Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 3, Episode 5 Review: Homecoming

Homecoming
Original Airdate: November 3, 1998
Writer: David Greenwalt
Director: David Greenwalt

As mentioned in previous episodes, Buffy’s life before she was called was similar to Cordelia’s, concerned more with superficial high school socializing than saving the world. However, she had to give up many of those things (or suffice for more chaotic versions of them) because of who she was. So the seasonal theme turns to Buffy wanting to claim some of her old glory by taking the Homecoming crown away from Cordelia, who has been preparing for it since first grade. As Faith represents what Buffy could’ve been as a slayer, Cordelia in this episode represents what Buffy would’ve been had she not been chosen.

Ultimately Cordelia’s puzzled as to why Buffy would care so much about a meaningless title when she slays demons. Cordelia’s questioning of Buffy’s jealousy is analogous to envy everyone’s experienced where we’d like to live someone else’s life (or have a particular element) while we overlook what we have going for ourselves. This may explain some of her behavior towards Buffy: it’s jealousy.

Despite feeling inferior to Buffy when faced with the would be assassins, she is stronger than she gives herself credit, even if it is because the mercenaries are thwarting her attempts at a Homecoming Crown. This transformation would be far more profound on “Angel”, but this season serves as a foundation for her changes and growth on the spin-off.

The threat Buffy and Cordelia (in lieu of Faith) face is an interesting one. Eventually demons, especially those not connected to powerful beings, were going to hire mercenaries to help take out the slayer. Considering Mr. Trick’s willingness to adapt to the times, it fits that he’d try this after his previous boss was dusted. The mayor recruiting him for his operation effectively ends that campaign, but it would’ve been nice to see more of that in future episodes, although modern technology would play a part in several seasonal arcs.

The mercenaries eager to participate in Slayerfest range from human mercenaries (like Mr. Pitt from “Seinfeld”) to their demon counterparts. Why they decided to include Lyle Gorch, from one of season two’s worst episodes, is a mystery. The obvious vampire to return for Slayerfest is Spike, but there was no logical way after “Becoming”. Despite the small pool of undusted vampires, they decided to try it anyway. Unfortunately, no one remembers him but himself, dulling the impact that past connection might’ve had.

Willow’s attraction to Xander has been a big force for her character since the early episodes. Unfortunately for her, Xander was oblivious to her feelings as he pined for Buffy and Cordelia. Only in this episode, when she reveals her third dress choice for Homecoming (which makes me question why she thought the first two were appropriate, and I know nothing about fashion) does he realize what he has been overlooking for so many years. While “the path not taken” is the big theme for Buffy, it also applies to Xander and Willow’s friendship and what could’ve been had Xander been more aware.

Xander’s fears of post-high school life are warranted. Throughout the series he’s joked, often as a self-defense mechanism, about his underachievement and how he’ll wind up working in a low entry job because of it. Now that the end of high school is certain, he’s faced with that reality and it rightfully scares him. Perhaps he subconsciously wants to sabotage his relationship with Cordelia because he wants to make leaving high school as dramatically crushing as he sees it. His motivations are easier to explain than Willow’s, whose behavior is more to make this point happen (although later seasons may explain this Willow’s confusion over who she wants).

No sooner does he establish himself does Scott Hope fall back into the chorus of Sunnydale’s student body. His presence as Buffy’s new boyfriend was to make Angel’s return as uncomfortable as possible. Now that that happened, Scott can leave. His departure also raises her level of angst over what slaying does to her personal life. While they could’ve had him stick around, getting rid of him was probably the better decision. Despite being single, Buffy can’t run back to Angel and have things be the way they were before “Surprise”. Having her available, but unavailable, nails the tragic element of the romance.

At this point Faith is probably at the peak of her closeness with Buffy’s gang. Considering Faith’s references to the losers she’s been around, she’s obviously the first to understand what Buffy’s going through with Scott, offering some advice, albeit questionable, and humiliating him in front of his date. This unity would be short lived as it quickly corrodes as the season progresses.

No discussion of this episode would be complete without the introduction of the season’s big bad, Mayor Richard Wilkins III. Unlike the previous big bads, Wilkins isn’t a vampire, which eliminates the restriction that they had to be one. As far as we know he is human, but considering the past references to him and how even the mentioning of him caused Snyder to coil up in uneasiness, that status is in question.

This reputation plays into his first scene, where the deputy displays his hands while a letter opener is prominently displayed in the frame. We expect the mayor to impale the nervous deputy and do who knows what to him afterward. Instead he has a brief monologue about the importance of hygiene! He’s right out of a “Leave It to Beaver” episode (the lost one where Wally and the Beave become Satanists). As far as major antagonists go, this was something we’ve never seen.

This episode’s big contribution to the season is the introduction of the Mayor, who we’ll learn a lot more about as the season progresses. The idea of identity and what Buffy might’ve been is covered well in the episode. Unfortunately, the main threat of the episode should’ve been given more screen time over scenes reinforcing the rivalry Buffy and Cordelia have.

Overall Score: 7/10