We are supposed to think Xander is giving out some sage wisdom and Riley is The One Who Got Away when it really just comes off like he's a dickhead.
That's exactly what my interpretation of it was.
I do think that the notion that Xander is "always right" is undermined in Selfless when Buffy finally mentions his lie in Becoming (not yet realizing it's a lie); I can see how watching that in real time would be frustrating but it worked for me because it took Xander a long time to at least be able to face the fact that he hurt Buffy, whatever his intentions were; that good intentions aren't enough by themselves. (And I'm surprised by how much of "mainstream" fandom will swear up and down that jealousy had NOTHING to do with it whatsoever. Riiiight.) I think this keys into a lot of the show's themes but particularly the late seasons; everyone had their reasons and "meant well" in S6, but right intention without action or vice-versa isn't enough.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2013-05-07 12:07 am (UTC)That's exactly what my interpretation of it was.
I do think that the notion that Xander is "always right" is undermined in Selfless when Buffy finally mentions his lie in Becoming (not yet realizing it's a lie); I can see how watching that in real time would be frustrating but it worked for me because it took Xander a long time to at least be able to face the fact that he hurt Buffy, whatever his intentions were; that good intentions aren't enough by themselves. (And I'm surprised by how much of "mainstream" fandom will swear up and down that jealousy had NOTHING to do with it whatsoever. Riiiight.) I think this keys into a lot of the show's themes but particularly the late seasons; everyone had their reasons and "meant well" in S6, but right intention without action or vice-versa isn't enough.