Buffy 6.5 FAQ
What’s it called?
“Life Serial.”
Who’s responsible?
Teleplay credited to co-executive producer David Fury (“Bargaining Part II,” the episode in which Buffy claws her way out of her own grave) and supervising producer Jane Espenson (who has written or co-written every “Buffy” since “Bargaining Part II”).
What does TV Guide say?
“Jonathan, Warren and Andrew test Buffy's abilities - and patience - with a secret campaign of harassment. The Slayer struggles to readjust to life in Sunnydale by attending classes with Willow and working with Xander.”
What is TV Guide not telling us?
Buffy also takes a job in retail and gets hammered with Spike. And Herc has completely lost track of the number of times he laughed aloud at this installment.
Does Buffy really meet up with Angel?
Apparently. She found the rendezvous “intense” but is unwilling to divulge to her Scoobs a great deal more.
What were Herc’s infamous Sept. 29 spoilers for 6.5?
“Buffy, trying to map out career plans, audits Willow and Tara college classes, hauls beams at Xander’s construction site, and sells mummy hands at Anya’s Magic Box. But she’s also enduring all kinds of strange time distortions as the troika looks on.”
Did Herc’s sources get it right?
They did.
Any surprises?
Again with the numbers!
What numbers?
Buffy wears a giant 8 over her left breastal region.
Any other surprises?
We come very close to seeing Buffy say a really bad word!!
Does Willow demonstrate any witchy evil this week?
None whatsoever!
Are the Nerds of Doom behind the time distortions?
They are.
Does Warren still seem a bit more evil than his cohorts?
He does.
Did we see Andrew prior to last week’s episode?
Not really. The actor who plays Andrew, Tom Lenk, did however play Cyrus in last season’s first-ever Dawn-centric episode “The Real Me.”
Who’s Herc’s favorite Nerd of Doom?
Jonathan. His is the funniest anger.
Tonight’s MVP?
Sarah Michelle Gellar. (The show’s ridiculously gifted supporting cast sometimes makes us forgetful of the actorly genius at this show’s creamy center: Gellar demonstrates repeatedly this evening that she ranks among her generation’s most accomplished thespianic comedy titans.)
What’s the great?
The Van of Nerdly Doom. Buffy’s sad-puppy look when beset by twinges of intellectual insecurity. The very effective speed effects employed in the first act. Buffy’s cute little hardhat outfit. The shuddery sound Buffy makes when she contemplates helping Anya at the Magic Box. Gellar’s wholly inspired reading of the line “There were witnesses!” Buffy’s appalling retailing skills. Warren’s homage to the Dead Parrot Sketch. Buffy’s tipsy fourth-act demeanor (and especially her drunken appraisal of demon currency). The completely unheroic way Jonathan locomotes in his demony guise.
What’s not so great?
Fans seeking weighty interludes won’t find many this eve.
What made Herc laugh hardest?
There's a running gag about Buffy’s inability to ingest spirits noiselessly.
How does it end, spoiler-boy?
A major issue is resolved (or at least postponed), but the episode's final shot foreshadows bad news.
Herc’s rating for “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” 6.5?
****1/2
The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:
I warn you not to defy me!! Mmm!! Cookies!!
