Saturday, June 13, 2009

DVD review - Buffy season 5/Angel season 2 episodes 8

Continuing my viewing and reviewing of Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 5 and Angel season 2...

*** SPOILERS ***

B5-8: Shadow (written by David Fury, airdate 11/21/00)

Joyce's catscan reveals what is going on in her head, something natural and therefore not something that Buffy's abilities can even help with. The Slayer is forced to face a foe even she can't fight - cancer. So, she does what any one would do, find a way to take out the frustrations. In this case, it is taking on Glory's cobra-creature and beating it down. While the story pulled at the emotional heart strings, we also get some great character moments too. First, Spike sniffing Buffy's sweater only to be caught by Riley was worth the admission (and then he snags her panties when leaving - that Spike!). Then, Giles sells Glory the items she needs to perform her magicks right under the entire Scoobie gang's nose, only to later get chewed out by Anya (have I said how much I'm loving her as retail-girl? She rocks!). Lastly, Riley's obcession with pushing the limits goes even further when he lets a vampire almost drain him before staking her. I think the young man is not handling the whole "Buffy is keeping me at arm's distance" thing too well. Could be trouble.


A2-8: the Shroud of Ramon (written by Jim Kouf, airdate 11/21/00)

Oh, that Ramon. Nothing like leaving your power behind in your death-shawl and it being so strong that anyone with a certain vicinity starts going insane. The way this story is told is different than most - as we get the after with Wesley with the police before we learn the whole tale. Angel staking the Vegas vamp and then taking his place was funny - love when he has to come out of shell and be the extrovert. The tension seems to be building between Gunn and Angel - neither of these alpha-males likes to have their authority questioned. This could foreshadow problems down the road. Of course, the heist for the Shroud is frought with the usual fun and games and interesting characters. Poor Wesley - first smacked by Kate and then by Angel. Angel bites Kate to save her but did he do himself any favors? Is it, like Wesley and Cordelia supposed, that his taste for human blood is back? We'll see. Oh, side note: Cordelia got her hair cut - ten days ago. Yeah, I thought you might have missed that. I prefer the longer locks myself on her, but that's me.

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