I have season one, and I’d like to have a complete set. I can only find 4k listings though, and I don’t have a 4k player. So I just wanted to ask here in case this is a fruitless search.
This post will contain spoilers for season five and six of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. As well as the final season of Stranger Things. Although if you’re on this sub, you’ve probably already seen it.
I’ve been rewatching Buffy recently, and I just got to The Gift and Buffy’s sacrifice. And it made me once again think about the differences in reception to Buffy’s sacrifice compared to El’s. Because on the surface they’re kinda similar. Both are female protagonist who kill themselves, or in El’s case possibly kills herself, in the finale of the fifth season of their TV shows. But a lot of people are disappointed with El’s ending, whereas a lot of people think Buffy should have ended with The Gift. Why is this?
Well, for one thing The Gift is, objectively speaking, much better written than The Rightside Up. Also it wasn’t the last season of the show, and she comes back to life in the next one. But I think another big reason why Buffy’s death is much better received, is because it really feels like it accomplished something.
When Buffy jumps, she closes the portal, saving the world. She also sacrifices herself for Dawn, a character the audience knows and that Buffy has emotional connection too. We see what her death accomplishes, so it feels more meaningful.
Whereas El’s death, or fake out death, doesn’t have this type of impact of the story. She kills or exiles herself to stop Dr. Kay and the Government from perusing her and experimenting on pregnant women. I don’t think this a very impactful reason for us as the audience. For one thing, it’s not set up very well. Dr. Kay isn’t a villain we are really familiar with, and while her experiments are set up, the season has a lot going on so I don’t think they are truly given the focus they deserve. Another, and more important reason, is that the government has not really been presented as a series threat since season one of the show. Yes, they are shown to be after El in season two and four, but they’re more of background threat. And El is consistently able to successfully hide from them when she needs to. So the it just feels like the threat they need it to be for her choice to make sense. It doesn’t help that in the epilogue the main characters were obviously never held legally accountable for the myriad of crimes they committed. For gods sake, Nancy shot multiple solders.
Because of this, it just doesn’t feel like her sacrifice had any meaning or effect. Which obviously isn’t what they were going for.
I do think the idea to exile/kill off El was a bad one in general, and probably was never going to be universally well received. But I do think it’s notable that similar things have been well received in the past.
Sorry if this is really rambly, it’s just been something I’ve been thinking about. And for the record, I think she’s alive. But I think it feels hollow regardless. Also, no hate to anyone who liked her ending and thought it was well done. I’m genuinely happy that it worked for you.
I noticed some similarities between how El’s “death” is described and how Hopper’s is described in season 3. I definitely think this gives more credence to the her being alive side of the debate.
I also included a picture of how Billy’s death is described, to demonstrate how they write a definitive one.
Since he’s half human and half demon?
Basically what the title says. My psychiatrist is recommending I do Exposure and Response Prevention, and I’m not sure if I should do it. The thought kinda freaks me out, even though I know that’s probably irrational. I was wondering if that has helped anyone here, or what the experience was like ?
For me, it’s probably Prophecy Girl.
Specifically seasons five through seven? I really like her style and I’m looking for similar stuff.