Buffy the Vampire Slayer - 4x14 "Goodbye Iowa" FULL REACTION

After going back and watching the series a few times, I can't agree more with this comment. I feel like the writing for Riley was very uneven. If feels in retrospect like they didn't know which direction they wanted to go. When i watched this when I was Buffy's age I was in love with Spike. Now, in my mid-30s.... I'm still in love with Spike (lol explains a lot about my terrible dating decisions) but I recognize the good glimpses in Riley. Makes me feel like even though he was my least favorite of Buffy's boyfriends that his character gets the short end of the stick quite often. He makes choices and says things in certain episodes that seem totally contradictory. It's made me appreciate his good moments more.

Miss Timi Fantastico

"Fuck off, Forrest" pretty much sums it up. lol I hate him. I feel bad for the actor to have to play a completely unlikeable character. Like many others, I'm not a fan of the Adam story arc, but I love the Scooby interactions during this season, so it's bearable.

Aimee

I think Forest is just meant to represent the archetypal sexist, close-minded army guy against whom Riley is meant to contrast, so that we can see that Riley is sensitive and open-minded - not the typical soldier. For example, he told Riley that Riley had heard him say much grosser things about women than what Parker said about Buffy. When he made the comment about Riley picking Buffy as his second in command, he said "instead he picks a girl," where the word "girl" was especially pointed - because he believes women are inferior and shouldn't be soldiers. He is threatened by Buffy's 'infiltration' into a very masculine space. There's far more evidence that Forest just hates strong women than there is evidence to suggest that he has a thing for Riley. So, idk, it seems like everyone just loves a good "haha he's probably gay" joke.

cs

Okay, reason this is the episode I really started to dislike how Riley's character was written. In 'A New Man' he was all, "You're like make the plan, execute the plan, you're in charge, I like it" - and then this episode right off the bat he's doubting Buffy. I get that he has the whole 'surrogate mother' issue thing with Maggie Walsh, but instead of believing Buffy & going right to, "Okay, we've got a situation, something must be controlling Professor Walsh, we need a plan here, Buffy what can you tell me", he's like "No she wouldn't do that, OMG you're giving refuge to a HST (granted something that would've thrown him, but have some trust in the girl you're bonking - also maybe not as important as determining if you're military operation has been infilitrated), I don't trust you, let me storm petulantly out the door". And then his whole "Maggie's dead, happy now" comment was just, 'Dude, really?' I know later on he's in withdrawal & that's clouding his judgement, but at the start of the episode he's not showing any signs of there being something wrong apart from him acting like a douche to the woman he supposedly loves, or at least has a romantic attachment to.

Claire Eyles

Liam, most of your questions will be answered in future episodes. Also, as to where Riley's character is going, I've got a two word answer for you Capri Sun.

Jean Olenick

I agree with this. Look at the Big Bad’s we’ve had up to now. The Master was mostly trapped his entire season. Dru ended up getting overshadowed in her own season by both Spike (who was supposed to die), and David’s excellent acting. And the Mayor’s big goal was to become a snake. Adam terrified me as a kid. And I think it’s worth letting the season play out before judging him or labeling him with a bullying nick name. It’s not the producer’s fault they couldn’t see into the future to predict WiFi.

Richard Lucas

Ian of POTN picked up on that Forrest/Riley stuff. Then ASR created a hashtag for it. :)

Jarrod Wild

I'm in the minority, in that I actually really like Adam. Is he ridiculous? Yeah. Is he what happens when you're forced to quickly re-write a story because one of your actors wanted to leave? Yeah. But something about him is really entertaining to me. I think it is the actor. He has a charisma to him that comes through even while playing a character that is intentionally flat.

Second_Strike

A good succinct summary at the beginning there :D “Walsh is like ‘I’m the big bad’. And Adam’s like ’No!” and skewers her like a kebab. ‘I’m the bad guy now, Mummy!’ - Lol “Yay, you found her! “ - LOL The Yummy Sushi Pyjamas!! Though Riley is going through withdrawal and feels shitty, and is having his world turned upside down, it doesn’t mean he’s not in control of his actions at all ( re. scene just before Adam turns up). he isn’t himself, so his behaviour is erratic, but he’s not being controlled and his thoughts are still his own, just amplified and the worst coming out. ( e.g. blaming Buffy for things). A lot of sympathy from me for the non-consensual drugging of him (and the other soldiers). Ah! - I wondered whether to tell you about ASR’s ‘floppy disk dude’ nickname, LOL She made me crack up in season 4. Adam is a bit naff - or season one-sih as you put it. But quite philosophical too! “Where is he pulling them out from? His arsehole?!” - ROLF!! Forest is unbearable as always. - Yeah, he sucks! [ Did they have to write one of the SO few black characters to be the sucky one? I suppose he has a bigger role than Graham though.] OMG - ASR told you about her head canon !! She’s not the first to have that head canon - though a fair few people hadn’t come across that idea before watching ASR. Was not a new head canon to me, but ASR was delightful and entertaining they way she expressed it :) Nope, it’s not just you. Forest luuurves RIley ! Great analysis of this episode and it’s themes, on Adam, of how Riley has been striped down. And even of how Spike fits into the theme of not knowing where they fit. Most people don’t mention that one scene or how it fits thematically, as there’s so much else going on. Spike is indeed very much the outcast now. Tara’s just gonna be cleaning her room … and get forgotten spell dust al over her - Lol

Bellatronics

K chill. People were straight up ruining season surprises for ASR. Floppy Disk Adam shows off his Floppy Disk in this episode for all the world to see. Comparing the two is bit much.

Pate

I like Mr. Floppy more than most, but really I like the concept more than the execution. Being the merging of man, machine and monster has a lot of potential for both stories and philosphical discussion. I like Adam's existential inquisitiveness, but given that one of the themes of this season (and indeed the show as a whole) is "discovering who you really are", an earlier introduction of his character would have benefitted the story arc (although I understand why this was not the case).

Liam, thank you very very much for not using THAT nickname toward Adam in this episode. I have to be very candid here and say that I hated that nickname every single time it was used on ASR. Maybe everyone else loved it, and I’m not saying she shouldn’t react however she wants. But I am saying that ASR was against even the tiniest hint of a hint of a spoiler. And I don’t blame her for that. But I feel like sharing that nickname with you before the season is over, is supremely spoilery, in the sense that it could potentially predispose your reactions to a character that you are just starting to meet. I’m surprised that didn’t occur to her.

Richard Lucas

Notes on this Episode: I like the fact that Adam seems to be primarily motivated by curiosity... about the world, about himself, and about his place in the world. Did you notice why Dr. Angelman fell when he found Maggie? He slipped on her puddle of blood... so that was heartwarming. Also, that's a very strange spelling on the name "Angelman". I've always thought his name was Engelman, but I looked it up and apparently he is an "Angel man"... which is needlessly weird. Glad you're enjoying these plot-heavy mid-season eps. Looking forward to your next Buffyverse eps.

UTU49

I don't know why I didn't see something so literal before, but in this episode Buffy's team tells her maybe she shouldn't trust Riley and Riley's team tells him maybe he shouldn't trust Buffy. The difference being: the facts and which side accepts them. Riley's been taught not to think for himself but I think Buffy's presence might be inspiring that self-worth/self-agency in him. Kinda a West Side Story type of deal, which makes me feel bad for them since they like *just* slept together and now all this BS is being thrown their way. edit: don't you hate it when you sleep with a girl only for your oedipal frankenstein mother to set loose an existential floppy disk soldier on everyone?

Pate

One of the Riley characteristics which comes to the forefront this episode is how much he has over-identified with Maggie Walsh and the Initiative. He's Agent Riley Finn. And that's it. That's also the thing that hinders a regular character, IMO. He has romanticized memories of home and love and driving but, to this point, he hasn't endeared himself very much as a character that I care about. He likes Buffy and he's had a couple of good conversations with Willow, but that's about it.

Bruce Trogdon

Tara just hates snotty little children and wanted the give the demon some time to cull the population. I like that you are understanding toward RIley. It is important to see things from his perspective. Imagine if Buffy had still dated Scott Hope in "Helpless," and Scott had told Buffy that GIles was poisoning her. Would Buffy have been quick to believe him? The brain always tries to figure out why it is feelings as it does. If chemical imbalance makes us feel irritable, stressed and paranoid, we will usually blame these feelings on whatever is going on around us. It is like when you yell at your co-workers, because they annoy you, when the real reason is that your blood sugar is low.

Moon Logic

my roomate makes fun of me all time cause its the most excited he sees me... i feel you bruh

Bisibia

I'm always ridiculously happy when one of my favourite reactors uploads something. It's pretty damn embarrassing. :D

UTU49

Yummy Sushi Pijamas FTW!! Also, just noticed the parallels between Walsh and Wash. If I happened to be named Wah, I’ll be wearing full chest armor all the time

Khanach

I swear, forest just wants Riley to himself. He acts like Xander did to Angel, worse even.

Nick Velasquez

Perhaps Adam could be the villain of season 1 episode 14 🤣🤣🤣

Ooo I really like your analysis re: Adam. I do think if he was in S1 even that little fight scene at the end would have looked a whole lot different (aka terrible). It's easy to notice all the B-movie-budget limits in Buffy. But I think I take for granted all the things they get right/manage to pull off, because by their very nature you won't 'notice' them.

Pate

The youngins aren't getting that reference?? But that song's one of those songs that you've always heard, like RESPECT or I'm Too Sexy. Maybe the Youngins don't know those either D:

Pate

I'll comment more when I've watched the full reaction (and I'm not hacking my lungs up from bronchitis) but this is the episode where I started to really dislike Riley., or at least the way his character was written. Also nobody gets that "It's raining monsters - hallelujah" reference at the beginning, and it makes me feel old.

Claire Eyles

You went back in time and to a different dimension where season 1 had an episode 14 🤣🤣🤣🤣❤