h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, since these two episodes have been shown on ch.5 now, I thought I'd give them a re-watch today (quite the chore, I really had to force myself to do it), and post a few comments (not really a proper review). Please feel free to add your own coments, and/or hijack the thread for your own reviews.

Well, the first thing I thought about was the wonderful economy of dialogue Whedon displays even in the first episode, a talent that stood him well right up until Chosen. By the end of WTTH, the characters are already well established and rounded, and basic plot/exposition issues are dealt with fairly briefly. A good platform is already set by the end of the second episode for the rest of s.1. All this is achieved in only 2 episodes.

It is undeniable, for me at least, that BtVS really started showing its true scope in Prophecy Girl - the rest of s.1 is excellent but doesn't have the same ambition or thematic and season arc drive later seasons would come to develop. And the first 2 episodes are symptomatic of that.

That said, even at this stage, there is real subtlelty and character growth on display - key being Xander's reaction to Jesse's death. But also worthy of note is the confrontation between Giles and Buffy in the library after the body is discovered at school - issues of duty, responsibility, burden and freedom already being shown, issues which would, of course, come to a head in the season finale.

That's most of my thoughts for now. Just for the record, my preference is for WTTH - the pace seems to me slightly better, and The Harvest on occassions (due to necessity rather than inability) is a little over-expositional. That said, the climactic fight between Buffy and Luke is excellent - in execution, and also inasmuch as it is very typical of fights, and the show, generally - elements of the conventional in the fight, but with a touch of self-awareness and tongue firmly in cheek in the manner Buffy eventually wins.

Anyhow, enough for now, methinks. I might make this a weekly occurrence - at the very least, it gives me a good excuse to re-watch all the episodes. And I'm looking forward to next week - The Witch is a personal favourite.