Continuing with my viewing and reviewing of season 2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer...
***SPOILERS***
Episode 15: Phases
Synopsis: Buff and her friends discover secrets about themselves as they battle a werewolf, its hunter and their own emotions. (written by Des Hotel and Batali, airdate 1/27/98)
First, love all the references to season 1 episodes: the eyes moving in the trophy (Witch), Xander relating to werewolves since he was once a hyena (The Pack), also mentions of events from Teacher's Pet and I, Robot...You, Jane. That's good continuity.
Next, lots of girl talk. Buffy and Willow early on, the Willow and Cordelia later on. Sure, there is guy talk too - Xander and Larry, but guys don't like to discuss what they discuss (especially when they get it wrong like Xander and learn TMI). There is even great exchanges, pre-kissing, between Xander and Cordelia at make-out-point - that is until a werewolf breaks it up.
Speaking of the wolf, no surprise Oz is kind of cool about the whole thing when they all look at Cordelia's car. Then, there is Cain - the biggest ego of a hunter ever. Man, he's annoying. Back to the wolf, causing chaos at the Bronze only to then have an encounter with Angel - a fang-off if you will - in the alleyway. When Oz finally wakes up in the woods, naked, he realizes what is happening to him and where it came from (the bite from his little cousin).
Willow shows her resolve to overcome her feelings and talk to Oz, only to see him do his David Naughton impersonation ("American Werewolf In London"). Still she saves the day, stops him from being killed and rampaging further. The last scene between the two of them was sweet, and we finally have her as part of a couple. Awwww.
Greatest origin ever! Oz gets bit by his baby nephew on the finger. Thinks he might be a werewolf. Calls his aunt...hey, by the way, is little nephew a werewolf? Oh, yeah, he is. Thanks for asking. An origin suitable for Oz's personality. Awesome.
ReplyDeleteAnd Oz is REALLY in the gang now. Big happenings for his character this time around. And for the first time, we got to see some emotion out of the guy, which gave his character a chance to stretch. The ep has some great things to say about the whole man/animal thing, and some great stuff about relationships. And yes, the scene with Larry was awesome. Who does that actor remind me of? I think maybe it's a shorter, stockier Tahmoh (FBI guy from Dollhouse). Really liked the brief Angel moments, too, reminded us, even as we're off on another tangent here for an ep, that he's still around and still deadly and nuts. Loved how he used the girl to send a message to Buffy. Eeeevil.
Yes...hunter guy was annoying! Glad he got run outta town. And glad that all worked out well for Oz and Willow. Great Oz ep!
As such on Oz fan, I knew you'd love this one. Then again, you always had a bit of an affinity to werewolves. ;)
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