Spoiler! Discussion of Buffy 9.05 "Slayer Interrupted"- Released 01/11/12 (Dark Horse)

[Moscow Watcher]

Looks like rereading season 8 in a couple of years will be fun -- looking for hidden clues and hints. I have the impression that in TOYL we got only a teaser of Willow's actual story.

I remember reading, long ago, an interview in which Joss explained that he always plans his stories from the ending, backwards. Of course, he knows why Willow wanted Buffy to kill her - but maybe a couple of seasons will pass before he'll tell that story.

And, since LMPTM was mentioned - this is a screencap from 5.04 Out Of My Mind

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/MoscowWatcher/BtVScaps/oomm23.jpg

MAMA 1881. Joss knew everything about Spike's mother back in season 5.

 

[ladydorotea]

Of course, he knows why Willow wanted Buffy to kill her - but maybe a couple of seasons will pass before he'll tell that story.

Hey, on this one I disagree wholeheartedly - I am quite positive we already know why DFW wanted Buffy to kill her. It takes a bit of patience to put it all together but once you do it , it is so blatantly obvious it hurts...

 

[Moscow Watcher]

Not the point. I mean that the actual story - the meat of the story - isn't told yet. We only know bits and pieces that allow to suggest that

Version A: something bag will happen to their friendship, and that Willow will be plagued by guilt.

Version B: Buffy killing Willow will somehow create the portal for time-travel and help to send Buffy back.

Or maybe it's A + B.

But it's not told yet, although Joss plans to tell that story.

 

[ladydorotea]

Not the point. I mean that the actual story - the meat of the story - isn't told yet. We only know bits and pieces

On the contrary - I allude that we do already know all of the story.

that allow to suggest that

Version A: something bag will happen to their friendship, and that Willow will be plagued by guilt.

I think it is quite the opposite - Willow gets herself killed by Buffy *because* their friendship is so strong that their connection have survived 2 centuries. That is the *only* way the whole puzzle clicks into places and works. Just think about it.

Version B: Buffy killing Willow will somehow create the portal for time-travel and help to send Buffy back.

The portal was opened by one of the ripples of Twilight - it was explained in the arc just before Twilight - the issue where Willow speaks with Oz - and then Puff - gets re-empowered by 'some unknown future super event'. In the TOYL arc there is a scene where they discuss the 'ripples' and how they propagate from some point in close future. I mean - that was certainly very obvious to me.

But it's not told yet, although Joss plans to tell that story.

And I insist that the whole story was already told - with the most important clue being in the 'After these messages' issue.

What is coming up is figuring out how to 'work the wound' and - eventually Willow figuring out 'why' she has to live these 200 years and get herself killed by Buffy...

 

[tbessie]

On the contrary - I allude that we do already know all of the story.

If you don't mind giving a few spoilers, could you say - other than what you've already mentioned in a general way - exactly, fact by fact, what your theory is as to why Willow needs Buffy to kill her? I can go back and read some of those episodes you mention, but I'm curious what you're hinting at. I didn't get enough info from what you've said to piece it together in a way that makes sense to me.

- Tim

 

[EVIL UU]

[MENTION=11579]tbessie[/MENTION]

A word of advice, don't try to understand it - it's a cluster**** of Orphic theories, tarot, superhero events with time travel and various non-monotheistic mythologies. Trust me, the more you know, the less sense it all makes.

Even if you connect Dark Phoenix Willow with the world egg theories and not with that Marvel character, surprise, surprise - it will still make no sense. To be honest, one needs to be a real Wizard, like Alan Moore to pull off a story like that ( "Promethea" ) Joss Whedon is not even a man-witch.

 

[ladydorotea]

If you don't mind giving a few spoilers, could you say - other than what you've already mentioned in a general way - exactly, fact by fact, what your theory is as to why Willow needs Buffy to kill her? I can go back and read some of those episodes you mention, but I'm curious what you're hinting at. I didn't get enough info from what you've said to piece it together in a way that makes sense to me.

Ah. Hmm, firstly lets try to believe that the puzzle is quite solvable with what information they gave us - meaning that FDW actually did give away a major reason for her doing what she is doing ( making sure that the only way back to the past for Buffy is through her dead body) when she said that allowing Buffy to get back to the past will either save or destroy the Fray future (duh ! everybody in that season is trying to either save or destroy the world). I strongly suspect that the Fray future survived - thus it was Willow's purpose to save that future, not to make it mist away.

Second clue is hidden in the After these messages issue - in her dream Buffy has a conversation with Angel from her past and she basically asks him if he thinks if it is a good idea to tell a person what their future holds. ( I assume that she is talking to the pre-Surprise/Innocence Angel.) HE tells her basically that telling the person about their future might change that future into God-knows-what - and not necessarily for the best.

Then in the Retreat arc Buffy gets emotional - after seeing Willow play with Oz's baby - and tells Willow that she killed her in the future... closing the circle.

Try to work it out from here - the other important piece is that depowering of Slayers and witches causes Buffy's loss of battle to Twilight - and that she decides to retreat and surrender magic right after killing FDW and seeing Willow skin that demon.

 

[brinkster130]

This thread has reached the limit so I am closing it. I went ahead and pulled the last couple posts and started a second thread so the discussions can continue.

First season 9 thread to reach the limit. You all rock! 🙂