A few weeks ago, I commented on an extremely clever video comparing Buffy and Twilight, pitting Buffy against the extremely stalker-y heartthrob vampire Edward in one of the best examples of remix videos I've ever seen. I didn't comment too much though, partly because I'm trying to avoid the more academic thought while I'm taking a break from school, and partly because I knew that if I got started, I would find it hard to stop.
Fortunately, the creator of the video, which now has been viewed well over a million times, has provided an explanation of his own. In a guest post for wimnonline.org (Women In Media and News), Jonathan McIntosh outlined why he thought it was necessary and expanded on some of the criticisms.
Though he is schooled in political theory, its not at all tied down in jargon, and I recommend you all have a look at it. Particularly of interest to me is this part.
In sharp contrast to Bella’s story, Buffy’s narrative is one in which gender equity is sexy – and powerful, complex and independent women are the norm. So successful is this normalization of female strength on the show that in the few alternative reality episodes that find Buffy magically weakened, we see her lack of power as utterly absurd. Imagine Buffy being helpless, ridiculous! The very thought is played for laughs. Throughout Buffy’s seven seasons, males that display the type of behavior Edward does are ridiculed or portrayed as dangerous (or both). Buffy is not without its own controversies (especially around race and LGBT issues), but the writers did often succeed in actively and brilliantly subverting expected sexist Hollywood themes. [note-the links are his, not mine]
Also, if you haven't watched the video lately, watch it again. It's hilarious.
-hobospaceman
my friend did yoga with judith butler
