elisi: Living in interesting times is not worth it (Smile Fan by buttersideup)
elisi ([personal profile] elisi) wrote2006-12-11 11:48 am

Them comics...

OK, I've been pondering the whole comic book thing and reading various posts, and here's my two cents (or should that be pennies?).

You know what my first thought was upon seeing the outfit? 'Thank goodness she's finally wearing something approximating armour!' Oh it's unflattering, and the pockets are *ugly*, but I'm thinking that if the new Slayers had been wearing something similar in Chosen more of them would have made it out alive. And since Buffy wants to keep them alive, and has to set a good example, she's wearing the stuff too! The gun is obviously not a gun, but some sort of 'forcefield zapper'. *shrug* She's on a mission, and I doubt she'll be wearing only one outfit through the whole season. The Riley-ness of it is unappealing, but - as [livejournal.com profile] shapinglight put it - don't judge a book by a few pages. Just as you shouldn't judge BtVS by f.ex. 'Bad Eggs' alone!

Now about the ret-con... I like it. Although it's going to co-exist with the previous canon version in my head. Let me try to explain:

1) Buffy dating The Immortal. I like The Immortal - or rather I like all the possibilites he opens up. He's a blank canvas characterwise, and writers have done incredible things with him (he's probably my favourite thing about 'Three Deep' and [livejournal.com profile] treacle_a's version is also *amazing*!) I like the fact that Buffy is having fun in her new life, and that Mr Perfect is her rebound guy.

2) There are 3 'Buffies', and one of the extras is dating The Immortal. First of all, this is a fantabulous gift for Spuffies everywhere. The giant big obstacle in the path of true love has been poofed away! Woohoo! Second, it makes TGiQ *so* much better. I always liked it, but Andrew (although entertaining) always felt a little off. But if the whole thing is *his* idea, and *his* set-up, his behaviour makes more than perfect sense: He's been allowed to write his own Buffy fanfic, and my goodness but he grasps the chance! It explains why Buffy is never there, but more importantly it shifts the focus back on Spike and Angel, rather than shipping wars, and possible anger at Buffy. So yeah, this is going to be canon to me as far as that episode is concerned! :)

The other thing of course, is that people have spent what seems like forever having an Immortal shaped problem in their fic (unless they choose to develop him, as mentioned above). I don't think I've ever come across a fic that dared ret-con him away like that. And yet Joss just did it, and I'm sure there are many, many writers muttering to themselves 'Why didn't I do that?' The answer of course being that people would think it rather ridiculous! Heh.

I think that was all - in any case I have to run. Oh - I also meant to say that as far as I can tell, S8 will take place concurrently with S5 of AtS, so in a way it's only filling out all the blanks between the snippets we've been told. I think I would like to know more. Some people have said that they want to know what happened after NFA. Not me. I am immensely grateful that Joss won't be touching the perfect ending, and if he ever does I might have to give it a miss. I just don't want to know.

ETA: The comics are like canon back-up! At least that's my take. :)



For anyone who might have missed it - I posted the Epilogue to Illyria, Alone on Friday.

[identity profile] lusciousxander.livejournal.com 2006-12-14 08:22 am (UTC)(link)
I may be a weird shipper because I don't want my couple to be together in canon.

Don't worry. I'm just as weird as you. I'm so happy Xander and Spike didn't get together in the show, accosing to JM, Spike was supposed to be brought back as a regular to be Cordelia in every sense, including being gay with Xander. Then the writers decided Willow is a better choice to be gay, and Anya was gave the Cordelia role.

I'm so happy, there was no Spander, the slashy hints of the show are enough to make the ship as popular as it is right now.

The Bander I'm writing is post-Chosen, it's a lot easier that way that during the show. Still, I think making Buffy see Xander that way is the tricky part. Really hard. Needs a lot of thinking.

once I wrote a story in which he became the head of The Watcher's Council.

Link? ^_^
ext_7259: (Spander)

[identity profile] moscow-watcher.livejournal.com 2006-12-14 09:29 am (UTC)(link)
I'm so happy Xander and Spike didn't get together in the show, accosing to JM, Spike was supposed to be brought back as a regular to be Cordelia in every sense, including being gay with Xander.

I read a lot of speculations about it but never saw any direct quote. Did James really said that? Do you have a link to his quote - about writers intentions to make Spike Xander's boyfriend?

Link? ^_^
http://moscow-watcher.livejournal.com/21747.html

[identity profile] lusciousxander.livejournal.com 2006-12-14 10:17 am (UTC)(link)
I only have Pesha's word on it:

"I actually have to respond to this because I realized that no one had. They had thought of making Spike gay and having the Spander relationship turn out to be a canon thing. I remember hearing a lot about that. James Marsters actually talked about it at DCon back in 2003 when Skitty and I went. We both died all over ourselves for the idea that Spike could have been bisexual on the show. (There was actually very little basis for Spike being bisexual whereas groundwork had already been laid for Xander's switch from heterosexual to bisexual.) There was also talk of the return of Larry or another HS friend that Xander could become involved with."
ext_7259: (Spander)

[identity profile] moscow-watcher.livejournal.com 2006-12-14 01:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Interesting. I remember Dragon Con interviews very well because I translated them for Russian JM board. He hasn't said anything and Spike's bisexuality when he talked from the stage, but he could have been more talkative and open in private conversations.

And the way Anya has been introduced in The Wish, she could be reintroduced in season 4 as the future Giles' love interest. It was a bit weird that Joss who is famous for breaking couples started Anya\Xander ship back in season 3 and kept them as a couple (well, in season 7 - more or less) for more than 4 seasons.