Who Saw That One Coming?

I have a bit of a problem with these three episodes- Living Conditions, The Harsh Light of Day, and Fear Itself. It seems like Buffy is made just a tad too innocent and vulnerable for a Slayer, even an 18 year old one.

Living Conditions does do a good job of capturing the stress of a psycho-roommate. Many a college freshman has been certain that their roomy/cellmate is bizarre, and often downright evil. The writers once again embody the metaphor, giving Buffy a roommate who is actually demonic. While the supernatural can be blamed for some of her difficulties, Buffy seems incredibly immature in the way she handles the situation. She’s ready to slay Kathy, even before there’s conclusive evidence that she’s a demon. By now, Buffy has had to work with and associate with plenty of people she disliked (Faith, Kendra, Spike…) I would expect her to apply this flexibility to her relationship with her roommate, but Buffy still has time adjusting. I suppose this is Whedon’s way of once again delineating Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Buffy the little blonde girl.

The Harsh Light of Day, and Fear Itself both deal with Buffy’s insecurities and weaknesses. I find the entire situation with Parker upsetting, but also a little predictable. Buffy is no longer innocent. She has seen real horror-fighting it on a nightly basis, and being spectacularly deflowered by it. Further, she attended a very real-world high school. She should know how to pick up on questionable signals. Parker may have been making all the right moves, but everything about him declares “Poop head.” (Interestingly, Willow, who has only been with Oz, understands the situation much faster than the experienced Buffy.) Especially after Angel, Buffy should have been much more cautious with physical intimacy.

Instead, she pursues the new relationship with all the gusto of a classic rebounder, and is then surprised when it ends badly. Parker, the fear demon, and even the battle with Spike in the broad daylight all serve to show Buffy’s weaknesses and insecurities brought to the fore for everyone around here to see. Nevertheless, her wide-eyed innocence in these episodes seem to undermine her strength and experience as a Slayer and as a strong young woman. Rather than truthfully portraying the difficulties of the transition to college (which, I believe, was the writers intentions) these few episodes show Buffy being improbably beaten by the common place which her peers are able to handle.