Potentially Messy

This episode, to me, harkened back to the dreaded 6th season. I use the word "dreaded" lightly. The 6th season was indeed a depressive conglomeration with the occasional light at the ray of hope (the musical being one of them.) Last night's episode was more or less the same. On the whole, the episode was more or less a depressive conglomeration, but with some really nice scenes or moments.

The Graveyard training scene was cool. Good moments abounding. Even a nifty little Buffy/Spike exchange.

Dawn's journey was done beautifully, as told by Brian.

Amanda was definitely a wrench in the works for me. I was totally convinced that she was The First, trying to infiltrate the group again, and possibly kidnap Dawn. I felt genuine elation for Dawn, and having Anya, Xander and Willow discuss the ramifications of this really helped me through it as well. Andrew even had an epiphany which was just delicious in it's execution. And about Womanhood of all things.

I am glad that Brian brought up the absence of Lalaine as one of the slayers in training. She wasn't of particular interest to me per se, but her absence served to illustrate that for a moment, I felt as though I was losing track of the S.I.T.s. Until they all start getting more personality instead of just being scenary for another one of Buffy's great lectures, I don't think they're gonna matter much to me. I just thought I was losing my mind when semi-familiar faces started coming and going.

As to Buffy's lecturing, which Brian also brought up, I've been doing some thinking. It occurs to me that Buffy's behavior in training makes perfect sense. Look at how she has been handled. Giles forced her into all kinds of responsibility at a young age. Of all things, that probably affected her the least. Next, look at all she has had to give up to be the Slayer. First was any sort of real life. Next, any sort of relationship. She's died twice (once she even had to claw out of her own grave.) I mean, it doesn't get much more depressing. Then, let's not forget Helpless (which fits my recent Season 3 kick nicely.) Look at what she has had to go through to be the Slayer. Stripped of her powers and trapped in a house with a ravenous vampire. To me, there was a nice scene in Potential which mirrored it precisely.

I may not be happy with Drill Instructor Buffy, but I have to understand where she is coming from. And Giles has been no help at all. He's been even more serious than he usually is, if that's possible, and he's left town to boot.

*sigh*

As to Brian's assertion that there has been an absence of "beautiful scenes" since the show's move to UPN..........he's right. But you have to look at what we are talking about here. This is only the show's second season on UPN. The first was the "dreaded Season 6" which offered little in the way of organization, let alone beautiful scenes. Yes there were a few, but I agree that it was far below the standards that Mutant Enemy has set in the past. As for this season, I can't explain why they are absent per se, other than that we are dealing with a lot of information in a short period of time. More is happening in this one season than has happen in any other singular season. People are dying (recurring and new characters), people are being kidnapped and tortured, mysteries are abounding, lots of exposition is coming out, more singular characters are being introduced than ever before, I mean there is a lot on the plate. Maybe there just isn't enough time to spare for beauty.....

Sad, but possible true.

But of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

  posted by J @ 11:35