There is no dearth of complex, conflicted characters in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Even our beloved Slayer, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), undergoes drastic changes while navigating adolescence and the added responsibilities of saving the world. That said, few characters come across as polarizing as Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon), a core member of Buffy’s gang who is also an integral part of the show.
Xander’s status as the quintessential “comic relief” has often been tainted with a sense of “nice guy” entitlement and instances of flippant misogyny. Compared to Willow (Alyson Hannigan) or Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter), who are brilliant examples of dynamic character growth, Xander’s arc feels relatively stagnant. There’s an inconsistency in his emotional maturity, while the writing has often allowed him to shirk accountability in a meaningful way.
Even so, Xander’s flawed humanity is essential to ground Buffy and everyone around her. Despite never possessing any supernatural powers, Xander has demonstrated bravery in the face of abject evil and done his best to protect his friends. These admirable qualities persist in spite of his drawbacks — something that the show reminds us of in the fifth season.
Titled “The Replacement,” this Buffy episode allows Xander to temporarily shed his “comic relief” role and grapple with the vulnerability of impending adulthood. This is Xander’s episode, and the character is finally nudged towards self-acceptance and growth. The episode opens with the gang trying to find an apartment for Xander, who wants to move out of his parents’ house.
This is a major stepping stone to adulthood, which is why Xander seems pretty anxious about not being able to sustain living alone. Unfortunately, Buffy’s status as Slayer lures in a demon named Toth (Michael Bailey Smith), who accidentally hits Xander with a beam of light. Although Xander seems okay at first, it is revealed that the beam caused his body to split.
There are two Xanders now: One that is full of ambition and confidence, and another that’s haunted by insecurity and jealousy. The rest of the episode is an attempt to reconcile the two Xanders, who see each other as a threat. The less confident Xander watches his double get a promotion, lease a swanky apartment, and plan a date with Anya (Emma Caulfield).
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