Empty Places...........

I've forsaken my usual "witty" play on the episode's title, simply because there is little more that needs to be said on that mark. Last night's episode was a kick in the groin while biting into a lemon, with your opponent cutting onions in front of you. AND, if this is possible, all this in a good way.

In the annals of primetime drama, we have just witnessed a diamond in the rough. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and all of Joss' creations do stand in a class all their own, but this one was just the ultimate in high drama. That's just my opinion.

The recent storyline brings to bear the very basis of real life current events, intentionally or not. I agreed with the troops deposing of Buffy, although if I had been in that situation, I don't know if I would have. You see, I think that it's our god-like knowledge of what is happening in her world that gives us this clarity of vision. If I was there, however, I might have blindly followed her because she's the leader. Simply because she is good at what she does. The simple fact of the matter is that it would either be that or I would have left town (I can't say either for certain, but I think I would be damned scared either way.)

I believe that I am naturally anti-war, and have therefore said many-a-time that I should be the last one to be in charge when we have to go to war. It's that simple. I believe that I would get everyone killed, whereas a fighter would lead to a better finish. And again, for that reason, I probably would have followed Buffy. And unfortunately, as we now know, that would have gotten everyone killed.

My point? All this made the episode that much harder to watch. My dream from a few weeks ago taught me that these stories can be that much more gripping if you try to inject yourself into them. As such, Dawn, Willow, Giles and the rest of the gang just "saved my life." And it was hard to hear. I didn't want Buffy to be taken down. It hurt. But the good news is that it was all for the best, and ultimately IT'S JUST A TV SHOW, SO LET THE ENTERTAINMENT VALUE NOT BE IGNORED!!! (In layman's terms, I mean that I am aware that it's just a show and that I shouldn't get too wrapped up in it. I'm not.)

The rest of the episode showed off acting talents like no one's business. Faith has become the perfect anti-hero. She finally has been asked to BE one of the GOOD guys, rather than to just act like one. It's a coming of age story for Faith at best, and Eliza played it to perfection. It's a tremendous thing when someone can act with their eyes, as she did in the kitchen scene. You could see the wheels turning and it was perfect.

Scenes with Andrew are still being used to best effect. He IS the little pressure valve on the side of the cooker that allows us to make it through the episode without being UTTERLY depressed.

The trio of Spike, Wood and Giles is too perfect a triangle. Who would have thought that Spike would be the most trusted out of the three for Buffy? And will this week's events send her into his arms, distancing her further from Giles? And where is Buffy's place in all this? Could it be that the translation in the cave meant that for Buffy to defeat the First she must act alone? Could this all be a good thing? Or could Buffy really not be the hero this time. Maybe Faith was destined to be the final hero after all.

Of all the characters on the show, the one that I have had the most visceral reaction to is Xander. I have always thought that if I were in the group I would have been Xander. Only maybe even less lucky. That being the case, I was hurt by what happened to him. But I will admit that it wouldn't have hurt a tenth as much if Nicholas wasn't playing it so well. Brian summed up the scene with he and Alyson best. It was bittersweet. And the past comes back to bite us (in perfect Joss form) as that Xander's big speech about trusting Buffy keeps running through my mind every time I see him all bandaged up. It's painful.

So, to quote a line I heard from somewhere:
"Where do we go from here?

It IS clear that things will never be the same again, and this season DOES have that feeling of finality to it. I've been through final seasons before, and for the most part they never feel as final as this does. M.E. is doing it right. Like no show before, they are really gearing us up for the end. Good job, guys.

  posted by J @ 11:43