Final Four

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Final Four

Buffy 41, Fred 25

Buffy advances to the Apocalypse finals to face the hated Spike. Buffy's contests have mostly followed the same pattern. She doesn't get an overwhelming number of votes, but she gets solid victories every time out. Can Buffy do it one more time? Fred's very presence in the final four was a victory to me. Her three previous matches against Oz(5), Cordelia(1) and Xander(2) were all matches that could have easily been lost. Make up your own brackets if you thought that was too weak. You have made up your own comments, and I'm pleased to present them.

What can you say, Fred has come a long way but no show is called 'Fred the Texan Cow Girl', and with good reason. The match-up itself involves Buffy switching into bitca mode and it's all rather unseemly really. Fred tries not to loose her head but she's unable to keep the upper hand when Buffy decides to swallow her pride and just unwinds one to the larynx. Fortunately Buffy kept the power within acceptable limits so it's not a lethal punch but Fred isn't exactly 'chatty' for no inconsiderable period of time. - Celebaelin

Why am I even writing about this? Fred and Buffy go into this round knowing it's just a formality. So they're both formal about it. They go through the rounds with various weapons--Fred's been practicing since she joined AI and she's not half bad, but she knows she hasn't got a chance against a Slayer. Buffy wins every bout without breaking a sweat, and she's not all superior or anything--it's just what she does. She didn't ask for this and she certainly didn't ask to meet Fred--who kinda reminds her of Willow--in a fight rather than in friendship. After it's all over, they go out for coffee, really get to know each other, trading funny stories about Angel. - MaeveRigan

skinny short girl vs. skinnier taller girl This is a joke, right? How in the world did we get here? As much as I like an underdog, I'd like it to be somewhat plausible that the underdog could win. This is no the case. Harsh, I may be but it's true. Fred has proven before that has the cajones to do things when need be. But that won't be enough to go up against Buffy. But then again maybe Buffy might make a fashion misstep in her choice of fightwear and dons something that impeds her, like one of those super long bell sleeved blouses or some such thing. She might even go down rueing the day she saw the cute top that tangles her arms. Nah. Buffy takes it. - deeva

Buffy, Fred. Fred, Buffy. (Fred? Commence babbling.) - cjl
FRED: Oh my gosh! It's such a thrill to FINALLY meet you! Kinda feel like I already know you, because Angel and Wesley just tell me all these stories about you and how you're just this incredible, powerful woman who saves the world without losing her sense of humanity and about how you pretty much sucked the life out of the Watchers Council and the massive patriarchal conspiracy that has held back women for millennia, and believe me, y'all have no idea how deep this stuff goes, because I've been reading these files from the Wolfram and Hart historical library, and your eyes would bug out of your head if you--
[Buffy gives Fred a "love tap" and knocks her unconscious.]
BUFFY: Nice girl. Talks too much.

Brains vs. Brawn Not to say that Buffy isn't smart, but she ain't churning out deathrays or anything. Anyway, HEY! I finally get to be on the winning side for the first time in weeks! Fred comes at Buffy with sonic chainsaws, laser cannons, super-bouncy killer rubber balls, and robot sharks, but just can't put her down. Buffy runs the gauntlet and gently puts Fred out with a nerve pinch. OR... They settle things with a playful pillow fight. In the first scenario, Buffy wins. In the second, we all do. Either way, it's Buffy who's advancing. - Apophis

Buffy I love Buffy, and I miss her. Spike won't even come close. And I don't even WATCH Angel, and I'd say something lame about Fred being a boy's name, but I dated a girl named Fred and she was hot. - Rochefort

Well, I know Buffy's gonna win anyway, but I had to vote for Fred. I'd rather pretend that brains do stand a chance against brawn. Unless they're fighting for that last jelly donut, which both of them could really use! - punkinpuss

Fred and Buffy meet. Fred looks at her and says - "you're the girl with the funny name, right?" Buffy nods. "The slayer?" Buffy nods, gearing herself up. Fred smiles. Begins to chant. A portal opens up. And Buffy is gone. Fred closes the book and goes back to what she was doing before Buffy showed. When asked where she sent her? Fred responds - to a place where she can be happy. Fred wins. (As is in keeping with my alphabet rule and my W rule, vote for W's). Winnifred over Buffy. - s'kat

No contest, Buffy, it's always been about Buffy, even after the series is over. - Rufus

how did fred even get this far? - btvsk8

Is there any doubt? Buffy wins with one hand tied behind her back. Poor Fred. - jane

Spike 58, Giles 34

I seriously considered pulling the results of this one for an email only vote, but I think despite whatever over-voting may be taking place, Spike would still be around the 40 mark (like the actor), so the results likely wouldn't change. I may be wrong about that, but I don't think so. Anyway, Ass-Face has made the championship round for the second year in a row. Giles put up a decent fight, hell, he had the early lead. But those afternoon/night voters are Spike's happy meals on legs. Bunch ‘o comments. Damn British.

Sombrero wearin' man vs. Where's my nailpolish guy Ugh. I hate this mathc up. On one hand Giles is totally capable of taking anyone down, really. But he's played his fair share of damsel in distress, too. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that Spike takes this round on the off chance that he actually thinks this thing through and sees the opening that Giles leaves for him. *sigh* Have I mentioned how I hate this match up? - deeva

The tournament keeps on providing these needle matches. There's no love lost in this bout as some quotage of the quality snark will easily show "cuppa tea, cuppa tea, almost got shagged, cuppa tea" vs "we are not your way to Buffy". Tabula Rasa showed the underlying nature of the hostility between these two even in the absence of the vamp. factor. 'Made with care for Randy.' (looks at Giles angrily) Randy Giles? Why not just call me 'Horny Giles,' or 'Desperate for a Shag Giles'? I knew there was a reason I hated you! Whilst Giles doesn't have the physical power to beat Spike in a knockdown fight and has only rarely been seen to use magic the war of words could be monumentally savage and I don't think Spike would survive it, and that's saying something. Time for some home truths, at least it won't be a waste of breath now, Giles wins. - Celebaelin

I voted for Giles. I don't know how he'd defeat Spike; in fact, I don't know how he defeated Willow and I'm not completely happy about that. But if Giles was able to defeat the most powerful witch in the world, a virtual goddess (if you believe Kennedy, which I don't, frankly, but I'm grasping at straws here)--then he should certainly be able to dust a punk vampire. Oh, all right--he doesn't have to actually dust Spike. Dumbledore!Giles settles for a handy demonstration of knot-tying (for which he won several badges as a Boy Scout before he went all Ripper), without ever coming within reach of Spike's lethal-weapon fists and fangs: a spell in ancient Akkadian, some subtle waving fingers and--voila!--Spike's trussed up like a Christmas turkey. All he needs is an apple to sink his fangs in. Angel (still brooding after losing in the previous round) hands the apple to Giles(what's left of the one from Eve's first visit to W&H), and Giles leaves the ring. - MaeveRigan

Spike takes a fall Funny, it didn't even look like Giles hit him, but Spike is down. You don't think Spike took money, do you? No, he wouldn't. Never. - manwitch

Oh, crikey! I hate this matchup, too! I adore Giles, but he's proven very fallible of late, so I've gotta go with Spike on this one. Let's just pretend that they're trading snark over a bottle of single malt whisky and Spike drinks Giles under the table. They're both so cute when they're drunk! - punkinpuss

Tough decision, I started watching BTVS for Giles. I had to rely on my alphabet voting style, ie. Who comes last in the alphabet wins.
William vs. Giles = William
Rupert vs. Spike = Spike
Also? Giles is a tad too hesistant to do his own dirty work as Lies My Parents Told Me bore out. Spike? Nooo problemo. Of course there's the hesitancy for gore - "not wanting to spend the next month picking librarian out of the carpet", yet Spike's got Rupert's number: "feeling no longer useful are we? Can't handle the fact that the girl has surpassed you long ago?" Sent Rupert into his cups way back in Yoko factor and shook him in Touched. Spike has Giles number in both hand to hand and snark. But - if Ripper made an appearance? Even money. - s'kat

Giles tried to kill him once and it didn't work. What makes him think it'll work if he tries it again? - Ali

Spike has to win. Giles is delightful and yummy too, and if he was a little more Ripper and a little less Giles...but he isn't, so Spike wins - INMHO. - Charlotte Stanbery

Oh bloody--as usual--hell. Giles and Spike spend the first round of their contest trading obsolete British colloquialisms, taking great care to confuse all the Yanks in the audience. They graduate to insults, where Spike zings Giles for the Watcher's three-year (and counting) shagging dry spell; Giles counterpunches beautifully by devouring a heaping plateful of fish and chips in front of Spike, then waving a steaming shepherd's pie in front of Spike's incorporeal nose. Spike spews a geyser of invective at Giles, who then calmly cocks his head to one side and says: "Hmmm. The accent's not quite right. You're going to have to work on that." Spike's image shimmers then explodes in a shower of sparks. - cjl

I think Spike's about to deliver payback for getting stabbed in the back. Message to Rupert: Do your own Dirty Work. - Doug

See, the thing about a shiny new soul is it kinda makes you soft. Spike hasn't been his Subordinate-to-the-Scourge of Europe self lately; even Buffy bitched him out for being too big a wuss since his little trip to the Motherland. But a soul never stopped Ruppert from doing what had to be done. Under the right conditions, Giles would do HHHHHhhhhorrible things to Spike; in fact, screw the right conditions, Giles hates Spike. And, like Dawn said, even vampires have to sleep sometime... - Apophis

Spike beat Angel, so... Out of gratitude, I'm voting for him over Giles. Even though I love Giles very much. - Rochefort

Regional Finals

Vampire Region: Spike 39, Angel 20

Once again, the voting public stubbornly votes Ass-Face to another win. The vote was relatively close after the morning votes, but Spike dominated the late afternoon and night votes. Really, after the morning, Angel may have gotten a vote or two, but that's it. Spike's cult kept pouring them in. I even threw a few out for being late. If it was close, I would have had a tough decision on a few votes. Four votes for Spike from two almost identical email addresses in a short time: is someone voting for their cats? Despite knowing it was coming, I'd rather turn control over to someone else rather than have the hateful duty of naming Spike the winner a couple more times. Except it gives me the chance to call him Ass-Face a time or two more. Tons of comments. I think every Angel voter left one. Plow through.

Angel is weak. And Spike is the tyranny of evil men. But he's been trying real hard, recently, to be the shephard. Plus, Spike knows that by mussing up Angel's hair, he can throw Angel off his game. And Spike has been getting a lot more Buffy noursishment if you know what I mean. And I just imagine Buffy to be really nourishing. But honestly, Spike doesn't care about atonement. That's what I've always liked about him, and the reverse is what has always separated me from Angel, no matter how much I like him. I'm no angel basher. But Spike has no inhibitions in this matchup. Angel does. Anyways, obviously angel should win. But I thought Spike should get a vote. - manwitch

It's finally time for the original Vampire-With-A-Soul to teach the newbie a few things about redemption. 1) It ain't gonna happen while you're bleaching your roots; 2) Leaving the bleach on too long does strange things to your thinking; and 3) Twenty-four years is w-a-a-a-y too long. Angel takes time out from watching the cookie baking to manhandle Spike (no, not like *that*, you perverted slashfic writers! I don't care *what* subtext Joss decided to put in the new season.) Dear Boy beats John-boy in a classic match of fists, fangs, and greasy hair. It degenerates into an oil-wrestling contest as their respective coiffures begin to leak under the pressure, and swells into...oh, damn! So much for discouraging the slashficcers. Anyway, Spike finally taps out when he realizes that he will almost certainly have to face Buffy in the Final Four if he wins...and she's kicked his ass so many times it now has roughly the same texture as a walnut. - Random

After a raging battle of fists, fangs, and snark, I declared the winner by flipping a coin. Hey, these two have been through so many phases (evil, brooding, insane, evil-with-a-chip, ensouled, human, in-love, self-sacraficing, etc.) that, everytime Spike kicked Angel's ass, a different aspect of Angel's personality would step into the arena and kick Spike's ass, who is promptly replaced by a new aspect of his own personality. This went on until, due to the Orpheus drug, two versions of Angel's personality appeared at once. This created a paradox so severe that both characters were at risk of certain annhilation. The only way to stop a paradox is to remove logical constraints by summoning the spirit of the Random, and the best way to do that is by flipping a coin. I flipped it, and it chose Angel as the winner of the match. With this totally random decision, the paradox was repaired and Angel succeeded in winning my vote. So, yeah, I couldn't make up my mine and flipped a coin. - Finn Mac Cool

Gold or Platinum? The fact is, both guys are absolutely invaluable parts of Joss' little universe, and BtVS wouldn't have been a tenth of what it was (if, in fact, it would have survived at all) without Angel AND Spike. So, how to choose? Clearly, James Marsters is the better actor and Spike is a hell of a lot more fun than Broody Boy. But in the end, I think Angel is the better character, and David Boreanaz is just good enough to convey his crushing guilt for a century of murderous bloodshed--and the rage still lurking behind the now-compassionate facade. Spike is more entertaining, but compared to Angel's burdens, there are time when Blondie Bear feels...insubstantial. (A metaphor for Ghost!Spike this season?) Anyway, a vote for the first, no longer the only, but the original vampire with a soul. - cjl

Vehemently and Respectfully Disagree - s'kat

I don't know how long that link is good for, but there are way too many words to fit here. - Jay

Angel beats Blondie Bear. much as I like Spike, Angel has had a lot longer to hone his skills. He rips the leather coat off Spike's back and sends "Captain Peroxide" off to have his roots retouched. - jane

I'd say Spike. He seems to be the more complex of the two. The more unpredictable one. The sort of underdog. The one you can never realy figure out. The freak or the runt of the two. - Nirvana 1

Captain Forehead & Captain Peroxide Gotta go with my boy Spike. Sure he can be stubborn as all get out and can be extremely foolish but who hasn't been? I think that his obstinance has done him good in the face of dealing with Angelus and Angel. He'll find a way this time, too. - deeva

This is gonna be messy. I'd like to believe that Angel will win, but you people have proven that I can't trust you to do the right thing. Anyway, as you may have guessed, I'm siding with Angel. Why, do you ask? Well, because Angel's always been one of my favorite characters; he's got a neat coat and a quest for redemption and everything. Also, there's the fact that, after Season 7, I'm completely burned out on Spike for the next 5 years. Plus, the hair has freaked me out since day one. So, you kids want Spike, here he is: standard Hardcore Match rules aply, both sides get a shopping cart filled with foreign objects, no DQ, no countout. Spike gets the upper hand early on by cheapshotting Angel with a sledgehammer to the head, but Angel's been there, done that, and recovers quickly, responding with a corkscrew through the eye. While Spike is trying to regrow his left retina, Angel cuts his legs out from under him with a chainsaw (he never did get to use that on Giles). Angel takes an anvil and ascends the to the top of the turnbuckle; one quick jump later and Spike's skull resembles a jigsaw puzzle. That won't kill a vampire, though, so Angel's still got time to play. That pesky soul kicks in, though, and Angel euthanizes Capt. Peroxide with some lighter fluid and a zippo. Winner by slaughter = Angel! Honestly, name one fight where Angel didn't hand Spike his ass on a silver platter. - Apophis

Like you can't guess who I voted for! Masq and a few others have made me see the light regarding Spike. He's still an asshole, but he's an asshole with vulnerability. Plus, he did help save the world. Gotta give him points for that. Yay! I don't hate him any more! But my recent Spike revelation aside, Angel is still my main manpire. Despite the derision with which we fans use the term "champion", Angel is a champion in every sense. He does good and helps the helpless -- not to atone for his past or for some cosmic reward, but because people are in pain and he has compassion on them. He may lose his path, now and then, but he always finds his way back. He's defeated so much evil, including himself, and he knows the evil will keep on coming. That doesn't mean he'll give up. He knows he can never make up for the evil he's done, the people he's killed. That's not why he fights. This isn't to say Angel isn't a controlling, misguided, occasionally self-righteous dork with a sadistic streak a mile wide. Then again, Spike is a manipulative, misguided, occasionally self-righteous geek with a masochistic streak a mile wide. It's a match made in heaven hell, people! So I gotta vote for my Angel, that big ol' paternalistic dork with really cool cars and a vicious murderer lurking inside. - Scroll

Spike is a wild card (or a joker ;)) which *always* trumps the A..ce. - lynx

Always Number Two I have a feeling that the Spike/Angel match will go the way of all other Spike/Angel matches we've seen. In the Fanged Four flashbacks, Angelus manhandled poor William and he took it -- too afraid to lift a finger in his defense. In Season Two, Spike had to join forces with the slayer to be able to face Angelus -- well, face is probably not the right word, since he struck Angelus from behind, kicked him while he was down, then ran off before Angelus got back up. In In the Dark, Spike strikes from behind again, gets whooped, runs away. He then hires another vampire to do his dirty work for him (a vampire even some of the most vile demons won't do business with), and gets a few kicks in while Angel is chained up and helpless. But lets face it, Spike is intimidated by Angel. Angel can scare Spike off with a sneer of derision (and a few well-placed boots to the head). Poor old Spike -- for the first 100 years of his unlife he tried to be Angelus (his Yoda), and for the last two he's tried to be Angel. He's killed two slayers and he still gets no respect -- not even from the WC, who've labeled him the number two vampire (after Angelus, of course). If Darla were still alive, she'd take Angel at his most noble over Spike at his worst (even at his most inspired, he was the Harmony of the gang) -- he just can't compete. - Malandanza

simple math A man who can express his emotions always beats a man who can't. Just another, or should I say the most important, weapon in the arsenal. When Angel finds this piece he and Angelus will become one. Until then the whole beats the half. - sdev

The moment of truth, Count Drabula or the Prince of Dickness? Well, no point beating around the bush, Spike. - Celebaelin

Angel 'Cos Spike doesn't give a piss about your mother. And people wonder why he's still potentially damnable... - KdS

Angel always beats Spike in a fair fight. Spike, however, doesn't go in much for fair fights if they don't suit him, and after taking a beating in the first round goes on the beat a suspiciously sluggish Angel handily. The next morning, Wolfram and Hart obtain a court injunction stripping Spike of his victory after "irregularities" were found in Angel's blood bottle... - Caira

Spike 3 reasons: 1. because his character seems to have more places to go and more to be discovered/uncovered and 2. he saved the world a lot and 3. he has more humourous dialogue! - Ann

If ever there was a time for a tie this is it In a perfect world Angel and Spike would let the buzzer sound and skate off the ice arm in arm, leaving the rioting and chair-throwing to the fans. They'd find a bar and raise a glass to the strangeness of fate, the trouble with Slayers and the dangers of beautiful women in dark alleys. But this isn't a perfect world - it's nasty and harsh and in the middle of this speech Spike kicks Angel in the balls. A couple extra kicks for old times' sake and it's all over. Spike's got my vote. - Ponygirl

This is a tough one, but I'm voting for Angel. I know, Spike chose to regain his soul, but Angel has suffered with his for much longer and although he's had the opportunity to give it up and return to the carefree vampire life several times, has never done so--though he's hit bottom pretty hard now and then, notably in A2. Spike's got the attitude and the cheekbones, but Angel has the sheer determination that would bring him out on top when these two duke it out. I'd rather see them brothers in arms, but they're going to call each other a lot of other names first. Hope they survive. Until then, Angel wins. - MaeveRigan

Angel, without doubt.... First Angel gets him all riled up and emotional,(it's jsut so easy to do and so much fun), taunting him about Dru, Buffy, his Mother, William, really bad poetry...then, he'd round up a whole bunch of demons Spike's betrayed and double-crossed over the past few years (I'm sure he's made just as many enemies in the Demon community as Angel) and let them go tag-team on beating the crap out of him...then, when he's nicely softened up, he'll drag Spike to the nearest graveyard(hallowed ground), maybe go a few rounds with him himself just for the hell of it and then, ooops, 'accidently' step on the Amulet. Bye bye Spikey ;o) - yabyumpan

Angel's to busy cracking jokes about a ghostly Spike to notice that Spike found a way to be corporeal again. Spike confronts Angel having had enough of him, and Angel, still thinking Spike's harmless turns his back on Spike, ignoring him. In anger, Spike pulls out a stake and *poof* Angel's dust. - Ali

Painful as this is, the decision is really quite simple for me. I love Angel, but I can't not vote for Spike. In all honesty though, I'm hoping Buffy's dream comes true. Oil, and my two favorite souled vampires...whats not to love? - Alison

I, on the other hand, love Spike, but cannot vote against Angel. You're right. Buffy's dreams of a wrestling match in oil should come true. Hell, that's been my dream since watching "Just Rewards". - Claudia

I am a new poster on the red board. Voting for Spike after some thought. - Brack

Spike gets my vote. I love both those two crazy vampires and just wish they would work it out, but if I had to chose I'd have to say Spike. There are just some moments when he's on the screen when I feel like I know exactly who he is and can completely relate to him. I've never felt that with Angel, and that's why I must vote for Spike. - goose

Have to say Spike, hands down. Angel is too busy staring into middle distance with the hint of a frown on his eyebrow to be of any use at all. - Julz

Wiccan Region: Giles 27, Willow 20

This is shocking. Giles not only upsets the heavily favored red hot trucker mamma, he beats her convincingly. This earns Ripper the Championship of the Wiccan Region. Voters never gave a signal that they would turn their backs on Willow like they did. Personally, I'm shocked. And I think I'm allowed to be condescending since I've put this whole damn thing together without ever casting a vote. Willow deserves better. You should be ashamed. For her to barely reach the 20 vote mark, it smacks of player hating. Comments.

This was actually hard for me. But, after much soul searching and a conversation with several major religious leaders of my area, I chose to vote for Giles. Maybe it was because he was one of the many neglected characters last season. Maybe it was my respect for people who are quote "hardcore" unquote. Maybe it's because everyone I pick lately has been losing and I'm using reverse psychology so Willow will win. Whatever it is, I voted for Giles and I hope he wins... unless the third thing I said is true; in that case, I don't mean it... or maybe I do... Whatever the case may be, here's how Giles would win: First, he'd just stare at Willow. Then, Willow would wet her pants and flee in shame. Just like a fairy tale. - Apophis

Age Before Beauty Although I know a lot of women out there would argue that Giles has the "beauty" part covered as well. Much as I adore my red-headed witch, Giles out-maneuvered her twice at the end of Season 6, and he must be given credit for pushing our wounded little bird out of his nest and back into the action at the start of S7. The disastrous characterizations of mid- to late-S7 (pod Giles and mojophobic Willow) cancel each other out. Willow could still learn a lot from the man. Giles wins. - cjl

Wicca vs. Watcher No matter how much either one may be an "ex" of either category, they are still themselves. We've never really seen that side of Giles that was Ripper. Is it because he's carefully tucked away, hidden? Or is it becasue he's always really there? More carefully integrated than we could've guessed? Only allowed out when the situation calls for it. Admittedly he's become more like scenery in S7 but that's just quibbling. Willow meanwhile, prefers almost to deal with her evil self by not dealing with it. She can't handle it. She loses it, literally, and Giles steps in and Ripper steps out. - deeva

Actually it was the seventies when Giles learnt the wiles necessary to beat Willow (sniff). Out of a sense of duty and self-preservation Giles steps up to the mark and prevents the Wicca from becoming a basket case. If nothing else playing the Bay City Rollers at her should have her begging for mercy within minutes. - Celebaelin

Nobody messes with my Willow Yes, this was hard. But ultimately, I had to go with Willow, because--well--she's Willow. I am not among those who think she hasn't suffered enough for going dark and trying to kill her friends and destroy the world. Hello--lost her true love; endless remorse, and months of rehabilitation (in England and continuing in season 7 Sunnydale). Those who think Willow has forgotten what she went through, or the sacrifices her friends made to bring her back, have been watching some other show...possibly Charmed. I could write an essay, but this isn't the place. I adore Giles, but his work is done and he knows it. These two aren't going to fight. They enter the ring, bow, Giles hands the Big Book of Magick to Willow (the White), and steps out again, conceding that she is no longer a "rank, arrogant amateur," but has reached maturity and now, truly, surpassed her teacher. - MaeveRigan

Giles, I'm sorry man, but your time here is through. You enter the ring and await a rematch with the Dark One - and much to your surprise, she doesn't show up. Being a smart Watcher, you brought the latest edition of the Watchers' Diaries and start reading. After a few hours, you finally get sick of waiting and decide to leave. Then you notice the glow from under the door. Gingerly opening it, and prepared for the worst, you find yourself confronted with Willow in full apotheosis. Forget Gandalf, this White Witch is the real deal. She's been waiting for you, unable to enter the ring out of respect for what you've done for her but equally unable to leave, as she knows she has surpased you. Taken aback by the power and emotion of this moment, you congratulate her and leave feeling overjoyed at her transcendence of her own dark power. No blood or violence here, just the changing of the guard from one master to another. - BMF

I went with Willow on this one -- don't get me wrong, I know Giles got the better of her last time around, and likely would have the ruthlessness to her down and the plan to make it happen. But Willow has a secret weapon -- dumb, blind luck. Her never-ending supply of get-out-of-jail-free cards. No matter how badly she behaves, how many problems she causes, how much destruction she creates, she can stand there in the smoking ruins of other people's lives with the innocent expression of a clueless ingenue and lisp out her half-apology to Giles' heirs. - Malandanza

Demon Region: Fred 31, Xander 27

The lowest seed alive, is well, the lowest seed alive. Fred wins the Demon Region Championship with an even more impressive upset of the highly favored, butt-monkey. Xander inexplicitly left his best weapon holstered. He should have proposed. That gets ‘em every time. Fred did explain how she won, but I wasn't able follow it at all. It apparently has something to do with fishing line and the periodic table. I do understand the comments, I think. You try ‘em.

It's on a knife edge, which makes me all the more uncertain about leaving Xander out to dry. I'm sorry X man but it's true I've sold you out in an attempt to provide a definitive answer to a problem of 68 years standing. Fred sweetheart I've got this idea forming about the derivation of Higbie's Penetration Theory in its' final form in the original paper from the Stokes-Einstein equation (via Dankwert's Surface Renewal Theory obviously) with relation to bubble rise velocity, any thoughts? Gimme a T for Texas. - Celebaelin

I'd just love to see these two meet. Over coffee--which in Xander's case would be hot chocolate, while Fred's caffeine-level nearly vibrates her into the next dimension. I know the scenario's been overdone, but I think they're perfect for each other. Fred's surrounded by brainy, semi-evil guys now. She really needs some funny, heartfelt goodness, someone with real courage who can also appreciate country music--"the music of pain" ("Prophecy Girl"). Now, some people would see this as a win for Fred, but since Xander's recovering from losing Anya, I'm calling it a win for Xander. And besides, he's the underdog. - MaeveRigan

Love Fred to bits, but I'm voting for Xander. Why, you ask? BECAUSE. (Okay?) - cjl

Works for me. Go Team X! - Ponygirl

I'm gonna be honest: I can't think of a reason for Xander to beat Fred (at least, I can't think of one that doesn't involve horrible, out-of-character violence on Xander's part). I still voted for him, though, because Xander is a survivor. He's taken everything the Hellmouth could throw at him, all without the aid of magic powers or even, on some occasions, common sense. Ergo, I figure Xander can think of a way to survive whatever Fred invents to beat him and pull through with a victory. Plus, as I've said before, ain't a woman alive what can resist his jaunty eye-patch. - Apophis

The Everyman vs. the former Pylean cowgirl Despite being surrounded by strong girls and women for the last 7 years, Xander will severely underestimate the waifishness of the wide-eyed big brained one. Despite his commando "experience" I see this match-up being similar to his "fight" with Harmony. Smackdown indeed. Fred will probably end up using whatever weapon he had to knock him down. - deeva

C'mon, ya gotta be kidding me! I just will not believe that Fred has enough of a fanbase to let her beat Xander unless some people are voting more than once. Not no way, not no how. - Finn Mac Cool

Fred beat Wesely and Wesely could beat the stuffing out of the one eyed x-man. therefor by the process of simple logic Fred beats Xander - skpe

Slayer Region: Buffy 34, Wesley 22

Buffy is the first to win a Region Championship. To win the Slayer Region, all she had to do was fire Wesley. Okay, it was a bit more brutal than that, but it's an interesting history. Wesley has done rather well in this tournament. Even though he was made a number two seed, I never really expected him to make it this far. He just faced one too many Slayers. The new comments are here! The new comments are! These oil cans are spontaneously springing leaks...

You've voted against Doyle, Cordelia, and now Faith, and yet I find that I can still forgive you all. Just don't push it. If you think Wes can take Buffy, all I can offer is my pity (and a request that you not approach my family). I don't care how much stubble he develops, Buffy is the greatest Slayer in history. Wes could take a novice Slayer, like the ones in Season 7. Wes might be able to take the average Slayer, what with his cunning and guile. Wes (for the sake of arguement) MIGHT be able to take Faith, assuming he made some sort of dark pact with the Nameless Things of the Void. But no amount of demonic oaths or moral ambiguity or British accent is going to help him survive Hurricane Buffy. For one thing, there's the tremendous psychological influence Buffy no doubt still has over him; she fired him and essentially destroyed his life as he knew it up to that point. His world was shattered after only a few months in her company; that'll mess a dude up. And, there's always the fact that SHE BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF A FRIGGIN' GOD!!! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE??!?! DOES DEICIDE MEAN NOTHING ANYMORE?!!?!?... I'm sorry; there's medication involved. Anyway, go Buffy! - Apophis

I keep seeing an AD lookalike driving a GPO van around town. It's very disconcerting, I'm forced into a mind-set where I expect wierdness to befall me on my way back from the shops. Well, wierder than the tired old 'pear with the image of the Holy Mother on the skin' motif that's been going on as late. Honestly, I ask you, why aren't fruit based portents as spine chilling as they used to be? Anyway, in view of this worrying fact (the Wes clone not the iconic desert item) I had to vote for Wes, meaning that currently it's a draw. - Celebaelin

I love Wes, but--There's no way. He's survived this long, he's a badass ex-Watcher who's walked on the Dark Side, he's smart and ruthless-- And he's not standing up to Buffy. She's fought the Master, Angelus, and Spike, came up with the winning strategy against the Mayor, joined with her friends to kill Adam, faced a god and won, died twice, killed countless vampires and was loved by two, came back from heaven, fought the First, and changed what it means to be the Slayer forever. She'll win. - HonorH

Sorry "Wessel" but.... Buffy's gotta win this one, better stay at home and brood (Can I just say that AD's brooding skills have reached almost Angel-ic proportions? Nice) - angel's nibblet

Buffy reigns supreme.. even over the ex-watcher rogue demon hunter. She still sees Wesley as he was on graduation day, moaning on the ground. Laughing, she pummels his pride and his somewhat dark self into the dirt. Poor, poor Wessel... - jane

What kind of match-up is this? Buffy v. Wesley? Of course Buffy wins. It's not like she's going to kill him, of course. She'll just prove (again) that she's still the original prime-time Slayer. But hey, Wesley's toughened up a lot since season 3--he can take it. He can fight like a man now instead of like a Watcher, but he'd expect nothing less than triumph from Buffy (or Faith). - MaeveRigan

Miss Maybelline vs. 5 o'clock shadow guy Even with his not-so-new conflicted dark side, the I-had-to-behead-the-woman-I-loved experience and the return to rogue demon hunting, Wesley is still no match for the Buffster. Cause, Hello?, she did all that and a bag of potato chips. - deeva

Plus fashion-wise it's no contest. Wes may have found out that he looks good in leather, but he relies way too much on the suede jacket for his edge. Buffy on the other hand takes the time to change outfits and accessorize before every apocalyptic battle. Even Wesley's unheard of ability to successfully wear the colour yellow won't save him this time. - Ponygirl

Buffy: Oh! Wesley... I know that I am a Slayer and... you're a Watcher... And it would be impossible for us to be together, but -
Wesley: But . . . my watcher training prevents me from socializing with you, a slayer. Oh, Buffy.
Buffy: Yes, Wesley?
Wesley: I love you so much, I almost forgot to brood!
Buffy: And just because I booted you to the curb that one time doesn't mean we can't just be friends. Oh!
Wesley: Or possibly more.
Buffy: Gasp! No! We mustn't! Oh!
Wesley: You win.
Buffy: I win.
Jay: I just thought it might be fun to be part of all that non-voting, lovey-dovey nonsense that everyone seems to like so much. I was mistaken.

Regional Semi-Finals

Slayer Region: Wesley 33, Faith 32

Despite being the higher seed, I never expected Wesley would win this one. I thought that at best, he would give Faith a run for her money but end up losing a semi-close matchup. But Wesley wins the closest match of the Apocalypse, by a mere vote to move onto the Slayer Region Championship were he will face his other former charge, Buffy. Faith had control of the vote most of the day, only falling behind very late in the day. Then I fell behind on the results, but they and the comments are here now!

Wesley. "Giles--the Next Generation" has learned a lot since he screwed up royally as Faith's watcher way back in BtVS season 3. If these two have to match wits--Wes comes out way ahead. But even at fisticuffs, Wes could show Faith a few tricks now. No more screaming like a woman for Wesley Wyndham-Pryce; he's really earned that "rogue demon hunter" title. - MaeveRigan

Oooooo, this oughtta be fun! I can smell the blood now ('course, I always smell blood, ever since the accident...). Both these fighters are hard bastards (and, in Faith's case, probably literally); they've both suffered horrible physical and mental pain and come back stronger than ever. That said, I voted for Faith. There's the obvious power advantage; Faith's a slayer, and a particularly vicious one, at that. She broke out of prison by taking a 3 story dive onto a car and didn't even slow down till she hit LA. Plus, Faith's been in the joint. That place changes a person... I don't want to talk about it... Anyway, with the many reasons I have to vote for Faith, you can rest assured that there's no need to sink to shallow lasciviousness to settle the matter. My voting for Faith has absolutely nothing to do with her smooth, tan skin or her full lips or the way her leather pants cling to her perfect... Faith wins, gotta go. - ApOpHiS

Can't we just sit back and watch 'em wrassle? I mean, really: we've got the sexiest female on either show (even beating out such contenders as Lilah and Darla, IMHO) matched up with the best thing to ever happen to Angel. This should be a moment to savor, not some rushed brawl. Honestly. Where'd I put that oil? - Honorificus (The Silky-Perfection One)

My favorite watcher/slayer relationship OK, in my mind, it's the ONLY true watcher/slayer relationship we've ever seen, since I regard B/G as father/daughter. But still--hoo! Wes and Faith are quite a pair, with those yummy dark sides, Faith's tendency toward random violence, and Wesley's cold-blooded method of pushing the limits--of trustworthiness, morality, sanity--just to get a little extra juice out of his slayer. Wish we could see them together again, but I know we probably won't. Sigh. Anyway, as for the contest, it's a toss-up whether Wes' mind games can throw Faith off HER game enough so he can take her down. Deep down, I don't think he can do it. But that it's even possible is a testament to Wes' dark power, and that's more than enough to give him my vote. - cjl

My, how they have grown I was recently watching "Consequences" on FX. Compare Faith and Wes in "Consequences/Doppelgangland" (the evil wanna-be Slayer vs. Princess Margaret) to Faith and Wes in "Five By Five" (emotionally volatile/vulnerable Bad Slayer vs. proto-dark Wes) to Faith and Wes in "Salvage/Release" (redeemed formerly Bad Slayer trying to do right vs. emotionally scarred post-dark Wes). They bring out the best and the worst in each other. An interesting evolution of an interesting pair. - Masq

God, yes, love them both! Not gonna bother voting on this one. Can't choose between them at all. Besides, like cjl and Masq say, they're better as a team. A lethal Slayer/Watcher combination, with a truly balanced working relationship that Buffy and Giles (much as I love them) couldn't sustain. (Of course I might still be slightly bitter that Joss couldn't write "Chosen" without first dragging the concept, the institution, and the personages of the Watchers Council through the muck. < /rant>) Faith and Wes have come such a long way, as survivors and self-proclaimed loners and cynics who, nevertheless, still have... Hope. Faith (the virtue, not the character). Belief in redemption. Desire to save even those who seem beyond their reach. And while I love their relationship, I'm also truly fascinated by their individual journeys. Both are compelling in their own different ways. Their connections to Angel's journey reflect on their own development, and their counterparts (Buffy/Giles, Kendra/Zabuto, Justine/Holtz) give them dimension. Can you tell I love these guys? Yeah, I really do :) - Scroll

I voted for Wesley . . . making it 32-31 for him. Jay may note that this contradicts my earlier tie-breaker vote (along with votes for Cordy, Anya and Dawn), but I was going for an all-cleavage ticket there. Well, "cleavage" may be a bit optimistic when it comes to Dawn. That, I guess, is what I'll most miss from season eight -- the inevitable appearance of Dawn-cleavage. - d'Herblay

My error - It was Darla and not Anya for whom I cast my tie-breaker, which makes the whole "Team Cleavage" thing more sensible. Sorry for any confusion. - d'Herblay

Sorry Wes, but after Angel frelled your brain you lost most of your bad-assedness. Faith cleans your clock. - Doug

Demon Region: Fred 38, Cordy 17

I'm surprised that Fred took the "boss cow" title away from Cordelia so easily. Fred will be sparking up at the Demon Region Final against the number two seed, Xander. Since Cordy barely survived the last couple seasons, this may be a better outcome rather than what's happened to her on the show. I'm somewhat distracted at the moment, so I'm just going to distract you with shiny new comments.

I'm voting Fred. I would have voted Cordelia, except her superior performance in most seasons is tarnished by Season 4. So I have to give Fred the win. - Finn Mac Cool

Fang Gang Alpha Female Past versus Alpha Female Future. Coma, huh? As much I loved Queen C (and the wear-and-tear on my ANGEL Season 2 DVD proves it), Seasons 3 and 4 ruined the character. The St. Cordelia/Cordelius arc was a slow-motion disaster, and the best Cordelia fans could hope for is a brief re-appearance and a dignified exit. The future is Fred's. After waiting in the wings for over two years (and enduring a couple of shaky plotlines of her own), she's now the top girl in a boys' playground. Let's see what Amy Acker can do. (Don't bogart that joint, Fred.) - cjl

*Sigh* Okay, okay. Cordy used to be my favorite, but I just haven't been able to emotionally connect with her since the becoming-part-demon thing. Therefore, I'm going with Fred, who's been steadily growing on me ever since her first appearance. The physicist is too much of a survivor to go down even to Queen C at her best. - HonorH

Fred for sure.. Anyone who can survive 5 years in a demon dimension without going totally gaga should have no trouble taking down a comatose ex-higher being! - jane

Oh, Jiminy Crickets! Is this even real!? There's no question about it. Cordy all the way. Sure, Fred's been with AI long enough to pick up a few things and she's a survivor. But for a moment, wayyyy back when, Angel was teaching Cordy a move or two. - deeva

Anyone who can get Lilah all lathered up deserves my vote...;) I will always remember Lilah for her "Texas twig" comment....and I owe that to Fred...so she gets my vote. - Rufus

The writing is on the wall for Cordelia, particularly since Fred's extra-mural activities are on the increase. Quite apart from anything else her plan to open a totally retro W&H headshop on the mezzanine floor turned out to be a real winner. Order some more combination ouija board-rolling mats and call an ambulance, oh and make sure they bring a straight jacket this time. - Celebaelin

Bitchy vs. Brainy You know, I had hopes for Cordelia. She was really making progress there, for almost three seasons. I wouldn't have minded if she and Angel had become an item--they could have worked something out. But I guess Giles was right, "In the end, we all are who we are, no matter how much we may appear to have changed" ("Lessons"), and vanity was the heart of Cordelia. So, half-demon visions, higher-being perspective, possession by "Jasmine"--whatever version of Cordelia meets Fred, Fred's inner toughness, her brilliant mind, her intuition, and her ability to really love others and to wield a variety of weapons in a pinch bring her out on top. Besides, Cordelia, shallow as ever, underestimates Fred because of her appearance. - MaeveRigan

But Fred is one mean mamma with a gun Look at the shot she made in "Magic Bullet." How many people do you know that could make that shot with that gun? Fred had the gumption and composure to handle Angelus' insults. Wesley wouldn't fight back. Gunn got all riled up, but Fred's "You're a pig" was perfect. Also, Fred is the one that brought in Willow while the rest of AI ran around like chickens with their heads cut off crying "The sky is falling." And most importantly, Fred looks much better than Cordy when she kisses Angel. So does Angel. - Diana

I love Fred, but I'm voting for Cordy for old time's sake... 'Cause we all remember the old times with Cordy. *sniff* She was never my favorite character, but whenever I spontaneously used a line from "BtVS" or "AtS" in conversation, it always ended up being a Cordy line. Not sure what that says about me. - Masq

Holy Cow! Cordy's getting walloped! Seasons 1 and 2 of Angel have turned me into a rabid Cordy fan. I don't care about Pod Cordy, or the wierd "I'm in love with Angel" thing, or the sleeping with Connor thing, or the evil thing, or the coma thing. Cordy Cordy Cordy! Fred wouldn't stand a chance against Queen C at her most imperious, anyway. - Anneth

Fred "There's conspiracies n stuff... Ya'll don't even know." Fred makes me warm and fuzzy inside. She wins my vote. - monsieurxander

Fred tears Cordy appart in her dreams... wait, wrong Fred. Fred's just too durable for Cordy to take down and she KOs herself trying to take Fred down. Why? Fred's A) From Texas, B) Survived a demon dimension for 5 years. - Majin Gojira

I completely forgot about this last night... so this is a late entry. I voted for Cordy. I'm not gonna go into why, but rest assured, I have at least two reasons. - Apophis

Wiccan Region: Giles 33, Dawn 21

It looks like Ripper has a stranglehold on this one. Giles told us a while ago that Dawnie had to die, and today, it came true enough. This sets up a Wiccan Region Final between Giles and the number one seed, Willow. We pretty much got what I expected out of Dawn, maybe even a little more. But the Key was not going "all the way." So this is where the Pushy Queen of Slut Town gets off and I turn it over to the comments.

*BAWL!* You're gonna make me choose? You meanie! *whimper*
Quit sniveling, or I'll do your voting for you.
Shut up, H. Besides, we'll end up voting the same anyway.
Do my eyes deceive me? Would you really vote against your favorite brat?
Here's how I figure it'd go down: Giles knows Buffy will kill him if he goes up against Dawn and harms her in any way. Therefore, he makes a few arrangements. On the appointed day, as Dawn (having researched her brains out and utterly ready to take on the Old Guy) makes her way to Thunderdome, she has a little run-in with a really cute guy who's moping over having lost to Lilah. Teenage hormones do the rest of the work, and Giles wins by default when Dawn fails to show up at the appointed hour.
Niiice fanwank!
I thought so. - HonorH

They spend their allotted fight time making cookies and talking about boys. Towards the end of that time rakish Uncle Rupert has to become really rather stern. Dawn is banished to her room and the cookies get slightly burned, they're still edible though. - Celebaelin

Despite the fact that I'm pretty equal in favor of both characters, I went with Dawn; Giles is cool, but he's not as pretty. Anyway, I figure whoever wins is gonna lose to Willow, so I may as well do the right thing. Dawn wins by using her linguistics skills and the magic shadow puppets to send Giles into the past. Giles uses the opportunity to get in some quality research and comes back wiser and happier. - Apophis

A calamity. A confrontation too horrible to contemplate. But even worse--I've known who would win the second I saw the match-up posted. I think it has been well-established that if he felt he absolutely had to do it, Giles would have killed Dawn at the end of Season 5, as cleanly and efficiently as he killed Ben. Dawn, even though she's displayed signs of hardcore Watcher mentality, could never hurt Giles. Of course, Buffy would kill him in a blind rage immediately afterward--and Giles would welcome death. Wow, I'm all sunshine and lollipops here, ain't I? Anybody got some puppies I can run over with my car? - cjl

Ripper versus former shiny green energy ball. Giles is the get-it-done dude. He gave Buffy the "Dawn or the world" speech. He snuffed out Ben/Glory. Has some secret mysterious minion torture techniques that are quite effective (dd he learn that from Angelus?) Dawnie doesn't stand a chance in this showdown. Unless you count being kicked in the shins as something. Nah. - deeva

Dawn pulles out the taser, but layers of tweed are not only better than Kevlar, they're grounding (probably makes no sense - I know nothing about the physics of electricity). So, in the end, the tweed stands alone. - Dead (stuck a bobby pin in the outlet) Soul

Dawn just can't bring herself to kill Giles. Giles, however, can bring himself to kill Dawn. Eventually, he gets her stunned, laid flat on the magic shop roof, and lifts his axe, nerving himself up for the final blow... when Dawn's head rolls onto its side, and her shiny, shiny hair reflects a flash of sunlight right into his face. Giles staggers back, blinded, trips and falls off the roof onto the street. Out for the count. Winner: Dawn. - Caira

Watcher Junior shows her stuff. It's a thrilling research-off between Giles and Dawn! Giles's Japanese is rusty, but he pulls ahead because of his knowledge of ancient Hittite and Proto-Hungarian. When the contest moves on to the computer and internet-database phase, however, Giles is utterly flummoxed by the infernal machines, remaining convinced that "Knowledge comes from crafted bindings and pages [...], not ones and zeros" (LMPTM). Dawn, well-tutored by Willow in the intricacies of computer assisted searches, quickly decodes the Scroll of Urgoch-Mykelos, and wins this round, vindicating the new generation. Giles is so proud! - MaeveRigan

Chatterbox versus Fussbudget. The thing about Giles and Dawn is, they can both talk piffle like nobody's business. In the final analysis, though, Dawn, with her pixie-stix-fueled pop-culture-teenaged-girl warblings can out-babble Giles any day of the week. He'll lose like a man, then wander off to teh equivalent of the Bronze in whatever town/city they're in and croon his discontent. Mmm, Giles crooning... - Anneth

Vampire Region: Angel 32, Darla 21

Angel has a workman like effort to oust Darla from the Apocalypse. It's not like he screwed her and then kicked her out or something like that. This sets up the Vampire Region Final between number one seed, Angel, and number two seed, Spike. To be honest with you, I don't think this is Darla's best effort. She could have Angel spinning on his ear if she really wanted to. It might even help that hair of his. But what really helped me today was a lot of good comments. Help yourself.

Hate this contest. Okay, love Darla, but I think Angel's demonstrated that he can take her. Several times, and with great passion. Not that she hasn't handed him his share of defeats, but he tends to come out on top. Darnit, there's just no way to not make this dirty! Angel wins. - HonorH

Dear boy up against Mummy dearest. Sure, Angel dusted her, in the back no less, way back in S1 without so much as a boo hoo but Darla sure didn't let him forget it when she came back. Which is why I think that when the chips are down, Darla will win the day and Angel will be recoverin' from a whuppin' by going into extra brood mode. - deeva

Angel vs Spike must happen. The blood, the gore, the mayhem, the screams of the dead and dying, and that's just the posters. In anticipation of a protracted, bitter and bloody battle I'm voting for Angel. And so is Darla. - Celebaelin

Pretty Dead Boy. (Guess where I got that heading and win a prize!) Anyway, Angel's killed Darla before, and he really wanted to when she was pregnant. Not to mention the fact that he beat her when she was all enhanced from said pregnancy. At the end of the day, Angel's just more of a fighter than Darla. Darla worked with deception, seduction, and manipulation; Angel solves problems with his fists. All Darla's stuff takes time and planning, whereas Angel can just walk up to anyone and hit them. It's just more efficient. Also, I, too, want to see Angel vs. Spike. - Apophis

This is a clear case of the student surpassing the teacher: - sdev
DARLA: You can do anything, have anyone in the village. Who will it be?
ANGELUS: Any *one*? I thought I’d take the village.

Angel, of course. But what a battle it would be... Hour after hour of vicious physical combat, followed by a short break filled with mutual recriminations (and maybe some hot, angry sex), followed by mind games, followed by more violence, then more sex, until finally, Angel finishes her off once and for all. Why Angel? Same reason it's been since Buffy Season 1: part of Darla (human, vampire or whatever) will always love Angel--but Angel never loved her back. (Dead Boy's biggest advantage.) - cjl

This is a tough one, but in the end, Angel is the one standing. Darla tries all of her little mind games, but this time Angel won't play. In bitter frustration, Darla stakes herself - Again! - jane

Daddy or Mommy.... Let's see... Dad... or Mom.... You don't make a boy choose between his dad and mom! That's just wrong! - Masq

I hate to see these two meet again... or do I? But as others have noted, Angel has proven that he has what it takes to overcome Darla. She may have made him, but he's way beyond her now. Fists, fangs, or moral philosophy, Angel wins this round. - MaeveRigan

Vampire Region: Spike 70, Lilah 28

Ass Face blasts his way to another win. Ass Face just keeps looking stronger and his face looks more like an ass with a nose after every round. Lilah had what would be a very respectable showing in just about any other matchup. With the extra 30 to 35 votes in this one, it doesn't look as good. Ass Face clinches a berth in the Vampire Region finals. With all the extra votes, we sure didn't pick up any extra comments. Would have been nice.

Logically, I'm going to have to vote for Spike, as much as I love Lilah. This guy took out two Slayers: beautiful, clever and undead as Lilah is, she's no Slayer. No superhuman abilities, no mystical connection, and- most importantly, no mythological love/hate through the ages legacy with which to entice and entrap Spike. Plus the senior partners wouldn't give her any help: they're not picky about the vampire with a soul they get in the end! He's in love with pain. She'll give it to him. But he'll come out with the coat intact and billowing. That chic wardrobe is going to get dirty..... btw: final round match-ups: oh my! These are fights I would love to see. Great strategic positioning! - Abby

Even though I'm starting the game with an 88% disadvantage, I'm still sticking to my anti-Spike guns. Lilah may have been decapitated, but Spike got all incinerated; there's not even enough left to pin. And, since Lilah has a Get-Out-Of-Hell Free card thanks to the Senior Partners, her death is merely an inconvenience. Sadly, Spike has no evil demon bosses to pull his ashes out of the fire; that's what a life of antisocial rebellion gets you. So, since this was so short a fight, here's a little swimming man to entertain you: ............... >-/0 ............. - Apophis

Oh, come on. This is pathetic. I know Spike is, by far, the more interesting character, and richly deserves his second shot at unlife on ANGEL. But are there no red-blooded American men out there who will sell Blondie Boy out for the hotness that is Lilah? Those legs, those eyes, that evil, evil brain--really guys, you're hurting her feelings. (And Wes showed us that, yes, she's got 'em.) Spike's going to win anyway, so I'm voting for Lilah--we'll be in the W&H hospitality lounge as I console her after her ignominious defeat. - cjl

I really hate this-- --having to vote for Spike on this round, I mean. Because he's got a soul. No-soul, pre-chip Spike would have killed Lilah in a minute and enjoyed every second of it. Even with a chip in his head, he'd find some way to do it--hire a gang of minions or something. Soul-vamp Spike wouldn't kill her, but since for him it's all about Buffy, he won't have any of Wesley's ambiguity problems. Bye-bye, Lilah. - MaeveRigan

Spike gets my vote. He managed to adapt to everything that has been thrown at him from chip to trigger to soul to death. He'll manage to get past a lawyer just as easily. - Ali

I was going to vote for Lilah but in fact I think Spike has her outclassed in every category except number of X chromasomes so I can't quite bring myself to, despite the loss of the only non 1 to 4 seed left in the competition. Let us briefly consider the subsequent possible permutations. - Celebaelin

Wiccan Region: Willow 34, Tara 27

Willow exerts her control over Tara in disposing of the do gooder in a close, but decided manner. This gains Willow a well deserved spot in the Wiccan Region final. Tara just wasn't enough to overcome all things that are Willow. But she is going to leave Willow a blood splattered blouse to remember her by. For all the votes Tara pulled in, she didn't get many comments in her favor. But there weren't that many comments overall anyway. But what's here is what's good.

MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!! The day of reckoning is upon us, my children! You wanted your precious Tara, now you have her! But, in order to keep your lovely witchcorpse, you have to make her mutilate her lover, the perenial fan-favorite Willow! You wanted interesting times, now you got'em! I voted for Willow, of course. See, the thing about Willow is, she had a personality in the first episode. Not only that, but her personality changed and developed over time. Tara... well, Tara was nice. And was a lesbian. And got shot. The end. Besides, Willow already proved that she could break into Tara's head and mess around anytime she wants. She could just make her walk off a cliff, or fight bears, or wear latex... anyway, you get the point. Now, one final message: None of this "tie" BS, alright. Chose one or the other; no fence stradling. This ends NOW! - Apophis

I agree about the namby pamby fence stradling. It's getting annoying. - Jay

Voted for Willow for exactly the same reasons ;-) I am voting for all characters whose original first name started with the letter W just as a matter of course. My true difficulty will be when Wes goes against Willow or Willow against William the Bloody. Until then? I'm fine. - s'kat

Love lies bleeding. I very nearly voted for the enigmatic Tara, I still think Willow didn't really 'get' her totally, but at the last moment reality reared its' ugly head and I had to go with what's likely to happen rather than what's just or fair. In a staggeringly incongruous display of insensitivity, comparable only to Morgan-le-Fey's 'where babies come from' speech to Mordred for sheer self-centered spite, Dark Willow magically coerces all the fight out of Tara and makes her mop the floor with her head. Dark Willow strides menacingly into the next round. - Celebaelin

Tara. Because Willow might have been a more complex character from the start, but at least there was some logic applied to Tara's development (and use of magic --- *cough*hack*Orpheus*hack*cough*) in her last two seasons. Plus, hey, if it's between Snarky!Tara and MagiCrack!Willow, which would you prefer? And should they find they have better things to do than fight, well, it just so happens that Tara's on top at midnight, so technically... - Caira

How could this happen?! First, just have to say that the Sweet 16 line-up could only have been brought about by nothing less nefarious than the First Evil--but then, we knew it was impossible to destroy in this world. So--Willow v. Tara. Can't they just be kissing each other now? No? All right. Big confrontation, argument, tears, magic fireworks. No actual wiccans were harmed in the course of this contest. Tara concedes--she's just happy to be back in the world, even if it's to fight with Willow--and then the big make-up sex. Willow wins that round, too, several ways, most of which are fun for Tara as well. - MaeveRigan

Willow, the most powerful witch in all of the Jossverse, is still human, and thus has human weaknesses. Willow will take one look at the greatest love of her life, and will colapse with greif at what has happend to her lover. Tara will then console her, and protect Willow from herself. (taking a quick moment to Zap Kennedy in her butt for being a wanker) Tara Wins! - Wolfhowl3

Demon Region: Xander 39, Anya 18

Xander relies on his "hyena military guy" alter ego to rid the Apocalypse of the scourge of Anya. In doing so, he advances to the Demon Region Finals. Anya pays the price for her meddling in the shrimp realities. Yeah, she suffered a lot of injuries: dislocated elbow, stabbed through the torso, and sliced in half. Not to mention the innumerable cuts and bruises. Someone should have told her that nothing can defeat the penis. And nothing can defeat the comments, either.

Lots of votes, not so many comments. Does this mean people are uneasy about articulating their pro-Xander and/or pro-Anya feelings. Frankly, this is another of those contests that should never have happened, because--face it--those two crazy kids love each other, in spite of everything they've been through, in spite of the conflicts and the disappointments and betrayals and reversions to vengeance. In the end, Xander never stopped loving Anya, and Anya couldn't forget Xander and couldn't embrace vengeance whole-heartedly. Her love for Xander grew into love for humanity. On that basis, I'm calling it a win for Xander. - MaeveRigan

The voting is already fairly advanced and things do not look good for Ms. Jenkins. I voted for her though, largely because Xander still wants reconciliation if remotely possible wheras all Anya wants is anything she can get. If she can't make tentacles grow out of Xander's eyes (again with the eyes) or lovingly squewer him with a disemboweling sword she can at least stick him with the bill. - Celebaelin

It's time for Xander to finally get his due. Over the space of 7 years, everybody's favorite butt-monkey has been abused and confused and often contused. I adore Anya, don't mistake me, but...it's time. Xander has survived the worst beasties and befuddlements the Hellmouth has thrown at him and has emerged alive, if Cyclopean, without the benefit of superpowers, magical daring-do, or an overprotective superpowered sister who would kill her best friend (Willow? Xander? Holden? Who knows who the best friend is anymore) to save the whiny, luscious lil thang whose dance moves are...ummm, back to Xander, who feels an infinite sorrow as he takes out Anya(y'all didn't know the boy had, like, real feelings, did ya? Too busy sighing over Spike's monomaniacal poet's disease?) Poor Xander -- having to defeat his own beloved dead ex-girlfriend. But he has *been* there, *done* that. Give not the heart to vain regret for Xander, our Everyman, our Carpenter, the clumsy and snarky kid who skateboarded into our lives on special day in 1997. Today, I vindicate him. - Random

The contest is on, but the battlefield is empty. Wait. Somebody left a note....
Dear Jay:
Thank you for the generous, albeit temporary resurrection. But if one of us is going to be eliminated in the next 24 hours, Xander and I thought we should have as much sex as humanly possible before the end. (And maybe some sex that's beyond humanly possible.) You and your group of combat junkies are on your own.
Anya - cjl

Hee! It's a tie! Or, hmm, Xander is tied up? Either way works for me... and for Anya, naturally. I'm not voting this time, cuz there's just no way for me to split this dynamic duo up. Let fate and the monsters at ME do what they must -- in my heart of hearts, Xander and Anya lived happily ever after, having half a dozen money-loving, furniture-building babies, a mortgage that will eventually be paid off, and a white picket fence that occasionally doubles as a vamp dusting device. Xander + Anya 4Evah!!! - Scroll

tied up? what, they couldn't find any chains? Well, their yet-one-more-time together is limited, so they wouldn't want to spend too much of it looking for their preferred type of restraints...anyway, sounds like restraint ain't exactly what they have in mind. BTW, Scroll, love the picket/stake idea! - anom

Let's face it: If ElectroGwen couldn't make me vote against Xander, no one can. It's my sworn duty to make sure that Xander is the last man standing, even if I have to do some unpleasant things, like vote against Anya or shoot a puppy. War truly is hell. Xander wins by paying Anya to lay down... not that she wouldn't have done that for free... Ain't a woman alive what can resist a jaunty eye-patch. - Apophis

Much as I love Anya, I simply must vote for Xander. That is all. - HonorH

Slayer Region: Buffy 31, Gunn 17

Sorry it so long to get this up, but it took forever to clean up all of the blood that Buffy knocked out of Gunn. That's right, Buffy tears Chuck apart to be the first character to move onto the Region Championship Round. Charles did put up some kind of fight, but he was no match for the Buffmaster. Better luck next time. There are not a lot of comments today, but I'm sure you'll enjoy what's here.

Buffy is really, really impressed. Gunn's got moves, Gunn's got stones, and he doesn't quit, not even when Buffy is pounding his kidney into paste. Buffy shatters his jaw and cracks his fibula in two places, and he still won't go down. It's only when Buffy breaks ten of his ribs and practically drives his nose into his skull that Gunn realizes a reputation for standing up to a Slayer isn't worth the two years in intensive care, and (with his remaining good hand) throws in the towel... - cjl

My favorite character is Buffy.....but I'll be nice and console poor Gunn...;) - Rufus

Buffy vs Gunn, with the Hardcore Title on the line. Let's be honest: Buffy's going to win this. Heck, Buffy probably SHOULD win this; the show's named after her for a reason. The thing is, I respect Gunn too much to vote against him. So, feeling confident that the universe will balance out on its own, I voted for him. At the end of the day, taking a beating and not giving up is more hardcore than giving a beating to someone who's not anywhere near your strength class; just ask Mick Foley. So, here's the breakdown: Buffy wails on Gunn for several minutes, with Gunn getting in a respectable number of shots. Eventually, Buffy mistakes Gunn's inablility to move for unconsciousness and leaves the area. However, Gunn was merely paralyzed and thus wins by countout. Afterward, magic fixes Gunn's spine so he can fight another day and Buffy wins a new pair of shoes as a consolation prize. - Apophis

First of all, Buffy can't believe you're asking her to fight one of the good guys. But Gunn thinks it's an interesting experiment, though obviously a hopeless cause. They both put their all into it, because that's the kind of people they are, but of course, Buffy wins. Gunn knows he did his best, so (after W&H's infirmary patches him up), they go out and trade vampire-slaying tips over a beer (not the Cave-Buffy inducing type). - MaeveRigan

Gunn versus Buffy? Depends on the contest... (caution: mild Angel Season Five spoiler within) If you're talking no holds barred physical fight to the death, then yeah. No way Gunn could beat Buffy without outside assistance. He might be able to outsmart her, but she's died three times and come back. He's died like, no times. At best, Gunn on his own could only postpone the inevitable. Buffy would take him out. However, if we're talking COURT battle, the new and improved Gunn would have Buffy on the ropes in less time than it takes to feed a cat. So. It all depends on the contest. - ZachsMind