UK Mall 1 - Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Season 6 Collection - Part 2 [1998]

The main characters continue to be well-fleshed out and are fun to watch, although Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) and Tara (Amber Benson) are as good as left out for most of the action. Tara was a sweetly mellow presence, but never really developed far beyond her relationship with Willow (Alysson Hannigan). Sarah Michelle Gellar is good as Buffy, but she's overwhelmed by her supporting cast.

Nicholas Brendon is on stunning form as Xander, particularly in "Hell's Bells" where he is confronted, in many forms, with his insecurities over his decision to marry Anya (Emma Caufield). James Marsters is similarly good as Spike, as the vampire struggles with his conscience and his love/lust for the Slayer.

Then there is Adam Busch as Warren, the series's first on-running human villain. Embittered geeks are nothing new to "Buffy" and many have featured in one-off episodes throughout the series. But none have been explored to quite the same depth Warren has. Through Adam Busch's superb performance, Warren evolves from a bullied, sexually frustrated nerd to a misogynistic psychopath. Yet even as he sinks to bitterness and evil, his cluelessness never dissipates.

Yet the show belongs to Alysson Hannigan's Willow, who turns evil in the season's final episodes. Hannigan does well showing the conflicted, pained insecurities at Willow's core and her last face-off with Xander, as she attempts to end the world, has plenty of emotional power.

It's all very downbeat, and with the exception of the underrated "Doublemeat Palace", there is no levity or humour here. The result is a turgid, but still compelling watch.

Firstly there are just too many plot lines competing for attention so that none really held my attention, is this about the (awful) Trio, Willow, or Buffy & Spike? Previous series had a strong central plot combined with sub plotting and standalone episodes all expertly balanced. This series was all over the place and the only good standalone episode was the one Joss Whedon wrote.

Secondly the Trio of geeks were a big mistake, they were never more than mildly amusing at the start and Warren transformation into superbaddy completely ridiculous.

Thirdly there is some truly awful scripting and plotting. The dialogue always one of the joys of Buffy only rarely sparkled. While some of the plot developments are incredibly clumsily handled, oh Tara is back with Willow, oh 1 episode later Tara is dead and Willow is back on the magic. While much as I missed Giles he had at least one to many exits this series; I'm leaving, I'm back but I'm leaving again, I'm back but I'm dying, oh actually I'm OK!!!

Why 4 stars then? Because the best bits are still some of the best things on television and the final confrontation between Xander and Willow was as powerful as anything the series has done - though I suspect only for long term fans, Xanders character was seriously undermined in this series.

Overall a disappointment compared too the high standards Buffy can achieve, for those that don't agree ask yourselves which was more shocking & moving, Taras death or Glory feeding of her mind in series 5?

Doublemeat Palace - 4/10
Buffy gets a job in a burger bar, when employees are rapidly disappearing she suspects the secret ingredient is something more sinister than 'the meat process'. A clever attempt of satire towards the fast food industry, but it comes across as more silly than funny.
A very poor start to the set, this episode is aiming for humour and never quite hits the mark. It's generally acknowledged to be the worst episode in Buffy 's history, and although it improves with repeated viewing it is not memorable.

Dead Things - 10/10
A very dark and depressing episode which is very well written and acted. The main story line is Buffy trying to come to terms with her unhealthy, self-destructive relationship with Spike. All the scoobies are suffering and although it is a very Buffy/Spike centred episode, the pain of the others is evident too.

Older and Further Away - 6.5/10
The title is referring to Buffy, who, in another birthday disaster episode is growing apart from her friends. It's defiantly filler, despite revelling a story line that has unfolded for sometime.
There are some funny moments here, mainly from Xander, and occasionally Tara cryptically teasing Spike about his relationship with Buffy, but its hard to get involved in the story line and the viewer feels relatively detached throughout, a suitable episode to follow the intensity of 'Dead Things'.

As You Were 5/10
In the final let down episode of the season, we see Riley return to Sunnydale and while doing so he reminds Buffy she is much more than what she has become. It is not so much about moving on, as it is moving back. All the scoobies have made bad decisions recently especially Buffy and Willow, and here they are coming to terms with it and trying to get back on their feet. Of course the season isn't over yet so they will encounter more obstacles on the way.

Hells Bells 7/10
This improves considerably on repeated viewing. Each individual scene has something to offer. Xander and Anya's wedding does not go ahead which looks like the end of their relationship but things are looking up for Willow and Tara.

Normal Again 10/10
The best episode on the box set.
Buffy gets struck by a demon which gives her hallucinations, making her believe she is in a mental institution. Raising the issue of how do we know if the reality we experience is real?

Entropy 9/10
The only comic episode from this box set that achieves what it set out to do. It is dark, it is also very funny. Clever title for an episode showing 'Things fall apart, you can't ever put them back the way they were'

Seeing Red 8/10
Another well-written episode which is quite disturbing.

Villains 8/10 Two To Go 9/10 Grave 9/10
Three episodes that see Willow fall back into her magic addiction. Xander's speech at the end of Grave is wonderful, offering Willow his unconditional love - even if she kills him, telling her how much she has grown from 'crayon breaky Willow to Scary Veiny Willow'. Excellent acting from everyone, especially Alyson, reminding us why we love the show so much.

The main characters continue to be well-fleshed out and are fun to watch, although Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) and Tara (Amber Benson) are as good as left out for most of the action. Tara was a sweetly mellow presence, but never really developed far beyond her relationship with Willow (Alysson Hannigan). Sarah Michelle Gellar is good as Buffy, but she's overwhelmed by her supporting cast.

Nicholas Brendon is on stunning form as Xander, particularly in "Hell's Bells" where he is confronted, in many forms, with his insecurities over his decision to marry Anya (Emma Caufield). James Marsters is similarly good as Spike, as the vampire struggles with his conscience and his love/lust for the Slayer.

Then there is Adam Busch as Warren, the series's first on-running human villain. Embittered geeks are nothing new to "Buffy" and many have featured in one-off episodes throughout the series. But none have been explored to quite the same depth Warren has. Through Adam Busch's superb performance, Warren evolves from a bullied, sexually frustrated nerd to a misogynistic psychopath. Yet even as he sinks to bitterness and evil, his cluelessness never dissipates.

Yet the show belongs to Alysson Hannigan's Willow, who turns evil in the season's final episodes. Hannigan does well showing the conflicted, pained insecurities at Willow's core and her last face-off with Xander, as she attempts to end the world, has plenty of emotional power.

It's all very downbeat, and with the exception of the underrated "Doublemeat Palace", there is no levity or humour here. The result is a turgid, but still compelling watch.

Firstly there are just too many plot lines competing for attention so that none really held my attention, is this about the (awful) Trio, Willow, or Buffy & Spike? Previous series had a strong central plot combined with sub plotting and standalone episodes all expertly balanced. This series was all over the place and the only good standalone episode was the one Joss Whedon wrote.

Secondly the Trio of geeks were a big mistake, they were never more than mildly amusing at the start and Warren transformation into superbaddy completely ridiculous.

Thirdly there is some truly awful scripting and plotting. The dialogue always one of the joys of Buffy only rarely sparkled. While some of the plot developments are incredibly clumsily handled, oh Tara is back with Willow, oh 1 episode later Tara is dead and Willow is back on the magic. While much as I missed Giles he had at least one to many exits this series; I'm leaving, I'm back but I'm leaving again, I'm back but I'm dying, oh actually I'm OK!!!

Why 4 stars then? Because the best bits are still some of the best things on television and the final confrontation between Xander and Willow was as powerful as anything the series has done - though I suspect only for long term fans, Xanders character was seriously undermined in this series.

Overall a disappointment compared too the high standards Buffy can achieve, for those that don't agree ask yourselves which was more shocking & moving, Taras death or Glory feeding of her mind in series 5?

Doublemeat Palace - 4/10
Buffy gets a job in a burger bar, when employees are rapidly disappearing she suspects the secret ingredient is something more sinister than 'the meat process'. A clever attempt of satire towards the fast food industry, but it comes across as more silly than funny.
A very poor start to the set, this episode is aiming for humour and never quite hits the mark. It's generally acknowledged to be the worst episode in Buffy 's history, and although it improves with repeated viewing it is not memorable.

Dead Things - 10/10
A very dark and depressing episode which is very well written and acted. The main story line is Buffy trying to come to terms with her unhealthy, self-destructive relationship with Spike. All the scoobies are suffering and although it is a very Buffy/Spike centred episode, the pain of the others is evident too.

Older and Further Away - 6.5/10
The title is referring to Buffy, who, in another birthday disaster episode is growing apart from her friends. It's defiantly filler, despite revelling a story line that has unfolded for sometime.
There are some funny moments here, mainly from Xander, and occasionally Tara cryptically teasing Spike about his relationship with Buffy, but its hard to get involved in the story line and the viewer feels relatively detached throughout, a suitable episode to follow the intensity of 'Dead Things'.

As You Were 5/10
In the final let down episode of the season, we see Riley return to Sunnydale and while doing so he reminds Buffy she is much more than what she has become. It is not so much about moving on, as it is moving back. All the scoobies have made bad decisions recently especially Buffy and Willow, and here they are coming to terms with it and trying to get back on their feet. Of course the season isn't over yet so they will encounter more obstacles on the way.

Hells Bells 7/10
This improves considerably on repeated viewing. Each individual scene has something to offer. Xander and Anya's wedding does not go ahead which looks like the end of their relationship but things are looking up for Willow and Tara.

Normal Again 10/10
The best episode on the box set.
Buffy gets struck by a demon which gives her hallucinations, making her believe she is in a mental institution. Raising the issue of how do we know if the reality we experience is real?

Entropy 9/10
The only comic episode from this box set that achieves what it set out to do. It is dark, it is also very funny. Clever title for an episode showing 'Things fall apart, you can't ever put them back the way they were'

Seeing Red 8/10
Another well-written episode which is quite disturbing.

Villains 8/10 Two To Go 9/10 Grave 9/10
Three episodes that see Willow fall back into her magic addiction. Xander's speech at the end of Grave is wonderful, offering Willow his unconditional love - even if she kills him, telling her how much she has grown from 'crayon breaky Willow to Scary Veiny Willow'. Excellent acting from everyone, especially Alyson, reminding us why we love the show so much.