Buffy and Angel Rewatch part 41

B6.01/6.02 Bargaining Parts 1 and 2 (these two episodes were shown together on the DVD so I watched them as such. I would've preferred to watch the episodes separately so I have scored them separately)
Re-starting the show on a different network was always going to be hard for the show and mostly they pulled it off successfully. The first half of this two parter was a lot more interesting to watch however. The Scoobies cope the best the can both with filling in for Buffy on the vamp fighting department and with raising Dawn. Its easy to see that all the characters are a lot darker than when we last saw them, which makes complete sense and set up nicely for the season ahead. SMG excels as the Buffy- bot and lightens the episode, which is much needed. I especially like the parent day part.
Even though it was an actor decision, in the show it never made sense why Giles would want to leave Sunnydale. Sure he is spurred on by the Buffy-bot leading to a wonderfully emotional scene at the airport, but surely it would make more sense for him to stay and fill the gap left by Buffy, especially in Dawn's life. The Scoobies might be equipped to handle the slaying but raising a teenager as well? It would be hard even for Giles.
The spell the gang perform is suitably creepy and major league magic- it had to be considering the show has toyed with the issue of raising the dead before (Forever in season 5 and The Zeppo in season 3 spring to mind). The snake, creepy under the skin bugs and swirling red energy all add to the impact of the spell they are performing. Plus of course there's that memorable deer killing bit beforehand which really sets Willow down a path this season.
The second part of the episode once Buffy is raised is a little less interesting to watch. Whilst I understand the importance of it; Buffy couldn't just jump straight back into life, it can be a little boring watching her wander about aimlessly. Also the motorbike hellions are fairly run of the mill demons and can be a bit tiresome to watch. I do like that Dawn was the one to bring Buffy back to life so to speak. It shows Dawn's importance in the group, when she seemingly does very little most of the time and demonstrates the strong bond between the sisters. (Part 1= 8.5/10) (Part 2= 7.5/10)

B6.03 After Life
A nice topper to the previous episodes. We have more of Buffy utterly shell shocked, but she's at least a bit more coherent here and we get a heartfelt explanation for why she is so shell shocked. Her bonding with Spike is perhaps inevitable as he's really the only one in the show who can understand coming back to life The demon story is a fairly good one, its a lot more interesting when the spirit inhabits the Scoobies bodies as it gives all the actors a lot to play with. Buffy dispatches it very quickly though, which is always a sign that it is the lesser story here. (7.5/10)

A3.04 Carpe Noctem
Not a huge fan of this episode. Whilst David Boreanaz does a great job during the body swap, the old guy is creepy and kind of a perv. Its actions are kind of justifiable , it can't be easier getting older, but even when this old guy gets the chance to be young, he wastes it being a complete dog. The gang figured out what was happening fairly quickly as well, which meant the episode was very neatly resolved and swiftly too but not necessarily in the best way.
There are some merits to the episode; it deals with Fred's crush on Angel which could've become tiresome had it continued, and also there's that very hot scene between Lilah and fake Angel which perhaps resolved some of the sexual tension between the pair. (6.5/10)

B6.04 Flooded
Giles returning in this episode is one of my favourite moments of the whole season. The scene in which he sees Buffy alive for the first time is just so touching and their subsequent scenes together continue to work and be enjoyable. Giles is much needed in this episode to provide some stability for both Buffy, Dawn and the rest of the Scoobies. A highlight scene for me is when he tells Willow off. She needs some grounding as can plainly be seen when she tells him not to piss her off. The power dynamic has clearly shifted in their relationship and in makes for a fantastic scene between the pair.
Buffy's money issues are good to see in a way, as it makes the show very real and grounded. It is a little ironic of course that the very thing Buffy scorns at (charging people for saving them) is what Angel now does, especially as she rushes off to see him at the end of the episode.
The demon and (re)introduction of the Trio isn't that interesting, Buffy dispatches with M'Fashnik quiet easily the second time and the Trio don't have that much impact apart from getting a few new toys. (7.5/10)