The Replacement

Brightside of a Dark Mind

the tao of Pooh
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Aug 20, 2007
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Ok, so I've used the search function and had a looksie around for another thread on this, and other than posts/threads on favorite S5 episodes, I was unable to find anything. So I hope there hasn't been a thread like this one already started.

I really like this episode of BTVS for some reason.

It shifts the focus from the [probably] expected pre-Spuffyness drama/the Slayer for a minute and focuses on one of the scoobies. Specifically, Xander Harris. Although, to be fair, he had his little adventure in S-3 where he prevented the school building from being blown up. He took a risk and it was more gutsy than moronic IMO, in that he didn't cower out of it, and he called the zombie's bluff.

And actually now that I think about it, this was at the beggining of the season so I don't think there was much going on in terms of slayer drama. Everything was building up, Spike was getting his 1 scene every episode, they fully accepted Tara into the group as family, the character of Dawn is introduced with no explanation whatsoever, etc.

And it is beyond the scope of this post to anatomize, evaluate, or otherwise review S-5. But damn it all, I've already digressed hehe.

I liked this episode for the obvious reasons. For the majority of the episode Xander had been operating under the assumption that his other half was a monster/robot which was using magic to manipulate people to get whatever it wanted, when all this time it possessed the exact same traits and attributes (self-confidense, etc) he seemingly lacked. This offered him a chance for a little introspection. He realized that he wasn't just some goofball with nothing to offer the world or himself. Not if he simply changed his perspective a little. Rather, he came to find that there is a whole world of amazing experiences awaiting him, and that he has more to offer the people in his life. He tapped into some of this courage when he finally remembered that Anya was the one great thing in his life. Why it took him this long to acknowledge this, is anyone's guess.

Also, a lot of the things that happened to him/that he did throughout the episode made me laugh. Like when he tripped, got exited about finding a quarter in his pocket and commented to the operator that "its a big deal for me", when he was talking about how the other Xander was all proper "and his socks are all matchy and -" and then he scurried away as the door opens so that the apartment manager wouldn't see him.

I thought this was just hilarious for some reason:

That part where he said something like "he has a shiny disc that he uses to stun and disorient...look away, it'll blind you" and covered his eyes while everybody just looked at him, really made me lmao. And then "evil" Xander reveals that it's just a coin he found and kept because he thought it looked cool.

Also this line I found pretty humorous, and laughed at it probably more than it needed to be laughed at (Buffy): "if Xander kills himself he's dead. You know what I mean".

LAWL.

What do you think of this episode? Anything you enjoyed/disliked about it in particular? Discuss.
 
Xin thats post is itself brilliant.

After the ramblings(Brightside - )
Thanks

lol, k?

I might have rambled a bit, and mostly I do just think it's a funny episode. But after having seen it so many times, I began to wonder if maybe there were other reasons why I enjoyed that episode so much? Perhaps I saw a little of myself or somebody else in one of the characters. Idk, I wouldn't call that post by Xin "brilliant" (no offence Xin, hehe). Spot on, or honest, yes. But brilliant? All he said was that the episode was good, and lots of laughs. Seriously how is that brilliant?

no offence

Don't worry, none taken. You made me lol.
 
lol, k?

I might have rambled a bit, and mostly I do just think it's a funny episode. But after having seen it so many times, I began to wonder if maybe there were other reasons why I enjoyed that episode so much? Perhaps I saw a little of myself or somebody else in one of the characters. Idk, I wouldn't call that post by Xin "brilliant" (no offence Xin, hehe). Spot on, or honest, yes. But brilliant? All he said was that the episode was good, and lots of laughs. Seriously how is that brilliant?



Don't worry, none taken. You made me lol.


I'll be honest with you, its one of my favourites just for the funny(my favouriote 'funny' episode is Tabula Rasa immediately followed by Dopplegangland then The Replacement then A New Man).

The one thing that I think Buffy the Vampire Slayer never missed the mark on was the comedy. There were Flaws in other aspects but the comedy always was spot on.
 
I love this episode also, for it's Xanderness, it's scooby interactions, and for the snoopy dance. I can also relate to Xander having a low opinion of himself until he's forced to see things from a different point of view. It's one of the episodes I watch the most of season 5, besides Checkpoint or Intervention. Love the opening with the double date, classic Buffyverse:

Xander: Wish I had something food-like to offer you Guys, but the hot plate's out of commission.
Anya: We think the cat peed on it.
On the TV, one Asian Guy screams, and a bunch of other Asian Guys perform kung-fu on each other.
Xander: I do have Spaghetti-O's. Set 'em on top of the dryer and you're a fluff cycle away from lukewarm goodness. (Gestures at the dryer)
Riley: Hmm. Yeah, I had dryer food for lunch.
Upstairs we hear a door slam.
Xander: (looking up) Ah, I guess the folks are back.
We can hear voices yelling at each other. Xander, Anya, and Riley look uncomfortable. Buffy is oblivious.
Xander: No, no, I was wrong. Just incompetent burglars.
 
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