Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season 3
3.01 Anne
A fairly
average episode. Buffy’s departure from Sunnydale has left her friends in an
unpleasant and dangerous situation. The scenes where the Slayerettes start
school without Buffy oddly lacks spark and it does seem a little selfish on
Buffy’s part to leave. She is working as a waitress where she re-meets Lily
(from Lie To Me) who is quite simply one of the best characters onscreen here.
Her life is clearly sad and difficult, relying on the love of her boyfriend and
the need to belong. However, there is a sinister plot at play as Ken, the
creepy guy who hands out pamphlets is far more than what he seems. As this plot
is brought to the fore and a sinister labour factory is defeated, there are
some nice ideas on display here. They are all very dark, though. The best scene of the episode, suggesting
some of the emotional maturity of the previous season, is Joyce blaming Giles
for her daughter’s departure. It’s heartbreaking and incredibly well-written.
In fact, all of this episode is overshadowed by Buffy’s decision to leave home,
her sadness at this and her inability to decide who she is. The problem with
this is that her life actually seems comparatively easier than those who live
on the streets as the montage of the homeless suggests. Overall, an episode
where every member of the cast is depressed and seems to be missing a spark and
the audience is unfortunately left feeling the same way. A fairly disappointing
start to the season.
VERDICT: 5.5/10
3.02 Dead Man's Party
Probably one of
my least favourite Buffy episodes so far. It’s depressing and unpleasant,
seeing the effect that Buffy’s departure had on her friends. There is a lack of
understanding for all parties involved and again it just feels like this
episode is going through the motions and again lacks that elusive spark that
made this series so enjoyable even when it was sad (looking at you Becoming – Part 2). There are several
moments through this episode where I considered giving up and the fight scene
that the episode seems to be working up to is weak. The killing of Pat seems a
bit off seeing this was the woman who had helped Joyce, but yeah… not a fun
episode. Very, very weak, but I suppose it had to happen for the characters. I
just wish it had been more enjoyable, exciting and fresh. Instead it feels
stale and unpleasant.
VERDICT: 4/10
A return to
form of sorts after the disappointments of this season. The introduction of
Faith and the return of Buffy to school adds some much needed spark, especially
the new ‘zesty’ slayer. She somehow manages to be frustrating, charming and
emotionally unstable all at the same time but I do think that it was wrong of
Buffy’s allies to associate themselves so strongly with Faith, when their very
own Slayer has only just come back after a pretty horrid time of it. In fact,
the events of Becoming provide some
of the strongest material in this episode, particularly as Scott gives Buffy
the ring which is incredibly moving for such a simple scene. Another strong
scene is when she finally tells Willow and Giles what happened between her and
Angel on that fateful day. I love that Giles deliberately invented a fictional
spell because he knew that more must have happened with Buffy. What is odd
about the series at the moment is that the usually prominent Slayorettes
(Willow, Xander, Cordelia and Oz) are largely in the background at the moment.
As this is their final year of high school, I sincerely hope that they start
driving plots again as opposed to feeling like parts of the scenery. The ending
featuring the return of Angel and the overall quality of this episode
(particularly Faith who was just what this series needed after they’ve all been
getting quite depressed recently) bodes well for the rest of the season. While
it is not enough to completely restore one’s faith (geddit?) in the series, it
is certainly a marked increase in enjoyability.
3.03 Faith, Hope & Trick
VERDICT: 7.5/10
3.04 Beauty And The Beasts
VERDICT: 6/10
3.05 Homecoming
To answer my
previous review, here it is! This is immensely entertaining as Buffy and Cordy
fight for the title of Homecoming Queen and Mr Trick has teamed up with a
mysterious new party to kill Buffy in the ingeniously named Slayfest ’98 (that
would have been cool as the title). It is good to see Buffy return to the fact
that she is a school girl who just happens to fight monsters. This is pointed
out by Scott as he dumps her (which feels very sudden. It looks like it’s
played for laughs, but it doesn’t work, especially after the pain of Angel)
when he states that she used to be ‘a force of nature’ but now she’s just gone
a bit flat. This seems almost to be viewers of the series and Buffy counteracts
that with the promise that she’s getting better. The show is promising us that
it will get better and then pulls off a blockbuster episode to prove it. The
actual moment where Cordy and Buffy get trapped in the forest with traps and
killers is immensely cool. They are forced to work together but also clearly dislike
one another and there are some genuinely funny moments (Buffy telling Cordelia
to go back to the spatula, the Spiky-Headed guy running into a boarded up
window) before a rocket launcher blows up the cabin as Buffy and Cordelia are
forced to the ground. This is how you do cool, Buffy. The final revelation of
who exactly is Homecoming Queen is a genius mis-step as there is a tie but it
isn’t who you would expect. Also, the introduction of the mayor who has been
ominously mentioned throughout and is obsessed with cleaning creates a new Big Bad
to make life hell for the Slayorettes, suggesting good omens for the rest of
the season. A genuinely hilarious, amusing and epic story that brings the cool
back into Buffy. More like this
please.
VERDICT: 9.5/10
Another
enjoyable episode featuring the adults regressing to teenage-like states. What
is perhaps most astonishing about this episode is how convincing Giles is. His
voice changes and there’s something but disturbing and funny while he’s like
this. Also, seeing him kiss Joyce feels very odd but this episode revels in
seeing characters that we know and love doing things that we wouldn’t usually
associate them doing. Also, seeing him kiss Joyce feels very odd but this
episode revels in seeing characters that we know and love doing things that we
wouldn’t usually associate them doing. Ethan’s return in this episode is clever
and I love the explanation; that they were doing it as a distraction. This is
quite different than the Master, Spike or Angelus who wouldn’t have really
cared who got killed in the meantime. The mayor continues to be a little creepy
and Mr Trick is a very charming villain. One question though, where does Faith
go when she’s not in these episodes? She probably had no idea about what had
happened because the owner wouldn’t have been given the candy. Interesting…
Overall, an enjoyable and clever little episode that doesn’t try to be more
than what it is; a truly amusing comedy with some nasty elements (the whole
baby stealing thing with the giant snake… Creepy).
3.06 Band Candy
VERDICT: 9.5/10
3.07 Revelations
Another fairly
average episode. What is odd at the moment is that, for the first few episodes
of this season, most of the intense drama has come from characters who are
friends very much disliking one another. Anne
saw Joyce blaming Giles, Dead Man’s Party
had everyone hating Buffy, Beauty And The
Beasts had everyone mistrusting Oz, Homecoming
had the rivalry and dislike between the Slayer and Cordelia while this episode
has everyone disliking Buffy again. It actually makes this opening quite
unpleasant and at odds with the previous two seasons which relied on the
strength that they managed to draw from one another during difficult times. At
the moment, it feels like they have been forced together. Xander is suffering
the most because of this and at various times, he varies from unlikeable and
annoying to plain hateful (particularly during the Demon Intervention, where he
brings up Jenny Calendar which is just low). I do hope they start liking one
another again… Anyway, this episode focuses on the arrival of a new Watcher for
Faith. She’s so strict and uptight that it really isn’t a surprise that she’s a
baddy. Also, the final scene where Buffy tries to comfort Faith comes across as
strange because Faith hadn’t really known her Watcher for all that long and
they aren’t really seen to be bonding (although, the training could have been
this opportunity). On the point of the major plot, the re-introduction of Angel
to the main characters is good, because it was beginning to feel a bit tired
with him being her spirit guide (as the yoga scene early in this episode
suggests). Anyway, a disappointing episode characterisation-wise. Again, there
seems to be a lack of understanding between the Slayorettes which makes for
depressing and challenging viewing (the fight between Buffy and Cordelia is
amazing, though) and not in a good way.
VERDICT: 6.5/10
3.08 Lover's Walk
One of the best
episodes for a while, despite the fact that it continues the disliking one
another of the main characters. This time, however, it’s done in a way that is
dramatic and moving. Spike returns and Xander and Willow’s affair is revealed.
The return of Spike is not as fun as you’d expect because he’s perpetually
drunk, depressed and moping over the separation with Drusilla. It’s quite
interesting seeing an enjoyable character take a dark turn and the way he
departs at the end of the episode is genius, as Spike seems to realise that the
search for the potion is pointless, which the viewer knew all along. The plot
surrounding Willow and Xander is sad in the extreme as Xander’s life is put in
danger and they bond strongly. The love between these two (although up until
the end of season 2 it was very one-sided) has been one of the major running
arcs so to see it be realised in such a painful and selfish (looking at you
Xander. Willow was finally getting over him and started dating Oz when he
realised he loved her, ignoring Cordy’s feelings and acting on his own needs)
way is difficult to see, but in a satisfying way, especially when it culminates
in Cordelia’s ‘death’ which is shocking and then ingenious. Again, another
episode which ends in a way that makes the lives of these characters worse than
when they started (Xander, Willow, Oz, Cordelia, Buffy and Angel are all alone
and sad), but in a way that seems logical and not as manipulative as the rest
of this season has been. Come on Buffy,
you need to give your characters a break. Sometimes.
VERDICT: 8.5/10
An exceptional
episode! A return to many of the arcs from season one (including the return of
the Master. I had forgotten how creepy it was) and featuring a Vampire Willow
and Xander, this is just incredibly well done. Quite scary but also a mediation
on the relationship between the characters, especially in the deeply moving
final slow-motion scene which allows many of the regular characters to kill of
their respective partners (eg; Xander kills Cordelia, Oz kills Willow, Angel
sacrifices himself for Buffy, made even more moving by the fact that it is
strongly implied that he was aware of the other timeline) as well as a small
bit of hope from Giles as Anya asks him how he knows that the other world is
better than this one. His reply of because it has to be is surprisingly
tear-jerking. A great story with some incredible moments and ideas (that
machine!), this is just amazing. It takes the characters hating one another to
extremes though and actually has very little impact on the arcs (as apart from
Anya, no-one appears to remember) and still remains an enjoyable episode that
is one of the best so far.
3.09 The Wish
VERDICT: 10/10
3.10 Amends
Just once Buffy has a happy ending! However, it’s
a long and painful road to get there as some of the darkest of Angel’s evils
are revealed. Along the way, we get to see Jenny return (she’s not very nice
but seeing as Angel did kill her…), Xander being nice (this is a miracle!),
Giles helping Angel, Faith being part of a family and Oz and Willow getting
back together. All of this and some truly disturbing and creepy villains in the
First which simply have to come back. However, by far the greatest moment in
this story (and quite possibly the entire series) is the moment where Buffy
tries to convince a broken Angel not to kill himself. It’s immensely powerful
and tear-jerking, especially in the context that it is very similar to a
real-life suicide and contains some truly meaningful dialogue. Buffy calling
Angel a monster if he does go through with it and that he will be weak if he
chooses to end his life so easily is astonishingly real and achingly painful.
The episode ends in the most beautiful and hopeful way and I don’t care if that
snow in the street does look a little fake and it makes no real sense because
it seems to suggest that even if there is evil in the world (as evidenced by
the terror of the First) there is also hope and this seems to be even more
powerful (it seems possible that some higher being created snow in order to
allow for a happy ending). Utterly moving, dark and powerful but ultimately
hopeful with the Slayorettes finally being happy together
(except for Cordy), this is an absolute delight and one of the best episodes
ever. This is how you do a Buffy episode which leaves the viewer believing that
there is always a chance for redemption. Joyous.
VERDICT: 10/10
3.11 Gingerbread
“We need to
save Buffy from Hansel and Gretel!” For an episode with such an unusual and
mildly amusing remit, the actual episode is immensely disturbing. Taking in
themes of public appeals after a shocking incident (and suggesting that they
are a bit ludicrous because in most cases we actually know very little about
them) and paranoia, this is one of the most horrifying and disturbing episodes
so far. In some ways, it is similar to last year’s Ted, tackling some dark real-world issues while under the guise of
a demon. However, where Ted came into
problems was that the resolution was problematic. Here, the resolution that
Hansel and Gretel are a demon is actually quite satisfying as it becomes clear
that no-one could really be that terrifying. The greatest moment in this
episode has to be when Joyce stands up in front of the entire town and says
that they should be stronger and that Slayers don’t belong. It’s immensely
shocking and completely unexpected, especially after she was finally trying to
bond with Buffy. Also, the scene where Angel explains why they have to keep
fighting, even if it is a little fruitless, is beautiful. Add to this Cordelia
saving the day (it’s only been two episodes and already her absence was
beginning to be felt) and you have a truly scary, emotional and brave hour of
television.
VERDICT: 8/10
3.12 Helpless
Continuing a
run of extremely strong episodes (and tragic birthdays), this is tragic and
incredibly painful. As has already been pointed out, this season seems to be
greatly enjoying toying with the relationships of its characters and this time
the relationship that is strongly tested is one of the strongest; Buffy and
Giles. Seeing Buffy lose her strength and Giles being forced to be the one to
do it, shows the hypocrisy and frustrating nature of the Slayer Council
(they’re a bit villainous, really). The Council’s schemes also involve a truly
terrifying and twisted psychotic Vampire who is incredibly disturbing,
especially when he taunts Joyce (that seen in the room with all the photos is
out of a horror movie) and a weakened Buffy (who acts like most weak horror
movie victims and a number of the Sunnydale victims killed). Seeing her in such
a weak state is shocking, especially when the guy Cordelia is with manages to
push Buffy onto a bench. Again, Angel provides an emotional moment as he tells
Buffy that he has always loved her, but the single best moment is when Cordelia
interrupts the incredibly sad moment when Giles has revealed to Buffy that he
has been forced to do this. It’s funny and moving, a winning mix. In an episode
that focuses on Giles and Buffy’s relationship, the simple revelation that he
acts like a father to her (the reason that he is fired from being her Watcher)
makes complete sense and is made all the more moving as a result.
VERDICT: 7.5/10
3.13 The Zeppo
One of those
you either love it or you hate it episodes, I think. Unfortunately, I fall into
the latter category. An episode focussing on Xander despite the biggest menace
that Sunnydale has ever seen is an experiment in frustration. Okay, Xander is
more likeable in this episode than he has been all season (which isn’t hard)
but this episode feels a bit like a parody of the series, especially when he
interrupts Buffy and Angel getting emotional before that big battle. The idea
of the undead partying is a mildly amusing concept and it is nice to see Xander
finally getting some credit (in the viewer’s eyes) for the small part he plays
in saving Sunnydale, but… yeah. I don’t know. It is immensely frustrating. The
Hellmouth opening is (by all accounts) the largest menace they’ve had to face
and we don’t even get to find out what happened. The idea of Xander losing his
virginity to Faith on the last night of Earth is interesting, though. Also, how
was the Hellmouth stopped? Overall, an immensely frustrating episode on so many
levels. I just hope that this allows for some expansion of the character of Xander
or it was just a waste of time.
VERDICT: 6.5/10
3.14 Bad Girls
Faith killed
somebody! A fine return to form for this series, with some of the most shocking
moments so far. The aforementioned murder is extremely horrifying, especially
as it was clear that Faith and Buffy were treading a dangerous path. However,
that is not all in this episode. Balthazar, the major demon, Buffy and her
friends fight is incredibly disgusting, just a fat thing in a vat. Also, the
appearance of Wesley is a joy to behold as he simply brings something new to
this series, allowing Giles to be a hero and a bit snippy as well. The moment
in the Bronze where Angel and Buffy talk while Wesley looks on is deeply
amusing as the new Watcher’s bewilderment is clear. While the death of the mayor’s
assistant is truly the most shocking moment of this story (and probably this
season), it is not without want of companions. Buffy and Faith being captured
by the police and the destruction it causes, the Mayor’s true form and Faith
telling Buffy that she doesn’t care that she is now a killer are some of the
most unexpected and shocking moments of this year. Overall, a deeply impressive
story that will surely have repurcussions for some time to come.
VERDICT: 8/10
3.15 Consequences
And then it
gets emotional again. Just when you begin to get comfortable with this series,
the rug is pulled and everything changes. This is that story. Faith realises
her potential as a psychopath and Angel’s counsellor role finally makes sense.
The fact that Buffy tries to hide her emotions before eventually revealing the
truth to Willow after she breaks down is one of the more emotional moments of
the series. The scene that follows this where she tries to tell Giles only to
have him cut her off continues the new trend of shock moments (as does Xander
being strangled and Wesley’s attack on Angel’s mansion) that seems to have
replaced the friends disliking one another of earlier in the season. Although,
this story does feature many people disagreeing with Faith’s actions, there is
also a greater amount of empathy for her than there was at the start of this
season, making it more believable, watchable and moving. Overall, a deeply
emotional and shocking episode that also bodes well for the rest of the series as
Faith finds herself in the clutches of the sinister Mayor.
VERDICT: 8/10
3.16 Doppelgangland
After the
tragic circumstances, a comedy was necessary. Thankfully, Doppelgangland is one of the absolute best episodes of the series
so far. Basically a showcase for Willow, this episode features a return of Dark
Willow from The Wish (remember when I
said how that episode didn’t have any importance for the arc… Well, I was
wrong) and it’s astonishingly good. Alyson Hannigan proves that she is one of
the best actors on the series as she creates a distinctly different personality
(and voice) for both Willows and to make things even more confusing has to be
Virtuous Willow pretending to be Dark Willow and vice versa. The scene where
the Willows say goodbye is oddly moving and genuinely funny (‘hands!) and the
follow-up to it is genius with Dark Willow returning to her world only to get
killed as she says “Oh, f---“. However, this episode is also emotional as
Buffy, Xander and Giles become convinced that Willow is dead, only for her to
turn up and her friends hug her. What makes this scene so amusing is the fact
that Giles hugs her as well. Probably the funniest episode of the series so far
(including some rather adult humour) and a brilliant story for Alyson Hannigan.
No wonder Willow has been my favourite character for a while (looking back at
my reviews, episode one actually).
VERDICT: 10/10
3.17 Enemies
Angelus is
back. No, not really. That pretty much sums up the episode apart from the fact
that we get more of the facts about Faith (she really is a bad girl) and the
Mayor’s ascension (it’s happening on Graduation Day) but yeah, a bit of a flat
episode really. The final reveal that Angelus wasn’t back was mildly
predictable (and allows Angel to finally get his revenge back on Xander for
being so annoying) which ruined aspects of that surprise. What the most notable
aspect of this episode is that the Slayorettes finally learn of the Mayor’s
impending ascension which, seeing we’re only five episodes until the end of the
season is quite strange. Overall, a fairly average episode with predictable
twists, a few small arc hints and a very twisted Faith.
VERDICT: 7.5/10
3.18 Earshot
Heartbreaking
on many levels, this episode is completely genius. Giving Buffy the ‘gift’ of
telepathy is a clever way to allow her to understand the moral centrepiece of
this episode; the reveal of the assassin. The scene where Buffy confronts
Jonathan is utterly astonishing because it’s so, so true. Having come from high
school a very short time ago, it strikes at a very deep place within one’s
heart to see it spelled out in such an honest and beautiful way. It’s simply
one of the greatest scenes in the entire series. However, that’s not all here.
We also have some very funny moments such as the reveal of the true killer (the
looks Xander and the lunch lady give one another) and Giles walking into a tree
because of the revelation that he and Joyce had sex (explaining the awkwardness
between them since Band Candy).
Overall, a funny, honest and touching episode let down only by the fact that
takes so long to get to its key plot.
VERDICT: 10/10
3.19 Choices
A fairly
average episode considering that it advances the main arc quite well. The
problem is that there doesn’t really seem to be a main story here as it’s quite
episodic with all of the plot seemingly pulling in all different directions.
Some of these moments are enjoyable, though. Willow’s face-off with Faith has
some extremely good points and the rogue Slayer had been deserving it.
Similarly is the Mayor’s opinion of the inability for Angel and Buffy’s
relationship to be lasting. He actually raises some really good points which
hit home well and we get to learn a little bit more about him (his relationship
with Edna May, for example, which is undercut a few scenes later with Buffy and
Angel deciding that he doesn’t know what a lasting relationship is. Were they
even listening?). The face-sucking spiders’ scene is actually terrifying and I
hope we get to see more of them as promised. The emotional moments of the
episode with Willow deciding to go to the same college as Buffy and Cordelia
looking at a dress in the shop are surprisingly poignant and hopeful. Overall,
a rather uninspired episode that sets up a few things regarding the arc plot of
the Mayor’s ascension. It lacks cohesion, though and ends up feeling very
fragmented.
VERDICT: 10/10
3.20 The Prom
Up to this
moment, Buffy has been really
depressing. From the Slayer’s death to Angel becoming evil and now Faith going
to the dark side, it has always been a heartbreaking series. What made this
even more difficult was that Buffy’s constant attempts to save the students of
Sunnydale High had been ignored. And then this episode happened. It’s an
incredible hour of television, shifting from the heartbreak of one of the key
relationships that the series is based on to the horror of the Hellhounds. It
never feels jilted and fragmented, though. This episode flows beautifully,
leading to possibly the greatest moment of the series so far as Buffy is
crowned Class Protector by Jonathan and the students. It’s a moment of
recognition and belonging which is similar in many ways to the scene in Earshot. Both scenes are about the outsiders
in high school, but while there it was played for sadness and disappointment,
suggesting that we are all separate going through life, trying to deal with our
own heartbreak, here it is played for joy and becomes extremely poignant and
moving as a result. It’s a scene which celebrates those who were ignored in
high school, stating that you truly do belong. It’s a beautiful message made
even more poignant for those who have recently left high school. It feels so
real and captures the mood of leaving high school perfectly, that mix of joy
and sadness, utterly bittersweet. And then there’s the return of Angel to dance
with Buffy and you’re in tears of joy again. Utterly amazing. But that’s not
all at play here. The revelation of Cordelia’s pain is extremely well done. The
same cannot be said for the Hellhounds which are defeated very easily, but
that’s not the point of the episode. Most of the time, Buffy’s life is
heartbreaking and difficult. But once in a while, some day comes along where
everything seems to go right and she gets her perfect high school moment (it,
in fact, happens twice). Beautiful, beautiful television.
VERDICT: 10/10
3.21 Graduation Day - Part 1
Wowsers! That
fight between Buffy and Faith is so awesome. It’s a shame the rest of the episode
isn’t quite that good. As per usual on a Buffy episode, it takes a little while
to get there and I think it would have been a little cooler had we had the
Mayor’s ascension as the cliffhanger as opposed to the fact that Buffy may have
killed Faith. Anyway, apart from that this episode is basically about laying
hints and suggestions about what Graduation Day may look like (which is quite
odd considering that this is the second last episode), but this does mean the
episode has its moments. Xander and Giles looking at a picture of the demon
that continually folds out is both creepy and amusing. The team’s frustrations
at Wesley and the Council finally reach a climax as Buffy effectively quits but
decides to continue being a Slayer. This is a nice development which will
hopefully mean that we see less of the Council’s bad side (such as the 18th
birthday test) next season. Oh, and Willow loses her virginity to Oz in an
extremely nice way. Overall, not a bad episode but with many preparations being
made for the final episode and an amazing fight between Buffy and Faith which
has been building up all year.
VERDICT: 8/10
3.22 Graduation Day - Part 2
Wowsers! That
fight between Buffy and Faith is so awesome. It’s a shame the rest of the episode
isn’t quite that good. As per usual on a Buffy episode, it takes a little while
to get there and I think it would have been a little cooler had we had the
Mayor’s ascension as the cliffhanger as opposed to the fact that Buffy may have
killed Faith. Anyway, apart from that this episode is basically about laying
hints and suggestions about what Graduation Day may look like (which is quite
odd considering that this is the second last episode), but this does mean the
episode has its moments. Xander and Giles looking at a picture of the demon
that continually folds out is both creepy and amusing. The team’s frustrations
at Wesley and the Council finally reach a climax as Buffy effectively quits but
decides to continue being a Slayer. This is a nice development which will
hopefully mean that we see less of the Council’s bad side (such as the 18th
birthday test) next season. Oh, and Willow loses her virginity to Oz in an
extremely nice way. Overall, not a bad episode but with many preparations being
made for the final episode and an amazing fight between Buffy and Faith which
has been building up all year.
VERDICT: 8.5/10
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