The amusing satire of 'Him'

[Stakesteak]

This is probably one of my favorite season 7 episodes. It went a long ways in bringing Buffy back into the more light-hearted shenanigans of the earlier seasons, with the exception of Dawn of course. I'm actually fairly conflicted on whether or not the way Dawn acted made it a better, more powerful episode, or detracted from it. While I feel that Dawn's actions conveyed an important message on how those in love for the first time can really blow things out of proportion to the point where there can be some serious consequences, I also feel that it kind of split the episode into two very distinct parts.

There are the funny scenes with how Buffy, Anya, and Willow try to express their love for RJ, and then there are the scenes with Dawn which are pretty much all very sad. The contrast becomes especially apparent near the end when everyone else is doing hilariously crazy things to win RJ's affection and Dawn is just laying down on the tracks. Even though I like the episode, it is not one I usually watch unless I'm going through the entire season as the sad scenes keep me from watching it when I'm in the mood for a fun episode, and the absolute hilarity of some of the scenes put it low on my list when I want to watch a dramatic episode.

 

[Wishing Oceans]

First scene: "Coddling" implies an overprotective impulse. Interesting choice of words on Spike's part, and even more interesting is Buffy's reaction to the words ("Go to your closet"). Perhaps putting Spike "in the closet" is an analogy for where she wants him "“ easily accessible, shut-in (as in controlled) yet safe from the outside world?

Spuffy- love aside, I think that that was said purely for humor. 😀 We could psychoanalyze it, but I don't think it would work too well. 🙂

Buffy and Dawn's conversation on the bleachers is interesting. This is the first time we get to hear Buffy talk about what happened with Spike. She tells Dawn that no she doesn't love him but she does "feel for him." When someone says this, it implies they emphasize with the other person's struggles or what not. The question is, How does Buffy "feel for" Spike? How does she emphasize with his struggles at this point in his arc? It doesn't seem as though she feels bad for him, it seems like she means that she can relate to him. And Dawn makes a good point when she says that having a soul doesn't necessarily make someone a better man, using Xander as an example.

I really love that scene. 😀 Not only because I thought they looked really pretty, but because it seemed to be the first time we really saw Buffy and Dawn talking to each other as adults.

When she said that she "feels for him" I see it as some leftover feelings from S6. I think that she was in a transition from the steamy, dirty relationship of s6 to the loving relationship of s7. She still had some feelings for him, but after everything that happened she's not sure how she should feel or act.

As for empathizing with him... It seemed like this was the Season where Spike started determining who he really was and how to be a hero. At the time, he was a bit lost. I suppose Buffy felt drawn to him. After everything that happened between them, she must've felt an almost maternal urge to watch over him, help him.

Continuity: The thing that confuses me is when Buffy calls Anya her "friend" and expresses concern for her well-being an episode after she tried to kill her. The point here is that Buffy would and is willing to kill any one of her friends if she had no choice. Granted, Anya was never a close friend of hers, it just seems hypocritical of her to express such concern considering her previous actions in "Selfless."
Thoughts?

Well, it was her job to kill her. I'm sure that while they may not have been the best of friends after three years of hanging out she would have some kind of bond with her.

- There's just something so absolutely humorous about Dawn telling Buffy she "doesn't know what love is" and Buffy's completely helpless look of confusion. Classic. Reminds me of how Joyce used to look when she was trying to comfort Buffy back in HS.

Yeah, reminds me of when Buffy said "it's not mom hair!" An almost pouty hey, I so do! 😀 I guess it took her by surprise. Made her indignantly think over her previous relationships. 😀

- How funny is it how embarrassed Xander is after having been caught checking out Dawn at the Bronze? Now, that's Xander in character, in my opinion. In light of recent events, I guess I'm supposed to re-evaluate what I consider "in character", but his reaction always makes me laugh out loud. It's cute to see Xander and Buffy try to "parent" Dawn "“ they're so clueless!

I would've been a bit creeped out [flashback to Bangel times] if it weren't for Willow's "right there with you." 😀

It's so ironic that Xander always walks in on Buffy "getting busy" with people! First Riley, then Spike, now R.J. Nice little continuation of that running joke in this episode.

Good observation! Never noticed that before. And that is quite odd, maybe having something to do with being the "heart" of the team?
-

I feel like Buffy was being too hard on Dawn regarding dancing with R.J. Sure, she's young but it's not like she was getting wasted or anything. She was just dancing! What do you guys think?

I don't think so. She lied, dressed in skanky clothes, and went out without permission. It seemed to me like Buffy was being pretty fair. 😀

This episode is just classic camp. Reminds me so much of the first season. The catfight, the love spell, the rising background music, the funny one-liners (Dawn's fear that she's the "pushy Queen of Sluttown!", "Get off the boy, Buffy. We're going home.", "What do you know about our love? It's true and real. This isn't magic, this is my heart!" and Willow's willingness to overlook a certain physical trait of R.Js; "Just think about who loves him the most. Clearly I do, since I'm willing to look past the orientation thing!), the trademark Buffyspeak ("No more with the talky!")....

Though I'm not a fan of the first season [ I hate all of the couples...] these fun little episodes make Buffy all the sweeter. 🙂


So all in all, I have to agree it was a pretty good episode. : popcorn:

 

[Megalita]

The thing I love/hate about Buffy is that in the beginning of the episode, you are always presented with a sort of mystery where the answer will become clearer in the end. So, as with any episode, during the first few minutes, my initial reaction was, "What is going on? And, ugh, why is Dawn acting more ridiculous than usual?" (and then I hid my face from the horrible secondhand embarrassment of the cheerleading scene. Then again, Dawn always gives me secondhand embarrassment.)

Honestly, the railroad scene seemed a little drastic to me, but I suppose it was very Dawn-esque (besides the fact that she was under a spell) and Buffy's realization was heartwarming.

I love that Willow wanted to make R.J. a woman. I guess the spell surpasses gender enough to still instill the feeling of love?

 

[Have Faith]

This is one of my favorite Buffy episodes of all time. I laughed hystarically throughout the entire thing and watched it again shortly after. I love the part where Anya and Willow are arguing something like:
Willow: I know, but his outer appearance doesn't matter; what matters is in his heart.
Anya: Well that "outer appearance" has a PENIS!!!
Willow: I can work around it!"
It may have been the funniest thing I have ever seen.
Also when Buffy walks down the stairs:
Buffy: Whats going on?
Anya: Willow thinks that she is dating my boyfriend, RJ!
Buffy: Willow! You're a gay woman!
I once again laughed hystarically. Also when Buffy tells them all she will kill the principal to get him. Then she goes with like, a bazooka or something, and all you hear is elevator music from inside the prinipals office and see Spike leap on top of Buffy outside the window. I don't even know how to express in words how funny it was.
Also at the club when Dawn was dancing with her back turned to buffy. Buffy was like "Ugh! that little slut! Imagine how hurt dawn would be if she saw him dancing with her like that!" Xander goes on to say: "Daddy like."
Then she turns around and Xander is like "Omigad, um , I....I didnt...."
Willow steps in and whispers to him: "Right there with you."
That is one of the best lines form Buffy I have ever heard.
All in all, you can probably tell I love this episode. I think every season needs a good comedic relief like this one. This was one that stuck out to me for being so incredibly hilarious.=)

 

[Fredsicle]

Exactly... It was heartbreaking to watch her lay down on those tracks. It is a great testament to how seriously teenage girls take their crushes and feelings towards people... They think the world will end or that their life is over if they don't get that person they want so desperately to be with. 🙁

Oh, one of my friends wanted to kill himself in seventh grade because the girl he wanted to go to the dance with went with this guy he didn't like. I guess it coulda been the anger talking, but he was so disheartened by it. It was sad.

 

[owa]

Always annoyed me that Spike has a reflection when him and Xander are standing next to the shop and are about to tackle R.J.

And by "Always" I mean, "Since a few minutes ago when I finished watching the episode."

 

[Vixen182]

Theres a part where Dawn leaves the principal's office with her bag still on the chair and when she leaves the room the bag is magically on her shoulder.... dont know why that annoys me 🙂

Anyway, Him was a good episode but not really a favourite of mine.

 

[anyatara]

I have a love/hate relationship with this episode. Or, more, I like it, but I also don't. I think some scenes are hilarious (Especially the scene of Buffy and Spike running outside of Robin's window, I can still sat and laugh at that for about ten minutes, in my weird ways), but I just kind of dislike the overall episode. I really don't like the character of RJ, I find his older brother funny, though. Dawn and Buffy in this episode both get on my nerves, I know they were under a spell and everything, but still, annoying. Anya's amazing though, especially at the end. But then again, I think that about most episodes, so no surprises there.

 

[Eleftheria]

It was hilarious!!! what a nice episode in the middle of the whole"from beneath you it devours" thing.

Willow and Anya are the best. And Buffy and Dawn are funny but Dawn is kind of irritating as usual.

"Willow you're a gay woman" and the penis thing were fantastic!The scene where Buffy and Spike can be seen outside the office of Principal Wood was also hilarious!