david-2483

I just love this episode. Xander really carries it, something he's failed to do in the other Xander-center episodes IMO. Cordy is absolutely withering in her disdain for Xander and, of course, HOT. The monster plot is at first mysterious and ominous and later a beautiful in-joke. Jack O'Toole is brilliantly psychotic. His gang is pretty bleh, but they serve their purpose. Even Faith is interesting and sexy in this episode. The denouement is brilliant both in the gang's discussion of the monster and Xander's penultimate confrontation with Cordy.

Xander will forget the life lessons he's learned in this episode, but for one brief shining week he gets to be the man.

The very sympathetic character of Huck Cheever displays some of the worst compulsive gambler behavior. It's appropriate to the movie and is certainly exhibited by many people who gamble a lot. In fact, it might be the most realistic part of the movie. Unfortunately, the only thing that keeps spouses sane is not knowing

I'm a very frequent poker player and sports bettor, and I enjoyed the movie. But the less intimately acquainted my wife is with the pitfalls of gambling the better she'll sleep. Besides, all the Drew Barrymore scenes really seemed flat to me so it may not even be a very good date movie.