Are you ready to be strong?
Feb. 18th, 2025 01:05 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rogueslayer452Since it's been on my mind, here are my wishes for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer sequel series:
→ Focus on a brand new character. Buffy is still there of course, but since her story has already been told, the book closed on her journey, let this new series open as a new chapter following a new Slayer(s)/group of characters.
→ Buffy Summers is now a mentor for new Slayers. This idea has been floating around fandom for some time and I actually really like the concept of it because it makes complete sense. This would be a natural progression of what we've seen of her in the series, particularly in the seventh season with her being both Sunnydale High School's councilor to looking after and training the Potential Slayers. She would end up fulfilling the role that Giles was for her, but less of a Watcher and more of a guide, a teacher, someone who can understand what these girls are going through.
→ Explore more of the world. The Buffyverse has quite a lot of lore and mythos that I really enjoyed, and it would be fascinating to see a further extension of it especially with what has changed or evolved since the series finale. The exploration of other hellmouths, possibly even seeing other demon dimensions, the other hellmouths that exist in the world, etc.
→ Do not fall into the trappings of reboots. By this, I'm meaning don't fall for the same issues that other reboots/revivals have done and sadly continue to do. Mainly don't try to use this as some nostalgic cash grab especially in terms of cheap fanservice and callbacks. The BTVS fandom has had a lot of wank over the years about various things (ex: shipping wars, my god, the shipping wars) so trying to appease certain fans over others isn't going to end well, same with attempting to please everyone because ultimately it'll please nobody. There are ways of bringing back a beloved franchise and do it well, and while yes, there will be no pleasing everyone at least make it so that this sequel series has a place that isn't just following a trend.
→ Be mindful of the current state of television. We're living in the age of streaming where American shows have shorter seasons (six to eight episodes), it's unfortunate and quite a massive downgrade for numerous reasons, but that is the reality. So, this sequel series needs to be mindful of utilizing this limited time wisely. Treat it as a miniseries, plan a complete story that has a beginning, middle, and an end. Don't waste time bringing back old characters just for the sake of it. In fact, I would actually prefer it if nobody else reprises their role at all, maybe mentions here and there, but it should be entirely focused on Buffy and the new character(s). Keep it tight, no meandering, and give us something meaty and juicy to sink our teeth into in terms of a brand new story in a familiar setting, that can be its own thing while also expanding and exploring the already established world from a different angle.
→ Plot idea: Okay, this is just me brainstorming and spitballing here in terms of what I would like this sequel series to be about. Considering that Sarah Michelle Gellar has previously stated that the world needs another heroine like Buffy now more than ever, I think having a plot center around the Watcher's Council would be interesting. The series establishes that the Watcher's Council were controlling of all the called Slayers over the generations and treated them not like human beings. Now that all those who are of the Slayer line have woken up, I can see a brand new Watcher's Council attempting to round up these Slayers, which jump starts the sequel series for Buffy and some new Slayers to create an uprising against this new organization of Watchers. It would be a mixture of both supernatural elements but also grounded in terms of men trying to control and silence women, and Buffy, already known for being an anomaly due to having died (twice) and denouncing the Watcher's Council, would help guide these new Slayers to take them down.
It would be a great way of sending a positive message that, while yes, the world is bleak with tons of men in power wanting to destroy us, by standing together and continuing to fight for what's right, that is the true power that will overcome these evils of the world. As Buffy stated in the series finale, "Chosen":
So yeah, I just wanted to get that out of my system. Whatever this series will likely end up being, whenever it happens, I would like to keep an open mind. If nothing else, fan theories will always be something I enjoy writing and reading about.
→ Focus on a brand new character. Buffy is still there of course, but since her story has already been told, the book closed on her journey, let this new series open as a new chapter following a new Slayer(s)/group of characters.
→ Buffy Summers is now a mentor for new Slayers. This idea has been floating around fandom for some time and I actually really like the concept of it because it makes complete sense. This would be a natural progression of what we've seen of her in the series, particularly in the seventh season with her being both Sunnydale High School's councilor to looking after and training the Potential Slayers. She would end up fulfilling the role that Giles was for her, but less of a Watcher and more of a guide, a teacher, someone who can understand what these girls are going through.
→ Explore more of the world. The Buffyverse has quite a lot of lore and mythos that I really enjoyed, and it would be fascinating to see a further extension of it especially with what has changed or evolved since the series finale. The exploration of other hellmouths, possibly even seeing other demon dimensions, the other hellmouths that exist in the world, etc.
→ Do not fall into the trappings of reboots. By this, I'm meaning don't fall for the same issues that other reboots/revivals have done and sadly continue to do. Mainly don't try to use this as some nostalgic cash grab especially in terms of cheap fanservice and callbacks. The BTVS fandom has had a lot of wank over the years about various things (ex: shipping wars, my god, the shipping wars) so trying to appease certain fans over others isn't going to end well, same with attempting to please everyone because ultimately it'll please nobody. There are ways of bringing back a beloved franchise and do it well, and while yes, there will be no pleasing everyone at least make it so that this sequel series has a place that isn't just following a trend.
→ Be mindful of the current state of television. We're living in the age of streaming where American shows have shorter seasons (six to eight episodes), it's unfortunate and quite a massive downgrade for numerous reasons, but that is the reality. So, this sequel series needs to be mindful of utilizing this limited time wisely. Treat it as a miniseries, plan a complete story that has a beginning, middle, and an end. Don't waste time bringing back old characters just for the sake of it. In fact, I would actually prefer it if nobody else reprises their role at all, maybe mentions here and there, but it should be entirely focused on Buffy and the new character(s). Keep it tight, no meandering, and give us something meaty and juicy to sink our teeth into in terms of a brand new story in a familiar setting, that can be its own thing while also expanding and exploring the already established world from a different angle.
→ Plot idea: Okay, this is just me brainstorming and spitballing here in terms of what I would like this sequel series to be about. Considering that Sarah Michelle Gellar has previously stated that the world needs another heroine like Buffy now more than ever, I think having a plot center around the Watcher's Council would be interesting. The series establishes that the Watcher's Council were controlling of all the called Slayers over the generations and treated them not like human beings. Now that all those who are of the Slayer line have woken up, I can see a brand new Watcher's Council attempting to round up these Slayers, which jump starts the sequel series for Buffy and some new Slayers to create an uprising against this new organization of Watchers. It would be a mixture of both supernatural elements but also grounded in terms of men trying to control and silence women, and Buffy, already known for being an anomaly due to having died (twice) and denouncing the Watcher's Council, would help guide these new Slayers to take them down.
It would be a great way of sending a positive message that, while yes, the world is bleak with tons of men in power wanting to destroy us, by standing together and continuing to fight for what's right, that is the true power that will overcome these evils of the world. As Buffy stated in the series finale, "Chosen":
"In every generation, one Slayer is born, because a bunch of men who died thousands of years ago made up that rule. [...] So I say we change the rule. I say my power, should be our power. [...] From now on, every girl in the world who might be a Slayer will be a Slayer. Every girl who could have the power, will have the power. Can stand up, will stand up. Slayers. Every one of us. Make your choice. Are you ready to be strong?
So yeah, I just wanted to get that out of my system. Whatever this series will likely end up being, whenever it happens, I would like to keep an open mind. If nothing else, fan theories will always be something I enjoy writing and reading about.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-18 10:37 am (UTC)Also aldjdjd. You just talked about not bringing other characters as nostalgia grabs and I concur, BUT if the show ends up focusing on The Slayers (🤞), Faith would be the only exception I'd welcome.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-18 11:02 am (UTC)I know that Eliza has retired from acting and the entertainment industry as a whole (which good for her, let her heal and live her best life away from the bullshit she endured), but I do wonder if she would ever reconsider if only for this little project. Her and SMG being reunited would be amazing.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-18 11:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-02-19 01:42 am (UTC)I'm also of the mind that Eliza is Faith and nobody can replace her. But if she isn't wanting to return working in the industry again, for totally understandable reasons, then I think a throwaway line to honor the character would suffice.
Now this has me thinking that Faith is doing similar things like Buffy, off doing her own thing but also helping other Slayers, like perhaps there is a Slayer Hotline they created where some members of the Scoobies ended up taking little sections and going around the world to help those newly awakened Slayers realize their calling. Considering that Faith herself has been on the road to redemption (my favorite redemption arc, to be honest) I would see this as being pretty in line with what we've seen of her journey.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-18 03:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-02-18 11:40 pm (UTC)And I completely agree in regards to them handling feminism and other social issues, it would be interesting from that angle. It's why I'm glad Joss Whedon isn't involved, aside from obvious reasons his brand of feminism was very much stuck in the 90s. Which miraculously worked at the time for BTVS when it aired, but it never evolved beyond that, and he never bothered to grow and change with the times.
I hated learning what he said about Amber Benson. The way he viewed the actresses and other women working for him is just disgusting. Ugh.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-18 06:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-02-19 03:24 am (UTC)The character that I would want to see, as well as Buffy, would be Dawn. But in the same kind of peripheral way that their mother was in the show --giving Buffy family context.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-19 07:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-02-19 01:46 pm (UTC)I think, and this is partly because I come from a very geographically fractured family, that Buffy was very isolated in some ways in the original show, and so Joyce was so incredibly important as a load bearing minor character. I'd not want having been the Slayer to have cost Buffy all their family, which would be so easy for the writers to do, to only bring back Buffy, and leaving out all the friends and family.
But then it could be simple things like photographs, a scene starting with Buffy hanging up the phone, that kind of thing.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-24 06:03 pm (UTC)I like the idea of exploring the world. I'm torn on if I want the show back in Sunnydale (cursing the idiots who decided to build there again) or if we move onto a new place entirely.
Agreed on they can't try to please all of the fans. The fandom is divided on a lot of things so the show runner has to have a story they want to tell and run with that first and foremost. Short seasons help here because it'll be entirely all filmed before fans see it and start weighing in. I'd be okay if we got mention of other characters but in a short time frame we can't bring everyone back as the time spent on that takes away from the ability to build a new story. There are some characters I don't want to see again (Xander because of the actor) and then you have Eliza who is retired from acting who I'd love to see back but suspect we won't see.
OOooooh Watcher's Counsel as the bad guys could be a good way to tell a story. Buffy has played with the idea of the real bad guys being ordinary humans before and if it's done well it makes for a great story. It could play out that we think there's a monster big bad and the reveal is that it's the counsel who in their desire to be in charge again have fully become the bad guys in the story.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-27 02:17 pm (UTC)Yeah, it's a mistake make reboots/revivals have done far too often, and why, should this project happen, they need to refrain from making those same mistakes. People are often blinded by nostalgia, they'll enjoy the callbacks in the moment but later dislike it because they see the wasted potential of what the story could have been. This can be an opportunity for this to actually be a sequel series rather than a mere continuation of what we've already seen.
I like the idea of exploring the world. I'm torn on if I want the show back in Sunnydale (cursing the idiots who decided to build there again) or if we move onto a new place entirely.
I hadn't considered the possibility of Sunnydale being rebuilt. It's an interesting concept, I'll admit. But I'm definitely more intrigued on just being somewhere else.
I'd be okay if we got mention of other characters but in a short time frame we can't bring everyone back as the time spent on that takes away from the ability to build a new story.
Exactly.
In theory it would be great if there was enough time to bring back whichever actor is available to revisit the characters once more, but again, that is a mistake a lot of reboots do. Sometimes less is more, and not everything needs to be revisited in that way. A mere mention and reference can be more than enough, imho, especially with limited episodes. I think this is why reboots are very difficult to pull off, because you want to both be familiar but also new without giving into the trappings of nostalgia for easy profit, which takes time to consider and sadly the industry doesn't want that.
Also, with the unfortunate and tragic passing of Michelle, this further limits things in terms of other characters making an appearance. Since I was just thinking about how great it would be, if nothing else, just have a nice sisterly moment between Buffy and Dawn in the sequel series.
It could play out that we think there's a monster big bad and the reveal is that it's the counsel who in their desire to be in charge again have fully become the bad guys in the story.
Yes, exactly! I just love this idea so much that I'm afraid that I'm psyching myself up for something that might not actually happen. But I really like the idea, since it makes sense and is in line with the core message of the series and of Buffy's character in general.
I keep thinking back to the fifth season episode, "Checkpoint", where Buffy confronts the Watcher's Council directly. It was such a powerful and defining moment of her defiance towards authorities like the Council. Having another version of this on a different scale would be amazing.