Buffy to be canceled!

[Henry]

If Buffy ended this season, I wouldn't be upset. The series has told a remarkable tale, one that is easily some of the best TV since M*A*S*H. (Note, I didn't like M*A*S*H when it aired, but after catching a few re-runs, I can see some of the same types of character chemistry and witty plots that make Buffy what it is.)

Buffy now has enough episodes to live in syndication forever, but strangely, when watching them in syndication, they feel far too short for me. (Maybe because they play TEN EPISODES A WEEK. ) I think firefly may be really picking up steam - a LOT of people have come out in support of this show after their episode "out of gas" aired a few weeks ago.

So, hopefully a new Joss show will be on somewhere - he's one heck of a writer and idea-man - but in Buffy's case, it was the right combo of a talented writer, a fledgling network giving his show a chance, and Joss's discovery of several writers and actors who shared his vision of how good a TV story could be.

 

[Henry]

I missed the inappropriate lesbian fantasy element that only caters to male audience rather than promoting sexual tolerance and non-discrimination (no matter how much GLAAD is trying to put out this message).

I'm possibly misplacing your tone, but the above looks to me that you disliked their treatment of the relationship. I personally think (noting that my opinion doesn't matter much here, because I am heterosexual), that the Willow/Tara relationship was one of the best-portrayed homosexual relationships on television to date. Interestingly enough, the relationship is focused not on the fact that they were homosexual, but on the fact that they loved one another intimately - their gender almost didn't even seem to be an issue. Even the first time the characters kissed on-screen (during "The Body") was handled in one of the besty and most innnovative ways I have ever seen to date. To me, their relationship had passion, power, intimacy, and most of all understanding and friendship - what everybody ultimately wants in a One True Love.

Rather than relegating the Willow/Oz relationship to the back burner, it actually made recognition of the earlier relationship, and acted as a supplement to it. GLAAD's rather upsetting tactics of acting as if to boycott the show should Willow date a male again in the future really irked me - it served to hurt their cause rather than to help it. Whether Willon was Lesbian or Bisexual wasn't the issue - the issue was someone unexpectedly finding love inside their own gender, and pursuing that reagardless of the fact - it was a love theme, not a "lesbian theme", and many Homosexual posters I spoke with over on the Scoopme boards and the a.t.b-v-s newsgroups pretty much felt the same way.

If I misread your post, Ranger REG, I apologize - but that relationship to me was one of the strong points of the past few years, not one of the weaker ones.

 

[Ranger REG]

If you want to go deep, I like the dynamics of their relationship over the course of two years. It is like a normal relationship that has its ups and downs.

But if you stick with the shallow end of my soul, I just like the idea of Willow (mixed in with her American Pie character) is shagging a girl. Hehehe. It is something about this girl-next-door with a naughty side that arouses me.

You don't see much of that in mainstream TV.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to search the internet for more Buffy-themed erotic stories.

 

[WizarDru]

Another factor that needs to be considered is that after the seventh season, standard SAG contracts expire, and most likely everyone will be renegoitiating their contracts, not just SMG. This can mean a serious increase in the cost of the show, which in turn can signal it's end. This is why most Star Trek shows end after seven years, for example. It's not coincidence, it's economics. It's only the rare and fairly succesful show that even faces this issue, and fewer still that continue on afterwards (e.r. being a prime example).

The question is how much is UPN willing to pay for Buffy. If the ratings are down this year, that will be a serious disincentive. Much as I'd miss Buffy, a new show would allow them to do other things. Perhaps a new show in the same continuity would be welcome. I know I'd welcome a Dawn/Spike show. How about a Xander/Willow sitcom, ala Will and Grace.

 

[KnowTheToe]

I personally did not like the relationship between Willow and Tara. I think it was a forced change on Willow's character and was just done to follow the trend of GLAADs presures to ensure gay characters in every show.

I wish Josh and the rest of the power players of the show had the strength not to give in. I hate political groups like GLAAD. No matter how nobel their asperations, they use blackmail and hatred as weapons against people. I can't delve any deeper without getting political and getting this shut down.

Tara's and Willows characters were both enjoyable and i think that Joss did an excellent job with the relationship, it was about love and not about gay stereotypes, but I wish it had never been.

 

[Crothian]

I personally did not like the relationship between Willow and Tara. I think it was a forced change on Willow's character and was just done to follow the trend of GLAADs presures to ensure gay characters in every show.

I think it was more done because Joss is gay and wanted to explore a gay character.

 

[coyote6]

I think it was more done because Joss is gay and wanted to explore a gay character.

Isn't Whedon married to a woman? She sings on the demo track on the "Once More With Feeling" CD.

 

[Darkness]

Isn't Whedon married to a woman? She sings on the demo track on the "Once More With Feeling" CD.

And that proves what?

Heh. Not to say that he is gay or not, though; I don't have the slightest idea about mr. Whedon's sexual orientation.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

Is Willow a lesbian or bisexual, then?

 

[Ranger REG]

I personally did not like the relationship between Willow and Tara. I think it was a forced change on Willow's character and was just done to follow the trend of GLAADs presures to ensure gay characters in every show.

I wish Josh and the rest of the power players of the show had the strength not to give in. I hate political groups like GLAAD. No matter how nobel their asperations, they use blackmail and hatred as weapons against people. I can't delve any deeper without getting political and getting this shut down.

Tara's and Willows characters were both enjoyable and i think that Joss did an excellent job with the relationship, it was about love and not about gay stereotypes, but I wish it had never been.

I don't know if it was pressured or not. AFAIC, the relationship did not upset me nor do I find it derisive.

What I do find insulting is using Willow's magic as some kind of a drug instead of a disorder. It is from this that I heard rumor regarding the change in dynamic of her character as a way to appease special interest groups that oppose drug abuse. The idea of trying to quite cold turkey of who she is, is like asking an obese person to give up eating entirely when he should change and moderate his eating habit and diet.

As for her sexual preference, does it matter we should classify her as heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual? If she is sexually comfortable in finding a companion regardless of gender, then more power to her.