Buffy 6.13 FAQ
What’s it called?
“Dead Things.”
Who’s responsible?
Teleplay is credited to Steven DeKnight (“All The Way”).
What does TV Guide say?
“Spike (James Marsters) attacks Buffy - despite the chip in his head that is supposed to defuse his violence. Then, the Slayer's framed for murder by nerdy nemeses Andrew, Warren and Jonathan.”
What is TV Guide not telling us?
It’s difficult to know who’s angrier – Spike or Dawn – when Buffy decides to turn herself in to the cops.
Why does Spike attack Buffy?
Well, he doesn’t! Not really. He pulls her a bit roughly to prevent her from turning herself in, but – trust us - it’s Buffy who does the attacking this week.
What did Herc say about this episode in his New Year’s Day spoilers?
“Warren accidentally kills Katrina, the real girl he began seeing last season after he got sick of Aprilbot. He then utilizes a time-shaping ‘temporal demon’ to trick Buffy into thinking she killed Katrina.”
Did Herc’s sources get it right?
Yep. Jonathan’s shape-shifting ability helps sell the illusion.
Is it true we finally learn this week how Buffy “came back wrong”?
We learn that she didn’t come back wrong. As first revealed by Coax on Jan. 11, Buffy’s not demon, or angel, or soulless being, or immortal. “There’s nothing wrong with you, but you are different,” explains Tara, who investigated at Buffy’s request and spills all in the final scene. “Shifting you out from where you were, funneling your essence back into your body – it altered you on a basic molecular level. Probably just enough to confuse the sensors or whatever in Spike’s chip. But it’s all just surfacy physical stuff. It wouldn’t have any more effect than a bad sunburn.”
Didn’t “AngelX” at the Cross & Stake site say the truth about the slayer’s “wrongness” was the “worst thing [Buffy] could want it to be.”
“AngelX” did post this.
Wouldn’t Buffy consider it worse news if she learned that she was a demon? Or that she was destined to spend her afterlife in hell? Or that she was preprogrammed to murder Dawn or Giles or Willow?
Agreed. The truth behind Buffy’s “wrongness” is clearly not the worst thing she could want it to be - but she does take the news rather badly.
Why doesn’t Buffy take her lack of “wrongness” as good news?
Because she had previously blamed that “wrongness” for her romantic feelings toward Spike.
Does the Legion of Nerdly Doom have a new HQ (now that Buffy and Willow know where the old one is)?
Yeah, they’re seen unpacking in their new lair.
Does Warren use a device to enslave Katrina?
He does. Katrina wants nothing to do with her ex until Warren whips out his “cerebral dampener.” If you know what I mean.
How exactly does Katrina die?
After the dampener runs out of juice, Katrina flees, and Warren whacks her skull a little too hard with a champagne bottle.
Do Halfrek and Spike have a connection?
None revealed this week.
Do Buffy and Spike have public sex in the Bronze?
Yep.
Is Willow back on the pipe?
No, she just got her 30-day pin. Or would have gotten it, if there were such a thing for magic abusers.
Do Willow and Tara reunite this week?
They speak, briefly and a bit awkwardly, outside the Magic Box. Tara tells Willow she’s glad she’s doing better.
What’s Will’s hair like?
Straight and cute throughout the installment.
Any sign of Fantasico?
Nary a pellet.
Is the warlock Rack back at all?
He is not. Nor is Amy. Or Halfrek.
Does anyone learn of all the Spike-Buffy sex?
Tara is the first to get the news, in the final scene. (Tara's reaction is very nonjudgmental.)
What’s great?
The outfit the nerds put Katrina in. The many scenes in this episode, including the very first and the very last, that strongly suggest there’s more to Buffy’s feelings for Spike than pure lust.
What’s not so great?
It’s a pretty laugh-free installment; even the nerd gags feel phoned in.
Herc’s rating for “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” 6.13?
***
Hey, wasn't this episode rated **1/2 all Monday morning?
It was. After sleeping on it, Herc realized that - though he still has issues with "Dead Things" - it really offers too much to be deemed wholly unworthy of your valuable time. I recant, upgrade, and blame 4 a.m. fatigue.
The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:
