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6.15 As You Were Buffy: "Were you always this tall?" This episode was funny, intriguing, and well written, and it really pissed me the hell off. Maybe I should take my critique in that order, and praise before I tirade. What did I like? I thought it was touching to put Buffy in that situation; she was dealing with a horrible job, too much housework, a difficult teenager, and a troublesome sexual relationship. In walks Riley Finn, all tall and body-armored and scarred and mysterious, with a glamorous job (that has dental) and the absolutely perfect marriage, making Buffy's entire life look like crap in comparison. Xander and Anya's pre-wedding jitters were a hoot. I especially liked them on the way to the airport on a freeway that looked suspiciously like the 405; that whole conversation was fun, especially the part about sleeping on sofas and the circle of life. I also adored Willow's attempts to dislike Sam for Buffy's sake. Sam really was terrific, absolutely perfect for Riley and saying exactly the right thing to absolutely everyone; it would have been nauseating if she hadn't been so likeable. (I especially liked Sam comparing Buffy to Santa Claus and Buddha.) Now for the tirade. Riley was correct that Spike most certainly was once "deadly, amoral, and opportunistic," but is he still? Was he indeed keeping the demon eggs for someone else? And if he wasn't, how could the writers tromp all over their previous character development by having Spike do something so avaricious and harmful? Spike didn't have a chance in a side-to-side comparison with Riley because the writers stacked the deck in Riley's favor. Spike didn't even get to enjoy flaunting his relationship with Buffy, because Riley didn't react at all. (Although how about Spike unconcernedly naked in front of Riley? That took nerve.) Of course, Riley probably wasn't all that unaffected; he did offer to kill Spike for Buffy, didn't he? Were we just a bit jealous after all, Mr. Finn? It was good for Buffy to face the fact that her relationship with Spike was unhealthy and to acknowledge it out loud to someone (arghh, Riley), but it's too bad that Buffy finally started treating Spike like a person right before she broke up with him. She blew up his crypt and broke his heart at the same time (some-hit-you-over-the-head symbolism there). All through this episode, Spike looked more human and vulnerable than he ever has, especially in that last scene when, certainly not coincidentally, she called him "William." Is it over? I don't think so. They're both in the cast, there's too much between them, and does anyone honestly think that Spike is going to just let Buffy go without a fight? Despite my displeasure with what The Buffy Powers That Be just did to Spike, this was a very quotable episode with lots of fun bits: -- Liked Buffy's annoying cliche-spouting political science co-worker with the five-year pin. -- The superbreeding Suvolte demons looked like stuntmen in costumes with visible zippers. The only thing I liked about them was Buffy's description: "So they're like really mean tribbles?" -- I noticed that the vampire in the first segment and Riley both made nasty comments about Buffy smelling like burgers ("you know, it goes away after many bathings"), but Spike, who got a lot closer to her for a lot longer, didn't. About time she quit that job, anyway. Quotes: Todd: "I mean, it's not like we work at Burger World, or the Happy Bun, where the power structure is simple. No, here at the Palace, you gotta keep your friends close, but your enemies? Closer. It's like Machiavelli says. You know Machiavelli, right?" Buffy: "Tall guy, bleached mullet, works day shifts?" Xander: "Wedding, one week! We have friends, family, demons flying in, a to-do list getting no shorter, and do NOT take my chips." Riley: "I want to explain, I just don't have time. I've been up for 48 hours straight tracking something bad, and now it's come to Sunnydale." Buffy: "My hat has a cow." Riley: "Got some big stories to tell you. If we ever get half a second." Buffy: "Did you die?" Riley: "No." Buffy: "I'm gonna win." Riley: (to Buffy in her DMP uniform) "No offense, but this is black ops, and you look like a pylon." Xander: "I hate my uncle. I hate my whole family. That's why I'm marrying you, to start a new family. Have children, make them hate us, then one day they'll get married, we'll sleep on their couch. It's the circle of life." Spike: "I've memorized this tune, love. Think I have the sheet music." I'm once again flailing around for a rating, Billie |
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