Joss Whedon's work, generally speaking, is known for expertly combining tragedy and humor: the tragedy complements the humor, the humor enhances the tragedy. This is a thin line to walk and both Angel and Buffy typically manage to thread the needle pretty well, in some instances better than others. In "The Girl in Question" I don't think it quite works. The story of the Burkles coming to visit their daughter is so heartrending that the sharp cut from it to the wacky Italian adventure of Spike and Angel is jarring. Plus, nobody from WR&H thought to contact the Burkles in the weeks, possibly months, since Fred's death to inform them? What was their long-term plan on that? While the notion of Illyria assuming Fred's visage and personality is an interesting one, I don't know if this particular story line was the best way to introduce it.
However, the stuff in Italy is great. I love the flashbacks. Angelus is typically so in control, so the architect of his own fate, that seeing him consistently flummoxed by the Immortal is hilarious. Angelus tends to solve his problems by murderous rampage, but he apparently never even lays eyes on the Immortal. His rage is completely impotent.
I was relieved to find (via the trivia section) that Buffy is not actually dating the Immortal; it's just a joke on Spike and Angel by Andrew. I know Buffy tends to fall for men who are less than morally upright, but I don't believe for a second she would love a man who apparently had the power to kill Angelus and end his reign of terror but chose instead merely to sadistically toy with and humiliate him. Plus the double/decoy in the club doesn't look at all like Sarah Michelle Gellar, even when only seeing the back of her head from a distance. It would have been great to see Buffy in the 'verse one last time, though.
The trivia section also notes that in the original draft, Andrew was to be escorted by a man and a woman, but when it came time to shoot this was changed to two women. Was this because the writers wished to avoid referencing Andrew's homosexual tendencies? Personally I think the joke works better and has more "punch" with two women. It better suits the cliché of the hedonistic, well-dressed playboy with a beautiful woman on each arm. The absurdity of Andrew as we know him being the furthest thing from that increases the impact of the disconnect required for a punchline. Having a man and a woman show up would perhaps be a more interesting character beat but would lack the immediacy the joke requires.
Spike referencing his time in Italy in the '50s is brilliant. He and Drusilla are dressed very mod and the cutaway is shot in black and white, obviously a Fellini reference. Would have loved to see a whole episode done like that, but for those who have no taste for art-house cinema I admit it would have gotten tiresome.
However, the stuff in Italy is great. I love the flashbacks. Angelus is typically so in control, so the architect of his own fate, that seeing him consistently flummoxed by the Immortal is hilarious. Angelus tends to solve his problems by murderous rampage, but he apparently never even lays eyes on the Immortal. His rage is completely impotent.
I was relieved to find (via the trivia section) that Buffy is not actually dating the Immortal; it's just a joke on Spike and Angel by Andrew. I know Buffy tends to fall for men who are less than morally upright, but I don't believe for a second she would love a man who apparently had the power to kill Angelus and end his reign of terror but chose instead merely to sadistically toy with and humiliate him. Plus the double/decoy in the club doesn't look at all like Sarah Michelle Gellar, even when only seeing the back of her head from a distance. It would have been great to see Buffy in the 'verse one last time, though.
The trivia section also notes that in the original draft, Andrew was to be escorted by a man and a woman, but when it came time to shoot this was changed to two women. Was this because the writers wished to avoid referencing Andrew's homosexual tendencies? Personally I think the joke works better and has more "punch" with two women. It better suits the cliché of the hedonistic, well-dressed playboy with a beautiful woman on each arm. The absurdity of Andrew as we know him being the furthest thing from that increases the impact of the disconnect required for a punchline. Having a man and a woman show up would perhaps be a more interesting character beat but would lack the immediacy the joke requires.
Spike referencing his time in Italy in the '50s is brilliant. He and Drusilla are dressed very mod and the cutaway is shot in black and white, obviously a Fellini reference. Would have loved to see a whole episode done like that, but for those who have no taste for art-house cinema I admit it would have gotten tiresome.