Canon-related questions for Buffyologists

[red_satin_doll]

There's a couple of items about Buffy Summers that I've seen in several fanfics and wondered if they were "canon" or "fanon" information. I don't trust my memory, especially when I've probably spent more hours at this point reading fanfiction than actually watching the show. (What that says about me I shudder to imagine.)



By "canon", I am of course referring to BtVS, seasons 1-7 only, not the comics (aka Get behind me, Satan!)

1) Is Buffy's given name "Buffy" or "Elizabeth"?  I've read "Elizabeth Anne Summers" used in several fanfics and it feels like it might have been mentioned somewhere in S1-3 on the show, if at all?

Actually, I just wanted an excuse to post this screencap. But while you're here:

2) Does Buffy refer to herself in third person at any other point on the show except for Life Serial: "stupid Buffy" "freak Buffy"?  A lot of stories have her refer to herself in this way, usually when she's berating herself, although generally not while drunk. (For someone who can't hold her liquor she seems to drink quite a lot of it in LS. Slayer metabolism, apparently.) 

Also, she generally does so whilst kicking herself mentally over something regarding Spike, so do early season/Bangel 'ship writers have her referring to herself in this manner as well?

No, no further questions; I just love SMG in this episode so damn much I can hardly stand it. I mean - come on, Giles, how can you resist that face? Buttons and puppies are weeping in envy.  Now do your duty to your Slayer and hand her the check without making her feel like it's an act of charity on your part. 


I love Giles, I do. But damn it, he can be an ass sometimes.

Comments

[zanthinegirl.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure it's just "Buffy". I think fan fic authors just think it's too ridiculous as a given name so it must be a nickname. And then someone sees it in a fic, and thinks "Oh, that makes sense"; obviously it must really be Elizabeth...

FWIW the only Buffy I know in real life is really, truly "Buffy" on her birth certificate. Though people always ask!

And Our Girl really is adorable in Life Serial. That Blech face!

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

I think fan fic authors just think it's too ridiculous as a given name so it must be a nickname.

Given that it's a running joke starting with WTTH, I'd say "ridiculous" is exactly the point.

the only Buffy I know in real life is really, truly "Buffy" on her birth certificate. Though people always ask!

Hopefully not in the same tone the Guardian uses in End of Days. Was she born before or after BtVS? (I couldn't resist asking.)

That Blech face!

So much yes to this. Pretty much everything she does in that episode makes me smile thinking about it; and I wasn't sure if I liked the blech face at first but now it's something that never gets old for me. It's not often that someone on the show can out-funny Emma Caulfied, but Sarah nails it in this episode.