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.
