Spoiler Slayer

Time for a major overhaul of the Spoiler Slayer and the Buffy Formula pages. Should be updated sometime this afternoon.

'Flooded' was an excellent episode, and really started demonstrating the changes the Scoobie's are going through. What was really surprising is the amount of unhappiness and perhaps even subconscious hatred that is there. Giles isn't really pleased to be back in Sunnydale, Xander and Anya are both getting tired of each others quirks, Willow wants everyone else to praise her for what she did. While Buffy is still in a state of some confusion, trying to find her place in the world again, but still carrying a lot of anger.

Which is why a group of nerdy warlocks is going to be able to cause a bit of havoc for a while, because the Scoob's are not the team they once were. Though I think that Jonathan is the only Warlock, Andrew is in charge of demon's and Warren the gadgets. Looking to see if one of them was more evil than the other, the only one who really came across that way was Warren. Which kind of surprised me, because I was expecting it to be Andrew.

The major shock was Willow pulling a Sybil, and threatening Giles. It was done in such a way that one wonders if Willow is alone in her head, or if the magic is turning her (ala Anakin Skywalker). I'm leaning toward the former, if only because it fits so well with 'Restless'. I was also surprised to see Buffy not correct Giles assumption that she was in a hell dimension. As I speculated last week, I felt she talked to Spike because she had to talk with someone not connected with the resurrection. I think she would have told Giles, but his reaction to having to return to Sunnydale changed her mind. Especially in the light that not much has changed, Buffy no longer needs a Watcher, which was a theme that has been cropping up ever since Season Four.

On the other hand, Willow does need a Watcher, which makes me wonder why he's going to leave again after another one of Willow's 'not-so-nice' spells. Again, it could link with 'Restless' and Giles imparting some kind of warning to Spike before he leaves. Keep on eye on Willow for me, or something of the like. Spike stands apart from the Scoobies, so his judgement won't be clouded by his emotions. Speaking of standing apart, I also thought it very telling that when Giles returns, Willow was standing away from the rest of the Scoob's (who were sitting). Strengthens my speculation that Willow and Buffy are going to have a problem when it comes to who is the leader.

In terms of the Buffy Formula (remember, the odds will now be on the Season Outline page), obviously the Troika is the 'Little Bad' for the season. Which leaves us having to find a Betrayer and a Big Bad. Currently, I would be hard-pressed not to give the best odds to Willow. The only thing that disturbs me is that she is the obvious choice. I'd also put odds on the one of the Troika being the 'Big Bad', though at this point it could be someone or something we haven't even seen yet. Betrayal is harder, because it should come from someone close to the Scoob's. It will be interesting to see what happens.