So, I like Joss Whedon. I think it's fairly obvious at this point. The earliest I was exposed to his work was most likely the first Toy Story, and then he and I didn't cross paths again until I saw a couple of episodes of Dollhouse back in 2009 (i don't count my dabbling in Buffy one bored holiday break as a thing anymore, especially since i stopped right before shit got real.) I liked it for the most part but I lost track of it and I simply didn't bother seeking it out. Then i saw The Avengers, Cabin In The Woods and Firefly (though granted, not in quick succession) and I stopped dead in my tracks. Firefly was a defining moment in my television obsessed 'hobby', a hobby that had already caused me to examine, re-examine and question aspects of the world. I saw Buffy and Angel not long after that and again I found myself emotionally enthralled in another universe filled with characters i adored.
Much of the effect of Whedon's work lies in how he handles real situations and emotions in outlandish settings. The way he addresses issues like identity, loneliness, abuse, corruption, sexuality, friendship, family and heartbreak within the parameters of fantasy and science fiction using characters that you will be invested in startles me. Every single thing I just mentioned has been present in his television shows and it is a rare gift to be able to talk about a few, let alone all of them, in a manner that doesn't seem a little condescending or schmaltzy in some way. Perhaps this is why I fell so completely in love with Dollhouse. Do I think it's the best Whedon show? Hard to tell, but I do think it deserves to be talked about, analyzed and discussed in the same way that his other shows so often are. Perhaps even more so in some respects.
5. Briar Rose (Season 1, Episode 11)
I've given up trying to predict Jane Espenson. The woman has written episodes that made me laugh my ass off and ones that smashed my heart into pieces. I have given up. Briar Rose had me on the edge of my seat for it's whole run time. Alan Tudyk managed to wipe Wash from my memory in a single scene and I will forever love this mans acting. This was tense, this was exciting this, was the episode that sat me down, looked me right in the eye and said: 'we are not going back. Dollhouse is going to stay this good for a long time and you'd better be prepared.'
4. The Attic (Season 2, Episode 10)
The Attic is one of the most insane hours of television I've had the pleasure of witnessing. It sets the final few episodes up brilliantly, leaves room for some nicely screwed up ideas and shocked me with it's innate ambition. It's not like any Whedon show has ever lacked for ambition really, but what impresses me about Dollhouse is that it took an already ambitious concept and didn't stop there, it kept going and even proved that it didn't always have to take place in the present or even the real world to be intriguing and suspenseful.
3. The Left Hand (Season 2, Episode 6)
I was only vaguely aware that Summer Glau was in this show and I did an internal happy dance when she appeared. And if it weren't for the slight sociopathic tendencies Bennet would be adorable (okay, she still is). Look, her and Topher guys... I can get behind that (except for that whole... well you know what i'm talking about.) Also: Alexis Denisof was on this show, I had no idea, despite knowing he is American I can still never get used to his natural accent.
2. Man On The Street (Season 1, Episode 6)
There are some episodes that I would explicitly point to in a show where I can say with confidence that this is where the show becomes truly great. With Buffy I can point to Innocence, with Angel I can point to Five By Five, Fringe I can say There Is More Than One Of Everything. For Dollhouse it is Man on the Street. I don't believe you need to look any further for an episode that can introduce this show to a new viewer. Both plots work well, but I have to applaud the slightly understated (and all the more disturbing because of it) B plot involving Sierra. Good lord I think my stomach literally churned when I found out where it was going. Riveting stuff (and Patton Oswalt you guys!!)
1. Epitaph One (Season 1, Episode 13)
Remember when i said Man On The Street is when the show gets great? Remember when I said Briar Rose is when the show looks you dead in the eye and tells you to strap in? Well Epitaph One tells you you don't know anything. That you had the show pegged all wrong - that you were about to have your mind nuked. And your emotions, don't forget those. In one episode the scope for the show expanded vastly and it never paused for thought afterwards.
Dollhouse is a show that will never have the following Buffy, Angel or Firefly does. I don't quite understand why, but I am confident in that statement. Of course that doesn't mean it's not worthy of your time. In fact I'd argue that if you want some of the most thought provoking sci fi that isn't the ones people usually suggest then go for this one, I don't think you will be disappointed.
Monday, December 8, 2014
Thursday, October 2, 2014
My Top 20 Favourite Buffyverse Characters
I'm not letting this go and I don't think i can let go of this until I've exhausted literally every fibre of my vocabulary on it. The Buffyverse made me go through such a gamut of emotions that I don't think any other show will replicate it (except for my beloved Fringe, of course.) Point being: i need to work through my feelings on this universe, but let me lay down some rules first -
- This is my favourite characters, not the best
- I will be including characters that are both prominent in the shows and ones that are not
- I will not be including the leads of either show, so Buffy and Angel don't get to be rated.
20.Sister Sunshine/Chanterelle/Lily/Anne Steele (Julia Lee)
Here's the thing about the Buffyverse that I may or may not have mentioned before: due to the admittedly ridiculous research I do on television shows before i watch them I felt pretty confident that i knew what would happen in the 'verse. I was a foolish and unprepared mortal. That said though, despite knowing a fair amount of major plot points I had no idea that these shows would take the time to give recurring - and seemingly one off - characters real development, so when Chanterelle of 'Lie to Me' showed up in Buffy's season 3 premiere I was pleasantly surprised. But i thought that would be the end of it, she's learned to take care of herself after being inspired by Buffy (and takes her middle name, Anne, as a sort of tribute) but then she showed up on Angel and I just sat back and said: "well played." She goes from a vampire worshipping cultist, to a homeless youth to a helper of the helpless on the streets of LA. And she teaches the kids to never invite anyone in, you go Anne.
19. Charles Gunn (J August Richards)
I really liked Gunn, but the writers never gave him a clear enough direction as a character which means that he got overshadowed a lot by his co-stars. Sure, give Richards an emotional scene and he will sell it but unfortunately he was never quite given enough development for me to rank him higher. He was however a wonderfully down to earth comrade to Angel and he never failed to bring a good laugh.
18. Daniel 'Oz' Osbourne (Seth Green)
Oh Oz, you were a pretty awesome guy. He played guitar in a band named Dingoes ate My Baby, he was a werewolf, he was actually pretty reasonable as a person and, perhaps best of all, he was so cool he could see the coolness of Willow while everyone else looked through her. Plus, who doesn't love his "we fight the mayor with hommus" line? People with no souls that's who.
17. Drusilla (Juliet Landau)
Speaking of no souls - let's talk about the most bat shit insane vampire to ever grace the screen. Literally everything about Drusilla was purely entertaining, hilarious and creepy. Landau's eyes could slice you in half were she to look at you just so, and the funny thing is - you would never look away. That's how she got Kendra. Too soon?
16. Allan Francis Doyle (Glenn Quinn)
He may have only given us nine episodes but Doyle's impact can be felt even in the shows final year, who doesn't well up in "You're Welcome" when they watch that tape? Doyle had a short but signifcant arc in Angel's early days and despite knowing where this character ends you'll never not be interested in this half-demon looking for redemption.
15. Lilah Morgan (Stephanie Romanov)
Lilah Morgan was sassy, funny, damn near evil and pretty damn tragic. There's a moment in season four finale that sums up all you need to know about Lilah - she's got a contract that extends far beyond her death but it genuinely means something to her that Wesley tried to free her of it. Anyone got a tissue? No? I'll just sit here and gulp awkwardly then.
14. Tara Maclay (Amber Benson)
Let's all bow down to Tara Maclay, one of the most resilient, kindest and loyal people to ever appear on Buffy. Here is a girl that came from an emotionally abusive household at best, could barely bring her voice above a whisper in Hush (what a coincidence), forms a true connection with Willow and essentially caused one of the most important stories in the Buffyverse - Willow and Tara are totally gay and it's not a big deal! I love that the show treated them like any other relationship, it wasn't sensationalised, nor was it objectified (except for Xander's dream which, to be fair, makes sense). Let's all talk about how she realised that Willow was manipulating her and abusing her magic and told her to get her shit together - that's a brave thing to do when you're in a relationship like that. And can i just cap this off with one thing? Amber Benson refused to return in season 7 as The First impersonating Tara because she didn't want the fans' final impression of the character to be negative. Personally I like to think Tara was just too good to be imitated by pure evil.
13. Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon)
If you had asked 12/13 year old me (back when i first saw the series) who my favourite character was I'd have said Xander because I had a rather unreasonable and now completely unbelievable crush on him. Xander was cute but nowadays I'm more of a Giles gal. Still, the X-man was the heart of the gang, 'the one who sees' as it was put in season 7, he was the everyman who watched while his friends gradually became more powerful than him and he still struggled to find his place in the world. Yet in spite of all this Xander fought, Xander lost his eye fighting the battle against evil, Xander lost the woman he loved and you know what else? Xander saved the whole damn world because he loved his best friend enough to be able to reach her. He wasn't always in the right (I'm sure the "kick his ass" line will forever be debated) but he was there til the end and that counts for something.
12. Harmony Kendall (Mercedes McNab)
I have a rather shocking amount of Harmony feelings. The strange thing is that there's really no need for me to do so, it's not like she's deep as person/vampire and she certainly never showed true remorse for anything. But Harmony also desperately craved acceptance, which actually puts her decision to fight the Mayor in season 3 into perspective - she probably only did it because everyone else was. When she was vamped at her own graduation she didn't become a vampire that just wanted to maim and murder for all eternity - she was just Harmony but with bloodlust. She had no idea how to be a vampire and what's more is that most of the time she didn't seem that happy as one. You constantly see her acting like she just plain isn't a vampire. Harmony was a hilarious, dim, valley girl that got saddled with vampirism and it was sort of sad but very genius and rather funny.
11. Lorne (Andy Hallett)
Can Lorne be my best friend? Seriously, Lorne is the best. Not only will he bring the roof down with 'Lady Marmalade' but he'll give adorable nick names to you and do it while lending a sympathetic ear and dry wit to the proceedings. I always felt awful for Lorne was put through in Angel's fifth season, he had so much of his happiness and gusto stripped away until finally he simply couldn't take it any more. But we'll always have Lorne and the Lornettes right?
10. Joyce Summers (Kristine Sutherland)
Oh, dear... How to explain the fact that originally Joyce Summers wasn't even intended to be a character? She was meant to be some vague presence in the show that we rarely if ever saw. I can't say how much it would have impacted the show except that without Joyce Summers we wouldn't have The Body. And that's a pretty big loss. Joyce was a good hearted, good natured and very sweet person who had sex with Giles on the hood of a police car, trolled Principal Snyder and snarked Faith while she was being held hostage by her. Joyce, you were a delight.
9. Darla (Julie Benz)
From getting dusted in the first season to being part of one of the most emotionally exhausting stories in Angel Darla never failed to captivate an audience, to make them laugh, make them nervous or indeed make them sad. That moment in Angel's third season where she talks about how she doesn't want to lose the ability to love her son will forever be etched into my psyche, Julie Benz - where are you Emmys?
8. Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head)
Of all the characters so far, bar Harmony and maybe Joyce, Giles is the character who changed the least. That's not to say he had no development, of course he did, but he was also a very consistent character who came into the show with a clear focus - guide Buffy. The fact that he ended up a surrogate father to her, Willow and Xander was never part of the plan and yet he took it all in his stride. He had to deal with a lot of stuff through the shows run, but Giles remained such a strong fixture of the show that his absence was always felt. And damn, he really was a beautiful singer.
7. Faith Lehane (Eliza Dushku)
Buffy had gone to dark places before (Angelus) but we'd never been shown how far a person can be pushed into darkness by circumstance. Faith was edgy to begin with, she had a pretty awful life even before she became a slayer, but as season 3 progressed and after she accidentally killed Allan Finch she seemed to have fallen straight into the other side of the fight. Of course, it didn't help that the Scoobies never seemed to offer her the support she so sorely needed while Mayor Wilkins was... well that was a rather sweet father/daughter relationship. It was a shame about how evil he was. But Faith got her act together and stood proudly at the fall of Sunnydale.
6. Spike (James Marsters)
I am going to freely admit that the first time I saw Spike I wondered if he'd been hyped too much, that maybe people's love for him was almost entirely based on him being really freakin' good looking. But James Marsters also turned out to be one hell of an actor . His is first scene in Buffy season 2 portrayed him as a deviously fun antagonist, while in his final appearance (on both shows) he was a bonafide hero. Spike had a big journey, and I loved every second of it. His coat was also awesome.
5. Anya Jenkins (Emma Caulfield)
She was strangely literal, she had a fear of bunnies, she was a savvy business woman and she probably caused the Russian Revolution. And yet underneath her literal mindedness and brutal honesty there was a woman trying to understand a world she felt out of place in, that she thought was stupid and that humans were stupid for fighting for. But she respected and embraced it in ways that no one would have ever expected from a character that was originally only meant to make a couple of guest appearances in the third season. Anya lame-ass-made-up-maiden-name gave her life for the world but not before she slayed a bunch of vamps and pretended they were fluffy, hoppy bunnies.
4. Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter)
Cordelia Chase is a legend. She began life as a self absorbed grade-A bitch and ended it a benevolent sass-machine. Before his death Doyle kissed her and gave her visions she neither asked for nor wanted, they caused her such tremendous pain that she kissed Wesley as soon as she saw him to try to get rid of them. But then she saw how much pain was in the world and she sums up exactly what she thinks about it: "we have to help them." Perhaps the best example of how Cordy grew is "Birthday," in which she is close to death and her spirit is outside of her body, yet you know what she does? She tries to tell Angel how to help the girl in her vision. In that same episode she's given the opportunity to have the life she always wanted but then gave it up to help her friends. But the visions were still killing her, so when she's told she can tolerate the visions if she becomes half demon she looks at Skip and tells him to demonize her already. Basically "Birthday" is one big Cordy-pride parade.
3. Winifred 'Fred' Burkle/Illyria (Amy Acker)
The opening scene of "A Hole In The World" sees Fred assure her parents that she was going to be a safe, boring grad student - smash cut to her brandishing a flame thrower. I laughed but then I felt something else that I don't think I ever felt so clearly for a TV character before: it was pride. I felt proud of Fred. She went from a half way to crazy town slave in Pylea to a valuable member of Angel Investigations, to a strong willed revenge seeker (and technically is the hero of season 4), the head of Wolfram & Hart's science division and then she's cut down by an ancient Goddess and it just isn't fair. And then there is Illyria. I think there is a legitimate argument to be made that Acker is even better as Illyria than she is as Fred, though such an argument could be seen as practically moot when you see her switch between a pseudo-Fred and Leery (hey, that's Lorne's nickname and it's just so cute I had to use it). It would be easy for either, or both, of these characters to be gimmicky or unlikeable but they just aren't, there's a great amount of nuance to be found here, especially in Illyria, who can feel so threatening and so sympathetic from moment to moment. I want to watch A Hole In The World/Shells again. Is there something wrong with me?
2. Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan)
I was close to putting her at number 1, but no cigar. No one can say that Willow didn't end up being the most powerful character in Buffy. Over the course of the show she became so confident and in control, she became a powerful witch, she came out as gay, she brought Buffy back from the dead, struggled with her own dark side (understatement) and ended on the side of pure good. Sure, Willow began and ended on the same side, but she grew and matured as she progressed until finally she saved the world. Which I'd say is a nice way to make up for trying destroy it last time.
1. Wesley Wyndham-Price (Alexis Denisof)
No character in the Buffyverse goes through the kind of development that Wesley does. Anyone who first laid eyes on him would say that he was definitely vampire fodder, yet it was only in Angel's final episode that he was laid to rest. A goofy goody two shoes watcher to a morally complex man with nothing left to live for - Denisof made us believe in Wesley's journey every step of the way.
Wesley is not just my favourite Buffyverse character be he's also, in my opinion, the most well-written, well-developed and, possibly, outright best character. Oh and this guy also ended up marrying Alyson Hannigan. So apparently he's the best at life too.
So that's it. Maybe i issed a few, and i know that i struggled with the lack of The Master and The Mayor but I think i've made a solid list here.
- This is my favourite characters, not the best
- I will be including characters that are both prominent in the shows and ones that are not
- I will not be including the leads of either show, so Buffy and Angel don't get to be rated.
20.
Here's the thing about the Buffyverse that I may or may not have mentioned before: due to the admittedly ridiculous research I do on television shows before i watch them I felt pretty confident that i knew what would happen in the 'verse. I was a foolish and unprepared mortal. That said though, despite knowing a fair amount of major plot points I had no idea that these shows would take the time to give recurring - and seemingly one off - characters real development, so when Chanterelle of 'Lie to Me' showed up in Buffy's season 3 premiere I was pleasantly surprised. But i thought that would be the end of it, she's learned to take care of herself after being inspired by Buffy (and takes her middle name, Anne, as a sort of tribute) but then she showed up on Angel and I just sat back and said: "well played." She goes from a vampire worshipping cultist, to a homeless youth to a helper of the helpless on the streets of LA. And she teaches the kids to never invite anyone in, you go Anne.I really liked Gunn, but the writers never gave him a clear enough direction as a character which means that he got overshadowed a lot by his co-stars. Sure, give Richards an emotional scene and he will sell it but unfortunately he was never quite given enough development for me to rank him higher. He was however a wonderfully down to earth comrade to Angel and he never failed to bring a good laugh.
18. Daniel 'Oz' Osbourne (Seth Green)
Oh Oz, you were a pretty awesome guy. He played guitar in a band named Dingoes ate My Baby, he was a werewolf, he was actually pretty reasonable as a person and, perhaps best of all, he was so cool he could see the coolness of Willow while everyone else looked through her. Plus, who doesn't love his "we fight the mayor with hommus" line? People with no souls that's who.
17. Drusilla (Juliet Landau)
Speaking of no souls - let's talk about the most bat shit insane vampire to ever grace the screen. Literally everything about Drusilla was purely entertaining, hilarious and creepy. Landau's eyes could slice you in half were she to look at you just so, and the funny thing is - you would never look away. That's how she got Kendra. Too soon?
16. Allan Francis Doyle (Glenn Quinn)
He may have only given us nine episodes but Doyle's impact can be felt even in the shows final year, who doesn't well up in "You're Welcome" when they watch that tape? Doyle had a short but signifcant arc in Angel's early days and despite knowing where this character ends you'll never not be interested in this half-demon looking for redemption.
15. Lilah Morgan (Stephanie Romanov)
Lilah Morgan was sassy, funny, damn near evil and pretty damn tragic. There's a moment in season four finale that sums up all you need to know about Lilah - she's got a contract that extends far beyond her death but it genuinely means something to her that Wesley tried to free her of it. Anyone got a tissue? No? I'll just sit here and gulp awkwardly then.
14. Tara Maclay (Amber Benson)
Let's all bow down to Tara Maclay, one of the most resilient, kindest and loyal people to ever appear on Buffy. Here is a girl that came from an emotionally abusive household at best, could barely bring her voice above a whisper in Hush (what a coincidence), forms a true connection with Willow and essentially caused one of the most important stories in the Buffyverse - Willow and Tara are totally gay and it's not a big deal! I love that the show treated them like any other relationship, it wasn't sensationalised, nor was it objectified (except for Xander's dream which, to be fair, makes sense). Let's all talk about how she realised that Willow was manipulating her and abusing her magic and told her to get her shit together - that's a brave thing to do when you're in a relationship like that. And can i just cap this off with one thing? Amber Benson refused to return in season 7 as The First impersonating Tara because she didn't want the fans' final impression of the character to be negative. Personally I like to think Tara was just too good to be imitated by pure evil.13. Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon)
If you had asked 12/13 year old me (back when i first saw the series) who my favourite character was I'd have said Xander because I had a rather unreasonable and now completely unbelievable crush on him. Xander was cute but nowadays I'm more of a Giles gal. Still, the X-man was the heart of the gang, 'the one who sees' as it was put in season 7, he was the everyman who watched while his friends gradually became more powerful than him and he still struggled to find his place in the world. Yet in spite of all this Xander fought, Xander lost his eye fighting the battle against evil, Xander lost the woman he loved and you know what else? Xander saved the whole damn world because he loved his best friend enough to be able to reach her. He wasn't always in the right (I'm sure the "kick his ass" line will forever be debated) but he was there til the end and that counts for something.12. Harmony Kendall (Mercedes McNab)
I have a rather shocking amount of Harmony feelings. The strange thing is that there's really no need for me to do so, it's not like she's deep as person/vampire and she certainly never showed true remorse for anything. But Harmony also desperately craved acceptance, which actually puts her decision to fight the Mayor in season 3 into perspective - she probably only did it because everyone else was. When she was vamped at her own graduation she didn't become a vampire that just wanted to maim and murder for all eternity - she was just Harmony but with bloodlust. She had no idea how to be a vampire and what's more is that most of the time she didn't seem that happy as one. You constantly see her acting like she just plain isn't a vampire. Harmony was a hilarious, dim, valley girl that got saddled with vampirism and it was sort of sad but very genius and rather funny.11. Lorne (Andy Hallett)
Can Lorne be my best friend? Seriously, Lorne is the best. Not only will he bring the roof down with 'Lady Marmalade' but he'll give adorable nick names to you and do it while lending a sympathetic ear and dry wit to the proceedings. I always felt awful for Lorne was put through in Angel's fifth season, he had so much of his happiness and gusto stripped away until finally he simply couldn't take it any more. But we'll always have Lorne and the Lornettes right?
10. Joyce Summers (Kristine Sutherland)
Oh, dear... How to explain the fact that originally Joyce Summers wasn't even intended to be a character? She was meant to be some vague presence in the show that we rarely if ever saw. I can't say how much it would have impacted the show except that without Joyce Summers we wouldn't have The Body. And that's a pretty big loss. Joyce was a good hearted, good natured and very sweet person who had sex with Giles on the hood of a police car, trolled Principal Snyder and snarked Faith while she was being held hostage by her. Joyce, you were a delight.9. Darla (Julie Benz)
From getting dusted in the first season to being part of one of the most emotionally exhausting stories in Angel Darla never failed to captivate an audience, to make them laugh, make them nervous or indeed make them sad. That moment in Angel's third season where she talks about how she doesn't want to lose the ability to love her son will forever be etched into my psyche, Julie Benz - where are you Emmys?
8. Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head)
Of all the characters so far, bar Harmony and maybe Joyce, Giles is the character who changed the least. That's not to say he had no development, of course he did, but he was also a very consistent character who came into the show with a clear focus - guide Buffy. The fact that he ended up a surrogate father to her, Willow and Xander was never part of the plan and yet he took it all in his stride. He had to deal with a lot of stuff through the shows run, but Giles remained such a strong fixture of the show that his absence was always felt. And damn, he really was a beautiful singer.
7. Faith Lehane (Eliza Dushku)
Buffy had gone to dark places before (Angelus) but we'd never been shown how far a person can be pushed into darkness by circumstance. Faith was edgy to begin with, she had a pretty awful life even before she became a slayer, but as season 3 progressed and after she accidentally killed Allan Finch she seemed to have fallen straight into the other side of the fight. Of course, it didn't help that the Scoobies never seemed to offer her the support she so sorely needed while Mayor Wilkins was... well that was a rather sweet father/daughter relationship. It was a shame about how evil he was. But Faith got her act together and stood proudly at the fall of Sunnydale.6. Spike (James Marsters)
I am going to freely admit that the first time I saw Spike I wondered if he'd been hyped too much, that maybe people's love for him was almost entirely based on him being really freakin' good looking. But James Marsters also turned out to be one hell of an actor . His is first scene in Buffy season 2 portrayed him as a deviously fun antagonist, while in his final appearance (on both shows) he was a bonafide hero. Spike had a big journey, and I loved every second of it. His coat was also awesome.
5. Anya Jenkins (Emma Caulfield)
She was strangely literal, she had a fear of bunnies, she was a savvy business woman and she probably caused the Russian Revolution. And yet underneath her literal mindedness and brutal honesty there was a woman trying to understand a world she felt out of place in, that she thought was stupid and that humans were stupid for fighting for. But she respected and embraced it in ways that no one would have ever expected from a character that was originally only meant to make a couple of guest appearances in the third season. Anya lame-ass-made-up-maiden-name gave her life for the world but not before she slayed a bunch of vamps and pretended they were fluffy, hoppy bunnies.
4. Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter)
Cordelia Chase is a legend. She began life as a self absorbed grade-A bitch and ended it a benevolent sass-machine. Before his death Doyle kissed her and gave her visions she neither asked for nor wanted, they caused her such tremendous pain that she kissed Wesley as soon as she saw him to try to get rid of them. But then she saw how much pain was in the world and she sums up exactly what she thinks about it: "we have to help them." Perhaps the best example of how Cordy grew is "Birthday," in which she is close to death and her spirit is outside of her body, yet you know what she does? She tries to tell Angel how to help the girl in her vision. In that same episode she's given the opportunity to have the life she always wanted but then gave it up to help her friends. But the visions were still killing her, so when she's told she can tolerate the visions if she becomes half demon she looks at Skip and tells him to demonize her already. Basically "Birthday" is one big Cordy-pride parade.The opening scene of "A Hole In The World" sees Fred assure her parents that she was going to be a safe, boring grad student - smash cut to her brandishing a flame thrower. I laughed but then I felt something else that I don't think I ever felt so clearly for a TV character before: it was pride. I felt proud of Fred. She went from a half way to crazy town slave in Pylea to a valuable member of Angel Investigations, to a strong willed revenge seeker (and technically is the hero of season 4), the head of Wolfram & Hart's science division and then she's cut down by an ancient Goddess and it just isn't fair. And then there is Illyria. I think there is a legitimate argument to be made that Acker is even better as Illyria than she is as Fred, though such an argument could be seen as practically moot when you see her switch between a pseudo-Fred and Leery (hey, that's Lorne's nickname and it's just so cute I had to use it). It would be easy for either, or both, of these characters to be gimmicky or unlikeable but they just aren't, there's a great amount of nuance to be found here, especially in Illyria, who can feel so threatening and so sympathetic from moment to moment. I want to watch A Hole In The World/Shells again. Is there something wrong with me?2. Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan)
I was close to putting her at number 1, but no cigar. No one can say that Willow didn't end up being the most powerful character in Buffy. Over the course of the show she became so confident and in control, she became a powerful witch, she came out as gay, she brought Buffy back from the dead, struggled with her own dark side (understatement) and ended on the side of pure good. Sure, Willow began and ended on the same side, but she grew and matured as she progressed until finally she saved the world. Which I'd say is a nice way to make up for trying destroy it last time.1. Wesley Wyndham-Price (Alexis Denisof)
No character in the Buffyverse goes through the kind of development that Wesley does. Anyone who first laid eyes on him would say that he was definitely vampire fodder, yet it was only in Angel's final episode that he was laid to rest. A goofy goody two shoes watcher to a morally complex man with nothing left to live for - Denisof made us believe in Wesley's journey every step of the way.
Wesley is not just my favourite Buffyverse character be he's also, in my opinion, the most well-written, well-developed and, possibly, outright best character. Oh and this guy also ended up marrying Alyson Hannigan. So apparently he's the best at life too.
So that's it. Maybe i issed a few, and i know that i struggled with the lack of The Master and The Mayor but I think i've made a solid list here.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil - Series Overview
When i have to explain what this show is I usually say "it's Buffy's stoner cousin who lives in Canada." Whether this is accurate depends on your own perception, but for my money it's pretty close. Following Todd (Alex House) as he and his friends battle against the eponymous Book of Pure Evil this was a show that was unafraid to have a lot of fun, expand it's own mythology, develop it's characters and even give us two musical episodes in the process. I love musical episodes and I think Todd does it almost as well as Buffy. Almost. Point being: there is a lot to love about this show.
The Practical Effects
An unrelentingly gross show at some points that kept it's monsters in live action as much as humanly possible. It's a shame that in this day and age the fact that a guy actually IS walking around with a monster penis rather than a CGI one is somehow noteworthy. I just read that sentence and I love it.
The Cast
House does well in the lead role while Maggie Castle (Jenny), Bill Turnbull (Curtis) and Melanie Leishman (Hannah) bring the main cast to maximum amazing. But I missed someone, could it be... ah yes, Mr Chris Leavins as Atticus Murphy. Atticus is a comic creation that is pure unfiltered excellence, his line readings are joy. JOY. Honestly, I could go on and on about this cast, everyone gets to bring the funny here and there's even room left over for some genuine acting too. And singing, dear god the singing, they really lucked out with this cast.
There Are Two Musical Episodes
I've already said that I love musical episodes but i need to mention it again because here are some songs you will legitimately hear in those episodes: 'Freak Love', 'Being Horny Makes Me Horny' and 'Metal Dude Wop.' Even if you aren't a fan of musicals (what's wrong with you?) there's still enough humour and character work in these episodes that will keep your attention.
 |
| This happened. This happened and it was beautiful. |
It Just Gets Better
There are some shows that simply lose steam. It's not always the fault of the writers or show runners, they just lose it, Todd though? Todd never had the chance to lose it. I'd say we should be sad about never getting a third season, but what we have right now is a quality cult classic and I'm happy about it.
It's Hilarious
There is not a single thing this show hasn't mined for comedic gold. There is wolf rape in this show, people. It has a song and everything.
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| "Who's an awesome guidance counselor?" |
"If you don't control German herpes, German herpes will control you."
"We're so wasted."
"Do you wanna make a bay-bay?"
"Todd, don't let go of Mr Murphy's penis!"
"As your guidance counselor - which is what i am."
"I'm Scooter and I'm from the wrong side of the tracks."
"Shit rooster"
"Now you're just a bunch of pussies with no balls"
I could go on but i think you see my point. This show will give you a quote for any occasion and I feel you should take the opportunity to experience such quotable bliss for yourself.
I implore to check out this wonderful little show. An animated movie is also coming in the future that will tie up loose plot threads from the show.
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Celluloid Geek Works out Her TV Show Feelings
I have a lot of DVDs on my 'To Watch' pile, some are shows, most are movies. I was flying through them only a week ago but then i stopped. I'm unsure why, I'd certainly finished The Buffyverse by then so that wasn't distracting me, Breaking Bad season 2 was coming a long at a moderate pace and the UK Office wasn't taking much of my time, it's not like it's a big commitment to watch that show. So why the sudden complacency? I have a good idea why: picking something to watch is tough. You don't want to pick the wrong thing because then you might have to miss/postpone the right one. That sucks. Now, i tend to pride myself on good taste (I suppose everyone does, if you thought you had bad taste you'd probably make different decisions) but sometimes I just can't get my head out of my ass to see what works best at this exact moment. As a result of this Chuck season 3 has been languishing on my shelf for months, I know i want to watch it. I enjoy Chuck immensely. But it's tough when my list (yeah, i have a list too) and my 'To Watch' pile don't always see eye to eye. Let's talk about my 'list' shall we?
Battlestar Galactica (Re-imagined)
I'm a fan of sci fi, one need only take a cursory look at my movie/tv collection to see that. I'm prepared to watch this show, I watched the miniseries (which definitely got my attention) and after Fringe I'm looking for the next sci-fi show that will make me sit up and say "fuck yes." I see it whenever I'm out prowling for movies, i wander through the TV show aisle and the whole series is right there just begging me to buy it. Yet I resist. Why? Because my 'To Watch' pile is still too large. Plus Christmas sales might mean that the collection could go down in price, what can I say? I'm cheap.
Game Of Thrones
Shut up. I know, i know i need to watch GOT both as a television fan and a fantasy fan. I know this. But I also know that very often the shows everyone else raves about do not hook me in the way they do others, case in point: Breaking Bad's first season left me underwhelmed and unimpressed. This was the show that everyone was raving about? I gave the second season a try because I trust the taste of the person who recommended it, I'm certainly happy I stuck with it but I'd rather not have a repeat experience with GOT, if it grows on me fine, cool, but if it doesn't then thats about ten hours gone you know? TIME. The first three seasons are sitting right there. I'm looking at them right now. I will watch it at some point though, if only so i can make a joke about Cersei Lannister being the fucked up alternate universe version of Sarah Connor. I feel like there is definitely fanfiction for that.
Orange is The New Black
This is something I'm really just taking a leap of faith on. I don't know if i'll enjoy it at all, I tried to watch the first episode (it was fine) but I was in the middle of a TV show run through at the time and I found it hard to enter a new universe. So I don't have any opinion on the show itself yet. I know that there are individual elements I'll enjoy (for example I like Natasha Lyonne well enough), but I don't know if i'll ever get around to this show.
The Americans
Similar to OITNB I'll have to take a leap of faith on this one too. It played in Australia so I could have watched it week to week, but it didn't pique my interest enough for me to tune in. But when i found out how lauded it was I felt compelled to check out the show I didn't even take time to dismiss, but rather just completely went through my day without once giving a shit that it existed. So I hope to redeem myself.
Chuck Season 3
This is the only season I have listed, the rest are complete shows. Why make a special note for this? Well I've not seen a single scrap of footage from season 3 of Chuck. It will be an entirely new experience, not even with the Buffyverse did I have this luck, I did have that luck with Fringe though, for which i am eternally grateful because it seriously made everything so rewarding. Anyway: Chuck was a show I simply fell for, season 1 could be a bit rough and a little broad in it's humour but season 2 was a complete and utter pleasure to watch. I don't expect season 3 to top it, but I do expect to like the season. I'll watch this, I swear. It's just a matter of when.
Cowboy Bebop
This is the only anime currently on my list, which is unusual considering how many people have recommended me Neon Genesis Evangelion. I actually have watched a few episodes already but I was sick that day and I knew that i couldn't watch It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia the whole time so I watched some of this. I actually liked it a lot so this is very likely to be completed. To be honest I watched those episodes for something to do and the show wasn't on my list, I put it there afterwards to make sure i finished it.
Twin Peaks
God I have so much to say about season 1 of Twin Peaks. Most of them go like this: "what. what. This music is really pretty. what. BAHAHA. what. what. what. This show is insane. Dale Cooper is the greatest man ever. what." So I pretty much loved season 1 of Twin Peaks. But I know that season 2 is bad. As in, bad. I try to be a completist in just about everything, but when a show has a bad season, especially if it's a bad final one, I always wonder if it's worth it. I hate it when a show loses its way. It's why I'll never watched Sliders and it's why Twin Peaks is giving me such greif.
The Comeback
With The Comeback making a comeback this year (or next? i haven't been following the news on it) it's jolted my memory of the one season wonder. Similar to Battlestar I'm pretty confident I'll enjoy this show, but I seem physically incapable of buying it every time I come into contact with it. Stupid brain trying to be responsible with money.
The X-Files
Unlike a good majority of shows i'm interested in this is a big commitment. Nine seasons, two movies and probably a lot of internet scouring to see if the mythos makes any kind of sense. Yeah i may have only seen three or four episodes of this but i'm aware of Chris Carter's 'as you go' approach. I have to ask myself if I should really watch it all. But I want to make references to the show that no-one else gets and then feel all superior! Yeah I may have some issues to work through. This is the only show on the list, except perhaps for Twin Peaks, that I'm genuinely unsure about ever watching in it's entirety.
Deadwood
I don't know much about this show except that it's meant to be an underrated gem.
Dollhouse
I never got to complete Dollhouse when it first ran on television so I'd love to get it done, plus once i own this I will own all of Joss Whedon's shows, which I guess could be a nice topic of conversation if that ever came up. Ever. I'll wait.
Farscape
Battlestar, Firefly, Fringe. What do these three shows have in common? They're acclaimed sci fi that try to emphasize realism in a world unfamiliar to our own. Regardless of my love for Firefly and Fringe (as you know I've yet to watch the Battlestar series) I do enjoy a slice of pure sci fi entertainment that gives me some bloody aliens. Aliens made by the Henson company? Well that's just icing on an already delicious cake. I don't know if Farscape is as beloved or acclaimed as any of the shows i mentioned above but a show doesn't need to be perfect in order for me to love it. The Buffyverse sure wasn't perfect and I loved the hell out of that. I hope to pick up this one and display it proudly one day.
Doctor Who (2005 - Present)
I know that classic Who is just as worthwhile to get into, but New Who (some say NuWho, it probably isn't important how one says it) simply piques my interest more. I've seen various bits of all the Doctors (minus Capaldi) and for the most part I like them all, but I love Christopher Eccleston. But then he's series one, and I've seen more of that so it could just be a familiarity. Point is: I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy this series, maybe not as much as certain other sci-fis on this list (though the more I think about Who and read about it it sounds more akin to fantasy than anything) but i'm sure i'll feel the same level of emotional investment in Who that I will/do in most other shows I manage to get wrapped up in.
That's everything I'm trying to watch. for the most part I'm able to keep on top of shows I follow, Orphan Black and Hannibal (you could cut the UST in that show with a knife and Hannibal totally did) being an example of that, but these ones sit there begging me to view them. Not to mention the fact that I'm seriously considering adding The Wire to my list. Oh god my life is going to become just endless screens.
Battlestar Galactica (Re-imagined)
I'm a fan of sci fi, one need only take a cursory look at my movie/tv collection to see that. I'm prepared to watch this show, I watched the miniseries (which definitely got my attention) and after Fringe I'm looking for the next sci-fi show that will make me sit up and say "fuck yes." I see it whenever I'm out prowling for movies, i wander through the TV show aisle and the whole series is right there just begging me to buy it. Yet I resist. Why? Because my 'To Watch' pile is still too large. Plus Christmas sales might mean that the collection could go down in price, what can I say? I'm cheap.
Game Of Thrones
Shut up. I know, i know i need to watch GOT both as a television fan and a fantasy fan. I know this. But I also know that very often the shows everyone else raves about do not hook me in the way they do others, case in point: Breaking Bad's first season left me underwhelmed and unimpressed. This was the show that everyone was raving about? I gave the second season a try because I trust the taste of the person who recommended it, I'm certainly happy I stuck with it but I'd rather not have a repeat experience with GOT, if it grows on me fine, cool, but if it doesn't then thats about ten hours gone you know? TIME. The first three seasons are sitting right there. I'm looking at them right now. I will watch it at some point though, if only so i can make a joke about Cersei Lannister being the fucked up alternate universe version of Sarah Connor. I feel like there is definitely fanfiction for that.
Orange is The New Black
This is something I'm really just taking a leap of faith on. I don't know if i'll enjoy it at all, I tried to watch the first episode (it was fine) but I was in the middle of a TV show run through at the time and I found it hard to enter a new universe. So I don't have any opinion on the show itself yet. I know that there are individual elements I'll enjoy (for example I like Natasha Lyonne well enough), but I don't know if i'll ever get around to this show.
The Americans
Similar to OITNB I'll have to take a leap of faith on this one too. It played in Australia so I could have watched it week to week, but it didn't pique my interest enough for me to tune in. But when i found out how lauded it was I felt compelled to check out the show I didn't even take time to dismiss, but rather just completely went through my day without once giving a shit that it existed. So I hope to redeem myself.
Chuck Season 3
This is the only season I have listed, the rest are complete shows. Why make a special note for this? Well I've not seen a single scrap of footage from season 3 of Chuck. It will be an entirely new experience, not even with the Buffyverse did I have this luck, I did have that luck with Fringe though, for which i am eternally grateful because it seriously made everything so rewarding. Anyway: Chuck was a show I simply fell for, season 1 could be a bit rough and a little broad in it's humour but season 2 was a complete and utter pleasure to watch. I don't expect season 3 to top it, but I do expect to like the season. I'll watch this, I swear. It's just a matter of when.
Cowboy Bebop
This is the only anime currently on my list, which is unusual considering how many people have recommended me Neon Genesis Evangelion. I actually have watched a few episodes already but I was sick that day and I knew that i couldn't watch It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia the whole time so I watched some of this. I actually liked it a lot so this is very likely to be completed. To be honest I watched those episodes for something to do and the show wasn't on my list, I put it there afterwards to make sure i finished it.
Twin Peaks
God I have so much to say about season 1 of Twin Peaks. Most of them go like this: "what. what. This music is really pretty. what. BAHAHA. what. what. what. This show is insane. Dale Cooper is the greatest man ever. what." So I pretty much loved season 1 of Twin Peaks. But I know that season 2 is bad. As in, bad. I try to be a completist in just about everything, but when a show has a bad season, especially if it's a bad final one, I always wonder if it's worth it. I hate it when a show loses its way. It's why I'll never watched Sliders and it's why Twin Peaks is giving me such greif.
The Comeback
With The Comeback making a comeback this year (or next? i haven't been following the news on it) it's jolted my memory of the one season wonder. Similar to Battlestar I'm pretty confident I'll enjoy this show, but I seem physically incapable of buying it every time I come into contact with it. Stupid brain trying to be responsible with money.
The X-Files
Unlike a good majority of shows i'm interested in this is a big commitment. Nine seasons, two movies and probably a lot of internet scouring to see if the mythos makes any kind of sense. Yeah i may have only seen three or four episodes of this but i'm aware of Chris Carter's 'as you go' approach. I have to ask myself if I should really watch it all. But I want to make references to the show that no-one else gets and then feel all superior! Yeah I may have some issues to work through. This is the only show on the list, except perhaps for Twin Peaks, that I'm genuinely unsure about ever watching in it's entirety.
Deadwood
I don't know much about this show except that it's meant to be an underrated gem.
Dollhouse
I never got to complete Dollhouse when it first ran on television so I'd love to get it done, plus once i own this I will own all of Joss Whedon's shows, which I guess could be a nice topic of conversation if that ever came up. Ever. I'll wait.
Farscape
Battlestar, Firefly, Fringe. What do these three shows have in common? They're acclaimed sci fi that try to emphasize realism in a world unfamiliar to our own. Regardless of my love for Firefly and Fringe (as you know I've yet to watch the Battlestar series) I do enjoy a slice of pure sci fi entertainment that gives me some bloody aliens. Aliens made by the Henson company? Well that's just icing on an already delicious cake. I don't know if Farscape is as beloved or acclaimed as any of the shows i mentioned above but a show doesn't need to be perfect in order for me to love it. The Buffyverse sure wasn't perfect and I loved the hell out of that. I hope to pick up this one and display it proudly one day.
Doctor Who (2005 - Present)
I know that classic Who is just as worthwhile to get into, but New Who (some say NuWho, it probably isn't important how one says it) simply piques my interest more. I've seen various bits of all the Doctors (minus Capaldi) and for the most part I like them all, but I love Christopher Eccleston. But then he's series one, and I've seen more of that so it could just be a familiarity. Point is: I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy this series, maybe not as much as certain other sci-fis on this list (though the more I think about Who and read about it it sounds more akin to fantasy than anything) but i'm sure i'll feel the same level of emotional investment in Who that I will/do in most other shows I manage to get wrapped up in.
That's everything I'm trying to watch. for the most part I'm able to keep on top of shows I follow, Orphan Black and Hannibal (you could cut the UST in that show with a knife and Hannibal totally did) being an example of that, but these ones sit there begging me to view them. Not to mention the fact that I'm seriously considering adding The Wire to my list. Oh god my life is going to become just endless screens.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
My Top Ten Favourite Angel Episodes
This is tough. After finishing Buffy (my top ten episodes can be found here) i began on Angel more or less immediately. I needed more of the Buffyverse, i simply wasn't ready to leave it, to an extent maybe i'm still not - it's a good thing that there are comics, i suppose. I wish i had watched Buffy and Angel concurrently, like how it was meant to be done, but I wasn't even sure if i'd enjoy Buffy, let alone another show that i had seen all of one episode of that i could barely recall.
It was silly of me, at this point I should have learned that Joss Whedon probably wasn't going to disappoint me (in fact, aside from Dollhouse's shaky start he hasn't done that yet at all) but I always viewed Angel as the Torchwood to Buffy's Doctor Who. That it was never going to be as great as it's parent, that it would suffer in comparison to the groundbreaking pop culture titan that spawned it. I think that belief might still hold some weight (even if Angel is a better show than Torchwood) but it's not very accurate. Angel had flaws, I'll never forget my anger and disappointment in season 4, when they turned one of my favourite characters into a mere vessel for evil for the majority of her screen time (and the uncomfortable sex scenes were just... no), but it was also capable of tremendous depth and emotion. It's true that season 4 brings down Angel's batting average considerably, that as weak and ridiculous as Buffy could get it never went that far down (what? I'm a defender of season 6, if Dark Willow had been better handled i think it would be more highly regarded), but ultimately I fell in love with these characters. I loved Angel, Doyle, Cordelia, Wesley, Fred, Gunn and Lorne just as much as I loved the Scooby gang.
Angel at it's best was dark, funny, and packed with character development and emotional nuance. Let's hear it's for Angel Investigations (or Angel's Avengers, if you'd like.)
10. The Trial (Season 2, Episode 9)
Julie Benz as Darla is something i don't think I could tire of, from her very first appearance on Buffy The Vampire Slayer (and she had the first lines ever heard on the show too) to her death(s) she gave us such glee and intrigue. Which is why Darla being returned to life - as a human - is so horribly painful. She feels every piece of guilt and shame and on top of that she's dying from the disease that was meant to kill her 400 years ago before The Master stepped in (on a side note, how great is Mark Metcalf?) Seeing Angel try in vain to save Darla's life is bad enough but then there's THAT final scene. I'd enjoyed Angel before and just as Passion pushed Buffy into new and exciting territory The Trial commits a similar feat AND creates one of my favourite end scenes of a Buffyverse episode. Drusilla coming through that door is haunting, beautiful and perfectly executed. Juliet Landau, how do manage to look so menacing and so gorgeous at the same time? HOW?
9. Orpheus (Season 4, Episode 15)
Cordelia and Connor's entire storyline is something I hate so much that I found myself yelling at the TV several times. So why does a season 4 episode make the list? Well for one thing Faith and Angelus sharing a dream space gave way to some pretty cool (and often hilarious) stuff and, brace yourselves, Willow is here! Willow in general I really a like lot, ever since I first began on Buffy I knew she would be my favourite Scooby, and her interactions with everyone are priceless. Cordelia (except... it's not. God, that storyline sucked) and Willow had a fun yet tense interaction, then there was the 'darkness off' with Wesley ("I had a woman chained up in my closet... but that doesn't even compare to-" "no! you've been to a place.") And my (normally nonexistent) shipper heart simply fluttered when she and Fred started to talk. I don't know why i never thought about it before since they have so much in common - Frillow for the win. But then, both Alyson Hannigan and Amy Acker could have chemistry with a squashed cockroach.
Side note: season 4 grossly mistreated Cordelia and Connor (i'm not that into his character but geez i felt sorry Vincent Kartheiser and Charisma Carpenter in that storyline) but there are still episodes I really liked, so it's not a complete loss - even if the way we got to the finale was unfortunate. Maybe season 4 is better on rewatch, but i don't think i'll regard it as highly as any of the other seasons. Still, even if i hate that story, that has little bearing on the fact that a fair amount of episodes in season 4 are great.
8. Fredless (Season 3, Episode 5)
Amy Acker rightly gets a lot of praise (there's a reason Whedon says she's the best actress he's worked with) and Fred is one of my favourite Buffyverse characters, i know i say those words a lot but i can't help it if a I gravitate towards awesome. She's just a loveable character through and through. I was impressed with how this episode took a plot I was already familiar with (and that Whedon had already used in Buffy's 'Family') and twisted it on it's head. Fred spent most of the episode retreating from her parents, of course that would lead the gang to think there was something bad about them. But then when we finally get the confrontation things are revealed to be far different - Fred didn't want to believe that what happened to her in Pylea was real. This girl wasn't the same person she was five years ago and didn't want her parents to see how the experiences had changed her. That just gets to me. That's not to say the episode is all emotion, all the time. The scene where Wesley and Cordy parody Angel and Buffy is hilariously spot on. What can i say? I love when a show can laugh at itself.
7. Reunion (Season 2, Episode 10)
Darla and Drusilla should have had their own series or something, or at least a whole episode where they wreak havoc that has nothing to do with the plot of the show at all. Just a day in the life of Darla and Dru. Their fight, their reconciliation, the girly shopping (Drusilla and her phone was all kinds of wonderful), the playful chatter, the everything. Reunion is an out and out pleasure to watch. In general i love the Darla arc, it's hard to believe that a character that was dusted in the first season of Buffy became a character I adored when she returned years later. Actually, it's the same with Drusilla - apart from the dusting thing. With the double bill of Trial and Reunion i think she too became one of my favourite vamps in the whole show. Can Darla and Dru please just show up randomly in TV shows, call people out on their shit and then eat them? Please? It doesn't even have to make sense.
Since this episode wont be making my top ten i need to give a shout out to Darla and Dru's flashback appearances in season 5's The Girl in Question. They were great fun.
6. Harm's Way (Season 5, Episode Episode 9)
Let me say first off that this isn't a list of best episodes. If it were this wouldn't be on here. Just as The Zeppo does for Xander, Harm's Way positions Harmony as the lead of it's story. I guess i just have a soft spot for Day in the Limelight episodes. Now, I became a fan of the self absorbed valley girl turned vampire in Buffy's fourth season, and it's interesting that an underdeveloped character who barely registered on my radar in the first three seasons would become something I looked forward to so much. Not because she was a particularly fascinating character, just that she was so much fun. Mercedes McNab is the only person in the main cast of Angel's fifth season, aside from Boreanaz, to have been in the first season of Buffy (she appears in The Harvest and a fair amount of subsequent season 1 episodes). I bring this up to illustrate just how long she's been around, so it's fitting that she finally got an episode where she is in the drivers seat. McNab really brought all her comic chops to the table and imbued Harmony with a sense of sincerity, sure she's a soulless vampire but she still works hard for Angel and she's right: he doesn't appreciate it. This is a rewatchable and entertaining episode, and it's down to her.
5. Waiting In The Wings (Season 3, Episode 13)
The gang goes to the ballet and some weird shit is going on. Normal, in other words. Written by Joss Whedon this episode is enjoyment of the highest order, while I can't say I'm a fan of Groo coming back (i like him, but Cordy and Angel were about to tell each other their feelings damn it!) when the rest of your episode is so good, i can deal with that one thing and it helps that Mark Lutz is adorable. Summer Glau makes an appearance as a ballet dancer, I believe this was how Whedon discovered her for Firefly. This episode became a personal favourite the second I watched it - Gunn loves the ballet! I feel like they should have brought that up again because J. August Richards has amazing facial expressions in this episode.
4. You're Welcome (Season 5, Episode 12)
"I swear, one of these times you're going to wake up in a coma." BTVS, season 3 episode 11. This one off joke will forever be tinged with my tears.
Get ready for an onslaught of season 5 episodes guys. As you know, Cordelia is one of my favourite characters in the Buffyverse, hell - in the Whedonverse. From the moment i saw Buffy - the first time - I liked her. She was a self absorbed cheerleader who could send you back to where you came from with a well timed quip but when push came to shove - she would save your ass in a fabulous fashion. This is why so much of season 4 pissed me off. But You're Welcome helped. It didn't undo the past mistakes, but it reminded me why i loved Cordelia Chase. She comes back one last time before her death to get Angel back on track, she kicks some ass - she has a freakin' samurai sword! - quips about Spike's hair, fights the bad guy and says *sniff* "you're welcome." This was the first of many times i cried in season 5. That conversation with Angel is just heartrending, even more so when you think about how far, both separately and together, these people have come. Now I pose a question about Cordy: Great person? Or the greatest person?
3. A Hole in the World (Season 5, Episode 15)/ Shells (Season 5, Episode 16)
These deserve to go hand in hand.
Ladies and gentleman I introduce you to the episodes that broke me. You know that Fred is one of my favourite characters in the Buffyverse (Joss Whedon loves to kill my favourite characters), so her death was brutal for me. Even more so though, it was awful watching the characters try and fail to rescue her. In most Whedon shows the deaths are quite quick (Tara, Joyce, Jenny, Anya, Doyle, Wash OH GOD WASH) and when we look at Buffy's death (both times) she was prepared to face it, she was noble, the same as Doyle and Cordelia were. But Fred didn't want to die, another creature was consuming her from the inside, she was in agony and she refused to be cut down by it - she wanted to live. I don't know when i started to tear up exactly, maybe it was Spike's hole in the world monologue (special props to James Marsters in this scene) about the, literal, hole in the world. Maybe it was everything with Fred and Wesley (Alexis Denisof and Amy Acker are fantastic here). I don't know. But Fred's death will never be okay.
Then there is Shells. Which is a brilliant follow up in every possible way, it's the kind of thing that made me ridiculously impressed for the 40 or so minutes it ran. I cried again in this one. The Buffyverse makes me cry too much, it's unnatural. Every single member if this cast brought it, from the usual heavy hitters to the actors who were never really given much to work with. No other show has ever given me such a painfully emotional and well written two parter.
2. Smile Time (Season 5, Episode 14)
A Hole in The World/Shells are better episodes, but Smile Time doesn't destroy my soul, so i've put it ahead of them. Angel being turned into a puppet is adorable, hilarious and I love everything Smile Time chooses to be. Is there much else i can say here beyond that? How about that those children's faces are creepy as all hell!? Oh also: look at the Angel puppet! He has a scowl and his hair is all fluffy! This episode is the epitome of happiness.
1. Not Fade Away (Season 5, Episode 22)
The final episode. Now, i think it's been made abundantly clear that i loved season 5 of Angel so it makes sense that this would make it. Whereas in Buffy i put Chosen on the honourable mention list because I found the way it wrapped up the show extremely satisfying, NFA is simply a better episode. This is such a deeply amazing final stand for Angel that i can't even begin to tell you about how great it is unless you yourself have seen every episode preceding it. Including Buffy. I love this finale. I love that each characters 'final day' is spent doing something so perfectly 'them'. Angel visits his son, Gunn visits Anne from the shelter, Wesley patches up Illyria, (though it's sad that outside of wanting to be close to Fred in any way Wesley doesn't have much he desires), Lorne sings, and Spike recites his poem (which we heard some of in Fool For Love) to an adoring audience. I loved every part of it. I take you to the fourth time i cried in Angel season 5: Wesley's death hurts so much. The bumbling goof we met in season 3 of Buffy became a tragic hero on Angel and there was really only one way he could go, but damn it if it didn't make me still feel all the emotions. "Would you like me to lie to you now?" When "Fred" comforts Wesley in his dying moments I just cried, it occurs to me now that Wesley and Fred are probably the only characters in history to comfort each other as one of them dies. Wesley has the best character development in the entire Buffyverse, I'm saying this right now. There's competition but none to this level. Can these people please stop hurting me?! And then there's that end scene, well - it's perfect isn't it? Angel's redemption was always about the fight against evil, not the overcoming of it, so (like the Buffy finale before it) this was a thematically and emotionally appropriate ending for Angel Investigations.
Honourable mentions -
Damage - a dark and haunting look at the ramifications of Buffy's finale in regards to a very unstable woman turned slayer.
Spin The Bottle - a narrow avoid, it's Angel's answer to Tabula Rasa, though unfortunately it's not quite as good (still hilarious though.)
To Shanshu in LA - Buffy does season finales better, at least it did before Not Fade Away came along, that is just my opinion but there it is. In fact, Angel's season finales had a way of disappointing me when compared to it's parent show, but Shanshu simply doesn't do that. Not at all. DARLA.
Lullaby - An emotional roller coaster.
Hero - The death of Doyle was Angel Investigations' first big loss, it's even sadder in hindsight knowing that Glenn Quinn is no longer with us.
The Buffyverse has drawn to a close, on television anyway, and I'm glad i watched it all. Both Buffy and Angel went to places i didn't always care for, sometimes they mishandled a few things and lost their way, similar to the characters i suppose, but the shows eventually found their way back where they were meant to be and ended in a way that felt right. Angel's quest for redemption has been a fascinating, at times frustrating, sad and hopeful journey filled with characters I grew to love. I'll miss this universe and i'll miss these people. So what do i do now? Well personally, i kinda want to slay the dragon.
It was silly of me, at this point I should have learned that Joss Whedon probably wasn't going to disappoint me (in fact, aside from Dollhouse's shaky start he hasn't done that yet at all) but I always viewed Angel as the Torchwood to Buffy's Doctor Who. That it was never going to be as great as it's parent, that it would suffer in comparison to the groundbreaking pop culture titan that spawned it. I think that belief might still hold some weight (even if Angel is a better show than Torchwood) but it's not very accurate. Angel had flaws, I'll never forget my anger and disappointment in season 4, when they turned one of my favourite characters into a mere vessel for evil for the majority of her screen time (and the uncomfortable sex scenes were just... no), but it was also capable of tremendous depth and emotion. It's true that season 4 brings down Angel's batting average considerably, that as weak and ridiculous as Buffy could get it never went that far down (what? I'm a defender of season 6, if Dark Willow had been better handled i think it would be more highly regarded), but ultimately I fell in love with these characters. I loved Angel, Doyle, Cordelia, Wesley, Fred, Gunn and Lorne just as much as I loved the Scooby gang.
Angel at it's best was dark, funny, and packed with character development and emotional nuance. Let's hear it's for Angel Investigations (or Angel's Avengers, if you'd like.)
10. The Trial (Season 2, Episode 9)
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| No photo will ever do justice to this |
9. Orpheus (Season 4, Episode 15)
Cordelia and Connor's entire storyline is something I hate so much that I found myself yelling at the TV several times. So why does a season 4 episode make the list? Well for one thing Faith and Angelus sharing a dream space gave way to some pretty cool (and often hilarious) stuff and, brace yourselves, Willow is here! Willow in general I really a like lot, ever since I first began on Buffy I knew she would be my favourite Scooby, and her interactions with everyone are priceless. Cordelia (except... it's not. God, that storyline sucked) and Willow had a fun yet tense interaction, then there was the 'darkness off' with Wesley ("I had a woman chained up in my closet... but that doesn't even compare to-" "no! you've been to a place.") And my (normally nonexistent) shipper heart simply fluttered when she and Fred started to talk. I don't know why i never thought about it before since they have so much in common - Frillow for the win. But then, both Alyson Hannigan and Amy Acker could have chemistry with a squashed cockroach.
Side note: season 4 grossly mistreated Cordelia and Connor (i'm not that into his character but geez i felt sorry Vincent Kartheiser and Charisma Carpenter in that storyline) but there are still episodes I really liked, so it's not a complete loss - even if the way we got to the finale was unfortunate. Maybe season 4 is better on rewatch, but i don't think i'll regard it as highly as any of the other seasons. Still, even if i hate that story, that has little bearing on the fact that a fair amount of episodes in season 4 are great.
8. Fredless (Season 3, Episode 5)
Amy Acker rightly gets a lot of praise (there's a reason Whedon says she's the best actress he's worked with) and Fred is one of my favourite Buffyverse characters, i know i say those words a lot but i can't help it if a I gravitate towards awesome. She's just a loveable character through and through. I was impressed with how this episode took a plot I was already familiar with (and that Whedon had already used in Buffy's 'Family') and twisted it on it's head. Fred spent most of the episode retreating from her parents, of course that would lead the gang to think there was something bad about them. But then when we finally get the confrontation things are revealed to be far different - Fred didn't want to believe that what happened to her in Pylea was real. This girl wasn't the same person she was five years ago and didn't want her parents to see how the experiences had changed her. That just gets to me. That's not to say the episode is all emotion, all the time. The scene where Wesley and Cordy parody Angel and Buffy is hilariously spot on. What can i say? I love when a show can laugh at itself.
7. Reunion (Season 2, Episode 10)
Darla and Drusilla should have had their own series or something, or at least a whole episode where they wreak havoc that has nothing to do with the plot of the show at all. Just a day in the life of Darla and Dru. Their fight, their reconciliation, the girly shopping (Drusilla and her phone was all kinds of wonderful), the playful chatter, the everything. Reunion is an out and out pleasure to watch. In general i love the Darla arc, it's hard to believe that a character that was dusted in the first season of Buffy became a character I adored when she returned years later. Actually, it's the same with Drusilla - apart from the dusting thing. With the double bill of Trial and Reunion i think she too became one of my favourite vamps in the whole show. Can Darla and Dru please just show up randomly in TV shows, call people out on their shit and then eat them? Please? It doesn't even have to make sense.
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| Pictured: Badass vampires |
6. Harm's Way (Season 5, Episode Episode 9)
Let me say first off that this isn't a list of best episodes. If it were this wouldn't be on here. Just as The Zeppo does for Xander, Harm's Way positions Harmony as the lead of it's story. I guess i just have a soft spot for Day in the Limelight episodes. Now, I became a fan of the self absorbed valley girl turned vampire in Buffy's fourth season, and it's interesting that an underdeveloped character who barely registered on my radar in the first three seasons would become something I looked forward to so much. Not because she was a particularly fascinating character, just that she was so much fun. Mercedes McNab is the only person in the main cast of Angel's fifth season, aside from Boreanaz, to have been in the first season of Buffy (she appears in The Harvest and a fair amount of subsequent season 1 episodes). I bring this up to illustrate just how long she's been around, so it's fitting that she finally got an episode where she is in the drivers seat. McNab really brought all her comic chops to the table and imbued Harmony with a sense of sincerity, sure she's a soulless vampire but she still works hard for Angel and she's right: he doesn't appreciate it. This is a rewatchable and entertaining episode, and it's down to her.5. Waiting In The Wings (Season 3, Episode 13)
The gang goes to the ballet and some weird shit is going on. Normal, in other words. Written by Joss Whedon this episode is enjoyment of the highest order, while I can't say I'm a fan of Groo coming back (i like him, but Cordy and Angel were about to tell each other their feelings damn it!) when the rest of your episode is so good, i can deal with that one thing and it helps that Mark Lutz is adorable. Summer Glau makes an appearance as a ballet dancer, I believe this was how Whedon discovered her for Firefly. This episode became a personal favourite the second I watched it - Gunn loves the ballet! I feel like they should have brought that up again because J. August Richards has amazing facial expressions in this episode.
4. You're Welcome (Season 5, Episode 12)
"I swear, one of these times you're going to wake up in a coma." BTVS, season 3 episode 11. This one off joke will forever be tinged with my tears.
Get ready for an onslaught of season 5 episodes guys. As you know, Cordelia is one of my favourite characters in the Buffyverse, hell - in the Whedonverse. From the moment i saw Buffy - the first time - I liked her. She was a self absorbed cheerleader who could send you back to where you came from with a well timed quip but when push came to shove - she would save your ass in a fabulous fashion. This is why so much of season 4 pissed me off. But You're Welcome helped. It didn't undo the past mistakes, but it reminded me why i loved Cordelia Chase. She comes back one last time before her death to get Angel back on track, she kicks some ass - she has a freakin' samurai sword! - quips about Spike's hair, fights the bad guy and says *sniff* "you're welcome." This was the first of many times i cried in season 5. That conversation with Angel is just heartrending, even more so when you think about how far, both separately and together, these people have come. Now I pose a question about Cordy: Great person? Or the greatest person?3. A Hole in the World (Season 5, Episode 15)/ Shells (Season 5, Episode 16)
These deserve to go hand in hand.
Ladies and gentleman I introduce you to the episodes that broke me. You know that Fred is one of my favourite characters in the Buffyverse (Joss Whedon loves to kill my favourite characters), so her death was brutal for me. Even more so though, it was awful watching the characters try and fail to rescue her. In most Whedon shows the deaths are quite quick (Tara, Joyce, Jenny, Anya, Doyle, Wash OH GOD WASH) and when we look at Buffy's death (both times) she was prepared to face it, she was noble, the same as Doyle and Cordelia were. But Fred didn't want to die, another creature was consuming her from the inside, she was in agony and she refused to be cut down by it - she wanted to live. I don't know when i started to tear up exactly, maybe it was Spike's hole in the world monologue (special props to James Marsters in this scene) about the, literal, hole in the world. Maybe it was everything with Fred and Wesley (Alexis Denisof and Amy Acker are fantastic here). I don't know. But Fred's death will never be okay.
Then there is Shells. Which is a brilliant follow up in every possible way, it's the kind of thing that made me ridiculously impressed for the 40 or so minutes it ran. I cried again in this one. The Buffyverse makes me cry too much, it's unnatural. Every single member if this cast brought it, from the usual heavy hitters to the actors who were never really given much to work with. No other show has ever given me such a painfully emotional and well written two parter.
2. Smile Time (Season 5, Episode 14)
A Hole in The World/Shells are better episodes, but Smile Time doesn't destroy my soul, so i've put it ahead of them. Angel being turned into a puppet is adorable, hilarious and I love everything Smile Time chooses to be. Is there much else i can say here beyond that? How about that those children's faces are creepy as all hell!? Oh also: look at the Angel puppet! He has a scowl and his hair is all fluffy! This episode is the epitome of happiness.
1. Not Fade Away (Season 5, Episode 22)
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| Illyria: Worlds most badass Smurf |
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| It just hit me that Angel is the only original AI member standing in that alley. *sobs* |
Honourable mentions -
Damage - a dark and haunting look at the ramifications of Buffy's finale in regards to a very unstable woman turned slayer.
Spin The Bottle - a narrow avoid, it's Angel's answer to Tabula Rasa, though unfortunately it's not quite as good (still hilarious though.)
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| Let's all take a moment to adore Alexis Denisof |
Lullaby - An emotional roller coaster.
Hero - The death of Doyle was Angel Investigations' first big loss, it's even sadder in hindsight knowing that Glenn Quinn is no longer with us.
The Buffyverse has drawn to a close, on television anyway, and I'm glad i watched it all. Both Buffy and Angel went to places i didn't always care for, sometimes they mishandled a few things and lost their way, similar to the characters i suppose, but the shows eventually found their way back where they were meant to be and ended in a way that felt right. Angel's quest for redemption has been a fascinating, at times frustrating, sad and hopeful journey filled with characters I grew to love. I'll miss this universe and i'll miss these people. So what do i do now? Well personally, i kinda want to slay the dragon.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
My Top Ten Favourite Buffy Episodes
What can I say about Buffy The Vampire Slayer that hasn't been said by countless others? This is a show i watched almost two seasons of but never finished almost five years ago. To this day I regret not going further, and yet i feel that now that I'm older I can see more of the show than i could have then. I can see the character development, the continuity nods, the arcs and, perhaps most importantly, the emotion prevalent in this wonderful series. I came out of this show with a sense of satisfaction, that I'd watched something that I would be proud to introduce to others. As it is I have introduced it to others. I love the characters, I believe this is the reason anyone should see this silly teen show about vampire slaying starring a 5"4 (and that's being generous) girl and her pals - these don't become mere characters on television, these become people you care for. I don't think I would be remiss in comparing it to my favourite show of all time - Fringe. Neither of these shows work without it's characters being who they are. I acknowledge it's flaws, it pushes the romance a little far sometimes, i disliked how singly it was aimed at teenaged girls in it's first few years and it's final season seems almost superfluous in the wake of the darkness that preceded it and the ending of season 5. Yet i can't ignore my love, it's not a perfect show, but that's okay.
I don't believe there has ever been a show quite like this, nor do i believe there will be again. Here is a series that dragged itself up by it's bootstraps and morphed itself into art when it had every opportunity to coast on it's ridiculous title, attractive cast and cheesy effects. but no, it felt the need to break it's shackles and transform into a breathless comedy, an epic romance, a layered drama and a supernatural actioner. Often in the same episode. What other show could give us episodes like the ones I'm going to talk about?
SPOILERS, SPOILERS EVERYWHERE.
10. Doppelgangland (Season 3, Episode 16)
Season 3 nearly feels like a different series to my weary eyes now but it remains my favourite of the high school years and while i could narrow it down to a few things (mostly having to do with The Mayor and Faith) it also comes down to the fact that it's got way too many memorable episodes. In many ways a sequel to The Wish, Doppelgangland brings us Vampire Willow from the Wishverse. Vamp Willow is fun to watch almost entirely because she's so deliciously evil and Alyson Hannigan plays her with such delight, but when she's wrapped up in a case of mistaken identity, swapped clothes and, of course, paired with our Willow it's a hilarious ride from beginning to end.
9. Passion (Season 2, Episode 17)
Season 2's Passion is enjoyable in all the ways that Doppelgangland isn't, it's not a lark, it's not full of screwball fun, it's Angelus beng a big ol meanie and leaving a truly unnerving present for everyone's favourite librarian/watcher. Jenny Calendar is dead, her body laid out in an apartment filled with tokens of affection and roses. A beautiful and haunting picture that pushed the show, at least for me, from good to great. Even better is that he snaps her neck, he doesn't even deem her worthy to drink from. That is cold, Angelus.
8. After Life (Season 6, Episode 3)
This episode made me feel hollow, it made me want to burst into tears,, it made me feel so lost and alone. It made me feel like Buffy. I had felt strong emotions for this show previously, but until After Life I don't think my heart ever felt as though it were lodged in my throat for 40 minutes. I just felt so awful. It's almost flabbergasting that Jane Espenson wrote this episode. She of Band Candy, Earshot, Pangs, Intervention, Storyteller and countless other highly quotable and hilarious episodes. This woman had managed to completely shake me to my core. Everything in this episode honest to god hurts. And I just love it.
7. The Wish (Season 3, Episode 9)
Whenever I talk about Buffy I will often explicitly point out that the show simply shouldn't work. It's a teen show based on a so-so movie after all. But if i were to narrow my opinion down to a few specific episodes as examples of the shows power, some of which i will mention later, The Wish would be one. It works in spite of the odds stacked against it. We are essentially dropped into an alternate universe where everything is bleak and depressing and every member of the Scoobies, minus Giles and Oz, die and Buffy is a hell of a lot more broody and sad. As much as I love Doppelgangland, and you know I do, I think it would've been very fascinating to have seen the two Buffy's interact instead. But that probably would have been a much darker episode. The Wish is a beautifully written, shot and directed installment - and I LOVE The Master. I just love him to bits. This episode could have come off hokey and filler-ish but instead we got this. And haha, Anya is so young and different in her first appearance, it's fairly obvious she wasn't planned to be as prominent as she would later become.
6. Selfless (Season 7, Episode 5)
I agonized over this one. On the one hand i love the character of Anya (yes i knew what happened in the finale, the burden of researching things before i watch them...) but on the other hand i always found those (Swedish?) flashbacks cheesy, if Anya were watching that on TV she'd change the channel and make a snide comment - probably saying that these people are terrible at speaking 'swedish.' It also messes with continuity a bit, although i can understand Anya not noticing a guy singing about mustard on his shirt because she's very busy thinking. Then there's the the "i'm good at math" line, which goes against Doppelgangland, but as someone who is pretty good with money but terrible at math as a subject i can't say that's a big discrepancy. But those complaints are dismissive of the vital development we have of everyone's favourite ex-demon, the trademark wit and, yes, the song really sold me on it. Selfless is arguably Emma Caulfield's victory lap as this character, and the flaws can't possibly compare to it's power. Also she used to love bunnies - this makes me ridiculously happy.
"Yes, i have a new boyfriend, we just had lots and lots of sex." Anya Jenkins FTW.
5. The Zeppo (Season 3, Episode 13)
I'm a person who always appreciates a Marx brothers reference, so this title already had my attention. A Xander-centric episode intrigued me from the get go and The Zeppo is brimming with meta humour, character development and a wry self awareness that instantly drew me in. Xander has his own side adventure while Buffy and Co fight another world ending demon, no one will ever know about his insane night of dead rising, Faith sex and life saving. It's a neat side story turned a A-plot and I don't know why it doesn't show up on more 'best of' lists.
"Hey, they're not baking a cake!" The cake is a lie, Xander.
4. Hush (Season 4, Episode 10)
Season 4 is often named the weakest season (personally I'd pick season 7, even if it's still entertaining) but Hush is so consistently named one of the shows greatest episodes that the fact that it came from a 'weak' season never enters into my mind while watching it. It's an inventive piece of television, an example of the way words can get in the way of communication and how society could deal with the lack of connection. I won't pretend that Hush scared me, but the idea of not being able to scream when someone is tearing my heart out? That's creepy as fuck. The Gentlemen were fantastic villains, they looked like they came straight from the mind of the brothers Grimm and that Elfman style score further cements it as a slice of delight. It's pure undiluted entertainment that still develops the plot and characters. It's telling that an episode with comparatively minimal dialogue would earn an Emmy nomination for outstanding writing.
3. Who Are You? (Season 4, Episode 16)
Wow, how did a weak season manage to nab two spots in the top 5? Who Are You concerns Buffy and Faith's body swap and while it would be reasonable to expect body swap hijinks we also get a pretty intense character study on the dark slayer. Albeit with the dark slayer being portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar - can i just say that she is utterly awesome as Faith? Seriously she gets Dushku's mannerisms down pat. From Faith's sense of humour, to her underlying turmoil and self loathing this episode is my favourite of that character's appearances on this show - i can't wait to continue her redemption arc on Angel when i finally see that series. EDIT: I fucking loved how Angel handled this storyline. And i forgot to mention that Tara and Willow are adorable in this episode, so there, I mentioned it (I miss Tara.)
"You can't do that! It's wrong." - Faith mocking Buffy.
2. The Body (Season 5, Episode 16)
If this were a list of 'best' episodes this would make number one without a second thought given but it's not and i am the law. The emotions on display in this episode are palpable, as someone has experienced the death of a loved one i can tell you that it's painfully accurate to the degree that I was left speechless by it. I loved the character details, i loved how Buffy, practically a superhero who saved lives many times over, simply had nothing to seek revenge on, she couldn't focus her attention on big bad Glory, couldn't hunt down the killer - she had to call 911 and desperately recall CPR training. It was so real and yet so abnormal. This wasn't meant to happen, this was Buffy. But she can't do a thing. Good god, the acting in this episode is out of this world phenomenal, look at Sarah Michelle Gellar in this, just fantastic in every moment. It's a beautifully effective piece of television, made all the more powerful by the complete lack of music. There is no reprieve here, nothing to distract you - you have to sit and watch as people deal with the loss of someone they loved dearly, who maybe you loved dearly too (because Joyce was awesome.) Anya's speech by the way? Perfect, heartbreaking and true. Anya attempting to deal with and understand human emotions and social cues was a source of humour for most of her run on the show, it was almost like a mystical version of aspergers. So it's interesting to me that a comic relief character would have the most deeply emotional reaction, but in retrospect it shouldn't be surprising.
This episode is not one that you show to someone whom you want to get into the show properly, but it is the one you show those who say the show is just Dawson's Creek with monsters.
1. Once More, With Feeling (Season 6, Episode 7)
I just love this episode. Any show that has a musical episode automatically has my interest piqued but it's legitimately difficult for me to think of any show that has done a better one than Buffy. The songs not only reveal the depths of the characters feelings but also their motivations, it causes them to say things they never would have said if they were in a regular episode of the show. The cast all sing well, with Anthony Head, Amber Benson and Emma Caulfield standing out, the songs are all cleverly written with each managing to match perfectly with the character(s) that sing them and fit into various genres. It's an outright fantastic episode that bursts with creativity and passion, while I would call The Body the better episode I'd called Once More With Feeling the most giddy and infectious episode on this list, there's certainly an underlying sadness to it - it is after all part of the darkest season - but that does nothing to quash the toe tapping numbers. Side note: Xander being the one to summon Sweet? That was a lazy writing move Joss, I forgive you because i love this episode, but it's not in character for Xander (season 6 Xander anyway) to do that.
Honorable mentions -
Normal Again - this narrowly avoided the top ten. Some consider it controversial (i think it's only controversial if you think it states irrefutably that the show is inside Buffy's head, a theory i don't subscribe to). It's got people who hate it and people who love it, I won't say it's a perfect episode (and it messed with continuity a bit because Joyce finding about Buffy's slayerhood should have had a reference to her time spent in a mental hospital) but I do consider it an episode that further proves that Sarah Michelle Gellar was fantastic in this show.
Tabula Rasa - the characters losing their memories? Well how can that NOT be entertaining?
Storyteller - Season 7 might be the weakest season, but that doesn't keep me from enjoying parts of it and Storyteller is one I love. I love it's goofy sense of humour, i love how Andrew embellishes, I love it's affectionate spoofing of Buffy's long winded speeches and that ending? It's mood whiplash in the best way. Who knew Tom Lenk was so good? I was out of the loop on that.
Graduation Day - I know people always point to The Gift but I'm going against the grain here and saying i think this is the best season finale. And it's a two parter, and i love a good a two parter. It actually surprises me that it didn't make it on to this list, i think I was trying to keep my season 3 love to a reasonable level.
Fool For Love - Spike isn't actually my favourite character, a lot of people would pick him as theirs but personally he'd only be about 5th/6th for me. But this is a damn fine episode. A near masterpiece in a season that was not lacking for brilliant episodes. These flashbacks give so much depth to Spike and I imagine that pairing it with Lies My Parents Told Me would be an interesting experience.
Chosen - yes, Willow, it was nifty. I don't care if the apex of your development had a weird glowy effect, I will forever love how nervous little Willow became... I have a lot of Willow feelings. Seriously, i love how thematically and emotionally appropriate this final episode is. And Robin and Faith! If Faith had gotten that spin off would Robin have been there? No, i don't want to know, because then I'd be more bitter about Faith not having a spin off. And that Cleveland line! Is this not one of the subtlest/best callbacks? The Wish.... good times.
Conversations With Dead People - I think I might be misjudging season 7, hell I could love it on rewatch (it's happened before), but no matter what my ultimate opinion of this season is, this episode will probably rank amongst the finest of Buffy episodes. It's a brilliant piece of work from beginning to end that manages to blend humour, heartbreak, horror and several other 'H' words I'm sure. But seriously: flat out fantastic. I'm actually confused as to why this isn't on the list. I'm an idiot. Oh well. But I loved this episode and it's gorgeous cinematography, terrific acting (I love everything Alyson Hannigan does in this episode) and thought provoking stories. This is a class act.
I Only Have Eyes For You - i don't recall being particularly fond of this episode when i first saw it. Did i like it? Yes, I did. But i didn't love it. It was only when i rewatched it that I truly fell for it - what a fantastic episode. If it weren't for how much of an arc episode this is I would give it to a newbie to watch, beautiful work by longtime Buffy writer Marti Noxon.
I need to talk about this - one of my biggest love/hate things in Buffy was Dark Willow. As an idea, I love it, it had been building for a long time and I'm impressed with the hints we had. Then it became a drug metaphor and Tara (the nicest character in the entire Buffyverse by the way, extra tragedy points) was killed off just to fuel Willow as the season's big bad. Now, even though i really liked Tara, it's the drug metaphor and the handling of Dark Willow that bugs me. Remove that subtext people! It's not even subtext, just text. All that said though, i actually like season 6 more than most people (Buffy's depression arc was fairly well done) and Xander talking down Willow? That was actually emotional to watch. I feel like Nicolas Brendan doesn't get enough kudos for his acting, so there, kudos.
Having just finished the series, i have to say i've enjoyed the ride immensely. This show never ceased to surprise me, make me laugh, make me cry and it never really lost it's roots. right up until the end we had wisecracks combined with charmingly sub par special effects and loveable characters. I loved this series that i so casually dismissed as supernatural teen fodder only to find an underlying streak of intellect and warmth. I think season 7 was the weakest season, or at least the one needed the most changes in writing, at times it could feel like it was killing time, it was still fun with a lot of great ideas, but it lacked something that other seasons simply didn't. But i enjoyed Chosen a lot, just like the show itself it was humorous, dramatic and at times a little messy. Also Anya's death kind of hurt my chest, i knew it was coming but holy shit I could not prepare myself. People complain about how it was handled but I was fine with it. I went through emotions, damn it. this whole series made me feel emotions. I actually also rank Chosen above The Gift, in terms of emotional pay off season 7's finale hit me more. Graduation Day is still my favorite though.
It's been a great ride, I recommend it.
I don't believe there has ever been a show quite like this, nor do i believe there will be again. Here is a series that dragged itself up by it's bootstraps and morphed itself into art when it had every opportunity to coast on it's ridiculous title, attractive cast and cheesy effects. but no, it felt the need to break it's shackles and transform into a breathless comedy, an epic romance, a layered drama and a supernatural actioner. Often in the same episode. What other show could give us episodes like the ones I'm going to talk about?
SPOILERS, SPOILERS EVERYWHERE.
10. Doppelgangland (Season 3, Episode 16)
Season 3 nearly feels like a different series to my weary eyes now but it remains my favourite of the high school years and while i could narrow it down to a few things (mostly having to do with The Mayor and Faith) it also comes down to the fact that it's got way too many memorable episodes. In many ways a sequel to The Wish, Doppelgangland brings us Vampire Willow from the Wishverse. Vamp Willow is fun to watch almost entirely because she's so deliciously evil and Alyson Hannigan plays her with such delight, but when she's wrapped up in a case of mistaken identity, swapped clothes and, of course, paired with our Willow it's a hilarious ride from beginning to end. |
| FORESHADOWING |
9. Passion (Season 2, Episode 17)
Season 2's Passion is enjoyable in all the ways that Doppelgangland isn't, it's not a lark, it's not full of screwball fun, it's Angelus beng a big ol meanie and leaving a truly unnerving present for everyone's favourite librarian/watcher. Jenny Calendar is dead, her body laid out in an apartment filled with tokens of affection and roses. A beautiful and haunting picture that pushed the show, at least for me, from good to great. Even better is that he snaps her neck, he doesn't even deem her worthy to drink from. That is cold, Angelus.8. After Life (Season 6, Episode 3)
This episode made me feel hollow, it made me want to burst into tears,, it made me feel so lost and alone. It made me feel like Buffy. I had felt strong emotions for this show previously, but until After Life I don't think my heart ever felt as though it were lodged in my throat for 40 minutes. I just felt so awful. It's almost flabbergasting that Jane Espenson wrote this episode. She of Band Candy, Earshot, Pangs, Intervention, Storyteller and countless other highly quotable and hilarious episodes. This woman had managed to completely shake me to my core. Everything in this episode honest to god hurts. And I just love it.
7. The Wish (Season 3, Episode 9)
Whenever I talk about Buffy I will often explicitly point out that the show simply shouldn't work. It's a teen show based on a so-so movie after all. But if i were to narrow my opinion down to a few specific episodes as examples of the shows power, some of which i will mention later, The Wish would be one. It works in spite of the odds stacked against it. We are essentially dropped into an alternate universe where everything is bleak and depressing and every member of the Scoobies, minus Giles and Oz, die and Buffy is a hell of a lot more broody and sad. As much as I love Doppelgangland, and you know I do, I think it would've been very fascinating to have seen the two Buffy's interact instead. But that probably would have been a much darker episode. The Wish is a beautifully written, shot and directed installment - and I LOVE The Master. I just love him to bits. This episode could have come off hokey and filler-ish but instead we got this. And haha, Anya is so young and different in her first appearance, it's fairly obvious she wasn't planned to be as prominent as she would later become.
6. Selfless (Season 7, Episode 5)
I agonized over this one. On the one hand i love the character of Anya (yes i knew what happened in the finale, the burden of researching things before i watch them...) but on the other hand i always found those (Swedish?) flashbacks cheesy, if Anya were watching that on TV she'd change the channel and make a snide comment - probably saying that these people are terrible at speaking 'swedish.' It also messes with continuity a bit, although i can understand Anya not noticing a guy singing about mustard on his shirt because she's very busy thinking. Then there's the the "i'm good at math" line, which goes against Doppelgangland, but as someone who is pretty good with money but terrible at math as a subject i can't say that's a big discrepancy. But those complaints are dismissive of the vital development we have of everyone's favourite ex-demon, the trademark wit and, yes, the song really sold me on it. Selfless is arguably Emma Caulfield's victory lap as this character, and the flaws can't possibly compare to it's power. Also she used to love bunnies - this makes me ridiculously happy."Yes, i have a new boyfriend, we just had lots and lots of sex." Anya Jenkins FTW.
5. The Zeppo (Season 3, Episode 13)
I'm a person who always appreciates a Marx brothers reference, so this title already had my attention. A Xander-centric episode intrigued me from the get go and The Zeppo is brimming with meta humour, character development and a wry self awareness that instantly drew me in. Xander has his own side adventure while Buffy and Co fight another world ending demon, no one will ever know about his insane night of dead rising, Faith sex and life saving. It's a neat side story turned a A-plot and I don't know why it doesn't show up on more 'best of' lists.
"Hey, they're not baking a cake!" The cake is a lie, Xander.
4. Hush (Season 4, Episode 10)
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| The most Gif-able episode ever |
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| Yes, the most Gif-able |
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| Episode |
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| Ever |
3. Who Are You? (Season 4, Episode 16)
Wow, how did a weak season manage to nab two spots in the top 5? Who Are You concerns Buffy and Faith's body swap and while it would be reasonable to expect body swap hijinks we also get a pretty intense character study on the dark slayer. Albeit with the dark slayer being portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar - can i just say that she is utterly awesome as Faith? Seriously she gets Dushku's mannerisms down pat. From Faith's sense of humour, to her underlying turmoil and self loathing this episode is my favourite of that character's appearances on this show - i can't wait to continue her redemption arc on Angel when i finally see that series. EDIT: I fucking loved how Angel handled this storyline. And i forgot to mention that Tara and Willow are adorable in this episode, so there, I mentioned it (I miss Tara.)
"You can't do that! It's wrong." - Faith mocking Buffy.
2. The Body (Season 5, Episode 16)
If this were a list of 'best' episodes this would make number one without a second thought given but it's not and i am the law. The emotions on display in this episode are palpable, as someone has experienced the death of a loved one i can tell you that it's painfully accurate to the degree that I was left speechless by it. I loved the character details, i loved how Buffy, practically a superhero who saved lives many times over, simply had nothing to seek revenge on, she couldn't focus her attention on big bad Glory, couldn't hunt down the killer - she had to call 911 and desperately recall CPR training. It was so real and yet so abnormal. This wasn't meant to happen, this was Buffy. But she can't do a thing. Good god, the acting in this episode is out of this world phenomenal, look at Sarah Michelle Gellar in this, just fantastic in every moment. It's a beautifully effective piece of television, made all the more powerful by the complete lack of music. There is no reprieve here, nothing to distract you - you have to sit and watch as people deal with the loss of someone they loved dearly, who maybe you loved dearly too (because Joyce was awesome.) Anya's speech by the way? Perfect, heartbreaking and true. Anya attempting to deal with and understand human emotions and social cues was a source of humour for most of her run on the show, it was almost like a mystical version of aspergers. So it's interesting to me that a comic relief character would have the most deeply emotional reaction, but in retrospect it shouldn't be surprising.
This episode is not one that you show to someone whom you want to get into the show properly, but it is the one you show those who say the show is just Dawson's Creek with monsters.
1. Once More, With Feeling (Season 6, Episode 7)
I just love this episode. Any show that has a musical episode automatically has my interest piqued but it's legitimately difficult for me to think of any show that has done a better one than Buffy. The songs not only reveal the depths of the characters feelings but also their motivations, it causes them to say things they never would have said if they were in a regular episode of the show. The cast all sing well, with Anthony Head, Amber Benson and Emma Caulfield standing out, the songs are all cleverly written with each managing to match perfectly with the character(s) that sing them and fit into various genres. It's an outright fantastic episode that bursts with creativity and passion, while I would call The Body the better episode I'd called Once More With Feeling the most giddy and infectious episode on this list, there's certainly an underlying sadness to it - it is after all part of the darkest season - but that does nothing to quash the toe tapping numbers. Side note: Xander being the one to summon Sweet? That was a lazy writing move Joss, I forgive you because i love this episode, but it's not in character for Xander (season 6 Xander anyway) to do that.
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| "I've got a theory, some kid is dreaming, and we're all stuck inside his wacky Broadway nightmare" |
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| This episode needs all the memes |
Honorable mentions -
Normal Again - this narrowly avoided the top ten. Some consider it controversial (i think it's only controversial if you think it states irrefutably that the show is inside Buffy's head, a theory i don't subscribe to). It's got people who hate it and people who love it, I won't say it's a perfect episode (and it messed with continuity a bit because Joyce finding about Buffy's slayerhood should have had a reference to her time spent in a mental hospital) but I do consider it an episode that further proves that Sarah Michelle Gellar was fantastic in this show.
Tabula Rasa - the characters losing their memories? Well how can that NOT be entertaining?
Storyteller - Season 7 might be the weakest season, but that doesn't keep me from enjoying parts of it and Storyteller is one I love. I love it's goofy sense of humour, i love how Andrew embellishes, I love it's affectionate spoofing of Buffy's long winded speeches and that ending? It's mood whiplash in the best way. Who knew Tom Lenk was so good? I was out of the loop on that.
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| "We are as gods" |
Fool For Love - Spike isn't actually my favourite character, a lot of people would pick him as theirs but personally he'd only be about 5th/6th for me. But this is a damn fine episode. A near masterpiece in a season that was not lacking for brilliant episodes. These flashbacks give so much depth to Spike and I imagine that pairing it with Lies My Parents Told Me would be an interesting experience.
Chosen - yes, Willow, it was nifty. I don't care if the apex of your development had a weird glowy effect, I will forever love how nervous little Willow became... I have a lot of Willow feelings. Seriously, i love how thematically and emotionally appropriate this final episode is. And Robin and Faith! If Faith had gotten that spin off would Robin have been there? No, i don't want to know, because then I'd be more bitter about Faith not having a spin off. And that Cleveland line! Is this not one of the subtlest/best callbacks? The Wish.... good times.
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| I wasn't sure how to fit this into the list because 'Him' isn't a top tier episode. But it does have a great season 2 vibe and I LOVE THAT SHE KEPT THE BAZOOKA |
I Only Have Eyes For You - i don't recall being particularly fond of this episode when i first saw it. Did i like it? Yes, I did. But i didn't love it. It was only when i rewatched it that I truly fell for it - what a fantastic episode. If it weren't for how much of an arc episode this is I would give it to a newbie to watch, beautiful work by longtime Buffy writer Marti Noxon.
I need to talk about this - one of my biggest love/hate things in Buffy was Dark Willow. As an idea, I love it, it had been building for a long time and I'm impressed with the hints we had. Then it became a drug metaphor and Tara (the nicest character in the entire Buffyverse by the way, extra tragedy points) was killed off just to fuel Willow as the season's big bad. Now, even though i really liked Tara, it's the drug metaphor and the handling of Dark Willow that bugs me. Remove that subtext people! It's not even subtext, just text. All that said though, i actually like season 6 more than most people (Buffy's depression arc was fairly well done) and Xander talking down Willow? That was actually emotional to watch. I feel like Nicolas Brendan doesn't get enough kudos for his acting, so there, kudos.
Having just finished the series, i have to say i've enjoyed the ride immensely. This show never ceased to surprise me, make me laugh, make me cry and it never really lost it's roots. right up until the end we had wisecracks combined with charmingly sub par special effects and loveable characters. I loved this series that i so casually dismissed as supernatural teen fodder only to find an underlying streak of intellect and warmth. I think season 7 was the weakest season, or at least the one needed the most changes in writing, at times it could feel like it was killing time, it was still fun with a lot of great ideas, but it lacked something that other seasons simply didn't. But i enjoyed Chosen a lot, just like the show itself it was humorous, dramatic and at times a little messy. Also Anya's death kind of hurt my chest, i knew it was coming but holy shit I could not prepare myself. People complain about how it was handled but I was fine with it. I went through emotions, damn it. this whole series made me feel emotions. I actually also rank Chosen above The Gift, in terms of emotional pay off season 7's finale hit me more. Graduation Day is still my favorite though.
It's been a great ride, I recommend it.
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