The Party's Over

Well, to me, that was the overriding theme of last night's shindig. It was great fun, full of nice comedic moments, and probably the last we're going to see of all that until the First is dispatched.

First Date was the final straw for me. I am now totally convinced that these episodes are the writers talking to us directly. Giles' situation was immediately wrapped up in the first 2 minutes of the episode, as was Spike's condition. Over and done with. Giles killed his attacker and Buffy decided to have Spike's chip removed. Final. Yes, there was a little discussion of both items later in the show, but it really didn't amount to nearly as much as I would have thought it would be. In my mind I heard Joss saying "It's not important. Let it go. Here are your answers, now let's move on, shall we?"

And so we did. We finally find out who Principal Wood is. And let me just say right off that bat that the moment he told us why he was doing what he did, I knew the truth. We all knew the truth. This was probably one of the most lackluster revelations that we've had on the show, but it worked just fine. Besides, it was made up for by the very last line of the episode which makes one wonder if Wood will instantly revert to his bad boy days. And if he does, does this mean that The First wants Spike dead? Or does he want Wood dead, killed at Spike's hands, forcing Buffy to take him out (not on a date) and flipping Spike back to the dark side. It's a nice riddle.

Meanwhile, the subterfuge on this show has reached a fevered pitch! Last week it was Amy giving Willow the business (and totally fooling me.) This week it was Andrew and The First. He also had me totally fooled. It was GREAT!

As for Xander's sub-story, I wasn't sure that this was the one that they should have promoted. All in all, I didn't feel too much of a sense of urgency on that one. I like Xander and all, but since he didn't seem to feel like he was in any danger, I didn't as well. Oh well. Better luck next time Alex.

Overall, the episode was OK. Not one of my favorites, but a last hurrah nonetheless for us fun-loving Scoobies everywhere.

Two minor observations:

1) Buffy watches FOX. I really don't know how to feel about that. In some ways I think to myself "that figures." In other ways, I think I may have lost a little respect for the Slayer. Then again, she hangs with dead people and supernatural stuff all the time. I guess she's just looking for the most braindead television around.

2) I can say that last part because FIREFLY is no longer part of the line up, so she can't be watching that. To that end, I would like to address another reference in the program. The JONATHAN ARCHER reference regarding Xander wanting to be gay (one of the cooler Xander moments I've seen in a while.) While I understand a certain loyalty to UPN, being the network that they air on, I personally would have appreciated a more inside remark. One that would have provoked thoughts around the globe, and would not have been overtly gratuitous.

Why couldn't he say he was thinking of...................wait for it.......................................Nathan Fillion. Then there could be this whole little discussion:

Willow: Nathan who?
Buffy (off-handedly): Malcolm Reynolds.

Everyone turns to look at her. Andrew's and Xander's mouths drop. Buffy looks around, suddenly feeling all eyes on her.

Buffy: What? It's a good show!!!
Dawn: What show?
Andrew: Firefly
Anya: That's the one with the cowboys in space? Hasn't that been done a million times before?
Andrew: That's the funny thing, you see there's this debate going on around the internet about how it is really a rip-off of this anime called "Outlaw Star" because there's this...
Xander: NOW THAT'S JUST NOT TRUE!!!
Buffy: ENOUGH!!!
Andrew (trailing off): but those people are just stupid anyway.


Anyway, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

  posted by J @ 13:03