These snapshots may contain SPOILERS for the entire series, so if for some reason you haven't yet seen some of the episodes and do not want to know what is going on, read no further.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
On Halloween Buffy, Willow and Xander are "volunteered" by Principal Snyder to take groups of kids trick-or-treating. Buffy seizes the opportunity to impress Angel by dressing as a woman from the time when he was human. When most of the kids in Sunnydale magically become whatever they were dressed as, it is up to soldier-Xander and ghost-Willow to find a way to break the spell and defend Buffy, who is now a weak and frail 18th century noblewoman.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: Dates are things normal girls have. Girls who have time to think about nail polish and facials. You know what I think about? Ambush tactics. Beheading. Not exactly the stuff dreams are made of.
Unlike last episode this one has all three things a good Buffy episode normally has going for it. Good character development, witty dialog and an enjoyable plot.
Willow gets some major character development and a big serving of self confidence that starts her down the road to becoming a potent and influential individual.
One of the most fun MOTW, and recurring characters. Robin Sachs, who plays Ethan Rayne, appeared in the 1971 Hammer movie Vampire Circus. He's also featured in a couple of episodes of Babylon 5.
Ethan's note at the end besides being sinister hearkened back to The Prisoner.
Foreshadowing
Ethan calling Giles Ripper.
BUFFY: Angel's a vampire. I thought you knew.
CORDELIA: Oh, he's a vampire. Of course! But the cuddly kind. Like a Care Bear with fangs? - Smile Time
Ethan's note: Be seeing you...
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Spike - like
Angel - neutral
Oz - like
Overall I consider this a very good episode compared to the rest of the season.
Musings on life and other matters.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Reptile Boy
These snapshots may contain SPOILERS for the entire series, so if for some reason you haven't yet seen some of the episodes and do not want to know what is going on, read no further.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
Giles is pushing Buffy in her Slayer training, her mother's rules are becoming more and more strict, and Angel is growing more overprotective Buffy is feeling pulled apart. When Cordelia's college crush shows up on campus with a friend who has eyes for Buffy, Cordelia convinces Buffy to come with her to the frat party. But the party soon turns sinister, and Buffy learns the connection between the fraternity and the local girls who have recently gone missing. Xander, Giles, Angel and Willow must crash the party before all Hell breaks loose.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: Look, seven days a week I am busy saving the world. Once in a great while I wanna have some fun. And that's what I'm gonna have tonight. Fun!
This one has two out of the three things normally going for a Buffy episode. Good character development and witty dialog with a pretty mediocre plot and is just overall lackluster. It never quite strikes the right balance between the light and dark elements.
I like Willow's lecture to Angel and Giles, where she reams them for not taking Buffy's feelings into account.
The is the first time someone uses magic to try and make their situation in life better.
As a side note inside the snake costume is Robin Atkin-Downes, who was Byron, a telepath on Babylon 5.
On the whole this episode wasn't terrible. Just another MOTW, which just can't stand up against the season's real story arc.
Foreshadowing
ANGEL: This isn't some fairy tale. When I kiss you, you don't wake up from a deep sleep and live happily ever after.
BUFFY: No. When you kiss me I wanna die.
CORDELIA: You'll go to college someday, Xander. I just know your pizza delivery career will take you so many exciting places.
Willow becomes more confident and outspoken this episode.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - neutral
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Spike - absent
Angel - neutral
Overall I consider this a poor episode compared to the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
Giles is pushing Buffy in her Slayer training, her mother's rules are becoming more and more strict, and Angel is growing more overprotective Buffy is feeling pulled apart. When Cordelia's college crush shows up on campus with a friend who has eyes for Buffy, Cordelia convinces Buffy to come with her to the frat party. But the party soon turns sinister, and Buffy learns the connection between the fraternity and the local girls who have recently gone missing. Xander, Giles, Angel and Willow must crash the party before all Hell breaks loose.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: Look, seven days a week I am busy saving the world. Once in a great while I wanna have some fun. And that's what I'm gonna have tonight. Fun!
This one has two out of the three things normally going for a Buffy episode. Good character development and witty dialog with a pretty mediocre plot and is just overall lackluster. It never quite strikes the right balance between the light and dark elements.
I like Willow's lecture to Angel and Giles, where she reams them for not taking Buffy's feelings into account.
The is the first time someone uses magic to try and make their situation in life better.
As a side note inside the snake costume is Robin Atkin-Downes, who was Byron, a telepath on Babylon 5.
On the whole this episode wasn't terrible. Just another MOTW, which just can't stand up against the season's real story arc.
Foreshadowing
ANGEL: This isn't some fairy tale. When I kiss you, you don't wake up from a deep sleep and live happily ever after.
BUFFY: No. When you kiss me I wanna die.
CORDELIA: You'll go to college someday, Xander. I just know your pizza delivery career will take you so many exciting places.
Willow becomes more confident and outspoken this episode.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - neutral
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Spike - absent
Angel - neutral
Overall I consider this a poor episode compared to the rest of the season.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Inca Mummy Girl
These snapshots may contain SPOILERS for the entire series, so if for some reason you haven't yet seen some of the episodes and do not want to know what is going on, read no further.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
While on a field trip to the local museum, one of the students breaks a ceramic seal in the coffin of an Incan mummy. The mummy rises and must consume the life-force of others in order to remain alive and retain her human appearance. She tries to fit in with the students at Sunnydale, and even starts to develop real feelings for Xander. But when Buffy, Willow, and Giles realize who and what she really is, they may have to rescue Xander before he becomes the mummy's next victim.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
AMPATA: They told her that she was the only one. That only she could
defend her people from the nether world. Out of all the girls in her generation she was the only one...
BUFFY: ...chosen.
While this episode had lots of potential it just didn't quite live up to it. The scenes with Xander just become more embarrassing the more you watch. And the plot could have actually been good. We have a villain with some parallels to Buffy, a tragic background, and, just to make things complicated and more interesting, yet another love interest for Xander that isn't human.
There are weaknesses in the writing and in the delivery- okay, Xander, we get the point, you don't like it that a boy is staying at Buffy's house. Although the special effects mostly work, I was not impressed with the mummy. We have a tragic villain, a mummy who started out as an innocent teenage girl who was sacrificed, but we don't get to feel much of her pain. There are some good points to this episode- some parts are funny, with Willow hoping for a happy ending for the mummy story and later considering whether she should wait for Xander to notice her or get on with her life. Oz noticing Willow in her Eskimo costume.
On the whole while this episode wasn't bad it wasn't good either. Just another MOTW.
Foreshadowing
BUFFY: (speaking to Giles) One of these days you're gonna have to get a grownup car.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - neutral
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Spike - absent
Angel - absent
Oz - like
Overall I consider this an average episode compared to the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
While on a field trip to the local museum, one of the students breaks a ceramic seal in the coffin of an Incan mummy. The mummy rises and must consume the life-force of others in order to remain alive and retain her human appearance. She tries to fit in with the students at Sunnydale, and even starts to develop real feelings for Xander. But when Buffy, Willow, and Giles realize who and what she really is, they may have to rescue Xander before he becomes the mummy's next victim.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
AMPATA: They told her that she was the only one. That only she could
defend her people from the nether world. Out of all the girls in her generation she was the only one...
BUFFY: ...chosen.
While this episode had lots of potential it just didn't quite live up to it. The scenes with Xander just become more embarrassing the more you watch. And the plot could have actually been good. We have a villain with some parallels to Buffy, a tragic background, and, just to make things complicated and more interesting, yet another love interest for Xander that isn't human.
There are weaknesses in the writing and in the delivery- okay, Xander, we get the point, you don't like it that a boy is staying at Buffy's house. Although the special effects mostly work, I was not impressed with the mummy. We have a tragic villain, a mummy who started out as an innocent teenage girl who was sacrificed, but we don't get to feel much of her pain. There are some good points to this episode- some parts are funny, with Willow hoping for a happy ending for the mummy story and later considering whether she should wait for Xander to notice her or get on with her life. Oz noticing Willow in her Eskimo costume.
On the whole while this episode wasn't bad it wasn't good either. Just another MOTW.
Foreshadowing
BUFFY: (speaking to Giles) One of these days you're gonna have to get a grownup car.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - neutral
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Spike - absent
Angel - absent
Oz - like
Overall I consider this an average episode compared to the rest of the season.
Monday, June 27, 2011
School Hard
These snapshots may contain SPOILERS for the entire series, so if for some reason you haven't yet seen some of the episodes and do not want to know what is going on, read no further.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
A dangerous new vampire named Spike comes to town, hoping to use the power of the Hellmouth to restore his love, Drusilla, to health. He has killed two Slayers before, and he decides to make Buffy the third, attacking Sunnydale High on Parent Teacher Night. Buffy must find a way to stop Spike and his vampire minions, lead her mom and the other parents and students to safety, and keep them from finding out that she is the Slayer.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: ... I have at least three lives to contend with, none of which really mesh.
The consensus seems to be that this was the episode that started the show on the road to greatness, and I tend to agree. It had drama, was funny, had character building, action, and didn't take itself too seriously.
While this episode is primarily interested in introducing Spike and Drusilla, we also see the growing dislike between Xander and Angel.
Angel is Spike's (grand)sire.
The Sunnydale sign that Spike knocks down on the way into town gives the population as 38,500. This is the first of three times that he causes the sign to be knocked over.
Foreshadowing
Upon Spike first seeing Buffy you get a sense of him stalking her in a predatory sense, with a lot of sexual tension thrown into the mix.
SPIKE: A slayer with family and friends. That sure as hell wasn't in the brochure.
Principal Snyder and the detective knowing what's really going on in Sunnydale in terms of the vampires. - Mayor
Spike trying to restore Dru's strength here at the Hellmouth.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Spike - like
Angel - neutral
Overall I consider this a very good episode compared to the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
A dangerous new vampire named Spike comes to town, hoping to use the power of the Hellmouth to restore his love, Drusilla, to health. He has killed two Slayers before, and he decides to make Buffy the third, attacking Sunnydale High on Parent Teacher Night. Buffy must find a way to stop Spike and his vampire minions, lead her mom and the other parents and students to safety, and keep them from finding out that she is the Slayer.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: ... I have at least three lives to contend with, none of which really mesh.
The consensus seems to be that this was the episode that started the show on the road to greatness, and I tend to agree. It had drama, was funny, had character building, action, and didn't take itself too seriously.
While this episode is primarily interested in introducing Spike and Drusilla, we also see the growing dislike between Xander and Angel.
Angel is Spike's (grand)sire.
The Sunnydale sign that Spike knocks down on the way into town gives the population as 38,500. This is the first of three times that he causes the sign to be knocked over.
Foreshadowing
Upon Spike first seeing Buffy you get a sense of him stalking her in a predatory sense, with a lot of sexual tension thrown into the mix.
SPIKE: A slayer with family and friends. That sure as hell wasn't in the brochure.
Principal Snyder and the detective knowing what's really going on in Sunnydale in terms of the vampires. - Mayor
Spike trying to restore Dru's strength here at the Hellmouth.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Spike - like
Angel - neutral
Overall I consider this a very good episode compared to the rest of the season.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Some Assembly Required
These snapshots may contain SPOILERS for the entire series, so if for some reason you haven't yet seen some of the episodes and do not want to know what is going on, read no further.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
The bodies of several recently deceased teen girls are stolen from their graves, and most of the parts are discovered in a dumpster on school grounds. From the missing pieces, the gang deduces that someone has collected almost enough parts to build their own girl. Now, all they need is a head, and it has to be fresh...
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
Willow: Jealous of what?
Buffy: Of Xander.
Willow: Because you did that sexy dance with him?
Buffy: Am I ever gonna live that down?
Willow: No.
Frankenstein / Bride of Frankenstein doesn't really work for this episode, or for that matter for the latter half of season 4.
Although there are no angry villagers for the finale, the monster does die by fire.
This marks the beginning of Jenny and Giles dating.
The end scene with Angel and Buffy, where they express the poignant yet doomed love for each other.
Foreshadowing
The morality of bringing a person back from the dead.
Xander: ... I'll tell you this: people don't fall in love with what's right in front of them. People want the dream. What they can't have. The more unattainable, the more attractive.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Angel - neutral
Overall I consider this a poor episode compared to the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
The bodies of several recently deceased teen girls are stolen from their graves, and most of the parts are discovered in a dumpster on school grounds. From the missing pieces, the gang deduces that someone has collected almost enough parts to build their own girl. Now, all they need is a head, and it has to be fresh...
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
Willow: Jealous of what?
Buffy: Of Xander.
Willow: Because you did that sexy dance with him?
Buffy: Am I ever gonna live that down?
Willow: No.
Frankenstein / Bride of Frankenstein doesn't really work for this episode, or for that matter for the latter half of season 4.
Although there are no angry villagers for the finale, the monster does die by fire.
This marks the beginning of Jenny and Giles dating.
The end scene with Angel and Buffy, where they express the poignant yet doomed love for each other.
Foreshadowing
The morality of bringing a person back from the dead.
Xander: ... I'll tell you this: people don't fall in love with what's right in front of them. People want the dream. What they can't have. The more unattainable, the more attractive.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Angel - neutral
Overall I consider this a poor episode compared to the rest of the season.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Angel the Series
Haven't been doing any Buffy updates because I finally forced myself to sit down and watch Angel the Series. As I've stated elsewhere in the episode Angel from BtVS;
"Just a note to anyone who happens to be reading this blog. My own prejudices will obviously color these commentaries. I cannot stand David Boreanaz's acting at this point. His heavy, stuttered breathing just annoys the bejeezus out of me. If this bothers anyone, well that's just the way it is. Not everyone likes the same things, nor should they."
Now that that is out of the way, I will go on to say that there are some episodes, and characters that I like and even love on Angel, its just that the series will never hold the same place in my heart that Buffy does. So then exactly what is it that I liked about Team Angel. Well let me list them in order then.
Season 1 - Buffy, Faith, Wesley and Cordy.
Season 2 - Darla, Wesley and Cordy.
Season 3 - Darla, Cordy, Fred, and Wesley.
Season 4 - Wesley, Faith, Angel.
Season 5 - Wesley, Fred, Illyria, Spike, Angel
I wanted to like the show, and in spite of its shortfalls I did occasionally, but I only started really liking it from halfway through season 3. Loved some of the earlier season episodes with Buffy, Faith and Darla. Will no doubt rewatch this at some point in the future, 5-10 years. Who knows, by then I might realize that I was wrong and missed what many other people seem to see in the series, but until then I just don't see it.
"Just a note to anyone who happens to be reading this blog. My own prejudices will obviously color these commentaries. I cannot stand David Boreanaz's acting at this point. His heavy, stuttered breathing just annoys the bejeezus out of me. If this bothers anyone, well that's just the way it is. Not everyone likes the same things, nor should they."
Now that that is out of the way, I will go on to say that there are some episodes, and characters that I like and even love on Angel, its just that the series will never hold the same place in my heart that Buffy does. So then exactly what is it that I liked about Team Angel. Well let me list them in order then.
Season 1 - Buffy, Faith, Wesley and Cordy.
Season 2 - Darla, Wesley and Cordy.
Season 3 - Darla, Cordy, Fred, and Wesley.
Season 4 - Wesley, Faith, Angel.
Season 5 - Wesley, Fred, Illyria, Spike, Angel
I wanted to like the show, and in spite of its shortfalls I did occasionally, but I only started really liking it from halfway through season 3. Loved some of the earlier season episodes with Buffy, Faith and Darla. Will no doubt rewatch this at some point in the future, 5-10 years. Who knows, by then I might realize that I was wrong and missed what many other people seem to see in the series, but until then I just don't see it.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
When She Was Bad
These snapshots may contain SPOILERS for the entire series, so if for some reason you haven't yet seen some of the episodes and do not want to know what is going on, read no further.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
Buffy returns from summer vacation with a "major attitude" and recurring nightmares involving the Master, even as the Anointed One and his followers plot their revenge.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
While Giles says Buffy has 'issues' everyone else falls victim to Buffy's Bitch Queen attitude. Some have called this PTSS. Or in the words of the immortal Yoda "fear leads to ... hate" which definitely turns you into one mean SOB. Everyone gets skewered by Buffy in one form or another, before the end of the episode. While not putting her in the best light you can empathize with her, its not easy being killed.
The vampire preacher gets more boring every time I watch.
Buffy tortures the vamp for information.
Angel showing up in Buffy's bedroom while she's sleeping to watch her. Remember, she rolled over and saw him already there. Can you say stalker?
Started noticing / liking the music from this episode onwards (eg. Alison Krauss "It Doesn't Matter").
Really began noticing SMG's acting after the first rewatch. Was always good but this season started giving her some added depth to play with. Fear, anger, angst, sexpot, etc. The happy ending seemed kind of forced, though. After acting like the Bitch Queen, when did Buffy apologize for all those mean/hateful things she said/did? Yes, I can see her being forgiven, but some form of 'sorry' would have been nice to see.
Foreshadowing
JOYCE: I'll just be happy if she makes it through the school year.
SNYDER: That Summers girl. I smell trouble. I smell expulsion, and just the faintest aroma of jail.
GILES: Buffy, ... that was hardly the, the worst mistake you'll ever make.
BUFFY: (to Angel)... you must've thought about it. What would happen if it ever came down to a fight, ... Well, why don't we find out?
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - understandable
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Angel - neutral
Overall I consider this a good episode compared to the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
Buffy returns from summer vacation with a "major attitude" and recurring nightmares involving the Master, even as the Anointed One and his followers plot their revenge.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
Buffy: Hi, guys! Miss me?The season opener starts, albeit after summer vacation, pretty much right where it left off in "Prophecy Girl." This didn't really register the first time watching, but after repeated DVD viewings it starts to sink in, I like the continuity, it gives the episode a nice flow and unites this with the first season quite smoothly. This episode does a good job of tying up all the loose ends from last season. It begins by showing that events have long term consequences, and plots will move across more than 1 episode or season. This episode also seems to be more about Buffy fighting her inner demons more so than the vampires who come across more as an ancillary plot device.While Giles says Buffy has 'issues' everyone else falls victim to Buffy's Bitch Queen attitude. Some have called this PTSS. Or in the words of the immortal Yoda "fear leads to ... hate" which definitely turns you into one mean SOB. Everyone gets skewered by Buffy in one form or another, before the end of the episode. While not putting her in the best light you can empathize with her, its not easy being killed.
The vampire preacher gets more boring every time I watch.
Buffy tortures the vamp for information.
Angel showing up in Buffy's bedroom while she's sleeping to watch her. Remember, she rolled over and saw him already there. Can you say stalker?
Started noticing / liking the music from this episode onwards (eg. Alison Krauss "It Doesn't Matter").
Really began noticing SMG's acting after the first rewatch. Was always good but this season started giving her some added depth to play with. Fear, anger, angst, sexpot, etc. The happy ending seemed kind of forced, though. After acting like the Bitch Queen, when did Buffy apologize for all those mean/hateful things she said/did? Yes, I can see her being forgiven, but some form of 'sorry' would have been nice to see.
Foreshadowing
JOYCE: I'll just be happy if she makes it through the school year.
SNYDER: That Summers girl. I smell trouble. I smell expulsion, and just the faintest aroma of jail.
GILES: Buffy, ... that was hardly the, the worst mistake you'll ever make.
BUFFY: (to Angel)... you must've thought about it. What would happen if it ever came down to a fight, ... Well, why don't we find out?
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - understandable
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Angel - neutral
Overall I consider this a good episode compared to the rest of the season.
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