revelations

Revelations
11/17/98
guest stars: Serena Scott Thomas (Gwen Post), Eliza Dushku, (Faith)
Writer: Douglas Petrie
Director: James A. Contner

Synopsis: not yet written.

    review: This episode was everything I hoped it to be and more. Very moving performances from all the cast, especially Sarah Michelle Gellar and Tony Head. Joss and Co. have recruited some fine new talent to their writing staff this season, this was the second episode in a row written by a new writer and it was just about as good.
     The humor took a back seat but that was okay because of the sheer excitement. It was actually very reminiscent of Innocence in that way. I was on the edge of my seat in excitement during the showdown at the mansion, especially since I didn't know if Faith would live or die. It always adds a little more tension when you're not sure of the outcome based on contractual obligations. (i.e. whether or not a character is leaving the show.)
     To begin with, the demon for once was a spooky as he was hyped to be. Not because he was anything to write home about, but because for once he wasn't hyped to be anything. That Faith's watcher was the real bad guy was a shock, although I sort of suspected it I also could see how she'd could be an interesting character, kind of a thorn in all of their sides. She brings up interesting points, though. Is Giles really that insecure in his abilities that he'd automatically get defensive about them? And wouldn't he maybe contact the council and find out? But, on the other hand, Gwen Post did a great job of keeping him completely off-guard.
     I could sympathize with Buffy in this episode, even though she was wrong. I still don't think anyone realizes, even after two years, even Giles, what she goes through at 17. But they all have a point, Buffy's head isn't clear when it comes to Angel. None of theirs are, though. The scene between Giles and Buffy was painful and extremely well-executed by both ASH and SMG. The feelings of betrayal on both sides, and the pain evident in both of their expressions. Giles has always been the rock in Buffy's life, and she is his reason for living.
     I think they way they handled Angel's return was remarkable. What was best was the thing they blamed her for keeping secrets, but, when the dust settled, they could think rationally about it. Angel had hurt them all in some way, they aren't ready to trust him yet, but he did save Willow's life. Points for that.
     I'm not thinking that Angel should be staked, now that he has a soul. He can still be of help, and I don't see that he'll ever truly be happy again. The only person who can give Angel back the ability to feel less pain would be Ms. Calendar, since it was her murder that can't be forgotten. And I doubt that will happen any time soon.
     On the other hand, since she's coming back you never know.
     On the Xander front, he was totally justified and totally right in everything he said. He also pointed out something that I knew he was feeling, that everyone was feeling, and that had been left unresolved: Buffy bears the blame for Jenny's death. And no matter what, that specter will never go away.
     I am more into Willow/Xander all the time. I had always feared where that would go, since Cordy/Xander had such spark, and I didn't want to see Xander chasing after Willow, jealous of Oz, and not being able to have her. I like how both of them sort of fell in together, and both feel guilty. And I like that Xander does respect Oz and his relationship with Willow, because it proves that he values Willow's feelings quite a bit. But the bottom line is that Willow doesn't love Oz. She likes him a lot, thinks he's a great guy, but the spark just isn't there. And for Xander, he likes Cordelia a lot, but the fun has died. I think Xander always knew that he and Cordy weren't the real thing, and that most of the fun in their relationship was the secrecy and the shock of it, and the fighting. After all, that's what brought them together in the first place. But now, they've moved past that. For Cordelia, it's what she wants. She really, really likes Xander a lot. For Xander, though, it's not. And there is nothing wrong with that. Xander doesn't owe it to Cordelia to stay with her for the rest of their lives, after all they are still in high school, and it inevitably happens that couples in high school break up. He does owe it to her to not lead her on, though. He's not actively cheating, yet. The kiss was instigated by Willow, although he did respond, but he's walking a very fine line.
     Speaking of Willow, she's come so far. At the beginning of the season I didn't like her, but now I really, really do. What she's doing may be technically cheating, but she's loved Xander for years, and they've been thru everything together. Knowing that Xander feels the same way, she'd be a fool to not go for it, even if it will hurt Oz. Because if she doesn't, she'll always look back with regret and wonder "what if." She's not married to Oz. She should feel free to explore the world of other men. Oz was her first, he doesn't have to be her last.
     Faith took a real beating in this episode. Her slaying is the only thing she has to prove her worth. And she was told by the person she put all her trust in that she wasn't any good at it. Buffy lied to her, and kept the truth about Angel from her, and she was excluded from the Angel meeting. She really needs to find someone who loves her, and stat. I don't mean a boyfriend, I mean someone to value her as a person and help her to recognize her self-worth. Because right now, she's utterly alone. Throughout Buffy's darkest hours, she always had someone who cared about her, even if they were a million miles away. She had Joyce, or Giles, or Willow, or Angel, even Spike. But the one time, at the end of B2, she was completely alone, it left her shattered enough to leave town for 3 months. Faith is in the same position now.
     Finally, I've tried my best to be anti-Buffy/Angel because Jenny Calendar is my favorite all-time character, but I'm having a tough time. I defend Xander's actions to the death, but I still get a happy seeing Buffy and Angel trying to make some sense of their feelings. Not because they're "meant to be together," but because they really do love each other. And I'd like Buffy to see some happiness. Especially since I am liking her character again, the way I did before Innocence. I think I'd go as far to say that Buffy is once again my favorite character. I like the new adult Buffy that she's become, which Faith brings out in her a lot. The growing pains were hard, and made her a little less entertaining, but were completely necessary to get Buffy to the point she's at now. She still makes mistakes, and sometimes she doesn't even learn from them. But she's trying her best to grow up in a world that makes no sense.
     Slam bang excitement, and very moving. Kudos to the new writing talent. They definitely know what's up. 10/10

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