Buffy #33 - summary and thinky thoughts

[moscow_watcher]

"There's a reason I loved you the moment I saw you. There's a reason we can't be happy with anyone else. And there's a reason your whole body is glowing right now. And there's a reason that despite all the power coursing through me, what I feel right now is weak. I'm terrified you'll go. You'll leave before we have a chance to explore what this

Comments

[sueworld2003]

"1) how much of the lost audience could be lured back by B/A hype. In Dark Horse dispatch sent to retailers immediately post-Twilightgate Allie wrote that "Twilight" arc could bring sales back to where they were when the series started (i.e. 100,000+ copies). We'll see if Joss still knows how to milk this cash cow."

Oh that's very interesting. :0 Hear the shippers 'moo'. *g*

[moscow_watcher]

So far, issue 31 sales dropped to 47,000+ copies. I'm almost sure there will be a spike of interest - but how big? My forecast is 50,000-60,000 range for issues 33-35.

[larabeckinsale]

We can start making bets if Spike will appear in the next issue.
According to a recent Joss' interview, Buffy and Angel will have sex for three issues straight and Spike will be in two of them.

Yeah, Buffy will be thinking of him in order to withstand the terrible tast of magically having to have sex with Angel. -that's the only thought that makes the B/A shipping bearable for me right now!

I like how you analyzed this, I hope that Joss does have a brilliant masterplan here, he's being way risky and it could backfire.

That's my 2 cents. I'm too confused about all this, can't think straight yet!

[moscow_watcher]

I'm afraid I'm vary confused too. Every attempt to analyze the story makes it look the more bizarre.

Alas, I don't expect anything positive on any shipping front, whether Bangel or Spuffy.

[shipperx]

I think all ships are going to be razed to the ground.

There's something quite ugly in this set-up, and I don't see Joss making an exception for Spike. It's gonna be wide-spread ugly before its done.

[frenchani]

From where I stand, these comics look like a big mess. I'm glad I don't read them. Spuffy feelings aside, it sounds like Joss has disowned "Chosen" and its metaphor of female empowerment. And he would be doing it to achieve what?

Even though I don't care about the comics, the stuff I read on LJ saddens me.

[moscow_watcher]

I think that back in 1997 Joss had stumbled upon feminism by accident when he has started producing BtVS. His intention was to subvert genre tropes - and that subversion jibed well with feminist ideas.

"Angel" isn't a feminist show. "Firefly" isn't a feminist show. And I've got the impression that Buffy also isn't a feminist show anymore. Joss got interested in other issues (power, soul corruption etc) and currently he writes stories that revolve around these issues.

[penny_lane_42]

Just revisiting this post, and I wanted to say: I agree 100%. I think he thinks he's a feminist, but he's not very good at examining his own privilege. He's blinded by it. A lot.

[speakr2customrs]

Wouldn't you be tempted to find out how Alien and Predator consummate their passionate love?

Ewww! None of the Yautja would despoil themselves by consorting sexually with the vile Kainde Amedha.

[moscow_watcher]

oh. A/P NC-17 fanfiction exists? For realsies??!! Live and learn.

Now imagine Joss writing comics about A/P epic sex causing a sonic boom in Earth atmosphere and destroying human civilization.

I know I'd give it a try. Damn my curiosity!

[keith5by5]

Gotta be honest, I haven't read any of the comics (S6 & 7 drove me away from ever buying anything non-Dushku Whedon related), but from all the reviews I've read, basically reinforces my conclusion.

Whedon sacrifices characterisation, continuity, and motivation for plot which makes for unconvincing and sloppy story-telling.

I know you're a massive Spike fan, and he's a funny guy, but in what universe does he go for their help after being chipped and in what universe do the Scoobies not kill him?

Why does the Council hunt Faith before and after her coma, but not kill her when she was comatose? it wasn't as if she was hidden.

Why is it rape when the BLACK Shadow Men force the first Slayer to become a Slayer, but Mass Empowerment when the WHITE girl forces women throughout the world to take the power.

Etc, etc.

[moscow_watcher]

Whedon sacrifices characterisation, continuity, and motivation for plot which makes for unconvincing and sloppy story-telling.

I also have the impression is that Joss' God is the story. Is it good or bad thing? I don't know. I thoroughly enjoy his stories as long as I don't get invested into characters much. But if I'm really invested, it becomes sheer torture. I was on the verge of becoming a full-fledged "Dollhouse" fan when the show was cancelled. The only thing that kept me from delving deeper was Echo and ED bashing I met online. I went through fandom wars as a Spike and Spuffy fan, it took me several years to find an online niche where I feel comfortable, and I didn't want to go through the same experience again. There is something about Joss stuff that makes people really, deeply involved. He comes up with the most ridiculous plot twists and somehow they work, and I'm eager to suspend my disbelief.

in what universe does he go for their help after being chipped and in what universe do the Scoobies not kill him?Yes, but

[keith5by5]

"I also have the impression is that Joss' God is the story. Is it good or bad thing

[moscow_watcher]

Oh, you're so hard on Joss, Keith! :)

You know, I started writing a long comment in Joss' defence, but then decided against it. We both know we can't change each other's opinions. Let's focus on the positive things. Have you seen these?
http://buffy-angel.diary.ru/p98464400.htm