Reviews of s8 issue 4.

[elisi]

Realised that for some reason I forgot to put these up. This time I've ordered them in groups:

I've got a theory...
Excellent summary and analysis by moscow_watcher.

Canon-y goodness yay!

Indepth review by stormwreath

Review and meta by aycheb

*shrug* (a mixed bag...)

Review by beer_good_foamy

Review by yourlibrarian

Review by confusedkayt

Review by shapinglight

Review/rant by ruuger

wtf?

Review by sp23


Um... thedeadlyhook? molly_may? Any thoughts at all? Or are you just paralysed with not caring anymore?


But I have a theory of my own... Because lets face it, Buffy looks *nothing* like she did on the show (who is this round-faced, button-nosed young woman people keep addressing as Buffy?). So, I think the real Buffy (and the real Dawn) are in Rome. This Buffy (and Dawn) are from a parallel universe, where incidents not entirely unlike those in 'our verse' took place, but with the odd differences of course [insert ret-cons]. Oh and Willow mindwiped everyone so they *think* this is the real Buffy. :)

*has brainwave*

When they brought the other Buffy and Dawn through, parallel!Amy and parallel!Warren hitched a ride. That, I think, explains everything! My theory is neat! *g*

Comments

[aycheb.livejournal.com]

But we knew that already, from when Dawn wouldn't talk to Buffy in issue 1. And I don't think it's OK to sacrifice charcterisation to make thematic points.
We didn't know (or at least remember) that Dawn wanted Buffy to be a *mother* figure to her. And I don't think it's sacrificing characterisation unless you blinkeredly insist that Dawn is speaking entirely literally and solely to pass on information to Buffy.

I do think I notice themes more than characters, it may just be that they're easier to verbalise but if you were to ask me what, say, S6 is about the instant response would be something like 'depression,' 'disillusionment,' lots of d words not Buffy and Spike and Willow and Xander. I don't think you can separate them easily though or it may just be that for me characters don't have a life independent of the stories they're in. Sure a story with themes but no believable characters is just a manifesto but characters without a theme are just participants in a reality show and I'd rather read an essay than watch Big Brother. Actually I really hate Big Brother.

[elisi]

that Dawn wanted Buffy to be a *mother* figure to her.
Well Buffy clearly saw that as her responsibility. (See the end of 'Forever') Also, what exactly does Dawn want from a mother? Someone who abandons her for a year wihtout a word? (Anyway, I have some meta thoughts myself on Buffy/Dawn now. Will post in a little while.)

I don't think you can separate them easily though or it may just be that for me characters don't have a life independent of the stories they're in.
Ooooh that's a big subject! First of all, of course themes can't be separated from stories and characters. It's all a part of one big lovely ball which is why I love it - when I watch the show I can appreciate all the different layers (individual arcs, story arcs, relationship arcs, metaphors, themes, continuity etc.) and the whole at the same time.

But separating the characters from the story is *exactly* what fanfic *is* - and why Buffy fic is so varied. Because the characters are so rich that you can drop them into brand new scenarioes and watch what happens. That's the fun of it - the endless 'what if?' To use an example from above - what if Warren had killed *Xander* and that had been Willow's trigger for going dark? Could Tara have talked her down? How would S7 have unfolded with Tara there, but no Xander? The Buffy verse characters are part of the story we all love (canon), but they're also much, much bigger than it. Compare and contrast with say 'Romeo & Juliet' - their power lies in their story. Change the story, and you've lost the point.

Anyway, I better stop rambling - I have a feeling I've been sidetracked. To briefly rein myself in - s8 could be a very interesting story. If it's any more than that still remains to be seen.

[aycheb.livejournal.com]

But separating the characters from the story is *exactly* what fanfic *is*

I think that's why I'm a vidder not a ficcer. Because my immediate reaction to your 'Warren kills Xander' example is why tell the same story with different people? For whatever reason I don't seem able to see fictional characters as like little black dresses which look good in anything. Hence possibly the vague dissatisfaction with post Chosen fic however well written - none of it tells the Buffy story that I (subconciously) felt would suit her, that of the grown woman who'd found her vocation.