Willow and Xander:- a guide to characterisation
by Sairs
In order to create your piece of fan fiction there are certain considerations that need to be taken account of before you start. The most important one is deciding when your story is taking place. Both Willow and Xander have developed in the five years Buffy has been broadcasting, these changes need to be reflected in your story. It is not particularly wise setting your story in the current season and writing Willow as meek and self-conscious character that she was in the first season.
This essay is to help you create the right type of characterisation for your story, use it to help you create the characters we love to watch on the television and transform them into the world of fan fiction.
This first essay is going to deal with Willow’s character metamorphosis. Five years of has changed her character from a quiet, self conscious young girl into a self assured powerful witch.
Season One Willow had two best friends, Jesse and Xander. She’d secretly had a crush on Xander for a long time, she adored being his friend, but she was desperate for him to recognise her as a woman. She longed to be kissed and held by him. These longings are reflected in her character, the need constantly for Xander to recognise her and make steps to appreciate her as more than a friend.
Willow at this point in time was also the key person to find and locate information on the Internet. She even had a relationship with a demon on the net in the episode ‘I robot… you Jane’.
Willow also demonstrated her bravery, by helping Buffy, Xander and Giles to vanquish numerous vampires and demons in the first season.
Second Season Willow is a little more self assured, more confident in her own abilities and enjoying a real female friendship with Buffy, whom she regularly asks for advice in her problem of getting Xander to notice her.
The first episode of the second season, ‘When she was bad’ has the famous ice-cream scene, where Willow and Xander nearly kiss on the edge of the park, before being interrupted by a vampire. Vampires have perfect timing, don’t they?
This season also allowed Willow to reveal her true feelings in the episode ‘Bewitched, bothered and bewildered’ however, this was also the beginning of the changes in her friendship with Xander. Willow couldn’t face Xander for a while, after enduring the embarrassment of confessing her secret to Xander, and he openly rejected her, running from her advances.
Season two was also a turning point because Willow finally found herself a boyfriend in the shape of boy turned werewolf, Daniel ‘Oz’ Osbourne. He gave her courage and self worth. Suddenly she was the centre of someone’s universe, it might not be Xander’s universe but being Oz’s girlfriend was better than being alone, and someone finally loved her for who she was. Her relationship with Oz helped Willow to evolve from being timid to someone who was worthy of being loved and she could finally begin to move away from her crush on Xander.
Season Three Willow marked a huge change in her character. The ‘Homecoming’ episode is the episode Willow and Xander ‘shipper’s had been waiting for, Willow and Xander finally kissed. The kiss occurred after Willow had been trying on dresses for the dance, uncertain that she would find the perfect outfit she asked her friend to help her decide. The black dress she chose in the end, led to even more uncertainty, especially because she didn’t know whether or not she could dance in it. However, Xander showed that she could and during there dance to Lisa Loeb’s ‘How’ track they finally kiss. Although not as straight forward as hoped, Willow is wracked with guilt, guilt for the betraying Oz and also for giving into the feelings that she’d kept hidden for years.
Willow’s power as a Wicca also develops in the third season; she can levitate pencils and uses one to defend herself.
Season Three also introduced the character of Vamp Willow; this character is completely opposite to the Willow we were accustomed to. She was self assured, confident and really down right evil. She was extremely competent in the art of torture as she demonstrated on her ‘puppy’ or Angel as he’s more widely known as.
Vamp Willow also gave us a clue to the extreme character change that occurs in season four, with the episode ‘Dopelgangland’ where Willow says ‘and I think I’m kind of gay.’
Season Four saw another dramatic and evolutionary change for Willow. Oz’s departure crushed Willow, his betrayal breaking her heart and leaving her bent on revenge. ‘Something Blue’ saw Willow meet vengeance demon D’Hoffryn after invoking a little revenge spell, which caused some hilarious effects on her friends, notably Spike and Buffy’s undying love for one another.
Willow also questioned her sexuality in season four. Hurt by Oz’s betrayal, she embarks on a new friendship with Tara. Tara somewhat reminds me of season one and two Willow, shy, quiet and lacking in self confidence. Willow and Tara share an interest in magic and through that interest they begin a relationship, deeper than just friendship. This relationship helps to redefine Willow’s character again, offering a yet unseen side to her, a side that shows how confused she is and yet how desperate she is for security and Tara at the moment is the person who offers that security.
Willow’s power increases and reaches new heights in Season Five, she can call on powers that make her a force to be reckoned with, managing to slow down Glory and even protecting her friends from an attack by the Knights of Byzantium.
Willow’s relationship with Tara is as strong as ever, although it is tested when Tara is brain sucked by Glory. Willow demonstrates her love and support for Tara, protecting and caring for her and determined to restore her to her former Glory.
Willow also rebuilds her friendship with Xander, sharing many moments on screen that have not been captured since Season two and three. Willow recognises that she still needs the support and friendship of Xander and she still wants to offer him the same support system.
Season Six will be very interesting for Willow; her character in five years has undertaken a metamorphosis from a quiet intelligent and self deprecating character, to one of strength and loyalty, who is determined to care for her friends whatever may come.
