A review by kittykult
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine, Volume 4: Welcome to the Team by Andrew Chambliss, Joss Whedon
4.0
(If you haven't read the other issues of season 8 and 9, proceed with caution. I will only be hiding spoilers related to this storyline).
This arc is probably my favorite of the Buffy series continuation so far. Up until now, I've been both embracing and reluctant regarding the path the Buffyverse has taken. Y'all know how I felt about the whole "Twilight" arc (or you will, once I finally get over being irritated enough to posting it). And most of this season has been about the world dealing with the consequences of that. And outside of a few shining moments, it still seems like the creators of Buffy are having a difficult time living up to the epicness of season 7. However, the tide started to change with Willow: Wonderland, occurring shortly before the following events, and I'm really starting to like what's happening here. The story is engrossing and well-paced.
As we start this arc, Buffy is facing an even-stronger-than-normal Zompire. Also, Xander is still with the grossness in dating Dawn. As Buffy once said, "Raise your hand if ew."
I refuse to accept this entire relationship, but let's move on, because here is where Buffy. So now, Buffy has a new mission.
As this is happening, let's go back in time for a brief moment for a quick refresher from Andrew. Remember this, because it is wildly important for the rest of the season:
I have hated Dawn since the beginning of her existence. I have always thought she was a bratty, annoying teenager. However, she has grown quite a bit since season 7. Sometimes, even literally (you better laugh at my pun)! Remember how I told you to remember that Dawn is a key? Well - here's where it becomes important, because This arc is one that really brings me around to liking Dawn. I've been a holdout for so long. But now, unlike my hatred of Sansa in the tv show Game of Thrones, my dislike of Dawn is starting to dissolve. It still doesn’t make me accept the yikes that is her relationship with Xander. I’m still gagging.
Speaking of Xander, still reeling from what happened in the Twilight-seed showdown, he is starting to become very angry and embittered. There's a little self-hatred mixed in, a la "Zeppo" episode. He's kind of turning into a total Kyle and I am not a fan of this development. My psychoanalysis is that Giles grew to be like a father to Xander, and facing the loss and his own inability to prevent that loss has caused him to spiral out of control.
Add to this the fact that Simone is continuing to ramp up to be this seasons "Big Bad," and her teaming up with, tension is boiling to the surface - whoops, I actually mean to The Core (again, pun, laugh now please).
This arc is probably my favorite of the Buffy series continuation so far. Up until now, I've been both embracing and reluctant regarding the path the Buffyverse has taken. Y'all know how I felt about the whole "Twilight" arc (or you will, once I finally get over being irritated enough to posting it). And most of this season has been about the world dealing with the consequences of that. And outside of a few shining moments, it still seems like the creators of Buffy are having a difficult time living up to the epicness of season 7. However, the tide started to change with Willow: Wonderland, occurring shortly before the following events, and I'm really starting to like what's happening here. The story is engrossing and well-paced.
As we start this arc, Buffy is facing an even-stronger-than-normal Zompire. Also, Xander is still with the grossness in dating Dawn. As Buffy once said, "Raise your hand if ew."
I refuse to accept this entire relationship, but let's move on, because here is where Buffy
Spoiler
meets Illyria. This was as exciting (or maybe more so) than Buffy meeting Fray last season, because Fred/Illyria is one of my favorite characters of the entire Buffyverse. Anyway, Illyria introduces Buffy to "The Council" (no, not that council) - a group of demons, including D'Hoffryn and a weird Groot-looking thing, among others. This group of demons is trying to protect what little magic remains in the world. Oh yeah, and Koh's back. And, oh, look, shitty Severin is back too.As this is happening, let's go back in time for a brief moment for a quick refresher from Andrew. Remember this, because it is wildly important for the rest of the season:
I have hated Dawn since the beginning of her existence. I have always thought she was a bratty, annoying teenager. However, she has grown quite a bit since season 7. Sometimes, even literally (you better laugh at my pun)! Remember how I told you to remember that Dawn is a key? Well - here's where it becomes important, because
Spoiler
what is a key made up of? You guessed it - magic. And with all the magic disappearing from the world, Dawn is starting to fade away. Literally, again.Spoiler
JUST LIKE SHE IS HAHAHAHA GET IT? I MAKE MYSELF LAUGH!Speaking of Xander, still reeling from what happened in the Twilight-seed showdown, he is starting to become very angry and embittered. There's a little self-hatred mixed in, a la "Zeppo" episode. He's kind of turning into a total Kyle and I am not a fan of this development. My psychoanalysis is that Giles grew to be like a father to Xander, and facing the loss and his own inability to prevent that loss has caused him to spiral out of control.
Spoiler
He becomes so desperate to save Dawn that he goes to extreme measures, which paints him as a sort of anti-hero.Add to this the fact that Simone is continuing to ramp up to be this seasons "Big Bad," and her teaming up with