Why does everyone hate Riley?

[4.O.cious Miss]

I just re-watched season 4 again, and I really don't understand it. I don't see why people hate Riley so much. I thought he fit into the group fine, and was a solid boyfriend to Buffy. Something that the other boyfriends that she has had can't claim. Sure he doesn't have super-powers like Angel, but he loved Buffy in a more healthy way than any of her other boyfriends. Angel, and Spike were freaks who love Buffy, but their kind of love is sick. They obsess over her. 5 years after Angel left Buffy, he uses his contacts at W&H to spy on her...can we say stalker. I'm not gonna even start on how Spike's obsession with Buffy is freaky.

People also complain that Riley was whiney, and needy. I can't really blame him after the crap Buffy put him through. Like after he had that operation in season five to fix that heart problem. She doesn't even offer to walk him home or anything. Doesn't even wait for him to get up off of the operating table. She just ditches him to check on her mom. As far as everyone knew up to that point, Buffy's mom simply had a bad headache and a dizzy spell. Riley almost died(and had a gimped up leg from being shot with a crossbow), and she blows him off, and leaves him to go home by himself...in Sunnydale. If I were a vamp, and I saw a guy hobbling home, I would think easy pickins.

Riley was the boyfriend most grounded in reality(ok, super secret soldier guy, sure...I'll give you that). Just a nice guy who every chance he had, tried to be there for Buffy. Gee, I can see why people hate him so much.<sarcasm>

I don't hate Riley- I think he was an all around solid guy. I don't think it was how Riley treated Buffy that makes him unpopular. It's the simple fact that he's not Angel. Same reason so many dispise Spike. Even Joss made comments on the subject after season 3.
Personally, I think if Riley would've seen Buffy and landed the helicopter, they would've had a standing chance. Riley was inteligent, romantic, caring, and lets not forget very luscious. But, I must admit- even my Buffy/ Angel ship has a much bigger sail. The temptation, the lust, the passion- it just dosen't get any better than that. :: inlove

 

[JollyApe]

I see why people can like Riley, he's a good guy and by far the best boyfriend Buffy ever had, but. Here comes the big but, he was a freakin living Ken doll. He was as dull as a pair of scissors. He was just so good and proper and...good. He had nothing to do in Sunnydale, if you want to be a part of the Scooby gang you need to have a lot of flaws. Besides he worked for the governmen, he wanted to obey orders that was what he was good at. He said he was an anarchist in one of the episodes, the thing was he never truly were an anarchist. But the rest of the scoobies were always anarchist without having to tell evry one so.

 

[eponinethen]

I thought Riley was ok at first, he seemed like a cute guy.. When he made friends with Willow and asked her for help with Buffy.. In the beginning he was shy and had the potential to develop into a character that I might like. But then that just disappeared and he became boring and lost the things that could have been interesting about his character..
I hate Angel so it's got nothing to do with him. The show just didn't give me a reason to think Buffy was in love with Riley. I didn't see anything about him that she should care about that much..

 

[Mr_Gordo]

I thought Riley was ok at first, he seemed like a cute guy.. When he made friends with Willow and asked her for help with Buffy.. In the beginning he was shy and had the potential to develop into a character that I might like. But then that just disappeared and he became boring and lost the things that could have been interesting about his character..
I hate Angel so it's got nothing to do with him. The show just didn't give me a reason to think Buffy was in love with Riley. I didn't see anything about him that she should care about that much..

There's no denying that Buffy didn't love Riley. He loved her, and would do anything for her, but in the end, she closed herself off, and wouldn't let anyone in, including Riley. Maybe if she had let him in, things would have been different, but she had the big love for Angel...and for some reason Spike. Like I have said before. Riley didn't hurt Buffy on a regular basis like all the other boyfriends she has ever had. That's maybe why I like him so much.

 

[SlayerDrow]

Actually, I loved Riley, he was one of my favorite characters, and I thought it was really sad when he left. At first, I was like "Ew, he's trying to take Angel's place." But as I got to know him, I really liked him and Buffy together

 

[eponinethen]

There's no denying that Buffy didn't love Riley. He loved her, and would do anything for her, but in the end, she closed herself off, and wouldn't let anyone in, including Riley. Maybe if she had let him in, things would have been different, but she had the big love for Angel...and for some reason Spike. Like I have said before. Riley didn't hurt Buffy on a regular basis like all the other boyfriends she has ever had. That's maybe why I like him so much.

But in the end when Riley leaves, it's like Buffy realizes that she loves him and all that.
Anyway, even if she didn't love him she liked him a lot and did a lot of things for him.. I just don't see why he means that much to her. She says noone has been that close to her before. And I know she told him some stuff but, I just don't think of their relationship as being all deep and meaningful.
And the most important thing still is that the character of Riley is boring.. where is that interesting special thing that make people care about Riley..? I don't see it.

 

[Xander]

Im watching the start of S4 (missed several episodes) and hes a nice guy and all that but I know he just gets annoying and whiny towards the end, expecting everyone to pay attention to him. Plus even his voice gets on my nerves after a while.

 

[4.O.cious Miss]

Re:

But in the end when Riley leaves, it's like Buffy realizes that she loves him and all that.
Anyway, even if she didn't love him she liked him a lot and did a lot of things for him.. I just don't see why he means that much to her. She says noone has been that close to her before. And I know she told him some stuff but, I just don't think of their relationship as being all deep and meaningful.
And the most important thing still is that the character of Riley is boring.. where is that interesting special thing that make people care about Riley..? I don't see it.

I don't think Riley's character was suppouse to be too complicated. He was brought in as cornfed Iowa boy to see how Buffy handled a man with a pulse. Someone to play the complete opposite of Angel. Predictable, Open, and clueless. And I think Buffy was too involved in the mama drama to realize herself that she loved him until it was too late. But I have no doubt that she did love him. Remember her reaction when he came back with Sam?

 

[JollyApe]

But I have no doubt that she did love him. Remember her reaction when he came back with Sam?

My hat has a cow?



To be honest I have thought Riley was a bad guy. I don't know why, but did you see his none reaction when Buffy dropped the books on him. From that moment I knew he was evil, you could see it in his blank little eyes, but that was a big mistake. Fortunately Buffy knew what had to be done and went out and foud herself a nice and proper real bad guy and everything worked out fine. Except the fact that he kind of got fried in the end....oh and that entire abbusive thing, that perhaps wasn't so good.

 

[eponinethen]

I don't think Riley's character was suppouse to be too complicated. He was brought in as cornfed Iowa boy to see how Buffy handled a man with a pulse. Someone to play the complete opposite of Angel. Predictable, Open, and clueless. And I think Buffy was too involved in the mama drama to realize herself that she loved him until it was too late. But I have no doubt that she did love him. Remember her reaction when he came back with Sam?

That's what I'm saying, she did love him but I don't think we're ever shown how or why.. And yes, maybe Riley wasn't supposed to be all complicated and mysterious, maybe he was supposed to be lame and "ordinary".. Maybe that is his problem, that he's too weak and ordinary, maybe that is where we are supposed to see that he has some kind of deep mysterious side after all.. I just don't see it. And I think that even if he is supposed to be boring, he is still boring, he is still uninteresting, and I don't like that. All other characters on Buffy has something special that you can like, even if it's just a little thing, Riley just doesn't have that.. in my opinion..

 

[elmo]

I don't hate Riley. In fact I loved Riley in Season 4. It was in season 5 when he started his weird vamp addiction that I began to ask where his character was going. I think he's cute. But there's something about vamps sucking his blood that makes him really undesirable. And Buffy did treat him badly I know. But I guess she had her reasons at the time. And I'm not condoning it but I guess when you're Mum is ill things cloud your mind.

 

[Tucker's Cousin]

Like most other people here I liked Riley in the beginning. He had some great lines and seemed like a nice guy who could also kick butt if need be. He put the moves, if a little shakily, on Buffy and was be a good leader within the innitiative. I Loved him punching out Parker who really did suck from word go. In short, he was funny, nice, and strong in the beginning. All things Buffy needed.

I guess my problems began with him in and after "Goodbye Iowa" where he really lost his strength, and I don't just mean his steriod induced physical strength, but his strength of will and of character. He becomes as soft as a human egg carton that has been left outside all winter.

Buffy did definitely mistreat him, acting like he wasn't needed and that would have been very hard for anyone to deal with, but it takes for him to get caught out in the vampiress' embrace before he gets in her face about it.

When he makes that comment to Xander in "The Replacement" about how Buffy doesn't love him I really felt for the guy because it was like he had noticed that something was missing from their relationship all along. We viewers had felt that for some time but to hear the character acknowledge it and make you realise that he'd been struggling along with that knowledge was really touching. But, he only ever tries half-heartedly to get Buffy to give him what he needs. Then gets all winey about it when she doesn't understand what's wrong with him. I guess if she wasn't busy shutting people out at this stage she'd have seen it herself but, just as Riley had reasons for being upset with her that needed understanding, she had reasons for cutting herself off from people that also needed understanding.

I guess what I'm saying is that a good heartfelt chatmight have been all that was needed to fix the problems, in themselves and between them, but it never happens 'coz Riley either lacks the stones or lacks the insight.

I'm really not sorry that the writers had it play out this way because it's so very real. I sound like I'm being harsh on Riley, and I am, but I was in a similar type of relationship myself (no, not with a slayer, I wish!) with a very strong willed, independent girl. I loved her but she really didn't ever give me as much encouragement/respect/warmth/
love/attention etc. that I felt I deserved and in it finished in one long screaming match where things were said that couldn't be taken back. It's only in hindsight that I see all of this of course and see what actions I might have taken to right things before they got too bad. I think that lack of this sort of communication between men and women is so often the undoing of potentially "good" relationships and it's great to see it explored on Buffy. This sort of thing is what makes the series so good.

Anyway, that's my 130 indonesian rupiah (~2c AUD).

 

[Cannon_Fodder]

Gotta agree with the majority in this case. Riley was amusing at best, in the very beginning, and usually only in his scenes with Willow. After he and Buffy got together.. well.. can we say, bo-ring. Plus, he always seemed like a needy little boy to me. It's been a while since I've watched Season 4, but it never really seemed to me that Buffy treated him all that badly. I know she kind of distanced herself from him, but with all that was going on, can you blame her? I think he took it too personally. After a while, the only thing I really liked him for was his friendship with Xander. God knows that boy needs some more male friends...

Also, Mr. Gordo,

I don't know about the vamp brothel being out of character. I think it was as much in character as Buffy tasting Dracula. Riley could see her fascination with people that hurt her. When Spike started moving himself into her life, she kinda just let him do it. Like when he was telling her about how he had killed those 2 slayers. He had also went on to talk about how much he would enjoy seeing her die. He then comes to her in her backyard later toting a shotgun and looking like he was going to give her some "speed holes". He then sees her crying and goes all sympathetic. He goes to sit next to her to console her, and instead of throwing him out on his ass, she sits out there to talk with him. That girl is insane in the membrane. What I'm getting at is Riley picked up on that stuff. He comes over the next morning to not only find that Buffy's mom was in the hospital. But she didn't ask for him to be there for support, and consoling which she obviously needed. And, worst of all....SHE HAD A GUY WHO WANTED TO KILL HER JUST A COUPLE HOURS BEFORE, OVER FOR THE HEARTFELT CHAT, AND SHOULDER TO CRY ON RESPONSIBILITIES...Buffy is one sick twist. No wonder Riley left. People need to feel needed, and whenever he was there for her she brushed him off, and turned to the evil dead. I'm sure he was probably thinking..."What is it...what is it about the dark side of the force that she just can't get enough of...why does she spend the night with an evil vampire when she could have called me over...she picked evil blood-sucking fiend over loving caring me....". The curiosity is what lead him there....wondering what it was like to have a streak of darkness(or in Spike's case a full-on paint job complete with complimentary waxing, and a nice little ball to hang around his neck to give him that new-car smell)

I think you were kind of way off-track for that one. See, I don't think Spike's character is just that simple to write off. He really did love her, I believe. I think, in a way, Buffy loved him too. And honestly, I thought that was a really sweet part, when he was coming to kill her and ended up consoling her. It just showed how, despite not having a soul, Spike was still capable of all that emotion.

Ah. Ending thought: Riley = Captain Cardboard. :lame:

 

[Lilah]

I am gonna just be brief and say I like Riley, lol. He had his moments were I was not sure on him but apart from those odd moments I thought he was a pretty nifty character.

 

[ChosenOne]

i don't hate riley i just think he was really boring and normal. at least dawn changed but riley stayed the same of the course of the show. And to be honest he never had one single good or funny line

 

[DXY]

I'm going to take up my trusty shield and armour and defend Riley!*Straps on armour**Picks up heavy shield**Lays heavy shield back down**Breathes heavily*

Right! :spank:

I think Riley had quite an interesting character arc(That saying is so theatrical,I love it!)...From saint to sinner is old hat(Or vieu chapeau for the french) but it's still a classic!

I like the blandness of him almost,it's not an insult for me,just interesting to put him and Buffy together and see what happens;I know there's a lot of sex in the series but it's really quite tender which is a good message to send to the world as well...

My favourite Riley moment is when he said to Xander(I forget which episode in Season 5):"I love Buffy but she doesn't love me" or something like that...I thought that was a brilliant glimpse inot the man's psyche!The fact he adores a woman who's 'better' than him is quite profoundly brave and should be admired...Okay,he did cock it up towards the end but at least he tried and that's all you can ask for! :fro: It's noble to allow your loved one to shine and to let her obscure you,especially when you were almost her equal and are now just an ordinary guy,searching for a reason as to your existence...

Or something like that..... :: wacko :

 

[Bubbles]

I don't hate Riley at al. He was a sweet guy who was not so shabby looking.
I think the reason why we were so upset at Riley's being there is because we still belived(and still do belive) that Buffy belongs with Angel. A we had just seen Angel leave Buffy, and really couldn't belive that Buffy had moved on so fast.
Buffy treated him like dirt. Her behaviour was terrible toward Riley and right at the end they had to make Xander tell her exactly what was going on to make any change in that behaviour.
On the flip side...
Riley just made it worse. He wanted her to just forget everything that had happened to her and devote her entire attention to him. Angel never would've done that...
Nevertheless I hated Ruffy! But not nessicarily Riley

 

[ShastaMcLaren]

Riley Haters Come Clean

Every Riley flamer seems to be someone with a drooly Spike or Angel icon. Give me a break! You might have enjoyed Season 4 if you had

1) Accepted that Angel was on his own well-reviewed spin-off show and was NOT coming back

and/or

2) If you paid attention to the show; yes, even when Spike wasn't in the scene.

Season 4 was fun; Giles became a demon, Willow had a massive breakup and met Tara, Faith woke up and raised hell, Buffy reclaimed her inner Rasta Slayer; there is much to love in Season 4, but what I am sick to death of is constant Riley whining and bashing. The Spuffyiers got their Spuffy, and Riley got fired. You got what you wanted, so why keep yammering about it? Sheesh!

 

[Willow Rosenberg]

Woohoo! I adore Riley and actually felt him and Buffy had one of the healthier relationships on the show...not that any of them were really stable, but still it came close.

And as far as the looks department goes, give me a Marc Blucas over a David Boreanaz or James Marsters any day 🙂

::waits to be stoned by the other members::

 

[ProphecyGirl]

Whereas I wouldn't say he's better looking than James Marsters (I can't even feign interest in David Boreanaz when it comes to looks) I liked Riley.

He served a puprose on the show and he did it well. He also came and went perfectly on the show. I don't know why people hate Riley and every reason I've read thus far is , for lack of a better term, stupid. I wouldn't even mind a spinoff with him and Sam.😉