Reviewed by Rocky Petrella
Rating: 9/10
How can you not love Vamp Willow? Sexy, evil, and skanky, what more could you want? Alyson Hannigan shows her marvelous range, playing the evil version of her character. It almost seems like two different actresses. It's such a joy to see one of our beloved Scoobies acting wildly different, and Vamp Willow provides that.
As for the show, it gives a look into Willow's character. She feels she's too boring, too predictable, perhaps too nerdy. It's a problem many a teen faces, and a good subject for BTVS to deal with, of course with their own demony twist on it. Many teens rebel to keep themselves from feeling too normal and predictable. But Willow gets to see what can happen when things go too far, without actually experiencing it. She realizes "where the path of vice can lead" and it helps her to appreciate herself for who she is, even if she is "old reliable".
I believe this show marks the beginning of Willow's departure from nerdiness, as well. She was definitely still in nerd mode through the end of season 2. In season 3, she had begun to dress a little better and was dating Oz, but she still hadn't completely come out of her shell. But when she sees the effect Vamp Willow had on Percy, it shows her that a little wildness once in a while can be a good thing. By season 4, she's almost like a different person. New hair, new clothes, much more self-confident and it all began with this episode.
One other point that deserves mention is the re-emergence of Anya. This is her first appearance since The Wish and the beginning of her integration into the show. The seeds of animosity between Willow and Anya that lasted into the 4th season are planted here. A demon becoming human and trying to adjust makes for a potentially very interesting character. I hope they do more with Anya than just have her make sex jokes and other inappropriate comments as the series progresses.
Great Buffy Moment: The Scoobies reactions to finding out Willow is alive and not vamped.
In a Nutshell: Basically a filler ep, but extremely well-executed. Vamp Willow provides such an interesting contrast to the actual Willow, I wish she hadn't been killed again.