As a character, was Buffy too relationship driven?

[Gum Gnome33]

The thing is, Buffy was always lonely, no matter how many people were around her or whether or not she was in a relationship, especially when she was the only (non incarcerated and relatively sane) slayer around. The nature of her calling--of her lifestyle--was such that others could embrace it but not have to live it the way she did. I think she was always trying to connect with someone, even when she failed at it--even when she herself admitted to being too cold and unavailable. No relationship was quite enough for her because no other person could identify with her the way she needed him to--though, come to think of it, that's probably why she was always drawn to vampires.

Also, as a slayer, constantly on the front line of a constant battle with evil I could imagine that anything that was important to her would be something she'd want to indulge in as much as possible, and relationships were no exception.

 

[dexeded]

She initially seeks Owen but pushes him away when she realizes life around her would get him killed; strongly dislikes Angel at first; is borderline terrified of dating Scott Hope; sort of falls into the Parker thing; alternately pursues Riley and pushes him away; and initially is interested in Ben but changes her mind. Buffy is really pretty skittish about romantic attachments, all things considered.

(Oh yes, she dislikes Angel for about 4 episodes before falling madly in love with him.)

Even when pushing relationships away or pursuing them (often both at once), Buffy is always preoccupied with romantic relationships. She gossips, she gushes, she flirts--basically, she's always worrying about having romantic partners or expressing interest in someone. She's skittish because a romantic relationship is something she wants and thinks about often.

 

[EVIL UU]

[MENTION=3210]Joan[/MENTION] the Vampire Slayer

...or that she gets her head out of her ass and realizes that SPIKE is that person, and tells him, so they can live happily ever after.

She's alive, he's dead, it will never work. Buffy gets old, Spike follows the blood, finds another slayer. He'll leave her like he left Dru.
[MENTION=11500]drizzlydaze[/MENTION]

Even when pushing relationships away or pursuing them (often both at once), Buffy is always preoccupied with romantic relationships. She gossips, she gushes, she flirts--basically, she's always worrying about having romantic partners or expressing interest in someone. She's skittish because a romantic relationship is something she wants and thinks about often.

Say, it's almost as her brain is still poisoned with the Disney princess Barbie cheerleader fantasy crap, her sense of self-worth derived from the adherence to said fantasy.

 

[Jod]

I dont think Buffy was 'too' relationship driven...I think she was human and a young girl who of course has the right to have a relationship even if they dont work out, she can always try and hope (she certainly deserves it).
Buffy's no robot and yes the relationships sometimes clouded her judgement but when it came down to the important stuff like when she had to kill Angel...she did.

I think her relationships actually make her a stronger, better slayer.
Anyway if she wasnt all about the relationships and trying to have something other than slaying on her mind all the time she would end up like Kendra..and that didnt do too good for her now did it 🙂

 

[kittenpoker]

I do think that relationships are a big part of buffy's story - and I think that's because, from what we know, Buffy is really the first slayer to have any relationships.... Spike remarks, "a slayer with family and friends, go figure" - or something like that.... Figuring out how to balance being the slayer (which is by nature, very solitary) and being a part of the world is really what buffy struggles with.