Episode reviews from a first time watcher

POSTED BY: fredgiblet
UPDATED: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 07:40
VIEWED: 16352
PAGE 1 of 1

FREDGIBLET

Thursday, August 10, 2006 5:22 AM

I didn't watch Buffy (or Angel) when they were on for a variety of reasons. Firefly opened my eyes to Joss which resulted in my trying Buffy.

I am currently going through the entire series (and probably Angel later) and I felt like sharing my experiences. As such I was thinking of posting my reviews of each episode here. I'll probably start by skimming seasons 1 and 2 tomorrow (I'm on 3 right now). There will be many spoilers (but if you're here you've probably seen most\all of the show), and if I start to annoy anybody then feel free to let me know and I'll stop.

I'll use this thread for all my reviews so as not to clutter the board. See you soon.

ECGORDON

Thursday, August 10, 2006 3:54 PM

I also never saw Buffy or Angel before becoming a Firefly fan, but I have seen all of them now, and I have all but the final seasons of each on dvd. Just yesterday I started over with season 1 of Buffy. It will be interesting to read your opinions.

wo men ren ran zai fei xing.

DEEPGIRL187

Thursday, August 10, 2006 6:46 PM

I'm seeing stuff for the first time myself, and so far I've had a blast. What disc of season 3 are you on?

*************************************************

"See, this is a sign of your tragic space dementia. All paranoid and crotchety, it breaks the heart."

FREDGIBLET

Thursday, August 10, 2006 7:48 PM

Just watched Gingerbread (wierd ep) last night. Going at about the rate of 4 eps a night.

ZORPRIME01

Thursday, August 10, 2006 8:16 PM

I too became a Buffy/Angel fan through Serenity/Firefly. I just can't get enough Joss. A friend even bought me the Star Wars spoof shirt that says "Joss Whedon is my master now!"

Anyway, I went backwards, first seeing Angel on TNT & then buying all the dvds and watching that series. Now I'm watching Buffy, and I'm currently in the middle of season 5. I'm also re-watching eps with my wife, and we're precisely in the same spot as you in season 3.

So far three is my fave season, though I've really enjoyed two and five so far as well.

"If wishes were horses, we'd all be eatin' steak."

DESKTOPHIPPIE

Thursday, August 10, 2006 8:27 PM

Yay! I love seeing Buffy fans here

Season 3 is a real treat and is pretty much my favourite one, although season 5 comes a very close second. I really enjoy reading poster's reactions to the episodes, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Looking forward to long discussions on the show!

More animations available at http://desktophippie.googlepages.com

FREDGIBLET

Friday, August 11, 2006 2:28 AM

First off, while my reviews will likely be full of spoilers I would appreciate if people kept from posting their own spoilers of later episodes please.

Now for the reviews.

Episode 101: Welcome To The Hellmouth

We meet Buffy and the gang (or what will soon be the gang). We meet Buffy and find out that she has shall we say...a history, she has apparently been in a lot of trouble and is looking to straighten out her life. Unfortunetly she picked the wrong place for that.

I liked Buffy's interactions with Giles (first meeting, meeting after she sees the dead guy and "you didn't hone"), but was less than impressed by Cordelia (preppy ditz) and Xander (clueless bumbling guy).

Willow on the other hand while a bit stiffly performed was quite funny, Luke was kind of cool (wish he didn't die, he would have been a better villan than the Anointed One (but I'm getting ahead of myself)).

Angel...it is very interesting looking at Angel in episode one and contrasting with the Angel of the season 2 finale flashbacks, what a difference a year can make (but once again, ahead of myself). I didn't know what to think of Angel at this point but I thought he had potential (and if I didn't already know he was a vamp then I probably wouldn't have guessed).

The Master definitely seemed interesting and looked like he had the potential to be a really good villan.

I'm sorta skimming over the eps right now because I don't want to spend 45 minutes re-watching each one (especially since season 1 is my leaast fave so far). When I get to seasons 2 and 3 I'll get a little more in depth (maybe).

FREDGIBLET

Friday, August 11, 2006 3:01 AM

Episode 102: The Harvest

Where Buffy saves the world for the first time (that we see (not counting the movie (which is only partially accurate in this continuity))). The opening scenes of the episode show the biggest issue that I have with Buffy, the whole "she punched me so I'm going to run away" and "the bad girl is scaring me" syndromes that so many of the redshirt vampires have. I liked the exposition after the theme, it was well scripted and funny, while being quite informative without seeming to be written specifically to be informative.

Angel appears again, in another contradicted-later scene ("I'm afraid"), Cordelia is still an annoying ditz, but Xander shows that he can be a cool character as well. Personally I still (as of 1/3 through of season 3) don't like Cordelia, she has had some very good moments but for the most part she has been annoying and IMHO the poorest acted of the Scooby Gang. Willow was kinda bad the first season, but she picked up a lot faster than Cordelia.
EDIT: Clarification: Liked Willow's character, but not the acting.

The Master is even cooler now than he was last ep, but the fight scenes are just as bad (decapitation by cymbal? that belongs in cartoons). Don't get me wrong about the fights though, I just have issues with the cheese factor and how stiffly everyone seems to move while fighting. Also I don't like the anti-climax style of death that some of the villans come up against (Jesse getting bumped onto the stake), I'll be revisiting this complaint soon enough.

The whole storyline was failry decent but nowhere near the later continuity episodes.

FREDGIBLET

Friday, August 11, 2006 3:03 AM

Just a note, to keep from confusion it would probably be best if you put the episode number with your posts.

FREDGIBLET

Friday, August 11, 2006 3:23 AM

Episode 103: The Witch

An interesting episode, gives a new take on the damaging aspects of parents trying to relive their glory days through their kids. We have a little more background on the world (witchcraft and the like), and the twist that was not entirely unexpected. I didn't care much for the stereotypical things (green boiling cauldron, black cat) though. I thought it was interesting that they showed Buffy as being quite vulnerable this early on, most hero-type shows aren't interet.

Cordelia again is the ditz ("hmmm, I can't see anything, maybe I should go driving!"), Xander may be kinda dumb but at least he's funny. Xander and Willow officially start the Scooby Gang in this ep ("we are a team right?").

The story is kind of good and shows how the team is already forming fairly well. A decent if unspectacular episode

FREDGIBLET

Friday, August 11, 2006 3:49 AM

Episode 104: Teachers Pet

I'm already finding the mini-intro at the beginning of each ep annoying. I'm glad that they've ditched it (I hope permanently).

The male fantasy scene at the beginning of the ep was hilarious with Xander killing the vamp and playing his guitar.

The first scene with Angel was pretty good, Xander's immediate dislike for Angel (based off of his physical attractiveness) was funny, the interaction between Angel and Buffy was good and shows development of their relationship. "Fork guy" was a pretty stereotypical enemy, and the fight with him was uninteresting. Miss French was an interesting enemy, but the final fight was somewhat lacking (probably due to the low special effects budget).

Buffy and Angel are starting to be attracted to each other (Angel has a head start but I'm getting ahead of myself), and there are some trust issues within the team (a later-season Xander probably wouldn't blow off Buffy's warning). Overall a decent episode but again, nothing spectacular.

KANEMAN

Friday, August 11, 2006 3:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by fredgiblet:
Episode 104: Teachers Pet

I'm already finding the mini-intro at the beginning of each ep annoying. I'm glad that they've ditched it (I hope permanently).

The male fantasy scene at the beginning of the ep was hilarious with Xander killing the vamp and playing his guitar.

The first scene with Angel was pretty good, Xander's immediate dislike for Angel (based off of his physical attractiveness) was funny, the interaction between Angel and Buffy was good and shows development of their relationship. "Fork guy" was a pretty stereotypical enemy, and the fight with him was uninteresting. Miss French was an interesting enemy, but the final fight was somewhat lacking (probably due to the low special effects budget).

Buffy and Angel are starting to be attracted to each other (Angel has a head start but I'm getting ahead of myself), and there are some trust issues within the team (a later-season Xander probably wouldn't blow off Buffy's warning). Overall a decent episode but again, nothing spectacular.

What do you mean by mini-intro? Not music etc.......I love that...head starts bobbing I get all excited.

WTE

Friday, August 11, 2006 4:14 AM

What do you mean by mini-intro? Not music etc.......I love that...head starts bobbing I get all excited.

I believe he's referring to the, "In every generation there is a chosen one" or whatever.

HONKS

STAKETHELURK

Friday, August 11, 2006 4:29 AM

EDIT: Curses, WTE has beaten me to it!

Quote:
Originally posted by Kaneman:
What do you mean by mini-intro? Not music etc.......I love that...

He’s probably referring to the “Into each generation there is born a Chosen One. She alone can stand against the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness” intro montage that appears before each episode in the first two seasons, to introduce the concept of the show to new audiences. It’s especially bad in the first season, when they just have some guy deliver the lines in this cheesy, melodramatic way. I actually rather liked it in Season Two, when Giles was doing it--he really believes it when he says it, and he says it in that Giles kind of way, the manner he uses when describing the phlebotinin* every week so that the preposterous sounds not only plausible but concrete and interesting. The little intro sort of drops off towards the end of Season Two, I think because people had gotten the concept by that point, and yes, Fredgiblet, from Season Three on it is no more.

And yes, the theme music is awesome. The band that did it, Nerf Herder

, actually plays at the Bronze in at least one episode (and the band that did the Angel theme, Darling Violeta, plays the Bronze twice--I believe the first time is in “Faith, Hope, and Trick”).

*If you haven’t watched the commentaries, Fredgiblet, (which you really should, the Joss ones are great--though sometimes there’s spoilers), phlebotinin is the “mystical MacGuffin” they use on Buffy and Angel to propel the plot: the amulet, the spell, the enchanted whatever that they need to find or capture or destroy. An example of “scientific” phlebotinin from Firefly would be the catalyzer from “Out of Gas”--we don’t really know the specifics of how it works, just that the ship needs it to run. So it propels all the action in the episode without being tremendously important in and of itself (it could be any piece of hardware--our attention is on Mal and the crew’s actions and reactions).

FREDGIBLET

Friday, August 11, 2006 3:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by WTE:
I believe he's referring to the, "In every generation there is a chosen one" or whatever.

Yeah, after the third episode or so I was already going "OK I got it". It was particularly annoying when I was compressing episodes, since then I had one more thing to cut out.

Quote:

and yes, Fredgiblet, from Season Three on it is no more.

*Happy dance*

FREDGIBLET

Saturday, August 12, 2006 3:28 AM

Episode 105: Never Kill A Boy...

The one where Buffy has a crush. I didn't really care for this episode the first time I saw it, and with the knowledge of what happens later with the Anointed One I like it even less. I appreciate that Buffy wants to have a social life while she is slaying, but the whole episode was devoted to a rather flimsy plot device (Owen coming along). I did like near the end where Buffy realizes that her thing with Owen isn't going to work out though.

I liked the fake Anointed One too, he was appropriately crazy and buff, when we found out who the real Anointed One was I was surprised but figured that good things could come of it (how wrong I was).

This is probably my least favorite ep so far (having just watched Enemies)

FREDGIBLET

Saturday, August 12, 2006 3:45 AM

Episode 106: The Pack

A strangely fun episode. The whole "Evil Xander" thing was very well done. I liked the interaction between Xander and Willow (though it was painful to watch), the acting of the pack was very funny (though a little overdone). The death of Principal Flutie was unexpected and kinda gross. And last but not least, Xander's little talk with Giles at the end was great. The premise was a little weak but Nicholas Brendan (Xander) was great enough to lift the episode up.

A pretty good ep, but I've been too spoiled by later seasons to think it anything better than good.

FREDGIBLET

Saturday, August 12, 2006 4:35 AM

Episode 107: Angel

I'll be up front and honest, I like the Buffy/Angel couple better than any other pairing I've seen on the show so far. Angel is my favorite character and Buffy is a close second. So when I say this episode is really good, I'm biased. This is the only ep that I've re-watched in it's entirety to do these reviews (so far)

I thought that The Three was somthing of a waste, but they were just redshirts so we can move on.

Unfortunately I already knew that Angel was a vampire, so it came as no surprise (the problem with watching nearly a decade after the premiere). But Buffy and Xanders reactions were great (Xander immediately saying "kill him" Buffy not answering when asked if she loves him).

I liked Darla and think it would have been cooler if she had lived longer (I'm aware that she's not gone forever (I've heard things, don't correct me if I'm wrong)). The Master is still cool I think he's a great villan and wish he had lasted longer too.

Personally I think that crossbows are a poor choice for fighting vampires, a regular bow can be fired much quicker than a crossbow, though it does require more practice. But then I think swords are a better idea too (if you cut off their arms they can't hit you, think about it).

The plotline had some holes (Why did Buffy have Angel stay at her house during the day? Why didn't Angel speak up faster at the Bronze?), but overall was quite good and gave us all the background information we needed on Angel (Vampire? Check, Heinous monster? Check, Not a heinous monster anymore? Check.) It also had an excellent end image (Buffy's cross burned onto Angels chest).

My favorite episode of Season 1.

KWICKO

Saturday, August 12, 2006 5:18 AM

Quote:
...and the band that did the Angel theme, Darling Violeta, plays the Bronze twice--I believe the first time is in “Faith, Hope, and Trick”

And one of the songs they played was called "Blue Sun". Interesting, no? :)

Remember, Kiddies, you can't spell "QUAGMIRE" without "I", "R", "A", & "Q"!

FREDGIBLET

Saturday, August 12, 2006 5:35 AM

Episode 108: I Robot You Jane

A very strange episode. Fritz gives computer nerds a very bad name, you don't have to be jacked in to be alive, it just helps...a lot.

Willow is cool and I thought it was great that she got to be happy about a relationship for a little while. The use of computers was slightly odd, makes me cringe a little when I watch the technical scenes. The introduction of Miss Calender was cool, she proves to be an interesting character, I wonder how much of her was planned beforehand. I liked Willow freaking on "Malcolm" too, it was great to see her hammering away at Malcolm, though the end of that fight was a little unsatisfying.

A very strange and fairly good episode.

FREDGIBLET

Saturday, August 12, 2006 5:59 AM

Episode 109: Puppet Show

Ah talent shows and ventriloquism can the smell of cheese get any stronger? I liked the thought of Principal Snyder torturing the kids by forcing them into the talent show, it immediately shows off his sadistic streak. The dummy was an interesting character, and it was funny that the dummy was the smarter of the duo, but that joke has played itself out before.

I thought it was interesting that Sid thought that Buffy was the demon, since she and the gang were quite obviously looking for the demon (and it would seem obvious to me that Buffy wasn't a new addition either). But the plot must be driven on regardless of logic. The ending scene was great "I don't get, is it avant-garde?".

A solid if not great episode.

FREDGIBLET

Saturday, August 12, 2006 6:23 AM

Episode 110: Nightmares

A head-trip of an episode. We start with an arachnid invasion of a classrom, a fun event to liven up any occasion. We proceed to see people get attacked, Buffy utterly bomb a test, Giles can't read. Everyone is forced to face their fears and some of them come of a little worse for wear.

It is interesting to see in the end how this was all brought about because a coach couldn't stand losing. A little heavy-handed but a pretty nice condemnation of the obsession with winning that some people have.

The plot was a little off, but for the head-trippiness, and the comedy of some of the fears (clowns, singing a song you don't know the words to), I say it's a pretty good episode.

FREDGIBLET

Saturday, August 12, 2006 10:52 PM

Episode 111: Out Of Sight...

Ah yes Cordelia, I can't bring myself to like Charisma or Cordelia, so the focus on Cordelia in this episode is a detriment.

I liked the idea, unpopular girl (who was made invisible by her popularity issues) seeks revenge. I liked the way Buffy has to rely on perception instead of raw power in the end fight. I liked the fact that Angel is taking a hand in the happenings instead of just giving cryptic warnings.

I don't like Cordelia.

A fairly good episode, but not great by any stretch.

FREDGIBLET

Tuesday, August 15, 2006 6:14 AM

Episode 112: Prophecy Girl

In the intro, the whole thing with the Master going "Glory! Glory!" was slightly overdone (especially given the Masters personality up till now).

I thought is was harsh to have Xander rejected by both Buffy and Willow, but then he is the punching bag of the show. I thought the scene with Giles and Ms. Calendar was a little overdone with Apocalypse stuff (especially considering that we see a world where the Master rises later), but appropriately dramatic.

The Buffy dying thing was done very well IMHO, with her reaction to finding out about it and subsequent acceptance of her fate, the death (and the realization of what it meant) and resurrection. I didn't like how they telegraphed the ending though "oh hey, when Giles broke that table it made a HUGE pointy wooden thing, I wonder what's going to happen next". The Hellmouth turning out to be in the Library (where the gang spends most of their time) was a nice tough though.

I also liked the Angel/Xander interaction ("aren't you?"), but I'd like to see Xander lay off of Angel a little.

This ep does show one of the things that I I have been a little dissappointed in so far, the fights, I can understand a redshirt fight taking 10 or 15 seconds, but a boss fight should take a little longer (and be a little more damaging). But that's a nitpick coming from a hormonally challenged male so pay little attention.

A good ending to a mediocre season.

EMBERS

Wednesday, August 16, 2006 1:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by fredgiblet:
Episode 106: The Pack

A strangely fun episode. The whole "Evil Xander" thing was very well done. I liked the interaction between Xander and Willow (though it was painful to watch), the acting of the pack was very funny (though a little overdone). The death of Principal Flutie was unexpected and kinda gross. And last but not least, Xander's little talk with Giles at the end was great. The premise was a little weak but Nicholas Brendan (Xander) was great enough to lift the episode up.

A pretty good ep, but I've been too spoiled by later seasons to think it anything better than good.

this is definitely my favorite of all the first season, and one of my favorite Xander episodes.
I think the extreme preditory behavior of the 'pack' was necessary so that the eating of Principal Flutie seemed believable...

The dodge ball scene was actually my very favorite, when I was in school we always played dodge ball on rainy days and it was vicious... a real opportunity for the jocks to pound weaker students (including the girls) with impunity...

I really feel that they did a good job of presenting a number of broad metaphorical examples of High School being Hell...
which is actually a great set up for the more subtle complications of the the future seasons.

I'm introducing a friend to BtVS for the first time and at first I thought I should skip the first season and go straight to the good stuff, but then I realized that there was so much introduced and foreshadowed that it would be a shame to miss out on it.

FREDGIBLET

Wednesday, August 16, 2006 4:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by embers:
I'm introducing a friend to BtVS for the first time and at first I thought I should skip the first season and go straight to the good stuff, but then I realized that there was so much introduced and foreshadowed that it would be a shame to miss out on it.

I don't disagree, but if your friend doesn't show much interest early on you might want to skim Season 1, I didn't really get into the show until season 2.

FREDGIBLET

Wednesday, August 16, 2006 4:53 AM

Episode 201: When She Was Bad

Starts off slow, but the scene where "Giles" tries to kill Buffy was a shockingly sudden change of pace.

I would have thought that they would have buried the Master's bones deeper, but that's just me.

Buffy being a bitch was a new development, and one that was out of character and quite strange. Blowing off Angel (twice), the bump and grind with Xander, I mean when Cordelia is telling you to stop being a bitch...

Also I didn't really like the reason for it either, admittedly I've never been killed, but come on. After all, the Master is dead, she's alive (and still pretty too), move on.

A decent episode, but I'm really glad Buffy gets back to normal by 202.

FREDGIBLET

Wednesday, August 16, 2006 5:52 AM

Episode 202: Some Assembly Required

The little talk that Buffy has with Angel to start the episode is pretty funny, to think that Xander can make Angel jealous. It was nice to see Angel making Buffy jealous later with Cordelia too.

I thought it great that Giles is finally getting a social life (sort of), and I must say he can choose the ladies.

As for the monster of the week, I thought that the story was kinda good, genius trying to make a girlfriend for his re-animated brother, but Darryl's acting was a little overdone and cheesy IMO.

Once again I feel compelled to express a dislike for Cordelia that goes deeper than the character, I've seen Charisma act better than this and I just have to wonder if it's the writing or directing that is at issue. But either way...

A solid though not great episode.

FREDGIBLET

Wednesday, August 16, 2006 6:34 AM

Episode 203: School Hard

Principal Snyder is an ass, I hope he gets what's coming to him eventually.

Of course no discussion of this episode could be complete without mentioning that SPIKE HAS ARRIVED!! WHOO HOO!!! Spike is funny, and a badass (at least until his appearance in Season 3), and is a much better villan than the Anointed One (who had potential that was wasted by poor acting and an abundance of insignificant lines), I don't really mind his bumping off the Anointed One, but I thought it was a waste of the half-hour or so of screen time he's (Anointed One) taken up.

Drusilla is cool in her own spaceily evil way, but still not as cool as Spike.

We find out a little about Angel in this ep, not only does he know Spike, but Spike knows Angel well enough to see through Angel's ruse. Interesting developments are ahead.

I thought it was interesting how no one seemed to notice that Buffy took care of the "Gang members on PCP" seemingly by herself. I would think that that would warrant a little bit of attention from the survivors, but then I don't live in wierdness central.

One of the more interesting developments is that the local officials seem to know more than they are letting on (foreshadowing for Season 3's villan?).

A great ep that kicks starts Season 2 (finally).

P.S. I've stopped watching new eps (3 left to go in Season 3) until I catch up, since I'd like my reviews to be made after a fresh watching without knowing whats going on 2 seasons ahead of time.

FREDGIBLET

Thursday, August 17, 2006 5:15 AM

Episode 204: Inca Mummy Girl

I've met a lot of retarded people in my time, none of them would hang around in a mueseum longer than they had to. I just don't see redshirt guy hanging out there, but the plot must move on.

Poor Xander, he has such crappy taste in women, first a giant mantis, now a ancient mummy. Can't the guy ever get a break? There is a moral to Xander's story people: DATE THE NERDS! It was nice that this time the person Xander fell for actually did care about him, but all the same.

We meet Oz for the first time, though we receive little indication of his later importance to the gang. Is it just me or does Seth Green start out looking vampirically pale? It's nice to see that someone normal (or at least as normal as Oz gets) is interested in Willow.

The story was decent and I'm glad they made the mummy more than just a shambling monstrosity.

A decent episode, higher marks for people who really like Xander (just because I identify doesn't mean I have a particular fondness).

FREDGIBLET

Thursday, August 17, 2006 5:55 AM

Episode 205: Reptile Boy

How does the Water Buffalo fit in?

For those of you who haven't heard much about fraternities, they are actually fairly well represented by this episode. It was a fairly heavy-handed cautionary story about the dangers of college guys and fraternities, but actually quite accurate as well.

The interactions with Buffy and Angel seemed really forced and out of character. Angel didn't seem to care that much about the issues he raised for the last season, why is thinking all this now?

Cordelia is still being a ditzy bimbo, and I still don't like her character or acting. I have to say I was rooting for her to get eaten.

Whatever happened to Buffy's Slayer physique? A little drug takes out Buffy just like Cordelia?

Willows outburst was nice, and fit in nicely with the cautionary nature of the episode, lots of kids start lying, drinking and the like because of the pressures of being a teen.

A bit too heavy-handed but a decent ep.

WTE

Thursday, August 17, 2006 9:51 AM

Quote:
I've seen Charisma act better than this and I just have to wonder if it's the writing or directing that is at issue.

I'm pretty sure Buffy was one of her earliest, if not the earliest, acting jobs. Odds are in other places you've seen her she'd had time to learn from mistakes and whatnot.

Still, I'm enjoying these. I'm looking forward to late season two and most of season three.

HONKS

FREDGIBLET

Friday, August 18, 2006 4:48 AM

Episode 206: Halloween

The episode starts off with a nice drawn out fight, fighting is good.

Snyder is still an ass. I still hope he gets what's coming.

The whole scene with Buffy distracting Giles was gut-busting "babe...I can live with that".

The stroyline for this episode was really cool, who wouldn't like to be completely changed into a fantasy version of themselves once in a while? Xander becoming the action man soldier, Buffy fainting the second the first wave of baddies comes into view. The writers used this story as an excuse to show the characters as opposite of what they are, and it works great.

It was interesting to get a glimpse into Giles past "Ripper?", Giles getting some swings in was a welcome change, I've been waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Willow finally gets a little confidence, chucking the ghost costume and sticking with the...the..hooker costume...I guess.

A great episode which helped the characters show more personality then we've seen previously.

FREDGIBLET

Friday, August 18, 2006 5:37 AM

Episode 207: Lie To Me

Are all women this insecure about their relationships? The instant Angel comes within 100 feet of another woman Buffy starts wondering if he's cheating, I mean come on.

Meeting one of Buffy's old friends is an interesting development, him turning out to have ulterior motives for showing up was a nice plot move. I thought it was great that they mocked Goths and cults in one swoop, with the vampire club.

The scene with Angel confessing one of his sins to Buffy was well done and gives us insight into Angel and Drusilla.

The conversation between Giles and Buffy at the end was a classic, Giles can sure lie well can't he.

It is nice to have morally ambiguous enemies instead of just a constant stream of Black Hats, here we have someone who is trying to save his own life (ironically by dieing). It brings up the question, how far would you go to save your own life?

A very good episode that unfortunately ends up being overshadowed by the second half of the season.

CYBERSNARK

Friday, August 18, 2006 2:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fredgiblet:
I thought it was great that they mocked Goths and cults

And Angel's fashion sense.

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

FREDGIBLET

Saturday, August 19, 2006 6:00 AM

Episode 208: The Dark Age

Note to the guy at the beginning of the ep: If the door doesn't open, find another one.

The scene with Giles and Jenny was great, you could practically see the fuses popping in Giles head as she talked about what she did to the book.

More of Giles dark past, more of Ethan, oh yeah the making of a good episode. I really liked that Ethan makes a return and isn't just a one ep villan, I see much more room for development in his character. It was interesting to see Ms. Calendar doing the evil thing, I think she pulled it off (the actress I mean). The use of Angel to trap the demon was a little stange IMO, I would think that the risk of the demon taking over his body would be too great, but that's just me. Willow was great as the enforcer in the library, I can't wait to see her get more assertive later.

Note to people doing do-it-yourself tatoo removal: If you're going to use acid, pouring is probably a worse idea then immersing, when you pour it goes all over, but you can immerse only specific areas.

A pretty good episode, but something just wasn't right about it, I don't know why but I just feel that the whole was less than the parts on this one.

JOLLY

Sunday, August 20, 2006 2:20 AM

I've never really been bitten by the Buffy bug either, but I've been giving it another go this week. Following the wisdom of the web, I've decided to skip the first season and start with number two.

First two episodes didn't really get my attention. First was fall out from season one, and the Frankenstein story in episode two seemed rather tepid.

The third episode, though...now this is more like it! Spike is a fun baddy, I thoroughly enjoyed the episode, and I'm looking forward to episode number four (unlike FF and BSG, I'm going to try to exercise some self control and pace myself and *not* watch three episodes a night!).

FREDGIBLET

Sunday, August 20, 2006 3:03 AM

Episode 209: What's My Line part 1

Career Week, the only redeeming value being that you get out of class for a while, the nightmare of High School continues.

Question: If the Order of Taraka is so badass, how come nobodies sent them against Buffy before?

It was interesting to have both Giles and Angel saying that Buffy can't handle the heat, makes for a good build-up. The Order seems to be not nearly as badass as there reputation if Xander and Cordelia can escape (then defeat) one of their members. I was fearing for Angel a little bit, but I knew he wouldn't die (for a variety of reasons not even including him getting his own TV show). Kendra being a Slayer is an interesting twist, that actually makes perfect sense (makes me wonder if they had it planned or just realized that it could happen after the fact).

Not a particularly good episode by virtue of the fact that it is almost completely build-up for the next ep.

FREDGIBLET

Sunday, August 20, 2006 3:07 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jolly:
I've never really been bitten by the Buffy bug either, but I've been giving it another go this week. Following the wisdom of the web, I've decided to skip the first season and start with number two.

Two suggestions.

First:

From season one watch the Premiere, Angel and the Finale (there is some continuity stuff to pick up on).

Second:

If you get hooked in Season 2 go back and watch Season 1. It was not particularly good, but Buffy is a continuity heavy show and you miss a lot of little things if you completely skip S1.

Just my 2 cents.

FREDGIBLET

Sunday, August 20, 2006 3:56 AM

Episode 210: What's My Line part 2

Angel is captured by Spike, this can't bode well. It is certainly interesting to see the difference in style between Kendra (Slaying is her life) and Buffy (Doesn't want Slaying to be her life), quite a contrast. I have to ask though, if Kendra is supposed to have dedicated her entire life to slaying, why the fancy clothes? Shouldn't she be wearing drab, utilitarian clothes?

The scene between Xander and Cordelia was great...until they starting kissing, I don't know if it's just me, but their whole romance storyline seemed contrived. Additionally Kendra's reaction to Xander seemed completely off, I could understand her acting like that if he was trying to hit on her, but just talking?

Oz and Willow, that is a relationship I can support. Willow finally getting a guy, and that guy being fairly cool to boot.

The grand melee scene in the church was cool, and Drusilla buffing up leads to some interesting possibilities.

Overall a worthy second part, definitely makes the somewhat lackluster first part worthwile.

FREDGIBLET

Sunday, August 20, 2006 6:30 PM

Episode 211: Ted

I don't know how many of you are the appropriate age (or living situation) to remember, but for me, seeing my parents kissing grosses me out and they are married. I can only imagine what watching one of my parents frenching someone else would be like *shivers*.

If a potential stepparent started talking to me in the middle of school the day after we met, I'd be pretty creeped out myself. Ted struck me as a little off from the first moment he came on screen. It was interesting to watch how the only person who saw him as off was Buffy. John Ritter did a good job of playing the creep. I have to say, they did a good job of foreshadowing ("Not wired that way", "The Machine"), And I didn't really figure it out until Buffy stabbed him.

It was painful to see Buffy thinking that she killed someone, but then at least she reacts better than some people in the series do.

The story was just a little lacking with Xander explaining the whole thing in the last minute, though it was probably neccesary for the plot (after all, if they knew what he was then the twist is pointless).

A solid ep, with some great acting, hampered slightly by the story.

FREDGIBLET

Sunday, August 20, 2006 11:50 PM

Episode 212: Bad Eggs

Poor Buffy, getting in trouble with her mom because she has to protect people. Seriously I would have probably have told my parents by now, just to get them off my back (with the side benefit of having an excuse whenever I wanted to do..anything really).

The Xander\Cordelia thing still seemed contrived and unrealistic, but at least it's funny.

I'm very glad my school never made me do the whole egg thing, it's very dumb and besides...they poke things into your ears and suck out your strength. It is amazing the number of thigs that can be crammed under a high school, Hellmouths, Bezoars, geez what's next?

The scenes with Angel and Buffy were funny, I would not mind being David Boreanaz..at all.

I think that the possessed people sequences were way over dramatized, but the storyline was sound and pretty decent. All in all, a pretty good filler ep.

JOLLY

Monday, August 21, 2006 8:03 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by fredgiblet:

Two suggestions.

--rest snipped for brevity--

Thanks for the advice. I watched episode 204 tonight. It was OK, but I realize that Spike is the only character I really like so far. Buffy, Xander and Willow just don't do it for me, not enough to want to watch "Monster of the Night" on a regular basis. The Firefly characters are so much more enjoyable to spend time with.

I can now see that Smallville borrows rather liberally from Buffy. Another show I've never really gotten into.

How many more weeks until season 3 of BSG?

CYBERSNARK

Monday, August 21, 2006 2:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fredgiblet:
Episode 212: Bad Eggs

And my favourite exchange of the entire series.

WILLOW: You boiled your young?!?
GILES: It does show a certain Macchiavellian ingenuity. . .

(And later, when Xander attempts to eat his own young. The facial expression.

)

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

FREDGIBLET

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 5:57 AM

In the interest of brevity I will be combining all future two part episodes into one review.

Episodes 213 and 214: Surprise and Innocence

After watching the first part of this I have to reiterate, I would most definitely would not mind being David Boreanaz. The relationship is moving along quite nicely (I wonder how long that's gonna last?).

Oz and Willow are progressing nicely as well. Oz is a welcome addition and Willow is finally getting a guy.

One thing that bugs me is the gangs apparent belief in the death of Spike and Drusilla, personally I would think that they should assume alive until proven dead.

Wait, what? Jenny isn't Jenny? Did I miss something? Oh the plot twists abound.

The scene at the docks was great, the emotion was palpable. I have to ask though, why did Angel jump in the water after Buffy? Sure we haven't seen her swim (that I can remember) but she should be able to.

Another question, why do the boxes for the Judge interlock? And open in one direction? I would think that they would be designed to NOT open OR fit together, but that's just me.

Of course we now come to the end of the first part. Angel and Buffy...um...consumating shall we say, nicely done scene IMO, and then Angel doing the screaming thing. This is most certainly not good.

Part 2:

I'll be following the system that buffyguide.com (and I believe a lot of the fans) uses and calling bad Angel Angelus and good Angel Angel.

This is interesting, Angelus is back...minor plot twist. Angel is my fave character, and I have to say, Angelus kicks ass, an excellent villan on par with Spike.

As for Xander\Cordelia\Willow, it had to happen sooner or later, but IMHO it was a little overdone, I still think that the romance isn't realistic and Willows reaction seemed a little overboard.

I don't particularly like the whole Judge thing, first there's the minor thing I mentioned before, but the big thing is how they kill him. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for rocket launchers and the like, but the whole thing smacked of cop-out. It was like in Return Of The King "no man can harm me" "oh really? well I'm a woman so there" "Blarg I am dead". I just expected a little more from the whole immortal demon thing. I also know that that wasn't the point of the episode, but still.

The interactions between Buffy and Angelus, and the realization that it was her that caused the change were extremely well done. The talk with Giles at the end was a little touching as well, in any other series this would be a season finale.

This was actually the episode that got me hooked. Up until this point I was still on the fence about the series, but now I own the whole thing. A great piece of TV.

STAKETHELURK

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 6:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Fredgiblet:
One thing that bugs me is the gangs apparent belief in the death of Spike and Drusilla, personally I would think that they should assume alive until proven dead.

I likewise was irritated by that until I realized they can’t exactly “check for bodies” with vampires. Either Spike & Dru burned up in the church, or they didn’t. There’s really no way for the Scoobies to know for certain, but since the bloodsucking duo haven’t made their presence known for some time, I can understand them lowering their guard.

Quote:
I don't particularly like the whole Judge thing, first there's the minor thing I mentioned before, but the big thing is how they kill him. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for rocket launchers and the like, but the whole thing smacked of cop-out. It was like in Return Of The King "no man can harm me" "oh really? well I'm a woman so there" "Blarg I am dead". I just expected a little more from the whole immortal demon thing.

I actually loved the bit with the rocket launcher. It was climactic enough to satisfy me (I mean, c’mon, rocket launcher), but it also undercut convention enough to be funny as well (“What’s that do?”). In the end, I felt proud that Xander of all people had outwitted the demon and that the creature had been dispatched in such an efficient, cinematic, and entertaining way. Besides, they’ll be plenty of other smackdowns with übermonsters later.

CYBERSNARK

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 3:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fredgiblet:
I'll be following the system that buffyguide.com (and I believe a lot of the fans) uses and calling bad Angel Angelus and good Angel Angel.

'Cause they are two very different beings, with very different styles and personalities.

You'll meet "bad Angel" later. . .

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

FREDGIBLET

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 4:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by StakeTheLurk:
I actually loved the bit with the rocket launcher. It was climactic enough to satisfy me (I mean, c’mon, rocket launcher), but it also undercut convention enough to be funny as well (“What’s that do?”). In the end, I felt proud that Xander of all people had outwitted the demon and that the creature had been dispatched in such an efficient, cinematic, and entertaining way. Besides, they’ll be plenty of other smackdowns with übermonsters later.

I don't disagree on any particular point, but my point was that they built it up as invincible and then they say "Well no forged thing can hurt him so let's just blow him up" It's not the climaticness of it, or the coolness of it (both of which were great) but the play on words that pissed me off. It's like I said, they did the same thing in Return Of The King and it pissed me off then too.

STAKETHELURK

Wednesday, August 23, 2006 2:50 AM

Quote:
Originally quoted by Fredgiblet:
I don't disagree on any particular point, but my point was that they built it up as invincible and then they say "Well no forged thing can hurt him so let's just blow him up" It's not the climaticness of it, or the coolness of it (both of which were great) but the play on words that pissed me off. It's like I said, they did the same thing in Return Of The King and it pissed me off then too.

Well, both BtVS and RotK are referring to a much older tradition in fantasy literature, that of the “misleadingly-worded prophecy, curse, or protection spell.” One key element of fantasy and horror literature is always that while supernatural beings and powers exist, they are bound by their own set of rules. Thus, the tellers of folklore on which fantasy & horror is based can simultaneously invent a terrifying monster (often to explain some unknown real world problem) and the rules to control it (thus, if the real world problem affects you, it’s because you weren’t following the rules to keep you safe). To tell an entertaining tale, a useful way of creating suspense is to create a seemingly invincible curse or prophecy--so that the audience can’t imagine how the heroes will survive--and then have the heroes spot some ingenious loophole and save the day. This traces back to folklore, where people would use the supernatural rules to their advantage—the average person can hardly be expected to go toe-to-toe with a demon, but if the demon has to obey certain laws they may be able to outwit it.

It is this tradition that both BtVS and RotK are making an homage to, since both owe a great deal to folklore and earlier fantastic stories. RotK takes a much more traditional approach, however, in that the specificity of the Witch-king’s prophecy is used against him (“No man can kill me!” “I am no man!”). Since LOTR is trying to present itself as an epic in the ancient style, it pretty much has to use some traditional tropes this to establish its cred.

BtVS, on the other hand, is as much a deconstruction and reinterpretation of traditional horror fantasy as it is a horror fantasy story, so it takes a different approach. Had they used the standard technique of finding a loophole in the wording, the final confrontation would have been more like this: “No weapon forged can kill me.” “My wiffle bat wasn’t forged so take that!” In other words, they would have used the specificity of the prophecy (i.e., it only protects him from things that have been “forged”) against the Judge. However, Xander realized that contemporary advances in weapons technology made the entire prophecy irrelevant. It’s not so much that they’re playing with the wording of the prophecy as completely ignoring it.

“That was then, this is now.” The Scoobies were so used to battling these ancient demons with ancient weapons that it just took them a while to realize that their arsenal could expand beyond the fifteenth century. The Judge, meanwhile, is a dinosaur, a relic, totally out of place in the modern world. His time has come and gone and he doesn’t realize it—he doesn’t realize how much the world has changed (we get some that earlier on from his dialogue: “Spiffy?”). That’s what I really appreciate about the rocket launcher sequence--it’s not so much that they’re following the ancient rules by using the letter of the law against the Judge so much as breaking the rules because they cease to apply, because times have changed. I’ve always felt it’s just a very entertaining and appropriate spin on the “misleadingly-worded prophecy” trope, one that very much fits the show.

That said, I can understand why you’re less than satisfied. Just bear in mind that this situation is an important tradition in fantasy fiction and having grown out of folklore, probably satisfies some psychological need among most people. So, it’s something that can’t really be avoided in fantasy literature—however, as indicated above, new and original spins can be put on it.

FREDGIBLET

Wednesday, August 23, 2006 6:28 AM

Episode 215: Phases

Ah yes, romance, Willow/Oz is apparently progressing slowly (much to Willows dismay), and Xander/Cordelia is a little bumpy because Xander isn't a one girl kind of guy. Oh and Buffy/Angel is on hold because he wants her dead.

In this episode we get to see the first of two (so far) truly bad Werewolf costumes. *sigh* allowlances must be made for budgets (and usability) I suppose.

Giles is great, getting excited over a new monster showing up, "my books and I are in for a fascinating afternoon".

Kane (Cain? Caine?) is an ass, it's too bad he doesn't get killed, but the conversation where he thought Giles and Buffy were together was classic (if just a little crude). I'm surprised at Buffy's control, I would have broken a few of his bones by halfway through the episode. But the bending the gun thing was cool.

The commiseration between Cordelia and Willow was an amusing shift from the normal relationships.

The scene with Xander confronting Larry was painful to watch, just about blew a circuit laughing. The post-Larry conversations with Buffy was great too.

Does nobody notice when bodies go missing in Sunnydale? I mean when they've already been buried I can understand no one noticing, but when they are still above ground and no one comments on them going missing?

Oz being the werewolf should lead to some intriguing developments down the road, and Oz and Willow kiss (all together now, AWWWWWWWWWW).

A pretty good episode marred by a horrendous werewolf costume.

CYBERSNARK

Wednesday, August 23, 2006 3:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by StakeTheLurk:
Well, both BtVS and RotK are referring to a much older tradition in fantasy literature, that of the “misleadingly-worded prophecy, curse, or protection spell.”

Shakespeare used it: No man born of woman could kill Macbeth. . .

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

FREDGIBLET

Thursday, August 24, 2006 1:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by StakeTheLurk:
Since LOTR is trying to present itself as an epic in the ancient style, it pretty much has to use some traditional tropes this to establish its cred.

Disagree, I think by ROTK they had firmly established their cred. Additionally when I first watched it I thought it was going to be the ghosts killing him, if I remember correctly it makes perfect sense with the wording and IMHO doesn't have the same cop-out feel to it.

Quote:
Had they used the standard technique of finding a loophole in the wording, the final confrontation would have been more like this: “No weapon forged can kill me.” “My wiffle bat wasn’t forged so take that!” In other words, they would have used the specificity of the prophecy (i.e., it only protects him from things that have been “forged”) against the Judge.

Buffy attacking the Judge with a wiffle bat...Oh god I wanna see that!

Quote:
However, Xander realized that contemporary advances in weapons technology made the entire prophecy irrelevant.

Wait...Xander realized something?

Quote:
It’s not so much that they’re playing with the wording of the prophecy as completely ignoring it. “That was then, this is now.” The Scoobies were so used to battling these ancient demons with ancient weapons that it just took them a while to realize that their arsenal could expand beyond the fifteenth century.

And yet as of the near end of season 3 (3 eps to go) they haven't remembered that (other than the repeated use of the tranq gun on Oz).

All right, you got me a little with your damn logic, I still dislike it but not as much as before. You put way to much thought into this by the way.

FREDGIBLET

Thursday, August 24, 2006 3:39 AM

Episode 216: Bewitched...

Cordelia has to face up to her friends. Funny thing is that she would even care what they would think when they would ditch her for dating Xander. I'd say "^%&^ you guys I'm going home", and hang out with Xander...of course I'm not a teenage girl so...

Tension is rising with Spike and Angel, this should be interesting. Incidentally, what does rhyme with lungs?

I have to ask, did Amy not notice that Xander was behind her when she was screwing with the teacher? I mean he's not exactly a little guy.

It was a great touch having Cordelia pretend to have the locket in her locker.

But then we get to the meat of the ep, Xander post-spell. His reaction to the realization that Buffy wanted him because of the spell was great, the scene with Willow was gutbusting. Giles reaction was priceless, Miss Calendar was great. The confrontation with Buffy, Xander and Amy was hilarious. Willow with an axe...there's a sight I never thought I'd see, Joyce going after Xander was almost too much to take, then DRUSILLA...oh god I was almost dead by this point.

The closing scene with Xander and Cordelia is actually one of the few moments so far where I have actually liked Cordelia.

Overall an insanely funny episode with no real weak spots.

FREDGIBLET

Friday, August 25, 2006 4:08 AM

Episode 217: Passion

Angelus in Buffy's room. Uh-oh.

Cordelia is such a dimwit...but she does bring up a good point. If Angelus can get into Buffy's room, why doesn't he just kill her? (Besides the whole that-would-end-the-series thing?).

I wouldn't think that Miss Calendar would need Giles to tell her who she needs to make it up to, I would think that would be obvious. But on the other hand it was a great scene with Giles and Jenny. Also, was it just me or was Robia a little off in this ep, usually she's a pretty good actress, but a lot of her lines seemed off.

It's great watching the tension between Angelus and Spike, Angelus really pushes, I wonder how long he thinks he can do that before Spike will push back...

The scene in the magic shop was pretty good, especially how the guy goes from mystical to pure business as soon as she shows she's not a tourist.

Oooooo, Angelus told Buffy's mom, this is going to be painful. Yep, the talk was painful, and once again it brings up the question of why Buffy doesn't just tell the whole story, but I suppose that has to wait for a plot-critical moment.

Angelus in the school was interesting but a little overdone. Jenny finding the cure was cool, but I knew that it wouldn't be that simple. Jenny dying was not exactly expected but still predictable given the circumstances.

"perhaps I should intervene on on Buffy's behalf, her mother, say something?""Sure like what would you say?" *long pause*. Classic.

Angelus certainly has an artistic flair with his murders, doesn't he? Giles beating on Angelus, and Buffy laying the smackdown on Giles were both great.

And naturally, the disk drops out of sight until the story arc is done.

An great episode, this is what TV should be like.

KANEMAN

Friday, August 25, 2006 4:14 AM

I've bit my tongue long enough! Hey asshole, this belongs in "buffyverse". Secondly, no one cares what you think anyway....Well, it's true. How many people respond to this shit? You should be ashamed of your self idiot! Well, it's true!

FREDGIBLET

Friday, August 25, 2006 4:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by kaneman:
I've bit my tongue long enough! Hey asshole, this belongs in "buffyverse". Secondly, no one cares what you think anyway....Well, it's true. How many people respond to this shit? You should be ashamed of your self idiot! Well, it's true!

It IS in Buffyverse asshole. ALL the newly updated threads show up in the thing at the top of the community page. Why should I be ashamed of myself?

KANEMAN

Friday, August 25, 2006 5:02 AM

Got ya!..toop? classic!

EMBERS

Friday, August 25, 2006 5:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by fredgiblet:
Episode 217: Passion

Angelus in Buffy's room. Uh-oh.

If Angelus can get into Buffy's room, why doesn't he just kill her? (Besides the whole that-would-end-the-series thing?).

Angelus isn't happy to just kill anyone,
he likes to drive them insane with grief and pain.
Just as Angelus didn't turn Drusilla until after he had killed all of her family,
he won't kill Buffy until after everyone she cares about is dead first.

And just ignore Kaneman, replying only encourages it

FREDGIBLET

Friday, August 25, 2006 5:31 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by embers:
Quote:
Originally posted by fredgiblet:
Episode 217: Passion

Angelus in Buffy's room. Uh-oh.

If Angelus can get into Buffy's room, why doesn't he just kill her? (Besides the whole that-would-end-the-series thing?).

Angelus isn't happy to just kill anyone,
he likes to drive them insane with grief and pain.
Just as Angelus didn't turn Drusilla until after he had killed all of her family,
he won't kill Buffy until after everyone she cares about is dead first.

And just ignore Kaneman, replying only encourages it

I know (on both counts), but still it's another thing that we see all the time in TV\movies. How many times have Bond's enemies had him in their grasp and not decided to just kill him?

FREDGIBLET

Friday, August 25, 2006 5:48 AM

Episode 218: Killed By Death

Uh-oh, Buffy has a cold...oh wait, maybe that IS an uh-oh. Buffy getting saved from Angelus by Xander, this is a little unexpected.

Buffy is afraid of hospitals? Makes me wonder...has she always had slayer-type powers? Has she ever needed to go to the hospital for herself? Or has she always been a little tougher than average?

Personally I wouldn't have to see the Freddy looking guy to get creeped out, that kid staring at me would be enough.

So either Buffy isn't a natural blonde or little Buffy dyed her hair...I wonder which one it is...

Xander standing up to Angel was awesome, it was great to see Xander challenging Angel, and it shows a side of Xander that I hope to see again.

Somebody really should smack Cordelia whenever she starts talking...seriously...though she does pull off the distraction thing really well...almost too well...

I for one wasn't fooled by the security guard or the doctor, I knew something supernatural was up.

I'm no doctor, but I'm fairly sure that ingesting most viri and bacteria would greatly reduce their potency, if not kill them. Also, if the vial had 100% pure virus, it would most likely be a powder, not a liquid.

FROG FEAR!

The eye thing was creepy and cool, but personally even after the neck breaking, I still would have pounded it with a blunt object for a little bit...just to make sure.

Lastly, I wish I had a mom that pampered me like that when I was sick.

A pretty good episode, but firmly in filler land.

CYBERSNARK

Friday, August 25, 2006 2:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fredgiblet:
Incidentally, what does rhyme with lungs?

Tongues.

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

JOLLY

Friday, August 25, 2006 3:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fredgiblet:
Episode 205: Reptile Boy

[snip]

A bit too heavy-handed but a decent ep.

Well, I decided to rent disk #2 of season 2 on 2-1 night (along with the first disk of Brisco County). This is the first episode *without* Spike that I've enjoyed. I suspect that reason is simple...I've watched enough episodes that the characters are starting to grow on me. As a result, I'm starting to appreciate the dynamics between the characters as well.

Truthfully, if television depended on the likes of me, there would be nothing to watch. I hated ST:TNG when it came out, but once it came out in syndication, I gradually came to like it. BSG has a similar history (albeit more condensed); the mini-series struck me as incredibly boring (I tuned out after about 30 minutes), but the series aired at a time when I'll often leave the TV on while I do other things (like putter about on the internet), and eventually I became curious enough to buy the DVD and watch the first season.

JOLLY

Friday, August 25, 2006 11:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fredgiblet:
Episode 206: Halloween

Spike summarizes this episode nicely with the line, "Well. This is just neat."

Solid episode. Great fun. Possibly as good as anything from Firefly. Am I being sacrilegious?

FREDGIBLET

Saturday, August 26, 2006 2:22 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jolly:
Quote:
Originally posted by fredgiblet:
Episode 206: Halloween

Spike summarizes this episode nicely with the line, "Well. This is just neat."

Solid episode. Great fun. Possibly as good as anything from Firefly. Am I being sacrilegious?

Depends on who you ask, I won't publicly state my opinions so far on Buffy vs. Firefly because this is a FF website (though a Buffy (sub)board).

EDIT: for anyone who reads my opinons into this post and wants to crucify me for them just know this, Buffy season 1 wasn't very good, if Firefly had more than one season my opinon might be different.

FREDGIBLET

Monday, August 28, 2006 6:32 AM

Episode 219: I Only Have Eyes...

I usually refrain from commenting on this, but that band sucked.

The first re-enactment thing was a little bit of a shock, usually it's not ordinary-looking people killing people in Sunnydale. Oh, it isn't ordinary people...it's ordinary possessed people, alright that is ordinary for Sunnydale.

The scene with Willow giving Giles Jenny's necklace thingy was a little on the touching side, but I have a question...didn't Angelus break Miss Calendar's computer? And if not, wouldn't the ritual files be in there?

Xander has an awesome line early in this one: "Something weird is going on...isn't that our school motto?", by this point I think we can all agree that it should be.

The scene between the janitor and the teacher was great, the sudden switch was pulled of very well IMO. I didn't really care too much for Giles thinking it was Jenny, I understand him wanting it to be her, but there just wasn't any real reason for it IMHO.

I...can't...resist...Snakes In A Cafeteria!, sorry. I thought the snakes thing was a little dumb and unneccesary, but I suppose it gave them a reason to show that the powers that be really do know what's going on.

First off, my customary "Snyder is an ass and I hope he dies", now on to the interesting stuff, Snyder (and others in the government) know about the Hellmouth, it would seem to make sense to me for them to move the school...it shouldn't be too hard to manufacture a reason for it.

The tension racheting up between Angelus and Spike is great, Juliet Landau is amazing as the freaky, crazy Seer.

I don't like how vindictive Buffy is in this ep, but I suppose that the whole Angelus thing (though none of it is really his fault) has got her pretty well worked up against males. It was interesting how this whole ep seemed to be metaphorical for Buffy\Angel, I thought it was very well done. The swap with Buffy playing James's part was a little weird but made sense. The whole possessed scene was great, I think it was written for Buffy/Angel and then tweaked to fit it's "original" circumstances. I thought it was good at the end how Buffy realized why she was chosen by James.

And last but not least, Spike is finally back on his feet! Awesome.

A whole episode devoted to metaphorically exploring Buffy and Angel\Angelus' relationship, this is some amazing TV. An awesome episode, I just wish the next ep carried it on and wasn't just filler.

FREDGIBLET

Tuesday, August 29, 2006 4:08 AM

Episode 220: Go Fish

"you're forgetting our high mortality rate" truly a high mortality rate is something every school should strive for.

Cool, empty skin...wonder where the insides went. Mmmmmm shelled human, tasty.

Ah yes, the classic athlete-gets-a-free-pass thing *sigh* if only this only happened on TV...and of course we can trust Cordelia to champion the cause of the more fortunate.

The scene with Buffy being talked at by the swimmer was really funny, "oh it's not me I'm worried about", I would think that by now Buffy would have a pretty strong reputation as a bad-ass, but whatever. It must really suck for Buffy to get blamed for everything.

I would think that Buffy would have a little more practice being discreet by now. If you're keeping someone under surveillance, you don't stare at them constantly, I mean it's not like you're going to miss something attacking them. The scene with Angelus seemed a little gratuitous, like it was thrown in just to remind us of what's coming next week.

Xander's reaction to the gang seeing him in the speedo was priceless, as was Cordelia's reaction before she saw who it was.

But...this is where I have to lodge a complaint, the sea creatures are larger than the guys they came from...that doesn't really work out too well. That's also ignoring the whole thing where they suddenly lose the ability to talk, and somehow went through all these structural changes without noticing anything before. I know this show doesn't strive for (or even really give a passing nod to) scientific accuracy, but c'mon.

As for the sewer scene, I just can't help but think, if the Watchers are such an ancient group, shouldn't they have made some investments of some kind? Shouldn't they be able to afford...say...some night-vision goggles? Seems like it would pretty high on their priorities.

I can't really think of anything to say about the last 10 minutes or so, so I'll just skip to the end. A below average episode in my opinon, but then every show has to have some filler.

FREDGIBLET

Tuesday, August 29, 2006 7:21 AM

Episode 000: Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1992)

Just got the movie, figured I do a review here. This will contain some spoilers for anyone who hasn't seen the movie

First off, I'd heard that Donald Sutherland was in it (from Joss's complaints), but I didn't know that Hilary Swank, Ben Affleck, Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner) and David Arquette were in it too. In fact it's Swanks first movie.

The first third of the movie is really bad, I can see several instances where they were supposed to be funny, but just weren't IMHO. I can also see what Joss was saying about Donald, I've seen him in other roles and in this one he is much worse than normal.

It doesn't really pick up until Donald throws the knife at Buffy, the training sequence was pretty cool. It looked like Kristy Swanson actually did most of it herself, which was a little impressive.

It was nice to see people figuring things out for once (Pike wanting to bail after benny shows up), not like the show where weird stuff happens all the time and nobody notices. The scene with the vampire on the van was cheesy but kinda fun.

The basketball sequence was just a little retarded...just a little. But Buffy taking the motorcycle was pretty cool.

Was it just me or did Pike look like someone called "Vinnie" at the dance? The first scene with Lothos during the dance was just kinda weird and seemingly pointless, then he shows up at the dance and has a Katana? I would think that a European guy would have learned swordsmanship with something more...European. The end was very anti-climactic, and fairly unsatisfying.

I would like to see the original script and the re-written one to see what parts were Joss and what parts were re-written. It was interesting to see the parallels between the show and movie though, you can see parts of the first season in the movie.

Overall a mediocre action movie and a mediocre comedy. Too many times it tried to be funny and failed, too many times it tried to be cool and failed. I'd give it a B-.

FREDGIBLET

Sunday, September 3, 2006 5:32 AM

I started watching the first season of Dark Angel for the first time, then I started playing EVE online. But I'm back now.

Episodes 221 and 222: Becoming

Angel's turning was an interesting watch, he didn't seem to be a particularly high-quality person before he became a vampire. It was very intriguing to watch Angelus talking with pre-vamp Drusilla, pushing her to evil. Watching him and Whistler in Manhattan was funny, I liked Whistler and I wish he'd stuck around (like I hear was intended). Angel wanted to make something of himself because of Buffy...this is an interesting plot development. It was funny watching Buffy's first kill, and it brought up an interesting issue, namely how liberal the show can be at where they can stab vampires and kill them. So often they seem to stab them in the gut or sternum instead of the middle-left chest area.

This is perhaps the first time I agree completely with Cordelia. Of course I am referring to her opinon of Snyder.

I was kind of wondering when they would find the disk, I guess I should have known it'd be at the finale. I have to say that the scene in the library was a little off IMO, Xander never seemed to be to close with Miss Calendar, yet he's spent a great deal of energy advocating for avenging her death. I suppose that it is probably a byproduct of his dislike of Angel\Angelus (he hates both of them), but it still seems excessive. Additionally, I once again have to commend Buffy's restraint, I would've punched him in the face.

I love Spike, "it's a big rock, can't wait to tell my friends. They don't have a rock this big." "someone wasn't worthy"

One thing I've never got, if they don't want these demons to be found (Judge, Acathla) why don't they drop them into the ocean? Even now it's damn hard to get stuff off the ocean floor, and that's assuming you know exactly where it is. Course then we woudn't have a show.

"Mr. Pointy"?

The end-of-first-part fight was awesome, Xander's arm broken, Giles taken away, Willow in a coma and Kendra dead, whew! Kendra vs. Drusilla was an interesting matchup, I wonder how widespread the hypnotism thing is, the only vamps we've seen using it so far are the Master and Dru. I can't really feel too bad about Kendra dying, I didn't really have enough time to start to like her.

P.S. Is anyone else getting annoyed at the animated menus on the DVD's, I want to jump straight to the menus so that I can make my selections not fly around for 2 minutes everytime I click on something.

Part 2:

Of course the day wouldn't be complete without Snyder deserving a punch in the face, I found it odd that the other cop started shooting right away.

Another scene with Whistler, he has a lot of potential, too bad. Spike switching sides (sort of) is cool, watching him talk about how much he loves the world really gives more depth to his character.

Willow waking up after Xander says I love you is so cliched that it hurt.

I don't like the scene with Buffy's mom outside their house, the rock band thing was lame and the vampire attacking her just seemed like a completely contrived way to give an excuse for Buffy's mom to find out about Buffy. On the other hand, watching Buffy's mom and Spike uncomfortably sitting together was really funny.

The scene with Buffy trying to explain to her mom was painful to watch, Buffy trying to explain that there isn't any choice and that she can't explain everything and her mom just saying "You'll do what I tell you or else". I think that Buffy's mom regretted what she said immensly as soon as Buffy was out the door.

"...you must perform the ritual...in a tutu" ROFL, it's scary sometimes how Joss can put such funny stuff in the middle of such serious scenes.

Buffy with Snyder in the library...I was so hoping she'd stab him. So let's recap: dead friend (Kendra), kicked out of her house, and now expelled...can her day get any worse? ...Ohhhh yes.

Watching Drusilla\Jenny was creepy, I find it a little hard to believe that Giles would be gullible enough, but then we d

FREDGIBLET

Tuesday, September 5, 2006 12:11 AM

Episode 301: Anne

I was expecting great things from the ep and I was a little disappointed to be honest.

We start with a quick check on how the gang is doing, they're fighting vamps (poorly) and wondering where Buffy is, no surprise there.

There is a quick "wait...what?" scene next when Buffy's on the beach with Angel, but then we pop back to reality. I have a hard time seeing Buffy working a cafe, but then that's probably the point.

The back-to-school sequence was great, Oz trying to bargain down to eccentric with an option for cool, Larry hoping for less mysterious deaths, Cordelia and Xander being psyched, then barely even saying anything to each other.

I always find it amazing how little attention people in movies\TV pay when they're driving, someone steps in front of them 2 or 3 seconds away and they don't even start to brake.

Hey...isn't that the mole from Firefly?

"What are you doing?""Breaking into your office and going through your private files" honesty is refreshing isn't it?

Watching Cordy and Xander argue is more fun than watching them suck face IMO, it's unfortunate that it didn't last long.

Watching Buffy trying to bluff her way in was painfully funny, and the idea of a foundry staffed by castoffs from society artifically aged and then spat back out is kinda cool.

The fight scenes near the end were cool, Buffy was kicking all kinds of ass. One thing though, the whole Ghandi thing was a little lame. Also, the thing where the portal covered itself was a bit of a cop-out, I think they should've had to actually DO something to seal it.

The ending was decent, but I'd have liked to see another 15 seconds or so.

All in all, not what I was hoping for, I was hoping for some introspection and soul-searching, instead what I got was some angst and a monster(s) of the week. Not a bad episode by any measure, but as a season premiere on the heels of the season 2 closer it falls short IMHO.

CHRISISALL

Tuesday, September 5, 2006 12:22 AM

What about where she tossed that demon, and his head caught a ceiling beam? Now THAT'S entertainment!

Ouchy Chrisisall

FREDGIBLET

Tuesday, September 5, 2006 12:44 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
What about where she tossed that demon, and his head caught a ceiling beam? Now THAT'S entertainment!

Ouchy Chrisisall

That was great, the entire fight sequence was one of the better ones in the show so far IMO.

FREDGIBLET

Tuesday, September 5, 2006 4:32 AM

Episode 302: Dead Man's Party

So Buffy's back in Sunnydale and looking for her friends and she runs into...Nighthawk...had anyone ever noticed that Xander is a HUGE dork? Anyway, it's nice to see that Buffy can let everyone know she's back by helping them with some slayage.

The scene at Giles' house was pretty good, Giles was happy to see her, the gang was a little withdrawn, appropriate reactions IMO.

DAMN is Snyder an ass...I'm hoping he eats it in the season finale.

YAYYY!!!! ZOMBIE CATS!

Buffy sets out the good plates...the gang brings the whole freaking town into Buffy's house. A big party was definitely a bad idea...even without the zombies. On a side note, I wish I had a mom that would let me have a party like that.

Willow talking to Buffy in Buffy's room was interesting, Willow was just as upset about everything as Buffy. The showdown in the living room was pretty good (someone still needs to slap Cordelia whenever she opens her mouth though). I think they were a little harsh on Buffy, but then I know exactly what happened so from their perspective they probably weren't.

Pat was a little strange and I'm glad she didn't stick around, but the post-fight was a little off IMO. They go from fighting each other to hugging with just one life-or-death fight?

"Would you like me to convince you?" It didn't sound particularly threatening, but Giles playing the badass is pretty cool.

Overall I think this ep was closer to what I was expecting than the premiere, but still not as much of the introspective stuff that I was hoping for. A pretty solid ep with some very nice character interactions.

CYBERSNARK

Tuesday, September 5, 2006 3:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fredgiblet:
DAMN is Snyder an ass...I'm hoping he eats it in the season finale.

. . . Something like that. . .

Quote:
YAYYY!!!! ZOMBIE CATS!

*sigh*
I miss Patches. I wish they'd kept him around.

We got Miss Kitty Fantastico later, but she just didn't have the screen presence (and she ended up leaving the show too).

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

PHOENIXSHIP

Tuesday, September 5, 2006 3:47 PM

I highly recommend you watch Angel in chronological order with Buffy. Starting at Season 3, the optimum way would be to alternate episodes since they do line up time-wise...

I wish I had had the chance to do that!

"Why're you arguin' what's already been decided?"
Mal to Jayne, "Jaynestown"

FREDGIBLET

Tuesday, September 5, 2006 4:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Phoenixship:
I highly recommend you watch Angel in chronological order with Buffy. Starting at Season 3, the optimum way would be to alternate episodes since they do line up time-wise...

I wish I had had the chance to do that!

One of the local Browncoats wrote up a schedule for me that keeps Buffy and Angel more or less inline choronologically speaking while making allowlances for crossover eps etc.

STAKETHELURK

Tuesday, September 5, 2006 5:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fredgiblet:
Hey...isn't that the mole from Firefly?

Yep, he’s one of the “hat tricks,” actors who’ve appeared in all three series. Look for him again in the first season of Angel, when you get to it.

Quote:
Is anyone else getting annoyed at the animated menus on the DVD's, I want to jump straight to the menus so that I can make my selections not fly around for 2 minutes everytime I click on something.

Yeah, those are so incredibly annoying. Fortunately, they exist only on Season Two. The rest of the DVDs follow the model of the Season Three menus.

FREDGIBLET

Tuesday, September 5, 2006 6:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by StakeTheLurk:
Quote:
Originally posted by fredgiblet:
Is anyone else getting annoyed at the animated menus on the DVD's, I want to jump straight to the menus so that I can make my selections not fly around for 2 minutes everytime I click on something.
Yeah, those are so incredibly annoying. Fortunately, they exist only on Season Two. The rest of the DVDs follow the model of the Season Three menus.

*happy dance*

FREDGIBLET

Monday, September 18, 2006 6:36 AM

Alright I'm back, EVE online, and Netflix have been eating lots of my time. In fact I've got EVE going on my laptop while I'm watching this. I've also just watched the BSG mini-series and I'm pissed, because that was a show I was going to watch but never started. Also I just finished downloading Wonderfalls 1-13 (were there more?). So, yeah. But onward!

Episode 303: Faith, Hope And Trick

Willow contemplating the significance of being able to leave campus, she's so great. And Cordy still needs to be slapped whenever she opens her mouth. Speaking of mouths "that thing you do with your mouth that the boys like" ROFL.

Flashback with an ANGRY Angel...interesting.

Having Faith introduced as slut-o-rama by Cordy was hilarious (and accurate), Buffy being so awkward around Scott was a little strange since we haven't really seen her awkward around guys for a while.

The one thing that gets me about the new slayers is this: Kendra died about 3 months ago, and already Faith is fully trained and has a bunch of vamps under her belt (possibly in more ways than one...ahem). Doesn't that seem a little fast?

Faith's story was very funny, I don't really like Faith, but she's great for comedic relief on occasion. Like for instance her opinion of Giles, and Buffy's reaction were great.

Xander's line about what he learned in high school is so good, I should make a bumper sticker.

It's great to watch Buffy's whole life being overthrown by Faith, her friends, her mom, and her (not) boyfriend are all paying attention to Faith instead of Buffy.

And Buffy's mom finds out that she died...fun times.

Faith's freakout in the patrol is a little indicative of why I don't really like her, I'll talk more after the review's over.

Scott gives Buffy a Claddagh (sp?) ring oooh bad move. Later Buffy moving on was a great scene as was her attempt to talk to Scott.

The thing with Kakistos was a little off, it may be a indicator of Faith's real self (scared) but I think it was a plot fluke. Trick is pretty cool though, and Kakistos getting the big stake also kinda cool.

All in all I didn't really like this ep, mostly because I don't particularly like Faith, and since the whole story was about her, well.

Anyway as to why I don't like Faith. She isn't heroic or anti-heroic. She doesn't do this because it's the right thing (Buffy), she doesn't do it because she has skeletons in her closet that drive her (Angel), she does it because it's fun and she likes the feeling of power. This fits well with her later turn to evil, but doesn't really endear her as a character. I don't mind protaganists who act for selfish reasons, but Faith doesn't seem to have a reason at all for doing anything. Faith to me seems like a character in search of a role, though I guess that does put her as an appropriate character for a high-school themed show, since most of the people in high school are searching for their roles as well. Anyway I could probably go on for a while, but I've got to work tomorrow.

JOLLY

Tuesday, September 19, 2006 4:58 AM

Well, I got through season two and just finished episode 3 of season 3. I should probably stay away from these boards, since I'm only partly aware of what the next four seasons hold (the Faith comment above is a bit of a spoiler).

My general thoughts on Buffy: Overall good stuff, once you get to know the characters. From time to time it suffers a little from the same phenomenon as pro-wrestling, where the heels (villians) are more interesting and maybe even likeable than the heros. Of course I'm thinking of Spike when I say this, though Angelus is far more colorful then mopey ol' Angel. For good chunks of the second season, Buffy seemed like the lamest member of the Scooby Gang (and I count Cordelius when i say this). Fortunately with the first few episodes of season 3, my opinion of the Buffster is rapidly changing.

Watching Buffy makes me wonder all the more about what might have been if Firefly had been given a couple of seasons to develop. *sigh* Well, hopefully after a few more seasons of Buffy, I'll be ready to start watching Angel. And after that, maybe we'll have a sequel.

FREDGIBLET

Tuesday, September 19, 2006 3:31 PM

Episode 303 P.S.

Just realized that I didn't mention Angel's return, ooops

So Angels's back...that was fast, I thought it'd take at least a third of the season. I'm sure there were many women who taped that scene just re-winding it over and over again . This brings some interesting issues such as Buffy just having decided to move on. Also, this illustrates the problem with watching a show post-mortem, you already know a lot about what's going to happen, I knew Angel had to come back because he got his own show next season. But sadly I don't have a lot of choice in the matter, (curses younger self who didn't give the show a chance).

JOLLY

Tuesday, September 19, 2006 4:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fredgiblet:
Episode 303 P.S.

Just realized that I didn't mention Angel's return, ooops

So Angels's back...that was fast, I thought it'd take at least a third of the season. I'm sure there were many women who taped that scene just re-winding it over and over again . This brings some interesting issues such as Buffy just having decided to move on. Also, this illustrates the problem with watching a show post-mortem, you already know a lot about what's going to happen, I knew Angel had to come back because he got his own show next season. But sadly I don't have a lot of choice in the matter, (curses younger self who didn't give the show a chance).

I knew Angel was coming back because his picture was on the cover of my DVD set...

Post-morten viewing is a problem, but I never paid much attention when it was running, and as long as I avoid these boards, there should be plenty of surprises to come...

FREDGIBLET

Tuesday, September 19, 2006 11:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jolly:
I knew Angel was coming back because his picture was on the cover of my DVD set...

Well Spike is on the DVD's and (very minor spoiler follows)

Select to view spoiler:

Spike is only in one episode (as of 3 eps before the end of the season)

So being on the DVD's doesn't neccesarily mean a large role.

CONSTANCE

Monday, October 9, 2006 12:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fredgiblet:
Episode 104: Teachers Pet

I'm already finding the mini-intro at the beginning of each ep annoying. I'm glad that they've ditched it (I hope permanently).

The "tough guy" sayin "in every generation there is.... bla bla bla" ?? Hated that too, it was unnessesary, and didnt really fit the show. Didnt help that they changed the voice to Gileses later on.

Constance

JOLLY

Sunday, November 26, 2006 6:30 PM

I have now completed watching seasons 2 and 3, which I found for the most part very enjoyable. I seem to have stalled in season 4. Somehow the combination of the transition to college and Buffy's romantic misadventures ("What's wrong with me?") have sapped away any joy I used to get from watching. Do things improve as the season moves on (I've watched the first five eps), or should I skip ahead to season 5?

CAROLJUDE

Monday, December 11, 2006 1:00 AM

Wow, I was/am on the same ship, Netflixing BtVS this summer and fall and seeing them for the first time (it looked too 'cool teen' for me when it was first on.)

Definitely do NOT jump ahead - finish the season. There are at least two STELLAR episodes ahead of you ('Hush,' 'Superstar')

I had the same feelings regarding the transition to college and the difference in enjoyment levels after the first three seasons. I just finished season 6 today, and I guess all I can say is that, like in real life, lots of things happen. And like in real life, we sometimes find ourselves thinking back to what we remember to be the happier days of our youth.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Walk tall, or don't walk at all...

CHRISISALL

Tuesday, December 12, 2006 3:57 PM

I stopped after S4. Then after a while, I got S5, and stopped there. It made me so angry that I sold it.
Then I got the Chosen Collection, and finished it up. 6 and 7 ended up being my favourites.
Then I got Angel S5 for more fists and fangs goodness.

I need help....

Joss addict Chrisisall

CAROLJUDE

Tuesday, December 12, 2006 10:51 PM

I watched the first 4 episodes of Angel. Didn't do it for me.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Walk tall, or don't walk at all...

JOLLY

Wednesday, December 13, 2006 6:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by CarolJude:
Definitely do NOT jump ahead - finish the season. There are at least two STELLAR episodes ahead of you ('Hush,' 'Superstar')

Well, I finished season 4 earlier this week and have started season 5. The episodes that you mention were indeed stellar (I thought 'Something Blue' was fun as well).

I think the temporary dissolution of the Scobby gang was a big part of why I had such a hard time getting into the season. I just don't find Buffy by herself sufficiently interesting to hold the show...I need my Willow and Xander and Giles as well. The ensemble dynamics are such an integral part of what makes the show work. I also found myself missing Cordy, though Anya eventually filled the void.

I thought the main story arc was less than enticing. Adam didn't deserve more than an episode.

Started watching season five tonight, which I am happy to say is off to a great start!

Regarding Angel, I've also failed to get into it (I had planned on alternating between Angel and Buffy as suggested by someone on the board). Too brooding for my tastes, but perhaps it eventually settles into a groove. I'll try it again some other time...

AMYEL

Wednesday, December 13, 2006 7:51 AM

The first half of the first season of Angel doesn't do it for a lot of people. It was very monster-of-the-week, but then they eventually start in with an actual story line. The thing about the show is that it compeltely changes in tone every year, so there's really something in it for everyone.

It's more adult than Buffy, so if that's what you want, then I would suggest to keep chugging along with Angel. The secondary characters have a lot going on with them (eventually), so you don't have to like Angel the character to like Angel the show.

JOLLY

Saturday, December 30, 2006 12:42 AM

Just finished watching "The Body", which is one of the most powerful moments of television that I have ever seen. Amazing...

If season four stumbled, then season five more than makes up for it. And I probably would have never bothered if not for Firefly/Serenity. It's good to know that some one as jaded as myself can still find things worth loving...

SHAMBLEAU

Saturday, December 30, 2006 7:05 AM

Isn't it wonderful? There are people who can't rewatch it. It's too intense and gut-wrenching, especially for those who've lost a loved one.

I came to Firefly from Buffy and I think this ep, among others, hits harder emotionally and has deeper roots than anything Joss was able to do in the fifteen eps he produced for Firefly. But I think there would have been AMAZING eps to come, maybe even surpassing Buffy's bests, which is a hard thing for me to admit, since it's my favorite show of all time. I still mourn the lost opportunities. Sigh.

And I would definitely watch the "Darla" episode (207) of Angel with the "Fool For Love" (507) episode of Buffy, if you get the chance. They're meant to be seen consecutively and add even more depth to each other.

FREDGIBLET

Thursday, February 8, 2007 4:16 AM

I'M BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!

After a long hiatus I return!

I had a bunch of stuff going on and hadn't had time to watch much (plus I got burned out on RWED again), but I'm back now and watching again. I have skipped ahead back to where I left off so I'm skipping a bunch of the third season and going straight to the end (where I left ff with my watching the first time).

I watched the end of season 3 a couple weeks ago so bear with me if I jumble the last three eps a bit

The Prom:

I didn't really like this ep that much, I must admit to being an Angel\Buffy fan so breaking them up annoys me, plus it just feels really contrived. That being said at least it was done very well, I have no complaints with the execution, just the idea. It was well written and well acted IMO and I really liked how Angel showed up at the end to give Buffy her prom. Additionally I thought it was a very, VERY nice touch to have the class acknowledge what Buffy has done, it shows that they aren't all retarded and blind and that they are appreciative, I also really enjoyed the speech that came with the Class Protector award. And as a side nte, Xander-Anya is much more satisfying than Xander-Cordy, I hope Anya sticks around for a while longer.

Graduation parts 1 and 2:

I really liked these eps, not as much as the season 2 finale but still... Giles stabbing the mayor was a great scene, and Willow gets laid w00t! The poisoned Angel storyline is pretty cool, Buffy finally deciding to take Faith out and actually going through with it (more or less) was IMO a good character development. Buffy sacrificing herself to Angel was a very powerful scene, and the confronation between the Mayor and Angel was well done, but Xander's line (you know the one) was just unneccesary. The part where Buffy and Faith are talking (dream? telepathy?) was a little wierd but in a cool way. The preparation for Graduation was a little odd but made sense in the end. The actual Graduation was a bit of a mixed bag, I thought it was great that all the students were in on it, and a lot of it was pretty cool (flame arrows, flamethrowers) but all the students standing around waving swords...not so cool, and the mayors's "well gosh"...meh. The post-grad stuff was ok, a nice coda to season with Angel leaving and Buffy gettingher diploma. A very good pair of episodes but not quite as good as the season 2 closer.

FREDGIBLET

Saturday, February 10, 2007 4:27 AM

Episode 401: Freshman

This episode elicited a resounding meh from me, it was interesting to see Buffy flounder around for a bit when she started college, but the episode was just...kinda dull. The enemy of the week wasn't very interesting, and it kind of annoyed me that a garden variety vamp gave Buffy so much trouble. I understand that the show is metaphorical and it was supposed to be showing her lack of confidence in herself etc. etc., but I just didn't really like that part. It wasn't as funny as a lot of the other episodes either, the only really good part about it was the talk between Xander and Buffy where we found out that he went stripping. Not a very promising start to the season.

FREDGIBLET

Sunday, February 11, 2007 7:18 AM

Episode 402: Living Conditions

Holy Crap was this a funny episode! From Kathy making a system for the phone calls and having Cher on repeat (reason enough for justifiable homicide), I have never had a roommate per se (though my current situation with my sister is pretty close (though that will thankfully be ending soon (but I digress))) and this episode makes me glad of that.. Willow is awesome, even when her roomate is causing enormous problems whe still empathizes with Buffy. I think that Buffy's turnaround time is improving, she's only been without Angel for a little over 3 months (guesstimate) but she's already moved on (though I imagine there will be some serious angsting when it is useful for the plot), I imagine it helps that she didn't kill him this time though... The whole Buffy-going-crazy thing had me going for a little bit, but I knew it wouldn't be that simple. The whole fight at the end was over the top but it fit with the less-than-serious tone of the episode. I just wonder what Kathy did to piss off her dad (presumably).

A great ep, but it's all funny with no real seriousness (cept for Oz, the chick and the commando guys, but I guess we'll find out more about that later). This kind of ep is awesome every once in a while but I prefer the more serious side of Buffy, especially when they manage to get good humor into the serious context seamlessly.

CHRISISALL

Friday, February 16, 2007 3:55 PM

My prediction: you will like this season overall, though not as much as three.
But will you love or hate fifth...ah, there I cannot see.

Poetical Chrisisall

FREDGIBLET

Tuesday, February 20, 2007 7:40 AM

Episode 403: The Harsh Light Of Day

This season is shaping up to be pretty good, We have the return of Anya, and the Xander/Anya relationship is back on (and funnier than ever) and we have the return of Spike. The first half of this ep is loaded with laughs, Spike dealing with Harmony, Anya trying to have her relationship with Xander (the pre-sex secene was gutbusting), and the discovery that Giles is "just as shallow as the rest of us".

Then things kick into serious mode, Buffy finds out that Parker's just looking for some love, Harmony (apparently) breaks up with Spike (just a guess), and Spike gets a day pass. The Gem storyline was interesting and I can't wait until tomorrow to see what Angel does with it (left the damn DVD at work), and the end with the frustrated women all tking walks in the same area.

A great ep that has few weak spots. Looking forward to more like this.