When Buffy, Xander, and Willow are caught by the new principle by making fun of the talent auditions, he forces the three of them to audition themselves. They happen to encounter a talented but very peculiar ventriloquist (The paring of Morgan (Human) & Sid (Dummy) People are getting killed off one by one with their hearts being removed. Morgan is the prime suspect, but Buffy is more frightened by the Dummy. With the school shrouded in mystery over the killer, Buffy will have to get over her phobia of dummies to solve this mystery and keep the school safe
This episode is extremely creepy! I might raise some eyebrows by saying this, but Sid makes Chucky look like a walk in the park in comparison. That dummy gave me the willies in many ways. Joss Whedon knows this and takes every opportunity to pray on these fears. Wait until you see the shot of the dummy leering in the window while Buffy sleeps! There is another suspenseful scene where the dummy stares at Buffy in class. The amazing score really adds to the atmosphere in this one. It's one of the best scores I've heard since the original Halloween movie. That may be an exaggeration to some, but to me it isn't. What was cool about this episode is how vulnerable and fragile Buffy is here. She always has moments of vulnerability, but I truly felt the fear from her in this one. Not only was it great psychology but good storytelling as well. I give major credit to Sarah Michelle Gellar for giving such a great performance. It also benefits from some sly humor at times. I did feel the conclusion was a tad disappointing after some amazing buildup, but I do give it credit it for being rather unconventional at the same time. I just felt a better ending was needed after some terrific storytelling for 30 minutes or so.
Buffy fans should love this episode. Some may be disappointed at the lack of Vampire action, but this is a great mystery that is filled with some wonderful psychology. I don't know about everybody else, but I sure got the creeps from this one. I have but one request, now... I never want to hear Charisma Carpenter sing again as long as I live!
P.S. Stay for the end credits! I believe this was the first time in this series at this juncture for something to happen in the end credits
8.5/10
This episode is extremely creepy! I might raise some eyebrows by saying this, but Sid makes Chucky look like a walk in the park in comparison. That dummy gave me the willies in many ways. Joss Whedon knows this and takes every opportunity to pray on these fears. Wait until you see the shot of the dummy leering in the window while Buffy sleeps! There is another suspenseful scene where the dummy stares at Buffy in class. The amazing score really adds to the atmosphere in this one. It's one of the best scores I've heard since the original Halloween movie. That may be an exaggeration to some, but to me it isn't. What was cool about this episode is how vulnerable and fragile Buffy is here. She always has moments of vulnerability, but I truly felt the fear from her in this one. Not only was it great psychology but good storytelling as well. I give major credit to Sarah Michelle Gellar for giving such a great performance. It also benefits from some sly humor at times. I did feel the conclusion was a tad disappointing after some amazing buildup, but I do give it credit it for being rather unconventional at the same time. I just felt a better ending was needed after some terrific storytelling for 30 minutes or so.
Buffy fans should love this episode. Some may be disappointed at the lack of Vampire action, but this is a great mystery that is filled with some wonderful psychology. I don't know about everybody else, but I sure got the creeps from this one. I have but one request, now... I never want to hear Charisma Carpenter sing again as long as I live!
P.S. Stay for the end credits! I believe this was the first time in this series at this juncture for something to happen in the end credits
8.5/10