Overall Rating: 7.8
A very solid episode that is...somewhat less poignant than perhaps the core fans might imagine.
Plot Synopsis:
The description of events from Family can be found at BuffyGuide.com.
The Skinny:
You know...my initial reaction to this episode was annoyance in spite of the fact that I have no disagreement with its' message. There probably are families out there that treat their female members as slaves or at the very least that treat all of their children as property - expecting them to do exactly as they would have them do and calling any other choice betrayal. And I think everyone in every political camp with the least shred of common decency would agree that such attitudes are manifestly despicable. So, my objection to this episode is not that it's a story that shouldn't be told or that the message is wrong. It stands well on those counts.
I think my annoyance has more to do with how this episode has been viewed by fans, by feminist academics (and yes, I've encountered more than a few examples of the reaction I'm about to describe coming from the perspective of what passes for scholarly analysis), and by the show's creators. Whedon's commentary on this episode is a little disturbing to me - he seems to suggest that he believes it makes a statement about the greater problem of family loyalty used as a weapon to control women in modern society...especially to control their sexuality. I have no doubt that this kind of thing goes on...but is it really symptomatic of a larger problem in western society? Speaking in terms of large scale statistics...I find no evidence that women - en masse - are being made slaves to the desire of male family members all throughout the west. Women now get more college degrees than men, stay in school longer than men, make up a slightly larger than 50% share of the workforce, and discuss sex (and lesbianism) openly in the media. If this story were written in 1920...perhaps it would be symptomatic of a larger problem, but Joss and company about about 80 years late to the party.
Of course, I could read it as a commentary on Islamic states...but...I somehow doubt that's what Joss Whedon (who, BTW, wrote and directed this episode because he felt it was that important) had in mind. I don't mean to suggest that this kind of problem is GONE...or that combating it with stories like this one is misplaced...but I think we need to keep perspective. Stories like these are often used as emotional debating points to show why those in the progressive movement are unquestionably right when they clamor for further legislation...this feels like a straw man to me when it gets paraded out there as an example of everything that is wrong with our culture and with the men in our families. Look around the fannish sites dedicated to BtVS and you'll see a lot of pseudo-intellectual discussion of the poignant nature of this episode...I find that kind of reaction disingenuous.
I must, however, curb my reaction to the fans' reaction to this episode and rate it objectively if I can. In fact, I agree with the basic message of the episode if you ignore the "broader implications" and I think it's well-written and well-directed. The acting on the part of the guest stars playing Tara's family leaves a LOT to be desired, but beyond that, I have no major qualms with a solid and entertaining episode.
Writing: 8.5
Some of the dialogue - especially the dogmatic crap fed to Tara's father - is "on the nose"...but that's a minor complaint.
Acting: 7.0
The regulars do a nice job (with the possible exception of SMG and Blucas...who really don't follow through with their story all that well...they never did have much chemistry and it's feeling really strange now...not entirely intentionally. The big hole though is with Steve and Kevin Rankin (Donny and Mr. McClay) and especially with Amy Adams (cousin Beth)...who displayed absolutely ZERO subtlety or skill...it really makes the family dynamic feel intentionally surreal.
Message: 8.0
Parents DO need to learn when to let go and let their children find their own way in the world, and that may include allowing them to be something you find distasteful so long as you work hard to impart a moral compass. On that front, I have no problems with the message.
Highlights:
BUFFY: Nothing like getting your ass kicked to...make your ass really hurt.
DAWN: You'll totally take her next time.
XANDER: 'Cause you'll have back-up.
GILES: Yes! We'll find her weaknesses and...
TARA: Yeah! We'll find her source and...show her her insect reflection. (everyone gives her an utterly mystified blank stare) That was funny if you study Tabula Canus...and...are a complete dork. (LOL!!)
GILES: Perhaps scale back a bit on the effusiveness, Anya. We don't want to frighten the customers.
ANYA: Sorry, Giles, I'm just so excited! People come in, I help them...they give us money in exchange for goods...you give me money for working here! It's so exciting! I have a place in the world now. I'm part of the system! I'm a workin' girl.
GILES: Yes, well...why don't you start organizing the shipping orders.
ANYA: No no, that's boring...I just want to do the money parts. (LOL!)
BUFFY: I'm just looking out for you...besides, Melinda is a bad influence. You shouldn't be hanging out with someone so...short.
DAWN: I'm really glad you're moving back into the house. This is the source of my gladness. (LOL)
BUFFY: (to Riley now) She makes me crazy.
RILEY: Funny, that's the word I was looking for...
BUFFY: Oh, what! She can't be coming and going all the time like that.
RILEY: Yeah...these days a lot of young people are getting into trouble experimenting with shortness. Gotta nip that in the bud. (HEH!)
WILLOW: I still can't believe you never told me about your family and all of this.
TARA: I was just afraid that if you saw the kind of people I came from...you wouldn't want to be with me.
WILLOW: See, that's where you're a dummy. (heh) I think about those people...I think about what you grew up with...and what kind of person you are now...and it makes me feel proud. It makes me love you even more. (awwwww)
TARA: Every time I'm at my lowest...at my worst...you always make me feel special. How do you do that?
WILLOW: Magic. (cutest...moment...ever)
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