Webcomic Update: Clear Eyes, Full Heart

[2maggie2]

I honestly read Buffy as tearing up (ever so slightly) in that last panel of the webcomic, and when I mentioned it the first few folks responding agreed with me, so I just took it for self-evident.  Anyway, turns out most people don't read it that way.  So I asked Georges and he said he thinks there's an emotional content to the question Buffy is

Comments

[ladypeyton]

I agree that the panel is definitely emotionally loaded. I'm glad the question of Buffy tearing up has been cleared up.

[2maggie2]

It doesn't make much difference in how I read it -- I didn't think she was blubbering -- just emotional.

[stormwreath]

Well, thanks for asking anyway. :)

[2maggie2]

You're welcome!

[xc_runner50]

Definitely emotionally loaded but when the tear was mentioned in reviews I was like wha? huh? What tears in who's eyes? Well at least that is put to rest by George!

[2maggie2]

I guess I'm not enough of an artist -- I still can't articulate for you the artistic reasons those in the know used to conclude that Buffy's misshapen left eye is meant to convey something else. But it doesn't change the meaning for me -- I never thought she was blubbering -- I just thought it was a way of saying it was emotionally loaded.

[angearia]

It's funny you mention the misshapen left eye because SMG when she squints, her eyes do get misshapen a bit. Though, it's usually when she's being wry or ironic, but still

[red_satin_doll]

That's the problem with always being able to ask the pros. I think our reaction, our ability to compose and construct the disjointed pieces to recontextualize the meaning is the point.

The creators toss the ball and we catch it. We're both so active in the process that perceived miscommunications like "is it a tear? is it not a tear?" aren't really the point to me, but rather just a part of what comes together to convey a holistic sense of the story.Emmie I just wanted to say that I really love what you are saying here. I'd apply the same reasoning to the show itself. That's why I don't have too much interest in DVD commentaries, or creator interviews - for me what matters is what I saw and felt, and how I analyze and synthesize it afterward. What it meant to me, regardless of what the creators intended

[simonf]

Well Jane thinks it looks like a tear if that's any comfort.

[2maggie2]

You asked her? I'll update if you did.

I'm not much fussed either way. I love Buffy's expression.

Thanks for your thoughts on the Spikeengularity. I actually think that there are more serious fissures in the fandom than you do, so it's not obvious that a more serious dislocation than the one that happened last season could happen again this season. But who knows? You've been in the fandom longer than I!!

[simonf]

I emailed Jane the other day and LJ'ed about it.

http://simonf.livejournal.com/449686.html

[tennyo_elf]

Yeah, the panel is totally emotionally loaded and I think it would have worked just a bit better with a tear or so. But I think it also works without a tear.

Sometimes I wish these things had been played out by the actors/actresses.