Thoughts and Question about Whedon's Tragic Romance Preference
I was sitting here trying to remember at least one happy romantic ending in BtVS or AtS.
And I came to the conclusion that there are none. The only semi-happy couple standing in the end was Willow/Kennedy, but we knew so little about Kennedy that their ending seemed hardly satisfying.
I understand that the main characters (Angel and Buffy) are destined to carry the weight of the world, thus doomed in love. But why couldn't they be just a little bit happier in the end? Other than Buffy and Angel being happy with each other for a very short period of time, they've had hardly any contentment or emotional satisfaction (don't get me wrong, I think Buffy cared deeply for Spike, I just wouldn't call their time together-happy). Angel was given a son and was content for about 12 seconds before the whole Connor/Cordi/incest mess (Seriously?). Well, ok, I get the whole eternal redemption thing for Angel, but poor poor Buffy, why make her so confused all the time. I just wish she could have drawn more happiness from her relationship with Riley or Spike! Buffy was given Dawn before she had to die for her and come back from paradise, but I am really glad that Dawn is still around-maybe she is meant to cushion Buffy.
Fine! Angel and Buffy are not meant to be happy, but how about all the great supporting characters?
It almost seems like with Joss, death is the most romantic ending for a couple. That way at least neither of the partners is deliberately left or rejected, they die against their will, thus leaving love still in the air. But it seems that Whedon created his own version of a soap opera by killing off all these characters, where instead of cheating (except Gunn and Xander), they die.
At least Xander/Cordi, Xander/Anya, Gunn/Fred, Willow/Tara, Willow/Oz had a good run of happy together. But how about Wes/Fred, or Giles/Anyone, Cordi/Doyle? Why did they have to be so lonely and tragic?
I think Anya could have stayed alive without ruining the integrity of the ending. Wes too. Giles could have been happier. It would have maybe benefited the series to show contrasts between happy endings for (semi) ordinary people and happy endings for the champions.
Anyway, hopefully this will spark some discussion, but I wanted to ask: was Joss ever asked about his doom of romantic stories? what were his thoughts?
*end rant* :):):)
And I came to the conclusion that there are none. The only semi-happy couple standing in the end was Willow/Kennedy, but we knew so little about Kennedy that their ending seemed hardly satisfying.
I understand that the main characters (Angel and Buffy) are destined to carry the weight of the world, thus doomed in love. But why couldn't they be just a little bit happier in the end? Other than Buffy and Angel being happy with each other for a very short period of time, they've had hardly any contentment or emotional satisfaction (don't get me wrong, I think Buffy cared deeply for Spike, I just wouldn't call their time together-happy). Angel was given a son and was content for about 12 seconds before the whole Connor/Cordi/incest mess (Seriously?). Well, ok, I get the whole eternal redemption thing for Angel, but poor poor Buffy, why make her so confused all the time. I just wish she could have drawn more happiness from her relationship with Riley or Spike! Buffy was given Dawn before she had to die for her and come back from paradise, but I am really glad that Dawn is still around-maybe she is meant to cushion Buffy.
Fine! Angel and Buffy are not meant to be happy, but how about all the great supporting characters?
It almost seems like with Joss, death is the most romantic ending for a couple. That way at least neither of the partners is deliberately left or rejected, they die against their will, thus leaving love still in the air. But it seems that Whedon created his own version of a soap opera by killing off all these characters, where instead of cheating (except Gunn and Xander), they die.
At least Xander/Cordi, Xander/Anya, Gunn/Fred, Willow/Tara, Willow/Oz had a good run of happy together. But how about Wes/Fred, or Giles/Anyone, Cordi/Doyle? Why did they have to be so lonely and tragic?
I think Anya could have stayed alive without ruining the integrity of the ending. Wes too. Giles could have been happier. It would have maybe benefited the series to show contrasts between happy endings for (semi) ordinary people and happy endings for the champions.
Anyway, hopefully this will spark some discussion, but I wanted to ask: was Joss ever asked about his doom of romantic stories? what were his thoughts?
*end rant* :):):)