I love Buffy

I love Angel

They have feminist aspects to them

But look at this trend:

Buffy, granted power, and routinely punished for it. Every relationship she has ends in utter tragedy, and she is left blaming herself for it because there is something “wrong” with her, that being the Slayer means she’s wrong somehow and she can never attain happiness. Having sex means her boyfriend turns evil- her fault! It’s her fault Riley left! And she also must be punished for being in a relationship with Spike!

Cordelia is going to tell Angel she loves him! She chose to get these powers to be a good helpful hero. Oh but wait now because of her powers and goodness she is now ascending as a powerful superbeing or sumthin- oh no, silly Cordy, did you actually think you were rewarded for being powerful and good and liked by boys? Nope, it was a ruse to have your body hijacked so you would be forced to screw your crush’s son and give birth to a DemonGod! THIS WAS YOUR FAULT. and then you can be in a coma, and like, help “your guy” out one last time, but then you have to shuffle off go his manpain. THAT’S WHAT YOU GET FOR THINKING YOU COULD CHANGE THE WORLD!

Fred! You like Science and are admired by many men for your nerdy hotness, right? WELL SCIENCE AND BEING LIKED BY GUYS IS YOUR DOWNFALL. The very second you get together with a new guy direct cause of your death is looking at a science object that was sent by two guys who liked you alot but you rejected. THAT’S JUST WHAT YOU GET FOR TRYING TO SAVE THE WORLD WITH SCIENCE AND BEING LIKED BY GUYS. Slow agonizing death while all the guys around you manpain about it.

Willow! You thought you could be powerful through magic, right! And have a relationship with another girl. WELL POWER CORRUPTS AND IT CORRUPTS YOU and YOUR GIRLFRIEND DIES and then you go on an evil rampage BECAUSE THAT IS THE RESULT OF A WOMAN HAVING POWER AND BEING IN LOVE. The show as it ended could have sort of been a subversion with Willow empowering herself and everyone and still being in a good relationship with Kennedy- but Season 8 comics have her lose her power and break up with Kennedy.

Tara! You are happy and have finally found peaceDIEGETSHOTBYAMISOGYNIST

Anya! You like Xander right? HE LEAVES YOU AT THE ALTAR. Oh, you want to fight right? YOU CAN DIE THEN AND THE GUYS CAN ANGST ABOUT IT IN THE ONE SECOND LEFT IN THE FINALE!

These are shows full of awesome female characters with an ostensibly feminist message. So it’s a pity every  one of them gets screwed over the second they try to have power and love someone. And the women are the ones who tend to die to break up the relationship that needs to be ruined in the most tragic way poss.

It’s ludicrously predictable

Shows can be good while people are still allowed to maintain relationships and have people not be constantly killed off. I can argue that Sailor Moon is more feminist than Buffy because the women are actually rewarded for their power, and are shown as able to maintain a happy, healthy relationships with guys and girls alike - allowed to be feminine, in love, and powerful. Shows like Fullmetal Alchemist, only one major good guy has died so far, but his death had such a huge impact, and so many conflicts are introduced that the stakes are just as high. (Spoilers) Lan Fan doesn’t have to be fridged to cause Lin angst, it’s just as dramatic if she loses her arm, but then keeps fighting cuz she’s such a bamf and Lin can still angst while Lan Fan’s own story is furthered… I guess these are thoughts that go through my head when I’m upset about the gaping flaw in such good shows (and just naturally compare them to anime/manga for some reason?)