First of all, I’d like to say that I respect the Kittens (Tara and Willow fans will know who I’m talking about). I’ve read a great deal about the happenings there since the demise of our dearly loved Tara. While I don’t agree with many of the contentions there, I do respect their feelings on the issue. What I’m about to say might sound contradictory to that, but it really isn’t, and I ask that you keep an open mind.
I’ve just seen a Tara/Willow video. I got it off a p2p, and I’m not sure who created it. Fans of Buffy, and other shows that have large net followings, should know that many fans create music videos with popular songs and clips of their favorite show. Often the video is centered around a particular couple they love. I’ve seen several Tara/Willow videos, and I adore them as much as the Buffy/Angel or Buffy/Spike ones. But I think the creator has lost sight of something important.
This particular video featured the Cyndi Lauper song, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. It didn’t use actual video clips, but what appears to be pictures taken of their television set while watching BTVS. What made me mad was the opening of the clip. It featured one of the more prominent Season 5 cast pictures, the one where show creator Joss Whedon stood with his cast. Joss’ head is slowly, during the opening of the clip, x’d out in red and then across the top of the screen (also in red) the words “I O U PAIN” are written.
Now I do understand, to some degree, the anger many have felt over the death of Tara. I even understand their ‘political’ position that it was an affront to the gay and lesbian community because Tara and Willow were one of the first realistic gay couples on television. But this has gone so far off the diving board that we’re gonna miss the pool entirely.
What I find interesting is that during the video a particular line of the song kept coming back to me. “Daddy dear you know you’re still #1″. Doesn’t anyone realize that without Joss’ vision, Tara and Willow would never have existed in the first place?! Instead of thanking him for giving us that wonderful relationship, you choose to hate and revile the man for ending it?
No one on BTVS stays happy. No one EVER has. That hasn’t changed, and it never will. If it did where would be the conflict? This is a drama people! If everyone lives happily ever after it becomes an hour long sitcom. I don’t want that, and if you are a true fan of the show you can’t possibly want that either.
I understand you’re pain, I really do. I miss Tara terribly. I cried and gasped along side you all. I haven’t cried like that since Buffy died (even if temporarily), and before that I haven’t cried like that since Joyce died, and before that I haven’t cried like that since Jenny died. Anyone sensing a pattern here?
And despite what you might think, I appreciate the political ramifications as well. It’s a shame to end what has become such an inspiration to the gay and lesbian community. But let me ask you this, did any of you call for the heads of ABC execs when Ellen was cancelled? There have been a few gay couples on soaps, did you ache for the pain of their creators when the characters were ripped apart? Of course not, on soaps everyone dies at some point and no one stays happy. On that level, BTVS is very like many soap operas. The difference being, BTVS is written much better and shows more realism in their fantasy than any of the fantasy of soaps have shown in realism.
You want Tara back, I can appreciate that. I do too. But I don’t question Joss, and do you know why? He’s never failed to give us fantastic stories, and he does this by following his instincts not cowing to the desires of the fan base. As has been said before, he gives us what we need, not what we want. You might say, did we need Tara’s light to fade? In real life, of course not. But in the world of Buffy, ultimately we might have.
We don’t know what Joss has in store this season, there could be some incredible developments that would’ve been absolutely impossible without the loss Willow has suffered. And ultimately, this could be something else the gay and lesbian community can show as a inspirational. Do we think people never lose a lover? Of course not. That is a pain shared by homosexual and heterosexual alike. Showing how Willow moves on from this, how she might give love another chance, can be just as inspirational (if not more) than her and Tara’s relationship was.
Overall I’m imploring, let the persecution of Joss stop. The man has given us 6 years of joy and pain, laughter and tears, ecstasy and torment. He’s made our days brighter, and we’ve come together from his work. Think of all the incredible groups of people who have banded together over the love of a television show? That in itself is amazing. Joss has given me so much by allowing me to enter these people’s lives. I am grateful to him every time I feel what these characters are feeling. The empathy I feel for these people has made me happy, and I thank Joss for that. I think it’s time those that loved Willow and Tara thank him for it as well, for without him, we would never have been granted the joy of their union at all.
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