On morality, mocking, and the return of mediocrity

Episode 7.3

 

Reviewed by Sanguine

As the title of my review suggests, I was not entirely pleased with Jane Espenson's latest effort, Same Time, Same Place. Espenson is one of my favourite writers. I have enjoyed her efforts in the past (in particular last season's stunning Afterlife). While Espenson created some extremely clever moments in this week's episode (the time loop effect in the airport, the scene with Spike, Willow, and the Scoobs in the school basement) ultimately, these few moments of chewy goodness could not disguise the fact that this episode, to quote Willow, was "mostly filler." Character development was minimal and there was no mention of the Big Bad beyond a few threatening hints.

My distaste for this week's episode stems from two sources: its overall tone and its treatment of Willow's reintegration into the Scooby Gang. I shall deal with the latter issue first, although, as we shall see, these two flaws are related.

From the first moment when we see Xander standing at the airport, yellow sign in hand (an obvious homage to his famous, world-saving, breaky-yellow-crayon speech) we know that this episode will try to deal with serious issues with a light touch. Indeed, Buffy and Dawn's gentle teasing of Xander and his reply, "My mouth saved the world" signals a welcome change from the consistent moroseness that infected BTVS last season. When Willow and the Scoobs miss each other, although they are both obviously occupying the same place and the same time, I was somewhat intrigued. Willow's invisibility was obviously a metaphor, a clever inversion of Marcie's situation from Season 1. While Marcie disappeared because no one noticed her, Willow isn't ready to be seen by those most important to her. Despite this interesting twist, I personally prefer my metaphors to be subtler.

What really bothered me was how eager the Scoobies were to accept Willow back into their fold. I could understand Xander's willingness. He's been Willow's best friend since childhood and he actually saw her transformation on that rocky hilltop from Dark Willow, mistress of the Universe, to Cowering Willow, mistress of no one. But Willow tried to kill Dawn and Buffy. That can't, and shouldn't, be swept under the rug. Espenson tries to convey Dawn and Buffy's discomfort at seeing Willow, but ultimately she doesn't do enough (although I did appreciate Dawn's line, "Is anyone gonna blame Willow?"). Even if a person had been my best friend, if they'd tried to kill me I'd be a tad reticent to forgive them, even if they had completed their magical twelve-step program. Last season, Mutant Enemy created a huge mess. They wanted an established character to go dark. Now, having promised their audience a perkier season, they are trying to deal with the repercussions of that action in a manner that seems emotionally dishonest. In particular, I found the final scene to be overwrought, melodramatic and unconvincing. Buffy transforms within the space of a few minutes from being uncomfortable around Willow to clasping her hands and giving her strength. Please. This scene could have been powerful if it had been written more effectively. Intellectually, I know that Espenson was trying to make a point about forgiveness. Buffy found the grace to grant it regardless of whether or not Willow deserved it. Their longstanding friendship trumped Buffy's doubts. Nevertheless, on an emotional level, this scene still rang hollow.

One of the things that I find most disturbing about morality in the Buffyverse is that identity trumps actions. If you're in the Scooby inner circle (the equivalent of God's elect) then regardless of what you do, you'll always be forgiven. Wanna destroy the world? Fine. Summon a dancing demon that causes spontaneous combustion? No problemo. But woe betide you if you're on the Scooby fringes. The Scoobies will be willing to use you for information or babysitting help, but you will never be one of them. You will always be the object of scorn and derision, no matter what you do. Because I find this attitude personally repugnant it seriously impeded my enjoyment of this episode. In particular, I was dismayed by Xander and Buffy's treatment of Anya and Spike.

First to Anya: last week she seemed more demonic than usual, making up for lost vengeance time by turning Ronnie into a worm. She reversed the spell and Xander acknowledged how difficult it must have been for her to do the right thing. Indeed, as we learn in Same Time, Same Place, it was difficult for Anya. Her teleportation rights have been revoked. She also reveals to Willow that the vengeance game isn't as fulfilling as she remembered. Instead, it's "really upsetting." Anya has changed and Willow, now that she's taken a walk on the dark side herself, can appreciate that fact. The other Scoobies are less willing to see those shades of gray. They are, however, all too willing to call Anya to watch Dawn or to help with the Monster of the Week. In short, their selfish attitude made me go, "Grr. Arghh."

Also upsetting was Buffy and Xander's attitude towards Spike. Beneath You ended with one of the most powerful moments in BTVS history, but in Same Time, Same Place the import of Spike's revelation was completely swept under the carpet because Mutant Enemy wants to save the substantial stuff for Sweeps. The result is an episode that seems inappropriately, aggressively cheerful. Spike is still obviously damaged and in a great deal of pain. Instead of helping him or feeling any kind of empathy, Buffy and Xander choose to mock him. When Xander is cruel to Spike in the school basement, Buffy initially admonishes him with a, "Xander, now's not the time." But when is it ever a good time to make fun of someone in pain? Try never. Later, Buffy makes fun of Spike herself. Using Spike for his blood tracking abilities, Buffy, commenting on Xander's oh-so-humorous suggestion that they put Spike on a leash, jests, "Yes. Let's tie ourselves to the crazy vampire." Ha. Ha. Ha. Sure, Buffy may not want to tie herself to Spike in any way (that's fine) but she doesn't need to be cruel. Throughout the scenes with Spike, it's completely unclear whether Buffy even told anyone about his soul quest. If she did, then Xander's attitude towards Spike becomes even more repugnant. Again, Willow is the only character who treats Spike with any modicum of respect. She has been down and out herself and seems to display genuine sympathy towards him. Despite her past, she is, in some respects, more human(e) than either Buffy or Xander.

While Same Time, Same Place allowed Espenson to demonstrate her trademark way with the witty repartee (my favourite lines include, " She knows about viscera. Makes ya proud."), when compared with Beneath You, it failed to deliver. I can only hope that this episode is not a sign of things to come.

 

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