Spoiler Slayer

PM Update - Marti Noxon Interview, Still More Tara Tidbits

SciFi.com posted an interview with Marti Noxon. Like almost any interview with a writer about the current season, it's more than little heavy with things that can be taken one way or another. For example, she makes the statement "There may not be a big bad, but there's a big bad climax coming." This could be read many ways, though I know some people are taking it to mean that there won't be a 'Big Bad' this season. Which is not what she's saying at all from my perspective. I take it to mean that there won't be a 'Big Bad' along the lines of Glory, The Mayor, or Angelus. Instead the internal conflicts of the Scooby Gang will probably be enough that a 'Little Bad', such as the Troika, will be more than a challenge for them to face. Which is something I certainly hadn't ruled out, since at the point the gang is at currently, I doubt they could survive any serious threat that might come along. However, there still needs to be some kind of 'evil influence' in Sunnydale causing problems for the Scoobies. Which is exactly what the Troika has been doing, not to mention problems like Amy, Rack, and upcoming arrival of Halfrek.

I think what the writer's meant when they said this would be a different kind of Season Finale (months ago), is that it won't be the usual 'Buffy saves the world' scenario. When this season closes, it's going to be all about the characters on the show. Which means we should be more than a little worried about what she means about a 'Big Bad Climax' to the season. Some very intelligent posters on various message boards have been speculating that Season Six and Seven might all be one story, which I not only agree with, but I would throw in Season Five as well. Season Five would be the intro, Season Six will be the buildup, and Season Seven will be the Climax and Finale. Which makes even more sense, if Season Seven is indeed the final season for either the show (or the current group of actors). It also explains why there is a great deal of similarity between the latter half of Season Five and the first part of Season Six (in terms of character themes). But again, it's still just speculation at this point. We have a lot of possible 'Bads' being pulled into the mix right now, not to mention spoilers which have been hinting that one of the Scoobie's might go bad (Anya at the Wedding for example).

Angel X posted further Tara info at the Kitten Board.

Okay... just a little bit more... Some information happened to come my way today and while I'm not sure what of it I'm going to reveal, I'll say this little tidbit for the board here to keep the mood of the good.

There is no Tara in 15. Not as good as Tara being in 15, but better than her being in 15 and something bad happening. Of course, we all knew she survived past 15, but at least nothing bad happens in the episode related to her character.

Goodness for Willow in ep 15. She's funny and her unique best friend qualities shine brightly in this episode. Good progress for her.

And that's seriously all I'm saying on that ep for now.

Also, to clarify on earlier comments regarding Willow's power compared to Tara's... that wasn't so much an opinion of mine as it was something expressed from the scripts. The "10 times" thing was more my own exaggeration, but the show seems to identify Willow as the stronger of the two, something both Wicca's and the whole gang seem to recognize.

Also, Steven DeKnight posted at the BronzeBeta today. His comments should be up at the VIP Archive tomorrow morning and I'll have the link in the AM Update.