You're not wrong, and I can't help wondering if the character- and community-annihilation in Season 5 is a function of Joss Whedon's odd need to deny his characters more than five minutes of happiness at a time and punish them for allowing themselves even that much. It's a macro-version of every intimate relationship that's forged among the main characters, particularly Buffy and Angel.
That’s a great point. I think the Buffy/Angel stuff was at least solid because they’re able to work through it and both come out happy (Buffy at least) on the other side of the relationship. But so many shows fall into this trap of denying their characters any lasting happiness and I think it guts what a lot of the show is trying to say. Tara, Anya, Buffy. Idk killing these characters just to add fodder to the story isn’t accomplishing anything. The only death I can really get on board with is Joyce bc I appreciate the idea that Buffy can’t control the natural. Only supernatural. The issue is that story occupied SO MUCH of S5. The cancer storyline being solved only to have the rug ripped out from underneath seemed cruel
Even as a huge fan of Buffy Season 5, I also have to agree with you. The thesis of the show drastically changes from there, and only continues down that darker path in season 6 and 7.
I'm in the middle of a rewatch now, and I love how Season 4 tests the thesis of friendship by pulling them apart throughout the season and then having them come back together for the big bad fight. It's sad that by season 7, the Scooby gang becomes more of a war operation with Buffy as the military leader.
Oh absolutely! I know ppl find S4 iffy because of Riley, but I loved the arc of pulling them apart only for them to realize that the key to success is the close relationship of the four of them. Idk what happened but S5 completely did a 180 on that. So upsetting
Ugh glad someone agrees about S4!! Willow and Tara plus Anya and Xander are so great. Plus Spike with the chip in his head. It’s the closest everyone gets to being allowed to be happy. And nah I’m not watching. I read all the episode synopses to get the general idea and I watched the musical episode (fantastic) but that’s all. It’s too dark and that’s not what I want out of TV
Totally! The Willow/Tara and Anya/Xander pairings, plus Spike with a chip are all TV-gold!
Haha that's fair. Although, there is this one Anya-focused episode in S7 that I love, which adds another song to the musical episode with a flashback: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nErIHWQ1Xrk
You're not wrong, and I can't help wondering if the character- and community-annihilation in Season 5 is a function of Joss Whedon's odd need to deny his characters more than five minutes of happiness at a time and punish them for allowing themselves even that much. It's a macro-version of every intimate relationship that's forged among the main characters, particularly Buffy and Angel.
That’s a great point. I think the Buffy/Angel stuff was at least solid because they’re able to work through it and both come out happy (Buffy at least) on the other side of the relationship. But so many shows fall into this trap of denying their characters any lasting happiness and I think it guts what a lot of the show is trying to say. Tara, Anya, Buffy. Idk killing these characters just to add fodder to the story isn’t accomplishing anything. The only death I can really get on board with is Joyce bc I appreciate the idea that Buffy can’t control the natural. Only supernatural. The issue is that story occupied SO MUCH of S5. The cancer storyline being solved only to have the rug ripped out from underneath seemed cruel
Even as a huge fan of Buffy Season 5, I also have to agree with you. The thesis of the show drastically changes from there, and only continues down that darker path in season 6 and 7.
I'm in the middle of a rewatch now, and I love how Season 4 tests the thesis of friendship by pulling them apart throughout the season and then having them come back together for the big bad fight. It's sad that by season 7, the Scooby gang becomes more of a war operation with Buffy as the military leader.
Oh absolutely! I know ppl find S4 iffy because of Riley, but I loved the arc of pulling them apart only for them to realize that the key to success is the close relationship of the four of them. Idk what happened but S5 completely did a 180 on that. So upsetting
Yeah, Riley is a bit of a snooze, but wow season 4 has some amazing episodes anyways! Also I love that Faith two-parter!
Are you going to stick it out for S6 and 7?
Ugh glad someone agrees about S4!! Willow and Tara plus Anya and Xander are so great. Plus Spike with the chip in his head. It’s the closest everyone gets to being allowed to be happy. And nah I’m not watching. I read all the episode synopses to get the general idea and I watched the musical episode (fantastic) but that’s all. It’s too dark and that’s not what I want out of TV
Totally! The Willow/Tara and Anya/Xander pairings, plus Spike with a chip are all TV-gold!
Haha that's fair. Although, there is this one Anya-focused episode in S7 that I love, which adds another song to the musical episode with a flashback: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nErIHWQ1Xrk
Okay I may add that one to my list!