Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 1 Episode 11: Out of Sight, Out of Mind

This episode is OK, but nothing special. There is some character growth with Cordelia, Buffy, Xander, and Willow. The introduction of Marcie as a character is interesting, and somewhat entertaining, but not a major development. I vaguely remember her maybe makign an appearance later in the series, I think. I could look it up, but I'm trying to review these episodes with as little future knowledge as possible. It is a bit disconcerting that Marcie becomes homicidal from being ignored. It is a horrible way to go through life, but that doesn't excuse it. The heroes say many times later on that Marcie is just crazy, which I guess makes it so it doesn't seem as if any ignored kid is a likely serial or spree killer. But that underlying message is still felt somewhat. I'm not sure if the writers did that on purpose or not. Maybe as a warning, maybe as a reminder to not ignore the people around you. It would seem a plot device but it happens in real life, some ignored, mentally unstable person going homicidal for attention or just from desperate frustration. Cordelia's bit of growth and almost seeming human for a bit are a nice touch, even if she hasn't changed any at the end. Or so it seems. Knowing what we do later on, it is easy to think that the change in her character began here. There is still not even a hint of the major things to come for her character, and I think no one saw that coming at this point. This show becomes a spokesperson on the theme of redemption and second and third chances. Whedon's other work's, from shows, to movies, to comics are also full of this theme.

Plot: 3 Wrtiting: 6 Dialog: 5 Acting: 5 Humor: 6 Humanity: 6 Horror: 4 Suspense: 5 Overall: 5

Director: Reza Badiyi

Writer: Joss Whedon, Ashley Gable, Thomas A. Swyden