Overall Rating: 7.4
Amusing - and with a message all parents should hear loud and clear.
Plot Synopsis:
A complete round up can be found here, courtesy of BuffyGuide.com.
The Skinny:
This episode serves both as entertainment from the perspective of seeing characters change and giving us a different interpersonal dynamic to enjoy and as a reducto ad absurdem for a very important lesson. PARENTS! Your kids both want and need you to be GROWN UPS! They might strain against our boundaries and protest that they're unfair, but what do they know...they're KIDS! They have no idea what real life is like without your protection and guidence. It's your job to be their guardian...not their friend. Obviously, we don't find too many parents doing donuts in the parking lot or mosh-diving at the teen hangouts, but there is an absolute epidemic of parents chasing the dreams of their youth rather than looking after their children as their top priority. When you don't get "the mission" of raising a child...when that isn't your first and really your only priority...your children will get eaten by metaphorical demons.
The presentation of this message was a little predictable and a little overdone, I think...but there are plenty of laughs weaved into the script, I'm greatly enjoying reliving the chemistry between Willow and Xander, and I have to say...the idea that Joyce and Giles would make an ideal couple has crossed my mind more than once. To see it play out for them while on a chocolate-feuled bender was a giddy little thrill...if a tad awkward. I especially love the way Buffy reacts to the romance. It's pretty classic. :)
Writing: 6.5
The script clips along just fine and there are some nice chuckles mixed in, but I think the strength of this episode lies with the acting and the message more than the script/plot itself.
Acting: 8.5
Tony Head's scary-youth-movement portrayal was spot on, I still love Robin Sachs' Ethan Rayne, and SMG was on her game this week...apparently she's really good at playing the indignant teenager in the face of her Mom getting smoochy with her mentor. :)
Message: 7.2
I love how strong Whedon is on a consistent basis with the message that teenagers needs boundaries and adult role models from as many places as they can get them to turn out well. Your children are what you make of them, Moms and Dads...that's your most important work.
Highlights:
XANDER: The SATs...I say they're totally fascist. Besides...they discriminate against the uninformed. (LOL)
CORDELIA: Actually, I'm looking forward to it. I do well on standardized tests. (all turn and look on in shock) What? I can't have layers? (LOL)
XANDER: (playing footsie with Willow under the table) I didn't even have to work...I just went to a few houses and they went flying out of my box. They're selling like hotcakes! Which is ironic because the hotcakes...not doing so well.
WILLOW: It's good for the band...those big colorful hats don't come cheap.
XANDER: Yeah, the band...they're great. They march.
WILLOW: Like an army...except...with music instead of bullets...and usually no one dies...(LOL)
CORDELIA: I can't believe this! (they snap to attention out of guilt...heh)
XANDER: I don't like this...is there a doctor anywhere? (cut to an older male without a shirt on trying to dive into the other adults in front of the stage at The Bronze)
WILLOW: I think that IS my doctor! He's usually a bit less...topless? (LOL)
(a bit later)
BUFFY: This is really creeping me out. Everyone's acting like...
OZ: They're teenagers...it's a sobering mirror to look into, huh?
SNYDER: Wait up...you guys aren't trying to ditch me, are ya?!
BUFFY: We gotta go find Giles...
XANDER: Step on it...
SNYDER: I said...wait up! Man! (he gets in the car)
BUFFY: No time...he's coming with us...(she peels out of the ally)
SNYDER: Whoa, Summers...you drive like a spaz!! (LOL!!)
OZ: So it's still Giles, right? I mean teenaged Giles...probably a pretty together guy?
BUFFY: Uh...Giles at sixteen? Less 'together guy' more 'bad-magic hates-the-world ticking-time-bomb guy.'
OZ: Oh. Well then I guess you're Mom's in trouble then...(you can say that again!)
WILLOW: Kiss rocks? Who would want to...oh...I get it. (LOL)
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