Buffy is still unsurprisingly angsty over Riley's departure, obsessing over the fact that she doesn't have a boyfriend while everybody else does. It's a human reaction to relationship trauma, and it takes an encounter with a similarly boy-crazy robot girl to snap Buffy out of it. Ben seems nice, but Buffy doesn't need that in her life right now. Like she isn't distracted enough already?April represents what is considered the 'perfect woman' for society's assholes. Warren is hideously gross, a nerd-boy caricature who takes his girlfriend for granted, throws Buffy into the line of fire in order to save his own ass, and creates a robot woman whose entire existence revolves around him and her desire to keep him satisfied. It's a pretty unusual character to create, since so much of the Whedonverse depicts creepy, abusive nerds as loveably goofy and charming. But credit should be given to Adam Busch for conveying such a disgusting individual. I don't think I've ever been more repulsed by a television character.
It's hard to not feel for April, and her final scene with Buffy is surprisingly tender. Buffy sees a kindred spirit in her, somebody trying so hard to be perfect and liked by her boyfriend, yet failing at every turn. It's probably the show's best exploitation of Riley's departure and, thinking about it, the only real follow-through since Into the Woods.
Being a Jane Espenson script, there's a ton of wonderful visual gags and great lines of comedy. Anya in particular is hilarious here ('some guys like that'), and Willow once again gets to be fun. And who can resist the sight of squishy Xander in the opening scene? I Was Made to Love You is filler material, but it utilizes the ensemble really well while getting mileage out of several story arcs by tying them together with a story that could easily have been disposable if written badly.
Finally, there's that last scene. It's shocking, gut-wrenching and horrifically sad. We just saw her giddy and excited over her date. And then she's gone. One of the truest and most affecting moments Buffy ever depicted. B
Credits
Guest stars Clare Kramer (Glory); Charlie Weber (Ben); Shonda Farr (April); Adam Busch (Warren Meers); Troy T. Blendell (Jinx); Amber Benson (Tara Maclay); Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers)
Writer Jane Espenson Director James A. Contner
Where does that leave Spike the weird heartwrenching weirdo then? (I hate it when he cries!).
ReplyDeleteHe's such a peculiar one! I somehow doubt he's going to get what he asked for.
I suppose he's definitely not as bad Warren (disgust, the bit where he throws Buffy under the bus was the truly despicable last straw!) but what is he? A man on the verge of change? He's utterly bizarre really, but he definitely adds a lot (of everything), one of my favourite characters!
Buffy's such a nice person really, she can have quite a broad understanding but it is usually when she can relate to the situation. Her approach to the dying robot (only on this show! well, maybe not..) made that scene much more emotional. As for April, I couldn't stand her, it was a sad way for her to die though. Her too small dress was annoying! (but then again that was probably a very clever touch from the costume department).
It think it does add an interesting depth hearing about the repercussions of Riley, but maybe he can really be gone now.