Spoiler Slayer

Thoughts On 'Sleeper'

I think I'm beginning to sound like a broken record. Another excellent episode, one that I enjoyed as much as any other this season. Yet at the same time, once again the episode focused on a single storyline. This usually isn't the norm, in the past the various relationships have added some variety to the main plot. But with the exception of 'Beneath You' and 'Conversations With Dead People', most of the episodes can be set up as an episode revolving around a single character.

This week, it was Spike (and more specifically Buffy and Spike). When we last left our Sunnydale denizens, Buffy had just been given the information that Spike was siring vampires. 'Sleeper' pretty much dealt with Buffy and the Scoobies figuring out if this was true. With the exception of two very brief jaunts over the pond to see that both SIT's and their Watchers are both being killed, it was all about Spike. For the audience, the entire episode was mainly answering the question, 'What Would Buffy Do?'

I have to admit, I had serious doubts that the writers would be able to pull off this storyline. It's been an uphill battle for Spike, even after getting the soul. I don't think anyone would have blamed Buffy if she had respected Spike's request and staked him. However, they managed to make Spike sympathetic. Even though he was the cause, it certainly seemed that he really didn't have any knowledge or control over the situation. We could find out differently later down the road, but although I know that James is a good enough actor to pull it off, I think Spike would have a much harder time. He, of all he characters on the show, has never really been able to hide his emotions.

Which begs the question, why did 'The First' want Spike to be siring vampires in the first place. Was it to stop Buffy? If so, it would seem that it would be much easier to simply have Spike attack the Scoobies or Buffy herself. The other question is that if Spike wasn't actually being possessed, then who 'hypnotized' or 'programmed' him to kill. It seems like a little bit too much micro-management by the 'Big Bad'. The attempts in 'Conversations' seemed a bit weak, more flash than bang. The Spike storyline seemed a bit pointless, and even a plethora of vampires hardly caused Buffy to break a sweat.

I don't know, I guess I just expected the 'First Evil' to be, well...

Evil.

Which falls back to some of the original reasons I questioned if the 'Shapeshifter' was really the 'First Evil'. It just seems a bit to tame for something of that magnitude. In less than a few days, it convinced Angel to kill himself. Yet now, it's taken months and the help of many other characters to barely make a dent in the Scoobie's morale. It might talk about grand plans, but that's all it seems to be doing.

Are we being lured into a false sense of security, or is something else going on here. I'm still wondering if the pieces are still being set in place, which is why all hell hasn't broke loose at this point. Which I would expect if it was really the 'Big Bad', even the Beast on Angel can pull off a 'rain of fire'. While in Sunnydale, the best evil can do is some really wicked impressions (note: this is another reason while I still feel the shows have separate mythologies). It feels as if it's testing more than trying the Scoobies abilities, as if to prepare them for what's to come. Which could be why there have been some hints that there may be two separate entities in action at this time. One that is tracking down and killing the SIT's, while the other harassing the Scoobies.

I don't think it'll be much longer before we find out one way or another.