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

[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.