Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Kendare Blake is the writer for this upcoming trilogy, and I think she's quite good.

So I will probably pick up at least the first book when it comes out.

What do you think of the characters in Season 7? I rewatched an episode of Buffy more specifically "Touched" where Spike calls out the Scoobies on how they treated Buffy. Looking at it now, Spike was tight about them but he was wrong about Faith. What do you think of Buffy as a leader in the season?

The Scoobies were definitely scapegoating. They were all in way over their heads against the First Evil and company, and while Buffy's leadership was flawed, they were not justified in their treatment of her - and were clearly about ready to kick Faith out after the first attempt at a fightback failed. The others were also right that Anya really was a useless space-waster, doing nothing constructive, just sitting around pissing and moaning. Contrast S5 when she was actually the voice of reason and practicality in the fight against Glory.

Buffy's attitude was far from perfect - as someone with severe mental health issues, condemning a suicide as cowardice was way not cool - but she was also in over her head with very little support, with those who were supposed to be helping her scheming behind her back (like Giles trying to get rid of Spike). There's certainly justification for that, but Spike actually did go out of his way to get his soul back himself, unlike Angel, and as bad as the rape attempt obviously was, I think the real heinousness of it is that we actually see that on screen. Both Spike, and Angel, and the other vampires, are heavily implied to have done far worse for centuries, but that one crime is seen as worse than the others because we physically saw it.

Kennedy, obviously, is really awful, a power-hungry schemer who isn't even hiding that she's trying to gain power, claiming that those who arrived earlier should have more authority.

Really, that whole conflict brought out the worst in pretty much everyone. Dawn at least seemed to eventually realise she was being a dick and reign it in a bit, and Spike and Andrew were at least trying to atone (Storyteller is a really powerful episode, and a highlight of the show for me). Willow is lost, and falls very easily prey to Kennedy (whose exploitation of a recovering addict is more horrific the more you think about it), and Xander ends up one of the saner people in the room by default but because he's just a Badass Normal there's not much he can do to control the chaos. Especially with his jilted ex taking shelter with the group.

To understand Faith's arc you really need to see the Angel episodes featuring her. She's trying to do right too, but she also lacks the guidance she needs - Wesley is effective in that regard in Angel, but he's also off the deep end himself, so isn't exactly the loving father figure mentor that early seasons Giles was to Buffy. Faith can reign in the gang, short term, but before Buffy gets a second wind Faith is about to get kicked herself and she couldn't have stopped them.

So yeah, complicated, but in AITA terms, ESH.

Edited by EruditeEsotericist on Nov 15th 2022 at 1:25:09 PM

I'd argue Buffy's biggest influence was on the MCU.

But that is also Joss Whedon.

However, sarcastic wiseass pop cultured badasses have influenced LOTS of stuff like The Dresden Files.

Both Buffy and Dresden Files are basically "urban fantasy Spider-Man".

For better and for worse. To be honest, I got annoyed with the "Joss Whedon" style quips, banter and jokes. Sometimes it undermines the 'seriousness' of a scene and it makes me wonder if I am supposed to take anything seriously. I stepped out of the MCU a while ago but it seems it has only gotten worse. Joss Whedon is a good writer however that doesn't mean that I like everything about his writing.

this is the type of show that's going to get rebooted at some point I think

They were going to do a reboot I thought? Or is that not longer happening/in development hell?

Sometimes I get annoyed with Buffy Speak(which I think should be called Whedon Speak since it's a staple of his work in general) because I think it sounds like someone trying too hard to sound casual.

Yeah, Whedon may not be the offender of this but he is the most recognizable. I am not sure if that happens int he real world but I could be wrong about that.

Joss said Buffy Speak was basically just how he and his friends talked.

Buffy Speak is an alternative to Realistic Diction Is Unrealistic, portraying conversations as naturally a little befuddled and confused instead of carefully crafted by a screenwriter (ie Aaron Sorkin scripts). The problem is that some people really are naturally good at talking and presenting themselves, so when everyone is doing the same flippant speaking style it comes across as crafted by a screenwriter anyway (or worse, the actor is caught off camera and they Throw It In! without caring if it matches the character).

The Kuzui couple did announce a while back looking into a Buffy movie remake, but since the popularity lies mostly with the show and how Whedon took it from the original concept, there was little interest. Now with Whedon's reputation tarnished it's hard to see any reboot in the near future.

Edited by EmeraldSource on Nov 17th 2022 at 2:08:23 AM

There was a reboot series planned since 2018 with Whedon exec producing but apparently it's on "indefinite pause" according to the most recent article a quick google could find

It lacks a network and of course Whedon's rep is an issue as said above and in the article as well.

At least Buffy had Giles to contrast with in terms of speaking style.

One thing I think is interesting is that it seems to me that before Buffy came along Buffy Speak was a mainly used by characters that were either The Ditz or Cloud Cuckoolander, so I think Whedon's contribution wasn't so much inventing Buffy Speak as much as cementing it as a speaking style used by normal people.

Had to share this Deadline article in which DOLLY PARTON of all people gave an update on a potential reboot.

And that she’s involved as a producer. DOLLY PARTON.

https://deadline.com/2024/01/dolly-parton-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-revival-1235807223/

I guess they need someone really non-controversial to make people forget Whedon.

Hinton Battle (Sweet in "Once More With Feeling"), has passed away at age 67.

Rest in peace to the Demon Lord of the Dance.

Her last name was battle? That is metal AF what a badass surname.

His name. But yes, that was his real name.

Ok, I repeat, his name was battle?

"I now pronounce you Mr and Mrs. Battle!"

"Would Mister Battle please report to the office."

"The winner of the award is... Hinton BATTLE."

"Undersigned Hinton Battle."

How many generations of this man's family got to be descended from a line of battles. That name is freaking awesome.

That man is leaving behind a legacy of Battles.

Edited by FOFD on Feb 1st 2024 at 3:50:04 PM

Audible's Slayers spin-off has been cancelled per Disney's orders

Can't say I blame them considering I've literally never heard of this. And reuniting a bunch of the cast? Neat.

If only Disney had advertising. Looks like that's something they kinda forgot how to do sometime around a year ago.

Yeah, most of Disney's marketing is just them pushing the Disney+ stuff, and that's generally for a package than a programme

In principle I'm pretty sad about them cancelling it.

Practically I probably wasn't going to listen to it. lol.