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The Gentlemen murder by cutting chests open and eradicating hearts, penetrative acts. Nosferatu, Pinhead from Hellraiser, and Mr. Burns from The Simpsons all served as physical fashions for The Gentlemen. Humorous misperceptions come up from this gesturing when, for example, Buffy mimes driving in a stake-as if killing a vampire-too close to her pelvis, causing the Scoobies to think she is suggesting masturbating to rid the town of The Gentlemen. The clumsiness of the characters' gesturing is in direct distinction to the grace of The Gentlemen, who talk easily via gestures and other visible signals. For Buffy research scholar Rhonda Wilcox, The Gentlemen and their straitjacket-wearing minions, who clumsily flap, gyrate, and crouch as they move, are representative of class disparity and patriarchy: The Gentlemen, with their Victorian fits, transfer effortlessly to accomplish what they set out to do while their minions, whom Whedon referred to as "footmen", do the "soiled work". Miranda and Steve transfer in together. The writers wanted to make the scene wherein Tara and Willow move the vending machine by working collectively "sensual and highly effective", and "a really empowering assertion about love; that two people together can accomplish more than after they're alone". As newcomers to the Scooby Gang, Tara Maclay and Giles' girlfriend Olivia (Phina Oruche) are inexperienced with monsters, and have been introduced in to precise "real childlike terror". |
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