(S01E05) This is where I feel comfortable saying that Buffy started to find what kinds of stories defined the series. We've got the right kind of humor, the subtle hints of what's to come, and an ending that throws you for a loop.
Once again we see a lot of Xander's jealousy come into play while Buffy tries, once again, to just be a normal, dating high school girl. I'll have to keep track of when exactly Xander gives up his desperate attempt to win Buffy over. Is it when Angel comes into play, or maybe Cordelia?
I didn't exactly get the whole Owen-is-attractive deal going on in this episode, but then again I'm a guy, so what would I know about that? When I first saw this episode, I remember thinking Owen might have made a good addition to the gang, seeing as he had more brawn than Xander and actually wanted to do the things they were doing.
Speaking of angel coming into play, there was a great exchange in The Bronze that gave a very subtle foreshadowing of what we'll learn two episodes from now. Buffy learns that Giles is stuck at the funeral parlor with vampires through subtle hints from Xander and Willow, to which she says, "bite me." She then turns and we get a quick shot of Angel, who even sneers just slightly. I remember seeing that scene for the second time and laughing at how much it stood out to me. Maybe you got lucky the first time and made that connection, but it was brilliantly subtle.
The Master is back in this episode, and we have a whole "Anointed One" story beginning. As I said earlier, we're fooled into thinking the gang was successful in stopping this Anointed One, with a stunning reveal at the end that proves everyone wrong.
Main points of interest in this episode:
- First appearance of the "Anointed One."
- First real but subtle hint that Angel is a vampire. (Debatable, I know)
Quote of the episode:
Owen: "Did you see that? He tried to bite me. What a sissy."
Sesame Street's 40th: Five biggest controversies
Press Kits Unwrapped: The Prisoner
Ask TV Squad: Eureka, The Prisoner and more!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-27-2006 @ 1:50AM
TV Series Finale said...
It's amazing how good the show was -- even in the early stages.
Reply
6-27-2006 @ 3:18AM
Sav said...
That episode has another of the all-time great subtle moments in the series' history: Xander's reaction and the subsequent showing of his Tweetie Bird watch after he sees the expensive timepiece Owen gives to Buffy.
Reply
6-27-2006 @ 10:04AM
Michael said...
This episode starts one of the long running character threads for Buffy.
Throughout the first few seasons, we see Buffy try to reconcile her secret life as a "super hero" with her desire to have the "normal" life of your average, high school girl. She wants to date boys, hang out at the Bronze, study and do well in school, etc..and here is where we see those two worlds collide for the first time.
It's a great theme and one that Joss and company will come to again and again as the series goes along...
Reply