Buffy S05E01 "Buffy vs Dracula"

Directing and Writing Credits:

• Directed by: David Solomon
• Background: David Solomon directed numerous episodes of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" as well as its spin-off "Angel". He was a key director for the series.
• Written by: Marti Noxon
• Background: Marti Noxon was one of the principal writers for "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", with many episodes under her belt. She was known for her knack for blending humor, emotion, and action. Beyond "Buffy," Noxon has an extensive list of credits, including creating and producing shows like "UnREAL" and "Dietland". She’s been an influential voice in television, particularly in shows with strong female protagonists.

Most Bewildering Buffy or Willow Moment:Buffy being entranced by Dracula and allowing him to bite her was quite a bewildering moment. Given Buffy's usual fierce independence and strength, her susceptibility to Dracula's thrall was a stark contrast to her typical character behavior.

Scooby Snacks : Xander, under Dracula's thrall as his "Renfield," provides comedic relief. However, his feelings of inadequacy, especially when he expresses frustration about always being seen as the "butt-monkey," are largely brushed off or overlooked by the group.

Best Supernatural or Pop Culture References:The entire episode is a homage to the Dracula lore. They make various references to the traditional Dracula myths, like turning into a bat or mist, his ability to control minds, and even having a "Renfield." The episode plays with the idea of the world's most famous vampire meeting TV's most famous vampire slayer.

Sunnydale Quirks:Dracula's grand castle appearing overnight in Sunnydale without anyone seeming to notice or care is the epitome of Sunnydale's tendency to overlook the blatantly supernatural.

Sharpest Slayer Remark or Zinger: When Dracula is staked her response is a casual, "Yeah. You think I don't watch your movies? You always come back." It's a cheeky nod to the countless Dracula adaptations and his recurring resurrections.

Highlight of the Episode: While the showdown between Buffy and Dracula is certainly a highlight, the real twist comes at the end of the episode with the introduction of Dawn, Buffy's sister. This revelation left me in stranded in confusion and intrigue, setting the stage for the major arc of the season. It wasn't fantastic.

Reflections

With a swish of his cape and a glint in his eye, Dracula strides into Sunnydale, casting a bewitching spell that turns the familiar town into something more mysterious and strange. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" opens its fifth season with an episode that brings together the well-worn legends of vampire lore and the sharp wit of its title character. A strange union, perhaps, but in Sunnydale, these alliances are par for the course.

Dracula in Sunnydale

It has been said that "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" tends to falter with its season-openers. Perhaps this is because the true essence of the show is best captured as the story arc heats up, as momentum builds, and as characters are imbued with true purpose and conflict. There's a unique blend of the fantastical and the all-too-real that "Buffy" manages to nail when it’s in its stride, and this episode, at least in part, succeeds in capturing that blend.

Character and Charisma: Casting the Iconic Count

The casting of Dracula is key to the episode's success. The character must be charismatic and alluring, a handsome devil in a black coat who can believably pull off the iconic role. And pull it off he does, aided by delicious references to classic Dracula plot elements and a Sunnydale spin that breathes new life into an old tale.

The Dance of Humor and Horror: Sunnydale's Unique Spin

The episode's comedic zingers are some of the best in the series, with lines like, "I really think the thrall has gone out of our relationship," and "A good Sunnydale rule of thumb: avoid white-skinned men with capes," providing ample laughter. Even the Count from Sesame Street makes an appearance, courtesy of Xander.

Character Inconsistencies and Choices

But not all is smooth sailing in Sunnydale. A discordant note is struck by the portrayal of Riley as the straight man, the fearless vampire hunter. This seems out of step with the established dynamics of the group, and certain character decisions, like Buffy allowing Drac to bite her, might appear out of place when compared to her previous interactions with vampires.

Exploring the Slayer: Existential Questions and Temptations

The episode ventures into the serious as well, with Buffy's renewed relationship with Giles and her reflections on her own nature as a Slayer. It teases the exploration of the darker side of Slayer powers and hints at a temptation by immortality. In a world where Slayers tend to die young, what does it mean to survive? The show seems poised to delve into these existential questions, all the while maintaining its unique blend of humor and pathos.

The Spell of Sunnydale:

The writers managed to craft an episode that dances between humor, horror, and humanity. Though not a perfect season-opener, it introduces new dimensions, lays groundwork for deeper exploration, and tantalizes with mysteries to come and does what it set out to do.

"Buffy vs Dracula" is a peculiar episode in the Buffy canon, seemingly filled with campy revelry but layered with the complexity that fans of the series have come to love and decipher. Here, Dracula, the Prince of Darkness, is not a fearsome night creature but a caricature, a "camp-tastic Cassanova" whose lines oscillate between the ridiculous and the revelatory.

Much like the hypnotic thrall of the vampire, the episode lures the viewer into a deceptively simple narrative. It could be brushed off as mere entertainment, a light-hearted play with a beloved lore. But doing so would be a disservice to an episode operating with nuanced comedic confidence and chemistry.

There is the undeniable comedy, epitomized by Xander's stint as the "thrall-guy" and Giles's seduction by the three sisters. Insert picture here: Xander, under Dracula's control, munching on a spider, an image both humorous and macabre.

Dracula's "Mind Mojo"

But then there's the underlying intrigue of Dracula's "mind mojo." In a moment of charismatic sleaze, Dracula explains to Buffy that she cannot resist because she does not want to. It's a line that's easy to dismiss as a flirtatious taunt, yet it opens up a deep well of questions. What does Buffy want? How does the mythic interplay with her identity as the Slayer?

The mind mojo is more than a gimmick; it's a mirror reflecting Buffy's internal struggle. In her battle with Dracula, there's a struggle for self-awareness and a craving for knowledge about her power. She becomes both the Van Helsing of the Buffyverse and Mina, a dual character wrestling with her destiny.

Prophecy Girl

The episode also offers a new perspective on previous encounters, such as with the Master in "Prophecy Girl." The breaking of the Master's thrall can now be seen as a merely an acceptance of prophecy, and a claiming of identity. She CHOSE to go and face the Master.  It’s not that she wanted the thrall to work but she wanted to be the Slayer that was prophesied. When she’d fulfilled that prophecy and integrated it into her identity, there was nothing to want for anymore except the Master dead - and so the thrall died. It's a subtle and profound moment, hidden beneath layers of plot and character.

The sexual undertones and the mythic weight of blood-sucking in vampire lore are also complicated in the episode. Instead of straightforward victimization, there's a dance of power, understanding, and manipulation between Buffy and Dracula. It's a dance that challenges conventional wisdom and perhaps hints at Buffy's strategic play with not only Dracula but the Scooby's as well. The simplest explanation is that considering Spike confirmed Dracula’s reputation, she may have wanted to suss out who in the group he’d made his minion. But the reading does put her conduct with Riley this episode in a curious light.

From Little Sisters to Vamp Universes

Buffy’s new "little sister," Dawn, adds an intriguing twist, as does the inclusion of references to other vampire universes, like "the Masquerade," and the character developments such as Willow's transformation and Xander's personal growth.