next_to_normal | Putting the "fun" in dysfunctional

With our resident Poll Girl temporarily out of commission, there must be some itchy ticky fingers out there! And so, I give you: (dys)functional relationships of the Buffyverse, inspired by

ever_neutral's capslocky rage. :)

There are a ton of other pairings I could've included but you only get ten multiple choice slots, so I stuck to the main canon pairings. Feel free to make an argument for some other couple in the comments.

Poll #7543 (Dys)Functional Relationships

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 20

View Respondents

Who had the most functional relationship on BtVS?

View Answers

Buffy/Angel
0 (0.0%)

Giles/Jenny
7 (35.0%)

Xander/Cordelia
0 (0.0%)

Willow/Oz
7 (35.0%)

Xander/Anya
0 (0.0%)

Buffy/Riley
2 (10.0%)

Willow/Tara
1 (5.0%)

Buffy/Spike
0 (0.0%)

Willow/Kennedy
2 (10.0%)

Other - answer in comments
0 (0.0%)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Amount study break improved by presence of exciting Buffyverse poll: 1,000%
Level of success at filling out said poll: 100% on everything! (Benefits of going first I guess ;)

I think I should probably explain my vote for Angel/Darla as most functional relationship of AtS, since it is not, I don't think, an obvious choice. :) Basically, I defined the functional to dysfunctional continuum two ways. First by looking at power dynamics where more equality = more functionality, and power imbalances = dysfunction. Second by the amount two people, together, are able to be themselves, to be fully supported as themselves, and to get pleasure from the presence of the other, as they are. Dysfunction is conversely defined by how much posturing, hiding, editing or self-censoring one has to do to remain acceptable to the other partner. Darla/Angel score high on the first bit and they average pretty well on the second bit. (Things worked better, obviously, when they were both evil, but Angel's love and concern for Darla even when she is completely evil are nearly unconditional, at least when we isolate AtS from BtVS.) The two of them have always felt to me like the truly epic love story of the whole 'verse, if one is looking for that sort of thing...

All this is not to say that two psychopaths running loose are functional per se, just that I like their relationship dynamics in ways other relationships on the show bothered me. (Most especially with power imbalances.)

I love your thoughts.

♥

(Although, I realized I kind of forgot what a paternalistic asshat Angel was to Darla when she was pregnant with Conner. Oh well.)

You may have just made me an Angel/Darla stan just from this.

Yay! Darla/Angel has so many layers, you know? I find them really interesting (and I like how she's the only woman we ever see who isn't at a major power disadvantage vis-a-vis Angel.)

I like your reasoning! And I'm glad you explained, because otherwise I'd be side-eying you a bit. ;)

That's not quite the definition of functional that I was using - I was thinking more along the lines of "Was this relationship a positive experience for both characters? Did they treat each other with respect? Is this a relationship to be emulated?" Also, not committing any crimes because of the relationship was a plus, lol.

But there are no right or wrong answers, and personally, I ADORE Angel/Darla as a pairing. They truly are epic: spanning years and continents, lives ruined, bloodshed. :)

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