This is really not one BTVS's best episodes. "Where the Wild Things Are" is a monster-of-the-week, where not much happens. Buffy's barely in it, in fact. She and Riley spend most of the episode caught in a time-loop sex thing. The lack of of Buffy alone really wouldn't bother me too much. The supporting cast is certainly strong enough to carry the show without her. But "Where the Wild Things Are" also features a confusing plot and some pretty standard haunted house stuff. Honestly, if you're in a hurry to get through season four, you could skip this episode and not miss much.
The episode revolves around another party at UC Sunnydale. Things always go wrong at "Buffy" parties, a fact that the characters often lament... but they never just turn down the invites. This time the Initiative boys are throwing a party. Unfortunately, their frat house is haunted and their about to be over run with poltergeists. It seems that Buffy and Riley's passionate encounters have unlocked some repressed spirits. Specifically, children who used to live in the house and who were punished for their hormonal urges. The party is soon canceled on account of ghosts. Buffy and Riley are trapped inside and have no idea that they're "powering" the supernatural happenings with their sex. The Scoobies track down Giles, (who Willow and Xander are shocked to learn sings in coffee bars) and together they all set out to save Buffy and Riley and stop the ghosts.
The best parts of this episode actually revolve around Anya and Spike. They have an interesting connection, as they're both former evil demons trying to adjust to a more human way of life. Their relationship will be explored further in season six, but for now it's fun to see them complaining about their love lives and mourning the loss of their powers. I really enjoy Anya's argument with Xander in the ice cream truck and I love that Anya brings Spike to the Initative party with her. Inspiring a jealous Xander to shout, "Hey, it's Hostile 17. Look everyone it's Hostile 17." Much to Spike's dismay. And you have to laugh when Anya trudges up the steps to battle the shrieking poltergeists shouting, "Oh shut up, you repressed cry babies." Spike's character continues to grow in this episode. Really, just that fact that he went to the party shows loneliness and lack of direction. The demons all hate him. The humans want him dead. All he has are the Scoobies and, honestly, he usually doesn't like them very much. Still, when Buffy and Riley are stuck in the house and Xander wants the others to save them, Spike automatically volunteers. His first instinct was to help Buffy and the Scoobies. It's only after he thinks about it for a minute that he remembered his evil-ness and how he detested them all, etc... It's the first time that Spike independently decides to help the Scoobie gang. Not for profit or to save his own neck, but just because he wants to. He quickly changes his mind and leaves them there, of course, but -Hey!- it's a start, right?.
On the downside, the Buffy and Riley scenes are kinna sweaty and pointless and icky. And the plot itself is a little bit silly. We already had a haunted frat party once this season in "Fear, Itself." And the "people stuck in a house" thing will be done better season six's "Older and Far Away." Honestly, I'm not sure what this episode is trying to say. I get the crazy old lady torturing the kids part, but is sexual abuse the message of the episode? Are we suppose to think that Buffy and Riely are being victimized? Because they seem pretty happy at the end. And how do Anya and Xander's problems fit into this? She thinks that sex defines their relationship, but how does that relate back to the haunted house? Is she suppose to discover that love goes deeper than sex, because I really don't get that from "Where the WIld Things Are." Usually, BTVS episodes are easier to "read" and have a more cohesive structure.
My favorite part of the episode: Spike's ingenious money-making plan. He just puts on his game-face, leaps out at people with a terrifying roar, and robs them as they head to the Bronze. So simple and creative and... Spike. "Plus, you know, funny."
The episode revolves around another party at UC Sunnydale. Things always go wrong at "Buffy" parties, a fact that the characters often lament... but they never just turn down the invites. This time the Initiative boys are throwing a party. Unfortunately, their frat house is haunted and their about to be over run with poltergeists. It seems that Buffy and Riley's passionate encounters have unlocked some repressed spirits. Specifically, children who used to live in the house and who were punished for their hormonal urges. The party is soon canceled on account of ghosts. Buffy and Riley are trapped inside and have no idea that they're "powering" the supernatural happenings with their sex. The Scoobies track down Giles, (who Willow and Xander are shocked to learn sings in coffee bars) and together they all set out to save Buffy and Riley and stop the ghosts.
The best parts of this episode actually revolve around Anya and Spike. They have an interesting connection, as they're both former evil demons trying to adjust to a more human way of life. Their relationship will be explored further in season six, but for now it's fun to see them complaining about their love lives and mourning the loss of their powers. I really enjoy Anya's argument with Xander in the ice cream truck and I love that Anya brings Spike to the Initative party with her. Inspiring a jealous Xander to shout, "Hey, it's Hostile 17. Look everyone it's Hostile 17." Much to Spike's dismay. And you have to laugh when Anya trudges up the steps to battle the shrieking poltergeists shouting, "Oh shut up, you repressed cry babies." Spike's character continues to grow in this episode. Really, just that fact that he went to the party shows loneliness and lack of direction. The demons all hate him. The humans want him dead. All he has are the Scoobies and, honestly, he usually doesn't like them very much. Still, when Buffy and Riley are stuck in the house and Xander wants the others to save them, Spike automatically volunteers. His first instinct was to help Buffy and the Scoobies. It's only after he thinks about it for a minute that he remembered his evil-ness and how he detested them all, etc... It's the first time that Spike independently decides to help the Scoobie gang. Not for profit or to save his own neck, but just because he wants to. He quickly changes his mind and leaves them there, of course, but -Hey!- it's a start, right?.
On the downside, the Buffy and Riley scenes are kinna sweaty and pointless and icky. And the plot itself is a little bit silly. We already had a haunted frat party once this season in "Fear, Itself." And the "people stuck in a house" thing will be done better season six's "Older and Far Away." Honestly, I'm not sure what this episode is trying to say. I get the crazy old lady torturing the kids part, but is sexual abuse the message of the episode? Are we suppose to think that Buffy and Riely are being victimized? Because they seem pretty happy at the end. And how do Anya and Xander's problems fit into this? She thinks that sex defines their relationship, but how does that relate back to the haunted house? Is she suppose to discover that love goes deeper than sex, because I really don't get that from "Where the WIld Things Are." Usually, BTVS episodes are easier to "read" and have a more cohesive structure.
My favorite part of the episode: Spike's ingenious money-making plan. He just puts on his game-face, leaps out at people with a terrifying roar, and robs them as they head to the Bronze. So simple and creative and... Spike. "Plus, you know, funny."
