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Post by Julia, wrought iron-y on Nov 27, 2003 15:55:26 GMT -5
<snip> Giles and the CoW and even Willow and Xander had a lot to answer for - would it have killed Xander to fight to keep her on as a construction worker, or to work with Buffy so she could better fit in with the crew and keep a job that was far less demeaning than the one at the Doublemeat Palace. Why didn't Giles channel Ripper and bully a stipend out of the CoW? Did Willow pay rent to Buffy, or even try to loan her some money? Giles should have at least realized how badly Buffy needed him after OMWF, instead of running back to England on the pretext of making her more self-reliant. How the heck did he think an unskilled 21-year-old college dropout was going to manage a mortgage while fighting monsters every day and caring for an unhappy teenaged sister? Buffy deserved his help and support. It wouldn't have killed him to help care for Dawn; it's not like they had any other father-figure in their lives. End of rant. My mother and I are having a relaxing day; will cook later. We watched the National Dog Show on TV (hosted by the Philadelphia KC); a lot of fun, especially since neither the #1 dog in the country (a great little Norwich Terrier) and last year's BIS (Best In Show) winning-Standard Poodle (handled by the legendary Wendell Sammett) won BIS - the winner was a gorgeous Doberman bitch call-named "Raisin". I'll watch a dog show over football anytime; sorry, not a football fan; BIG dog show fan here. GAIL  [/color][/quote] I'm glad Mikimoto didn't win, although now I'm spoiled  . The Buffy stuff: not only do Willow and Xander not support Buffy, she has to caretake them almost as much as she does Dawn. Although she makes disparaging remarks about saving Spike's life (in the teaser of Tabula Rasa) the truth is, not only is he relatively nonjudgemental about Buffy, he's the only one of the group who is not physically dependant on her slayerness, and tries to take care of her when she needs it. The first few scenes of "Afterlife" are pretty much definitive of where the heart of Spuffy lies. Spike has been grieving Buffy but does not try to bring her back. He is visibly joyful at her appearance at the top of the stairs (and the shot of him from Buffy's perspective is meant, I think, to make it clear that Buffy knows it) and his first impulse is to quietly and efficiently take care of her. Contrast this with Willow and Xander, especially, when they come into the house; they are totally disconnected from the effect their noise and bustle have on her, and pay no attention to her wounds. In fact, both of them spend most of Season 6, even after OMWF, pretending that ther's nothing wrong with Buffy, and putting the same burdens on her that they did prior to Joyce's death. No wonder she's unbaked; she's never been given a chance to come to terms with the grief for her mother's death, and, as much as Dawn feels that "people keep leaving" Buffy shows the results more. But the saddest thing is, she's complicit in all of this. Instead of letting people know how bad a state she's in, she hides it. Spike is right when he tells her that she needs to let go of the Martyr Complex, as he's often right about these things. Julia, stopped by an avalance of conflicting thoughts about how real people behave: depression makes you boring to yourself and others. |
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Post by Julia, wrought iron-y on Nov 27, 2003 16:10:58 GMT -5
Buffy's inability to sustain a relationship with a "normal" guy, her mother's illness, and feeling like the only way to save the world is to sacrifice an innocent child all lead up to Buffy being willing to die herself. Her death was as much a running away as it was a sacrifice. "The hardest thing about this world is living in it." Buffy is ready to stop living in it--to lay down her burden any way she can. She says she knows when she's in heaven that everyone she loves is safe, but nothing could be further from the truth. Her friends and sister were in constant danger from assorted demons. The entire world was threatened, since the only living Slayer was in prison. Buffy was the only one who was truly safe. She was safe from all the difficult decisions she had to make when on earth. No wonder she longed for the mind-numbing sanctuary of an assylum. All true- but since Buffy was in the invidious position of having to be slayer because her death would leave the world unprotected, you'd thing the Council and especially Giles, would have been a heck of a lot more active in keeping her life, livable. BY THE WAY- one of my personal gripes about the end of "The Gift"- Spike blames himself for not saving Dawn, but as soon as Dawn yells his name, he's lost the chance to get Doc off the tower. Doc is a demon, and demon strong, but more importantly in a physical fight on a narrow catwalk over a steep drop, he's shorter than Spike and has the advantage of a lower center of gravity. NOT, God knows, that I'd like to bet my life on a young teenage girl keeping quiet when circumstances require it. Julia, Dawn is capable always of being overwhelmingly dumb |
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Post by Shan on Nov 27, 2003 16:11:41 GMT -5
I can't even remember the last time I had a nice drink. Pathetic, much?
I don't drink too often.
Do they still make BLUE NUN? I really, really liked the taste.
I remember that my dad was rather disappointed, since he had tried to get me to drink (in very small amounts) sherry since the age of 12, and I never could stand it...
GAIL If all you've had is Blue Nun and force-fed sherry, it's no wonder you can't remember the last time you've had a nice drink, since you've (IMO) never actually had a nice drink to remember LOL! Think about the kinds of foods you like; that will help you decide what kind of drink you like. Depends also on the season and how you combine them (food and drink, that is). Mmmm.... Shanno |
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Post by Shan on Nov 27, 2003 16:14:33 GMT -5
But the saddest thing is, she's complicit in all of this. Instead of letting people know how bad a state she's in, she hides it. Spike is right when he tells her that she needs to let go of the Martyr Complex, as he's often right about these things. Julia, stopped by an avalance of conflicting thoughts about how real people behave: depression makes you boring to yourself and others. Boring in terms of being totally self-centered, I think. Fits Buffy's sitch perfectly. Shanno |
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Post by Julia, wrought iron-y on Nov 27, 2003 16:24:26 GMT -5
Boring in terms of being totally self-centered, I think. Fits Buffy's sitch perfectly. Shanno Actually, the "boring to yourself and others" was a break-through phrase for me when I was recovering from a long depression after my mother's death. Depression is completely self-centered, and the longer you're depressed the less interesting that center is; finding a way to get interesting again is a key cognition. Sometimes getting to that pont with meds is the best way, but I've got a colorful and unsuccessful history with antidepressants. Julia |
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Post by Shan on Nov 27, 2003 16:42:35 GMT -5
Actually, the "boring to yourself and others" was a break-through phrase for me when I was recovering from a long depression after my mother's death. Depression is completely self-centered, and the longer you're depressed the less interesting that center is; finding a way to get interesting again is a key cognition. Sometimes getting to that pont with meds is the best way, but I've got a colorful and unsuccessful history with antidepressants. Julia Maybe the trick to becoming un-depressed is to become boring enough to one's self to need another, more interesting distraction (lol @ my boring self). Shanno Also LOL @ partner's "can't you just snap out of it?" |
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Post by Shan on Nov 27, 2003 16:45:42 GMT -5
RE: Haggis -- I knew you were a clever girl. Enh. Reminds me of the delightful title of a cookbook I once read: "You've Had Worse Things Than This in Your Mouth!" |
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Post by Shan on Nov 27, 2003 16:50:39 GMT -5
All true- but since Buffy was in the invidious position of having to be slayer because her death would leave the world unprotected, you'd thing the Council and especially Giles, would have been a heck of a lot more active in keeping her life, livable. No, the CoW didn't care. Slayers are expendable to them, like footsoldiers. One dies, another is called. And Giles, like the other Scoobies, was just as stupid, confused and self-involved as the rest (including Buffy). She pushed them away; they were willing to go easily. Perfect match. Shanno |
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Post by WinterDreamer on Nov 27, 2003 17:39:07 GMT -5
Don't have a lot of time, but I just wanted to take a minute while the turkey is roasting to wish everyone a HAPPY THANKSGIVING! ;D
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Post by Nan-S'cubie Mascot on Nov 27, 2003 17:41:54 GMT -5
Mary's cats have now been taken care of, and a nasty, chilly, rainy ride it was over there, too. Couldn't find one of the four cats and checked that NO doors (closets et al.) were shut, that he could be inside. Still didn't find him, and he's very shy; tomorrow when I go, if I still don't see him, I'll check out the basement. Didn't hear any protesting yeowls of "Let me out!" either.
So three cats accounted for and fed. One no show. And I'm done with being out for today, which is a GOOD thing!
Now back to writing the end of Chapter 14, that's going well now that I realized it had to be from Buffy's POV. Had it going from Spike's, and it wasn't working at all. Sometimes, you have to wait for the story to tell you what it is, I find.
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Post by Shan on Nov 27, 2003 17:53:19 GMT -5
Mary's cats have now been taken care of, and a nasty, chilly, rainy ride it was over there, too. Couldn't find one of the four cats and checked that NO doors (closets et al.) were shut, that he could be inside. Still didn't find him, and he's very shy; tomorrow when I go, if I still don't see him, I'll check out the basement. Didn't hear any protesting yeowls of "Let me out!" either. So three cats accounted for and fed. One no show. And I'm done with being out for today, which is a GOOD thing! Now back to writing the end of Chapter 14, that's going well now that I realized it had to be from Buffy's POV. Had it going from Spike's, and it wasn't working at all. Sometimes, you have to wait for the story to tell you what it is, I find. Nan, have you read any Diana Gabaldon? S |
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Post by Sarah on Nov 27, 2003 17:55:21 GMT -5
Happy Guy Fawkes Day! Isn't that holiday around this time of year?
GAIL , showing her ignorance Please to remember the fifth of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot, There is no reason why gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot. It's not really a holiday, but a celebration of the prevention of the blowing up of Parliament and King James I on November 5th 1605 by disaffected Catholics. Guy Fawkes was the man who laid the gunpowder, but only a minor conspirator, even though the evening bears his name (also just known now as Bonfire Night). When I was a child, lots of people had bonfires and fireworks in their gardens, with treacle toffee and parkin (a kind of chewy gingerbread) to eat, but with the greater control of fireworks, there are now more organised firework displays, often at the weekend rather than on the fifth itself, and even without the traditional burning of the guy (probably considered not quite the thing). American type Halloween has been creeping in over here, and knocks at the door at the end of October are as likely to be trick or treaters as children asking for a penny for the guy - supposedly to buy fireworks - and the last lot I got didn't even have a guy. What's been happening while I was moving house? It all seems to have gone very quiet (belated Happy Thanksgiving! - sorry about the lack of pumpkin pie here, Becky - is it nice?), with the Unspoiled thread more or less defunct (really sorry to see that Kerrie has gone), though of course I missed the excitement of last week's episode discussion (more boxes to empty and find space for the contents than seemed humanly possible). Sarah |
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Post by Nan-S'cubie Mascot on Nov 27, 2003 18:03:50 GMT -5
Nan, have you read any Diana Gabaldon? S I don't think so. The name doesn't ring a bell, anyway. What kind of thing does she do, Shanno? |
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Post by RAKSHA on Nov 27, 2003 18:24:22 GMT -5
I think Akitas are beautiful dogs, but I wouldn't want to try to take care of any animal with long, fluffy hair. My cat has short, gleaming fur that doesn't require a lot of brushing.
GAIL |
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Post by RAKSHA on Nov 27, 2003 18:46:48 GMT -5
All true- but since Buffy was in the invidious position of having to be slayer because her death would leave the world unprotected, you'd thing the Council and especially Giles, would have been a heck of a lot more active in keeping her life, livable. BY THE WAY- one of my personal gripes about the end of "The Gift"- Spike blames himself for not saving Dawn, but as soon as Dawn yells his name, he's lost the chance to get Doc off the tower. Doc is a demon, and demon strong, but more importantly in a physical fight on a narrow catwalk over a steep drop, he's shorter than Spike and has the advantage of a lower center of gravity. NOT, God knows, that I'd like to bet my life on a young teenage girl keeping quiet when circumstances require it. Julia, Dawn is capable always of being overwhelmingly dumb
When Doc first came up to the tower, Dawn had enough presence of mind to recognize him and plead with him to free her. She did not fall apart when she realized that he was one of Glory's supporters and had come to kill her either. But Spike was the first friendly face she had seen since being dragged away from Buffy, and I think she just couldn't stop herself from reacting to his presence.
Do we know for a fact that Spike's hands had completely healed from being caught in the sun that Tara had let into the trailer? And was he completely recovered from having been tortured by Glory? Prior injuries could have lessened Spike's effectiveness...
I imagine that Dawn probably did blame herself for shouting out Spike's name. We don't know if they talked about it after Buffy died.
[glow=red,2,300]GAIL [/glow] |
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