Does your butt make me look fat?

So I think nearly any TV series that deals with magic/dark forces and even several just sci-fi, there comes a point in the series when they do an episode where they switch bodies. Watching "Buffy" season 4 there is one such episode ("Who Are You?") which reminds me why these body-switching episodes are some of my favorites; mostly because they really show the strength of a series and of the actors.

Probably my favorite of the body switching episodes was the one from "Farscape," mostly because there are several body swaps, which keeps it interesting. Through all the swaps we get to see exaggerated caricatures of all the characters as perceived by the different actors. It gives one an interesting view of what others perceive to be the defining characteristics of a character. For instance D'Argo having Chiana's mind within him, Anthony Simcoe (who plays D'Argo) really emphasizes Chiana's sensual nature and how she holds her body; this overemphasis adds great comedic value. It also show Simcoe's acting ability as he can do more beyond the warrior D'Argo. So these body-switching episodes are a fun change of pace to a series, and we get to see the actors' real abilities on playing a variety of personalities in a short amount of time.

A variation to the body-switching episodes is an "alternate reality" where characters get to play their opposites; again, like the body switching there is much comedy and breadth of performance from the actors. My favorite from these is the "Buffy" episode "The Wish" in which we see a Sunnydale without Buffy, including Willow and Xander as vampires. Willow as evil vampire is quite fun.

Now, body-switching episodes don't always work; usually if they don't work it's because either the writers or the actors can't work outside of the box. But when it does work, it's great.

But for now, "Am I the only one who thinks his head looks like an octopus?" (Club Dread)