Rooting for the underdog again: Regarding Marti Noxon

[selenak]

There is a woman who gets bashed and vilified even more than Buffy herself in the fandom, and I'm not talking about SMG. No, I'm thinking of the writer who wrote nearly as many episodes as Joss himself and has, no matter whether you like her or not, been elementary in shaping the show for most of its run: Marti Noxon.
So, before I take off to Italy for 11 days, and in view of the show's imminent end, I'd like to pay tribute to Marti, without whom BTVS would have been lacking many of its interesting and/or enjoyable aspects.
For starters, she's responsible for practically all the kinkier sexual subtext - or not so sub-text, going all the way back to her very first episode, "What's My Line II", in which we see Drusilla playing S/M games with Angel who gets to taunt Spike about being too tame for Dru. It was Marti who had Faith exchange S/M allusions with Angel in "Consequences", to say nothing of Faith almost raping and strangling Xander earlier in the same episode. (I could go on about fannish double standards for Faith and Spike here, but I won't, not now.) Marti gave us VampWillow with her penchant for torturing chained Angel for kinks, Oz and Veruca having scratchy, wild werewolf sex, and, naturally, Buffy and Spike having erotic but dysfunctional sex in season 6. It didn't surprise me to learn Marti was an uncredited co-writer of the Angel episode "Dear Boy" and responsible for the broadcast version of the crucial Darla/Angel confrontation at the end. (Compare it with the shooting script version by David Greenwalt (at Psyche's), and the difference is rather pointed - in favour of Marti, I might add.)
Which leads me to the next point: it's not just the edgier sexuality; she's excellent with the emotions as well. Said scene between Darla and Angel is an excellent example; there's so much anger and lust and resentment and familiarity in only a few words. And of course, she's the queen of break-up scenes: Buffy and Angel in "The Prom", Willow and Oz in "Wild at Heart" ("All my life, I never loved anything else"), Willow and Oz, again, in "New Moon Rising". At the same time, she can do the quiet, relationship-building moments as well: Tara and Willow in "New Moon Rising", especially the final scene, Willow's simple "I am", and the beautiful image of blowing out the candle, Xander telling Anya he's in love with her (and why) in "Into the Woods". My personal favourite of Marti's "quiet" relationship scenes would the Buffy/Angel encounter in "Forever"; I'm not a B/A'shipper, but I found it deeply touching, and utterly believable.
Willow is a character whom Marti (mostly) excels writing about; in addition to "Wild at Heart" and "New Moon Rising", I'd like to point to the arrival of Darth Rosenberg in "Villains" and the Willow scenes in "Conversations with dead People" which (as was revealed recently in the Succubus Club interviews) were in fact written by Marti. (And then, of course, there's VampWillow in "The Wish", our very first indication of Willow's darker side.) Considering it was Marti who voted for Amber Benson to play Tara when Joss first had doubts, I think it's safe to say Ms. Rosenberg and her love life might have turned out quite differently if not for Marti.
Writing a follow-up to such an outstanding classic as "The Body" was is not an assignment I'd wish on anybody, but Marti handled it with aplomb. "Forever" is, in my opinion, one of the all-time best episodes of the show. It gave us the days after Joyce's loss just as "The Body" gave us the immediate hours, showed us Buffy struggling to keep it all together and finally breaking down in the arms of her sister (still one of the best Buffy/Dawn scenes ever), gave us Giles quietly mourning for Joyce by listening to the Eric Clapton record they had heard together in "Band Candy", showed us Willow's continuing penchant for quick magical fixes in difficult emotional situations by her careless behaviour towards Dawn, and reaffirmed the friendship between Dawn and Spike, an important element of the fifth season.
Lastly, though she is primarily a "dark" writer, Marti can do humour as well. "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" (which it occurs to me includes yet another Marti break-up scene - Cordy and Xander) is certainly the funniest episode of season 2. "Buffy vs Dracula" is the best tongue-in-cheek take on Dracula I've ever seen, managing to include all the stock elements - castle, arrival via coffin with earth, Renfield(=Xander), three "brides" indulging themselves with one of our heroes, Dracula arriving in enthralled victim's bedroom, etc. - and putting a Buffy twist on them. Buffy's line to Dracula, re: his identity - "you're sure about that? 'Cause I've fought plenty of pimply fanboys who called themselves Lestat" - remains one of my favourites, and the twist on the usual scene which ends the Hammer film versions of Dracula (i.e. after the Count is destroyed, the heroes depart and we see the dust reassembling for another sequel), Buffy outwaiting Dracula's various reassemblings until he takes his misty self away, had me in stitches as well. And then there's the Buffybot - brought to hilarious life by Jane Espenson in "Intervention", true, but Marti's use of her in "Bargaining" retains the comedy while adding pathos as well.
So, glitches like Willow-as-addict in "Wrecked" notwithstanding, I'm grateful for Marti's contributions to the Buffyverse and wish her the best for the future.

Comments

[merkuria-lyn.livejournal.com]

Great post Selena! Unlike many fans I've never gone along with the Marti Noxon hatred. Sure, 'Wrecked' wasn't her greatest moment, but I've never really understood the irrational hatred of people who seem to blame her for just about everything that goes wrong on the show or that simply isn't what they'd wanted.

Of course this is not difficult for me since angst is what I seem to get off on ;) - for people who want all fluff all the time she is probably rather problematic... Still, the cruel bashing that seems so common in fandom makes me sick and I'm not even talking about the stupidity of blaming one person for everything... Overall, I think Marti is incredibly underrated. And I didn't even realise she was involved in *that* many episodes and plot decisions! Knowing it, though, it makes perfect sense...

Oh, and I read your fanfic recs yesterday!

re. Minor Property Damage: I agree with you - it's very good. And it's refreshing to read something that isn't character-bashing. Lovely, angsty little piece.

re. First Sights, Last Sights: you write really well! Great retrospective piece and some wonderful insight into Buffy's mind. I liked it so much that I also read 'Revelations', which I found sympathetic toward Buffy while very much in character.
Hope you'll write more in this fandom - I'd definitely enjoy reading it!!

Thanks, and I certainly will...

[selenak.livejournal.com]

...once Real Life permits. I've got a Darla and Connor plot bunny, and a Willow, Andrew and the late Warren plot bunny which won't leave me alone anyway.

[ascian3.livejournal.com]

De-lurking in a completely random manner to say:

You read my story! I thought that had vanished into utter oblivion. This gave me a warm fuzzy feeling that is very likely to last the entire rest of the day. I'll just be over here in the corner, being happy.

(The story in question would be Minor Property Damage, since I obviously didn't write selenak's story...)

"Minor Property Damage"...

[selenak.livejournal.com]

...remains one of my all-time favourites for the reasons I gave, and I pimped it to quite a lot of people. Go, you!

[anniesj.livejournal.com]

Fabulous -- wow, just fabulous. What a great idea, paying tribute to Marti, who in spite of some missteps, has provided BTVS with some of its most essential episodes and characters. Where would we be without "The Wish" or Tara? You're right -- she really is a talented writer, and I tip my hat to her, and to you for remembering. VERY cool post. :)

Well, I figured...

[selenak.livejournal.com]

despite some disgruntlement, there will be plenty of Joss Whedon appreciation posts. But nearly everything which mentioned Marti in the last years concentrates on her faults while ignoring her virtues, and as a crucial voice in the Buffyverse, she deserves better. Thank you for your reaction.

[estepheia.livejournal.com]

Thank you for pointing these things out. I have many episode guides but they never break up the show according to who wrote what.
As someone who enjoyed most of S6 I never got heavily into Marti hatred (although I think she led the show to a dark place that was difficult to leave behind.). Wrecked still sucks, and her contribiution to S7 was blah, but I'm glad you pointed out her accomplishments. Good job.
Poor Marti, I'm sure it's tough and stressful being the scape-goat.

[ladycat777.livejournal.com]

Thank you for reminding me that Marti has done some absolutely fabulous things. I am one of those who bashes her - but I'm bashing her skills as an executive producer and show runner, I'd like to think, not a writer.

She is a great writer. Her appreciation for the dark and kinky is wonderfully entertaining.

But she can't executive produce for shit. My biggest problem, which I *can* lay at her feet without any hesitation, is her sense of pacing. Letting all the characters get enough time to get their 'arc' to move through. Yes, there are other factors. Yes, there are other people who can take equal share of this blame. But as executive producer and show-runner in Joss' place, it was up to *her* to correct this problem, and she never did. It was up to her to stop the shoddy writing from becoming to prevelent, and she never did.

So while I'm glad you reminded me why I should like her. . . I still stand by why I don't, too ;)

[stakebait.livejournal.com]

Yeah, what you said. She's a kick-ass writer, at her best. I've never said otherwise. And lord knows I'm all about the kinky sex. But as an exec producer, she's wasn't strong enough to keep the show together -- or else she was strong enough to take the show in a direction I don't like. Either way, the buck stops with her.

Mer

Thanks for this insightful post, Selena--

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

and yes, Marti Noxon has definitely played a huge role in making Buffy a good show. I definitely don't have problems with most of her writing, but I have to agree with ladycat777-- as an executive producer after Joss decided to go and pursue other avenues of creative work, she definitely played a huge role in the different developments of the last two seasons. Now, I really loved big parts of Season Six and the majority of Season Seven-- I don't think BtVS has gone to the dogs, least of all just because of her; but still, considering severe weaknesses in the story-lines and the whole set-up and pacing, I think it would not be accurate to exempt Marti Noxon from responsibility...

& :-)

Re: Thanks for this insightful post, Selena--

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm not saying she's flawless, and yes, as executive producer - which by the way she was already in season 5 - she bears responsibility (as does Joss) for the entire product, warts and all. However, it seemed to me she gets none of the credit for the good stuff and all of the blame for whatever elements people don't like about the show, and I wanted to restore some balance.

Yes, I understand--

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

we have witnessed an ongoing tendency to credit all the good stuff to Joss and all the crap to Marti...which is neither fair nor fitting, for all the reasons you state so eloquently and correctly.
Your essay was definitely a recommendable, even necessary contribution.

Regarding Season Five: I think that there was a consensual feeling that Joss was still on board, shaping the story-lines, setting the pace; yet, I, personally, don't consider S5 a very good season just because of a a few outstanding episodes-- so I guess that, if we actually do want to blame anyone, we can blame him as well-- if not for becoming a more sloppy executive producer, then for leaving Buffy to a more sloppy executive producer (which I feel Marti is, her writing skills notwithstanding).

Or maybe there is just so much genius; maybe, after some time, it naturally becomes harder and harder to keep the power and coherency of earlier seasons.

Then, of course, it all depends largely on your view; change doesn't necessarily have to be for the worse: some fans do argue that Season Six was one of the best, and I can actually see their point when it comes to tackling the tough topics, to novel ideas and concepts.


That said, I still believe BtVS is one of the best shows ever. I loved many Season Five episodes, I loved quite a few Season Six episodes and the absolute majority of Season Seven.
To me, it has certainly been the greatest and most wonderful TV experience.

& :-)

have a lovely time in Italy....

[crushw-eyeliner.livejournal.com]

Though in Italy? *That'll* be difficult.

I dream of going to Italy one day. Also, England, Wales, Spain, Japan, the Carribbeans...

I'll miss your posts when you're away. The Emma Thompson icons and cleaned up scans are on their way...

And you fic? Where?

Re: have a lovely time in Italy....

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Looking forward to Emma T.

My stories (well, some of them) are to be found at:

http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=6273

Emma T, as requested.

[crushw-eyeliner.livejournal.com]

I'm just leaving you the links, in case you've already gone, so they'll be waiting for you in your email when you get back. And, oh, you're a great fiction writer as well.

http://plastic.bitchenvy.com/file_share/angels.jpg

http://plastic.bitchenvy.com/file_share/angels2.jpg

I tried to clean up the scans as best as I could, my friend Nora did the scans, but they were on folds, so there'll be a line in there....

Re: Emma T, as requested.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Beautiful. Once I'm back home and able to be longer online than just to post and catch up with my mail, I might be able to do something with them.

[caille.livejournal.com]

I don't have to think Marti Noxon does everything right, either - I respect her and admire her work. What's more, I've been mightily sick of the gratuitous Noxon-bashing for a long time. By "gratuitous", I don't mean simply disagreeing with her choices or disliking her style. I mean people saying nasty shit about her motivation, like she wrote x-plot line since she couldn't get James to have sex with her, or the reason she fucked everything up was because she went and got herself pregnant, and everyone knows that pregnant women can't employ logic...

I exaggerate a lot, but this is not one of those times. I've read sentiments like the preceding on a number of occasions. It especially angers me since that stuff has been said mostly by women. Now, I don't think the Sisterhood requires us twitter "Oh, darling, that was divine!" at each other, no matter what. But when the criticism is unleashed, it had better not reek of hormonal subtext, or I will get very cranky.

And did y'all know Marti Noxon has received death threats? That's right. We've all seen the "I wish somebody would beat Noxious to a pulp and dump her in Buffy-bitch's empty grave" type of nonsense posted on various boards, but I'm talking about people who've actually written to her or ME and said "I hate you and I wish you'd die".

Hmmm. I suspect this would be a good "time-out" point.

Sorry to fling this vitriol around, but obviously it's been weighing on me. It's one thing to say, "I dislike Marti Noxon's writing style. I think she is an inadequate executive producer. Here's why..." It's a whole 'nother thing to say everything up to, but not quite including, "stupid cunt".

Ya know?

Selena, honey, you can delete this if you like. No hard feelings if you do.

[coffeeandink.livejournal.com]

What's more, I've been mightily sick of the gratuitous Noxon-bashing for a long time.

No shit. The nastiness and in particular the profound misogyny that often comes out in Marti-bashing makes me incredibly unhappy and angry.

Selena, thank you for this. Although I disagree with your ITW selection, I've always tried to be careful to say that although Noxon has written two episodes I can't stand, she's also written some of my absolute favorites, and will always have a special place in my heart as the writer of the episode that hooked me on Buffy, "Consequences."

So with you, sisters

[selenak.livejournal.com]

As you say, Caille: there is a difference between criticizing Marti's work and the often disturbing kind of personal attacks which are all too common where she's concerned. I think the one which made me most furious was when someone wished she'd lose her baby when she was pregnant.
(Just compare this behaviour with the fannish reaction to Doug Petrie. He was first admired for his Faith episodes and "Fool for Love". Then he wrote "As You Were" AND simultaneously his comments on the season 4 and 5 DVDs showed he's a big Riley fan. "As You Were" was quickly called one of the worst Buffy eps ever, and a lot of Spike fans stopped seeing D.P. as their champion. But I didn't see any personal attacks on him; what rants I read concerned AYW mostly, sometimes "Weight of the World" as well, but nowhere was the nastiness seemingly reserved for Marti.)
Melymbrosia, ITW isn't one of my favourite episodes, either (Two words: Helicopter. Run), but it does contain two of my favourite scenes: the one I mentioned, Xander and Anya near the end, and earlier the scene between Riley and Spike. And yay for "Consequences". Great, great episode.

Re: So with you, sisters

[coffeeandink.livejournal.com]

I have, unfortunately, seen personal attacks on Doug Petrie as well--but not of the viciousness or frequency of those offered for Noxon.

I think ITW, alas, was ill-served by Noxon as director as well as writer--pacing seems to be a problem for a lot of the ME writers in their first directorial stints, and ITW is very slow, and the helicopter run and Xander's speech still make me seethe with rage. Some of the lead-up to Buffy discovering Riley with the vamps is quite good, though, and I do really like Buffy killing Riley's vamp girl in retribution. Very Wishverse Buffy.

"The Wish," "Consequences," "Bargaining 1," and "Villains" are among my favorite BtVS episodes, and Noxon has written many more that I think are quite good.

[12-12-12.livejournal.com]

Very interesting post on Marti, containing a lot of info that I'd forgotten, or hadn't known before. I always thought she was a good writer--especially in the early years--but I think that getting so much control over the show was a bad decision. For one thing I don't think she was suited to the job in the first place, and for another I think her skills as a writer did not improve with the later seasons; though of course I don't know to what extent the showrunning contributed to that.

It is good to be reminded of everything good she did--I think there's a tendency to hate her more than she deserves, because her more recent gaffes tend to erase the memory of her earlier work. I do admit to having had a very negative reaction to Wrecked (for obvious reasons) and ITW, mostly because of Xander's speech to Buffy, and because I found it so ridiculous of people to be blaming Buffy for not loving Riley the way he loved her. Oh, and because Marti referred to it as her tribute to Casablanca. Um.

But yes--credit where credit is due, and knowing that she wrote that Darla-Angel scene does a lot to elevate her in my eyes.