<![CDATA[MikeJer's Buffy Reviews / Comments]]> en-USSun, 19 May 2013 06:47:04 -0700 <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x15 - Consequences]]> Sun, 19 May 2013 06:47:04 -0700 *in reply to James (#30) Probably public property

Reply | Other Comments (31)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x15 - Consequences]]> Sat, 18 May 2013 23:45:34 -0700
Why is Angel able to enter to save Xander. Doesn't he need to be invited in, or are we going with the "motels are public property" excuse?

Reply | Other Comments (31)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 5x06 - Family]]> Sat, 18 May 2013 19:03:28 -0700
That is all.

Reply | Other Comments (59)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | Season 6 Review]]> Sat, 18 May 2013 10:15:28 -0700
That being said, I think there are a few weaknesses which, in my own humble opinion, drag the season to among the show's worst:

1. Willow turned dark too late. I think this was a missed opportunity as having to face off against Willow for a longer period could have been managed in the same manner that Angel became the Big Bad in mid S2, and could have delivered just as much conflict and emotional resonance. Instead, I think the lack of a major league nemesis (I don't think the Trio counts as such) left the season without the usual structure.

2. Pacing and balance. This falls under the 'too depressing' complaint, I suppose. I don't have anything against things getting depressing (a good exorcising of emotion through fiction can be extremely rewarding), but I just felt that every character was down at the same time for a large portion of the season when one or two characters remaining light-hearted would have given a bit more balance.

3. The magic as drugs metaphor. Far, far too on the nose for me.

4. My final criticism is the worst. I can forgive S6 the former three weaknesses but the fourth is more difficult: season six contains the only episodes in the show's entire run that I think just aren't very good quality, not only measured against other BtVS episodes but also against other shows'. These were also the only episodes in the entire show that I found myself bored during. These would be: 'Gone', 'Doublemeat Palace' and 'All the Way'. I think that feeling of surprise at not actually enjoying an episode of BtVs is what, more than anything else, leaves a not-so-great taste in my mouth from this season.

All that being said, there is a lot to give credit for and I agree with Mike in most of the points where he does so here. Not one of my faves but still a worthy addition to the canon,, IMHO.

Reply | Other Comments (96)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 6x08 - Tabula Rasa]]> Wed, 15 May 2013 13:44:45 -0700
First, there's Buffy, and you can kind of understand what Willow was trying to do with this spell. Buffy is happy, and excited to be fighting vampires. She has her season 1 level of enthusiasm for the fight and being the super powerful girl. You can almost see her ready to deliver terrible one liners. And that look when the memories come back is just very sad.

The other one that I haven't seen anyone mention yet is the Willow-Tara plot while they had lost memories. You can see them falling in love again at the same time you know the relationship has ended. And seeing that they truly seem to be meant for each other while Willow's magic addiction is tearing them apart makes the part where Tara leaves even more tragic.

Reply | Other Comments (73)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x02 - Dead Man's Party]]> Sun, 12 May 2013 01:49:03 -0700 *in reply to Pippa Hall (#58) I have to say, I agree with just about everything you've said. I'm really glad I'm not the only person who felt this way!

The way the characters acted in this episode really colored my impression of them from then on. I could never look at them the same way again, especially Xander and Joyce.

Reply | Other Comments (64)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x02 - Dead Man's Party]]> Sun, 12 May 2013 01:46:01 -0700
This episode makes me so angry that I can hardly watch it, and usually choose not to. No one has the slightest idea what Buffy went through (except for Xander, who was directly responsible for robbing her of the chance to end the confrontation with Angel in any way other than death). And instead of making an effort to talk to her, or get her side of the story, or even sit back for a minute and think about it from her perspective, all of her "friends" and even her mother decide to rip her apart. The idea that she might have had to murder her boyfriend (Angel, not Angelus) has crossed all of their minds, but in their selfishness and spite, they've chosen to ignore it. I can understand teenagers being short sighted and angry. But the things the Scoobies said were totally uncalled for.

The biggest failing in this episode was that Buffy was never given the chance to properly defend herself, and her "friends" never apologize for the horrendous things that they say to her (in front of half the school!).

What's the moral here? It's fine to be ruled by your own insecurities, to be blind to the pain of others, to cause suffering in an effort to alleviate your own? And there will be no repercussions? No consequences?

Even if I could get behind the Scoobies saying terrible, terrible things to the girl who routinely saves their lives and the lives of all the people they have ever cared about, I absolutely cannot stand the idea that they are never held accountable for their words and actions. No one apologizes to Buffy. No one even implies that they might have /slightly/ overreacted. It makes me sick. This episode is a "D" for me, and I will always skip it.

Reply | Other Comments (64)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 4x10 - Hush]]> Thu, 09 May 2013 17:56:35 -0700
Criticism #2: The Gentlemen are plenty creepy, but they simply aren't that *threatening*. They are only going to kill a maximum of seven people, and by the time the Scoobies are actually involved in the Gentlemen's "harvest" they already have like five of those. And the fact that the Gentlemen have no reason to target the Scoobies over any other random citizen just deflates the sense of danger. Plus they're just so very easy to run away from.

Criticism #3: This is a problem I have with a lot of Buffy episodes: ("Halloween" is a particularly egregious offender, but it seemed to be an especially bad problem in season 4, as "Fear, Itself," "Something Blue," and "Hush" are all otherwise very good episodes that suffer from this) the incredibly rapid and anticlimactic way that the villains are defeated and the conflict is resolved just feels awkward. The Gentlemen's plan is just way too easy to foil. The whole clock tower scene is rushed and not nearly scary enough.

By the way, I know this is irrelevant to "Hush," but I would like to say that the fear demon gag from "Fear, Itself" isn't the problem I have with that episode. In fact, the gag does work for me, even if it's a little forced (Buffy's "I do *not* want to fight that" makes me cringe because it's too clearly only there to make the punchline land). That isn't the thing that I find weak about the episode's resolution. Instead, it's the fact that they all just randomly end up in his room and no longer under the effect of his magic, which makes the terrors they were experiencing much less terrifying. And while that episode was something of a sendup of hokey horror movies and was at times intentionally goofy I think that if the characters were separated and being haunted for more than just what seems like a couple of minutes it would have worked much better.

Reply | Other Comments (44)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x13 - The Zeppo]]> Wed, 08 May 2013 17:04:31 -0700
Reply | Other Comments (46)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 2x04 - Inca Mummy Girl]]> Tue, 07 May 2013 17:15:37 -0700
Some thoughts

Pros

-The acting really keeps this one afloat. It's so impressive how quickly all of the main actors hit their stride with this series - even at this still fairly early point in the game there is never a sense that one is watching actors acting, in spite of a hackneyed plot, a few cheesy lines, and some clunky exposition. Ara Celi as "Ampata" was also quite good - her part could easily have come across as trite and unconvincing, but I totally bought her character.

-Although the actual plot itself leaves a lot to be desired, there are some nice character beats for Willow, Xander, and Giles.

-The strongest part of the episode (as others have observed) would be the effective parallels between Buffy and Ampata's respective destinies. I particularly liked the scene where they were both moving around Buffy's bedroom each trying to conceal their own dirty little secrets (with Ampata's being decidedly dirtier).

-As a previous poster mentioned, the Xander-Ampata kiss scene is really well lit, photographed, and scored.

-The Buffy-Xander scene at the end is also a good one, very sweet and it nicely underscores that in spite of the parallels between Buffy and Ampata, Buffy is ultimately different, in that she is completely willing to give up everything, including her own life (on more than one occasion) - a true hero. Love her last line to Xander.

-Introductions of Oz and Jonathan are nicely done, especially the "Who's that girl?" fake out when Oz first notices Willow. Side note: I find it REALLY interesting that both of Willow's major loves were deeply infatuated with her long before she really even began to take notice of them. So much speculation could be done about what that says about the two of them, about Willow, and about their respective relationships with her.

Cons

-Clearly the biggest problem here is the plot. Cliches just pile up one after another and it soon becomes frustrating to watch. To begin with, the mummy's plan doesn't make any sense whatsoever. So she knew where to go to meet Ampata and steal his identity, but why? First of all, she would have had to have wandered all the way to the Sunnydale bus station looking like a hideous shriveled up old mess. Even in Sunnydale, that's gonna raise some eyebrows. How is this a preferential plan to just sucking the life out of a few museum workers and then starting a new life in Cancun? Clearly you're going to get caught out pretty quickly if you try to steal some known exchange student's identity, especially if you start leaving a trail of dead bodies in your wake. Why and how did the suitcase with the corpse get mailed to Buffy's house? Why was Ampata not more concerned about hiding/destroying the seal or getting rid of the luggage once it arrived at Buffy's house? Why would all of the shards from the seal still just be laying around the museum? How did the gang get in and out of the museum so easily? How did the bodyguard know that Ampata was going to use the girl's bathroom? Why would Giles, of all people (as someone mentioned above), assume that someone from modern-day Peru would be able to translate an ancient Peruvian seal from thousands of years ago? And as for Buffy, who the hell just offers to unpack someone else's suitcase - someone they don't even know? I wasn't even going into this planning to nitpick - it's just disappointing when the plot holes jump right off of the screen at you. The writers were clearly just happy enough moving things along from point A to point B without making sure that anything was remotely plausible.

-Probably the biggest problem after this is that the episode isn't very funny. Weaker episodes can generally be redeemed by some great comedy - Some Assembly Required and Reptile Boy for example had some killer Cordelia lines. Here there's not really anything laugh out loud, although her "Near faux pas. I almost wore the same thing" is deliciously bitchy. Second favourite line is probably, "What kind of a girl travels with a mummified corpse, but doesn't remember to bring lipstick?" On the other hand, I really don't like Buffy's "I'll say one thing about you Inca Mummies. You don't kiss and tell." Definitely one of her lamer quips.

-Also Joyce's appearance was awkward and her lines were unconvincing.

-All of the appearances of the bodyguard are beyond stupid. At these points we might as well have been watching "Are you Afraid of the Dark?"

I still enjoy it, I'd probably give it a 60 just because I love all of the characters so much and there are some nice moments. It's funny how much great acting and characters can elevate mediocre writing - does it work when it's the other way around?

Reply | Other Comments (32)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x03 - Faith, Hope, and Trick]]> Mon, 06 May 2013 00:06:06 -0700
Reply | Other Comments (25)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x01 - Anne]]> Fri, 03 May 2013 23:12:53 -0700 *in reply to Ryan ONeil (#35) haha yeah probably not. I'd love to see a little "do I know you?" look.

Reply | Other Comments (36)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 4x02 - Living Conditions]]> Fri, 03 May 2013 15:50:04 -0700
Also love the moment when Kathy is whacking Buffy with the phone, just as the Scoobies are trying to call her.

Reply | Other Comments (34)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x01 - Anne]]> Fri, 03 May 2013 07:36:24 -0700 *in reply to tgor365 (#34) Judging by the time they meet in Angel S2, no they didn't :)

Reply | Other Comments (36)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x01 - Anne]]> Thu, 02 May 2013 23:36:19 -0700 *in reply to Waverley (#33) I agree that it is a bit proto-Angel even if its still really Buffyish. I watched Angel first and I always wandered where that shot of a woman came from. I jumped when I saw that shot. I also kind of wondered if Anne and Angel remember each other from "Lie to Me."

Reply | Other Comments (36)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x01 - Anne]]> Wed, 01 May 2013 15:57:49 -0700
Reply | Other Comments (36)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 6x07 - Once More, with Feeling]]> Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:31:31 -0700 *in reply to Ryan ONeil (#107) Really? Hmm, I don't buy that. Dawn seemed very genuine in her protests that she wasn't responsible. And even if it were the case, it'd still bug me that there was no follow-up to what Dawn had caused.

Still think it was Xander though....

Reply | Other Comments (108)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 6x07 - Once More, with Feeling]]> Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:43:24 -0700 *in reply to Waverley (#106) The popular theory is that he was lying so that Dawn wouldn't get hurt.

Reply | Other Comments (108)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 6x07 - Once More, with Feeling]]> Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:21:12 -0700
Nothing major but, as I say, a minor annoyance....

Reply | Other Comments (108)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x22 - Graduation Day Pt. 2]]> Sun, 28 Apr 2013 17:02:16 -0700
That line always cracks me up, good joke on the part of the writers.

Reply | Other Comments (59)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 6x07 - Once More, with Feeling]]> Sat, 27 Apr 2013 08:57:54 -0700 *in reply to gyspy (#104) Thanks for the comment!

Reply | Other Comments (108)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 6x07 - Once More, with Feeling]]> Sat, 27 Apr 2013 01:20:30 -0700 My favorite song's a toss up between Walk Through Fire and Let me Rest in Peace.
Now for a review of your review. Thanks, it was great! I didn't think about a lot of what you said and reading through it made a lot of sense and pointed things out that I missed. (Mostly because I was preteen when Buffy first came out. Secondly because I haven't seen a lot of the episodes again in years, much less cross-reference, but that's why I like a lot of you guys who do for us!) So thanks for your awesome review. I think I first came looking to see why Alyson didn't sing much and then stayed for the rest of it. I know she didn't want to but your take worked too from what I can remember. I really want to go back and watch his favorite episodes again and some of the others that were recommended. I might go and do that now.

Reply | Other Comments (108)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x14 - First Date]]> Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:55:05 -0700
Reply | Other Comments (48)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x07 - Revelations]]> Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:26:19 -0700
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_procedure
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_by_five

It was also used in the movie Aliens in 1986 and the same phrase was copied by StarCraft in 1998 so it's safe to say that it was not introduced by BtvS and Faith, who didn't utter the phrase until Season 3 also in 1998.

Reply | Other Comments (41)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x15 - Get it Done]]> Thu, 25 Apr 2013 02:38:52 -0700
Reply | Other Comments (47)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 6x17 - Normal Again]]> Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:44:05 -0700
(The review mentions some of this, but doesn't mention the one year span explicitly.)

Reply | Other Comments (112)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x18 - Earshot]]> Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:50:47 -0700
Reply | Other Comments (38)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 4x22 - Restless]]> Wed, 24 Apr 2013 07:53:36 -0700 *in reply to Alexei (#122) Under normal circumstances he wouldn't, I agree. But consider what happened before this: for most of the season Giles had been feeling useless and the whole group had drifted apart. Just a half a day or so before they had had that flaming row where Spike pitted everyone against everyone. And now they have not only reconciled but they have managed to defeat a seemingly invulnerable foe through teamwork and a convenient magic ritual.

It makes perfect sense that Giles'd stick around for the victory celebration, such as it is. Even if that involves watching a film or two of dubious quality. They may belong in different worlds most of the time, but at a time like this the differences in age and culture would matter less than the fact that they all survived and saved the day.

Reply | Other Comments (123)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x13 - The Killer in Me]]> Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:46:38 -0700 And the Assface line? I had to pause the DVD and laugh for about 10 seconds.
Plus Willow, as always, sells the pain and anguish of feeling as if she's betraying Tara's memory by kissing another woman.
Again, not a classic episode, not even top 50. But solid humor, character development and emotional resonance should garner at least a 70, IMHO.

Reply | Other Comments (62)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 4x22 - Restless]]> Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:24:27 -0700
Reply | Other Comments (123)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x21 - End of Days]]> Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:46:30 -0700
Reply | Other Comments (88)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 2x19 - I Only Have Eyes for You]]> Sun, 21 Apr 2013 11:12:15 -0700
Please forgive me if this question has already been asked in previous comments.

Reply | Other Comments (49)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x17 - Enemies]]> Sun, 21 Apr 2013 08:09:58 -0700
1st-Giles comes from a family of Watchers, so both his knowledge of and connections in the world of magics is extensive. This is reflected throughout the series.

2nd-Giles went through his "Ripper" phase in college. I'm sure that this helped extend his ties in magics even further. Remember Ethan? I'm sure he alone introduced Giles to many a shady/scary magics practitioner.

3rd-Giles thanked the Sorcerer for contacting him, which made it clear that he let Giles know that the mayor had contacted him & why.

I found the whole Angelus angle boring as I was never a fan of "evil Angel." Not because he was a bad guy, but because I NEVER bought him as a bad guy. To me, the "baddest" thing about him was that he was b-o-r-i-n-g!!!

Reply | Other Comments (52)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 2x04 - Inca Mummy Girl]]> Sat, 20 Apr 2013 10:28:50 -0700 *in reply to Waverley (#30) Thanks! By the way, you can tell whether or not I've updated a review by looking under the episode title at the top of the page. There are a few instances later on where I've only updated a picture, but for the most part it will be a good indicator.

Reply | Other Comments (32)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 2x04 - Inca Mummy Girl]]> Sat, 20 Apr 2013 09:31:15 -0700 *in reply to MikeJer (#29) Oops. Sorry, my bad. I did indeed overlook that. I'll be interested to see what the future review looks like since I notice that my own opinions on various episodes and seasons evolve quite a bit over time.

Really liked your updated review of When She was Bad btw it revealed a lot of depths I hadn't noticed before.

Reply | Other Comments (32)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 2x04 - Inca Mummy Girl]]> Sat, 20 Apr 2013 08:28:27 -0700 *in reply to Waverley (#28)
- QUOTE -
I'm surprised though that Mike's review doesn't mention the obvious parallels drawn between Buffy and Umpata.

I think you may have missed this line in the review: "I also really like her conversation with Buffy in her room about sacrifice because it exactly paralells what Buffy went through in "Prophecy Girl" (1x12)."

Even so, this is a very old review that I plan on improving soon.

Reply | Other Comments (32)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 2x04 - Inca Mummy Girl]]> Sat, 20 Apr 2013 02:20:01 -0700
I think this is a pretty decent ep overall. At this stage I think the writers were still messing with some of the old horror classics, as that was the entire idea behind the inception of Buffy in the first place (girl behind chased by bad man trips and falls, only this time she gets up and kicks his ass). I didn't like the clunky discussion where they both made fun of the mummy idea and found out what was going on but I think it's enough to show that the episode was more of a conscious attempt at postmodernisty retelling than a hokey rehashing of an old plot.

I'm surprised though that Mike's review doesn't mention the obvious parallels drawn between Buffy and Umpata. I think this was the main strength of the episode. Buffy and Umpata were both selected as 'the chosen one' and both, in a sense, had to give up their lives at an early age. In their various reactions (Umpata taking life and Buffy giving up hers in Prophecy Girl) the message is hammered home that Buffy is a hero in the true sense, one willing to sacrifice herself and her own happiness for the greater good. This is something which is key to the season later on as Buffy debates whether she can really kill Angel, and which is the crux of Becoming part 2. And, of course, it's key to The Gift as well.

My own minor pros for this ep would be:

- Alyson Hannigan's acting each time Willow is crushed by Xander's rejaction of her. She's so cute and you really feel for her.

- Willow's eskimo costume and her 'Sigh' line.

- Buffy looks amazing here. I usually have the fraternal feelings for the character so I'm not usually one to lust after her but, yowza, she looks good.

- The Dingoes playing the Bronze. The music is great.

Reply | Other Comments (32)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 6x22 - Grave]]> Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:58:48 -0700
Reply | Other Comments (59)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 1x10 - Nightmares]]> Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:48:08 -0700
Buffy's fear of being berried alive came to pass in the opener to season 6. Not to mention the musical is mentioned somewhat in this episode, when Giles says dreams? That would be a musical comedy version of this. No our nightmares are coming true

Reply | Other Comments (27)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 1x10 - Nightmares]]> Tue, 16 Apr 2013 05:22:13 -0700
Also, I think they wanted to concentrate more on Buffy in this episode, as evidenced by her getting split of from the group and her being the only one to see Billy, so I don't think they really had time, or necessity to be honest, to delve too deeply into the nightmas of the other principal characters.

Other than that, I agree with most of the other points in the review, although overall I'd have scored it a bit higher.

Reply | Other Comments (27)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x18 - Dirty Girls]]> Sun, 14 Apr 2013 12:21:27 -0700
On the episode though, while I don't think Xander, the relatively normal member of the group, should be killed (the blinding ties nicely into Dawn's "you see things" speech", having a main character death could have maybe worked here to really hit home the defeat and strengthen the intimidation factor of Caleb.

Reply | Other Comments (50)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x22 - Chosen]]> Sun, 14 Apr 2013 12:09:16 -0700
Reply | Other Comments (86)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 6x01 - Bargaining Pt. 1]]> Sun, 14 Apr 2013 07:48:33 -0700 *in reply to Gemma (#41) I completely agree with you, and it's an implication by which I am haunted. To me, it's a clear indication that Buffy isn't the same, and neither is the show -- and not necessarily in a "good" (positive) way.

Reply | Other Comments (43)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x01 - Anne]]> Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:39:56 -0700 *in reply to Iguana-on-a-stick (#31) You're right Cordeliachase, and I agree with Iguana that it feels a lot like an Angel episode in that respect (as well as being set in LA, of course). Often in Buffy it's quite open-and-shut when it comes to the MOTW - they come along, hurt some people, she defeats them and they're gone again. Whereas in this episode, and often on Angel, there's more a sense of 'fighting the good fight' and doing the best you can without necessarily ever winning or stopping every bad guy.

Reply | Other Comments (36)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x01 - Anne]]> Fri, 12 Apr 2013 04:27:30 -0700 *in reply to Cordeliachase (#30) Yeah, I noticed that too.

But then again... it's not like Buffy could have taken on an entire world of interdimensional slavers. Even with an army of slayers that would've been tricky.

She achieved as much as any single hero thrown into such a situation could achieve. She saved dozens of people, shut down the operation and made the area safe again. Yes, the bad guys will probably rear their heads again elsewhere, and will have to be stopped again by other people. But such is the nature of things. It's still a considerable victory.

Maybe it's because she's in LA and we're getting a preview of Angel's themes: evil can never be defeated permanently, it can only be fought.

Reply | Other Comments (36)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x01 - Anne]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:19:28 -0700
am I being cynical, or did no one else notice that?

Reply | Other Comments (36)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 5x22 - The Gift]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:25:55 -0700
Reply | Other Comments (107)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x20 - The Prom]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2013 05:09:22 -0700
Of course, in retrospect, introducing Andrew in a way has to be a plus.

Reply | Other Comments (50)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x11 - Gingerbread]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2013 17:01:31 -0700
Reply | Other Comments (59)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 5x15 - I Was Made to Love You]]> Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:07:33 -0700 *in reply to Arachnea (#34) All the awards. My opinions to a tee. We should also note that he has no apologized for events in Crush AT ALL.

Remember in the last episode, he just kind of followed her home and said "We've fought before, it doesn't change things." Here, he had the gall just approach her kind of smug at the party. I am curious for interpretations about what logic he was working under there...

Reply | Other Comments (35)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | Season 5 Review]]> Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:56:41 -0700 *in reply to Mott1 (#105) I think the difference is that season 5 sees the characters go through hell because of overwhelming outside forces. Both Glory and Joyce's cancer fall in this category. Season 6, on the other hand, sees the characters go through a hell that's all of their own making. For example, in season 6 it isn't Glory hurting Tara. It's Willow. Xander destroys his own relationship with Anya. Buffy is her own worst enemy.

I find that much more painful to watch.

Reply | Other Comments (106)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | Season 5 Review]]> Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:14:19 -0700
Reply | Other Comments (106)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | Season 6 Review]]> Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:09:31 -0700
If s5 was about family, illusion and loss, s6 is much more melodramatic and is clearly concerned with unhealthy addictions, be they narcotic (magic) or sexual. But despite the gloom and doom of the ultimately doomed Buffy/Spike, Anya/Xander and Tara/Willow relationships, I thought the 1st half had quite a lot of laughs - once the heroine had crawled out of the grave, that is(!) Even Buffy's dead-end jobs provide a more lighthearted continuation of the 'going through the motions' theme.

'Once More With Feeling' has plenty of giggles and a game cast giving the songs their all, imbuing them with real character despite some of the cast being more gifted vocalists than others (take a bow, Mr Head and Ms Benson!) and 'Tabula Rasa' also has plenty of comedy as the characters forget who they are and start from scratch, whilst throughout the series the Trio - until Warren oversteps the mark - provide lots of mirth too. The 2nd half is more gloomy, granted, with its spiral of violence, spite and malice ending in bloodshed and one of the show's most OTT and heartrending endings. But wasn't BTVS ever thus? :)

Reply | Other Comments (96)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 5x16 - The Body]]> Mon, 08 Apr 2013 23:37:47 -0700
Reply | Other Comments (79)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 3x10 - Amends]]> Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:20:20 -0700
Love this quote, and that no one else in the hallway reacts even though Xander says it fairly loudly.

Reply | Other Comments (54)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 2x01 - When She Was Bad]]> Mon, 08 Apr 2013 03:06:08 -0700
Reply | Other Comments (56)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | Season 5 Review]]> Sun, 07 Apr 2013 11:48:50 -0700 *in reply to Ryan ONeil (#103) Well no family is perfect, especially the hell god that rules the realm. Plus, I thought the monks banished her not her brother. I believed she didn't mention she had a brother.

Reply | Other Comments (106)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | Season 5 Review]]> Sun, 07 Apr 2013 11:40:40 -0700 *in reply to alfridito017 (#102) Albiet as one of the bad examples, what with her brothers banishing her because they were afraid of her?

Reply | Other Comments (106)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | Season 5 Review]]> Sun, 07 Apr 2013 11:35:57 -0700 *in reply to MikeJer (#94) Speaking about the theme of family this season. I noticed that Glory wanted to go home. Even if it isn't elaborated upon in the season. I wondered if this connects to the theme of her own home to her own family.

Reply | Other Comments (106)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 4x22 - Restless]]> Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:46:04 -0700 *in reply to Niko (#120) I'll field this one: ME stands for Mutant Enemy, the company that produces Buffy. Their logo appears at the end of every Buffy episode, with that little monster going "Grr. Argh."

I love that monster.

Reply | Other Comments (123)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x11 - Showtime]]> Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:08:31 -0700 Fragments of My Imagination:Showtime has a more favorable take on the Beljoxa’s Eye but you actually have to go to his post on Chosen to find out what it is since he tries to avoid spoilers in the posts.

Which you may already be aware since I know you were following his posts for a while. I've still got 1/2 season to go (skipped ahead to the Chosen post because I got impatient to see what he was hinting at). So far he seems to have a very favorable view of season 7.

Reply | Other Comments (49)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 4x22 - Restless]]> Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:45:23 -0700 Just a quick question for MikeJer: I'm sure you've addressed it at some point and I've missed it, but I don't get the ME reference that you sometimes make.

Reply | Other Comments (123)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x17 - Lies My Parents Told Me]]> Tue, 02 Apr 2013 08:26:32 -0700 *in reply to Tovik the vampire (#123) But surely the decision is that by keeping him chained up it's also doing the first's job? If the first want's to kepp Spike out of the fight then that would work. Buffy's take is that without Spike they have no chance of winning therefore she has to take the chance.

Reply | Other Comments (125)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 4x11 - Doomed]]> Sun, 31 Mar 2013 09:52:35 -0700 Seems totally plausible that she would change her tune and be with Riley.
Besides the fact she does really like him, he's the first person romantically to ever call her on her shit, so to speak. She's letting fear get in the way of something that could be good, making him pay for what happened with others. What he says is a bit mean-spirited, but far from untrue. Once this hits home, she realizes she's on the verge of losing this chance, of sabotaging herself.
So she decides to dive in head first. Buffy is a very romantic, hopeful individual, there's no way she doesn't go for it.
Also, although a little overly hokey (like the episode on general), the demon appeared to have armor on and be very large and bulky. I'd imagine Buffy weighed significantly less, and would therefore be much more aerodynamic, thus able to gain ground while going down the Hellmouth.

Overall, I'd give this episode a B. Very sloppy, but it definitely felt more enjoyable to me than The Zeppo and Pangs (sans the brilliant Dickens-esque Spike scene).

Reply | Other Comments (35)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x09 - Never Leave Me]]> Sun, 31 Mar 2013 02:05:57 -0700
On a different subject, I find it telling that at this point Buffy starts referring to Spike as a "man". In season 6 Buffy said to Spike that "you are not a man, you are a monster". Now, here and in other places in the upcoming episodes she speaks of him as a man.

Reply | Other Comments (46)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x09 - Never Leave Me]]> Sat, 30 Mar 2013 23:42:46 -0700 *in reply to MikeJer (#35) I had always assumed that the gang hid Buffy's death from the council along with everyone else. So I agree with Odon that it is more likely he became a lapsed employee after Tabula Rasa.

Reply | Other Comments (46)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 2x18 - Killed by Death]]> Sat, 30 Mar 2013 15:07:21 -0700
This is the ideal Cordelia, I think. Trying to help out a little, still basically selfish, but frank. In particular the mix of wise (her initial read on why Buffy thinks she's seeing a monster) and clueless ("demon for everything") is just about right here. You have to be careful with stupidity -- sometimes the writers push it too far, especially with Xander ("bitca?", S4 basement-dwelling phase).

In any case, I'll take this Cordy over the saintly version in pre-Jasmine Angel.

Reply | Other Comments (30)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 2x18 - Killed by Death]]> Sat, 30 Mar 2013 12:47:52 -0700
Reply | Other Comments (30)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x21 - End of Days]]> Sat, 30 Mar 2013 06:11:21 -0700
About bullying: what I was trying to say with the example of that bartender (don't remember his name, season 3 and 4), Buffy often goes to him, punches him or threatens him to get information. He's not the paragon of morality, but he didn't deserve such a treatment. Yet, no one seems to have a problem with it because it's not in season 7. More over, I completely agree with Iguana, Andrew is not a poor guy that they pick on. He looks like a poor little thing, but he's not. To me, what Anya and Xander do is use a strategy. I see Buffy unconcerned because she trusts Xander. So, while I loathe true bullying (innocents being picked on, beaten or threatened for the fun of it), I don't have a problem with the good cop/bad cop with no intent to hurt applied to a unrepentant murderer: it's an interrogation, they don't do it for fun, they need vital information.

About the "cool" factor, I have a lot to say about it, so I will wait for you in the forum to answer :)

Reply | Other Comments (88)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x21 - End of Days]]> Sat, 30 Mar 2013 05:26:35 -0700 *in reply to Gon (#85) The interesting bit about Angel is that both sides of it are true.

He -is- what many teenage girls dream about. He is the romantic, mysterious, attentive attractive older guy who only has eyes for you, who is both sophisticated and intellectual and tough and brave. And yet his behaviour is also that of a stalker.

See: Becoming part 1 for the most obvious incident. This is the guy who followed her from another town and had been spying on her for months, finding out all he could before he came up and introduced himself. Throughout season 1 he's following Buffy around and spying on everyone and only occasionally being helpful. He's not dangerous at that point and his intentions are good, but later it escalates because he loses his soul. If we ignore the supernatural aspects for a moment, we see someone who starts out as a stalker, then tries his hand at an actual relationship, but then reverts to his earlier behaviour when things take a turn for the worse, only this time he's actually dangerous.

Both these sides fit with the teenage-love metaphor, only they're made far more extreme and explicit because of the supernatural element.

As for the bullying... well, Andrew remains a barely repentant murderer and accessory to murder and attempted rape without a moral bone in his body, so I honestly can't feel sorry for him. Andrew is not some harmless nerdy guy who's the victim of prejudice and injustice. He's a bloody menace to society who should be locked up and be on the receiving end of some thorough psych-evaluations to determine whether anything can be done about his complete absence of a moral compass.

Agreed on Kennedy though. Even if her behaviour makes sense considering what kind of a person she is, the scoobies should have stopped her or at least addressed her actions, especially after that girl commits suicide. That's the part in all this that makes me the most uncomfortable: the fact that nobody comments on what caused that girl to kill herself except Buffy who gives a "She was weak and stupid" speech. Yeah... way to go, hero.

Reply | Other Comments (88)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x21 - End of Days]]> Sat, 30 Mar 2013 04:20:30 -0700
About Angel. I can understand what you say but I didn’t feel it like that. In TV, the meaning you give to scenes depend of how you react to what you see. In S1, I saw Angel as the materialization of a teenage girl’s dream: a dark, beautiful, mysterious older guy who pays attention to you and eventually falls in love for you. That’s why I never saw him as a stalker. The original idea, I believe, was for Buffy to have this infatuation for the vampire but to end up with Xander. But SMG and DB looked good on screen on and S2 they decided to go all along with the couple.

About Spike. It’s true what Arachnea wrote about Spike’s character – retrospectively. But when we meet Spike back in S2, he is a fascinating and arrogant big bad (S2). Is Spike cool? Of course he is! You can be a total misfit and still be perceived as cool (I can think of a lot of examples but I’ll just name James Dean). It’s the way you look, the way you talk, the way it feels. You can’t compare S2 Spike with S2 Wander and S2 Willow, can you? Since the first scene, Spike is cool. Even when he becomes a comic relief (S3, S4, part of S5), he’ll always keep that aura Xander so well described in “Intervention”. Everyone finds Spike fascinating. I even had an erotic dream with Spike once :)

Now, this is the point where I agree with the article in question: it is clear to me that BtVS characters are way cooler in the BtVS “adult years” (S5-S7) than in “adolescence years” (S1-S3); and I believe the success of Spike has something to do with that. So, yes, I believe the original concept of the series has changed because new models (cooler models) got more and more popular between the audience.

About bullying. I’ll keep every word I wrote for Kennedy (despite my disastrous English syntax). I’ll accept to be corrected about the term “torture” for Andrew - but I’ll stick to the term bullying. Again, the meaning you give to scenes depends of how you react to what you see. I’ll give an example.

There’s a scene in S7 where Anya and Xander (Xander, of all people!) are having a lot of fun frightening Andrew and pretending they’re going to beat the crap out of him in a closed room; then Buffy appears, they say something to her as “everything’s ok” and she just leaves, with nonchalance. Now, how can you react this scene? You might think “they’re just trying to make a big bad confess, that’s ok” or “they’re using their force to intimidate a weaker guy, that’s wrong”. The show offers many levels of interpretation. Personally, the second impression prevails to me, given the past messages of “BtVS”.

Reply | Other Comments (88)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x21 - End of Days]]> Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:54:35 -0700 *in reply to Iguana-on-a-stick (#82) "If you ignore the supernatural part (and I agree that you should when analyzing it on this level)"

You're absolutely right and I know I should. But I remember how horrified I was when I watched the show for the first time, so that memory stayed stuck with me and I can't seem to get rid of it. So I apologize, I know I am far too literal about it. I like your explanation, it's definitely more objective than mine.

Reply | Other Comments (88)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x21 - End of Days]]> Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:48:54 -0700 *in reply to Gon (#81) I understand your point of view for the first two paragraphs. (You should ask MikeJer why you can't access the forum, but until then, I'll answer here.)

For the last paragraph, I'm sorry but I'll have to firmly disagree with you, but you already know that ;-). In response to this article about Spike, refer to my comment for S7 review.

Spike may look like the "cool guy" but he's not. He's been a misfit all his life and unlife and the only 3 persons who have accepted him were his mother, Drusilla and Buffy. He was laughed at when William, he was belittled by Angel when a vampire, he was laughed at and scorned when "chipped", he was used by the First when soulful, plus never accepted by the whole group. What's cool in it ? His pathetic attempts to try to be/look cool all his life and unlife ? To me, he fitted perfectly the long line of misfits in the show, and I'm not listing this to say "poor Spike", I'm just establishing facts to say that Spike is a long way from cool.

Like you said, the show is about growing up. To me, it doesn't stop at the end of adolescence. We never stop to grow up, in that effect, Spike has grown up, especially in S7. The same for the rest of them, entering adulthood is a very important part in constructing oneself and the show never lost its "mission".

About the bullying, I remember a certain human demon bartender being beaten or bullied to get information (some demons and vampires suffered that fate too). And in the cases you mention, I agree about Kennedy, but to me, it was a parallel to show how Kennedy revels in her new power as opposite to Buffy who is struggling with it. In the case of Andrew, I agree it was not appropriate, but it was not torture: Dawn slaps Andrew to see if he's awake and, about the hot water, we see on Anya and Dawn's face that they know it's not appropriate. In both instances, I never got the impression that the writers tried to say: hey look, bullying is the right thing to do.

Reply | Other Comments (88)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x21 - End of Days]]> Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:27:44 -0700 *in reply to Gon (#81) I've seen that article but their claims never made much sense to me.

One thing though, on Angel's age: I really don't think he was ever supposed to be/look like an 18-year-old. As Angelus he travels the world with Darla and the others very much looking and acting and being seen like an adult, not a teenager. Joyce, when she doesn't know who he is yet, mistrusts him and thinks he looks too old for Buffy, who claims he is in college. It seems most likely that he was at least in his early twenties when he was turned.

This also fits the whole metaphor thing: Angel is meant to represent an older, considerably more mature and experienced kind of boyfriend. Attractive to 16-year-old Buffy, yes, but it does make the relationship a somewhat unequal one. That's why he has so much power to hurt her when he turns evil. (Or on the level of the metaphor: when it turns out he isn't who he claimed to be.)

If you ignore the supernatural part (and I agree that you should when analysing it on this level) it's not a huge age difference, but it's a significant one and I think it should be taken into account when examining the relationship between Buffy and Angel.

Oh, and I like your point on the cookie-dough speech. I hadn't considered it from that angle before.

(On the forum: we had a -lot- of spammers a while back so now you have to wait a bit after signing up for Mike to approve your account. It's a bit of a hassle, but worth the effort. Do join if you feel so inclined. More discussion is always great.)

Reply | Other Comments (88)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x21 - End of Days]]> Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:39:40 -0700 *in reply to Arachnea (#80) Thanks to you, Arachnea. I’m sorry, I tried to access the forum but wasn’t capable of that. Anyway, I just wanted to add I think we see a lot of ourselves in the way we analyze the show and the characters. My main interest in the series is the idea of growing and becoming self-conscious by facing fears and adversities along friends (that’s one of the reasons I prefer the adolescence years). Buffy romantic relationships interest me in this context and so naturally I think the story with Angel is more effective.

Don’t get me wrong, I do like Spike’s character a lot. But I do think he took a lot of space in S7 (you don’t agree with this, as you said some posts ago). Honestly, I can see how soulful Spike is a better match for mature Buffy than Willow and Xander. But I would have preferred to see Buffy, Willow & Xander reaching a new stage of their friendship in S7, instead of growing apart. I realize now my problem with that scene where Buffy talks about going to the mall is also connected to that: I no longer believe she will do that with them.

You can read here http://www.salon.com/2003/05/13/spike_buffy/ what I think is an interesting article. It defends that the prominence of Spike changed the “BtVS” message, shifting the focus of the series from the uncool characters to the cool ones. I don’t agree totally with this article but I agree with some of it. It also helped me understand why I was so uncomfortable about S7, a season where I find very disturbing notes of bullying that contradict the original message of the show (I wrote about that in my comments to “Bring on the night” and “Get it Done”).

Reply | Other Comments (88)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x21 - End of Days]]> Fri, 29 Mar 2013 08:56:52 -0700
As I said once, I have a tendency to defend the hated characters and find the flaws in those that always get free passes. It's a big shortcoming of mine (but I'm aware of it and try to overcome it... or not :p).

I try to be objective and I am not a "Spike worshiper". I never defended his bad behaviors, but I give credit when I think it's due. Same goes for Angel.

I agree with your second paragraph. Actually, Angel irked me at the start of the relation, but I never thought of him as a vicious satyr, just a really unhealthy manner to make himself known. However, if I remember correctly, he watches her from a distance for a long time before she discovers him, he follows her in dark alleys, he went to Buffy's room unannounced or to watch her sleep before he was soulless, and I call it stalking, even if for noble reasons. Once they started the relation, it was ok with me. But in the same spirit of your example of opposition, I often read that soulful Spike is a terrible person compared to Angel. I will forgive those who never watched Angel. But those who did watch, well, we certainly didn't watch the same show, because Angel is sometimes a champion and sometimes... quite the opposite. In short, Spike is not an angel, Angel is not a saint, but they both have wonderful and scary qualities.

Reply | Other Comments (88)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 5x22 - The Gift]]> Fri, 29 Mar 2013 08:36:18 -0700 *in reply to Anya (#105) Thanks!

Reply | Other Comments (107)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | Season 7 Review]]> Fri, 29 Mar 2013 07:40:41 -0700 *in reply to Arachnea (#126) I enjoyed reading all your comments through the show. If you can still understand my position even when you disagree with it, I've accomplished my goal. :)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Reply | Other Comments (127)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x21 - End of Days]]> Fri, 29 Mar 2013 06:54:55 -0700 *in reply to Arachnea (#78) I hope you don’t feel I’m minimizing the problem of stalking, I can absolutely share your concern. But Angel doesn’t strike me as a stalker; Angelus does. When did Angel (not Angelus) stalked Buffy? It’s true Angel is always showing up out of nowhere in S1, but normally he’s protecting or warning Buffy. Should he have been more responsible and stay away from her, imagining they could not have a future together? Perhaps but we’re talking about love.

What I intended to say is that I always thought ridiculous when people depict Angel as a vicious satyr opposed to Spike as a respectful lover who had waited until she was a young woman… (That argument confounds many things, including Spike having or not soul). But I didn’t say you wrote that.

About the kiss: let’s not forget it’s the end of the world, so kissing your first and still-loved boyfriend doesn’t feel so wrong to me. But I agree that the hole jealous-situation doesn’t work and, me too, I would have preferred that Buffy and Angel talked about issues not resolved between them.

Reply | Other Comments (88)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 5x22 - The Gift]]> Fri, 29 Mar 2013 04:56:40 -0700 Loved the review, great work!

Reply | Other Comments (107)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x21 - End of Days]]> Fri, 29 Mar 2013 02:20:59 -0700 *in reply to Gon (#77) Well, even if it's used as a metaphor, I can't help the feeling of wrongness, especially the stalking part. It stems from personal experience and also as a mother, so I can see why it wouldn't bother everybody but to me, it brings shivers down my spine, the same way it did with the rape attempt.

I'm just noticing that you say: you can't just pretend good old Buffy was always here. That's exactly what I'm saying about the kiss, even if their love was intense and pure, their relation stopped years ago. I could understand the comfort kiss in "The Body", it was very believable but not here. Actually, I was glad to see Angel, but I expected closure, not a "what if": because of the curse, they can never be together. I expected a healthy acknowledgement that they would always be important to one another in their separate lives.

About your argument about Spike, I was making comparisons between "soulful them". Of course soulless Spike was obsessed with Buffy from the start and his love for her was twisted. But his love when soulful is true to the core, he loves a grown up Buffy, accepting her worst and her best. Same thing for Buffy, she never loved Spike before, she had conflicted feelings. The love she has with soulful Spike goes beyond physical attraction, it's about mutual respect and acceptance, but not necessarily the "marital type".

Also, in the first half of S7, we see Buffy as she has truly become as a woman: humorous, loving, responsible. Then, she loses her connections because of the burden of a war, it doesn't mean that the Buffy we saw in start of S7 isn't there anymore, she just buried those emotions. She lost herself for a while but with the prospect of a future and with her friends around her, I don't find it out of character at all to have her talking about going to the mall. On the contrary, for me, it means that despite the ordeals, life will go on and she will live it if she's still alive.

Reply | Other Comments (88)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x21 - End of Days]]> Fri, 29 Mar 2013 01:11:06 -0700 *in reply to Arachnea (#74) The kiss between Buffy and Angel never seemed contrived to me. There were always a big emotion going on in their moments together after he left (“Forever”, that episode of Angel where time goes back). I’m not a Bangel or a Spuffy neither (lol) but I can see Angel is the first love of Buffy and will always be. The fact they couldn’t stay together doesn’t mean they don’t feel strongly about each other anymore. I find the kiss a powerful reminder of that.

I don’t like the argument “Angel is a pedophile” (I know that’s not what you wrote, but I hear that a lot). Sure he is much older, but that’s a metaphor. When we see them in season 1, we’re supposed to be seeing a highschool girl in love with an 18 years old guy. Adolescents in love with vampires have been depicted before – it’s another metaphor, of sexual awakening and searching for identity. I don’t think we should take it literally. In the same way, I think the argument “Spike only loves mature Buffy” makes no sense. We learn he was obsessed by Buffy since he arrived in Sunnydale (in S2). And before this obsession turned to true love it was a vicious feeling.

Regarding the “cookie dough speech”, it bugs me for another reason. S7 shows us a humorless speechy chief-in-command Buffy – and we have to suffer to like her. Then in the last episode we are just asked to meet old Buffy. Like that last joke before the battle, when she’s talking about going to the mall to buy shoes if she survives. Well, I miss that kind of attitude but you can’t just pretend good old Buffy was always there, as if last half of S7 was just a bad dream. The cookie dough speech feels the same to me: it’s the kind of speech she used to do (you know, when she was fighting apocalypse and dying and still had a sense of humor) but now I just don’t buy it anymore.

Reply | Other Comments (88)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x21 - End of Days]]> Fri, 29 Mar 2013 01:11:01 -0700 *in reply to Arachnea (#74) The kiss between Buffy and Angel never seemed contrived to me. There were always a big emotion going on in their moments together after he left (“Forever”, that episode of Angel where time goes back). I’m not a Bangel or a Spuffy neither (lol) but I can see Angel is the first love of Buffy and will always be. The fact they couldn’t stay together doesn’t mean they don’t feel strongly about each other anymore. I find the kiss a powerful reminder of that.

I don’t like the argument “Angel is a pedophile” (I know that’s not what you wrote, but I hear that a lot). Sure he is much older, but that’s a metaphor. When we see them in season 1, we’re supposed to be seeing a highschool girl in love with an 18 years old guy. Adolescents in love with vampires have been depicted before – it’s another metaphor, of sexual awakening and searching for identity. I don’t think we should take it literally. In the same way, I think the argument “Spike only loves mature Buffy” makes no sense. We learn he was obsessed by Buffy since he arrived in Sunnydale (in S2). And before this obsession turned to true love it was a vicious feeling.

Regarding the “cookie dough speech”, it bugs me for another reason. S7 shows us a humorless speechy chief-in-command Buffy – and we have to suffer to like her. Then in the last episode we are just asked to meet old Buffy. Like that last joke before the battle, when she’s talking about going to the mall to buy shoes if she survives. Well, I miss that kind of attitude but you can’t just pretend good old Buffy was always there, as if last half of S7 was just a bad dream. The cookie dough speech feels the same to me: it’s the kind of speech she used to do (you know, when she was fighting apocalypse and dying and still had a sense of humor) but now I just don’t buy it anymore.

Reply | Other Comments (88)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | Season 7 Review]]> Thu, 28 Mar 2013 23:31:24 -0700
I'd like to answer to those who didn't like season 7 because of the emphasis light on Buffy and Spike: I would never dislike a show that does justice to characters, especially when the development of those characters is so good. So, the critic doesn't stand in itself. The problem wasn't the focus, it was the dispersion of the rest: the addition of Woods, Faith, Andrew, Caleb and the Potential, plus the flawed plot-heavy arc of the end of the season.

I'm not saying that these shouldn't exist in S7, especially Woods who was a truly nice addition to the mix. About the others, the problem is mostly that they were underdeveloped but took a lot of screen time. First, Faith was mostly used as a counterpart to Buffy. Andrew was sometimes very funny, but he wasn't necessary for the story. Because he was used as the comic relief, it took away Anya's potential to continue her comical purpose with some added insight after Selfless. Caleb could have been so much more, but his endless speeches became boring because there's no background. To conclude, like MikeJer said, the Potentials should have been used as a group, as in the group is the character. The biggest mistake was to give "life" to some of them without fleshing them, so it also took a lot of screen time with little effect.

So, if you take away the superfluous, time could have been spent for the rest of the cast, without impeding Buffy and Spike development. You know, I can imagine powerful scenes between Giles/Faith to flesh out their ending arc and would have built something of substance to lead to Empty Places. Willow didn't need a new contrived relationship, some Xander/Willow scenes would have made a lot of sense for the new adult Xander. He was the perfect person to help Willow reconstruct herself and deal with her pain/power/self-confidence issues. Willow could have reconnected as a mother figure with Dawn over their love for Tara when Buffy started to forget her sister again. Even a Giles/Dawn-watcher/mini-watcher connection could have been cool. To see them all connect together without Buffy who's slipping away would have made an episode like Empty Places very powerful. So, again, using Spike as the scapegoat for the blame of S7 failures is really out of the equation.

To conclude, yes, S7 is not the best of BtVS but without it, it wouldn't be whole. And saying it's not the best for a show like this really doesn't mean it's bad. S7 have some of the most powerful scenes and some deep and insightful characterization. It lost some effectiveness in the last third, but there's still some good to take in it. I am disappointed with some of it but still have much love for it.

Reply | Other Comments (127)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x21 - End of Days]]> Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:42:25 -0700 *in reply to Arachnea (#74) Excellent comment. I agree with almost all of this. Although I would add that the cheesy music which accompanied Angel's appearence on-screen was the biggest downer of that scene for me. Simply seeing him would have been powerful enough - the show has earned that with its character development and attention to its own history. The daft music made would should have been an emotion-packed moment pretty laughable.

I think the kiss was probably just thrown in there to provide some episode-level conflict between Spike and Buffy. I think they could have handled it better though. Spike's relationship with Abuffy had gone beyonf physical in S7. If they had shown Angel and Buffy having a similar emotional connection, that would have been an even bigger threat. But instead they went for the shortcut cheesy kiss.

Also agree with the opinion on the cookie dough speech. I don't get why it bothers people so much. It's probably a redundant analogy for something fairly straightforward. But it is nevertheless a fitting analogy, and they type of thing Buffy would say.

Ah well, you could debate S7 forever. We probably will ;-)

Reply | Other Comments (88)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x21 - End of Days]]> Thu, 28 Mar 2013 08:10:40 -0700
It's nice to see our favorite characters getting along, but there's no resolution to the conflict. Buffy should have apologized as much as the scoobies and Giles should have apologized. It would have been nice to see them acknowledge their respective mistakes instead of seeing the Guardian.

The discussion between Buffy and Faith is good, but Buffy said it herself, she let people slip, she didn't let them enter. And it wasn't about being the slayer, it's about her personality. Yes, being a slayer is a big burden, but she has shared her burden for 5 years (season 6 is different) and this speech denies the usefulness of the scoobies. She wouldn't be here without them (and I'm not talking about the resurrection). Here, the situation is different because they have to care about the Potentials: it's being in charge that makes you feel lonely, it's not being the slayer. Woods will tell Faith in Chosen: I thought it was a more defensive, isolationist slayer crap. The watchers have isolated the slayers in the past. But Buffy and Faith in particular have isolated themselves from the world but not entirely because they are slayers.

It was nice for Angel to have an appearance, but the kiss ? After all the build-up with Spike and all the history with Cordelia, I found it very disrespectful. Actually, it's not the kiss in itself, it the fact that it comes out of nowhere and feels so contrived. It's not about a Spuffy/Bangel (who invented these ridiculous abreviations ?!!!) war either, it's just out of place.

Anyway, I never understood the war... Angel and Spike are two different persons who have meaning in Buffy's life at different times with a very different approach: it's life. The first was passionate, adolescent, burning and destructive. The second was platonic, adult and supportive. The first was creepy (an old man stalking and hitting on a teenager), didn't have real substance but it was "true love"; most of all, because of the curse, it couldn't end or go on. The second emerges after a destructive relation and needs serious new foundations before it can go anywhere. The common denominator is that they both find a meaning in life because of Buffy (fight the good fight). It doesn't mean that one is better than the other, they were what Buffy needed at certain times of her life. That's why I didn't mind the "cookie dough" speech. It's not popular because of the context in which it's said but it makes sense. Buffy is still very young, she's learning from her experiences and her heart is large enough to contain the memories of both. So should ours :).

Reply | Other Comments (88)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 6x17 - Normal Again]]> Thu, 28 Mar 2013 04:29:40 -0700
Reply | Other Comments (112)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x15 - Get it Done]]> Wed, 27 Mar 2013 08:31:41 -0700 *in reply to Gon (#45) What I like it that Kennedy has a defined personality, as opposed to most of the other potentials.

Reply | Other Comments (47)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x15 - Get it Done]]> Wed, 27 Mar 2013 05:04:43 -0700
Reply | Other Comments (47)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x16 - Storyteller]]> Wed, 27 Mar 2013 01:03:50 -0700
But it was very clever to use the camera to see through Andrew's eyes: that's what his life is about, living through movie/TV characters.

I agree with Lighs: the scenes of mayhem in the school with Buffy and Woods conversing casually - with no care at all - is totally unreal and shocking.

Also, for the fun of it, a little Trek/SW ranting: comparing Andrew to Neelix or JarJar is a high crime :p ! Andrew's character is two-dimensional except for this episode, but he's used as the obvious comic/cynical/parody, that's why some of his lines are so funny. Neelix and JarJar are ridiculous for the sake of children, big big difference. No child would understand the complexity of Andrew's behaviour and wouldn't laugh at his jokes. (And... no finale can reach Trek's Endgame and These Are the Voyages abyss: the worst finales, ever).

Reply | Other Comments (37)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x15 - Get it Done]]> Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:16:50 -0700
Spike and Willow understand her because they have a connection with her: they react the right way. The Potentials have absolutely no connection with Buffy and they can only react with antagonism.

When Buffy jumps into the portal, it's very much in character. She often risked her life without care for the consequences. Here, it's more obvious because she's desperate to find a solution and she believes it's her duty.

Now, I have a problem with the slayer being the guardian of the Hellmouth, because before Buffy, it seems that the slayers were elsewhere and it was never mentioned before season 7 that the slayer's duty was to be the guardian of the Hellmouth. Though, it makes sense because one slayer can't be everywhere to save the entire world.

I like the parallel between Kassidy and Buffy: Kassidy takes pleasure with the power (command) she's been given. She gleefully abuses her power by being mean with the other Potentials. Buffy is the exact opposite, she despises being a general but has no choice. For her, it's not a game, it's a real war, she tries her best with the abilities she's got and fails.

Reply | Other Comments (47)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x14 - First Date]]> Tue, 26 Mar 2013 23:29:45 -0700
I don't really appreciate Giles characterization. He talks to Buffy with reproach, not with advices, even though what he says about Spike makes sense. Also, he seems to have reverted back to season 1 when he couldn't understand that even in the worst of times, you need to relax and joke, or else you sink. Again, another factor to put Buffy on edge. He should be the wisest and so, he should have taken charge from the start, instead he's drowning Buffy in responsibilities and guilt: that doesn't sound like the Giles we know.

I'm also sorry that they didn't go further with Buffy and Woods, the scene in the restaurant were nice, with a good chemistry.

Reply | Other Comments (48)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x12 - Potential]]> Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:28:19 -0700 *in reply to Arachnea (#52) "The training in the graveyard was great until she locks the Potentials in a crypt. We thought that leaving Buffy powerless against a vampire was cruel (in Helpless), yet she does the same to those girls. Granted, she was outside with Spike, but the vampire could have killed one of them in a second."

I would love to say that that was a deliberate method of showing how much Buffy is doing things wrong, by letting herself be convinced that she is supposed to be disconnected from her "soldiers," and how it's turning her into the people that tried to kill her in "Helpless"

... but that wasn't brought up at all (for this incident at least), so I can't. Maybe the "strength in numbers, legitimate backup is right there" is what makes the difference? Or is supposed to at least?

Reply | Other Comments (53)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x13 - The Killer in Me]]> Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:14:30 -0700 *in reply to Iguana-on-a-stick (#60) You're right about Cordelia, although she wasn't part of the group at first and she was the character we liked to hate. But she evolved and at the time she was included into the group, more accurately when she became Xander's girlfriend, she became a misfit herself, rejected by her previous popular group.

Now, like you said, the problem is that Kennedy hasn't earned her place in the group and her attitude problems aren't addressed at all (and aren't played for fun like Cordelia's). I wouldn't have had a problem with her being the obvious rebound girlfriend: if it had been shown that Willow chose willingly the one person with whom she wasn't compatible, it could have worked.

What I wanted to point out is the fact that I don't understand some viewers comparing her to Parker (whose intentions were bad) or say that she's a bad person. She's very flawed, but not evil. And I have a tendency to defend the characters that are hated, because usually, they don't deserve that much hate (except maybe Andrew :p). Also, I don't like true hate (as opposed to "like to hate"), so I overreact.

Reply | Other Comments (62)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x13 - The Killer in Me]]> Tue, 26 Mar 2013 08:45:21 -0700 *in reply to Arachnea (#59) But Cordelia is exactly like that. Twice as much like that! And so was Buffy herself pre-series, though we only see one or two glimpses of that.

Perhaps the issue is that Willow was the character who had the most problems with Cordelia and always resented girls like that for picking on her, and therefore it feels "off" that she would date a girl with a similar entitled attitude.

Or perhaps the issue is that Cordelia was generally punished by the narrative for her shallow egocentrism and had already learned and grown a lot by the time she started dating Xander, while Kennedy seems to get away with her "I deserve this just because" attitude.

Reply | Other Comments (62)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x13 - The Killer in Me]]> Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:20:09 -0700
Also, we viewers, unlike Kennedy, have witnessed the scoobies' lives and their struggles. It's obvious she's excited by this new world because she doesn't understand it, so I don't take her speeches to Willow as disrespectful, just misguided. Also, even if she's not the most likable character, she's not a bad person! She may be harsh, short-sighted and shallow, but she's not a psychopath or a murderer! She doesn't seek Willow's attention to take advantage of her, she really cares for Willow. However, I too didn't enjoy the couple, but because there was no chemistry at all and most of all, it was contrived.

Anyway, MikeJer gave us an excellent review for an episode with good material but a mediocre realisation.

Reply | Other Comments (62)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x12 - Potential]]> Mon, 25 Mar 2013 23:31:16 -0700
The training in the graveyard was great until she locks the Potentials in a crypt. We thought that leaving Buffy powerless against a vampire was cruel (in Helpless), yet she does the same to those girls. Granted, she was outside with Spike, but the vampire could have killed one of them in a second.

Buffy does it all wrong from now on and becomes totally disconnected and superior. But, the role of training potentials should be the Watcher's. There's one watcher left and it's Giles; he should be there with Buffy and Spike, he should be the one to lecture, to instruct and to give information. Very few teenagers would respect a 20 years old teacher/commander, even if she is the slayer and especially if this particular slayer doesn't show any respect for them. So, it's very realistic for Buffy to do things wrong, but a lot of the blame - as much as it pains me to say - is to be put on Giles. He literaly came back with a package of Potentials and put them plus the apocalypse on Buffy's shoulders. It's no wonder she can't give Dawn the attention she requires.

Now, I loved Xander's speech because it resumes everything about being completely normal but very much in danger and in the shadows. And it felt wonderful to see, for once, that Dawn gets some acknowledgement for her courage and strength after everything she endured. I still believe Xander is the heart and not the sight: we saw the same thing with Riley. He didn't see, Riley tipped him off. Here, he knows what Buffy doesn't [Dawn could have been a potential]. In both cases, he was able to relate to their suffering and his heart being good, he can give this warmth and understanding.

Reply | Other Comments (53)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x11 - Showtime]]> Sun, 24 Mar 2013 21:08:10 -0700
The Potentials will become an annoyance, but at this point, I can totally understand them freaking out: they must be between 14 and 20, they're away from their families/friends, they have no power, are eliminated one by one and there's not a lot of hope to hang on for.

This is another step to put Buffy on her path/business only: everyone wrongly believes that, because she's the slayer, she should know what to do, that she should be all-knowing. Eve/The First has a point: it's an impossible mission to protect them all. Also, at this point, I find Kennedy to be likable because she can handle herself in a crisis and is very supportive to the group.

Reply | Other Comments (49)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x10 - Bring on the Night]]> Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:44:11 -0700
Then, she can't even admit to her best friend that she needs help. But the first real mistake comes from Giles who puts too much pressure on her (I was glad Xander saw it): she finally admits her doubts and while the answer about her calling all the shots "you have all my faith" is heartfelt, this is not what Buffy needed. Buffy is special because of who and what she is, but also because of the group. If Giles had played the you're not alone card, maybe Buffy wouldn't have taken the role of General-you-do-as-I-say-because-I'm-superior-and-all-knowing later on. Then, she can hear Giles saying: "Buffy was the plan", it doesn't help. This episode is very good in setting up the development of the characters in the future, though I really don't like what they did with Giles.

I enjoyed the setup for Robin Wood (this name will always make me laugh). The first time I watched season 7, I really thought he was a big bad. And Dawn is hilarious when she comes with pathetic explanations for cover.

Also, at this point, Kennedy is the most interesting Potential because she has a personality and opinions.

Reply | Other Comments (48)]]> <![CDATA[COMMENT | 7x09 - Never Leave Me]]> Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:09:06 -0700 *in reply to Ryan ONeil (#43) I very much like this explanation Ryan. It would make sense, the first Übervamp was fed at least by the blood of Jonathan and then Spike. The army, not being fed, was much weaker.

These two episodes are very important and interesting for giving a sense of closure to season 6 B/S destructive relation and to start a new and constructive one.

In the first half of this season, I like the way all scoobies have matured. Buffy is more loving and has found a healthy balance (human/slayer). Xander has learned to trust and is less impulsive in what he says. Anya is learning what it truly means to be human and I find myself enjoying her comical side much more. Dawn is now a very mature teen and she can kick ass ! For Willow, it's different because she must reconstruct herself, but her struggle with magic and her care for Buffy is well done.

Something I'll never understand is how some fans hate Spike because of his past, but love Anya unconditionally despite her past (à la Xander). I enjoy both characters for what they are and I could understand the dislike for both, but not one over the other.

About the soul discussion, obviously Angel and Spike have different personalities. Angel was alone, Spike had help. Also, Spike could have a future with few restraints. Angel can't: he didn't earn his soul, he was cursed and can't take risks to be perfectly happy. Even though he could reach some satisfying happiness (like Wes said, perfect happiness is rare).

Reply | Other Comments (46)]]>