A few thoughts..... -- Season Eight Fanfic Discussion

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Date Posted: 16:02:19 08/25/03 Mon
Author: Kashmanik
Subject: A few thoughts.....
In reply to: anyas_butt_monkey 's message, "I say we get things moving.... Season 9 talk!!!" on 00:14:26 08/21/03 Thu

I think that for this season we should take a leaf out of AtS' book and do something like Angel's 4th season. Mini-arcs, culminating in one BB arc at the end.

So with that in mind, maybe we could basically split the season into three. The first stage, rescuing survivors in Sunnydale (and I honestly think we should start 9.01 at the end of 8.22) because the town was utterly levelled. It wouldn't get rebuilt, if we look at it realistically I don't think. So perhaps the first arc of the season can be that something demon-y has been unleashed by the earthquake (something that had been in an underground cavern or something) which they have to deal with, and also deal with Giles' injury (which is an idea I like, if handled well.)

Second arc would be leaving Sunnydale behind, and going on to somewhere else until they figure out what they're going to do. And I *really* think they should go to Kennedy's parents house. It has *wings*, for gods sake, plenty of space! Plus it would give us a chance to really beef up Kennedy's character, and perhaps give her a slightly sinister family. (Or something back home that could entertain for a few eps). Then maybe another little arc here, focussing on another character, before they all learn that they have to go back to Sunnydale to fight some big evil thats emerged. (I just love the idea of them doing battle in this massive, abandoned wasteland that used to be Sunnydale.)

As for ships, I'd say:

Willow/Kennedy - split them up amicably
Anya/Xander - marriage. Or perhaps the pitter patter of tiny feet?
The Spike/Buffy/Faith triangle.... I really dont like. If only for the fact that there was also a Faith/Xander/Anya triangle last year, and it would be turning into a bit of a recurring theme for Faith! But, it's a group decision.

As for writing out characters, I think in all honesty we should write out Spike and Anya. (awaits savage attacks) Basically because then it would be shaping our fic to something more like the actual Buffyverse, what with Sunnydale being destroyed etc. But not to kill them off. As I said above, perhaps Anya gets pregnant, and decides she cant be constantly on the road with them and putting herself in danger, so goes to live a normal life somewhere. But of course, everyone has to go to her rescue at some point. :-)

Spike's harder to do, but I think still possible.

Anyway, i'll come back with more coherent thoughts when I'm *not* hungover. :-)

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[> [> And yet more ramblings. :-) -- Kashmanik, 21:54:42 08/25/03 Mon

OK, I'm just writing things as they come to me, so if this makes no sense... well, boohoo. :-)

Ships: As I said before, and have given it more thought now, Anya and Xander's relationship has to go to a new level. Even if they get back together full time, and even if they get married they still wouldn't really be progressing much beyond what we saw in early to mid S6. I would push for the idea of Anya and Xander having a child. As well as allowing us a nice, non-lethal way to write out Anya (which I believe is a necessity in order to introduce new characters) it would provide a great dilemma for Xander. He'd finally have to make the big decision in his life between Buffy and Anya. Staying to fight, or leaving to raise his child with Anya.

And yes, as before, I still think Spike needs to go. As well as making our fic more "real", I don't see (personally) where else we can take his character. Thats another reason that I feel a Buffy/Faith/Spike triangle won't work, because in my eyes its a step backwards for his character (and Buffy). They had very little shippiness really in S8. Sure, they had their moments, but a lot of ex's do. To put them together again in either a subtle or overt romantic situation seems to be going in the wrong direction.

And let me explain why I think Spike needs to go. Basically, the core four cant really leave. Buffy, Giles, Willow and Xander are the mainstays of the show, in my view. We need them as far as the fic goes. Andrew and Kennedy are also exempt from nominations this week on Big Brother... sorry, off track there. But yeah, theres still a lot we can learn about Andrew, and a *hell* of a lot about Kennedy (since I think if we all admit it, she got very little development in S8.) People say its because they dont like the character, but we can make her an interesting character, and desirable to have around (whether its in a good or bad way.) Faith is only recently back on the show, but unless we do something with her, she's kinda redundant. Needs to be more integrated plotwise this year. And Dawn... well, I think Dawn could possibly leave the fic too. Her massive rise to power this season could be an interesting story to round off some point in S9, or else we've got another uber-witch in the fic. Which, as with Faith, makes her useless to have around if she's just Witch-Fu girl.

Anyway, there's my nominations. Anya and Spike to leave the fic, and possibly Dawn also. We could even ratchet up the stress on the readers by having them all taken out by one enemy, in one episode. Because *no* BB has ever done that much damage to the Scoobs in one attack. (Although I REALLY want happy pregnant Anya! And also terrified-of-going-into-labour Anya.) :-)

The seasons structure now. As opposed to my three-parter thing before, I think a four-parter season could work well. With each part focussing on two characters primarily. (i.e. Part 1 - Giles and Anya. Part 2 - Kennedy and Spike. Part 3 - Buffy and Andrew. Part 4 - Xander and Faith.) Just an example, but you see what I mean. Wouldn't cover everyone, but those characters with less development (Andrew, Kennedy, Faith, and also Buffy who was strangely neglected in S8!)

Which brings me to another point. Buffy. She's the title character, but most of the major events in the season (with the exception of the final few eps) seemed quite detached from her. She really has to be the main focus again next season, and we have to do something big with her IMO. Not sure what, but she needs more development!

Thats basically the reason I'm pushing for the 4-part structure. We got very bogged down with plotting a full season story with S8, and I think a 4-part structure could work well for developing characters. Everyone would get their time in the spotlight (as long as we dont forget Buffy again.) :-)

I've really rambled now, but I'll say it again, I'll probably be back with more aimless yammering later!

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[> [> Idea off of yours -- That one Guy, 00:46:28 08/26/03 Tue

Maybe have Spike and Faith go guard cleavelands hell mouth maybe that way (we still have them if we need.. dawn can go with them and train to be a watcher ) that way we have room for them later, maybe they could call the gang for help or something...

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[> [> [> Re:Idea -- Idea Guy, 00:56:58 08/26/03 Tue

I like your idea but it should be after a "Buffy, where are we going? Where do i stand with you and what do i have to stay for?" from Spike...he and Faith really suit friends but not a couple. You can sort of have the triangle that way and have episode 9-12 be when you drop people if Anya is pregnant then you could have her find out in episode 10 and in episode 11 she's like "no more moving"

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