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Supernatural – Phantom Traveler

This episode finally sets up the “why” for future episodes. If Dean and Sam aren’t going to be following a trail of otherworldly clues to find their dad, they need to have a reason for coming across all of these supernatural baddies. Since word likely got passed around that John Winchester’s number was the one to call when dealing with paranormal events, having his voicemail message refer people to Dean’s cell is a good way for the brothers to find out about “jobs” in the future.

“Phantom Traveler” was interesting but not amazing. Jaime Ray Newman, whom I’ve most recently seen in season three of Veronica Mars, guest stars in the episode and gives a decent but unremarkable performance. I think the episode gave too much away at the beginning with showing how the plane went down – figuring out the why is what causes viewers to be glued to seats. Sometimes it works to have the audience know more than the main characters as it creates tension; here it doesn’t. It just makes Dean and Sam look slow for not figuring it out sooner (when in reality, they figured things out almost too quickly).

The one part I did enjoy about this episode was Dean’s fear of flying. Having a character that faces off against demons and ghosts without breaking into a sweat get all panicked about stepping onto a plane was a great stroke.

This season is beginning to remind me of season one of Angel, but it’s only a murky reflection. While many shows have a “baddie of the week” premise (from speculative shows with actual monsters to crime drama with murderers to catch), what keeps viewers watching is the team dynamics as they solve things. Limiting the team to only two members strips away most of the potential dynamics, but a show can pull it off if the two characters sizzle together. Sam and Dean don’t. They don’t even have an explosive secret to up the tension.

Another way this show pales in comparison to Angel (and most other shows) is the tiny amount of a long-term story arc. Yes, they want to find their dad. Yes, they want to find the thing that killed their mom and Jess. But that’s it, and those quests get far too little screen time. And there doesn’t seem to be any sort of plan toward finding either of those – just a whole lot of wandering and maybes. So frankly, I’m getting a little bored.

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Innocence

Or rather the loss of it.

This is easily one of the most heartbreaking episodes of the show. Angel is gone; Angelus is back – and yearning for a good kill. And to break Buffy’s heart in the process.

Buffy goes from waking up alone, to worrying when Angel doesn’t contact her, to reeling from his cruel words, to realizing he’s now a soulless monster, to finding she’s the reason he lost his soul. All in about 36 hours.

(Quick sidebar here on a couple Angel vs. Spike soul issues. I’ve read several posts and comments wondering why Angel didn’t just go through the demon trials to get his soul back – he wouldn’t have to deal with this annoying curse and he and Buffy could be together. The main reason? Soulless Angel – Angelus – doesn’t want a soul. Angelus would probably be willing to go through the trials just to KEEP from getting his soul back. Look how hard he tries to prevent in later episodes of this season and in season four of Angel. Spike wanted a soul. That’s why he was willing to fight for it. And one brilliant post I read talked about why Spike got such blind devotion from Buffy in season 7. Love for Buffy had cost one vampire his soul, and that “I am poison” mentality echoed through Buffy’s relationships thereafter. But Spike’s actions changed that. Now, love for Buffy had caused a vampire to get his soul back.)

It’s surprising how many of the significant moments in this episode and the previous one involve water. Angel jumping in to save Buffy at the dock. Their escape from the factory (and what follows). Angel stumbling outside in the rain just before his soul leaves him. Their fight as water pours from the sprinkler system at the mall.

With the Slayer an emotional wreck, it’s up to the others to figure out how to save the day. And Xander comes through brilliantly:

Xander: Whoa. Whoa! I… I think I’m having a thought. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that’s a thought. Now I’m having a plan. (The lights suddenly go out.) Now I’m having a wiggins.

Giles: And we’re absolutely certain that, that Angel has reverted to his former self?
Xander: Yeah, uh, we’re all certain. Anyone not feeling certain here?
Willow: Giles, you wouldn’t have believed him. He was so… He came here to kill us.
Cordelia: What are we gonna do?
Giles: I’m leaning towards blind panic myself.

Cordelia: This is great. There’s an unkillable demon in town, Angel’s joined his team, the Slayer is a basket case… I’d say we’ve hit bottom.
Xander: I have a plan.
Cordelia: Oh, no, here’s a lower place.

Willow also has a significant emotional journey in this episode, from finding out that Xander and Cordelia are together to gaining new respect for Oz.

Xander: Willow, we were just kissing. It doesn’t mean that much.
Willow: No. It just means that you’d rather be with someone you hate than be with me.

Oz: So, do you guys steal weapons from the Army a lot?
Willow: Well, we don’t have cable, so we have to make our own fun.

One thing that bugged me about this episode was that Spike was all fine with destroying the world, but by the season’s end he’s against it. Yes, it did seem to be more Drusilla’s plan while he was along for the ride, but it’s a little odd that his perspective would switch like that. Of course, the Judge’s version of the end of the world might have been nicer that Acathla’s. Or deep down, Spike knew that Buffy would stop the Judge (she’d always managed to pull out a win before). Or sitting around in a wheelchair for half a season gave Spike time to think of what things would really be like if the world ended. Or both times, it was all about Dru.

Spike: Are we feeling better, then?
Drusilla: I’m naming all the stars.
Spike: You can’t see the stars, love. That’s the ceiling. Also, it’s day.
Drusilla: I can see them. But I’ve named them all the same name. And there’s terrible confusion.

I think it was genius for the network to use this two-part episode, aired on consecutive days, to transition the show from Mondays to Tuesdays. (Hmm, looked it up to double check – yep, the show stayed in its Tuesday 8PM slot for the rest of its run. That’s when I watch NCIS now, which debuted the year after Buffy the Vampire Slayer ended. And when the show moved to UPN, guess what the WB replaced it with? Gilmore Girls. To think of all the drama I missed because I didn’t start watching live TV until 2009.)

I was surprised (and pleased) to see how strongly Giles was on Buffy’s side, even when it meant turning against Jenny after she hid her past and motives for being there. (To be fair, she was pretty harsh to Giles after he hid his past.) It’s a little sad, knowing that she’d still be alive if Buffy had been able to kill Angel at the end of this episode. But the implications would be farther reaching that just that. If he’d been dusted as Angelus, would he have still been brought back somehow? It’s never mentioned that the First or the Powers That Be could do that, but it doesn’t seem out of their scope. And of course Wolfram and Hart brought back Darla, so they would have had both the means and the motivation (wanting him to fulfill prophecy) to bring back Angel, and if they used the same method, he would have come back as a human, which would have created a whole different set of issues.

Wow, this post went off on an awful lot of tangents – hope you don’t mind!

The closing song of this episode always makes me tear up a little. I have it on my iPod just so I can play it when I want to feel sad or am already feeling sad (the same with “Goodbye to You” and “Close Your Eyes”). I’ve heard complaints that the song doesn’t really fit in with the rest of the show, but just read the lyrics. They’re absolutely perfect for this episode (especially the last line):

Goodnight, my love, my moment with you now is ending…sleep tight, my love, goodnight, my love, remember that you’re my sweetheart.

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Surprise

This episode’s opening dream sets just the right amount of foreboding and mystery for the episode. I love how Willow’s interaction with the monkey directly ties into her and Oz’s earlier conversation – she’s speaking French, and saying that the hippo stole the monkey’s pants.

I’m surprised Drusilla didn’t show up much in later seasons of Buffy and Angel. She’s a great villain – creepy and crazy and psychic and hypnotic. Definitely not the sort of person you want to meet in a nightmare, let alone for real.

Finding out Jenny’s past adds an eerie twist to the surprise birthday party – where is Jenny really taking Buffy? And is it just me, or does her uncle’s outfit and mannerisms seem very similar to Merrick’s in the Buffy movie?

This is the first of the “birthday” episodes, and probably the most significant, as Buffy faces losing Angel, at Drusilla’s hand or the Judge’s, or for months when he plans to leave. And in the end, she does lose him, in likely the worst way possible. How could the sex education class in the previous episode miss the consequence of “having your boyfriend lose his soul”?

“Surprise” also marks Oz’s initiation into the Scooby Gang, even though he doesn’t quite join in on research parties just yet. I love his calm response to the fact that there are vampires. Angel’s help researching the Judge has a touch of pensiveness, knowing this will be his last happy interaction with the gang for quite a while.

Giles: Still, best to be, uh, on the alert. If Drusilla is alive, it could be a fairly…cataclysmic state of affairs.
Xander: Again, so many words! Couldn’t you just say, ‘we’d be in trouble’?
Giles: Go to class, Xander.
Xander: Gone. Notice the economy of phrasing: ‘gone.’ Simple. Direct.

Giles: No, you won’t. We’re having a party tonight.
Xander: Looks like Mr. Caution Man, but the sound he makes is funny.
Giles: Buffy’s surprise party will go ahead as we planned. Except I won’t be wearing the little hat.
Willow: But Buffy and Angel…
Giles: May well be in danger… as they have been before, and, I imagine, will be again. One thing I’ve learned in my tenure here on the Hellmouth is that there is no good time to relax. And Buffy’s turning 17 just this once, and she deserves a party.
Xander: You’re a great man of our time.
Willow: And anyway, Angel’s coming. So she’ll be able to protect him *and* have cake.

I find it interesting that the Judge can kill on touch those with humanity, and some vampires have it (Spike, Drusilla, and Dalton) and some don’t (as we’ll discover in the next episode). Why is that? Was having that spark of humanity what made Spike able to change in later seasons?

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Ted and Bad Eggs

These two standalone episodes are sandwiched in between two important double-parters, and I wasn’t looking forward to rewatching them. But they surprised me, especially the first one.

“Ted”

I enjoyed this episode the second time through more than the first watching. Knowing what Ted truly was made him easier to stomach. It was interesting comparing Buffy’s reaction to having (as far as she knew) killed a human being to Faith’s in season three. And this episode was a fun precursor to season five’s robotics. Though I had to smile at Willow’s brand new 9-gig hard drive.

“Ted” also reminded me of season four’s “Living Conditions,” where Buffy “knows” that a new annoying person in her life is evil, while everyone else thinks she’s crazy.

Buffy: Vampires are creeps.
Giles: Yes, that’s why one slays them.
Buffy: I mean, people are perfectly happy getting along, and then vampires come, and they run around and they kill people, and they take over your whole house, they start making these stupid little mini pizzas, and everyone’s like, ‘I like your mini pizzas,’ but I’m telling you, I am…
Giles: Uh, Buffy! I believe the subtext here is rapidly becoming text. Are you sure there’s nothing you want to share?

Xander: You’re having parental issues, you’re having parental issues…
Willow: Xander…
Xander: What? Freud would’ve said the exact same thing. Except he might not have done that little dance.

Cordelia seems to have settled into the Scooby Gang, without a bit of whining about helping out. And is it just me, or did the shop they investigate look a lot like the set of the Magic Box?

My favorite part of this episode was Giles and Jenny making up in a rather awkward but sweet fashion. Their scenes have added poignancy since I know what’s coming.

“Bad Eggs”

A rather bland monster-of-the-week episode, with one standout aspect being probably more kissing than any other episode of the show.

Xander: Apparently Buffy has decided the problem with the English language is all those pesky words. You… Angel… big… smoochies?
Buffy: Shut… up.

The highlight of the episode was the introduction of the vampire cowboys, Lyle and Tector Gorch, second to only Spike and Dru for a hilarious twosome of vampires. Though I do find it a bit hard to believe they survived a whole century as vampires with their intelligence levels.

Tector: That the Slayer?
Lyle: Yep.
Tector: Ain’t that Angelus with her?
Lyle: Yep.
Tector: Well, how come she ain’t slayin’? And how come he’s about to make me blush?
Lyle: Well, I don’t know, Tector. And how come you’s always askin’ me so many stupid questions?
Tector: So, you wanna take him, or, uh, you want me to, Lyle?
Lyle: I say we leave it. Wait till she’s alone.
Tector: Why? You scared?
Lyle: Nope. I could whip ’em both right now if I wanted to.
Tector: Then why don’t ya?
Lyle: ‘Cause I got me a plan. I’m the one that does the thinkin’, ‘member?
Tector: Yeah. You do the thinkin’, Lyle. That is definitely your department. So why don’t you tell me again why we can’t kill ’em now?

Jonathan makes a brief appearance in this episode, but Oz and Jenny are noticeably absent, as well as Principal Snyder (shouldn’t he be the one spinning the cover story?). But the whole egg parenting was cute:

Xander: Well, you know, it’s the whole ‘sex leads to responsibility’ thing, which I personally don’t get. You gotta take care of the egg. It’s a baby. You gotta keep it safe and teach it Christian values.
Willow: My egg is Jewish.
Xander: Then teach it that Dreidel song.

While some of the visual effects of this episode’s creature were a bit laughable, the thing that jumps out at Buffy was definitely creepy.

Xander: Can I just say Gyughhh!
Buffy: I see your ‘Gyughhh!’ and raise you a Nyaghhh!

Can you think of a typical high school experience that didn’t get a supernatural makeover on Buffy, but you wish it had?

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer – What’s My Line?

“Part One”

This first episode of a pivotal two-parter sets up the story well. Buffy is feeling depressed about Career Week, since her future vocation is already set.

Buffy: Y’know, if you don’t like the way I’m doing my job, why don’t you find somebody else? Oh, that’s right, there can only be one. As long as I’m alive, there is no one else. Well, there you go! I don’t have to be the Slayer. I could be dead.
Giles: That wasn’t terribly funny. You notice I don’t laugh.
Buffy: Wouldn’t be much of a change. Either way I’m bored, constricted, I never get to shop, and my hair and fingernails still continue to grow. So really, when you think about it, what’s the diff?

Spike, Dru, and the book stolen in “Lie to Me” come to the forefront as Spike tries to find a cure for Drusilla. Spike is getting tired of the Slayer messing up his plans, so he sends an order of deadly assassins after her. I loved the way the episode sets it up so that Kendra looks like one of them at first.

Angel taking Buffy ice skating was a sweet gesture, and provided another opportunity to show Buffy’s resourcefulness with death by ice skate. Oz is back in this episode, and it’s the first time we see Willy (a bartender who caters to demons and the undead and tends to get beat up for information a lot). It’s also the first time the group gets its most prominent moniker:

Xander: C’mon, Cordelia. You wanna be a member of the Scooby Gang you gotta be willing to be inconvenienced every now and then.
Cordelia: Oh, right, ’cause I lie awake at night hoping you tweakos will be my best friends.

“Part Two”

Xander and Cordelia’s retreat to the basement after fleeing the maggot assassin leads to their first kiss of mutual hatred:

Xander: What, is he supposed to have an arrow with the word ‘assassin’ over his head?! All it took was the prospect of a free makeover, and you licked his hand like a big, dumb dog!
Cordelia: You know what? I’m going. I’d rather be worm food than look at *your* pathetic face!
Xander: Then go! I’m not stopping ya!
Cordelia: I bet you wouldn’t! I bet you’d let a girl go off to her doom all by herself!
Xander: Not just any girl. You’re special.
Cordelia: I can’t believe that I’m stuck spending what will probably be my last few moments on Earth here WITH YOU!
Xander: I *hope* these are my last few moments! Three more seconds with you, and I’m gonna…
Cordelia: I’m gonna what? Coward!
Xander: Moron!
Cordelia: I hate you!
Xander: I hate you!
(They kiss passionately.)
Xander: We *so* need to get outta here.

Buffy takes Kendra back to Giles, and we begin to find out just how unorthodox a Slayer Buffy really is. Though the explanation of why there are two Slayers brought to mind something that’s been bugging me since season six – why wasn’t there another Slayer activated at the end of season five? Did we just not hear about her? Did the fact that the death was mystical cause the activation not to occur (if that’s the case, I find it pretty hard to believe that not a single Slayer over the centuries died in a somewhat supernatural way)?

We finally get some Oz/Willow sparkage, with Oz even taking a bullet as he knocks Willow out of danger. I think they’re the cutest couple of the entire Buffyverse. I love their conversation at the end of the episode:

Oz: Oh, hey! (offers the box) Animal cracker?
Willow: No, thank you. How’s your arm?
Oz: Suddenly painless.
Willow: You can still play the guitar okay?
Oz: Oh, not well, but not worse.
Willow: Y’know, I never really thanked you.
Oz: Ooo, yeah, please don’t. I don’t do thanks. I get all red. Have to bail. It’s not pretty.
Willow: Well, then forget that thing. Especially with the part where I kind of owe you my life.
Oz: (pulls out a cookie and stops) Oh, look! Monkey! And he has a little hat. And little pants.
Willow: (smiles) Yeah, I-I see!
Oz: The monkey’s the only cookie animal that gets to wear clothes, you know that? You have the sweetest smile I’ve ever seen. So, I’m wondering, do the other cookie animals feel sorta ripped? Like, is the hippo going, ‘Hey, man, where are *my* pants? I have my hippo dignity!’
(Willow laughs.)
Oz: And you know the monkey’s just, (with a French accent) ‘I mock you with my monkey pants!’ And there’s a big coup in the zoo.
Willow: The monkey is French?
Oz: All monkeys are French. You didn’t know that?

We also get some hints of the past (and future) Angel/Drusilla/Spike love triangle, and Spike’s jealousy of Angel, which will play a major role in the final episode of the season. This two-part episode also shows that Spike’s obsession with killing the Slayer is growing, but as with Xander and Cordelia, seething hatred seems only a step away from passion.

Spike: I’d rather be fightin’ you anyway.
Buffy: Mutual.

Each had opportunity to finish each other off in this episode, but instead went to rescue Angel/Drusilla. And Buffy’s parting blow was to be the end of Spike according to the original plan, but the writers decided to keep him around. It’s also in this episode that we get a glimpse of Drusilla’s darkness and the part it will play in the future.

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The Dark Age

Aside from the “so over-the-top it’s corny” music at the beginning of this episode, “The Dark Age” is pretty much perfect. We know the scared guy walking in the night isn’t just an ordinary victim as soon as he asks for Giles (by the way, whatever was in his metal briefcase?). We know the creepy dead woman isn’t just another zombie as soon as she dissolves into a blue puddle.

And of course Giles’ past comes back to haunt him at the worst possible moment – just when things are going well with Jenny. Was this the start of Joss Whedon’s mean streak? I feel so sad for Giles at the end of this episode, but at least Buffy knows how to lessen his pain a little:

Buffy: And you know what? I have just the perfect music. Go on, say it. You know you want to.
Giles: It’s not music, it’s just meaningless sounds.
Buffy: There. Feel better?
Giles: Yes. Thanks.

I’m glad they finally did a Giles episode. Up until this point, he’s mostly been the smart one who gets made fun of:

Xander: Giles lived for school. He’s actually still bitter that there are only twelve grades.
Buffy: He probably sat in math class thinking, ‘There should be more math. This could be mathier.’
Willow: C’mon, you don’t think he ever got restless as a kid?
Buffy: Are you kidding? His diapers were tweed.

Of course, they only pick on him because they love him. Even Jenny gets in on it:

Jenny: Yeah, y’know how you have to dog-ear your favorite pages so you can go back to them?
Giles: Uh, uh, uh, what?
Jenny: Well, I mean, I practically had to fold back every single page. So finally I just started underlining all the pages I really wanted to discuss.
Giles: U-u-underlined…?
Jenny: But then, of course, I spilled coffee all over it, I can’t even read it…
Giles: It’s a first edition!
Jenny: I’m lying, Rupert. The book’s fine. I just love to see you squirm.

And Willow gets to go into teacher mode and yell at people again (is it any wonder Alyson Hannigan is a teacher on How I Met Your Mother?). This time it’s Xander and Cordelia, and for a moment, they look like they might kiss (though that’s not far away).

The pain that Giles feels because a demon has taken over the woman he loves seems to foreshadow the story of another Watcher, another innocent woman, and another demon, in another show. (Though that time Angel can’t save the day without terrible cost.) While this episode pales in comparison to “A Hole in the World,” you have to take into consideration that this is only the twentieth episode of Buffy, and Jenny survives. (“Passion” would be a better episode to compare “A Hole in the World” to.)

I think that Ethan Rayne makes almost as good of a villain as Spike (perhaps British accents are clouding my judgment? I’ve already determined that Mark Strong is far scarier with one). He’s a genius at out-of-the-box evil plans, like tattooing someone else to throw off a demon. And when a character introduced himself as Ethan Rayne on a recent episode of Burn Notice, I felt a tingle up my spine. Despite only having 4 episodes in Buffy, he makes it into the video game and the season 8 comics.

Does your favorite villain have an accent?

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Lie to Me

Joss Whedon recently gave the reason why the seventh episode of his shows’ seasons were often so pivotal and powerful – that was usually the first episode he got to write, and he “saved the best stuff” for himself.

“Lie to Me” is no exception. It’s where the season takes a darker, more serious turn. We find out Drusilla and Angel’s history and the reason why she’s insane. Buffy learns of her existence for the first time.

Buffy’s past also comes calling in the form of her old friend (and grade school crush) Ford. Xander, of course, is immediately jealous, but it’s Angel who senses that something’s off about him, and in a surprising move, turns to Willow.

Angel: I guess I need help.
Willow: Help? You mean like on homework? No, ’cause you’re old and you already know stuff.

And you have to love a show that’s not afraid to make fun of itself:

Angel: Things used to be pretty simple. A hundred years, just hanging out, feeling guilty… I really honed my brooding skills.

A key aspect to the story is the wannabe vampire society. (Now they’d just be Twilight fans. By the way, I love that the Spike comics make fun of Twilight.) It’s the first appearance of the girl who will later be known as Anne on Angel. I find it somewhat humorous that a group of people so into vampires doesn’t even notice when one’s in their midst.

There are still plenty of funny moments even though this episode is more somber than previous ones (something I miss in many episodes of Angel). I love how Xander keeps saying “You’re not wrong” when Ford says things that hint at Angel being a vampire. And I love how Willow is terrible at keeping secrets and how her mind goes off on fun tangents:

Buffy: Okay, Will, fess up.
Willow: What?
Buffy: Are you drinking coffee again? ‘Cause we’ve talked about this.

Willow: Okay, but do they really stick out?
Xander: What?
Willow: Sore thumbs. Do they stick out? I mean, have you ever seen a thumb and gone, ‘Wow! That baby is sore!’
Xander: You have too many thoughts.

Cordelia only makes a brief appearance in this episode (to ignorantly identify with Marie Antoinette), and Jenny is only there to give Giles a surprise date:

Buffy: Sorry to beep you guys in the middle of… stuff, but it seemed really weird.
Giles: No, you did the right thing. Absolutely.
Jenny: You hated it that much?
Giles: No! But, but, uh, vampires on campus is, could have implications. Very, very grave…
Jenny: You coulda just said something.
Giles: Uh, honestly, I, I’ve always, I’ve always been interested in, uh, monster trucks.
Buffy: You took him to monster trucks?
Jenny: I thought it would be a change!
Giles: It was a change.
Jenny: Look, we could’ve just left.
Giles: What, and miss the nitro-burning funny cars? No, couldn’t have that.

This episode nicely sets up “What’s My Line,” with the stealing of the book and Drusilla playing a larger role.

Spike: The bird’s dead, Dru. You left it in a cage, and you didn’t feed it, and now it’s all dead, just like the last one.

Ford: Oh, c’mon! Say it! It’s no fun if you don’t say it.
Spike: What? Oh. (rolls his eyes) You’ve got thirty seconds to convince me not to kill you.
Ford: Yes! See, this is the best! I wanna be like you. A vampire.
Spike: I’ve known you for two minutes, and I can’t stand you. I don’t really feature you livin’ forever. (to Drusilla) Can I eat him now, love?

I find it interesting that Spike kept his promise to turn Ford into a vampire, even though Buffy ruined all their plans. Was he that honorable, or did he do it to get back at Buffy? Either way, it nicely sets up the closing scene, as Buffy and Giles talk while waiting for Ford to emerge. It’s one of my favorite conversations of the show:

Buffy: Nothing’s ever simple anymore. I’m constantly trying to work it out. Who to love or hate. Who to trust. It’s just, like, the more I know, the more confused I get.
Giles: I believe that’s called growing up.
Buffy: I’d like to stop then, okay?
Giles: I know the feeling.
Buffy: Does it ever get easy?
Giles: You mean life?
Buffy: Yeah. Does it get easy?
Giles: What do you want me to say?
Buffy: Lie to me.
Giles: Yes, it’s terribly simple. The good guys are always stalwart and true, the bad guys are easily distinguished by their pointy horns or black hats, and we always defeat them and save the day. No one ever dies, and everybody lives happily ever after.

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Supernatural – Dead in the Water

I approached this third episode of Supernatural feeling a little ambivalent about the show. The pilot had been amazing and almost too creepy. The second episode had been a bit of a dud. But for most shows, the third episode plays a pivotal role – after episode one establishes the premise of the show, and episode two establishes the “formula” of a normal episode, episode three usually gives the best picture of the rest of the season, and sometimes the rest of the entire show.

(Hmm, just to prove that theory to myself I looked up the third episode of some of my favorite shows – so many awesomely fun moments – from John Casey throwing a microwave at a bad guy in Chuck to Spike making fun of Angel to Beckett grabbing Castle’s ear when he tries to overhear her phone conversation.)

So after the “previously on” section played (I seriously hope they don’t show clips of the pilot in front of every episode this season), the episode opened with a victim’s last moments while the credits blinked up on the screen. I saw one name and immediately got excited – this episode guest starred Amy Acker!

Best known as Fred from Angel, she’s also in Dollhouse and even a couple episodes of No Ordinary Family. I think it was brilliant to cast Amy so early in the show – Angel had only been off for a year, and Supernatural was aimed at similar viewers. And the show was nice enough to make her an integral part of the episode – not just a cameo walk-on.

This episode did a great job of making ordinary moments creepy, and the Winchester brothers played off each other much better. They actually seem like a team. The dialogue steps up a notch, too, with Acker delivering a fun zinger:

Must be hard with your sense of direction – never being able to find your way to a decent pickup line.

The brothers introduce themselves as Agents Ford and Hamill, a Star Wars reference it took me a bit to catch. And Dean shows a bit of his vulnerable side, but I’m still not feeling why thousands of fans are gaga over these characters. I’m hoping that will become more apparent soon, as the brothers are this show’s only constant so far.

Yet in all, I loved this episode, and am definitely looking forward to more Supernatural!

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Halloween

It’s my third time watching this episode, and while the simplistic plot failed to capture my attention during this viewing, I’m in awe how much the writers packed into a single episode.

First, we get a new reoccurring villain and our first hint of Giles’ past. In his initial moments on screen, Ethan Rayne seems to be nothing more than an ordinary store owner, with a kindhearted streak to persuade Buffy to get the Halloween costume she really wants. Instead, he’s into dark arts with a gift for creating chaos. In this episode, it’s having people turn into whatever they dress up as for Halloween.

That chaos is a perfect opportunity for Spike, who has been having his vampire minions videotape Buffy so he can study her. (And it’s kind of fun watching the minion mess with the dying camcorder.) This explains why we haven’t seen Spike and Drusilla at all for past two episodes. Having them as secondary villains in this episode is a good setup for the rest of the season. And Drusilla’s insane ramblings are hilarious.

Drusilla: Do you know what I miss? Leeches.

I was surprised that Cordelia didn’t know Angel was a vampire until this episode, so while rewatching up until this point I took note of their earlier interactions – nope, no game face slip-ups or conversational allusions (anything said was too vague for Cordelia to come to that conclusion). Having now seen all 5 seasons of Angel, I was curious to see if there was any hints about their future relationship. Even though Cordy and Angel do share a laugh in this episode, it’s far easier to see foreshadowings of Spike and Buffy’s future.

Spike: (chuckles) She’s tricky. Baby likes to play. You see that? The way she stakes him with that thing? That’s what’s called resourceful. Rewind it again.

Buffy: (to Spike) Hi, honey. I’m home.

And all of the core four have story arcs in this episode that will influence the future:

Giles is hiding his past, dealing with his evil counterpart (who will return), and showing that he does have some fighting skills of his own.

Willow learns to be more confident and stop hiding, and it’s fun to see her take charge of the situation while the others forget who they are. And Oz gets another glimpse of her (and we get another glimpse of Oz!).

Xander goes from having Buffy rescue and embarrass him to rescuing her (and getting to beat up the guy who threatened him). Plus all his soldier knowledge will come in handy later on.

Xander: A black eye heals, Buffy, but cowardice has an unlimited shelf life. Oh, thanks! Thanks a lot for *your* help.
Buffy: I think I just violated the guy code big time.
Willow: Poor Xander. Boys are so fragile.

Buffy: Hey, look, Xander… I’m… really sorry about this morning.
Xander: Do you mind, Buffy? I’m trying to repress.
Buffy: Okay, then I promise, from now on I’ll let you get pummeled.
Xander: Thank you. Okay, y’know, actually I think I could’ve t…
(Buffy is distracted and walks away.)
Xander: Hello! That was our touching reconciliation moment there!

Buffy doesn’t quite pull off the damsel-in-distress role (can’t imagine what Sarah Michelle Gellar would have been like as Cordelia), but she makes a good effort and really shines in a few places (including her scream when she sees that Angel is a vampire). The uncertainty in her relationship with Angel finally seems to settle as the episode ends – which is the first time that they really seem to be boyfriend and girlfriend.

I love how Xander acts with the kids he takes trick-or-treating:

Xander: Okay, on sleazing extra candy: tears are key. Tears will normally get you the double-bagger. You can also try the old ‘you missed me’ routine, but it’s risky. Only go there for chocolate. Understood? Okay, troops. Let’s move out.

If the Buffy comics go on long enough, I think it’s going to be fun seeing Xander with kids of his own. I also love Willow and Buffy trying to research Angel’s past:

Willow: True. It’s too bad we can’t sneak a look at the Watcher diaries and read up on Angel. I’m sure it’s full of fun facts to know and tell.
Buffy: Yeah. It’s too bad. That stuff is private.
Willow: Also Giles keeps them in his office. In his personal files.
Buffy: Most importantly, it would be wrong

I love Giles’ reaction when ghost Willow walks through the wall in the library. Though the episode does have a major goof when Giles and Willow confront Ethan in his shop. Giles tells Willow to leave, and we see her move the curtain as she turns, then we hear her footsteps and the shop door opening and closing as she walks out.

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Alphas – Pilot

I watched the pilot of this show based on three things:

1. Its basic premise. Though many are claiming it’s a ripoff of Heroes or X-Men, I never got into either of those so it doesn’t matter to me. I did see similarities to Fantastic Four and the movie Push – but when you have people with superpowers teaming up, it’s hard to find new ground.

2. Camy Tang liked the pilot and recommended it on GetGlue.

3. The show stars Ryan Cartwright (who played Vincent Nigel-Murray on Bones. I miss his British accent, though!).

I enjoyed the pilot. While it didn’t scream at me to watch the next episode, it intrigued me enough that I probably will. The guy in charge of the team (Dr. Rosen) is played by David Strathaim, who reminds me a bit of Dustin Hoffman. Azita Ghanizada has appeared in quite a few of the shows I watch (NCIS: Los Angeles, Castle, Psych, How I Met Your Mother, Veronica Mars, and Bones) and Laura Mennell has an impressive list of speculative appearances. And while I didn’t recognize him, it was fun to find out that Malik Yoba played Yul Brenner on Cool Runnings (18 long years ago).

One of the things I really liked about the pilot was the side effects/drawbacks the powers had. The guy with super-strength can only use it for about 5 minutes. The girl with enhanced senses has to block out her other four while magnifying the one.

The visual effects throughout the episode were fun to watch most of the time. The characters were distinct, and had a good blend of camaraderie and conflict. While the dialogue didn’t strike me as exceptional or witty, it wasn’t bland and there were a few humorous moments that held promise for future episodes.

One of the reasons I’m not anxious for the next episode is that the pilot tells a complete story. In a way I’m glad, as it seems Hulu won’t be getting more episodes for a while and I’m not sure I’ll be trying to find it elsewhere in the meantime (so many shows, so little time). But part of me thinks they missed a great opportunity for a good hook. It fits if every episode is going to be pretty much self-contained, but I would much rather see an overarching story. The ending of Hicks (Warren Christie) joining the team had pretty much been established by promo pics. However, many of my favorite shows have self-contained pilots, so that won’t hold me back from continuing to watch the show.

I just hope they’ll have a bunch of fun guest stars to spice things up.

Added note: I wrote this post before this article was posted, which has details on geeky guest stars (including the awesome Summer Glau) AND discussion on episodes being self-contained. I feel a bit psychic.

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Reptile Boy

This is such a fun, classic Buffy episode – laughable monsters, corny moments, plenty of puns, and a solid moral ending:

Buffy: I told one lie, I had one drink.
Giles: Yes, and you were very nearly devoured by a giant demon snake. The words ‘let that be a lesson’ are a tad redundant at this juncture.

I love the beginning of the episode where Buffy, Xander, and Willow are trying to decipher the plot of an Indian movie (sans subtitles). That’s one of my favorite parts of the show – the three of them hanging out together.

Xander: Hmm. And we thought just because we didn’t have any money or anyplace to go this would be a lackluster evening.
Willow: I know! We could go to the Bronze and sneak in our own tea bags and ask for hot water.
Xander: Hop off the outlaw train, Will, before you land us all in jail.

This episode’s monster puts a Buffy twist on the typical “secret fraternal society.” Burn Notice’s Coby Bell (Jesse) shows up for a brief minute as a new initiate.

A few things stretched credibility – like how Willow finding the exact right missing girls when other Hellmouth activity would be the cause of many more. But I love how Willow gave both Giles and Angel a talking-to. And how Willow and Xander react to Buffy fibbing:

Buffy: Well, say it.
Xander: I’m not gonna say it.
Willow: You lied to Giles.
Xander: ‘Cause she will.

For all the epicness of Buffy and Angel’s relationship, they’re not actually together all that much of season two. In this episode, they’re still in that awkward stage of never saying the right thing to each other. Buffy doesn’t want to be just friends any longer, and Angel knows dating will bring complications (though he can’t imagine the twist things will take).

Angel: This isn’t some fairy tale. When I kiss you, you don’t wake up from a deep sleep and live happily ever after.
Buffy: No. When you kiss me I wanna die.

And that’s a fitting intro to one of my favorite Buffyverse music videos (though I’m pretty surprised this quote didn’t make it into the video). It’s the first time I’m trying a video embed on this site. Like? Dislike? Let me know in the comments! And yes, there are plenty of spoilers in this video, so skip if you haven’t seen all of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel yet.

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Supernatural – Wendigo

So I finally got around to the second episode of Supernatural, and I wasn’t all that impressed. I’m still not feeling Dean and Sam as a team, and since so far they’re the only core characters, a lot hinges on the two of them and how they interact.

This episode doesn’t really have anything to distinguish it from any other monster-hunting show. Unwary campers are caught by an unseen creature, our two heroes come in and investigate, putting themselves in danger, and finally are able to defeat the creature and save the day. There’s the pretty girl to impress, and the stubborn guy who doesn’t listen and gets himself killed.

Aside from a decent soundtrack and a pre-Glee appearance of Cory Monteith, there really isn’t much to say about this episode. I’m not giving up on this show yet, since there has to be a reason it has such a cult following. I just hope I won’t have to get through all of season one before that becomes apparent. I’d put this episode on par with Smallville, to which I still haven’t returned.

I think the main thing I’m missing is humor. This show takes itself way too seriously. I think Joss Whedon has spoiled me. And the dialogue seems rather humdrum, too. I found myself wanting the brothers to find their dad just so the show could have a new character who might change dynamics.

The one part I enjoyed about this episode was the startling end to the dream sequence. It gives me a little hope for future episodes.

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Inca Mummy Girl

Poor Xander. He always seems to fall for the wrong girls. This time, though, it’s hard to blame him. The mummy had everyone fooled that she was an innocent, sweet exchange student. And except for mummifying people to stay alive, that’s basically what she was.

One of the highlights of this episode for me was the introduction of Oz (Seth Green). I love how he notices Willow in her Eskimo garb, at a moment when she’s doing her best to be happy for Xander even while her heart is breaking. I wonder how the show would have been different if Oz stayed through season 4 and beyond. The episode also has the first appearance of Jonathan, who will affect events into season 7. I’m mostly familiar with Danny Strong as Doyle on Gilmore Girls. Looked up a bit of trivia on him – he tried out for the part of Xander, and also went to college (and was in school stage productions) with the George Hertzberg (Adam in season 4) and J. August Richards (Gunn on Angel).

Other than the introduction of two new characters and a sympathetic villain, there isn’t much remarkable about this episode. Even most of the dialogue seems to lack its usual sparkle, though there’s still a few good bits:

Xander: What he lacks in smarts he makes up in lack of smarts.
Willow: You just don’t like him ’cause of that time he beat you up every day for five years.

Buffy: Oh! I know this one! Slaying entails certain sacrifices, blah, blah, bity blah, I’m so stuffy, give me a scone.

Oh, and since I keep bashing the Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie, I figured should at least finish it. I’d only made it through a half hour in the past. And now that I’ve seen the whole thing, I can say with authority – it’s awful. The only thing I liked about it was the actor who played Pike.

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer – School Hard

Enter Spike.

This is my fourth time watching this episode in about as many months, and I still enjoyed it immensely. I used this episode to introduce my sister to the show, and still think it’s a great first episode for those people you know won’t watch the whole series. Spoilers abound below!

Up until this episode, the evil vampires have been rather boring, comprised of ritualistic leaders and dumb lackeys (with the possible exception of Darla in the last of her 3 episodes). Angel has been his angsty self. And then along comes Spike, punching vampires, making jokes, and giving Drusilla his jacket. With a fun British accent to boot.

Spike: I was actually at Woodstock. That was a weird gig. I fed off a flowerperson, and I spent the next six hours watchin’ my hand move.

Angel may be the one who turned vampires into romantic heroes, but Spike made vampires cool.

I think it’s amazing how many of Spike’s numerous and conflicting facets make it into his first episode. His violence. His impatience. His signature attire. His romantic side. His arrogance toward authority. His underlying need to be part of a group (seen mainly in his conversation with Angel – he wants them to be “family” again). His tendency to get knocked to the floor by attacks he doesn’t see coming. His sense of humor. His love of rock music. His charisma.

While most villains tend to have motive and a personality quirk or two, Spike starts out as a fully fledged character who just happens to be a bad guy. It’s no wonder they decided to keep him on the show.

It’s fun looking at Spike and Buffy’s interactions in this episode, knowing what the following seasons will bring. His first words to her are, “Nice work, love.” And right before they fight, Buffy tells him. “No, Spike. It’s gonna hurt a lot.” That makes me think of the episode in season 7 where Spike tells Buffy, “Meaning I have come to redefine the words pain and suffering since I fell in love with you.” Hey, at least she warned him.

Even as an evil vampire, Spike has his good points. He cares for Drusilla. He respects Buffy as a fighter, and even honorably drops his weapon first. He does lure Sheila in and give her to Drusilla to kill, but he also sets up one of the vampires for Buffy to kill. He snaps a teacher’s neck, but also gets rid of Collin. Yes, he had selfish reasons for both, but the demise of the Annoying One should be celebrated by Scoobies and viewers alike.

In addition to Spike (portrayed awesomely by James Marsters), we get Drusilla (Juliet Landau) as another unorthodox vampire. She’s weak, gets visions, and is completely insane.

The main part of the episode is great, too. I didn’t get that the title was in reference to Die Hard until I read it in a review. But Buffy doesn’t spend all that much time crawling in the ceiling and taking out bad guys unexpectedly. The episode focuses on her trying not to disappoint her mother on parent/teacher night and trying to balance school, friendships, a budding relationship, and vampire slaying.

Xander: As long as nothing really bad happens between now and then, you’ll be fine.
Buffy: Are you crazy? What did you say that for? Now something bad is gonna happen!
Xander: Whadaya mean? Nothing’s gonna happen.
Willow: Not until some dummy says, ‘as long as nothing bad happens.’
Buffy: It’s the ultimate jinx!
Willow: What were you thinking? Or were you even thinking at all?

Giles: This Saturday’s going to need a great deal of preparation.
Willow: Well, we’ll help.
Xander: Yeah, I’ll whittle stakes.
Willow: A-and I can research stuff.
Xander: And while I’m whittling, I plan to whistle a jaunty tune.

It’s interesting that Cordelia joins them in the library, helping carve stakes – the first time she’s helping when she hasn’t been thrust into the situation by some outside force. Of course, the gang saved her life in both of the previous two episodes, so she kind of owes them. And in this episode, Willow saves her yet again. I love her “in danger” prayer, though:

Cordelia: And if you get me out of this, I swear I’ll never be mean to anyone ever again. Unless they really deserve it. Or if it’s that time of the month, in which case I don’t think you or anyone else can hold me responsible…

Snyder’s conversation with the police chief hints that there’s more going on here than meets the eye – something that won’t play out until the end of season three.

There are also a bunch of fun little moments throughout the episode. Spike asking if the Slayer is tough – and cut to Buffy saying “ow” while brushing her hair. Xander going through Buffy’s purse looking for a stake. Buffy catching Xander and Cordelia about to swipe veggies. The sugarless lemonade punch.

Willow: We can’t run, that would be wrong. Could we hide?

What’s your favorite part of this episode?

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer – When She Was Bad and Some Assembly Required

“When She Was Bad”

Season two starts off with an episode of Buffy being very un-Buffy-like, so much so that Cordelia gives her a talking to. The first time I watched it, I really got sick of Buffy’s ‘tude, but watching it now knowing she’ll get over herself, I was surprised how much I loved this episode!

It has the first Xander/Willow sparks, a glimpse of Hank Summers’ real personality to erase lingering hatred from the “Nightmares” episode, and brings Cordelia and Angel further into the group. Even the vampire scenes are less annoying than any other pre-Spike ones. And the dialogue is immensely quotable:

Willow: That’s what it was! I mean, why else would she be acting like such a b-i-t-c-h?
Giles: Willow, I think we’re all a little too old to be spelling things out.
Xander: A bitca?

Snyder: There’re some things I can just smell. It’s like a sixth sense.
Giles: No, actually that would be one of the five.

Buffy: ‘Come to the Bronze before it opens, or we make her a meal.’
Xander: They’re gonna cook her dinner? (pause) I’ll pretend I didn’t say that.

Buffy: Because I don’t trust you. You’re a vampire. Oh, I’m sorry, was that an offensive term? Should I say ‘undead American’?

Xander: Well, we could grind our enemies into talcum powder with a sledgehammer, but, gosh, we did that last night.

“Some Assembly Required”

Another great episode, with some foreshadowing of villains from seasons 4 and 6 (building a creature from parts and misguided geeks). Love-struck Giles has his first date with Jenny, hampered a bit by Xander and Willow, and of course, a bit of mayhem. Xander saves Cordelia’s life but ignores her gratefulness. Angel’s fighting skills don’t come into play as a lucky shovel strike sends him sprawling (stuff like that happens to Spike a lot in later seasons – I guess the writers don’t want them upstaging Buffy), and the jacket he wears throughout the episode doesn’t really fit his character.

Chris reminds me a bit of Oz (Willow even seems to like him a little), and is one of the show’s first “reluctant villains.” Even though his motivations are painted a bit broadly, it’s nice to have a change from “pure evil just for the fun of it.”

And this episode, like so many others, has great quotes:

Buffy: You also might wanna avoid words like ‘amenable’ and ‘indecorous’, y’know. Speak English, not whatever they speak in, um…
Giles: England?

Xander: Simple deduction. Ms. Calendar is reasonably dollsome, especially for someone in your age bracket. She already knows that you’re a school librarian, so you don’t have to worry about how to break that embarrassing news to her.
Buffy: And she’s the only woman we’ve actually ever seen speak to you. Add it all up and it all spells ‘duh’.

Cordelia: Hi. Sorry to interrupt your little undead playgroup.

Cordelia: Hello! Can we deal with my pain, please?
Giles: There, there. (pats her shoulder)

Xander: Y’know, this might go a lot faster if you femmes actually picked up a shovel, too.
Giles: Here, here.
Buffy: Sorry, but I’m an old-fashioned gal. I was raised to believe that men dig up the corpses and the women have the babies.

Xander: And speaking of love…
Willow: We were talking about the re-animation of dead tissue.
Xander: Do I deconstruct your segues?

Giles: Uh, Ms. Calendar?
Jenny: Oh, no, please call me Jenny. Ms. Calendar’s my father.

Giles: I just think it’s rather odd that a nation that prides itself on its virility should feel compelled to strap on forty pounds of protective gear just in order to play rugby.
Jenny: Is this your normal strategy for a first date? Dissing my country’s national pastime?
Giles: Did you just say ‘date’?
Jenny: You noticed that, huh?

Xander: Well, I guess that makes it official. Everybody’s paired off. Vampires get dates. Hell, even the school librarian sees more action than me. You ever think that the world is a giant game of musical chairs, and the music’s stopped and we’re the only ones who don’t have a chair?
Willow: All the time.

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