Update on Google Ads

 So apparently, my blog content is "low-quality" for the purposes of Google Ads and they refuse to let me remonetize it. No idea what that means, but I guess it means you get an ad-free experience (although I will not be able to make any money off my blog unless I am able to find advertisers who want me to display their content links {doubtful}). I will still try to keep this thing updated as best I can, but my current financial situation is less than ideal, and I really want to focus as much of my effort on fixing it as is humanly possible. Again, if you can think of any movie, show, or book related entities that might like the content of my blog and want to advertise here, feel free to shoot me a comment about them (or them a message about me). I'm really no good at finding and making connections in the writing world. 

Until such time as I can make this a profitable venture, it must remain a hobby, and I can only relegate so much time and effort to its upkeep. Thank you for your support and understanding.

Jujitsu Kaisen: Season 1 overview

 I've begun watching Jujitsu Kaisen with my eldest. Like most shonen anime, it has some disturbing tropes and overt sexualization of certain female characters. The protagonist is the typical shonen teenage male protagonist who is somewhat OP (in this case because he has unwittingly formed a bond with a powerful curse) and forms friendships easily with those around him (although they don't all like him, and a lot of the adults are actively out to get him). He has the mentor figure who is also OP, the gang of friends who each have their own quirks, and the monsters he has to face (including the one that lives inside of him).

I think this show has some unique qualities you don't find in other shonen anime, and the world feels very different even though the monsters (called curses in this one) can feel somewhat similar to other shows like Demon Slayer. The first element that seems different to other shows is that no character feels safe. At the offset of the show, we are told that the life expectancy of Jujitsu sorcerers is very short, and our protagonist is told right away that he needs to deal with the fact that he's not going to be able to save everyone and sometimes he might even need to be the one doing the killing. This is different to most other shonen anime where the protagonist is generally a white knight even when he is paired up with morally grey mentors or friends. This time, being that good is not necessarily the virtue that sets other shonen protagonists apart but could be the thing that gets him or a team member killed.

Another thing that sets this one apart is that there is no clear line between villains and heroes. Some Jujitsu warriors can become villains, curses are born out of human emotions and therefore are, in some ways, simply the dark side of humanity. One of the main antagonist curses in the first season seems to be born out of fear for the environment and the damage humanity has done to it. Another thing that sets these monsters apart from monsters in other shonen anime is that curses can be formed from nothing, or they can be humans who are unwittingly cursed. Although most low-level curses seem to be mindless zombies just feeding off the negativity around them (it is stated that low-level curses tend to hang out together) the higher level the curse, the more intellect and understanding it has. The most formidable are able to speak and communicate and even manipulate, as one of the main antagonists from this season does.

The part about no one feeling safe comes from the third or fourth episode in which the actual protagonist of the show dies for the majority of an episode, and everyone is forced to mourn him. Because of his bond with the powerful curse, he was able to come back, but this event shakes the faith that most shonen anime give the viewer that certain characters are untouchable. This idea that no character is safe gives the show a certain edge and makes the cliffhangers more intense since you are unsure if the character who is on the brink will pull through or be destroyed.

Some of the female characters are well written, but there is still that underlying sexism that seems to permeate a lot of anime (especially shonen). Even the best female characters are never shown to be the strongest and often are in need of saving by their male teammates. This is one of the most distasteful elements of shonen anime to me. Especially in an environment where physical strength has very little to do with power and skill development is extremely important to survival. There is no need to make the female characters always be the ones who end up needing to get saved. There should be equal times where they are the ones who do the rescuing and there should be no qualms about this either. 

The sexualization of underage characters (both male and female) is another disturbing element of the show. I understand that the target demographic is teenage males, and they are expected to be hormonal and horny, but I feel like this feeds into negative and sexist stereotypes that keep young men from growing up with a well-balanced view of the world. Just once I'd like to see a shonen show that treats all its characters with respect and decency, refuses to sexualize anyone, and does not rely on tired and sexist tropes. In the same vein, I'd like to see a shojo anime that does not have a love interest and where the girl protagonist is the strong independent type who (although she does not hate men) does not need a man to validate her existence.

Perhaps my criticisms of the genre are simply my age showing itself and I should stick to anime geared towards older people. I don't know. Anyway, for all elements combined I give season 1 an 8 out of 10.

Time and Tide

I haven't found a lot of time or energy to watch shows and review them here lately. Part of that has to do with just everything lately draining my energy. I'm currently working full-time but not making enough to get by, so I'm contemplating getting a second job. I applied to a transcription service, but I have no idea how soon or even if they'll get back to me. I'm not adept at SEO, not even sure what it might entail, so a lot of the writing opportunities that will pay are closed off to me without furthering my education on the matter (something that will no doubt cost money I don't have to spend). I got a notification from Google Adsense that they were suspending my account, which probably means they're keeping the (what was it $15 or so) in ad revenue I'd already made from this thing. They don't let you cash out until you reach $100, which I probably never would have hit anyway.

I thought about doing an affiliate link program at one time, but the biggest issue with that is finding an affiliate that both relates to the content of my blog and has values that I agree with. Not going to advertise anything that I feel contradicts my person code of ethics. I would love it if I could find an affiliate that supports the Trevor Project or any other pro LGBT+ cause, especially since that is something near and dear to my own heart. If you (my readers) have any suggestions, feel free to leave a comment.

Since I've turned this into a review blog, I'd like to start on reviewing episodes of Frasier. The first reason for this is that the show never fails to make me laugh and I've been really needing some positivity in my life recently, but the second reason is that I've been meaning to do a rewatch. Watched a couple episodes with a friend of mine recently and got her into it too (love when that happens). I may also branch off into reviewing video games as well (although those will be limited because I currently can only play ones I can download on my mobile phone or computer). 

For this post I'd like to mention that I've recently started watching Jujitsu Kaisen (at the behest of my eldest, who has become thoroughly emersed in the show) and I have to say I am enjoying it (despite some of the problematic elements which I'll get into if I decide to write a full review). This is the first anime I have started watching in a good while. I also turned 21 on to Mob Psycho 100 in return so we've been taking turns on my days off watching first an episode or two of one, then an episode or two of the other.

If I can figure out finances, I'd like to take 18 (soon to be 19) somewhere for his birthday, but it is very quickly approaching and I'm not sure I'll have had a chance to find another income source by then. I am still writing, although I have stopped trying to get published. I think it may be something that will just never happen for me.

If there is a show, game, or movie you'd like me to review (any comment of The Bible will be unceremoniously deleted) go ahead and leave it in the comment section. Barring suggestions, I'll continue to review the shows I have been reviewing and the ones I intend to start reviewing as my mood dictates. I will try to update about once a week in the future.

The End Twist: It's a doozy

 Okay, once again, this is a review of season two of the new series Interview with a Vampire, if you don't want to be spoiled, please read some of my other posts.

Okay, no magic Claudia didn't die whatever. I guess that was too much to hope for. However, the twist that does come after Armand and Louis have finished telling their version of the story is no less shocking. Although I have said before that I was doubtful as to Armand's honesty about the situation, I didn't know to what extent he was being a lying little snake.

Because Lestat's on-stage apology wasn't the only thing he did for Louis that night. Okay, so let's rewind.

After the whole thing, when Louis is about to starve, Armand feeds him some blood and helps him escape after all the other vamps are asleep. Once Louis is free, he spends his time plotting a way to wreck revenge on the whole coven. However, he warns Armand to be gone as a courtesy and a thank you for saving him.

After mercilessly burning most in their coffins, exploding the two who rode their bikes off into the night, Louis faces off against the main conspirator the very hateable Santiago who brags about them using Claudia's ashes as eyeliner for their plays and antagonizes him completely by every word in this telepathic conversation. But Louis is prepared and when Santiago emerges from the sewers, Louis is waiting to decapitate him with a machete, probably the most satisfying death in the whole show.

Then Louis goes to Armand who spins his little web of lies about how he was helpless to keep it from happening and apologizes for lying to Louis. Louis asks if Lestat is still in town, they find him in what looks to be a torture dungeon where his maker kept him like in his story early on about how he was made. Lestat looks broken and defeated. Louis asks him if he feels anything at all about Claudia's death and of course Lestat talks about the great laws which Louis correctly reminds Lestat he's never followed before. Louis then says he's here to kill Lestat which Lestat responds with I have the blood of Magnus and he mentions someone else, then Louis says, well we share the same blood. There's no epic fight scene. Louis jabs Lestat in the most painful way possible by kissing Armand and telling Lestat that his death will be the knowledge that Louis chose Armand. Lestat responds, we'll see how long that lasts but he's obviously devastated. Then it cuts to Daniel taking down the story and Louis says that's all there is to it.

Now, I suppose you're wondering where Armand's treachery comes into this. The way it is revealed is so brilliant. A question here about something that doesn't make sense. A comment there. Then Daniel Malloy pulls the entire rug out from under Louis by producing proof positive that Armand was in on the play from the start. He has a copy of the script with footnotes written by Armand directing the play. It turns out Lestat not Armand was the one who saved Louis during the play.

It flashes back to rehearsal, where Armand is overseeing the play and Lestat is arguing about how they can't keep Claudia in check and they're underestimating her. Daniel gets a computer message from the people who sent him the stuff about the fire and the script saying: GET OUT OF THERE NOW. Louis and Armand fight, breaking a bunch of shit, but when Daniel goes to see Armand is obviously defeated. Louis tells him not to harm Daniel and swears that if he does, he will kill the older vamp. He then tells him he's leaving and when he gets back the other vampire better be gone.

So what does this revelation mean, well besides the obvious that Lestat always loved Louis, truly loved him, as his on stage apology would have seemed to suggest. It also shows that nothing Armand says can be trusted. I figured this when Armand left out the crucial detail about Lestat asking him to tell Louis that he loved him.

Louis goes back to New Orleans where he finds Lestat who has gone a bit crazy (he's playing a wooden piano and eating only rats). Lestat tells Louis how much he regrets what happened with Claudia and says, at the end before she died, she looked to him like a daughter looks to her father. I knew I noticed something in his eyes when the scene of her death played, but I wasn't sure how much to trust it since it was Armand's narrative. Lestat cries and Louis hugs him as a hurricane rages outside. This is a beautiful end to their relationship arc which was always filled with storm and passion. 

Next, we see Daniel Malloy has become a bestselling author for his book, but most people aren't taking it seriously as a memoir. He's on a talk show with a host who calls it a "work of fiction". Daniel insists on the veracity of his book and takes down the talk show host and his condescending remarks by saying "you haven't read it" and the host continues to act like Daniel is somehow delusional. Then, Daniel talks telepathically with Louis who is in Dubai revealing that before he left that day Armand turned him. The final act of treachery, not able to kill him without facing repercussions, he made him a vampire instead. Vampires all over the world are gunning for Louis because of the book and all the damning evidence that's written in it, but Louis sits down and issues a warning of sorts to those who would challenge him. End scene. It was such an epic way to end it. Louis has come full circle from the fledgling vampire who didn't want to be a vamp, to become someone powerful enough to confidently throw the gauntlet at anyone who dares come at him. I loved the fact that Lestat really had no choice in what happened to Claudia and that it scarred him as much as it did because he seems not to care about her for much of the story.

Well, that's all folks, unless they do a season 3. Not sure what they'd use for the story line if they did.

The Trial: Lestat Returns

One more time, for the people in the back, there are major spoilers for the AMC show Interview with a Vampire in this blog post. If you haven't watched and don't wish to be spoiled, please turn back now before it's too late.

Okay, I just finished watching this episode and I need to collect my thoughts but wow. It was a doozy. I knew that this would be the episode where Claudia would die, and I figured it would have something to do with sunlight and the thing they stole from the observatory and why they were having the matinee performance so none of that surprised me. Armand saving Louis by controlling the entire theatre of humans surprised me a little and Louis not witnessing Claudia's death surprised me too. It actually makes me doubt the veracity of the tale that Louis wasn't there to see it especially considering the fire that destroyed the theatre. 

I expected to be a bit more emotional at Claudia's death scene. Maybe I'm still in shock, or maybe it's because the only one with tears in their eyes as Claudia and Madelaine died in each other's arms was Lestat, but that wasn't the emotional scene that I expected. It felt more like the death in Braveheart where the martyr dies cursing his murderers. I was actually much more emotional at the scene where they almost killed Lestat.

So we know that Lestat is manipulative, and we know that not only because of Louis and Armand's narrative, but because it makes sense. Yes, he loved Louis, but he also hurt him. He chased after Claudia and forced her to come back. He might have done that FOR Louis, but he still did it. Lestat's version of events is probably skewed, partially because the story is scripted by the coven. When Lestat goes off script, they don't control him like they control the three on "trial" which makes me think they either can't control him, or he helped engineer the whole thing. If they got to Lestat through the lawyer, then the last letter is even a manipulation tactic because Lestat probably wrote that after the attempted murder. Even though his version of events is skewed, it gives us another piece to the puzzle, a piece provided by neither Armand nor Louis.

Louis says that Lestat's version of events of how Claudia came to be turned is probably more accurate than his. In Lestat's version he tries to tell Louis that turning her is a bad idea and that making someone 14 forever never works out because their mind matures but their body doesn't. He then claims that Louis begged and pleaded until Lestat caved promising he'll do anything. If Lestat's story is somewhat accurate it shows only Louis' desperation to redeem himself after having wrought chaos on his people. We've also seen that Louis' memory is patchy and often unreliable and that Armand deliberately hides or obscures things to "protect" Louis. Does Armand love Louis? Probably. That doesn't change the fact that he played a part in the downfall of Louis, Claudia, and Madelaine. The fact that Armand could have defied the coven and allowed them a chance to escape by warning them occurs to me. Yes, what he did was cowardly. It may also have had a tinge of thinking logical thinking in there as well, calculating the odds of them escaping the coven entirely even if they did run away. But if any of what Lestat said was true, you have to wonder how much and if you wonder how much, you have to wonder if he was talking about the human lover that Armand almost killed and then they turned and if Armand killed him out of jealousy before Lestat ran away. According to the story, Lestat was heartbroken at the loss of his lover and buried himself for years before finally coming up and going across the ocean. There is no probability that this is true, he would have starved. However, if he did spend a period of time in mourning for a lost lover, that would explain the gap between Armand's Lestat and Louis' Lestat. However, if Armand's story of Lestat is inaccurate, if Lestat didn't just use him for his power and then run away, but Armand actually had something to do with the end of their relationship, then that could also color his relationship with Louis and pretty much everything he says. I'm very suspicious about the fact that the only person who can attest to what happened to Claudia and Madelaine is Armand.

Now I'm not saying for SURE they're actually still alive, but... I mean, they could be.

The part that actually did get me emotional in this episode, was surprisingly a part of Lestat's testimony. When Lestat goes off script and states that what he did to Louis was wrong and he'll never stop being sorry for it. That was genuine. It didn't move Louis, probably because Louis understood that no matter how sorry he was for having hurt Louis back then, Lestat was still here, helping the coven convict them and doing nothing to prevent what was happening to them. Not sure what Lestat might have been able to do if even Armand was powerless, though. He was able to defy them about the script and did not seem bothered by the fact that the coven planned to kill all three of them. I do wonder how the finale is going to play out when Louis realizes that Claudia is gone and how he and Armand are going to escape the coven. I think the fire might have something to do with that, but obviously Lestat survives because Armand reached out to him when they were in San Francisco after Louis tried to run into the sun.

Really excited for the finale next week and if Claudia makes a reappearance, I'm going to be so...I told you so about it.

Claudia and Madalaine: Star-crossed lovers

 As always, if you don't want spoilers for the new season of Interview with a Vampire, check out some of my other posts instead. Here we go with episode 6.

There are so many things about this episode that I want to touch on. I absolutely loved the evolution of Claudia, I even saw her falling for the dressmaker when she first showed up and demanded a dress but thought it again when she went back. Madaline's story is tragic. Labeled a monster because she slept with a nazi at the height of the war, but also perhaps because she survived when so many around her died, she has become a leper in post-war France.

As always with episodes that contain a SA scene that the love interest has to rescue a character (usually a woman) from, I didn't care for that bit. The bullies could have just tried to beat her up or something, but no...since she's a woman they had to try r*ping her instead. This always leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I did enjoy that Claudia who has been a victim of this type of assault, and not the male vamp who's supposed to be watching the dressmaker, is the one who rescues her, though. It also helps because this is the intro to the idea that Madaline should be turned, so she and Claudia can be together.

I love the scene where Armand and Madaline talk about her becoming a vampire, even though he's just yanking her chain because he's not even planning on entertaining the idea of turning her. Love the little conspiracy going on in the background throughout this episode as the vampire coven conspires under Armand's nose, and the ending...well they get me every time.

I have questions. First, can that really be Lestat? I'm thinking no, because it showed his reflection, and vamps aren't supposed to have reflections, right? But if that's true, then it can't be another vampire playing him either, it must then be a human. But it looked like Lestat. However, the coven is accusing them of his murder so it would be strange to invite him there to a trial of his murderers when he's clearly not dead. Even more than that, if they're going to accuse the trio of breaking the law by turning a child, shouldn't they also have Lestat on trial since he was the one who actually did the turning (whether it was on Louis' behest or not)?

Madeline's back story is pretty tragic, but it's one of survival. She's a survivor. This is probably why she takes to being a vampire even though Louis has never turned anyone before. It was interesting that the vamp sees a victim's life when they drink in their blood. Does this only happen with victims they plan to turn, or does it happen with every single one?

Then there's the reveal that Louis asked Armand (according to Armand, which who knows if he can be trusted or not) to erase his memory of the 6 days in San Francisco. Now that the show has reminded me, I remember the exact number. That doesn't change the fact that Armand seems to exist for Louis to need him. He needs to be nurturing. Perhaps it has something to do with guilt for betraying him. Yes, it is finally revealed that it was Armand's betrayal that led to the events which culminated in Claudia's death. I still have yet to figure out exactly what happens and if the theatre burning down has anything to do with it, but if that actually was Lestat, perhaps he is the one who rescues Louis, since Armand was the one who fed him to the wolves to begin with. Or maybe Armand has a change of heart and starts the fire in order to rescue the man he loves thereafter letting the rest of the vamps fend for themselves against the fire. He does have the power. I often wondered why not just use his power to dispose of the bodies instead of the rats. He can also survive in sunlight and none of the rest of them can, so he could probably wrap Louis up in something and make a run for it and no one would be able to chase him since it's still daytime out.

There is the suggestion in this episode that Louis has amassed his fortune by dealing in art which he has a good eye for. He obviously still has next to nothing in the 40s, and even in San Francisco they seem to be living meagerly. I love that the secret agent or whatever he is who sent Daniel all the encrypted files and stuff tells him that he needs to fear Louis rather than Armand. I think this speaks to Louis' unpredictability. He's like a time bomb. He's already been shown detonating in several different ways throughout the story. The first is when he impales the rich white man which in turn brings a race riot against his neighborhood. Lestat was hoping this act meant he had finally embraced his vampiric nature and decided he was no longer human, but Louis can't help but feel responsible for the ensuing chaos and all the innocent people who are affected by it. 

Perhaps Armand is not doing what he is out of guilt or love but out of a sense of duty. Since he had a hand in an event that probably set Louis off even more than anything else might have. Now it isn't for sure that Claudia dies in the fire, or gets killed in the trial, but the fact that it is cannon that Armand has a hand in her death should not be discounted when looking forward to future episodes. I think she'll probably die in the next one. I just wish she and Madaline could be happy, but they were never going to be one of those vampire couples that last centuries because of the machinations that had already begun to conspire against them before Madaline was even turned.

Buffy: Pilot Episode

 Okay, initial thoughts:

Xander is creepy as ever in the first episode and I think maybe the first time I watched I just didn't catch how creepy he is thanks to his friend Jesse being slightly more so, but they're both kinda yuk. Giles is too quiet. Everyone else speaks at normal volume and he speaks about three decibels too low it makes it difficult to hear anything he says. That does make sense for a librarian character though. Baby Willow is too cute and a touch naive and way too much of a pushover. Makes the transformation to bad-ass witch Willow even more amazing to watch her in this version. Buffy is kinda annoying at first with all her trying to avoid her destiny and getting herself in over her head because she underestimates the danger. Also, Angel comes off a bit creepy in this episode too. The master is a pretty boring villain: "I'm hungry, bring me something young." Ominous voice. Luke is way more interesting. Darla is pretty cool in this episode too, but she gives up and hands the reins over to Luke too quick. The Bronze is a club where teenagers hang out, but no one is ever carded? Does this mean they don't serve alcohol? Cordelia is too funny. She's probably the most interesting character in the show so far. Buffy's mom comes on a bit strong and I can't watch any of these episodes without remembering The Body.

Creep factor for this show was pretty high, so I'll give it that. Lots of spooky effects, low lighting, a few jump scares. Love the Buffy line: "It's just one vamp" and then the cut to Darla who we've already seen at the show's opening sequence to be a vamp. It's a TBC episode, so it cuts off right as Luke is about to bite Buffy. Of course, we know he isn't going to keep the upper hand, but pretty good way to keep suspense for the pilot episode. I get it, when a show first starts you're just learning who your characters are and how to play them, so they feel a bit stiff at first. Cordelia's line: "What's your childhood trauma?" is one of the most memorable lines of the show. I forgot that she was initially nice to Buffy because Buffy looked like she'd be one of the mean girl types. No Harmony yet, I seem to remember her being Cordie's right-hand man, so she'll probably show up in the next few episodes.

The principle ripping up her transcripts and then seeing the note about the fire and trying to tape them back together is too funny. I know he gets eaten in the Hyena episode, which is when they get Snyder (the prick everyone loves to hate), but this guy is too funny.

Episode rundown: Episode opens with a couple breaking into the school. The girl is acting afraid like she's scared they'll get caught. Typical damsel in distress trope thrown on its head when it turns out she's the vamp in the situation. Cut to Buffy having nightmares of some foreboding omen. Then Buffy wakes to a room with packing boxes all around. Buffy's mom calls her. Next we see Buffy's mom dropping her off at school and leaving with the parting words "try not to get kicked out, okay?" Then Xander skateboarding down the sidewalk despite dozens of students he's almost hitting like he has more right to be there than them. Yeah. That is our first introduction to Xander, and the typical checks out a girl and crashes into something trope as he hits the stair railing while watching buffy climb them. Creepy much? Willow and Xander have a moment as Xander sweet talks Willow into helping him with his homework. Next Buffy is talking to the principle who isn't at all worried about her track record until he finds out she burned down the gym at her old school. Then she walks out of the office just to bump into Xander and drop a bunch of her things. He helps her pick them up, tries hitting on her and I suppose we're supposed to feel bad for him because he's so awkward about it, but really, I think he's being super creepy here too. Buffy goes to class where Cordie generously lets Buffy read from her textbook and then starts a convo. Buffy doesn't seem too impressed, probably because Cordie goes out of her way to be mean to Willow without provocation. Cordie takes Buffy to the library where we meet Giles for the first time. He tries to give Buffy a book about Vampyrs and she makes a run for it without talking to him. Buffy then approaches Willow about helping her get caught up on schoolwork. Willow seems to think Buffy wants her to move at first. Xander and Jesse join them. Xander is being creepy at Buffy, Jesse is just being creepy all together. Cordelia walks up to inform Buffy that gym has been canceled after a dead body was found. Buffy starts asking morbid questions thereby solidifying her status as social leper in Cordie's eyes. Buffy goes to check out the body and racks up her first amount of damage to Sunnydale school property when she forces the door open, breaking the wood where the lock is placed. The victim is the guy from the previous night who was with Darla, he's dead with puncture wounds. Buffy goes to Giles, and they have an argument about her being the slayer which Xander overhears without announcing his presence because I guess he just wasn't creepy enough before that.

It's night. Buffy is getting ready for her first night out (was her first day of school on a Friday?). Buffy's mom has no problem with her going out and doesn't even ask her anything about the club she'll be going to. Did she let Buffy go out to clubs in LA? Buffy is still only sixteen in this episode and she's walking to the club at night. Now we all know that Buffy is strong and capable, but a mom not offering her 16-year-old at least a ride to the club so she can sus it out...I mean, it takes all kinds, I guess. Buffy's mom is a pretty good mom for the most part throughout the show (well, despite not being aware that her daughter is literally fighting demons while she's asleep in bed) so I guess I'll forgive her this one slight. Buffy notices that she's being followed and hides so she can confront the guy who's stalking her. We get our first glimpse of a very cocky Angel. He warns Buffy about something called "The Harvest" and gives her a cross necklace. She gets to the club where she finds Willow who says she's waiting for Xander. Buffy tells Willow to seize the day to help her get over being too shy to talk to boys and then notices Giles up in the rafters. Buffy goes to talk to him acting like it's creepy that he (an adult) is at a club frequented by his students. It's a club, it's supposed to be mostly adults, isn't it? Buffy tells him about Angel's warning, calls Angel handsome but says she doesn't like him (yeah, right). Then Giles says Buffy is right, there's nothing to worry about, it's not like she's been having visions. Then he tells her she needs to be able to spot a vamp and to try...she spots one by his outdated look and notices the girl he's talking to is Willow. Buffy then goes on a cat and mouse hunt for the vamp and Willow, accidentally traumatizing Cordie in the process. Giles offers to come with, but Buffy says she can handle one vamp. Screen cuts to Darla picking up Jesse. Then Buffy into Xander who acts super arrogant about what he overheard in the library. Then Buffy and Xander go in search of Willow and somehow get there just in time before Darla and the unnamed vamp have had time to feed. Well, Darla's already bitten Jesse "I got hungry" she pouts and the unnamed vamp. They are presumably bringing the kids to the Master to replenish his hunger but seem about to feed themselves when Buffy interrupts them. A fight ensues. Buffy dusts unnamed outdated clothing vamp. Just realized that their clothing also disintegrates when they turn to dust. So bizarre. Darla is holding her own for the first bit, but Buffy starts getting the upper hand and Xander helps willow and Jesse escape. Luke shows up and Darla runs away. Luke and Buffy Tussle, he breaks her steak and throws her into whatever that thing in the center of a tomb is called where they keep the dead body. Then, just as Xander Willow and Jesse end up running into some more vamps in the cemetery, Giles is looking up the harvest, and Buffy seems about to get bitten, the screen freezes and the words to be continued show up. Not the strongest pilot episode I've ever seen, but not the weakest either. Characters that were best established in this episode: Cordelia played to perfection by Carisma Carpenter and Giles by Anthony Steward Head. Also give props to Allison Hannigan for her baby Willow, just because of how much Willow expands as a character from this point. Right here, she's just your garden variety nerd with a touch of cute and awkward shyness. Characters 7/10, Villains 5/10 (I gave an extra point because Darla's pretty good in this episode), Plot 6/10, Creep factor 9/10 final tally: 6.75/10