The Puppet Show

Original Airdate: May 5, 1997

Writers: Dean Batali & Rob Des Hotel

Director: Ellen S. Pressman

One of the major differences of the first season compared to subsequent ones is the lack of continuity when it comes to advancement of the major plot line. With the revelation of Angel being a vampire, it would make sense to have a bigger emotional fall out beyond that episode. However, in the subsequent episodes it is barely mentioned. Of course, future episodes of Buffy would take some time off for self-contained adventures, but this episode is stagnant, focusing more on the clever plot twist than advancing characters or the overall story.

The biggest problem in this episode is Sid, the demon hunter whose soul is trapped in Morgan's dummy. Puppets in action are tough to do without being funny, especially after "Team America". "The Puppet Show" doesn't accomplish it, but "Angel" would have better luck playing that angle for laughs and having many great character moments in between. Maybe that's the only way to do it. Also, it was a little perverted for the puppet to be making all those remarks about Buffy and Willow since they are only 16 (since the actresses weren't, I'm not being creepy).

Thankfully, all the signs that pointed to an obvious "the dummy is the killer" explanation were vague enough to lead to the twist that a monster, not Sid, is responsible for the bloodshed. However, the goofiness of having the puppet moving like a human can't be shaken off. Ultimately, the major threat is buried under the story of Sid. This wouldn't be a bad thing if the monster weren't treated like an afterthought.

The biggest event in this episode is the introduction of Principal Snyder, the hilariously grumpy replacement for Flutie. While the characters remain relatively stagnant in this episode, Snyder's development goes into overdrive. Flutie was one to follow the nurture method of discipline, whereas Snyder wishes for the days when the "Board of Education" was a wooden paddle. It adds to the drama, as Buffy has a reputation for getting in trouble and a "let's talk about our problems" principal can only go so far.

Cordelia's painful rendition of "The Greatest Love of All", and her reaction to "the hair trick", were hilarious. We also learn about Willow's stage fright. Besides that, the characters aren't given much to do in this episode. Instead, they are mere plot devices, which is a bit frustrating coming towards the end of the first season. Couldn't there be more of Willow deciding whether to continue pining for Xander or Xander pining for Buffy?

Overall, this is another forgettable season one episode, saved from disaster with an interesting twist, some choice lines from Snyder and a hilarious epilogue with the three doing a good job doing a poor job acting.

Score: 5/10

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