Diary of a Buffy/Angel Virgin – Spike and Oz take the road trip to crossover town

(Buffy Season 4, Episodes 3-4)
(Angel Season 1, Episodes 3-4)

Now that’s a crossover between two shows. Brilliantly and seamlessly handled. This is why I chose to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel back-to-back like this. I knew Whedon had dropped little treats like this in for his loyal viewers, and now I can pretend to be one, too.

It was also nice to see the return of some familiar faces to both series. As I said last week, the casts are pretty lean. And while I can forgive it as we’re getting settled into our new environments on both shows, it’s time to start stretching out and meeting new people, as well as reconnecting with old friends.

B.4.3 – “The Harsh Light of Day”
(Original Air Date: October 19, 1999) A couple of welcome familiar faces turned up in Sunnydale with this episode. The more I see of Anya’s awkward attempts at humanity, the more I enjoy her continuing presence on the show. Her argument about human bodies with their interlocking parts was brilliant.

And then there’s Spike. How can you not love him? The only problem with Spike is that he’s never quite as bad-ass as he wants to be. Instead, he winds up Buffy’s punching bag as she works over her issues with another guy.

The situation with Parker was painfully common in college. My first college roommate was the Parker of our floor; only I was the one awkwardly in the room with them the next morning when he decided to just disappear. Of course, it would have to be Buffy that falls for the charm and has yet another horrible sexual experience. For a pretty girl she sure does get dumped on a lot … and dumped.

Nice set up, with the Gem of Amarra heading to LA with Oz so he can give it to Angel. Another reminder for the fans of Buffy to check out the spin-off, conveniently airing Oz’s arrival right after this one.

A.1.3 – “In the Dark”
(Original Air Date: October 19, 1999) Even better, Oz wasn’t alone in his trip to LA seeking the Gem. I loved the cold open with Spike giving voiceover to Angel’s chatting with the “damsel in distress” after his daring rescue.

Even though Spike’s continuing quest for the Gem is a serious matter, he always brings a bit of levity to any scene he’s in. While Whedon’s trademark humor is a part of Angel, it’s still a much darker show so far. So little moments like Spike’s hair catching on fire in his closing scene are priceless.

The whole sequence with Oz driving the van was reminiscent of the alternate future episode of Buffy where Buffy never came to Sunnydale. I was beginning to think his appearance at the beginning with the Gem was all we were going to get.

As a crossover, I think these two episodes worked together very well. Spike is frustrated again, and vows to work alone. After the annoying Harmony in Buffy and the overly ambitious Marcus here, it’s probably a good move.

As for Angel, I get the brooding thing, but destroying the Gem of Amara because he hadn’t “earned” it. That’s crap. Hide it again then and wait until you do earn it. It allows you to go out in the daytime. Someday that’ll be worth it. It’s not like there’s a cure for vampirism.

B.4.4 – “Fear, Itself”
(Original Air Date: October 26, 1999) I absolutely loved how the truly haunted house was used to explore the internal emotional issues within the cast. Willow is feeling pressure from the gang because she wants to go further into witchcraft, and they’re a bit more cautious about the real dangers. Xander is worried that he’s no longer a part of the group, and Oz fears the wolf-man. As usual.

Buffy is just a basket of fears; mostly the same ones she’s been harboring all series like never really accomplishing anything for all her fighting, and never being able to be a normal girl. Only now you can add in the fresh fear that she’ll never be good enough for anyone to love. All of that accomplished with scary monsters and shifting doors.

Loved Anya’s bunny costume, as well as her explanation that bunnies scare her. Even better was Giles. It’s getting more and more fun seeing him out of his librarian element. I was a bit put off, as Buffy was, by the obnoxious-ness of the sombrero, but I applauded his efforts to get into the spirit of the holiday.

A.1.4 – “I Fall to Pieces”
(Original Air Date: October 26, 1999) There’s a creepy monster-of-the-week for you. Angel’s like a poor man’s X-Files, isn’t he? Only more supernatural than government experiment-based. Still not sure how Dr. Falls Apart pulled off his particular abilities, but they were disturbing to behold.

The agency came together a little more officially, with Angel finally agreeing to charge customers. Who knew it would be Doyle to offer the rationale that would work: If they pay you they can move on and forget you as their “savior.” And it worked. And Cordy can have some money now.

There’s really not much more to say about it. Not a lot of density in the series or the development of the characters yet. Doyle’s place is almost as bad as Cordelia’s (I don’t care what she says, her place is horrific!). And Angel still has the best pity parties.

CALL FOR RESPONSES

With the new fall season upon us, we here at CliqueClack are looking at these “Virgin Diaries” with question marks in our eyes. Should we put them on hiatus until the winter break, or perhaps next summer? Should we continue as normal, or will things be too crowded with the fall slate unfolding at the same time?

So I’m throwing the question out to you: What are your thoughts about Virgin Diaries in the fall? Are you still inclined to follow along? Would you like a break from the action, and have us pick it up again when the land of television slows down again? Sound off below and let your voices be heard!

Clacked by Jason Hughes
on Sep 14, 2009 @ 14:00 EST5EDT