The Girl in Question

[shapinglight]

Finished my brief BtVS rewatch with another episode about which the current fandom consensus seems to be that we're not supposed to enjoy it, The Girl in Question.



Have to say, I don't care what anyone else thinks. I love it, not least because, though Angel and Spike both come across as pretty stupid, just for once, Angel is definitely stupider. Most of all, though, I love it for the vespa/car chase and the 'I signalled her with my eyes' scenes. ROFL.

Not going to say any more. I wrote a proper review of this ep back in 2007, and I haven't changed my mind about anything since (except for thinking the comics are even worse than I thought then).

Great stuff.

Comments

[norwie2010.livejournal.com]

Never let your love be soured by what others say! :)

[shapinglight]

I'm trying my very best to stop letting what Joss says in the comics sour my love of the show at any rate.

[tx-cronopio.livejournal.com]

It's ok -- I agree with what I assume the consensus to be, which is that the timing of a silly slapstick episode at this point in S5 was just weird.

[willowgreen.livejournal.com]

Exactly. There are so many great moments in the episode, but the combination of the bizarre timing and the infuriating message made it hard to enjoy at the time.

[shapinglight]

I don't actually disagree with that. It would probably have worked better if it could have come before AHiTW. Just after Smile Time would have been best. But even though the timing is off, I would hate to have missed it completely.

[kathyh]

I love "The Girl in Question". It's very funny, very silly and a welcome relief from the darkness all around it.

[shapinglight]

I agree. Plus I, for one, appreciated at last the two vampire 'ships were put on equal footing. "Buffy loves both of you," Andrew says. Fine by me.

[norwie2010.livejournal.com]

Just read your review from way back when (which i hadn't done up until now) and i must say i'm astonished: I came away with the exact opposite impression of Angel and Spike moving on. I always thought that the episode's main connection to the overall arc was that it frees Angel and Spike of their human ties to go on (get off? ;-) to their suicide mission.

[shapinglight]

I always thought that the episode's main connection to the overall arc was that it frees Angel and Spike of their human ties to go on (get off? ;-) to their suicide mission.

Not IMO. They very definitely aren't moving on, no matter what they say. That's why when they say it, they're sitting still, not moving.

Angel does some letting go of his human ties, though, notably sending Nina and her family away.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

You aren't alone. I loved the episode. Wrote extensively on it, and still find moments to be hilarious. My favorite bits are the Spike/Angel banter. And oh...the bit where Angel repeats Buffy's cookie dough speech weepy eyed to Spike and Andrew...the look on Spike's face? Priceless.

But me and fandom aren't always in agreement...;-)

[shapinglight]

My favorite bits are the Spike/Angel banter. And oh...the bit where Angel repeats Buffy's cookie dough speech weepy eyed to Spike and Andrew...the look on Spike's face? Priceless.

Hee! Yes, that's very funny.

Andrew: Is Angel crying yet?
Spike: No. :looks at Angel: Not yet.

[deborahw37.livejournal.com]

I watched that yesterday! I love it! Always have and always will and adored the live commentary JM and DB did for it at the Halloween event a few yesrs back

Hop on little mama!

[shapinglight]

and adored the live commentary JM and DB did for it at the Halloween event a few yesrs back

Wish I'd been at that one, but it was way too expensive for me. :(

Yes, it's lots of fun, even though DB and JM look a little rough around the edges.

[whichclothes.livejournal.com]

I really like that episode. I thought it was one of the funniest Angel epis and that some comedy was needed at that point.

[shapinglight]

I thought it was one of the funniest Angel epis and that some comedy was needed at that point.

I do think the timing is a bit off, given that the daft Angel/Spike scenes are intercut with the horribly angsty Wes/Illyria/Burkles scenes, but I would hate to have missed it altogether.

[molly_may]

I'm with you, I think this episode is delightful, and "I signaled her with my eyes" is probably one of my favorite Angel lines ever. And while I know lots of people don't like it because of its placement in the series, one of the reasons I love it is because the end of S5 is so doom-and-gloom filled that an episode that makes me laugh, and lets me actually enjoy the characters of Angel and Spike in all their petty rivalry one last time is a welcome respite.

[shapinglight]

and "I signaled her with my eyes" is probably one of my favorite Angel lines ever

Agreed. The look Spike gives him is absolutely priceless. Petty Angel is so funny.

[infinitewhale.livejournal.com]

I liked it. Can't say as I loved it because the style of humor isn't my thing, but I liked it overall. The Italian-Gypsy stuff was a little eyeroll-inducing, though. It was an odd time for a quirky episode. I don't usually go for ship-mocking, but since both got, it seemed OK. Have to say, though, that while Bangel got it worse in the episode, a lot of Spuffy fans had a more childish reaction.

I liked the message that both of them should get over their issues. I liked the Buffy-Immortal stuff. Certainly had some flaws, but I don't think it deserves the hate it gets. Not nearly.

[shapinglight]

I liked the message that both of them should get over their issues. I liked the Buffy-Immortal stuff. Certainly had some flaws, but I don't think it deserves the hate it gets. Not nearly.

I agree. I liked the message too, from the fact that both 'ships were put on equal footing, if only to make fun of them, to the end of Chosen actually meaning that Buffy was free to enjoy herself and party on down for a little while if she wanted to.

I can't really remember the fan reaction at the time. I do remember being rather surprised by how many people hated the episode, probably because I was a big Spangel 'shipper at the time and of course all the Spangel fans loved it.

[rebcake.livejournal.com]

I love this episode, for a certain value of love. It's certainly one of my favorites from AtS S5, because I'm powerless to resist the ones with flashbacks. I also love the introduction of Ilona Costa Bianchi, who I like to think would have been an excellent foil if there had been another season. We need more HBICs! Plus, she likes Spike, so clearly she's a woman of excellent taste. ;-)

Since I don't really care about AtS, I am not bothered by the "inappropriate for its place in the season" comedy. Whatever. We get Darla, Dru, Fred & her folks, and ridiculous Andrew one last time. And Angel riding bitch again for the first time since S1. I call it a win.

[shapinglight]

I love our last look at the Fanged Four too. They are, and always will be, my favourite TV vampire family. I was so glad we got to see the four of them together again before the show ended.

[elisi]

It's daft, but wonderful. And everything makes sense if Captain Jack is The Immortal. :)

Also it is of course the shippiest Spangel episode ever. ♥

[shapinglight]

Also it is of course the shippiest Spangel episode ever. ♥

Well, exactly. Which is why, because I was such a big Spangel 'shipper at the time it aired I didn't really get why so many people were upset about it.

[rahirah]

While I think that the episode has flaws, I still love it. (Which would apply to AtS S5 as a whole, really.)

[shapinglight]

Same here. There are things in it, and in the season, that make me cringe, but I would hate to have missed it all the same.

[sueworld2003.livejournal.com]

As you know I absolutely adore this story and always defend it to the death! *g*

Sometimes you just have to sit back and enjoy the silly. :D

[shapinglight]

Sometimes you just have to sit back and enjoy the silly. :D

I think so. Of course it helps when watching it to be a Spangel 'shipper, but it's funny enough even if you're not, I think.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

fandom consensus seems to be that we're not supposed to enjoy it, The Girl in Question.


Well, phooey, on them. It's funny. And entertaining. And it had a point about moving on from Buffy.

As far as I can tell a lot of the butt hurt comes from the 'Buffy can do no wrong and should never be mocked because she is me perfect' crowd.

[shapinglight]

As far as I can tell a lot of the butt hurt comes from the 'Buffy can do no wrong and should never be mocked because she is me perfect' crowd.

They're certainly one group that don't like it much. Personally, I can't see anything in the episode that's insulting to Buffy anyway.

[spikesjojo.livejournal.com]

Once I saw this as a Spangel episode, I lost all my problem with it. C'mon - slow mo fight between Angel and Spike to the lyrics to Take Me In Your Arms:

Once upon a lovely time

Many million dreams ago

Once there was a man in love dear

Many million dreams ago


Once he thought he had a sweetheart

Then he broke the golden rule

Never take your love for granted

Wise men often play the fool


Now he'd like to say I'm sorry

Can't you see within his heart

Without you there's no tomorrow

Why should true love have to part


Take me in your arms

I promise to be true

Never again I'll stray

Away from you



Take me in your arms

I promise to be true

Never again I'll stray

Away from you

[shapinglight]

C'mon - slow mo fight between Angel and Spike to the lyrics to Take Me In Your Arms:

:) See icon. Different song, but...

[ms-scarletibis.livejournal.com]

I LOVE this ep. It's one of my favorites in either series. Top three even. I'm a Spangel at heart, and it was just...perfection in my opinion. I liked the bits that took place at W&H with the others, but I have to say--if it had just been all Spike and Angel, I would have probably pissed myself with glee (graphic and just kidding, but you catch my drift :).

[shapinglight]

I'm a Spangel at heart, and it was just...perfection in my opinion.

I was too at the time, and may get there again if I can ever convince myself once and for all that the comics don't count (Joss's name on the covers doesn't help with that). But yeah, it's a terrific, fun ep for a Spangel 'shipper.

[ex_peasant441]

I've always adored TGIQ. I didn't know I wasn't supposed to. The vespa scene is very funny but my favourite is the slow-mo fight in the nightclub.

I think Angel is stupider than Spike. He lacks intuition and has to make up for it by thinking too much.

[shapinglight]

I think Angel is stupider than Spike. He lacks intuition and has to make up for it by thinking too much.

I think you're right (as you know), but since Spike had spent most of the season playing dumb kid brother to Angel, I really, really appreciated just one episode that made him look like the sensible one.

[lynnenne]

I wish the entire season had been made of episodes like this one.

[shapinglight]

It could certainly have done with a few more. :)

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

I adore that episode. I rewatched it countless times and I never get tired of it. I love all the references to European movies; love the music; love the flashbacks. Perfection.

[shapinglight]

I don't think I'd ever get tired of it either. Angel and Spike are just such a delicious double act.

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

*grins* Oh yeah... That is a very funny episode. :-D I kinda love Andrew in it, even though not many do. ;-)

[shapinglight]

I can do without Andrew any time, but I dislike him less in this episode than in some others.