Now I know Joss Whedon has said that there is nothing behind the cheese man from season 4’s Restless, but I am not sure that I believe that. Cheese is brought up many times in this series. Riley asks Willow what Buffy likes. Willow says cheese. They bring it up a few other times.
Now we all have heard the children’s song “The Farmer in the Dell”. In this song, they say, “The cheese stands alone, the cheese stands alone. High hoe the derryo the cheese stands alone.” This could very well be symbolism for Buffy. Buffy is the slayer. She is the chosen “one”. She is always alone, even when she is surrounded by people. She has a sacred birth right which separates her from the rest of the world. Throughout this entire series, we see Buffy struggle with the lonliness she feels from being the slayer. This would not be a rash assumption to believe. Maybe subconsciously cheese keeps coming up because of this reason. Buffy is the cheese. That would make sense as to why cheese constantly comes up. It would make sense as to why Willow tells Riley that she likes cheese. If it is a metaphor for Buffy, it would be true that she likes herself. After all, who doesn’t enjoy talking about themselves? And Buffy more than anyone. Now I love Buffy, but because of being the slayer, she does have a “ME” complex.
Yes, the Cheese Man is funny as hell. Nobody could ever deny that. He has become a sensation for Buffy fans everywhere. But it would make sense as to why he keeps showing up during pivotal moments throughout this episode.
When Willow is extremely confused trying to make her way through, there is the Cheese Man saying “I’ve made a little space for the cheese slices”.This could have to do with the fact that her and Buffy are drifting apart. She needs to make room for cheese aka Buffy in her life again.
When the first slayer is trying to break into Xander’s room, the Cheese Man shows up and tells him, “These will not protect you.” This could be metaphorical for cheese aka Buffy not being able to protect him, as is very much shown in the up and coming seasons. Buffy is unable to protect Xander. After all, he loses an eye!
While Giles is discussing what needs to be done with Spike, the Cheese Man shows up yet again saying, “I wear the cheese. It does not wear me.” This could mean that the cheese should not be controlling his life. He should not have to answer to the cheese. The cheese should answer to him. He is Buffy’s mentor. He is Buffy’s watcher. He should be telling her what to do. She should not control him. Giles should be the one calling the shots, not the other way around.
And last but especially not least, when Buffy is having her confrontation with her the first slayer the Cheese man shows up again. He says nothing. He merely waves cheese in between the two slayers. Why? Because they are alone. That is the point of this entire freaking episode! That is the point of the confrontation between the two. It’s about being alone. It’s about the fact that the slayer is one. The slayer is only. The slayer is alone.
I read something once stating that the cheese is symbolic for Buffy because of the cheese from Farmer in the Dell. This post is my views and thoughts on the whole idea of it. I hope you enjoyed it!
