Willow and Tara's (Career) Futures

[Corinthian]

Was thinking this morning how the theme of S6 is "Oh Grow Up" and one aspect of this is to get a job. So I thought about what the future could hold for Willow and Tara.

I think the best bet for Tara would be working in / eventually running The Magic Box. It's a natural fit. But Willow? Hmmm. In past seasons, we've seen her affinity with computers and it makes sense that she could get hired on pretty much anywhere as a consultant/programmer. But then it hit me:

A Watcher.

She and Giles share many common traits; it's almost as if Joss & Co. are drawing parallels.

1. Rebellion and Magic
Giles was rebellious in his youth. Dabbled in magic, got in over his head, messed with forces he couldn't possibly control, and had to quit doing serious magic. We've seen this happen with Willow as well.

2. Research Geeks
Since S1, Willow has been Giles' right-hand person when it comes to research. If he didn't have the answer, Willow could find it.

3. On-the-Job Training
Willow's been there since Buffy came to Sunnydale. She's seen what a Watcher does, needs to do. How to train in mental and physical disciplines.

I can just see Buffy (or a new Slayer) coming into The Magic Box, late after patrol, getting info about the latest Big Bad from Willow while Tara helps them find the books/artifacts they need.

Am I just too damn sleep-deprived or does this make sense? And does anyone have other ideas on Willow & Tara's future (aside from getting married, having a daughter and growing old together)?

[chronic]

i remember an interviewer asking Joss around season 2 whether he was plannig to make Willow a watcher, and he hinted that he had a different path in store for her (magic, i assume.) In one episode (I've been trying to remember which one and can't! its in S2) Cordy says Willow should become a watcher, and Will replys that she wouldn't want to, she has no idea how Giles deals with the stress of the Job. also i can't imagine the present watchers council having anything to do with anyone from Sunnydale.

off on a tangent, in restless xander says he considered becoming a watcher. can you imagine that???

one thing i keep thinking, does anyone know what degrees Willow and Tara (and buffy, before she left) are doing? I mean, i know there's some choice, but B and W started off taking psychology, then W took drama, B took history...

as far as i can tell, Willow is doing a psychology degree (fun with maggie walsh and the class she goes to in Life serial). the most interesting thing about that is that her mother (who she must really want to avoid becoming) is a psychologist.

Tara is doing something arty, i think. i dont think she would want to run the magic shop, at least not on her own. she may know all about the things on sale, but i doubt she could compete with anya as far as capitalism goes.

how long are degree courses in America? in britain they're 3/4 years, so they'd be graduating soon.

I get the feeling Willow will become "Dr Rosenberg", although i couldn't say what the doctorate will be in. despite going to university, none of the characters seem to have any more ambition that xander did in S4. maybe part of the "grow up" arc of this season is our favorite witches decididing what they want to do.

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Now you can tell some lies
About the good times that you've had
But I've kissed your mother twice
And now I'm working on your dad.

[Kalita]

quote:

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Originally posted by chronic:
also i can't imagine the present watchers council having anything to do with anyone from Sunnydale.

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Well, if she's Buffy's watcher then it doesn't really matter.

I'm not sure if this should be her lifelong career choice, but while everyone's still in Sunnydale and Buffy's doing the slayage, I can definitely see Will doing the job.quote:

[tommo]

Tara = professional hottie.

Willow = other professional hottie.

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You know I've been through hell...Joss can't you see, there'll be nothing left of me. You made me believe...

[Enigmatic]

quote:

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Originally posted by tommo:
Tara = professional hottie.

Willow = other professional hottie.

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Simple...but the facts!!quote:

[supermus]

I like the idea that Tara will run the Magic Box. I mean, neither Anya nor Giles is in much of a position to. Tara's a natural, and Willow could do financial stuff. Also, Willow could just live off her Sugar Honey. Or she could be a teacher.
edited cuz I suck at typing

[This message has been edited by supermus (edited March 21, 2002).]

[sassyeggs]

I've always thought it would be fun for Willow to be Buffy's watcher. Especially since it would a: give her some way to feel helpful without having to use magic, and b: she's the only other one smart enough. As for Tara, I can't really see her in a career in retail as fervently as Anya, but perhaps she'd work at the shop in some capacity. She read palms there for an episode last year.

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This is a dumb world. In my world there are people in chains, and we can ride them like ponies.

[Genea]

Tara--hottie girlfriend for my right arm
Willow--hottie girlfriend for my left arm

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Sugarloaf
Well, dip me in chocolate and throw me to the lesbians!!

[CountZero]

I can see Willow getting into politics, ok what chance does a gay, female jew have in US political ball games but shes a natural, liberal leader who'd definately get the minority vote.

Tara? She's so kind and empathic I think she'd make an excellent counsellor. She could specialise in helping people to come out.

Within Buffyland I'd love it if W/T got their own spin-off, they could move to New Orleans and explore the magic down there. Dawn would stay with them as I've decided she's going to college there. They could get their own magic shop and Willow could do her post-grad in Voodou culture.

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"Imean, I was given to understand that a drama class would have a, you know, drama class" -Willow, Restless

[shellybean]

Chronic, it was the episode "The Dark Age" that Willow was talking about how she doesn't know how Giles deals with the stress of being a watcher.
And I don't think Willow is a psych major because she just took the one course and remember that she didn't take another one? When Willow and Tara were in Tara's dorm making up her schedule after just having gotten Miss Kitty? It was when Tara did the sexy "What about sophmore level Psychology" thing. And Willow said that she was all psyched out because of professor Walsh.

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"But with Tara, I just know she likes Willow, and she already has one of those" – "Family"

"Honey, in case you didn’t hear me the first six-thousand times, no more teleportation spells." – "Crush"

Willow: "I figured, life goes by so fast, if you don’t write stuff down it just gets…lost."
Tara: "Down to every last bagel"
Willow: "Down to every last everything I do with you" – "Forever"