In Defense of Xander
Okay, I”ve had this rant boiling under the surface for a while. Recently EW.com and the Long Island Examiner both ran list that were “Top (whatever number) Sidekicks”. Now the EW list was not new, it ran last year I think, and I made a rant about it, but in their defense they ran it again to honor the number one on the list, Ed McMahon.
But I have a problem with both of these lists. As Buffy’s sidekick they both list Willow. But where in the heck in Xander? If in the EW list Harry Potter can have both Ron and Hermione why can’t Buffy have Xander?
It can’t be because he’s a guy. Again, Harry has both his best mate, Ron but he also has gal pal Hermione. Can it be because he’s just an ordinary guy? Sorry that just doesn’t wash. That’s why we all love Xander, BECAUSE he is ordinary. Xander is us. Xander saves the world by just being himself, with his love for his best bud, Willow.
Is it because the people writing these lists are guys who have crushes on Alyson Hannigan? I’d buy that in the case of the Long Island list, but the EW list had multiple authors many of whom were women. Could it be because he’s seen as a romantic interest for Buffy? I don’t buy that either. As much as I ship Buffy/Xander there is little canon evidence for it. She turns him down in the first season. And even though we get great B/X family vibes at the beginning of season seven, those are quickly forgotten the moment Spike returns to the screen.
So why is Xander forgotten. I really can’t fathom why. He would be on my list that’s for sure. All I know is that if future lists leave him out, I’ll be leaving comments complaining as I already have done for the Long Island and EW lists.
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