Last Week:
Buffy traveled to a different dimension to chit chat with the Slayer creators. They offered her more power but she impolitely declined. The rest of the gang fought a demon and Spike pulled his old leather jacket out of moth balls. Andrew made funnel cakes.

Ten Second Recap:
Andrew made a documentary about The Slayer. Students at Sunnydale went crazy (many in very familiar ways). Buffy searched for a way to close the Hellmouth seal while sexual tension between Spike and Principal Wood grew.

Way overdue, this week's episode spotlighted Andrew.

In the process we learned not only about what happened between him and Jonathan in Mexico but also about what makes Andrew tick psychologically. With the news that Eliza Dushku will not be starring in a Buffy spin-off announced this week, my hopes of Andrew becoming a full time supporting character on a new show are waning. It's too bad because I consistently find Andrew's character amusing and feel that there is still a lot more of it to explore.

For example, Storyteller illustrated how much of a fantasy world Andrew lives in. We've seen examples in the past where he casts himself in standard roles like "evil genius" or "former villain seeking redemption," but this episode discovered new depths.

Andrew casts himself as his own leading man, with everyone around him as supporting players. It's fine to have a rich fantasy life. I personally have one where I'm a minstrel running through the hills of Camelot playing my drum. But Andrew's fantasy world crumbles when faced with the harsh reality that The First delivers.

Tom Lenk does an incredible job portraying these different aspects. He has played the geek role so well that I'd assumed that he studied at the Keanu Reeves school of acting, pretty much playing himself in every role (where Keanu only looks like a brilliant actor when he acts confused). Lenk is able to believably be the geek, but can also convincingly step away from that nervous nerd, showing regret over his actions. It's a surprising turn for the actor, wonderfully done.

As the episode concluded I was sure that the writers had finally answered my questions about Andrew's sexual orientation, but the more I think about it, there is still room for debate.

We've long know how he responds to Warren, but you could chalk that up to Andrew just having a close best friend from whom he seeks approval.

Also, in moments like "Mmm…Captain Archer," you could say that Andrew was geeking out rather than expressing a sexual fantasy. This week things started to clear up as it looked as if Andrew might be making a move on Xander, who was busy getting it on in his own way this week.

But Andrew also tries to peek down Anya's shirt during their exchange early in the show. He might honestly not know what his sexual orientation is. I think he's so busy trying to be a part of something (villain's club, demon slayers, comic book geek) that he has yet to find himself.

Or maybe I'm just too in the closet to just accept he's gay.

Line of the Week:
Anya: "Why can't you just masturbate like the rest of us?" (drool…)

Michael Goodson