Buffy - Season 4 impressions (episode 3)

[thalia_seawood]

In the Harsh Light of Day is fun to analyse so my post will be long.
A summary of the episode can be found here.



Overall Structure
All in all, this episode reminds me of Beauty and the Beasts. As in this episode, there are three parallel threads. This time around, there are three different couples - and each time the woman is really in love, but the man isn't. So all three women eventually get spurned by their lovers. If Anya was still a demon, she would have a lot to do by the end of this episode.
The three couples we see are Buffy/Parker, Harmony/Spike and Anya/Xander.


Thoughts on Parker
Over the course of the episode I started to dislike Parker even more.

Warning bells started to shrill in my head when he became all soulful: 'My dad's death is still tragically affecting me.' Gah. In my experience, people don't talk about really traumatic experiences on their first date. It takes time to gain enough trust to talk about something like this.
There might be exceptions, of course, but when Parker gives his "carpe diem" speech, it just totally rubbed me the wrong way.

Then we get to see his room on the morning after:
By this time, I knew something is off. His room is a mess - but his bedsheets are really nice. Not just clean, but seducer-style red.
In my experience, the rooms of nice guys are either all messy (my boyfriend's :-)) or overall tidy. However, a well maintained bed in messy room is suspicious. You just know where this guys priorities lie. :-)
Yes, I've heard I'm prone to overinterpreting. Then again I'm always right. Or so I pretend. ;-)

And then there's the conversation Buffy and Parker have on the morning after. "Having his mother over" just smells of a lie. And, of course, there's the killer sentence "I'll call you.". Not as bad as "I'll be in touch", but still not promising. Anyone who's really interested in you, will make a date with you right away.

I have to say I'm really impressed by how Parker's written and by the actor who portrays him. There are many little clues that he's a shallow guy who likes to seduce as many girls as possible. But the clues are so subtle that you can overlook them.

Oh, but there's one true thing Parker says:

Buffy : History? Fascinating dates and compelling faces.
Parker : But there's something amazing about these huge events that when you dig down into them they're just about regular people trying to make choices. When you look back at it seems like people were swept up in events they couldn't control. But I don't believe that. I believe you have a choice in everything you do.

I think this quote is very important in the Jossverse.


Thoughts on Buffy
Poor Buffy. She totally falls for the wrong guy.

You can see that she's really scared when she wakes up after having sex with Parker and he's not with her. It brings back bad, bad memories. After all, Angel had also had left on the morning after.

Later on, she questions herself: Maybe it was her fault her relationship with Parker failed, maybe it's just a misunderstanding.

I have to say this really irked me. It's something I've had to observe so often with my best friends. Otherwise intelligent women fall for the wrong guys. I'm pretty sure these guys are not Mr Right; it's not that hard to tell from the outside. Unfortunately, where love is concerned you can't give advice. Noone ever listens. Which is why I give my opinion once and then shut up. You just end up alienating your friends otherwise.
Then these guys start underminding the self-confidence of my friends. And in the end, my friends blame themselves: Maybe if they only tried harder or changed just a little bit more or if they were more sympathetic. Of course, they always defend their boyfriends, too. They are just misunderstood or too terribly busy or had so many problems in the past, ....

So frustrating. Why do women always think they are to blame? Is it a genetic thing?

So here's Buffy feeling insecure. You can picture me in the Willow part. :-)
Buffy : Parker said it's okay to make mistakes. It was sweet.
Willow : No it wasn't. He was saying that so you would take a chance and sleep with him. He's a poop head.
Buffy : You're right. He's manipulative and shallow. And why doesn't he want me. Am I repulsive? If there was something repulsive about me you would tell me, right?
Willow : I'm your friend. I would call you repulsive in a second.
Buffy : Maybe Parker and I could still work it out. Do you think we could still work it out?
Willow : I think you're missing something about this whole poop head principal.


Thoughts on Harmony
Oh my, Harmony is back as a vampire.

It's really interesting to note in which ways her personality has changed. Because: Her personality hasn't changed all that much! In fact, she's mostly the old Harmony.

She still comes across as fairly superficial, what interests her are nice clothing, and owning lots of jewellery. She has a trophy boyfriend who is supposed to make her very happy and defend her whenever someone dares to insult her.

What's different is that she has become even more hedonistic and is, of course, totally fearless now. Pain is just an additional turn on for her. She also lost any emphathy she ever had, but that seems to be something all vampires have in common. Humans are food and like cats they like to play with their food a little.

I actually see her as a "nice" vampire. She's far less vicious than Willow's vampire alternate. In the final scenes of the episode, we also see that she's quite vulnerable underneath the facade. What she wants is someone who loves her and truly cares for her. Instead all she got so far is some fun games and a dose of lust.

Harmony : He [Spike] staked me, then he took it. He tried to take it right off my finger. Like I wouldn't have just given it to him. I would have given him anything he wanted. He was my platinum baby and I loved him.

Her vampire name seems to be "Harm" - well, Spike calls her "Harm" anyway. Which is a neat way of turning a sweet name into a threating one.

I hope to see more of Harmony in the future, because her vampire self is way more entertaining than her human self.

Do we ever get to know how she met Spike?


Thoughts on Spike
As always, Spike gets a nice entrance scene:
Buffy : Guy dating Harmony dead. Must be like, the most tolerant guy in the world.

Cut to underground crypt as Harmony descends into it. She walks over to a man wearing all black and protective head gear for drilling. She puts her hand on his back to draw his attention.

Harmony : Hi baby. I'm back.

The man clad in black removes the gear revealing Spike.


It's most interesting that Spike takes up a relationship with someone like Harmony. I guess he likes his women to be demanding, because that's the one trait Harmony has in common with Drusilla. Oh, and Harmony is very playful. In this she would also be similar to Dru.

But where Spike clearly loves Drusilla, he only puts up with Harmony. She's a distraction, an entertaining playmate, but nothing more. Harmony's tendency to be totally unable to either shut up, to keep busy by herself or to guard a secret, *really* pisses him off.

Then again he doesn't make things easy for her either. He treats her like a nuisance. I guess it makes her feel insecure deep inside, so she gets even more needy - which only pushes him away all the more.

What I find fascinating about Spike is that he always has big plans:
- He takes down the Anointed One.
- He wants to take down the Slayer.
- He wants to be invincible with the help of the gem of Amara.

He also appears to be a good judge of character. He sees through people and uses his knowledge in psychological warfare.

His take on Parker:
Spike : He's got. What's the word? Vulnerability.

Spike : Did he play the sensitive lad and get you to seduce him? That's a good trick if the girl's thick enough to buy it.

Bringing up Angel is a mistake though. It doesn't make Buffy weak, it makes her angry.


Interaction between Buffy & Spike
Buffy "over-laughing" Parker's comment about Spike is interesting to little over-interpreting me. Nope, of course, she didn't go out with Spike and yes, he's a vampire and her enemy -- but still those two have chemistry.

Parker : It's okay. You did a good thing for your friend. Did uh, you and he [Spike] use to go out?
Short burst of hysterical laughter from Buffy. She stops abruptly.
Buffy : Um, no. No we really, really didn't.


Anya & Xander
I enjoy watching Anya go against all social conventions. Well, she is definitely very frank, bordering on direct. :-) Since I love her scenes with Xander here are two quotes:

Anya : (Abruptly) Where is our relationship going?
Xander : Our what? Our who?
Anya : (Matter of faculty.) Relationship. What kind do we have. And what is it progressing toward?
Xander : I ... Uh ... We have a relationship?
Anya : Yeah. We went to the prom.
Xander : Yeah, On our one and only date. Second date called on account of snake, remember? And the whole, you used to be a man killing demon thing. Which to be fair, is as much my issue as it is yours.
Anya : I can't stop thinking about you. Sometimes in my dreams, you're all naked.

Anya : At point the matter is brought to a conclusion with both parties satisfied and able to move on with their separate lives and interests. To sum up, I think it's a workable plan.
Xander : So, the crux of this plan is -
Anya : Sexual intercourse. I've said it like a dozen times.
Xander : Uh, huh. Just working through a little hysterical deafness here.
Anya : I think it's the secret to getting you out of my mind. Putting you behind me. Behind me figuratively. I'm thinking face to face for the actual event itself.
Xander : Ah, right. It's just we hardly know each other. I mean I like you. And you have a certain directness that I admire. But sexual interc-- What you're talking about, well--and I'm actually turning into a woman as I say this--but it's aboutexpressing something. And accepting consequences.
Anya : Oh, I have condoms. Some are black.
Xander : That's... that's very considerate.
Anya : I like you. You're funny, and you're nicely shaped. And frankly, it's ludicrous to have these interlocking bodies and not... interlock. Please remove your clothing now.
Xander : And the amazing thing... still more romantic than Faith.


Anya's frankness temporarily pushes Xander into the female part: He tells her that sex should really mean something. :-)

Of course, in the end he does the classic male thing in totally misunderstanding the situation and not getting that Anya is still in love with him.


Other
Loved this little moment between Xander and Giles:
Cut to Giles apartment where Xander is attempting to shelve Giles books.
Xander : I am not enjoying this.
Giles : Well shelve them correctly and we can finish.
Xander : I don't get your crazy system.
Giles : System? It's called the alphabet.


Good observation by Buffy:
Buffy : Harmony. A vampire? She must be dying without a reflection.

Anyway, how do vampires in the Jossverse manage to look so good without ever checking their reflection? It's amazing.


So Buffy wants Angel to have the ring. Hmmm. I can't help thinking that this would cause a disastrous situation if Angel ever turned into Angelus again.

Comments

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

Oh, man, I love this episode. I mean, I liked the relationship stuff in the first 3 seasons pretty well, but starting with season 4 the show is just so dead on all the time.

I have definitely been Willow in this conversation:

Willow : I think you're missing something about this whole poop head principal.

And there will be more both of Harmony and of the Spike/Harm 'ship. Vampire-Harmony is one of my absolute favorite character and Spike/Harm is such a scarily realistic rebound relationship.

So Buffy wants Angel to have the ring. Hmmm. I can't help thinking that this would cause a disastrous situation if Angel ever turned into Angelus again.

Wow, I'd venture to say Buffy never thoguht about that! and the ring story continues in the next Angel episode.

[thalia-seawood.livejournal.com]

I mean, I liked the relationship stuff in the first 3 seasons pretty well, but starting with season 4 the show is just so dead on all the time.

It's fascinating for a newcomer like me to see the different opinions about regarding season 4. I don't think I'll disappointed by it. So far it was entertaining and gave me food for thought. Also my love for the characters is steadily growing.

And there will be more both of Harmony and of the Spike/Harm 'ship. Vampire-Harmony is one of my absolute favorite character and Spike/Harm is such a scarily realistic rebound relationship.

Oh, shiny! I'm looking forward to this!

Wow, I'd venture to say Buffy never thoguht about that! and the ring story continues in the next Angel episode.

Well, I think that Angelus could cause way more harm with the ring than Spike. Angelus is not only driven and focused, but also enjoys evil-doing very much. Spike can be driven and we see that he also puts a lot of work into achieving his goals. However, beyond using the ring to kick the ass of slayer's I can't see him making big evil plans. He would most likely use it to be as rude as possible to other demons and then laugh when they tried to beat him up without success.

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

Spike can be driven and we see that he also puts a lot of work into achieving his goals. However, beyond using the ring to kick the ass of slayer's I can't see him making big evil plans. He would most likely use it to be as rude as possible to other demons and then laugh when they tried to beat him up without success.

exactly! There was a thread a while back about what various Buffyverse characters would do if they had access to the "one ring" from LotR, and my take on Spike was that he would come up with a brilliant plan to use it, then end up trading it to some bloke for beer money, or losing it in a poker game.

[thalia-seawood.livejournal.com]

So true!

He likes to hatch plans, but it's really about want to *have* something. And when he has whatever he wants he just uses it for fun. And then loses interest.

He's more spontanous and less patient than Angel - which makes him more dangerous in the short run, but less dangerous in the long run. And I hope that makes sense. :-)

[selenak.livejournal.com]

It's a good episode, and the first crossover of the shows, as it were, since the story continues on AtS.

Buffy and Parker: I think if she had met him without having gone through the Angel experience, she would have dealt far better. As it is, part of the acting on impulse and falling for Parker was that she wanted to prove to herself she was just doing fine and dandy without Angel, thank you very much, and then of course she gets a mundane repetition of the morning after trauma. Spike rubs it in, until he overdoes it with "someone told me you weren't worth another go - oh yeah, Angel". Let's just say fate has its way to make Spike repent that little remark.*g*

Spike and Harmony: among other things where we see the bastard side of Spike, because he's really just exploiting her. Yes, Harmony is shallow etc, but I'm still sorry for her in that relationship.

Harmony in general: is far more likeable as a vampire than she was as a human, I agree. (BTW, Spike is the only one who calls her "Harm" - it's not meant as a compliment on his part, but along the lines of "I love syphilis more than you".) I think one of the reasons why Harmony hardly changed is that she had no minority complex or massive issues as a human to act out sans soul. She liked herself just fine.

Anya and Xander: what you said.

[thalia-seawood.livejournal.com]

As it is, part of the acting on impulse and falling for Parker was that she wanted to prove to herself she was just doing fine and dandy without Angel, thank you very much, and then of course she gets a mundane repetition of the morning after trauma.

Yes, that's very true.


Let's just say fate has its way to make Spike repent that little remark.*g*

Now I'm curious. :-)

(BTW, Spike is the only one who calls her "Harm" - it's not meant as a compliment on his part, but along the lines of "I love syphilis more than you".)

Oh yes, he really treats her like shite. (I have to admit that this comment did make me laugh. Spike can be a bastard, but even then he's entertaining -- when it's not yourself he's insulting anyway. :-))

I think one of the reasons why Harmony hardly changed is that she had no minority complex or massive issues as a human to act out sans soul. She liked herself just fine.

Good point.

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

Spike can be a bastard, but even then he's entertaining -- when it's not yourself he's insulting anyway. :-))

Ahh, yes, "entertaining bastard" is Spike's modus operandi for a while there. The syphilis line is so *wrong* but I defy anybody not to laugh at it -- I mean, I'm totally on Harm's side throughout that relationship, but it's still funny. And the great thing about that 'ship is that Spike's abominable behavior has nothing to do with being a soulless beast and everything to do with being a guy who's kind of a dick.

[thalia-seawood.livejournal.com]

Yeah, in some way he's such a human demon that I can't stop myself from liking him. He's a villain, he can be a real bastard, he can be extremely violent - but watching him from a distance is so much fun.