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1) This review will almost definitely contain spoilers for episodes after this one.
1) This review will almost definitely contain spoilers for episodes after this one.
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With that being said, let’s get started, shall we?
If there was one word to describe “The Yoko Factor”, it would be ‘FINALLY!’. This episode has been brewing ever since the season opener, “The Freshman”. The story regarding the separation of the Scoobies has been told over almost an entire season, but it doesn’t feel like it’s been dragged out too long. When people go off to college and leave their school comforts behind, people do drift. It’s natural! Things aren’t the same as they were at Sunnydale High. Not only that, but the characters are growing and evolving as young adults. What “The Yoko Factor” does is offer us the ability to outwardly express all this separation and resentment through Spike. Spike has always been the most perceptive character in “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” by some margin. When Willow was falling apart in “Something Blue”, Spike was the only one to notice. When Buffy and Angel were trying to be just friends in last season’s “Lovers Walk”, Spike was the only one to notice that it wasn’t going to work. Throughout season four, Spike has been noticing the Scoobies’ behaviour and the fact that they’re drifting apart and have stopped communicating. He uses this to his advantage and causes further discord amongst the ‘Core Four’. The brilliance of this is the way in which Spike goes about it. He doesn’t just outright say “oh, Buffy said this...”, he plants ideas. Nothing more than that. He plants seeds of doubt into the Scoobies’ minds and leaves them to do the rest. It’s genius! Even though he’s been chipped and can’t physically hurt humans anymore, Spike proves that he’s capable of still being a threat in other ways. I can almost hear Spike’s internal monologue in this episode – “that’s for the bathtub chaining and the flaccid comment, you bitch!”
Since Spike’s arrival in Sunnydale in “School Hard”, he’s referenced that Buffy is harder to kill than the previous Slayers because she has a loyal group of friends that would do anything for her. So what happens when you separate Buffy from her friends and her boyfriend? How will she react? Will she be easier to kill? That is what “The Yoko Factor” explores. How anyone could not love this episode is beyond me. If you enjoy slow-burn storytelling, if you enjoy a beautifully told story, this episode is for you. Not only is it incredibly funny in places (drunk Giles is the biggest highlight of that), but it also unearths so many different threads that I’m surprised so much story was fit into just 42 minutes. It explores the concept of ‘friendship’ and addresses the Scoobies drifting apart, it explores jealousy with Angel and Riley, it explores identity, loss, how life changes after you leave school, deceit, coming out...it has everything you could want in 42 minutes of television. Does this make “The Yoko Factor” perfect? No, but it’s still damn good!
For those of you that don’t watch “Angel”, here’s the road so far...at the conclusion of “New Moon Rising”, Riley deserted The Initiative in spectacular fashion and is now in hiding in the ruins of Sunnydale High. While he was there, Buffy filled Riley in on most of the details of her past with Angel...she left out what triggers Angel to lose his soul, though. Why didn’t she tell Riley that part? Who knows. Perhaps she’d have found it too awkward and uncomfortable. She should have told him in rhyming form. That’s always much more cheery! Something like, “true love fuck, Angel’s out of luck”. After filling Riley in, Buffy travels to Los Angeles to confront Faith over the body-swapping of “This Year’s Girl” and “Who Are You?”. While in Los Angeles (“Sanctuary”), Buffy tells Angel that she has a new boyfriend whom she loves and trusts...interestingly, she hasn’t told Riley that she loves him yet. She’s generally a cow to Angel before Angel orders her out of his city. Now, Angel has decided to come after Buffy to apologise. Makes sense, no? Everybody feeling caught up? Let’s dive into the episode itself...
The episode opens with Spike and Adam plotting to destabilise Buffy and the Scoobies. Spike has nicknamed Adam “Mr. Bits”, which is so hilarious that I think I might die. Blondie Bear and Mr. Bits should have a buddy-cop television show together, where they travel the world delivering motivational speeches to underprivileged youths and vampires (“you’re exactly like Tony Robbins”).
Adam: “You feel smothered, trapped like an animal. Pure in its ferocity, unable to actualise the urges within. Clinging to one truth, like a flame struggling to burn within an enclosed glass. That a beast this powerful cannot be contained. Inevitably it will break free and savage the land again. I will make you whole again. Make you savage.”
For a sewn together ‘man’, he’s rather articulate, isn’t he? This speech, I feel, is giving the audience an explanation as to why Spike has decided to join Adam. It goes deeper than just Spike wanting to have his chip removed. Adam understands how Spike is feeling, which is something that the entire Scooby Gang neglected to do. When Spike was living in Giles’ house for months, how was he treated? Sympathetically? Empathetically? Of course not! The Scoobies aren’t going to coddle Spike because he can’t kill people anymore! However, for Spike, this is something worthy of sympathy. Spike’s entire identity has been stolen away from him by The Initiative. Adam mentors Spike, helps Spike, and promises to remove Spike’s chip so that he can ‘savage the land again’. It’s a perfectly realistic partnership.
I like the choice of location for Riley’s hideout in this episode. Not only are the ruins of Sunnydale High a very safe place to hide without getting caught, but it’s wonderful to have Sunnydale High back on the show. It feels like the show has temporarily come back home. I don’t know about the rest of you, but for me Sunnydale High has always been ‘home’ for “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”. It’s the most nostalgic, memorable, loveable set that the show ever has. The Magic Box is cool, Buffy’s house is cool, Giles’ house is cool, but Sunnydale High and the library were the foundation of the show. It is within the charred ruins of Sunnydale High that Xander and Riley have a heart-to-heart, bonding over their mutual disdain of Angel. However, Xander and his big mouth accidentally let slip that sex with Angel’s ‘true love’ is what triggers the curse to remove his soul. Buffy should have told Riley. Why leave it out? Is it because Buffy wanted to avoid an awkward conversation? Perhaps, but it seems doubtful. Riley is obviously aware that Buffy and Angel have previously had sex, so why would she leave out this detail because of that? Is it because she’d have to relive her guilt over Angel losing his soul and killing people (one of which was her friend Jenny)? Possibly. Is it because Buffy doesn’t love or trust Riley enough to be completely open and honest with him? This seems the most likely. In the next season’s “The Replacement”, Riley confides in Xander that Buffy doesn’t love him. When I think about scenes like this one, I can see where he’s coming from. Buffy always keeps Riley at an arm’s length. She never lets herself be truly vulnerable with him like she was with Angel. I must admit, Riley and Xander bonding is a touching moment because it’s so rare for Xander and one of Buffy’s boyfriends to get along well. Riley is the only one that Xander likes. Xander likes him so much that he lends him his circus pants (trousers), which look absolutely ridiculous.
Any episode that involves Giles singing is instantly made roughly a billion times better. What’s more interesting than Giles singing is his choice of song. It’s no secret that Giles has been struggling this season. He’s been feeling neglected, left out of the loop, and like he’s no longer useful to his Slayer or needed by her. Due to this, Giles is contemplating leaving Sunnydale and returning home to England (which we discover in the season five opener, “Buffy vs. Dracula”). Here are the lyrics to “Freebird”, the song which Giles sings here :-
“If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?
I must be travelling on now, there’s too many places I’ve got to see.
And if I stay here with you girl, things just couldn’t be the same.
‘Cause I’m as free as a bird now...”
Tells you a lot about the mental state of Giles. Also, the “aaahhh” noise he makes when he realises that Spike’s in the room is insanely humourous.
It’s at this point in the episode where Spike starts to cause dissension in the ranks of the Scoobies, starting with Giles. Under the guise of looking for a blood pellet he left at Giles’ house, Spike starts to make Giles feel more and more useless. As I mentioned before, the amazing thing about Spike’s actions here are that they’re so subtle. The Scoobies are so scattered and separated already that Spike has to say very little to cause them to fall apart. Spike is using the Angelus method of twisting the truth just enough to make it still seem real. He makes Giles feel even less needed by Buffy by telling him that Buffy treats Giles like a retired librarian. Is it true? No! But Giles is already feeling unneeded and worthless, so this just adds to his insecurities.
Spike then plays on Xander’s insecurities about his usefulness to the Scoobies and not being good enough. Xander’s insecurities being exploited in this way is harder for me to watch than Giles or Willow’s because Xander’s insecurities have been around for much longer than just this season. Ever since season one, Xander has struggled to keep up with his peers. Buffy has super-strength and is a hero, Giles has super-intelligence, and Willow is becoming a more and more accomplished Wicca. How has Xander grown? What has he accomplished to keep track with them? The harsh answer is nothing. Now, he’s having his deepest insecurities being thrown in his face by Spike. It’s easy for Spike to manipulate Xander because Xander already feels like his friends think they’re better than him, and who can blame him for feeling that way? While his friends have gone off to college, Xander is stuck in his parent’s basement, jumping from job to job, trying to find his place in the world. We can now officially add Starbucks and a phone sex line to the jobs that Xander has had this year. Actually, I lied. Xander has accomplished something...
Anya: “He’s a Viking in the sack.”
Spike: “Terrific.”
Well played, Xander, well played. It’s also interesting that Spike can’t even point a decorative gun without his chip going off. That’s pathetic. Say what you want about The Initiative and how interesting they are this season, but they make damn impressive neutering chips for vampires.
Finally, Spike plays on Willow’s fears of not being accepted by her friends now that she’s in a lesbian relationship. This, to me, is the most impressive one. Spike casually witnesses Tara stroking Willow’s hair and realises what is going on. Instead of outwardly playing on Willow’s insecurity about coming out, Spike changes his approach to witchcraft, but does it in such a way that it’s also about Willow and Tara’s new relationship. He’s the master manipulator in this episode! He knows the Scoobies don’t trust him or value his opinions, so he subtly uses their own opinions against them, with just enough trust behind it to make it believable. Willow and Tara bought Miss. Kittyfantastico, which they were discussing in the previous episode, “New Moon Rising”! Adorable continuity! Speaking of continuity, Willow actually does take drama in the next season, which she discusses here.
Forrest being killed off in this episode was a good idea because it allows him to go from an annoyance to an actual villain, ready for the final battle in the next episode, “Primeval”. Up to this point, Forrest has been a whiny, jealous douchebag that doesn’t trust Buffy and has tried to cause dissension between Buffy and Riley, but what other purpose has he served? Now, at least, ‘Mr. Bits’ can turn him into a monster and give him some super-strength. That’s always fun.
Then, Angel shows up in Sunnydale...again...and the fun really begins. I’ve always wondered how Angel knew Riley’s surname. I’m assuming that Willow told Angel who Riley was when he asked in “Pangs”, but I doubt she’d go so far as a surname. I suppose it’s not really important. If “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” took place in 2014, of course, Angel could have just used Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, or another of the thousand ways to find someone in this day and age. Isn’t social networking fun? The fight scene between Angel and Riley was rather epic. You can just feel the testosterone (or misplaced passion?) oozing out of them during it. It’s the fight equivalent of a macho pissing contest, which it should be. Angel wants to prove that he’s stronger and better than Buffy’s new boyfriend and Riley thinks that Angel’s soul is missing and wants to protect Buffy and get some revenge on her former-boyfriend. The only issue I have with the fight is, did anyone really think that Riley could win? Angel is a vampire with super-human strength. Not only that, but he’s the most notorious vampire in history and has been a vampire for hundreds of years, learning the art of fighting. Riley has been with The Initiative for, what, five years? It doesn’t seem like a fair fight to me. I suppose Riley does still have the use of his trigger finger, though. WHY DID RILEY BRING A GUN TO BUFFY’S DORM ROOM TO PROTECT HER FROM ANGEL? HE’S A VAMPIRE! CROSSBOW, YES! STAKE, YES! HOLY WATER, YES! FLAMETHROWER, YES! GUN...not so much. Is it wrong of Riley to assume that Buffy and Angel slept together? I don’t think so. Remember, Buffy had just lied to him (or at least missed out glaring details) about her past with Angel, so I can see why Riley jumps to conclusions. He’s already feeling a little betrayed and paranoid. It’s only natural that after he met an angry Angel in Sunnydale that he’d jump to conclusions.
What’s the greatest part of that scene, you ask? Buffy treating Angel and Riley like disobedient school children. It’s magical. I love that Buffy commands such power over these two strapping men. Especially the moment where Angel says “he started it” and Buffy silences him by just raising a finger and looking angry. Ha! Even as a Riley fan, I get unlimited joy in watching Angel smirk past Riley as Buffy takes Angel into the hall to talk. The look on his face just screams “haha, she chose me”.
Something that has always irked me about this episode is that Angel came to Sunnydale to apologise, when I feel he did nothing wrong. Yet, Buffy never apologises to Angel for being a bitch to him in Los Angeles. She deliberately rubbed Riley in his face (not literally) and insulted him, then he follows her to Sunnydale to apologise! I would have at least been able to get on board with the situation if Buffy had apologised too!
Buffy: “It means a lot that you came.”
Amongst all the chaos and arguing over the past few episodes, this is a nice moment for Buffy and Angel. To me, this statement enforces that Buffy will never love anybody as much as she loves Angel, and vice versa. Take Angel showing up to be with Buffy just after Joyce’s funeral for example, or Angel saving Buffy from Caleb and presenting her with an amulet in “End Of Days”. They just have a special connection that can’t be broken, it seems. Do I think that Buffy and Angel are good for each other? Nope. Do I enjoy them as a couple? Yes. Do I think that Buffy ever has a decent boyfriend that is good for her and could work in the long run? No, I don’t. Perhaps Angel or Spike could be the one for Buffy down the line, but I don’t see it happening any time soon. Buffy is still discovering who she is. It’s why Riley and herself break up in the next season. Buffy is steaming ahead and Riley is too insecure to keep up. Plus, you know, she doesn’t really love him, but that’s a minor technicality. I like to compare Angel returning to Sunnydale here to Oz returning in the last episode, “New Moon Rising”. Both episodes saw an ex-boyfriend returning to Sunnydale to make amends for their previous behaviour, they both almost fucked it up entirely, and then they both ushered in their ex-girlfriend’s new relationship. Angel’s “and Riley...I don’t like him” almost felt like a passing of the guard situation.
Riley: “’Cause I’m so in love with you I can’t think straight.”
End it, end it now. That was brutally cheesy. Buffy tells Riley that Forrest was killed by Adam earlier in the day and Riley disappears from the room. Was that Adam activating Riley’s chip or was Riley just leaving the room to go for a walk? Hmm...
Without a doubt, my favourite scene of the episode is the last one involving Buffy, Xander, Willow, and Giles. As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, not only does it bring a year’s worth of tension and drifting to the surface, but it’s also incredibly funny before the awkwardness and heartache begins. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, drunk Giles...
Giles: “You never train with me anymore, he’s going to kick your ass.”
Buffy: “Giles!”
Giles: “Sorry, was that a bit honest? Terribly sorry...”
--------------------------------------
Willow: “You two were the two who were the two.”
--------------------------------------
Giles: “Fort Dix? *Giles bursts into hysterical laughter*”
Buffy: “Are you drunk?!”
Giles: “Yes, quite a bit actually...”
--------------------------------------
Buffy: “This is crazy.”
Giles: “Oh no, it’s not, it’s finally making perfect sense and I’m not going to miss a moment of it *he then goes to sit down where there’s no chair*”
Giles sings and is drunk in this episode. It’s like Christmas came early. Anya and Tara bonding in Giles’ bathroom was a nice touch to the awkward argument scene. Anya and Tara are still something of outsiders to the Scoobies at this point, so they play no part in the argument that’s taking place in the living room. Instead, they bond over Giles’ bathroom decorations. Aww! Only “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” could take such an uncomfortable scene and blend it perfectly with humour, without taking away from the drama and argument. This is a year’s worth of build up and the scene is being undercut with humour successfully! I can’t think of another show that does things like that! Giles throwing his sweater down onto Xander’s head from the top of the stairs is hilarious. I defy you to watch it without giggling! AND THAT’S NOT EVEN THE FUNNIEST PART OF THE AWKWARD ARGUMENT SCENE!...
Xander: “Tara’s your girlfriend?!”
Giles (from upstairs): “Bloody hell!”
I can’t...I can’t breathe...how can anyone watch that moment without hysterical laughter? I’ve literally been sat here for 30 seconds, chuckling at my keyboard while writing this because I was just reliving it in my head. It’s the way that Giles says “bloody hell!” off-camera! Gets me every time!
In all seriousness, this is a scene that had to happen if there was ever going to be a chance of the Scoobies being close again. How has Buffy been so oblivious to everything falling apart around her this entire season? The Scoobies have been fragmenting more and more with each passing episode and Buffy is seems to be the only one that hasn’t noticed at all. Does anyone else watch a scene where the Scoobies argue and feel like Andrew? – “Why does everybody always have to yell!”. I hate it when the Scoobies argue. I was surprised at how uncomfortable I felt during this particular argument. They’re not fighting because one of them did something wrong (which has been the case historically), but because they’ve stopped communicating and aren’t as close anymore. That’s worse in my eyes. In an odd sort of way, Spike’s manipulating has done some good, as it’s brought all of these fears and frustrations to the surface for the first time in season four. It’s worth remembering that Spike didn’t drive the Scoobies apart in this episode. He just brought a year’s worth of baggage to the surface. The Scoobies were so easy to manipulate because they were so fractured already. Now that these issues are out in the open, once the initial upset has worn off, the Scoobies can finally be close again. If this scene hadn’t taken place, would the Enjoining spell in the next episode have meant so much? Definitely not.
The episode closes on Riley about to confront Adam over Forrest’s death, and a “To Be Continued...” graphic appears on the screen. Exciting times!
Quote Of The Episode
Willow: “You can’t handle Tara being my girlfriend.”
Xander: “No! It was bad before that! Since you two went off to College and forgot about me. Just left me in the basement to....Tara’s your girlfriend?!”
Giles (from upstairs): “Bloody hell!”
FINAL SCORE: 8/10
What are your thoughts on "The Yoko Factor"? Did you enjoy this episode? Dislike it? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments section below!
With that being said, let’s get started, shall we?
If there was one word to describe “The Yoko Factor”, it would be ‘FINALLY!’. This episode has been brewing ever since the season opener, “The Freshman”. The story regarding the separation of the Scoobies has been told over almost an entire season, but it doesn’t feel like it’s been dragged out too long. When people go off to college and leave their school comforts behind, people do drift. It’s natural! Things aren’t the same as they were at Sunnydale High. Not only that, but the characters are growing and evolving as young adults. What “The Yoko Factor” does is offer us the ability to outwardly express all this separation and resentment through Spike. Spike has always been the most perceptive character in “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” by some margin. When Willow was falling apart in “Something Blue”, Spike was the only one to notice. When Buffy and Angel were trying to be just friends in last season’s “Lovers Walk”, Spike was the only one to notice that it wasn’t going to work. Throughout season four, Spike has been noticing the Scoobies’ behaviour and the fact that they’re drifting apart and have stopped communicating. He uses this to his advantage and causes further discord amongst the ‘Core Four’. The brilliance of this is the way in which Spike goes about it. He doesn’t just outright say “oh, Buffy said this...”, he plants ideas. Nothing more than that. He plants seeds of doubt into the Scoobies’ minds and leaves them to do the rest. It’s genius! Even though he’s been chipped and can’t physically hurt humans anymore, Spike proves that he’s capable of still being a threat in other ways. I can almost hear Spike’s internal monologue in this episode – “that’s for the bathtub chaining and the flaccid comment, you bitch!”
Since Spike’s arrival in Sunnydale in “School Hard”, he’s referenced that Buffy is harder to kill than the previous Slayers because she has a loyal group of friends that would do anything for her. So what happens when you separate Buffy from her friends and her boyfriend? How will she react? Will she be easier to kill? That is what “The Yoko Factor” explores. How anyone could not love this episode is beyond me. If you enjoy slow-burn storytelling, if you enjoy a beautifully told story, this episode is for you. Not only is it incredibly funny in places (drunk Giles is the biggest highlight of that), but it also unearths so many different threads that I’m surprised so much story was fit into just 42 minutes. It explores the concept of ‘friendship’ and addresses the Scoobies drifting apart, it explores jealousy with Angel and Riley, it explores identity, loss, how life changes after you leave school, deceit, coming out...it has everything you could want in 42 minutes of television. Does this make “The Yoko Factor” perfect? No, but it’s still damn good!
For those of you that don’t watch “Angel”, here’s the road so far...at the conclusion of “New Moon Rising”, Riley deserted The Initiative in spectacular fashion and is now in hiding in the ruins of Sunnydale High. While he was there, Buffy filled Riley in on most of the details of her past with Angel...she left out what triggers Angel to lose his soul, though. Why didn’t she tell Riley that part? Who knows. Perhaps she’d have found it too awkward and uncomfortable. She should have told him in rhyming form. That’s always much more cheery! Something like, “true love fuck, Angel’s out of luck”. After filling Riley in, Buffy travels to Los Angeles to confront Faith over the body-swapping of “This Year’s Girl” and “Who Are You?”. While in Los Angeles (“Sanctuary”), Buffy tells Angel that she has a new boyfriend whom she loves and trusts...interestingly, she hasn’t told Riley that she loves him yet. She’s generally a cow to Angel before Angel orders her out of his city. Now, Angel has decided to come after Buffy to apologise. Makes sense, no? Everybody feeling caught up? Let’s dive into the episode itself...
The episode opens with Spike and Adam plotting to destabilise Buffy and the Scoobies. Spike has nicknamed Adam “Mr. Bits”, which is so hilarious that I think I might die. Blondie Bear and Mr. Bits should have a buddy-cop television show together, where they travel the world delivering motivational speeches to underprivileged youths and vampires (“you’re exactly like Tony Robbins”).
Adam: “You feel smothered, trapped like an animal. Pure in its ferocity, unable to actualise the urges within. Clinging to one truth, like a flame struggling to burn within an enclosed glass. That a beast this powerful cannot be contained. Inevitably it will break free and savage the land again. I will make you whole again. Make you savage.”
For a sewn together ‘man’, he’s rather articulate, isn’t he? This speech, I feel, is giving the audience an explanation as to why Spike has decided to join Adam. It goes deeper than just Spike wanting to have his chip removed. Adam understands how Spike is feeling, which is something that the entire Scooby Gang neglected to do. When Spike was living in Giles’ house for months, how was he treated? Sympathetically? Empathetically? Of course not! The Scoobies aren’t going to coddle Spike because he can’t kill people anymore! However, for Spike, this is something worthy of sympathy. Spike’s entire identity has been stolen away from him by The Initiative. Adam mentors Spike, helps Spike, and promises to remove Spike’s chip so that he can ‘savage the land again’. It’s a perfectly realistic partnership.
I like the choice of location for Riley’s hideout in this episode. Not only are the ruins of Sunnydale High a very safe place to hide without getting caught, but it’s wonderful to have Sunnydale High back on the show. It feels like the show has temporarily come back home. I don’t know about the rest of you, but for me Sunnydale High has always been ‘home’ for “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”. It’s the most nostalgic, memorable, loveable set that the show ever has. The Magic Box is cool, Buffy’s house is cool, Giles’ house is cool, but Sunnydale High and the library were the foundation of the show. It is within the charred ruins of Sunnydale High that Xander and Riley have a heart-to-heart, bonding over their mutual disdain of Angel. However, Xander and his big mouth accidentally let slip that sex with Angel’s ‘true love’ is what triggers the curse to remove his soul. Buffy should have told Riley. Why leave it out? Is it because Buffy wanted to avoid an awkward conversation? Perhaps, but it seems doubtful. Riley is obviously aware that Buffy and Angel have previously had sex, so why would she leave out this detail because of that? Is it because she’d have to relive her guilt over Angel losing his soul and killing people (one of which was her friend Jenny)? Possibly. Is it because Buffy doesn’t love or trust Riley enough to be completely open and honest with him? This seems the most likely. In the next season’s “The Replacement”, Riley confides in Xander that Buffy doesn’t love him. When I think about scenes like this one, I can see where he’s coming from. Buffy always keeps Riley at an arm’s length. She never lets herself be truly vulnerable with him like she was with Angel. I must admit, Riley and Xander bonding is a touching moment because it’s so rare for Xander and one of Buffy’s boyfriends to get along well. Riley is the only one that Xander likes. Xander likes him so much that he lends him his circus pants (trousers), which look absolutely ridiculous.
Any episode that involves Giles singing is instantly made roughly a billion times better. What’s more interesting than Giles singing is his choice of song. It’s no secret that Giles has been struggling this season. He’s been feeling neglected, left out of the loop, and like he’s no longer useful to his Slayer or needed by her. Due to this, Giles is contemplating leaving Sunnydale and returning home to England (which we discover in the season five opener, “Buffy vs. Dracula”). Here are the lyrics to “Freebird”, the song which Giles sings here :-
“If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?
I must be travelling on now, there’s too many places I’ve got to see.
And if I stay here with you girl, things just couldn’t be the same.
‘Cause I’m as free as a bird now...”
Tells you a lot about the mental state of Giles. Also, the “aaahhh” noise he makes when he realises that Spike’s in the room is insanely humourous.
It’s at this point in the episode where Spike starts to cause dissension in the ranks of the Scoobies, starting with Giles. Under the guise of looking for a blood pellet he left at Giles’ house, Spike starts to make Giles feel more and more useless. As I mentioned before, the amazing thing about Spike’s actions here are that they’re so subtle. The Scoobies are so scattered and separated already that Spike has to say very little to cause them to fall apart. Spike is using the Angelus method of twisting the truth just enough to make it still seem real. He makes Giles feel even less needed by Buffy by telling him that Buffy treats Giles like a retired librarian. Is it true? No! But Giles is already feeling unneeded and worthless, so this just adds to his insecurities.
Spike then plays on Xander’s insecurities about his usefulness to the Scoobies and not being good enough. Xander’s insecurities being exploited in this way is harder for me to watch than Giles or Willow’s because Xander’s insecurities have been around for much longer than just this season. Ever since season one, Xander has struggled to keep up with his peers. Buffy has super-strength and is a hero, Giles has super-intelligence, and Willow is becoming a more and more accomplished Wicca. How has Xander grown? What has he accomplished to keep track with them? The harsh answer is nothing. Now, he’s having his deepest insecurities being thrown in his face by Spike. It’s easy for Spike to manipulate Xander because Xander already feels like his friends think they’re better than him, and who can blame him for feeling that way? While his friends have gone off to college, Xander is stuck in his parent’s basement, jumping from job to job, trying to find his place in the world. We can now officially add Starbucks and a phone sex line to the jobs that Xander has had this year. Actually, I lied. Xander has accomplished something...
Anya: “He’s a Viking in the sack.”
Spike: “Terrific.”
Well played, Xander, well played. It’s also interesting that Spike can’t even point a decorative gun without his chip going off. That’s pathetic. Say what you want about The Initiative and how interesting they are this season, but they make damn impressive neutering chips for vampires.
Finally, Spike plays on Willow’s fears of not being accepted by her friends now that she’s in a lesbian relationship. This, to me, is the most impressive one. Spike casually witnesses Tara stroking Willow’s hair and realises what is going on. Instead of outwardly playing on Willow’s insecurity about coming out, Spike changes his approach to witchcraft, but does it in such a way that it’s also about Willow and Tara’s new relationship. He’s the master manipulator in this episode! He knows the Scoobies don’t trust him or value his opinions, so he subtly uses their own opinions against them, with just enough trust behind it to make it believable. Willow and Tara bought Miss. Kittyfantastico, which they were discussing in the previous episode, “New Moon Rising”! Adorable continuity! Speaking of continuity, Willow actually does take drama in the next season, which she discusses here.
Forrest being killed off in this episode was a good idea because it allows him to go from an annoyance to an actual villain, ready for the final battle in the next episode, “Primeval”. Up to this point, Forrest has been a whiny, jealous douchebag that doesn’t trust Buffy and has tried to cause dissension between Buffy and Riley, but what other purpose has he served? Now, at least, ‘Mr. Bits’ can turn him into a monster and give him some super-strength. That’s always fun.
Then, Angel shows up in Sunnydale...again...and the fun really begins. I’ve always wondered how Angel knew Riley’s surname. I’m assuming that Willow told Angel who Riley was when he asked in “Pangs”, but I doubt she’d go so far as a surname. I suppose it’s not really important. If “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” took place in 2014, of course, Angel could have just used Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, or another of the thousand ways to find someone in this day and age. Isn’t social networking fun? The fight scene between Angel and Riley was rather epic. You can just feel the testosterone (or misplaced passion?) oozing out of them during it. It’s the fight equivalent of a macho pissing contest, which it should be. Angel wants to prove that he’s stronger and better than Buffy’s new boyfriend and Riley thinks that Angel’s soul is missing and wants to protect Buffy and get some revenge on her former-boyfriend. The only issue I have with the fight is, did anyone really think that Riley could win? Angel is a vampire with super-human strength. Not only that, but he’s the most notorious vampire in history and has been a vampire for hundreds of years, learning the art of fighting. Riley has been with The Initiative for, what, five years? It doesn’t seem like a fair fight to me. I suppose Riley does still have the use of his trigger finger, though. WHY DID RILEY BRING A GUN TO BUFFY’S DORM ROOM TO PROTECT HER FROM ANGEL? HE’S A VAMPIRE! CROSSBOW, YES! STAKE, YES! HOLY WATER, YES! FLAMETHROWER, YES! GUN...not so much. Is it wrong of Riley to assume that Buffy and Angel slept together? I don’t think so. Remember, Buffy had just lied to him (or at least missed out glaring details) about her past with Angel, so I can see why Riley jumps to conclusions. He’s already feeling a little betrayed and paranoid. It’s only natural that after he met an angry Angel in Sunnydale that he’d jump to conclusions.
What’s the greatest part of that scene, you ask? Buffy treating Angel and Riley like disobedient school children. It’s magical. I love that Buffy commands such power over these two strapping men. Especially the moment where Angel says “he started it” and Buffy silences him by just raising a finger and looking angry. Ha! Even as a Riley fan, I get unlimited joy in watching Angel smirk past Riley as Buffy takes Angel into the hall to talk. The look on his face just screams “haha, she chose me”.
Something that has always irked me about this episode is that Angel came to Sunnydale to apologise, when I feel he did nothing wrong. Yet, Buffy never apologises to Angel for being a bitch to him in Los Angeles. She deliberately rubbed Riley in his face (not literally) and insulted him, then he follows her to Sunnydale to apologise! I would have at least been able to get on board with the situation if Buffy had apologised too!
Buffy: “It means a lot that you came.”
Amongst all the chaos and arguing over the past few episodes, this is a nice moment for Buffy and Angel. To me, this statement enforces that Buffy will never love anybody as much as she loves Angel, and vice versa. Take Angel showing up to be with Buffy just after Joyce’s funeral for example, or Angel saving Buffy from Caleb and presenting her with an amulet in “End Of Days”. They just have a special connection that can’t be broken, it seems. Do I think that Buffy and Angel are good for each other? Nope. Do I enjoy them as a couple? Yes. Do I think that Buffy ever has a decent boyfriend that is good for her and could work in the long run? No, I don’t. Perhaps Angel or Spike could be the one for Buffy down the line, but I don’t see it happening any time soon. Buffy is still discovering who she is. It’s why Riley and herself break up in the next season. Buffy is steaming ahead and Riley is too insecure to keep up. Plus, you know, she doesn’t really love him, but that’s a minor technicality. I like to compare Angel returning to Sunnydale here to Oz returning in the last episode, “New Moon Rising”. Both episodes saw an ex-boyfriend returning to Sunnydale to make amends for their previous behaviour, they both almost fucked it up entirely, and then they both ushered in their ex-girlfriend’s new relationship. Angel’s “and Riley...I don’t like him” almost felt like a passing of the guard situation.
Riley: “’Cause I’m so in love with you I can’t think straight.”
End it, end it now. That was brutally cheesy. Buffy tells Riley that Forrest was killed by Adam earlier in the day and Riley disappears from the room. Was that Adam activating Riley’s chip or was Riley just leaving the room to go for a walk? Hmm...
Without a doubt, my favourite scene of the episode is the last one involving Buffy, Xander, Willow, and Giles. As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, not only does it bring a year’s worth of tension and drifting to the surface, but it’s also incredibly funny before the awkwardness and heartache begins. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, drunk Giles...
Giles: “You never train with me anymore, he’s going to kick your ass.”
Buffy: “Giles!”
Giles: “Sorry, was that a bit honest? Terribly sorry...”
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Willow: “You two were the two who were the two.”
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Giles: “Fort Dix? *Giles bursts into hysterical laughter*”
Buffy: “Are you drunk?!”
Giles: “Yes, quite a bit actually...”
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Buffy: “This is crazy.”
Giles: “Oh no, it’s not, it’s finally making perfect sense and I’m not going to miss a moment of it *he then goes to sit down where there’s no chair*”
Giles sings and is drunk in this episode. It’s like Christmas came early. Anya and Tara bonding in Giles’ bathroom was a nice touch to the awkward argument scene. Anya and Tara are still something of outsiders to the Scoobies at this point, so they play no part in the argument that’s taking place in the living room. Instead, they bond over Giles’ bathroom decorations. Aww! Only “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” could take such an uncomfortable scene and blend it perfectly with humour, without taking away from the drama and argument. This is a year’s worth of build up and the scene is being undercut with humour successfully! I can’t think of another show that does things like that! Giles throwing his sweater down onto Xander’s head from the top of the stairs is hilarious. I defy you to watch it without giggling! AND THAT’S NOT EVEN THE FUNNIEST PART OF THE AWKWARD ARGUMENT SCENE!...
Xander: “Tara’s your girlfriend?!”
Giles (from upstairs): “Bloody hell!”
I can’t...I can’t breathe...how can anyone watch that moment without hysterical laughter? I’ve literally been sat here for 30 seconds, chuckling at my keyboard while writing this because I was just reliving it in my head. It’s the way that Giles says “bloody hell!” off-camera! Gets me every time!
In all seriousness, this is a scene that had to happen if there was ever going to be a chance of the Scoobies being close again. How has Buffy been so oblivious to everything falling apart around her this entire season? The Scoobies have been fragmenting more and more with each passing episode and Buffy is seems to be the only one that hasn’t noticed at all. Does anyone else watch a scene where the Scoobies argue and feel like Andrew? – “Why does everybody always have to yell!”. I hate it when the Scoobies argue. I was surprised at how uncomfortable I felt during this particular argument. They’re not fighting because one of them did something wrong (which has been the case historically), but because they’ve stopped communicating and aren’t as close anymore. That’s worse in my eyes. In an odd sort of way, Spike’s manipulating has done some good, as it’s brought all of these fears and frustrations to the surface for the first time in season four. It’s worth remembering that Spike didn’t drive the Scoobies apart in this episode. He just brought a year’s worth of baggage to the surface. The Scoobies were so easy to manipulate because they were so fractured already. Now that these issues are out in the open, once the initial upset has worn off, the Scoobies can finally be close again. If this scene hadn’t taken place, would the Enjoining spell in the next episode have meant so much? Definitely not.
The episode closes on Riley about to confront Adam over Forrest’s death, and a “To Be Continued...” graphic appears on the screen. Exciting times!
Quote Of The Episode
Willow: “You can’t handle Tara being my girlfriend.”
Xander: “No! It was bad before that! Since you two went off to College and forgot about me. Just left me in the basement to....Tara’s your girlfriend?!”
Giles (from upstairs): “Bloody hell!”
FINAL SCORE: 8/10
What are your thoughts on "The Yoko Factor"? Did you enjoy this episode? Dislike it? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments section below!
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This is where I basically stop liking Buffy as a character, and I'm reading S-10 now and still don't have it back. It's not just Angel, she's overly bitchy to evryone. yes, the aparnoia of others is frustrating, and a person will usually snap alittle, but Buffy is close to trying to verbally destroy her friends, like in "When She wAs bad." Especially this oen sentece: "If I had more patience with the chocies you *two* make, my brians would fall out." With Willow, obvioulsy to me Buffy is tlakign about the spell snafues, but there's no way Willow can't hear this except as beign about Tara, and Buffy should know that. And heck, I can see they're worried Anya might lead to Xander gettign hurt, but still, he's an adult, probabsly older thna Buffy, and it's not her call. D'C'A'
ReplyDeleteAgreed Angel's smirk is fabulous!!!
ReplyDeleteDon't really get why Riley gets so upset that Buffy had sex with Angel. Riley obv. had slept with others b4...just adds to my view of him being a bit of a mysoginist...or at least too old school. Such a shame the writers made him a jealous, selfish prat (Joyce dying but oh nooooo Buffy didn't cry on MY shoulder. .grrr). He initially came across as nice. Bad job writers.
Giles as always is AWESOME! Drunk. Singing and VERY British. Hillarious.
Oh my Angel this review gives such giddiness it's not even funny "true loves fuck, Angel's out of luck", it just kills me :D I'm not even going to lie all I care about in this episode are Angel related, I totally agree that Angel apolozing made no sense to me as he was right but he loves her and didn't want them to be on bad terms is my guess, she was such a bitch to him, hurting him with her new relationship, ugh, I wanted to beat her to death. The fight was epic and was rooting for my vamp, Riley please, who do you think that your dealing with boy! Angel and that smirk of haha she picked me priceless, can I love him even more? The I don't him line pure gold at this point Angel was just too damn good for her in my opinion and one comes close to the epicness that is Angel. Is your true love good for you no but Buffy/Angel are soul mates, perfectly matched, Spike please! He's Angel little annoying brother..fine enough of my love for Angel and great review.
ReplyDeleteYay ! Another Angel shipper! I love him and yes I Buffy was a real bitch to him and I didn't want him to apologize 😡 but I really think they're soulmate and Angel deserves to be finally happy
DeleteI didn't like this ep at first, but among further examination it is brilliant and really showcases Spike's abilities as a big bad mentally. In a way he is acting as The First would, planting seeds of doubt and playing on the Core Four's insecurities. The subtext he used with Willow was very smartly written and delivered. The funniest part in the ep, IMO was when Buffy threatened to put Riley and Angel in the hospital. Just typing that puts a mental image in my head of Riley beaten, bruised and incredulous with a "I didn't think she was THAT strong" look on his face and Angel lying around mopey, brooding and in desperate need of a blood transfusion. The scene was a also a great metaphor for women sick to death of the macho posturing that men do. I cracked up when Riley declared he was NOT leaving Buffy's dorm room to let her talk to Angel and B/A just looked at each other and walked out. That showed that there will always be an unspoken connection between those two.
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