Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Episode Air Date 10/16/01

As Buffy continues to adapt to her post-post-mortem life, she begins to deal with real life, namely her financial situation. Her mother's hospital bills soaked up any money that might have been used to support Dawn and Buffy. Sure, she can slay vampires, kill demons and return from the dead, but can Buffy dodge creditors and balance a family budget?

Realizing that she can't charge people for slaying, Buffy applies for a loan. While there, a demon for hire robs the bank. The demon, mmm-something-or-rather, performs acts of carnage and mayhem for the highest bidder. In this case, you might think some evil vampire king, a god banished from another dimension, or a band of evil motorcyclists. No, it's much worse.

This demon was hired by a group of pubescent warlock-wannabes. Apparently when not drooling over Seven of Nine they train demon dogs and release them at high-school dances, along with coming up with spells to make other demons think you're cool. Of course, they're unable to create the ultimate geek's wet dream without money. Now that they've had their scary worker bee has obtained funding, they are able to furnish their lair. I want a lair with a flamethrower, periscope and action figure display. Oh wait, Mr. Goodson has provided me with most of that.

Meanwhile, back at the bat-cave (or magic shop as it were), Giles is back! After a sweet but not-quite-teary reunion, Giles and Buffy catch up. Buffy may feel she has to put on a happy face for her friends, but she'll let Giles see the real her. Willow, trying to impress Giles, brags about her spell only to have him bash her, call her stupid and set her straight. Willow goes on to prove she is indeed "rank arrogant and amateur" by threatening Giles with her "very powerful" abilities. Why would you threaten a man making a show called Ripper? She's clearly asking for trouble.

The episode was a pretty standard Buffy. A real-life problem parallels with a demonic, only-in-a-town-built-on-a-hell-mouth sort of problem. A demonic villain justifies the fight scenes and a few real-life villains make us giggle. As always, there was the above average dialogue between the characters. However, there were no startling realizations or emotionally exhausting exchanges. (Though I was a little scared when Buffy had to call a plumber.)

Overall the episode seemed slightly toned down compared to the first two UPN episodes. But really I'm grateful for that, and it looks like next week may bring us back to the intense plot lines Joss Whedon is known for.

Besides, I liked it when Buffy talked to Spike about financial advice. He has to have some good investment secrets, or he wouldn't be able to support that monstrous nicotine habit of his.

P.S. What's up with the Buffy musical? And will Spike be singing? I like a guy who sings.

(Pomp Ass Editor's Note: Yes, James Marsters will be singing. And in fact he fronts his own rock band that plays around L.A. Of course, having said that, I'd guess that means that the estimable Mrs. Goodson will be accompanying the editorial staff on its next excursion to La La Land, in search of a little Spike 'n' Roll.)

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Sharon Goodson