Ah, Go Fish. The episode that takes place mostly in a sauna filled with atttractive young men dressed only in towels. If I wasn't already a rampant homosexual before I saw that, this episode would have clinched it. 
Buffy ep by ep; rewatch and reviews
- Thread starter saturn5
- Start date
I think Buffy's 'Those boys loved their coach line' followed by Xander's smirk says it all
I Only Have Eyes for you (which I inexplicably missed first time around)
The Good;
Lovely romance, lovely analogy of Buffy and Angel, Gile's mourning Jenny and a great tribute to the power of forgiveness. Wonderful scenes with Spike, Angelus and Dru too
The Bad;
Fairly little, a good ep although not a great one. Some pretty dodgy zombie makeup to be truthful
Best line;
Buffy; Something weird's going on!
Xander; Isn't that our school motto?
Wheldon cliches;
Knocked out;
Character death;
The teacher, another SDH faculty member bites the dust
Shot;
Angel(us) by Buffy
Tied up;
Women good/men bad;
Buffy's anger is focused at James, an obvious substitute for Angel. Cordelia is outraged at the idea of the Sadie Hawkins' dance, not a huge fan of gender equality, obviously.
Subtext;
What the fanficcers thought; http://www.t-s-s-a.com/stories/show-story.php?story=Buffy-GraspingForLife.txt (ALL over 18s only) + Deadscoobies http://buffy.adultfanfiction.net/story.php?no=17918 + and a happy sequal to one where Angelus has vamped Joyce http://buffy.adultfanfiction.net/story.php?no=18317
Questions and observations;
Whenever a gun appears in Buffy it's never good. Always nice to see Shakespeare paraphrased in a US teen show. What happens to the janitor who shot the teacher? Presumably without Giles' testimony and no gun the charges against him are dropped. We have the first confirmation that Snyder and the police are in on the conspiracy regarding Sunnydale and first mention of the Mayor. Spike getting out of the wheelchair at the end speaks of great things to come.
6/10 good ep without being brilliant,
I Only Have Eyes for you (which I inexplicably missed first time around)
The Good;
Lovely romance, lovely analogy of Buffy and Angel, Gile's mourning Jenny and a great tribute to the power of forgiveness. Wonderful scenes with Spike, Angelus and Dru too
The Bad;
Fairly little, a good ep although not a great one. Some pretty dodgy zombie makeup to be truthful
Best line;
Buffy; Something weird's going on!
Xander; Isn't that our school motto?
Wheldon cliches;
Knocked out;
Character death;
The teacher, another SDH faculty member bites the dust
Shot;
Angel(us) by Buffy
Tied up;
Women good/men bad;
Buffy's anger is focused at James, an obvious substitute for Angel. Cordelia is outraged at the idea of the Sadie Hawkins' dance, not a huge fan of gender equality, obviously.
Subtext;
What the fanficcers thought; http://www.t-s-s-a.com/stories/show-story.php?story=Buffy-GraspingForLife.txt (ALL over 18s only) + Deadscoobies http://buffy.adultfanfiction.net/story.php?no=17918 + and a happy sequal to one where Angelus has vamped Joyce http://buffy.adultfanfiction.net/story.php?no=18317
Questions and observations;
Whenever a gun appears in Buffy it's never good. Always nice to see Shakespeare paraphrased in a US teen show. What happens to the janitor who shot the teacher? Presumably without Giles' testimony and no gun the charges against him are dropped. We have the first confirmation that Snyder and the police are in on the conspiracy regarding Sunnydale and first mention of the Mayor. Spike getting out of the wheelchair at the end speaks of great things to come.
6/10 good ep without being brilliant,
I Only Have Eyes For You was actually the first Buffy ep I ever saw. I had dismissed the show as a silly teenybopper thing; then I actually gave it a chance with this episode, and afterwards was floored. 'That was actually pretty awesome. I am going to start watching this'. Never looked back since. I thought it was a great episode! 
And you would be correct.
Becoming pt1
The Good;
The glimpses of Liam and Drusilla in their human forms are just too tragic for words, especially Dru. Good scenes with Whistler and of course Kendra back. Angelus' suicide telegram for Buffy (would they allow that post 9/11?). Snyder's chair shortage gag
The Bad;
David's accent. Where is it supposed to be from exactly? Are they after his lucky charms?
Best line;
Spike; "It's a big rock. Can't wait to tell my friends, they don't have a rock this big"
Wheldon Cliches;
Character death; yep, byebye Kendra, making it one recurring character dead every 8 eps or so. A shame to lose her but I think most would agree that Faith is better as both a character and a Slayer. And if she hadn't died? I figure Faith would have turned up as one of the potentials in season 7 and she rather than Kennedy would have hooked up with Willow.
Shot;
Tied up;
Knocked out; yep, Xander, Willow and Giles
Women good/men bad;
Questions and observations;
We get to see pre-Slayer Buffy in LA and a different version of Merrick. In this version Buffy does indeed miss the heart first time out as she later tells Dawn. The 'Do you know what time it is?' line is very clever, the same words as Joyce says in the movie but with a completely different meaning. Presumably Angel as a tramp is following the diner incident in the 70s we later see in season 4 of Angel. Willow once again play's the bashful virgin for comic effect. Whistler's 'puppets' speech is interesting when you consider Jasmine manipulating the Fang Gang over the course of Angel. Willow attempts her first spell.
10/10 no contest
The Good;
The glimpses of Liam and Drusilla in their human forms are just too tragic for words, especially Dru. Good scenes with Whistler and of course Kendra back. Angelus' suicide telegram for Buffy (would they allow that post 9/11?). Snyder's chair shortage gag
The Bad;
David's accent. Where is it supposed to be from exactly? Are they after his lucky charms?
Best line;
Spike; "It's a big rock. Can't wait to tell my friends, they don't have a rock this big"
Wheldon Cliches;
Character death; yep, byebye Kendra, making it one recurring character dead every 8 eps or so. A shame to lose her but I think most would agree that Faith is better as both a character and a Slayer. And if she hadn't died? I figure Faith would have turned up as one of the potentials in season 7 and she rather than Kennedy would have hooked up with Willow.
Shot;
Tied up;
Knocked out; yep, Xander, Willow and Giles
Women good/men bad;
Questions and observations;
We get to see pre-Slayer Buffy in LA and a different version of Merrick. In this version Buffy does indeed miss the heart first time out as she later tells Dawn. The 'Do you know what time it is?' line is very clever, the same words as Joyce says in the movie but with a completely different meaning. Presumably Angel as a tramp is following the diner incident in the 70s we later see in season 4 of Angel. Willow once again play's the bashful virgin for comic effect. Whistler's 'puppets' speech is interesting when you consider Jasmine manipulating the Fang Gang over the course of Angel. Willow attempts her first spell.
10/10 no contest
Faith was a better character than Kendra, I agree. But the latter wasn't without her charm.
Becoming was amazing, one of the best season enders. Then again, pretty much every season finale was brilliant. What really made this show work is that every season had its own self-contained arc, and would have made sense if any season turned out to be the last. And yet, when you watch the show as a whole, each season becomes a little part of this even more awesome saga.
Unlike some shows, Buffy and Angel never have a status quo. That's what I adore about them. Things are always changing. You can easily tell one season from the next when you catch an episode in reruns.
Becoming was amazing, one of the best season enders. Then again, pretty much every season finale was brilliant. What really made this show work is that every season had its own self-contained arc, and would have made sense if any season turned out to be the last. And yet, when you watch the show as a whole, each season becomes a little part of this even more awesome saga.
Unlike some shows, Buffy and Angel never have a status quo. That's what I adore about them. Things are always changing. You can easily tell one season from the next when you catch an episode in reruns.
For me, Whistler is the forerunner to Doyle. He's almost the same character in many ways. I actually prefer Whistler, too. I'd like to have seen the show where he was there in place of Doyle (which is probably heresay given how popular Doyle is).
Becoming part one is a good episode. Becoming part two rocks.
Becoming part one is a good episode. Becoming part two rocks.
Yeah I think Whistler obviously spawned Doyle although I don't think Doyle was truly popular until 'Hero'. But I'm not going to go back through 268 reviews and change Wheldon to Whedon, it would wear out the L key on my computer
Becoming pt2
The Good;
All of it, every scene between Spike and Buffy, Giles and Angelus and Spike and Joyce. Great scenes with all the Scoobies and the ending just too heartwrenching for words, especially with Sarah MacClachlan's beautiful music, all classic.
The Bad;
Are you kidding? It's all too wonderful!
Best line;
Joyce; "Have you tried NOT being a Slayer?"
Character death; Angel or so we think?
Shot;
Tied up; Giles and tortured
Knocked out; Dru which is rather strange, Spike seems able to knock her out with a chokehold despite the fact that she doesn't breathe and has no circulation.
Women good/men bad;
Questions and observations;
Joyce thinks Buffy is the Slayer because she didn't have a strong male role-model. Of course she'll later find out that Buffy is the Slayer because she did, she had Giles. The first (and only unless you can correct me) appearance of Willow's 'resolve face'. Xander's remarks at her bedside set the basis for their relationship in season 3. Willow successfully casts her first spell. Why is Buffy still wanted when Xander and Cordy can back up her story? Spike's reluctance to end the world seems odd considering he was happy to do it earlier
A couple of points that escaped me about Becoming pt2, firstly Dru seems to be deeply enamoured of Giles but then she always did have a thing for 'daddy'. Secondly as Jenny Dru says to Giles that they'll get to do all the things they never had a chance to implying that Giles and Jenny never did have sex
10/10 and I need a hug
Becoming pt2
The Good;
All of it, every scene between Spike and Buffy, Giles and Angelus and Spike and Joyce. Great scenes with all the Scoobies and the ending just too heartwrenching for words, especially with Sarah MacClachlan's beautiful music, all classic.
The Bad;
Are you kidding? It's all too wonderful!
Best line;
Joyce; "Have you tried NOT being a Slayer?"
Character death; Angel or so we think?
Shot;
Tied up; Giles and tortured
Knocked out; Dru which is rather strange, Spike seems able to knock her out with a chokehold despite the fact that she doesn't breathe and has no circulation.
Women good/men bad;
Questions and observations;
Joyce thinks Buffy is the Slayer because she didn't have a strong male role-model. Of course she'll later find out that Buffy is the Slayer because she did, she had Giles. The first (and only unless you can correct me) appearance of Willow's 'resolve face'. Xander's remarks at her bedside set the basis for their relationship in season 3. Willow successfully casts her first spell. Why is Buffy still wanted when Xander and Cordy can back up her story? Spike's reluctance to end the world seems odd considering he was happy to do it earlier
A couple of points that escaped me about Becoming pt2, firstly Dru seems to be deeply enamoured of Giles but then she always did have a thing for 'daddy'. Secondly as Jenny Dru says to Giles that they'll get to do all the things they never had a chance to implying that Giles and Jenny never did have sex
10/10 and I need a hug
IIRC, Doyle was originally meant to be Whistler. In a story parallel to how the Ensign Ro/Kira Nerys thing went down; the orginal actor was unavailable, so they came up with a new, but similar, character.
^ Thanks for that, I didn't know that. Makes sense.
A thing that bugs me about Becoming, and which I didn't realise until this run-through is that Whistler tells Buffy that Angel's blood will close the Acathla-hole, just like his blood will open it. It doesn't say that she has to kill him or he has to die. She didn't have to kill him. I think we are meant to assume that she has to kill him; that's the way the story works. There isn't anything else on screen to suggest there is another reason why she kills him that I can see.
A thing that bugs me about Becoming, and which I didn't realise until this run-through is that Whistler tells Buffy that Angel's blood will close the Acathla-hole, just like his blood will open it. It doesn't say that she has to kill him or he has to die. She didn't have to kill him. I think we are meant to assume that she has to kill him; that's the way the story works. There isn't anything else on screen to suggest there is another reason why she kills him that I can see.
^You're right, of course.
But the ep wouldn't have been the same without that emotional twist at the end, would it?
I assume Whistler was working for the Powers That Be. They aren't mentioned in Buffy, but he does imply he's an immortal demon sent down to settle the score between good and evil. In fact, couldn't he be working for Jasmine (in Angel season four)? He gets Buffy to send Angelus to hell, so the First can bring him back, so the Powers can make it snow in Sunnydale to save him from becoming a vampiric candle, so that he can realise he and Buffy aren't meant to be, so he can leave for LA, so he can do it with Darla,etc. It's convoluted, yeah, but it kinda fits.
But the ep wouldn't have been the same without that emotional twist at the end, would it?
I assume Whistler was working for the Powers That Be. They aren't mentioned in Buffy, but he does imply he's an immortal demon sent down to settle the score between good and evil. In fact, couldn't he be working for Jasmine (in Angel season four)? He gets Buffy to send Angelus to hell, so the First can bring him back, so the Powers can make it snow in Sunnydale to save him from becoming a vampiric candle, so that he can realise he and Buffy aren't meant to be, so he can leave for LA, so he can do it with Darla,etc. It's convoluted, yeah, but it kinda fits.
Vampire physiology is a mystery. Apart from the above-mentioned bit with Dru, we've seen vampires smoke even though they "have no breath," and we've seen them take medicine, injections and be poisoned even though their hearts are shriveled and they therefore have no circulation.
I also wonder about vampire sex. No circulation would mean no possibility of an erection. Does the male vampire produce semen? Would Angel's climax be dry?
I also wonder about vampire sex. No circulation would mean no possibility of an erection. Does the male vampire produce semen? Would Angel's climax be dry?
Yeah that's one thing I always did wonder. How is Spike able to smoke and cough and gag on something... if he's got no breath. I mean in one episode Angel can look at a birthday cake with candles and go "uhm... no breath." but then you could see him smoking or something or getting choked...
Unless its all part of the weirdly metaphysical thing. "Technically you have no heart, it doesn't beat, but you still have a circulatory system, because after all... you still need blood to your limbs." So I dunno... same with the reflection thing. Just because you have no soul - and Angel has a soul - you don't have a reflection. Tell that to his clothes...
I'm just chalk it up to some wacky metaphysical thing "a heart but no heart... dead but not living."
Now about the semen... that's a really good point. Sure Vamp's can't make babies... but still does he produce anything or does he basically have a climax and that's it. Suppose no different than wearing a rubber. Again, another metaphysical thing. He can produce but its dead too. Would explain why with all the women Angel's screwed over the years, that he didn't have a litter of half vamp/half human kids running about.
Unless its all part of the weirdly metaphysical thing. "Technically you have no heart, it doesn't beat, but you still have a circulatory system, because after all... you still need blood to your limbs." So I dunno... same with the reflection thing. Just because you have no soul - and Angel has a soul - you don't have a reflection. Tell that to his clothes...
I'm just chalk it up to some wacky metaphysical thing "a heart but no heart... dead but not living."
Now about the semen... that's a really good point. Sure Vamp's can't make babies... but still does he produce anything or does he basically have a climax and that's it. Suppose no different than wearing a rubber. Again, another metaphysical thing. He can produce but its dead too. Would explain why with all the women Angel's screwed over the years, that he didn't have a litter of half vamp/half human kids running about.
^Yeah I always wondered about why Spike hated going underwater... he can't drown because he doesn't breathe!
I guess vamps do produce semen as Angel is able to knock Darla up? Presumably though it's dead.
Anne
The Good;
Lovely to see Chantelle/Lily/Anne again. Great to see the slave rebellion. Love the long tracking shot around Sunnydale high, lovely cameo from Larry. Nice to see that Buffy can make it on her own but did anyone really doubt that she could? The gang's vamp hunting is hilarious. Terrific scenes between Giles and Joyce. The final scene when Buffy and Joyce hug is just too lovely.
The Bad;
Truly horrible what happens to the human slaves. Ricky's suicide is just awful
Wheldon Cliches;
Character death; None although Buffy still dreams of killing Angel
Shot;
Tied up;
Knocked out; Buffy by Ken
Women good/men bad;
Kinky dinky; Buffy as a slave but not of the sexual variety. Anne Summers is the name of a lingerie/sex toy chain in the UK.
Calling Captain Subtext;
Reccurring actor in another role; Carlos Jacott as Ken who'll later turn up as someone different in Angel and TSSC
Best line;
Giles; You musn't blame yourself
Joyce; I don't, I blame YOU. You've been this huge influence on her all these years
Questions and observations;
Surely a girl as attractive as Buffy could get a better job than waitress in LA? (Xander later wonders the same as he wants to know if Buffy met 'any nice pimps on her travels'?) 'Pretty Woman'? Belle du jour? Weren't Hooters or Spearmint |Rhino hiring? She's in LA, what about Playboy? (or would that mean Xander would be certain to spot her?). Ok I'm not entirely serious but honestly when did you ever see a girl as pretty as Buffy working as a waitress except in TV/Movies? (the other wise awful film 'The Last Action Hero' does a great joke on the theme). Plenty of fanfic with Buffy and indeed any or all of the Scoobygirls turning to prostitution over the years, my favourite ends with Revello Drive being turned into a high class bordello with Joyce as the madam and then eventually the same thing happening to the post-Chosen Slayer academy. http://buffy.adultfanfiction.net/story.php?no=600031116 if you're over 18 and VERY open minded. Of course having now watched Dollhouse you wonder if Joss would actually be quite keen on the idea, especially after watching the scene with Eliza Dushku as a dominatrix.
Or is Buffy just trying to lie low? Anne Summers is the name of a lingerie/sex toy chain in the UK
Cordy refers to Xanders exes who are almost all demons, Preying Mantis, Mummy Girl, Dru in BBB. Xander nails his third vamp with some help from Cordy. Joyce is a sad figure in her summer alone without Buffy but at least in everyone's revised memories she has Dawn to keep her company (to judge from the comics and Dawn's chopstick story she always knew Buffy's secret). I'm always intrigued by the times the Scoobies got by without Buffy, I would love to see more on it in the comics.
One thing that does occur to me is that the weapon used by Buffy during the slave revolt (the wonderfully named hung-munga) actually resembles a hammer and sickle at some angles. I'm sure it's just coincidence but if this were the 50s I'm sure Joss would be hauled before the un-American activities board.
8/10 I think although that may be a little generous
Anne
The Good;
Lovely to see Chantelle/Lily/Anne again. Great to see the slave rebellion. Love the long tracking shot around Sunnydale high, lovely cameo from Larry. Nice to see that Buffy can make it on her own but did anyone really doubt that she could? The gang's vamp hunting is hilarious. Terrific scenes between Giles and Joyce. The final scene when Buffy and Joyce hug is just too lovely.
The Bad;
Truly horrible what happens to the human slaves. Ricky's suicide is just awful
Wheldon Cliches;
Character death; None although Buffy still dreams of killing Angel
Shot;
Tied up;
Knocked out; Buffy by Ken
Women good/men bad;
Kinky dinky; Buffy as a slave but not of the sexual variety. Anne Summers is the name of a lingerie/sex toy chain in the UK.
Calling Captain Subtext;
Reccurring actor in another role; Carlos Jacott as Ken who'll later turn up as someone different in Angel and TSSC
Best line;
Giles; You musn't blame yourself
Joyce; I don't, I blame YOU. You've been this huge influence on her all these years
Questions and observations;
Surely a girl as attractive as Buffy could get a better job than waitress in LA? (Xander later wonders the same as he wants to know if Buffy met 'any nice pimps on her travels'?) 'Pretty Woman'? Belle du jour? Weren't Hooters or Spearmint |Rhino hiring? She's in LA, what about Playboy? (or would that mean Xander would be certain to spot her?). Ok I'm not entirely serious but honestly when did you ever see a girl as pretty as Buffy working as a waitress except in TV/Movies? (the other wise awful film 'The Last Action Hero' does a great joke on the theme). Plenty of fanfic with Buffy and indeed any or all of the Scoobygirls turning to prostitution over the years, my favourite ends with Revello Drive being turned into a high class bordello with Joyce as the madam and then eventually the same thing happening to the post-Chosen Slayer academy. http://buffy.adultfanfiction.net/story.php?no=600031116 if you're over 18 and VERY open minded. Of course having now watched Dollhouse you wonder if Joss would actually be quite keen on the idea, especially after watching the scene with Eliza Dushku as a dominatrix.
Or is Buffy just trying to lie low? Anne Summers is the name of a lingerie/sex toy chain in the UK
Cordy refers to Xanders exes who are almost all demons, Preying Mantis, Mummy Girl, Dru in BBB. Xander nails his third vamp with some help from Cordy. Joyce is a sad figure in her summer alone without Buffy but at least in everyone's revised memories she has Dawn to keep her company (to judge from the comics and Dawn's chopstick story she always knew Buffy's secret). I'm always intrigued by the times the Scoobies got by without Buffy, I would love to see more on it in the comics.
One thing that does occur to me is that the weapon used by Buffy during the slave revolt (the wonderfully named hung-munga) actually resembles a hammer and sickle at some angles. I'm sure it's just coincidence but if this were the 50s I'm sure Joss would be hauled before the un-American activities board.
8/10 I think although that may be a little generous