Beer Bad

This is not one I like well, but it may just be because Buffy acts against type so drastically--which is in ways the point. Even this early in the show, relatively, she's having problems dealing with her losses and her position, but in this episode, lots of beer with frat boys is the "cure." Of course, the beer is cursed and we get the theme of the show: Primal. Buffy and Oz, in particular, go primal.

Buffy fantasizes about saving Parker, her way of then being able to make him appreciate her. Before the end of the episode, CaveGirl Buffy gets to do just that. Is he purged from her system? Symbolically, probably--and much mention of Parker in the series ends fairly soon as Riley takes the helm. This episode pretty much wraps up the Parker arc, while beginning the Oz leaving arc as he reacts on a level he doesn't understand to the lead singer of a band at the Bronze.

Notably, Xander is nearby to help Buffy. He's watching, seeing what she can't see. It's interesting that early in the episode, he makes a comment (that I forget now) that displays deep, well-rounded knowledge, but when faced with the college kids mocking him, he can barely form a sentence. Through the series, Xander claims to be dumb, but his vocabulary and allusions prove it's not true. The choice to have his character not go to college is an interesting one.

Willow's discussion with Parker is interesting, but right now, I'm not sure I can articulate why. Maybe later...