If you missed out on having a college roommate, this episode will have you counting your blessings. "Living Conditions" is a monster-of-the-week where Buffy tries to adapt to life with her new roommate, Kathy. Buffy is convinced that Kathy's perky, flossing, cleanliness hides a sinister secret. This isn't the most important episode of the season and you could probably skip it and not miss much story wise. It does introduce the character of Parker, a guy the show seems to have specifically designed for us to hate. I recommend missing as many of his scenes as you can.
The episode is all about Buffy and Kathy. Buffy is having some trouble adjusting to her new roommate. Kathy is a neat freak and terminally chipper. She follows Buffy around, borrows Buffy's clothes and clips her toenails in bed. Buffy is getting more and more frustrated with her. The Scoobies become concerned when Buffy starts having terrible dreams and ranting about Kathy constantly. Soon she plotting to kill Kathy. The gang locks Buffy up at Giles' house, but Buffy escapes and heads back to the dorm to face Kathy. Who might not be all that she seems...
I like a lot about this episode. Kathy is really good at being annoying. From labeling her milk and eggs with her name, to spinning the divas all day long, to ironing her jeans. No wonder Buffy goes insane bunking with her. And it's even funnier when you see how much worse Willow's roommate is, even though Buffy is the one complaining. And its nice to see Oz and Buffy sharing a scene together. They don't have a lot of chances to interact one on one.
On the downside, have I mentioned that I hate Parker? I think that he's a sacrificial goat. Buffy and Angel's relationship was so important and powerful that any other guy she dated would automatically take a lot of heat. So, they introduced Parker to get all the hatred out of the way. He adds another stop between Angel and Riley, so we don't automatically hate Buffy's REAL boyfriend this season. Of course, I don't like Riley either... But that's mainly because he's so dull. Parker's just a jerk.
My favorite part of the episode: Buffy's reaction to Kathy dripping ketchup on her sweater. Music swells... Camera zooms... Eyes narrow.
The episode is all about Buffy and Kathy. Buffy is having some trouble adjusting to her new roommate. Kathy is a neat freak and terminally chipper. She follows Buffy around, borrows Buffy's clothes and clips her toenails in bed. Buffy is getting more and more frustrated with her. The Scoobies become concerned when Buffy starts having terrible dreams and ranting about Kathy constantly. Soon she plotting to kill Kathy. The gang locks Buffy up at Giles' house, but Buffy escapes and heads back to the dorm to face Kathy. Who might not be all that she seems...
I like a lot about this episode. Kathy is really good at being annoying. From labeling her milk and eggs with her name, to spinning the divas all day long, to ironing her jeans. No wonder Buffy goes insane bunking with her. And it's even funnier when you see how much worse Willow's roommate is, even though Buffy is the one complaining. And its nice to see Oz and Buffy sharing a scene together. They don't have a lot of chances to interact one on one.
On the downside, have I mentioned that I hate Parker? I think that he's a sacrificial goat. Buffy and Angel's relationship was so important and powerful that any other guy she dated would automatically take a lot of heat. So, they introduced Parker to get all the hatred out of the way. He adds another stop between Angel and Riley, so we don't automatically hate Buffy's REAL boyfriend this season. Of course, I don't like Riley either... But that's mainly because he's so dull. Parker's just a jerk.
My favorite part of the episode: Buffy's reaction to Kathy dripping ketchup on her sweater. Music swells... Camera zooms... Eyes narrow.