Author: Elwood Jones

Episode Title: Wild At Heart

Original Air Date: November 9, 1999

“Well, I ran away and went to hell … and then I got through it. I’m kind of hoping Willow won’t use me as a model.” – Buffy

One of the most nagging aspects of having seen the series in its entirety is knowing what lies ahead for these characters and where their individual paths will take them. At the same time certain characters lose their original appeal as the series went on be it the result of attempts by the writing team to evolve their character or more likely the actor throwing their weight around over how they wish to play their character. A prime example of this of course being Willow who went from the shy and adorably akward witch in training to becoming something of a grating presence in the series, something which seems to be a running theme for any character which Alyson Hannigan plays for long enough (see also American Pie and How I Met Your Mother). It was of course only on this rewatch that I was finally able to pinpoint when her character went from likeable to a general bugbear for the series with this episode really proving to be the ground zero.

Continue reading Buffy The Vampire Slayer S:04 Ep:06

Episode Title: The Harsh Light of Day

Original Air Date: October 19, 1999

“Being A Vampire Sucks.” – Harmony

It would be just typical that when Buffy seems to be getting her life in order, having established herself as the slayer on campus and got shot of her demon roommate but no things are once more thrown into confusion when she finds herself falling for fellow student Parker, while the appearance of a now vampire Harmony heralds the return of Spike to Sunnydale who is keen to find the “Gem of Amara”. The Vampire version of the Holy Grail and which will also make him in the process invincible to stakes and able to walk in the sun.

Continue reading Buffy The Vampire Slayer S:04 Ep:03

Episode Title: The Freshman

Original Air Date: October 5, 1999

“Some friends of Buffy’s played a funny joke. They took her stuff, and now she wants us to help get it back from her friends who sleep all day and have no tans.” – Xander

So last time we where with Buffy and the Scoobies, Sunnydale High had been reduced to a smoking hole in the group and Angel had left for L.A. following his break up with Buffy and rejoining Buffy at the start of this season the various members are no less scattered as Buffy, Willow and Oz prepare to start at UC Sunnydale.

Opening to Buffy and Willow on stakeout at a cemetary while they wait for a potential vampire to rise from his grave, Buffy thoughts are more on what classes she is going to be taking than her Slayer duties in a great scene which see’s the pair completely miss the vampire who himself has second thoughts about attacking Buffy and Willow when he notices their arsenal of weapons they have brought with them and instead run of, leaving the pair to continue their wait completely oblivious to the fact that their intended target has just legged it.

Continue reading Buffy The Vampire Slayer S:04 Ep:01

Episode Title: The Prom

Original Air Date: May 11, 1999

“Once again, the Hellmouth puts the “special” in “special occasion”.” – Oz

So with the season finale just around the corner it of course makes perfect sense to have a monster of the week episode. For while Buffy and the Scoobies are busy making plans for prom, it would seem that someone else has their own prom plans for a bunch of hellhounds.
Okay so perhaps it’s not just another straightforward episode as the threat of being mauled by hellhounds is more of a secondary plot here as the writers attempt to tie up loose plot threads in the run up to the Sunnydale High prom.

Continue reading Buffy The Vampire Slayer S:03 Ep:20

Episode Title: Choices

Original Air Date: May 4, 1999

“Raise your hand if you’re invulnerable…” – Mayor Wilkins

So here we are on the final few episodes of the season and it’s this week that the various pieces are finally starting to be brought together and that we also get the first real showdown between the Scoobies and the Mayor as they learn about his plans to obtain the “Box of Gavrok” essential for his Ascension. Things however don’t go according to plan as while trying to obtain the artefact Willow ends up being captured by the Mayor and leaving the two groups heading towards an inevitable confrontation

Continue reading Buffy The Vampire Slayer S:03 Ep:19