"Did Someone Beat Willow With A Stupid Stick?"
May 2001

Fair warning about two things: I am openly a Willow-hater and this rant contains spoilers for "Tough Love" and (to be safe) every episode before it as well, as speculation about rumors about the season finale.

Is it just me, or has Willow gotten even more obnoxious *and* stupid lately? I mean, she *knows* it would be bad if Dawn tried to resurrect Joyce and *knows* she wants to do it… so she basically hands her a book that will help her do it? Yeah, that was smart. And then in "Tough Love" she’s all giving Buffy a hard time… like Buffy is just a big sister who is cranky and picking on her sister. Tara saw right off that Buffy is, for all intents and purposes, Dawn’s mother now. Buffy has to know what is important for her and if Willow sits there and tries to undermine Buffy’s authority, it just puts a bigger strain between Buffy and Dawn. I know that Tara has the knowledge of losing a mother and caring for siblings where Willow doesn’t, but there is a little thing called common sense.

I’m starting to think Willow is expendable, which makes me happy. I mean, I know Tara is allegedly not as powerful, but I still have major doubts as to how great a witch Willow could be when her friends are always saying "don’t do that spell" and she does it anyway… and screws it up. Plus, Anya seems to be pretty good on the computer… weren’t those Willow’s two big skills? Well, if Tara can do the spell stuff (and even *if* Willow is more powerful, who is to say they need all that power? Plus, Giles knows stuff too... between he and Tara, I think they’d be fine) and Anya can do the ‘net stuff. There really is no need for Willow unless they just really want a anal-retentive, bad dressing, self-absorbed weirdo (I mean, that whole thing where she got all bossy about lending her notes to that guy made me want to throttle her).

The whole thing about Willow being expendable came about for me when it was suggested that in the season finale, Buffy would have to sacrifice one of her friends and the list was down to Willow or Giles (this was based on spoilers from Wanda… who I don’t totally believe, but people were speculating and it got me to thinking). I love Giles and, furthermore, Buffy really needs him now more than ever. She’s just lost her mother and he is arguably a father to her. I love Buffy because she is strong and smart and tries to do the right thing, but she is young… she could use Giles’ advice and support as she settles into her new role as mother. Plus, she can’t easily explore her slayer side to the full extent without Giles. So you see, if it’s gonna be Willow or Giles that dies, it’s gotta be Willow!

Unless they some how kill them but not permanently… but I doubt that. I mean, besides the fact that they couldn’t bring Joyce back… Buffy has died and come back… Angel has been sent to Hell (and Buffy referred to it as her killing him) and been brought back… and it’s even been done on Angel’s show as well. They’ve both been there and done that. Now, I know Joss is a genius and I’m sure he could come up with yet another way to do it… I’m just not sure he *would*.

So that’s it. I feel better. Sorry to all the Willow fans (hopefully y’all just didn’t read this). I needed a rant for this month and Willow’s been annoying me for a while… I’m feeling more ranty about my former web server, but I doubt anyone else cares. <g>

Responses

Cordy
Although your points were for the most part valid, it sounded as if you were just slamming Willow because you didn't like her character. Granted, you gave examples as to why you didn't like her, but calling her things like 'weirdo' is kinda pushing it. Think about it, you're like the biggest Buffy (as in character) lover out there, and who's her BEST friend? I mean, she's close to Xander, but is obviously closer to Willow. How can your hero be BEST friends with such an 'anal retentive, self absorbed, weirdo?' Also, Willow is probably almost more powerful than Tara and Giles combined, Buffy said so herself that Willow was the strongest one among them. She was the only one who could even hurt Glory. Also, I believe Willow is EXTREMELY useful to the gang. Xander was the one who was being criticized for not being useful. Willow is the most powerful witch among them, 2nd smartest (after Giles), and definitely a better hacker than Anya. Plus, she's the Slayer's bestest friend. She's also nice. Although some of her I'm not really a Willow fan, I just wanted to point out some things that you said about her that I disagreed with. I mean, I could sit here and blab about how I hate Riley so much, and you could contradict me, but I'm just not gonna say it. Everyone hates characters for contradicting reasons, I just wanted so some contradicting of my own. :)

Jen
i agree with cordy, but at the same time i think you have a point about willows character this season. i want to stress that its been *this* season. if the writers had included the smallest amount of continuity, there wouldn't hsve been an evil willow

Kaylyn
I agree with this rant although I love Alyson's charactor. She is acting a little stupid lately. In Bargaining, how could she even THINK Buffy would be in hell. She should be smarter that that. And in Tabula Rasa she tries to get rid of Buffy's memory of ever being in Heaven. She abuses Tara's mind in All The Way for her own selfish reasons and nearly gets Dawn killed by taking her with her to Rack's.

The Willow plot this season did pan out nicely though when the end of the season neared. She killed Warren and Rack whom are both HUMAN. Nearly made Dawn a little ball of energy, almost killed Giles, hurt Anya, Buffy, and Xander big-time, and nearly destroyed the world. I hope Willow has major guilt next season, she deserves it.

And one thing that is bugging me. Buffy will forgive Willow right away next season after killing people when she HAD a soul, but she will still treat Spike like crap for things he did without one. Buffy neads to stop being such a bitch.

Laura
Oh God!! I miss pink sweater Willow! As I like to call it. Her character got really lame as she started getting into all the magic and stuff. It was almost like Joss or someone was trying to make Willow cool or something... But I liked her best as the A student who was shy and...well...wore pink sweaters! So I have to say overall I DO agree with this rant.

The Buffinator
AGREE AGREE AGREE! To tell you the truth, i never really thought about these things before. I mean, i definitely knew she did some pretty stupid and selfish things in fifth and sixth seasons, but when you put it like this, i cant help but totally agree with you and rethink Willow's state of mind lately. I thought she was incredibly stupid for forgetting about Buffy being in her coffin. I mean, HOW CAN YOU FORGET THAT?!?! It's her best friend! She can at LEAST remember to pull her out of her coffin first so she doesnt have to claw her way out of it! Like you, I am a huge fan of the Buffy character, and I felt so bad for her in the later seasons especially. Willow acted so selfish in sixth season with the magic and trying to erase Tara's and Buffy's memory. I mean, how stupid can you get? I'm sorry, i really do like Willow's character in the earlier seasons but she did start annoying me in the later ones. Reading this rant just opened my eyes a little more, becuase you made good points!

 

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