Buffy and Academia...

Mar 31, 2010 19:18

Now here's an interesting thing: Buffy slays academics. Agree with some conclusions or not, Buffy is apparently still attracting serious analysis (as, in fact, it has for years, not least on LJ). A tribute to its continuing appeal, achieved through layered characters and storylines, I'd suggest.

rl, buffyverse

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Comments 12

suki_blue March 31 2010, 18:35:34 UTC
I really do think people will be studying Buffy for decades to come. It's got so many levels to it.

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kitty_poker1 March 31 2010, 18:41:47 UTC
Exactly! See, we did right by deciding to never, ever leave the Buffyverse completely, much as we love other fandoms. It's about as far from being two-dimensional as a TV show can get. Like Cordy, it has layers. *nods hard*

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lifefailsme March 31 2010, 18:44:38 UTC
To be honest, Buffy was a very good show and deserves all the analysis it gets. It was well written and while I didn't like all of the story lines, it was a compelling and fascinating show that deserves the attention it is still getting IMHO.

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kitty_poker1 March 31 2010, 19:04:17 UTC
I'm so glad you agree, Jamie. The storylines varied but the concept of an arc was underused and good for Joss Whedon for making it work so well. Eric Kripke (the creator of Supernatural) owes him a debt.

*hugs*

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velvetwhip March 31 2010, 19:20:59 UTC
Few shows have this sort of lasting importance. *hugs BTVS* But I have to say that no, I don't agree with all the conclusions.

Gabrielle

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kitty_poker1 March 31 2010, 19:32:41 UTC
Almost none have had the impact on the zeitgiest that Buffy did. *joins you in hug* I'm doubtful about some of the conclusions but the joy of the 'verse is that it's open to interpretation. I'd rather that than it be two-dimensional.

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velvetwhip March 31 2010, 19:35:11 UTC
I could not agree with you more.

Gabrielle

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kitty_poker1 March 31 2010, 19:56:39 UTC
Debate is to be loved and hugged and never decried. We all see something different, hence write different OTPs in different ways.

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lelaina_c March 31 2010, 19:26:34 UTC
I don't think I'll ever stop loving this show. *sighs*

(I certainly don't agree with this: "Buffy is unusual in that she is a female superhero but she is punished by losing everything she loves." )

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kitty_poker1 March 31 2010, 20:00:47 UTC
Nor me! *sighs with you*

There's an argument for that conclusion but it seems a bit simplistic. The suggestion that the show reflects teenage angst works for me, though. Buffy falls in love and has sex, then the 'boy' not only turns away but becomes a 'monster' works quite well. Just ask any teenage girl who gave in to a boy who professed love to get her into bed. Not a total parallel, but worth looking at.

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