Review
Rob
Ever the fool for love, Spike discovers that his romantic antics are getting far too complex. Setting up a shrine to to Buffy was never going to score many plus points with the Slayer, was it Spikey? She was bound to find out sooner or later.
Buffy's rightly repulsed, but I couldn't help but feel sorry for the big bleached one. He genuinely does seem to care.
The return of Dru - in all her eye-rolling glory - is always a treat, just don't ask me to go on a long rail journey with her. She could probably cure the overcrowding problem on my line, though.
Spike's scary tale with the hastily censored ending "...and then I give her to a good family in a nice home, where they're never ever mean to her, and didn't lock her in the coal bin," was a hoot too.
Kim
Darling, I love you, and to prove it, I'm going to kill my ex.
I know that crushes are illogical and make one prone to self indulgence - but Spike's little infatuation has descended into pantomime. OK, he's always been a bit of a joker, even when he was bad, but he's become dumb light relief in the dark and horrible place that is this season.
The 'I love Buffy' plotline feels very contrived to me. After four and a half seasons, the show is running out of new ways to have the characters interact, and most of the obvious pairings have been explored. I suspect an offhand joke between the writers has been blown up into a big old story arc, for the wont of anything better. And poor Spike has taken the brunt of the gag.
Mind you, I could live with it... as long as they don't bring back Dru again. Ever.
Ann
More class Spike/Buffy action as the ex-big bad finally makes his move. Snappy dialogue and ultra-convincing performances, all set off by a wonderfully sinister score made this a slice of prima Buffy heaven.
Long term fans were treated to knowing nods to past episodes - with the final scene especially eerily reminiscent of season two episode Passion. Just as Angelus was shut out then by Willow’s magical revoking of his invitation, so Spike finds himself no longer welcome and unable to cross the Summers’ threshold.
One piece of advice for the Buffster though. When setting out to put off a bloke, it’s probably not a good idea to wear a low cut baby-doll nightie style top with see through lacy bits round the boobs. Just a thought. And Willow - burn that nightmare jumper with the little applique dogs on it now!
