"Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" - Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Directed by: James A. Cotner
Airdate: February 10, 1998

"I wish dating was like slaying: you know, simple: direct, stake to the heart, no muss, no fuss" - Xander in "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered, Season 2, episode 16.

Post Valentine's Day,  I had to watch this episode because it's when Xander was dating Cordelia in secret, Angelus had appeared, Amy wasn't a rat yet, and it's the episode in which Sarah Michelle Gellar's screen time was less than usual because she was hosting on Saturday Night Live during the production of this episode so they turned her into a rat.

With my foray into the Buffy-verse, re-watching these episodes and Angel, what I can't stop noticing is how young everyone looks in the series! Especially David Boreanaz whose svelte figure and youthful features were swoon-worthy during the early Buffy season. On Angel, his figure gets wider (not in a bad way, by any means - he can still appear topless and look good) but its more noticeable in his face.

This episode made me look for the more Xander-centric episodes in the series, which are always my favorite treat. Nicholas Brendon infused so much life into his character (of course, along with the writers and direction from Joss Whedon) which makes him a favorite of mine so much!

Favorite moments from the episode are highlighted below:
- The creepy score creating a horror atmosphere
- "Soon," the message Angelus sends with a box of roses to Buffy's home
- Amy displaying her powers which foreshadows her deviance in Season 6
- Xander and that Luke Perry hair
- Willow waiting for Xander under the covers, which begat Alyson Hannigan as sexy Lily on How I Met Your Mother
-"Got the Love" playing during the hallway scene when Xander walks and ilicits every woman oogling him and the men hating him
- Amy: "I know what his heart wants." Buffy: "Funny, I know what your face wants" (before she punches her in the face).

"Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" will remain as one of my favorite episodes of this season and this series. Re-visit, re-watch, or watch new!

Technorati Tags: buffy the vampire slayer series,nicholas brendon,bewitched, bothered, and bewildered,Season 2, Episode 16,Joss Whedon,airdate february 10, 1998,Xander Harris