happy endings

[deird_lj]

Someone, recently, was commenting on the Buffy/Spike comic cover that was released – you know, the one with them fighting back-to-back. And they pointed out that, in fact, none of the Dark Horse people thought it was a shippy cover, because they didn’t realise that Buffy and Spike fighting back-to-back is incredibly shippy from a Spuffyish perspective.

In fact, a shippy Bangel cover is going to look very different from a shippy Spuffy cover, just because the two groups of fans have very different ideas about what a happy outcome is.


Which is all a long, roundabout way of saying that I’ve been thinking about what happy endings I’d want for each character…


Buffy:
- ends up in a relationship with someone (although not Angel)
- goes shopping for clothes and tacky souvenirs
- is also in charge of the Slayers – because she finally doesn’t have to choose between slayage and shopping expeditions

Angel:
- doesn’t end up in a relationship with anyone
- instead, drops in on all the Scoobies from time to time, and makes broody jokes that they only get a few hours after he’s left
- gets to watch Connor grow up

Spike:
- either dies in a blaze of spectacular fighting glory, or ends up with Buffy
- spends a lot of time hanging out with Dawn and trying to beat her at poker
- also makes fun of Buffy’s constant glaring at and subtle threatening of all Dawn’s boyfriends

Dawn:
- becomes a brilliant Watcher
- has a run of incredibly cool boyfriends, and then decides to go out with Andrew instead
- lives in Boston

Faith:
- ends up as joint head of the Slayers, at Buffy’s request (protesting this decision constantly, and making repeated attempts to step down)
- probably ends up single (but I’m not entirely sure)
- develops a secret passion for museums, but tries not to let anyone know, in case it hurts her cred

Comments

[bluemage55.livejournal.com]

I see Faith resolving her parent issues by forming a father-daughter bond with Giles, and I feel as though the "No Future For You" arc and the "Safe" one-shot intended exactly this. Once Faith deals with those problems, she could then have a healthy romantic relationship with someone, but remaining single would be a valid option. With her sex drive, she'd still be getting action regardless.

I'm not sure who she would end up with though, but definitely not Robin and probably not Angel. Robin and his mommy issues don't work out given that Faith isn't exactly maternal, and their prior breakup doesn't help. I ship Angel/Faith as friends, and perhaps temporary bed-buddies, but not long-term.


I'm sure my opinion on Buffy is controversial given the prevalence of Bangels and Spuffies, but I don't see her ending up with either Angel or Spike. I agree with the general idea in "The Girl in Question" that it was time for all three to move on. Angel and Spike will always have a place in Buffy's heart and vice versa, but her relationships need to enhance her, not define and consume her identity. Buffy needs to be whoever she wants to be, Chosen One and all.

[deird1]

I see Faith resolving her parent issues by forming a father-daughter bond with Giles, and I feel as though the "No Future For You" arc and the "Safe" one-shot intended exactly this.

Really? Those stories have always struck me as being Faith/Giles shippy to an astonishing extent.

[bluemage55.livejournal.com]

Huh. Now that you mention it I guess I could see it, perhaps I was too distracted by the Faith/Gigi dynamic.

Still, the Part VI alternate cover and Giles's comment did reference a Steed/Peel partnership, which was (afaik) not characterized by sexual tension, unlike Steed's previous partner Gale. Faith also compared Giles's mannerisms to that of an uncle.

Altogether, I guess either interpretation is reasonable.