Retroactive Effects

[sosa lola]

This was originally posted by Enisy in another Buffy forum 🙂

Does Season 8 affect the way you view previous Buffy and Angel seasons, and if so, are those effects positive or negative?


Positive Effects:

- I like how Tara's death is acknowledged as Willow's punishment for bringing Buffy back. "Magic has consequences." And Willow lost her girlfriend because she brought Buffy back.

- I'm so glad that Buffy isn't dating someone called the Immortal, first of all, the Immortal is so cheesy as a name and character, and second of all, there's no way Buffy would go partying and leave the mess she'd caused to her friends to take care of.

- The Buffy/Xander strong friendship started from S7 and kept going in S8. I love that.

- I like how Buffy's choice to turn the potentials into slayers backfired and now Buffy has to deal with it.

- I love Willow mentioning that she and Tara were like Dawn's parents, because they really were in S6.

- The fact that Willow and Xander were the ones taking care of Dawn in S7 while Buffy was too busy with her responsibilities is played out in S8 as well, but at least it won't be ignored in this season like it was in S7.

- I'm glad Buffy finally went through a healthy sexual experience in which she parted with Satsu on good terms, first time Buffy's relationship with someone ends with understanding and smiles.

- I can watch Buffy vs Dracula and listen to Xander's butt-monkey speech with a smile, knowing that he'll stand up to Dracula and shuts him up eventually.


Negative Effects:

- I can't enjoy Warren's death like I used to.

- I was happy with the send off of Riley's character, and I'm scared that they'll ruin him for me. I love Riley.

 

[Blondie Bear]

Actually, in my brain, these things are completely separate. Maybe it's because I'm not a hardcore reader of comic books, but it's just not the same as watching the TV show. I don't see as much depth here, and it feels more like reading fanfiction, or maybe a novelization, not an actual episode. When I really stop to think about it, I realize that I don't see S8 as a continuation so much as a completely separate thing that happens to use characters of the same names who do sort of the same things that the characters in the series would do.

I hope at least some of that made sense. 😛

 

[NightBird]

I agree with Blondie B on this one.

I am a hardcore comic reader and have been for the past 6 years an some issues feel or rather don't 'feel' like Buffy and thats the main problem.

The earlier issues (roughly 1-10) felt like the Btvs but the latest haven't and I hope i've missed something and that whole thing with Harmony is a nightmare.

 

[Pulse]

The main thing for me would just be was it makes me view Buffy's reaction to Willow coming out to be waaayy more extremely complicated that I initially thought it was. I mean before she went out with Satsu I LOVED Buffy's reaction, I thought it was played out so truthfully, realistically, and in the end, it turned out to be kinda touching, but now add in the fact that about 4 years later she sleeps with a girl, it kinda adds this different dimension.

Actually, Buffy's sleeping with a girl combined with her reaction to Willow's coming out make me feel like buffy could potentially be bisexual, because she was so... anti.... it at first, that maybe there could've been a little bit of denial. That or Willow desensitized her to the notion, and that she in general became more open minded, I'm open to either suggestion. I dunno, sometimes I think Buffy is WAY too straight to even be bisexual, but who knows

 

[Warlock Angel]

First off before I get into the list. I just want to point out that I don't think Buffy's plan backfired on her. Some people, not you, seem to gain glee out of pointing out that Buffy messed up by sharing her powers. Maybe because they hated the potentials. I liked Buffy's plan but it wasn't without it's risk. Out of 1500 to 2000 slayers, 500 plus are with Buffy. There are a few who are running around doing crimes. Others have not been found. I think Buffy is doing good considering the numbers. The powers that be picked Faith and look how she turned out in S3. I think it makes it interesting to know that these women have free will. Just because you have slayer powers does not make you virtuous. That says a lot about Buffy's character. Sorry for the rant. Now to your topic.

Positive:
1) Love the potential story from Season 7 a lot more.
2) I love Faith even more. (Actually I've been watching my old DVDs and Faith is fast becoming my second favorite character of the entire series).

Negative:
1) Dawn appears to be an even more wasted opportunity. What happened to showing her sister the world and taking care of her. Buffy and Dawn seem to be back to S5 form.
2) Spike and Anya's deaths seem to be almost worthless.
3) Giles and Buffy's reconciliation after Empty Places makes even less sense.
4) I hated Riley as a character but loved his exit in Into the Woods. He became neutral to me in As You Were. I also liked his exit there. But now I think they could ruin the character even more. I have a wait and see approach with what's going on now in the comics.
5)The thing that irks me the most though is seeing Warren. It kills Willow's entire redemption story from S6 & S7. It's also a huge continuity error being that the First took his form in the season 7 opener. Things like that keep me from really believing that the comics are canon.

Wow, didn't think I would have that many more negatives than positives since I actually like the comics.

 

[AndrewCrossett]

I agree with all of this except that I don't think there was a causal relationship between Buffy's resurrection and Tara's death. I mean, obviously if Buffy hadn't been alive Warren wouldn't have come gunning for her and shot Tara by mistake... but there's any number of other factors in play there too. Obviously Willow blames herself, but that's misplaced guilt IMO. Hopefully she'll work her way through it.

I also don't think "backfired" is the right word to use for the activation of the Potentials. There are complications, but when are there not? If she hadn't done it the First would have conquered the world, and that would have been a much bigger backfire right there. Buffy knows there are problems and she has to deal with them... the question is, will her dealing make them better or worse?

I'm very eager to see issue #23 and see whether the big confrontation ends with Buffy fighting Simone, or endorsing her methods.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Actually, in my brain, these things are completely separate. Maybe it's because I'm not a hardcore reader of comic books, but it's just not the same as watching the TV show. I don't see as much depth here, and it feels more like reading fanfiction, or maybe a novelization, not an actual episode. When I really stop to think about it, I realize that I don't see S8 as a continuation so much as a completely separate thing that happens to use characters of the same names who do sort of the same things that the characters in the series would do.

I hope at least some of that made sense. 😛

I too agree with the Bear; I think when the comics started (or more to the point when I started to read them) they did feel more like Buffy, but the further along, the further off track it went.. keep in mind I am already overlooking a giant Dawn to begin with.

It seems like characters regressed just to tell different stories, and scenes and plots were added simply because they could be, not because they should be.

Joss spoke in the past about being able now to 'make' a Buffy episode unencumbered by financial restraints and go to many different locations and have wonderful effects. If those financial restraints were what separated Buffy the Vampire Slayer from Buffy the Comic, I am glad for them. Because they are wholly two different 'shows'

I try not to think about the comic, and I have trouble considering it canon. It is, as Bear alluded, more fanfic for me. I think the entire thing is 'what would the fans like to see' rather than, what would another season be.