In my opinion Xander had the best character development. He turned from just another horny teenage boy in love with his best friend, to a guy who you could really rely on, I loved what they did with his character.
Buffy. She grew from a child with too many responsibilities to a woman who was not only the slayer but a parent, and her development as a caregiver for Dawn was great to see. I love the transition from wanting to protect Dawn from the world to wanting to share the world with Dawn. And who can't appreciate the transition from being the chosen one to choosing to share her power with all potential slayers? As the slayer, her unique power defined her, and she creatively transformed not only the rules of the game regarding her power but her own relationship to that power.
My favorites arcs are Spike's entire thing and Buffy going from college student to full grown ass adult taking care of her mother and Dawn with the weight of the world on her on top of the weight of the world as a slayer on her. The way she showed strength and compassion during that time was the most heroic thing on the show.
Faith is the first name that comes to mind. Once she got a taste of being a 'true' leader I think she grew genuine respect for Buffy. She relinquished any lingering notions of rivalry and understood the mission.
Just 4 years prior Faith might have decided to go complete her bucket list rather than babysit the potentials.
Edit; Oh I read 'best character development in season 7'
This might be the most underrated take. Faith really had grown so much by season 7 and even during s7. I guess I interpret "by season 7" as meaning before the season starts or by the time the season ends. It's ambiguous, and obviously people in the comments are not all reading it the same way :)
Honestly she was going to be my first pick because she started as a slayerette and became a goddess. She definitely transforms the most in that regard, but I think that she had a lot left to unpack that I wish the writers had been able to develop more. We see how her self-image of the high school nerd continues long after she seems to have shed this identity, and I think all her relationships are a strong reflection of her need to appear cool (esp Tara and Oz), so I think there was just too much left unaddressed and unpacked in terms of her own psychological development. If the show had been Willow the Vampire Researcher, then maybe we would have had a little more actual character development for Willow. It was awesome to see her come into her own power and surpass Buffy in terms of power!
Story-wise, it was the biggest arc, but character-wise, not really. Even in season 7, she still had that underlying shyness and insecurity, and there were moments of selfishness in situations where it really wasn’t appropriate. So basically not much of a change at all
Off topic but I love the scene in the picture. It's so cute that Xander knows how to braid Willow's hair and clearly has experience. Little character details like this add so much.
I agree. I think Anya’s arc was huge. I will never forget the breakthrough into human emotion when Joyce died. Such a powerful moment. She experienced a lot as a demon and a human, and literally died fighting for the humans that she previously despised and pitied.
I know he's not part of the original Scoobies, but Spike actually had the best development in my opinion. Love his redemption arc. I know what it's like to fight hard to regain your soul and the pain that you find when your soul is a bit worse for lack of use, so seeing him change and grow was truly satisfying <3
Cordelia is definitely up there for me. I kinda hate how her storyline ended, but she was such a dynamic and powerful character. I only wish that Cordelia and Charisma alike had gotten more respect from the creator/showrunner. Welsey is another great choice! I love his development on Angel. If we were looking at the whole Buffyverse, he's definitely top 4-5 for me!
I'm from Italy and only Buffy was transmitted during the afternoon.
Angel was always trasmitted at late night so as a child of 12-13 years old i couldn't follow it. So after the end of season 3 i missed her.
I always thought that Charisma was the cutest one of the girls as a child and even now as a man i couldn't believe that Xander betrayed her for Willow because i always found her not attractive physically and as a person.
As a character Cordelia and Xander were the only one of the cast who could resonate with us, the public.
I wasn't happy that after the greatest mistake of Xander she wasn't anymore in the series and was forgot like they didn't have fight against monsters together several times.
Buffy went from cheerleader to hero, hard to beat that. But of course there's also going from psychopathic mass murderer to savior of the world - Spike.
She definitely had superpowers, but her journey towards heroism - and leadership - was classic. I would say she follows the journey of a Hero with a Thousand Faces.
Buffy and Spike (both separately and together) I was pretty thrown by Willow moving on from Tara with Kennedy so quickly I wish the show had gotten another season or two to work out the damage of how dark season 6 got
Thank you for the Xander love. The fans have always been so hard on him, whereas I always see him as the most flawed but, therefore, the most human one. Xander still had some blind spots when we got to season 7, but I do agree that he had great developments. He really shone when he told Dawn that they're still special even though she wasn't a potential. Xander from season 1 or 2 would not have the maturity and humility to say that.
I think Buffy had GREAT character development. She went from a reluctant hero (Phrophecy Girl), to someone with unresolved trauma that was addressed immediately (When She was Bad), to a teen girl who had so much tragedy going for her that she fled (Anne), and when she got back immediately got her morals challenged (Bad Girls), I could go on and on. All I'm saying is that she had to mature before her age, and she really grew from her experiences. There was always an anchor of who she is, yet she always evolves (sometimes regresses as real people do), and overall makes progress. She was written so well and played so very well, too.
Of these three? Xander was the only one I think was particularly well written in S7. I think Buffy wins for overall development, but 7 is not a great season for her. Willow is last by any metric since S7 really does a huge number on her characterization and story
Season 7 Xander is GOAT. It sucks that it took him the entire series to finally get there, but at least we got a whole season of Non-Toxic Xander Xandering non-toxicly.
I’m going to say Giles. He went from an uptight Watcher, to father figure, to learning in season 7 that Buffy can stand her own. Sure there was the whole trying to kill Spike thing, but Buffy reminded him he’s her advisor now, not Watcher. Also he was badass in the final battle, season 1 Giles would have died facing the Master (if Buffy hadn’t knocked him out), s7 Giles killed a dozen Uber vamps and bringers barely breaking a sweat.
Honorable mention to Dawn. I would have never pictured her tasing Xander just to go back and take part in the fight.
Spike continues to grow so much in season 7 though. He comes to terms with his mother's death, he finds closure with Dru, and he and Buffy seem to find some equilibrium in his more mature state.
I think one of the reasons this show was amazing is because ALL the characters grew into the best versions of themselves without being Marysues. They weren't perfect, but they did what they needed to do. I miss this show.
If Spike counts than absolutely him. Otherwise there's not much composition. S7 was not a great season for any of the characters, but I agree that Xander had some good material.
Xander seemed to have evolved at some point. But to me, he kind of reversed after Hell's Bells - going a bit back to a more childish / fear-of-commitment / fear-of-being-an-adult self.
Exactly in s7? Andrew. Buffy didn't develop fundamentally, Willow is the same, only with strength, Anya remained the same, Spike's development took place in s6. Xander's development is not bad, but Andrew's changes, in my opinion, are more fundamental. Viewers don't read that we are talking about s7.
Yes. He's not drastically different from beginning to end but he does mature as a person around S4 onwards. In the Zeppo he learns to accept himself and that he plays a meaningful role in the group even if he's not the strongest or most gifted. He figures out things that he's passionate about and good at like construction, and tries to better his poor behavior after Hell Bells. From Seeing Red to the S6 finale he learns the lesson that everyone in the season needed to learn that they need to be honest and compassionate with each other, which is how he stopped/saved Willow.
I get if people still don't like Xander in S4-7, even if I do. But to say he had zero development is just wrong.
I wouldn’t consider myself a Xander hater, quite the contrary in fact, the character was a nerdy nice guy with a fair amount of minerals, just don’t think he developed much with the exception of the eyepatch.
Buffy. She grew from a child with too many responsibilities to a woman who was not only the slayer but a parent, and her development as a caregiver for Dawn was great to see. I love the transition from wanting to protect Dawn from the world to wanting to share the world with Dawn. And who can't appreciate the transition from being the chosen one to choosing to share her power with all potential slayers? As the slayer, her unique power defined her, and she creatively transformed not only the rules of the game regarding her power but her own relationship to that power.
What a beautiful summary of Buffy’s growth. I love you for writing this. Wonderfully said 🩷
Aww, thank you. I try to write from the heart, so I am glad it resonated with someone else <3
My favorites arcs are Spike's entire thing and Buffy going from college student to full grown ass adult taking care of her mother and Dawn with the weight of the world on her on top of the weight of the world as a slayer on her. The way she showed strength and compassion during that time was the most heroic thing on the show.
Faith is the first name that comes to mind. Once she got a taste of being a 'true' leader I think she grew genuine respect for Buffy. She relinquished any lingering notions of rivalry and understood the mission.
Just 4 years prior Faith might have decided to go complete her bucket list rather than babysit the potentials.
Edit; Oh I read 'best character development in season 7'
But I'm keeping my thoughts here anyway^
This might be the most underrated take. Faith really had grown so much by season 7 and even during s7. I guess I interpret "by season 7" as meaning before the season starts or by the time the season ends. It's ambiguous, and obviously people in the comments are not all reading it the same way :)
Yeah, I skimmed over it in passing but should have paid more attention and read other responses first before thumb blasting on my own assumptions.
Thanks for the Kudos all the same.
Willow anyone?
She went from being a shy little geeky girl to the most powerful witch of Sunnydale and arguably the most powerful Scooby.
Honestly she was going to be my first pick because she started as a slayerette and became a goddess. She definitely transforms the most in that regard, but I think that she had a lot left to unpack that I wish the writers had been able to develop more. We see how her self-image of the high school nerd continues long after she seems to have shed this identity, and I think all her relationships are a strong reflection of her need to appear cool (esp Tara and Oz), so I think there was just too much left unaddressed and unpacked in terms of her own psychological development. If the show had been Willow the Vampire Researcher, then maybe we would have had a little more actual character development for Willow. It was awesome to see her come into her own power and surpass Buffy in terms of power!
Story-wise, it was the biggest arc, but character-wise, not really. Even in season 7, she still had that underlying shyness and insecurity, and there were moments of selfishness in situations where it really wasn’t appropriate. So basically not much of a change at all
No....because she became a mind raping magic addict. I much preferred sweet nice hacker Willow then what she became
That’s part of her incredible arc lol
“Oh my goddess”
Off topic but I love the scene in the picture. It's so cute that Xander knows how to braid Willow's hair and clearly has experience. Little character details like this add so much.
And Buffy doesn’t know how, BECAUSE SHE’S AN ONLY CHILD AND DIDN’T HAVE A SISTERLY RELATIONSHIP WITH A FRIEND UNTIL WILLOW.
Ahem.
Buffy, but that's easy.
I would say Anya.
I agree. I think Anya’s arc was huge. I will never forget the breakthrough into human emotion when Joyce died. Such a powerful moment. She experienced a lot as a demon and a human, and literally died fighting for the humans that she previously despised and pitied.
Buffy. Hands down.
I know he's not part of the original Scoobies, but Spike actually had the best development in my opinion. Love his redemption arc. I know what it's like to fight hard to regain your soul and the pain that you find when your soul is a bit worse for lack of use, so seeing him change and grow was truly satisfying <3
Spike is definitely my pick for all the characters, followed by Cordelia and Wesley in third
Especially if you take the show Angel into consideration, there's so much crossover that I feel like that would be justified.
I was, yeah.
Ya Cordelia is a boss
Cordelia is definitely up there for me. I kinda hate how her storyline ended, but she was such a dynamic and powerful character. I only wish that Cordelia and Charisma alike had gotten more respect from the creator/showrunner. Welsey is another great choice! I love his development on Angel. If we were looking at the whole Buffyverse, he's definitely top 4-5 for me!
I'm from Italy and only Buffy was transmitted during the afternoon.
Angel was always trasmitted at late night so as a child of 12-13 years old i couldn't follow it. So after the end of season 3 i missed her.
I always thought that Charisma was the cutest one of the girls as a child and even now as a man i couldn't believe that Xander betrayed her for Willow because i always found her not attractive physically and as a person.
As a character Cordelia and Xander were the only one of the cast who could resonate with us, the public.
I wasn't happy that after the greatest mistake of Xander she wasn't anymore in the series and was forgot like they didn't have fight against monsters together several times.
Buffy went from cheerleader to hero, hard to beat that. But of course there's also going from psychopathic mass murderer to savior of the world - Spike.
She already started off as a hero
She definitely had superpowers, but her journey towards heroism - and leadership - was classic. I would say she follows the journey of a Hero with a Thousand Faces.
Buffy and Spike (both separately and together) I was pretty thrown by Willow moving on from Tara with Kennedy so quickly I wish the show had gotten another season or two to work out the damage of how dark season 6 got
Thank you for the Xander love. The fans have always been so hard on him, whereas I always see him as the most flawed but, therefore, the most human one. Xander still had some blind spots when we got to season 7, but I do agree that he had great developments. He really shone when he told Dawn that they're still special even though she wasn't a potential. Xander from season 1 or 2 would not have the maturity and humility to say that.
I think Buffy had GREAT character development. She went from a reluctant hero (Phrophecy Girl), to someone with unresolved trauma that was addressed immediately (When She was Bad), to a teen girl who had so much tragedy going for her that she fled (Anne), and when she got back immediately got her morals challenged (Bad Girls), I could go on and on. All I'm saying is that she had to mature before her age, and she really grew from her experiences. There was always an anchor of who she is, yet she always evolves (sometimes regresses as real people do), and overall makes progress. She was written so well and played so very well, too.
Of these three? Xander was the only one I think was particularly well written in S7. I think Buffy wins for overall development, but 7 is not a great season for her. Willow is last by any metric since S7 really does a huge number on her characterization and story
Season 7 Xander is GOAT. It sucks that it took him the entire series to finally get there, but at least we got a whole season of Non-Toxic Xander Xandering non-toxicly.
Dawn
Wife material
Buffy> Xander> willow. Willow has the s7 debuff and Kennedy attached at her hip
I’m going to say Giles. He went from an uptight Watcher, to father figure, to learning in season 7 that Buffy can stand her own. Sure there was the whole trying to kill Spike thing, but Buffy reminded him he’s her advisor now, not Watcher. Also he was badass in the final battle, season 1 Giles would have died facing the Master (if Buffy hadn’t knocked him out), s7 Giles killed a dozen Uber vamps and bringers barely breaking a sweat.
Honorable mention to Dawn. I would have never pictured her tasing Xander just to go back and take part in the fight.
Dawn, Xander, Robin Wood, Kennedy etc killed several Uber vamps so I don't think that means much.
By season 7 I’d say Spike. In season 7 I’d say Xander,
Spike continues to grow so much in season 7 though. He comes to terms with his mother's death, he finds closure with Dru, and he and Buffy seem to find some equilibrium in his more mature state.
I think one of the reasons this show was amazing is because ALL the characters grew into the best versions of themselves without being Marysues. They weren't perfect, but they did what they needed to do. I miss this show.
If Spike counts than absolutely him. Otherwise there's not much composition. S7 was not a great season for any of the characters, but I agree that Xander had some good material.
anne
Spike
Buffy , followed by Xander.
Xander
Buffy without a doubt
Buffy!
Specifically in s7? The Xand Man
Buffy, faith, Spike and Willow
Buffy
If you mean out of these three - Buffy and Willow had large arcs and changed. Willow maybe slightly more because of her relationship with power
Buffy, absolutely, and also Willow.
Xander barely had any character development across the entire series, imo
All of them to an extent.
Buffy, Willow, Spike
Xander seemed to have evolved at some point. But to me, he kind of reversed after Hell's Bells - going a bit back to a more childish / fear-of-commitment / fear-of-being-an-adult self.
Xander had the least imo
had he followed thru and married Anya - this would be different but him jilting her set his character back a lot and kept him in stasis for me
Buffy and Spike then Willow. Anya also had crazy development.
If we are counting Angel seasons—Cordelia.
Xander
Exactly in s7? Andrew. Buffy didn't develop fundamentally, Willow is the same, only with strength, Anya remained the same, Spike's development took place in s6. Xander's development is not bad, but Andrew's changes, in my opinion, are more fundamental. Viewers don't read that we are talking about s7.
The OP says 'by season 7', which could mean before the season starts or before the season ends
definitely Spike followed closely by Buffy.
Willow maybe
Did Xander have any meaningful development through the entire series?
He absolutely did
Yes. He's not drastically different from beginning to end but he does mature as a person around S4 onwards. In the Zeppo he learns to accept himself and that he plays a meaningful role in the group even if he's not the strongest or most gifted. He figures out things that he's passionate about and good at like construction, and tries to better his poor behavior after Hell Bells. From Seeing Red to the S6 finale he learns the lesson that everyone in the season needed to learn that they need to be honest and compassionate with each other, which is how he stopped/saved Willow.
I get if people still don't like Xander in S4-7, even if I do. But to say he had zero development is just wrong.
Xander haters after a long day of carefully constructing the worst takes you’ve ever heard
I wouldn’t consider myself a Xander hater, quite the contrary in fact, the character was a nerdy nice guy with a fair amount of minerals, just don’t think he developed much with the exception of the eyepatch.
Edit: dorky, not nerdy
Lol
Damn at this point are you having trouble separating character from actor? 🧐