I apparently like "Anne" a lot more than fandom does - and in fact I might even love it (1/?))

[red_satin_doll]

The first time I watched "Anne" a few months back (which I apparently enjoy more than the general fandom does?  With possible exception o norwie2010, I dare say) I remember seeing a blink-and-you'll miss it image of Buffy with a hammer and sickle and thought "Did I just see what I thought I saw

Comments

[red_satin_doll]

"Anne" is a truly great episode and it is a shame that it's twin "Graduation Day" is comparatively weak in it's metaphor.

There is the aspect of summoning the troops, an army of the people (students untrained in battle or warfare - although the aspect of sending other students to her death when Buffy herself said in S1 "I don't want to die" is a bit dodgy IMO. Even if it resulted in VampHarmony.) I think the presence of Angel, and Buffy's focus on saving him (nearly leading to her own death) is detrimental, in that it pulls a lot of focus - and the romance is long past dead, anyway. (Bored now.) The show has to give the two of them some sort of closure (Angelus drinking from Buffy - and her sacrificing herself to him in that way - is both erotic and extremely disturbing. Fortunately Buffy comes around to the other side in S7, when she tells Dawn in "Him", "No man is worth your life", and Spike sacrifices his own for her in Chosen. So, yay.)

I think the lack of Angel except in that dream sequence is a strength of "Anne"; it's more suggestion than anything else, and it allows space to focus on Buffy on her own, rather than as part of a couple.

From the name "Anne" (Frank)

Good call, I hadn't thought of that before!