The Harvest
Reviewed by Christophe | Rating: 7/10

The Harvest

Will the fangs of beefy vamp Luke, hit home on our troublesome and trapped heroin? I think not! With that trusty crucifix draped round her neck, it seems that Luke’s fangs are reserved for a home made roast, as the holy cross does its stuff. Buffy is able to un-stick herself from the sticky situation, and go to find her friends.

It’s back to Sunnydale High’s school library for Buffy, Xander, Willow and Giles. Xander and Willow are shocked to learn of Buffys identity, as well as the existence of vampires. Giles hurriedly tries to explain in his pompous English accent. It’s here we learn that vampires can be killed by:
Stake to the heart
Sunlight
Fire
Holy Water
Decapitation
And are repelled by garlic and crucifix’s.
Remember Jesse? Unfortunately for him, he was captured by the master’s minions. Buffy takes full responsibility for his kidnapping, and believing he still lives, she vows to bring him back. Xander is determined to play a part in the rescue of his friend, but Buffy asserts that only SHE can fight vamps. The gang continue to discuss the current situation, as we witness the first of many meetings in the library over supernatural occurrences.
Buffy realises that Luke did not enter the mausoleum from the door, and concludes that an entrance to the dwelling of the master, must be there. It is here that the vampire public transport system is explained – sewers. “They can get anywhere in town without rays” explains Buffy.
Willow displays her computer literacy by decrypting the city councils security system, allowing them to access the underground pipelines. Now, Buffy’s all set to do her rescuing bust.

Meanwhile, viewers are allowed a glimpse of the underground activity. Jesse is still alive, and will supposedly be kept alive – as bait!

Buffy starts getting down to her rescuing-bus in search of Jesse. She bumps into “the friend” again, and he reveals that he goes by the name of “Angel.” Once again warning Buffy of the harvest, the two quickly part, and the audience is aware that Angel genuinely cares about Buffy, when he silently wishes her luck.
Anyway…back onto the rescuing scene, Xander jumps in on Buffy’s bust, deeply endangering himself. Jesse is found…BUT! Now he has the ability to grow fangs and have an Alf-nose forehead! Buffy and Xander miraculously escape, and the two head back with the bad news.
Turning Jesse into a vamp was a good move by writer Joss Whedon. It was a great surprise, and demonstrated how people can be changed into vampires – a vampire drinks the victims blood, then the victim drinks theirs (well, you don’t actually see that this time…).
Giles explains to Xander that the Jesse he knew is truly dead, and that all that is left is the thing that killed him.

Now to prepare for the climax of the episode, and the conclusion of this enthralling two-parter. The master wants to rise, but he is currently too weak to do this. So, the master draws power from one of his minions (who becomes a “vessel”), and this gives him enough power to free himself. All the vessel has to, is drink people – sound fun?! Well it’s even more fun, when the vessel decides he’s going to dine at Buffy’s favourite hangout – the Bronze.
Bookman Giles reads all this in his supernatural encyclopedias, and explains the drill to Buffy. And from here on it, it’s a pretty predictable sailing route. The vessel is staked by Buffy, while Xander, Willow and Giles rescue the innocents from danger.

A highlight is the dusting of the gangs former friend Jesse – it should bring a smile to most. Cordelia doesn’t really have much of a role in this episode, except to play the helpless victim (which is all she ever seems to be in this first season). She does however get a few funny bimbo lines. Joyce continues to squander over her daughters welfare, the master continues to snarl, Xander remains funny, and Willow stays cute.

“The Harvest” was a good conclusion to “Welcome to the Hellmouth.” Surprises, twists, action, and some laughs, along with the low budget special effects. So, after watching that, do you continue to sit through the first season of BTVS? Well, you’ve come this far, why not? After all, you had all that slayer-vampire-watcher crap explained to you…might as well see what the writers can do with it…

7/10

Memorable Quotes

Harmony: “I think the program’s done”
Cordelia: “Finally the nightmare ends! Ok, so how do we save it?”
Willow: “Deliver.”
Cordelia: “Deliver where’s that? Ah…” – Cordelia presses the “Del” button.

“I know, if you don’t go out it will be the end of the world, everything is life or death for a 16 year old girl.” – Joyce Summers

“When I go shopping it has to be expensive. Not because its expensive, because it costs more.” – Cordelia

Back to Reviews