Buffy the Vampire Slayer: 2x18 Full Reaction
Added 2023-09-06 23:21:42 +0000 UTC
Comments
Also worth mentioning are the different stages of grief. While simplified, I do find them to be a pretty good summary. People often go through these stages at different times, but nonetheless, they are still, more often than not, experienced at some point in time. One of the stages is denial, which I think we all experienced when first witnessing Jenny’s death. This particular stage of dealing with grief is one that I am particularly inclined to experience. I’d imagine that Giles is experiencing denial and acceptance both at the same time, to an extent. Although they contradict each other, it’s very real for someone in his shoes to be set on both.
Jack Stankovic
2023-09-10 09:15:53 +0000 UTCI agree with you. As someone with PTSD that has experienced trauma on numerous occasions, I’m of the belief that Buffy does a far better job of portraying grief and trauma, especially when compared to similar shows in the era. For instance, I recall that when Shannon Doherty’s charmed character, Prue, lost her long-time friend/on-and-off boyfriend, Andy at the end of the first season, it was basically forgotten by the first episode of the next season. She was dating and resuming normal life very fast, and of course people respond to trauma different, but there was never any reflection or second thoughts. In other cases, it’s the opposite, where if you’re not crying yourself to sleep all day, ever day, then you’re not actually suffering. The reality is that trauma manifests itself in an endless manner of ways. It presents itself in different forms in different people, and sometimes in different ways in the same person, all in quick succession. It can be an absolute roller coaster, one where you feel all emotions and no emotions at the same time, and one where you can feel indifferent, despair, shock, anger, sadness, fury, deep regret, and of course, grief, all at the same time, or jumping from one to the next in a split second. I believe that Buffy depicts different people suffering in different ways. There’s of course numerous inaccuracies, but I think they did a very good job for what it was and when it was.
Jack Stankovic
2023-09-10 09:09:37 +0000 UTCYou mean like a writers room?
spikeysnack
2023-09-10 01:21:26 +0000 UTCGreat reaction. Loving following along on this ride. One thing I thought of that I haven't seen anyone else comment on is the reason (possibly) that Buffy was sick. There have been several nods to it already but at this point in the series I start to wonder if there isn't a more deliberate hand guiding her (the slayer) and the events around her life. Like, is there a higher power in this fight against evil that allowed or even caused her to get sick (something that is quickly established as VERY rare - or, if I understood right, basically never happens at all). Suddenly she catches a major flu at just the right time to glimpse the monster that is only visible if you have a fever and, oh yeah, just so happens to be the same monster that killed her cousin in front of her as a child... just too much of a coincidence for me. Anyway, as I said, at this point there isn't enough evidence to say for sure. Just wondered what you'd think of the idea.
Brandon Scott
2023-09-09 12:13:24 +0000 UTC"I was expecting a heavy grief episode, but we had a "monster of the week" (episode). Good point. But, I think at least with Giles, he's kind of "prepared" himself for hardship. In S01 Episode 5, "Never Kill a Boy yadda yadda," Giles talked about being raised, knowing that his father and grandfather were Watchers, and that was the progression intended for him. His Ripper years may have delayed it, but now, here he is, a full-fledged Watcher. Plus, there's the stereotype of Brits (or, ya know, everybody) "keeping a stiff upper lip," "keep calm and carry on," etc. Not saying it's healthy, just that it is a thing that might pertain to poor Rupert. Also, in real life, grief tends to have its own messed up timetable. On TV, grief usually occurs on a more predictable schedule. I think this show shoots to reflect the more genuine aspects of the complexity of human feelings, than the average TV show does.
Tony Hofmann
2023-09-08 16:43:37 +0000 UTCso true! crazy to me that there's only 9 years between present day and those flashbacks. she's so young.
Cassie
2023-09-08 16:38:41 +0000 UTCI think your point about how long some of these demons have been around is worth exploring but I also think your timeline is a bit off. You mentioned how interesting it is that things should come full circle by having Buffy once again encounter the exact same demon that she witnessed kill her cousin decades ago. The problem there of course is that Buffy is only 17 at this point and the hospital incident happened when she was 8. In immortal monster terms that's really just a blink of the eye.
Chris Peterson
2023-09-08 10:26:25 +0000 UTC
