Episode Discussion #1: 3.18 EARSHOT

[Clare]

Episode discussion #1: 3.18 Earshot

What did you think of this episode?

[Clare]

On behalf of Cyclica:

cyclica said:

Ok, here's what I thought after re-watching the episode earshot, hopefully other people will give their opinions too, and we can make this a weekly thing.

I liked it! There were a lot of good parts to the story, I loved the idea of xander always thinking about sex and oz's philosophyzing, that girl in class who was jelous of buffy (shame she was never seen again), and the whole mislead at the end, its the paper editor, no its jonathan, no its the lunchlady. Plus there were loasds of great quotes, "Infect? Infect? Giles, infect?", "Was it a boy monster?", "like shame is spmething to be proud of", and of cource the end where buffy says to giles "....if you're not too busy having sex with my mother" and he walks into a tree.

There were a few problems I had, such as the gang taking this death threat so seriously, I mean come on it was just someone's thought, like xander said everyone idly thinks these things. And it was clearly a woman's voice, there was no way that sounded like jonathan's voice or the other guy (whose name I've forgotten).

Also upon re-watching, I realised something - at the end buffy says jonathan was suspended, but he appearsin the prom, just 2 episodes later. Pretty short suspension.

And what's with angel's revelation that he's been with dozens of bad girls as angelus? Has he been cheating on darla?

Still it was a great enjoyable episode with an original idea. I especially love any ep where the sidekicks get to take charge while buffy is away or incapacitated. One of the best season 3 stories.

[partcynic]

Kind of intrigued as to how these threads are going to differ from the existing review threads, especially if there are only 3 or 4 of us around to discuss the eps, but I'm game anyway.

Here's what I originally wrote when I reviewed the episode, and some additional thoughts from my recent rewatch.

One of the best, Earshot is up there as one of the top 'scenario-of-the-week' stories, providing and encapsulating perhaps the most crucial theme of the high school years - that the reason people can't always put other's problems first is because they're too busy dealing with their own (a lesson most whiny, self-obsessed real-life people need to learn). Beginning with the interesting concept of Buffy being infected through demon contact, the ep starts off quite comically as we hear the various mental ruminations of the students and staff at Sunnydale High (the contrast between Oz's deep thoughts and monosyllabic vocalisations is especially great). The Buffy/Angel/Faith conflict from Enemies is dealt with quickly and effectively in a pleasant and effective scene (love Angel's deadpan 'I'm a funny guy'). The later-developing high school death plot is surprisingly dark, but is handled incredibly well and avoids moralising or being heavy-handed as much put-upon Jonathon brings a gun to school. The entire thread works beautifully, as many new potential suspects are introduced, with the plot throwing up surprising twists while never being convoluted or dull. The Buffy/Jonathon tower scene is among the best-written and emotional of the show, displaying just how much Buffy has grown from her lovable but self-obsessed Season One roots; and the denouement with the lunchlady is surprising and even a little humorous as Xander catches her putting her 'secret ingredient' into the cafeteria food. And that's not to mention the truly hysterical scene where Buffy learns Joyce slept with Giles (and the concluding one where Buffy lets slip that she knows and Giles walks into a tree). Overall, we have an episode that's funny, well-plotted, character developing and highly meaningful - Jane Espenson's best work, and one of the peaks of the show.

I've always thought that Earshot was one of the best Buffy episodes, and it's still excellent almost eight years after it originally aired. It's spot-on thematically, full of drama, depth and pathos, and with plenty of humour around to lighten things up. I think my original review accurately reflected my thoughts on the ep - it's definitely one of the ten best of the series.

[cyclica]

Sorry partcynic I hadn't realised you had reviewed every episode already.

For our next review we will compare 2 episodes and talk about them tomorrow. Those eps will be- TED and I WAS MADE TO LOVE YOU.

[cyclica]

Or just review them whenever you can.

[partcynic]

^I'm happy to compare those eps, it's more interesting than just reviewing them. I'll start a thread for people to leave their thoughts on.