New Moon Rising

New Moon Rising
Written by Marti Noxon
Directed by

Original Airdate: May 2, 2000

Plot: Oz returns to Sunnydale, now able to control his wolfy side. However, he may not be able to rekindle his relationship with Willow as her relationship with Tara has taken on a new level...

Review

Warning: If reading SPOILERS for the latest episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "New Moon Rising" will make you so angry that your dark side comes out, please consider turning back now. There are major SPOILERS just ahead...

In short: A home-run.

The hardest thing in the world to review isn't something that you hate or something that you consider just to be average or abvoe average. No, the hardest thing in the world to review is something you really, really loved.

Which is why I come to this weeks reviews in a quandry. Namely because on every level, this has been the best showings of Buffy and Angel all season long. Both shows reached new heights of potential and did so amazingly well, each serving up an hour that was completely mesmerizing, filled with intense character moments and had some darn fine drama in them as well. Simply put, both episodes realized the immense potential that each series has in a new and exciting way.

Now, that my generic, sweeping comments have been made, let's turn out attention to the "New Moon Rising."

The only word I've got for it is--wow.

I'd like to be the first to start the standing ovation for Marti Noxon, who with this episode reached a new plateau in her Buffy offerings and has, once again, set a high standard for the other writers of the show. As I've babbled on time and again, watching her progression as a writer for her early days in "What's My Line, Part Two" to now has been an amazing journey and one that I'm glad I've been able to take.

I think part of it is Marti just has an absolute ear for dialogue. Last year in "The Prom" she foundthe perfect words for the Buffy and Angel break-up to make it not only heart-breakingly real but also to make it absolutely true to their characters. She did this earlier this year with the superb "Wild at Heart," which featured the departure of our good friend, Oz. And, she did it amazingly well here with the return of Oz.

Every single scene rang absolutely true and Marti did some wonderful things with the characters. I really enjoyed getting to see Riley's reaction to finding out Oz is a werewolf and his statements to Buffy. I also like the conflict between Buffy and Riley about Oz's being a werewolf and, to a greater extend, about her past dating Angel who is a vampire. The only thing that I wish we'd seen in the episode that we didn't was Riley's reaction to Buffy's revelation that Angel is a vampire. And while I understand that there may not have been time for it, I do hope we see that reaction sometime in the future (and based on the previews for next week, I have a feeling that we will).

Indeed, while the whole Riley/Buffy arguement was to start the wheels in his mind rolling for his actions later in the episode, it never felt contrived or like it was being forced on us. The arguement and continued debate felt completely natural and both characters brought their own separate issues to the table. It was nice to see that both sides were able to, eventually, figure out that the other had a point, even if Riley did have to come a bit farther when it came to questioning the principles that he had or had been given. His freeing of Oz and subsequent standing up to the authority of the Initiative to save a member of the Scooby gang was absolutely the right set of actions at the right time, not only for the storyline at hand, but also for Riley as a character. And while I've been a big Riley detractor at times this year, I've got to admit that Marti Noxon's two offerings for him of late have really, really fleshed him out and given him some much needed depth and intelligence that can, at times, be lacking. And you can see Mark Blucas really respond to that in terms of his performances. His performance here isn't as great as his one in "Goodbye Iowa," but it certainly hit all the right notes at all the right moments.

Indeed, each of the regulars was given their own moment to shine in the episode--whether it be Xander actually having an actual reason to be part of the plotline for a change or Giles getting in a good one-line to Anya, or Anya's actually contributing something besides being Xander's girlfriend, it all worked extremely well.

But the one character who reaped huge benefits from the plot here was Spike. Ever since he was shown the consequences of his siding with the Scooby gang he hasn't had a lot to do. Yes, he did have that one good scene in "Who Am I?" with Faith in Buffy's body, but since then he's not added much. Here, he was used to great effect and actually had something extremely useful to do. I love the way that we see him playing both sides in the Adam/Buffy conflict in order to advance his own gains. And his appearance at Giles' apartment and his taunting of Buffy into accepting his help reminded me a great deal of the old, evil Spike we'd all come to know and love. Indeed, in many ways this scene reminded me a lot of elements from "The Becoming" with Spike forced to join forces with the Slayer and betray Angel in order to get what he wants--namely Dru. In this case, we've got him joining with Adam in order to get the chip that's held him back all year removed. And certainly you've got to wonder if Spike is playing Adam in order to achieve his own goals. After all, Spike has stated that as far as he's concerned the world is a Happy Meal on legs for him and he doesn't want to see it destroyed. I wonder just how far with Adam's plan he'll go. It certainly makes for some interesting developments to possibly occur over the next three weeks.

But, while all of these character moment were superb and some of the best we've seen all year, they were merely the icing on the cake.

The real heart of this episode was the return of Oz and the subsequent triangle between Oz, Willow and Tara. I have to admit that I was a bit worried that this plotline, while having the greatest potential to shine, also had a huge potential to decend into melodrama and become a really bad episode of 90210.

But it didn't. It actually resonated on a lot of emotional levels and worked so well. Certainly, seeing Willow and Tara's relationship deepen was something that had been a long time coming. And it was nice to see that it was handled with a bit of dignity and grace. No shocking scenes of Willow kissing Tara or seeing them in bed together. Instead, they went for the far more revealing scenes of deep coversations, weepy ears and a whole lot of undercurrent. And I think that those were far more effective overall.

And let me be the first to say that if Allyson Hannigan doesn't at least get an Emmy nod this year for her work as Willow, that she was robbed and there is absolutely NO justice in this world. "New Moon Rising" only served to give her a new showcase to show off her talents on screen. It wasn't just that she delivered her lines well, but it was her body language throughout the entire episode. Her stances, her compsure, her facial expression all showed the inner conflict Willow felt at being forced to choose between Oz and Tara. And the scene in which Willow revealed her feelings for Tara to Buffy was so understated, quiet and calm and amazingly well done. (Yes, part of the credit goes to Sarah Michelle Gellar and her reaction as well, but I think the way that Willow gave the revelation to Buffy was the best part of the whole scene.) Allyson Hannigan has simply proven herself time and again this year to be a rock on which the rest of the show can work from and it's been a fun year to watch Willow develop as a character and what Hannigan can do with some superb material.

That said, Hannigan got a lot of support from Seth Green and Amber Benson.

Green's return has long been rumored and he certainly did well here. He brought a lot of emotion and feeling to the role, even down to the simple "Hey"s that he does so well. Green brings more emotion and depth to the "Hey" at Willow's dorm room door than other actors bring to an entire series. I've got to admit that he's been missed and I really didn't appreciate what he did for the show while he was there. But here, he worked so well.

He especially shown in his conflict with Tara over Willow. His verbal attack was nicely realized and watching as his anger ratcheted up a notch at a time as the full implications of the exact nature of what Willow and Tara felt hit him. Watching his anger grow and grow until his rage overtook him and he started to become the wolf was nicely done. Green's line of "Run" to Tara sent chills up and down my spine, but not as many as his whole arguement with Tara and his demanding "Are you involved?!?"

I also enjoyed Oz's new-found inner tranquility at finding a way to control the beast within. And to see it become similar to the old Hulk series in which the wolf emerges at times of intense emotions for Oz really worked. (Though I must admit I kept hearing the line, "Mr. McGee, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry." kept running through my head.

And while I've raved about everyone else, the best acting of the episode has go to Amber Benson. She took Tara, who'd been a bit one-dimensional at times and transformed her here. From the beginning scenes with Oz's return and her obvious discomfort to the conflict about how she wants what is best for Willow while all the while hoping that Willow will choose her over Oz, Benson delivered. Again, it wasn't just what she said but her body language. She walked with confidence early on in the story but it became a slouch as soon as Oz returned. Just as Willow was conflicted, so was Tara. And it was nice to see that. Again, the scene with Willow and Tara and the hug as well as the end, was so alive with tension--both sexual and dramatic, that both actresses are to be commended for delivering and making these scenes completely arresting and not giving the viewer any choice but to watch.

It's so amazing when all the elements of an episode come together and just work.

And the ending. I loved the parallels. Seeing how just four months ago that Oz left Willow standing in a cloud of dust with more questions than answer and in some serious pain, it was interesting to see the turn around. I liked the fact that Oz realized that Willow has the most potential to bring out not only his good side but his dark side. I wonder if and how this may be used in future episodes, should Seth Green return. The ironic thing is that Oz's leaving may have been one of the better things to happen to Willow in the overall arc her character has gone through this year. And that only by his leaving again could she continue to grow.

There are times I just love this show.

Now, many of you know that at times, I've been critical of Marti Noxon. I love her charcter stuff, but sometimes her monster plots don't work so well. Or she doesn't really do the overall plot arc stuff as well as someone like Joss or David Fury. Well, here she proves me wrong and shows she can do it and do it amazingly well.

I liked all the choices she had the characters make and how they affect the overall plot. Certainly seeing Riley choose to turn his back on the Initiative was nicely done and should have some great long-term conseqeunces. Also, seeing Col. Haviland was interesting and proves that not everything in Superstar was an effect of the parallel universe (don't get me started on that one again. I think I've argued about that episode enough at this point). Also, seeing Adam's studying of Buffy and the gang as it were is interesting. We got hints as to what his overall plan is but I have a feeling it won't be revealed until the next episode or two. Also, I've got to wonder just why Adam is so eager to get the Scooby gang back inside the Initiative. I have a feeling he's taking the divide and conquer route to defeating humanity . I wonder if it's going to backfire.

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

--So Riley's on the run. My thought is why didn't Buffy take him over to her mom's house to stay? That might have been interesting to see and it'd give Joyce something to really contribute to the season.

--Anya's asking Giles for the high-five was a riot.

--I just wonder one thing...do Oz's parents know of his quest for inner peace? Or are they even still in Sunnydale? Or are they so pissed at him that they've cut him off? I wish a bit of dialogue would address this.

--Tara's blowing out the candle was the perfect way to end the episode, even though I admit I didn't want it to end.

Well, that's it for now. I guess you can say I loved this episode. It was certainly the strongest Buffy since Hush and it may even give Hush a run for it's money as my favorite episode of the year in the final analysis. For now, it was exactly what the show needed and I, for one, enjoyed every minute of it.

My rating: 10.0 (out of 10.0)

Next up: Angel and Riley meet..with disatrous results.

"Hey"

--Oz