Nerd, Witch, Lesbian, Evil Incarnate

Nerd, Witch, Lesbian, Evil Incarnate - Willow Rosenberg certainly developed enough material for three characters. She is off centre, quirky and sweet - the go-to girl for all kinds of knowledge and the
shoulder to lean on. Willow is all these things, but her most important role on Buffy is playing ‘Old Reliable’ (not to be mistaken for Old Yeller..) But whilst she sees this as being a fault, we see it as being an integral part of her character. She is the stability in world gone mad, the rock that never strays. Without Willow, Buffy loses her main anchor of support and strength.

Willow starts off in Season 1 as a bundle of nerves and lost self-esteem but may have unknowingly developed into the ultimate Joss character - the epitome of teenage life is depicted through Willow and not Xander as most people suppose. She morphs from a struggling teen to confident woman, marking her journey through huge pitfalls and self discovery. She is nothing if not resilient.

Willow understands her role as a support to the Slayer, but she often questions how important she is to Buffy. Buffy in turn, seems to take advantage of Willow’s presence. This issue comes up repeatedly
throughout the series and it may be the reason for her frequent ‘life changes’. Always playing second fiddle to Buffy, Willow morphs into witch. This grants her more power in the group but this newfound
ability is always viewed with precaution from the Scoobies (and with good reason!). Her relationship with Oz over, Willow plunges into the depths of despair and unable to turn to Buffy, finds a soulmate in Tara.

The underlying pattern with Willow is her constant need to be liked, wanted and chosen. As she grows, this need diminishes but never disappears. The culmination of this ends up in Willow wiping Tara’s
memory to ensure she forgets the fight they had about her use of magic. Unable to control her magical powers or Tara’s love for her, Willow begins to unravel. I believe that the seeds of unrest were
planted in her long before Tara’s murder. The most telling moment for Willow’s character is during her face - off with Buffy. She asks, ‘What does it feel like to finally fight someone with real power?’, Willow’s old resentments come bubbling up to the surface.

But, like all of Joss’ characters, Willow is saved by love. Corny, but ultimately a reinforcing of the central BTVS themes. Without Willow, the story line would have surely lacked. There would be no rich back story between Willow and Xander, Cordelia would have had one less person to pick on, and Buffy would have lost her one and only Goddess.

Jessica describes herself as Writer, Editor, Bookstore Owner, Lover of lit.pop - read her blog at Tattling On