Band Candy

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.
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Mr. Trick enlists Giles's old buddy Ethan Rayne to manufacture and distribute boxes of candy which turn the adult population into uninhibited, irresponsible teenagers. While the adults are indisposed, the mysterious Mayor Wilkins pays a tribute to a demon.
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Buffy: Something's definitely changing them.
Willow: A spell?
Oz: They're teenagers. It's a sobering mirror to look into, huh?
Principal Snyder: [to Oz] You've got great hair.


Good character development, good dialogue and an average plot.

There’s a lot to enjoy in this episode, from the terrific teaser scene in the cemetery ("I'm going with 'B' - we haven't had 'B' in forever") to the sly final exchange (Buffy’s "At least I got to the two of you before you actually did something").

This episode all about responsibility and the theme comes throughout the episode. Giles lecturing Buffy about the SATs, Joyce refusing to let Buffy drive, The Mayor insisting that he has to keep his word to the demon, the children acting MORE responsible as the adults get LESS so, etc... "Band Candy" utilizes the monster-of-the-week (MOTW) format to give us a metaphor for growing up and taking responsibility for our lives. Buffy's becoming an adult. Even when it's not always such a great experience, like having to pay for the damage to her mother's "Geek Machine," she has to start taking charge of her destiny. But while exploring ideas of growing up and taking responsibility, it still manages to be one of the funniest episodes of the season. It also adds another layer to the often complicated Joyce and Giles relationship, which will be referenced again in "Earshot" and season five's "Forever."

Foreshadowing
SAT prep - Buffy will do surprisingly well "Lovers Walk."



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 a very good episode compared to the rest of the season.

Halloween

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.
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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.
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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.

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.
 
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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.

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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.