path of stars: part two

Gray Wing, Lightning Tail, Leaf, and Reed meet with Fern, who tells them where Star Flower is being kept. While Lighting Tail and Leaf distract the guards Gray Wing and Reed recuse a half-starved Star Flower. The rogues quickly realize what is happening and attack. One of the knocks Star Flower down roughly. Gray Wing tells Reed to get Star Flower out of there. During the fight Gray Wing has a hard time breathing but manages to get away. He hears a cry and realizes it is Star Flower. He races to her and Reed, where Reed tells him the kits are coming - far too soon.

Even though Gray Wing can barely breathe he races to Tall Shadow's camp for help. Mouse Ear, Sun Shadow, Holly, and Pebble Heart help. They reach Star Flower and bring her back to camp while Gray Wing searches for Clear Sky. He finds him with the other leaders. Wind Runner returns with the cats so she can help Star Flower. The kits are born safely and it is agreed that Star Flower should stay for a few days until it is safe to move the kits. 

Thunder goes to visit the kits and finds Clear Sky's camp under guard to make sure Slash doesn't attack again. Clear Sky won't let him see the kits as they are still too young, but he is happy to see Thunder. Despite this Thunder feels a bit sad over how protective of these kits Clear Sky is. He worries that Clear Sky will retaliate against Slash but Clear Sky assures him he won't. However, Thunder feels they haven't seen the last of Slash. Back at his camp Thunder finds his cats arguing - Slash and his rogues stole prey from the hunting patrol. Lighting Tail suggests they train to fight and everyone is happy with this decision. 

Gray Wing heads towards the meeting that Thunder has called with his group. Wind Runner is upset that Slash has been stealing their prey and Gray Wing believes it is probably happening to all of the groups. At the meeting it is revealed that everyone but River Ripple's group has been stolen from. It is also decided that everyone is going to practice fighting moves and that Gray Wing will spy on the rogues. Gray Wing reaches Slash's territory and talks with Fern who tells him that Slash won't stop and while he is full most of the cats in their group go hungry. She also tells him that if it comes down to a fight some of the rogues will fight on the side of the mountain cats. Gray Wing returnshome, struggling to breathe, and reports to Wind Runner.

Clear Sky and some camp mates are out hunting when they run into Slash, who takes their prey. Clear Sky won't let his cats fight him and his rogues. Slash mockingly let's Clear Sky keep a rabbit and leaves. Clear Sky brings it to Star Flower but she refuses to eat it until everyone else has eaten. Another patrol comes back with a little more food so Star Flower trades the rabbit for something smaller so there is enough food for everyone. 

I'm glad Star Flower's kits seem to be doing fine - and that she is turning into a real warrior cat. Refusing the prey so the group can eat was very good of her.

I'm also glad to see so many things falling into place. The full moon meetings, warrior training, patrols, etc. When will they become clans? When will they discover the Moonstone that Pebble Heart has dreamed of?

path of stars: part one

Gray Wing dreams of Turtle Tail, who tells him she is happy he found Slate. She tells Gray Wing of how loved he is, and how he will be loved even after- but here she breaks off. Gray Wing asks her what she means but instead of getting an answer he wakes up to find himself happy and beside Slate.

Clear Sky returns to his camp to find that Quick Water has already broken the news of Star Flower - only she has made it sound like Star Flower left willingly. Clear Sky tells them that she was kidnapped and won't be returned unless they share their prey. Everyone has differing feelings on whether or not Star Flower should be rescued but some cats agree to go with Clear Sky and speak with the other leaders.

Thunder and his cats are going about their lives. He is worrying about what would happen if he were to die. Would the group stay together? Would they join other groups? Would they become rogues? Clear Sky's arrival interrupts his thoughts. He comes with the news of Star Flower's abduction and the demand for prey. At first Thunder wants to help his father get Star Flower back - without sacrificing prey - but his camp mates are dead set against helping. And Thunder is forced to privately admit that Clear Sky has never helped him. In the end he turn Clear Sky down. Clear Sky is angry that Thunder won't help him and claims it is because Star Flower chose him over Thunder. Clear Sky and his cats go to speak with the other leaders. 

Gray Wing is out with a hunting patrol that includes Moth Flight. Everyone is frustrated by how oblivious Moth Flight is, especially when Gray Wing chases a rabbit right past her. Then, to make things worse, Moth Flight is more worried about Gray Wing's breathing then the rabbit that just got away. Slate convinces Gray Wing to go back to the camp and rest. When they reach there they find Clear Sky with Tall Shadow. Slate fetches Wind Runner while Clear Sky tells Gray Wing of Star Flower's abduction. However, when Wind Runner gets back to camp she has no interest in helping Clear Sky. Gray Wing convinces her to attend the meeting. Clear Sky and Tall Shadow leave to speak with River Ripple. They do tell Gray Wing that Thunder has refused to help. Gray Wing tells Clear Sky he will speak with Thunder. The visiting cats leave and Gray Wing tells Wind Runner he has a plan.

The time of the meeting comes and Clear Sky is worried how it will go - and whether or not Thunder will arrive. He gets there and is happy to find his son, but also feels resentful that Gray Wing was able to convince him where he was not. But he does admit to himself that Gray Wing is Thunder's father. The meeting happens but Slash didn't bring Star Flower and everyone refuses to share their prey. Clear Sky panics, begging Slash for his mates return and promising all the prey he can catch. But Slash is uninterested and leaves. Clear Sky is devastated that his friends wouldn't save Star Flower, but they tell him he is overreacting and tell him to come with them.

So, Gray Wing is going to die. This is so devastating. Probably right after he has kits with Slash because that would be so typical. 

While I do feel for Clear Sky, and I do believe Star Flower is loyal to him, I am glad to see that she is still working on gaining everyone's trust - even cats in her own group. I'm sure she will get there one day and I do feel bad for Clear Sky that not everyone believes Star Flower was taken against her wishes but really after the way she behaved...

a forest divided: part seven

Slate and her brother, Cricket, are out hunting when they run into a fox. Slate realizes the fox is starving, just like them, and just might actually kill them. Slate gets badly wounded and Cricket freezes. As she creams his name he snaps out of it and attacks the fox. But Slate doesn't see anything else as she passes out from her injuries.

Slate wakes to find a strange cat checking on her. He is relieved to find her alive but when he breaks the news of her brother's death she wishes for death. He tells her he will get his mate and kits to watch over her while he gets help. The mate and kits arrive, but the mate is clearly hostile. She introduces herself as Wind Runner and as she and Slate talk Slate comes to realize Wind Runner is just worried for her kits. Gorse Fur returns with Cloud Spots. Cloud Spots tends to her wounds and then informs the moor cats that Slate has to go with them to their den to rest and recover. Wind Runner is clearly unhappy and wants Cloud Spots to take her to stay with his group. But Cloud Spots says she is too wounded and Wind Runner's camp is closer. Slate insists she is going off on her own but quickly realizes that isn't happening as she is too injured. Wind Runner allows her to stay - with the understanding it is only temporary.

Time has passed and Slate is healing well. She knows she will have to leave soon. Wind Runner and Gorse Fur's kits are sad about this but Slate says she will visit. She asks where their parents are and they tell her they are out looking for the fox. Gorse Fur and Wind Runner come back and ask Slate if she will watch their kits while they try to kill the fox. Slate feels this is an awful idea as the fox is exceptionally vicious - and if Wind Runner and Gorse Fur die they will be leaving behind their kits. Slate insists she go after the fox. It is decided that Slate and Wind Runner will go after the fox. Slate wants to avenge her brother's death and she figures she will die in the process and get to join her brother. The next day they go after the fox and defeat it. Slate's wound opens during the fight and she realizes she doesn't want to die after all. She wakes up back in Wind Runner's home with everyone - including Cloud Spots - watching over her. Wind Runner invites her into their group and Slate happily accepts.

Poor Slate. Losing her brother like that. At least she realized she didn't want to die and found a group who (eventually) welcomed her. And now she has Gray Wing. Though, Gray Wing wasn't in "Thunderstar's Echo"... He was spoken of in the past tense...

a forest divided: part six

Thunder wakes Clear Sky so he can go to his mother. Clear Sky is leery of entering the den but Star Flower encourages him. He enters and Quiet Rain starts talking to Shaded Moss - who no one else can see. She is happy her sons are here and Shaded Moss explains to her why she needs to forgive Clear Sky, that nothing could avert the battle. Quiet Rain tells Clear Sky to forgive himself - though he is unsure for what - and she dies.

Thunder sits vigil with his kin and Sun Shadow. When it is time they decide to bury Quiet Rain's body at Fourtrees. They decide River Ripple should be present so Star Flower volunteers to go get him. They also decide to continue to give Wind Runner her space. They bring Quiet Rain's body to Fourtrees and bury it. The spirit cats arrive to greet her. Bright Stream greets Clear Sky and Thunder looks to Star Flower to see if she sees what is going on, but the she is absorbed with being there for Sun Shadow and doesn't notice. S

Bright Stream tells Clear Sky that they must forget their past, no matter how much they love it, and choose their paths. When the spirit cats leave Clear Sky feels this means they must unite, but everyone disagrees with him. Thunder feels awful, but he tells him that he cannot return, that he must go be with his own cats, but that Clear Sky will always be his father. When he looks to Clear Sky he is surprised to realize that his father is making peace with his decision. Thunder heads home, where he finds Lightning Tail has made a nest for him and that Leaf and Milkweed are inseparable. 

Clear Sky and Star Flower leave. Gray Wing starts to go with his group but stops and tells Tall Shadow he must leave her. He says his goodbyes to Pebble Heart, who tells him be must follow his heart, and seeks out Wind Runner's camp. He asks her if he can stay and she welcomes him - as does Slate, who is happy he has returned for good.

Clear Sky lays next to Star Flower in their nest. He thinks back on his return to camp. Everyone was happy to see him return - not so much Star Flower, who everyone had assumed ran away. He wonders if there was gossip about Star Flower while he was gone. He wishes everyone could see how loyal she is and reflects that even Tall Shadow, Gray Wing, and Thunder saw her loyalty. He sleeps and dreams of Storm. Storm tells him he must forgive himself and look to the future, not the past. He wakes when he thinks he hears his name. Star Flower isn't in their nest but he hears her cry and so he seeks her out. He finds her with three other cats, one of whom is Slate. He realizes quickly that something is wrong when Star Flower is too scared to leave them. Slate says he was a friend of One Eye, and that he and Star Flower were to marry. Slate also tells Clear Sky that once the rogues hunted for them but now all the rogues have been recruited by the groups. Slate wants a new system where the groups hunt for him and his cats. He wants a meeting with all the leaders to discuss this or he will kill Star Flower. He and his cats leave - and drag Star Flower away with them. Clear Sky finds Quick Water, who heard everything. She feels Star Flower is back with her own people and was in on it with Slash. Clear Sky refuses to believe this but Quick Water tells him none of the other leaders will fight Slash and bid cats for Star Flower. Clear Sky leaves her, feeling the other leaders must help him no matter what.

I am inclined to believe Star Flower wants to stay with Clear Sky and not Slash, however Quick Water has a valid point. But, she swayed Thunder so for now I will believe in Star Flower. But Quick Water is right - the other leaders might turn their backs on Star Flower. 

I am glad Gray Wing has returned to the moor. Now we need the full moon meetings at Fourtrees and the new moon meetings at the moonstone and I will be happy. (Also, Wind Runner has to return to the fold.) 

a character exits: forrest

Forrest is a bit of a sad character. He is close friends with, and a member of the Initiative with, both Riley and Graham. He encourages Riley to pursue Buffy, feeling that Riley should have a happy life with someone he cares about outside of work. But Forrest and Riley live in a very black and white world, while Buffy's is filled with shades of gray, and Forrest quickly comes to resent and hate Buffy and her influence on his closest friend. Forrest represents what the Initiative is looking for - someone who will blindly follow orders. If Buffy had just been an average college girl that could make Riley happy for a bit that would have been one thing. But instead Buffy is the Slayer and she has her own way of doing things. This quickly causes the situation to turn into a turf war with both the military mindset of the Initiative and the council mindset that Buffy has - with both of them insisting that they are in the right and the other are in the wrong. Even worse, Buffy's influence on Riley has him questioning his life and his orders - and even breaking them, like when he tries to help Oz escape. This goes against everything Forrest believes in.

Ultimately Forrest is taken by Adam and turned into a cyborg. This does not upset Forrest. Instead he sees this as a continuation of what is necessary. His upgrades make him a better warrior and makes his world even more black and white (if that is even possible) as he is freed from his human feelings so he can better carry out Adam's orders. He even comments that he is freed from his weaknesses and doubts because of his transformation, and hopes that his friends will join him. In the end, though, it is Forrest and Adam who fall.

a character exits: oz

Oh Oz... How your exit breaks my heart...

Oz shows up, randomly, in season 2. Why randomly? A year ahead of Buffy and her friends (well, until he is stuck repeating his senior year) and the lead guitarist of the local band, Oz seems to just be there, constantly in the peripheral of Willow's storyline, falling in love with her from afar. Eventually he gets lucky and actually meets her, helps her to move beyond Xander, and find happiness.

This happiness is overshadowed by two things. The first is Willow's affair with Xander. They break up briefly while Oz figures out if he even wants a relationship anymore. The second is Oz being a werewolf. He feels he is a danger to Willow since he cannot control himself when he transforms. This is especially shown during the Halloween episode, when Oz runs from Willow when he believes he is transforming. While Willow and Oz make it work by locking him up at night, eventually Veruca changes things.

When Veruca enters the scene Oz's werewolf half is attracted to her. Even worse, Veruca has no interest in taming her werewolf side and works to persuade Oz to let his run free. Ultimately Oz and Veruca have an affair. Willow briefly considers using dark magic to get revenge but stops herself. Veruca, however, isn't interested in playing nice and tries to kill Willow. Oz stops Veruca, killing her while they are transformed. He then leaves Willow without any real explanation. While gone, Willow starts to fall for Tara. Oz comes back, in command of his powers, eager to resume their relationship. But Willow feels torn between Oz and Tara, and when Oz realizes Willow has feelings for someone else he loses control and tries to attack Tara. In the end he leaves, realizing that while he loves Willow he will never be able to control himself around her.

Oz and Willow's relationship has shades of Buffy and Angel to it. Two people from very different worlds, deeply in love, who constantly try to make it work. But it doesn't. Oz fears his supernatural half - and even fears Willow's supernatural half a bit. He seeks to contain himself, unlike Willow who rushes head first into magic (which is foreshadowed but comes to a head in season 6). Even when Oz does gain control, it is Willow who undoes that control. His jealousy for her causes him to transform against his wishes.

However, despite all of this their love is strong and Oz's departure is devastating. We see him and Willow grow together and overcome things that no ordinary couple should be forced to overcome. They make Oz being a werewolf work, even if it does mean he has to live in a cage a few nights a month. And even though Oz worries about Willow's magic he embraces it as a part of her and supports her for it. They survive two affairs alongside everything that the forces of darkness throw at them. As you watch them grow up together you can see them growing old together. Until suddenly it is all gone and you can't. And perhaps Oz's departure hurts even more because there was never hope for Buffy and Angel. After all, Angel will never grow old, never have a family with Buffy, never be able to go outside during the day. Oz could have had a real life with Willow whereas Angel never could have one with Buffy. And Oz's love for Willow would never have turned him into the enemy, again unlike Angel. But his exit also hurts because he is the first main character to go. Angel, Cordelia, and Wesley have left but they are in LA together having their own story. And yes, Doyle does die during Oz's absence, but as the story continues you cling to the hope that Oz will return while secretly knowing it is over.

a forest divided: part five

It all comes out about the division of territories, the battle, and the deaths. Quiet Rain is furious. She sends away Gray Wing and Jagged Peak. Alone with Clear Sky she disowns him. Clear Sky leaves and Star Flower comforts him.

Thunder wakes up in Tall Shadow's camp. He has sent Lightning Tail on home. He watches Jagged Peak's kits for a bit but Jagged Peak gets upset, feeling that they are playing dangerously and Thunder isn't stopping them. He debates asking Tall Shadow if he can hunt but then Pebble Heart needs him to help get some herbs down Quiet Rain. Thunder is able to get the prickly elder to take them by eating one himself. Thunder finds himself talking to Quiet Rain about his father, even defending him. Quiet Rain observes that he must love his father very much, which catches Thunder off guard. Thunder and Quiet Rain hear Clear Sky and Star Flower arguing outside Pebble Heart's den. Star Flower is telling him to go in there and be with his mother before it is too late; Clear Sky is arguing she doesn't want him. The two cats come in and as Thunder watches Quiet Rain with her son he realizes just where Clear Sky got his bad traits from. When Quiet Rain finds out that Star Flower is pregnant she remarks to Thunder that he will have siblings. This shocks him and he is sad to realize he will never really know them now that he lives in a different camp. Jagged Peak and Gray Wing also come in and the three brothers quickly start fighting. Star Flower breaks them up and Thunder realizes that he would never have been happy with her, but she might be exactly what Clear Sky needs. Outside the den Holly starts to panic as she cannot find her kits.

Everyone quickly splits up and offers to take different areas - even Fern helps. Gray Wing is left in the camp to watch over Pebble Heart and Quiet Rain. Clear Sky is shocked to see Thunder and Star Flower go off together to search. He himself searches an area of the pine trees and finds the kits up in a tree trapped by a crow. He saves them from the crow and gets them down.

As Gray Wing sits with Quiet Rain she wakes up. When she asks where everyone is he tells her everyone is out looking for Jagged Peak's kits. She is annoyed that Jagged Peak let them wander from the camp, but she also admits that he has done good for himself since he has a mate and kits. She asks Gray Wing why he does not have a mate and Gray Wing admits that Turtle Tail was his mate and he helped her raise her kits, but she died. Quiet Rain is happy to hear that he finally noticed Turtle Tail but she wishes for him to stop mourning her death. Clear Sky returns with the kits who are freezing. They cuddle with Quiet Rain to warm up, as she has a fever. 

Everyone seems to be waiting for Quiet Rain to die. As for Sun Shadow, he seems to be finding a place in Tall Shadow's group. Same with Fern. Gray Wing, however, needs to move on already.

I was surprised to see Thunder work with Star Flower so willingly. I am glad he realizes she is not the cat for him. Looks like Star Flower might not be playing any games. This is a good thing as I think everyone needs to heal and move forward. Her and Clear Sky being together still feels wrong to me, but if Thunder can find happiness and peace in the situation that is all that matters. 

a forest divided: part four

Thunder is worried about Quiet Rain and tries to bring her back to his camp to see Cloud Spots but she refuses. He tells them be will be back, he just needs to let his cats know where he is going. He finds Milkweed hunting near the camp and tells her what is going on. He goes back to the mountain cats and takes them by way of River Ripple's land so he can avoid Clear Sky, using the argument that the moor is easier to cross. They meet River Ripple who tells Sun Shadow that his father was a fine cat. Sun Shadow realizes his father is dead and Thunder is forced to tell him what happened. River Ripple realizes Thunder is deliberately leaving out certain information and keeps silent. He helps Thunder lead them on. It comes out that Thunder is Clear Sky's son and Quiet Rain asks after Bright Stream, assuming she must be Thunder's mother. But Thunder is forced to tell her that Bright Stream died long ago and that Storm is his mother - and then that even Storm is dead. The four cats cross the Thunderpath and search out Tall Shadow's camp. Thunder wonders how Tall Shadow will break the news of the rift between Quiet Rain's sons.

They reach Tall Shadow's camp and at first the reunion is happy but then Tall Shadow admits that Gray Wing is missing and bad been for days. Pebble Heart quickly intervenes by treating Quiet Rain. River Ripple leaves and Thunder tries to follow but Tall Shadow asks him to stay. Jagged Peak arrives but that doesn't help things since Quiet Rain feels that his kits are rude and she is devastated to find him lame. Tall Shadow asks Thunder to find his uncle. 

Gray Wing is happy with Wind Runner's group. He feels he should return home but finds excuses to keep delaying. Thunder arrives looking for Gray Wing and finds him. He tells him how he found Quiet Rain and Sun Shadow and brought them to Tall Shadow. Gray Wing leaves with him. On the privacy of the moor Gray Wing asks why not take them to Clear Sky. Thunder admits to the falling out between him and his father. On the way to Tall Shadow's camp Gray Wing gets caught in a Twoleg trap and becomes injured. They realizethe smell of blood will draw other animals but they cannot figure out how to free him. Fern arrives and is able to help. Thunder is suspicious of her but Gray Wing is welcoming. She tells him that Slash has been redirected but it won't last for forever. They reach the camp but instead of finding comfort in Gray Wing, Quiet Rain only becomes more upset as he is freshly injured. 

Thunder sits with Gray Wing and Fern, wondering if he should leave. Fern too wonders if she should go but Gray Wing convinces her to stay. Tall Shadow is not happy that Gray Wing had invited an outsider to their camp but when Fern offers to leave Tall Shadow insists she can stay. Thunder wonders if he should mention Slash but decides that is Fern and Gray Wing's business. Jagged Peak is hostile towards Fern, but Holly is welcoming. When Jagged Peak makes a comment about strays Thunder finds himself speaking up in Fern's defense. Quiet Rain wishes to see Clear Sky so Gray Wing asks Thunder to go get his father. Thunder doesn't want to as he hasn't spoken to his father since their fight. He and Gray Wing argue over this but Thunder agrees to go. He leaves the camp and stops by his own to check in and give everyone an update. He finds Leaf and Milkweed getting along great. Lighting Tail goes with him to Clear Sky's camp. Everyone wakes up when he arrives and he discovers Clear Sky and Star Flower are expecting kits. He tells Clear Sky about Quiet Rain. Star Flower wishes to go with him but he insists she stay behind because of her condition. Thunder rudely tells her she isn't family. Acorn Fur calls him out on his rudeness but Thunder doesn't care because he is hurt that Clear Sky clearly cares more for these kits then he ever did for him. They reach Tall Shadow's camp. Clear Sky speaks to his mother while Gray Wing apologizes to Thunder for his earlier harshness. Star Flower arrives, much to everyone's shock. Clear Sky leaves Pebble Heart's den to collect his brothers as Quiet Rain wishes to speak with them all at once.

I don't remember Quiet Rain being this difficult of a cat. I get she arrived and found nothing like she expected but still. She is awfully sharp. A bit like MouseFur but lacking something that MouseFur had.

a forest divided: part three

Thunder over sleeps, which causes he and his father to get into a fight when he finally wakes up. Clear Sky refuses to let him go on any of the hunting patrols - or even to leave the camp. Thunder repeatedly tries to convince but only succeeds in irritating himself and his father. Clear Sky insists Thunder has to stay in the camp so he can go patrol the borders alone. Suspicious, Thunder agrees. He asks Lightning Tail to watch the camp so he can follow his father but his friend insists on going with him. They leave Leaf in charge and follow Clear Sky. They discover he is meeting with Star Flower in secret. Thunder feels a mixture of emotions ranging from betrayal to shock. Lightning Tail assures him that Clear Sky cannot possibly be falling for a trick of Star Flower's and they leave.

Thunder angrily waits for his father to return to camp. When he does he confronts Clear Sky about his rules for the cats hunting. They get into an argument because Thunder wants to send out more patrols over the whole of their territory but Clear Sky feels he needs no cats advice -and that he rules absolutely. This leads to an even bigger argument when Thunder admits to spying on his father. He tells him he is just worried that Star Flower will manipulate Clear Sky too and begs him not to see her anymore. Clear Sky says he will think on Thunder's advice and tells him to go hunt, since that will make him happy. Thunder runs into Star Flower who confronts him about following her. Thunder tells her he was following Clear Sky and warns Star Flower to stay away from him. Star Flower responds she didn't realize Thunder still had feelings for her and tells him they can never be together. Thunder insults her then gathers Owl Eyes to go hunting. Leaf asks to go as well and Thunder let's him. As they hunt Leaf starts to talk about how unhappy he is with Clear Sky. Ever since the battle he feels Clear Sky is being soft. He is especially upset that Milkweed and her kits were taken in since he feels they are dead weight. After they hunt Thunder happily returns to camp with prey only for Lightning Tail to tell him Clear Sky left with Star Flower. Thunder realizes this is the real his father sent him hunting. Furious, he settles down to wait for Clear Sky's return. 

Clear Sky races through the forest with Star Flower. They go to snakerocks and talk. Star Flower wishes to be with him and feels that Thunder will get over it. Clear Sky wishes this is true and justifies being with Star Flower by telling himself his son wouldn't wish him to be lonely. They return to camp to find everyone fighting. Leaf is furious that Milkweed and her kits ate his catch. Blossom defends them saying they are starving while Leaf is not and that everyone is sharing the prey they caught. This leads to a new argument over how everyone should be hunting and contributing to the camp (like Milkweed, who Clear Sky will not allow to hunt). Clear Sky tries to put his foot down by pointing out he is the leader, he decides who hunts, who leaves camp when, and how much hunting should be done. He tells Leaf if he is so unhappy he should leave, because only cats who wish to be there belong there. Thunder speaks up, saying he agrees with Clear Sky so he is going. Clear Sky is shocked, as this is not what he meant. He asks Thunder why and Thunder responds that he cannot stay and watch cats starve. This leads to an argument between father and son with Thunder accusing Clear Sky of being so determined to be right that he would refuse to admit it if he were wrong. Leaf speaks up, saying he is leaving with Thunder. Lightning Tail, Owl Eyes, Cloud Spots, and Pink Eyes also announce they are leaving. Clear Sky cannot believe this is happening and asks Thunder to speak with him in private. As they talk Thunder explains that he cannot live with a cat who has no respect for his ideas and he cannot watch his father be with Star Flower. Clear Sky accuses him of acting like a spoiled kit but Thunder counters that Clear Sky refuses to listen to anyone but himself. Clear Sky retorts that if Star Flower had picked Thunder he wouldn't leave. Thunder responds that Star Flower would never have chosen him because he is not enough like One Eye. Thunder and his cats leave while Clear Sky is reeling from Thunder's accusation. Star Flower comforts him, telling him it is best that Thunder goes so only loyal cats are left behind. 

Thunder leaves camp with the cats he is now responsible for. Lightning Tail asks why he didn't tell him he was planning on leaving. Thunder responds it was a quick decision. Owl Eyes says he hears someone following them but Thunder brushes him off. Leaf goes to check it out when everyone else hears it too. Pink Eyes strains and becomes panicked, sending Thunder after Leaf. Thunder finds Leaf and Milkweed arguing. He allows Milkweed and her kits to join them, much to Leaf's annoyance. They find a sheltered ravine to sleep in and settle down for the night.Day later Thunder is out hunting for his group when he runs into a strange cat. The cat comes from the mountains and has a companionwho is sick. Thunder goes with the cat and meets Quiet Rain. He gives her his prey. As they talk he discovers the other cat is Sun Shadow and they are looking for Gray Wing, Clear Sky, Jagged Peak, and Moon Shadow. The thinks on Clear Sky and decides not to go there. Instead he tells them he knows Tall Shadow, Gray Wing, and Jagged Peak. He tells them that they live in the pines and he will take them there.

I knew this would happen. I mean, there is the obvious ThunderClan/SkyClan situation, but Thunder and Clear Sky just clash to much. Clear Sky is a control freak whereas Thunder is willing to lead with others. The forest needed to divide and there needed to be five groups. And now it is that way.

I just hope Clear Sky isn't being a fool over Star Flower since it just cost him his son.

I also bet Thunder will not find Gray Wing in the pines since his heart (in more way then one) lies on the moor.

sailor moon: part five

After another failed attempt to gather energy from Hiromi (an anime artist), Nephrite decides that whoever finds the Silver Crystal wins. Zoisite is furious, as finding the Silver Crystal is his job. Nephrite creates the Black Crystal to find the Silver Crystal and tries to use Naru to help him, as she is in love with him. However, Nephrite begins to realize he might have feelings for Naru as well. Zoisite also notices this and uses it against Nephrite. He has Naru kidnapped in an attempt to bribe the Black Crystal away from Nephrite. His plan fails, but later his youma target Naru and Nephrite dies saving her.

After this attempts to gather energy are abandoned and instead the focus moves to finding the Silver Crystal. Everyone discovers that to obtain the Silver Crystal first the seven Rainbow Crystals must be gathered. They are trapped inside of innocent humans on Earth. By removing the Rainbow Crystal the human is turned into a monster. The first human Zoisite does this to, Crane Game Joe, is being followed by a young girl named Makoto. Makoto is in love with Crane Game Joe and is determined to protect him. As events unfold it is revealed that Makoto is Sailor Jupiter, the fourth sailor solider.

Favorite episode? "Naru's Cry! Nephrite Dies for Love". (Sorry Sailor Jupiter). I know Nephrite is a total jerk who uses Naru unabashedly - plus he is way too old for her - but I am a total sucker for a redemption story. #sorrynotsorry

The episodes:

Protect the Children's Dreams! Friendship Linked by Anime - Season 1, Episode 21

Synopsis - Nephrite targets Hiromi, an anime artist who fears her friend Kazuko is surpassing her.

Nephrite's Youma: Castor and Pollux (twins)

Nephrite's Constellation: Gemini

Nephrite's Stars: Castor and Pollux

Romance Under the Moon! Usagi's First Kiss - Season 1, Episode 22

Synopsis - The famed Princess of the Diamond Kingdom is coming to town and everyone wonders if she is the missing princess and if she has the silver crystal

Nephrite's Youma: Nephrite

Dark Kingdom Introduced: Kunzite

Wish Upon a Shooting Star! Naru's Pure Love - Season 1, Episode 23

Synopsis - Naru is in love with Mr Sanjoin, Nephrite's human alias. Nephrite seeks to use Naru because of this but finds himself saving her from Zoisite's Youma.

Zoisite's Youma: Yasha (crone)

Item Introduced: The Black Crystal

Naru's Cry! Nephrite Dies for Love - Season 1, Episode 24

Synopsis - Zoisite tries to use Naru to manipulate Nephrite into giving him the Black Crystal. After a run in with Zoisite's youmas, Nephrite dies protecting Naru.

Zoisite's Youmas: Grape, Housenka, Suzuran (plants)

Jupiter, the Brawny Girl in Love- Season 1, Episode 25

Synopsis - After the fall of Nephrite the Dark Kingdom focuses on finding the Silver Crystal by looking for the seven Rainbow Crystals which are hidden inside of innocent humans. A new girl, Makoto, moves to town and falls in love with Zoisite's first victim.

The Great Youma: Geisein (arcade)

Rainbow Crystal: Red (Zoisite's possession)

Sailor Solider Introduced: Makoto Kino/Sailor Jupiter

Mako's Transformation Introduced: Jupiter Power Makeup

Mako's Attacks Introduced: Supreme Thunder

New Weapon Introduced: Crescent Moon Wand

Crescent Moon Wand Attack: Moon Healing Escalation (Refresh)

sailor moon: part four

Nephrite continues possessing objects with his Youma. He selects a teacher of Usagi, Ami, and Naru's - Miss Akiyama. Miss Akiyama is getting married and has designed her own dress. In her hunt for the perfect fabric Nephrite finds her and implants his Youma in her fabric. Meanwhile there is a wedding dress competition going on, which the possessed Miss Akiyama crashes. The sailor scouts have to show up and stop her.

Then, Nephrite goes after an up and coming photographer, Shinokawa, planting his Youma in Shinokawa's camera. Usagi ends up stopping this monster on her own as Rei, Ami, and Luna have been captured by it. Shingo's best friend, Mika, is Nephrite's next target. She is a doll maker, and Nephrite uses the new doll she is making to gather her energy.

After this Nephrite decides to change his game by going after Sailor Moon alone, under the guise of Tuxedo Mask. However, Naru figures out that Nephrite is Tuxedo Mask and he attacks her, thinking she is Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon shows up and saves her friend, Tuxedo Mask shows up and saves Sailor Moon, then Sailor Mars and Sailor Mercury show up and save Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon. However, while Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask are alone he starts to confess part of why he is always trying to save her.

After this the sailor soldiers take a break by going on vacation at a haunted hotel. Only at the hotel is a young girl whose father is able to hypnotize her into creating a psychic manifestation that attacks people. When the girl and her father lose control the sailor soldiers destroy the psychic manifestation and have a fun vacation.

Favorite episode? Probably "Shingo's Innocent Love! A Sorrowful French Doll". First of all, possessed dolls are creepy. Second of all, possessed dolls are creepy. Third of all, it's a pretty good story line.

The episodes:

Dream of a White Dress! Usagi Becomes a Bride - Season 1, Episode 16

Synopsis - Usagi and Ami's teacher, Miss Akiyama, is getting married. She wishes to design her own wedding dress. At the same a wedding dress competition is going on. Nephrite takes advantage of both of these situations.

Nephrite's Youma: Widow (spider)

Nephrite's Star: Vega

Nephrite's Constellation: Lyra

Is Usagi a Model? The Focus of the Monster Camera - Season 1, Episode 17

Synopsis - Usagi and some of her friends are chosen to model for a famous photographer, but Nephrite has turned his camera into a monster.

Nephrite's Youma: Cameran (photographer/camera)

Nephrite's Star: Sirius

(Nephrite's Constellation: Canis Major)

Shingo's Innocent Love! A Sorrowful French Doll - Season 1, Episode 18

Synopsis - Shingo has a falling out with his best friend Mika that Usagi tries to help him solve. Meanwhile, Nephrite has targeted Mika.

Nephrite's Youma: Jumo (marionette doll)

Nephrite's Star: Orpheus

Constellation: Lyre

Usagi is Thrilled! Tuxedo Mask's Love Letter - Season 1, Episode 19

Synopsis - Determined to defeat Sailor Moon, Nephrite sends everyone love letters from Tuxedo Mask to lure her out.

Monster: The constellation Leo come to life

Nephrite's Star: Regulus

Nephrite's Constellation: Leo

Tuxedo Mask's Transformation Introduced

The Summer! The Ocean! Our Youth! And a Ghost, Too - Season 1, Episode 20

Synopsis - The girls take a break from things by going to the ocean. Only the hotel they picked is haunted.

Monster: Sakiko's ghost

a forest divided: part two

Thunder sits with Clear Sky, watching as Acorn Fur trains Owl Eyes and Sparrow Fur how to hunt. Clear Sky butts in to her training session and overrules her. Thunder notices Acorn Fur is upset but she says nothing. She and the kits leave and Lightning Tail arrives, looking for his sister. Clear Sky tells him she just left. Lighting Tail can't smell her trail which annoys Clear Sky. Thunder assures him that with time he will be able to differentiate between the forest smells. He asks Clear Sky if he wants to go for a walk, but Clear Sky becomes offended, accusing Thunder of trying to show him around his own territory. Thunder assures him that is not the case but Clear Sky won't listen. Instead he says he will patrol his boarders and asks Thunder if he wants to come along. Thunder is frustrated by how Clear Sky turned everything into a battle, but agrees. Lighting Tail whispers a comment to Thunder about Clear Sky's attitude. Father and son take off and Thunder feels that Clear Sky is deliberately picking the most difficult trial for Thunder to follow. Since Thunder keeps tripping over roots he follows a trail parallel to Clear Sky, but that only makes Clear Sky angry. When Clear Sky freezes Thunder thinks there is danger ahead, but it is only kittypets. Clear Sky contemplates asking kittypets to join them when they run into Star Flower. She and Thunder clash over her father - and what both of them perceive as the others betrayal. Clear Sky intervenes, saying the blame for One Eye should go to him, not his son. Star Flower plays on Thunder by hinting she might starve to death. Clear Sky doesn't want anything to do with her but Thunder convinces him to take her in. Clear Sky agrees with the understanding that Thunder explains her presence.

Gray Wing is out hunting. He catches a lizard when Pebble Heart finds him. Pebble Heart insists he come back to camp and get treated for his breathing. Pebble Heart, Holly, and Gray Wing get talking about making better nests. Pebble Heart leaves to get some herbs and when Gray Wing looks anxious (because he is thinking of Slash and Fern) Mud Paws offers to go with him. He starts to help Holly with building her den but Jagged Peak pushes him away, saying it is his kits and he will help build it. Gray Wing diplomatically leaves and notices Tall Shadow looking uneasy. Slate arrives for a visit and asks Gray Wing to visit, but he feels he cannot when he doesn't know what is going on with Slash and Fern. Mouse Ear talks about hunting so Gray Wing starts to organize a hunting patrol. This angers Tall Shadow and Jagged Peak, who accuse him of bossing the cats around and trying to take leadership back. Gray Wing tries to defend himself but Tall Shadow won't listen - and tells him that he isn't as healthy as he used to be. Mid-argument Gray Wing takes off because he smells Fern. Tall Shadow calls after him, telling him she was only thinking of his health, but he is determined to prove her wrong.

Gray Wing finds Fern and confronts her. He realizes that although she has been spying on them she really knows nothing. He tries to convince her to tell Slash to leave them alone. She tells him she will lie to Slash and say they found a rich hunting ground beyond the pines, but that it is only a temporary solution and Slash will come eventually. After that he goes hunting a catches a rabbit. He realizes another cat and her kits were tracking the rabbit too. As they are half starved he gives them the rabbit and tells them to seek out Clear Sky's camp. Exhausted, he sleeps on the moor. 

He finds himself in Stoneteller's cave. She tells him that he cannot change the past, just the future. He wakes up to Slate screeching. He finds her under attack from a fox. After he helps her fight the fox off she brings him back to Wind Runner's camp so Reed, a cat who lives with them, can treat his wounds. Gray Wing finds Wind Runner happy in her new home, though overprotective of her kits. He keeps trying to leave, worried that his friends might be worried about him, but everyone convinces him to stay and rest. He falls asleep, deciding he will return home after a nap.

Clear Sky watchesover his camp in satisfaction. He also watches Star Flower, feeling she is a bit arrogant since she doesn't contribute much. He thinks back to when Star Flower joined their camp, and how upset Leaf and Lightning Tail were. However, he has to admit, she is trying to fit in. As Clear Sky watches Star Flower he realizes Thunder still has feelings for her - and that Star Flower knows this. He decides he has to talk to Thunder, but he feels he needs to wait for the right moment so his son will listen to him. Clear Sky decides to patrol the borders on his own. Star Flower follows him. The two cats talk and Clear Sky begins to wonder if he has finally found a cat who will be loyal to him. He orders her to obey and gain his trust. She agrees to do that.

First of all, I hope Clear Sky isn't going to be an idiot and fall for his son's ex - especially when that ex betrayed everyone. And, more importantly, that would be a massive betrayal of his son. Second of all, Clear Sky wants to unite the cats but he is acting like an arrogant jerk and is only succeeding in driving them away. Now I'm even more convinced that this title is about Clear Sky and Thunder splitting into two groups with the way Clear Sky is treating his son.

Meanwhile Gray Wing, Tall Shadow, and Jagged Peak clearly need to have a talk. And Gray Wing really needs to tell everyone about Slate and Fern. But instead he runs off mid argument to confront Fern - which is good but instead of returning home he escapes to the moor. He needs to settle things with Tall Shadow before finally realizing he is in love with Slate. More importantly, I'm sure everyone is freaking out over his disappearance. 

a forest divided: part one

Clear Sky finds himself with the spirit cats. He sees the other leaders there too. Storm approaches him and tells him that they grow tired of waiting. Clear Sky is confused by what she means. She reminds him that they are to grow and spread like the blazing star. Storm leaves to talk with Thunder and Fluttering Bird comes over, furious with him for not obeying them. She tells him he just follow his heart and find his home. When he wakes up he decides that Fluttering Bird meant the cats should all live together so they can grow and spread.

Clear Sky heads to his brother's camp so he can share Fluttering Bird's news. He catches a rabbit along the way and enters the camp. He finds Thunder and Gray Wing discussing hunting and the weather. Thunder is upset to discover Clear Sky hunted on their land. Clear Sky is confused since he thought the cats were growing closer and he brought it for Jagged Peak and Holly. Clear Sky is eager to talk to them and Tall Shadow. When Tall Shadow arrives he talks about their dream with the spirit cats and how the spirit cats want all of them to band together. However, Thunder, Gray Wing, and Tall Shadow disagree with him. Tall Shadow wishes to move to the pine trees, Thunder tells him he can't kill cats over the borders that he created then reject them, and Gray Wing tells him that other cats have feelings about where they want to live too. Clear Sky is devastated that they are rejecting his plan outright. Thunder flat out tells him to leave. Tall Shadow suggests waiting until the storm passes. Upset, Clear Sky goes.

Thunder feels guilty, feeling maybe he was too hard on his father. Tall Shadow sends him after to make sure Clear Sky gets home okay. He meets up with Clear Sky but then they run into a badger. Clear Sky gets wounded so Thunder takes him back home. Everyone is upset with him for bringing Clear Sky back but Thunder felt he had no choice. Thunder and Jagged Peak get talking and Jagged Peak decides that too much time has passed. He jumps up on the rock next to Tall Shadow and tells her they need to settle this. Thunder feels that they should wait until Clear Sky is gone but Dappled Pelt tells him they have already waited too long. Everyone gets swept up in the excitement of leaving the moor and it is decided that stones will be used to make their decision. 

Everyone gets a stone and it is decided that four circles will be made: one for Clear Sky's camp, one for the pine trees, one for the moor, and one for River Ripple's camp. Wind Runner is not included as she wants space from all the cats for now. Everyone is excited that they get to pick where they want to live. Gray Wing tells everyone that Turtle Tail said they should follow their hearts. Thunder is shocked, since that is what Storm told him, but he is unsure of what to pick. Sparrow Fur and Owl Eyes pick Clear Sky's camp. Gray Wing is sad, but tells them they must follow their hearts. Pebble Heart chooses to go with Tall Shadow so Cloud Spots chooses to go with Clear Sky. Pebble Heart is worried to lose his mentor, but Cloud Spots assures him he will do fine and points out that the healers should split up. As everyone picks their group Thunder is shocked - and a little upset - by Jagged Peak's boldness. He tries to tell himself that Jagged Peak's confidence is a good thing. Unsure, Thunder picks Clear Sky's group. It is what Lightning Tail has picked and he sees the desperate look in Clear Sky's eyes. He feels his father needs him and some support for right now. He says his goodbyes to Gray Wing, who is sad to be losing two of Turtle Tail's kits. But Gray Wing feels he must stay with Pebble Heart and Tall Shadow for a bit longer. 

Gray Wing says goodbye to his kits. He watches as Pebble Heart and Cloud Spots say goodbye to each other. They agree to meet at every new moon at Fourtrees. Gray Wing falls behind the group. He overhears two cats - Slash and Fern. Slash is cruel and is forcing Fern to spy on them in their new home. Slash mentions Star Flower betraying him. Gray Wing catches up to everyone and because of his breathing Jagged Peak has to help him cross the road. Gray Wing doesn't want to spoil Tall Shadow's happiness so he decides to keep quiet for now about what he overheard. Jagged Peak makes a comment about Gray Wing's state that upsets him. He snaps at his younger brother and Tall Shadow diplomatically intervenes. Gray Wing feels becoming a father hasn't made Jagged Peak confident, just arrogant. 

Three things.

One, Clear Sky is clearly misinterpreting what the spirit cats want, however for once I don't think it is because he feels he knows best and everyone else knows wrong. He genuinely seems to want to bring everyone together. I don't know how he would really feel about having too many leaders in one camp, though. I just hope Thunder and I are right about his motives. Clear Sky can be an arrogant, know-it-all jerk.

Two, speaking of arrogant jerks... What is up with Jagged Peak? Both Thunder and Gray Wing feel put off by the way he is acting. Will he become Tall Shadow's new second-in-command? Will someone tell him to knock it off? I'm glad he has found a new level of confidence, but that doesn't give him the right to treat others the way he is treating them. Once he would have been beyond mortified if someone told him he was acting like Clear Sky - now I think he would just be furious.

Three, Gray Wing really should have told Tall Shadow about Slash and Fern... I have a bad feeling about this...

Actually, four things. Does the title - "A Forest Divided" - refer to Clear Sky and Thunder? Thunder will never be happy in his father's camp. And we know he eventually goes on to form his own. With only one book left that has to happen soon. At least they have finally broken into four camps. But they need five - Thunder and Clear Sky still need to split.

No, five things. I was so excited to see the birth of the new moon medicine cat meetings - even if they are taking place at fourtrees. When will they discover the moonstone? Especially since Pebble Heart has been dreaming of it since he was a kit?

200 books: october 2019

So as disappointed as I am that we only read 13 books for the month, the irony of this taking place in the month of October is not lost on me. This is the time of year where very little reading gets done. There is too much going on between Halloween. Little Legs' birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Everything will wind down until January, when reading rates spike again. Also, Lone Wolf is reading harder books so it takes him longer to finish them. And Vampire Kitten is in the middle of tackling a few harder books himself. So even though this number isnt high, it is a good number.

October books:

1. Prometheus - Vampire Kitten
2. Dar and the Spear-Thrower - Vampire Kitten
3. The 5th Wave - Lone Wolf
4. Dar and the Spear-Thrower - Lone Wolf
5. Scooby-Doo and the Carnival Creeper - Little Legs
6. Scooby-Doo and the Farmyard Fright - Little Legs
7. Scooby-Doo and the Toy Store Terror - Little Legs
8. Scooby-Doo and the Karate Caper - Little Legs
9. Scooby-Doo and the Seashore Slimer - Little Legs
10. Reindeer Moon - Wandering Falcon
11. Wings of Fire: The Dark Secret - Wandering Falcon
12. Wings of Fire: The Brightest Night -Wandering Falcon
13. The Sisters Grimm: The Council of Mirrors - Family

The breakdown:

Vampire Kitten: 2

Lone Wolf: 2

Little Legs: 5

Wandering Falcon: 3

Family: 1

Total:

Vampire Kitten: 97/50

Lone Wolf: 44/25

Little Legs: 47/13

Wandering Falcon: 111/100

Family: 14/12

buffy the vampire slayer: part seventeen

Season 4 is almost done!

I don't actually have much to say, beyond talking about Faith. Faith comes back for two episodes - "This Year's Girl" and "Who Are You?" While in a coma Faith and Buffy dream. Faith again mentions that Buffy's sister is on the way. When she wakes from her coma she is determined to take her revenge on Buffy for almost killing her over some guy (Angel) - some guy who she isn't even with anymore. She refuses to acknowledge her own part in the situation (you know, the part where she poisoned Angel) and places all of the blame solely on Buffy. This leads to her swapping bodies with Buffy. Buffy is arrested by the cops and eventually abducted by the Watcher's Council while Faith goes around pretending to be Buffy - offending Tara and sleeping with Riley. All while she is pretending to be Buffy she has a hard time with Buffy's life. When Joyce hugs her it upsets her. When Willow tells her that a girl is about to be attacked by a vampire a begrudging Faith goes to save her. When she saves the girl from the vampire the girl's profuse gratitude makes her uncomfortable. When Riley tells her he loves her she freaks out and demands to know what Riley's intentions are with Buffy.

Everywhere she looks she is confronted with Buffy's perfect life and just how not perfect her own is. Yet, at the same time, she is protective of Buffy which is shown when she confronted Riley. And in the midst of skipping town when Faith hears about a church taken over by vampires she does the right thing and races there - so too does Buffy. After the vampires are gone Buffy and Faith get into a huge fight and Faith gets the upper hand on Buffy, punching her over and over while unleashing all her pent up hurt and rage at herself. Buffy switches bodies back and Faith runs. When Riley comments that Faith had her fun and left town Buffy is not so sure. She begins to realize that Faith might not actually hate her, just herself. Faith's actions do put a damper on Buffy and Riley's relationship, but with Jonathan's (of all people) help they are able to move past Faith.

Faith really is a dark reflection of Buffy and I think both girls realize this. Faith is a path that Buffy could have gone down if she didn't have people firmly determined to keep her in the light - a bit like the Buffy of Cordelia's alternate universe. Instead Buffy is the type to seek out the good in people, or, alternately, not kick them for the sake of kicking them (like how she treats Spike). Faith, on the other hand, sees only the bad in people and truly believes that everyone will betray her in the end.

Favorite episode? "Superstar" - an entire episode dedicated to how awesome Jonathan is? Giles owning the swimsuit calendar? Jonathan staring in The Matrix? Xander collecting Jonathan cards? The whole episode is AWESOME.

The four episodes:

This Year's Girl - Season 4, Episode 15

Synopsis - Faith wakes up from her coma determined to exact revenge on Buffy.

Who Are You? - Season 4, Episode 16

Synopsis - Faith swaps bodies with Buffy.

Superstar - Season 4, Episode 17

Synopsis - Everyone lives in a world dominated by how incredible Jonathan is.

Where the Wild Things Are - Season 4, Episode 18

Synopsis - Buffy and Riley accidentally unleash poltergeist activity at Riley's dorm.

buffy the vampire slayer: part sixteen

Finally, some serious Buffy/Riley growth. Riley is NOT my favorite, and I am sure I am going to complain about him EXTENSIVELY during season 5, but here, in the beginning, I will cut him some major slack. He joins The Initiative. He believes in their goals. He sees them as a necessary (totally not evil) organization to protect the public. He lets them turn him into a super soldier so he can fight the supernatural forces of the world - which before now have been largely unexplored by any government.  All of this I completely get. Then Buffy comes along. Buffy, who he falls in love with. Buffy, who is unsure she can find happiness with Captain America's younger, less impressive brother. Buffy, with her super human strength that completely surpasses him and his friends. Buffy, who is unsure she can handle another boyfriend in her line of work. But she gives it a go. Then professor Walsh tries to kill Buffy, turning Riley's world even further upside down. Riley is a mess this season. He keeps getting hit with something new. Every time he thinks he is on top of things a new upset comes his way. Yet he goes through it all because he loves Buffy and wants to share in her life. So, here and now, I have to give Riley some serious props. Buffy and her friends flip his world upside down so many times he no longer knows what is up or down. Yet he stands by her through it all, even when he makes the wrong choices.

Meanwhile, Willow and Tara are coming closer. Willow even turned to Tara for help with a demon finding spell (only for Tara to sabotage it for reasons that won't come out until next season). Yet despite their budding romance, the group seems to be fraying at the edges. Giles and Xander are still floundering. Willow feels unwanted by Buffy. Buffy is wrapped up in Riley and the Initiative. The only person who seems to be doing fine is Spike - and by fine I mean he is still his evil, selfish self. He is bummed he can no longer attack humans, and he refuses to leave town until he can figure out a way to get cured, but he has discovered he can fight demons, which he embraces fully. Things further fray when Riley finds out that Buffy personally knows Spike (aka Hostile 17) and has been lying to him about it.

My favorite episode is "The I in Team." I never really liked Walsh and it was nice to see her lose Riley and get murdered my Adam in the same episode. Plus, the Initiative always struck me as shady so it was nice to be proven right.

The episodes:

Doomed - Season 4, Episode 11

Synopsis - Buffy and Riley try to figure out their relationship while Buffy tries to stop an apocalypse. Spike discovers he isn't as helpless as he previously thought.

A New Man - Season 4, Episode 12

Synopsis - Ethan Rayne returns to town to find information on The Initiative. While there he curses Giles, turning him into a demon, and Spike is the only one who realizes the truth.

The I in Team - Season 4, Episode 13

Synopsis - Professor Walsh decides Buffy is a threat and tries to kill her - only the plan doesn't work and turns Riley against her. She takes solace in 314, who finally wakes up.

Goodbye Iowa - Season 4, Episode 14

Synopsis - Reeling from Walsh's betrayal and death, Riley doesn't know who or what to believe. Meanwhile Buffy is trying to figure out how to find what she believes is an Initiative demon on the loose. Their paths converge and the truth of Walsh and 314 comes out.

a character exits: parker

I debated giving Parker a post, then decided he actually was pretty important to the story line.

Parker is a student at UC Sunnydale, like Buffy. The two keep running into each other and flirting, which results in them going to a frat party together. After the party they have sex in Parker's dorm room and Buffy spends the night. When she wakes up the next morning Parker isn't there, causing Buffy to panic (most likely remembering how Angel wasn't there either). But then Parker arrives with coffee - and an excuse (his mom is in town) as to why he can't spend the day with Buffy. He promises to contact her later.

Only Parker never does. Instead Buffy finds him with another woman, using all the same lines that he used on her. Buffy comes to the realization that she has been played and she struggles with this, ultimately leading to Tara confronting Parker. Only Parker then tries the exact same lines on Willow, who sees through him. After Buffy saves Parker's life he does apologize to her but Buffy is under the spell of cursed beer and knocks him out. Later on Parker has a run in with Riley and his friends. Forrest is trying to get Riley to admit that he has feelings for Buffy so they seek out Parker. Forrest knows Parker will be crude when talking about Buffy, and he does not disappoint. This causes Riley to punch him and gives Forrest the satisfaction of proving to Riley that he does have feelings for Buffy.

Parker was Buffy's attempt to move on after Angel. Have a fresh start with a regular human. Only it backfired big time and she found herself in the exact same heartbreak as when Angel lost his soul. Granted, Parker was not terrorizing Buffy's family and friends with the ultimate goal of killing her. But Parker was cold and distant like Angel was. He did act soulless after a night of happiness. He got what he wanted, which was to seduce Buffy, and moved on. Angel did behave in a similar way. The boy who gets sex from the girl then dumps her so he can move on to his next conquest. At least Parker got punched by Riley.

the brightest night: part six

Burn is furious with the dragonets for disrupting her plans, and mocks them when they say the battle is over. However, Blister and Blaze arrive and she figures she can salvage the situation by killing her sisters. Blister and Burn exchange words while Blaze stays off to the side with Glaicer. The dragonets insist on a peaceful resolution or everyone will choose the new queen but Burn and Blister are uninterested. Blister makes a comment about sending a peace offering already. A box had arrived that Smolder kept in the tower with Sunny and Scarlet. Burn sends for the box, telling Blister that she already figured out it contained a dragonbite viper. She opens it, catching the dragonbite before it can bite her. That is when Blister points out that there are two snakes in the box. The second one strikes Burn, killing her. In a panic, everyone takes to the sky. Sunny and Fatespeaker try to help Starflight up but they don't make it in time. Sunny realizes one of them is going to die. Then Clay slams into them, saving them from the viper by getting bit himself.

The dragonets race to Clay, who is dying. Thorn comforts Sunny. Peril arrives and burns out the infected skin, barely saving Clay's life. She then kills the viper before it can hurt anyone else. Blister is disappointed that more of her enemies didn't die but she figures she can at least kill Blaze.

Blaze asks Glaicer to fight for her, but the IceWing queen realizes she can't. As Blister and Blaze fight the dragonets wonder how to fix the situation. Smolder joins them with Flower, and the dragonets question him about other possible heirs. The idea gets put forward that maybe someone else should be queen like how Glory is of the NightWings. Everyone wishes there was something that could name a queen. Flower gets Sunny's attention and brings her to the memorial for queen Oasis and starts digging. Glory and Tsunami come over to help and they find the missing treasure - along with the Eye of Onyx.

Tsunami and Glory tell Sunny that she could be queen. She considers it but decides she wouldn't be a very good one. Blister and Blaze stop fighting and watch to see what Sunny will do. She gives the Eye of Onyx to her mother and names her the new queen of the SandWings. As she passes it over she sees lighting and feels a jolt. Blister is furious. She admits that she stole the treasure, that she lied about waking up Burn so her mother would die, that she arranged the war so that her sisters would die so she wouldn't have to fight them for the throne. She feels the Eye - and throne - belong to her. Thorn tells her she will fight her for the throne but Blister says she doesn't have to. She takes the Eye so she can be queen but its magic turns against her, killing her. The SandWings, led by Blaze, approach Thorn and bow to her, accepting her as their new queen. The queens from the other tribes are relieved the war is over.

A month has passed, the war is over, and the dragonets are still together. They are at the Jade Mountain, along with Fatespeaker, making plans to open a school for dragonets of any tribe. Sunny has told Starflight the truth about her feelings for him and he and Fatespeaker are together now. So are Glory and Deathbringer. Sunny wonders if they will have children and if a half RainWing/half NightWing will sit on the throne. They wonder at Scarlet and Peril's locations. They know they are no longer together and wonder when Scarlet will show up for revenge. They also wonder about telling everyone the truth about the prophecy. In the end they decide to tell everyone that the NightWings lost their powers when they lost their island and that there are no more prophecies.

Okay, well clearly there will be another prophecy now! You can't say there are no more then expect that to happen. Hopefully this time it will be a real prophecy, though.

Well, they did it. They found their peaceful solution that involved none of the queens. And, two of them are now dead so they don't have to worry about then popping back up to make trouble! I hope Thorn goes easy on Smolder. I wonder if Flower can understand the dragons? How else would she know Sunny was looking for the treasure and then lead her to the very thing she needed?

I am curious about the Eye of Onyx. I wonder if that will ever be touched upon again? And about Scarlet's location. And, about the new prophecy...

the brightest night: part five

Sunny recounts her adventures. Everyone is a but upset they weren't there to protect her, but they are proud of her. Sunny us determined that they will end the war. Everyone else is unsure, since the prophecy is a fake, but Sunny feels that all the other dragons don't realize they can end the war because they are too busy waiting for the dragonets to do it for them. Sunny tries to tell them her plan but they all start talking over her, debating who to pick and how to kill the other two. Frustrated, Sunny finally gets their attention and tells them she wants a vote done by the SandWings. She waits for everyone to discount her idea but instead (after a but if discussion) they are actually receptive to it.

The reach out to the Talons first to ask them to contact Blister. Ochre leads them to the Talons and Sunny finds Ochre to be the most disagreeable MudWing ever. They immediately get into an argument with the Talons over the location of the alternate dragonets - who Sunny points out don't want to return to them. Then they realize Flame was following them. Flame is reunited with his mother and the angry Talons are told about Viper's death. Angry at the way things have turned out they demand to see Morrowseer only to discover that he is dead too. They ask to Talons to reach out to Blister and leave. Tsunami says goodbye to Riptide, who was there. She admits to Sunny that she is upset about him lying about being with the Talons but she does still have feelings for him. They leave Ochre and Flame behind.

Jambu and Mangrove are sent to disguise themselves as IceWings and talk to Blaze. Sunny and Clay leave to get a message to Burn. Along the way they see something huge in the sky, like an extra moon. As they follow it they come upon a MudWing camp. They seek out Clay's siblings and find out about the massive attack that queen Moorhen is planning. They will attack the IceWings until only one group survives. Clay and Sunny are upset and determined not to let that happen. Sunny uses a dreamvisitor to enter Moorhen's dreams and speak with her. Moorhen is dreaming about the carnage that is about to befall her dragons. Sunny talks to her and tries to convince her to instead attend the talk they are planning.

Sunny also visits the dreams of Moorhen's siblings. Then she and Clay take turns visiting the dreams of other dragons chosen at random. They return to the rainforest where they find out Blaze won't come because Glaicer won't allow it. Sunny can feel her plan falling apart. They decide to have Sunny use the dreamvisitor to speak with Blaze. Blaze misunderstands Sunny and thinks she has been chosen to be queen, but she agrees to arrive.

The dragonets head towards the meeting place, Sunny and Fatespeaker helping Starflight, who is still blind. Fatespeaker asks him about the extra moon in the sky. Even though he is unable to see it he suspects it might be a comet. They reach Burn's stronghold and find dragons from all the tribes waiting to see what will happen. Sunny wonders where the sisters are when Burn reveals herself.

Okay, I got no real comments. I have no idea how they are going to solve this when all three sisters are unfit to rule and want each other dead. It's not even like they can make the three of them co-queens or something. Maybe the comet in the sky is part of the solution? But I really don't see how especially since it just appeared out of nowhere. Instead I imagine that is probably tied to the next book series.

buffy the vampire slayer: part fifteen

Okay, here we go, Willow and Oz. Everything comes to a head far to painfully and rapidly in "Wild at Heart." Oz is forced to confront the wolf that is inside of him and his animalistic attraction to Veruca. While in wolf form he sleeps with Veruca - and feels horrible about it when he finds this out the next morning. Veruca goes out of her way to try and seduce him and make him embrace the wolf sans consequences - something Oz doesn't want. But instead of turning to his friends for help he tries to solve it on his own and save Veruca by locking himself up with her for the night of the full moon - knowing that he will sleep with her again. Of course it is Willow who finds them the next morning and of course Willow's infidelity is brought up. I do feel bad for Oz here but he made the worst possible decisions and should have confided in someone - at the very least Buffy or Giles if he felt he could not speak to Willow about this. I can forgive him sleeping with Veruca the first time but he should have said something to someone instead of deliberately sleeping with her again. Just how much Oz loves Willow is shown when Veruca attacks Willow - Oz kills her. But Oz's betrayal and the death of Veruca changes things between Willow and Oz. Unable to face everything Oz leaves to find answers on his own. This devastates Willow, but she assumes Oz will return eventually. Only he doesn't. Instead he drops out of school behind the scenes and then has his bandmates pack his stuff and ship it to him - all without saying a word to Willow. He will return for one final episode, but Willow and Oz are over and Willow is left without any closure to grieve alone. And her grief causes problems in "Something Blue" as she attempts to use magic to fix her problems - the beginnings of her eventual downfall.

As for Harmony and Spike, their unlikely partnership ended as quickly as it began. Spike's awful treatment of her from moment one (he really is just using her for companionship and sex as it is convenient for him - and while I don't like Harmony as she is shallow and vapid, no one deserves to be treated like that and underneath her shallowness is a scared girl who wants to be loved and wanted) climaxes in ripping the mystical ring off of her finger. After being taken by the covert commandos and rendered unable to attack people, he returns to Harmony who finally, for once, stands up for herself and kicks him out. Good on her.

Meanwhile Buffy and Riley start to figure out a relationship of their own and Buffy comes to realize she doesn't need dark and broody, that she can have love with stability and reliability. Buffy and Riley also discover each others secret. Giles and Xander continue to flounder in their new lives, however Xander starts to grow as he develops real feelings for Anya instead of just thinking about girls in terms of sex. This is especially shown in "Hush" when he becomes terrified that Spike attacked Anya - even though it is impossible for Spike to do so. But while "Hush" has a happy ending for Xander romantically, it does not for Giles. We will never see his girlfriend (outside of a dream) after this episode, showing just how much of his life is wrapped up in being a Watcher.

My favorite episode, hands down, is "Hush." However this is a bit of a given since it is one of the most popular episodes ever (alongside "Once More With Feeling") so I feel like this is a freebie. So instead I will focus on my other favorite episode, "Something Blue." This episode is powerful, raw, and devastating. Willow's grief almost destroys everyone's lives - and gets her a standing job offer as a vengeance demon, which is kinda cool. But more importantly, this episode is chock-full of foreshadowing. The next three seasons are spelled out in this one, single episode. Giles will be blind to Willow's dark path, Spike will fall in love with Buffy, Buffy will continue to protect Spike when she shouldn't - eventually falling in love with him in return, Xander will always make the wrong choices in regards to the women in his life, and Willow will be corrupted by the ease of magic. (More on Buffy and Spike soon - I don't want to get ahead of myself.)

The episodes:

Wild at Heart - Season 4, Episode 6

Synopsis - Torn between Willow and his werewolf side, Oz makes a choice that destroys everything.

The Initiative - Season 4, Episode 7

Synopsis - Spike is taken prisoner by a secret military organization. When he breaks free he realizes he cannot attack people.

Pangs - Season 4, Episode 8

Synopsis - Buffy tries to host Thanksgiving while a vengeful Chumash warrior spirit kills people for the crimes committed against his people.

Something Blue - Season 4, Episode 9

Synopsis - Deep in her grief, Willow accidentally curses all of her friends while trying to cure her own heartache with magic.

Hush - Season 4,  Episode 10

Synopsis - The Gentlemen come to town, taking everyone's voices away so they can collect seven hearts.

buffy the vampire slayer part fourteen

Here we are, onto season 4! I'm not sure where I want to start. First episodes are always so difficult since themes are just beginning to be established.

Actually. I'm going to start with Willow and Oz. Willow and Oz are happy and together and happy to be together but there are definite undercurrents going on. Willow wants to take magic to the next level while Oz, out of concern, doesn't want her to. Things get worse at the Halloween party where the fear demon plays on their fears and separates them. Oz is forced to face his fears (becoming a werewolf) and accidentally hurts Willow while he tries to protect her and she tries to help him. Willow does a spell to find Oz, which backfires and attacks her. Willow and Oz ending up in the same room snaps Oz out if his fear induced hallucination and he is able to help Willow with hers, but this foreshadows some definite trouble ahead. Oz fears his werewolf side and fears what he could do to Willow. Meanwhile Willow wants to help Oz with something she cannot help with. Then the introduction of Veruca ("Living Conditions") really doesn't bode well - and what is worse is Willow realizes this.

Buffy, meanwhile, is struggling with her breakup with Angel which leads to being played big time by Parker - who is just out to seduce and move on. So now Buffy is stuck struggling with two breakups - one from the love of her life and the other from a guy who played on her vulnerabilities and used her. Added to this mix is her demonic roommate, Kathy, who slowly steals her soul, causing Buffy to act psychotic which causes problems between herself and her friends, as well as cursed beer which causes Buffy to turn into a caveman. She really is not having a good time post-breakup - especially since even when she isn't having her soul sucked out or turning into a caveman she argues a lot with her friends. Xander even calls her out on pushing people away. Unfortunately it is while he is invisible, thanks to the fear demon, so Buffy doesn't actually have to acknowledge his accusation.

Speaking of Xander, then there is Giles and Xander, who are both having a really hard time finding their place in the world now that high school is over with and neither of them have a life with their friends at college. Add to that the fact that Giles is no longer a Watcher and Xander's parents have basically kicked him out of the house. Both of them are lacking direction and don't know where to find it. Add to that the fact that they both know this. For Xander it manifests in him becoming invisible. He fears his friends moving on without him now that their lives are going in completely different directions. As for Giles, he can't decide how involved in Buffy's life he wants to be or should be. He tries to find things to do outside of her (having a friend over, taking up running, car magazines, etc), pushes her away when she asks for help, then promptly decides he shouldn't do that and helps her. He can't figure out what his life is outside of being a Watcher and he can't decide how involved he should be in Buffy's life.

As for Spike and Harmony, I will touch base on them next time.

My favorite episode is definitely "Fear Itself." The episode itself is hilarious between Giles with a chain saw, Anya with her bunny costume, and the miniature demon. But I also like it because of how sad it is. As you see them going around the house together you see them falling apart. Buffy pushing her friends away. Xander's fear of becoming irrelevant to the people most important to him. And, worst of all, the beginning of the end of Willow and Oz. They survived Oz becoming a werewolf and Willow's infidelity - but they won't survive Oz's werewolf fears. 

The episodes:

The Freshman - Season 4, Episode 1

Synopsis - Buffy finds college life confusing and hard - made worse by her friends' ease with it. She then discovers a group of vampires preying on struggling new students and becomes their target. This is Riley and Professor Maggie Walsh's first episodes.

Living Conditions - Season 4, Episode 2

Synopsis - Buffy becomes convinced her roommate is a demon. Meanwhile her friends are worried by her erratic behavior.

The Harsh Light of Day - Season 4, Episode 3

Synopsis - Spike returns to town in search of a fabled ring that allows vampires to walk in the sun. Anya returns to town.

Fear Itself - Season 4, Episode 4 

Synopsis - Buffy and her friends go to a Halloween party, but those throwing the party have accidentally summoned the demon of fear.

Beer Bad - Season 4, Episode 5

Synopsis - Buffy still struggles to recover from Parker using her, and turns to beer to help her. The beer, however, is enchanted and turns Buffy and her new friends into cavemen.