I don't think it's a coincidence that BUFFY's popularity went DOWN after that swerve. Tara was the subject of much derision on the internet boards. Most folks wanted her with Oz. "Hush" and "Once More...With Feeling" were two of the best prime-time TV episodes in history. Every year in TV GUIDE, several writers would lament the fact that BtVS would always be shut out in the major Emmy nominations (it did receive quite a few nominations in the areas of makeup, hairstyling, and technical). SMG received a Golden Globe Best Actress nomination in 2001.
Not only was it an offensive plot-swerve (my wife stopped watching with me after that, don't blame her a bit), it was just plain stupid and totally non-credible. Might as well have titled that episode, "I Want To Be The Toast Of Hollwood Parties!" Totally straight girl, LOVES Zander, LOVES Oz... then poof! I'm "gay"! Right.
Ditto Ivanova on B5. But that's another story.
Dan
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