Most useful to the Scooby gang: Andrew vs Xander
- Thread starter Joshua
- Start date
How is this even a question?
Andrew did literally nothing. He's done nothing for the team except go behind peoples backs and turn people into robots without their knowledge or consent. He's a waste of space and I honestly can't understand how he's still around and being trusted by these people after what he did to Buffy.
Andrew did literally nothing. He's done nothing for the team except go behind peoples backs and turn people into robots without their knowledge or consent. He's a waste of space and I honestly can't understand how he's still around and being trusted by these people after what he did to Buffy.
thetopher
Member of the Church Of Faith
Well on the one hand we have Xander, who's saved the world single handedly at least twice, been instrumental in helping to save it a few more times, and saved Buffy's life on top of that.
On the othe re have Andrew and I'm still trying to figure out...just WHY?
On the othe re have Andrew and I'm still trying to figure out...just WHY?
The Bronze
Rogue Demon Hunter
It's Xander. No contest at all. There wouldn't even still be a Scooby Gang without Xander's brilliance over the years. Andrew generally just tries to make amends for his latest cock up.
Fuffy Baith
2017 (and 2016) Cutest BB member
But Andrew helps build morale! And gets the food for the apocalypse. Ok seriously though, it's Xander. He may not have super powers but he saved the world with words.
Well, for starters it's not really a fair fight - though it's not a question to me that it's Xander - because Xander had seven years of "field work clocked" so to speak while Andrew hung about the Scooby gang for about half a season...
The Bronze
Rogue Demon Hunter
I think we've got to remember to give Andrew a bit of credit along with the avalanche of criticism. He did take up arms and risk his life in Chosen so he deserves respect for that. He's amusing at times as well. Still not a patch on Xander in the usefulness stakes though.
white avenger
white avenger
Though I do agree with the general consensus that Xander is more useful than Andrew, who I see as the Jar Jar Binks of Season 7, it is only fair to point out a few things in his favor. He was the one who thought of raiding both the grocery store for food when it was needed, and the hospital for medical supplies. Both actions made perfect sense and seemed quite obvious after the fact, but no one else apparently thought of them beforehand, not even "heart and soul of the team" Xander. Also, the little slug actually was a morale booster, and he apparently made a good funnel cake. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he had been the one who handled all of the domestic duties around Fort Summers while everyone else trained, patrolled, and plotted to kill Spike. There is something to be said for sweeping floors and taking out the trash.
Also, and this is just my personal opinion, I suspect that, if he had been there at the time, Andrew would have taken Buffy's side during the mutiny, though I doubt that he would have punched Faith for starting the whole thing in the first place. It was pretty obvious to me that he was totally in awe of "Mama Slayer" throughout his entire "guest-age" time there.
Also, and this is just my personal opinion, I suspect that, if he had been there at the time, Andrew would have taken Buffy's side during the mutiny, though I doubt that he would have punched Faith for starting the whole thing in the first place. It was pretty obvious to me that he was totally in awe of "Mama Slayer" throughout his entire "guest-age" time there.
Riderofapocalypse
Potential
TheRealBigBad
Scooby
I believe that Xander is the most useful one of the group. He was there since the very beginning and although in my opinion, he could be a little frustrating at times he did help save the world and he always provides humour with his witty comments. I love Andrew and through a majority of Season Seven I felt he kinda took the role of the humorous one and as much as he could, tried to help the others. Andrew I didn't think was a waste of space and yes, he was in the Trio although I think most of the 'big bad' stuff was really down to Warren. I felt really bad for Andrew and I think he tried his best to make it up to everyone and as mentioned previously, he did go out for medical supplies and food. He tried his best to help - yes he wasn't strong or anything but he tried his best. Although Xander was the most useful throughout everything, Andrew really came into his own.
Riderofapocalypse
Potential
Xander is more useful since he was given more screen time and stuff to do. Plus he fixed stuff. Andrew was less useful, but in my opinion, only because he was used as a 'good guy' during the last season.
We all know what Xander does, but I am a little surprised to see people basically call Andrew a waste of budget money. Story wise, he did help with house chore stuff (cooking and cleaning and such) and if I remember correctly, Andrew was needed to stop the seal of Danzalthar from doing something or other.
So yeah, Xander is obviously more useful than Andrew. Could Andrew have ben more Useful? Sure, the guy did summon flying demon monkeys, he is magically adept. However Andrew was used strictly as a comedic relief so his character didn't have a chance to really show/be useful past being 'stay at home mom'
We all know what Xander does, but I am a little surprised to see people basically call Andrew a waste of budget money. Story wise, he did help with house chore stuff (cooking and cleaning and such) and if I remember correctly, Andrew was needed to stop the seal of Danzalthar from doing something or other.
So yeah, Xander is obviously more useful than Andrew. Could Andrew have ben more Useful? Sure, the guy did summon flying demon monkeys, he is magically adept. However Andrew was used strictly as a comedic relief so his character didn't have a chance to really show/be useful past being 'stay at home mom'
Andrew also stole Buffy's body, transferred her consciousness into the body of a robot without telling her or anyone else, 'hid' her actual body in nightmare suburbia with a consciousness and mind that he created from scratch, which resulted in the 'new' Buffy rebelling and deciding that she was going to keep the body that wasn't hers and join the gang of evil Slayers, then kidnapped the real Buffy which almost resulted in both of them getting killed all because she liked being 'a superhero'. And he did all of this under the guise of 'protecting' Buffy. And instead of turfing him out, the gang and Buffy just move on like nothing happened. It's a horrible reaction and stance to have.
Andrew is dangerous. Andrew shouldn't be trusted. He definitely shouldn't be in the privileged position within the 'inner circle' that he's had since S7.
I get that he's the comic relief character, but like most of the comedic characters in this verse, he is highly flawed and has done horrible things.
And even if Andrew hadn't done what he did in S9, I still wouldn't even consider that he's worth even a fraction of what Xander is worth to this team and this verse. It's not even worth the comparison.
Riderofapocalypse
Potential
I'm not including the comics. I personally do not consider the comics to be a true continuation of the series, as it not only confused me, but one can also do many different things that one can not or would not do in a show. Regardless, even if you want to consider comic's Andrew, I still believe he is not useless as a character in what he could bring to the good guys
The comics are canon, but even if you don't include the comics, Andrew has still done horrible things. He was complicit in an attempted rape, helped cover up a murder and tried to blame it on someone else, killed his so-called best friend in an attempt to unleash a monster from hell, and tried to kill Buffy and the others numerous times. What has he actually done for Buffy and the others?
When it comes to 'usefulness' or what they've done for the gang or the world at large, a comparison to Xander - or anyone, really - is a joke.
Taake
"the comics are canon" - why do you want to hurt me? ;)
Riderofapocalypse
Potential
I don't understand why your listing off Andrew's character flaws and past misdeeds, I am merely giving my opinion/answering the question this thread was started on...and agreeing with you in that Xander was more useful than Andrew.
If you personally believe that a comparison can't even be made before whatever reason, great, give your opinion
Which is exactly what I did - I gave my opinion on why I don't think Andrew should be considered as even being slightly useful to this team. I listed his crimes as evidence of what he's capable of and why I don't think he should even be a part of the story at all.
If you don't agree, that's fine. I'm not asking you to. I'm simply pointing out why I don't think he can be compared to Xander in any capacity, and asking what, if anything at all, he's done for Buffy or anyone in the gang, either in S6 or 7 or beyond.
Skanky Vamp
Sniffin' the Slayer
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2008
- Messages
- 26,460
That actually I think would have been cool to see on-screen. I mean it looked like SMG did well enough with the Buffybot, that would be wild to watch her act as a whole different 'person' inside her own body. When she portrayed Faith she still had a basis on which to build from, this would be totally new.. and the same time she could play a robot with her real self inside.
Yeah, I actually think I would like to see that.