My plan to write a weekly segment about "Buffy" was interrupted by a horrible stomach bug and my seven year old niece coming for a visit.
But I also realize that doing recaps may be a bit boring, I mean if you're reading this you probably already like "Buffy" and have seen most, if not all, the episodes. So, I've decided instead to just talk a little about the episodes I've watched and my impressions, fun facts, etc.
One thing I've noticed about Joss Whedon is that he uses the same actors over and over. And this isn't limited to the main characters either.
The actor that played The Judge in "Surprise" and "Innocence" in season two, played a main vampire minion of The Master in the first two episodes of season one.
The actor that plays a psycho vampire in season two's episode "Helpless" also plays the infamous "Raff" in season six.
The actress that portrays William's pre-vampire crush in season five's "Fool For Love" episode plays Anya's vengeance demon gal-pal Hallie. (A fact that is played up in season six when Dawn wishes everyone won't leave the house and Spike sees her. It's a nice "Yes we know, we know" moment from the producers.)
And the one that I missed until just recently: The actor that portrays the geek Andrew in Season six and seven played one of Harmony's vampire minions in season fives "The Real Me" episode.
There's some cross overs from other Wheddon shows; such as a "Firefly" actor playing an ex classmate of Buffy's who has been sired by Spike in season seven's "Conversations With Dead People". The actor was a guest star in one of the last "Firefly" episodes and is one of my favorite Whedon supporting actors.
Season two has one of the scariest (for me anyway) episodes: "Killed By Death". I made sure to watch during the day time but I was still clutching the pillow and cringing. There's just something about that episode that's too close to my childhood nightmares and fears.
The episode "Passion" is probably one of the best in terms of how hey told the story, in my opinion, but "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" is one of my favorites in this season. And in "I Only Have Eyes For You" David Boreanaz's performace inspired Whedon to do the spinoff series "Angel".
Season two wraps up, of course, with the nearly simultaneous curing (by Willow) and killing of Angel by Buffy. It must've just KILLED anyone watching the show at the time to be faced with an entire summer of waiting to see if Buffy would return to Sunnydale and if Angel would ever come back; I know I would've been swearing at the TV if I had been a fan then.
A real quick shameless plug for the new web series I am in called "The Collectibles." You can find us on FaceBook, and since I know you'll love the show when it airs, please "like" us. More news to follow about when and where you can view this hot new show.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
"Buffy" Season Two eps 7-12
It's Friday, which means it's time to talk Buffy.
"Lie to me" sees the appearance of an old friend of Buffy's from LA. Fun fact here: the actor that plays "Ford" is Jason Behr, who played tortured alien "Max" in the 1999 TV show "Roswell". But in this episode, Ford is not exactly tortured over his decision to trade Buffy to Spike for a chance at becoming a Vampire. At first this appears to be just totally insane and dickish, but he soon explains that he's dying any way, "In six months what they bury won't even look like me. It'll be bald, and it'll smell bad." I do have a moment of sympathy for the character, dying of cancer at any age is brutally unfair. Ford gets his wish, and becomes a vampire, only to have Buffy stake him the moment he's out of his grave.
"The Dark Ages" is when we see how truly dark and disturbing Giles was when he was younger. I love the reappearance of Ethan Raine, who was seriously under used in this show. He's got that "I'm diabolical and selfish, but ain't I kinda cute?" brashness about him, which is helped by the smarmy smiles and jabs at Ripper/Giles' transformation from bad ass demon raiser to tweed clad demon fighter. But the rather clumsy way they separate Jenni and Giles is pretty annoying. I mean really, would you break up with a hot English guy just because a demon he conjured like twenty years ago possess you for a couple hours?
"What's my line?" parts one and two are two of my FAVORITE episodes of this season. We've got some romantic Buffy and Angel action, with an interesting "Vampires on Ice" fight scene. Three interesting assassins, Oz and Willow FINALLY meeting and the first time Cordelia and Xander get all smoochy. The Latvian bug guy is the best assassin, and the scene of him raining his little buggy parts all over Cordy is one of the grosser things in this show. Funny moment: Xander is hosing the bugs off Cordy and there's a moment where he's pointing the hose at her chest and staring hypnotically. We also have the first appearance of slayer #2, Kendra, who accidentally helps Spike capture Angel so he can rejuvenate Drusilla. At the end of the show, the assassins are taken care of, Oz and Willow are cutely flirting over a box of animal crackers and Drusilla carries Spike out of the rubble of the burning building where they supposedly were killed.
"Ted" has one of the best guest stars in the entire show: John Ritter. He's truly chilling as Ted, a robot who's obsessed with Joyce and intent on getting Buffy out of the way. There's lots of great dialogue that points to the fact that good ole Ted isn't what he appears to be, but it's hidden in everyday phrases like "I'm just not wired that way" and "Oh, you mean 'The Machine'?" I adore John Ritter, have since "Three's Company" Dan made an interesting point that John Ritter is one of those actors who never quite found the right vehicle at the right moment. I wish he had.
"Bad Eggs" is an interesting body snatcher kind of ep with a huge pulsating blob that lives in the school basement (which let's be honest, EVERYTHING lives in the frickin' school basement). It honestly looks and feels a bit more alien than demon, but throw in some cowboy vampires with an ax to grind and you've got a pretty good one.
The show really hits it's stride this season, so many good one liners, with Xander delivering most of them. I know a lot of people talk about the angsty quality of this show, but compared to other teen vampire stories like "Twilight" I honestly don't mind. I think it's because it's angst with quality story telling.
"Lie to me" sees the appearance of an old friend of Buffy's from LA. Fun fact here: the actor that plays "Ford" is Jason Behr, who played tortured alien "Max" in the 1999 TV show "Roswell". But in this episode, Ford is not exactly tortured over his decision to trade Buffy to Spike for a chance at becoming a Vampire. At first this appears to be just totally insane and dickish, but he soon explains that he's dying any way, "In six months what they bury won't even look like me. It'll be bald, and it'll smell bad." I do have a moment of sympathy for the character, dying of cancer at any age is brutally unfair. Ford gets his wish, and becomes a vampire, only to have Buffy stake him the moment he's out of his grave.
"The Dark Ages" is when we see how truly dark and disturbing Giles was when he was younger. I love the reappearance of Ethan Raine, who was seriously under used in this show. He's got that "I'm diabolical and selfish, but ain't I kinda cute?" brashness about him, which is helped by the smarmy smiles and jabs at Ripper/Giles' transformation from bad ass demon raiser to tweed clad demon fighter. But the rather clumsy way they separate Jenni and Giles is pretty annoying. I mean really, would you break up with a hot English guy just because a demon he conjured like twenty years ago possess you for a couple hours?
"What's my line?" parts one and two are two of my FAVORITE episodes of this season. We've got some romantic Buffy and Angel action, with an interesting "Vampires on Ice" fight scene. Three interesting assassins, Oz and Willow FINALLY meeting and the first time Cordelia and Xander get all smoochy. The Latvian bug guy is the best assassin, and the scene of him raining his little buggy parts all over Cordy is one of the grosser things in this show. Funny moment: Xander is hosing the bugs off Cordy and there's a moment where he's pointing the hose at her chest and staring hypnotically. We also have the first appearance of slayer #2, Kendra, who accidentally helps Spike capture Angel so he can rejuvenate Drusilla. At the end of the show, the assassins are taken care of, Oz and Willow are cutely flirting over a box of animal crackers and Drusilla carries Spike out of the rubble of the burning building where they supposedly were killed.
"Ted" has one of the best guest stars in the entire show: John Ritter. He's truly chilling as Ted, a robot who's obsessed with Joyce and intent on getting Buffy out of the way. There's lots of great dialogue that points to the fact that good ole Ted isn't what he appears to be, but it's hidden in everyday phrases like "I'm just not wired that way" and "Oh, you mean 'The Machine'?" I adore John Ritter, have since "Three's Company" Dan made an interesting point that John Ritter is one of those actors who never quite found the right vehicle at the right moment. I wish he had.
"Bad Eggs" is an interesting body snatcher kind of ep with a huge pulsating blob that lives in the school basement (which let's be honest, EVERYTHING lives in the frickin' school basement). It honestly looks and feels a bit more alien than demon, but throw in some cowboy vampires with an ax to grind and you've got a pretty good one.
The show really hits it's stride this season, so many good one liners, with Xander delivering most of them. I know a lot of people talk about the angsty quality of this show, but compared to other teen vampire stories like "Twilight" I honestly don't mind. I think it's because it's angst with quality story telling.
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