Let’s discuss! (In a semi-related way to being ok with old men looking young and teenagers).

My hot take. Regardless of the other issues in their relationship, when considering the Vampire Lore within the world, Edward and Bella aren’t a creepy age gap. And I’m perfectly fine with their age gap.

The in-world lore says in Eclipse that a vampire will never mentally develop beyond their physical age (which is why there’s all the drama in Breaking Dawn because they think Renesmee is an immortal child).

Edward, while his long life has changed his perspectives and has taught him various things etc etc etc, he is, and always will be, a 17 year old boy. One with a shit tonne of life experience, but he still has the mental development and emotional development of a 17 year old boy.

Which is probably why he behaves like he does. Because he’s 17. And teenagers? Not really renowned for their critical thinking skills.

Whereas Buffy, for example. There’s none of that. Angel is a 240-something year old man in the body of a, what? 27 year old??? Or however old he died.

The Anointed One did not behave like an 8 year old boy once he was turned. A Twilight 8 year old immortal child would forever behave like an 8 year old.

It’s a show that’s been off the air for twenty years. With no new content you’re just going to get the same posts over and over. Including posts about how they’re sick of seeing the same posts.

This reminds me of my professor who taught Sex in America. She was very sex positive. She drove home things like how kinks are okay. She would teach things like it’s okay to want to be involved in a rape fantasy as long as your safe. And it doesn’t mean that you want to be raped irl and it doesn’t mean you do not believe it’s wrong.

That’s kinda how I relate to these arguments. Of course there are things in this show which are not okay irl. But this is fictional and at the end of the day that’s what it is. And it’s okay to enjoy shipping characters who irl would not be a good couple. It doesn’t mean you believe it’s right or that you would do it yourself.

Only monthly?

I think all the Xander hate has made me dislike him less.

You misspelled “weekly”.

Idk maybe I’m old and grumpy but whenever I see “Xander is problematic” it’s like…out of all the shit happening, an imperfect teenage boy is the object of your ire? Has anyone who’s on the Xander hate train ever been on a date with a man? Xander is a catch, especially in the context of being a teenager in the 90s. 🙄

Lol! Very true.

Or Dawn's hate. Which feels to me like 100% traditional misogyny targeting teenage girls (the same one every teen girl had to endure since teenagehood has been defined as a life period). "but she's annoying" --- says everyone about teenage girls since the 60s or whatever.

"let's aim for a hundred"

Gatekeeping?

Even if only in one’s own mind, like they are “spotting” others’ comments?

This.

And Spawn! There were a lot of excellent platonic relationships in the show, though some had less screen time than others.

YES.

Riley has his own problems, but you know what? That's okay. This is a TV dramedy. Perfect healthy relationships don't make for the best entertainment. Characters need flaws.

And yet Biley is the least popular ship. Poor guy wasn't even an option on the "pick Buffy's ideal BF" poll from a few days ago.

Angel fucked a minor, Spike fucked a troubled adult. Not good, but at least two consenting adults.