Similarities between "The Pack" and "The Zeppo"

[dragonyphoenix]

So I'm reviewing season 1 for my Giles as the Big Bad story. Keep in mind that "The Zeppo" is my favorite episode. I'm watching "The Pack" where the kids are picking on Lance. (And I'm pretty sure he's named Lance to get a Lancelot Link joke in - the monkey looks up when the kids call out Lance's name.) So, when Principal Flutie comes down on the kids, Lance replies that they were just kidding around. As thanks they try to feed him - or pretend to - to the hyena.

In "The Zeppo" there's pretty much a similar vibe. Xander tells the cop that psycho dead guy was just kidding around and almost gets killed himself. Hmmm, it's almost as if Joss has a strong opinion that people should stand up to bullies.

Comments

[velvetwhip.livejournal.com]

There are certainly recurring tropes on BTVS and that's a fact.


Gabrielle

[dragonyphoenix.livejournal.com]

I'd imagine that's true of any writer. I just hadn't noticed this one before.

[velvetwhip.livejournal.com]

Oh, absolutely. And there's nothing wrong with it at all. Those tropes speak to themes which are important to the writer.


Gabrielle

[dragonyphoenix.livejournal.com]

Yep.