Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ Season 4, Episode 4

This is part of a bi-weekly series concerning the characterization of Buffyverse characters. The first installment in this series can be found here. Arguably the best place to begin reading this series is at the beginning, but that is up to each reader. As a reminder this column will cover major and some minor characters from the shows Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) and Angel (1999-2004). Other Buffyverse media, such as the graphic novel Spike: Into The Light (2014) are not pertinent to this series. Also there will be no referencing real world events in this bi-weekly series.

This week: Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) goes to a halloween party. However, the locale of the party is the same residence as a demonic force.

(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)

Buffy spends a good portion of the episode being emotionally down. Although it is hard to say whether or not it is an early example of the depression she will suffer from in the latter two seasons of the series. She also admits to avoiding her problem with Parker Abrams (Adam Kaufman), which is a habit she rarely acknowledges. There is some fear present in her characterization, but it is only on display when she is running from the fight at episode’s end. In other words, the allegations of her fearing being alone really doesn’t get visual exploration.

Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon) characterization arguably gets a boiling down to the point where he only really displays a lack of confidence. Yes, the episode is all about fear, but this being his main characteristic — which in turn is entirely episodic — makes him a puppet of the plot.

Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) gets to be a person who is having a mid-life crisis as his (arguably) overdoing Halloween suggests. The only other interesting bit of characterization occurs with his slight smile when starting property destruction; a suggestion of his Ripper persona.

Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan) gets some development when it comes to talking back to Buffy. See also: being overconfident about her magic. These expansions of her character will become larger issues in later seasons. Unfortunately, they only get brief exploration in this episode. And in terms of the story, it is not totally clear if her fears are affecting the spell, or if it is just her commanding too much of it. Lastly, it is unclear what her current fears are in this episode.

Oz (Seth Green) gets very little development other than expressing his concern about Willow’s magic. He is usually encouraging, but here he really speaks against her.

Anya (Emma Caulfield) is somewhat a character at the beginning of this episode when she talks about communication and her relationship status with Xander. Yet, other than the reveal of her fear of bunnies being a characteristic, there is nothing to her except acting as a plot device to transport Giles.

Parker and Professor Maggie Walsh (Lindsay Crouse) serve as very minor antagonists for Buffy in this episode. One can even argue that they only exist here to remind viewers that they are not one-off characters.

Riley Finn (Marc Blucas) seems to be developing some interest in Buffy at the end of their scene. But there still isn’t any hint of romantic chemistry, or even a potential romance, between them.

Masked Teen (Aldis Hodge) is a jerk character who serves the narrative purpose of bringing Buffy’s emotional status down further. This happens when he attempts to jump-scare strangers and then blames Buffy for reacting in a violent way.

Gachnar (Adam Bitterman) is a threat when no one sees him and a gag character when he appears. He is an obvious commentary on fear.

Joyce Summers (Kristine Sutherland) gets a weird bit of characterization in this episode via being necessary and unimportant. Note how her comment in her only scene is meant to provide an uplifting moment for Buffy. Not to mention that her conversation with Buffy explains where Buffy’s costume comes from. Both details could occur by some other means. Thus, Joyce is as replaceable as Buffy’s choice of costume.

Josh (Marc Rose), Chaz (Sulo Williams), Rachel (Michele Nordin), Hallmate (Darris Love), Edward (Walter Emanuel Jones), Lobster Boy (Adam Grimes), and Present Girl (Larissa Reynolds) are essentially all extras. Yes, several get lines, but they really serve no purpose other than being additional bodies.

Despite this episode trying to comment on fear, there really isn’t enough exploration of any character’s fear. Nevertheless, one can argue that Gachnar is the first true metaphorical villain since his powers and appearance act in a figurative manner.