I personally don not like Riley! I mean, ok he's an ok guy, but really- he's just another guy. I was not impressed with the Initiative. But of course, during season 4 i was missing angel like crazy so maybe its just me but what did you think? This is just MY opinion but i'd like to hear others!:icon12:
Who likes Riley?
- Thread starter Bangelxx
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Blondie Bear
Zydrate Addict
Riley was a great guy, just out of place in the Buffyverse. He was too normal. I'm sure if he was out here, in the really real world, girls would be swooning. He was a really nice guy, after all. But, again, just not right for the Buffyverse in general or Buffy in particular.
E
EvilWillow77
Yep! He's great...everything every real-world mom wants for her daughter...just not Buffy-worthy...
VisionGuy
Oh Plerr
In some ways I feel sorry for Riley, I mean he was NEVER going to work. Kudos to Marc Blucas for trying to fill DB and Angel's shows but he just never fit. Like Blondie Bear said he just wasn't right for the verse, well at least not right for Buffy. His arms were nice though😉
palabravampiress
Bidet of Evil
*Raises hand timidly.*
I liked Riley a lot until the end. He was so sweet and so caring and so... well, he was also kind of hot when he fought those demons. He was the kind of guy who could have given Buffy that "life in the sun" or whatever it was that Angel talked about but still had her back out on the Hellmouth, too.
That said, I wouldn't change a thing. I thought his story was really interesting. I mean, he's the guy who does everything right -- or so he thinks. He's like the WWII era archetype of manly perfection. He's patriotic and strong and capable of protecting home and country. His looks are good -- all clean cut and plasticy. But he's sort of in the wrong era. Girls (in this case, Buffy) are still attracted to that type, but there's a problem: that type can't handle women who can beat them on their own turf or at their own game. It was neat to see how he dealt with (or didn't deal with) loving a woman who didn't "need" him, but just wanted him. The insecurities that it brought out undermined their relationship. It was neat to see that he appears to have resolved those insecurities enough to be able to move on to Sam, who really does seem to be his other half (and if I remember correctly, also his Captain). I thought that was an interesting, true-to-life, and important issue for BtVS to explore.
I liked Riley a lot until the end. He was so sweet and so caring and so... well, he was also kind of hot when he fought those demons. He was the kind of guy who could have given Buffy that "life in the sun" or whatever it was that Angel talked about but still had her back out on the Hellmouth, too.
That said, I wouldn't change a thing. I thought his story was really interesting. I mean, he's the guy who does everything right -- or so he thinks. He's like the WWII era archetype of manly perfection. He's patriotic and strong and capable of protecting home and country. His looks are good -- all clean cut and plasticy. But he's sort of in the wrong era. Girls (in this case, Buffy) are still attracted to that type, but there's a problem: that type can't handle women who can beat them on their own turf or at their own game. It was neat to see how he dealt with (or didn't deal with) loving a woman who didn't "need" him, but just wanted him. The insecurities that it brought out undermined their relationship. It was neat to see that he appears to have resolved those insecurities enough to be able to move on to Sam, who really does seem to be his other half (and if I remember correctly, also his Captain). I thought that was an interesting, true-to-life, and important issue for BtVS to explore.
B
Blondie Bear
Well said
I think he was a really nice guy, I cried a lot when he left. And then in season 6 when he comes back for one episode, you can see the chemistry between them.
And I actually liked Scott the most as well, except for Angel then of course. He was so sweet, too bad they didn't last for so long...
And I actually liked Scott the most as well, except for Angel then of course. He was so sweet, too bad they didn't last for so long...
I use to never like him. But then after watching Buffy season 4 & 5 over a few times, i realised that i can relate to him a bit. That made me like him a bit more. But generally, him and the initiative kinda ruined season 4 for me. The only good thing to come out of the Initiative was chipped Spike.
Kemy
Annoyed Enby
I never liked Riley, not in a hateful way like Kennedy just...he was boring! Just a boring, irritatingly unnecessary man who acted like a teenage boy with a crush on the popular girl and getting huffy when she didn't spend every second lavishing him with attention.
But then, we did get to see Angel smacking him down for the Hell of it, that made it somewhat better hehe.
But then, we did get to see Angel smacking him down for the Hell of it, that made it somewhat better hehe.
Cordelia Chase*
Spiley anyone?!
Okay. NOw i see whats goin on! Anybody Angel, Buffy or WIllow dates in the future that seems kinda pushed in everyones gonna hate. Now i understand the Kennedy hate((Well partially cuz yall just mean!! LOL)), Nina, and Riley.
But I liked Riley. He was different. He was so into Buffy but she was still into Angel so much. And i liked how when he found out about her he was even more amazed.
But I liked Riley. He was different. He was so into Buffy but she was still into Angel so much. And i liked how when he found out about her he was even more amazed.
Blondie Bear
Zydrate Addict
I don't hate Nina or Riley. I hate Kennedy, but not because she was "pushed in" or dating Willow; more because of her attitude. Same reason I didn't really like Rona. I don't feel like I got time to know Nina, and I've already expressed my opinion of Riley here.
Kean
I feel the same about Kennedy, it has nothing to do with Willow...she was just so damn arrogant
J
Jaded Wolf
I liked Nina. I thought it was cool to have a vampire mixin' it up with a werewolf. Plus, she was hot!
I like Riley. Actually the major hate from fans made me make a second look at the character and then I realized he's actually alright and interesting. He was actually the only Buffy boyfriend who got along nicely with all Buffy's friends.
white avenger
white avenger
I've never liked bullies, and Riley was most definitely a bully, using every opportunity to threaten and even physically attack Spike, even though he knew that Spike was basically harmless (he couldn't hurt any living thing directly, and we all know how his "carefully planned schemes" worked out. I always hoped Riley would come back in Season 7 or in Season 5 of Angel, just so Spike could get a little payback (I'm still hoping...)
Kemy
Read the "Wicked Willow" trilogy, you find out what happens to Riley hehe
Blondie Bear
Zydrate Addict
Haven't there been rumors of a Riley appearance in S8? Or was that just lumped in with the rumors of the Tara/Oz/Joyce/anyone else who's left the series appearances?
anyatara
Scooby
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I hate Riley. I thought he was okay the first time I watched Buffy through, but he had that whole issue about Buffy being stronger than him, I mean come on, she's the slayer, of course she's stronger than him. He's okay sometimes but in general he gets on my nerves big time.
TrueVengeance
behind blue eyes
He grew on me after a while. Once that stupid initative deal was over, I really started to like him. He wasn't a vampire and was with Buffy! How great is that??
Kana
Soulless human
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This is what I posted on another forum.
" didn't like Riley at first but that was mainly because he wasn't Angel. Riley started off as Average Joe with a smidch of superhero. He actually seemed perfect in a lot of ways and certainly from his perspective things were great. He could hold his own against the forces of darkness and he doesn't have the emotional or mystical constraints Angel has.
I think Riley's world crumbled as he fell deeper in love with Buffy. He found out about the morally ambiguous methods of the Initiative, faced Angel and Oz in a few short months he has to change is entire world view on demons and vampires. He lost his super powers and had to contend with the idea that he couldn't invoke the same emotional reaction from Buffy has Angel or even Dracula.
I agree that Riley likes Buffy's strength but Riley insecurity is whether he wasn't strong enough for her. It was a childish reaction but he felt he was losing her and let us not forget that Buffy has her life as a Slayer but Riley lost his Intiative lifestyle.
Also Buffy didn't let him be a part of her slaying life, which is a huge part of her life. But before we think that Buffy thinking of Riley when she's doing this, she's happy enough for him to go alone but just doesn't really want her near her when she's doing to slaying.
Buffy cannot handle emotional trauma that's facing her at all sides. Riley had the right idea when he said, he wanted to take care of her, but he didn't articulate it correctly. Buffy was in the land of not dealing and she's done this before. Opening up can be scary but it's part being emotionally stable and balanced and having well formed relationships. Buffy's actions were not exclusive to Riley but in a romantic relationship sometimes it takes up more significance. Xander, Joyce and even Spike all understood this.
However Riley's response to this is what hurt Buffy. Riley's betrayal wasn't let off on a technicality because the point was that Buffy felt hurt by the emotional responses (albeit on the most basic level) and thrills he was getting elsewhere. Metaphors were mentioned in the other thread I think but that's not really the point for me. Riley was getting something elsewhere that he wasn't getting from Buffy and he was getting it from female sentient beings who closley resemble humans. We almost don't need the metaphor because the betrayal stares us in the face.
I think that Riley didn't feel emotionally needed, not in the way that one might need a boyfriend. Buffy finally realises she does but then it's too late.
As for Riley's return. Many think he got over Buffy way too soon. I'm a little half way. I think Riley started his grieving period when he was with Buffy and that happens sometimes. It's like we shut down, slowly but surely. When he was ready to get married, he didn't wait around, but it doesn't mean he wasn't ready emotionally. It's different for different people."
" didn't like Riley at first but that was mainly because he wasn't Angel. Riley started off as Average Joe with a smidch of superhero. He actually seemed perfect in a lot of ways and certainly from his perspective things were great. He could hold his own against the forces of darkness and he doesn't have the emotional or mystical constraints Angel has.
I think Riley's world crumbled as he fell deeper in love with Buffy. He found out about the morally ambiguous methods of the Initiative, faced Angel and Oz in a few short months he has to change is entire world view on demons and vampires. He lost his super powers and had to contend with the idea that he couldn't invoke the same emotional reaction from Buffy has Angel or even Dracula.
I agree that Riley likes Buffy's strength but Riley insecurity is whether he wasn't strong enough for her. It was a childish reaction but he felt he was losing her and let us not forget that Buffy has her life as a Slayer but Riley lost his Intiative lifestyle.
Also Buffy didn't let him be a part of her slaying life, which is a huge part of her life. But before we think that Buffy thinking of Riley when she's doing this, she's happy enough for him to go alone but just doesn't really want her near her when she's doing to slaying.
Buffy cannot handle emotional trauma that's facing her at all sides. Riley had the right idea when he said, he wanted to take care of her, but he didn't articulate it correctly. Buffy was in the land of not dealing and she's done this before. Opening up can be scary but it's part being emotionally stable and balanced and having well formed relationships. Buffy's actions were not exclusive to Riley but in a romantic relationship sometimes it takes up more significance. Xander, Joyce and even Spike all understood this.
However Riley's response to this is what hurt Buffy. Riley's betrayal wasn't let off on a technicality because the point was that Buffy felt hurt by the emotional responses (albeit on the most basic level) and thrills he was getting elsewhere. Metaphors were mentioned in the other thread I think but that's not really the point for me. Riley was getting something elsewhere that he wasn't getting from Buffy and he was getting it from female sentient beings who closley resemble humans. We almost don't need the metaphor because the betrayal stares us in the face.
I think that Riley didn't feel emotionally needed, not in the way that one might need a boyfriend. Buffy finally realises she does but then it's too late.
As for Riley's return. Many think he got over Buffy way too soon. I'm a little half way. I think Riley started his grieving period when he was with Buffy and that happens sometimes. It's like we shut down, slowly but surely. When he was ready to get married, he didn't wait around, but it doesn't mean he wasn't ready emotionally. It's different for different people."
palabravampiress
Great points!
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