Buffy rewatch: 3.12. Helpless

[boot_the_grime]

This isn’t one of the very best BtVS season 3 episodes, but it can be argued it’s one of the most important ones, for several reasons: it completely changes our views on the Council of Watchers; it irrevocably changes Giles’ status/relationship with them, and therefore represents a crucial moment in his arc; and it also deals with an issue that may

Comments

[rebcake]

Very thorough, my dear! I find this one hard to watch, because of Giles' betrayal, but it is chockfull of interesting developments which you've pointed out quite nicely.

I don't know that I can find much to add. I didn't quite follow you on this part:

fans have speculated that the real reason is the Council’s need to have an excuse to get rid of more mature Slayers who may have become too strong, experienced and independent. But that doesn’t explain the lack of interest the Council has otherwise shown for Buffy and Faith, who are both quite unconventional Slayers.

I don't understand the Council's previous "hands off" approach either, but don't think that the Cruciamentum being used to "cull" mature Slayers is necessarily in opposition to that. Feel free to correct me, though.

My only other issue is that I don't find Amends to be poignant at all. For me, it's the absolute nadir of Bangel and the worst episode of BtVS ever, but YMMV.

[boot_the_grime]

If the Council is concerned about Slayers who are more independent, unconventional and rebellious, so much that they want to kill off some of the older Slayers, why don't they ever do anything to supervise or control those who are very unconventional, independent and rebellious? Seems contradictory. And as a matter of fact, a Slayer who's survived the Cruciamentum is only likely to be even more independent and more pissed of at the Council.

I really like most of Amends, other than a problematic line by Buffy ("I know everything you did, because you did it to me") and the last few minutes of it, but those two things bring it down quite a bit. The magical snow, in particular, is one of the cheesiest moments on the show and a real cop-out.

[ever_neutral]

I am happy these reviews have returned.

And IDK, maybe the intended purpose of the Cruciamentum was to keep whichever Slayers survived terrified enough of the Council to stay in line? Which, happily, backfired with Buffy.

“I thought you were really hot and you kind of looked like Darla, so small and blonde and sassy”

Where is the lie tho.

[frelling_tralk]

It would have even made more sense if Angel had explained that Buffy first caught his attention after Whistler pointed her out, but he really started to fall for her when she slayed her first vampire, and then he was touched afterwards when he saw her in tears at her parents fighting. To claim that he immediately fell for Buffy just from seeing her walking down some steps, and was left wanting to protect her, seems like a really old-fashioned use of the "love at first sight/soulmate" cliché, which I don't know how many people would even buy nowadays

And this episode isn't a favourite of mine, I do like it, but I don't love it. I can never pinpoint why it's not a classic, the premise should have created one of the strongest episodes of the season and it does have a lot of memorable scenes and a strong villain, maybe it's because the pacing is a bit off that it doesn't quite come together as one of the greats?

Wednesday, February 7 - Thursday, February 8

[livejournal]

User rahirah referenced to your post from Wednesday, February 7 - Thursday, February 8 saying: [...] 3.12. Helpless [...]