Oz and Jonathan appear in this episode, which is reason enough to watch it. Oz, part of the band "Dingoes Ate My Baby," will become Willow's love interest for the next couple seasons. And Jonathan will play a larger role in the series later on, especially in season 6. Their characters are important and I happen to like them a lot, so its nice to seem them in this episode... Even if both of them are only on screen for a few minutes. This is a fairly good episode overall. While it doesn't contribute much to the season's main story-arc, it is fun to see the Scoobies on a museum field trip and contending with the new foreign exchange students. It's definitely worth a look.
The episode itself revolves around an reanimated mummy, who Buffy mistakenly assumes is the foreign exchange student assigned to stay at her house. Sacifised at 17, the Incan princess, Ampata, has been in museum displays for years. Now, Ampata is eager to reclaim the life stolen from her. She hangs around with Buffy and the Scoobies, goes to Sunnydale High and even starts to date Xander. Unfortunately, she's being stalked by a sword-wielding ancient guard who wants to put her back in the museum. Plus, in order to stay "alive," Ampata has to suck the life out of unsuspecting victims. While Buffy and Giles try to figure out what's going on, Jonathan, Xander, and Willow all nearly die at Ampata's hands.
The episode has some pretty funny parts. Cordy and her foreign exchange student, Sven, are hilarious together. She drags him around like a puppy and he is completely befuddled by her use of the English language. Of course, that doesn't stop her from ordering him about. "Drink-y. Fruit-y Drink-y. Now!" And it's nice to see Oz take an interest in Willow. After watching her pine after Xander for so long, it's good that someone is finally pinning after her. I also like the connections that the show draws between Buffy's situation and Ampata's. Both of them were swept up in something beyond their control at a very young age and both of them yearn for a more normal life. Yet, Ampata tries to change things by hurting others, while Buffy accepts her fate and still fights to defend people. It's interesting.
On the downside, Angel's not in this episode. And "School Hard" is such a hard act to follow, that you find yourself wishing Dru, Angel and Spike's storyline could just pick up immediately. Also, I think that Xander is little harsh with Willow this episode. He says some insensitive things to her and seems so caught up in Ampata that he ignores Willow's feelings entirely. Of course, he does pull it out at the end and save Willow's life, so I guess it's pretty easy to forgive him.
My favorite part of the episode: Willow's costume. Geez, she looks cute in that little, furry, hooded get-up.
The episode itself revolves around an reanimated mummy, who Buffy mistakenly assumes is the foreign exchange student assigned to stay at her house. Sacifised at 17, the Incan princess, Ampata, has been in museum displays for years. Now, Ampata is eager to reclaim the life stolen from her. She hangs around with Buffy and the Scoobies, goes to Sunnydale High and even starts to date Xander. Unfortunately, she's being stalked by a sword-wielding ancient guard who wants to put her back in the museum. Plus, in order to stay "alive," Ampata has to suck the life out of unsuspecting victims. While Buffy and Giles try to figure out what's going on, Jonathan, Xander, and Willow all nearly die at Ampata's hands.
The episode has some pretty funny parts. Cordy and her foreign exchange student, Sven, are hilarious together. She drags him around like a puppy and he is completely befuddled by her use of the English language. Of course, that doesn't stop her from ordering him about. "Drink-y. Fruit-y Drink-y. Now!" And it's nice to see Oz take an interest in Willow. After watching her pine after Xander for so long, it's good that someone is finally pinning after her. I also like the connections that the show draws between Buffy's situation and Ampata's. Both of them were swept up in something beyond their control at a very young age and both of them yearn for a more normal life. Yet, Ampata tries to change things by hurting others, while Buffy accepts her fate and still fights to defend people. It's interesting.
On the downside, Angel's not in this episode. And "School Hard" is such a hard act to follow, that you find yourself wishing Dru, Angel and Spike's storyline could just pick up immediately. Also, I think that Xander is little harsh with Willow this episode. He says some insensitive things to her and seems so caught up in Ampata that he ignores Willow's feelings entirely. Of course, he does pull it out at the end and save Willow's life, so I guess it's pretty easy to forgive him.
My favorite part of the episode: Willow's costume. Geez, she looks cute in that little, furry, hooded get-up.