I think the fact that Buffy doesn't tell Riley about Dawn is not at all about Riley. It's about Dawn. The more people know, the more dangerous it is, no matter how loyal they are. Buffy had to tell Giles because she needed his help. Information can be taken even from people who are unwilling to give it, so it's not that Buffy doesn't trust Riley, or Willow, for that matter. She's just being realistic. She trust her friends, but she lives in a fantasy world where magic exists, so things can be taken out of people's brains without them even knowing.
Re: Tara and her spell. It's just bad to cast spells on your friends without their permission? Normally I'd say "The Slayer not being able to see demons puts lives at risk", but Tara didn't know that this is what was going to happen, so I can't judge her for it.
I think the fact that Buffy doesn't tell Riley about Dawn is not at all about Riley. It's about Dawn.
*nods*
Definitely agreed. Though, as I recall, the reason she specifically cites in this episode is for her friends' protection, it's obvious (especially when Riley brings up the Initiative) that she's also trying to protect Dawn.
1, 2: Complicated. Buffy's decision makes sense, but on the other hand it's one of those things she keeps doing - shutting others out and taking it upon herself - which is understandable, but kind of not necessarily the only way she could have done it. Whatever she could have done, though, I tend to give her a pass on account of the shock of finding out that her closest family member next to Joyce is fictional.
3. I think it's pretty clear from Donnie's comment that they have no problem shifting from emotional to physical. Plus, Amber Benson plays her like someone expecting to get hit every time she opens her mouth.
4. Her father's comment about stopping her "living God knows what kind of lifestyle" is pretty telling, I think. Not that he would actually say it
( ... )
Ditto on #4. That's how I took that comment. And it is very easy to see how that comment could apply to witchcraft alone if Tara was heterosexual, so I didn't take it as necessarily bringing up her sexuality.
The episode seemed to use "magic" as a very weak metaphor for "lesbian" all through.
True, and not just in this episode. But it's a pretty thin sheet of metaphor, and I'm not sure it works as just being about witchcraft when it's been used to mean both ever since mid-s4. It is definitely open to interpretation, though.
Regarding Buffy not telling Riley, I never thought it had anything to do with protecting Riley and had everything with protecting Dawn. She's not telling anyone that can't bring something to the situation. I really like this episode.
I think it's a bit of both. When she decides not to tell the others, she says to Giles that "it's safer for everyone if they don't know". So I think Buffy's thinking of everybody in that one.
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Re: Tara and her spell. It's just bad to cast spells on your friends without their permission? Normally I'd say "The Slayer not being able to see demons puts lives at risk", but Tara didn't know that this is what was going to happen, so I can't judge her for it.
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*nods*
Definitely agreed. Though, as I recall, the reason she specifically cites in this episode is for her friends' protection, it's obvious (especially when Riley brings up the Initiative) that she's also trying to protect Dawn.
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3. I think it's pretty clear from Donnie's comment that they have no problem shifting from emotional to physical. Plus, Amber Benson plays her like someone expecting to get hit every time she opens her mouth.
4. Her father's comment about stopping her "living God knows what kind of lifestyle" is pretty telling, I think. Not that he would actually say it ( ... )
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4. Ah, I thought he was making a reference to the witch stuff. The episode seemed to use "magic" as a very weak metaphor for "lesbian" all through.
5. o.0 Yeah...no. Ick.
6. I can definitely see that.
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True, and not just in this episode. But it's a pretty thin sheet of metaphor, and I'm not sure it works as just being about witchcraft when it's been used to mean both ever since mid-s4. It is definitely open to interpretation, though.
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Good point.
Blah Riley. You started out so awesome. *shakes head* Riley was...I have complicated feelings about Riley. Xander too actually.
*sigh*
How do you solve a problem like Maria Riley?
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I really like this episode.
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It's a good episode. I really enjoy it. :)
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