Re: Post Tara subtext

["Howard Russell" <howardrussell2000@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Everybody!

From what I've heard, the difference between pre and post Tara subtext is partly about ratings.  In the first few seasons, the core Scoobies mimicked--though, probably unintentionally--the cast of Xena.  Buffy and Willow as a milder version of Xena and Gabrielle with Xander a less objectionable Joxer.  The subtext between our girls was quite mild and you had to be looking for it, but it was there.  The B/F was played up heavily for ratings 'cause lesbians sell.

Then they went and had Willow come out.  Now they didn't need subtext anymore, so they did away with all of it.  Playing with the subtext when it involved an actual, open lesbian brought Buffy into question.  A lesbian, or even bi main character would have been the kiss of death on the WB.  So they killed all subtext involving Buffy--hinting about the main character is one thing, but something that could be viewed as proof would have been another.

Not only did they do everything they could to say Willow never thought about Buffy that way, they couldn't do anything to hint that Buffy would have thought about Willow that way.  If they'd brought back the Fuffy subtext, people would have wondered about Buffy's thoughts about the actual lesbian on the show.  And lesbian subtext about Buffy not involving Willow, would have been insulting to one of the most popular characters on the show; if Buffy could think of girls that way, why not Willow?

Willow couldn't want Buffy without calling her feelings for Tara into question (Besides, they'd already played with the idea of a Scooby wanting the slayer through Xander) and Buffy couldn't want Willow because Willow was attainable.  Fuffy subtext paled in the face of lesbian maintext so they killed it too.  They had a lesbian to play maintext games with so they brought in Kennedy.  Ah, Kennedy.  It's been said that if you can't say anything nice about someone, you shouldn't say anything at all.

So post Tara subtext had to die for ratings and politics, and the series was poorer for the lack.

That's why I favor fics set in the early seasons, the subtext was there.  After Tara, all subtext was accidental and mostly in the minds of us viewers from our memories of earlier subtext.

Your fellow 'shipper,
Howard

--
They met again and quickly the kiss grew steamier.  Willow's hands began to roam across Buffy's back as Buffy entwined her fingers in Willow's hair.  Time stretched as the embrace grew more passionate.  The girls broke the kiss but didn't separate, just leaned their foreheads together and panted.

"Wow. That was..."  Buffy took a deep breath.  "You sure you never?"

"Uh uh.  I was just following your lead."

http://www.geocities.com/howardrussell2000/


------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> 
Has someone you know been affected by illness or disease?
Network for Good is THE place to support health awareness efforts!
http://us.click.yahoo.com/rkgkPB/UOnJAA/Zx0JAA/RoMolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~-> 

Willow: "It's a good fight, Buffy, and I want in."
Buffy:  "I kinda love you."
                     --'Choices'

Community email addresses:
     Post message: buffywantswillow@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
     Subscribe:    buffywantswillow-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
     Unsubscribe:  buffywantswillow-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
     List owner:   buffywantswillow-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Shortcut URL to this page:
     http://groups.yahoo.com/group/buffywantswillow

Official archive for the list:
     http://www.ikoly.com/fanfic

Other links to Buffy/Willow fics:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/buffywantswillow/links  
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/buffywantswillow/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
   buffywantswillow-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
   http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/