Buffy Summers, the Vampire Slayer, is having an abortion. It is the decision that makes since for her, her partners, and in the overall storyline. Buffy took the pregnancy test in Issue 5, and it obviously came back positive. Issue 6, showed Buffy, not kicking ass and taking names, but instead a previous slayer, Nikki and her relationship to her son Robin. Nikki found herself pregnant and unable to walk away from slayer life. The story is told from Robin's point of view as he tells Buffy, there isn't anything she can't do. She raised Dawn, saved the world, and can handle this because she has a strong support system, which Nikki didn't. Eventually, Spike killed Nikki and Robin was raised by her watcher.
However, in the end, Buffy know she can't do this. She can't hold a job because slaying gets in the way. Her roommates are considering throwing her out, again because of the slaying, and her support system is in shambles, which is mostly her fault. It was a well thought out decision and really the only responsible decision.
Now, there are a few issues here...like Buffy doesn't know who the father is. I'm not going to lie, I'm a bit disappointed here. Yeah, people black out when drinking, but it feels like Whedon is dancing a fine line with sexual assault, which he's done before, see Season 6. I'm not saying the r-word, but there are issues of consent for both parties involved, whoever they may be.
Now, let us turn to what the Master had to say about this. Whedon gave an interview in Entertainment Weekly:
Did you always know that she would be getting an abortion, or did you ever contemplate the notion that she would keep the baby?
No. I think strongly that teen pregnancy and young people having babies when they are not emotionally, financially, or otherwise equipped to take care of them, is kind of glorified in our media right now. You know, things like Secret Life [of an American Teenager] and Juno andKnocked Up, even if they pretend to deal with abortion, the movies don’t even say the word “abortion.” It’s something that over a third of American women are going to decide to have to do in their lives. But people are so terrified that no one will discuss the reality of it — not no one, but very few popular entertainments, even when they say they’re dealing with this issue, they don’t, and won’t. It’s frustrating to me.
I don’t think Buffy should have a baby. I don’t think Buffy can take care of a baby. I agree with Buffy. It’s a very difficult decision for her, but she made a decision that so many people make and it’s such a hot button issue with Planned Parenthood under constant threat and attack right now. A woman’s right to choose is under attack as much as it’s ever been, and that’s a terrible and dangerous thing for this country. I don’t usually get soap box-y with this, but the thing about Buffy is all she’s going through is what women go through, and what nobody making a speech, holding up a placard, or making a movie is willing to say.
Yes, you read that right, the media glorifies unprepared parenthood, and he didn't even mention 16 and Pregnant, a personal favorite for everything that is wrong with the US. I can't wait for this to play out. Whedon has said this will probably be the last Season of Buffy. He's already sent Willow on a quest to restore magic in the world, and for those of us reading we know how that ends...badly, Dark Phoenix Rosenberg badly. That being said, don't name the father! I don't know why, but I really don't want to know.
