my untitled Christmas-fic  (though she isn't a romantic interest)  and she hardly qualifies as more than a blip in the Whedonverse! )

I miss Buffy.  Three words I never thought that I would type.  (Though I still say that the only way that I would buy a BtVS Season 8 story is if Spike and Angel are in it.  Look, I may miss having a central female point of view when writing fanfic, but it doesn't mean that I have any interest in a Buffy story without the vamps.  I haven't mellowed that much.)

Comments

[sp23.livejournal.com]

I so agree with you about the comic. While I'm curious where Joss is going to go with it and I hope that those on my flist who buy it will recap each episode, I have no interest in reading about Dawn and the Potentials/Slayers or Buffy post-Spike.

But I make no bones about the fact that prior to the second half of season six, I loved Buffy. I felt for her and the fact that she'd had this responsibility thrust upon her unexpectedly at such a young age, that she felt isolated even when among her friends and watcher, that she was a young girl who had to deal in death every. single. night, and that she ended up being abandoned by every man she loved and trusted (except Spike who didn't so much abandon as give up). And if Marti Noxon wasn't such a shitty storyteller, I probably would have continued to feel that way about Buffy as she spiraled into her self-destructive depression in season six.

Unfortunately, the Buffy that Marti gave us was a worse monster than the demons she slew, and I grew to dislike her to the point of hatred. Added to the fact that by that time I'd transferred by first loyalty to Spike, and I lost all sympathy for her.

I don't know that I'll ever be all that interested in anything Joss puts out anymore, but, yeah, there are times when I do miss Buffy.

[owenthurman.livejournal.com]

I think the main plot line is about the adventures of Kennedy and Dawn wherein they spend most of their time with new potentials and also encounter Riley, Rona, and Roger Windham-Pryce. Buffy comes in for occasional plots and Spike and Angel will be mentioned at least one time each.

[sp23.livejournal.com]

Oh. My. God. That's even worse that I expected. Dude, if you're serious, that's just awful! ::shudders::

[owenthurman.livejournal.com]

REally, that was just for the shudders. I don't have any idea what the plot is.

[sp23.livejournal.com]

Hee! So naughty. But it wouldn't surprise me, because Joss would so do something that repulsive and then be pissed when people screamed in rage. *g*

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Ah so it's sort of the equivalent of anti-matter. It's the exact opposite of anything I would care to read.

[celesteavonne.livejournal.com]

I'm a Dawn-fan, but Kennedy?? *shudder* I feel she's the Jar Jar Binks of the Jossverse. Kill her off and be quick about it!

Oh, but I agree with ya. I miss Buffy, too.

I'm terribly skeptical about the comics. Every time I read about them, my stomach clenches in dread. Geh. I'm a drama queen. But it's true. I'll probably not read them.

[owenthurman.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I really like Buffy, too. Funny thing since in real life she couldn't be further from my type. One more bit,

abandoned by every man she loved and trusted...except Spike who didn't so much abandon as give up

After rejecting her "I love you" back in Sunnydale, wouldn't it be the most basic consideration just short of abandonment for Spike to send her at least a nice handwritten postcard,

"You know how I used to feel about you, knowing the best and the worst of you and the girl who has to live with being the slayer and still loves and cares and what it takes for you to keep doing and trying and knowing you means every fibre of my soul screams that you are the one and another girl could never mean anything to me? I'm over it. Have a nice life."

But pretending to be dead and going into a potentially suicidal final battle without even a thought of owning up? Abandonment.

One hundred percent success rate on the abandonment.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

I can't see it as abandoment. I, too, see it as hitting maximum level of pain and disillusionment and calling surrender. Now, should he have contacted her post resurrection? Yes, indeed he should. But I tend to think that the emotion behind it was a desire to minimize embarrassment and pain on both their parts. It's not the wisest and bravest of Spike's moves... but I can understand it. It's asking him to pull the scab off wounds that haven't healed yet... and he would have faced her in "The Girl in Question" if fate hadn't conspired against him.

Spike isn't blameless, but I sympathize. And I do think he simply gave up-- and with circumstances being what they were, I don't blame them.

It's not abandonment that after years of pushing someone away, they actually go. It's just an inevitable consequence.

[sp23.livejournal.com]

Hee, I hadn't read your post before I posted my reply. We pretty much agree 100% on Spike's decision to not tell Buffy he was alive.

And you're right. He would have faced her if her "double" [eyeroll] wasn't pretending to be her and whooping it up with The Immortal.

[owenthurman.livejournal.com]

e would have faced her in "The Girl in Question" if fate hadn't conspired against him.

How that would have gone, within S8 canon.

Why Spike couldn't tell who really lived in Buffy's apartment

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Hee! Thanks for the links. (Especially loved the first one).

[suspiria-1.livejournal.com]

And how did she push him away in season seven? He wasn't even pursuing her then. Sorry, but I think you're over exaggerating.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Feel free to think it. We don't have to convince each other of our opinions, we based them upon watching the same material and came away with different impressions of what happened.

::shrug:: It happens.

[sp23.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I guess you could look at it that way. Aside from the fact that it was a piss-poor way to keep Spike on Angel, it really put Spike in a cowardly light. I just tend to think that he really didn't believe her when she said she loved him or that he didn't feel it was the romantic love he craved from her. As such, he decided it was better for her that she believe him dead.

Quite frankly, if Buffy ever did find out and Spike was still alive after NFA, I think she'd kick his ass for him for being such a schmuck about it. :)

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

What have you done with Lisa? :P

If I don't get another chance to say this, have a wonderful Christmas!

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Have a very Merry Christmas yourself!

(And I'm sure the Buffy love would evaporate within minutes of seeing SMG try in vain to emote.)