Consequences

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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When Faith refuses to face up to the consequences of her actions, Buffy tries to get help from Giles and Angel. When Xander goes to confront Faith alone, however, he may be biting off more than he can chew.
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FAITH: You sent your boy to kill me.
MAYOR: That's right, I did.
FAITH: He's dust.
MAYOR: I thought he might be. What with you standing here and all.
FAITH: I guess that means you have a job opening.


Great character development, good dialogue and a good plot.

Really the second part of a two parter with Bad Girls.


The consequences of our actions really sometimes suck. The big one Faith killing Finch. Then there's Faith and Buffy lying about Finch's death, Faith then lying about who killed Finch, Buffy and Giles excluding Wesley from dealing with Faith, Xander's quickie with Faith and the gang finding out about it. Pretty long list there, and all of it is addressed in this episode. Unfortunately as I said before the consequences can sometimes be truly bad.

This marks the first of several times that Wesley does what he feels is right, regardless of the results. He follows his own moral compass and even if you don't always agree with him, at least you understand his thinking on the matter. He's supposed to be Faith's Watcher, but Giles and Buffy are deliberately excluding him. They're keeping pertinent information from him and, what's more, they could be endangering other people by hiding Faith's crime. She nearly strangles Xander, after all. Wesley doesn't know the Scoobies and they don't know him. Why would he just allow them to undermine his authority and disobey Council rules? Even Willow sort of agrees with Wesley's point of view. He shows more backbone here than he did last week. He confronts Angel head on and owns up to his mistake to Giles and the gang, then offers to help.

Why do people have such a hard time disposing bodies in the Buffyverse? Faith dumps Alan's body and it pops back up again. Spike has the exact same problem in season six's "Dead Things."

Side note this is the 3rd murder investigation Buffy's been in over the last 2 years.

Foreshadowing
Angel trying to redeem Faith - AtS 5x5



My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Spike - absent
Angel - neutral
Oz - absent

Overall I consider this a good episode compared to the rest of the season.

Phases

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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Buffy and the gang track down a suspected werewolf roaming in the woods and also try to stay out of the way of a bloodthirsty hunter who is after the same beast. Meanwhile, Willow worries when Oz doesn't appear anxious to take their relationship to a physical level.
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Giles: Quite. And it, uh, acts on pure instinct. No conscience, predatory and aggressive.
Buffy: In other words, your typical male.
Xander: On behalf of my gender, hey!
Giles: Yes, let's not jump to any conclusions.
Buffy: I didn't jump. I took a tiny step, and there conclusions were.


Solid character development, good dialogue and a twist on an old plot.

The teaser opens with Oz looking at the cheerleader statue that contains Amy Madison's mother from the first season episode "Witch", remarking that its eyes "follow you wherever you go". Gotta love the continuity.

Angel "walks" Theresa home. And the killing begins. Although he tries to lay it off at the werewolf's feet, Oz doesn't bite. Angel does have Theresa give Buffy his love, after she vamps out.

Seth Green's portrayal of the incredibly laid-back Oz really shines ("Is Jordy a werewolf?... No, no reason") and the deepening affection between Willow and himself really comes across as genuine and wholesome. He gets an A in Willow with a gold star.

We find out that Larry is gay in a somewhat amusing locker room scene with Xander.

Could have totally left out Cain the werewolf hunter without affecting the episode much at all. He was completely superfluous.

Foreshadowing

Oz: (referring to Willow) Yeah. Yeah, she's actually an evil mastermind. It's fun.
Willow - season 6



My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Spike - absent
Angel/us - like
Oz - like

Overall I consider this a good episode compared to the rest of the season.