Um, I wasn;t saying character A WAS character B - just using shorthand to say that key incidents / aspects have been taken from beloved X-tropes or plotlines. eg I think it's pretty well acknowledged Dark Willow arc was taken from the Dark Phoenix plotline (at one point I think Xander actually SAYS "she's going all dark Phoenix" ) but the rest, no.. Jean Gray must be the least gay character in the Marvel panthon I think.

I think what you say about Giles is pretty much exactly what I was referring to :)

But perhaps we'll just have to agree to disagree. It's always amused me how much was stolen (homaged if you like) from X-men for Buffy (specifically Claremont/Byrne X-men) and I think Joss must have died of joy when he finally got to write X-M :)) just a shame he hasn't scripted any of the movies..