Buffy Challenge Post 46: Season 5: Episodes 15 - 16

I was made to love you

...........BABY, AND YOU WERE MADE FOR LOVING ME...........

I don't know why but reading this title made me think of the KISS song! O.K Mic Check, Testing 1, 2........ HELLO MELBOURE!  ARE YOU READY TO ROCK? ARE YOU READY TO GET DOWN WITH YOUR BUFFY SELF??? LETS GO!

Previously on Buffy......Glory is a god, Dawn was given to Buffy for protection since she is the key, Riley makes an ultimatum (I thought we were done with him?) he cheats on Buffy with a Vamp Tramp...... Buffy misses the Copter..... Buffy tells the gang about Dawn...... Spike tells Dawn she is the Key........ Ben morphs into Glory...... Spike confesses his love for Buffy......Buffy tells Spike where to go and he is uninvited into the Summers household.

OH BOY THAT'S A LOT (I don't think we missed thing)

Buffy is taking out her frustrations on a punching bag as Buffy feels dirty because Spike loves her. Wait, it's Xander not a punching bag, (he looks great in the Sumo suit.) Buffy thinks that she is the problem (don't agree!) she is worried that she will scare another one away, and Xander just gave some awesome advice!  Be yourself!

Black sedan rocks up, that is never a good sign, HUH? who is that? and why are they looking for true love? This is going to be really good or really confusing I guess we'll find out in 34 minutes time (I can't believe 5 minutes of the show has passed to this point.....)

Joyce looks spectacular in her dress as the Girls are having fun at her expense. I wonder who this Ryan is and I really hope he is no Gigalo! It seems like Joyce hasn't been on a date for ages, Buffy refuses to give advice due to her track record. Terra and Anya are having a conversation about computers (now there is an interesting team up right there, the girl who never speaks up and the girl who never shuts up!) Anya gives some real solid trading advice maybe a little too late I think.

The strange girl from the car rocks up and asks for warren???  Anya has hooked up a web site, she has also allowed Xander to dance with Buffy YOU GO GIRL!!! Buffy has googile eyes for Ben the Intern (laughing at bad jokes is a good sign for Ben) Is Buffy in for a surprise with this guy. Xander is explaining to Anya the mystery of pretzels when our mystery girl rocks up to the party looking for Warren. Looks like old Warren wants nothing to do with her. I get it I think, she is not human and she is looking for her maker the goofy Warren guy. Willow puts her foot in her mouth as Spike rocks up to the party to an unimpressed Buffy!

I doubt it that Spike is just going to pack his bags and leave, he is one stubborn Vampire. Is it me or has this whole Buffy / Ben thing worked backwards? She asks him to dance and he gives her his number? what would I know anyway? So we get a name for our mystery girl it's April and I don't think Spike's little pick up line went the way he would of expected as he goes hurling through the window of the club thanks to a surprisingly strong April (SHE'S A ROBOT I TELL YOU!!!)

Buffy approves of the Spike throwing, however she is just getting in the way of her Warren hunt. Xander is really worried about the price of glass. Even the gang thinks she was a robot! "Code Pink" Robot's looking for their makers! Poor Giles, he has become Joyce's girlfriend! I wonder if Buffy is horrified about the fact that her mum cracked a joke about her Bra or that she just didn't want to picture it?

April goes knocking door for door for Warren, and Terra should leave her spicy talk to others. Now that I think of it, maybe she is not a robot, considering they all think she is a robot. What guy doesn't think about a sexbot? (RAISING MY HAND RIGHT NOW!) Buffy get's down on all the loneliness talk so she decides to call Ben who at this moment is being morphed from Glory in a really uncomfortable scene to watch. So is Ben meant to be the good side of the entity known as Glory? and he does look horrible in a red dress.

Warren is packing his bag and is ready to rush out the door with his girlfriend when Buffy arrives at the door to speak to Warren, he tells her the awful secret that she is indeed a robot. (knew I should of gone with my first instinct, not everything can be a twist on things.) Hey a call back to Ted, Spike rushes into the magic box to try to explain his side of things, and Giles gets physical and serious! He tells him to back off!

April is still looking for Warren and a group of guys send her in the wrong direction. Warren explains that April was made to be the perfect girlfriend and because she was too easy and boring, he is wondering why her batteries haven't run down, I'm wondering where the batteries go? Buffy asks if she is dangerous and Warren explains that she is programmed to love, hence to Buffy she is dangerous! (I bet his human girlfriend agrees after they run into each other)

Spike is burning all his Buffy stalking material and is ready to move on. April is voice activated and they find her holding one dead girlfriend, almost. Man up Warren and tell her the truth.  (the computer eye view was cool!) and April goes into system overload and crashes (I think she was running on windows 3.1, that system was really buggy!) April runs low on battery and now she is pouring her silicone heart out to Buffy.

Buffy makes April's last moments happy ones, she spouts out a whole lot of cliches and runs out of battery. Warren is one of the worst monsters ever on this show! (Although I have to say he does know how to build a Robot!)

Xander gives a lesson in glass making, he is kind of getting into it. So the Robot is a way for Buffy to get over her man troubles, she gives Ben a call and leaves a message, only one problem, it's Glory who is getting the message and is confused about what is going on. Good thing the minion is there to explain the situation to her.

Back to Warren, no surprise that he now is alone and panicking. He gets a visit from Spike who is placing an order for one Buffybot with the lot!

Will this episode end already? Joyce gets flowers  however she is found motionless on the couch...... this does not look good for Joyce and what a weird way to end a weird episode. really had nothing to do with the plot but a nice little cliff hanger there.

This is such a hard one to rate, as it was quirky and funny at times but seemed to drag on a little, we really didn't need 5 minutes of exposition to start with and the ending has me baffled to why it was there?

6.5/10 - maybe a 7 in some places.

The Body

With an ending like the one we just had and a title like that, I don't like the chances for Joyce Summers.

Previously on Buffy....... no straight into it from where we left off with Buffy discovering a lifeless Joyce on the couch, nice way to transition straight into it!

We're at the Christmas dinner, and Anya lets everyone know that Santa is real, but he was a child killing monster. Is this a dream sequence? yep as we go back to Buffy trying to wake her mother. Buffy calls 911 in a panic they give her instructions on how to administer CPR. She does it wrong and it seems that Buffy has broken her sternum. (taking a CPR class once they explained that when they show it done in the movies and on T.V it is usually done wrong  and they would more likely break something. just found it interesting that they did this as it was portrayed very realistically. Someone without the proper training in a panic will bound to make mistakes, also doesn't help to have super strength.) Joyce's body is cold and it seems there is nothing that can be done.

Buffy makes a call to Giles as the paramedics arrive. However there seems to be something going on. The paramedics start CPR where they tease us in a miraculous recovery. Only to snap back into reality, where it seems the worst has happen. Joyce Summers has died and been dead for some while. This is amazing the way this is being done. The silence of the episode is brilliant and the direction and emotion of the situation is really being felt. It's almost hard to watch as it brings back memories of losing someone dear to me only a few months ago.

Giles arrives to discover that Joyce is now gone and we switch to Dawn who is in tears, because some kid called her a freak in a little misdirection. It's just teen drama, we see Dawn in art class and the boy she has a crush on. This is a real build up for Dawn until Buffy shows up to let her know the news. Buffy takes Dawn out of class and that is the first clue that things are bad. She collapses in the news of her mother lost.

We see a quick shot of Joyce at the coroners. I can't begin to describe the emotion that is being displayed here this is really powerful stuff and the silence is exactly how you feel when a loved one is lost. Willow is freaking out over what to wear, and she knows that she has an important role in supporting Buffy. Terra is there to support Willow. Anya doesn't know what to do and for the first time Xander can't explain what to do either.

Xander is trying to find someone to blame for this, it is a real emotional response to find blame with someone. However, there is no real reason for this. Anya is wondering how to understand the whole mortality of human's as we get the child in her come out in her response to death. (Awesome delivery!)

Xander punches a wall in anger and his hand is now stuck in the wall. He pulls out his hand to find it bleeding, Xander gets a ticket for his parking.

We see the coroner finish up with Joyce as he makes the long walk to the family where there is a lot of hugging. The doctor lets them know that there was a hemorrhage in her brain and nothing could of been done to save her. Buffy is holding up as well as she can. Terra comforts Buffy by letting her know that she has gone through a similar situation with her own mother. Dawn sneaks into the morgue to see her mother, she can't bring herself to do it. A Vampire awakes from behind her.  The guys bring back snacks when they realize that Dawn is missing. Buffy finds her in the morgue being attacked and in the struggle, Joyce is uncovered. Dawn wonders where she has gone as she reaches to touch her mother for the last time we fade to black!

What an AMAZING EPISODE!!!!! I have not seen finer direction in a long time, the lack of a sound track was amazing and the reaction to her death by all the characters was spot on! I really want to see this one again with the commentary on by the writer and director of the episode Joss himself.

UNBELIEVABLE HOW BRILLIANT THAT WAS!!!!!

Best episode I have seen so far, by a mile!!!!

10/1o

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 43: Season 5: Episodes 9 - 10

Listen to Fear

Welcome back to another installment of the Buffy Challenge...... Opening with, what else...... Previously on Buffy............ We see Riley have a nibble taken out of him by some vampire chick he picked up from a bar only to pull out the stake at the last minute.. (Quick question to the Buffy experts out there in the Buffyverse how long does a vampire have to nibble before you become one?) We also see shots of Glory and her really annoying minion and Terra kind of figuring out that Glory is something new they haven't faced, Dawn is the key and Joyce has a brain tumor. Now that is plenty of exposition in one minute and 4 seconds but they managed to cover it. (Still it's 1 minute and 4 seconds of my life of being told what I already know and I'm not getting that time back.)

Oh hospital food, how I miss it. (sort of.....) The old school yard legends and how they spin way out of control, somewhere in Sunnydale there are feetless cows due to the Jelly (Jello in the US) in all the hospitals. Joyce has some good news and it seems that she is going into surgery, good thing that she hasn't lost her sense of humor. Buffy has a point, you can spend hours playing with the adjustable beds in hospitals (drives the nursing staff crazy though!)

Lets see what is happening in the local graveyard shall we, as most stake outs go, the crew is getting their butts handed to them by some Amazonian vampire women. Good thing Willow is nice and silent on the sneak up for the kills. No Riley to be seen (oh who needs him indeed Willow?) Riley has spiraled into a deep depression, where he is allowing some vampire chick to drink away at his arm. It seems she is really enjoying it.

Willow comes baring gifts at the hospital, a beer hat for Joyce, a book on spells for Dawn ..... or a book about the history of spells that is, and for Buffy MORE HOMEWORE!!!! and a YO-YO! (Yo-Yo's are cool!) Joyce seems to be very irritable due to the tumor on the brain. Whoa, did that guy just see Dawn for what she really is? Here comes Ben or the new Riley perhaps?

Terra is right Japanese commercials are weird.  Willow and Terra are spending a really romantic night together out looking at the stars, however it seems that Terra's knowledge of astrology has been all self taught. Conveniently while the girls are star gassings a meteor hits the earth. (only a small one.) The fish eye lense being used I guess is the Aliens perspective on the world as he jumps down and attack the crazy man who saw Dawn. (wait did I just write what I thought I wrote?)

ALIENS.......... come on............ Really? did they run out of idea's? So far not one thing from the previously has been expanded on except the really depressing Riley scene. Is it me or is Joyce being discharged really quickly for such a short amount of time? Xander is really annoyed with Riley on their way to investigate the meteor.  They discover the dead mental patient in the woods who was slimed to death. This looks like a job for........ oh they can't bother Buffy, so everyone goes back to do research (enthusiastically for a change) as Riley stays back and contacts his buddies in the army.

Back in the hospital where our alien bug thing slimes over another person. (This is ridiculous.) Joyce is on her way home which granted the record at this hospital is not great, but makes no sense for a person in her condition. The Army arrives to investigate what came from space. As we cut back to that annoying camera angle showing us the thing is in the Summers household.

Joyce is not in her right mind as it seems that Buffy may be regretting the decision to take her home. Now it seems that Joyce sees the real Dawn. (for a split second.) I don't know who is more upset with their mother, Dawn for calling her a thing or Buffy for calling her disgustingly fat? Dawn is starting to connect the dots as this is the 3rd time her existence has been questioned. Rejected Buffy Spin off time "KILLER SNOT MONSTERS FROM OUTERSPACE!" Xander is reading "Meteors and You!" another great addition to the "........ and You!" Series. Surprise, Surprise it had the answers they needed.

So this episodes villain is an alien who is summoned from the moon to "QUELL" crazy people. Why do I feel like I'm it's next target just for watching this dribble. Buffy breaks down doing the dishes while Joyce continues her rant at the queller thing.  It attacks Joyce who was fortunate to have Dawn save her. Buffy tangles with the thing as we go for a hunt around the room.

Spike arrives to save the day sort of, (not even Spike can save the episode at this point.) Buffy plunged a knife into it's armadillo like back and Just when it seemed that she was going to have a moment with Spike, Riley and crew come barging in.

Cut to Ben going home for the night, and if this episode couldn't get any worse he has the minion of Glory talk to him in the car. So Ben was the one who summoned the monster from space and has a connection to Glory. (I bet they are brother and sister). A big reveal wasted on a crummy episode. Joyce knows the truth about Dawn and Buffy confirms it. Another big reveal has been wasted. Joyce is off to surgery and the credits roll putting us out of our misery.

This has to rank up there with one of the worst episodes of any show I have seen period. I can't remember if I have done this before but this episode gets a ........

1/10

Into the Woods

Now before I start the second episode, I feel that this will be a good time to ponder how the crappy 45 minutes wasted on the last one will effect it? Will I be turned off automatically not giving this episode a fighting chance or will I think that nothing could be as bad as "Listen to Fear" - (which made no sense as a title for the episode.) giving the next episode an inflated score? hopefully it will be neither and I will judge it on it's merits.

I know, I know, your screaming at your screen to tell me to shut up and get on with it already. Ok here we go.......

Previously on Buffy...... Riley is cheating on Buffy, Spike has the hots for Buffy and Joyce has a tumor and going into surgery. (no mention of snot aliens thankfully) The crew is waiting in the hospital and Buffy is anxious, as the Doctor does the slow walk to Buffy to tell her........ ROLL CREDITS!!!!! (That is good use of suspense in the show right there.) Joyce is in recovery and the tumor has been removed and the doctor has told her that she will be fine baring any complications.

Anya calling Dawn emotionally scared, now that is the pot calling the kettle black! Anya still needs to get a hold of sarcasm. A chimp playing hockey? now that is a movie I'd like to see! Dawn let's Xander know that she is only crashing at their place so "Riley and Buffy can doink!" Is Buffy in for a surprise when she finds out about Riley and his new fetish! Snore, Riley and Buffy on screen together is still making me sleepy. Now that is just creepy Spike, having a crush is one thing but stalking Buffy while she is "doinking" Riley is another.

Man, Riley is like a Drug addict as he slinks out to the vampire bar to pick up another tramp. However this time Spike was there to see it happen. So is that what you kids are calling it these days? The military are looking to strike, as Spike shows up in Buffy's bedroom to lead her to the revelation that her perfect boyfriend is how can I put this? "Shooting up, vampire style!"

The demon hunting Army have rocked up to offer Riley a job killing monsters in Central America. He needs to make up his mind by midnight the next night. The Magic Box is getting ready for the holiday rush and by the look of the banner they are not discriminating against anyone! I think Anya has a valid point when it comes to the chicken feet. Anya bathes Xander? TOO MUCH INFORMATION!

Enter the moral dilemma of the episode, does Buffy go after the small fry vamps who prostitute out their blood sucking ability? or go after the main villain of the season? seeing we have a good 12 episodes to go why not attack the vampires who made her boyfriend into a junkie. Buffy and the gang find the house abandoned so rationally she burns the place down. Speaking of junkie boyfriends, Riley has decided to take out his frustrations on Spike for ratting him out! HE JUST KILLED SPIKE! or did he? nope, just a plastic replica stake. Spike has Riley figured out and vice versa. They both threaten to kill each other over a bottle of whiskey.

I have no empathy for Riley whatsoever. He had Buffy, and he went and screwed it up because of his ego. Another failed Buffy spinoff (one for the adults I guess....) "The tales of Xander and Anya's Sexcapades!" Buffy gets confronted by Riley and asks him to leave, he just doesn't get it does he? There is no excuse for his actions. Don't give me the whole "I wanted to even the score" He is pathetic, Riley is throwing the blame for his mistakes back on Buffy. Now he is throwing his decision to go back to the army on her. HIT HIM BUFFY! HIT HIM HARD! HE IS ASKING FOR IT! "I'm leaving, unless you give me a reason to stay...." it seems to me Riley you gave her a reason to leave! 

The vamps running the whore house is not happy that his house has been burnt. Why do vampires try to attack Buffy with sharp pieces of wood? haven't they learnt? It's like giving a gun to the guy who was only going to kill you with his bare hands and saying "please shoot me!" Well Buffy makes short work of the vampires. Xander shows up and to talk to his friend.

I so don't agree with what Xander is saying right now. Riley has to go he betrayed her trust and was nothing but trouble, Hey was not right for Buffy because if he was he would never of felt inadequate. Riley should of excepted Buffy for all she was the good and the bad. Buffy is heart broken again as she missed the chopper taking Riley away for good. Xander confesses his love for Anya which was a sweet moment. We end off the episode with a split screen of both Buffy and Riley alone.

There is some real meat to this episode, the themes that were brought up would lead to some really interesting discussions, I personally felt that Buffy didn't do anything wrong, the guy slept with her then went off to get his fix from another woman. Looking at the episode as a metaphor for substance abuse, it shows the lowest depths of the human psyche. I'm really upset that the writers threw the blame back on Buffy with the speech from Xander. This also gets me thinking about the importance of having open communication in a relationship. That was the first pitfall between the two, Had Riley expressed his concerns and own inadequacies to Buffy they could have worked it out before it got to the point where he felt he had to be "bit" to be satisfied.

The only time I felt that Buffy could have been more open towards Riley is when she was stabbed and felt vulnerable for the first time. This was when she could of leaned on him for support, having said that it still does not excuse his actions. I found it upsetting also that he felt no shame for what he did and instead he transferred the blame, or tried to justify his wrong doing as an act of heroism. (They need me.....I felt it.) Had Riley apologized and felt any remorse for his actions then I may have more sympathy, but putting his decision to leave on Buffy's shoulder like that was an act of cowardice from a broken man.

In the long run I guess they both will be better off without the burden of each others vices.

I would love to read what you all think...........

8/10

This episode was dedicated to D.C. Gustafson who worked on 70 episodes of the show in the art department and passed away on the 4th of November 2000. (I mention this because I always find it very dignified to remember those who work hard on these kind of things and are no longer with us.)

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 41: Season 5: Episodes 5 – 6

No Place Like Home

Kicking back and moving on with the Challenge while drinking a glass of Vino, (Red of course…) The life of an Educator on Summer Break, what could be sweeter?

 

Alright for those of you who thought I was going to start this entry with a little tune from the Wizard of Oz, well unfortunately you were right: So here goes all of my Oz references in one hit for your enjoyment:

 

“SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW……… AH A TORNADO!!!……WHO KILLED MY SISTER? WHO KILLED THE WICKED WITCH OF THE EAST?………… I DIDN’T MEAN IT……. DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD……….WE REPRESENT THE LOLLIEPOP GUILD…….. WE WELCOME YOU TO MUNCHKIN LAND…….. FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD……….I’D GO THAT WAY…….WHO SAID THAT?…….IF I ONLY HAD A BRAIN………OIL CAN……… IF I ONLY HAD A HEART………. PUT EM UP, PUT EM UP……….. OW WHY DID YOU HAVE TO DO THAT FOR?……… I’D BE KING OF THE FOREST…….. DORATHY DON’T SLEEP……. CAN’T YOU READ………. NO ONE SEES THE WIZARD NO WAY, NO HOW…… BRING ME THE BROOM STICK OF THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST…….. FLY MY PRETTIES, FLY……… AUNTIE EM, PLEASE AUNTIE EM……….. OW I’M MELTING, WHAT A WORLD WHAT A WORLD……… IGNORE THAT MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN…….GOODBYE MY FRIENDS……. THEIR IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME…… YOU WERE THERE AND YOU WERE THERE…..

 

THE END”

 

Ok I’ve got that out of my system, so let’s get started hey,

Again with the previously and come on about the whole Dawn “your in for a surprise thing….” we get it, we are in for a surprise with Dawn now move her story forward faster than at a snails pace…… Eww Spike making out with Buffy, did we really need to be reminded of that? Well if we didn’t need to know what happen last episode then we defiantly need to get caught up 2 months ago….. Why are monks practicing the Black Arts? bit of a contradiction there and they are not winning any awards for the really bad chanting, Biker Vampires are no match for Buffy! Man the security are slack in Sunnydale, Big bald biker fighting a 20 something girl and he just sits back and watches.

I love the Iron Chef, Dawn has some taste in T.V shows! also it’s great to see the little sis taking all the credit for the awesome breakfast. With a name like Buffy, why would you want a nickname from your mum? Today is the big re opening of the Magic Box, and Giles looks ridiculous!!!!  Giles is having as much success on his first day as Flanders did opening the leftoriam. So mum is still sick and here comes Willow who would have a gold membership at the Box.

Kids say the dumbest things at the wrong time, and it seems Dawn has just implemented the break it – bought it policy. Joyce is still having her headaches and I’d say it would have something to do with the anomaly in the universe which is her youngest daughter that has appeared out of no where. Of course it wouldn’t be a season of Buffy without another young hansome bloke to complicate things now would it, as Ben the intern gives us a spiderman reference (now before the challenge I was watching Spidey 2, co incidence? I think not…..) The Security guard is in some real trouble as he gives a warning of on coming doom!

Hey Monk, mess with the dark arts and I’m not sure God is going to be rushing to your rescue. BEWARE A WOMAN IN A RED DRESS! Giles had a customer, and he is HAPPY! Anya still is calling it how she sees it. Buffy think her mother’s illness has something to do with the orb that was found.

Now here is a hint to the Crazy chick in the red dress, if you want someone to tell you something remove the duct tape from the mouth first. OK this guy is SO dead!!! Where did the fat security guard come from? My guess is the Key she is winging about is the Orb that was found. The Magic Box is kicking, who would of thought there was such a demand for this kind of thing. “HEY YOU, HAVE A NICE DAY!” now that is a farewell greeting that will stick! Anya is on to something here, and can that girl wrap a gift or what!!!!

Not another Buffy and Riley uncomfortable scene. The guy is getting strung along and Buffy needs to trust his survival instincts. Just when you think you have some piece and quiet to perform that critical magic spell, along comes your annoying little sister….. I hate it when that happens! Great effect to differentiate the trance from real life. I think that Buffy is starting to realize that Dawn doesn’t belong in this reality. Just when Buffy was about to break Dawn, Giles calls to let us know what the do hickie is.

Spike??? I guess they had to get him into the episode some how to make sure Mastern gets his pay check….. SPIKE REALLY HAS A CRUSH OF BUFFY!!!! That chip in his head must really be doing a number on him. After that totally pointless distraction we’re back on the case with Buffy returning to the home of the Orb. Dawn has a creepy smile on her face and possibly her Evil little sister plan is now in effect.

Whoa does the chick in Red whack a really hard. Anya is now working for Giles and seems to be the only person who is not exhausted by the first day rush! Has Buffy met her match? Oh no she has broken her heel off her RED shoe….. Buffy saved the monk guy who lets us all know that the key opens the door….. amazing who would of thought?

DAWN IS THE KEY???? Alright, I’m way off in my theory of Dawn, I am impressed to say the least as this is not something I saw coming. The fate of the Universe now rests on Buffy’s ability to protect her sister and make sure whoever is after the key doesn’t find out the truth. The question is, will she tell anyone? and what is making Joyce sick?

Well I must say that the whole Dawn thing has finally paid off in a MAJOR way!!! I just think it could of been done one episode earlier…..

Good episode, no real detail about the red dress lady or who she was? Both Spike and Riley were a waste of time in this episode as they had nothing to do with the plot, and I did like the Magic Box scenes, however where did all these customers come from?

7/10

Family

Well the key hole on the DVD set makes some sense, Really another previously? I know I complained that they didn’t do it enough in the past but this is getting ridiculous! Did the producers of the show think that by the 5th season the audiences memory span had shrunk exponentially? I hope it makes sense in the context of the show this episode.

According to the previously, Spike has a crush on Buffy, Terra pulls a fast one on Willow and we find out Dawn is the key. Terra is still got her “I’m useless attitude going” and it seems we have left off right where we ended last episode, as for the question of “Will Buffy tell anyone?” the answer is yes and I guess Giles is the one to tell.

So these mystics have implanted Dawn into everyone’s memories and I think it is a wise decision that Buffy has shared this burden with Giles and Giles alone. Never get a Woman in a Red dress angry.

It’s a wise move for Buffy to move back home with the Key, but now she is becoming the over protective older sister. Terra is still struggling to fit in and we go back to the hospital where Ben gives all the ladies watching the show something to look at only for it to be broken up by another ugly looking demon who gets an offer from our unnamed red woman. Anya is really getting into the whole working bit. Buffy is right the lady in red is kind of like Cordilea. Xander and Buffy are wondering what to get Terra, the whole partner of your best friend who you don’t really know conundrum.

At first I thought Buffy just went to beat up on Spike to get out some frustrations but seeing that Spike is fighting back without the headaches I would wager that this is another one of his dreams where they end up making out again. Yep and that was a little disturbing, but if I was with Harmony, I’d be thinking of some one else also.

Still struggling with the whole “what to get Terra” problem and we meet Donnie, Terra’s brother. But wait we have more her Dad and Cousin Beth show up for the party. (My guess is they don’t know about Terra’s extra curricular activities. Including her girlfriend.) Man I’m now rolling my eyes every time Buffy and Riley kiss, it wasn’t that bad when she was with Angel.

Buffy needs to lay off Dawn and stop being overprotective. Yes there is a greater deal of responsibility to keep her safe but she can’t do it by smothering her. Riley rushes out upset that Buffy is not opening up.

So Terra’s Dad doesn’t approve of her being a witch. Also it seems she is a ticking time bomb of EVIL! and what does he mean about her true face? Can’t Willow date someone who is, I don’t know? just human? We check out the hide out of the nameless villain so until I have a name I’m just going to refer to her as Red. I think she is mainly upset about her shoe breaking more than anything else. So Red is the one who should not be named, and she is not happy that she is facing a slayer seeing it is below her.

Terra is acting really weird and I think that the reason she didn’t want the demon spell to work is that she is a demon.  Did she just place a spell on her friends? We switch to Riley who is drowning his sorrows at the local monster hangout. Oh man I hate it when pretty vampire women try to pick me up at the bar. By the way, Harmony is still annoying.

Cousin Beth is really nasty. I knew it! Terra is part Demon. (I know, I know I had no Idea.) Unfortunately Terra’s Demon blindness spell is about to have some dire effect on everyone as the really tacky demons are able to waltz in without anyone noticing. Nice work with the fighting the invisible demons. It can’t be a fight without Giles getting hit. Spike shows up to help save the day. While Terra comes right on time to break the spell she placed on everyone. This allows Buffy to save the day, unfortunately for Terra her family wants to take her away. Good thing that she has real friends who won’t let her go without a fight…. except for Spike who doesn’t care what happens! (brilliant writing.)

Spike removes all doubt that Terra is a Demon by punching her in the nose, the headache proves that she is 100% human and her family are wackos! (Did Spike just get thanked for punching a girl?) I really don’t like cousin Beth, good thing we don’t have to see her again. All is good again and it’s party time for Terra. *Rolls Eyes at Buffy and Riley kissing* Terra and Willow do make a cute couple. Nice touch with the floating dance.

This was a tough one to gauge, as it was great to have an episode focus on a minor character, it moved the story along nicely and gave a purpose for Spike to be in it. (I guess) Still a bit slow in patches and the Riley at the Bar scene was pointless.

7/10

 

Two decent episodes this time with some nice twists thrown in, Until next time Challengers, make sure you don’t make your friends blind to any demons as you never know when they’ll attack!

7/10

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!