WARNING: Contains Spoilers upto and including Buffy Season 5 and Angel Season 2.

"Dead Mans Party" Season 3 Episode 2

Copyright Bit

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" is the invention of Joss Whedon and is owned, for the purposes of copyright, by 20th Century Fox. The following is a summary and comments written under the privilages of "Fair Use" as enshrined in international copyright law for the purpose of review.

No infringement of copyright is intended. This review was originally written in 1999 for publication on a fan website, but was withdrawn when the webmaster breached the Terms and Conditions previously agreed. It has been edited to take account of subsequent episodes.

Summary

This episode opens with a speedy but informative recap of the salient events of the recent past, clips from "Becoming" and "Anne" to bring us upto date.

The episode proper begins with Buffy unpacking a final few items, this episode seems to start within hours of the closing of "Anne". Grabbing her jacket she stops by her mothers room. Joyce is hanging a mask, putting a nail in the wall. At the sound of Buffys voice she jumps and misses the nail entirely, putting the hammer through the wall. Buffy apologises, to which Joyce replies that she has got used to the peace and quiet. She identifies the mask as being a primitive Nigerian piece from a recent shipment to the art gallery, she feels it brightens up the room. Buffy disagrees, she feels it hates the room and "Wants the room to suffer". Joyce dismisses this as a lack of appreciation of art. Then she notices that Buffy is holding her jacket. Joyce asks Buffy if she is going out and Buffy explains that she wants to locate her friends - Willow, Xander, Cordelia and Oz. Joyce offers to make a snack but Buffy is quite full from "The four course snack you served me after dinner". Asked if there will be slaying Buffy attempts to dodge the question with a quip, "Only if they give me a hard time". Joyce offers to drive Buffy to find the slayerettes, which Buffy declines with difficulty until Joyce relents and lets her go. It is clear from the pauses and stilted conversation that they are both aware that there is a subject that neither dares approach.

Walking the familiar streets Buffy notices a shadowy figure in an ally and creeps up behind him. At the last moment she steps on a drinks can. At the sound the man turns, stake in hand. Blocking and disarming him Buffy sees that it is Xander. As Buffy remonstrates with Xander about how he should not play with pointed sticks -- someone could lose an eye -- a vampire bursts from a nearby hiding place and attacks Xander, with a trademark side kick Buffy temporarily drives off the vampire in time to hear Cordelias voice from a walkie-talkie. Cordelia wants to know if Nighthawk is alright. "Nighthawk?". As the vampire renews his attack the rest of the slayerettes rush around the corner, Willow and Cordelia push the vampire against a wall whilst Oz attempts to stake him. Oz gets a kick for his troubles, Willow gets thrown to the ground whilst Cordelia gets thrown at Buffy. Cordelai greets Buffy before joining the other slayerettes on the ground before Buffy delivers the coup de grace with a swift stake and rapidly dusting vampire.

Bemused but pleased the slayerettes head over to Giles' place with Buffy. As they stand on the door step Buffy debates the wisdom of visiting now, perhaps Giles will be angry. Xander makes some barbed comments but Buffy knocks on the door anyhow. When Giles opens the door he is obviously pleased to see Buffy and invites them all in for a cup of tea. Whilst Buffy dodges questions Giles makes tea and alone in the kitchen lets his reserved mask slip and his emotion out. Returning to the group, mask back in place Giles recommends that they let Buffy settle in before quizzing her. Buffy agrees with fervour. The slayerettes inform Buffy that they are quite happy to continue covering her slaying duties whilst she gets back into the swing of things, even if Willow does overestimate their success rate and Cordelia does have issues with the wardrobe. Perhaps a little less Rambo and a little more Sporty Slayer? Buffy just wants to get back into the saddle and tries to arrange things with Xander and Willow. Unfortunately Xander is tied up with Cordelia (in his dreams, perhaps). Willow admits to wanting to get some homework done but relents and agrees to meet Buffy the following afternoon. Giles advises Buffy that she will have to meet with Principal Snyder before she could return to school, Buffy responds that she and her mother already have an appointment.

The following morning at the meeting Snyder is intransigent and appears to be aroused at the thought of keeping Buffy from school. He seems to feel that she would be best served by a career in the fast food industry. When Joyce parts with a statement that she'll go all the way to the mayor, Snyder seems more amused than worried.

Dropping Buffy off at a coffee shop for her meeting with Willow, Joyce comments that there is always private school. Buffy seems less than keen on this and recommends home schooling, "It's not just for scary religious people these days!" Buffy waits at the coffee shop but Willow is a no show. Returning home Buffy meets a woman, who introduces herself as Pat, coming from her mothers house. For Pat tact is clearly a four-letter word.

Entering the her mothers house Buffy is informed that Willow called and got held up. Joyce asks Buffy if she would like to have willow, Giles and the rest over to dinner. And the answer had better be yes as they have already been invited! Despite Buffys protests that Willow et al are normal plate people Joyce insists that Buffy fetch the 'Company Plates' from the basement. Buffy finds not only the plates but also a photo of herself, Willow and Xander and an unpleasant surprise of a dead cat. Burying the cat outside Joyce suggests that Buffy might like to say a few words, Buffy is a little incredulous. Joyce supplies some words about lost souls finding their way, but is she talking about the cat?

Later that night as Buffy and Joyce sleep the eyes of the mask in Joyces room glow! Outside the dead cat struggles from the ground escaping from its grave. Inside Buffy dreams of walking through the deserted Sunnydale High campus. She is joined by angel who cryptically avoids answering her questions and responding to her "I'm Scared" with "You should be". A ringing school bell becomes the buzz of Buffys alarm clock and she rises. In the kitchen Joyce informs Buffy that the local girls school takes late enrolees but Buffy is even less keen than she was the day before. Joyce tells Buffy that she is going to have to face up to the consequences of the choices she has made but is interrupted as the cat they buried the day before streaks through the door.

Calling in Giles to investigate Buffy greets him with "Welcome to the Hellmouth petting Zoo". Cornering the cat in Joyces bedroom Giles retrieves and cages it. He then notices the mask and identifies it as Nigerian. Buffy cuts off the budding discussion of art between Giles and Joyce saying that they have to get in research mode to find out how the cat returned from the grave. Giles encourages Buffy to remain with her mother but when Joyce gives the OK for Buffy to go is forced to reveal that Buffy is banned from school property.

In the library, the cat fascinates Oz and Xander. Cordelia is disgusted. Willow and Giles are busy hitting the books. Conversation turns to the upcoming event at Buffys, what sort of event is it to be. Giles feels that a quiet gathering is in order, but the slayerettes vote for a big Hootenanny. Distracted by this Giles turns the pages of his book of demons past a depiction of the mask in Joyces room without seeing it.

Putting the final preparations to the dinner table setting Buffy hears a knock at the door. She answers it and is greeted by Pat in full force, Buffy is all to eager to pass off the interloper in her world to her mother. The next knock at the door is the component members of "Dingoes Ate My Baby", closely followed by a large cross-section of the teenage population of Sunnydale. Soon the house is rocking. Wandering through the crowds of strangers Buffy finds Willow watching the band, or to be more precise that part of the band comprises by Oz. Attempting to hold a conversation is futile so Buffy beckons Willow to a quieter part of the house and asks why she has been avoiding her. Willow denies this strongly but with a certain lack of veracity before heading back to the band and Oz watching. Buffy hears a young man ask another who's party this is. The second takes a drag on his 'Herbal' cigarette and states that it's for "some chick who just got out of rehab".

Whilst the party is in full swing the mask is glowing again. At a road accident a man dies at the scene but rises and staggers off. In the hospital emergency room a burns victim is declared dead but soon gets up and attacks the medical staff.

Buffy finds Xander and Cordelia. Although they express their joy at her returning to Sunnydale it is clear that their main interest is each other. Overhearing her mother saying that things have been more difficult than expected since her return, Buffy heads to her room and begins repacking her bag.

At the library Giles finally finds a reference to the mask. He tries to ring Buffy but the phone is answered by someone the worse for weed, the message does not get through. Deciding to deliver his warning in person Giles drives to the Summers residence but, distracted by his tirade against the foolishness of 'Americans!', he hits a shambling man in the road. Getting out of the car to examine the man Giles finds that he has been dead for quite some time, but is still quite lively as he attacks. Breaking free Giles sees that there are many more people heading in the same direction, in various states of dress, and decay. Climbing into his car and closing the door just in time he notices that his keys are in the road. Displaying ingenuity, along with some skills not normally associated with reserved British librarians Giles hot-wires his car and gets under way with an exclamation of "Just like riding a bloody bicycle!" Escaping the zombies Giles heads towards his, and their, destination.

Willow wanders into Buffys room and sees here packing. Whilst upbraiding Buffy, Willow reveals that a lot of her standoffishness has come from her own feelings or aloneness. She has missed discussing the new fears and joys in her life with Buffy and is angry at Buffy for leaving, and angrier that that she is now trying to leave again.. Just as they start to build bridges, Joyce walks in and launches a verbal attack on Buffy which they carry down into the body of the party. Careless of the reaction of Buffys peers Joyce continues her attack and chews out Buffy for her summer activities and prior slayerhood. Xander joins in the attack. Cordelias attempts at understanding are so far wide of the mark that they are more vicious than Xanders directed barbs. Xander renews his attack, this time apparently on the behalf of Willow. When Oz tries to mediate to avert a physical confrontation, Willow comments that perhaps as talking seems to not be having any result they should try violence.

At this point the zombies who have been converging on the house break through the doors and windows making Willow cry "I was being sarcastic!". The zombies set about killing all those not fast enough to escape.

Differences forgotten Buffy and the slayerettes leap into action, rapidly learning that the old stake to the heart trick has no effect on zombies. With plain old violence they try to drive back the zombies and barricade the doors and windows, even Joyce swings a mean vase to help. Meanwhile Pat has been acosted by a zombie and dragged down a hallway. Overrun downstairs Buffy, Joyce, Willow and Xander retreat upstairs to Joyces room, picking up Pat on their way, whilst Oz and Cordelia hide in a closet. Putting pat on the bed Willow discovers that Pat appears to be dead.

Hearing that the commotion has moved upstairs Oz and Cordelia emerge in time to come face to face with Giles. Having convinced them that he is completely himself, Giles explains that the zombies have been raised by the mask in Joyces room which is host to a demon called Ovu Mobani (Evil Eye). If one of them puts the mask on they will become the demon incarnate, this would be a bad thing.

In Joyces room attempts to prevent zombies entering the room fail but Joyce is pleased to see that Pat seems to have recovered. However her joy is short lived as Pat knocks her aside. As Buffy, Willow and Xander attempt to drive back the invading zombies Pat puts on the mask, which moulds itself to her face as she becomes the demon. The other zombies cower, Xander comments that this is not good. Stunning Buffy with a flash of light Ovu Mobani throws her accorss the room turning it's attention to willow declaiming "I live, You die". Another flash which freezes Willow, but before it can attack Buffy has leapt at the demon throwing it and herself out of the window and they crash to the ground outside. Xander, Joyce and Willow take on the remaining zombies upstairs, Joyce with a great deal of enthusiasm.

Downstairs whilst fending off another zombie Giles tells Oz to go to Buffy and warn her that the demons power is in it's eyes. Oz rushes outside to see Buffy fighting the demon with her eyes covered. He is stunned by the demons flash but this gives Buffy the chance to thrust a shovel into the demons eyes. Staggering back Ovu Mobani disappears into thin air as do the zombies in rapid succession.

Backing side Joyce surveys the wreck of her home and asks if this is a normal day at the office, Buffy replies that "This was nothing." Arguments forgotten Buffy and Willow embrace.

The following day Principal Snyder is preparing for a meeting with the mayor when Giles drops in for a few words. Snyder responds that if those words are "Buffy Summers" they would be wasted, he has precedent and a tingly feeling. Giles indicates that he is considering taking the matter to the state supreme court, he could make things difficult for Snyder despite his local power. Professionally of course. When Snyder seems unimpressed Giles calmly takes him by the throat and asks "Would you like me to convince you?"

In the closing scene Buffy and Willow are finally having their cup of coffee. They discuss Willows journeys into the realms of witchcraft and her current feelings of moral superiority, as addictive as any drug. Buffy says she can take her lumps, for a while. As they trade good-natured insults we fade to credits.

Discussion

The title of this episode comes from a song by Oingo Boingo. Overall the episode continues the theme of growing up started in "Anne", investigating the way that it affects the relationships we have with those around us and those we love.

Willow is maturing and becoming more independent, her dating and experiments with witchcraft show that she is taking control of her own life. However the child inside still seeks comfort in discussing her fears with Buffy. It is here that we start to see the love that Willow has for Buffy. Until Buffy appeared on the scene Willow really didn't have any close female friends, and had no siblings. In Bufy she has a close female friend for whom she also has a healthy level of hero worship (Willow sees Buffy as a hero but realises that she is not perfect). Willow love Bufy as both a friend/sibling (Fillios) and a hero (Agape)¹.

Xander feels betrayed by Buffy, perhaps more than any other. He loves her, in his own mind at least, and she abandoned him, first for Angel and then for life in a distant city. We know from season 4 episode 1 ('The Freshman') that Xander views Buffy as his hero. This could feed the feelings of betrayal as we always feel most betrayed when our heros do something that tarnishes our idealised image of them. There may also be an element of jealousy there. She got to leave town and have an adventure whilst he stayed in Sunnydale. When Xander does eventually leave town (between Season 3 and Season 4) he only makes it as far as Oxnard (a town in Northern California).

Joyce still sees Buffy as the little girl she gave birth to nearly 18 years ago. She has great difficulty seeing her as an independent human being. Her automatic dismissal of Buffys feeling about the mask shows that she is not used to considering that her daughter may have a valid view. By the end of the episode, having finally seen Buffy in action, taking responsibility not only for her own life but for the lives of those around her, Joyce seems to be seeing Buffy in a new light. When Buffy balks at the thought of attending an all girls private school Joyce rebukes her saying that she has to take responsibility for her actions. Joyce seems to be ignoring the fact that many of the actions that Buffy is being punished for are infact the result of her responsibilities as the slayer.

Giles clearly loves Buffy, in a paternal manner. His feelings towards her go far beyond that required by his post as a watcher. His hotwiring the car and treatment of Snyder give us a glimpse of a different Giles that has been hinted at in the past. His threatening of Snyder shows that he is willing to go out on a limb and even risk his own position for Buffy. We get to see more of 'Ripper' Giles later in Season 3 ('Band Candy') and in Season 5 where he first manages to convince (unfortunately off camera) one of Glory's minions to betray his Goddess then in the final episode takes the pragmatic step of killing an innocent (but not very innocent) to prevent a greater evil walking free. His comment at the time that Buffy cannot do what must be done because she is the hero is straight out of classic story telling and firmly puts Giles in the 'Obi Wan'/'Gandalf' role to Buffy's 'Luke Skywalker'/'Frodo Baggins'. It will be interesting to see how much of 'Ripper' is shown in the new UK based spin off (tentitively entitled 'Giles' or 'Watcher') which is being produced in a partnership between the BBC and Joss Whedon.

A recurring theme of this episode is masks. There is the literal mask of Ovu Mobani which raises the zombies, but there are also a number of metaphorical masks. Each of the main players is wearing a mask through most of the episode behind which they hide their true feelings. It is only when they let the masks slip and reveal how they actually feel that they can take a step further towards recocilliation. This theme continues later in the season with the Mayor wearing the mask of an avuncular local politician until the final act when he turns into a demon, Faith wearing a series of masks top hide her background and then her true intensions. Even Willow, Xander and Buffy get into the act with "Doppelgangland", "The Zeppo" and "Enemies" amongst others.

At the end of "Becoming II" Buffy felt alone, completely alone. Grief over Angel, the argument with her mother and the heavy burden of her slayer duties were weighing on her mind. Blaming herself and feeling that others blamed her for the troubles that surround her she ran to escape herself. "Dead Mans Party" has shown her that she is loved by those around her far more deeply than she could have previously guessed.