I'm afraid to watch 7

[OFAWB]

It's been nearly two weeks since I finished Season 6, which is why I haven't posted much in the past few days.

I've been too busy to start Season 7, but I'm also afraid to! I'm afraid I won't like Spike with a soul. I'm afraid I'll hate the Scoobies for deserting Buffy. I'm afraid of Willow being with someone who isn't Tara. I'm afraid of Buffy showing me she doesn't/never did/will not love Spike. I'm afraid of the season being "the worst", which a lot of BTVS fans seem to agree on. Most of all, I'm afraid of this wonderful show ending.

...How do I start watching? I can't believe I'm saying this, but I really don't want to.

 

[Black Eye Guy]

I'm afraid I won't like Spike with a soul.

Dont worry he's not really any different.

I'm afraid I'll hate the Scoobies for deserting Buffy.

You may end up agreeing with them, I do (kinda)

I'm afraid of Willow being with someone who isn't Tara.

Yeah it's a bit weird

I'm afraid of Buffy showing me she doesn't/never did/will not love Spike.

Yeah.

I'm afraid of the season being "the worst", which a lot of BTVS fans seem to agree on. Most of all, I'm afraid of this wonderful show ending.

...How do I start watching? I can't believe I'm saying this, but I really don't want to.

There are a lot of problems with it, but I think it's a great season, there is a lot of mythology stuff thats interesting. And I think universally season 6 takes worst season, going my most polls on here usually, one of the main issues people tend to have with season 7 I've seen people keep citing is that Spike gets to much screen time, so if you like Spike you might like it.

😉

 

[OFAWB]

And I think universally season 6 takes worst season, going my most polls on here usually, one of the main issues people tend to have with season 7 I've seen people keep citing is that Spike gets to much screen time, so if you like Spike you might like it.

😉

I loved Season 6. And how did you know I liked Spike? 😉

I'm still waiting, though...Once the show is over, I'll be sad.

 

[Robb Stark]

I'm afraid I won't like Spike with a soul.

You'll like him. He keeps everything that makes him cool.

I'm afraid I'll hate the Scoobies for deserting Buffy.

I did initially, but upon reflection, she does kinda deserve it. It's hard to explain without spoiling stuff.

I'm afraid of Willow being with someone who isn't Tara.

I could never get into Tara, so it wasn't a problem for me. I found Willow with Tara after Oz much harder to accept as a fan than I did Tara to Willow's love interest in S7.

I'm afraid of Buffy showing me she doesn't/never did/will not love Spike.

This is one of the most enduring topics of discussion the show has produced. I think they wrap the storyline up very, very well, and for me as a Spike/Buffy fan, it had a very satisfying conclusion. However, the people who blindly love Buffy/Spike and the people who blindly hate them use the exact same scene to "prove" their viewpoint. All that really proves is that the scene is open to interpretation. For me, I took it exactly as it was presented on the show, and I was completely happy with it.

I'm afraid of the season being "the worst", which a lot of BTVS fans seem to agree on.

It's not the "worst", but it's certainly not the best. To enjoy S7 you have to prepare yourself, and accept, the fact that the entire thing, from start to finish, makes absolutely, positively no sense whatsoever. Nothing about it is even remotely logical. The whole "Buffy vs. The First" arc around which the season revolves is pretty much centered upon who can out-stupid the other. Both make monumentally dumb decisions made by a lazy writing team who were just plain out of ideas. But they cover it up well with some cool speeches and epic music. I like S7 (S6 is my least favorite), but it's probably the worst-written season of a T.V. show I like that I've ever seen.

Most of all, I'm afraid of this wonderful show ending.

Yes, me too. I always get like that. But then I watch AtS S5 (which rocks) and read the comics and come on here, so BTVS is always around for me.

 

[brinkster130]

Just watch it, you'll survive...promise. 😉 In all seriousness, even with the problems, it still is an entertaining season to watch. Plus like the others have said, as a Spike fan, there are several stand-out Spike moments that you'll likely love.

Also, you still have season 8 and 9 (with 10 coming soon) to keep the story alive. (But the comics aren't nearly as good, IMO)

 

[white avenger]

I'm afraid I won't like Spike with a soul.

I'm afraid I'll hate the Scoobies for deserting Buffy.

I'm afraid of Willow being with someone who isn't Tara.

I'm afraid of Buffy showing me she doesn't/never did/will not love Spike.

I'm afraid of the season being "the worst", which a lot of BTVS fans seem to agree on.

I'm afraid of this wonderful show ending.

Taking your fears in order:

If you love Spike, you love Spike. Period.

The Scoobies think that they're doing the right thing. I have no doubt whatsoever that, two minutes after the titles stop rolling after the final episode, they all crawl over to Buffy on their bellies and beg her to forgive them, to which she answers, "No, I won't. But thanks for asking." (If you don't catch the joke now, you will before the series ends)

Willow is at a very vulnerable time in her life, and she gets. exploited. Sad, but true.

As for Buffy revealing her true feelings for Spike, I can only say, wait for the finale of the episode "Showtime."

A lot of the people who hate Season 7 hate Spike, or feel that too much time is devoted to Buffy's relationship with him. Not all, certainly, but quite a few.

"Buffy The Vampire Slayer" will never end as long as it stays alive in your heart. In other words, it's entirely up to you.

Joss wrote two great scenes in other places that should have been used in a post finale episode. One was the memorial ceremony for fallen comrades in "Serenity,"and the other was Echo's final regret about Paul Ballard in the Season 2 Episode 13 available from several sites online. When you see it, you'll know what I mean.

 

[OFAWB]

Thanks, everyone! I think I'll be ready to start watching this weekend.

 

[JCoatsworth]

I think you should watch it. I don't think it's the best season, but I certainly don't think it's the worst. The season 6 finale is my favorite, you didn't like it so much, and maybe you'll hate this season, but maybe you'll love it. You'll have to watch it. I think the series finale is awesome and very emotional, and season 7 offers closure, which is very important for a final season, in my opinion.

 

[sk]

Most of all, I'm afraid of this wonderful show ending.

This is the only thing you need to be afraid of really.
I recommend watching the pilot again directly after the season 7 ending.
It was great fun to see how it all started. Seven years make a huge different.

Found it to really help against the feeling of melancholy I had after watching the last episode.

/SK

 

[Lyri]

On the first watch, S7 is quite good. It's when you watch it again after being invested in forums like this one that the cracks start to appear and you see the flaws. At least, that's how it was for me.

 

[sleecin]

Will be interesting to hear what you think about S7 when you seen it . I think you will like it. And as a buffy fan , you have to see all seasons ofcourse 🙂

 

[JaseyRae]

I have the exact same problem... I've been trying to get myself to watch 7, for the past month, but it feels like it will destroy all the good memories I have about it. So, for the past month I've been re-watching older episodes (mostly season 5 and 6) and sobbing over Tara scenes (I think I need help). It's weird that Will dating someone else (well not ANYONE else, I actually wish we'd seen her with Faith or Anya if she already has to date someone) hurts me more than Tara's death... I think I kinda "got over it" tho, now the thing that "scares" me the most is Scoobies abandoning Buffy. Now, I've read about it many times, but I wtill don't quite understand what happens. Is it when they kick Buffy out of HER OWN house? 'Cause I see people here saying they agree with them and I can't see why? Especially from Dawn and Willow, the things she did for them... She DIED for her sister. And don't get me started on Willow, how many times she saved her life, I mean, she wouldn't even be a Wicca without her, if you think about it. And does this change their friendship a lot? Does it ruin anything between them, what exactly happens when they "abandon her"? DO they stay together after the finale? Can someone explain without too much spoiling? 🙂
I've seen a little of 7th season (about a half of it, i'm not sure) and I'm afraid to continue, I think it could have been much, much better. Like the "potentials" God, I hate them as an idea and the characters... IMO, the potentials were a bad idea in the first place. They seem to be taking off the story from the "choesn ONE" (Buffy's way better than all of them and so is Faith)and the characters I care about, to some new that I don't care of. In season 1 we also just see the shadows of who they will become, but we can already see what they are. Like, Willow-Nerdy and insecure, but really sweet. Xander-Dorky, yet loveable. Giles-uptight and smart. Buffy-Valley girl, but strong and sweet. While with "the wannabees" all I sense is: ANNOYING; BRATTY. That's it. It would have been way cooler if there were no potentials abd the Scoobies defeated The Fisrt alone, it would really show how there's "nothing they can't face (except for bunnies)". And if they brought back Tara like Joss planned and SHE was the reason for Willow defeating the evil inside her and "finding" good magic.
Sorry for the long reply 🙂

 

[Ethan Reigns]

It's been nearly two weeks since I finished Season 6, which is why I haven't posted much in the past few days.

I've been too busy to start Season 7, but I'm also afraid to! I'm afraid I won't like Spike with a soul. I'm afraid I'll hate the Scoobies for deserting Buffy. I'm afraid of Willow being with someone who isn't Tara. I'm afraid of Buffy showing me she doesn't/never did/will not love Spike. I'm afraid of the season being "the worst", which a lot of BTVS fans seem to agree on. Most of all, I'm afraid of this wonderful show ending.

...How do I start watching? I can't believe I'm saying this, but I really don't want to.

You're not really considering not watching, are you? It is not a bad season - but the characters make some bad choices, which is the basis of drama and the Whedonverse thrives on drama. I would put it on a par with Season 5, another season that was intended to be the end.

 

[bentjazz]

You should be afraid of watching Season 7. Be very afraid. Why? Because it sucks, that's why. I hated the last season the very first time I watched it, and I still hate it to this day....after re-watching Buffy 5 times now. But that's just me. Season 7 is like consuming copious quantities of saccharine. It leaves a really bad aftertaste.....

 

[JCoatsworth]

You should be afraid of watching Season 7. Be very afraid. Why? Because it sucks, that's why. I hated the last season the very first time I watched it, and I still hate it to this day....after re-watching Buffy 5 times now. But that's just me. Season 7 is like consuming copious quantities of saccharine. It leaves a really bad aftertaste.....

Yeah? Well, you know, that's just, like, uh... your opinion, man.
Maybe OFAWB will feel the same way, but how will she know unless she watches it.

 

[bentjazz]

Hi JCoatsworth,

Exactly, just my opinion. Hence, why I wrote "But that's just me" in my post.

bj

 

[JCoatsworth]

Hi JCoatsworth,

Exactly, just my opinion. Hence, why I wrote "But that's just me" in my post.

bj

Yeah, I got that. I just wanted to make sure, because your first part still sounded a lot like you were suggesting it was fact. No hard feelings.

 

[bentjazz]

Yeah, I got that. I just wanted to make sure, because your first part still sounded a lot like you were suggesting it was fact. No hard feelings.

Hi JCoatsworth,

No hard feelings, although I feel pretty confident in my belief that S7 sucks. I'm willing to bare knuckle brawl you over this topic, son. You game? I'm not, because I haven't been in a fight since 4th grade. You'd probably kill me. But you catch my drift. That is, I hate the last season of Buffy and think it kind of tainted the entire series. Don't get me wrong, I'm still on a Buffy high at all times, but I'm not as high as I should be due to the fact, errr, belief that season 7 sucks donkey balls.

Your fellow buffy-boarder,
bj

 

[OFAWB]

OK, I'm pretty sure I'm stuck in a rut and will never finish this series. So many people say Season 7 sucks, and I just can't bring myself to start.

 

[Ethan Reigns]

It's not that bad! Watch it, you won't be disappointed.

As with everything in the Whedonverse, people make decisions, usually bad ones, and that's what keeps the drama moving. I would put it on a par with Season 5 and better than Season 4.

We tend to poke holes in it because after critical examination, we see things that might have been done differently, but this is the same as the way dissecting a novel in an English Literature class makes me never want to read anything again. If you just watch it without trying to rewrite it in your mind, it works well.

It has a standalone episode "Him 7ABB06" that harks back to the first two seasons when there were a number of standalone episodes, and this one is hilarious. The final episode is quite moving, even though I and others have second-guessed and monday-morning quarterbacked it ad nauseam.