Sleepers Kicks. A Review.

by Mary

You know, I feared this episode like no other this year. A Fury episode where Spike may actually be a serial killer. Sounds desperately bad for us on paper but in reality it kicks ass for Spike fans. I kid you not. It was much better than the wildfeed and has served to help save me from my Cordy slept with Conner shock and seizures. Not that I am going to go watch THAT mind you but still, I have something to move onto. Spikey goodness.

I am going to just muse a bit this week as I don't feel all that needed. I just do these reviews to help give likeminded folks a heads up about any upcoming crappy BTVS scenes and to, you know, inform you of when you can leave to get a snack or your I hate ME dartboard. But this week, just stay your butt in front of the television as you don't want to miss anything. Did I just type that? It may be some kind of spell. At any rate, let the ruminations begin.

1. When you know in advance that he isn't really evil, seeing Spike kill folks and bury bodies is not in the least bit offensive. It is tragic and heartbreaking and a little fun. When you see the opening sequence and he is humming to himself while digging a grave, do not freak out people. Don't worry about that a bit, it is all for the good (this week anyway) and it is nice to see him developing some hobbies. It is nice to see him period; he even talks.

2. Spike and Anya cracked me up. I loved their scene together and only wish we had more of them on a weekly basis. It is just delightful and gives Spanya fans a little something to cling too but not so much that Spuffy fans should worry at all. If you like Spike, this week has something for you, no matter what your ship is.

3. I really enjoyed the Spike/Xander interaction this week. In fact, I liked one scene so much I watched it over and over and over. Happy days, I have dreamed of this for years.

4. There was continuity from last week's episode. You think I lie don't you? I can see folks rolling her eyes at me right now so I will prove it to you. The house is still really messed up, folks are wearing the same clothes, Willow is just getting home, and the BB seems to have really done a number on Dawn. I can't believe it. It is like Conversations with Dead People actually happened. **faints**

5. When the bartender called Spike a player, I was proud. Maybe this BB is a good influence on him, well except for the murdering but no one is perfect.

6. I could so support Evil Morphy Buffy.

7. Not much Dawn, Willow, or Xander this week because they focus on Spike. Glorious day.

8. Buffy is clearly jealous of the chick Spike is chatting up at the bar. No other way to read the scene without causing yourself to go into denial seizures.

9. If I was Xander, I would be mad as hell at Buffy. First she is all kill kill kill Anya and then BOOM she is not about to kill her Spike. I support her in not killing Spike mind you but there is clear hypocrisy there and I do not support Anya killing either . And of course her "Spike may be a killer keep him at your place I got to go" is not really the most compassionate move she ever made. But Spike lives so who the hell am I to complain?

10. The scene in the basement is powerful and as shippy for you B/Sers as it reads. Maybe more so. He breaks my heart here and that takes some doing as the basement is like filled with the bodies of folks he killed. And Buffy so does not want to kill him, she is looking for any excuse not to just like she would not let Xander do for Anya in "Selfless." When he bears his chest (good chest bearing plot device there by the way) and she drops the stake, your Spuffy hearts will be all a flutter. Please don't get too optimistic though, I doubt the wedding is next week. Keep some composure, please. Remember last year!

11. I am pleased to inform you that Cordy and Conner do not sleep together in this episode.

12. The ending is a little weird, with the gang begrudgingly going along with Buffy's plan to "get close" to Spike. While I doubt she means loving, touching, squeezing et cetera, that line is pretty funny all things considered. If I did not know better, I would think B/Sers were being set up for a fall.. Oh wait, I do know better. I suspect a setup.

13. The BB's play to raise the vamps to kill Buffy was so lame I suspect he did not really want to kill her. Otherwise he would have done something better, right?? Please agree. No more lame Big Bads please. Do I have to go over there and tell these evil doers what to do???

14. Giles Giles Giles. I love him and he is back, if only for a second and in dire straits at that. But he will be fine because he is Giles and no one is going to mess with him darn it. And they would never do evil Giles because Melissa would hurt them as that would hurt the chances of Ganya and they don't want that. No one wants that.

15. I give this episode a perfect score, 10/10. Hard to believe I know but that is a lot of Spike we got right there and, in this episode anyway, it all works out. David and Jane did good, real bloody good. You know, this might be my first good comment on Fury ever.

Well, that is kind of long winded for a short review but I had a lot of good things to say. I guess I could have just said, "Spike, lots of Spike. Shirtless Spike. Watch," and gotten the point across. Damn.

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Mary