Musings from the Comfy Chair

back to episode 7.16 - Storyteller

Storyteller

Well, I'm in the original comfy chair tonight.

It's bitterly cold outside, I had a not-so-good day at work... and I was really looking forward to a tushy-kicking ep to get us through the end of sweeps. Something that would have my head spinning during the interminable interlude between tonight and our next new ep.

So why do I feel so *blah* now?

Don't get me wrong - there were parts of this ep that just had me shouting with laughter. But all in all, it seemed pretty formulaic at the end, which is really too bad...

Oh well. Quick thoughts:

Are We Watching PBS Moment:

Andrew doing his Masterpiece Theeeeee-atre impression just rocked. Flat out. I loved it.

We *Get It* Already Moment:

Willow. Willow skinning Warren. Willow and Kennedy making with the smoochies. Poor Willow - her character was just not really given a whole lot to do this week, aside from pointing out mostly obvious stuff. <sigh> And yes, we know - Willow is all about Kennedy right now. Still not sure of how I feel about that - I just don't see the chemistry there. Or is it all about Willow needing to feel needed?

I *Knew* That Man Wasn't All That and A Bag of Chips Moment:

Well, now we really know what the principal thinks of Buffy, don't we? A whore, huh? Sorry, Robin, but I don't think that you were *possessed* by the Seal - I think it just amplified what you're already thinking (just like Buffy said was happening throughout the school just a few minutes earlier, right?). My wonderful hubby and I are arguing over this - he says that Robin is a good guy who's in a bad situation, seeing as how he's been all about Vengeance (with a capital V) all this time. I say that he's Vengeance!Boy *and* more - he obviously still has a black and white view of the world, but he's assigning the colors. He really doesn't like Buffy's friends from what I can see - he really despises the fact that they've done "evil" things. Wonder how this is going to play out...

Shades of "Restless" Moment:

Okay, so I didn't get to see the big "Cheese" moment that I've seen discussed on the list since I've signed on tonight. But I absolutely loved the harkening back to the crypt posing in "Restless" when Spike was doing his bit for Andrew in the laundry room... and the reminder that Xander is the heart of the Scoobies just terrifies me. I'm not reading up on spoilers... I just have a *bad* feeling about this. He's the only character this season who *hasn't* had something traumatic - *truly* traumatic - happen to him yet.

Oh, you just knew I'd have to throw this in there....

Harlequin Romance Novel Cover Moment:

Oh, the scene in the kitchen... was that a shout out to the fans who have been clamoring for more of Buffy and Spike? For all that Buffy grumbles at Andrew tonight about how he keeps turning everything into a story, Andrew does have a talent for seeing things that other people just overlook or don't want to see. Andrew can be quite perceptive, *if he feels like it*, and if he's not threatened by what he sees. Interesting. Then again, Andrew can be way off the mark, too. (Spike & Wood? Sexual Tension? I *so* don't think so...) And, let's face it - Shirtless!Spike returns! And he's not covered in sexy wounds!

As far as analysis goes:

I did love the various fantasies we saw from Andrew's perspective (the Greek Gods riff was just too funny for words), and I don't think that I'll ever be able to see scenes in a science lab the same way ever again. While the ep did it's job, it just didn't seem strong enough to carry the load of "sweeps" on its shoulders, which is really too bad.

Andrew really seems to have set himself in a position where he's admiring Xander, which is not something I expected at the beginning of the year. Are TPTB just trying to humanize Andrew and give Xander a buddy? Or is there something more to this?

I liked that we finally got closure on the whole Xander/Anya mess (although why they had to use Spike's bed and candles to reach that point is beyond me...).

Umm... not much else. We can literally say that Wood is a backstabbing weenie, that Buffy can still bully people if she needs to, and that we definitely saw (all together now) a "return to the beginning" with all the harkening back to various eps in Seasons 1 and 2. I was really going to be wondering if we suddenly saw a bass playing werewolf appear out of nowhere, though...

One last thing: as a card carrying Spuffy fan, I have to point out that yes, *Spike* is the one who believes in Buffy, and who is at her back for the majority of the ep. Wood questions her judgment and her abilities, but Spike simply stands by her and does what needs to be done. That in and of itself tells me who the real trustworthy guy is here.

Oh, and Principal Wood? Quit flirting to get inside the Slayer's head. And go take a remedial English course while you're at it. Buffy-speak is funny from the Scoobs, and can even be amusing when it unexpectedly slips out of the mouths of brain-fried computer analysts (systems in my department have been known to be diagnosed as "acting wonky"). You, however, are a high school principal, which would seem to indicate that you have at least some modicum of knowledge regarding the proper usage of the English language... perhaps it would be in your best interest to *use it.*

Quotes of the Night:

"Vam-pyres." Andrew, in Overly-Dramatic mode...

"Xander - the man who is the heart of the Slayer machine." Andrew, giving us a bit of foreshadowing?

"In my plan, we are beltless." Andrew, yet again. Oh, come on... it was funny!

<yawn> - Willow, showing the proper amount of enthusiasm during YABS (Yet Another Buffy Speech).

Dear Hubby Quote of the Night:

Aside from the arguing over the true nature of Principal Wood:

"Uh-oh." - After we realized just how the Seal was creating more Bringers...

Ewwwwwww score:

3 out of 10. Even the Bringers bit wasn't all that scary - as soon as the students came into the Seal room, you knew something was up...

Furry Spike Score:

3 paws. A few good giggles and belly laughs, but no roller coaster ride.

Overall:

I'll give this one 7.5 out of 10. It was a storyline that was executed. Tom Lenk was, as usual, wonderful in his portrayal of Andrew. We got Shirtless!Spike, we got Spike being more of a man than Wood (did I mention that I really don't like Wood right now?), and Anya is now free to chase Giles without guilt. I'm just not sitting here speechless, like I usually am after wonderful Buffy eps.

Until the next ep...

Hugs to all...

---

Kris

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