When Readers Attack.
A columnist whose recent article about lesbians in entertainment caused a stir on public Buffyverse forums, responds to comments. Two of the comments mentioned come from Whedonesque posters.
Well that was different. I think this is only the second time that a Whedonesque poster's remarks have been commented on at another site. So well done to Maeve and Bad Kitty.
May 05 2004
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marmoset | May 05, 19:57 CET
ZachsMind | May 05, 20:20 CET
Hmm, interesting how the old article is "out of date" (and no longer online) just as this new one is published. I would have liked to have compared her views then with what she has to say now.
Now knowing the fact L. A. Vess reads our comments, I'll address this to her.
In real life, gays and lesbians face the same tragedies as straight people. Loved ones die, horrible things happen - it's a part of life. However, it is also a part of life that both straight and gay people can have life-long, happy, positive relationships that don't end up with someone dead, nuts or both.
...wouldn't it be fair to ask him to reconsider his plot twist in order to keep the relationship alive?
While I hear what you are saying about long-term, realistic, positive gay relationships, I completely disagree with using the Tara/Willow relationship in your argument. Anything and everything is practically doomed in the Buffyverse, no matter what gender, race or sexuality. Joss has been described on many occasions by his collegues (and perhaps even by himself) that he likes his characters to hurt. Its how he explores and portays his stories and perhaps what makes his storytelling so unique.
You don't consider the context of the Willow/Tara relationship. This is BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. An exploration of pain, hard-ship, resiliance, and selflessness (only to mention a few) through the fantastical portrayal of dark world filled with Slayers and Demons. You simply can't use Tara's death as an example for what you are arguing. Joss cares enough about his stories that he won't make some ludicrous decision for the sole reason of pleasing the gay community. I'm sorry, but it is unreasonable to ask something like that.
Nevertheless, your overall point is understood. Homosexual realtionships do deserve a realistic and positive portrayal in both television and cinema. However, the fact that you used the Willow/Tara relationship and gave an (implied) accusation of Joss killing Tara because he was anti-homosexual just ticked me off. But you've cleared the latter up, so I'm not so peeved : ).
By the way, I doubt any posters here at Whedonesque ever got to the point of hating or name calling. Maybe that's why we got the mention...
[ edited by kaivaal on 2004-05-05 18:45 ]
kaivaal | May 05, 20:43 CET
There you go!
bloodflowers | May 05, 20:49 CET
Simon | May 05, 20:59 CET
kaivaal | May 05, 21:05 CET
cubiclesatan | May 05, 21:11 CET
And while I applaud her putting some responses up and replying to them, I am as unimpressed with her reasoning abilities as I was when I read the article.
Notice how she agrees that lesbian relationships shouldn't have to be 'nurtured' or made 'special' and that true equality is the goal, yet in the same paragraph says that while she acknowledges that Joss had always planned to kill Willow's lover, be it Oz or Tara, he should have changed his long ranging plot plans just because it was a lesbian relationship now.....uhmm....okay. Does she read what she writes? Or can't she remember back further than a few lines??
Also nice how she wishes some lesbians could end up alive and happy, and then considers Willow-Kennedy completely irrelevant because it only lasted one season.
Sorry, but I have the impression nothing would satisfy her. And really, in light of what she's added I still think it's the height of irony to call Joss of all people on how he treats lesbians in his stories!
[ edited by EdDantes on 2004-05-05 21:01 ]
EdDantes | May 05, 23:00 CET