the prom

The Prom
5/11/99
guest stars: Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Alexis Denisof (Wesley), Brad Kane (Tucker Wells), Emma Caulfield (Anya)
written by Marti Noxon
directed by David Solomon

Synopsis: not yet written.

    review:     Throughout this season, I've been fairly critical of this show. I've said that it hasn't been as good as season 2. I've said it's focused too much on the Buffy/Angel relationship, and I've said that, on the whole, I haven't particularly liked or been impressed with Buffy's character.
     And, now, I'm going to stand here and take it all back. The Prom was, simply put, amazing. Easily the best of the season. And, quite honestly, number three of all times. It personified everything I like about this show.
     First of all, for the first time in quite a while, I really liked Buffy. I stopped being a B/A ‘shipper after Innocence aired. I don't think the two should be together and I've made that plain. I think Buffy deserves some chance at happiness, and with Angel, she's not happy. She thinks she is, and tries to be, but all then do is fight to be together. And, in the end, some fights just cannot be fought any longer.
     I realize that the two have broken up and gotten back together many times throughout the season.    But this one seems permanent. One of the most effective moments in the episode was the breakup scene. "You deserve someone who can take you into the light. Someone who can make love to you." Buffy will never have a normal life. She will always be the slayer. But she needs to have some degree of normalcy mixed in their. She needs to be able to laugh, to smile. There are just too many things that Angel can't give her. Their relationship was destroying her slowly. Buffy's burning in his dream symbolized all this. Too much skulking in the night, too much pain. They can never be happy together, because that will destroy them. And in the end, that is something that Buffy needs.
     What sums it up, why this one is for real, is one line. Every other time, each wanted to be with the other one but decided they couldn't. Here, Angel says it definitively. "I want my life to be with you," Buffy tells him. He responds "I don't."
     The scene is underscored terrifically by Chris Beck's music. At that point, silence. Masterfully done.
     Joyce was particularly effective in the episode. She echoed the sentiments of the mayor. Alone, his speech can be discarded no matter how truthfully he spoke. As Buffy said, he's evil. But Joyce is her mother. She knows that Buffy deserves happiness. And she simply needs more than Angel can give her. No matter how much they love each other. Because it's simply not enough to bridge the huge gap in their worlds.
     Both Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz were outstanding tonight. Despite what many will claim, Angel is one of the most fascinating characters on the show. He doesn't get enough chance to show it with Buffy, but his depth is astounding. His show will be spectacular when it premiers. I have high hopes.
     One of the best things in the show, one of the things that has been lacking all season, was bad ass Buffy. The Buffy who takes charge, who takes her blows and keeps right on ticking. All season she's been crying entirely too much, becoming slowly weaker, loser her passions. Tonight they were back. Breaking up with Angel gave her a fire I haven't seen since Anne. Her line "I'm gonna give you all a nice, fun, normal evening if I have to kill every person on the face of the earth to do it" was as effective as her "I'm Buffy, the vampire slayer, and you are?" I had missed that take charge take no prisoners attitude. It's like when she remarks to Giles "great thing about being a slayer? Kicking ass is comfort food." I officially like Buffy again.
     Speaking of Giles, he has proven once again to be the coolest guy ever. (Not to mention the fact that he looks smashing in a tux!)   His fatherly comfort of Buffy was better even then Innocence. He knew exactly what was wrong and what to say.   Buffy will get over losing Angel. If she lost Willow, Xander, or Joyce even, I think she would survive. But I truly don't think she could live without Giles, nor he without her. They are intrinsically linked forever. Not romantically, and certainly not sexually, but much, much deeper. Even deeper than father/daughter. There is not a word to describe it, but suffice to say it is the true heart of the show. They complete each other. At the end, when they were all pared off, it was sad to see him alone but maybe that's how it's supposed to be. This is when Jenny Calendar is missed the most. I don't think Giles can ever replace her. I have a feeling Giles will return to his position as official watcher soon. Wesley obviously respects him and clearly values his opinion, and if Faith does survive the ascension, he'll probably remain as her watcher though I imagine she won't be doing much slaying.
     Wesley has definitely grown on me as a person. I always liked him, but at first just as a comic foil. But he definitely seemed human in tonight's episode. He may be forced to play the straight man, but his blossoming relationship with Cordelia has exposed an almost endearing awkwardness to him. I like it. I don't think the age thing is any big deal, she's 18, and he's not a teacher or anuthing. (Plus, he's still a spring chicken himself. I'd say no older than 25. And on that note, what exactly is his excuse for hanging at the library everyday? Doesn't anyone wonder why this young English man is always hanging out with Mr. Giles?)
     Since Cordelia and Xander broke up, I have come to dislike her more and more. She was painfully underused and really shown only to bring unpleasantness and dark humor. Tonight made up for it. The fact that her family lost all their money must cut her right to the bone. She's always been very proud. And to have Xander, of all people find out...I actually felt sorry for her. Especially when she couldn't get the dress. But what Xander did was the best thing ever. And what was best was, he obviously didn't do it for any ulterior motive. No one knew about it, no one even knew she needed someone to do that for him. He just went ahead and did it. Also, when he covered for her about being at the shop was a first class move too. For all those people who've been down on Xander, we'll all I have to say to that is I told you. He might not be Mr. tact, or Mr. smart, but when it comes right down to it, he'll heaven and earth for the people he cares about. Even if she's been a vile bitch for the better part of six months. As for Cordelia, I think she forgave him in that brief exchange. "Thank you." That's all it took. He's the man.
     Alyson Hannigan looked gorgeous in her prom dress. As always, Alyson shined in this episode. Marti Noxon always writes Willow well. She's proven to be the best friend anyone can ask for. The scene in Buffy's room, when Buffy cries into Willow's arms, was very touching. Oz was well used for a change also. I'm still not into Willow and Oz as a super-couple, but he's a good boyfriend for now. I do want to see her with Xander though. Not for keeps. But there are still feelings there, and I think they run a lot deeper than they do with Oz. Still, I like Oz. And getting teared up to "We are Family" is a pretty neat touch.
     They've finally introduced a recurring guest star who is a worth replacement for Robia LaMorte. While I'll always miss Jenny, Emma Caulfield's Anya brings a decided wit and humor to the show that is refreshing. Her I hate men speech juxtaposed brilliantly with asking Xander to the prom. I actually felt for her. And I think maybe she's liking this human stuff just a little bit. She certainly becomes more of one every episode. In The Wish, she was a full demon. In DGL, she was mortal but not too friendly. Now, it seems like she kinda wants to be liked. She did seen desperately trying to impress Xander at the dance. Poor girl just didn't have a clue. While being an immortal demon decidedly has it's perks, so does being a 12th grader. Including dancing close with someone you like. I'd like to see Anya appear a lot more. And I'd like her to stay mortal. I really like her.
     The behind the scenes people outdid themselves. I mentioned Chris Beck's score already, but it deserves a repeat. The music adds so much to the mood. Although I will admit I miss the old B/A theme. Still, no matter how gutwrenching the performances are, they wouldn't have near the emotional impact without the score backing it up. Also of note was the wardrobe department. The certainly went all out tonight! All of the men looked quite dashing in tuxes. As for the women, Alyson, Sarah, Charisma, and Emma looked positively radiant in their prom dresses. Not to mention Sarah's wedding dress. Gorgeous.
     I worried about the subplot. While I do like much of Noxon's writing, one of her serious flaws is throwing in a random subplot that really doesn't affect the main story. However, the hell hound plot was well done and perfectly tied in. An excellent catalyst to bring out the fighter in Buffy, and let her strut her stuff. Plus, psycho boy's reason for destroying the prom, rejection, echoed Buffy's own heartbreak. It does show how strong Buffy is, despite things I may have written before.
     One last point. The most touching scene in the episode was where Buffy in honored for being the class protector. Not everyone is as dumb as they pretend to be. They know people die, and that bad things happen. But they also know that someone is willing to stand up and fight the darkness. Jonathon's speech was very moving, and it was fitting that he, who represents the average guy completely, would give it. For three years, Buffy's gone unrewarded as she risks her life for all of them. It was nice that, for once, she gets thanked.
     I know that the next to weeks are going to be very hard. A lot is going to go down, and I suspect not all of the characters we know and love will see May 26th. But it was so nice, for one night, to see all of them happy. For one brief moment, they were allowed to live in this world. A beautiful, sad, happy, and exceedingly moving episode. One of the best. 10/10

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