I think the show was very good at highlighting the emotional toll and issues the slayer life and even non slayer life took on all the characters. Buffy’s breakdown and fugue stays in season 5. How she ultimately realised she had a superiority and inferiority complex in season 7. But I feel like everyone had problems we would now label as a mental health problem. Personally, I feel the show was very mature how it approached these issues. Such as Buffy’s depression in season 6. Willow’s addiction with magic. Xander’s general self loathing

Without sounding anti mental health. I do feel like if the show was made now, it would use more overt buzzwords and diagnoses. Which I feel would’ve taken some of the responsibility away from how the characters were responsible for their behaviour.

Again, I’m genuinely not downplaying how far we’ve come in our understanding of our mental health. But I really appreciate what the show did to bring the characters’ issues to light at the time.

I had a somewhat similar relationship with my parents that Xander had with his. And I’m also having an almost identical relationship crisis that Xander had with Anya right now. And I did and do really feel seen with his portrayal. And I fully accept my responsibility for my behaviour in my relationship. Much like Xander had to fully accept his failings in his.

I just feel like if the show was made today, it would somewhat try and take away that onus from Xander and the others for the responsibilities they have to themselves and each other