The Channukah Spirit!

Episode 3.10: Amends. Original Airdate 12.15.98

"As the Christmas holiday approaches, Angel is tormented by evil apparitions who want him to eliminate Buffy."

Zelda's Thoughts:

• Oh man, DB. This accent. I can't even with this.
• Buffy has tiny bangs! Where the hell - did she just take a pair of scissors to her face in the mirror?
• Gasp! What's Dead!Daniel doing in Sunnydale?
• I can't tell, is Buffy's lunch bag huge or is she even tinier than usual?

Buffy eats all the lunch.

• "Tree. Nog. Roast beast."
• "What are you doing for Christmas?" // "BEING JEWISH."
• Xander's Christmas is the most depressing Christmas ever.
• "This is what I do know. I miss you. Like every second. It's like I lost an arm, or worse, a torso. So I think I'd be willing to give it a shot." Oz is the best of everyone. Seth fuckin' Green, people.
• I love watching that guy frosting the trees. It's just so preposterous.
• Hallo dead trees! Look at you, all portenty and stuff.
• Ahhhhhhh Bringers.
• Oh man, Giles's face when he sees it's Angel at the door. Ice. ASH is so freaking good, you guys. I love this episode. This scene is just ... he's ... FEELINGS.
• Man, the last time Angel was here, he was depositing dead Jenny. Ow ow my heart. AND THEN JENNY'S THERE, WEARING THE OUTFIT HE KILLED HER IN. OWWWWW.
• So do we think The First is telling the truth when claiming it's responsible for pulling Angel out of the Acathla Hell Dimension? We're never really offered another explanation, and the Powers That Be are more a thing on Angel the Show than here. And if so, why? I know The First really pretty much sucks at planning, but I'm still curious for the reason for bringing him back, since the main goal both here and later with Spike in S7, is to take the Vampire With A Soul out of commission - either turn him against the White Hats, have him kill the Slayer, or get himself killed - in any regards, get him out of the game on the White Hat side. Wouldn't Angel staying in the Hell Dimension accomplish that?
• Awww it's Pachebel's Canon in D, y'all.
• Oh man, that mustache. Terrible awful idea.

Seriously, no.

• ACK Buffy and Angel shared a dream ACK ACK ACK that was awesome.
• omg and Xander walks in and says "Where do we start?" with helping Angel. MY HEART JUST MELTED.
• But DUDE what is that sweater, Xander. Like, what.

It says FLOUR. On the BACK. What is ... no. Just no.

• Aw, and they're doing research and there's a tiny Christmas tree on the table and there's pizza and I love my Scoobie Babies.
• "Hey, he likes beets!." // "I read that one already." Random shit like this is how you can tell Joss wrote it.
• Man, Angelus was really a rotten piece of work.
• "It wasn't me." // "It wasn't you?" // "A demon isn't a man. I was a man once." "Oh yes, and what a man you were." It's a really fair point. Liam was a worthless little shit. Angelus was a psychopathic monster. Angel? Kinda mopey.
• Shenanigans! The First is supposed to be non-corporeal, but they forgot to tell Robia because she touches Angel all the damn time.
• Ut oh. Sexy dreams.
• Ew. Bringer watching the sexy dreams. Creeper much?
• "Yeah, let me get a double shot of ... of INFORMATION, pal." Nope. Nice try, but nope.
• "Hey, you did great, by the way. I was very intimidated by you." Best Xmas present Xander could ever ask for.
• "Man, is it hot." Another nod toward how sunny Sunnydale is UNTIL MAGIC SNOW TIEMS.
• Oh Willow. Oh honey. No no no. She's so sweet and so very much clueless about what to do. "We could do that thing!"
• Also dude why is there a fire burning in the fireplace when it's so hot.
• Ozzzzzzzzzz I love you. He tells her "No" in the gentlest way, in a way that won't send her into another shame spiral or embarrassment.
• Joyce is burning a fire too. wtf
• Awwwwww Faith came over! huggles!
• Angel's in your room, all crazypants and creepy. I'd throw him out, Buffy.
• Angel went down the funslide out Buffy's window.

I need to go to my happy place! Wheeeeeeeee!

• Buffy's tiny tiny bangs look much better when sideswept.
• "Sooner or later, you will drink her." Good example of The First speaking truths without context.
• "You're not supposed to die, this isn't the plan ... but it'll do." Yeah, see. I really don't think The First brought Angel back, if the plan was just for him to die again. I'm gonna decide it was lying.
• "They're rebels and they'll never ever be any good." <3 Giles
• "All right, I get it, you're evil! Do we have to chat about it all day?" This is why Buffy is the best show ever. "

That little lip wrinkle, the sassy tilt of her head. Buffy is the best.

• Angel's in a black coat, Buffy in a white coat. Symbolism!
• This scene, you guys. This scene. I love this show so much. And SMG is so good, and even DB isn't bad.
• "What I am." // "Were." // "And ever shall be."
• "You have the power to do real good, to make amends. But if you die now, then all that you ever were was a monster." - so this is what sets him on the path for his own show, I think. Nicely planned.
• "Am I thing worth saving, huh? Am I a righteous man?"// "What about me?" And she's so sad and little. "I tried to make you go away. I killed you and it didn't help ... I wish that I wished you dead. I don't. I can't."
• Oh man, you guys, so many feels.
• IT'S SNOWING, IT'S FUCKING SNOWING. And it's a cleaner baptism than rain could ever be on this show. It's Christmas and it's saying that Angel has to stay, to fight, and they can keep going and THIS SHOW, YOU GUYS.
• Faith's all, dude, I'm from Boston, we get this all the time.
• Even the Buffy/Angel theme has turned sweeter, more hopeful.
• And I'm crying. Shut up.

Daniel's Thoughts:

• "Dublin".  And I say that using ironic air quotes...
• Oh no.  We have to hear David's Irish "accent" again.  ...more air quotes.
• I think this is the only Christmas episode and while I kinda like it, I'm glad this was the only one.
• First incarnation of The First.  And...I wish it stayed that way.
• "Being Jewish.  Remember, people?"  Yay, Willow.  Rock that Channukah spirit!
• He's very logical, Oz.  He says all the right things.
• See the main problem with Cordy & Xander's breakup is that they don't know what to do with her.  So ship her off to Aspen for the episode, I guess...
• Joyce's reaction to the suggestion of inviting Giles to Christmas Eve dinner is hilarious.  Continuity!
• How does Faith afford to live? Does she have a job? Is she stealing?  That's another huge problem I have with the council.  The expect these young women to risk their lives every day for them but they can't give them a stipend?
• I'm glad Giles doesn't just trust Angel blindly. Also, humble looks good on Angel.
• Jenny!
• I love this other flashback/dream.  It looks like the Fezziwigs' house on Christmas!
• Oooh, Buffy and Angel sharing a dream.  Very cool effect to have Buffy in regular modern clothes against the background of the 19th century setting.
• "Doing guest spots in each other's dreams" - Foreshadowing!
• There's a lot of character development exploration in this episode.  Not just Angel but the whole gang.

• Scary Bringers are Scary! ----->
• The underground - things that live underground.  Makes sense to me.
• Willy's has entertainment!  The bulletin board outside of Willy's pub shows a lounge singer with an amazing 1970's headshot.
• Willow trying to do the sexy thing is embarrassing (also adorable!)
• Also, Barry White.  Nice touch, Willow
• Oz is just the perfect boyfriend.  He says all the right things.  Always.  I don't even care that he's short!
• Seriously, I'm convinced the writers just write Oz how they want their boyfriends/husbands to act.
• "So Angel's on top again?" Sexual Innuendo!
• Aww, Faith coming to Christmas dinner!
• I'm glad that the hair designer realized halfway through this episode that Buffy & bangs don't mix.
• Let me guess... Is it... EVIL?

Simon and Hecubus would be proud

• SHENANIGANS!  How did Buffy know where to find Angel?  Hey, maybe he's on a hill somewhere looking at the town...
• The Angel/Buffy convo is so heartbreaking, all I can do is watch.
• Buffy small child like "what about me?"
• It's snowing!  Even though it was just 80 degrees!  It's a miracle!
• But...since when does snow mean the sun doesn't come up.

Favorite Lines:

Zelda: "Strong is fighting. It's hard and it's painful and it's every day." - Buffy

Daniel: "Not everyone worships Santa" - Willow 

Arc/Continuity Stuff:

• Dublin, 1838: Angelus was still "Irish." Other unspecified flashback, also still "Irish."
• Willow is still Jewish. When it's relevant.
• Joyce does NOT want Giles to come by for Christmas Eve Dinner. Because of SEXINESS.
• First appearance of Bringers/Harbingers and The First. The First is non-corporeal. "Nothing shall grow above or below them" - meaning, dead trees!
• Recurrings: Faith, Joyce, and Willy the Snitch are here.
• Confirmation: Oz is not a virgin.
• Grr Argh demon wears a Santa Hat.

Stats:

Oz's Hair - strawberry blond

Dead Humans - 0

Dead Undeads - 0

Dead Flashbacks - 2

Giles Unconscious - 0

Giles Cleans His Glasses - 0

Buffy Breaks a Door - 1

Evil Reveal - 0

Unevil Reveal - 0

Shenanigans Called - 2

Apocalypse Called - 0

Buffy, the Dog-Faced Girl

Episode 3.9: The Wish. Original Airdate 12.8.98.

"Cordelia's wish for a Buffy-free Sunnydale comes true, plunging her into a world where vampires have control of the town."

Daniel's Thoughts:

• FIRST ANYA EPISODE! EXCITED EXCITED EXCITED!!!
• Eww, octopus demon.
• "Nerf! Nerf!"
• "No Poof?" :)
• I'm glad Buffy realizes that slaying isn't necessarily a solo thing.  Yay, friends!
• Xander: "....positively the last time."  Sure...cause you got caught.
• Poor Cordy.
• EMMA CAULFIELD! EMMA CAULFIELD!

Willow is not as excited...

• Queen C looking AH-MAHZING.

• Asian Cordette is so freaking skinny.
• And Emmy winning writer, Jonathan!  Go date Jonathan, Cordy.
• Ok, so now we're introduced to Anya...and well, here's my beef.  Yep, I already have a beef.  One of Anya's major character personality traits is that she doesn't get humans.  I mean, that's her thing, right?  Except right away, she gets close to Cordy by calling out her Prada bag.  Whether she knows about fashion or not, she at least does her research to get close to her conquests. So what, does she get all lazy when she becomes human?
• Oz's speech to Willow is pretty much perfect.  He doesn't yell; he just states the facts: "I told you what I need. So I can't help feeling like the reason you want to talk is so you can feel better about yourself.  That's not my problem."  I think we like Oz because we all want to talk like that.  We all want to make sense, but when we're hurt, we just lash out and yell and don't make sense.  Aspire to be like Oz.  

• "High School student" John Lee is like 45.
• "I don't wish, I act."  I love Anya's face when Cordy says this. ==>
• And then later at the Bronze...she's just buying her time listening to the boring boys. ==>
• I like that Buffy doesn't want to be anti-Cordy.  She knows how hurt Cordy is and doesn't automatically side with her two best friends.
• And the difference between Willow and Xander: Willow at least seems to be taking part of the blame.  Xander just keeps putting the blame on others.
• Ok, the rules of this wish thing get a little mixed up, too.  I mean, does the wisher need to wear the necklace?  It seems so here, even though Anya was trying to get Cordy to make a wish before without it.  Maybe it just helps encourage the wisher to wish... [I'm gonna call Contrivance Fairy and say that she's wearing it when dealing with AlternaGiles, so he is able to use it as a Clue for Detecting. - Z]
• Buffyless Sunnydale is scary!  And...also a little bit Goth.
• they have a monthly memorial!  Why doesn't anyone move...?
• SHENANIGANS! Cordy leaves school around 3p...and she's still walking home when it's completely dark out.  Does it really take her that long to walk home?
• "Bored now!" I'm not! 
• Ok, Xander is almost sexy as a vampire.  Shut up.
• Giles & Oz & Larry &....some chick as the Scoobies!
• "Everyone knows that Vampires are attracted to bright colors"   What?!
• Oh, The Master.  I've missed your wit.
• Willow and Xander feeding on Cordy is so surreal.
• Also surreal? The master drinking an espresso.

For the discerning blood-drinker.

• It would have been kind of cool if Jesse were here.
• "The entire world sucks because one dead ditz made a wish?" - Larry.  Awesome.
• Buffy looks gross! And she's acting like Faith.  This is what Buffy would be like with no friends....(see beginning of episode).
• This factory bit in the video game: Chaos Bleeds. You have to save someone from the conveyor belt.
• Dead Angel! Dead Xander! Oz kills Willow!  Dead Buffy!  THIS IS ALL SO SAD.
• So.....how did Anya get the necklace back?  Is there a set?
• Aww, Poor Anya.  I think this is the first time I realized that Anya doesn't remember the alternate world either. 
• Wow, what a great episode.  It's just so well constructed and written.

Zelda's Thoughts:

• It's another wise move, to open with a sunlit slay: Buffy in pink, Willow in overalls - they look so clean and wholesome. Contrast for future darkness!
• Thanks, show, for expositing where the hell Faith is.
• Xander, stop trying to justify. At least he does seem to realize how stupid he's being.
• It's cute they're asking Buffy how to deal with breakups.
• Xander's voicemails, all so chipper. Maybe he could try sounding contrite? Maybe that would be a useful tactic?
• Love Anya's subtle look of disdain at Harmony's insipidness.
• I only just realized the Asian Cordette is the girl on the sacrificial conveyor belt in AlternaSunnydale.
• Poor Cordy. Poor Jonathan.
• "What I did, when I think that I hurt you ..." // "Yeah, you said all that stuff already." I fucking love Oz. Calling Willow out on what she's actually trying to do, feel better rather than make ... AMENDS.
• John Lee's treatment of Cordy might actually be the most humiliating - offering to hook up with her where no one could catch them. Man, fuck you, dude.
• I do like that both Willow and Xander want to get back together with their exes, rather than trying to pursuing a relationship with each other, now they've been caught, which would happen on most other shows. They recognize it was just stupid lustyness and not the actual foundation for a relationship. This way, they actually get to keep their friendship for the next four seasons. And we get to keep Oz. You know, for a bit.
• Cordelia's hair is just stunning, I have to say.
• When Cordy says Buffy made Xander cooler - I love the look of interest on Anya's face. "Really?" Is she intrigued by Buffy or by Xander?
• GASP! DEMON.
• Scary Veiny Good Fairy. This could also be the name of my band.
• Winter Brunch. Winter Brunch, you guys. Lookit that curfew.
• It's telling how few kids there are in the classroom - so many empty desks.
• "Come-bite-me outfit." Nice, show.
• HELLO STREET SET.

Totally a real street. In a real town.

• VampXander is kinda hot though. I like how much more confident he is.
• "Bored now." I just got chills because of what I know that line will come to mean.
• "I love this part." // "You love all the parts."
• Man, AH shines as VampWillow
• Hi Larry! Welcome to the White Hats. I actually really love that Giles's team of defenders includes Larry and Oz and ... redshirt girl, whoever she is. Nancy? Nancy.
• "Slap my hand, dead soul man." That was really dorky, VampXander.
• "Old crush, actually." SHENANIGANS. Jesse had a crush on Cordy, not Xander.
• "Somebody has to talk to her people. That name is striking fear in nobody's hearts."
• "But people were happy ... mostly." 
• Man, it's so cruel, making poor Giles watch Cordelia's murder through the cage. "You're in a big cage." AH's delivery is amazing.
• Hey. Hey Giles. Word to the wise? If YOU can break out of your book cage, you a mere human, STOP TRYING TO STOW WEREWOLVES IN IT.
• Blood espresso. Because of course.
• I would like to ask where the hell Darla and Luke are in all this.
• "Well, it happens, you know, that Sunnydale is on a Hellmouth ... IT IS SO!" 
• Oh hey. Angel the Puppy. Breathing Heavily and Erratically 101. Maybe he taught Kristen Stewart.
• See how slowly Angel is to burn with DIRECT CONTACT WITH FIRE? Because he is a special unique snowflake vampire.
• "Its the symbol of Anyanka." Oz, dryly: "I don't think I know her."
• Awwwwwwww AlternaBuffy. You're so stoic and businesslike and you have a scar and also a BRAID and a SENSIBLE OUTFIT for slaying, what is happening.
• Also AlternaBuffy is much less creative and inventive with her slaying methods.
• This whole exchange. "World is what it is. We fight. We die. Wishing doesn't change that." // "I have to believe in a better world." // "Go ahead. I have to live in this one."
• "I don't play well with others." That line was used in so many promos on FX. Kinda weird, considering it's not true of OUR Buffy.
• I really freaking love how much AlternaBuffy doesn't give a shit about Angel.
• "I waited. I waited here for you ... but you never..." Okay, that is kind of heartbreaking. But then he says destiny and I throw up in my mouth a little.
• This episode is a really great acting showcase for our Scoobies. Well, not really Cordelia. Or Angel. But Buffy, Willow, and Xander all get to stretch.
• "They claim that death is our art." Hey! That's Buffy's gift! Back off!

Did I fucking stutter?

• Man, Anyanka needs a coughdrop.
• "She's still alive, you see. For the freshness." That giddiness right there? That's what's awesome about the Master.
• I really love everything about the moment when the fight begins. Buffy, badass but not thinking creatively, just up and aims her crossbow at the Master and is stone-cold cool about it. And the Master, without blinking, is like "hey Xander pal, wanna take that for me?" No one dives in front of him, he doesn't try to catch the arrow, he grabs someone as a shield. Love it all.
• And then the fight itself is so heartbreaking. Buffy and Willow fighting, loathing in their eyes. Angel dies and Buffy doesn't care. Buffy kills Xander in slow mo and walks away. Oz kills Willow. I CAN'T HANDLE THIS. AND THE SAD MUSIC. ALL THE FEELS.
• And then the Master. The fucking Master. He just snaps her neck, and even then it doesn't look like she cares that much. Maybe there's a little bit of the sad girl, but ...
• Bless you, Giles. I fucking love you so much. "Because it has to be." I fucking you love. All the feels.
• Awww Anya. Frustrated face. "Done. Done. Done."
• AND THEN IT ENDS ON THEM WITH HAPPY MUSIC AND THEY'RE KIDDING AROUND AND MY BABIES.

Crossfire!

D: I wonder if Oz and Larry are together in this universe.

Z: I don't think Oz is gay just because he turned his girlfriend gay!

D&Z: Crossfire!

Favorite Lines:

Daniel: "Your logic does not resemble our Earth logic" ~Buffy (I've used this many times).

Zelda: Anya: "You trusting fool!  How do you know the other world is any better than this?" Giles: "Because it has to be."

90s Factoid:

Sparkly, sparkly outfits.

Arc/Continuity Stuff:

• Willow and Xander were caught making out, and now are broken up with Oz and Cordelia.
• Harmony's back! So are Jonathan and Larry.
• Anya's first appearance.
• In AlternaSunnydale, the Master has risen and taken over Sunnydale, and Willow and Xander are vampires, because Buffy wasn't here to stop it. And Jesse, Darla, and Luke are nowhere to be seen. Giles has recruited Oz, Larry, and Nancy to the White Hats Club.
• There is a great deal of demonic activity in Cleveland.
• No one - not even Anya - remembers AlternaSunnydale.

Stats:

NOTE: Introducing a New Stat for this episode only: since most of the death in this episode gets cancelled out when Anyanka's amulet is destroyed, we think it shouldn't count for the overall deathcount.

Oz's Hair - strawberry blond

Anya's Hair - brown shoulder-length, swept bangs

AlternaDead Humans - 6

AlternaDead Undeads - 6

Dead Humans - 0
Dead Undead - 2

Dead Flashbacks - 0

Giles Unconscious - 0

Giles Cleans His Glasses - 0

Buffy Breaks a Door - 1

Evil Reveal - 1 (Anya)

Unevil Reveal - 0

Shenanigans Called - 2

Apocalypse Called - 0

Love's Bitch

Episode 3.8: Lovers Walk. Original Airdate 11.24.98




"Spike returns to Sunnydale and kidnaps Willow in hopes of creating a magic spell that will make Drusilla love him again."

Zelda's Thoughts:

• Yaaaaaaaaaay it's a Spike episode. Also other things happen.
• "That was my sarcastic voice." // "You know, it sounds a lot like your regular voice." // "I've been told that."
• Man, Willow, what is that shirt. What is that shirt.

Even Alyson agrees with me here

• Buffy's scores are good for her academic future, but ... that's not something she's thought about, because being the Slayer doesn't give her a whole lot of choices. But hey, with Faith here, maybe ... nah. Faith will turn evil and Buffy will have to stay but lucky for her they're building a UC right in Sunnydale! ... :-|
• Spike just crashed into the parking lot again. Hi Spike!
• Awww lookit the Xander photos in Cordy's locker. STAHP WHAT YOU'RE DOING WITH WILLOW, XANDER.

• Willow's voice is extra babyish today.
• And Oz gave Willow a pez witch. STAHP WHAT YOU'RE DOING WITH XANDER, WILLOW.
• Giles is going camping. Because the plot requires that he be out of the picture for Spike Hijinks.
• STAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHP
• Look! Angel reads! And apparently can't hear Spike talking at a not-quiet decibal right outside his not-door of the mansion. Enhanced vampire hearing, my eye.
• Also on not hearing Spike yell and scream after he catches on fire. Justice is blind, but Angel is deaf.

• 

  Hi, we got past the censors

• "We don't carry ... leprosy."
• What ... is with the boob thing on the wall ---->
• Seriously, Angel, you have curtains open, letting in delightful sunlight, AND you're stoking a giant fire. Someone's got suicidal thoughts.
• "So do you really need to resort to the dark arts to keep our hormones in check?" It will not be the last time she tries that method of problem-solving.
• "She wouldn't even kill me, she just left!" I love that that is the real crux of Spike's heartbreak. He wanted the epic lifetime only-ends-in-death love story.
• "Beautiful jewels, beautiful dresses with beautiful girls in them."
• "I've got an unlife, you know!"
• "If at first you don't succeed, I'll kill him and you'll try again." Basically everything Spike says. That is my recap of the episode.
• Joyce making Spike cocoa. Love it. Spike telling his tale of woe to EVERYONE. Love it.
• "You got any of those little marshmallows?"
• Ahahahaha Spike making faces at Angel behind Joyce. "You're a very bad man!" 
• Oh Spike. Not large with the brilliant complicated plans are we? "He's probably just got them locked in the factory."
• They totally tricked me with this. I knew, watching it the first time, that Cordelia wasn't in the show past season three, so I genuinely believed they were killing her off here.
• Man, it's like they're not even trying to get Stunt Spike to look like JM.
• I like that the fight is enough to make Spike feel better and realize what he should do to get Dru back (of course, it doesn't work, but ...)
• Cut to: Funeral. Buffy: "So Cordelia's gonna be okay?" Fuck you, show.
• Why do we think it is that Willow and Oz are ultimately able to reconcile and Xander and Cordelia aren't? If she hadn't left to go be on Angel, would they have gotten back together? [No - Anya]
• The Musical Montage of Sad Sackness.
• Except for Spike, who is feeling awesome about himself. And also singing again. I always forget that's how the episode ends.

Daniel's Thoughts:

• Great.  This whole Willow/Xander thing is going to come to a conclusion in this episode.  It's about time.
• Willow is wearing orange pants again.
• "That was my sarcastic voice//It's sounds just like your real voice//I've been told that."  Me too.
• Yay! Buffy got great SAT scores!  No matter, she has to stay in Sunnydale anyway.
• Hey Spike!  Yes, I still like Spike at this point.
• Spike is singing Frank Sinatra.  But Angel knew Frank Sinatra.
• We're gonna boowwwwl tonight.  We're gonna booooowl toniiight.
• Aww, Oz is so sweet with the Pez witch.
• Xander, "I wish we can make it all stop." YES, PLEASE STOP.
• SHENANIGANS!  They're so inconsistent with the sunlight thing.  Some vamps explode the minute sun hits them.  Spike can run up steps and jump into a car without catching too much fire.
• The magic shop is still pretty small...  I guess when Giles buys it, he buys the three stores next to it, too.
• Another magic shop owner's death!  We shoulda kept a stat. [2 ~Stat Gods]
• I love the Mayor's banter.  Some say he's too much like the Master with some of his dorky lines.  I disagree.
• Spike's Dru story is awesome.
• It's alarming how trusting Joyce is of Spike especially with what he's telling her.
• Really? After all that, Buffy didn't tell her mom about Angel?
• Spike, "What do you KNOW?"  Ugh, the phrase is "What do YOU know."
• SHENANIGANS!  How did they not hear Cordeila and Oz breaking down the door and/or walking down the stairs?
• Ow!  Cordelia! OMG!
• The fight scene in the magic shop is awesome.  I love the use of the holy water vials.
• Funeral fake-out!  Cheesey, but effective.
• Aww, Poor Cordy.  And I love her line to Xander.  She's a vengeful Cordy....
• And Buffy's speech to Angel is so heart-breaking.
• Awww, everyone is so sad.  I feel bad for everyone.  Except Xander.
• And Spike is the only happy one!

Crossfire!

Willow & Xander: *smoochies*

Zelda & Daniel: STAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHP

Favorite Lines:

Zelda: "Loose cannon. Rock the boat. Is that a mixed metaphor? ... Boats did have cannons. And a loose one would cause it to rock." - The Mayor

Daniel: "I'm pathetic! I'm illiterate! I'm Cletus, the slack-jawed yokel!" - Willow.  Yay! Simpsons reference!

90s Factoid:

"Be kind, rewind." FROM THE DAYS WHEN PEOPLE HAD VIDEOTAPES.

Arc/Continuity Stuff:

• Spike is back, and crashed into the Welcome to Sunnydale sign again.
• Also, Spike is singing.
• Also, Spike is dumped.
• Willow owns 3,000 pink sweaters.
• Mayor and Deputy Alan. The Mayor knows who Spike is.
• Another Magic Shop, this one not underground.
• Xander's outrage about Willow's anti-lust spell is based in continuity goodness: "Are you nuts, or have you forgotten that I tend to have bad luck with these sorts of spells?"
• Spike's truce with Buffy was the beginning of the end of his romance with Dru.
• Dru dumped in him Brazil for a slime-and-antlers chaos demon. We will meet him in Crush.
• Joyce now knows that Angel is back, that Spike is bad, that Willow is a witch, and that Xander is a witch. Er.
• Oz can smell Willow even when he's human. As Cordelia says, "This is very disturbing."
• Oz and Cordelia finally catch Willow and Xander making bad life decisions.

Stats:

Oz's Hair - strawberry blond

Dead Humans - 1

Dead Undeads - 4

Dead Flashbacks - 0

Giles Unconscious - 0

Giles Cleans His Glasses - 0

Buffy Breaks a Door - 0

Evil Reveal - 0

Unevil Reveal -  0

Shenanigans Called - 2

Apocalypse Called - 0

A Bunch of Guys from Spart

Episode 3.7: Revelations. Original Airdate 11.17.98

"With some help from Faith's new watcher, Buffy seeks to destroy a weapon-like glove before it falls into the hands of a demon."

Daniel's Thoughts:

• Ugh, just stop, Willow with the awkwardness and the trying to explain.  No one knows about you and Xander and no one wants to know.
• Excellent duel fight scene.  I agree, Buffy - synchronized slaying should be a new Olympic category although who would they compete with?
• Gwendolyn Post.  Ick.  She's just started talking and...can no one tell she's evil yet?
• Shut up Gwendolyn.  The books they have already have helped them so far.
• What's with Buffy's hat?  You're in doors, Buff, take the warm winter hat off.

"It's totally cute, right?"

• Twelve cemeteries in Sunnydale!  That makes sense.
• Angel still hasn't learned how to put on a shirt...
• Oh...there it is...
• Ok, it's been several weeks.  Angel is obviously good and he's not animal-like anymore. Isn't it about time Giles was brought in?
• ABOAT.
• Big vamp with Armor!  Why do they need armor??
• Xander sees Angel.  And this is what happens when you keep secrets Buffy!  They always come out!
• And once again, everyone gangs up on Buffy without letting her explain.  But of course, if she told Giles in the first place, this wouldn't have happened.
• "What you just tripped and fell on his lips?"  Really Xander? Pot kettle much?
• Aww, I don't like disappointed Giles.  But...he's right.  
• ABOAT
• Ugh, Xander is such a dick.  All he cares about is himself.
• Giles! Don't tell her where the glove is! She's evil!
• Ugh, I hate the Willow is going to confess to Buffy but is interrupted thing.  It's such a soap technique.  Makes you think a big secret is about to be revealed but then, nope.  And of course Willow changes her mind.
• False assumptions just make my stomach hurt.
• Fire pretty.
• Angel & Faith's first meeting! Surprise, surprise: they're fighting.
• And first Buffy/Faith fight, too.
• Cool lightning affect.  Reminds me of someone:

I have the powerrrrr!

• Aww, Angel saved Willow's life!
• And yet - Xander is still acting self-righteous. I'd like to see what happens if he becomes a vampire. [Patience - Anyanka]
• I think this is the first time we see Faith's transition into "The only person I can trust is me."  Sad.
• Aboat Count: 2

Zelda's Thoughts:

• According to set designer Carey Meyer in a special feature, "The Bronze was meant to sort of feel like a nightclub, but really was an espresso bar" (justifying, the kids hanging out there without boozing), but that got supplanted by the Espresso Pump. So now their table is full of red cups containing questionable potables.
• "About your new boyfriend, who we made up ... unless we didn't." So cute.
• And thus began the Buffy/Faith slashfic.

Buffy+Faith 4ever

• Parking lot cemetery, including our pal Alpert the Mausoleum.
• Man, fuck you, Gwendolyn Post, for being such an immediate snot. No wonder Giles has an inferiority complex about the rest of the Watchers' Council. Also, Mrs.? Where's the hubby? Where's Baron Post? (he's totally a baron. shut up)
• "Where do you keep the rest of your books? ... The actual library?" fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck you
• "Interesting lady ... can I kill her?" Yes. All of the yes.
• Still haven't remembered how to wear a shirt, huh, Angel? Don't worry. These things take time.
• Ut oh. Bangel sessual tension a-go-go.
• Oh look. A shirt. And he buttoned it.
• There's a lottttttttt of sunlight in Angel's mansion.
• staaaaaaaaahp (I don't really remember what this is in reference to, but I assume it's the Bad Decisions of Xander and Willow)
• Oh man. I'd forgotten Xander's first moment seeing Angel alive again was his taking the glove from the crypt. I guess he has reason to be suspicious.
• And then he sees him making out with Buffy and so of course his rationality goes on a road trip to elsewhere.
• Gawd, I HATE you, Gwendolyn Post. I'm glad you turn out to be evil so we never have to deal with you ever again.
• And see, while the Scoobies don't have all the facts and thus don't understand what we do about Buffy and Angel, they are COMPLETELY justified in their anger with her. Completely. Because dude she's been lying about someone who, the last time any of the Scoobies saw him, was a psychopath who wanted to end the world.
• Xander's lividness toward the Angel situation is understandable to the degree that we haven't outright said that the returned Angel is ensouled. BUT we know he will continue to hold ensouled Angel responsible for Angelus's actions, which was not something we did with previously-souled Angel, who also had plenty of carnage in his history.
• If I ever form a band, it's gonna be called A Bunch of Guys from Spart. I will play the triangle.
• Yay Willow who is not mad at Buffy. Though ... that's because she's got her own guilt going on.
• Ah see, this is telling - Xander says "Angel's still alive," not "Angel's back" or "Angel's alive again." Probably in his delusion, he thinks Angel never died or went away at all (he wasn't there when Buffy told Willow and Giles the truth of her final battle with Angel), and Buffy knew the whole time.
• "Can I come?" THIS IS WHY PEOPLE HATE YOU, XANDER. I don't hate you, but I'm damn mad at you.
• And Faith is in many ways an easy mark for Xander's vengeance craving - she's feeling paranoid about being left out, isolated, unwanted - she'd want to take charge of a situation she'd felt been pulled out from under her.
• "I want you to be the first to know that ... there's a demon behind you." Typical Whedon move.
• At least Xander recognizes that knocking Giles out is not Angel's style, and that he tries to stop her from running off.
• But then two (TV) seconds later, Xander says "Your boyfriend's not as cured as you thought." Ugh stop.
• Man, writers, stop making the actors read Latin.
• I'm glad they're finally taking a Giles-is-unconscious moment seriously.
• I don't know why it's always funny to me when Angel gets knocked out, but it is.
• Angel's in gameface! And sounding way more bantering than in previous episodes this season. I guess he's all better.
• Faith throws Xander against a wall. Me: Aww, poor Kelly.
• Oh. Mrs. Post is evil AND wearing the glove. oops.
• Mansion's getting trashed.I think Angel should move. Again.
• Shenanigans! Even with slayer-strength behind the throw, I don't think a shard of glass would have sliced through tendon and muscle, let alone bone, to cut off Mrs. Post's evil arm.
• "Sounds like we missed a lot of fun." // "Then we're telling it wrong."
• "Boy, do I not know." {subtext: boy, do I not care.)
• Xander trusts Buffy again. Yay?
• "They swear there was a memo." More fodder for Giles's inferiority complex.
• Cordelia doesn't trust Buffy. And clearly, neither does Faith.
• And it's sad, because Faith so clearly wants friends, a place to belong, but she feels betrayed by Buffy, and it's a feeling she's so used to, it's not something she'll get over that easily. She can't trust Buffy, so she'll keep pushing her and the rest of the Scoobies away, so when her Big Mistake happens, there'll be nowhere for her to go, but to the arms of the Mayor.

Crossfire!

Z: Nice little couch set.

D: Yeah. Where did he get it? The IKEA in hell?

Z: But it's the same mansion from before!

D: Yeah, I heard Drusilla loves IKEA.

Favorite Lines:

Daniel: "Interesting lady. Can we kill her?" - Buffy

Zelda: "I won't remind you that the fate of the world often lies with the Slayer. What would be the point? Nor shall I remind you that you've jeopardize the lives of all that you hold dear by harboring a known murderer. But sadly, I must remind you that Angel tortured me ... for hours ... for pleasure. You should have told me he was alive. You didn't. You have no respect for me, or the job I perform." - Giles, breaking my heart.

90s Factoid:

Faith's TV has rabbit ears.

Arc/Continuity Stuff:

• Devon again. He's having a money month!
• There are twelve cemeteries within the Sunnydale city limits. Sunnydale is a city???
• Buffy and Angel have their first kiss since his return.
• Everyone knows Angel's back now.
• Buffy and Faith have their first battle.

Stats:

Oz's Hair - strawberry blond

Dead Humans - 1

Dead Undeads - 3

Dead Flashbacks - 0

Giles Unconscious - 1

Giles Cleans His Glasses -0

Buffy Breaks a Door - 1

Evil Reveal - 1 (Mrs. Post)

Unevil Reveal - 0

Shenanigans Called - 1

Apocalypse Called - 0

Whoa Summers, You Drive like a Spaaaaz

Episode 3.6: Band Candy. Original Airdate 11.10.98

"Adults throughout Sunnydale behave like immature teenagers after they eat cursed candy."

Zelda's Thoughts:

• This episode is a love letter to the amazingness of Tony Head and Armin Shimerman. And you know it.
• But Giles, what is that scarf. Did we learn nothing from Nightmares?
• This season does so well to set up its arc. Yes, we've got a monster of the week, but it's because the Mayor's got to do his tribute.
• "There's this whole trick to antonyms, but um ... this isn't the place."
• "What? I can't have layers?"
• "Why do I put up with this?" // "Because it is your destiny. And because I just bought 20 cocoriffic candy bars."
• Giles getting hit in the head with a ball. 

Never not funny.

• Oh look. Buffy's lying to everyone about where she is because of Angel Reasons. THIS WILL NOT END WELL, BUFFY.
• Aw, Angel remembers Scott. And Buffy's already forgotten him. Awkward.
• Joyce and Giles, eatin' the chocolate.
• AND GILES'S ACCENT IS SLIPPING INTO HIS RIPPERNESS.
• I like that Giles, the most mature and awesomest adult, is the first one to slip into teenagerness. "Yeh." he says. "Yeh."
• "I like chocolate. There is no bad here."
• STAHP, WILLOW AND XANDER, STAHP.
• "The big pinhead librarian didn't show  up and I don't wanna do it." I AM LAUGHING AT EVERYTHING SNYDER SAYS. "Everyone expects me to do everything around here because I'm the principal. It's not fair."
• Ugh. Miss Barton is NOT a good actress. Not at ALL.
• "What? Excuse me, I meant WHAT?"
• GILES IS SMOKING. IS HE EVIL OR ABOUT TO DIE?
• Buffy drives as well as Cher Horowitz.

She totally paused!

• Aw Joyce wants to be cool like Giles, but she's not.
• I love when Tony Head uses his own accent.
• Awwwwwwwww did you see how Oz lit up when he saw Willow? STAHP IT WITH XANDER, WILLOW.
• Miss Barton, go away. Please. You're a bad actor.
• Snyder Snyder Snyder you are my favorite. I love you so much. Armin Shimerman is so amazing.

• "They're acting like a bunch of us." // "I don't act like this."
• Ethan Rayne, you are marvelous.
• I love that Snyder is tagging along. He even hops in the car. I freaking LOVE that.
• Parkling lot playground - is this also where Drusilla and Angel were? and the Gingerbread children hang out?
• I love how involved Snyder is, listening intently and excitedly in the car. 
• "OH Ripper, wow, that was so brave." She sounds like a teenager, awesome delivery.
• "Oooh, copper's got a gun!"
• Aaaaaaaah Giles and Joyce are making out whaaaah.
• This alleyway outside the candy factory looks suspiciously like the alleyway outside the Bronze. And outside everything ever.
• "I'm your watcher, so you do what I tell you. Now sod off!"
• "Hey! Britface! Wait up."
• My favorite chase scene ever - when they run through the same aisle of boxes about five times in a row.
• Also, soundtrack, staaaaaaaaahp playing romantic strummy music under their illicit feelings. STOP MAKING IT ROMANTIC WHEN IT'S DUMB.
• Giles's little hop of glee when she punches Ethan. So the best:

• I think chocolate is the best macguffin ever.
• Giles is wearing his earring.
• nooooooooooooooooooooes don't take the babies
• I do appreciate how gentle the henchvamps were with the babies. Did we see how carefully they cradled them? 

We're going to feed you to a demon, yes we are! Yes we are!

• "I took Tae Kwon Do at the Y." Snyder, never change. 

I just made white belt

• Haha teenage Giles still remembers his reading. And looks so impressed with himself.
• The Mayor, calling about sewer maintenance while doing his tribute ritual: I just ... I love him.
• So the Mayor sneaks out before Buffy can see him. I guess all she sees are the henchvamps and Trick.
• I guess when babies can't be had, Lurconis is chill with eating a henchvamp.
• Stupid Giles, interfering and allowing Trick to escape.
• Okay, I can't resist. Here are a bunch of funny gifs. This is the most giffable episode ever.

Daniel's Thoughts:

• SAT Prep in a cemetary!
• And I love "we haven't had 'B' in forever".  That's how I picked my multiple choice.
• I may not like Mr. Trick but he is certainly a swanky dresser.
• "Isn't she cute when she's proud?"//"She's always cute."  I think if Facebook had been around, Oz would be one of those annoying people who constantly praise their girlfriend in status updates.
• Yeah, I don't get why non-band people have to sell band candy.  It's a bit contrived but to make this awesome episode, I'll allow it.
• Worst. Mom. Ever. She's a slayer.  She has tons of responsibility and she does it well.  And yet driving is too much?  I don't get it, Joyce.
• Giles getting hit on the head with the dodgeball is hilarious.  Especially since it's pretty impossible that he didn't see it coming.  His impaired vision includes lack of peripheral?
• Looks like Angel forgot how to put a shirt on again.  Shame.

We approve.

• Angel asks about Scott.  Aww, Scott (I miss you Scott!)
• Ethan Rayne!!!  You know it's going to be an awesome episode with Ethan Rayne in it.  I mean, this is a guy dedicated to causing chaos...so...there's a lot of fun times there.
• Oh man, they're continuing the stupid Willow/Xander flirtation thing.  KILL ME.
• Oh, Snyder. You're awesome.
• Did Buffy really not notice her mom until the camera panned over to her?  She's...sitting right there. Again, what's with the lack of peripheral vision?

Where's mom?

Oh, there she is.

• Giles is smoking!  Something evil must be going on!
• The old people partying...it just looks embarrassing.
• "Willow, that's a tree!"
• What's great about the writing is that the adults are using slang from their own teenage years and not trying to be like kids in the 90s.
• I'm glad Willow points out that she doesn't act like that...it's definitely extreme which is, I suppose, purposeful.  It's not just that the adults are acting like kids - but like drunk or stoned teenagers.
• "It just gets more upsetting" - Yep...
• Ok, cause like the mailman is reading the mail.  Is that really a teenage thing to do or a sociopath thing to do.  And...same thing?
• "Something's weird."//"Something's not?" Hehe.
• Oz mentions his parents.  I want to meet Oz's parents!
• I think this is one of Kristine's best-acted episodes, too.  I really believe 70s teen Joyce.
• Giles: "Hit him!" Hee.
• Oh no!  The tiny babies!  Well this has taken an interesting twist.
• Lurconis is a badly constructed demon.  It's just another penis.  I mean penis.  I mean snake.
• Giles/Joyce awkwardness!  While I love that this comes back in Earshot, I think it's kind of a missed opportunity right there.

A Note:

This is our first Ethan Rayne episode since the untimely passing of Robin Sachs, and we wanted to take this moment to remember him, and mourn his passing. Robin Sachs passed away on February 1st of this year, at the age of 61. Even though his character Ethan Rayne appeared in only four episodes in the seven seasons of Buffy, his impact was indelible, memorable. He was deliciously evil, just incompetent enough that even when Buffy caught him, it wasn't that big a deal when he would get away, over and over again. Also he was British, which always helps. And his presence on Buffy continued in Chaos Bleeds,  an awesome video game that starred Ethan Rayne as the big bad. (Missed Opportunity?)  Of course his work expanded beyond the Mutant Enemy universe, with many stage, screen, and television credits to his name, in addition to countless voiceovers. He left us before his time, and he will be missed. We thank him for his work, and will continue to remember him.

Crossfire!

Zelda vs the show:

"This is a big meal? It's only like four babies. It should be TWELVE babies."

Favorite Lines:

Zelda: Our title this week: "Whoa, Summers! You drive like a spaaaaaaaaaaz." - Snyder

Daniel:"Kiss Rocks? Why would anyone want to...oh." - Willow

Arc/Continuity Stuff:

• The Mayor and Trick are plottin' away.
• Snyder's here, but he's not in on the plot.
• Buffy's not allowed to drive.
• Gasp! Ethan Rayne is here! He is in on the plot.
• Buffy, Cordy, Willow, and Xander all have study hall together, which Giles typically supervises. Because of reasons.
• Devon and the band are here.
• Giles still has his eyegon tattoo.
• Xander has Cordelia's Homecoming Campaign flyer in his locker.

Stats:

Oz's Hair - strawberry blond - or as Snyder says, "You've got great hair."

Dead Humans - 1

Dead Undeads - 5

Dead Flashbacks - 0

Giles Unconscious - 0

Giles Cleans His Glasses - 0

Buffy Breaks a Door - 0

Evil Reveal - 0

Unevil Reveal - 0

Shenanigans Called - 0

Apocalypse Called - 0