Buffy ep by ep; rewatch and reviews

[I am not Spock]

we don't like seeing Buffy humiliated (in a non sexual sense)

Are you implying we like to see Buffy sexually humiliated?

This. I'm a guy, and I felt just terrible for her in Innocence when Angelus was saying all those nasty things the morning after. It gives guys a bad name!

As for DMP's lowly 3/10 score, I can actually see why they did this episode at this point in the season. They needed a light episode, a moment of levity before the latter half of the season gets ultra dark. In fact, the very next episode is the uber-dark Dead Things. If you have worked in fast food (I have) DMP makes a lot more in-joke sense. Fast food joints really are that horrid to work in.

 

[saturn5]

we don't like seeing Buffy humiliated (in a non sexual sense)

Are you implying we like to see Buffy sexually humiliated?

By which I mean the Buffy/Spike sex, a lot of Spuffers adored it even though SMG herself said she found it 'degrading'. The Bronze scene in this ep is a case in point.
Although I agree, a thousand times better than Angelus' incredibly nasty goading of Buffy in Innocene.

Yeah, DMP was supposed to a moment levity before the darkness but it just feels somehow depressing?

DEAD THINGS

The Good;
The tearful, incredibly intimate scene between Buffy and Dawn in bed. Also am I the only one who is charmed by Buffy confiding in Tara who seems to have blossomed once she split up from Willow? LOVE the Buffy/Tara scene at the end, how many times have you seen a character crying on her knees begging NOT to be forgiven?

The Bad;
Even with the 'happy' ending hugely depressing.

Best line;
Willow; "Shimmy on out when you're done lubricating"

Women good/men bad;
The Geeks show their horrid misogyny. Especially awful when they refer to Katrina's body as 'it'. We see the fault lines develop in the Troika as Andrew sides with Warren and Joanthon starts to pull away from them.

Jeez!;
The killing of Katrina is just awful beyond belief

Kinky dinky; Where to begin? I've heard that SMG was no fan of the Spike/Buffy relationship, she found it demeaning and it's probably because of eps like this. SO packed full of sex and sexual metaphor with the scene at the Bronze astonishingly graphic (actually that's not true, we see absolutely NOTHING but Buffy and Spike's expressions convey so much you think you've discovered free cable porn by accident) .
Altogether now, "BAZOMBAS!" The Geeks voyeurism at the bar and enslavement of Katrina, making her wear her ridiculously sexy French Maid outfit is funny, creepy, pathetic and sexy all at the same time. But overall just CREEPY! Her flat monotone voice is especially upsetting she really does come across as a human robot (how could anyone find that attractive?). I fast forwarded through this bit on my rewatch as it just makes me cringe. As Katrina says it is rape (although you'd wonder exactly what the Sunnydale Police would do with her allegation, it's not like she has any proof? There may be a test for rohypnol but not for the influence of Magic Orbs) Obviously we're supposed to think they're going to hypnotise Buffy and make her their 'willing sex bunny' and it's been the subject of much fanfic not least because Buffy would have cleaned their clocks once the effects wore off, Katrina would still be alive and in some ways meaningless sex with them would still have been healthier than Spike? (read one very clever one where the effects of the orbs wears off but Buffy keeps playing along anyway, turning the tables on the Geeks by exploiting them as an occasional guilt-free booty call). Katrina refers to April the sexbot as Warren's 'wind up slut'.
Buffy and Spike on the crypt floor is full of mixed messages. They missed the bed, again. Spike says Buffy 'Makes it hurt in all the wrong places' and says she's an 'animal' (which Buffy denies, her Buffy side struggling against her Slayer essence?) and Spike asks if she'd like to see the bitemarks? "You're amazing" and "You get the job done yourself". However Buffy seems to draw the line at handcuff sex, she sometimes likes Spike but she NEVER trusts him (and events will prove her right). We later see in her dream sequence that Spike is the one wearing the cuffs BUT she flinches guiltily later when Anya remarks that she's been 'all tied up' so I think it's open to debate as to whether she wore them or not. Anya also refers to Buffy 'pounding the big evil'. Their sex is so powerful Buffy loses the ability to use her legs for a while afterwards.
Exactly what sort of sex do Buffy and Spike have at the Bronze? Exhibitionist certainly but what of Spike's goes where in Buffy precisiely ? I've heard one of the writers has previously stated it's conventional sex but it doesn't look like that to me, it looks like something much more kinky, intimate and taboo (Buffy even remarks beforehand that she needs 'More lubrication'!?). Fifth base?
A LOT more importantly this is the ep the Spike-defenders always refer to in regard to the later rape scene, she goes 'Don't' but he presses on saying 'Stop me' and she succumbs and melts into bliss like they're Rhett and Scarlet on the staircase or something. I don't buy it, when Buffy says "Don't" she doesn't necessarily want him to stop. When she starts crying, struggling, shaking and begging him 'Please! Stop! No!" on the bathroom floor she WANTS him to stop!

Captain Subtext;
Buffy imagines herself having sex with Katrina. Katrina tells the Geeks they'll be homosexually raped in prison. If ever there was a time for Buffy and Tara to hook up it would be between the end of this ep and the next. Warren tells a struggling Andrew and Jonathon 'You girls stop touching each other'.
Buffy just wants to curl up on the sofa for the night with Dawn but there's a distance between them. Joyce's illness and death brought them closer but Buffy's detachment since her ressurection has forced them apart again.

Guantanamo Bay;

Scoobies to the ER;

Missing scenes;
Apocalypses; 6
Whedon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)

Scoobies in bondage: Buffy imagines herself in handcuffs (wants to be punished? Is that why she wants to go to jail?) but only in a dream sequence as far as we know for sure.
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 1
Dawn; 3

Scoobies knocked out:
Buffy: 17
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 11
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;3
Dawn; 2

Kills: 1 demon for Buffy and 2 for Spike
Buffy: 103 vamps, 42 demons, 6 monsters, 3 humans, 1 werewolf, 1 spirit warrior & a robot
Giles: 8 vamps, 2 demon, 1 human, 1 god.
Cordy: 3 vamps, ½ a demon
Will: 6 vamps + 3 demons +1 fawn.
Angel: 3 vamps, 1 demon, 1 human
Oz: 3 vamps, 1 zombie
Faith: 16 vamps, 5 demons, 3 humans
Xander: 6 vamps, 2 zombies, 1½ a demon,
Anya: 1 vamp and 1½ a demon
Riley; 18 vamps + 7 demons
Spike; 8 vamps and 4 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp

Scoobies go evil:
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 2
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1

Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 7
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1

Recurring characters killed: 11, poor Katrina
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina

Sunnydale deaths;
93

Total number of scoobies:
Xander, Willow, Buffy, Anya, Spike,

Xander demon magnet: 5(6?)
Preying Mantis Lady, Inca Mummy Girl, Drusilla, VampWillow, Anya (arguably Buffy & Faith with their demon essences?), Dracula?

Scoobies shot:
Giles: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 4
Riley; 1

Notches on Scooby bedpost:
Giles: 2; Joyce & Olivia, possibly Jenny and 3xDraccy babes?
Cordy: 1?
Buffy: 4 confirmed; Angel, Parker, Riley, Spike. 1 possible, Dracula(?)
Angel: 1;Buffy
Joyce: 1;Giles, 2 possible, Ted and Dracula(?)
Oz: 3; Groupie, Willow & Verucca
Faith:2 ;Xander, Riley
Xander: 2; Faith, Anya
Willow: 2;Oz and Tara
Riley; 3; Buffy, Sandy and unnamed vampwhore
Spike; 1 Buffy

Spike; good or bad?
A pivotal episode in this genre. Spike cares for Buffy so he helps her cover up the murder. But he doesn't care for Katrina, he truly doesn't understand why Buffy is so upset at killing her (even Faith and Warren show remorse). Not his fault, he doesn't have a soul. Spike makes many of the arguments that Faith made when she killed Finch but the difference is that Faith was in denial and making excuses whilst Spike actually believes what he's saying, he has no guilt as Faith had. He also comments that he once ate a decorator.

Dawn in peril; 8

Dawn the bashful virgin; 6

What the fanficcers thought;
Dawn seduces Buffy to make her stay http://buffy.adultfanfiction.net/story.php?no=17694 (needless to say over 18s only!)

Questions and observations;
Once again we see the difference in Faith and Buffy, how Buffy reacts to having killed someone and how Faith did (at least how she did in the past). Why doesn't Buffy just go to the Watcher's Council and ask them for their judgement? Willow has had no spells for 32 days, making this ep a full month after DMP. Note Buffy's little 'Thank you' to God/PTB when Katrina's scream interrupts her lusty feelings for Spike. Please note that when Buffy tells Dawn what's happened and what she intends to do Dawn never goes "What's going to happen to me?", she only expresses concern for her sister not herself. "You always hurt the one you love" is featured again just like in the Angel ep RM w/a Vu. Some great acting from Danny Strong when Warren and Andrew are euphoric at getting away with murder, you can just see Jonathon knows he's got in way over his head.

Marks out of 10; 5/10 good episode but not much fun for anyone

 

[I am not Spock]

Dead Things was an especially dark and depressing episode, wasn't it?. Warren's misogyny just shocking to watch by this point. The geeks are pretty much not played for laughs anymore at this point in the season. Even Jonathan realises he's in way over his head, and starts growing a conscience.

I did find the Buffy/Tara scene at the end very moving, though.

 

[WillsBabe]

I really enjoyed the Buffy-Tara moments. They are two characters who haven't had much to do with each other. I liked the way the writers turned Tara into the mother-confessor for a short while. It saddens me to think how Tara could have continued to have matured, but never did.

I've found the Buffy/Spike dynanmic really compelling to watch from this season onwards, like a car crash in a way: horrible but complusive.

 

[Forbin]

Now as we've all wondered before during 'Anne' surely a girl as beautiful as Buffy can get a better job?

I know some absolutely stunning woman at work who are nothing but office workers. SMG is a bowser compared to one or two of them. Okay, that was extreme - SMG isn't a bowser, but you get the point. Beauty has little relation on career unless said beauty is teamed with ambition, talent, luck, etc.

 

[saturn5]

I really enjoyed the Buffy-Tara moments. They are two characters who haven't had much to do with each other. I liked the way the writers turned Tara into the mother-confessor for a short while. It saddens me to think how Tara could have continued to have matured, but never did.

I've found the Buffy/Spike dynanmic really compelling to watch from this season onwards, like a car crash in a way: horrible but complusive.

Yes on both points, never a Spuffer but found the Buffy/Spike relationship interesting, much like Angel/Darla. And yeah, it's wonderful to see Tara develop and how she is the character everyone loves, even Anya. It's especially lovely between season 5/6 where Willow/Tara are Dawn's surrogate parents, their own little lesbian family.

SMG is 'no bowser'? Voted sexiest woman in the world in 1999! Where do you work, I want to meet these women!

 

[Forbin]

SMG is 'no bowser'? Voted sexiest woman in the world in 1999! Where do you work, I want to meet these women!

Was she really?! Must have been a lean year for contestants! I think Sarah's beautiful, sure, but she's not even in my top ten.

 

[I am not Spock]

I like the Tara/Buffy confidant relationship, too. I think the seeds of that were sown as far back as The Body, when Tara and Buffy talk about their mothers in the hospital.

I don't really get Spuffers, to be honest. Their relationship was rather like a train wreck, you know its horrific, but you cant stop watching. It's such an abusive relationship (I'm not a Twilight fan at all, but it makes the Edward stalkery thing look clean cut in comparison).

I also loved Tara/Willow as Dawn's surrogate parents thing too.

 

[saturn5]

SMG is 'no bowser'? Voted sexiest woman in the world in 1999! Where do you work, I want to meet these women!

Was she really?! Must have been a lean year for contestants! I think Sarah's beautiful, sure, but she's not even in my top ten.

I rate SMG as my 4th favourite Scoobygirl, Faith number 1, then Cordy, then season 7 Dawn, then SMG tied with Kate Lochley but she's still incredible.
Yeah, The Body is where Tara and Buffy really get together although they do get snuggly in Triangle. Tara and Dawn seem to always have been close.
As for Twilight well straight girls have weird taste, as Spike observes they even marry serial killers in prison. One area where men maybe have the moral high ground?

OLDER AND FAR AWAY
　
The Good;
Everything with Halfrek who I really like for some reason. Clem really comes into his own as a character here for the first time. Tara and Willow start to get back together and I also adore Sophie. Once again contrast Tara standing up to Spike and Anya here with the shy girl in 'Hush', she really has grown tremmendously.

The Bad;
Note there's a Sunnydale High Razorbacks pennant behind Halfrek in her office. But Dawn doesn't go to Sunnydale High (yet). The potion that Tara mixes up to try to break the spell looks like she's trying to make a chocolate cake.

Best line;
Spike; "I had a muscle cramp, Buffy was helping"
Tara; "A muscle cramp. In your pants? You might want to put some ice on that"

Women good/men bad;
Anya implies that Halfrek has 'daddy issues'

Jeez!;
Upsetting to watch Anya have her panic attack.

Kinky dinky;
Richard, the handsome guy Xander has set Buffy up with, even Tara thinks he's cute. Dawn not only in leather for the first time but check out her miniskirt, fishnets and knee boots at the party, Joyce's little girl all grown up! (Eliza Dushku always complained that she got a lot of fanmail from guys in prison and couldn't believe that they showed a TV series full of hot teenage girls to incarcerated criminals. You shudder to think what kind of letters MT must have recieved). Spike asks Buffy if she'd like to 'blow out his candle'? Willow's back massager present for Buffy is certain to provide 'Instant gratification for all aches' (anyone else think of Samantha and her 'back massager' from Sex and the City?)

Captain Subtext;
Clem also thinks Richard is cute. In many ways he comes to resemble Buffy/Dawn's gay/demon male friend. Tara calls Buffy 'Sweetie'. They also refer to telling everyone their big secret and deciding it's time to 'Come out'. They probably mean Buffy's affair with Spike but what really happened after Buffy collapses into Tara's arms at the end of 'Dead Things'? Might she have jumped on the sapphic bandwagon a few years before Satsu? Taffy anyone? See also missing scenes.

Scoobies to the ER;
Xander cut but Richard is the only one to go to hosptial.

Missing scenes;
Reputedly a scene was filmed where Buffy and Dawn run out of the house at the end but I prefer the subtle implication of the ending we have. Also Buffy tells Tara how much she loves her and Tara reminds her "I'm a fag sweetie"

Whedon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)

Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 1
Dawn; 3

Scoobies knocked out:
Buffy: 17
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 11
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;3
Dawn; 2

Kills: Buffy kills one demon
Buffy: 103 vamps, 43 demons, 6 monsters, 3 humans, 1 werewolf, 1 spirit warrior & a robot
Giles: 8 vamps, 2 demon, 1 human, 1 god.
Cordy: 3 vamps, ½ a demon
Will: 6 vamps + 3 demons +1 fawn.
Angel: 3 vamps, 1 demon, 1 human
Oz: 3 vamps, 1 zombie
Faith: 16 vamps, 5 demons, 3 humans
Xander: 6 vamps, 2 zombies, 1½ a demon,
Anya: 1 vamp and 1½ a demon
Riley; 18 vamps + 7 demons
Spike; 8 vamps and 4 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp

Scoobies go evil:
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 2
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1

Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 7
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1

Recurring characters killed: 11
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina


Sunnydale deaths;
95

Total number of scoobies:
Xander, Willow, Buffy, Anya, Spike,

Xander demon magnet: 5(6?)
Preying Mantis Lady, Inca Mummy Girl, Drusilla, VampWillow, Anya (arguably Buffy & Faith with their demon essences?), Dracula?

Scoobies shot:
Giles: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 4
Riley; 1

Notches on Scooby bedpost:
Giles: 2; Joyce & Olivia, possibly Jenny and 3xDraccy babes? Cordy: 1?
Buffy: 4 confirmed; Angel, Parker, Riley, Spike. 1 possible, Dracula(?)
Angel: 1;Buffy
Joyce: 1;Giles, 2 possible, Ted and Dracula(?)
Oz: 3; Groupie, Willow & Verucca
Faith:2 ;Xander, Riley
Xander: 2; Faith, Anya
Willow: 2;Oz and Tara
Riley; 3; Buffy, Sandy and unnamed vampwhore
Spike; 1 Buffy
Spike; good or bad?

Dawn in peril; 8

Dawn the bashful virgin; 6

Questions and observations;
Another appalling Buffy birthday, if I was her I'd just hide under the bed all day and have Dawn bring me the occasional cup of tea until midnight. The title is a quote from Empire of the Sun (the book not the band) which Dawn is discussing in class at the beginning of the ep. Xander refers to Children of the Corn, Nic Brendon having acted in one of the sequals. Halfrek refers to vengence demons as 'justice demons' FYI. What does 'Total JD' mean?
Spike and Halfrek, hmmmm? Question is did Cecilly become Halfrek as Aud became Anyanka? OR was there NEVER a Cecilly, was there only ever Halfrek?
Subtle but very interesting final scene. Everyone leaves but Buffy and Dawn. They bid their friends goodbye then look at each other and smile. Because although they didn't want to be trapped there's no reason for them to leave because this is their house, this is where they belong together. Dawn wanted Buffy to spend more time with her and now when she has the option to leave she instead chooses to stay with the sister she loves and who loves her in return. Dawn is finally getting Buffy back in soul as well as in body.

Marks out of 10; 8/10, really like this one


OLDER AND FAR AWAY
　
The Good;
Everything with Halfrek who I really like for some reason. Clem really comes into his own as a character here for the first time. Tara and Willow start to get back together and I also adore Sophie. Once again contrast Tara standing up to Spike and Anya here with the shy girl in 'Hush', she really has grown tremmendously.
The Bad;
Note there's a Sunnydale High Razorbacks pennant behind Halfrek in her office. But Dawn doesn't go to Sunnydale High (yet). The potion that Tara mixes up to try to break the spell looks like she's trying to make a chocolate cake.
Best line;
Spike; "I had a muscle cramp, Buffy was helping"
Tara; "A muscle cramp. In your pants? You might want to put some ice on that"
Women good/men bad;
Anya implies that Halfrek has 'daddy issues'
Jeez!;
Upsetting to watch Anya have her panic attack.
Kinky dinky;
Richard, the handsome guy Xander has set Buffy up with, even Tara thinks he's cute. Dawn not only in leather for the first time but check out her miniskirt, fishnets and knee boots at the party, Joyce's little girl all grown up! (Eliza Dushku always complained that she got a lot of fanmail from guys in prison and couldn't believe that they showed a TV series full of hot teenage girls to incarcerated criminals. You shudder to think what kind of letters MT must have recieved). Spike asks Buffy if she'd like to 'blow out his candle'? Willow's back massager present for Buffy is certain to provide 'Instant gratification for all aches' (anyone else think of Samantha and her 'back massager' from Sex and the City?)
Captain Subtext;
Clem also thinks Richard is cute. In many ways he comes to resemble Buffy/Dawn's gay/demon male friend. Tara calls Buffy 'Sweetie'. They also refer to telling everyone their big secret and deciding it's time to 'Come out'. They probably mean Buffy's affair with Spike but what really happened after Buffy collapses into Tara's arms at the end of 'Dead Things'? Might she have jumped on the sapphic bandwagon a few years before Satsu? Taffy anyone? See also missing scenes.
Guantanamo Bay;
Scoobies to the ER;
Xander cut but Richard is the only one to go to hosptial.
Missing scenes;
Reputedly a scene was filmed where Buffy and Dawn run out of the house at the end but I prefer the subtle implication of the ending we have. Also Buffy tells Tara how much she loves her and Tara reminds her "I'm a fag sweetie"
Apocalypses; 6
Whedon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)

Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 1
Dawn; 3

Scoobies knocked out:
Buffy: 17
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 11
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;3
Dawn; 2
Kills: Buffy kills one demon
Buffy: 103 vamps, 43 demons, 6 monsters, 3 humans, 1 werewolf, 1 spirit warrior & a robot
Giles: 8 vamps, 2 demon, 1 human, 1 god.
Cordy: 3 vamps, ½ a demon
Will: 6 vamps + 3 demons +1 fawn.
Angel: 3 vamps, 1 demon, 1 human
Oz: 3 vamps, 1 zombie
Faith: 16 vamps, 5 demons, 3 humans
Xander: 6 vamps, 2 zombies, 1½ a demon,
Anya: 1 vamp and 1½ a demon
Riley; 18 vamps + 7 demons
Spike; 8 vamps and 4 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp

Scoobies go evil:
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 2
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1

Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 7
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1

Recurring characters killed: 11
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina

Sunnydale deaths;
95

Total number of scoobies:
Xander, Willow, Buffy, Anya, Spike,

Xander demon magnet: 5(6?)
Preying Mantis Lady, Inca Mummy Girl, Drusilla, VampWillow, Anya (arguably Buffy & Faith with their demon essences?), Dracula?

Scoobies shot:
Giles: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 4
Riley; 1

Notches on Scooby bedpost:
Giles: 2; Joyce & Olivia, possibly Jenny and 3xDraccy babes?
Cordy: 1?
Buffy: 4 confirmed; Angel, Parker, Riley, Spike. 1 possible, Dracula(?)
Angel: 1;Buffy
Joyce: 1;Giles, 2 possible, Ted and Dracula(?)
Oz: 3; Groupie, Willow & Verucca
Faith:2 ;Xander, Riley
Xander: 2; Faith, Anya
Willow: 2;Oz and Tara
Riley; 3; Buffy, Sandy and unnamed vampwhore
Spike; 1 Buffy
Spike; good or bad?
Dawn in peril; 8
Dawn the bashful virgin; 6
Questions and observations;
Another appalling Buffy birthday, if I was her I'd just hide under the bed all day and have Dawn bring me the occasional cup of tea until midnight. The title is a quote from Empire of the Sun (the book not the band) which Dawn is discussing in class at the beginning of the ep. Xander refers to Children of the Corn, Nic Brendon having acted in one of the sequals. Halfrek refers to vengence demons as 'justice demons' FYI. What does 'Total JD' mean?
Spike and Halfrek, hmmmm? Question is did Cecilly become Halfrek as Aud became Anyanka? OR was there NEVER a Cecilly, was there only ever Halfrek?
Subtle but very interesting final scene. Everyone leaves but Buffy and Dawn. They bid their friends goodbye then look at each other and smile. Because although they didn't want to be trapped there's no reason for them to leave because this is their house, this is where they belong together. Dawn wanted Buffy to spend more time with her and now when she has the option to leave she instead chooses to stay with the sister she loves and who loves her in return. Dawn is finally getting Buffy back in soul as well as in body.
Marks out of 10; 8/10, really like this one

 

[Forbin]

So good we reviewed it twice, folks!

 

[McCoy]

Ha! I thought I was seeing things.

 

[saturn5]

Oooops

AS YOU WERE
　
The Good;
I never really liked Riley when he was a regular but in small doses I find him much more agreeable (and indeed feel the same way for Connor on Angel)

The Bad;
One thing that always shakes me about this ep is that Riley's wife Sam looks so much like Warren's ex Katrina. Also rather a spoiler when Marc Blucas' name appears in the opening credits. Have a look at the scene where the demon attacks on Main Street Sunnydale, the couple sitting at the coffee shop don't react at all. Since when does Sunnydale have this huge dam just outside it? Why do Riley and Buffy have to dump most of their weapons to go down on the line together, can't they just go down one at a time?

Best line;
Buffy (staring shocked at Riley);"Were you always this tall?" (yes which is one of the reasons he and petite Buffy were so ridiculous as a couple)

Women good/men bad;
Riley says he is in command of Sam. She says 'He wishes'. Buffy says she's not defined by who's she with, the beginning of her cookie dough philosophy.

Kinky dinky;
Riley walks in on Buffy and Spike. Buffy changes in front of him but he doesn't look (seen it all before?). Buffy and Spike against the tree right in the open outside the Summer's house. Some very risque comments about 'Letting you in' and 'Come outside' that could be open to interpretation. But Buffy's 'He's not getting any gentler' remark gives a different aspect to all this, it seems almost joyless for her. According to Spike he and Buffy have sex for five hours straight but this is the last time they ever will.

Captain Subtext;
Xander is starting to dream of flower bouquets. Riley comments that he's seen enough of Spike's 'dead body' for one night. Willow comments how as a little girl she used to dream about marrying Xander but now seems glad to have ducked the bullet. After the events of 'Older and Farther Away' Buffy and Dawn seem much closer, getting on better, Dawn happy to go to school and kissing an ecstatic Buffy before she leaves.
Spike seems to revel in flashing his nakedness in front of Riley, prompting him to comment that 'I've seen enough of your dead body for one evening'. Anya comments that if Xander is such a big fan of Riley he should just marry him. Buffy says she loves Riley's wife too.
Once again Buffy says of guns "These are never useful" foreshadowing the end of the season.

Guantanamo Bay;
Riley's glad to be back in Sunnydale where he knows who to beat for information. Spike objects to Riley's search of his crypt as unconstitutional.

Apocalypses; 6

Whedon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)

Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 1
Dawn; 3

Scoobies knocked out:
Buffy: 17
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 11
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;3
Dawn; 2

Kills: one vamp and a dozen demons for Buffy. Weirdly the vamp wears a peace symbol on his jacket.
Buffy: 104 vamps, 55 demons, 6 monsters, 3 humans, 1 werewolf, 1 spirit warrior & a robot
Giles: 8 vamps, 2 demon, 1 human, 1 god.
Cordy: 3 vamps, ½ a demon
Will: 6 vamps + 3 demons +1 fawn.
Angel: 3 vamps, 1 demon, 1 human
Oz: 3 vamps, 1 zombie
Faith: 16 vamps, 5 demons, 3 humans
Xander: 6 vamps, 2 zombies, 1½ a demon,
Anya: 1 vamp and 1½ a demon
Riley; 18 vamps + 7 demons
Spike; 8 vamps and 4 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp

Scoobies go evil:
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 2
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1

Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 7
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1

Recurring characters killed: 11
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina


Sunnydale deaths;
93

Total number of scoobies:
Xander, Willow, Buffy, Anya, Spike,

Xander demon magnet: 5(6?)
Preying Mantis Lady, Inca Mummy Girl, Drusilla, VampWillow, Anya (arguably Buffy & Faith with their demon essences?), Dracula?

Scoobies shot: Buffy uses Riley's shotgun and tranquiliser gun but can't hit anything with either. She makes better use of his belt of grenades.
Giles: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 4
Riley; 1

Notches on Scooby bedpost:
Giles: 2; Joyce & Olivia, possibly Jenny and 3xDraccy babes? Cordy: 1?
Buffy: 4 confirmed; Angel, Parker, Riley, Spike. 1 possible, Dracula(?)
Angel: 1;Buffy
Joyce: 1;Giles, 2 possible, Ted and Dracula(?)
Oz: 3; Groupie, Willow & Verucca
Faith:2 ;Xander, Riley
Xander: 2; Faith, Anya
Willow: 2;Oz and Tara
Riley; 3; Buffy, Sandy and unnamed vampwhore
Spike; 1 Buffy

Spike; good or bad?
Spike is dealing in demon eggs, evil as they come. This seems to open Buffy's eyes to his true nature although she still won't let Riley kill him.

Dawn in peril; 8

Dawn the bashful virgin; 6

Questions and observations;
Obvious allusions to Aliens and all the better for them, Angel;TS will do something very similar in season 5 (also a series with strong female heroine until pt3 ruined the series). Poor Buffy, you feel so sorry for her that she get's rejected for UCSD (but surely she wouldn't have the money to go anyway?). Nice to give Riley some closure after the strained nature of his departure in 'Into the Woods'. Riley comments that Dawn has grown one and a half feet, well probably just eight inches. Note Riley asks if Dawn wants to leave due to the gory details but Buffy now lets her stay for the grown up stuff. Check out Willow's expression at Sam's 'disposable cameras' idea (similar scene in Firefly when Reynolds asks Kaylee to the ball).
What book is Spike reading when Buffy comes into his crypt? It's a very Angel like touch. Riley says that Buffy is the first woman he ever loved and the strongest he knows (better not tell the missus that!). Buffy's final goodbye to Spike is very emotional, especially when she calls him William, that means more than ALL the sex in the world between them.
Marks out of 10; 8/10

 

[DS9Continuing]

My favourite part is when Buffy quietly says to Riley, "My hat has a cow," and then hangs her head in shame.

 

[WillsBabe]

First time I saw this episode I didn't really rate it. Viewing it this time I really enjoyed it. There are some quite poignant and telling moments in it. The letter Buffy receives from the university is addressed to a different address. It says she lives in Crestview; we know she lives in Rovello.

 

[saturn5]

HELLS BELLS

The Good;
Love Buffy's stalling (who knew SMG could juggle?). How beautiful is Anya in her wedding dress? Although her facemask makes her look like some sort of matrimonial superhero? ("It's Bridegirl, terror of incompetent caterers everywhere!")

The Bad;
What a shame we don't get to see Xander and Anya's bachelor/bachelorette parties. Surely all of Anyanka's magic was undone when Giles smashed her necklace. By it's nature a depressing episode due to it's ending.

Best line;
Buffy; "So anyone here from out of town?"

Women good/men bad;
Anya's vows don't promise to obey Xander because he's not a sea Captain (Hello sailor!). Xander's dad has a nastily misogynist rant against his wife in particular and women in general.

Jeez!;
Xander killing Anya which thankfully isn't real

Kinky dinky;
Uncle Rory latches onto a nubile young waitress. Virginal Dawn is offered "Hymen's greetings" by D'Hoffryn. Dawn describes Spike's date as a '"Total skank!". Xander's dad likes Buffy's 'chassis' and wonders what's under the hood? Anya wants to be Xander's 'sex poodle'.

Captain Subtext;
Willow refers to noted bi actress Marlene Deitrich. Will says that Xander looks great in his tux but quickly adds that she realised she was gay. Halfrek and Anya seem to compete for D'Hoffryn's affection like two little girls with their father but he informs them 'I love all my demons equally'. Willow and Tara end up under the table together (and they haven't even been drinking)

Guantanamo Bay;

Scoobies to the ER;

Missing scenes;

Apocalypses; 6

Whedon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)

Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 1
Dawn; 3

Scoobies knocked out:
Buffy: 17
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 11
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;3
Dawn; 2

Kills: 1 demon for Xander
Buffy: 104 vamps, 55 demons, 6 monsters, 3 humans, 1 werewolf, 1 spirit warrior & a robot
Giles: 8 vamps, 2 demon, 1 human, 1 god.
Cordy: 3 vamps, ½ a demon
Will: 6 vamps + 3 demons +1 fawn.
Angel: 3 vamps, 1 demon, 1 human
Oz: 3 vamps, 1 zombie
Faith: 16 vamps, 5 demons, 3 humans
Xander: 6 vamps, 2 zombies, 2½ a demon,
Anya: 1 vamp and 1½ a demon
Riley; 18 vamps + 7 demons
Spike; 8 vamps and 4 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp

Scoobies go evil:
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 2
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1

Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 7
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1

Recurring characters killed: 11
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina

Sunnydale deaths;
93

Total number of scoobies:
Xander, Willow, Buffy, Anya, Spike,

Xander demon magnet: 5(6?)
Preying Mantis Lady, Inca Mummy Girl, Drusilla, VampWillow, Anya (arguably Buffy & Faith with their demon essences?), Dracula?

Scoobies shot:
Giles: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 4
Riley; 1

Notches on Scooby bedpost: Spike has a very goth date for the wedding, a parody of the Spikettes?
Giles: 2; Joyce & Olivia, possibly Jenny and 3xDraccy babes?
Cordy: 1?
Buffy: 4 confirmed; Angel, Parker, Riley, Spike. 1 possible, Dracula(?)
Angel: 1;Buffy
Joyce: 1;Giles, 2 possible, Ted and Dracula(?)
Oz: 3; Groupie, Willow & Verucca
Faith:2 ;Xander, Riley
Xander: 2; Faith, Anya
Willow: 2;Oz and Tara
Riley; 3; Buffy, Sandy and unnamed vampwhore
Spike; 1 Buffy

Spike; good or bad?
Tries to make Buffy jealous but eventually leaves with some dignity

Dawn in peril; 8

Dawn the bashful virgin; 7 "Hymen's greeting!"

What the fanficcers thought;
What were the bachelor/bachelorette parties like? http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3106151/1/The_Last_Night

Questions and observations;
We finally meet Xander's family. Unlce Rory is a drunken letch (Irish coffee for breakfast?) but quite likeable as is cousin Carol and her daughter, his parents by contrast are wretched. Dawn's notoriously big mouth once again makes an appearance. Is the demon right? He was a philanderer but that's hardly worthy of being tortured in hell dimension?
Buffy wears an 'I survived' T-shirt in the final scene with what looks like a dragon on it? (although technically she didn't survive the dragon, she died and was brought back). What about Giles? Surely he at least sent them a card? What about inviting Tito or Oz or anyone?
One interesting theory I did hear is 'Was D'Hoffryn behind it all?'. Did he secretly want Anya back in the fold and bring the demon to ruin her wedding deliberately?
Marks out of 10; 5/10 not too good

 

[Forbin]

Hated it. It was so... opposite everything Xander said to both Buffy and Anya when Riley left. Yet another Character assassination episode in the "post Joss" years.

 

[McCoy]

'Was D'Hoffryn behind it all?'. Did he secretly want Anya back in the fold and bring the demon to ruin her wedding deliberately?

Nah. I always felt that, for a demon, he was a pretty honourable guy.

 

[WillsBabe]

I love D'Hoffryn. He's so cool. I love it in season 7 when he shows his dark side after so long of being reasonable.

 

[Skellington]

Five out of ten is about right for Hell's Bells, I reckon. It's somewhat lacklustre; Buffy running on autopilot with a scarcity of what makes it special. It seemed to be trying very hard to impress and be funny. Best things about it? The bridesmaids and Emma Caulfield's heartfelt acting. The guest actors on the whole do a fine job too.

 

[I am not Spock]

OK...you got me. Hells Bells is one season 6 episode I can't come up with a defence for. I am one of the more pro-season 6 and 7 posters on this BBS. But Xander's actions in this ep are just so out of character. Did Marti Noxon forget Xander's touching speeches in Into The Woods and The Gift? I don't see why all the characters have to be miserable all the time. Gee, we have Spike/Buffy being depressing enough as it is; the Tara/Willow split... Can't Xander and Anya at least be the relatively happy couple? I suppose Riley and his wife seemed pretty happy together.

Hells Bells... was not good. I'll give criticism where its due!