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5.10 Into the Woods Buffy: "I thought he was dependable." Xander: "Dependable? What is he, State Farm?" Hanging around outside Buffy's house like a lovelorn fool finally paid off for Spike in a big way. If Spike hadn't shown her, would Buffy have ever found out about Riley's new and dangerous obsession? (Well, she might have if he had shown up at her door as a vamp some night, but other than that...) Leaving behind the issue of whether Riley is a once-in-a-lifetime great catch which in my opinion is debatable, it was way past time for Buffy to let him go. Buffy has been keeping Riley at a distance, treating him like a dependable lap dog and a sexual convenience for way too long. That scene where he was begging her to hit him said it all; Buffy's feelings for Riley just aren't strong enough to provoke her into hitting him, and as I recall, she used to hit Angel all the time. (She even hit him recently during that cross-over Faith episode, didn't she?) Buffy couldn't even cry on Riley's shoulder, although she cried in front of Spike and even let him comfort her. Buffy gave her heart to Angel but couldn't give him her body; she did the exact opposite with Riley, and it will never be enough for him. It wasn't just Buffy's fault, though, no matter how Xander made it sound. Riley has never been able to handle the fact that Buffy is stronger, physically and emotionally, than he is. And he couldn't handle Buffy's previous relationship with Angel, much less the competition Spike was giving him. I loved the Spike/Riley scenes in the crypt, both of them so envious of the other. ("Look at you, all afraid I'm hot for your honey." "You're not the long-haul guy, and you know it.") Speaking of Spike... if Buffy is now in need of a sexual convenience... Last but not least, it was great to see Xander confronting Buffy about what she was doing to Riley, and then confessing his feelings to Anya. I had been under the impression that Anya was just a sexual convenience for him, and that eventually they were headed for an extremely ugly breakup; maybe I was wrong. (Seems like such a Joss-worthy plot line, though, doesn't it?) Interesting new development, discovering that vamps sell suck jobs. Was Giles possibly prudishly reluctant about letting little teenaged Buffy know about the seamier side of biting? Bits and pieces: -- I'm glad Joyce made it, but it makes me wonder from a plot perspective: why the fatal brain tumor in the first place? Perhaps this particular storyline is not over. -- During that first romantic Riley/Buffy scene, Sarah must have been standing on a box. -- Is Spike's hair whiter? -- Gurnenthar's Ascendance? Quotes: Xander: "So, what do you wanna do now, Dawnster? Keeping in mind that I won't chase you because I'm old and I'm stuffed full of moo goo gai starch." Xander: "How's about a movie? They're showing them in theaters now. I hear it's like watching a video with a bunch of strangers and a sticky floor." Dawn: "That one looks sad." Xander: "The chimp playing hockey? Is that based on the Chekhov?" Buffy: "I'm sure he'll come over later looking for a little... Bible study." Joyce: "Well, good. I mean, just as long as the two of you are spending some quality time with ... the Lord." Anya: "Maybe we could do a holiday promotion. One free with every purchase." Giles: "Oh, yeah. Dear holiday memories. Merry tykes by the fire, enjoying their new Christmas ... chicken feet." Willow: " Holding them tight as they fall asleep... painting their little toenails..." Anya: "Have a nice day! Don't get killed." So Riley is gone, travelling out of Buffy's life on a black helicopter. Romantic strike two for Buffy. Is Riley gone for good? Only Joss knows. Four out of four stakes. I really liked this one. Billie |
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