Week 1: 8.01-8.04 "The Long Way Home Parts 1-4"

[Buffy Summers]

Finally got through all 4 issues lol

Responding to what y'all said (good stuff, by the way!):

What was the purpose of the spell Amy put on Buffy

I think someone said this but it was a distraction. Something to keep everyone occupied so Amy could get Willow for Warren.

On my first read through, I thought Headless "My Love" guy was going to be Spike - now I can't help but notice that his coat is brown and his shirt is red but man, what a tease!! And i think that it was supposed to be a tease because otherwise why do the headless thing in the first place - they wanted us to think that it was going to be Spike.

See, I thought we were supposed to think it was Angel.

In the high school years, she was trying so hard to be the girl minus the slayer, and now in S8, she's doing the exact opposite.

I disagree. I think she's still trying to be the normal girl, but her life as usual takes precedence.

in season 8 Xander sees Buffy as his sister. Buffy on the other hand starts to develop some feelings towards him because...hey, why wouldn't she?

I disagree - I don't think Buffy has feelings for Xander. I think the dream thing is just meant to be one of those weird dream things that don't mean anything. Buffy would just never go for someone like Xander.

2) Or he's unsure about his feelings and is afraid that Buffy waking up due to his kiss would complicate things between them.

I don't think Xander would let those type of worries interfere with keeping Buffy safe.

I know there are people who are into Buffy/Willow, but I don't buy it. I guess you can interpret these scenes that way, but I think it's a stretch. I don't think there's any evidence that Willow feels that way toward Buffy. Heck, I think there's more evidence that Faith is in love with Buffy, and I'm not a Fuffy shipper!

I agree. I have never seen anything other than friendship between Buffy and Willow.


My feelings on the comics so far is that they are a little more stylized than I would have liked. It's like they're trying TOO hard to make the characters' voice from the show come through.

And okay, so here's the question I wanted to bring up: what was that thing with Buffy having Willow powers?

 

[Goby]

Hi Everyone!

I'm going to join you shortly. I'm almost done with Part 2, and should be done with Part 4 tomorrow. I don't know any spoilers, except one ship that happens.

This will be my first comic/graphic novel that I've ever read. Wish me luck!

 

[sosa lola]

Buffy would just never go for someone like Xander.

Why won't she? I get that she doesn't have feelings for Xander, you can't control how you feel, but why won't she have feelings for someone like him? By like him, I'm assuming you mean human with no superpowers.

 

[AndrewCrossett]

I think someone said this but it was a distraction. Something to keep everyone occupied so Amy could get Willow for Warren.

But then my questions are: a) since Willow had been missing for months, how did Amy know she'd suddenly show up at the castle at this particular time? And b) why did she tell Xander exactly how to break the spell?

 

[VisionGirl]

Hey everybody don't forget to start reading The Chain (issue #5). We'll start that discussion tomorrow.

---------- Post added at 09:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:11 AM ----------

But then my questions are: a) since Willow had been missing for months, how did Amy know she'd suddenly show up at the castle at this particular time? And b) why did she tell Xander exactly how to break the spell?

The 1st question doesn't bother me so much, she's a powerful witch, I'm sure she has a variety of ways of knowing what's going on. Plus they have actively been trying to reach her.
The 2nd one baffles me too. If Amy hates Buffy as much as she says she does, why does she tell Xander how to break the spell? Then again, may e she just tells Voll et al that she & Warren hate Buffy simply so she can get to Willow, who is their real intended target.

 

[EVIL UU]

[MENTION=2739]Darla[/MENTION]

I disagree - I don't think Buffy has feelings for Xander. I think the dream thing is just meant to be one of those weird dream things that don't mean anything. Buffy would just never go for someone like Xander.

Yeah, well except

Spoiler

she confesses her feelings toward Xander in "Retreat 3" and "Turbulence".

All I can say is that Buffy is not a teenager any more, are you attracted to the same guys you were attracted to in high school?

And okay, so here's the question I wanted to bring up: what was that thing with Buffy having Willow powers?

Joss explained it in one of the interviews. Basically, they are magically connected since "Primeval". I wonder if it works the other way round, can Willow use Buffy's magic? She could in "Same Time, Same Place"....

[MENTION=8509]AndrewCrossett[/MENTION]

since Willow had been missing for months, how did Amy know she'd suddenly show up at the castle at this particular time?

Willow resurrected Buffy, it's safe to assume that she will show up whenever Buffy's life is in danger.

why did she tell Xander exactly how to break the spell?

To cause additional drama and heartbreaks. Or because Buffy's Slayers were ready to, you know, eviscerate her?

Anyway, is it just me or is Willow dressed like Tara in those first 4 issues?

 

[VisionGirl]

And okay, so here's the question I wanted to bring up: what was that thing with Buffy having Willow powers?

well, it's been done before (Primeval), so my thinking is that the more-powerful Willow doesn't need a specific written spell to do these kinds of things anymore. The magic is in her, it is her. Then again this may be one of those times when Willow's powers are too convenient like someone else mentioned previously.

 

[AndrewCrossett]

You don't have to be a genius to figure that out. Willow resurrected Buffy, it's safe to assume that she will show up whenever Buffy's life is in danger.

Buffy's life wasn't in danger. Amy had just cast a spell on her. And we've never seen before that Willow has some kind of "alarm" that tells her when someone is in danger, maybe thousands of miles away.

To cause additional drama and heartbreaks. Or because Buffy's Slayers were ready to, you know, eviscerate her?

You would cause much more heartbreak by not telling them what was wrong and how to fix it. And the Slayers couldn't have hurt her. If they could, they would have done so until she lifted the spell.

The only thing I can think of is that if Buffy starved to death while in a coma, Twilight's plans would be ruined. But it would still be taking a big chance to assume that anyone was in "true love" with Buffy.

 

[Buffy Summers]

But then my questions are: a) since Willow had been missing for months, how did Amy know she'd suddenly show up at the castle at this particular time? And b) why did she tell Xander exactly how to break the spell?

I agree with whoever said Amy knew Willow would come if Buffy was in magical danger. She had to tell Xander how to break the spell so the army guys could have Buffy.

🙂

---------- Post added at 01:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:34 PM ----------

are you attracted to the same guys you were attracted to in high school?

Yes, I definitely am.

 

[EVIL UU]

[MENTION=8509]AndrewCrossett[/MENTION]

Buffy's life wasn't in danger.

No, she was just being crucified and burnt alive, tortured over and over again. Something like that can seriously damage a human being, remember Dana?

And we've never seen before that Willow has some kind of "alarm" that tells her when someone is in danger, maybe thousands of miles away.

Willow and Buffy share a magical connection and in season 8 she's infinitely more powerful. I think that it's not surprising that she can sense when Buffy is in danger, maybe she had cast a little alarm spell or maybe her demonic girlfriend informed her, or some of her goddess friends?

[MENTION=2739]Darla[/MENTION]

Yes, I definitely am.

Really? You would still involve yourself romantically with your high school crush/ex? Oh well, you're not Buffy.

 

[VisionGirl]

I agree with whoever said Amy knew Willow would come if Buffy was in magical danger. She had to tell Xander how to break the spell so the army guys could have Buffy.

So true! I wonder if they felt that it was easier for her to come to them rather than try to invade the castle? So then they sent the zombies as a distraction so the rest of the Slayer army couldn't come after them.

OK, so I'm trying to straighten this out in my brain, because it seems kind of convaluted: Amy put the spell on Buffy to try to entice Willow to come; Amy gave Xander the answer to the spell because it was Buffy they really wanted; it seemed that Amy allowed herself to be captured by Willow so that Willow could try to "trace" the magic; which turned out to be a trap so that Willow & Amy could be transported back to the military installation; only because they wanted to lure Buffy there (well, Amy & Warren had their own agenda going, too). Honestly, this big military organization with witches couldn't come up with something a little simpler?!

 

[Buffy Summers]

[MENTION=2739]Darla[/MENTION]

Really? You would still involve yourself romantically with your high school crush/ex? Oh well, you're not Buffy.

There's no need to be rude about it, mate, I only answered YOUR question. Sorry you didn't like the answer.

I may not be Buffy, but I AM a typical girl and only a MAN would write someone like Buffy falling for the school nerd whose been like her brother for eight years. Especially after Buffy's problems with Riley. It is not in her character to go down the route of falling for someone who cannot protect themselves and who is so opposite of her type.

 

[brinkster130]

I don't think Buffy has feelings for Xander. I think the dream thing is just meant to be one of those weird dream things that don't mean anything. Buffy would just never go for someone like Xander.

I agree, I don't think Buffy has real romantic feelings for Xander. I think at this point Buffy is very lonely and Xander is pretty much her only friend around so she may have developed a slight misguided crush on Xander...but I think it has more to do with her being tired of being alone rather than her actually developing real romantic feelings for him.

I have trouble seeing the two of them in a real serious relationship. I doubt either of them would want it and/or could handle it.

Why won't she? I get that she doesn't have feelings for Xander, you can't control how you feel, but why won't she have feelings for someone like him? By like him, I'm assuming you mean human with no superpowers.

I know this question was more directed at Darla, but I am going to share my thoughts too 🙂. For me, I think it has more to do with Buffy and Xander's brother/sister like relationship rather than his lack of superpowers. In S1 Buffy very clearly put Xander in the friend zone and since then they have grown closer and Xander really stepped into the Summer's family as brother figure to Buffy (even somewhat to Dawn).

 

[Goby]

I'm almost done with Part 4, then I'm going to re-read it, then I can talk about it! 🙂

 

[EVIL UU]

only a MAN would write someone like Buffy falling for the school nerd whose been like her brother for eight years. Especially after Buffy's problems with Riley. It is not in her character to go down the route of falling for someone who cannot protect themselves and who is so opposite of her type.

Well, the WOMAN who wrote "Retreat" thought otherwise. And school nerd? Hello, school is over, both Buffy and Xander are completely different people, she admitted her feelings towards him, he turned her down, it's canon.

 

[Goby]

I read it!

I hear there are spoilers above this post, so I didn't read anything in this thread.

This is certainly much different than reading a novel. Its going to take some getting used to. But when I read the novel, I heard the original cast in my head. 🙂

What I didn't like about it was Amy. Joss has these "love affairs" with certain characters that I just don't care for. Amy is one of them, along with Harmony. So I'm bummed to see Amy back in BtVS.

I also feel sorry for Dawn. When is she going to catch a break? She is again cast as the pain in the next little sister. She big, but too big to fight. Poor Dawn. 🙁

 

[Buffy Summers]

Well the next thread should hopefully be spoiler-free for you Goby, so don't give up 🙂

 

[Goby]

Well the next thread should hopefully be spoiler-free for you Goby, so don't give up 🙂

I won't. This should be fun!

 

[sosa lola]

I may not be Buffy, but I AM a typical girl and only a MAN would write someone like Buffy falling for the school nerd whose been like her brother for eight years. Especially after Buffy's problems with Riley. It is not in her character to go down the route of falling for someone who cannot protect themselves and who is so opposite of her type.

I don't think Riley is an example of anything. Angel was a bad example for a boyfriend and she still went for Spike who was like Angel. The perfect boyfriend for Buffy would be a Slayer like her, but those don't exist.

I think Buffy could fall in love with whomever she wanted and make it work, whether he was a human or a vampire.

If she fell in love with Xander and he felt the same way, they could make it work, especially since Xander doesn't have any problems with her being stronger than him and his leader.

---------- Post added at 03:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:11 AM ----------

For me, I think it has more to do with Buffy and Xander's brother/sister like relationship rather than his lack of superpowers. In S1 Buffy very clearly put Xander in the friend zone and since then they have grown closer and Xander really stepped into the Summer's family as brother figure to Buffy (even somewhat to Dawn).

I was going to say something but I remembered you haven't read S8 yet, so let's have this discussion when we get to Retreat. 😀

My opinion is, Xander isn't really their brother, so it's a fair game. Also, Buffy and Xander did have a married couple vibe the first episodes of S7 to the point where a stranger mistook them for a couple.

But in the end, it depends on what Buffy feels. If she fell in love with Xander, I'll support her. If she fell in love with Angel or Spike or Riley or anyone else who's either a human or a vampire, I'll support her because that's what she wants. Or what Joss wants her to want. 😉

Sounds like they were pandering to Xander fans rather than writing the character true to herself.

So, they were pandering to Spike fans when they wrote S7? There's really nothing wrong with Buffy having feelings for Xander. I think Xander is exactly like Spike right now. He's changed a lot and became someone Buffy could fall in love with, he's mature and rational and knows his place and is okay with who he is. Buffy was "disgusted" with the thought of her and Spike together, was she out of character when she fell in love with him in S7? No, she fell in the love with the man he became, and the same thing could happen with Xander. She could fall in love with the man he became.

 

[VisionGirl]

[MENTION=7613]sosa lola[/MENTION], I completely agree. I don't have anything against Bander per se (I'm not the hugest Xander fan, but I like him well enough 🙂). But it was clear in the series that Buffy didn't love him that way because...well, just because. You either do or you don't, & Xander realized that way back in Prophecy Girl (When She Was Bad and BB&B notwithstanding!). I won't give away any future storylines here, but just based on what we see here in the 1st arc, I think that Buffy's missing sex & feeling alone/lonely are surely mixed up with her feelings of closeness with Xander. Accordingly I don't think Xander feels that way toward her anymore either or he would've kissed her while she was under her the spell. For me, I'm perfectly satisfied with the closeness/friendship & trust they have for one another here, although I respect that others might hope to see more.

---------- Post added at 06:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:08 PM ----------

What I didn't like about it was Amy. Joss has these "love affairs" with certain characters that I just don't care for. Amy is one of them, along with Harmony. So I'm bummed to see Amy back in BtVS.

I don't hate Amy or anything but I wouldn't have minded if she handn't shown up in season 7. Still it makes for interesting conflict for your girl Willow!

I also feel sorry for Dawn. When is she going to catch a break? She is again cast as the pain in the next little sister. She big, but too big to fight. Poor Dawn. 🙁

I agree. That's been her dilemma her entire existence, hasn't it? She's mystical but has no power. Being the sister of the Slayer she can't help but be involved in the fight but she's often sheltered by Buffy & by her own inexperience. Buffy wants Dawn to have a normal life, but she seems to find supernatural trouble wherever she goes lol. Xander & Willow appear to have given up "normal lives" but Dawn is the only one of the Scoobies who hasn't.

---------- Post added at 06:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:16 PM ----------

What I didn't like about it was Amy. Joss has these "love affairs" with certain characters that I just don't care for. Amy is one of them, along with Harmony. So I'm bummed to see Amy back in BtVS.

I don't hate Amy or anything but I wouldn't have minded if she handn't shown up in season 7. Still it makes for interesting conflict for your girl Willow!

I also feel sorry for Dawn. When is she going to catch a break? She is again cast as the pain in the next little sister. She big, but too big to fight. Poor Dawn. 🙁

I agree. That's been her dilemma her entire existence, hasn't it? She's mystical but has no power. Being the sister of the Slayer she can't help but be involved in the fight but she's often sheltered by Buffy & by her own inexperience. Buffy wants Dawn to have a normal life, but she seems to find supernatural trouble wherever she goes lol. Xander & Willow appear to have given up "normal lives" but Dawn is the only one of the Scoobies who hasn't.