Wild Theory (Part 22)
05 September 2010
Long wait; finally over. Spike on the cover. Very pretty. Let’s have a look at this baby…
Last Gleaming (part one)
It opens ‘some time ago’ (a kind of vague time marker if ever there was one), in Hollywood. At night. A rip opens in the sky - similar to the dimensional tears we saw in The Gift as Dawn bled up on the wonky tower. So I’m guessing dimensional transportation perhaps? Unless this is supposed to be taking place straight after the reset at the end of After the Fall…
Angel is flung from said rift right through the big O of the Hollywood sign. He is not expecting to see Los Angeles in tact. He is expecting to see ruins and implies that he was involved in a war that was lost. The city lights of LA are unexpected. He is mildly perplexed (not that Angel shows it in his expression, but then, he’s always been a bit like that). A dog joins him and begins to talk to him. (Again, the surprise is restrained) The dog tells him that the world is his, “back the way it was meant to be”. Angel is suspicious (“This can’t be good”). But the dog assures him it’s all kinds of awesome (“Your world is restored!”). But Angel knows what’s coming next - The call of higher purpose that involves killing. The dog confirms this dreary prognosis. But this is not really the dog talking, “a power without name from a realm far above” is merely making use of a convenient form. Angel is not over-excited about his new ‘calling’; he’s not a fan of complicated. This is precisely why he keeps getting chosen for these gigs, as doggy explains, “Even when things get the most complicated, you remain doggedly simple”. I love that Joss wrote this line about Angel. Love it. But Fido is waiting for Angel to feel something, an aeroplane is disintegrating overhead. He better feel *it* soon…
Angel looks up, an expression finally touches his face - worry; helpless need helping and he’s stuck on the ground unable to do a darn thing… except he’s not, on the ground. He’s flying with speed towards the stricken craft. Angel goes with it, clenches his jaw and tests out exactly what he’s got under the hood…
He’s got some uber horse power; dare I say, super powers. The power, now talking through a very grateful stewardess offers to reward him ‘properly’ *wink* *wink* and then advises him to stop acting like the super-powers are a trial. They are a reward, not a trick and its a reward that ‘makes the Shanshu look like a sack a’ crap”.
Now we get a second flashback, to ‘some other time ago’ (yup, still completely vague). This time it is Spike who, for some inexplicable reason is riding on the nose of his steam-punkish aircraft. He has just burst through a dimensional tear and seems surprised that he is not being pursued by some ‘wankers’. He has a crew of giant bugs and they call him ‘your majesty’. He also seems surprised to see the city, in existence and in tact below.
After crashing into Big Ben, Spike catches up with the latest news - Buffy the terrorist, Slayer jihad and Harmony’s beauty tips. And while Angel gets his mission, Spike does some reconnaissance
Our nameless higher power continues to talk to Angel, telling him that even though Buffy has done a marvellous thing (presumably the empowering of multiple Slayers) it will come back to bite her and bring the world down on her (huh, seems like shagging Twangel did that actually). It encourages Angel to situate himself up as a figurehead to galvanise Buffy’s enemies. He is warned of inevitable bloodshed but is promised that he can take Buffy beyond the battle to a world without constraints - this is his destiny. He is told to focus her anger and ‘it’ will come to her. It must be pure and she cannot be distracted by her feelings for him (hence the mask).
So, let me get this right; the plan is . . . get Buffy angry enough to make her develop her destined super-powers and then . . . I’m guessing that the ‘higher power’ must want Buffy and Angel to feel the glow, and frak a new world into existence. If this is the case then It would seem that Angel has been completely had. There was no real danger, no more than usual; the enemies were there, sure, but they were always there, even when there was just one of her and they really didn’t need unifying. This seems to be about the creation of a new world and the Twilight mythology being the way to get one…But who wants it? Who would go to all that effort?
Spike, on the other hand is busy working everything out. He attends an anti-slayer rally, works out that the man behind the mask is none other than Old Broody, then, presumably heads off to give Buffy the skinny. Only he got there a fraction late…
Now we pick up the story were we last left off; Slayers are exiting Evil H.Q. onto Spike’s ship as various demons attack. Buffy, Angel and Willow fight them off. Angel, the same one who, until recently been wearing a mask and doing a very convincing job of being the arch villain says he doesn’t trust Spike. *Cough*Hypocrite*Cough* Buffy tells Angel that she doesn’t trust him but he does have her heart,- which is really weird because she said something very similar to Angel in season two but, by series end she’d learnt that Trust was integral to Love. But she’s forgotten that and we get the great Angel exception played out all over again - despite their incompatibility, despite distance, despite time apart, despite moving on, despite a lack of trust - Buffy still loves him. He is Mr. Fantasy that she can never quite forsake.
But what’s with the expression on her face? What is with the maniacal goo-goo eyes? (And notice she’s touching Angel too) And what’s with Buffy being relieved that Spike didn’t show up a couple of hours earlier?? Because, surely, with the subsequent demon invasion and oh, the destruction of the world, surely she should be thinking exactly the opposite. (And notice she’s touching him again) And then Buffy launches into this:
“This is the weirdest, bestest, weirdest best day of my life. What you’ve done for me, I can’t describe. I can’t pronounce. You gave me perfection and you gave it up. Jesus Angel, that’s not just the love of my life. That’s the guy I would live it with”
Again, she’s got the ga-ga face on (and again they are, if not touching, in very close proximity). Surely this can’t be Buffy? Surely Buffy wouldn’t put an uber-root above the safety of the world and its inhabitants? Surely Buffy wouldn’t feel grateful to have had these superpowers forced upon her? Well, I don’t think she would - I think that Buffy is under the influence of Twilight (or the glow.) I think it’s using her lingering feelings for Angel and amplifying them, making her act where usually she wouldn’t, making her say things that she’d usually be too cautious to utter, make her forget anything outside of her and Angel. This is not a good thing. They are not acting rationally. Something is not right. Not good.
Buffy sends Angel away - the others won’t understand (what, why he became "Twilight"? or why Buffy hasn't demanded any explanations?) The others are not happy with Angel (witness Willow turn him into a frog). Buffy suggests that Spike won’t reveal his agenda with Angel around and all these demons they are responsible for releasing, they are going to target Slayers (let’s not worry about the rest of humanity then). So Buffy sends Angel (of all people!) to rescue imperilled Slayers while she works on gets Spike’s pieces of the puzzle.
Angel: is that all you want from him?
Buffy: that’s beneath you, baby
Yeah, Buffy called him ‘baby’. If I wasn’t quite convinced that something was not quite right with our Buffy, I sure am now. And that phrase “beneath you”, it carries all kinds of connotations for Buffy and Spike, puts the reader on alert… Makes me uncomfortable…
Angel leaves, Buffy boards the ship. Xander comforts Dawn because she’s freaked out by Spike’s crew. Faith asks after the “man-bitch formally known as Angel”. Buffy gives her a curt reply then makes a bee-line for Spike, manhandles him angrily and demands information after curtly relegating his sacrifice in Chosen to little more than a ‘crazy studly’ stunt. She apologises for not being in touch, she was busy, leading an army.
So Buffy knew that Spike was alive. She didn’t contact him, he didn’t contact her. I think we have some ruffled sensibilities and noses out of joint here. Both probably think the other should have initiated first contact. Both are damned if they are going to go chasing after someone who is obviously not interested in them… Buffy and Spike at cross purpose. How unusual. And I have to say that it is interesting that she seems completely in awe of Angel for giving her perfection - a world with just the two of them - and equally as awestruck by his willingness to give it up. And yet Spike who was also willing to give up something huge (his life) to give her the world (albeit not a ‘perfect’ one) gets treated with distain. Things are definitely wonky.
But Spike doesn’t back down at her belligerence. He sets her straight, reminds her of the kinda dire situation they are in because of what she and Angel did and suddenly Buffy is not arrogant and defensive anymore. Her eyes fill with tears and she hears what Spike is saying, realises that it is truth. Spike says he knows what ‘everyone’ is after, knows what can stop all this - The Seed of Wonder.
I wonder if this 'Seed of wonder' is the item Giles has been secretly looking for in order to “stop them if they grew too powerful” - to kill them?
Spike sets course for the place where they will find the seed, to where the heart is. Home - Sunnydale; where else would it be? The long way home indeed.
And apparently what’s waiting there for them is The Master and a pretty, glowy red egg thingy…
So that’s it; The Big Reunion. What an anti-climax!! I will admit to initial disappointment with this (too) long anticipated event, but on reflection I’ve come to the conclusion that Joss Whedon is a clever man. What better way to counteract a million fanfic reunions that cover the spectrum of possibilities than to just quickly gloss over it? It saves on exposition. It leaves the audience gagging for more. It incites conversation and discussion on the internet (I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; love him or loath him, no one gets the fandom buzzing like Spike). It has sparked some awesome meta [see this by Maggie and this by Angearia ]. And there is plainly more to this than meets the eye.
What I did love about this issue was Spike’s return. He’s so beautifully in character and he’s got the right amount of snark and truth. And I love it that he’s not wearing his heart on his sleeve, that he’s not all petty and jealous over the sexcapades and Buffy’s feelings for Angel (well mostly ;)). I love it that all he seems to care about is that this mess needs fixing and the world needs saving but most of all I love it that it is Spike who cuts through the Twilight bullshit. He gets her back to reality. He cuts through the lies and manipulation. He gets her back on task. Spike, I’ve missed you. I think Buffy has missed you. Glad to have you home.
Long wait; finally over. Spike on the cover. Very pretty. Let’s have a look at this baby…
Last Gleaming (part one)
It opens ‘some time ago’ (a kind of vague time marker if ever there was one), in Hollywood. At night. A rip opens in the sky - similar to the dimensional tears we saw in The Gift as Dawn bled up on the wonky tower. So I’m guessing dimensional transportation perhaps? Unless this is supposed to be taking place straight after the reset at the end of After the Fall…
Angel is flung from said rift right through the big O of the Hollywood sign. He is not expecting to see Los Angeles in tact. He is expecting to see ruins and implies that he was involved in a war that was lost. The city lights of LA are unexpected. He is mildly perplexed (not that Angel shows it in his expression, but then, he’s always been a bit like that). A dog joins him and begins to talk to him. (Again, the surprise is restrained) The dog tells him that the world is his, “back the way it was meant to be”. Angel is suspicious (“This can’t be good”). But the dog assures him it’s all kinds of awesome (“Your world is restored!”). But Angel knows what’s coming next - The call of higher purpose that involves killing. The dog confirms this dreary prognosis. But this is not really the dog talking, “a power without name from a realm far above” is merely making use of a convenient form. Angel is not over-excited about his new ‘calling’; he’s not a fan of complicated. This is precisely why he keeps getting chosen for these gigs, as doggy explains, “Even when things get the most complicated, you remain doggedly simple”. I love that Joss wrote this line about Angel. Love it. But Fido is waiting for Angel to feel something, an aeroplane is disintegrating overhead. He better feel *it* soon…
Angel looks up, an expression finally touches his face - worry; helpless need helping and he’s stuck on the ground unable to do a darn thing… except he’s not, on the ground. He’s flying with speed towards the stricken craft. Angel goes with it, clenches his jaw and tests out exactly what he’s got under the hood…
He’s got some uber horse power; dare I say, super powers. The power, now talking through a very grateful stewardess offers to reward him ‘properly’ *wink* *wink* and then advises him to stop acting like the super-powers are a trial. They are a reward, not a trick and its a reward that ‘makes the Shanshu look like a sack a’ crap”.
Now we get a second flashback, to ‘some other time ago’ (yup, still completely vague). This time it is Spike who, for some inexplicable reason is riding on the nose of his steam-punkish aircraft. He has just burst through a dimensional tear and seems surprised that he is not being pursued by some ‘wankers’. He has a crew of giant bugs and they call him ‘your majesty’. He also seems surprised to see the city, in existence and in tact below.
After crashing into Big Ben, Spike catches up with the latest news - Buffy the terrorist, Slayer jihad and Harmony’s beauty tips. And while Angel gets his mission, Spike does some reconnaissance
Our nameless higher power continues to talk to Angel, telling him that even though Buffy has done a marvellous thing (presumably the empowering of multiple Slayers) it will come back to bite her and bring the world down on her (huh, seems like shagging Twangel did that actually). It encourages Angel to situate himself up as a figurehead to galvanise Buffy’s enemies. He is warned of inevitable bloodshed but is promised that he can take Buffy beyond the battle to a world without constraints - this is his destiny. He is told to focus her anger and ‘it’ will come to her. It must be pure and she cannot be distracted by her feelings for him (hence the mask).
So, let me get this right; the plan is . . . get Buffy angry enough to make her develop her destined super-powers and then . . . I’m guessing that the ‘higher power’ must want Buffy and Angel to feel the glow, and frak a new world into existence. If this is the case then It would seem that Angel has been completely had. There was no real danger, no more than usual; the enemies were there, sure, but they were always there, even when there was just one of her and they really didn’t need unifying. This seems to be about the creation of a new world and the Twilight mythology being the way to get one…But who wants it? Who would go to all that effort?
Spike, on the other hand is busy working everything out. He attends an anti-slayer rally, works out that the man behind the mask is none other than Old Broody, then, presumably heads off to give Buffy the skinny. Only he got there a fraction late…
Now we pick up the story were we last left off; Slayers are exiting Evil H.Q. onto Spike’s ship as various demons attack. Buffy, Angel and Willow fight them off. Angel, the same one who, until recently been wearing a mask and doing a very convincing job of being the arch villain says he doesn’t trust Spike. *Cough*Hypocrite*Cough* Buffy tells Angel that she doesn’t trust him but he does have her heart,- which is really weird because she said something very similar to Angel in season two but, by series end she’d learnt that Trust was integral to Love. But she’s forgotten that and we get the great Angel exception played out all over again - despite their incompatibility, despite distance, despite time apart, despite moving on, despite a lack of trust - Buffy still loves him. He is Mr. Fantasy that she can never quite forsake.
But what’s with the expression on her face? What is with the maniacal goo-goo eyes? (And notice she’s touching Angel too) And what’s with Buffy being relieved that Spike didn’t show up a couple of hours earlier?? Because, surely, with the subsequent demon invasion and oh, the destruction of the world, surely she should be thinking exactly the opposite. (And notice she’s touching him again) And then Buffy launches into this:
“This is the weirdest, bestest, weirdest best day of my life. What you’ve done for me, I can’t describe. I can’t pronounce. You gave me perfection and you gave it up. Jesus Angel, that’s not just the love of my life. That’s the guy I would live it with”
Again, she’s got the ga-ga face on (and again they are, if not touching, in very close proximity). Surely this can’t be Buffy? Surely Buffy wouldn’t put an uber-root above the safety of the world and its inhabitants? Surely Buffy wouldn’t feel grateful to have had these superpowers forced upon her? Well, I don’t think she would - I think that Buffy is under the influence of Twilight (or the glow.) I think it’s using her lingering feelings for Angel and amplifying them, making her act where usually she wouldn’t, making her say things that she’d usually be too cautious to utter, make her forget anything outside of her and Angel. This is not a good thing. They are not acting rationally. Something is not right. Not good.
Buffy sends Angel away - the others won’t understand (what, why he became "Twilight"? or why Buffy hasn't demanded any explanations?) The others are not happy with Angel (witness Willow turn him into a frog). Buffy suggests that Spike won’t reveal his agenda with Angel around and all these demons they are responsible for releasing, they are going to target Slayers (let’s not worry about the rest of humanity then). So Buffy sends Angel (of all people!) to rescue imperilled Slayers while she works on gets Spike’s pieces of the puzzle.
Angel: is that all you want from him?
Buffy: that’s beneath you, baby
Yeah, Buffy called him ‘baby’. If I wasn’t quite convinced that something was not quite right with our Buffy, I sure am now. And that phrase “beneath you”, it carries all kinds of connotations for Buffy and Spike, puts the reader on alert… Makes me uncomfortable…
Angel leaves, Buffy boards the ship. Xander comforts Dawn because she’s freaked out by Spike’s crew. Faith asks after the “man-bitch formally known as Angel”. Buffy gives her a curt reply then makes a bee-line for Spike, manhandles him angrily and demands information after curtly relegating his sacrifice in Chosen to little more than a ‘crazy studly’ stunt. She apologises for not being in touch, she was busy, leading an army.
So Buffy knew that Spike was alive. She didn’t contact him, he didn’t contact her. I think we have some ruffled sensibilities and noses out of joint here. Both probably think the other should have initiated first contact. Both are damned if they are going to go chasing after someone who is obviously not interested in them… Buffy and Spike at cross purpose. How unusual. And I have to say that it is interesting that she seems completely in awe of Angel for giving her perfection - a world with just the two of them - and equally as awestruck by his willingness to give it up. And yet Spike who was also willing to give up something huge (his life) to give her the world (albeit not a ‘perfect’ one) gets treated with distain. Things are definitely wonky.
But Spike doesn’t back down at her belligerence. He sets her straight, reminds her of the kinda dire situation they are in because of what she and Angel did and suddenly Buffy is not arrogant and defensive anymore. Her eyes fill with tears and she hears what Spike is saying, realises that it is truth. Spike says he knows what ‘everyone’ is after, knows what can stop all this - The Seed of Wonder.
I wonder if this 'Seed of wonder' is the item Giles has been secretly looking for in order to “stop them if they grew too powerful” - to kill them?
Spike sets course for the place where they will find the seed, to where the heart is. Home - Sunnydale; where else would it be? The long way home indeed.
And apparently what’s waiting there for them is The Master and a pretty, glowy red egg thingy…
So that’s it; The Big Reunion. What an anti-climax!! I will admit to initial disappointment with this (too) long anticipated event, but on reflection I’ve come to the conclusion that Joss Whedon is a clever man. What better way to counteract a million fanfic reunions that cover the spectrum of possibilities than to just quickly gloss over it? It saves on exposition. It leaves the audience gagging for more. It incites conversation and discussion on the internet (I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; love him or loath him, no one gets the fandom buzzing like Spike). It has sparked some awesome meta [see this by Maggie and this by Angearia ]. And there is plainly more to this than meets the eye.
What I did love about this issue was Spike’s return. He’s so beautifully in character and he’s got the right amount of snark and truth. And I love it that he’s not wearing his heart on his sleeve, that he’s not all petty and jealous over the sexcapades and Buffy’s feelings for Angel (well mostly ;)). I love it that all he seems to care about is that this mess needs fixing and the world needs saving but most of all I love it that it is Spike who cuts through the Twilight bullshit. He gets her back to reality. He cuts through the lies and manipulation. He gets her back on task. Spike, I’ve missed you. I think Buffy has missed you. Glad to have you home.