Spoiler Slayer

A lot of news has popped up in the past day, so I want to cover that before I get to my thoughts on 'Selfless'. I'm going to push that back for a day and talk about the most recent spoilers.

What, No Catchy Title

First up, pictures and some episode info for Eps Seven and Eight appeared at FanForum last night and today. You'll need to follow the link for the pictures (they're all Spike or Aimee Mann), but here's the episode info posted by ECH and Fraz.

'Conversations With Dead People'

Joyce visits Dawn from the beyond, Buffy has a revealing chat with a vampire and Willow receives a ghostly visitor who she believes may well be Tara, all of which portend an imminent, unpleasant future, on BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER.

Kristine Sutherland returns as Joyce, Buffy and Dawn’s deceased mother. Nick Marck directed the episode from a script by Jane Espenson and Drew Goddard.

Meanwhile, Jonathan and Andrew return to Sunnydale for some inevitably unpleasant mischief.

'Sleeper'

From ECH - There is a mass murder in Sunnydale.

From Fraz - A serial killer is on the loose in Sunnydale and when the Scooby gang investigates, they are shocked by the possible suspect’s identity. Special performance by Aimee Mann.

"Sleeper" -- Spike (James Marsters) may well be up to his old, vampirey ways, on BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER airing Tuesday, November 19

First on 'Conversations With Dead People', you'll note that Amber Benson is not in the credits. Which is why I've dropped the 'Amber Returns' spoilers yet again. It's looking very doubtful (despite what some solid sources have told me), that she will be returning this season.

On the Spike pictures and spoilers. I don't have any reason to doubt the spoilers, though there is quite a bit of speculation going on about the pictures. They were taken at the Bronze, and it does appear that Spike might be wearing an apron. Does this mean he's working there? I don't know, my guess is that it's not what it appears to be, or that there is another simple explanation. I guess I just consider the Bronze to be a bit more upscale than having the bartenders/waiters wear aprons.

As for the identity of the possible suspect, I think the Oracle might have answered that question below...

The Oracle posted some spoilage for Episode 8 at the Cross and Stake.

MAYBE TRUE, MAYBE NOT... (take with salt)

Episode 8

NEW! - The "shapeshifter" is really The First. Supposedly a big bad of the season. (Although not necessarily *the* big bad of the season.) Yet again, it takes on Buffy's form in this episode while at a mall with Spike. Meanwhile, the real Buffy's searching for Spike and the two versions of Buffy yet again confuse him.

NEW! - For some unknown reason (to me, at least) Spike has regained his ability to feed from humans.

While the Oracle is tentative on this, I can at least say that it would appear that Spike has regained his ability to feed. The other details of Buffy looking for Spike also fit the spoilers we had earlier this week. But as with last season, I'm not ready to jump to the conclusion that Spike is dechipped, or turned evil, or anything else. Maybe it's not really Spike, maybe it's the 'Shapeshifter'. Maybe Spike can feed off of those willing to be fed from, or if he doesn't intend to kill them (ala Riley). Maybe Spike is turning evil, but if that's true he would probably be dust (look at Buffy's stance on Anya in 'Selfless').

However, it does appear that the 'Big Bad' may indeed be the 'First Evil'. Though not unexpected, it does surprise me. But it wouldn't be the first time I was incorrect in my speculation.

Part of the reason I was leaning against the 'First Evil', was the constant repetition of 'From Beneath You It Devours', which to me points to the Hellmouth. Which isn't technically connected with the 'First Evil'. As I was going to bring up in my thoughts on 'Selfless', the 'Little Bad' of the season seems to be a catchphrase. Likewise, if the Shapeshifter is the 'First Evil', then why did it seem to compassionate towards Spike in 'Selfless'.

Yet in the end, I have to trust the Oracle's judgment. If they say it's the 'First Evil', then it's all the proof I really need.

It's going to be an interesting November.