The Return of Riley

white avenger

white avenger

white avenger
Joined
Sep 30, 2006
Messages
16,036
Age
78
Location
rome, georgia
I was just reading an old article about the Billy Bob Thornton version of "the Alamo" (a passion of mine since long before Buffy was a figment in Joss' mind), and there was an interview with Marc Blucus there (he played James Butler Bonham in the movie). He said that the reason that he wasn't in the finale of "Buffy" was because of his commitment to the movie and being on the set in Texas.

Did anyone else have any idea that there had been plans to have Riley in the final few episodes? That's the first I'd heard of it.
 
Actually, that might have worked really well as a storyline. Much better than Giles returning and not touching anything which is just plain weird. Riley could've returned (later in the season) and for an episode or two seem to be on the Scoobie's side. After which it could've turned been revealed that he had passed away on a mission recently and the First was using his image to get in on all of Buffy's plans.
 
i'm with the guys...the only way i could have handled a Riley returnb would have been as The First. seriously, how cool would it have been if it was revealed that he was The First, and that Riley was actaully dead? lol, just me then?

i was actually hoping that Angel was The First when he returned at the end of 'End of Days' but then Buffy went and kissed him, so my plan blew up...yes, i'm slightly bitter about that, lol.
 
Allycat said:
Actually, that might have worked really well as a storyline. Much better than Giles returning and not touching anything which is just plain weird. Riley could've returned (later in the season) and for an episode or two seem to be on the Scoobie's side. After which it could've turned been revealed that he had passed away on a mission recently and the First was using his image to get in on all of Buffy's plans.
Click to expand...


Oh, that gives me goosebumps! 🙂

It would've been interesting to have Riley return. I think as a regular character it wouldn't have worked out. He has already closed his story by visiting in season six, I felt.

But it were to have been in the form of the First masquerading for info, that would've been neat.
 
Lyri said:
i'm with the guys...the only way i could have handled a Riley returnb would have been as The First. seriously, how cool would it have been if it was revealed that he was The First, and that Riley was actaully dead? lol, just me then?
Click to expand...

No, not just you. I think that would have been awesome. Never did care for the character of Riley Finn though. He was trite and boring, not to mention ethnocentric and a bit presumptuous. Hence why Buffy didn't like him too much (or, perhaps it was because he wasn't the dark and broody type)? Not so much with the drama.

Honestly I was relieved she broke up with that douchebag. Although, I really didn't like Spike at first either, but he really grew on me by the third season (and he only had what, one episode)?

EDIT: actually, I think it was by the fourth that I ultimately realized 'hey, Spike's the shit'. Still, that little speech about Buffy and Angel and how he's love's bitch but admits it really won me over. I almost made my username "Love's Bitch".
 
To me, the worst thing about Riley was the way he was constantly picking on Spike, even though he knew that he was unable to defend himself. It was almost as though he was compensating for being nowhere like in Buffy's class as a fighter, so he had to pretend he was by kicking around the one vampire who couldn't defend himself. I would have loved to see him come back after Spike's chip was removed just to see the expression on his face when he tried to do it again and wound up getting his ass kicked.
 
Couldn't agree more. What was the episode in the fifth season where Riley tried to threaten Spike and Spike still got in Riley's face and said "I would love to see you try", even though he had the chip and wouldn't have been able to defend himself? That was awesome.
 
Think that was Buffy vs. Dracula... and yeah, that was pretty cool... possibly very stupid too, but it's Spike afterall haha
 
For all of those who wish Riley came back as The First, I read a Buffy book called Broken Sunset (I think) where Dark Willow stayed dark and turned a dead Riley into a golem to use as her minion. It was cool. I didn't care much for Riley.
 
actually, that was a Trilogy of books, called 'the Wicked Willow Trilogy' funnily enough. they are available in an omnibus edition now, but they were orignally released as three seperate novels titled 'The Darkening' 'Shattered Twilight' and 'Broken Sunrise'. i really like this trilogy. it's interesting to see what might have happened.
 
I can't see Riley coming back as the First because if he was all chummy with Buffy the second time round, Buffy would want to give him at least a hug or something along those lines 🙂
 
jesterjay said:
I can't see Riley coming back as the First because if he was all chummy with Buffy the second time round, Buffy would want to give him at least a hug or something along those lines 🙂
Click to expand...

I know what you mean.
Sometimes I wish Buffy was a TV show that had talented writers that could find a way around an issue like that which comes across as plausible...oh, wait!!

Edit:

jestergay said:
jesterjay disagrees: ha ha ha --- very funny...but i'm serious. you find me a plausible reason for it and I will be forever in your debt.
Click to expand...
If I remember correctly, all you need to do is watch season 7. There is one character in that season thta is pretty close to the main scoobies and not one of them had contact with him to the point of suspecting him of being The First. Yes, Giles.
If the WRITERS can plausibly make the scoobies and the viewers think that the guy who was almost a father to Buffy, the 'saviour' of Willow, the business partner of Anya and again father type to Dawn go for a few episodes without any kind of physical contact, thus making us think that he could be the First.
Those pesky writers doing things like that.
 
jesterjay
jesterjay
ha ha ha --- very funny...but i'm serious. you find me a plausible reason for it and I will be forever in your debt.
Right, they couldn't remember if they'd touched him for sure for sure...but because Giles is a character that didn't need the type of reunion that a character like Riley needs it's bigger than all that. I think you'd have to show Riley at the very least shaking Xander's hand. We'd need some sort of introduction, unlike the way Giles is presented into Season 7. Bringing Riley back into the show takes a lot more co-ersing on the part of the viewers.

Seriously, the biggest fight ever is going down...why isn't he helping Buffy patrol? He's a pretty damn physical guy, n'est pas? I can get over the idea of Giles not being physical with these people, but for Riley to be in a few episodes and not hit something...you're going to have to really stretch my imagination.
 
jesterjay said:
Right, they couldn't remember if they'd touched him for sure for sure...but because Giles is a character that didn't need the type of reunion that a character like Riley needs it's bigger than all that. I think you'd have to show Riley at the very least shaking Xander's hand. We'd need some sort of introduction, unlike the way Giles is presented into Season 7. Bringing Riley back into the show takes a lot more co-ersing on the part of the viewers.

Seriously, the biggest fight ever is going down...why isn't he helping Buffy patrol? He's a pretty damn physical guy, n'est pas? I can get over the idea of Giles not being physical with these people, but for Riley to be in a few episodes and not hit something...you're going to have to really stretch my imagination.
Click to expand...

So you can 'get over' the fact none of the scoobies, most of whom had a 6 year father/mentor relationship with Giles, not even shaking hands but the idea that the guy who dated Buffy for under a year and only really made friends with Xander, slightly, in season 5 would need hugs, handshakes and general touching.
Riiiight.
You really need to get a clue.
The writers on Buffy, i'm 100% sure, could make a plausible reason for Riley being the First.
No one here is even suggesting it be a season long, just it would be cool.
 
I'm not discounting the writers...i'm just saying Riley not touching anyone would be a dead giveaway. And yes I am saying that you can disregard the 6 year father thing...from season 6 and 7 he was a regular hi i'm here, hi i'm gone, hi i'm here...so yeah you can discount the whole touchy thing.

But with a Character like Riley who is a physical character. Who (going back to almost every episode he's in) is getting rough with most people/demons. Not having him IN the fights would definitely be sketchy at best.

And what is this "get a clue" nonsense? I'm not being snooty or anything here, I'm just stating that it would be a cold day in hell if Riley didn't want to help fight the fight and get into it.
 
jesterjay said:
I'm not discounting the writers...i'm just saying Riley not touching anyone would be a dead giveaway. And yes I am saying that you can disregard the 6 year father thing...from season 6 and 7 he was a regular hi i'm here, hi i'm gone, hi i'm here...so yeah you can discount the whole touchy thing.

But with a Character like Riley who is a physical character. Who (going back to almost every episode he's in) is getting rough with most people/demons. Not having him IN the fights would definitely be sketchy at best.

And what is this "get a clue" nonsense? I'm not being snooty or anything here, I'm just stating that it would be a cold day in hell if Riley didn't want to help fight the fight and get into it.
Click to expand...

OK, I get you. You don't see that its plausible for Riley to go numerous episodes without 'touching' and interacting with objects.
Riiight. Well the only person to come even close to suggest that was Allycat and he only said an episode(maybe 2).
The idea that he could go more than one whole episode like this, is quite silly, but its not beyond the realms of teh writers to have a Gilesesque thing where he has no contact for an episode with a big reveal at the end as The First.
 
I agree, it would have to be one episode, but even one episode would be pretty hard, dontcha think? I mean Season 6 he only came back to do a great deal of killing. So for him to return to Sunnydale without his wife by his side, and not going hand to hand with something would just be...well I don't know definitely sketchy, so I guess it would be reall hard to fathom The First coming back as Riley at all...unless it was just to mind mess Buffy...which in that case would be absolutely great! Wouldn't it?
 
white avenger said:
To me, the worst thing about Riley was the way he was constantly picking on Spike, even though he knew that he was unable to defend himself. It was almost as though he was compensating for being nowhere like in Buffy's class as a fighter, so he had to pretend he was by kicking around the one vampire who couldn't defend himself. I would have loved to see him come back after Spike's chip was removed just to see the expression on his face when he tried to do it again and wound up getting his ass kicked.
Click to expand...

I actually liked the character Riley and I felt sorry when he left I would have enjoyed him coming back esp as the first I however felt that Buffy & the whole Scoobie gang picked on Spike because he couldn't defend himself But I felt Buffy and Xander were the rudest and meanest to him
 
Some times I like him, most times I don't. I think I would have been sick if I had to see him in season 7 which is pretty much my favorite season. I wouldn't want him there to ruin it. But hey Riley being dead isn't a bad idea.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom