I think I enjoyed The Puppet Show more this time than I ever have before. It's not that I didn't like it before, I did, it just seemed like an episode that got lost in my mind. Well this time around it really stuck out. Firstly, as we all know, puppets are evil, so the basis of the episode has always been sound.
Secondly, the dread that any normal person has of a talent show is wonderfully shown in this episode. From Giles pleading for a tuba player to come onstage after listening to Cordy sing the first verse of The Greatest Love of All ("Lisa. Please!"), to Xander's remark after being told by the new Principal, the wonderfully horrible Mr. Synder, that they have no school spirit and must take part in the talent show, "Whatever happened to corporal punishment?" the horror of this episode is much more real world than the supernatural. Which is good, because when you have possessed puppets it needs to be.
The real greatness in this episode though is the script and in that area Snyder and Xander get all the best lines, IMO.
When telling the Scoobs that there's a new sheriff in town. "Mr Flutie might've gone in for that touchy feely relating nonsense. But he was eaten. You're in my world now and Sunnydale has touched, felt for the last time."
As well as talking to Giles. " I know what Flutie would've said. Kids need understanding. Kids are human beings. That kind of thinking leads to getting eaten."
While Xander gives us "I have my pride. Not a lot of my pride, but enough not to do this." when coming to terms with having to do the show. As well as squealing "REDRUM! REDRUM!" with the doll. That line always makes me laugh. He gets my favourite line in the episode, too, when Sid does his impression of Basil Exposition, Xander chimes in -
"It makes a welcome change to hear someone else explain all these things."
One thing I did notice, I think for the first time, in the episode was how the music sounded like 'horror movie music' Quite reminiscent of A Nightmare On Elm Street at times, I thought. I don't really watch modern horror, but those I do don't seem to have that music anymore. Something else that places this firmly at the end of the C20th?
I've always loved the ending of this episode. Not the fight or anything, but the actual ending. The curtain going back and the ridiculous carnage being displayed on stage. They've killed the demon and saved the day, Giles almost died and they're all there, weapons in hand, standing over the vanquished.... And then they're fully displayed with an expectant audience.
Snyder's "What is this? Avant-Garde?" is a great last line, too.
BTW, question for Americans. How dark are highschool locker rooms there?
Ours had a lightswitch by the door which lit up the entire room is dazzlingly bright light. You'd think Sunnydale, of all places, would be exceedingly well lit.