The Harvest

While it is probably not the best episode of Buffy – The Harvest is one of the most meaningful to watch, as it sets out the major players and themes of the show.

We left our heroine Buffy in desperate peril at the ending of the last episode. She is trapped in a coffin with the huge monster vampire “Luc” pressing her down and preparing to bite and kill her.

Luckily, as he gets close to her he comes against her cross (the one Angel gave her previously) and he recoils as his skin starts to burn. Buffy takes advantage of this and kicks him off of her, and then is able to escape.

Good timing – because she is able to save both of her new friends – Willow and Xander. Unfortunately she is not afraid to save Jesse and he is captured and taken away to the Master by “that girl” aka uber-vamp Darla.

Giles tells them the truth about this world – which is not what it seems.

They return to the library, which will remain as the meeting place for them until the end of season three.

They are met by Giles, the school librarian who is also Buffy’s “vampire Slayer watcher.” He summarizes what they are facing, and how the world is not as they have believed.

I believe that what he said is really worth studying – enough that I want to present it to you essentially word for word. I hope it also gives you an idea of the phenomenal writing of the series.

Giles started “This world is older than any of you know. Contrary to popular mythology it did not begin as a paradise. For untold eons demons walked the Earth – made it their home – made it their hell. In time they lost their purchase on this reality. A way was made for mortal animals – for man. All that remains of the Old Ones are vestiges – certain magicks – certain creatures.”

Buffy – “And vampires.”

Xander – “Ok, this is where have a problem. We are talking about vampires. We’re having a talk in it.”

Willow – “Wasn’t that what we saw last night?”

Buffy – “No they were just guys in desperate need of a facial. …..And the part where that guy turned to dust – just a trick of light. “

Buffy then explained that was what she thought when she was first exposed to vampires, along with the sheer terror. But then she gradually realized that it was real – and learned how to deal in a world with vampires.

Buffy travelled into the Master’s lair to save Jesse.

As Darla and Luc bring her Jesse to the Master – and worse a Jesse that has been tasted by Darla, the Master realizes that he has more than just something to eat – he has bait. He knows that the Slayer will not be able to turn away from one of her new friends, and she is ready to risk her life for his.

The Master knows that when he has her in his lair, he will have her where he wants her. Vulnerable and surrounded by vampires.

But she does it anyway. Giles stays back at the library and researched what he can about the Master, and what is going to happen during this once in a century opportunity for the Master to rise out of his underground prison. Giles explains that the Master came to the Hellmouth to rule decades ago – but was trapped underground because of an earthquake.

Willow is frustrated that she cannot help – but Giles explains that she can help with computer research. This will be common in the series – Willow Rosenberg is brilliant on the computer – “a whiz if ever a whiz there was.”

Xander wants to come with Buffy, but she does not want him to – she is the Slayer and she does not want her friends to get hurt or worse. He agrees, but ends up sneaking into the crypt after her. He explains that he has a friend at risk – and he is coming to save him.

And amazingly enough – he is helpful. This is another pattern through-out the series – even though Xander appears to be a useless donut toting jokester – he is actually brave, loyal and one of Buffy’s most reliable soldiers.

And in this situation he may even have saved her life, as they escape the tunnel together.

Buffy has one more helper on this quest – the tall mysterious stranger who has been giving her cryptic messages. In the clip below we learn that his name is “Angel.”

Unfortunately in spite of the help, they are unable to save Jesse. He has been turned into a vampire.

The Master prepares to rise – using the blood of Luc to strength him

It appeared that the Master was mystically trapped underground. When the Slayer and Xander return from their unsuccessful rescue, Giles and Willow tell him of the situation. For the first time we hear the words “it is the end of the world.”

Giles explained that the Master had come to the shores of Sunnydale 60 years ago – planning not just to feed but to take advantage of the energy of the “Hellmouth” – what the Spanish had called “Boca del Infierno.” He would have released Hell on Earth then, but he was trapped down underneath by a huge Earthquake, caught in between the Portal of Earth and the one where the Old Ones lived.

Of course the Master’s obsessive desire becomes to unchain himself and rise up.

To do that he needed a vessel.

And he has one in Luc, the vampire that Buffy had met before. Because they were mystically bound, every time Luc fed, the Master grew stronger.

The gang and Buffy try to save the World – by stopping the carnage at the Bronze.

It seems that Luc and his gang have decided to raid the local club “the Bronze” for teenage blood to help the Master rise. That is a common theme – blood is tied with power and sexuality.

Buffy and her gang work as a team to rescue the kids as stop the vampires. Especially Luc, the vessel; who Buffy can recognize by the sign on his forehead.

They are able to work together well, with one snag when Xander is faced with his best friend Jesse who has turned into a vampire and is hence the enemy. As Giles explains he is not looking at “Jesse but instead the monster who killed him.” Xander cannot believe it, and in fact is faced with having a stake in his hand, but being unable to use it. Jesse is accidentally killed when someone bumps into him as they escape and he stakes himself upon the stake that Xander is holding.

Buffy comes against Luc – who is again hard to fight. Actually she is able to fight him using trickery only – which is common.

This episode is essential viewing for anyone learning the Buffyverse

I have mentioned that this is not the best episode of the series. The characters have not matured, and there is none of the special settings like in “Hush,” “Once more with Feeling,” or “The Body.”

But it certainly is enjoyable, and it is essential for the world building of the series.

First of all, we get a closer look at all of the main characters that build up the series. We see how Buffy has a loving mother, a Watcher she trusts – and friends, which are what set her apart from all the other Slayers before.

We even see more minor characters – like school rich bitch – Cordelia.

We understand more about the Master who is going to be essential for the rest of the season. And learn that once a person becomes a vampire, like Jesse – they probably feel great, but the real person is gone.

And we understand the world of Sunnydale – normal Southern California city and school above ground and a living Hell underground.

In fact, Xander and Willow are shocked to see how the students who were with them at the Bronze said that nothing supernatural had happened, describing it instead as rival gangs who just happened to know Buffy.

Plus we hear for the first time – but not the end by far – “the end of the world.”

The second episode of Buffy creates a world that we have to learn more about!