OT (on some lists): My review of "Hell's Bells"

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This is an On-The-Fly review (i.e., I stop at each commercial and review
what I just saw), so some of the stuff in the beginning will be
contradicted by the end.

Anti-B/Sers, I am searching for B/W portents here, but it's not a total
'shipfest.

Multi-shippers on the B/W lists, this is anti-B/S, but I'm pretty nice
about it this week.

And if you're both B/W and anti-B/S, dig in and enjoy!

For those who just want a few thoughts,

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Ahhhh. Now that's more like it. I've been wondering where the show
has been all year (even the musical was essentially a plotless stunt,
albeit entertaining), but now we're back on board. The death knell of
B/S, omens for a B/W or B/X future, lots of funny stuff and then a shift
to serious matters and a far-too-long delayed examination of Xander's
issues.

It's like my wildest dreamsthey put an end to B/S, and the show is
good again. So simple I don't know why they didn't do it sooner.

Things I Liked:

Opening with a cute B/W scene

The Ironic Cut at the end of the teaser. Reinforcing the Ironic Teaser
Cut in "Smashed" ("you've got no one else; cut to Willow, meaning
that's who Buffy has) by validating the technique through re-use.

Buffy acting more normal through the ep. Keep her away from Spike and
the slayer healing will have her back to herself in no time.

Anya's line "I get to be with my best friend forever!" Since Anya has
never called Xander her best friend before, that line is probably there
to define how Kirshner and Marti view an ideal marriage. So people (ie
Buffy) should be with their best friend, huh? Much 'shipper joy.

The Buffy/Xander stuff. B/X is okay (except that it leaves Willow out
of itI'd rather pair either of them with her), but the simple
introduction of possibilities other than B/S means that we have a future
in a better direction. Besides, I still see an X/Ay hookup down the
road, which leads a friend-lovin' Buffy right to the redhead.

Cutting from "Sometimes two people bring each other nothing but pain" to
B/S. Thank you very much.

Spike admitting he doesn't see Buffy being happy when she's with him,
and he likes her when she is.

B/S both being nicer people when they're apart. See, it was bad for
both of them.

Buffy not being flustered, or struggling to deny a passion for Spike.
"It hurts, a little." That's not reconciliation, that's moving on (with
just a tinge of regret). It took her a whole year to get to this point
with Angel ("The Yoko Factor"), but then, Spike hardly means as much to
her.

Spike disappearing from the episode quickly. He's a support, not the
hero, like B/Sers started to think he was.

Xander/Willow hugs.

Buffy/Willow touch (incredibly brief though it was).

LOTS of continuity references.

D'Hoffryn (Andy Umberger is always great)

Anya's vows (final version)

"The Wedding March" playing for Buffy. A portent?

Buffy asking "anybody from out of town?" Heh.

Buffy juggling.

Finally, some serious issues on the show, not just moping and porn. 

I like light eps that turn serious, like "The Replacement" or "Couplet".
Tragedy and comedy should co-exist, especially on a Hellmouth.

The possibility of Anya going Big Bad on us. 

B/W/D being a family at the end.

Dawn not being a brat.

Buffy not being pathetic.

No Mary Sue characters (Riley, Sam, Tara in ep 14) making speeches.
Show, not tell, storytelling.

Joyce and Hank in next week's preview.


Things I didn't like:

Willow still being too much of a puppy around Tara (although I sense
they're setting up a fall there, so I'm not really worried).

Willow rescuing Tara when she's supposed to be out hunting Xander.

Xander completely blowing off the idea that "Future Xander" was from the
future, initially. Hello? Hellmouth? Ring any bells?

Xander's issues not (yet) including child abuse. Go all the way and say
it, already.

The possibility of big-time B/X (but I don't think soVisionXander,
whom Xander hated, never got over Buffy, so doesn't that mean Xander has
to? Isn't working through his issues going to lead him back to Anya?)

No mention of Giles, AGAIN. Can't he send a gift?

That it took 15 eps to start things going this year. In particular, the
Xander/Anya story wasted countless opportunities for real comedy, and
hints of pathos, all year long.


Grade: 8.5 out of 10 Best "real" ep of the year, despite the musical
scoring higher on Style Points.

One down, six to go. Keep your eye on the ball, Marti, and you still
might salvage something from the season.