Buffy s8 #36. (The one where I couldn't keep a straight face.)

[elisi]

You know, Doctor Who has the perfect quote for everything. Although I'm not sure I'm going to do much poking... More pointing and laughing.



Right. Well. So I had mentally prepared myself for the worst, and then the story was... *flails* No seriously, just look at this:





"You gave me superpowers and tantric sex in space and ~PERFECTION~ and then you nobly gave it all up for me (*tear*) - let's move in together in my lovely castle and live happily ever after!"

I don't even know where to begin. "Bestest day of her life"??? REALLY? I mean, it's somewhere beyond ridiculous and way, way out there in the wild yonder where the maps say 'Here be dragons'. Oh and this made me laugh:



And then the whole 'You can't blame them for being a little pissed off' and Angel's noble 'I don't'...

Is that it? 'Oh, you naughty, naughty Angel, killing people and destroying the world! Bad boy, go stand in the corner. And you'll get no dessert!'

Actually Angel's characterisation was the only thing that got me actually cross what with 'I don't trust him' re. Spike, which was just so blatantly *wrong* on all levels that I wanted to kick something. But clearly Angel's been turned into a 12 year old permanently, so whatever. It's not like any other part of his personality makes sense anymore. Ditto Buffy. I'd like to think that this is all the glow, and that the rampant OOCness indicates the fact that they're not themselves, but considering the rest of s8 (remember Dracula and Xander being BFFs? That was played completely straight!) I'm not jumping to any conclusions.

And then Spike. Oh Spike. Spike who obviously went away somewhere, for some reason, and returned with a steampunk ship and a bug crew who call him 'Your Majesty' (this never got old!). And then proceeded to be smart and resourceful and dig out all the facts (unlike Angel who just wandered around with some kind of higher power talking at him and following blindly), so he'd know what to do to stop it all. And I'm sorry, but competence is my biggest kink of all, so I've got no complaints. Plus, this Spike strikes me as very close to Brian Lynch's Spike, which is not a bad thing. Oh and did I mention? Bugs that call him 'Your Majesty'!!!! *dies laughing again* Spike is ALWAYS best when he has friends/minions. (Well he's best when he's a Fool For Love, but Joss will never ever go there, so I'm just pleased to have competent!Spike around - esp when contrasted with brainwashed!moron!Angel and clueless!comic!Buffy.)

Also, this whole thing about universes/realities being sentient is just fabulous crack. I'm really looking forward to seeing Twilight throwing a tantrum!

Oh, and then they have to go find THE SEED OF WONDER! Which is all RED and GLOWY and guarded by The Master who has been dead dead since the start of S2. What next? Daleks? Sorry, wrong show. Um... Illyria? Oh wait, AtS never happened. Oh I know - Glory! And maybe also the Mayor. BigSnake!Mayor, obviously, since THEY CAN DO WHATEVER THEY LIKE!

And in conclusion another gif...



(Here it is on youtube with music, in case you're not familiar.)


Oh and you should also read this post by rahirah (there's food metaphors!) and shipperx's Vid Post Remedy for Season 8. ETA: Also THIS POST by knifeedgefic about The Trouble with Comic Book Continuations.

ETA: RyallTime has posted a preview of Lynch and Urru's Spike comic. It is so gorgeous (in every way) that it HURTS! *grabby hands* (That last page? THAT is what comics can do!)

Comments

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

I finally read it. She is possessed. Angel is possessed too.

[elisi]

That WOULD seem to be the logical answer. However, logic and s8 seem to be unmixy things...

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

At least, that's my delusionreality. *waves her Spuffy flag proudly*

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

I hadn't seen the actual pages yet, but at this point I absolutely have to agree with Emmie, et. al.: that's OOC on purpose. Look at the look on her face! There's no way we're supposed to take that seriously!

That gif is hysterical!

[elisi]

Look at the look on her face! There's no way we're supposed to take that seriously!
I so, SO hope she is right!

That gif is hysterical!
It is the best thing the internet has ever produced! ETA: Forgot to mention that the Cherub ADORES the video (which she calls 'The Jumping Jacks') and loves to dance along to it, copying all the moves. This, incidentally, is the single cutest thing in the world!

[rahirah]

Yeah, see, this is why I can't put stock in the confidence of those who are saying Buffy is so OOC it must Mean Something. Everyone's characterization has been wonky for the whole season, and now suddenly we're supposed to believe that this piece of wonky characterization is significant? Plus the fact that this is Jeanty's art; how do we know this isn't what he thinks Buffy looks like when she's legitimately happy?

[elisi]

Everyone's characterization has been wonky for the whole season, and now suddenly we're supposed to believe that this piece of wonky characterization is significant?
*nods* I'll believe it when I see it, and even then I'll probably be skeptical.

Plus the fact that this is Jeanty's art; how do we know this isn't what he thinks Buffy looks like when she's legitimately happy?
*snerk* Although it's not so much the art, for me, as what she says.

Anyway, it amused me hugely.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

It's a bit of a flashback, isn't it.

Marti: Spike is a bad boyfriend.
Fans: But Buffy is the one who on the morning after said she'd stake him if he told anyone.
Marti: Spike is the bad boyfriend.
Fans: But Buffy is the one who says it's just sex. Spike actually does love her. Isn't using someone for sex usually the--
Marti: Spike is the bad boyfriend. Can you imagine him sitting around watching television with Buffy?
Fans: Well, yeah. He sat around watching soap operas with Joyce.
Marti: No, no, no. You're reading it wrong. Buffy is the victim here. Spike is making her do stuff.
Fans: But...um... she's kind of doing it on her own. She's got free will. He's not holding a gun to her head or anything.
Marti: No! He's making her do stuff... with his sexiness. And his cheekbones. And, look, I'll make him strip naked again. See how evil he is to manipulate her like this!
Fans: But that's not really 'making'. That's her doing it.
Marti: No it's not!
Fans: Yes it is!
Marti: No it's not! See, Spike just made her nearly beat him to death. See what Spike made her do?
Fans: Whut?
Marti: I dated vampires, but I married an accountant.
Fans: There's an accountant in this now?
Marti: I told you what to think. You can't interpret it differently. Look (confers w/ Joss. 'Brainstorms' Seeing Red). I fixed it. Oh, and I told you so!

Lesson learned: Don't believe your lyin' eyes. Believe Mutant Enemy.

[infinitewhale.livejournal.com]

Don't forget the logic mash-up of Buffy sending him to protect slayers because demons will be after them. Why? Because everyone else is after them. Everyone else being led by none other than Angel. So she sends this Angel she doesn't trust out to protect them.

[elisi]

Because everyone else is after them. Everyone else being led by none other than Angel.
Oh that's BEAUTIFUL! Hadn't even thought about that. *happy sigh* (The more ridiculous it gets, the happier I become, apparently...)

[me-llamo-nic.livejournal.com]

since THEY CAN DO WHATEVER THEY LIKE!

That is starting to piss me off a bit. You've got a universe with all sorts of rules and now you're just going to turn around and break them?

This stuff needs rules. Otherwise it's like children playing games. "I say I'm invincible." // "Well, I have a superpower to kill invincible people." // "Nuh-uh, I'm invincible." // "I'm invincible-er." // And so on.

And this one just occurred to me...has Buffy ever, in all of ever, used the word "Jesus" in any context? It's not a question of faith, just the vernacular.

Joss has either completely lost sight of himself on this thing (like when he didn't realize how people would react to Dawn's sudden appearance), or he's doing this on purpose to try and prove something that the audience is completely missing. I haven't decided which. (And apparently I have to wait until #39 for all the necessary info, according to Scott Allie.)

*grumbles incoherently*

[elisi]

That is starting to piss me off a bit. You've got a universe with all sorts of rules and now you're just going to turn around and break them?
Yup. Did you read the post I linked to? The one about comic adaptations? it spells out in great detail why this is a bad idea.

And this one just occurred to me...has Buffy ever, in all of ever, used the word "Jesus" in any context? It's not a question of faith, just the vernacular.
Not that I can remember.

I haven't decided which.
Buffy fans and comic fans need different things.

And apparently I have to wait until #39 for all the necessary info, according to Scott Allie.
Although then we'll have s9 hovering over our heads...

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

This stuff needs rules. Otherwise it's like children playing games. "I say I'm invincible." // "Well, I have a superpower to kill invincible people." // "Nuh-uh, I'm invincible." // "I'm invincible-er." // And so on.

YES. THIS.

has Buffy ever, in all of ever, used the word "Jesus" in any context?

The Buffy Dialogue Database says "no."

[liliaeth]

(And apparently I have to wait until #39 for all the necessary info, according to Scott Allie.)

Didn't he say that same thing about the last two issues, in that they were supposed to 'explain everything'

[angearia.livejournal.com]

BRILLIANT. You just proved why Buffy/Angel are possessed by equating it to Xander/Dracula.

(Which I don't you meant to, but...!!!)

Xander and Dracula start off and really aren't BFFs. Xander is flatout terrified at the suggestion he has to go see Dracula because of thrall. He spends an entire issue being OTT BFF with Dracula because of thrall and having Renee trying to shake him out of it. Then Renee dies--Xander completely shakes off the thrall and becomes his own man. Dracula tries to reclaim him as his manservant when Dracula wishes to leave Tokyo and Xander says he'll kill him if ht calls him that name again.

Buffy glow = Xander thrall.

FREE WILL IS A THEME.

[elisi]

Buffy glow = Xander thrall.
Could be. It's a good theory, absolutely, but I am impossibly cynical at this point, so until it's text I won't believe it. Anyway, I'm happy to have helped you. :)

[2maggie2.livejournal.com]

And Dracula is sitting there a brooding old man before Xander comes calling. He 'helps' but is still quite evil. The more I read the comics the more thoroughly is it clear that Joss is 100% dead serious when he says he likes Spike better, etc. etc. I'm thinking I'm going to succumb and write more meta before today is over.

[aerintine.livejournal.com]

I love this parallel! Give me more! Ahhh I'm all excited after reading all these wonderful reviews!

[2maggie2.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you love the bugs! Pretty much all of the Spike stuff is awesome.

For myself, I'm pretty much loving the massive deconstruction of Bangel that's going on. But I get that wouldn't be everyone's cuppa.

[elisi]

I'm glad you love the bugs! Pretty much all of the Spike stuff is awesome.
It really is. I could write ENDLESS stories about Spike travelling around in his steampunk ship being awesome (bugs in tow of course) - that's what storytelling is about!

For myself, I'm pretty much loving the massive deconstruction of Bangel that's going on. But I get that wouldn't be everyone's cuppa.
Well I sincerely HOPE that it's a deconstruction. *crosses fingers* (Actually I'd find it very amusing if they could NEVER EVER be together because when they did they went all glowy and googly-eyed and didn't care about anyone else. *g*)

[ladyofthelog.livejournal.com]

I love this review. I want to give it cupcakes and shirtless Spike.

Oh, and then they have to go find THE SEED OF WONDER! Which is all RED and GLOWY and guarded by The Master who has been dead dead since the start of S2. What next? Daleks? Sorry, wrong show. Um... Illyria? Oh wait, AtS never happened. Oh I know - Glory! And maybe also the Mayor. BigSnake!Mayor, obviously, since THEY CAN DO WHATEVER THEY LIKE!
Yeah, I don't know WTF is going on here. The comics have made zero sense to me, plotwise, since the Retreat arc, and I'm just reading for certain characters at this point. Is Wolfram and Hart going to resurrect EVERY member of the Aurelius clan? Geez. (It could be the Italy branch! Or the alternate universe branch!)

SPIKEEEEEEEE YES. <3

[elisi]

I love this review. I want to give it cupcakes and shirtless Spike.
Yay! That's exactly what I was aiming for! \o/

Yeah, I don't know WTF is going on here. The comics have made zero sense to me, plotwise, since the Retreat arc
Oh they've not made sense to me since... forever, mostly. But they sure are entertaining! Every time I think that they can't POSSIBLY get more cracktastic, I'm proved wrong. Really, that takes some doing. :)

SPIKEEEEEEEE YES. <3
Long live his Majesty! *salutes and laughs again*

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm still not convinced that's supposed to be a sure sign that Buffy is possessed by glowhypnol - remember Willow's wild mood swings around Oz Junior, which we were told were completely normal? It is pretty hilarious, though.

And it's nice to know that Willow could just have poofed Twilight into a frog all along. Why did Giles need to kill Buffy, again? ETA: Of course it's possible that they would keep their powers even as frogs. Settling down in Twilight to raise a new race of frog people. (Didn't Tara's brother say something about that in "Family"? It's all foreshadowing!) Maybe season 9 will be all frogs all the time.

[joking.livejournal.com]

Do I sense an all-frog AU to accompany the all-penguin AU?

[zanthinegirl.livejournal.com]

::shakes head::

Though I do like Angel!Frog!

I don't really care all that much. But what the heck are they smoking??

[elisi]

Though I do like Angel!Frog!
Angel!Frog is funny. As are the bugs. (And here we were, thinking that penguins were all groundbreaking...)

I don't really care all that much. But what the heck are they smoking??
I've no idea, but it must be quality stuff!

[botias.livejournal.com]

The look on Buffy's face made me think 'OMG this can't be real. She must be on something!' But then I remembered the Xander/Dracula story that I happened upon and thought was a well-done fanwork, but that turned out to be an actual part of the comics. So I just don't know... sometimes the comic is a parody the TV series without realizing it.

[elisi]

So I just don't know... sometimes the comic is a parody the TV series without realizing it.
*nods a lot* Also the artwork is... less expressive than the actors.

[aerintine.livejournal.com]

I love your thoughts, and I love your gif! I'd like for that video to precede every essay/meta/review about Season 8 Bangel from here on out. It should be mandatory.

[elisi]

I'd like for that video to precede every essay/meta/review about Season 8 Bangel from here on out. It should be mandatory.
*nods vigorously*

And thanks for reading! :)