Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 1, Episode 4: Teacher's Pet Review
Teacher's Pet
Original Airdate: March 24, 1997
Writer: David Greenwalt
Director: Bruce Seth Green
In my Witch review, I mentioned that part of the problem for that particular episode was that it was written by someone who wasn't aware of the characters and situations like those who would be the all-stars among the writers. I can't use that excuse this time, as David Greenwalt is one of them, eventually running Angel for its first three years. Luckily he redeemed himself with writing and directing far superior episodes, but this is a really bad first impression.
While the She-mantis (which sounds unintentionally funny) plot line should've been scrapped, it is an important step in Xander's storyline. Through the years, he seems to be a magnet for demonic or otherwise bad news women and this is the first. Although his crush on Buffy is still there despite it being dismissed, he still can't stop fantasizing about being the big man and saving her (boy, did Buffy look hot in that fantasy).
If Buffy is supposed to be an icon of feminist empowerment (which she certainly is among other things), Xander represents the male who feels somewhat short changed by the gender role reversal. He wants to be the hero and save Buffy like he might have if the role was different, but she is strong enough to do that herself. Revealing that he's still a virgin is a bit emasculating as well. Although Xander's not a chauvinist, the embarrassment is still there.
This episode is the first time we hear of Willow's feelings toward Xander. It makes sense that there would be some attraction between them as they have been friends for so long. Of course, being a teenager complicate this and now they have to figure out whether they love each other as friends or more.
It makes sense that Xander is instantly jealous of Angel, who until then they only heard of through Buffy. Buffy and Angel have softened up a bit, especially now as Buffy realizes that Angel is trying to help her, warning about the Claw Vamp and giving her his jacket in the process. He's still very mysterious, but now we can say he's on the good side.
With Xander's thing for Buffy went unsatisfied, it would make some sense that he would try to go after another woman. Time for me to be a pig male: while Ms. French was pretty, she was hardly gorgeous enough to have every guy falling over each other to spend time with her. Perhaps this is their attempt to tackle the teachers sleeping with their students issue, but it just comes off as sloppy. And what was with that accent? Sometimes she sounded European, other times Australian. Couldn't they just go for, I don't know, a French accent and call her something else?
I kinda wish we saw more of Dr. Gregory before his demise. It would've been interesting to see more from the teaching staff to believe in Buffy. However, Buffy is meant to be an outcast, so what good would it be to have the staff believing in her? On that note, why does no one collect his glasses and use it as evidence?
At least they returned to Cordelia having a rocky relationship with the gang. However, she isn't given much this week besides another speech to show how shallow she is. It is interesting to see this know how far she'll come later.
Claw Vamp's sidelining for the episode is a travesty. With Luke out of the picture, he could've been a formidable thug for The Master or opponent, considering he cut off Claw Vamp's normal hand. It even left a mark on Angel. Yet, Buffy's fights seem par for vamp fights on this show. When she gets him to track Ms. French, she manages to tie him up rather easily and his death follows (on that note, why aren't the vamps turning to dust?) This is a really wasted opportunity.
Instead, the focus is on Ms. French, who apparently is scary enough to spook Claw Vamp. Unfortunately, the low budget (and the ultimate idea for the monster) renders the monster into something out of a B-movie from the 50s. All that's missing are Cold War metaphors (and maybe the robots from Mystery Science Theater 3000 providing commentary). Like Claw Vamp, Buffy doesn't have a lot of trouble killing her either. So what was everyone so afraid of?
Here are just some obvious instances of sloppy writing in this episode. For someone with a major secret, why is Ms. French spinning her head around Exorcist-style in front of an entire classroom? Yeah they were taking a test, but that would catch the eye. Also, if you're going to abduct virgin guys and not have anyone know, why have their last known whereabouts be with you? Also as a one nitpicker pointed out, how is hunting down Claw Vamp and getting him to help quicker than knocking on doors to find it? While the ending is a standard "The end…or is it?" coda, they thankfully never refer to Ms. French's eggs ever again.
This is definitely one of the weakest installments of Buffy, and a good example of the weaknesses of the early episodes. Thankfully, David Greenwalt had the opportunity to redeem himself, since he clearly had better ideas than this one.
Original Airdate: March 24, 1997
Writer: David Greenwalt
Director: Bruce Seth Green
In my Witch review, I mentioned that part of the problem for that particular episode was that it was written by someone who wasn't aware of the characters and situations like those who would be the all-stars among the writers. I can't use that excuse this time, as David Greenwalt is one of them, eventually running Angel for its first three years. Luckily he redeemed himself with writing and directing far superior episodes, but this is a really bad first impression.
While the She-mantis (which sounds unintentionally funny) plot line should've been scrapped, it is an important step in Xander's storyline. Through the years, he seems to be a magnet for demonic or otherwise bad news women and this is the first. Although his crush on Buffy is still there despite it being dismissed, he still can't stop fantasizing about being the big man and saving her (boy, did Buffy look hot in that fantasy).
If Buffy is supposed to be an icon of feminist empowerment (which she certainly is among other things), Xander represents the male who feels somewhat short changed by the gender role reversal. He wants to be the hero and save Buffy like he might have if the role was different, but she is strong enough to do that herself. Revealing that he's still a virgin is a bit emasculating as well. Although Xander's not a chauvinist, the embarrassment is still there.
This episode is the first time we hear of Willow's feelings toward Xander. It makes sense that there would be some attraction between them as they have been friends for so long. Of course, being a teenager complicate this and now they have to figure out whether they love each other as friends or more.
It makes sense that Xander is instantly jealous of Angel, who until then they only heard of through Buffy. Buffy and Angel have softened up a bit, especially now as Buffy realizes that Angel is trying to help her, warning about the Claw Vamp and giving her his jacket in the process. He's still very mysterious, but now we can say he's on the good side.
With Xander's thing for Buffy went unsatisfied, it would make some sense that he would try to go after another woman. Time for me to be a pig male: while Ms. French was pretty, she was hardly gorgeous enough to have every guy falling over each other to spend time with her. Perhaps this is their attempt to tackle the teachers sleeping with their students issue, but it just comes off as sloppy. And what was with that accent? Sometimes she sounded European, other times Australian. Couldn't they just go for, I don't know, a French accent and call her something else?
I kinda wish we saw more of Dr. Gregory before his demise. It would've been interesting to see more from the teaching staff to believe in Buffy. However, Buffy is meant to be an outcast, so what good would it be to have the staff believing in her? On that note, why does no one collect his glasses and use it as evidence?
At least they returned to Cordelia having a rocky relationship with the gang. However, she isn't given much this week besides another speech to show how shallow she is. It is interesting to see this know how far she'll come later.
Claw Vamp's sidelining for the episode is a travesty. With Luke out of the picture, he could've been a formidable thug for The Master or opponent, considering he cut off Claw Vamp's normal hand. It even left a mark on Angel. Yet, Buffy's fights seem par for vamp fights on this show. When she gets him to track Ms. French, she manages to tie him up rather easily and his death follows (on that note, why aren't the vamps turning to dust?) This is a really wasted opportunity.
Instead, the focus is on Ms. French, who apparently is scary enough to spook Claw Vamp. Unfortunately, the low budget (and the ultimate idea for the monster) renders the monster into something out of a B-movie from the 50s. All that's missing are Cold War metaphors (and maybe the robots from Mystery Science Theater 3000 providing commentary). Like Claw Vamp, Buffy doesn't have a lot of trouble killing her either. So what was everyone so afraid of?
Here are just some obvious instances of sloppy writing in this episode. For someone with a major secret, why is Ms. French spinning her head around Exorcist-style in front of an entire classroom? Yeah they were taking a test, but that would catch the eye. Also, if you're going to abduct virgin guys and not have anyone know, why have their last known whereabouts be with you? Also as a one nitpicker pointed out, how is hunting down Claw Vamp and getting him to help quicker than knocking on doors to find it? While the ending is a standard "The end…or is it?" coda, they thankfully never refer to Ms. French's eggs ever again.
This is definitely one of the weakest installments of Buffy, and a good example of the weaknesses of the early episodes. Thankfully, David Greenwalt had the opportunity to redeem himself, since he clearly had better ideas than this one.
Score: 3/10
posted by Matt @ 10:00 PM
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