Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ Season 4, Episode 13

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: Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) officially joins The Initiative. However, a betrayal occurs.

(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)

Buffy presumably develops more trust issues due to the events of this episode as she also completes the honeymoon phase of her relationship with Riley Finn (Marc Blucas) before the betrayal.

Riley still has a mix of stock character soldier and good guy personalities. Although, he starts to question where he works and what they may be hiding.

Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) tries to befriend Spike (James Marsters). When that fails, he quickly goes back to treating Spike like he is not much better than soap scum, as evidenced when he does not immediately agree to help until he gets the leftover money back. He also insults Spike while trying to examine the tracker in the vampire’s back. There is also a lack of thought from Giles about Anya (Emma Caulfield Ford) or himself doing the ionizing spell.

Tara Maclay (Amber Benson) gets some development in the form of her grandparent’s crystal. This suggests that she comes from a family of witches.

Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan) shows more interest in Tara with possible romantic undercurrents. She also displays some sense of alienation when Buffy shows up with Riley and his buddies in tow.

Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon) returns to his fake memories from his magical experience being a soldier (Season 2, Episode 6, ‘Halloween’). There is also a display of intelligence with his suspicions of the mysteries surrounding The Initiative. However, this seems like characterization that should belong to Willow rather than Xander. He also reacts to Anya’s blunt mention of their personal activities in a comedic way in this episode; this is a rarity since he mostly reprimands her in the future.

Anya continues to be rather uncaring about things not in relation to the welfare of herself or Xander. Also, she apparently lacks funds, and this raises the question of how she can afford anything.

Spike comes across as lacking in intelligence a few times throughout the story. An example: when Xander makes a sarcastic comment about de-chipping Spike’s brain, Spike questions whether that would be effective. He also tells Giles off while being vulnerable to humans. In this case, he fails to see the advantage of allies to keep the Initiative from capturing him. Additional, the altercation with Giles and then going to him for help makes Spike’s characterization inconsistent. Ultimately, Spike does not grow or regress as an individual. Well, unless one counts his choice to pay for goods with money instead of threatening or using violence to obtain them.

Maggie Walsh (Lindsay Crouse) seems rushed in her characterization. At first, she is complimentary to Buffy, but soon switch to exasperation and then becomes a full-on villain. Also, Walsh displays a sense of humor that is arguably too dry with the joke about disposing of the instructions she gives Buffy. Nevertheless, there is more emotion from her in this episode than in the previous ones, particularly when Riley walks away from her. Sadly, this is the last time she is a real character in the show and, thus, her emotional range will see no more exploration.

Forrest Gates (Leonard Roberts) is apparently jealous of Buffy. If this is due to his prejudice towards the supernatural will never be known. He also could have romantic feelings for Riley, but won’t ever admit it. Additionally, he gets a promotion to field captain of another team. The fact that Buffy’s presence is essentially the only reason for this promotion could also be a factor in his jealousy. Yet, these theories are just that — theories.

Graham Miller (Bailey Chase) gets only a little bit of growth in this episode; he is both perceptive and a wisecracker when talking to Forrest.

Adam (George Hertzberg) is mainly a corpse. Nevertheless, viewers get his name — and how he perceives Walsh — by the end.

Dr. Angleman (Jack Stehlin) is a scientist, and apparently serves as Walsh’s second-in-command. However, he doesn’t have enough of a purpose to exist besides delivering exposition and being a visible underling.

The entire episode seems to focus on all of the characters, but the real focus is on Walsh. Thus, while characters like Forrest and Giles get fleeting moments, they are little more than suggestions of what the character could be.