As season 7 goes on, it embraces the completely serialized format that the writers implemented over on Angel's spin-off. Everything is related to the battle with the First and the Uber-Vamps. To be honest I miss one-off villains/problems such as might be found in season one's "The Pack" or season two's "Killed By Death"...and to be honest the problem is exacerbated for me because I find the First to be such a boring Big Bad. Heck, I'll take Adam any day over this.
So "Help" is refreshing to me. I think the main reason the episode stands out is Azura Skye's performance as Cassie--a fairly nondescript character outside of her psychic abilities and impending death, I think Skye imbues her with a compelling mix of vulnerability and sweetness that make me really like her during the limited time we get to know her. Hearkening back to my wish from "Lessons" that Dawn would form her own Scooby gang, I would rewrite the episode (and subsequently the rest of the reason) to have Cassie live and become the magically endowed member of the group, a la Willow before her.
Oh well. I guess that's what fan fiction is for.
So "Help" is refreshing to me. I think the main reason the episode stands out is Azura Skye's performance as Cassie--a fairly nondescript character outside of her psychic abilities and impending death, I think Skye imbues her with a compelling mix of vulnerability and sweetness that make me really like her during the limited time we get to know her. Hearkening back to my wish from "Lessons" that Dawn would form her own Scooby gang, I would rewrite the episode (and subsequently the rest of the reason) to have Cassie live and become the magically endowed member of the group, a la Willow before her.
Oh well. I guess that's what fan fiction is for.