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Summary
Many people can't make up their minds if this is a good episode or just a mish mash of things thrown together to get Faith to the Mayor and the start of the 'Faith and the Mayor' arc.
To me, personally, it's bad. Really bad. The worst part is, though, nearly everyone is moronic. Faith can't seem to figure that Alan being a bad guy will help her cause. Buffy can't seem to grasp the fact that is the entire history of Slaying, the death of a human may have happened before. Giles does zip to allay Faith's fear, but will tell Buffy what Faith already said. Doesn't he think that if Faith is 'unstable' enough to believe that she can get away with saying that Buffy killed Alan, she might, actually, feel a whole lot better if she hears something like. "Well, Faith. Don't despair. This has happened before, we'll tell Buffy that it was an accident and then she may come clean." Is that too much of a stretch?
Anyway, the episode plays out like three mini episodes. One: The 'investigation' of Finch's death. Two: Buffy's 'struggle' and breakdown. Three: Angel's help and the 'Council's botched operation.
Obviously, after Bad Girls, this is another Faith-driven episode. Actually, it's probably more Faith-driven as it revolves around Faith's denial of Finch's death.
Buffy has to struggle with her conscience and Faith in this follow-up episode to Bad Girls. One can easily say that if Buffy (ironically, after her "think too much" comment in Bad Girls) thought all this through, she'd have been able to help Faith, rather than push her further away by her constant chipping away to tell Giles. Having said that though, I think both girls would've (obviously) benefited greatly if Faith had trusted Giles. Sadly though, this is where Gwendolyn Post once more comes into play. Faith simply doesn't trust anyone anymore. Frankly, having seen how Wesley and his goons treat Faith, I don't blame her!)
Story LineFaith is in the pre-credit opening here. Buffy's dreaming that she is drowning and Alan Finch is pulling her down. As she breaks the surface, Faith is there, pushing her back under. A not-so-nice dream sequence of Buffy's life at the moment. Buffy wakes and sees that her mom is watching the news about Alan's death. She tells Buffy she thinks it's terrible. Buffy agrees, but doesn't say any more. Next Buffy and Faith are in the library listening to... (read more) |
BreakdownI'm in a constant state of flux with this episode. One moment I can ignore the bad writing and think it's wonderful. The next I think the only thing that carries it through is Eliza, Sarah and Alyson, not to mention some choice acting by David. This is meant to be the episode that 'drives' Faith to the Mayor. And, it does indeed, have enough happening to Faith to drive anyone to the Mayor. However, the psychology is lacking. Sure,... (read more) |