S2, again!

[snick_backup]

I am unexpectedly doing another rewatch of S2, this time just the arc-heavy eps with a friend who's never seen an ep before and has never heard of any of the characters. She doesn't even seem to have heard that Angel gets his own show. She is, in other words, as unspoiled as they come these days. And she's seriously hooked now. Hah.

So far, she enjoys Spike and adores Dru, is right there with me with the Oz-love (it was that kissing speech in the van in "Innocence" that did it), and is pretty much entirely opposed to Xander/Cordelia (because she thinks Cordy's mean and has no redeeming qualities). We've just finished "Surprise"/"Innocence" and she's bugging me about the end: does Angel get his soul back, or does he get killed? And I grin evilly.

Meanwhile, in rewatch thoughts: Compared to the other key arc eps of the season, I find "What's My Line" rather lackluster. As in, I'm bored. There are some nice moments with Buffy and Kendra, and I lovelovelove all the Oz/Willow, but otherwise? It all just feels overly long. I am totally underwhelmed by the whole "normal life" thematic thread.

Also, I was reminded this time what a let-down I found it that Jenny Calendar turned out to be a plant. I never thought the reasoning behind the gypsy curse made any sense anyway, her uncle's vengeance speech notwithstanding, and her part in it feels so forced.

Comments

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

That's so fun! The only friend I've gotten the opportunity to do that with was pretty spoiled just from being in fandom in general, so I didn't get the joy of watching it with the Absolute Buffy Virgin. Cool for you!

it was that kissing speech in the van in "Innocence" that did it Didn't that do it for all of us? I mean, really.

Aw! I love Xander/Cordy! And Cordy's one of my favorite characters ever (until the writers character-assassinated her).

Hmm...it's been a really long time since I've watched S2 (except for "School Hard" and "Becoming Part II" which are both on my list of Episodes I Rewatch Often), so I don't know to what extent I agree with you, but it's really cool to hear your thoughts.

[snickfic]

Oh, I love Xander/Cordy, too. Despite (or maybe because of?) all the sniping, they seem pretty well-matched. And I like the dynamic better than Xander/Anya - Cordy and Anya both speak their minds, but Anya has that fundamental insecurity that throws the ship out of balance, and Xander is not a guy you want with all the power in a relationship. I can't imagine him walking out on Cordy.

Huh. I think that's the most actual thought I've ever given to Xander/Cordy *or* Xander/Anya.

Oddly, S2 has nearly all of my favorite ships: Spike/Dru, Xander/Cordy, Oz/Willow. The only other ship to make that list is Spuffy, of course. *g*

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

You know what? I hadn't really thought about Xander/Cordy or Xander/Anya before, but I think your insight into the differences between them is brilliant, especially about the power imbalance. I always felt bad for Anya, thinking she deserved more, but I think that really is about the insecurity, because Cordy would never have let Xander treat her that way, so they were probably more well-suited.

Oddly, S2 has nearly all of my favorite ships: Spike/Dru, Xander/Cordy, Oz/Willow. The only other ship to make that list is Spuffy, of course. *g* Um, yes. Just...absolutely.

[shapinglight]

Even Joss admits the Gypsy curse thing was very silly. Can't argue with that assessment.

[snickfic]

Nope, I think "very silly" just about covers it.