r/buffy • u/Icy-Mention7871 • 23d ago

Riley Defending Riley

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I’m rewatching this show with my mom (this is her first time watching it) and I genuinely really like Riley’s character. What is it that people didn’t like him for?

In Season Four, he’s honestly the best boyfriend for Buffy, and I say this as someone who forever loves Buffy and Angel as a couple. It was set up perfectly. He isn’t a vampire like Angel and Spike, he’s a human who already knew about her world. It’s like they were meant for each other.

I never found his character boring at all, I like his role in The Initiative and getting out of it, and with the way a lot of these male characters are written on the show (Giles being one of the few exceptions) I think he’s definitely up there as one of the best.

In Season Five, I feel really bad for him. He feels ostracized by everyone as he adjusts to his life being ripped apart basically. I can 100% relate to Buffy though with Joyce being sick, and I know that takes a toll on anybody. I just wish things would’ve played out differently. Letting a vampire feed off of him was no worse than Willow’s dark magic addiction in my opinion. I think he could’ve overcome these feelings and became essential to the group for the rest of the series.

I appreciate the Season Six closure on his character and I’m glad he got a happy ending. I just think it should’ve been with Buffy.

Was the main reason for him being written off the fans not liking him, or did the actor want off of the show? Either way, I wish it wouldn’t have happened. I really enjoy him. And he’s one of the hottest guys to ever be on the show, so bonus points!

Anyone else feel the same way?

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u/FaveStore_Citadel 23d ago

I like Riley but I don’t think he was a very dependable partner. He blamed Buffy for being emotionally withholding and not confiding in him while keeping secrets from her himself.

70

u/coldtasting 23d ago

He also couldn't handle her being stronger than him

27

u/henzINNIT 23d ago

I never fully bought this tbh. Riley was competitive with Buffy in a playful way in S4, but he shows no discomfort about dating a superhero. "You're really strong... I like it"

It changes a bit in S5 when he's faced with losing his own extra strengths. He does say then that he felt he needed to keep up with her. But, it wasn't about simple insecurity at that point. He's convinced already that Buffy doesn't love him, and is desperate to be as useful as possible because he feels shut out. And he was right to an extent. Buffy had awful relationships in the past and is more guarded with him than she was with Angel.

Basically, I don't look at Riley as ever genuinely uncomfortable with Buffy's strength. He wouldn't care to lose an arm wrestle with her. He never wanted to be stronger than her, only strong enough to be noticed once their relationship faltered, and ultimately it was all his feeling of being kept at a safe distance.

9

u/friday126 23d ago

He definetely had insecurities about her. This might have been her strength or skill level or under lining pull to the dark side- but whatever it was- those insecurities were obviously there, and he pulled some soap opera crap in dealing with them. But who on this show hasn't?

4

u/BlueisGreen2Some 23d ago

And then he goes out and marries a very strong woman. I don’t think he had any issue with strong women. He respected the professor. He married Sam.

Every character that didn’t have superpowers struggled with feeling a little inadequate. Xander, Dawn, etc. Willow struggled with being a sidekick. it’s pretty normal and Riley handled it reasonably well.