Witch
Reviewed by Christophe | Rating: 6/10

Witch

“Witch” is an important episode of BTVS. Not only do the gang thwart Sunnydale’s lurking evil, but they also reveal a lot about themselves.

It’s time for cheerleading tryouts at Sunnydale High, and Buffy wants to make the team. Being at the centre of mystical convergence, not even the tryouts can escape unscathed from supernatural activity. One of the cheerleaders, Amber, combusts while cheering, shifting Buffy and her friends into detective mode.

We are introduced to a new character – Amy. Amy is also determined to be a cheerleader, as her mother was a lead cheerleader in her day.
Willow uses her trusty computer skills to find that the cheerleader who caught fire, probably was not to blame for the incident. Viewers of this episode know that a witch is brewing up trouble – there are scenes of a witch-like figure, casting spells with Barbie dolls!

Both Buffy and Amy fail to make the team, causing Amy to be suspiciously upset. Cordelia once again plays the victim in “Witch” after being blinded by a spell cast on her. Because Cordelia made the cheerleading squad, Buffy is lead to believe that the witch is someone who did not make the team, namely - Amy! Giles quickly finds a witch-testing formula, and when spilled on Amy, it tests a witch-positive result!

OK, from here on it, I really this episode – lots of twists and entertaining situations.
A vengeance spell is cast on Buffy, which greatly weakens her. When she and Giles pay a visit to Amy’s mother, they discover that Amy’s mother’s body now has the real Amy inside it, as Amy’s mother has switched into her daughters body to relive her glory days. Fantastically unpredictable plot twist! Giles carries Buffy back to the school to cast a spell that will undo all of the witches curses.

I found the scene where Giles casts this spell excellent. Amy’s mother (in Amy’s body) is cheerleading while Amy (in her mother’s body) stands with Giles and the weakening Buffy. Once the spell is complete, mother and daughter swap back to their original bodies, and Buffy is…slayer-fit again! Here is when the witch gets what’s coming for her, as her own spell is blasted back at her, when Buffy shields herself with a mirror.

The special effects of the witch’s final spell were brilliant – they didn’t look dodgy! However, the way she died was too much like…ah…from a Charmed episode. If you’re a fan of charmed, sorry. But every time I watch an episode, it always seems to anti-climax, with the girls joining together in a power-ranger like way, to blast dead their enemy. Maybe it’s just me, but the witch just kinda died too quickly!

“Witch was still a fantastic and exciting episode. A lot about the characters was learnt. It is revealed that Xander has a crush on Buffy – he gives her a “forever yours” bracelet at the start of the episode. Also, the writers are hinting that Willow may have a thing for Xander. This is evident by Willow not wanting Xander and Buffy to have a closer relationship…the plot thickens!
Angel is not seen in this episode, but I guess we had some new characters to compensate. The episode is quite funny, but with not much fighting action. Yet “Witch” is still extremely entertaining and fun to watch!

6/10

Memorable Quotes

“You’re the slayer, and we’re like…the slayerettes!” – Willow

“I laugh in the face of danger…then I hide till it goes away.” – Xander

Xander (to Willow): “That’s why you’re so cool! You’re like a guy…you’re my guy friend who knows about girl stuff!”
Willow: “Oh great, I’m a guy.”

Giles: “But why would someone want to harm Cordelia?”
Willow: “Maybe because they met her…did I say that?”

Buffy (to Amy’s Mum) “Guess what? I feel better” * WACK! *

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