Because I haven't talked enough lately...

[next_to_normal]

So, as I mentioned to angearia on my last 30 Days post, I tend to need direction when it comes to thinking of things to talk about. I like being given a topic or having to answer a question. Thus, another asking questions meme! Snagged from snickfic.

Ask me one fandom-related question in the comments. This can be fandom specific, general, or about fandom/lj stuff/fic writing/etc. in general. Favorite character, favorite moment, unpopular opinion, something about a fic of mine... whatever. Subparts allowed. Wackiness encouraged.

I've talked about a lot of TV shows lately, so you should have a better idea of what fandoms interest me, but if there's anything you want to hear more about, now's the time to ask.

Comments

[menomegirl.livejournal.com]

Since I'm compiling my Herald issue, my thoughts are, of course, on Btvs.

So I'd like to hear your thoughts on the character of Riley Finn and his arc during seasons 4 & 5.

[next_to_normal]

Hmmm. Honestly, I don't have many thoughts on Riley. Mostly I think he's kinda boring. :(

I don't hate him, as a lot of Spuffy shippers do (outside of "Into the Woods," where he's a complete douche). Mostly I think he's an okay guy who does some shitty things (but don't we all do shitty things sometimes?). I liked his friendships with Forrest and Graham - in fact, one of the most heartbreaking Riley moments is when Buffy has to tell him Forrest is dead. I felt like there was a lot of lost potential when they killed off Maggie Walsh so soon. I think that would've made for a much more compelling arc than Adam, and I think it would've added more depth to Riley's identity crisis.

I don't begrudge him the chance to date Buffy just because I like Buffy better with someone else. (Though, to be honest, I thought Riley had more chemistry with Willow in the beginning when he was asking for her help in wooing Buffy.) I do tend to think that, personality-wise, they were just wrong for each other. It seemed like a good match superficially, because they're both demon fighters, but when it comes down to it, they want very different things out of their relationship. I think it says it all that Buffy has no idea there's anything wrong with their relationship, and meanwhile Riley is thinking she doesn't love him and going to vampire whores just to feel needed.

I kind of want to feel bad for Riley in season 5, because I get that he's lost everything. His career - his entire life, really - turned out to be a lie, and without his military identity, Buffy is all he has left. So I understand that he's a little clingy and needs validation, and it's sort of painful to watch because he and Buffy are just on completely different pages. Especially since I really want Buffy to be able to open up to him, and it's sad that she can't. I think she could really benefit from learning to let other people in instead of bottling everything up.

But dude. Buffy is dealing with a tremendously stressful and frightening situation, and Riley is making it about him feeling unloved. His issues need to take a backseat to her mother possibly dying, and if he's so insecure that he can't see that, then this is not the right relationship for him. And, like I said, then we get to "Into the Woods" and he's a complete douche for blaming Buffy for his insecurities and then giving her an ultimatum. So... not a good note to end on, and I feel like a lot of times that colors people's perceptions of him ("As You Were" doesn't help, either).