Buffy The Vampire Slayer 5x10
Added 2025-03-13 02:41:03 +0000 UTCThis was SO GOOD! I loved analyzing what happened, though I wish they had gotten to each other :(((
Comments
YES! I agree completely with what you're saying! Like yes she took him for granted, that's clear. But that doesn't mean she didn'T love him and shit. Totally agree that Riley needed to work on himself. Like Buffy could've helped, but this was more of a him issue. I'm so sad it started with them bashing Buffy, like that 's so uncalled for. I think Anya was scared because like Cordelia and Xander didn't work, but it was still sad!
Vic
2025-04-03 19:20:29 +0000 UTCI really appreciated your analysis here - I agree with you and I even feel Xander’s piece is a little gaslight-y (to somewhat misuse a very overused term). I actually found Buffy’s lack of intense emotion in her relationship with Riley a good thing, in contrast to the dramatic 16/17-year-old dramatics of the Bangel relationship. I never ever got the sense that Buffy didn’t love Riley - not at all. Did she maybe take him for granted? Yes, but doesn’t every couple to a certain extent after the intense beginnings of a relationship? I don’t dislike Riley - I do very much understand that kind of insecurity you can have when the person you love doesn’t show their love of you in the way that makes you secure. I feel bad for both of them but especially Buffy as she is dealing with a lot right now and this really blindsided her and it happened really quickly (for her). I don’t think that Riley should be taking advice from Spike, as much as I love Spike - he has a very twisted definition of love and what people in love should be doing. For someone insecure like Riley, there is almost nothing Buffy can do that would make him feel that he totally “had” her. His security needs to come from himself (that’s what therapy is for) and communication. And since I see you’ve reacted to the next episode - what Anya says about Buffy and her relationships in that episode irks me so much. Like having two breakups (one due to a curse/vampirism) in your early 20’s is in no way a pattern. :-/
Mrs. Peacock
2025-04-02 08:38:56 +0000 UTCthank you
Vic
2025-03-13 23:26:01 +0000 UTCOh my god, I'm so sorry for your loss.
ThePowerDrome
2025-03-13 21:24:41 +0000 UTCYeah, I liked that he acknowledged that his chances are slim to none. I like the idea that what he's doing to overcome his feelings, I guess we'll see where that goes in the future!
Vic
2025-03-13 20:19:57 +0000 UTCif you mean the like fun facts pages, no, my moderator who passed away used to make them on the weekly.
Vic
2025-03-13 20:18:38 +0000 UTCI'm glad you liked the analysis! It is true that them working out would have required A LOT of communication, but I'd like to believe in my heart that in an ideal world, it could've worked! I'm not surprised with the hate he gets, he was a genuinely sweet character who made bad decisions, like anyone on the show. I liked him :)
Vic
2025-03-13 20:18:07 +0000 UTCThank you Vic for your great analysis. I really liked it! I think its good that Buffy and Riley finally broke up. In the end they have different needs in a relationship. While Buffy clearly has communication problems (even with her friends, see last season), Riley needs a partner who is equal to him. Like Buffy said, he has a problem with the fact that she is stronger than him. Is it bad that Riley needs that? No, not really, as long as he doesn't want to have some kind of dull housewive, its totally fine to feel that his partner needs him. But he will not find this in Buffy ever, so yeah ... its good that they broke up but man ... Riley could clearly handled this way better (and not do this when Buffys mom is still in hospital). What I don't like is that the Buffy fandom hates Riley so much. He is a good guy and thats it. Sure, compared to complex characters like Spike and Angel he is boring BECAUSE he is just a guy. But yeah, its a TV show, so characters that are like real people are seen as dull and ... boring. Poor Riley :)
Minister Kosh
2025-03-13 10:22:09 +0000 UTCBy the way, you stopped watching the materials outside of filming. Will you not watch them anymore?
ThePowerDrome
2025-03-13 07:27:35 +0000 UTCThis is an important episode. The author of the Passion of the Nerd channel said everything about the offensiveness of Riley's behavior in his guide to this episode. I deeply respect his opinion and generally agree with him completely. Personally, for me, the most important part of this episode is the conversation between Riley and Spike. Actually, Riley asks if Spike thinks he has a chance. And Spike says - no, none, but it's worth a try. More or less. I think this gives an opportunity to analyze Spike's motivation. None of the things he did before and will do in the future supposedly to gain Buffy's favor were actually for Buffy. I mean, if he thinks there's no chance, then why try? And he doesn't try, I think. He's trying to overcome his feelings for Buffy. There's nothing good about loving the Slayer for him. All it can give him is silent or open contempt from Scooby, while he will receive hatred from demons and other vampires because he kills them. Of course, he is against such a prospect. He is a formidable vampire, a creature of the night, he has killed two victors. It is his coping mechanism for this obsession. He craves her and at the same time knows that he will receive no bonuses except suffering and, perhaps, death.
ThePowerDrome
2025-03-13 07:26:50 +0000 UTC
