In order for Buffy to move on from Angel and to give he abit of 'life experience' before falling for nice but dim Riley, the writers cleverley created Parker. Parker stood for everything a college experience should be in the form of a one night stand leaving Buffy vulnerable and used. Surely the Slayer should have enough cynicism and be streetwise to see that if you sleep with a guy on the first date, it is never going to go well. By anyones standards, Buffy's experience with Parker was tenfold better than her last encounter considering that Parker didn't try to a) kill her, b) kill her friends and c) end the world. This little experience with Parker did however give Buffy a taste of what it is like to be a normal girl - something she cries on about at any given opportunity. In addition to this, it was nice of course to see Buffy sleep with a human, however much Parker may act like a pig.
Initially blogged November 2007:I was thinking about the relationships Buffy has had over the years so it got me typing while I am waiting for some files to upload.Buffy and Xander - Obviously a one sided relationship as far as Xander is concerned. Buffy knows of his feelings for her seasons 1 - 3 and the good side of her does nothing to encourage him. Season 2 Episode When she was Bad sees a new light shone on this when Buffy attempts to seduce him or at least tease Xander to the point of being a bitch - hence Cordelias rant. Does Buffy enjoy the attentions Xander gives her? If he made enough advances would Buffy succumb or would she simply remain friends? I read in a Joss article that Xander was meant to be Buffys love interest but the public reaction to Angel made them re-think the story arc.Buffy and Angel - Where do I start! From the beginning Buffy was intrigued by Angels detachment from the world, the dark side he brought out of her and not forgetting the appeal of a bad boy. Where did it go wrong? They started a relationship. In every major show the worst things the writers do are bring two loved characters together. Ross and Rachel, Mulder and Scully, Cat and Alfie! By plunging Buffy and Angel into a relationship they consequently ended Angels time on Buffy. A waste of a good actor? Not when you can move him onto his own show and double your rating and takings! From a less cynical point of view. Ahh, weren't they sweet - until Angels pesky soul was taken away meaning the couple were doomed to a life of a non physical relationship. Where do you go from there? A lot of brooding from our hunk and crying from our heroin. It's situations like this that remind you the show is built up of relationships and not only action scenes. It is clear that Buffy and Angels relationship dominated seasons two and three and kept the viewers on the edge of their seats in terms of will they / won't they. The last scenes of season 3 where Angel fades away for a new life in LA leaves viewers wondering if they will ever get back together and reminds us of how good Buffy and Angel were together when they weren't fighting / making love. But Alas! to give the viewers our one moment of happiness, Buffy visits LA where a series of events spiral out of control making Angel human and giving Buffy and Angel the one happy day where indeed time stood still long enough for them to remember how good they were together. Buffy of course then has to face up to the day being taken back and Angel has the realization that only he will remember that day. Angel likes messing with his closest pals memory hey season 5 arc! Is this the end for our two troubled souls? Not quite, Angel is always there for our heroin particuarly when her mum dies - even though just days ago he was in the clutches of Darla who Buffy thought died somewhere in season 1. So if Buffy and Angel always come together in times of need it is to be expected when Angel shows up in season 7 with a rather pretty present for his sweet ex girlfriend. Again he has forgotten while playing tonsil tennis with Buffy that over in LA lies a rather ill looking Cordelia who Angel couldn't be without less than a month ago. Q a jealous look from Spike, which is another story!Parker, Riley and Spike to follow....
