EPISODE 46: THE FINAL EXAMINATION (S03E12 “Helpless”)

Buffy's 18th birthday takes a traditionally torturous turn as she's de-powered and trapped with a sadistic vampire as part of a Watchers Council test for maturing Slayers. Will anyone forgive Giles for his betrayal? The Buffy Boys are dealin' with daddy issues in S03E12 "Helpless".

 
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“If I was at full Slayer power, I’d be punning right about now”
— Buffy, 18

Buffy's 18th birthday takes a traditionally torturous turn as she's de-powered and trapped with a sadistic vampire as part of a Watchers Council test for maturing Slayers. Will anyone forgive Giles for his betrayal? The Buffy Boys are dealin' with daddy issues in S03E12 "Helpless".

Key Buffy Bits from this episode include: 

  • Sharp wit and sharper stakes: use and loss of language and humour as a signal of power in the Buffyverse

  • The B&B is Haunted - Sunnydale's real estate market is flooded with horror tropes

  • The role of patriarchy in neutering the wellspring of feminist independence

  • Adult themed magic crystals - 101 uses

  • "I'm way off my game. My game's left the country. It's in Cuernavaca"

 
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Buffy BoysS03, e12