Why I enjoyed last night's Buffy:

[butterfly]

Disclaimer: I have enjoyed every episode of Buffy this year. I like every single character. I'm really having fun watching it.

Now, why is this season working for me when it isn't for many people?

I don't have any insight on anyone else's point of view, just on mine. So, I'm going to say exactly what made me enjoy The Killer in Me so much.

First, the episode title referred to three characters, one in each of the plotlines - Spike's chip in his head would have been fatal, Giles could be the First, and Willow's actually dealt with two issues, the killer inside herself and looking outwardly like the man who killed her love. I like it when the title is related to all of the main storylines.

Second, we saw the 'magic addiction' storyline get blasted. Amy was only pretending to be 'recovering'. She actually seemed pretty damn healthy to me. She was using Willow's own words from last year against her.

Third, we got Riley-implications, but no Riley. I actually do rather like the idea of Riley, but I don't like the character himself. And the actions of the commando guys says a) he meant what he said to Buffy in As You Were and b) he's in very good with the military.

Fourth, I liked the chip malfunctioning. For starters, it made me giggle, and it also made sense. It's a highly experimental piece of equipment. It's a miracle that it's lasted this long and it probably only has because it didn't need to be used for so long.

Fifth, the cuteness of the Giles-tackle.

Sixth, did I mention yet that Willow made me cry when she was breaking down about Tara? I love seeing that Willow still isn't coping. And while I like Kennedy, she should have let Willow cry. 'Fixing' her doesn't really fix anything, she's just putting a band-aid over a bullet hole.

Those are the main things that I adored about the episode. Now, there were things that I would have liked more: more original scooby interaction, less of the apparent need to remind every five seconds that it wasn't really Warren, more Xander, and maybe a little more Spike in pain in a background shot.

Comments

[jic]

When Kennedy first kissed Willow, I was more than a little outraged - Willow isn't done mourning!! She's still using present tense, for crying out loud! So I was kinda glad Willow went nutso.

Also, not so happy about "Kennedy" doing the fixing. Willow needs to lay her own ghosts to rest.

I was also well pleased by Giles - I pretty much always am.

And (I'm such a sick fuck. I love him, but) I would also have enjoyed more Spike-in-pain.

I want to know what Buffy decides!!!

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, part of the reason that I loved the K/W stuff is that it triggered this reaction in Willow. I could tell that she was still all. about. Tara. But it was nice to see it more obvious.

And like I said in my post, I get the impression that Willow isn't 'all better'. She's just starting to leave denial. This leaves much to go through.

Spike in pain is fun. And Giles was terrif.

The logical plot step would be to take out the chip, but either way would work for Buffy. My own personal preference would be if Buffy made Spike make the decision. It really should be his to make.

Re:

[jic]

I agree. Having Spike decide is the right thing to do. But (not being as up on Buffy canon as you are) does Buffy have a history of letting people make their own decisions in cases like this?

Re:

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure that there's ever been a case like this.

She makes decisions for people sometimes, but stuff like forcing Angel to drink from her to save his life. I'm not sure there's...

She trusts Oz to take care of his own wolfy stuff... in college... until he betrays her trust.

I really don't think that there is an equivalent situation.