Buffy's parents

[buffygrl678]

Do u think the show would have been better if Buffy parents were together?

[artiswar]

Definitely not. For one thing she'd have an easier time trusting men. Probably would have stayed with Riley. Not necessarily bad, but a way different show.

[hitnrun017]

I do wish we would of seen Hank more than we did, maybe a little more backstory, but I'm happy Joyce was alone raising one, then two, daughters. You could tell it was hard for her, but it was great to watch.

[Wyndam]

I am glad they weren't together. A lot of the characters in the Buffyverse had father issues (Buffy, Dawn, Xander, Tara, Angel, Wesley, Connor, etc.) and its clearly a theme in his shows, so I think it was important for Buffy to have those issues as well. Plus it also showed how great of a character Joyce was, as she was the sole parental figure in the Summers household and therefore the law, which really helped her develop over the years.

[Jsebold87]

I like that it was just Buffy's mom. I can relate to Buffy in that way. I never had a stable father figure, so I can really relate to Buffy in that respect. It was a nice addition to the show, which gave it more reality, and gave the viewers something to relate to.

[buffyfan21]

I'm glad that it was mostly just Joyce. I love the relationship that Buffy and Joyce had. Their bond and connection may not have been as strong had Hank been in the picture more. And like someone else said, if Buffy's dad had been around, the show might have gone in a completely different direction, resulting in Buffy making different relationship choices, etc.

Besides, I like the fact that Giles was basically Buffy's father. I love the father/daughter bond and connection that Giles and Buffy had over the years. I also love the close connection and bond that Joyce had with her daughters. I find both the relationships with Giles and Joyce to be very endearing.

And if I understand correctly, Joss was originally not going to show Buffy's parents at all. I am so glad he changed his mind. Joyce is the best TV mom ever!!! It was really great watching her relationship with Buffy over the years.

Heck, there were times growing up watching where I wished that Joyce was my mom! Still kinda do actually!

[pink_table_la]

If buffy's parents are together:
a. Giles father figure image has no place in the show. (Probably, maybe it's a choice between Buffy having a dad or her having a watcher?)
b. Buffy wouldnt be able have the responsibility of keeping everything for dawn when Joyce died. Also, I think this would change Buffy and Dawn's relationship.

[jellymoff]

It was necessary for the show. Buffy gained a certain strength from her experiences. Can you imagine Season 5 with Hank? Joyce dies and he's gotta take care of Dawn and Buffy all by himself.....

Oh-and they may have never moved to Sunnydale, although I guess it was destined to happen.

[Kara]

I don't think the relationship between Buffy and her parents is what really made the show, I do however think the show would have been completely different. Like most said Buffy relationships with her Dawn and Giles would've been very different.

[erminton]

I agree with everything said before me. I would also like to add another point.

Before Joyce found out about Buffy being a Slayer, there was a lot of tension/stress trying to keep it a secret, thus adding more to the show and storyline. If Hank was on the show, I think this issue would have played differently - like she probably would have told them both sooner. And I think that would have kept things less interesting in the first season.

[Slayer489]

Definitely not. Lots of the show's themes would have been different and Giles would have felt pushed out and I loved Buffy and Giles's father/daughter relationship dynamic. Even up until the end of the series they still had that feel to their relationship.