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Buffy The Vampire Slayer Reaction 4x14

🕑 Added 2022-08-02 10:01:02 +0000 UTC

Comments

Todd Bolton

Good reaction, thoughtful analysis afterwards. I will register a disagreement. I think a lot of people agree with you. I have a good friend, who I agree with on most things Buffy, who is not a fan of Adam, nor of his appearance. I am, but, then, I’ve always been a fan of the original Frankenstein movie (which he also doesn’t care for). I like the mash-up. The Frankenstein story with a twist (part demon, part technology, part human). It is a reminder, throughout, of the trinity of this juxtaposition, which is really the philosophical issue of the season. I think that was much more important to Whedon than to make Adam frightening. To do frightening stuff, they employ monsters of the week; to explore philosophical issues in “real life” dress (if you accept the premise of demons, etc.) well, that’s one of the central engines of the plot, in every season. This season bridges the changes between high school and college well, while exploring technology, really, for the first time. All the awkwardnesses of the script go well toward building that bridge, leading us to what I consider the real greatness of Buffy, season 5-7. Adam works well as representative of that, and I think his goofy look (unless you know the movie Frankenstein as well as I do, and then you can call it homage) works perfectly. The scene with the boy was reminiscent of Frankenstein’s monster with the girl by the lake. The difference is that Adam is pure evil; the monster (Boris Karloff) is played with more ambiguity.

G.Un.

I already said that season 4 is one of my favourite, especially for the writing, but I never said that it was perfect. All the Spike thing is quite inconsistent. Are the people in the Initiative able to recognize Spike for who he is or not? In episode 7 they seemed to be able to identify him without problems even in the dark. In episode 11 Riley can't say who he is even if he was standing right in front of him nor seemed able to remember to have seen him later on. In the previous episode they can recognize him immediately again. And now, finally, even Riley recognizes him … after some hesitations. Basically, they can or can not do it depending on … convenience, what it's needed for the episode. Even if, in this case, the lack of consistence is not a great deal, it still can generate confusion in the viewer because the reactions of the characters become unpredictable, it lacks of … well, consistence. Another thing I found a little blurry is the situation among the scoobies. In the previous episode we felt a certain growing strain in the gang, but what is it the situation now that they are all working together and also living under the same roof? My personal sensation is that the interpersonal situation sometimes is overshadowed by all the other things going on. To many things to deal with in a season in which the main story arc is already particularly full. To be clear I'm not talking about Adam, the Initiative or whatever, but the characters' story arc that it's always been the central story of the show, their going through the different stages of their life, the challenges, the pains, the success, the loves, the losses etc., growing as persons and, in Buffy's case, as slayer. Keeping this in mind it's easy to understand how much the characters have on their plate in this season; new environment, new accommodations, new goals, new challenges and a lot of new relationships, this clearly doesn't leave much time for other things. Sometimes I even thought that this season would be even better without a “big bad”, but I know that it was impossible due to the structure of the show. The “big bad” storyline in the series it's always been really simple and straightforward (the Master wanted to open the Hellmouth and they had to stop him, Angel become evil and was doing evil things and they had to stop him, the Mayor want to become a big snake, for some reason, and eat the population and they had to stop him). No convoluted plot or mysterious conspiracy, the function of the “big bad” story arc is basically just to provide the characters with the challenges and decisions they need to face to go through that specific phase in their life. As far as Big Bad goes, I like the idea of the Initiative, it's different from the usual supernatural villain, it's an institution, a branch of the government, humans with human goals. It represents a whole new kind of challenge for the scoobies and also, in a way, appropriate for this more adult phase of their life. I agree that Adam's look it's nor really menacing, but it's no worse than many dull villains I've seen in some blockbusters over the past few years.

DakaraJayne

thanks so much Thom <3

denmaroca 2

Everyone should be picking up on Willow & Tara's UST by now, seeing as they're ladling it on with a trowel (including the use of 'spell' as a euphemism). Have to see where it goes, what with Tara's apparent secret 'an all. Red flag from Willow when talking about the spell (sic) they were to perform. She could've have said 'we've progressed to that level' or 'it's well within out capabilities'. But no, she said 'it's beneath us', which is usually a sign of arrogance. Adam is based on the monster in Frankenstein, of course (which monster itself identified with Adam in Paradise Lost). The scene of meeting a child is straight from the novel (and the early film). Though the boy playing with a cyborg action figure and then being killed by a cyborg is not. Wile E Coyote's technological solution backfired in the Roadrunner cartoon (it invariably did), as did Maggie Walsh & Francis Angelman's on them.

Collinson

Holy crap you read my comment! Great reaction as always. Lots of things to say but have to wait until end of season so not to spoil anything.

Thom Purdy

Chicken soup, hot tea and honey. Lots of rest...or maybe if you can get the recipe for the Initiative food. It'll make you stronger. Feel better dear. and all your questions will be answered!

Neil Silverman

I had a whole bunch of stuff written here, which I erased because I think it ended up being a little too spoiler-y. No specific spoilers, but some thoughts on the season as a whole that might have colored your judgment or given something away. Let us just say that I never really cared for this episode, and I agree with your thoughts on Adam so far. Still loving your reactions though. Hope you feel better soon!

Shaun Houghton

And welcome to brother of Mr Porridge, the Powerful Mr Bitsa, interesting.

DakaraJayne

best thing a reactor can hear that Darryl, thank you <3 just put a big smile on my face

Shaun Houghton

Well, if baco-foil and cardboard does the job, who can argue?

AlyAdmirer

Ahhh, you're drumming again. You must be feeling at least marginally better. :-) I'll be honest: I usually skip this ep and the previous one with most reactors. Season 4 was, at the time of its conclusion, my least favorite season, and last ep is about when I found myself starting to go off it back in the spring of 2000. It's a testament to how enjoyable your reactions are that I didn't skip them this time round. :-)

Dave Ford

Ah, and the rise of Adam - the pound-shop terminator - I know that money was tight on this show, but Adam actually looks like he's mostly made from baco-foil and cardboard.