some thoughts on the BtVS "Halloween"

[dragonyphoenix]

I was thinking about the BtVS Halloween episode where they become their costumes. It reads, particularly for Willow, as a rite of initiation. Before becoming her costume, Willow is hiding behind that ghost costume. Not that it’s a particularly childish ghost costume. It looks much more like a costume a kid, rather than an adult would wear. After, she’s comfortable in the hyper-sexualized costume that Buffy had put her in. WIllow has accepted her sexuality / adulthood.

Buffy defines herself by identifying something she’s not, which is a perfectly valid part of defining whom you are. She’s not the damsel in distress.

Xander doesn’t seem to have been transformed by the experience. He does gain soldier knowledge, but even after having been a soldier, he’s still seen as the Zeppo.

Comments

[velvetwhip.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... those are very interesting observations.


Gabrielle

[dragonyphoenix.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[thisficklemob.livejournal.com]

Interesting. I still think Buffy's take on Hallowe'en as a chance to be "sexy and wild with no consequences" is unfortunate -- what about dressing up as something scary, or funny, or a favorite character, or a clever reference?

Then again, my annoyance may be partly due to the proliferation of "sexy nurse/gymnast/devil/neurologist" costumes since the '90s. Listen, if you want to wear your undies in public, just own it; don't debase yourself by being a sexy coal miner.

[dragonyphoenix.livejournal.com]

Well, yeah, Buffy's take does leave a lot to be desired. I'm hoping that part of what she got out of that night was not living up to the expectations of other people (or even your idea of what they would want you to be).

[rebcake.livejournal.com]

I would argue that Xander gets a temporary "bump" to his maturity, not unlike Willow. Because of this, he is able to attract a girl like Cordy. When he offers his coat, it's the first time she shows the least bit of interest in him, and that carries over for a few weeks/months. Alas, it wears off.

[dragonyphoenix.livejournal.com]

I like that idea. I figured someone would add to my barely thought out ideas. ;-)

[rbfvid.livejournal.com]

Yeah, what rebcake said. They all, including Xander, got some temporary effect. I would say, thay all got some insight in "what being the opposite of what you used to be" means. They all use it in some way, and Willow's is the most obvious one (obvious in a sense "most visible to the show's audience").

[dragonyphoenix.livejournal.com]

Having recently watched that ep where there are two Xanders, I'm sort of interested in the idea of doubles in the show. Someone must have written a meta on that.

[rebcake.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes! Not that I can think of a good meta on the subject off the top of my head, but just look:

1. Buffy/Buffybot
2. Willow/Vamp!Willow/Dark!Willow
3. Ripper/Giles
4. Angel/Angelus
5. Hyena/Zeppo/Soldier/Smooth Xander
6. Teenaged Sunnydale (Snyder, etc.)
7. Jonathan/Superstar!Jonathan

Most of my favorite episodes deal with the issues of doubles in some way or another. I guess you could say that the characters are multifaceted, but you could also say that the writers know how to have a good time. *\o/*

[dragonyphoenix.livejournal.com]

You could add Dru and Spike. Their human selves are so different from their vamp selves.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

Ooh! Very interesting thoughts.

[dragonyphoenix.livejournal.com]

Thanks.