Bangel vs Spuffy Screen Time

[Gum Gnome33]

I think the biggest problem in comparing the two, (and the biggest difference between the two), is that season 3 is the most solidly well-written season, and season 7 is arguably the worst, (ok maybe second only to season 1).

Bangel in seasons 2 and 3 didn't seem to take over because the writers were giving us such rich, powerful storylines that involved the rest of the characters, and that centered around the couple.

Spuffy in season 7 is, in my opinion, the only relatively good writing in the season. But it's rushed and a bit sloppy as they attempt to deal with the aftermath of season 6 in light of Spike's new soul as the characters try to rekindle their relationship and attempt to create a solid foundation as friends who love and appreciate each other. I mean, in general, given what happened at the end of season 6, it's crazy to attempt to do all of that in one season but particularly because the quality of the writing suffered, it was near impossible for this to be solid in season 7.

Add to that the fact that none of the other story lines in season 7 were particularly engaging, (or logical given the established character personalities and 'verse realities), and I can see how the Spuffy scenes really seem to dominate for audiences.

 

[white avenger]

Spuffy in season 7 is, in my opinion, the only relatively good writing in the season. But it's rushed and a bit sloppy as they attempt to deal with the aftermath of season 6 in light of Spike's new soul as the characters try to rekindle their relationship and attempt to create a solid foundation as friends who love and appreciate each other. I mean, in general, given what happened at the end of season 6, it's crazy to attempt to do all of that in one season but particularly because the quality of the writing suffered, it was near impossible for this to be solid in season 7.

Add to that the fact that none of the other story lines in season 7 were particularly engaging, (or logical given the established character personalities and 'verse realities), and I can see how the Spuffy scenes really seem to dominate for audiences.

I totally agree, Buffy's relationship with Spike in Season 7, given what happened in Season 6, was rushed and not developed out as it should have been. Spike reestablishing Buffy's trust and establishing her belief that he could be, and was, a better man just plain happened too fast. Unfortunately, they had only one season, 22 episodes, to get the whole story told the way that Joss wanted to tell it. We didn't have a televised Season 8, so he had to jam two, or maybe even three, years of Buffy/Spike story line into that one season.

 

[janas]

[MENTION=11014]Gum Gnome33[/MENTION]: What you say is very true.

In season seven there were so many plots to be developed and there was little time to do it. The Potentials. The First Evil. Willow that goes back to "normality". Tara's death.

Contrariwise, in season three, Joss knew he had before him other seasons for development of subplots, and development of characters, including Angel spinoff. This missing in season seven, where everything seemed very rushed and chaotic.