lirazel | Top Fives: Buffy (and Icons) Edition!

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Top Fives: Buffy (and Icons) Edition!

I got a ton of requests for Top Fives, so I'm going to break it down into a couple of posts. First up: the Buffy-centric ones!

Hey,

that_september! Don't read the first two! I don't want you getting spoiled! And...maybe you shouldn't read the one about a certain character you haven't met yet under "Top Five Favorite Characters," either. Just to be safe.

Top Five Favorite Buffy/Spike Moments for

molly_may

5. “That was real. I won’t forget it.” – “Intervention”
This is my Buffy/Spike kiss. It’s tender and sweet and signals the beginning for them. It’s the moment where whatever they have—pretty or not—becomes real.
~~Plus, Spike is very, very pretty when he’s beat up.~~

4. Post-resurrection. – “After Life”
It’s two scenes, but in my mind they’re extensions of each other. Spike is clearly overwhelmed with awe when he sees her coming down those stairs and realizes it's really her (the look on his face just shatters me every single time). But he's still very, very gentle. I love the way he holds her hands and talks to her so quietly. And he acted in exactly the right way, because when everyone else gets to be too much for her, it's him that she goes to, seeking him out. Again, they're both quiet, and even in his guilt ("Every night I save you"--has there ever been more beautiful writing on this show?), so gentle. This episode was every single thing I could have wanted for their reunion.

3. The back porch. – “Fool for Love”
They. Breathe. In. Sync. What more do you need?

2. “I believe in you, Spike.” - “Never Leave Me”
This is it. This is the big one. The moment where they’re finally both there, finally on the same page. In this scene, Buffy says exactly what both Spike and I have been waiting for her to say for seasons. The thing about Buffy is that she sometimes has a really hard time verbalizing anything deeper than one of her awesome quips. But this time, she comes through. And in a lot of ways, this scene is comparable to Spike’s speech in “Touched.” Because he’s telling her the worst of him, and she’s seeing the best. I think it’s in the subsequent episodes where he’s been kidnapped that she really realizes that she loves him, but this scene is laying the groundwork for that. She’s made her decision. She’s chosen to stand by him no matter what. And that’s the most important development in their relationship since the kiss in “Intervention.”

1. Buffy comes for him. – “Show Time”
I had a discussion with

snickfic a couple of weeks ago about how what I love about Buffy and Spike in S7—which is my Spuffy season, and in which I find their relationship almost perfect—is not what they say to each other. It’s the way they look at each other, the way they touch, the way they’re always just beside each other. There’s a level of perfect understanding and comfort there, and it’s absolutely gorgeous.
So number one has to go to this scene. Look at the way they’re looking at each other. Could anything be more beautiful?

Top Five Favorite Buffy&Giles Scenes for

molly_may

5. “He can be a good man, Giles. I feel it. But he’s never going to get there if we don’t give him the chance.” – “First Date”
Okay, so maybe this should have fit under the favorite Buffy/Spike moments. Because it isn’t a pleasant conversation and Giles doesn’t come off looking very well. But I love this scene. Love it. Buffy standing up for Spike? Letting the other most important man in her life know how important he is and how far he’s come? I love this scene almost as much as Buffy telling Spike she believes in him. I have a bit of a hangup on Buffy believing in Spike, can you tell?
And Buffy’s in it, and Giles is in it, and that makes it worthy of inclusion on this list. Don’t argue with me.

4. “Giles, you have to come.” – “The Body”
He’s the first person she calls. The one she needs to be there. Of course he is. He’s her father. And this shot:

3. “All you will get from is my support. And my respect.” – “Innocence”
Buffy just made a reckless, very teenage girl decision, and now the worst vampire in history is back and will soon be slaughtering half of Sunnydale because of it. And Giles, who we’ve seen be firm with her in the past, might be expected to either avoid the topic altogether (talking with your dad about sex is never fun for either party) or to blame her and chastise her for what she’s done. But he doesn’t. He refuses to make her feel guilty. That scene makes me cry it’s so lovely. This is the Giles I love.

2. “You cut your hair.” – “Grave”
I don’t know what it is about this moment, but it kills me. The simplicity of it. The way he can’t quite say, “I missed you and I’m sorry I left and I know things are different now.” Instead, he just notices that her hair is different, and that says everything about everything he’s missed and about the way he still cares about her. I love it.

1. The lie. – “Lie to Me”

BUFFY: Does it ever get easy?

(casually stakes Ford who rises from a grave behind her)

GILES: You mean life?

BUFFY: Yeah. Does it get easy?

GILES: What do you want me to say?

BUFFY: Lie to me.

GILES: Yes, it's terribly simple. The good guys are always stalwart and true, the bad guys are easily distinguished by their pointy horns or black hats, and, uh, we always defeat them and save the day. No one ever dies, and everybody lives happily ever after.

BUFFY: Liar.

Top Five Favorite BtVS Characters for

inksplotched

5. Dawn
Sure, the first two seasons she’s around, she can be annoying, but I love Dawn Summers for a number of reasons. A) That beautiful, beautiful metaphor for adoption that is her presence in S5. The one thing the writers really got write in reference to Dawn was Buffy’s very conflicted by absolutely loving feelings for her. B) All her scenes with Spike. That “weird, friendless kids” icon I have? That sums it up. Because they’re both alienated and lonely and they need each other. But more than that, they like each other. C) Have you watched Season 7? The girl grows up to be totally awesome, competent, and fun (her scenes with Andrew are especially a joy). And nothing can convince me that she won’t continue to grow up even awesomer. (And maybe end up in the Impala with the Winchester boys. Or on the Galactica. Or in the TARDIS with the Doctor…)

4. Cordy
The scene from “Earshot” is the one that epitomizes why I love Cordy so much. Because, literally, she thinks it, she says it. It’s her way. Plus, she’s constantly defying the idea of that she's completely shallow. She no doubt sacrifices a lot of her social standing to be with Xander (oh, how I shipped them), she’s gorgeous and snarky and she knows it, and she really does care about things she pretends not to. The scene in “Helpless” when Buffy asks her for a ride never fails to make me fall in love with her all over again. Long live Queen C.

3. Oz
Oz is just about perfect. He doesn’t say much, but when he does it’s either hilarious, heartbreakingly sweet, or very, very insightful. His devotion to Willow makes me think he’d probably be the greatest best boyfriend ever. Especially contrasting with Buffy/Angel’s over-the-top angst in the first couple of seasons, Oz and Willow prove what doing it right looks like. Except when Willow gets stupid and hooks up with Xander! And even then, Oz is perfect, forgiving her, but taking a little bit of time to do it. Plus, Seth Green is made of awesome.

2. Spike
Do I even need to go here?

1. Buffy
Spike’s speech in “Touched” is cheesy and more than a little overrated. But he gets one thing absolutely right: the thing he (and I) love about Buffy is the way she tries. My girl always, always gets up again. She’s my hero.

Top Five Favorite Minor BtVS Characters for

radio_silent

5. Ethan
4. Clem
3. The Buffybot (she totally counts!)
2. Principal Snyder
1. Jenny

Top Five Favorite Fannish Icons for

snickfic

5.

It’s the Non-Judging Breakfast Club. It’s Blair and Chuck and Serena and Nate, and they’re on top of the world. No matter what else happens, that city is theirs, and they are unstoppable.

4.

Buffy/Spike/Rocket launcher is my OT3, y’all. That scene in “Him” never, ever gets old. I could watch Buffy and Spike chase each other around and fight over a rocket launcher all day long. I still can't get over my sheer joy at finding this icon. GLEE!

3.

I almost never use this icon. But I’ve had it since literally the day I got my lj, and I probably won’t ever get around to getting rid of it. Because it’s Eric and Jackie and the greatest line on the show. That scene will never stop being awesome.

2.

Out of Gas” is my favorite episode of Firefly. And this icon just epitomizes that show for me: the warm colors that make you feel like you really are home, the quote about the ship being with you for the rest of your life, the way it’s kind of worn and fuzzy around the edges. It’s perfect.

1.

You see number one up there under favorite characters? This icon sums all that up in one image. Buffy is my hero.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

I heart Buffy and Giles so so so much. (I mean, not in a shippy way, but...you know what I mean...)

Also: That beautiful, beautiful metaphor for adoption that is her presence in S5. The one thing the writers really got write in reference to Dawn was Buffy’s very conflicted by absolutely loving feelings for her.

WOW. I never thought of this, but...I have an adopted sister, and...this makes so much sense.

Because I rewatch the later seasons so often and only watch sporadic episodes from the earlier ones, I sometimes forget just how much their relationship moves me. I kind of hate that it ends so sourly, because their relationship was just so lovely.

And yes. I know exactly what you mean. ;)

I didn't think of it on my own, so I can't claim credit, but the first time I heard someone point it out, I nearly started crying because it's just so perfect.

See, I'm the opposite, I've watched the earlier seasons more (oh hulu.com, how you've stolen my free time), and I so adore their relationship.

Yeah, that makes sense. I splurged and bought the whole series in box set form when it was on sale, so I've broken free from hulu. Say, did you know they're going to start charging on there soon? It saddens me greatly.

That beautiful, beautiful metaphor for adoption that is her presence in S5. The one thing the writers really got write in reference to Dawn was Buffy’s very conflicted by absolutely loving feelings for her. Dude, this. Having a brother I didn't know about until I was 15 AND a younger sister I would literally sacrifice the world for makes this relationship personal for me on so many different levels. I didn't have an older brother until I was 15, except somehow I can't remember ever not having an older brother. It's a very strange head-space to be in and difficult to explain to people who haven't experienced something like it.

For serious, though. If someone told me I'd have to sacrifice my sister to save the world, I'd be like "Hope y'all enjoy your last few days, 'cause FUCK. YOU."

Seriously??? That really sucks, one of the reasons I love hulu so much is that I refuse to pay for TV (hence my not having cable). I mean, I know there are other sites where you can watch things, but those are...you know...illegal.

Dude, I am exactly the same about my little sister. We fight like cats and dogs, but there isn't anything I wouldn't do for her, including letting the apocalypse happen. I find the S5 plotline so deeply moving for this very reason--it's the first time I really, really get Buffy and the way her mind is working. She behaves exactly as I would.

It's a very strange head-space to be in and difficult to explain to people who haven't experienced something like it. I imagine so! And I can only imagine how much richer that must make the Dawn metaphor for you. Wow.

Yeah, I refuse to pay for it, too, so I don't blame you.

I am one of those sticklers for obeying the law--I rarely ever go over the speed limit, no matter how angry it makes people--but I've set aside my guilt about illegal dowloading.

The thing of it is, most of the shows I've watched illegally, I later buy the DVDs for--or plan to at some point. The other shows are ones I would never have paid to watch in the first place, so it's not like they're losing in money from my actions.

And yes, I'm aware that that makes me a bad person.

It really does. It's like, I know academically I must have known what it was like not to have an older brother, but his presence in my life just sort of overwrote the memory of it. I joke and blame him for being crazy, 'cause I grew up the oldest child in the family even though I should have had and was entitled to Middle Child syndrome, lol.

It's like, I know academically I must have known what it was like not to have an older brother, but his presence in my life just sort of overwrote the memory of it. This is not anywhere near like the same thing, but it kind of reminds me of my relationship with my grandmother. She's developed Alzheimer's over the past five or so years and has changed drastically. At this point, I can't really remember much of what she was like back when she was healthy. It's like she's always been this way. Weird how things like that work, isn't it?

I joke and blame him for being crazy, 'cause I grew up the oldest child in the family even though I should have had and was entitled to Middle Child syndrome, lol. That's awesome.

All the Spike/Buffy moments make me go *_______*. UGH I WANT TO REWATCH BUT LAST TIME I CRIED FOR DAYS AFTER THE FINALE.

I STILL NEED TO DO THIS MEME. It's made of much win.

ETA: WAIT. Okay. I can't stop rereading this and I just have to say word to a lot of it, especially about Dawn, and Buffy&Giles scenes. Because those are all BtVS things that do not get enough love.

(Also. Lauren. You totally have no obligation to read a very long entry about how insane I am, but...you have viewed Brick, yes? Or am I going insane? If so, I AM IN A BIT OF A CREATIVE BIND that you may be able to sympathize with. But if I am in fact insane and am pulling a half-formed memory of you saying you'd seen Brick out of nowhere, feel free to ignore my nonsensical flailing. Or feel free to do that anyway. /champion rambler)

Edited 2009-08-11 20:08 (UTC)

Nah, doesn't make you a bad person at all, I do use them sometimes, I watched the last 4 seasons of Buffy on sidereel because I couldn't afford to buy them,, ALL of my Doctor Who viewing is illegal streaming or copies...I just would rather not if there's a legal option, like hulu. Also, my virus protection flips out when I go to those sites, so I worry I might pick up a bug or something...

Hello, fandom twin! I have nothing to add. :)

I echo

gabrielleabelle in feeling a bit like a twin to you for the Buffyverse. Your top 3 characters - Buffy, Spike, Oz. I diverge about Cordy post-AtS Season 2, though she's simply magnificent throughout all of Buffy so she'd be in my tops for that. I'd put in Giles above Dawn actually. But of course Buffy is #1 with Spike a close #2. Love them! And this is probably why I love Spuffy so much. Because they're my favorite characters already, so putting them together = WIN.

I completely agree with you that the beauty of S7 Spuffy was how much was unspoken. Which actually makes me think the words "No you don't but thanks for saying it" mean nothing because Spike and Buffy don't talk now, they speak with their eyes. And how perfect is it that the eyes are the windows to the soul and now that Spike has a soul, they are able to communicate so soulfully.

Yay! So totally agree with you about Afterlife. And all your favorite characters. (Oz! Yes, best boyfriend ever, the one guy in the 'verse that I'd actually want to date even though I'd tower over him by a good five inches.)

(Also, I'm diabolically pleased that I managed to give you The Most Evil Challenge Ever. Heh heh heh.)

it's so interesting to see which spuffy scenes you like, because it really says a lot about how you see the ship and what you love about it. i don't know what would go on my list as a spuffy shipper...but it'd probably contain more lighthearted moments between the pair, maybe even from before they got together. #5 and #3 would make my list, though...

I think it’s in the subsequent episodes where he’s been kidnapped that she really realizes that she loves him, but this scene is laying the groundwork for that.

okay, so now i have to go rewatch season 7. this is the only buffy season i don't generally like (not for the spuffy, which is wonderful, but for the way the writers try to mature a number of the characters...hopefully this won't offend you as someone who likes s7; it's just how i feel about the final season.)

but now i have to go watch s7! like, all of it. like, now. maybe it deserves another chance?

not what they say to each other. It’s the way they look at each other, the way they touch, the way they’re always just beside each other. There’s a level of perfect understanding and comfort there, and it’s absolutely gorgeous.
YES. don't look to the dialogue, necessarily - season 7 is all about the emotions and that's in the acting and delivery of everything... just, i know exactly what you mean. and it really is a great spuffy season. *goes off to find her dvds...*

1. The lie. – “Lie to Me”
yes, that's AWESOME. hee.

3. The Buffybot (she totally counts!)
oh, definitely! : )

i <3 your lists! and i'm looking forward to the rest!

They. Breathe. In. Sync. What more do you need?

Awwwww, nothing. I don't need anything more than that! I love all your Spuffy choices. Heh, it's hard to narrow it down to just five, isn't it?

Because it isn’t a pleasant conversation and Giles doesn’t come off looking very well.

I love that you included that scene! I adore the early season Buffy and Giles relationship very much, but one of the things I really appreciate about the later seasons is that their relationship matures. It's not always as warm and fuzzy to watch, but it's certainly realistic for Buffy to butt heads with her quasi-parental figure, and of course the Spuffy-lover in me is especially happy that it's Spike that she's standing up for.

Edited 2009-08-12 14:06 (UTC)

Grand choices of Spuffy moments. It must have been difficult to stop at 5! "Afterlife" has lovely still moments and the "Showtime" rescue reduces me to a puddle every time.
The Spike-Buffy-rocket launcher icon is smile inducing-ly funny.

Cheer's to hero Buffy!!

I just would rather not if there's a legal option, like hulu. Yeah, I would, too. It's been awesome to have a legit place to watch them.

I KNOW! They're so weepy-wonderful!

YOU SO SHOULD. IT WOULD BE EPIC.

especially about Dawn, and Buffy&Giles scenes. Because those are all BtVS things that do not get enough love. Yes. Absolutely.

BRICK IS MADE OF AWESOME. That is all.

Yay! It's always nice to be agreed with!

the one guy in the 'verse that I'd actually want to date

THIS. i'm oh-so-in-love with ...many of the buffyverse guys, but only oz would be functional and would last. funny, as he's a werewolf, but still...

diverge about Cordy post-AtS Season 2, though she's simply magnificent throughout all of Buffy so she'd be in my tops for that. Yeah, I'm so with you about Cordy post-S2. It breaks my heart what they did to her character. But she's so awesome the rest of the time that I try to ignore the badness.

My Giles love, which was intense during the first watch-through, has taken a bit of a hit. Because I rewatch the later seasons so much, I often forget how much I adored him in the earlier ones. It's awful, but when I think of him, I think of him leaving in S6 (even if I still bounce around when he walks in the door of the Magic Box in..."Two to Go," is it?), I think of him conspiring with Robin, I think of him participating in kicking Buffy out. That latter thing is the single moment in TV history that's made me the most angry. I still can't watch it. It kind of makes me hate everyone but Spike (and Faith, a little bit, since I don't think she was all that into the kicking out thing. And Andrew). But it's kind of worse with Giles, because he should know better.

ANYWAY!

Which actually makes me think the words "No you don't but thanks for saying it" mean nothing because Spike and Buffy don't talk now, they speak with their eyes. And how perfect is it that the eyes are the windows to the soul and now that Spike has a soul, they are able to communicate so soulfully. Yes, yes, yes! *loves them so hard*

the one guy in the 'verse that I'd actually want to date even though I'd tower over him by a good five inches. Absolutely. As much as I love some of the guys, they are so dysfunctional.

I'd probably date Gunn, too, now that I think about it. But just him and Oz.

You're so evil!

because it really says a lot about how you see the ship and what you love about it. I never thought of it that way! I guess it probably does. Though one thing I also love about them is that I think they could have lots and lots of fun together--their lighthearted moments ("Life Serial" is one of my favorites for that) are just a joy. I'm really interested in what you think it says about me...and also how your views are different!

hopefully this won't offend you as someone who likes s7; it's just how i feel about the final season. Never offended! And you never have to worry about anything we might disagree on--unless you're like, "You're so stupid being concerned about race on Joss's shows; he should have had more white people!" Then you would offend me. But short of that, we're good.

And yeah, there are a ton of weak things about the season. A lot of sloppy writing and shoving of important characters to the side (poor Xander. And Anya). But I think my love of both Buffy and Spike's arcs overshadows it.

but now i have to go watch s7! like, all of it. like, now. maybe it deserves another chance? Dooo it! There are several really, really good episodes, and Spike and Buffy and Dawn and Andrew all have awesome stuff going on. I definitely liked it better during rewatches.

It was so hard! There are so many moments between them that either fill me with delight or rip my heart out.

So glad you appreciated that scene being on the list! It's a very important one for me--a "Buffy really is growing up" scene.

Speaking of which, that icon is just fantastic. It's enough to give me goosebumps.

Thank you! It was so hard to limit it to such a small number!

Yay!

I'm really interested in what you think it says about me...and also how your views are different!
hm...well, all your shippy moments are really touching and adorable, and the fact that they come from the later seasons, and more developed parts of their relationship, mean you ship them as mature adults, if that makes any sense. you have a lot of respect for both of them, which is always good!

i think, as a shipper, i tend to focus more on how they got to where they got than the results. i mean, i adore their relationship toward the end of season 7 when it really starts to work, and when they have that mutual connection. but as a shipper i tend to remember and focus on the more ust-y dynamics of their relationship. and i find season 6 really interesting (if perpetually frustrating) to watch, to see how buffy and spike really do grow closer emotionally as well as physically, even when she denies it/can't see it beyond her self-doubt and things. i kind of love and hate spike at the same time when i watch the episodes and their interactions, and i like that a lot.

A lot of sloppy writing and shoving of important characters to the side (poor Xander. And Anya).
true! mostly i keep remembering the bit in "selfless" where buffy goes into the "we must kill anya because she is a DEMON AGAIN and therefore COMPLETELY EVIL" speech in the living room. i really, really dislike that speech.

Spike and Buffy and Dawn and Andrew all have awesome stuff going on.
yesyes! for every bad season 7 moment, there is another scene in "storyteller." : )

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Top Fives: Buffy (and Icons) Edition!

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