Discussion of 8.13 "Wolves at the Gate # 2" 04/02/08 (Dark Horse)

[nerd4hire]

"Drew Goddard (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Alias, Lost, and the writer of Cloverfield), continues his story arc “Wolves at the Gate,” which has Buffy and the gang fighting a team of über vamps in Tokyo. In order to better understand their mysterious new foes, Xander must recruit an old ally to join in their cause to defeat this new danger."

Dark Horse Comics > Profile > Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8: #13 Wolves at the Gate (http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=14-830)

[Five]

I think this episode's point was to treat of the consequences of the previous one : Batsu (I just love Willow, btw.), Xander/Dracula (slash??), the transportation to Japan, etc. Besides all of this, we don't really learn anything, except for the end where we learn and see what's going on with the Japanese vampires... Please let them not succeed! (Well, I know they won't, I mean, come on, they're facing BUFFY!)
Renée made me laugh, and so did Willow, I eeked when she asks Satsu how's Buffy in the sack. I really like what Will said about Buffy to Satsu, she really knows her and you can say she's not really mad at her (not about 8.12 nor 8.10).
I didn't get why Buffy wanted everyone on the ground, Satsu's idea of leaving some Slayers to defend the castle was better, to me. I only see in this that next issue, JapVamp will tell Buffy "Aha, all your Slayers are here, we're gonna be able to de-activate all of them", Buffy will be like "Oh, crap". And that's it. ^^
I really liked the quote
"Buffy's not like you, you know..."
"A dyke."
"I was going to go with "Friend of Sappho", but, sure, whatever you kids call it these days, I'm hip, I'm on it." or something like that.
Moooore Willoooow!!

[goldenboy]

Yeah, not sure what Buffy's thinking was on taking her entire squad, other than having no idea how big of a threat she's facing. And bold/risky strategic moves are in keeping with her character.

How is Dawn gonna end up in Japan I wonder? Unless the covers deceive us. I'd almost bet that she's the one that takes down that rooftop magic de-Slayerizer thing we see in the last panel, King Kong-style.

The Xander/Dracula thing is still pretty amusing, creepy. I like how Goddard has morphed Drac into a pathetic cartoon character, basically. He's just as pompous as he was on the show, but he's funnier now. And I like Renee showing some spunk, getting annoyed.

[Clem Rocks]

Renee and Drac was actualy the best part of this issue, and that's saying something...

[white avenger]

I haven't read Issue 13 yet, but from the internet comic "Antique," and from the preview, I get the feeling that there is an attempt to make Dracula a more benign or maybe more sympathetic character. Does anyone else get that feeling, or is it just me?

[Karl]

Just read it and I really liked #13, insanely funny and great character development. But I have to ask, when was Dracula resurrected? Did I miss something? When I saw him in the last issue I assumed that him still being alive would be explained in this issue. Last time I remember he was dusted pretty good by Buffy in 'Buffy vs. Dracula'. The whole part about Xander going to Dracula's place after Anya's death and being Dracula's gay manservant for some time also left me with a big question mark over my head. And the beginning with Dracula looking really old? Let's just say I'm slighly confused.
Also, have to mention the conversation between Willow and Satsu, that was just great and funny as hell. By the way, what's the high-pitched squeal Buffy makes (or her "shoe-sale noise") and why would Willow think that Buffy makes that sound during sex? Just wondering lol.

[goldenboy]

Well, in B vs. D, Drac gets dusted, then reconstitutes himself, gets dusted again, almost reconstitutes himself. He's not a normal vamp. In this issue Drac mentions he's the guardian of ancient magics, that he risked his "soul" to attain them.

I guess there are jokey gay insinuations about Xander/Dracula. To me, it almost seems like an odd, uneasy friendship of sorts. But yeah, why Xander would seek out Dracula for solace and consolation in the first place...I don't get it (other than the joke potential). Residual effects of Dracula's "thrall" power on Xander? No idea.

[Clem Rocks]

Anyone realise that Dracula tells Butterfield to fetch him a razor? Therefor suggesting that the old man appearance isn't a glamour!

And did anyone else love the way Xander said "Watch your tone, moor"? XD

[Canon]

I really enjoyed this issue.

I thought that what happened to Aiko though was really evil :( But I'm excited to see how this plays out.

I loved Willow and Satsu's conversation, and Jeanty's drawing of Willow in the panel where she's talking about H.G.O.G.A (which stands for what by the way?)cookbook....wow. He got her spot on there.

Anyway, absolutley cannot wait for next issue :D I wanna see more of these bad guys....

[Allycat]

Once again a great issue. The whole Dracula/Renee/Xander dynamic works really well. I thought the bit where Andrew explained to everybody what had happened to Xander in Antique was unnecessary.

I'm glad Willow doesn't hate Buffy for her little expiriment.

Question, how does the de-Slayerising work. Fumiko yells something in Japanese, then a red beam shoot from the Scythe to a lens, and then from the lens it goes to the Slayer?! And that's it?

[Clem Rocks]

H.G.O.G.A (which stands for what by the way?)

I hear it's Hot Girl On Girl Action

[Tranquillity]

Gotta admit that this one left me a little underwhelmed. The Drac/Renee banter was quite good - Xander's line about not remembering that Dracula was such a racisit was very Xanderish. The Japanese Slayer's (can't remember her name, comic not with me) death was well done too. I'm assuming that the big red circle thingy on top of the building (in the last panel) is like a big version of the little red disk the slayer picked up and the big one is going to be used to de-slayerize all Buffy's troops who are heading to Japan as we speak. Yeah, she should have left some back at the castle. Then she'll really be alone. again.

[nerd4hire]

So we have this idea now the Japanese Vamps want to take the slay out of the slayers. The fan reaction to that I'm picking up is "OMG, how will Buffy stop them."

Question though. Is it necessarily a bad thing for the series if the vamps succeed? It wraps some stuff up neatly. There's the question of how does the line go from multiple slayers in Chosen to single slayer in Fray? Well this could be an answer.

Then there's the feeling Buffy is going to wind up betrayed and alone. How can that happen if she has all those disciples? Here's how. Maybe they're just not slayers any more, and they go home.

Those vamps are great villains, especially the girl. Who's going to wind up going toe to toe with her do you think, Willow, or Buffy?

[white avenger]

So we have this idea now the Japanese Vamps want to take the slay out of the slayers. The fan reaction to that I'm picking up is "OMG, how will Buffy stop them."

Question though. Is it necessarily a bad thing for the series if the vamps succeed? It wraps some stuff up neatly. There's the question of how does the line go from multiple slayers in Chosen to single slayer in Fray? Well this could be an answer.

Then there's the feeling Buffy is going to wind up betrayed and alone. How can that happen if she has all those disciples? Here's how. Maybe they're just not slayers any more, and they go home.

Those vamps are great villains, especially the girl. Who's going to wind up going toe to toe with her do you think, Willow, or Buffy?

I've always thought that the number of Slayers now in existence, numbering in the thousands at the beginning of Season 8 was far too unwieldy a group to handle. If the majority of the younger Slayers were somehow de-activated, keeping only a small force ( a few dozen girls scattered throughout the world with Buffy heading a small strike force ready to assist wherever needed) would be much easier to control. Plus it would make Faith's skills and experience too valuable to waste, and could be the beginning of that stronger friendship that quite a few of us want to see develop between the Chosen Two.

[RogueHunter]

I wonder if Buffy will be de'slayerized.

[Blondie Bear]

I liked this issue MUCH more than the last one, although Willow's comments about wanting to know what Buffy's like in the sack seemed a bit out of character to me. It could be that she was just trying to lighten the mood after that heavy conversation with Satsu, cause I never got the feeling that Willow EVER thought of Buffy that way.

Xander's banter with Drac was hilarious, and I kept waiting for Renee to belt one or both of them.

[Rowan Hawthorn]

I liked this issue MUCH more than the last one, although Willow's comments about wanting to know what Buffy's like in the sack seemed a bit out of character to me. It could be that she was just trying to lighten the mood after that heavy conversation with Satsu, cause I never got the feeling that Willow EVER thought of Buffy that way.
It was never really brought up in the show (well, except for that one time when Xander mentioned that he didn't think she thought of Buffy that way. Shows how much he knows...)

However, having said that: Since realizing that she really likes girls, I think it's much more unrealistic to assume that the thought never once crossed Willow's mind; she's always been... inquisitive, shall we say? ...about Buffy's sex life. Note also that being curious about Buffy's - um - performance doesn't mean she's madly, wildly, in love with Buff (although I've long suspected there's at least a tiny bit of that going on, too.) And it's not at all out of character for Willow to be crass and inappropriate; as smart as she is, her mouth quite often isn't attached to her brain...

"You had two eggs sunny-side-up. I remember 'cause they were wiggling at me like little boobs." - "Forever"

(To Giles) "They, they're probably going to-" - "Where the Wild Things Are", as Buffy and Riley make lame excuses to disappear.

"I'm a breast girl myself. (quietly, to Tara) But, then again, you knew that." - "Life Serial"

"Great. I'll give Xander a call. What's his number? Oh, yeah, 1-800-I'm-Dating-A-Skanky-Ho." - "Phases"

"It is kind of novel how he'll stay young and handsome forever, although you'll still get wrinkly and die... and oh, what about the children? I'll be quiet now." - (forgot the episode. dammit.)

ETA: I can't believe I forgot my most favoritest moment of Willow with her foot in her mouth: "Ooo, Scott Hope at eleven o'clock. (to Buffy) He likes you. He wanted to ask you out last year, but you weren't ready then. But I think you're ready now, or at least in the state of pre-readiness to make conversation, or-or to do that thing with your mouth that boys like. (realizes her slip-up) Oh! I didn't mean the *bad* thing with your mouth, I meant that little half-smile thing that you... (glares at Oz) You're supposed to stop me when I do that." - "Faith, Hope, and Trick"

[Blondie Bear]

In that case, to quote Xander: "Willow's not looking to date you. Or if she is, she's playing it pretty close to the chest." :)

[RogueHunter]

Willow would SO have the occasional fantasy.

[Blondie Bear]

See, I don't think so. I think that they were friends for so long before Willow "realized" she was gay that it put Buffy in an area of her brain that would never imagine that kind of thing. Just because she's gay doesn't mean she's constantly thinking about sex, or that she thinks about sex with every woman she meets any more than heterosexual people do. True, Willow asked Buffy about her sex life, but it was a camaraderie, sharing-among-females kind of thing. She didn't want to know how Buffy (or her boyfriends) were in the sack, she wanted to share the experience and be happy for Buffy being happy.

[Rowan Hawthorn]

See, I don't think so. I think that they were friends for so long before Willow "realized" she was gay that it put Buffy in an area of her brain that would never imagine that kind of thing. Just because she's gay doesn't mean she's constantly thinking about sex, or that she thinks about sex with every woman she meets any more than heterosexual people do.

Oh, I agree. And since pretty much every heterosexual person I know (other than the ones who refuse to think about sex at all (because it's duurty)) will have at least a passing curiosity at some time or other about even their closest friends of the opposite sex...?

[Karl]

Come on, you know it was all in god cheer when Willow asked about Buffy's "shoe-sale noise". :) I could so imagine Alyson saying those lines, Willow abruptly asking what was it like having sex with Buffy is just really funny.

[Allycat]

I'd hate it if the vamps succeeded in de-Slayerising a lot of Slayers. That would just totally undermine the importance of Chosen.

[Five]

I don't really think she can. Not by this spell, anyway, for this spell's based on the Scythe, and therefore Willow's spell with it. Buffy (and Faith) was already a Slayer at this time, so Willow's spell did not affect her. I think what the Japanese guys are doing is to reverse Willow's spell, deactivating the new-born Slayers. So, I believe Buffy's out of the woods... at least, with this spell.

[nerd4hire]

I'd hate it if the vamps succeeded in de-Slayerising a lot of Slayers. That would just totally undermine the importance of Chosen.

Yeah it would be a bit of a bummer. I'm starting like all the new slayers. At the same time everything wraps up so nicely as far as where they seem to be going with the season. I could see it happening.

[sosa lola]

Here's a cool fic explaining how Xander started mailing letters to Dracula:

StephenT - (Fic) Dead Letter (http://stormwreath.livejournal.com/45393.html?view=825681#t825681)

[Karl]

Heh, with the comics I don't want to do so much guessing and theorising about the main plot and I also try to avoid major spoilers. How the vampires' weapon plot turns out is anybody's guess at this point

[nerd4hire]

How the vampires' weapon plot turns out is anybody's guess at this point

That's true, and myself being a member of "anybody", I'm going to take a wild, stab, guess that says I think the vampires will succeed. All the young slayers will lose their slayer powers. I'll be happy to be wrong though. :)

[Tranquillity]

I wouldn't mind if the slayers lost their powers. It'd be good for the story. I don't think Buffy would lose her powers though, her powers are from a different source, not the scythe. I don't think we'll see a big confrontation untill the Japanese vamps are defrocked of their magical dracula-like powers, enter Willow.

[RogueHunter]

"Kill da swayers. kill da swayers, wif my sword and magic helmet!!"

YouTube - Bugs Bunny: What's Opera Doc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJysCsutnwE)

[CharmedSlayer85]

I still don't get this Dracula thing and the fact that Xander is friends with him. I mean Xander didn't like Angel and Spike even when they had souls, but yet Dracula doesn't have a soul and yet their friends? That doesn't make too much sense to me and on top of that again Dracula doesn't have a soul so how exactly is he friends with Xander, hell I might even suspect they had sex once or twice. Cause I mean hey we all know that Angel and Spike had sex at least once. (Which is something I'd definitely love to see or read more about) I would suspect that Angelus was the top and Spike was the bottom

[white avenger]

I still don't get this Dracula thing and the fact that Xander is friends with him. I mean Xander didn't like Angel and Spike even when they had souls, but yet Dracula doesn't have a soul and yet their friends? That doesn't make too much sense to me and on top of that again Dracula doesn't have a soul so how exactly is he friends with Xander, hell I might even suspect they had sex once or twice. Cause I mean hey we all know that Angel and Spike had sex at least once. (Which is something I'd definitely love to see or read more about) I would suspect that Angelus was the top and Spike was the bottom


Without getting into the argument about whether a vampire can or cannot feel any degree of affection, Xander might have achieved a degree of friendship with Dracula simply because they were in close association for a year, the equivalent of two enemies marooned on a desert island together and depending on each other to survive. Dracula would depend on xander to handle whatever affairs came up around Castle Dracula during the daytime, and Xander depended on Drac to keep him supplied with fresh spiders, grubs, and cock roaches.

[nerd4hire]

I don't have an answer, but maybe it would be helpful to put all we know about the relationship in a single spot.

Xander is a bit of a culture nerd, and Dracula is after all Dracula.

We don't know the totality of the thrall effect Dracula has over Xander, but Xander continued to correspond with Dracula after Season 5 via letters when he was no longer under Dracula's thrall, and didn't have to.

Andrew implies Xander getting connected with Dracula again after season 7 was Xander's choice, and had something to do with how he was dealing with the death of Anya.

Andrew also refers to Xander and Dracula as "fast friends", whatever that means.

Xander taught Dracula how to ride a motorcycle.

Dracula offers a sneaky smile when Xander implies a connection he has to Renee. Is he going to take pleasure out of destroying it?

In Antique (http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/preview.php?theid=11-756&p=1) we learn Dracula appears to be going through some sort of existential crisis having to do with the problem of how his vanity conflicts with the miniscule nature of his place in the universe. The immortality thing is a bug, along with his old age, and feelings of being alone. For some reason Xander appears to alleviate these dark doubts.

[Five]

I mean hey we all know that Angel and Spike had sex at least once. (Which is something I'd definitely love to see or read more about) I would suspect that Angelus was the top and Spike was the bottom

Huh, what?! Gosh I'd like to hear more about that!

And I totally agree : XanDrac has definitely happened. I don't get either why Xander is all so friendly with Dracula but was so mean to Angel and Soul-Spike. Seriously. The only explanation would be that old good Buffy attraction, and therefore his jealousy... I also think the thrall that Dracula has upon Xander leaves Xand something for Dracula, and explains why he's come to him. And in this strange master/slave relationship, Xander found some pleasure because it was after Anya's death and he could think about something else, not be surrounded by the same people who would remind him of her death, etc. Dracula was happy not to be alone anymore and to have a connexion with the modern world. And so some kind of friendship began to link them both.

Five - what do you think of "XanDrac" ?

[white avenger]

Cause I mean hey we all know that Angel and Spike had sex at least once. (Which is something I'd definitely love to see or read more about) I would suspect that Angelus was the top and Spike was the bottom


I read an article once where it was suggested that Angel would "almost certainly" have sexually assaulted Spike as a method of reinforcing his role of dominance over Spike just as he did his women, but as far as KNOWING that the two had sex is certainly news to me. As far as I know, Joss hasn't ever said anything about it.

[Clem Rocks]

I read an article once where it was suggested that Angel would "almost certainly" have sexually assaulted Spike as a method of reinforcing his role of dominance over Spike just as he did his women, but as far as KNOWING that the two had sex is certainly news to me. As far as I know, Joss hasn't ever said anything about it.

Joss has said something along the lines of "Are we thinking they've never...? C'mon i mean they've been around along time, and they're both open minded guys"

And Spike did mention something about him and Angel in Season 5 of Angel

[nerd4hire]

I wonder if Buffy will be de'slayerized.

Nah. They're pretty clear the problem is with the Scythe-Slayer spell specifically. Anyway, powerless Buffy = boring.

If it were to somehow happen it would be brief would be my wager.

[Tranquillity]

Huh, what?! Gosh I'd like to hear more about that!

From Power Play (Angel, season five, episode 21):

ILLYRIA: You'll have proof soon enough. A corrupted ruler on such a path sees treachery and betrayal all around him. He cannot suffer intimates and will eventually turn against them.

SPIKE: Guess I don't have to worry about that, 'cause Angel and me have never been intimate. Except that one...

[CharmedSlayer85]

I read an article once where it was suggested that Angel would "almost certainly" have sexually assaulted Spike as a method of reinforcing his role of dominance over Spike just as he did his women, but as far as KNOWING that the two had sex is certainly news to me. As far as I know, Joss hasn't ever said anything about it.

Yeah in season five of Angel during I believe the episode was Powerplay Spike said "Angel and I have never been intimate, except that one time." And Joss said on the commentary that "these two are immortals and into all kinds of deviants and you mean to tell me that they've never....you know. They're both very open minded guys, that's all I'm saying" or something like that.

[sosa lola]

I don't get either why Xander is all so friendly with Dracula but was so mean to Angel and Soul-Spike?

Xander's attitude towards Souled Spike changed after Spike started living with Xander. Xander became far more understanding to Spike and Buffy's relationship with him. I'd argue that after Selfless, Xander's attitude towards demons changed from complete dislike to being okay with them. There were many events where Xander showed great understanding to Spike, such as ignoring Anya's question about killing Spike and patting Spike on the shoulder for support.

To explain Xander and Dracula, I advise you all to read this short fic:

StephenT - (Fic) Dead Letter (http://stormwreath.livejournal.com/45393.html#cutid1)

[tommy]

I'm glad they remembered to call Buffy "ma'am" in this issue, because "everybody calls me 'ma'am' these days." was said in #1.

[sosa lola]

Okay, those of you who still can't believe that it's possible for Xander and Dracula to be letter buddies after Buffy vs Dracula, you've got to read this fic. It has the letters sent by Xander and Dracula in order, so in character, and completely logical, and so canon:

gen_storyteller: "Xander Harris and the Dark Lord: An Excruciating Correspondence" Xander, Dracula (http://community.livejournal.com/gen_storyteller/131226.html?view=734618#t734618)

[sosa lola]

I love fics but I don't see how they explain Xander's actions when they are not canon


While not canon, I've always saw fics as a nice way to understand canon. Canon is not going to explain what we didn't understand, it's fics that help us see the possible in impossible.

[NightBird]

Anyone realise that Dracula tells Butterfield to fetch him a razor? Therefor suggesting that the old man appearance isn't a glamour!

And did anyone else love the way Xander said "Watch your tone, moor"? XD

That was my fav part if the issue.

[Allycat]

While not canon, I've always saw fics as a nice way to understand canon. Canon is not going to explain what we didn't understand, it's fics that help us see the possible in impossible.

You're right. In this specific example, where we're probably never going to read those letters, fan fic can give us an idea of what such a correspondence might be like.

[The Ferg]

Okay, who else had their mouths WIDE open at the end of the comic? I know I did. I was like, WTF!

And btw. I'm kinda confused. Did that vampire bite the Slayer, or did he squish her face with his hand? (The one thing I hate about comics. You're not ENTIRELY sure what's going on...)

[Crazy Flakes]

Okay, who else had their mouths WIDE open at the end of the comic? I know I did. I was like, WTF!

And btw. I'm kinda confused. Did that vampire bite the Slayer, or did he squish her face with his hand? (The one thing I hate about comics. You're not ENTIRELY sure what's going on...)

I'm pretty sure he bit her. If he'd just squished her face, he probably wouldn't have switched into his vampface.

[VisionGuy]

This issue was one of the best ones in my opinion. The whole Xander, Dracula, and Renee thing was great. Dracula is now my favorite character in season 8.

[white avenger]

I'm pretty sure he bit her. If he'd just squished her face, he probably wouldn't have switched into his vampface.


Here's a thought: What if he turned her. Buffy and her crew wouldn't know about it right away...She could be the one to betray the Slayers.

[Rowan Hawthorn]

Here's a thought: What if he turned her. Buffy and her crew wouldn't know about it right away...She could be the one to betray the Slayers.

I don't think he did, since he said something about leaving the body for Kumiko - but she may have plans for it.

[The Ferg]

He was all vamped out before he even punched her... But anyway I guess I'm just weird like that to think he squished her face. I'm gonna stick with it though. It would've been badass to say the least.

[Harm's Way]

I liked this one, but the Xander/Dracula realtionship was so ridiculous. It was very "forced-like".
I hate when they make things up on the spot. I was rolling my eyes for most of those parts.

A good issue, but had some major suckage. :(

[palabravampiress]

I liked the Xander and Dracula banter. It was funny.

As far as the other stuff goes... I think it's too soon for us to speculate about what their relationship entails. Right now, we know they get along really well. That's about it. I'm willing to see where it takes me. And I'm not going to compare them to Angel and Spike, either. Just because Angel and Spike sometimes reach out of the TV screen and bop us over the head with the homoeroticism and the alpha male stuff doesn't mean that Xander and Dracula have to do the same. I'm tired of everyone getting in touch with their gay sides, darn it. I like it with Willow. I like it with Andrew. Buffy experimenting is a little out of character, but the aftermath was hilarious, so I'll deal. But if Xander starts boinking vampires, and male vamps at that, then I think I will give up on the comics. That's just getting a little too fan-ficky and out-of-character for me.

That said... why did Drac keep calling Renee a moor? It's been a long time since I brushed up on my Bram Stoker, but I don't remember him going around calling people moors. Also, what does it even mean? Is Renee of Arabian decent or something? If so, then Drac is just being racist again, which is in-character for him. If not, then... what the heck? Is he just making up words or something?

Also, why did Dracula mention risking his soul for those fancy powers of his?

[Rowan Hawthorn]

"Moor": Moors - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moors)

Considering that the Moors were allies of the Turks, whom Dracula (the real one) spent his entire life waging war against (and who held him prisoner for some time when he was young,) and that the original fictional Dracula was quite disdainful of the Turks, I wouldn't think his attitude too far out of character for a 15th-century ruler.

[palabravampiress]

^ No. I get that. If he was being racist, then it makes sense. They even commented on his racism within the issue.

What I'm asking about is Renee. Is she even part of that ethnic group? I didn't get the impression that she was.

[willow23]

I'm not sure if Renee is a Moor (though it seems doubtful), but I think it was used simply as, kind of, screwball comedy. Effective.

[Rowan Hawthorn]

^ No. I get that. If he was being racist, then it makes sense. They even commented on his racism within the issue.

What I'm asking about is Renee. Is she even part of that ethnic group? I didn't get the impression that she was.

From the drawings, I can't really tell anything about her ethnicity with any certainty. In some panels she seems to have been done with an olive complexion, while in others she's darker, and in others I can't tell if it's just supposed to be the room lighting. That earring she wears looks like a silver feather, which may hint at a Native American significance, but on the other hand, maybe she just likes it - my wife has a set of silver dream catchers with feathers that are some of her favorites, but I'm the one with the Cherokee ancestry. Far as I can tell, Renee could be anything or a mix of several anythings.

[RogueHunter]

Come on people!! They have made several James Bond references and there is a black girl with short hair ala Halle Berry in Die Another Day.

[Rowan Hawthorn]

Come on people!! They have made several James Bond references and there is a black girl with short hair ala Halle Berry in Die Another Day.

Didn't see that movie. I stopped watching them when they cast Remington Steele in the role. I mean, everybody knows Sean Connery is Bond... :whistle:

[CharmedSlayer85]

I liked the Xander and Dracula banter. It was funny.

As far as the other stuff goes... I think it's too soon for us to speculate about what their relationship entails. Right now, we know they get along really well. That's about it. I'm willing to see where it takes me. And I'm not going to compare them to Angel and Spike, either. Just because Angel and Spike sometimes reach out of the TV screen and bop us over the head with the homoeroticism and the alpha male stuff doesn't mean that Xander and Dracula have to do the same. I'm tired of everyone getting in touch with their gay sides, darn it. I like it with Willow. I like it with Andrew. Buffy experimenting is a little out of character, but the aftermath was hilarious, so I'll deal. But if Xander starts boinking vampires, and male vamps at that, then I think I will give up on the comics. That's just getting a little too fan-ficky and out-of-character for me.

That said... why did Drac keep calling Renee a moor? It's been a long time since I brushed up on my Bram Stoker, but I don't remember him going around calling people moors. Also, what does it even mean? Is Renee of Arabian decent or something? If so, then Drac is just being racist again, which is in-character for him. If not, then... what the heck? Is he just making up words or something?

Also, why did Dracula mention risking his soul for those fancy powers of his?

Not really out of character cause Joss Whedon originally wanted to make Xander gay, but decided on Willow which is why they say in the beginning of the show they had gay references associated with Xander like the whole storyline with Larry in Season Two, and then also the little reference they made in Season 7 "First Date," where Xander was like that's it I'm going gay, Willow make me gay, gay me up or something like that.

[palabravampiress]

Not really out of character cause Joss Whedon originally wanted to make Xander gay, but decided on Willow which is why they say in the beginning of the show they had gay references associated with Xander like the whole storyline with Larry in Season Two, and then also the little reference they made in Season 7 "First Date," where Xander was like that's it I'm going gay, Willow make me gay, gay me up or something like that.

I think it would be out of character for Xander to have an affair with Dracula not just because he's a vampire or just because he's a guy, but because he's a vampire and a guy and also because it would come so close on the heels of Buffy's experimentation. See what I'm saying? I know there's some subtext there with Xander. I just don't want it to stop being subtext and become text in this specific scenario. The timing, the fact that Drac is a vamp, and the fact that he's a guy make it seem too fan-ficky for me.

[CharmedSlayer85]

Yeah I dont' think they're gonna go that way with Xander though. Hopefully Andrew will stop being subtext and just go at it, even though there aren't really any males in the Buffy world for him to go at it with.

[Five]

Not really out of character cause Joss Whedon originally wanted to make Xander gay, but decided on Willow which is why they say in the beginning of the show they had gay references associated with Xander like the whole storyline with Larry in Season Two, and then also the little reference they made in Season 7 "First Date," where Xander was like that's it I'm going gay, Willow make me gay, gay me up or something like that.


SERIOUSLY ???
I wanna hear more!!!

[alexa]

I just got home today, and had a quick sleepy/blurry read of this. Liked it.. although didn't really flow that nicely for me. But hey Xander/Willow/Buffy in the same panel talking again.. that's something good. Strange but I liked that Japanese slayer right away.. then Drew kills her off, bummer.