IvanF's Uninformed Review of the Third Season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1998-1999)...

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- IvanF's No-Name Review of the Third Season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1998-1999) -
(The Introduction of Faith, Vamped Willow, Xander and Willow lose their Virginity, Angel and Cordelia Leave for LA)

Okay, I'll be the first to admit that I wasn't the biggest fan of the second season of Buffy. Although I always respected its character arcs and teen metaphors, the fact of the matter was... the season was just too melodramatic and just too cliche to ever hold my interest or attention over a bloody dime of a nickel... But the third season changed all that. The third season, while arguably lacking in character arcs in comparison, has indefinitely stood the test of time thanks to some brilliant, standalone episodes. I can watch Homecoming, Band Candy, Doppelgangland, and Earshot over and over again without ever getting bored. And if I ever do get bored of them, I've got Lover's Walk, Amends, The Zeppo, and Enemies to keep me tight... While I admit that Graduation felt sort of like a denouement compared to season two's Becoming, the fact of the matter is that I used to roll my eyes all the time at Buffy the Vampire Slayer, for being such an immature show that was trying to be mature. But in the third season? It was really when the writers were in full swing and full moon pie with the comedy and the parodies, which was exactly up my Vulcan death grip alley...

Season 3's only weakness to me was the pulling and gnawing of teeth when it came to the Angel and Buffy romance storyline. While their love "climaxed" in season two's Innocence, and almost brought a tear to my eye in Becoming, I really couldn't feel anything for the two in the third season, where they were too timid and too scared of the Big Bad to ever begin to kiss... But how can I not love the third season when Sarah Michelle Gellar absolutely looked her stunning best? I simply melt whenever I see the sun glistening off her skin in episodes such as Homecoming and Anne... but, um, I guess that's besides the point... And while I rolled my eyes a little too much at the love fest between Angel and Buffy, at least I can rest assured that I did love one part of their little romance... when Buffy got to show some skin...

But all horniness aside, there were many other pluses and pleasures to the third season as well. I always wished that Xander and Willow would get together, and for a while, I was actually thinking that they would... grumble grumble... and, well... The break-up between Xander and Cordelia was good at first, as I really could sense the heart-brokeness, if there's such a word, between the two star crossed haters... Oz wasn't used much in the season except for the occasional one-liner, but considering comedy is all I care about, how could I possibly hold this against a guy who buys his girl a pez wiccan?... Giles wasn't as warm and cuddly as he was in season 2 to Buffy, but it was sweet to me at least, how he seemed so shy every time he was around Joyce... and season three will always be notorious for the introductions of Anya and Wesley, two characters that were thought by fans to be mere annoyances at first, but later became fan favourites seasons later on. While I was never a fan of The Wish, I did love Anya's wooing of Xander in later episodes, and she really did turn into a great character by season four. And while I'll admit that I didn't think Wesley belonged in the series at first, I must admit that he certainly grew on me by the third season of Angel, but that was a long way coming, so...

Really, what it all comes down to is, there's only one reason why I loved the third season possibly more than any other season of Buffy: because of the memories... because of the remembrances of graduation. Because of my own memories of my own prom... Because of the sight of the signings of yearbooks... and because Buffy and Faith looked damn hot as they were dancing in Bad Girls, but I digress... Season three was possibly the only season of Buffy that I could really relate to, and really care about, as the duality between the two slayers played into a wonderful, melodramatic dynamic by the season's end. And honestly, how can I possibly not love a season with the Mayor? It was kind of ironic, actually... he was always so worried about germs, yet his laugh was so damn infectious that it made me wish I was living on a hellmouth with him as the tongue from time to time... unless that doesn't sound good, but I digress...

While season three may not be the darling of every Buffy fan's eye, I can certainly say without a shadow of a doubt, that it had everything that I could ever wish for in a season. It was the pinnacle of Whedonian writing in my opinion, the prime of Sarah Michelle Gellar's looks and charms, and the "peaking" of my own interests, if you know what I mean... While season three did not hold any real surprises like Surprise did in season two, it did provide for me the one thing that season two could never provide me with: metaphors that I could actually relate to... and the dreams, all the joys I've felt...

Notable Episodes: Homecoming, Band Candy, Lover's Walk, The Wish, Helpless, The Zeppo, Enemies, Earshot, The Prom, Graduation
Best Episode of the Season: Doppelgangland

Hmm... I always wondered how the Buffy internet scene all knew that Buffy's middle name was Anne... but I never once thought there would've been a whole episode dedicated to it. And I never once thought that after so many years of reruns, I would still fail to ever catch a glimpse of this episode, except to wonder where the hell Buffy got that adorable axe of hers in the season three opening credits...

After watching Anne on DVD, I can probably say that it was the most enjoyable season opener for me out of all Buffy seasons (although Lessons was decent), mainly because of the "realistic" feeling you get from this episode. It almost seems like it was filmed as a precursor to the Angel series or something, as all the glory shots of Buffy roaming the city streets was really reminiscent of the first season of Angel or something along those lines... Although it was kind of cliche how the incredibly nice shelter home guy was the evil maniacal monster in the end, I did find it creative how he captured runaways and used them as slaves for a hundred years in an alternative dimension. It was kind of an original idea for the time, and was a nice lead-in to the return of Angel several episodes later (although it still bugs me how despite time being so different in the demon dimension, all the teens were able to crawl out of the tar hole without half century gaps inbetween, but I digress...). I also thought Sarah Michelle Gellar looked stunning as she ran criss-crossed in the underground labyrinth, and she had some excellent chemistry with that girl who later took her name of Anne.

On the homefront, the little plotline between Xander and Cordelia hating each other after a summer apart was cliche, but somehow romantic when Cordy fell through the dusted vampire onto Harris' chest... I wasn't a big fan of Willow this episode, as she seemed to have too many cute lines, as if Joss Whedon was trying too hard to get back into his emperor's groove or writer's flow. But overall, I truly did enjoy Anne. It was different than most Buffy episodes, and as a result, it really does stick out in my mind.

Okay, I'll just flat out admit it. I hate this episode. Why? Because I'm freakin' freaked by zombies, that's why. I just couldn't stand how this episode centered around a spooky mask that raised the dead, so there's really not much that I want to say about it. The conflict between Joyce and Buffy was rather decent though, and I did feel sorry for Buffy when she overheard the rumours that the party was for a mental student or something... and it was always great to see Johnathan just standing there in the background, or sitting on the steps with nothing to do but be a laughable, laudable extra... and, well... Dead Man's Party had its moments, but I'll choose to forget this episode, if only so I don't get freaked out by zombies for the umpteenth, Resident Evil night in a row...

Wow... after watching through the seventh season of Buffy and the fourth season of Angel, I really must admit that I didn't recognize Faith at first. She looked so damn different back in season three that it's almost like she was a different woman... and in many ways, character wise, she was. I wasn't a big fan of this episode, but I do admit, it's hard to pull off a decent introductory episode in this day and age I suppose. I loved Faith's tales of wrasslin alligators and fighting in the nude, even though it seemed weird that she pulled all that off in just three or so months after Kendra was killed... I adored the little scene where Faith was stealing food from Buffy's plate at the Summers dinner table, and I liked the beginning of the rivalry between the two, as Buffy was almost ready to pop and believe that everyone wanted her to be more like Faith...

What I didn't like however, was the fact that Faith was so damn frightened at the end. Sure, it was in character in terms of an introductory character, but after watching Faith for so damn long now, it just didn't seem like her to freeze up at a little vampire that killed her watcher... Sure, she was young, impressionable, and willing to dance with vampires dressed from the 70s, but still... something just didn't seem right about her in this episode, and unfortunately, that was the reason why I found I couldn't enjoy it this time around. It was great for its day, the first time that I watched it. But now, it just feels awkward... but I guess that's just me...

Hmm... Another episode that I never really liked. Although the concept of a science student gone Incredible Hulk should've upped the fear fan factor for me, somehow I just couldn't stand this episode, where Oz gets to enjoy becoming a werewolf (to fight off that guy, I mean), and where Angel returns half naked for really no apparent reason whatsoever... Now, the show wouldn't have been the same without Angel on board, and it was obvious that the ringworm, Scott Hope, was just there to show that Buffy could never have a normal relationship, but still... maybe I'm just still bitter at the seventh season or something, but it really made no real sense whatsoever why the First Evil would bring the souled Angel back from his hell dimension. But still, one little plothole shouldn't stop me from enjoying an episode, right?...

I don't know. Although Willow had a bunch of great Willowesque lines yet again, the episode just didn't do it for me. Sure, I laughed at Xander falling asleep and noticing Oz's window was open in the morning, but I can't remember ever hollering or hooting at any lines in Beauty and the Beasts. I did feel a little something at the sight of Angel crying at Buffy's feet... as a man, I would die to be able to grovel to a girl like Buffy, but still, jealousy aside, a wise list full of vengeance wishes isn't enough to make me want to watch this episode again... because quite frankly, I've never been a fan of the Incredible Hulk.

Okay, the first time I watched Homecoming? I wasn't a big fan. I saw the Slayerfest concept and thought it was cheesy beyond belief... But after watching it a second time, and a third time on DVD? Homecoming has definitely shaped up to be not only one of the best Buffy episodes of season three, but also of the whole entire series for me. I simply loved this episode, if only because Sarah Michelle Gellar looked adorably, smoking hot in all of her scenes. She looked dazzling in her dress at the end, and she looked sparkling in even that yellow get-up that she giddied away in when giving away cup-cakes. I also loved her acting in this episode too, of course... um, yes, her acting, of course... I still remember the little jokes here and there, like the fact that all the people who would've voted for her probably were killed by zombies at her homecoming party... And just the looks between best friends and worst enemies, when Willow and co left to help Cordelia with her database and stuff like that, just brought out the best comedy the series has ever seen if you ask me. Cute, cheeky comedy was all this show was ever truly about. And honestly, how can you not love an episode where a vampire gets staked by a spatula? Honestly, who throws a shoe?...

Homecoming was also Cordy's finest moment. Not only did she get to talk down a vampire with her mouth, but she got to wear a fine dress that made her legs seem like the smoothest damn legs to me in the world, but I digress... But besides the way she looked, Charisma Carpenter also proved in this episode that she really was capable of being a lead actress, as her endless whining about being mixed up for Faith actually stayed Ange-style entertaining for the entire damn show... and as for the rest of the cast? Faith got a decent moment when she took out the ringworm Scott Hope. Giles got to make a joke that Buffy was in mortal danger, which I couldn't help but laugh at the irony at... And Willow and Xander? Let's face facts - I've always been hopeful that the two would get together. Ever since I was small, I always had the dream of best friends being star crossed lovers without ever knowing it, and I too was so damn rooting for the two when they slipped into those homecoming clothes and got the lip-lock on... In fact, if you read the next few reviews of the third season, you'll find that probably the most enjoyable episodes of the entire season were those in which I was teased with the prospect of the two ever getting together. They just seemed too cute together to ever let go, and it's still my impression today that after Tara's departure, Willow was supposed to end up with Xander in the end... but alas, all good things must come to pass, and unfortunately for me, the lovely bedroom scene between the two friends, and the solemn look of puppy sadness between the two at the party, is all the hope and Scott Hope that I will ever get...

Well, I'll admit it here and now. Even though we didn't see it on screen, I can't help loving this episode, if only because Giles and Joyce had sex... twice... under the influence of evil chocolate of course, but I digress... and, well... I was a semi-slight fan of Ethan Raine or however you spell his name back in season two's Halloween. He didn't end up much of a threat this episode, but it was definitely nice to see him back. And the scenes of the adolescent Giles ordering his slayer to punch Ethan in the nose were priceless... unfortunately, the comedy of the episode was sort of stricken away when the revelation of the babies being eaten was, well, revealed... I thought it was a bit too cheesy and a bit too easy when Buffy fried the snake demon with a gas pipe, although it was definitely a nice touch how the Mayor was noting about sewer maintenance.

Oh, that's one guy I haven't mentioned in my reviews yet. The Mayor is still my favourite Buffy villain of all time (or at least tied with Warren), simply because his obsession with the little things in life was priceless. I still remember in a later episode when he posed for the boy scouts. I still remember all his talks of mints, washing your hands, and drinking milk. I absolutely adore his character, if only because he could make me laugh in the most serious of Buffyverse moments. His smile was infectious, and I think that Band Candy was the first episode that he really shined. Even though I'm sure I'll forget about the Mayor in my later reviews, let the records show here and now that I loved every moment that he was on screen, and he surely will be missed, if only because he felt like a father to me too, just like with Faith... um, not that Faith was a father to me. I mean he was a father to Faith, but, um, nevermind...

Willow, Oz, Xander, and Cordelia didn't really do much this episode that I can remember. All eyes were rather on the adults for once, as Snyder proved that he's just an idiot rather than a supervillain, Giles had that hilarious hair gimmick going, and Joyce was acting a hell of a lot like early Buffy when she was caring about the babies and crime and whatever... And as for Buffy? She had a great time staring at Giles and Joyce making out right in front of her. I also loved the fact that Buffy drives as badly as I do on the road, but that's besides the point... Overall, Band Candy ranks as one of my favourite episodes of the season, simply because of the Mayor and all the hilariousness of seeing sixty year olds singing karaoke... and besides, I like chocolate myself. Although from this episode, it seemed that the candy had no effect on teens themselves, I wouldn't mind getting a taste of sweet sixteen all over again... considering I acted pretty much the same back then that I do now, I'm afraid...

Except I wasn't stupid enough to write Buffy reviews all day long, but I digress...

From the name alone, I knew this would be an important episode, and in many ways it was. Faith lost faith in Buffy, or trust that she can trust anyone at least. Willow and Xander got to continue the footsies, all resulting in a lovely scene where Willow was about to tell Buffy the truth... And Buffy? She did look hurt when the crew found out about Angel, and Sarah Michelle Gellar definitely looked pissed when she learned Xander had set loose Faith on her souled vampire, non-boyfriend. Revelations was all about trust, and it definitely set up the rest of the season brilliantly well.

It's just too bad that I couldn't like this episode very much for what it was, so to speak. I know that female watcher was supposed to be annoying, but even the first time I watched this episode, I was smacking my head at how silly the Scoobies were being when it came to trusting her. She seemed strict, but not evil... to them, I guess. But she definitely seemed all too evil to me... And I couldn't help but shake my head at this episode again after watching it on DVD, if only because the Sunnydale residents were just far too trusting, just as that evil bitch of a woman said... The fight scene in this episode was decent though, as at the time, I never once suspected that Faith and Buffy would start whacking each other in the face so early in the season. I wish girls like them would fight over a boy like me one day, but I guess I can't dare to dream, now can I?... I guess I just didn't like this episode because it took itself too seriously. It was all about doom and mistrust, when from the reviews above, it's obvious that I enjoy comedies and parodies. Still, I did enjoy Revelations more than most episodes of the third season, if only because I loved the look on Giles' face whenever the new watcher criticized his library of books. And besides, death by lightning is always cool for a sci fi buff like me... or more to the Mr. Pointy point, for a Buffy buff like me...

I've been waiting to watch this episode for a very long time, because for some odd reason, I was never able to catch it as a rerun on television. And being a huge Spike fan, I couldn't help but feel disgusted that I had yet to see the only season three episode that starred my favourite character... the thing was, over time and over the years, I started growing myths in my mind about how great Spike's early appearances on the show must have been. But after rewatching season two, I noticed that James Marsters didn't really get to do much in his early days... so I became afraid of watching his season three cameo, if only because I was afraid it would ruin my image of the leather dustered Shakespeare.

But how wrong I was, because Lover's Walk is not only one of the best of the season in my eyes, but also one of the best Spike episodes I've seen since season four. Just from the moment Spike bowled over the Sunnydale sign for the second time, I knew his classic shenanigans would hail, as the Mayor fondly recalls in this episode. And being Mr. Nostalgia myself, I found it rather fitting to see the factory again with all its plush, plucky voodoo dolls intact. Spike admitted he was happy there with Dru, and it was plainly obvious that he was no ordinary vampire... as the Judge had told him, he loves. He genuinely loves. And that's what was so great with this episode. He did genuinely act like the Spike of later seasons, as if Joss Whedon was already prepping him up to be a regular. Spike admitted in later seasons that he was never a real thinker, but we all know that Spike definitely sees people for who they are, and it's no wonder in this episode why he can tell Buffy and Angel can never be friends... because obviously, Spike loves Buffy so much that he can already see who she really is...

Of course, that's probably just my opinion. A bias opinion, considering I never liked Angel and Buffy together, but rather always took a liking to Spike holding Buffy in his arms, but I digress... Still, besides that, Lover's Walk was a great episode for more than just Spike centric reasons. Buffy and Angel got to share some moments together, and some great comedic lines with Spike. I howled when Buffy said Spike probably had her friends captured at the factory or something, and Spike retorted with a startled scoff and a, "how thick do you think I am?"... meanwhile, back at the factory, Xander and Willow were having really the last moments of relationship happiness between the two. And considering I still wish these two crazy kids would get together, how could I not hold this episode dear when they were holding each other on the bed so dearly?... Lover's Walk was about love in more ways than one. It was obvious to me that Spike loved Buffy without even knowing it. It was obvious to me that Angel loved Buffy and vice versa... it was obvious to me that Willow loved Xander and vice versa, and that Cordelia truly loved Xander as well... I normally roll my eyes at melodramatic soap opera episodes, but I did feel bad for the couple when Cordy told Xander to stay the hell away from her. And I did feel both happy and sad at the end when Spike was driving off into the sunset, ready to torture Dru back to his side. He seems to know who everyone is but himself... but he'll back... Oh, I'm sure, he'll be back...

I know, I know that everyone on the net seems to love the Wish... but after watching so much Star Trek and Stargate in my life, I guess I can't be blamed for not enjoying an alternate universe episode very much... It also doesn't help that I've watched this episode so many times as reruns to the point where I almost feel sick. And knowing me, I guess it's only natural that I wouldn't take seriously an episode that takes itself too seriously. I mean, hust from the music in the final fight scene alone, where Buffy's neck gets snapped and Giles talks of other worlds being better than his, you could just tell that the Wish was all supposed to be thought-provoking and dramatic. Unfortunately, I don't normally like TV that makes me think. I have school for that, you know.

I will give this episode big props for introducing Anya, although I would rather give more credit to Doppelgangland for that. I can also give credit to Willow and Xander in this episode, for putting on brave faces as totally amoral and villainous vampires. I liked the little scene where vamped Villow or whatever was riding the Angel puppy like a... um... dog... I also did find the death of Cordelia rather shocking, but rather pointless in the end, as she was pretty much written out for the rest of the season by this point (she became rather underutilized until Wesley appeared on the scene, at least)... I didn't like bad girl Buffy though. She acted too much like a soldier, which was appropriate but too simplistic for my tastes. I liked her new chemistry with Angel though, when she rolled her eyes at the fact that he was a vampire... It was fun to see an alternate Buffyverse, I suppose, but I prefer episodes that do so with a comedic twist like Doppelgangland. But before I give up my rant, I will say one thing... Willow played her role to such perfection in this episode, even just by the stares she gave the girl that the Master had fed her, that it was no shadow of a doubt that Joss Whedon took her off the set one day and simply jubilated to her, "hey, want to be the big bad one season"?...

Have I mentioned yet that I don't like episodes that take themselves seriously?... and seriously, I honestly can't remember any jokes in this episode at all. All I remember, is Angel being all dark and broody, imagining the people he brutally slaughtered walking around and nipping at the Scoobies' necks... and the thing was, despite my lack of seriousness in taking the show seriously, I did once think that the First Evil was a threat in Amends... the first time I watched it... but now that I've seen what the First Evil could do in the seventh season of Buffy?...

I couldn't help but laugh all the way through Amends the last time I watched it, if only because the First Evil has no evil credibility whatsoever... Though honestly, it did more in this one episode alone than it did in an entire season. It told a riveting tale how Angel was always an evil man, even before he became a vampire, and a soul will never change that. And I did think it was touching, how Angel was saved by snow of all things, which set up the Powers that Be arc thingy on his own show quite well... But really, besides Buffy crying like she always does, calling Angel a coward, what else did this episode have to offer? I guess I just wasn't in the Christmas season when I watched this episode, because Faith joining Buffy and Joyce for dinner just felt awkward, knowing what kind of stalker killer she was going to turn out to be... I guess as a Christmas episode, Amends had its virtues. But in terms of the Buffyverse as a whole, although it set up the First Evil's return in the seventh season quite nicely, it just really sucks that nothing really came from this episode in the end... It had potential... and it had laughs. Just not intentionally...

Woopee, another episode that I can't bear to watch. Just like with Dead Man's Party and the zombies, I guess I just have a thing against parents burning their children Salem style... Or maybe I just don't like it when television uses unnecessarily evil kids on screen? I may never know... All I know is that Gingerbread is not a fan favourite of mine, not being it's scary, not because it's disturbing, but probably because it tries to be both and kind of fails. It was nice for Joyce to finally get an episode of her own, and I did like the mother and daughter talk that Willow and her mom had, if only because it reminded me of my own, callous, psychological thoughts... But it still bugs me how Giles was never affected by the Hansel and Gretal kids. And just like with season four's Hush, I guess I have a anti thing for freaky, deaky fairy tales...

The only real moment that I can recall from this episode was when Amy turned herself into a rat. As for the main cast, I enjoyed how Buffy took our the combined beast by accident with the stake she was being burned on, but the scene was just so anti-climatic, with the one second battle and the Oz/Xander rescue amounting to nothing... There's really nothing else I can say about Gingerbread. It was even cheesy to me how much Buffy was concerned over her mother being concerned... And this episode made Willow look very unnecessarily evil, with that protection spell symbol and all... but I guess that was half of the point, considering she is dangerous, as any season six watcher could tell...

Helpless sort of has me helpless, and sort of has me in an enema of an enigma, since I really can't decide whether to like this episode or not. On the one side, it had a hell of a lot of great comedy, with Buffy being rescued by Cordelia, and Cordelia trying to remind a tearful Buffy of whom Giles was. And on the other side, it was also a bit too spooky for me. I've always had a fear of vampires, and I certainly don't like it when a show about vampires can bring that primal fear out of me again...

Helpless was a very nice change of pace, where Buffy loses her powers and ponders over having a regular, mortal life. I kind of feel sad for her though... I didn't care much when she was being attacked by vampires (although it was bugging me how Giles could take out vampires by himself, but Buffy with all her experience could barely do a thing). It was creative, how she killed that psycho vampire guy with holy water, and I'll give the writers props for her non-pun, punning moment at the end. Helpess was definitely a change from the every day Buffyverse, and in a way, that definitely was welcome. We got to see Buffy truly vulnerable for once, and for the first time, reminded us just how much she does rely on her powers to get her through the thick of things... But most importantly, it also illustrated how damn much she trusted Giles as a father figure, and it was a nice parallel actually - between her biological father not being there, and of Giles begging that he will do everything in his power to earn back her trust. I personally thought the relationships in this episode were pretty good, considering I don't normally like the serious stuff... and I personally felt bad for Giles at the end, for getting fired, and for starting off a huge chain reaction that led to him becoming useless by the fourth season...

So was Helpless a plus or a minus in my year book?... and the thing was... When I watched this episode again on the season three DVDs, I noticed something... It stars Malcolm! Malcolm from Star Trek Enterprise! And honestly, how the hell can't I love an episode where everyone's favourite armory officer gets to growl with fangs and attack anything that gets in his way? Sure, it bloody sucked how he got beaten up by a bookcase and a librarian, but I just couldn't help but enjoy myself while screaming to Malcolm through the television, to telegraph his moves and save his own ass... Helpless may have made my favourite Enterprise character helpless, but it sure as hell made the episode a hell of a lot of fun as well...

For the longest time, there was only one Buffy episode that I liked. I literally hated most season two episodes, and I didn't end up liking Homecoming or Lover's Walk until I bought the season three DVDs not so long ago... But the Zeppo? The Zeppo?... this is the episode that made me like Buffy the Vampire Slayer not just for Sarah Michelle Gellar, but for the writing. By now, all you non-existent, no-name readers must know that I can't take a serious episode seriously. So it's only natural that one of my favourite episodes of all time would be an actual parody of the Buffyverse itself! And honestly, how could I possibly not love an episode where the apocalypse of the world is the actual B plot? This was the first time that I enjoyed an episode without Buffy sweating and showing cleavage, and it's no wonder why.

Xander was brilliant in this episode, more so than Xander Cage could ever dream of triple X-ing. I loved his talk with Oz, about the definition of cool. And just by seeing how cool Oz was with all his short, half-sentence statements, made me appreciate his character for the first time as well... Before the Zeppo, I just thought Willow was the cute side-kick and a lust bunny for Xander. But when I saw the hug between the two, even though Xander had no friggin' clue what was going on? It was just so priceless because it was all so meaningless, that I couldn't help but fall in love with her cuddly character as well... And when Xander barged in on Buffy and Angel uninvited, both of whom had tears in their eyes for the millionth time? I just loved the way he interrupted and then slinked away, in the middle of what could've easily been the final talk between the two lovers before Graduation Day... or Groundhog day for that matter, but that's besides the point...

It's just that everything in this episode worked so seamlessly for me, even though I admit it did move along a little slowly. Maybe I just related to Xander too much when he was getting donuts with Cordelia snarking in the way, but I honestly did root for the Harris underdog when he was knocking off zombie heads with mailboxes and soda vending machines. I loved his first showdown with the gang leader, I loved how he didn't snitch on the gay wrasslin, and I loved the final staredown between the two, when Xander truly knew who was the one with less fear... The ending of this episode all capped it off perfectly for me. The camera panning alone was enough to convince me we had just watched a season finale from an outsider's eye... I loved how we will never find out what courageous thing Giles did that night. We will never know whether Oz would figure out why he was so full that morning. We will never figure out whether the gang will ever figure out that Xander was running away from school gangs and multi-headed demons that night... And golly gee, how can I not love an episode where Xander loses his virginity as a footnote, or where talk of the apocalypse is interrupted by a lack of jelly donuts? No Smallville melodramatic crap for me. Give me the Zeppo anyday!...

You know what? I remember Bad Girls being a bad episode, but I proved myself wrong when I watched it over again on the DVD. Little touches, like Faith staking a heart she drew on a window, somehow rekindled my love for the connection between the two slayers, almost to the point where I wished Joss Whedon had gone with the lesbian subtext idea he had, but that's besides the point... and of course, I have to give this episode praise for Buffy and Faith dancing with a google of guys. Too bad the song they were swinging to sucked...

But besides all that? I don't know, but I just wasn't impressed. Sure, the cat came out of the bag that the Mayor was evil. And sure, it was semi-startling to see Faith so callous by the end credits... but really, the only things I actually enjoyed about this episode were Wesley Pryce and Xander twitching his eye at every mention of Faith. There were very few cute moments in this episode, and if it wasn't for Alexis Denisof's brilliant performance at being a dork of a dick?... well, I hate to say this, considering I'm a guy... but Bad Girls just wasn't a turn on for me... it's too bad, though. Evil Lesbian Faith would've been a lot more fun than just... well... evil, possibly lesbian, Faith...

Here we have yet another episode that seemed like it was trying too hard to win an Emmy. We have Buffy crying to Willow in her bedroom about how much trouble she's in. We have Willow crying in the girl's room from Xander losing his virginity to Faith. We have Faith, trying to look strong yet subtlely hurting inside when she remembered the Deputy Mayor came out of nowhere. And we had Giles, putting on an act and almost looking like he was ready to hit Buffy or something when he was told lies by Faith... and poor Wesley! Second day or week or whatever on the job, and he was already doing a worse job than Giles ever did. If only he carried around his shotgun back then... if only...

I could've done without all the cheesy dialogue between Angel and Faith though. The redemption stuff was much better written in his own show when Faith returned, hopefully because the writers learned their mistakes from Consequences... as a consequence of Consequences, I guess... and I guess this episode was supposed to be shocking or something, considering a human person actually was killed, staining Buffy's hands in blood... but I never really thought of it that way. She killed that evil watcher woman in Revelations, although she may not have known slicing off her arm would do that... And I never really got how Buffy is given a license to kill all demons, when demons are obviously sentient, and demons like Spike and Clem prove that not all demons are pure evil. And if it really was about evil? Then there should be no problems killing humans that are deemed "evil", right?... but all this moral stuff, I really shouldn't get into... I hate philosophy, even though I'm a philosopher. And I hate thinking about moral issues based on TV. I mean, like I said earlier, I have boring school essays for that...

I'll admit it here and now - I wasn't a big fan of this episode the first time I saw it. But after witnessing all that Darth Willow did in season six? Suddenly, vamped Willow's slogan in this episode of "bored now" became a hell of a lot more real to me... and a hell of a lot more foreshadowy... It's just that Hannigan does such a good job as the cliche bad girl in this episode, that it was no wonder why the writers made the real Willow go lesbian the season after. Just from the way she stared in succulent glory as she effortlessly broke that vampire's fingers, was definitely enough to open up the writer's eyes and see that Willow could definitely become one of the baddest baddies that ever walked the Buffyverse...

But besides the future ramifications, I absolutely loved Doppelgangland for its one of a kind comedy. I may have seen a ton of sci fi episodes on other shows dealing with evil doubles from alternate universes (or lesbian doubles from alternate universes), and yet none were as satisfying as hearing Willow say, "I think I'm sort of gay", or the sight of Willow's eyes lighting up when her vamped self started groping a bit too much in their hug... The rest of the cast did a miraculous job as well, as they really did look mortified and horrified that Willow was supposedly dead. Although it will never dawn on me why they couldn't just curse here with a soul if such a thing ever happened, it definitely was worth a few dozen laughs when even Giles of all people hugged Willow when he saw her cute and alive... And Angel? For once, I actually cared that he was on screen. He was useful in two moments: the first being when he was all choked up inside at the sight of vamped Willow, only to say hello to Willow a second later without noticing it. And second, when he was almost going to admit his lesson from Amends, that a vampire brings out the worst that already exists in the human victim, which actually sent a little coil up and down my mortal spine when I realized what he was alluding to...

Doppelgangland was also great, simply for truly introducing Anya and D'Hoffryn in a big way. Of course, Anya was a bit too evil this episode, and didn't really get her straight-forward honesty until the Prom or Graduation, but still... it was nice to see her helpless, and it was funny seeing her flunk math and trying to buy a beer... Doppelgangland truly had everything that I ever wanted in an episode, from the little waves that leather-clad Willow gave to Oz in the Bronze, to just the whole moral implications of the episode, that there's a lot of darkness in even the best of us... Although Doppelgangland isn't my favourite episode from the third season, it definitely ranks up there with Homecoming and the Zeppo. It was pure Joss Whedon writing at its best, and I only wish that he would've written like this more often than not...

Sadly, Enemies has made an enemy out of me, simply because I've watched this episode so many damn times as a rerun that I can't help churning my stomach at the mere sound of its title. I admit this episode has its merits, with Faith going berzerk on an innocent demon, and with Angel seemingly returning to the Dark Side of the force. But in the end, I just couldn't end up much of a fan of this episode, if only because it was far too serious, and far too reminiscent of the reasons why I didn't like the second season of Buffy very much at all.

Enemies had a lot of moments that I would've liked to freeze frame, from Faith asking if she could keep Angel, to the sight of Faith and Buffy holding knives at each others' throats. And there was some humour in this episode, with the Mayor treating Angel like a daughter's boyfriend, and with Giles admitting that he introduced the dark, shadowy figure guy to his wife... But overall, despite watching this episode so many damn times, the only serious moment that I can really recall was when Angelus threw the letter opener at the Mayor's heart. Invulnerability is always a fun thing, although the Mayor didn't have the muscular strength to back it up... And I do remember being kind of shocked when I first learned that Buffy and Angel had played Faith for a fool (although it took me a few more watchings to realize what he meant by, "second greatest actor"). But alas, this episode was just far too romantically cliche for me, Buffy style... I mean, Buffy was scared off by Angel pretending to passionately kiss Faith. I understand what she was feeling, but... well, actually I don't. That was probably the problem...

Earshot is possibly one of the most notorious Buffy episodes ever made, and not because it's a good or decent episode, but because it's was just oh so great with timing. Most Buffy fans would know that Earshot was scheduled to be aired the very same week as the Columbine massacre, and obviously, it would've been just wrong at the time to show off an episode with a high powered rifle as the star... And actually, if I can remember back to the week that Columbine happened, I remember that a hell of a lot of shows were going to air sniper based episodes around that very same month. And don't you find that odd? It almost seemed as if the Columbine killers had heard about all these massacre episodes and decided to act accordingly... or it was simply that sniper episodes become the fad around Hitler's birthday (my birthday), but I guess I will never know...

Either way, it was kind of a shame that Earshot was cancelled for quite a while after the shootings, because it really is one of my favourite episodes of the season. Buffy gaining telepathic powers led to some of the greatest comedy bits of the season. Although I rolled my eyes at the deep thoughts that Oz was thinking, I still laugh every time (and half agree) whenever Xander kept thinking of naked Buffy thoughts... I loved the stares that Buffy gave Wesley when he was thinking of being a bad, bad man... I loved the fact that Cordelia always said what she thought, even though the act did start getting old by the end. And the honesty that Buffy experienced from the thoughts of Willow, Giles, and her own mother were not only laugh out loud quality ("you had sex with Giles?!... TWICE?!!!"), but also touching, as it really did touch on the ideas of privacy, insanity, and usefulness.

And honestly, how can I not love an episode where everyone's favourite Jonathan finally got to become a superstar? Buffy's talk with him near the end was quite powerful too, surprisingly enough, as it's definitely true that we angsty people are so concerned with our own angst that we rarely ever truly notice it in others... And even when we viewers thought it was all said and done, Xander's jello cravings during a school massacre led to a hilarious fight with the cook, a person that every student at one time of another blames for being evil... I certainly thought it was appropriate, even though the episode wasn't appropriate for the week it was going to air in... and, well... Whenever I put my season three DVDs back into my DVD player, there are always a select few episodes I watch time and time over again, and Earshot is one of them. Not just because of the comedy, but because Buffy really proved why she deserved that little umbrella of class protector...

Hmm... can I remember anything from Choices? Probably not, which is sad, considering I just watched it the other day. I remember Willow getting captured, the Mayor complaining about redecorating his office, and giant spiders trying to eat Principal Snyder or the Mayor or somebody from the inside out, tempered Seabass style. But besides that? Hmm... I'd like to say that Choices made the wrong choice by taking itself too seriously. But the problem is, I don't remember the episode at all. For all I know, maybe it wasn't even a serious episode, but rather just a forgettable episode that didn't really amount to much in the end...

I remember Faith getting that knife of hers, although I never really noticed the significance of that until Graduation. I also remember the evil but honest lecture that the Mayor gave to Buffy and Angel, about outliving his wife and immortality not being a pretty sight... But besides that? Choices had its moments, but if I had a choice, I would probably give this episode thumbs down. Unfortunately, I don't think I can give myself much choice in this matter, considering I really can't remember whether I liked this episode or not from even yesterday...

The Prom is another one of those cute, cheeky Buffy episodes that somehow manages to make me feel all Luke warm Perry inside. And it wasn't just because Sarah Michelle Gellar looked absolutely beautiful in that prom dress of hers (although it still irks me how she did her hair so quickly after taking out all those three hell hounds). I guess I still watch this episode over and over again, simply because the class finally appreciated Buffy for once. It was fitting how Jonathan not only got a date (something I still have yet to do), but was the one who nervously awarded Buffy that adorable little umbrella of hers (which I don't think we've seen since, actually...). And although the episode made me roll my eyes far too many times thanks to the Buffy and Angel break-up, I did feel sad for the two when they were dancing for the last time at the end. I may be a Spike and Buffy fan, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't see any chemistry between Buffy and her first love...

Or actually, if there's one reason that I should both cherish and stay away from The Prom for, it's because it bloody hell reminds me too damn much of my own stupidity at my own graduation formal... I cringe whenever I watch Xander cringing at the loss of the class clown award, because I still hate the fact that I acted like damn, skippy hippy when I waltzed up to get the stupid awards that I didn't deserve... And I can't help but look down in sorrow at the sight of all those couples dancing in decent dresses, if only because I now feel like such a fool for letting down my guard and trying to have fun with girls that don't bloody care about me anymore... Yes, I am a tight-ass, but in a way, that's what makes the Prom so good. It reminds me of things I shouldn't forget, but that I want to forget... and it's nice to be reminded or who you were and who you are from time to time, especially if you don't want to...

And honestly, how can I not love an episode where Andrew's brother, Tucker, was introduced, albeit for just a short time? The hell-hounds amounted to nothing in this episode, which is half why I loved the Prom so much. It was about relationships and departures, and it was fitting how Xander bought for Cordelia her prom dress. It was fitting how Anya asked Xander to the prom, simply because she knew he had no other date... and it was fitting how Sarah Michelle Gellar truly got to beam as she strode to the stage, as I really wished I could be Jonathan at that time, giving such a beautiful and athletic lady the thanks that she was definitely overdue... The Prom was a fun episode, mostly out of nostalgic reasons and not for any logical ones. But you know me... I'm Mr. No-Name Nostalgia, and although The Prom didn't affect me much the first time I watched it before graduation, I now realize why the Buffy series was ever, always so damn popular with college students... it was like coffee to them, not just because of the writing, but because of the memories...

Which explains why everyone thought the fourth season sucked (thought I loved it). Nobody wants to be reminded of losing your high school friends or of failing school, but I digress...

Hmm... this should be a short end-all, be-all of all reviews. Let's see here... Oz and Willow lose their virginity and smile around like warm kittens that just had milk, not that I cared much. As much as I love both characters, I never thought they ever had any real chemistry... As for Cordy and Wesley, although they lacked chemistry as well, how can I possibly not love the moment where the two shared the most awkward kiss imaginable on the face of the planet (although I fear that's how I'll look whenever I finally get my first, bloody kiss...)? And I admit, I think I did feel a little needle in my eye when I saw Buffy and Angel staring at each other for the last time by all the fire trucks. Of course, I fully knew at the time that Buffy was going to do cross-overs on Angel, so it wasn't a total going away party, but still... I may not be an Angel and Buffy fan, but I definitely did feel sorry for the two characters. I may not have ever loved, but I know what it's like to be in love with love...

And yet... I remember the first time I watched graduation back when season three was new. After it was all said and done, I complained to some Buffy fans in school that Graduation was a lame ass finish to an otherwise great season, simply because the Mayor turning into a medium sized snaked was anti-climatic and quite a letdown. My friends then countered my claims, claiming that they loved the finish, simply because students got to fight back with flamethrowers and fire arrows for once... but the thing is... even though The Prom proved that Buffy was not as alone as we all thought, I just thought Graduation was pushing it a bit too much with the idea that Buffy can finally share her secret... and it certainly didn't help how students were able to beat down the vampires blocking them from the street. Somehow, it cheapened the whole experience for me back then, knowing that Buffy on her birthday could barely do a thing, but students with no experience could wipe out a whole army, but I digress...

But that was then. This is now. And although I still find myself disappointed in Graduation in comparison to the rest of the season, I will admit that I do like the episode now more than I did before. The Faith and Buffy dynamic was now much stronger to me than it was before, as I understand now the "dream" that Buffy shared with Faith in the hospital, and I now appreciate more the choreography that went into their fight. I also now appreciate more the Angel-sucking-your-blood scene, as even though it was obvious Buffy wasn't going to die, I did feel for Angel... for almost killing the woman he loves... And there were little moments in this episode that I didn't notice the first time around. From Harmony signing Willow's yearbook, to Willow saying goodbye to the vending machine that never gets her order right, to even the Percy cheers and Xander staring at Cordelia one last time... Hell, even the Mayor's speech about change and the journey, and Buffy's speech that the Mayor truly is evil for trying to get through his full speech, was poetically brilliant in a sense... And yet I still can't help feeling bored every time I try to watch this episode. I guess old habits die hard, and it's kind of die hard difficult for me to enjoy any episode that takes itself too seriously. From what Anya was telling us about the Ascension, I was expecting a massive slaughter and a massive demon. Instead, we got cheap CGI effects of the Mayor bursting like an alien chest-burster... and somehow, I couldn't help but be let down...

Let down by the finale at least, but not by the season. Graduation may not have lived up to Homecoming's or Doppelgangland's standards, but it definitely was a touching way to cap off the life of Buffy in high school (which many Buffy fans still wish to this day half she was still in, just for metaphors and entertainment's sake...). I personally loved the third season of Buffy, and it was definitely better than the second season, for those of all us who roll our eyes at all the Buffy and Angel moments with tears in their eyes...

And alas, all good things must come to an end, thus ends my pointless thoughts and reviews that nobody will ever read. This in a sense in my graduation... now that I can finally go back to watching Buffy episodes, rather than writing absolute crap on these websites for now...