Whittling Down the BtVS Canon

[hobgoblinn]

I saw this question in the su_herald and decided to take a stab at it here. I've been pretty quiet lately, but Real Life is getting better, if also busier. Thanks to everyone for the hugs last week. They really helped.

Here's my 12 Episode proposed canon:

1. The Witch
2. Prophecy Girl
3. Halloween
4. The Dark Age
5. Passion
6. Becoming
7. Band Candy
8. Helpless
9. Graduation Day
10. A New Man
11. Checkpoint
12. Family


My aim in picking 12 episodes as canon was simple-- what episodes provide the most emotional source material for the kind of canon I'd like to write in? The execution of this aim was not quite so simple, of course.

I started with the Giles/Ethan episodes: Halloween, The Dark Age, Band Candy, A New Man. Then the ones that showed crucial moments in the relationship between Giles and Buffy as Watcher and Slayer: The Witch, Passion, Helpless, Checkpoint.

I had The Gift, Bargaining, Tabula Rasa and Grave on the list, but then I thought-- what if you could choose earlier episodes and remake canon? Giles should never have left, right? I'm beginning to agree with antennapedia that Buffy should never have died, either. Not like that, anyway. That freed up four slots nicely.

Prophecy Girl obviously goes with the Giles/ Buffy relationship episodes. So does Becoming. Family is more about the extended Family, and its generosity in accepting Tara into it. It's a beautiful moment, when they all stand together -- not to fight a monster, but to affirm some real human kindness, courage, and love.

And both Becoming and Graduation day are turning points as season finales but also as points of Character Growth. I know I'm cheating by listing 2 part episodes there, but if I had to, I'd take part 2 of both. It seems to me that the uprising by the students at the end of S3 is a much better way of exploring the themes of empowerment than they did years later with "Chosen." All about making a difference even if you're not a superhero, standing up and fighting the good fight and all that. Plus-- evil Mayor Wilkins with his sword in the chest and later his Speech, and 'watch your language while you're killing the impressionable teenagers'. Best. Villain. Ever.

If I could fill it out with another 10, I'd take:

1. Welcome to the Hellmouth-- sets the stage
2. The Harvest-- ditto
3. I Robot, You Jane-- first appearance of Jenny Calendar, whose relationship with Giles was over way too soon
4. Nightmares-- Revealed a lot about these still fairly new (to us) characters-- better in a lot of ways than Restless, which does much the same things to end S4.
5. The Wish-- A whole new universe, and a quirky character I liked a lot was introduced. And very rich in the theme of personal responsibility, and how one man really can change the world (just as one foolish girl can destroy it.)
6. The Zeppo-- I like how Xander comes into his own in this one, and how he recognizes it. A cool turning point for him
7. Earshot-- I love the scene with Buffy and Jonathan in the tower. Giles walking into a tree is just icing on that cake.
8. The Prom --until the last scene. Angel's return I could do without, but Buffy's classmates recognizing her is a great moment.
9. Real Me-- Giles breaks out of his funk and buys a magic shop. Too bad it couldn't have happened a year earlier. I like seeing things through Dawn's eyes, too, but Giles being a grown up again and everyone pitching is-- a Good Thing. As is the little scene with Dawn and Tara, and Tara later pointing out how it's hard for the outsiders to break into the closely knit group. Again, theme of family and belonging very strong.
10. Intervention-- the domestic scene that opens the episode is another great one for Buffy and Giles' relationship as partners and equals. And I like Spike's doing something Real at the end of the episode-- not revealing the secret of the Key at great personal cost. This is another one about people finding ways to be part of a family. Just wish the Slayer wisdom had been a little more compelling.



So-- I open the floor, here, or on the original link, or both-- what's your pared down canon, and why?

Comments

[theblackmare.livejournal.com]

yeah, I agree with your choices. I like the idea that you put The Zeppo in the alternate list as it is such a wonderful episode for Xander, more effective than the one [can't remember the name: ack! so embarrassing] when he gets doubled, although that's an important one for him, too. The Zeppo is just a flat out better story.

And I completely agree about the liberties of having Buffy survive and Giles stay. Not only makes things easier, it makes them coherent.

On an unrelated note:
Could you please send me a private ping? I have sent two messages to you at two different addresses today and they both bounced. The third didn't bounce, but I didn't hear back. I just need to know where to send the Longer, Cheerful letter.

Mare

P.S. The exceptionally adorable person in the icon is Eleanor June, the newest member of the Biodiverse Household, and Sam's true love. I expect there will be kits this year. *happy dance*

[hobgoblinn.livejournal.com]

You're thinking of S5's "The Replacement", which I also like for the opening scene with Giles and Xander in the shop, and Xander showing quiet, competent craftsmanship, but not much else. I wish they could have made the point about how insecure we all feel growing up without Xander's being so much of a spaz about it. I think something a little less over the top would have been more effective, and the audience could have related to it more easily.

[clavally.livejournal.com]

This is hard. I keep thinking about it, going on to other things...and then coming back to it.

The episodes I can say for sure are

1. Helpless
2. Graduation Day 1&2
3. Primeval
4. Prophecy Girl
5. Innocence
6. Becoming 1&2

Although Band Candy is one of my favorites, I want to stay away from making any kind of Giles/Joyce thing cannon! Ditto for Willow/Kennedy, otherwise I might have included Chosen. This will require much more thought...

[hobgoblinn.livejournal.com]

I don't see "Band Candy" as a Giles/Joyce episode, as neither one is really him/herself. I chose it more because I love Ethan in it, and the backstory for Giles that we get-- emotional if not autobiographical.

I can see Innocence, too, but the whole Angel thing doesn't do much for me in retrospect. Refresh my memory though-- why Primeval? What about that makes the canon list for you?

[clavally.livejournal.com]

Ah, no, I was not in any way disparaging your choice of Band Candy. I agree it has wonderful parts in it. I think my big problem with the Giles/Joyce sex is because I'm a big fan of Buffy/Giles shipping...and, well...imagine your mother having sex with your lover.....I just really wish I could wipe that part out of cannon, lol.

As for Primeval, that was the joining spell against Adam. I know it's a bit of an unorthodox choice, but I liked that it defined each of the core four by what they bring to the group dynamic. No, I don't really need it to have a cannon list, but there was just something about that episode that I really liked.

[hobgoblinn.livejournal.com]

Primeval.... Oh-- of course. Season 4 has its moments, but I didn't go for the whole overall arc. Most people go off to college and behave immaturely. But to have a group like this, which had grown up way too fast and had been handling adult responsibilities with maturity and grace for 3 years running, suddenly fall apart when they hit college? I think not.

And Giles? Sigh. A guy who can calmly and effectively defend himself against a saber wielding opponent (ok, Wesley, but still) while perusing the morning paper, suddenly loses all poise and purpose in life? Because his Slayer is ignoring him? How lame is that?

I could go on, but you get the idea. Thanks for the suggestions, though.

(And go you on the fic rec list! I've been meaning to applaud you for taking that on. )

Hob

[clavally.livejournal.com]

Yes! That is why Primeval will be the only Season 4 episode on my list and I think you've helped me pin down why it's on there at all. That's the episode where they come back to themselves and really appreciate each other for what they contribute.

And thanks for the applause...it's still coming along...slowly, lol.

Speaking of, is you fic posted anywhere else besides your journal?

[hobgoblinn.livejournal.com]

Yeah-- the one story is up at www.vampirecows.com/ODD. I trust you know about that site, oh fic-recommending fiend. If not-- have fun. We'll see you back here in about 6 months.

I'm trying to write a couple more stories now, and to find one I completed a long while back-- a piece of "Summer" that just didn't work or fit anywhere. Only I could commit my one and only songfic with Walton's "Set me as a Seal". Giles as a choirboy, or dreaming back to that time in his life. And now I could actually put the file out so people could hear it. If only I could find my copy of it.....

[clavally.livejournal.com]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE "Set me as a Seal"!!!!!!! It really is one of my favorite all time pieces and I think your idea for a fic to match is wonderful. I'll very excited to read it! And wow, if you have a copy of it, I'd love to hear it. My only copy was a tape of my choir singing it (we were flat *cringe*) which has gone missing over the years.

Thanks for letting me know where to find your fic! I know that site well. :)

[menomegirl.livejournal.com]

Hi!

When you make your final list, could you post it here (http://menomegirl.livejournal.com/111542.html) as well, if it's not a bother?

I'd like to gather as many as I could.

[menomegirl.livejournal.com]

Thank you for taking the time to think on my questions and answering them. I appreciate it!