Season Eight Discussion

[Lukey]

Luke’s Review of ‘Suddenly Human’

I flew through that episode.  I really enjoyed it.  It’s possible my favourite episode of the season so far.  I like how the first act was dedicated to showing us how each of the couple woke up.  It was a nice way to start the script with a common thread.

Anya is brilliant as always; touching all the fruit and eating the gum and drinking the soda just to remember what it’s like to feel and then the ending with the candle is kinda tragic.  You’d think she would be ecstatic about being able to touch again but she seems disorientated.  I guess she just needs to get used to it all.

Willow’s conquering of the demon seemed a little fast and how quick she seemed to be able to turn her emotions off was a little too fast for my liking but the scenes that the demon played for her were great and took us on a little memory trip through Willow’s past.  I particularly liked the scene after Tara had been shot where Willow controlled her emotions and finally said goodbye to Tara, that was a nice little touch.

And another little piece here about the choice Buffy will have to make regarding Dawn.  I love being able to pick up on all these references and knowing where they’re gonna lead to.  It’s awesome seeing the build up of this story and knowing exactly what is going to happen.

[Monster Zero]

Christmas Spirit was a very divisive episode - Matt Thompson was originally down to write it, but as the outline was basically something of a character assassination on Riley, he understandably didn't feel comfortable with it and couldn't find a way to make it something he'd be happy to write. That's how I ended up doing a new version, but I hit on the same problem. I tried to make it more sympathetic, but I think Darren's obvious disdain for Riley kind of gets in the way with that one!

Suddenly Human wasn't a bad one, but it's essentially a big set up for a later reveal and Anya's story throughout Season Nine, so some of the deficiencies of the rest of the story do detract from that somewhat. I think because Willow's story was the B plot meant it did get shortchanged a bit, but the Anya stuff was what was important and I think we got that right

[Lukey]

Luke’s Review of ‘Payback’

The teasers so far have been awesome with this one being my favourite so far.  It’s very typical Buffy in style.  I love how Willow and Xander are all nonchalant about Buffy fighting the demon to the point where we don’t know it’s happening until she is seen fighting it.  And in the end they are eating ice cream.  It doesn’t get more Buffy than that.

Andrew and Jody are still my favourite characters.  They are just perfect for each other and both are written perfectly.  Xander is also written very accurately.  Anya goes from one extreme to the other.  Sometimes her voice is captured perfectly and others it doesn’t sound like her at all, hers is a difficult one to get right.

That episode flew by, it seems to be a recurring theme of the show.  The episodes are over before I even realise I’m coming towards the end.  I don’t really have much to say about this episode.  I was very filler-y.  Not much really happened and it was kinda boring unfortunately.

[Lukey]

Luke’s Review of ‘The Calling’

I’m a little shaky on release dates.  I know the Surprise Me is set before the show but was it written before or after this episode?  I’m just wondering as to whether there were any complaints that you killed Robin off screen and then released Suckerpunch Blues at a later date?

I usually enjoy episodes that start and then go back in time to show what happened before that point but I don’t think it works here.  Something about it just isn’t right.  Maybe it’s because we are seeing Willow in the ‘future’ and the present.  It’s kinda irritating.

The ending to the episode was a bit of a let down and I don’t get why they would just leave Dawn tied up and gagged in an employee’s room.  Surely she would have been found by someone at some point.  I don’t get why they wouldn’t just kill her and have it over and done with.

Not my favourite episode of the season, the plot didn’t engage me at all and the use of flashback wasn’t effective.  Sorry.

[Lukey]

Luke’s Review of ‘A Simple Day In Hell’

And here we finally have the introduction of Skye.  It’s gonna be interesting reminding myself of how she started out all those years ago.

Faith’s comment about not remembering sleeping with Xander isn’t really true.  In season seven she tells one of the potentials that whenever Anya starts to annoy her she reminds her that Faith slept with Xander first and it shuts her up.

It’s strange reading about Skye killing people after seeing her over on Angel and Slayer Academy.  I’m enjoying seeing how the character started out and how far she has come from a slayer vampire hybrid to the 100% slayer captain of A Squad.

The resolution to this episode seemed very quick for me.  Buffy went from wanting to kill Skye to letting her go and telling her to go see Angel.  We know Skye isn’t evil but evil things lie so why would Buffy trust her at all?

That was a really short episode, only 45 pages, and I was expecting a little more in the episode that introduced a character that is still going strong so many years later.

[Monster Zero]

I’m a little shaky on release dates.  I know the Surprise Me is set before the show but was it written before or after this episode?  I’m just wondering as to whether there were any complaints that you killed Robin off screen and then released Suckerpunch Blues at a later date?

Suckerpunch Blues was written after Faith Season One - we found far too many plot holes and gaps in continuity that needed filling, and Robin's death was one of them.

[Monster Zero]

The resolution to this episode seemed very quick for me.  Buffy went from wanting to kill Skye to letting her go and telling her to go see Angel.  We know Skye isn’t evil but evil things lie so why would Buffy trust her at all?

The idea was that Buffy can sense some good in Skye, and knows that Angel is the best person in the world to help her - because she can also sense Skye wants to help.

[Lukey]

Ah okay, thanks for clearing those two points up for me, as a reward have some more reviews...

Luke’s Review of ‘Aeternus Mortis’

This was one of my favourite episodes of the season when I originally read it with a big shock.  Although it will have lost it’s shock value I’m pretty sure that it will still be a very good episode.  There’s only one way to find out though so enough of the waffling and onto the reading.

Dawn’s line about not wanting to go out because she has school tomorrow doesn’t really flow with the previous episode when she really didn’t wanna go to school.

I love how you have Willow, Buffy and Faith in potentially fatal situations to provide three possible characters that could be the ones to die in this episode when in actual fact it’s none of these.  I remember reading this the first time and I was convinced that you were killing Faith.

I really did enjoy that episode even though I knew how it was going to end.  I think it would have been good to reveal Mayor Wilkins still tormenting Faith even after the talisman was destroyed, I think that would have been a good moment but I’m not the genius, you guys are.

Finally the Dawn story line is kicking into high gear and it’s a brilliant twist for her character.

[Lukey]

Luke’s Review of ‘Buried’

Even though I never liked Kennedy I’m glad we get to see her funeral, this was something I was annoyed we didn’t get for Tara but I understand why that wasn’t shown.  Come to think of it would Willow have attended Tara’s funeral or would she have been in England when it happened? Hmmmm.

I’m not too happy with the Willow/Faith kiss.  I’m just glad nothing more was made of it.  It’s just one of those things that I don’t feel sits right with the characters.  I do however like the rest of the scene in the basement with Willow telling Faith to get over herself.  Faith could do with following some of her own advice too.

I know the gang are preoccupied with researching the demon and Kennedy’s funeral but surely someone would notice something strange going on with Dawn.  Anya picks up on something but doesn’t follow through with anything.

Willow finally telling Kennedy that she loved her was sweet.  I really liked her conversation with Giles when she told him that Kennedy was no Tara and he said that no one ever would be.  Oz was Willow’s first love but Tara was her true love, she will always be in her heart but she does have the capacity to love others still.

[Lukey]

Luke’s Review of ‘Blackout’

Another really short episode here.  I’m used to episodes being 55 to 60 pages long but this one is 46.  I should get through this one in no time.  Why does Giles remind Marie that there is no electricity to then switch the kettle on?  Plot hole?  Hahaha.

I like how Faith has pointed out that the prophecy isn’t necessarily about Buffy.  It could be about her or any of a number of slayers now yet we, and almost all of the other characters, immediately, and rightly, presume it’s about Buffy.

Dawn is trying to throw them off her trail by pinning it all on Jackson.  I think I would have liked that little bit happen before it was revealed it was Dawn who was Ulithios’ host, show that she had been manipulating them for longer than we realised.

Quick question, was the spell that Dawn did in the previous episode just to make her stronger or was it the spell to allow Ulithios to take over?  I can’t imagine that she would willingly do the spell to bring Ulithios here so I’m guessing that it was just a spell that it took advantage of?

[Lukey]

Luke’s Review of ‘Existence’

Stupid Andrew breaking up with Jody.  I love them as a couple, they gel so well.  It’s like they are made for each other.  I want a spin off about them.  It could be a 30 minute sitcom.

Willow being all happy at deciding to become the new teach for the circle upsets me as I know how that turns out but I’m glad she is finding comfort in believing she will be helping out still and be free from pain.  She’s been through a lot hasn’t she?

We have more evil deeds by Dawn here, even if we have no explanation as to what she’s doing or why.  I just realised that my reviews for this last bunch of episodes have been real short.  It’s because I’m caught up with the story that I keep forgetting to make notes about anything I want to mention.  It’s a good sign.

[Lukey]

Luke’s Review of ‘Cause and Effect’

I always wondered how the gang would deal if faced with fighting something huge.  The Mayor was pretty big when he ascended but that’s more because he was a long snake.  I’m guessing it’s going to be a little difficult for them to go after something as tall as the dragon demon.

I’m happy Andrew and Jody seem to be working it out, Andrew has become one of my favourite characters this season and Jody too, even with his little appearances.  I really can’t wait to read the finale now that Dawn’s secret is finally out.  It’s a good one.

Sorry about the very short review but I breezed through the episode in anticipation of the finale and now I have o go out!  NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Will read the finale when I get home later.

[Lukey]

Luke’s Review of ‘Cradle’

So here we are, the end of the first ever VS I’ve ever read.  I’ve actually preferred reading the season this time round than the first time I read it.  Some stuff made more sense with the added bonus of knowing what’s to come yet I’ve realised that some stuff was never explained because I’ve read it in a condensed timeframe.

I think that was a very satisfying end to the season.  We get a little explanation to previous events such as the car that hit Dawn not being an accident.  Plus we have references to things that have happened this season like Emmily’s words to Jackson plus Joyce to Dawn ‘When it get’s bad she won’t pick you, she will be against you’.  Buffy never would have killed Dawn though, it was always going to have to be someone else.  I think out of the core four only Giles would have been able to do it but I’m glad he didn’t.

I’m still not a fan of Jackson, I much prefer Jody as an original character.  I don’t think the show needed another supernatural being thrown into the gang, plus I don’t find him that interesting and his and Buffy’s romance moved far too quickly.

I’m looking forward to beginning season nine now as I’ll also be able to read Faith and Angel so will be getting a good mix of shows.  Congrats on a very good first season, there were some episodes that I didn’t like but there were some that I really enjoyed.  A good start to the Virtual Mutant Jossverse Continuations.

[Monster Zero]

I’m not too happy with the Willow/Faith kiss.  I’m just glad nothing more was made of it.  It’s just one of those things that I don’t feel sits right with the characters.

I know the gang are preoccupied with researching the demon and Kennedy’s funeral but surely someone would notice something strange going on with Dawn.  Anya picks up on something but doesn’t follow through with anything.

Yeah, we got some stick for that. It was something Darren just decided to throw into the episode - he felt it was a way to show Willow reacting to her grief, but in hindsight maybe it wasn't the most in-character way to do it!

And the fact that nobody notices what's up with dawn until it's too late is all part of the tragedy of her arc this year - the gang had plenty of chances to avert disaster but missed them all because they were too busy with their own problems.

[Monster Zero]

Quick question, was the spell that Dawn did in the previous episode just to make her stronger or was it the spell to allow Ulithios to take over?  I can’t imagine that she would willingly do the spell to bring Ulithios here so I’m guessing that it was just a spell that it took advantage of?

Fairly sure it was to boost her powers, but it's been a while so I may be wrong.

[Monster Zero]

I always wondered how the gang would deal if faced with fighting something huge.  The Mayor was pretty big when he ascended but that’s more because he was a long snake.  I’m guessing it’s going to be a little difficult for them to go after something as tall as the dragon demon.

Yeah, I was definitely thinking Godzilla-sized when I wrote this. So much fun to write

[Monster Zero]

Plus we have references to things that have happened this season like Emmily’s words to Jackson plus Joyce to Dawn ‘When it get’s bad she won’t pick you, she will be against you’.

Joyce's words from S7 was a plot point that Darren never felt got explained properly in the show, so he wanted to tie it to something more solid here and I think it works great because of that.

I’m still not a fan of Jackson, I much prefer Jody as an original character.  I don’t think the show needed another supernatural being thrown into the gang, plus I don’t find him that interesting and his and Buffy’s romance moved far too quickly.

Yeah, the majority of people (some staff included) would agree with you on that one. The first half of S9 underwent some heavy rewrites to accommodate those concerns. My first experience with a Mary Sue kind of character!

[Kilee Martin]

I'm new here, and I haven't read the season in its entirety, but I have read bits and pieces, episodes here and there, and let me just say: PHENOMENAL. The writing, particularly where dialogue is concerned, is spot-on from what I've seen.

I'm not sure how much I'm giving away, sooo... just to be safe -

(click to show/hide)

I loved that Anya was brought back, she was a favorite of mine, and the pregnancy definitely was an interesting point. I loved that things from previous episodes were mentioned to use as part of the plot (like Joyce saying that Buffy wouldn't choose Dawn) and "Cradle" was such a gripping episode. I will definitely be trying to read through the whole season - you guys have me hooked!

[Monster Zero]

Which is exactly what we like to hear ^_^

[Matt_O_Steele]

I just started reading Season 8. I'm up to episode 4. Enjoying it pretty well so far. Jackson is actually a character that I like quite a bit. He seems pretty laid back when it comes to the whole demons,monsters, vampires and other bump in the nights out there.

The whole thing with Dawn so far is kinda i dunno. I don't trust her, she's got those shifty eyes.

I did enjoy seeing Anya back. That was very cool. Tho, it did seem to mirror Spike reappearing in Season 5 of Angel a little bit. But that's okay.

So far, I'm enjoying season 8 better than the Season 8 Buffy comics. which is saying a lot. since i love the show so much.