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!

Buffy Challenge Post 39: Season 5: Episodes 1 - 2

Buffy Vs Dracula

Well it's about time! The battle we've all been waiting for, the slayer vs the grand daddy vampire of them all! DRACULA!!!! (I can't believe it took 5 seasons to get to this. The season 5 DVD is creepy btw with the whole key thing. We start this season off like so many before them, Buffy moping around in bed having a nightmare. (I think it’s about time she sees a therapist.) Is it me or is she dreaming of running AWAY from a fight? That is very un buffy like. Another easy kill in her dream that startled her and we move into the opening credits with no idea what that was all about! Hey Anya has been added to the credits, cool! So we go from nightmares in bed to fun on the beach. Well the whole gang are in happy relationships and a word of advice, never question the throwing skills of a person with super strength.

Xander is still good for very little, and Willow is able to light his fire! (Oh had it been a few seasons ago that would have a totally different meaning!) Nothing is worse than the rain hitting when you’re having a good time on the beach, I miss rain. Moving men seem to never able to do a job right and it cost them their lives. Hello product placement, (how do you like them apples?) I also forgot how big scanners use to be. Nothing beats a good archiving session. Giles seems that he is trying to keep busy and it looks like he is going home. After a full season of sitting around doing practically nothing has caught up with Giles. Dinner finishes early for a little vampire slaying, looks like the writers are going back to the basics. Buffy’s reaction to Dracula is priceless! “Get out indeed!”

Why can’t Willow keep a secret? It wouldn’t be Dracula without the accent. The count is quick off the mark, Xander not sure it’s a great idea to compare Dracula with the Count from sesame street. Finally, a vampire turned into a bat! I’d think Dracula would know Frankenstein. Hey Anya used to date Dracula? Riley is really jealous. Why are all the girls so hot for the count? Dracula decides to give old Xander a visit, did he just say no poofing? Looks like Dracula has made Xander an offer he can’t refuse, and finally someone has said what we have been thinking, Xander is strange and off putting. This show has become “EVERYBODY LOVES DRACULA!” Spike is back and it seems that the chip is still firmly implanted in his head. It seems Spike has a few choice words for the Count; I’d be upset if someone owed me 11 pounds and publicized how to kill my kind also. So Dracula is like the big vampire celebrity who needs all the perks worthy of how famous he is.

Dracula is so smooth; I think I’m starting to develop a man crush on him? And for the second time in this show Buffy gets bitten by a vampire. Let it go Willow. So Dracula is a vampire 2.0, full of upgrades. Mind control, seduction and don’t forget the whole bat thing. Xander has a hankering for bugs right now. Willow just asked the question that I was going to type, how did he get inside when he wasn’t invited? I guess Joyce will let us know.

Mind control is cool!

Riley and Giles are on the right track, where else would you go to find Dracula but in the only castle in Sunnydale. So it seems the army training from way back has worn off for Xander and Giles has fell into an awkward situation. Buffy is moving over to the dark side however there is a deeper good in her that Dracula couldn’t penetrate. WHOAH! What a fight scene! Buffy anticipates Dracula’s moves and a stake later he is gone! Xander is making a stand and he refuses to be everyone’s BUTT MONKEY! So Dracula, is truly immortal and cops another stake for his trouble, he’s not dead but I think Sunnydale is not going to be a place he will want to visit anytime soon.

It’s time for Giles to give Buffy the bad news. However before he gets to say his piece Buffy lets Giles know that she needs him and his knowledge of history will be able to mold her future, she pleads for Giles to be her mentor and it is enough for him to stay. WHAT? BUFFY HAS A SISTER? That made no sense whatsoever!

What a fun way to start the season, with lots of action and lots of little nods to the past. I really enjoyed the way they were able to integrate Dracula into the Buffyverse, even though his exit was a little weak, He would have made a credible threat for the whole season and I hope he returns in the near future. (I want to see Dracula vs Spike!) I could have done without the whole sister thing though.

9/10

REAL ME

We start off where we left off from the last episode or to be exact a few minutes before we left off, and the return of the “Previously on Buffy……” which is rare in this show but I kind of like it, it lets me know what happened prevouslly refressing my memory from about 15 minutes ago.

Prevouslly on “THE BUFFY CHALLENGE” So Buffy was like, “I’m turning evil”, and Giles was like, “Go On” and Buffy was like, “Please teach me?” and Giles said Ok. Xander then let everyone know that he is not going to be a BUTT MONKEY! Then something about Buffy running into a sister that no one knew about.

Giles is training Buffy like Mr. Myagi trained the Karate Kid or Yoda training Luke Skywaker in the Empire Strikes Back. (Both Great Movies by the way). Little sis is writing in her diary, She has a point seeing that Buffy doesn’t have a secret identity. Her sister’s name is Dawn (Dawn Summers?). First Harry Potter reference! Dawn that would be a bet you would win as there was a whole episode where they *cough* did it all episode. The narration really works well in this show but what is the deal bringing in this character. “Newfangled” is not that old of a term. Giles is having trouble driving an AUTO? I do like Willow’s new hair cut. Great the Magic Shop has been ransacked again; I hate it when this happens. The owner is dead and to protect her little sister she leaves her outside with a creepy homeless guy. Is Dawn an anomaly? Is it something from a different dimension? They cut away from the thumb wrestling match to the investigation. It seems that there were 4 vampires going nuts and Giles is more interested in becoming the new tenant. (I’m sure the death rate will really keep the costs down!)

NOOOOOOO NOT HER, NOT WHAT’S HER NAME! (I hated her so much I forgot her name.)

It seems she has her own minions, which are in fashion right now. I think Dawn has a crush on Xander! It’s a shame that Anya is there to “Cramp her style” Terra is feeling a little left out. “He’s British and he doesn’t understand anything!” That is golden writing right there. Buffy is winging about her little sister, while Dawn is winging about her older sister. Anya is my favorite character and you can’t trade your children for more cash!

Harmony, that’s her name, Harmony! I hate Harmony. She is pushing Xander’s buttons and Dawn invites her in! Harmony has minions and is trying to kill Buffy. Everything is really funny until she finds out that Dawn has invited her in. Seems that Spike is bored and since he can’t kill all humans he takes his frustrations out on other vampires now. If Harmony is the MAJOR villain this season I’m not going to be happy! “Evil for Dummies” A best seller! (Fortress of Solitude! Another Superman reference!) The old rag on your sister when you don’t know she is listening at the door plot device, and Dawn is captured. Will someone kill Harmony already? No love lost between Buffy and Spike still.

Brad obtained from the vote and Mort is taking over! Which doesn’t work well. Obviouslly Harmony didn’t read the chapter in “Evil for Dummies” about how to keep minions on side. DEATH BY UNICORN! How degrading for Mort. Alas Harmony escaped to annoy for another episode. Giles moves into the magic shop and has the life expectancy of a Spinal Tap drummer, (another great movie!) The real question is WHO IS DAWN? And where did she come from? Oh and Buffy hates Surprises!

Another Great Episode, other than the annoyance of having to see Harmony escape alive. Alas we can’t have them all!

9/10

Two solid and fun episodes in a row, will this be a way to wash away the memory of the horrid 4^th season? We can only pray!

Until next time Challengers!