Buffy Fan... No Mention of Apologies Anywhere In this Post

[sisabet]

I realize now that I don't think I will ever be able to have a rational conversation with someone that does not like Buffy, possibly because my love for her is not rational.

I also hesitate to post my thoughts about Buffy and the seasons because it seems whenever someone tries to post why something works for them - what it is about the show that just made them very, very happy -- the people that respond to that post are overwhelmingly negative and insist on recounting, to infinity, their own issues.

Issues that we have already covered and which have nothing to do with the poster's statement get brought up, again.

And I understand that if you watched Season whatever of a television show and it did not work for you, that you possibly will want to discuss this. And I think that responding to a positive post with reservations is a perfectly reasonable response.

I cannot help the part of me that then just wants to scream "SHUT UP, SHUT UP!! I AM SO SICK OF THIS, SHUT UP!

I don't think I will ever be rational. I also don't think that I will ever convince anyone who felt betrayed by Season Whatever that it wasn't actually personal and that Joss is not Satan and Marti Noxon does not eat babies, and it isn't all about Spike or it isn't all not about Spike and Buffy is actually very likeable and so is Xander, Willow, Dawn and Spike. Yes, even Spike. And Giles had a role and instead of bitching about it, let's find out what that role is.


And I know this to be true because season 7 has only been finished for 2 years and already I am weary and ready to abandon the fight and hide out in a cave until it all blows over and I know that Buffy wouldn't do this. She would hit the comment button and respond to the negativity. Actually, she'd probably make it worse as talking things out is something she struggles with - but you see where I am going here.

I just can't do it anymore. My blood pressure can't take it. I am tired of the same damn arguments and it bugs me and it isn't rational and it isn't in the spirit of whatever, I am just sick to fucking hell of all of this shit.

Find a better show that had a seven year run. Find it. Want to argue that it went downhill after Season 3? Fine. Find a better show that had a seven year run. Find better arcs, better continuity of characters, better dialogue and emotional depth. Find it.

God, most of our shows are killed before they have time to even try to achieve something close to what BtVS did accomplish. This sucks - I hate it. But in this one instance we were given a complete run of a girl to woman's story and I love that we have that. I love the story that was told and was it perfect? Hell, no. Nothing is ever perfect. It feels more real because of the flaws, actually.

But to me - there could not have been a more perfect story told to me over the course of the six years I watched. It was told to me. And I loved it and it made me so happy in those years and so I am not rational.

I am also a person who grew up attached to a television. I have watched much TV my friends. Oh, the TV I have seen. I might not be a scholar of pop culture or whathaveyou, but I can tell you the song that was playing in the background when Alex P Keaton got his first serious girlfriend and I can explain the intricacies of the Ewing clan and why Ray and Lucy getting it on was seriously gross and that once upon a time, Sarah Jessica Parker was not only likable, she was inspirational. I can tell you that there always had to be a blond(e) and brunet(te) in any dyad and cite examples of Dukes of Hazzard and Too Close for Comfort.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer was the best television series I have ever seen. This statement is mired in emotion and yeah - I won't ever be able to rationally discuss it.

So I give up. Not on Buffy. On being rational.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Um. Wow. Step away from the computer and go breathe some fresh air. There is an actual world out there. One that does not include television or livejournal. 'Tis good, I promise.

[coiledsoul.livejournal.com]

word, Word, WORD!


Ya know (and please don't take this as stalkery weird or anything because I swear I'm really not) I really do hope to meet you someday. Why? Because invariably your reactions to instances and the ideas you have about fandom and music and often life in general are so similar to my own feelings that sometimes I wonder if you haven't drilled a hole in my brain.

With your permission, I'd like to link this entry at my own blog.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Ironic considering you are reading my LJ.

Piss off and leave me alone - seriously. I am an adult and I am allowed to like what I like and feel passionately about whatever it is I want to fucking feel passionately about.

People are funny that way - we get excited about a wide variety of things. I happen to think that is one of the things that make us worthwhile.

So, just stop being getting your mundane all over my LJ.

Fucker.

::kicks something::

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Link away - and I can always be found at Vividcon. Last year I was found at Slayage, too.

I'm like Waldo in a way. I even have stripey socks. Well, one stripey sock.

[absolutedestiny.livejournal.com]

I have so little buffy exposure but I still read this post and said "RIGHT ON!"

I'd use my 'fuck yeah' lj-icon but I think an Agent Cooper would agree with me too so you get the Coop thumbs up.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Oh and you know what else? I am sick of fuckers posting here anonymously and not signing their fucking names.

Now that my Mom has an LJ, I don't have to allow anonymous posting anymore. Thanks for reminding me of this.

Cocksucker.

::not in good mood::

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Man, I love Agent Cooper so much - he helped me get me through my horrible freshman year of high school. He gives me the thumbs up!

::is honored::

[batwrangler.livejournal.com]

Have you considered screening/disallowing comments on Buffy posts? I suppose it may be more trouble than it's worth, but I like to hear why things work for other people (regardless of whether they worked for me).

[(Anonymous)]

So, just stop being getting your mundane all over my LJ.

I'm sure that made sense in your head so I'll leave it alone.

Dude. You feel passionately about whateverthefuck it is you're rambling on and on about up there and I'll feel passionately about people who waste all of their energy on insignificant things. I'm sure all of that passion could be put to greater use on something that actually matters. I happen to think that is one of the things that make us worthwhile.

Anyway, I don't know why you got all riled up about my comment. It was just a suggestion, no need to be calling people cocksuckers and whatnot. Maybe you're a tad defensive because you know it's dumb?

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Well - no - see cause while I actually end up hating it - I do feel that everyone is allowed to their own opinion and they should have the option of expressing that opinion.

I just am ranty about it. And not rational. And having a very bad day, actually.

[kadymae.livejournal.com]

Find a better show that had a seven year run. Find it.>>

Homicide: Life on the Street

Actually no, can't make that arguement. HLOTS and BtVS are tied for first in my book.

And of any other show that's gone 7 seasons or more, nothing else comes close to either of those.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

What is it that you do that is so significant? Fantasy football? Gardening? Where do you invest your talent and time?

Why is the fact that I do this -- I talk about fannish things with fannish people and I really really like media and sci-fi and whatnot - why is that insignificant to you? It isn't to me - I am a very happy person (who is having a very bad day).

Mundane is a nonfannish person

Cocksuckers is a word used interchangeably for *everything* on Deadwood.

I already know you aren't fannish at all, or you would know these things. So I have identified you as outside my community. I get that you think this is dumb. Fine. I don't. I've always been like this and I will always be like this and I just think it is a blessing I have been able to find my people.

Now go on back to your own people. How the hell did you even end up here? This is a fannish LJ - read my Flist - this is what we are all discussing right now. Geez.

I know you in real life, don't I? God.

::is weary::

[batwrangler.livejournal.com]

>I just am ranty about it. And not rational.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, especially 'cause this is LJ and you have every right to be all about the rant if you want.

>And having a very bad day, actually.

Sorry about that. Hope it gets better soon.

[cereta.livejournal.com]

Maybe you're a tad defensive because you know it's dumb?

Maybe she's a tad defensive because she was already annoyed, and you went and made an annoying comment?

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

I tried with The X Files - just taking the first seven seasons and yeah, it can't stack up.

[mcfeste.livejournal.com]

I imagine that the arguments -- and especially the bitching -- are beyond wearisome for a show that lasted as long as Buffy did. I just got into Jossverse a little over a month ago (my primary fandom is QAF), and I've been hesitant about posting my (positive) thoughts sometimes because I'm afraid everyone is over it. But I'm just not the type to be overly bitchy -- I'm loyal, and I'm an ensemble fan by nature, so there are no characters or pairings I hate. I tend to rationalize everything, even irrational behavior. :)

So yeah. I'm a "find the positive" kind of girl. And so far, BtVS and AtS are telling some of the best stories I've ever heard on TV.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

You know how it is - I'm tired of having to justify who I am and what I care about.

Hell, I'm just tired.

[sunryse00.livejournal.com]

Find a better show that had a seven year run.

Just because I like a show doesn't mean I have to like *everything* about that show. It doesn't mean I have to like every character on the show. And it doesn't mean I thought Joss was God and have to bow down to all his plot choices. If you want to say it was the greatest thing you ever saw or that Buffy was a wonderful person that's your prerogative. It doesn't mean I have to agree with you because I won't.

Once you put it out on the internet, unless you label it as "only positive comments and if you don't agree don't reply" people will defend their view as much as you defend yours. In this fandom not everyone will agree with you because in this fandom no one can agree on anything.

[cereta.livejournal.com]

Much as I've done my share of kvetching about...well, any number of things, there is a point at which you have to stop pissing on people's cheerios. Sometimes, the inability of fans to read posts and discern what sort of response is appropriate amazes me. I'm not talking about never saying a contrary word, but dude: a post full of squee is not the place to vent your dislike of something.

[cereta.livejournal.com]

You know, I was just telling itsthewa earlier that I recently realized that I'm just not all that invested in forming real friendships with people outside of fandom, or at least with people who are going to make the kinds of comments dipshit made up there. I'm 35 goddamn years old, I have a job I do very well, a for god's sake Ph.D., and a marriage that's as happy as we can make it: I don't have to justify to anyone except maybe my Other Half how I spend my free time or expend my passion or mental energy.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Word. I pretend to be rational about my girl, sometimes. But I'm so not. I love her, I adore her, I admire Joss so much for giving her life.

Buffy was a girl who became a woman. It was a rocky and dangerous path, but she triumphed. She inspired other people to become heroes. She kicked ass and saved the world a lot.

And she and the show were quality.

I adore my new show, Stargate SG-1, but it's no Buffy. I don't expect it to be. Buffy was special, I truly do believe that. I know that Buffy can empower women because it has empowered at least one specific woman, namely, me.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Um... if you read my post, you have to get I am not saying any of this. I am venting and ranting and dude - I *know* this fandom disagrees on everything.

I'm just tired of it. I'm not saying people shouldn't be allowed to dissent. I'm just tired of it. I'm not saying we should all hold hands and sing a song - but wouldn't that be nice? - but I am tired of constant negativity, Buffy bashing and Joss Is Eval.

I'm not saying my desire for these things trumps your distaste of whatever. I'm just saying: Show me better television.

[sweetestdrain]

Your post makes me want to rewatch Buffy. I like that - that your enthusiasm and love for something can come through so vividly in your written thoughts, and in your vids too, of course. It's very inspiring on many counts.

And, on a somewhat related matter! I loved your vid 'SOS' and I had to actually start watching Farscape just so I could get over my insane obsession with it. (Someday I need to learn how to leave feedback at the time, but, y'know. Random comments are fun.) Also, I started watching Invisible Man after seeing 'Weeping Willow', which is gorgeous.

(Actually, come to think of it... the whole thing I just said about you bringing enthusiasm and love into your work? You should stop that. Now. Please. I don't think I can keep up with any more fandoms.)

[falzalot.livejournal.com]

Oh man, where do they crawl out from?

And he probably paints himself blue and sits outside in freezing weather cheering on a sports team. :-/ Dude, I'd ~much~ rather talk about TV.

[kimera.livejournal.com]

You know, I've never understood the people who say they "hate" something- and *continue to watch anyway*.

I mean, as linzeems knows from my frequent babbling as I watch an episode, PR will sometimes frustrate the hell out of me, but really, I love and enjoy all of it. The cheese, the silly bad guys, the characters, the plots (even when they contradict themselves!). Besides, name me ONE other show where fanon actually became canon.

But on the subject of Buffy- even though I had Issues with parts of it, as a whole I loved it. It has a special place in my heart and is always the first show I pimp out to people who are looking for something good to watch.