ramble

Riley Finn is everything a girl could wish for in a boyfriend - Caring, loving, funny, handsome and protective. Comparisons are obviously made to Angel, and this is unfair because they are two completely different people.

Angel has a soul which he will lose, as everyone knows, if he sleeps with Buffy. What kind of relationship can that be. I know sex isn't everything in a relationship, but remember it is any type of "perfect happiness" which would make Angelus return, and when Angel is around Buffy, this happiness is always going to be lurking, which can't be good for the relationship.

Another problem people have with Riley is that he is a bit too much the "All American Boy", but think of it this way - He was drilled in the Initiative but after everything it had done for him, everything that Riley believed was good and right, he left it all for Buffy. We all know how hard it is with your first proper girlfriend, you don't want to say the wrong thing or do anything worng and you get nervous. At least Riley shows that he puts efforts into his relationship with Buffy.

It can also be said that he was selfish when Joyce was ill, and I respect this but surely, Riley, someone Buffy says she loves so much, should have been let in, to help Buffy, to console her and to comfort her. Of course Joyce was the most important thing issue but Riley wanted to help and she just didn't let him in. Xander knew this was the case and he told Buffy , making her realise just how much Riley meant to her in "Into the Woods".

Finally, Riley isn't Superman. He isn't a vampire with super-strength like Angel or Spike, he is just an Ordinary Joe. I don't think he has a problem with Buffy's powers, it is just an easy way to criticise him. Anyone would be shocked at her powers, especially if you didn't know what a Slayer was, and don't forget, Angel made a comment about her being "Spry" in the first ever episode! Riley was prepare to give everything he had to Buffy and Angel was not. Angel left because he knew that relationship could never work, he would stay young and she would grow old. Riley was willing to stay and do everything he could for Buffy, she just didn't realise how much she felt for him.

So there you have it. Probably the only Pro-Riley thing you are ever gonna read! I'd love to hear your comments on this piece as I want to have a section after every "Ramble" for people's views. Any comments you do have are most welcome at buffysbaby@hotmail.com