I admit it... by BornToFly

BUFFYVERSE

I admit it...

POSTED BY: BORNTOFLY
UPDATED: Thursday, August 30, 2007 10:14
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VIEWED: 3773
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Sunday, August 26, 2007 4:26 AM

The following thread will undoubtedly contain spoilers, so if you haven't seen any of Buffy, stop reading this thread and do yourself a favour and watch it.

I admit it, I liked Riley.

He was the perfect antithesis to the doom and gloom of the whole Angel relationship arc with his self deprecation and witticisms. At least until the end, then things got all dark again. I love how Joss can do that, just twist characters into something it seemed they could never be (Dark Willow anyone?).

I suppose I can see where people are coming from when they rag on the guy, but I just don't feel that way. I thought he was a change of pace not just for Buffy, but for the show. The character added a whole new dynamic, especially later, when the relationship issues with Buffy began to really evolve and make themselves obvious (at least to Riley) and in turn began to affect the other characters.

The non reciprocated affection he showed Buffy was (to me at least) a real gut twister. I hated that he'd allowed things to get that far without confronting the issues between them. His fault in a kind of way, but then Buffy shouldn't have been feigning in the first place. Hell, when he left on that chopper...way more affecting to me than when Angel left. It was unique that way...dissipating a relationship and in doing so it's left unresolved.

Like I said: I like him.

---
Forsaken initiate.

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Sunday, August 26, 2007 5:16 AM

JWHEDONADDICT

I like him too. I didn't come to that conclusion until late into their relationship, but I definitely like him. Not saying I wanted them together or anything, but...

***********************************************
A.V.Club Interviewer: "What can you say about Goners, the horror-fantasy film you're developing?"
Joss Whedon: Well, there may be some female empowerment in it at some point. [Laughs.] I don't know who put that there. It's the same brew that I tend to brew, which is a combination of horror, and heroes, and people crying, and female empowerment. It's the thing that's made my career..."

(For Joss)

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Sunday, August 26, 2007 5:57 AM

DEEPGIRL187

I didn't like Riley much at first (post-Angel/Buffy hangover). But by season five, I had a real respect for him. It wasn't just that he was out of place with Buffy, it was everyone. I remember one episode in season five, Buffy was hurt or away (can't remember which) and the others went out patrolling. Riley was completely serious while I believe the others were eating a bag of chips. Even though the scene was humorous, you could see that he really didn't belong in the group. When Riley came back in "As You Were", I was really happy that he seemed more comfortable with himself. But yeah, glad the world isn't filled with Riley-haters.

*****************************************************

"But I neeeeed tacos! I need them or I will explode! That happens to me sometimes."

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Sunday, August 26, 2007 6:49 AM

MALSDOXY

I know what did this...

i did too, for many of the reasons you've stated...breath of fresh air

"Haven't you killed me enough for one day ?"
- Mal, War Stories

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Sunday, August 26, 2007 11:45 AM

GROOSALUGG

I liked Riley, too, but he was a more interesting character in S4 than in S5. The Initiative gave him more depth, story-wise, and without it, he was really sort of a lost character in S5. Like Graham told him when he came back, "You used to have a mission, and now you're, what? The mission's boyfriend?"

Tho I did like him, when he left, I felt like it was probably time for him to go...

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Sunday, August 26, 2007 1:24 PM

DEEPGIRL187

See, I was the exact opposite Groo. I thought Riley's character was much more interesting in Season 5. During Season 4, Riley was almost a cardboard cut-out boyfriend. But once he lost his purpose, Riley had much more depth. He struggled to find a purpose and eventually came to the realization that whatever meaning he would have in his life would be found without Buffy. That's what made his character fascinating to me.

*****************************************************

"But I neeeeed tacos! I need them or I will explode! That happens to me sometimes."

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Sunday, August 26, 2007 2:33 PM

CHRISISALL

Riley fan here.
He was the healthy-est relationship Buffy had. When he went all need-a-vamp-to feed-off-him, that's when they hurt his character IMO.
Buff&Finn are the ones to end up together, in my fanboy mind...

Taking the initiative Chrisisall

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Sunday, August 26, 2007 2:38 PM

WYTCHCROFT

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
When he went all need-a-vamp-to feed-off-him, that's when they hurt his character IMO.

i actually thought that was a very deepening character development - and an intelligent one.

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Sunday, August 26, 2007 2:54 PM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by wytchcroft:

i actually thought that was a very deepening character development - and an intelligent one.

I would have thought so too, IF IT DIDN'T LEAD TO HIS LEAVING!!!

Rabid Riley fan Chrisisall

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Tuesday, August 28, 2007 4:20 AM

CHESS

I really, really liked Riley. When Buffy started college she was the outcast, she didn't know anybody. I liked that Riley was a soldier but was still openhearted. Like Buffy he was a soldier against the night but he still had hope.

It made me very sad when he left because I was sure Buffy was willing to make a real go of it with him, but I was glad that he finally found someone he could love and be happy with

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Thursday, August 30, 2007 10:14 AM

BLACKSHAMROCK5

I didnt like Riley the first time around but after watching it again he really grew on me and I felt really sorry for him

remember that a kick in the ass is a step forward

Shamrock
www.myspace.com/clover718

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