Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel - First Time Viewer

[CorporalClegg]

I liked Dawn mostly for her effect on Buffy. I could have stood for her to be a tad less bratty at points. Maybe it’s more realistic for how a teenager acts but not teenagers with actual real responsibility witnessing actual life or death events. Teenagers exposed to real problems mature up real quick.

The whole point was she didn't have to.

She represents Buffy's inner child - the part of her that still clings just being the normal Summers girl. The part that told Giles to take his Vampyr book and shove it all those years ago. Dawn is the contrast to Buffy who, at the start of season five, is at her most hardened and every bit the equal of the First Slayer.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

The whole point was she didn't have to.

She represents Buffy's inner child - the part of her that still clings just being the normal Summers girl. The part that told Giles to take his Vampyr book and shove it all those years ago. Dawn is the contrast to Buffy who, at the start of season five, is at her most hardened and every bit the equal of the First Slayer.

Spoiler

If the monks really gave a realistic backstory, she should have gained that maturity in the first four years. Given her personality she would have butted in, probably been personally threatened by Angelus, etc, etc. You can say, the monks deliberately made it unrealistic, but then they could have at least toned down the annoying propensity for her to expose herself to danger. She should at least be smart enough not to constantly run off on her own.

 

[tomalak301]

Can we be a little careful talking about Dawn? I know she's Buffy's sister but I don't know anything else than that. I'm hoping to see the first 3-4 episodes of the season tonight so maybe I know what you guys are talking about but until then, I don't know very much about her. Maybe she's a saint.

Also, I took the advice on stopping at the finale last night but I am so excited to start season 5 just based on the finale alone. Having not seen the show before, what I got out of that finale was a few things: Backstory on the whole Slayer thing, the Arrival of Dawn, there was talk about Death so that's foreboading, and just back to the mysticism of the series. Season 4 felt like a detour with the focus on the Initiative. It sounds like Season 5 will return the focus on the demons/vampires and basically giving me what I've wanted since season 1, more stuff on the whole Watcher vs. Slayer part of this universe.

 

[CorporalClegg]

Sorry.

I was trying to be as abstract as possible.

 

[tomalak301]

Sorry.

I was trying to be as abstract as possible.

That's ok. I'm sure I'll know right off the bat what kind of character Dawn is. Should be fun.

 

[JD]

And since the cat is out of the bag (See what I did there?), I have to say I fucking love Dawn. Always have. Always will. Never got the hate.

I mean one big complaint about the early seasons was that the teenagers didn't act like teenagers. So they brought in a teenager who acted like a teenager and people hated her for it. Man, Buffy fans are a lot like Star Trek fans.

Same here, I'm a big fan of Dawn too.

 

[Guy Gardener]

Remember that time a pig legionnaire stuck Wesley with a bayonet and then hoisted Crusher above his porcine head like a roasted wiener?

Dawn got lucky.

 

[tomalak301]

Buffy vs. Dracula

The past seasons have taken a little bit to get going, kind of using the format to tie up loose ends before getting into what the season will ultimately be about. This episode was very different from that, and I think part of the reason why was because Season 5 kinda started with the Season 4 finale. We hit the ground running in Season 5, and I'm already noticing a lot of what was missing in season 4 seems to have returned. For one, some of the comedy elements came back, like Buffy's "It's my Life" attitude (Which is a good thing, don't get me wrong, I just don't really know how to describe it well) or Xander having some great lines. I actually laughed a few times, like his butt monkey joke, or when he was imitating The Count from Seseme Street. Another thing that has come back is what I expected, which was the mysticism of the first 3 seasons. Gone is the government agency, here is the more fantastical elements that made the show great in Season 2 and 3 (Season 1 really was more introduction to Sunnydale and the characters).

Overall this was a great start to season 5, and probably my favorite premiere mainly because it got the ball rolling right away. I also loved the scene at the end where we actually get reflection from Buffy on the events of meeting the first Slayer and trying to understand the darkness that is inside her. Also, her scenes with Dracula were really great, especially the ability to resist him (Yes I know the parallels to todays current events so I won't discuss them here) and then staking him 3 times.

As for Dawn, I'm actually surprised Trachtenberg's name appeared in the credits at the beginning when she was only in the episode for 2 seconds. Nice way to tease episode 2.

 

[tomalak301]

Real Me

Not as good as Buffy Vs. Dracula, but we got to meet Dawn finally. I'm a little confused by the character to the point where I actually went back and wanted to rewatch some of the foreshadowing for her arrival. I think my confusion was they treated Dawn as if she was always there, when she wasn't. I'm hoping the further I get into the season this explanation will come to light so I'm not going to let it bother me too much. It's a little too early to get a feel on Dawn so far though. She's the annoying little sister, (And no she isn't a Saint) and I'm a little surprised Buffy doesn't just talk to her. What she said behind Dawn's back was really mean spirited.

In terms of the plot with Harmony and her "minions", eh, I can take it or leave it. I kinda call that forced comedy and Harmony hasn't really done much for me since season 4.

The Replacement

This episode reminded me of Unbreakable, Star Trek Voyager's Faces, and the major plot point in Season 3 of Farscape when Crichton split in 2. I guess the cloning personalty stuff has happened in a lot of shows that I watch. I was hoping maybe we could have both Xanders around for a while, especially the stronger Xander who was much more confident. I'm actually glad they didn't go down the road of having one of the Xanders actually being an imposter because this episode was a lot more reflective and stronger where they did go with it. I also really liked Anya here, starting to question her mortality now that she is fully human. To be honestly, lately I haven't really known what to say about Anya. Her relationship with Xander kinda just happened, but like we were talking about earlier, I do like it better than when Cordy was around. I guess maybe I can think of Anya being like Cordelia of the later seasons, but I kind of wish her character was given a little more direction rather than just being Xanders lover. I think this episode touched on that a little bit for which I appreciated.

Three episodes into season 5 and so far I have liked 2 of the three. The second episode wasn't bad, but like I said, maybe I was a little distracted by everyone knowing who Dawn was even though she was basically hinted at for 4 seasons before now.

They have really kicked up the pop culture references. Star Trek, Bond, and Babylon 5 in the first four episodes.

 

[Sparkle Fabulosa]

With Buffy vs. Dracula it’s really fun to see everyone kind of starstuck by him, Xander under his spell, and Giles being in the “chick pit” as Riley put it.

Btw, the other Xander in The Replacement was played by Nicholas Brendon’s twin.

 

[tomalak301]

With Buffy vs. Dracula it’s really fun to see everyone kind of starstuck by him, Xander under his spell, and Giles being in the “chick pit” as Riley put it.

Btw, the other Xander in The Replacement was played by Nicholas Brendon’s twin.

Wait, Brendon has a twin brother? Learn something new every day.

Out of My Mind

I think this is the first episode where I actually find Buffy and Riley's post initiative relationship somewhat authentic. Watching these episodes so far, I'm wondering why Riley is still doing there other than being Buffy's boyfriend and the end of The Replacements and this episode really does bring that relationship to the forefront. This series really needed a scene like the one in the cave to remind everyone where they stood on this whole thing, because it was meandering so far.

I've been a little wrong about Spike. Ending season 4, I thought this was going to be Spike on team Buffy, but that hasn't happened yet. I still really like this storyline (Even though I'm not a fan of Harmony and really do miss Drusilla) about the chip and how he's tormented by it. That ending scene was pretty ominous though, and I can't help but think that "Controversial" scene is coming up. Don't tell me the episode, but it does feel like something bad will happen between he and Buffy before the season is out.

As for Buffy's mom, that was ominous as well. A lot of things in this episode were ominous, but it's the beginning of season 5 and things are still building. Moving forward.

 

[gblews]

Season 5 is my absolute fav of the series.

 

[Grendelsbayne]

Season 5 is my absolute fav of the series.

Mine as well. Though I may be biased since Dawn is my favorite character and season 5 is the first season I ever watched in real time as it was airing.

 

[gblews]

As for Dawn, I'm actually surprised Trachtenberg's name appeared in the credits at the beginning when she was only in the episode for 2 seconds. Nice way to tease episode 2.

Love the way Dawn was introduced. When she showed up, the way Buffy and her mom reacted to her actually had me asking myself if I’d somehow missed this character in the first four seasons. I had no spoiler info.

When I realized this was the introduction of a brand new regular character, my respect for Whedon and his staff took yet another leap forward.

 

[tomalak301]

No Place Like Home

HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's how you introduce a new character and make it feel like a retcon. I have to be a little honest. After Real Me, I wanted to do some research about Dawn to see if I had missed anything and I kinda spoiled myself that Dawn was the Key. I honestly thought I would have to wait till midseason or late in the season for that reveal and I had to hide that fact in this thread until then. They revealed it in episode 5. I mean 4 episodes of Dawn kinda being treated like shit, and then the writers throw this big reveal and my response is "thank you may I have some more".

We are on episode 5 of the season and this season is already doing something that Season 4 lacked. The mystery is back. This episode has me so intrigued about what is to come I almost feel like watching another one at 11:00 at night. Dawn just went from one of the more annoying characters to one of the most interesting and her and Buffy's relationship just took a turn I really like. There will be no more push back, Buffy has to protect her "Sister". I was getting to the point before this episode where I actually started feeling sorry for Dawn, and wondered why the fanbase had this negative reaction towards her. Now I know she's in the rest of the series and it's too small a sample to really say anything, but I really do like the direction Dawn is going in, and Trachtenberg is playing Dawn like you're typical teenager. If she has gotten grief over the years for playing this character, something is seriously wrong.

I also like how Joyce's illness was not spell related, but it opened the door to this much bigger reveal. I'm very much worried about her, but this episode had so much going for it, it was like I didn't have time to worry. Also, this series does dream sequences really really well. That sequence was amazing, with Dawn blinking in and out of the photograph.

Seriously though, we're 5 episodes into season 5 and I already love it more than Season 4. Will it be better than season 2 and 3? Only time will tell and I always say for a season to be great they have to stick the landing. We're too early for that so far, but if the 5 episodes I watched tonight were any indication. This is going to be really fun fun fun.

 

[theenglish]

I think I said earlier that Season 3 was my personal favorite, but Season 5 is really the highlight of the series--the actors, the writing, and the production were all top notch.

 

[Grendelsbayne]

Only time will tell and I always say for a season to be great they have to stick the landing. We're too early for that so far, but if the 5 episodes I watched tonight were any indication. This is going to be really fun fun fun.

Every one has their own reactions, obviously, but for me personally, this season stuck the landing better than any other season of television I've ever seen. And it managed to include several of my favorite stand-alone episodes in this whole series along the way, as well.

 

[tomalak301]

Every one has their own reactions, obviously, but for me personally, this season stuck the landing better than any other season of television I've ever seen. And it managed to include several of my favorite stand-alone episodes in this whole series along the way, as well.

I may believe you in about 17 episodes from now. I have no reason not to, just looking forward to seeing it for myself.

 

[CorporalClegg]

So I have a question. How is the sound mix on whatever device you're watching on? I ask because there's an upcoming episode where the environmental white noise (i.e. all background noise) is really important to the immersion. I don't normally advocate the use of loudness equalization, but you might want to consider turning it on, especially if you're watching through small speakers or cheapish earbuds or the like.

 

[tomalak301]

So I have a question. How is the sound mix on whatever device you're watching on? I ask because there's an upcoming episode where the environmental white noise (i.e. all background noise) is really important to the immersion. I don't normally advocate the use of loudness equalization, but you might want to consider turning it on, especially if you're watching through small speakers or cheapish earbuds or the like.

The sound has been normal quality coming from the tv. I don’t have a speaker system set up or anything.