Well, the show was still totally fresh back then, so it never seemed more than what it was. Fanfic. After awhile though it seems folks forget and form their opinions based on fanfic (fanon) rather than what actually happened. These days, I just have no time for that. I reckon it's 'cause I used to be more of a shipper and have become less and less over the years.

Used to be that Xander or Riley bashing never bugged me. Now? Just no. I have major issues with both but turning them into outright monsters is weak.