Sexuality, Lesbianity and Wicca
Witchery and lesbianism have always been synonymous to some degree (see 15th-century witch trial transcripts, if you like, or 'The Crucible', or 'Witchfinder General'), so it's only natural that the two lesbians in 'Buffy' are also both witches. However, by the fifth series they are amazing witches: their power has far exceeded brute, 'heterosexual' strength, and without them most of the episodes would end in the certain death of all the nice people.
Creative models of homosexuality, even positive ones such as 'Will & Grace', always present it as a state of stasis (spending, drinking, spending), in contrast to the 'social productivity' of heterosexuality (working, breeding, working). 'Buffy' uses the ancient association of Wiccan and rug-munching not to compound, but to reverse that model.
There's also a review of 'OMWF' in 'The Guide' bit of the paper: they're less than positive about Tara, but agree that Amber shone in this ep. I'll type this all up when I have time, probably tomorrow or Monday.
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A vampire with a soul? How lame is *that*?"