Grow Up. Or Not.

The Initiative, Hush, Doomed, A New Man

Silly Buffy, tricks are for kids.
Silly kids, tricks are for magicians. Silly Spike, Seriously? Was that the only shirt Xander owned? Not even a soul of pure evil can pull off that outfit. But, beyond the sartorial imagery, it seems these episodes are all attempting to show a corruption of adult-child roles through different metaphors, with special emphasis on fairy-tale imagery.

Hush is fantastically creepy. With the cold, professional Gentleman, it seems the show is portraying a more sophisticated brand of evil. These are not the random vampires or unaffiliated demons that Buffy kills so easily. Throughout the show, there’s been an idea that organized evil is much more intimidating for the Scoobie gang, who still rely more on juvenile loyalties and enthusiasm to get the job done. By taking fairy-tale creatures out of their element, the show inverts the usual adult-child relationship. Fairy-tales usually reflect the elements children fear in the world, but in fear, they’ve become a very adult danger.

Of course, in typical Buffy fashion, the adults don’t have all the answers either. As the article “Who’s Side Are You On” says, tales are usually used as a method of passing on knowledge from the older generation to the younger. But, even though Giles identifies the monsters and Professor Walsh gives instruction, neither of these older characters are able to provide definite solutions. Instead, it’s Buffy and friends’ unique perspectives that allow them to save the day. As college students, they are neither children or adults, and so can combine the most useful characteristics of each- the belief, and impulsive (almost instinctual) actions and perceptions of children with the calm planning of adults. Through using these strength, Buffy can dispatch nearly any Big Bad, whether sophisticated or primitive. However, that Hawaiian shirt may be a match for them all.