DVD review - Buffy season 7 episodes 3 and 4

Continuing my viewing/reviewing of Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 7 (final season)....

SPOILERS

B7-3: Same Time, Same Place (written by Jane Espenson, airdate 10/8/02)

This episodes starts with a nice "what the???" with Willow not able to see Dawn, Xander and Buffy, and vice versa. It played well to Willow's fear of returning and her friends' doubts about her recovery. I figured Spike would be able to see as Anya did - and I thought that was a demon thing. Nope. It was a Willow-thing. Gnarly was one nasty monster - talk about major wiggins. Very creepy, very well-done. Loved the bit with Anya and poseable-Dawn.


B7-4: Help (written by Rebecca Rand Kishner, airdate 10/15/02)

First, nice variation on the vampire hunt - this time hiding out in the coffins in a mortuary. That was just so twisted it was funny. Okay, the parade of guest-stars in this episode was pretty cool. Of course I recognized Sarah Hagan (from Freaks & Geeks - an all-time favorite) and Zachary Bryan (eldest son from Home Improvement). It took me a little longer to place Azura Skye (from another short lived favorite Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane). And, hey, Willow has gone all Google-detective - an idea my buddy Mike just posted about on Facebook last week. And another giggle - Willow slips out that she used to post Doogie Howser, M.D. fan fiction. Somehow that just so fits. I liked the lesson out of this one - sometimes you just can't help. Cassie knew she was going to die and the gang just couldn't prevent it. Sometimes the Scoobies can't stop everything.