Buffy 3x9 - full reaction
Added 2021-06-25 15:59:43 +0000 UTC
Comments
Other people have already answered your questions as to the differences between the two Buffys. To answer your question about the cheating thing between Willow and Xander - I think it's important to remember that these guys are still in high school, so they're trying to figure their shit out. I think you have a good point about how Xander and Cordelia's relationship seems to be over but Willow and Oz's relationship might be able to be saved. Xander really shows his immaturity and lack of empathy with his breakup. It's still all about him and his needs. He doesn't deserve to be happy IMO. However, Willow has seen the light. I think the reason she got involved with Xander in the first place is because like I said, she's young - she's still trying to figure her shit out. Also, she's loved Xander for forever. She showed throughout her cheating how conflicted she was about it whereas Xander was all about the pleasure principle. I don't think Willow really realized what she wanted until it ended with Oz. Once that happened, she probably realized what she had with Xander wasn't real whereas what she had with Oz was. He sees the real her, and he values and loves her, i.e. Pez Witch. Xander loves Willow, but he doesn't LOVE her for her full self. Sometimes people need to make bad choices to get to the next level when it comes to relationships and character growth. That's my take anyway. Hope it helps.
Sika6061
2021-06-30 15:12:08 +0000 UTCokay I love that perspective of the episode! it's almost impossible to picture Buffy being ruthless and not caring about saving people, but clearly it is possible. thanks for your analysis. i love it
TheLexiCrowd
2021-06-28 07:20:06 +0000 UTC"What's the point?" There's no character growth, but arguably there's *viewer* growth. Because the whole "Buffy is so nice, she would always help" idea comes into question when you realise... without her emotional support bubble to keep her straight, she's actually not a nice person at all. Giles and Oz, they are the same. Angel is the same. They are still "nice". (Xander and Willow we learn nothing about, because they're demons now, but if they were still human my money is on them being the same.) But Buffy ... inside, she's obviously has the potential to be really not nice at all. All it takes is one small small event. Joyce moves to Cleveland instead of Sunnydale, and her daughter turns into a ruthless machine. It could easily have happened in this universe too, and it still could. There's nothing to say that another small event couldn't turn "our" Buffy the same way in the future. Which for me makes this one of the most upsetting episodes of the series.
David Meadows
2021-06-28 07:13:52 +0000 UTC
