Passions

Warning: If you are passionate about avoiding SPOILERS for the current episode of Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, I'd recommend you turn back now.

In short: Some intense moments.

My respect for this show just gets deeper each week. I will be the first to admit that when the closing credits for Innocence rolled back a little over a month ago, that I was really worried that some of the major changes and their ramifications would never be fully dealt with on the show. I know, I should have had more faith in Joss and company, but I've been a fan of a lot of shows over the years that never show the long-term ramifications of a self-proclaimed television event.

Buffy has done that. And in doing so, won my undying fan support.

Indeed, Passions could be considered an event episode as much as Surpirse and Innocence were. Why?

Because if you were actually able to make it to the episode without getting spoiled (and I've got to admit it was tempting, really tempting to sneak a peek on Tuesday afternoon at spoilers posted by our Candaian friends), there is some major, series changing stuff going on.

The first big issue to look at, and the one that was advertised the most, was the a major character dies. And while the choice wasn't really that shocking, the way it was handled was nicely done. I liked the fact that Jenny was working on her redemption (at least in Buffy's eyes) when she was killed. Her confrontation with Angelus in the school and the subsequent pursuit was one of the best tension filled moments on the show. I am really loving David Borenaz's performance as the evil Angelus. I love to hate him and while it I know there is a large contingent of fans who want to see him restored and restored quickly, I'm not so sure I'm ready for it yet. I like watching him. He has a great presence on screen and I think we're building to some kind of internal vampire conflict between he and Spike.

But, back to the death scene. To be quite honest, when I saw Jenny running, a part of me suspected it was the end of her. But another part of me wondered if Joss and company had put this in as a red herring to throw us off track as to who would really be killed. I figured this chase might be toying with us, making us think Jenny would be killed only to be saved. I am glad to see that this didn't happen, because, quite frankly, it would have been rather cliched, but I did love the fact that it added some real tension to the chase and to her death. And Angel's cold reaction, "I never get tired of doing that," was utterly chilling.

Please don't get me wrong--I wasn't happy to see Jenny die. It's a bad thing, but I like the fact that it we saw it happen and then got to see some of the ramifications of the actions.

Seeing Buffy and Willow's reactions to the news of her death was great. I liked the choice of seeing it from outside, from Angel's perspective rather than being inside to hear them. It gives us the chance to watch a great scene develop just from body language and both Sarah Michelle Gellar and Allyson Hannigan make it work so well. I also liked the differing reactions. Willow becomes hysterical while Buffy goes into shock and a look of anger crossed her face. In Innocence, she said she wasn't ready to yet slay Angelus. I think she's getting closer. In fact, I will go out on a limb and say if it hadn't been for saving Giles last night that Angelus would be dust.

Angelus has toyed with her enough. I think Buffy realizes that Angel isn't coming back and he's too big a threat to have running around. He is in her house, threatening her mom, tormenting her friends, and now he's killed someone in her circle. It's only a matter of time until he strikes closer to home and I think Buffy realizes the issue is coming to a head. Angelus has to go down and she's got to do it.

This was so apparent by her confrontation with Giles. Buffy realizes she is the only one strong enough to battle Angel and that Giles will put up a good fight but be defeated. I cheered when she showed up at the factory to take him down.

Speaking of Giles, I love the fact that his dark side was out in full force last night. His anger and fury at Angel for his actions seemed reminscient of the references made to his past and some of his actions in Dark Ages earlier this season. Once again, Anthony Stewart Head gives Giles a much deeper and textured portrayal than the stereotypical meek librarian. And it's also really a nice touch to see Buffy have to take care of him as he has done for her in the past. The scene where they are hugging as the factory burns down was one of the best realized scenes on the show. It spoke volumes about the nature of the Buffy/Giles relationship.

And the fact that she is the "watcher's pet" as Xander so elegantly put it. :-)

And if this had been all Passions was about, it would have been a good episode. But there was so much more. We got to see a lot of fallout from the past episodes. Joyce finally learns of Buffy's relationship with Angel and Buffy has to deal with the unintended consequenes of the situation. I think Joyce's reaction was dead-on and very well written and realized.

Also, we were able to deal with the whole Angel's been invited in and still can come in issue. His being blocked at Buffy's door was a nice scene as well as the "I've changed the locks comment." But it was also creepy to see him get that close to our heroes. Angelus is a lot more evil that we first gave him credit for. I just hope there is a payoff in the future.

So, that's about it except for a few small things...

--The only time I can think of that Angel would have been invited into Giles apartment was Dark Ages, but I could be very wrong. Anyone got a corretion on that for me.

--Xander was well great the few scenes he was in. I like his comment about hating Angel from the beginning. It really struck home.

--Actual students in the library, getting a book? Hilarious. Does it make you wonder if any of the show's producer, etc. are on the net and hearing these questions we bring up or is it just happy coincidence?

--Spike and Angel--a battle is coming. My speculation for the season finale--Spike betrays Angel and leads him into a trap so Dru will come back to Spike. Spike may strike some kind of deal with Buffy to eliminate Angel. A truce, if you will.

--Does it seem illogical for the vamps to hang out in the factory to anyone but me? Buffy knows where they are and could stake them during the day if she wanted? (Or does this go against some continuity point I missed!) It also seems as though they might be looking for some new place to all home.

Well, that about wraps it up for now. Overall, a great episode. A definite keeper.

My rating: 10.0 (perfect!)

Next up: Buffy lands in the hospital. And was that a Freddy Kruger outfit I saw? :-)

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