HMPC 0317 - Enemies

[hellmouth]

So here is your spot to discuss Enemies, I thought I would start things off with the question I posed in the podcast. Faith makes the comment that Buffy isn't ready to stab her because then she will become just like Faith. Do you agree or disagree and why?

[hellmouth]

I brought up in the podcast how after another viewing, the Mayor really isn't all that nice to Faith. Definitely not the father/daughter relationship that I remembered. He seems a lot harsher on many occasions, thoughts?

[FaithLehane]

For the first 2 Eps when Faith's working for Richard he's a complete ass about it.
But everything changes in 'Choices' or atleast I see a major shift in their relationship.
He appears to care more about her and doesn't see her as tool for his Ascension.

P.S listening to 'Enemies' Now

[bdegrande]

So here is your spot to discuss Enemies, I thought I would start things off with the question I posed in the podcast. Faith makes the comment that Buffy isn't ready to stab her because then she will become just like Faith. Do you agree or disagree and why?

I don't thinkj that Buffy would become just like Buffy if she stabbed Faith.  Evil to an extent, perhaps, but I don't think it would compare to Faith stabbing that perfectly nice professor (who, as Andrew explained was studying Vulcans) without bothering to find out why the mayor wanted him dead.

[smartgirl63]

I don't think Buffy would be "as bad" as Faith if she killed Faith. I think it would be a bad choice on Buffy's part, but not necessarily evil.

Yes, Bryan, the Mayor and Faith's father-daughter relationship is quite twisted.

[smartgirl63]

I could have done without Buffy's "Psyche" comment in this episode. It really cheapened the moment for me.

[bigmoneygrip]

I remember thinking the first time I saw this episode that I'd really like to see more Angel/Faith interaction, that Angel has the viewpoint of someone who was what Faith is becoming (and, eventually became), which is evil.  I'm looking forward to talking about "Five by Five" and "Sanctuary" in Investigating Angel.

Thought the sorcerer guy was an interesting character.  Wish he could have made a return appearance.  The whole scam was really well done.  When Angel said "second best" that was probably the best reveal, well, since "The Sting".  Since there may be folks who haven't seen it, I will say no more. 

Was I the only one who was sure the demon that was killed was Clint Howard?  I was sure it was, but the credits said no.

[beth]

The discussion in the podcast about Faith being sincere in asking Angel whether he would have ever been interested in her romantically started me thinking about something.  In this episode, a lot of true feelings are revealed through people playing a part in order to manipulate others.  I think the whole speech Faith makes in trying to manipulate Angel expresses real fears and desires that she has, but that she has chosen to ignore or reject.  I think the Mayor plays a fatherly role in manipulating Faith, but is drawing on true feelings for her in doing so.  I think in "playing" Angelus, Angel shows his true feelings in several ways -- his annoyance with Xander, for one, but more importantly, his desire and need to be sexual, despite his earlier protestations to the contrary.  And when Buffy, pretending to be afraid of Angel(us), tells Faith, "he'll kill you when he's done with me," she expresses her own fear of Angelus's return, and specifically, because she's seen him being sexual, her fear that she might cause his return.  I think that's part of the reason she needs a break from him at the end of the episode.  She's seen his true desire, and is afraid of the consequences.

[smartgirl63]

Awesome insights, Beth.

[FaithLehane]

It happens in 'Tabula Rasa' & Angels 'Spin The Bottle'
Theres something about not being who you are that allows your true feelings to come out easier.
Anywho, What I'm saying is thats what I saw watching 'Enemies' too.

[beth]

It happens in 'Tabula Rasa' & Angels 'Spin The Bottle'
Theres something about not being who you are that allows your true feelings to come out easier.

Hadn't thought about this as a recurring thing, but you're so right!  Also in Halloween.  And what Willow-Pretending-To-Be-VampWillow says about real Willow.

Any other examples?

[FaithLehane]

I think S1's 'Nightmares' to a degree,Fits In.
We learn Buffy fears becoming a Vamp.
Giles also worries about that too.


'Band Candy' mostly for the Adults,But also the teens.
The Truths in this Ep are more visual than anything anyone really says.
The way the Adults dress & act....Shows what they wish they could do.

I think you'll find there are just moments that could fall into the catergory.
Where one of the gang has lied a bit that the truth has accidently come out.
Or anytime their faking who they are.
There are quite afew if you look for them.

[beth]

In some of these cases, it's a spell that allows the truth to come out and in others it's a conscious effort to deceive that exposes the truth.  In each case, something artificial being either externally imposed or self-imposed, which then reveals unconscious or hidden desires/feelings.

I read some interview with James Marsters in which he said that people think acting means putting on a mask, but it's really about taking off a mask and revealing yourself in the character you're playing (paraphrasing).  That's kind of what happens in Enemies.

[FaithLehane]

Very True
There are moments when magic isn't responsable for Freudian Slips.

I'm having a hard time actually coming up with examples but I know there are.

James definitely looks at acting different than most actors.


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