BuffyWantsWillow:: OT: Warning, More Bitterness Ahoy!

["TheBear!" <thebear@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Ok Dan, you got me started.



Someone on one of these lists once stated that they'd rather watch a bad
episode of Buffy than almost anything of the other putrid refuse offered
on TV lately. And, I find myself agreeing in principle.



However; (you just knew there would be a big 'but' coming, didn't you)



I have to agree that MartiJoss- the Joy Slayers and Happiness Assassins
pissed all over our characters in season 6.



First off, their portrayal of Willow's cavalier use of magic as a
metaphor for the corrupting influence of power, even to the point of the
drug-like addiction magic (power) can engender, was heavy handed and
uncharacteristic of the character of Willow as she had been developed
for five seasons. (not to mention, annoying!) 



Yes she used magic in less than appropriate ways- under extreme
emotional duress (i.e. the 'my will' spell) and she had spells misfire
with unintended and even hazardous consequences, (i.e. Olaf the Troll,
Buffy and Spike swapping spit- probably her most evil act ever)
HOWEVER, none of these were cast with malicious intent. 



Then, enter season 6. Now she's doing mind-wipes on her lover at the
drop of a hat? Transmogrifying random people in public (she and Amy at
the Bronze)? Ok, where is Willow, and which AU did this character come
from?



Then, now that we have beaten the 'power corrupts' and 'power is
addictive LIKE a drug' metaphors to death- let's throw them away
entirely and come up with a new one! Magic IS a drug. You can get a
magic buzz at your local demony crack-house- and suddenly it's not about
power at all, but about getting high? 



What about Amy's birthday present spell? A magic spell that makes your
eyes black and causes random stuff melt when you touch it? What the
hell kind of power is that? A 'Trip-to-Disneyland-without-the-lines'
spell? Oh yeah! I think I read about that in the black grimoire of the
great warlock Timothy Leary! 



What's next? Chant "Tune it, turn on, and drop out." Five times while
sitting in a pentagram and sucking on an eye of newt?!



Then she progresses to "My lover's dead, everything is pain, I think
I'll wipe mankind off the face of the earth." Yeah, I see where that's
a logical progression in Willow's character. Sorry about that, I get it
now, MartiJoss. Hey, could someone please get me a flame thrower and a
cyanide capsule? I just stubbed my toe, and I'm feeling like sharing my
pain. Plus, a Big Mac would taste really good right now.



Anyway. That's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

(thus endeth the rant)



TheBear!

thebear@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 

http://thebear.somewhere.net 



-----Original Message-----
From: danspector@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:danspector@xxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2002 9:17 PM
To: buffywantswillow@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: OT: Warning, Bitterness Ahoy!



Hi, no Season 7 spoilers whatsover in this post.

I'm

just 

using

the 

space

so 

people 

who 

don't 

want 

to 

read

my

bitter 

rantings

can

delete 

this

and 

move on.