Buffy and Angel Rewatch part 33

B5.10 Into the Woods
Whilst I can't say I'm happy to see the end of Riley and Buffy, I can't say I'm that sad either. Riley was a good guy and a good boyfriend, no question about that, but there was very little spark between the pair after they got together.As the discussion between Xander and Buffy showed, Riley was dependable for Buffy but I think to some extent he was her rebound guy which was a shame.
That conversation between Xander and Buffy was very powerful and a lot of home truths were spoken. It was very poignant that Xander was the one to confront Buffy, not sisterly Willow or wise Giles like it usually is. Its also a very important conversation as its kind of a turning point for Xander. Teenage Xander with a crush on Buffy and who bumbles along in his relationships is long gone and instead here is adult Xander who roots for Riley and confesses his love for Anya.
Otherwise there is very little else in this episode, but not in a bad way. I liked the cold opening with finding out about Joyce, I thought it was done very well. Also I liked Buffy's reaction to finding out about Riley, it was a lot more mature and shows how she's grown up since her days with Angel. Her angst was a lot less dreary as well and in many ways this was quite a powerful episode. (8.5/10)

B5.11 Triangle
This is one of the weaker season 5 episodes. The Anya/Willow fighting and the troll was amusing enough, even if he was annoying and the link to Anya's past felt a little contrived, and I like that Anya and Willow sorted out their differences some. There were some different pairings in the episode with Anya/Willow, Buffy/Tara and Xander/Spike which mixed things up a little. We also got to see Buffy working through her break-up very maturely here and it was a welcome change from the heartbreak with Angel but overall there isn't that much of great significance in this episode, though admittedly it does pave the way for the Council's return in the next episode. (6/10)




B5.12 Checkpoint
A very good episode. I thoroughly enjoyed the Council parts of the episode. Though I disliked the constant English stereotyping, the Watchers provided some light relief when interviewing the Scoobies and when testing Buffy. Buffy's speech at the end was one of her best and overall its an excellent scene. Its a joy to see Buffy finally realise her power and for her to put the Council in their useless place and shows that Buffy finally has the power.
The Knights of Byzantium, and the Glory/Ben stuff, whilst developing the story were a little boring and took away from the main storyline a little. The Buffy in class stuff in particular felt a little filler. I must admit I did like seeing Glory go toe-to-toe with Buffy and for them to not fight as it made for a very interesting scene. (9/10)

A2.12 Blood Money
One of my favourite estranged-Angel episodes of the season. Anne is an incredibly interesting character to bring back. For long time fans of Buffy, she serves as a little bit of nice continuity and also some hope that things aren't all bad. The way in which Angel was prepared to use her, shows how dark he has gotten, that he was prepared to swindle Anne out of that money (even if she had got less from Wolfram and Hart) just to mess with Lilah and Lindsey's head's. Of course he hasn't gone too far as he still gives Anne the money, though it does come with a bit of a price. Lilah and Lindsey were excellent to watch in this episode and I even found myself liking Merl. I found Boone a little boring though and once you realise his plan, he becomes less interesting on repeated viewings.
Cordy, Wes and Gunn appeared very little in this episode which was a shame. Fortunately what we did get to see off them, was both very funny and also a glimpse of happiness for the trio as they prepare to start their new agency. Happiness is so short lived in the Whedon-verse that it's always very welcome when it appears. (8/10)