Best and most stable boyfriend for Buffy? Seriously? It's not April Fools day, so I'm guessing you're actually serious. Have you considered a career in stand-up comedy? Asking for a friend.
Riley was insecure, possessive, demanding, and a complete moron. Sure, everything was lovely at first...but once he discovered Buffy was stronger than him, things changed. He realised that his girlfriend could beat his ass (if she so desired) and his fragile ego could NOT handle that fact.
As for him visiting the vamp brothel to drown his sorrows in blood and debauchery... this DEFINITELY illustrates what a complete tool he is. And last but not least, bringing his new chick to Sunnydale was beyond tacky.
Yes! By a long shot! Did we watch the same show? 🤣 There were good elements to both Bangel and Spuffy, but those relationships were questionable, chaotic, toxic (especially in the case of Spuffy), and dangerous for Buffy
and the Scoobies. Isn't that why sooo many people cared more about those? Because they caused a ton of drama, conflict, and heartbreaks, and that was entertaining for the viewing experience? Even the show made it clear over and over that Buffy 'prefered'
dangerous guys that hurt her and made her cry.
Riley definitely had flaws. He was stubborn. It took him a while to learn how to critically think for himself. He could be insecure about his relationship with Buffy. However, none of that compares to the shit that went down with Bangel and Spuffy. Buffy and Riley just had real life problems that a couple might have to
talk through and
grow through. He never put her life at risk or tried to hurt her. He wasn't dangerous for Buffy's family and friends. He was always there for her. The other two guys could never say the same.
The truth is, you (and other Riley haters) have to use hyperbole every time you want to successfully make him appear/sound worse than he was. Especially in contrast to Angel and Spike. Did it bother him that he couldn't be Super-Soldier anymore after the Initiative? Yes. He admitted himself that not being on par with Buffy strength-wise bothered him a little bit. However, from the get go what attracted him to her was her headstrong personality, her taking charge in difficult situations. He specifically highlighted that. Is it possible that Riley was a little bit more nuanced and complicated than what people like you want to make him sound like? Hmm. Maybe.
Also, Riley was right to feel a little insecure sometimes. Take the issue he had with Buffy not being emotionally intimate with him, Riley had a point there. Buffy was a lot more closed off with him than with Angel, for example. That wasn't on Riley. He had reasons to be unsatisfied in that relationship. That's why he ended up leaving. Buffy even admitted that this was a flaw of hers in 'Conversation with Dead People'.
As for him being possessive, so were Angel and Spike. More so, in fact. And, anyway, I doubt this part bothered you at all when it came to them. 🤣 You're picking and choosing when a behavior
like that bothers you.
The "suck jobs" was definitely a low point for Riley. He should have just talked to Buffy instead of doing that. That was a mistake on his part. I won't defend that.
But yea, still the best, most stable guy Buffy had a relationship with in the show. He was kind, wholesome, attentive, and protective, among other positive traits.
