Buffy Reviews

The Zeppo

Character - by Adreenis

     Although this episode was most definitely a Xander episode, there was minor focus on Buffy and the rest of the gang due to the back plot of the apocalypse and all. We also finally got to see Faith, and a bit more of what Cordy is feeling. There were wonderful character developments that will affect the series from here on in, but I'm still a little iffy about the plot.
     Xander has been a part of the group for two years now, but it suddenly dons on Buffy that she doesn't want him hurt. With the end of the world supposedly coming she feels it's her place to take care of things. She doesn't even want Angel involved, which proves it must be serious. Buffy doesn't understand Xander's need for a thing, which is strange because only last week she was going through a similar problem. I would have thought Buffy would be the first to understand because she felt that she was nothing if she wasn't the slayer. But perhaps Xander just didn't explain it well enough to her. It seems that the world is on the verge of ending a lot lately, which might explain why Buffy didn't seem nearly as freaked in this episode as she did in Prophecy Girl. Either way she knew it was her problem and she had to stop it.
     This was definitely the defining episode for Xander, just as Helpless was the defining moment for Buffy. He feels a need defending his wimpyness because he was really the only guy in the group at the start of this episode (except for Giles) He wants to be manly, but it's hard when all his friends have special powers. Xander wants to have normal guy friends like everyone else. It's not so much that Xander is "uncool", it's just that every one else is cool. He's hurt by Cordelia's comments, mainly because he thinks they're true. Xander hates that everyone else has a thing and becomes too obsessed with it.
     Throughout the episode Xander looks for excuses to be invited back into the Scooby gang. He wants to feel needed, but won't barge in if not invited. Another keen point on Xander that we've all noticed before is that he uses his jokes to cover up his emotions. Even with a knife to his throat he can crack a witty remark. Once Xander is accepted into this new group he feels it makes him useful, even though they are dead. But when they break into the hardware store he knows something's up. Xander is more freaked by crime than he is by hideous demons and the undead walking around Sunnydale.
     Saving Faith's life certainly makes him feel special, in more ways than one. It makes him feel needed, which is what he's wanted all along. After this brief encounter he has a new found drive to stop these dead guys. He realizes Buffy can't help and by stopping them alone he gets a boost of courage. We see that hanging around Buffy has certainly paid off for Xander. He enjoys her speeches, interrogating, and when all else fails, kicking a little undead but. When he comes one on one with the bomb he knows that it's all psychological, he has no fear because he feels he doesn't have that much to live for. He acts patient but really he's scared. He has new-found confidence and that's the essence of cool. Xander realizes his position in the gang and he's finally happy with himself.
     It was great to see some more of what Cordelia is feeling and I'm glad to see she's back to her old self. She likes hurting Xander because it makes her feel better. In fact, hurting anyone makes her feel better. She's back to her old ways and likes it. But if you look deep, in some ways Cordy is actually telling the truth, because she knows the truth hurts. I think she is still jealous and therefore won't leave Xander alone. In the end, Cordelia is the one who is hurt because she no longer has control over Xander's emotions.
     Oz once again seems quiet and cool. He admits that he's not the greatest guitarist ("is the guitar hard......not the way I play it") And just like Xander he always finds a way to make some witty remark. Oz has been arriving to the library later and later, cutting it close. I think this is because he doesn't like to admit that he is a werewolf and can hurt people.
     Willow's spells start to come in handy in this episode which I'm very glad of. Yet she's till the same Willow: scared of demons, failure and nudity. Willow wants to comfort and help Buffy because she knows she shouldn't have to handle it alone. Willow freaked by these demons but won't tell Xander for his sake. Will's words like Xander's in this episode were remarkably similar to his I love you to her in Becoming II. True emotions come out under pressure. Willow still loves Oz, even as a werewolf and has to protect him. Even if that means shooting him. Willow feels weird because they are the only ones who know that the world almost stopped.....again.
     Giles obviously misses his books and his work, but at least the new watcher hasn't shown up yet. He needs to keep working and would continue to do so even if the world wasn't ending. Yet strangely enough he's not freaking out as much about the world ending as he has in the past. Maybe he is confident that Buffy can stop it? Giles needs the council and the spirits to listen to him, even if he isn't the watcher anymore. He knows this is a big deal, but he doesn't want to get Xander involved. (This seems to be a common theme) He doesn't want Willow to become too involved in it either though. It's not their problem. Oh and of course the honorable mention goes to Giles' love of jellies :)
     Faith is getting more into teamwork at the start of this episode, and even more so near the end. This brings back her idea of being "horny and hungry" after a fight. She didn't really care for Xander, but he was the only one around. Faith is strong and she knows it, she will definitely use this to her advantage, as she knows about Xander's love of slayers. Faith is VERY forward, which I don't think Xander is used to. She also seems very experienced. I don't think one night stands are a new thing to Faith.
     All in all I have to say there was great character advancement in this episode, but I felt that the flimsy plot held it back. The world just seems to be ending TOO MUCH lately. It's not a big deal anymore. Perhaps if the back plot hadn't been so drastic, the Xander plot would have been more believable. If this rating were based solely on plot I would have to say it didn't pass. However, when you consider the amazing way they managed to bring everyday problems and emotions into Xander's character it deserves a few bonus points and bumps up. I give this episode 3 eh's out of 5.

Story - by



Villian - by Kaboo

     The Zeppo puts a new twist on the pursuit of villain thwarting, as Xander's character takes centre stage in this episode. Cordelia, the villain within her emerging once again to taunt Xander by preying on his insecurities, causes Xander to question his importance to the Scooby gang, despite his willingness to help. The Scooby gang's encounter with a new and powerful species of demons, and the others' concern for his safety leads Xander to question his worth to Buffy and her friends in the demon slaying game.
     Xander's confidence is further shattered by his encounter with Jack O'Toole. More than a school bully, O'Toole is a dangerous person whose love of violence and lack of conscience make him a formidable foe. Xander questions his ability to face countless types of demons, and yet still be afraid of human villains like O'Toole. Xander's questioning of his identity is spurred on as the rest of the Scooby gang decide to keep him "fray-adjacent" in their battle with the new demons, who are found to be the "Sisterhood of Jhe," a cult of female demons dedicated to ushering in the Apocalypse.
     While the rest of the Scooby gang try to keep Xander out of harm's way during the latest fight to save the world, Xander embarks on an identity quest, beginning with his transformation into "car guy, guy with a car." However, this latest incarnation of Xander only leads him to yet another run-in with O'Toole. The stakes are raised by O'Toole's attack on Xander. "Katie" the knife contributes to Xander's fear for his life. Although the fight is halted by the arrival of a police officer, Xander is faced with even more danger as O'Toole's new respect for Xander results in Xander becoming "the wheels" for O'Toole's joy ride.
     Xander's adventures take him into the more familiar territory of Sunnydale's graveyards, as O'Toole uses his grandfather's magic to raise his dead buddies. Soon Xander is the chauffeur for the resurrected bunch as they pursue their favourite past-time of "raising hell." Parallel to Xander's adventure, Buffy, Willow, Giles, Faith and Angel continue their fight against the "Sisterhood of Jhe" who intend to literally raise hell. Thus Xander is on his own when he decides he cannot continue to "hang out" with O'Toole and his boys, especially when they offer to kill him so that he won't feel left out. It is the revelation that O'Toole is also one of the living dead, killed and resurrected three weeks earlier, that is the turning point for Xander.
     In escaping O'Toole's gang, Xander looks to his friends for guidance. Willow and Giles are unable to offer support, their attention diverted by helping Buffy to battle the Sisterhood and the Hellmouth beast they will first bring forth. Similarly, Angel and Buffy are distracted by one of their heart wrenching moments in which Angel argues his need to sacrifice himself, while Buffy determinedly refuses to see him killed once again. Caught up in their own angst and villains, they have no time to help Xander confront his.
     Xander begins to get his confidence back when he helps Faith by running over a Sister of Jhe with the car. Faith, although she doesn't offer Xander advice in his battle with O'Toole, reaffirms his value by letting him help her in the battle with the Jhe-demon, and later by making love to him. Although she dismisses him summarily as she gets ready to join Buffy at the Hellmouth, Xander is now able to face O'Toole's gang on his own.
     His discovery of the possibility of a bomb, and his interrogation of one of O'Toole's gang leads him to the school's boiler room, where the bomb is set. As Buffy and the rest of the gang confront the beast from the Hellmouth, Xander fights O'Toole and the boys in order to stop the bomb. Although it was not part of O'Toole's plan, the implied consequence of the bomb exploding is that Buffy and her friends will be killed, and the demons of the Hellmouth will be released. In the end, Xander defeats the boys in O'Toole's gang, and is left to confront Jack himself in the boiler room.
     Xander demonstrates that, for a just cause like saving his friends, he is willing to accept death, and that he has a stronger will than Jack has. In the end, Xander is not like Zeppo, the Marx brother in the background; rather he hides his true bravery under a Clark Kent mask of ordinariness. Despite the fact that his friends are not there to witness it, Xander has proven to himself that he is an essential part of Buffy's team, and finds meaning in confronting smaller dangers so that his friends can confront earth shattering dangers unhindered. The villains of this episode are a necessary for Xander's successful identity quest.
     I give this episode 3.75 out of 4 Ehs.

Character - by Adreenis
Although this episode was most definitely a Xander episode, there was minor focus on Buffy and the rest of the gang due to the back plot of the apocalypse and all. We also finally got to see Faith, and a bit more of what Cordy is feeling. There were wonderful character developments that will affect the series from here on in, but I'm still a little iffy about the plot. Xander has been a part of the group for two years now, but it suddenly dons on Buffy that she doesn't want him hurt. With the end of the world supposedly coming she feels it's her place to take care of things. She doesn't even want Angel involved, which proves it must be serious. Buffy doesn't understand Xander's need for a thing, which is strange because only last week she was going through a similar problem. I would have thought Buffy would be the first to understand because she felt that she was nothing if she wasn't the slayer. But perhaps Xander just didn't explain it well enough to her. It seems that the world is on the verge of ending a lot lately, which might explain why Buffy didn't seem nearly as freaked in this episode as she did in Prophecy Girl. Either way she knew it was her problem and she had to stop it. This was definitely the defining episode for Xander, just as Helpless was the defining moment for Buffy. He feels a need defending his wimpyness because he was really the only guy in the group at the start of this episode (except for Giles) He wants to be manly, but it's hard when all his friends have special powers. Xander wants to have normal guy friends like everyone else. It's not so much that Xander is "uncool", it's just that every one else is cool. He's hurt by Cordelia's comments, mainly because he thinks they're true. Xander hates that everyone else has a thing and becomes too obsessed with it. Throughout the episode Xander looks for excuses to be invited back into the Scooby gang. He wants to feel needed, but won't barge in if not invited. Another keen point on Xander that we've all noticed before is that he uses his jokes to cover up his emotions. Even with a knife to his throat he can crack a witty remark. Once Xander is accepted into this new group he feels it makes him useful, even though they are dead. But when they break into the hardware store he knows something's up. Xander is more freaked by crime than he is by hideous demons and the undead walking around Sunnydale. Saving Faith's life certainly makes him feel special, in more ways than one. It makes him feel needed, which is what he's wanted all along. After this brief encounter he has a new found drive to stop these dead guys. He realizes Buffy can't help and by stopping them alone he gets a boost of courage. We see that hanging around Buffy has certainly paid off for Xander. He enjoys her speeches, interrogating, and when all else fails, kicking a little undead but. When he comes one on one with the bomb he knows that it's all psychological, he has no fear because he feels he doesn't have that much to live for. He acts patient but really he's scared. He has new-found confidence and that's the essence of cool. Xander realizes his position in the gang and he's finally happy with himself. It was great to see some more of what Cordelia is feeling and I'm glad to see she's back to her old self. She likes hurting Xander because it makes her feel better. In fact, hurting anyone makes her feel better. She's back to her old ways and likes it. But if you look deep, in some ways Cordy is actually telling the truth, because she knows the truth hurts. I think she is still jealous and therefore won't leave Xander alone. In the end, Cordelia is the one who is hurt because she no longer has control over Xander's emotions. Oz once again seems quiet and cool. He admits that he's not the greatest guitarist ("is the guitar hard......not the way I play it") And just like Xander he always finds a way to make some witty remark. Oz has been arriving to the library later and later, cutting it close. I think this is because he doesn't like to admit that he is a werewolf and can hurt people. Willow's spells start to come in handy in this episode which I'm very glad of. Yet she's till the same Willow: scared of demons, failure and nudity. Willow wants to comfort and help Buffy because she knows she shouldn't have to handle it alone. Willow freaked by these demons but won't tell Xander for his sake. Will's words like Xander's in this episode were remarkably similar to his I love you to her in Becoming II. True emotions come out under pressure. Willow still loves Oz, even as a werewolf and has to protect him. Even if that means shooting him. Willow feels weird because they are the only ones who know that the world almost stopped.....again. Giles obviously misses his books and his work, but at least the new watcher hasn't shown up yet. He needs to keep working and would continue to do so even if the world wasn't ending. Yet strangely enough he's not freaking out as much about the world ending as he has in the past. Maybe he is confident that Buffy can stop it? Giles needs the council and the spirits to listen to him, even if he isn't the watcher anymore. He knows this is a big deal, but he doesn't want to get Xander involved. (This seems to be a common theme) He doesn't want Willow to become too involved in it either though. It's not their problem. Oh and of course the honorable mention goes to Giles' love of jellies :) Faith is getting more into teamwork at the start of this episode, and even more so near the end. This brings back her idea of being "horny and hungry" after a fight. She didn't really care for Xander, but he was the only one around. Faith is strong and she knows it, she will definitely use this to her advantage, as she knows about Xander's love of slayers. Faith is VERY forward, which I don't think Xander is used to. She also seems very experienced. I don't think one night stands are a new thing to Faith. All in all I have to say there was great character advancement in this episode, but I felt that the flimsy plot held it back. The world just seems to be ending TOO MUCH lately. It's not a big deal anymore. Perhaps if the back plot hadn't been so drastic, the Xander plot would have been more believable. If this rating were based solely on plot I would have to say it didn't pass. However, when you consider the amazing way they managed to bring everyday problems and emotions into Xander's character it deserves a few bonus points and bumps up. I give this episode 3 eh's out of 5.

Story - by


Villian - by Kaboo
The Zeppo puts a new twist on the pursuit of villain thwarting, as Xander's character takes centre stage in this episode. Cordelia, the villain within her emerging once again to taunt Xander by preying on his insecurities, causes Xander to question his importance to the Scooby gang, despite his willingness to help. The Scooby gang's encounter with a new and powerful species of demons, and the others' concern for his safety leads Xander to question his worth to Buffy and her friends in the demon slaying game. Xander's confidence is further shattered by his encounter with Jack O'Toole. More than a school bully, O'Toole is a dangerous person whose love of violence and lack of conscience make him a formidable foe. Xander questions his ability to face countless types of demons, and yet still be afraid of human villains like O'Toole. Xander's questioning of his identity is spurred on as the rest of the Scooby gang decide to keep him "fray-adjacent" in their battle with the new demons, who are found to be the "Sisterhood of Jhe," a cult of female demons dedicated to ushering in the Apocalypse. While the rest of the Scooby gang try to keep Xander out of harm's way during the latest fight to save the world, Xander embarks on an identity quest, beginning with his transformation into "car guy, guy with a car." However, this latest incarnation of Xander only leads him to yet another run-in with O'Toole. The stakes are raised by O'Toole's attack on Xander. "Katie" the knife contributes to Xander's fear for his life. Although the fight is halted by the arrival of a police officer, Xander is faced with even more danger as O'Toole's new respect for Xander results in Xander becoming "the wheels" for O'Toole's joy ride. Xander's adventures take him into the more familiar territory of Sunnydale's graveyards, as O'Toole uses his grandfather's magic to raise his dead buddies. Soon Xander is the chauffeur for the resurrected bunch as they pursue their favourite past-time of "raising hell." Parallel to Xander's adventure, Buffy, Willow, Giles, Faith and Angel continue their fight against the "Sisterhood of Jhe" who intend to literally raise hell. Thus Xander is on his own when he decides he cannot continue to "hang out" with O'Toole and his boys, especially when they offer to kill him so that he won't feel left out. It is the revelation that O'Toole is also one of the living dead, killed and resurrected three weeks earlier, that is the turning point for Xander. In escaping O'Toole's gang, Xander looks to his friends for guidance. Willow and Giles are unable to offer support, their attention diverted by helping Buffy to battle the Sisterhood and the Hellmouth beast they will first bring forth. Similarly, Angel and Buffy are distracted by one of their heart wrenching moments in which Angel argues his need to sacrifice himself, while Buffy determinedly refuses to see him killed once again. Caught up in their own angst and villains, they have no time to help Xander confront his. Xander begins to get his confidence back when he helps Faith by running over a Sister of Jhe with the car. Faith, although she doesn't offer Xander advice in his battle with O'Toole, reaffirms his value by letting him help her in the battle with the Jhe-demon, and later by making love to him. Although she dismisses him summarily as she gets ready to join Buffy at the Hellmouth, Xander is now able to face O'Toole's gang on his own. His discovery of the possibility of a bomb, and his interrogation of one of O'Toole's gang leads him to the school's boiler room, where the bomb is set. As Buffy and the rest of the gang confront the beast from the Hellmouth, Xander fights O'Toole and the boys in order to stop the bomb. Although it was not part of O'Toole's plan, the implied consequence of the bomb exploding is that Buffy and her friends will be killed, and the demons of the Hellmouth will be released. In the end, Xander defeats the boys in O'Toole's gang, and is left to confront Jack himself in the boiler room. Xander demonstrates that, for a just cause like saving his friends, he is willing to accept death, and that he has a stronger will than Jack has. In the end, Xander is not like Zeppo, the Marx brother in the background; rather he hides his true bravery under a Clark Kent mask of ordinariness. Despite the fact that his friends are not there to witness it, Xander has proven to himself that he is an essential part of Buffy's team, and finds meaning in confronting smaller dangers so that his friends can confront earth shattering dangers unhindered. The villains of this episode are a necessary for Xander's successful identity quest. I give this episode 3.75 out of 4 Ehs.

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