Yet another inconsistent episode.  Last week Buffy showed a bit of respect for Spike and was growing into her role of woman and Slayer.  Now we're back to playing Kick the Spike and feeling detached from the world again. 

 What ever happened to  "...if you're wildly curious, it hurts"?  Or how about the amazing juggling/pantomime Buffy?  And don't let's forget "...I want to live".  Or even Dawn for that matter.  She's back to baby/brat Dawnie.  Never mind the fact that her sister is battling this crazy poison that makes her hallucinate, Dawn is all that matters.  I'm starting to feel as if I'm the one going back and forth between realities.

Heck, there were even inconsistencies within the same episode.  We start off with a discussion with Xander about the wedding debacle.  He talks about how he did this stupid thing, and now he feels empty.  Buffy looks down at the ground, obviously feeling the same about what she did to Spike.  But later in the episode, you'd never know she felt that way.  Even nearer the end when she was beating up Dawn, she spouts off how she's been sleeping with a vampire whom she hates.  Now come on.  You can tell me Buffy doesn't love Spike.  I can buy that.  But we all know she doesn't hate him.  Who is writing these things?  I've read better fanfiction.  I've written better fanfiction!

As long as I've venting, let me ask a serious question.  In other words, it sounds sarcastic, but I really mean it.  How many more times is Buffy going to have to learn the lesson to not run away from her problems?  I think any other human put in her position would have gotten the gist of that lesson by now.  Still, Buffy consciously chooses to run away from her problems yet again.  Sure, the demon's goo was making her hallucinate, but it did not make her choose to try and live the "normal" life. 

 She didn't like the things that Spike was saying to her, so she chose her tried and true coping method...running away.  Oh, please.  Sing me another song sometime.  This one's gone stale.

However, the episode was not without its merits.  It was very entertaining and suspenseful.  Even the end was spooky.  I'd like to see ME try to make the entire 6 years into just a hallucination.  What do you do with AtS?  Hmmm?

The Troika was chilling.  Those three actors really do a fine job.  I can see the Evil in Warren, the hesitancy in Andrew and the fear in Jonathan.  Great little subplot there.  I just hope Jonathan doesn't buy it in the end.  I've grow quite fond of him.

Speaking of fond characters...where was Clem?  I missed him.

The "Xander returns home scene": perfect.  They came running into his arms, offered support, but did not absolve him of his wrong doings.

Anya(nka): I'm dyin' here!  Give me the decision already.

Spike: Man, give the guy a break already.  ME's played Kick the Spike so much, the man has boot marks on his back side.  I mean, Spike was truly looking bad this episode.  His life is falling apart.  Now he has to take flack from Xander.  Oh.  That hurts.

Tara: I can't be the only one who doesn't think that Tara's makin' the moves on that new chick.

Dawn: Did I mention that she was really annoying?

Other notes:

Xander gets hit in the head with a frying pan...hmmm.  Didn't we just see him on the other side of that cast iron pot?

I never appreciated SMG's acting as much as I did in this ep.

Favorite Line: "Put some ice on the back of her neck.  She likes that."

Favorite visuals:

Blowin' the magic pipe

Willow the addict:

Screen Caps courtesy of Spirit Crow