mothman-rewatches

[mothman-rewatches]

Post Season Review: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, season one.

Hello everyone! I have such mixed emotions as I’m typing this. We have reached the end of season one, which means we get to talk about the season as a whole. I’m sad to have finished this season, but I’m excited for what’s to come. I have a lot to say, so let’s get on with it.

WARNING: This post contains spoilers.

The Good: First, we have to talk about the Master. This might be an unpopular opinion, but the Master is one of the most memorable Big Bads of the series for me. He stands out from the rest of the Big Bads in the same way he is different from the rest of the vampires on the show. I would have loved to see more of him, even just little pieces. His story is something that I am so deeply curious about. Mark Metcalf and the costuming department made him who he is, and I commend them. 

Speaking of costuming, it was unexpectedly one of my favorite parts of the season. When I decided to include a fashion corner section in these reviews, I wasn’t sure I would have anything specific to write about. I don’t pretend to know anything about fashion, and there were a lot of times my comments felt a little silly, but costuming made the experience worth it. I loved seeing the small details that set Buffy apart from the other characters, and personally it added so much to my watch through of this season. 

Buffy’s character arc is a huge note I have. I felt like almost every episode I brought up her arc, and for good reason. Buffy’s attempt to find normalcy sets her apart distinctly, and it makes some of the underlying themes in the episodes so much better when you look at it through that lens. Slowly, as the season progresses, we watch Buffy learn to accept her fate as the Slayer. She still tries to balance being a normal girl and the Slayer, but the pressures on herself to be normal wane as she realizes she cannot ignore her duties. In the last review of the season, I pointed out that the underlying theme of “Prophecy Girl” was grief through the lens of a teenager, and that particularly ties into Buffy’s arc. She learns she is destined to die, and immediately shuts down. She quits, but is unable to ignore her fate. Her grief is centered around the loss of innocence, the loss of the ability to be a teenager, and it’s heartbreaking. It’s what perfectly ties the arc up at the end of the season.

Again, I loved the themes in certain episodes. They add another layer to each episode, and it’s fun to look through that lens and understand the episode a little deeper. Witch, Nightmares, Out of Mind, and Prophecy Girl pull this off wonderfully, and I wish they had a larger narrative theme for each of the episodes this season. I cannot wait to see this used in later seasons.

Lastly, I loved watching the character relationships grow. Watching how Buffy and Giles’s relationship progressed, or Buffy and Willow’s relationship progressed, and knowing where they end up is something special. You get to connect to these characters this way, and it’s worth it. I am going to love seeing where they go. 

The Bad: As much as I loved this season, there was actually a lot I didn’t like. From the overuse of certain tropes, to characterization, I have things I wish had been better. 

To start, Xander’s character. I really didn’t like Xander this season, and I will admit I did sort of ruin him for myself early on. Xander Harris is a rough character to begin with, and when you add in the context that he might be based on the creator, it gets worse. I spent a large chunk of the season cringing at every line he spoke, because most of the lines he had this season include sexual and perverse comments about his female friends or about the female classmates around them, or making snide comments because they rejected him. It’s easy to brush it off as him being a hormonal teenage boy, but at some points it crosses a line into creepy -- like the time he “joked” about taking pictures of Buffy through her bedroom window -- and it really feels like you can hear Joss when he says those things. I would like to see Xander move away from this part of his character, but I don’t have a whole lot of hope for it.

Another character I really struggled with this season was Cordelia. I don’t even think I have to say it anymore, I’ve said it what feels like a million times. Cordelia’s characterization was grossly mishandled, and I remember at one point thinking it was some sort of attack on Charisma Carpenter. She has very little growth throughout the season, until the very end when we actually see her character come through. We spend most of the season with the same one dimensional trait, the shallow and vain and bitchy Cordelia. It’s exhausting, and I still wish we had seen more of who she ends the season being. Even then, it took them ten and a half episodes to even try to make Cordelia likable, and it doesn’t feel fair to the character or the audience, let alone the actress. 

Additionally, we have to talk about “The Harvest”, particularly Jesse’s character. Twelve episodes later, and I’m still irritated that they spent so much time discussing Jesse in that episode just to never mention him again. I’m not asking much, just a name drop or even a reference to him would be enough to sate me. I just don’t love how they did that, it feels like a waste of time. Narratively, I hope they make strides to change this with other characters, but we’ll see.

Also, it’s the elephant in the room. We all know I’m going to bring it up: the fucking fake outs. It got old by the second episode, but they continued to use it as a narrative tool. I don’t know why they loved it so much, but they did. It really reached a point of irritation for me in “Puppet Show”, and I’ve been stewing about it ever since. They used the fake out at almost every given chance in that episode, and it kind of ruined the episode for me. That being said, I can’t remember any major uses of this trope again in the series, so I’m hoping we can leave it behind in season one. 

Lastly, the end scenes didn’t work for me. It’s a mini fake out, but it does nothing narratively for the rest of the series. The only time we see something that actually comes back up in the larger narrative is the reveal that the Anointed was alive. I think the use of the end scenes could work, but in moderation, with things that come up later. Until then, I see no point in using them.

Episode Ranking: This was actually so hard to do, because I didn’t really know where I wanted to put some of these. It was fun though, and it made me think about why certain episodes did better than others.

Twelfth  - “Never Kill a Boy on the First Date”

Eleventh - “Teacher’s Pet”

Tenth - “I, Robot…You, Jane.”

Ninth - “Welcome to the Hellmouth”

Eighth - “Witch”

Seventh - “The Harvest”

Sixth - “The Puppet Show”

Fifth - “Angel”

Fourth - “Nightmares”

Third - “Out of Mind, Out of Sight”

Second - “The Pack”

First - “Prophecy Girl”

Reflection: This season has been a journey, in the best way. As the show found it’s footing, I too had to find mine while starting this blog. I know I have a long ways to go, but I am so proud of this blog, and I cannot begin to express how much it means to me. 

The opportunity to sit down and watch one of my favorite shows and then talk about it is one I am incredibly grateful for. I got to know the show so much better this way, and my love for it really grew over the last twelve episodes. I can’t wait for the next six seasons, because I get to make this mine. 

I was, admittedly, terrified when I started this blog. I didn’t think anyone would like it, or interact with it, but I took the risk anyway and I’m glad I did. I’ve struggled this season to try and find a balance between just analysis and personal experience, and how to find my voice while writing about this. I think I’m getting to a place that I like, but I’m always afraid it’s going to be too personal for anyone else to understand. I’m learning, and that’s all I can ask.

I have some ideas for next season, things I want to add to the reviews, and I’m excited to try them out. I put this on the end of each post, but I really do want to hear other people’s input. It’s not just my blog, it’s kinda supposed to be yours, too. 

Out Takes/Funny Notes: These are gold in my opinion and I can’t leave them in my google doc. 

Welcome to the Hellmouth: 

-Because “try not to get kicked out” is a normal thing every parent tells their child on the first day of school. 

-Why Sunnydale has a starbucks is beyond me, but they also don’t actually have a starbucks.

The Harvest:

-I would have staked Darla for the disobedience, honestly.

-Harmony is not as clueless as she becomes later in the series, she even seems sort of sweet. 

-Nevermind she’s a raging bitch

-Yes Willow, go!! Sabotage them!

-Doesn’t it seem a little…coincidental you found Jesse, all alone, passed out in the tunnel? 

-Is it just me or is Luke a little…damn

-This whole ritual is kinda…sexual? 

-I feel like the vampires rolling up with their vamp faces isn’t the best tactical choice. Going in looking normal and then vamping out would have been more effective, I think.

-And it never was the same, good call Xander.

Witch:

-I would have thought something bad happened but no, it’s Buffy trying out for the cheer team

-NOT THE BARBIE DOLL

-”That girl’s on fire!!” Yes she is Willow!!!

-Buffy is the kind of friend I’d want because she’s always good in a crisis. If I caught on fire she’d be the first one I’d call

-Is that a scrunchie she’s wrapping around Cordelia-Barbie’s head?

-Joyce had Gidget hair? Incredible 

-They’re all surprised that its witchcraft like?? Obviously?

-It’s a perv thing isn’t it?

-IT IS A PERV THING!!

-Are we about to get a shining reference?

-This whole episode is basically because Amy’s mom peaked in highschool

Teacher’s Pet:

-The whiny music is perfect for a Xander episode

-Oh my god, fork guy is scared of mantis-people

-I love that his name is fork guy

-Serving alcohol to minors is frowned upon, even if you’re a giant bug

Never Kill a Boy on the First Date:

-Giles forgetting he works as a high school librarian is so funny to me

-New game: Take a drink any time the scoobies are in the library and get all in a tizzy because someone else comes in

-What’s with the Master’s voice? He sounds like he’s choking back a cough or something

-The Scooby gang really needs to work on it’s barricading skills

-Why put random objects tossed around? Heavy!! Heavy objects!!

-This episode’s “gotcha”: The Anointed survived…and he’s a little boy

The Pack:

-Why are a bunch of high schoolers going to the zoo for a field trip

-And why is the principal there too?

-This is going to break my heart isn’t it

-It broke my heart

Angel:

-I’m glad the master’s voice is back to normal

-Fumigation night at the Bronze is simultaneously such a fun (interesting?) idea but so gross at the same time

-Okay, I don’t like Xander’s crush on Buffy obviously

-But the ideal situation here is a triad relationship

-They could all date each other

-Has anyone ever thought of that?

-Angel literally tells her that a vampire can’t come in uninvited two seconds after one of the three’s hands was in the house?

-Make it make sense

-God I really like how they dressed Angel this episode

-He’s tastefully slutty with the white v neck

-How awkward to have to explain to your crush that you’re the vampire who killed your family

-So Darla can’t go after Buffy, but she can kill the three? Idk man the Master needs to make up his mind

-The Master really should kill Darla

-He’s one of the oldest vampires alive! He’s her sire! And yet she talks back to him and defies him

-Not through the front window! That’s gonna cost a fortune!

-It’s so weird to hear him be called “Mr. Giles” because everyone else just calls him Giles

-Sometimes I forget his first name is Rupert and not Giles

I, Robot…You, Jane:

-Now that I think about it, Xander gets a lot of flack for dating girls who aren’t human or ordinary by any means, but Willow has a similar history?

-Moloch, a demon. Oz, a werewolf. Tara, a witch. And Kennedy, a potential Slayer

The Puppet Show:

-Giles can handle himself they say as he is about to be killed

-Like have you met the man

Nightmares:

-The guy with the ponytail kinda cute

-Honestly the kid is probably more terrifying than the actual anointed

-Just pops out of nowhere

-Do these kids ever go to class? I’m gonna start a class counter next season where I count how many classes they are shown to actually go to

-No one else notices the little boy wandering the halls?

-Who smokes in the school’s boiler room? I’d be worried it would blow the whole building

-The parallel  between this girl literally being beaten to death and the sign that says smoking kills is so fucking funny to me

-No don’t go into the basement the basement has bad vibes!

-The only thing scary about that clown is his laugh tbh

Out of Mind, Out of Sight: 

-God what a sexist pig

-I’m glad Marcie beats the shit out of him

-Clea DuVall!!

-A win for the lesbians

-I’m sorry you’re telling me the ceiling is stable enough to support three of you UNTIL you trade blows with Buffy? The math ain’t mathing

Prophecy Girl:

-Earth quake babey!!

-He’s dissociating Buffy, chill

-Go Willow go!!

-Buffy’s getting a little cocky with the stake isn’t she?

-I love when blood comes out of the sink! It’s so fun

-If Giles is the dad is Jenny the cool aunt or the step mom?

-Love how Buffy came back from the dead and said “fuck this it’s game time”

Thank YOU: You didn’t think I forgot my dues, did you?

First and foremost, I want to thank the team at @sunnydale-digest. You have given me a platform, and while I know that’s the point of your blog, I am forever grateful for you all. I have been following your blog for as long as I’ve been on tumblr (or at least, for as long as my main blog as existed), and I can’t tell you how much it means to me each time you reblog my posts. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

A special thank you to Kay (@goblinagenda), who won’t see this. When I told them about wanting to do this, they were so supportive. He pushed me to do make this blog, and I wouldn’t be here without him. 

Of course, I cannot go without thanking Li (@voltrontrxsh). Li, mother of my children, my partner in crime, the person who is all but my creative director. Thank you so much, for all of your input and all of your support. You, whether you knew it or not, were a huge help at the beginning of this process, and I am so grateful for you.

Lastly, to the people who interact with my post and this blog. Thank you. I didn’t expect anyone to see this blog, I was fully prepared to be speaking into the void. Each like or reblog makes my heart swell, and it’s what pushed me to keep going. Thank you, I hope you see this blog as yours just as much as mine.

Final Notes: As always, feel free to leave any comments, suggestions, or questions in the ask box!

[mothman-rewatches]

Rewatch: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Prophecy Girl" (S1Ep12)

Summary: Strange events begin happening around Sunnydale just as Giles reads a disturbing prophecy. Buffy and the Master face off. 

Written by: Joss Whedon, Matt Kiene, Joe Reinkemeyer

Directed by: Joss Whedon

Aired: June 2nd, 1997

WARNING: This post contains spoilers.

It’s a wrap! The season finale is here, and I have so many emotions about it. This is, by far, my favorite episode. It’s perfectly devastating and shocking. I’m pretty sure it’s one of the most famous episodes of Buffy, but I might be wrong. Let’s jump in.

Recap: Xander practices asking out Buffy with Willow at the Bronze. Buffy fights a vampire as Giles reads the codex, coming across a prophecy that foretells Buffy’s death. An earthquake occurs, rattling the town. The next day Buffy tries to tell Giles her concerns but Giles is too distracted. He and Jenny Calendar discuss an impending apocalypse. Xander asks Buffy out but she rejects him. That night, Buffy overhears Angel and Giles discussing the prophecy, and quits. The next day, Willow and Cordelia find their friends dead in the AV room, and Buffy decides she must face her destiny. She and Giles argue about it, but Buffy knocks him unconscious before going and finding the Anointed One. He leads her to the Master. Meanwhile, Xander and Angel try to put a stop to things while Willow and Jenny go to warn people at the Bronze. They are attacked by vampires but Cordelia comes to save them. The Master kills Buffy and is freed from his prison. As he heads to the school, Xander and Angel find Buffy. Xander revives Buffy and they go to find the Master. Buffy kills the Master, stopping the apocalypse once again. 

Overall Thoughts: Have I mentioned I love this episode? Because I do. There’s a reason why it’s highly regarded, and it really shows. 

First and foremost, there is yet another overarching theme this episode. This episode’s theme plays with something that really isn’t talked about a lot in media -- grief, from the perspective of teenagers. Especially, grieving a loss of innocence. Not that kind of innocence, but innocence nonetheless. There are two examples of this: the scene in which Buffy finds out she’s destined to die, and the scene where Willow tells Buffy about finding the bodies in the AV room. 

The scene where Buffy finds out she’s going to die is one of the most heartbreaking scenes I’ve ever watched. Sarah Michelle Geller is an incredible actress, and it stands out in this moment. When she discovers her fate, Buffy is reasonably upset. She, as she rightly points out, is sixteen years old. There is a specific grief in knowing that you’re going to die, and that is hammered home in this scene. For a moment, it makes you realize how much weight Buffy has on her shoulders, and it forces you to realize that she’s just a teenager who has been tasked with something much larger than most. It’s hard to watch, but I think it’s beautifully executed. 

And then there’s the scene with Willow. I know this scene very well, sometimes I think I’ve lived this scene. If you’re someone who grew up and went to school in the US, I think you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s that loss of innocence, that sickening feeling in your stomach when someone you know dies. It’s the ever-present feeling people have when they go to school, that this world is not safe for them. It’s tainted. I feel for Willow as she talks about knowing the guys she found, it breaks my heart. It makes it painfully clear that while Buffy shoulders a massive burden, she’s not the only one who gets scathed. The others, particularly Willow, Xander, and Cordelia -- though everyone in Sunnydale experiences it too -- are all faced with loss, especially as they open their eyes to the reality of the world they live in. It’s a great scene, and it plays in an area I think Buffy does some of it’s best work in.

There are a lot of other great things in this episode as well. Jenny solidifies her place in the gang, and Cordelia is making herself there too. They’re actually very important members of the gang, and I’m excited to see more of them. 

We also get to see just how much Giles has come to care for Buffy. It’s chilling to watch, especially when you consider the grief he also experiences in this episode. As their relationship expands, we’ll see more of this. 

This is the episode where the season long groundwork finally pays off. We get to see the Master and Buffy face off in one of the scariest and fascinating scenes ever, and it results in one of the more shocking scenes of the series -- Buffy’s death. I love this a lot, and despite knowing it was coming, I did sort of gasp when it happened. The Master and Buffy have a strange chemistry, but it’s good chemistry. I’m sad we didn’t get to see more of them together.

Overall, I love this episode. I’m ready to move on to other things, but this season has been so fun to watch. 

Characterization: Is it an episode review if I don’t talk about Cordelia’s character? I don’t think so. I don’t actually have a lot to say about her this episode, so I’ll get it out of the way now. I loved Cordy in this episode. She has good rapport with Willow, and she’s the Cordelia I’ve been longing to see all season! She can be mean, yes, but I think it really balances out by how her relationship with Willow is portrayed later in the episode. Not to mention, she holds her own when the vampires come, and I dig it.

Additionally, Xander. Xander is not my favorite character in the long run, and this episode does little to help his case. There’s a moment where I genuinely feel bad for him, because you can see how much he likes Buffy. It’s spoiled quickly though, as not even a minute later he’s lashing out at Buffy for her rejecting him by throwing Angel in her face. It’s not a good look for him. Later, he goes and pouts before Willow shows up. It could have been a really sweet scene, but he ruins it in true “wow I can’t believe this got worse” fashion by insisting he and Willow should go to the dance together. It’s cruel and gross and by far my least favorite scene in the episode.

Speaking of Willow, I have to give her credit. I’ve mentioned countless times how badly I feel for Willow this season, watching her pine after Xander. And the moment that Xander turns his attention to her, I was half expecting her to go for it and not see it for what it was. She surprises me, though, and stands up for herself. I’m proud of her for seeing her worth. 

Facts: In this episode, Buffy begins a trend of having her final words to Giles delivered by someone else. 

This is the first major/central character death we see on screen, but it won’t be the last.

The Master is the only vampire to leave a skeleton behind after their death. 

Quotes: ”What do you think, 5.1?” - The Master

”I’m not ashamed. It’s the computer age, nerds are in.” -Willow Rosenberg

”Giles, I’m sixteen years old. I don’t wanna die.” -Buffy Summers

”I’m not okay. I knew those guys, I go to that room every day. And when I walked in there, it wasn’t our world anymore. They made it theirs…and they had fun.” Willow Rosenberg

Apocalypse Count: 2

Final Notes: As always, feel free to leave any comments, suggestions, or questions in the ask box!

[mothman-rewatches]

Rewatch: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Out of Mind, Out of Sight" (S1Ep11)

Summary: An invisible force is attacking those around Cordelia, and it’s up to Buffy to figure out how to put things to an end before Cordelia is next.

Written by: Joss Whedon, Ashley Gable, Thomas A. Swyden

Directed by: Reza Badiyi 

Aired: May 19th, 1997

WARNING: This post contains spoilers. 

I wish I could find words for how excited I am to talk about this episode. It was genuinely one of my favorites and that’s saying a lot, I think. The nostalgia I have for this episode is incomprehensible. Let’s jump in.

Recap: As the May queen coronation approaches, Cordelia is buzzing with excitement. Meanwhile, Buffy feels invisible as it has been made clear how little she fits in, even with her friends. Cordelia’s date gets attacked by a floating baseball bat. When Buffy investigates, she finds the attacker left behind a message. While the rest of the Scoobies do research to figure out what they’re dealing with, Buffy talks to Cordelia. Harmony is pushed down the stairs and Buffy follows an invisible assailant. The gang realizes that the attacker is Marcie Ross, a girl who went missing six months ago. They theorize that Marcie was invisible to everyone else, and so she literally turned invisible. She has a vendetta against Cordelia. After Cordelia finds one of her teachers unconscious, she asks for help. The rest of the gang stays behind to come up with ways to make Marcie visible again while Buffy and Cordelia head to the Bronze for the coronation. Marcie lures the gang into the basement and attempts to suffocate them before attacking Buffy and Cordelia. She takes them to the Bronze, where she plans to mutilate Cordelia’s face. Buffy stops her though, and two government men come and take Marcie away.

Overall Thoughts: This is one of the episodes I distinctly remember from my childhood. I seriously don’t know how anyone could forget this episode, it feels like one that would become permanently ingrained in people’s minds. That being said, I think I was most looking forward to this episode, and it didn’t disappoint. 

I only have one real issue with this episode, and it’s something that comes up at the very beginning of the episode and is dropped after that. In the beginning, we see Buffy stumble out of the library and her bag spills, revealing all of her miscellaneous weaponry. This is fine, I guess, but it’s something we’ve already seen used before, in the first episode. The second time isn’t really necessary, and in my opinion, it’s too much. It’s used as a moment to highlight the ‘otherness’ Buffy feels throughout the episode, and it sets up an interesting dynamic between her and Cordelia. 

We’ve talked about it many times, but just to hammer it home: A lot of this season is spent with Buffy trying to be a normal girl, where everything around her shows just how different from everyone she is. There’s an underlying connection between her and Cordelia, as throughout the season we are reminded that Buffy used to be exactly like Cordelia. This is something that the episode plays with a lot, and I enjoy it. 

Buffy spends this episode being the outsider, which is fitting because the episode focuses on a girl who was so much of an outcast that she literally turned invisible. This feeling that Buffy has, and the empathy that she has towards Marcie at first, makes Buffy and Cordelia’s inevitable team up even better. 

This episode also plays into the strength that the last episode had - connecting the season-long arc of the Master within the plot of a totally unrelated episode. I like when they do this a lot more than just regular filler episodes, it makes the show feel much more like the show that I know and love. There’s also a bit of foreshadowing in this episode, if you look carefully. Angel and Giles team up in this, and there’s a lot of talk about a codex that contains prophecies centering around the Slayer. It’s a great set up for the next episode.

Overall, this was an incredible episode. I found myself excitedly looking at the parallels and noticing little things I never would have seen if not looking at it through an analytical eye. I’m looking forward to the next episode, and I’m getting excited to see where the rest of the series takes us.

Fashion Corner/Costuming: I don’t think I have been more excited for this section in my entire life than I am right now. There is such a small detail in the costuming this episode that I caught, and I’m glad I did because it adds so much to the episode.

Like we talked about previously, Buffy is very uniquely isolated in this episode. What drives this home is a costuming detail. In the first half of the episode, almost every one of the teens are wearing the same colors: Baby blue, light pink/orange, and green. The only one not wearing these colors -- sans a few background actors -- is Buffy. It’s a little visual cue to show how ‘other’ Buffy feels in the beginning. I loved it, and I would love to see more. 

Characterization: Remember how I’ve been complaining about how shallow and one dimensional Cordelia has been written this season? This episode made it all worth it. Arguably, the writers knew what they were doing this whole time. 

At first, I really thought this was going to be another episode of Cordy being unbearable. I’m happy to say I was proven wrong. This episode, particularly the second half, shows us a Cordelia that is almost, almost unrecognizable. She’s vulnerable, and we’re given glimpses of the Cordelia she goes on to be. It’s made clear that for the most part, the vapid mean girl who only thinks of herself is a facade. When she isn’t playing the part, she’s human in the best way. It’s a nice change of pace for the Cordelia we’ve had all season, even if it ends the second any of her friends are around.

I want to see more of this Cordy that we saw this episode, and I know I will, so I’m glad I held on for as long as I did.

Quotes: ”There are no dead students here..this week.” -Principal Snyder

Apocalypse Count: 1

Final Notes: Feel free to leave any comments, suggestions, or questions in the ask box!

[mothman-rewatches]

Rewatch: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Nightmares" (S1Ep10)

Summary: Everyone’s nightmares start becoming reality when a local boy ends up in a coma. The gang must face their fears and wake him up before it’s too late.

Written by: Joss Whedon, David Greenwalt, Matt Kiene

Directed by: Bruce Seth Green

Aired: May 12th, 1997

WARNING: This post contains spoilers, and mentions of child abuse.

I have been super excited for this episode since beginning this watch-through. It is one of the most memorable episodes from my childhood, second only to Out of Sight, Out of Mind. Let’s jump in.

Recap: Buffy has a nightmare in which the Master kills her. That day during class, a boy opens his textbook and lets loose hundreds of tarantulas. Buffy sees a strange boy watching on. Later, a girl is brutally beaten. Giles and Buffy go visit her in the hospital, where the girl tells them she has never seen anything like her attacker. They learn this is the second victim in a week, the other being a little boy who was beaten into a coma after his little league game. Strange things begin happening -- Giles loses his ability to read and keeps getting lost in the stacks, Xander goes to class naked, and Buffy takes a surprise history test that she fails. Willow and Xander talk to Wendell, who tells them that the spiders in the textbook are one of his recurring nightmares. Buffy realizes that the boy she has been seeing is the same boy from the hospital, and the gang decides that Sunnydale must have been sucked into the same nightmare world that he is in. Buffy tries to protect the boy from his nightmare attacker, while the rest of the gang faces their fears. At the hospital, Buffy defeats the nightmare attacker, and the little boy wakes up. 

Overall Thoughts: This was such an interesting episode to watch. It’s a filler episode in the best way -- one that layers in the ongoing plotline rather than totally abandoning it for the sake of the episode. Personally, it feels like the episode balances this perfectly.

At the top of the episode, one thing that stuck out to me was the cinematography during Buffy’s nightmare. There’s a part where we see Buffy’s shadow before we see her, and the silhouette is just such a cool thing to see. It perfectly takes the idea of the trope that Buffy is based on and executes it in a single frame. 

Notably, this is the first episode to acknowledge that the Hellmouth can make strange, impossible things happen. In previous episodes, there was always something behind what was happening in the episode, and while technically yes this episode is the result of Billy’s coma, it was the Hellmouth that put things into fruition. I look forward to the show playing around with the possibilities in the future. 

Overall, the theme of the episode is fear, and facing that fear so it no longer holds power of you. It is something very profound to cover in a show about a teenage girl, but this episode holds its water. While everyone’s fears can veer on the silly side in this episode, there’s a few genuine fears that are honestly kind of heartbreaking. 

In the second half of the episode, we learn that one of Giles’s nightmares is that he will fail Buffy, resulting in her death. Adding insult to injury, Buffy rises from the dead as a vampire, one of her biggest fears. The two go hand in hand in a way, and the idea of Giles’s presumed failure amounting into Buffy’s transformation as the thing she is destined to kill is awful in the best way. 

Additionally, there’s an underlying theme that we’ve discussed a bit, but not wholly. Buffy, this season, has been focused on trying to be the normal girl she was before she became the Slayer, not solely for herself but her mother, who puts a lot of pressure on her at the beginning of the series. We find out this episode what is driving that: Buffy is afraid that she is responsible for her parents divorce. The nightmare world confirms this with a vision of Hank Summers telling Buffy he dislikes her and doesn’t want to see her again. It’s hard, knowing that, especially with the knowledge that eventually Hank leaves the picture entirely. 

Lastly, I want to make note of one particular thing that stuck with me. There’s a scene towards the very end in which Buffy has defeated Billy’s nightmare attacker, but the one who delivers the final blow is Billy. It’s something that ties directly into the narritve, facing your fears so that they no longer hold power over you. This scene, paired with the reveal that Billy’s attacker was a trusted adult -- who he’s clearly afraid of -- makes the whole thing so much more powerful. 

Fashion Corner/Costuming: While there’s nothing fashion-wise to write home about in this episode, I have to take a minute to point out that costuming put Xander in a patterned button up and plaid pants and it is atrocious. 

Characterization: We have to talk about Cordelia. I love Cordelia, I know she has potential, but I cannot stand her this season. I get that is kinda the point, but my annoyance actually comes from how one dimensional she is. There is no depth, nothing just beneath the surface, and it goes to show how much early on Cordelia was meant to only act as the “mean girl” of the series. I think Cordy being the mean girl is fine, especially knowing how she grows, but the writers make no effort to give her any real substance. 

All of Cordelia’s nightmares are vanity based, which doesn’t sit right. There should be more to her than what we have been given, and while I can’t find the right word for it, the whole thing feels…iffy. 

Facts: Willow has a Nerf Herder banner in her locker, which is a nod to the composers of the show’s themesong. 

Quotes: “We are defined by the things we fear. This symbol, these two planks of wood, it cofounds me. Suffuses me with mortal dread. But fear is in the mind. Like pain. It can be controlled. If I can face my fear, it cannot master me.” -The Master

Apocalypse Count: 1

Final Notes: We’re back! I’m sorry for the delay, I’ve had a lot going on the last two weeks. But I’m back! Feel free to leave any comments, suggestions, or questions in the ask box!

[mothman-rewatches]

Rewatch: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "The Puppet Show" (S1Ep9)

Summary: The school talent show proves to be more than the gang bargained for when dead bodies start turning up. Buffy finds herself racing against the clock to stop the killer before someone else winds up dead.

Written by: Joss Whedon, Dean Batali, Rob DesHotel

Directed by: Ellen S. Pressman 

Aired: May 5th, 1997

WARNING: This post contains spoilers.

This episode has it all. Living dummies, demons, and shitty talent shows with Giles as the producer. Let’s jump in.

Recap: Giles is overseeing auditions for the talent show. Buffy, Xander, and Willow come and poke fun at it, but Principal Snyder overhears and forces them to join as punishment. One of the acts is a student named Morgan and his dummy Sid. Morgan is seemingly terrible at ventriloquism, until Sid starts cracking jokes on his own. The next day, one of the students is found dead in the locker room with her heart cut out. The gang discusses whether the culprit is human or demonic. Upon investigation, everyone concludes that there is something weird about Morgan, and when Buffy confronts him, she notices he’s really weird about the dummy. Xander takes the dummy, and while Giles and Willow do research and Buffy goes to investigate, it goes missing. Buffy finds Morgan dead, missing his brain, and is confronted by Sid. They put together that they are working on finding the same person. As it turns out, Sid was a demon slayer who was cursed to live in a dummy’s body until he defeats a brotherhood of demons that need a heart and brain every seven years to appear human. They try to figure out if there is any missing talent show participants, and Buffy finds Morgan’s brain, leading her to suspect Sid again. It is revealed that Morgan had brain cancer, and the demon needs a healthy brain. The demon turns out to be Marc, a magician in the show, who tries to kill Giles and take his brain. The gang and Sid stop him, killing the demon and freeing Sid. 

Overall Thoughts: I was actually disappointed by this episode. It’s one of the episodes I remember watching when I was a kid, but watching it now, it doesn’t live up to its reputation. 

Before we cover why I didn’t like this episode, I have to mention that this is Principal Snyder’s first appearance. I hate him, he’s an amazing character, but I hate him and that’s the point. Literally, I think Snyder’s creation can be summed up into the idea of having a human antagonist, other than Cordelia.

But this episode…god, I wish I could like this episode. I mean, the reference to Goosebumps, another show I grew up watching, should be enough. My problem with this episode is it’s reliance on “fake outs.” I’ve brought up that the show has relied on that trope a lot this season, but it’s somehow worse in this episode. 

This episode has not one, but two separate fake outs. The first being the identity of the demon, which has three different twists. Initially, we are led to believe Morgan is the demon, and then we suspect it’s Sid not once but twice, before the identity is revealed. The second is minor, in which the writers try to make it seem like the demon will definitely go after Willow next, but it goes after Giles instead. It’s not interesting to watch all the different twists, and especially on past use of the trope, it’s old and boring. I wish they had gone about the storyline differently. 

Fashion Corner/Costuming: No major comments for this episode, but I liked Giles’s cardigan towards the beginning of the episode.

Facts: Sid the Dummy is a reference to a ventriloquist dummy named Slappy in the Goosebumps franchise, with the two even looking similar. 

This is the fourth episode of the season to not have vampires in it. 

Quotes: ”My predecessor Mr. Flutie may have gone in for all that touchy/feely relating nonsense…but he was eaten.” -Principal Snyder 

”Once again I’m banished to the demon section of the card catalog.” - Willow Rosenberg

Apocalypse Count: 1

Final Notes: Feel free to leave any comments, suggestions, or questions in the ask box!

[mothman-rewatches]

Rewatch: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "I, Robot...You, Jane" (S1Ep8)

Summary: Willow has a boyfriend on the internet, but it’s not what it seems.

Written by: Joss Whedon, Ashley Gable, Thomas A. Swyden

Directed by: Stephen L. Posey

Aired: April 27th, 1997

WARNING: This post contains spoilers, as well as discussions of unhealthy relationships and a mention of suicide.

Willow-centric episode! This is a hefty episode to talk about, though, so let’s jump in.

Recap: The computer club is working on scanning library books into the computer system, much to Giles’s chagrin. Everyone leaves, but Willow stays behind to finish up. She scans a weird book, and as she does the text disappears. Later, Buffy catches up with Willow to ask why she couldn’t get ahold of her the night before, and Willow reveals she was busy talking to a boy named Malachi. Buffy grills her on him, but it’s fruitless. Xander and Buffy talk about it and think it’s weird, but decide they are overreacting. Willow, as well as two classmates, start acting weird. One of the boys, Dave, tells Buffy to stay away from Willow. She follows him to a computer research facility which is supposedly shut down. Later, Buffy is almost electrocuted in the girls locker room, but Dave warns her before it’s too late. The computer system and another classmate, Fritz, kill Dave and make it look like a suicide. When Malachi begins saying strange things, Willow gets suspicious and tries to cut off communication. Meanwhile, Giles discovers that the text containing a demon called Moloch the Corruptor was scanned into the digital library. Willow is kidnapped, and Buffy and Xander try to find her while Giles and Jenny Calendar try to bind Moloch. Xander and Buffy rescue Willow before Moloch, who is embodied in a robot, can kill her. They defeat him after binding him back into the book is unsuccessful. 

Overall Thoughts: While I was really excited to see an episode centered around Willow, this episode was hard to watch due to it’s nature. This episode focuses heavily on an online relationship Willow has, and maybe I’m looking into it too much, but every aspect of Willow and “Malachi”’s relationship screams toxic and unhealthy. 

For starters, while he is never shown saying anything directly that could be construed as abuse, Moloch or “Malachi” is incredibly manipulative and possessive. He’s deceitful, and it’s hard to watch Willow go through that. She is so naive in this episode, wanting to believe that someone truly cares for her in that way, and it changes her. “Malachi” isolates her from her friends, encourages her to skip class to talk to him, and tries to pit her against Buffy. It’s nauseating to watch. 

Meanwhile, this episode actually talks a lot about internet safety…sort of. It talks about how you can say that you’re anyone when you’re on the internet, and I feel like that lesson is even more relevant today with the internet being more and more accessible. In this sense, I like this episode. 

We are introduced to Jenny Calendar this episode, which is something I was super excited about. She is a super important character later on, and it’s good we are establishing her now rather than later. 

Fashion Corner/Costuming: Not a whole lot of comments, but I love Jenny’s outfits in this episode. I do however think these outfits are more suited for Buffy than a teacher, but I’ll take it. 

Characterization: This episode is supposed to be a Willow-centric episode where we get more insight on Willow’s character. However, we don’t really get to see much of Willow, and we don’t really get a good feel for her. It’s disappointing. I will say, though, that in the last several minutes we do spend time with Willow, and she gives a tearful speech to Moloch. It made me realize how good of an actress Alyson Hannigan is, and how lovable she makes Willow. 

Also, I love the dynamic between Giles and Jenny. They are opposites in a way that balances out, and seeing them work together by using their strengths is nice. I can’t wait to see their relationship progress. 

Quotes: ”Willow, ax-murdered by a circus freak.” - Buffy Summers

”Right now, a man in Beijing is transferring money to a Swiss bank account for a contract on his mothers’ life. Good for him.” - Moloch the Corruptor 

Apocalypse Count: 1

Final Notes: Feel free to leave any comments, suggestions, or questions in the ask box!

[mothman-rewatches]

Rewatch: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Angel"

Summary: Buffy and Angel grow closer, but Buffy isn’t sure whether or not Angel is an ally when his true nature is revealed.

Written by: Joss Whedon, David Greenwalt, Matt Kiene

Directed by: Scott Brazil

Aired: April 14th, 1997

WARNING: This post contains spoilers, and discussions of a couple with an age gap.

This is it! The episode where we learn more about Angel, and the episode where I spend most of my time swooning over Angel. We are officially in the second half of the season. Let’s jump in.

Recap: The episode starts with the Master deciding he is fed up with Buffy killing all of his servants, so he sends the “Three” after her to put an end to things. They attack Buffy on her way home from the Bronze, but Angel interrupts, getting injured in the process. They retreat to Buffy’s home, where Angel stays the night. The next day, Giles informs Buffy about the “Three”, stating that the Master must see her as a threat if he is sending them. Buffy returns home, where she and Angel share an intimate moment before it is revealed that Angel is a vampire. While discussing it the next day, Giles does some research where he finds tellings of a vampire named “Angelus” who was a vicious killer, but has since exiled himself from other vampires. That night, Buffy and Willow are studying in the library and Darla shows up at Buffy’s house. Darla attacks Joyce, leaving her unconscious in Angel’s arms as Buffy arrives. Joyce is rushed to the hospital and Buffy decides to go after Angel. They face off at the Bronze, while Angel reveals that he was cursed with a soul by Romani people about a hundred years before. Darla shows up, and she and Buffy fight before Angel stakes Darla, killing her. The Master mourns her loss while Angel and Buffy reconcile and kiss again at the Bronze the next night. 

Overall Thoughts: I loved this episode. As someone who grew up watching Buffy, this is one of the most memorable episodes in the series, because of what it establishes. 

First, I really enjoyed the Master in this one. He made me think about what makes a good villain for this show. He’s unique, evil but strangely charismatic, and while we already know his motive, he has clearer motive than some of the future Big Bads. Technically this is a characterization note, but the way Mark Metcalf portrays the Master in this episode (maybe in previous episodes but I’m just noticing it) is reminiscent of the Grinch played by Jim Carrey, and it makes me wonder if Carrey took any inspiration from this role when he was the Grinch. 

There are some discrepancies that I have to mention. Primarily, in the scene where Angel and Buffy seek shelter in her house, Angel mentions that vampires can’t come in uninvited. This is something that rings true throughout the series, but the moment is a little undercut when you consider moments before that, one of the vampire’s hands finds it’s way into Buffy’s house. This could be because they haven’t figured out how they want that to look visually, or it could be a simple mistake. Another thing, in the scene where Darla comes to visit Angel, she opens his curtains to let in light. Angel, and Darla, set in the sun for a significant amount of time, and while Angel does flinch away, neither of them are harmed. 

The age gap, paired with what I know about Buffy and Angel’s relationship, makes this episode hard for me. It’s strange to watch them and want them to be together, especially when I know Angel is two hundred and some change years older than Buffy. It’s also weird when Angel tries to set boundaries with Buffy, yet he has spent an expanse of time watching her, without her knowledge, from afar. That part also makes the scene where Buffy thinks he read her diary even more uncomfortable. 

Overall, it’s a great episode, despite its flaws. It gives us an insight into Angel, who is one of the most compelling characters in the show so far. I can’t wait to see more. 

Fashion Corner/Costuming: I don’t have many comments so I’ll make this brief. Angel’s clothing in this episode is great, it’s very attractive. I know eventually his wardrobe gets darker and he starts wearing sweaters and stuff but he looks very good right now, so I’m not complaining. 

I’m also tired of Darla dressing like a school girl. It was fine when she was trying to come off younger to seduce Jesse, but now it’s old and creepy.

Characterization: With every episode that I watch Willow pine after Xander, it makes it harder to watch. I don’t think they would be a good couple, but it makes me so sad to watch Willow absolutely adore Xander and him be oblivious to it. 

Angel in this episode was so compelling and charming, I wanted to know more about him. I almost wish they don’t make him broody later on, I like how he is now. He’s the type of guy I’d go get coffee with and let him walk me home in this episode, where later he’s attractive and charming but more in a very mature, almost paternal way. 

Facts: This is not the last time we see Darla, as she will become a key character in season three of Angel. 

This is the first episode we see Buffy use a crossbow. 

Quotes: ”Angel? I can just see him in a relationship: ‘Hi honey, you’re in grave danger. See you next month!’” -Buffy Summers

Apocalypse Count: 1

Final Notes: Feel free to leave any comments, suggestions, or questions in the ask box!

[mothman-rewatches]

Rewatch: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "The Pack" (S1Ep6)

Summary: A school trip to the zoo turns out to be more than the gang bargained for when a group of teens -- including Xander -- get possessed by hyenas.

Written by: Joss Whedon, Matt Kiene, Joe Reinkemeyer

Directed by: Bruce Seth Green

Aired: April 7th, 1997

WARNING: This post contains spoilers, discussions of attempted sexual assault, and mentions of cannibalism.

This is one of those episodes that have been permanently ingrained in my mind, and I think it’s obvious why. It’s a filler episode, but I think it’s largely part of the legacy that Buffy built, and it definitely is a great episode for season one. Let’s jump in. 

Recap: Buffy and the gang go the zoo for a field trip. There, a group of delinquent teens target another boy, bringing him into the quarantined hyena house. Xander follows to break it up, and after a scuffle, the group has a strange encounter with one of the hyenas. Afterwards, Willow and Buffy wait for Xander at the Bronze. When he arrives, they notice that he is acting strangely. The next day, Willow tries to help Xander with math, and he becomes agitated. During gym class, they play dodgeball, and the pack picks everyone on the opposing team but Buffy. Xander begins acting cruelly towards Willow, upsetting her. When Buffy brings this up to Giles, he brushes it off before he realizes that the pack is possessed by hyenas. Meanwhile, the pack eats the school mascot. Xander attacks Buffy, and she knocks him unconscious before locking him in the library, and the rest of the pack eats Principal Flutie. Buffy and Giles go to investigate, where they meet a zookeeper who offers to help them perform a reversal. The pack, attempting to get back with Xander, breaks into the library and frees him before attacking Willow. Buffy and Giles rescue her, and Willow and Giles head to the zoo while Buffy lures the pack there. The zookeeper reveals to Giles that he was the one who cast the spell for the possession, intending it to be him. When the pack arrives, the reversal is cast and the zookeeper becomes possessed, attempting to kill Willow before Xander stops him. The zookeeper is eaten by hyenas, and things go back to normal. Giles reveals to Xander, who is feigning amnesia, that he knows that Xander remembers everything during the possession. 

Overall Thoughts: I loved this episode, it was actually pretty great. There was some questionable stuff, which we’ll get into, but the other stuff surrounding it was super cool to watch.

So, to get it out in the open, there was a scene that was incredibly difficult to watch. Xander has Buffy pinned down on the floor, and while he never actually does  anything beyond that on screen, everything in that moment points to that. He’s making casually cruel and sexual comments towards Buffy, even going as far as saying that they are both attracted to each other and both want this. It all makes me think that if Buffy hadn’t gotten the upperhand, things could have gone a lot differently. I want, in my heart, to remind myself that this isn’t Xander, that it’s the possession, but I can’t. Every time I think about this scene the fact that Xander might be Joss, or might be based off Joss, pops into my head. It makes the scene, and the situation harder, and if it wasn’t for the rest of this episode my opinion on this might be tanked. 

The thing I loved most about this episode was the pack. I have to give credit to the person who had the idea, and to the actors who pulled it off. Everything about the pack -- the way the moved, the way they spoke, even down to minute character details -- was so animalistic and predatory, I couldn’t help but watch them. It sent chills through me to watch it. The actors were so fluid and in sync with their movements that I have to wonder if they had to choreograph it beforehand. It’s got visual interest that we haven’t seen from the characters yet.

Fashion Corner/Costuming: I don’t really have that many comments on fashion this episode, but I do have to say that I love the way Xander is dressed while he is possessed. While I talk a lot about the show trying to make him seem cooler in a way that he’s not, this was really fitting for the Xander we see this episode. 

Facts: According to IMDB, the myth used in this episode where hyenas call your name actually is based on the crocotta from Ethiopian legend

This is the first episode we see one of the scoobies locked in the book cage.

Quotes: ”Didn’t your mom teach you? Don’t play with your food.” -Buffy Summers

Apocalypse Count: 1

Final Notes: Feel free to leave any comments, suggestions, or questions in the ask box!

[mothman-rewatches]

Rewatch: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Never Kill a Boy on the First Date" (S1Ep5)

Summary: Buffy has to try and stop an ancient prophecy…while on a date. 

Written by: Joss Whedon, Rob DesHotel, Dean Batali 

Directed by: David Semel

Aired: March 31st, 1997

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers.

I wish I could say that this was one of my favorite episodes so far, but I can’t. I can’t even say I liked it, because really, I hated it. Let’s jump in.

Recap: Buffy and Giles are in the cemetery. Buffy stakes a vamp, who leaves behind a ring that Giles takes to investigate. The next day, Buffy and Cordelia compete for the affections of Owen. Buffy goes to talk to Giles, and together they figure out that the ring belongs to the Order of Aurelius. Giles states that Aurelius spoke of an “Anointed One” who would be brought to the Master, but before he can finish Owen comes in. He and Buffy agree to meet at the Bronze that night, and Owen leaves. Giles tells Buffy that the Anointed is set to rise that night, and they must stop it. That night, Buffy and Giles wait in the cemetery, but it’s uneventful, so Buffy heads to the Bronze. She’s too late for her date, however, and sees Owen dancing with Cordelia. Meanwhile, a bus is coming into Sunnydale, and a strange man starts preaching about Judgement Day. Vampires attack the bus, killing everyone. The next day Owen asks Buffy why she never showed, and they agree to try again to meet tonight. Just before Owen comes to get her, Giles stops by her house and tells her that he might not have been too far off, and she should go check the Sunnydale funeral home. She ignores this and goes on her date with Owen, leaving Giles to investigate instead. He is attacked at the funeral home by the Order of Aurelius, and Willow and Xander rush to go get Buffy for help. Angel finds Buffy first and tells her about what’s going on, and when the other scoobies get to her, she reluctantly agrees to go look. They head to the funeral home, where Owen - unbeknownst to the others - follows them. Willow, Xander, and Owen lock themselves in the viewing room while Giles and Buffy look for the Anointed. The other three are attacked by the strange man, who has been turned into a vampire. Buffy comes just in time, and puts the vamp into the incinerator. The next day, Owen asks when he can take Buffy out again, but she turns him down.

Overall Thoughts: I meant what I said about hating this episode. I really, really did not like this episode. By the last half, I had to  force myself to finish it. It just wasn’t that great, and my dislike of Owen definitely contributed to my whole attitude about this episode. 

On a brighter note, there was something I liked about this episode. It returned us to the overall arc of the season: The Master. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the side episodes and the characterization it gave us, but it’s nice to see that it isn’t all witches and she-mantises. 

I would save this for the characterization section, but because Owen isn’t a character we will see again, I’ll say it here. I hate Owen. He killed the whole episode for me, even though he was there to point out that Buffy trying to balance normality and Slayerdom is next to impossible. But mostly, he was just dull and annoying. He tries to come off as this deep and dark guy, but really if you wipe away some of that intrigue he feels a little bit like an excited puppy to me. And his thing with Cordelia. Oh my god, his thing with Cordelia. I’m not a fan of Cordelia this season, trust me, but Owen’s attitude and behavior around Cordelia is the worst. He seems to act like he’s above her, like because she is who she is and he is who he is, she’s someone to look down on. It’s really uncomfortable. 

In that same vein, there is a scene that I hate. When Buffy and Cordelia are having this weird…competition for Owen’s attention, Buffy makes a snarky comment to Owen about Cordelia’s body. He, in turn, makes a comment of his own. I don’t love Buffy putting Cordelia down to impress a boy, but I definitely hate Owen doing it as well.

There’s also this running theme I’ve noticed in the last several episodes, and it’s starting to get old. This season, so far, has relied heavily on fake outs. The first scene we see in the entire show is one where you are led to think one thing only for it to be the opposite. I want to see them start to move away from that. 

Also, the “gotcha” for the episode reveals that the weird preacher vampire Buffy killed was not the Anointed, but the little boy on the bus was. 

Characterization: There aren’t any real comments on characters this episode, really, but I did want to take a second to point out that when Owen comes into the library, Giles seems genuinely offended that a stranger is in their space. He forgot he was a librarian for a high school, you guys. If I remember correctly this is a sort of running joke.

Facts: This episode is the first to include a fight between Buffy and a vampire in the opening scene. 

David Boreanaz breaks character for the first and only time in the series while meeting Owen - at 28m26s. 

Quotes: “In that case, I won’t wear my button that says, ‘I’m a Slayer, as me how!’” - Buffy Summers

Apocalypse Count: 1

Final Notes: Feel free to leave any comments, suggestions, or questions in the ask box!

[mothman-rewatches]

Rewatch: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Teacher's Pet" (S1Ep4)

Summary: Xander finds himself attracted to a beautiful substitute teacher…who happens to be a giant bug. Buffy and the rest of the gang have to save him before it’s too late.

Written by: Joss Whedon, David Greenwalt, Matt Kiene

Directed by: Bruce Seth Green

Aired: March 24th, 1997

WARNING: This post contains spoilers, and a discussion about predatory behavior (grooming.)

This episode is rough. I have a ton of notes, though most of them are nonsensical, but the episode doesn’t feel that long? It’s weird, let’s jump in. 

Recap: The scoobies are in science class, and their teacher is giving a lecture on their insect unit. Later, Dr. Gregory is taken by a pair of insectile hands, while Angel meets Buffy at the Bronze and warns her of a dangerous vampire with a claw.  The next day in science, they have a substitute teacher named Natalie French. She gives a lecture on praying mantises, and asks if anyone wants to help her make model egg sacs after school. All of the guys in the room volunteer. At lunch, Cordelia finds Dr. Gregory’s headless body in the refrigerator. Giles tells Buffy of a homeless man who was found ripped to shreds in a nearby park. Buffy goes to investigate, facing off against the clawed-vampire who flees, but not before running into Miss French. The vampire is terrified of her, vexing Buffy. The next day, Buffy witnesses Miss French turn her head completely around, and she figures out that she is a praying mantis. She tries to warn Xander, but he brushes her off. That night, he goes to work on the egg sacs with Miss French, who is revealed to be a she-mantis. She takes him hostage, planning on mating with him. Buffy is able to arrive just before she can, killing the she-mantis. 

Overall Thoughts: I really dreaded having to watch this episode. But, in my defense, I thought it was going to be a Xander-centric episode where he was a whiny creep the whole time. He was, but only partly. 

A large part of this episode revolves around Miss French, and her predatory relationship with Xander. Throughout the whole episode, I could not help but focus on the blatant grooming that was happening. She flirts with Xander, helps him cheat on a test, invites him to her home, and gives him alcohol, all in an attempt to mate with him. It’s just…creepy, and it’s horrible, and Xander falls for it because he’s Xander. It turns out that the she-mantis is only after him because he’s a virgin, but it doesn’t make it any easier. 

In juxtaposition, however, Principal Flutie is on the other side of the spectrum, but it’s still weird. There’s an awkward scene between him and Buffy where he makes a comment about “not touching students” and while the comment is so awkward it’s funny, in comparison to Miss French’s behavior it's glaringly uncomfortable.

The other thing I wanted to mention is Dr. Gregory. We only see him for a couple minutes at most, but I love him. He is the first adult on the show to express any sort of belief that Buffy can be an incredible student if she applied herself. In fact, after the last three episodes of Joyce and Flutie bagging on Buffy for the Hemery situation, it’s refreshing to have someone who thinks that Buffy can do great things. I’m sad for Buffy, really, because Dr. Gregory’s death means a loss of someone who Buffy badly needs. Giles will become that, eventually, but we have a long ways to go. 

My next comment isn’t a criticism of the writing, really, but a criticism of the lighting. The night scenes, or any scenes in the dark, kill me. They are so dark, I can’t really see anything. I’ve tried to turn up my brightness, but nothing helps. So, I have to sort of just figure out what’s going on by listening to dialog and squinting to see anything. I really hope the lighting gets better. 

Also, I didn’t mention this last episode because I wanted to confirm that this is something that comes up again, but last episode introduced a trend where the last frame before the closing credits is sort of a “gotcha.” Last episode, it was revealed that Amy’s mom is now trapped in her cheerleading uniform. In this episode, we get a closing shot of an egg sac, and one of the eggs begins to hatch. It’s fun, but it doesn’t feel necessary because these things are really never brought up again.

Characterization: I don’t have many comments on Giles’s character yet, but I have noticed over the last few episodes that he is so much more stiff than we see later on. Not Wesley stiff, but more uptight than the Giles who casually runs a magic shop and hangs out with Buffy’s little sister. 

Cordelia is so vapid, it’s starting to grate on my nerves. I know Cordelia can be so much more than how they are writing her right now, and it sucks to see that she does not get any sort of development but instead serves as a human antagonist. 

Also, we only see Angel twice this episode, but I love Angel! He isn’t our Angel yet, but he’s dropped the snarkiness and is so much more bearable. He’s a genuinely likable character now, and if they had kept him this way, I wouldn’t have minded. 

This episode, despite Xander being miserable for a majority of it, also sets up sort of a running gag for Xander, or even a trend of sorts. As the series progresses, we see Xander get all sorts of weird girlfriends, and have ridiculous things happen to him. It was fun to see the first example of that.

Quotes: ”But not a real hug! Because there is no hugging in this school, we’re sensitive to wrong touching.” - Principal Flutie

”Xander’s supposed to be helping her right now! He’s got a crush on a giant insect!” -Willow Rosenberg

Apocalypse Count: 1

Final Notes: Feel free to leave any comments, suggestions, or questions in the ask box!

[mothman-rewatches]

Rewatch: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Witch" (S1Ep3)

Summary: When Buffy tries out for the cheerleading team, she finds that the competition is much more deadly than expected.

Written by: Joss Whedon, Dana Reston, Matt Kiene

Directed by: Stephen Cragg

Aired: March 17th, 1997

WARNING: This post contains spoilers, as well as a brief mention of abuse/neglect.

This episode. Oh. My. GOD. I am so excited about this episode, it was such a fun experience. Let’s jump in.

Recap: Buffy tells Giles that she’s planning on trying out for the cheer team, much to his disdain. During try outs, one of the girl catches fire, but Buffy saves the day. At home, Buffy tries to talk to her mom about the cheer team, but her mom is dismissive. The next day, try outs resume. Afterwards, Buffy talks to Amy who tells her that her mom was a cheerleader back in the day, and is pushing her to try out, but Amy would rather not. Cordelia makes the team, and Buffy and Amy make alternates. Cordelia begins to lose her sight, resulting in a dangerous car accident. The gang decides that this is a result of witchcraft, and all signs are pointing to Amy. During science they do a test to reveal Amy’s nature as a witch, just as another girl on the cheer team’s mouth disappears. The next day, Buffy seems off. When she crashes, Giles reveals that they must reverse Amy’s spells or Buffy will die. He and Buffy goes to Amy’s house to talk to her mom, and Buffy realizes that Amy is in her mother’s body, while her mom is in hers. They manage to reverse the spells, and Amy’s mom is banished. 

Overall Thoughts: Surprisingly, there’s not a ton I have to say about this episode. It’s a filler episode, that much is obvious, but the show is starting to feel much more like Buffy. 

First in foremost, this episode talks about cheerleading and parental pressures A LOT. There is quite a bit of back and forth between Buffy and Joyce that deal with this. Joyce keeps bringing up the Hemery situation and throwing it in Buffy’s face, which I feel like Buffy really does understand the weight of her actions and the consequences of such. She is trying to do better, and trying to find a way to be a normal girl and the Slayer, but Joyce puts so much pressure on her it almost feels like she’s suffocating Buffy. She is always talking about the “before” of the Hemery incident, and Buffy is realizing that there is no going back to that before. 

Speaking of parental pressures, Amy and her mother are so messed up, it makes the current issues Buffy and Joyce are having seem normal. In case you missed it: Amy’s mother peaked in high school when she was a cheerleader, and in order to relive her glory days, she switched bodies with Amy. And Amy, poor Amy, is terrified of her mother. It doesn’t show right away, but the second you see it, you can’t unsee it. Her mother, not just being an evil witch obsessed with being a cheerleader, is awful. Willow at one point informs Buffy that if Amy’s mom gained even a single pound, she’d lock the cupboards and refrigerator. For some reason, no one bats an eye at this, even though it implies that Amy couldn’t eat either. 

Also, when Giles and Buffy go to talk to Amy (in her mom’s body), she says that her mom switched their bodies a few months ago. This doesn’t seem right, as you can tell a distinct difference between Amy and Mom-Amy. Amy is shy and soft spoken and as I mentioned, terrified of her mother. Mom-Amy carries herself differently, has a sort of air of ‘holier-than-thou’ to her. At most, they’ve been switched a couple days. 

Fashion Corner/Costuming: First, I just want to acknowledge the fact that I have actual comments on the clothes this episode. Amazing, right?

That being said, there are two outfits I love: The white or pale blue dress and dotted tights that Buffy wears when she returns home from school in the beginning half of the episode is gorgeous. And I have discovered that the lilac on Cordelia’s cheetah print top just looks really nice on her. 

Additionally, there is a scene where Buffy is practicing with the cheer team, and I noticed something really cool. All of the girls have white sneakers on, except for Buffy, who wears black ones. I just think it’s interesting to visually set Buffy apart from her peers. 

Characterization: Xander is a pill in this episode. I could not stand him. Every comment he made was something pervy about the cheerleaders or obsessing over Buffy. And at one point, saying something pervy about obsessing over Buffy. Literally, he “jokes” about taking polaroids of Buffy outside her bedroom window at one point. I have heard that Xander is supposed to be Joss, or based on Joss, and in this episode I can see it clear as day. 

Facts: Eye of newt is not actually the eye of a frog but mustard seed.

Giles says that the spell he casts towards the end of the episode is his first casting. We later find out that isn't true.

Quotes: “I laugh in the face of danger…and then I hide until it goes away.” -Xander Harris

“Let me make sure I have this right: this witch is casting horrible and disfiguring spells…so that she can become a cheerleader?” - Rupert Giles

Apocalypse Count: 1

Final Notes: Feel free to leave any comments, suggestions, or questions in the ask box!

[mothman-rewatches]

Rewatch: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "The Harvest"

Summary: Following the night before, Buffy, with the help of some friends, tries to stop the Harvest. If she fails, the Master will be freed, bringing about the end of the world. 

Written by: Joss Whedon, Matt Kiene, Joe Reinkemeyer

Directed by: John T. Kretchmer 

Aired: March 10, 1997

WARNING: This post contains spoilers. 

As the second episode, and the part two to the pilot episode, “The Harvest” does a lot of heavy lifting. I’ll get into that in a moment, but let’s jump in. 

Recap: The episode begins directly where we last left off: Buffy and Luke, in a tomb, fighting. Buffy is able to fight off Luke, and goes to meet up with Willow and Xander. Jesse is nowhere to be found. The next day, she and Giles explain that Buffy is the Slayer, destined to fight vampires. Later, she and Xander go to look for Jesse while Giles and Willow research the Harvest. Buffy and Xander find Jesse but are too late -- he’s been turned into a vampire. Jesse and the other vampires attack, but Buffy and Xander escape. Giles informs them that the Harvest is meant to free the Master -- a vampire who has been trapped underneath Sunnydale for 600 years -- who will bring about the end of the world. The gang heads to the Bronze, where Buffy faces off against Luke again. Buffy succeeds in stopping the Harvest, and Jesse is accidentally killed by Xander. 

Overall Thoughts: I mentioned before the recap that this episode does a lot of heavy lifting. In fact, this episode could almost be the pilot episode. There is so much to this episode that the previous lacked -- an actual idea of what the show will be, characters with personal relationships and actual characterization, and the Big Bad. I truly feel like if they had combined the two episodes, or even cut down some of the first episode, it could be a perfect pilot. 

That being said, this episode feels much more like Buffy than the last. It’s still trying to find it’s feet, especially with the lore and the rules of the supernatural, but compared to last episode, it’s how I remember Buffy feeling.

This is the episode where we start to see the Scooby gang coming together, and the show starts fleshing out some of the dynamics between characters and the roles they have. It’s nice to see, and even a little nostalgic when you know how far they’ve come along. We won’t see much life in the gang until a little later, but this is a good start.

During the post-opening credit scene, we move back and forth between the Scooby gang and the Master and his followers. Giles shares the origin of vampires, which is something I actually really like, and then we see the vampires bringing Jesse to the Master. By the time they start talking about the Slayer, Giles and Buffy are explaining it to the other two. The switch feels a little clunky, but the idea is nice. If it had been executed a little better, or if they hadn’t had what feels like four different jumps, the idea would have been really cool to see. 

This is also the episode where we first meet Harmony. She isn’t given a name yet, but seeing her is enough. I am excited to see Harmony, but really, she is not one of my favorite Buffyverse characters. 

Also, I have to keep reminding myself that Buffy is very much a product of it’s time, and it’s creator is also not the best person. In this particular episode, Buffy makes a comment that seems possibly ableist because she missed something the night prior. Maybe it’s just me being nit-picky, or maybe it’s my background with children who are disabled, but I feel like it was just as easy for Buffy to say that she was stupid instead of what she did say. 

At the Bronze, Luke mentions that he has always wanted to kill a Slayer, which surprises me. Luke is more than capable of killing a Slayer, and he’s definitely familiar enough with the Slayer and her abilities to have been around a few in the past. It’s hard to believe he hasn’t already killed one. 

Additionally, the last two episodes have been spent setting up Jesse as though he is an important character throughout the show. A major part of the episode is focused on rescuing him from vampires, and they make it clear that he has been friends with Willow and Xander for some time. There’s even a whole discussion about how Jesse as they know him is gone, and it’s basically the demon who killed him wearing his face. All of it seems like a waste once he’s gone, because Jesse is never mentioned in the series again. 

Overall, it’s a fun episode, and as we move further into the series, I find I’m looking forward to what comes next. 

Fashion Corner/Costuming: I called it last episode. Xander starts dressing much like the vampire that Buffy said was wearing clothes that were dated. It’s funny, really. 

Characterization: The characters in this episode…it’s getting better, really, I’m starting to be able to see who some of our characters come to be, but the show is still struggling to find their footing with other characters. 

Willow this episode feels much more like the Willow I grew up watching. Still a little innocent, but they dropped the whole childlike quality and made her seem like an actual teenager. She’s shy, awkward, and soft spoken, but that’s Willow. We even start to see her tech abilities in this episode, which helps define her role in the group. Additionally, it’s starting to feel a little more believable that she and Xander could be friends.

Now Xander, on the other hand, still feels very lost to me. They’re still trying to paint him as this cool guy, who might even be a little braver than what he ends up being. He’s starting to adopt more Xander qualities, like the awkwardness, but I don’t really see him as Xander until the end of the episode. Here, Jesse has him pinned against a beam and Xander’s holding a stake, threatening to kill Jesse. In this moment, I see Xander very clearly. Reluctant, even afraid, but trying to do what he believes is the best thing. I’m ready to see Xander come into his character. 

Angel still bothers me significantly. It’s clear by episode two that the writers don’t know exactly where they want to take Angel. He’s a little closer to Angelus or Spike, and not at all like Angel as we know him. He’s snarky, smug, and he doesn’t brood. If this character wasn’t as annoying as he is currently, he might even be likable. It’s hard to tell if he’s an ally, or if he’s an adversary still. Perhaps that’s the point. In this sense, he reminds me a little of Whistler. 

The Master, unsurprisingly, is a character I take issue with. Mostly because, well, the writers could have done so much more with him. He’s every bit of villain that I love, but his origins are weak. The Master could have very easily been one of the first vampires, if not the first. His appearance, which I guess is technically a costuming comment, is significantly different from the other vampires in the show. I know this was done on purpose, to imply that he was so old he started taking on characteristics of a bat, but I absolutely think the writers should have taken advantage of this. It would bring a little more to the character, and would have maybe given him a little more weight in the plot of the season. 

Facts: This is not the last time we see Brian Thompson, the actor who plays Luke. We will see him again next season as the Judge.

Quotes: ”The books tell that the last demon to leave this reality fed off a human, mixed their blood. He was a human form possessed -- infected -- by the demon’s soul. He bit another, and another, and so they walk the earth.” -Rupert Giles 

”There’s something you forgot about, too…sunrise. It’s in about nine hours, moron.” - Buffy Summers

Apocalypse Count: 1

Final Notes: Feel free to leave comments, suggestions, and questions in the ask box!

[mothman-rewatches]

Rewatch: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Welcome to the Hellmouth" (S1Ep1)

Summary: In this episode, we meet Buffy Summers, a teen girl with a secret - she’s the Slayer, someone destined to fight the forces of Evil. As she tries to navigate being the new girl in town, she learns that Sunnydale is not as it seems. 

Written by: Joss Whedon, Matt Kiene, Joe Reinkemeyer 

Directed by: Charles Martin Smith, Joss Whedon

Aired: March 10, 1997

WARNING: This post contains spoilers.

It’s here!! The first episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, not so eloquently explained as I break it down and share my thoughts. 

As a pilot episode, there is a lot to cover, so let’s jump in. 

Recap (What happened this episode? In two minutes or less): Buffy starts her first day at Sunnydale High School. After one of her classes, she goes to the library where she meets Giles - a creepy librarian who tries to give her an ancient looking book. She goes to lunch and meets Willow, Xander, and Jesse before Cordelia approaches her and informs her that gym is canceled because of a dead guy in a locker. Upon investigating it, Buffy goes and confronts Giles, who reminds her of her duty as the Slayer. She tells him she is retired and leaves, and it is revealed that Xander has overheard the whole conversation. That night, she goes to a local club called the Bronze. On the way, she encounters a mysterious man who warns her of “the Harvest” and gives her a necklace with a cross on it. When she gets to the Bronze, she chats with Willow, encouraging the girl to seize the moment. She gets distracted by Giles, who tells Buffy to use her natural abilities to find vampires. She spots one, and he turns out to be talking to Willow. As they leave, Buffy rushes after them, running into Xander who reveals that he knows Buffy’s secret. They follow the vampire and Willow to the cemetery, where the three of them and Jesse are attacked by vampires. Buffy fights a big one as Xander, Willow, and Jesse flee. 

Overall Thoughts (Literally anything. Thoughts, questions, grievances. Basic commentary): First and foremost, this episode does not give you a good feel for the show. It gives you the general idea - one girl in all the world, blah blah blah - and gives you shells of the characters, but fails to feel like it belongs with the rest of the show. The show is finding it’s footing, though, and there are plenty of good episodes to come.

Funnily enough, despite this episode not feeling like Buffy, this episode gives us two very significant images to the rest of the show - the Vampyr book, and the cross necklace. These two things become part of the iconography of the show from this point forward. 

Tropes, unsurprisingly, are a large part of of Buffy, even in this episode. Famously, Buffy as both a character and the show, is based on the damsel in distress meets big bad monster trope, albeit turned on it’s head. Buffy would go on to be the fore-bearer to a lot of tropes that come up in YA media today (thank you to my friend Kay, who pointed this out during a conversation we had about the show). This episode plays around with a few tropes, notably in the scene in which Buffy awakens on her first day at a new school. It’s young adult in a way that forces me to remember this is a show about teenagers, for teenagers and young adults. Other tropes include Xander’s immediate infatuation with Buffy despite not knowing her, the obvious crush Willow harbors for Xander, and the whole reveal that Xander has accidentally overheard a very private conversation. 

Speaking of, I just have to point out that there is no reason Xander should have been able to overheard that conversation. Giles comes out from the stacks, which could imply that he was helping Xander look for a particular book. You’re telling me that Giles had no idea that Xander was in the library? And even if he did, he and Buffy could have had their conversation in his office, not out in the open where anyone could walk in and hear something they weren’t supposed to. 

Also, the way that Buffy’s “transfer” to Sunnydale feels very poorly handled. It is the 90s, but it doesn’t stop me from wondering why Joyce wasn’t included in the meeting with Principal Flutie and Buffy. At first, Joyce is very concerned with Buffy’s education and her successful transition to the new school, so the fact that she isn’t there at the meeting is surprising. 

Finally, my last comment is on how the Buffy and Giles relationship is handled. It is odd to me why Buffy and Giles are just meeting, rather than having a professional relationship prior to Buffy’s move. It could have been much more interesting to see them already know each other, and it would have made the scene where Giles reminds Buffy of her duties and she tells him she’s retired much more impactful. As the series progresses, we learn that Watchers and their Slayers have personal connections, have formed bonds in their time of knowing each other. Buffy and Giles do end up forming a bond, but I think these first few episodes would mean more if they already had one. 

That being said, season one is going to be a journey. The show is trying to get on it’s feet, and tonally it might not be like the rest of the show. It will be interesting to look at it through this lens, and I look forward to it. 

Fashion Corner/Costuming (Comments about the clothes): Really the only comment I have on costuming this episode is laughing at what Buffy says about the vampire at the Bronze. She points out that the outfit is “carbon dated” and no one dresses like that anymore, but if I remember correctly, Xander starts dressing like that at some point. 

Characterization/Dynamics (Comments about the characters, especially as they grow or change, and relationships between characters): The characterization in this episode is a doozy. I mentioned earlier that the characters are shells of who they really are, and I stick by that. The show fails to find most of it’s characters’ voices in this episode, leading some of them to be unrecognizable. 

On one hand, Xander is painted to be somewhat of a cool guy. He’s not popular, no, but in comparison to the character he becomes, they are worlds apart. He is dorky and a little awkward, but if you didn’t see those parts of him, you would genuinely believe that he fits in. 

In comparison, Willow is a ghost. She is given an almost childlike quality in this episode, one that makes you think she’s fresh out of middle school. She’s innocent and shy and awkward, which are qualities that our Willow has initially, but she’s basically a kicked puppy in this episode. 

Because of this, it’s hard to believe that Xander and Willow are actually friends. It feels more like they were friends when they were kids, but grew apart, and now Xander only hangs out with Willow because he feels bad for her, or because he feels obligated to. I wish I could see their genuine friendship, because without it, the show feels a little lacking. 

Facts (Things I know about the show or calling out specific things): For those of you who don’t know, the high school used for Sunnydale High is also the same one used in Beverly Hills 90210. 

Xander is shown skateboarding in this episode, but we never see him skateboard again. 

The Vampyr book has, as mentioned before, become an iconic image throughout the series. However, we never see it again, aside from the credit sequence. 

Quotes (Things that were said that were funny, iconic, or overall interesting): “What is your childhood trauma?” - Cordelia Chase. 

Apocalypse Counter (Is there an apocalypse that the characters have to try and prevent?): 0

Final Notes: Please feel free to leave comments, suggestions, and questions in the ask box!

[mothman-rewatches]

Welcome! Let's talk about Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Hello and welcome to the mothman-rewatches blog. My name is Winnie, and this is my blog to watch shows and talk about them to no one in particular. It's like a podcast, but I'm the only host and there's no audio, only text.

Mostly, this post is to introduce myself and talk about what's to come. It's also a little bit to talk about my personal relationship with Buffy, because sometimes context is better.

I grew up watching Buffy. No, seriously, I have been watching Buffy since I was eight years old (somewhere around twelve years ago!) and they had reruns on teen nick.

Of course, I only caught bits and pieces at first and because I was a child, most of the memories are fragmented. I do, however, remember loving the show - loving the characters and the stories and all of it. I still feel that way, though I'm not really a huge fan of the creator.

In the last twelve years, I have seen the show somewhere around one hundred times. Naturally, because of this, it seemed like the right choice to start this blog off with Buffy.

I have grown with this show, been inspired by the characters and the idea more times than I can count. I've grieved with this show, I've come out because of this show, and it's something I hold very dearly to my heart.

There is a disclaimer, however. This show is very much the product of it's time, and it can very blatantly be a product of it's creator at times too. There will be episodes that are problematic and uncomfortable or have things in them that are problematic and uncomfortable. I will call it as I see it, and do my best to handle it with care.

Thank you, and if you're reading this, enjoy.

x Winnie