Diary of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer Virgin – Mom knows, Spike’s betrayal, Angel’s soul, Buffy bails

(Season 2, Episodes 19-22)

Good lord, I’m not sure if more could have happened in two episodes than we got in these final two installments of season two. What a completely satisfying ending that absolutely makes me beyond anxious to get on with season three and see what comes next. We got major developments for Spike, Buffy, Willow, Angel, Kendra and even Buffy’s mother, Joyce.

2.19 – “I Only Have Eyes For You”
(Original Air Date: April 28, 1998) So why didn’t this ghost possess anyone last year? Or the year before? I think we’d have heard about it if there were Sadie Hawkins timed murders every year. And I’m not going to buy that he was drawn to Buffy’s pain, because he didn’t go after her until later.

I know he gave her a vision of him in the teacher’s classroom, but I don’t care. I’m being stubborn about this so I won’t be listening to reason. The ghostly arm in Xander’s locker doesn’t make any sense at all with the story, so what do you have to say about that?

I was actually a little disappointed that the ghost was only able to find peace through sheer luck. The fluke that Angel getting shot and falling over a balcony would of course not kill him was the only thing that saved Buffy from a possessed suicide, and allowed peace for the ghost.

The episode was important in that it appears to be setting up future problems with the mayor and the city council. Principal Snyder and the police are fully aware of the Hellmouth and seem determined to get rid of Buffy somehow. Also our little Willow starts her move into witchraft, in honor of the late Ms. Calendar, and Spike’s secret stands.

You did remember that he’s been wheelchair bound since Angel went bad, right? Yeah, he’s all healed up but pretending he’s not for some reason. Probably something to do with his hatred of the new and unimproved Angel.

2.20 – “Go Fish”
(Original Air Date: May 5, 1998) How do you clean the palette and relax the audience so they’re all the more engrossed in an intense two-part season finale? How about Xander in a Speedo? Well, there was more to this episode than that, but the very idea established the somewhat lighter tone of this episode.

If by light, of course, I mean a coach turning his swim team members into Creatures from the Black Lagoon and then feeding the school nurse to them is light. I think it is. Have you seen some of these other episodes?

There were some highlights, though. It was neat seeing a young and punkish Wentworth Miller (Prison Break) as an arrogant swimmer. Plus, Cordelia is a pretty talented artist. Willow’s loving standing in as a teacher, but loves interrogating people even more. Even if all she learned was that some kid peed in the pool.

2.21 – “Becoming, Part One”
(Original Air Date: May 12, 1998) I enjoyed the flashbacks throughout this episode, as well as the narrative, more fully developing the character of Angel. I think Mr. Whedon had plans already afoot for his souled demon by the writing of this script.

It was cool seeing those key moments of his past; the hot vampire who sired him, his torturing of Drusilla, being cursed by the gypsies and seeing that it was Buffy herself who inspired him to make something of himself and help fight the darkness. Whistler’s an interesting character, and possibly our first demon not on the side of evil. I wonder if he’ll be coming back?

2.22 – “Becoming, Part Two” – SEASON FINALE!

(Original Air Date: May 19, 1998) Principal Snyder continues his mission, whatever it is, in the town by expelling Buffy from Sunnydale High before calling someone to gloat about it. I didn’t realize how important of a character he’d turn out to be when he showed up to replace the dead principal. I suspect we’ll get more into that in Season Three.

Also for Season Three is the probable rise of yet another Slayer, now that Kendra is dead. But before we can get there, we had a lot to take care of here. Joyce, Buffy’s mother, lashes out in fear and frustration after learning that Buffy is the Slayer and tells her that if she leaves she can’t come home. So Buffy leaves. For real.

But not before a final confrontation with Angel and Drusilla to try and stop the demon from coming forth and destroying the world. A confrontation in which she interestingly works with Spike. Apparently, our bleached blonde vampire is jealous of all the fraternizing between Angel and Drusilla; that and he enjoys the all-you-can-eat buffet that is humanity alive and well on a world that hasn’t been destroyed. That part make sense.

An interesting alliance, made all the more interesting by the fact that Spike seemed intent to honor it. Of course, Buffy’s been nothing but trouble for him since his arrival in Sunnydale, so it should come as no surprise that he’d head off for sunnier pastures; and yes I know he’ll be back at some point.

Just to make sure that the pain and tragedy of life that befalls Buffy constantly continues, Willow’s spell to restore Angel’s soul just had to work moments before Buffy drove the enchanted sword into his body and sent him to hell; and yes I know he’ll be back at some point as well.

It must have been hell, though, to watch this the first time around and wonder about all these wonderful characters and what their fates would turn out to be. Next up, senior year! If Buffy can get back into the school, that is.

Previously on Diary of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer Virgin
(Now you can just click the show title under TV Shows over there on the right for all our previous installments. Handy, isn’t it?)

Clacked by Jason Hughes
on Jul 21, 2009 @ 13:00 EST5EDT