Let’s see if I can word this the way I want. Riley came across as a completely stock character – bland and stereotypical – you know, the whole good ole Midwest farm boy with traditional views on everything. He always seemed forced into a position that didn’t suit him – Buffy’s significant other. If the relationship between he and Buffy hadn’t evolved, his character as it was still would’ve been flat, but I think the audience would’ve accepted it better. It seems that it’s his relationship with Buffy that drives people up a wall. And there’s a good reason for that. Logically, it just didn’t fit. I think Faith puts it best in This Year’s Girl when she says something along the lines of Buffy sticking a knife in her gut to save her lover, and here Faith finds her already over Angel. I don’t really recall how that scene all went, but I’m sure someone does. Sure, Faith was evil, but Buffy was ready to kill a human to save Angel. Based on Buffy’s character, that in itself speaks volumes of her love for him. So, again, I go back to the logical. It doesn’t make sense that less than a year later, she’d be so hot and heavy for another guy, and I think that’s what turned most people off. (Okay, maybe I’m just the helpless romantic, but if my husband left me, I’m not going to be all over another guy in less than a year) Everything about the whole relationship came across as forced – like Joss and crew just felt compelled to have Buffy with someone and Riley seemed the perfect gimmick in their opinion. And that’s all Riley ever was – a gimmick. And I feel sorry for Marc Blucas – he got stuck with a crummy role, but he did what he could with it and kudos to him as an actor for doing the best he could with what he was given, which he did. And I don’t think it helped that season 4 as a whole, in my opinion, was a weak season. I was never real thrilled with the Initiative in general or Adam (so boring and almost as boring as the Master, in my opinion).
And I think it’s funny how everyone goes back to “at least he didn’t try to rape her.” Yes, it’s a valid point, but now, that’s not Spike’s fault – that’s (forgive me for saying this because Joss and crew really are geniuses) the writers’ fault. That was horrible, and I was in denial when I first saw it because it was just a horrible decision on their part. Of course, we can go back to the hole thing that Spike was still technically evil then. He didn’t have a soul. And let’s not forget that Buffy played with his emotions that season. She used him. Well, plus, that was the catalyst for him going to regain his soul. But again, I go back to the fact that I just think that was an awful decision on the part of the writers.
I also find it amusing that people say, give me one good reason why you hate Riley. The fact that he’s boring or annoying doesn’t qualify. Okay, well all the people who hated Kennedy with a passion, give me one good reason. Other than her relationship with Willow (which logically didn’t fit so soon after Tara’s tragic death), she didn’t bother me. But plenty of people hate her, and that’s fine. So, how about all the people who despised Andrew? Give me a better reason than “he’s a dork, he was annoying, etc.” I personally loved Andrew.
Point being, we can debate about this forever. Point being, everyone has their on preferences. If someone chooses to do a Riley bashing fic, so be it. What’s wrong with that? If someone wants to do an Andrew bashing fic, who cares? This site is dedicated to creativity, and it’s dedicated to doing what you want with the Buffyverse. If you don’t like it, don’t read it.
Now, was Riley the worst thing that happened to Buffy? No. That would be Parker and the episode Beer Bad (am I the only one who thought that episode should’ve just disappeared off the face of the earth?) Have I seen season 4 enough times to know I don’t like Riley? Yes. I have the damn thing on DVD. Riley could’ve been written as a stronger character, but he wasn’t. He always fell flat, in my opinion, and, as a character, I just didn’t like him. But, hey, I would’ve rung Dawn’s neck if she’d been my sister for the way she acted in season 5 and 6. So here, we’re back to everyone has their own opinion. Some people didn’t like Angel, some didn’t like Spike, others probably even hated Xander or Oz or Willow or something.
And I also feel the need to go back to the point that you don’t have to have a so called good reason for disliking a character. In life, you meet people all the time that you just don’t like, but you can’t put your finger on why that is. Same thing applies to movies and television.
And I think everyone has made good points here, and I respect everyone else’s view. Its how you feel, and there’s nothing wrong with that. And no one should be angry or offended with anyone else for their opinions. Everyone makes valid points, and this is merely a friendly debate. These debates are just one of the many great aspects of the fanfic site.
Gee, I talk (or rather write) too much, don’t I? Sorry about that.
This is a roundrobin story. Would you like to contribute?
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biscuit07
Filmtheory (Jim)
Malice (Jess)
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Reset (Allie)
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Stephanie Loss
Wendyness (Wendy)
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