What's My Line Pt 1

Lots going on--guess that's why it's a two-parter! First, the plot lines that create the two part story arc: healing Drusilla, which includes stealing a "super duper decoder ring;" and the threat from the Order of Tarokis, assassins that Spike has hired ("Isn't that overkill," a minion asks Spike; "No, it's just the right amount of kill")

Tied in with that, though, are all sorts of things. Most obviously, Kendra the Vampire Slayer appears, and the Career Fair is the backdrop for the episode. Those two things are intertwined, too. Buffy has no future, no reason to participate in the career fair (except the Principal is forcing her). She has a "gig," and she invites Giles to "fire her," then comments on the fact he'd have to kill her, chosen one, blah blah blah. She's got an attitude about not having a future, and the running joke about her going into law enforcement is too true, in a mythic big picture sense. She's not amused.

Then, abracabra--Kendra, a culturally ambiguous Bratz doll slayer. More on her next episode, but she is Buffy's foil, the traditional Slayer. And she emphasizes that Buffy is just one in a series, that her life expectancy is zip. (We could argue about whether Buffy could walk away since Kendra--then Faith--are the "official" slayers following the straight slayer line, but no reason to go there; neither Buffy nor Giles define her as inactive, and she still has the power and skills.)

After the last bit, where Giles has been reframed as a character, he's back in tweed-clad Watcher librarian mode and asserting his position. He's research-driven, bonding with Willow (who at this point really seems to be closer to Giles in many ways than either Buffy or Xander--he understands her best and values her abilities) He's grumpy at Buffy, demanding. That sets up the juxtaposition we'll see next episode with Kendra and the traditional Slayer/watcher paradigm.

What else....hmm...as important as names are to Whedon, I haven't figured out why the cross and book that are needed to heal Dru are by a man named duLac. Of the lake? Like Lancelot--there are few ties with Arthurian legend in the Buffyverse; if this is a reference, I haven't gotten it yet. Also, Spike and his nerd vamp handle duLac's cross without as much as a cringe. Curious--espeically since Xander used a smaller cross to bully Angel the end of last reason, and a cross necklace burned Angel when he and Buffy kissed.

Brief references to religion a couple times. Buffy says, "Note to self: Religion freaky" as she's in the tomb with Giles looking at duLac's relics. The way religion (Judeo-Christian) is treated in the show is interesting; that's one of the themes I'm watching.

This is a relationship-building episode, too. We actually meet Oz finally, and Xander comments on Cordy wanting to be a Scooby (is that the first use of the term in the show?? Maybe) Buffy gets to ice skate because Angel takes her on a "date" to the skating rink (that means she skates and he lurks).

Worth noting: Joyce still has no clue Buffy is the slayer, and she is frequently out of town on business trips, giving Buffy far more freedom than most teens. At this point, she's windowdressing to pull out as needed.

Oh--Buffy's clothing is worth noting. It's hard to think of Buffy as dowdy, and through most of this episode, she's as fashionista as usual--but when she gets upset and scared, after both Angel and Giles say she needs to hide from the Order of Tarokis because she can't win against them, she's wandering around in this huge plaid shirt--looks as if it could be flannel, in fact. I think she goes through several other episodes with this shirt. Gotta watch that. She is sometimes casual, but dowdy? It's not even quirky or odd (a la Willow and Xander's clothes) Almost never.

Also, the dialog is snappy in this. It usually is, but for some reason it hits me as slightly quirkier than the last few. I need to check who is the credited writer.

On to Part 2!

Epsiode 4: Teacher's Pet

Here's the truth: I've got several different directions I'd like to go with this, but I've got a cold and I'm grouchy and achy and I just want to watch Buffy, but until I write this one, I don't want to watch a different episode--it would cloud my memory. So pretend I'm far more nuanced, detailed and insightful than I'm really going to be.

This episode is one I had only seen once before. It's about a giant bug-lady trying to mate with Xander. I'm not into bugs. This is a stand-alone episode, one outside of the mega-plot for the season, which can be a find thing...but it just isn't an episode I love.

With that said, though, I love the opening. Xander fantasizing about rescuing a scared Buffy from a vamp in the Bronze, then jumping on stage to finish his set with the band, where he's the lead singer/guitarist. vintage boy-fantasy, I presume--and he's hot. the normal Xander geeky-gawky vibe is gone, and he's got moves. Serious moves--like Xander doesn't have in the whole series. (Side note: When BtVS began, he was 26, six years older than Sarah Michelle Gellar in real life, and 10 years older than the character he played. This scene is one of the few times his real age shows.) Interestingly, in the fantasy he bears a striking resemblance to Angel, who he hasn't seen yet, and he comments later in the show on how attractive Angel is.

If and when I write about a serious article about manhood and/or sex, this is a show I'll analyze in more detail, but today's topic is Willow. This is the first episode with serious reseach mojo happening. Throughout the episode, the gang is back at the library for more research, and this cements Willow's chops as a computer hacker. She's in the background constantly, and she's even been in danger in an eariler episode, but so far, she is not much more than a plot device. She gets to break important news, she gets to react to Buffy and Xander and Cordelia (who's not in this episode), but she hasn't really shone yet--she's the quirky nerd girl. In the last episode, we find out that she plays around with witchcraft, but treats it like a science experiment with no consideration for philosophical or ethical implications--a trait that continues until season 7. She becomes the cautionary tale of science/ability outstripping wisdom, but so far, she's just a handy, sweet, quirky friend for Buffy.

That's a formula we see throughout pop culture, the girl BFF who isn't as cute, as flirty, as desirable as the ingenue, but is a stalwart friend and invaluable resource. (We can call it the "Gentleman Prefer Blondes" formula--that play is an excellent example of the dynamic) Of course Willow is attractive, but lacking confidence and still dressing somewhat dumpy, not quirky/fun (although I think that begins very soon).

But we're still only four episodes into it; the characters are barely introduced. They all evolve from here---and I've barely mentioned Giles, who I adore! Soon, I'm sure.