Buffy 2.01 When She Was Bad SPOILERS
P@rick
pain, spank your inner moppet, whatever, but get over it."
*** SPOILERS for Buffy 2.01 When She Was Bad ***
Buffy's got issues. And they're so big that a Summer's worth of shopping
can't resolve them. But even worse, she's taking it out on her friends.
Meet the cranky Slayer.
All seems well at first when Buffy arrives at good ol' Sunnydale, not a
minute too soon. She prevents a vampire from killing Xander and Willow
who were prevented from having an overdue and very sweet intimate
moment. Damn, will they ever finish what they started there? Willow
tries to re-enact the scene but it doesn't work the second time. Awww...
Xander was already preoccupied with Buffy again, or possibly Willow used
the wrong ice cream flavour. Could she look any more adorable though? I
guess not, but she has an entire season to prove me wrong.
Of course, Xander's not worthy of Willow since he only has eyes for
Buffy and I should be the one licking the cold vanilla flavoured ice
cream from her nose. But in a perfect world Willow would be sitting on
my lap as I type this review. Which isn't saying that she is not by the
way.
Anyway as I was saying all seems well with Buffy, until the Master is
mentioned. From that moment on Buffy's expression and attitude turns as
cold as Willow's ice-covered nose. Except for her vertical lapdance with
Xander. Who starts looking more uncomfortable than amused after a while.
He's not completely blinded by his crush on Buffy, he still knows when
he's being played. Although he does like to fool himself into thinking
she might fall for him eventually.
Buffy's uberbitch 'tude even prompts Cordelia to give Buffy that
wonderful speech in the alley. Not that it has a big effect on Buffy,
but coming from the resident bitch of Sunnydale High it is special.
It's not really surprising that Buffy has unresolved issues with the
Master. Okay, in the end she did manage to kill him. But not before she
was killed herself. And she wasn't able to prevent that from happening.
That she's alive today is for a great deal just dumb luck. As good a
reason to retire as any.
Buffy freezing up every time the 'M' word is used is a clear sign of
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. That Buffy starts dreaming about the
Master-disguised-as-Giles choking her obviously doesn't help her
condition. And the Master's vacant grave isn't much promising either.
There's only so much stress a 16 year old Slayer can handle, and Buffy's
way over her limit. Which has its repercussions on her friends.
And this being Sunnydale those repercussions soon turn out to be lethal.
A cranky Slayer is not a communicative Slayer. Her friends can't get
through, much to their frustration, and the harder they try the harder
Buffy wants to do things on her own. This separates the Slayer and her
friends, which is exactly how the Annoying One and his minions want
them.
Xander is royally pissed off with Buffy and let's her have it. Which is
saying a lot coming from him. Which is also saying that although he
doesn't return her feelings he feels deeply for Willow. A touching
moment, just like him supporting her in the factory is a touching
moment. This is an ep filled with touching Xander-Willow moments.
Giles has his moments as well. For one he defends Buffy against Snyder's
sniding remarks. Buffy can use all the help she can get since Snyder has
her on his teenage-delinquent-radar. When Jenny enters the screen Giles
forgets all about everything around him. Must say I can't really blame
him.
This ep is a great season opener. It ends a few loose threads left
hanging from last season's finale and it sets the scene for the coming
episodes. In class everything is well again between Buffy and her
friends. Buffy realises that her friends are of the supportive and
forgiving kind. Fresh and ready to face a new schoolyear fighting
teachers and other demons together with the Slayer.
The Annoying One appears to seek revenge for Buffy's sledgehammering. I
would say that sounds promising, but honestly I want Buffy to end that
boy's afterlife sooner than later.
Oh yeah, does anyone remember the name of the band in this episode? I'm
sure they mentioned it once, but I can't remember...
Bye, Patrick
--
Keeper of the Willowism, "And I'm eating this banana. Lunchtime be
damned!"
Keeper of the Wily Willow Charms
ThreadMaker [tm]
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Fré Hoogendoorn
<MPG.158371ee6...@news.surfnet.nl>:
<snip another excellent P@rick review>
> Oh yeah, does anyone remember the name of the band in this episode? I'm
> sure they mentioned it once, but I can't remember...
Cibo Matto. Funny thing is, I just rewatched this episode myself, having
just purchased Season 2.
Now on to Season 5, and I have a feeling it's gonna be a memorable one.
Fré
--
Nothing cures insomnia like the realization that it's time to get up.
dmac
> Now on to Season 5, and I have a feeling it's gonna be a memorable one.
>
> Fré
>
You have no idea. ;-)
dmac
...Xander?!!! Get off!
Damn, I gotta go wash my lap now.
Dmac