What makes you different to most Buffy fans? - Possible spoilers

[NL197]

There are other ways in which my opinion differs, but I don't feel I need to mention those. I've probably already alienated a good portion of fandom.

I know I have. It is what it is. If I had mentioned before that I am no fan of musicals and never sat through "Once More, With Feeling" more than exactly one time, well that would probably be the nail in my coffin. That overrated feeling you get with Spike is very easy to understand, since he's constantly being ranked and compared to other characters both in Buffyverse and most other vampire / bad boy / anti-hero lists and contests held for characters like those.

 

[zobothehobo]

Reading StarSlayer's response reminded me of one more...
-I didn't think Buffy was out of line in season 7 at all. I do not understand any of the reasoning that went behind the other character's actions in Empty Places or really the whole season... I will defend her decisions and leadership in season 7 to my death just like I'll defend all of season 6. Buffy was a leader and that means sometimes making unpopular decisions that HAVE to be made.

 

[NL197]

I must be awful at expressing my thoughts. The reason I asked how often you see things like this is because I don't have anything besides buffyboards to compare with. That's what I tried to say but it obviously it didn't work. It's not easy to get what "some but not everyone" means. But "some" must be more than half if thinking the opposite makes you stand out. Or am I misunderstandng something?

The Whedonverse is a massive entity on the internet, so aspects of it are discussed, compared, contrasted, ranked through polls, challenges, and of course messageboards and Whedon-based news sites and the like.

I observe more than participate in anything, so my saying all of what I said in terms of that extreme way of thinking, liking / disliking and all of it was based on that years-long observation combined with thread participation on a few boards as well - that participation for me being brand new considering the Buffyverse.

 

[BananaBuffy]

Let me see, let me see. What makes me somewhat different or what makes me stand out? Um...

This has been said several times but Season 6 is my favourite season. It has Once More, With Feeling, Tabula Rasa, Smashed, Wrecked and Gone. Which are some of my favourite episodes of all time. But maybe it's because I'm a big Spuffy fan that I like it so much. Or maybe I just thrive on dark things, who knows?

I DO like Dawn. Again, this has been said often but it's true. I have a little sister and I like Dawn. I don't know why but I think she's a great character. Michelle Trachtenberg played her well too. I understand her whining and all that as well, so I don't hold it against her. She's just a character and we all act like that sometimes.

During maths class when I don't want to pay attention I make quotes sheets. I write quotes all over spare peices of paper and make them look cool. I have lots of them stuffed in my schoolbag.

I frequently go onto websites with scripts or the Buffyverse Dialouge Database and read the scenes aloud to myself, using voices and acting. Sometimes I do it for episodes I haven't seen to test my acting ability. Meh, I'm an actress...it's what I do.

I compare my friends to differnet members of the Scoobies or people around them. I have a Dawn, a Faith, an Anya, a Tara and a Willow and my friends think of me as Buffy.

I haven't even finished my first watch of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

I'm not sure if any of these are really 'different' or anything but ya know.

 

[Washburne]

The resemblance is there, obviously. But for me personally (I started the thread after all) not being a vampire or horror fan to take an example isn't exactly unpopular is it? Just a bit uncommon. I don't see buffyprops post to fit in "Unpopular Opinions" either. But maybe that's just me. I guess you can see the word "unpopular" in different ways and maybe mine is a wrong one but it's what I went by. If my lack of english skills caused a problem I apologize.

I was in a rush this morning so best I add something. I see, or at least saw, unpopular as being unliked, not as not many thinking the same. If you think the latter I get the confusion since that was the purpose of the thread. I'm sure the staff will merge the two threads if they think they are the same.

The Whedonverse is a massive entity on the internet, so aspects of it are discussed, compared, contrasted, ranked through polls, challenges, and of course messageboards and Whedon-based news sites and the like.

Even if I'm not active in such things I'm fully aware that they excists. Not sure what they have to do with anything when it comes to how often the extremes are shown/used though.

I observe more than participate in anything, so my saying all of what I said in terms of that extreme way of thinking, liking / disliking and all of it was based on that years-long observation combined with thread participation on a few boards as well - that participation for me being brand new considering the Buffyverse.

No straight answer, fine. Be like a politician. No wait, I'm misunderstanding again. Your fine way of expressing yourself goes beyond what I can get a grip on. Not how it should be. My apologies.

Clearly I need to keep this simple so I can grasp what you mean. Would it be too much to ask for a simple yes or no answer to the following question, because you've seen the extremes being used and think badly of them you think you're in a minority?

If you can be so nice and do that for me I'll try to move on from that, not jumping to conclusions. I have more questions but simple it is.

 

[Justme]

I dislike Oz, I would hate him but his character wasn't interesting enough to evoke anything that strong.

 

[white avenger]

The most obvious thing that is different about me is my age. At 63, I believe that it's safe to say that I represent the "older generation" to everyone else here.

I grew up watching the old classic horror movies on TV, starring the giants, like Karloff, Lugosi, and Chaney, men who could be more frightening by delivering lines like, "I never drink...wine," and "She's ALIVE!!!" than all of the modern slasher/cannibal/stalker monster wannabes in Hollywood, Europe, and Asia combined.

In general, I prefer the characters who are best described as the "only Number Two, but never stop trying harder," types. (Who's to say that "Number Two" isn't actually the "New And Improved" model?)

I like shows that take the standard formula plot and give it a new twist, like the good guy vampires, the werewolves who can control when they change and retain their human personality while in wolf form.

I almost always prefer the literary version of a character, like Tarzan, James Bond, Dirk Pitt, Conan, and others to what Hollywood mutates them into.

I never considered David Boreanaz as being a strong enough actor, or Angel to be a dynamic enough character to carry a TV series, and fully believe that if it hadn't have been for the very strong group of support characters on the show, "Angel" would never have made it past the first season.

(And this one is a total secret, so please don't mention it around any of the more militant Bangels who like to lurk around the Boards) While I do believe that Buffy would be better off with Spike, it's not really that big a deal to me one way or the other. I just like to aggravate the Bangels, one certain nameless lady in particular.

(See there, folks, I told you that the Bangels like to lurk around the Boards! That last one was just bait to draw one of them out of hiding!)

---------- Post added at 08:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:58 AM ----------

(See there, folks, I told you that the Bangels like to lurk around the Boards! That last one was just bait to make one of them expose hers...uh... to draw one of them out of hiding)

 

[NL197]

Even if I'm not active in such things I'm fully aware that they excists. Not sure what they have to do with anything when it comes to how often the extremes are shown/used though.

All I did was read what's out there. I've read the articles offering polls for favorite this, best that, all Whedonverse-related and then looked at what people commented on - looked at why they vote the way they do because it's always talked about in reader comments. Look at what people comment on when there are essays and analyses of stories and characters done by fans.
So the Whedonverse as it exists online has everything to do with this, because I've been reading other sites, articles and comments long before reading this board and participating in threads.

How do I find them? Whedonesque, mostly. Sometimes I'm googling something else related to one of the shows....that's what I'm saying - this stuff is out there. Maybe some live in a bubble and don't see anything beyond this board but those ship words are everywhere as well.

No straight answer, fine. Be like a politician. No wait, I'm misunderstanding again. Your fine way of expressing yourself goes beyond what I can get a grip on. Not how it should be. My apologies.

That was a straight answer. Here's a question I'll ask that will also explain my meaning:

When you came to this board the first time, what was it that made you decide to stay? If I had to guess, I would think that you formed an opinion of this board based on the atmosphere, based on the overall feel of not only the members, but the topics of conversation and how engaging they can be. You observed, participated, and formed an opinion....if that guess I've made was accurate. That's exactly what I did, and that's what I'm talking about in terms of my issue, so I did give you a straight answer to this.

Clearly I need to keep this simple so I can grasp what you mean. Would it be too much to ask for a simple yes or no answer to the following question, because you've seen the extremes being used and think badly of them you think you're in a minority?

If you can be so nice and do that for me I'll try to move on from that, not jumping to conclusions. I have more questions but simple it is.

Given the responses and how some have not only misinterpreted me but also went and defended the cases of extremes I mentioned, that would be a big, fat, stinking pile of YES.
I am indeed in a minority, and that's the way it is. I'm not saying it just to be different, I'm saying it because that issue of extremes genuinely gets to me because I can't see past how irrational it can get.

 

[Chosen Enemy]

Okay, let me think of a few...

First, I think season 4 is really good, and also season 6. But I dislike season 3 (don't hate it though).

Like most of us, I do hate Dawn in season five, that's nothing special. And I know people really dislike her in season 6 and like her better in season 7. But me, I really really really hate her in season 7, but kinda fine with her in season 6 (where she seems annoying people the most).

I don't think Tara is really pretty or cute. Although I don't dislike her, it has nothing to do with it!

"The Body" is not that interesting to me as an episode.

I don't like Faith. I mostly hate her to death.

Angel, when good, bores me to death.

I'm fine with Tara's death (again, I don't dislike her, but I don't feel anything for her)

Dark Willow isn't cool. In fact I find the Dark Willow stage really out of character, especially when she fights Buffy. Also, it's not Willow. I love Willow, good and kind Willow, not the kicking-ass-of-a-slayer-using-magik kinda Willow.

I'll think of more later...

---------- Post added at 11:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:09 AM ----------

msfantastico87 agrees: aw no love for The Body and you make me sad with what you said about Tara it's ok I still like you lol

I do love the Body, I do think it's good and important. But it's really boring, no action. I somtimes find myself skipping it when watching season 5.
And about Tara, she's okay, and I do hurt in "Conversation With Dead People" when Willow is talking to "Tara", and the scene from "The Killer in me", the last scene where Willow almost kills Kennedy and then breaks down and falls on her kneed makes me very amotional, I can relate to Willow (Well, most of it is Aly's awesome acting skills). But I don't think Tara has a big enough part in the show that would get my: "Oh my God! Please no, just not Tara!" line.

 

[Misty]

I love Cander and Xanya
I love season 2 of Buffy, but I'm not a fan of younger Buffy
I hate season 4 and 5 of Angel (yep I said season 5 too!)
I love season 6 of Buffy
I like Connor and Dawn
I prefer Cangel over Bangel and Spuffy

And I forgot that I don't dislike Kennedy lol.

 

[PrincessBuffy16]

- I wasn't touched when Spike got his soul.

- I haven't cried when Tara died.

- I really don't like Fred that much.

 

[VisionGirl]

-I like Season 6.
-I like Angel the character & Buffy the character (sometimes I feel I'm in the minority around here on those 🙂)
-I don't have any kind of hate or dislike toward Joss Whedon.
-I don't "hate" any character, in fact, I don't really get "hating" fictional characters (well, except for the ones we're "supposed" to hate, like Parker, Maggie Walsh, Kate's father, etc).
-I like Riley, liked Buffy & Riley together, I like Dawn. Kennedy was "meh", but didn't hate her.
-I have more positive to say about both shows than negatives.
-I like Season 8. I don't like everything about it, and I might not end up liking the conclusion, but in general I like it (ask me again in 2 mos LOL).
-I'm not a huge 'shipper. I have preferences, I lean particular ways, but I'm kinda with NL on this one, at least 'shipping in its extreme version.:: hiding: Then again, I'm one of those people who can sympathize with pretty much every angle of an argument. Makes me kind of boring to debate with: I'll make my point, then listen to yours, then go "Oh yeah, I agree with you now!" 🙂

 

[Washburne]

Maybe some live in a bubble and don't see anything beyond this board but those ship words are everywhere as well.

If I'm living in a bubble at least I'm interested to know what's beyond that bubble. Otherwise I wouldn't have continued this discussion. I'm curious and want to know. Just because I don't take part in other things it doesn't meant that I think it's uninteresting or what's being said there doesn't count.

Given the responses and how some have not only misinterpreted me but also went and defended the cases of extremes I mentioned, that would be a big, fat, stinking pile of YES.
I am indeed in a minority, and that's the way it is. I'm not saying it just to be different, I'm saying it because that issue of extremes genuinely gets to me because I can't see past how irrational it can get.

Since I haven't been around I can only take your word for it and if it's true that most fans like or go by the extremes I'm ashamed of their behalf. And makes me pretty happy to be in my bb bubble. 😉

-I don't have any kind of hate or dislike toward Joss Whedon.

I don't think you're in a minority when it comes to that. Just that the ones disliking him has more to say about it. Since not having a particular feeling one way or another doesn't mean hate but neither mean love. As a person.

-I have more positive to say about both shows than negatives.

Maybe we need a "What do you love about..." thread? I just think that when it comes to things that make you stand out it's easier to say things you don't like, and that mean that the mayority do like it. They just can't express it in that kind of thread. If people thought more negative about the shows than postive I doubt there would be so many Whedon related sites everywhere, including this one.

 

[Zeppo]

Different, different, hmm ... (spoilers all the way to Not Fade Away)

- I don't have a hate-on for SMG for not doing as much special features, etc. as the rest of the cast. I am bitter that she didn't do more but I understand why and I don't dislike her for it and am thankful for the 7 years on television she played with full commitment.
- I like season 4! Not my favorite but it had great moments and it's awkwardness rang true to that transitional period between high school and adulthood for me.
- I'm not a hardcore shipper either. I have my prefrences as well (like Buffy and Angel) that 'll defend but ...
- I find it hard to talk with others about the Buffyverse. I've formed my own thoughts and acceptance of everything that's happened that sometimes I don't know how to respond to people here because their views seem so radical and opposite-end that I don't know where they come from! Not that they're any more wrong than me, they just see a totally different show.
- Riley was the best boyfriend for Buffy and of course she had to mess it up. He was everything she deserved and I don't get the hate for his character; he's so true to life for me. I hear fans complain about how they wished they got more happy moments from the characters and Riley was trying to be a good guy always, offering that happiness yet the gets raged on. Oh well. I'm glad to have gotten some closure with him.
- Spike was a better villian than the future yuppie he became, haha.
- Kendra's death hit me hard as a kid and it doesn't get easier on rewatch.
- Angel season 1 and 2 I consider prologue almost. Sometimes watching those seasons is tough for me to do but once I hit season 3, what I believe to be what they show strived to be, I'm hooked.
- Smile Time pissed me off. It felt like they spat in their own faces with that episode but I've come to appreciate it ... I guess ...
- I'm still not over Cordy's death. Possibly the most shocking TV event I ever witnessed was that phone call to Angel ... Good god.
- I like Fred, but really, she fugged up everything!
- I loved Kate, still do. Wished she'd stuck around longer.
- Not a Lindsey fan.
- I like Kennedy.
- I like season 6. It's funny, dark and don't find them out of character at all. I think Joss was right when he said the audience felt aggrivated once our anchor, Buffy, felt lost.
- I, too, have more postives than negatives. If I did, I wouldn't have watched. I don't like having huge issues with my favorites shows, instead I swallow my pride and try to see what I'm missing that made the story do as it did.

 

[Washburne]

- Smile Time pissed me off. It felt like they spat in their own faces with that episode but I've come to appreciate it ... I guess ...

I'm totally ok with not liking it but just so I don't get you wrong. Why do you feel that they spat in their own faces?

 

[Zeppo]

I'm totally ok with not liking it but just so I don't get you wrong. Why do you feel that they spat in their own faces?

To me it kind of summed up why I didn't like season 5. I felt that the first two seasons of the show struggled to finally get to where it was at it's prime - which I believe to be season 3 (the tones, themes, stories, and cast were stellar). They'd gone to this adult, dark place that carried over into season 4 and had such a compelling year there; this was how I'd come to know the show. Then, season 5 comes along and it's so much lighter and Cordelia was gone ... okay, whatever. Things change, I'll deal with it. But then all of a sudden, crammed between Cordy's death and Fred's, is this stupid episode that has our hero - the souled vampire, the dad who gave his son up, our hero - into a puppet? I'm all for making fun of one's self but it felt so far removed on everything I had loved about the show. BtVS had some goofy eps and I felt like I would've been able to have bought this story better on Buffy than Angel. To sum it up I felt that they had reached a tone of the show that they were trying to move on from (due to W&H, cast changes) and instead just kinda dumped on what the show had already created. I've accepted it as canon and watch it, it's charming but it sticks out like a purpley-with-yellow sore thumb in the whole series. To me.

 

[NL197]

I'm not partial to season 5 because it was too different. What was so different about it? It was Buffy-lite. Buffy was over, and this was sort of the next best thing, only it didn't fit the show's tone.

Suddenly there were pop songs, song montages, and the quirkiness of the humor was distinctly Buffy. It was a bad clash and only served to show just how different the series truly were.

At the same time, I suspect this is exactly why a lot of fans seem to rank it as their favorite season, especially if they're more "Buffy" series fans than "ANGEL" series fans, because with that show over, this show was a substitute with the similar tone and feel unique to Buffy that Whedon brought to the show, as this was the only season he was truly there for more than the others in terms of day-to-day, hands-on involvement.

 

[sosa lola]

Unlike many fans, I hate NO character. I think it's a waste of time, and I prefer talking about characters I like over characters I'm not interested in.

 

[Washburne]

But then all of a sudden, crammed between Cordy's death and Fred's, is this stupid episode that has our hero - the souled vampire, the dad who gave his son up, our hero - into a puppet?

As I said, I'm fine with people disliking it. It gets so much love it's kind of refreshing to see someone that don't like it. They make fun of themselvesyes, but at the same time the episode is a response to the fact at the show ended. Or more specific about the ones behind the show, the bosses. They're all evil demons (especially if they're the reason a show get cancelled.) even if they might look "good" at a first glance. Guess they weren't too happy about not being able to continue the show the way they wanted. 😉

 

[Marisa]

I love anything vampires if it is written well.
I like Bangel but don't think they compare to Spuffy or Cangel at times.
I love Angel S5. There is something about it I just love. I think it is very strong.
I didn't care for the potentials think it could have been a good story but fell flat at times.
As much as I love Buffy I sometimes dislike her at the same time. Some of her actions really drive me nuts.
I love the show Angel for the most part than I do Buffy.
That is all for now.