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3.5 Homecoming

Trick: "Ladies, gentlemen, spiny-headed looking creatures, welcome to SlayerFest '98!"

I felt rather ambivalent about this episode. On the one hand, I could understand Buffy feeling rebellious about her forced maturity and overcompensating by wearing pink frills and getting in touch with the "prom queen within"; on the other hand, I was uncomfortable because I felt Buffy should have gotten past this point a year ago. I also felt a bit see-saw-y about Cordelia in this one; it was fun seeing the "old" Cordy back and bitchy, but hasn't she gotten past this point, too?

I also didn't like seeing Buffy groveling to keep a mediocre boyfriend like Scott who will obviously never understand her; but at the same time I could understand that absolute mediocrity (cuteness aside) must appeal to Buffy's longing for a normal life. But how could she just tell Angel "I'm seeing someone else" like that when he just suffered through several centuries of demon dimension hell for her?

How like BtVS to finally put Xander and Willow together...when we don't want them to anymore. I like Xander with Cordy, and Willow with Oz. (I love Oz.) I really don't want to see Xander and Willow "spinning the whole group dynamic out of orbit."

The predictable "neither wins" ending was sort of a drag, too. Buffy probably pulled a Perot on Cordelia. Either that or the population of Sunnydale High wised up.

This episode did explore some interesting adulthood issues. They are seniors this year and the entire teen cast is growing up and things are changing.

Bits and pieces:

-- Loved the take-out blood.

-- I noticed last week that Angel miraculously acquired pants. He got a shirt to match this week, but Buffy probably supplied it so it doesn't get to be magical.

-- Loved Giles' practical joke at the homecoming dance. Loved the finger food joke, too. Face it: I just like Giles a lot and they keep doing such great things with him.

-- The spatula. Wooden handle, I assume?

-- Faith continued to be supportive of Buffy. I still miss Kendra, though.

-- If we can't have Spike and Dru back yet, I'm glad they brought back two of the more enjoyable vamps (the Cowboy and Mr. Trick).

-- And yes, there's a dog reference. Willow was upset about working for Cordelia: "No, I'm not a friend. I'm a rabid dog who should be shot."

Foreshadowing:

-- In his very first scene, the Mayor says to Allen, "You have all my faith."

Quotes:

Buffy: "'Drastic distraction reduction.' Try saying that ten times fast."

We got our first glimpse of the Mayor that Snyder keeps talking with on the phone. And he's a whacko, not surprisingly.
Mayor Wilkins: "Your hands. I think they could be cleaner."
Allan: "Of course, sir. I mean, I, I washed them, but..."
Mayor Wilkins: "After every meal and under your fingernails. Dirt gets trapped there. And germs. And mayonnaise."

Willow: "I would never, either. It must be the clothes. It's a fluke."
Xander: "It's a clothes fluke, that's what it is. And there'll be no more fluking."

Oz: "As Willow goes, so goes my nation."

Willow: "What are we going to do? I mean, we have to do something. This is all our fault."
Xander: "How do you get from 'chick fight' to 'our fault'?"
Willow: "Because, we felt so guilty about the fluke, we overcompensated helping Cordelia, and we spun the whole group dynamic out of orbit, and we're just a big meteor shower heading for Earth..."

Buffy: "You really love Xander?"
Cordelia: "Well, he kind of grows on you. Like a Chia Pet."

Let's say two out of four stakes,

Billie





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