The Prom

The Prom
Written by Marti Noxon
Directed by

Original Airdate: May 11, 1999

Plot: Just before Sunnydale's prom, Angel breaks off his relationship with Buffy. Meanwhile, a pack of hell-hounds seek to turn the prom into a blood bath...

Review

Warning: If seeing spoilers for the latest episode of Buffy, "The Prom" will make you want to unleash hell hounds upon me, please turn back now...There are major SPOILERS just ahead...

In short: Solid in parts...

I find it interesting how season three is forming a bit of symmetry on both ends of it--at least in terms of writers. The season will be bookended by episodes written and directed by Joss and after and before those pivotal episodes are scripts by Marti Noxon.

As many of you may know, I'm a strong fan of most of Noxon's work this year. I think that outside of Joss, she's got the best handle on portraying these characters on an emotional level. She writes dialogue and creates situations on a personal level that ring absolutely true. In two instances this year, she's been given the build-up and fall-out to major events--first the continuing fall-out of Buffy's return in "Dead Man's Party" and then the build-up to not only the Mayor's ascension but also to Angel's departure as well. And on an emotional, character level she handles it well.

The scenes in which Buffy and Angel break-up ring absolutely true--heartrendingly so. Once again, you've just got to praise SMG and DB for giving the words provided by Noxon just exactly the right emphasis and emotion to make scenes that could easily have been a bit cheezy and melodramatic ring true.

I think part of the reason is that for the most part, Buffy and Angel together has been, well, rather dull at times this year--well, at least since Amends. And the break-up seems to come at a time when it's needed for both characters to grow. It will be interesting now to see Buffy move on and meet a new boy, if that is to happen. Yes, I know we had Scott earlier this year, but he doesn't count as much since Angel still hung over the relationship. Also, if you were ever a fan of Lois and Clark, you'll know what I mean here--the break-up didn't feel forced. The reason of I love you so much that I realize I'm not good for you in the long run, really worked. Unlike on early third season L&C when the break-up for the same reason rang of being a ploy to keep our heroes apart and thus, increase the tension, such as it were. It didn't work there, but it did here.

I think part of it was seeing Buffy's reaction to it. From her sobbing fit with Willow to her withdrawal from the gang to the depression she faced, it all worked. As I said before, while it was depressing, it rang absolutely and wonderfully true.

As did some of the other emotional moments. Xander's sensitivity to Cordy's plight, such as it were was nicely done, as were most of the scenes at the Prom. The biggest laugh of the evening has to go to Giles with his line to Wesley about Cordy being only 18 and Wesley having the emotional maturity of a blueberry scone. That was laugh-out loud funny and I had to rewind to catch some later dialogue I laughed so hard. It may be the wittiest moment of the year and I loved it.

But back to the Prom. For the most part, it worked. I sort of wished we'd seen more of Xander and Anya as that had real potential. But they were there just enough to be interesting. I love seeing the former demon trying to ingratiate herself with the gang.

But, while I loved the emotional center of the episode, there were a couple of things that I didn't like. And my major complaint is similar to the one I had about Dead Man's Party...

While the emotional and character aspects really worked, the moster angle felt very tacked on and took away from the overall thrust of the episode. The hell hounds, like the demons in DMP, seemd only to be last minutes additions to fill out the monster quotient and really detrated from the episode. Don't get me wrong--I think that angle taken for the guy raising them was interesting but not given enough screen time to feel natural to the plot. Indeed, the monsters added a bit of tension, but they were so easily dealt with that this aspect fell flat.

Another thing that bugged me--and if you liked the ending, I suggest you skip this paragraph!--was how corny the ending was. I guess part of it was how expected it was--oh, of course Angel will show up for a dance. Somehow it took away from the emotional whollop of the earlier break-up and while I liked the fact that they at least addressed just because he showed up doesn't mean he and Buffy will work out, overall it felt too cheezy and forced.

But then again, I guess if the gang is about to be put through the emotional wringer next week, I shouldn't deny them one moment of joy...

Well, that's about it for now, except a few small items....

--Loved the choices of using the song "Praise You" right before Buffy is honored by the class...if you go back and listen to the lyrics, it's amazing how right for that sequence the song is...

--Buffy getting the award for class protector was nice, but a bit drawn out...

--Loved the fact that they made the hell hounds watch Prom Night, Carrie, etc. Nice touch.

--No Snyder at prom...surely he'd have been there. Guess Armin Shimmerman was booked on the final eps of DS9....

Well, overall, The Prom is emotionally solid but lacking in the monster department. It's still fun and worth watching for the most part, though...

My rating: 7.5 (out of 10.0)

Next up: Buffy and Faith go Slayer-a-Slayer as Graduation Day looms...

"My God man! She's 18 and you've got the emotional maturity of a blueberry scone!"

--Giles