----------------------------recap-------------------------------
When Cordelia flaunts her sure win for Homecoming Queen it awakens the prom queen within Buffy and the two vie brutally for the title. Meanwhile, the new vampire in town, Mr. Trick, rallies a group of tough vampires, demons and mercenaries together to play a game with the two Slayers... "Slayerfest '98."
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
| Trick: | Faith... Buffy... Have a nice death. |
| Cordelia: | Hello! How stupid are you people? She's a Slayer. I'm a Homecoming Queen! |
Good character development, OK dialogue and a so-so plot.
Good to see Cordelia's character get developed. The conflict between Cordelia and Buffy isn't really about any contention between the two of them, but about their regret of things they both can't have. Buffy has to deal with her destiny. She's the slayer and the weight of the world rests on her shoulders. Cordelia has no responsibility at all. She spends her life looking good and buying nice clothes. Not surprisingly, both want what the other has. By running for homecoming queen, Buffy tries to get some of the glamour and popularity that come so easily to Cordelia. And by scaring off the vampire, Cordelia demonstrates that she has some of the qualities that make a slayer. The conflict ends not because they've won, but because they've shown the qualities to compete in each other's worlds.
Meanwhile, two others who want what somebody else has: Willow and Xander. They want each other, but they are with Oz and Cordelia. And it's no accident that Cordelia tells Buffy she loves Xander. We get that insight so we can understand what's at stake. If Xander and Willow leave Cordelia and Oz, two people will be badly hurt. For all their reserved attitude, Cordelia and Oz really love Xander and Willow. And we know how bad it is being dumped. Buffy got dumped just this episode and, while she hasn't been going with Scott for long, it's still painful.
Willow and Xander realize their mutual attraction while dressing for the homecoming dance. This might the first time these childhood friends see each other as adults.The fluke (as Willow calls it) happens. And it has consequences. They overcompensate in helping Cordelia. This then leads to them arranging for Buffy and Cordelia to ride to the dance together. Which then leads to the confrontation of Slayerfest '98.
I know many fans believe Willow and Xander should get together. I don't. They've been such close friends for so long that I don't think they would get together at this point. That might just be me.
Finally, though we get to meet the mayor. He has been a shadowy and mysterious figure for some time now. It's good to have some of the mystery revealed. His introduction in this episode is an important glimpse of things to come. And he's basically telling Mr. Trick, the current vampire leader, that he is now working for/with him.
While consequences are handled quite well in the Buffyverse the ending doesn't seem to have any consequences. Buffy deliberately (albeit indirectly) kills "normal" humans as she manipulates the Gruenstahler brothers into shooting each other. Did they just then leave and let school maintenance and Snyder clean up the homicide? Just a small nitpick I have.
Foreshadowing
Buffy's wish for a perfect moment in high school will be granted in "The Prom".
Faith: Come on. We'll find a couple studs, we'll use 'em and... discard 'em. That's always fun. - Xander in "The Zeppo"
Mayor Wilkins: You have all my faith. - Faith later in the season.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Spike - absent
Angel - neutral
Oz - like
Overall I consider this an average episode compared to the rest of the season.
No comments:
Post a Comment