Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2x20) - Go Fish

[fajrdrako]

Buffy (2x20) - Go Fish

~ ~ ~

Throughout this episode I kept thinking of Triton of The Inuhmans, a character first drawn by Jack Kirby. He was green not black, but otherwise... similar. As with many of these stand-alone episodes, my favourite bits are the scenes with Angel or Spike. (Though no Spike here, alas.)

I liked the way Cordelia was so excited to have Xander on 'the team'.

1. So Cameron tries to chat up Buffy. And last episode it was Ben. She is becoming popular. And so totally not interested.
   
   
2. More Jonathan scenes, for those who take note of these things.
   
   
3. It's fun seeing Willow as a teacher. And then Snyder tells her to pass Gage even though Gage isn't doing the work, leaving Willow with an ethical dilemma.
   
   
4. Dialogue showing Cordelia's philosophy of social justice:

   Cordelia: Xander, I know you take pride in being the voice of the common wuss, but the truth is, certain people are entitled to special privileges. They're called winners. That's the way the world works.
   Xander: And what about that nutty 'all men are created equal' thing?
   Cordelia: Propaganda spouted out by the ugly and less deserving.

   Somebody want to remind me why I think I like Cordelia?
   
   
5. I like the exchange between Buffy and Cameron:

   Buffy: What I'm thinking about is that I should probably get out of this car...
   Cameron: Relax. I'm not gonna hurt you.
   Buffy: Oh, it's not me I'm worried about.

   The Whedon feminist commentary here is hardly subtle ("look at the way she dresses") but I like it.
   
   
6. I liked this Willowism:

   Buffy: So something ripped him open and ate out his insides?
   Willow: Like an Oreo Cookie. Well, except for, you know, without the chocolatey cookie goodness.

   There is something qutie wonderful about Willow's similies.
   
   
7. And one of Xander's bad jokes that I actually liked:

   Giles: That eats humans whole... except for the skin.
   Buffy: This doesn't make any sense.
   Xander: Yeah. The skin's the best part.

   
   
8. I like the way Willow gets into 'interrogation'.
   
   
9. Nice Buffy line: "obviously, my sex appeal is on the fritz today."
   
   
10. Wonderful scene between Angel and Gage. Why do I love these evil-Angel scene so much?

    Gage: What a psycho bitch, man.
    Angel: Gotta be talking about Buffy.
    Gage: How'd you know?
    Angel: Uh, she and I... had this thing once. Biggest mistake of my life.
    Gage: Yeah. My condolences, dude.
    Angel: She's a real head-tripper.
    Gage: Tell me about it. Girl acts like she's God's gift or something.
    Angel: Who is she? The Chosen One?

    It just gets better as it continues. And the climax: Angel's sinister, "Just so happens... I'm recruiting."
    
    
11. And then: "Why, Miss Summers! You're beautiful!" Eee!
    
    
12. Vampires don't like steroids? Who'd have guessed?
    
    
13. And Xander joins the swim team.

    Cordelia: What the hell are you doing here?
    Xander: Shh! I'm undercover.

    That makes me laugh: am I finding Xander funnier than he used to be?
    
    
14. So Coach Marin pretends to be innocent and Nurse Greenleigh is doomed. Sometimes I think I should count the number of dead on the faculty and staff of Sunnydale High since the beginning of the series. Sometimes I think I shouldn't.
    
    
15. Steroids in the steam. Makes me think of Torchwood's oestrogen in the rain. Don't mind me.
    
    
16. I liked the Blue Lagoon/Black Lagoon joke.
    
    
17. So the Coach sets up Buffy for a bit of fishy gang rape. Eyew.
    
    
18. Lucky thing she's good at fighting. In water.
    
    
19. So Cordelia gets a very sweet and very silly speech when she thinks Xander is turned into a fish monster: "It's me, Cordelia? I know you can't answer me, but... God, this is all my fault. You joined the swim team to impress me. You were so courageous. And you looked really hot in those Speedo's. And I want you to know that I still care about you, no matter what you look like. [I find it hard to believe that it's Cordelia talking!] And... and we can still date. Or, or not. I mean... I understand if you wanna see other fish."
    
    
20. Kind of predictable at this point, that the Coach should go into the water with the team to his (ugh) deserved fate.
    
    
21. Home? Is that the Arctic Ocean?
    

Comments

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

this episode comes so late in the season - it has the feeling of early season filler in many ways

Yes, especially since it has that random-monster kind of plot. Did I mention that it made me think of X-Files?

You will, dear, you will.

I saw him in an episode I saw today and I actually recognized him. Even though they didn't say his name. I was so proud of myself.

Because Boreanaz's acting is so much better when he has something to dig his teeth into

Maybe, though I like the broody-Angel aspect too. I think his lines are better when he's being evil.

Cordelia takes shallowness to an art form, but she has layers.

Well said.

Sunnydale, like Springfield, has an intriguing range of convenient locations.

Springfield? What's that?

but comic relief perhaps rather needed about this point

Yes, and I've noticed that the show likes to vary the mood from episode to episode. If progresses in intensity towards the end of each season, but it doesn't do it with a smooth flow - there are unexpected curves.

[gillo]

I saw him in an episode I saw today and I actually recognized him. Even though they didn't say his name. I was so proud of myself.

Well done. He is central to an episode in S3, and you see even more thereafter...

Maybe, though I like the broody-Angel aspect too. I think his lines are better when he's being evil.

Angelus has such fun. In a deeply sick way. As in

Becoming Parts 1&2

.

Springfield? What's that?

You've never watched

The Simpsons

?

Yes, and I've noticed that the show likes to vary the mood from episode to episode. If progresses in intensity towards the end of each season, but it doesn't do it with a smooth flow - there are unexpected curves.

Joss specialises in the unexpected.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Angelus has such fun. In a deeply sick way. As in
Becoming Parts 1&2.

Yes. There's a reason those episodes are on my 'favourites' list.

You've never watched The Simpsons?

Er, um, well, yes, a few times. Maybe. Forgot it was Springfield.

Joss specialises in the unexpected.

It's one of his best qualities.

[gillo]

There's a reason those episodes are on my 'favourites' list.

There are many. "Happy Meals with legs" is one of my favourite lines.

It's one of his best qualities.

He has many.