Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2x18) - Killed by Death

[fajrdrako]

Poor sick Buffy. I guess Slaying doesn't really allow days for sick leave.

So we get another "sick kids in hospital" story and of course it reminded me of Torchwood's "Dead Man Walking". Death in a hospital. Hmm. I was in a hospital once, as a kid - it was my tenth birthday, and for a few days following that. Nothing that happened was nearly as exciting as a visit from Death in any guise, though I think I got a doctor and nurse outfit for my Barbie doll.

1. Good Xander line: "Man, Buffy! My whole life just flashed before my eyes! I gotta get me a life!" This makes me reflect that currently Xander doesn't have such a bad life at all. I don't see a lot of people picking on him any more. He has a gorgeous girlfriend, good friends, exciting times, and seems to be scraping by academically. Maybe he should stop thinking of himself as such a loser? After all, his hobby is assistant world-saver: not too shabby!
   
   
2. I like the way Angel baits Buffy while he fights her.
   
   
3. Love it that Xander calls him "overbite".
   
   
4. So Buffy is in the hospital for flu. Disregarding my memories of my tenth birthday, I felt a certain amusement factor in seeing hospital scenes so shortly after my own recent hospital stay. There's a certain sameness about hospitals.
   
   
5. Good Buffy line: "My bed is better than any bed that's... not my bed." Then she rants about vampires. Lucky thing no one's paying any attention.
   
   
6. So the story of the death of Celia is set up. It isn't one of the greatest Buffy plots, though I'm not sure why it doesn't hit the mark. Because Death doesn't have much motivation or personality? I liked his look. I wasn't sure what he actually was - a kind of demon?
   
   
7. I like it that Joyce gives Giles condolences on Jenny's death. I like it that Jenny isn't forgotten, and that Joyce is thoughtful that way. It also implies that Buffy does tell her mother certain edited accounts of things that happen at school or in her life.
   
   
8. Cordelia things Buffy should get 'the thing on her face' done. What thing? Nose? Chin?
   
   
9. I do like the notions of a monster that children can see, but grown-ups can't.
   
   
10. Enjoyed the whole conversation between Xander and Angel:

    Angel: Well, I'm pretty much family.
    Xander: Yeah. Why don't you come back during the day? Oh, gee, no, I guess you can't.
    Angel: If I decide to walk into Buffy's room, do you think for one microsecond that you could stop me?
    Xander: Maybe not. Maybe that security guard couldn't either. Or those cops... or the orderlies... But I'm kinda curious to find out. You game?
    Angel: Buffy's White Knight. You still love her. It must just eat you up that I got there first.
    Xander: You're gonna die. And I'm gonna be there.
    Angel: Tell her I stopped by.

    I like it that there's still this rivalry between them, that it still has all the connotations of a love triangle even after what has happened. Love it that Angel calls Xander "Buffy's White Knight".
    
    
11. Love it that young Buffy plays Power Girl. And rescues Celia.
    
    
12. Nice gifts for Buffy: Xander's balloon-flowers, and Willow:

    Willow: Not to be outdone...
    Buffy: Homework!
    Willow: It's my way of saying, 'get well soon'.
    Buffy: You know, chocolate says that even better.
    Willow: I did all your assignments. All you have to do is sign your name.
    Buffy: Chocolate means *nothing* to me.

    Willow is a true friend.
    
    
13. And I totally love the dialogue between Giles and Cordelia:

    Cordelia: Nobody told me I was supposed to bring a gift. I was out of the loop on gifts.
    Giles: It's a tradition among, um... people.

    
    
14. Cordelia defines tact as "just not saying true stuff". And of course that isn't what tact is at all - she doesn't get it. Tact is the art of saying true stuff in such a way that it isn't hurtful.
    
    
15. Cordelia says, "This is what happens when you're compassionate towards sick people. They take advantage of you." Seems to me this sounds more like the Cordelia of season 1. She hasn't been this bitchy in a while. Maybe she has a problem with hospitals too? Or is it just that she's jealous of Xander's concern for Buffy?
    
    
16. I like it that Buffy, who was so eager to go home earlier, now doesn't want to go home when Joyce comes to get her.
    
    
17. Another good exchange:

    :Willow: Oh, yeah, I'm good at medical stuff since Xander and I used to play doctor all the time.
    Xander: No, she's being literal. She used to have all these medical volumes, uh, and diagnosed me with stuff. I didn't have the heart to tell her she was playing it wrong.

    Aah, poor innocent Willow.
    
    
18. I was trying to guess what Der Kindestod would mean - what its Whedonesque derivation would be and why it sounds German. No results. Ah well. I guess something like "Demon who preys on children" could cover it.
    
    
19. I love the return of a reference to Willow's frog-phobia: "Frogs! Frogs! Get 'em off of me!" A fear of frogs is called "batrachophobia" - did you Buffy fans know this? Bet you did.
    
    
20. Good bit:

    Xander: You don't know how to kill this thing.
    Buffy: I thought I might try violence.
    Xander: Solid call.

    
    
21. I don't understand "Bogart" as a verb. Can someone explain the Xanderspeak?
    
    
22. Cute to see Joyce pampering the three of them.

Comments

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

Kinderstod - German: "kinder" = children, "tod" = death. Death of Children.

to "Bogart" is "to hog" - not Xanderspeak, but stonerspeak. "Don't bogart the joint, dude" - when a person sharing a joint hangs onto it for far too long. In the movies, Humphrey Bogart seems to always have a cigarette in his mouth, hence the term.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Kinderstod - German: "kinder" = children, "tod" = death. Death of Children.

Ah - thank you!

Thank you for explaining Bogart. Huh. I didn't know.

[txvoodoo.livejournal.com]

There's a whole song about bogartting joints. I think it may say something about my misspent youth that I can still recall it, albeit through a *cough* smokey haze ;)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I must have known it once - but I've totally forgotten.

[iclysdale.livejournal.com]

Wiktionary on Bogarting as a verb. (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/bogart)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

My goodness: the things I don't know. Thanks for the link!

[teaphile.livejournal.com]

You're gonna die. And I'm gonna be there.

One of my all-time favourite Xander lines. He says it with such conviction. I think he might be the only person who never doubts Buffy.

Sadly, he doesn't get over feeling like a loser until sometime in season five or six, despite how often his actions prove otherwise.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I think he might be the only person who never doubts Buffy.

Really? You think Giles and Willow have doubts?

he doesn't get over feeling like a loser until sometime in season five or six, despite how often his actions prove otherwise.

A lot of people have self-images that don't match up to the reality.

[txvoodoo.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes. Giles and Willow have doubts. Willow has them, because as much as she loves Buffy, Willow is a student of history among other things. She knows that power corrupts. (note to you to remember that later - it is ironic and illuminating).

And Giles knows the same thing, from personal experience. Also, he's a Watcher. They have history of Slayers from the past who haven't been perfect.

Also, Xander has doubts too, but he is LOYAL.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Willow is a student of history among other things. She knows that power corrupts. (note to you to remember that later - it is ironic and illuminating).

Interesting! Okay, I'll remember that.

Giles knows the same thing, from personal experience.

And Giles, whatever he is, is really not naive.

[teaphile.livejournal.com]

Really? You think Giles and Willow have doubts?

At the very least, Giles tried to protect her from the Master by trying to go in her place. I'm not sure that's not the last time, either.

As for Willow, I can't come up with examples that aren't spoilers.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

So I'll just wait and see.

[judymoe.livejournal.com]

A lot of people have self-images that don't match up to the reality.

Exactly. It becomes more clear why Xander has this self-image, and why he's an underachiever. Or maybe it's only really clear if you've been through similar stuff.

You mentioned several ways his life was going well, but not 'his home life.' Which isn't. They'll eventually get into it. I get Xander because his family is very much like mine, and I share traits with him because of my upbringing.

So no matter how much of an ass he can be, I'll always have a soft spot for Xander. And feel bad when his self image doesn't match the better reality.

Okay, mini-Xander-rant over. :)

The others may have doubts, but I don't think that ever really gets in the way of their faith in Buffy.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

maybe it's only really clear if you've been through similar stuff.

Maybe. We'll see what I think when I get there. I've known a lot of people that Xander reminds me of, and I have trouble with them, too. Seems so self-sabotaging to me. It frustrates me. He's smarter than that, and sometimes proves it.

not 'his home life.' Which isn't.

Do we know anything about that? So far?

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

What a bummer, being on hospital on your birthday! I'm glad there were no demons as well.

I remember finding Der Kindestod really repulsive and then being startled by a friend of mine - who is a total wimp - saying she didn't think he was very scary or disturbing. After a few minutes, we worked out she had been watching the version shown in early evening on the BBC and not the late-night uncut version and they'd cut out the bits where you see how he kills! When she saw the uncut one, she agreed with me. The elongated fingers are also pretty effectively creepy.

Because Death doesn't have much motivation or personality? I liked his look. I wasn't sure what he actually was - a kind of demon?

I think demon. And you're right about the Celia plot not being very involving - though I would say it's more that we never get a chance to connect with her or the young Buffy properly.

Enjoyed the whole conversation between Xander and Angel

I like Xander's reaction after Angel leaves when he lets himself freak out a little. The boy did good, facing off with a 200-year old vampire.

I totally love the dialogue between Giles and Cordelia

Yeah, and I love the bit later on when Giles starts to complain about having to take her with him and she calls him tact-guy.

"This is what happens when you're compassionate towards sick people. They take advantage of you." Seems to me this sounds more like the Cordelia of season 1. She hasn't been this bitchy in a while. Maybe she has a problem with hospitals too? Or is it just that she's jealous of Xander's concern for Buffy?

I don't take some of that very seriously - I think Cordelia's default is just to complain about things.

Xander: No, she's being literal. She used to have all these medical volumes, uh, and diagnosed me with stuff. I didn't have the heart to tell her she was playing it wrong.
Aah, poor innocent Willow.

I like the look Cordelia gives Buffy when she says she's never played it.

I'm also fond of the scenes where Cordelia calls Xander on watching Buffy's butt and walks out - and then comes back with doughnuts and coffee for him later.

Nitpick on the virus-drinking scene - who keeps their drinking water in the same fridge as their potentially deadly virus vials? I like Buffy's toast of "here's to my health" though.

I love the return of a reference to Willow's frog-phobia: "Frogs! Frogs! Get 'em off of me!"

It's hilarious - especially when the doctor points out it is actually Buffy they should be stopping and Willow innocently goes "no more frogs".

Buffy: I thought I might try violence.
Xander: Solid call.

Neck snapping incident number two.

Cute to see Joyce pampering the three of them

Yeah... if I was Joyce, I would have told Xander and Willow to get their own snacks!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

What a bummer, being on hospital on your birthday!

Yeah, it was sort of weird. I had a bunch of 'bad birthdays' around that time - mostly birthdays on which I had appointments with the dentist. Why did anyone set things up that way? Can't imagine.

I remember finding Der Kinderstod really repulsive

Yes. He really did remind me of some of those old-fashioned monster drawings you see in 19th century books - a nice change from the rather bland/bloated demon-type that seems to be the Buffy standard, that looks sort of like Shrek with horns. I wonder where that monster-prototype began - Jack Kirby? It really is Kirbyesque, but I don't know where Kirby got the motif from. Not very scary, anyway.

The elongated fingers are also pretty effectively creepy.

Yes, those hands. And the way he moved. I'd say he's the best monster-villain on the show yet.

The boy did good, facing off with a 200-year old vampire.

Yeah. Impressive moment.

who keeps their drinking water in the same fridge as their potentially deadly virus vials?

Only in Sunnydale! (Though I wouldn't put any bets on the fridge in the Hub in Torchwood.)

Willow innocently goes "no more frogs".

I totally loved that.

if I was Joyce, I would have told Xander and Willow to get their own snacks!

Especially since they were clearly deliberately taking advantage of her.

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

I had a bunch of 'bad birthdays' around that time - mostly birthdays on which I had appointments with the dentist. Why did anyone set things up that way?

Oh man. That is some bad timing.

Though I wouldn't put any bets on the fridge in the Hub in Torchwood

Hee! I bet there is all sorts in there and Ianto gets really exasperated about it.

Yes, those hands. And the way he moved. I'd say he's the best monster-villain on the show yet

If you don't love a certain monster in S4 I will eat a large woolly hat.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

That is some bad timing.

Eventually someone - probably me - mentioned to the dentist that if he made my appointment for the same day next year it would be my birthday again. He instantly said, "Well, we can't have that," and made it another day, and the hideous loop was broken.

Now in an ironic reversal of things - I've had my last two dental visits on my dentist's birthday. He seemed pretty happy about it.

[gillo]

Death in a hospital. Hmm.

It's just possible you have issues with hospitals? *g*

I like the way Angel baits Buffy while he fights her.

Because he's still obsessed with her.

It isn't one of the greatest Buffy plots, though I'm not sure why it doesn't hit the mark. Because Death doesn't have much motivation or personality? I liked his look. I wasn't sure what he actually was - a kind of demon?

An anthropomorphic personification of a concept, the "Death of Children" (literal translation of his name.)

Even a mediocre Buffy episode is worth watching by this stage in S2.

I like it that there's still this rivalry between them, that it still has all the connotations of a love triangle even after what has happened. Love it that Angel calls Xander "Buffy's White Knight".

And he is, bless him. It takes guts to face up to Angelus, knowing what he's capable of.

Willow:

I did all your assignments. All you have to do is sign your name.

Buffy:

Chocolate means *nothing* to me.

Willow is a true friend.

I love the fact that their reactions are so totally in character too.

Cordelia defines tact as "just not saying true stuff". And of course that isn't what tact is at all - she doesn't get it. Tact is the art of saying true stuff in such a way that it isn't hurtful.

She still has to learn that other people can suffer too - she's still very self-centred at this point. I love the line, though.

Xander:

You don't know how to kill this thing.

Buffy:

I thought I might try violence.

Xander:

Solid call.

I love that exchange. Ah, Buffy's world can still be simple in S2.

Cute to see Joyce pampering the three of them.

It is. Joyce has her little girl and her little friends back, even if briefly - pampering makes her feel needed and a "real Mum" again.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It's just possible you have issues with hospitals?

Now that you mention it - ! Not my favourite places.

he's still obsessed with her.

Yup. I love that.

An anthropomorphic personification of a concept

Like the Endless - I can go for that.

Even a mediocre Buffy episode is worth watching by this stage in S2.

Oh, definitely, and more than "worth watching". And this episode really does have some great moments.

pampering makes her feel needed and a "real Mum" again.

And don't they love it!

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

Ugh, flu. It's going around me right now. Interestingly, everything seems to be going around me anymore (except allergies - no fair!). I truly think the library has built my immune system into something neigh-alien. It's insane. I used to get sick at least twice a year. When I first worked at the library, I was sick a whole lot more. Then all of a sudden... almost never.

I'm a freak!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I truly think the library has built my immune system into something neigh-alien.

But that's good! I'd like to reach that state.

I used to get sick at least twice a year.

Maybe you've just worked up your immunity from having had it all already. You've paid your dues.

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

Watch, I'll be deathly ill next week. :p

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

We hope not.

[(Anonymous)]

1. There is actually a conscious realization, seasons later, of a certain character (not Xander himself in that moment) of how automatic and/or common it is for everyone to dump on Xander for being dumb, and a visibly effortful change of attitude/direction on it. I loved that. It is many episodes in coming. And many people may not even have noticed it. But... it was good. I was appreciative. Because there are all kinds of intelligence (as I try to say to my brother-in-law who is severely dyslexic and grew up hearing his entire family call him stupid).

5. I loved the perfectly-logical "But I have to kill the vampires!" statements being taken as feverish raving by all the staid, normal hospital people. Heh.

8. "That thing on her face" ... it's a Cordelia thing. Better to be left to her own imagination.

10. I thought this scene was well played by both actors. Did you notice how terrified Xander was? By the end, he could barely talk, he was shaking so hard. Amazing. Both that the actor pulled it off so wonderfully, and that Xander has that kind of courage (although he might not agree!). But he's the same courageous soul who grabbed a crucifix and saved Cordelia from Angelus at risk of his own life. Yep, he has it.

19. Willow saved the moment with the frog-phobia act, didn't she? Such quick thinking! And it was so cute!

21. Bogart. Um, as in when you keep the bong for longer than the other people in the room find appropriate -- when you hog the goodies. As I'm sure others have told you. It's from the "stoner" subculture -- those who enjoy marihuana recreationally.

22. Wasn't it cute to see all three of them being sick kids for Joyce? I felt it was a sort of acted-out empathy on Willow and Xander's parts, to be tucked in nice and comfy right beside her. It was cute. Lots of things here were cute. Except for the bad creature with the funky extendable eyeballs... urk!!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

how automatic and/or common it is for everyone to dump on Xander for being dumb, and a visibly effortful change of attitude/direction on it

What bothers me is not that the others treat Xander as dumb, but that he treats himself as such, over and over. The result? His expectations that they will think him stupid are fulfilled. It's wilful, but it's a habit it seems he can't shake.

I loved the perfectly-logical "But I have to kill the vampires!" statements being taken as feverish raving by all the staid, normal hospital people.

I loved that, too.

[filkferengi]

You should read _Bet Me_ by Jennifer Crusie; the hero and his two best friends are dyslexic.

So is Henry Winkler, the actor & director, who has his 14th novel out.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I've read and enjoyed a number of Crusie novels, but not that one.

[ceruleancat.livejournal.com]

While this isn't the best episode, it has great moments and a really creepy villain. Someone else already commented on the name and it being a personification, so i won't repeat.

re Cordy - I think she gets nastier when she feels insecure about her place.
I love her occasional exchanges with Giles.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I think she gets nastier when she feels insecure about her place.

That sounds right.

I love her occasional exchanges with Giles.

Sometimes I think all the characters have their best dialogue with Giles. Buffy does.