What Would You Have Done Differently?

[vampmogs]

Hey

This is inspired from the 'What's up with Sarah Michelle Gellar Thread' when people briefly began to discuss things that would have dramatically changed the course of the show. As for example, if Joss had went ahead with his initial plan and have Faith hang herself at the end of 'Bad Girls' which would have ultimately changed the outcome of season three and other episodes in the future of the series.

Basically this thread is asking you, if you could have changed something in the show what would have it been? Would you have taken something out? Killed a character? Added something in? Make a different big bad for a different season? And most importantly why?

Note this isn't a thread for just bagging something in the show you didn't like, including characters, ships or seasons. Feel free to express things you didn't like but trying to give a well explained alternative scenario so it doesn't end up just bashing something or someone from the series

If I could have intervened with something in the show I would have kept Giles in for season six. Now I understand Anthony Head wanted to leave but you don't have to worry about those things in this thread! I think his presence was solely missed, and I didn't really feel this until he came back at the end of the season and I realised what a big gap was missing when he was gone. On another Giles related issue, I would have dropped the "is he the First?" story from season seven as all it resulted in was having pod Giles who acted OOC and oddly and never mounted to anything other than? oh he didn't die.

Vampmogs

[ykickamoocow]

I would have had Spike die protecting Dawn in the season 5 final.

[KingofCretins]

I would have changed a great deal about Season 7, just in terms of straightening out continuity and either following through on abandoned plotlines or just not starting them. Fewer characters, too.

On the wide scale, I mentioned this on its own thread, I think I might have just ditched the 'soul' aspect of Angel as the key to his behavior -- have him just be a vampire with a conscience. I'm not sure.

Probably a lot of things but also very few, it's odd. It's too hard to imagine what the show would have become with major changes.

[Sosa lola]

I would have had S7 split into two seasons in order to have room for the big amount of storylines they had jammed into one season, including giving more space for the neglected cast to have their well deserved storylines.

[ykickamoocow]

I would never used the 'Buffy finds out she has darkness in her' storyline. For 4 years she was a normal girl with superpowers and in season 5 Buffy needs to fight demons after sex with Riley. Because sex without pain and with a noral man isn't enough? Since that episode Buffy wasn't a normal girl anymore, she was darker and less happy! I know that she can't stay a highschool girl for ever and that she needs to grow up. But Cordelia had also a part demon in her and also grew up ... but she was still human and nice. Where Buffy became less likable only because she founds out she had 'darkness' in her. It was IMO the begin of the end.

I would have Buffy grow up in a normal way, become an adult is difficult enough without finding 'darkness' in yourself. She had to deal with being a single mother and saving the world. The didn't need the 'Buffy hates her life.' storyline to make me feel for her.

Ive never thought about that but i agree 100%. That darkness in her idea was complete and utter crap and goes against her established character traits
in seasonss 1,2,3,4 and half of 5.

[Nina]

Oops I just deleted my post *stupid me* Thankfully ykickamoocow just quoted me.

I just wanted to edit my post to say that I didn't include the depression storyline in the 'darkness' storyline. Those are two complete different storylines for me.

[sueworld]

Ive never thought about that but i agree 100%. That darkness in her idea was complete and utter crap and goes against her established character traits
in season's 1,2,3,4 and half of 5.

Err, no, but never mind that., because I loved it. Yum, yum.

I don't think I'd change much except have all the Potentials fall into a flooded mineshaft midway through season seven and drown. That would have improved things quite nicely....

[modifiedblind]

i would have liked Tara to be the first in 'Conversations w/ Dead People', Cassie was an alright alternative but Tara wouldve been great and more emotional for Willow. Also Id make season 7 character driven, not plot, it was lacking big time. :-)

[holypotatoes]

I don't think I'd change much except have all the Potentials fall into a flooded mineshaft midway through season seven and drown. That would have improved things quite nicely....

Finally sueworld there's something we agree on!!!!! Yes get rid of those damn Potentials and fast. The one thing I couldn't stand and would definitely change (besides the Potentials) would be the whole First thing. I mean in the beginning of the season in Lessons I was so excited when I saw the morph at the end I'm like this is going to be great only to be highly disappointed. I would've made the First be able to do something besides taunt people. I mean that's all it did! So yeah instead of it being non-coporeal make it be able to fight or have it make Spike kill himself like it wanted Angel to do. Something!

[Moscow Watcher]

If I could change anything, I'd find a way to convince Amber Benson and I would bring Tara back. Willow\Tara was a very beautiful couple and I'd love to see their reunion. Besides, that was Joss' "plan A" for them.
________
Teen Hardcore

[BlasterBoy]

Well, I think Tara being back permenantly would be a horrible idea. I don't like it when shows are unwilling to kill people. *coughheroescough* I would've liked Amber Benson to not have said no about coming back in "CWDP" because it would've been so emotional. First off, Tara and Willow together again for one hour. And, then, Tara saying all the things that Cassie said, like, "Take a razorblade to your waist" and stuff like that would've been terrifying. I mean, Azura Skye did a fabulous job, but seeing Amber doing it would've been....horrifying, honestly.

Another thing is that if Amber couldn't have come back, make a consistent First. Like, make Skye come back and be the constant First and now Buffy, because I like evil SMG but I would've liked Cassie more, personally. Also, make the First corporeal, cut the potential crap, cut Spike's screentime in Season 6&7! It became "Spike, The Vampire Without A Soul -- Oh, Wait, Nevermind". I mean, really. I would've just liked to see The First kill him singlehandedly, CORPOREAL. And give the main characters screentime. When Xander, Giles, and Willow were neglected, Dawn and Anya shined. I loved that, but only one of our core four got good screentime. Don't take away from the characters we love for sake of plot. Please.

I have more...but, I'll spare you

[KingofCretins]

We discussed Azura Skye as an ideal 'default' First on another thread -- she really would have driven home the helplessness and fear Buffy felt throughout the season, since she would have been a reminder.

I wouldn't have dumped the Slayer line story arc -- I think it was brilliant in theory, just not carried off very well. One idea I'd had would be to let scarcity drive the tension. We know now that, despite the damage done by the Bringers, there are over 2,000 Slayers. I think the danger would have been more credible if there had been... maybe 200, 250 *before* the Bringers went to work, and maybe 75 or so by the time they got to Sunnydale. Now, that would mean reconceiving Season 8, and so far, Season 8 has been worth Season 7, but just throwing it out there.

I don't think Wood's arc is anything that would be missed -- DB Woodside was great, but I think that screentime is better spent on Scoobies. If you still wanted to have a Faith-meets-a-nice-guy arc, Xander.

[spacecase827]

i would've had spike NOT fall in love with buffy, just stick around to kick demon ass and protect dawn. OR die protecting her at the end of season five, instead of buffy. because he's my favorite character, but he really bothered me in the sixth season...he turned into such a pansy.

[Pandora's_Box]

Well, I think Tara being back permenantly would be a horrible idea. I don't like it when shows are unwilling to kill people.

About Tara I agree too, I would have been extremely frustrated because loss and pain is what built characters lifes and feelings, having Tara back would have been moving backward and makes Season 6 last episodes insignificant. I would have been very frustrated to rewatch Grave and say "Don't cry baby, she's gonna be back in 5 episodes, so stop the drama Will!"

Having the First corporeal would have been stupid, he's here since the dawn of time and he'll always be here...oh no wait, Giles found a spell in a book, you just have to burn some herbs and say "Be corporeal" three times an he will be...Come on!!!

[Wolfie Gilmore]

Of the bazillion things I'd change in season 7, thought I'd home in on a small one.... I'd have the watcher's council have a part to play, beyond getting blown up. I think the idea of Buffy working with them in a new way in season 7 couldve been interesting - having to compromise in order to get at their resources, and engaging with them on a more complex level than the "I rock, you suck" victory of "Checkpoint". I think that'd reflect nicely on the ways that our relationships to people in power get more complex the older we get, and the "higher up" the power structure we get. Buffy as a leader of an army (even if they are just potentials) is a different animal to Buffy the leader of the Scoobies. She can't treat everyone as individuals any more... so perhaps it would be interesting to see what kind of a rapprochement she might reach with the Council? I would have loved to see a scene with Buffy and Quentin having a proper sit down at some point - with Giles in the mix too.

[Pandora's_Box]

Time to answer the thread, I'm gonna do it for each season.

Season 1
- I cast someone else to play Cordelia, Charisma isn't the greatest actress (which is subjective) and was too old for the character (which is objective )
- Darla deserved more that this cheap episode, I give her a double episode in order to see her past and her relation with Angel and make her the Season 1 big bad and having Angel killed her being the start of Bangel love!

Season 2
- WilloZ and Xandelia ships were a bit boring imo and the werewolf plot not that interesting. Oz doesn't exist, I make Xillow ship during around 18 episodes and then stole the scene from Lover's Walk but versus it, Willow catching Xander kissing the new slayer and almost get killed, she doesn't forgive him until the Becoming scene at the hospital where they re-fall in love.
- I change the character of Kendra, make a slayer more interesting and start a love affair with Xander like I said below but still let her be killed in Bec part 1by Drusilla.

Season 3
- No Angel coming back, sorry Bangels, which was Joss plan by the way.
- Buffy fall in love with Faith younger brother, Faith can't handle it, until the day she kill him by mistake in a dark street, Buffy can't forgive her and everybody rejects her, Faith can't forgive herself too and start destroying herself until she works with the mayor. At episode 21 she tries to bring her brother back to life but Buffy stop her and finally forgive her.
- Xillow split at episode 21, a natural break-up they just don't get along anymore.
- The mayor doesn't become a big snake but a powerful human size demon, in order to have students killing him and not explosives, unfortunately Faith get killed in that ep as Cordelia (a good finale has to have a big loss to be good imo)

Season 4
- Change Riley's character to someone more self-confident and less annoying!!!
- No big governemental agency, still an Initiative but a small non-governemental one cause Buffy's one is just too much passionless, something more like Gunn gang but not a gang and with scientists. Dr Walsh is Riley's mother, she's killed at "The Yoko Factor", Riley thinks it's Buffy, hence a big fight Buffy versus The Initiative until the truth is discovered.
- Find a way to not have "First Slayer" spell popping from nowhere.

Season 5
- Dawn is younger (six years old) and she isn't Buffy's sister but Buffy's daughter, she had her with Pike (Pike, not Spike), having Buffy sacrifce herself to save her daughter is way more sad and beautiful!
- Don't pretend Buffy can kick Glory's ass!!!


Season 6
- Nothing!!!

Season 7
- Anya die in Selfless, she give her soul to bring the frat boys to life, Xander is hollow during the rest of the season until...he fall in love with Andrew (kidding)
- Kennedy is less annoying, they actually fall in love when Kennedy kills Amy just before she's about to kill Willow.
- Make-up scene between Buffy and Giles during "End Of Days"
- Robin Wood is killed during Chosen.
- Civilians only fight Bringers.

[TrueVengeance]

Hmm...I'll do it by season like Pandora's_Box did, only I'll start with season 3 onward. I have to rewatch the first two! Haven't seen them in ages!

Season 3
-Angel stays dead. Sorry Bangel fans...its just Buffy went through all that pain, and he's back in 5 episodes. She was just starting to move on! (besides, anti-bangel person here)

Season 4
-Change that damn initative storyline! It had some potential, but they ruined it by it's 2nd episode. Second thought, get rid of it all together. That way Riley will be more likeable.

Season 5
-Glory confronts more of the gang to find out who the key is. (Willow, Xander, Anya). Not brainsucked, but either confronted or tortured or something
-Have Glory be a little stronger in The gift, and give the gang more of a fight

Season 6
-Wait a few more episodes before bringing Buffy back. I would have liked to see more of the gang handling it without her.
-Willow and Tara make up earlier than Entropy
-Tara does NOT die
-Anya and Xander are on better terms sooner after the wedding

Season 7
-Anya dies in Selfless at the hands of D'Hoffyrn to bring the frat boys back to life
-The gang doesn't kick Buffy out
-There's more of the gang and less Spike
----------------

^^That's ONE of my dream Buffy worlds. I almost said Xander and Anya to get married, but then my Selfless one wouldn't happen. So, there's several different ones hehe

[EndersWrath]

I would have had S7 split into two seasons in order to have room for the big amount of storylines they had jammed into one season, including giving more space for the neglected cast to have their well deserved storylines.

I really would have liked to see Buffy deal with coming back, as well as the impending doom that was supposed to be The First. I mean her coming back was supposed to be what set things in motion, so why not see it early on?

Well, I think Tara being back permenantly would be a horrible idea. I don't like it when shows are unwilling to kill people. *coughheroescough* I would've liked Amber Benson to not have said no about coming back in "CWDP" because it would've been so emotional. First off, Tara and Willow together again for one hour. And, then, Tara saying all the things that Cassie said, like, "Take a razorblade to your waist" and stuff like that would've been terrifying. I mean, Azura Skye did a fabulous job, but seeing Amber doing it would've been....horrifying, honestly.

Another thing is that if Amber couldn't have come back, make a consistent First. Like, make Skye come back and be the constant First and now Buffy, because I like evil SMG but I would've liked Cassie more, personally. Also, make the First corporeal, cut the potential crap, cut Spike's screentime in Season 6&7! It became "Spike, The Vampire Without A Soul -- Oh, Wait, Nevermind". I mean, really. I would've just liked to see The First kill him singlehandedly, CORPOREAL. And give the main characters screentime. When Xander, Giles, and Willow were neglected, Dawn and Anya shined. I loved that, but only one of our core four got good screentime. Don't take away from the characters we love for sake of plot. Please.

I have more...but, I'll spare you

Aww Skye as the default First would have been SO much more eerie than having SMG(P) do it, though the stuff with Spike only really worked with SMG(P)...but don't have Buffy talking to Buffy, that is just... lame and feels cheap. I also would have loved to see The First become corporeal, probably the best point would be the same ep in which Buffy rescues Spike, though instead of rescuing Spike she witnesses the new and improved First breaking off Spikes head with it's bare hands. I think it would be pretty cool. Or hell do what I have wanted to happen and have Spike die protecting Dawn in Season 5, which would have ended his character on such a high note :/

I don't think Wood's arc is anything that would be missed -- DB Woodside was great, but I think that screentime is better spent on Scoobies. If you still wanted to have a Faith-meets-a-nice-guy arc, Xander.

Amen, sister friend!

[Maggie]

Anya dying in Selfless would have really highlighted the increased ambiguity of Buffy's role as a slayer when we have come to learn that demons are persons (by any ordinary sense of the word). I think the writers flinched by having her survive. And then they didn't do anything interesting with Anya afterwards -- so her survival wasn't anything BUT a flinch. And (sorry) I think Joss also flinched when he decided not to let one of the core Scoobies die in the Chosen. Real wars impose real costs on the victors, and Joss wanted too much to skate to a 'feel good' ending. Both moves started shifting the series away from art and back towards ordinary entertainment. Agree with the general sentiment that it's hard to imagine that the First couldn't have been done better. And the potentials were a real waste of space.

The other big change I'd have made would have been to throw in more episodes dealing one way or another with Ripper. Just a lot of undeveloped potential in Giles.

I love the idea of the Initiative, but the execution just didn't work somehow. So I'd want to see that done better.

And I'd have coughed up more storyline for Xander post-season 3. A dead Anya in Selfless, for example, could have set up an interesting conflict between Xander and Buffy.

[BlasterBoy]

Having the First corporeal would have been stupid, he's here since the dawn of time and he'll always be here...oh no wait, Giles found a spell in a book, you just have to burn some herbs and say "Be corporeal" three times an he will be...Come on!!!

I would've actually liked what EndersWrath said to happen. Have The First not be corporeal until BotN/Showtime, and see First rip off Spike's head What I meant was The First making itself corporeal because it needed to be. It wanted to be. Remember the, "I want to put my hand on a neck and hear it crack." It WANTED to be corporeal. I wanted it to make itself corporeal.