NIGHTMARES (1x10)

I really like this episode. There's a lot of powerful stuff in here. Right away I must give props to SMG in the scene where her nightmare dad tells Buffy that it was her fault that her parents separated and then divorced. That was cruel and I really felt with Buffy during that moment; superb acting. Actually, pretty much all the dreams are really telling and offer fascinating insight into these characters.

Willow is now firmly established as having performance anxiety and stage fright. This character trait shows up from time to time throughout the series, in sometimes very subtle ways. That shyness is part of the reason why she hides her relationship with Tara in S4 for so long and then later hides the true nature of how powerful the magic she possesses is. This seemingly small flaw here turns out to have a big impact on her down the road. Xander is established as somewhat gullible and also afraid of clowns. Unfortunately that's all the insight we really get into his character at this point. Oh yeah, he's also scared of Nazis crawling over his face.

It is important to take notice to the fact that Buffy's worst nightmare is a personal, not a physical fear. Her dad's rejection causes her more pain than her other fears. This will prove to be a critical character trait in future seasons, especially in the upcoming S2. She's also afraid of becoming a vampire and being buried alive. Giles' worst nightmare is failing Buffy as a 'protector' rather than as a Watcher, which is something he feels he's done, while reflecting on Buffy's death in the S6 episode Bargaining Pt. 1 (6x01) to the Buffybot. He says in that episode, "I did what any good Watcher would do. Got my Slayer killed in the line of duty." This is the first time the more uncomfortable realities of the Slayer-Watcher relationship come out.

The big demon running around bashing things is lame, but aside from that the plot works and holds your attention. A lot of insight into the characters is gained here that excellently sets up the beginning of the characters' journies over the next seven years.