Originally posted by Diminished_9th
I love Oz. I love Oz and Willow. I was watching New Moon Rising, and even in that last scene the chemistry between AH and SG is phenomenal. I would very very much like to see Oz return. But I'm not sure it makes sense. (But I so want it to!!!)
The first obstacle is that two years is a long time. I think it's a myth that you always love your first. If you haven't been around someone in a while you're gonna have different feelings for them. This is truer in relationships than it is in friendships. Willow has changed a heck of a lot these past two years, so I really think that it's disingenuous to put Willow and Oz into a romantic relationship, not to mention the fact that Willow just suffered a horrific loss and probably isn't capable of being in another relationship right now.
I also think that it's only fair that Oz has moved on with his life. After all, if Willow was truly happy with Tara, doesn't Oz deserve happiness too? I think that Oz and Willow will always have a fondness for each other, but I think (or hope) that Oz hasn't just been pining for Willow. My favorite books growing up were Anne of Green Gables (don't flog me! 😛 ) where the love interest is in love with and waits for Anne for 14 years. Nice story, very sweet, one of my favorite romances. But not realistic, and it doesn't work for every relationship. It just doesn't sit right with me that Oz has been pining for her all this time. Thinks about her occasionally, yes, would worry about her if he knew what had happened, absolutely. But I think his feelings for her have changed from what they were.
So I don't think Oz would come running back to Sunnydale when he got word. He might call Buffy, see if there's anything he could do, but I have a hard time imagining how his coming to Sunnydale would be helpful to Willow right now. But, I love him and want him to return, so what *I* think should happen is later this season there is another reason that Oz needs to return, like he has to go back to where he caught Lycanthropy for some reason. Or better yet, have some kind of werewolf epidemic in Sunnydale and Oz returns to help the gang. In short, his return should not be about Willow or Willow and Oz's relationship, BUT there should be a touching scene between the two where they talk about where he's been and what she's been through and their lifetime friendship is firmly reaffirmed.
The problem that remains is that Oz would leave again, which is always sad. But I just don't see Oz staying in Sunnydale after all this time. But the upshot is he would leave on a happy note, with he and Willow in a good place where they respect each other and it's implied that they'll stay in contact even though he's not on the show.
There's a thread floating around here somewhere that has an article that say both Joss and Seth agree that if it makes sense to bring Oz back, they would do it. I'm hopeful, but not overly so, because like I said, I don't know if it makes sense right now. But there's my take on one way it could happen"¦but then, Joss didn't ask for my opinion. 😛