Re: 'Prophecy Girl' Discussion

["Howard Russell" <howardrussell2000@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Everybody!

"Prophecy Girl" is one of my favorite episodes.  First, for the Wiffy,  
second, for the powerful story.
* * *
Quotes from "Prophecy Girl" used here were written by Joss Whedon.
* * *


Canon Cop Facts:
* * *
The vampire face is referred to as "game face" for the first time.
* * *
The Pergamum Codex is apparently infallible.  Too bad we never hear any  
more prophecies from it.  Not even when dealing with Glory or The First.
* * *


General Stuff:
* * *
Buffy seemed genuinely surprised that Xander was interested in her.  Why?   
He was hardly subtle about it.
* * *
Willow, by far, had the most character growth this season.

Contrast the Cordelia-Willow interactions in this episode with the ones in  
"Welcome to the Hellmouth."  Then, Willow fell for a clearly backhanded  
compliment and was badly hurt when it turned out to be cruelly intended.   
Here, Willow takes Cordy in stride and isn't even fooled by a very genuine  
sounding compliment.  She contradicts Cordy and calmly stands up to her as  
an equal . . . and Cordy accepts it!

Also, she stands up to Xander.  When the boy she's in love with asks her  
to the dance, she refuses.  She doesn't want to be a bitter second  
choice.  That's self-esteem!
* * *
Why didn't she stake the Anointed One?  After he led her to the Master's  
lair, he turned and walked away . . . and Buffy let him go!  She should've  
staked him in the back, right then and there.
* * *
Bad rubber monster effects, again.  This is why they went to CG in later  
seasons.  Still, I've seen worse.
* * *
Here's something that was never mentioned again: Buffy's different after  
her death.
      "No.  No, I feel strong.  I feel different."
And she seems to be stronger.  She stands up to the Master, fights off his  
telekinesis, picks the Master up and throws him over her head . . . one  
handed!

Then, as they're leaving for the Bronze:
     "I'm hungry."
     "Is anybody else hungry?"
     "I'm really, really hungry."
True, an argument could be made that this is in reference to Joyce's  
earlier comment that Buffy hadn't been eating right since she heard of the  
prophecy but I always thought it went more with her newly changed status.   
That she was changed in some fundamental way.  Then, the question becomes  
what is she hungry for?

That she came back different this time was never mentioned again.  Even  
when they were dealing with her changes from the sixth season  
resurrection, they never mentioned these changes.  Hardly the last time a  
major plot point was later forgotten.
* * *


Wiffy Stuff:
* * *
Buffy is protective of Willow, even against Willow's own self-depreciating  
comments.
     Willow: "Even I was bored.  And I'm a science nerd."
     Buffy:  "Don't say that."
     Willow: "I'm not ashamed."
I love that interplay.  Willow knew exactly what Buffy was protesting and  
defended her statement as being not self-depreciating.  Obviously, they've  
had this kind of discussion before.  All part of Buffy's long term plan to  
build up Willow's self-esteem.  See above for further proof that it worked.
* * *
This episode contains one of the Wiffiest of the Wiffy scenes:
     Willow: "What are we gonna do?"
     Buffy:  "What we have to."
Buffy, when confronted with her own death and an apocalypse, quits.  She  
tells off Giles and Angel and leaves.  She goes home and tries to get her  
mom to take her away from Sunnydale.  But as soon as Willow gets  
traumatized, the slayer is back.  Even at the cost of her own life, Willow  
must be protected.  Not Angel, Willow.  The man she supposedly loves gets,  
"Don't touch me!" while Willow gets soft reassurances and protection.
* * *
An argument could be made that Willow doesn't love Buffy because it's  
Xander that rushes off to save Buffy while Willow stays.  But, when the  
man she supposedly loves rushes off into the jaws of danger, Willow still  
stays.  Not even a, "be careful," when he leaves.  She stays and uses her  
research abilities for Buffy's sake.  So I argue that it's Buffy that she  
cares most for because Buffy's the one she works to save.
* * *


Wiffy Fic Possibilities:
* * *
What if Buffy confessed her feelings in Willow's bedroom?  She knows she's  
going to her death, it would be easier to confess then.
* * *
What if it was Willow that followed Buffy, not Xander?  How would that  
have changed things?
* * *
These can be combined.
* * *
What other prophecies are in the Codex?  Not likely to come up during the  
episode, but a future fic could reference this infallible source.
* * *
     Xander: "Well, Willow's not looking to date you.  Or if she is, she's  
playing it pretty close to the chest."
Prove him right!
* * *


Your fellow 'shipper,
Howard

Simulcast on BWW and The WD.
------
It's fundamentally good, like Mother Theresa or fellatio.
-- Kerry Douglas Dye

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


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

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