Buffy Reviews

Halloween

Character - by Jenny68
This was an interesting episode because of the lack of Buffy as the lead character. Sure she had the odd line when she was transformed as a noble woman, but she was more background than forefront. The transition from strong to vulnerable is so drastic for her character, as she goes from her scenes at school (ala helping Xander, as well as distracting Giles in the library) to being essentially useless in the fight to save everyone. Whether the decision to take Buffy’s slaying abilities away was for the ‘opposite’ effect, or for the chance to make Willow shine, I was glad when the spell was broken and Buffy got up and finished the episode as her old self. This is after all, Buffy the Vampire Slayer.      Buffy also shows herself as insecure in this episode. She wants to be what Angel desires, so she looks at the watcher diaries to help her out. In the end she finds out that he does like her and wants her for who she is, which must boost her self confidence in the relationship department.      Like most people, I will always remember Halloween as the Willow episode. Willow is a great supporting character normally, but given the chance to take the lead, and she shines. Her transition from shy and soft spoken to leader and the voice of authority was wonderful. Everything from the way she walked, to the level of her voice changed. The outfit definitely suited the change in her character; absolutely bolder. A point to mention though is the fact that the spell technically didn’t change her personality as it did Xander and Buffy. She acted all on her own. And as we see Buffy and Xander change back to their own personalities, Willow takes a look at her ghost costume then chucks it aside. Her walk home is truly a defining moment for her character.      When describing Xander in most episodes, the line Buffy says in The Witch comes to mind about Xander being one of the girls. Xander doesn’t really get many opportunities to show his macho, masculine side. In Halloween though, he gets to be the ultimate guy figure, a GI Joe type soldier. Well, this works both with the theme of strength vs. vulnerability and with the ‘opposite’ effect. Xander finally gets to be a tough guy; show some muscles, seriousness, etc. As with Buffy and Willow, the switch is amazing, and his character has almost a 100% change in personality.      As with Giles, this episode shows a side of the Watcher that we’ve never seen before, however brief the glimpse. As soon as he saw Ethan, he became darker, his voice commanding and his movements bolder. We’re used to Giles stumbling for words and having a shyness about him. This instant transformation was great, as we see the Watcher as a tough guy and finally kicking some butt.      For a episode with great extra character building scenes like Willow, Buffy, and Cordy in the bathroom, and Angel, Buffy, and Cordelia at the Bronze ... I give Halloween 4½ out of 5 Eh’s.
Story - by Wendy
Name of Episode: Halloween Written by:    Carl Ellsworth Directed by:    Bruce Seth Green Rating: 4 out of 5 Ehs      Halloween in the Hellmouth, the stuff of nightmares. This episode shows the first appearance of Ethan Raine, an unwelcome acquaintance from the Watcher's past, who blows into town and opens a costume store just in time for All Hallow's Eve. Interestingly enough, one would thinks that Halloween would be extremely busy for the Hellmouth's denizens but apparently, it's more like a slow day at the office for the vampire demons and others of their ilk.      Conscripted into escort service by a belligerent Principal Snider the Gang each select their costumes based on circumstances and emotions presently in play in their lives.      Buffy, suffering from a temporary self-confidence crisis, wishes that she was more like the women to whom she presumes a pre-vampire Angel was attracted, and after sneaking a look at the Watcher Diaries, is tempted by a 17th century noblewoman's dress coincidentally in exactly her size, found in the new shop.      Xander, confronted by school bully Larry, is saved from a public beating by the Slayer who efficiently dispatches the braggart. Mortified by Buffy's intervention and his perceived lack of machismo image, Xander selects a tough soldier ensemble for his Halloween makeover. The toy gun he picks up at Ethan's completes his costume.      Willow, in her usual self-effacing manner, of course chooses the standard ghost-in-a-sheet coverup. Even as Buffy convinces her to wear a stunning "lady of the night" combination, complete with high boots, Willow is still far too shy to wear it in public.      Lastly, the stylish, unique Cordelia, in competition with Buffy for Angel's attention, disdains the patronage of the new shop, selecting a clinging leopard unitard for her cat costume.      Of course, the hidden truth is that Ethan, a disciple of Janus, the two-faced Roman God, has ensorcelled the costumes so that on completion of the ritual, the wearer actually becomes the character portrayed. Trick or treat turns lethal as ghosts, goblins and ghoulies actually do walk the streets. Xander becomes Rambo, Willow glides through walls and most importantly, Buffy turns into a really dumb dilettante. Unaffected is Cordelia who for the first time really takes a look at the new, improved Sgt. Xander and who, along with the now authoritative Willow, does not suffer from the amnesia of the others.      Taking advantage of the ensuing mayhem is a charmingly gleeful Spike, leading a pack hunt for Buffy, who is on the run after being terrified by Angel with his vampire look in place. G.I. Xander confronts Pirate Larry as he is about to have his way with Winsome Wench Buffy and delivers a curiously satisfying knockout to his tormentor. In the meantime, Willow has raised the alarm with Giles who accompanies her to the costume store where Ethan reveals the Watchers hidden past and Rupert's provocative nickname of Ripper. After a brutal beating by Giles, Ethan confesses that destruction of the idol-head will negate the spell, a task hurriedly completed.      Spike corners the troupe in a deserted warehouse and is about to imbibe some weakened Slayer corpuscles when the spell is broken and Buffy returns with a vengeance.      In the aftermath, each of them learns that outward appearances don't really reflect inner spirit and that many things are disguised by the "other face".      A well executed "what if" episode with nice pace and flow and a moral to be learned. I personally cringed at the depiction of the bubbleheaded noblewoman since history has shown that it was a generalization not necessarily accurate. The revelation of Giles' other side enhanced his character giving it some necessary power and mystery.
Villian - by Kaboo
Although Halloween is supposed to be a "quiet" night for paranormal activity in the Buffyverse, All Hallows Eve becomes a festival of fun for Spike and Dru when a new villain comes to Sunnydale. Ethan, a charming villain (with as many witty lines as Spike), decides to stir things up on Halloween, the implications of "be careful what you wish for" are fully realized. While Ethan wreaks havoc, Spike takes advantage of the chaos to fulfill his own agenda. Although the two never meet, they jointly become deadly foes of the Slayer and her friends.      The episode opens with one of Spike's cronies videotaping the demise of another in a fight with Buffy (she stakes him with a "pumpkin for sale" sign). Spike later studies the tape, trying to understand his opponent. Comments like "She's tricky" and "Did you see it when she stakes him with that thing. That's what you call resourceful," demonstrate that Spike is gaining a grudging respect for this Slayer. But his main goal seems to be restoring Drusilla to health, and Buffy must be removed because she is an obstacle to that end. When Buffy is weakened by Ethan's curse, Spike knows that he must take full advantage of it while he can. His mistake is taking his time to kill Buffy while she is in 18th century lady mode, relishing her uncharacteristic fear and frailty. In failing to dispense with her immediately, Spike allows time for Giles to break the spell, thus losing what could have been an easy victory.      Spike's anonymous ally in this escapade is the mysterious Ethan. It becomes clear that Ethan is a master of magic, and his invocation of Janus (the two-faced Roman God) transforms his customers into the creatures of their costumes. Strangely, he gives them exactly what they have ask for, offering Buffy and the others "a deal you can't refuse." His knowledge of human nature has given Ethan something Spike's analysis of the video cannot give the vampire: a view of Buffy's vulnerability. Ethan preys on her desire for a brief moment of glamour and romance to contrast her harsh life as The Slayer, and supplies the instrument to transform her into a frail and submissive creature.      While Ethan's spell creates magic alter-egos from the fantasies of Buffy, Willow, and Xander, it also conjure up another, more frightening alter-ego for one of Buffy's team. A dark side of Giles is revealed by his ruthless beating of Ethan, a testimony that Ethan's nickname for him, "Ripper", is quite apt. Although the details of their past acquaintance is not unveiled, it is obvious that Ethan knows dreadful secrets about Giles's past; there is more to him than the librarian he pretends to be to the citizens of Sunnydale, or the traditional Watcher that Buffy and her friends know.      In the end, the experience of being under Ethan's spell leads Willow, Xander and Buffy to come to terms with various aspects of their personalities. Buffy recognizes that the price for glamour, her strength and independence, if far too high to pay. Xander can reconcile being repeatedly saved by Buffy, because he comes to know that he also has that warrior spirit within himself as well. And Willow, after successfully taking charge during the spell, finds she has more confidence in her abilities and is no longer shy about being noticed. Giles, although he may have reconciled the duality of his personality long ago, is reminded that he may need to face the consequences of his past actions. Although Ethan and Spike intended to cause harm to Buffy and her friends, they in fact led most of the team towards a better understanding of themselves.