There are many characters here I love (both series' strength really lies in their characters, I think), but obviously didn't vote for because I can't vote for half the list or more—Willy, Merl, the Burkles (especially Roger), Dru, Darla, Lilah, Anne, etc. Having to pare it down a bit, of course, most of my choices ended up being heroes, with one exception (who I had to consider for awhile because he was in competition with Dru and Darla, who I was also torn between, because I prefer Dru most of the time but find Darla's arc as a human on
Angel better than anything done with her character, I think.)
Anyway, I guess that's enough preamble, except to say that deciding on an order for these characters as favorites is extremely difficult, and I might change my mind tomorrow (especially on spots one and two, which are very equal to me), but this is how it stands right now.
1. Tara Maclay
Tara, thanks to the writing but also to Amber Benson's talent and charisma as an actress, was a character I liked immediately, and it wasn't long before I loved her more than even seasons one to three Willow, who had been my second favorite character on the show up until that point. The end of "
Seeing Red" is still one of the most emotionally impactful moments in the series for me, no matter how many times I watch it.
2. Faith Lehane
Possibly the best character arc in the franchise for me, the only real competition (off the top of my head) being Wesley and Jonathan Levinson (yeah, I said it—if he'd been an option, he probably would have edged out my bottom pick here.) The reveal that Faith was self-loathing in "
This Year's Girl" / "
Who Am I?" and "
Five by Five" / "
Sanctuary" and her subsequent redemption through
Angel season four and
Buffy season seven is extremely well-handled and satisfying (though not everything in those seasons is.)
3. Jenny Calendar
Jenny's death and Giles' finding of her body is still one of the most emotional moments of the series, I think. It represents a real loss of innocence for his character, and everyone's reactions show just how much they loved her—Willow breaking down, Buffy's shock, Xander's anger ("faster, pussycat, kill, kill"), etc.
4. Det. Kate Lockley
I hate that she never came back after "
Epiphany." I know that was an issue with Elisabeth Rohm being hired elsewhere, but she was finally back on track, and I think there was a lot left that could be done with her character yet.
5. Lindsay McDonald
I hate that season five ruined him. It was fun to see Christian Kane again, and he still had great chemistry with David as an antagonist, but I fundamentally disagree with the idea of bringing him back to be a villain. I preferred to think that he, having gotten his head on a little straighter (as they say) at the end of "
Dead End" (I think I've got that title correct), was off helping people, if not being kind to them. I think bringing him back in that fashion ruined his growth for me.
6. Ethan Rayne
What can be said about Ethan? He's just a great villain. Well spoken, funny, charismatic, a foil to Giles who brings out his dark side ("Ripper"), and just plain fun, thanks to a combination of the writing and Robin Sachs' acting chops. His premiere episode, "Halloween," is one of my favorite episodes of the whole series.
Ethan: How
does Ripper inspire such loyalty?
Buffy: He's Giles.
I know the quote is from "
The Dark Age," not "
Halloween," but I just love the moment.
And now that I've probably put
@HowiMetdaSlayer to sleep by talking way more than necessary for a simple favorite characters list, I'll end it there.
😛
