Monday, March 8, 2010

Classics: BtVS 2:8 - The Dark Age

Overall Rating: 9.4

Not waiting long to allow the Ripper/Ethan story to unfold in more detail - the Buffy crew busts out a truly creepy, emotionally intense bit of horror that hits way too close to home for the slayerettes and completely destroys the fledgling bond of trust that had been forming between Giles and Jenny Calendar. This episode is great in an entirely different way compared to 'Lie to Me', but still clearly worthy of feature status.

Plot Synopsis:

On a normal evening at Sunnydale High, Giles is putting up with some horrifically tasteless workout music as Buffy hones her reflexes and muscle tone. Outside, however, a rather tweedy looking Brit is running for his life. In a panic, he reaches to outside door to the school but finds it locked. He bangs on the door, pleading for help, but Giles never hears it over the music. Suddenly a ghoulish looking man tracks down our opening act victim and brutally kills him...once the deed is done, the assailant dissolves into a pool of bluish liquid! The next day, after a bit of flirtation with Jenny, the police find Giles and notify him about the murder. He is evidently a suspect because the man turned up dead and he had a note in his pocket containing Giles' working address and name. After confirming that the victim is indeed an old acquaintance of his (and dismissing the importance of a scary looking tattoo on his arm), Giles becomes COMPLETELY wigged out and goes into hiding in his apartment - which naturally scares Buffy and the scoobies rather badly.

Buffy can't leave it alone - when Giles doesn't show up at a blood bank bust he planned (vamps love to trash the blood delivery trucks), she tracks down Giles at his place and finds him drunk off his ass and in no mood to talk. After he dismisses her, he calls England and learns that another old friend of his is now dead. He goes to the mirror, pulls up his sleeve and sees the same tattoo on his own arm, saying "so...you're back." He obviously knows what's up, though the only clue the audience gets is the apparent demonic resurrection of our first victim (Philip Henry) - complete with bluish glowing eyes.

A planned computer tutorial between Willow and Xander is cut short by Buffy, who is deeply concerned about Giles' behavior. Cordelia reveals his conversation with the police and the three of them head to the library to place a call to Giles' apartment. This call is delayed by a commotion in the stacks - Buffy investigates and discovers Ethan Rayne hiding out back there - she quickly subdues him and calls Giles. A bit later, Giles arrives at the library hopping mad and ready to beat the crap out of Ethan again. Their unfriendly dialogue is stopped, however, when Philip Henry blasts through the library window and attacks Ethan. A brawl ensues and Ethan tries to run away but Cordelia knees him in the family jewels while Buffy is subduing Philip. Unfortunately, Philip manages to knock Ms. Calendar unconscious before Buffy bashes him over the head and knocks him out. His body dissolves just as before, but this time, the goo touches Jenny's hand and - when she comes to - her eyes glow.

Buffy tries to ring some truth out of Giles, but he refuses to talk to her about it. He storms off to hide in his apartment again, so naturally, Buffy has Willow and Xander research the mark of Eyghon that Ethan mentioned in their earlier confrontation and they learn about Eyghon (the chaos demon who possesses unconscious or dead hosts and becomes flesh if the possession lasts too long). They realize that Ms. Calendar was the only unconscious person in the room when Philip dissolved and Buffy races out to stop Eyghon from taking her permanently and protect Ethan and Giles. Ethan, being always a gigantic idiot, knocks Buffy unconscious and tattoos her with the mark, while removing his own with sulfuric acid. Meanwhile, Willow, while trying to stop Xander and Cordelia from killing each other (LOL), has a flash of insight. They need a dead person to take Eyghon out of Jenny's body. They call on Angel!

At Giles' place, Jenny becomes insanely aggressive in her attempts to seduce Giles, but when he turns her down (like a perfect gentleman would), she takes on Eyghon's form and pursues Ethan. A struggle between the now-marked Buffy and Eyghon/Jenny ensues once the demon arrives at the abandoned costume shop, but that fight is interrupted when Giles offers himself to save Jenny and Buffy...and then again when Angel arrives, draws Eyghon out of Jenny's body and his vampire-persona defeats Eyghon internally, ending the siege. Unfortunately, Jenny's experience was deeply horrifying to her and she can't bring herself to be close to Giles anymore. The trust is gone and to even be touched by him is too painful.

SABR Matt's Ratings:

Writing / Production: 10.0

In a bit of a departure from the usual formatting, I want to highlight a combination of excellent plot construction and characterization and an extremely well-done technical production. I don't usually fret too much about production values. Most of the time, those things will fade into the background (unless the script is really bad and the production values are bad as well, then it's a sign of a bad script when all you can see is the wobbly set piece or the inconsistencies in the level of Spot's cat food (LOL) or the fact that the Doomsday Machine looks like a gigantic floating cigar), but when they do something thematically brilliant that adds considerably to my enjoyment of a show, I will call attention to it. This episode stands as the first in Buffy franchise history was was genuinely SCARY! Buffy is a horror/fantasy genre show...some of their episodes should be frightening and psychologically thrilling. Most have too much comedy (that's OK...I enjoy the laughs) and too many predictable bad guys and the like to really fit in the genre. But they do have several examples of great horror scripting including this one, "Hush" (from the fourth season), "Forever" (Fifth season episode that was not purely horror, but the horror element was very well done), and "Conversations with Dead People."

In this case, the horror and suspense really pull you in...it was a stroke of genius to get Ms. Calendar involved so directly - to make us genuinely uncomfortable by showing us her demonic possession before it becomes known to Giles, to twist words that would normally excite us (romantic pursuit between her and Giles is a source of great joy in Buffy fandom) into daggers and then literally twist her voice in a terrifyingly haunting way, etc. And that's not even the biggest thrill of the episode. Watching the perfectly together and proper Giles come apart in less than a day...watching him turn into a common man, then a frightened boy, then a rebel, then a hero...that's high impact stuff. Giles is part of the formula...even BtVS has a formula. The viewers rely on Giles to be a voice of reason, a source of strength and calm, and Buffy's most important ally. When we see him fall apart, and we see Buffy terrified to be left to fight this one on her own (though she ultimately does extremely well standing up to the challenge and shows great maturity in her aftermath conversation with Giles) breaks the formula in a very effective way.

The writing, in isolation, is still solid, but lacks the curbside appeal of last week's feature Buffy episode. There are several very good scenes in the highlights and we can definitely also say that the feel for the characters this week was equally outstanding. It was actually a very fine line Batali and Des Hotel had to walk in Ms. Calendar's demonic coming out scene. Jenny has always been the aggressor in her dealings with Giles...they had to ramp up the aggression slowly in this scene...we had to feel like their interaction was perfectly normal (in the eyes of Giles) and then only slowly breaking down to the point where Giles has to push her away for the full psychological impact to be felt. That's just one example off the top of my head of the fine feel for writing shown here.

Acting: 9.5

This one is an Anthony Stewart Head and Sarah Michelle Geller masterpiece. The rest of the core players do a fine job filling out the episode with quality performances (though I think Charisma Carpenter and Nicholas Brendon played it a bit too hammy when they were going at each other in the library - they're building toward the "I hate you! I hate you more! Let's snog!!!" big finish, but it's a bit over the top for an episode like this one that should be more understated and scary and less vaudeville comedy. But the big wins go to the aforementioned core duo plus Robin Sachs (Ethan) and Rubia LaMorte (Jenny). Kudos for actually scaring me with your acting chops.

Message: 9.0

This wouldn't have been a big message-laden winner just on the merits of "look, Buffy! grown-ups are people too!" Even though I do enjoy seeing Buffy get her eyes opened to the real frailties of her elders, the thing that pushes this script to feature status on the message front is the role of true penance for past evil. Giles, in his stupid and rebellious youth spent tooling around trying to avoid his pending destiny as a Watcher, did some real harm by raising demons and letting one loose on the world. It killed one of his friends then and a few more twenty five years later. If this were your average everyday Hollywood story, all this would be forgiven by Ms. Calendar when she (trapped in her own body but still conscious) witnessed Giles offer himself to Eyghon to spare her. In a typical TV hour, Giles and Jenny would maybe be a bit awkward for a while but they'd still be a couple. In the world of real people and real consequences, something like this that shatters trust shouldn't be hand-waved with a single act of heroism. Buffy scores a big victory on the moral front when it denies the fans a chance to watch Giles find happiness with a great girl like Jenny because real penance must be paid for his sins. For the damage he inflicted on the world...and on the one woman he loves today...there must be a real price...and there is such a price. Thanks to Angel's actions in a later episode, that price winds up being permanent.

Stephanie S's Ratings:

Writing: 9.0

I don't quite share my co-author's enthusiasm here - I can't say I was as frightened by Ms. Calendar's possession - but I do love what this episode does for Giles, my favorite character. It's one thing to write a character who has always been sweetly staid - and quite another thing altogether to write a character who is reserved and old fashioned because he has learned a terrible lesson. Earned circumspection is always more compelling.

This episode also, happily, continues a thread that was also present in last week's feature: the deepening (platonic) intimacy between Buffy and Giles. Last week, we saw Buffy leaning on Giles for emotional support. This week, the tables are turned; this week, we see Buffy serving as a source of strength and comfort. It is this reciprocity that originally drew me to their relationship.

Acting: 10.0

I'm being more forgiving than my co-author here mainly because I love Anthony Stewart Head with the fire of a thousand burning suns. Watching Giles crumble as he realizes just what exactly he has unleashed -- my co-author credits the writing, but I really have to give some credit to the actor as well, because ASH's performance is simply incredible. When Buffy enters the scene after Ms. Calendar attacks Giles, ASH's facial expressions, posture, and voice - the whole appearance of being trapped in some nightmare he can't stop - break my heart a hundred times over.

Message: 9.0

My co-author is right - this episode serves as a powerful reminder that the temporal effects of our sins are permanent. It also covertly teaches us that, if we truly want to move forward, we have to take responsibility for whatever evils we loose upon the world. If Giles had remained in his home frozen in horror and wallowing in his own guilt, he could not rightly be called a hero.

Highlights:

Giles: (loudly over the music) Must we have this noise during your calisthenics?
Buffy: It's not noise! It's music!
Giles: I know music. Music has notes. This is noise.
Buffy: I'm aerobicising! I must have a beat!
Giles: (under the music) Wonderful. You work on your muscle tone while my brain dribbles out of my ears. (hee)

Buffy: I'm on a beach, but not one of those American beaches, one of those island beaches where the water's way too blue, and I'm laying on my towel, and it's just before sunset, and Gavin Rossdale's massaging my feet!
Willow: Oh, that's good! Uh, I'm in Florence, Italy, I've rented a scooter that's parked outside, and I'm in a little restaurant eating ziti, and there are no more tables left, so they have to seat this guy with me, and it's John Cusack!
Buffy: Ooo! Very impressive. You have such an eye for detail.
Willow: 'Cause with the ziti!
Xander: (shows up) What are you two up to?
Buffy: Just having a quick game of 'Anywhere But Here'.
Xander: Ooohhh. Amy Yip at the water-slide park. (LOL)
Willow: You never come up with anything new.
Xander: I'm just not fickle like you two, okay? I'm constant in my affections. Amy Yip at the water-slide park! (LOL!!)
Willow: (to Buffy) Do you think Giles ever played 'Anywhere But Here' when he was in school?
Xander: Giles lived for school. He's actually still bitter that there are only twelve grades.
Buffy: He probably sat in math class thinking, 'There should be more math. This could be mathier.' (ROTFL! The sad part is...I actually DID sit in math class and think that on occasion)
Willow: C'mon, you don't think he ever got restless as a kid?
Buffy: Are you kidding? His diapers were tweed. (oh how little you know...) Giles!
Giles: (turns and sees them) Oh! There you are. (comes over)
Buffy: Hey, morning. Say, is that tweed? (heh...too funny)

Giles: Just don't be late.
Buffy: Have I ever let you down?
Giles: Do you want me to answer that, or shall I just glare? (heh)

Jenny: (to Willow) We still on for tomorrow? (Willow smiles and nods.)
Xander: What's tomorrow?
Jenny: I'm reviewing some computer basics for the couple of students who've fallen behind. Willow's helping out for extra credit.
Xander: (chuckles) Those poor schlubs have to attend school on Saturday! (smiles)
Jenny: 9am okay with you, Xander? (Xander's smile fades. Willow bobs her head in amusement)
Buffy: Got a bit of schlub on your shoe there. (OK...that actually cracked me up for about 2 minutes...you really had to see that delivery to get how funny it was)

Buffy: Look at them.
Xander: A twosome of cuteness.
Willow: Can't you just imagine them getting together? (Their expressions all change to looks of horror...LOL...again...you need to watch the episode to fully appreciate this...)

Giles: That edition was my father's. I, I, I must've read it... twenty times.
Jenny: Yeah, y'know how you have to, to dog-ear your favorite pages so you can go back to them?
Giles: Uh, uh, uh, what?
Jenny: Well, I mean, I-I practically had to fold back every single page. So finally I just, I just started underlining all the pages I really wanted to discuss.
Giles: U-u-underlined...?
Jenny: But then, of course, I spilled coffee all over it, I can't even read it...
Giles: (can't believe it) It's a first edition!
Jenny: I'm lying, Rupert. (smiles) The book's fine. (holds it up) I just love to see you squirm. (my television screen started buzzing from the cuteness overload...I had to shut it down for a minute to let it cool off)
Giles: (smiles in relief) Yes, well, I, uh... trust I gave good... squirm. (heh)
Jenny: Did anyone ever tell you you're kind of a fuddy-duddy?
Giles: Nobody ever seems to tell me anything else.
Jenny: Did anyone ever tell you you're kind of a sexy fuddy-duddy? (oooh...hot!)
Giles: Well, no. Actually that, that part usually gets left out. (smiles) I c-can't imagine why.
Jenny: This weekend.
Giles: Would you like to go out?
Jenny: Mm, no, I think I'd like to stay in. (They kiss lightly as the bell rings, barely touching lips before students begin pouring into the halls - is it weird that this might just be the sexiest kiss we ever see on BtVS...or at least in the top 3?)
Giles: Uh, this, (clears his throat) Saturday, then.
Jenny: Saturday night. (clears her throat) I'll see if I can make you squirm. (wow...I love this scene so much!!)

Cordelia: Well, evil just compounds evil, doesn't it? First I'm sentenced to a computer tutorial on Saturday, now I have to read some computer book... There are books on computers? Isn't the point of computers to replace books?
Giles: (cuts her off) Cordelia, I'm a little busy right now. (points out the detective)
Cordelia: Oh! Great! (steps up to Det. Winslow) Can you help me with a ticket? It's totally bogus. It was a one-way street. I was going one way. (LOL...so oblivious...)
Giles: (raised voice) Cordelia!
Cordelia: What?! Why does everyone always yell my name? I'm not deaf! And I can take a hint. (unsure) What's the hint? (LOL!!)
Giles: To come back later.
Cordelia: Yeah, when you've visited decaf land.

Jenny: Alright, guys. The first thing we're gonna do is... Buffy!
Xander: Huh? Did I fall asleep already? (BWAHAHAHAA!!!)

Buffy: I lost Ethan. Giles, what's going on?
Giles: It's complicated, Buffy, and quite frankly, it's private.
Buffy: I don't care from private! I care from dead guys attacking us. I care from you lost weekending in your apartment.
Giles: I wasn't... I was just trying to find a solution.
Buffy: Giles, share! What is the Mark of Eyghon?
Giles: Hey! (stares her down) This is not your battle! And as your Watcher, (stands up) I'm telling you unequivocally to stay out of it! (wow...)

Giles: (finally forced to tell the story) I was twenty-one, studying history at Oxford. And, of course, the occult by night. I hated it. The tedious grind of study, the... overwhelming pressure of my destiny. I dropped out, I went to London...(exhales) I fell in with the worst crowd that would have me. We practiced magicks. Small stuff for pleasure or gain. And Ethan and I discovered something... bigger.
Buffy: Eyghon.
Giles: Yes. One of us would, um... (nervously pours a drink) go into a deep sleep, and the others would, uh, summon him. It was an extraordinary high! (smiles nervously) God, we were fools.
Buffy: You couldn't control it.
Giles: One of us, Randall, he lost control. Eyghon took him whole. We tried to exorcise the demon from Randall, but it killed him. No. We killed him. We thought we were free of the demon after that. But now he's back. And one by one, he will kill us all.

Willow: (had enough, gets up) HEY! We don't have time for this! Our friends are in trouble! Now, we have to put our heads together and, and get them out of it! And if you two aren't with me a hundred and ten percent, then get the hell out of my library! (points to the door)
Cordelia: (meekly) We're sorry.
Xander: We'll be good.
Willow: (nods and sits) Okay. Now, we've done the research. We just have to figure out how to use it.

Jenny: Rupert, hi.
Giles: Uh... I-I-I tried to call you last night, s-see how you were.
Jenny: Yeah, I-I-I, uh... I left my phone off the hook. I seem to need a lot of sleep lately.
Giles: But, but you're al-alright? Is, is, is there anything you need?
Jenny: Mm, no, I'm fine. I mean, I'm not... running around, wind in my hair, 'the hills are alive with the sound of music' fine, but... I'm coping.
Giles: I, I would like to help.
Jenny: I know.
Giles: Perhaps we could, um, talk sometime, um... dinner, or, or a drink? When you're feeling stronger.
Jenny: Sure, sometime. (Giles reaches out to her, but she takes a backward step up and away from him and draws a deep breath)
Jenny: Yeah. Sometime. (pauses) I better get to class.
Giles: Yes, of course. (aw...)

Giles: I don't think she'll ever really forgive me. Maybe she shouldn't.
Buffy: Maybe you should.
Giles: I never wanted you to see that side of me.
Buffy: I'm not gonna lie to you. It was scary. I'm so used to you being a grownup, and (inhales) then I find out that you're a person.
Giles: Most grownups are.
Buffy: Who would've thought?
Giles: Some are even, uh... shortsighted, foolish people.
Buffy: So, after all this time, we finally find out that we *do* have something in common. Which, apart from being a little weird, is kind of okay. (pauses) I think we're supposed to be training right now.
Giles: Yes. Yes. Um, need to concentrate on your flexibility.
Buffy: And you know what? I have just the perfect music. (holds up a black CD) Go on, say it. You know you want to.
Giles: It's not music, it's just, uh, meaningless sounds.
Buffy: There. Feel better?
Giles: Yes. Thanks. Bay City Rollers. Now, that's music.
Buffy: I didn't hear that.

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