26 Years Ago, 'Buffy's Worst Character Got the Replacement He Desperately Needed
Xander is forced to undergo an existential crisis at a crucial point in his life.
Xander is forced to undergo an existential crisis at a crucial point in his life.
The short version
- There is no dearth of complex, conflicted characters in Buffy the Vampire Slayer .
- Even our beloved Slayer, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), undergoes drastic changes while navigating adolescence and the added responsibilities of saving the world.
- That said, few characters come across as polarizing as Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon), a core member of Buffy’s gang who is also an integral part of the show.
What happened
Xander’s status as the quintessential “comic relief” has often been tainted with a sense of “nice guy” entitlement and instances of flippant misogyny. Compared to Willow (Alyson Hannigan) or Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter), who are brilliant examples of dynamic character growth, Xander’s arc feels relatively stagnant.
Why it matters
There’s an inconsistency in his emotional maturity, while the writing has often allowed him to shirk accountability in a meaningful way.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Polygon via the links above and below.