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Post by ag25 on Dec 14, 2017 0:24:16 GMT
12-8-1997/2017 - Ted
I do not watch this episode as often as I should. Mainly because I am so used to seeing John Ritter in a comic role and here he is in a dramatic role playing the bad guy which kind of jars me a little bit because he's so creepy. But despite that he gives an absolutely marvelous performance as Ted!
I love that this episode reminds us that Buffy is an adolescent when it is easy to forget that given her responsibilities as the Slayer. It is normal for her to resent Ted dating her mother and wanting Joyce to be with her father, and seeing her petulance over this is great. But then the writers take it to the next level by focusing on the misogyny and male dominance of Ted and then the moral dilemma of Buffy's super powers as the Slayer. Here she, and we the audience, believe, at first, that she killed a human being and the huge consequences that brings. Yes, Ted was treating Buffy horribly (not to mention his overbearing misogynism towards Buffy, Joyce, and his previous wives) and she definitely had the right to defend herself when she was physically harmed, but since she is the Slayer, we get the added complication of her being physically stronger than Ted and she should have stopped herself before he fell down the stairs, and she later recognizes this. Then, when she believed that she had killed Ted, we get to see Buffy's guilt over taking a human life, as well as how it affected her mother. That was wonderful! I liked that this was a sort of prelude to exploring this further with Buffy and Faith later on in Season 3.
The Giles and Jenny subplot was great too. I had forgotten that they had more interaction and had actually made up prior to Surprise. I like that Jenny still needs space but like/loves Giles enough by now that she wants to reassure him that she is still into him. And lol that she shoots him with the crossbow!
Kudos to the episode for not being very supernatural. I know that might be a weird thing to say, but Ted was a robot (prelude/inversion to the Buffybot...actually that fits really well with the misogynistic Ted and the Stepford wife Buffybot/April robot; nice writing) and he was drugging the food, so no magic or supernatural elements involved. It's nice to see that Buffy can be an awesome show even without the supernatural influences. (we all knew that though, lol )
I really should watch this episode more; it has a great plot, a great theme/moral to it, and great performances from everyone. It is a wonderful stand alone monster-of-the-week episode!
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Post by ag25 on Jan 18, 2018 0:49:22 GMT
1-12-1997/2017 - Bad Eggs
Yay, we are finally back after the hiatus, lol! I kept thinking I and to watch the episode on different days, and I would look but it would be too early.
Anyway, this episode holds a little bit of a special place in my heart because it stuck out to me on my first viewing of Buffy season 2. I don't know why. I know I have read that it is not some fans' favorite, and I have even seen it described as one of the worst episodes of season 2, but I love it . I love the overall theme of responsibility, whether it is regarding Buffy and her mother or her and Angel's discussion about the future.
Xander and Cordelia are so funny here, not to mention cute. I still love her response to Xander about wanting the lights off in the closet, "it's not that I can't look at you, it's more that I don't want to," and her disgust at his clothes, lol!
Speaking of Xander, I actually like that they took one of his negative faults, his cheating on his homework/project, and turned it into a positive of the episode where he and Buffy are the ones who find out what is going on and save the day. Although, I do give Giles credit for finding the monster so the kids just had to read about it and then rescue everybody. And maybe Xander did have to face the consequences of his cheating when he almost ate the Bezoar egg, lol.
As I said in my previous comments on Ted, I like that this episode, too, highlights Buffy's adolescence in her conversation with Angel (and later with her mother). Her focusing more on the present instead of thinking about her future, not to mention the limitations/consequences of her relationship with him and their future together. And, of course, this comes directly to the forefront in the next 2 episodes, although in a different way. More foreshadowing(?), lol! Buffy and Angel are really cute here...lots of cuteness in this episode! We better enjoy it while we can. To this point, I am glad that we got this funny, cute (the couples), and normal monster of the week episode to enjoy before we get to the heavy stuff.
I liked seeing Joyce and her parenting here. She is so good at being a mom and being what Buffy needs so she can learn and grow...boy that makes me sound corny, lol.
Giles and Willow sort of fall into the background to me in this episode, but that's ok; I like highlighting the other characters too. Some more of my favorite lines are when Giles asks them "why they all have eggs," and Xander's quip about them all teaching their eggs "good Christian values," Willow saying "but my egg is Jewish," and Xander responding "Well, teach it that dreidel song" and then Willow's face as she looks satisfied with his response, lol! Also, "Eggbert" (1 or 2 g's?) and the fact that Buffy and Willow fashioned little carriers for their eggs.
The problem I have with this episode are the Cowboy vamps. Now, full disclosure, I am from Texas, so I am always annoyed at overdone stereotypes like them, so that is my bias. But, despite that, I do feel that they are not really needed here. They just distract from the main plot. I know they are probably meant to be a red herring, but it just doesn't work fore me. I do think that Tector is actually smarter that he lets on, based on some of his exchanges with his brother, but then they go and make him look like an idiot again. They maybe should have had their own episode, because I was actually interested in their history a little bit.
Yay for a Jonathan cameo!
Gosh, lots of talk about responsibility, consequences of immature actions (and the different ways we see these things in the episode), and of course the egg parent project. Hmmm, while I love the title Bad Eggs, I think maybe it could have been called "Consequences" or "Responsibility" but the former is used in season 3 in a much better way than here, and the latter is a boring title, lol.
Overall, I think it was a very enjoyable monster of the week episode.
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Post by PreachCaleb on Jan 18, 2018 15:03:27 GMT
My favorite line is Angel's: "You really don't care what happens a year from now? Five years from now?"
If you're rewatching, you know exactly what happens by next year: heartbreak, fighting, death, apocalypse.
And five years from now is even crazier.
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ag25
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Post by ag25 on Jan 24, 2018 23:31:55 GMT
Oh, gosh, yes!
Yes, PreachCaleb it's crazy how much crazier things actually do get. One thing I am really proud of in Buffy (and Angel) is that they managed to make every season different from the last. Even if we didn't like a particular season, at the very least it was not the same old same old we had already gotten before. Brownie points for creativity!
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Post by ag25 on Jan 25, 2018 5:56:57 GMT
1-19-1998/2018 - Surprise 1-20-1998/2018 - Innocence
Well guys, here we go...on with the heavy episodes, and what a great pair they are!
It's funny, I am still amazed at how much stuff happens in these episodes. When I start watching just Surprise, I think ok now how do we get to the events at the end of the episode, and then by the end, I'm just like wow...what a roller coaster ride! Not to mention all the stuff that comes after in Innocence!
First of all the title, yes, I think we can all agree that we were all surprised at the end of this episode! And I like that it is not only a nod to us the viewers, but to Buffy, Angel, and every one. Also, a nod to Buffy's surprise birthday party. Love it.
The opening dream sequence is great. I love the tone and the feel of it. You can tell it's a dream, but also important. Love Willow speaking French to the monkey in clothes, a callback to her conversation with Oz, Joyce's foreshadowing saying "do you really think you're ready, Buffy?" and then dropping the plate, then Angel's appearance (such a cute smile she gets when she sees him) and Drusilla's appearance and subsequent staking of Angel (in addition to her appearance in the dream following Buffy out of her "house"). Interesting, that Dru stakes Angel. Other than a way to alarm Buffy and make her aware that Dru is alive and well, do you guys feel this is foreshadowing Angel's "death" in terms of him losing his soul and then later on in the finale? (although I don't really count that as a death, but you get my point).
I love all of Willow and Oz's scenes. they are just so cute! And they get each other. Love that he is so cool about the supernatural world, although I shouldn't be surprised; Oz is cool.
I am always happy to see Spike and Dru back on screen. Usually Spike dominates, but here I felt it was all about Drusilla. Juliet had a very big presence in this episode for me, and it was great! The Judge was such a great idea for a monster. I am a little disappointed that he only lasts for these two episodes, but I do understand that he is a tool to show Spike, Dru, and the audience that Angel has lost his soul and is now Angelus. Still, I like him better than Acathla (as Spike says "it's a big rock"lol), but Acathla was harder to stop, so I get it. Anyway, Dru's mood swings always make me laugh. She is so funny yet dangerous at the same time. Same goes for Spike.
I love the idea that Jenny is a part of the gypsy clan Angelus (and Darla!) wronged. It gave her more depth; not that she needed it. And I like how the show (cinematography, music, etc.) make you think that Jenny is up to no good, like the show almost makes her seem sinister, in her actions to split up Buffy and Angel, and yet it is mainly in the service of Buffy's surprise party and Spike's minions getting the box. Buffy's fight and crashing into the Bronze, Cordelia's belated "Surprise!" and Buffy's actual surprise and appreciation of the party is all fantastic! As is Oz's reaction. Side note, every time I see this scene, I notice only the Scoobies are there, so it makes me wonder how much it cost them to rent out the Bronze that night? lol!
Both of these episodes do a good job of going back and forth between slow exposition and action, as evidence of Dru's funny exchange with the book-lover vamp and the sweet and beautiful goodbye between Buffy and Angel that is then ruined by said book-lover vamp and the action starts up again. It always did puzzle me why Angel jumps into the water after Buffy. I am sure she could swim and she was not knocked out or anything. Seems like an easy out for the book-lover vamp to get away and to have the Judge assembled...but maybe I am just being way too nitpicky, lol!
This time in Buffy's second dream, I noticed that both Buffy and Drusilla are wearing white dresses, although it is hard to see Dru's behind Angel.
I did not like when Xander was happy that Angel had to leave (causing Buffy pain) and then acted possessive when Willow expressed her interest in Oz, all the while dating, technically, Cordelia! This is the behavior of Xander's that I can't stand. He doesn't do it all the time, but when he does, man, it really irritates me! And he's never appreciative of what he does have (at least at this point). He is dating the most popular and one of the most beautiful girls in the school, and yet still pines after Buffy. Oh, Xander......But, later on, I love that it was Xander who had the idea of the rocket launcher to defeat the Judge, and that it tied back to a previous episode.
When the Judge is assembled, it still bugs me that he kills the book-lover vamp (yeah, ok, loving to read and gain knowledge is too touchy feely for a vampire, sure ) even though Spike and Dru love each other or at the very least "share affection and jealousy." Yes, the Judge couldn't kill them because they reassembled them and we the audience had to see the Judge's power, but still.... I also get annoyed that Angel and Buffy couldn't run away/fight off the vamps and were captured...I know, I'm being nitpicky again.
The final scene between Buffy and Angel is so beautiful, sweet, and just well done. I had forgotten that it was Angel who was actually hesitant to go any further/make love to Buffy...interesting, I'm proud of you Angel, lol! (this goes back to my previous point about Angel thinking about the future and that Buffy doesn't). But they both did a wonderful job, and it was so well written!
It is always a treat the see members of the Fanged Four together. Angelus joining up with Spike and Dru was so different and interesting. Seeing Angel as a villain (not to mention David acting as one) and the different dynamic that created with the whole group was great; here and for the rest of the season.
The scene where Angelus blows Buffy off is so horrible but in all the right ways! The writing, acting, everything was spot on and one of my favorites in this episode. Same with the bloody message Angelus leaves on the wall after killing Jenny's uncle, "Was it good for you, too?" It is disgusting and horrible but adds more to Buffy's psychological and emotional trauma. Great writing!
I also like the exposition scene between Jenny and her uncle explaining their idea of vengeance and Angel's curse. As Joss says on the commentary, this scene is meant to explain things that needed to be tied together and that had not made sense. I love that the show acknowledges the flaws in the curse and that the gypsy idea of vengeance is that it is a living thing. And Jenny acts as the audience saying that all of this is crazy/doesn't make sense and that "people are going to die." She doesn't know how true that is .
Poor Willow finding out about Xander and Cordy, but I'm glad this story line comes to a head here and is somewhat resolved with the "outing" of Xander and Cordy, and then Oz's speech about wanting to kiss Willow and have her be thinking about him and not Xander. So sweet that he tells her he can wait for her.
I feel bad for Jenny because, while yes she should have been more up front with Giles and Buffy about her reasons for being in Sunnydale, she is a good person, did not want to sneak around trying to separate Buffy and Angel, and does just want to help them, but is shunned after the truth comes out.
The rocket launcher scene and the fight between Angelus and Buffy is great. So emotionally charged. Great delivery by Sarah of "Give me time."
The scene towards the end between Giles and Buffy is fantastic. It is one of my favorite scenes with them. As I said before, it kind of mirrors their earlier scene that they had in The Dark Age. Buffy feels guilty about being responsible for Angel losing his soul (whereas in Bad Eggs Buffy wasn't being very responsible and here she is) and Giles alleviates her guilt by still supporting and respecting her (I would even say that he doesn't think she should feel guilty/responsible at all).
All in all a pair of excellent episodes that kick off the wild roller coaster ride that is the rest of season 2.
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Post by mmexis on Jan 27, 2018 2:42:05 GMT
My absolute favourite scene of those two is when Angel bites the innocent bystander's neck (who's smoking) and then exhales the smoke from his mouth. Some wonderful cinematography there!
And his words to Buffy are brutal. His words are more painful than actual physical blows. She's so vulnerable there, so emotionally naked...
And of course she hurts him where HE's most vulnerable (hee hee hee)
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Post by PreachCaleb on Jan 29, 2018 14:40:17 GMT
That's actually a pretty good contrast to the pain he causes her. Buffy causes Angel physical pain that--as painful as it was--he gets over.
But the emotional pain he has caused her will last for months.
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ag25
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Post by ag25 on Feb 7, 2018 23:16:02 GMT
My absolute favourite scene of those two is when Angel bites the innocent bystander's neck (who's smoking) and then exhales the smoke from his mouth. Some wonderful cinematography there! And his words to Buffy are brutal. His words are more painful than actual physical blows. She's so vulnerable there, so emotionally naked... And of course she hurts him where HE's most vulnerable (hee hee hee)
I agree. Yes, it is more painful to watch that than them physically fighting. And, a big YEP to your second point, lol.
It's weird, in that scene, every time I watch it I cringe and my heart breaks for her, but on the other hand, Sarah and David do such an amazing job that I get so engrossed in it, and after it's over I always think "Damn, that's such a great scene!" Well acted, well written, etc., everything.
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Post by ag25 on Feb 7, 2018 23:16:37 GMT
That's actually a pretty good contrast to the pain he causes her. Buffy causes Angel physical pain that--as painful as it was--he gets over. But the emotional pain he has caused her will last for months. Exactly!
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Post by ag25 on Feb 8, 2018 0:01:58 GMT
1-27-1998/2018 - Phases
Ah, one of my favorite episodes of season 2, second only to Passion. It is a good episode to have after the heavy episodes of Surprise and Innocence. It is more lighthearted yet still has a serious story.
Willow and Oz are one of my favorite couples, so of course this would be one of my favorites. Not only does it further develop their budding relationship; it focuses heavily on Oz and gives him character growth. Not to mention bringing in the Werewolf lore ("one of the classics" according to Giles, lol) to the show.
I love that pretty much every major character is used well in this episode, with the exception of Angel/Angelus, but he is used and still acts as a constant threat (and emotional one too) in the background. Willow and Oz are the primary focus of the episode, Buffy and Giles get a lot of screen time, and Xander and Cordelia are utilized very well. I would even say Larry is used well and received some really good character development for a background guy.
I am annoyed with Xander's preoccupation with Willow and Oz dating (I know, big surprise) BUT, not only is he used well in the plot (so I am more forgiving of it), the show actually says/points out Xander's problem through Cordy, and then again with her and Willow at the Bronze. Speaking of which, Willow and Cordy getting along???!!! Who whoulda thought? That scene was hilarious. "Who do they think they are?" "A couple of guys"
I love the overall theme of the gender dynamic between Buffy and Cain/girl vs. man. Having the show shining a light on what makes it (the show) different and wonderful is great! Buffy is seen as just a little girl who can't do anything, and Cain is portrayed as the male warrior who knows everything, but then that is shown not to be the case, as well all know. Cain's line about not being able to hunt an elephant for it's ivory and then about he shouldn't be hunting a werewolf for it's pelt because they are normal people most of the time says a lot.
Going off of this, I like that Cain is a human who is in the wrong and is the bad guy/antagonist, while the Werewolf, who is causing damage, is who we are meant to sympathize with. That is fantastic in a show where most of the monsters are bad. Great subversion.
Yay for Xander saving Buffy and staking vampire Theresa! I also love his scene where he confronts Larry and then Larry reveals that he is gay. Funny and yet poignant. And gives us a peek into the past relationship between these two. (the bully and the victim)
I love the scene between Willow and Oz where she goes to confront him and ends up ranting at him and then he turns, lol. And then the last scene between them at the end of the episode is so sweet and cute.
All in all, a wonderfully light hearted yet serious episode that moves the characters and plot forward.
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Post by ag25 on Feb 15, 2018 0:23:53 GMT
2-10-1998/2018 - Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered
I love the concept of this episode and I think it was executed really well, which is why I am more lenient on Xander's actions. The peer pressure and bullying themes are great, as are the themes of love and obsession (I think Angelus and Spike should have been taking notes here, lol). I think it was a great episode for all the characters and was glad that they managed to work so many different ones in. I also liked that it was a Xander/Cordy centric episode. I think this might be my favorite disc in the season 2 dvd box set, lol. Love all 4 episodes.
I love that they brought Amy back. I always liked her and felt that she could have been used more in the show. I know that they wanted Willow to be the witch of the group, but they could have had Amy (and Giles) teach Willow magic and still have Amy turn herself into a rat in season 3 and then have Willow be on her own. This also might have interfered with Willow (and, indirectly, Jenny) reensouling Angel later on.
Anyway, delving deeper into Xander and Cordy as characters was great, not to mention seeing their real feelings for each other. I think this is one of the few times since Out of Sight, Out of Mind that we see the real Cordelia. Side note, I love the scene at the Bronze where Xander gives her the necklace and she complements his clothes, and her reaction to him (especially the way she says "Thank you") is, I feel, so genuine and sweet. Of course that's before she breaks up with him. I did really feel for Xander there. Gosh, his reaction and pain...Nick did a great job. Basically all of their interactions are great.
Now, I definitely felt for Xander, but I never approve of revenge, and am very annoyed with Xander for stooping to that level. But, he does have to deal with the consequences of the spell going wrong, he is honest and confesses to Giles when he realizes it backfired, and knows and acknowledges he was in the wrong, so I am more sympathetic and count it more as character development rather than just a flaw. And, as Buffy says at the end of the episode, he had a real shot with her and didn't act on it. I admire that he acknowledged that being with Buffy was one of the things he wanted most and that she "didn't know how much it would actually mean to him" but he still knew it wasn't real, stopped himself, and tried to stop her from going too far. I am vary proud of him. That is why I am more sympathetic with him in this episode as opposed to others.
Seeing all of the females on the show hit on Xander was hilarious! The different characters and "styles" from the normal teenagers in Amy and Buffy, to his best friend in Willow, to older women in Jenny and Joyce, and then to vampire Drusilla. That little sequence where Angelus is about to kill Xander but then Dru protects him and then where she knocks the door down but can't enter the house always makes me laugh! "How do you feel about eternal life? We couldn't just get a coffee first?" LOL!
Pointing out the difference between love and obsession was fantastic. We see how dangerous it can be. It foreshadows(?) Angelus' obsession with Buffy (maybe even Spike's later on in the series), but the love/obsession theme is also touched on later in the season 7 episode, Him. Not one of my favorites, but it does this well.
This episode, I think, is another great character episode. It still manages to drive the season plot forward while giving great character development to Xander and Cordy, while also being a great set up for the next big episode, Passion.
Until then, Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
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Post by PreachCaleb on Feb 15, 2018 14:10:32 GMT
Did you intend to watch Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered on Valentine's Day, or was that an incredible coincidence?
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ag25
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Post by ag25 on Feb 28, 2018 23:44:00 GMT
Did you intend to watch Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered on Valentine's Day, or was that an incredible coincidence? Ha ha, no, I watched it that Saturday on the 10th, but posted on Valentine's Day, which was on a Wednesday. I have more time to post on Wednesdays, so that it why most of my "analysis" come out then. So, it was basically planned. Hope you had good Valentine's Day, Caleb!
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Post by ag25 on Mar 1, 2018 0:52:22 GMT
2-24-1998/2018 - Passion
OK, here we are at Passion. It is my favorite episode of season 2, and what an episode it is!
I love the themes and story line of this episode. How, normally, we are taught to tame our passions and to not let them control us, yet Angel's monologue makes the good point that without our passions, "we would be hollow" and "truly dead." I believe (feel free to correct me if I am wrong) that this is one of only 3 episodes in both Buffy and Angel that are narrated? This one, Beauty and the Beasts in Buffy season 3, and Redefinition in Angel season 2. I love the narration. It is so poignant and really drives home the theme, plot, and emotion. I love this episode for being strong in both plot and character (character driven).
This episode is surprisingly funny for such a dark episode. From Xander's lines ("the na-na-na-na-na-na approach," "Watcher's pet"), to Cordy freaking out about how Angelus can get in her car, to even Willow's small lines about "having to talk to Jenny because she is a teacher" and "Five hours of lesson planning down the drain", and of course Spike and Dru ("open wide for mummy," "leaving gag gifts for the Slayer" and "no going into the ring unless he tags you") LOL! The comedy played well and wasn't overdone, in my opinion, while letting the drama and tragic moments play out.
Everyone was fantastic; everybody had good amounts of screen time, and good roles in the plot. Angelus, Willow, Joyce, and Giles playing strong supporting roles to Buffy; while Xander and Cordelia are strong in the background. And, of course, this is a really strong episode for Jenny.
As much as I am so sad to see Jenny be killed off, (what a way to go!) I understand, story wise, why they did it. Buffy needed a good kick in the pants/motivation to kill Angelus, and when someone close to you (or close to someone you care about) dies, then that definitely puts things in perspective. I also love how they had Jenny working on translating/recreating the ritual/spell to reensoul Angelus. This not only gave her something important to do that was relevant to the plot (or soon will be), it pushed the overall plot forward and set things up for the finale, but it also gave her a little bit of a redemption arc which I found so sweet. I'm glad that she went out on a high note, in terms of what she was doing, and had (mostly) reconciled with everybody...or at the very least, Giles.
Giles was so great here. He starts out as the level headed one; telling Buffy not to give into her passions, and by the end is the one who is acting on his own. We get so many different emotions from him in this one episode: being practical, sweet, concern, anger/rage, horror, despair/shock/numbness, even a flash of romance before he finds Jenny. And we get to see Giles in action. He actually did a good job, at first, in his surprise attack on Angelus. I was like, yeah, go Giles! Anthony was just superb!
The way the episode was crafted was just so well done in my opinion. I noticed how the audience was kind of being lead to think that maybe Joyce was going to be the one to get killed, yet it turns out to be Jenny. I wonder if Angelus was originally going to kill Joyce, but then Drusilla got the vision of Jenny working on the translation of the ritual and changed his plan? I also remember reading somewhere that Oz was the one originally supposed to die in Passion, but they changed it to Jenny. Does anyone remember this?
Then, how they present Angelus' viewpoint on death, pain, and even strategy. How he wants to torture Buffy emotionally (and obviously in other ways too), to ultimately see that look of despair on her face, so he arranges the drawings, the killing of Willow's fish, telling Joyce that he and Buffy slept together. Even after killing Jenny in order to stop her from giving him his soul back, he goes to the trouble of drawing her, putting her body in Giles' bed, putting on the music, all of the roses/rose petals, champagne, etc.; making it all so beautiful when it is so tragic and horrible to everyone not just Buffy. I love the juxtaposition of the beauty and horror. Angelus sees death and pain as art, and we clearly saw that on display in this episode.
I think my only complaint about the episode is that I wish it was further towards the end of the season/closer to the finale. We see Passion, then have to watch Killed by Death, jump back into the Buffy vs. Angelus plotline with I Only Have Eyes for You, again wait for another episode with Go Fish, and then finally we get to the finale. I think Passion maybe should have been after Killed by Death, with I Only Have Eyes for You right after it, have a little break with Go Fish and then jump head first into the two-part finale. Just my opinion though, lol.
Overall, a wonderful episode, my favorite, that packs a powerful punch both story-wise and emotionally, and gears us up for an epic season 2 finale.
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Post by ag25 on Mar 8, 2018 0:04:58 GMT
3-3-1998/2018 - Killed by Death
I forget this episode is a pretty good one because I don't watch it that often as I find that the Der Kindestod demon kind of freaks me out, lol! And to that point, I must say the make up and prosthetics for the demon were fantastic! But this episode has a lot to offer.
I love that we get to see Buffy sick. As a superhero, and as Giles mentions later on in the episode, diseases are something that Buffy can't fight. I like that they introduce this concept here and then go on to explore it further in season 5 with Joyce's illness. This also allows the show to take place in a hospital instead of the school which is a nice change of setting for a little bit.
I like that it is a little different in that Buffy has to help kids. Yes, she has helped them in the past and will in the future, but here it starts out quite normally in that they are sick with the flu and then turns into the supernatural where the demon is trying to kill them. The red herring with the show having us think that the male doctor is behind the kids dying but is actually trying to help them was great (I wish we could have seen more of the female doctor; I liked her). This then ties directly into exploring more of Buffy's past. I always love when we get flashbacks and/or more information on any of the character's history and back story which helps provide insight into their characters.
Furthermore, the hospital setting, Buffy and the kid's cases of the flu, and the demon all tie back to Buffy's cousin, Celia and her death. Kudos to the writers. I thought the Der Kindestod's killing method was absolutely horrifying and was surprised Buffy wasn't traumatized more (this is not a criticism, I'm just commenting on it). If it were me, I would probably have been in an institution after watching my cousin die right in front of me. Which leads me to an interesting thought on the Buffy season 6 episode Normal Again, where Buffy is in an institution. I know they said that she was put in just after she became the Slayer, but it is interesting to think that she was put there because of Celia's death, and the show is just her imagination like Normal Again sort of suggests (I don't believe it, but it is a fascinating idea!).
I love the scene between Xander and Angelus. The tension between them was really good. This is where I am really proud of Xander for standing up to Angelus and telling him off/kind of intimidating him. I was like "yeah, go Xander!" His defense of Buffy was great and very appropriate here in my opinion. I also think it's interesting that Angelus didn't start something/a fight in order to get to a weakened Buffy, seeing as he could have easily taken Xander and everyone else; but I guess he would not have thought that "poetic" enough, lol!
Cordy, I felt, had more of a presence in this episode which I liked. She did her part while still being herself.
Giles, Willow, and Joyce were all great too. I thought the scene between Giles and Joyce where Joyce mentions that she knew Giles and Jenny were close and was sorry for his loss and that she was there for him was so sweet. It is such a small scene and didn't have to be included but I am so glad they did because it says a lot about the characters I think. And Willow with her frog fear distraction was so funny!
I still think this episode should have been aired after Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered as Angelus had a cameo in that and he almost attacks Xander there, so that tension/encounter could have carried over (more) to this episode, and also Angelus ups his game more, so then we would have built up more to Passion. But of course this is just my opinion...they didn't consult me, lol.
Overall, I really enjoyed rewatching this episode.
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Post by PreachCaleb on Mar 9, 2018 16:29:46 GMT
Huh. That actually doesn't sound too bad. I think you're right.
And Xander's confrontation with Angel is certainly one of his best scenes. Xander as big brother to Buffy was much better than Xander with a crush on Buffy. I love the matter of fact way he just tells Angel, "You're gonna die." Took a lot of guts and shows the inner strength we didn't get to see very often from Xander. And even his "And I'm gonna be there," was very close to being true. While he didn't stick around for the actual death (it just makes it more poetic that Buffy and Angel are alone), he played a crucial role in freeing Giles, which allowed Buffy to completely focus her energies on stopping Angel once and for all.
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ag25
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Post by ag25 on Mar 28, 2018 23:34:29 GMT
Huh. That actually doesn't sound too bad. I think you're right. And Xander's confrontation with Angel is certainly one of his best scenes. Xander as big brother to Buffy was much better than Xander with a crush on Buffy. I love the matter of fact way he just tells Angel, "You're gonna die." Took a lot of guts and shows the inner strength we didn't get to see very often from Xander. And even his "And I'm gonna be there," was very close to being true. While he didn't stick around for the actual death (it just makes it more poetic that Buffy and Angel are alone), he played a crucial role in freeing Giles, which allowed Buffy to completely focus her energies on stopping Angel once and for all. Aww, thank you.
Yes, I absolutely agree it is one of Xander's best scenes! I love seeing that inner strength shine through in Xander. It's these moments that still make me like the character even though 99% of the time I want to wring his neck, lol! He does more than he ends up getting credit for, and while you are right that he was pivotal in helping Buffy against Angelus, it (his part) is a little ruined for me because he chooses not to tell Buffy Willow is trying to reensoul Angelus...but I won't get into that yet, lol.
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Post by PreachCaleb on Mar 29, 2018 18:22:23 GMT
Oooh, should make for an interesting discussion as I've always defended Xander for that.
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ag25
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@ag25
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Post by ag25 on Apr 5, 2018 23:07:19 GMT
Oooh, should make for an interesting discussion as I've always defended Xander for that. Really? Well, then yes, this should definitely be an interesting discussion! Not to get ahead of myself here, but I could forgive Xander for it if this was the only time he did something like this, and if the show had actually dealt with it in season 3 instead of just mentioning it in season 7. Though, I am glad they at least mentioned it before the show was over.
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Post by PreachCaleb on Apr 6, 2018 13:45:46 GMT
I'm looking forward to it. I agree, Xander's committed some questionable actions, but this was never one of them for me. But as you said, we shan't get ahead of ourselves.
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