Buffy 4.17 Superstar - as good as new
P@rick
Aww stop it. This is getting silly! And when you least expect it, they
come up with an episode like this. When they have to develop the Adam
storyline before this season ends without a real villain, when there
are issues to resolve between Buffy and Riley (again!), when we're all
dying to find out how the Scoobies will react to Tara and perhaps the
revelation about Willow's new taste in partners, Jonathan uses a spell
to turn Sunnydale into a stage for one gigantic ego trip and directs all
attention to him.
"Just what we need, only not" fans can be heard thinking all across the
nation. An episode we can't take seriously and where nothing really
happens because it plays in an alternate reality. That thought certainly
crossed my mind. But on second viewing I realised that this ep is way
better than it appears to be, and it handles current issues much better
and more directly than many a 'serious' episode.
You can say what you want about Jonathan, but at least he gets people
to talk. Okay, so Buffy and Riley still didn't talk to each other about
what's bothering them. But count your blessings I say. Having Buffy and
Riley do a therapeutic session with Jonathan is so much better than
another boring B/R scene. Then again, having your wisdom teeth removed
is better than another boring B/R scene.
Another breakthrough Jonathan makes is that he finds out where Adam gets
his juice from. Adam is operating on an autonomous powersource.
Something to do with uranium-235. Sounds pretty radioactive to me.
Expect a delegation of Greenpeace to arrive in Sunnydale anytime soon,
demanding Adam to be dismantled rather than destroyed. Cutting off his
head is pretty useless according to Jonathan, but I think it's a good
start. And taking off his arms and legs after that will get you a long
way.
Magic won't work on Adam, that's for sure. At least, Jonathan's spell
left him unaffected. He keeps saying that he's more awake, aware and
alive than all other creatures. Up untill now, that was mostly words
rather than deeds. But he was the only one to see through Jonathan's
spell. And he just went about his own business, undisturbed by what was
happening. Which was rather cool. But the thing with Adam is that
rationally he poses a great threat, but emotionally he doesn't strike
fear in anyone's heart because he's just a background figure. We need a
lot more confrontations between Adam and the Scoobies, so that killing
him becomes a personal matter rather than a routine job. Maybe he could
kill off Riley. That should get their attention.
One thing that wasn't really adressed was Tara's introduction to the
Scoobies. They completely skipped that part. Unlike Anya, she doesn't
visit the Scooby meetings (yet), but she does hang out with them in the
Bronze. No one seems to notice that she and Willow are a (very cute!)
couple. Not surprising, since both B/R and X/A are too absorbed
by their own partners that they wouldn't notice W/T if they were doing
tongue gymnastics right in front of them.
Tara has some cool tricks up her sleeve to ward off attacks from hideous
monsters. Cool monster fighter! Although a smokescreen wouldn't save her
from your average vampire or werewolf. Maybe if it was a garlic
smokescreen. So Willow should better teach her that neat floating pencil
defense just in case Tara ever needs it. Funny that Tara didn't notice
that something was wrong, like she did in TYG. Big difference is of
course that this time she was under the influence of the spell as well.
Now where should I insert my customary Willow praise? Ah, here will do
just fine. Was it just me, or did Willow look even more beautiful than
ususal? I could completely relate when Tara hesitated to let go of
Willow when their ways parted on campus.
Another thing that was really cool was the action in the fighting
scenes, already obvious in the first scene. Pretty smart moves, and good
group interaction. I also loved how Buffy slowly but steadily cut
through Jonathan's sharade. All by herself, even when the Scoobies
thought she'd finally lost it. Adam's not the only one who's aware. And
Buffy didn't even hone.
And then there is the great amusement value of this ep. Jonathan may be
boring, his fantasy certainly isn't. Although I would trade the
Scandinavian twins for Willow any day. The score was wonderful, even
that corny guitar twang. And the music in the Bronze wasn't half bad
either. Although it didn't have the same effect on me as it had on
Xander and Anya.
Xander identified a lot with super-Jonathan. And because Jon was
succesful and popular, Xander had a great role model to hang on to. The
Scooby gang was operating as a team again, so Xander had a purpose.
Although he really shouldn't speak latin in front of the books.
I loved Anya this episode. She really is in her element when she tries
(or rather has) to be hospitable, isn't she? And don't get her started
on wishes involving shrimps...
You could hate this episode for being plain silly and not adding
anything to this season nor to the current story-arcs. And I would
disagree. You shouldn't dismiss the developments in this episode just
because everyone was under the influence of Jonathan's spell. In spite
of its silly character, this episode moved the current storylines along
and it did so with a good sense of humor. Okay, no more I say. But just
for this once, it was very enjoyable.
Bye, Patrick
--
Keeper of the Willowism, "And I'm eating this banana. Lunchtime be
damned!"
Keeper of the Wily Willow Charms
ThreadMaker [tm]
ReviewMeister [tm]
thedeadparrot
But that'd only be a flesh wound, I'm sure he's had worse.
>Magic won't work on Adam, that's for sure. At least, Jonathan's spell
>left him unaffected. He keeps saying that he's more awake, aware and
>alive than all other creatures. Up untill now, that was mostly words
>rather than deeds. But he was the only one to see through Jonathan's
>spell. And he just went about his own business, undisturbed by what was
>happening. Which was rather cool. But the thing with Adam is that
>rationally he poses a great threat, but emotionally he doesn't strike
>fear in anyone's heart because he's just a background figure. We need a
>lot more confrontations between Adam and the Scoobies, so that killing
>him becomes a personal matter rather than a routine job. Maybe he could
>kill off Riley. That should get their attention.
Am I the only person who doesn't hate Riley with a fiery vengeance?
>
>One thing that wasn't really adressed was Tara's introduction to the
>Scoobies. They completely skipped that part. Unlike Anya, she doesn't
>visit the Scooby meetings (yet), but she does hang out with them in the
>Bronze. No one seems to notice that she and Willow are a (very cute!)
>couple. Not surprising, since both B/R and X/A are too absorbed
>by their own partners that they wouldn't notice W/T if they were doing
>tongue gymnastics right in front of them.
>Tara has some cool tricks up her sleeve to ward off attacks from hideous
>monsters. Cool monster fighter! Although a smokescreen wouldn't save her
>from your average vampire or werewolf.
Yep, despite her stuttering, she's just proved that she can look after
herself.
>Maybe if it was a garlic
>smokescreen. So Willow should better teach her that neat floating pencil
>defense just in case Tara ever needs it. Funny that Tara didn't notice
>that something was wrong, like she did in TYG. Big difference is of
>course that this time she was under the influence of the spell as well.
My take on it was that last time there had been a disturbance in the
force - things had been left unbalanced. This time, when Jonny had
been augmented his goodness was balanced by a (pretty feeble) evil
version of himself. Because everything was balanced and ok, Tara
didn't notice.
>
>Now where should I insert my customary Willow praise? Ah, here will do
>just fine. Was it just me, or did Willow look even more beautiful than
>ususal? I could completely relate when Tara hesitated to let go of
>Willow when their ways parted on campus.
>
Yep, the touching fingers thing really melted my heart.
>Another thing that was really cool was the action in the fighting
>scenes, already obvious in the first scene. Pretty smart moves, and good
>group interaction. I also loved how Buffy slowly but steadily cut
>through Jonathan's sharade. All by herself, even when the Scoobies
>thought she'd finally lost it. Adam's not the only one who's aware. And
>Buffy didn't even hone.
>
>And then there is the great amusement value of this ep. Jonathan may be
>boring, his fantasy certainly isn't. Although I would trade the
>Scandinavian twins for Willow any day. The score was wonderful, even
>that corny guitar twang. And the music in the Bronze wasn't half bad
>either. Although it didn't have the same effect on me as it had on
>Xander and Anya.
>
>Xander identified a lot with super-Jonathan. And because Jon was
>succesful and popular, Xander had a great role model to hang on to. The
>Scooby gang was operating as a team again, so Xander had a purpose.
>Although he really shouldn't speak latin in front of the books.
>I loved Anya this episode. She really is in her element when she tries
>(or rather has) to be hospitable, isn't she? And don't get her started
>on wishes involving shrimps...
Anya was actually the only part that I didn't like about this episode.
Normally I love her biting wit, but she just seemed lost in her
dialogue with Buffy this week.
>
>You could hate this episode for being plain silly and not adding
>anything to this season nor to the current story-arcs. And I would
>disagree. You shouldn't dismiss the developments in this episode just
>because everyone was under the influence of Jonathan's spell. In spite
>of its silly character, this episode moved the current storylines along
>and it did so with a good sense of humor. Okay, no more I say. But just
>for this once, it was very enjoyable.
>
Neil Crosby aka The Dead Parrot
--
saifai.co.uk - For Buffy, McBeal and Monty Python
--
"And sooner or later as he lurked and pried on the
borders he would be caught, and taken in for examination."
Jonathan Black
> Am I the only person who doesn't hate Riley with a fiery
> vengeance?
No :-)
--
jonathaN (doesn't hate Riley, actually rather likes him)
"Seventeen. Eleven vampires, six demons."
--Riley, `A New Man'
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Mattia Valente
> thedeadparrot wrote:
> > Am I the only person who doesn't hate Riley with a fiery
> > vengeance?
>
> No :-)
I don't hate him. Don't like him too much, though. BTW, Jon, I'm
starting to like Riley more now, watching them CD thingies (BTW, is it
just me or are the wild feed encodes more better, like? Oh, and Joss
directed an Angel ep? Surprised me there...but I stray slightly..)
> jonathaN (doesn't hate Riley, actually rather likes him)
>
> "Seventeen. Eleven vampires, six demons."
Hehehehehehehe....
Mattia
ReplyMeister[tm]
P@rick
> P@rick wrote:
>
> >Cutting off his head is pretty useless according to Jonathan, but I
> >think it's a good start. And taking off his arms and legs after that
> >will get you a long way.
> But that'd only be a flesh wound, I'm sure he's had worse.
Okay. Then first decapitate him and then start punching him in the face.
Or play soccer with his head. Or better yet: baseball. And I'm sure they
can bury his limbs in a concrete filled Initiative complex: hit two
flies with one stroke (is that even an expression?). And as for his
torso, well it already has a Zip drive. I think it would make a cool, be
it somewhat smelly, desktop computer.
> Am I the only person who doesn't hate Riley with a fiery vengeance?
Ah, so you just hate him period :o)
It's just that he's so incredibly boring. Which wouldn't be a problem if
Riley starred in 'Little House on the Prairie'. But instead he's
starring in my favorite tv show, as Buffy's b/f no less. I'd rather have
Forrest as Buffy's b/f. At least he's moderately interesting. Of course
that relation wouldn't last very long. But at least it would provide
some sparkage.
> >Funny that Tara didn't notice > >that something was wrong, like she did
> >in TYG. Big difference is of course that this time she was under the
> >influence of the spell as well.
>
> My take on it was that last time there had been a disturbance in the
> force - things had been left unbalanced. This time, when Jonny had
> been augmented his goodness was balanced by a (pretty feeble) evil
> version of himself. Because everything was balanced and ok, Tara
> didn't notice.
Could very well be the case. Still, you would expect that either Willow
or Tara would notice it if some magicks were influencing reality. And
Adam said: "These magicks are unstable, corrosive. They will inevitably
lead to chaos.". So there wasn't much balance in that respect.
Bye, Patrick
Mattia Valente
> thedeadparrot wrote:
> > P@rick wrote:
> > >Cutting off his head is pretty useless according to Jonathan, but I
> > >think it's a good start. And taking off his arms and legs after that
> > >will get you a long way.
>
> > But that'd only be a flesh wound, I'm sure he's had worse.
>
> Okay. Then first decapitate him and then start punching him in the face.
> Or play soccer with his head. Or better yet: baseball.
Hehehe...I'd vote for using a wreking ball or something. ripping off
limbs and the like won't kill him, maybe, but it would incapacitate the
guy/thing/monster.
> And I'm sure they
> can bury his limbs in a concrete filled Initiative complex:
Err....P@rick? Is this one of them, you know...?
> hit two
> flies with one stroke (is that even an expression?).
No its not. The analogous english expession is to kill two birds with
one stone. Means the same thing.
> And as for his
> torso, well it already has a Zip drive. I think it would make a cool, be
> it somewhat smelly, desktop computer.
Possibly. Dunno about compatibility issues, though. I doubt he's running
Microsoft software, or he would've crashed and burned many times by
now..
> > Am I the only person who doesn't hate Riley with a fiery vengeance?
>
> Ah, so you just hate him period :o)
Hehe..'hate' is, as I've said before, possible too strong a word for
Boreley. Unless you're Andrea, or one of those Riley Haters...
> It's just that he's so incredibly boring. Which wouldn't be a problem if
> Riley starred in 'Little House on the Prairie'. But instead he's
> starring in my favorite tv show, as Buffy's b/f no less. I'd rather have
> Forrest as Buffy's b/f. At least he's moderately interesting. Of course
> that relation wouldn't last very long. But at least it would provide
> some sparkage.
Right. The first sentence really sums up most of it. He's not
interesting enough to hate.
> > My take on it was that last time there had been a disturbance in the
> > force - things had been left unbalanced. This time, when Jonny had
> > been augmented his goodness was balanced by a (pretty feeble) evil
> > version of himself. Because everything was balanced and ok, Tara
> > didn't notice.
>
> Could very well be the case. Still, you would expect that either Willow
> or Tara would notice it if some magicks were influencing reality. And
> Adam said: "These magicks are unstable, corrosive. They will inevitably
> lead to chaos.". So there wasn't much balance in that respect.
Why can't witches be bewitched? That wouldn't make any sense, really.
They have powers, but they're still human, and Jonathan's spell created
a blanket that was pulled over everybody's eyes. It's the whole world,
reality, reference frame that's changed, so it's not wonder that Willow
and Tara are fooled. I don't think that their attunedness to reality
would in any way help them out. They've still got limited powers and
capabilities, you're giving them too much credit, possibly. That's my
take.
spoilers for Season 5 follow, not too big.
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Neither Willow or Tara seem to notice anything wrong with Dawn at all.
And we all know that Buffy doesn't have a sister. Situation doesn't seem
to be the same as this, but again, things aren't as they should be,
memories aren't what the used to be.
Mattia
ReplyMeister[tm]
P@rick
> "P@rick" wrote:
> > And I'm sure they
> > can bury his limbs in a concrete filled Initiative complex:
>
> Err....P@rick? Is this one of them, you know...?
It is. But who do you think will notice before it's 'too late'. Besides,
I'm only naming one out of a large number of possibilities.
> > And as for his
> > torso, well it already has a Zip drive. I think it would make a cool, be
> > it somewhat smelly, desktop computer.
>
> Possibly. Dunno about compatibility issues, though. I doubt he's running
> Microsoft software, or he would've crashed and burned many times by
> now..
Hehehehe. And if it's running on Linux, I could destroy it by driving it
crazy with UNEXPECTED DATA.
> > Could very well be the case. Still, you would expect that either Willow
> > or Tara would notice it if some magicks were influencing reality. And
> > Adam said: "These magicks are unstable, corrosive. They will inevitably
> > lead to chaos.". So there wasn't much balance in that respect.
>
> Why can't witches be bewitched? That wouldn't make any sense, really.
> They have powers, but they're still human, and Jonathan's spell created
> a blanket that was pulled over everybody's eyes. It's the whole world,
> reality, reference frame that's changed, so it's not wonder that Willow
> and Tara are fooled. I don't think that their attunedness to reality
> would in any way help them out. They've still got limited powers and
> capabilities, you're giving them too much credit, possibly. That's my
> take.
Well I'm not saying that witches can't be bewitched. Check out Amy in
BB&B for instance. And I'm not saying that Tara or Willow *should* have
noticed something. They didn't, and I don't think that's some sort of
plothole. But it wouldn't have surprised me if they had noticed. I just
noticed that Tara sensed something wrong with FiB (yay, TLA!) and didn't
with Jonathan. Of course, she didn't meet Jonathan personally. But she
did meet his evil counterpart. I guess she didn't feel anything but fear
at that moment.
Bye, Patrick