Re: "Never Kill A Boy On The First Date" Discussion

["Howard Russell" <howardrussell2000@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Everybody!

Yay, people are talking! So cool. This is exactly what I wanted.


E:

> Well, that's the basic problem, isn't it? Most episodes don't
> give the ship much to work with. This is actually an important
> first season episode, but it's a little hard to look at it from a Wiffy
> perspective when not only is Buffy pursuing a guy, but Willow is
> very supportive of it, AND is still extremely Xander focused. But,
> again, this is going to be the rule more than the exception.

True, there won't be much 'shippiness for us in the way of obvious Wiffy
moments. But we can still look for things that show their friendship that
can be a lead-in to our 'ship.

Supportive Willow is a good thing for our 'ship, really. It's a contrast
against Xander's jealous-possessive crap. Willow just wants Buffy to be
happy, whomever she chooses. Not to say she won't go home and eat a half
gallon of Ben and Jerry's after, but to Buffy's face, she's supportive.
Contrary to popular opinion, jealousy doesn't show true love; an honest
desire for the other person's happiness does.

And it fits canon Willow. During the canon unrequited love for her best
friend--her crush on Xander--she was occasionally supportive of his pursuit
of others. Sometimes far less so, I'll admit, but on the whole, she
supported his efforts even though they weren't directed at her. And her
failure to support him always can be explained by the fact that Willow
believed that Xander *could* choose her--that she was an option to the
heterosexual male she liked. But Willow, at this point, isn't open about her
sexuality. Nor does she think she has even the slightest chance with her
other best friend, the *apparently* heterosexual Buffy. Knowing she doesn't
have a chance, it would be easier for her to be supportive. Throw in a
secret crush on the slayer and Willow could be overcompensating--trying so
hard not to show her crush that she goes the other way and pushes Buffy into
the arms of others. Something to think about.

> The X/W crowd liked this one, though. Now, THERE'S some
> bitter shippers, for you. I do sympathise with them. We all
> knew our ship was never going to sail going into it, but the
> X/W fans maintained hope all the way until Kennedy's arrival.
> I guess that's the advantage of a ship you KNOW is
> impossible. No expectations means no disappointment.

Yeah, the X/W fans had to stop then but the B/Xers and the B/Gers got to
hope up until the very end. And what did they give us? Spuffy.

Still, I find myself mildly disappointed that Wiffy never sailed. Sure, it
was impossible, but so are vampires, so the impossible was possible on the
show. It coulda happened!

> But, this is the real beginning of the multi-episode story arc for the
> series. Here's where we learn that this series is going to be
> different than most, that we're not going to have stand alone
> episodes, but each episode being a chapter of a larger story. While
> our heroes THINK they've resolved things, WE know they haven't, that
> things have gone as the Master wanted them to, and won't be resolved
> until, oh, sometime in May.

Personally, that's why I love the show. Multi-episode story arcs are what
got me into it in the first place. I found myself looking forward to the
next episode, far more than any series before.

> This is also where it becomes loud and clear that being the Slayer
> means Buffy can't have a normal love life. She begins her slow,
> steady, shift into Brooding Girl, here.

Yes, she needs a Scooby to find true happiness. Dates like this are why
there are so many Scooby 'shippers out there. Who else is she going to date?
Oh yeah, demons. Blech.


Actually, this could be the basis for a Wiffy fic. After her disastrous date
with Owen, she and Willow can have a girl's night where Buffy whines about
her lack of dating prospects. That she really can't date someone who isn't
already aware of the Sunnydale nightlife. And she really can't go around
telling people about the supernatural world just for a potential date. Who
mentions Willow as a possible prospect, in what manner, and how it's
received, is for the author to decide.



Mike:

I'm so glad you're enjoying the commentary. Thanks!

Your wallpapers are wonderful.  I'm so glad you were inspired.


See, people? You don't have to write to contribute to the cause.



Crys:

> Well, I can't get irate. This is one of my favorite episodes. It has
> so many of the classic Buffy elements that I love. And it's enough to
> turn ya to the Buffy/Giles ship. And that actually brings up my Wiffy
> possibility. We start to sense Buffy's type in this episode. And
> Willow's surprise and even elation at discovering it. All that's
> missing is the girl talk segment where Willow grows curious and asks
> Buffy to describe her ideal: quiet, shy, intelligent, likes to read,
> thoughtful and considerate. We're not far off, people. Willow is
> Buffy's type. <g> We'll learn later we have to throw in strong as
> well. And perhaps realizing that herself, Willow finds a way to become
> very strong indeed. If you tilt your head and squint just so... this
> episode confirms what we believe.

Yowsa! That's almost exactly the girl talk I was talking about above. Well,
two Wiffies can't be wrong. Someone *needs* to write this fic.

Maybe I'm a deluded dreamer, but I don't have to squint that hard.



Mike again:

> Interesting correlation. I didn't see that before but
> the similarities are there, Willow is just shorter and
> smells better. The only thing Willow doesn't have is
> that she can't be mistaken for a father figure.
> Buffy's father abandonment issues ruled her choice in
> partners or else it would have been Buffy/Willow from
> the start.

Actually, that's a good point right there. When choosing men, she goes for
the father-figure type, but maybe she wouldn't be so limited with a female
partner. Her mom doesn't need replacing. If only Buffy could realize that.

Is that--the father-figure thing--something that the psychologist's
daughter, Willow, could point out to Buffy? Would that help or hinder her
cause? Probably not in a first season fic, but maybe in a season five, six,
or seven fic. Something to think about.



Wow, this episode got the people talking! I'm so happy, I could just burst.
I'd do the Snoopy dance but, sadly, I'm not even as graceful as Xander.  Ah
well.

Till next Tuesday.

Your fellow 'shipper,
Howard

http://www.geocities.com/howardrussell2000/
Now with user controls!
P.S. I'm taking font requests for my site.  If anyone has problems with my
javascript, let me know.  Please!




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

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