by Moonchild » Wed Mar 27, 2002 10:09 pm
I've been staying off the boards for a while to try to take in everything we've learned about the end of the season. I've been thinking about what everyone has said about Restless and about Tara as the spirit guide during that episode. I feel that scene represents the fact that Tara becomes Buffy's confidante and friend, and she is the one who can speak for Buffy when she isn't able to articulate her feelings herself. I think it foreshadows that relationship that Tara would develop with Buffy, because at the time of Restless, Tara was really Willow's friend/lover, and not a true SG member. Of course, now she is essential, not only to Willow, but to Dawn and Buffy.
Here are the things that are giving me hope right now for Tara:
First of all, I know Joss likes pain and angst, but it just seems like having Tara permanently taken away would send Dawn over the edge, and I don't see how Buffy could stand it, either. This wouldn't just affect Willow (obviously it sends Willow over the edge). I don't see how Willow can come back from it, especially if she has tortured and killed Warren, and maybe even hurt innocent people on the bus that we've heard about. It almost seems as though they are going to show us the absolute worst that could happen to everybody, and then maybe someone has to make the sacrifice Wanda talked about to make it right again. And I think that person is Anya. During OMWF, we heard Buffy sing about the fact that they can face anything TOGETHER. Now, they are barely holding on, and when Tara dies, they will implode. The doctor at the mental institution in Normal Again told Buffy that everything in her fantasy world was collapsing, that the comfort she got from her friends wasn't there any longer. The Scooby Gang can survive a hell God, but they can't survive not being together as a team. If Anya got Warren or someone to make a wish that would completely disable Buffy (or Xander), it would be a wish that would tear her apart from her friends and make her truly alone. Even if Warren wishes that, he wouldn't have to be specific about how his wish could come about. He wouldn't know that Tara's death would be the factor that would bring it all down around them, but it would. Back to the having hope part: I have been thinking about The Gift, and how it parallels the way things are going right now. When the *** hits the fan, we see how each member of the SG reacts. Giles is almost like he isn't there. He isn't really a part of the real fight. He isn't here now. He will probably be brought in to advise them at the end of this season, and he basically advised them during The Gift. Xander is gathering his courage and ends up giving Glory a whopping headache, working with Buffy. I think that he will be working with Buffy in the upcoming episodes. Spike tries to help Dawn, but fails. He is injured in the end and can't be there to help any more. He will be in Africa probably, and won't be there to help the SG this season. Tara is gone, at least mentally. Unfortunately, Tara will be gone this season, too. But SHE DOES COME BACK in The Gift. Willow cares about helping Tara over everything else, even when the world is ending. She apologizes to Buffy for that, and Buffy tells her that it should be that way. Willow uses her magical strength to help Tara, and then she is not able to help Dawn. Magic will take Willow from us at the end of the season, but maybe not for good. Now, the most important part is Anya. She pushes Xander out of the way of certain death from falling debris and gets hurt herself. She sacrifices herself for Xander. I think the end of this season might really parallel that and she will realize that whatever wish she granted is all wrong and even if it means her life, she will correct it. I know I'm rambling, but I really do feel that the parallels with The Gift are so strong to the situation at the end of this season, and I think Anya will be the one to give the final gift at the end.
