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The lowdown on all the eps of the renowned second season follow...
When She Was Bad
Quick summary - After spending the summer in L.A., Buffy returns to the Dale with issues in tow. Still emotionally scarred by her death at the hands of the Master, she puts her friends in danger and must face the possible resurrection of 'fruit punch mouth'...
Best quote - The Anointed One; (discovering that all that remains of the Master is shattered bone) I hate that girl!
Comments - Hello again! The second season's opener is a solid start but there's definitely room for improvement. However, the inclusion of Angel as series regular and the Scoobies returning to our screens, after a summer spent away from them, adds a certain freshness and new lease of life to the show. Intact is the 'back to school' feeling, and here it is very welcome - unlike actually going back to school in real life! The story itself is intriguing, and makes way for a very impressive turn from the radiant Ms.Gellar. The characterisation is bold, and we see a side to Buff we never had until this point. She certainly deserves the honour of being 'Bitch Of The Year' - or at least 'Bitch Of The Ep'! The script is full to the brim with sharp lines (and insults), pop culture references (check out the pre-title sequence), and dialogue that deepens the characters. Charisma Carpenter's scenes are a joy, as Cordy is once again given something more to do than just be vain and shallow. It's also nice to have Ms.Calendar back in a more secure semi-regular role, though she doesn't get many scenes here. Robia LaMorte's chemistry with Tony Head is back with her, which is a good thing - as is the whole Buffy/Xander/Willow triangle. The sexy dance Buff performs with Xand is a highlight - making Willow jealous, as well as Angel. And it's accompanied by the fab song 'Sugar Water' by Cibbo Matto. Speaking of, the music choices here are cool - 'It Doesn't Matter' is also included, a song which appears on the official soundtrack. This sombre song fits in with the episode's overall grim tone, which makes a pleasant change from the happy-go-lucky days of Season One. With appearances from Buffy's mother and Hank Summers, and with references to previous episodes and events, this ep also has a more rounded feel. The direction is superb, especially during the scenes at The Bronze and during the climax. It has to be said, though, that when Buffy smashes the Master into talcon powder, the feeling of closure is a good one - we've been there and done that, and we need fresh bad blood! And we get it - see School Hard...
Verdict - * * * *
Some Assembly Required
Quick summary - Buffy and the gang discover a series of empty graves, and suspect bodysnatchers. When dismembered body parts start piling up, the Scoobies become aware of a student's desire to create the perfect woman for his reanimated brother. And there's only one body part missing - a head...
Best quote - Buffy; (when Giles remarks that body snatching is interesting) I know you meant to say 'gross' and 'disturbing'...
Comments - Impressive! An interesting tale with a lot on the menu ready and waiting to be digested. The main focus is that of Chris Epps and his creepy (and annoying!) pal Eric building a girl out of scrap. While very icky, it's for Chris's brother who died an untimely death - and wants a new companion. Chris's willingness to go to these lengths fits in with the 'love makes you do the wacky' moral that runs through this episode - which is also touched upon when Angel's jealousy (when it comes to Xander) presents itself. And Xander is very much jealous of Angel still. Relationships, actually, are a big part of this ep - Buffy and Angel's is becoming much more serious, Giles seems to be getting along with Jenny very nicely, and Cordy takes the time to thank Xander for saving her life. Offering a plethora of great one-liners, some pretty intense scenes, and interesting character development, while acting as a post-modern homage to Frankenstein, this ep is all that you'd expect from an everyday filler episode - but just a little bit more.
Verdict - * * * 1/2
School Hard
Quick summary - Buffy's got a lot on her plate when Snyder puts her in charge of Parent/Teacher Night. She must also see to it that she does not disappoint her mother. But, perhaps worst of all, she has to face off with new vamp about town Spike when he gatecrashes the school event...
Best quote - Spike; (on his arrival) So, who do you kill for fun around here?
Comments - I went through a phase where I really didn't like this ep - I just thought it was boring. But, after more recent viewings, I don't know why I dismissed it before. It has a bit of everything! Spike and Dru's first appearance marks a new beginning for the show, and the possibilities here were endless for these two vamp lovers. There's a real tension and menace as The Night Of Saint Vigeous approaches, and it's very sudden when Spike decides to face off with the Slayer earlier than expected. The scenes in the school are suspenseful and very exciting, and the fight scenes that take place there are a joy - especially Buffy's first faceoff with William The Bloody. The funny stuff comes in the form of Cordy and Will's scenes in the broom closet - hehe! But, overall, this isn't a 'funny' ep but an action-packed one which hints at certain things. For example, we discover that Angel is a 'sire' (see What's My Line? Part Two), there's the possibility of a conspiracy in Sunnydale, and some brilliant groundwork is laid for future appearances from the gruesome twosome. Thrown into the mix are the ongoing tribulations between Buffy and her ma (which we get some resolve to, when Joyce realises her daughter is capable of handling herself and thinks of others during a crisis), and we also get another appearance from Jenny Calendar - I have to say that she and Giles are looking remarkably cosy! See The Dark Age for less cosy stuff. School Hard is one of the first really sinister episodes of the series with some incredibly dark scenes and an incredibly well-paced, well-structured script. Great direction, too. Oh, and no more Annoying One! YAY! All in all, a must-see...
Verdict - * * * *
Inca Mummy Girl
Quick summary - In the form of an exchange student, a centuries-old mummy girl comes to stay at Buffy's house for a couple of weeks. She falls for Xander yet, to stay alive, she must feed on the life forces of humans - but will she go as far as sucking Xander's life out of him?
Best quote - Buffy; (her impersonation of Giles) I'm so stuffy, give me a scone...
Comments - Bleugh! What a horrible episode. I really try to find the best in all instalments but there's not much to list here. The proceedings are slow, uninteresting, and mixed-up. By the time the conclusion comes, you don't really care what happens - you just want the ep to end as quickly as possible, so we can return to top-quality Buffy! While Ara Celi's guest turn is impressive as she lights the screen up with her exotic beauty, what she's given to work with is uninspiring. And while the mummy plot is just plain dull, the subplots don't fare much better - there's Will's lust for Xander that is dug up again, and Buffy has this whole I-feel-sorry-for-myself-cos-I'm-The-Chosen-One-and-can't-go-to-the-dance thing going on. Both of these areas have been explored before (see The Pack for the Xander/Willow stuff, and Never Kill A Boy On The First Date for a better take on Buffy's desire to be a normal teenage girl). There are a few redeeming features - some funny lines, Oz's first appearance along with the first signs that he's attracted to Willow, and Willow in that Eskimo suit (could she be any cuter?!!). However, these certain plus points do not tip the scale all that much - there are just too many bad points which make this God-awful episode a real bummer. The fact that my copy of this ep contains a dubbing problem during the final act makes it even more unwatchable. Fast forward this, and if you're trying to get a friend hooked on the show don't show them this outing as an example of how good a show it is...
Verdict - * *
Reptile Boy
Quick summary - With Giles putting an increased amount of pressure on her, and following a row with Angel, Buffy is slightly miffed. She's sick of being mature so decides to do something irresponsible for once - and heads off to a frat party (alcohol included) with Cordy of all people! However, being irresponsible for the night leads to mayhem when she and Cordy are offered as sacrifices to the 'reptile boy' snake-demon thingy. But Buffster saves the day, and looks set to get steamy with coffee on a date with Angel...
Best quote - Willow; (during her rant concerning Buffy and Angel's relationship, when it looks as though Angel has given Buffy the brush off) And you! You're gonna live forever - you don't have time for a cup of coffee?!
Comments - While many fans are not too keen on this episode, I think it's really cool. While it is a filler and the storyline is not highly original, the liveliness of the script and the fast paced action make for an enjoyable offering. It may be a very simple story (and, in parts, painstakingly obvious) but if you just view it and relax your brain for the full forty odd minutes, you'll find that it's an energetic piece of fluffy eye candy that will make you smile. The 'drinking is bad' moral (see the fourth season's Beer Bad) may be a worn-out formula and is slightly tedious but it's not used too much here. And with the end implying that Buffy and Angel are set to share coffee in the future, the whole setup is certainly satisfying enough for me!
Verdict - * * * 1/2
Halloween
Quick summary - The opening of a new costume shop, run by a British guy from Giles's dark past, spells trouble for our chums. The costumes that the gang wear, to take kids trick-or-treating, cause them to become whatever the costumes are - for example, Buffy's elegant eighteenth-century dress causes Buff to become a whimpering spoilt noblewoman. And when the chaos catches Spike's eye, the helpless Buffy is in deep trouble...
Best quote - Spike; (his verdict on the utter mayhem occurring on the streets of Sunnydale) This is just...neat!
Comments - This episode is the show at its best. This Halloween special (much more polished than Season Four's attempt, Fear, Itself) has everything you could possibly want from the programme. The main ingredient is probably the fun plot that leads to plenty of chaos, fun, and fast-paced action. There's a lot going on and, while the first act sets up the rest of the ep and is a little tame in comparison, there's no instance where it gets boring - the action never lets up once Ethan's spell comes into play. And Ethan himself (portrayed excellently by Robin Sachs) is a treat - throw in another villain for Buffy to face off with (Spike, in this case) and things get even better, with added menace and added threat. Ethan's appearance also lets us know that Giles may not be so stuffy after all. In preparation for The Dark Age, the conflict is set up here wonderfully and the final scene ('Be seeing you') is a very nice cliffhanger, implying that Ripper's old mate is still at large but he'll be making a comeback. We learn more about Giles because of this plot, and this episode also lets us see what the other characters are made of. Willow's experience (which sees her taking charge in the face of chaos and doing the investigating thing) builds her confidence and leads to her choice not to hide beneath the ghost costume - and is she foxy or what in that costume?! Oz certainly agrees, back for a second time. While Will acts as the leader, Xander gets macho and beats up Larry, and Buff is helpless for once. Twentieth century Buffy resurfaces though, and Angel and she certainly seem to be getting steamier - ooer! Smoochies! Performances are solid overall. And the episode, overall, is a real treat! Sit back, enjoy, and revel in the wonder that is this Halloween treat (not trick)...
Verdict - * * * * * (the first ep since Welcome To The Hellmouth that I feel is firing on all cylinders)
Lie To Me
Quick summary - Buffy's old Hemery crush Billy 'Ford' Fordham shows up in Sunnydale, and the Slayer is stunned to learn that he knows of her profession. After catching Angel getting chatty with the sinister Drusilla, Buffy wonders whether she can trust him when he lies to her. Unknown to her, Ford also has a secret - he is dying from cancer and yearns to be immortal. Behind her back, he strikes up a deal with badass Spike - if Ford hands the Slayer over to Spike, then Spike must sire Ford...
Best quote - Willow; (when Xander learns that Angel was in her bedroom) Ours is a forbidden love...
Comments - Joss Whedon penned the script for this and also sat in the director's chair. And you can tell! While the direction is superb (the eerie opening scene in the playground is out of this world and, indeed, very atmospheric and creepy), the writing is what makes this episode what it is - subtle yet very powerful. The final scene where Buffy and Giles discuss life is one of the finest exchanges so far, and manages to be thought provoking. Buffy's confrontation with Billy, as Spike and his crew are making their way to the bomb shelter/club, is a little tear jerking, as we discover Billy's motive for his plan and it becomes clear that the boy was just simply scared. Cancer is much more terrifying than vampires and, in bringing it up, Joss makes Billy a villain who we can sympathise with, even if he is in the wrong. Sarah Michelle Gellar is excellent yet again, as an ever-more confused Buffy who is getting caught up in more complex relationships as she matures. She and Angel argue over the latter's connection with Dru and, while Buffy declares her love for the reformed brooding vamp during this episode, she also admits she finds it hard to put her faith in him. While there's not much in the way of light relief (aside from Jenny's choice in date for her and Giles, and the amusing but sweet scene where Angel first enters Willow's bedroom), this is all for the better here - this offering, while somewhat depressing in a way, points to a more mature adult direction, and succeeds in moving the character of Buffy away from the simple 'heroine-kicks-evil-guy-bootie-without-looking-back' stereotype. Certainly not without flaw, but a poetic piece of drama that makes a few interesting points and is still very watchable...
Verdict - * * * *
The Dark Age
Quick summary - After one of Giles's old buddies is found dead on campus, Giles begins to act strangely. Buffy begins to worry that her guiding force and Watcher is not telling her everything - and he isn't, for he is ashamed of the truth. When young, Giles and some of his mates (including Ethan Rayne, who shows up again) pissed off a powerful demon, and that demon is back to finish off everyone it holds a grudge with. And by possessing Jenny, this demon is making it personal...
Best quote - Xander; (on his dire situation) A bonus day of class, plus Cordelia? Mix in a little rectal surgery and it's my best day ever!
Comments - This is yet another entertaining episode but nothing amazing. Acting as a sequel to Halloween, Robin Sachs reprises his role as the brilliantly wicked Ethan Rayne, and we learn what horrible secrets haunt Giles's past that Ethan was hinting at previously. While perhaps not as dark as we fans would have liked, the secret is certainly something the prim-and-proper Watcher would have liked to keep from his newfound friends in Sunnydale. It also, unfortunately, causes Giles's relationship with Jenny to be put on hold - after the demon is removed from her body she pushes Giles away, needing space to recover from the possession. You have to feel sorry for poor Rupert cos it's clear he's badly got the hots for Jen! And, indeed, this is one of Head's finest hours. His performance is sympathetic, and he gets a lot of screen time, as the story revolves around his character and deepens Giles in the process. Robia LaMorte is also fab, and rather menacing during the scene where she-as-Eyghon attempts to seduce Rupert in his apartment. Rayne's guest turn is also a real treat! Aside from just performances, this episode balances the horror, drama, and comedy elements well. The script is sinister in all the right places, too, and the special effects are quite jazzy! Highlights include the creepy dream sequences, more snazzy fight sequences (the confrontation with the vamps in the hospital car park), and the scenes where Willow, Xander, and Cordy research in the library - the moment when Willow throws a barmy at the other pair's bitching is just classic! As a result, this episode is basically fine...
Verdict - * * * 1/2
What's My Line, Part One
Quick summary - Career fair at Sunnydale High puts Buffy on a downer but she doesn't have time to pout when Spike targets her for assassination by hiring three bad-ass bringers of death.
Best quote - Buffy; (after Giles remarks that the Watchers before him seemed very pompous and stuffy) Colour me stunned!
Comments - Being part one of the show's first real two-part story, this succeeds mostly. It takes its time developing the story, something I wasn't so keen on during my first couple of viewings. But, when recently re-watching the season, I enjoyed this mixture of slow buildup, clever dialogue, and a number of threatening situations. The assassins themselves all have their own gimmick but it's the arrival of Kendra which boosts the episode - the end scene is still classic Buffy, and I actually remember gaping at the TV in shock when I first saw the episode. While we have the usual action and nasties, the Buffy/Angel romance steps up a gear (finally) and we also get more Buffy-wants-to-be-a-normal-teenager material, which always gives SMG something to play with. Willow, meanwhile, meets Oz for the first time and it's a wonderfully Oz moment. Marti Noxon's debut, co-written by Howard Gordon, is a fun treat - knowing that the second hour will deliver all the action, this ep takes time with characterisation and relationships more. A solid first part...
Verdict - * * * 1/2
What's My Line, Part Two
Quick summary - With further Taraka assassins on her tale and Angel taken hostage by Spike and Dru, Buff joins forces with Kendra (reluctantly, one might say) to save the day. In the meantime, Xander and Cordelia get to know each other a little better...
Best quote - Oz; (on the 'man's chord' that is E-flat diminished ninth) You could lose a finger...
Comments - Marti Noxon lets rip during the concluding part of her Sunnydale debut. After placing the elements in the previous episode, we have a rip-roaring enjoyable romp to wrap things up. While my favourite thing about this ep is certainly the hilarious Cordelia and Xander liasion, there are a couple of great ingredients that make this totally fun. The Buffy/Kendra conflict is wonderfully bitchy, and it seems Sarah and Bianca are having great fun with it. We also get full-on disturbing S&M-style torture with Angel and Dru - the scenes containing holy water and a raving Dru are a delight (in a sick, twisted way of course).This is the first real time, too, that we get a sense of how much Buffy does love Angel - before this, it always seemed to be Angel rescuing Buffy. But now the Slayer steps up to save her boyfriend - leading, ultimately, to a grrrrrreat fight scene in the church. The assassins are still in play too, with Worm Guy being suitably creepy and Police Lady getting Oz shot, a development which makes way for the famously sweet 'I mock you with my monkey pants' Willow/Oz scene.But back to the Xander/Cordy happenings - laugh out loud much?! The first kiss is another one of those times that left me shell-shocked upon first viewing - and the overly dramatic music still makes me giggle to this day. However, while this episode is a tight one, it does feel a little long-winded after a while. The Xander/Cordy subplot, however juicy, seems to have been placed here to beef up the proceedings whilst there seems to be a lot of library gathering. The possibilities of a returning Kendra and the newly-revived Dru make this ep totally worth it, though...
Verdict - * * * 1/2
Ted
Quick summary - OK, deep breath kiddos. Buffy walks in on her mom smooching one Ted Buchanan. After she finds everyone likes him (including her best buds), she checks him out and discovers he is indeed non-normal - when he hits her, she lets rip and seemingly kills him. After dealing with her despair over 'murdering' a mortal, she finds that Ted was non-normal in a robotic kinda way and is not easily killable. Only saucepans will do the trick...
Best quote - Cordelia; (when Willow suggests, sarcastically, that a fascist society should be allowed so Buffy could have a license to kill) Right! Why can't we have one of those?
Comments - Here we have it: the cold, hard realisation that Joss Whedon can't make every script he touches turn to gold. This episode is a black mark against the series, the actors and anyone involved. While John Ritter (a famous US actor) escalates Ted into a believable, disturbing villain doesn't detract from the denouement - robots suck! And killing them with saucepans - how very cartoonish. It all starts off pretty well, with Ted seeming to be a real flesh-and-blood non-monster nasty. The issue of Slayer-killing-human is touched upon and is one of great interest, Sarah dealing with these scenes impressively. There's also a great performance from Kristine Sutherland. However, after we learn Ted is a machine, it all borders on monster-of-the-week silliness and the darker themes looked at become irrelevant. There is some great dialogue, I guess, and the continuation of the Xander/Cordy, Jenny/Giles and Buffy/Angel romances is great. All in all, though, the potential of greatness cannot save this from being disapponting fluff, with a climax that leaves a bad taste in the mouth - or should that be 'a climax that leaves you with an empty feeling'? Half of its dross, half of its suggestive dross. Still not as bad as Inca Mummy, though. Eugh, memories!
Verdict - * * 1/2
Bad Eggs
Quick summary - Sunnydale High students are given eggs to take care of, as a parenting assignment. However, the parasites that hatch from them cause a lot of havoc for Buffy and her pals...
Best quote - Buffy; (when Joyce objects to Buffy buying a dress, saying it makes her daughter look like a streetwalker) But a thin streetwalker! (off her mother's look) That's probably not gonna be the winning argument is it...?
Comments - Bad Eggs, in a series where many filler episodes are enjoyable, fails to capture the imagination. While a definite improvement on Ted, it does stumbles along and doesn't offer much at all that's captivating or exciting - or brain stimulating. The parasite thing is a worn-out plot and, as it's the main focus, takes up a lot of the episode. However, the kookiness of the script in parts, and the fact that the episode is not afraid to laugh at itself, is encouraging. It's just a little empty on the outcome though. Saving graces include the ongoing Xander and Cordy partnership, the scenes that look at how crazy Buffy and Angel are for each other now (just in time for Surprise and Innocence), and the continuing dysfunctional relationship between Joyce and Buffy. While Lyle and Tector Gorch are rather impotent (and dull) baddies, there's some impressive action. That's basically it, though, along with some great one-liners. Falls a bit short...
Verdict - * * *
Surprise
Quick summary - Buffy's seventeenth birthday bash comes complete with bad dreams, vamp gatecrashers, and a seemingly invincible demon to fight that Dru has assembled. As all this takes it toll, Buffy finds comfort in her boyfriend's arms - but unknown to both of them, a moment of happiness could cost them...
Best quote - Cordelia; (after Buffy is attacked by the Judge's dismembered arm, and Angel claims that this could mean the end of the world) Is anyone else gonna have cake?
Comments - Wow-ee! After Ted and Bad Eggs, comes a stonker of an episode that signals the start of a new era for the show. Surprise is a flawless piece of adult television, which is superbly paced, being the first part of a two-parter. Everything a fan of the show could ever want is in the mix, and it's from this episode onwards that the show took a more mature feel and became more consistently strong. The Buffy/Angel romance is the main focus, and what a doomed relationship it is! As the two get intimate and things heat up between them more than ever, they've yet to realise what the consequences of their sexual encounter will be - see Innocence, the concluding part. The cliffhanger, on first viewing, is a puzzler but all becomes clear (and tragic) in the concluding episode. Marti Noxon's subtle but powerful dialogue between the pair only compliments the performances of the two actors in question - Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz are amazing here, both because of their performances and the overwhelming chemistry between them. The scenes between them are award-worthy! Meanwhile, we learn that Jenny Calendar is hiding something, a development that is hinted at slyly, but isn't expanded on until the next episode. And then we have some friction between Cordy and Xander, and a brand new relationship on the horizon for Will - she and Oz go on their first 'date'. Add brilliant turns from Marsters and Landau (Dru has never been so menacing up until this point) and a supreme scary in the form of the Judge, and you have an ep so choc-full of juicy turning points and goodness that you'll be exhausted by the end credits. Great script, great direction, great set pieces - pure brilliance and one of Season Two's highlights!
Verdict - * * * * *
Innocence
Quick summary - Buffy is in emotional turmoil when she discovers that Angel has reverted to Angelus after having made love to Buffy. While the Slayer faces off with Jenny Calendar and realises she may have to kill her love, Willow discovers Xander and Cordy's secret while researching possible ways to stop the Judge...
Best quote - Dru; (to Angelus) Psst! We're going to destroy the world. Want to come?
Comments - Innocence, while not as perfectly flawless as Surprise, is a definite shocker. Angelus is back! And how great this is - Boreanaz seems to be revelling in his role as a bad vamp, and his work with Landau and Marsters is simply delicious (in a sick, perverted but fun way). While Angel terrorises Buffy's pals during a genuinely tense scene in the school hall, it is the Slayer that is distressed most by her boyfriend's sudden switch to the dark side. She has lost her innocence after sleeping with him, and feels responsible after learning that she caused the curse to be lifted. She suffers emotional shutdown, and only perks up long enough to kick the Judge's ass and confront Jenny Calendar. Both she and Giles turn their backs on Jen, an interesting twist that leads to her death (see Passion). Gellar provides the standout turn, a truly inspired performance and deserving of recognition. All of the actors are impressive though, this fact probably down to the powerful and adult material they're given to work with. It's also interesting to see Willow's reaction to Xander's big secret and how she turns her romantic interest toward Oz because of this, the group dynamic being shifted around a little. For all involved, this ep is a success. Joss Whedon's script is storytelling at its best and his direction is similarly astounding. Only disappointment is that, being a two parter, the first act spends a lot of time retelling what happened in the first half for the benefit of those viewers who may need to play catch up, had they not seen Surprise...
Verdict - * * * * 1/2
Phases
Quick summary - Oz wakes up in the woods and discovers he is the werewolf that is causing uproar around Sunny D. While he attempts to hide his secret, which leads Willow to believe that he is giving her the brush off, Angel sends Buffy a little token of his affection in the form of a dead classmate...
Best quote - Willow; (what she sarcastically claims is Xander's phone number) 1-800-I'm-dating-a-skanky-ho...
Comments - Phases is a wonderfully tongue-in-cheek camp riot that acts as a nice change of pace after the two exhilarating episodes before it. While furthering the relationship between Willow and Oz, it takes time to poke fun at itself and the werewolf lore in general. While the wolf costume is terrible, this all adds to the homage to werewolf movies that this episode is. It is rather surprising to discover that Oz is the culprit but in a good way, as it makes way for some bumpiness in his and Willow's first steps toward a courtship yet ultimately leads to them getting together, which is sweeter as it shows us how Willow doesn't care about Oz's cycle - she loves him and that's it, even if he does get wolfy three days out of the month! Big 'aaws' for the sickly-sweet ending, where Will plucks up the courage to give Oz a snog and Oz utters, 'A werewolf in love'. Alyson Hannigan and Seth Green (who by now is fast solidifying his position amongst the cast) both put one hundred and ten percent into their performances and it shows. Stellar work! Meanwhile, Buffy is still trying to pick up the pieces after the disastrous events of Innocence - Sarah Michelle Gellar does a great job when it comes to looking mopey and upset but Angel's chilling cameo appearance (where he leads Theresa, a student, to her death) reminds us that Buffy's troubles are far from over. Nick Brendon gets a fair amount of the action to work with too. Xander and Cordy are bickering, and he doesn't approve of Willow fancying a guy that isn't him (selfish bastard!). However, his confrontation with Larry in the locker room is a hilarious scene but, overall, sweet more than anything - Larry's unexpected 'coming out' announcement leads to a change in the character from here on out. And also has Xander in an anxious worry - hehehe. Meanwhile, the poacher only adds to the confusion and, while he is a two-dimensional character, it's nice to have a human bad guy for a change. He's not all that threatening though, and we don't really care about his antics as the ep unfolds - this episode is a Hannigan/Green showcase and all we really care about is what happens with Oz and Will, though the fast-paced and twisting story that is fuelled by many a funny line keeps the viewer interested...
Verdict - * * * * 1/2
Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered
Quick summary - Xander is dismayed when Cordy breaks up with him on Valentines Day just so she can satisfy Harmony and her pals, who don't approve of the X-Man. To gain his revenge, he and Amy perform a spell that will allow Xander to dump Cordy. However, the spell goes wrong and all the women in Sunnydale except Cordy fall head over heels for Xander...
Best quote - Cordy; (confused over the situation) Who died and made you Elvis?!
Comments - This is another great solid episode with plenty going for it. The decision to use Brendon's comedic talents to the fore again proves successful, as his performance is charmingly funny and goofy at the same time. While the turns from all the cast are inspired, the lines they're given to speak are what's fuelling the fire. Marti Noxon's script is packed to the brim with many of these sharp one-liners this series is made for. While the Buffy-turns-ratlike thing was a ploy for Sarah Michelle Gellar to get some time off, it works and adds to the overall laughathon. Bringing back Amy was a cool idea, and all the recurring stars come into play (Marsters, Landau, LaMorte, Green) giving the episode a more universal feeling. The big storylines of the season are yet to be tied up neatly but Xander's mishap lets the actors have fun for a week, meaning that, for example, LaMorte gets a chance to play a Jenny who isn't trying to fix things with Giles but instead is running around, obsessed with Xander. Angel's turn to the dark side, however, is beginning to lose some cred as nothing really major has happened yet in his quest to hurt Buffy and her friends (see Passion for something major!). This ep's central idea concerns Xander and Cordy, though, and there's a nice moral to be learned at the end of it. When Cordelia goes back to Xander at the end and stands up to her friends, it proves that what a person wants is more important than what people think. All of the above is accompanied by a fittingly wacky score from Chris Beck...
Verdict - * * * * *
Passion
Quick summary - While Buffy worries that Angelus is getting too close for comfort when he enters her bedroom at night, Jenny attempts to translate the restoration spell that will retrieve and restore Angel's soul. However, tragically, Angel finds out before it's too late and murders Jenny, sending Giles into a rage...
Best quote - Buffy; (in a touching scene with Giles, after she has rescued him from the burning factory) You can't leave me. I can't do this alone... (followed by both of them weeping in each other's arms)
Comments - This is a masterpiece, which proves how adult the series can be. The jokes and pithy dialogue are gone, and, in their place, we are treated to some fine raw drama and powerful dialogue. There are also some awesome performances but the two that stand out are Head's and Gellar's. The scenes they share toward the end are genuinely moving, while Giles's Ripper-esque rage is handled delightfully. Robia LaMorte's final appearance as the real Jenny (see Becoming, Part Two, and Amends for LaMorte's other two guest spots, when she is brought back in two different ways) is also a highlight - it really is sad to see the back of this fine actress and character. The lengthy chase scene in the school is truly chilling and its conclusion is mortifying. However, if this twist in the story had not occurred we wouldn't have gotten the swell stuff that subsequently occurs because of it. Moving away from Jenny's death, we also have deepening hatred between Angelus and Spike which blows over during the season finale, and Joyce learns of Buffy's sexual encounter with Angel, which makes way for a fine scene where Joyce gives Buffy 'the talk'. If you're not into the whole drama stuff, then there's a great fight sequence at the factory. However, this episode doesn't need fancy martial arts or the like to stand on its own two feet - it is a poignant, emotional rollercoaster with overwhelming acting, superb writing, and effective direction. Angelus as the narrator is also a nice touch. A tour de force!
Verdict - * * * * *
Killed By Death
Quick summary - Buffy is hospitalised with a bad flu bug. While sick, she discovers that a fiendish bogeyman is snacking on the kids in the children's ward and puts her own life at risk to kill it...
Best quote - Buffy; (when Xander asks how she plans to defeat Der Kindestod) Thought I might try violence...
Comments - This is a simple but enjoyable episode that provides a nice break from the ongoing main story arc of the season. While Angelus does appear (and is partly responsible for Buffy ending up in Sunnydale General), the main story concerns Der Kindestod and his quest for food in the form of ill kiddies. The Freddy Krueger type villain is, indeed, creepy. While the child actors are less than impressive, this monster certainly deserves every one of Cordy's 'eeuws' - although, for 'Death', he is kinda easy for Buffy to defeat. There's also some very nice characterisation when it comes to Cordy and Xander, and we also learn what makes Buffy fearful - hospitals. In addition to all this stuff, we also have references to the events of Passion and some cool fight scenes and imagery (the direction is superb - check out the weirdly angled corridors and the flashbacks to Celia's death). What makes it so lively, though, is the throwaway dialogue that doesn't fail to amuse. While not everything is explained enough for my liking, this is a decent enough mystery with enough to keep your eyes on the screen...
* * * 1/2
I Only Have Eyes For You
Quick sumary - As a school dance approaches, it seems as though a ghost is haunting the halls of Sunnydale High. The gang attempt to exorcise the spirit but fail. However, when Angelus and a guilty Buffy are possessed, the ghost is finally redeemed and set free...
Best quote - Cordy; (Valley-girl act intact, after she is given a fright by the ghost) I shall TOTALLY confront and expel all evil...
Comments - Another episode with many cool components. The best scenes come at the final act when Buffy and Angelus are used as James's puppets during the 'Love is forever' confrontation, the conclusion of which is very satisfying. The parallels between Buffy and James are intriguing, and Buffy's guilt over Angel is understandable and deepens the character. Giles's belief that the ghost is Jenny makes way for some very touching scenes, while we have plenty of shocking jump-out-of-seat moments - the arm in the locker, the school dinner's sudden transformation into snakes, etc. The sequence inside the school, as Buffy and the gang attempt to bind James, is also very creepy and exciting. The last scene, where it is revealed that Spike is no longer disabled, is also similarly exciting, as it proposes all sorts of possible events (see Becoming, Part Two for what Spike gets up to out of his wheelchair). When you've got all this, along with superfine dialogue and plenty of pop culture references ('Are you kidding? I saw that movie! Even the priest died,' Cordy exclaims when Willow suggests exorcism) to boot, you have an episode that fills you up enough - however, while the subject is grim, the suicide aspect of the plot isn't fully explored. If it had been, then we might have had a big moral to learn from this ep too, but it's all very standard eye candy in places and not that deep until we get to the Buffy/Angel head-to-head (which is accompanied by a beautifully haunting score). However, it's all enjoyable stuff and Splendid's performance at the Bronze is just too funky...
Verdict - * * * 1/2
Go Fish
Quick summary - Guys from the swim team are winding up as fish monsters, something which leads to Xander going undercover so he can discover what's causing the transformations.
Best quote - Buffy believes that she and Giles should get the swim team members locked up 'before they get in touch with their inner halibut'. Hee!
Comments - A comedy classic that does not deserve unfair criticism from fans who believe it to be as bad as some of the stinkers that appeared earlier on in the season. Nick Brendon (as in Bewitched, etc.) shows again how well he can handle comedy, and that's kinda important during a comic episode. There are numerous gems and funny one-liners; Cordy's speech about some men being more deserving than others, Willow interrogating Jonathan, the reactions of the girls when Xander shows up in Speedos at a swim practice, Cordy thinking Xander has become a fish monster, and if I continue to list all the cool scenes then there'll be no more room left for anything else! The monsters in question aren't all that terrifying but the twist that comes halfway through the story (that the members of the swim team are the monsters, and aren't being attacked by a monster) keeps it interesting. The coach is just unbelievably annoying but the cool points the episode makes (about drug-enhanced performance and how school authority can push its pupils too far in America and, indeed, worldwide) make up for this. Again, it's nice to take a break from the big season arc just before the big finale - and what a break it is! A great filler that's to be enjoyed...
Verdict - * * * 1/2
Becoming, Part One
Quick summary - While Buffy and Willow discover Jenny's disk containing the restoration spell that will revert Angelus back to Angel, Angelus plans to destroy the world by awakening the demon Acathla. However, on his first attempt, Angelus is unable to wake the demon and creates a diversion that Buffy falls for hook, line, and sinker. While she's out of the way, Dru and her gang o' vamps snatch Giles (in order to find out what Angelus did wrong and how to rectify it) and also kill Kendra.
Best quote - Drusilla; (returning from a walk) Met an old man. Didn't like him. He got stuck in my teeth...
Comments - One of the best episodes that has ever been produced, with not a single flaw to pick at or moan about. The first of a two-part season finale sets the scene for the concluding part, and takes its time in doing so. Not only do we have the action that is going on in the present but we are treated to some simply magnificent flashbacks that portray events that we have been dying to see - everything from Angel being sired (which makes way for a sizzling cameo from Julie Benz), one of Angel's first meetings with Dru, Angel being cursed with a soul for the first time, and the first time he saw Buffy and vowed to help her. Boreanaz excels in every one of his scenes, and (while his Irish accent is dire) shows how far he has come from his Season One days. Praise is not only for David, though, as there's some of the finest work the cast have ever done on display here. Kendra's reappearance is welcome but her death is slightly disappointing, as we had not yet come to know the character that well - however, without her death, we wouldn't have gotten Eliza Dushku in Season Three and beyond so I'm not complaining! The death scene also shows Dru at her most supremely scary and vile, something we haven't seen in a while. It's safe to say that Acathla is the most threatening villain up to this point, as well. Meanwhile, there's a fab score, and a twist at the end that will have you waiting with baited breath for part deux. It goes without saying but I'll say it - the writing and direction is brilliant, as it's in the hands of Joss. I think I've fitted in everything I wanted to say about this episode but, just in case I didn't get the message across, in a nutshell this is a must-see masterpiece that is miles better than anything else on the box. While you could call Ted and Inca Mummy Girl the bad apples of the season, you could call this the Granny Smith...
Verdict - * * * * *
Becoming, Part Two
Quick summary - Buffy prepares to face off with Angelus and kill him before the world is sucked into the depths of Hell. However, while on the run from the police, she experiences some life-changing moments such as her expulsion from school and telling her mother that she is the Slayer. Unbeknown to her, Willow (who awakens from her coma) attempts the curse again as Buffy and Angelus fight to the death - and this leads to a tragic conclusion...
Best quote - Buffy; (just before sending her lover to Hell) Close your eyes...
Comments - An astounding season finale that builds up to the dramatic and memorable conclusion that is certainly one of the most shocking twists we have ever had. While not as poetic as the previous episode, this episode is still as dramatic and there are many fine moments including Joyce and Buffy's confrontation, Xander declaring his love for Willow (see Homecoming), Snyder expelling Buffy then phoning the Mayor to tell him the 'good news' (see Homecoming also, as well as the whole of Season Three), the torture scenes, and Buffy and Spike attempting an alliance. The acting is phenomenal (especially from Sarah Michelle Gellar, as a Buffy at the end of her world and alone) and the scripting is equally so. While the first three acts take their time to set up the big finale, they are still impressive as we have some swell characterisation on offer. However, for all-out-there big dramatics, there is the fourth act. The lengthy sword fight is remarkable, and (as mentioned) the final five or so minutes are unmissable. Accompanied by a beautiful score from Chris Beck (which I can play on the piano, nah-nah-nah-nah-nah), Buffy is forced to kill her one true love whose soul is well and truly intact. This is one of the best scenes I have ever seen on the show and on television as a whole. The acting and chemistry between Sarah and David is amazing, and there is no way any fan can watch this and not feel a lump start to form in their throat. Then we have the final scenes, again accompanied by a wonderful piece of music (Sarah McLachlan's 'Full Of Grace'), where Buffy leaves a note for her mother to read and leaves her friends in the lurch, as she boards a bus and leaves town. As the sign says, 'Now leaving Sunnydale. Come back soon'. Spectacular stuff...
Verdict - * * * * *
SEASON TWO OVERVIEW
Buffy Season Two is often said to be the best ever - what a load of utter nonsense. Seasons Three, Five and even Four (which was unfairly dismissed) all better it, and are easily more consistent. However, even though I feel it's one of the weaker seasons it's still brill. And I may be insulting it to call it a 'weaker' season because the final eleven or so episodes of the season are quite brilliant. 'Surprise/Innocence', 'Bewitched...', 'Passion' and the stunning finale 'Becoming' are probably the most important episodes ever (tell a lie, actually, because 'Bewitched' is only so brill cos it's so darn funny). However, the episodes revolving around Angel's turn to the dark side are simply amazing and leave you breathless - when viewing these, it's easy to see why many fans love this season so much. Performances, too, are breath-taking - Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz will blow you away (chemistry much?!), Nicky Brendon and Charisma Carpenter are the ultimate comic duo, the utterly convincing Alyson Hannigan and new boy Seth Green are both immensely talented, and James Marsters and Juliet Landau make their villains completely believable and dimensional. That's down to the excellent writing as well, I suppose. However, the one thing that bugs me about this season are the first eleven or so episodes - with the exception of maybe the opener, 'School Hard', 'Lie To Me' and 'Halloween', they're all filler. Some are actual tripe which is hard to come by on this show ('Inca Mummy Girl' and 'Ted' - I'll give a fiver to anyone who doesn't cringe). Yet people still claim it to be the best - it's beyond me...
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