Buffy the Vampire Slayer Re-Watch: Halloween (Season 2 Episode 6)

Buffy, Xander and Willow become their Halloween costumes after an old friend of Giles’ shows up in town on Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 2 Episode 6, “Halloween.”

First, I cannot impress upon you enough how many times I re-watched this episode after it’s first airing. It was definitely one of my Season 2 favorites, with the last scene between Buffy and Angel being rewound and replayed so much I am surprised my VHS recording did not catch on fire.

So, I’ve genuinely been looking forward to reviewing “Halloween.” Is it as good as I remember? No. Do I still know the dialog for certain scenes and moments by heart? Yes.

First, despite vampires, spells and costume shenanigans this is entirely an episode built around Buffy, Xander, and Willow struggling with insecurity. The writers use the framework of Ethan’s spell turning them into their Halloween costumes to explore and resolve these issues to varying degrees of success.

Although it pains me to say this about my favorite fictional character, older me finds Buffy very annoying in this episode. I think this is squarely the result of plot-induced characterization.

In the previous episode, “Reptile Boy,” Buffy takes a clear stand on her budding relationship with Angel. She pushes him to acknowledge their mutual feelings and do something about it – ask her for coffee.

So, it’s hard to understand her decision to immediately bail on him at the start of, “Halloween,” just because she dusts a vampire on the way and Cordelia snarks at her a little. Plus, the sudden desire to appear as something she is not (a fancy lady) to attract Angel is just – ugh.

Of course, this is all necessary to propel the story forward. Her choice to put on the 18th-century dress costume directly relates to her wish to appear like a specific type of antiquated girl she thinks Angel will like.

However, I don’t really find this level of self-doubt consistent with Buffy’s characterization up to this point. Add all that to the blubbering, terribly be-wigged version of the Duchess of Buffonia viewers must endure for a large portion of this episode and I am ready to hit the fast-forward button.

Even the last scene between Buffy and Angel, that I still know almost every word to, is pretty unsatisfactory. Points for Angel saying he doesn’t want her to change, but total yuck that she ever feels she needs to.

It’s just – if there is going to be a storyline built around Buffy feeling less than sure of herself, I’d much rather it relate to her night job as The Slayer and not to a boyfriend.

And Xander’s thread of this storyline is actually worse. His masculinity is threatened because a girl, Buffy, stops Sunnydale High’s resident bully from pummeling him. The set-up is already pretty troublesome, but the resolution is that Buffy agrees to allow him to get beat up so Xander can hold-on to a sliver of manliness around his fellow male students.

KEEP IT, SHOW. KEEP IT FOREVER.

Willow is the only Scooby who comes out of this experience with some nice development. Lack of confidence is something Willow consistently struggles with, so Ghost!Willow taking charge of things is a great, rewarding moment for her character.

 

Other Things That Seem Problematic Now That I’m Older

Oz returns and his interest in Willow grows after she walks in front of his van wearing skimpy clothes. Meh. I like Oz and Willow, but I wish the writers chose another way to propel his crush forward.

Holy mother of – Angel’s wardrobe. The sort-of shapeless, overly large shirts the show dresses him in makes him look like Lurch from the Adam’s Family.

 

Delightful Moments I’d Forgotten About

Adult-me thinks the confrontation between Giles and Ethan Rayne is the best part of the episode. After 30 mins of teen-angst, it’s a relief to see two grown-ups interacting.

Cordelia. I really enjoy her snarking at Lady Buffy throughout and her attempts to get Angel’s attention are funny. Also, despite her lack of tack, I find myself appreciating the character’s honesty.

Buffy distracting Giles while Willow steals one of his books. A-plus comedic performances from Alyson Hannigan and Sarah Michelle Gellar.

 

What did you think of this episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer is available for streaming on Hulu.

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