Throwback: Queer Representation in Buffy the Vampire Slayer
In light of the current writer’s strike taking place in Hollywood, in an effort to stand in solidarity with those striking, the Q+ Magazine staffers have decided to travel back in time and celebrate queer works that paved the way for the representation we’re currently seeing on screens now. Although not perfect by any means, Buffy the Vampire Slayer was definitely considered revolutionary television for its time. Thwarting gender role expectations and offering viewers a loving queer relationship, this show garnered a die-hard cult following.
The first queer character was introduced in season 2 in the minor character of Larry (Larry Bagby III) and then in a much more major perspective in season four with the introduction of Willow (Alison Hannigan) and Tara (Amber Benson)’s relationship.
In 1994, when the writers began exploring Willow and Tara’s relationship, there was very little lesbian representation on television, and the show endured a lot of pressure from the networks about their depictions of this relationship. They persisted though, and a cult classic following was birthed.
The show was already doing well, but the introduction of this relationship garnered a whole new audience and brought even more followers to its domain.
Journey with us as we take a nostalgic walk down memory lane and rediscover all the highs and lows of the queer representation in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Celebrating the wins
When Tara and Willow’s relationship began in season 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it was 1999. There was very little queer representation on television at that time, and of the representation that did exist, almost all of it was geared towards gay men. So the fact that these ladies were on our screens at all at that time seems like something we should be celebrating.
The chemistry that existed between Hannigan and Benson was dynamite. They very quickly became one of the most popular on-screen couples featured on television at that time. Folks from all around the world tuned in week after week to catch up with their fave witchy ladygays. It was nothing short of spectacular to watch the general population rally around this loving lesbian couple.
Although Willow’s initial phase of coming out was somewhat awkward, especially the scene where she comes out to Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), a very quick acceptance of her newfound sexuality was adopted by everyone around her. For its time, this was also rather revolutionary as film and television shows back then were still very much stuck on producing stories that depicted queer rejection by those around them.
Trophy ending
Despite the fact that Willow and Tara were definitely among the most loved on-screen couples, the writers of the show made a controversial decision about how to bring the relationship to an end. If you’re a consumer of queer media, then it’s likely that you’re well versed in the prevalence of the ‘bury the gays’ trope.
In short, this is where writers choose to unnecessarily kill off queer characters, rendering it impossible for them to ever be written back into storylines, and perpetuating the idea that queer people don’t deserve happy endings.
The writers of Buffy the Vampire Slayer most definitely threw their hat in the right with this one. In season 6, Tara is standing in Willow’s bedroom in Buffy’s house and catches a stray bullet, not even intended for her, that Warren (Adam Busch) shoots into Buffy’s house. Tara dies in Willow’s arms, causing Willow to turn to the dark side and embark on a murderous magical streak.
At the time, fans were outraged that Tara was exited from the show in this fashion and Buffy the Vampire Slayer landed itself on the very long list of shows that were burying their gays at the time.
Playing it safe
Despite the popularity of the relationship, the show still garnered a large heterosexual audience and Buffy enthusiasts have since determined that the depiction of queerness on the show definitely stayed in safe territory. This means, while the relationship was there for all to see, writers didn’t really include any queer issues in the storylines, particularly not queer female issues.
While the couple shared physical intimacy on screen, such displays were far more chaste and reserved than the heterosexual couples on the show. Willow and Tara’s relationship was definitely not afforded the same level of exploration as the others around them were. At the time, queer folks were just happy to have them on their screens, but if the show was to air now, the fact that the queer couple didn’t receive the same treatment as the heterosexual couples did would definitely be a point of contention for viewers now.
After Willow died in season 6, the show carried on for another season. Willow tried dating another incoming slayer who was a bit younger than her, but the chemistry wasn’t as electric as the chemistry between Hannigan and Benson, and the relationship didn’t receive quite the same support. Now, when people talk about Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it’s usually Tara and Willow’s relationship that comes up first. They’re definitely in the queer history books for groundbreaking television, and they definitely paved the way for queer female romance in the future.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is available to watch on DisneyPlus, Hulu, and Prime Video. Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!
