Thursday, June 10, 2004
Reviews of Buffy 6's "Flooded" and Angel 3's "Couplet"
Ok, let me see how far I get without revealing any spoilers….
“Flooded” is the third episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Six (assuming you count the two-part season premiere as one), and it was the first episode we didn't really like this season. Appropriately for an episode whose central image is of a flooded basement, this seemed to tread water and look ugly while doing so. The only good parts were two scenes: An angry argument between X and Y (to pick two random variable names), and a bittersweet scene between the title character and her unrequieted love—which made me marvel, yet again, what a terrific actor they have in the role of her unrequieted love. Weak as the episode is, it's still Buffy, which makes it better than almost anything else. 6 out of 10.
“Couplet” (Angel 3.14) was much better; while it wasn't exactly a great episode for all time, it had some very funny bits. The female lead wants to get together with an ex-love but is concerned about mystical side-effects. An “office romance” continues to build, with the persons involved looking very cute—which of course makes me fear for ugly consequences later. And the episode closes with a disturbing translation whose discoverer keeps it secret. Again, not an episode for the ages, but a fun one that feels like it's advancing important arcs. 8 out of 10.
“Flooded” is the third episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Six (assuming you count the two-part season premiere as one), and it was the first episode we didn't really like this season. Appropriately for an episode whose central image is of a flooded basement, this seemed to tread water and look ugly while doing so. The only good parts were two scenes: An angry argument between X and Y (to pick two random variable names), and a bittersweet scene between the title character and her unrequieted love—which made me marvel, yet again, what a terrific actor they have in the role of her unrequieted love. Weak as the episode is, it's still Buffy, which makes it better than almost anything else. 6 out of 10.
“Couplet” (Angel 3.14) was much better; while it wasn't exactly a great episode for all time, it had some very funny bits. The female lead wants to get together with an ex-love but is concerned about mystical side-effects. An “office romance” continues to build, with the persons involved looking very cute—which of course makes me fear for ugly consequences later. And the episode closes with a disturbing translation whose discoverer keeps it secret. Again, not an episode for the ages, but a fun one that feels like it's advancing important arcs. 8 out of 10.
