Re: [OT: Thoughts on

[Mad Hamlet <Mad-Hamlet@xxxxxxx>]

Greetings,

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> > Of course that's just my humble opinion. Any one feel the same?

No.

> > Okay, anyways about Amber Benson not being on the show. Reasons I
understand are that she and Fox couldn't come to a mutual monetary agreement
for her guest appearance(s).

That is, as they say, the cover story. Though it's not really a 'cover' perse
as there isn't really anything to hide. In truth, or as far as I've been able
to uncover such a thing in this context, is that Amber Benson did not wish to
re-play the role of Tara because she did not want to hurt the viewers again.
According to scuttlebut Amber Benson happened to be frequenting a gay bar when
her character's death scene was aired the first time. She was, and I quote,
'surprised' by how much it hurt the people around her. Not wishing to add to
that, and having projects in her own right, she has clearly expressed no plans
to return to the role of Tara at this time.


> > I for one am very glad that Amber Benson DID NOT appear in the episode. 

I am amblivient either way. The 'Chill factor' would have been increased
exponentially if she had thought and for the loss of that darkness I admit to
a certain...regret.

> > Tara's character would have been reduced to a mere plot device for "The
First" 

That was already done when she was killed.

> > Could you actually imagine Amber playing the part and at the end trying to
talk Willow into committing suicide?

Easily. And it gives me goosebumps and a large, admitably evil, grin that just
won't quit to do so. 

It could be thought that I am 'callous'. Mmmm...yep. But additionally it must
be stated that I also value all perspectives on a 'thing'. And that is what
characters are, things. Love them, appreciate them, create great works of
greaty beauty, or terrible horror(Or my personal favorite: Horrible Beauty or
a Beauty most Horrible) but they are there to be USED. What I do not like, and
is my primary 'bitch' with Season Six was how the elegent and lovely tools of
Willow, Tara, Magic, and Darkness were used so BADLY! 

Using 'Whats-Her-Face' in Tara's absense was good enough but it truly would
have been a moment of Dark Magnificence to watch a reunion of these too and
then, as Willow does herself, become gradually aware that this is not a
reunion, but an abasement. A travesty, a sullying of some high, grand thing
being abused and twisted. But casually, in an almost indifferent manner. Like
the Dark behind this trickery(I still don't believe it's The First
because...that would be stupid.) is doing this more for laughs. Sure, if it
can get Willow to swear off magics or evil kill herself, all the better, but
if it can't...well at least it had a fun afternoon. 

I wouldn't ENJOY watching something like that but you can bet anything you
want I'd (And storytellers worth their salt) would appreciate such fare if it
was, and I repeat, NOT DONE BADLY!


> > I'm glad that the memory of Tara was not tarnished in that way.

As far as I'm concerned it already happened. But as I implied already, by the
creators, not the story. It is the way of Evil to corrupt things, to take fond
memories and emotional structures in our lives and destroy them or twist them
in a manner that serves its purpose. Look at Angelus' preferred hunting method
for example.


> > "The First" was trying to use Willow's love for Tara against her full
well knowing that Willow would do anything for her.

As I said, the 'Substitute' illusion was done well enough. Though I still
think if the Devil want's to tempt you it would do so as your lost loved one;
not the loved one's second counsin's uncle's college roomate.

> > If that's what they were gonna have Amber do, I prefer Tara
right where she is...in our hearts untarnished.

That would be nice wouldn't it? 

However The Dark behind Season Seven strikes me as persistant and a
emotionally vulnerable, unsure, self-loathing Willow strikes me as the
Tactical Equivilent of a big fat Bullseye. The trick for Willow, and for
anyone watching the goings on of Season Seven, would be to remember what WAS
and accept what is, and may be(My dark half certainly hopes so. Visceral
chortles are so the rage in my world) for what they are. Movements and tactics
of The Enemy to be overcome. 

I remain, as always,
Mad-Hamlet


I corrupt and twist;
I capture and bind.
What you believe yours,
Has always been mine.

-Mad Hamlet