Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ Season 4, Episode 21
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) faces off with Adam (George Hertzberg). Meanwhile, Spike (James Marsters) faces a change of plans.
(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)
Buffy’s surprise at finding Riley Finn (Marc Blucas) in Adam’s lair is debatable foreshadowing for the future of their relationship. Yet, this is only truly visible with knowledge of the next season. Her figuring out Spike’s deception is partly due to her spotting information that he shouldn’t know and the needs of the plot. It gives her an a moment of both intelligence and common sense while also heeding said plot. The same holds true when the group hug scene occurs, only in this case she demonstrates emotional intelligence. Finally, her steely determination when declaring the supernatural her territory comes across pretty much the same as it will in the future (Season 5, Episode 12, “Checkpoint”).
Riley exists for the majority of this episode as a living object for Adam to expound to. While his escape from Adam’s control and fight with Forrest Gates (Leonard Roberts) suggest a resourceful mind.
Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon), Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head), and Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan) are essentially displaying distress and shame over their recent argument (Season 4, Episode 20, “The Yoko Factor”). Unfortunately, between dealing with moving past the argument, being Buffy’s magical support, and making jokes, they don’t really get any development.
Anya (Emma Caulfield Ford) arguably sees her core personality solidify when she is being blunt and practical about the Scooby Gang’s prior fight. Yes, she is usually blunt and/or practical, but this seems more like the Anya who will appear in future episodes.
Spike is like an overeager pet when it comes to the possibility of Adam removing his chip. This is to the point that Spike comes off as kind of clueless when he escapes Adam. To be fair, though, Spike’s two failures are arguably Adam’s for not explaining his desires better. Despite being clueless for plot reasons, Spike is clever at times. Mostly, it emerges from his wittiness, but it also occurs in other ways, like his manner of escaping Forrest.
Tara Maclay (Amber Benson) is just Willow’s supportive girlfriend in this episode. She does not get development.
Forrest Gates seems like his mind has some alterations based on his reactions when changed into one of Adam’s hybrid soldiers. You could even say that his change in personality is thanks to programming versus actual character development.
Graham Miller (Bailey Chase) has stock level characterization in this episode; without his prior appearance (Season 4, Episode 7, “The Initiative”), he would just appear here as a random soldier.
Colonel McNamara (Connor O’Farrell) is an in-over-his-head authority figure who thinks he knows it all. He displays only a slight edge of reason by not trying to kill Buffy and her friends.
Mr. Ward (Bob Fimiani) is just a politician who knows about The Initiative, including that Adam is a prototype. He exists solely to provide exposition that summarizes the battle and its aftereffects.
Adam turns out to be a rather generic villain — even for someone who is a modern day Frankenstein’s Monster (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by author Mary Shelley [1818]). The fact that one of the songs he likes is The Beatles “Helter-Skelter” makes him more generic. See also: his plan is, essentially, just racist cult leader Charles Manson’s Helter-Skelter Scenario. He is not just running a program to create more like him through a race war, but that he is a metaphor for cult leadership. Adam may as well be a cult leader of the demons since he is brainwashing them with speeches into killing and sacrifice at the big battle. Throw in the fact that his main weapons are really just a knife and a gun and he is not really doing anything different than various other villains throughout media. Finally, the one thing that makes him kind of unique — his ability to control Riley — is confusing since the explanation lacks in detail and there is no clear benefit.
Dr. Francis Angleman (Jack Stehlin) and Maggie Walsh (Lindsay Crouse) are essentially zombies. Their only purposes in this episode are to assist Adam and evoke emotions from Riley.
Dixon (Jordy Vilasuso) and Stravos (an uncredited actor) are two Initiative soldiers put in charge of arresting the Buffy and her friends. They are really just more cannon fodder on The Initiative’s side of the big fight.
This episode is a bit of a letdown, at least as far as developing characterization goes. Also, it demonstrates the poor communication skills between the core characters. They don’t truly resolve their disputes!