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I was passionately excited about the first two episodes
of this current season of Buffy, and it's only
fair to say that not every episode is going to hit the
high standard that they've set. So while I really
enjoyed episode 7.3 'Same Time, Same Place',
it ranks as my third favourite thus far. This is in
no way a statement on anything particular that was lacking,
they just can't all be the best. But before I commence
with the closer examination, I just want to touch on
two areas where I was remiss last week.
1. With all the praise and adoration we were heaping
on James Marsters for his stirring performance, let
us not forget to give due credit to the writing of Doug
Petrie. That scene in the church wouldn't have existed
without his beautiful dialogue.
2. I now agree with a couple of readers who leapt to
Xander's defense when I stated that he was being unfair
with Anya and clearly unwilling to accept responsibility
for the pain he's caused her. I said it at the time
and I'll restate it now – when it comes to Anya
I can be a little blind. The point that was made to
me following the review was that Xander HAS taken responsibility
for what he actually had control over. What he was pointing
out to Anya last week was that the way she's behaving
is going well beyond anything that she can continue
to blame on him, and all things considered, he's right.
A good aphorism mentioned by one reader was, "The
whip used too often loses its sting."
Okay, on to the episode. This was a funny one, wasn't
it? There were good laughs all the way through, and
even in the moments that touched on more serious issues,
Jane Espenson (I won't forget this week) managed to
subtly weave in the kind of wit and camaraderie that
has always been so evident between the Scoobs. Even
Dawn, who continues to earn acceptance by the other
characters AND the audience, seems to know how to get
her jabs in at the right moments.
I'm glad Willow is home. Who doesn't love Willow? Ever
since Cordelia busted her with that "… softer
side of Sears" putdown in the very first episode,
our hearts have gone out to her. In one of his commentary
tracks on the first season DVD set, Joss mentions how
he realized early on that the best way to get the audience
emotionally involved in an episode was to put Willow
in peril. She's obviously been through hell, and we
need our little buddy to come home and make with the
healing among people who love her.
They do still love her, right?
Of course they do! It was a big relief to see that,
despite some obvious apprehension, Buffy, Xander &
Dawn were at the airport, complete with a sign in significant
yellow crayon, ready to welcome her back. Unfortunately,
Red's own insecurities manifested themselves in a little
case of invisibility. Maybe that's not even the right
word for what happened. Perceived non-existence? It
seemed to be more of a dimensional shuffle where they
were existing in the same physical spot but in two different
realities.
This makes for an interesting parallel to Willow's
relationship with her parents over the last few years.
How much do you think they actually know about what's
gone on in her life? Sometimes I picture the two of
them sitting together at breakfast, and her mom says,
"Ira, didn't we used to have a daughter?"
"No, not that I remember. Oh, wait! Red hair?
Likes computers? You may be right. Whatever happened
to her, anyway?"
I get that they haven't taken a very active parenting
role, but with all of the witchcraft and murder and
barely-averted apocalypses, you'd think they might at
least wonder why they didn't see last semester's college
transcripts.
This week it was once again the more demonically inclined
characters who had the real insight into what was transpiring
(although, interestingly enough, the nutcase figured
it out before Anya). The scene in the basement was cleverly
structured, and by that point I was really enjoying
all of the Pulp Fiction-style moments of realization,
as they rolled the clock back each time to show things
from the opposite perspective. I assume that Buffy hasn't
yet told Xander or Dawn about the return of Spike's
soul, and Anya seems to have forgotten about the cat
in the bag altogether.
Speaking of Anya, I would like to dub 'Same Time, Same
Place' the unofficial first episode of the season, as
last night marked the first time that she appeared in
her usual heartbreakingly beautiful state – both
the outfit and the hair were flattering, leaving me
to focus on that dreamy overbite. It was also nice to
see her interacting with another main character in a
situation that didn't revolve entirely around conflict
and spite (I said SPITE, Spike. Go back to your muttering.),
and for someone who earns a living off grudges, she
showed real sensitivity in the way she treated Willow.
Collective awww when she said, "I'm sorry, Willow.
I wish things were better for you", because I admit
that it isn't very often Anya remembers to care about
other people, and I think that makes the occasions more
meaningful. She's becoming increasingly vocal about
how her heart just isn't in the inflicting of vengeance
anymore, and I expect it won't be long before she has
to decide once and for all which side of the dimensional
vortex she's on. Halfrek cautioned her that with the
major evil that's brewing, it's not the best time to
be on the side of good. We'll see if that ends up being
a factor in her decision.
Okay, let's talk about Gnarl, our Creep of the Week.
Good fun in a Gollum kinda way, and aside from being
sort of cute in the right light, he provided some pretty
scary moments. He also contributed to what seems to
be turning into a trend on this show. Can we stop with
the skinning already?!? Willow skinned Warren, Gnarl
skinned the skater kid, and I pretty much hit my breaking
point when he started skinning Willow. Enough is enough!
I don't like watching surgery performed on television,
I don't want you to lift your bandage so I can see your
scraped knee, and I DON'T have the stomach for any more
skin removal on Buffy. Willow wouldn't have had much
stomach left either, if Anya hadn't finally shed some
light on what was going on in the cave. YUCK! I understand
the theory about how effective it is to show Willow
in danger, but Gnarl was tearing strips of skin off
her stomach and eating them, and enough is bloody well
enough.
Dawn would have been on the menu too, if they hadn't
carried her home to prop her up on the couch like Abe
Lincoln in the Hall of Presidents. Her paralysis made
for the best laughs of the evening, from her clench
jawed demand that Xander stop talking about vomit, to
the involuntary salute, to Buffy leaving her with the
remote, and finally the quick shot of her falling over
once Buffy (ICK again) put her thumbs into Gnarl's eyes
to end the threat.
The episode concluded on a heartwarming note, with
Buffy coming in to give Willow the welcome home that
they didn't previously have time for. I'm not even so
sure I believe that Willow was actually utilizing Buffy's
essence for physical healing, but the wounds on her
stomach pale in comparison to the healing she needs
to do inside, and I bet just getting to sit quietly
and hold hands and feel like things could really be
okay again did wonders for both of them.
That thought makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, so I'll
sign off now and wish everyone well until next time.
Be sure and watch Firefly on Friday night, because I'm
digging it and I don't want to see it cancelled before
it really gets a chance to grow.
Take care,
Ron
PS – Are the rumours true? Did Sarah Michelle
Gellar REALLY play both of the girls getting chased
in the first two episodes' opening scenes? I went back
and checked and I honestly can't be certain either way.
The only place I've seen it in print is in that NY Daily
News column ("Fall's Brief Bright Spots"),
the link to which was posted on Slayage on October 7th.
Sounds crazy, but it could well be true.
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