Is Willow's Lesbian Lover Evil?

Dr. Laura may become a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer after hearing this. During November sweeps, the big secret being kept by Willow's (Alyson Hannigan) lesbian gal pal Tara (Amber Benson) will be revealed — and, according to co-executive producer Marti Noxon, there's a "very strong possibility" she could be a demon the likes of which Sunnydale has never seen.

"There definitely is a secret and we're going to explore what that is in episode 6, which [Buffy creator] Joss Whedon is directing and writing as we speak," reveals Noxon, adding that fans of the good witch "should be" concerned.

If Tara does turn out to be playing for the other team (the bad guys, that is), it may bring an end to one of TV's sweetest — albeit most unconventional — romances. As it is, nervous WB execs have already given Noxon and her fellow producers "some strong directions" as to how much same-gender lovin' they can show.

"I think that basically they want to draw the line at any real physical intimacy," Noxon relents, "so we have to be crafty in the way that we show their relationship." Does that include no same-sex smooch like we saw on Dawson's Creek? "I think we can show a kiss, but we would definitely have to fight for it. We would definitely have to have some serious negotiations. But one of the points that we try to make and continue to try and make is that while their relationship is certainly sexual, we really don't want to play it for titillation."

In other words, you won't be seeing any Ally McBeal-type promos touting "Network TV's first French kiss between lesbians!" "A lot of shows have done, 'Ooooh, come and watch the kiss!' and then it never really amounts to anything," Noxon points out. "I think that in this situation, [Willow and Tara] were more of an organic thing where we realized that these two characters have a lot in common and might actually fall in love. So I think that in some ways the concerns that the network has about them being intimate doesn't really feel like it's hindering us because we can show romance without having to show the bada-bing bada-boom."