"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Marathon, a review by DJ Doena
Disc 2
Never Kill a Boy on the First Date
Synopsis: Giles has found a new prophecy that heralds the arrival of a new enemy. But Buffy doesn't really take it that seriously because she tries to have a social life besides her Slayer duties. And then she finds Owen, a quiet yet profound guy who is also interested in her. But can she really have a social life without endangering people (that are close to her)?
My Opinion: "Clark Kent has a job!" This episode was about the basic dilemma every superhero has to face: How much time is one allowed to have in which one doesn't protect other people. And Buffy made the same decision Clark made in
Smallville more than one time and Peter Parker made in
Spider-Man ("I will never forget these words: 'With great power comes great responsibility.' This is my gift. My curse. Who am I? I am Spider-Man!"). And yet
Buffy is different. She has friends that know her secret. Friends that stand by her and fight with her. They are her foundation, otherwise she would be just another Slayer and her life span would probably much shorter.
But I wander from the subject. I never cared much for the "Anointed One" (or "Annoying One" as Spike will put it) because he basically does nothing while he's on the show except for being a wise-ass. So I liked the episode more for its underlying topic than its main topic.
The Pack
Synopsis: During a visit to the city zoo something happens to a high school gang - and Xander. They get possessed by the spirit of a hyena and henceforth they behave like a pack of hyenas. They are cruel, nasty and prey on the weak. And they eat the school mascot. But it gets even worse and Buffy, Willow and Giles try to get the old Xander back.
My Opinion: This is one of the rare episodes where the focus is on Xander. And he's also allowed to be one of the bad guys. I think they played the pack very well. But even though Buffy didn't kill that zoo guy directly she threw him into the cage. Granted it was in a fight but I am quite certain that in later episodes they draw a fine line between killing monsters and killing Humans.
I also liked it that they played the "forgetfulness" card just to show that it was a bluff. This joker was played far too often on
Smallville.
Angel
Synopsis: Buffy and Angel (a mysterious man that drops in and out of her life to warn her about impending doom) get attacked by a group of Vampire warriors and Angel gets hurt. Buffy invites him to her home and tends to his wounds. But then the unthinkable happens: When they kiss, Angel turns into a Vampire himself! He flees but returns and has apparently attacked Buffy's mom. Now Buffy's out for a kill.
My Opinion: One of my favourite episodes of the season. I really liked Darla's more practical approach of using firearms against a Human. Luckily her death isn't the end of her story - as it rarely is in the Buffyverse. And while (until now) Xander might have been jealous of Angel, now his new philosophy is: Only a dead Angel is a good Angel. It's basically the dark side of Xander's character and one day his philosophy will include Spike, too.
What bothered me about the first season was that there were too many "special Vampires" in comparison to later seasons. First the "Aurelius" guys from two episodes ago, now these warrior types. They are famous enough to appear in some ancient books yet they are not good enough to survive at least one episode and it's not even Buffy's "fault".
I Robot, You Jane
Synopsis: Ms. Calendar teaches computer class at Sunnydale High and she has started a project to scan all the library books. Unfortunately they also scan Giles's more "exotic" books and they release a demon into the internet that was spell-bound in one of the books. But before Buffy realizes this the demon Moloch has already some of the students under his spell - especially Willow. She believes that Malcolm is a nice guy and that Buffy is jealous of her. Fortunately Giles, Xander and Buffy don't have to fight alone: Ms. Calendar is not only a teacher, but also a techno-pagan.
My Opinion: The story is a bit ridiculous yet fun to watch. The whole idea of an ancient demon who uses the internet and builds himself a new body.
But I loved the exorcism scene where Ms. Calendar was typing the counter-curse into the computer and Giles was spellchecking her.
And the episode ended in a real whedony fashion when the three sat in front of the school and looked upon their past love lives and then concluded they are doomed.
And while I don't exactly share his sentiment, I really liked Giles's statement about books:
Ms. Calendar:
Honestly, what is it about [computers] that bothers you so much?Giles:
The smell.Ms. Calendar:
Giles:
(From "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Marathon on March 21st, 2009)
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May 14, 2024, 04:35:55 PM
The book describes them as rolling black masses that just envelop everything in their path until there is nothing left. The movie portrays them as vicious, thrashing entities with rows of jagged teeth and a hunters instinct. These idiotic computer generated 'things' almost ruined the entire movie for me after a stellar start. I was so thankful when that segment was over.
