Not Quite Getting It Done

First off, let me just say that I did watch this episode live. I'm not sure if Blogger was just having issues, or if it was my browser, but I could not log on yesterday. So, sorry for the delay.

Now, here is my opinion of this not-so-stellar episode:

It just wasn't that great. For the most part, I agree with the great points that Brian has made. The past few episodes have been an exercise in stalling. Much the way most of the season has been running, come to think of it. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER is being plagued by something too tragic to bear. Uncertainty. I think that most of us fans have come to accept, beyond that shadow of a doubt, that this is the end of BUFFY. The season ends the series. Under ordinary circumstances this would not have proved an impediment to the season, but for a poor choice by Sarah Michelle Gellar herself. Now, I have been a Sarah fan since the program began, I have nothing against her.

Unfortunately, her indecision has cost the show some momentum. I realize, from prior discussions with Brian, that Sarah has no obligation to the fans to make up her mind in a timely fashion. I realize that she should feel no allegiance to the viewers to put them out of their misery and decide whether or not she will continue on the show at all. The fans spent many months watching and waiting, with the future of the show in the balance. The rest of the cast (Emma Caulfield excluded) had signed on for another season. Alyson Hannigan was the only one of that bunch who seemed to be on the fence. For the most part, though, if Sarah had decided one way or the other, the show would have followed. Months of "will she or won't she" put the writers in a tough spot. Write for the end of the show, or write for the end of the season? Now Joss has said that most seasons, if not all, have been written have their ends be the end of the show. So maybe I'm wrong, but I can't help but feel I'm right. Last season seemed too rushed at the end. I think that this season may wind up feeling slap-dashed because there was too much indecision on the future of the show. I hope that made as much sense in print as it does in my head.

Anyhow, continuing on the episode in particular; Yes. The episode proved to be yet another spinning of the wheels until we hit the final stretch of episodes.

As for Buffy herself, if I hear one more inspirational speech I think I'm going to shoot myself. Let's work on the strengths of our convictions, not just the strength of our words. I mean, this episode knocked Buffy down a piece or two. She spends all her time talking about how they have to do anything it takes to win, but she refuses the power offered to her to stop the First Evil? Does that seem profusely wrong to anyone else?

I was behind her little speech to everyone, provided she didn't eventually apologize. She did, and that negated the whole thing to me. Before anyone gets too pissed, let me explain this. I support what she had to say because our characters have become too blase regarding the importance of what is happening. To use an expression (which I am effectively killing in this blog) Buffy needed to shake the Scoobies from their complacency. Willow is the strongest wicca around, and could be of immense help. She needed a good swift kick in the butt to get her going. She's needed. Spike? I don't see how he's been slacking too much, but everyone needed to be kicked into action. As for everyone else, while they may not necessarily be capable of doing too much more than be good little soldiers, they needed to be inspired. Sometimes the best way to inspire is just to anger someone into action.

Moving on to the Spike/Principal Wood thing, I just want to go on the record and say that I hope it ends quickly in two weeks. Next week's episode does not seem appropriate for that sort of subject matter, but I may be wrong. It had better be in the episode afterwards, and it had better take no longer than 15 minutes. It would have been a great thing to address earlier in the season, but seems wholly inappropriate for the climax of a season. Just my opinion, may not be gospel.

The Slayers in Training (SITs) are now in boot camp? How can that possibly help? And where was Giles? Did I miss something? I know that Anthony Stewart Head's schedule may make it difficult to include him in all of these episodes, but you have to work around these things. I think it terribly wrong that Kennedy is now leading the SITs. She IS a SIT. She should be one of the ones being trained. Now it has been explained to me that she got her position because of her various positions with Willow (sorry, I had to.) That doesn't hold water with me. Buffy's own actions of late have served to prove that she wouldn't let that happen. She would take charge herself. Besides, I don't think that anyone can argue that Kennedy has proven herself more capable than any of the others.

Well, I guess I've hit this episode hard enough for now. There's more that I feel, but Brian pretty much covered all of it. Still looking forward to next week, though.

  posted by J @ 08:46