Ethan

[beccaelizabeth]

Some people perceive Ethan as obviously gay, or even a cliche of gayness. Other people seem to believe he is straight. I think of him as bi in an anything-that-moves kind of way, open to experience. But I'm trying to think of where any of that comes from in canon. Specifically I'm trying to narrow it down to perceptions of the episode 'Halloween'. I can point to bits in 'A New Man' when he seems to be trying to seduce Giles, and of course he gives the waitress his number. But as far back as Halloween some people were reading Ethan as queer, and I'm wondering why. Body language? Manner of speech? The thing where he is selling dresses? Something else? I wonder, so I ask. Please to be being specific if you can.
Thanks.

Comments

[justhuman.livejournal.com]

I wrote an Ethan/Buffy almost drabble-sized ficlet on the tattooing

Heh - I knew that statement of mine was a good way to find fic on that scene. But yes, it doesn't seem to matter who Ethan is paired with, Giles is lurking somewhere in the background because what we've seen in canon is the two of them focused so intently on each other.

Actually, it's rare thing in early Buffy for a villian to be focused on a supporting cast member as an individual. The bug teacher was looking for guys that fit Xander's bill. Ditto the demon Willow released from the book, their relationship being more created from circumstances. Lots of vamps showed up to interact with the slayer and made their interactions with Buffy personal. The fact is that even when Ethan is causing trouble with Buffy, it is only ever a tactic to get Giles attention.

[janedavitt.livejournal.com]

The fact is that even when Ethan is causing trouble with Buffy, it is only ever a tactic to get Giles attention.

Feels that way to me as well ::nods:: And I'm sure he knew who Buffy was; the way he came out from the back of the shop just to serve her was too pointed.

I love the tattooing scene; both of them are perfect in it. And the way Ethan says 'Sweet child' so indulgently just before he tells her she can scream if she wants to, without ever making that in the least bit melodramatic, just makes me shiver. Brilliant.