The Prom

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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The biggest night in High School life is just around the corner, when strange creatures start appearing around town attacking anyone in formalwear. Meanwhile, Angel tells Buffy that he wants her to have a chance at the normal life that he could never give her. He plans to leave Sunnydale after the Ascension. Buffy must put aside her own pain and try to track down the source of the demonic Hellhounds in time to save the Senior Prom.
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Anya: The power of the Wish made me a righteous sword to smite the unfaithful.
Xander: Well, hey! Good luck with that. Hope it works out for you.
Anya: You know, you can laugh, but I have witnessed a millennium of treachery and oppression from the males of the species, and I have nothing but contempt for the whole libidinous lot of them.
Xander: Then why you talking to me?
Anya: [averting her eyes] I don't have a date for the prom.
Xander: Well, gosh! I wonder why not. It couldn't possibly have anything to do with your sales pitch?
Anya: Men are evil... Will you go with me?
Xander: One of us is very confused, and I honestly don't know which.


Good character development, good dialogue and an average plot.

A nice breather episode before the finale.

The prom is considered a rite of passage, part of growing up. Buffy in accepting her nature, her responsibility, and the realities of her life shows that she has grown up. It's evident in her acceptance of Angel's decision to leave. And she makes that acceptance clear. First with Willow and later telling Angel, at the prom, that she understands why he's doing what he is. But there are other signs of maturity. Believing her big night has been ruined, Buffy determines that her friends will still get to enjoy their big night. She takes charge. She orders Wesley (to Tucker's house) and Giles (to the prom to watch over the others). And they comply. This is a more mature Buffy in control. And it's only apropos that having given up on her dream of a perfect night, while working to make the night perfect for everyone else, she actually gets her dream fulfilled. The students recognize her help and protection and Angel comes through in the end.

Minor gripe: Joyce’s visit to Angel at the mansion is an odd and bizarre scene that doesn't make much sense. I know what the writers are trying to do here, but it just comes off as awkward. Nevertheless, it’s quite amusing. You can just imagine what went through Joyce’s mind when she saw the manacles.


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

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

Go Fish

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 several members of the Sunnydale High swim team are mysteriously skinned alive, Buffy and the gang take it upon themselves to protect the remaining members, which results in Xander revealing a side of himself rarely seen.
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Coach Marin: What kind of question is that? For the win! To make my team the best they could be! Do you understand we have a shot at the State Championship?
Buffy: Do you understand that I don't care? It's over. There's not gonna be any Swim Team.
Coach Marin: Boy, when they were handing out school spirit, you didn't even stand in line, did you?
Buffy: No. I was in the line for shred of sanity... (Coach Marin pulls out a gun, aiming at her) Which you obviously skipped.


Average character development, average dialogue and an average plot.

A filler episode before the season finale.

The theme at the core of this episode is that schools treat their athlete's differently in order to increase the school's reputation. We see several examples of how the swim team works to a different set of standards: members playing solitaire in Willow's computer class, bullying other students, and even Cameron attempting to force his advances on Buffy, all of which are virtually ignored to make sure the school's success at sports isn't jeopardized.

Very Black Lagoon feel to the monster. This is even referenced in the episode by Xander. Plus you gotta love his quote from Jaws; "this was no boating accident."


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

Overall I consider this an average episode compared to the rest of the season.