Spoiler Slayer

Small Cross and Stake Update

Angel X has a new page, which collects the spoilers that she might post on various boards. This is pretty cool (and may save me a bit of work). You can find it at the Cross and Stake.

Loveline Transcript

For those who are interested, there is a transcript of the 'Loveline' interview with Amber Benson up at www.slayage.com

Thoughts On The BSD

While I know that Tara becoming the BSD isn't what the majority of fans wanted to hear (including myself), I have to be honest and say that it doesn't surprise me. While in the past I said that I couldn't see the storyline that would or would not bring about her death, looking back the hints were there almost from the very beginning. In fact, the closer one looks, the easier it is to see them.

What is interesting about these 'hints', is that they were misread by many fans (including myself). What seemed to be indications that Tara might have a darker past, or that she might be hiding something, really had nothing to do with her character. While she was doing both of these things, and little comments made along the way about her family and Willow's magic use might have strengthened that belief, in the end it seems to work much better in explaining the BSD.

Some of what I'm going to say goes against what some of the writers have said. For instance, We have Joss's own comments about not realizing that Tara and Willow would become a couple when he first introduced the character. However, I think that the story itself shows differently. The timing of Tara's arrival coincided with the departure of Oz. She's was obviously a character that Willow would make a connection with, plus the relationship fell into place rather quickly as well.

I also disagree with those who believe that Tara's death wasn't something that was planned all along, because once you take a closer look, the threads for Tara's demise were in place almost immediately.

From her very first appearance, Tara has always had an issue with 'powerful magic'. We have nothing to indicate that she could not be a powerful witch on her own (barring statements she has made that she is not). Although it wasn't shown from the start, over time it's become obvious that Tara wields magic with ease. Nevertheless, she's also very hesitant to use it. I think the explanation lies with her mother.

We know that Tara's mother was a powerful witch (Hush), as well as her grandmother apparently (The I In Team). While not stated, the subtext is there that would indicate that magic is what led to her mother's demise. This is kind of hinted at in 'The Body'. This can be backed up by Tara's concern over Willow's use of magic and the power she wielded (Out Of My Mind). I also find it interesting that just before Tara arrives, this theme is highlighted in 'Something Blue', and I doubt that anyone can deny that 'Tough Love' delivers the entire Willow/Tara Season Six arc (which is why I felt it was something to keep an eye on).

Another indication that the writer's may have known all along that Tara would eventually meet her death on the show, can be seen in comments that the writers have made themselves. On more than one occasion, it has been mentioned that the Willow storyline has been two season's in the making. Which means they knew the direction the story would be taking, almost as soon as Tara was introduced to the show. I think that this is one of the reasons why Amber was never made a regular. In all the other cases, actors who come on as recurring characters, are usually made regulars when it's apparent that they are going to have a history with the show. Seth, Emma, James and Marc all graduated to regular status relatively quickly (Emma took the longest). Amber is now in her third season, but they've never shown any sign of changing her status.

The sad theme to this story, is that Tara's demise may have little to do with magic or the misuse of magic. Instead, her death will bring about that which she feared. She was afraid of Willow's power and her willingness to use it. In many ways, I think Tara saw a reflection of her mother in Willow. She knew where the path to dark magic led, so she always had a healthy respect for it. She knew what Willow was getting into, and tried her best to keep her on the right path. This ties in with 'Restless'. While not tied directly, I think that Tara's concerns might have increased once she realized that Willow was more like herself than she knew ('All The Way'). Willow's concern that she is liked only for her 'power' or 'usefulness', are themes that are played upon in her dream. While most of us (including myself), took it to mean that Willow was hiding something from everyone else, in reality, what she was hiding was the truth of her past from Tara. No matter how hard she tries, at her heart, Willow will always see herself as that 'mousy geek'. In 'Restless', Oz wasn't warning Tara about what Willow would become, he was referring to what she had been.

This is the heart of Willow's darkness and what is going to send her over the edge. After several season's, she's fallen back to the 'hacker' role that she has through much of Season Two and Three. She's become 'High School Willow' once again. I was always looking out for the storyline, which would have Willow in a situation where she would need to use magic. Her decision not to use magic, is what I expected would bring about Tara's death (which, to be honest, is not exactly out of the question just yet). Which would then cause her to not only lash out against those that caused Tara's death, but those who she felt pressured her into not using magic. While it was her own decision to quit 'cold turkey', the writer's have had practically everyone emphasize their concern over Willow staying 'clean and sober'.

This brings us to the dilemma, which is what will happen once Willow avenges Tara's death (and hey, another tie to 'Something Blue' and 'Tough Love'). With the information that Buffy sends Dawn to Spike for protection, I can only imagine that Willow is not going to stop with Warren. Can Willow be redeemed, or does this spell the end for her as well. With these events happening before the season finale, I can only imagine that either way, there will be some kind of resolution at season's end. What that might be, I really don't even want to guess at this point.

Tomorrow, I'll take a look at where I think the Spike/Buffy storyline is heading. I'm also going to bring up my thoughts on the 'reset/reversal' issue, and what I think might happen with that.