I never thought this through, but it makes absolutely perfect sense. And funny, I never picked up on the depression metaphor even in "Life Serial," in spite of the fact that I've seen it a gazillion times -- but yeah, that's probably part of the reason I find it so funny: I completely relate to it.
I did notice that the Trio's capacity to (or anyway, tendency to) cause actual trouble ebbs and flows. Taken as part of the metaphor, that makes sense, too.
One of the questions I've always had about S6 is, why didn't Buffy deal with the Trio sooner? She clearly could have scared the pants off Andrew and Jonathan, at least, at any time -- but she didn't. If they're an external manifestation of her depression, though, she actually couldn't -- any more than she could have "just stopped" being depressed.
Do you think there's a meds metaphor with the antidote in "Normal Again?" I don't remember whether that would make sense due to timing...
Slightly OT, but have you ever watched the end of S5 and the start of S6 back-to-back? The first time through, I was so focused on the Hellgod plot in S5, I didn't really notice anything else. But re-watching, it's amazing how much all the troubles of S6 are there at the end of S5, too. I think realizing that is what started to change my mind about S6.
Do you think there's a meds metaphor with the antidote in "Normal Again?"
Hmmm...let me ponder that. By that point, Buffy was on her way to recovery (That started in As You Were), and she was being pro-active in hunting down the Trio. Will have to think on that in terms of meds.
Slightly OT, but have you ever watched the end of S5 and the start of S6 back-to-back?
I have. Really, once Joyce dies, the grimness of S6 starts back in S5. It's when responsibility shifts to Buffy to take care of everything, whereas before she'd have her mother to take care of her. So yeah. Definitely. The plot in S5 just takes center stage so it's hard to pick up on. But even Willow's magic use is an issue at the end of S5 (her fight with Tara and then her smackdown of Glory).
Do you think there's a meds metaphor with the antidote in "Normal Again?"
Ohhh I'll jump in, if I may. I think there could be a meds metaphor in there. Buffy's avoidance in taking her medication is often common among those with mental disorders. You could also look at it as Buffy avoiding treatment forced on her by others and it's known that true recovery isn't possible til the patient actively seeks it.
I never thought this through, but it makes absolutely perfect sense. And funny, I never picked up on the depression metaphor even in "Life Serial," in spite of the fact that I've seen it a gazillion times -- but yeah, that's probably part of the reason I find it so funny: I completely relate to it.
I did notice that the Trio's capacity to (or anyway, tendency to) cause actual trouble ebbs and flows. Taken as part of the metaphor, that makes sense, too.
One of the questions I've always had about S6 is, why didn't Buffy deal with the Trio sooner? She clearly could have scared the pants off Andrew and Jonathan, at least, at any time -- but she didn't. If they're an external manifestation of her depression, though, she actually couldn't -- any more than she could have "just stopped" being depressed.
Do you think there's a meds metaphor with the antidote in "Normal Again?" I don't remember whether that would make sense due to timing...
Slightly OT, but have you ever watched the end of S5 and the start of S6 back-to-back? The first time through, I was so focused on the Hellgod plot in S5, I didn't really notice anything else. But re-watching, it's amazing how much all the troubles of S6 are there at the end of S5, too. I think realizing that is what started to change my mind about S6.
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Hmmm...let me ponder that. By that point, Buffy was on her way to recovery (That started in As You Were), and she was being pro-active in hunting down the Trio. Will have to think on that in terms of meds.
Slightly OT, but have you ever watched the end of S5 and the start of S6 back-to-back?
I have. Really, once Joyce dies, the grimness of S6 starts back in S5. It's when responsibility shifts to Buffy to take care of everything, whereas before she'd have her mother to take care of her. So yeah. Definitely. The plot in S5 just takes center stage so it's hard to pick up on. But even Willow's magic use is an issue at the end of S5 (her fight with Tara and then her smackdown of Glory).
Reply
Ohhh I'll jump in, if I may. I think there could be a meds metaphor in there. Buffy's avoidance in taking her medication is often common among those with mental disorders. You could also look at it as Buffy avoiding treatment forced on her by others and it's known that true recovery isn't possible til the patient actively seeks it.
Reply
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