Buffy: The Dark Age (2.8)

This episode treads similar ground to Lie to Me, in that they're both about learning uncomfortable truths. While The Dark Age is very much Giles' episode, it's Buffy who experiences an emotional sucker punch in the process. Just like last week, she discovers that another person in her life is a killer. But while Angelus' madness was a symptom of his being a vampire, Giles' involvement in a death came about as a result of a bunch of dumb kids looking for kicks. This development continues a theme of Buffy and her friends growing into a harsher, more violent world; where even the ones you love and care about have dark histories or destructive flaws.

I mentioned it in my review for Halloween, but Giles' growth as a character is extraordinary. He's suddenly capable of being aggressive and self-destructive, a man still haunted by his youthful indiscretions. Buffy also notes that as a result of the episode Giles is no longer merely a 'grown-up', but instead an actual 'person'. It's that feeling that furthers the show's mission statement to create multi-layered characters that can't be contained to fit certain boxes. Giles' isn't a white knight with a bad case of the tweed, he went through (and is going through) the exact same troubles as everybody else.

With so much character work on show, it's understandable that the demon hijinks are a little flat. I never understood why Eyghon was back in the first place, nor why possessing Jenny Calendar at first just rendered her bitchy and kinda 'hormonally charged'. The arrival of Angel is also a little too convenient.

But it's the characterization which The Dark Age balances on, and it's hugely powerful to see new dimensions being added to the Scoobies in each additional hour. Giles is forever changed, Willow is growing in confidence and resourcefulness, even Cordelia seems to be hanging out with the Scooby Gang more than with her gaggle of bitches. Wonderful work by Anthony Stewart Head, and another scene-stealing guest spot from Robin Sachs as the snarky, hilariously sleazy Ethan Rayne. The Dark Age is a little underwhelming as a monster episode, but another landmark in terms of character. B+

Credits
Guest stars Robia La Morte (Jenny Calendar); Robin Sachs (Ethan Rayne); Stuart McLean (Philip Henry)
Writers Dean Batali, Rob Des Hotel Director Bruce Seth Green