Brief thoughts on Illyria

[butterfly]

I'm in love with this storyline. Illyria is so much more than I'd dreamed - it is an extreme of Fred (curiosity and survival), which echoes Jasmine for Cordy and Glory for Buffy. In fact, it felt in many ways like an amalgam of Jasmine and Glory - searching for its kingdom and realizing that it must create that kingdom in his plane. And, like both of those two, it loses its hopes.

But this time, it isn't killed nor does it go homicidal when its dreams collapse. As suits a form of Fred, Illyria is much more practical than Jasmine or Glory. If its kingdom is gone byond hope of searching, then it must learn to walk in this world. Fred was always a survivor - Illyria is as well, with a plan in place to escape even the forced death of the Deeper Well.

Also, it is interesting that Wesley doesn't seem to feel the need to punish Angel for not choosing Fred.

And, again, I am so totally in love with Illyria. It's a great character.

Comments

[livinglaurel.livejournal.com]

Ohh yeah. I had the feeling she was, not playing Wesley exactly, but definitely manipulating him in order to ensure her own survival (again, I don't think that was necessarily evil -- I just think she's really focused and pragmatic).

I got the feeling Wesley was really, really holding back with Angel, like he felt everyone around him had really let down Fred. I think that also might help swing him over to Illyria's side -- he's clearly more cut off from the MoG than he ever was.

moi

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I had the feeling she was, not playing Wesley exactly, but definitely manipulating him in order to ensure her own survival (again, I don't think that was necessarily evil -- I just think she's really focused and pragmatic).

Agreed. I think that she had a feeling that he would respond positively to her if she went to him. And she wants a guide to the world.

I got the feeling Wesley was really, really holding back with Angel, like he felt everyone around him had really let down Fred. I think that also might help swing him over to Illyria's side -- he's clearly more cut off from the MoG than he ever was.

If he had to choose between Angel and the shell of Fred, I wouldn't place any bets on which way he'd swing. Boy is seriously unhinged.

[livinglaurel.livejournal.com]

If he had to choose between Angel and the shell of Fred, I wouldn't place any bets on which way he'd swing. Boy is seriously unhinged.

Oh man. I almost hope that wouldn't come up, because the internal conflict might finish Wes off for good, but it would be such a wonderful dramatic scene....

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I almost hope that wouldn't come up, because the internal conflict might finish Wes off for good, but it would be such a wonderful dramatic scene....

It would, wouldn't it? It may not happen, because I believe Illyria when it says it will abide. But if Angel doesn't accept that and continues to treat it as a threat... Wesley did tell Illyria that he would help it.

[livinglaurel.livejournal.com]

Now that would be a great dramatic setup. I can see the MoG thinking Wes is going over the edge re Illyria the way they thought Angel did with Darla....

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I can definitely see them assuming that it must be evil and that Wes is just losing his mind because it looks like Fred. Of course, that last bit is totally true, but it doesn't mean the first part is. But I can see Angel not getting that.

[livinglaurel.livejournal.com]

I can only wonder what poor Gunn is going to think....

moi

[inyron.livejournal.com]

it is an extreme of Fred (curiosity and survival)
That's such a great point.

Why am I amused that you keep calling Illyria "it?"

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

That's such a great point.

I'm a big fan of the whole 'villain' as extension of 'hero' line of thought.

Why am I amused that you keep calling Illyria "it?"

Because it still looks like a hot chick?