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I Robot, You Jane. The obligatory 1990s cyberstalker episode. When the gang is scanning books into a database, they scan one that contains a demon, setting Moloch the corruptor loose in the internet. And Moloch has it BAD for Willow. Moral of the story: Of course the nice boy your daughter meets on the net is dangerous, a corruptor, a demon, even.

This ep introduces us to Jenny Calendar, computer teacher. My Oli cheered when Jenny said "I'm a technopagan." On the whole it's a mediocre episode, noteable for being one of the first where Willow is center-stage. The problem is the whole "OMG! Chat is bad! Cyberstalkers!!111!" message is very 1997.

"Wrong and wrong, snobby. You think the realm of the mystical is limited to ancient texts and relics? That bad old science made the magic go away? The divine exists in cyberspace same as out here."

~~

The Puppet Show: Students turn up missing hearts and brains during the school talent show and suspicion falls on a ventriloquist and his dummy.

Possibly the weakest episode of season one, although genuinely creepy. Sid, the dummy, is scary enough on his own. I had to spoil Oli on a plot point before she'd let me finish the ep. The redeeming highlight here is the introduction of Principal Snyder. Also, too much Xander/Giles physical contact. (*headdesk* don't take me there)

Principal Snyder: "I know Principal Flutie would have said, 'Kids need understanding. Kids are human beings.' That's the kind of wooly-headed liberal thinking that leads to being eaten."

~~

Nightmares: Dreams, nightmares, are literally coming true for people.

This is a filler episode, but it contains one of the most powerful images of the season: Vamp!Buffy. We're given insight into the psyches of the major characters. Giles' great fear is losing Buffy. Xander has clown-fear and humiliation squicks. On the whole, watchable.

Buffy's dad is Almanzo Wilder. Wow.

"There are scary things than you. I'm one of them."

~~

Out of mind, out of sight: Cordelia's friends are being attacked by something no one can see.

This has an interesting concept: nobody saw Marcy so she became invisible. I am haunted by Marcy's nest up in the school crawlspace. Where are her parents? Don't they know or care? And her little "Cool." at the end when she sees her new textbook is shiver-worthy. But it's not a memorable episode on the whole. Too much Cordelia.

"There are no dead students here. This week."

~~

Prophecy Girl: The Master breaks free and rises.

This was solid and satisfying and generally terrific. Good Xander and Angel scenes. Great Willow trauma. And Buffy is just heartbreaking. "I'm sixteen years old. I don't want to die." Then going out to do it anyway because if she doesn't, more people are going to end up broken and shocky like Willow. Good ending. Not bad effects.

The first season is much better than I remembered it being. I still identify with Joyce and Giles and Willow, but I do like Buffy tremendously. Maybe having raised my own daughter through at age and having a son in it now are changing my outlook.

Onward to season two.