dawn
007. BtVS Intertext/Allusion.
Agent
identification number for British secret service agent, James Bond, a literary
character, created by Ian Fleming. Character
received his I.D. number, rank of commander, and license to kill, after
completing two assassinations for the agency (M16).
Ian Fleming’s novels have been adapted for the screen, and the film character of James Bond has appeared in 23 movies to date (2003). Sean Connery originated the cinematic image of Bond in 1962, and the character since has been portrayed by a number of actors, Pierce Brosnan being the most recent. Character is sophisticated, witty, charming, skillful with state-of-the-art weaponry, and often, tuxedo-clad.
References to James Bond (007) are made three times in the Buffy series.
In Season Three, while the students are preparing for “The Prom,” Buffy and her friends consider ways to prevent the mayor’s ascension, while weighing their options in formal wear:
Wesley: So, it’s safe to say we shouldn’t waste any time on such trifling matters as a school dance.
Cordelia: Well, that’s too bad, because I bet you would look way 007 in a tux.
In Season Four, “Fear Itself” has the Scooby Gang dressing up for a Halloween bash. They meet pre-party and appraise each other’s costumes:
Buffy: Like the tux Xander.
Xander: Bond. James Bond. Insurance, you know, in case we get turned into our costumes again [referring to the “Halloween” episode from Season 2]. I’m going for cool, secret agent guy.
And in Season Six, Riley comes to Sunnydale again in “As You Were.”
Riley: Look, I’m sorry this is all so sudden. You know, if we get a minute, I’d really like to sit down. (Stops as a gadget clipped to his belt beeps. He grabs it and looks at it).
Buffy: What is it?
Riley: Suvolte demon. Rare, lethal . . . nearly extinct, but not nearly enough. It’s close.
Buffy: (laughs)
Riley: What?
Buffy: Sorry. It’s just…you still carry around all that James Bond stuff.
References to the actors, who have played James Bond, occur in two BtVS episodes. In Season 3, the episode “Earshot” has Buffy and friends watching the cheerleaders during the pre-game pep rally:
Xander: You know Oz, I look at all this beauty, all these healthy young women, and I wonder why I ever wasted my time on Cordelia. I mean look at her. She’s no better lookin’ then the rest of ‘em.
Oz: None of ‘em are really my –
Xander: (Spots Wesley on the stairs, staring at Cordelia). Oh my God, he’s looking at
her! He’s got his filthy, adult Pierce Brosnan-y eyes all over my Cordy.
And in Season 6, the episode “Life Serial” has the Troika launching an offensive on Buffy, while arguing which actor was more adept at portraying Bond:
Andrew: We are really super villains now, like . . . like Dr. No [villain from Sean Connery’s first film as James Bond].
Warren: Yeah, back when Bond was Connery and the movies were decent.
Jonathon: (scoffing) Who remembers Connery? I mean, Roger Moore was smooth.
Warren: You’re insane. You’re short, and you’re insane.
Andrew: I like Timothy Dalton!
This conversation is continued in another scene from the same episode:
Warren: Connery is Bond. He had style.
Jonathan: Yeah, but Roger Moore was funny.
Warren: Moonraker? The gondola turns into a hovercraft? It’s retarded. Besides, the guy had, like, no edge.
Andrew: Dalton had edge. In License to Kill he was a rogue agent. That’s edgy. (Warren and Jonathon look at him incredulously). And he was amazing in The Living Daylights.
Jonathan: Yeah, which was written for Roger Moore, not Timothy Dalton!
Warren: Okay, this is stupid! We’re wasting time. End of discussion. (Jonathon and Andrew nod their agreement, turn to their consoles, and begin typing)…I mean, there’s a shot of like, pigeons, doing double takes when the gondola blasted by! Moonraker . . . is inexcusable. (Andrew and Jonathan stare at him).
And the same conversation is concluded, in another scene, with:
Warren: Connery is the only actor in the bunch.
Andrew: Timothy Dalton should get an Oscar and (yells) beat Sean Connery over the head with it!
In Season 7, in "Lessons," Dawn spots a handsomely dressed Xander, ready for work in his new career as a construction supervisor, and exclaims
Hey. Check out double-O Xander!
Image of Sean Connery as Agent 007 from http://www.bttw.co.uk/stills/0183.htm
