Production number: 4V03
Original US air date: 17/3/97
Written by: Dana Reston
Directed by: Stephen Graggal
Guest stars:
The Witch
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Production number: 4V03
Original US air date: 17/3/97
Written by: Dana Reston
Directed by: Stephen Graggal
Guest stars:
Kristine Sutherland: Joyce Summers
Elizabeth Anne Allen: Amy
Robin Riker: Catherine
Synopsis:
Buffy tries out for the cheerleading squad, much to Giles' horror
and discovers that all is not well with the squad cheerleader
wannabe, Amber's hands ignite during the auditions. Meanwhile
Xander tries to build up the courage to ask Buffy out. The rest
of the squad start dropping like flies - Cordelia is blinded and
Buffy is placed under a deadly curse that makes her behave as if
drunk. Cheerleader wannabe Amy, whose mother, Catherine, is
incredibly demanding (and herself a cheerleading champion) is
prime suspect and tests positive as a witch. It transpires that
Amy's mother has swapped bodies with her daughter in order to
relive past glories but Giles manages to reverse the spell using
her spellbook. The restored Catherine battles Buffy and casts a
deadly spell against her, but Buffy uses a big mirror tho reflect
the spell right back. Catherine is trapped in the cheerleading
trophy in a display cabinet in the school, unknownst to the gang.
Review:
The first non-Whedon script is betrayed by the first real
dialogue glitches. Cordelia's use of the word 'hyperbole', for
example, sounds incongruous. The theme of using super-natural
events in order to highlight and examine all-too-natural teen
growing pains remains strong, however. Buffy is hilarious when '
under the influence ' of the spell, watch out for her rendition
of 'Macho Man'.
Points of interest:
It's confirmed that Xander is the short for Alexander.
Willow helps the squeamish Xander get eye of newt for a spell,
but apparently from a frog. And she has frog fear. Odd.
Willow coins the term 'Slayerette'.
Amber's stunt-double forgot to put on a long wig before Buffy
began to play fire-fighter with her hands.
Catherine Madison was seemingly both Amy's mother maiden and
married name.
Music featured in this episode:
2 Unlimited: Twilight Zone
Vampire Deaths: 0
Total Deaths: 1