Never liked Tara
- Thread starter Wilkins
- Start date
lol :lmao: Yea!! I liked her for maybe a few moments, somewhere during the whole show!! lol Rest, not so much, but her death was sad, as most are.
Randy Giles
Two sides to every soul.
Amber Benson is fine, but I've never been that fond of Tara. I don't hate her but I don't really care much for her either. I don't really understand all the passion for her. *shrug*
G
GATEGOD
I don't either
Lou
Scooby
I always liked Tara. I think the shy awkwardness was GENIUS with the other characters. Willow used to be more shy and awkward, but she grew out of it. Xander is just a goof. Buffy's always "Miss Power Gonna Whoop Butt". Oz was more quiet, but not shy or awkward. And once you throw Anya and her demeanor in there...and Riley and his stiff Army Man ways...I think she had to be kind of the shy quiet cliff note at the bottom. And she doesn't LOOK like she fits in either. Which I also liked.
The fact that she seemed to so OBVIOUSLY not fit in was what got me. Two episodes and I was hooked. Everyone has felt that way at one point or another. Meeting new people, first day at a new job. Like there is a NEON SIGN over your head saying, "OUTCAST HERE". And I think they purposefully had her looking AND acting so awkward for so long so that we'd feel that.
And to have her ever so slowly be more and more comfortable to the point where she's like Miss Everything Together when she's talking to Buffy about sleeping with Spike.
I just think it's genius.
The fact that she seemed to so OBVIOUSLY not fit in was what got me. Two episodes and I was hooked. Everyone has felt that way at one point or another. Meeting new people, first day at a new job. Like there is a NEON SIGN over your head saying, "OUTCAST HERE". And I think they purposefully had her looking AND acting so awkward for so long so that we'd feel that.
And to have her ever so slowly be more and more comfortable to the point where she's like Miss Everything Together when she's talking to Buffy about sleeping with Spike.
I just think it's genius.
Gabrielle
Townie
Well, I would like to join the Tara Anti FanClub. I don't like her at all. The only episode where I didn't find her annoying was Once More With Feeling. Apart from that, I could really miss out her from the whole bunch of events happening around Buffy and Co. The only meaning of her being part of Buffyverse (at least for me) was the end of season six, when she died. The reason: her death unleashed the powers lying in Willow, and thanx to this event, season six could have such a great ending with the whole Xander - Willow dialogue in the very end of the last episode in that season.
But the question is: why I hate Tara? Because OK, she annoyed me, but this is just one side of my problem with her. The other is (simply, in one word): Willow. I really loved the pre - Tara Willow, who was just a nice and a bit shy high-school girl. I loved that reliable girl and friend who had such a cool boyfriend as Oz. She was just so different before meeting Tara, and I couldn't get to love the post - Tara Willow as much. Then the Willow - Oz couple was my second favourite couple in the Buffyverse. Then Tara came, and even if Oz had returned, he was shown the door by Willow. (OK, there were tears and hugs while the two of them separated for ever, but still... I missed Oz. I liked him even more than Tara.)
But the question is: why I hate Tara? Because OK, she annoyed me, but this is just one side of my problem with her. The other is (simply, in one word): Willow. I really loved the pre - Tara Willow, who was just a nice and a bit shy high-school girl. I loved that reliable girl and friend who had such a cool boyfriend as Oz. She was just so different before meeting Tara, and I couldn't get to love the post - Tara Willow as much. Then the Willow - Oz couple was my second favourite couple in the Buffyverse. Then Tara came, and even if Oz had returned, he was shown the door by Willow. (OK, there were tears and hugs while the two of them separated for ever, but still... I missed Oz. I liked him even more than Tara.)
I'm with you all the way! Oz/Willow was one of my Favorite Buffyverse couples, after seeing Willow/Oz, then Tara/Willow it's clear Oz/Willow were better! Well to me anyway. I thought she was annoying too!! But everyone else says that's her character the shy stuttering girl. I get that, It still doesn't mean I liked it! I didn't know there was a club though 😛
Kimz
Into every generation...
i liked tara, i think the point of tara was to show she was shy etc...so i think she was portrayed really well...
and as for amber, i think shes fab! and seems like such a lovely girl, ive heard only good things about her...i think buffy meant a lot to her and her character of tara, im sure she would of guest starred as the first, but i think it conflicted with something else. which is fair enough.
x
and as for amber, i think shes fab! and seems like such a lovely girl, ive heard only good things about her...i think buffy meant a lot to her and her character of tara, im sure she would of guest starred as the first, but i think it conflicted with something else. which is fair enough.
x
Elithustra
Be with the one you love
I always thought that Amber Benson deliberatly played Tara the way she did. At first I recall thinking 'How meek, mild and what can come of this?' and lookit what happened!
I guess it was just to portray how someone's life can change, how indeed their very personality can blossom, when they find true love.
I guess it was just to portray how someone's life can change, how indeed their very personality can blossom, when they find true love.
Just watched season four again and when she first came on I cringed. The actor is the worst "“ her scenes are so stilted and corny and awful. I also hate the character "“ a total doormat. Especially when she said something like "˜I'm Yours' to Willow "“ ugh, it's such an unequal relationship. And I know we're all meant to empathise and feel sorry for her b/c she has no confidence and feels left out but she's just dull as dishwater and the actress' portrayal is so dire I feel nothing but hatred whenever she's on my screen. Frankly amazes me that people even vaguely like her, let alone love her. Of course I also dislike Willow (espec post high school Willow) and love Oz so that could factor in"¦
Joyce Summers
Mom of a Chocoholic
See, I think you're all mistaking Tara's character for bad acting. The scenes are meant to be stilted and awkward because Tara is. After all, Joss wanted Tara to be even more shy and bird-like than Amber was. He wanted someone very thin and wispy to play the part. So Amber was putting that across through her acting skills.
I immediately loved Tara. She was a sweetie and really, the only flawless one in the entire scooby gang. She was never selfish, she always tried to see the best in people, she was never corrupted by magic, she constantly tried to help others and strived to help Dawn not feel excluded in season 5. And she really helped Willow come out of her shell. With her being even more shy than Will, Willow was able to blossom into a very confident individual and you see the same happens to Tara; they bring out the best in one another.
I mean by season 5 Tara has become a lot more confident in the group dynamic after the events of family. I love her line in 'I was made to love you' where she finishes a sentence about the robot with 'stamped on her ass!' and when everyone looks at her with 'you're Tara you don't say things like that' expressions she excuses herself with 'just trying a little bit o spicy talk'.
Tara always made me smile. And as much as I love Willow/Oz that was a nice relatioship for the high school scene, but Tara/Willow wins hands down for me. I mean I'll admit at first I was reluctant to the whole 'Willow is gay' thing, but then it seemed more natural for the character when I realized that it wasn't she was attracted to women but that she was in love with one woman. She had found her soul mate and it just happened to be a woman, happened to be Tara.
But fine, I accept that some people will not like her character. I mean that's the way it goes; we all like different characters more. However, what I don't accept is saying that Amber is a terrible actress! Where is the evidence for that?? She played Tara exactly how she was meant to be played. I mean Amber is not that shy or willowy in real life. The awkwardness of Tara is not a failure on her acting, it is a success because that was the type of mood and atmosphere she was supposed to create as regards to the characters.
And Calicott- the 'I'm Yours' line I thought was beautiful. It showed no matter what Willow did Tara had an unconditional love for her and that is something very special. A kind of certainty that comes but once in a lifetime.
I immediately loved Tara. She was a sweetie and really, the only flawless one in the entire scooby gang. She was never selfish, she always tried to see the best in people, she was never corrupted by magic, she constantly tried to help others and strived to help Dawn not feel excluded in season 5. And she really helped Willow come out of her shell. With her being even more shy than Will, Willow was able to blossom into a very confident individual and you see the same happens to Tara; they bring out the best in one another.
I mean by season 5 Tara has become a lot more confident in the group dynamic after the events of family. I love her line in 'I was made to love you' where she finishes a sentence about the robot with 'stamped on her ass!' and when everyone looks at her with 'you're Tara you don't say things like that' expressions she excuses herself with 'just trying a little bit o spicy talk'.
Tara always made me smile. And as much as I love Willow/Oz that was a nice relatioship for the high school scene, but Tara/Willow wins hands down for me. I mean I'll admit at first I was reluctant to the whole 'Willow is gay' thing, but then it seemed more natural for the character when I realized that it wasn't she was attracted to women but that she was in love with one woman. She had found her soul mate and it just happened to be a woman, happened to be Tara.
But fine, I accept that some people will not like her character. I mean that's the way it goes; we all like different characters more. However, what I don't accept is saying that Amber is a terrible actress! Where is the evidence for that?? She played Tara exactly how she was meant to be played. I mean Amber is not that shy or willowy in real life. The awkwardness of Tara is not a failure on her acting, it is a success because that was the type of mood and atmosphere she was supposed to create as regards to the characters.
And Calicott- the 'I'm Yours' line I thought was beautiful. It showed no matter what Willow did Tara had an unconditional love for her and that is something very special. A kind of certainty that comes but once in a lifetime.
WatcherByBirthright
Darla's Puppy
I love Tara! There's something so sweet and endearing about her, particularly in the way Amber Benson portrayed her. Though she became Willow's girlfriend, Tara still felt shy and awkward with Willow's friends - and only gradually got accepted into the group. I always think it's a shame there was never more explorations of Tara and her background beyond 'Family' (which is a great stand-out episode in season five). She was also very much of a contrast to Willow, more into the traditional Wicca spell-making though still a powerful witch in her own right. I think her death is one of the true creative missfires in the entire production history of the on-screen Buffyverse. I will always believe there was so much more that could have been done with that character, then just ultimately regulating her to a plot device.
Had to revive this thread because I never really liked Tara either. I was starting to think I was the only one, because so many of you love her. Well I don't hate her, and I certainly don't think that Amber Benson is a bad actress. I just never really got into her character. I always just thought she was okay, and I wasn't upset at the end of Seeing Red.
I disagree with some others who didn't like Tara, though. As much as I love Oz, I do think Tara was the one for Willow. It's evident that Willow was completely in love with Tara. Both Tara and Oz left her at some point--Tara because of magic and Oz because of Xander. When Oz left, she game him the space and time he needed; when Tara left, she was lost, she didn't know what to do without her, and she worked hard to get her back. And let's face it, if Oz had been killed, Willow wouldn't have turned evil and threatened to destroy the world.
I disagree with some others who didn't like Tara, though. As much as I love Oz, I do think Tara was the one for Willow. It's evident that Willow was completely in love with Tara. Both Tara and Oz left her at some point--Tara because of magic and Oz because of Xander. When Oz left, she game him the space and time he needed; when Tara left, she was lost, she didn't know what to do without her, and she worked hard to get her back. And let's face it, if Oz had been killed, Willow wouldn't have turned evil and threatened to destroy the world.
Washburne
Ok, I love Tara so why do I agree? The last part is great. Not everyone is so openminded. Great to see.
LorneyTunes
I've been forking!
what what
Tara' s great and i think Amber Benson made the the right choice not to guess star, imagine how horrible the first would have been as Tara so very wrong, it would be like Angel coming back to taunt Buffy x
Tara' s great and i think Amber Benson made the the right choice not to guess star, imagine how horrible the first would have been as Tara so very wrong, it would be like Angel coming back to taunt Buffy x
Buffanator
got Spike?
Throwing in my *Ick Tara* factor.
I didn't hate Tara - and I thought AB did a wonderful job portraying her. Tara WAS meek, mild, even mousy. But when she was around Willow, she was different. Remember how she defended Willow in Older & Far Away? And I liked the way she & Willow *joined forces* in Hush... and a few other times they did magic together. But I never bought the whole Tillow relationship of "great love". I saw more love in Willow & Oz. But that's not the point.
The point is that Willow NEVER showed any signs of being gay (except for Vamp Willow) until Season 4 when Tara came onto the show. I don't mind her being gay, but it just seemed way too contrived for me. I mean, the first two seasons, she was mad-crushing on Xander, and then of course, Oz. And suddenly in S-4.... *gay now*. 🙄 Way too forced. I thought it would have been better if Willow AT LEAST had a crush on a girl.... Amy, maybe? Then it would have made more sense.
AB was wonderful in OMWF. Other than that, she was simply a catapult character (her death led to Dark Willow... and I LOVE ME some Dark Willow!!) The only other time I even liked Tara at all was when Buffy confided in her about Spike. Think about it...she didn't confide in Willow or Xander who are supposedly her very best friends in all the world... and not her sister, of course... she confided in Tara. An "outsider" who wasn't as likely to judge her, & if she DID turn away from Buffy then it certainly wouldn't have hurt Buffy as much.
But I digress. Tara's character was never that important. Notice she NEVER got billing in the opening credits? It was always after the main theme song, "and Amber Benson as Tara".
Just my .02
I didn't hate Tara - and I thought AB did a wonderful job portraying her. Tara WAS meek, mild, even mousy. But when she was around Willow, she was different. Remember how she defended Willow in Older & Far Away? And I liked the way she & Willow *joined forces* in Hush... and a few other times they did magic together. But I never bought the whole Tillow relationship of "great love". I saw more love in Willow & Oz. But that's not the point.
The point is that Willow NEVER showed any signs of being gay (except for Vamp Willow) until Season 4 when Tara came onto the show. I don't mind her being gay, but it just seemed way too contrived for me. I mean, the first two seasons, she was mad-crushing on Xander, and then of course, Oz. And suddenly in S-4.... *gay now*. 🙄 Way too forced. I thought it would have been better if Willow AT LEAST had a crush on a girl.... Amy, maybe? Then it would have made more sense.
AB was wonderful in OMWF. Other than that, she was simply a catapult character (her death led to Dark Willow... and I LOVE ME some Dark Willow!!) The only other time I even liked Tara at all was when Buffy confided in her about Spike. Think about it...she didn't confide in Willow or Xander who are supposedly her very best friends in all the world... and not her sister, of course... she confided in Tara. An "outsider" who wasn't as likely to judge her, & if she DID turn away from Buffy then it certainly wouldn't have hurt Buffy as much.
But I digress. Tara's character was never that important. Notice she NEVER got billing in the opening credits? It was always after the main theme song, "and Amber Benson as Tara".
Just my .02
Washburne
Protector of the key.
Never? 😉 But yeah, it had it´s reason.
Now somebody must remind me. I have a lousy memory and nowdays I always skip the opening credits. Did ever Oz, Cordelia or Anya appear in the opening credits?
