selenak

Thanks to the united efforts of

bimo (providing the episode) and

cavendish (providing the codecs), I've been able to watch Just Rewards and enjoyed it muchly. Before going into details, here are some other bits:

1) The other KH in my life (the one not

honorh), one of my oldest friends through the net, has aquired a livejournal now. She's

kathyh, British, into the Jossverse shows, Blake's 7, Babylon 5, Highlander, LotR (both books and films), Dorothy Dunnett, PotC, a couple of other things, and one of the kindest, most sensible and all time fabulous people I know. Say hello.

2) Gakked from

kristenk2: It appears one of those, how shall I put this, interesting people who insist that Elijah Wood and Dominic M. must be gay and were just the slightest bit upset because on the FotR DVD commentaries, Ian McKellen, who is in a position to know and as a certified gay rights activist can't be accused of anything, called EW and Sean Astin two "resolutely heterosexual actors", wrote to Sir Ian and asked him for clarification as to what he meant by "resolutely heterosexual". And guess what? He meant "heterosexual, resolutely so".

Loved this episode. Now, Joss & Co. had to solve the following challenges in regards to Spike:

1) Find a way to resurrect him which doesn't cheapen his death in Chosen
2) Find a reason why Spike, once resurrected, doesn't try to find Buffy immediately
3) Find a reason why Spike should stick around in L.A.

And what can I say? Mr. Whedon has pulled the proverbial rabbit out of his hat. I don't know about anyone else, because I managed to stay unspoiled so far (which turns out to be a blissful state - makes me feel oddly young), but to me, the ghost bit is inspired. Spike as a ghost bound to W&H, LA branch territory because it was their amulet not only really can't go and try to reunite with Buffy but creates an intriguing mystery - as Angel asks Wesley, if W&H intended this fate for Angel himself, why then bother to give him the firm? Or as Wesley suggests, could there be another player involved?

(Personal speculation: I think Joss is keeping his options open here. If he can get Stephanie Romanov back, it might well be Lilah who after all gave Angel the amulet to begin with. If SR can't be induced to return, then it will be someone else.)

Also, Spike's ghostly state, with him literally flickering between two worlds which is initially played for laughs until first in the conversation with Angel and then in the final talk with Fred we discover the true horror of it, could provide great drama. Why this is hell, nor am I out of it. (This was me showing off with a Marlowe quote from Faustus.)

astrogirl2 recently observed how well Babylon 5 deals with religion; JMS of course is an atheist. Same with Joss, and it's fascinating how he and his writing staff use religious motifs very effectively.

On a more light-hearted note, you've got to love the snark. Buffy, were she there, would roll her eyes and then sit back to enjoy the show. As we do. Speaking of Buffy, I was glad to hear she's in Europe. Since Just Rewards is set eighteen days after Chosen - a date! Joss gave us a date! (actually, he gave us two dates, but more about that later) - it means she'll have great wheather whereever she is (even in England, which is an obvious starting point) and I love the idea of her and Dawn showing each other the world, literally. The idea of Buffy on the road appeals to me as well; I don't want her to settle down in Cleveland (or at any other Hellmouth) too quickly.

Meanwhile, observe the mighty clash of male egos. Note that apparently Buffy did fill Angel in not just on Spike's world-saving heroism and demise but gave a brief sketch of his souled existence (since Angel knows about those three months in the basement) before she left. And it's just so like Angel not to tell anyone that a) another vampire got himself a soul, and b) did the world-saving thing, and c) had a relationship with Buffy. Though it pleases me that Angel did tell Wesley (but none of the others, meaning Wesley is the one he's closest to right now) about Spike having died. On the Spike side of things, it's typical of the Bleached One not to lose anytime with the "I had her longer and know her better than you ever did" claim. Oh, and it has to be asked, since Joss lets Lorne suggest casting Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp in the movie about Buffy and her two vampire lovers - who would play whom? Sure, JD is brunette but somehow I can't see him as Angel...

Harry Potter reference of the week: Spike adresses Wesley as Percy. Thus proving yet again these scriptwriters read a lot of fannish comments on the internet.

"I'm his date" was of course the one liner of the episode and must have pleased the slashers to no end, just as getting the first shirtless Angel scene in ages, complete with Spike showing up during said state on cue, in Angel's bedroom, no less. But I found the brief scenes with Harmony nearly as promising. Because though it was a comedy relief relationship for the most part, there is history there, and Spike treated Harmony rottenly. (Something that most posters who complained how Buffy treated Spike in season 6 somehow never brought up. Not, mind you, that two wrongs equal one right.) And I don't think that's something he's the slightest bit sorry for. Embarassed, absolutely, yes, but not sorry.

All in all, a very satisfying episode and good (re-) introduction of Spike, which makes me look forward to the next episode even more.