7.11: Showtime

[obcooke]

Buffy gathers more Potential Slayers, but she still has no plan to deal with The First and the Ubervamp.

But the moment of reckoning is rapidly approaching.

 

[obcooke]

There are 3 large pictures available from this episode at:

The Comics Continuum

 

[tabuno]

Mixed Episode

The forced inside humor and jokes are becoming a bit stale and annoying, but Spike seems to be really getting a great role this season. The ending confrontation was a bit lame, not as intelligently fought as I would have suspected. But this episode on the whole retained a good storyline, intensity, and twists to keep my attention. But the writers better not go to sleep any further as this episode could have gone either way.:disgust:

 

[obcooke]

Re: Mixed Episode

[tabuno: The forced inside humor and jokes are becoming a bit stale and annoying...]

Well, I didn't find the humor so bad, but it seems that Anya and Andrew are the only ones to retain their sense of humor. I mean even when faced with The Master killing her and fighting the God Glory, Buffy still responded with wit and humor.

The remark about evil tasting chalky was a little to pat and lacking spark. In the old days, Willow would have answered with a non sequitur like, "A little like pickled chalk." I mean "chalky" just kinda lies there, while "pickled chalk" almost makes my mouth tingle with the thought.

Where's that cock-eyed off-the-wall Joss dialogue in the middle of a deadly threat that made the show so unique? If they want to go back to the beginning, start with bringing some more of that wacky humor back.

[tabuno: The ending confrontation was a bit lame, not as intelligently fought as I would have suspected]

I was a lot disappointed with that too. One moment, Buffy can't hurt the creature and then suddenly without any noticeable change in conditions, she can beat the Ubervamp silly? It would have made more sense if she had put out both of his eyes or if she had forced some of the bottle of holy water down its throat and thereby gained an advantage. Something - anything - that could have "turned the tide" so to speak.

But as it was, it looked like she could have beaten the creature at any time. Maybe she just didn't really, really want to before.

 

[Dru]

You know at the end all I could think was "Oh look classic Buffy. One moment it's aww poor helpless Buffy! The next Buffy is kicking ass and looking bored while doing it."

It's so lame! I know it's supposed to be about anti-horror movie helpless female but it just seems like all too offen they can't make up their mind if they want to do that or see Buffy get wasted. Like Buffy half the time can slay a pack of vampires and not even break a sweat then for some unspoken reason she gets her ass kicked and needs to be saved by, Riley, her friends, Spike, Angel, whoever. Then five minutes lator she's Supper Buff again.

Thats what happened last night. Thats Super Vampire was wipeing the floor with her. Many times infact. Then out of the blue Buffy knows how to kill it? Can we say lame much?

This is pretty much my only grip with the ep. Well except the lame flirting with Willow and the Under-aged SIT. I liked the rest of it pretty well. I was amused by the SITs.

 

[Highlander II]

Well, this ep was pretty good ---

and there is a tiny bit of romantic in me that thought Buffy might kiss Spike -- (I'm kinda glad she didn't, but I almost thought she was going to) --

And, can we say resiliance? Is Spike the new whipping boy? I mean, they used to put Willow in peril, now they beat the snot out of Spike --- and he takes it and deals with it and lives to fight another day - and he was absolutely positive Buffy would come for him - he told the First that - and wouldn't believe otherwise -

Anya said that the world would be better if they'd left Buffy dead -- hmmmm -- someone gonna kill Buffy now? Or would that not help? How do they stop the First? They can't fight it, b/c they can't touch it, but it can't touch them either - it can only call demons and such to fight them --- Is the First's plan as thought out as it thinks? Ie: Did the First plan for Buffy to kill the Ubervamp? (who's actual name I can't spell) - and then to 'rescue' Spike - the 'vampire she hates' (well, dunno how 'up' on Buffy gossip the First is) - does Buffy even know how she feels about Spike? I know she said in 'Him" that she didn't 'really' know - when she was talking to Dawn - but - <sigh> -- confusing ---

Honestly - I don't really remember much more about the ep - only watched it once - I'll watch again and report w/ more info -----

 

[obcooke]

[Highlander II: and there is a tiny bit of romantic in me that thought Buffy might kiss Spike --]

Well, I'm glad they didn't but it was a nice scene. Many, including me, have said that the best acting is done between the lines. The unspoken dialogue between the two actors was well-done and directed.

[Highlander II: Anya said that the world would be better if they'd left Buffy dead --]

{What follows is my own speculation and does not come from spoilers, since I haven't seen anyone else suggest what I'm about to say.}

That's what Anya said, but what does she know? I know that everyone is centering their thoughts on Buffy's return and how Tara said she was slightly different, but... The Eye said "The Slayer".

I know that villagers carrying torches are going to show up at my castle for saying this but... Buffy is not THE Slayer, Buffy is A Slayer.

Faith it THE Slayer. According to Joss, the line of succession belongs to Faith. IF, God forbid, Buffy dies, none of those young women are suddenly going to become The Slayer. Despite her personal problems, Faith is The Official Slayer.

Perhaps, The Eye meant that Faith's flirting with the dark side had opened an opportunity for The First to exploit her. I know that this would be a rather late development, since Faith seems to have reformed after years of crossing the line, but that doesn't mean that it isn't so.

A powerfully evil being that can assume the form of any who has died would have a real chance to tamper with Faith's psyche, which has always been as fragile as her body is strong.

[Highlander II: Ie: Did the First plan for Buffy to kill the Ubervamp?... and then to 'rescue' Spike...]

I think not. It seems clear that The First planned to use Spike. Unless Josh is just playing games with us, it looked like Eve/The First was unhappy with Buffy's victory.

Now, it is possible that The First plan's include Spike being welcomed back to Scoobies (at least by Buffy). And perhaps the vision of Joyce meant that Buffy would take Spike's side against Dawn's in some future decision.

Even more likely, is that The First will modify his plans to incorporate this development, even if that wasn't what he foresaw.

I'm repeating myself, but here goes...

The First Evil, from 3.10 Amends
"This isn't the plan... But it'll do."

The First Evil, from 7.09 Sleeper:
"You're going against the plan... but we can make it work."

 

[Highlander II]

Yeah - I was trying to work out how Faith fit into all of this --

and my logic was following that b/c Buffy was 'alive' - as in brought back after she'd died - 3 different times - and that Faith was supposed to be the Slayer b/c she was 'next in line' -

or - that Buffy wasn't actually part of the Slayer line (which has also been said) -- so, she was a 'fluke' in the system - which goofed up the whatever around the line of Slayers ---

(sorry if this is choppy - setting up online bill-paying stuff - and my mind is kind of everywhere)

'between the lines' -- this is always my favorite part of the show - catching that look on a characters' face, or a glance between two characters, or something -- something that happens between lines of dialogue that just 'make' the scene --- Spike gets a lot of these, but Anya and Willow have had some good ones too -

 

[tabuno]

Buffy Is Now Out Of Slayer Order

I agree that there has been enough suggestions that Buffy isn't quite what she seems to be. Even Spike was able to hurt Buffy with the thing in his head. All your comments are consistent and have an appealing logic to them.

 

[Brit Chick]

I liked the understated ending - simply Buffy helping Spike

Also, Spike just repeating to himself "she will come for me" oh god my heart was breaking for him when the First/Buffy was saying No - I won't

But of course, we all knew she would

Andrew is turning out to be the funniest character this season - and lets face it, we need some laughs as its all getting a bit heavy, but I spose thats the point.

What did I miss ?? when did Buffy, Willow and Xander become telepathic - or is it just a Willow side effect

Plus, just when is Giles gonna take that coat off - I'm getting worried about him, I really am - I mean - is it really him????

 

[little smaug]

I know what you mean, i'm really getting worried about Giles. Please touch something!

i thought this was a pretty good ep overall. I liked the bit with the Beljoxa's Eye.

Beljoxa's Eye: The eye does not see the future, only the truth of what is past and present.
Anya: Yes, we all have that, it's called memory!

Though the Eye itself looked pretty stupid.

I was kinda disgusted with the fight scene. First Buffy is getting pummeled, then suddenly the vamp just seems to lose all its strength or something! Whats up with that?

The last scene where Buffy saves Spike was heartbreaking, i was literally almost crying. I hope we get to see more of Spike, i'm really starting to like him this season.

A couple of things confused me.
How come the First can appear as Buffy? Is it because, though she's alive now, she did die?
Also, what was up with the telepathy thing? I know that Willow can talk to people in their heads because she's a witch, and i guess it makes sense that they can talk back to her for the same reason. But how can Xander and Buffy talk to each other?

 

[VAMPette]

Kind of a weak episode - the only bit I actually liked was the bit w/ Eve actually being the First. Probably just repeating points already raised, but - Buffy and the Ubervamp - well, he obviously wasn't so uber after all, but how was Buffy supposed to know that? I mean one episode, she admits he's too strong, she can't beat him, and the next, she's setting up an audience to watch her kill him even when she hasn't a clue what to do? Can I just say, hello??!! Plus, the fight scene went on too long, and I couldn't understand why all twenty or whatever of the group didn't all attack Ubervamp together.

Buffy and Spike - yeah kinda cute but also kinda pass the bucket - a bit cliched. Hope he gets his act together now that he has been officially rescued.

Yeah, and the telepathy thing - what was up with that? Can Willow just tune into anybody's mind when she wants to? Bit creepy that.

 

[Highlander II]

The fight scene w/ UberVamp seems to be the ultimate - 'huh?' moment of this ep --

All of the 'potentials' were 'told'? not to 'help' Buffy - Buffy was going to beat this thing w/ them watching to show 'what it takes' -- though, um - I'm not really sure how she was able to beat the thing THIS time when she couldn't before - that's what I don't get. Maybe it was her 'I'm gonna do this just to prove I can' adrenaline rush? I dunno -


Spike - JM's just so damned good at what he does - how can ya not like him? (no, you can dislike Spike, but you should also be able to appreciate JM's talent - and yeah, I'm biased, so sue me ) -- anyway -- The end of this ep appears to be a turning point for the Spike-plot - he's been rescued, not Buffy can focus on whatever she needs to focus on to prepare for this coming apocalypse ----

What will Buffy do next??

 

[VAMPette]

I do like Spike and I think JM's a great actor, but they're completely ruining the character. These days he has no charisma, no mind of his own, hell, he doesn't even get any funny one liners anymore. Okay, he can be good but he could still be kick ass-y good.

 

[Highlander II]

They've been having problems keeping Spike 'in the loop' since they shoved him into the credits in S4 --

I know they wanted him around for the witty one-liners and such - and that JM was probably jumping for joy at a mostly-regular gig - but still - if they were gonna do that - they should have thought out WHY they were putting him in and WHAT they were gonna have him do - but now they've whipped him so bad he may never recover

it's become - hey, let's beat up Spike as much as we can and see if he lives through it! bwahahaha - we're the evil writers...

not only that - but damn - how many eps did it take them to get him out of the basement??

 

[markpud]

okay, the fight with the UberVamp was classic BtVS in my opinion. Buffy was struggling because the vamp was dictating the terms of the battle.. She took it somewhere where she could get the upper-hand, a construction yard. Remember when Spike was telling Buffy how he defeated the slayers, the slayer has to go for a weapon, the vamp has his always... Buffy went where she could use the surroundings as weapons, she knew the items in that yard would give her an advantage. It's almost like she learned from Spikes lesson all that time ago, and adapted it to suit her -- the vamp knows she needs a weapon, but it couldn't stop her using the location as a weapon.

I know it's a bit cornball, but the battle cry that was sounded in this episode was stirring and gave me some faith that the gang have some avenues to fight back against the First.

As for how the First can appear as Buffy, it must be becuase she has died, even though she has now been revived..(twice)

 

[Highlander II]

yes - that's how the first can be Buffy - b/c she's died twice - (think I was gonna answer that part before, but forgot - oops)


Interesting point about the lesson and the weapons, mark - nice interpretation - and makes more sense than most of the other things that were done --- and way better than what the writers probably would tell us -- (no, really, I love the writers, sometimes they just seem to lose their focus) ---