Buffy Anne Summers, aka

I've been very busy lately, and I've kinda let this blog go. I'm sorry for that. I'm always sorry when I can't find more time for Buffy.

In any case, I thought it was long overdue to post something, but instead of planning something, I'm just going to write "off the top of my head" and see what comes of it, so please be patient and bear with me.

After some consternation about an entry for the Teacher's Pet episode, now I am thinking about other approaches. I really don't want to go episode by episode. That's been done plenty, and some episodes are so much more deserving than others. What I think I will try to do, time and energy allowing, is to continue something in the vein of what I've started, i.e., writing more in depth about character and relationship development and such. I am thinking about character growth, for instance. I could examine the different major characters and jot down a few thoughts about how they change and grow over the seasons. Another interesting topic, at least to me, might be Buffy's love life, how it develops, what it may mean about Buffy, or about Joss, or whomever. We'll see.

I am interested in plot and dramatic structure as well, and all the various issues and topics related to fiction writing in general, so this blog may actually take an unexpected turn at some point and become more about that, related to Buffy of course. Or at least probably related.

And then there are so many other topics that might be discussed, e.g., music, myth, movies, fantasy, and of course the one subject so many would just as soon not think about — the real world (or semi-real?) and our — or at least, my — place in it.

Where I will go nobody knows. Not even I.

But that's something that will develop and evolve and I'll not delve too deep just now.

As for Teacher's Pet, at one point I had some notes, but have since lost them. I seem to recall that was due to a computer crash and between backups, but anyhow… I have had a few thoughts since and so do have a few comments. As I am in the middle of Season Seven right now, I had to go back and think about Season One again, and of course the contrast between is rather startling.

Certainly Xander's character has changed significantly, though not as much as some of the characters. One thing that instantly occurred though is that this episode, Teacher's Pet, is the basis for a pattern that Joss and company set up, i.e., what might be termed Xander's all-too-human, all-too-male, libido-driven "infidelity."

By that, I don't mean he's cheating on anyone, of course — but he had expressed his interest in Buffy and is all too quick to chase another. But of course we've got giant preying mantis pheromones to blame for that, don't we? Nevertheless, it is a recurring pattern. He will do it again in Inca Mummy Girl, and so on, and all the while ignoring the one person in his life who is truly and romantically interested in him, Willow.

And I think he even characterizes this behavior in another episode or two, saying something to the effect that people aren't attracted to what's right in front of them, and instead want what they can't have — not even, apparently, aware that he is talking as much about himself as anyone else.

Of course it also establishes the pattern of Xander being attracted to demonic women, which continues all the way through Season Seven. With no analysis whatsoever, I'd guess that this is a metaphor for the fact that Xander is not ever really mature enough, or emotionally ready, for a truly intimate relationship, i.e., aren't we all attracted to the wrong kind of people until we are?

Or are we not? It's just a question.

Well, like I said, I lost my notes, er… I mean, my dog ate them! And I'm tired, and still very busy.

And like I said, I'm sorry. I'm always sorry when I can't find more time for Buffy. I will try to do better.