Which Character had the Most Development?

[BuffyThoughts]

Yes, I Saw It

Her development really happened in Angel. When she got the visions from TPTB, it changed her life because she realized that she was able to make a bigger contribution to the world and help Angel. She does little things across Angel, that slowly turn her into one of the strongest characters in the Buffyverse. I don't know if you've seen Angel, but none of your examples came from that show, so if you want to see the development of Cordelia, watch it

I've seen every episode of Angel at least three times, except for the Pylea arc which I can't bear to think about, let alone watch (I'm haunted by an image of Cordelia in that harem outfit, I'm going to have a nightmare tonight). I was even less interested in Cordelia in AtS. I felt she was horribly oversold, the writers were trying way too hard, they made her totally unbelievable in my eyes.

In the first few episodes, she was comic relief, as she was in the first few episodes of BtVS. As that, she was OK. But when they tried to make us take her seriously ... sorry, I just don't buy it. She came across to me as a caricature, not a person.

 

[prophecygrrl]

I've seen every episode of Angel at least three times, except for the Pylea arc which I can't bear to think about, let alone watch (I'm haunted by an image of Cordelia in that harem outfit, I'm going to have a nightmare tonight). I was even less interested in Cordelia in AtS. I felt she was horribly oversold, the writers were trying way too hard, they made her totally unbelievable in my eyes.

In the first few episodes, she was comic relief, as she was in the first few episodes of BtVS. As that, she was OK. But when they tried to make us take her seriously ... sorry, I just don't buy it. She came across to me as a caricature, not a person.

I'm completely on the other side with Cordelia, lol. In fact, when I first watched the show I wasn't involved with fandom and I was shocked to discover later that some people actually didn't like her character arc! Personally, I thought it was very well done, especially when she was on Angel. I think on BtVS her character was treated differently because she serves a different purpose. On BtVS, she's supposed to sort of be a foil for Buffy and represent Buffy's past life before she became the Slayer. The way I see it on AtS, she found a mission to fight for, even if she struggled with it in the beginning. Something life-changing happened to her. I bought her transformation because to me, it made sense that she'd change because of it.

 

[Hale Caesar]

I've seen every episode of Angel at least three times, except for the Pylea arc which I can't bear to think about, let alone watch (I'm haunted by an image of Cordelia in that harem outfit, I'm going to have a nightmare tonight). I was even less interested in Cordelia in AtS. I felt she was horribly oversold, the writers were trying way too hard, they made her totally unbelievable in my eyes.

In the first few episodes, she was comic relief, as she was in the first few episodes of BtVS. As that, she was OK. But when they tried to make us take her seriously ... sorry, I just don't buy it. She came across to me as a caricature, not a person.

I completely agree with prophecygrrl. Cordelia is an amazing character

Cordy starts off superficial, and becomes very serious because she got her visions. There are moments in peoples lives that can change them, and this is an example. It honestly sounds like you just don't like Cordelia

 

[Goby]

I completely agree with prophecygrrl. Cordelia is an amazing character

Cordy starts off superficial, and becomes very serious because she got her visions. There are moments in peoples lives that can change them, and this is an example. It honestly sounds like you just don't like Cordelia

Along with the fact that he didn't like Cordy in the harem outfit. Cordy is hot! 😉

 

[Scarlett Blade]

I love Spike, but I think his character dosen't "develop" as much as change, because he becomes a competely different person; like Angelus differs that much from Angel. Wesley changes a LOT over time, which I think is done very well; but not even so much development or "adding on" to his character, but competely changing his personality. There is NO similarites between BTVS season 3 Wesley and ATS season 5 Wesley besides the looks, and even those are way different. I think Cordelia is the one who retains herself while maturing and becoming the most beautiful soul on the show. I love the way they developed her character, till season 4 that is. I think "Your Welcome" shows just how wonderful a person she is, from her sassy remarks to her beautiful and caring heart. IMO, Cordelia is the one who truly developed the best, retained herself, and grew in so many wonderful ways. Wesley did indeed become a wonderful person, but he didn't keep any of his previous traits that made him Wesley.

 

[Icarium]

There is NO similarites between BTVS season 3 Wesley and ATS season 5 Wesley besides the looks, and even those are way different.

I disagree - for instance Wesley is still very much into books and research in AtS S5. The ruthless streak of his was first exhibited in "Choices" when he wants to let the Mayor kill Willow rather than give him the Box of Gavroc.

 

[Goby]

There is NO similarites between BTVS season 3 Wesley and ATS season 5 Wesley besides the looks, and even those are way different.

So true! They are like 2 different people, one I absolutely hate and wished Faith would kill, one I absolutely love. Can you guess which one I hate? lol

 

[LadyLavinia]

But fast forward to Season 5.... Wesley is intelligent, confident, brave, kind, and everything a hero should be. Wow!! Wesley is simply amazing. His love for Fred so is true, and so wonderful (I'm mid-season 5, so I don't know how it ends).

I've always believed that Wesley had regressed in Season 5. Not to the point where he used to be back in BUFFY Season 3, but enough that the wisdom he had gained by late Season 4 in regard to his own character and love had disappeared. And his love for Fred did NOT do him any favors.

I love Spike, but I think his character dosen't "develop" as much as change, because he becomes a competely different person;

I disagree. I believe that his character did develop. But I noticed that once he got over his angst and the influence of the First by late S7, a good deal of his personality core remained and continued on in ANGEL S5.

 

[The Scourge]

I've always believed that Wesley had regressed in Season 5. Not to the point where he used to be back in BUFFY Season 3, but enough that the wisdom he had gained by late Season 4 in regard to his own character and love had disappeared. And his love for Fred did NOT do him any favors.

I'm pretty sure his 'regression' was intentional due to the mind-wipe. So much of Wesley's season 4 development was because of his betrayal to Angel by giving Connor to Holtz. It makes perfect since that since he forgot Connor's existence he wouldn't remember those character defining moments.

 

[nmcil12]

The most transformed characters - for me it would have to be Wesley and Spike - Where, IMO, the primary characters did change but for a fundamental change in the life of the characters I don't think anyone can compare to the stories for these two characters.

While Buffy had big changes forced on by circumstances of the stories, I am not sure about how fundamentally the character has developed - and especially with Season 8 behind us now, Buffy seems to be thrown in this emotional cage. I thought that Buffy from Season 7 had matured, now I frankly don't know how to evaluated her development.