If Willow and Riley had hooked up

[tkts]

When the character of Riley was first introduced, apparently there was a lot of fan speculation about whether he'd end up with Willow. What do you think it would have been like if this had happened?

In "The Freshman," Willow and Riley really seem to hit it off, geeking out over operant conditioning, while Buffy's pretty much left out. Now, granted, Willow is still with Oz at that point. But later, when Riley decides to ask Buffy out and goes to Willow for advice, there's great chemistry between Marc Blucas and Alyson Hannigan -- they seem to play off each other naturally in a way that Blucas and SMG never quite achieved.

So, imagine that right around the time of "The Initiative," "Pangs" and "Something Blue," Riley got tired of Buffy's on-again, off-again weirdness, and remembered that her steadier, more even-keeled friend Willow was someone he really enjoyed talking to.

Would it have worked? Would his interest in Buffy have suddenly been rekindled when he discovered she was the Slayer, leading to an awkward triangle? Would it have lasted long enough to get in the way of Willow developing a relationship with Tara?

[Jaz ♀♀]

I did hear about the fan speculation in the commentary...I would have hated if that happened....i'm glad it didn't.

If it did happen...in the end it still wouldn't have worked out. They're too different....the only thing they had in common was their interest in psychology. And also Riley wants a girl who he can take care of and pretty much be the strongest one in the relationship...Willow can take care of herself at this point and is essentially stronger than him with her Witchcraft (which is another reason why they introduced Tara to be the "helpless girl" in Hush because Willow isn't helpless anymore) I think it would have bugged him, just like it bugged him that Buffy was stronger than him when they were together.

I think it was just the great acting of Alyson and Marc that made those scenes stand out....but chemistry between the actual characters? I don't see it happening.

[CourtneyDax]

I agree with you on all points Jaz. I don't think Riley and Willow would've worked at in the long run.

[buffyfan21]

Ya know, it's funny because I have often thought of this. In early season 4 it seemed like Riley and Willow had such a chemistry. I know the writers had to be really careful not to make it seem like the two were going to hook up. But if circumstances had been different, I think Riley/Willow could have been really sweet together.

[hellmouth]

In all 7 seasons, I can't remember one time when Buffy and Willow were pining after the same person. I realize that this would have potentially started a blood fued between the fans and we don't want a Team Willow and Team Buffy. But who knows, it might have been interesting to see how it played out.

[buffyfan21]

Interesting for sure.

[Jaz ♀♀]

Dec 14, 2009 21:26:12 GMT -5 hellmouth said:

In all 7 seasons, I can't remember one time when Buffy and Willow were pining after the same person. I realize that this would have potentially started a blood fued between the fans and we don't want a Team Willow and Team Buffy. But who knows, it might have been interesting to see how it played out.

haha that's true, we never did see that happen...if that were to happen now (season 8&9) it would mean they will for sure be feuding for a girl!....which IMO would be awesome! ;D

[buffyfan21]

Who knows, maybe Willow secretly has a thing for Satsu.

[joxerlives]

I did suspect that Riley and Willow might hook up in The Initiative but by the end of the ep it was clear it would be him and Buffy.

Interesting to think that Buffy might have hooked up with Tara whilst on the rebound from Parker?

[tkts]

Dec 14, 2009 21:26:12 GMT -5 hellmouth said:

In all 7 seasons, I can't remember one time when Buffy and Willow were pining after the same person. I realize that this would have potentially started a blood fued between the fans and we don't want a Team Willow and Team Buffy. But who knows, it might have been interesting to see how it played out.

Well, there's always Xander in "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" and R.J. in "Him." But those don't really count.

[CourtneyDax]

Dec 14, 2009 22:10:15 GMT -5 buffyfan21 said:

Who knows, maybe Willow secretly has a thing for Satsu.

Really any love interest for Willow that isn't Kennedy would be an improvement.

[dragonweaver]

I think there was some amazing chemistry between Alyson & Marc in the few scenes that Willow & Riley had, but I don't think that chemistry would of translated well to a romantic pairing. As one person pointed out, what would they talk about? What would draw them together? Sadly for a couple to work they need a good story as well as chemistry.

With that said, I do wish that we would have been able to see more scenes of Willow & Riley as friends. Riley always seemed so isolated, which I imagine didn't help his popularity, and it would of been nice to see him have more interactions with people other than Buffy.

[buffyfan21]

Dec 17, 2009 0:35:19 GMT -5 CourtneyDax said:

Dec 14, 2009 22:10:15 GMT -5 buffyfan21 said:

Who knows, maybe Willow secretly has a thing for Satsu.

Really any love interest for Willow that isn't Kennedy would be an improvement.

Agree 100%!

On another note, anybody else wonder whether Willow has ever entertained the idea of romantic feelings toward Buffy? Who could blame her when her best friend is such a hottie? On a serious note, I don't believe anything would ever happen between them in a million years, but it seems only natural that the idea would have crossed Willow's mind at some point, even fleetingly.

[Randi Giles]

I never thought of this before, but I think it make sense. Somehow he just seems more Willows type. I think I like it. Of course if they ever did hook up I would preferred it before the whole Biley thing.

[hellmouth]

I agree with Dragonweaver, I think Riley could have been incorporated into the group more, having friendship relationships with other Scoobies. The scene in which Xander and Riley discuss how Buffy doesn't love him was a great scene. I don't know why they didn't explore Riley's relationships with Xander, Willow and the rest of the Scoobies more.

I also think that Buffyfan21 has a good point. Certainly at some point Willow must have had at least a fleating crush on Buffy. Talk about a Dynamic Duo. That would have been awesome.

CourtneyDax gets Karma for her "anyone but Kenedy" comment. I couldn't agree more!

[cliclir]

I can actually remember thinking "... Riley and Willow are so gonna hook up!!" And then they didn't but by the time we'd moved on I'd forgotten all about that!

I think they could have been cute as a couple, and I've actually read one or two good Rillow-central fics that really worked. I think that quirky season two(ish) Willow would have been a good pairing for Riley though.

Though I do wish like everyone else that Riley had gotten a lot more involved with the other Scoobies.

[The Girl In Question]

I don't think Willow ever had a crush on Buffy. They're like sisters, I don't tihnk Wloow sees her romantically. Besides, I think she and buffy should just stay friends, as well as Buffy and Xander (although judging by season 8...we might be getting Bander....which is still a step up from Dander).

In season 8, I'd like to see Willow and Buffy fight over Xander without being under a spell. I think that'd be intersting. I don't Kennedy and I don't like Buffy with Satsu....but I kinda like the idea of Kennedy and Satsu together. But if they ever did, people would just say the writers threw them together because besides Willow they're the two main lesbians.