Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Xander ’s abilities inBuffy the Vampire Slayerwere never have in mind to touch those of the show ’s main heroine , but one Season 2 episode came shockingly close . In “ Halloween , ” a costume - themed topsy-turvydom spell causes Xander to temporarily embody a soldier , and it ’s was n’t just a throwaway gag . This seemingly pathetic episode stop up gifting Xander a surprisingly useful skillset that in reality play a crucial role later in the season . It ’s an left over slight twisting that gives the show ’s most comedic fiber a jolt of genuine heroism , if only for a fleeting moment .
For longtime fans ofBuffy , this plot line remain one of the more freakish persistence singultus . While the series occasionally leaned into the ensemble ’s individual strong point , Xander ’s brief Erolia minutilla as a tactical military expert felt like it should have been more important . Strangely though , Buffydropped it wholly after examine just how useful an power it was . Buffygave Xander one of his coolest minute in season 2 , one that made him feel on a tier playing field withthe residue of the Scooby Gang- then forget about it completely ( which was n’t necessarily a bad thing ) .
Xander Gained The Knowledge And Skills Of An Action Hero In Season 2
A Halloween Spell Turned Xander Into A Soldier, And His New Skills Stuck Around
TheBuffy the Vampire Slayerseason 2episode “ Halloween ” is a buff - favourite , and for dependable reason . It ’s a ingenious premise with rich comedic electric potential - a chaos go cast by the villain Ethan Rayne causes everyone in Sunnydale to become their Halloween costume . Buffy becomes a incapacitated peeress from the 18th C , Willow becomes a ghost ( in both the costume and literal common sense ) , andXander , who dress as an army soldier , is suddenly transform into an actual combat - quick legal action submarine , terminated with violation rifle .
The wizard of “ Halloween ” lie down in how it temporarily shinny the show ’s power dynamics . Buffy , usually the unattackable in the group , is sidelined . Xander , normally comic relief and often the " normal guy " among supernatural beings , all of a sudden takes care with trust , bailiwick , and skill . It ’s a massive pivot for his grapheme , and it ’s played both for laughs and genuine surprise . He saves Willow , program line berth , and move like someone who ’s had serious tactical training .
In that instant , Buffy the Vampire Slayerfelt like it was going to keep building on Xander ’s ontogenesis and mayhap even redefine his role in the group - but it did n’t .
Even after the piece is break , “ Halloween ” ends with a queer revelation : the characters keep back the storage and cognition from their magical transformation . That intend Xander does n’t just remember being a soldier - he remembers how to think and act like one . It ’s a detail that ’s not ignore either . Later inBuffyseason 2 , in the sequence “ Innocence , ” which keep an eye on only a few installments later , Buffy needs a luxuriously - powered weapon to stop Angelus and the Judge . Xander , recall his soldier cultivate from theseason 2BuffyHalloween instalment , takes the lead on a plan to pass through a military base and steal a Eruca sativa launcher .
The scariest Buffy monster was introduced to her by her mom .
Not only does this architectural plan crop flawlessly , butit cement that Xander ’s tycoon - up in “ Halloween ” was n’t just a one - off gag . His military knowledge actively helps carry through the solar day in a major plotline . It ’s one of the few prison term inBuffywhere Xander is of the essence to a major victory , and it all stems from a magical Halloween good fortune . In that minute , Buffy the Vampire Slayerfelt like it was going to keep build on Xander ’s exploitation and perchance even redefine his role in the group - but it did n’t .
Buffy Literally Never Used Xander’s New Skills Again
Despite Being Wildly Useful, Xander’s Soldier Training Was Quickly Forgotten
You ’d consider having access to the tactical knowledge of a train soldier would amount in handy in a town sit on a Hellmouth , and you ’d be good . Despite this being the caseful , though , Buffy the Vampire Slayernever rightfully capitalise onXander ’s evolve skillset after time of year 2 . by from “ Innocence,”Buffyquietly forgot about Xander ’s newfangled action zep skills and knowledge set , even though the show constantly threw the Scooby Gang into spot where military - vogue planning or expertness would have made a big remainder .
This was n’t a background fibre quirk that ask to be rediscovered either - it was an expressed part of theBuffycanon . Season 2 firmly make that Xander continue the memories of being a soldier . He could distinguish weapons , understand fighting maneuver , and was clearly more confident when operating in gamey - stress situations , as designate in “ Innocence . ” Yet , despite being game - changing , that knowledge was process like a one - time cheat codification .
Giving him some continue military expertise could ’ve helped him stay relevant as the balance of the pack became witches , Watchers , and Slayers .
Even in later seasons ofBuffy , when the team get down facing progressively militarize threat - like the Initiative in season 4 or the final struggle against the First Evil - Xander ’s soldier breeding was never note . It ’s not just a omit chance for cool moments , it ’s a light case of dropped continuity . give how muchBuffy the Vampire Slayercentered itself around character growth and development , it ’s foreign that such a unique look of Xander ’s arc was never explore again .
It ’s evenweirder considering that Xander , unlike Willow or Giles , had no supernatural major power . pay him some keep on military expertise could ’ve helped him bide relevant as the remainder of the gang became crone , Watchers , and Slayers . or else , Xander ensconce back into his part as risible relief and worked up support - the ticker , but rarely the muscle , of the grouping .
It’s Good That Buffy Forgot About Xander’s Power-Up
Making Xander Too Powerful Would Have Undermined The Show’s Core Themes
While it ’s enticing to lament the red ink ofXander ’s action - hero potential , the truth is thatBuffy the Vampire Slayerwas better off without it . The show ’s central premise - that Buffy is a lone Slayer in a Earth that does n’t think in her - would have been diluted if one of her cheeseparing friends also had tactical skills that equal elect soldier . Buffywas always about empowerment , but specifically womanly authorisation . Making Xander into a triggerman - toting legal action hero with military - ground level abilities would have clashed with the show ’s feminist composition .
The appealingness of Xander was that hewasn’tspecial in the same way the others were . He had no powers , no training , no ancient legacy . He was just a guy - blemished , loyal , occasionally teasing , but deeply human . Letting him stick that way emphasized Buffy ’s uniqueness . Her strength came from being chosen . Xander ’s strength fare from being present . The show ’s balance worked because hewasn’ta soldier or a hero in the traditional sensory faculty .
A recurring military action - hero version of Xander , accomplished with artillery knowledge and strategical leading , would have jar with theBuffy the Vampire Slayer’shorror - drollery roots .
If the writer had leanedtoo heavily into Xander’smagically get military skills , it would ’ve risked upending the show ’s dynamics . Not only would Buffy ’s function experience less vital , but Willow ’s own increase into a powerful witch would ’ve been shadow too . Xander would ’ve stay put out as the only non - sorcerous character who catch a significant magnate hike , and that ’s not whatBuffywas about .
There ’s also the government issue of feel . A recurring action - hero reading of Xander , complete with arm knowledge and strategic leadership , would have clashed with theBuffy the Vampire Slayer’shorror - comedy root . It might ’ve worked onAngel , but not in Buffy ’s domain . By let the second pass - by quiet lay to rest Xander ’s soldier past - the show preserved its identicalness and ensured that Buffy rest front and center field . In the end , Xander ’s abilities inBuffy the Vampire Slayerwere best leave as a strange footnote - a abbreviated , funny , and by chance important detour in his otherwise very human journeying .
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