tvthatdoesntsuck

Things have been a bit quiet in the comment area of late.  That’s probably because everyone who is reading this already has Buffy and doesn’t need my encouragement, or on the other hand, because everyone who is reading this has already had their minds made up about Buffy.  Comment, tell me which one you are.  Because this “theme week” is almost over, and the season that is the topic of today’s discussion is probably the best for noobs to jump into.  While the first episode is a bit weak, the overall arc of the season is very strong, and it is the only season ever to have three pitch perfect, transcendent episodes (”Fool For Love,” the critically acclaimed “The Body” which many see as the best episode of television period, and “The Gift”).

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER - SEASON FIVE

“There were good times, there were… actually, mostly only good times. I’m going to take on this review a bit differently than usual. Instead of discussing the season as a whole, or reviewing each disc as a whole, I’m going to group the episodes and discuss them as such. Sounds like a plan?

EPISODES 1 –> 6
These episodes were rough. The season got off to a bit of a silly start with “Buffy vs. Dracula” but the rest of them were decent. The addition of Buffy’s sister Dawn was handled very craftily; we, the fans, knew right from the jump that something magical had happened and that Dawn wasn’t just a sister we never heard about. The highlight of these episodes is the return of Harmony, who becomes a much more enjoyable villain than she was in the fourth season.

Episodes 7 —> 12
This group contains the best episode of Season Five, and one of the best of the series: “Fool for Love.” We get to see Spike as a human, how he was sired, and how he killed two slayers. These flashbacks, as well as the brilliant interaction between him and Buffy, add dimensions of depth to the once-villainous vampire.  Another not to be missed moment is Buffy’s speech to the Watcher’s Council in “Checkpoint.” It really solidifies the Season’s arc of Buffy finding out what it truly means to be a slayer.

Episodes 13 –> 18
These episodes contain the death of a well-liked character in the Buffyverse and the effect it has on the gang, the bulk of this documented in the episode “The Body.” It hits everyone in different ways, and pulls the characters closer together in ways no one ever suspected. It also has to be pointed out that this is the disc where Spike truly becomes a “good guy.” His relationship with Dawn becomes brother/sister, and as he confesses his love to Buffy and is shot down, the roles of antagonist and protagonist seem to momentarily switch. The spice sprinkled atop of these already wonderful episodes was the guest spots of Angel and Drusilla, both well received.

Episodes 19 –> 22
These four episodes pretty much take place one after the other, which is uncommon for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It adds to the epic feel of this Season, and we get to see the characters ban together in the Eleventh Hour to put a stop to Glory, the hell-god who wants Dawn to bleed to death to merge the hell-dimensions with all the others. When Giles discovers the only way to stop this is to kill Dawn, the gang is torn apart when they try to figure out methods of action. These four episodes are some of the most powerful of the season, and the climax surpasses that of any other seasons (aside from Season Two). The end is a tear jerker, but fear not fans, there is more Buffy to come!

SEASON FIVE ARCS: Every Buffy season has arcs that loom over the episodes, and this season is no different. The following lists the arcs, and how well I believe they were carried out
+ Buffy’s Mom Is Sick *****
+ Buffy Doesn’t Love Riley ***
+ Spike Loves Buffy *****
+ Dawn Is The Key ****
+ Impending Threat of Hell-God Glory ****
+ Glory/Ben Relationship ****
+ Buffy Discovering Her Gift *****

This review is coming to a close, but I just have to say this. The main setting for the first three seasons (the school library) was amazing. The fourth season was all over the place (college, the initiative, and often Gile’s house), but the fifth season brings it right back, putting a lot of the action in Gile’s new venture, a Magic Shop. Awesome.

9/10 “

VERDICT: Fans, buy and enjoy.  Noobs, buy this first.  This ties for “Second Best Season” with Season Three.

NEXT TIME: Buffy, Season Six… in which things get very, very dark.

*static*

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