Reviewed by Adam Bardwell
Rating: 9/10
This is Buffy set in drama mode and as normal it really packs a punch. The fact that I knew the episodes outcome did probably slightly dent my enjoyment but when the end came the drama of the moment still hit me (akin to the end of "Becoming"). I had a great degree of sympathy for Willow and I have to hope that she'll be able to grow from this experience. I'm not sure whether that should mean she should turn to lesbianism but we still have see how that turns out - at the moment her relationship with Tara sees just one of close friends really. One thing is for sure it has given her a great story arc throughout season 4.
This was not a perfect episode and I have to question a few of the choices that the writer took. For example, Oz's uncertainty to the line between himself and the wolf within him seems a bit sudden. He's been a werewolf since "Phases" yet we have seen little evidence of a wild side. The fact that he kills when he's in his wolf state does show he's dangerous for he would not continue to be a threat if he return to looking himself up three times a month (of course we all know the real reason Oz left - to pursue a film career). Also, if he has no control over the wild side why did he go from mating with to killing Varuca near the end?
Another qualm I have is Spike's cameo and the on running Initiative hints. I really feel that Spike's appearance could have be pushed back into next weeks episode where he and the Initiative finally take centre stage (in "The Initiative"). The build up on this storyline was infuriatingly slow - and the pay off only semi worth it. It was a great way to end the season opener ("The Freshman") but did the writers need to wait so long to do anything about it?
The interaction between Oz and Varuca was very reminiscent of that between Buffy and Faith in season three. At the heart of both conflicts is the question of how they should use their special powers. Does it allow them to kill? Are they wild at heart? These are interesting questions but as the show has already looked at them with Buffy and Faith an argument could be put forward that this episode is merely hashing out old ideas. Personally I think there are enough differences between the conflicts for the similarities not to really matter. For a start there is the sexual tension between Oz and Varuca which adds to the conflict as does the whole question of whether Werewolves are the wolf all the time and their human visage is just a mask. This was not an issue with the slayers who know that their power is always present.
I feel that I have to reiterate that this is a quality hour of Buffy. I particularly liked the scene where Willow discovers Oz and Varuca looked up together. The question of whether Oz did it to save others or because he was drawn to Varuca was interestingly presented. I personally think that it was a bit of both. I also thought the scene between Willow and Xander worked well when they were talking about sex. Willow has always seemed a very innocent character and I liked the way her uncomfortableness was played off against Xander's direct approach and against the reality that she not at all innocent. I think that was the point and it came out very well.
Great Buffy Moment: Oz's pause before leaving.
In a nut shell: Lots of crying and anger which treads the line between good acting and over acting, and wins making it the best episode of season 4 up to this point.