Buffy's bendy

Gentle readers,

Since the New York Times found it fit to print, I guess I shall blog on it. Buffy the Vampire Slayer slept with a female in the Season 8 comic brought to us by Joss Whedon, father of all things Buffy. Now, the world has gone cracker-dog nuts saying all manner of things from Joss is the anti-Christ and that this is just sensationalism and on and on.

I agree, it's a great way to sell comics. But it's also more than that. Last month's issue had Buffy suggest she was gay subtly. She had a very touching scene with her love interest, Satsu, explaining how bad it was that Satsu was in love with her because people who love Buffy have bad things happen to them, etc. The last line was about healing.

And you know what? No one said a word. Everyone assumed Buffy would just sulk off after patting her crush unrequitedly on the cheek and continue being lonely. Actually, Satsu mentioned that Buffy wasn't gay and the Buffster responded with a non-answer "Not so you'd notice." No one said a word. Buffy can be as open-minded about the gay thing as she wants to when she's talking about it. So long as it's all in theory, no one gets offended, no mud gets slung. Everyone just smiles wistfully and says "Poor Buffy."

Fast forward an issue. In this one, Buffy not only talks about the gay thing, she gets naked, sweaty and all overtly lesbian. And everyone has a take on it and everyone has something to say. And would you believe not all of it is flattering?

Some say Joss has gone too far. Too far, how, again? This is Joss-fricken-Whedon, folks! Nothing is impossible and nowhere is too far. Now, do I think Buffy and Satsu are going to live happily ever after and live in a studio apartment in the city where they will have cats and raise their children (which would be stunning, if only imaginary)? No way. For the genius he is, I don't trust him as far as I could throw him. And I could certainly throw a comic book further than a television, but I'm drifting from my point.

There's those that say this came out of the clear blue sky and Buffy's straight as an arrow. I disagree. Remember Faith? If you watch season 3's interactions with Faith, there's girl-crush undertones and you needn't look too hard or read too much in to it. There are some who'd say I could read lesbian undertones into The Sound of Music. So there's your grain if you care to salt my blog.

Do I think Buffy's gay? Not entirely. Do I think she's straight? No way, Jose. I'd say she's bendy. Tell me you've never gotten a blip on your gaydar over Buffy? Everyone got really excited when Buffy entered a purely physical relationship with Spike...might she not enter in to the same arrangement with Satsu? Why the heck not? She's lonely, she's said that and in the truest sense of the word, she is alone. And along comes a young woman who loves her, respects her, flatters her and makes her feel good about herself and about life. One thing leads to another and Melissa Etheridge songs are playing and Buffy is coming to Satsu's window. I don't think it's hell and gone from reality.

As a fan, I couldn't be more excited to see where the storyline is headed. I'm not even going to hazard a guess. I'm just going to buckle my chin strap and enjoy the ride. Naked, sweaty Buffy plus naked, sweaty newbie Slayer equals all kinds of fun and funny. Yay, me!

Random Musing Item: Why do sheets in comics, TV and movies cover women up to the armpits and men only to the waist?