Home | Show Index | Blog | Movie Reviews | Site Updates | About Me
Cast photo


4.10 Hush

Riley: "I guess we have to talk."
Buffy: "I guess we do."
[silence]

Ladies and gentlemen, our theme tonight is communication.

This was a gimmick show, but it wasn't just a gimmick; it was wonderfully creative as well. Buffy and Riley were lying to each other. Not being able to speak enabled them to communicate (and smooch) for the first time. Xander and Anya's communication problems were played more for laughs, but they were mentioned; and certainly, exposure to what really happens in Sunnydale changed Giles' relationship with Olivia. It even brought Willow another friend and compatriot; Tara, a shy witch who isn't just a "wanna-blessed-be." (Loved that.)

The Willow and Tara scene in the laundry room was very powerful. These two people who had never even spoken clasped hands and instantly communicated, connected, and created power. There was almost a click between them, as if something had fallen into place. As Buffy and Riley fought the Gentlemen, they also tried to communicate, but didn't do as well. Buffy had to mime her heart out, so to speak, to get Riley to understand about the box.

The fairy tale theme was done much better here than in "Gingerbread"; the Gentlemen actually gave me the shudders. But my favorite scene, no contest, was Giles' lecture with the transparencies; it's one of my favorite scenes in the entire series.

Bits and pieces:

-- This episode highlighted the talents of the principal actors. They're all so good, even without words.

-- Wheat-a-bix in blood? Is that what Spike said? Ick. Spike rooming with Giles is a hoot. What are they going to do with Spike?

-- Anya is outspoken even without a voice, isn't she?

-- Even though the height difference made them look like they were in different time zones, Buffy and Riley finally kissed in this episode.

-- In the victim's room and in the laundry room at the end, there was a poster for "red meat" on the wall.

-- Chris Beck's musical score was especially excellent here.

-- Xander beat up Spike here, when Spike couldn't hit back. Not that nice of him.

-- Buffy really screamed here. Buffy doesn't scream often.

-- Just in case you're curious, I looked up Revelations 15:1. It says, "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God." Nice touch there.

Quotes:

Riley: "So what have you got going on for tonight?"
Buffy: "Oh, patrolling."
Riley: "Patrolling?"
Buffy: "Ah, petroleum."
Riley: "Petroleum?"
Buffy: "Uh huh."
Riley: "Tonight, you have crude oil?"

Giles: "I have a friend who's coming to town, and I'd like us to be alone."
Anya: "Oh, do you mean an orgasm friend?"
Giles: "Yes, that's exactly the most appalling thing you could have said."

Wicca woman: "We come together, daughters of Gaia, sisters to the moon. We walk with the darkness, the wolf at our side, through the waterfall of power, to the blackest heart of eternity. I think we should have a bake sale."

Willow: "Talk, all talk. Blah blah Gaia, blah blah moon, menstrual lifeforce power thingy. You know, after a couple of sessions, I was hoping we would get into something real, but..."
Buffy: "No actual witches in your witch group?"
Willow: "No, just a bunch of wanna blessed-bes."

Olivia: "Sorry I'm so late. The flight was a horror."
Giles: "Oh, no. Bad weather?"
Olivia: "Baseball movie."

Olivia: "So everything you told me was true."
Giles: "Well, no. I wasn't actually one of the original members of Pink Floyd. But the monster stuff, yes."

Four out of four stakes, for clever writing and the shudder factor,

Billie





Home | Show Index | Blog | Movie Reviews | Site Updates | About Me