Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ Season 4, Episode 18
by Benjamin Hall
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) and her boyfriend, Riley Finn (Marc Blucas), accidentally cause the awakening of some spiritual forces. It is up to the rest of the Scoobies to save the night.
(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)
(Trigger warning for talk of non-consensual acts)
Buffy and Riley are essentially just batteries for the supernatural force haunting Lowell House and they are just having sex — which is to an extent non-consensual due to the spooky force — throughout the majority of the episode.
Spike (James Marsters) is mostly a gag character here with humor coming from his odd moments of sociability with the Scoobies. Thus, one can argue that these moments are somewhat foreshadowing that he will fully join them.
Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon) is mostly unaware of things at the beginning of this episode, but gradually comes to understand. For example, he is oblivious to the audience he and Anya (Emma Caulfield Ford) have during their ice cream truck argument. Yet, he perceives as events turn more towards the supernatural. During the course of this change, he shows a lack of concern for Anya and his relationship status by pursuing Julie (Casey McCarthy). This displays his abilities to properly communicate and be mature are still severely lacking.
Anya is insecure for a lot of this episode about Xander’s feelings for her. This leads to their childish argument after her attempt to make him jealous by bringing Spike to the party. She also laments the loss of her powers. This is relevant because she hasn’t truly done so on screen before. Yes, she regularly regales about her past (Season 4, Episode 9, “Something Blue”), but it has never taken this dimension before.
Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head), Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan) and Tara Maclay (Amber Benson) all give exposition and act as spell casters. Besides these two aspects, the three get little character growth. In Giles’s case, we discover he can play guitar and sing really well. Willow, meanwhile, exhibits the ability to lie more effectively– at least when it comes to Buffy’s clothing. She also makes a move on Tara, which suggests they have or soon will have a sexual relationship. Lastly, Tara seems to be secure in Willow’s emerging feelings for her. She does not have a negative reaction to Willow mentioning a former interest in Giles, for example.
Forrest Gates (Leonard Roberts) does not get any growth in this episode. Weirdly, he seems to get a brief episodic change back to being okay with Buffy and Riley’s romance.
Graham (Bailey Chase) suffers a brief possession that results in him spouting religious quotes. However, he otherwise is his usual stoic self.
Ms. Holt (Kathryn Joosten) is a religious zealot. This is apparent since she talks about forcing her religious beliefs on children in abusive ways.
Julie (Casey McCarthy) is a partygoer who shows some interest in Xander as she finds him funny. Other than that, and the spiritual force making her go bald, she is a stock character.
Roy (Bryan Cupprill) is even more of an idiot than in his original appearance earlier in the series, where he is a caveman for a night (Season 4, Episode 5, “Beer Bad”). Note that instead of freaking out over the supernatural orgasm wall, he encourages other to try it.
The drowning boy (Jeffrey Sharmat) and running girl (Jeri Austin) are two major examples of the supernatural energy haunting Lowell House. Since they lack personality or dialogue they are arguably non-characters.
Christie (Danielle Pessis), Evan (Jeff Wilson), Initiative Guy (David Engler), Scientist (James Michael Connor), and Mason (Neil Daly) are all generic characters. Thus, their only effect on the episode is to populate it.
This episode is very sparse on character development and pretty much everything else that can make a narrative. In other words, it is mostly just an overly-long sex joke with aspects of fan service and references to abusive behavior.