Hell's Bells

Buffy Episode Review

In which Xander and Anya try to get married.

What Happened

Anya and Xander's wedding... well, how do you think it goes?

The Good

• Spike, sweetie, even your dimwit date knows how lame you are. How did he rate an invite, anyway? I would have thought Xander would have had something to say about that.
• The predictions of Xander and Anya's marital misery are effective and sufficiently nasty to make his actions understandable.
• Spike: "It's nice to see you be happy. You glow."
  Buffy: "That's because the dress is radioactive." Scene drags a bit, but it has a little upturn at the end that amuses despite the Spuffy vibe.
• Good scene with Willow and Xander. Their friendship is a big point to the season-ender, so it's nice to see them in a rare interaction.
• Two words: Sex. Poodle. I adored Anya's vows.
• Dawn's demon boyfriend is kind of cute.
• Emotional final scene between Anya and Xander. Emma Caldwell and Nicholas Brendon really make it work.

The Bad

• The "remember I'm gay" line from Willow. Yes, it's an important character trait, but I think the cute looks and giggles between her and Tara clued us in.
• That is the world's dumbest string quartet.

The Cliche

• Buffy the bridesmaid. We've seen this "it's so horrible" fake-out before, not to mention the ugly bridesmaid dress joke.
• The bonehead stunt: Xander should know better than to deal with strange men holding glowy orb things on his own.

What Did I Think?

Despite prompting me to howl, "Can't someone on this show be happy for once," it is hard to argue with Xander's decision, particularly after seeing his freak show of a family.