B215- Phases

Written by: Rob Des Hotel & Dean Batali
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, Seth Green & Larry Bagby.

“Phases” begins with Willow’s increasing frustration that Oz shows no sign of wanting to get serious — not to mention physical — with her. Cordelia is frustrated with Xander because he keeps talking about Willow, even while making out in Sunnydale’s lover’s lane under a beautiful full moon. They are attacked by a werewolf that rips a hole in the car’s roof. Giles points out that there have been quite a number of other attacks, though so far only animals have been killed. During high school gym class, we learn that at least two students have been bitten lately: Oz by a cousin who doesn’t like to be tickled, and school macho Larry by a dog.

After some research, Giles finds out that a werewolf is a wolf for three nights — the coming night would be the second. Since the werewolf is human the rest of the month, it would be wrong to kill him. This, however, is not what werewolf hunter Cain thinks, whom Buffy and Giles meet while looking for the animal in woods where Xander and Cordelia were making out: Cain is out for his twelfth pelt. Though the two groups do not get along, mainly because Cain is a rampant chauvinist, Giles and Buffy do learn that the werewolf will be attracted to places were teenagers hang out — it is the “sexual heat” that draws it.

Buffy and Giles rush to the Bronze, where Cordelia and Willow are busy complaining to each other about their men when the werewolf crashes the party. Buffy tries to catch it with a chain but fails. Cain joins them and points out that it will be Buffy’s fault if the werewolf kills anybody. A body does turn up the next morning: Theresa, one of the students that Larry was tormenting. Buffy is not the only one to have feelings of guilt. Oz wakes up in the forest, butt naked and confused after changing back from his wolf state before the viewers eyes. Recalling the bite he got, he calls his Aunt Maureen, and bluntly asks if his cousin is a werewolf. The answer is yes.

Xander figures that Larry is the most obvious suspect because of the dog bite, aggressiveness and “excessive back hair”. When he confronts Larry alone in the gym locker room, it turns out that he really is hiding something — his homosexuality. Xander unwittingly helps Larry out of the closet, who is left with the impression that Xander is gay, too. Back in the library, Buffy suggests to Willow that she might have to make the first move if she wants to speed things up with Oz.

Buffy realizes that the reports of Theresa’s body didn’t mention any mauling. She and Xander get to the funeral home in time to watch her rise as a vampire. Theresa passes along greetings from Angelus before Xander stakes her. Buffy is left shaken by this and Xander comforts her, and it looks for a moment the two might kiss before they both regain control.

Cain busies himself casting silver bullets in preparation for the hunt. Willow takes Buffy’s advice and visits Oz right before sundown. Oz is about to chain himself up but lets Willow in the house. Her rant about the mixed signals he is sending is interrupted by him changing into a werewolf. She flees the house screaming, the werewolf in pursuit. Cain hears the wolf’s cry and joins the hunt. The werewolf is distracted by a scent which Cain set as a trap, and Willow escapes and then finds Giles and Buffy, who are about to start the hunt for Oz with a tranquilizer gun. All parties meet in a clearing in the forest, and in the scuffle, it is Willow who shoots Oz, saving everybody. Buffy bends Cain’s gun with her bare hands using Slayer strength, and tells him to leave Sunnydale.

At school the next morning, Larry thanks Xander, and Willow seeks out Oz to talk. She points out that she is not fun to be around three days out of the month either. Oz and Willow share their first kiss, leaving Oz a “werewolf in love”.

From: Wikipedia

EPISODE COUNT-

BUFFY- (+3)

• +1/ Owning Larry at the female defence session. He deserved it too.
• +1/ Talking about males and werewolves-
  Giles: Quite. And it, uh, acts on-on pure instinct. No conscience, uh, uh, predatory and, and aggressive.
  Buffy: In other words, your typical male.
  Xander: On behalf of my gender, hey.
  Giles: Yes, let’s not jump to any conclusions.
  Buffy: I didn’t jump. I took a tiny step, and there conclusions were.
• +1/ Showing her strength in front of Cain when she bends his shotgun proving to him that she can handle anything he could and more.

XANDER- (+4)

• -1/ Not focusing on Cordelia while their making out. He’s too busy thinking about Buffy and Willow. Geez dude, you gotta a very hot girl right there.
• +1/ Cordelia: Do you even wanna be here?
  Xander: I’m not running away.
  Cordelia: Because when you’re not babbling about poor, defenseless Willow, you are *raving* about the all-powerful Buffy.
  Xander: I do not babble. I occasionally run-on, every now and then I yammer…
• -1/ Getting all protective of Willow when Oz puts her tag back in her shirt. Could he be anymore jealous.
• +1/ His werewolf impression.
• +1/ Hitting Buffy just after her and Willow talk about how boys show affection, which is by punching them on the arm. Also, get very defensive about he and Larry’s talk-
  Buffy: So how’d it go with Larry?
  Xander: What’s that supposed to mean?
  Buffy: I think it’s supposed to mean, ’so how’d it go with Larry’?
  Xander: He’s not the werewolf. Can’t we just leave it at that? Must you continue to *push* and *push*?
  Buffy: I’m sorry. I was just wondering.
  Xander: Well, he’s not.
• +1/ Getting an awesome staking on Theresa.
• +1/ Larry thanking Xander for his help, which makes Xander all nervous.

WILLOW- (+12)

• +1/ Talking to Oz about their date, their still a little awkward (see Oz point 1)
• +1/ Getting all frustrated that Oz is going to slow-
  Willow: Nowhere. I mean, he said he was gonna wait until I was ready, but I’m ready. Honest. I’m good to go here.
  Buffy: Well, I think it’s nice that he’s not just being an animal.
  Willow: It is nice. He’s great. We have a lot of fun. But I want smoochies!
  Buffy: Have you dropped any hints?
  Willow: I’ve dropped anvils.
  Buffy: Ah, he’ll come around. What guy could resist your wily Willow charms?
  Willow: At last count, all of them. Maybe more.
  Buffy: Well, none of them know a thing. They all get an ‘F’ in Willow.
  Willow: But I want Oz to get an ‘A’, and, oh, one of those gold stars.
• +3/ Stilll upset with Xander and his dating Cordelia-
  Buffy: But I would do a lot better if you and Xander and I could do that ’sharing our misery’ thing tonight.
  Willow: Great. I’ll give Xander a call. What’s his number? Oh, yeah, 1-800-I’m-Dating-A-Skanky-Ho. (rolls her eyes)
  Buffy: (surprised) Meow!
  Willow: (smiles) Really? Thanks. I’ve never gotten a ‘meow’ before.
  Buffy: Well-deserved.
  Willow: Darn tootin’. I’m just saying Xander and Cordelia? I mean, what does he see in her anyway?
• +1/ Upset that a werewolf might have eaten some bunnies, Oz comforts her though (see Oz point 3)
• +1/ Discussing guys with Cordelia-
  Cordelia: I mean, with Xander it’s always, ‘Buffy did this’, ‘Willow said that’. Buffy, Buffy. Willow, Willow. It’s like I don’t even exist.
  Willow: I sometimes feel like that.
  Cordelia: And then when I call him on it, he acts all confused, like I’m the one with the problem.
  Willow: (nods) His ‘do I smell something?’ look.
  Cordelia: All a part of his little guy games. It’s like he’s there, but then he’s not there, and he wants it, but then he doesn’t want it.
  Willow: He’s so busy looking around at everything he doesn’t have, he doesn’t even realize what he *does* have.
  Cordelia: Well, he should at least realize that you have Oz.
  Willow: (frowns and raises an eyebrow) Mm, I’m not sure I do. (confused) Oz and I are in some sort of holding pattern, except without the holding or… anything else.
  Cordelia: What’s he waiting for? What’s his problem? (rolls her eyes) Oh, that’s right, he’s a guy.
  Willow: (disgusted) Yeah, him and Xander. Guys.
  Cordelia: Who do they think they are?
  Willow: A couple of guys.
• +1/ Confronting Oz about his sheepishness-
  Willow: I had this whole thing worked out. And I had it written down, uh, but then it didn’t make any sense (turns to face him) when I was reading it back.
  Oz: Willow, this is not a very good time.
  Willow: I mean, what am I supposed to think? First, you buy me popcorn (paces away) and then you’re all glad that I didn’t get bit. (paces back) (softly) And you put the tag back in my shirt. (harshly) But I guess none of that means anything because instead of looking up names with me, here you are all alone in your house doing nothing by yourself.
  Oz: Willow, we’ll talk about this tomorrow. I promise.
  Willow: No, damn it! We’ll talk about this now! Buffy told me that sometimes what a girl makes has to be the first move and now that I’m saying this, I’m starting to think that the written version sounded pretty good, but you know what I mean.
  Oz: I know, I know, it’s me. I’m, I’m goin’ through some… changes.
  Willow: Well, welcome to the world! Things happen. Don’t you think I’m going through a lot?
  Oz: Not like me.
  Willow: Oh, what, so now you’re special? (paces away into the dining room) You’re special boy… (sees the shackles) With chains and stuff. Why do you have chains and stuff?
• +1/ Shooting Oz-wolf with a tranquilizer to stop him from hurting anyone.
• +3/ Deciding to continue their relationship-
  Willow: I’m sorry about how all this ended up. With me shooting you and all.
  Oz: It’s okay. I’m, I’m sorry I almost ate you.
  Willow: It’s okay. I kind of thought you would have told me.
  Oz: I didn’t know what to say. I mean, it’s not everyday you find out you’re a werewolf. That’s fairly freaksome. It may take a couple days getting used to.
  Willow: Yeah. It’s a complication.
  Oz: So…Maybe it’d be best if I just… sorta…
  Willow: What?
  Oz: Well, you know, like, stayed out of your way for awhile.
  Willow: I don’t know. I’m kind of okay with you being *in* my way.
  Oz: You mean, you’d still…
  Willow: Well, I like you. You’re nice and you’re funny. And you don’t smoke. Yeah, okay, werewolf, but that’s not all the time. I mean, three days out of the month I’m not much fun to be around either.
  Oz: You are quite the human.
  Willow: (smiles) So, I’d still if you’d still.
  Oz: I’d still. I’d *very* still.
  Willow: (smiles widely) Okay. (more seriously) No biting, though.
  Oz: Agreed.

GILES- (+3)

• +1/ Getting excited about researching werewolves-
  Buffy: Looks like Giles has some schooling to do.
  Giles: Yes, I must admit I, I am intrigued. Werewolves, it’s… it’s one of the classics. I, I’m sure my books and I are in for a fascinating afternoon. (leaves)
  Buffy and Cordelia watch him go. Xander smirks at Giles’ typical behavior.
  Buffy: He needs to get a pet.
• +1/ Laughing at Xander’s moonpie joke, how very un-Giles-like.
• +1/ Defending Buffy from Cain. He also says ‘Pillock’, my favourite British insult.

CORDELIA- (+2)

• +1/ While making out with Xander- “Excuse me? We didn’t come here to talk about Willow. We came here to do things I can never tell my father about because he still thinks I’m a… good girl.”
• +1/ Discussing Guys with Willow (see Willow point 5).

ANGELUS- (+1)

• +1/ Meeting with Theresa, it’s actually a very chilling scene.

OZ- (+7)

• +1/ Talking to Willow about his date with her-
  Willow: So did you like the movie last night?
  Oz: I don’t know. T-today’s movies are kind of like popcorn. You know, you forget about them as soon as they’re done. I do remember I liked the popcorn, though.
  Willow: (smiles) Yeah, it was good. And I had a really fun time with the rest. (gets a confused look from Oz) I mean, the part with you.
  Oz: Oh, that’s great. Uh, my time was also of the good.
  Willow: Mine, too. (awkwardness sets in) Well, then…
  Oz raises his eyebrows expectantly. Willow looks past him and sees Buffy down the hall.
  Willow: Oh, there. (points) I have my friend. So I will go to her. (goes)
  Oz: I’ll see you then. Uh, later. (smiles)
• +1/ Reacting to Larry’s inquiry into his relationship with Willow-
  Larry: So, Oz, man, what’s up with that? Dating a junior? Uh, let me guess. That little innocent schoolgirl thing is just, uh, just an act, right?
  Oz: Yeah. Yeah, she’s actually an evil mastermind. It’s fun.
• +1/ Comforting Willow about bunnie’s capabilities-
  Giles: Well, it seems there were a, a number of other attacks by a wild dog around town. Several animal carcasses were found mutilated.
  Willow: You mean, like bunnies and stuff? (upset) No, don’t tell me. (looks at Oz)
  Oz: (reassuringly) Oh, don’t worry. I mean, they might not look it, but bunnies can really take care of themselves.
  Willow: (calmer and smiling) Yeah.
  Oz: Yeah.
• +1/ His reaction to finding himself naked in the woods- “Huh”
• +1/ Upset he may have hurt people in his werewolf form.
• +2/ Deciding to keep dating Willow (see Willow point 8).

LARRY- (0)

• -1/ Grilling Oz about his relationship with Willow, and being pretty crude about it.
• +1/ Coming out to Xander-
  Xander: I know your secret, big guy. I know what you’ve been doing at night.
  Larry: You know, Harris, that nosey little nose of yours is going to get you into trouble someday… (grabs Xander by the shirt) Like today.
  Xander: Hurting me isn’t gonna make this go away. People are still gonna find out.
  Larry: (lets go) Alright. What do you want? Hush money? Is that what you’re after?
  Xander: I don’t *want* anything! I just wanna help!
  Larry: What, you think you have a cure?
  Xander: No, it’s just… I know what you’re going through because I’ve been there. That’s why I know you should talk about it.
  Larry: Yeah, that’s easy for *you* to say. I mean, you’re nobody. I’ve got a reputation here.
  Xander: Larry, please, before someone else gets hurt.
  Larry: Look, if this gets out, it’s over for me. I mean, forget about playing football. They’ll run me outta this town. I mean, come on! How are people going to look at me after they find out I’m gay.
  Xander looks at him in astonishment. Larry looks like a heavy burden has just been lifted and smiles.
  Larry: Oh, wow. I said it. And it felt… okay. (whispers) I’m gay. (approaches Xander) I am gay.
  Xander: I heard you the first time.
  Larry: I can’t believe it. It was almost easy. I never felt I could tell anyone. (gestures to Xander) And then you, you of all people, you bring it outta me.
  Xander: It probably would have slipped out even if I wasn’t here.
  Larry: No, no, because knowing you went through the same thing, made it easier for me to admit it.
  Xander: (wide-eyed) The same thing…
  Larry: (puts his arm around Xander) It’s ironic. I mean, all those times I beat the crap out of you, it musta been because I recognized something in you that I didn’t want to believe about myself.
  Xander: (laughs nervously) Larry, no, I am not…
  Larry: Of course, of course not. Don’t worry. (pats Xander on the shoulder) I wouldn’t do that to you. Your secret’s safe with me.

SEASON COUNT-

WILLOW- +60
XANDER- +57
BUFFY- +49
GILES- +38
CORDELIA- +31
ANGEL- +27
OZ- +27
DRUSILLA- +22
SPIKE- +19
JOYCE- +10
ANGELUS- +6
MS. CALENDAR- +4
JONATHAN- +1
LARRY- 0
KENDRA- 0
WILLY- 0
ETHAN RAYNE- -1
ANNE- -1
PRINCIPAL SNYDER- -9

OVERALL COUNT-

BUFFY- +129
WILLOW- +102  (Tied second to the century mark in 27 episodes)
XANDER- +101 (Tied second to the century mark in 27 episodes)
GILES- +74
CORDELIA- +50
ANGEL- +46
OZ- +27
DRUSILLA- +22
SPIKE- +19
JOYCE- +13
MS. CALENDAR- +11
ANGELUS- +6
JONATHAN- +1
LARRY- 0
KENDRA- 0
WILLY- 0
ETHAN RAYNE- -1
ANNE- -1
PRINCIPAL SNYDER- -5

EPISODE THOUGHTS-
A good episode that focuses on two of my favourite characters, Willow and Oz. Willow has a standout episode as she deals with her relationship with Oz. She’s constantly funny and even displays some real fear for her relationship with Oz. Oz also has a very strong episode as he finds out that he gets a little hairy every month. His reaction to this revelation is incredibly funny and classic Oz. Buffy and Xander each provide some solid support. Buffy as the solid best friend to Willow while hunting werewolves, Xander as the jealous best friend who manages to get Larry to out himself. A very solid episode with a strong plot and an interesting one-off character in Cain the werewolf hunter.

85.5/100