Doublemeat Palace is a strange beast, something that looks and feels a lot like something the show would casually dispense in its first season, only with the depressive melancholy that has become season six's trademark. Even after watching it at least a couple of times since it first aired, I'm still unsure whether it's a good episode or not. To praise it, Jane Espenson's script is pretty funny, while the most inventive element is the use of meat as metaphor. Lengthy shots show Buffy watching as the burger meat becomes processed and identical, an unfortunate depiction of burger joints pushing the idea of conformity, turning employees into meat-dispensing machines and stopping any shred of individual identity. It's a strong message, but the rest of the hour feels a little contrived.As this season progresses, it feels a lot like the writers have a pocket of ideas but are struggling to run with them in a logical way. I talked about it more in my review for Flooded, but it seems silly that Buffy would toil away at a greasy burger bar when she could earn more and not feel as soulless working as a bodyguard or even a cop. I don't believe Buffy would end up at the Doublemeat Palace, and unfortunately it's that idea that you need to run with in order to totally enjoy this episode.
It's also plagued by the same problem that affected episodes like All the Way and Ted, in that the 'suspected' antagonist is actually far more interesting than the actual bad guy. Here it sounds pretty squicky and interesting if the Doublemeat food was in fact 'people'. It's a total Soylent Green pastiche, but at least it would be something fresh for the Buffyverse. Instead, it turns out to be an elaborate red herring; the real bad guy being some demonic old lady with a huge penis on her head. Blah. It's a missed opportunity.
Don't get me wrong, there are some amusing parts to this episode (I love the Halfrek debut), but too much feels lazy and anti-climactic, like the weird Amy subplot ('Abracadabra! Now you can, um, melt things!') and the out-of-place discussion about Dawn's future. I also don't think there's any Buffyverse image more depressing than the sight of Spike and Buffy porking against the wall of a burger bar, right next to a dumpster. I need a shower after seeing that. D+
Credits
Guest stars Elizabeth Anne Allen (Amy Madison); Pat Crawford Brown (Wig Lady); Brent Hinkley (Manny); Kirsten Nelson (Lorraine Ross); Kali Rocha (Halfrek)
Writer Jane Espenson Director Nick Marck
I'm with you on everything you said here, especially the idea that this episode is very "season 1" with the gory monster story.
ReplyDeleteThere was some fun comedy though, like you said, but the episode itself just isn't anything special. I remember skipping it a few times when watching the series. And that Spike/Buffy wall sex thing was all kinds of gross, the outtake of Sarah and James proves just how stupid they thought it was as well.
Totally agree with the Buffy and Spike scenario... yuck to the core. nooo. All of their shenanigans have taken any shock right out of Tara and Willow's moment!
ReplyDeleteI think the episode was a bit of a break, a bit colourful and of course quite surreal if a bit iffy. They did explain that Buffy needed quick money so I guess she's staying till she can save some up. She would be great as bodyguard (I think she's a bit too independent to be a cop!), if any demons tried any funny business she could sort it out but maybe it would distract too much.
Panda I just watched that after I read your comment, and I love how rough and ridiculous it was. I can't imagine how silly it must be to shoot sex scenes like that.
ReplyDeleteMaya That's a good point, both about being a cop and with the distraction. I still think it beats working in a burger bar, though. That's the kind of place that just breeds self-doubt and inner trauma.
I don't think one could wake one day and decide to become a cop. Shouldn't you attend a school or something? therefore, Buffy could never have worked as a cop. As for the bodyguard job, who would give it to a small and 'seemingly' helpless girl? She would have to show her true nature as a slayer and that could not be done, obviously.
ReplyDeleteI didn't like so much the episode, anyway. It was way too depressing and disturbing (and the lady demon: yuck!) but I loved the part with Buffy and Spike, the look she gave him before going out. It was so intense. The sex scene was sad and depressing and it was meant to be as a methafore of the relationship they had at that point, that's why they choose that scenario.
Yeah, I was grasping at straws. But, to be fair, there were a ton of instances where everyday Sunnydale folk saw Buffy's ridiculous levels of strength and physical ability, so it's not like she'd be all exposed Superman-style or whatever.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree about that look. It's actually one of my favorite Buffy moments, her just glancing over and seeing Spike standing there reading the overhead menu. The scene after... ick. But loved that opening to it.
I know this blog is years old, but I feel the need to finally put this out into the universe. I've never heard or read other comments on this, and it has literally bugged me for nearly two decades:
ReplyDeleteBetween Seasons 2 and 3, Buffy went to LA and supported herself for several months as a diner waitress. Are there no actual restaurants in Sunnydale? It's quick, decent cash, and she has experience.