Restless

Season four ends not with vanquishing Big Bad, but with an artful, experimental show of dream sequences. Much has been written about this episode, and the dvd includes Joss' detailed commentary on the episode--I really don't have much to say that's not been said before, probably by people who have said it better.

In a sense, the Big Bad of season four is as much finding their own identity--their "true names," as comes up in a couple of the dreams. Adam, as the "am I human, or demon, or andriod--and what does that mean anyway" Big Bad they can physically fight is one manifestation of that, but this episode ties up the search in ways that killing Adam doesn't. Willow, Giles and Xander go on dream quests that end in them naming their quandaries or fears: Cool, Quirky Wicca Willow is a disguise, and nerd Willow quails beneath that disguise, fearful of discovery; as hard as Xander searches, he'll never leave his basement, never overcome the taint and heritage of his upbringing; and Giles' crossroads--am I father? watcher? should I move on?--peppers his journey with options, ones he is too stymied to grab.

Then finally, Buffy's dream-journey takes her face to face with the first Slayer, who tells her she cannot have friends, she must only kill. Buffy rejects that, ultimately saving her friends and herself.

Rife with foreshadowing of Dawn's arrival next season, sexual imagery, and commentary on various plot threads (including Joyce's death--and Buffy ignoring when her mom asks for help), it's clear that Tara is integrating herself into their lives, and that Buffy is aware that Riley may become someone she can't be with. According to Whedon's commentary, the odd cheeseman who appears in each dream really is a random motif, just as dreaming includes random imagery.

There's a lot of interesting symbolism in the episode, but honestly--it's been talked about by people who have devoted a whole lot more energy to being insightful than I'm willing to give. Note though that creative camera angles, odd dissolves, unusual depth of field, and frequent use of color and negatives give this an exceedingly dream-like feel, making it clear that Joss' at least this season was going for an artsy auteur approach to his direction.

Reptile Boy

This episode is...ok. That's really the best I can say about it. As I watched, I realized that frat boys are consistently portrayed stereotypically. The BtVS writers have no empathy for frat boys, not ever. Even Riley, who's as close to a frat boy as anyone, they quickly make into military/grad student; if he had an undergrad frat history, it's long over. Wonder if Joss and his merry band of pensmiths were shunned (or worse) by frats? Could the vividness of Xander's humiliating dance at the frat party could stem from personal experience? Gotta wonder...

They don't have the same bias against sorority girls. I can't remember Greek females being mentioned ever, but Cordelia--and Buffy, too--would be prime pledge material. As hard as it is to imagine right now, Cordelia does evolve as a character into a sensitive, smart, capable friend, so potential sorority girls can morph into real people. Frat boys aren't so lucky in the Buffyverse.

The difference between archetype and stereotype is exemplified in this series. Archetypes are evoke primal, universal imagery, adding a layer of meaning to the story or character. Giles is an archetype--the Wise Teacher. The Gandalf, the Yoda, the Master. He is also a stereotype, the prissy librarian, anti-tech, lives with his nose in a book, seemingly uptight and nerdy. As an archetype, we trust that Giles will act certain ways: he will give good advice; he will have special knowledge; he will let Buffy make mistakes, but make sure she learns from them. As a stereotype, we expect Giles to act certain ways: he follows rules; he values knowledge; he trusts books; he likes organization and predictability.

Introducing a character as a stereotype is a shortcut, making it easy for the audience to recognize and relate to it at first. Adding a few quirks or unexpected twists may personalize the character somewhat--Willow was smart nerd girl, but her unfailingly positive disposition and sunny, odd speech patterns differentiated her; now, she's still nerd girl, but she's also smitten, loyal best friend. Her evolution into a person as opposed to a stereotype has begun. Thus far, Giles' is still stereotype; that begins changing soon, I think, but he always has a distance due to age and status as the Wise Teacher that renders him less rounded.

Quick things to notice:

• Buffy lies to Giles. That shocks and upsets Willow, who later slightly reams Giles for pushing Buffy hard enough that Buffy feels that she has to lie. Giles concedes Willow is right, but Buffy and Giles do still have a bit of a discussion about her lying. (Contrast that with times that Willow, Buffy and/or Xander need to clear the air about something and just imply it...the dance, for instance.)
• Buffy drinks alcohol. And it's drugged and she's nearly sacrificed to the snake/boy demon. I think that every time they drink the first four seasons, something bad happens. Beer bad, you know! Gotta watch to see when that shifts--she gets drunk with Spike in season 6, I remember, and nothing bad happens...I think.
• Again, Xander follows Buffy into danger. This time, though, he gets hazed by the frat boys, reminding us that Xander is supposed to be comic--even his entrance into the frat, falling headfirst into the window--is humorous. He does help save her and Cordy, though. Again.
• Gotta think about this: Giles and Angel talk to each other like peers, more than Giles does to anyone else (except maybe Jenny, when he's able to form sentences around her??) It's not just age, either--he's not like that with Spike ever; it's not just the soul, because Giles tries to kill Spike agter Spike earns his soul. I'm watching closely to see what I'm basing this on.

Overall, though--this isn't an episode I'm engaged by. The next one, though, is one I think I liked. We'll see,...