Enemies is constructed almost entirely around that fourth-act plot twist, with the big reveal that Angelus isn't back, and that in fact what we had witnessed was an elaborate ruse to expose Faith's evilness and the Mayor's plans for 'Ascension'. Therefore, a lot of the episode feels like treading water. Don't get me wrong, there are obviously interesting elements to the story, and the exploration into Faith as a person is intriguing, but as an episode it's not the most dynamic or fascinating.
What is interesting is the characterization of Faith. This is truly the first episode where she is depicted as plain cuckoo. Her interaction with Buffy (even before their closing battle) is covered in passive aggression and repressed emotions, she once again confuses sympathy with sexuality during her moments with Angel, and enjoys rubbing her frisson with Angelus in Buffy's face. She's such an intriguing character, a Buffy version of the troubled girl from the wrong side of the tracks.
Her relationship with the Mayor is also fascinating. There was definitely that element last week of incestuous sexuality to it, at least on Faith's part, something the Mayor was quick to dismiss. Like always, Faith sees any man looking to help her as secretly wanting to get in her pants, and she's finding it unusual and different that he's truly just looking to protect her. He's like her version of Giles, a surrogate father who is only wanting the best for her. I love their chemistry together, especially Faith's frequent 'weirded out' look whenever the Mayor says something kooky. He's 'off', but she likes that he's somebody who actually cares about her.
Faith and Angel's relationship, like in Consequences, is explored again. Buffy even notes that they have a lot in common, both trying to resist what can be perceived as 'their true natures', both having been tempted by the dark side. But, unlike the Mayor, Angel has ties with Buffy, and Faith can't help but sadistically enjoy knowing Angel on an intimate level, because she knows it'll hurt her 'good girl' doppelganger.
Finally, we have some relationship hoodoo. Buffy and Angel, realizing they're circling that doomed drain of awfulness, decide to take a break. It's not surprising, these two just can't work together. They're too infatuated with one another to be a chaste couple, and they're two reliant on each other to just be friends. Aww. To contrast all the angst, we also have Cordelia and Wesley's hilarious flirtation, something that not only adds some necessary humor to the show, but also by proxy allows Cordelia to rejoin the Scoobies. I've missed our Cordy.
Enemies works better as a character piece than as anything action-driven. The Angelus story, while I guess is necessary, doesn't create too much of a sucker punch. But I'm loving the interaction between Buffy and Faith, two beautifully-scripted characters at this point. B
Credits
Guest stars Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers); Harry Groener (Mayor Richard Wilkins III); Alexis Denisof (Wesley Wyndam-Pryce); Michael Manasseri (Skyler); Gary Bullock (Shrouded Man); Eliza Dushku (Faith)
Writer Douglas Petrie Director David Grossman
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