As soon as ep concluded, I cued the musical. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!
The Geek Triad’s use of magic has always been with “worldly,” non-supernatural aims; contrast Dru, Spike, and Angelus’s resurrection of the Judge to wreak hell on earth with the Triad’s goal of stealing the diamond to make the invisibility gun and last night’s theft of the Orbs to make Warren invincible so that they could rob banks. There was no other, higher (please don’t misinterpret that as “nobler”) purpose to the Triad’s shenanigans; thus it made sense to me that Warren would turn to the handgun as a means of exacting revenge on Buffy for messing up his plans. They’re simply petty thieves, but you know what disturbs me so much about them? Their history with Buffy and the gang throughout high school, which they seem to have forgotten; watching FX repeat the Prom episode where Jonathon gives Buffy the Class Protector award pretty much right up against this one gives me the wiggins. And remember how much controversy there was surrounding the Graduation Day episodes, in relation to Columbine? I think the portrayal of the Triad, especially now with Warren’s shoot-up, is much more troubling. Maybe–and I know this post is rambling–the Triad is a much more effective enemy because they, like Buffy, kind of straddle both the real and the supernatural world. That’s why I liked the tension between Buffy and Faith, although she was allied with the Mayor. I’m finding it harder to get lost in the fantasy of the show because of the Real Life as Big Bad theme of this season, and that’s why I’m finding these episodes a lot more disconcerting–not necessarily good or bad, but different.
Yet another lousy depressing ep in a lousy depressing season.
Gee, guys, let me know when you think it is dark enough, okay? Full blown depression on behalf of every cast member is not enough. Let’s toss in an attempted rape and a couple of shootings.
As soon as it was over, my kids commented how much they prefer the older shows (season 2 I think) that are being re-run on Saturdays.
The ONLY decent scene last night was a fine one indeed - when evil nerd #3 gives his speech about “This game is not over” and proceeds to blast off into an overhang. Man, I can’t remember the last time my family laughed that loud and long. And the blades at the beginning were pretty neat.
But the rest of it? As a wise man said, if I want to experience something bleak and depressing, I have my personal life.
Well, Stoid, the “must kill the lesbian because clearly they shouldn’t be happy” is a long-standing tradition.
I’m utterly disgusted.
And let’s not forget the gay geek’s unrequited love for Warren–“How could he leave me? I thought he loved…hanging out with us.”–being played for laughs.
Joss Whedon’s got some ‘splainin’ to do.
i agree, that’s how i saw it. before, buffy was the arch nemesis of the nerds. they needed her so they could consider themselves the supervillains they so wanted to be. it wasn’t really in their best interest to kill her, they’d rather have a long, dragged out feud. but buffy pushed warren a little too far, and he snapped. he wanted revenge and forgot about his little fantasy.
as for the whole spike deal, it seemed like the writers were trying to show us (or beat us over the head with) is that spike is still evil, in no uncertain terms. the spike/buffy love scenes always starting violently. but spike and buffy are both violent creatures, so i don’t think it shocked anyone. but once buffy was incapacitated, you could see what spike was really about.
Yeah, Gobear, I was amazed at that too. Gay guy turns evil because he wants to impress the straight guy he’s got a crush on. Because being gay can never lead to anything good, right?
Bleah. Urgh. Yeesh.
I honestly felt a little confused during Spike’s assault on Buffy. I can’t recall any exact quotes from previous episodes regarding their sexual relationship, but I remember something about Spike making Buffy “do things” that seemed to me like they were fooling around with rougher sex, perhaps even rape fantasy (which may explain–not, however, apologize for–Spike’s behavior toward Buffy in the bathroom). That’s why, pepperlandgirl, I feel like there’s more cause for confusion than bad writing or directing. I somehow felt that this was a thing Buffy and Spike had been playing at for a while, and Spike couldn’t see past his obsession with Buffy that she now wasn’t a willing participant. Maybe I’m a little unclear on exactly how you think the writer/director mucked it up; could you expand? Were you implying that Buffy can’t feel helpless as the hero of the narrative? How much does her relationship with Spike affect her ability to perform her role as Slayer? I think one of the reasons she’s lying helpless on the floor is that she’s emotionally beat down, ashamed, and scared. When she manages to overcome those emotions and perform her sacred duty in spite of them, as in the smack down of Warren, then, IMHO, she’s a hero.
For all those who are decrying the kill-off-the-lesbian and gay-geek storylines, just remember this:
In the six years of this series, how many heterosexual relationships haven’t ended up in tragedy? I can think of exactly two – Giles and the British gal, Riley and Sam. Both of those were off-screen. In contrast, we have:
[ul][li]Buffy-Angel – sex turns men evil.[/li][li]Xander-Cordelia, Willow-Oz, Buffy-Riley – the holy trilogy of love will eventually break your heart and leave town, possibly turning the world into hell in the process[/li][li]Harmony-Spike – love sucks, just generally.[/li][li]Xander-Anya – love turns women evil.[/li][li]And the reigning champion of look-at-how-fucked-up-those-heteros-are, Buffy-Spike.[/ul][/li]Move into the one-night stands, and it’s not much better. Buffy-Parker. Giles-Joyce. Xander-Mantis Woman. Xander-Mummy Girl. Xander-Faith.
I think there have been more failed relationships on the show than there have been vampires.
Be fair: nothing between two people ever leads to anything good in the BuffyVerse. Gay, straight, undead, whatever.
I think the writers/director mucked it up because we know Buffy is stronger than Spike. It’s not like she’s only the Slayer once in awhile…she’s always the slayer. We’ve never seen her in a position where she was completely and totally “helpless”…except the time she was dead! Ok, I grant tht sometimes she appears to be “losing” a fight, but she’s never really in any danger. And now, all of a sudden, I’m supposed to just buy that A)Spike could overpower her for what seems like a really long time and B)She was actually scared?
That’s my problem with it. I would certainly be scared if I was in that position, but I’m not a professional vampire killer-- 6 years running.
THe only way I can see this scenerio that actually makes sense is that she was trying to give Spike the chance to listen to her and stop on his own. When he didn’t, she kicked him. However, if that was the case, it should have been made more clear.
I’m willing to suspend my disbelief every time I watch the show. I rarely have a problem with what ME does. However, I just didn’t find this particular scene convincing. Instead, I found it confusing on a lot of different levels…and I think if the writer made it a bit more obvious that she was emotionally or physically tired, or if she was testing Spike, or somehow Spike gained strength in his “passion” or fuck, any other explanation, then I could live with it. As it stands though, we have some implied explanation, but nothing really good or that makes sense.
I think it was a pivotal scene with a lot of potential for real depth…but that it was just poorly handled.
Raven-haired Willow is gonna be AWESOME! Unfettered! Enraged! I love her.
KILL.KILL.KILL.KILL. Advice to Willow: Save yourself. Kill them alll.
I can see where you’re coming from, pepperlandgirl. In the writers’ defense, however, Buffy had just been thrown through a tombstone. Plus, Spike’s initial assault was also pretty remarkably violent for someone who’s really used to a more stand-up variety of combat. Plus plus, Buffy’s used to fighting people who want her dead. It’s a very different form of fighting when you’re really not trying to kill the other person, and I don’t think she entered into the “him or me” mindset until he had already beaten her fairly soundly and turned it into a wrestling match.
But yeah, they should have explained it better. The whole bathroom sequence, particularly the bits with Xander, made the Slayer look way too timid and passive, even for what she had just gone through.
I can see where it would be confusing, pepperlandgirl. You’re right, Buffy’s the Slayer, kicking vampire ass is what she does.
I think this might be a case where Buffy the Individual trumps Buffy the Slayer if that makes sense. When Buffy patrols, she expects bad guys to come after her. However, at home, ready to step in the tub, that’s a vulnerable position under any circumstance…And it’s not just any vampire, it’s her obsessive ex-lover. I could see where that would throw you off your Slaying game. It makes sense to me that she would be scared and confused.
I bet you’re glad her problem is with tobacco, rather than black magic, huh?
Personally, I’m in denial. I haven’t seen a coroner tying on a toe tag, so Tara’s still alive. After all, saving her will be the first thing Willow will do, won’t it?
On Warren’s irrationality at the end: I think that Mad Scientist Boy needed his two friends more than he thought he did. Without them, he wasn’t calm enough to formulate a good plan, so he just let his crazy sweep him away. I’m glad that the previews show his comeuppance lasting at least a little while. I was afraid that Willow would just burn him to a crisp in an instant. This way, he’ll have time to think about the mistakes he’s made.
While Jonathan went to jail, I think he’ll be back soon. I predict (without the help of spoilers, so this is just me talking) that Buffy will get him out to help deal with Willow. If Tara’s out of the picture, who else can do effective magic against Dark Willow? (Actually, there is another answer: Giles. But I think that Giles, Anya, and Jonathan together will just barely be able to slow down Willow. Maybe they’ll hire Ethan Rayne.)
On Anya: They seem to be attempting a redemption with her. She obviously doesn’t have her heart in the vengence thing. It remains to be seen if she’ll take it up in earnest once she starts to get over what Xander did, or if she’ll realize that she doesn’t actually want to make men suffer for a living. I suppose if that happens, she’ll retain her wish powers, at least for a while. That could be interesting, if she rejoins the Scoobies.
Good points, there. Maybe I just like Buffy best when she’s vulnerable, when the ordinary girl comes through the slayer face of witty epithets and roundhouse kicks. Like how I became more engaged when Warren began to beat on her, and she realized he was actually-strengthwise-was a more worthy opponent (meaning she didn’t have to hold back when she was kicking him about). My POV is that Spike was able to overpower her because of her feelings for him and her emotional state.
Oh, Billy, why say that when we can make it be about something deeply personal and distressing? 
Sorry, that was in reference to page one comment about “nothing works out in the Buffyverse for anyone.”
I think it is interesting that when Spike made his first move Buffy’s response was not “No, I said never again.” or something like that. It was “No, I’m hurt.” If Buffy hadn’t been injured earlier (in what was a cool fight scene even if it was brief) would she have had sex with Spike?
I gotta say, Pepper, that I’m just not with you on this. She is physically the slayer all the time, maybe, but I can imagine Buffy has a whole image of the her-spike continuum in her head, and that was shattered when she realized what she had walked into, what spike was, and so on and so forth. Notice she was mainy trying to get away, not beat the shit out of him (in normal slayer capacity). So it makes sense that Spike would be overpowering her.
Besides, I’ve always had the impression that Buffy was about as strong as vampires, but she had some innate fighting abilities that they didn’t.