I have a couple of little questions/comments before I get to the "you are SO right!" part of this comment.
First, where in S7 does she "give into despair and reckless behavior"? I see her as powering determinedly all the way through, with just a couple of breathers taken toward the end.
to be dating the Slayer ... you have to have your own head on straight. Buffy's the one who needs serious unconditional emotional support (one reason Season 7 Spike or Season 7/8 Xander is good for her)Characterizing S7 Spike as someone who has his head on straight seems odd when he spends 1/3 of the season as full-on "bug-shagging crazy". There are too many S7 Spikes! (Also I will never think that Xander is good for her in a "dating" way. *shudder
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Well, for Season 7 I see her plan to just repeat her assault on the vineyard as reckless. She doesn't actually formulate a plan so much as determine they're going back in, same as before. And clearly that didn't work the first time.
Hmm. But he says Buffy possesses "kindness" and I think being "tough but fair" is a measure of kindness, isn't it? Also, Buffy's capacity for forgiveness, the way she protects others, the way she brings Spike into the fold and fights to keep him safe.
I disagree that she makes a lot of "wrong bloody calls"*, and can only point to a handful of places where she can reasonably be expected to have done better.
Haha, well that seemed like a nifty quote to grab. Her judgment isn't always perfect and that seemed like a good way to capture it.
(I think part of the wrong calls for me includes Season 8, so no doubt that's where we diverge. ;))
I see "kindness" as one possible delivery method for the caring that women do. Some women care by being HBIC, and that's fine. Some care by being Big Damn Heroes, and that's fine, too. Some care by taking people out for milkshakes and speaking softly, and that's fine, but it ain't Buffy. So, no, I don't think she's kind, but I do think she's caring. Does that make sense?
I think we have different definitions of kindness. I'm not quite clear how you're defining it. For me a kind deed is something done for another's well-being. I think caring for Spike in Season 7 is one example of kindness (like when she cleans his forehead with a damp towel). Another would be her sitting with Willow on the bed and helping Willow heal, "I've got so much strength I'm giving it away."
Here's how I define it: treating someone kindly, being sensitive to their feelings, caring for them, the nature attached to doing someone a favor (kindness as defined as a favor or a deed done for another: "You've done me an kindness.").
I think maybe you have a stricter definition? I'm not sure. :)
I'm not saying that she never exhibits kindness. As I said, her kindness to Willow in the first episode is legendary, and part of what made people love her
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and that's fine, but it ain't Buffy. So, no, I don't think she's kind, but I do think she's caring.
I actually do see her as kind AND caring, but her job, the opinions of others, trauma etc close her off and discount her kindnesses. One of the dictionary definitions of "kind" is "of a caring and helpful nature", which Buffy certainly is (and when she is "selfish" - when she tries to put her own needs first - she gets punished and pummeled for it, within the story and without.)
First, where in S7 does she "give into despair and reckless behavior"? I see her as powering determinedly all the way through, with just a couple of breathers taken toward the end.
to be dating the Slayer ... you have to have your own head on straight. Buffy's the one who needs serious unconditional emotional support (one reason Season 7 Spike or Season 7/8 Xander is good for her)Characterizing S7 Spike as someone who has his head on straight seems odd when he spends 1/3 of the season as full-on "bug-shagging crazy". There are too many S7 Spikes! (Also I will never think that Xander is good for her in a "dating" way. *shudder ( ... )
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Hmm. But he says Buffy possesses "kindness" and I think being "tough but fair" is a measure of kindness, isn't it? Also, Buffy's capacity for forgiveness, the way she protects others, the way she brings Spike into the fold and fights to keep him safe.
I disagree that she makes a lot of "wrong bloody calls"*, and can only point to a handful of places where she can reasonably be expected to have done better.
Haha, well that seemed like a nifty quote to grab. Her judgment isn't always perfect and that seemed like a good way to capture it.
(I think part of the wrong calls for me includes Season 8, so no doubt that's where we diverge. ;))
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Here's how I define it: treating someone kindly, being sensitive to their feelings, caring for them, the nature attached to doing someone a favor (kindness as defined as a favor or a deed done for another: "You've done me an kindness.").
I think maybe you have a stricter definition? I'm not sure. :)
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I actually do see her as kind AND caring, but her job, the opinions of others, trauma etc close her off and discount her kindnesses. One of the dictionary definitions of "kind" is "of a caring and helpful nature", which Buffy certainly is (and when she is "selfish" - when she tries to put her own needs first - she gets punished and pummeled for it, within the story and without.)
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