These Our Actors

FROM THE ARCHIVES (Buffy book reviews)

These Our Actors

Ashley McConnell & Dori Koogler (2002)

RATING: 4/5 Stakes

SETTING: Season Five

CAST APPEARANCES: Willow, Xander, Buffy, Anya, Tara, Spike, Giles, Cecily, Spike’s Mother, Drusilla, Angelus, Darla

MAJOR ORIGINAL CHARACTERS: Albert Addams (Cecily’s father); Laurie (stage manager); Cyril Lasher (rival of William); Denholm Reed, Denbigh, Jack Moreham (friends of Cecily’s father)

BACK-OF-THE-BOOK SUMMARY: “Willow Rosenberg is disappointed when her best friend Buffy, aka the Chosen One, decides to drop drama class in order to concentrate on her Slaying. Willow decides to stick with the class on her own, however, and this once-shy wallflower is pleased to find herself way bitten with the acting bug. It’s no surprise to Buffy and the Scoobs, then, when Willow decides to pitch in with the drama club’s latest production. Of course, Sunnydale being Hellmouth Central, Willow soon discovers a link between drama and magick; in fact, many ancient Greek performances were actually invocations to the Gods. Spike, who in his pre-vamp days had been a great patron of the arts, confirms this fact. He also takes an unusual level of interest in Willow’s extracurricular activities. When strange paranormal occurrences—and the appearances of a ghost or two—threaten Willow’s safety, the witch starts to wonder if it isn’t time to exit, stage left . . .”

REVIEW

These Our Actors is really two stories, tied together by a common antagonist. In the present-day tale, Willow decides to help out with the drama club only to find that the drama professor is busy summoning ghosts and trying to bring back the dead. In the tale told through flashbacks, we see Spike, just weeks after having been sired by Drusilla, trying to get revenge on Cecily for humiliating him and spurning his love. The common antagonist? Cecily’s father, Albert Addams, who has apparently discovered a way to extend his life through dark magicks.

The present-day story is pretty much average. Willow and Spike have a few interesting scenes together, but there is otherwise not much of interest going on. Buffy, Tara, Giles, and others make only brief appearances. Present-day Addams plan to use a special ritual to accomplish his evil ends is standard Buffy fare.

However, These Our Actors really shines in the flashback to Spike’s early days. The authors have a good grasp on Spike’s personality, as well as his companions (Drusilla, Darla, and Angelus) during this time period. As Spike sets out on a plan to make Cecily pay for her “crimes”, the tension mounts and exciting story elements are brought into play. Unfortunately, the story doesn’t fit into continuity very well with the revelations (at least in the comics) that Cecily became a vengeance demon.To sum it up, if you’re interested in the early years of Spike, pick up this book. Otherwise, you can do better.