Welcome back to Wynonna Wednesday, Earpers! If you’re like me you eat, sleep and breathe all things Wynonna Earp. Each week we’ll delve deeper into our favorite s**tshow. I suggest you stockpile on whiskey and doughnuts. Perhaps some tasty tacos?
Now, for this column I’m going to explore the comparisons between angelic Earp sister Waverly and witch extraordinaire Willow Rosenberg. Wynonna Earp was most certainly inspired by Joss Whedon cult classic Buffy the Vampire Slayer. So, besides being bad*** monster slaying companions to Wynonna and Buffy, what else do these fierce females have in common? Join me for some Grade A analyzing below. Let us Earp!
The Supernatural Abilities
Alright, let’s start with Waverly (Dominique Provost-Chalkley). Initially, she was a supporting role to big sister Wynonna (Melanie Scrofano). Later, we discovered that she would never be in line for Earp heir, as she’s not a full-blooded Earp. Poor Waverly always felt overpowered by true Earp heir Wynonna, forced to languish in her shadow. That is, until she learned of her angelic heritage in Season 3.
As it turned out, Mama Earp (Megan Follows) had a brief love affair with an angel named Julian (Sebastian Pigott). Waverly is part angel, folks. Her newfound heavenly powers came to fruition throughout Wynonna Earp‘s third season. She discovered that Bulshar’s ancient ring actually belonged to her father, and Waverly is the only other being capable of wielding its immense power. We saw her take down demons with the mere swipe of her hand. She even put a permanent end to Bobo Del Rey (Michael Eklund) by placing her hands on his face. That’s it. No Peacemaker required. Our girl Waves has got the power, Earpers, and we’re only brushing the surface of what this angel can do.
Now, let’s take a look at Willow (Alyson Hannigan). She too started out as the brainy sidekick of best friend Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar). Only armed with her massive intellect, Willow still played a vital role in the Scooby Gang, whether or not she possessed supernatural abilities. However, when she attempted a complex spell to restore Angel’s (David Boreanaz) soul, the ritual tapped into a power that initially lay dormant within Willow. Willow decided to further explore her innate witch abilities and hone them. She transformed into one of the most powerful witches in the show’s lore.
Okay, so just how powerful did Willow become? Well, resurrecting your best friend from the dead is no small feat, for one. Nearly ending the world after having an emotional breakdown from your girlfriend’s murder is also something to write home about (maybe not positively, though). Willow also went toe-to-toe with a goddess and lived to tell the tale. Not to mention, at the end of Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s television run, Willow enacted a spell that activated every Potential Slayer in the world. Boo-yah. So yeah, our girl Willow is one tough witch.
In short, Waverly and Willow possess more in common besides their names starting with the same letter. Of course, one is an angel and the other is a witch. But neither one discovered their innate supernatural abilities until later in the course of their respective series. Now, Willow had the chance to develop her witch powers. We’re only just beginning to see the breadth of Waverly’s capabilities. Both fierce ladies came up from humble beginnings, starting out as the “brain” to their leaders’ “brawn.” However, these women developed into formidable fighters of their own accord, stepping out of the shadows of Wynonna and Buffy.
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The Relationships
Now, we first met Waverly while she was in a relationship with Purgatory’s finest Champ Hardy (Dylan Koroll). Seriously, he was a winner. It was evident that Waverly wasn’t entirely smitten with her beau. When she first met Nicole Haught (Katherine Barrell), sparks were flying all over the place. We, as viewers, could hazard a guess that something more may develop between the two. Thus, WayHaught was born. Waverly began to bloom, learning to shed her inhibitions and be who she was meant to be. Nicole aided Waverly in her journey of self-discovery. Initially, Waverly appeared to be timid, feeling like a wallflower serving as the background to Wynonna’s one-woman show. However, her romance with Nicole unleashed a fearless Waverly, one who was unafraid to be herself. What a beautiful self that is, Earpers. Inside and out. And now WayHaught is engaged!
Next, we have Willow. She too started out in a heterosexual relationship before delving into the lady pool. Willow’s high school beau was Oz (Seth Green), leader of a rock band who also happened to be a werewolf. However, these two appeared to be happy, unlike Waverly with Champ. When Oz broke up with Willow in Season 4, the latter met Tara Maclay (Amber Benson), who was also a witch. The two embarked on a romantic relationship that changed the landscape of network television. It was quite groundbreaking, actually, especially considering this occurred 18 years ago. Willow’s romance with Tara also unlocked something within her, akin to Waverly. Willow’s abilities as a witch ascended to another level. The love she shared with Tara was different from her romance with Oz – it was uninhibited, all-encompassing. That love seeped into their bones, the very foundation of their beings.
Unfortunately, we all know that Tara lost her life when she was murdered in Season 6. Willow went on a rampage, morphing into Dark Willow and nearly destroying the world as she sought revenge for Tara’s death. Thankfully, Xander (Nicholas Brendon) coerced her off her dark path. Now, I think we could have bore witness to a Willow/Tara wedding. Sigh. At least there’s fan fiction. Post Tara, Willow engaged in another romantic entanglement with Potential Slayer Kennedy.
Of course, this is the most obvious connection that can be forged between Waverly and Willow. They both started out in heterosexual relationships, but later discovered their love for the fairer sex. Their girlfriends helped to bring out the best in them. Long live WayHaught. Long live Willara. Tarillow? I’ll work on a better ship name for Willow and Tara, Scoobies.
The Attitude
Now, Waverly is a cheerleader who fully encompasses the “cheer” in that word. She’s Purgatory’s nicest person – everyone loves Waverly Earp. Waverly is genuinely friendly, and sincerely cares about people. She’s selfless in her love, and utterly loyal to her friends and family. Not to mention, she has a whole lot of brains to go with that beauty. We learned in the first season of Wynonna Earp that Waverly was taking online classes, even studying Latin. Her intricate knowledge of the Earp curse and the 77 Revenants Wyatt killed is admirable. She’s an intellectual asset to Black Badge, and irreplaceable to Wynonna. Our Waves has a brain, and she’s not afraid to use it. She’s fearless in the face of adversity, and is willing to defend anyone who can’t defend themselves. She will stand up and fight in Bull**** Patriarchy Land.
Then, we have Willow. Willow is Sunnydale High’s resident intellectual. She starts out as an invaluable asset to the Scooby Gang in the smarts department. Her knowledge and research skills are unparalleled. Not to mention, she too is genuinely friendly and kind. Initially, her cheer coexisted alongside her timidity, just like Waverly. However, once she began to explore her witch powers and her relationship with Tara, said timidity began to vanish. Willow is intelligent, loyal to her loved ones and friendly with everyone. She’s proof that having a brain is something to admire, and retaining kindness in an unkind world is the cool thing to do.
Of course, Waverly and Willow have a lot in common when it comes to their character traits. However, Waverly was a cheerleader in high school and one of the popular kids. Willow, on the other hand, was not. The high school hierarchy has changed quite a bit since the ’90s, though. Both women are friendly, possessing an unbridled loyalty to their loved ones and immense intelligence. They initially appear almost too kind, and had a tendency to allow people to use them as a doormat. However, over time, they harnessed the strength that dwelt inside them and transformed into pillars of ferocity. They are women, hear them roar.
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Now, I think Waverly and Willow would get along just fine. After using their angelic and witch powers to defeat a wily demon, they would head over to the library for some researching. They would discuss the similarities between residing in Sunnydale and Purgatory, Hellmouth demons vs. Revenants, and whether Shorty’s is better than The Bronze. Of course, they would divulge the differences between dating men versus women. Waverly would comfort Willow in her grief over Tara, and Willow would congratulate Waves on her engagement to Nicole. Best book buddies for life, Earpers! Both women have had to overcome trauma and adversity in more ways than one. However, they stand strong in the face of it all.
Well, that’s all I wrote, Earpers. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled, your whiskey bottles full and doughnuts at the ready for next week’s Wynonna Wednesday! Wherein I may or may not be comparing Doc Holliday vs. Spike. You’ll have to tune in next Wednesday to find out. I promise that every Wednesday will be no chill, Earpers. All the no chill.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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