Season Eight Discussion

[Fhithich]

The place to talk about season eight of Buffy's continuation!

[Amin]

Just started reading 

So far its great!!! 

*Goes back to reading*

[Amin]

I am currently reading The Angel continuation... and after having read the first 3 episodes of that ill check out the "Slayer Academy"... and THEN ill finish reading Buffy. 

So... See ya all later then! 

[BirdhouseInYourSoul]

So after finishing the Buffy series for like the millionth time, I was debating on which continuation to read.  Either Joss Whedon's Season 8 comic or Virtual Mutant's Buffy Season 8.  And let me tell you, it really wasn't that difficult of a choice.  While I do own all the Season 8 comics so far, I think the writer's for this virtual continuation write Buffy better than even Joss is doing right now.  Maybe it's because I've never read comics  before and don't really understand that medium, but I would like to think that it's because your guys' continuation is much better and in keeping with the Buffy we have learned to love.

Just thought I'd let you guys know that you've got seriously hardcore Buffy fans wishing your show was cannon rather than Joss Whedon's Season 8.  Major props. And thanks for continuing this great show!

[Monster Zero]

aw shucks ^_^

[Amin]

So after finishing the Buffy series for like the millionth time, I was debating on which continuation to read.  Either Joss Whedon's Season 8 comic or Virtual Mutant's Buffy Season 8.  And let me tell you, it really wasn't that difficult of a choice.  While I do own all the Season 8 comics so far, I think the writer's for this virtual continuation write Buffy better than even Joss is doing right now.  Maybe it's because I've never read comics  before and don't really understand that medium, but I would like to think that it's because your guys' continuation is much better and in keeping with the Buffy we have learned to love.

Just thought I'd let you guys know that you've got seriously hardcore Buffy fans wishing your show was cannon rather than Joss Whedon's Season 8.  Major props. And thanks for continuing this great show!

Totally Agree! 

[Raul Bloodworth]

My old Season Eight review, from the old MZP forum:

(click to show/hide)

Writing a Buffy virtual continuation would be a daunting task. Fortunately, the staff on this show was more than up to the task. Each character was voiced admirably, and while some episodes were less than perfect, the season as a whole was far above average.

First of all, the characterisation. Each character was spot-on. I don't think there was a line of dialogue written that the character would never say. Especially Buffy - I loved Buffy more in this VS then in Season Seven of the actual show.

Second, to the Big Bad: I spotted The Source link to Charmed, but only just prefer Ulithios as the name (which is nigh impossible to pronounce). Making Dawn the Big Bad, though, was inspired. It's similar to Angelus in Season Two, by making the person Buffy loves the most the one person she has to defeat. It made the finale, Cradle, much more impressive.

Third, to plot decisions. This season features some great plots and arcs, including the resurrection of Anya, Faith's return, Dawn going evil, and Kennedy's death. I was initially uncertain of whether or not Anya's return was a good thing. At first, it just seemed like a way to get a fan-favourite character back - I felt this way all the way through the season, until we learnt she was pregnant, opening up a world of possibilities, and justifying her resurrection. I mentioned Dawn going evil above, and Kennedy's death? I'm glad we didn't get a Dark Willow rehash, and I was indeed surprised by Kennedy's sudden demise.

My favourite episode/s of the season? A tie between Cradle, Cause and Effect, and Timeless. Each very good and straying slightly from the usual formula. The season finale was, in typical Whedon fashion, shocking, emotional, funny and extremely enjoyable.

Overall verdict? A wonderful follow-up to the show, and in many years superior to the turgid Season Seven.

[Pete D. Gaskell]

You know what's coming... REVIEW OF BUFFY VIRTUAL SEASON 8
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE
+ Buffy. The character is spot-on, with several moments that just scream Sarah Michelle Gellar's voice at me. Top-notch.
+ Xander. Likewise, the dialogue for the X-Man is perfect. Perhaps even better than Buffy. The corny one-liners, the inappropriate sarcasm, it's all there.
+ And Willow. The other Core member is also well-depicted, if possibly not quite as well as the other two.
- The pre-credits sequence. Instead of starting with a bang, the episode starts with a recap of "Chosen" which in my opinion was a bad move. This should be more of a reset.
- The plot is poor, with nothing happening for a great deal of time, and the villain is far too easily thwarted.
- Buffy, for a main character, is strangely sidelined. She doesn't have anything to do in this episode really, apart from make odd predictions about the house. It should be her dusting the vamp, not Kennedy.
- There's something missing, character-wise. Giles is long-gone by this point, but I realised that this is the first episode written for 5 seasons which doesn't feature Spike or Anya, two of my favourite characters. Without them, the humour is not quite as sharp.
- Kennedy and Andrew, the Spike/Anya replacements, are not up to the task, and are much more 2D.

OVERALL: 6/10. An odd choice for a pilot. This should feel more like a reboot - new town, new team, new situations. But instead it gets bogged down in continuity, and the plot is paper-thin. Only some snappy one-liners from Buffy and Xander save the episode from being a total loss. A disappointment.

[Pete D. Gaskell]

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
+ Buffy is excellent in this episode. Packed full of sarcastic quips, bumbling flirtation, and kick-ass fighting abilities, this is Buffy portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar to a T. Fantastic writing.
+ Andrew. Unexpected, considering how much I disliked this character previously, but he metamorphoses here from irritating annoyance to loveable geek, and he handles the transition well. Comes up with pretty much all the best one-liners.
+ The hilarious pre-credits scene, and all the scenes involving Andrew's book. Just too funny.
+ Buffy acting like a Slayer again, rather than a peripheral character. Praise here for rectifying one of the problems from Episode 1, and bringing Buffy back to centre-stage.
+ The relationship between Willow and Kennedy deepens here.
+ We see that there are still some vestiges of Dark Willow lurking. Ooh...
+ WTF with Dawn?
+ ANYA! My jaw hit the floor here. I was not expecting this. Fantastic cliffhanger, and a big yay for the return of one of my favourites.
- Dawn's back-to-school plotline is dull and predictable.
- Can't stand Dawn's new friend. Can't stand Dawn actually, so they're a good match.
- Xander is pushed to the background here. It's a bit weird, actually, with Xander and Andrew left at home and Buffy and Willow taking the fight. Women's lib in action.

OVERALL: 8/10 Much, much better. This episode gripped me from the beginning. The dialogue flowed wonderfully, and it was a quick and satisfying read. Very enjoyable, and I can't wait for Anya's return!

[emmaliza]

Just finished reading the season. Owie. In a good way. I feel like i should have something more intricate to say, but, I kinda don't, so, deal.

[Monster Zero]

the fact that you read it is good enough for us ^_^

[GrimRecapper]

Just finished reading the season. Owie. In a good way. I feel like i should have something more intricate to say, but, I kinda don't, so, deal.

You said more than I did when I finished the season. I tend to shy away from actually discussing the episodes 'cause I've got a tendency to misunderstand everything. It's totally [New Zealand/Canada/Sweden/France/Wales]'s fault.

[Carey]

(click to show/hide)

Favorite Characters: Kennedy, Dawn and Andrew. Kennedy is so much better than last season, Dawn has grown from her bad days from season 5 and 6 into a near perfect character and Andrew is always funny.

Favorite Episodes:
The Calling: A mostly good episode. Having Faith and Vi back was great. The big Slayer battle was perfect and the first reference that Dawn is evil. The whole Willow/Circle arc was the only bad part of the episode. Of all episodes, this is the one where it shouldn't have been in. 8/10

Aeternus Mortis: Probably my favorite episode of the season. One of the greatest death scenes. I had already knew Kennedy was gonna die but when she found Dawn, I thought it was Dawn who died, so that was perfectly written. The Faith part also was good, showing she still feels guilt. 10/10

Cradle: The last episode of a season is always great. Ulithios finally revealled, Faith and Xander fighting Tammazel, and the final fight, which leaves Dawn dead is just awesome. 9/10


Overall a great season, a few duds, plus Giles didn't seem to do anything this season, but nearly everyone and everything else made up for that, plus alot of the deaths hit me hard, and thats why this continuation is so good. 9/10

[Pete D. Gaskell]

EYE FOR AN EYE
+ Anya. One of my fav characters returns, and she is brilliant here. Her odd speech patterns are captured perfectly, and her knack for saying the most inappropriate things is played on here to great effect. Particularly love her bursting in on Willow & Kennedy.
+ Xander is given something to do at last, and his speech to Kaworski is brilliant, as is his violent decapitation. Unexpected, but shows what he can do when pushed too far.
+ Andrew. Andrew has really taken on a much more interesting persona over the last couple of episodes, and it continues here. In particular his play-acting with the sword, with Buffy watching. Top-class.
- Buffy being pushed off into having a date rather than being in the thick of the action was a clever choice, meaning the battle at the end was fairer, but she's too good a character to be standing on the sidelines.
- The plot itself is a little silly, and doesn't stand up well to proper thought. He just happens to have an evil eye the same day as Xander comes to see him?

OVERALL: 7.5/10. Despite a slightly lame plot, the episode is a success due to the excellent sarcastic streak, and, in particular, the character of Anya, who dominates.

[Pete D. Gaskell]

PLAYTIME
+ Finally we get a really good villain. Syn is extremely menacing, and his first scene is shocking in its violence. His menace remains for much of the episode, and he is also intelligent, particularly when he takes the form of Willow to confuse Buffy.
+ Buffy's assault on the police station. Excellent, showcasing her fantastic fighting skills, and her over-confidence. Bonus points for having Kennedy save her.
+ The constant humour continues. Anya and Andrew come out with one-liner after one-liner, particularly in the hilarious opening scene.
+ Willow's power-surge towards the end of the ep. Maybe a little Matrix-y, but brilliantly done. She hasn't fully recovered from being Dark Willow, has she?
+ And kudos for tying in the earlier spell from Ep 1 to the appearance of Syn. Actions have consequences. One of the key mantras of Buffy, and you've done well to remember it, and implicate it. Hopefully something that will continue for the remainder of the series.
- Buffy conning her way into the counseling job. Not very heroic. Wouldn't Giles' reference have been enough? Then again, it did allow for a tiny cameo from Harmony, so...
- Buffy singing to herself during the police station assault. Very odd.

OVERALL: 8.5/10. The best episode so far, and it's no coincidence that it also features by far the most menacing antagonist yet. The ending, with a two-pronged assault by Buffy & Kennedy, and a power-surge from Willow, is phenomenal.

[emmaliza]

Just finished reading the season. Owie. In a good way. I feel like i should have something more intricate to say, but, I kinda don't, so, deal.

You said more than I did when I finished the season. I tend to shy away from actually discussing the episodes 'cause I've got a tendency to misunderstand everything. It's totally [New Zealand/Canada/Sweden/France/Wales]'s fault.

That's a lot of countries to blame. XD

I actually do have other things to say. Unfortunately, negatives:

I don't like Jackson. I don't like Buffy/Jackson. I confess. Jackson seems kinda boring and Marty-Stu-ish, and I find their relationship kinda rushed. Sorry.

Christmas Spirit - I do not believe that happened. Sorry, I don't even like Riley that much, but I will not believe he'd

(click to show/hide)

kill his wife

.

Positives:
I love everything done with Andrew, particularly Borderline. Yay Andrew!

And, of course, the main arc with Dawn. Heartbreaking, but brilliant. Though I still don't entirely understand how Jackson could defeat Ulithios. Probably one of those things in s9 and the movie. *shrug*

[Carey]

I don't like Jackson. I don't like Buffy/Jackson. I confess. Jackson seems kinda boring and Marty-Stu-ish, and I find their relationship kinda rushed. Sorry.

I'm right there with you

[Monster Zero]

Nobody liked Jackson, it seems. His role in the Original Syn movie especially upset people, so it's actually being largely rewritten in the upcoming VDVD Special Edition (due 2010).

[Matt Thompson]

Christmas Spirit - I do not believe that happened. Sorry, I don't even like Riley that much, but I will not believe he'd

(click to show/hide)

kill his wife

.

Darren Eldred hates him some Riley.

[emmaliza]

Christmas Spirit - I do not believe that happened. Sorry, I don't even like Riley that much, but I will not believe he'd

(click to show/hide)

kill his wife

.

Darren Eldred hates him some Riley.

...well, hate in character. :P

(is that rude and offensive? Sorry. I really don't know the etiquette and courtesy level of this board yet. *sheepish*)