Buffy and Angel - The Two {Buffy&Xander} #9: He kept her human and she made him brave. - Page 5

**Crystal Clear** · 08-07-2013, 05:04 PM

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Originally Posted by Ace Of Hearts (View Post)

He didn't like to see her hurting and he wanted her to be with a 'good' man, that would be able to treat her well and make her happy. That's also why he jumped on Team Riley.

Also, Angel and Spike also had some animosity towards Xander. It was a guy thing.

ITA with your analogy

Xander admired that Riley represented the innocent side of life, the "regular Joe" figure. Riley had similar views to Xander on the dangers that surrounded vampires. Their understanding with each other was inevitable. And I think Riley really needed Xander's support, because he was actually a deeply insecure person - particularly as Buffy's boyfriend.

And I agree that there was an ongoing cycle of jealousy amongst the characters. It went both ways. Angel admitted to being jealous of Xander in 2x02 and it was mostly to do with his recognition that Xander is human and therefore he would be able to offer Buffy a potentially normal life.

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Xander is human & goes up against all the same evil things that they do, he should get more credit for it considering he's putting himself more at risk, but no, most people just think of him as that pesky human that hangs around

Well said, Soph. That's why I loved Xander. He was the observer. He wasn't afraid to be more upfront and vocal in his opinions towards the group. His friends had magical powers, and his power was to see and tell things for how they really are.

**starryeyesxx** · 08-07-2013, 05:31 PM

I agree, I don't think it's all down to the ships, but a lot of the hate that I do see from him is to do with his issues with bangel or spuffy

& I get that, there are other shows that I watch mainly for a ship, so when a character I'm indifferent too says something bad about them, I hate them

That's why I love Xander too! I think most people look down on him & don't get that he's the show's every man, he's the one that most of us would be if we lived in that world. Not always the bravest, not always the smartest or most useful & he rarely gets the heroic moments. He's the most human one of the gang.

**Crystal Clear** · 08-07-2013, 06:00 PM

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Originally Posted by starryeyesxx (View Post)

he's the one that most of us would be if we lived in that world. Not always the bravest, not always the smartest or most useful & he rarely gets the heroic moments. He's the most human one of the gang.

And I think that is what makes the scene where he loses his sight in one of his eyes so effective. It's very emotional and distressing to watch that happen to him, because a huge part of Xander's human strength was his ability to "see" things, both literally and figuratively, in the group. And it happened because he was trying to help and fight against a supernatural being who was (quite disturbingly) masquerading as a priest.
So, Xander lost the battle against him, but won the war in the finale.

**starryeyesxx** · 08-07-2013, 06:02 PM

That is such a terrible scene

So disturbing to watch & the aftermath is heartbreaking too.

**Crystal Clear** · 08-07-2013, 06:21 PM

Definitely one of the most disturbing things to ever happen on BTVS

It was such a 'human' moment of violence and that made it so much worse

To know that Xander lost his sight (I assume permanently?) in one eye, it made me extremely emotional. I honestly cried when I first watched it.

Oh, and I got really emotional in the scene afterwards, where Buffy visits him in hospital and you can see the misery and helplessness in their expressions.

**starryeyesxx** · 08-07-2013, 06:57 PM

Yeah, he lost the eye itself, not just his sight in it. The scene where Buffy visits him is just so awkward....you know that she can barely acknowledge it because she feels responsible