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Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Potential (2003)
Xander, you beautiful man.
This episode was pretty straight forward for the first half, and I thought it was predictable. By that I mean that I saw Dawn being the potential slayer from a mile away, the second Willow said "Slayer in Sunnydale." But then, as I thought they really wanted to push Dawn in the footsteps of her sister, the twist was that much more unexpected, yet fitting. Dawn has struggled with her place in the gang and identity overall for some time now, and the fact that they didn't do the obvious and, frankly, what I thought they had planned from her introduction, was impressive.
Seeing Buff embrace the role of leader and teacher, doing what Giles once did for her, was interesting as well. Spike helping out in teaching the gals all about vampires is something I like seeing, and it seems like Spike and Buffy's friendship is close to healed.
All in all though, Buffy's part of this episode is just fine. The thing that makes this entire episode, is the final scene with Dawn and Xander. I've been wanting a pay-off to Xander's role in the gang for a long time, and by god, did they deliver. I'm sure they're going to develop it even further, but this is a fantastic start. This scene fit perfectly with the direction they took Dawn in this episode, and making Xander the person to console her is just *chef's kiss*.
I havent really loved Dawn yet, and it was a bold choice of Whedon to suddenly give Buffy a sister, and essentially ret-conning her into the memory of all the other characters, and I can't say it landed perfectly with me. Not to say she hasn't had her moments, like "The Body", where she was absolutely brilliant. But, like Dawn herself, I think she hasn't really found her place yet. So it was great to have an episode that explored that, and seeing her and Xand bond so over their identities made me tear up.
Xander remains one of my favorite characters. He has been consistently hilarious and reliable throughout all seasons, and I hope he finally gets the recognition he deserves. Though, if they don't develop it any further, I will be content with this scene with Dawn, because it is fantastic.
Angel: Ground State (2002)
My first impressions
Really thought we were finally going to lose Charles Gunn for a sec there... :/ I still don't think he adds anything of value to this show, and he kind of drags the interest I had for Fred down as well.
Hope this new gal, Gwen, replaces Cordelia as Angel's love interest. Cordelia and Angel is a match that absolutely does not work for me in any way. Cordelia hasn't been a great character since she was back in Sunnydale, if you ask me; I am still waiting for her to prove herself in this show, because Angel falling in love with her does NOT feel earned at this point, and I'm beginning to doubt that it ever will.
Cordy can stay in heaven for all I care, and Gunn should have joined her. At least that would have given Fred a chance to finally do something other than be the nerd, exposition-spewer. We got a small glimpse of that in this episode, but imagine how much darker you could go with her if Gunn actually died there. I think that could really hit hard.
So, what did I like? Well, Wesley, first and foremost. I am loving his darker side and it is kind of the anchor of this season so far, and the last episodes of season 3, for me. Him saving Angel, but being almost apathetic about it, beacause the only reason he is doing it is because he knows Angel is needed. That's very cool. Also, keeping Justine captive in a sound-proof room, with nothing but a bucket to fill? I'm liking this Wesley.
I also really liked the way Angel handled the confrontation with Connor. Finally, we get to see this parenting-side of him, and not the making goo-goo-ga-sounds, and saying "Look at me, I'm Mr. Dad! :D" side.
So, still not keen on Cordy or Gunn, and I am getting very excited to see where this story takes Wesley. Angel himself is fine, but I hope he gets more agency this season, he felt kind of stale and did way too much cooing of that baby in last season.
I am going to assume all of my opinions here are controversial, but there you go.
Angel: Spin the Bottle (2002)
My first impressions
Wow. You can *really* tell when Joss Whedon takes the helm of an episode. Because the quality instantly jumps a notch or two.
It was really fun seeing the Cordy we came to love on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" again. And the pompous teenage Wesley reminds one of how much he has changed since joining Buffy in season 3. Angel returning to his human, teenage self (mentally) was also written well, and in a way I expect few other than Joss could have.
Gunn was as stale as his adult self, but just a little more hotheaded than usual. His answer to every problem was punching and threatening violence, and I have not come to expect better of his character. I have to admit I did like the moment he had with Wesley before the spell, and the fact that he contemplated his role in the group. Something I expect Joss was doing himself.
Whedon's comedy delivers as usual, and basically all of the jokes landed for me this episode - something that has become rare on "Angel". In fact, I think Whedon is the only writer to nail the balance of drama and comedy on this show, and not making it jarring and weird.
Wesley in particular was hilarious. His karate moves. How scared he was of his own weapons. The stake-boner moment with Fred. And just tripping over himself down the stairs for no reason.
Fred asking everyone for weed was also funny, and I think I saw David Boreanaz break when she asked him.
All in all, while slightly on the comedic side, this episode is a step up from the rest of this season so far, and Joss proves once again why he's the best.
Angel: Slouching Toward Bethlehem (2002)
First impressions of s4e4
Cordelia is back. Yaaaaay............ Well she's sort of back, and the A plot of this episode is just following a Cordy with no memories, and it's really stale, predictable and boring. The only interesting thing from that part of the episode is the setup of an impending doom from Lorne, who continues to be one of the characters pulling the most weight on this show, especially compared to his screen time.
And that's where we arrive at Gunn. Yes, Charles, you *are* a sidekick. And not even a good one. Charles Gunn has been really hotheaded this season, and if I were Angel, I would not see the use of him. They keep saying he is crucial for his muscle, but I do not see any situation where he would be needed when Angel, supposedly, is superhuman. In fact, it would only serve to make Angel even cooler, if they allowed him to tackle larger groups of enemies, and not constantly needing the assistance of his non-vampire friends. Keep in mind, Buffy is superhuman, and that's how she's so good at tackling demons and vamps. She's on an even playing field with them, strength wise, and superior to them strategically. Gunn should have his ass handed to him in most episodes, if he weren't written as unrealistically.
Anyways. Wesley is awesome, as ever. He remains the most interesting pawn in the game that is Angel season 4, and I can't wait to see how far they take him down this dark road.
Angel: Offspring (2001)
Cordelia: Disrespectful and delusional
This episode is full of the worst kind of forced, incompetent and childish writing. Angel suddenly questioning if he is in love with Cordelia, just because Fred teased him? Genuinely baffling.
Something I didn't expect when I started watching this series is just how often Angel would be disrespected. He is the butt of countless jokes and he only gets rare moments to shine, at least so far. Cordelia being suddenly a great fighter and strong enough to hurt Angel, mainly for lame joke? He gets no respect this episode. Angels just sitting there like a puppydog in the corner while Cordelia scorns him like she had anything to do about what happened with him and Darla.
Funny that Cordelia's immediate reaction to seeing the SUPERVILLAIN pregnant is to bash the HERO. They start treating her like a human that deserves love and compassion, for all they know this could be a trick. She is a mass murdering vampire. Even though she's pregnant, their first reaction should be to reach for the weapons.
"You just went male" jesus christ... Cordelia is terrible in this episode. Also a misandrist. She wasn't there and she already has a throughline in her head of exactly how it went down, and naturally got in an anti-male message.
The feminist messaging in this show is heavy-handed, goofy and downright hateful.