Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ Season 5, Episode 4

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: Riley Finn (Marc Blucas) starts feeling super powerful. At the same time, Spike (James Marsters) and Harmony Kendall (Mercedes McNab) team-up again.

(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)

Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is shrinking to fit ideas of who she is. In this case, it is for mister toxic masculinity Riley. Limiting herself to what others expect is something that Buffy often does throughout the series, especially in the upcoming season six. Yet, she is obviously having trouble continuing this unhealthy behavior since she is trying to fight back by arguing with Riley in the cave. Viewers also see the beginning of her becoming a caregiver when it comes to those she loves — which in this episode is her mom.

Riley comes across as overly enthusiastic, but not beyond his usual strength level at the beginning of the episode. Also, for a good portion of it, he does not exhibit a lot of obvious signs of side effects from the experimentation on his body. In fact, the increase in heart rate and strength along with the loss of his sense of pain are the only signs. Riley’s treatment of Spike in the opening moments comes across as Riley seeing himself as the hero instead of the boyfriend to Buffy. Viewers should fully get this once the cave argument with Buffy occurs and he defines his role and masculinity by his enhancement. As for his reluctance to deal with a doctor from The Initiative again, it is understandable because of the experiments that Riley knows he has already been through.

Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon) is really only in this episode to drop a hint about Riley’s thoughts regarding Buffy supposedly lacking romantic feelings. He fails at this in a way that definitely highlights the lack of follow-through the characters have with important topics of conversation.

Spike remains the same character for most of the episode. It is only with the twist ending that a change occurs.

Harmony goes from a possible future threat in her last appearance (Season 5, Episode 2, “Real Me”) back to being a gag character here. Add in how she tries to restart a relationship with Spike and one sees an obvious regression in her characterization.

Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan) mainly stansds as a sounding board for Buffy. She also acts smart in her discussion with Buffy about a college lecture in a way that looks to remind viewers of the fact. When it comes to magic, Willow appears rather snobby about ingredients, and looks down on non-magical devices. This attitude is something that will crop up in future episodes (Season 5, Episode 11, “Triangle”). Lastly, it is worth mentioning that she — along with her girlfriend Tara McClay (Amber Benson) — continues to be representation for lesbians, but this isn’t a main factor in this episode.

Anya (Emma Caulfield Ford) and Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) exist and have dialogue. Nevertheless, both their existing and dialogue have no real reason to be in this episode since they don’t grow or do anything.

Dawn Summers (Michelle Trachtenberg) provides one good idea regarding The Initiative’s remnants. Otherwise, she is a plot device character who acts mentally younger than her physical age.

Joyce Summers (Kristine Sutherland) shows tolerance as a parent when it comes to Dawn’s prize hunting, but also a lack of care for herself when it comes to personal health. Prior to her collapse, she serves as plot device to continue the “Who is Dawn?” plot line.

Tara apparently is some level of physic according to her conversation with Willow. Sadly, this bit of possible development stops as soon as the conversation ends.

Graham Miller (Bailey Chase), Agent Brown (Erik Betts), Agent Goodman (Christopher Leps), Dr. Overheiser (Time Winters), and the hospital doctor (Deirdre Holder) serve to provide exposition or act as plot devices. This renders Graham’s return as unnecessary.

Benjamin Wilkinson (Charlie Weber) first appears in this episode in a way that is similar to a random stock character. He is unassuming in his actions.

Arguably, this episode should be the one where either Riley and Buffy end things, or Buffy realizes she is facing bigger issues in her relationship. For example, Buffy finds out from Graham that Riley has been resistant to getting medical help for longer than Riley initially tells her. Additionally, both Buffy and Riley feel and act like they can’t communicate with each other. This should be the tipping point for the relationship. Some of the plot points, along with certain bits of characterization, fit this episode better than others, such as the introduction of Ben. Finally, the official start of the in-canon relationship fans call “Spuffy” sees tacking on at the end in a way that has very little to do with anything else.