I was uber pumped for the beginning of another glorious season of my favourite show. What happened to Angel? What did Buffy do? Where did Spike and Dru go? So much excitement, so many expectations, so full of enthusiasm.

And then there was Anne. For a season premier this *defined* the term 'let down'. Irrelevant storyline, whiny extras, unproperly died hair. And most importantly, only ten (albeit drool-worthy) seconds of Angel. Disappointment pit.

And yet.

The second time I watched this episode was after having seen all of season three in its entirety, and having no expectations of this viewing experience, I was delightfully surprised. Seen under an analytical and retrospective lamp, "Anne" really is the best way to get Buffy back in Sunnydale while a) acknowledging all character developments b) setting relationships up for the rest of the season c) kicking some monster ass in keeping with the stut-doubles' contracts and d) irritatingly avoiding the Angel topic but still keeping B/A fans churning out fanfic. Anne really does give us some good Buffy characterness, and considering her progress throughout the season, the writers did a pretty fine foreshadowing job.

Lets go through it then. The opening scene sets the path for the rest of the season; this one aint so focussed soley on Buffy anymore. This year we're going to see more of the Scooby gang; the way Willow will become more confident, the way Oz will hold her (metaphorical) hand, the way Xander cares about Cordy. Their lively banter contrasts well with the next scene of Buffy's quiet isolation. Her nightmares no longer inspire in her fear, but rather guilt and despair. The darkness she knows now is one of loneliness, self-unworth, and unbelonging; monsters that she has allowed reign inside her as she smoulders her Slayer identity.

OK, rant time. What kicks about BtVS is how it looks at the serious in life and then points and laughs in its face. This episode failed to keep up that special quality of the show, and although the somberity was in line with Buffy's mood, I think this time they went too far. I mean *come on*! City scene melancholic music-accompanied montage of homeless kids on the streets. What next, Joss, make Buffy get aids because of her night with Angel? Ok, to be fair, I'll try to analyse it. So Buffy tries to lose herself and realises that lost is not a great elsewhere to be. Hmmm. And then that Happy Hope guy who ends up being a gross-faced demon. Is the message her 'never trust strangers'? Or is that the point - haha, we're mocking homelessness and hope, laugh with us. Sorry Joss, it just didn't click this time.

I didn't like Lily much; the weak poutiness, the bad mascara. But, I'm thinking that she and Ricki were tools through which was foreshadowed the Buffy and Angel saga. OK, stay with me here for a while. Buffy has a dream where Angel says "Forever - that's the whole point", only to hear Ricki say those exact same words the next day. We know that Buffy can dream the future, so - Ricki=Angel? And at the end how Lily decides to be Anne - Lily=Buffy? Now here goes it: Both couples love each other. Check. Then the guys go to Hell. (Angel=the real place, Ricky=that underground vault) Check. The girls follow. (go into the vault// Buffy trying to punish herself by leaving home). The guy comes back to Earth battered and bruised after years and years of torture in Hell, broken into a shadow of what they used to be. (Ricky thinking "I am no-one", Angel as a wild animal.) But the girls are different. They get themselves outta that hell and emerge stronger, more independent women. Yay, woo-hoo.

But note: Angel is different from Ricki; although tempted to kill himself (Amends) like Ricki (walking in front of car), Angel ultimately decides to live. Why? Hope. Hope gives him strength.
Buffy is different from Lily. In fact, it's almost as if Lily is a personification of the weak part of Buffy. Lily is so dependent on her man - but Buffy's not - Buffy is strong in herself and she can live on without Angel. Even forever - that's the whole point. Indeed, seeing Lily makes Buffy realise just who she is. Buffy shakes Lily into the realisation that her lover is dead, that she must deal and move on. Telling words, Buffy. And then her weaker half launches back with the claim that it is all Buffy's fault. Isn't that what you've been telling yourself all this time, Anne?

But our Buffy will not be broken into anonimity - she is Buffy the Vampire Slayer, hear her roar. Lily shows Buffy that she will always be the Slayer; not because she can't escape her fate, but because she is drawn to it. The essence of her character is how she cares and protects the innocent. To deny that is to deny herself; and that is exactly what she's been doing this whole summer, this Anne.

Meanwhile in Sunnydale... Funny character interaction, especially on the first day of school. Xander and Cordy were as usual a hoot, but Oz and Will had awkwardness. A whole summer together, and she had no idea he would return to school? Cute banter about the 'cuteness' of his repeating a year, but sometimes I have to wonder if cuteness is all there is to their relationship.

Speaking of cute, wasn't Giles just the sweetest?! Running this way and that, wrought with worry for his little girl. Awww, luv ya Giles. Oh and , great Giles/Joyce tension. Pre-excessively annoying Joyce syndrome, enjoy it while it lasts. I can understand why she was so harsh to G, but she's way off target if she thinks she's blameless. For all her books, she's hardly been the most clued up mom. Fantastic reunion with Buffy, great end to the episode.

Now, give us some Angel!