Buffy Challenge Post 49: Season 5: Episodes 21 - 22

The Weight of the World

Finally we’re about to wrap up what has been a very emotional and entertaining season so lets get started.

Previously on Buffy……. Glory thinks Tara is the Key and took her mind when she realized she once again made a mistake…….. Glory Finds out that Dawn is the key and Buffy and the gang make a run for it…….. they get chased by knights………The true purpose of the key is revealed and Glory gets her hand on the key.

The minions are running around to get Glory ready for her trip. Glory has some real plans for the destruction of the world but is still not satisfied. Giles has stabled but Buffy is still in shock after losing her sister. Buffy needs to get her head back into the game as she is facing some insurmountable odds.

Buffy tries to shake her back to her senses which only leaves Xander and Spike to go at it and Willow takes charge! Spike lets the guys know that Ben and Glory are the same person and for some reason they have no idea what they are talking about due to the fact that anyone who sees the transformation forgets it ever happens (don’t remember when that happened?)

Glory is getting things ready for the dimensional collapse and Armageddon on the world. (Good thing I read DC comics where multi dimensions and earths are the norm.) Glory hits a soft spot for Dawn and vice versa as Glory starts to feel human emotions which she does not like.  The death of Dawn is the key to the destruction of the universe.

Tara is still troubled (and her acting is phenomenal!) Willow is off to snap Buffy out of whatever issues she is facing while Anya looks after Tara. Willow enters Buffy’s mind to find a young Buffy in her room.

This is a really  surreal scene as we see the memory of when Dawn is brought back from the hospital. Fast forward a few years and Willow is not the only one confused. Giles has been discharged from the hospital, Spike has found nothing at Glory’s apartment (Last time I checked there was no smoking in a hospital Spike) Oh the chip in the head brings such hilarity as Spike gives Xander  a clip over the ear.

It seems that the minds of Glory and Ben are merging and she is losing her power over suppressing the good that is Ben.  Glory wants him removed however that seems unlikely to happen.

Meanwhile back in Buffy’s brain ……….. Willow sees the desert interaction between the first and current slayer. Glory is struggling with humanity, (don’t we all!) She is whining to Dawn that humans are depraved beings who want to kill or die.

Back in Buffy’s mind and we get the explination to “Death is my gift”  Buffy thinks that her only purpose is to kill.

Glory is now Ben and he is remembering Glory’s actions, Dawn is trying to convince him to escape. “This is weird indeed!” as we are back to little Buffy. Around and around we go in her mind.

Spike catches up with the demon who gave Dawn the ability to raise the dead. He is not overly thrilled with helping the guys with Glory, he attacks them as it seems that he is a follower of Glorificus! Xander does a great job killing the old man who bleeds blue. (CREEPY WITH THE EYES OPEN!!!!) Spike gets the box.

Back to the mind of Buffy and she is about to  kill Dawn again. Ben helps Dawn escape but he changes to Glory after knocking Ben out. She is not happy. Now Glory and Ben are fighting each other. (wonderful work with the special effects.) Talk about an internal struggle between good and evil! (with Dawn stuck watching the freak show!) Is this a Monologue or a Dialog?

Back to the crazy world of Buffy’s mind, is there something in that book? It’s the point that Buffy quit and realized that she will not win this war. This episode is like the writers were on some acid trip.

Willow finally snaps Buffy out of her trance and Giles lets the gang know the only way that Glory can be stopped is to kill Dawn!

WHOAH!!! What a weird episode, so much happening so quickly and it sets up for what will be an momentous ending to this season with a huge moral delema for everyone. Kill one to save the world? or try to save Dawn and risk the fate of reality as we know it?

WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO?

7/10

The Gift

Here we go……… Previously …… Starting right at the beginning as in season 1 beginning….. Buffy is the Slayer……. We meet everyone for the first time again……and a montage of everything that has happen in the show right to this point in time. A great way to build up the ultimate challenge.  It stops with a kid in the ally way with a Vampire chasing a dumb looking kid. We get back to what we know she does best, fight Vampires it never ceases to amaze me how much wood there is around in Sunnydale and how the Vampires seem to fight Buffy around it. (if I was a Vampire I’d go to a scrap metal yard that way there was no wood) Buffy is not “Just a Girl” She is a Hero!

That was a great way to remind the audience that our hero is a powerful entity as she has spent the last few episodes running away from her troubles…… Giles is going over the ritual that is about to happen and it seems there is not much that can be done to stop the gates to hell open except by killing Dawn. Tensions are rising and thus holds the dilemma of the whole season. The only way to succeed is to stop the ritual and for the first time Giles has lost faith in Buffy’s ability to prevail against insurmountable odds.

Good thing that Anya is there to keep the ideas flowing. (not now Spike!) I think Tara is the answer to this problem. Anya has figured out how to distract Glory and attack Glory. (nice use of props from previous episodes) Xander remembers why he is in love with Anya and Smart Chicks are HOT!

Dawn realizes that Ben is as evil as Glory but the difference is Glory is up front about it. Back in the Box Buffy is working up a sweat and is ready to face the ultimate challenge, Giles has had to be the bad cop, he sees that his purpose is to protect the world and that includes sacrificing Dawn to do that.

Glory is doing her homework and is ready to begin the ritual to open the dimensions to hell. Xander and Anya were “Looking” for the sphere. Xander finds the Buffy Bot. Anya is fantastic as a character as she freaks out over the Bunny she finds and XANDER POPS THE QUESTION!!!!! Which Anya slaps him for it.

This is a slow build up for the final showdown. Buffy lets Willow know that she is the biggest asset that she has while Willow lets her know that she has a plan to restore Tara’s mind. The sphere has been found. ENOUGH with the wrapping up plot threads and get to the action already!

Why does the whole tying up Dawn at the top of a tower scene remind me of the first X-Men movie? Tara is the key to finding Glory!  They find where the ritual is about to happen and Spike offers Willow some liquid courage. Awesome scene with Willow taking back Tara’s mind from Glory. Buffy shows up and it is on! (Or not?) Glory is not feeling great as the sphere is causing major problems for Glory, the opening Buffy needs to even up the odds.

Glory gets her strength back and knocks Buffy’s head off.

BUFFY BOT!!!! I KNEW IT WOULD COME IN HANDY!!!!!

Ogre hammer to the head sends Glory flying, as Buffy goes to save her sister. Once again really impressed with the fight chorography and wire work. Xander is a glorified bricklayer who is excellent with bowling as he smashes her with a wrecking ball.

The old guy was the wild card as he is ready to help Glory win. Spike gets up to protect Dawn but is no match for him. meanwhile Buffy goes to town on Glory with the hammer. She reverts to Ben when Buffy runs to save her sister. Giles does what Buffy couldn’t and kills Ben. Dawn’s blood is spilt and the dimensions are opening up on each other and all types of evil starts to enter our plane.

Buffy sees that she can save her sister by sacrificing her own life. In the ultimate heroic act she jumps into the portal to save the world as it closes, Buffy falls to her death…………….

 

As we look at her tomb stone and fade to black……… I finally get a season finally that makes me think “NO WAY” I never would of seen that ending coming……….. But you can’t keep a good hero down as there is no way the next two seasons of “Buffy” don’t have Buffy in it.

Slow to get started… however……

Amazing ending, to a Really wonderful season!

8/10

See you all for season 6 ……… Oh and on a side note…… Happy Birthday to April, the inspiration for this little experiment which is the Buffy Challenge!

Buffy Challenge Post 48: Season 5: Episode 19 - 20

Tough Love

With 4 episodes to go, they need to get a move on to rap up this very busy season of Buffy..........

Previously ........... Glory is a God, Dawn is the Key, Ben and Glory are one and Ben spilt the beans, Glory captured Spike but couldn't make him talk.....

Oh that's right Buffy is still studying well was studying seeing that she has now having to defer her studies with everything that is going on. Well we get a another layer to Buffy, She likes poetry.

Ben gets fired from his job for not attending for 2 week, that will kind of do it I guess. Ben is fighting the inner demon that is Glory and finally Glory wins out.

Glory is enjoying a bubble bath with sorry I was distracted again by Glory in the bath..... Glory has her minions blindfolded while they try to brainstorm and figure out who the key really is.

which switches us to Dawn..... who has been skipping school. we also get a bit of a timeline as Buffy mentions that it has been a tough couple of months in the meeting with the principal. (oh boy the principal is so dead if she has more than one scene.)

At the magic box and Anya is giving us her definition of patriotism (which I read somewhere is big in America) She is American and she is in love with capitalism and people browsing are so un American! Xander once again needs to quit when he is behind as Buffy needs to have a chat with the foreigner Giles.

Buffy is struggling with Dawn and she is asking Giles to step into the role of authoritarian with Dawn. He lets her know that only Buffy can fill this role. It is a difficult thing to ask for someone so young, to step into the role of her mother. No small task.

Willow is right on the mark with her explanation of kids learning better using visuals. Buffy doesn't buy it and puts her foot down.  I've got a feeling that Dawn is going to feel that Buffy is a hypocrite for leaving her studies.

It seems that Glory has figured out who the Key is and that person is in trouble. (I think there will be some misdirection and it won't be Dawn.) Willow and Terra are having a chat about the Buffy situation and Terra lets Willow know how difficult the situation is. Willow is feeling a little left out because she can't fully grasp the concept of loss. Terra and Willow are examining their relationship and the word frightened has really got Willow on edge. Is this scene going somewhere? It feels a little forced.

Buffy is trying to set some goals for Dawn which is clearly not  working, this is all happening while the minions are watching. Buffy lets Dawn know that if she doesn't get Dawn on track then she will be removed from her care. So far this episode is moving at a snails pace as everyone seems to have their issues.

Surprise, Surprise...... Glory thinks that Terra is the key. The minion is captured by Giles who seems to be afraid of twine. He lets them know that Glory has Terra, she squeezes her had so tight that blood oozes out. When she gets a taste of her blood she realizes that Terra is not the key. Her threats go on deaf ears as Glory does her mind thing to her. Willow arrives too late as Terra is now a schizophrenic mess. The hospital is like communism according to Anya.

Buffy drops Dawn off with Spike for protection, there is way too much exposition in this episode as we hear why Dawn is feeling so horrible. Dawn feels like she is the reason bad things are happening. Willow steps up to the plate and wants to take out Glory, emotions are running high as Willow sets out for revenge as only a witch knows how...... with books!

Whoa, here comes a really peeved off Willow attacking Glory. Unfortunately and quite predictably she is no match for Glory as Buffy comes and saves the day.

Terra is left without a mind as she is reduced to someone with a mental disability. As we think this episode is about to end, Glory shows up and Terra due to her state of mind lets her know that Dawn is the key. fade to black.

There are times when episodes are just bad that it is ridiculous, this was not one of them, this was just boring, this episode could of been cut down to about 15 minutes and it would of hit the key points needed. It was overly padded and it suffered because of that. So hard to rate so I'm going to say......

4/10

Not horrible, just boring.

Spiral

Previously ......... Key was hidden and made into Dawn, Glory is looking for the Key, Ben and Glory are one in the same, Spike loves Buffy, there are knights looking to get their hands on the key, Glory takes Terra's mind and with that finds out Dawn is the key. We start where we left off as Buffy and Dawn run from a really angry god. (who now runs like the flash!). Glory gets hit by a truck (I know how that feels) and Ben takes back control.

Dawn lets the gang know what happened and also makes Buffy out to be a hero. Buffy now realizes that no matter what they have done they have not even been able to put a scratch on Glory. Anya suggests death by piano (nice call back to season two with the rocket launcher from Xander!) I agree with Anya Bugs Bunny is creepy. Buffy wants to run away and Anya agrees. Fight or Flight, and Buffy finally chooses flight.

So there are female minions? who look exactly like the male ones? Ben is trying to figure out a way to rid himself from Glory. Hey another DC Universe reference from Xander with Sergeant Rock! Buffy and Spike rock up in a winabego  (to the protest of Xander and Giles) and they are off on a road trip.

Back at the hospital the knights are signing out their comrade who had the run in with Glory earlier in the season and I have to say that was magnificent penmanship!  Oh that's right they are after the key also and they brought a small army with them.

Giles is driving the van and Xander is not traveling well. Willow is cramming on her Magic book to find how to stop Glory. Something is happening to the people who have been effected by glory as some form of darkness is overcoming them. Dawn is finally appreciating everything Buffy has done for her in a touching scene and as soon as Dawn says things can't get any crazier, crazy things happen like a bunch of medieval knight on horses attacking the van.

Ok how can I discribe this sequence? it's like one of those old westerns where they fight on a moving train, but substitute train with camper van, cowboys with knights and the old west with the modern Californian desert. all in all lots of fun as Buffy show us her mad sword wielding skills and gets rid of almost all of the knights except for the one who puts a spear into Giles and crashes the van. They take cover in an old abandoned gas station as Giles is going into shock. Unfortunately the knights make short work of their defenses. Thanks to Willow they get an energy barrier around the station. The head knight is captured and we finally get some answers to what the key is. I have to give real props to the actress playing Terra as her performance in the last few episodes has been exceptional. The people effected by Glory have started some sort of movement. Giles is looking really bad right now however I doubt they are going to kill off Giles. Buffy goes to ask for help from the enemy and they allow Ben in to tend to Giles. (BAD MOVE!!)

Spike and Xander are having a moment, it only took 5 seasons. Spike does talk some sense when it comes to his idea of making a break for it. Buffy however will have none of it. We get a history lesson about Glory's origin. They have found the weakness, where they only have to kill Ben to kill Glory. The Key is also to explained why it exists. The key opens the dimensional wall to  the demon space. Talk about having a lot on her plate as Dawn sees that the fate of the universe is in her.

The general gets to Ben and lets him know that the death of the key will stop this madness. Ben now has a decision to make however Glory has taken back control with her on the inside she has been able to take Dawn, destroy the army that was waiting out there and leave. Buffy slumps down with her worst fears realized.

Now that was a huge improvement from the previous episode, I loved the chase scene in the winabego and the final act of the episode sets up the season finally nicely. How does Buffy get her sister back and stop Glory when she knows that all of her attempts previously have been fruitless? Will Giles survive? and will Terra get her full psyche back?

6/10

Looking forward to the conclusion to this very interesting season in our next installment. So until then don't go opening up any inter dimensional barriers that may make the universe collapse on itself.

Buffy Challenge Post 45: Season 5: Episodes 13 - 14

Blood Ties

Here we go for another installment of the challenge, Previously.....

Dawn is the key and Gloria doesn't know that Dawn is the Key, Buffy run into some knights who are also after the key, Spike admits he has the hot's for Buffy and we find out that Gloria is a god not a demon..... on to the episode proper,

Buffy is turning 20! however she is not overly keen to break out the party hats and baloons......... "The Bigger they are......... The faster they stomp you into nothing!" - Oh Anya still haven't quite got the whole cliche thing down yet. Gloria seems to be a hell god of a demon dimension, Oh a crazy hell god is not the type of hell god you'd like to run into. We find out why she sucks out brains with her fingers, (it keeps her sane.) The gang is looking for the key and Buffy is trying to tip toe around the subject. Finally she lets them know that Dawn is the key.

The knights are chanting something about getting rid of the key when they are attacked by Glory and her minions. The minions serve as a distraction as she quickly takes apart the knights. (yeah I know it doesn't make sense to me either!) Our resident witches have broken out the fluro powder as a warning sign. Dawn gets the cold shoulder from everyone who are acting really awkward around her. The old write a letter to your future self homework trick, it always a good filler to get students to think.

Glory has one of the knights strung up and is torturing him for information, cut to Buffy's 20th birthday where she gets clothes as a present. Dawn gives Buffy a touching photo from her fake past. Again Dawn kinds of overhears them talking about her, and she finally confronts everyone about the really bizarre behavior, her response is to sneak out and run into Spike!

Spike has a present for Buffy, oh how cute. Oh, Dawn is going all criminal off to break into the magic shop, good thing Spike is there to pick the lock. Dawn finds Giles note book, while Spike has problems picking up the troll hammer from a few episodes back. It now all comes falling into place as Dawn discovers why the patients at the hospital and the crazy guy from earlier in the season questioned her existence. Is it me or is that a pink unicorn candle? why would Giles have a pink unicorn candle?

Well Spike spells it out to Dawn that she is the key and was sent to Buffy for protection. Dawn returns to the house questioning her own existence by cutting herself to see if she is real? Oh boy, it's hard enough for teenage girls to survive in the world it must be really hard when they find out that they have only existed f0r 6 months. Buffy goes to confront Spike (interrupting his bad-ass nail painting time) Spike bites back from Buffy's accusation by letting her know that she should of been  more honest with her. (I tend to agree, sort of!)

Ben runs into one of the knights at the hospital (the one who had his brains sucked out!), what is his deal? What is his connection to Glory? and why can't she do anything to him?

Dawn overhears another conversation taken out of context and she destroys her room. Buffy is stuck between her duty as the slayer and as a older sister. Dawn burns her diary (which has been kept since she was 7) and does a runner to the park where memories are fading for her and others. Xander now is not the time to stroke your ego!

Spike and Buffy is looking for her, and hold the Press,  Buffy complemented Spike for the FIRST time!!!!! Dawn makes her way to the hospital for what I can only guess is to get some answers from those who can see her for what she really is. The knight recognizes her as the key however he has the the whole gotta kill the key routine. She runs into Ben the intern, who would not be the best person to fill in on her situation. (Ben has a sister? oh I wonder who that is?) Ben is freaking out then I'm freaking out! sorry, distracted by Glory changing.......

where was I? oh yeah Ben transformed to Glory who doesn't remember the conversation Dawn had with Ben. (are we following this? I'm trying....) Dawn is trying really hard to stall Glory and get information on what the key really is? Glory is getting frustrated by the whole situation and is talking to herself not seeing that the key is right in front of her. Buffy arrives just in time however Glory makes short work of Spike, the others distract her long enough for Willow to teleport dawn to the middle of the sky.

Buffy lets Dawn knows that it doesn't matter how she arrived but that she is here and is her sister. So we have the next piece in the Dawn mystery, now it seems the only person who doesn't know she is the key is the person who wants it most! An interesting episode to say the least, more questions than answers though.......

6/10

 

Crush

Previously on Buffy...... Spike lets Dawn know she is the key, Ben changed into Glory.....

At the bronze the gang are hanging out Willow and Terra, Xander and Anya, and Buffy and no one. Well Spike rocks up and complains about the price rise in beer due to Troll damage not being covered by insurance. (who would of guessed?) Buffy is trying to solve the mystery of why Spike is talking to her? (I wonder if the beer spill was scripted?) It seemed that Spike's next beer is on Xander. Willow is still feeling the effects of the transportation spell, as Ben shows up where Buffy thanks him for looking after her.

The Sunnydale express rocks up as the conductor discovers a gruesome sight that is the whole train dead. You know it doesn't bode well for the character on the screen when the camera is following them in the point of view shot! and as tradition has it, the conductor is no longer with us anymore.

Buffy comes home to the relief of Joyce, it seems that captain knocked out (Giles) doesn't cut it anymore. Buffy is given the advice to treat Dawn as her little sister so she obliges by accusing her of taking her blue sweater which Dawn denies doing. Cut to Spike with the sweater holding it in a creepy way. Harmony wants to know if Spike is willing to give her a work out, he doesn't want to know about it, ok this is just sad! (in a funny way!) Spike gets Harmony to dress as Buffy and away we go.

Terra gives us a quick rundown on Quasimodo (kinds of sounds a lot like Spike's situation.) Buffy see's the news of the train massacre. Dawn rocks up to Spike's lair who wants her to leave. Is it me or are they connecting? How dare you insult Spike by feeling safe with him? So Spike lets Dawn in on some of his exploits in the past. (I bet it has something to do with the train murders!) Buffy runs into ask Spike for help to find Dawn only to find her there.

It seems Dawn has a crush on Spike. However, Dawn let's Buffy know that Spike is in love with her. (Why is Xander using a torch in the middle of the day on the train?) Buffy confides in Xander over what Dawn told her, to the laughter of disbelief from Xander. He can be so egotistical at time our friend Xander, can't he. We leave the train to pan up to the baggage rack with the creepy squeeling music and an old doll that has a ribbon tied around her eyes. (this can't be good....)

Look who came to dinner? Spike gives Buffy some information about the train incident and She is freaking out over the fact that she knows how he feels. They are staking out a vampire hang out. Well it seems that Spike has put his foot in it and all the British quips won't get him out of this. Spike is now pleading his case to Buffy and pouring out his heart (does he have a heart?) Buffy cuts him off in total discust and runs off.

Dru is back!!!!! (This seems to be a tie in tread from Angel as Drusella is burnt up from an encounter with him) She wants Spike to go to the other show. (it won't work seeing that they need a vampire as a regular in this show.) Drusella knows about the chip and Spike's inability to harm humans. Dru tries to seduce Spike and get him to overcome the chip in his mind, this is a really intense scene which can only be spoiled by........... HARMONY...... who is anything but.

Please Drusella, please kill her! Spike throws Harmony to the wall and we have the return of Evil Spike!!! While this is going on, Buffy is having a girl session with her mum and Willow. They want her to be really careful about Spike's advances and that She should make sure that it is clear that he has no chance with her. (Not that it will matter now that Dru has woken the monster from within!)

Spike and Dru go to the nearest nightclub for a bite! Dru does the killing for Spike and they feast. (Welcome back Season 2 Spike!)  Buffy arrives to Spike's lair to confront him about the other night only to find his sick fascination with her. Dru cattle-prods Buffy then offers her to Spike for desert. It's not looking good for Buffy when out of no where Spike turns the shocker onto Dru. It seems that his feelings for Buffy are more than a crush. I don't know what is torturing Buffy more right now, being chained up or having to listen to Spike confess his love to Buffy.

Spike is ready to kill Drusella for Buffy? (not sure if murdering your ex is a way to win over a girl) The end game is here, Spike has laid down the gauntlet to Buffy, admit he had a chance or die. Buffy lets him know that the only chance he had was when she was not conscience. Spike can't win and I agree with him! Why do women torture men? He blames Dru for running off with some demon for his chip predicament,  and he admits that his feelings for Buffy is wrong, so he is just going to kill both of them.

Spike you forgot about the 3rd woman in your life, you know loud, blond and annoying...... Harmony shoots him in the back with a crossbow. Spike and Harmony throw down as Dru gets free and attacks a chained up Buffy. Spike comes to Buffy's rescue and Drusella knows that this is the death of evil Spike. Harmony gives him the whole your missing out on "this" speech and walks off, as for Buffy, well Buffy does what she knows best, She punches Spike then walks off, "STRIKE 3 YOUR OUT!!!" So that is what that means!

"What part of punching you in the face don't you understand?" Line of the episode! Spike lets her know that he is a part of her life and that she can't shut her out, only to relies he has been uninvited from the Summers household.

Ok quick note, the mystery of the train? are we to assume that was Drusella? if so it wasn't very clear. Other than that, what a fun episode, had nothing to do with the whole Glory storyline but a Spike centric episode is a good episode! (too bad Harmony was in it!)

8/10

Until next time challengers, try not to upset too many female vampires or slayers for that matter? It might cause a fate worse than death!

Buffy Challenge Post 44: Season 5: Episodes 11 -12

Triangle

So after sweltering through a record heat wave here in MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA!!! (always wanted to do a shout out to my home town!) and having my ego slightly bruised, were back for the next installment of the Challenge!

(on a side note I'm watching this season through my PS3 which upscale's the  DVD and it does look AWESOME in HI DEF!)

Recap time and I think that the recap is not going away so here it goes: Buffy finds out Dawn is the Key, Joyce is going to be fine, Spike leads Buffy towards the discovery that Riley is cheating on her with vampires, which leads to Riley leaving and Buffy running up to catch him.

We got all that? cool, (oh even the recap portrays Riley in a inegative light for all you Riley Finnatics  out there!) I liked the guy when he was first introduced but by the end of his arch I'm happy to see him leave.

On with the episode, Xander and Anya are lying awake when Xander remembered he forgot to give Riley his wrench back. Anya wants a countdown clock for any impending relationship break up, you know like the ones in the movies. Is Anya thinking that maybe the problem is with Buffy and her inability to keep her fellows?

As all young women who have their hearts broken we find ourselves in a convent with Buffy, I think it's more of the fact that she is killing vampires there and not planning on becoming a nun. (another side note? how stupid are some of these vampires? really? you'd think a convent would be the last place they'd be with all the crosses and holy water and such.)

Buffy makes quick work of the vampire, and then Buffy asks for some advice on how to join. I thought being "Super Religious" was a prerequisite for becoming a nun. It could be different in America.

Buffy is training with Giles and he has no answers for her about Glory. Buffy is afraid that the watchers would take Dawn away if they knew she was the object that Glory is after. Giles is off to the council and Anya couldn't be happier, thinking that she will be finally in charge. Giles is not overly excited about her people skills. Poor Xander is stuck in the middle of an argument between Willow and Anya.

Joyce is back on her feet to the delight of Buffy and Dawn. The sisters are having a heart to heart of sorts. Buffy is starting to open up to her fake sister about her heartbreak over the whole Riley thing. I don't think Buffy should hold her breath with the hope of him coming back.

Spike is psyching himself up in front of a mannequin about his true feelings for Buffy, it doesn't end so well for the mannequin, which highlights the importance of practice.

Hey it seems that Amy the rat is still a work in progress for Willow. Anya is not overly keen that Terra and Willow are sampling the merchandise.  Well Willow needs to know that the fish in the Cat in the Hat was right! I thought the definition of stealing is taking something and not paying for it! Oh peer pressure indeed, Anya! keep your guard up.

Xander walks right into the middle of another Anya and Willow fight. Xander is showing some real logic and leaves the two to work out their issues. Willow is working on the spell to make sunlight while Anya is taking inventory on all the ingredients. Their bickering only leads to disaster in the form of a giant Viking demon.

Buffy is still pining over Riley, You know what Buffy has a point, people always do say "things are done for a reason" when things are going bad. Buffy breaks down and we cut away to Anya and Willow on the hunt for the Viking. The left pedal does make it stop, good for you for figuring it out Anya! Can't argue with that logic, not knowing how to drive unless she tries first.

Spike runs into Xander and it seems that Spike is all talkative about Buffy no less. We cut to Buffy and Terra arriving at the magic box to see that it was trashed by what we now know was a troll. He is having a jolly good time smashing things up. Spike and Xander are bonding when our troll pal is hunting down a beer and with a side of babies for lunch. Everyone appears at the bronze and the big bombshell is revealed, this is no ordinary troll, it is Anya's ex-boyfriend!

Anya turned her ex into a troll after he cheated on her with a wench. Which is how she got the job as a vengeance demon. Willow tries to reverse the spell which doesn't work so Buffy does what she knows best, She hits things! in the battle the creature destroys the club and escapes. Buffy takes charge as Spike helps out the victims to no recognition for restraining himself from sampling the goods.

Willow and Anya are back at the Magic Box where they are both arguing over Xander and his safety. Yes Anya it was Willow who broke up Xander and Cordy way back when, well her and her lips! The troll returns to finish what he started. Xander to the rescue, sort of. He gets his butt handed to him in a huge miss match. His reward for fighting valiantly, he gets to choose between his girl and his best friend, one will live while the other will die. He breaks his arm for not choosing and is ready to kill him instead. Anya bravely offers her life as Buffy comes crashing in, unfortunately she is no match power wise so to distract him Anya uses her best asset, annoyance (with some really clever lines!) while Willow works on a spell to trap old Olaf the troll. In the end the troll said the wrong thing as Buffy fights for the love of Xander and Olaf gets sent to the land of trolls, maybe.

ALL THIS HAPPENED IN 3 DAYS? Giles is back with little information and surprisingly calm. In classic TV writing Dawn over hears the truth about her existence and this can not be good for her self esteem.

Hey now that was a fun episode, with a lot of wit and some nice twists thrown in. Also good to see that they are slowly moving the Dawn storyline along and hopefully all of Buffy's guilt and frustrations that had been built up about Riley has been taken out on Olaf the Troll.

7/10

Checkpoint

Previously, Buffy's right of passage where she is locked away where Giles is fired, Buffy becomes a free agent and Dawn finds out about the key.

The council of watchers are on their way to meet Buffy and Giles which makes Buffy nervous. Anya is worried that they will be going after ex demons, Terra thinks all British people are nice and Dawn eavesdrop again. We move to Glory who is not looking so crash hot. It seems she hasn't feasted in a while so they send the local mail man to revitalize her. Now there is a time limit on her plan and she needs to use the key to do whatever it is she is about to do? (Did I miss her master plan? I bet it has something to do with taking over the world, it always is.)

The Magic box is still doing wonderful trade as the council of tweed jackets arrive. The council go through the shop to see what is going on and they close the shop. Anya high tails it out of there as they convene. The council have found some crucial information that will only be given to Buffy when they are satisfied with her methods. Buffy is questioning her history teacher who goes to publicly humiliate her. If this show has taught me anything over the season is TEACHERS ARE NOT SAFE! So watch your back professor.

Buffy decides to take it out on some run of the mill vampires when Spike shows up for the assist. Spike really has it bad for her for a long time now (could it be something to do with the chip?) Spike your disgusting seems to be his pet name given to him by Buffy.

Over to Ben the intern who tortured us last time with one of the worst episodes I've seen when he summoned the slug thing. Anyway he gets summonsed by the minion of Gloria about information about the Slayer. (is it me or do those x-rays look really weird in the background?) Buffy walks into the Magic Box straight into the council who reminds her that the Slayer is a tool of the council. This offends Giles however the council lets them both know who is in charge.

Sorry I was distracted by Gloria in a towel....... oh yeah Ben refuses to help which makes Gloria upset. I don't think I've seen Giles this angry. His frustration with the council has reached a boiling point. Buffy is really worried about the review and the fact that without their help she is helpless against Gloria.

The review starts with Anya who is really nervous, Willow and Terra get all defensive about their relationship with each other, Xander is told that she is hopeless. Anya is going for team dead demons! The girls lie about their magical credentials. Now they are interviewing Spike (love the fact they are protecting themselves with the cross and crossbow!) It seems that the female council member has googlie eyes for Spike.

Buffy training time Blindfolded. With instructions in Japanese no less, she has to protect the dummy so which of course leaves said dummy with an ax in the head. Buffy comes home and runs into Gloria. Who is looking for the key.

Dawn walks in at the wrong time. Gloria wants the key (not knowing that the key is Dawn.) She threatens her family and loved ones and she turns to Spike of all people for help. They will be spending time with Spike, it seems that Joyce and Spike have a shared love for bad American soap operas.

Buffy is running late for the meeting when she is jumped by knights in chain mail? Great now there is an ancient brotherhood of knights who are also after the key. (If the story couldn't get anymore confusing?)

Buffy shows up to the watchers council and gives them a piece of her mind. She has turned this whole situation around, got GIles his job back and back pay. This is the strength that has been lacking from the character returning (nice line with Anya still paranoid.) So Glory is not a demon but a god. This is a new one and will be interesting to see how Buffy handles a threat like this coming up.

Now I really did enjoy this episode with the whole questioning of the council scene done really well. Still no information on what Ben's role is but things are moving into place for a big showdown. It's good to see that the previously is relevant to the show and to the point.

8/10

Until we meet again, keep those stakes pointy and don't try to cast any sunlight spells as you might just release the troll ex-boyfriend of your best friend's girl!

Buffy Challenge Post 42: Season 5: Episodes 7 – 8

Fool for Love

Well after a long break were back with another challenge so lets get things started with an episode that is titled like a bad 80's rock ballad.

We get a quick history lesson about Spike to start with, William the Bloody and got the nickname from murdering  people with railroad spikes, nice. Oh and he has knocked off two slayers in his time and has a chip in his head that doesn't let him attack humans. Now this is a better way to recap things!

So we start the episode like so many before, Buffy fighting in a cemetery. Although it seems she is fighting someone who would listen to a bad 80's rock ballad. Nice flip by Buffy and the witty annoying remarks are coming fast another easy kill......... uh maybe NOT! The Vamp turns the tables on Buffy and she gets stabbed.... QUE OPENING CREDITS WHILE I PICK UP MY JAW FROM  THE FLOOR!!!!!

 

It's not even a dream, Buffy removes the stake from herself, (even though I thought the first rule of being impaled is to keep the object in to stop blood coming out.... and as all brave heroes who have been bested, she runs away only to be attacked by the vamp. Good thing Riley is there to save the day!

So Buffy has speeding up healing power, isn't that convenient. Riley administers some first aid and Dawn helps cover up the injury from Joyce. Buffy has been put on the shelf to heal after having her butt handed to her by a regular Vampire, which leaves Riley and the gang to go out on patrol. (really Riley is doing all the work while the rest of them are eating snacks and enjoying the show.)

Buffy is doing her Slayer history homework. However she wants to know how the previous slayers met their final destiny. Hey I have a shirt just like what Giles is wearing! Well Buffy remembers that our old buddy Spike killed two of them and wants to know how he did this. This means BEER AND BUFFELO WINGS!!!!

We move to a flashback without warning (I know this due to the classical music, corsets and long mustaches!) It's good to see that public humiliation was the same 100 years ago as it is today, and it so happens that the person on the receiving end is SPIKE THE POET. (a clever way to fill us in with the continuing gabs, William the bloody due to the bloody awful poetry indeed. I also have a feeling that Lord Snotnose will be granted his wish and receive that railroad spike in the head!)

Nothing is worse than having your heart broken. OH SNAP! Women can be heartless monsters when they want to be. I really feel for William right now as having your heart stomped on by the woman you "love" can be shattering. Hey I know know that voice, it can't be.... the return of  Drusilla, She turned Spike into the monster that we all know and love.

Back to the current time and Riley has spotted our rocker vampire, who is hanging out with his mates telling jokes about how he took down the slayer. We switch to the bar where Spike continues the tale over a game of pool. Finally were back to Yorkshire 1880, with Angel and his gang. William have become more boorish. Spike and Angel have a different outlook on life as a vampire. Spike became obsessed with killing the slayer. We move to China 1900 during the Boxer rebellion. Spike vs Slayer 1, from my perspective he got lucky with the win as an explosion from outside was enough to distract the slayer long enough for him to get his fangs into her.

After the victory Spike and Drue party like it was 1899! Now Exit with the required SLOW MO Victory walk! Buffy is disgusted, seeing that Spike really enjoyed it. He does have a point, A slayer has to constantly kill the vampires but the vampire only needs to kill once for evil to win. We see Riley take out the vampires with a grenade as Spike continues the history lesson. On to New York in 1977 and in keeping with the styles of the time Spike is dressed as a punk rocker fighting on the subway. (nice camera work by the way.) Spike gives a blow by blow playback of the fight.

The moral of the story according to Spike, Every slayer has a death wish  and we see the origin of the cool Spike leather Jacket. He acknowledges that Buffy's survival this long has been due to her ties with her family. Now Buffy that is cold even for you, using the words that broke the monsters heart will only build up his rage and reach for his shot gun. (Why do we need to see Harmony?)

We move to South America in 1988, I miss Drue. Ah what was the moose head guy about? It seems that spikes obsession has consumed him. Back in Buffy's apartment and Joyce is off to hospital to get a cat scan overnight?  Which I think only serves to get her out of the picture. Buffy is an emotional wreck when Spike arrives to kill her...... I mean have a chat to see what the problem is. (He really has it bad for her? The old school yard crush style, pick on the person you like.) They just sit there in silence and we end the episode in a fine way.

Now I really do like it when they focus on a character like Spike and it has really given the audience a real sense of his motivation and purpose to the story! A wonderfully executed episode as it hit some real important points. I hope know Buffy will lose her sense of invulnerability that  most teenagers have in their lives. As for Spike, his obsession of destroying the slayer maybe over but the character development was phenomenal and for that reason for the first time this season ........

10/10

Shadow

I guess we need to return to the season 5 arch as we open up with a recap of the crazy chick in red as her torches a monk into giving up the whereabouts of the key (who we discovered was Dawn, inserted into this reality and ret-conned into Buffy's history.) that would of been enough but we had to get the whole previously.... covering nothing new except the overnight observation for Joyce where we start this episode. Cat scans can be annoying from personal experience. Dawn is asking about the origin of the name Cat scan. (well CAT stands for computerized axial tomography)

Giles took out a half page add for the magic box (that must of cost a fair bit!) Captain America, another Marvel reference. We have a name for Red. Glory... we still have no real information on what she is, and her minion is really annoying, please kill him! Well it seems the half page add will pay for itself as Glory now knows where to stop for all her Occult needs.

How did Spike get into Buffy's bedroom? and why was he sniffing her sweater? Nice cover, Spike...... and did he just steal her panties? Spike gets on Riley's nerves so Riley decides to stick him out in the sunshine for a tan. Buffy is sweating over her mum's test and Riley arrives to comfort her. The Scan brings up a shadow (hey that's the name of the episode.)

The Gang are still lost about what they are facing and have come up with the convenient answer that Glory must be predating the written word. Right then to the chimes of the soundtrack she pops up in their midst to purchase some goods. She walked out without paying and no one said anything. (maybe it's one of her powers.)

There is nothing worse than fearing the unknown in a hospital the doctor comes out of the biopsy to break the news that Joyce has a brain tumor.

The look on Buffy's face is heart breaking.  Joyce's odds are  1 in 3 and here comes Ben the new "hunk" for this season, he comes and comforts Buffy and lets her know that there is nothing that can be done right now. Buffy thinks that magic is the way to help but I think it has disaster written all over it. Buffy decides to keep Dawn in the dark (Not what I would do.)

Anya had stumbled on the fact that Giles just handed over the things that will give their enemy to create some bad spell. Dawn and Riley are at the local fun park and Riley sells her some good old fashioned American false hope. Back in the Magic Box and Buffy gets a real reality check as Giles and Willow lets Buffy know that the medical and magical don't mix. Also Giles for the fist time in this show Giles looks foolish for selling the things needed to create a monster. Buffy didn't seem to listen to a thing that was taught to her in the last episode diving head first into attacking the demon.

Glory steals a cobra to create her monster as she is blind sided by Buffy. The advantage is short lived as Glory gets the upper hand and creates the snake monster "Sobak" The CGI and puppet work doesn't look too bad. (real improvement over the last few seasons.) Xander is giving Riley the 3rd degree over the last hunt.

Sobek the snake enters the local church looking for whatever he needs. Buffy lets Giles know the bad news and goes to be with her Mother when she wakes up. Riley falls into the old "I'm not man enough for my girlfriend" depression and gets drunk and picks up a vampire in the bar. He nearly becomes one when he puts a stake in her heart. (a useless scene in my opinion.) Riley needs to see that Buffy is with him and not Angel.

The snake comes crashing into the magic box and I think he has figured out who the key is and is going to let Glory know all about it. (Fair Scream from Dawn.)  Sobek is on the run to Glory who is throwing shoe boxes at her minion. (please kill him!) The CGI is looking really good in a cheesy kind of way, Buffy tries to kills Sobek the same way Princess Leia killed Jaba the Hut in Return of the Jedi, only to resort to her bare hands. (Buffy I think he is dead now.) Dawn's secret is safe for now.

Joyce tells Dawn the bad news, Riley shows up wearing a turtle neck sweater to hide the puncture marks from his little slip up. It seems the battle has just begun and Buffy is up against it physically and emotionally from this point on.

A good episode moving the story along, I'm not buying the whole Riley thing as it seems really forced.

6/10

Well there you have it until next time, stay away from bad poetry and giant snake monsters.

Buffy Challenge Post 40: Season 5: Episode 3 - 4

The Replacement

Hey Challengers, after another hiatus, (due to the end of the school year) were back with another installment of the Buffy Challenge.......

 

So we last left off with a new character introduced into Buffy's world in the form of Dawn, now little sisters can be creepy but one who appear out of no where and the world changes around her to acknowledge her existence is  out there....... I have a theory about it but more on that later.

I know what your all thinking,  JUST HIT PLAY ALREADY!!!!!

Oh we started with a "Previously on Buffy......" and the honor goes to Giles, recapping Dawn and her weird no one knows the real me comment that we ended on, Anya is in bad shape and as a former demon I don't think she would really know what pain is.

Buffy is the poster child for grumpy 20 something females, even badly dubbed Kung fu can't cheer her up. Also I totally agree Kung Fu is the most valuable import from the orient, who needs a hot plate these days anyway? Buffy is the last person to give an analyst on kung fu. Switch to this weeks villain and it looks like a rejected character from Mortal Kombat the Video game. Well Dawn has made the credits so I guess she is sticking around for a while.

Xander is looking for a new dig and the apartment that he chose is really nice. However I doubt it that he could afford a place that nice. Can't Buffy and Riley keep their hands off themselves. Anya still has an issue with being tactful. Giles runs into rock head and tries to beat the fertility out of him where  once again Giles gets knocked on his butt!

 

Is it me or are they able to find out about the demon really quickly? Hey Buffy is that a medieval Ax in your hand or your just happy to see us? (I know it's a tacky joke but it's a nice ax)  Spike has hit on hard times rummaging through the garbage when Rock head shows up with a really cool pistol, it seems he is "Smarter than the Average Demon....." (BTW he is the best looking Demon I've seen on this show so far! The glowing cracks in the skull is an awesome effect!) Xander saves Buffy and gets blasted by some weird beam. Thankfully he is alright, except for the slight side effect of ANOTHER XANDER!!!! (If one wasn't bad enough?)

Now for the next 30 minutes were going to play a game of "Pick the real Xander...." My guess it's the one left in the garbage. The other one is well too groomed. This makes the second Xander Doppelganger we have seen in this show. (We all remember vampire Xander from a few seasons ago.)

I agree totally Dawn, those two are getting too sad with all the making out. Now were watching Spike fall deeper into his own madness as he is creating his own girlfriend from the scraps he collected from the garbage only to knock her block off. Note to the writers PLEASE DO SOMETHING AWESOME WITH SPIKE THIS SEASON!!!!!! There has been no real character development for him in a long time.

Who I think is Fake Xander has rocked up to work way over dressed. I love the fact that all it takes is brushing the hair in a different way to show a different character trait. (there is something in the coin.... It's making people do things to his favor.) Real Xander just got laid out be Fake Xander.

Fake Xander has now got Buffy and the gang onside. Snoopy Dance Xander is the real deal and it seems that Willow didn't meet the Fake Xander. While real Xander thinks it's a robot, fake Xander is making sure Buffy is on his side, great direction by the way with jumping between scenes.

I think real Xander is starting doubt himself, (I know how that feels! I have more in common with him than I thought, due to my Kick-ass Comic book collection!) Willow did handle her Doppelganger ok I guess. Fake Xander is making a move on real Xander's girl and she is mesmerized by the flashy apartment. Anya has a list of things she wants in her life, including a boat.

Anya's mortality has finally dawned on her and now she needs to decide who the real Xander is. Cool, Xander is now split in two personalities, they are both the real Xander? What a really cool twist!

Where did wimpy Xander get a gun from? I am really starting to get tired of the whole Riley and Buffy relationship. So the gun belongs to Anya? Rock head shows up to finish the job only to take a beating by Buffy. So Anya wants to be the meat in a Xander Sandwich, and I agree with Giles lets move on and ignore that request. Willow works her magic and we are back to one Xander to the disapproval of Anya.

The new apartment stays and we have to listen to Riley go on about how much he loves Buffy and how he knows the feeling is not mutual!

Well a fun episode, rock head looked cool but had a stupid plan that was never going to work, I did enjoy the twist in the show and how it highlighted the duality of man. I see how we can really be two sides of a coin, a confident person and on the other side a neurotic mess. I don't think I could relate better to an episode I've seen in this series, however every time Buffy and Riley were alone on the screen I wanted to switch off. Also the recap was useless in this episode as it give any more information on what it was recapping other than let the audience know that Anya was hurt.

7/10

Out of my Mind

Last few seasons they didn't let us know what happen previously so far season 5 they are over doing it, and what makes it worse they are going back to things that happen in season 4. This is not a good thing since I'm trying to forget what happen in season 4, however if Giles thinks we need a bit of recap on Riley's story then so be it. He has some chip in him that makes him a super soldier. Also that is now the 3rd time we have seen the whole Dawn thing.

For a change, we are seeing Buffy run around in the dark. Can't even wait for the Vampire to get out of his grave. With all these people jumping in on the vampire killing action why does Buffy even bother? I still don't understand how vampires can bleed? Poor Spike, he has become a pathetic character who has nothing better to do. Except plot his revenge on Buffy.

Oh great, now Buffy is becoming an intellect, I can't believe she is still at college. Giles and Xander are still working on the Magic Box. Imitation Nute Eyes, not as good as the real thing!  Now before I continue I'll remind people I'm not a fan of the whole dark magic thing. Buffy's training dungeon is really cool!

Bloody Hell, Harmony is back and she actually thinks she is Buffy's Nemisis? KILL HER SPIKE! PLEASE!!!! All villains do smoke of course! Smoking is Evil.  Did I mention that the whole Riley and Buffy relationship is making me sick. Ah what just happen? Did Joyce relies that Dawn is an anomaly and it fried her brain?

Riley's heart is racing and I'm no doctor but isn't a pulse of 150 is a little fast? All this means is we are calling back to season 4 and the initiative, do we really need to go back a tie up this loose end? couldn't we just say everything is fine and it was magic?

What is Xander talking about? Playing 20 questions with Harmony is too much torture for even the undead!  Could something good come out of this episode? could we be seeing Spike have his chip removed? I hope so.

Willow and Terra check out the burnt out school and we discover that Terra has even less self confidence in her abilities than Willow did in earlier seasons. Buffy has finally found Riley who seems to be getting use to the power that has developed due to all the drugs that have been pumped into him. Does Riley have Angel envy? Can't keep eyes open...... Brain Shutting down........ Boredom setting in due to sappy Buffy and Riley scene.

I'm not sure spike really thought out the whole having  Harmony help idea. She is so ANOYING! Now she is smoking during open brain surgery. Finally the chip is OUT! and we are going to get the old Spike back! Big man Riley is beating up on a girl and the Doctor seems to have pulled a fast one on Spike. Which means after getting our hopes up, nothing has changed.

Not even going to dignify the whole "You should be back with the Army speech."

Will Buffy kill Spike? it's what he wants but she cant do it and I can't believe I just saw what I did, Spike and Buffy together for real??????? Thankfully it was just a nightmare!

What a pointless episode.... it did little to further the story, not even Spike could of saved that mess.

3/10

 

Well one good one and the first sub par episode for season 5. There is a lot to like in this season and "Out of my Mind" delivered none of it.

See you soon Challengers!