(I'm talking about myself here. Other Xander fans and non-fans may have other reasons.)
1) He's Buffy's second in command. He's finally got a real role, because honestly, the whole fixing windows and the heart thing? Not good enough for someone like Xander, who has been in this series since the beginning. I'm glad he's acknowledged as someone important and capable of having his own squad, and it saddens me to see some fans thinking that it's OOC and impossible. Joss thinks Xander is capable of it, and he's the creator of the character, so he knows him better than we do.
2) Xander becoming wiser and more rational. In #4, Willow was in danger, and yet instead of jumping into the portal with Buffy to rescue her, he asked Buffy to choose the best slayer to tag along. He's not much of a fighter and Willow needs to be rescued. He thinks with his mind now instead of his heart, he's all grown up.
3) Xander training himself to become a better fighter. On the show, he taught himself how to use the bow, and since it's hard to use now what with the whole one eye thing, he's learning something else. To be honest, that's what he should have done in the show if he wanted to be one of the Scoobies.
4) Xander's arc with Dracula. I was so unsatisfied with how Buffy Vs. Dracula ended, but as we can see, Xander in #15 was able to resist Dracula's thrall and stand up to him, he literally became a more confident man who can't be swayed that easily.
5) Xander becoming somewhat buddies with a vampire. I've always known that Xander is a more flexible character than fans give him credit for, not to mention, he's not exactly that black/white character. It started in S7 with Xander's attitude changing towards Spike, becoming more objective than subjective as well as trusting Buffy's decisions with him, which will lead to the next point…
6) Xander's strong friendship with Buffy. Right now, he's her best friend. Not Willow. Like I said, it's all linked to S7, S8 just continues what S7 started. Buffy and Xander grew a lot closer in S7, and with Spike out of the picture, they were able to grow even more close in S8. He'd witnessed all the crap Buffy went through after Chosen (well, after she rescued him from Dracula), he was the only one there, with Giles having his own squad somewhere else, Willow going away, and Dawn in college. His trust in all Buffy's decisions that started in S7 is still present in S8, what with him agreeing with her immoral decisions, like stealing.
7) Xander wanting to grieve and deal with Renee's death alone. So in character. Even though I loved how he broke down in Wolves at the Gate, and how Buffy comforted him, again, the Buffy/Xander friendship! So much love!
8) Buffy falling in love with him. Period.
9) Xander rejecting Buffy! Buffy! The one fans claim that Xander would throw everything and dump Anya for once she gives him the smallest signal. Well, guess what. He didn't. And the signal she gave? Gigantic. In fact, he was upset with her for mentioning her feelings for him while he's in a relationship. I'm glad Joss has a higher opinion of Xander than the fans do.
10) Xander being the only one there for Dawn. Also, started in S7, continued to S8.
11) Xander's ducky PJs in #2. So made of win.
1) He's Buffy's second in command. He's finally got a real role, because honestly, the whole fixing windows and the heart thing? Not good enough for someone like Xander, who has been in this series since the beginning. I'm glad he's acknowledged as someone important and capable of having his own squad, and it saddens me to see some fans thinking that it's OOC and impossible. Joss thinks Xander is capable of it, and he's the creator of the character, so he knows him better than we do.
2) Xander becoming wiser and more rational. In #4, Willow was in danger, and yet instead of jumping into the portal with Buffy to rescue her, he asked Buffy to choose the best slayer to tag along. He's not much of a fighter and Willow needs to be rescued. He thinks with his mind now instead of his heart, he's all grown up.
3) Xander training himself to become a better fighter. On the show, he taught himself how to use the bow, and since it's hard to use now what with the whole one eye thing, he's learning something else. To be honest, that's what he should have done in the show if he wanted to be one of the Scoobies.
4) Xander's arc with Dracula. I was so unsatisfied with how Buffy Vs. Dracula ended, but as we can see, Xander in #15 was able to resist Dracula's thrall and stand up to him, he literally became a more confident man who can't be swayed that easily.
5) Xander becoming somewhat buddies with a vampire. I've always known that Xander is a more flexible character than fans give him credit for, not to mention, he's not exactly that black/white character. It started in S7 with Xander's attitude changing towards Spike, becoming more objective than subjective as well as trusting Buffy's decisions with him, which will lead to the next point…
6) Xander's strong friendship with Buffy. Right now, he's her best friend. Not Willow. Like I said, it's all linked to S7, S8 just continues what S7 started. Buffy and Xander grew a lot closer in S7, and with Spike out of the picture, they were able to grow even more close in S8. He'd witnessed all the crap Buffy went through after Chosen (well, after she rescued him from Dracula), he was the only one there, with Giles having his own squad somewhere else, Willow going away, and Dawn in college. His trust in all Buffy's decisions that started in S7 is still present in S8, what with him agreeing with her immoral decisions, like stealing.
7) Xander wanting to grieve and deal with Renee's death alone. So in character. Even though I loved how he broke down in Wolves at the Gate, and how Buffy comforted him, again, the Buffy/Xander friendship! So much love!
8) Buffy falling in love with him. Period.
9) Xander rejecting Buffy! Buffy! The one fans claim that Xander would throw everything and dump Anya for once she gives him the smallest signal. Well, guess what. He didn't. And the signal she gave? Gigantic. In fact, he was upset with her for mentioning her feelings for him while he's in a relationship. I'm glad Joss has a higher opinion of Xander than the fans do.
10) Xander being the only one there for Dawn. Also, started in S7, continued to S8.
11) Xander's ducky PJs in #2. So made of win.
