I’ve made the genuine and unapologetic decision to stop watching and just skip around for the remainder of the show. I know Spike comes back in season 5 and I’m wanting that, but I’m just sick of this show. Season 3 was rough but season 4 has ruined the show for me for the same reason 3 was frustrating me. I don’t know if Whedon just started going mentally ill or if the writers they hired were just absolutely brain dead but they do NOT know how to write. Season 4 Episode 17. Watching Conner drag a crying girl who said she just wanted to get home to her mom to Cordelia knowing full well what was going to happen as he was being pleased with not to. I’m done. That wasn’t “dark”, that wasn’t “deep”, it’s not “character growth”, it’s sick. Fuck this kid, I want this character to genuinely die or be sucked into a hell dimension. Say what you will about the most hated characters in the Buffyverse, Warren > Conner. At least he was just an idiotic, narcissistic, misogynist. Conner is an actual monster and so stupid that hes a genuine threat to all those around him. Dawn is thought of as unnecessary and annoying, at least she isn’t literally the writer’s go to answer EVERY time something needs messed up.
Everyone hates on Conner and I’ve read a number of their threads but he is irredeemable to me. People defend him saying “oh hes traumatized oh he’s just so confused” but he’s not! He’s a caricature. He literally never acts like a child, hes canonically 16 or 17 but they have him screw and impregnate Cordelia and his only consistent characteristic is that he wants to bone every woman he’s encountered other than Fred. The issue is though that he has no morality. IDGAF what Holtz taught him. Holtz hated Angel but seemed like he at least pretended he was a good guy otherwise and clearly taught Conner to protect people. So his upbringing is NOT the reason for his actions.
I went into this show hoping for more Buffy goodness with a bit of more realism and darkness due to being about Angel. What I’ve gotten is a show where everyone acts like idiots. Conner is an abomination. Cordelia is literally only here because of her visions, Angel’s IQ is dependent on what the writers need from him that day (is he a genius who can figure out Skip was in on it or is he an absolute moron who a few years after the Buffy incident he actually is lobotomized enough to try to sort out feelings with Cordelia and confess to her? Dude! You KNOW you can’t be in love. The answer is “hey cordi I’m catching feelings. Back tf off and only talk to me about visions unless you want everyone to die, k thanks?”, season 3 was just Proto Conner with the writers making Justine proof positive that they can’t write scarred characters well without making them oblivious lapdogs. At least with her I got the justification of her being tortured by Wesley as punishment for her stupidity
I could go on but the main point is that after S2 I don’t see how this show has defenders anymore. The fact that I’m sure Conner is going to get “growth” and “redemption” after that is just nauseating. Warren died for being better than that. Fred’s professor died without being that bad.
I'm about to rewatch Buffy S4-5 and I have to say that I actually love Riley as a character and as a person in the Buffyverse. To be honest I never really understood why Riley got so much hate, and I personally believe that he was a better and non-toxic boyfriend to Buffy compared Spike/Angel.
Under everything Riley was just a nice guy trying to do what he thought was right. And I'm not saying that he didn't have his flaws because he did have many, like the vampire sucking thing for example, but I don't think his flaws justify all the hate he gets from Buffy fans. I really don't get why people don't like him, is it because he's not angel (or a vampire)?
in my opinion Buffy and Riley were right person wrong time
I'm really not used to digital art and after going on my meds arts been hard anyway so it's not my best work so be nice to me. Despite it all I'm trying my best lol
Hey, have you ever heard of the 2012 sci-fi series Métal Hurlant Chronicles? Probably not, since it seems like no one cared for the comic book adaptation. https://t.co/YbP6Is0Ov5
Hey guys, I’m heading to New Orleans to meet you at FAN EXPO. Make sure you’re following @fanexponeworleans (FB/IG/Bluesky/Threads) or @FANEXPONOLA (X) to stay up to date on all the exciting news. See you soon.
I wonder if, when he first starts dating Cordelia, Xander ever thinks about Jesse and how his dead best friend had such a massive crush on Cordy and then he feels ill and has to stop thinking about that ever again.
Admittedly I’m not in a lot of Buffy forums or anything, but something I’ve been thinking about is how fans say how gross older men/younger girls relationships are in the show, & there are a few, but I don’t ever see anyone say anything about Willow & Kennedy. Kennedy was a potential, I thought most of those girls were like 14-16, right?
I understand that buffy is bisexual but i still don’t think she likes men all that much. she’s very much the kind of girl who is like actively resigned to being attracted to men and then realising girls are an option and IMMEDIATELY never dating a man again
Faith on the other hand is a dyke with comphet who thinks she has to like men or there’s something wrong with her. And that’s part of why she fixates on buffy and sleeps with the men in her life because she wants a single iota of buffy’s attention.
Also both of them want to fuck each other so bad. I don’t think that buffy is faith’s closet key, but i think faith is buffy’s. Like a few years down the line she probably sits up and goes OH YOU TURNED ME GAY to faith and then faith is like. okay b, go to sleep.
btvs is so good at expressing the powerlessness characters feel when grieving. Like Anya’s monologue in 5x16 over Joyce and Dawn and Buffy going ‘I don’t understand’ / 'I don’t understand either’ with Tara in 6x20. It’s always so beautifully acted and executed and it just makes you feel just as confused and helpless as they are.
a huge component in buffy’s depression worsening after she’s resurrected is not just that she believes she was in heaven, but that resurrection is proof she wasn’t. the heaven buffy thought she was in was peaceful for her because she thought her loved ones were okay and happy without her, but being resurrected is proof that they weren’t. buffy is not only traumatized by her resurrection and having to claw out of her grave, she is then confronted with the reality that the people she loves most in the world weren’t okay. they were depressed and miserable and lonely and needed her. willow, xander, anya, and tara missed and needed her so much that they ripped her out of her false heaven. it was selfish and there was no world where buffy was going to be thankful the way willow wanted her to be or okay again the way they all needed her to be, but it was also an abrupt and terrible awakening to the fact that buffy’s heaven was conditional upon a lie.
Last year, we asked for themes you’d like to see represented in Featured Works. You gave us many wonderful ideas, and our Features Mod thanks you.
Considering how influential dreams are in the Buffyverse, from Slayer dreams to “omg duh, Spike!” dreams, the suggestion of DREAMS seemed like the perfect place to kick off 2026. Our current features explore various dreamworlds and how those worlds bridge the gap between mortal enemies.
I don’t think we stop and think enough about how everyone on Buffy has a weird name. In fact, I’m going to rank them from most to least weird:
17. Tara: This is a regular name that a regular person might have. Not unusual for Appalachia even. 0/10
16. Riley: This is also a real name. Only slightly more interesting because it’s ever so slightly androgynous. Maybe the weird names guy was on vacaction for season 4. 0.25/10
15. Anya: You’re really telling me that name is a thousand years old? Okay. Could’ve been like. Boudicca or something but noooo. 0/10 this one needs more weirdness not less.
14. Faith: Ok so I’m starting with the normal names which does kind of argue against my point. 0.25/10 for thematic significance or lack thereof
13. Dawn: I want this one to mean more than I think it does. 0.5/10
12. Joyce: While I’ve never met someone IRL with this name, it’s a normal mom name. 0.5/10
11. Cordelia: Again, technically a real name but not one you see in the wild very much. 3.5/10
10. Rupert Giles: I’m putting them both in ‘cause while they’re both technically names, the weird meter is starting to tick up. 3/10
9. Wesley Wyndham-Price: His name is a hotel chain. Why do they call Giles his last name and Wesley his first one? Much to consider. 3.5/10
8. Darla: Definitely a weird name, especially for someone from ??? but definitely not the 1980s. 6/10
7. Xander: While your average anglophone can easily discern the relationship between this and a normal name from first principles, I have never heard it anywhere else, and starting a name with an X gives it a noticeable weird bonus. 7/10
6. Willow: While I have met more Willows in real life than Xanders, I would argue that Willow is part of a real life weird name trend where hippies name their children after plants. 9/10 for coolness, 6.5/10 for weirdness.
5. Spike: While I guess you can kind of see how a punk or murderer might name himself Spike, it is pretty funny. 7/10
4. Oz: Again, there is a clear route between a normal name and this cool nickname, it is for sure weird. Why is he named after a fantasy kingdom that’s named after something L. Frank Baum saw on a file cabinet once? 8/10
3. Drusilla: Is this a real name? I’m not looking it up. Cool badass vampire name for sure, extremely troubling since it was her actual Victorian human name. 8/10
2. Angel: Sounds like a nomme de pole, and Angelus is Not more normal. 9/10.
1. Buffy: Supposedly this is a nickname for Elizabeth, but it’s completely unhinged and clearly the name of a rabbit or small dog. 10000/10 peak weird name.
it’ so so funny that buffy is canonically into kinky sex, but she’s also a prude, so she genuinely believes that liking kink makes her evil. i know that she’s like this because of the show is misogynistic, but it’s still such a silly belief for her to have. like she’s going “oh no! i like using handcuffs during sex! clearly i’m a monster!!!” and she’s dead serious about it
“Monsters are taking the night off,” Buffy said confidently, opening the doors of the rebuilt Bronze. “I’m glad you finally have an excuse to rest,” Spike replied and followed her out anyway.
Buffy loved holidays and had been planning their costumes for months. Spike never minded her creative impulses and happily agreed to be Ken in a matching couple costume. The Slayer looked perfect. Glowing. Smiling. Pink suited her. Spike noticed.
The screaming started five minutes later. Classic.
Demons straight out of a textbook. Slimy, vicious, relentless. Buffy snapped a heel into someone’s mouth. Spike used a visorless baseball cap as a weapon and didn’t even know that was possible. The pink outfits quickly turned red.
“You are under arrest,” a loud voice announced. “Nothing new,” Buffy sighed.
After the city had been destroyed once, the authorities no longer joked about the supernatural. Sirens. Lights. Armed soldiers. Police.
The holding cell was cold. Ken, without a passport. Barbie, with blood on her shoes. Luckily, the whole “Buffy Summers bank robbery” story had been lost somewhere in old archives, so they didn’t stay behind bars for long. Bail was posted by the younger Summers. Dawn had understood it years ago. They were beyond fixing.
“Again?” she asked. “Always,” Spike smiled.
Bad and wild, they never chose the right life. Not that night. Not ten years later. Watch out, monsters.
The conversation between Joyce and Buffy in the episode Passion is really hard to watch with modern eyes.
Instead of focusing on the fact that Buffy is clearly being stalked and was potentially groomed, she is solely preoccupied with her daughter “showing poor judgment”, by having sex with someone “unstable”. Rather than shaming her, she should be trying to get her daughter a restraining order (and some therapy).
It’s also frustrating that they keep calling attention to the age-gap between Buffy and Angel (“he is older than you, too old”) but never actually taking the idea to it’s logical conclusion. If they want to give the age-gap actual gravity in the story, then Buffy was clearly manipulated by an older man and could not actually consent to sex with Angel (age of consent in California was 18 in 1998). Either don’t mention it or follow through on it.
You are asking for the IMPOSSIBLE 😭 But I'll do my best!
EPISODES
The Body. No episode has ever impacted me as much as this one has on television, and I think I speak for most of us Btvs fans when I say that. They way it deals with the reality of grief hits hard and they do it in such a unique way. Also, the acting? Incredible! SMG is killing it! This is also an episode that will never stop me from crying.
Fool For Love. The backstory/lore of Spike? Sucked me right in from the start on top of him dealing with his complicated feelings for Buffy. Especially with the porch scene at the end!
Once More With Feeling. A musical episode?? Yeah, I played the music on REPEAT on a burned cd in my teens and printed out the lyrics and taped them on my walls 😭Not only are the songs still stuck in my head, the episode is so seemingly lighthearted and turns out so devastatingly dark with Buffy's reveal to her friends. Then there's the kiss at the end as a delicious bonus!
The Gift. Still makes me cry by the end of the episode. Buffy's realization, her sacrifice to save Dawn and the rest of the world is heartbreaking and beautiful!
i think buffy writers screwed up a lot with spike but the silliest one is that the missed the obvious gag of him requesting the buffybot and it kicking his ass. he requested that she have slayer strength and want to kill him, even if just for foreplay.
When Buffy is left bereft after Spike's death in Los Angeles, the Scoobies decide time-travel is the only answer, and Willow is the witch for the job. With a little luck, she can save the day, and make amends along the way.
When Buffy is left bereft after Spike's death in Los Angeles, the Scoobies decide time-travel is the only answer, and Willow is the witch for the job. With a little luck, she can save the day, and make amends along the way.
A very Spuffy-centered continuation of the series; starting with their reunion just after NFA. Now where will it lead them? What new challenges will they face in a world with multiple Slayers? Nearly all major characters will eventually make an appearance.
I have a question. I know Angel always feels horrible about the innocent people he kills when he is Angelus. Does he remember everything he did as Angelus? Basically is he still there the whole time, and can see what he is doing as Angelus, but can't stop himself, or is it like he blacks out during that time? Sounds like a whole "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," thing. I know there was an episode, where he saw the spirits of all the innocents he killed, like the teacher Miss Calender. Wasn't Giles in love with her? Did he ever killing forgive Angel for killing her as Angelus? Was he able to distingish Angel from Angelus after that? Sounds like as Angelus he is basically a psychopath, and kills for the pure joy of it. He must of felt awful have to face Giles afterwards!
I just finished S5 E10 and I am devastated that Riley left. From the moment he first graced the screen as the adorable TA in the college bookstore I hoped he would end up with Buffy. I thought they had an immediate chemistry. Then he did slowly realize he was in love with Buffy. Then he fucked up, majorly. The. Buffy didn’t get to him in time. I’m just devastated. I know this is a fictitious show, but this hurts me on a personal level. I wanted Riley to be her forever guy and he couldn’t get over his own insecurities. Then again, Buffy didn’t really try to let him inside her world (personal world, slaying aside). I’m just at a loss about this. Honestly devastated.
ROYCE: These first few transformations are the worst. Werewolf's strength combined with the disorientation and fear...
FRED: You mean, she could hurt herself?
ROYCE: Oh, I've seen 'em bang their heads against walls, claw at their own skin.
ANGEL: We'll just have to tranq her, let her sleep through it.
ROYCE: Well, that could work for tonight, but, uh, over the long haul, bad idea.
FRED: Well, there has to be something.
ROYCE: They like familiar scents, images. Maybe if you took her home, let her get a few things, could have a calming effect.
The Mayor was named Wilkins in S1 then in S5 Glory’s other half was named Wilkinson. I thought that was cool. A human named Wilkins wanting to become an “old one” and an old one made human named Wilkinson. Hmm. 🤣
I have the entire series on DVD but ya know, Hulu is right there...
I think I haven't watched in like a decade. I saw it live and then re-watched with said DVDs...
Currently on season 4, E2...and they just switched to widescreen. And I HATE IT! It's absolutely ridiculous and not the way it was shot!
Secondly, I noticed a lot in season 3 and now in 4, the stunt doubles are REALLLLLLY noticeable. Like to a point that I'm shocked. Maybe I didn't care to believe it before but it's kinda comical. And SMG's double really doesn't match Body-wise.
Just little things.
The writing still gets me. Right in the feels. Laughs, cries, and everything in between.
Challenge #3: Write a love letter to fandom. It might be to fandom in general, to a particular fandom, favorite character, anything at all.
Post your answer to today’s challenge in your own space and leave a comment in this post saying you did it.
Dear Fandom,
You've changed. That isn't a bad thing. I'd go so far as to call it a good thing.
I remember when we met - properly, that is. Not the shy glances, not the vague hellos, the genuine, meaningful introduction. When I announced myself. I'd better remember it; I did it several times. You had to, in those early days. Everywhere we met, even if I already knew someone there, I had to introduce myself all over again. There was some fun to be had in that.
I remember when it was just us, you and me. At least, it felt like that. When I didn't dare speak your name and hid behind euphemisms and vague half-truths. When the party was small enough you could fit it onto one dance floor. When I think back on it, the excitement of being private and secretive, of having something all to myself, was a powerful feeling.
You're not my secret anymore. You've come roaring out into the world, with everyone aware of you and many people taking you seriously. There's power in that, too. I know I've known you longer than most people out there. It's still not something I want to explain. I don't think I should have to, and even with so many people knowing about you, I'd rather keep things quiet. They know you their way. I know you mine. The way I know you isn't just the way I remember you; it's the way I'm constantly getting to know you. There's things I can say about how you used to be - the phrases, the trends, the arguments of the day, the sudden new shiny thing appearing out of nowhere - and most of those things are pointless, because there's always going to be arguments and trends, with some of those arriving new and some simply wearing new clothes and I love that I've gotten to know you well enough to recognize which is which. To parse where the impulse comes from. To perceive the motivations. What's happening now would've happened back then and it'll happen in the future.
That's part of what I love about you that I've only recently fallen in love with. I couldn't have loved it back when we met. I didn't know you well enough.
I miss the thrill that came from knowing you, just from knowing you. But people meeting you for the first time are feeling that same thrill themselves. I've learned enough to know that. I've learned enough to love that people are always falling in love.
Buffy and Spike meet in a bar and begin an intense affair. They both know their time together is limited. Spike is in town to track down the father he never knew. Their worlds are upended when they discover the man he’s tracking down is Buffy’s father, too.
Life hasn’t been easy for Spike and Buffy. From two lonely kids who found a rare, unbreakable friendship, their bond blossomed into something extraordinary, something that feels like destiny, soulmates, and a love meant to last a lifetime.
Through life’s highs and heartbreaking lows, they faced it all together… until one devastating tragedy tears them apart, leaving a rift that seems impossible to mend. Yet even in the wake of loss, their hearts ache to find each other again.
This is the story of love, loss, and the fight to reclaim what was once lost.
Trigger warning for future chapters—please read chapter notes before diving in.
Buffy and Spike meet in a bar and begin an intense affair. They both know their time together is limited. Spike is in town to track down the father he never knew. Their worlds are upended when they discover the man he’s tracking down is Buffy’s father, too.
A moment of jealousy and poor judgment brings Buffy face-to-face with an alluring stranger. What seems like a chance encounter may prove to be far more dangerous than she ever imagined.
when you're watching other stuff and you see someone who was in a Buffy episode do you start squealing " they were on Buffy!" ? sometimes it takes me a sec to remember which episode but I get there eventually. anybody else weird like that?
James Stephens -Hyena exhibit guy he was big in the 70/80s
Ancient Spirits of Evil, Behold! A Resurrection. Reimagining and complete re-work of an old idea given the breath of new life. Hopefully to be completed before 2055. (Cartoons -> Thundercats)
it's not exactly an unpopular opinion to say that S4 was an absolute train wreck and didn't work for most people. It gives me the ick just thinking about it and on my first time watching I remember almost crying thinking they were butchering Cordy. Conner is so abnoxiously annoying, and the whole Jasmine storyline robbed my last nerve. And when I realised what was happening between fake Cordy and Conner, this super wholsome image of Cordy, Angel and baby Connor having a nap together keeps popping up in my head and it gets all more and more disgusting and I could throw up.
So fans of season 4, please tell me why you actually like this season, like give me the whole ordeal so I don't have to skip Season 4 anymore on every rewatch. Please try to change my mind
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