Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ Season 5, Episode 9

This is part of a bi-weekly series concerning the characterization of Buffyverse characters. 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 direct relation to either show in this bi-weekly series. Though this series does reference things that have no direct relation to the show in order to examine things such as metaphors and literary analogues.

This week: Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is emotionally reeling while assisting a sick Joyce Summers (Kristine Sutherland). At the same time, Riley Finn (Marc Blucas) calls up some army contacts to help him.

(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)

(Trigger warning for mentions of stalking)

The Queller (Barbara C. Adside and Debbie Lee Carrington) is creepy in terms of its looks and abilities. However, it lacks a distinctive personality, and it has an origin that seems at odds with the nature of the show.

Joyce is a difficult patient who can’t stand waiting at the hospital. Unfortunately, she is out of her mind for most of the episode in a mentally ill way with only brief moments of lucidity.

Dawn Summers (Michelle Trachtenberg) comes across as very immature by how disturbing she finds the ramblings of the mentally ill. This seems odd since one would assume she would have unsettling, albeit fake, memories of the supernatural from the past. Thus, with these memories, she would presumably be able to handle the ramblings with either a little more ease or more reasonable upset. Also, she doesn’t do much in this episode to really make her feel like a prominent character. Instead, she is more a plot device to allow for exposition or alerting characters of things, such as the creature.

Buffy is starting to crack emotionally from the stress she is dealing with. Still, she makes it appear like she is handling everything just fine while around others. One can take from this that Buffy is taking her lone fighter destiny and applying it to the rest of her life. This is not a healthy way of dealing with stressful or depressing events. On the plus side, she seems to have some understanding for the mentally ill who lose touch with reality.

Riley intentionally ditches the responsibility Buffy gives him in order to satisfy his addiction. By doing this, he is failing to communicate that he will be absent which will result in the Scoobies facing greater danger. He also acts indifferent when Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon) confronts him about missing patrol, which suggests he only cares about himself. This lack of communication and abdication of duty will prove him to be very hypocritical when giving his explanation about going to vampires for their bites (Season 5, Episode 10, “Into The Woods”). Mysteriously, Riley is able to discern the demon goop’s properties and dissolution rate without scientific instrumentation. Finally, his calling in soldiers to handle one creature and almost declaring himself to still be an agent gives away where his heart is at.

Spike (James Marsters) appears to be lousy at remaining unknown as a stalker since he almost gets caught stealing photos of Buffy. Despite this toxic behavior, he does help her quickly eliminate the threat to her family.

Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan), Xander, Tara Maclay (Amber Benson), Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head), Anya (Emma Caulfield Ford) all act fine on an individual level, but they act stupid as collective, like they have no abilities or experience without Buffy. Their refusal to call her for help in exchange for them helping her with Joyce and Dawn is another sign of stupidity. They also get unbelievably lucky in finding information on the Queller, yet only inform Riley about it. All of this means the Scoobies collectively contribute nothing of substance in this episode.

Ben Wilkinson (Charlie Weber) has some of his connection to Glory (Clare Kramer) become apparent to viewers when he meets with Dreg (Kevin Weisman). Arguably, he also displays a lack of respect for the mentally ill and their families while talking to Buffy, Willow, and Dawn.

Dreg mainly serves to make viewers aware of Ben summoning the Queller. His words and actions also subtly hint that Glory and Ben are one and the same.

Major Ellis (Nick Chinlund) appears to be a capable leader by sternly, but reasonably asking Riley for a better tracking option. Still, he is out of his depth since he is using the term “hostile sub-terrestrial” instead of accepting the supernatural as real.

Graham Miller (Bailey Chase) makes a comment questioning why the Slayer is not the one Riley calls on for help. While this makes him a plot device to further move Riley toward leaving town in the future, this purpose could easily belong to another character.

Vampire Chick (Erin Leigh Price), the skinny mental patient (Keith Allan), and Nurse Lambkin (April Adams) are extremely stock in both their respective purposes and personalities. Since they add to certain story beats in the episode, they are not completely extraneous.

The older nightwatchman (Paul Hayes) from a previous episode is now a plot device that serves to remind viewers of Dawn’s supernatural nature (Season 5, Episode 5 “No Place Like Home”). His other purpose: to add to the death count Ben is responsible for separate from Glory’s actions.

Dr. Aaron Kriegel (Randy Thompson) bedside manner displays that he cares about his patients. Although, his way of suggesting Joyce not leave the hospital could use actual reasons to support it.

Minus a few key moments featuring Buffy, Spike, Riley, Ben, Dreg, and Joyce, there is nothing important about the characterization. Any signs of development occur only with or because of these characters, so the narrative of this episode is rather weak.