Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
I can't believe we're already nine full episodes into the season for BUFFY. It seems to race by every year, and this year more than ever before. Between this and the newly reenergized X-FILES, I'm having a great time with the season so far. Bring it on, Herc!!
BUFFY 5.9 FAQ
WHAT’S IT CALLED?
“Listening to Fear.”
WHO’S RESPONSIBLE?
Teleplay is credited to Rebecca Rand Kirshner, a “Freaks and Geeks” vet whose last “Buffy” contribution was “Out of My Mind,” the episode in which Riley lost his Initiative superpowers.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
As Joyce’s condition deteriorates to a point where she experiences severe bouts of dementia, a meteor-riding “queller demon” falls from the sky – summoned to rid Sunnydale of demented people like Joyce.
THE BIG NEWS?
Near episode’s end, we learn definitively whether or not Ben the Intern is evil, and whether or not he has any connection to Glory.
WHAT’S A QUELLER DEMON?
Easily one of the creepiest things ever to slither into Sunnydale. Half-human-dwarf, half-beetle-larva, it lurks unnoticed upon ceilings and vomits vile mucus into the faces of its prospective victims. Even Spike gets the willies.
IS RILEY FINN A VAMPIRE?
Rules of the Buffyverse dictate that getting your blood sucked by a vampire is not enough to make you a vampire; you must also suck the vampire. This episode offers no evidence that Riley sucked. There is a fairly disturbing pre-title shot in this – the final November sweeps “Buffy” - that suggests Riley continues to indulge an interest in vampires that is not purely academic.
DO WE LEARN MORE ABOUT DAWN?
Turns out Joyce and the “curds and whey” guy are not the only mental defectives who have suspicions about Buffy’s new sib. Remember the security guard Glory tormented four episodes ago? Here’s what his drooly shell has to say as he brushes up against Dawn in the hospital: “Careful. The facts say a picnic is in order. What is that thing?” he asks, turning for a better look at Dawn. “There – there is no data! There are no pictures on this one there! What is the data? There’s no one in there!”
IS GLORY HENCHMAN DREG BACK THIS WEEK?
He is.
IS SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR ONE FUNNY BABE?
She is. Check out her reading of the line “Homework?” when Willow brings her some.
HOW DOES IT END?
As all scoobs look on, Joyce is wheeled into brain surgery.
SO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT WEEK TO LEARN JOYCE’S FATE??
Longer. A repeat of the season-launching “Buffy vs. Dracula” airs next Tuesday.
LINE MOST LIKELY TO STIR TALKBACK DISCUSSION?
“Just like I’ve done my whole damn life!”
HERC’S RATING FOR “BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER” 5.9?
***
The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:
**** better than most motion pictures
*** actually worth your valuable time
** as horrible as most stuff on TV
* makes you quietly pray for bulletins
I warn you not to defy me!
