The latest casting announcement for theBuffy the Vampire Slayerreboot is an exciting one, but we’re hoping the character doesn’t repeat the romantic problems with the original series. Earlier this week,Deadlinerevealed that actorKingston Vernes was joining theBuffysequel seriesas Carson, whom protagonist and vampire slayer Nova (Ryan Kiera Armstrong) has a crush on.
Prior to Vernes, several otherBuffyreboot cast members were announced, including Faly Rakotohavana as Hugo, Ava Jean as Larkin, Sarah Bock as Gracie, Daniel di Tomasso as Abe, and Jack Cutmore-Scott as Mr. Burke. Along with Nova, these characters will be the focus of the series, with Sarah Michelle Gellar reprising her role as Buffy Summers in a supporting capacity.
Carson,the object of the introverted Nova’s affections, is described as “a Junior Olympian and popular student at New Sunnydale Academy,“who “starts noticing her after a life-changing event.” As far as teen romance tropes go, the “opposites attract” nerd and jock pairing is fairly standard, but that’s not our biggest concern about this newBuffyreboot character.
The New Buffy Reboot Character Needs To Be Less Toxic Than The Main Love Interests In The OG Series
Angel, Riley & Spike All Treated Buffy Horribly
As exciting as it is for our new vampire slayer to have a love interest, I’m really hoping that Carson is someone who is worthy of Nova’s love and affection. The original series had some excellent romantic partners — Tara, Oz, etc. — butBuffy’s relationships were some of the most toxic on the show.
First, there was her great love, Angel. Even putting asideBuffy and Angel’s age gap, there’s the whole storyline in which he lost his soul after they slept together, which dominated season 2.
Yes, we gotAngelus the Big Bad, who was a huge step up from season 1’s the Master. However, looking at this from a modern lens,it’s as if Buffy was punished for having sex, especially with the way Angelus brutally tormented herfor episodes on end. Here’s hoping Nova’s romantic storylines are much more sex-positive.
After reformed bad boy Angel,Buffy dated Riley, a Nice Guy™. Riley was definitely not well-received (more on that later), and, in what seems like the show’s desperate bid to make him more interesting, they gave him a storyline in which he paid female vampires to bite him, and, when Buffy caught him, he turned the tables on her and made her the villain. Again, toxic.
Of course, then there’s Spike. This time, the show made it blatantly obvious thatBuffy and Spike’s relationship was destructive, but it led to a storyline so disturbing, it’s the oneBuffyepisode I refuse to rewatch. When it came to romance, the series just loved to kick Buffy when she was down.
I’m not expecting the reboot series' Carson to be Prince Charming. That would be dull. I want Carson to be messy and flawed, because that’s the stuff of great romantic drama. But what I don’t want is a romantic interest brought in to punish or villainize Nova. She deserves better, and so does the audience.
Just Because Nova’s Love Interest Is Human Doesn’t Mean He Should Be Boring
Buffy’s Non-Vampire Partners Were All Dull
While Carson could very well be a supernatural being, based on his description as a popular high school joke, I’m going to go out on a limb and say he’s a mortal. This is great because, given Buffy’s penchant for fanged creatures of the night, it means the reboot isn’t following the original show too closely.
However,Carson’s apparent humanness could present another problem.Buffywas a show full of not only vampires and slayers, but also witches, werewolves, vengeance demons, and other forces of darkness. Anytime Buffy liked a regular human guy, the show fell flat. Most casual fans probably don’t remember Owen, Cameron, Scott, etc. — and if they do, they probably don’t ship them with the slayer.
Before Riley was written out of the show in a blaze of toxic glory, the biggest complaint against him was how boring he was.Spike even nicknamed Riley Captain Cardboard, and honestly, the name couldn’t be more apt. We don’t want Carson to be a sadistic cad, but we don’t want him to be forgettable melba toast either.
The Buffy Reboot Should Also Feature Plenty Of LGBTQ+ Romance
The Original Show Was Pioneering With Willow & Tara’s Romance
Buffy the Vampire Slayermay not have been kind to its heroine in the love department, but the series deserves some major credit when it comes to other characters' romantic storylines. When Willow and Tara officially started dating in season 4, they became “the first recurring lesbian couple on primetime TV” (viaPitt River Museum).
Beyond the milestone, the witches had possibly the healthiest, most loving relationship in the entire series. That’s why it wasso upsetting whenBuffydecided to unceremoniously kill off Tara — just after her and Willow’s heartfelt reunion— in a total ode to the unfortunate “bury your gays” trope.
TheBuffyreboot has the opportunity to do even better than its predecssor in terms of its LGBTQ+ romances, and I have faith it will. Networks may have pushed back against young queer couples falling in love and being happy, but times have changed, and now we have inclusive shows likeSex EducationandHeartbreaker. Here’s hoping the newBuffy the VampireSlayercarries that torch.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Cast
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television series created by Joss Whedon, focusing on Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a young woman chosen to battle against vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexities of teenage life.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Sequel Series
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer sequel series puts a brand new slayer in the spotlight and carries on the continuity of the iconic seven-season original series. Sarah Michelle Gellar returns as the titular Buffy Summers in a supporting role.
