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Post by beccaelizabeth on Jul 24, 2004 7:35:42 GMT -5
I, too, like the running joke about the surprise the Scoobies always feel when someone actually wants to check out a book. Although Willow did mention back in WTTH that the Library gave most kids the wig. Perhaps they just sensed that there was evil underfoot. But then, what does it mean that Willow loved the Library? cool actual LOGIC to the empty library problem- hellmouth central feels scary (huh. now imagining the layers of terror that would add to a trip to the principal's office in s7) and I think what it means for Willow is that her curiousity far outweighs her anxiety even when logically it really shouldnt. all the gang regularly ignore scary or creepy vibes to get the job done so them hanging out there despite a wierd vibe would totally make sense. cool ;D and thanks for all the bowing ;D <--blushing for happy
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Post by raenstorm on Jul 28, 2004 7:36:32 GMT -5
I suck! I promise I have a review for this... I just haven't had a chance to finish it. I will have it up soon.
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Post by Spaced Out Looney on Jun 17, 2005 20:54:52 GMT -5
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Post by Lola m on Aug 5, 2005 16:51:22 GMT -5
Another interesting analysis, Liz! I really like how you phrased the big main theme of this ep; the idea that Buffy has a pre-conceived idea of what “being a girl” means and that these ideas are exactly what BtVS is “designed to subvert”. We see this crop up in other episodes (Halloween comes to mind, in particular), but in this ep it is really front and center. I also particularly like the way you say the ideas are “theoretically held by mainstream (American) society”, because of course once you get below the very vague and “stand-up comedian” level of stereotypes there is a lot more actual variation in both reality and perception. And as you mention later in your analysis, Buffy’s ideas of “being a girl” are also all mixed up with her general desire to have a “normal” life (as if any life is “normal , which she struggles with throughout the series. In reality, of course, whenever Buffy is provided with traditional girly and “normal life” situations, she usually finds out that it is not really what she wants after all. Your list of various Buffy relationships does a good job of providing examples to back this up. I’ve always loved how Joss plays with gender ideas and conventions and you pointed out a particularly good example in Owen. That he isn’t looking for a “girly-girl” – he wants danger and thrills. And how perfectly funny that once she realizes this, Buffy likes him less. While in some ways, this might actually make him a better match for Buffy, that idea is not a comfortable one for her. We all know if she were seeing a guy who tried to hold her to the girly standard she says she wants to achieve, she’d go nuts. I really liked your comment: I had never compared the two like that – very clever! Totally agree with you on the perfect scene segue. “Tonight we go into battle!” **cricket chirp, chirp, chirp** ME always did the best scene cuts. Usually funny, often making a very important point about the plot or theme. I gotta come down on the side of loving Buffy’s coat, but then again, I have a short plastic raincoat that is leopard spotted. AND I used to have the best Capri pants ever! Leopard print, but also furry! They had actually been my mom’s originally (she was the Laura Petri of the neighborhood). You make good points about the pager and use of cell phones later in the series. I think becca had a good point when she said that TV shows and movies probably don’t like to have their characters use things like that because much of the drama and tension can come from communication problems and they don’t want the person to just solve things by making a call easily. Regarding your question about Emily Dickenson. I don’t know a lot about her, and haven’t read that much about her poetry. Long ago, I do remember reading a few articles or essays that definitely pointed away from the stereotypical “frail woman poet” image that popular myth would have you believe about her. Rather, she seems to fit far more into the “eccentric New England writer grappling with issues of religion, spirituality, and power”. Adrienne Rich makes a compelling argument that her poetry deals with how one creates, how a writer is compelled to create, and that the imagery that many have interpreted as religious could also be thought of as describing her relationship with her writing “muse”. So the whole idea of a poet popularly thought of as very “womanly” could relate to this ep – while also fitting even better if we see that this is a false impression of Emily Dickenson. But, then again, I really don’t know that much about current discussion or analysis of her work. And I doubt that the writers meant to go that deep. They probably just thought poetry would be a good “sensitive” topic for him to talk about and picked her as a relatively well-know poet. Lola **still snickering over your “sexual innuendo” comment re: Giles “plunge and move on” line – it’s always good to know I’m not the only one who thinks of things like that, and remembering Xander spying on Buffy with the make-up mirror** Ah, good times!
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Post by jeff on Apr 1, 2007 13:37:52 GMT -5
I found it interesting the quote from Willow about Owen "He can brood for 40 minutes straight, I timed him." Little bit of a theme with Buffy and the brooding men? Loved the Build up by Giles about the Order of Arilious. "Tonight we go into battle." Then they are sitting around the graveyard, bored. ROFL.
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Post by jeff on Apr 1, 2007 13:42:00 GMT -5
Line of the Episode Buffy - "If the apocolype comes, beep me."
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Post by jeff on Apr 1, 2007 13:46:51 GMT -5
I liked Buffy's statement after Owen asked her if she is alright. "Yes , I almost feel like a girl." A statement that is true to Buffy. She kicks so much demon ass, she sometimes forgets she is supposed to be a girl." While it is driven home for the viewers, sometimes Buffy forgets herself what it is like to be a girl. That is part of the reason she gets all giddy and clumsy when she gets a crush or is around a cute boy. She forgets how to be a girl sometimes IMO.
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Post by jeff on Apr 1, 2007 13:48:51 GMT -5
also 2nd episode that someone says that Buffy is the strangest girl. Giles said it last episode, Owen this episode. just found this interesting.
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Post by jeff on Apr 1, 2007 14:13:01 GMT -5
I really felt bad for Buffy, when Owen first said he wants to go out again, and he thought she was the coolest, I was initially happy for her. But then the whole life on the edge thing went and ruined it. I kinda liked the guy.
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Post by Lola m on Apr 12, 2007 12:03:52 GMT -5
I found it interesting the quote from Willow about Owen "He can brood for 40 minutes straight, I timed him." Little bit of a theme with Buffy and the brooding men? ;D That's sooooo gotta be a comparison to Angel, doesn't it? I've always loved the comparisons they made with editing! Someone saying something and then, cut to another scene; so that what they said will be an amusing or important commentary.
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Post by Lola m on Apr 12, 2007 12:09:04 GMT -5
also 2nd episode that someone says that Buffy is the strangest girl. Giles said it last episode, Owen this episode. just found this interesting. I also like how we circle back to this during other seasons (Riley thinks she's odd, too ;D ) and finally again when in season 7 we go back to high school. From Amanda (some people think she's some kind of "high-functioning schizophrenic") and Holden (people in high school people she was "either dating a really old guy" or was "heavy religious"). ;D
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