Potential
After last week’s dismal effort, the only way is up. Thankfully, it’s a big jump up. It’s back to the classic “I’ve got a big problem but I’m not going to tell anyone. I can solve it myself.” plots.
It’s nice to finally see the potentials are into some training, even if it is only Buffy training them. She drones on and on and on about trusting your instincts. Nearly ruined the entire episode by herself. She’s still into big speeches, and dramatic gestures. She just loves the attention. While Buffy goes on and on about being special, the potentials may have tuned out but the point is hammered home into Dawn very well. It looks like this will be a Dawn episode, but don’t switch off now in disgust, I’ve told the truth about this being a half decent episode so it’s worth watching until the end.
Back to the training. "This is the bar. If you’re unsure how to kill the bad guy and the rest of the gang has found nothing in the books then this is where you come. Just beat everyone up until someone tells you the answer. Trust your instincts." I’m glad the wrinkly demon isn’t as lame as I thought he was.
On to the crypt. “This is a crypt. Look out for vampires. Trust your instincts. Blah blah blah. Disturbing reference to my relationship with Spike. Trust your instincts. Believe in yourself and so on. Good luck with the vampire.” I guess it was too much for them to die to that vamp but at least now they have some practical experience.
The Dawn plot was in typical Buffy style. Here’s a new character with a problem. Buffy tries to scare her away with some incessant babbling about her own issues but the new girl wouldn’t give up that easily. Dawn manages to work herself up a lot about nothing. The others unknowningly insult her within her hearing range, except for nice guy Xander who is on her side. Time to run away.
Well, well well. It’s new girl again. I thought it was odd that she could dodge the vamp but since she’s apparently a potential she probably used those slayer reactions they keep talking about. Dawn’s very willing to go fight vamps. She’s must be confident in her non-existent slayer abilities. Obviously seen how easy it is for Buffy to kill vamps.
It’s all wrapped up nicely with a touching scene between Xander and Dawn. Dawn’s having some trouble going from an ordinary teenager to the key to a nobody to a potential and back to a nobody. Dawn doesn’t like being a ordinary but she’s relieved that she’s not a potential. The group’s still close despite recent tension and everyone focusing on their own issues.
On the comic side of things, Andrew’s inability to fit into the group gives plenty of chance for comic potential with some help from Anya. The whole Dawn plot was a great change from the previous focus on potentials and Buffy, making this episode nearly self contained and a relief from the serial nature of this season so far.
“Remember that thing about they share the same blood or whatever.”
“Yeah, I never got that.”