(Spoilers
Ahead) "You think you know who you are. What's to come. You haven't even begun."
This was the teasing promise made by writer/producer Joss Whedon during last
season's closing episode of "Buffy." Buffy's taking on the whole heritage of the slayer thing this year, and we
will learn more about the origins of her supernatural power to take back the
night. I predict she will mature a bit as she discovers who she is and become
a more powerful agent against the dark forces. It's about time! And what a
way to discover your power than by taking on the ultimate vampire: Dracula.
This was such a total natural for this show I'm surprised they didn't attempt
it sooner. What a great idea to open this season and it didn't disappoint.
It was thrilling to have a menacing vampire back on the scene. Buffy was a
little mismatched last season dispatching vampires and demons without even
breaking a sweat or to quote Buffy herself, "It's no fun when they're that
easy."
Back to the whole slayer heritage thing… I love it. Who knows? When
Faith's out of prison, they may be ready to hold their first Slayer Heritage
Festival. Seeing that there's only two chosen ones, don't worry. You can wait
'til the last minute to book your reservations.
Riley, Buffy's sweeter than pie boyfriend, seems a bit out of sorts this
year. I sense a bit of wounded masculine pride now that he's Initiative-free
and helping the Scooby gang. When Spike warns him that he's over his head in
facing Dracula ("You should go home to your super honey and have a nice safe
snog"), Riley threatens to kill him. I don't think it's coming out of a
place of charity of wanting Spike to make good with the details so he can
better protect Buffy. The verdict's definitely out on Riley at this point. I
always liked Riley, but liked him less after he threatened to kill Spike, who
is definitely one of my faves.
There were definite sparks between Buffy and Dracula. They found an actor
who was suitably dark and seductive and with an intuitive knowledge of Buffy
that she herself lacks at this point. Dracula: "I have yearned for you. For a
creature who's darkness rivals my own." Of course, she can't resist him!
If Dracula's irresistible, Xander and Anya stole the show. Casting Xander as
Dracula's bug eating, Renfield-like sidekick was brilliant as were some of
the one liners. Xander: "Look who's got a case of dark prince envy."
Anya: "We hung out once or twice. Back in my demon days I doubt he'd remember
me. I was just a silly young thing. 700 or so."
This episode offered a huge payoff with Giles and Buffy's relationship moving
to a new place. Giles gave Buffy a lot of room last year to grow and find
her way during her first year of college. However, as she faces darker
danger as is implied for the coming year, they clearly have new things to
teach each other. Their relationship is one of the most tender and
understated of the show. It was beautiful to see Buffy acknowledge how much
he means to her and for Giles to lose his ambivalence about how he can best
guide her.
I'm clearly enjoying the big mystery of the year. Who is Dawn? It starts
with Willow and Tara rushing to Joyce's house (Buffy's homestead) to do a
protection spell to guard the house from Dracula. And when we return to the
house, what do we find? Buffy mysteriously has a new teenage sister that
never existed before, but everyone seems to react as if she's always been
there. Is this hapless girl Buffy's new protector sent by The Powers That
Be? Why does Buffy need a protector? She's always managed to fight evil just
fine, thank you." Stay tuned.
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"Buffy:
Let the Seasoning Begin"
