Eye yi yi…
So what did we learn tonight, kids?
1) When actors come back from “Firefly,” they come back reeaaaally pìššëd øff and reeaaally nasty. Malcolm is now Caleb and he makes Holtz from last season’s “Angel” look like Misterrogers. Me, I keep waiting to see if Jewel Staite shows up as a potential.
2) Listen. To. Giles. Buffy, in a staggering display of hubris, blows off Giles’ caution with remarks so cutting you’d think she’d turned into first season Cordelia (a role SMG was originally considered for), gets her ášš kicked, and suffers casualties. She’s gonna wind up eating serious crow.
3) The Chinese slayer wannabe is still the most fun.
4) No one delivers exposition like Andrew. His hilarious mangling of Faith having killed a Volcanist into killing a Vulcan was a comedic highpoint. Then again, there wasn’t tons of competition (it narrowly edged out Xanders dream vs. reality scenario. Leg cramp indeed). Remember when Whedon said this was going to be the season that got back to the basic fun of BTVS? Oh yeah. Fun fun fun.
5) Xander is a better inspirational speaker than Buffy. Then again, who isn’t?
6) Watching five minutes of Faith and Spike is more fun than watching five weeks of Buffy and Spike. Man, I thought they were going to do it right there. You could just feel the love being sucked right out of the room when Buffy walked in. Remember when the show could function on the chemistry of SMG and the supporting cast alone? Boy, those days are gone. Buffy enters a room and whatever’s going on just grinds to a halt as everyone looks at her with dread. While Faith and Spike were reminiscing about their fourth season out-of-body encounter, I was reminded of an earlier part of the exchange: “Summers, you know why I hate you?” “Because I’m a stuck up tight ášš with no sense of fun?” “Well, yeah, that covers a lot of it.” Whatever she was then, she’s ten times that now.
7) Anya appears to have vanished. Perhaps she was out promoting “Darkness Falls.”
8) Sucks to be Xander. I have to say, I wouldn’t want to be Caleb about now. If I were the guy who just lay a major hurt on the lifelong friends of the most powerful witch in the hemisphere, I wouldn’t want to start reading any continued stories. Rather than Buffy wandering the streets and Willow sitting at Xander’s bedside looking shellshocked, I’m surprised the show didn’t end with Willow walking up to Buffy, saying, “He’s mine,” and heading out after Caleb herself. Perhaps she will. We’ll have to wait two weeks to find out.
PAD
• 
I’m with you 99 % on all points, Peter.
The Chinese slayer wannabe is a lot of fun.
But my favorite potential slayer still remains that long, tall drink of water, Amanda!!
Hooper
P.S. See my last post from yesterday. I would say I knew it, but, like I said then…..rumor. An unfortunately true one, as it turns out!
but you didn’t say if you liked it or not.
Oh!, need I add that I like your idea for the episode’s ending better than the actual one??
Well, I do.
Hooper
Perhaps I’m reading too much into it, but I saw a not-overly-subtle “Iraqui Freedom” metaphor here, with Buffy being the “hawk,” Giles being the “dove,” & the vinyard being “Iraq.” Thankfully (so far), life dosn’t appear to be imitating art.
Oh, and it’s always fun until someone loses an eye…
“Perhaps I’m reading too much into it, but I saw a not-overly-subtle “Iraqui Freedom” metaphor here, with Buffy being the “hawk,” Giles being the “dove,” & the vinyard being “Iraq.” Thankfully (so far), life dosn’t appear to be imitating art.”
At least not until they find Caleb’s secret love nest looking like something out of an Austin Powers Movie, at least. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist)
ow,ow, ow,OW-OW-OW-OW! (Yea, you know what scene I’m talking about.) I had heard about this online, but even I wasn’t prepared for how painful it would be. Non-online people with me were freaking at 8:55 and I wasn;t far behind. For now on, no more impulse trips to AICN.
Yes, Willow, might go all black eyes then red eyed again, but that might just be what the First and Caleb want. He does seem to be two steps ahead of the gang here.
Can’t wait until 2 weeks.
TK
“Oh, and it’s always fun until someone loses an eye… ” – Christopher
Seriously. I was having dinner at the time, too. THAT got my attention. Poor Xander.
The moment Xander gave that speech and I saw that he was actually *appreciated* for it, I knew something terrible was in store for him.
I’m convinced that Xander won’t make it through the season alive. It’s a hunch. In fact, after “Conversations with the Dead,” I was almost positive that Spike had turned him or killed him off-camera. I’ve been keeping an eye on him ever since. He could use one right about now.
And, yes, I suspect Willow will be kicking some serious ášš in upcoming episodes. With good reason. Aside from being lifelong friends, Xander *only* saved her *soul*. It’s the little things that matter most.
Well, look at how the episode started… Xander “at work” but interrupted. You know what they say– “Don’t do that or you’ll go blind!” Good thing that slayerette stopped him, so he only lost one eye!
I practically guarantee next episode Xander makes a Nick Fury reference.
Ha-ha’s aside- I wonder if Xander will gain any knowledge out of this. Pretentious mythological references anyone? Odin, eh? Nahhh.
See when Xander started talking about it’s not about the kill, I was all I guess no one told you she was willing to sacrifice wood to spike in order to keep him happy.
As for Buffy eating crow? I’d be very shocked if she actually came out and said to anyone I screwed up. Her ego has really gotten out of control, which is why I’m glad Faith is there, cause she just might keep buffy off balance.
It really is sad that I was happy when her plan fell apart because I wanted her to fail so badly.
You know what else bugged me? That SMG had NO reaction to Spike insulting Angel. As much as I hated the B/A relationship near the end, she should have been mildly irked that spike is mocking him or at least react.
This is the torture we who liked FireFly have to endure. The wrath of the cancelled actors. Those who think the Chinese girl is the best potential, you may want to rethink that to she WAS the best potential. Seems the priest/first isn’t keen on foreigners since the chinese chick got it followed by the English chick.
As for Xander….screw him. Kill him off for christ sakes. He has been around for 7 years and has done nothing but save Willow last year by…talking to her. omg! Fear his awsome words! gimme a break. Killing him off would be no worse then offing one of the potentials or even Anya, or Andrew, or Dawn for that matter. Eesh…who does anything on this show?
Spoilers
Caleb said that the bringers are his “boys”. If so he maybe the one that has created them, allowing them to “see” without eyes. Maybe the blinding of Xander will give him power. Afterall, Xander himself said that he is the only one that is without power. Maybe this is his chance.
Cool show.
This episode was great. Seasons seven has been dragging bad since it hit the middle. We should have had Caleb arrive two episodes ago, scrapped one or two of the Buffy-gives-a-speech episodes, and had Storyteller and the Wood/Spike confrontation just before Caleb arrived. “Why?” you ask.
Because Caleb is a Glory-level badass from the looks of things. He’s creepy, sadistic, likes watching girls get mutilated. Oh and he likes KILLING, as opposed to the freaking intangible First (wussy suicides don’t count and neither does the less-than-Uber-Vamp). We finally get a non-impotent threat, and a mystery other than “Gee, what’s the First up to? Aw screw research, let’s go train the potentials and then tell ’em they’re gonna die.”
Ouch for Xander. I love Xander. I hope he doesn’t die, just because I like him, but something is up with what Caleb said to him: “You’re the one who sees…” I know this could be a reference to the Dawn/Xander tender moment we had in the earlier season (or the fact that Xander has always been the voice of truth in the series, like King Lear’s fool), but I still think Xander could majorly factor into what’s happening.
And dámņìŧ, Willow should be out there kicking some ášš. We keep hearing how’s she’s a big gun and everything, but she doesn’t act like it. So far she opened a dimensional portal, threw up a force field, and made some flowers grow. I want her tearing through buildings and exploding Bringers with a twitch of her nose, not sitting in a hospital chair.
And why does Faith keep getting horizontally kicked into barrels and debris? Her ribs must be springier than a Serta.
And the comedy doth return! Chinese Slayer: always funny! Andrew: hëll fricking yes he’s funny! Xander’s wet dream: what every one of us was thinking when the potentials showed up and started sleeping over.
Please, let there be more goodness like this episode.
Best line:
“Evil vineyard, huh ?”
“yeah, like Falcon Crest”
I know someone will ask this, so I’ll do it first.
Do you think that Caleb is somehow an homage to Preacher ? Seeing how he’s a “fallen” minister with a southern accent ?
I don’t think that Joss “stole” from Preacher, I just wonder if there’s a tip of the hat there ?
You know, Xander is just about the only one on there who I just don’t think the show could survive without. He is the one who has brought the comedy, lightheartedness, and reality to the show about a vampire slayer, a witch, and vampires.
He’s the normal guy who we all empathize with. Doing to him what Joss did to him was intentionally to drive home a point that he’s not playing around. However, in all honesty, I wish he was. Kill spike, or buffy again, or someone who deserves it. Don’t kill the “real” guy.
I lost my potentiol slayer tonight. >sob< Molly, you will be missed 🙁
Don’t expect alot of Willow, she’s filming American Pie 3 as we speak…. Urm, type.
I thought this was a poor episode. Caleb sounds like Ross Perot on speed–I couldn’t tell what he was saying half the time. Please no more speeches by Buffy. Why was Faith so much cooler on Angel–where she came in and kicked some serious buttocks–and kind of lame on Buffy? What’s the deal with Xander’s eye–why was that necessary? Giles and Spike are either misused or completely underused. Andrew just isn’t funny–the Vulcan thing was kind of smile worthy, but reeked of lameness as it went on. I’m kind of down on Buffy after this episode. I hate to compare it to Angel, but Angel is so many more times better than Buffy (especially lately). Let’s hope Joss does what he did last season, and saves the whole season by doing a terrific last episode.
The whole Preacher as an evil twisted guy has been done enough. Also I keep thinking I know the name Caleb from somewhere else as a preacher. I know it was used in the game Blood, but he wasn’t a preacher. Poltergiest rings a bell too….
Couple of ancillary bits, before I hit the episode. Saw a headline on the Yahoo news page that “Spike TV debuts in May”. Nah, turns out it’s just TNN rebranding itself, but an all-Spike channel would be cool.
And Peter should get a kick out of this after all the “You’re ripping off Joss” crap. Happened to turn on the TV one morning when it was set to ABC. Before I could go to the channel grid to check what was on, I hear “Vampires, Slayers…”
Huh? Nowhere near time for the FX reruns, and isn’t the TV on ABC?
Seems Port Charles is ripping off Buffy hard and fast. From the 15 or so minutes left of the episode I hit, several characters have turned into vampires. There are a group of women called the Slayers who fight them. One Slayer’s love was a vampire who’s been turned back to human.
Unfortunately, it’s completely missing any of the wit and style of Buffy.
In general, I thought this episode was a major improvement. If for no other reason than that Buffy and Co. finally have something they can go out and actually fight with something other than “motivational” speeches. The dialog and side bits (Faith vs. Spock, Xander’s dream, etc.) also worked well, as did the very mixed reactions to Faith.
One bit about the last though; oddly the two people other than Buffy with the most reason to have been leery around Faith didn’t really interact with her. Yeah, she and Willow shared the car ride, but they didn’t really interact over on Angel, and Willow was acting *way* nicer to Faith than I’d expect.
And given that Faith was who Xander lost his virginity to, there *really* should’ve been interaction between them, and perhaps also with the vanished Anya.
As for Caleb’s southern accent, trust me, as a native North Carolinian, there’s something about tossing that accent onto preaching that just works.
Re: chemistry between Buffy and the rest of the cast. I’m wondering if that might be a reflection of real world issues. I’ve noticed that SMG never gets mentioned as showing up at those Shakespeare readings at Joss’ house, there was some mention when her decision to leave the show was made public that she and Joss had had something of a turbulent relationship over the years. And I noticed that none of the Buffy cast or Mutant Enemy folk were mentioned as attending her wedding.
Could be there’s some backstage problems between her and the rest of the cast that’s showing up in the show?
On the plus side for Xander: that bottle of Visine’s gonna last twice as long!
Also I keep thinking I know the name Caleb from somewhere else as a preacher.
There was a show, circa 1995, called “American Gothic”. It had a sheriff-slash-devil character named Lucas Black played by Gary Cole and a kid named Caleb. Maybe that’s what you meant ?
Thou shalt not mess with Xander…revenge is coming, hopefully at the new cyclop’s own hands.
And it must be the atheist in me that loves the preacher spouting bible verses is EVIL…
“Those who think the Chinese girl is the best potential, you may want to rethink that to she WAS the best potential. Seems the priest/first isn’t keen on foreigners since the chinese chick got it followed by the English chick.”
Cyr, I’m not convinced the Chinese girl died. I think it was another potential. In fact, after I checked the tape, I’m convinced it wasn’t her.
I find it hard to believe that Willow would go all evil again when it would just be much easier to heal Xander. A true “Wiccan” would much rather heal than hurt. They have this nasty little rule called the “three fold law” that should keep things like retribution at bay. If Willow was truly on the path for redemption from last season and wanted to stay on her Wiccan path, then healing him would be the appropriate thing to do. Dark Magic is exactly what is not needed in this fight, white magic is.
Not all fights happen on the battlefield. Willow is just a bit player in this. The Slayers are the ones who need to stop the First and all its minions, because that is the cause of this war.
One of the things that I’ve been wondering is why no one (except Wesley over on Angel) uses guns. The gang knows that the Bringers are, for all intents and purposes, are human so why not get some automatic weapons. If Xander can score that rocket launcher from a few seasons back then he should be able to come up with some firearms. And why doesn’t anyone go for the killing blow? It seems obvious to me that you wouldn’t want to waste your time trading punches with guys that you can either stake, stab or shoot. Maybe that’s just me.
There have been so many instances this season of people acting against common sense or being oblivious to the obvious and seeming to forget EVERYTHING they’ve learned over that past six seasons that I’m sort of glad that the show is ending. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the show. But if this is the best they can do then I’m glad to see them end the show before it goes too far in the toilet.
Fazhoul
Could be there’s some backstage problems between her and the rest of the cast that’s showing up in the show?
It wouldn’t surprise me. Even if there’s no outright tension between SMG and the rest of the cast, all signs point to her being seriously burned out. (For some reason people here seem to be more inclined to blame the production staff or writers than the actors, but I think it’s pretty clear why Faith’s been livelier than Buffy lately. Eliza Dushku hasn’t been the main character in an hour-long, physically intensive action/drama series for seven years running…)
Also, anyone who’s complaining about Buffy’s speeches needs to look at the big picture. Buffy has been trying to do something she’s not good at, ignoring advice she doesn’t want to hear for advice she does (Wood’s advice wasn’t bad, but she didn’t pick the right time to apply it), and failing to work as a team player, because she’s convinced that’s the only way to succeed. (Also, she’s human and therefore fallible; and Buffy’s never been a very good team player or good at taking guidance.)
There’s a clear arc here: Buffy attempts something misguided, things go wrong (as seen in this episode), Buffy learns from this and changes her approach to something that works. (I’m expecting a line along the lines of “I’ve been trying to be a general, but I’m not a general. I’m a slayer, and it’s time I started acting like one.”) Viewers can be curiously intolerant of imperfections in major characters; but Buffy is a show about growing up, and you can’t learn without making mistakes.
(Which doesn’t mean you have to enjoy the speeches; just that they have to be taken in their proper context.)
Draven mentioned:
I find it hard to believe that Willow would go all evil again when it would just be much easier to heal Xander. A true “Wiccan” would much rather heal than hurt. They have this nasty little rule called the “three fold law” that should keep things like retribution at bay. If Willow was truly on the path for redemption from last season and wanted to stay on her Wiccan path, then healing him would be the appropriate thing to do. Dark Magic is exactly what is not needed in this fight, white magic is.
Problem is, in teh Buffy-verse, they’ve said more than once the healing magic (at least on humans) is unpredictable and dangerous and rarely works as intended, that helps prevent them from using that cop-out.
Plus, the Buffy-verse also seems to indicate that just about all magic seems to be “Dark” at its base, even when used to do good, so there’s that factor as well…
This episode blew me away. Caleb put more menace and did more direct harm to Buffy and company in one episode than the First has in the entire season to date. If the rest of the season packs this sort of punch, then it will be salvaged for a large part — and Joss and company could at least claim that all along, their intent was to reverse the usual pattern of Buffy villains by having the “Little Bad” be a bigger threat than the “Big Bad.”
Caleb’s line to Xander about being “the one who sees,” coupled with Dawn’s remarks earlier this season and Giles’ previous comments that Xander is more important than he realizes, leads me back to one thought. Xander will be the first of a new generation of Watchers.
Sure, he’s not that studious. He’s mocked Giles’ more geeky qualities on more than one occasion. But as we saw this episode, he’s more of a leader than Buffy could ever hope to be. It’s no more far-fetched than Buffy being the Slayer, especially now. (I did think of Odin as soon as I saw what Caleb was doing.)
Other thoughts:
I’m not convinced Willow will survive this season. The Xander thing could push her over the edge.
It didn’t bother me at all that Willow didn’t give Faith more of a hard time over her history with Xander. If anyone’s learned the value of forgiveness, it’s her.
Dawn’s staredown with Faith, however … that was an unexpected treat. And it begs the question of how Faith and Dawn might have interacted in the retroactive continuity. There had to be something behind that look besides “You tried to kill my sister” — because Dawn never gave Spike a look that full of hate.
Andrew’s narration provided some much-needed comedic relief, as did Xander’s “leg cramp” moment. It was good to see Amanda break up Andrew’s story — and even better not to see her get killed.
Add my vote to the Caleb Naysayers. While Fillion did a good job – albeit with a bit more accent than I thought was good, compared to his accent on Firefly – Caleb is both too powerful and too familiar. There is a very long line of twisted preachers in pop culture, and after so many years, such characters are old hat. I did like his odd fetish about getting The First to be a highlight reel. (Didn’t buy, though, that The First would play along.)
Xander loses an eye – a permanent and tragic injury – and I find myself not really caring. It felt like just another thing thrown in to what is becoming a painfest as we get to the end. And I do hope he is not gaining any powers – there should always be one normal person in the crowd.
I am getting so tired of Buffy’s attitude. Faith was a breath of fresh air, and while I don’t think the Faith spinoff would have been too good – Minear gave an interviw where he said it would have been Faith on a motorcycle roaming America – Dushku has earned the chance. I hope her Fox pilot works.
And where was Anya?
And why is Buffy still mad at Giles when even Spike seems to understand?
Not too hopeful that this show will go out on a bang.
Was anyone else wondering if the “I’ve got something of yours” thing might actually be the extra “DARK” that Buffy refused from the original Watchers? If not, then how is the First making Caleb so strong?
The music from Andrew’s Faith/Spock fight was dead on for “Amok Time.”
I just about screamed my own eyes out when Xander lost his. Willow shouldn’t go out for “revenge,” but if there’s ever been a villain that needed putting down…
Eric
Since Caleb created the Bringers and they can apparently see… I think it more likely that Xander is going to become a reluctant spy for the bad side rather then gaining super powers that he can use for good.
Maybe Caleb will be able to watch them through whatever mystical means which allows the Bringers to move around without bumping into doorjams all the time.
But I think it was done just to lend instant credit to Caleb as a serious threat.
Jason wrote: I did think of Odin as soon as I saw what Caleb was doing.
Funny, the first thing I thought of was Seinfeld.
I can hear Xander now. (in the Seinfeld whine) “I don’t want to be a pirate.”
Maybe Willow will give him the puffy shirt.
Faith’s appearance in this episode proved how much better “Angel” has been this season. “Salvage” was a far greater Faith episode *plus* we got lots of Wes and Angelus action. But this? Ick.
Why is Buffy behaving like she did in “When She Was Bad”? I almost expected Willow to say, “Hey, what about the P.S. that says ‘This is a trap?’ “
I was amused by Caleb’s “I do now” response to Buffy’s “You have something of mine.” Sheesh, Buffy, use your head for once.
There was absolutely nothing to be gained by taking the potentials into that situation. They were a liability. Common sense would have dictated that only two people go on that mission — Buffy and Spike (arguably Willow, but I think she would have been more valuable with Faith guarding the potentials).
And what does Buffy tell the folks at the emergency room about this?
Xander losing an eye…
again…
I still think he’s going to be a watcher.
Travis
Question: Does Faith have a last name?
Other than that, I wished THIS was the episode that BEGAN the season and not part of the last six. Caleb is a REAL menace. Pease, no more mentions of Holtz – that guy was lame. Caleb is WAY better.
My humble opinion, the sub-title for this episode should be “Too little, too late”.
Yes, I liked everything they did here…but they should have done it six to 10 episodes ago. All season long it’s been talk talk talk, telling us how dangerous the Big Bad is, telling us how the threat is real, telling us everything we need to know. And now, five episodes from the end, they finally start showing us.
You ask me, they should’ve brought Caleb in somewhere around ep. 8 (right after “Conversations With Dead People” would’ve been perfect), and that would’ve given us a definite face for the evil-ness. We could’ve seen the actual danger that’s presented. Heck, I’ll go one better; after bringing in this character early on, Caleb would then have died (either accidentally or deliberately) by Buffy’s hand around ep. 15 or so — but the next ep, before our heroes can start resting on their laurels thinking they’ve won, the First Evil could show up in the form of Caleb, taunting them that “you didn’t really think I could be beaten that easily, did you?” We then get a few filler eps, much like the last few have been, and then in ep. 18 a new Caleb-type comes into town, and they realize that it’s going to take more than defeating a bad guy to win this one…
Well, that’s how I would’ve written it, anyhow.
Oh, and:
PAD: I’m surprised the show didn’t end with Willow walking up to Buffy, saying, “He’s mine,” and heading out after Caleb herself.
Except that they did practically that exact same thing back in season 5 when Glory mind sucked Tara. It might’ve made sense in character, but it wouldn’t have been anything new (actually, wouldn’t that have been a bit of a backslide for Willow?).
Alan M: I agree. After Conversations with Dead People, this season really went south and quickly. Caleb should have been introduced in “Sleeper” (at least behind the scenes, to maintain a degree of menance).
To answer an above question, I’m not sure of Faith’s last name, but I think it’s “Nomore”.
Y’know, Faith Nomore.
Running away
I had read somewhere about the new “Preacher” coming to town, but hadn’t expected for him to be played that good and be so bad. There is a movie that came out in 1955 called The Night of the Hunter where Robert Mitchum plays a southern preacher with violent tendencies toward women (He liked to stab them). I couldn’t get that character out of my mind and kept looking for L-O-V-E and H-A-T-E to show up on Caleb’s Knuckles. I am not saying Joss and Co. ripped off that character (if anything paid homage to) but Preacher Caleb seems just as sick and twisted.
The Lord blinded mine enemies when they brought me in this evil place…I come not with peace, but with a sword…This sword has served me through many an evil time.
Xander’s eye-popping scene caught me off guard. I have been used to the main cast taking a beating, but generally always getting up and limping out – but generally being all right. I think it added a bit of much needed reality to the show. (I was on the edge of my scene yelling, “Oh my God, Son of a Bìŧçh!”)
Lord, I am tired. Sometimes I wonder if you really understand. Not that You mind the killin’s. Yore Book is full of killin’s. But there are things you do hate Lord: perfume-smellin’ things, lacy things, things with curly hair.
Of Course this preacher is not praying to the Lord (technically neither was the other preacher), but the First looking like Buffy manipulating his needs by reliving his other conquests for him. I thought this was brilliant move to keeping him deeply in his mood of Evil. And didn’t the First/Buffy ask him if he liked her hair?
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit. Neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Wherefore by their fruits, ye shall know them.
I think Willow will not turn badass again, For if she did, she would be evil again and that is too much to resolve in 4 episodes. I think she will play a pivotal part in the end shows, but not like she was at the end of last season.
No, no. No little lamb. Don’t touch it. Now, don’t touch my knife. That makes me mad. That makes me very, very mad.
I found it interesting that Caleb said that he had ruined a very good knife in the potential slayer he stabbed in the truck. Goes to show that he thinks he is invincible – and from the strength he showed in the battle he very well may be dámņ near. Nathan Fillion (in an interview over at Zap2it.com) said THE fight scene in the show took them 4 days to film because it had to be perfect. I’d say they got it right.
Oh, them poor little lambs. To think I never hoped to see them again in this world. No, dear Madam, if you was to know what a crown of thorns I’ve borne in my search for them stray chicks.
Caleb and Co. may not have to search as hard as the Preacher in The Night of the Hunter but I felt it wonderful episode and it just proves that they haven’t forgotten how to make a good show. I am a film studies minor and watched Mitchum’s movie about a month or so ago. I recommend it highly.
What is the deal with 2 more friggin weeks??? That sucks, man.
Xyon
Caleb could’ve been called Wussy Boy and wore a dress and he would’ve been scary. The opening scene was brilliant, here I am thinking this guy’s gonna help the girl get killed and become the First’s Dead Body of Choice and it turns out he’s actually the First’s muscle.
I also like that he isn’t deluded into thinking the First is God he’s just a twisted freak who wears the collar because it makes his work a bit easier. And the accent may help as well, but now he doesn’t need to lure anyone in, it’s so close to the end he can just be his true evil self.
Naaaah, you naysayers are just out to find fault.
I don’t know if I’m so much a naysayer as one of the kids in the back of the station wagon asking, “Are we there yet?”
I want to trust the writing team on this one. That all these talking episodes are leading up to something. That the level of depression I’ve been feeling all season is going to mean something in the end. So I’ll keep thinking it.
Oh…and put me in the “Xander…WAOH!” club. I try to stay away from spoilers, so this one totally blew me out of the water.
And I’m liking the Watcher idea. Xander would truly bring a whole other dimension to what it means to be a Watcher.
Three worthwhile things about this episode:
1) The Faith/Buffy/Spike exchange in the graveyard. Snapping, character-driven dialogue within a fight scene. My God– it felt like Season 2 or 3 for a few minutes.
2) Faith and Spike starting to get their swerve on in the basement.
3) Oh, wait– can’t think of a third….
Sorry, folks– bored now, bored most of the seaon. Caleb is laughingly derivative, the First continues to be a pointless collection of plot holes, wildly inconsistent abilities, and nonexistent motivation, and the pacing has been disastrously off both within every single episode to some degree and across the season as a whole. Feh. If this were season 1 or 2 of the show there wouldn’t have been any more, and we (and the characters/concepts) deserved a better send-off. There’s been little more than marking time here all year.
One more heartfelt speech–by anyone– and the whole thing officially becomes fanfic.
You know things have gone off the rails when you’re sort of hoping the villain suceeds, just to end the annoyance.
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who was reminded of Night of the Hunter with Robert Mitchum. The minute Caleb had the potential in his car, I was reminded of Mitchum’s wedding night scene where he abuses his wife for the first time. I kept expecting Xander to make a reference to “Ol’ Man Love and Ol’ Man Hate”, but maybe next episode, if he gets a chance at payback.
I seem to recall Caleb’s use of the cigarette lighter to heat up his ring to use as a brand done as a scene in some other movie or show. Does it ring a bell with anyone else?
It may have been because of different scriptwriters, but I felt a bit disappointed that whatever maturity and insight Faith had displayed on Angel was lost on Buffy. I got the impression from her chat with Spike in the basement that Bad Faith is back, where men are sex animals and she just has to look out for herself. To me, it just seemed odd for a person who was spouting Psychological euphemisms to Angelus in a psychic bond 2 weeks ago, and had expressed interest in redeeming herself.
As to the Xander/newest Watcher idea, I always thought that Dawn would be the first of the new generation of Watchers. Especially when she was translating that ancient book of Slayers that Principal Wood gave Buffy. Xander always had lots of opportunities to perform Watcher-like duties and never took much of an interest.
I figured out why Anya was a no show this episode. Anyone remember the “Bunny” related holiday this weekend? She’s probably in hiding. =o)
And I thought PAD told us Faith’s last name ? Isn’t it Anbegorrah ?
I have not read any of the spoiler web pages out there– I am just basing the following on regular entertainment news reports– but I just have to get a couple of things off my chest:
1) When Buffy was “resurrected”– the resurrection spell was not completed because Willow was interrupted by Demon Bikers… Yet “Buffy” showed up anyway.
2) Spike (when he still had his chip) discovered early on that he could hit Buffy without feeling pain. Since he could only hit “bad” things and not feel pain… He deduced that there was something screwy about the resurrected Buffy.
3) I don’t care what anyone says (yet I would be happy to hear more takes on the logic behind their thoughts) but I do NOT believe that the First can imitate Buffy “because Buffy has died before, and all you have to do is die for a second for the First to be able to imitate you– even if you come back to life… blah, blah, blah).
Can anyone tell me what episode the FIRST said, “Look at me! I can ONLY impersonate dead people… even if they have only been dead temporarily!”?!?
I’ve only seen the Scoobies assuming that’s all the First can do… Since that is all the First has done. (Impersonate dead people.)
So, if that fact is true– that the First can ONLY impersonate dead people… Then I’m led to my major point…
I DON’T THINK THIS BUFFY WE ARE SEEING… THIS BUFFY WE HAVE SEEN FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS…
… is the REAL Buffy.
Or at least not the “whole” Buffy.
Maybe it is “part” Buffy.
But it AIN’T the REAL Buffy.
I believe the REAL Buffy is STILL DEAD.
And I am not used to Joss and Co. letting things like my original points #1-3 slide by WITHOUT explanation… and I cannot imagine that they would let major plot points like this slide now– at the end of the series.
Here’s what I feel in my gut– I know that the “REAL” Buffy would have jumped all over Spike for dissing Angel. I know the “real” Buffy would not be so caustic in dismissing Giles, etc.
I have a very strong feeling that when ANGEL comes to Sunnydale… this– and a lot of these mysteries/inconsistencies– are going to get cleared up VERY fast! My guess it’s a look, a touch, or even a KISS between the two of them… But Angel will know QUICK that we are not dealing with the “REAL DEAL” Summers here!
Thoughts anyone? Are these valid points or have I just slipped from reality altogether?
insideman: I’ll put it this way: I don’t expect that to be the ending. But if it did happen (suitably explained) I wouldn’t expire of shock, either. (There are facts that would have to be accounted for; it’s Buffy’s body, Buffy’s memories and Buffy’s Slayer powers, without question. I’m willing to be open on whether it’s Buffy’s soul, I suppose.)
Insideman:
The First has posed as Spike and Dru, who are dead but yet still “living.”
Buffy’s first death counted as a real death enough to trigger Faith, so I don’t see much of an incongruity.
Stephen – not to pick nits, but Buffy’s “first” death triggered Kendra, not Faith. Kendra’s death (by Drucilla) triggered Faith. Nevertheless, I agree with your point.
I’m wondering if good wicca Willow can’t use healing, maybe she can do one of those change reality or go back in time and warn yourself kind of spells.
I really do not like seeing Xander maimed for life.
Poor Chinese almost slayer… no one translating for her yet, and no one there seems to understand Chinese… although Spike might and be hiding the ability…. as he did kill a slayer who was Chinese, once (in China).