@prlrocks replied to your post “i just finished a 3-month rewatch of buffy the vampire slayer. it’s...”
I'm finishing my rewatch of Buffy this weekend. After that, I have one more season of Angel. :) It's taken me since August, but that isn't bad given the fact I'm watching with friends. Question: did your opinion on any character change this rewatch?
Oh, wow. That's really good, especially for both shows. A couple years ago, I was rewatching Buffy with a friend and it took almost a year. In the age of binging, I prefer to watch at a brisker pace.
Good question. I've seen the show at least a half dozen times through at this point so most of my opinions have already shifted to what they will likely remain. This is one of those rare shows where I love (or love to hate) everyone, heroes and villains. The rare exceptions are the Anointed (who couldn't die fast enough) and Parker Abrams (scum of the earth). However, some of my understanding does deepen by reflecting on character development and questioning my views based on the observations and opinions of new viewers.
A character who has slowly crept up on me over the years is Tara Maclay. I always liked her but it wasn't until more recently that I really loved and respected her. I was never a huge fan of her ultra mousy phase but she blossoms into a beautiful caring, strong, stalwart friend and lover. It's one of the most transformative arcs of the show. She gains the confidence to stand up for herself, including being unwilling to enable Willows addiction. It took enormous strength to walk away from someone she loved versus trying to stay and 'fix' her. Tara also became the voice of reason in a way that was honest while not forcing the issue unless it truly needed to be confronted. She was incredible accepting of people's quirks and faults, while not allowing them to walk over herself or others. She often stepped in to gently call people out when they went too far. While I didn't always get her sense of humor, I did enjoy the subtlety of it when I did.
I've always appreciated Tara and Willow's relationship but now I've come to appreciate her friendships with the all the Scoobies. Her casual friendships with Anya, Xander and Giles shown in small moments. Becoming a surrogate mother to Dawn, and making sure to reach out to her even after she's no longer with Willow. Bonding with Buffy over the death of their mothers and being a confidante to her during the post-resurrection Spike thing. In the end, she was one of the most mature and steady influences of the group.
Someone I follow started watching Buffy for the first time and was liveblogging their thoughts. It's what inspired me to rewatch this time. However, they HATE Xander and it wasn't just the major things which I also disapprove of but pretty much his entire character with all his humor and quirks. It's always painful to have people stomp on what you love. Though I am someone who puts myself in other's shoes to see their perspective. It's good to question your opinions sometimes to see if your views hold up. So I looked at Xander a little differently this time to see if I view him the same. He has some major flaws (as characters should) and has done things and said things that I will never support or agree with but he still has enough good qualities that I believe in.
Anon, I got your fave character ask. I’m working on answering it next.
send me a buffy ask
