Does Kennedy deserve the hate?

[Buffyverse Fan]

It's probably just me, but I always saw Kennedy as the writers saying, "what if we wrote an inexperienced, watered-down version of Faith who is a lesbian!"

I didn't hate Kennedy, but I did see her as a poor substitute for two characters. Firstly, she was no replacement for Tara who was such a vulnerable and honest lady. And then, she was no Faith-esque rebel either.

The thing with Faith was 1) her mistakes made sense considering her background with a lack of family. 2) her stance made sense--technically Faith did have as much right to be the Slayer as Buffy did.

Kennedy was no Faith, largely because if Buffy handed the Scythe over to Kennedy, and said "fine, be the Slayer," Kennedy would be dead within the hour.

 

[Dazza]

I know she's not a very popular character, and I'm not really a fan of hers either, but watching S7 right now, she's literally the only potential who isn't completely useless for the bulk of the season. Until she goes against Buffy for a bit towards the end, she isn't even as annoying as I remember her.

She was just a lame character. But season 7 had a few lame characters.

 

[CSIgirl86]

I actually really liked Kennedy. Yes she was bratty and overconfident to a point where she was pretty obnoxious, but I think she accomplished exactly what she was put on the show to do. To me, Kennedy was always a plot device to get Willow back to the place she needed to be for the finale. When the season started Willow was pretty broken and no longer sure of herself as a witch. Kennedy allowed Willow to gain some of her own confidence back so that she could do what was needed of her. Look I'm sure Joss knew how loved Tara was and that he would not be able to simply replace her. In fact, I think people would have been more upset had he introduced a character who was similar to Tara. So instead he introduced the anti-Tara. And I for one liked the dynamic between Willow and Kennedy. Obviously Willow and Kennedy were never going to be a couple that was together forever, she was simply there to give Willow her confidence back and it worked.

 

[Dazza]

but I think she accomplished exactly what she was put on the show to do. To me, Kennedy was always a plot device to get Willow back to the place she needed to be for the finale.

Oh yeah for sure.
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