BtVS Episode Review: Graduation Day Pt. 1
The short? As often happens with the first part of two-parters, this one is largely set up for what comes next. Though it does have the fabulous Buffy/Faith fight scene at the end. Full review below the cut.
Characters:
Buffy Angel Xander Willow Giles Cordelia Oz Anya
Plot
Bad Guy
Arc
Overall (7/10)
Best Moment
Buffy:
I find it slightly funny that Buffy doesn't feel the impending graduation as the others do. While Willow is signing yearbooks and Xander is skipping classes with Cordy, Buffy complains that it just doesn't feel significant to her. Seems that our Slayer needs a big battle to feel the impact of such a piddling thing as graduation.
This episode is largely set-up for the next one. But it does have some interesting things going on.
For one, I completely sympathize with Buffy on the Angel deal. After being dumped, of course she just wants him gone. However, he's hovering around to help with the Ascension, and it can't be easy for her. Totally on Buffy's side there.
Then he gets shot by Faith to distract Buffy before graduation. Actually a brilliant plan on the Mayor's part. Attacking the boyfriend is the best way to distract Buffy.
Throughout the series, we'll see the importance Buffy places on her boyfriend. Back in season 2, this was highlighted in What's My Line? Pt. 2 and then culminates in Becoming Pt. 2. We'll see it later as Riley becomes the focal point of her life in S4 (to the point where he's at a loose end when he isn't the focal point of her life in S5). And, finally, in S7, her feelings for Spike will lead her to victory against the Turok-Han in Showtime.
It's a direct gender reversal. Whereas usually, male action heroes are spurred into action for their lady love, Buffy is strengthened and motivated by her love for her boyfriend. However, Buffy proves herself to be independently strong at several points in the series, so it's not a question of the man supporting her. And I think it's important for women to recognize the impact of friends and significant others in their life.
It is because of her feelings for Angel that she finally quits the Council. This decision was a long time coming. With the patriarchal authority refusing to help Buffy's boyfriend (okay...ex-boyfriend), Buffy casts them off to help him herself.
To do so, though, she needs to kill Faith.
Killing humans has been a big no-no for Buffy. She has, however, made off-hand comments about killing humans at times. And we see now that, when properly motivated, she'll do so with little hesitation. We see this again in S5's Spiral where she kills a good number of men to protect her sister.
The difference between these instances and the examples of Bad Girls or S6's Dead Things is that in those two episodes, Buffy is involved (or believes she's involved) in the death of an innocent person. In this episode, she knows Faith isn't innocent. She feels justified in what she's doing because of the circumstances.
Whether it's right or wrong, the show doesn't tell us. Instead, it allows us to make our own decision.
Angel:
The writers just like an excuse to get Angel glistening with sweat, don't they?
He's being the annoying ex-boyfriend that just won't go away. Yeah, yeah, staying to help fight against the Mayor. Truthfully, he's not entirely integral to the fight in the next episode, so Buffy would probably have been better off with him gone.
But they have no way to know that.
He acts as the damsel in distress in this episode, motivating Buffy to go out and kill Faith for him.
Xander:
Xander is beginning to feel the burden of being the Zeppo. He thinks he's not gonna make it past graduation. And he's given an opportunity to run in the form of Anya, who offers to take him with her while she flees. However, Xander stays to help his friends. Cause he's a loyal kinda guy.
Willow:
While this episode is a lot of set-up with very little substance, I do love the "end-of-high-school" scenes. The scene with Willow and Harmony signing each other's yearbooks is perfect in its accuracy. Also, the soda machine that never works right highlights the little quirks that you become accustomed to in high school. Kudos to the writers for getting this important event so right.
Willow finally gets teh sex. And, of our big three, she has the most positive sexual experience. Unlike Buffy, her guy doesn't turn evil afterward. And it's not a "wham bam thank you, mister" like Xander's tryst with Faith. It's good that we finally see sex portrayed in a positive light in this show.
Giles:
Once Buffy finally cuts herself off from the Council, Giles is there to support her.
He also has a wonderful scene when the Mayor enters the library. We get a battle of the fathers as the Mayor threatens Buffy, and Giles drives a fencing sword through his chest. Go, Giles!
Cordelia:
Cordelia, again, gets little to do. She has some nice scenes with Xander, though. Those two are getting along better now, most likely because of the prom dress.
Oz:
Note to self: When Oz panics, he has sex with Willow. This might be handy to know.
Oz gets the spontaneous "first time" with Willow that he was talking about back in Amends. There's a very sweet moment afterward between the two of them. And I'm back to wanting my own Oz.
Anya:
Anya puts her demon knowledge to use in this episode for the first time. It's not the last time, though. She provides them essential information about the Ascension. Then she hightails in out of there.
Anya's behavior during an apocalypse progresses throughout the series. In this episode, she leaves. We'll see her actually stay at the end of S5. However, she only stays because of Xander. Finally, at the end of S7, she stays because she knows it's the right thing to do. And, ironically enough, that's the one that kills her.
In this instance, though, she leaves, and offers to bring Xander along. She has become attached to him pretty darn quickly. Notice Willow's reaction to Anya in the library, though. Already, the two have a bit of a hostile relationship going on.
Plot:
The plot is all set-up. The only major event that happens is that Angel gets poisoned and Buffy tries to kill Faith.
Bad Guy:
The Mayor and Faith.
Arc:
All arc.
Overall:
It's an enjoyable episode. However, as I've noted in the review, it's largely set up for the next part.
Special performance award goes to Harry Groener for chewing on the spider legs. Yum.
7 out of 10. The significance of Buffy leaving the Council and almost killing Faith bump it up.
( About my scoring system)
Best Moment:
Buffy turning her back on the Council. It's a major step for her character and for the series.