Back to Series Four

[gillo]

And in many ways back to the beginning. All first episodes of this show are, at heart, about the same thing. Who is Buffy? What is a Slayer? Is it possible to be both, and which comes first?

Comments

[shapinglight]

On one hand, I think she hasn't had the opportunity to learn the same life skills as other people her age, but also, I don't think Buffy sees herself as very smart.

I think both these things are very true. Academia doesn't come naturally to her the way it does to Willow, though given the chance I'm sure she would have been an above average student, even if she never developed a love of learning for its own sake.

I like vulnerable Buffy too. Seeing her overcome her problems and triumph is always good to see.

I thought all the stereotypes of college life were spot on, including the tough professors and the weird roommate

Absolutely.

[gillo]

I think Buffy's ability to slay is tied to her self-esteem, and she's feeling very fragmented and isolated. It's only when the symbols of home and her achievements at school are derided that she finally cracks, loses her temper and fights back. Just as it took a lot to make "Anne" fight the heel demons - and she had to declare her name first. And at the start of S2 she had to take back her identity and destroy what was left of the Master's bones.

[trepkos]

Definitely would have liked to see more of Sunday; There's a fic - Sunday Girl which takes a closer look at how she might have got where she was. Not sure where that is now (apart from my hard drive). Not sure where Giles got the idea that she didn't need a Watcher any more. Do you think Joss was already planning to give Joyce an aneurysm back then? Or did he just pick up on it later?
I did find it odd the way Buffy was SO easy to beat, and then came back strong again. I didn't really like seeing her all sorry for herself - the packing crates weren't ON the bed - she could still have had a nap there. I did love Oz, trying to pretend he wasn't completely at home there.

[shapinglight]

Do you think Joss was already planning to give Joyce an aneurysm back then? Or did he just pick up on it later?

Who knows with Joss? I suspect he was planning it, though, given that he has Faith foretell the coming of Dawn in one of the final episodes of season 3, a whole season before she even arrives.

Not sure where Giles got the idea that she didn't need a Watcher any more.

Me neither. Very odd. I suppose he must mean he doesn't think she needs to train with him any more, rather than that she doesn't need him at all.

I did find it odd the way Buffy was SO easy to beat, and then came back strong again.

I guess it is a bit exaggerated, but I think her finding the transition from high school to college more difficult than Willow does works well. Willow's always known she would go to college, whereas for Buffy, doing well enough in her SATs to get in was a big shock. She thinks she's stupid, which is something Sunday picks up on at once and uses against her.

[gillo]

Not sure where Giles got the idea that she didn't need a Watcher any more.

Me neither. Very odd. I suppose he must mean he doesn't think she needs to train with him any more, rather than that she doesn't need him at all.

At this point he was still sacked from the job, remember, even though Wesley had moved on.Technically he was right. And some of it was probably just trying to get rid of Buffy with Olivia there!

[shapinglight]

And some of it was probably just trying to get rid of Buffy with Olivia there!

Heh! Very understandable.

It could also be seen as the beginnings of Giles's doubts about his presence even being good for Buffy - or feeling that as long as he was around she would lean on him when she shouldn't be.

[shapinglight]

I also love this season opener. It really does get first day at uni/college where it seems everyone knows more than you spot on. I love the way that Buffy was allowed to move on and didn't end up stuck at high school for years on end because that was seen as a winning formula.

The gang coming back together to back Buffy up is great too. I also adore Sunday - especially her being so cool that she even strikes a pose while turning to dust - but I think the character served her purpose in this episode and didn't really need to continue forward.

The actor who plays Eddie was one of the most fun characters in Game of Thrones not that long ago. Still annoyed that they stuck to the books and killed him off.

Also, at this juncture, and for a long time to come, I love Riley. He's a sweetheart.

[gillo]

Yes, I feel this expresses that starting out alone thing better than almost anything I've seen. And, yes, it's non-trivial that she wasn't kept as a perpetual high-schooler.

What really matters is that the gang comes back after Buffy has accepted she has to woman up and do it on her own. They are important, and as part of her old life, part of her, but she can do it alone.

Riley's sweet in this episode, but a bit too brightly flagged up as future boyfriend material.

[shapinglight]

Riley's sweet in this episode, but a bit too brightly flagged up as future boyfriend material.

This is true, but I like him so much it doesn't bother me. ;)

[gillo]

I think we've all been through something like this, if we ever left home to live/work/study on our own. The episode beautifully encapsulates just how scary it is.

[snogged]

I agree. The Freshman is a really wonderful episode.

Sunday was quite the entertaining villain.

[gillo]

She was, though symbolically I suppose she had to go. Pity, though.