Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ Season 5, Episode 1

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) has fun on the beach with her friends. Also: Dracula (Rudolf Martin) hunts for Buffy.

(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)

Dracula is pretty much just a typical stereotypical version of the fictional character made famous in author Bram Stoker‘s 1897 novel, Dracula. Some of what makes the Buffy Drac typical: he changes form, knows how to thrall, and he is hard to kill. Yet, there are also some unusual elements in this variation’s overall characterization. For example, when he enthralls Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon), we learn he has a seemingly low tolerance for idiocy. This might be a reference to comedic takes on the character, such as the one featured in Mel Brooks‘ Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995). He can also seemingly return from a simple staking post the point he should be able to — a genuine departure from most depictions of the character.

Vampire Girl #1 (Marita Schaub), Vampire Girl #2 (Leslee Jean Matta), Vampire Girl #3 (Jennifer Slimko), Mover #1 (E.J. Gage), and Mover #2 (Scott Berman) all have stock characterization. This is at odds with the original novel since the three brides of Dracula are more active near the end.

Tara Maclay (Amber Benson) displays some jealousy or uncertainty regarding Willow Roseberg’s (Alyson Hannigan) admiration of Dracula. No matter which emotional state truly motivates her,  it may also be the reason behind a seemingly random part of an upcoming argument (Season 5, Episode 19, “Tough Love”).

Anya (Emma Caulfield Ford) spends most of the episode lusting over Dracula. Despite this, she makes a good point in her pre-closet rant about being more useful in the search for Dracula’s castle than Riley (Marc Blucas) or Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head).

Willow moves closer to bi-erasure this season with her attraction to Dracula — along with possible thoughts of group sex with Giles — being her last stated interest in men. Her casual use of magic to light a fire demonstates her developing her powers. It is ambiguous as to whether her magic causes the storm, but it would make more sense than it being Dracula’s fault. Willow also serves as the main exposition spouting character in this episode, which is an oddity considering the foe they are facing. She is apparently getting better at keeping secrets without feeling guilt since she never lets on that she is keeping Giles’s secret.

Xander displays jealousy over Anya’s attraction to Dracula. Additionally, he is overconfident when preparing to fight Dracula. This overconfidence is at odds with the intimidation he demonstates when learning Dracula is Buffy’s opponent. Xander is equivalent to Dracula‘s R. M. Renfield, owing to his actions while under thrall. Some of these actions, like the bug-eating, are down to either Dracula telling Xander he is “strange and off-putting” during commands or the character watching too many movies.

Dawn Summers (Michelle Trachtenberg), for the first few seconds, does not seem certain of her existence or her relationship to Buffy. Yes, she does act like a sibling, but these initial moments seem to be when the spell transforming her into a human is finishing up.

Buffy’s actions in the opening are a metaphor for looking elsewhere in the midst of unfulfilling love life. Her need for a satisfying hunt is equivalent to masturbation. She is obviously acting as an analogue to Mina Harker and Professor Abraham Van Helsing since Dracula wants her for a bride and she leads the hunt for him. Her sudden ability to defeat Dracula’s thrall may be evidence of building resistance through force of will, such as with the Master (Season 1, Episode 12, “Prophecy Girl”). Although, a personal theory is that it also has something to do with her drinking his blood. We also see some hesitancy and confusion from Buffy when it comes to her new sister’s presence. This goes with the idea of the spell is still settling.

Spike (James Marsters), as far as one can tell, has a level of genuine concern for Buffy and a lot of disregard for Riley. While his history with Dracula is an interesting tidbit as far as characterization goes, he acts like the villagers who warn Jonathan Harker in the novel.

Joyce Summers (Kristine Sutherland) seems unaware that Tara and Willow are in a relationship when she complains about her own lack of a love life. She also might be unconsciously comparing Dracula and Spike when mentioning sharing drinks with men (Season 3, Episode 8, “Lover’s Walk”).

Giles is set-up in the first scene to be leaving the show as he claims as much and is seen cataloguing of his books. Yet, his departure will actually play out next season. In any event, it is worth noting that this season sets up his possible death better than Joyce’s actual death (Season 5, Episode 20, “Spiral” and Season 5, Episode 16, “The Body”). As far as this episode goes, Giles is less a variant on Van Helsing than a variant of Dr. John Seward. He is second in command to Buffy and second in knowledge about Dracula to Anya. He also has a moment, like Jonathan Harker, when he faces seduction by the brides. Last, but not least, he and the rest of the cast are unobservant of Xander being enthralled due to the needs of the plot.

Riley displays some unlikable, if not outright toxic, qualities in this episode. He jealously suggests Buffy views Dracula as a replacement for her romance with Angel. This stems from his insecurity about his place in Buffy’s life. His willingness to punch out Xander suggests he does not like him, and this might also have to do with his insecurity. Riley missing The Initiative’s resources is an example of being a fish-out-of-water in Buffy’s group, plus it reveals an unwillingness to adapt. As far as a comparable character from the Stoker novel, he is most like Quincey P. Morris in terms of personality.

This episode is mainly just a standard Dracula story. Therefore, several bits of plot and characterization are just rip-offs from the typical way of adapting the novel.