Re: Re: "As YouWere"; an invitation for discussion

["thoth" <thoth183@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dan,

Consider me properly 'thwapped'.

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Just read your review at JAABAW, and I gotta tell ya, it was a little vague. You want to tell us how you really feel? <g> But seriously, while the whole B/S thing has been eminently retchable (nice smiley BTW), I don't thinkthings are as hopeless as you seem to feel they are. 

First off, Joss is definitely a 'been there, done that, ain't gonna do it again' kind of guy. Assuming he's still keeping his hand in at BTVS, (and Ihave to, or we really *are* screwed) I don't think he's going to do the 'doomed love between Slayer and vampire' thing again. That worked fine in thefirst two seasons, and scored him a neat spin off, but that dog won't huntany more. 

As for Buffy being in lurve with 'ol Spikey, I don't see it that way. IMHO,the writers figured that, if they can get away with the 'magic as a drug' metaphor, why not throw in an abusive relationship as well? I mean, have you ever seen any evidence that Buffy felt anything other than vaguely soiled, at best, after a tumble with Bleach boy? I haven't. Okay, I admit that I haven't been able to watch most of this season's eps more than once (I have'em on tape, I just can't watch them again), so I might be wrong here. No nuzzling, no cuddling, just wham, bam, thanks for the quickie, I need a shower now, get the hell out.

Last bit. While I would dearly, passionately, desperately love to see a B/Wrelationship (I'm here, aren't I?), I don't think it's in the cards right now. Joss has said that he loves Willow and Tara as a couple, so unless Amber Benson declines to return for season 7, I think we're stuck with it.

Besides, television is a business. As far as the networks are concerned, any show is something to hold the audience's attention between commercials. The WB may be the most liberal and risk-taking network going, but they are, bottom line, selling product. I don't care what the PR people spout about artistic freedom or cutting-edge vision, the people who make the decisions are accountants and demographic consultants. If they say 'do this and we lose market share' it ain't gonna happen.

Would Joss go for a B/W pairing? Yeah, I think he would. Could he sell it to the network? Unless the beancounters said yes, not a chance in hell. If BTVS were on one of the pay cable channels, things would be different. (Can you imagine Buffy on Showtime?).

Do I sound cynical? You damn betcha. <shrugs> Probably my age showing. Whatever.

Maybe, in the last few eps of the last season, when the ratings don't matter anymore, Joss'll tell the suits to get stuffed and make our dreams a reality. Until then, we'll have to make do with the talented writers who live here on the list. What the hell, they spin better yarns than any of the so-called professionals on the show, anyway.



thoth

AIM thoth183