I know how popular this episode is, but I have to say that it's too overrated. I had high expectations for this episode, but was too disappointed when watching it. Other than Randy/Rupert/Enya –which was brilliant and unexpected- everything else is just too fanficcy predictable and cringe-worthy.
For example, Dawn saying "I don't think I drink" because she's a teenager. Like she psychically knew she was underage.
And Tara thinking Willow's name is cute, get it? Because they're in love, so it's only logical that Tara will find Willow's name to be pretty.
And Buffy finding out Dawn's real name because she's wearing a necklace called "Dawn." Yeah, I get it, it's an attempt to make Buffy and Spike the only ones who don't know their real names. I find it lame.
And my most cringe-worthy moment was Buffy and Dawn figuring out they were sisters because they fought. Give me a break.
Spike, Giles and Anya are the ones that made the episode. Their situation is SO wrong it's really funny and enjoyable. It's the most amusing one out of all situations, which were too dull and predictable. Xander/Willow? Already done. Buffy/Dawn? Nothing new.
Another thing that annoys me about the episode is how they handled Spike's vampire nature. This is one of the reasons I've enjoyed Spin the Bottle in AtS more than Tabula Rasa. I think the way they dealt with Angel's situation as a vampire was much more interesting and real than they did with Spike's in Tabula Rasa. Good or not, Spike is a vampire. When trapped in a shop with humans, he must feel some vampire urge to bite and drink from them. It's an instinct. It has nothing to do with him being good or bad. Angel still felt like a vampire and was too conflicted about these weird feelings he's having, it was twice funnier and more realistic.
