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.
Musings on life and other matters.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
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.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Buffy Season 1 - Current Views & Ranking
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 01
----------------------------------
01. Welcome to the Hellmouth
-----------------------------
My view/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - undecided
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - undecided
The Master - undecided
02. The Harvest
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - undecided
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - undecided
The Master - leaning towards like (for a bad guy)
03. The Witch
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - absent
The Master - absent
04. Teacher's Pet
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - understandable
Giles - like
Cordelia - absent
Angel - undecided
The Master - absent
05. Never Kill a Boy on the First Date
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - understandable
Giles - like
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - undecided
The Master - like
06. The Pack
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - undecided
Giles - like
Cordelia - absent
Angel - absent
The Master - absent
07. Angel
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - understandable
Giles - like
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - understandable
The Master - like
08. I Robot, You Jane
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - understandable
Giles - like
Cordelia - absent
Angel - absent
The Master - absent
09. The Puppet Show
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - neutral
Angel - absent
The Master - absent
10. Nightmares
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - neutral
Angel - absent
11. Out of Mind, Out of Sight
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - neutral - hint of humanity showing
Angel - neutral
The Master - absent
12. Prophecy Girl
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Angel - annoyed
The Master - like
Overall Ranking
-----------------------------
Very Good
-----------------------------
Prophecy Girl
Angel
Good
-----------------------------
Welcome to the Hellmouth
Out of Mind, Out of Sight
Never Kill a Boy on the First Date
Average
-----------------------------
Nightmares
The Witch
Poor
-----------------------------
The Puppet Show
The Harvest
The Pack
Very Poor
-----------------------------
Teacher's Pet
I Robot, You Jane
----------------------------------
01. Welcome to the Hellmouth
-----------------------------
My view/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - undecided
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - undecided
The Master - undecided
02. The Harvest
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - undecided
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - undecided
The Master - leaning towards like (for a bad guy)
03. The Witch
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - absent
The Master - absent
04. Teacher's Pet
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - understandable
Giles - like
Cordelia - absent
Angel - undecided
The Master - absent
05. Never Kill a Boy on the First Date
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - understandable
Giles - like
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - undecided
The Master - like
06. The Pack
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - undecided
Giles - like
Cordelia - absent
Angel - absent
The Master - absent
07. Angel
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - understandable
Giles - like
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - understandable
The Master - like
08. I Robot, You Jane
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - understandable
Giles - like
Cordelia - absent
Angel - absent
The Master - absent
09. The Puppet Show
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - neutral
Angel - absent
The Master - absent
10. Nightmares
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - neutral
Angel - absent
11. Out of Mind, Out of Sight
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - neutral - hint of humanity showing
Angel - neutral
The Master - absent
12. Prophecy Girl
-----------------------------
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Angel - annoyed
The Master - like
Overall Ranking
-----------------------------
Very Good
-----------------------------
Prophecy Girl
Angel
Good
-----------------------------
Welcome to the Hellmouth
Out of Mind, Out of Sight
Never Kill a Boy on the First Date
Average
-----------------------------
Nightmares
The Witch
Poor
-----------------------------
The Puppet Show
The Harvest
The Pack
Very Poor
-----------------------------
Teacher's Pet
I Robot, You Jane
Friday, June 10, 2011
Prophecy 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----------------------------
Giles discovers an ancient prophecy which states that Buffy will face The Master and she will die. Upon hearing this, Buffy breaks down and tries to quit her Slayer duties. But when vampires massacre a group of students on campus, she realizes that she must face her destiny in order to save her friends... and the world.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: I may be dead, but I'm still pretty. Which is more than I can say for you.
While up 'till now the series hasn't really excelled this is the first episode that almost pulls it all together. While the beginning of this episode has numerous examples of rejection the team seem to really come together by the finale, even Cordelia. The tone of this episode is darker than most of the season as well. More quite and sinister. While there are some things left hanging, it still feel like a very satisfying conclusion for the season.
This episode has one of the first real emotional / poignant moments 'till now; Buffy hearing of her imminent death at the hands of the Master. Although she tries to run from her calling / destiny she does finally come to accept her fate and face her fear, after her conversation with Willow. When Buffy does accept her calling she crosses her first threshold on the hero's journey. Where she is finally ready to leave mundane reality and the known limits of her world behind and venture into an unknown/dangerous realm where the rules and limits are unknown. While Buffy hereafter still longs for the life of a normal girl, she never seriously abandons the slayer's journey.
Angel's "I have no breath." really annoys me. If vampires don't breathe, then how can they talk, sing, smoke, etc. Just a personal pet peeve.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Angel - annoyed
The Master - like
Overall I consider this a very good episode compared to the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
Giles discovers an ancient prophecy which states that Buffy will face The Master and she will die. Upon hearing this, Buffy breaks down and tries to quit her Slayer duties. But when vampires massacre a group of students on campus, she realizes that she must face her destiny in order to save her friends... and the world.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: I may be dead, but I'm still pretty. Which is more than I can say for you.
While up 'till now the series hasn't really excelled this is the first episode that almost pulls it all together. While the beginning of this episode has numerous examples of rejection the team seem to really come together by the finale, even Cordelia. The tone of this episode is darker than most of the season as well. More quite and sinister. While there are some things left hanging, it still feel like a very satisfying conclusion for the season.
This episode has one of the first real emotional / poignant moments 'till now; Buffy hearing of her imminent death at the hands of the Master. Although she tries to run from her calling / destiny she does finally come to accept her fate and face her fear, after her conversation with Willow. When Buffy does accept her calling she crosses her first threshold on the hero's journey. Where she is finally ready to leave mundane reality and the known limits of her world behind and venture into an unknown/dangerous realm where the rules and limits are unknown. While Buffy hereafter still longs for the life of a normal girl, she never seriously abandons the slayer's journey.
Angel's "I have no breath." really annoys me. If vampires don't breathe, then how can they talk, sing, smoke, etc. Just a personal pet peeve.
- Buffy dies for the first time in this episode, not from the Master's bite, but from drowning in the pool of water after he feeds on her. This means a new Slayer, Kendra is called.
- Buffy is now essentially cut off from the Slayer line (no new Slayer is called after her second death), with Kendra, and later Faith, being the ‘active’ Slayer, although most of the characters assume in later episodes that Buffy's death will still activate a new slayer. Nonetheless, Buffy is still referred to as the Slayer and not just a Slayer, though this is understandable once Faith becomes inactive due to a) coma and b) incarceration.
- The Master, the season's Big Bad, dies. Unlike lesser vampires, The Master's bones are left behind after his death.
- In this episode, it is first revealed that the Hellmouth is actually directly beneath Sunnydale High School library.
- As seen in this episode and the earlier episode "Angel", Buffy tends to favor the crossbow when heading to face a particularly dangerous vampire.
- The monster that comes out of the Hellmouth reappears in "The Zeppo".
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Angel - annoyed
The Master - like
Overall I consider this a very good episode compared to the rest of the season.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Out of Mind, Out of Sight
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----------------------------
An invisible force is attacking the students and teachers at Sunnydale High. Buffy and the gang must find a way to stop this unseen menace, and determine why it seems to be centering its attacks on Cordelia.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: (to Cordelia) So you've come to me for help.
A decent episode. We get a closer look at the loneliness/alienation experienced by Buffy as opposed to Cordelia and Marcie. Good example of Buffy's selfless nature after being excluded and yet still supporting Cordelia and giving her encouragement.
A good attempt at adding some depth to Cordelia, by showing her as more than just a bitch queen. She actually starts acting human around Buffy when they are alone, but she still has a ways to go, as she demonstrates with her boyfriend at the end.
Giles finally meets Angel, who then recovers the rare Pergamum Codex for him.
First of three episodes to feature invisibility. Season Six episode "Gone" where Buffy assures her friends that her invisibility is not a result of the same condition as Marcie's. This is again seen in the Season Seven episode "Storyteller" when Buffy witnesses a girl slowly disappearing.
Almost forgot that, "Crush, kill, destroy"; was the famous phrase of IDAK Alpha 12 from Lost in Space.
Just love the Scooby Doo t-shirt Willow is wearing in this episode.
The US government involvement at the end of the episode is a great lead in for season four's Initiative.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - neutral - hint of humanity showing
Angel - neutral
The Master - absent
Overall I consider this a good episode compared to the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
An invisible force is attacking the students and teachers at Sunnydale High. Buffy and the gang must find a way to stop this unseen menace, and determine why it seems to be centering its attacks on Cordelia.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: (to Cordelia) So you've come to me for help.
A decent episode. We get a closer look at the loneliness/alienation experienced by Buffy as opposed to Cordelia and Marcie. Good example of Buffy's selfless nature after being excluded and yet still supporting Cordelia and giving her encouragement.
A good attempt at adding some depth to Cordelia, by showing her as more than just a bitch queen. She actually starts acting human around Buffy when they are alone, but she still has a ways to go, as she demonstrates with her boyfriend at the end.
Giles finally meets Angel, who then recovers the rare Pergamum Codex for him.
First of three episodes to feature invisibility. Season Six episode "Gone" where Buffy assures her friends that her invisibility is not a result of the same condition as Marcie's. This is again seen in the Season Seven episode "Storyteller" when Buffy witnesses a girl slowly disappearing.
Almost forgot that, "Crush, kill, destroy"; was the famous phrase of IDAK Alpha 12 from Lost in Space.
Just love the Scooby Doo t-shirt Willow is wearing in this episode.
The US government involvement at the end of the episode is a great lead in for season four's Initiative.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - neutral - hint of humanity showing
Angel - neutral
The Master - absent
Overall I consider this a good episode compared to the rest of the season.
Nightmares
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----------------------------
When strange things start happening to the students at Sunnydale High, it seems that everyone is living their worst nightmares. Buffy and the gang must hold together to stop the phenomena before reality and the nightmare world become one.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: Scary! I'll tell you something, though. There are a lot scarier things than you. And I'm one of them.
Nightmares for everyone this episode, however Buffy is the only one who gets a extra dose of her fears. Being late for an exam that she didn't study for, in a class she never really attended. Her dad abandoning her, the Master killing her, being buried alive and then returning as a vampire. Most of these come true literally, and the last, returning as a vamp also comes to pass, metaphorically, since it is learned that Buffy's powers come from distilled essence of a demon (vampires being demons).
The Scoobies nightmares are all the run of the mill fears lots of people have, being naked in front of classroom, having to perform in front of an audience, a scary clown. Giles and Cordelia's aren't to far out there, bad hair day and forgetting a vital skill.
A lot of the good points for this episode only comes in retrospect. The different elements, story, theme and plot, just don't mesh that well.
After Buffy gets turned, she's in the graveyard in the pocket nightscape. She travels to the hospital, which is bright daylight. How did that happen, ala Spike running and smoking across town?
Buffy's tombstone puts her date of birth at 1981. Speaking of tombstones, Sarah Michelle Gellar had a morbid fear of real graveyards and being buried alive. She did overcome her fear of grave/yards as shown in the Blackwood interview.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - neutral
Angel - absent
The Master - like
Overall I consider this an average episode compared to the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
When strange things start happening to the students at Sunnydale High, it seems that everyone is living their worst nightmares. Buffy and the gang must hold together to stop the phenomena before reality and the nightmare world become one.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: Scary! I'll tell you something, though. There are a lot scarier things than you. And I'm one of them.
Nightmares for everyone this episode, however Buffy is the only one who gets a extra dose of her fears. Being late for an exam that she didn't study for, in a class she never really attended. Her dad abandoning her, the Master killing her, being buried alive and then returning as a vampire. Most of these come true literally, and the last, returning as a vamp also comes to pass, metaphorically, since it is learned that Buffy's powers come from distilled essence of a demon (vampires being demons).
The Scoobies nightmares are all the run of the mill fears lots of people have, being naked in front of classroom, having to perform in front of an audience, a scary clown. Giles and Cordelia's aren't to far out there, bad hair day and forgetting a vital skill.
A lot of the good points for this episode only comes in retrospect. The different elements, story, theme and plot, just don't mesh that well.
After Buffy gets turned, she's in the graveyard in the pocket nightscape. She travels to the hospital, which is bright daylight. How did that happen, ala Spike running and smoking across town?
Buffy's tombstone puts her date of birth at 1981. Speaking of tombstones, Sarah Michelle Gellar had a morbid fear of real graveyards and being buried alive. She did overcome her fear of grave/yards as shown in the Blackwood interview.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - neutral
Angel - absent
The Master - like
Overall I consider this an average episode compared to the rest of the season.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
The Puppet Show
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 new principal forces Giles to run Sunnydale High's annual talent show, and Buffy, Willow and Xander have to perform against their will. As if this isn't bad enough, things go further awry when one of the talent show participants is found with her heart removed. Buffy and the gang race against the clock to find the killer, and all the clues point to Morgan and his ventriloquist dummy.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
SNYDER: Kids today need discipline. That's an unpopular word these days, 'discipline.' I know Principal Flutie would have said, 'Kids need understanding. Kids are human beings.' That's the kind of woolly-headed liberal thinking that leads to being eaten.
Introduction of Principal Snyder. I quite enjoyed this the first time watching, but loses its novelty after repeated viewings. Its a murder mystery, and when you know the ending it loses its appeal. For first time watching it would pass as good, but I've come to expect more from Buffy.
Cordelia 'sings' the Whitney Houston hit 'The Greatest Love Of All' during the talent show rehearsals. She's so bad, you'd think she's beating a cat with a hot iron.
Yet another of the only eight episodes of the series not to feature at least one vampire. Its interesting to note that four of these eight episodes appear in the first season. That's 1/3 of the episodes for the first season, quite a lot, considering the title of the show.
The end credit sequence, with Buffy, Xander, and Willow has me in stitches every time.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - neutral
Angel - absent
The Master - absent
Overall I consider this a poor episode compared to the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
The new principal forces Giles to run Sunnydale High's annual talent show, and Buffy, Willow and Xander have to perform against their will. As if this isn't bad enough, things go further awry when one of the talent show participants is found with her heart removed. Buffy and the gang race against the clock to find the killer, and all the clues point to Morgan and his ventriloquist dummy.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
SNYDER: Kids today need discipline. That's an unpopular word these days, 'discipline.' I know Principal Flutie would have said, 'Kids need understanding. Kids are human beings.' That's the kind of woolly-headed liberal thinking that leads to being eaten.
Introduction of Principal Snyder. I quite enjoyed this the first time watching, but loses its novelty after repeated viewings. Its a murder mystery, and when you know the ending it loses its appeal. For first time watching it would pass as good, but I've come to expect more from Buffy.
Cordelia 'sings' the Whitney Houston hit 'The Greatest Love Of All' during the talent show rehearsals. She's so bad, you'd think she's beating a cat with a hot iron.
Yet another of the only eight episodes of the series not to feature at least one vampire. Its interesting to note that four of these eight episodes appear in the first season. That's 1/3 of the episodes for the first season, quite a lot, considering the title of the show.
The end credit sequence, with Buffy, Xander, and Willow has me in stitches every time.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - neutral
Angel - absent
The Master - absent
Overall I consider this a poor episode compared to the rest of the season.
I Robot, You Jane
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----------------------------
In 1418, a group of Italian priests use magic to trap the demon Moloch in a book, only to be released if the book is ever read aloud. In 1997 Sunnydale, the computer teacher, Ms. Calendar, is working on a project to digitally scan all the books in the library. When a new arrival, in a strange language, is scanned, Moloch is released into the computer... and into every computer connected to it. Now Buffy must face Moloch's human minions, while Giles must figure out how to exorcise a demon from the Internet.
Meanwhile, Willow meets a nice boy online. His name is Malcolm...
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
GILES: Nonsense! I simply don't adhere to a knee-jerk assumption that because something is new, it's better.
Unfortunately in this case something old isn't exactly good either. This has got to be one of the worst episodes of Buffy, in my opinion. The only positive to come out of this episode is the intro of Jenny Calender.
One of the few vampire-free episodes, the others being "Witch", "The Pack", "The Puppet Show", "Inca Mummy Girl", "Living Conditions", "Fear, Itself" and "Beer Bad".
When Moloch accesses Buffy's file, her birthday is listed as October 1980 and she is listed as a senior with a GPA of 3.4, then as a sophomore with a GPA of 2.8. When Chris pulls up her file immediately after that shot, her birthday is listed as May 1979 and listed as a senior. Also, both files list her as having only one absence, highly unlikely given her slayer duties. As noted elsewhere, Moloch being a Corrupter and "corrupting" the database, it is likely that he was altering these--along with other--files. Season two's Surprise reveals that Buffy was born in mid January 1981. In season four's Doomed, she tells Riley that she is "Capricorn, on the cusp of Aquarius." Which translates to approximately January 19th. Finally, in Season five's episode "The Gift" Buffy's headstone states 1981 as her year of birth. I mostly discount season one info. in this case, and go with the latest info. as the correct info.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - understandable
Giles - like
Cordelia - absent
Angel - absent
The Master - absent
Overall I consider this a very poor, if not the poorest, episode compared to the rest of the season/series.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
In 1418, a group of Italian priests use magic to trap the demon Moloch in a book, only to be released if the book is ever read aloud. In 1997 Sunnydale, the computer teacher, Ms. Calendar, is working on a project to digitally scan all the books in the library. When a new arrival, in a strange language, is scanned, Moloch is released into the computer... and into every computer connected to it. Now Buffy must face Moloch's human minions, while Giles must figure out how to exorcise a demon from the Internet.
Meanwhile, Willow meets a nice boy online. His name is Malcolm...
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
GILES: Nonsense! I simply don't adhere to a knee-jerk assumption that because something is new, it's better.
Unfortunately in this case something old isn't exactly good either. This has got to be one of the worst episodes of Buffy, in my opinion. The only positive to come out of this episode is the intro of Jenny Calender.
One of the few vampire-free episodes, the others being "Witch", "The Pack", "The Puppet Show", "Inca Mummy Girl", "Living Conditions", "Fear, Itself" and "Beer Bad".
When Moloch accesses Buffy's file, her birthday is listed as October 1980 and she is listed as a senior with a GPA of 3.4, then as a sophomore with a GPA of 2.8. When Chris pulls up her file immediately after that shot, her birthday is listed as May 1979 and listed as a senior. Also, both files list her as having only one absence, highly unlikely given her slayer duties. As noted elsewhere, Moloch being a Corrupter and "corrupting" the database, it is likely that he was altering these--along with other--files. Season two's Surprise reveals that Buffy was born in mid January 1981. In season four's Doomed, she tells Riley that she is "Capricorn, on the cusp of Aquarius." Which translates to approximately January 19th. Finally, in Season five's episode "The Gift" Buffy's headstone states 1981 as her year of birth. I mostly discount season one info. in this case, and go with the latest info. as the correct info.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - understandable
Giles - like
Cordelia - absent
Angel - absent
The Master - absent
Overall I consider this a very poor, if not the poorest, episode compared to the rest of the season/series.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Angel
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----------------------------
After Angel saves Buffy from a gang of vampire warriors (the Three), their relationship starts to become more intense. As their love blooms, Buffy learns that Angel has been hiding a dark secret. She hesitates, not sure what to believe, but when Angel's secret puts someone she loves in danger, she knows what she has to do.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
Angel: The elders conjured the perfect punishment for me. They restored my soul.
Buffy: What, they were all out of boils and blinding torment?
I find this one of the better season 1 episodes, mostly in retrospect. A lot of the future storyline in season 2 is hinted at here.
Lots of backstory in this one.
One of the few gunfight sequences of the series. I'm no gun expert but does Darla ever run out of bullets?
Buffy realizes that she is in love with a vampire, and ponders what to do. On the one hand, Buffy says (reflecting Xander's somewhat self-serving letter-of-the-law argument - Slayer. Vampire. Dead vampire), she simply should get over her feelings so she can kill him. It has been noted elsewhere that if this is taken as a straightforward principle then Buffy's duty is clear. They go on to state that the Slayer shouldn't kill Angel because he has a soul, and Slayers shouldn't kill anyone with a soul. I personally think that there is actually a finer line to this than that. I think that Buffy adopts the moral guideline that she won't kill someone with a soul that has a chance and and some hope for redemption. For example, Anya as a demon has a soul. As long as Anya wasn't on a wholesale slaughter kick, Buffy didn't go after her, but once she killed those boys in the frat house she went after Anya, soul or no soul. Similar situation here with Angel. Angel is shown to have a soul, and Buffy forgos killing him, because he can possibly be redeemed. I don't think this is a conscious decision yet, but something that she is still working out, and will come into play in Spike's arc of redemption in season 7.
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.
Foreshadowing
Darla asks Angel if she thinks Buffy will ever be able to kiss his true face. What's My Line?
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - understandable
Giles - like
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - understandable
The Master - like
Overall I consider this a very good episode compared to the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
After Angel saves Buffy from a gang of vampire warriors (the Three), their relationship starts to become more intense. As their love blooms, Buffy learns that Angel has been hiding a dark secret. She hesitates, not sure what to believe, but when Angel's secret puts someone she loves in danger, she knows what she has to do.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
Angel: The elders conjured the perfect punishment for me. They restored my soul.
Buffy: What, they were all out of boils and blinding torment?
I find this one of the better season 1 episodes, mostly in retrospect. A lot of the future storyline in season 2 is hinted at here.
Lots of backstory in this one.
- It is revealed Angel is a vampire with a soul who was named Angelus (The One with the Angelic Face) and killed his own family when he first became a vampire. It is revealed that he is 240 years old and has a tattoo on his right shoulder blade. The origin of his gypsy curse, which will play a major role in Season Two, is also revealed.
- It is revealed that Darla, a 400 year old vampire, was once romantically involved with Angel and that she sired him.
- Darla dies (for the second of four times, as revealed in later episodes of Buffy and Angel), but is resurrected three years later at the end of the first season of Angel.
- This episode is the first time Joyce meets Giles and Angel.
One of the few gunfight sequences of the series. I'm no gun expert but does Darla ever run out of bullets?
Buffy realizes that she is in love with a vampire, and ponders what to do. On the one hand, Buffy says (reflecting Xander's somewhat self-serving letter-of-the-law argument - Slayer. Vampire. Dead vampire), she simply should get over her feelings so she can kill him. It has been noted elsewhere that if this is taken as a straightforward principle then Buffy's duty is clear. They go on to state that the Slayer shouldn't kill Angel because he has a soul, and Slayers shouldn't kill anyone with a soul. I personally think that there is actually a finer line to this than that. I think that Buffy adopts the moral guideline that she won't kill someone with a soul that has a chance and and some hope for redemption. For example, Anya as a demon has a soul. As long as Anya wasn't on a wholesale slaughter kick, Buffy didn't go after her, but once she killed those boys in the frat house she went after Anya, soul or no soul. Similar situation here with Angel. Angel is shown to have a soul, and Buffy forgos killing him, because he can possibly be redeemed. I don't think this is a conscious decision yet, but something that she is still working out, and will come into play in Spike's arc of redemption in season 7.
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.
Foreshadowing
Darla asks Angel if she thinks Buffy will ever be able to kiss his true face. What's My Line?
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - understandable
Giles - like
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - understandable
The Master - like
Overall I consider this a very good episode compared to the rest of the season.
Friday, June 3, 2011
The Pack
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 enduring the annual field trip to the zoo, Xander and several other students enter the quarantined Hyena pen and become possessed by the demonic spirit of the wild animals. When Buffy notices a significant change in Xander's personality, she must figure out what happened and how to reverse it before something terrible happens.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
Lyrics from "Desperate Man" by Sprung Monkey: Do you find yourself in a cold cruel world, dark and desperate, scared and lonely?
The pre-Pack group lead by Kyle deride Buffy for not having any friends. They then go on to prove they're all a**es, by mocking Lance at the monkey cages, for his sketching.
Did anyone else think the cages wouldn't keep anything out, never mind keeping the hyenas in?
During the dodge ball scene we are shown that the pack has reflexes equal to the Slayers, since she's the only one left standing that's opposing them. The pack then turns on Lance, who happens to be on their team.
This episode is the first time the cage in the library is used to lock someone up. Also, one of the few times that the cage gets broken out of.
Principal Flutie gets eaten in this episode, setting up a trend for future principals.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - undecided
Giles - like
Cordelia - absent
Angel - absent
The Master - absent
Overall I consider this a poor episode compared to the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
While enduring the annual field trip to the zoo, Xander and several other students enter the quarantined Hyena pen and become possessed by the demonic spirit of the wild animals. When Buffy notices a significant change in Xander's personality, she must figure out what happened and how to reverse it before something terrible happens.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
Lyrics from "Desperate Man" by Sprung Monkey: Do you find yourself in a cold cruel world, dark and desperate, scared and lonely?
The pre-Pack group lead by Kyle deride Buffy for not having any friends. They then go on to prove they're all a**es, by mocking Lance at the monkey cages, for his sketching.
Did anyone else think the cages wouldn't keep anything out, never mind keeping the hyenas in?
During the dodge ball scene we are shown that the pack has reflexes equal to the Slayers, since she's the only one left standing that's opposing them. The pack then turns on Lance, who happens to be on their team.
This episode is the first time the cage in the library is used to lock someone up. Also, one of the few times that the cage gets broken out of.
Principal Flutie gets eaten in this episode, setting up a trend for future principals.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - undecided
Giles - like
Cordelia - absent
Angel - absent
The Master - absent
Overall I consider this a poor episode compared to the rest of the season.
Never Kill a Boy on the First Date
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----------------------------
Yearning for a normal life, Buffy agrees to a date with the mysterious and brooding Owen. Giles discovers a prophecy of coming danger which would interfere with her plans, but she chooses Owen over battling the forces of darkness. When Giles goes out on his own and is trapped by a group of vampires, Buffy must figure out a way to balance dating and Slaying.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
Buffy: We haven't been properly introduced. (pulls out a stake) I'm Buffy, and you're history!
This is the first time that Buffy stakes a vampire in a graveyard in the teaser. A trend that will become classic as the series progresses.
The prophecy of the anointed one is kinda hokey.
Owen comes across as: brooding, bookworm, old fashioned (pocket watch), thrill seeker.
Owen described as: tall, solitary, mysterious, sensitive, and manly.
Buffy dreams of being a normal teenager mooning over cute guys, like any normal post pubescent girl.
This is the first we see of the struggle Buffy has of trying to juggle being a normal girl, with being the Slayer.
In the end Buffy decides that for the sake of Owens current safety/survival she needs to not date him since he is unaware of her status as the Slayer and wouldn't take the proper precautions to prevent being hurt or, more likely, killed.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - understandable
Giles - like
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - undecided
The Master - like
Overall I consider this a good episode compared to the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
Yearning for a normal life, Buffy agrees to a date with the mysterious and brooding Owen. Giles discovers a prophecy of coming danger which would interfere with her plans, but she chooses Owen over battling the forces of darkness. When Giles goes out on his own and is trapped by a group of vampires, Buffy must figure out a way to balance dating and Slaying.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
Buffy: We haven't been properly introduced. (pulls out a stake) I'm Buffy, and you're history!
This is the first time that Buffy stakes a vampire in a graveyard in the teaser. A trend that will become classic as the series progresses.
The prophecy of the anointed one is kinda hokey.
Owen comes across as: brooding, bookworm, old fashioned (pocket watch), thrill seeker.
Owen described as: tall, solitary, mysterious, sensitive, and manly.
Buffy dreams of being a normal teenager mooning over cute guys, like any normal post pubescent girl.
This is the first we see of the struggle Buffy has of trying to juggle being a normal girl, with being the Slayer.
In the end Buffy decides that for the sake of Owens current safety/survival she needs to not date him since he is unaware of her status as the Slayer and wouldn't take the proper precautions to prevent being hurt or, more likely, killed.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - understandable
Giles - like
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - undecided
The Master - like
Overall I consider this a good episode compared to the rest of the season.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Teacher's Pet
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----------------------------
Xander, and most of the male population of Sunnydale High, are falling all over themselves trying to impress the new substitute Biology teacher, Ms. French. When Buffy sees this femme fatale scare off a particularly nasty vampire, however, she begins to suspect that Xander may be in serious trouble.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
Giles: .. God, every day here is the same.
Buffy: Bright, sunny, beautiful, how ever can we escape this torment?
Dr. Gregory seems like a a very good teacher who actually took the time and cared enough to motivate his students to do better. Its a shame we're on a hellmouth and he has to get killed off.
Angel gives Buffy his coat, which she wears for the remainder of the episode, and shows up again on and off through season 2.
Musetta Vander - Natalie French comes across to me more as an exotic beauty as opposed to a bombshell. The scene with her and Xander where she gives him a (drugged) martini is just wrong on so many levels.
The fork vampire acting as tracking dog is slightly amusing, but the entire episode just seems to be in search of a good story.
The praying mantis is the same one used in Babylon Five season1.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - understandable
Giles - like
Cordelia - absent
Angel - undecided
The Master - absent
Overall I consider this a very poor episode compared to the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
Xander, and most of the male population of Sunnydale High, are falling all over themselves trying to impress the new substitute Biology teacher, Ms. French. When Buffy sees this femme fatale scare off a particularly nasty vampire, however, she begins to suspect that Xander may be in serious trouble.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
Giles: .. God, every day here is the same.
Buffy: Bright, sunny, beautiful, how ever can we escape this torment?
Dr. Gregory seems like a a very good teacher who actually took the time and cared enough to motivate his students to do better. Its a shame we're on a hellmouth and he has to get killed off.
Angel gives Buffy his coat, which she wears for the remainder of the episode, and shows up again on and off through season 2.
Musetta Vander - Natalie French comes across to me more as an exotic beauty as opposed to a bombshell. The scene with her and Xander where she gives him a (drugged) martini is just wrong on so many levels.
The fork vampire acting as tracking dog is slightly amusing, but the entire episode just seems to be in search of a good story.
The praying mantis is the same one used in Babylon Five season1.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - understandable
Giles - like
Cordelia - absent
Angel - undecided
The Master - absent
Overall I consider this a very poor episode compared to the rest of the season.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
The Witch
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----------------------------
It's time for cheerleader tryouts, and Buffy can't resist! However, when the girls start getting knocked out of the competition by spontaneous combustion, sudden blindness, and other freak accidents, Buffy and the gang begin to suspect that someone may be behind these not so normal occurrences. Could someone be using dark magics in order to make the squad?
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
"...the thrill of living on a hellmouth -- one has a veritable cornucopia of fiends, devils and ghouls to engage -- Pardon me for finding the glass half full. "
After having viewed this episode, I'm not really left with a lot to say. The notebook stayed mostly empty, except for a couple of quotes.
In this episode we are introduced to Willow and Xander as ‘Slayerettes’ Surprisingly, the term isn’t actually used again until season four’s 'The I in Team.' Willow is established as the nerd/hacker of the team. Xander doesn't accomplish much except for pining for Buffy. He finds out that she sees him as 'one of the girls' while she is under the spell. There is a certain symmetry here since Willow finds out that even though she also (secretly) pines for Xander, he sees her as 'one of the guys.'
This marks the first appearance of Elizabeth Anne Allen as the spellbinding Amy Madison. The character pops up again in;
I was actually thinking of this during the episode, an unfilmed scene from the original script has Giles suggesting an alternative way of testing whether Amy is a witch.
"Yes, the ducking stool! We throw her in the pond. If she floats, she’s a witch; if she drowns, she’s innocent... some of my texts are a bit outdated."
Yes, I'm a Python fan.
I overlooked this the first couple of times I watched the episode.
Buffy: There's just things about being a vampire slayer that the older generation has a problem with.
Joyce: A what?
Foreshadowing
XANDER: ...you don't have to drive it through my head like a railroad spike.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - absent
The Master - absent
Overall I consider this an average episode compared to the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
It's time for cheerleader tryouts, and Buffy can't resist! However, when the girls start getting knocked out of the competition by spontaneous combustion, sudden blindness, and other freak accidents, Buffy and the gang begin to suspect that someone may be behind these not so normal occurrences. Could someone be using dark magics in order to make the squad?
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
"...the thrill of living on a hellmouth -- one has a veritable cornucopia of fiends, devils and ghouls to engage -- Pardon me for finding the glass half full. "
After having viewed this episode, I'm not really left with a lot to say. The notebook stayed mostly empty, except for a couple of quotes.
In this episode we are introduced to Willow and Xander as ‘Slayerettes’ Surprisingly, the term isn’t actually used again until season four’s 'The I in Team.' Willow is established as the nerd/hacker of the team. Xander doesn't accomplish much except for pining for Buffy. He finds out that she sees him as 'one of the girls' while she is under the spell. There is a certain symmetry here since Willow finds out that even though she also (secretly) pines for Xander, he sees her as 'one of the guys.'
This marks the first appearance of Elizabeth Anne Allen as the spellbinding Amy Madison. The character pops up again in;
- Season 2 (1998) - "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered"
- Season 3 (1999) - "Gingerbread"
- Season 4 (1999) - "Something Blue"
- Season 6 (2001–02) - "Smashed"; "Wrecked"; "Doublemeat Palace"
- Season 7 (2003) - "The Killer in Me"
I was actually thinking of this during the episode, an unfilmed scene from the original script has Giles suggesting an alternative way of testing whether Amy is a witch.
"Yes, the ducking stool! We throw her in the pond. If she floats, she’s a witch; if she drowns, she’s innocent... some of my texts are a bit outdated."
Yes, I'm a Python fan.
I overlooked this the first couple of times I watched the episode.
Buffy: There's just things about being a vampire slayer that the older generation has a problem with.
Joyce: A what?
Foreshadowing
XANDER: ...you don't have to drive it through my head like a railroad spike.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - absent
The Master - absent
Overall I consider this an average episode compared to the rest of the season.
The Harvest
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 rescues Willow and Xander, but Jesse is left in the hands of the vampires. Buffy no longer resists her calling, but immediately begins to plan a rescue. Because they are already involved, Giles tells Xander and Willow about vampires and demons, and that Buffy is the Slayer.
They are overwhelmed by it all, but they insist on helping Buffy. Meanwhile, Luke and the other vampires are planning to begin The Harvest, a dark ritual that will free the Master from his underground prison. Needing to slaughter innocents for the ritual, they descend upon The Bronze to feed. And only the Slayer stands in their way.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
"One thing's for sure. Nothing is ever gonna be the same. "
This was originally aired along with part 1. Obviously this doesn't mean much when viewing these on DVD. It continues with Luke in the mausoleum getting ready to bite Buffy. He's then scared off by her cross(?). Seems kind of wimpy for a bad ass vamp who's hundreds(?) of years old. Especially when in the same episode Jesse, a newly turned vamp, knocks a cross out of Xander's hand relatively easily.
We get an explanation of the vampire mythos in the Buffyverse. Vampires were created by the last demon to leave the earth when he intermingled his blood with a humans after feeding on them. Thus the first vampire was created, and have spawned since.
We also get an explanation for all the tunnels underneath Sunnydale the vamps use, they're electrical tunnels.
Like the little scene with Cordelia and Willow in the computer lab. Cordelia puts down Buffy and Willow has her delete the program she's writing.
As has been pointed out by several people the weapons chest Buffy has is a very good visual of what is going on in her life here. When Buffy opens the chest we see all the trappings of a normal life that a girl might keep, but hidden underneath we see all the accouterments of the Slayer.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - undecided
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - undecided
The Master - leaning towards like (for a bad guy)
Overall I consider this a poor episode compared to part one as well as the rest of the season.
Opening bookmark quote for the entire span of the series.
Giles: The earth is doomed. (sarcastic)
----------------------------recap----------------------------
Buffy rescues Willow and Xander, but Jesse is left in the hands of the vampires. Buffy no longer resists her calling, but immediately begins to plan a rescue. Because they are already involved, Giles tells Xander and Willow about vampires and demons, and that Buffy is the Slayer.
They are overwhelmed by it all, but they insist on helping Buffy. Meanwhile, Luke and the other vampires are planning to begin The Harvest, a dark ritual that will free the Master from his underground prison. Needing to slaughter innocents for the ritual, they descend upon The Bronze to feed. And only the Slayer stands in their way.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
"One thing's for sure. Nothing is ever gonna be the same. "
This was originally aired along with part 1. Obviously this doesn't mean much when viewing these on DVD. It continues with Luke in the mausoleum getting ready to bite Buffy. He's then scared off by her cross(?). Seems kind of wimpy for a bad ass vamp who's hundreds(?) of years old. Especially when in the same episode Jesse, a newly turned vamp, knocks a cross out of Xander's hand relatively easily.
We get an explanation of the vampire mythos in the Buffyverse. Vampires were created by the last demon to leave the earth when he intermingled his blood with a humans after feeding on them. Thus the first vampire was created, and have spawned since.
We also get an explanation for all the tunnels underneath Sunnydale the vamps use, they're electrical tunnels.
Like the little scene with Cordelia and Willow in the computer lab. Cordelia puts down Buffy and Willow has her delete the program she's writing.
As has been pointed out by several people the weapons chest Buffy has is a very good visual of what is going on in her life here. When Buffy opens the chest we see all the trappings of a normal life that a girl might keep, but hidden underneath we see all the accouterments of the Slayer.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - undecided
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - undecided
The Master - leaning towards like (for a bad guy)
Overall I consider this a poor episode compared to part one as well as the rest of the season.
Opening bookmark quote for the entire span of the series.
Giles: The earth is doomed. (sarcastic)
Welcome to the Hellmouth
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 Summers is the Slayer, but after being expelled from her old high school for burning down the gym (full of vampires) she just wants to forget about her destiny and be a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She and her mother move from L.A. to Sunnydale, California. A new school, new friends, and a chance to start over.
But Sunnydale is on top of a Hellmouth -- a center of mystical convergence that draws evil and demonic forces -- and Buffy soon realizes that she will have to pick up her stakes and holy water in order to save her new friends.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
"In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer."
I like how the teaser opens with what appears to be a generic horror scenario. Boy and girl sneaking away to have sex (presumably), and just when we get to the part where the girl, or both the boy and girl, get killed our expectations are completely overturned and the girl turns into a vampire and kills the boy.
Overall a passable job of introducing our protagonists, the story, the setting, and our villains for the season.
The episode does well in establishing that our heroine is super powered compared to ordinary folks. She has greater than human strength and reflexes as well as what appear to be prophetic dreams. Background info. is established for the other main characters, but Buffy's story is already established. She is not new to slaying vampires. She has already had to fight for her life, lost her friends, and been kicked out of her former school because of her calling. She doesn't want to do this any more. However when she sees what's happening, vampire going off with one of her new friends, she can't just stand idly by.
The other main characters are introduced as rounded individuals that we can like or hate from the start. Don't get me wrong, there is a long way to go in establishing a 3-dimensional character background for our core four, but they start off feeling like someone we might have known in our own high school. There is only so much that can be done in an hour, and this does a passable job of introducing our protagonists to the audience.
Sunnydale is established as a small town;
'Well, not much goes on in a one Starbucks town like Sunnydale."
"...It's in the bad part of town. About a half a block from the good part of town. We don't have a whole lot of town here."
"It's two hours on the freeway from Neiman Marcus."
"This is Sunnydale! How bad an evil can there be here?"
We are introduced to Angel, who gives Buffy several gifts, a cross and information about the Harvest. The Big Bad (the Master) also makes his appearance before the end of the cliffhanger.
My view/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - undecided
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - undecided
The Master - undecided
Overall I consider this a good episode compared to part two as well as the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
Buffy Summers is the Slayer, but after being expelled from her old high school for burning down the gym (full of vampires) she just wants to forget about her destiny and be a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She and her mother move from L.A. to Sunnydale, California. A new school, new friends, and a chance to start over.
But Sunnydale is on top of a Hellmouth -- a center of mystical convergence that draws evil and demonic forces -- and Buffy soon realizes that she will have to pick up her stakes and holy water in order to save her new friends.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
"In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer."
I like how the teaser opens with what appears to be a generic horror scenario. Boy and girl sneaking away to have sex (presumably), and just when we get to the part where the girl, or both the boy and girl, get killed our expectations are completely overturned and the girl turns into a vampire and kills the boy.
Overall a passable job of introducing our protagonists, the story, the setting, and our villains for the season.
The episode does well in establishing that our heroine is super powered compared to ordinary folks. She has greater than human strength and reflexes as well as what appear to be prophetic dreams. Background info. is established for the other main characters, but Buffy's story is already established. She is not new to slaying vampires. She has already had to fight for her life, lost her friends, and been kicked out of her former school because of her calling. She doesn't want to do this any more. However when she sees what's happening, vampire going off with one of her new friends, she can't just stand idly by.
The other main characters are introduced as rounded individuals that we can like or hate from the start. Don't get me wrong, there is a long way to go in establishing a 3-dimensional character background for our core four, but they start off feeling like someone we might have known in our own high school. There is only so much that can be done in an hour, and this does a passable job of introducing our protagonists to the audience.
Sunnydale is established as a small town;
'Well, not much goes on in a one Starbucks town like Sunnydale."
"...It's in the bad part of town. About a half a block from the good part of town. We don't have a whole lot of town here."
"It's two hours on the freeway from Neiman Marcus."
"This is Sunnydale! How bad an evil can there be here?"
We are introduced to Angel, who gives Buffy several gifts, a cross and information about the Harvest. The Big Bad (the Master) also makes his appearance before the end of the cliffhanger.
My view/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - undecided
Cordelia - dislike
Angel - undecided
The Master - undecided
Overall I consider this a good episode compared to part two as well as the rest of the season.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)