Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 2, Episode 2: Some Assembly Required Review
Some Assembly Required
Original Airdate: September 22, 1997
Writer: Ty King
Director: Bruce Seth Green
As the show is about to hit its stride, there are still only hints of what would become the status quo. They're still using horror archetypes and applying them to high school settings. This has been the basis for many good and great episodes, but it doesn't quite work in this episode, at least the way they wanted to. In this case, they wanted to cover relationships, with a "Bride of Frankenstein" update as the central part of the plot. However, what happens in this plot doesn't match the character stories.
A better choice for this supernatural occurrence would've been to have Franken-Daryl symbolize those who still hang out around the high school long after graduation. We can all relate to that and know people like that. Unfortunately, this theme wouldn't really work until later, when high school ended for the gang. Instead, the episode uses the brother of said jock to build a girlfriend for his reanimated brother. Maybe if Franken-Daryl wasn't a popular guy it would work better, since Chris may feel guilty about him not finding someone in life. Or they could have the girls fawning over him in a satire of high school politics.
There is some nice follow up of Buffy using Xander to make Angel jealous. It worked. Although even Xander knows he can't be with Buffy, this piece of knowledge eludes Angel, which is fitting for his social awkwardness. It also hints toward the tragedy of their romance. Angel can't be around her during the day, much less relate to contemporary people well.
During this episode, Angel inadvertently garners Buffy's jealousy by helping Cordelia when she finds the body parts. It's interesting to see this, as it is essentially the real beginning of Cordelia and Angel's friendship, one that will become very important in Angel's series.
Of course, Willow is still pining over Xander, but now the writers are setting up a potential romance between him and Cordelia. Xander saving her from Eric the perv and Franken-Daryl obviously scored major points, even when he blew off her showing of gratitude. At this point, people unaware of the overall scheme would probably be hoping for Willow and Xander to see what's in front of them. Knowing what's ahead for the characters makes these speculations moot.
The most interesting development is the fact that Ms. Calendar and Giles are starting to see each other. It does help make Giles more endearing to have the usually composed Watcher bumbling through his crush just like the rest of us. It also doesn't hurt that Ms. Calendar is really cute (although that hairdo leaves something to be desired).
Another strength of the episode is that the gang is noticeably disturbed by what's happening. For a show that frequently involves the deaths of young people, the main characters shake it off rather well. Granted, this way it keeps the gang from perpetually cowering in fear, which wouldn't make for a good show. It's refreshing to see them acknowledging just how disturbing this grave robbing situation is.
Although these bits are good, this episode had some major faults. For starters, Eric is a supremely annoying character. I know, that's the point, but there is only so much annoyance one can take before it hinders enjoyment. If I ever have to hear him butcher a classic soul song (which wasn't disturbing in the way they would've wanted), it'll be too soon. If only they substituted Warren from the latter years for Eric, the story would've worked much better (and it could explain why Chris would want anything to do with him and some of Warren's feelings toward women). Eric is just a lame SNL skit, which takes me out of the action. Why Cordelia didn't punch him the second he uttered a syllable is baffling.
Also, who has ever dropped their car keys in a way that would send the keys halfway underneath the car? Is there some slope that scenes like this are filmed on that could explain this? I guess this fits into the standard horror marks early "Buffy" wanted to hit, but I wish we saw more of them satirizing this. Remember, this show premiered shortly after the first "Scream" movie, which offered some choice jabs at horror movie cliches.
The finale, with the fire burning down the old lab (along with Franken-Daryl and Bride of Franken-Daryl), is a little too contrived to work. Why is there a big container of gasoline among the things there? There are plenty of flammable things in a science lab, especially one that is old and likely using old appliances. How about a Bunsen burner is knocked over?
This episode is very reminiscent of the first season (down to that awful lighting during the locker search scene), but the places are set for what will become the second season. Relationships are what make this second season, and they do deserve development, but the connection between this and the monster of the week is rather sloppy.
A better choice for this supernatural occurrence would've been to have Franken-Daryl symbolize those who still hang out around the high school long after graduation. We can all relate to that and know people like that. Unfortunately, this theme wouldn't really work until later, when high school ended for the gang. Instead, the episode uses the brother of said jock to build a girlfriend for his reanimated brother. Maybe if Franken-Daryl wasn't a popular guy it would work better, since Chris may feel guilty about him not finding someone in life. Or they could have the girls fawning over him in a satire of high school politics.
There is some nice follow up of Buffy using Xander to make Angel jealous. It worked. Although even Xander knows he can't be with Buffy, this piece of knowledge eludes Angel, which is fitting for his social awkwardness. It also hints toward the tragedy of their romance. Angel can't be around her during the day, much less relate to contemporary people well.
During this episode, Angel inadvertently garners Buffy's jealousy by helping Cordelia when she finds the body parts. It's interesting to see this, as it is essentially the real beginning of Cordelia and Angel's friendship, one that will become very important in Angel's series.
Of course, Willow is still pining over Xander, but now the writers are setting up a potential romance between him and Cordelia. Xander saving her from Eric the perv and Franken-Daryl obviously scored major points, even when he blew off her showing of gratitude. At this point, people unaware of the overall scheme would probably be hoping for Willow and Xander to see what's in front of them. Knowing what's ahead for the characters makes these speculations moot.
The most interesting development is the fact that Ms. Calendar and Giles are starting to see each other. It does help make Giles more endearing to have the usually composed Watcher bumbling through his crush just like the rest of us. It also doesn't hurt that Ms. Calendar is really cute (although that hairdo leaves something to be desired).
Another strength of the episode is that the gang is noticeably disturbed by what's happening. For a show that frequently involves the deaths of young people, the main characters shake it off rather well. Granted, this way it keeps the gang from perpetually cowering in fear, which wouldn't make for a good show. It's refreshing to see them acknowledging just how disturbing this grave robbing situation is.
Although these bits are good, this episode had some major faults. For starters, Eric is a supremely annoying character. I know, that's the point, but there is only so much annoyance one can take before it hinders enjoyment. If I ever have to hear him butcher a classic soul song (which wasn't disturbing in the way they would've wanted), it'll be too soon. If only they substituted Warren from the latter years for Eric, the story would've worked much better (and it could explain why Chris would want anything to do with him and some of Warren's feelings toward women). Eric is just a lame SNL skit, which takes me out of the action. Why Cordelia didn't punch him the second he uttered a syllable is baffling.
Also, who has ever dropped their car keys in a way that would send the keys halfway underneath the car? Is there some slope that scenes like this are filmed on that could explain this? I guess this fits into the standard horror marks early "Buffy" wanted to hit, but I wish we saw more of them satirizing this. Remember, this show premiered shortly after the first "Scream" movie, which offered some choice jabs at horror movie cliches.
The finale, with the fire burning down the old lab (along with Franken-Daryl and Bride of Franken-Daryl), is a little too contrived to work. Why is there a big container of gasoline among the things there? There are plenty of flammable things in a science lab, especially one that is old and likely using old appliances. How about a Bunsen burner is knocked over?
This episode is very reminiscent of the first season (down to that awful lighting during the locker search scene), but the places are set for what will become the second season. Relationships are what make this second season, and they do deserve development, but the connection between this and the monster of the week is rather sloppy.
Score: 4/10
posted by Matt @ 11:43 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home