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Post by Clare on Sept 24, 2008 6:33:37 GMT -5
3.08 Lovers' Walk - Episode #042
As a broken-hearted Spike returns to town, Xander and Willow's attraction has disastrous consequences.
Review (also post a score out of 10) and discuss this episode.
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Post by cyclica on Oct 1, 2008 12:18:15 GMT -5
Another great episode, I gave it a 7.
This is the last appearance of the 'old spike' before he becomes a non threatening part of the furniture in s4. It did feel a bit like fan pandering to bring spike back (why would he return to sunnydale at all? Apart from becoming, since when was he so insightful and helpful?) but it's still good to see him again.This was spike at his scariest, but still funny. And the montage at the end, with the scoobies all sad but ending with happy spike, was awesome.
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Post by partcynic on Dec 27, 2009 6:46:05 GMT -5
3x08 “Lover’s Walk”
Episode Rating = 9
One of my favourite episodes from both S3 and the series, “Lover’s Walk” has everything I want from “Buffy” in abundance, and attains the unique achievement of being un-missable despite largely involving itself with plots I’m not concerned with. While a lesser writer could have made this story a clumsy mess, newbie Dan Vebber (interestingly, the third consecutive debuting author in a row, following Jane Espenson and Douglas Petrie in the two preceding episodes) has a near-perfect grasp on all of the characters, and effortlessly examines and progresses five(!) different romantic relationships, providing conclusive endings for four, and managing to feature a truckload of excellent dialogue, wit and action. As a result, this perhaps the strongest first entry of any “Buffy” writer, and it’s definitely a shame that the show didn’t keep Vebber on after his great work here (and in “The Zeppo”).
What I Liked about “Lover’s Walk”:
- The teaser is excellent, establishing the two principle plots with a great deal of humour. Willow and Xander’s confused romance is at its most tolerable and believable (which is admittedly not much, but is done as well as it could have been), and the SAT discussion was funny (Willow being Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel; Cordy’s hidden depths; Oz’s sarcasm voice being just like his regular one; and Cordy’s statement about Buffy leaving and never coming back). There was also a neat surprise (Buffy’s unexpectedly high SAT scores – I guess the studying in “Band Candy” paid off), which mostly worked. The transition to the subsequent scene was excellent, and Spike’s drunken return to Sunnydale was in superb contrast to the cool and threatening entrance he made in “School Hard”.
- As one of the pivotal Spike episodes, this one really allowed the character to expand, and James Marsters’ able handling of the changes makes it easy to understand why the writers decided to make him a regular in S4 (however detrimental to the series that was). Throughout the narrative, he hits all of the right emotional buttons, and the story shines brightest when he’s its focus. The opening drunk material (how much would a vamp have to consume to become intoxicated? It’s not like they have the circulation for the alcohol to affect their brains) was fascinating compared to his prior depictions, and it was pathetic (in a good way) to see what he’d been reduced to by his break-up with Drusilla.
- As I’ve stated several times before, I have quite a few misgivings about the abrupt Willow/Xander romance, but this episode managed to make it work. While I still don’t buy their entanglement, the uncomfortable conflict they were experiencing between their newfound attraction and moral codes was believable, and it was very interesting to observe how Willow’s primary reaction to the situation was to turn to magic. This also allowed their plot to meet Spike’s organically, and provided a solid connection between the more humorous and serious parts of the narrative.
- The progression of Buffy/Angel is all good (and extra points for Angel finally being fully clothed), and I would have actually been satisfied if their relationship had been left there. There was a lot of reality to their romantic circumstance, with Buffy’s response (saying that they’re just friends, but then getting upset when Angel treats her as a friend, and not as a lover) being particularly accurate. I did actually feel for Buffy when her angling for a reason to stay in Sunnydale was met with a suggestion that she leave, and the last, post-Spike chat she had with Angel was well-written, being emotional without being bogged-down or overly sentimental.
- Spike’s attack on Willow and Xander is exciting and dramatic, and I liked seeing them fall so easily (it was jarring having them patrolling and defeating vamps before, so it’s awesome to see that they’re useless against Spike, even when he’s wasted). The Spike/Willow talk at the burnt-out factory was excellent in conveying Spike’s upset (as with Buffy, a very real reaction, if we discount the vampirism), as well as Willow’s ability to fight her fear, think rationally and attain a limited advantage. On top of that, it was also pretty funny - I smiled when Willow was consoling Spike,and gave him that little pat on the back, flatly saying “there, there”.
- Words can’t express how brilliant the Spike/Joyce scene is. Paying off marvellously from “Becoming” and Joyce still thinking Spike’s ‘safe’ (I don’t know why she didn’t put two and two together after “School Hard”, but that’s neither here nor there), it’s one of my favourite comedy moments, and I love the ludicrousness of them discussing love over hot chocolate (plus marshmallows!) It was also great when Angel made his presence known, with Spike’s “You’re a bad, bad man” and making scary faces behind Joyce always making me laugh.
- Willow and Xander’s predicament towards the end of the episode is well-explained, and I could believe their turning to each other for solace in the face of a grisly end. It was suitably gutting when Oz and Cordy came upon them, and Cordy’s subsequent fall and impalement on a rebar were good shocks on first viewing.
- Spike’s talk with Buffy and Angel during their magic supply hunt is one of the character’s finest moments, and one of the most eloquent descriptions of passionate love I’ve heard (at least in TV/film). After all of the B/A fawning in the last few episodes, it was wonderful to have someone observe and state what we all wanted to say to them, and the fact that it was written and delivered so beautifully makes it the episode’s crowning moment.
- Although it’s more of an obligation than a necessity, the big fight is a welcome change in tone, and the choreography and stunts people are at their usual, high level of work. It was also good to tie it to the Mayor, who continues to be a brilliant bad guy – how can you dislike an evildoer who adores miniature golf?
- All of the dramatic fallout is handled well, and Spike’s decision to head off, capture Dru and torture her until she likes him again is darkly funny and true to their relationship. I have to say that I was also surprisingly touched by the Xander/Cordy scene at the hospital, and Cordy coldly telling him to go before turning away and starting to cry was both moving and indicative of how much she’d cared for him.
- The ending montage is a lovely finale, and the contrast from the Scoobs’ solemn angsting to Spike’s joyous roaring down the motorway is effective as a character device (showing the contrast in how everyone’s chosen to deal with their problems), and as a mechanism to escape a downer ending.
What I Disliked about “Lover’s Walk”:
- While the episode was satisfyingly full without Giles, I would still have liked more of a justification for his absence. It’s odd that he’s going on an unprecedented camp-out in Sunnydale (isn’t that rather dangerous?), and even odder that nothing comes of it in any later edition.
- What was Angel doing outside the Summers house when Spike paid Joyce a visit? I can understand if he wanted to talk to Buffy after their awkward chat earlier, but the episode gives us no reason for his lurking. As is, he’s only there in order to facilitate his inclusion in the final third of the story.
- Cordelia and Oz charging in at the right moment to catch Willow and Xander kissing was overly coincidental, but just about acceptable given its role in the plot and character progression.
- I could have easily done without the ‘baby food’ chat during the magic shop confrontation. While not terrible, it was by far the weakest conversation in an episode that was otherwise superb for dialogue, and was consequently an unwelcome blight upon it.
Do I like this episode more or less than the last time I watched it?
I’ve always loved this episode, and I can’t say I feel any different about it now. In the entire series, the only other editions that can touch it terms of mass character insight and development are “Innocence”, “Passion” and “Becoming”, and the fact that all of its growth occurs within a fast-paced, witty and engrossing story is the cherry on the sundae. Thanks to these intertwined qualities, “Lover’s Walk “ is within my top five episodes for S3, as well as my top ten for “Buffy” as a whole, bagging a nine out of ten score and serving as a superlative example of a well-done standalone story in the process.
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Post by cyclica on Dec 30, 2009 19:54:03 GMT -5
This was a highly enjoyable episode. Every scene with spike was awesome, and even the bangel and xillow scenes seemed more bearable than usual, perhaps because these storylines got some advancement. I did find a few flaws in this ep, but there was nothing that detracted from my enjoyment. So it starts off with spike driving into town, knocking over the sunnydale sign and saying 'home sweet home', in a nice little callback to 'school hard'. Well ok, the start of the ep is actually the kids having a boring discussion about grades, but let's pretend it starts with spike.  This episode begins the buffy/college subplot. I'm pretty 'meh' to this whole storyline, especially knowing it will culminate in the anticlimax of buffy going to college in sunnydale. Sure buffy has options, but the show's called 'buffy the vampire slayer', you just know where ever she'll go, she'll be slaying vampires. Giles only appears in one scene this episode, probably his smallest role until 'two to go'. The mayor too only has a cameo appearance, and as always it's fun to watch. I especially loved his musing on whether a loose cannon would rock the boat.  Like I said before, spike was awesome. He has the combined scariness of the season 2 spike with the humour of the season 4 spike. That conversation he had with willow in the factory was one of the most frightening, and certainly most disturbing, of all his scenes on btvs and angel. And how can anyone not find it hilarious when buffy correctly guesses that willow and xander are in the factory, and spike responds 'Well, hey, how thick do you think I am?'. ;D And there is a great follow-up later on when he decides to get dru back himself, and says 'Oh, sod the spell. Your friends are at the factory'. There's plenty of good scenes in this episode, such as when buffy, spike and angel have to fight off a gang of vampires. This is actually be the only time in twelve seasons of btvs and angel that b, a & s would all be fighting side by side. I also loved spike's 'I may be love's bitch' speech, where he points out how buffy and angel will never be friends (and buffy confirmed it, and admitted she can fool others but not herself, or spike for some reason  . And like I said in my earlier review, the final scene of spike singing 'my way' after a montage of sad scoobies, was another 'classic spike' moment, and the perfect way to end the episode. I'm bumping this one up to a low 8. It's an underrated classic. ...But it's not without flaws- -It's becoming really noticeable whenever spike is about to vamp out, thanks to the obvious greenscreen. - Spike spies on angel in the mansion, yet angel doesn't notice him? Angel has a strong sense of smell, yet he doesn't pick up on the scent of a familiar vampire, nor the scent of alcohol, nor does he hear spike talking to himself pretty loudly. - Spike falls asleep outside and wakes up with his hand on fire. Why is it only main character vampires can have flammable body parts, and one-episode vamps always completely burst into flames in an instant? - I loved all the interaction between spike and joyce, but still, why was he there? The last we saw him, willow told him she had left spell ingredients somewhere. Why would she leave them at buffy's house, and why would spike start chatting to joyce? Surely he'd want to take the spell stuff and head straight back to the factory. - It's revealed oz can detect willow by her smell. But when he and cordy walk in on the fight scene where xander had hit his head, oz fails to pick up on the smell of blood. - Xander is in the factory with willow, and his head injury is so bad he can barely stand or walk. But when cordy walks in on him kissing willow (at just the right moment, how convenient!), he gets up and runs over to her with no problems. - The she falls and gets impaled on a pipe for some reason. This plot device is so stupid I'm counting it as a nitpick. It only exists so we can get that fake-out scene where we see cordy's funeral, only to reveal she's fine and it's someone elses funeral.  - Xander's head wound looked pretty serious. Except at the end of the episode, where it looked like he wasn't injured at all, and never had been. No bandage either. |
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Post by cyclica on Dec 31, 2009 13:18:21 GMT -5
- Words can’t express how brilliant the Spike/Joyce scene is. Paying off marvellously from “Becoming” and Joyce still thinking Spike’s ‘safe’ (I don’t know why she didn’t put two and two together after “School Hard”, but that’s neither here nor there), it’s one of my favourite comedy moments, and I love the ludicrousness of them discussing love over hot chocolate (plus marshmallows!) It was also great when Angel made his presence known, with Spike’s “You’re a bad, bad man” and making scary faces behind Joyce always making me laugh. Agreed. Spike and joyce always seem to have good scenes together, even in later seasons. - All of the dramatic fallout is handled well, and Spike’s decision to head off, capture Dru and torture her until she likes him again is darkly funny and true to their relationship. I wonder if torturing drucilla would really make her fall for spike again, or if it's just spike's twisted logic? - What was Angel doing outside the Summers house when Spike paid Joyce a visit? I can understand if he wanted to talk to Buffy after their awkward chat earlier, but the episode gives us no reason for his lurking. As is, he’s only there in order to facilitate his inclusion in the final third of the story. Good point, I hadn't picked up on that. Though I don't think it's not really a problem that angel would want to go to buffy's house and visit her, we didn't really need an explanation there. - I could have easily done without the ‘baby food’ chat during the magic shop confrontation. While not terrible, it was by far the weakest conversation in an episode that was otherwise superb for dialogue, and was consequently an unwelcome blight upon it. Yeah, spike really took that baby theme and ran with it. It was weird. |
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Post by partcynic on Dec 31, 2009 13:50:32 GMT -5
Yep - Spike made this episode. Though this should have been his last one. Again, I agree with everything. I think Dru would love it - I've no doubts that she'd get off on being tortured. Well, Angel was brooding. When he's angsting over the ~darkness of his soul~, he's dead to the world. The same reason minor vamps dust as soon as they're staked, while the main ones get a witty parting line. It's fine that Willow may have left her stuff at Buffy's - after all, they're friends, and that doesn't rule out studying or hanging out in Buffy's room, and possibly forgetting a couple of things. As for Spike, he was an emotional mess and not operating on strict logic. Besides, who can resist sympathy, hot chocolate and marshmallows? Don't forget that it also serves as set-up for "The Wish". Having Cordy be injured and away from school for a couple of weeks allowed the news to spread in her absence, and prevented the 'mocked by your peers' bits from being a total retread of "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered". Yeah - that happens with depressing frequency. The Scoobs would realistically either be dead by now, or on a first-name basis with the entire staff of Sunnydale Hospital. |
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. And like I said in my earlier review, the final scene of spike singing 'my way' after a montage of sad scoobies, was another 'classic spike' moment, and the perfect way to end the episode.