Big Bads

This week, we discussed Big Bads in the Buffyverse. Obviously, Big Bads are the recurring enemies Buffy and the Scoobies face throughout the series (be it recurring in only a few episodes or throughout the series/season).

An outstanding fan favorite was Angelus. 
Angelus is interesting to me. He is one of the most twisted Big Bads that we see on the show. Angelus is known for tormenting his victims. He drove Dru crazy before he changed her. He killed Willow's fish (moment of silence for the fish). Angelus is insane. It's little wonder why the gypsy tribe cursed him. But the years of having a soul definitely did not soften Angelus' rough edges. Angelus is, in my opinion, one of the most complex Big Bads.

Another popular Big Bad was Dark Willow.
 Now this one is on my personal list. Dark Willow is another deeply complex Big Bad. Let's face it: the chain of events that led to Dark Willow would have been enough to break anyone. Willow lost a secondary mother figure (Joyce), her best friend (even if it WAS briefly), lived with a huge amount of guilt after realizing she had pulled Buffy out of Heaven and not Hell, and then? To top it all off, she loses the love of her life. Tara's death was the catalyst, yes. But I do not believe that the other events didn't add to it. Through Dark Willow, we got to see a more intense side of Willow. I am by no means excusing Willow for the deaths and near-apocalypse she caused. Instead, I am saying that I can understand how it feels to feel ABSOLUTELY broken. I honestly believe that Willow felt like she had nothing left to lose after Tara's death. Which is why it took Xander to pull her back from that edge. I don't think anyone else could have succeeded. Dark Willow is an example that we are all human. We all make mistakes. We all have a breaking point. It's how we come  back from rock bottom that makes us who we are.


The third Big Bad I want to discuss is The First.
The First is interesting in so many ways, even if it is not as complex as some of the others. Being incorporeal, the First cannot actually harm anyone. But it can drive others to harm themselves or others. Taking the form of anyone who has died is an interesting mechanism too. This, in and of itself, can be used to torture victims. But also, it can use the Ubervamps as its henchmen. The Ubervamps are nasty, and the First puts them to good use. And then, there are the Bringers. There are lots of interesting things I could say about them, but let's leave it at this: they creep me out. Badly. Right up there with the Gentlemen. It is interesting to see how the first evil still manipulates events, even in Amends. The First is an altogether interesting Big Bad.

And finally, let's talk about Glory.
How could I leave off the Hellgoddess trapped in a human body?  Glorificus wanted to get back to her own dimension, even if it meant destroying our world. No, I am not defending her by any means. Glory was a Goddess of Hell, and she was evil to the core. Nothing proves this more (in my opinion) than what she did to Tara. She even manages to corrupt Ben. After abducting Dawn, it is clear that Ben has decided to side with Glory in order to be free. Glory taints him. And in doing so, she actually brings about her own destruction. Because it is through Ben that they are able to destroy her. (Although, I still have my doubt about whether or not she actually WAS destroyed...but that's just me. :P ) Glory, like the First, even has her own set of minions. Again, it is interesting to watch the interaction between minion and Master (Mistress in this case).

Thanks for all the input from fans!! I look forward to next week's discussion! ~Buffy