Did you want Buffy to catch Riley's chopper?

[dusktodawn]

lotta posts already, but i'm gonna jump in anyway.

I'm going to have to say no. he wasn't as bad as a character most people tend to make him out to be, he was just wrong for Buffy.

[Saturn 5]

Riley is more a Clark Kent style character in a world which is more Bruce Wayne

[The Girl In Question]

Nov 15, 2009 1:06:24 GMT -5 wenxina said:

Nov 9, 2009 19:04:38 GMT -5 The Girl In Question said:

I did, just because it's so sad that he never knew (and still doesn't know?) that she cared about him enough to stop him.

Buffy told him, in "As You Were".
There's a reason Riley didn't look back for Buffy... it's because at that point, it was over. She didn't make it there on-time, and therefore not in time... so to look back would be to dwell on the past, and live in regret if she really didn't show up. Looking the other way symbolized his moving away, and moving on.

Did she? I thought she was about to tell him, and then ended up not actually saying it. Then again, it has been a really long time since I've seen that ep. I lent my DVDs to some skankbot a really long time ago who has yet to return it.

[hellmouth]

If Buffy had caught the chopper and Riley had stayed, would he have lived through the events of season 7?

[gumgnome]

I'm a vocal Riley fan (well, someone needs to be!) and have always felt that he was the right match for her. As others have mentioned above he's kind, honest and quite a muffin. A lot of people suggest that he's dull, but then profess their love for Angel, who is a far more boring character on BtVS. Others suggest that he's needy, and then sing from the mountaintop about Spike, clearly the neediest character on the show and constantly defined by his relationship with a woman.

Perhaps it's just that I want Buffy to be happy and have some semblance of a normal life - the ability to enjoy the world during the day, being a mother and having a family. I feel that she really deserves these things and that Riley can provide them for her in an equal and meaningful relationship. He's often accused of being incapable of dealing with Buffy's superpowers, and admits that he finds it difficult in "Into the Woods", but I also genuinely believe that this is not the reason that their relationship breaks down. He is capable of loving Buffy the Slayer as well as Buffy the girl as he proves on numerous occasions ("The Replacement" and "As You Were" being the prime examples). I would argue though that Buffy appeals to him more for who she is as a person, rather than that she is the Slayer. This can be clearly proven by the fact that he falls for Buffy before he knows that she is the Slayer. This is not true for either Angel or Spike, who wouldn't even encounter her were it not for her position as the Slayer. I would argue that both vampires would not be in love with her if she were just a normal girl, which discredits them both in my eyes as partners for her. I would go so far as saying that Spike is only in love with her because she's the Slayer, but that is another argument for another day.

I hope that my arguments have had some impact on the way you see Riley - he seems to get so much passionate dislike from the fans, and I'm always at a loss as to why. He really is a decent guy and deserves better from the fanbase.

[Skytteflickan88]

Nov 20, 2009 9:30:01 GMT -5 gumgnome said:

I hope that my arguments have had some impact on the way you see Riley - he seems to get so much passionate dislike from the fans, and I'm always at a loss as to why. He really is a decent guy and deserves better from the fanbase.

Well, there's the getting-suck-jobs-which-are-kinda-cheating thing.

I'm generally a Riley fan, but the cheating thing is pretty hard to deny.

Of course, I bet most anti-Riley people disliked him way before that.

I think a major reason for the dislike is that he replaced Angel ad the love interest that got most people panties in a bunch.

I imagine that it wasn't only hard on the Bangel fans but also the fans that thought Buffy moved on to fast from one boyfriend to another, period(to bad they cut out the scene where Buffy talks about missing Angel in a early season 4 episode). I was still pissed about her sleeping with Parker when Riley came along and added to the flame.

But I got over my anti-Rileyness pretty quickly, if I remember correctly. After all, he is a nice guy, and if he had been upfront with his need for attention in season 5, instead of cheating, I think he could have been one of my favorite characters.

I wonder what it would have been like to see Riley as a vampire. He occasionally showed signs of wickedness (like fake-staking Spike) that I think should have been explored.

Hey, maybe he's a vamp in Season 8. It would explain things.

[buffyfan21]

Nov 20, 2009 9:30:01 GMT -5 gumgnome said:

I hope that my arguments have had some impact on the way you see Riley - he seems to get so much passionate dislike from the fans, and I'm always at a loss as to why. He really is a decent guy and deserves better from the fanbase.

Couldn't agree more. And I think your whole argument was great. Karma!

[Scarygothgirl]

When I look over the seires as a whole I often forget Riley, which is peculiar because when he's introduced I immediately fall in love with him (he's got lovely arms!). I really though Buffy and Riley were perfect together in the beginning, but I think that whatever happens Buffy would sabotage any relationship unless it was with Angel, because those two are just meant to be.

[afterthebattle]

In a way I wanted her to, and in a way I didn't. I've always liked Riley - he was a great guy, and his healthy relationship with Buffy was enjoyable to watch. Then again, I understand why he had to leave. The story wouldn't have been the same if he had stayed. Him leaving was a important part in Buffy losing her ties to the world.
And I really can't imagine Buffy being with Riley for the rest of the series - he just wasn't the right match for her in my opinion. He didn't get the dark side of her, although he tried - he's simply too nice, which is also pointed out in the series.
With that being said, I do wish that he'd looked back and seen her standing there. But then again - would we love the Buffyverse so much if everybody was happy and satisfied all the time? I think not. The reason why we love it is because of the heartbreak and tragedy, right? Well, for me at least.

[47kwest]

Heck yeah I wish she had, the was so much more to do with Riley, but that season "had to be about Buffy and Dawn".

[Jezebel Jinx]

Yes and no.

As a non-Buffy/Riley fan I didn't want Buffy to catch the chopper, because I did want Riley gone.

However I was engaged enough in the story and felt emotionally connected to Buffy enough to also want her to catch the helicopter.

[Scarygothgirl]

I think it's one of those things where you might not like Riley or want them to be together, but when watching the scene because of the music and the atmosphere everyone is just wishing she'd get there in time whether they like him or not. It's a very emotional scene I find.

[zeppo]

Oh God, no. I hated Riley before the suck jobs and really hated him after the suck jobs. What a great phrase: suck jobs.

[tkts]

Although I thought Riley was the best of Buffy's boyfriends and her most functional relationship, his leaving needed to happen to further her character's development.

[whitecandy]

The Riley loving romantic in me screams yes, but the leading to another storyline and leaving their relationship as tragic and unfinished says no!!

I love Riley. I love his character, his cuteness, his part in the initiative, his face, his arms....I loved him and Buffy together, and despite him going a bit crazed (being bitten by vamps, eww) I still wanted them to work out. When he left, I wanted Buffy to catch him just because I felt so involved in their relationship and actually felt sad and hurt for her when she missed him, and it made me think how I would feel if it was me. On the other side I think he needed to leave and for Buffy to have to deal with his leaving and develop her character and the storyline, although I do feel his character could have done so much more and been used and developed in a good way for the rest of the show.

[drusillacakes]

Nov 15, 2009 8:59:13 GMT -5 Saturn 5 said:

Riley is more a Clark Kent style character in a world which is more Bruce Wayne

Nicely put. I can definitely see how Angel or even Spike are more Bruce Wayne type characters.

Jul 22, 2010 15:38:58 GMT -5 Scarygothgirl said:

I think it's one of those things where you might not like Riley or want them to be together, but when watching the scene because of the music and the atmosphere everyone is just wishing she'd get there in time whether they like him or not. It's a very emotional scene I find.

Although I'm no longer anti-Riley, I didn't want her to catch the helicopter because I needed to see how it would work out between her and Spike. But you're right too. Sometimes when I do my re-watches, the way the scene is set up makes me hope she makes it in time.

[Billie Erin]

Heck no. I am very anti-Riley. I skip Riley focused scenes. I am sorry if this offends anybody, it'sjust my personal opinion. Gosh I hate that guy, I mean really.

[TheDancingSlayer]

I was a fan of Riley in season 4, I didn't seem to like him as much in season five.
I think it was the right move for him to not look back down- that man seriously needed to move on with his life and in As You Were we see that he has moved on and it's for the better.

At the time when Riley left, I really hated how Buffy was acting and just treating riley like a chewed up pen that she just has in the scenery (unintentional flash back to season 1- The Witch haha). I know her mum was sick and stuff, but it just killed me to see how much Riley felt like Buffy didn't love him.

And also what Xander told Buffy before she chased the helicopter was absolutely spot on:

XANDER: No? Good, so you and Riley *aren't* imploding?
(Buffy turns to face him in surprise)
XANDER: It doesn't take a genius. What I can't figure out is how you never saw it coming.
BUFFY: What? Who told you?
XANDER: Nobody told me anything, Buffy. It was right in front of my Xander face. The guy would do anything for you.
BUFFY: The guy got himself bit by a vampire!
(Xander is surprised)
BUFFY: He lied to me. He ran around behind my back and almost got himself killed! And now he tells me that he's leaving with some covert military operation at midnight unless *I* convince him not to. Now tell me that you understand. Because I sure as hell don't.
XANDER: You gonna let him go?
BUFFY: (sighs) It's not my decision to make.
XANDER: Of course it is.
BUFFY: Well, it's not fair.
XANDER: Who cares if it's fair? In about twenty minutes, Riley's gonna disappear, maybe forever, unless you do something to stop him.
BUFFY: What am I supposed to do? Beg him to stay?
XANDER: (in disbelief) Why wouldn't you? To keep Riley here-
BUFFY: I don't even know who he is any more. I mean, I thought he was ... dependable.
XANDER: Dependable? What is he, State Farm?
BUFFY: You know what I mean.
XANDER: Yeah. I think you mean convenient. I think you took it for granted that he was gonna show up when you wanted him to, and take off when you didn't.
BUFFY: Look who's talking. Look who has Anya following him around like a lovesick puppy.
XANDER: Oh boy, is this *not* about me.
BUFFY: Is she more than a convenience? 'Cause that would kinda be a surprise.
XANDER: (angrily) If you don't wanna hear what I have to say, I'll shut up right now.
BUFFY: Good, 'cause I don't.
(She starts to walk off. Xander intercepts her. )
XANDER: I lied. See, what I think, you got burned with Angel, then Riley shows up.
BUFFY: I know the story, Xander.
XANDER: But you miss the point. You shut down, Buffy. And you've been treating Riley like the rebound guy. When he's the one that comes along once in a lifetime.
(Buffy looks like Xander's getting through)
XANDER: He's never held back with you. He's risked everything. And you're about to let him fly because you don't like ultimatums?
XANDER: If he's not the guy, if what he needs from you just isn't there, (shakes head) let him go. Break his heart, and make it a clean break. But if you really think you can love this guy ... I'm talking scary, messy, no-emotions-barred need ... if you're ready for that ... then think about what you're about to lose.
BUFFY: Xander...
XANDER: Run.

[Just Willow]

Honestly, yes. I'm not really a Buffy/Riley shipper, but Xander's speech and Buffy running screaming after Riley really touched me.

[Eric]

Is it wrong that I wanted the helicopter to crash? XD


In all seriousness, the relationship was boring in my opinion and I'm glad something finally broke the two up.