Dopplegangland

I like the exploration of Dopplegangers because I think that in media (TV, books, etc) and in life, we tend to see dopplegangers as a part of ourselves. Perhaps they are the part that we want to be, or the part that we fear, but either way, dopplegangers are not look-a-likes, but are rather a duplication of something of the self. I think that is important to remember when we study the gothic and the supernatural because we expect there to be an "evil twin" or something alien in the situation. When we realize that the double is really just an exaggeration of the original, it becomes more real and in a strange way, less supernatural. However, I think this is similar to other things we see in the gothic, making things tangible and exaggerated so that they can be dealt with. This is definitely a constant in Buffy, going back to the idea of a valley girl superhero or even Andrew telling stories so that he can rewrite his part in them.

Anyway, this all has to do with the fact that in both "Dopplegangland" and The Transformation, the demonic creature (vampire and troll) are really just exaggerated parts of the protagonists. I liked how the two compared in the dealings of the doubles. Willow could not kill her doppleganger, and thus the evil, sexuality, and confidence that she saw in the creature later arose in herself. Guido kills his counterpart, and in the end, his life is improved because he disposed of some of his negative qualities like pride and greed. I wonder which is better...it would seem Guido's result would be much better, but in a way he is not eliminating a negative part of himself, just denying its existence. I would bet that if his story were to continue, we would see flaws in his reformation and he would return to his original self. Also, I think that Willow not being able to kill her doppleganger demonstrated how you need to have balance in your life, and that even if you are full of goodness, you need that bad side, that confident side, and that selfish side in order to be a well rounded person. You can't just kill that or wish it away, you have to learn to deal with it, like Willow does later once she has lived as both extremes and is forced to learn to balance them.

I would really like to talk a little bit more about the denial and killing thing...but I think I will save some of that for when we watch "The Replacement." Goodnight all!

Also, everyone should go to see the Mainstage production this week! Shameless plug, I know, but I figured if you are cool enough to read this post all the way to the end, you are cool enough to come support me at the play!