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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Return of the Buffinator, 16 Sep 2001
After the slight disappointment that was Season Four, Buffy the Vampire Slayer returns for its fifth, and possibly best season.It's all change this time, and the first episode makes this clear. Buffy fights a famous vampire - Dracula, an idea that works and only smells slightly of fromage - Xander asserts, after a hilarious bug-eating phase, that he is no-one's butt-monkey, and a new cast member appears. Devoted fans know that's somethings up already. Thankfully, it's all change for the good. Relationships become more and more complex; Riley-haters will watch with glee as his relationship with Buffy becomes strained; Spike fans will watch with even more glee as his relationship with Buffy changes; and those that thought Adam was a poor uber-bad guy after the amazing but quirky Mayor will be pleased with the new Glory. Sadly, though, the best news concerning Glory comes in the next boxed set. There is, of course, much more than this. In fact, in order to properly review this season, we have to look at Season Four episodes, which darkly hinted at what was to come, ample evidence of Whedon's genius. Equal in terms of evidence is the bringing of gritty realism to this season; Buffy will need to fight powers that not even she can properly face, both supernatural and all-too-natural. At times, it does become more like a drama than a sci-fi/horror show, and I would be remiss if I didn't point out the distinct lacking of vampires in later episodes. Save of course, Spike, who didn't enjoy much of the limelight in the previous season, save for his dastradly role in the closing episodes. Not so this time; Spike plays a greater and greater role in this season, coming to a head once again in the closing episodes, but fighting with a different motive this time around. Those who felt Spike needed more attention will like Fool For Love; it is, in effect, devoted to the Bleached Big Bad. Riley is no more Mr Nice Guy either. In fact, while Spike sort of makes his way up into the good guy camp, Riley rather goes the other way. Whedon does, of course, make sure that everyone, including the fans, are deeply effected by this. Even I, an ardent opposer of Angel's replacement, was shocked at the culmination of Riley's sub-plot. It's heart-wrenching stuff people. This boxed set does have a flaw, though. Once you watch it, you have to buy the next one. But trust me, you want to. The end to this season can be missed by no-one... JK
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