(Credit: http://dailybtvs.tumblr.com)
I'm glad we watched this particular episode in class because I think "Innocence" works as a great example of how Whedon constructs Buffy's double identity as both teenager and slayer. Season One builds Buffy's character's "toughness" as she fights various demons, and Season Two takes it to the level where Buffy's personal life becomes more and more involved with her "work."
On a basic level, Buffy shows her weakness when it comes to rejection. On the "slayer-level," Buffy understands what she has to do to protect Sunnydale. I have to keep reminding myself that Buffy (at least in this episode) is freshly 17 and has to show great maturity.
Overall, I found the final scene where Buffy and Joyce are sitting on the couch to be very touching. Joyce's comment to Buffy ("You look the same to me") emphasizes how much Buffy is hurting inside -- her wounds from all of her various fights are basically nothing compared to what Angel has become.
Also, the final scene shows how Joyce just wants to protect Buffy although Buffy is sort of protecting her instead.
1 comment:
I think it's interesting how you pointed out teenage Buffy vs. slayer Buffy because I think a lot of people forget the difference. Sometimes it's so easy to get lost in the slayer aspect of her character, that we forget that she's just a kid trying to deal with teenage situations. I also like the interpretation of the final scene with Joyce and Buffy, how it's really Buffy who is protecting her mother, when realistically it should be the other way around.
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