Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Episode Discussion: 5x12 Checkpoint

Ragnarok · 03-30-2004, 04:33 PM

Since we aren't going to have new episodes to discuss, we're going to have weekly episode discussion threads for old episodes. New threads will, of course, appear each Tuesday. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Checkpoint

Buffy and company get a visit from the Council of Watchers, who possess insight into who (or what) Glory is. Unfortunately, they're refusing to turn over the information unless Buffy passes an exhaustive test of her skill, strategy, and methodology. To add to Buffy's stress, Glory pays a visit to her home to threaten her and her family, and the Knights of Byzantium attack her, declare themselves her enemy, and promise that legions of them will follow. Finally, it dawns on Buffy why everyone is targeting her � she has power over them. She shares this revelation with Quentin and the Watchers, calmly informs them that she's in charge, and orders Quentin to give her the scoop on Glory. He does � she's not a demon, but a god.

(Episode summary on loan from buffyguide.com)

RtS: #37; beat The Killer In Me in the first round; beat Who Are You? in the second round; will face Passion or Choices in the third round.

A really top-shelf episode. The interrogation scenes were extremely funny, and Quentin was such a bast*rd. Who didn't cheer when Buffy turned the tables on him in the end? I also thought Buffy and Glory's little confrontation was first-rate, and we got to see Spike helping out without being paid for it for the first time. The only negative was the Knights of Byzantium. I really wish they'd been left out of the season entirely.

Please feel free to post your comments, screencaps, favorite scenes and quotes.

Next week: 5x13, Blood Ties

Bronson · 03-30-2004, 07:13 PM

It was a very good episode and like you, I loved it when Buffy finally told off the Watcher's Council who had an over inflated importance of themselves. Like Buffy put it best, the needed the Slayer more than she needed them. It was great to hear. And when she threw that sword at that man who interrupted her was good as well. Quentin Travers was a horrible person who treated the Slayer not as a person but as a thing or as he put it, an instrument.

One thing was the professor in the beginning who in my opinion was an ass. Buffy put a legitimate debate question out there and instead of engaging her, he rediculed her. I would have to have someone like that as my college professor.

The conversation between Buffy and Glory was interesting. It was amazing since we never saw her having a conversation with a Big Bad.

Very good episode.

***Scythe*** · 03-31-2004, 02:25 AM

Oooooh! Another really good one! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

"5!" [img]smilies/lol.gif[/img] I say that all the time If I don't know something!

"I wrote my Thesis on you" [img]smilies/lol.gif[/img] Teehee!

*Krissy* · 03-31-2004, 11:14 AM

Thanks for the screencaps, Jen. I didn't remember much about this ep before seeing them. I do remember liking this ep. The interrogation scenes were very funny. The only thing that really stands out to me was Quentin's line: "She's a god." [img]smilies/lol.gif[/img]
This is definitely an ep I'll have to go rewatch soon.

[ 03-31-2004: Message edited *Krissy* ]

***Scythe*** · 03-31-2004, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by *Krissy*:
Thanks for the screencaps, Jen. I didn't remember much about this ep before seeing them. I do remember liking this ep. The interrogation scenes were very funny. The only thing that really stands out to me was Quentin's line: "She's a god." [img]smilies/lol.gif[/img]
This is definitely an ep I'll have to go rewatch soon.

5? [img]smilies/look.gif[/img]

Bronson · 03-31-2004, 11:58 AM

What Buffy said to the Council members needed to be said. She tired of their treating her and her friends like they were useless idiots.

Star Dreamer · 03-31-2004, 12:23 PM

I really enjoyed this episode esp when Buffy finally told the Council off! I thought her speech was really good...perhaps it was a sign of things to come in season 7 lol.
I really enjoyed Giles's angry reactions to Travers and found it amusing when one of the Watchers blushed as she met Spike 'I wrote my thesis on you'. That was so funny.

progirl · 04-01-2004, 08:23 AM

An important theme came out of this episode, one that contued on for the rest of the shows run.

In the begning Buffy tells Spike she never needs him. Trouble comes a knockn' and the first place Buffy runs for help is to Spike. He mentions pay for his good deed and she tells him she is serious. She is putting aside their long standing relationship of evil vs good banter because this is serious business and she counts on him for support. He is strong and she knows he will protect her family. At this point she doesn't even know that he loves her but she does feel that she can trust souless Spike with her loved ones.

I also loved how Spike droped his Big Bad mask when Joyce and him began watching Passions.

I was wondering at the time if the Knight would become her new boyfriend at a later date. Silly me.

What a great episode. It was my 4th favorite in season 5 which was a great season.
Anna

northernstarchik · 04-01-2004, 07:04 PM

my fav scene of the ep:

Cut to: Willow and Tara's room. Willow and Tara sit on the bed side-by-side. Nigel stands before them with a notebook.
WILLOW: Questions, great.
TARA: Well, we can answer questions.
NIGEL: Good. I need to know a little bit more about the Slayer, and about the both of you. Your relationship, whatever you can tell me.
TARA: O-o-our relationship?
WILLOW: We're friends.
TARA: Good friends.
WILLOW: Girlfriends, actually.
TARA: Yes, we're girlfriends.
WILLOW: We're in love. We're ... lovers. (puts hand on Tara's knee) We're lesbian, gay-type lovers.
NIGEL: I meant your relationship with the Slayer.

Both girls look embarrassed. Willow removes her hand from Tara's knee.
TARA: Um, just good friends.

NIGEL VOICEOVER: Are you saying that the Slayer needs that level of help from you often?

Cut back to Willow/Tara interrogation.
WILLOW: No, no, she doesn't need help.
TARA: She'd be fine without us. Sometimes she goes off and does stuff without even telling us.
WILLOW: Not that she's like a, a weird loner or anything.
TARA: I'm not sure we're saying this right.
WILLOW: See, here's the thing. We, we can help because we do magicks. I'm working on this ball of sunshine thing. See, I have this theory.
TARA: It's very cool.
WILLOW: A-and if it works, easier slaying for Buffy. Not that it's hard for her now!
NIGEL: Interesting. What level are you at?
TARA: Level?
NIGEL: Magical proficiency level?
WILLOW: Oh! Uh, high, a high level. Very high. One of those ... top levels.
TARA: Five!

Nigel writes this down as Willow and Tara give each other anxious looks. Willow mouths, "five??" and Tara shrugs.

NIGEL: And you're registered as practicing witches under the names as you gave them to me?
TARA: R-registered?
WILLOW: Oh yes! Yes, of course we're-
TARA: ...r-r-registered. (nodding)

[img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

QueenBitch · 04-06-2004, 06:14 AM

Spike's helping... Oh how I love him. And Buffy. Togetther.

It was also funny, so there's a bonus.

Ragnarok · 04-06-2004, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by progirl:
An important theme came out of this episode, one that continued on for the rest of the shows run.

In the beginning Buffy tells Spike she never needs him. Trouble comes a knockn' and the first place Buffy runs for help is to Spike. He mentions pay for his good deed and she tells him she is serious. She is putting aside their long standing relationship of evil vs good banter because this is serious business and she counts on him for support. He is strong and she knows he will protect her family. At this point she doesn't even know that he loves her but she does feel that she can trust souless Spike with her loved ones.

I also loved how Spike droped his Big Bad mask when Joyce and him began watching Passions.

I was wondering at the time if the Knight would become her new boyfriend at a later date. Silly me.

What a great episode. It was my 4th favorite in season 5 which was a great season.
Anna

It is interesting that she somehow knew that Spike wouldn't turn her down when she asked him for help. The "Passions" business was hysterical. The look on Dawn's face when she realizes what they're talking about. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

I didn't like the Knights of Byzantium at all. So I must admit it never occurred to me that Buffy might take an interest in one of them. And thank goodness she didn't.

Bronson

I couldn't agree more about that professor. That guy's in the wrong line of work. There was no excuse for the way he treated her.

Quote:

The conversation between Buffy and Glory was interesting. It was amazing since we never saw her having a conversation with a Big Bad.

I enjoyed that scene, but I'm not sure what you mean in your second sentence. She talked to every Big Bad at one time or another.

Jen

Great job choosing the screencaps, as usual. [img]smilies/clap.gif[/img]

*Krissy*

It was quite a shocker finding out that Glory was a god. It certainly explained why Buffy couldn't dent her in a fight.

northernstarchik

You forgot my favorite line in the entire episode:

Anya: "Willow's a demon?!" [img]smilies/lol.gif[/img]

sum1 · 04-06-2004, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ragnarok:
I didn't like the Knights of Byzantium at all.

God, yeah! Awful lame fake idiots! Totally unconvincing and annoying. And, like, get with the 21st century, you fancy dress morons!

[ 04-06-2004: Message edited sum1 ]

Ragnarok · 04-06-2004, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sum1:
God, yeah! Awful lame fake idiots! Totally unconvincing and annoying. And, like, get with the 21st century, you fancy dress morons!

[ 04-06-2004: Message edited sum1 ]

Yep, that pretty much sums up how I feel about them. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

holeybubushka · 05-25-2004, 04:20 AM

I really like this one. Its one of those, solid, arch moving eps that very effectively balances humour and drama.
The best thing is that it devotes time to everyone. The interrogation scenes were hilarious. This is the first time Amber Benson did funny, too, and she shows such a good comic timing that its a shame they didn't utilize it more. Spike too is at his sexy best, and I just LOVE when he tilts his head when the Girl watcher admitted she wrote her thesis on him.
I'm saving the best for last. Giles and Buffy's interaction is wondeful. I love it how open Buffy is about her affection to Giles, her admitting that she needs him was suntly and sweetly underdone,a perfect capture of the comtted and mutal love between them. I also dig Buffy's speech, particulary when she clearly states Xander's worth in front of everyone-"The BOY clocks more field time than any one else here in this room"(or something to that effect). Its a great. This one's a keeper

Cheers

Holey

Eternal Love · 05-25-2004, 04:38 AM

Love this episode. Buffy did trust Spike in some way in season five- that�s why I don�t understand why she said to Spike she doesn�t trust him in season six. Maybe because of this "As you were" episode. Whatever. Buffy/Giles were great- one of my alltime favourites realationships in the Buffyverse, also Spike and Joyce.