Season 6 of Buffy
Willow. Literally one of my favorite characters from ANY tv show. I love Alyson Hannigan so much, even in the ever deteriorating HIMYM. She did such an amazing job in the show and I must say that she is the reason I stayed through. Buffy is an AMAZING show that everyone should and must watch.
However, around season 6, I became less and less enamored with the story lines. ESPECIALLY 1. Dawn in general. I do not care for her whining. I do not care for her crying. I do not care for her. Sure, Michelle Trachtenberg is gorgeous, sure. While Dawn has SOME (emphasis on some) good moments, they are few and far between and not enough to redeem the annoying-ness that is Dawn Summers. 2. Spike and Buffy's relationship. They are not a good fit. So I guess Spike really does love Buffy. You could kind of see that he was capable of love with Drusilla. But honestly, he and Dru were a much much better fit than he and Buffy. Coming back from the dead, Buffy became whiny, disillusioned and just plain jaded with life itself. I get that Spike was kind of her confidant but their whole relationship was just plain odd and forced. At first I felt bad for Spike. Now I just feel that he has it coming. Their whole relationship is just cringe-worthy. I don't really have a description for it. All I know is that Buffy needs to stop feeling sorry for herself and Spike needs to just leave Sunnydale, beg for Dru's forgiveness and live the rest of his eternal life with her. 3. The Trio. Good lord. Can anyone say worst villains ever? There's a severe imbalance of diabolical nature. On one hand, we have the two pathetic people, Jonathan and Andrew. Then there's Warren. Oh god. Warren wasn't really evil per se. He was just a misogynistic, power-hungry, pathetic piece of shit. Yeah I'm glad Willow skinned him. The Trio was just plain annoying. I wasn't on my seat wondering what would happen next, like with Angelus, the Mayor and Faith, the Initiative, or even Glory. Whenever a scene skipped to them, I was just like "oh not again, you've got to be fucking kidding me". I fast forward their scenes and read the synopsis. I cannot be fucked with them.
One of the reasons I stayed and watched season 6 was because of Willow as well as the promise of Dark Willow. I LOVE that Willow is a witch, and I love that she's a powerful one. In season 5, when she fights Glory, albeit briefly, I was ecstatic as hell. It was crazy cool. In season 6, we see her hopped up on magics and honestly, it's pretty damn cool. When she crashed the car, I was kinda hoping that would kill Dawn, but as usual, I had no such luck. I hate that she had to give up magic cold turkey. Stupid Dawn couldn't just entertain herself. Her breakup with Tara was quite heart-breaking but I kinda knew that the two loved each other too much to really stay apart for too long. I had hope.
The cinematography for episodes 19-22 was really good. The only downside being Spike's little foray into his soul search. DId not care for that one bit. I fast-forwarded. I found Tara's death too quick and too shocking too really feel sad about it, and I think that was all part of the cinematography. I think it played out similarly in Willow's head. She didn't really grieve, instead, moving to vengeance. Her grieving point came when Xander, the unlikely hero, hugs her and comforts her, allowing her to achieve catharsis.
Willow's emotional journey was interesting and just so well done. I feel like the writers really put much thought into the development of her character and it really shows. Dark Willow was one of the best Big Bads ever. She was so powerful and yet so tortured. I was rooting for her to kill Buffy and Dawn. I loved when she mocked Dawn's whining.: "Mommy, Buffy, Tara, Waah." Dark Willow echoed my thoughts about Dawn and her whining. LOVE HER TO BITS.
Other highlights of season 6:
- Xander and Anya. I love their relationship and lack-thereof. Anya is hilarious.
- Anya getting her powers back.
- Clem the loose-skinned demon. He's so adorable.
- Warren getting skinned and incinerated.
- Tara's extremely sexual musical number in Once more with feeling
- Giles' crooning.
- Giles coming in to save the day.
- Rack's death.
- Riley's return and his haircut.