I Robot, You Jane

Original Airdate: April 28, 1997

Writer: Ashley Gable & Thomas A. Swyden

Director: Stephen Posey

After the major revelations of the last episode, this episode feels like a drawback. While there is some character development with Willow, the supernatural element doesn't quite mesh. It can be tough to write science-fiction about robots and technology without making yourself look silly and they don't quite accomplish it. Even they reference such liberties (from the movie Independence Day), but it doesn't diffuse their own mistakes.

Before I get to the meat of the episode, I'm glad they didn't use too many of these clever for the sake of clever titles like this one. The writing on Buffy was usually far better than these silly titles. It doesn't even make sense! Shouldn't it be "I Robot, You Willow"?

This episode is the final piece in a sort of "None of us are ever gonna have a happy, normal relationship" trilogy. Clearly, the best of the three was "Angel", although the less than stellar installments didn't stop them from trying again with usually better results (at least the long-term romances). Happiness in relationships is a long running theme on the show. We see Willow's problem early on is her shyness, which can lead her to be influence by others.

No one can argue that the internet can be a dangerous place. With billions of people having access to it, there are plenty of predators online ready to take advantage of more naïve users. This lure is similar to the spell Moloch cast on those who followed him. Willow at this time is in a vulnerable place with the reality that Xander isn't interested in her made very clear. Overall, this works as an analogy, but the delivery isn't quite as effective as it could've been.

With their critique on Internet culture, they come awfully close to biting the hand that feeds. "Buffy" has had a huge online following for a long time, and they have helped anything Joss Whedon has touched. Hell hath no fury like an internet nerd scorned (I'm in recovery). Luckily, this episode wasn't nearly as mean spirited or memorable as to turn off this fan base. As Ms. Calendar points out, Moloch didn't originate from the computer, but a book.

This episode's biggest contribution to the series is the introduction of Jenny Calendar, who would have some major things to add to the show in later episodes. She helps Giles' character as someone to try to get Giles to relax from his stuffiness. Sure, the gang does that well, but Ms. Calendar has more authority. With the friction between them, there are glimpses of a possible romance, like Buffy and Angel in the pilot. I'm not sure which is more alarming; that she is a little too comfortable with the supernatural menaces the gang experiences, or that she isn't surprised that Giles is aware of them.

Besides Ms. Calendar's introduction, Willow's progression works well. While she allows herself to be manipulated by a monster, eventually she can see through his façade, unlike the other people who helped give Moloch form again, and fights back. This shows a bit of the strength Willow would get throughout the series.

It seems that the writers only had a passing interest in computers, which makes some of the events in this episode a little silly nine years later. For some reason, they think shutting off the monitor turns off the computer. They even have a need to pixilate the life out of Moloch's video threat to the gang to show that he's in the computer (seriously, some kid working on a video blog can compress a video better, but I digress in my nerdiness). Even today, casual computer users could poke the flaws in the abilities of 1997 computers, or even 2006 ones.

The opening is very good for the low budget first season. The make up for the physical Moloch is pretty impressive even when he only has a minute or two of screen time. The While I thought Moloch's robotic suit was cool (even if it was reminiscent of a Godzilla movie), his voice felt too reminiscent of another evil robot, the HAL-9000 computer from 2001, complete to one of the boys being named Dave. They couldn't give him a little more menace? It would've worked better, even if it was expected.

This episode was an average effort, marred with some sloppy research on the central piece of the episode. However, some of the special effects are above average for season one, and there are some seeds planted for later, superior episodes.

Score: 6/10

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