Would Willow have done the same for Oz?

[FetalPig]

The way i think about this is that Oz was dangerous. Because of his werewolf self, Willow had to be vigilant at some level for her own safety and that of others. That led to a level of self awareness which would, I think, temper her tendency to 'just try stuff' which was a part of her addiction to the magics. She trusted Oz, yes, but not the way she trusted Tara. Tara's innocence and gentleness has a two-fold influence in that Tara was supportive and encouraging in a way that made Willow feel powerful and capable. Willow was able to grow strong very quickly and that strength made Willow Tara's protector, especially after what happened with Tara/Glory. Willow's sense of responsibility got twisted up which sets the scene for her to literally 'take responsibility' from Tara and take vengeance when she is 'thwarted' by Warren in her perceived (an unconscious perception if you will) role as Tara's protector.

I suggest that Willow wouldn't have felt responsible for Oz in the same way, wouldn't have delved unfettered into the magics in the same way, and would have had a more mature sense of self-responsibility.

 

[zobothehobo]

I wonder, why she didn't try to use a vengeance demon to get Tara back? Anywho.

Could she have done that? She didn't know Anya had gotten her vengeance on again, but she could have called on Halfrek. Could she have wished Warren missed both Buffy and Tara?

 

[brinkster130]

Its hard to say for sure. My initial thought is no, but I suppose if Willow and Oz had stayed together and their relationship continued to grow and been through similar problems that Willow and Tara had gone through then maybe. I mean either way Willow would have lost her significant other that she was deeply in love with.

Also, correct me if I am wrong...didn't part of the dark Willow snap come from her magic addiction? and her using more and more powerful magic? So wouldn't that mean the Tara's death is what pushed her over the edge? It was more like the final straw rather than the cause of dark Willow?

 

[TaylorSwift]

I don't think Willow would've gone crazy like she did in Season 6 but that's because she wasn't at that magical level in season 4...the "addiction", if we can call it like that, wasn't so strong, she personally wasn't there yet..I guess MAYBE she would've tried to so something with magic but she wouldn't have let it overcome herself in that mad way.

 

[Deus Ex Machina]

Also, correct me if I am wrong...didn't part of the dark Willow snap come from her magic addiction? and her using more and more powerful magic? So wouldn't that mean the Tara's death is what pushed her over the edge? It was more like the final straw rather than the cause of dark Willow?

Most likely. I mean, Dark Willow has been there since Season 4 with her trying to hurt Oz but she managed to come down from that on her own. It progressed in Season 5 and Glory defeated her, taking her down. Then Season 6, it was Xander.

---------- Post added at 07:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:49 PM ----------

I don't think Willow would've gone crazy like she did in Season 6 but that's because she wasn't at that magical level in season 4...the "addiction", if we can call it like that, wasn't so strong, she personally wasn't there yet..I guess MAYBE she would've tried to so something with magic but she wouldn't have let it overcome herself in that mad way.

But do you think if Oz had stayed till Season 6 that Willow would have snapped?

Again, I think we need clarification on this topic. Are talking about Oz dying at the end of Season 4 or the end of Season 6? Season 4, maybe not. Season 6? I don't see how anyone could say she wouldn't.

 

[brinkster130]

I wonder, why she didn't try to use a vengeance demon to get Tara back? Anywho.

I may be wrong but wasn't it mentioned that since Tara's death was caused by a real fatal injury (as apposed to magic, alternate reality etc.) she couldn't be brought back. I know it was explained after Joyce died that since she dies of natural "human" causes bringing her back wasn't something that could/should be done. I always figured Tara was the same.

 

[Brandonxx93]

I do not think that Willow would have gone dark if Oz had died. I personally think that she had a lot more chemistry with Tara. You could tell just by looking at them together. Willow came out of her shell when she was with Tara.

I mean no disrespect to the Willow & Oz shippers because I also liked her with him as well.

 

[Marisa]

I personally think she would have especially if there had been no Tara and they were still together all that time. Willow loved Oz very much so I could see it happening, and since she was a super Wicca at that point it would make sense.

 

[TaylorSwift]

But do you think if Oz had stayed till Season 6 that Willow would have snapped?
Again, I think we need clarification on this topic. Are talking about Oz dying at the end of Season 4 or the end of Season 6? Season 4, maybe not. Season 6? I don't see how anyone could say she wouldn't.

Well, you know...Tara was a witch, they used to do LOTS of magic together..Willow didn't do as much magic as she did when she was with Oz simply because there wasn't a magically inclined friend (or something more) around to share that with her..there was always something or someone to pull her a bit out of it. With Tara, it's different...being both witches AND lovers, the immersion in love and magic (between them it was always there) was stronger and powerful. I don't know if she would've gone that far if Oz had died at the end of season 6 (if he died at the end of season 4 I'm sure she wouldn't have gone crazy). The scene from Wild at Heart always comes to mind..how she can't bring herself to complete the spell and I think that while she tried to take away her pain after Oz left her with magic, I do believe she wouldn't have turned into Dark Willow and tried to destroy the world...I can imagine her trying to get revenge with a spell, but nothing more than that, nothing dark or major.

 

[Deus Ex Machina]

Well, you know...Tara was a witch, they used to do LOTS of magic together..Willow didn't do as much magic as she did when she was with Oz simply because there wasn't a magically inclined friend (or something more) around to share that with her..there was always something or someone to pull her a bit out of it. With Tara, it's different...being both witches AND lovers, the immersion in love and magic (between them it was always there) was stronger and powerful. I don't know if she would've gone that far if Oz had died at the end of season 6 (if he died at the end of season 4 I'm sure she wouldn't have gone crazy). The scene from Wild at Heart always comes to mind..how she can't bring herself to complete the spell and I think that while she tried to take away her pain after Oz left her with magic, I do believe she wouldn't have turned into Dark Willow and tried to destroy the world...I can imagine her trying to get revenge with a spell, but nothing more than that, nothing dark or major.

Then, when is magic = magic and not magic = sex/magic = drugs? I think Willow had a lot of growth with Oz on her own and would have continued. And in my scenario of what would happen should Oz be around, Tara was still there and Willow was still practicing magic.

But, okay let's run with the scenario that Tara hadn't be there. Willow already showed the capability and semi-willingness to perform a dark spell, twice while breaking up with Oz and those were powerful on their own without Tara being there. I think Willow in her quest to shed her nerd-like personality would still study magic, especially with her being on the Hellmouth and all. Tara had nothing to do with Season 2's finale or Season 4, that was all or mostly Willow. As Amy said "Willow had all the power before she even knew what to do with it". To me, that says that Willow has the motivation to become super powerful and progress the same way even if Tara hadn't been there. Dark Willow only wanted to hurt the Trio at first but it wasn't until Giles showed up that she got even more powerful and tried to destroy the world. What Willow did, she already did on her own accord or through Rack. Rack would still exist, she would still use him, she'd still do all the things Dark Willow did when Tara died.

 

[TaylorSwift]

Then, when is magic = magic and not magic = sex/magic = drugs?

No, you misunderstood me. I never even mentioned drugs or addiction also because I never really liked the metaphor of Willow/magic Willow/drug addict. I simply said that when you're that deep with a person and you share, other than love and sex, also magic as a powerful and deeply important aspect of your relationship, that increases your "passion", your "hobby" (whatever you wanna call it), it increases your desire to nurture it and becomes so natural for you.That's it.

I think Willow had a lot of growth with Oz on her own and would have continued. And in my scenario of what would happen should Oz be around, Tara was still there and Willow was still practicing magic.

But, okay let's run with the scenario that Tara hadn't be there. Willow already showed the capability and semi-willingness to perform a dark spell, twice while breaking up with Oz and those were powerful on their own without Tara being there. I think Willow in her quest to shed her nerd-like personality would still study magic, especially with her being on the Hellmouth and all. Tara had nothing to do with Season 2's finale or Season 4, that was all or mostly Willow. As Amy said "Willow had all the power before she even knew what to do with it". To me, that says that Willow has the motivation to become super powerful and progress the same way even if Tara hadn't been there. Dark Willow only wanted to hurt the Trio at first but it wasn't until Giles showed up that she got even more powerful and tried to destroy the world. What Willow did, she already did on her own accord or through Rack. Rack would still exist, she would still use him, she'd still do all the things Dark Willow did when Tara died.

So you painted a scenario where Tara and Oz and Willow still hang around together. Well, this blows my mind a little cause I'm having a hard time imagining a picture like this..it would be like reaching out a bit imagining a dynamic where Tara and Willow are friends and she's with Oz or vice-versa...but let's try to imagine this: ...Oz was always very protective of Willow in regards of magic and always showed concern for her spells so I think either way, Tara or not, boyfriend or not, he would've pulled her out of it, be like..I don't know, the voice of reason.Tara as a friend would've done magics with Willow but then again, it's not something that defines your relationship a lot, it wouldn't have been something so powerful and bonding between them (see my point above) thus less magical aspects in her life and so again, no Dark Willow for me. I don't know if I can explain myself correctly. Let's go to the other scenario: no Tara. I know Willow had LOTS of power and as I mentioned, she tried to do powerful and dangerous spells, sometimes to get revenge and I would never expect her to stop studying magics..not at all. The point is..yes, she could have all the motivations to go power mad but actual progress is another thing...I agree Willow brought herself down that path but a person lives surrounded by people and events..so myriad of little details could bring her to yes, going into a spiral of revenge but not reaching that point..and for me, one of those details could've been Oz. I always saw him as the part of Willow that let her see when she was crossing a line, the calm side of her regarding magic. I just think she wouldn't have the same magic development with him around, even because unlike Tara (not offending, just pointing out her journey's character) he would've stood up and made notice her problems way before she'd gone too far. Willow was always super-powerful, no doubt about that, but it's how you expand that power, and how the people around react to it that changes things. I don't know, it's the way I see it.

 

[spuffy10]

I don't think Willow would have reacted so drastically if Oz died because to me Willow and Tara were a closer couple.

 

[LadyLavinia]

I realize that many of you love putting Willow and Tara's relationship on a pedestal, but this is ridiculous. And considering Willow's reaction to her breakup with Oz . . . yeah, I believe that she would have reacted in the same manner to his death. In fact, Whedon has stated that if Seth Green had remained on the show, Oz would have eventually been killed off and Willow would have turn dark.

And Willow had used Oz in a manner similar to how she had used Tara . . . as a bolster to hide from her own insecurities.

 

[OhWow]

Good question...I wish I knew how to answer it. I just don't want to choose b/w the two relationships...they were both beautiful.