Willow and Xander, the gay thing

[Foxy]

Josh has stated over the years (if I'm correct) that he wanted to have a gay character and just picked between Willow and Xander.

As a big Tara/Willow shipper, I'm happy that he picked Willow.

However, how different would the show have been if Xander had been gay? Would Oz have stayed on the show? What kind of guy would Xander date? I have been thinking a lot about it, and I think the show would have been very different, especially season 6 (since Tara's death was the reason for Willow going full on evil).

As for Tara and Oz. Is it just me, but when I watch the seasons with Oz, I really ship him and Willow. But later on I really ship Tara and Willow.

What do you guys think?

 

[sosa lola]

If Xander was gay, he'd probably have a fling with Spike in the basement which will make him realize he's gay. He and Anya would break up and she'll probably date Giles? Either we'll have a love/hate sex relationship between Xander and Spike or Xander will fall in love with a new charcater.

Oz left because Seth Green wanted to leave. Perhaps it was why Willow was chosen to be the gay one?

 

[Foxy]

If Xander was gay, he'd probably have a fling with Spike in the basement which will make him realize he's gay. He and Anya would break up and she'll probably date Giles? Either we'll have a love/hate sex relationship between Xander and Spike or Xander will fall in love with a new charcater.

Oz left because Seth Green wanted to leave. Perhaps it was why Willow was chosen to be the gay one?

Did he want to leave? I didn't know that.

What kind of character would he date, do you think? Next to Spike of course 😉

 

[Buffy Summers]

Someone like Larry 😀

 

[cryptwarmer]

I'm glad Joss picked Willow. I've seen far fewer lesbian relationships well done on TV, especially at that time. Also Ally is a better actor and I think had Xander been gay it would have either been less convincing or more campy.

We already had campy gay characters on TV.

I liked Willow and Oz, they were sweet together and Oz was bringing Willow out of herself in some very nice ways that were nice to watch. He was protective of her in a graceful way, but also gently challenging and encouraging. It was a nice dynamic.

Tara brought Willow out in a very different way.

Had Xander been gay I hope it would not have been a campy sort of portrayal, but since that is what they did with basically all of Xander relationships I don't see how else it could have gone. Xander was the demon magnet.

If they didn't go with the demon magnet thing, Xander and Riley for sure. They could have had a nice relationship.

 

[Priceless]

If they didn't go with the demon magnet thing, Xander and Riley for sure. They could have had a nice relationship.

I agree, Xander and Riley would have been a great couple. They actually liked each other as people and I think love could have grown from that. Riley wouldn't have been threatened by Xander as he was by Buffy and Xander would have been kinder to Riley than Buffy was

 

[Athena]

As for Tara and Oz. Is it just me, but when I watch the seasons with Oz, I really ship him and Willow. But later on I really ship Tara and Willow.

I love Willow and Oz just as much as I love Tara and Willow. I guess Willow just has relationship experiences where she, as a character, thrived and blossomed and it was always clear that she loved her partner as much as they loved her.

Oz left because Seth Green wanted to leave. Perhaps it was why Willow was chosen to be the gay one?

I think I read somewhere that this was part of the decision, but don't quote me on that. It was probably a mix of factors, including that and also having Anya stick around, so Xander became 'taken' (unless they thought about making Anya Willow's significant other? That might've been interesting! Wanya?)

Did he want to leave? I didn't know that.

Yeah, Seth Green was starring in the Austin Powers movies at the same time as filming Buffy and he decided he wanted to leave to try his luck in Hollywood instead, but they left it open for him to return.

 

[sosa lola]

If they didn't go with the demon magnet thing, Xander and Riley for sure. They could have had a nice relationship.

Hmmmm, I personally like Xander more with someone he can snark with, so if not Spike, I'd rather a guy with Cordelia or Spike's personality. It's more fun to watch than a love-dovey relationship.

 

[Puffy]

Totally happy with the Willow gay thing (+Tara). Couldnt even imagine a possible Xander gay thing ... Brrrrrr 😉

 

[Taake]

Hmmmm, I personally like Xander more with someone he can snark with, so if not Spike, I'd rather a guy with Cordelia or Spike's personality. It's more fun to watch than a love-dovey relationship.

Xander and... Parker. 😀

 

[sosa lola]

Xander and... Parker. 😀

Parker doesn't snark. Though I wouldn't mind him tricking Xander into bed - me loves angst - but isn't that too cruel after his experience with Faith? *fic ideas start popping in her head*

 

[Iwearthecheese]

I really can't imagine Xander/'guy character to be honest.
Willow tends to have natural chemistry with all her co-stars, male or female; whether its Spike or Riley or Buffy orWesley (their scene in Orpheus was so great) Aly does it effortlessly. There's a reason her ships are my favourites.

I'm fairly certain that Joss made a joke about getting as many lesbians onto his shows as he could possible get away with. There were much more girl/girl in his shows- Firefly and Dollhouse both heavily flirted with it a couple of times.
So I think he had a leaning in that direction.

 

[sosa lola]

I feel at that time of the show a female/female relationship is far more acceptable as women and girls tend to get touchy-feely with each other even when they're straight while guys have to be stiff and strong and macho. A man showing emotions is considered weak and a disgrace. A man showing emotions to another man is a disaster.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I think the writer's really messed up the whole Willow being gay thing, especially in terms of Tara. And I am glad they didn't make Xander gay as it would have altered his story in S7, as he and Buffy's relationship in S7 was about the best thing it had going for it.

 

[vellavu]

I'm still rooting for Xander and Dawn.

Dawn can change her gender after she's 18.

 

[Buffy Summers]

Now THAT would be something.

 

[sosa lola]

And I am glad they didn't make Xander gay as it would have altered his story in S7, as he and Buffy's relationship in S7 was about the best thing it had going for it.

They can still have that relationship even with Gay Xander.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

They can still have that relationship even with Gay Xander.

Sure they could... but they wouldn't. I don't think the writers would have room for it. He would have had something going on with his love interest that pulled away his Buffy 'man of the house' story. You cant be gay and 'normal' on Buffy. Your gayness IS your story.

 

[ChaseRules]

I think Xander begin gay would have worked . We wouldn't have him & Cordy going out plus that would have opened up a whole
mess of things . As long as we had Tara still there I would be fine with that 😀

 

[vellavu]

I think Xander begin gay would have worked . We wouldn't have him & Cordy going out plus that would have opened up a whole
mess of things . As long as we had Tara still there I would be fine with that 😀

It suddenly gave me the idea of Cordy/Tara.