Finally, she says the "A" word! (Wait a sec - did she?) I thought she'd forgotten about her ex-lover at the rate she was so not giving a thought to him for the whole past two episodes.

But speaking without my "B/A Forever" t-shirt on (that was metaphorical for you out there who think I'm that psycho and tacky), I have to say that I'm uber liking this new season, and the new Buffy is back in my good books. OK, don't flame me too much, but I was actually doing a Willow and ceering when Buffy did the deed with Parker. (The burning begins.) But look - it's been what, over a year and a half sinse she last got some; come on, the girl deserves a happy after playing the nun for so long. That said, I too watched the scene thinkin - what if Angel walked in right then - Bad heart-breaking Buffy, bad - bad! But the point is, Angel is not going to walk back in - and for all his insane jealousy over such a discovery (ooo, fanfic!), I'm sure Angel would be glad that the one he loves is free to explore life wihtout any shackles of guilt or sorrow.

And ya must admit, Parker was a Baldwin. (Albeit scarily Xander-like in form). Only thing - that transformation from fatherless d & m talker to college pirana was totally the product of bad script-writing.

And was everyone else wishing they could give Buffy a big bang on the head when SHE apologised to HIM?!! But that just makes me like the new and vulnerable Buffster even more. I like that she's not on top of things anymore, and that's totally expected from someone who's so used to the man in her life kissing the air she breathed. In a non-"I hated the egotistical Buffy that's been annoying us for the past three seasons" way, perhaps now she'll understand how lucky she was to have Angel. But then again, this *is* Buffy we're talking about.

Have to feel sorry for the poor thing, being so naive about the Park Man. But with looks like hers, (esp this season!) how can we possibly be told to believe that she would think herself inadequate. I guess the post-Surprise experience really shattered her self-security on that front, although I thought Angel would have been sure to reassure her about her performance once he turned good again. (Or maybe that's just my fanfic memory talking).

On to other topics. Willow's still doing her best friend act, but I'm waiting for the ODing on her that everyone's complaining about on the net. I REALLY didn't like the scene where she was giving Buffy advice on the 'discovery' part of relationshipness. You're not that much of an expert on the subject yourself you know there, redhead. Sheesh!

I'm so jumping and clapping that Anya's back! But if she couldn't stop thinking of Xander (eww, poor twisted girl), wouldn't she have returned earlier? And since when did Xander bulk up so? The buffed look is really odd on him - or is that chubiness? (tsk tsk, Nick! ;0> ) Nice to know that the boy now has an emotional-conectedness standard to satisfy in a relationship before he bares all. Poor Anya - that bed in the basement was so tacky - but then again, I rather doubt she cared about the location, hehehe.

Yay, Giles is almost Giles again. A television I can handle - it was just that other gross taboo for grown-ups thing that gives the ewwws for him.

Another new entry I was ecstatic about was Spike, but I have to say I was kinda disappointed with his new self-helped personage. He just... wasn't that funny. I guess I was so used to seeing him play Mr Whipped and Whimpy that I forgot how the old Spike was - violent and smart - but still completely in love with Druscilla. (Sigh!) Oh, these gorgeous vampires in long black jackets - they really are the best and truest lovers.

I was surprised by Spike's latest choice of bedfellows to say the least; would've figured him for someone a little less braindead. I guess the sex was pretty good, and still, they made a cutesome twosome. Feel sorry for Harm though; for all her brain-lackage, she really loved her Platinum man. "Love's a strange thing".

Oh, but how easy was it for Buffy to get the ring off Spike! Shame, Spike, shame. Scuttling away with your tail between your legs with a sore Buffy-stamped ass. Tsk, tsk.

OK, I had two really high 'yay' points in this episode. The first was when Parker notived the scar on Buffy's neck. WOO-HOO!!!! Now Angel is part of her forever! And, more importantly, I finally understand all those fanfics that mention it. And added yayage - another reminder of his badness towards Buffy for which Angel can feel guilty. And the second jump and scream point was during the Spike/Buffy showdown. Spikey says the A word and all Buffy-hell breaks loose. Ahhh, parted in body but never in soul - Angel still has the power to stir Buffy's passion into a frenzy. Shigh! Potential, you're screaming out to us B/A fans!