Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ Season 4, Episode 9

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 that have a direct relation to either show in this bi-weekly series.

This week: Willow (Alyson Hannigan) casts a spell in an attempt to get over Oz (Seth Green) leaving her. Meanwhile, the rest of the Scoobies — plus Spike (James Marsters) — feel the effects of her will.

(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)

Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) has some dialogue suggesting she could use therapy in order to understand what a healthy romance looks like. Also, wanting to go along with Riley Finn’s (Marc Blucas) assumption that she is mentally unwell is, in fact, mentally unwell. While under Willow’s spell, Buffy — like Spike — seems to convey love and marriage as necessary to each other. This is despite Willow not saying anything about love when unintentionally putting the spell on them. Lastly, Buffy gets to express more fully that she views Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) as her dad. This is something she occasionally alludes to (Season 3, Episode 12 ‘Helpless’), but does not outright state until now.

Riley Finn comes off as forceful during the picnic scene. While he asks Buffy out, he mentions rehearsing his speeches to her. Thus, he displays insecurity that will be present throughout his characterization on the show. He also insults Buffy several times while in the process of asking her out. This, combined with questioning her mental health at the end of the episode and pressuring her to educate him on women, foreshadows their unhealthy romance.

Willow Rosenberg comes off as a creepy ex by visiting Oz’s former residence. Yes, she is emotionally hurt by his departure, but that does not give her the right to mope at his old living space. Her drinking to forget is unhealthy as she does so without company and to forget her troubles. This kind of behavior can lead to alcoholism. Her use of magic as a shortcut foreshadows the path she will follow. The specific spell she uses — and her lack of understanding of it — illustrates how her desire for a quick fix is dangerous. Not to mention, this quick fix reveals she is still an insecure individual.

Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon) is mainly a plot device to facilitate Willow accidentally putting her spell on him, Buffy, and Spike. Afterwards, he is just reacting and running.

Anya (Emma Caulfield Ford) gets some character development via her knowledge of demons being put to use save Xander. There is also some development of her history with the small amount she mentions. She also is a font of exposition regarding D’Hoffryn (Andy Umberger). However, she is mostly just Xander’s significant other like in most episodes she appears in. Finally, when finding out about Buffy and Spike’s engagement, she seems to show disgust about it as if she has a different negative history with them.

Giles comes across as a responsible mentor to Willow and the others in this episode. But he mainly becomes a gag character throughout the story.

Spike acts both belligerent and perceptive at the beginning of this episode. The former trait will be prevalent throughout the rest of this season. His ability to be perceptive, meanwhile, will come and go as necessary for each plot. His actions under Willow’s spell, such as offering to reverse it, hint at his desire for acceptance. There is also a variety of other traits that he exhibits: an insecurity about Angel/Angelus (David Boreanaz) a sense of protectiveness for those he loves. Also, we learn he loves soap operas thanks to a comment about the television show Passions (1999-2007 and 2007-2008).

Amy Madison (Elizabeth Anne Allen) has a brief cameo in her human form. However, this is mostly a joke that serves no real purpose other than to make two main characters look inattentive.

D’Hoffryn initially comes across as the episode’s villain as he abducts Willow. But by the end, he gets some humanity — particularly in that he is mostly just a standard employer type character

This episode is one that overtly jokes around while being somewhat subtle with character development. Thus, things like the engagement make it hard to guess what is and isn’t true to the characters going forward.