My thoughts on Season 9 - and what I think our first decision needs to be -- Season Eight Fanfic Discussion

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Date Posted: 17:50:56 08/23/03 Sat
Author: imisstara
Subject: My thoughts on Season 9 - and what I think our first decision needs to be
In reply to: anyas_butt_monkey 's message, "I say we get things moving.... Season 9 talk!!!" on 00:14:26 08/21/03 Thu

I think the biggest question that needs to be answered is the Sunnydale dilemna. Are the Scoobies still living in Sunnydale? Did they move somewhere else? With Sunnydale gone, the possibilites are now endless. Maybe we could give them a fresh start somewhere else, since the Hellmouth is now officially gone forever. That's a point we need to address also. Remember, the Hellmouth was destroyed in episode 14, so why would demons still come to a rebuilt Sunnydale?

We also don't have to have only a summer go by (TINY ANGEL SPOILER AHEAD) from the spoilers, it doesn't seem like Angel is sticking to the 'summer break' so we don't have to either. We could set the new season six months ahead, if we wanted to.

However, I know that's pretty dramatic, so if we just want to stick with the formula and keep them in Sunnydale, the major question is then how is the rebuilding going? That is probably the first question we need to answer, then we can go from there.

About Giles ... Like Linda said, we had an idea that Giles could be temporarily crippled and in a wheel chair and would progressively get better throughout the entire season. It wouldn't be too bad, we thought soon enough he could be walking with a cane, then a limp, and eventually he'd be okay. It would also be a nice physical representation of the isolation he has felt from the group in recent years.

I also agree that I think we simply have too many cast members that are in every episode. I don't think that Kennedy and Willow should be broken up by the start of the season, but I think there should be major bumps in their road ahead. To me, their break-up kind of just seems inevitable. I think it would make sense for the character and the storyline to turn recurring after she and Willow break up, which could happen in mid season.

I also think that Andrew and Faith should be put on recurring status. I think we've done a wonderful job with them this past season, but do we really need them in every single episode? Both of these characters seem a little extraneous to me, like they wouldn't need to be around the Scoobies every single day...especially Faith. Why is she sticking around now? Even if they're still in 15-18 episodes, like Andrew was in Season 7, I think that it would still be better instead of squeezing them in when they're not needed.

I also don't think we should be afraid of ships in Season 9. Who cares if they stir a little controversy? That's the fun part! There will always be people pro or anti Spuffy, pro or anti Xanya, pro or anti- Spanya, Killow, Wara etc. but we should explore them a little! Also, I think it would be fun to pair a Scooby with an original character. Possibly a first boyfriend for Dawn? As for Andrew...I think one of the things that works best for him (or Lorne on 'Angel', for that matter)is their ambiguity, so I think it's a bad idea to give Andrew a love interest of either sex. It's not something I see ME ever doing. And yes, I'd like to see Xander and Anya slowly rekindle their relationship throughout the season, taking things slowly.

The Faith/Spike/Buffy triangle seemed to be very popular this year, so maybe we could continue to play with it a little. I think if we show Faith's developing feelings for Spike, it would add layers to the triangle. By Season 9, Buffy and Faith would be firmly in their 20s and we all know how old Spike is, so I think it would be fun to show a more mature side of the triangle, and it's not like we'd have to show a definitive 'winner' if we didn't want to. Faith would have feelings for Spike, Spike would have feelings for Buffy, and lol God only knows what Buffy wants, so it could all make for some good drama, but not too overt the top or high-schooly.

I think we've done a great job with Willow and Dawn this season, which season 8 obviously focused most on. But I think it would be smart to put the focus back on Buffy more in Season 9. Of course I'm not saying at all that we should neglect any other character, but I think a bigger and more long-lasting arc for Buffy would be a smart idea.

And I also really like the idea of side-effects from the enjoining spell. That was Linda's! It wouldn't have to be too serious or long-lasting, but it could make for some interesting scenes and a little comedy.

Okay, that's it for my ideas for now! Discuss!

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[> A few thoughts..... -- Kashmanik, 16:02:19 08/25/03 Mon

I think that for this season we should take a leaf out of AtS' book and do something like Angel's 4th season. Mini-arcs, culminating in one BB arc at the end.

So with that in mind, maybe we could basically split the season into three. The first stage, rescuing survivors in Sunnydale (and I honestly think we should start 9.01 at the end of 8.22) because the town was utterly levelled. It wouldn't get rebuilt, if we look at it realistically I don't think. So perhaps the first arc of the season can be that something demon-y has been unleashed by the earthquake (something that had been in an underground cavern or something) which they have to deal with, and also deal with Giles' injury (which is an idea I like, if handled well.)

Second arc would be leaving Sunnydale behind, and going on to somewhere else until they figure out what they're going to do. And I *really* think they should go to Kennedy's parents house. It has *wings*, for gods sake, plenty of space! Plus it would give us a chance to really beef up Kennedy's character, and perhaps give her a slightly sinister family. (Or something back home that could entertain for a few eps). Then maybe another little arc here, focussing on another character, before they all learn that they have to go back to Sunnydale to fight some big evil thats emerged. (I just love the idea of them doing battle in this massive, abandoned wasteland that used to be Sunnydale.)

As for ships, I'd say:

Willow/Kennedy - split them up amicably
Anya/Xander - marriage. Or perhaps the pitter patter of tiny feet?
The Spike/Buffy/Faith triangle.... I really dont like. If only for the fact that there was also a Faith/Xander/Anya triangle last year, and it would be turning into a bit of a recurring theme for Faith! But, it's a group decision.

As for writing out characters, I think in all honesty we should write out Spike and Anya. (awaits savage attacks) Basically because then it would be shaping our fic to something more like the actual Buffyverse, what with Sunnydale being destroyed etc. But not to kill them off. As I said above, perhaps Anya gets pregnant, and decides she cant be constantly on the road with them and putting herself in danger, so goes to live a normal life somewhere. But of course, everyone has to go to her rescue at some point. :-)

Spike's harder to do, but I think still possible.

Anyway, i'll come back with more coherent thoughts when I'm *not* hungover. :-)

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[> [> And yet more ramblings. :-) -- Kashmanik, 21:54:42 08/25/03 Mon

OK, I'm just writing things as they come to me, so if this makes no sense... well, boohoo. :-)

Ships: As I said before, and have given it more thought now, Anya and Xander's relationship has to go to a new level. Even if they get back together full time, and even if they get married they still wouldn't really be progressing much beyond what we saw in early to mid S6. I would push for the idea of Anya and Xander having a child. As well as allowing us a nice, non-lethal way to write out Anya (which I believe is a necessity in order to introduce new characters) it would provide a great dilemma for Xander. He'd finally have to make the big decision in his life between Buffy and Anya. Staying to fight, or leaving to raise his child with Anya.

And yes, as before, I still think Spike needs to go. As well as making our fic more "real", I don't see (personally) where else we can take his character. Thats another reason that I feel a Buffy/Faith/Spike triangle won't work, because in my eyes its a step backwards for his character (and Buffy). They had very little shippiness really in S8. Sure, they had their moments, but a lot of ex's do. To put them together again in either a subtle or overt romantic situation seems to be going in the wrong direction.

And let me explain why I think Spike needs to go. Basically, the core four cant really leave. Buffy, Giles, Willow and Xander are the mainstays of the show, in my view. We need them as far as the fic goes. Andrew and Kennedy are also exempt from nominations this week on Big Brother... sorry, off track there. But yeah, theres still a lot we can learn about Andrew, and a *hell* of a lot about Kennedy (since I think if we all admit it, she got very little development in S8.) People say its because they dont like the character, but we can make her an interesting character, and desirable to have around (whether its in a good or bad way.) Faith is only recently back on the show, but unless we do something with her, she's kinda redundant. Needs to be more integrated plotwise this year. And Dawn... well, I think Dawn could possibly leave the fic too. Her massive rise to power this season could be an interesting story to round off some point in S9, or else we've got another uber-witch in the fic. Which, as with Faith, makes her useless to have around if she's just Witch-Fu girl.

Anyway, there's my nominations. Anya and Spike to leave the fic, and possibly Dawn also. We could even ratchet up the stress on the readers by having them all taken out by one enemy, in one episode. Because *no* BB has ever done that much damage to the Scoobs in one attack. (Although I REALLY want happy pregnant Anya! And also terrified-of-going-into-labour Anya.) :-)

The seasons structure now. As opposed to my three-parter thing before, I think a four-parter season could work well. With each part focussing on two characters primarily. (i.e. Part 1 - Giles and Anya. Part 2 - Kennedy and Spike. Part 3 - Buffy and Andrew. Part 4 - Xander and Faith.) Just an example, but you see what I mean. Wouldn't cover everyone, but those characters with less development (Andrew, Kennedy, Faith, and also Buffy who was strangely neglected in S8!)

Which brings me to another point. Buffy. She's the title character, but most of the major events in the season (with the exception of the final few eps) seemed quite detached from her. She really has to be the main focus again next season, and we have to do something big with her IMO. Not sure what, but she needs more development!

Thats basically the reason I'm pushing for the 4-part structure. We got very bogged down with plotting a full season story with S8, and I think a 4-part structure could work well for developing characters. Everyone would get their time in the spotlight (as long as we dont forget Buffy again.) :-)

I've really rambled now, but I'll say it again, I'll probably be back with more aimless yammering later!

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[> [> Idea off of yours -- That one Guy, 00:46:28 08/26/03 Tue

Maybe have Spike and Faith go guard cleavelands hell mouth maybe that way (we still have them if we need.. dawn can go with them and train to be a watcher ) that way we have room for them later, maybe they could call the gang for help or something...

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[> [> [> Re:Idea -- Idea Guy, 00:56:58 08/26/03 Tue

I like your idea but it should be after a "Buffy, where are we going? Where do i stand with you and what do i have to stay for?" from Spike...he and Faith really suit friends but not a couple. You can sort of have the triangle that way and have episode 9-12 be when you drop people if Anya is pregnant then you could have her find out in episode 10 and in episode 11 she's like "no more moving"

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