Warning: If reading SPOILERS for the latest episode of Buffy, "Wild at Heart" will bring out your animal instincts, please consider turning back now. Major SPOILERS are just ahead...

In short: A superlative effort....

If you've read my reviews of Buffy for any length of time, you'll probably already know that I just adore Marti Noxon's work. In most cases, Noxon has such a handle on these character and she always seems to offer such gut-wrenching and emotional episodes that always ring true on every level for me.

But one thing I've noticed is that at times, Noxon's biggest weakness is having to "add" a monster of the week plot and, thus, dilute her usual brilliant character drama with the effort to defeat the monster at hand. Certainly, her earlier offering this year, "Living Conditions" suffered from that a bit. However, if Marti can be given a monster plot that is integral to the development of the characters and the relationships, she does wonders with it--such as last year's "The Wish" and "Consequences."

And such as she did with "Wild at Heart."

This episode worked on so many levels, that it's hard to really try and discuss them all, lest I forget one. But I'm sure as heck gonna try...:-)

"Wild at Heart" worked well for me because it brought a sense of tension to the Willow and Oz relationship and a tension that really worked. Having the series build up to Willow's jealousy over the course of a couple of episodes really helped a lot and our gradual introduction to Veruca and her influence on Oz was nicely done. But give it to Noxon that she took all the pieces that were set-up and completely knocked them down.

Seeing Willow's reaction to Veruca was nicely done. One of the nicer, more quiet scenes in the story last night was the sequence at the cafe with Willow, Oz and Veruca. Seeing Willow try to assimilate herself into Oz's world was nice--in many ways it reminded me of the great lengths she was willing to go to in "Revelations" to win his forgiveness. That's a nicely done bit of character continuity from where I'm sitting.

Also, add to it that there was some real conflict. Veruca did present a major threat to not only Willow and Oz's relationship but to Willow as a whole. Veruca came across as a who villain/monster rather than one who was just one note. She was the opposite of everything we've seen in Oz--she embraces her wolf-side and fully accepts it. She runs free and doesn't care about the consequences. After all, it's who she is. (In many ways, she'd be a good guest on Springer). It's nice to see that dicotomy and also to see Oz be seduced by it. (LIterally and figuratively) In many ways, this plotline reminded me a lot of the Odo arc on "Deep Space Nine" in which we got to know Odo and then see how he differed from his own people.

Of course, the Veruca being a werewolf raises a few issues--namely that there might be others out there. And if there are, are they like her or are they restrained like Oz?

It will be interesting to see if this plotline develops any further....

But, back to Veruca.

As much as a manipulator as she was, she still came across as sympathetic at times. And the actress who played her made her downright creepy at times. She was far more eery as Veruca than she was as the wolf...namely because of her manipulative words, her expression and her overall effect on Oz.

As for Oz, I liked what they did with him. He's been a bit neglected this year and it's nice to see that his wolfishness is being dealt with. This episode also is interesting when viewed in the light of "Fear Itself" a few weeks ago when we saw Oz's fear of losing control and hurting Willow. Indeed, that fear comes to pass here in a far harsher way than Oz could probably have ever imagined. And that's what made the final sequences in the story that much more painful.

Seth Green gave a masterful performance as Oz, hitting all the right notes. Indeed, the scene where he yells at Veruca after Willow discovers them together is jarring simply becuase we've never yet seen Oz raise his voice or act out in anger. It was nicely done and cudos must go to Green, yet again.

And also to Allyson Hannigan, who delivered a performance that's easily one of her best on the show to date. To see Willow go through the stages of jealousy was nice...but to also see her discomfort in the scene at the cafe and her rage at finding them together worked nicely. Willow really came alive last night and Hannigan did it so well. Noxon seems to know that Hannigan has a huge range and is willing to show that off for us. (Getting to see her act vampy was nicely done last year in the Wish).

Seeing the process Willow went through was nicely done. It was also nice to see her go to Xander for guy advice. That scene really worked for me and it's showing a new side to Xander. I think that of all the characters, Xander is the one who has changed the most over the past year and for the better. He's become more self-assured and confident but also more willing to be a friend and give his friends advice as needed. Being a Xander fan, it's nice to see him as more than just the sarcastic-funny one of the Scooby gang. ,p>And to think that this time last year, Xander and Willow couldnt' keep their hands off each other...

What a difference a year makes....

And it was very nice to see that referred to by Willow and Oz in the confrontation in the crypt. And to also see that Willow sees it as not the same. I wonder how Oz felt about it.

Overall, there was a lot to love about "Wild at Heart." It certainly did all the big thing right...but it also got the small things right.

Let's face it, this one was packed full of stuff..

Just like season two's Lie to Me, this may be one we look back at as more pivotal than we thought it originally was.

Because it looks like some of the long-term plot of the season has been set in motion. Buffy has crossed paths with the commandos and is on their trial. They've also captured Spike, which it should very interesting to see how that plays out. It may be little moments that set up future big moments and if that's so, "Wild at Heart" may make a huge jump up on my scale at season's end (not that it's not pretty high now!)

I liked seeing the references to what Buffy went through and how its similar to what Willow now faces. It will be interesting to see how that plays out over the next several weeks.

As for the ending, well, it was painful, but it rang true. Just as last years' break-up in the sewer in the Prom worked, so did the final (at least of the episode) conversation between Willow and Oz. To see them both as shattered by his decision to leave was nicely done. Also, add to it Oz's hesitance to leave and eventual acceptance that he has to go and it all really, really worked. Every snippet of dialogue rang one hundred percent true and there wasn't a waste word or look. Indeed, Green and Hannigan deserve special recognition yet again for such a masterfully done sequence.

So, all in all, I guess you can say I like it...

And I guess that about wraps it up except for a a few small things...

--I'm surprised there was no reference made to the fact that Oz killed last year in the Zeppo.

--Did Oz kill anyone when we first discovered he was the wolf?

--The Veruca is a werewolf concept brings up some interesting questions...such as are she and Oz distantly related? Or how far spead is the wolf problem? Will Oz find more people like him on his journey?

--Giles is being a bit under-utilized this year...He needs an episode that features his strengths.

--Where's Anya?!?

--For those of you who are probably cheering that maybe now Xander and Willow can get together, let me say, I hope it doesn't happen. I like Anya and Xander too much...

--Xander's rent dispute was priceless.

That's about it for now. Overall, Wild at Heart is the best Buffy offering of the year...let's hope the trend of an upswing in quality continues...

My rating: 9.5 (out of 10.0)

Next up: Spike goes after Willow....

"This might be a good time for your trademark stoicism..."