So, apparently, the Buffy writers were trying to kill me this week. This is the only explanation. Can you think of another one? I mean, a Calendiles reunion AND Xander and Cordelia hooking up? Like, on the regular!? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I died.
You guys, seriously. I died. I was dead for at least a minute. What do you want from me? At least I didn’t drown in a half-inch puddle. Which, by the way, Giles confirmed in these three episodes when Kendra asked.
Oh, holy crap! How do I not open with Kendra? Did you guys gasp at that!? Well, obviously not since you knew and whatnot. But whaaat? That was some cray stuff right thurr. I have to say, however, that there has never been a more unlikable awesome character ever. Ugh, it’s like Kendra is amazing but she’s also the worst person in the world with her stiff movements and the exaggerated accent.
And also what is WITH the accents on this show!? There are, like, seven of them. I’m pretty terrible at accents but what was Kendra’s? It was like a mixture of Scottish and Caribbean islander or something. It was quite strange. And what are the rules of being a slayer? I mean, are the slayers just sort of packed up in some room waiting to get a call? I was under the impression that if a slayer dies, then another one is “called on.” But I thought “called on” was, like, called on from the universe…as in they are born. But Kendra knew her whole life she was the slayer? IS ANYONE ELSE CONFUSED?
Okay, so this week I wasn’t able to make the live viewing because of reasons, which is why it took me a bit longer…not that that’s new. I don’t regret my decisions, but I will say that this crop of episodes had simultaneously the worst and best episode of the series thus far!
Have I told you what my favorite things about Buffy season two are? You know, beside the episodes getting better and whatnot? It’s questioning common English idioms! I LOVE THAT. This happened again in these crop of episodes when Buffy asked Giles the following:
I know! NINE YARDS OF WHAT? Just like “sore thumb” in the Ford episode! What do these phrases MEAN? My friends and family chalk it up to me thinking too much and overanalyzing everything, but guys, why WOULDN’T you eat cake if you had some? And aren’t people’s heads ALWAYS over their heels!? WHO COMES UP WITH THIS STUFF?
Oh, and my other favorite thing is Buffy’s dancing in the opening credits:
If you read that in the rhythm of “My Neck, My Back (Lick It),” that says more about YOU then it does ME. Anyway, thank you. I’m reminded of it every, single episode. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
But also, a moment happened during “Ted” that made me squeal. It’s when Giles (even though Cordelia’s face is on the caption) said the following:
More than I. More than I. Oh, my goodness. I shrieked like a little schoolgirl watching her favorite ship get it on for the first time. Why? Because the grammar is so correct in this sentence that I thought I was in another universe. This is also something my friends and family don’t get about me, but whatever. Most people would say “Buffy needs your help more than me.” But see, it’s “I”! WHY? Let’s just shorten this lesson and say that there are omissions in this sentence; the ending would REALLY be “…more than I DO.” But just because you don’t say it, doesn’t mean you don’t use “I.”
I was all
Credit to whomever made the GIF, who was obviously not me. It’s the same thing that happens to me whenever the radio is on and that “Titanium” song comes on and she goes “It’s you who have further to fall.” BECAUSE IT’S TOTALLY “HAVE,” not “has,” and I love it every time she says it! Or like whenever I hear “Boyfriend” on the radio and DRIVE MY CAR INTO THE NEAREST WALL TO STOP THE SOUND. No, I’m kidding. I don’t hate. But whenever Justin Bieber’s “Boyfriend” comes on, I always have to shout “WERE” when he says “If I was your boyfriend.” Conditional clause, Biebs, HELLO! I tried having this conversation with Gwen Stefanni when she’s all “If I was a rich girl na na nananananananaaaa.”
Gwen, Fiddler on the Roof had the correct grammar in their lyrics, Y U NO HAVE CORRECT GRAMMAR? (Don’t even get me started on how if you were a rich girl, that then you’d have all the money in the world is nonsensical. Like…wouldn’t having all the money in the world ALREADY make you rich? What!? “If I had all the money in the world, then I’d be a rich girl nananananananaaa!”)
Bet you guys didn’t think I’d sneak grammar and Justin Bieber into this, huh? I think the only surprising thing about this anecdote is that I still listen to the radio. What? My car is the worst. I call it the death box — getting a radio with an auxiliary input is NOT on the top of priorities. Look, I’m not insane. And I’m also not perfect. A very smart person once told me, “The only correct language is the one that communicates.” But when I see good grammar, I squeal. Harder than I squealed with Xander/Cordelia, obviously.
Okay, I’m blabbing at this point. Let’s get to it.
Can we just declare this the worst and move on? I understand that the episode was needed to transition into the following episode but oh, my goodness, could it have been more broken up and shaky?
This episode begins with everyone filling out forms for career week. I’ve never done this. Has anyone else? I mean, you can always sign up for an ASVAB test annually at school, but who wants to do that and then get inundated by phone calls from the army? No thanks. But anyway, our gang was doing it. And in typical fashion, Cordelia was thinking aloud with a couple of friends of hers we’ve never seen before and will never see again. In fact, this one extra knew it so much she didn’t let the girl behind her get any screentime.
See? Poor friend number 2, there. Whatever, it’s not like Cordelia will keep these friends come next week. Anyway, she and Xander insult each other and I’m like “Oh, make out already!” Little did I know that it would only take about another hour or so. I was so naïve then, so clueless. Ah.
Meanwhile, Spike needs some decoder so that some guy can do a spell to bring Drusilla back to full health. And then my favorite line ever, yes in the worst episode, happens:
HAHAHAHAHAHAAAA OMG BUFFY AND BUFFY STOP IT! STAHHHHP. You’re killing me here. Oh, that’s rich. That’s the good stuff right there.
Anyway, in this scene we learn that Buffy had hobbies and aspirations, which is my favorite thing about series when they decide to retroactively add stuff like this. She was a skater — an ice skater.
Anyway, Spike gets ahold of the decoder but they don’t want the slayer to get in the way, so the slayer slayer decides to kill her…by playing pokémon.
Sure they look more like Yugioh cards, but I never played those. To be fair, I never played Pokémon either. This was a little “eh” since Spike is SUPPOSED to be the slayer slayer and whatnot. So far, still waiting for his badassness but I’ll just sit here waiting.
Back at school, the principal is still all up in Buffy’s grill about where she is even though we’ve established that the school is (A) really big with a lot of students and (B) that Buffy isn’t really that bad of a student, especially the part where she saved his life or whatever. But that’s still a thing, so we’re just going to go along with it. Then, Willow was approached by two guys in suits when everyone else went on their career adventure.
Wasn’t that tall guys THE CREEPIEST? He was really creepy. Anyway, there she met Oz, whom I have not talked about because he spent seven episodes saying “Who’s that girl!?” so there wasn’t much to say. But now he’s going to be a thing with Willow and obviously I like it because Willow deserves everything nice and awesome and sparkly because she is the best thing ever.
Let’s talk about the bounty hunters that Spike sent out to kill Buffy, or as I’ll call them Pokémon.
So this eye guy came up to Buffy while she was waiting for Angel in the ice rink. But that attack seemed like a no brainer. Buffy was LITERALLY wearing blades on her feet. So she sliced him. And then she and Angel made out, it was kind of macabre romantic slash gross.
Then we got this guy, who I’ll just use a regular picture because now it’s a different day in which I’m writing this section and I don’t have the energy to crop anymore:
Wait. I’m pretty sure he turns into maggots. But, whatever, the joke is awesome OKAY? The Maggot Guy is much more important than This Eye Guy because he is the cause for Cordelia and Xander and also in that sense I love him, so I’ll just say that he’s here for now.
And finally, we have Kendra, who we thought was a bounty hunter but wasn’t.
Her getup sort of reminded me of Foxxy Cleopatra, as in Beyoncé circa Austin Powers but apparently, since I’m horrible at time periods, she’s dressed as the ’80s, not the ’70s, according to the show. Long sentence.
To make a long story short: stuff happens, Angel’s in danger, we meet this guy with another accent
(did everyone notice that NO ONE goes to this guy’s bar-slash-whatever it is? there’s never anyone here. and also, I’m just guessing this guy was Italian, maybe that makes ME racist…I’m horrible with accents, I don’t know! and lastly, the caption is obviously a joke because KENDRA hello!) and finally the episode isn’t good until Kendra goes, “Aym Kendrah, duh vamp-eye-err slay-err!”
Phew. Thankfully, we can move on.
Oh and also this lady died:
RIP moocher 1997-1997. And also, you’ll only understand that caption if you’re a loser who watches informercials all day, LIKE I.
The Grade: Ugh.
We begin this episode with Buffy saying “Uh, nice try but no I’M the slayer.” And Kendra’s all:
And then Buffy’s all “Okay let’s just talk about this with no physical violence, please?” And Kendra goes:
And so obviously I’m going to mock her Scottish/Islander accent the entire episode. They go to Giles and he’s like “Yep, adds up” so Buffy’s all incredulous about it.
And then Willow walks in and we have another overalls spotting.
I’m not much of a fashion…anything…but could there BE a more fashion backward shot on television? Where’s Xander when you need him? KendRAH doesn’t understand what a “friend” is, so Buffy tries to explain by calling her an “amigo” and this is now the third time Buffy has gotten Scottish/Islander confused with SPANISH. This town needs a Hispanic/Latino faster than you can say “¡ay caramba!”
That’s when KendRAH goes, “And duu allow dis surr? But duh slay-err muhst werk in see-creht…for sehcoority.”
WHY? BUFFY WHY? EVERYONE effing knows already. It would make zero people safer if they didn’t know, to be quite honest. So much so, the following episode is a good example of why not. I don’t even!!!
And that’s when KendRAH says “Oh, bee tee dubz, that guy your tongue was in gon’ fry.” So Buffy and Kendra go to save Angel, who has just been dragged by White Minority and given to Spike and his team.
But who cares? The important part here is Xander and Cordelia going to Buffy’s house — where he calls them the Scooby gang, ahhh it all adds up! — and the countdown to their smooching begins. The Maggot Guy keeps trying to ask for Buffy but Cordelia is just snapping her gum and looking at samples.
And then Cordelia says, “Nothing personal, but you should look into selling dictionaries.” HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHA
Wait.
OH HAHAHAHAHABBAHHAAHHHHH. That’s how old this show is, guys.
Anyway, maggots start to crawl down his arm. So she’s freaked out, as Xander is. And then this happens and it’s gross:
Do maggots/worms go this fast? And why didn’t they just run out the front door? I don’t care, because they get locked in the basement (THANK YOU) and start squashing bugs with their shoes in a scene I can’t believe PETA didn’t get up in arms about.
Y’know, PETA, the group that gets mad when people treat animals unfairly and showcase their mission statement by exploiting women.
Anyway, that happens. Meanwhile, Angel is in the sewers and Drusilla is really happy she’s going to be able to torture him
She’s all mad because he killed her family and made her insane and then turned her into an evil, demonic being, thereby keeping her insane for all eternity or whatever. Women! They always hold a grude, am I right?
That’s when Giles talks about how he knows what Spike’s plans are to Kendra and this weird dynamic can be summed up in one picture:
Basically.
Kendra is like the slayer Buffy could never be. Be careful what you wish for, Buffs. We later, through various scenes, find that Kendra’s sce-nah-ree-oh isn’t the best. And so while Buffy may want to lead just a normal life, at least she still has one. Unlike KendRAH.
Also, if I have another favorite thing about Buffy, it’s probably long one-shot scenes. For the most part, the show doesn’t utilize them correctly AT ALL, but I AM always impressed at the actors’ ability to get through an entire scene in one shot. Congratulations, actors! Fantastic feat!
BUT WHO CARES BECAUSE XANDER AND CORDELIA SCENE AGHHHHH. SCREW THEIR DIALOGUE, THIS HAPPENS:
OH MY GAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWD.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
I died here. Heaven was cool. LOLJK I totally went to Hell and it was AWFUL. Good luck with that when you die, you guys.
Anyway and then this happened (again):
Part of it was because it was much colder in my room than it was in Hell. And the other part was because OH MY GOODNESS CORDELIA AND XANDER KISSED ASGJFADFGJS;LGKASDF;;;;
In fact, thinking about it now even makes me weak. So much so, I’m going to go to sleep and resume in the AM. Cool? Cool.
Okay I’m back. So, after the kiss, they decide they needs tuh get out. But Maggot Guy was hiding on the ceiling and fell all over Cordelia, so she asks very nonchalantly to get them off. And Xander decides the hose is the best way.
I’m not even going to say the joke I had here. Just use your imagination, lest I’d like to be labeled as beyond gross. All I’ll say is that Xander was obviously lingering with that hose. And that’s TOTALLY something the writers put in so I’m not THAT gross! Basically, [metaphor].
So anyway, we’re back in school and by this time I completely forgot that there’s supposed to be a third bounty hunter, and it turns out it’s the police lady!
She shoots Oz and then runs away. So Oz is hurt but by the end of this episode no one cares and people still attend this school and no one has decided to get the eff out of this town already.
And then Xander meets KendRAH who is all tongue tied next to him, and he now has a slayer that’s finally into him. But he won’t be checking her out like so
because his mind is preocupado with Cordelia. This is where they find out that Angel will die if they don’t find him. And a lot of stuff happens, including Buffy and KendRAH bonding and then Angel, Spike, and Drusilla have a scene that’s DEFINITELY not a metaphor.
Oh so this show is going THERE, I see, Degrassi style. (Ugh that show always makes me feel so depressed when I watch it.) Not only was the [metaphor] fantastic but it also allowed me to experience another favorite line, which was “Rrrrr-ruff! Bad dog.” I know Angel whispers a lot, but I DEFINITELY heard this line loud and clear.
Anyway, fast forward and the ritual’s about to begin.
Sure, Buffy’s tied up, but this obviously wasn’t going to end well for Spike and Co. Then a lot of badass fighting happens and eventually Spike and Drusilla get stuck under here during a fire:
Then blah blah blah blah blah. And then once again I died.
And oh look at this! Another student-made sign that’s completely laminated and perfect.
And then blah blah blah KendRAH is leaving even though she should totally stay and help out and is all “Tank yoo. Dis is who yoo ahhrrr.” And Buffy finally gets it. And then Drusilla wakes up appearing to be sane enough from her sire’s blood.
Personally, I feel like Dru promises to be a better villain than Spike has been thus far. I’m going to stop listening to y’all about who’s badass and who’s not from now on!
The Grade: Muuuuuuuuuch better than part 1.
Okay, final episode. Hey, you guys should probably warn me when someone like JOHN RITTER guest stars! Okay, so to be fair, I’ve seen maybe two episodes of Three’s Company and 8 Simple Rules, but I HAVE seen every episode of Clifford the Big Red Dog. C’mon! Throw me a bone!
Ha! GET IT?
Anyway, I have some jokes for this episode that I will NOT use because then you guys would REALLY call me crude and so I’ll just stop that here and will instead just sort of review this episode. But I WILL say that I think “Ted” is my favorite episode of Buffy thus far. It’s weird, since I generally don’t like the standalone episodes but to be honest this is perhaps the first one that’s actually had any gravitas that seems genuine. Ugh, it’s weird, I don’t know how to explain it. But this was a really good episode.
And then I went back and checked who wrote it. No surprise here.
The storyline had the potential to get stale — fast. I mean, teenager who doesn’t like her mom’s new guy and then it turns out he’s awful? Sounds like that happens a LOT. But it was awesome anyway. Even though they had to revert Joyce back to horrible mother again.
“So your new boyfriend threatened to hit me.”
“Oh, Buffs. Please.”
WHAT? I was very not happy with that scene. I can’t even believe it was actually written. Am I supposed to take Joyce seriously from now on or…?
The point being that the level of emotion conveyed when Buffy “kills” Ted was almost heartbreaking and the layers it gave the storytelling was so dynamic. And the use of making Ted an actual robot, which could have been just lame, was so wonderfully woven to display the nature of a domestic abuser. Thankfully, I’ve never been victim to this, but hope someone else could find it…real?…in how it was portrayed on Buffy.
Elsewhere, Xander and Cordelia are making out in closets. Ahhhhhhhh!
And Calendiles have a reunion.
So, yeah, it was the best episode. I just don’t think the main storyline has been able to convey emotion and story this well. But that’s ME.
The Grade: Do you really need me to tell you!?
And that was another three episodes of Buffy. We continue this Monday at 9:30PM EDT on Twitter, #BuffyRewatch. How do we feel about bumping it up to 8pm EDT the following week? Anyway, until then Scoobies!
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Great review. I love reading your recaps. Warning though on asking questions, because you'll get answers from fans who won't respect your first time viewing experience and will spoil things rotten for you! With that in mind, I'll avoid addressing your question about how slayers are chosen and would ask that others reading this do the same. Just enjoy the ride. Oh, and be crude. Don't worry about the flames of fanboys, I think you'll find thier bark is way worse than their bite.
Also, regarding Spike. You hit the nail on the head. Dru is so much more of a badass than he is. In fact, I can honestly say I never got into his character.
while I did enjoy his character to me he wasn't the most badass because he seem like he was always trying to prove something (something that Angel didn't feel the need to). He had his bad ass moments but unfortunately Spike was a fool for love but out of the Fab 4, he is the least bad ass imo.
Motivations of why you do things really factor into if you are bad asses which is why I find it hard to consider Damon or Caroline as bad asses (particularly Damon), though the way Stefan gets his torture on is totally bad ass and also was less of wuss when he get tortured (yeah Damon seems like he can dish it but can't take it.
BTVS didn't really used Dru that well and once you see the whole story about what Angel did to her, it was really effed up.
Depends on definition of "badass". I'd say his determination and passion for what he is doing makes him quite a badass.
And no, sorry, no TVD vamp, not even Caroline, is in league of badassness or complexity of F4. They are in their own league. They are your classic "Interview With a Vampire" vampires - awesome, mysterious dark, messed up and badass, while "vamps" like damon and steffie do not even feel like real vampires nor someone who lived for this long.
Why? Because Damon and Stefan are VERY one-dimensional, while their age alone adds layers upon layers of character complexity for Angel and Spike.
As an east-coaster who has to be at work by 8:30 on Tuesday mornings, I am in favor of bumping it back to 8:00.
I am in favor of moving the rewatches to 8pm EDT! I'd like to hear some west-coasters' thoughts, though.
i'm gonna have to go ahead and disagree about dru. she's just so
whiiiiiny. i can't deal with her. i think saying that spike is super
badass may not be entirely accurate either, though. he IS incredibly awesome and easily one of my favorite tv/movie characters EVER, but it's not really about badassness. i'm trying not to spoil, but this is still pretty early spike. give him time.
Hm, I actually love The first part of Whats My Line purely because of the scene with Buffy after Giles "explains to her" about Assassins. When she is walking through the school uber-paranoid. Even something as "normal" as a school can be literally twisted into a battlefield due to the whole supernatural schtick of her life. The way she does not even go home to sleep really draws it home that Buffy starts to realize that SHE IS NEVER safe. The supernatural won't wait till she does her normal life stuff. It can strike, anywhere, anytime, anyway and ruin whatever illusions of normal girly life she has. Thus she goes to one person's place she feels safe with.
The second part is puerly awesome, because Kendra.
While there's no clear definition or explanation yet, Kendra represents on how "slayer" should theoretically be, what is expected of her by Watchers. A soldier. Friendless, emotionless, fashion-less, without any capability of questioning orders or normal life. Frankly its obvious why Watchers would prefer a slayer like that - Slayer essentially has a monstrous strength, sees mystical dreams and is generally very "connect-y" with supernatural. A slayer with free will, personality and life is hard to control.
As for "how slayers are chosen" - this episode does touch upon it. Watchers have methods to "determine" one's potential to be chosen, so such people are usually recruited and trained from early age by their assigned watchers, to be a perfect weapon. Slayer dies, another one is activated and watchers send her on missions or station her in important supernatural spot. The difference with Buffy is that she went on undetected. She lived a normal life. That's the difference between Kendra and her.
Kendra's strange Accent pretty much accentuates that too, I guess. She has had no social contact. She was trained from birth. She did not have ANY time to "chat" with someone. "Social Life" the idea of it means nothing to her and that shows in her speech patterns. Direct, unrefined, almost tribal, focused on objectives. After all, Watchers do not seek slayers for their talk skills. They seek them so Slayers can kill bad stuff.
Interaction with Buffy clearly changes her, little by little, she starts to show real emotion in her voice.
And at the same time, Kendra is used to showcase Buffy's nature as a slayer. "Its not a job, its who you are". And Buffy, her nature, temper, anger, wit- traits fitting a predator - its all what makes her who she is. Buffy CAN pretend that its just a job or adventure(like she did before she died), but she can't "quit it" or "escape it" . Being slayer is at her core. The Nature of Death, power, predatory control, its all in the very essence of who Buffy is as a person. those things are not something "done to her". They always were in her. As a potential of being chosen, being worthy. And she won't be able to separate her normal and supernatural lives, no matter how hard she tried.
Ted on other hand is plain awesome episode. The idea of Teenager rebelling against new father figure can get very stale, but Whedon escapes it by writing it in such a realistic fashion. Buffy is not "just throwing a rage-fit for comedic purposes" like teenagers usually are portrayed. She is having a real existential crisis of this man entering her personal space and "stealing her mother".
for the first time we see her "DEAL" with problems by venting out anger on supernatural, showcasing on just how much of her calling is an escape from her real problems, parents divorce, feeling that she disappointed her mother. Supernatural, her illusion of being this awesome hero who saves people as her job, is an escape from all of those problems SHE CAN'T fight.
Which is exactly what leads in her consciously trying to force a confrontation with Ted and his "death". Now, yes he is a robot. But that does not change the situation that happens. That does not change for BUFFY's character on what she did. That does not change for a police that Buffy did something like that even if "that man" disappeared and was alive. That does not change how she would be viewed at school by teachers and students.
problem being supernatural is not even used as an excuse for that, for the decisions that she made. her choice to do that was real, her reactions, everything that transpired afterwards, it all is impossible to erase - Buffy did something 180 degree different from her obsession over "morally right hero" idea. And that eats at her horribly.
As for Spike, well, yeah.
Spike seems to feel like he is "replacing" Angelus for Dru. Every action he did so far has been entirely Drusilla focused. he is not being "badass and evil" because he is that. he is being that because he feels Drusilla needs that. And that's why he feels so vulnerable when Angel taunts him.
That's what makes him such an interesting character early on. it gives him human-like qualities and personality traits unlike your usual vampire mooks, which is a given, considering he and Angel are two oldest vampires currently on the show. For a change from previous villain, Master, Spike is not just someone who makes stuff bad because he can or because he is the villain. He has clear human motivations for that.
no! way too early for us non East Coasters. ps the sexual harassment pic made me laugh uncontrollably for at least 3 minutes.
As an east coaster who doesn't get out of work until nine this would effectively end my Buffy rewatch on twitter.
Spike isn't awesome because he's a "badass" Slayer slayer. I think most of that is bravado meant for Dru's benefit.
He's awesome because his character grows and changes so much from when he was a real boy to a vamp to a ... I'll say series regular ... to everything else he becomes. Plus he has a lot of great lines, he's a romantic, and he has great outfits. I've always liked the character, and James Marsters is good with the dramatic bits.
James Marsters himself didn't really like that about Spike in the later seasons. I personally like how he was a charming bad boy but not in douche way that seems to be popular among writers today (again both Eric and Damon come to mind).
However Marsters was very convincing being Englishman to the point many fans thought that like Anthony Head he was from the UK, hell I didn't know until I saw an interview during season 7 (Anthony Head is the only person with the accent that its really his accent).
I would also say some of that bravado was about proving he was better than Angelus cause despite Spike being known for killing two slayers, Angelus's legacy was more praised than his legacy.
Agreed.
Spike is DRIVEN by the shadow, a reminder of who Angelus was.
Its not really about legacy, though. Spike does not seem to care about such things.He is trying to replace Angelus for Drusilla as well as, in his own eyes, be a better vampire than Angelus was.
He is smart, insightful, genre-savvy and at the same theatrical, intentionally indulging in certain tropes of a badguy
Spike to me seem to be about the legacy too because he even mention that he didn't like how Dracula's legacy being the be all of vampires (and sounded jealous and annoyed about it). He also seem giddy when he was being admired (compare to Angelus who got annoyed when he got praise and would then go kill the admirer). But then again how you were as human plays more of role than it does on tvd (I call bull on the TVD version of your personality being enhanced because then Caroline should still be neurotic) and I don't like TVD vampires not giving you the feeling they are over 100 years old and seen the world (I mean their reasons for loving Caroline and Elena are because they never seen people with their light...first off ewww, second off very lame). You got why Fab 4 attracted to the humans they turned and you got why Angel loved Buffy (because Buffy was truly different).
His problem with drac is the fanfaire. You know, fog, theatrical flair, etc.
So this dude shows off and suddenly EVERYONE knows how to kill vampires. Spike REALLY hates when someone pretends. He flared up in School Hard at Angel for doing that, and overall he is more "be as I am" kind of person. Living in this moment, doing everything and anything his heart desires. The rush of a fight, the danger of death, release of all the anger and all the emotions. That's Spike.
Angelus was methodical, calculating. A person to whom its not enough to just "kill" Dru, but he had to destroy her family, friends, etc first, till he finished his piece of art by turning her. He was not "angry" at Drusilla or anyone he killed to turn her. It was part of methodical plan of turning her. Even Angel seems to be VERY self-conscious of his image(How Buffy views him, etc) as well as disconnected from normal emotions, hence weirdness. I'd say this contrast is why Spike and Angel have such a rivalry and why they don't seem to be able to stand each other.
I would not agree with Caroline since I see her as an extension of her S1 development - she overcame her complexes and started to obsessively control them and that got magnified, making her most in control of herself out of entire cast.
And yeah, TVD vampires do not "FEEL" old. Do not ACT old.
With F4, there's certain sense of "wisdom" in them, for example how Spike reacted to Willy bringing Buffy to the church. They are old, very old beings. With different personalities and urges, sure, but none of them act like a generic teenager. They almost feel tired of those nonsensical "youngster" things, hence how Spike treats his minions.
Even Angel feels "weirded out" for being interested in Buffy and the show constantly reminds us in their relationship on how different they are mentally.
My problem with Caroline is she goes from effectual to ineffectual in matter of moments and her bouts of badassery seem forced. I mean she gets kidnapped the most and tortured but is able to beat up vampires older than her cause she upset (if emotion plays such a huge part then why was age factor and blood thing even discussed if just being more angry does the trick). I mean it made no sense that Mason could not be taken down by Stefan or Damon but Caroline could beat him up? Sorry but Caroline to mean and her development is bit over the place and at times unbelievable given how time works in tvd world. Vampire lore in TVD is crappy and JP and company seem to change the rules at the drop of hat like with the Sage thing.
Stefan for me still has making of being layered if the writers concentrated on the fact Stefan was compelled during his relationship with Katherine so how does that factor into his blood addiction and the if the writers concentrate on how does being compelled affects one's personality. Also maybe the guilt of killing dad affected him. At this point the turning of Damon is not important nor Katherine thing because Stefan apologize to Damon for it and Damon has yet to own up to Stefan his own part in the Katherine thing (I mean Damon's pissed at Stefan when he was aware Katherine wanted Stefan first and was quite aware of her being ho yet thought this chick wasn't feeding his brother blood...yet this Stefan's fault...again Damon is childish and he not layered because the root of progression is about being loved and I dislike the fact they basing Stefan's humanity on his love for Elena and Damon considering Stefan found his humanity before without those two factors before).
I going to stop with the TVD stuff but it hard not to pick on TVD considering the mess of what season 3 was (which is why I dislike Caroline at the moment as she didn't develop at all and was force into storylines she didn't belong in and yes Candice imo is a okay actress who greatly benefited from good dialog and screentime even when unnecessary, sort like Ian).
Love it, I am so with you on the proper english obsession. Song lyrics are a massive pet peeve of mine. To this day I cringe over a horrible teenage experience with The Backstreet Boys 'singing' All I Have to Give....'does his gifts come from the heart?' Are you freaking kidding me??And bloody Katy Perry...'I hope my boyfriend don't mind it' - it's DOESN'T MIND IT come on now!
Anyway.
I thought Buffy's mum was affected by those cookies Ted was feeding everyone and that was why she reacted so abnormally to Buffy telling her about Ted's threat, am I remembering that right?
Your Kendra observations are awesome, what WAS that accent? See this is why I am really enjoying the rewatch, I watched it all for the first time when I was much younger and less discerning and can't see the any absurdities myself any more because it all got so far under my skin at the time.
Re Spike, we are only in season 2, there are 4.5 seasons worth of character development to enjoy with him which I'm sure will make his popularity much easier to understand. It isn't necessarily a 'badass' thing in itself, evil shows up in Buffy in some pretty spectacular forms. It is more his broader presence throughout the show; some truly brilliant humour, history, depth, pathos and....um....abs.
Can't wait to read your thoughts on the next three. Heads up this time - you are in for a serious treat. I'm so excited we are up to these ones, YAY!
Yep, Joyce was pretty much drugged the whole time, hence her behavior and then sudden depression(relapse from the drug)