Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series) Restless (2000) User Reviews

Whedon Attack

[morphion2 · 10/10 · 21 September 2007]

I'm amazed that "Buffy" fanatics don't like this episode. I honestly had more faith in them than that. I assumed that because this series was a remarkably innovative and intelligent production which recognized the boundless potential of the television medium that its followers would largely share similar traits. The feedback I've heard on this Season Four closer is that it's dull, confusing and pointless. I sorely beg to differ.

What I understood of "Restless" the first time I saw it (and have been consolidated by every further viewing) is that it is an unadulterated Freudian character study, realized with lite David Lynch methodology. It's true that there is SFA of the formulaic Big Bad plotting that "Buffy" episodes usually revolve around, but I was actually somewhat thankful for this. "Restless" is a denouement - a reflection and a meditation, and although there is an obligatory evil at work, the villain here is vague and besides the point. "It's all about the journey," says Giles and despite the obviousness, he's right.

I don't know about everyone else, but I love these characters. In that cathartic, fanboy, TV-show way, I care about them. And by God, I'm excited when I get the chance to learn something about them - I loved the in depth character studies of other such low-key episodes as Season Three's "Amends" and "The Zeppo", Season Five's "The Body" or Season Six's "Hell's Bells". And I'm not saying all this to alienate non "Buffy" nerds or prove myself "Buffy" nerd supreme, just to illustrate that the episodes that have enough impact on me to make me remember their names are the ones where I feel like we've gotten somewhere with the people we watch, and we understand them just a little bit better. To me, no episode ever did this better than "Restless".

So have your way and think your thoughts, but I like to have a little shared humanity with the objects of my fandom now and again, and "telling statement" dreams of hidden fears and desires just does more for me than fist fights with interchangeable Evil Dead. As far as I'm concerned, this mid-series nap by our drama-heavy protagonists gives more multi-viewing rewards than most feature length films. Not only this, but it is essential viewing in any attempt to understand how Joss Whedon's cheesy-by-premise, Supernatural soap opera became and holds a place as one of the most compelling television experiences of all time.

Fantastically Unorthodox - Entirely Whedonesque

[cuttoothom · 10/10 · 14 May 2009]

Here...there be no spoilers. The review posted here earlier did this phenomenal, hilarious and insightful finale no justice, so let's set the record straight.

Joss Whedon is well-known for doing things his own way - and in this episode of Buffy he does so, showing off his quirky goodness by allowing us a finale that is not action-packed, as is custom, but rather thoughtful and amusing - a wonderful wind-down from all that's come before. "Restless" is like the antidote to the anxiety that built up in the season preceding it. However, despite the fact that the entire episode takes place within the dreams of the main characters and has little to do with events in the world, in this episode we get to know our beloved Scooby Gang better than we have. Xander's worries and Willow's insecurities...all that noise.

In seeing the dreams of the Scooby Gang we see them anew. Also, we meet The Cheese Man, a cult favorite (you know you want some) Seriously? No complaints. Watch and enjoy. The mere existence of an episode such as this is evidence of what's so wonderful about Whedon and his Buffyverse.

An episode you can only appreciate if you see seasons 5, 6 and 7 first

[katierose295 · 8/10 · 27 August 2006]

Honestly, I don't know what to say about this episode. I can't really describe it. And, if you watch the episodes in order, "Restless" will confuse you. A lot of it confuses me and I've seen all the BTVS episodes half a dozen times this year. It's sort of a preview of story lines and plot points to come, with the dreams having hidden jokes and meanings. After you watch seasons five, six, and seven, there are parts of "Restless" that will make a lot more sense. You will probably look back on the episode and say "Ohhhhh! NOW I get it." Anyway, I highly recommend that you give it a shot, if only so you can belatedly enjoy the "be back before Dawn" line when season five rolls around.

Basically, the plot of "Restless" revolves around the Scoobies falling asleep after their battle at the Intitaive. They each have dreams, which reflect their worries and deeper concerns. There is a lot of content and hidden meaning to the dreams, but basically Willow dreams about hiding her true self. She's suddenly back at Sunnydale High again, starring in a play. Everyone's asking her about her costume. She's really she's just in her ordinary clothes, but they think that she's in disguise. (A reference to her homosexuality, to her continuing fear that she still that ninth grade geek and, maybe, to her hidden dark side that will emerge in season six.) Xander dreams about being stuck in a rut. He's in an ice cream truck that seems to move, even through it's standing still. He's unable to escape his parents' basement and he's terrified about what will happen if he stays. (Again, fears that will play out in season six.) Giles dreams that Buffy is a little girl who depends on him. But at the same time his own life is passing him by. (His desire to leave Sunnydale and have a life of his own will play into seasons five and six.) And Buffy dreams that her mother is trapped behind a wall and Riley is darker than he seems. (Storylines that will emerge in season five.) As they dream it becomes clear that something is stalking them, though. Their "joining" in "Primeaval" released the spirit of the First Slayer and she wants to kill them as the sleep. Buffy has to stop her before it's too late.

There are some good parts to this episode. The ways it's set up, it really does feel like people dreaming. The scenes shift around and nothing quite makes sense and no one talks in sensible ways. It's really well done. I love the black and white Spike part of Giles dream. Interestingly, when Angel has a dream about Spike in season five of "Angel," he also sees Spike as entertainer. With people coming to watch him preform. Mostly I enjoy the little hidden gems that you only come to appreciate after you've seen later season of the show. The little gnomes decorating Spike's crypt (season six's "Entropy.") The shark walking on land and Giles calling Spike his son (season six's "Tabula Rasa.") The 730 on Buffy's alarm clock. (season five's "The Gift.") The First Slayer. (Who will go right into season seven.) "Restless" is a lot more fun if you have some idea of where the show is headed.

On the downside, I wish that Spike had gotten a dream. Also, I like the cheese guy, but couldn't we have worked him in later in the series, too? Maybe when Spike woke up from a dream in season seven's "Chosen."

My favorite part of the episode: Riley and Adam deciding to make a fort out of pillows.

My number one favorite Buffy episode and in my opinion the turning point of the entire series.

[dj-15383 · 10/10 · 10 January 2021]

This is my favorite episode out of all seven seasons. First off, it's extremely well done and very unique. Second, it is full of references to not only the entire series up to that point; but to the remaining seasons.

Also, one could make the argument that this show has two different "eras" - the first era being everything that happened before this episode (the coming of age - high school/college years), and the second era being everything that happened after (the adult years); with this episode being the turning point.

To sleep perchance?

[Joxerlives · 10/10 · 23 March 2012]

The Good; Pretty damn wonderful, especially ASH's panicking theatre director, based on personal experience?

The Bad; ?

Best line; Cheeseman; "I wear the cheese, it does not wear me"

Women good/men bad; Dark haired Buffy's rant against Cowboy guy Riley

Jeez!; The First Slayer scalping Giles

Kinky dinky; Willow and Tara hooker up! How gorgeous is MILFY Joyce in her nightie? Weirdest fanfic I ever read concerned Willow having S&M sex with the cheese guy who melts cheese over her nude body. Joss says that when Buffy rubs the mud over her face the idea was that she was being overwhelmed by her primal Slayer instincts but actually looks like she was having a facial. I'd say it looks more like she's a stripper/porn star doing her 'tigress in heat' leer? Milkmaid Harmony also very cute. The sign at the funfair vamp actually says 'I crack for a buck' but that's not what I thought it said.

Calling Captain Subtext; ALL OF IT! Especially Willow and Tara in the sexiest scene you never saw but fervently imagined. Is the poem Willow is writing on Tara's back by Sappho perhaps? (very Xena). And how lovely is Amber, such an unorthodox beauty. Xander refers to Willow and Tara 'doing spells'. Hmmmm? Tara hints Willow doesn't know everything about her, her demon side? Dark-haired Buffy berating gun toting Riley over the death of Xander and the evil of men. Substitute Warren for Riley, DarkWillow for Buffy and Tara for Xander and you have the end of season 6 (plus Adam and Riley and the gun between them?)Riley often compared to Gary Cooper and here he's a cowboy. Irony is that Gary Cooper despite his wholesome image was a notorious womaniser and Riley will go to his vampwhores in season 5. Adam challenges Buffy that she has demon essence in her which we'll find in out in 'Get it done'. Riley leaves, Joss already thinking about him going. Spike's sideshow freak appearance is indicative of his role in later seasons, vampire in love with the Slayer and then vamp with soul, sacrificial lamb in the end. The scenes with Spike and Giles on the swings seem to suggest that Spike will fulfil the role of Giles to Buffy once Giles leaves again for the UK, her 'daddy' figure. What might have happened if Giles had hung around in season 6? Guffy? Their conversation also portends to the Loan Shark from Tabula Rusu. The clock reads 730, same as in Graduation Day pt2, counting down to Dawn who is the kitten (as she was the cat in GDpt2). Buffy refers to Xander as big brother, wonderful and loving but not sexual. In fact Buffy is the one girl Xander never thinks about sexually in his dream. He says 'it get's better' and indeed it does, he's not left behind by his friends as he fears. Although Xuffers still hold out for something to happen in season 8 (and given Buffy's fantasy in issue 2 maybe they still have a point?). Anya talks about getting back into vengeance which she will in seasons 6/7. Xander's dad is not the same actor we meet in season 6, he rather reminds me of an angry version of Willy the snitch. Buffy refers to being a fireman which portends to 'Once more with feeling'. We see Willow having a fit on a sofa and Buffy saying 'I can fight this thing' portending to Joyce dying on the couch and Buffy's inability to fight a disease despite all her Slayer powers. We later see Joyce entombed in the wall with Buffy leaving her behind to go on with her friends. And her little sis. Giles tells Buffy 'it's been like this between men and women since the beginning' but she rejects that, she won't play the Shadowmen's/Councils game as we see from her rejection of the First Slayer's values, that the First Slayer is not 'the source of me'. Note the vamp at the funfair is 'Drac'. In Spike's tomb Buffy is gone with Olivia weeping over an empty pram, portending Giles' leaving a Buffy who no longer needs his guidance.

Guantanamo Bay; Riley and Adam plotting world domination because "We're the government baby, it's what we do".

Scoobies in bondage: Xander tied in his confrontation with Snyder (amazingly unless someone can correct me his first time?).

Recurring characters killed: 10, no but wonderful to see Snyder back again, Armin Shimmerman giving a terrific performance as a much thinner Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now

Questions and observations; How lovely to see season 1 Willow again, she's just so cute. In case you didn't know the Bay of Pigs was the ill-fated CIA backed invasion of Castro's Cuba by anti-communist exiles. Will also refers to her experience of stage-fright in 'Nightmares'. Once again great to see Oz back, the last appearance of him in the show and for Olivia too. Once again Buffy triumphs because she is the unconventional Slayer, she's more than just the Slayer, she lives in the world too. No matter how many times I watch this I can never tell, is it Tara or Anya in bed telling Buffy she has to wake up? Asian Joe sitting behind Oz in class, great to see him again. The clip they watch of Apocalypse Now sounds more like Hamburger Hill.

Marks out of 10; 10/10

It's Dreamy , no pun intended.

[zaga_u · 9/10 · 31 March 2012]

What people tend to forget is that Buffy was first advertised as a Horror-Teen-drama-comedy, which was why people either got very turned off by it or people got curious to watch it. But as the series got started the word "Horror" could very well be place with "action". Which to be brutally honest saddens me, now action can be fun and awesome and Buffy's way of showing action ranges from campy and fun to nail-bitingly intense to "oh my god why is there so much F*cking fighting??!" which sums up my feeling towards Buffy's more actiony episodes. Bottom line - character, humor and frights is what, to me, makes an excellent Buffy episode.. so if you are in to Buffy, or film in general, for the action this is where I tell you that maybe this episode won't do it for you - for the very reason it does everything right in my opinion.

The episode takes place after the big final battle in which the main cast of characters re-bonds with hugs, heartfelt speeches and fusing themselves with a spell to all join Buffy giving her super(er) powers to take on the big-bad of the season Adam. After the battle, and where the episode begins, the crew meets up at Buffy's to watch videos but all end up falling asleep and what follows a four character studies told through their dreams. But something is lurking in all of their dreams trying to harm them.

I remember being 12 and watching this for the first time and already being won over simply by how the dreams looked, yes the dreams reveal much about the character and even for-shadow the coming seasons, but the way the dream world looks and feels is what makes me care to analyze what they might mean. Surreal spaces, sound and acting all come together to create very "realistic" dreams that stray between uncomfortably humorous to crazy intense. How the "monster" is not shown I actually think works great, again overly long karate scenes with bombastic music get me exhausted.

Now it being one of my favorites I don't have to tell you I like this a lot, but that doesn't mean I think it could have been slightly improved, I can't help but think the creators could have gone a step further for instance more cameos would have been great, seeing characters like Joyce and Oz despite their little involvement in the season tells us much about our characters and how they still think of and feel about these people, I'm not saying "Bring back all the character!!" but I can't help but feel having Angel or possibly Faith interact with Buffy in her dreams could have been very rewarding, it's still a fantastic episode but there is space to go a little bit further in exploring the characters, it feels a bit like a missed opportunity.

Restless is in my opinion one of the series finest, and the criticism that it's boring I would feel only worked if their were 20 other episodes like it, which there are not. This episode is an entity on to it's self - and I'm glad they did this once. After all season 4 of Buffy was all about experimenting, and judging by how fantastic the next seasons turned out I'd say it paid off big time.

..gee this review went on long, sorry. I give "Restless" a 9.4 out of 10, it's one of my personal favorites and with Superstar and Hush the best episode of season 4 and I recommend it (and the other 2) to all people who are Buffy-curious but haven't actually given it a try and also, obviously, to fans of the show.. but you've all already seen it.

My favourite episode

[Kerriecarlisle · 10/10 · 30 November 2019]

I honestly watch Buffy TOO MUCH it's my go to bad day program. Restless is one of my favourite episodes for the deep meanings and pure craziness. The cheese man is such an excellent break in the tension throughout.

Pure excellence

[fuk_yeee · 10/10 · 14 November 2020]

A testament to Joss Whedon, a plummet into the inner turmoil of one's psyche. This episode clearly shows how misunderstood our dreams are and solidifies the confusion we all feel. A true masterpiece.

Pure Buffyverse bliss

[warrenreid-wr · 10/10 · 26 February 2020]

This episode is strongly tied with 5x16 "The Body" as my favorite episode of the series and top ten 10 TV episodes of all time.

I cry every time. Re-watching 20 years after seeing it for the first time, I love it even more.

To care for these characters is to love them. And here we get a glimpse into the subconscious in all its glory. We see their unfiltered motivations, doubts and fears, and get a flavor of what binds the group together after years of growing together.

Joss Whedon's ability to capture emotion while staying true to the subversive humor of the Buffyverse is absolutely mesmerizing. A masterpiece. And the music is absolutely gorgeous to boot.

A linked anthology of dreams

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 5 November 2019]

Following the defeat of Adam; Buffy, Willow, Xander and Giles decide to chill out in front of a movie. They all fall asleep quickly and each start having strange, somewhat uncomfortable dreams. In turn we Willow, Xander, Giles and finally Buffy's dream; while they are each different and feature a worry felt by the dreamer there are similarities; each character feels that there is something after them, which ultimately catches them... it isn't until Buffy's dream that it becomes apparent what this is. They also feature a man with slices of cheese for no obvious reason.

I thought this was a really good episode; the way the dreams are constantly changing felt real and their contents were scary at times but also quite humorous. Having an episode centred on dreams meant certain characters who had previously died could return; most notably Principal Snyder... a delight seeing Armin Shimerman perform in the style of Brando in 'Apocalypse Now'. The identity of the character after our protagonists proved to be interesting and nicely linked to the spell cast to help Buffy defeat Adam. There isn't too much in the way of action but that is made up for with the general feeling of dread. Overall a solid conclusion to season four.

An episode you can study and gets better everytime

[ossie85 · 10/10 · 18 August 2022]

The gang are hunted by a primeval force in their dreams. Willow dreams that everything is a play and Oz and Tara are talking about her behind her back. Xander's dream consists of being seduced by Joyce, Willow and Tara, and facing his father. Giles takes Olivia and fears he is being left out, while Buffy hunts this demon down as it takes her to a far away place.

Why It's So Good - Buffy handles Dreams just about better than any other show, and an episode almost entirely in a dream state is no exception. An episode like this could be lost behind the gimic, but it isn't. He moves the story forward, it is character driven, and it is exciting. Superb all round.

Watch Out For - Be back before Dawn . . . And don't wear the cheese.

Quote - ". . . . and try not to bleed on my couch I've just had it steam-cleaned. . . . ." - Part of Giles song.

Unnecessary

[pulikd · 5/10 · 25 September 2022]

The previous episode was enough to end the season. The main villain has been defeated, the big threat has been taken out, and the heroes have made it out not only alive and well, but with their futures not likely to be in any government related danger because of how helpful and vital they were in preventing disaster. Also, all of that did not take much time to inform the audience about. But then this happens.

To defeat the main villain of the season, our heroes had to use magic and summon some ancient forces. And those were not safe to use. It was made clear. And again, making that clear did not take much time. Those forces now torture our heroes in their sleep. A sequence of nightmares, basically, only there is such an episode already, in the very first season of the show, and there it did make sense. Those nightmares were not exactly triggered by the main villain of that season, but they did work as yet another way to make the young heroes afraid and demoralized before the finale. Here, the nightmares are caused by something else and for a different reason. Also, the visuals could have been better in the episode. And the pacing could have been better. Not as slow and boring.

The cause of the nightmares turns out to be the spirit of the very first slayer. That slayer is unhappy with Buffy because Buffy has, or, at least, tries her best, to have a social life. Why is the first slayer the only cause of the nightmares? When Buffy was using that ancient power to fight Adam, it was clear some spirits were helping her. Spirits, not a spirit, and they could talk a language that wasn't English. But the first slayer turns out to have no speech here. She can't speak. Also, Buffy may not always follow the rules, but that is exactly what helped her stop Adam and his plan to annihilate humanity. Buffy was doing the right thing. She was doing what any slayer would have done in her shoes. And any slayer would have failed in her shoes, because none of the other slayers before Buffy had any friends. And Buffy's friends are the reason she was successful in stopping Adam. She would have been shot and blown apart had her friends not used that magic to supernaturally assist her. Buffy did what she did to save the world from evil, which is a slayer's job, and she was successful thanks to her friends. Now, the spirit of the first slayer tortures her and her friends. Her, for doing her job, them, for preventing her from failure, and this is confusing.

The idea of some supernatural forces bringing trouble to our heroes sounds interesting in theory, and the contrast between the two slayers is actually interesting, but it has not been taken in the right direction here, and it isn't well done. If the show wanted to maintain the 22 episodes per season format, there should have been another episode in between "New Moon Rising" and "The Yoko Factor". The episodes themselves were good. Or more than good, but something happens in between them that could and should have been covered here, on "Buffy", not on "Angel". That does not mean you should not have another TV show about one of these characters, but it is a missed opportunity. There could have been two episodes about one and the same event, one on "Angel" and another on "Buffy", covering the same little story from the two different perspectives of the two interesting characters. And then "Primeval" would have been 22, not 21, and the season would have been nicely wrapped up.

I grew to love this episode...

[m-47826 · 9/10 · 1 July 2021]

It is up there with Hush, in my opinion. Season 4 is an easily redeeming season. After a series of more or less enjoyable fillers, it brought us Hush. Then the two part finale managed all it flaws and honest mistakes, as a way for writers to admit they ate more than they can chew, and give the main arc a satisfying send off, at the same time. And that's about the only real pet peeve I have with season 4. It lack for real focus, and Restless tries to find it meaning the best way it can. While letting us in on certain off screen secrets (the man with the cheese slices. Hello watered down content?...). It is both a summary of the journey so far, and what's to come. I used to laugh at it as a kid, and really got into the main plot, and thrilling aspect. Only now, I find myself loving analyzing every little details. And noticing hints at upcoming storylines. And characters psyches, during that time. It's one of those episodes that makes me love the show even more, and honored to say, this is the kind of series I grew up with.

Whole Lot Of Fun

[officialbrickworld · 10/10 · 23 August 2021]

As soon as Giles started speaking in a dubbed French voice, I lost it. This episode is so wacky and funny, and the Cheese Man sums up how random it is (and I never know what to expect next). Overall, Restless is a whole lot of fun.

"Restless." AMAZING

[buffysummersapologist · 10/10 · 29 March 2023]

"Restless" is a tour de force episode from Buffy the Vampire Slayer's fourth season that showcases the show's exceptional writing, creativity, and storytelling. The episode is a deep exploration of the subconscious mind, as each member of the Scooby gang experiences a series of surreal and symbolic dreams.

One of the many interesting things of the episode are the key themes and the power of myth and storytelling. The dreams that the characters experience are filled with references to ancient myths and legends, including the story of the First Slayer and the origin of the Slayer line. The episode also touches on the idea of the subconscious mind as a powerful force, with each character's dreams revealing their deepest fears and desires.

The metaphor of Sineya, the First Slayer, is particularly powerful. Sineya represents the primal and uncontrollable aspects of human nature, and her appearance in the dreams of the Scooby gang serves as a reminder of the danger that lurks beneath the surface. The scenes with Sineya also offer a commentary on the limitations of language and the difficulty of communicating complex ideas.

The episode is also beautifully executed, with stunning visuals and a dreamlike atmosphere that perfectly captures the surreal nature of the dreams. The acting is exceptional, with each member of the cast delivering nuanced and powerful performances.

In conclusion: "Restless" is a brilliantly crafted episode that explores profound themes with creativity and depth. Through its examination of myth, storytelling, and the subconscious mind, the episode offers a powerful commentary on the human experience. The metaphor scenes, including those with Sineya and the dreams of the Scooby gang, are expertly crafted and offer a wealth of meaning and symbolism. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is known for its exceptional writing and storytelling, and "Restless" is a shining example of the show's talent and creativity.

Great Nightmarish Episode

[sollyharv · 9/10 · 13 March 2022]

Definitely has obvious nods to Lynch, but also has its own clever, original observations on dream logic. Fantastic, really funny episode with moments of genuinely effective surrealist horror.

The One I Hate...

[taylorkingston · 2/10 · 3 October 2015]

I don't mean to be rude, but this episode sucks so bad. It's my absolute least favorite episode from the series. It's boring, it's irrelevant. You can skip it, and miss nothing. There's no big Season Finale moment, or cliffhanger. It's so dumb. I honestly hate this episode. I was going to give it a one out of ten, but because it has Oz in it, and it is his last episode, I decided to bump that lousy one up to a two. Every time I have a Buffy marathon, I skip through this episode, probably watching three or four minutes of it, or I skip it entirely, and move onto the next season. I was so disappointed with this episode. I honestly, just can't believe they decided to go with this episode as the Season Finale. I would have much rather had the episode before this one, as the last episode of the season. To me, it is.

In this episode, everyone is so happy that Adam has been defeated. So the gang decide to stay up late, only to fall asleep immediately. They have disturbing, dark, twisted dreams, that end up trying to kill them.

Final appearance of: Oz.

Overall, I give this episode a 2 out of 10, which in my ratings book is: Terrible.

Snoozefest. Don't Bother.

[Amelia405 · 1/10 · 4 December 2022]

They're asleep, I'm asleep, we're all asleep. I don't know what's worse: this episode or the musical episode. This is so slow & boring, I'd rather be doing my taxes. Is this supposed to be artsy? Does any of this pertain to anything else in the series? I'll never know cause it's not holding my attention.

I really nothing else to say about this episode, but evidently they're now requiring wordier reviews. How else can I convey how much I absolutely despise this episode. I do not like it. This is not for me. This episode seems totally pointless. It's just a waste of time. Just a big waste of everybody's time.

Pure garbage.

[ZinQ · 1/10 · 28 February 2019]

What he'd half an hour then fast forwarded to the end. Cannot put into words how bad this episode was.

Everybody Sleeping (Including Me)

[claudio_carvalho · 3/10 · 24 August 2006]

Bufy, Willow, Xander and Giles decide to spend the night watching videos at Joyce's home. They fall asleep and they all share a nightmare with the first slayer.

This boring episode closes the Fourth Season with all the characters sleeping including me. I had to repeat many scenes, and I really did not like this overrated "Restless" (8.6 in the User Rating is a joke). My vote is three.

Now, we Brazilians, fans of this great series, have to wait for the decision of the distributor Fox do Brasil to see if and when the Fifth Season of Buffy will be released. The Third Season was released on 25 August 2003, and the Fourth Season was released only in May 2006. Lets see if Fox will show a minimum of respect for us.

Title (Brazil): "Inquietação" ("Restless")

This is what sweet dreams are made of

[Realrockerhalloween · 3 October 2016]

Restless follows the gang after the fight within the initiative as they decide to spend a relaxing night at home. Unaware they have released the first slayer who communicates with the current slayer. The dreams gives is insight to the character at this stage in their lives as Willow still feels like the shy girl in high school who no one takes seriously, Xander like he hasn't achieved anything good in His life since high school ended and Giles few Buffy doesn't need him. Its funny how this has become a recurring theme as its been explored many times this season and no matter how they resolve it by the end it pops back up. Are these flaws each feels is holding back or that Buffy has grown beyond them to where they aren't needed and yet each time they are used to save the world. Buffy realizes how important they are to here and it's them that has to grow confidence in their character to see how valuable they are to the team as a whole.

Another aspect is the symbolism pointing to Buffy having unexpected company soon. The references to her being a big sis, the room she stares into, Joyce hiding away and many more point to her becoming a big sister soon. Family will play a big part of next season with the first slayer telling her of the danger and challenges to come. Buffy doesn't realize it yet that her skills, strength and friendships have only begun to be tested.

Yawwwwwwwwwwwn

[skay_baltimore · 3/10 · 28 July 2010]

Oh man...am I with Claudio on this one. WHAT A DOZER!!! I kept nodding off throughout the entire episode. And not surprisingly...didn't really miss that much. I kept waiting...and waiting...and waiting...and...well...you get the picture. Not only was this the least enjoyable episode of the series...the fact that it was a season finale REALLY sucked! OMG...please make it stop. Better yet...please wake me up from this anesthetizing slumber. I feel like I'm under one of Willows sleeping spells that's gone horribly horribly awry. The only thing that was even halfway interesting was trying to figure out if the First Slayer had a goatee or not. It was a tossup between that, and trying to figure out if the First Slayer had more hair on her chin than Buffy has on her arms. Or trying to figure out if the hair on Buffy's arms was an indication of the hair on Buffy's...

But I digress...However...in my defense, I do not think I'd be convicted by a jury of my peers. Not if they watched this episode. Because they'd all be asleep...and the statute of limitations would run out before they'd wake up. OMG...did I mention that this episode was unbelievably boring?!!!!