Overall Rating: 8.3
Joss and the gang introduce a new character with a very fascinating BANG (from the perspective of a fan who enjoys realistic portrayals of human psychology) and right away we are faced with a duality of characters that places Buffy's morality in the superior position (and rightfully so). On top of this, we get a critical turning point for Buffy in her recovery from the second season disaster. A turning point which is annoyingly undermined at the last second.
Plot Synopsis:
A complete recounting of events may be found here courtesy of BuffyGuide.com.
Writing: 7.5
The particular script is not as deep as many of Buffy's finer episodes in terms of dialogue, but what it lacks in pizazz, it makes up for in brilliant, psychologically compelling characterization and the critical importance of plot motion (the viewer is certainly pulled into the plight of Faith and into Buffy's struggles to come to terms with (and forgive herself for) killing the re-souled Angel. The monster plot is run of the mill, but plays directly into the vital early development of Faith's character and does the job quite nicely. I want to give a lot of credit to David Greenwalt on the character angle, but I actually think a lot of it was sold by the actors, which we'll discuss in a moment. Later, the show will more definitively pick up on the thread of Faith's troubled past and the critical flaws in her morality and thought process that leaves her vulnerable to being swayed to the cause of evil...this episode just primarily lays the foundation, but a you can't build a house without a good foundation, and for building one that will stand the test of time, we give thumbs up.
Acting: 9.0
Elisa Dushku (Faith) and Sarah Michelle Geller actually have fantastic chemistry (professionally) and, as the season goes along, we're going to see them play off each other so well that their dramatic duet of contrasts will propel the entire season's slate of featured episodes (and there are MANY this year). Dushku, in particular, was very strong this week. We got an entire journey from defensive facade of confidence to viscous anger to scared little girl inside 45 minutes and none of it felt over the top or out of place. Also putting in strong performances were Alyson Hannigan (comedic relief oh so cutely personified!), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers) and Tony Head (I was particularly amused with his blissful recounting of the watchers' retreat to which he was not invited...LOL).
Message: 8.5
This message is going to be hammered home with much more emotional potency in a later third season episode (Bad Girls), but it begins the instant Faith arrives. The writers exhibit no confusion at all on this point of morality, which I find invigorating. There is always a reason when a girl is "loose" or lives dangerously close to the edge of her own destruction, and it's never a sign of good mental health on the part of said girl. Faith, as Buffy describes, "is not playing with a full deck," and from her first moments in Sunnydale, this is very obvious. Leading with her sauciest sexual escapades, Faith tries to take cover amongst Buffy's social circle and keep everyone at a distance with a fake personable demeanor and insincere flattery. This is a girl in trouble...not an idol for modern feminists worshiping at the altar of Margaret Sanger. To be sure, there is the potential for good in her...some of her emotions, if more properly channeled, could be a great asset to her in the fight against evil. But Buffy - as always, the voice of reason in this universe, catches on right away that there's something wrong with Faith. Sure enough, she's got dark secrets and we see the scared little girl she's been desperately trying to hide from view. But her troubles are far from over. Even now, she seems unwilling to take responsibility for her own actions (particularly when she nearly gets Buffy killed while beating a vamp to a bloody pulp instead of staking him and moving on to Buffy's aid), and that theme is going to come back later.
Fans of this show seem to have missed the boat a bit with the moral messages surrounding Faith and Buffy this season, and we'll talk more about this as we get deeper into the plot. Suffice to say, for now, that, if lipstick feminism (as depicted by shows like 'Sex and the City') is considered the pinnacle of modern feminist thought, this season will be notably anti-feminist. And we here at Right Fans will applaud the show's willingness to see deep intrinsic value in womanhood without requiring a sheep-like compliance with modern feminist dogma at the expense of realistic characterization.
Highlights:
WILLOW: Ooh...Scott Hope at 9 o'clock...he likes you! Not that you're necessarily ready to date or anything...just that maybe you're in that state of pre-readiness to make conversation or dance or do that thing with your mouth that boys like. (realizes her horrible mistake) O-o-oh! I didn't mean that bad thing that boys like...I meant that half-smile thing that...*sigh*...(turns to Oz) You're supposed to stop me when I do that.
OZ: I like it when you do that. (LOL!)
XANDER: Oh, you wanna date. I saw that half smith, ya little slut! (Buffy punches him in the shoulder...he laughs for a second then turns toward Cordelia) Ow. (ha ha...)
SNYDER: Here are the terms of your readmission to this school, missy. Take 'em or leave 'em. One - that you pass a make-up exam for every class you skipped out on last year. Two - that you provide one glowing recommendation from any member of this faculty who isn't an English librarian. Three - that you complete an interview with this school's psychologist, who must find that your violent tendencies are under control.
JOYCE: I'm not sure I like your attitude, Mr. Snyder. I spoke with the superintendent of schools. He told me...
SNYDER: ...that I'm required to educate every juvenile who isn't in jail where she belongs. Welcome back.
BUFFY: Wow...so basically I'm really coming back because your boss...overrode you. That's like having your whole ability to do this job questioned, right?
JOYCE: I think what my daughter is saying is...nah nah nah nah nah! (LOL!! Go Joyce!)
WILLOW: He's not mad...I think he's just quietly happy you're back. Did you ever notice that when he is angry but he's too British to say anything, that he makes this weird clucking sound with his tongue?
BUFFY: Hi, Giles!
WILLOW: Hey...been standing there long? (Giles clucks his tongue...LOL)
GILES: There's a watcher's retreat every year in the Cotswalds. Lovely spot really...horseback riding, camping, hiking...lectures, dinner conversation...it's a great honor to be invited. (and obviously...Giles was not)
FAITH: It's boring. Way to stuffy for a guy like you.
BUFFY: Um...maybe I should introduce you two again...Faith...this is Giles.
FAITH: I've seen him. If I'd have known they came this young and cute, I'd have requested a transfer.
BUFFY: Raise your hand if ew! (ROTFL!!)
BUFFY: Angel was cured.
GILES: What?
BUFFY: When I killed him...he had his soul back. Your spell worked at the last minute, Will. But it was too late. Akathla was already awake. So I told him I loved him. Then I kissed him. And I killed him.
WILLOW: Oh God, I'm sorry, Buffy...
BUFFY: It's OK, Willow. I've been holding on to that for so long, it felt good to get it out. I don't know if that helps you with your binding spell or not, Giles, but...that's what happened.
GILES: Uh, yes...I think it will.
WILLOW: Giles, I know you don't like me messing with magicks, but I can really help with this binding spell.
GILES: There is no spell, Willow. (awesome!)
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