Joyce

[VisionGirl]

Being inspired by the books and tapes is one thing. Doing something because the books and tapes say so is another. In the first season, Joyce often refers to her books and tapes as rules for parenting rather than suggestions.

So, the other characters are allowed to have flaws & make mistakes, but not Joyce? Who, for the record, does NOT have full knowledge of the situation until the end of S2. I think she does indeed grow as a character and parent as she strives to understand Buffy's situation.

 

[msfantastico87]

So, the other characters are allowed to have flaws & make mistakes, but not Joyce? Who, for the record, does NOT have full knowledge of the situation until the end of S2. I think she does indeed grow as a character and parent as she strives to understand Buffy's situation.

I totally agree with you. In my opinion, parents make more mistakes than their own children do. It's just part of a learning process. No matter how old, or how wise, or how experienced, you always learn something new. The mere fact that she was totally oblivious about Buffy's "career" until later on deserves our forgiveness for her arguing with Buffy and what not. Once she did know, it slowly dawned on her that Buffy was probably more qualified to make her own decisions than Joyce herself, know what I mean? Parents, like their children, make mistakes. I think Joyce deserves props for everything she did for Buffy, even if it was not much.

 

[VisionGirl]

I think Joyce deserves props for everything she did for Buffy, even if it was not much.

Or too much.

ITA with everything.

 

[msfantastico87]

I kinda wish I had a parental figure like Joyce. She was just always gentle and kind.

 

[zobothehobo]

So, the other characters are allowed to have flaws & make mistakes, but not Joyce? Who, for the record, does NOT have full knowledge of the situation until the end of S2. I think she does indeed grow as a character and parent as she strives to understand Buffy's situation.

I get that Joyce is not the worst person in the world... and I don't have a lot of evidence to back up my feelings of dislike towards her... but I don't like her. There's something about her that just bothers me. It's not one thing... it's like everything. I can't describe it. I just don't like her.

 

[caitaintdead]

I get that Joyce is not the worst person in the world... and I don't have a lot of evidence to back up my feelings of dislike towards her... but I don't like her. There's something about her that just bothers me. It's not one thing... it's like everything. I can't describe it. I just don't like her.

...You may want to address that then! Seems a bit odd that you passionately hate a character of a TV show for no apparent reason...

 

[zobothehobo]

...You may want to address that then! Seems a bit odd that you passionately hate a character of a TV show for no apparent reason...

hhaha I don't passionately hate her. I just don't like her character. There's something about it that always bothered me. She just irritates me. and it's not no apparent reason.. it's just that the reason is I just don't like her... You know when you meet someone and you don't really have anything against them, you just don't like them? that's what I feel with Joyce. She bothers me, just because she does.

 

[Anya2012]

This thread should be renamed THE ANTI-JOYCE thread considering the Joyce bashing that's going on here.

 

[Taake]

I cared a great deal for Joyce's character - was she a perfect mother? No. Did I like everything she did and said? Definitely not.
But she was a sweet and loving woman trying to do what was best for herself and for her daughter. Being a single parent is tough and I think she was managing it just fine

(since we see things from Buffy's perspective it's hard to know just how wounded Joyce was from the divorce. That couldn't have been easy for her, especially not with a 'troubled' teenager on her hands (once troubled changed into 'Slayer' I don't think it became easier) not to mention an ex-husband who pretty much just seemed to vanish completely. The pain and failure she must have felt when Hank disappoints Buffy shouldn't be underestimated.)

 

[VisionGirl]

And hey, when you compare her to the other mothers/parents in the Buffyverse, Joyce is a f'ing saint! Faith's mother is an alcoholic, Willow's mother hardly knows her ("Willow, you cut off your hair. Huh, that's a new look." "Yeah, it's just a sudden whim I had — in August."), Xander has to remind his mother who he is, Tara's family is abusive, Amy's mother is plain crazy/evil, Spike's mother hated him (OK, so she was a vampire).... Shall I go on? 😉

She's an involved, loving mother who is attempting to understand and guide her daughter, as well as protect her from harm. She makes mistakes, a lot, but also evolves. Well, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

 

[Marisa]

And hey, when you compare her to the other mothers/parents in the Buffyverse, Joyce is a f'ing saint! Faith's mother is an alcoholic, Willow's mother hardly knows her ("Willow, you cut off your hair. Huh, that's a new look." "Yeah, it's just a sudden whim I had "” in August."), Xander has to remind his mother who he is, Tara's family is abusive, Amy's mother is plain crazy/evil, Spike's mother hated him (OK, so she was a vampire).... Shall I go on? 😉

She's an involved, loving mother who is attempting to understand and guide her daughter, as well as protect her from harm. She makes mistakes, a lot, but also evolves. Well, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

I totally agree LOL when reading that it is kind of sad how bad the rest of the parents are in the buffyverse.

Joyce was so loving and she loved Willow and Xander just the same she always welcomed them into her home she was just so sweet. She even helped out poor loveless Spike and gave him some marsh mellows how could you not love Joyce? 😉

 

[PrincessBuffy16]

I'm really not big fan of Joyce, and yes, in my eyes she made some bad decissions, but she was a caring mother. Sometimes, she overreacted, but with time she would calm down and accept things like they are. She was a good mother, but I rarely think about her.

 

[zobothehobo]

And hey, when you compare her to the other mothers/parents in the Buffyverse, Joyce is a f'ing saint! Faith's mother is an alcoholic, Willow's mother hardly knows her ("Willow, you cut off your hair. Huh, that's a new look." "Yeah, it's just a sudden whim I had "” in August."), Xander has to remind his mother who he is, Tara's family is abusive, Amy's mother is plain crazy/evil, Spike's mother hated him (OK, so she was a vampire).... Shall I go on? 😉

She's an involved, loving mother who is attempting to understand and guide her daughter, as well as protect her from harm. She makes mistakes, a lot, but also evolves. Well, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

I feel the need to point out Spike's mother was a fantastic mother before he sired her.

 

[VisionGirl]

OK, I am not changing my mind about Joyce, but I just have to tell you guys that I got extremely pissed at her character when I watched The Prom the other day. Of course, she, Wesley and Angel were all deciding Buffy's future for her, while she kicked some major hellhound ass by herself. Jerks!