Buffy's Dad

[gumgnome]

I don't think that that has been officially established. I was under the impression that that was just a fan-theory.

[Skytteflickan88]

Yep, just a fan-theory.

And I think I wrote on the first page that it seems likely that the monks made Hank into a absent father, so Buffy would be more focused on protecting Dawn.

It's a reasonable theory, but I hope he's just one of those absent fathers, not that the monks made him that different. I was always disturbed by how the monks "re-made" the scoobies, their past and emotions(so they would be protective of Dawn).

It's not like it's evil, protecting several worlds by making a few people love Dawn, but still, disturbing.

[snizapman6294]

was it at least a theory at one point in the series? or am i making it up?

[Midnight Butterfly]

Jul 17, 2009 13:02:36 GMT -5 snizapman6294 said:

was it at least a theory at one point in the series? or am i making it up?

I think I heard that somewhere in the series. I dont think your going insane lol. I always thought thats why Joyce died also.

[Skytteflickan88]

In the episode Buffy found out about Dawn, she thought that it was some sort of magic making her mom sick. She thought it was Dawn for a while. Then, after finding out the truth, I think she just let go of that theory. Maybe she just accepted that the monks might have caused her mom's illness. It's not like she could find a monk and ask them to fix it anyway(because she thought they were all dead, didn't she?)

[gumgnome]

I don't remember anything about Joyce's illness being caused by Dawn and the memory re-write in the season. I'll have to read all the S5 scripts to be sure though...

[snizapman6294]

I think Sky's right on this one... that Buffy thought it was Dawn's fault when she (buffy) first found out that she (dawn) was just inserted into her (buffy) life.

[Skeptic]

Of course, if none of this is real and Buffy's actually in the mental hospital in L.A., then why would she make her dad into a dead-beat dad in her fantasy world, and have her mom die? That also doesn't make sense. I mean, I could come up with some long-winded, far-reaching theories, but none of them really make me go 'oh yeah!'

I often wonder where Hank is and if he's still boffing the same secretary, or if he's moved on to a new one by now. Did he even hear about the news that Sunnydale had gone poof? Did he even try and contact his daughters? He's an asshole. He didn't start out that way, though. He should be proud of his daughter, especially now, with everything that's she's tried to do to change the world for the greater good. But I'm guessing he's still on a skiing trip with his secretary.

[buffyfan21]

I like your theory, Skytteflickan88

I agree that it could be possible that altering Joyce's memories caused her brain tumor. On the other hand, does anybody remember in Restless when Joyce doesn't stay down with the rest of the gang to watch movies, claiming that she is not feeling well and instead goes up to bed? She says that she is tired or something to that effect. As she is making her way upstairs, I swear I see her touch her head. Perhaps, as a crazed fan, I am reading too much into this, but it could be that this is the start/our first glimpse of what was to come for Joyce. If so, then that would mean that Joyce's illness was meant to be, having nothing to do with Dawn at all.

On another note, I want to say I also agree how messed up it was that Hank did not come to Joyce's funeral. I have never understood that. Yeah I get that they were Exes or whatever, but didn't Hank still care for and Love Joyce as the mother of his children? And what about being there for his daughters? So what if he was busy with work or whatever, that is the kind of thing that you make time for, work or no. The fact that Hank did not show up to the funeral shows a great disrespect to Joyce, and to his children who needed him. And if he didn't show up because he was too busy with some woman, well then that is even worse! I guess we will never know why Hank did not show, but regardless of the reason, it is despicable! Surely schedules could have been rearranged and time could have been made to go and pay respects to your ex wife and mother of your children? And what about all the memories that he and Joyce shared? Apparently those meant nothing at all to Hank. He must have loved Joyce at one time to marry her and have children with her, but I guess when they split, all that went out the window for Hank. He has seriously got to be the worst father ever! No wonder Buffy has relationship issues!

Of course, it's possible that Joss never intended us to care about Hank as he wasn't considered a central part of the story and as such was left out of the episode. Maybe it wasn't important to the story, but from a realistic perspective, as the father he should have been there to show his support and be there for his girls. At least Buffy and Dawn had the support of their "real" father, Giles. In many ways Giles was more a father to them than Hank ever was. Yep, this guy won't be winning any father of the year awards anytime soon (worst father award perhaps). What a loser!

[gumgnome]

Jul 18, 2009 22:00:39 GMT -5 buffyfan21 said:

On the other hand, does anybody remember in Restless when Joyce doesn't stay down with the rest of the gang to watch movies, claiming that she is not feeling well and instead goes up to bed? She says that she is tired or something to that effect. As she is making her way upstairs, I swear I see her touch her head.

Oooh! Never noticed that before. Interesting idea...

[Skytteflickan88]

Nice catch about the head-touching and tiredness in Restless.

I think I can say taht I'm glad Hank was left out of the picture. In case he had been a good father, he would have had to tried to help Buffy take care of Dawn, and then there would be more focus on him, instead of the scoobies, and we wouldn't see how Buffy dealt with taking care of dawn and respnsibilities.

She wouldn't have grown up as good with a father around. She might not have been the leader we see today.

[buffyfan21]

I agree. In a way I'm kind of glad Hank was never really in the picture. I fear his presence may have taken away from the beautiful relationship that Buffy and Joyce shared (and later Dawn). I think it was great seeing Joyce as the independent mom/woman. She did not need a man to help her take care of things, she managed just fine on her own. I love that it was just Joyce and her girls. I found that relationship (especially between Buffy and Joyce) so endearing. I hated when Joyce died. She is one of my favorite characters and the best mom ever.