Help / Ground State : The Rant

Ok, I'm back, and I'm in a better mood than last week. I'll admit it, I've been a little *too* critical with the residents of Mutant Enemy lately. I don't want to sit here and be so cynical, because these are my absolute favorite shows, but you would never know that when reading my rants. So don't take it that I loathe anything. If I say I hate anything, I still love it more than anything else on TV. I'm weird like that.

Buffy: "Help" Opinions

- Loved the jokes this week more than anything the last 3 weeks. Why? Because they were even more inside. The "googling" gag, the "fanfic" stuff. Some people won't get some of that stuff, some will. That's what makes it funnier.

- Willow seemed like old Willow this week. On the computer, the back-and-forths with Xander....it was just so classic-Willow. I said I wanted that back, and I got it. Wow...it only took a week too.

- Tara's grave. Did you notice how they didn't show her name on the tombstone until they cut to Willow, then cut to the top of the tombstone, then panned down nice and slow. As soon as Tara's name showed up on screen I got real emotional. I don't know if it was just me, but that scene was played out beautifully, and really...Alyson can do no wrong in my eyes.

- Xander's still waiting for that elusive life. Argh.

- The story, for about 10 minutes there felt like "Reptile Boy" (Episode 17, Season 2). Boys trying to sacrifice a girl to a demon for money and power. Isn't that pretty much the same episode? But the ending saved this from being a rehashed oldie.

- Cassie I liked. I was worried about the whole thing being overly cheesy, but she turned out to be a really cool character. Too bad she didn't last.

- The line she gave to Spike after he untied her....I'm afraid of whatever that means. Spuffy lovers are most likely rejoicing. I don't want to hear Buffy tell Spike anything at this juncture.

- I read some posts on the board from last night. Some people are calling this the sequel to "The Body". This was a well-done episode, but it PALES in comparison to "The Body". BtVS should've walked away from the 2001 Emmys with a "Best Drama" award in their pockets for "The Body". "Help" isn't an emmy nomination nor a win, nor an emmy step-sister award.

Final Verdict: I really don't have much to say about the eppy. I was a little disappointed in it being another one-episode story again. I'm really looking forward to the Anya-centric episode, but I'm just waiting for the season arc to come into play. We're going to be on episode 5 next week, and nothing has really moved. It worries me like it did last season. And we know how rushed it felt at the end.

I liked the concept of it not really being about Cassie's death, but about her knowing the future - knowing fate. Those thoughts that popped in my head made me like this more.

Rating: 3 STAKES

Angel: "Ground State" Opinions

- I'm thinking Wesley could go either way at this point. Lilah or Angel, Lilah or Angel. It makes for some really interesting scenes, trying to figure out his mindset. Most compelling.

- Loved the concept: A girl who can electrocute people with her bare hands. Very fun one episode stuff. Maybe we'll see her again. She kind of reminded me of Faith in attitude, and of course, attire.

- Angel's heart beating...a little cheesy.

- Just what we need, Lilah going to try to pull Connor over to the Wolfram & Hart side. Yes, cause we didn't just have Connor go to the evil side last season. Does anybody remember Holtz? And isn't this *almost* the same thing? Lilah (Holtz) trying to get Connor away from Angel? Can't they just work their relationship out without Armageddon getting in the way? Right...this is Angel.

- Cordelia again...I about died laughing. I can't wait to see the dire work of the group trying to get her back. I hope they do an episode like that, instead of Cordy just magically popping up.

- This now in: Amy Acker rules. Fred was great in this episode. She's gotten so much more human and less "I was a slave in a hell dimension"-like. And she's so cool. I don't know what any of us did before Fred came to AtS, but I don't want to go back there.

Final Verdict: I liked it, but again, we get mostly one episode stuff. Although with AtS, it's showing you signs of the arc in a few scenes. Cordelia, Wesley, and the scene in the park area with Lilah and Angel. All of that will lead up to something. What, I do not know. I don't read spoilers...99% of the time.

As for the episode itself, it wasn't as good as the premiere but hell...it was still friggin' awesome. I hate to say this, but Wretch, you should really watch this show. It seems to rule. Rule hard.

Rating: 3 STAKES

- Mac