LadyLavinia
Scooby
I have read many articles and forum posts on Willow's magick problems during Season 6, and I have noticed that many viewers and critics accused the Mutant Enemy writers of screwing up the "Addicted Dark Willow" storyline. I had just finished watching my copies of the BtVS Season 6 episode "“ and I could not see the justification for this criticism.
Okay, I did spot some justification "“ in the episode, "Wrecked". This is the episode, in which Willow has her first encounter with Rack, the warlock/dealer/pimp, also came off as an overbearing statement on addiction "“ something straight out of the "ABC Afterschool Special". For me, this was the only true lapse in Willow's addiction tale. But the rest of the arc, which began even before she pursued witchcraft, seemed "“ if not perfect "“ at least very well written. And Alyson Hannigan did an excellent job of portraying Willow's insecurities and growing dependence upon magick, over a period of six seasons, and her struggle to overcome the addiction and her demons, during Season Seven.
One of the complaints many viewers had was that the writers focused more on Willow's addiction and not on the insecurities that led to her addiction. On this, I have to disagree. First of all, Willow's personal problems and insecurities have been explored since the first BUFFY episode, "Welcome to the Hellmouth". Also, one would note that the series also revealed Willow's decision to become a Scooby and Oz's girlfriend (how many times have we heard her point out that she was a musician's girlfriend) and use witchcraft to hide from her insecurities. I suspect that the viewers had expected the Scoobies or the writers to immediately point this out, once Willow's addiction was exposed. But it wasn't and it is possible that a lot of people ended up disappointed.
Frankly, I would have been disappointed if Willow's insecurities had been revealed by the time of "Tabula Rasa/Smashed/Wrecked". It would have been too soon, and I would have had difficulty believing that the Scoobies would immediately guess the reasons behind Willow's problems. Quite frankly, they were too immature to make such an assumption. Like many people, they made the mistake of believing that going cold turkey over a period of time would cure Willow of her addiction. So, it came as no surprise to me that in the end, it took an experienced adult "“ namely Giles "“ to force Willow to confront the symptoms behind her magick addiction. And to deal with it in a more effective way. Which Willow had struggled to achieve in Season 7.
With the exception of the over-the-top episode, "Wrecked", I thought that Mutant Enemy wrote an effective story arc on Willow's problems "“ from Season 1 to Season 7. And I am thankful that they did not commit the same errors that the WB show, CHARMED had committed in a similar topic. In the latter, the youngest sister becomes involved with a witch, who is addicted to magic. That particular storyline ended with the sisters suggesting that he strip himself of his powers. As if that would solve everything. I don't know whether he had agree or not to do it, but Paige (the sister involved) ended up dumping him. Interesting reaction from a former alcoholic.
I have to say that I guess we can be thankful that Mutant Enemy didn't follow CHARMED's mistakes.
Okay, I did spot some justification "“ in the episode, "Wrecked". This is the episode, in which Willow has her first encounter with Rack, the warlock/dealer/pimp, also came off as an overbearing statement on addiction "“ something straight out of the "ABC Afterschool Special". For me, this was the only true lapse in Willow's addiction tale. But the rest of the arc, which began even before she pursued witchcraft, seemed "“ if not perfect "“ at least very well written. And Alyson Hannigan did an excellent job of portraying Willow's insecurities and growing dependence upon magick, over a period of six seasons, and her struggle to overcome the addiction and her demons, during Season Seven.
One of the complaints many viewers had was that the writers focused more on Willow's addiction and not on the insecurities that led to her addiction. On this, I have to disagree. First of all, Willow's personal problems and insecurities have been explored since the first BUFFY episode, "Welcome to the Hellmouth". Also, one would note that the series also revealed Willow's decision to become a Scooby and Oz's girlfriend (how many times have we heard her point out that she was a musician's girlfriend) and use witchcraft to hide from her insecurities. I suspect that the viewers had expected the Scoobies or the writers to immediately point this out, once Willow's addiction was exposed. But it wasn't and it is possible that a lot of people ended up disappointed.
Frankly, I would have been disappointed if Willow's insecurities had been revealed by the time of "Tabula Rasa/Smashed/Wrecked". It would have been too soon, and I would have had difficulty believing that the Scoobies would immediately guess the reasons behind Willow's problems. Quite frankly, they were too immature to make such an assumption. Like many people, they made the mistake of believing that going cold turkey over a period of time would cure Willow of her addiction. So, it came as no surprise to me that in the end, it took an experienced adult "“ namely Giles "“ to force Willow to confront the symptoms behind her magick addiction. And to deal with it in a more effective way. Which Willow had struggled to achieve in Season 7.
With the exception of the over-the-top episode, "Wrecked", I thought that Mutant Enemy wrote an effective story arc on Willow's problems "“ from Season 1 to Season 7. And I am thankful that they did not commit the same errors that the WB show, CHARMED had committed in a similar topic. In the latter, the youngest sister becomes involved with a witch, who is addicted to magic. That particular storyline ended with the sisters suggesting that he strip himself of his powers. As if that would solve everything. I don't know whether he had agree or not to do it, but Paige (the sister involved) ended up dumping him. Interesting reaction from a former alcoholic.
I have to say that I guess we can be thankful that Mutant Enemy didn't follow CHARMED's mistakes.