Jane After Dark: Top five Buffy hookups!
Miss B is back for another Buffy-centric offering of her TV Squad column. This time we get some of her favorite couplings of the series.
I'm tempted to use the word "disappointed"... just to see what happens.
May 03 2009
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Individual posts are copyright their respective authors
This is a non-profit, unofficial website, not affiliated with Mutant Enemy, Inc., 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers or UPN.

Xane | May 03, 12:47 CET
didifallasleep | May 03, 13:03 CET
It's so cliche for something horrible to happen on the day of the wedding to make the characters not get married and I hoped BtVS was above it, so that disappointed me. I agree with the column writer that Xander's reasons were, once again, lame. Some guy says he's from the future, shows visions of misery, and Xander just accepts it? I know the whole "but Xander thought that still could have been their future and he was scared" etc but I didn't buy it. He became too much of a whiny douche for the rest of S6 for my taste, but at least he got better for the crayon speech and S7.
Dhoffryn | May 03, 13:03 CET
*kidding*
didifallasleep | May 03, 13:05 CET
Chrisham2 | May 03, 13:08 CET
Simon | May 03, 13:09 CET
I couldn't disagree more. Tara stood by Willow even after she realized that Willow had altered her mind. She gave her another chance, and Willow did it yet again! Yes, Willow was addicted to her magic, but that is no excuse for abusing the one person she loved the most. Should an alcoholic get any sympathy when he beats his wife and kids? Tara did the right thing by leaving. That "stand by your girl" crap doesn't have any weight here whatsoever - especially not when your girl has power over your mind.
Phew...sorry for the rant people, but I'm extremely protective of Tara. As for Xander/Anya... Yes, Xander was a douche. "I don't wanna get married but I still want to date?" Worst cop out ever.
Egghead | May 03, 13:13 CET
But good drama though. Which lies at the heart of most fandom battles. Can a show be interesting with happiness for the characters? Or are they two separate concepts?
Simon | May 03, 13:17 CET
Shep | May 03, 13:33 CET
Well based on her last column I totally called #1. Here's mine:
#1: Buffy and Angel. Talk about the GOOD kind of drama!
#2: Willow and Oz. How sweet it is.
#3: Buffy and Spike. It was like watching a train wreck, but there's a reason people do that.
#4: Xander and Cordelia! Can't believe there's no love for these two or their crazy little romance. I still gasp in shock every time they start making out in the basement.
#5: Giles and Jenny. Loved their interactions, and the Dru-as-Jenny payoff was that much more gut wrenching.
ailiel | May 03, 13:36 CET
Oddly, I adore Adelle even though she mindwipes people on a weekly basis.
theclynn | May 03, 13:37 CET
Illyria | May 03, 13:41 CET
There was Riley and Sam. Though that probably was about it.
Back in the day I was a huge fan of Buffy and Riley. I liked him, he was the everyman. More so than Xander.
Simon | May 03, 13:41 CET
ftloosenfanzfree | May 03, 13:44 CET
2. Willow and Oz
3. Xander and Cordelia
4. Spike and Dru
5. Giles and Jenny
katetwo | May 03, 13:47 CET
And I'm talking about by the time he left Buffy, not just at the beginning when he was all cutesy with the "She's...peculiar."
Illyria | May 03, 13:48 CET
As for the Willow thing, I feel that Kennedy has as much place in Willow's life as Riley did in Buffy's. Willow and Tara were good, but then Kennedy came along and it seemed like the gay subject was being sold more than the couple. After seeing S7 and reading half of S8, I have yet to be convinced that Willow's relationship with Kennedy is much more than convenience. Willow might feel for Kennedy, but I can't bring myself to view Kennedy as anything more than a rebound girl. I'm not anti-gay, but I get the feeling that Tara might have been the only female character right for Willow, and if it had turned out that way, the relationship between those two characters would have seemed more special.
sarahi | May 03, 13:49 CET
Giles'chainsawchick | May 03, 13:53 CET
[ edited by xMadxScientistx on 2009-05-03 23:06 ]
xMadxScientistx | May 03, 13:55 CET
Yea, they didn't do "the sex" (yet) but there was certainly something between them. And remember the body-switch ... think about it metaphorical! :-D
But serious: These two had a strong connection.
mmm cookies | May 03, 13:55 CET
[ edited by MattK on 2009-05-03 22:56 ]
MattK | May 03, 13:55 CET
There was a Girls Who Love Riley fan following on one of the biggest Buffy boards back when season 4 and 5 aired. I must actually get round to writing about my time in the fandom before I forget it all.
Simon | May 03, 13:55 CET
[ edited by xMadxScientistx on 2009-05-03 23:06 ]
xMadxScientistx | May 03, 13:56 CET
Edit: No one counts Parker, so don't even go there. :P
[ edited by CarpeNoctem on 2009-05-03 23:02 ]
Illyria | May 03, 14:00 CET
[ edited by xMadxScientistx on 2009-05-03 23:06 ]
xMadxScientistx | May 03, 14:00 CET
Well you're not fooling me. No siree.
dzr | May 03, 14:02 CET
theclynn | May 03, 14:02 CET
2.Spike/Angel
3.Spike/Xander
4.Spike/Riley
5.Spike/Spike (those crypts get lonely)
redeem147 | May 03, 14:08 CET
Well you're not fooling me. No siree.
I fell for it! I was totally going on about my secret almost canonical otp.
Sad thing is, I should be doing homework.
xMadxScientistx | May 03, 14:10 CET
Whereas I am trying to work out if that really is Eliza Dushku following Whedonesque on Twitter. Clearly I have nothing else to do.
Simon | May 03, 14:17 CET
Haunt | May 03, 14:19 CET
didifallasleep | May 03, 14:19 CET
Wasn’t it that Buffy never let Riley in emotionally that bruised him much more, though?
Not saying Riley didn’t have any faults, but rather that it was mutual incompatibility that did them in. I think their relationship was sweet, heartbreaking and, in its portrayal, honest.
hence | May 03, 14:24 CET
1. Spike/Buffy
2. Spike/Dru
3. Willow/OZ
4. Buffy/Angel=Xander/Anya=Willow/Tara=Xander/Cordy
The number fours are all about equal because I enjoyed them while they were going on, but I wasn't particularly passionate about them.
I'm not including Giles/Jenny because the bad outweighed the good. Besides, I wanted Joyce and Giles to get together. Sue me.
Xane | May 03, 14:27 CET
Haunt | May 03, 14:35 CET
Simon - I am unsure also, but Kevin Smith seems to be convinced, so maybe I should be?!
bubblecat | May 03, 14:43 CET
streetartist | May 03, 14:44 CET
Sorry...eh yeah I'm gonna use it...no one stop me...I AM DISAPPOINTED!!! There now it's out there so use it at will...
[ edited by BlueSkies on 2009-05-03 23:49 ]
BlueSkies | May 03, 14:48 CET
What? There's others?
:-)
Dana5140 | May 03, 16:47 CET
My list
1)Buffy/Angel
2)Willow/Tara
3)Willow/Oz
4)Xander/Anya
5)Giles/Jenny
Buffyfantic | May 03, 16:55 CET
"I have no dance."
Sunfire | May 03, 17:13 CET
Yes. Also a fan of Willow/Tara and Willow/Kennedy.
Rowan Hawthorn | May 03, 17:54 CET
dzr | May 03, 18:01 CET
LOL Um... slang for the male reproductive organ.
Haunt | May 03, 18:36 CET
vampmogs | May 03, 19:00 CET
I don't fault Xander for walking out, ultimately, because it's better to walk out before you get married than after. But I was annoyed that they didn't just go ahead and let them get married.
[ edited by KingofCretins on 2009-05-04 04:06 ]
KingofCretins | May 03, 19:05 CET
But I really ended up disliking him when he comes back and there's an entire episode about completely humiliating my two favorite characters (that's Buffy and Spike, in case you're keeping track) for the benefit of someone I've never really cared about. (Besides, I'm still convinced his "wife" was a robot ;) Talk about Mary Sues. Although that might have been the point and I was just too indignant to acknowledge it.)
Also, I agree with a lot of people that Xander walking out on Anya was cliche and boring "drama." That always happens on TV shows, and I would have thought the show would have had more courage than that. That's what I loved so much about Wash and Zoe (and Coach and Mrs. Coach on Friday Night Lights): it takes so much more skill and courage to tell the story of a happy couple and keep it interesting. That could have been done with Anya and Xander, I think, and I would have loved it.
Since we never get to ship on here, I might as well take this opportunity to throw out my list.
1. Buffy/Spike because their relationship in Season 7 is my crack. I can never get enough of it. How deeply they trust and take comfort in one another after the horrible things they've both done...that's the definition of forgiveness and redemption right there.
2. Willow/Oz because it was by far the sweetest thing in the world. Actually, Willow's relationships have the highest sweetness quota, because her and Tara? Also wonderfully sweet for most of their run. But because of what happened between them in S6 (all on Willow's side, actually), I can't list it on my favorites.
3. Xander/Cordy because of the snark level. I loved him with Anya, too, but he and Cordy were the first couple on the show I really, really adored. Besides. I love Cordy.
4. Giles/Jenny because I loved watching her chase him and him being all ruffled and "British" about it.
5. Spike/Dru because of the evil hotness! Too. Much. Fun.
Though I have to give Buffy/Angel credit for producing the best plot-revolving-around-a-romantic-relationship. S2 was epic. S3...not so much. Besides, the fact that she was so young kind of squicks me.
Lirazel | May 03, 19:54 CET
Eerikki | May 03, 20:57 CET
Ship? Me? Never!!
shinyEcho | May 03, 21:24 CET
Lirazel-At the time Riley left, he was under the assumption that Joyce had come through surgery okay. He had no way of knowing what would happen and neither did anyone else. Also, when he left, he had no idea that Dawn was being 'chased by a hellgod'. The only people who knew at that time were Buffy, Giles and Joyce.
CarpeNoctem-I liked Riley. I liked Buffy/Riley. I liked the pairing when it aired and I still like it now.
menomegirl | May 03, 21:38 CET
But those are just my feelings. I don't insist that everyone feel that way. And hey, I know how you feel. Spike dissing still drives me crazy. Labeling Buffy as a bitch (which I see a lot of) upsets me even more. And I love the heck out of Dawn, so I often get annoyed with hearing people bash her. We've all got our characters we're overprotective of. I respect your Riley like. It's cool. ;)
Lirazel | May 03, 22:11 CET
-Riley had no problems with Buffy being stronger than him what so ever, its just a silly fallback for anyone who cant see the real problem. His problem was that Buffy did'nt want or need him. She used him because he was convinient, nothing more, and that grows bitterness.
-A question for all who hates Xander for leaving Anya at the alter. You actually prefer a man who dosnt belive the marriage gonna work/dont whant to get married, but lies about it and still marries?!? In my world leaving her like that was horrible, but considering the option it was the lesser of two evils. But what do I know?
Satai (with Punsch) | May 03, 22:44 CET
And I have to say that yeah, if you're at the point where you're in the church, you go through with it. You can always split up later, but if you really want to hurt someone badly, leave them at the altar.
[ edited by Xane on 2009-05-04 07:48 ]
[ edited by Xane on 2009-05-04 07:49 ]
Xane | May 03, 22:47 CET
This is my favorite sentence of the day. So. True.
You actually prefer a man who dosnt belive the marriage gonna work/dont whant to get married, but lies about it and still marries?!? No. I'd prefer for him to have sat down with her before that episode and talked about why he was feeling this way, had doubts, etc. That would be the mature decision and far, far less cruel. Also, I'd prefer the show not to have taken the cliched/totally-saw-it-coming route.
Lirazel | May 03, 23:00 CET
I loved Giles and Jenny though. I'm surprised more people didn't mention that pairing.
jiggyfly | May 03, 23:26 CET
I'm not a B/R fan, but I feel sorry for Riley as a character (and Marc as an actor). Coming in after the star crossed saga of Buffy and Angel and playing the 'normal guy' can't have been easy.
But I really think 'As You Were' gets a bad rap. Apart from the punny title, anyone who has ever had an ex reappear in their life, especially when they're all hunky dory and you're at a crossroads, can empathise with Buffy. There are so many themes (trust, self hatred) bubbling underneath the surface of this episode that it's well worth a rewatch.
missb | May 03, 23:50 CET
Simon | May 03, 23:53 CET
Ok, but if marriage is taken that lightly, why bother to marry at all?
And Hell yea, the mature thing to do is to sit down and talk it through before the wedding, but now Xander didnt so his option was to either lie or break her heart. And I'd choose an honest heartbreaker over a lying s********* who actually dosnt care about marriage any day.
Im absolutely not a B/R fan but in Rileys defence I might add that a "normal, boring, cornfed (exotic expression by the way)" guy that was, by comparison, nice to her was actually quite good for Buffy at the time. The everydayness of Riley grounded her in the ordinary I think. Buffy probably could have gone down a quite different road if it hadnt been for Riley.
Satai (with Punsch) | May 04, 00:20 CET
Buffy/Angel
Whedonette | May 04, 02:02 CET
I always thought Riley had far more chemistry with Willow than with Buffy. And quite a bit with Spike during the drinking scene.
redeem147 | May 04, 03:51 CET
Buffyfantic | May 04, 04:46 CET
treenie | May 04, 04:47 CET
treenie | May 04, 04:49 CET
@Haunt...eh thanks...never heard it called that before...nice one!
BlueSkies | May 04, 04:52 CET
I kinda think murdering Jenny and laying her body out for Giles to find is worse than attempted rape - which of course justifies neither
Let Down | May 04, 05:15 CET
Haunt | May 04, 06:43 CET
They just as easily could have broken up pre-wedding or post-wedding (or gone somewhere still kind of original and stayed married) but the fact that it was a lame leave-her-at-the-alter storyline is what makes me not like it. It's just so overdone and there was nothing original about it at all.
Then, to make Xander more of a douche, he has a hissy fit when Anya and Spike have sex like she did anything wrong? Xander was just way too much like a whiny, self-centered teenager (way more than Dawn) in that period and it gets on my nerves.
Dhoffryn | May 04, 07:26 CET
Lirazel | May 04, 09:52 CET
BlueSkies | May 04, 12:19 CET
Otherwise, there are some tough choices, if you only have five. I'd probably add Spike and Dru, but it would be a tough one to make my final choice between Willow/Oz and Buffy/Riley. Because Riley's character was so integral to Buffy's understanding of who she really was .... or more to the point, who she could never be .... because season4 is pretty near to perfection, and because Marc Blucas just doesn't get the respect he deserves for how beautifully he acted the role.
Simon | May 04, 08:53 CET
Yes! ... so glad I'm not the only one to think so, Simon. And I think there were many more great acting moments for Marc Blucas, as well.
I may be a distinct minority, but with all the great relationships on the show, Buffy and Angel don't even make my list, if it has to be kept to five. A perfect plot device to be sure, but on any other level, it just didn't work for me.
[ edited by Shey on 2009-05-05 11:47 ]
Shey | May 05, 02:46 CET
I liked Riley as Riley, I just never thought he was right for Buffy.
But I have to defend him against the worst charges. What he did with the vamps wasn't good, yes. But he was attempting to reach out to Buffy, trying to be there for her regarding both Joyce's ilness and Glory. And her reaction (as it so, so, so often is with people who care about her) was tyo push him away and basically say "I'll handle it." To me, being really needed for something is part of a relationship; the first person has every right to expect the other person to get something out of being with the first. Relationships require both contributions and the feeling of having contributed.
As for "As You Were," Buffy and Spike were both in certain places; this just revealed it. Not Riley's fault. (To be honest, one could say the same about "Lovers' Walk;" Spike only revealed the problems in the 3 Sunnydale couples. Didn't stop my hating him as he drove off singing with Gary Oldman.)
And as I've said,to me Willow and Tara were the most perfectly matched couple (in the sense of one being strong exactly where the other was weak) I've ever seen on screen. I miss Tara; heck, I'd even almost* love Joss again if he brought her back and paired her with Satsu. *almost; he's hurt me too many times for me to be a truly obsessed fan again.
Honestly, I thought Olivia was good for Giles, if she could've gotten used to the whole magic-and-monsters thing. (I only resurrected Jennie in my fics because I already had to resurrect half my cast anyway.)
Spike pre-soul, well, his 'ship with Buffy lost me at the handcuffs. Post-soul, I can see her liking him again. Different people, at bottom. But he and Drusilla had a terrifying sweetness I liked; without him, she's off-putting to me.
DaddyCatALSO | May 05, 08:57 CET
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