Forward, march
Feb. 5th, 2003 10:29 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gwynReally big ass spoilers for Buffy episode 2/4
The Killer in Me -- watch out! Vampires, beware!
I’m feeling a bit trepidatious about writing this review — I’ve been seeing a bunch of LJ posts related to Buffy fandom where people are discussing how bitter and angry everyone is, and I must have missed whatever’s going on (deliberately, for the most part, as I’m feeling a little fragile about it myself), but now I’m scared to be accused of being an overly analytical fan-bitch and whatnot. Arg. And the thing is, I have a lot of different thoughts on this ep, mostly good, but I love to analyze... I don’t know what that makes me, really.
So, anyway. Myself, I really liked and admired this episode. The Drews are the man... men... whatever, and Drew Greenberg’s script didn’t disappoint me at all. One thing I admired was the title, which linked the three threads of the stories together beautifully — Spike’s chip deteriorating, allowing the killer in him to resurface, which conflicts with his soul; Willow becoming Warren, not only channeling the killer in Warren but the one she is still so deeply afraid of in herself; and Giles, settling once and for all that he doesn’t have the killer in him in the form of the FE. It also gave us the forward momentum I’ve been cranky about for a while; here, many of the questions were settled and while it served as a standalone episode, what played out here will have ramifications for the fight against the FE in the future.
I loved how Buffy kind of mocked herself a little about giving speeches, the speeches that have had so many fans irritated. And because I am a Spuffyite, I have to start there and discuss just how much I loved the scenes with the two of them — not simply because of the true affection that’s so clearly visible now, but also because of the tragedy of what Spike has given up and how far it’s brought him down, yet he still keeps going on, trying. I love this delicate balance of trying to find the right and the good, yet knowing that everything he did, he did for probably the wrong reasons, and it hasn’t gotten him anywhere, not really. Even while this friendship is growing between them, and clearly there is a much deeper affection on Buffy’s part, there’s this air of melancholy and suffering because, not terribly unlike Angel after he came back, he knows he can’t really be with Buffy, at least, not the Buffy he knew before. They’re both different, and now these different people are moving together slowly into a new place, and it’s tinged with sweet Spuffy stuff as well as a tragic undercurrent. I adore this.
The moments between them were wonderful, especially that scene at the beginning with Spike smiling at her while she talked about the SITs, and the cute “ow” back and forth. Her concern and interest in him later was so genuine, and I loved that he even managed to eke out a joke in the midst of it. And that it will be Buffy making the choice for him — whatever she would do, now, she would do for the right reasons, with concern and thought, where before she could never have done that. It’s long past the time when that chip should have deteriorated, but I’m glad that it occurred when Buffy is there to help him — and wants to because she cares so much for him.
The Willow storyline was dynamic and creepy. I don’t fully get Amy’s intentions and motivations, but then, I confess I’ve never gotten Amy at all. She has never made sense to me as a character, and here I wasn’t entirely certain of her motives or her timing, but that was a fairly small wrinkle, and probably a personal one. Alyson Hannigan can be an amazing actress when she gets that chance, and how she channeled Warren was just astonishing. I really felt like he was in her, propelling her forward. I remember there being quite a stink when the spoilers for the kiss with Kennedy came out, and I would rather walk through a live mine field than go anywhere near places like the kitten board, but I bought this. Kennedy is used to getting what she wants, even at this age, and Willow is lonely. She hasn’t forgotten her grief over Tara, she hasn’t forgotten what her grief made her do, and she played her confusion and fear and trepidation beautifully. Her final scene was heartbreaking, especially her confession that she doesn’t know how she feels. I completely believed that she would easily be drawn to someone who knows what she wants, despite age issues or SIT issues or whatever. I know what that kind of grief feels like, that emptiness, and how tempting it is to have someone offer you a chance to feel differently. There is so much here to mine in the future, and even if I’m not terribly fond of Kennedy, it’s the right time and place to start mining this storyline.
Speaking of Warren, for me he was the worst of the big bads they’ve ever had — and I mean that in a seriously creeped out way. While so many people decried the lack of serious evil on the trio’s part last year, I thought that was what he was all about — he was pure human evil, and I felt that from him since his first appearance on the show a couple years ago. I was filled with anxiety over seeing him inhabit Willow, and was very nervous about them making this believable, but they did in every way — that he so haunts Willow’s thoughts for so many reasons she would turn into him, absorb him, was horribly sad. And much as I detest Warren, I have to give huge props to Adam Busch for his incredible performance — both he and AH were able to channel each other’s acting and voice/facial tics perfectly. The constant switching back and forth from camera POV was outstanding. Both of these actors really impressed me last night.
And of course now we know the answer to Giles, which I knew all along (smug me, I never doubted it). It seemed like a bit of backpedaling to say that they’d never seen him touch or hug or that stuff, when it all was kept deliberately off camera, but if that’s my only gripe, it’s pretty small (and of course the gun buying, but it’s tv-land, so I’m willing to give them that). I adored his line about bringing a group of girls on a trip and not touching them — god, I’ve missed Giles lines like that. Here’s hoping for more of him in the future now that the red herrings are settled.
I have Andrew issues — I know I’m pretty much alone in my issues with him, but while he makes me laugh a lot, I can’t forget that he worshipped Warren and as I said, Warren was the most despicable character ever, for me. I also can’t forget that he killed Jonathan, and previously had been more than willing to kill Jonathan back in S6 if Warren desired it. I’m afraid that they may be mitigating this and shoving it under the rug simply because he is so funny, and that’s probably the one niggling concern I have about this ep. I’m not sure what kind of a line you walk here, though — in the past people have griped that Willow’s rampage was glossed over (I didn’t think it was, but a lot of fans do), and the Spike haters have always complained that people forget he was a murderer, etc. So I’m not sure how you do integrate a character like Andrew, who for most of his life has had no personality of his own, and now is the sort of reject killer wannabe who’s thrust into the middle of the good guys. Is he doing this because he wants to? Or because he has no ability to choose on his own? Part of what I always liked about Spike was that he chose his paths, when he could (obviously he couldn’t regarding the chip), and he didn’t always do it right, but when he chose to be good for Buffy’s sake, it was at least his decision. With Andrew, I’m not certain, especially after the way he grabbed at Warren when he saw him. If he sticks around (and he’s too funny not to, I’m sure), I think addressing this quality — or lack of — will be imperative. Especially when you compare to Willow and Spike and their stories, how they might integrate him is important to address, not just let it slide and suddenly he’s a Scoobie.
The teaser for next week disturbs me, but I’m waiting to see it before I make any decisions. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, spoilers have to be taken with large grains of rock salt, and lots of ‘em. I find dating a supervisor to be questionable, but there could be a lot more going on that will change my mind. If this week’s ep is any indication, they’re back on track and moving forward, and doing a really good job of it. There’s a reason this is my favorite show — many, many of them, in fact, and their ability to pull themselves out of a mire is one of the biggest.
The Killer in Me -- watch out! Vampires, beware!
I’m feeling a bit trepidatious about writing this review — I’ve been seeing a bunch of LJ posts related to Buffy fandom where people are discussing how bitter and angry everyone is, and I must have missed whatever’s going on (deliberately, for the most part, as I’m feeling a little fragile about it myself), but now I’m scared to be accused of being an overly analytical fan-bitch and whatnot. Arg. And the thing is, I have a lot of different thoughts on this ep, mostly good, but I love to analyze... I don’t know what that makes me, really.
So, anyway. Myself, I really liked and admired this episode. The Drews are the man... men... whatever, and Drew Greenberg’s script didn’t disappoint me at all. One thing I admired was the title, which linked the three threads of the stories together beautifully — Spike’s chip deteriorating, allowing the killer in him to resurface, which conflicts with his soul; Willow becoming Warren, not only channeling the killer in Warren but the one she is still so deeply afraid of in herself; and Giles, settling once and for all that he doesn’t have the killer in him in the form of the FE. It also gave us the forward momentum I’ve been cranky about for a while; here, many of the questions were settled and while it served as a standalone episode, what played out here will have ramifications for the fight against the FE in the future.
I loved how Buffy kind of mocked herself a little about giving speeches, the speeches that have had so many fans irritated. And because I am a Spuffyite, I have to start there and discuss just how much I loved the scenes with the two of them — not simply because of the true affection that’s so clearly visible now, but also because of the tragedy of what Spike has given up and how far it’s brought him down, yet he still keeps going on, trying. I love this delicate balance of trying to find the right and the good, yet knowing that everything he did, he did for probably the wrong reasons, and it hasn’t gotten him anywhere, not really. Even while this friendship is growing between them, and clearly there is a much deeper affection on Buffy’s part, there’s this air of melancholy and suffering because, not terribly unlike Angel after he came back, he knows he can’t really be with Buffy, at least, not the Buffy he knew before. They’re both different, and now these different people are moving together slowly into a new place, and it’s tinged with sweet Spuffy stuff as well as a tragic undercurrent. I adore this.
The moments between them were wonderful, especially that scene at the beginning with Spike smiling at her while she talked about the SITs, and the cute “ow” back and forth. Her concern and interest in him later was so genuine, and I loved that he even managed to eke out a joke in the midst of it. And that it will be Buffy making the choice for him — whatever she would do, now, she would do for the right reasons, with concern and thought, where before she could never have done that. It’s long past the time when that chip should have deteriorated, but I’m glad that it occurred when Buffy is there to help him — and wants to because she cares so much for him.
The Willow storyline was dynamic and creepy. I don’t fully get Amy’s intentions and motivations, but then, I confess I’ve never gotten Amy at all. She has never made sense to me as a character, and here I wasn’t entirely certain of her motives or her timing, but that was a fairly small wrinkle, and probably a personal one. Alyson Hannigan can be an amazing actress when she gets that chance, and how she channeled Warren was just astonishing. I really felt like he was in her, propelling her forward. I remember there being quite a stink when the spoilers for the kiss with Kennedy came out, and I would rather walk through a live mine field than go anywhere near places like the kitten board, but I bought this. Kennedy is used to getting what she wants, even at this age, and Willow is lonely. She hasn’t forgotten her grief over Tara, she hasn’t forgotten what her grief made her do, and she played her confusion and fear and trepidation beautifully. Her final scene was heartbreaking, especially her confession that she doesn’t know how she feels. I completely believed that she would easily be drawn to someone who knows what she wants, despite age issues or SIT issues or whatever. I know what that kind of grief feels like, that emptiness, and how tempting it is to have someone offer you a chance to feel differently. There is so much here to mine in the future, and even if I’m not terribly fond of Kennedy, it’s the right time and place to start mining this storyline.
Speaking of Warren, for me he was the worst of the big bads they’ve ever had — and I mean that in a seriously creeped out way. While so many people decried the lack of serious evil on the trio’s part last year, I thought that was what he was all about — he was pure human evil, and I felt that from him since his first appearance on the show a couple years ago. I was filled with anxiety over seeing him inhabit Willow, and was very nervous about them making this believable, but they did in every way — that he so haunts Willow’s thoughts for so many reasons she would turn into him, absorb him, was horribly sad. And much as I detest Warren, I have to give huge props to Adam Busch for his incredible performance — both he and AH were able to channel each other’s acting and voice/facial tics perfectly. The constant switching back and forth from camera POV was outstanding. Both of these actors really impressed me last night.
And of course now we know the answer to Giles, which I knew all along (smug me, I never doubted it). It seemed like a bit of backpedaling to say that they’d never seen him touch or hug or that stuff, when it all was kept deliberately off camera, but if that’s my only gripe, it’s pretty small (and of course the gun buying, but it’s tv-land, so I’m willing to give them that). I adored his line about bringing a group of girls on a trip and not touching them — god, I’ve missed Giles lines like that. Here’s hoping for more of him in the future now that the red herrings are settled.
I have Andrew issues — I know I’m pretty much alone in my issues with him, but while he makes me laugh a lot, I can’t forget that he worshipped Warren and as I said, Warren was the most despicable character ever, for me. I also can’t forget that he killed Jonathan, and previously had been more than willing to kill Jonathan back in S6 if Warren desired it. I’m afraid that they may be mitigating this and shoving it under the rug simply because he is so funny, and that’s probably the one niggling concern I have about this ep. I’m not sure what kind of a line you walk here, though — in the past people have griped that Willow’s rampage was glossed over (I didn’t think it was, but a lot of fans do), and the Spike haters have always complained that people forget he was a murderer, etc. So I’m not sure how you do integrate a character like Andrew, who for most of his life has had no personality of his own, and now is the sort of reject killer wannabe who’s thrust into the middle of the good guys. Is he doing this because he wants to? Or because he has no ability to choose on his own? Part of what I always liked about Spike was that he chose his paths, when he could (obviously he couldn’t regarding the chip), and he didn’t always do it right, but when he chose to be good for Buffy’s sake, it was at least his decision. With Andrew, I’m not certain, especially after the way he grabbed at Warren when he saw him. If he sticks around (and he’s too funny not to, I’m sure), I think addressing this quality — or lack of — will be imperative. Especially when you compare to Willow and Spike and their stories, how they might integrate him is important to address, not just let it slide and suddenly he’s a Scoobie.
The teaser for next week disturbs me, but I’m waiting to see it before I make any decisions. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, spoilers have to be taken with large grains of rock salt, and lots of ‘em. I find dating a supervisor to be questionable, but there could be a lot more going on that will change my mind. If this week’s ep is any indication, they’re back on track and moving forward, and doing a really good job of it. There’s a reason this is my favorite show — many, many of them, in fact, and their ability to pull themselves out of a mire is one of the biggest.
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Ah, Gwyneth. Love.
Date: 2003-02-05 10:50 am (UTC)I also enjoyed "The Killer in Me" for a multitude of reasons. The Willow/Warren storyline was potent and well-done, and the Spuffy moments were absolutely brilliant. Totally with you on the confusion re: Amy; I never quite understood her character's motivations or sudden turn to Big Scary Addictive Evil Magic. Did she turn evil while she was a rat? Huh?
Never thought about Andrew that way before, and now that you point it out, it makes perfect sense. In fact, I'm sort of smacking my forehead and doing a Homer Simpson "d'oh!" at my overlooking all of what you said. Andrew is a very funny character, and yet there's also that sense of wrong-ness about him that you touched upon perfectly. He's a murderer, cold-blooded and fucked-up, and yet he's suddenly a member of the gang. I agree that they need to do something to bring closure to that part of his character if they want him to continue bringing in the funny.
There's been a lot of talk this week about this episode, and a lot of anti-Buffy commentary going around.
You kick ass. :)
Re: Ah, Gwyneth. Love.
Date: 2003-02-05 11:18 am (UTC)Probably people could point out thousands of things that were bad -- I mean, in my head while I watched it, there were times I was making a running commentary, like, gee, okay, enough with the walking and talking; or, wait a minute, why aren't we seeing this... but holistically, I can't find fault because I got so much of what I wanted. Even in the best of episodes, I could, if I wanted, find the nits to pick, but I feel as if there's so little time, and so much to complete on the show, I need to keep my faith. And it sounds like I'm in some damn good company in this respect, if you guys are feeling the same!
no subject
Date: 2003-02-05 11:04 am (UTC)I've also noticed this. Not sure if I fall under that category. I'm not big on reviewing shows that I watch, but I was prompted to write a mini rant in my LJ after I viewed eps 13 Monday night. My biggest gripe about eps 13 (and this season thus far) is the pushing of the W/K 'ship. As far as I'm concerned it shouldn't be. Willow just isn't ready and I'm not going to change my mind about that. I'm aslo a Spuffyite, and much like you, the S/B recent bonding is bittersweet to watch, which irks me. Unlike other fans, the reason why I watch Buffy is for its character interactions and a big part of that is the S/B 'ship or the possibility of one. Some may say that's a stupid reason to watch the show, but that's just how it is for me. Other shows I watch for content, plot, storylines etc. For instance, shows like CSI, Law & Order, Oz, I could care less about 'ships. I watch these shows because I find the stories gripping and dynamic in addition to enjoying the characters as they are portrayed. But going back to BtVS, so yeah, I'm little jaded with the show from the perspective that I watch it. Because if consistancy proves correct, in the end, I'm not going to get what I want, which is a S/B 'ship. I'm also disappointed in the lack of the other characters response to Spike's ensoulment. From a canonical perspective it's a huge ass deal, because the action in of itself is unprecedented. But the only person that has seemed to care enough about it is Buffy. There are a number of other little things that have annoyed me throughout this season, but what else can I do as a viewer but accept them or stop watching the show and I really don't want to stop watching.
...I find dating a supervisor to be questionable...
I'm with you on this as well. It's just one of those things that the writers will not get me to buy into regardless of the greater story, plot, whatever. I feel especially adament about this because I'm teacher and it's something that I've seen backfire on more than one occasion with colleagues and even myself. Therefore, I find it not the least entertaining or intriguing.
no subject
Date: 2003-02-05 11:24 am (UTC)No, I totally get that -- and I think right now, knowing we're towards the end of the middle, that we're heading into the home stretch and it's all in the frienship stage, makes for a certain kind of pressure for S/B fans. It's tough, it really is. I'm fortunate in that I've always liked Buffy and the Scoobs first, the 'ships are a HUGE part of it for me, but I think that's the thing that helps me. Otherwise I might be feeling even more of a panic about S/B than I do (and I have a baby panic on).
I'm also disappointed in the lack of the other characters response to Spike's ensoulment. From a canonical perspective it's a huge ass deal, because the action in of itself is unprecedented.
Actually this does remind me of one of my few disappointments last night -- but I mollified myself by saying, especially regarding Giles, whose reaction I most want to see -- that now that the red herrings are out of the way, and if the chip goes... we may get still get that. We may now get to see more interaction from Giles, and the Scoobies reacting to this new person Spike is going to be, fully and completely.
I'm sorry I sound like such a Pollyanna -- I just feel hopeful, in part because I feel I need to be. I'm a sap!
no subject
Date: 2003-02-05 12:23 pm (UTC)You are right to avoid most of the forums these days. It's a drag, because some people are writing very interesting posts. But there is so much anxiety and acrimony. People don't seem to get that we all have more in common with each other than we do with the average person who'd never think to watch a Buffy episode. Oh. Idea...
(This isn't spoilery for Angel, unless you are saving up this season's tapes to watch all at once.)
I'm thinking of Cordelia giving Connor "something real"...I was and will remain bewildered - "Cordy! WTF?" But I just now pictured her looking at me with those big brown eyes. "But Caille, it was raining fire! The world was supposed to end. I thought everything was going to hell, like right now. Oops. My bad." In other words, some people are acting weird in an end-of-the-Buffyworld way, and it makes them do the wacky.
Anyway, I enjoyed your post. Hope you don't mind a random stranger dropping by.
no subject
Date: 2003-02-05 01:09 pm (UTC)Maybe it is the end of the world phenomenon -- I'm actually thinking of some stuff to put an essay together about Life During Wartime, and maybe see if I can tie some threads together mentally about some of the recent episodes. And how much wackiness ensuing is a part of that end of the world mentality, because I do think it's got to be important. Thank you for sparking my thoughts!!