#new rewatch

Carmen: and why should I believe you?

Shadow San: ...

Shadow San: Fine the coat was empty

Nevertheless, these characters are the most “aware” characters. Not so much self-aware, but just aware in general. They’re like lie detectors. They can spot when something is amiss or doesn’t seem right or true with the other characters that are not as aware as they are. They’re often the characters we can know and understand more about other characters through. Providing exposition on characterisation through their own perception of those other characters, thereby, also often providing logic and evidence for narrative and thematic parallels and juxtapositions that help further to inform and build upon their respective arcs.

For example: Tara figured out that Buffy was Faith in ‘Who Are You’. She didn’t really know who Faith was and had never even met Buffy once. But she could sense empathically that “Buffy’s” energy field (her aura) was “fragmented”. It didn’t belong in the body it was in. That led to her and Willow realizing the swap. In so doing, Tara provided logic and evidence for the parallels between Buffy and Faith and the connection they share as Slayers and shadows selves of each other which led to her being the communicator character for Sineya in the episode ‘Restless’ which was supposed to be a different character (Faith) but works just fine with Tara - or arguably better than her since Faith is one of the least aware characters of all.

That’s just one way the show digs deeper into its characterisation. Especially when it comes to Buffy. There’s a lot of characters that provide exposition for Buffy. Including the ones that aren’t the “aware” characters because they either represent shadow selves or metaphorical parts or interesting “what if” scenarios. Buffy Summers has the most characterisation depth as the lead main protagonist character and while she possesses intuitive abilities as a Slayer, she is actually the character that possesses the least awareness - of either herself or of other characters. This is intended as her predominant themes are identity, choice and growing up. And thus the narrative requires her to be oblivious to herself and the people around her because she’s supposed to grow into herself. ‘BtVS’ is primarily a coming-of-age story and so the titular character has to have physical, mental, emotional and spiritual drawbacks or detriments otherwise there’s no reason for her to learn or grow into anything. It makes sense. So you often find that all the other characters provide exposition for her character and you learn who she is through them instead of just through Buffy herself. That way you can also learn and grow with the character. Relating to and resonating with the difficult situations and choices and pains that she gets put in. All of that is intended. Sometimes I think they go too far with the trauma and suffering side of things with her but ultimately I get that it’s supposed to be challenging to her most of all as both the Slayer and as just a girl developing into a well-rounded woman. It’s hard to watch sometimes but I get it so I’m not saying anything against it. It’s just fictional after all.

That being said, I’ve decided to do a whole thorough rewatch but this time focus all my attention on all the metaphorical aspects of the show when it comes to Buffy since it is established very purposefully that Willow, Xander and Giles represent her metaphorical parts - her Spirit, Heart and Mind and not just separate and individual characters in their own right. That’s going to be different because I tend to focus all my attention on another main character. Willow. But I think - at least for now - I can take a break from analyzing her characterisation since I’ve pretty much delineated and said all that’s relevant to say about her.

So look forward to meta about and surrounding Buffy Summers as opposed to anybody else in the show. I’ve written a few pieces primarily on her but nothing really all that in-depth or significant as far as what all the metaphors and analogies and allegories tell us about her character and obviously how all the other characters inform the audience about her character. But I really think it’s an area worth digging deep into to better know and understand the complexity of her. I’m just going to have to brave the really painful stuff. Not looking forward to that but I am looking forward to learning as much as I can about her as a character. Sarah Michelle Gellar just makes you want to, right? Her portrayal of Buffy makes it easy for you to pay attention to her. She practically commands you to. Mark of a great actress that knows her character well.