Joe Hellandback

I never considered that aspect although they had hired the Trio? And remember what we had seen when;

Good point on the last, I never considered that. As for CC once she's on Angel

Intimate Stranger The Good; brilliant performances all around from Hudson and LL who play one another wonderfully, especially LL, just a few little quirks in how she presents Xena, shifting her speech patterns etc but still so damn plausible with everything she tell Gabby. Emotive scene too with Callisto's mother. Joxer also gets a little chance to shine and we see some of Gabby's steel. The Bad; ? Xena clichés; back from the dead, vet rather than Dr Xena, the Pinch Funeral dirge; 1 Doubles; 2 “I have many skills’; 2 10 years ago; 1 Dead Gabby suitors; 3 Dr Xena-9 Xena in bondage-5 Loyal advisor who is actually the villain-4 Gabby captured-11 Village in peril-8 Duel to settle things-2 The Pinch; 11 Xena animal skills; 2 Xena fire-breathing; 5 Hurt/comfort; 2 Back from the dead; Gabby-1, Callisto-1 Xena inventions; CPR Kills; none really, not that this ever kept Cally down. Xena; 20 Best quote; Cally/Xena; "Do you understand?" Terrified/baffled henchman; "No, but it will be done!" (you see with an attitude like that this guy would go far in any army!) Greek myths; Subtext; once again Cally is obsessed with 'pretty Xena' and comments that Gabby is now 'my little friend'. Notches on the Chakram; Callisto and Ares get it on using Xena's body. Gabby; 1 Xena; 1 Ephiny; 1 Meg; 1 Joxer; 1 Callisto; 1 Ares; 1 Other; Interesting that Ares has now impersonated both of Xena's parents? Also an interesting scene where Xena/Callisto says her hearing is not as good when in Callisto's body? Once again pointing to Xena as a demi-goddess and Ares as her father. Poor Theodrous, never had a chance did he? Joxer and Argo seem to get on quite well. I remember what a shock it was that Xena didn't get her body back at the end, of course it was planned she would but LL broke her pelvis falling of her horse. Rating; 8/10

I must say that passed me by. But how pretty SMG looks! Yeah, just one letter to say 'I'm okay' wouldn't have been too much to ask. I think Buffy in uniform at an all-girls school would have been a dream come true for slash fiction/schoolgirl fetishists, not that this show lack either. As for your second point, you have to put yourself in the place of the SDPD, it's not that Buffy couldn't convince them of her innocence, it's that she doesn't have 8 hours to spend doing so whilst the world is in peril. More interesting when you consider how Willow reacts when; But I liked that aspect, one of the reasons the Scoobs are so close is their shared mission, without it Buffy would probably just be a Cordette and Willow and Xander just hanging with Jesse (although I like to think Woz would still have happened). Not even 'Nighthawk'? Or a party that's 'chock full of hoot'? In fairness Dead Man's Party The Good; Cordy's outfit, Buffy's homecoming. Joyce's friend Pat. Jonathon. The attack of the undead, another Sunnydale High cheerleader seemingly amongst them. Giles's 'Americans' line and his hotwiring the car. Oz's party definitions. 'Ripper' threatening Snyder The Bad; Before Giles arrives the house is full of zombies, after he gets there they all disappear? Also would Joyce really choose to hang that horrible mask in the bedroom, even if it is art? Best line; Oz; "And a hootenanny. Well that's chock full of hoot. With just a little bit of nanny" (How effortlessly cool is Seth Green in this scene?) Whedon Clichés; Character death; So long Pat, we hardly knew you. But at least the actress goes on to be Earl's mum in 'My Name is Earl' Tied up; none although when Xander says he's tied up tomorrow Cordy says 'You wish'?????? Kinky dinky; Buffy is aghast that Joyce wants her to go to private school where she'll have to wear a schoolgirl's uniform. Well it worked for Britney. Cordy says that Xander turned her on with the whole 'Nighthawk' vamphunter look (she also seemed to like him in his army gear in Halloween) Her party dress has to be seen to be believed. Also see 'Tied Up' Calling Captain Subtext; this time it's Oz and Cordy who end up in the closet together What the fanficcers thought; Buffy in a St Trinians style all-girls school popular amongst the slashficcers Questions and observations; The confrontation between Joyce and Buffy is really long overdue and Joyce really does have a point. Willow is studying to be witch. Jonathon gets in on the demon fighting for the first time as do Joyce and Devon. After this it's business as usual and we're glad to get back to the status quo in Sunnydale. Joyce's tipple is schnapps and she has a book club (which she later attends in season 5). She also skis to judge by the weapons Oz and Cordy use in the closet. Xander calls himself Nighthawk on patrol, they seem to be pretty good at the vamp staking, having killed at least 6. I'd love to see if they handled any other supernatural threats during the summer. The Mayor is mentioned again and the first appearance of the Expresso Pump. . Presumably the Watcher's Council used their influence to help get Buffy back in school (see also Checkpoint). Willow is still practising witchcraft and growing more proficient. 6/10, good but not brilliant

Warrior, Princess, Tramp The Good; a fun little interlude in the more serious business of season 2, nice to see Diana back (sadly for the last time) and here's Meg The Bad; little reckless of Xena to let the thugs sword get so close to her whilst pretending to be Meg? Xena clichés; another double, firebreathing, Gabby captured. Funeral dirge; 1 Doubles; 2 “I have many skills’; 2 10 years ago; 1 Dead Gabby suitors; 3 Dr Xena-8 Xena in bondage-5 Loyal advisor who is actually the villain-4 Gabby captured-11 Village in peril-8 Duel to settle things-2 The Pinch; 10 Xena animal skills; 2 Xena fire-breathing; 5 Hurt/comfort; 2 Back from the dead; Gabby-1 Xena inventions; CPR Kills; Xena; 20 Best quote; -Meg "A little more cleavage can't hurt", her entire personality summed up right there! Almost as good as 'My father died in childbirth'. Greek myths; Subtext; Gabby jealous of Joxer and 'Xena', telling him that he's not Xena's type. A play made on the term thespian not for the last time. Notches on the Chakram; Joxer and Meg Gabby; 1 Xena; 1 Ephiny; 1 Meg; 1 Joxer; 1 Other; another hint at Xexer as Joxer gets it on with a Xena lookalike. More lookalikes and disguises than a Shakespearean comedy and all good fun. Joxer refers to Xena being struck by Cupid's arrow, well not yet. Rating; 7/10.

They do manage to slip Angel in there, quite cleverly. Personally I love Nighthawk and the Scoobs fighting the good fight whilst Buffy is away, I was always interested in eps which upset the formula Is there Xander/Willow subtext in this ep? I must have missed it if there was? Can't believe you didn't mention the long tracking shot through the school or Joyce alone? The Good; Lovely to see Chantelle/Lily/Anne again. Great to see the slave rebellion. Love the long tracking shot around Sunnydale high, lovely cameo from Larry. Nice to see that Buffy can make it on her own but did anyone really doubt that she could? The gang's vamp hunting is hilarious. Terrific scenes between Giles and Joyce. The final scene when Buffy and Joyce hug is just too lovely. The Bad; Truly horrible what happens to the human slaves. Ricky's suicide is just awful Whedon Clichés; Character death; None although Buffy still dreams of killing Angel Knocked out; Buffy by Ken Kinky dinky; Buffy as a slave but not of the sexual variety. Anne Summers is the name of a lingerie/sex toy chain in the UK. Xander rather crudely wants to know if Buffy met 'any nice pimps on her travels' (Pretty Woman/Belle du Jour)? Reccurring actor in another role; Carlos Jacott as Ken who'll later turn up as someone different in Angel, Firefly and TSSC Best line; Giles; "You musn't blame yourself" Joyce; "I don't, I blame YOU. You've been this huge influence on her all these years" Questions and observations; As Xander wonders surely a girl as attractive as Buffy could get a better job than waitress in LA? As about the only funny part in 'The Last Action Hero' pointed out; Kid; (pointing to a gorgeous girl working behind the counter of the video store) "She is way too beautiful to work here" Schwarzeneger; (flirting with the girl)"You're right" Kid; "No you don't get it, there are no unattractive women here, all the women are beautiful, we have to be in a movie" Schwarzeneger; "No kid, this is LA" Weren't Hooters/Spearmint Rhino/Playboy/Penthouse/Madam Alex/Hedi Fleiss hiring or couldn't she find herself a sugardaddy? (ok I'm entirely non-serious but it is SUCH a Hollywood cliché, like casting a blatant supermodel as a scientist by just giving her glasses and a lab coat) Or is Buffy just trying to lie low? Cordy refers to Xanders exes who are almost all demons, Preying Mantis, Mummy Girl, Dru in BBB. Xander nails his third vamp with some help from Cordy. Joyce is a sad figure in her summer alone without Buffy but at least in everyone's revised memories I'm always intrigued by the times the Scoobies got by without Buffy, I would love to see more on it in the comics. One thing that does occur to me is that the weapon used by Buffy during the slave revolt (the wonderfully named hung-munga) actually resembles a hammer and sickle at some angles. I'm sure it's just coincidence but if this were the 50s I'm sure Joss would be hauled before the un-American activities board. 8/10 I think although that may be a little generous

We'll have to disagree on that, that Bargaining pt1 scene still reduces me to tears no matter how many times I watch it. It was hardly a 'cheap stunt', it had been building for a long time.

Not for CC!

Me too

Me too, beauty and the beast! It's so heartrending when he turns the light off so that she can't see him as he is now. Yeah, very Spock, 'Fascinating!' I think that's one of the things that makes the show great, you care for the villains as much as for the heroes, they're real people, fleshed out characters and strangely likeable. Thankfully E4 decided not to have a mid season break and just crack on with season 4, meaning we can catch up on this side of the pond. Ideally this can continue and then lead directly into season 5 for us? 1. New Ivy is nice, I'd like to see the other 2 actresses at least cameo some time, maybe if she could see how her life could have worked out? 2. Harvey has some interesting taste in hookers. We know he likes redheads so maybe he could fall for Ivy? He seems to have quite a following amongst the ladies, reminds me of Dennis Franz on NYPD Blue. 3. Lucius, yay! And given more to do than normal, maybe he should get a gun? 4. The model looks more like a Spitfire than a Mustang and it beggar's belief there would be so much of it left after the explosion? 5. Alfred's SAS ring doesn't look like it, it should be a winged dagger? 6. The Siren's ad is HILARIOUS! They look like they're auditioning for Dynasty. Tabby says it's the last time Barbara will get her on camera? Did she want them to make a sex tape? Do porn? It's amazing to watch these three staggeringly gorgeous and talented actresses deliberately acting so wooden and unsexy. 7. I can't decide if Bruce's jerk act is a plan or real? After he fired Alfred I thought it had to be real but then Pyg and Sofia had me fooled in that regard? Selina seems to have her (feline?) instincts about him though? 8. I love Barbara's malevolent glee at teasing Jim over 'The Doc', I'll forgive him his little bit of sexism at assuming the Doc was male. The way Lee and Jim ignore Ed whilst talking is priceless. 9. So what now for Butch? I figure he heads back to Lee and acts as her guardian angel; Lee; "You were faking?" Butch/Grundy; "You were always good to me, even when I was Grundy. I'm accepted here and I believe in what you're doing" 10. I can see Ed leaving Lee not because he doesn't love her but because he knows as long as he's around her The Riddler will want to kill her. 11. New Bromance between Harvey and Alfred, maybe they can become PI's together? Of course in real life beating a guy so he retracts his alibi wouldn't work but as Bruce observes, TIG. 12. Nice bait and switch with the Toymaker and Ed, you wonder for a moment if Sofia/Oswald had sent him to off Ed? Now of course the Toymaker is a character who goes all the way back to the Lynda Carter Wonder Woman series (played by Frank 'The Riddler' Gorshin) and he used bombs on remote controlled planes back then too, plus his trademark clapping monkeys. One of the criticism's of the series (and Nicholas Hammond's contemporary live action Spiderman) was that it never featured any classic DC/Marvel villains, nearly always generic mad scientists and gangsters in three piece suits but now it seems to have created one, presuming the son takes over the family business? (Disturbing to read the comments and see how many people wanted the real Wonder Woman to lose but then not everyone watched this show for its' message of female empowerment? A lot watched it to see Lynda Carter in her outfit knocked out and tied up). I was always waiting for some wider DC references in Gotham, even a mention of Metropolis or the IADC or something (which even Lois and Clark/Batman Forever managed) but unless someone can correct me I think this is the first one on Gotham I can think off?

A little unfair on Scott Hope, he had his reasons for Joyce is the best TV mother ever, beautiful, loving and caring but strong and not some perfect housewife cliché. I think the girls sometimes take delight in CC teasing Xander because he is the typical male jerk sometimes and she says what they're sometimes thinking. I never really bought Cuffy because they were almost too similar in many ways. I could always see Cillow, I remember whole webpages dedicated to it with their faces transposed onto Xena and Gabby's faces.

Yeah, I get that, as long as they stick to salmon that's okay but judging by their previous behaviour? How are they supposed to sate their 'other needs'? I remember DeviantArt had an entire pornographic Buffy web comic 'Sleep with the Fishes' where they come back to 'spawn' with Buffy.

Earshot is the ep I would always recommend to people as the ep which singly represents the series' genius, you don't have to follow the arc, you could watch it alone having never seen the rest of the series and enjoy it.

There are other hints, for instance in Passion she mentions her dad having issues with them nailing a cross to her bedroom wall? Now a certain character who arrives in season 5 does to an extent assume some of Willow's traits, especially her 'bashful virgin played for laughs schtick' but that's because Willow grows so much it's no longer appropriate. The Willow we see then is so different from the girl here.

You know you're right, they talk about it so often you take it for granted that we see the Mall all the time but actually the only other time I think we see it is in Innocence? Yes, given what we know from later you expect Joyce to take Buffy's remark more seriously but you know her and her denial. I didn't put a great deal of emphasis on Xander boiling his egg, just a flippant teenage boy for whom biology means he doesn't have to take parenthood as seriously as the girls do. Why would Angel want to date Buffy? Well she's a virgin 16 year old schoolgirl cheerleader who is played by an actress who was voted the sexiest woman in the world? Ephebophilia aside she gives him purpose and a hope of redemption and she represents all that is good and pure in this horrible world he is forced to live in. I know some have argued that Angel's love for Buffy is based in his relationship with Darla, that Buffy is the girl Darla could have been if things had worked out differently. But Darla is forever tainted for him by their history together, even if she were resouled, Buffy is a chance to start fresh. One aspect I don't like is how the Joyce/Buffy relationship shifts from one week to the next, I'd have preferred more continuity.

Yes, especially when we see Spike's pre-vampire self it's very different from the image he creates for himself, it's a British trope that if you don't really like football Man U are your team. Angel also seems to suffer from class guilt as we see in Soul Purpose. Personally I just put it down to magic, without circulation they shouldn't be able to move around etc either never mind 'raising the mainsail' so to speak. I think Joss does refer to the fact on one of his commentaries?

You should see the movie if only for curiosities sake and see the prototypes for the Sunnydale characters (and to try to spot Seth Green as one of the vamps). Although personally we could accept that she burnt it down offscreen.

Lead singers? Do you mean Yeah interesting to see how supportive Willow is for Bangel yet dislikes the prospect of Xander having a Mrs Robinson of his own. Of course CC with her yen for college boys also seems to promote this? The Buffyverse really is an ephebophile's heaven.

Agreed, loved Jenny but loved Woz more although

I don't think so, I don't think the show was that brave. . I think it took Glee to do that and even they preferred to show us Britanna getting it on than Kurt and Blaine actually ever doing anything together

Well CC was in Playboy (as was Mercedes) and both were magnificent. Whilst I could see SMG on Dawsons I have a hard time picturing Katie Holmes kicking demon butt?

Amen to that, Fuffy forever! What a shame they dropped that, it would have sent the fans wild!

Yeah, the emotional resonance was there and that's what really mattered, I always wanted one of the family of Spike's old victim's to show up and how the Scoobs would deal with that.

Or we could have them aged as a result of the events of Not Fade Away? That they had been turned human as part of WR&H's punishment for them.

In fairness, Will and Xander hang around with one another all the time so you expect them to have one another's scent. However as far as we know they were never intimate whilst Tara and Willow probably were which is the difference.