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I only have one question: Why? Why Joss? Why?

Yet another couple cut down by a random stray bullet that made no sense. Why?

How could anyone kill Tara?

I watched Buffy The Vampire Slayer for the first time in high school, I loved Buffy, Willow, and Xander’s friendship. Their odd triangle of who loves who, the longtime friendship, and wacky hijinks between the three of them was my favorite part of the show.

But Willow was a personal favorite for me.

For Buffy it was beyond easy for her to blend in with anyone. She was outgoing, could easily be popular, and was nothing like me.

Willow was awkward, shy around those she was attracted to, and tended to babble. I related to her very well in high school because I couldn’t blend in with other kids my age. I was too mature, too responsible, and so on.

Watching poor Willow go through her heartbreak with Oz sucked. The grief and sadness over first love lost for reasons beyond her control was gut-wrenching.

Now, by the time I watched Buffy, it was off the air, and both my parents who watched it while it aired told me Willow’s next relationship would be with Tara. I was curious because I had to see Tara come into the picture. And I had enjoyed watching Willow with Oz, so I wondered how I would react.

My parents, who both adored Tara, insisted I’d love her.

I do.

Tara entered the picture in season four. Much like Willow in the beginning of the show, quiet, shy, and awkward. Willow had Oz to help her out of her shell and Tara had Willow.

Also, due to the restrictions placed on what they could and couldn’t show, the show got very heavy handed with the magic references in place of actual intimacy.

I did appreciate the fact that the couple was never overly exploited for sexuality. Their first kiss happened in such a serious and solemn episode.

Truthfully, I loved everything about their relationship up until Tara was senselessly murdered by a stupid bullet.

Willow and Tara had such a great relationship. They discussed problems together. They didn’t really fight over trivial things. They held their ground when it came to something they believed in.

I did adore Tara’s resolve when dealing with Willow’s magic addiction.

Too often people give in to their significant other.

This is where I loved Willow and Tara the most. They’re not pushovers, despite what some people may think. Beneath it all both of them are made from steel. They don’t bend or break. They’re tough. Just a different tough to Buffy’s.

They stuck by each other even when things were rough. They banded together for Dawn after Buffy died. Became the parental figures.

Tara taught Willow a lot about magic. She never minded being less powerful then Willow, never became jealous or weirded out by it. They supported each other in whatever they decided to do or be.

I also loved Willow taking of Tara after Glory sucked her mind out.

Despite everything and the serious burden Willow had in having to care for Tara she never complained. She just did it, because when you love someone, it doesn’t matter.

In the end, their relationship was very domestic.

Also, just for the record my favorite episode for them is Oz’s return in season four. I have no idea whether others like this episode or not, but let me explain my feelings and thought.

Out of all the TV shows I’ve ever watched the straight couples usually are handed the happy ending. They end up together. Whatever happened with the same sex couple is usually just tossed out the window, written off as an experiment, or treated like it never happened.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer didn’t do that!

Oz returned. Understandably Willow was confused.

Who wouldn’t be?

This was her first love. Her first real relationship with someone she really cared about. And Willow was finally approaching a place where she was not only coping without him, but was actively getting better. She was having fun, she was happy, and she wasn’t moping because he was gone.

Willow was starting to be herself again, to get over him.

I will also never say she was or is completely over him. No matter what I think some part of everyone, even Willow will always love their first. It doesn’t matter the amount of years or distance, it’s part of you.

Even Willow states some part of her would always be waiting.

For me, that line wasn’t the end all be all.

The end all be all was Willow clearly making a firm choice.

Willow had a real chance to try to make things work with Oz again but she opted to remain at Tara’s side. She tells her she is with the person she loves, blows out the candle, and probably spent the night proving just that.

I loved that episode because for me, it laid to rest any idea that Tara’s relationship with Willow wasn’t as intense or important or filled with as much love. Willow was truly conflicted by the idea of choosing, of hurting someone, or worse making the wrong choice.

On another note, I adored everything about Tara in this episode. It truly spoke to her character.

She so often puts everyone else’s needs above her own. Especially Willow.

Tara wanted Willow to be happy, to be part of Willow’s life in whatever form that took, and pushed Willow to find what makes her happy. Promised she’d still be there. I doubt she would have been mad or avoided Willow had she chosen Oz.

Tara knew exactly how deep their relationship was.

Ideal characters that I fall for tend to be a bit self destructive but it only serves for me to love them more. Don’t give me a character who goes into a jealous rage over an ex like Riley, give me Tara who willingly shoots themselves in the foot insisting the other be happy. Those are my favorite, I just wanna hug them.

(Side note: I hated all the jealous rage acts from Riley, Angel, and Spike. Seriously, who thinks that’s an attractive quality? A quiet jealous like Tara’s because clearly it didn’t sit well, is so much more.)

I will even admit to enjoying Oz’s reaction in that episode because while he did get angry, his wolf side made it worse. Also, I understand his sudden anger a bit more. Willow had an entire night to mention something about Tara and never did. He was planning to come back for her and practically found out she was with someone else.

Plus, he seemed to have no reaction to the fact that it was Tara. He was weirded out or anything, he was just upset.

He also tried to warn Tara to get away. Then of course Tara gets Willow to rescue Oz. Neither of them opted for an easy way out of the situation.

Well, if I eat Tara, problem solved.

If I let the commando guys take Oz, problem solved.

Nope, they both played the good guy leaving Willow to choose from two really decent people.

So, Tara gets the girl.

Now, I could go on and on forever about these two. They were so sweet they could rot my teeth. Instead, I’ll just stop here.

Those are my thoughts on Willow and Tara. (Seriously, do they have a ship name?) Let me know what you think!

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