I Was Made to Love You
I really like this episode, though I can't quite explain why. I guess I like the questions raised about what's fair when it comes to love, loneliness and relationships, and how Buffy decides that she wants to get comfortable being on her own. (Though of course any interesting exploration of this is pretty much put on hold from Joyce's death until, what, the cookie dough speech in Chosen?)
The benefit of the rewatch thread is that I can ask you to explain to me where Xander is coming from in this episode.
XANDER: The problem is not you. Don't do this to yourself, please.
*flashback*
XANDER: But you miss the point. You shut down, Buffy. And you've been treating Riley like the rebound guy. When he's the one that comes along once in a lifetime. He's never held back with you. He's risked everything. And you're about to let him fly because you don't like ultimatums?
DOES NOT COMPUTE!!!
Is he just lying to her now to be nice? What other interpretation is there of what he said in that Into the Woods line other than "the problem is you"? Someone help me understand!
It's so sad to see Buffy's takeaway from her relationship with Riley is that her strength and "self-involvement" are the problems, and nothing about him. But of course those "flaws" sunk in, since Riley's been complaining about them directly or indirectly since mid-Season 4.
Also, what's up with Xander putting down Hellmouth relationships in general? He's got one himself! I guess my take is that he is saying what he thinks Buffy needs to hear throughout this scene, and who knows how much of this reflects his true feelings (though I do think he loves and admires Buffy — I'm not questioning that).
Oh, and then JOYCE! OMG, Joyce, "bad luck" with guys leaving town? Now miiiight be a nice to time to mention the little word you had with Angel. (NOT that I think Angel didn't make up his own mind. But it's a pretty big thing for Buffy to not know.) She looks really great in this episode, though, and of course is getting a little romantic happiness, since Joss always loves to work that in before he brings the pain. (I like to call this "Giles and Jenny-ing.")
"Tripled it? Like first money, then money money money?" This is perhaps the best line of the entire series.
Jane Espenson says they had no idea at the time of this episode that Warren would ever appear again. She also says the final scene was never included with the script, to try to stop it from leaking. (Even the version online now stops at Spike ordering the bot.) JE wrote a version of that scene, but Joss wrote the version that was used.
I give the writers props for all the building/manufacturing references. Also, in addition to Tara's "money money money" line, April's "Crying is blackmail. Good girlfriends don't cry." is an exceptionally good line for this episode.
And, in closing, Ben looks pretty hot in a dress.
A few things worth noting from the script online:
This is so cute!
DAWN
I think a date should be in a real fancy restaurant, then champagne at a night club with a floor show, then ballroom dancing.
JOYCE
Unfortunately, we're not dating in a movie from the thirties. Buffy, what do you think? Should I try to make things romantic or sort of let him set the pace?
I would like to UGH in this general direction:
WILLOW
Yeah. I mean, maybe this Warren guy is gone, but maybe there's some guy she's neglected that'll pop up right when she doesn't even know she needs him.
AND IMMEDIATELY, WE'RE WITH
SPIKE AND BUFFY
(The aired version, for contrast: "I, I was just saying, a pretty girl like that, there's always someone lurking around, looking for some action.")
Hee:
WILLOW
Kind of an unusual name. There's hardly any except Warren Beatty and, you know, President Harding.(beat)
It's probably not either of them.
XANDER
Sounds like a nerd to me.
ANYA
Hey, President Harding was quite the package when he was young. He had these amazing gray eyes--
I'm mad we didn't get this scene!!!! This is now canon for me.
DAWN enters from the kitchen, licking cookie dough off her fingers.
DAWN
What the heck is going on out here?
JOYCE
I'm just torturing your sister.
DAWN
I'm for it. How was the date?
JOYCE
Good. Really good.
DAWN
You gonna see him again?
JOYCE
You know? I hope so. I think he had a good time. And what did you do tonight?
DAWN
Irritated Giles. I'm beginning to get why Buffy likes it so much.
I was going to watch The Body tonight, but I chickened out. Maybe tomorrow.