A thought about Willow.

[elisi]

Don't know why, but this has been going round in my head recently. It's very obvious, but it gave me insight into Willow (which is a good thing), and how she grows etc.

The thing I noticed was this:

WILLOW: ...the only thing I had going for me ... were the moments - just moments - when Tara would look at me and I was wonderful. (grimly) And that will never happen again.

Now I like Willow/Tara very much, but Willow's statement here seems to me to say that she's really very immature when it comes to love. What she says is all about how Tara made *her* feel... Contrast for a moment with Spike in 'Touched':

I'm not asking you for anything. When I say, "I love you," it's not because I want you or because I can't have you. It has nothing to do with me.

Then I began wondering about Willow/Kennedy - it starts with plain, ordinary attraction, but Kennedy is soon made to realise that Willow isn't 'wonderful'. And Willow is careful that she doesn't forget her lesson. Kennedy doesn't try to ignore the darkness for the sake of keeping peace, she makes herself Willow's link out of it.

*re-reads*

Does that make sense all? I'm not really used to Willow meta, or exploring her character. How much growing up did she do in S7? Did Kennedy help? What did Willow learn about love?

Thoughts? Comments? Anything? Please come bringing insights, because I'm flailing.

Comments

[zanthinegirl.livejournal.com]

Interesting. That puts me in the position of having to say good things about Kennedy, and as she's the only character in the Buffy-verse I actively dislike...

I will say that I never thought Tara was especially good for Willow. A strong personality like Willow needs someone who is able to stand up to her to have balanced, healthy relationship. Oz (for example) was interested in Willow in season two, but won't kiss her just to make Xander jealous-- which is when she suddenly becomes interested in him. Tara was starting to stand up for herself in season 6, but in Seeing Red she wants to skip all the painful parts And just be kissing me (or something like that) so who knows how it might have gone!

[elisi]

That puts me in the position of having to say good things about Kennedy, and as she's the only character in the Buffy-verse I actively dislike...
:) See? I am Pollyanna, bringing the positive sides to the most unlikely places! And yes, I agree with what you say.

[zanthinegirl.livejournal.com]

Heh-- "Go, Kennedy!"? :D Or just "Kennedy, Go!"

Don't see them having a long term relationship though-- they don't seem to have much in common besides both being "Gay, Now". And with Willow I'm not so sure it's so much "Gay Now" as "Bi Now". Of course in my personal version of season 8 (which happens only in my head) she met up with Oz again on some trip for the new council... Maybe in Istanbul...

It's happy inside my head!

[elisi]

Of course in my personal version of season 8 (which happens only in my head) she met up with Oz again on some trip for the new council... Maybe in Istanbul...
Hmmmm. I might snag that. ;)