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Aug. 3rd, 2003 04:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rusty_haloI don't have a problem with complicated, flawed characters. I understand that Buffy endured a very difficult life that was bound to cause emotional problems. I liked and sympathized with Buffy quite a bit up until "Smashed."
However, when she began taking her pain out on other people, who didn't deserve it, I lost all respect for her. When she sobbed at the end of "Dead Things," not because she felt bad for hurting Spike, but because she felt bad for letting Spike taint her. When she didn't even flinch at the bruises on Spike's face in "Older and Far Away." When she never ever apologized to him for months of physical and emotional abuse, and never acknowledged to anyone (save a vampire who she proceeded to kill) that she was just as responsible for their fucked up relationship as Spike was.
Buffy could have regained my sympathy very easily if she'd shown any kind of remorse for the way she mistreated Spike. IMO - she didn't. And not only that, but the writing inplicitly excused all of her misbehavior. They harped on the AR over and over, but never once brought up the "Dead Things" beating. I'm disgusted by the double standard that the writers used in excusing all of Buffy's poor behavior. And for those reasons, I cannot stand the character.
I respect that others have the right to disagree. I have never once bashed or judged the people who like Buffy, and I would appreciate if they'd refrain from bashing and judging me. Accusing me of having "no compassion" and so on is just bullshit. You can't judge who I am from my opinions of a fictional character. It's like those people who call Spike fans "rape apologists" and "serial killer lovers." Quit making real life judgements about people just because they disagree with your opinion of a fictional TV character. Debate the opinion, not the person who holds the opinion.
However, when she began taking her pain out on other people, who didn't deserve it, I lost all respect for her. When she sobbed at the end of "Dead Things," not because she felt bad for hurting Spike, but because she felt bad for letting Spike taint her. When she didn't even flinch at the bruises on Spike's face in "Older and Far Away." When she never ever apologized to him for months of physical and emotional abuse, and never acknowledged to anyone (save a vampire who she proceeded to kill) that she was just as responsible for their fucked up relationship as Spike was.
Buffy could have regained my sympathy very easily if she'd shown any kind of remorse for the way she mistreated Spike. IMO - she didn't. And not only that, but the writing inplicitly excused all of her misbehavior. They harped on the AR over and over, but never once brought up the "Dead Things" beating. I'm disgusted by the double standard that the writers used in excusing all of Buffy's poor behavior. And for those reasons, I cannot stand the character.
I respect that others have the right to disagree. I have never once bashed or judged the people who like Buffy, and I would appreciate if they'd refrain from bashing and judging me. Accusing me of having "no compassion" and so on is just bullshit. You can't judge who I am from my opinions of a fictional character. It's like those people who call Spike fans "rape apologists" and "serial killer lovers." Quit making real life judgements about people just because they disagree with your opinion of a fictional TV character. Debate the opinion, not the person who holds the opinion.
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Fandom should take a good, hard look at itself...
Date: 2003-08-03 09:21 pm (UTC)=#=
There is nothing that irks me as much as personal attacks online over FICTIONAL characters. I have ranted about it and tried to not let it happen on the lists. Unfortunately the "protection" the net gives makes some people lose all pretense at rationality.
Disliking Buffy is your right (and mine as it happens)!
I do have to say though - I don't give a flying rat's ass about what people online say about me or if they chose to expose themselves as having no lives (and being in need of medication) when they go for the jugular over some tv show.
I used to care about the show. A lot. In some level I still do, but the passion is gone and I bless the day *somebody* went: "Bored now..." at ME and freed me.
Chen all cranky due to much NY missing
Re: Fandom should take a good, hard look at itself...
Date: 2003-08-03 09:46 pm (UTC)Yup. I just can't imagine rational people saying these kinds of things to each other in real life, but online they lack that boundary. At least on well-run discussion lists, a moderator will step in and stop the personal attacks. On LiveJournal people just say anything.
I know, I just shouldn't let it get to me, but it always does. I'm way too sensitive about these things.
We miss you in NY too! It was so fun to hang out. We definitely have to get together when you visit again.
Re: Fandom should take a good, hard look at itself...
Date: 2003-08-03 11:51 pm (UTC)WORD. Personal attacks - over a stupid TV show of all things! - are beyond pathetic. I can't even pretend to respect those people who get personal when they disagree with your *opinion* about a *fictional* character.
As for Buffy - I despise her from the bottom of my heart, for all the reasons Laura listed. The onscreen Buffy finished her journey by turning into someone extremely selfish, cold, manipulative, and ultimately heartless. I don't hate her because I "lack compassion" - on the contrary, I have overwhelming compassion for Buffy's victims, and when I remember their suffering at her hands, I wish the bus she was riding drove off the cliff.
Re: Fandom should take a good, hard look at itself...
Date: 2003-08-04 10:59 pm (UTC)WORD, Chen!!!