Week 5: 8.12-8.15 "Wolves at the Gate Parts 1-4"

[VisionGirl]

Hi guys! I'm going to go ahead and start this week's discussion. I know it's late, but if we can, we really should try to stay on track so we can finish this season before season 9 begins. So, still plan on starting next week's discussion on Monday as usual. 🙂

Part 1

The gang (yep, Dawn too) travels to Tokyo where they duel vampires with unusual, yet strangely familiar, powers.

Source: Dark Horse

Part 2

Drew Goddard (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Alias, Lost, and the writer of Cloverfield), continues his story arc "Wolves at the Gate," which has Buffy and the gang fighting a team of über vamps in Tokyo. In order to better understand their mysterious new foes, Xander must recruit an old ally to join in their cause to defeat this new danger.

Source: Dark Horse

Part 3

The Scoobies' mysterious new foes have obtained a powerful instrument that may destroy everything that Buffy has worked so hard to build.

Source: Dark Horse

Part 4

Having traveled from her base in Scotland, Buffy ventures to the heart of Japan in order to reclaim her stolen scythe, in Drew Goddard's conclusion to Wolves at the Gate. Along the way, Buffy and the legion of Slayers join forces with the irresistible Dracula to defeat a tight-nit group of nefarious vampires, in which the Slayers suffer a massive hit.

Source: Dark Horse

---------- Post added at 08:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:34 PM ----------

I'm going to go ahead and start the discussion, because I need to get off the computer. 🙂

First of all, I find it confusing that the TPB has a Jo Chen cover, but the covers of the individual issues were actually done by Jon Foster. I hadn't caught that before but it makes sense since they look so different & unique. I particularly like the one from part IV. He also did the cover for A Beautiful Sunset.

I know this arc has received its share of controversy & criticism, but personally, I loved it. Probably my favorite so far in my re-read, which surprised me. I think I even liked it better than NFFY (which I liked a lot!). It has all the highs (I found myself giggling sooo much, especially with the Xander/Dracula interactions) and lows (death of the Japanese slayer, death of Renee), drama and action you'd expect in a Buffy episode. I liked the Japanese transmorgifying vampires. And I'm over the Buffy/Satsu controversy. I guess because this came out so long ago, it's just not shocking for me anymore. No, I dont really think Buffy has turned gay, I think she's incredibly lonely & wanting connection. Yes, I think that ultimately it's not fair to Satsu.

- I love the Renee & Xander interaction - it's light, cute, they're at ease with each other. Which I guess should be foreshadowing for trouble in Joss Whedon's world!
-Andrew with the Lois & Superman ABH fantasy- LOL
-"I wasnt' aware we had an alarm for this, but yes, sound the alarm".
- It's Dracula!
- and Andrew as Dracula! Hahahahaha!!! "Romantic undertones"- technically not a power.
- I love Aiko right away- she's bad-ass
- I had to look up H.G.O.G.A. Heh-heh.
- The Japanese vampires' goal is to take away the Slayers' powers- do they work with Twilight? I just can't remember if there's any affiliation.
- "Welcome to Tokyo"- reminds me a bit of Angelus' "Welcome Faith" sign in ATS season 4. Also "help me cut her down" reminds me of Chloe's suicide in season 7.
- "We have to go to war now. Please stop that". I wasn't a huge fan of Dracula in season 5, but I adore him in this arc!
- Is that the Troll god hammer we see?
- Renee getting kill with the scythe + her dying monologue= devastating!!!
- Mecha Dawn: "I like blue jeans and irony" LOL
- Xander & Buffy embracing- *sob*
- and the final panels- brilliant, haunting

---------- Post added at 10:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:40 PM ----------

So, [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolves_at_the_Gate"]Wolves at the Gate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Buffy_wolvesatthegate_tpb.jpg" class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/89/Buffy_wolvesatthegate_tpb.jpg"@@AMEPARAM@@en/8/89/Buffy_wolvesatthegate_tpb.jpg[/ame] has this to say about this arc:

Writer Drew Goddard previously worked for the television series' last season, penning numerous episodes such as "Selfless", "Conversations with Dead People", and "Dirty Girls". In Buffy comics, Drew had previously written the Dracula story "Antique" for the canonical Tales of the Vampires, which depicts Dracula as a man tormented by his aging and loneliness. "Wolves at the Gate" makes reference to "Antique", and Xander's previous enthrallment by Dracula, when Xander comments to Renee in Part I that, "sometimes when I get around this guy, I start acting... wonky."

Goddard had chosen to use two of his favorite characters in the story, Andrew Wells and Dracula. Dark Horse editor Scott Allie comments that Goddard would be the preferred writer should Dark Horse decide to do an Andrew miniseries.[2]

I had no idea that you can view the comic "Antique" in its entirety free on DarkHorse: http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/Previews/11-756?page=1

 

[Tranquillity]

This was when I felt that the comic started to falter a little. I really hated the inclusion of Dracula - it just seemed unneccessary and I'll admit it had me a little peeved that Drac was there when certain other, more important vampires were not.

I never got the Buffy Satsu fling - it just seemed like titillation designed to stir up controversy and sell comic books and really, at the end of the day, it has no relevance to the story.

and the inclusion of Mecha-Dawn is unforgivable.

 

[sosa lola]

To be honest, this is my favorite season eight arc. Perhaps it's my Xander bias, but overall it's very enjoyable and character centric.

Thoughts about Xander/Dracula: I really wish it was clearer how Xander ended up in Dracula's castle, because Andrew's version isn't entirely true and he's known for making up stories. I've read the Diary of Vampires, Xander was under a thrall throughout his stay at Dracula's and Buffy had to go there with a couple of slayers and save Xander, so Xander's stay seemed against his will. There's no doubt though that during the months that Xander stayed at Dracula's, Dracula had grown affectionate toward Xander and it troubled him when Xander left.

It's a one sided love story. Xander doesn't seem to be as excited or happy to see Dracula, he was worried he'll fall under Dracula' thrall again so he brings Renee to make sure that doesn't happen. It seems he doesn't trust Dracula or himself around him.

Wolves at the Gate is the sequel to Buffy Vs Dracula concerning Xander's story. Buffy Vs Dracula ends with Xander vowing that he'll never be a butt monkey again, but he'll become Dracula's butt monkey after Anya dies, and then when he visits Dracula with Renee by his side, he slips a few times. However, by the end, he's strong enough to stand up to Dracula and threatens him that if he ever treats like his manservant again he'll burn him in his sleep, and this is Xander's arc with Dracula coming full circle.

 

[Icarium]

Bringing back Dracula was one of the stupidest ideas in S8 and believe me, that's not a mean feat considering how many stupid ideas this season had. It doesn't matter if Andrew's story is fabrication or not, no one killing Dracula and Xander calling him master is bad enough on its own, and so is the retarded notion that they needed Dracula because they couldn't figure how to kill the Japanese vamps. I mean, Willow is the most powerful witch in the world and a supposed genius to boot, she can't figure out how to destroy some vampire mist on her own? Come on, now. Oh, and Xander's girlfriend dies? How very original, Joss.

 

[PassionBecoming]

Wolves at the Gate: Part 1

-I wish I could get my hair to look like Buffy's on the cover!
-Nice but sad that Xander is able to poke fun at himself for only having one eye. (Yes, pun intended.) I love Xander and Renee's conversation while they are on sentry duty. Super cute!
-And there's the Buffy/Satsu thing I've heard about. Really, at this point, I think every Buffy character just needs to have a giant orgy, since in the plots everyone is attracted to anyone without boundaries. Buffy has never shown any inclination to another female (she was weirded out at first when she found out about Tara and Willow and she never played into the overtures with Faith.) All of a sudden she feels like sleeping with a girl? It seems a little forced and far-fetched. I do think it's funny how Buffy is all insecure that she did something wrong and starts babbling.
-Dawn sleeps in the barn?! Bahahahahaha.
-"Oh, merciful Zeus!" OH MY GOSH! Flashback to "Restless" when Xander was trying to meet Willow and Tara. HAHAHAHA. "Hi, nude Asian girl." OMG, I am CRACKING UP. Ok, no matter how off-character, that had to be one of the funniest scenes I've seen in the comics so far.
-Um, couldn't they have just locked those vamps in the armory? I don't think they could have made the Scythe turn into smoke to get back under the door...
-Um, they just knew where to drop in on Dracula? And they sent Xander with a slayerette to see the vampire that Buffy couldn't kill? THRALL!

---------- Post added at 03:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:44 PM ----------

Wolves at the Gate: Part 2

-Wow, ol' Drac sure had gone downhill. Pit of depression or what? Why are Xander and Dracula conversing as though they are sort of friends? I'm lost.
-Love Andrew in the costume - could totally picture that happening! Bahaha.
-Ok, Xander went and had guy time? With Dracula? Dracula is FOND of Xander? Umm...it wasn't that long ago that I watched the Dracula ep, and he had nothing but disdain and annoyance for Xander. This is just silly.
-Love Aiko's introduction! "Oh, you know...I asked around." Heehee.
-Again with the ridiculousness of Xander and Dracula paying compliments over tea. Seriously.
-Why would another vamp have to steal Drac's powers? Can no other vamp posess them? He is the only one that could earn them? Hmmm.
-"Oh, balls." Oh, goodness. I say that all the time. Hilarious.
-Um, Willow and Satsu's conversation was...odd...
-Oooh, Aiko. Oh, no!! Now I see where the Scythe thing is going. Yikes!

 

[PassionBecoming]

[MENTION=10354]VisionGirl[/MENTION]
I read the "Antique" comic, which did shed some light, but I still don't see the jump from "I'm upset Anya died" to "I think I'll go visit Dracula!" Heh? 🙂

 

[VisionGirl]

[MENTION=10354]VisionGirl[/MENTION]
I read the "Antique" comic, which did shed some light, but I still don't see the jump from "I'm upset Anya died" to "I think I'll go visit Dracula!" Heh? 🙂

Yeah, sorry don't have an answer to that LOL.

 

[sosa lola]

[MENTION=10354]VisionGirl[/MENTION]
I read the "Antique" comic, which did shed some light, but I still don't see the jump from "I'm upset Anya died" to "I think I'll go visit Dracula!" Heh? 🙂

Honestly, we don't really know how Xander ended up at Dracula's. Andrew is known for making up stories, but part of what he said is probably true. Some fans believe that Xander had a death wish and that's why he went to Dracula. Others (like me) believe that Xander wanted to distance himself after Anya's death and ended up kidnapped by Dracula.

Dracula put Xander under his thrall throughout his stay, which was for a few months, he ended up fond of him and used to his company. Xander had taught him some activities like riding bikes. Buffy and a couple of slayers came to Xander's rescue and saved him from Dracula. After losing Xander, Dracula, who'd grown attached to him, was surrounded by silence and became lonely.

I don't think Xander has the same affection for Dracula, though. It's clearly a one sided thing. Dracula is fond of Xander, but Xander isn't. Xander looked completely dismayed that he was going to see Dracula again because he always lost control around him, which was why he brought Renee, to keep him in control of his actions. Xander still doesn't have the strong will to stand up to Dracula.

But Xander is Buffy's best card to win Dracula on their side. She knows how much Dracula is fond of him, and that's why she sent him to get Dracula to join them. IMO, Xander has as much control on Dracula as Dracula has on him.

 

[PassionBecoming]

Wolves at the Gate: Part 3

-Wow, graphic. So, vamps are doing things like that these days and people are still against the slayers?? Morons.
-Willow's comment of conjuring up some blankets just reminds me of how far gone she is from being an actual human being. Way too dependent on magic. I'm not sure why, but I find it odd/interesting that she made a Giles reference.
-The attempt at making Dracula humorous is killing the character for me.
-Well, at least Buffy is good at planning undercover. Haha. Poor vamp never saw the school girl coming...
-"This is war." Love it.
-Xander and Renee crack me up. Love that he's having this rambling conversation while gesturing with daggers. Classic. Awww, kisses. "Please stop that." Ok, that was funny.
-Um, I'm sure Japan is going to be really pleased with Dawn stomping around ruining buildings. Ai ai ai....
-RENEE!! Oh, geez.
-

---------- Post added at 09:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:33 PM ----------

Wolves at the Gate: Part 4

-My heart hurts for Renee so much. Well-written. Very sad. 🙁
-There's that demon lady again. So, she's evil and doesn't like Willow? And is Kumiko choking her? And is she just a witch or a vampire witch?
-Well, yay to Dawn for taking charge, I must say. But really, a giant robot? Are these vamps engineers with endless funds now?
-Uh-oh, Satsu jumped into it again! Haha. The conversation between Buffy and Willow was amusing, but still seems unrealistic to me.
-Did Dracula just give up his powers?!?!
-MechaDawn wasn't a very good fighter or very well built...
-So, I adore Dracula lore, and that final fight scene is awesome.
-Xander on his knees hugging Buffy brought me back to Scoobie days...
-I just have a doubt that Buffy's night with Satsu was one of the best ones of her life. Um, slept with Spike a lot, remember??
-"Find what warmth you can for now" definitely seems to encompass a lot of what is going on this season, sadly.

 

[PassionBecoming]

[MENTION=10354]VisionGirl[/MENTION]

Glad I'm not the only one who wasn't sure. Her hanging from the ceiling like a bat, and then Buffy staked/stabbed her in the back/heart made me think maybe she was both.

 

[VisionGirl]

Comments on this post
[MENTION=11103]PassionBecoming[/MENTION] agrees: Where was the troll hammer?? I missed that!

Well I doubt it's the actual troll hammer from Triangle, but it reminds me of it. My TPB doesn't have numbered pages, but it's the 18th pg of part 3. The Slayers are hidden I'n the alley, waiting to attack the Vamps. One of the Slayers is holding a big hammer.

 

[wickedtiger86]

Oh my. I'm so far behind!!! Guess I know what I'm going to be doing all day today . . . 😀

I actually do like this story arc quite a bit. There some hilariousness and some crazyness. But, I'll let you guys in on a little secret. I'm an even bigger geek than Joss. So the crazy stuff he and Goddard have going on in here? I likes it! 😀

Like Andrew living out a Superman fantasy, asking to be called Lois? Makes me go like this . . . 😀

Umm, why did Dracula eat cabbage and rubbing alcohol? I mean he had to have if he vomited it back up a month ago right? Cabbage is gross enough without the Rubbing Alcohol. For serious.

Ok I've thought this since my first read. Feel free to call me crazy. But Dracula, in the panel where he asks if someone is going to finish eating this . . . referring to the dead slayer . . . He totally looks like Johnny Depp as Willie Wonka. And now that I've seen it . . . I can't unsee it!

It warms my Spuffy heart to see that Buffy used a Zippo to set that vamp on fire. I know I'm reaching there and I don't care. Cuz I'm happy!

"Ahem. We have to go to war now. Please stop that." Biggest LOL of this arc. For me at least.

Alright, the point of view shift to Renee as she falls is ridiculously heartbreaking. Seriously, my heart actually said "ow."

Mecha Dawn . . . alright . . . I almost can't handle this. But it is Tokyo . . . so I guess the setting was just asking for it.

LOVE that Drac gave Xander the kill.

Yeah, overall I liked this bit a lot. But I can definitely understand why a lot of people didn't.

 

[VisionGirl]

Umm, why did Dracula eat cabbage and rubbing alcohol? I mean he had to have if he vomited it back up a month ago right? Cabbage is gross enough without the Rubbing Alcohol. For serious.

Totally missed that. Yeah, gross.

Ok I've thought this since my first read. Feel free to call me crazy. But Dracula, in the panel where he asks if someone is going to finish eating this . . . referring to the dead slayer . . . He totally looks like Johnny Depp as Willie Wonka. And now that I've seen it . . . I can't unsee it!

You're right, I think so too!

It warms my Spuffy heart to see that Buffy used a Zippo to set that vamp on fire. I know I'm reaching there and I don't care. Cuz I'm happy!

Again, missed that! Geesh, was I paying attention?