MISC: NERD ALERT....GOODBYE BUFFY 5/19/2003

[Dalton]

NERD ALERT: For al you Andrews Out There. A change of pace
This is the last episode, boys and Grrls.

Up till now, the Nerd Alerts have been mainly for fun and laughs. This time, however, emotions are running high and we're all prepared to be very, very hurt (and to love it.) We of the ScoopMe family have gotten to know each other, fought each other, supported each other. No matter how different our opinions have been, we all loved BTVS and it has become an intimate part of out lives. I think we deserve some personal closure.

And so, I'd like you to use this space to say goodbye. You may address a character or group of characters, an actor or groups of actors, a writer or Joss himself. Include why you're sorry to be parting and what your good wishes are for that character or person. You may be as humorous or as serious or as angry as you wish. You may include any mixed or ambiguous feelings you like. You may embrace or vent or both. These are YOUR emotions, and emotions, including the mixed ones, are all valid.

Since this has been my own forum, I'd like to start.

Diane U

[Dalton]

Dear BTVS one and all:

Thank you for seven years of wonder, horror, laughter, fright, tears, joy, sadness, grief and triumph.

Thank you for special nights when I was taken on a wild ride that never left my living room. Thank you for my friends, whom I've never met because they don't really exist, except in my heart which is breaking because they are going away.

Time passes and friends move on. Even my real-life friends have done so from time to time. It's not realistic to expect BTVS to last forever, however much I might want it to. It really is the right time, however sad it makes me.

Thank you for ending the show, not when it had become trite, stale and boring but while it was still fresh and wonderful. Thank you for that wonder.

Joss, your vision became my reality. I can thank you for so many things, but I think I'll confine it to my gratitude for your willingness to take the chances that gave me "Hush," "OMWF," and that Damon Runyonesque shark in "Tabula Rasa" amid so much else.
Sarah, thank you for your lovely face that reveals so much without saying a word. Thank you for being willing to work so hard and for every bruise you sustained during fight scenes. Eat something, darling. And please, if you must leave us for the big screen, do something worthy of your talents. I'll be watching with interest.

Tony, I so hope you get your own show. I do not enjoy the appropriately named "Manchild" and after all you've given me as Giles, even if you don't do "Ripper" I'd like to see you do something deep and involving. Thank you for Giles in all his complexity. Thank you for going past the quiet, shy librarian and showing us the hooligan Giles once was and was capable of being again. Thank you for his ruthlessness and his tenderness. Thank you for your beautiful smile.

James, what can I say? For once, my love of words fails me. In a few seasons I watched a villian change and grow. You made me laugh and cry and cheer and cry again. You showed me all about truth, and why it's best. I'll be at the screen in the fall, looking for you on Angel, but wherever you are, to me you are, for all time, Spike.

Nick of the wonderful face. You gave me Xander. You made him flawed and made me love him. You made him silly and I cried for him. You made me feel Xander's pain and made me laugh. You took clever dialogue and made it sing. You taught me what a loyal friend really is. Because of you, I want to become the Xander in the lives of all the people I love.

Allison, for all my Spikecentric activities, I think I will miss Willow most of all. You weren't the leading lady, you were so much better. I admired your ability to break my heart with a glance. I rejoyced when you succeeded and grieved when you failed. I love all the other characters, but when I dream of BTVS over the years to come, it's your face and especially your beautiful, expressive eyes that I will see in my mind.

Godspeed, my friends whom I have never met. May all good things come to you and may you get to do every role you want for the remainder of your careers.

Diane U

[Dalton]

My life is better because of Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

I don't think I can pin down the exact reason. I can't reference a specific episode here or there and use it to display my feelings. In fact, I can't even pin it down to a season.

I suppose I could relate everything through Xander's eyes, as I always do. The normal guy who sticks to those he loves because it's the right thing to do, even at his own peril. Perhaps I could say that empowered women turn me on. Buffy's strength of character and uncommon nobility; Willow's intelligence and kindness, Dawn's fierce loyalty, Tara's sweet, uncomplicated decency.

Maybe I could pay tribute to the show's message that redemption is possible, though a price must be paid to earn it. Spike was a murderer throughout the majority of his time on Earth. It all gradually changed when Buffy Summers came into his life. Slowly, but surely, he became a positive force. Buffy may have inspired him, but the seed of decency had to be within him in the first place.

Even as I write this, I'm not sure where I'm going with this post. I glance over these last two paragraphs and find myself searching for a theme that I can hang my hat on. Maybe I should cheat and use Joss's phrase.

Life Is Hard.

I look at that and find myself in wholehearted agreement. Anyone who is over the age of eighteen can tell you that. I don't care where you come from, or how much money you have, or how good looking you are, life can grind you down. It can put you in a dark place where you don't want to see or talk to anyone. You just want it to go away...or in the worst case scenario, end altogether. Move on to whatever comes next, because it has to be better than this.

So yes; life is indeed hard. Truth be told, however, a lot of art forms give that message, from Sophocles to Eminem and many things in between.

Therefore something sets this show apart for me. I think I know what the difference is; I wish I could take credit for the theme. My feelings, however, aren't particularly original.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer is about love.

Everything that happens in the Jossverse, be it joyous or painful, is the result of love. Somehow this connected with me. Somehow Joss Whedon made me love these characters as if they were members of my own family. I live through Xander Harris, for example. No one I've ever watched reminds me more of myself.

His journey was the most familiar to me on a personal level, but in reality it wasn't all that different from every other character on the show. Gender is irrelevant to me. Self discovery is everything. There are some things that one has to learn about themselves, on their own.

Buffy, Willow, Xander, Spike and Dawn have all had episodes where they were forced to handle things with no help, and learned things about themselves in the process.

Could they have done these things without each other, however? Could Buffy have found the strength to give her life for the world? Could Willow have been able to face down Faith and the Mayor by herself in Season 3? Could Xander have defeated several zombies and done his part to avert an apocolypse all by himself in The Zeppo? Could Spike have gone through incredible pain to retrieve his soul? Could Dawn have found the will to defeat the spirit invading her home in Conversations With Dead People?

I don't think so. Not without each other. They did these things alone, yes; but they had each other's strength and spirit to bolster them (though Spike is a slightly different case). Whether or not they realized it on a conscious level, they're together even when physically they are not.

They love each other. There is no single defining moment to which we can point that illustrates that; it just happened. The bond formed, and it doesn't break unless THEY allow it to break. Even on those rare occasions it doesn't take much to forgive and move on because they can't imagine being without each other. It's unacceptable.

That is what Buffy The Vampire Slayer means to me. Love on oneself, bolstered by the knowledge that you are loved by others. No matter what, the people you love are there for you when everything goes to Hell....even if they aren't there in body. Without the people you love, you couldn't do what you have to do all by yourself.

It's a strange dichotomy, but it sums up life pretty well to me. No other art form has ever said it in a more meaningful way than Joss Whedon's creation.

Long live Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Thank you to all the wonderful writers, directors and actors for enriching the lives of millions over the last seven years through your hard work. I hope we'll meet again someday.

Rob Sorenson

[Dalton]

I can't write. I am crying too hard.

Thank you both for putting into words what I cannot.

Sue

[Dalton]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer has changed my life.

Before I gave in to a fearful curiosity and began to watch Buffy I knew the answers to almost every question. I saw things clearly - in black and white. This was GOOD. That was BAD. This was worth thinking about. That wasn't.

But something inside me was restless. I had a Real Life then, but the relationships didn't feel Real. Deep things, deep emotions inside me were not being expressed.

Then came an accidental viewing of 'The Harsh Light of Day' - and I'd never seen anything like that before. Heresy! Werewolves, vampires, and slayers, oh my!

I didn't watch any more, it was too scary. Not the werewolves and vampires, - the ideas. But I couldn't forget them. And when FX announced they'd be showing Buffy from the beginning, I decided to tape it and watch a few, just to see... And here we are.

A couple or 3 years later and my life has been overturned. And I am richer, and deeper, and sadder and happier and crazier, and more sane. I'm writing again. I'm singing again. I'm working out and becoming me again. I'm thinking again.

Much of that is because of the stories and the vision that Joss Whedon has shared with us.

Much of it is because of an epiphany I had when I read some things James Marsters had to say about his work, his passion for acting, his willing sacrifices for what he values. I don't share his beliefs about some things, but I have refueled from his passion, I've found new joy in MY life and my talents, from his, and I've borrowed determination from his sacrifices. I can't explain it. It's a thing.

I'm a Christian. I'm thankful for the colors God created, and the new eyes he's allowed me to have, so I can see them. I'm thankful for the wonderful and strange ways God has of using unexpected people and events to show us needed truths, and to give us what we need, so we can have joy. I'm thankful for Buffy and Xander and Willow and Spike and Giles. I'm thankful for James Marsters, and so thankful for the genius and detemination of 'angry atheist' Joss Whedon.

Now that Buffy is almost over, I'm sad, and a little panicky, but I'm so thankful that even though I came late to the party, I didn't miss it entirely. I'm also thankful for DVDs.

Patti T.

[Dalton]

Diane-

What a marvellous tribute-

thank you for so perectly expressing what i am sure echoes the feelings of so many who watch Buffy each week.

I have had occasion to think about what Buffy and this board have meant to me in my life quite recently.

I feel that his board like Buffy( cast and series) has weathered changes and threats (both external and internal) and come through swimmingly.
I do not particularly relate to any character in the show per see(except for planning my next life to include a bigamous relationship with my now husband and the future one,Spike).

It was always the dynamics of the interaction between Buffy, Willow,Xander,Giles,Angel,Joyce and later Dawn,Spike,Anya, Clem and now even Andrew that drew me into the show.

My affection for the show grew so incrementally that it took some time b/4 Ii became aware just how much time I was devoting to thinking about various aspects of the show; its overall message and the impact it was having upon my imagination.

I have devoted reams of paper and print cartridges to downloading stories, criticisms, and arguments about the Slayer and her cohorts. Who’d a thunk it?

I accept that an epoch is over and though I look forward with trepidation to the future BuffylessTuesday nights I feel like I have stumbled upon a like minded community on this board and for that I am thankful.

ellie

[Dalton]

In the beginning, that was what it was about for me... Grrl Power. When Buffy started, I was living in a strange city on my own for the first time in my life. I desperately needed a friend and Buffy filled that need.

Buffy had just moved to Sunnydale and was way out of her element when it came to slaying, etc. Then, she kicked ass. And, along the way, she taught me how to kick ass (though, figuratively in my case) as well.

For that, I am eternally grateful to Joss Whedon. In a time when I was feeling severely depressed and all alone, he gave me a reason to get back up and take charge of my life. It seems silly to say that about a TV show but it has alaways been so much more than just some silly TV show with a silly name.

The characters on the show have always been easily identifiable. I was Willow. I dated Xander. My best friend was Buffy, though without the whole "slayer, chosen one" prophecy thing. I rode the bus with Cordy (well, not after that first year because she always had a b/f with a cool car). I felt connected to the BuffyVerse. I closed my eyes and plugged my ears whenever Willow got or was about to be embarrassed. I cried for Xander when Buffy told him he was like "one of the girls". And, I cheered for Buffy every time she took down a Big Bad.

Tuesday is the last time I'll get to do any of those things, the last time I'll be able to sit back with a smile of satisfaction as the credits role.

Sure, we still have Angel and guest spots to look forward to but, despite my enjoyment of AtS, it will never be the same again. I've been living in denial this past week, trying not to think about not having a 'new' Buffy to look forward to next year. No longer will I be able to read stories about how the actors/actresses are all coming back from hiatus and filming has restarted. With one more day to go, I can't deny it any longer. And, it hurts... badly.

I love these people and the joy, sorrow, laughter, groans and so much more that they've given me over the years. No words can possibly express how much it has meant to me and how much I will miss it. One Tuesday, next fall, when I've got my ice cream and Buffy DVDs out remembering the good times, I'm sure I'll raise my spoon in a salute to all the memories everyone at BtVS has given me. As for Right now, well, I just want to offer them a simple "thanks", take my box of tissues, and go have a good cry in the bathroom.

So... thanks to everyone at ME; to Joss; to Sarah, Aly, Nick, Anthony, James, Michelle, Emma, and so on; to Marti, Jame, Drew(s), Doug, etc.; and to everyone who ever helped out/appeared/etc. on the Buffy set. *sniff*

[Dalton]

Well - you all sure know how to make a girl cry.

What I learned the most from BtVS is that I'm not all alone in perceiving how things fall apart in life. That I'm not freakish in my thought processes; others know that loss is simply a part of life that must be dealt with and accepted. And that learning that lesson, and then doing the dealing and accepting, are not an easy task. It hurts. It's hard. Mistakes are made.

But that love pulls us through. There is laughing. There is joy.

That is the overall message of BtVS - that our lives are by nature solitary, but that to live them fully, we must reach out and interact with the world and the others in it; we must be brave. And if we are, we can make a difference. Even if you're "just" a girl.

For the relief BtVS gave me, and still gives me, in my darkest moments, I can never find enough gratitude. Though I truly love all the cast and writers, and every season and every ep, I thank especially Joss, Marti, Sarah G and James M - whose vision and performances in Season 6 touched me beyond measure.

Edited By Spring Summers at 5/19/2003 3:15:00 PM.

[Dalton]

Warning - this may be maudlin and sappy. I too have been fighting tears since reading the posts. I agree with all of you, especially Rob.

I too think that Joss Whedon's worlds provide glimpses into a variety of loving experiences.

A 200+ year old vampire who had lived 100 years dejected and alone, changed into a loving being in spite of his unbeating heart, because of the slayer. she made him feel that even a demon such as he was worthy of love abd that his gift of love was vital to her. Her love gave him the impetus to become a champion.

Another vampire, at first selfish and cruel evolves into a loving being who loves unconditionally and who is willing to risk everything to become ensouled - all for the love of a slayer.

Willow grows from a friend whose job is to "villify and grouse" into a powerful witch who uses her magic to bring her friend back from the dead. Her loving relationship with Tara offers many their first view into a different kind of love.

Xander's first love is an adolescent crush on Buffy. But in "Amends" even he is willing to help find a cure for Angel - because Buffy loves the vampire.

Anya, in spite of her caustic remarks, realizes that she loves and admires humans who fight in spite of everything.

Andrew develops from a vacuous, silly nerd into a caring, loving, silly nerd.

Giles, of course, loves the fatherless slayer as a father who both supports and admonishes Buffy.

On another note, as a librarian, I thank Joss for making librarians semi-cool, for making libraries a vital place and for making books important in a world that so often dismisses them.

Lori Del Rossi

[Dalton]

that there was a way for JW to read all these and know how he and his stories have affected all of us.

Teachers seldom know if they have had any effect on their students. Although I am sure he has enough confidence in his ability and success, it is always nice to know that your work is appreciated.

[Dalton]

Nothing has ever addicted me like Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I used to watch Star Trek, but you'd never catch me dressed like a Vulcan at a party. I was proud to dress like Giles first opportunity I got.

Never in the history of television have I seen such a perfect marriage of a great concept being fleshed out by great writing, and then brought to life through great acting. Many television shows have been blessed to have a cadre of good writers, but maybe only one or two great actors to breathe life into the words. On BtVS, everyone worked so hard to make it all come together, and to make each other look so good.

Thank you, Sarah, Alyson, Nick, Charisma, David, Tony, Danny and Kristine for being there from the beginning and laying the groundwork for what would be some incredibly realistic characters. As fans, we could always see a little of ourselves in Buffy, Willow, Xander, Cordy, Angel, Giles, Jonathan and Joyce. When you joked, we laughed, when you hurt, we cried. The Scoobies became real to us, and although you always gave credit to the writers for making it easy for you, I do sense that the writers, had they ever been given the chance, would say you made it easy for them by giving them the confidence that no matter what they put on the written page, you could handle. Provided they never asked Alyson to sing again.

Thank you, James, Robia,, Michelle, Emma, Marc, Seth, Elizabeth, Amber, Tom, Juliet, Julie, Claire, and oh so many others too numerous to mention. Your time in the Buffyverse might have been more limited than those in the first paragraph, but your contributions have been immesurable. And it didn't matter if the character you played was good, bad, or both. When we all felt the pain of losing Jenny Calendar, we immediately came to realize there's no such thing as a minor character in the Buffyverse, just those who aren't on screen as much as the others. And when we saw Tara die, we also understood that a character didn't have to be around from the beginning to work their way into our hearts. Each of you have left your mark on the fans just as much as the main cast has, and in many cases, you did become part of the main cast, at least for a while. But even those who never got their names in the opening credits on the show, do know you are listed in the opening credits of our hearts.

Thank you, Joss, Marti, Jane, David & David, and all the others who have worked so hard behind the scenes, from the writers to the make-up artists to the caterer to the guy who sweeps the sets after everyone else has gone home. You faces might not have gotten on screen (except for Marti and David), but your hard work always shown through. A sizeable chunk of Buffy's success, week after week, was owed to those in the shadows, and I don't mean the vampires and demons. The actors might have said the words, but you dreamed them up. The vampires might have bared their fangs, but you gave them the fangs to bare. And many of you were the only ones to ever receive Emmy notice. For those of you who did, you earned them, even on the episodes you didn't get attention for. And the rest of you earned them as well.

Thank you to the citizens of Sunnydale, Calif., that is, the stuntpeople and extras who may have never said a word on screen, but who also helped to bring life and realism to the Buffyverse. You're time on screen may have also been limited, but again, your contributions were immeasurable.

Thank you, Kristy, Donald, Paul, Rutger, and everyone else involved in making the original movie, right down to Ben Affleck and Rikki Lake for their don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-em cameos. This is where Buffy started, and although Joss was never happy with how his vision was translated to the silver screen, it still can't be ignored that Buffy did exist before "Welcome to the Hellmouth" ever aired. Thank you, as well, for your contribution to the Buffyverse. Perhaps the most unsung of all heroes.

We fans are looking forward to seeing the new Angel, and we're excited that some of you might be crossing over -- we know about James, and understand many of the writers will be coming over, and some of the other actors might do cameos. That's all well and good. But it won't be Sunnydale. We're going to really miss our favorite Tuesday night Hellmouth.

Thank you one and all, for making Sunnydale Calif. the only place on a Tuesday night to be.

[Dalton]

//that there was a way for JW to read all these and know how he and his stories have affected all of us.

Teachers seldom know if they have had any effect on their students. Although I am sure he has enough confidence in his ability and success, it is always nice to know that your work is appreciated. //

Joss, and everyone else involved -- it would be great if they could read this. I have often joked that these boards are lurked by ME because so much of what we discuss here shows up on an episode, but this is one time I really do hope that Joss and the rest of ME and the Buffyverse actors, writers, etc., stumble in here and find our thoughts on just how much they have meant to all of us.

[Dalton]

I'm so bad at this - I hate goodbyes. And I feel like I'm losing my best friend.

To all at BTVS - I love you all. You've made me laugh and cry - weekly. You've helped me to make sense of some of the things that have happened in my own life. You helped me to somehow salvage the best friendship of my life from the wreckage of the love of my life (so far). You've always been there when I needed you.

I never want to let go, so goodbyes are hard, 'cause it requires admitting that something is over.

And it is - almost. Tomorrow it will be. And it hurts.

But it's been a great ride.

One special goodbye - to Alyson/Willow: I was quite a bit older than Willow when BTVS premiered, but I immediately identified with her. I know how it is to be the class nerd. I know how it feels when you meet that first Oz - the first person who sees past the nerdiness and loves the entire you. And I know how the feeling that you're the class nerd never really goes away. I almost cried in Restless when Willow was revealed to be the same Willow from high school. And I rooted for her to kill Warren - until right after she did. I'll miss her so much. Thank you, Joss and Alyson, for Willow.

[Dalton]

While there is much I love and like about the Buffyverse and both its series, the initial "hook" was and permanent focal point for me has been the "Spike" character. I can scarcely recall ever having seen such a fascinating, dynamic, magentic, charismatic, and deep character in fiction of any genre. I suppose the fact that he embodies many things I find attractive in men doesn't hurt, either: handsome, intelligent, "bad boy", sensitive, loving, and yeah, the accent. But that fact in and of itself wouldn't be enough.

The complete cycle we've seen of Spike journey from evil, soulless Big Bad to a solidly-backboned souled, triumphant hero has been heart- and gut-wrenching to me. You knew from the get-go that this was a totally different type of Master Vampire; unlike the much-heralded Angelus, he could unselfishly love - and unlike the much-heralded Angel, he voluntarily sought out his re-ensoulment. And anyone who thinks a chipped Angelus would've stopped terrorizing humans and just resorted to drinking pig's blood is, I think, only kidding themselves.

I also realize, however, that anything like the "Buffy" and "Angel" series is a huge team effort, and I'm sure James Marsters himself would agree with me. Despite his awesome acting talent and his overall professional / personable demeanour that led Joss & Co. to keep the Spike character around, it was also the great skills of the other actors and all the behind-the-scenes people that made everything about the show fit so well together and be so enjoyable. Yes, I of course know that Spike isn't nor was ever the central character (a fact some non-S'Cubies have accused me of ignorance in the past), but in any event - Spike was what hooked me and kept me watching, therefore supporting and appreciating the show(s) and all the efforts of all involved as a whole.

Finally, and most personally, I can say that James Marsters as an entertainer in the truest sense of the word has completely exceeded my expectations and has enriched and brought much-needed color and joy to my life. I've said this of other entertainers and entertainment venues, including pro wrestling: If entertainment's goal is to make us forget our real-life troubles, even for a little while, then it's achieved its goal. And having something like "Spike" to enjoy, plus knowing what a talented and rare, extraordinary man JM is, has brightened my days AND nights, giving me renewed passion for love and life in many ways, not the least of which are new friendships in the rough old "real world".

So thank you, Joss and James, for making "Spike" possible and in such a rich, intelligent tapestry of fiction as the immortal Buffyverse.

Miss Pamela

[Dalton]

It seems that many of us found Buffy in a time of crisis or deep self-contemplation. I am not different. Buffy the Vampire Slayer premiered in the first year of my very, very difficult divorce. My life was in a true tailspin, a whirlwind of not knowing who you are anymore or what to do, and slowly realizing that the agony of the relationship you left behind was now being replaced by the cold remotelessness of being alone.

When Buffy started out it was exactly what I needed. It was basically an engaging, well-written monster of the week show that had some depth, quick witty banter and defined complex characters. Yet, it was still pretty much escapism. It was nice watching these youngsters reliving the not-so-long -ago day of youth that I still remembered so well, but had well transcended with my own graduation, college, marriage, and a child. I relieved my adolescence with them. It was intelligent escapism for my way overloaded brain, much like the "too much alcohol and other substances" that seem to go hand in hand with being freshly divorced.

Each season, though, the show grew. The characters had deeper relationships, boundaries were crossed. Good people often did bad things and not always because they were mind controlled. They made choices, bad ones. And they usually always paid the consequences if they did. And sometimes they were even punished if they made the right ones. Not every problem was resolved in 42 minutes. Sometimes it took several episodes. Sometimes it took all the season. Sometimes the "solution" never even came, or was not resolved happily. It was real life...with monsters, super-powers and better quips. And it was great timing, because as these characters grew and matured so did I. My life changed, improving in some ways, maybe worsening in others, but always it was changing. Maturity is learning we aren't the only people that matter on this hunk of dirt spinning thru space. Others really matter and their problems are as complex as ours seem.

And I think that brings us to today, to the series finale. These characters are all still there. Some new faces included and a few of them gone... but our "core four" are still there.

-Willow isn't the gawky, shy, meek little girl in her mama-selected clothes anymore, but that wasn't who Willow was and we see that now. Willow is Willow, whether the former Xander-pining mouse, or the ultra-powerful Wicca lesbian. She is still our Willow.

-Xander, the "goofy 'cause he has to be to survive" regular guy... not the complete dork but not the football stud or the class president. He's still there, but now he's all grown up. He can still be goofy with his friends but not because he has to be, because he wants to be. He likes to make them smile; he wants to make them happy. He grew up by learning that you can't always make someone happy and sometimes the best thing to do is not try at all. That lesson was culminated by the wedding disaster. Good old Xander probably changed the least, but it's because he didn't need to change the most.

-Giles showed us even "old men" change. (Imagines Giles frowning quietly at that, polishing his glasses, and taking the time to decide whether he should even bother re-educating the youth on when "old" begins) He came to Sunnydale all rah-rah, pip-pip for the mission. He wanted to believe in the book and tried to play by it. As time wore on, we found that Giles hadn't always done so, that, in fact, he was at one time more rebellious than any of his charges. Then, somewhere along the way, he changed his tune due to his own personal dilemmas and decided to play the game the other way. And finally he learned something else...moderation. You can't have everything black and white and you can't have it anarchy. There are natural rules to life and there are also exceptions to every single rule. And if there is true meaning to life, then it is trying to figure out the whole complicated mess and if you can't do that, then to accept it and make the best of it. Giles learned as much as any of the kiddies and it was from them that he learned.

-That leaves us with Buffy. Buffy, Buffy, Buffy. "It's all about the power." And who has it? Buffy. It's been droned into us time and time again on the show. "One girl, chosen." She got it. Sometimes she hated it, sometimes "It's good to be the slayer." Buffy was charged with a more or less defined mission. "Go forth and make evil go away. Help everyone. We'll give you some strength, some brains, some skills, a "parent" to guide you, but in the end you are gonna have to figure out how to succeed on your own. Oh, and we won't tell you what success is. You'll have to figure that one out on your own, too. Good luck!"

And really, isn't that life? We pretty much all have the power. If you have the brains to be reading this then you have the power to do things in your life. Sure, crappy things might happen without your control. You might do things with the best of intentions only to have them blow up in your face. *Looks around conspiratorially.* You may even voluntarily do baaad things that hurt others because of your own selfishness. You could get hit by a bus while trying to save a child's cat. Life has no promises. You have a conscience to guide you; you have skills to use. You have handicaps in your way. But we all know the mission. "Make the world better than you found it. And if you can't do that, at least shoot for status quo." You can fancy it all up with 3 dollar words, religions, mysticism, and everything else but it all comes down to the "power" and who has it. Did Buffy teach us anything? Nahhh... we knew it all along. Joss just tried to trick us...Look at Willow, Xander and Giles. We all have the power. And that's what saves us all.

*chuckling* And that is what Buffy means to me. *wink*

Vlad

Edited By Vlad I at 5/20/2003 7:58:00 AM.