'Enemies' is a bit of a mixed bag for me as an episode.
'Enemies' is a bit of a mixed bag for me as an episode.

It’s a significant step in the development of the season arc
It’s a significant step in the development of the season arc

...and has serious implications for both...
...and has serious implications for both...

...Faith and Angel’s characters.
...Faith and Angel’s characters.

But it feels a little half baked...
But it feels a little half baked...

...and at times...
...and at times...

...not willing to go all the way with certain ideas.
...not willing to go all the way with certain ideas.

I say all this hoping you’ll bear in mind
I say all this hoping you’ll bear in mind

...that critiquing a 'Season 3' episode...
...that critiquing a 'Season 3' episode...

...is like criticizing flaws in different vintages of Ferrari’s.
...is like criticizing flaws in different vintages of Ferrari’s.

Quibbles make the season no less a masterpiece.
Quibbles make the season no less a masterpiece.

"That was..."
"That was..."

"...very..."
"...very..."

"...artistic."
"...artistic."

"Well, we..."
"Well, we..."

"From the title I thought it was about food.”
"From the title I thought it was about food.”

"Well, there was food."
"Well, there was food."

It’s a hilarious little exchange of dialogue
It’s a hilarious little exchange of dialogue

...that really gets at the problematic aspects of their relationship.
...that really gets at the problematic aspects of their relationship.

They are two people
They are two people

...with a deep sexual attraction to each other,
...with a deep sexual attraction to each other,

...forced into a platonic relationship by circumstance.
...forced into a platonic relationship by circumstance.

Spending time with each other is for them,
Spending time with each other is for them,

...playing with fire.
...playing with fire.

As we covered in the review for 'Innocence' though,
As we covered in the review for 'Innocence' though,

...the true reality of the curse is that it isn’t tied to sex...
...the true reality of the curse is that it isn’t tied to sex...

"See?"
"See?"

"Safe as houses."
"Safe as houses."

...as it is to perfect happiness.
...as it is to perfect happiness.

It seems dangerous,
It seems dangerous,

...but we know she did try and end things with him
...but we know she did try and end things with him

...and then changed her mind...
...and then changed her mind...

...in the name of walking him out of his depression.
...in the name of walking him out of his depression.

And as I said in the Top 10 list,
And as I said in the Top 10 list,

...profound depression isn’t necessarily measured by pain
...profound depression isn’t necessarily measured by pain

...but by numbness.
...but by numbness.

"It feels nice,"
"It feels nice,"

"...just to feel."
"...just to feel."

Faith appears to go slaying with Buffy.
Faith appears to go slaying with Buffy.

“Don’t worry, big guy."
“Don’t worry, big guy."

"Just keepin' her warm for ya.”
"Just keepin' her warm for ya.”

[Lesbian Subtext Bell] On their patrol,
[Lesbian Subtext Bell] On their patrol,

Faith and Buffy run into a demon looking to sell the Books of Ascension,
Faith and Buffy run into a demon looking to sell the Books of Ascension,

...something he say the Mayor wants very badly.
...something he say the Mayor wants very badly.

Faith tries to kill the demon
Faith tries to kill the demon

...and Buffy lets him go
...and Buffy lets him go

...so Faith goes to the Mayor and explains the situation.
...so Faith goes to the Mayor and explains the situation.

Wilkins provides her a...
Wilkins provides her a...

...glass of warm milk to cheer her up
...glass of warm milk to cheer her up

(sigh)
(sigh)

(he’s my favorite)
(he’s my favorite)

...and tells her to go and kill the demon and take the Books before Buffy can get to him.
...and tells her to go and kill the demon and take the Books before Buffy can get to him.

Meanwhile, the Gang is speculating as to what the Ascension may actually be.
Meanwhile, the Gang is speculating as to what the Ascension may actually be.

Willow,
Willow,

...who already looks quite different
...who already looks quite different

...after 'Doppelgangland'
...after 'Doppelgangland'

(it’s as though the overalls phase)
(it’s as though the overalls phase)

(...peaked with the pink sweater and immediately began to decline)
(...peaked with the pink sweater and immediately began to decline)

...has a theory she read in one of Giles’ hidden books.
...has a theory she read in one of Giles’ hidden books.

"Just magic secrets Giles doesn’t think I’m ready for.”
"Just magic secrets Giles doesn’t think I’m ready for.”

As they continue to speculate,
As they continue to speculate,

Faith has gone off on her own to retrieve the books for the Mayor.
Faith has gone off on her own to retrieve the books for the Mayor.

She stabs the demon
She stabs the demon

...and a relatively unnerving fight ensues.
...and a relatively unnerving fight ensues.

She appears disturbed over the whole thing
She appears disturbed over the whole thing

...and goes to see Angel about it.
...and goes to see Angel about it.

“Mind if I skip past the..."
“Mind if I skip past the..."

"...'Mom never loved me' part..."
"...'Mom never loved me' part..."

"...and get right to it?”
"...and get right to it?”

It is interesting how Angel is trying to pay forward the kindness
It is interesting how Angel is trying to pay forward the kindness

...that Buffy has shown him this season.
...that Buffy has shown him this season.

In this scene,
In this scene,

...Faith mentions twelve-stepping.
...Faith mentions twelve-stepping.

Angel really is trying to be her sort of...
Angel really is trying to be her sort of...

...Evil Anonymous Sponsor,
...Evil Anonymous Sponsor,

...which fits...
...which fits...

...given that David Greenwalt has said...
...given that David Greenwalt has said...

...the central metaphor of 'Angel' the Series
...the central metaphor of 'Angel' the Series

...is that of a recovering alcoholic.
...is that of a recovering alcoholic.

He is a vampire who has gone off the blood
He is a vampire who has gone off the blood

...and here he tries to bring someone else along into the program.
...and here he tries to bring someone else along into the program.

Faith says she’s scared
Faith says she’s scared

...and tries to kiss him
...and tries to kiss him

...and Angel puts a stop to it.
...and Angel puts a stop to it.

As Faith is leaving and giving Angel an intimate goodbye,
As Faith is leaving and giving Angel an intimate goodbye,

...Buffy appears just in time to catch a glimpse of it.
...Buffy appears just in time to catch a glimpse of it.

At her apartment,
At her apartment,

...we see that...
...we see that...

Faith and the Mayor were deliberately trying to steal Angel’s soul through a moment of happiness.
Faith and the Mayor were deliberately trying to steal Angel’s soul through a moment of happiness.

It’s a cute and naive ploy on their part
It’s a cute and naive ploy on their part

...but fits within character to me.
...but fits within character to me.

Perfectly reasonable that neither the Mayor nor Faith
Perfectly reasonable that neither the Mayor nor Faith

...have a really solid grasp on what it takes to be in love.
...have a really solid grasp on what it takes to be in love.

The Mayor decides to go another route to remove Angel’s soul
The Mayor decides to go another route to remove Angel’s soul

...and schedules a meeting with a dark-looking magic caster.
...and schedules a meeting with a dark-looking magic caster.

At the library,
At the library,

Wesley tells Buffy to go and retrieve the Books of Ascension
Wesley tells Buffy to go and retrieve the Books of Ascension

...but to wait for Faith.
...but to wait for Faith.

“That could be hours."
“That could be hours."

"The girl makes Godot look punctual.”
"The girl makes Godot look punctual.”

On occasion, the show has been criticized for the dialogue
On occasion, the show has been criticized for the dialogue

...not sounding like it was actually spoken by teenagers.
...not sounding like it was actually spoken by teenagers.

"You're the Zeppo."
"You're the Zeppo."

A little too clever for its own good.
A little too clever for its own good.

This is the ONLY instance of that phenomena that really stands out for me personally.
This is the ONLY instance of that phenomena that really stands out for me personally.

'Waiting for Godot' is an absurdist play by Samuel Beckett,
'Waiting for Godot' is an absurdist play by Samuel Beckett,

...written in 1953...
...written in 1953...

...in which two characters,
...in which two characters,

...Vladimir and Estragon
...Vladimir and Estragon

wait endlessly for the arrival of someone named Godot.
wait endlessly for the arrival of someone named Godot.

Buffy,
Buffy,

...with her nightly schedule of slaying
...with her nightly schedule of slaying

...and Scooby socializing,
...and Scooby socializing,

...being familiar enough with the the play
...being familiar enough with the the play

...to casually quip about it...
...to casually quip about it...

...never really landed for me.
...never really landed for me.

Buffy and Faith go to the demon’s hovel
Buffy and Faith go to the demon’s hovel

..and discover his corpse
..and discover his corpse

...and the lack of sufficient Ascension bookage.
...and the lack of sufficient Ascension bookage.

Buffy tells Willow about getting wiggy over the closeness between Angel and Faith
Buffy tells Willow about getting wiggy over the closeness between Angel and Faith

...and our newly assertive post-'Doppelgangland' Willow
...and our newly assertive post-'Doppelgangland' Willow

...demands that Buffy simply go and talk with him.
...demands that Buffy simply go and talk with him.

At the mansion,
At the mansion,

...Faith and the spellcaster steal Angel’s soul
...Faith and the spellcaster steal Angel’s soul

...and we get to see Angelus freed.
...and we get to see Angelus freed.

"--so much."
"--so much."

[Angeluslap]
[Angeluslap]

[Faith fall]
[Faith fall]

“It’s good to have the taste of a Slayer back in my mouth."
“It’s good to have the taste of a Slayer back in my mouth."

"It's like cigarettes, you know?"
"It's like cigarettes, you know?"

From a character perspective,
From a character perspective,

...Angel’s performance here is curious.
...Angel’s performance here is curious.

We know from later on
We know from later on

...that he’s really just putting on a show for Faith.
...that he’s really just putting on a show for Faith.

But if the "soul=conscience" idea holds,
But if the "soul=conscience" idea holds,

...then Angelus is always present inside of Angel.
...then Angelus is always present inside of Angel.

And given how much of a sulk he is on a normal basis
And given how much of a sulk he is on a normal basis

...the quality of this performance seems...
...the quality of this performance seems...

...unwarranted.
...unwarranted.

So the question is,
So the question is,

...is this Angel pretending to be Angelus,
...is this Angel pretending to be Angelus,

...or is this Angel letting him out?
...or is this Angel letting him out?

A very handsy Faith takes Angel to meet the Mayor
A very handsy Faith takes Angel to meet the Mayor

...who invites him to be a part of his bold future and kill the Slayer.
...who invites him to be a part of his bold future and kill the Slayer.

“Had a soul,"
“Had a soul,"

...now I'm free.”
...now I'm free.”

“That’s terrific!"
“That’s terrific!"

"Poetic too.”
"Poetic too.”

I am reminded of the scene in which...
I am reminded of the scene in which...

...Giles first learned of Angel’s love for Buffy.
...Giles first learned of Angel’s love for Buffy.

“A vampire in love with a Slayer.
“A vampire in love with a Slayer.

"It's rather poetic.”
"It's rather poetic.”

The reflections in this season continue to resolve.
The reflections in this season continue to resolve.

Angelus tells the Mayor he was thinking about stabbing him
Angelus tells the Mayor he was thinking about stabbing him

...and the Mayor invites him too,
...and the Mayor invites him too,

...reminding us all that he’s been made invulnerable until the Ascension.
...reminding us all that he’s been made invulnerable until the Ascension.

Xander,
Xander,

...more upset about Cordy’s crush on Wesley
...more upset about Cordy’s crush on Wesley

...finds Faith and Angelus
...finds Faith and Angelus

...and Angelus clocks him.
...and Angelus clocks him.

[Xander falls]
[Xander falls]

“That guy just bugs me.”
“That guy just bugs me.”

Given we know this is actually Angel,
Given we know this is actually Angel,

...I like to imagine that this moment is Angel’s catharsis for all of Xander’s jealousy,
...I like to imagine that this moment is Angel’s catharsis for all of Xander’s jealousy,

...paid back...
...paid back...

...in a single fortuitous moment.
...in a single fortuitous moment.

Angelus and Faith...
Angelus and Faith...

...bring Buffy back to the mansion
...bring Buffy back to the mansion

...and reveal to her what is actually going on
...and reveal to her what is actually going on

...before Angelus knocks her unconscious.
...before Angelus knocks her unconscious.

Angelus chains her up
Angelus chains her up

...and Faith explains that Angelus is the pet she’s always wanted.
...and Faith explains that Angelus is the pet she’s always wanted.

"See, when I was a kid I used to beg my mom for a dog.”
"See, when I was a kid I used to beg my mom for a dog.”

"Didn't matter what kind."
"Didn't matter what kind."

"I just wanted,"
"I just wanted,"

"...you know..."
"...you know..."

"...something to love."
"...something to love."

"But Mom was so busy,
"But Mom was so busy,

"...you know,
"...you know,

"...enjoying the drinking and passing out parts of life..."
"...enjoying the drinking and passing out parts of life..."

"...that I never really got what I wanted."
"...that I never really got what I wanted."

Faith explains the reason she’s doing this is because...
Faith explains the reason she’s doing this is because...

...no matter how much she tows the line...
...no matter how much she tows the line...

...she’ll never have the life or the opportunities provided Buffy.
...she’ll never have the life or the opportunities provided Buffy.

Buffy baits Faith into revealing the day of the Ascension
Buffy baits Faith into revealing the day of the Ascension

...and at that point she and Angel turn the tables.
...and at that point she and Angel turn the tables.

A fight ensues
A fight ensues

...ending with Buffy and Faith having knives at each other’s throats.
...ending with Buffy and Faith having knives at each other’s throats.

"You're not ready for that"
"You're not ready for that"

[Faith forehead kiss]
[Faith forehead kiss]

"...yet."
"...yet."

[Lesbian Subtext Bell]
[Lesbian Subtext Bell]

Turns out Giles knew the spellcaster and kept all of this a secret
Turns out Giles knew the spellcaster and kept all of this a secret

Faith has lost her only connections besides the Mayor,
Faith has lost her only connections besides the Mayor,

...and yet their connection makes her feel...
...and yet their connection makes her feel...

...relieved.
...relieved.

This episode is both entertaining and problematic for me.
This episode is both entertaining and problematic for me.

First, there is the foundation of the entire drama,
First, there is the foundation of the entire drama,

Buffy, Giles and Angel's plans
Buffy, Giles and Angel's plans

...to work with the spell-caster
...to work with the spell-caster

...and dupe Faith into revealing info.
...and dupe Faith into revealing info.

Which unlike previous twists feels...
Which unlike previous twists feels...

...unnecessary
...unnecessary

...and a bit contrived here.
...and a bit contrived here.

Arguably, they wanted to get whatever information Faith had about the Mayor from her
Arguably, they wanted to get whatever information Faith had about the Mayor from her

...but this seems like an insanely complicated way of going about it.
...but this seems like an insanely complicated way of going about it.

What if the spell-caster changed his mind?
What if the spell-caster changed his mind?

Also,
Also,

...there's lore within the show that suggests...
...there's lore within the show that suggests...

...that some demons and other vampires can detect souls within people.
...that some demons and other vampires can detect souls within people.

What if the Mayor had had some kind of soul litmus test and killed Angel?
What if the Mayor had had some kind of soul litmus test and killed Angel?

What if Faith had put the shackles on Buffy instead of Angel?
What if Faith had put the shackles on Buffy instead of Angel?

Also, why didn’t they bother to tell Willow or Xander?
Also, why didn’t they bother to tell Willow or Xander?

It’s not as though those two are on speaking terms with Faith.
It’s not as though those two are on speaking terms with Faith.

Even WITH everything going according to their terrible plan,
Even WITH everything going according to their terrible plan,

...Faith and Buffy STILL ended up with knives at each other’s throats.
...Faith and Buffy STILL ended up with knives at each other’s throats.

On the plus side,
On the plus side,

...you know those emotional hooks I’ve been pining for all season?
...you know those emotional hooks I’ve been pining for all season?

Well, this episode has them.
Well, this episode has them.

"What's the matter with you?"
"What's the matter with you?"

"Angel?"
"Angel?"

"You know,"
"You know,"

"...I never properly thanked you"
"...I never properly thanked you"

"...for sending me to Hell."
"...for sending me to Hell."

"No."
"No."

"Yeah, and I'm just wondering where do I start?"
"Yeah, and I'm just wondering where do I start?"

"A card?"
"A card?"

"Fruit basket?"
"Fruit basket?"

"Hmm?"
"Hmm?"

"Evisceration?"
"Evisceration?"

"No."
"No."

"Yeah--"
"Yeah--"

The return of Angelus,
The return of Angelus,

...however brief and ultimately unreal,
...however brief and ultimately unreal,

...gave me a potent sensation of...
...gave me a potent sensation of...

...AHAAAA...
...AHAAAA...

...here we go,
...here we go,

...combined with dread and depression
...combined with dread and depression

...and all the unaddressed emotional baggage of the second season.
...and all the unaddressed emotional baggage of the second season.

For clarity,
For clarity,

...when I say...
...when I say...

...UNADDRESSED emotional baggage
...UNADDRESSED emotional baggage

...I’m not suggesting loose threads or plot holes on the part of the show.
...I’m not suggesting loose threads or plot holes on the part of the show.

Rather that for me,
Rather that for me,

...Buffy is a living breathing character,
...Buffy is a living breathing character,

...alive and real in a fictional world
...alive and real in a fictional world

...rather than
...rather than

...just a component of it.
...just a component of it.

And we real people
And we real people

...don’t always get catharsis.
...don’t always get catharsis.

Aren’t allowed proper anesthesia and rehabilitation from emotional wounds.
Aren’t allowed proper anesthesia and rehabilitation from emotional wounds.

Instead,
Instead,

...our hearts scab over and scar,
...our hearts scab over and scar,

...beholden to times demand of always moving forward.
...beholden to times demand of always moving forward.

Where this material succeeds for me
Where this material succeeds for me

...is in the development of Faith’s character.
...is in the development of Faith’s character.

Her theft of Angel and flaunting of it to a chained up Buffy
Her theft of Angel and flaunting of it to a chained up Buffy

...continues several themes started earlier in the season.
...continues several themes started earlier in the season.

Faith is in desperate need of validation that she and Buffy are not so different.
Faith is in desperate need of validation that she and Buffy are not so different.

Since 'Bad Girls',
Since 'Bad Girls',

...she has been trying to pull the two of them closer together
...she has been trying to pull the two of them closer together

...and make Buffy more like her.
...and make Buffy more like her.

"You know exactly what I'm about 'cause you have it in you too."
"You know exactly what I'm about 'cause you have it in you too."

"You can't handle watching me living my own way having a blast, because it TEMPTS you."
"You can't handle watching me living my own way having a blast, because it TEMPTS you."

“You know it could be you.”
“You know it could be you.”

[Buffy backhand]
[Buffy backhand]

Her taking Angelus is Faith’s way of proving she can make herself more like Buffy.
Her taking Angelus is Faith’s way of proving she can make herself more like Buffy.

Or perhaps proving that Buffy isn’t so far from her.
Or perhaps proving that Buffy isn’t so far from her.

But the harder she tries to prove these things,
But the harder she tries to prove these things,

...the farther into the darkness she keeps pushing herself.
...the farther into the darkness she keeps pushing herself.

First, in the acquisition of her own Giles through the Mayor.
First, in the acquisition of her own Giles through the Mayor.

But of course, the Mayor would accept a Scooby Betrayer without much thought.
But of course, the Mayor would accept a Scooby Betrayer without much thought.

As sweet and sugary as his desire to destroy the world is,
As sweet and sugary as his desire to destroy the world is,

...it renders him emotionally impenetrable,
...it renders him emotionally impenetrable,

...and mostly unidentifiable as a character.
...and mostly unidentifiable as a character.

Like the wind,
Like the wind,

...he just is.
...he just is.

There isn’t a lot of meaning there.
There isn’t a lot of meaning there.

So she tries to take Angel,
So she tries to take Angel,

...first through seduction
...first through seduction

...and then through force.
...and then through force.

And here,
And here,

...when Faith tries to flaunt her victory with Angel over Buffy,
...when Faith tries to flaunt her victory with Angel over Buffy,

... Buffy points out.
... Buffy points out.

“And how’d you get him, Faith?”
“And how’d you get him, Faith?”

"Magic?"
"Magic?"

Faith simply can’t steal Buffy’s life.
Faith simply can’t steal Buffy’s life.

It's a life that's been earned through...
It's a life that's been earned through...

...courage,
...courage,

...love,
...love,

...and sacrifice.
...and sacrifice.

We are not our dark halves
We are not our dark halves

...and they are not us.
...and they are not us.

There is no substitute for struggle.
There is no substitute for struggle.

And worse,
And worse,

Faith has proven the dark ends she’ll go to to fill this maw inside her.
Faith has proven the dark ends she’ll go to to fill this maw inside her.

Torture,
Torture,

...murder,
...murder,

...and even releasing a monster like Angelus on the world.
...and even releasing a monster like Angelus on the world.

It’s good stuff
It’s good stuff

...but when Buffy cowered from Angelus...
...but when Buffy cowered from Angelus...

...I felt it,
...I felt it,

...thanks to the emotional pummeling endured in 'Becoming (Part 2)'.
...thanks to the emotional pummeling endured in 'Becoming (Part 2)'.

As much as this episode got me to that place,
As much as this episode got me to that place,

...I have mixed feelings about whether or not it earned that or did enough with it.
...I have mixed feelings about whether or not it earned that or did enough with it.

There is no new ground covered between Buffy and Angel here that wasn’t already in 'Season 2'
There is no new ground covered between Buffy and Angel here that wasn’t already in 'Season 2'

...and as a result...
...and as a result...

...Angel’s turn left me feeling a little hollow.
...Angel’s turn left me feeling a little hollow.

I enjoyed the idea that Angel and Buffy managed to dupe Faith
I enjoyed the idea that Angel and Buffy managed to dupe Faith

...but felt a little weird for having had to go there emotionally once we got to the turn.
...but felt a little weird for having had to go there emotionally once we got to the turn.

But then maybe that’s the point,
But then maybe that’s the point,

...isn’t it?
...isn’t it?

Was he acting Angelus
Was he acting Angelus

...or unleashing him?
...or unleashing him?

And if Angelus is always present
And if Angelus is always present

...does that mean that Angel must redeem himself.
...does that mean that Angel must redeem himself.

Is he worthy of Buffy’s love?
Is he worthy of Buffy’s love?

“You still my girl?”
“You still my girl?”

[Bangel montage]
[Bangel montage]

Why not?
Why not?

“...Always.”
“...Always.”

['Home']
['Home']