Trophy Husband

For anyone who has not been paying attention, the nice guy does finish last. Just ask Riley.

Buffy’s relationship with the paradigm of good ol’ boy charm was endearing, and a welcome contrast to her darker duties and relationships. But, it could never have lasted. Riley might have advanced training from the Initiative, but he could still never be Buffy’s equal, and on some levels never deserve her. Riley would, alas become nothing more than a trophy husband.

He really should have seen this coming. Early in Season 4, Riley says that Buffy is the kind of girl to “make the plan, execute the plan,” and it seems he accepts and respects her for this. But, having a girl who doesn’t need him at all proves too much for the commando. His complaint, after being caught with his “whores,” is that Buffy has kept him at a distance. The example he comes up with is that Buffy didn’t call him when Joyce went into the hospital. It’s really unacceptable for him to criticize Buffy’s actions in a moment of stress when she’s so used to- and perfectly capable of- taking care of herself. Riley can’t handle Buffy as equal, much less a superior, and so I couldn’t help but cheer when the helicopter flew away.

Riley, in spite of his attributes- which are substantial for a character in the Buffyverse- is still a commentary on the problems of strong female heroes in a male-dominated world. Rather than deal with Buffy on her own terms, and try to work things out, Riley runs to the weakest females he can find. The vampire-whores are literally dependant on him, and grant Riley a power that Buffy expects him to earn. It’s disappointing to see this side of Riley, but ultimately necessary for Buffy to move on. She may never find her true equal in a man or demon, but Buffy is getting enough experience by now to recognize the ones that are beneath her.