Re: OT: "Normal Again" shooting script

[danspector@xxxxxxxxx]

Okay, just done with Act 1 and the start of Act 2, and here's what I've
noticed so far?

Unfortunately, the editing makes it clear that the "naked wrestling"
exchange wasn't just cut for airtime, it was never in the take that they
used. Which doesn't mean they might not have filmed it, and then
decided to do a take without it?

Some things were clearly IMPROVED upon from the script--the most
noticeable being that the "once you fall?" line was originally a
far-too-impersonal "When someone falls for Willow, they stay fallen."
Massive props to Sarah, Joss, Diego, Rick Rosenthal or whomever made
that line the much more personal "once you fall for Willow, you stay
fallen."

I'm going to give Aly all the credit for fixing my fave Willow/Xander
line, though. It was supposed to be "Xander, you're here. Where were
you? We were worried." and Aly (I'm sure) made it the much sweeter
"Xander? Xander? Xander, you're here! We missed you! Where were you?"

The third fixing is also key, and I'm going to give credit to SMG,
because it's about taking a B/W/X line reading on a line that originally
wasn't meant that way and I don't think Rosenthal, directing his first
ep of the series, would have the knowledge of the depth of that bond to
suggest the (IMO much better) change of emphasis.  

It's when Xander says he wanted to call and Buffy cuts him off with an
almost-insulted "Hey, you don't need to explain to us."

In the script it's:

X: I know. I tried calling, but I couldn't talk without-- (chokes up)
B: Are you okay?  
(Xander nods, but has to take a long moment before continuing)
X: I'm sorry. For disappearing. For walking out like that.
B: You don't need to apologize to us.
X: Right. Is she here?

See, as written, this exchange is All About Anya, with Buffy giving the
feminine-solidarity lecture, "it's not us you have to make it up to."

But someone, I assume SMG (and THANK YOU, Sarah!), had the idea of
playing this like Buffy's annoyed that Xander's acting as if he's some
guy off the street, some guy who has to apologize because otherwise
Buffy and Willow will be mad at him--she's almost pissed at him for
trivializing the Three Musketeers' bond that way. It's just a beautiful
sentiment about how you should act with your truest friends (albeit
hugely ironic coming from Ms. "I can't tell them, they'd never
understand about Angel/Spike/whatever?"), and I'm so glad that Sarah
chose to play it like that (or was told to, although since it seems
different from the original intent, I doubt it).

And moving to Act 2, while I can understand them changing things so
Willow/Xander (and soon Spike) notice that Buffy is doubled over and run
to her, I must say I love the original concept where Buffy has her
episode, comes to, calls for Willow (again, of the three there, she
calls for Willow, not Xander, NOT Spike), and Willow rushes to her
immediately, whereas?

B: Willow?

"Xander is waiting for Spike to get up, fists ready for more. Willow
turns back and sees Buffy."

W: Buffy? Are you okay?

"She reaches out and grabs her, keeping her from falling. Xander turns,
rushes over to her."

So, as written, the guys are too caught up in their macho shit to notice
Buffy collapsing, but Buffy calls for Willow and Willow is sufficiently
attuned to turn away from the fight in front of her and run to help
Buffy, all on her own.  

Well, I was talking about Buffy prioritizing her friends, later in the
ep--shall we nominate this scene for "Who truly loves Buffy?" Willow
is there for her right away, Xander soon after--and Spike a distant
third. That concurs with my opinion, at least.

Okay, off for more.

Dan

"She reaches out and grabs her, keeping her from falling"--so true, in
so many ways.