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Seven Seasons of Buffy Review
Yet another book of essays about a TV show/series of books I like.
It didn't get off to a very good start, since the introduction and the first essay had a really annoying "go, girlfriend" style that completely turned me off. However, the ideas were good so I persevered and I'm really glad I did because the rest were great - interesting, thought-provoking and well-written, on a good range of subjects.
There's a beautiful celebration of Tara that made me cry.
There's a brilliant analysis of the irrationalities of being a fan.
There's an interesting defence of Riley from a "real-life" point of view I hadn't considered before.
There's an enlightening theory on the shifting balance of power in the later seasons.
Several essays deal with the various relationships in the show, and the thing I like most about the book is that they contradict each other:
Willow/Tara as alternately the answer to the meaning of life and an extremely unhealthy codependent relationship.
Riley as alternately the best long-term prospect for Buffy and half of the least honest relationship in the show.
There are also contradictory opinions about Season Seven - essentially whether or not it's any good.
Overall, it's a celebration of "bring your own context", which I think Joss would approve.
It didn't get off to a very good start, since the introduction and the first essay had a really annoying "go, girlfriend" style that completely turned me off. However, the ideas were good so I persevered and I'm really glad I did because the rest were great - interesting, thought-provoking and well-written, on a good range of subjects.
There's a beautiful celebration of Tara that made me cry.
There's a brilliant analysis of the irrationalities of being a fan.
There's an interesting defence of Riley from a "real-life" point of view I hadn't considered before.
There's an enlightening theory on the shifting balance of power in the later seasons.
Several essays deal with the various relationships in the show, and the thing I like most about the book is that they contradict each other:
Willow/Tara as alternately the answer to the meaning of life and an extremely unhealthy codependent relationship.
Riley as alternately the best long-term prospect for Buffy and half of the least honest relationship in the show.
There are also contradictory opinions about Season Seven - essentially whether or not it's any good.
Overall, it's a celebration of "bring your own context", which I think Joss would approve.
another interesting forum