Hey, I love so many characters in BTVS and think the characterisation and the development of these characters is a hugely important aspect of what makes this show the best ever made IMO! Tara is natch one of the faves along with Buffy and Willow for so many different reasons about which I could write an essay but that's for another post... 😛
Briefly put I adore how Tara was a complete symbol of hope, pure love and most often the moral compass of the Scoobies as well as being a good friend to Buffy in S6 when our (my) hero needed someone to just listen. I love how she was incredibly caring towards Dawn, intelligent, so aware of other people's feelings, her little quirks and sense of humour, her entire relationship with Willow... the list goes on! Tara grew to become so strong and just represented an incredible LGBT character which was incredibly important at the time and still is today. Gahhhh, and the end of New Moon Rising with the candle is so SWEET! Her disappointment about awful spelling online, her insect reflection joke, the whole episode 'Family', her slight (?!) jealousy - "Well she practically had 'Genuine Molded Plastic' stamped on her ass" (hehe), her hilarious teasing of Spike about his 'muscle cramp' in his pants, and THAT demon (mac)slaying followed by "nobody messes with my girl" moment is all of the perfect! Even her last words were caring about someone else 🙁
Okay actually yeah she is my fave... All the Tara love. I've just talked myself into more love. HOW did that happen? And also Amber benson... I love how I said i'd be brief - I try.. 😀