tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post2481970667207628858..comments2024-02-04T05:13:04.501-05:00Comments on Nik at Nite: Buffy Rewatch Week 42Nikki Staffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04463618183850438914noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-16626640201014667312011-10-21T07:14:36.885-04:002011-10-21T07:14:36.885-04:00@Marebabe
I certainly thought of everyone aboard t...@Marebabe<br />I certainly thought of everyone aboard the frieghter. ;) Granted my overriding thought was oh god Jin.<br /><br />As for Dawnie,It took many a rewatch to even understand how alone she felt wether justified or not,she still felt alone.<br />Buffy's not much better at coping with being alone..all of S6 proves that.(as does part of S3,specifically the start of the season & when she pretty much leaves the scoobies to play hooky with Faith.)Missyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11352179063117525571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-60053001057569126312011-10-20T18:37:46.383-04:002011-10-20T18:37:46.383-04:00Nikki: Buffy was called when she was Dawn's ag...<br>Nikki: <i>Buffy was called when she was Dawn's age. That flashback we had in "Becoming" where we saw her fighting vampires for the first time, coming home and staring into the mirror and finding that resilience within herself to go it alone... she was 15. When season 1 opens, she has *just* turned 16. When you compare who she was in S1 with Dawn in these episodes, you're seeing two VERY different women. Dawn still requires a babysitter for some reason, yet Buffy was out patrolling every night, saving the world.</i><br /><br />First: What Quarks said.<br /><br />Second: Dawn only requires a babysitter because Buffy (and the other "elders") say so — even though they're perfectly happy leaving her to her own devices at other times of day when she's eminently accostible. Like I pointed out earlier, this is both infantilizing <i>and</i> inconsistently unsound.<br /><br />Third: Buffy did indeed grow into her role, and quickly, but even if you disregard the pushback she gave Giles early on (which I grant was only human) or the movie version's reluctance to embrace her Slayerness, both the movie and the flashback in "Becoming" clearly show her to be totally self-absorbed before Merrick approached her, perhaps a trait that was mysticogenetially passed on to Dawn.<br /><br />I think that Dawn has been pretty strong when backed up against a wall. She just hasn't been faced with the constant threat of the Hellmouth the same way Buffy has, despite living in Sunnydale since she was 10 or so (in everyone's memory); in fact, for all of her actual existence and most of her remembered one since Buffy was called as the Slayer, her view of the supernatural has been a very mixed bag — vampires aren't always evil and even watch out for you at your sister's request, the apocalypse comes often and is averted (in fact, you may only find out after the fact), mortal combat with arcane forces is something whose effects you see frequently but is battled and overcome with bizarre jollity.<br /><br />VW: <i>olexcurl</i> — Superman taunting his bald arch-enemy with the forelock on his lush head of hair.<br /><br>Blamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07342343767763035991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-32252003947451459032011-10-20T17:56:44.249-04:002011-10-20T17:56:44.249-04:00@Blam: Regarding the poor civilian at death’s door...@Blam: Regarding the poor civilian at death’s door, we never got invested in him. (Did we even know his name?) We are VERRRY invested in Willow, and want what’s best for her. <br /><br />It’s interesting, both yesterday and today, things have been kind of slow at work, and I’ve been passing the time between calls re-reading some of the excellent discussions we had on Nikki’s LOST rewatch. Remember when the Kahana blew up? Right before that, we saw the Zodiac craft going back and forth with background characters, ferrying them to the Kahana. When the freighter exploded, all we were focused on was the death of Michael, the supposed death of Jin, and how devastated Sun was. It wasn’t until the rewatch that I even realized that the Kahana went down with all hands, the totally anonymous crew, and some of the last redshirts from Flight 815. We weren’t thinking of them at all, because the story wasn’t about them.Marebabenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-6209095550280984352011-10-20T17:48:44.172-04:002011-10-20T17:48:44.172-04:00@Nikki: But then you have to consider that a) Dawn...@Nikki: But then you have to consider that a) Dawn is technically less than 2 years old (as a human), and b) she has been through a lot more than Buffy had when she was 16. For a start, she has the knowledge that most of her memories are fake and that the connections she has with people were all created by the monks. Further to that, she has had to deal with the death of her mother and Buffy. She probably clings to Buffy and the others so much this season because she's now aware of how easily they could be taken away from her and she wants to make the most of what time they have.<br /><br />Also, recall in 'The Weight of the World' Buffy's reaction to losing Dawn to Glory. That was a similar situation to the one Dawn would be in with her mum and Buffy dead, and Buffy was 20 then.<br /><br />Finally, people have mentioned how the Scoobies aren't doing well without Giles around. Could you not consider that a vaguely similar situation to the one Dawn's in? Buffy accused Giles of abandoning her when he left in 'Tabula Rasa', yet we don't complain about her. Of course Dawn's situation takes place over a longer time which is probably why it annoys people, but perhaps she needs to be cut some more slack?Quarksnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-67994679533493338302011-10-20T16:00:09.360-04:002011-10-20T16:00:09.360-04:00JavaChick: I will admit, despite my Dawn snark thi...JavaChick: I will admit, despite my Dawn snark this week, I've been more sympathetic to her this time around (well, with the exception of the episodes where I just want her to STOP). But here's my reason for finding her so childish: Buffy was called when she was Dawn's age. That flashback we had in "Becoming" where we saw her fighting vampires for the first time, coming home and staring into the mirror and finding that resilience within herself to go it alone... she was 15. When season 1 opens, she has *just* turned 16. When you compare who she was in S1 with Dawn in these episodes, you're seeing two VERY different women. Dawn still requires a babysitter for some reason, yet Buffy was out patrolling every night, saving the world. <br /><br />Now, I realize there is a big difference between a first child and a second, that first-born children are the leaders and the protectors, and the second-born children tend to be the siblings who require the protection, even when they're adults, but there's a huge difference in their personalities. <br /><br />But I do agree with you on so many levels; that scene in the beginning of the season with Dawn curling up next to the Buffybot at night breaks my heart every time.Nikki Staffordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04463618183850438914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-89176459112438458372011-10-20T13:18:32.495-04:002011-10-20T13:18:32.495-04:00I haven't read through all of the comments so ...I haven't read through all of the comments so I apologize if I'm repeating anyone, but I was thinking about Dawn and her reliance on the Scoobies for company and her lack of other friends. Last season, Dawn's mother died and Buffy took over. Then Buffy died, but Dawn had to pretend that she was still around. She had Willow and Tara taking care of her and everyone else pitching in to make sure she wasn't left alone.<br /><br />Then Buffy comes back and she's distant. Willow & Tara break up and Willow is distracted by her own problems. Xander and Anya are distracted by their wedding. Spike is distracted by Buffy.<br /><br />I'd think it would have been difficult for Dawn to keep up friendships while having to hide all this emotional baggage. While everyone was focused on taking care of her, she was probably okay, but suddenly everyone is too busy with their own problems to pay attention. <br /><br />Add to that the normal teenage proclivity to feel like you are alone in the world and no one really understands you...Well, it doesn't seem unreasonable to me that she'd feel abandoned and alone.<br /><br />Re: Dawn & Riley bonding - When Joyce was sick, Buffy did ask Riley to look after Dawn a few times and I remember a scene with Riley & Dawn at an amusement park. Also, when Riley left, Dawn did seem affected.<br /><br />Other thoughts...I forgot how funny Tara was with Spike in Older and Far Away - we don't see that side of Tara often. As You Were - I always liked Riley and in this one I felt pain on Buffy's behalf as I saw her hopes being dashed, and squirmed along with her over the pathetic-ness that is her life right now. Hell's Bells made me angry (and of course sad every time after) the first time around. No one is ever allowed a lasting, happy relationship in TV land and it frustrates me. I thought Xander & Anya were really good together.<br /><br />For me, these were three emotional-wringer episodes.JavaChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06816858010039395389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-89832999859227939252011-10-20T07:55:38.840-04:002011-10-20T07:55:38.840-04:00but which contains a plot twist in the denouement ...<i>but which contains a plot twist in the denouement or resolution that I consider fatally flawed and colors my enjoyment of the entire piece no matter how faithfully the creator's vision is executed — like Jo's choice of suitor in Little Women.</i><br /><br />But I love Papa Bhaer - especially when he was William Shatner.Colleen/redeem147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-65063099446583166822011-10-19T22:39:29.174-04:002011-10-19T22:39:29.174-04:00Page48: Riley just forgot to mention to the SLAYER...<br>Page48: <i>Riley just forgot to mention to the SLAYER that he wanted that demon alive. She's not the CATCHER, Riley, she's the freaking SLAYER.</i><br /><br />Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!<br /><br />Page48: <i>GILES, PLEASE COME HOME!!!</i><br /><br />I'd love to have seen a running gag in a previous episode when Anya's mailing out the wedding invitations and each member of the gang surreptitiously sneaks a little scrap of paper with exactly this phrase into the envelope being sent to Giles when the others aren't looking.<br /><br />Giles <i>has</i> to have been invited to the wedding, even though there's not the barest throwaway line (that I recall) about why he's not there. [Quarks: Thanks for the note about the deleted scene!]<br /><br />Efthymia: <i>"Hell's Bells" is too painful to watch. Really, I couldn't bring myself to rewatch it. I remember what happens, and I realised that I don't want to experience that again.</i><br /><br />I came close to not watching it again myself.<br /><br />Quarks: <i>I think that if this were an earlier season and Buffy was whining about Joyce not paying attention to her we'd be on Buffy's side, because we are naturally aligned with her as the main character. So when Dawn annoys Buffy she annoys us as well.</i><br /><br />Good point... I never had the Joyce hate that some folks have and certainly don't have the Dawn hate, but I hadn't thought before about how they triangulate on us looking at each character from Buffy's perspective when in fact they each represent roles that Buffy played to the other (teenage [and only] girl to mother / mother figure).<br /><br />Quarks: <i>The 16th episode (Lost number!) of each season always seem to be fantastic, and some of my favourites in the series:</i><br /><br />I admit that there's quality plotting, dialogue, and performance in "Hell's Bells" but it's far from a favorite for me because of how it ends. Rather it's like one of those novels or films that may be expertly written (and shot, and performed, <i>etc.</i>) but which contains a plot twist in the denouement or resolution that I consider fatally flawed and colors my enjoyment of the entire piece no matter how faithfully the creator's vision is executed — like Jo's choice of suitor in <i>Little Women</i>.<br /><br />Suzanne: <i>The marriage of Riley and Sam is a sham as far as I am concerned.</i><br /><br />Wooly Bully!<br /><br>Blamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07342343767763035991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-3577520598352252072011-10-19T22:28:05.066-04:002011-10-19T22:28:05.066-04:00The comments on the comments...
Marebabe: I liked...<br>The comments on the comments...<br /><br />Marebabe: <i>I liked that Willow was strong and didn’t cave in when everyone was pressuring her to do a spell.</i><br /><br />Even though it meant that a poor civilian was lying there in agony at death's door?<br /><br />Colleen: <i>I noticed ... something ongoing in the season - bad ADR. </i><br /><br />You too, huh?<br /><br />Colleen: <i>How did Dawn get the coat out of the store without activating the security tag?</i><br /><br />I'm more concerned, in terms of plot believability, that she didn't notice it was there the whole time she was admiring the coat in her room and folding it up to giftwrap.<br /><br />Colleen: <i>Buffy takes a big leap from guidance councillor to vengeance demon.</i><br /><br />I didn't really buy that leap myself, even if this is Sunnydale and even if she <i>is</i> the Slayer. Although there's recent precedent in her realizing, if a bit belatedly, that the events of "Dead Things" were a big set-up by the Evil Trio.<br /><br />Colleen: <i>I had a friend with a theory that he was really Warren in a glamour to humiliate Buffy, and Sam was a robot. I prefer his version.</i><br /><br />I liked this when you posted it in the spoiler section and I like it now.<br /><br />Colleen: <i>Enough with the hair already!</i><br /><br />Really... It's not even that noticeable, nor is it the most dramatic hairstyle change on the series (by far).<br /><br />VW: <i>reggless</i> — Wantonly dismissive of the work of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, <i>et al.</i><br /><br>Blamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07342343767763035991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-51583699434515662542011-10-19T22:23:57.008-04:002011-10-19T22:23:57.008-04:00Sorry; I think Groo's a total doofus.
I know...<br>Sorry; I think Groo's a total doofus. <br /><br />I know that the reference is anachronistic given when <i>Angel</i> first aired, but he strikes me as the answer to the question "What if Andy Samberg were cast as Conan the Barbarian with hair that was ridiculous even for a movie that cast Andy Samberg as Conan the Barbarian?"<br /><br />The only thing that I kind-of like about Groo is that he strikes me as a live-action version of... Groo. I have to wonder if anyone involved in developing and naming Groo was familiar with Sergio Aragonés' long-running <a href="http://www.comics.org/issue/36941/cover/4/" rel="nofollow">Groo the Wanderer</a>, reverse-engineering "the Groosalug" from the nickname "Groo"; coincidence is possible, but the resemblance is impossible to avoid if you're aware of the comics character — dim-witted protagonist of clever, heartfelt sword-&-sorcery parodies. <i>Angel</i>'s Groo isn't really enough of a stupid slab of beef to be funny, however, nor does he have enough of a personality to be, well, interesting.<br /><br />Nikki: Your "Oops" entries usually bring up stuff I'd never even noticed, so I was surprised that there was no <i>Once Bitten</i> entry for "Couplet" about the obvious switch in Wesley's handwritten translation from the first shot to later ones of the same paper. Maybe it's all the time I've spent refining my own cartoonist's hand and distinguishing the styles of various letterers, but the lack of continuity there really bugged me.<br /><br />The line in "Older and Far Away" where Buffy refers to having killed the demon that she'd clearly thought had gotten away was <i>not</i> one of the "Oops" moments I'd missed, incidentally.<br /><br />I'm totally with you on the idiocy of Gunn and Fred taking so long to check the camcorder they'd brought with them on the "Couplet" stakeout, Nikki, but I didn't mind the dichotomy in tone of the hamburger drive-thru menu in "Loyalty".<br /><br />Not meaning to disrespect anyone's religious beliefs, but when the revelation about the blood that Angel's been drinking is made I can't help thinking that a perfect episode title would've been "The Father, the Son, and the... Holy $#*%!"<br /><br />VW: <i>conalpie</i> — A tall pointy dessert, with crust, made of pudding, meringue, fruit, <i>etc.</i><br /><br>Blamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07342343767763035991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-84596571585047248902011-10-19T22:18:29.274-04:002011-10-19T22:18:29.274-04:00I can't stand "Hell's Bells".
...<br>I can't stand "Hell's Bells". <br /><br />Xander and Anya didn't strike me as long-term material when they got together on first watch <i>or</i> rewatch, and I've never been sure if we question the seriousness of their relationship because the writers are doing their job or because they're <i>not</i> doing their job. But Anya's constantly revised vows here are the stuff of melt, and there's no question at this point that these wacky kids love each other as much as they can love anyone, with all their baggage, and exactly the way that the other needs. Except... <i>*thunk*</i> <br /><br />However realistic you think Xander's decision is, either because his fears are valid or simply because it's a proper character choice, out of all the tragedies that occur during <i>Buffy</i>'s seven seasons this is one that I most want to ignore, to expunge, to erase from existence.<br /><br>Blamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07342343767763035991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-28827960739043313892011-10-19T22:17:24.294-04:002011-10-19T22:17:24.294-04:00You know, "Doublemeat Palace" and "...<br>You know, "Doublemeat Palace" and "As You Were" remind me that The Watchers' Council doesn't like Buffy having a social life; they certainly wouldn't approve of her being a wage-slave — if not demeaning, it's certainly flat-out ridiculous when you consider that it could be time spent training, studying, meditating, battling incessant evil even more hours of the day, or just recuperating so that she's in top form. Maybe they should give the Slayer a stipend?<br /><br />So in Sunnydale apparently the mail comes first thing in the morning when the garbage is picked up.<br /><br />Dawn saying to Riley "I thought it would suck less this time" makes no sense to me because, frankly, she considered Riley a tool. Or at least that was so in her voiceover in "Real Me"; I'm not sure that the point was followed up on much, but neither do I recall Dawn and Riley ever bonding.<br /><br>Blamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07342343767763035991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-77574415155124509742011-10-19T22:05:11.032-04:002011-10-19T22:05:11.032-04:00The random episode musings...
You want to hate on...<br>The random episode musings...<br /><br />You want to hate on Dawn, fine, but not only is it a little irresponsible and inconsiderate of the (relative) grownups to be neglecting her — it's <i>stupid</i>. Maybe she's no longer the Key, but she's a 15-year-old girl in Sunnydale and <i>the Slayer's sister</i>; that's a pretty tempting and valuable target. I watch the gang's <i>laissez-faire</i> attitude towards Dawn's activity in "Older and Far Away" and can't believe that ignorance isn't some supernatural schtick of the week.<br /><br />I won't deny that sometimes Dawn is written as thick or self-absorbed or petulant, but on almost every such occasion those around her are written as equally (mostly uncharacteristically) thick or self-absorbed or harsh. Each member of the Buffy / Willow / Xander triumvirate <i>has</i> been caught up in their own stuff to the extent that they miss seeing that the others (<i>and</i> Dawn) have been dealing with their own issues. That's basically the theme of the season as epitomized by "Once More with Feeling".<br /><br />Dawn could be acting like a kid because she's used to being treated like a kid or because, for all the yearnings towards adulthood and boundary-pushing that's natural at her age, she quite literally never really had a childhood and has had to deal with one whole hell of a lot since being retroactively inserted into reality as a person.<br /><br />To put it another way...<br />Anya: "I think she's possessed."<br />Xander: <i>"She's a teenager."</i><br /><br>Blamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07342343767763035991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-92064128926183839792011-10-19T21:33:32.582-04:002011-10-19T21:33:32.582-04:00The standout lines...
Buffy 6.14 "Older and ...<br>The standout lines...<br /><br /><b><i>Buffy</i> 6.14 "Older and Faraway"</b><br />Buffy: "We do <i>not</i> joke about eating people <i>in this house.</i>"<br /><br /><b><i>Buffy</i> 6.15 "As You Were"</b><br />Dawn: "Some vamp get rough with you?"<br /><br /><b><i>Buffy</i> 6.16 "Hell's Bells"</b><br />Buffy: "We must share equally in the cosmic joke that is bridesmaidsdom."<br /><br /><b><i>Angel</i> 3.14 "Couplet"</b><br />Angel: "That's my favorite broadsword!"<br /><br /><b><i>Angel</i> 3.15 "Loyalty"</b><br />The Loa: "Your insolence is displeasing."<br />Wesley: "Try chatting with a cranky hamburger."<br /><br /><b><i>Angel</i> 3.16 "Sleep Tight"</b><br />Angel: "You look like Hell. And not the fun one where they burn you with hot pokers for all eternity, but the hardcore one — you know, Nixon and Britney Spears."<br /><br />VW: <i>mingrate</i> — Mickey Mouse's girlfriend in one of her moods.<br /><br>Blamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07342343767763035991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-41630431049730900522011-10-19T11:19:19.552-04:002011-10-19T11:19:19.552-04:00I wish I could be as nice as Marebabe and only fin...I wish I could be as nice as Marebabe and only find the good things to discuss about this episode, but I am afraid I am not that nice! :) Although, I enjoy seeing glimpses of the old Willow and the old friendship dynamics between Willow and Buffy (her "I have your back" attitude in "As You Were") as well as Tara's strong presence in "Older and Far Away", I mostly have nitpicks about the first two of the three we watched this week. <br /><br />I hate the way the writers conveniently make Spike look so bad when they want to contrast him to characters like Riley or when they want to emphasize the disgust Buffy feels about her relationship with him. I find the egg story-line to be disgusting, not Buffy's relationship with Spike. How could the Spike who allowed himself to be tortured by Glory in order to protect Dawn, or the Spike who fought beside the Scoobies and took care of Dawn after Buffy's death, be the same Spike who would be this "Doctor." It just makes no sense and is a weak effort on the writers part to contrast him with Riley.<br /><br />As for Riley, I am not a Riley hater. In fact, I enjoyed Buffy and Riley's budding romance in Season 4. However, the Riley that comes back is very stiff and one-dimensional. I found his "commanding" behavior towards Buffy and his wife to be offensive. I noticed that in the fight scenes before his wife came into the picture, he seemed to be almost pushing Buffy of to the side in order to "protect" her. Since when did she need him to protect her? As much as I appreciate the fact that she had an epiphany of sorts after his visit, I really hate the lame way that the writers forced it to come about since it seemed very stilted and forced.<br /><br />The marriage of Riley and Sam is a sham as far as I am concerned. For the life of me, I can't understand Sam's character. First we see Riley looking like he is almost ready to kiss Buffy when Sam enters the picture as utters the lamest line of the series "what are you doing with my husband" or something to that effect. She seems upset, but her upset seems to be directed at Buffy; why not Riley? If my husband was in a pose similar to Riley's with his ex, I wouldn't be talking to the woman, I would be talking directly to him and not in a nice manner. Then Sam does a 180 and is all accomodating to everyone, including Buffy. It was just lame. I can't think of another way to describe it. Riley was obviously not over Buffy either, and Sam said as much when she said that it took him a full year to get over Buffy. If that was true, how long did he have to fall for Sam and get married? A month, two months? Is Sam, Riley's Spike? Is he just using her to get over Buffy or worse to make her jealous? The only aspect of the whole episode I enjoyed was Willow and the way she seemed to be back to her earlier self.<br /><br />My other major nitpick is Dawn. Why did the writers make her so annoying? They seem to be different people than the ones who wrote Buffy, Xander, Willow, Cordelia, and Oz as teens. Is Dawn from some demon tribe of teenagers who acts a lot different from modern-day teens in America. Her behavior is unbelievable, even given the idea that she is somehow different because of the monks. If that is the explanation, they should have played on it more and included more references to it.<br /><br />"Hells Bells" was excellent, even though it was so sad. The opening of the episode is one of my absolute favorite Buffy openings. Anyone who has been a bridesmaid as many times as I have (about ten times with what I hope will be the last time being just last weekend) can relate to Willow and Buffy's horrified reaction to their dresses. It was pricelss.Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-64561123556831040502011-10-19T09:19:47.158-04:002011-10-19T09:19:47.158-04:00Cont'd:
The interesting thing about 'Hell...Cont'd:<br /><br />The interesting thing about 'Hell's Bells' is that before this episode if you had to guess who would get cold feet about the wedding I imagine that most people would say Anya. It feels as though her doubt have been shown much more than Xander's in the previous weeks; for example we have had Halfrek's conversation with her in 'Doublemeat Palace', her claustrophobia in 'Older and Far Away' and several other scenes which make her seem to be the one who would break it off. But she is able to put her doubts aside for the sake of her love for Xander. Unfortunately, he can't do the same.<br /><br />If this episode had been several seasons earlier I probably would have hated Xander at the end, much like I did when he would get jealous over Buffy and Angel. But instead I feel sorry for him. Not as sorry as I feel for Anya, I have to say, but I do understand his doubts, especially with his parents. That's not to say I don't get slightly angry with him in the final scenes; he doesn't want to hurt Anya later, so he's hurting her now? That's insane troll logic.<br /><br />According to Buffyverse wiki there was a deleted scene which explained why Giles was missing from the wedding. I wish they had included that in the episode, as that was the one thing that annoyed me about this episode when I first watched it.<br /><br />One thing I really like about this episode is how it gives Anya a chance to come to the front. Of all the main characters in 'Buffy', Anya is one who hasn't had as much clear character development as others, like Willow and Spike. So it's nice to see her have an opportunity to take centre stage (along with Xander) and show us how she's changed from before. That final set of vows, where she explains how she finally gets love, show a very different Anya from the one we first met in Season 3.<br /><br />The 16th episode (Lost number!) of each season always seem to be fantastic, and some of my favourites in the series:<br />Season 2: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered<br />Season 3: Doppelgangland<br />Season 4: Who Are You?<br />Season 5: The Body<br />Season 6: Hell's Bells<br />I've missed out Season 7's purely because I don't know exactly what counts as spoilers, but it is also a fairly good episode (for season 7).<br /><br />Overall, a very good week of episodes. And next week will prove even further why I think this is the most heartbreaking season.Quarksnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-12033381175465560682011-10-19T09:19:19.567-04:002011-10-19T09:19:19.567-04:00I really like this week's episodes. 'Older...I really like this week's episodes. 'Older and Far Away' is, for some reason, one of my favourites of this season. I mean, it's not as awesome as 'OMWF' or 'Tabula Rasa', or some of the ones yet to come, but it is a really enjoyable episode and I love watching it. I don't mind 'As You Were' as much as some people do, but I wouldn't say it's one of the best episodes this season. 'Hell's Bells' is a fantastic episode, and is one of the reasons why this entire season breaks by heart.<br /><br />'Older and Far Away' is really the peak of Dawn's whiny-ness , but I still don't hate her as much as some people do. I think that if this were an earlier season and Buffy was whining about Joyce not paying attention to her we'd be on Buffy's side, because we are naturally aligned with her as the main character. So when Dawn annoys Buffy she annoys us as well. <br /><br />As for Dawn not having friends her own age, there are probably good reasons for that. The monks probably made her particularly attached to Buffy so that she would be around Buffy more and be safer. Also, I remember back in 'Family' when Buffy forbade Dawn from visiting a friend called Melinda because she didn't like her hanging around with someone that short. It's no wonder she doesn't have any friends her own age.<br /><br />One of main things I like about 'Older and Far Away' (aside from Clem) is Tara. She's really awesome in this episode: supporting Buffy, making fun of Spike, and defending Willow. I love the scene where she stands up to Anya in defence of Willow; and it's nice to see Willow and Tara getting closer again. <br /><br />It doesn't particularly bother me that Willow refused to use magic to help in this episode. They live in Sunnydale; if Willow used magic every time somebody's life was in danger then it would be like her never giving up at all. Also, it shows how much conviction Willow has to remaining 'sober', even under pressure.<br /><br />The return of Riley in 'As You Were' doesn't particularly bother me. He is probably one of my least favourite main Buffy characters, but I wouldn't say that I hate him. Unlike his wife who feels too perfect and extremely artificial. But him returning with his 'perfect' life is quite important, as it shows how even someone in the demon-hunting business can have their happily-ever-after, and it makes Buffy realise what she is doing.<br /><br />I know the residents are Sunnydale are fairly ignorant of the supernatural things going on but surely even they aren't gullible enough to believe Riley's "National Forestry Service, we got a wild bear!"Quarksnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-72415277867268098022011-10-19T07:51:00.337-04:002011-10-19T07:51:00.337-04:00"I'm using you,and it's killing me!&q..."I'm using you,and it's killing me!"-Buffy Summers<br /><br />The final scene in 'As You Were' is pretty much perfect..from the dialogue to the direction to the acting.<br />When the camera pans around to Buffy and zooms in and the bright light engulfs the space around her head..you almost believe that we have no control over our lives(it was too perfect to have stumlbed upon).It's a really beautiful shot.<br /><br /><br />Lol And now I'm done.Missyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11352179063117525571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-15375850640459009052011-10-19T07:15:30.744-04:002011-10-19T07:15:30.744-04:00Oops forgot to mention,I adore the scene between W...Oops forgot to mention,I adore the scene between Willow & Xander in the kitchen.It gets to the very core of why they have such a deep realtionship and will continue to have each others backs.<br /><br />As for AtS<br /><br />It boils down to this<br />As much as I think Mark Lutz is a cutie and real sweet(in person),I'm a Cordy & Angel fan and tend to skip his big comeback in S3.<br />And this Holtz & Justine(I abhor what they do, but I'm sooo intrigued by both characters)kiddnapping Connor and hurting Wesley.Angel the character and AtS will NEVER be the same after this(nor will Wesley,or the rest of the gang)<br />Holtz and Justine have just changed the trajectory of the series and no-one can really say wether it was for the best or the worst.Missyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11352179063117525571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-42724872739691688202011-10-19T06:54:38.049-04:002011-10-19T06:54:38.049-04:00'Older And Far Away'
HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY B...'Older And Far Away'<br />HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY Buffy<br />Too bad about your klepto Sister and that Demon skewering your party guests.<br />Really!That Girl should just avoid her birthday...it never goes well.<br />Anya & Tara are standouts in this ep along with Clem.<br />Anya accusing Willow of not having self control and in turn Tara sticking up for Willow...such an intense scene.<br />I love Tara making fun of Spike's muscle cramp and Anya hyperventaling in Buffy's room.<br />And Clem just being Clem the cool young uncle everyone wants.Lol<br />Poor Sophie and Richard,they had no idea what they were in for.<br />And then theres Hallie and William a nod to the past or an after thought..I tend to think the latter with what I've read on the subject.Either way I like it.I always have.<br /><br />'As You Were'<br />Thank God for Sam,I like her more than anyone should..after all she is just Riley's Wife..but that is infact why I like her..She keeps Riley occupied and away from Buffy..that and she lets Riley think that he's the tough guy that he thought he couldn't be around Buffy.I like that she's soo confident in herself that she's willing to let Riley believe he's the "man" in that relationship.<br />When clearly it's her.<br />Then theres the whole Spike/Egg debacle..Out of left field doesn't even come close to what that it felt like seeing that play out.<br />Xander fawning over Riley(like old times)was fun to see,Xander sorta admits in 'Triangle' that he's going to miss Riley.<br />And Willow trying her best to HATE Sam for Buffy's sake only to really connect with and like her.Lol<br /><br /><br />'Hell's Bells'<br />Wowza,It's one of my fav eps...but boy does it rip your heart out, then stand in front of you poking hot pokers into it laughing while you slowly die.<br />It took a looooong time for me to forgive Xander for standing Anya up(or leaving in the middle,whatever it maybe)...but when I did I felt horrible for Xander,he truely loves Anya and didn't want to ruin her life the way he watched his Mother and Father ruin each others and his.He's just a 21yr old guy that wanted to do the right thing by the woman he loved.Granted he went the wrong way about it..but still he was trying to protect her and thats what Xander does he protects the women in his life ,from Demons,from themselves and fromm him.<br />Anya's vows(all variations)are some of my fav words ever written.<br />Willow and Tara are sooo cute(when there helping Anya out).<br />Buffy getting teary while trying and failing to tie Xander's tie is a sweet moment between the two(that I long for in one of next weeks eps)<br />Hallie and D'Horryn bickering is funny.<br />And I'll give Dawn some props for talking&making friends with that kid with the horns ,even if it did inadvertently lead to Anya finding out that Xander had run off.<br />And god the agony when Xander is trying to explain his reason for not wanting to get married right now,Nicky does a great job and Emma is beautiful in her reaction ,pleading with him to have faith in their love.Missyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11352179063117525571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-83680866235927320892011-10-19T05:59:48.344-04:002011-10-19T05:59:48.344-04:00"Hell's Bells":
Ralisation-resulting..."Hell's Bells":<br />Ralisation-resulting-from-this-rewatch #3658545: "Hell's Bells" is too painful to watch. Really, I couldn't bring myself to rewatch it. I remember what happens, and I realised that I don't want to experience that again.<br /><br />Personally, I hate weddings; I hate the formalities, and the parents thinking they have the right to invite whomever they want to ("My collegue's niece invited us to her wedding, so we HAVE TO invite her! And I don't care that you've never met your cousin Anna, she's family and her parents had invited me when they got married."), and all the money wasted on a dress that will never be worn again, etc; I hate that it means that your relationship has to somehow change just because of a ceremony. So, Xander not wanting or not feeling ready to go through that, I'm with him. BUT: It was Xander who asked Anya to marry him, and when she denied, believing he only asked because he thought they were going to die, he insisted that he wanted to marry her. And when she told him that he wouldn't reveal their engagement because he had second thoughts, he insisted that he wanted to marry her. And every time she detected any kind of hesitation or stress, he insisted that he wanted to marry her. Anya gave him many chances to back off and he didn't. He knew what his parents were like (WE knew what his parents were like since very early on the show). When you've reached the wedding day, the wedding moment actually, friggin' shut up and get married, and you can get a divorce afterwards!<br />Xander made a whole deal about Cordelia breaking up with him, made her choose him over her "friends" and then cheated on her with Willow; he wouldn't return Willow's affections until after she was in a relationship with someone else; and now this. He's one of the crappiest boyfriends ever.Efthymianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-38454808708351936042011-10-19T05:59:29.255-04:002011-10-19T05:59:29.255-04:00"Older and Far Away":
Making the same o..."Older and Far Away":<br /><br />Making the same observation as Colleen/redeem 147, why doesn't Dawn get friends of her own who are the same age as her? She's always acting as if the others are supposed to hang out with her all the time; they spend too much time with her already!<br />And since we're on the Dawn subject: Yes, Dawn, people are worried that some unknown force is keeping them inside the house because they want to leave you, because, you know, it's all about YOU! I'm not a fan of physical violence, but this girl gets the worst out of me...<br />In spite of the Dawn annoyingness, though, I really enjoy this episode.<br /><br />With Willow and Tara we witness that awful awkwardness when you share the same group of friends with an ex :/<br /><br />House imprisonment, disappearing violent demon, and still the one thing that makes this a very bad party is Monopoly. I mean, come on, MONOPOLY?! Lamest. Party. Ever.<br /><br />Ah, there are no words to describe how much I adore Clem!<br /><br /><br />"As You Were":<br /><br />If Doublemeat Palace smells anything like McDonalds or KFC, I'm with the guy! No offense to all you nice people from the US, but your fast-food chains really stink.<br /><br />So let me get this straight: Riley's been gone for just a year and in that short period of time he managed to meet, fall in love with and marry someone?! Brrr...<br />Good thing Buffy got rid of him when she did, he's weird (at best).<br /><br />Buffy shot at Spike's records! That's mean...<br /><br />So let me get this straight (Part II): They're trying to make Spike look bad in contrast with Riley? Really?<br /><br />And mr. Graham F. Scott, as I've mentioned numerous times before, I don't dislike Riley because he's a bland cheeseball, I dislike him because he's a sexist who is more comfortable taking orders than thinking for himself. I can't speak for anyone else, but as far as I'm concerned, my Riley-hate doesn't stem from comparisons between him and Angel (whom I was never crazy about anyway) or Spike (who DOES indeed make a great TV character who you probably wouldn't want to come across in real life) but from who he is as a character himself. And just because neither Angel nor Spike are good boyfriend material for Buffy, it doesn't mean that Riley is.<br />As a feminist, I find the fact that men like Riley quite worrisome.Efthymianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-48823653342421503002011-10-19T02:32:42.723-04:002011-10-19T02:32:42.723-04:00I don't have much to say about Buffy that hasn...I don't have much to say about Buffy that hasn't already been said, except, that I didn't like Riley's wife at all. Could she have been anymore perfect? Totally unbelievable.<br /><br />But Angel....Whoa! <br /><br />First things first...Remember when I said I wanted Fred and Gunn together? I take that back. They have NO chemistry at all. It's actually kind of awkward to watch them.<br /><br />Okay, enough of the little things. Lets get to the meat and potatoes here!<br />I did NOT see that ending coming at all!<br />Is Wesley dead?! (No, don't tell me!) ;)<br /><br />This is going to break Angel. Ugh, I think his week has been the toughest so far for me to not watch ahead!Christina Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-69448670693317029322011-10-18T21:24:37.624-04:002011-10-18T21:24:37.624-04:00"Don't you want your garbage?"
Clem..."Don't you want your garbage?"<br /><br />Clem managed to mellow out since the card game, where he had some unsavory words for the Slayer. Apology accepted, Clem (if you ever get around to it).<br /><br />Wowsers, Buffy just snapped that sword over her knee. Reminds me of Bo Jackson back in the day.<br /><br />Riley just forgot to mention to the SLAYER that he wanted that demon alive. She's not the CATCHER, Riley, she's the freaking SLAYER.<br /><br />Klepto-Dawniac thinks no one will notice that she who has no income can afford to a) buy a leather jacket and b) give it away. Writers soooooo didn't have a clue what to do with Dawnie once she was no longer The Key. <br /><br />Xander and Anya. The Wedding. Wake me when it's over. The problem I had is that I don't give a toss about whether they get married or not, which exempts me from that achy-breaky-heart feeling that I just know I should have (but don't) when the wedding goes south. But, I will say, "Xander, make up your mind already".<br /><br />"I'm sorry, William". Nice touch, Buffster.<br /><br />GILES, PLEASE COME HOME!!!Page48https://www.blogger.com/profile/09728079057077761364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30892649.post-38506516607430790602011-10-18T21:09:56.761-04:002011-10-18T21:09:56.761-04:00I really felt much more of an emotional impact fro...I really felt much more of an emotional impact from the Angel episodes this week. I stated last week that I was dreading what was about to happen as I knew it was coming and just couldn't bear it. And all this time, Cordelia is off with Gru. Angel needs you now more than ever, Cordy. Come home. It is the most heartbreaking episode, for both Angel and Wesley, and the fallout can't be anything but devestating. If only Wesley had spoken up and told Angel, or ANYONE, what he had deciphered from the prophecy, and this could have been avoided. Just like the good old days on LOST when no one would tell anyone else what was going on and bad things and misgivings would always happen. <br /><br />I so adore Lorne, and he looked really "hot" in that orange shirt. I wish he had more to do on the show than babysit Connor, but I'll take what little I can get. Lilah...ugh. I spit upon you. You make me sick. <br /><br />Hells Bells is Buffy's devestating episode of the week, and one in which the events could have been predicted ever since Once More with Feeling and the song and dance that Anya and Xander performed. It makes it no less sad, and the final scene between Anya and D'Hoffryn is equally dismaying...<br /><br />Dawn (whom I can usually tolerate) has really been pushing my buttons lately. The only episode in which she could be tolerated at all was in Hells Bells, as she remained mostly in the background, and yet, even then she had to interrupt Xander and whine about one of the presents getting "loose" or "away" or whatever. LOVED the opening scene with Willow and Buffy discussing the horror of the bridesmaid dresses, and then Anya coming in and just adoring them. I heart Anya. She looked beautiful, and Emma acted her heart out in that episode.<br /><br />I liked the exchange between Spike and Buffy at the wedding. It was sweet. I heart Spike.Lisa(until further notice)noreply@blogger.com