Buffy Between the Lines

A Review of Episode 6 – Followed Footsteps

Sunnydale has been home to more than one wanna-be-bad. So when the Scoobies meet up with Javert and finally get the scoop on his plan o’destruction, it’s not surprising that they don’t immediately start quaking with fear. (Get it? Quake…oh, never mind.) After all, what’s a little earthquake when you’ve already faced down 5 apocalypses?

In Episode 6, “Followed Footsteps,” we finally learn the story behind this season’s Big Bad. After a night of heavy drinking back in 1940s France, we learn that Spike got a little more than he bargained for from his midnight snack.. After unknowingly siring the young Javert, he disappears and sets into motion the chain of events that will lead to tragedy for the Scooby gang.

While in the present, the scoobs continue to spin further away from each other as they squabble and pick petty arguments. And they realize far too late just what sort of threat Javert truly poses. With the death of Candyce Wells on their shoulders and the prospect of California sinking into the ocean, the gang is going to have to put aside their differences and pull out that old Team Scooby magic if they want to make it through this one.

But this episode isn’t all doom, gloom, and untimely death. We’re also given a glimpse at the presentation of the famed “Boss of Us” plaque that Xander made for Willow. And an amusing little scene where we find out just how much Andrew loves … sprinkles.

From highs to lows, this episode hit all the right marks. Writer Emma Rawlin takes you from giggles to gut-wrenching in true Joss Whedon form. And you know it just wouldn’t be Buffy without a few fallen soldiers along the way. (Here’s a tip: Listening to the episode again after the BBtL extra “The Tara and Candyce Chronicles” makes the ending even more heart-breaking.) So, here’s to you Candyce. We’ll miss you.

Quote of the Episode award goes to:
Anya: I know what’s happening here. You’re trying to make me feel inferior, to diminish me in front of everyone else, because I dare to question your authority.

Bloopers for Ep 6-10

Music Used:

America’s Funniest Bloopers by Nalts

Smacked 70s Style by Juan Sanchez

Captain Mal Renoylds by Possible Oscar

Original Music by Austin Wintory

Buffy Between the Lines Theme – Beatnik Turtle

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A Review of Episode 5 – She’s More Than That

The Scooby Gang has always been a family of sorts. And an exceptionally strong family at that, because they’ve had each other. But now that Buffy is gone, we’re starting to see holes where she used to hold them all together. In episode 5, “She’s More Than That” we begin to see that as hard as they try to pretend that everything is alright, our rag-tag group of heroes are not coping as well as they would like others to believe.

Xander, hurt that Buffy chose Spike to protect Dawn above himself, has been throwing himself into his work. Meanwhile, Willow continues down her path toward magick addiction. And Giles and Spike both continue their separate mourning, convinced that Buffy’s death lies on their shoulders.

The gang drifts further apart, hiding their feelings from one another, while struggling to con Child Protective Services in order to keep Dawn safe. All the while the vampire Javert reveals his own plan to turn Sunnydale into the Atlantis of the 21st Century. Can the Scoobs do it? Can they pull themselves together before it’s too late and Sunnydale becomes the world’s largest waterpark?

It’s no surprise that nearly every episode of the original Buffy had an underlying theme. And a theme that we’ve seen time and time again within the Buffyverse, is that of family. This family not always be functional, and they’re certainly not normal. But they are a family. Even if they’re missing a member. They’re certainly lost without Buffy, but they also have the capability to be that family without her. I think this episode manages to capture that particularly well within one of its final scenes, when the group visits Spike in his crypt with housewarming presents. So let’s hope that the gang can keep it together, because if Buffy has taught me anything, it’s that you’ve got to stick by one another. Because when the chips are down, and an evil vampire is trying to sink your state, you’re going to want someone fighting by your side.

Quote of the Episode award goes to:

Dawn: He’s just moody because we caught him watching Dawson’s Creek.

Giles: Has Dawson reconciled with that Joey girl?

Spike: Well I’d know if the lot of you would button it. And any blind fool can see she’s going to end up with that Pacey bloke.

I just got the first draft of one of our covers for Buffy Between the Lines Season 2 … and I HAD to share. By the extremely talented Scott Tofte:

Join Kevin Bachelder (Firefly Talk, The Signal, the Scapecast) as he talks with Tasha (Dawn), Emma (Writer), Cliss (Tara), Scott (Zach), and Kim (BuffyBot) about episode 10 of Buffy Between the Lines.

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Buffy Between the Lines had a very nice write up in the tech blog, “Download Squad”. Here’s a clip from the article:

If you named your dog Spike, dream of vacationing in Sunnydale, and never quite got over what happened to Jenny Calendar, then you’ll love the gem of a podcast we’ve uncovered for you. Buffy Between the Lines is original fan fic written and produced by a group of volunteers who probably know more about Xander, Willow, and Buffy than Joss Whedon himself. To read the rest please click here and leave a nice comment!

A Review of Episode 4 – CTRL + ALT + DEL

In the latest episode of Buffy Between the Lines, we are given a unique perspective on the Sunnydale survivors through a series of scenes narrated by The BuffyBot. We’ve all seen and laughed along with BuffyBot’s simplistic world views, but what happens when everyone around her is dealing with their very complex grief?

The answer, of course, is “CTRL + ALT + DEL” The episode was extremely well done, beginning to take a subtle look at how the characters begin to adjust to life A.B. (After Buffy.) The Bot’s simple words capture their grieving perfectly. She may be just a robot, but BuffyBot sees more than any of them realize.

Meanwhile trouble is a’brewin just out of sight. By this of course, I mean the antics of the vampire Javert, who was busy recruiting new accomplices. The first of which was D’Hoffryn, patron saint of the scorned! (Who now has a handy automated voicemail system.) I was also delighted to see the return of hellgod-minion extraordinaire, Jinx, who arrived with all of his complementary adjectives entact.

As always, the script was very well written, staying true to the characters that we all love. And the actors seem to be growing evermore comfortable within their roles as well, but this time around, I would like to pay special tribute to the team behind the show’s wonderful music. From the theme song to the end credits, the music is a big part of what makes this show so extraordinary. The original music composed for the show is excellent, paying homage to the original series, without copying it. I especially enjoyed the song that played during Buffy Bot’s final monologue. It helped to make her simple words all the more poignant and meaningful.

Quote of the Episode award goes to:

Buffy Bot: Buffy was…scared, but very brave. I want to be Buffy now. Be brave, and help people. They think I don’t understand, but it’s not that. I don’t always comprehend, but I do understand. I’m supposed to make people happy, that is my programming. And that is what I’m planning on doing. It’s what the other me would have wanted.

by Emma Rawlin

Dawn’s birthday goes awry as she struggles with losing Buffy and trying to understand who she is. And things aren’t going well at Xander’s current construction site and he calls on the last person you’d think to help figure it out.

Intro by Brad Bowyer from the Geek Spin and Podculture

Promo: Scott Sigler’s Infected by J.C. Hutchins and Seth Harwood

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by Emma Rawlin

Dawn’s birthday goes awry as she struggles with losing Buffy and trying to understand who she is. And things aren’t going well at Xander’s current construction site and he calls on the last person you’d think to help figure it out.

The full script is available as a PDF.

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A Review of Episode 3 – Never Go Up Against a Sorcerer When Death is On the Line…

Episode 3 throws another character driven show our way; this time around we (quite literally) delve into the mind of Watcher extraordinaire, Rupert Giles. Oh dear. After facing down a fire-breathing dragon and other painful reminders of his slayer’s untimely death, Giles hides away in the Magic Box with nothing more than a bottle of Scotch for company. That is, until the wonderfully devious Ethan Rayne shows up to lock his old friend up in his mind, where his pain and guilt keep him prisoner. The Scoobies are stuck waiting, searching for a way to help Giles, as he is forced to battle his own thoughts.

The episode had some truly amazing moments. Some, like Xander’s offer to get donuts and talk about old times, were subtle and incredibly sweet. Others, like Buffy blaming Giles for her death were powerful and heart-breaking to listen to. With a great mix of humor and drama, episode three proves that this show just keeps getting better and better.

While the previous episodes had a large focus on fighting off the black hats, “Never Go Up Against A Sorcerer When Death Is On The Line” centered largely on the character’s internal struggles. While slightly less action-packed, it’s certainly not any less important. And I loved that writer Gwendolyn Jensen-Woodard was able to bring out just how much Buffy meant to Giles without venturing into the land of cliché. Character development was a huge part of the original series, and it’s nice to see that it’s importance hasn’t been lost on this show.

The episode also gave us a few great extras. Like the birth of everyone’s favorite troika, watcher diaries through the ages, and a sweet ending scene between Faith and Angel.

Once again I feel the need to praise the writers, actors, producers, editors, and everyone who has put together this amazing project.

Quote of the Episode Award goes to:

Dawn: I think I saw “Mystery Date” game in the lounge.
Anya: Oh! Is there money to win in “Mystery Date?”
Dawn: Nope. Otherwise it’d be called “Hooker Date.”