This is not one of my favourite episodes, though it's still good. The commentary, mentioned in this thread, says it's about the objectification of women and they make this obvious both in the title of the ep and in the number of male fantasies we see and hear about
Xander's dream is probably realistic, but laughable when he's awoken to reality by Rona and a blocked toilet. Andrew's fantasy is funny, but ends with a warning 'she's a killer . . . stand guard around her at all times . . . '
A new character is introduced, Caleb, a symobol of organised religion and a misogynistic serial killer. Nathan Fillion is great, really creepy and threatening, but SMG is even creepier as The First. Caleb has his own fantasies about women, when he relives killing young girls.
Faith is back and she's not happy no one warned her about the Bringers being after slayers which is understandable. Her misunderstanding with Spike is fun, especially when Buffy steps in to defend Spike. Also like the call back to her introduction when she grabs the stake from Buffy, as she didn in 'Fath, Hope & Trick'
Buffy talks to Robin about the coming battle and he suggests she should test the potentials. It was good to see Robin has some sort of closure when he tells Buffy 'The mission is what matters'
I really don't like the Faith/Spike scene in the basement. They are flirting and being over friendly for my liking
They are very similar characters and they work well together. They talk about fantasies too. They get close and I wonder how close they would have got if Buffy hadn't walked in. Spike does have the sense to look a little guilty.
I understand why Buffy feels the girls need to be tested, but Giles makes some good points as to why the attack at the vineyard is a bad idea. Buffy has lost trust in him, and is being the leader she needs to be. She has to believe that what she is doing is right, she cannot waiver. Others may not have faith in her leadership, but Xander tells them in a very sweet speech, that they shouldn't doubt her motives, she's not all about the kill, she does care about them and they should put their trust in her'. We know his opinion is going to change dramatically after they attack the vineyard, but for now it's charming.
The battle is still able to shock, even though I've seen it countless times. Caleb is terrifying, he overpowers Buffy easily and brutally murders the potentials. It's really horrible when he gouges out Xanders eye, the camera doesn't pan away, you are forced to see it happen.
The guilt and hopelessness forces Buffy to wander away alone. While Caleb's voice over talks about the foulness of women, how they didn't know the 'good news' about the coming of God er, I mean The First and they followed Buffy, so it would be easy to make them follow The First. I'm not sure if Caleb believes it would be easy to get them to follow The First because they are women or becasue they are a herd, or both.
