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buffyversetop52009-01-10 02:59 pm
clawofcat.livejournal.com) wrote in buffyversetop52009-01-10 02:59 pm
5 Rare Pairings That Made Me Believe
Believe in what, you may ask? Believe in the possibility. There were so many characters between BtVS and AtS who just missed their chances with each other and even more still that didn't get a fair shake or were gone within an episode. This post lists some of the best rare pairings and, in some cases, truly unexpected pairings that writers tackled this year using the seeds of the relationships we were given on the show. In no particular order:
1. Fresh by![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
eurydice72
Faith/Lindsey, R, AtS S2
Summary: You don't quit Wolfram & Hart without being smart about it...
Review: This twosome got a grand spanking total of one shared scene together in the entire series in the AtS S1 episode "5x5." Not a whole lot to go on, truthfully. But Eurydice does it and does it well. Although she's best known for her Spuffy work, Eurydice's rare pairing and ensemble characterization is just a strong as her Spuffy, which is a rare and wonderful thing. I'll be the first to admit that I'm no Lindsey fan, but this one shot definately makes you wish that the possibility between he and Faith had turned to a reality.
2. A New Mission bycafedemonde
Spike/Lawson, Spike/Angel, NC-17, AtS AU of "Why We Fight"
Summary: A disenchanted Lawson shows up in Los Angeles and gets what he asked for, only he doesn't.
Review: I was always very intrigued by Angel's various offspring, but aside from Drusilla we saw very little of his get. The only other Aurelians to make an appearance were Penn and Lawson, both of which only got an episode before they were offed. This creative story takes a look at what might have happened had Spike saved Lawson and been charged with keeping him out of trouble. The characterization and plot of this fic is incredibly good, not to mention the fun touches of humor. I was also impressed by the thoughtful exploration of what it is to be evil and how each alpha male must jockey for position in their familial hierarchy without killing the others.
3. To Feed the Good Wolf bygirlpire
Angel/Nina, NC-17, post-NFA
Summary: "There's a Cherokee legend," he tells her, "that says all people have two wolves inside them. A good wolf and an evil one. They're fighting each other. Constantly, throughout your entire life. Sometimes the good wolf has the upper hand, but sometimes the evil one does."
Review: Ah, Nina. Another passing love interest that's often thrown into the refuse pile by 'shippers along with Kennedy, Virginia, and Olivia. Remember those women? Probably not. Girlpire dusts Nina off and, with the help of Angel to provide some guidance, gives us a sexy, yet compelling character study of her struggle with the wolf. This is a beautiful shot that paints Angel in a empathic light as he keeps Nina grounded through this difficult and frightening experience. What she and the readers don't realize is that the easiest way to supress change is, in fact, to let go.
4. Debriefing Dana & Slayer Memories byhello_spikey
Spike/Dana, Spike/Buffy, NC-17, AtS S5
Summary: When Dana draws a familar bleached blond vampire, Buffy investigates.
Review: So, how creepy was Dana? Uber creepy and hello_spikey doesn't skimp here. Her brilliant characterization of a nearly voiceless character from the show as she makes her way from batshit crazy to lucidville is fascinating and paints a harsh light on the system and what it is to be a Slayer. Buffy's interactions with Dana are nothing short of heartbreaking as they struggle to communicate and find common ground. Giles' part is also well developed, not to mention the OC Slayer's that Spikey creates for Dana to channel. Original and engaging, this is not a fic to be missed.
5. Grey byonly_passenger
Faith/Angel, R, AtS S1 during "Sanctuary"
Summary: Angel is there in the moments when getting from one second to the next seems too hard to bear.
Review: There was always so much potential between these two on the show, so much common ground shared and hints of passion and mutual understanding that we were teased with but never got a payoff for. This between-the-lines fic explores that quiet, painful space in the silence where Angel and Faith may have connected when her world came tumbling down. Pass takes us through the experience on tip-toeing cat feet through Angel's POV and his desire to usher Faith across the burdensome threshold and crossroads she's found herself at. Beautiful beyond words.
1. Fresh by
eurydice72 Faith/Lindsey, R, AtS S2
Summary: You don't quit Wolfram & Hart without being smart about it...
Review: This twosome got a grand spanking total of one shared scene together in the entire series in the AtS S1 episode "5x5." Not a whole lot to go on, truthfully. But Eurydice does it and does it well. Although she's best known for her Spuffy work, Eurydice's rare pairing and ensemble characterization is just a strong as her Spuffy, which is a rare and wonderful thing. I'll be the first to admit that I'm no Lindsey fan, but this one shot definately makes you wish that the possibility between he and Faith had turned to a reality.
2. A New Mission by
cafedemonde Spike/Lawson, Spike/Angel, NC-17, AtS AU of "Why We Fight"
Summary: A disenchanted Lawson shows up in Los Angeles and gets what he asked for, only he doesn't.
Review: I was always very intrigued by Angel's various offspring, but aside from Drusilla we saw very little of his get. The only other Aurelians to make an appearance were Penn and Lawson, both of which only got an episode before they were offed. This creative story takes a look at what might have happened had Spike saved Lawson and been charged with keeping him out of trouble. The characterization and plot of this fic is incredibly good, not to mention the fun touches of humor. I was also impressed by the thoughtful exploration of what it is to be evil and how each alpha male must jockey for position in their familial hierarchy without killing the others.
3. To Feed the Good Wolf by
girlpire Angel/Nina, NC-17, post-NFA
Summary: "There's a Cherokee legend," he tells her, "that says all people have two wolves inside them. A good wolf and an evil one. They're fighting each other. Constantly, throughout your entire life. Sometimes the good wolf has the upper hand, but sometimes the evil one does."
Review: Ah, Nina. Another passing love interest that's often thrown into the refuse pile by 'shippers along with Kennedy, Virginia, and Olivia. Remember those women? Probably not. Girlpire dusts Nina off and, with the help of Angel to provide some guidance, gives us a sexy, yet compelling character study of her struggle with the wolf. This is a beautiful shot that paints Angel in a empathic light as he keeps Nina grounded through this difficult and frightening experience. What she and the readers don't realize is that the easiest way to supress change is, in fact, to let go.
4. Debriefing Dana & Slayer Memories by
hello_spikey Spike/Dana, Spike/Buffy, NC-17, AtS S5
Summary: When Dana draws a familar bleached blond vampire, Buffy investigates.
Review: So, how creepy was Dana? Uber creepy and hello_spikey doesn't skimp here. Her brilliant characterization of a nearly voiceless character from the show as she makes her way from batshit crazy to lucidville is fascinating and paints a harsh light on the system and what it is to be a Slayer. Buffy's interactions with Dana are nothing short of heartbreaking as they struggle to communicate and find common ground. Giles' part is also well developed, not to mention the OC Slayer's that Spikey creates for Dana to channel. Original and engaging, this is not a fic to be missed.
5. Grey by
only_passenger Faith/Angel, R, AtS S1 during "Sanctuary"
Summary: Angel is there in the moments when getting from one second to the next seems too hard to bear.
Review: There was always so much potential between these two on the show, so much common ground shared and hints of passion and mutual understanding that we were teased with but never got a payoff for. This between-the-lines fic explores that quiet, painful space in the silence where Angel and Faith may have connected when her world came tumbling down. Pass takes us through the experience on tip-toeing cat feet through Angel's POV and his desire to usher Faith across the burdensome threshold and crossroads she's found herself at. Beautiful beyond words.