"Pangs" (4x08) quick link here "Hush" (4x10) quick link here
Three quick notes before we get started...
1) This review will almost definitely contain spoilers for episodes after this one.
1) This review will almost definitely contain spoilers for episodes after this one.
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With that being said, let’s get started, shall we?
This is the second episode of “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” in a row that is primarily comedic. It’s a Willow-centric episode that deals with Willow’s depression over Oz leaving Sunnydale and breaking her heart, and the repercussions of Willow using magic in order to try to fix her sadness. On paper it sounds pretty darn depressing, right? Ironically, this is one of the funniest episodes that the show ever produces. Giles is blind, Xander is literally a demon magnet, Buffy and Spike are engaged, and Anya is her usual hilarious self. It’s the perfect embodiment of be careful what you wish for (a theme that is repeated on “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” and “Angel”).
Before all the drama and hilarity of Willow’s spell kicks in, we first get to witness the ever-growing relationship between Buffy and Riley unfold. “Something Blue” is the first episode since Buffy has returned to Sunnydale after being in Los Angeles. For those of you that don’t watch “Angel”, here’s what happened...in the last “Angel” episode, “I Will Remember You”, Buffy arrived in Los Angeles to confront Angel for keeping an eye on her in Sunnydale during “Pangs”, without letting Buffy know that he was there. A Mohra demon attacked them, its blood mixed with Angel’s blood, and Angel became human. Yep, you read that correctly. Angel was human. Notice that I used the past tense? After becoming human, Buffy and Angel spent the day together in the sunlight, eating food off of each other, having sex, cuddling up, and generally having the perfect day. So why isn’t Buffy miserable during this episode? Because Angel realised that if he remained human, he was putting Buffy’s life in danger and was putting the lives of innocent people in danger by not being able to protect them anymore. He went to the Oracles and had time rewound so that the day never happened. Angel alone knows what happened during that day that he wasn’t a vampire. I’m still sad and bitter about all of this, by the way. I hate that Buffy can’t remember the best day of her life. I hate that it was ripped away from her. “I Will Remember You” was one of Buffy’s most significant episodes, yet she remembers none of it. As far as Buffy is concerned, she went to Los Angeles, confronted Angel, told Angel that he was right and that they don’t belong in each other’s worlds anymore, and that it would be best if they tried to avoid each other as it’s too hard to see each other.
As Buffy remembers none of her perfect day with Angel, it allows her to continue her budding relationship with Riley. We first see Buffy bump into Riley in the lounge area of the UCSD campus...
Riley: “Yes, I am a lesbian.”
Interesting timing when you consider that Willow and Tara’s romantic feelings for each other starts in the next episode.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Buffy’s hair looks amazing when it’s wavy like it is in the beginning of this episode. The purpose of this scene was to setup a picnic between Buffy and Riley later in the episode. I know that a lot of people aren’t a fan of Riley, but there’s no denying that he’s great for Buffy in the beginning of their relationship! Witnessing Buffy and Riley sitting outside doing something as normal as a picnic in the sunlight is so wonderful that I can’t help but smile. Buffy has never been able to do something like this with a boyfriend (or soon to be boyfriend) before. Nor does she have the opportunity to do it after her relationship with Riley. Buffy being the Slayer means that moments like this are all the more important. Her lifespan is significantly shorter than the average, plus her life primarily consists of darkness, fighting, and beheading tactics. I also get a lot of joy out of the driving being a metaphor for sex conversation. Buffy tells Riley that she doesn’t like driving. Riley explains to Buffy that she doesn’t like driving because she hasn’t had a good experience ‘driving’ before. She needs to relax and enjoy the ride...oh God, it all sounds so dirty when you realise that it’s a metaphor for sex, doesn’t it? All that talk of riding...Riley knows that Buffy had a terrible experience with sex with Parker. He knows that Parker slept with Buffy (see “The Initiative” for verification), then immediately dumped Buffy. He knows that Buffy is intimidated and fragile in regards to males and sex right now. He’s trying to reassure her that he’s not going to pull the Parker move of shag-and-run. He wants a relationship with her, not just sex. Of course, there is far too much cuteness in that scene, so it had to be ruined by a depressed Willow’s arrival.
After the opening credits have rolled, the episode returns to Spike chained to Giles’ bathtub. It’s one of the most ridiculously funny scenes and it’s used to setup Buffy and Spike’s engagement later in the episode. Spike is refusing to give away too many details about his time at The Initiative and his escape because he thinks that Buffy will stake him after he’s told them everything he knows. Everything about this scene is too funny to put into words. Spike’s drinking pig’s blood out of a ‘Kiss The Librarian’ mug through a straw. A STRAW. I have a 6” Spike action figure that has that mug as an accessory. It’s glorious. Buffy and Spike’s bickering results in Buffy deciding to annoy Spike by bearing her exposed neck to him. I’m not sure which I love more, Giles’ eye-rolling at the situation or Spike’s “Giles, make her stop!” When did Giles become the father-figure to Buffy and Spike’s childish arguments? Speaking of Giles and Spike...
Spike: “Come on now, it’s telly time! Passions is on! Timmy’s down the bloody well and if you make me miss it I’ll....”
Giles: “Do what, lick me to death?!”
Shortly after this, Giles and Spike watch “Passions” together off-camera. Giles also mentions that he wishes to shower alone. Does this mean that Giles has previously had to shower with Spike still chained to the bathtub or is Giles just commenting on the fact that he doesn’t want Spike in his bathtub? I really hope it’s the former. I can see it now...
Giles: “Turn around, face the wall, and under no circumstances are you to look at me, do you understand me?”
Spike: “Like I’d want to look at your wrinkly ass anyway.”
*Giles rolls his eyes at Spike. He enters the showers.*
Spike: “I never knew you had a tattoo of Ethan Rayne on your bum, Ripper!”
Giles: “...I loathe you...”
Where was I?
Oh, yeah! It’s also interesting to note that Spike is the only person that realises that Willow is falling apart since Oz’s departure. Buffy, Xander, and Giles are all under the delusion that Willow is coping okay. Spike’s ability to notice the subtle behaviour of the people around him will come in very handy later in the season (“The Yoko Factor”), when Spike is trying to tears the Scoobies apart. For someone without a soul, Spike is oddly perceptive.
Everything I have mentioned thus far is needed in order to setup the rest of the episode. Buffy and Riley need to have grown closer in order for Riley’s discovery that Buffy is engaged to Spike to hold weight. Buffy and Spike need to be arguing and annoying each other in order for their snogging and hilarity later to be as amusing as it can be. However, this episode is all about Willow. Willow is clearly falling apart without Oz. What’s interesting is that she seemed okay in “Pangs”. Was this all an act? Was Willow distracted from her depression by her deep views on the Native Americans and Hus’ plight? Or is it inconsistent writing? I think it’s a combination of all three. In a lot of ways, I feel like this episode should have happened before “Pangs”. Willow still being miserable is completely understandable. Oz has only been gone for about a month and they were together for almost two years. Oz was Willow’s first and only major relationship. This is Willow’s first heartache in this regard, so she has no idea how to deal with it. The great thing about Willow’s behaviour in this episode is that it’s so relatable! I’m sure that almost everyone reading this has had their heart broken by the end of a relationship in one way or another. What Willow is going through is something that most people go through. Trust me, I’ve been there. I dated a girl for 2 years, she dumped me. I dated another girl for 2 years, she dumped me. I dated and lived with another girl for 3 years, she dumped me via text message for her ex-boyfriend...geez, that doesn’t instil much trust in my loveability, does it? Trust me, Willow, I feel your pain.
At first, Willow is acting like most people do when they’ve recently been dumped. She’s drinking alcohol (Blink 182 is playing at The Bronze! I’ll love you forever, Blink 182!), she’s lashing out at her friends, she’s crying, she’s erratic...in short, she’s miserable. It’s quite distressing to see Willow lashing out at Xander, Buffy, and Giles. The one that affects me the most is Xander. Xander was being nothing but supportive to Willow, and Willow used Xander’s insecurities about his place in life against him. She made light of his sufferings at living in his parent’s basement, which I feel is very unfair. Keeping it in context though, Willow is going through a very emotional time, so we’ll cut her some slack. The difference between regular people and Willow is that Willow turns to magic in order to fix her pain instead of just working through the pain like the rest of the Scoobies have to when they’re miserable. Willow casting a spell to have her will done is one of the first examples of Willow trying to fix her problems through magic. This is a repeating pattern over the next two years. I do enjoy that Willow’s descent into using magic to fix her life is a slow one. It takes two and a half years to play out and then the last year of the show is Willow trying to live without magic again. Very good stuff! I also enjoy that Giles calls Willow out here over Willow using magic to try and ease her sadness. Giles is the only Scooby that seems to see Willow’s addiction coming long before it happens. Willow gets very defensive with Giles (which is a prelude to their conversation in “Flooded”) over her over-dependence on magic and it results in the first accidental spell of the episode being cast...Willow tells Giles that he doesn’t see anything. Giles becomes blind.
Amy Madison is back!...oh, wait...nevermind...she’s a rat again. Back to a life of cheese and an exercise wheel for another two years. Willow could have at least bought Amy a bigger cage! Or one of those cool tunnel thingies that runs along the walls of a room! Amy is supposed to be your friend, Willow!
While this episode is played entirely for comedy, I’d like to bring up two important points...
1) While Giles’ behaviour when he’s blind is funny, it does carry a darker undertone. If you go back to season one’s “Nightmares”, you will remember that one of Giles’ biggest fears was not being able to read. Giles’ place within the Scoobies is that of the researcher, the man with all the answers. If Giles is unable to see, how can he help the Scoobies? Giles relies on his intelligence and ability to research in order to feel important. When you consider the fact that he’s already feeling neglected and directionless, it makes me feel sorry for Giles.
2) In a similar vein, being a demon magnet is also something that Xander has had fears about before. Xander’s dating history consists of a giant preying mantis, an Incan mummy, a thousand-year-old former-Vengeance Demon, and Cordelia, who you could argue had the emotional range of a demon while in Sunnydale. If you take the exact same words that are used during this episode and display them in a different way, “Something Blue” goes from very funny to rather dark. It’s a testament to the strength of the writing that they are able to take these real fears, make them funny, but keep a small element of distress at the same time.
Then, we arrive at the funniest part of the episode, in my opinion: Buffy and Spike. Buffy and Spike are engaged! Damn, Miss. Summers! In the past week you’ve slept with Angel (which you don’t remember), flirted heavily with Riley, and got engaged to Spike. “Buffy The Vampire Layer” might be more apt at this particular moment in time (thanks for that title, “Friends”). This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think that season four might be my favourite season for Spike. Spike is generally a badass. Therefore, seeing him mopey, whiny, depressed, suicidal, and wearing Xander’s colourful clothes is amazing to watch. It gives us an entirely new side to his character. He is without purpose and directionless since discovering that he can’t bite people anymore. Instead of being a badass that everyone loves, he’s now a badass that everyone loves and feels empathy for.
“Mr and Mrs. Big-Pile-Of-Dust.”
Even though it’s not real, I adore that Buffy asks Giles to give her away. I don’t think it was the spell that caused her to ask Giles. I like to think that if Buffy was ever in a position to really get married, she would ask Giles over her father. Hank is barely in Buffy’s life anymore, whereas Giles, for all intents and purposes, is Buffy’s father. He loves her like a daughter, he protects her, he teaches her, helps her grow, helps her find her strength...in addition to being her Watcher (not officially at this point), he’s also providing Buffy everything that her own father isn’t bothering to do. Like I said in the last episode, “family don’t end with blood” (Bobby Singer, “Supernatural”). After witnessing Buffy staring at a wedding dress, Riley discovers that Buffy is engaged to a guy called ‘Spike’ (which, let’s face it, is a dog’s name). I know I should feel sorry for Riley here, but it’s too funny to not laugh. The look of confusion on Riley’s face is hilarious. Poor little lost puppy. That’s gonna make for an awkward conversation tomorrow...
Buffy: “Spike and I are getting married.”
Xander: “How?! What?! How?!”
Giles: “Three excellent questions.”
How is Giles still sassy and witty, even though he’s recently blind? That man is a legend.
D’Hoffryn arrives back in the Buffyverse and offers Willow the opportunity to work for him as a Vengeance Demon (perhaps to replace Anya?). When Willow sees the results of her spell and refuses D’Hoffryn’s offer, I was expecting D’Hoffryn to attack her or scream at her. Instead, after aggressively saying “that is your answer?!”, he sighs and gives her a talisman. What a wonderful demon! He’s so laidback...until “Selfless”. In “Selfless” he does the exact opposite of this. He seems friendly, but then turns on Anyanka and Halfrek. Interestingly, D’Hoffryn is right about Willow’s power. Willow’s power does turn into vengeance in season six’s “Villains”. D’Hoffryn seems to understand Willow’s need for magic more than she does at this point.
Spike and Buffy’s first kiss ends up like this...
Spike: “Bloody hell!”
Buffy: “*disgusted* Spike lips! Lips of Spike!”
Before the “Bloody hell!”, it was clear that Spike enjoyed the kiss. Even if he isn’t aware of it until the beginning of the next season, Spike is definitely having lusty feelings for Buffy by this point. Buffy, on the other hand, does look genuinely disgusted.
Buffy wanted “Wind Beneath My Wings” for the first dance...oh dear...
Spike succeeded in getting a cookie! Perseverance pays off, kiddies!
Riley: “You’re going to teach me”...did you have to end such a good episode on such a cheesy note?! It’s cringe-inducing!
Quote Of The Episode
Giles: “Spike, we have no intention of killing a harmless...creature, but we have to know what’s been done to you. We can’t let you go until we’re sure you’re impotent or...”
Spike: “Hey!”
Giles: “Sorry, poor choice of words. Until we know that you’re...”
Buffy: “Flaccid?”
Spike: “You are one step away, missy!”
Buffy: “Giles, help! He’s gonna scold me.”
With that being said, let’s get started, shall we?
This is the second episode of “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” in a row that is primarily comedic. It’s a Willow-centric episode that deals with Willow’s depression over Oz leaving Sunnydale and breaking her heart, and the repercussions of Willow using magic in order to try to fix her sadness. On paper it sounds pretty darn depressing, right? Ironically, this is one of the funniest episodes that the show ever produces. Giles is blind, Xander is literally a demon magnet, Buffy and Spike are engaged, and Anya is her usual hilarious self. It’s the perfect embodiment of be careful what you wish for (a theme that is repeated on “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” and “Angel”).
Before all the drama and hilarity of Willow’s spell kicks in, we first get to witness the ever-growing relationship between Buffy and Riley unfold. “Something Blue” is the first episode since Buffy has returned to Sunnydale after being in Los Angeles. For those of you that don’t watch “Angel”, here’s what happened...in the last “Angel” episode, “I Will Remember You”, Buffy arrived in Los Angeles to confront Angel for keeping an eye on her in Sunnydale during “Pangs”, without letting Buffy know that he was there. A Mohra demon attacked them, its blood mixed with Angel’s blood, and Angel became human. Yep, you read that correctly. Angel was human. Notice that I used the past tense? After becoming human, Buffy and Angel spent the day together in the sunlight, eating food off of each other, having sex, cuddling up, and generally having the perfect day. So why isn’t Buffy miserable during this episode? Because Angel realised that if he remained human, he was putting Buffy’s life in danger and was putting the lives of innocent people in danger by not being able to protect them anymore. He went to the Oracles and had time rewound so that the day never happened. Angel alone knows what happened during that day that he wasn’t a vampire. I’m still sad and bitter about all of this, by the way. I hate that Buffy can’t remember the best day of her life. I hate that it was ripped away from her. “I Will Remember You” was one of Buffy’s most significant episodes, yet she remembers none of it. As far as Buffy is concerned, she went to Los Angeles, confronted Angel, told Angel that he was right and that they don’t belong in each other’s worlds anymore, and that it would be best if they tried to avoid each other as it’s too hard to see each other.
As Buffy remembers none of her perfect day with Angel, it allows her to continue her budding relationship with Riley. We first see Buffy bump into Riley in the lounge area of the UCSD campus...
Riley: “Yes, I am a lesbian.”
Interesting timing when you consider that Willow and Tara’s romantic feelings for each other starts in the next episode.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Buffy’s hair looks amazing when it’s wavy like it is in the beginning of this episode. The purpose of this scene was to setup a picnic between Buffy and Riley later in the episode. I know that a lot of people aren’t a fan of Riley, but there’s no denying that he’s great for Buffy in the beginning of their relationship! Witnessing Buffy and Riley sitting outside doing something as normal as a picnic in the sunlight is so wonderful that I can’t help but smile. Buffy has never been able to do something like this with a boyfriend (or soon to be boyfriend) before. Nor does she have the opportunity to do it after her relationship with Riley. Buffy being the Slayer means that moments like this are all the more important. Her lifespan is significantly shorter than the average, plus her life primarily consists of darkness, fighting, and beheading tactics. I also get a lot of joy out of the driving being a metaphor for sex conversation. Buffy tells Riley that she doesn’t like driving. Riley explains to Buffy that she doesn’t like driving because she hasn’t had a good experience ‘driving’ before. She needs to relax and enjoy the ride...oh God, it all sounds so dirty when you realise that it’s a metaphor for sex, doesn’t it? All that talk of riding...Riley knows that Buffy had a terrible experience with sex with Parker. He knows that Parker slept with Buffy (see “The Initiative” for verification), then immediately dumped Buffy. He knows that Buffy is intimidated and fragile in regards to males and sex right now. He’s trying to reassure her that he’s not going to pull the Parker move of shag-and-run. He wants a relationship with her, not just sex. Of course, there is far too much cuteness in that scene, so it had to be ruined by a depressed Willow’s arrival.
After the opening credits have rolled, the episode returns to Spike chained to Giles’ bathtub. It’s one of the most ridiculously funny scenes and it’s used to setup Buffy and Spike’s engagement later in the episode. Spike is refusing to give away too many details about his time at The Initiative and his escape because he thinks that Buffy will stake him after he’s told them everything he knows. Everything about this scene is too funny to put into words. Spike’s drinking pig’s blood out of a ‘Kiss The Librarian’ mug through a straw. A STRAW. I have a 6” Spike action figure that has that mug as an accessory. It’s glorious. Buffy and Spike’s bickering results in Buffy deciding to annoy Spike by bearing her exposed neck to him. I’m not sure which I love more, Giles’ eye-rolling at the situation or Spike’s “Giles, make her stop!” When did Giles become the father-figure to Buffy and Spike’s childish arguments? Speaking of Giles and Spike...
Spike: “Come on now, it’s telly time! Passions is on! Timmy’s down the bloody well and if you make me miss it I’ll....”
Giles: “Do what, lick me to death?!”
Shortly after this, Giles and Spike watch “Passions” together off-camera. Giles also mentions that he wishes to shower alone. Does this mean that Giles has previously had to shower with Spike still chained to the bathtub or is Giles just commenting on the fact that he doesn’t want Spike in his bathtub? I really hope it’s the former. I can see it now...
Giles: “Turn around, face the wall, and under no circumstances are you to look at me, do you understand me?”
Spike: “Like I’d want to look at your wrinkly ass anyway.”
*Giles rolls his eyes at Spike. He enters the showers.*
Spike: “I never knew you had a tattoo of Ethan Rayne on your bum, Ripper!”
Giles: “...I loathe you...”
Where was I?
Oh, yeah! It’s also interesting to note that Spike is the only person that realises that Willow is falling apart since Oz’s departure. Buffy, Xander, and Giles are all under the delusion that Willow is coping okay. Spike’s ability to notice the subtle behaviour of the people around him will come in very handy later in the season (“The Yoko Factor”), when Spike is trying to tears the Scoobies apart. For someone without a soul, Spike is oddly perceptive.
Everything I have mentioned thus far is needed in order to setup the rest of the episode. Buffy and Riley need to have grown closer in order for Riley’s discovery that Buffy is engaged to Spike to hold weight. Buffy and Spike need to be arguing and annoying each other in order for their snogging and hilarity later to be as amusing as it can be. However, this episode is all about Willow. Willow is clearly falling apart without Oz. What’s interesting is that she seemed okay in “Pangs”. Was this all an act? Was Willow distracted from her depression by her deep views on the Native Americans and Hus’ plight? Or is it inconsistent writing? I think it’s a combination of all three. In a lot of ways, I feel like this episode should have happened before “Pangs”. Willow still being miserable is completely understandable. Oz has only been gone for about a month and they were together for almost two years. Oz was Willow’s first and only major relationship. This is Willow’s first heartache in this regard, so she has no idea how to deal with it. The great thing about Willow’s behaviour in this episode is that it’s so relatable! I’m sure that almost everyone reading this has had their heart broken by the end of a relationship in one way or another. What Willow is going through is something that most people go through. Trust me, I’ve been there. I dated a girl for 2 years, she dumped me. I dated another girl for 2 years, she dumped me. I dated and lived with another girl for 3 years, she dumped me via text message for her ex-boyfriend...geez, that doesn’t instil much trust in my loveability, does it? Trust me, Willow, I feel your pain.
At first, Willow is acting like most people do when they’ve recently been dumped. She’s drinking alcohol (Blink 182 is playing at The Bronze! I’ll love you forever, Blink 182!), she’s lashing out at her friends, she’s crying, she’s erratic...in short, she’s miserable. It’s quite distressing to see Willow lashing out at Xander, Buffy, and Giles. The one that affects me the most is Xander. Xander was being nothing but supportive to Willow, and Willow used Xander’s insecurities about his place in life against him. She made light of his sufferings at living in his parent’s basement, which I feel is very unfair. Keeping it in context though, Willow is going through a very emotional time, so we’ll cut her some slack. The difference between regular people and Willow is that Willow turns to magic in order to fix her pain instead of just working through the pain like the rest of the Scoobies have to when they’re miserable. Willow casting a spell to have her will done is one of the first examples of Willow trying to fix her problems through magic. This is a repeating pattern over the next two years. I do enjoy that Willow’s descent into using magic to fix her life is a slow one. It takes two and a half years to play out and then the last year of the show is Willow trying to live without magic again. Very good stuff! I also enjoy that Giles calls Willow out here over Willow using magic to try and ease her sadness. Giles is the only Scooby that seems to see Willow’s addiction coming long before it happens. Willow gets very defensive with Giles (which is a prelude to their conversation in “Flooded”) over her over-dependence on magic and it results in the first accidental spell of the episode being cast...Willow tells Giles that he doesn’t see anything. Giles becomes blind.
Amy Madison is back!...oh, wait...nevermind...she’s a rat again. Back to a life of cheese and an exercise wheel for another two years. Willow could have at least bought Amy a bigger cage! Or one of those cool tunnel thingies that runs along the walls of a room! Amy is supposed to be your friend, Willow!
While this episode is played entirely for comedy, I’d like to bring up two important points...
1) While Giles’ behaviour when he’s blind is funny, it does carry a darker undertone. If you go back to season one’s “Nightmares”, you will remember that one of Giles’ biggest fears was not being able to read. Giles’ place within the Scoobies is that of the researcher, the man with all the answers. If Giles is unable to see, how can he help the Scoobies? Giles relies on his intelligence and ability to research in order to feel important. When you consider the fact that he’s already feeling neglected and directionless, it makes me feel sorry for Giles.
2) In a similar vein, being a demon magnet is also something that Xander has had fears about before. Xander’s dating history consists of a giant preying mantis, an Incan mummy, a thousand-year-old former-Vengeance Demon, and Cordelia, who you could argue had the emotional range of a demon while in Sunnydale. If you take the exact same words that are used during this episode and display them in a different way, “Something Blue” goes from very funny to rather dark. It’s a testament to the strength of the writing that they are able to take these real fears, make them funny, but keep a small element of distress at the same time.
Then, we arrive at the funniest part of the episode, in my opinion: Buffy and Spike. Buffy and Spike are engaged! Damn, Miss. Summers! In the past week you’ve slept with Angel (which you don’t remember), flirted heavily with Riley, and got engaged to Spike. “Buffy The Vampire Layer” might be more apt at this particular moment in time (thanks for that title, “Friends”). This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think that season four might be my favourite season for Spike. Spike is generally a badass. Therefore, seeing him mopey, whiny, depressed, suicidal, and wearing Xander’s colourful clothes is amazing to watch. It gives us an entirely new side to his character. He is without purpose and directionless since discovering that he can’t bite people anymore. Instead of being a badass that everyone loves, he’s now a badass that everyone loves and feels empathy for.
“Mr and Mrs. Big-Pile-Of-Dust.”
Even though it’s not real, I adore that Buffy asks Giles to give her away. I don’t think it was the spell that caused her to ask Giles. I like to think that if Buffy was ever in a position to really get married, she would ask Giles over her father. Hank is barely in Buffy’s life anymore, whereas Giles, for all intents and purposes, is Buffy’s father. He loves her like a daughter, he protects her, he teaches her, helps her grow, helps her find her strength...in addition to being her Watcher (not officially at this point), he’s also providing Buffy everything that her own father isn’t bothering to do. Like I said in the last episode, “family don’t end with blood” (Bobby Singer, “Supernatural”). After witnessing Buffy staring at a wedding dress, Riley discovers that Buffy is engaged to a guy called ‘Spike’ (which, let’s face it, is a dog’s name). I know I should feel sorry for Riley here, but it’s too funny to not laugh. The look of confusion on Riley’s face is hilarious. Poor little lost puppy. That’s gonna make for an awkward conversation tomorrow...
Buffy: “Spike and I are getting married.”
Xander: “How?! What?! How?!”
Giles: “Three excellent questions.”
How is Giles still sassy and witty, even though he’s recently blind? That man is a legend.
D’Hoffryn arrives back in the Buffyverse and offers Willow the opportunity to work for him as a Vengeance Demon (perhaps to replace Anya?). When Willow sees the results of her spell and refuses D’Hoffryn’s offer, I was expecting D’Hoffryn to attack her or scream at her. Instead, after aggressively saying “that is your answer?!”, he sighs and gives her a talisman. What a wonderful demon! He’s so laidback...until “Selfless”. In “Selfless” he does the exact opposite of this. He seems friendly, but then turns on Anyanka and Halfrek. Interestingly, D’Hoffryn is right about Willow’s power. Willow’s power does turn into vengeance in season six’s “Villains”. D’Hoffryn seems to understand Willow’s need for magic more than she does at this point.
Spike and Buffy’s first kiss ends up like this...
Spike: “Bloody hell!”
Buffy: “*disgusted* Spike lips! Lips of Spike!”
Before the “Bloody hell!”, it was clear that Spike enjoyed the kiss. Even if he isn’t aware of it until the beginning of the next season, Spike is definitely having lusty feelings for Buffy by this point. Buffy, on the other hand, does look genuinely disgusted.
Buffy wanted “Wind Beneath My Wings” for the first dance...oh dear...
Spike succeeded in getting a cookie! Perseverance pays off, kiddies!
Riley: “You’re going to teach me”...did you have to end such a good episode on such a cheesy note?! It’s cringe-inducing!
Quote Of The Episode
Giles: “Spike, we have no intention of killing a harmless...creature, but we have to know what’s been done to you. We can’t let you go until we’re sure you’re impotent or...”
Spike: “Hey!”
Giles: “Sorry, poor choice of words. Until we know that you’re...”
Buffy: “Flaccid?”
Spike: “You are one step away, missy!”
Buffy: “Giles, help! He’s gonna scold me.”
FINAL SCORE: 8/10
What are your thoughts on "Something Blue"? Did you enjoy this episode? Dislike it? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments section below!
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Ah, I loved this episode! So many good lines! I was always a huge fan of Spike ♥♥
ReplyDeleteVery funny review! Love your script for the shower scene! .
ReplyDeleteGreat episode. ASH is brilliant as always!
Loved this ep, hilarious! I too felt Willow's pain. But her spells were not only literal they also foreshadowed a lot. Giles literally could not SEE the pain Buffy was in ( or didn't WANT to) after season 5 and left her and told himself it was for her own good. Xander continued to attract demons (see season 7). Ironically out in LA Cordelia eventually became part and then fully demonically possessed. Buffy and Spike DID get involved. As far as Spike being intuitive this may be residual from his life as William the poet.
ReplyDeleteI have to wonder about the spell. Did it 1- fail because inexperienced Willow made a mistake in casting it 2- fail because it was a powerful wish spell and Willow doesn't have the power and tehcnique to cotnrol a spell like that yet, even if it were doen correctly, 3-work correctly because she didn't know that it was a spell to make not desires but ideas real?
ReplyDeleteI play with some of these ideas in my fics. In one , Kennedy suggets a wish spell and Willow says wishes go right thru the caster and she'snot ready to try controlling one yet. (and in another story, one of Xander's less obnoxious cousins marries one of Anya's guests at the wedding that wasn't. D'C'A'