Buffy the Vampire Slayer Article: Reasons Why We All Hate "Riley Finn"

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posted by adwbuffy

Angel Buffy and Riley "The Yoko Factor"

As we all look back Season 4. Buffy fell in love with a commando guy who works for underground secert society called the "Intiative". Riley Finn a man who never had a girlfriend in his life until there was Buffy. There relationship was very hard for them in Seasons 4 and 5. Season 4 was about trust and care. When Riley found out about "Angel". He flipped out on Buffy. Like felt that was loosing her in that season. Buffy was trying to make Riley understand her feelings towards Angel.

Season 5 was the worst act yet for Briley. When Buffy first met the famous vampire name "Dracula".Riley was feeling overwhelmed around Buffy. Like he knew in his heart Why Dracula and Angel has so much power over Buffy?. That was a huge question for him in Season 5. As Riley figured out that Spike was in love with Buffy. As Spike was explaining that Buffy needs a monster in her man. Riley was realizing that Buffy wasn't the one he loved.

To me I think Riley was the worst guy and boyfriend for Buffy. Buffy knew that she wasn't there for him in Season 5. Riley was out there wants more attention around Buffy. That made Buffy realize. I mean the worst epsiode for Buffy & Riley was "Into the Woods". Riley was expressing his true feelings for Buffy. That made me mad Riley was explaining hows it feel being bitten by a vampire. It made me sick the whole thing. Especially Buffy, she knew that Riley wasn't feeling anything from her.

Riley has very emotional problems towards himself and Buffy. He felt that he was loosing her in Season 5. Buffy kept on telling him and making him understanding the meanings of being the "Slayer". Buffy told him the defination of the word and she said that its "Destiny". Her life with Riley would be difficult. We can all see it. Riley wants more attention around her. When Buffy found her mother was in the Hospital. She was scared and worried about her mother being sick. Riley was feeling left out that Buffy wasn't there for him all the time now that Buffy is always there taking care of her mother.
Her mother was in the Hospital because of the "Brain Tumor".

In the epsiode "Into the Woods" Riley wants some answers why Buffy didn't tell him that her Mother was in the Hospital. She siad was to concern to take of mother. Riley was loss without Buffy. Buffy was telling him that she was sorry and was to concern her mother was in the Hospital and she would die. Riley was saying "Its about me taking of you"?..

"Into the Woods" Buffy & Riley

anabananadog, divadawson16 and 24 others like this

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adwbuffy I know it made me sick!. They way he was explaining how the vampire made him feel. He was telling Buffy that the way the vampire was bitting him it made him feel that the vampire want to devour. EWWW. Buffy was saying that :So I did made you feel like that. How on Earth would you compare me to that?... Then Riley came out and said: It's about me taking care of you?.. Hate Riley when he get so judgemental around Buffy, and emotional around her.

CrimsonStoneKey yeah i totally agree i hate Riley when ever we see him hes always whining and some things he says is so insensitive, just whine whine whine its alll about him god..

red_queen At first I liked him, but only when he was trying to meet Buffy better and know her more when he realized he liked her, but after "doomed" he was all a macho like "men strong, women weak" and well during the rest of season 4 it was understandable his behaviour, he had too much to handle at some point, but at season 5 as CrimsonStoneKey said, he was just whine whine whine :P as if telling "I'm not initiative guy, I'm not strong because nobody gives me drugs anymore so I can't protect Buffy" it's as if all for him was strenght and who is stronger, and he forgot all about the sensitive side, he wasn't the support anybody would need, he wasn't there for anybody just for himself, and i think that he was competing with Buffy, again only on strenght and power, he always wants to be in charge, probably that's because he got sooooo used to be special agent, but then what about teamwork?. So long story short... I don't like him!!

spikes_girl nice. i hate riley too. another reason is that he has stupid hair and a weird voice. :)

Ilikespike I don't really hate riley, hate is a too strong word but I do think you are right espacially red_queen I think he couldn't cope with the fact that Buffy was stronger than him. in some ways he reminds me on my former boyfriend and a few men I met. at first its nice and you think there is a connection and then when there is a point sooner or later when they see that I am a strong woman, not physical though, guys start to act weird. it was sometimes like they didn't feel manly enough because of me and my ex-boyfriend also told me one of my lots of mistakes and bad sides were that I was saying my opinion too loud and that I always try to get my way. he also has a little stereotype thinking, like girls don't like rock music and he was shocked to find out that I have temper, I told him from the beginning but he thought what lots of guys do or hoped that my temper was only in sexual ways and was surprised and shocked when I once hit a pillow and yelled in a moment of frustration, he looked at me like I slaughtered a village of vikings and he had problems to accept me also with this side and that I am not all the time the sweet and funny and caring woman, which I am also I hope I didn't get too off topic, I just can relate to the fact that some guys or riley acting weird when they are near a strong woman some man are even get a little frightnend by that sadly. hope you did get what I am trying to say, I am not sure that I really brought it to the pointy stake ;-) but I hope you get anyway what I am trying to say

bobalosmonkey riley was just too used to being the main guy, always in control because he was the head honcho in the iniative, and accepting that buffy didn't have to work for her powers, that she was born with them, and that she can kick his butt on a regular basis frightened him, so the obvious chemistry that was there was killed by his fear. way to go riley. i hate him too

xxSERENITY I think he did love her, but he never fully accepted her for who she is because he couldn't get over the fact that she was stronger than him. In his world, he was the strong one because he was Mr. Innitiative, so when he realized Buffy didn't need him to protect her, he just couldn't deal with it. Also, he really just never ever understood what being the Slayer meant to her. For him, the Innitiative was a job. He loved it, but that's really all it was for him, so he just could never understand that being the Slayer was Buffy's life. She didn't have a choice because it really was her destiny. I wouldn't go so far as to say I hated Riley, but I did very strongly dislike him. I cried when he left, but only because Buffy was sad.

DR76 I don't hate Riley Finn. In fact, I like him a lot more than I do Angel. Riley was never a control freak on the scale of Angel. His real problems with Buffy stemmed from his penchant of wrapping his world around hers . . . just as he did with Maggie Walsh before dating Buffy; and his unwillingness to communicate with her when he should have. Buffy also failed to communicate with Riley. Worse, she used him as rebound, following the breakup of her relationship with Angel. And when he lost the remaining vestiges of what Dr. Walsh had done to him, she treated him like fine china, who needed the Scoobies' help in dealing with vampires. As the events proved, Riley didn't need the Scoobies help. But most fans like to paint Riley as some kind of sexist, refusing to see that Angel was a lot more sexist than he ever could be. Why? Because we had to deal with three seasons of Buffy and Angel "4evah", because fans couldn't deal with Buffy moving on to a new boyfriend, and Riley seemed a lot more ordinary in compare to the likes of Angel and Spike. Fans like to complain that Riley never really understood Buffy. They never stopped to think that Buffy was guilty of the same transgressions. They demanded that Riley wrapped his world around him and hated him for daring to question this penchant of his.

Blackdragon999 I think that Riley wasn't a bad character but because he felt small compared to the witch, the slayer, the family, the VAMPIRES (Who he kills) after he managed to kill so many he loses the girl he loves to not one but THREE, in small ways. He realized he couldn't compare and he needed Buffy and she was ahead of him so he went to vamps A- to Understand Buffys obsession with them and also to seem more like them so Buffy would pay more attention and B to feel needed, to feel the vampires list to fill what lack with Buffy. He was an ass but Buffy wasn't all angelic either. It was doomed to fail Buffy needs relationships with vampires and monsters because thy are stronger like her.

Xeginy I never really disliked Riley all that much, actually. I think the problem that Riley really had is that he was used to a military structure, where everyone had a specific rank, job, etc. The Scoobies, on the other hand, were a lot more cooperative and less hierarchical. Also, he never really got over his "humans good, monsters bad" mentality. He was so used to seeing the world in black and white that when he was thrown into the Scooby world, he was never able to see, as Buffy called it, "different degrees of evil." So, like so many normal people, when thrown into a situation he didn't understand, he handled it badly. It doesn't make him a bad person. It actually makes him one of the most realistic characters on the show. To be honest, I always thought that Riley was the best boyfriend that Buffy had. He never tried to kill her, or her friends, and their relationship was generally not so steeped in darkness and violence (unlike Angel and Spike.) Let's not forget: Buffy was the one who distanced herself. As Xander put it, Riley was "convenient." And it's true, into Season 5, that's how she treated him. It's really too bad, because I think if she had just had more faith in him, and if he could have toned down his whole "the military is awesome" perspective, it might have actually worked. But then Joss wouldn't have been able to make his characters suffer, now would he? I'm kidding, I'm kidding.

HoltNLucy4Ever I wanted her with Angel because I am a huge Bangel fan.

lila09 Riley was an ok guy but not my favorite choice for her. He tried to dull her down because he felt threatened by her I believe. He definitely didn't like she knew more or could do more than him. when he went to a vampire after criticizing her for Angel; was low of him.

fargogogo 1. A slice of cucumber has more personality than him. 2. He cannot accept that Buffy is stronger than him. 3. It sure doesn't help to the fact that the actor portraying him, Marc Blucas, is awful. Willy from the bar is a better actor. Or the demons, for that matter. 4. And this is a bit superficial, but Marc Blucas has a big nose and it's really distracting.

brileyforever77 I don't get it, why does everyone hate him? He's really not that bad! I love him!

Sanyascor He is boring character and that's all about him

brileyforever77 Although he was a dick for cheating on Buffy than a little over a year later he comes back with his wife and, than he lectures her on her life choices, so for that I have to call him a dick. Before all that I like his character.

Makeupdiva I agree. I couldn't stand him one bit. He was just so boring. And I think Buffy dated Riley too soon. I don't think she ever really loved Riley, I think she cared about him a lot but that was it. To me, he was insecure, clingy, controlling. And really, what more can I say. He was just so....blah. Aside from Harmony, who I couldn't stand when she turned into a vampire, he was the most annoying character on this show. And before I forget, I just couldn't stand his Southern accent. It was annoying. They weren't meant to be. She belonged with Angel, even though they don't end up back together but we all know, if it was different, she would have chose Angel over Riley. She loved him more than life it self. I was so happy when he left. You have no idea how happy I was.

brileyforever77 Ok, I really did hate how he got so emotional around Buffy. And that scene when Riley told Buffy how being bitten by that vampire made him feel, I admit I really hated that. And how he cheated on her, left her, came back with his wife a little over a year later, than electured her on her life choices. Which I admit that is pretty stupid.

alonelyheart Riley was a horrible boyfriend to Buffy! He didn't like it when she was stronger than him. He wanted to feel needed and wanted to be the knight in shining armour for her in a controlling way. He wasn't comfortable with her being the slayer. He also wasn't comfortable with himself. He constantly was jealous (over Angel and Spike) and questioning Buffy's feelings for him. He was also very attention seeking. Especially when Buffy's mom was in the hospital he wanted Buffy to let him take care of everything and when she wouldn't he went off and paid vampires to bite him (which I think is a Joss Whedon metaphor for him cheating on Buffy). It wasn't healthy for Buffy to be with someone like that especially when she had so much going on with her mom, sister, friends, being the slayer, school etc.

buffysummers101 Riliy is a horrible boy friend he believed spke when he said he needs a monster in her main and tried to change.

pinkbow67 I really loved him at first (Do you like cheese?) and I liked him through whole 4th season. I even understood his need to take care of Buffy but seriously? He became a creepy vampire junkie because Buffy didn't give him enough attention? That's just not the way to deal with things lol. I was happy for him when he came back with Sam and overall I liked him. I wasn't too sad when Briley thing didn't work out because she never truly loved him, but they were still adorable as a couple. And I still don't get why everyone hates him..he was so adorable with his bad haircut in 4th season... Aaand he punched that dumb idiot Parker in face! He's awesome!

Tytytyler4 Okay, I'm a MASSIVE Buffy fan. I love Bangel best (Sorry Spuffys :)) But I did like Riley at first. Until of course he started getting vampires to bit him for goodness sake. I mean, it's not like he didn't have a girlfriend. He had Buffy enphise on the word HAD. I mean he may have been cute but I still was really heartbroken for Buffy. Considering how he didn't even have the decency to stop the vampire when he saw Buufy, cos he just stopped stared and then finally said "Buffy". I mean Spike's still at fault, but I think Buffy would have found out without Spike's help. If I was Buffy, I wouldn't have gone back to Riley ( Running after the helicopter) or let the vampire even have a chance at running, i would have staked her first, grabbed the ashes and put them on my fire. Sorry for my violent words :D http://images.fanpop.com/images/emoticons/angel.jpghttp://images.fanpop.com/images/emoticons/heart.jpg Bangel-Out..xoxoxo

Maggie41 Rewatching Buffy now, I can tell you that I really liked Riley at first. @DR76 Please explain to me how Angel was more sexist than Riley? Yes, he wanted her to stay out of danger and protect her but Buffy also did the same for him and that's what partners do in relationships, care too much sometimes. They were equal in their relationship and ended on mutual terms. Riley didn't like the fact that Buffy was "Stronger" than him because she was his "Girl" friend. Riley just took things TOO FAR to the point where he came off too clingy, needy, and didn't understand Buffy's life style but yet he wanted her to of his, which she did.

DR76 @DR76 Please explain to me how Angel was more sexist than Riley? Yes, he wanted her to stay out of danger and protect her but Buffy also did the same for him and that's what partners do in relationships, care too much sometimes Watch the "ANGEL" Season 1 episode called "I Will Remember You". Even thinking about it makes me sick to my stomach. By the way, who exactly is "we" in the title of this article? Does the writer presume to speak on behalf of all "BUFFY" fans? Because I'm one fan who DOES NOT dislike Riley Finn.

dorkynerd94 When I saw this when I was little, I hated Riley because I was on #teamangel but after watching it when I'm older, I like Riley. I felt Riley was probably the closest thing Buffy could have in a close to normal life since throughout the time, she wanted some aspect of her life to be normal. Be a normal girl with a normal boyfriend. After first, I felt it had to be the whole pride thing, because after he stopped taking the vitamins, he became "normal" and he realized he couldn't match his strength towards Buffy. That must've hurt his ego as when he took the vitamins he could fight but now that he is an average joe, he felt a huge distance between him and Buffy. In the end, it was the whole he wants to be there and protect her, in a way, he felt like she couldn't rely on him. hence why he felt left out when she didn't bother telling him about what her mother was going through. Buffy despised Spike and so the fact she told Spike instead of him, hurt Riley. it made Riley question just exactly how important he is to Buffy. I never disliked Riley. I am a Brailey fan and pretty upset that things couldn't workout between them. I was actually quite upset she didn't throw anything to catch Riley's attention when he was leaving or why Riley didn't bother looking down. Riley was just a perfect boyfriend to me, he was understanding and accepting and was always there for her when he needed her but Buffy got too comfortable with Riley being understanding which could explain why she didn't tell Riley about her mother. Xander made a good argument with Buffy when he was defending Riley in the Into The Woods and honestly, it made me tear up a little.

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