Notes from a Buffy Virgin - Season Two

[Lapis Exilis]

Well, just as I was told, with Surprise, Buffy almost becomes an entirely different show - though groundwork laid in the previous episodes is skillfully used to create a variety of cross-conflicting stories, alliances, romances and friendships brought to the breaking point. The monsters as metaphors for the teenage experience also manages to ramp up, with Buffy's pain at Angel's transformation being truly touching. And Buffy becomes much more convincing as a heroic figure once she has a defining cataclysm.

Having only made it as far as the season climax in Becoming, I must admit to a little confusion as to why

Spoiler: Buffy season two

Buffy sends Angel to the Hell dimension, though at this point I'm assuming it has to do with the argument she had with Xander - that Angel has committed unforgiveable crimes and therefore must be punished.

Meanwhile, on to Season Three, with much more enthusiasm!

 

[Rowan Sjet]

Re: Notes froma Buffy Virgin - Season Two

I'm glad you have indeed grown to like the show more in the second half of the season. That is where the show truly starts to shine.

In answer to your question Lapis (and don't worry, no post season 2 spoilers here), once the portal had already opened, the only way to close it was to sacrifice the person who opened it, i.e. Angelus. It's a cruel twist of timing that as Buffy is about to do just that, Willow is successful in re-ensouling Angel, and Buffy is forced to sacrifice Angel anyway.

 

[RoJoHen]

Re: Notes froma Buffy Virgin - Season Two

Indeed. Akafla's mouth was already open, therefore the portal to Hell was starting to form. The only way to close it was to sacrifice Angel to Akafla.

 

[Dream]

Re: Notes froma Buffy Virgin - Season Two

Boreanaz was at this best when his character was evil or when he was on his own show. Thank god they didn't keep him as Buffy's boyfriend for seven years.

 

[Rii]

Re: Notes froma Buffy Virgin - Season Two

I like how Xander's lie to Buffy in Becoming Pt. II crops up five seasons later in Selfless.

 

[cultcross]

Re: Notes froma Buffy Virgin - Season Two

Becoming remains a firm favourite of mine even after the show is over. You're about to head into the best year Buffy ever had, imho.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Re: Notes froma Buffy Virgin - Season Two

I'm glad you're giving it a chance and seeing what a lot of us have liked about the show.

It's got its ups and downs, but you're in a really good chunk of it right now. This is the portion of the show that hooked me, and allowed me to forgive some of the weaker aspects in later seasons.

 

[Lapis Exilis]

Re: Notes froma Buffy Virgin - Season Two

I'm glad you have indeed grown to like the show more in the second half of the season. That is where the show truly starts to shine.

In answer to your question Lapis (and don't worry, no post season 2 spoilers here), once the portal had already opened, the only way to close it was to sacrifice the person who opened it, i.e. Angelus. It's a cruel twist of timing that as Buffy is about to do just that, Willow is successful in re-ensouling Angel, and Buffy is forced to sacrifice Angel anyway.

Oh! I must have missed that. I'm actually rewatching Surprise to Becoming because it was so dense and I knew there were probably details that slipped past me. Thanks for the explanation.

The side characters really are charming. I've always been fond of Alyson Hanigan, but she plays Willow with a good deal of subtlety, and I really love the romance with Oz. Seth Green's low key performance is just delightful. I knew he was a fan favorite but I never could quite figure out why, but his delivery when he tells Willow that he doesn't want to make out with her because "to the casual observer it would appear that you're trying to make your friend Xander jealous, or even the score or whatever. But you see, in my fantasy, when I'm kissing you, you're kissing me. It's okay though. I can wait." was fantastic and just like that, he became quite the romantic figure. Xander and Cordelia are pretty hilarious too - somehow, with all I know about the events in Buffy, I had no idea they were ever a couple so I got the pleasure of the surprise on that one.

I actually have a hard time buying Boreanaz whenever he goes evil (that is, I don't think he projects much threat, but then I think most of the monsters in the Buffyverse are pretty campy), but the writing is solid enough to carry things. And I'm even able to forgive some of the sillier stuff like Willow teaching a class.

The fight scenes really take a quantum leap in the second half of season two as well. That's nice. In general the visual direction gets a lot snappier and polished.

 

[Forbin]

Re: Notes froma Buffy Virgin - Season Two

It's amazing how Seth Green, who normally seems to be quite goofy, made Oz one of the coolest guys ever on TV.

 

[Lapis Exilis]

Re: Notes froma Buffy Virgin - Season Two

OK, deep into Season 3 at this point - and while I don't really want spoilers, please tell me that the Watchers Council is explored in more depth at some point because Giles just got fired, Faith never has been given a new Watcher and I'm curious as to why no one is asking those annoying Brits who died and left them in charge?

 

[Kelthaz]

Re: Notes froma Buffy Virgin - Season Two

^ Not really, no. The Watchers Council will definitely be seen again, but nothing about them is ever explored or explained adequately.

 

[Ethros]

Re: Notes froma Buffy Virgin - Season Two

I guess the Council never assigned Faith a new Watcher in early Season 3 as they assumed Giles could look after both her and Buffy at the same time.

 

[Lapis Exilis]

Re: Notes froma Buffy Virgin - Season Two

^ Not really, no. The Watchers Council will definitely be seen again, but nothing about them is ever explored or explained adequately.

Hmmm, she says, slightly disapprovingly.

Don't get me wrong, the series has turned out to be wildly fun (the humor really starts to crackle in Season 3), and I remember watching Angle without worrying a jot about the world, despite various mysteries being left open - I suppose the mystery of the Watchers is akin to the mystery (and convience/ contrivance) of Wolfram and Hart. Maybe demonic lawyers is just easier to roll with than mystical Brits?

 

[cultcross]

Re: Notes froma Buffy Virgin - Season Two

I think it's mostly because the Watchers aren't that... important really, they're just a backstory for Giles, to explain his presence as the older mentor guy, and provide an occasional thorn in the side in the manner of Admirals in Star Trek.
You do find out, actually, the origin of the Slayer/Watcher relationship and how the Watchers Council came about, but not for a good long while yet.

 

[RoJoHen]

Re: Notes froma Buffy Virgin - Season Two

I'm curious as to why no one is asking those annoying Brits who died and left them in charge?

They pretty much left themselves in charge, and nobody has ever thought to challenge them.

It's not really explained, but it's definitely touched on a few more times.

 

[propita]

Re: Notes froma Buffy Virgin - Season Two

^ Lapis

What is the source of your sig? Beautiful sentiment.

 

[Sakrysta]

Re: Notes froma Buffy Virgin - Season Two

I like how Xander's lie to Buffy in Becoming Pt. II crops up five seasons later in Selfless.

I don't.

Spoiler: Selfless

It should have been dealt with right away, instead of ending up as a throwaway comment that no one pays attention to years later. I'm still bitter about that one.

It's amazing how Seth Green, who normally seems to be quite goofy, made Oz one of the coolest guys ever on TV.

I completely agree. Oz is the only reason my heart gives a little leap every time I see Seth Green. Most of his other stuff I find less than inspiring, but I can't help being drawn to him because to me he is always and forever Oz.

 

[RoJoHen]

Re: Notes froma Buffy Virgin - Season Two

I like how Xander's lie to Buffy in Becoming Pt. II crops up five seasons later in Selfless.

I don't.

Spoiler: Selfless

It should have been dealt with right away, instead of ending up as a throwaway comment that no one pays attention to years later. I'm still bitter about that one.

It was a decent line, but it was very bizarre timing. I agree it should have happened much earlier.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Re: Notes froma Buffy Virgin - Season Two

I like how Xander's lie to Buffy in Becoming Pt. II crops up five seasons later in Selfless.

I don't.

Spoiler: Selfless

It should have been dealt with right away, instead of ending up as a throwaway comment that no one pays attention to years later. I'm still bitter about that one.

It was a decent line, but it was very bizarre timing. I agree it should have happened much earlier.

If not dealt with earlier

Spoiler: slight spoiler

at least dealt with once the truth was known, instead of just a suspicious look from Willow to Xander.

 

[Ethros]

Re: Notes froma Buffy Virgin - Season Two

^

Spoiler: Spoilero

I suppose by the time it was referenced it had been 4 and a half years since it happened. Buffy, Willow and Xander were all different people from who they were then. It would seem kinda silly for them to have a big argument/falling out over it