Covers for BTVS S10 Issue #18

[thetopher]

"Crappy Spuffy fanfics", "retcon", "out of character" "fan service", words we all will read a lot, it seems.

When Spuffy fans start saying these things then its hard to argue. Many people are finding this 'Gage speaking through the characters' increasingly tiresome as the season wears on. 

The unattainable line is a throwback to her conversation with Spike:

Buffy: Oh, please. We were never close. You just wanted me because I was unattainable.
Spike: You think that's all that was?
Buffy: Please, let's not go over the past.
Spike: Oh, no. Hold on here. I've hummed along to your pity ditty and I think I should have the mike for a bit.
Buffy: Fine. The stage is yours. Cheer me up.
Spike: You're insufferable.
Buffy: Thank you. That really helped.
Spike: I'm not trying to cheer you up.
Buffy: Then what are you trying to say?
Spike: I don't know! I'll know when I'm done saying it. Something pissed me off and I just? unattainable! That's it.
Buffy: Fine. I'm attainable. I'm an attain-athon. Can I please just go to sleep?

More importantly, here's what Buffy says about her relationships in season 7:

Buffy: My parents weren't exactly the paragon of stay-togetherey-ness. Maybe that's part of it. I think there're people out there who'd make it. I just target the impossible ones with deadly accuracy.
Holden: You think you do that on purpose? Maybe you're trying to protect yourself?
Buffy: Protecting myself? From heartbreak, misery, sexual violence, and possible death? Not so much.
Holden: From committing.
Buffy: I commit. I'm committed. I'm a committee.
Holden: So it's them? You're reaching out, they're just not coming through?
Buffy: It's different. I think you're confusing me because you're evil.

Yeah, while I think Buffy might have a point with Spike but the bullcrap thing with Holden...

How exactly was Parker unattainable? Or Riley for that matter? They were targeted (or in matter of fact chased her) because they were attainable (Riley really). The thing is that particular conversation is Buffy's mind working through some stuff. Another conversation (in the very last episode) is far more important:

BUFFY (to Angel): I'm well aware of my stellar history with guys, and no, I don't see fat grandchildren in the offing with Spike, but... I don't think that matters right now. (thinks a moment) You know, in the midst of all this... insanity, couple things are actually starting to make sense. And the guy thing... You know, I've always figured there was something wrong with me, 'cause I never made it work. But maybe I'm not supposed to.

ANGEL: Because you're the Slayer?

BUFFY (shaking head): Because... okay, I'm cookie dough.

ANGEL (puzzled)

BUFFY: I'm not done baking yet. I'm not finished becoming... whoever the hell it is I'm gonna turn out to be. I've been looking for someone to make me feel whole, and maybe I just need to be whole. I make it through this, and the next thing, and the next... maybe one day I turn around and realize I'm ready. I'm cookies. And then if I want someone to eat m --or, to enjoy warm delicious cookie- me, then that's fine. That'll be then. When I'm done.

And that's why the this stuff in the comics feels so contrived and retcon-y because Buffy's been here before and realised that, uh, there wasn't actually anything wrong with her after all. She's not unattainable and she doesn't target the bad ones....except now she's still dating a vampire.

Buffy is making the same mistakes over and over again...which now that I think about it is completely in character for her.
(I'm thinking of her tendancy to keep secrets from loved ones, her martyr complex, shutting out her friends for no good reason which she did over and over...)

Damn, now Spuffy doesn't seem contrived AT ALL.

Still doomed though.

 

[NothingVentured]

And that's why the this stuff in the comics feels so contrived and retcon-y because Buffy's been here before and realised that, uh, there wasn't actually anything wrong with her after all. She's not unattainable and she doesn't target the bad ones....except now she's still dating a vampire.

Buffy is making the same mistakes over and over again...which now that I think about it is completely in character for her.
(I'm thinking of her tendancy to keep secrets from loved ones, her martyr complex, shutting out her friends for no good reason which she did over and over...)

Damn, now Spuffy doesn't seem contrived AT ALL.

Still doomed though.

Yes, it is. You said it yourself, nothing Buffy says to Holden makes sense. None of her relationships were doomed, except arguably Spike in S6.

Now she's dating a vamp. Basically, Gage takes what Buffy says there, even though it's really just her beating herself up for things that weren't her fault (which she got over in S7 in your second quote), at face value. It's incredibly contrived. But this is the guy who explained that Spike not going to his crypt was out of guilt for the AR, yet ignores that fact that he lived in the house where he actually attacked her neat-as-you-please for half a year.

But yes, it's doomed. The Big Bad is going to be that book and wishes. Either Spike wrote something in it or sheer willpower is forcing it* because this Spuffy stuff? Way too over the top.

*Remember in the first arc they establish the book can write itself based on this sort of thing. The inclusion of the book panel in Spike's head was way too conspicuous in the context of everything else. It means something.

 

[Silverspike]

If you're saying this is all due to Spike writing in this stupid book, then I strongly doubt it.

 

[gite63]

If you're saying this is all due to Spike writing in this stupid book, then I strongly doubt it.

BtVS #10 - Spike says “I wish it was always that easy” right before he declares his wish (“he and the Slayer dwelt together in love and happiness forever after”) in front of the book; he wouldn't get to be blamed if it was fulfilled, since he wouldn't have done on purpose. But...

1. the other part of the wish (“William the Bloody was restored to living, human form”) wasn't fulfilled.

2. and more importantly: if all that's happening now between Buffy and Spike happened to be a lie, the backlash would be HUGE. One thing is to end things tragically, or put between them some obstacle impossible to overcome (like the curse), other is to be downright cruel and stupid.

And talking about wishes, where is Anya? And whose silhouette appeared at Buffy's apartment saying “That's right. Leave. Nothing to see here... idiots”? Was it supposed to be Harmony's?

 

[thetopher]

But yes, it's doomed. The Big Bad is going to be that book and wishes. Either Spike wrote something in it or sheer willpower is forcing it* because this Spuffy stuff? Way too over the top.

I think this is a strong possibility, but only because of the lame-ass way Spuffy has been executed so far. Everything outside of this Archeus guy is just a non-event as far as 'relationships' go.
There's vague, hand-waving references to everything that happened in the tv show so we can get that out of the way to be replaced with...nothing dramatic as far as I can see.

At least we can (hopefully) get a resolution to the tired Buffy/Angel thing, that first cover looks like a big 'its over, Angel'. 🙂

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I just cant wait till tomorrow for the next thrilling chapter.

 

[NothingVentured]

At least we can (hopefully) get a resolution to the tired Buffy/Angel thing, that first cover looks like a big 'its over, Angel'. 🙂

I doubt it. Maybe temporarily.

@gite63

I don't think Spike consciously made anything happen. It could have been Archaeus or, as I said, this loophole they instituted at the beginning involving willpower. Spike actually said he didn't have anything he wanted in that arc. Yet since, aside from being human (and the story ain't over yet), he's gotten it. The cover for 18 suggests Buffy's going to reject Angel for him.

Actually I wouldn't blame him if he did write it. The writing is so transparent in these books that I can't blame the characters anymore.

A friggin' talking dog.

 

[gite63]

I don't think Spike consciously made anything happen.

No, not consciously, never. But, just willpower? Because it would be a mess, if anyone had their wishes fullfiled - like Xander, who was once looking sadly at the book and probably thinking about Dawn.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

like Xander, who was once looking sadly at the book and probably thinking about Dawn.

Whats that about? When was it? Because then that would make sense with the Xander bit in the current issue.

 

[gite63]

Whats that about? When was it? Because then that would make sense with the Xander bit in the current issue.

#7 – After the thing with the sirens, Xander goes home - and as he walks, he talks with Anya, saying he could use the book to fix her - and outside the building he sees Dawn talking to a boy. He enters, sits at the table with the book in his hands, and looks at it sadly.

 

[NothingVentured]

#7 – After the thing with the sirens, Xander goes home - and as he walks, he talks with Anya, saying he could use the book to fix her - and outside the building he sees Dawn talking to a boy. He enters, sits at the table with the book in his hands, and looks at it sadly.

He also says--in small text so I'm guessing it's supposed to be soto!voice--that he helped with Andrew in this issue. He didn't, though. So it could be taken that perhaps he wrote happiness for other people in the book and that's how he helped.

And I'm not saying the willpower thing wouldn't be a mess. The thing is, that panel sticks out. Given the context of everything else shown in the headspace, it makes no sense for it to be there. I say willpower 'cause it's something they set up in the first arc and also because it would be OOC for Spike to write it in the book.

Maybe the Big Bad won't be wishes or the book, but 'good intentions'. 😛

 

[gite63]

He also says--in small text so I'm guessing it's supposed to be soto!voice--that he helped with Andrew in this issue. He didn't, though.

He helped Andrew making important the fact that he realized he was gay - Andrew himself said that.

The thing is, that panel sticks out. Given the context of everything else shown in the headspace, it makes no sense for it to be there.

Yes and no. Buffy sees the most recently memories of Spike, and him in front of the book saying how much he wants to be with her it's a powerful one; more than him rescuing the kittens and talking to Dowling, for sure.

I say willpower 'cause it's something they set up in the first arc and also because it would be OOC for Spike to write it in the book.

The thing is that Spike said he wished "it was always that easy" about what Clem wrote in the book on unicorns. The use of the word "wish" sometimes it's a very dangerous thing to do.

Probably it's just another "the shirt on the headboard that was missing", which ended to be just an artist mistake. The wish word is also used without consequences.

 

[EVIL UU]

HOLY SHIT THIS IS AWESOME!!!​

 

[thetopher]

So Buffy and Willow are saving each others lives while the vampires are busy being dicks to each other.

Okay. I'm liking this. 🙂

 

[NightLady]

I almost missed the part where Angel is trying to kill Spike! 😡 damn, will he ever stop being an as***le?? when I saw the last panel in issue 17 I thought ok, let's not judge too hastly, maybe he is faking it, to trick that monster whatever-is-name-is... but no, instead he is gone bad again! and it took just one second, the thing didn't even had to work to do it... grrr I just hope this time Buffy will kick his stupid ass once and for all

 

[EVIL UU]

I just noticed - Archeus avoids leg exercises like he avoids holy water. Don't skip the leg day, bro.