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 has parental issues when Joyce comes home with a boyfriend, the computer expert and master chef Ted, whose charming personality impresses everyone. Everyone except Buffy that is, who is not at all willing to give her mother up to someone new. Even Willow and Xander seem to love him, and Buffy must find a way to prove that her fears about Ted are something more than simple jealousy.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
Willow: And you're loving playing nursemaid?
Buffy: Oh, yeah!
Xander: So, is it better than playing naughty stewardess?
Good character development, average dialogue and a good plot.
The second appearance of the sad/depressed overalls.
The second time a robot is featured in a major role. The first was I Robot You Jane. Still to come are Adam, April and Buffy-bot.
Giles and Jenny make up in this episode, after their rift in The Dark Age.
Foreshadowing
Buffy: Oh, Will, you're supposed to use your powers for good!
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.
Musings on life and other matters.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
What's My Line? pt. 2
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 is attacked by the mysterious girl and during the fight learns that her name is Kendra and that she is a Vampire Slayer. Apparently, Buffy's temporary death at the hands of the Master was enough to activate the next Slayer, and she has come to Sunnydale. They call a truce, and Giles convinces them to work together to save Angel from Spike and Drusilla.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: It's your lucky day, Spike.
KENDRA: Two Slayers!
BUFFY: No waiting!
Good character development, average dialogue and an average plot.
Only now does Giles admit that there is a Slayer's Handbook, once Kendra mentions it - despite having told Buffy that there's no such thing in Never Kill a Boy on the First Date.
Spike was originally intended to be killed off in this episode.
Half-pint perennial victim Jonathan falls into danger once again, when he's grabbed by Patrice (assassin #3) as a hostage.
Willow kills a vampire for the first time in this episode. It's also the first time we actually see Giles dust one on-screen.
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 an average episode compared to the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
Buffy is attacked by the mysterious girl and during the fight learns that her name is Kendra and that she is a Vampire Slayer. Apparently, Buffy's temporary death at the hands of the Master was enough to activate the next Slayer, and she has come to Sunnydale. They call a truce, and Giles convinces them to work together to save Angel from Spike and Drusilla.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: It's your lucky day, Spike.
KENDRA: Two Slayers!
BUFFY: No waiting!
Good character development, average dialogue and an average plot.
Only now does Giles admit that there is a Slayer's Handbook, once Kendra mentions it - despite having told Buffy that there's no such thing in Never Kill a Boy on the First Date.
Spike was originally intended to be killed off in this episode.
Half-pint perennial victim Jonathan falls into danger once again, when he's grabbed by Patrice (assassin #3) as a hostage.
Willow kills a vampire for the first time in this episode. It's also the first time we actually see Giles dust one on-screen.
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 an average episode compared to the rest of the season.
What's My Line? pt. 1
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 "Career Week" at Sunnydale High, and Buffy is faced with the reality that she has no future apart from her destiny as the Slayer. Meanwhile, in order to stop Buffy from interfering in his plans, Spike sends four deadly assassins to ensure the Slayer has no future. Also, a mysterious girl is following Buffy and Angel around, and Xander and Cordelia are trapped in Buffy's house after being attacked by one of the assassins.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: A whole week of 'What's My Line?' only I don't get to play.
Good character development, average dialogue and an average plot.
Even Bianca Lawson, the actress paying Kendra, didn't like her accent. Another nitpick, Kendra and her apparent ability to survive asphyxiation. Aircraft holds are not pressurized, despite what Hollywood will have you believe.
Willow and Oz finally meet - having almost done so in previous episodes "Inca Mummy Girl" and "Halloween"
The term "Scooby Gang" is used for the first time.
Willy’s Place is seen for the first time.
Cordelia and Xander kiss.
Despite dialogue in this episode to the effect that the Order of Taraka never calls off an assassination once hired, the next episode, "Ted," reveals Angel to have persuaded the Order to do so.
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 an average episode compared to the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
It's "Career Week" at Sunnydale High, and Buffy is faced with the reality that she has no future apart from her destiny as the Slayer. Meanwhile, in order to stop Buffy from interfering in his plans, Spike sends four deadly assassins to ensure the Slayer has no future. Also, a mysterious girl is following Buffy and Angel around, and Xander and Cordelia are trapped in Buffy's house after being attacked by one of the assassins.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: A whole week of 'What's My Line?' only I don't get to play.
Good character development, average dialogue and an average plot.
Even Bianca Lawson, the actress paying Kendra, didn't like her accent. Another nitpick, Kendra and her apparent ability to survive asphyxiation. Aircraft holds are not pressurized, despite what Hollywood will have you believe.
Willow and Oz finally meet - having almost done so in previous episodes "Inca Mummy Girl" and "Halloween"
The term "Scooby Gang" is used for the first time.
Willy’s Place is seen for the first time.
Cordelia and Xander kiss.
Despite dialogue in this episode to the effect that the Order of Taraka never calls off an assassination once hired, the next episode, "Ted," reveals Angel to have persuaded the Order to do so.
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 an average episode compared to the rest of the season.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
The Dark Age
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 secrets of Giles's dark past come back to haunt him when an old friend turns up dead in Sunnydale. As a troubled youth, Giles (known then as "Ripper") and his friends summoned a demon called Eyghon, The Sleepwalker. Now, Eyghon has returned and is hunting down the people who used to call him up for their amusement. And the only two left are Rupert Giles and Ethan Rayne.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: I'm not gonna lie to you. It was scary. I'm so used to you being a grownup, and then I find out that you're a person.
GILES: Most grownups are.
Good character development, average dialogue and an average plot.
Basically a Giles character development episode.
Angel saves Jenny's life at the end. Kind of ironic considering what happens in Passion.
At the end we see a break in the Giles - Jenny romance as a result of the events in this episode.
Second of the three appearances of Ethan Rayne. Halloween and Band Candy were the others. Just love his line;
ETHAN: Now, this may sting a little just at first. But don't worry, that'll go away once the searing pain kicks in.
Just of a bit of misinformation in the show. Willow says the Etruscans predate the Egyptians. Maybe in the Buffyverse, but in our reality its the other way around by a couple of millenia.
Foreshadowing
Angel choking Jenny Calendar.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Spike - absent
Angel - neutral
Overall I consider this an average episode compared to the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
The secrets of Giles's dark past come back to haunt him when an old friend turns up dead in Sunnydale. As a troubled youth, Giles (known then as "Ripper") and his friends summoned a demon called Eyghon, The Sleepwalker. Now, Eyghon has returned and is hunting down the people who used to call him up for their amusement. And the only two left are Rupert Giles and Ethan Rayne.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: I'm not gonna lie to you. It was scary. I'm so used to you being a grownup, and then I find out that you're a person.
GILES: Most grownups are.
Good character development, average dialogue and an average plot.
Basically a Giles character development episode.
Angel saves Jenny's life at the end. Kind of ironic considering what happens in Passion.
At the end we see a break in the Giles - Jenny romance as a result of the events in this episode.
Second of the three appearances of Ethan Rayne. Halloween and Band Candy were the others. Just love his line;
ETHAN: Now, this may sting a little just at first. But don't worry, that'll go away once the searing pain kicks in.
Just of a bit of misinformation in the show. Willow says the Etruscans predate the Egyptians. Maybe in the Buffyverse, but in our reality its the other way around by a couple of millenia.
Foreshadowing
Angel choking Jenny Calendar.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Spike - absent
Angel - neutral
Overall I consider this an average episode compared to the rest of the season.
Lie to Me
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----------------------------
Ford, an old friend of Buffy's from L.A., shows up unexpectedly in Sunnydale, and seems to know that she is the Slayer. When Xander, Willow, and Angel discover that he is involved with a cultish group of disillusioned teens who idolize vampires, they must find out Ford's true agenda before it's too late.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: Yeah. Does it (life) get easy?
GILES: What do you want me to say?
BUFFY: Lie to me.
GILES: The good guys are always stalwart and true, the bad guys are easily distinguished by their pointy horns or black hats, and, uh, we always defeat them and save the day. No one ever dies, and everybody lives happily ever after.
BUFFY: Liar.
Good character development, strong dialog and an average plot. Ford shows up and he's her BFF and he knows she's the Slayer. Kinda convenient, no? The more I watch the more the Ford character rubs me the wrong way.
Chanterelle/Lily/Anne is introduced. Love how the minor characters are developed with their own mini-arc throughout the series and into AtS.
Everybody lies, but one. An interesting note brought up is that everyone in this episode lies or keeps a secret (lying by omission) except for Spike. At this point though Spike isn't doing it out of the goodness of his heart/soul. It's because he has no reason/motivation to lie so why make the effort.
Foreshadowing
ANGEL: [to Drusilla about her and Spike] If you don't leave it'll go badly for all of us.
DRUSILLA: [to Angel] The Slayer. Your heart stinks of her. Poor little thing. She has no idea what's in store.
Vampire steals a book from the library, to be used later in "What's My Line?"
We're introduced to Chantarelle/Lily/Anne in this episode.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Spike - like
Angel - neutral
Overall I consider this a good episode compared to the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
Ford, an old friend of Buffy's from L.A., shows up unexpectedly in Sunnydale, and seems to know that she is the Slayer. When Xander, Willow, and Angel discover that he is involved with a cultish group of disillusioned teens who idolize vampires, they must find out Ford's true agenda before it's too late.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: Yeah. Does it (life) get easy?
GILES: What do you want me to say?
BUFFY: Lie to me.
GILES: The good guys are always stalwart and true, the bad guys are easily distinguished by their pointy horns or black hats, and, uh, we always defeat them and save the day. No one ever dies, and everybody lives happily ever after.
BUFFY: Liar.
Good character development, strong dialog and an average plot. Ford shows up and he's her BFF and he knows she's the Slayer. Kinda convenient, no? The more I watch the more the Ford character rubs me the wrong way.
Chanterelle/Lily/Anne is introduced. Love how the minor characters are developed with their own mini-arc throughout the series and into AtS.
Everybody lies, but one. An interesting note brought up is that everyone in this episode lies or keeps a secret (lying by omission) except for Spike. At this point though Spike isn't doing it out of the goodness of his heart/soul. It's because he has no reason/motivation to lie so why make the effort.
Foreshadowing
ANGEL: [to Drusilla about her and Spike] If you don't leave it'll go badly for all of us.
DRUSILLA: [to Angel] The Slayer. Your heart stinks of her. Poor little thing. She has no idea what's in store.
Vampire steals a book from the library, to be used later in "What's My Line?"
We're introduced to Chantarelle/Lily/Anne in this episode.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - like
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Spike - like
Angel - neutral
Overall I consider this a 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.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
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.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
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.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
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.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
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.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Reptile Boy
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 is pushing Buffy in her Slayer training, her mother's rules are becoming more and more strict, and Angel is growing more overprotective Buffy is feeling pulled apart. When Cordelia's college crush shows up on campus with a friend who has eyes for Buffy, Cordelia convinces Buffy to come with her to the frat party. But the party soon turns sinister, and Buffy learns the connection between the fraternity and the local girls who have recently gone missing. Xander, Giles, Angel and Willow must crash the party before all Hell breaks loose.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: Look, seven days a week I am busy saving the world. Once in a great while I wanna have some fun. And that's what I'm gonna have tonight. Fun!
This one has two out of the three things normally going for a Buffy episode. Good character development and witty dialog with a pretty mediocre plot and is just overall lackluster. It never quite strikes the right balance between the light and dark elements.
I like Willow's lecture to Angel and Giles, where she reams them for not taking Buffy's feelings into account.
The is the first time someone uses magic to try and make their situation in life better.
As a side note inside the snake costume is Robin Atkin-Downes, who was Byron, a telepath on Babylon 5.
On the whole this episode wasn't terrible. Just another MOTW, which just can't stand up against the season's real story arc.
Foreshadowing
ANGEL: This isn't some fairy tale. When I kiss you, you don't wake up from a deep sleep and live happily ever after.
BUFFY: No. When you kiss me I wanna die.
CORDELIA: You'll go to college someday, Xander. I just know your pizza delivery career will take you so many exciting places.
Willow becomes more confident and outspoken this episode.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - neutral
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Spike - absent
Angel - neutral
Overall I consider this a poor episode compared to the rest of the season.
----------------------------recap----------------------------
Giles is pushing Buffy in her Slayer training, her mother's rules are becoming more and more strict, and Angel is growing more overprotective Buffy is feeling pulled apart. When Cordelia's college crush shows up on campus with a friend who has eyes for Buffy, Cordelia convinces Buffy to come with her to the frat party. But the party soon turns sinister, and Buffy learns the connection between the fraternity and the local girls who have recently gone missing. Xander, Giles, Angel and Willow must crash the party before all Hell breaks loose.
--------------------------end recap--------------------------
BUFFY: Look, seven days a week I am busy saving the world. Once in a great while I wanna have some fun. And that's what I'm gonna have tonight. Fun!
This one has two out of the three things normally going for a Buffy episode. Good character development and witty dialog with a pretty mediocre plot and is just overall lackluster. It never quite strikes the right balance between the light and dark elements.
I like Willow's lecture to Angel and Giles, where she reams them for not taking Buffy's feelings into account.
The is the first time someone uses magic to try and make their situation in life better.
As a side note inside the snake costume is Robin Atkin-Downes, who was Byron, a telepath on Babylon 5.
On the whole this episode wasn't terrible. Just another MOTW, which just can't stand up against the season's real story arc.
Foreshadowing
ANGEL: This isn't some fairy tale. When I kiss you, you don't wake up from a deep sleep and live happily ever after.
BUFFY: No. When you kiss me I wanna die.
CORDELIA: You'll go to college someday, Xander. I just know your pizza delivery career will take you so many exciting places.
Willow becomes more confident and outspoken this episode.
My views/status of characters;
Buffy - like
Willow - like
Xander - neutral
Giles - like
Cordelia - like
Spike - absent
Angel - neutral
Overall I consider this a poor episode compared to the rest of the season.
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