Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 2 Episode 11: Ted -Review

When I was a teen, and first saw this episode, I actually had an abusive, overbearing stepfather. So this episode had a lot of meaning for me. Seeing it now, as an adult is a completely different experience. It has some mediocre writing, and a lot of plot points that make no sense. It also makes Joyce look like a bad parent for most of it. I suppose some of that could be blamed on the happy cookies. But still. She looks horrible right up until she tries to lie to the cops to protect Buffy. Ritter's acting job is awesome, he pulls of the insane robot asshat quite well. We all know people like Ted in real life, except for the whole android thing. Controlling, violent people who hide behind a veneer of normalcy and perfection. Many of us have grown up with them in our house. That is what this episode is supposed to speak to, the whole robot thing is a bit of sci-fi to go with the rest of the show. It does that pretty well, but the fantasy elements and the speed which it all happens throws how real it feels off.

The background story for Ted is interesting, but not really developed. Probably also due to all that not being the main emotional point here.Would have been nice to have a flashback to where Ted actually first brings his android replacement online.

Giles and Jenny's relationship is sweet, and we didn't really think about how long it'd been since she was on the show until they mention her being gone in the story.There is no major advancement in the overall plot. This is a side jaunt through "deep" emotional trauma. It's not a terrible episode, but after several watchings it feels not well put together.

Overall: 6 Acting: 8 Comedy: 3 Drama: 7 Plot: 5 Dialog: 7 Importance: 5 Horror: 4.

Director: Bruce Seth Green

Writers: Joss Whedon, David Greenwalt