This is a question that normally would result in an immediate no answer from me, I wouldn't even have to think about it. However, recently I have had several family members question me about this and I in turn find that I am questioning myself.
And so my question is this; Are we wrong for enjoying Buffy and Angel so much?
Is the emotion we feel towards the shows unnatural? Is the loyalty we feel misplaced? Should we be this invested in fictional characters? in a fictional world?
Should we be this involved in its fandom?
My gut reaction is still no, it's not wrong, not even close but I have found myself defending my interest in the show as if it is wrong, as if it is unhealthy. I admit that they're are people who can take it too far but I never classed myself in that bracket nor anyone else that I have come across here.
So BB what do you think? Have you come across this attitude, did it make you question yourself? or should we just be locked up and throw away the key?
Every year, I get an invitation from the USS INGRAHAM association to join my old shipmates for a reunion. Unfortunately, every year something interferes with my going, as much as I would love to. There are no people on this planet who love to get together and talk about the "old days" any more than service men and women, especially those who faced combat together. It inspires a closeness that no one who hasn't experienced it can begin to understand. But the men and women who gather together to recall and celebrate those "thrilling days of yesteryear" don't do so to celebrate the violence and destruction of those times, we gather to re-live, if only for a short while, the closeness and camaraderie that that common experience gave us.
At the Buffy Boards, I have met people from all over the world, of all religions or no religion, of every political group, every culture, every level of education, every sexual orientation...every diverse group in the world is probably well represented here, and I consider each and every one of you to be a close personal friend, even when we disagree, often strongly but never violently, about some point, whether related to Joss' creations, or any of the other subjects discussed here.
We don't come here to celebrate the violence, demons, lack of morals, or whether Cordy's shoes are still fashionable. We come here to remember the works of a group of people who we collectively believe created something unique and wonderful in the world, and the expression of the common theme put forth in those works: that, no matter how evil, how monstrous, how simply wrong something might be, someone somewhere will step forward to say, "This is wrong, and I will not allow it to continue." And for the most part, the people stepping forward aren't superheroes, they are nerds, construction workers, street gang members, and a few rogue demon hunters. Just plain people who choose to make a difference. At least that's why I'm here.
Miss K, as much as I love arguing with you about the merits of whether Buffy should be with Angel or Spike, and as strongly as we feel about our differing opinions, I think that when we at last withdraw to our respective corners and assess the merits of our collective arguments, we both know that Bangel or Spuffy don't really matter. Buffy, Angel, Spike, and all of the other wonderful characters created by Joss Whedon and his staff of writers are only fictional characters, no more corporeal than Spike in the first episode of "Angel Season 5." Just figments of someone's imagination.
The only real thing generated by the Buffy Boards is the friendship that we enjoy here. Miss K, I said it once before, and I will gladly repeat it now. "I love you, and I'm proud to call you my friend." But don't get stuck up about it, darlin, cause I love EVERYBODY here, and I'm proud to call them all my friends. (Just you a little more than the rest)
So, are we wrong? It beats the hell out of me, but if we ARE wrong, we're all wrong together, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
