BTVS has some really funny episodes, but this one is one of the best. It seems like it would be confusing or silly, with Willow's evil vampire twin running around Sunnydale, but really it's just brilliant. "Doppelgangland" would be hard to follow without first seeing its companion episode "The Wish." "The Wish" introduces Anya, Dark Sunnydale, Vampire Willow and the background information that helps makes "Doppelgangland" so great. You really can't skip either of them.
The episode is set into motion by Anya, who's stuck in mortal form and desperate to regain her powers. To do that she needs her necklace back, and unfortunately, Giles destroyed it in the Dark Sunnydale alternate reality of "The Wish." So, Anya decides to cast a little spell and enlists Willow to help. Willow is desperate to prove that she's not just a reliable good-two-shoes and agrees to help conger up the "dark arts." As usual, magic in Sunnydale goes wrong, though. Instead of bringing Anya's necklace back from the alternate Sunnydale, they get Vampire Willow.
Vampire Willow is not pleased to be in a world that lacks people she can ride around like ponies. She immediately starts recruiting vampire minions to help her make Sunnydale a haven for evil again and takes over the Bronze. Of, course everyone who sees her thinks that she is the Real Willow. At first their just confused. But when Buffy, Oz, Angel and Xander realize that she's a vampire, they all jump to the conclusion that Willow's been turned and is now un-dead. Grief stricken and unable to believe that this has happened the Scoobies try to figure out how to proceed. Luckily, Real Willow arrives and cheers everyone up with her alive-ness. She's not thrilled to hear that she has an evil double and the Scoobies set out to stop Vampire Willow's reign of terror.
Through a series of misadventures, Real Willow manages to lock Vampire Willow up in the library book cage. Then the two Willows switch clothes, so Real Willow can head to the Bronze and call of the vampire attack. In the meantime, Cordy, thinking that Vampire Willow is really Real Willow lets her out of the book cage and is nearly eaten. Wes has to save Cordelia from Vampire Willow. At the Bronze, Anya sees right through Real Willow's vampire act and a fight breaks out. Vampire Willow shows up, but Real Willow can't kill her. Instead the send her back to Dark Sunnydale... About half-a-second before alternate-reality-Oz stakes her.
There is so much to like about this episode. Giles, Buffy and Xander mourning Willow is especially great. They sit around the library too numbed by grief to move. When Real Willow walks in, alive and clearly not a vampire, Buffy and Xander hug her... Then Giles dashes forward to hug her, too. Very funny. And Anya is great in this episode. Her aggravation at being a human is just hilarious. "I'm 1120 years old, just give me a friggin' beer!" And I like that Cordelia finally confronts Willow about kissing Xander. Even if she actually talking to Vampire Willow. Finally, "Dopplegangland" also introduces the idea that Willow may be "kinna gay," a story line that will come into focus next season. I love how the show gives us hints of what's to come.
In the end, "Doppelgangland" is a success because of Willow. She's just wonderful. There are really four different incarnations of Willow in this episode and all of them are a joy to watch. Vampire Willow, Real Willow, Real Willow pretending to be Vampire Willow and Vampire Willow pretending to be Real Willow. But, it's pretty easy to tell them apart, because of the way that they act. Vampire Willow beats up just about everyone she meets. Real Willow tapes "Biography" every night. Real Willow shifts uncomfortably in Vampire Willow's leather and platform boots. Vampire Willow cringes at Real Willow's fuzzy pink sweater. "This is like a nightmare." But then Angel insinuates that a person's vampire self is actually influenced by their human personality. So, how much of Vampire Willow's "bored now" darkness is laying dormant inside Real Willow? It's a question the show revisits in season six.
On a nit-picky note, how does Anya survive in Sunnydale? Where does she get money? How can she afford a car or a place to live? She's a 1120 year old vengeance demon. How can she even register for classes at Sunnydale High? Also, I wish that Vampire Willow had recognized Angel as her "puppy" from Dark Sunnydale. Just to see what his reaction would be.
My favorite part of the episode: Real Willow, dressed as Vampire Willow, waving at Oz in the Bronze.
The episode is set into motion by Anya, who's stuck in mortal form and desperate to regain her powers. To do that she needs her necklace back, and unfortunately, Giles destroyed it in the Dark Sunnydale alternate reality of "The Wish." So, Anya decides to cast a little spell and enlists Willow to help. Willow is desperate to prove that she's not just a reliable good-two-shoes and agrees to help conger up the "dark arts." As usual, magic in Sunnydale goes wrong, though. Instead of bringing Anya's necklace back from the alternate Sunnydale, they get Vampire Willow.
Vampire Willow is not pleased to be in a world that lacks people she can ride around like ponies. She immediately starts recruiting vampire minions to help her make Sunnydale a haven for evil again and takes over the Bronze. Of, course everyone who sees her thinks that she is the Real Willow. At first their just confused. But when Buffy, Oz, Angel and Xander realize that she's a vampire, they all jump to the conclusion that Willow's been turned and is now un-dead. Grief stricken and unable to believe that this has happened the Scoobies try to figure out how to proceed. Luckily, Real Willow arrives and cheers everyone up with her alive-ness. She's not thrilled to hear that she has an evil double and the Scoobies set out to stop Vampire Willow's reign of terror.
Through a series of misadventures, Real Willow manages to lock Vampire Willow up in the library book cage. Then the two Willows switch clothes, so Real Willow can head to the Bronze and call of the vampire attack. In the meantime, Cordy, thinking that Vampire Willow is really Real Willow lets her out of the book cage and is nearly eaten. Wes has to save Cordelia from Vampire Willow. At the Bronze, Anya sees right through Real Willow's vampire act and a fight breaks out. Vampire Willow shows up, but Real Willow can't kill her. Instead the send her back to Dark Sunnydale... About half-a-second before alternate-reality-Oz stakes her.
There is so much to like about this episode. Giles, Buffy and Xander mourning Willow is especially great. They sit around the library too numbed by grief to move. When Real Willow walks in, alive and clearly not a vampire, Buffy and Xander hug her... Then Giles dashes forward to hug her, too. Very funny. And Anya is great in this episode. Her aggravation at being a human is just hilarious. "I'm 1120 years old, just give me a friggin' beer!" And I like that Cordelia finally confronts Willow about kissing Xander. Even if she actually talking to Vampire Willow. Finally, "Dopplegangland" also introduces the idea that Willow may be "kinna gay," a story line that will come into focus next season. I love how the show gives us hints of what's to come.
In the end, "Doppelgangland" is a success because of Willow. She's just wonderful. There are really four different incarnations of Willow in this episode and all of them are a joy to watch. Vampire Willow, Real Willow, Real Willow pretending to be Vampire Willow and Vampire Willow pretending to be Real Willow. But, it's pretty easy to tell them apart, because of the way that they act. Vampire Willow beats up just about everyone she meets. Real Willow tapes "Biography" every night. Real Willow shifts uncomfortably in Vampire Willow's leather and platform boots. Vampire Willow cringes at Real Willow's fuzzy pink sweater. "This is like a nightmare." But then Angel insinuates that a person's vampire self is actually influenced by their human personality. So, how much of Vampire Willow's "bored now" darkness is laying dormant inside Real Willow? It's a question the show revisits in season six.
On a nit-picky note, how does Anya survive in Sunnydale? Where does she get money? How can she afford a car or a place to live? She's a 1120 year old vengeance demon. How can she even register for classes at Sunnydale High? Also, I wish that Vampire Willow had recognized Angel as her "puppy" from Dark Sunnydale. Just to see what his reaction would be.
My favorite part of the episode: Real Willow, dressed as Vampire Willow, waving at Oz in the Bronze.