# Willow Rosenberg: charming cutie, irresponsible brat, or dyed-in-the-wool villain? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 5, 2011, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601 "2011-08-05T15:28:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/41 "2011-08-05T23:07:33Z")
All of the above… next question… Kaylee or Willow? Correct answer; _BOTH_, I’ll be in my bunk… ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/42 "2011-08-05T23:16:14Z")
Willow and her magic became too powerful, she was in the last few seasons far far more capable than Buffy. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/43 "2011-08-05T23:23:23Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > All of the above… > > next question… > > Kaylee or Willow? > > Correct answer; _BOTH_, I’ll be in my bunk… Inara. ---
**Author:** ![\_mostly\_Harmless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/9d8465/32.png) [@\_mostly\_Harmless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_mostly_Harmless)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/44 "2011-08-05T23:58:35Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I have checked the cameras in your bedroom and bath, the spyware I installed on your computer, and the nanobot surveillance devices in your spine and corpus callosum, and there is nothing to indicate that you are under any unusual compulsion or geas. If you like I will have the Ensorcelling Group check your dream logs, but they are busy with the Bachmann project so I won’t get answer till morning. > > What? I appreciate your checking that everything is in working order. I just have one other complai… LONG LIVE HE WHO RHYMES! MAY HIS RULE COME SOON AND BE EVERLASTING! > [@Hades](#): > > Inara. Super seconded. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/45 "2011-08-06T00:13:27Z")
Why can’t I vote for all of the above? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/46 "2011-08-06T00:56:25Z")
> [@Hades](#): > > > [@MacTech](#): > > > > All of the above… > > > > next question… > > > > Kaylee or Willow? > > > > Correct answer; _BOTH_, I’ll be in my bunk… > > Inara. Whatever answer you come up with, I think we can all agree that Joss Whedon spectacularly good taste. ---
**Author:** ![Wheeljack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@Wheeljack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheeljack)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/47 "2011-08-06T01:37:53Z")
I don’t know if “brat” is the word I would use, but she was certainly irresponsible. As stated above, she grew up so powerless that when she found a more or less unlimited source of it she didn’t know how to handle herself. Still, it was a single event that pushed her over the edge, and it’s impossible to say what anyone would do in that situation given the lack of k’s in our magics. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/48 "2011-08-06T08:16:21Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Capable of great evil (small e) when under duress. I wouldn’t call “having a fight with your girlfriend” _duress_, exactly. But for Willow it justifies memory-wiping. Big E-Evil, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/49 "2011-08-06T08:21:08Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > All of the above… > > next question… > > Kaylee or Willow? > > Correct answer; _BOTH_, I’ll be in my bunk… > [@Hades](#): > > Inara. Zoe. because why? Because “Have you ever _been_ with a warrior women?”, that’s why. OK, she also eats people, but that’s another story… ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/50 "2011-08-06T12:02:19Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Whatever answer you come up with, I think we can all agree that Joss Whedon spectacularly good taste. [Faith!](http://www.tvworthwatching.com/blog/2008/05/12/Faith-buffy.jpg) It’s all five-by-five, says I. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/51 "2011-08-06T14:15:16Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I wouldn’t call “having a fight with your girlfriend” _duress_, exactly. But for Willow it justifies memory-wiping. Big E-Evil, IMO. I really didn’t think about it before but you make a valid point. I can’t help but look at Tara and Willow’s relationship as an abusive and unhealthy one. Tara endured years of abuse growing up before she finally got fed up with her family and left. She hooks up with an abusive addict who not only lies to her, but reaches into her mind without permission to alter things. No way in hell does a healthy person stay in that kind of destructive relationship. My God, Willow is evil! ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/52 "2011-08-06T16:13:04Z")
I’ve only seen the first episode (and the musical episode), and I still thought she seemed a bit bratty. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/53 "2011-08-06T17:34:06Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > [Faith!](http://www.tvworthwatching.com/blog/2008/05/12/Faith-buffy.jpg) It’s all five-by-five, says I. You’re all wrong, the answer is Vi. Mainly because she’s played by Felicia Day.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/54 "2011-08-06T17:51:58Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I really didn’t think about it before but you make a valid point. I can’t help but look at Tara and Willow’s relationship as an abusive and unhealthy one. Yes. Everytime Willow calls Tara “baby” I think I’m watching an Afterschool Special on abusive boyfriends/girlfriends. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/55 "2011-08-06T18:12:32Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Amber Benson is only okay looking… [Really](http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2009/06/28/alg_amber-denson_headshot.jpg)? Only ok? Oh, I voted for “irresponsible.” With jives with the show, especially in some of her conversations with Giles. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/56 "2011-08-06T18:21:03Z")
Giles considers her a bit lower than “irresponsible”: \*GILES: You’re a very stupid girl. WILLOW: What? Giles… GILES: Do you have any idea what you’ve done? The forces you’ve harnessed, the lines you’ve crossed? WILLOW: I thought you’d be … impressed, or, or something. GILES: Oh, don’t worry, you’ve … made a very deep impression. Of everyone here … you were the one I trusted most to respect the forces of nature. WILLOW: Are you saying you don’t trust me? GILES: Think what you’ve done to Buffy! WILLOW: I brought her back! GILES: At incredible risk! WILLOW: Risk? Of what? Making her deader? GILES: Of killing us all. Unleashing hell on Earth, I mean, shall I go on? WILLOW: No! Giles, I did what I had to do. I did what nobody else could do. GILES: Oh, there are others in this world who can do what you did. You just don’t want to meet them. WILLOW: No, probably not, but … well, they’re the bad guys. I’m not a bad guy. I brought Buffy back into this world, a-and maybe the word you should be looking for is “congratulations.” GILES: Having Buffy back in the world makes me feel … indescribably wonderful, but I wouldn’t congratulate you if you jumped off a cliff and happened to survive. WILLOW: That’s not what I did, Giles. GILES: (angry) You were lucky. WILLOW: I wasn’t lucky. I was amazing. And how would you know? You weren’t even there. GILES: If I had been, I’d have bloody well stopped you. The magicks you channeled are more ferocious and primal than anything you can hope to understand, (even more angry) and you are lucky to be alive, you rank, arrogant amateur\*! ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/57 "2011-08-06T20:18:58Z")
> [@Lasciel](#): > > For the Tara-lovers out there, AB has gone on to become a fairly decent paranormal romance writer, and there is a youtube video floating around of her and Patrick Rothfuss at a convention somewhere doing a readers-theatre type reading of one of her sex scenes. > > Possibly one of the most hysterical things I have seen recently. > > Once I am no longer at work, I will go dig up the link to post, but it can’t be that hard to find if anyone can’t wait that long. 😃 Here it is. NSFW verbal sexual content. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3Q7FziQb44](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3Q7FziQb44) ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/58 "2011-08-06T22:14:31Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Giles considers her a bit lower than “irresponsible” That all sounds like “very irresponsible” to me. Certainly not evil. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/59 "2011-08-06T22:51:59Z")
I thought maybe she was Julius and Ethel’s granddaughter and pitching a new hissy fit over the executions. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601/60 "2011-08-06T23:41:42Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > Yes. Everytime Willow calls Tara “baby” I think I’m watching an Afterschool Special on abusive boyfriends/girlfriends. This. If I’d been thinking of Tara when I voted, I’d definitely have put her in the evil camp. And the scary thing about the situation is that she doesn’t _think_ it was evil. I don’t think Willow ever really acknowledged why what she’d done to Tara was so horrible. That’s both before and after Tara’s death. Willow was like a guy who genuinely believes he’s helping his girlfriend learn how to behave with the back of his hand. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willow-rosenberg-charming-cutie-irresponsible-brat-or-dyed-in-the-wool-villain/591601.md?page=4)