Gingerbread
- Thread starter bigmoneygrip
- Start date
Kanazaka
Potential
What was most powerful to me about this episode was Buffy's absolute horror that anyone could kill little children. She convinced herself that no human could do this because she didn't want to believe that a human could kill small children. Sunnydale must have been one of those towns where "those kinds of things just don't happen". Either that, or her parents sheltered her from the possibility of child murders in Sunnydale.
Upon further reflection, the "mass hysteria" in this episode reminds me of that one case where a group of young school children falsely accused community members of molesting them. That was more of a case of police interrogating the children to the point of the children believing their own lies about the molesting adults. However, the result was the same, in that the community believed the children's story and arrested the falsely accused molesters. In both cases, the power of persuasion overrided the community's common sense, and near tragedy resulted. Overall, I agree that this wasn't among the best Buffy episodes, but it also wasn't the worst. Burning at the stake may have been overkill, but the basic premise was strong, the lynching provided a key turning point in Amy's character development (for those who care about her), and "Hansel and Gretel" were uniquely creepy.
Upon further reflection, the "mass hysteria" in this episode reminds me of that one case where a group of young school children falsely accused community members of molesting them. That was more of a case of police interrogating the children to the point of the children believing their own lies about the molesting adults. However, the result was the same, in that the community believed the children's story and arrested the falsely accused molesters. In both cases, the power of persuasion overrided the community's common sense, and near tragedy resulted. Overall, I agree that this wasn't among the best Buffy episodes, but it also wasn't the worst. Burning at the stake may have been overkill, but the basic premise was strong, the lynching provided a key turning point in Amy's character development (for those who care about her), and "Hansel and Gretel" were uniquely creepy.
Airam
karma for being a great addition to BB, your posts are great :)
prophecygirl17
Townie
I really loved this episode, I actually really enjoyed all of season 3. Gingerbread had some brilliant moments and there was a very eerie feel about it. I also love anything that twists a faiytale!
W
WhiteHat
Guest
Deja vu. I'm pretty sure that I've commented already on this ep, but here I go again. LOL
I liked the underlying theme of the ep, and thought the "monster" concept was extremely weak, though. The mob mentality reminded me a great deal of the extreme paranoia and religious Right-Wing's sabre-rattling surrounding the game Dungeons & Dragons in the US in the very early '80's.
The most absurd thing in the episode was that the townsfolk were kindling a bonfire indoors! You'd think that even a crazed, blood-thirsty mob would have the common sense to burn witches and naughty books en plein air. LOL
I liked the underlying theme of the ep, and thought the "monster" concept was extremely weak, though. The mob mentality reminded me a great deal of the extreme paranoia and religious Right-Wing's sabre-rattling surrounding the game Dungeons & Dragons in the US in the very early '80's.
The most absurd thing in the episode was that the townsfolk were kindling a bonfire indoors! You'd think that even a crazed, blood-thirsty mob would have the common sense to burn witches and naughty books en plein air. LOL
TheChosenTwo
A Vision of Hotliness
Gingerbread is an underrated ep, If you ask me. I love it, it's very funny. Especially when Buffy says: "Did I get it?"