Empty Places
The most notable thing in this episode is about Buffy’s leadership of the group. During the earlier seasons, the Watchers’ Council and Giles were in charge. Then the Council started giving out wacky orders that Buffy didn’t like the look of and there was a bit of a split. I imagine Giles and the other watchers have lots of experience and knowledge and can make the best decision and avoid mistakes but Buffy’s not too keen on these tests to check her mettle and increase her power so she stopped trusting the Council. It was about this time that the Watchers became a little greyer, and more selfish; willing to use the slayer for the own ends. So about season five or so, I presume Giles had decided that as Buffy wasn’t going to die anytime soon, it’s about time she became a bit more independent and make some hard decisions; acting more like an adult. She was looking lazy and not getting a job.
Something that was lost along the way is the distinction that Giles seemed to emphasise Buffy making normal decisions by herself, not ‘end of the world’, ‘let’s sacrifice my sister’ decisions. Now Buffy thinks she has to do everything by herself and can’t rely on anyone. The strain of the ultimate evil is getting to her and she’s loosing touch with the group. She’s ‘focussed on the mission’, a similar theme touched upon of Fred and Angel a couple of weeks ago. She should be paying attention to more normal things, like the potentials’ frustration from lack of action. When the time comes she’ll trust her friends, but this waiting for the end of season is getting to them all. Especially with such dull episodes.
It would help if the rest of them could do some research, they’d fall into their familiar roles but the lack of information means most of the gang has nothing to do. That’s the trouble with secret cults. Added to these troubles, the guilt from last week is being suppressed and Buffy’s trying to deny it. She resorts to lashing out and distances herself from Xander when he needs sympathy. It’s far too painful for her to face it right now and she won’t admit her mistake, because it was so costly. Everyone keeps hounding her to follow the mission and make tough decisions and then when she does, they all whinge. Bloody losers. So she takes some time out.
This episode seemed a bit muddled and the characters unsure of themselves, but after writing this out, most of it makes sense to me now.
The downside to this focus on Buffy is that there’s lots of themes they could explore but don’t seem to have the time. The other characters receive little finesse in their development. Far too much of the time, they seem to be in stand-alone episodes. Willow’s trouble with magic is handled badly and the way she deals with Tara’s (may she stay dead forever) death is worse. Xander and Anya have some good moments but Dawn’s had one episode and a vague concern about Buffy that sort of trailed off. Unfortunately, it’s hard to see the show going out on a bang at this late stage.
- Buffy’s making long speeches: tick.
- Buffy has trouble fighting: tick — Beaten by Caleb again.
- Someone questions Buffy’s ability to make difficult decisions: no but Buffy keeps telling everyone that she can.
- Flashbacks: no.
- Modern Weaponry: no.
- Poke test to check for corporeality: no.
- Anya’s sole line: Long spiel about where she went last week and breakup sex.
- Andrew provides comic relief: tick — Brings out the geek in Spike.
- The First does something: no.
- Strange behaviour by the gang: Everyone gets a bit caught up in kicking Buffy out.
- Getting it on: no.
- Best quote: “Oh really, because sometimes our missions end up with you trying to kill me.”
- Biggest gripe: Unexplored themes.