the wish

The Wish
12/8/98
guest stars: Mark Metcalf (the master), Larry Bagby III (Larry), Mercedes McNab (Harmony), Emma Caulfield (Anya)
Writer: Marti Noxon
Director: David Greenwalt

Synopsis: not yet written.

    review:   Joss Whedon finally gives us an It's a Wonderful Life type episode. The look into what the world would have been like had Buffy never come to Sunnydale was nifty, however, I thought the story could have been better if at least one character had learned something, or remembered something in some way. When Cordelia remembered what the old world was like, I was thinking it was going to be another Charisma-centric episode, where Cordy struggles to put things right. Her early death surprised me, and while I kinda liked seeing Cordelia die at the hands of Willow and Xander is assured me that she wouldn't gain any insights from what happened.
     I felt really, really bad for her when she was the butt of the school, however, that was a little tempered when I remembered that Xander was treated exactly the same way after being dumped in BBB. I'm not totally in the "Willow/Xander deserve to suffer" club yet. After all, I still think the things Cordelia did to them outweigh whatever pain she's going thru. She needs to get over herself. And I'm disappointed that Willow is trying to make things right with Ox because I still don't believe they are good together. I love Willow and like Oz, but the whole is less than the sum of their parts. Oz and Buffy would make a good relationship. On the other hand, I think Oz called it right. Willow wants to make things right because she wants to stop feeling so bad, not because she loves Oz. In the end, Willow couldn't be happy with Oz.
     I was pleased to see the return of the original Slayerettes. The Buffy/Willow/Xander triangle has been coming apart in recent shows, and with Cordelia and Angel out and Oz on the outskirts, they seem to be pulling together.
     I guess it's been a long time since I've watched a season one episode since I was excited to see Mark Metcalf return as the master. I forgot what a worthless bad guy he was. I'm just really glad we didn't have to see the Annoying One with him.
     Each character showed two sides of themselves tonight, and pulled it off. Sarah Michelle Gellar's Buffy has been getting back to the Buffy of old, the one I liked so much as opposed to the "oh poor me my boyfriend turned bad" Buffy. I like seeing her as the strength and emotional backbone of the group. Also, the Buffy who had gone to Cleveland reminded me of Kendra, right down to the outfit. And the fact that I didn't care for her character. Nick Brendon's penitent Xander was a nice breath of fresh air. Even though I'm the first to defend him since everything he says is right, it's nice to see him humbled. As a vampire, he was effectively creepy.
     Charisma Carpenter did make me feel totally bad for Cordelia. It was obvious that she was completely hurt by those sheep she called her friends right over again. And I was also excited to see Mercedes McNab return in the role of Harmony, one of my favorite reoccurring stars. Much like in BBB, she uses her face to convey all the emotions she's trying very hard not to show, and effectively humanizes what could be a very caricatured character. Also of interest, the scene outside the Bronze, with Buffy chasing after Cordelia, echoes the scene in WSWB where Cordelia confronts Buffy about her behavior.
     Angel was blah guy again tonight, which was a little disappointing after last episode when he was a little cooler. I wish he had shown more of that edge he had first season. I was impressed at how the show kept Angel yet stuck with the continuity presented in B1. I had just gathered they would overlook that little point. Still, I really enjoyed seeing him die.
     Anthony Stewart Head gave an effective as always portrayal of Giles. The hurt on his face as he watched Cordelia die was amazing. I enjoyed seeing Oz and Larry as the two who helped him, and it suggests that Larry may play more of a role in the future. I do like that character and imagine that they'll explore it more, especially after his revelation in Phases.
     One thing that disappointed me was Robia LaMorte's absence in this episode. It would have been the perfect chance to bring back Jenny, since what went on really didn't have to affect or be affected by the running plot of the show. An appearance would have added a lot to the show. I'm still hoping to see her next week. The show does miss her.
     Alyson Hannigan was the highlight of this episode. I could tell that this was a Marti Noxon penned episode even thought i'd forgotten to look in the opening credits as to who wrote it, because of the strength of the Willow scenes. While I'm disappointed in the end of the Willow/Xander interlude and that Willow wants to get back with Oz, Aly's portrayal has been nothing short of amazing. But the best was seeing her in leather, though, seducing and torturing Angel, especially licking him. And that outfit she had on...Wow. Without a doubt, the sexiest outfit on this show.
     Seeing Cordelia, Angel, Xander, Willow, and finally Buffy die was rather neat. Although I was hoping for more of a Buffy/master fight since I've always thought the one in PG was a little rushed and anti-climatic.
     The return of the master was interesting but I think this episode could have benefitted from more returning stars. Besides Calendar, Julie Benz' Darla, Eric Balfour's Jesse, or Ken Lerner's Flutie would all have been fun to see again.
     Anya was one of the more interesting demons, but I knew she was bad as soon as she befriended Cordelia. Still, I'd like to see her again as a mortal, or someone like her for Cordelia to play off of. She needs a friend in a major way, and with another 13 episodes still to air I'm wondering what they're going to do with her since Angel, I've heard, departs after next week to create the spin off. as a side note, Emma Caulfield portrayed Lorraine, a sometime friend of Carly, on General Hospital. I'd been trying to place her the entire episode.
     One of the key's in Capra's It's a Wonderful Life is that George Bailey learned how great he really had it after seeing what the world was like without him. We got to see Sunnydale sans Buffy, but none of the characters did. As always with Noxon, there were a few things I thought could have been improved upon, but this episode stands out as one of her better ones. The other world was fun to watch, Alyson and Nick were outstanding as bad guys, and there were moving performances from all the actors regarding the fallout of the Willow/Xander kiss. 8/10

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