not that i could've slept anyway
Jan. 30th, 2002 06:17 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
aruan"[Mutant Enemy] must've blown the entire special effects budget for the rest of the season on really good cocaine." –Miranda
If only the special effects suffered for it. I mean, the only explanation I can possibly muster here is that there was some sincerely major restructuring (read: anyone associated with the show in any way) in the way of firing then hiring raging incompetents to fill air time for the advertising money. This was just too painful.
MoonBrat42: i'm not trying to depress you here
MoonBrat42: i'm trying to do you a favor
MoonBrat42: it went against the natural order of things
MoonBrat42: i mean
MoonBrat42: this was so bad
MoonBrat42: it was unreal
MoonBrat42: i don't even know how i saw it
MoonBrat42: you can't see what you can't comprehend
MoonBrat42: just don't do it
MoonBrat42: honestly
MoonBrat42: you will not have missed anything
MoonBrat42: and saved yourself a lot of heartache
It pained me to keep watching. But, hopeful to the end, I continued, through the painfully bad acting, past the tacky costuming and jewelry, even the dollops of insipid dialogue.
Earlier in the evening: "This whole mess sucks and it hurts every true fan who witnessed a once brilliantly written show. I cannot possibly imagine what they could do to salvage this show... except maybe to bring back Evil!Spike (and STOP pretending that all the diehard fans are imbeciles who forget that Spike does NOT have a soul), kill that stupid plot-sinkhole Dawn, bring back Xander (if anyone can even remember who that is), decide what the heck you're going to do with Willow (is she wacky Willow, witchy Willow, evil Willow), and let Buffy mature, slay some demons and, um, vampires every now and again, and explain if she came back a demon." –Beloved00. Yes, it got to that point.
Xal Xuffasch: so what happened to everyone?
MoonBrat42: i can't even talk about it
MoonBrat42: you don't understand
MoonBrat42: i can't
MoonBrat42: nothing will save this
And that's just it – this episode did what Spike managed in The Yoko Factor – in one fell swoop, we've managed to twist the Bufy/Spike dynamic, throw another few logs on the Willow/Magic/Bad fire without addressing Willow's real problems, make Dawn effective schizophrenic, and dumb down Xander to the point where I have to plug my ears and close my eyes while holding a pillow to my face to scream my frustrations into every time he says a line.
Xal Xuffasch: is there any possible upside to this episode
MoonBrat42: there was nothing
MoonBrat42: nothing at all
MoonBrat42: i can't believe joss let them air it
And where –was- Mr. Creator through all of this? I'm convinced he didn't even so much as glance at the script or dropped in for some post-production work as his name still appeared under the Executive Producer title, which convinced me further that that's merely a token position for some well-connected upstart or a nepotist executive. I know he'd ridiculously talented, but if the last two episodes haven't been proof positive that Buffy the Vampire Slayer is not the show we know and love without him.
MoonBrat42: we betrayed every single character here
MoonBrat42: ALL of them
MoonBrat42: nobody was themselves
MoonBrat42: instead
MoonBrat42: pod people
MoonBrat42: or worse
Possession. Mass demon infestation swept through Sunnydale and for shits and giggles decided that making people dumbed-down, ridiculous caricatures of themselves seemed like the most fun they could have on a Tuesday night.
MoonBrat42: just don't
MoonBrat42: please
MoonBrat42: listen to me
MoonBrat42: don't do it
MoonBrat42: i'm not being dramatic here
MoonBrat42: burn the tape
In case you weren't lucky enough to get that advice before the damage was done, here's the story with the eloquence and passion only fiery hatred can inspire. From the good people at the Mighty Big TV forum and yours truly to your sense of well-being and sanity.
"Dawn: What's up with the general friendliness? Remember your unhappiness and alienation? Where did the grudge go?" -silentbob
-And hey, apparently, she's not old enough for research and coffee but she can look at bloody severed human fingers.
"It's really sad when the best thing about an episode is Anya."
-ArtemisEcstacy
-In that she was the least annoying, (now you know we're dealing with some seriously skewed alternate reality) most centered, and least offensive to her
true nature.
"The show's two great hallmarks - consistency and complexity - have completely disappeared. GONE! None of the characters make any sense anymore, and they're all completely useless besides. And it seemed to happen all at once." –lasagna
-What she said. Unreal. The whole thing was just offensive and stupid and suicide-inducingly maddening.
"Remember when you could actually *not* actively dread having another Willow scene coming up? -Flamedrake
-Remember when we loved her spunk, her endearing and supportive persona, when she was whole and competent and cool? Yeah, neither do I. The brain's either been subjected to too much in one night or it's been too long – who's to say?
"Worst of all, my little S/B 'shipper heart is breaking because that sex scene was truly vile. To take their relationship this season, from kindness, understanding, devotion, to some truly fantastic, passionate kissing, to some jaw-dropping, very hot lovemaking... for it to degenerate into what we saw tonight, ow... heart breaking again. Ow." -ozfan
-Sigh. Maybe now I can take a singular moment to reflect, but not actually contemplate, the heinous heinous assassinations of character and plot development that was the scene behind Doublemeat Palace. I thought we decided that Spike grew a spine. I thought Buffy didn't take shit and wouldn't subjugate herself for anyone, much less Mr. Evil Dead whom she's demonstrated through her pillow talk in "Gone" is still beneath her and their illicit doings are all hush-hush shadowy corner stuff. I have no clue how I'll even continue that paper now – all the lost respect and credibility and I hope to god someone comes through with some mind-blowing fic to remedy this disaster. And all that on the heels of a sincerely grand gesture on his part, first the life-affirming speech then the offer of help… I can't. I just can't. I was beyond crying. The tidal wave of emotion must've been so incredible that everything just kinda short-circuited to keep from a complete nuclear meltdown. In the words of Colonial Rob: "I've seen soft porn look less vulgar." And I'm sorry, any claim that she's merely using him for the sex went out the window with their exchange in 'Wrecked':
Spike: "You felt something last night."
Buffy: "Not love."
Spike: "Not yet."
To which Buffy only averts her eyes and looks rather guiltily at the ground, like he was speaking her thoughts and illuminating her untrodden but already
carved paths to be taken again. Passion can be a separate beast from love, fine – my only contention is the prolonged eye contact during the end sequence of 'Smashed.' And her trusting Dawn to him in 'Tough Love.' And her confession of her dark little secret in 'After Life.' And their porch exchange in 'Flooded.' And her turning to him for companionship in 'Life Serial.' And her protectiveness of him in 'Tabula Rasa.' And whatever she said to make him come back AND schmooze at the end of the same. Don't tell me she doesn't care, friends or lovers. And especially after we went through all the trouble of constructing the parallel addiction metaphor: if she's that dependent on him (and you can't become dependent on something unless it gives you pleasure, perverse or not) then WHY for the love of all that stands as monument to reason in this world was she looking for all the world like she was bored and disgusted in that scene?
And because rationalization is fun:
"It either signifies that she was having sex with Spike to shut him up, to stop him from making her take a look at what she has reduced herself to." -rivki8699
-An interesting take, though again detracting from the admirable developments in Spike's character from 'Gone.' He wouldn't have done it. Rather, he would've left her there. What if he was understanding her need for it, after her day and the job and all the things about real life she'd always had family, Giles, and able-minded Scoobies to take care of while she made quick work of various and sundry apocalypses? Still, if this is escapism, and to keep with the ecstasy that comes over her face every time he invades her personal space, she should've been clutching at him more desperately than ever.
"If you want to have all of her, then don't settle for the little you get." -little_bit
-Thank you! Finally, someone with real rocks. She has needs, fine, but if you want a side of respect and maybe emotion with that Slayer!Play then you've gotta demand it. You love her, yes, but you're also not blind to her personal flaws – besides, you've earned the right to the truth. Scratch that – everyone has a right to the truth. You've earned the common decency of an explanation.
Bottom line:
"The B/S sex scene also depressed me because it was so hollow and cold. Sure, they're not in love and will probably never have any kind of a meaningful, long-term relationship and that's kosher with me. The no-strings sexual relationship is okay if they both enjoy it but they don't. They could barely look at each other and Buffy's face almost made me want to heave. This has got to stop. Either they've got to try to have a real relationship or at least enjoy a purely sexual one. But this whatever thing they've got going on right now is just too sad for words. Neither of them are happy and I feel they both deserve better than the "freakshow" that was displayed in this episode. With that said though, I think that scene was crucial to the B/S story arc. Now that it appears that neither of them are enjoying the sex (Spike wants all of her, Buffy's still depressed) their "relationship" is at a crossroads. They either have to break it off or try to make it work." –judebug1980
"Maybe the subplot of the episode is who is the demon salesperson helping Spike with his wardrobe selection at Pimps "R" Us....and what does s/he want in order to send him over to Vampercrombie & Witch?" -Constance
-As if the gold chain wasn't bad enough – no no, I will refrain from commenting on how grossly it clashes with the newly relevated to Buffyverse status of James Marsters's penchant for silver rings. Seriously folks, last week's in-crypt ensemble rocked my little world, but this was just distressing. Another gripe – who dared to put that insanely ridiculous hat on Buffy? It made her look impish and covered half her face as she spoke, not to mention not doing anything for her hair (which for the love of god could some benevolent soul take any sort of texturizer to?)
"What was up with the pacing? There was no subplot at all the first act - the entire act took place at the stupid store. Then it was all subplots straight." -SNeaker
-The entire storyline (I dare not venture as far as to call it a plot) dragged. Every scene felt like it was taking forever. The teaser was shorter than the 'previously on…' segment – these were some seriously desperate people trying to fill in some desperately lacking script and just plain lack of acting. And don't talk to me about how the tedium and repetition and the
painfully slow shooting of the Doublemeat scenes went to parodying the fast
food industry (and in turn, corporate America) – that could've been done
without causing the acute pain in my brainwave centers, intelligence outposts, and stimulating my exocrine glands to flood my body with serotonin in the hopes that I'll go to sleep and this will turn out to be all a bad bad dream.
"I really liked Xander's face (mouth open, full of popcorn) when he was told
that he was going to get to listen to Anya forever." -Duran
-Yeah, those crazy twosome. And here we thought their biggest problem consisted of hairy toes and snoring. Good that we're having a reality check of their situation though. One of the two moments I actually could stand to be watching this travesty. The other being Spike's musings on whether Buffy was one of those demons that got off on the vibrations from the fluorescent lighting. Not that he didn't know better than to bring it up at any time but especially right then – still though, he finished off with that genuine concern for her humanity once again, and that's the Spike I know and love. Now if only Comatose!Buffy would please get slain so DeckHimForThatCommentWithASmile!Buffy can bring life and integrity back into a character I loved just two episodes ago.
"It looks like they are setting up some interesting developments for the rest
of the season: with Amy being bitter at Willow for taking her sweet time
deratting her, and Anya slowly realizing that maybe Xander doesn't really
accept her for who she is." –Kbear
-Great, yeah, more fuel on the fire that will burn the tapes of this and all
future episodes that mark it as a continuity touchstone. Good point or not,
there were less painful ways to further currently simmering plot developments. And can I just state for the record how much I DON'T care about Amy? She served her purpose in facilitating the delightful calamity of 'Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered.' Done and done.
"Speaking of Willow, when are they going to remember all the hundreds of times that her magic has saved the whole gang and subsequently helped save the world? Why is magic a drug now rather than the useful tool that it used to be?" –ishi72
-My point exactly. Like Sep and Ace have said, it's not the magic, it's
Willow's abuse of it to facilitate her needs.
"What with all the meat close-ups? That was disgusting." –temo
-Just too much time wasted in the burger place. I mean, glad to see Sarah
Michelle Gellar didn't phone in this one, but yeesh, I thought we'd decided
that we wanted to live – and her continuing to work there? Gag me. If I have to endure more of this inanity Buffy (and vicariously, I) will go more insane than they put you in straightjackets and lock you away in institutions for. And remind me again why she didn't, in keeping with the pettiness of her character as of late, just extort any amount of money from the Doublemeat people? I KNOW they're not telling us she's gone moral and her idea of redemption involves slaving over friers and grilling faux meat.
"I also got the impression that Dawn was saying Buffy wasn't good enough to be her sister. In my opinion, it seemed like she was saying that other people had siblings who could be lawyers, but having Buffy working at a crappy job wasn't good enough for Dawn's reputation. If Dawn was meant to seem pissy about that, well, she should remember that without Buffy she wouldn't exist." -mishes
-If this was the writer's way of reminding us that there's a reason why Buffy
is being hackneyed as a character and stuck in a singular badly-lit no-budget
set and stands so starkly in contrast to the rest of the "real" world then they can shove it. While yes, Buffy needs to get off it, so does Dawn – what, having your sister DIE to save your life and make the world safe for the living isn't good enough for you?
"I agree with a2zmom and everyone else who thinks the whole "no one can be
happy in S6" thing has gone a bit far. It's like everyone has the Angel curse
now." -Constance
-Except there doesn't seem to be one morally uncorrupt one in the bunch.
Spike's sacrificing integrity to be with Buffy, who is neglecting her sister,
finagling her way out of responsibilities, and can't make up her mind about the muddled motives that brought Spike into her bed. Willow was addicted and now walking the tightrope of recovery from magic, but as we all know and have
sighed in frustration it's not the magic it's Willow. Someone take her to a
qualified therapist to say that and we can get back to happy mediums. Dawn is
angsting over her sister's flagrantly unconcerned demeanor and god knows
whatever other problems that come with being in her age bracket and having
recently lost her mother. Xander continues to belittle Anya, who for her part
hasn't progressed beyond 'I love money' and 'Xander's penis is great' (though
we seem to be addressing that now). It's just ridiculous. All of it, painfully ridiculous. There's no support system here, just a condemned structure waiting to implode.
Xal Xuffasch: i want some full anger... let out
MoonBrat42: oh it will be
MoonBrat42: the numbness has worn off
MoonBrat42: now i'm pissed
"Shoddy pacing, crappy plot, and the revelation of the true addiction-- Jane
Esperson's on crack, y'all." –Abby20
-Succinctly put. Which is where this episode is going – succinctly and quickly behind me. I think there might be something on shellfish on the Discovery Channel that I can tape over the episode...
Hope for us yet though: Dead Things promo. At this point, I'd even spoil myself more thoroughly than curdled cheese if it meant I could avoid another disaster like tonight's.
"I hope my insurance will cover Acts of Joss."
-LurkerNan
If only the special effects suffered for it. I mean, the only explanation I can possibly muster here is that there was some sincerely major restructuring (read: anyone associated with the show in any way) in the way of firing then hiring raging incompetents to fill air time for the advertising money. This was just too painful.
MoonBrat42: i'm not trying to depress you here
MoonBrat42: i'm trying to do you a favor
MoonBrat42: it went against the natural order of things
MoonBrat42: i mean
MoonBrat42: this was so bad
MoonBrat42: it was unreal
MoonBrat42: i don't even know how i saw it
MoonBrat42: you can't see what you can't comprehend
MoonBrat42: just don't do it
MoonBrat42: honestly
MoonBrat42: you will not have missed anything
MoonBrat42: and saved yourself a lot of heartache
It pained me to keep watching. But, hopeful to the end, I continued, through the painfully bad acting, past the tacky costuming and jewelry, even the dollops of insipid dialogue.
Earlier in the evening: "This whole mess sucks and it hurts every true fan who witnessed a once brilliantly written show. I cannot possibly imagine what they could do to salvage this show... except maybe to bring back Evil!Spike (and STOP pretending that all the diehard fans are imbeciles who forget that Spike does NOT have a soul), kill that stupid plot-sinkhole Dawn, bring back Xander (if anyone can even remember who that is), decide what the heck you're going to do with Willow (is she wacky Willow, witchy Willow, evil Willow), and let Buffy mature, slay some demons and, um, vampires every now and again, and explain if she came back a demon." –Beloved00. Yes, it got to that point.
Xal Xuffasch: so what happened to everyone?
MoonBrat42: i can't even talk about it
MoonBrat42: you don't understand
MoonBrat42: i can't
MoonBrat42: nothing will save this
And that's just it – this episode did what Spike managed in The Yoko Factor – in one fell swoop, we've managed to twist the Bufy/Spike dynamic, throw another few logs on the Willow/Magic/Bad fire without addressing Willow's real problems, make Dawn effective schizophrenic, and dumb down Xander to the point where I have to plug my ears and close my eyes while holding a pillow to my face to scream my frustrations into every time he says a line.
Xal Xuffasch: is there any possible upside to this episode
MoonBrat42: there was nothing
MoonBrat42: nothing at all
MoonBrat42: i can't believe joss let them air it
And where –was- Mr. Creator through all of this? I'm convinced he didn't even so much as glance at the script or dropped in for some post-production work as his name still appeared under the Executive Producer title, which convinced me further that that's merely a token position for some well-connected upstart or a nepotist executive. I know he'd ridiculously talented, but if the last two episodes haven't been proof positive that Buffy the Vampire Slayer is not the show we know and love without him.
MoonBrat42: we betrayed every single character here
MoonBrat42: ALL of them
MoonBrat42: nobody was themselves
MoonBrat42: instead
MoonBrat42: pod people
MoonBrat42: or worse
Possession. Mass demon infestation swept through Sunnydale and for shits and giggles decided that making people dumbed-down, ridiculous caricatures of themselves seemed like the most fun they could have on a Tuesday night.
MoonBrat42: just don't
MoonBrat42: please
MoonBrat42: listen to me
MoonBrat42: don't do it
MoonBrat42: i'm not being dramatic here
MoonBrat42: burn the tape
In case you weren't lucky enough to get that advice before the damage was done, here's the story with the eloquence and passion only fiery hatred can inspire. From the good people at the Mighty Big TV forum and yours truly to your sense of well-being and sanity.
"Dawn: What's up with the general friendliness? Remember your unhappiness and alienation? Where did the grudge go?" -silentbob
-And hey, apparently, she's not old enough for research and coffee but she can look at bloody severed human fingers.
"It's really sad when the best thing about an episode is Anya."
-ArtemisEcstacy
-In that she was the least annoying, (now you know we're dealing with some seriously skewed alternate reality) most centered, and least offensive to her
true nature.
"The show's two great hallmarks - consistency and complexity - have completely disappeared. GONE! None of the characters make any sense anymore, and they're all completely useless besides. And it seemed to happen all at once." –lasagna
-What she said. Unreal. The whole thing was just offensive and stupid and suicide-inducingly maddening.
"Remember when you could actually *not* actively dread having another Willow scene coming up? -Flamedrake
-Remember when we loved her spunk, her endearing and supportive persona, when she was whole and competent and cool? Yeah, neither do I. The brain's either been subjected to too much in one night or it's been too long – who's to say?
"Worst of all, my little S/B 'shipper heart is breaking because that sex scene was truly vile. To take their relationship this season, from kindness, understanding, devotion, to some truly fantastic, passionate kissing, to some jaw-dropping, very hot lovemaking... for it to degenerate into what we saw tonight, ow... heart breaking again. Ow." -ozfan
-Sigh. Maybe now I can take a singular moment to reflect, but not actually contemplate, the heinous heinous assassinations of character and plot development that was the scene behind Doublemeat Palace. I thought we decided that Spike grew a spine. I thought Buffy didn't take shit and wouldn't subjugate herself for anyone, much less Mr. Evil Dead whom she's demonstrated through her pillow talk in "Gone" is still beneath her and their illicit doings are all hush-hush shadowy corner stuff. I have no clue how I'll even continue that paper now – all the lost respect and credibility and I hope to god someone comes through with some mind-blowing fic to remedy this disaster. And all that on the heels of a sincerely grand gesture on his part, first the life-affirming speech then the offer of help… I can't. I just can't. I was beyond crying. The tidal wave of emotion must've been so incredible that everything just kinda short-circuited to keep from a complete nuclear meltdown. In the words of Colonial Rob: "I've seen soft porn look less vulgar." And I'm sorry, any claim that she's merely using him for the sex went out the window with their exchange in 'Wrecked':
Spike: "You felt something last night."
Buffy: "Not love."
Spike: "Not yet."
To which Buffy only averts her eyes and looks rather guiltily at the ground, like he was speaking her thoughts and illuminating her untrodden but already
carved paths to be taken again. Passion can be a separate beast from love, fine – my only contention is the prolonged eye contact during the end sequence of 'Smashed.' And her trusting Dawn to him in 'Tough Love.' And her confession of her dark little secret in 'After Life.' And their porch exchange in 'Flooded.' And her turning to him for companionship in 'Life Serial.' And her protectiveness of him in 'Tabula Rasa.' And whatever she said to make him come back AND schmooze at the end of the same. Don't tell me she doesn't care, friends or lovers. And especially after we went through all the trouble of constructing the parallel addiction metaphor: if she's that dependent on him (and you can't become dependent on something unless it gives you pleasure, perverse or not) then WHY for the love of all that stands as monument to reason in this world was she looking for all the world like she was bored and disgusted in that scene?
And because rationalization is fun:
"It either signifies that she was having sex with Spike to shut him up, to stop him from making her take a look at what she has reduced herself to." -rivki8699
-An interesting take, though again detracting from the admirable developments in Spike's character from 'Gone.' He wouldn't have done it. Rather, he would've left her there. What if he was understanding her need for it, after her day and the job and all the things about real life she'd always had family, Giles, and able-minded Scoobies to take care of while she made quick work of various and sundry apocalypses? Still, if this is escapism, and to keep with the ecstasy that comes over her face every time he invades her personal space, she should've been clutching at him more desperately than ever.
"If you want to have all of her, then don't settle for the little you get." -little_bit
-Thank you! Finally, someone with real rocks. She has needs, fine, but if you want a side of respect and maybe emotion with that Slayer!Play then you've gotta demand it. You love her, yes, but you're also not blind to her personal flaws – besides, you've earned the right to the truth. Scratch that – everyone has a right to the truth. You've earned the common decency of an explanation.
Bottom line:
"The B/S sex scene also depressed me because it was so hollow and cold. Sure, they're not in love and will probably never have any kind of a meaningful, long-term relationship and that's kosher with me. The no-strings sexual relationship is okay if they both enjoy it but they don't. They could barely look at each other and Buffy's face almost made me want to heave. This has got to stop. Either they've got to try to have a real relationship or at least enjoy a purely sexual one. But this whatever thing they've got going on right now is just too sad for words. Neither of them are happy and I feel they both deserve better than the "freakshow" that was displayed in this episode. With that said though, I think that scene was crucial to the B/S story arc. Now that it appears that neither of them are enjoying the sex (Spike wants all of her, Buffy's still depressed) their "relationship" is at a crossroads. They either have to break it off or try to make it work." –judebug1980
"Maybe the subplot of the episode is who is the demon salesperson helping Spike with his wardrobe selection at Pimps "R" Us....and what does s/he want in order to send him over to Vampercrombie & Witch?" -Constance
-As if the gold chain wasn't bad enough – no no, I will refrain from commenting on how grossly it clashes with the newly relevated to Buffyverse status of James Marsters's penchant for silver rings. Seriously folks, last week's in-crypt ensemble rocked my little world, but this was just distressing. Another gripe – who dared to put that insanely ridiculous hat on Buffy? It made her look impish and covered half her face as she spoke, not to mention not doing anything for her hair (which for the love of god could some benevolent soul take any sort of texturizer to?)
"What was up with the pacing? There was no subplot at all the first act - the entire act took place at the stupid store. Then it was all subplots straight." -SNeaker
-The entire storyline (I dare not venture as far as to call it a plot) dragged. Every scene felt like it was taking forever. The teaser was shorter than the 'previously on…' segment – these were some seriously desperate people trying to fill in some desperately lacking script and just plain lack of acting. And don't talk to me about how the tedium and repetition and the
painfully slow shooting of the Doublemeat scenes went to parodying the fast
food industry (and in turn, corporate America) – that could've been done
without causing the acute pain in my brainwave centers, intelligence outposts, and stimulating my exocrine glands to flood my body with serotonin in the hopes that I'll go to sleep and this will turn out to be all a bad bad dream.
"I really liked Xander's face (mouth open, full of popcorn) when he was told
that he was going to get to listen to Anya forever." -Duran
-Yeah, those crazy twosome. And here we thought their biggest problem consisted of hairy toes and snoring. Good that we're having a reality check of their situation though. One of the two moments I actually could stand to be watching this travesty. The other being Spike's musings on whether Buffy was one of those demons that got off on the vibrations from the fluorescent lighting. Not that he didn't know better than to bring it up at any time but especially right then – still though, he finished off with that genuine concern for her humanity once again, and that's the Spike I know and love. Now if only Comatose!Buffy would please get slain so DeckHimForThatCommentWithASmile!Buffy can bring life and integrity back into a character I loved just two episodes ago.
"It looks like they are setting up some interesting developments for the rest
of the season: with Amy being bitter at Willow for taking her sweet time
deratting her, and Anya slowly realizing that maybe Xander doesn't really
accept her for who she is." –Kbear
-Great, yeah, more fuel on the fire that will burn the tapes of this and all
future episodes that mark it as a continuity touchstone. Good point or not,
there were less painful ways to further currently simmering plot developments. And can I just state for the record how much I DON'T care about Amy? She served her purpose in facilitating the delightful calamity of 'Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered.' Done and done.
"Speaking of Willow, when are they going to remember all the hundreds of times that her magic has saved the whole gang and subsequently helped save the world? Why is magic a drug now rather than the useful tool that it used to be?" –ishi72
-My point exactly. Like Sep and Ace have said, it's not the magic, it's
Willow's abuse of it to facilitate her needs.
"What with all the meat close-ups? That was disgusting." –temo
-Just too much time wasted in the burger place. I mean, glad to see Sarah
Michelle Gellar didn't phone in this one, but yeesh, I thought we'd decided
that we wanted to live – and her continuing to work there? Gag me. If I have to endure more of this inanity Buffy (and vicariously, I) will go more insane than they put you in straightjackets and lock you away in institutions for. And remind me again why she didn't, in keeping with the pettiness of her character as of late, just extort any amount of money from the Doublemeat people? I KNOW they're not telling us she's gone moral and her idea of redemption involves slaving over friers and grilling faux meat.
"I also got the impression that Dawn was saying Buffy wasn't good enough to be her sister. In my opinion, it seemed like she was saying that other people had siblings who could be lawyers, but having Buffy working at a crappy job wasn't good enough for Dawn's reputation. If Dawn was meant to seem pissy about that, well, she should remember that without Buffy she wouldn't exist." -mishes
-If this was the writer's way of reminding us that there's a reason why Buffy
is being hackneyed as a character and stuck in a singular badly-lit no-budget
set and stands so starkly in contrast to the rest of the "real" world then they can shove it. While yes, Buffy needs to get off it, so does Dawn – what, having your sister DIE to save your life and make the world safe for the living isn't good enough for you?
"I agree with a2zmom and everyone else who thinks the whole "no one can be
happy in S6" thing has gone a bit far. It's like everyone has the Angel curse
now." -Constance
-Except there doesn't seem to be one morally uncorrupt one in the bunch.
Spike's sacrificing integrity to be with Buffy, who is neglecting her sister,
finagling her way out of responsibilities, and can't make up her mind about the muddled motives that brought Spike into her bed. Willow was addicted and now walking the tightrope of recovery from magic, but as we all know and have
sighed in frustration it's not the magic it's Willow. Someone take her to a
qualified therapist to say that and we can get back to happy mediums. Dawn is
angsting over her sister's flagrantly unconcerned demeanor and god knows
whatever other problems that come with being in her age bracket and having
recently lost her mother. Xander continues to belittle Anya, who for her part
hasn't progressed beyond 'I love money' and 'Xander's penis is great' (though
we seem to be addressing that now). It's just ridiculous. All of it, painfully ridiculous. There's no support system here, just a condemned structure waiting to implode.
Xal Xuffasch: i want some full anger... let out
MoonBrat42: oh it will be
MoonBrat42: the numbness has worn off
MoonBrat42: now i'm pissed
"Shoddy pacing, crappy plot, and the revelation of the true addiction-- Jane
Esperson's on crack, y'all." –Abby20
-Succinctly put. Which is where this episode is going – succinctly and quickly behind me. I think there might be something on shellfish on the Discovery Channel that I can tape over the episode...
Hope for us yet though: Dead Things promo. At this point, I'd even spoil myself more thoroughly than curdled cheese if it meant I could avoid another disaster like tonight's.
"I hope my insurance will cover Acts of Joss."
-LurkerNan
