Favorite characters' screw ups

[Zenseem]

People can be flawed but sometimes they can crosse some lines and that is pretty regular in the buffyverse.

So, when did your favorite characters let your down and how often did that happen? When did they made you go "oh, no, you didn't"?

Feel free to let your frustration over your faves flow.

 

[DeadlyDuo]

The most obvious choice is the AR scene with Spike. It just doesn't make sense. The writers had his character come exceedingly close to the moral event horizon (the point when a character become irredeemable for the audience) yet the very next season they expect the audience to feel great sympathy for Spike and almost act as if the AR scene never happened. JM's talent is the only thing that made it work, because if it had been in the hands of a lesser actor, Spike's arc would've crashed and burned in season 7.

 

[Last Watcher]

When Faith joined the Mayor's side, I still thought Buffy would bring her back to the light.....but then she killed the Vulcan(ologist) and it was Noooooooooo!

I really thought they were going to kill her off after that......& I guess Buffy very nearly did......

 

[Bop]

When Faith blamed Finch's murder on Buffy😱 It wasn't the worst thing that Faith's done by far, but that is an awkward, uncomfortable scene for any Faith fan to watch.

 

[Zenseem]

For me it was when Willow cheated on Oz with Xander. That's one of season 3's only downs. They work really well as a BROTP, but nothing else.

 

[Carrie Hopewell]

Angel in season 4. He was such a shitty parent most of the time. Cordelia sleeps with his teenage son and manipulates him and he has the gal to act jealous? He should have told Cordelia to keep her pawns of his child! His treatment of Connor was appalling on so many levels ("I love you Connor. No get out of my house.") and he was only redeemed by his choice to give Connor a new family and memories, as well as his actions in season 5.

 

[GraceK]

Jonathan joining the trio. It was disappointing to me, I felt he owed Buffy more than that and should have known better. Actually, let me rephrase. It wasn't joining the trio that bothered me, cause that makes sense for him as a character. What upset me was Jonathan going along with kid napping and attempted rape of Katrina. I don't see how he didn't realize what he was doing was rape and I'm very disappointed that he didn't do more to stop Warren. I feel like that was exceptionally dark for his character and to me it didn't make sense.
 

Angel in season 4. He was such a shitty parent most of the time. Cordelia sleeps with his teenage son and manipulates him and he has the gal to act jealous? He should have told Cordelia to keep her pawns of his child! His treatment of Connor was appalling on so many levels ("I love you Connor. No get out of my house.") and he was only redeemed by his choice to give Connor a new family and memories, as well as his actions in season 5.

Of course I agree with this 100 percent. Big surprise🙂 that was exceptionally disappointing of Angel that not only did he not realize that Cordelia would NEVER sleep with Connor, but that he reserved most of his blame and anger for him and resented him. Really?? Your only . Vulnerable son is emotionally taken advantage of by a dear friend and your jealous??? Bad Angel!

 

[WillowFromBuffy]

All right, I will do my three favourite characters. It will probably be long and boring, so do not read it unless you are really curious about what I think.

1. I love Willow. Say it seven times before going to bed and Tara’s ghost will give you a hug while you dream. I forgive Willow everything … almost. The one scene that I cannot forgive is when she is taking Dawn to the movies. Willow is completely closed off. Dawn’s feeling are completely irrelevant to her. I do think these scenes are quite good, but they are painful to watch.

I also feel a little let down when Willow makes fun of Xander’s crayon story in The Killer in Me. Xander saved Willow’s life and he was the only one who could have done it. I do not mind when Willow gloats over the fact that she did not end up marrying Xander. The crayons, though, are holy. Never make fun of the crayons.

2. I love Buffy and I sometimes feel bad for not expressing that more often. I always pick Buffy’s side almost by default. The only exceptions are of course whenever Willow is involved. I firmly believe that Willow loves Buffy a hell of a lot more than Buffy loves her back. It made me a little bit sad but also happy when Willow says to Kennedy that she will no longer put her loyalty to Buffy before her own happiness.

I will not bore anyone by listing all of Buffy’s failure to show Willow the love and consideration that I believe Willow deserves. Instead, I will name the scene that bothers me the most, even though I believe I have brought it up at least twice before. The scene in the Magic Box where Buffy talks to Xander about forgetting Tara’s birthday, complains about not wanting to go and makes fun of Tara’s stuttering makes me so angry. How many surprise birthday parties did Buffy ever arrange for Willow? Does she not realise or care that accepting Tara is the only way to reconnect with the woman who is supposedly her best friends?

3. Spike is Spike is Spike. Spike is not a good person. Therefore I cannot act disappointed whenever he does something bad. I do not remember how I reacted the first time I saw Seeing Red. I was probably horrified. Still, I believe this scene is perfectly in character. Spike is willing to use torture to win back Drusilla’s affection. It is not his first choice, but I do not believe there is anything an unsouled Spike would not do in the face of rejection.

One scene with Spike I remember really bothering me was when he tortured the young potential. Of course, Spike tortures Angel, but this makes sense, because Spike wants something and because he hates Angel. Torturing a little girl for no reason does not seem like something Spike would do. I was so happy when it was revealed that it was not really Spike who tortured the girl.

I was somewhat bothered when it was revealed that Spike was the doctor selling monster eggs. Spike & Dru are romantic übermenchen that wreck havoc, because it is in their blood to do so. To see Spike reduced to a pathetic little opportunist takes away most of the glitter.

I’ll throw in Wesley’s pining over Fred as a bonus. We know you’re into younger girls, but that is no reason to be a complete douche bag. Don’t shoot people in the kneecaps. It does not make you look heroic. Gunn and Fred was a much better pairing.

 

[flow]

The one scene that I cannot forgive is when she is taking Dawn to the movies. Willow is completely closed off.

She was addicted to magic and Rack was her dealer. She was going to him to get her drug. Maybe it is not an excuse but an explanation. The behaviour of people can chang dramatically when they become addicts.
1.
When Angel killed Drogyn in S5 (it was either in Power Play or in Not fade away) he crossed a line. I don`t think that he can be redeemed after this killing. That was to me like..... huh ? Three seasons of BtS and five seasons of AtS all about his, his redemption and just five minutes beore the end of the series he blows it all ?
2.
Buffy decided not to kill Ben. Giles decided, the world would be a safer place without Ben and did kill him. There are reasons pro and con his decision but I think he screwed up because he did it secretly and - as far as I know - never told her about it. If he thought she made the wrong decision and he made the right decision, there was no need to hide it from her.

flow

 

[Priceless]

How many surprise birthday parties did Buffy ever arrange for Willow? Does she not realise or care that accepting Tara is the only way to reconnect with the woman who is supposedly her best friends?

I am glad I read your post, it was not disappointing. I am convinced that Buffy organised a surprise birthday for Willow every year, but Willow's birthday was in the summer so we never got to see it, and Willow never referred to it because she doesn't live in the past 🙂

 

[WillowFromBuffy]

She was addicted to magic and Rack was her dealer. She was going to him to get her drug. Maybe it is not an excuse but an explanation. The behaviour of people can chang dramatically when they become addicts.

I have played the part of both Willow and Dawn in this scene. I get what is going on. It is just so hard to see Willow so far gone. Turning my emotions off is my favourite coping mechanism. I admire Willow because she owns her emotion. She is not allowed to make this particular mistake.

I am glad I read your post, it was not disappointing. I am convinced that Buffy organised a surprise birthday for Willow every year, but Willow's birthday was in the summer so we never got to see it, and Willow never referred to it because she doesn't live in the past 🙂

I love this theory. Of course, Buffy spends two of her summers in LA and Willow has to go to Wicca rehabilitation camp 😛

Alyson and I actually share the same birthday. Maybe I should invite myself over next year.

 

[Fool for Buffy]

I get really ticked at all the characters during "The Yoko Factor". Each of them is assuming the worst possible scenario despite the fact that none of it is actually true. They basically all trust Spike more than their best friends, which is ridiculous. Also, I get ticked at everybody in "Empty Places". What Buffy says goes, and they are stupid for not accepting that. Spike is correct for calling them "Sad, ungrateful traitors".

As far as individual characters, the worst are:
Buffy sleeping with Parker (it was super obvious he was playing her and I was disappointed she didn't realize)
Xander lying to Buffy in Becoming about Angel when Willow told him to tell her about the spell
Willow kissing Xander (that's for both of them, obviously)
Spike in the bathroom
Wesley kissing Fred in "Soulless"
Angel trying to kill himself in "Amends". I thought it was immature and cowardly.

 

[GraceK]

I get really ticked at all the characters during "The Yoko Factor". Each of them is assuming the worst possible scenario despite the fact that none of it is actually true. They basically all trust Spike more than their best friends, which is ridiculous. Also, I get ticked at everybody in "Empty Places". What Buffy says goes, and they are stupid for not accepting that. Spike is correct for calling them "Sad, ungrateful traitors".

As far as individual characters, the worst are:
Buffy sleeping with Parker (it was super obvious he was playing her and I was disappointed she didn't realize)
Xander lying to Buffy in Becoming about Angel when Willow told him to tell her about the spell
Willow kissing Xander (that's for both of them, obviously)
Spike in the bathroom
Wesley kissing Fred in "Soulless"
Angel trying to kill himself in "Amends". I thought it was immature and cowardly.

I agree with most of these. I think Empty Places wins the award though for most character screw ups. Everyone is so unlovable and OOC it's painful to watch. None of it makes any sense to me, and I feel Like Spike legitimately speaks for most of the audience when he tells them all off.

 

[Fool for Buffy]

I agree with most of these. I think Empty Places wins the award though for most character screw ups. Everyone is so unlovable and OOC it's painful to watch. None of it makes any sense to me, and I feel Like Spike legitimately speaks for most of the audience when he tells them all off.

I agree. It's also makes me think, "What was Joss thinking?" Clearly, nobody wants to see everyone turn on Buffy. And it's been almost 7 years and they act like she doesn't know what she's doing...???

 

[GraceK]

I agree. It's also makes me think, "What was Joss thinking?" Clearly, nobody wants to see everyone turn on Buffy. And it's been almost 7 years and they act like she doesn't know what she's doing...???

I always want to punch Dawn in the face in this scene. I have never hated her more. And I like her most of the time!! This whole episode was gross to me...I think Joss was going for a dramatic finish, where the heroine is abandoned and loses faith, only to recover and save the day...the only problem is is that we have been with these characters for seven years and we KNOW them, and it was insulting and cheap to pull that trick on his fans like we have never seen this show before. It was offensive IMO.

 

[WillowFromBuffy]

Clearly, nobody wants to see everyone turn on Buffy

Actually, I do. I love it when Buffy has to stand on her own and find her strength. The bit when she goes to get the scythe is good. I just wish the writers came up with a better justification for the mutiny. I cannot even remember why they threw Buffy out. It came completely out of the blue.

 

[GraceK]

I love it when Buffy has to stand on her own and find her strength. The bit when she goes to get the scythe is good.

That was a badass moment, and I cheered her on. I was happy she turned out to be right and I loved how she kicked butt. It was great. I just HATED how we got there. Your right, it was out of the blue and I hated the mutiny. They could have done so much better if they tried to make it a legit mutiny, and they didn't. 🙁 The whole scene was horrendous

 

[Zenseem]

Well, it's time to bring up Dead Man's Party. I always avoid talking about it because I get frustrated and upset just by thinking about it, but since the thread is basically about disappointments...

So, Buffy left Sunnydale and her friends to go to LA, and, as a consequence she left the hellmouth without much supervision, and, more importantly, she left everyone that cared about her without explanations or even a proper goodbye or whatever. It was a selfish move, but she had plenty reason for such a sudden decision. And when she came back she had to face everyone she left and how they delt with her abscence and return and that's when things got a little '??' to me. What she did was wrong and all, but react as everyone did without even thinking of what Buffy went through in such a short period of time is even worse. I'm most talking about Willow, Joyce, and especially Xander here. Watching this episode is like torture for me, since I find quite rash how Buffy was 'welcomed' (and what a great welcome). That was the first time these characters really screwed up for me.

 

[thrasherpix]

I agree on the mutiny. However, I'm not seeing anyone mention just how terrible Buffy was acting as well. She was such an obnoxious, condescending hypocrite that went to new levels in that episode that a younger Buffy never would've put up with her. And she needs to know the girls are safe even though she left Spike With a Trigger around them? BS. Why is Buffy right? Because of the writers forcing the story with no respect for who the characters actually are.

Of course they shouldn't have thrown her out. It makes no sense. Why would they throw out someone all of a sudden? Out of her OWN HOME? At least Joyce in season 2 made sense (though I see Joyce as bluffing). Especially as they'd want to hide behind her. And that's ignoring many practical details I could nitpick to death. It's just so random. Even if they couldn't stand Buffy, then they'd be the ones to leave, not her. They certainly had many places to choose from.

The ONLY reason it was done was like so much of the rest of the terrible, terrible writing: to promote Spuffy, and give poor, martyred Buffy a chance to connect with Spike for the culmination of Spuffy. I'm not anywhere upset at the characters, be it Buffy or those who threw her out, as I am the writers. The ONLY way you can appreciate that scene is if you love Spuffy, because that's the ONLY purpose it serves, and the ONLY way you could possibly overlook the sloppy, character-violating writing and Buffy's infuriating double standards that have been going on for awhile now. (Okay, some people form a loyalty "right or wrong" to the person rather than a person's actions, but surely even they, if not desperate for Spuffy, can see just how absurd and character violating that scene was.)

The writers stopped caring about the characters, which is why I stopped caring about the story and why it was years before I ever gave Angel the Series a chance, and almost never did.

 

[Monkey Pants]

I'll got through my favorite characters:

1) Faith - when she joined the Mayor and stabbed that professor guy, and when she slept with Riley. No no no!!

2) Buffy - when she talked harshly about that girl Chloe who killed herself. I cringed.

3) Willow - when she cheated on Oz, wiped Tara's memories, drove "high" with Dawn, and cheated on Kennedy with Aluwyn. To me Willow did the most wrong out of any main character and is my most problematic fave, whereas some people would say Faith is.

4) Oz - when he slept with Veruca, even though I believe he wasn't at all in control of himself. The whole thing just mainly makes me sad!

There are other little moments about them that bugged me, but these are the main ones.