Character: Buffy Summers - Tumblr Posts
“Buffy Summers, Class Protector”.
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (1997-2003)
3.20 - The Prom
Buffy quotes that live rent-free in my head 2/?
Academic probation’s not so funny today, huh, Giles?
Whatever you feel about the Willow/Xander relationship in S3 (and I am Not A Fan, to be honest, I think the way it's written is very sudden and struggles for a lack of romantic chemistry), I think it's very interesting that it comes in at a time just after Angel has come back and she is hiding him and trying to avoid any romance with him - and also when Faith is asking Buffy to Homecoming and they're doing their whole "oh, I wouldn't use the word 'dating' exactly" thing.
Like, Xander and Willow are always respresentative of a part of Buffy. And so when Xander and Willow are having these suddden romantic urges that they don't really understand and try to repress because of their pre-existing relationships with Oz and Cordelia, we can and should interpret that as indicating that Buffy too, is experiencing some unwanted romantic urges that she is desperately trying to repress.
Of course, I think the actual intended meaning of this is Buffy's feelings for Angel. She is trying to repress her attraction to him - partially because of her guilt over what happened in S2, and partially because of the pure logistical impossibility of them having sex again. That's why Xander and Willow are found out in Lovers Walk, the same episode where Spike calls out Buffy and Angel, and they are forced to admit that they can't repress their feelings and be "just friends" - they must confront them.
However, when you have this whole arc about Buffy trying to hide and ignore her sexuality, even if only a heterosexual sexuality is intended there, the queer reading of that story becomes so obvious, and honestly just so much more interesting to me. It's easy to read Buffy as somebody struggling with their sexuality and trying to ignore it. And then you add Faith, who for so many reasons is coming across as unintentionally queer-coded, and you get this very clear second metaphor appearing.
Buffy has two close relationships at this point in the season with people she insists are "just friends": Angel, and Faith. Meanwhile, Xander and Willow are also insisting that they're "just friends" whilst barely concealing their obvious attraction to each other. The metaphor is clearly that Buffy has an irresistable attraction to her "just friend" that she is unwilling and unable to act on. And while I think only one of these was intended, I think you can validly read it as representative of either Angel or Faith - or both, even.
"Yes. Actually, I am [seeing Angel]. Look, but there's not gonna be any rash. Anywhere. Okay. We're, we're friends. That's all either of us wants." - Buffy Summers, 3x08 Lovers Walk
"I wouldn't use the word 'dating', but I am going out with somebody. Tonight, as a matter of fact. ... Really, we're just good friends." - Buffy Summers, 3x07 Revelations
"Okay, well, let me ask you this: what are they gonna know? That we're friends. Old, old friends. And maybe we've had one or two indiscretions, but that's all past. Look. We're just very good friends who like to hang out, and can I kiss your earlobe?" - Xander Harris, 3x08 Lovers Walk
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
4x04 | "Fear Itself"
MY FAVOURITE BUFFY LOOKS (2/?) — BUFFY in "Dead Man's Party"
buffy summers appreciation week: day seven • free choice » buffy being a total gem