Buffy the Vampire Slayer: As You Were

“My hat has a cow.”

Riley’s back. I bet that was a surprise. Let’s face it, Buffy is known for its well-rounded characters but Riley, well, he’s a bit of a cipher, isn’t he?

But at least he’s got his life together, with a cool job and a fulfilling marriage. Buffy has none of that. In fact, her future looks extremely bleak, and she’s only 21. Stuck in a dead end job, with even vampires complaining about the smell, she's getting increasingly isolated with her friends, has no time to look after Dawn, and her only outlet in inevitably meaningless sex with Spike. Although it certainly sounds like rather good sex...

So when Riley turns up and whisks Buffy off on a fast-paced mission it's a welcome distraction, and the sexual tension is certainly there. Until Riley's (pretty cool) wife Sam  turns up. Oops.

(Incidentally, it's both interesting and odd to see Riley and Dawn "remember" each other although they have technically never met. It's only moments like this that you realise how short a time Dawn has existed.)

But my, it's embarrassing for Buffy to be caught in bed with Spike by Riley and Sam. Especially as Spike seems to be the villain of the piece this week because, you know, still evil.

It's an awkward parting with Riley, yet also a sweet one, and one with closure. And, of course, Buffy finally breaks up with Spike, albeit in a way which feels contrived. An episode full of stuff, but perhaps one that could have done with a bit more polish on the script at times. Good telly, but not as good as we usually see on Buffy.