Questions Post #11

[lettered]

I have another batch of random questions.


General
Do you think Spike ever turned anybody?
Do you think Drusilla ever turned anyone except Spike?
Do you think Darla or Angel ever killed any Slayers?
Where did Gunn live in S2 of AtS?
Can anyone really explain why Buffy dying in "The Gift" made sense? Other than thematically, I mean.
What kind of music does Buffy like?
Doesn't Spike's duster look . . . too big on him, sometimes?
How come Angel's demon form can go out in the sunlight in Pylea? Wesley's explanation for Angel's human form withstanding sunlight is that the human aspects, like seeing his reflection etc are stronger, but then in demon form, shouldn't they be demon-y?
Is Pylea an alternate reality, like a world without shrimp? Or is it an alternate dimension? Is there a difference? Is there anything meta-cle about these terms and what they signify in Jossverse?

Season 6 of BtVS
Do Willow or Tara ever get a job?
Do Anya or Xander (or Willow or Tara) ever think to contribute anything to Buffy's money problems? I mean Willow (and Tara, before she moves out) is living in Buffy's house.
Did the Scoobies really not realize Buffy would come back to life in her grave?
Does anyone think the way they wrote Giles off the show was in character or well done?
Is it just me or do random references to Angel seem to increase in this season?
How does JM do that thing where he looks at SMG like he worships her with everything in him, without looking like a complete boob? Most people look like boobs when they do that. And not the good kind of boobs.
Why doesn't Giles reveal to the council that Buffy died? Isn't he aware that sooner or later everyone will find out? What does he seek to gain by hiding it? (I'm only asking about Giles because presumably you could say the Scoobies kept up the deception of the Buffybot because they thought they were bringing Buffy back anyway).
How come Amber Benson sings so well?
Why can't Spike decide how to fix his hair? Why can't Anya decide how to fix her hair?

Random
Who raised Bruce Wayne (after his parents died)? If it was Alfred, how did Alfred get custody?
Did you guys know Anthony Head is in the new Woody Allen movie (Scoop. I've seen two Woody Allen movies now. The first I despised and this one was really good! I loved Woody Allen in it; he was so endearing!)? Head has 2 lines, but Giles! OMG big-screen Giles!
Why do ants bear away their dead brethren?

Comments

[ex-dovil323.livejournal.com]

You ponder the best stuff. I now have the urge to sit down and try and answer each and every single one of these. Even the rhetorial ones when you know that it's time to put the already answered question down and back away with it with your hands up.

I think with some of the things that were left hanging or didn't make sense the writers were busy brainstorming them and decided to go out for coffee, started talking about their action figure collections and came back forgetting what they were stuck on and just continued writing the next scene.

Big screen Giles?! I had no idea!

[tkp.livejournal.com]

I agree, and that answers a lot of questions. I guess what I'm interested with that type of stuff is how to fanwank it so I feel better. I mean, for any question you can say, "because that's how the writers wrote it, for good or ill"--but once you're inside the 'verse and playing with it that's kind of jarring to hear. Kind of like how some people are so shocked to hear that even if they DID write it that way, Spike is actually not a girl and Xander's penis is magical but not rainbow colored; it's like the real world intruding and making itself known and we can't have that in our rainbow penis universe; in fact I'm going to get riled up at you for applying logic and sense; how can you say such mean things to me when I've never done anything to you except accuse your extended family of catporn that one time?

Yeah, big screen Giles! For perhaps two minutes. I almost peed my pants it was so exciting.

[jgracio.livejournal.com]

1) Yup, but only when Dru let him. Maybe Ford was him, maybe not.

2) Yes, Sheila didn't turn herself.

3) Nope, don't think so.

4) On the streets or something. In his car. He's got skills.

5) I don't really think so, not unless the monks spell also changed Buffy.

6) Depends on the Season, goes all the way from pop to military marching tunes.

7) *Shrugs*

8) It's another sun, the metaphysical properties for it to burn vampires don't exist there.

9) Alternate dimension, one with different basic properties from our own. Don't think Joss ever cared to even define the terms in regards to Buffy.

10) Nope.

11) I'm unsure if Xander ever helps with money, besides helping with the whole burst pipes thing. Anya wouldn't, not in character for her. Willow and Tara don't help, at least there's no reference to their helping.

12) Yes, they don't really think about it. Because they're characters and there was a need to maximize trauma to Buffy. :)

13) You I think.

14) If I knew I'd be an actor. :)

15) Hum, because they'd kill or release Faith?

16) She's a mutant, song is one of her powers. :)

17) Something meta about how those characters can't decide what they want to be, blah blah blah, eye candy for each gender I think. :)

18) It's Gotham, he greased someone's palm to get custody!

19) Didn't know that.

20) So they can bury them?

[tkp.livejournal.com]

Totally forgot about Ford and Sheila. D'oh.

Alternate dimension, one with different basic properties from our own. Don't think Joss ever cared to even define the terms in regards to Buffy.

What I don't like is stuff like Pylea is just kind of there. In something like Stargate, alternate dimensions are integral to the 'verse. In Buffyverse, there's all this alternate world stuff without there being any even half-assed attempt to explain their relation to Earth, reality, and now. I'd even be happier if the attempt was made and it didn't make sense.

Yes, they don't really think about it. Because they're characters and there was a need to maximize trauma to Buffy. :)

Figured that was the reason.

You I think.

No way. Definitely not I. I doubt even the writers thought it was a decent explanation, which is why I don't understand why they didn't think of something better.

Hum, because they'd kill or release Faith?

I thought about that, but as I said, the truth would come out sooner or later. Buffy is DEAD; Giles doesn't think that's going to unhappen. If he's worried about the consequences with Faith, why isn't he trying to work out a solution?

Something meta about how those characters can't decide what they want to be,

I rather like that insight as regards Spike.

It's Gotham, he greased someone's palm to get custody!

I suppose the Waynes could've left Alfred a lot of money.

Thanks for your answers!

[jgracio.livejournal.com]

Crap, missed this one :

Does anyone think the way they wrote Giles off the show was in character or well done?

Most people think it was done very poorly, in a way that doesn't really hold up. I can see Giles moving away just because, he wasn't Buffy's father, the man had the chance of having a real life somewhere else, instead of just being Buffy's no longer useful ex Watcher, or giving him a real good reason to move away, one that would make sense and that wouldn't ruin people's image of Giles, but instead they went for the least sense making reason evah.

I rather like that insight as regards Spike.

Works really well for Anya too. :) Thanks.

[jgracio.livejournal.com]

Also,

I thought about that, but as I said, the truth would come out sooner or later. Buffy is DEAD; Giles doesn't think that's going to unhappen. If he's worried about the consequences with Faith, why isn't he trying to work out a solution?

He could still hope that some other Slayer would show up. And Giles by S6 is pretty much a burned up man, not thinking straight.

And quite frankly, I don't think he was all that worried that the Council would try to kill Faith, but more that they'd release her. Or maybe he thinks the Scoobs + Spike + Buffybot are doing a good enough job, I mean, he moves to England unafraid of any possible apocalypses.

[tkp.livejournal.com]

Oh, I took the "You, I think" as the answer to the wrong question. I should really number them, huh?

What they really should've done is kill him off. I mean, I say that as a critic, not a fan. I completely adore Giles, and NOTHING gets me quite as much as him coming back to fight Willow at the end of S6. And I want him on screen as often as possible! But from a critical standpoint, he didn't add all that much to S7 (nothing much did) and the way he was written off in S6 sucked so hard it almost make me wish they really had killed him. I'd've at least gotten to cry a lot instead of WTF'ing every time I thought about it.

[tkp.livejournal.com]

I guess I never considered that he thought there was the possbility of another Slayer being Called. Huh.

One thing that bothers me about it is if the Scoobs + Spike + Buffybot really are enough, it kinda belies the "one girl in all the world" thing. The premise of the show is that only the Slayer can do the Slayer's job, which was always what made Buffy's job so hard.

[jgracio.livejournal.com]

What they really should've done is kill him off.
That could've been said about several characters. :(

But you're missing the point of S6. Giles dead, really dead, would've changed little in the angst quotient of the season, and assuming he'd died doing something heroic, could actually have made Buffy's journey "easier", instead of Buffy being abandoned by Giles.

It's the diference between the father figure / mentor that dies for you and the rat bastard that runs away because he can't deal with helping you, just because you have the weight of the world on your shoulders.

It's about angst baby, and sure dead Giles would've been loads of angst, but also with a helping of "He died for me, I must be worthy of his death, insert personal message of strength here...", unless they killed him in a completely unheroic way, like a crash or something, which, major bummer for such a character, and wee, more angst for everyone, but not so soon after S5.

I dislike S6. I think it's better writing wise than S7, but not really good.

[jgracio.livejournal.com]

The show isn't consistent.

In the Summer :

S1 to S2, nothing happens.
S2 to S3, Buffy runs away, the powerless Scoobies risk life and limb to keep the city safe and actually manage it.
S3 to S4, Guess nothing happens.
S4 to S5, More nothing.
S5 to S6, Oh noes, Buffy's dead, the Scoobs need all the help they can get, they bond with Spike (a Master Vampire), have the Buffybot, two powerful witches, but they still need a Slayer.
S6 to S7, Hum? Nuthin?


Buffy is not about making sense rationally, it's about making sense emotionally.

[coercion88.livejournal.com]

Ho ho. I've pondered most of these at one time or another, especially Giles' bizarre departure from S6 and JM's amazing non-boob acting ability (and yes, the duster is toooo big). I also think I missed the bit where the monk tells Buffy that Dawn is made from her blood, so when Buffy goes on about 'Summers' blood', I was utterly confused. And Willow and Tara are too busy with the spreading beneath the Willow tree to get their hands dirty. Plus, they're students and therefore exempt from anything but pot-smoking.
PS meant to say, your pics of the lake were beautiful.

[dlgood.livejournal.com]

Willow and Xander say they didn't see any vamps in S1-2. During the S2-3 summer, they say that they 10 vampires over about three months, which is maybe one every nine or ten days - so while they were out there, it was still a pretty light time.

Otherwise, there's no real talk of what the level of activity was in the S3-4, S4-5 and S6-7 summers. Whether it was pretty much no activity, or if it was just some low-level activity.

The S5-6 Summer is really the only one where stuff goes down - because it's really the only one where it's a plot point to have something happen.

[43100.livejournal.com]

Can anyone really explain why Buffy dying in "The Gift" made sense?

I didn't get the heroic thing at all at first re: that. She practically COMMITTED SUICIDE. I know that it was to save the world etc. but she just looked so darn happy about it. Her life was really going to shit.

She also loved being dead.

All signs point, imho obviously, that Buffy committed suicide - not only to save the world, but every other reason! That makes more sense to me, at least.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oooh, from general: I KNOW Spike turned someone: that weird guy Buffy knew from LA that wanted (with Anne Blondey Big Hips) to be "the lonely ones."

I don't think Angelus or Darla killed a slayer - it would have been mentioned. They liked to prey on the weak. Spike had a chip on his shoulder (little man complex) and needed to pick on the biggest kid on the playground.

Buffy likes happy Euro-techno-pop. And sweeping love songs. But not Mannilo, and mocked Angel mercilessly for that.

Random question back: Does ANYONE BUT ME notice that SMG turns and swings her arms, making her look like those prayer drums in Karate Kid 2? It DRIVES ME NUTS. With the CONSTANT arm flinging.

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

General
Do you think Spike ever turned anybody?

yes. He did it for kicks and never stuck around to mentor them.

Do you think Drusilla ever turned anyone except Spike?

no. Neith Angel, Darla or Soike would let her.

Do you think Darla or Angel ever killed any Slayers?

No way. Darla had a make no waves policy and she passed it to Angel. Plus he was all about the emotional wreckage and considering the slayer is supposed to be without family or firends, what fun would that be? Didn't you read my story "Called", missy?

Where did Gunn live in S2 of AtS?

in the batcave.

Can anyone really explain why Buffy dying in "The Gift" made sense? Other than thematically, I mean.

Right before she jumps, she has an epiphany and realizes her death will close the portal same as Dawn's would. At the same time, I don't think she entirely cares. If she was convinced it wouldn't work, then she wouldn't have jumped, but since she has the idea it might, she's more than happy to kill herself. It's as much a suicide leap as a heroic gesture.

What kind of music does Buffy like?

pop. angsy girl stuff (Sara Mclaren type.). Club/House but not to buy, just to dance to.

Doesn't Spike's duster look . . . too big on him, sometimes?

It is too big on him. He;'s a wee little thing and Nikki was a tall woman. Also, this serves as a constant visual reminder that this was stolen from a woman he murdered.

How come Angel's demon form can go out in the sunlight in Pylea? Wesley's explanation for Angel's human form withstanding sunlight is that the human aspects, like seeing his reflection etc are stronger, but then in demon form, shouldn't they be demon-y?

one has nothing to do with the other. Whatever causes him to poof on Earth isn't present on Pylea. It's like that whole red sun vs yellow sun for Superman.

Is Pylea an alternate reality, like a world without shrimp? Or is it an alternate dimension? Is there a difference? Is there anything meta-cle about these terms and what they signify in Jossverse?

Alternate reality is a parallel universe. It's a copy of Earth except one thing has changed (which sometimes leads to massive differences) like the Wishverse. Alternate dimension is just another world period. Like Mars. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[samsom.livejournal.com]

Hi! Delurking for a sec because I'm fixated on that movie right now like ugh -


Who raised Bruce Wayne (after his parents died)? If it was Alfred, how did Alfred get custody?

Alfred raised Bruce until Bruce went away to Princeton.

Bruce's parents made Alfred Bruce's guardian.

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

Season 6 of BtVS
Do Willow or Tara ever get a job?

It's impossible to say. The test doesn't indicate either way.

Do Anya or Xander (or Willow or Tara) ever think to contribute anything to Buffy's money problems? I mean Willow (and Tara, before she moves out) is living in Buffy's house.

Again the text doesn't indicate one way or another. I suspect the writers were thinking in terms of "let's make Buffy's life as miserable as possible" without giving one thought to whether it made any sense character wise or what it said about her friends. They could have easily shown Willow giving some money and Buffy letting musing that it still isn't enough.

Did the Scoobies really not realize Buffy would come back to life in her grave?

I think they were so shocked by how the spell progressed and then, the fact that it was interupted in the middle, I suspect they thought it didn't work.

Does anyone think the way they wrote Giles off the show was in character or well done?

No, but I fanwank it as that he finds it impossible to explain his real reason which are twofold. First, while most people go on about Giles being a father figure to the scoobies, it always seemed to me that Giles really resented that and had no desire to be one. And being sadlled with Dawn, especially with Buffy now back wasn't something he wanted to encourage. Two, and more importantly, he couldn't bear to watch Buffy die again. He could no longer pretend she wouldn't, it was made plain in the most blunt way possible. He couldn't do it again.

Is it just me or do random references to Angel seem to increase in this season?

Do they? Do tell, cause offhand I don't remember aside from the offscreen meeting. And the really lame "vampire with a soul" joke in Tabula Rasa.

How does JM do that thing where he looks at SMG like he worships her with everything in him, without looking like a complete boob? Most people look like boobs when they do that. And not the good kind of boobs.

He's very good at acting just with expressions alone.

Why doesn't Giles reveal to the council that Buffy died? Isn't he aware that sooner or later everyone will find out? What does he seek to gain by hiding it? (I'm only asking about Giles because presumably you could say the Scoobies kept up the deception of the Buffybot because they thought they were bringing Buffy back anyway).

I think at this point Giles isn't thinking completely straight and also he no longer shares with the council.

How come Amber Benson sings so well?

Someone has to.

Why can't Spike decide how to fix his hair? Why can't Anya decide how to fix her hair?

Only their hairdressers know for sure. Anya is likely looking for the perfect do that will solve all her other issues.

[ba4ever.livejournal.com]

General:
- um I guess? I'm sure Angel got first picking when they were all evil. He'd been evil for 140 odd years, I'm sure he's bound to pile up the undead.
- I think she's a different story, she turns them for a specific reason, she doesn't necessarily go out hunting, but maybe she did when Spike went all slayer whipped.
- Yes, definitely. But I think Spike's are only mentioned because of his obsession with them. After he kills the Chinese slayer, Angel then says "Join the club". Or it could be him just showing Spike the big cahones lol. But I think they have.
- On a box on the street...
- Erm...I'm drawing a blank...cuz the portal made pretty colours? I guess if there ever was a way for Buffy to go, it'd be like that. Heroic, selfless and in the name of love.
- Rock. Nothing poppy. Probably electronica too.
- Always.
- They explained something about the two suns and the different dimension. I dunno I hated the Pylea arc.
- I think it's dimension. It's a demon dimension, isn't that what they call it? Not a "demon reality" right?

Season 6:
- nope, willow could disappear and I wouldn't care. She bugged me in s6. All whining and not helping Buffy out in any financial way.
- None. None at all. Xander at least helped out around the house, sort of took the whole father duty, driving Dawn to school etc. They wouldn't have sucked out all her money on food if htey actually HAD jobs. I mean what would they have done if Buffy HADN'T come back? Sit on their asses all day?
- Giles wasn't in S6. It was some pod!Giles.
- Um..no comment because I really dont' see it that way :P
- I can't even explain any of Giles actions because it angers me. My poor Giles all character assasinatey.
- Amber definitely has some pipes the Giles/Tara duo is one of my fave songs on the OMWF.
- *stares*

Random:
-They left everything to Alfred, every was in his care until Bruce came of age I believe.
- Nope, have to check it out I guess.
- Er...I'm not an antomologist so..

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

Random
Who raised Bruce Wayne (after his parents died)? If it was Alfred, how did Alfred get custody?

Alfred was listed in the Wayne will. Leslie, a doctor and family friend, also helped out. (She's also Alfred's crush.)

Did you guys know Anthony Head is in the new Woody Allen movie (Scoop. I've seen two Woody Allen movies now. The first I despised and this one was really good! I loved Woody Allen in it; he was so endearing!)? Head has 2 lines, but Giles! OMG big-screen Giles!

No I didn't. You need to see the following Woody movies: Annie Hall, Hannah and her Sisters, Love and Death, Crimes and Misdemeanors and Sleeper because it's ridiculous (although dated. Sadly, no one knows who Albert Shanker is anymore.)

Why do ants bear away their dead brethren?

Because it's disrespectful not too.

[makd.livejournal.com]

nd I want him on screen as often as possible! But from a critical standpoint, he didn't add all that much to S7 (nothing much did) and the way he was written off in S6 sucked so hard it almost make me wish they really had killed him.

If they'd killed off Giles, he couldn't have come back in Season 7 to try to kill Spike. That was important, as it freed Spike of The First's control, gave him back the ability to choose to do the right thing (or the wrong thing) with his soul, and gave Buffy an opportunity to declare - to Giles and to Robin (as well, presumably, as everyone else) that she backed Spike as much as he backed her.

Secondly, Giles was needed to help kick Buffy out of her house -- so she could experience the isolation needed to return fans to The Buffy Love and also give Spikey an opportunity to tell her that She's the One.

Giles was needed.....

Now, if they'd also picked up on Beloxa's Eye and the implications (consequences) of Willow's having brought back Buffy and how that led to the First Evil's plot, they'd have had a better season 7, IMHO. But then, they'd have had to write a totally different S7....:-)

[makd.livejournal.com]

Also: Bullets over Broadway.

[my_daroga]

Do you think Darla or Angel ever killed any Slayers?

And were just really mum about it while Spike went on and on? Possible, but... seems unlikely. They probably just didn't care enough to.

Can anyone really explain why Buffy dying in "The Gift" made sense? Other than thematically, I mean.

No. Ded is cool.

What kind of music does Buffy like?

Probably nothing I like. I've always assumed it was girly radio crap. Ooh, she totally has the soundtrack to City of Angels.

Doesn't Spike's duster look . . . too big on him, sometimes?

Yeah, and there's no way Nikki's got bigger shoulders, right?

Do Willow or Tara ever get a job?
Do Anya or Xander (or Willow or Tara) ever think to contribute anything to Buffy's money problems? I mean Willow (and Tara, before she moves out) is living in Buffy's house.

These questions, combined, are a large blight on the Sunnydale goings-on. Seriously, it's like they didn't want to address this. Just like Buffy is required to work in fast food; why? Is this, really, the only job she can get? Really? And can she support a household with Doublemeat pay?

Did the Scoobies really not realize Buffy would come back to life in her grave?

I hate these questions, because they're the kind that can't be answered diagetically. It's always "the writer was lazy." And yeah, it's jarring to say that when you're looking inside canon, but what explanation for any of this would make it better?

Does anyone think the way they wrote Giles off the show was in character or well done?

*snort*

How does JM do that thing where he looks at SMG like he worships her with everything in him, without looking like a complete boob? Most people look like boobs when they do that. And not the good kind of boobs.

I'm with you there. His close-ups are some of the best stuff on that show. He emotes like crazy with just one look, and I don't know how he does it, and it's *not* due just to hormones that I'm saying this. The PAIN he can give off is crazy, and I don't know how he does it.

Why doesn't Giles reveal to the council that Buffy died? Isn't he aware that sooner or later everyone will find out? What does he seek to gain by hiding it? (I'm only asking about Giles because presumably you could say the Scoobies kept up the deception of the Buffybot because they thought they were bringing Buffy back anyway).

Good question. Because you'd think someone would be concerned about how Faith is in jail and Buffy's dead and there's no slayer. He probably wanted to keep drawing his pay. Giles is stingy like that.

How come Amber Benson sings so well?

Because, like Tara, she's gorgeous but misused and hidden for great lengths of time. Second time through the series, Tara was a revelation for me.

Why can't Spike decide how to fix his hair? Why can't Anya decide how to fix her hair?

Because the creators can't figure out whether they want us to like either of these characters or not. Make them wishy-washy; then it can go either way.

Random
Who raised Bruce Wayne (after his parents died)? If it was Alfred, how did Alfred get custody?

The bats!

Did you guys know Anthony Head is in the new Woody Allen movie (Scoop. I've seen two Woody Allen movies now. The first I despised and this one was really good! I loved Woody Allen in it; he was so endearing!)? Head has 2 lines, but Giles! OMG big-screen Giles!

Didn't know that, haven't seen it yet, but looks great and will do.

Why do ants bear away their dead brethren?

TO EAT THEM.

[tkp.livejournal.com]

You're totally right about the point of S6. But I hate how they sacrificed character for the theme.

[tkp.livejournal.com]

Robin could've still tried to kill Spike, and all of those points would've been made.

If Giles hadn't been there to help kick Buffy out, she still would've felt ostracized because everyone LIVING didn't want her. Joyce wasn't there to kick her out, but she still felt abandoned by family and friends, right? Dawn was enough in this instance, I think.

Yeah, I do think some of the ideas floating around S7 could've been cool. For instance, the First as Angel would've rocked my socks.

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

yes!