I'm loving it!!!

[witcher]

Well a lot of people on Slayalive said what they don't like ( or to say hate ) about S8. Warren and Amy back, Satsu-Buffy, Dawn's transformations... Well in spirit of keeping this a pro-Buffy forum I would like to state why I like season 8:

1. It continues my favorite TV show. It keeps me connected with character I have grown to like!

2. S8 made the story more epic. We get to see that people, other than Buffy are fighting evil all around the world, especially in issues 5, 21 and 22. We see lots of Slayers in or out Buffy's army who are working to make the world a better place.

3. Even with the story being epic we still get strong character interaction and development. Buffy and Willow keeping secrets from each other ( Saga Vasuki and Buffy killing future Willow ), Xander getting closer to Dawn who is having trouble growing up, Xander-Renee, Willow-Kennedy, Buffy-Giles, Faith development in NFFy...

4. S8 raises a moral question about Buffy's actions in "Chosen" and also in right of Slayers to decide who is evil and who is not. Just like in S6 and 7 when they had to deal with consequences of bringing back to life, now they have to deal with consequences of making all Potentials Slayer. Did those girls want that? Did Buffy do a good think by doing that? Any other writer would just make that 100% positive and move on with killing and blood, but not Joss. He makes us see both sides of one's actions.

5. Twilight - in my opinion one of the best Buffy Big Bads! He doesn't seem plain evil, he looks more like someone with a soul, someone human ( or human like ) who has a problem with Slayer army. And I love the fact that we don't know who he is!!!

6. Satsu - my favorite new character! She has a great personality and I hope we see more of her!!!

7. New mythology: I love Saga Vasuki, Kumiko and other vampires from Japan, Dawn becoming a giant and a centaur... The tree people and fairies are little over the top, but I can live with that. Also Robin in ABH was a 100% hit!!!!!!!!!!!

8. Season 8 connects "Chosen", where we had all those Slayers created, with Fray where we have only one half Slayer in the world, and I expect from S8 to explain how Fray future happened!!!

9. Interaction! We got all those cool My Space promotions for issues #21 and #22, and making a fan ( Robin ) a character in ABH showed how much Joss cares about his fans. Also loving Q&A here on Slayalive!!!

[Mathieu]

I guess that's a response to my thread... You know what, I'm going to read issue 22 again and give it another shot. Maybe I was just in a bad mood.

[witcher]

Feb 8, 2009 11:34:13 GMT -5 Mathieu said:

I guess that's a response to my thread... You know what, I'm going to read issue 22 again and give it another shot. Maybe I was just in a bad mood.

Well I did make the topic after discussing yours, but its not only because of it. Its nothing personal, I just felt like people concentrated more on the things they didn't like in S8, and not enough on things that are great.

[Mathieu]

Let me reread the issue though, and I'll get back to ya!

[Paul]

Thank goodness for this thread. Sure we've had a couple of dud issues, but overall Season Eight has been the perfect continutation of the show and I wouldn't change a thing!

Things I love... (not direct responses to Witcher's points, although some of them are similar).

1. The fact that the characters and the universe have changed so much. Every season of the TV series had drastic and irreversible development for the characters, and Season Eight continues that trend. Buffy's ruthlessness, Willow's mysterious behaviour, Xander's newfound confidence. I too like the epic, global scale of the series and the Scoobies' more "superheroic" roles. They're not a motley group of high school kids anymore, they're all grown up and they've found their place in the big bad world.

2. Jeanty's artwork. Runge's work on Angel: After the Fall just proves that artists shouldn't be slaves to actor likenesses. Their work usually ends up being static and awkward, and it just doesn't work in this medium. Covers, yes, but the story itself should have a fluidity and a life to it. Jeanty's cartoony pencils have captured the spirits of the characters very well without being photorealistic.

3. The Slayers. We've had a real diverse and likable bunch of new Slayers introduced, which, given how the season arc centres around Buffy's army, is pretty crucial. Each Slayer has had a unique role and perspective in the series. Personal favourites include Satsu, the Buffy decoy, Gigi, and Simone.

4. That fact the series ties in with Dark Horse's Buffy spin-offs. The continuation of the Xander/Dracula story from "Antique", and connecting Buffy's world to Fray's (both story-wise and visually via Karl Moline's art). It really gives the sense of a consistent universe.

5. The time taken to tell quirky little side-stories, examples being "The Chain" and "After These Messages..." I've heard fans complain that we don't have time for these inconsequential distractions, when there's a month to wait between issues and Twilight's identity is still a secret. Impatient much? If you look at the TV series, it was the unusual, risky episodes like "Hush", "Once More, With Feeling", and "Conversations with Dead People" that were the most memorable. Judging from some of their comments, fans seem more interested in getting the Cliff Notes than reading a good story. Years from now, when Season Eight can be read all in trades, it's going to be the standalones that flesh the series out and give it personality.

6. The excellent use of old characters from the TV series. Warren and Amy make a great, creepy couple and I can't wait to see their inevitable reunion with Willow. The concept of Harmony as a vapid celebrity is brilliant, and I love how such a pathetic vampire incited global chaos. Kennedy and Dracula, who I was never that fond of in the show, have become some of my favourite characters since appearing in Season Eight. Hopefully the upcoming Oz arc will give him the development he sorely lacked in the show, as well as finally do the werewolf design justice. The amount of familar faces has been unpopular with some, but at least this series is doing something with them, instead of leaving them standing in the background being pointless cannon fodder. *cough* After the Fall *cough*

7. The fact that it all feels plotted out in advance, with as-yet-unexplained foreshadowing like "the prince", Buffy's betrayal, Saga Vasuki, etc. Taking time to uncover secrets like Dawn's transformations, and Twilight's identity. It's much better than After the Fall, which sometimes felt like it was making itself up as it went along.

It's kind of late where I am and I'm all typed out... I might add to this later if I can think of anything else.

[rufio]

I totally agree with all these points on season 8. People are being annoyingly impatient, especially with the twilight hidden identity thing. Granted, I Am a very impatient person and sometimes I wish I could just have all of season 8 in my lap right now-BUT I've accepted that it's not going to happen. SO I sit back and ENJOY it. What would be the fun if we just had the whole damn story thrown down in one shot anyway??

I agree that season 8 seems very mapped out which makes it that much more exciting in anticipation of the conclusion.

I also like that the characters are ever evolving and that their world is more epic now-like it wasn't epic enough just in Sunnydale!

[Tyler Austin "tiewashere"]

I personally really enjoy season eight. It's not my favorite season of the show but I look forward to it each month. In my opinion, much like the above poster has stated, once the entire season is released in a TPB, people will want the long stories and wonderful side stories Joss and company have created. I mean, would you rather have a quick 22 issue season with no side stories or a nice long (seems like a season of the show) TPB with some wonderful side-risk stories? I'd want the latter, personally. I think once the season is completed and people start going back and reading it through without delays, it'll be much more liked. Right now, I think its just the month waits that have people wanting more.

Although, sometimes I am one of those people. Sometimes I am one of the people that really hate getting a standalone when we have to wait a full month...but once its all said and done...I'd like a nice long read once I am done with the series. And I came into reading season eight waiting for #16 to be released and I was TOTALLY into it. I read straight through from issue 1-15 and I was way more hyped up than everyone else that started reading right when issue 1 was released.

That's my thoughts anyway.

[iamthewalrus]

amen, brother

some people are just way too impatient

[sosa lola]

I love season 8 for the thing its haters hate it for: the mysteries. I love that it's a whole big mystery with so many clues that do not tell you exactly what the hell is happening, why the hell Willow is doing this, why the hell Buffy turned out like this, is there more to Dawn's story with Kenny? And so on. Some fans can't be patient enough, I don't blame them, the slow pace in the comic medium is killing me as well, especially that we'll get the answers to all our questions in 2010. I think I'm more patient than most.

I love the main storyline. That Buffy's decision to make all potentials slayers had changed the world beyond repair. That Buffy must face the consequences of her decision, the big pressure of taking care of way more girls than the ones she had in S7, the pressure of having the government after her accusing her of being a terrorist who blew up a whole town, the pressure of hiding from society and real life, the pressure of not having a warm embrace to cuddle to at night, all that had driven the poor girl to become the woman you see in S8.

I love that they continued and blossomed some things we saw in S7: Buffy's "I'm the law" attitude, Buffy and Xander's friendship, Buffy and Giles' detachment, whatever some say, I can see continuity very clearly.

I love that S8 made me love Faith. I never cared about her character, but S8 made me more interested in her. If there was no S8, I'd never have appreciated the character Faith.

I love that Buffy and Giles have issues with each other, because I HATED the so-called patching things up in Chosen. "What do you think?" "Do you wanna hear my opinion?" "I wanna hear all your opinions." THAT'S the patching up a great relationship Buffy/Giles deserves? Meh. Hopefully S8 will do a much better job.

While it's not everybody's favorite, Wolves at the Gate was mine. It was a typical TV Buffy comedy. I really enjoyed the Dracula/Xander story, and I know many who think it's farce and don't believe it'll ever happen. But I think it can be believable, just don't take Andrew's explanation to heart. It's up to us how Dracula became obsessed with Xander. Xander, on the other hand, doesn't seem to like Dracula much, which is a given, he wasn't really Xander in those months he stayed with Dracula, now was he?

While I had my objections with Buffy/Satsu, I can see now that's also not a big deal. I believe it's something Buffy will do. Like I said, the girl wants a warm embrace to cuddle to at night, and she's been moaning about not having sex from #1. She's been having sex dreams about Xander, for God's sake. Well, he's the only man in the castle. And she can't ask him to have a one night stand, because he's her best friend and she doesn't wanna wreck that by making it complicated, plus she knows about his feelings for Renee. Knowing that Satsu loves her and admires her made Buffy feel loved, she rejected Satsu at the beginning, then she was reluctant. She wanted the warm embrace. She explained to Satsu that she's not gay, she's not looking for a relationship, and Satsu still accepted to sleep with her.

I love that Buffy's healthiest sexual expreience/relationship was with another slayer. It started with understanding and support from both girls and it ended with understanding and support from both girls. It was the first time Buffy actually ends a sexual experience with a smile, not just from her, also from Satsu. Both girls knew what it was about, knew it could never lead to anything serious, but they still enjoyed their time. I don't think Satsu hated Buffy or regretted what happened. She knew what she was getting herself into and she was okay with it.

I love that S8 makes me think: For example you have Xander/Dracula, fans have been pondering about how it works. I found a believable version that I'll share: Dracula had kidnapped Xander and put him under his thrall (Like Buffy vs. Dracula) Xander stayed with Dracula for months (because he was under Dracula's thrall), in which Dracula grew attached to him, until Buffy saved Xander. When Dracula was needed, notice how Xander looked annoyed and upset, he didn't want to interact with Dracula again. He brought Renee with him to keep him on his feet, sadly he slips one time after another at the presence of Dracula until Renee snaps him out of it. From the looks of it, Xander doesn't seem to care much about Dracula while Dracula is obviously very attached to Xander. Even the last scene between them shows how much Xander resents Dracula's way of treating him, like a slave/manservant. In fact, the last scene is the best resolution to Xander's speech in Buffy vs Dracula where Xander got to stand up to Dracula, a great ending to his Butt-Monkey arc with Dracula.

The "gay love" here is obviously one sided: from Dracula's side. Xander, as it shown in Wolves at the Gate, isn't that interested in Dracula at all. Only went to him when the mission needed him. That's how I've been seeing this arc. And it sounds pretty much so canon to me and not that hard to picture. But I can see why fans are having a hard time with it: they actually did the stupid thing of believing Andrew's tale while there's so much evidence that Andrew doesn't know jack about the real story.

I love that S8 inspired me to write my first ever Spuffy fic. I also love that it brought new ideas and as well as new fics to read. Even the Crack fics. *winks*

So, yeah, I love S8 with all its mysteries and character-development and character-detachment. And I'm waiting for Buffy's fall, patiently.

[AndrewCrossett]

Feb 23, 2009 18:59:05 GMT -5 sosa lola said:

I love that S8 makes me think: For example you have Xander/Dracula, fans have been pondering about how it works. I found a believable version that I'll share: Dracula had kidnapped Xander and put him under his thrall (Like Buffy vs. Dracula) Xander stayed with Dracula for months (because he was under Dracula's thrall), in which Dracula grew attached to him, until Buffy saved Xander.

Have you read "Tales of the Vampires"? The story of what happened between Xander and Dracula is in there. (In Drew Goddard's "Antiques" story).

[sosa lola]

Yeah, but it doesn't say how Xander ended up there. We just see him under Dracula's thrall, and Buffy coming to rescue him.

[jellymoff]

Feb 24, 2009 14:41:06 GMT -5 sosa lola said:

Yeah, but it doesn't say how Xander ended up there. We just see him under Dracula's thrall, and Buffy coming to rescue him.

According to Andrew, Xander when to Drac on his own accord while mourning Anya's death.

[Enisy]

Key-phrase in your post is: "according to Andrew". Andrew, as you recall, had an episode called Storyteller dedicated to him.

[tigerfan]

Xander stayed with Dracula for months (because he was under Dracula's thrall), in which Dracula grew attached to him, until Buffy saved Xander.

The problem I have with this theory is that it took Buffy months to save Xander? That sounds pretty horrible if he's being kept there against his own will because he's under Dracula's thrall. The drac thing just seems pretty weird and you have to really reach to explain it. I do wish they comics would explain what happened instead of just having Andrew's word on it.

[sosa lola]

Feb 24, 2009 20:19:52 GMT -5 tigerfan said:

Xander stayed with Dracula for months (because he was under Dracula's thrall), in which Dracula grew attached to him, until Buffy saved Xander.

The problem I have with this theory is that it took Buffy months to save Xander? That sounds pretty horrible if he's being kept there against his own will because he's under Dracula's thrall. The drac thing just seems pretty weird and you have to really reach to explain it. I do wish they comics would explain what happened instead of just having Andrew's word on it.

Buffy struggling with so many responsibilities and gathering slayers, it can be understandable if she didn't know Xander was at Dracula until months later. Like I said, Xander could have been traveling around to find slayers and was kidnapped by Dracula… that obviously wasn't Xander in his full mind when Buffy had come to save him.

[henzINNIT]

Every now and then I read a line or see a panel and I forget I'm reading a comic. It's just pure Buffy. It might not happen quite as much as I'd like but it does, and it's great.

[Whedon Fan]

This is Buffy and all its Buffy glory-ness. Its the same writers, same characters, interesting new arcs and charatcers. It has a big bad of the season and it has progressed a lot of the charatcers too. Every now and then we get a bad line, panel or new demony tree, fairy, giant, centaur things but apart from those things I am loving season 8.

[lindanie]

I am watching Buffy 1-7 seasons DVD Boxset ,I am loving it too.