Klytaimnestra's Review of "Showtime"

by Klytaimnestra

Favourite lines:

"Kind of chalky."

"Here endeth the lesson." Someone's channelling her inner Spike...

First the important stuff:

GAnya index

shoots up 60-70%. Why were they together in every single scene? Why were they standing in a "couple" sort of way? Was that a vibe or was that a vibe? Wow. Now if only I were sure he's alive. But wouldn't the Eye of Rude Noise have mentioned if he were dead? (Feeling slightly reassured, here. Still wish he'd touch something.) Still, this episode is inspiring me to go off and write GAnya smut, which I've never felt like doing before - I don't think this is an accident. Well, I hope it's not.

Spuffy index

shoots up 90%. Hoo boy. Why IS she so keen on saving him? I know, she was just supporting him the way she'd support any wounded comrade.

Sure, that's all it was. And that's all the look meant, too.

Right.

Chances of Buffy dying at the end of the season

I'm thinking pretty much 100%. We all knew there was something wrong with her resurrection; what's going to fix that?

Other stuff:

For heaven's sake give our James something to do! Though this episode made it quite clear (once again) that this is the Buffy show. But for heaven's sake, don't take your prize actor and just chain him to a rock for the whole show. Have to say, though, that I just loved, I mean, just LOVED, his look when he realises it's really her. His hand fell on her shoulder with exactly the right combination of needing support, and needing to feel that she was real.

And, well, if we're looking for mythic parallels, when Perseus saved Andromeda (also chained to a rock) from the monster, they went on to have a long and happy marriage. As do most knights and the ladies they rescue from dragons. If only Buffy weren't going to die at the end of this season I
would have high hopes for their future relationship.

Speaking of former demons I love, I enjoyed Anya discovering once again that sex, always her sure-fire plan B, doesn't work anymore (while Giles stands by, looking amused) - but threats work just fine. I suppose you could argue that offering (and in front of Giles) to have sex with a demon lowers the GAnya index some, but it does let Giles know that as far as Anya is concerned she's a free agent again. And she did ask him for reassurance ("is it the hair?")

Minor characters

I'm beginning to have real respect for the actor playing Andrew. The fidgeting and true misery he shows in the scene alone on the couch were really well done. The geeky body language and delivery of lines ("I'm, like, Episode One bored"), the way his inept posture etc. manage to disguise the fact that actually he's a very good looking man, are all impressive. And as for the character, the lame attempts to help the Slayer, and he's beginning to feel the faintest tinge of grief and remorse at his murder of his only friend - I'm beginning to like him. (And to think he's going to get a huge crush on Dawn, which won't get him anywhere.) I'm pretty sure Andrew is going to die a heroic death and blot out his sins. Last episode I wouldn't have said he was going to get redeemed, but this week it's unmistakable. (And you notice that they're now commenting on the way he smells; as they did of Spike a few episodes ago).

Dawn:

actually liked her this time. And she's cut Spike some slack. These days the only person asking why Buffy's trying to save Spike is the First Evil. Are we redeemed yet? Looks like.

Kennedy:

hm. Kennedy the Vampire Slayer? for about 5 seconds before she dies, perhaps. I like her though; she and Faith would get along.

Willow:

will get control of her magic but will still have to send Buffy back to Heaven. This is a euphemism.

Conclusion:

what was the lesson? That it will never be easy but it will always be doable, and life will go on. If we wanted a steady-state season 8, 9, 10 and on type series, that would be a good model for one. It's also the final stage of the Hero's Journey - learning to live as a hero and a human and carry on in the real world. But I'm still thinking Joss will wrap it up this year.

Klytaimnestra