This is a really powerful set of episodes, and I think a satisfying closure to Faith’s arc from last season.
“This Year’s Girl”
To be honest, the lack of fallout Buffy took for attempted murder of a human was pretty disturbing. And I’m not really sure that’s really resolved. This episode opens with a dream sequence that gives Buffy the opportunity to face her actions, though, at least a little bit.
So Faith wakes up from her coma and lashes out at Buffy, her friends and her mother. But the Mayor has left Faith a gift to let her finally take down Buffy for good.
“Who Are You”
In which Buffy and Faith have switched bodies and we learn that Eliza Dushku is actually a pretty impressive actor. Sarah Michelle Gellar does fine as Faith, but I completely believe Eliza Dushku.
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| Buffy, successfully convincing Giles of her identity. |
Buffy is taken away by the Watcher’s Council, and Faith gets to experience life as Buffy, and see how people treat you when they think you’re not a homicidal lunatic. Turns out that’s actually kind of nice, getting a taste of real love, affection, and trust. And Faith thaws a bit, helping defeat some vampires holding a church hostage.
And then there’s the scene with Spike, which is there for no reason but for to exploit the wonderful chemistry between SMG and James Marsters. There is no way Faith would know his name was William the Bloody. Spike’s chip-in-the-head exposition is awkward. But Faith sexually taunting Spike is pretty glorious.
“Five by Five”
Wolfram and Hart are really sick of Angel, and junior lawyers Lindsey, Lilah, and Lee put their heads together and figure out that a good way to deal with a vampire is to bring in a vampire slayer. Specifically, in fact, a crazy one. And one such has just arrived in LA! Faith takes the job, but gets sidetracked by Wesley, who she decides to capture and brutally torture. After Wesley, though, there’s nobody left to hurt but herself, and she finally lets Angel help her.
“Sanctuary”
As Angel works with Faith, we’re given flashbacks of when he was ensouled. He’s trying to make the process easier on her than it was for him. He tells Buffy (and anyone else who’ll listen) that it’s about saving someone’s soul, but since Faith has the same passion and love for cruelty that Angelus did, it’s super personal. Faith must be worthy of redemption, because if she isn’t, then where does that leave Angel?
This is the last time Buffy appears on Angel. Angel is definitely unfair in his fight with her, (as I recall, the most recent break up was your idea, dude) but I really like that they have legitimate differences keeping them apart now, and not just plot drama.
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