Tony's Taipan babble

[CDRERamius@xxxxxxx]

Due to a little run in with a Taipan I am writing a character ramble (babble, 
whatever) in between Terra updates. At the moment I haven't got access to by 
beta reader. Also if you know anything about being bitten by a Taipan you 
will understand I'm a little short on creative juices at the moment. So here 
is the first of my character rambles. Today I will examine Xander (he is the 
easiest for me to do), next one will be Giles (Buffy can wait her damn turn).


Xander: Zeppo and White Knight.

Xander has been described as a White Knight and as the Zeppo. Which is the 
reality? I believe he is both, and he is neither.

In the begining we see Xander as the happy-go-lucky, goofy guy. He is 
something of a social outcast who's friendship circle extended to exactly two 
people. Jessie, a more agressive, less humourous version of Xander (who we 
don't get to see much of due to an unfortunate date with a vamp and 
subsequent dusting). The second person was, of course, Willow.

Willow, bright, beautiful, and shy was in love with Xander. A love which was 
not returned the way that Willow wanted. Xander seemed oblivous to Willow's 
feelings for him, which caused Willow a lot of grief. I won't go into the 
whole Xander/Willow destroyed friendship thing (if anyone wants my views then 
they can ask, not that many people care wht I have to say anyway). This is 
about Xander.

Then Buffy entered his life. This can be seen as both good and bad. It can be 
seen as bad for a few reasons. It marked the begining of the end of his and 
Willow's friendship, and it exposed him to increased danger as he now 
actively hunted vampires. The good was he gained new friends. He had a place 
in the order of things. He became part of a special group which would become 
his family. On the whole, it was a good event in his life.

For a self confessed coward we have all seen Xander display great courage 
over the years. While it takes great courage to face evil demons, it takes 
even greater courage to do so when you know that you have no special power or 
training to aid you. Having faced combat myself I know what it feels like. 
Courage isn't fearlessly doing what is right, it is doing what is right 
despite true fear. Xander summed it up when he said:
"Don't worry, the cavilary is here. The cavilary is a scared guy with a rock, 
but it's here."

What inspires such courage? Certainly love has a big part to play. Xander has 
in the past expressed love for both Buffy and Willow. He has threatened 
Angel(ous), Giles and Buffy at times with physical harm in order to protect 
or save Buffy and Willow. But I believe it is in his nature.

In season 4, Xander had little reason to stay and fight evil. He was stuck in 
his parents basement and in a difficult relationship. He could not fight like 
Buffy, Angel or Riley. He lacked the knowledge of Giles, and he didn't 
possess magic like Willow. Even Spike, despite his desire for their death, 
was in a better position to render aid than Xander was. On the emotional 
front he was seen as someone who could best be used to deliver clothes 
others. It would have been easier to leave Sunnydale for a new start 
somewhere else. But he didn't. He stayed to fight the good fight.

(Hey! If I'm not making much sense then I recommend you try writing stuff in 
a hospital with enough snake venom in you to kill Canada. Stupid army 
exercise.)

So, he is the White Knight. But he is also the Zeppo.

It has to be said, Xander is the dumbest man alive. He ignored the love that 
was aimed at his direction from Willow. He could not (and has not) found any 
woman as wonderful as Willow. I think there is nothing he regrets more than 
that. He has done things to hurt all those he loves, mostly through not 
thinking. He, alone of all the gang, lacks any useful power or knowledge. In 
essance, he is just an extra body. Occasionally useful but largely a 
hinderence. He is the comic relief. That must hurt him greatly.

So, where does this leave us? Me, I'm flat on my back in hospital. Xander, on 
the other hand is in need of serious attention from Joss. His relationship 
with Anya doesn't spark and looks empty. His friendship with Buffy and Willow 
is on life support. While the new season has more Xander than season 4, from 
what I've heard (season 5 won't show in Australia for a few months) it really 
doesn't deal with the problems he faces.

OK, to generate a little discussion, I'll put out a few questions.
1. How can Joss fix the broken character that is Xander?
2. What would be the best way to get rid of Riley?
3. If a tree falls in the woods and hits a mime, does anyone care?

Tony,
Taipan taimer and snake snack.

Please, no flames, I've suffered enough.