BtVS, s7 episodes 7 &8

[avrelia]

Short notes on Conversation with dead People and Sleeper:



Embarrassing admission: what bothered me the most in the beginning of the season 7 as I was watching it being broadcast was that Spike looked pink. So much for deep thoughts and insights into the story.

I hope to do better this time around.

However, I am not sure what to say about CWDP, apart from I watched it with the commentary, and I want Drew Goddard, Jane Espenson, Tom Lenk, and Danny Strong to comment on all episodes. They are hilarious. Again – to the episode itself – there was nothing new for me there (I watched it a lot on tapes, especially Buffy part), it is lovely lit and well-directed, but the shock of the first viewing beats everything I get from it later, even though I read spoilers then and was kind of prepared.

This episode is a big turning point for Buffy and the season – for Buffy it gives her necessary introspection that allows for healing, even though said healing will be bumpy and unsure, and the season loses its “forebodings in the sunlight” mode to start with badness.

In the hindsight, stamping of the date inside, however cool, seems stupid decision – it created a black hole of time in combination with later episodes.

Sleeper. I actually love how the episodes blend together. IF not for the date – and the Christmas time in Bring it on, I could disregard the outside time, since the inside time flows nicely.

Just after staking Holden Buffy rushes to check on Spike. What amazes me the most is Xander’s reaction here –

Why, what happened? Is he in trouble?

- said in the worried voice. I guess, Xander after the events of Selfless is out “Kill Spike Now!” camp, and having him as a roommate also helps. Not that he would stop snarking about Spike’s presence, but I see more understanding as well.

Another thing that amuses me every time I see it – Buffy’s conversation with a bouncer at the Bronze:

BOUNCER: Hey, sweetheart. If you wanna go in, go ahead.

BUFFY: Oh, uh, actually, I need some help. I'm looking for this guy. Bleach-blonde hair, leather jacket, British accent? Kind of sallow, but in a hot way?

BOUNCER: Yeah, yeah, I know the guy. Billy Idol wannabe?

BUFFY: Actually, Billy Idol stole his look from?-never mind. Has he been here?

the description rocks and I doubt that piece of information about Billy Idol was found in the Watchers’ guide to Vampires. :g:

Dawn is full of doubts, and Willow easily discards the evil thing.

Anya retreats a little after her big epiphany – as we humans are known to do. Her scene with Spike is funny and sad – she doesn’t want him, but she doesn’t want to be unwanted either, especially after everything when she is on a very shaky ground regarding her self, self-worth, and self-image.

No wonder she is so bitter. She is also the one who comes with the practical way to find possible victims. Apparently there are not so vampires left in Sunnydale. Or so many people. Ten disappearances in weeks = slaughtering half of the town?

Why crazy!Spike has so many different clothes?

I love the scene in the basement a lot. Actually this phrase can be attributed to too many episodes. But still. Staking that didn’t happen every time makes me hold my breath, seeing all the range of emotions and thoughts on Buffy and Spike.

Comments

[molly_may]

Heh. You're making me want to skip the rest of S6 in my rewatch and dive right into S7.

I guess, Xander after the events of Selfless is out “Kill Spike Now!” camp, and having him as a roommate also helps. Not that he would stop snarking about Spike’s presence, but I see more understanding as well.

I think this is a really important element of growth in Xander's character. He's learned not to be so judgemental, and he's learning that people really can change.

I love that conversation has with the bouncer too, just because it's a tiny bit of evidence that sometimes Buffy and Spike just talked when we weren't watching, that they had snarky, silly conversations about punk rock and Spike's fashion sense.

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

Bwa! No, I am trying to make to post s6 episodes very soon, and then dive into s7. ;)

that they had snarky, silly conversations about punk rock and Spike's fashion sense.

Exactly!

[skylee.livejournal.com]

Aw, I loved CWDP and Sleeper. Xander also was (more or less) on Spike's side in NLM, when he refrained from saying anything about whether Spike should be killed. But then we're jumping ahead. :)

Ten disappearances in weeks = slaughtering half of the town?

Heh, but I guess it would seem that way to Spike. *g*

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

I was thinking about all the episodes through showtime (Where I am right now), so it's good. I just decided to post small part.

I guess it would seem that way to Spike.

It would, but also I had an impression that before Buffy people were disappearing in Sunnydale in larger amounts than ten in two weeks. ;)

[withafireinside.livejournal.com]

I want Drew Goddard, Jane Espenson, Tom Lenk, and Danny Strong to comment on all episodes. They are hilarious.

Hee, so true. That's been my favorite commentary so far. Also, Joss, Marti, and Seth Green's commentary on Wild at Heart was funny too.

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

I need to buy season 4. ( I started backwards) but I think I'll be listening to that one many times, because Bwa! their talk about Cassie turning inside out and ither stuff - pure gold. ;)