(Season 3, Episodes 5-8)
The background of these four episodes is the slow burning of affection between Xander and Willow. We know they’ve had feelings for one another since the beginning, but did the writers have to wait until both were in relationships that I actually enjoyed to go and screw it all up?
They still haven’t figured out what to do with Oz as a character, so he’s been relegated to background scenery in most of these episodes. I wonder if this has to do with Seth Green ultimately leaving the show. You’d think you could use your werewolf a little better. 3.5 – “Homecoming”
(Original Air Date: November 3, 1998) So we finally meet this mayor that everyone’s been talking about and he’s … well … kind of a dork. It’s interesting that he’s played almost like the wimpy dad from Back to the Future, and yet he’s clearly feared by his underlings. And of course, there’s his demonic connection.
“Slayerfest ’98” was a fun idea, and I’m glad to see Mr. Trick sticking around. He’s an interesting foil, and almost as much fun to watch as Spike. I didn’t, however, expect him to get in bed with the mayor, so to speak. I knew the mayor knew about the supernatural aspects of Sunnydale, but I didn’t know in what way, or why he allowed things to happen as he did.
As for the “Slayers,” Cordelia was more effective than I would have guessed, though it was of course her sharp tongue that “staked” their prey into running away again. Those Gorches are good for that.
3.6 – “Band Candy”
(Original Air Date: November 10, 1998) Mr. Trick was up to his tricks again, but this time he set up one of the most enjoyable episodes of the entire run thus far. Damn, it was a hoot seeing Buffy and the teens struggling to keep the adults in check while they were regressing to their own adolescence.
I can’t decide if it was more fun seeing the younger badass Giles (no stammering allowed!) or Principal Snyder wanting to hang with the cool kids. I can just imagine the fun the adults of the series had with this one.
It’s always fun to see Ethan Rayne back, though I’m sure he didn’t think through Giles becoming “Ripper” due to his candy bars. What I’m less clear on is why the entire town had to be turned into reckless teens so they could steal four babies from one hospital room.
I expected a mass stealing of children with that kind of a set-up. There are far easier ways to take babies from one room in one hospital. I think that “tribute” aspect of the episode was the only disappointment, but I had so much fun watching everyone behaving so badly, that it almost didn’t matter.
3.7 – “Revelations”
(Original Air Date: November 17, 1998) There really needs to be a system in place to verify the identities of people who just walk in declaring themselves part of the Watcher’s Council or any other related organization. The Scoobies are so damned trusting.
It was nice seeing Faith have something to do more than just show up and kick some ass from time to time. There’s a good character there just screaming for more development, and we finally got some of it. Even if it was at her expense; she’s definitely in a worse place by the end of this one.
Fake Watcher Gwendolyn Post did manage to do one thing, out Angel’s return to the rest of the gang. That lead to some awkward moments and anger, but Willow (keeping a secret of her own *ahem*Xander*ahem*) was more understanding.
Xander, on the other hand, went nuts and helped convince Faith to go after Angel. Of course, in his defense it would have been more likely to think that Angel attacked Giles than a supposed Watcher.
As for Buffy, that was a helluva throwdown with Faith. And after they all realized they’d been duped, it was a helluva throw to chop Post’s hand off. Maybe next time they’ll do some background checking before they let someone new into their world.
3.8 – “Lovers Walk”
(Original Air Date: November 24, 1998) Guess who’s back? I love that Spike and Joyce have almost a mother-son relationship here. Considering Angel showed up and messed things up, we may never know if Spike had any other intentions with Joyce, or if he was just looking for comfort and support.
The evolution of Spike through this episode was just awesome to watch. He went from a heartbroken emotional wreck, to a psychotic emotional wreck, to a vamp with a mission to win his lost love back by being the sick bastard she first fell in love with. That’s growth, I guess. I do like that Spike has way more human emotions than most of the soulless vamps we’ve seen.
After a build-up through four episodes, the kiss scene here had to be the one Oz and Cordelia walked in on? It was clearly Willow and Xander believing they were going to die. It also lead to on of the more disturbing injuries on the show, with the rebar sticking out of Cordelia’s ribs. That in turn led to a nice misdirection with the funeral we were supposed to believe was Cordy’s for a minute. Bad Joss!
A few weeks ago I talked about how everyone was in a relationship on this show. Now, in one swift motion, nobody is. Willow and Xander’s kiss destroyed Willow/Oz and Xander/Cordelia in one swift movement. Angel and Buffy realized they needed to stay apart. And Joyce and Giles are just ashamed that they let teenage hormones get the best of them in “Band Candy.” Oh, and poor Spike’s shattered heart is what put all of this into motion.
Clacked by Jason Hughes 
on Aug 04, 2009 @ 09:00 EST5EDT
