That's my favorite line! I laughed my ass off.
Buffy ep by ep; rewatch and reviews
- Thread starter saturn5
- Start date
That's my favorite line! I laughed my ass off.
Ggggggghhh. I suppose there has to be someone...
This whole season ender is just typical of the season in general: depressing and stupid. Yeah, Xander telling DarkWillow he loves her is sweet but it doesn't redeem the events of the past few episodes. One of my favorite characters is dead and the other is beyond redemption...why should I care what happens from here?
Because that character ISN'T beyond redemption, no one is as Spike getting his soul back proves. I think season 6 overall was a bit too grim and that's why we have this uplifting end to it, promises the wonderful things to come in season 7
As I've said, I'm one of this BBS's biggest season 6 and 7 defenders. I think 6 was a very necessary year for the show. It was grim and depressing, but that's the story they wanted to tell. In the first three seasons, they had the 'school is hell' metaphor going on. Then the transition to uni, where the old problems are replaced by new ones. And in season 6, the 'real world', life itself, was 'hell' or 'the big bad'. I thought it was a brave and risky season of TV which pulled no punches, and didn't shy away from shocking the audience. This show has never rested on its laurels and relied on the reset button.
Yep, I too am a big s7 fan as you'll appreciate as we go along.
So here we are, the final season of the best TV show ever. Time's almost caught us, only 22 more eps to go. Although in fairness that's the equivalent of 7 full length feature films. Personally I think this was the right place to end it, season 7 feels right, always been my lucky number.
LESSONS
The Good;
Love Dawnies' first patrol and first day at SDH, so cool. The line up of baddies at the end is superb, they're so lucky they could get them all.
The Bad;
Really dislike the scenes of the Potentials being killed, if it were anyone but Joss I'd say it was misogyny. Dawn seems to make a couple of friends at the end of the ep but they never occur again.
Best line;
Dawn; (sadly, after Buffy has embarrassed her in front of the whole class) "I also have a sister"
Women good/men bad;
The First as Warren very dismissive of Buffy
Jeez!;
Even though it's only implied the zombie stabbing Dawn with the pencil is wince inducing. The killing of the potentials is also horrible.
Kinky dinky;
Buffy comments on the hotness of Spike and Angel. The zombie guy wants to date Dawn, well she's already gone out with one dead guy and had a crush on another. Willow seems disappointed that Giles didn't put her in a dungeon and torture her. He asks her if she wants to be punished? (Surely if there was ever a time for Gillow this is it?)
Captain Subtext;
Spike was once caned at school (presumably when human)
Guantanamo Bay;
A little anti-French racism from Anya.
Scoobies to the ER;
Missing scenes;
Reputedly they filmed a scene where Dawn decides to tell her real life story to her class, love to see that, roll on Buffy/Angel; Special Edition DVDs.
Apocalypses; 7,
Whedon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)
Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 4
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 2
Dawn; 4
Scoobies knocked out: Dawnie
Buffy: 19
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 14
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;5
Dawn; 4
Tara; 1
Kills: 1 vamp for Buffy
Buffy: 108 vamps, 58 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+1 human.
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 6 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp + 1 demon
Scoobies go evil:
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1
Buffy; 1
Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 5
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1
Anya; 2
Recurring characters killed: 12
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara
Sunnydale deaths; the 3 poor folks in the basement
97
Total number of scoobies: 3 the Dawnster is finally part of the Scoobies, about time too
Xander, Buffy, Dawn
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
Buffy; 1
Tara; 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; 2 Buffy and Anya
Anya; 2 Spike and Xander
Spike; good or bad?
Don't have to ask that any more, not now he has his soul back
Dawn in peril; 12 isn't she always?
Dawn the bashful virgin; 9
What the fanficcers thought;
Dawn says that if she get's bitten she'll come back as a vamp and bite Buffy, a common theme in Summers/slash fetish fics (although it always ends happily with Mohra demon blood and resouling). Nice to see Glory back too, Clare as gorgeous as ever, recently read an epic adult fanfic series called Glorydale where Glory seduces all the Scoobys and transforms Sunnydale into her own private sexual playground, a sort of XXX-rated Las Vegas where anything and everything really does go. Eventually she's having so much fun she decides not to go back to her own hell dimension after all, gives up her godhood, restores the sanity of everyone she's brainsucked and confesses to everyone she's fallen in love with them all. And of course this being fanfic, they've all fallen in love with her too...
Questions and observations;
The zombies articulate what a lot of Buffy critics have said over the years, that she allows a lot of people to die. Personally I agree with Buffy, they should shut up, she does her best. I always think of the RAF in the Battle of Britain, bombers get through, thousands die but it's still a victory. So lovely that Buffy can quit the DMP and work at the school, she seems so happy.
Now, Halfrek refers to her and Anya in the Crimean War which was 1853-6 decades BEFORE Spike became a vampire. This implies that there never was a Cecilly, there was only ever Halfrek assuming her guise who took revenge on William for some unknown party. Xander looks great in his suit.
Dawn gets a mobile phone, about bloody time too, CC had one in Welcome to the Hellmouth and then we never see one again for over 122eps, AI had them for 3 years. Dawn comments on the fact that being sired seems to automatically teach you Tae-Kwan-Do. What a shame we never meet The Coven. Buffy fears Dawn will start smoking, it's hardly going to stunt her growth. So who was the werewolf who killed one of the ghosts? Oz? Verruca? Like Spike's hair better in this one. Lovely to see Buffy get a 'thank you' hug from Kit, she does so much it's nice she get's some appreciation. Dawn still a bit bitter about the Normal Again thing. Buffy says ghosts can't touch, Phantom Dennis can. Dawn is bitten by a vamp, I think Xander is the only Scooby who never will be.
Now I always thought they didn't know this was going to be the last season until halfway through but to judge by Joss' comments on the commentary he always intended it to the be the last from the beginning.
Marks out of 10; 8/10
Ah, but "French" isn't a race.
On redemption:
One thing that always bugged me was that, once Spike got neutered by his chip, everyone just let him alone as if he didn't deserve to get punished for torturing and killing hundreds of people in his past. maybe once he was resouled things were different, since it could be argued that Spike the vamp and william the souled were two different people. But up till then, he was a mass murderer that the Scoobies were letting slide.
As for Faith, while we're on the subject of redemption, Faith, as far as I'm concerned, is unredeemable. She was 100% human and 100% evil when she murdered that poor old harmless scientist, and clearly enjoyed doing it. That act is unforgiveable, no matter what she does later.
Maybe xenaphobic rather than racist?
Agree on Spike but I just don't think they have the heart to kill him when he's helpless. As for Faith well she murders the guy in cold blood but does make him turn around as she can't bear to look him in the face. She tries to commit suicide in Angel she feels so guilty, turns herself in and faces justice. I think she does earn her redemption
That scene was just spine-tingling. I still love it so much.
I remember my first reaction when I saw it on original broadcast so many years ago. Warren came on, and I thought, "Shit! He's supposed to be dead! How did he survive?" Then he morphed into Glory and I about jumped out of my seat - "Oh shit! Glory's escaped from Ben and has taken over a new body!" Then Glory morphed into Adam and I was like, "Oh, now I get what's going on."
Interesting, interesting... I wonder if anyone officially connected to the show has ever addressed this.
True but not William the Bloody
BENEATH YOU
The Good;
All the Spike/Buffy stuff and some nice scenes with Xander and a potential love interest (maybe she wasn't demony enough for him?). Also love Dawn threatening Spike
The Bad;
More dead potentials, ugh! Stupid looking worm, I expected something more Tremors. Also it attacks Nancy in her house but then just goes away? The mad Spike and Buffy scene at the end goes on too long.
Best line;
Spike; "When did your little sister become unbelievably scary?"
Women good/men bad;
Anya still tempting the scorned
Jeez!;
Spike punching Anya isn't nice
Kinky dinky;
Xander lists unwanted pregnancy as one thing Buffy will have to help the high school pupils with. Spike refers to 'Getting it hard and servicing the girl'.
Anya exclaims "Oh penis!"
Captain Subtext;
The little look Spike and Xander give each other when Nancy wonders if any Scoobies haven't slept with one another. Once again virginal Dawn is threatened by a huge phallic symbol. Anya calls her latest dupe 'Honey'.
Guantanamo Bay;
Buffy knows that a bastinado is a hardwood club used to torture prisoners in Turkey. Giles would be proud.
Scoobies to the ER;
Missing scenes;
Apocalypses; 7,
Whedon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)
Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 4
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 2
Dawn; 4
Scoobies knocked out:
Buffy: 19
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 14
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;5
Dawn; 4
Tara; 1
Kills:
Buffy: 108 vamps, 58 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+1 human.
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 6 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp + 1 demon
Scoobies go evil:
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1
Buffy; 1
Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 5
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1
Anya; 2
Recurring characters killed: 12
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara
Sunnydale deaths;
94
Total number of scoobies: the Dawnster is finally part of the Scoobies, about time too. Great line when Dawn says assemble the gang and Xander points out that the 3 of them ARE the gang.
Xander, Buffy, Dawn
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
Buffy; 1
Tara; 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; 2 Buffy and Anya
Anya; 2 Spike and Xander
Dawn in peril; 11
Dawn the bashful virgin; 9
What the fanficcers thought;
The Taboo Comics website has a pornographic CGI web comic about Buffy and co (using the character's proper names and with spot-on likenesses of the actresses) screwing their way through the demon world but it all ends happily in a follow up story with the Scoobygirl's triumphing and then sharing Revello Drive with dozens of nyphomaniac Buffy, Faith, Dawn and Willow clones created by a mad demon scientist. Finally got Mutant Enemy's address so as soon as I figure out how to work my printer I'll send Joss and his lawyers the details so they can sue them.
Questions and observations;
Lovely moment with Xander and Buffy in the car when he tells her the SDH kids are lucky to have her. The worm rather reminds me of an old horror film call 'Blood Beach'. Spike has his old hair back, he gradually resembles himself more and more over the season. Love Buffy's Daisy Duke line "Where I go to get my scorn on!" Always thought Nancy was the same girl who was a White-hat in The Wish but she wasn't. Nice pun on 'Beneath You', remember 'Fool for Love'. Spike assumes the same Christ-like pose he showed us in Restless.
Marks out of 10; 7/10
SAME TIME SAME PLACE
The Good;
Some lovely emotional stuff between Willow and her friends, some funny stuff with Anya and Willow but best of all paralysed Dawn is hysterical, especially love the remote control gag.
The Bad;
Not much
Best line;
Dawn (unable to move her lips) "Stop talking about vomit!"
Women good/men bad;
Jeez!;
Skinned vandals and eyeless Gnarl. Gnarl cutting Willow and eating her flesh in front of her is awful.
Kinky dinky;
Captain Subtext;
Dawn wonders when anyone in the Scoobs are ever going to ask for help when they need it, still some emotional baggage from Normal Again. Anya observes that the spell she and Willow do is a 'little sexy'. Willow seems to agree then catches herself on. Note Anya wants to do more spells afterwards but Willow refuses.Why not Winya? They could both share Xander between them and he'd sure be happy. Remember Anya eschewed the company of men for a thousand years, maybe she and Halfrek were more than just friends?
Guantanamo Bay;
Scoobies to the ER;
Nope, Willow heals herself
Missing scenes;
Apocalypses; 7,
Whedon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)
Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 4
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 2
Dawn; 4
Scoobies knocked out:
Buffy: 19
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 14
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;5
Dawn; 4
Tara; 1
Kills: 1 demon for Buffy
Buffy: 108 vamps, 59 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+1 human.
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 6 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp + 1 demon
Scoobies go evil:
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1
Buffy; 1
Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 5
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1
Anya; 2
Recurring characters killed: 12
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara
Sunnydale deaths; the vandal
98
Total number of scoobies: the Dawnster is finally part of the Scoobies, about time too
Xander, Buffy, Dawn
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
Buffy; 1
Tara; 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; 2 Buffy and Anya
Anya; 2 Spike and Xander
Dawn in peril; 12
Dawn the bashful virgin; 9
What the fanficcers thought;
Anya places Dawn in a Girl Scout pose, read more than a few dodgy fanfics over the years that place her in THAT uniform! Katy Perry also using it in her latest video.
http://www.t-s-s-a.com/stories/show-story.php?story=Buffy-LoveTrustAndMonsters.txt
http://buffy.adultfanfiction.net/story.php?no=19486
and if you prefer Girl Scout Buffy;
http://buffy.adultfanfiction.net/story.php?no=600031116
(needless to say over 18s only)
Questions and observations;
Nice that we still have Joyce's picture scattered around the house but who are the couple in the pic by the phone? Aunt Arlene? Grandma and grandpa Summers? Note the scorched mummy hand in the box Anya brings from the Magic Box. Dawn seems to be a CSI fan. Surely she hardly needs high heels she already towers over all the other girls.
Marks out of 10; 7/10
The Good;
Some lovely emotional stuff between Willow and her friends, some funny stuff with Anya and Willow but best of all paralysed Dawn is hysterical, especially love the remote control gag.
The Bad;
Not much
Best line;
Dawn (unable to move her lips) "Stop talking about vomit!"
Women good/men bad;
Jeez!;
Skinned vandals and eyeless Gnarl. Gnarl cutting Willow and eating her flesh in front of her is awful.
Kinky dinky;
Captain Subtext;
Dawn wonders when anyone in the Scoobs are ever going to ask for help when they need it, still some emotional baggage from Normal Again. Anya observes that the spell she and Willow do is a 'little sexy'. Willow seems to agree then catches herself on. Note Anya wants to do more spells afterwards but Willow refuses.Why not Winya? They could both share Xander between them and he'd sure be happy. Remember Anya eschewed the company of men for a thousand years, maybe she and Halfrek were more than just friends?
Guantanamo Bay;
Scoobies to the ER;
Nope, Willow heals herself
Missing scenes;
Apocalypses; 7,
Whedon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)
Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 4
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 2
Dawn; 4
Scoobies knocked out:
Buffy: 19
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 14
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;5
Dawn; 4
Tara; 1
Kills: 1 demon for Buffy
Buffy: 108 vamps, 59 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+1 human.
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 6 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp + 1 demon
Scoobies go evil:
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1
Buffy; 1
Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 5
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1
Anya; 2
Recurring characters killed: 12
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara
Sunnydale deaths; the vandal
98
Total number of scoobies: the Dawnster is finally part of the Scoobies, about time too
Xander, Buffy, Dawn
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
Buffy; 1
Tara; 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; 2 Buffy and Anya
Anya; 2 Spike and Xander
Dawn in peril; 12
Dawn the bashful virgin; 9
What the fanficcers thought;
Anya places Dawn in a Girl Scout pose, read more than a few dodgy fanfics over the years that place her in THAT uniform! Katy Perry also using it in her latest video.
http://www.t-s-s-a.com/stories/show-story.php?story=Buffy-LoveTrustAndMonsters.txt
http://buffy.adultfanfiction.net/story.php?no=19486
and if you prefer Girl Scout Buffy;
http://buffy.adultfanfiction.net/story.php?no=600031116
(needless to say over 18s only)
Questions and observations;
Nice that we still have Joyce's picture scattered around the house but who are the couple in the pic by the phone? Aunt Arlene? Grandma and grandpa Summers? Note the scorched mummy hand in the box Anya brings from the Magic Box. Dawn seems to be a CSI fan. Surely she hardly needs high heels she already towers over all the other girls.
Marks out of 10; 7/10
HELP
The Good;
A real heartwarmer/wrencher, some lovely stuff here. And Willow visiting Tara's grave. Plus Amanda!
The Bad;
Can we really believe that jerk face wouldn't be interested in a girl as gorgeous as Dawn?
Best line;
Buffy the Student Counsellor; "...and all that shi...guff!"
Women good/men bad;
The SDH boys are loathsome scum who want to sacrifice Cassie for their own greed. They need a damn good killing! Cassies dad is a drunk but loves his daughter and would never hurt her. Cassie's friend Mike thinks making boy's crazy is part of girl's job.
Jeez!;
Threatening Cassie with the meat cleaver, ugh!
Kinky dinky;
Xander thinks Googling is some form of sexual act? Cassie speaks of her unused thighs in her poetry.
Captain Subtext;
One student fears that they're gay but it might just be an excuse to date Buffy. Willow tells Xander she's 'over you sweetie'. However she also used to write Doogie Howser fanfic (Alysson Hannigan now starring with Doogie Howser himself aka Neil Harris in 'How I met your mother' wonder if that was on the cards when they wrote this?)
Guantanamo Bay;
Buffy threatens the student with coins in his locker who reminds me a LOT of Jonathon.
Scoobies to the ER;
Missing scenes;
Apocalypses; 7,
Whedon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)
Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 4
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 2
Dawn; 4
Scoobies knocked out:
Buffy: 19
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 14
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;5
Dawn; 4
Tara; 1
Kills: 1 vamp and 1 demon for Buffy
Buffy: 109 vamps, 60 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+1 human.
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 6 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp + 1 demon
Scoobies go evil:
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1
Buffy; 1
Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 5
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1
Anya; 2
Recurring characters killed: 12
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara
Sunnydale deaths; poor Cassie but like Joyce through natural causes
99
Total number of scoobies: 4, welcome Willow back to the gang
Xander, Buffy, Dawn, Willow
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
Buffy; 1
Tara; 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; 2 Buffy and Anya
Anya; 2 Spike and Xander
Spike; good or bad?
Dawn in peril; 12
Dawn the bashful virgin; 9
What the fanficcers thought;
Read a lovely one once where in order to honour Cassie's memory Dawn takes Mike to the winter dance in her place and they have a wonderful time.
Questions and observations;
Amanda for the first time, by a long chalk my favourite potential, I think she's just wonderful. Surely Tara's gravestone should have an epitaph? Glenn Mornoshower who plays Cassie's dad is one of those actors you see EVERYWHERE in films and tv. Buffy borrows Dawn's clothes, suprised they're not too tall for her. Dawn's dialogue seems very Law & Order, a show MT guest-starred on. Buffy resents being referred to as Dawn's sister just as she didn't like being known as Willow's friend at university. Wouldn't it make more sense for Spike to tackle the demon who he can hurt rather than the boys whom he can't?
Marks out of 10; 7/10 ( this mark becoming something of a habit in season 7)
The Good;
A real heartwarmer/wrencher, some lovely stuff here. And Willow visiting Tara's grave. Plus Amanda!
The Bad;
Can we really believe that jerk face wouldn't be interested in a girl as gorgeous as Dawn?
Best line;
Buffy the Student Counsellor; "...and all that shi...guff!"
Women good/men bad;
The SDH boys are loathsome scum who want to sacrifice Cassie for their own greed. They need a damn good killing! Cassies dad is a drunk but loves his daughter and would never hurt her. Cassie's friend Mike thinks making boy's crazy is part of girl's job.
Jeez!;
Threatening Cassie with the meat cleaver, ugh!
Kinky dinky;
Xander thinks Googling is some form of sexual act? Cassie speaks of her unused thighs in her poetry.
Captain Subtext;
One student fears that they're gay but it might just be an excuse to date Buffy. Willow tells Xander she's 'over you sweetie'. However she also used to write Doogie Howser fanfic (Alysson Hannigan now starring with Doogie Howser himself aka Neil Harris in 'How I met your mother' wonder if that was on the cards when they wrote this?)
Guantanamo Bay;
Buffy threatens the student with coins in his locker who reminds me a LOT of Jonathon.
Scoobies to the ER;
Missing scenes;
Apocalypses; 7,
Whedon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)
Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 4
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 2
Dawn; 4
Scoobies knocked out:
Buffy: 19
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 14
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;5
Dawn; 4
Tara; 1
Kills: 1 vamp and 1 demon for Buffy
Buffy: 109 vamps, 60 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+1 human.
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 6 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp + 1 demon
Scoobies go evil:
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1
Buffy; 1
Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 5
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1
Anya; 2
Recurring characters killed: 12
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara
Sunnydale deaths; poor Cassie but like Joyce through natural causes
99
Total number of scoobies: 4, welcome Willow back to the gang
Xander, Buffy, Dawn, Willow
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
Buffy; 1
Tara; 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; 2 Buffy and Anya
Anya; 2 Spike and Xander
Spike; good or bad?
Dawn in peril; 12
Dawn the bashful virgin; 9
What the fanficcers thought;
Read a lovely one once where in order to honour Cassie's memory Dawn takes Mike to the winter dance in her place and they have a wonderful time.
Questions and observations;
Amanda for the first time, by a long chalk my favourite potential, I think she's just wonderful. Surely Tara's gravestone should have an epitaph? Glenn Mornoshower who plays Cassie's dad is one of those actors you see EVERYWHERE in films and tv. Buffy borrows Dawn's clothes, suprised they're not too tall for her. Dawn's dialogue seems very Law & Order, a show MT guest-starred on. Buffy resents being referred to as Dawn's sister just as she didn't like being known as Willow's friend at university. Wouldn't it make more sense for Spike to tackle the demon who he can hurt rather than the boys whom he can't?
Marks out of 10; 7/10 ( this mark becoming something of a habit in season 7)
SELFLESS
The Good;
Lovely to see Anya singing in her gorgeous wedding dress again. Great scenes between Anya and Halfrek, wonderful Swedish scenes and a terrific ending. Also like Buffy's busy school day.
The Bad;
?
Best line;
Villager; "Pelt him with fruits and various meats!"
Women good/men bad;
D'Hoffryn kills Halfrek to spite Anya, almost like killing one of his daughters. What the Frat boys do to the girl is horrible but doesn't warrant having your heart torn out.
Jeez!;
Frat boys with their hearts ripped out! Not the ep for you if you're arachnaphobic (we know Willow is from 'Nightmares' but she appears to keep it in check)
Kinky dinky;
Love Will's miniskirt and booties, you forget what a hot momma-yomma she can be sometimes! Buffy comments that Anya 'boned a troll' whilst Anya refers to the 'sweaty' part of a relationship.
Captain Subtext;
Xander refers to himself as 'giddy' which even Willow comments isn't a very masculine term.
Guantanamo Bay;
Buffy is prepared to kill Anya for the greater good, Xander doesn't want to. Buffy makes a good point that Spike, Angelus, The Master etc never chose to be evil, Anya chose to become a vengence demon once again and poses an ongoing threat to humanity. Also do we doubt that Xander and certainly Giles would have killed Angelus in season 2 if they could have?
Scoobies to the ER;
Missing scenes;
I would love to have seen the scene where D'Hoffryn looks at the slaughtered frat boys and says someone should phone Maxim and cancel 12 subscriptions, perhaps a comment on the Buffy/Angel girl's tendency to strip off and pose for that particular magazine seemingly at the drop of a hat (or a large cheque/free publicity for their upcoming projects?). Also interesting on the commentary is that they wanted Halfrek to appear to Anya in 'Conversations with Dead People'.
Apocalypses; 7,
Whedon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)
Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 4
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 2
Dawn; 4
Scoobies knocked out: yep, Xander
Buffy: 19
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 15
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;5
Dawn; 4
Tara; 1
Kills: demon spider for Buffy
Buffy: 109 vamps, 61 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+1 human.
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 6 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp + 1 demon
Scoobies go evil: Anya does although she's not technically a Scooby at this point
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1
Buffy; 1
Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 5
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1
Anya; 2
Recurring characters killed: Halfrek but she's evil so she doesn't count-12
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara
Sunnydale deaths; 12 frat boys dead but alive again by the end of the ep
99
Total number of scoobies: 4,
Xander, Buffy, Dawn, Willow
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
Buffy; 1
Tara; 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; 2 Buffy and Anya
Anya; 2 Spike and Xander
Dawn in peril; 12
Dawn the bashful virgin; 9
What the fanficcers thought;
Read a bizarre one once where Buffy and Xander are captured by the demon spider and Buffy get's impregnated by it (which is normally Cordy's job?). But in the follow up story they both escape after Buffy beguiles the spider with her feminine wiles and strangles it with it's own web because SHE's the Black Widow, she mates and then she kills (she certainly did with Angel!). You know what they say about the female of the species? http://www.t-s-s-a.com/stories/show-story.php?story=Buffy-WebOfDesire.txt (ONLY if you're 18 plus and VERY open minded)
Also a much funnier one is where Anyanka's bunny fear stems from her cursing an unfaithful man to 'Go like a bunny forever' whereupon he is turned into a killer rabbit which goes on to attack Gabrielle in the Xena ep 'In sickness and in hell' and takes on the Monty Python's Knights of the Round table before being finished off by the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch!
Questions and observations;
Very little Dawn in this one (plenty of her next ep), she only has one scene but it's Anya's ep so that's ok. A wonderful tour de force showing us all how much we've learned to love and care about Anya who was introduced as a one-note character 4 years back but who is now a regular and so deserves to be! Especially love her little vengful stare when she first meets D'Hoffryn.
Buffy still doesn't know about Xander's lie in Becoming pt2, another point against Normal Again being true but you wonder will he ever really pay for what he did? Dawn's advice to Willow about fitting in is reminiscent to that given to Bart by Homer Simpson. It never occured to me until this ep but much like the end titles for season 6 having the Buffybot at the end this season actually has the First-as-Buffy.
Unfortunately the last we'll ever see of D'Hoffryn or Halfrek. Anya comments she's good with math which is weird as we heard that she was failing it in season 3 (maybe running the Magic Shop improved it?). Anya's invented surname is Jenkins, did we know that before? A vengence demon's 'soul' is referred to? The final scene is very reminiscent of the final bit 'The Harsh Light of Day'.
Marks out of 10; 10/10 first of the season
The Good;
Lovely to see Anya singing in her gorgeous wedding dress again. Great scenes between Anya and Halfrek, wonderful Swedish scenes and a terrific ending. Also like Buffy's busy school day.
The Bad;
?
Best line;
Villager; "Pelt him with fruits and various meats!"
Women good/men bad;
D'Hoffryn kills Halfrek to spite Anya, almost like killing one of his daughters. What the Frat boys do to the girl is horrible but doesn't warrant having your heart torn out.
Jeez!;
Frat boys with their hearts ripped out! Not the ep for you if you're arachnaphobic (we know Willow is from 'Nightmares' but she appears to keep it in check)
Kinky dinky;
Love Will's miniskirt and booties, you forget what a hot momma-yomma she can be sometimes! Buffy comments that Anya 'boned a troll' whilst Anya refers to the 'sweaty' part of a relationship.
Captain Subtext;
Xander refers to himself as 'giddy' which even Willow comments isn't a very masculine term.
Guantanamo Bay;
Buffy is prepared to kill Anya for the greater good, Xander doesn't want to. Buffy makes a good point that Spike, Angelus, The Master etc never chose to be evil, Anya chose to become a vengence demon once again and poses an ongoing threat to humanity. Also do we doubt that Xander and certainly Giles would have killed Angelus in season 2 if they could have?
Scoobies to the ER;
Missing scenes;
I would love to have seen the scene where D'Hoffryn looks at the slaughtered frat boys and says someone should phone Maxim and cancel 12 subscriptions, perhaps a comment on the Buffy/Angel girl's tendency to strip off and pose for that particular magazine seemingly at the drop of a hat (or a large cheque/free publicity for their upcoming projects?). Also interesting on the commentary is that they wanted Halfrek to appear to Anya in 'Conversations with Dead People'.
Apocalypses; 7,
Whedon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)
Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 4
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 2
Dawn; 4
Scoobies knocked out: yep, Xander
Buffy: 19
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 15
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;5
Dawn; 4
Tara; 1
Kills: demon spider for Buffy
Buffy: 109 vamps, 61 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+1 human.
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 6 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp + 1 demon
Scoobies go evil: Anya does although she's not technically a Scooby at this point
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1
Buffy; 1
Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 5
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1
Anya; 2
Recurring characters killed: Halfrek but she's evil so she doesn't count-12
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara
Sunnydale deaths; 12 frat boys dead but alive again by the end of the ep
99
Total number of scoobies: 4,
Xander, Buffy, Dawn, Willow
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
Buffy; 1
Tara; 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; 2 Buffy and Anya
Anya; 2 Spike and Xander
Dawn in peril; 12
Dawn the bashful virgin; 9
What the fanficcers thought;
Read a bizarre one once where Buffy and Xander are captured by the demon spider and Buffy get's impregnated by it (which is normally Cordy's job?). But in the follow up story they both escape after Buffy beguiles the spider with her feminine wiles and strangles it with it's own web because SHE's the Black Widow, she mates and then she kills (she certainly did with Angel!). You know what they say about the female of the species? http://www.t-s-s-a.com/stories/show-story.php?story=Buffy-WebOfDesire.txt (ONLY if you're 18 plus and VERY open minded)
Also a much funnier one is where Anyanka's bunny fear stems from her cursing an unfaithful man to 'Go like a bunny forever' whereupon he is turned into a killer rabbit which goes on to attack Gabrielle in the Xena ep 'In sickness and in hell' and takes on the Monty Python's Knights of the Round table before being finished off by the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch!
Questions and observations;
Very little Dawn in this one (plenty of her next ep), she only has one scene but it's Anya's ep so that's ok. A wonderful tour de force showing us all how much we've learned to love and care about Anya who was introduced as a one-note character 4 years back but who is now a regular and so deserves to be! Especially love her little vengful stare when she first meets D'Hoffryn.
Buffy still doesn't know about Xander's lie in Becoming pt2, another point against Normal Again being true but you wonder will he ever really pay for what he did? Dawn's advice to Willow about fitting in is reminiscent to that given to Bart by Homer Simpson. It never occured to me until this ep but much like the end titles for season 6 having the Buffybot at the end this season actually has the First-as-Buffy.
Unfortunately the last we'll ever see of D'Hoffryn or Halfrek. Anya comments she's good with math which is weird as we heard that she was failing it in season 3 (maybe running the Magic Shop improved it?). Anya's invented surname is Jenkins, did we know that before? A vengence demon's 'soul' is referred to? The final scene is very reminiscent of the final bit 'The Harsh Light of Day'.
Marks out of 10; 10/10 first of the season
What a wonderful episode, taking us from wild laughter in the Swedish parts to the nostalgic glory of OMWF to the heartbreak of the conclusion.
"I've boned a troll, I've wreaked some wrath,
But on the whole I've had no path."
Basically, the argument is that ever since she didn't kill Angelus at her first opportunity because it was too difficult for her to face (which led in her mind to him killing Jenny Calendar), she's defaulted to the position that, in complex emotional situations like this, the most difficult thing to do must be the right thing to do. Hence why she goes straight to "I have to kill Anya," even though it might seem inconsistent with other decisions she's made in the past.
Anya says that herself, doesn't she? In her song.
"I've boned a troll, I've wreaked some wrath,
But on the whole I've had no path."
I think this is one of those moments where Buffy comes off as rather unsympathetic, even if you can also see where she's coming from. The Sunnydale Slayers review website had an interesting discussion on how Buffy is in love with the hard choices.
Basically, the argument is that ever since she didn't kill Angelus at her first opportunity because it was too difficult for her to face (which led in her mind to him killing Jenny Calendar), she's defaulted to the position that, in complex emotional situations like this, the most difficult thing to do must be the right thing to do. Hence why she goes straight to "I have to kill Anya," even though it might seem inconsistent with other decisions she's made in the past.
Yes, in "Checkpoint," when she was desperately coming up with unnecessarily complex lies to cover for her ex-demon status in front of the Watchers' Council.
I don't think Buffy LIKES taking the hard decisions, as the Slayer they're sort of forced upon her.
HIM
The Good;
ALL OF IT! Just wonderful, love it to death, amongst many favourite bits have to be Dawn falling off the audience stands, Dawn's lapdance, Dawn's catfight, Buffy seducing RJ, the split-screen stuff, Spike and Buffy wrestling over the rocket launcher, Buffy subtly screwing Dawn over for RJ's affections, Xander's KISS plan for getting the jacket back, the list goes on!
The Bad;
Nada, it's all terrific! Actually rather stupid that D'Hoffryn has just 'changed his mind' and now wants Anya killed. BUT he might have just wanted her to suffer for a while or might be in league with The First? Then again the demon might be sent by someone else Anya wronged now that D'Hoffryn no longer protects her?
Best line;
Xander (reminding Spike of their 'plan') "Grab it!"
Women good/men bad;
RJ's dad used his enchanted jacket to seduce the girls (in fairness to RJ and his brother they don't know that, they just think they're popular because they're goodlooking football stars). One question that occurs, 23 year old teaching assistant Buffy seduces 16 year old RJ (statuatory rape in California) and it's every schoolboy's fantasy. Imagine if that was Dawn and a male staff member, what would we think?
Jeez!;
I know it's hysterically funny and a little bit sexy but Dawn's cheerleading routine just makes me cringe, you feel for her every time. Which of us haven't embarassed ourselves trying to impress the object of our affections? You also feel bad for Buffy when a distraught Dawn cuts up her outfit. Buffy implies that Joyce would be ashamed to see how Dawn is acting but rapidly realises that this is a step too far and takes it back. Then again when you look at Buffy and Spike and 'teenage' Joyce and Ripper on the hood of the police car in 'Band Candy' you wonder if she'd actually be shocked at all? Maybe it runs in the Summer's family?
Kinky dinky;
Dawn in a cheerleader costume (Xander hopes Buffy get's a new one), giving RJ a lapdance then has a great big girly catfight complete with hair pulling, scratching and rolling around on top of one another. Buffy puts on her plaid schoolgirl skirt (to make herself look younger?) and get's it on with RJ on the school desk. She'd look better with a white blouse but then she might as well tie her hair in pigtails and start singing 'Hit me baby one more time'. Buffy describes Dawn as a slut-bag/hussy and thinks should go down to the docks and wait for the fleet to come in. Is that how she supported herself in LA prior to getting her waitress job in 'Anne'? Or maybe why she no longer seems to need to work at the DMP despite her counsellor job only being part time? (for the cheap seats I am IN NO WAY serious!) No more so than the bleached blonde Angel says Wes had sex with in season 2 actually being Spike or Willow and Cordy being in the closet together in School Hard means they're both gay so please don't whinge. Although come to think of it Willow....?) Buffy almost seems to indulge in ahem, self-stimulation when RJ walks away for the first time after putting the whammy on her. Xander thinks back nostalgically to the events of 'Bewitched, bothered and bewildered', nice to see Jenny, Joyce and human Harmony again (and the last time we'll see CC in any way on Buffy). Xander smiles at the memory of BBB, Willow looks uncomfortable whilst Anya gives a little look of jealousy. Xander confesses a sexual attraction to Dawn but feels guilty about it (although he says he misses when Dawn used to have a crush on him). Weirdly he says 'Daddy likes' even after he told Warren off for a similar phrase. Buffy says Snyder was always 'on her' and 'riding her'. Buffy alludes to porn star Anna Nicole Smith. Dawn thinks Buffy is hot and is seemingly envious that she has 'sex that's rough'.
Captain Subtext;
In a riposte to the evidence for being Bi Willow wants to turn RJ into a girl so she can love him. Then again Willow says her attraction isn't about physical presence which is interesting when you think of her later comments to Kennedy that she fell in love with 'A woman rather than women'. When Anya points out that RJ's 'physical prescence has a penis' Willow says she can work around it. Like Xander she confesses a sexual attraction to Dawn 'Right there with you buddy!". Spike is meanwhile back in the closet, at Xanders? RJ's brother was worried that he found poetry under his younger brother's bed. Spike seems fascinated by the 'Angel' figurines at Lance's house.
Guantanamo Bay;
Scoobies to the ER;
Missing scenes;
Apocalypses; 7,
Whedon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)
Scoobies in bondage: unless Buffy and RJ got up to some?
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 4
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 2
Dawn; 4
Scoobies knocked out:
Buffy: 19
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 14
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;5
Dawn; 4
Tara; 1
Kills: one demon for Buffy at Anya's
Buffy: 109 vamps, 62 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+1 human.
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 6 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp + 1 demon
Scoobies go evil: not evil but mad with lust certainly
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1
Buffy; 1
Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 5
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1
Anya; 2
Recurring characters killed: 12
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara
Sunnydale deaths;
99
Total number of scoobies: 6, Anya and Spike back in the fold
Xander, Buffy, Dawn, Willow, 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 produces the rocket launcher Xander procured for her in 'Innocence'. You can't help but think that might have been useful against Glory and Adam and especially The Beast which AI are currently battling.
Giles: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 4
Riley; 1
Buffy; 1
Tara; 1
Notches on Scooby bedpost: so exactly how far does Buffy go with RJ? Her blouse is off, her bra is on, she's straddling him but we've no idea what's going on beneath the skirt for either of them or what happened before Xander interrupted? 3rd base? 4th base? Come to think of it Xander tells her to get off RJ but then just walks out leaving them to it (check out the little look Buffy and RJ trade, as if to say "We've still got time!") She later refers to him as her 'lover' so I'll put him down as a possible. Equally we've no idea what RJ and Dawn got up to before dancing at the Bronze but without any definite evidence (and RJ denies they did anything even though she was so hot) I think we'll safely assume that Dawn is still 'hymenally challenged' as they said on Clueless, even in the Bill Clinton sense.
Giles: 2; Joyce & Olivia, possibly Jenny and 3xDraccy babes? Cordy: 1?
Buffy: 4 confirmed; Angel, Parker, Riley, Spike. 2 possibles, Dracula+RJ(?)
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; 2 Buffy and Anya
Anya; 2 Spike and Xander
Dawn in peril; 13 but self inflicted this time. Again Buffy's love for Dawn seems to overcome the power of the spell implying a deeper connection between her and Dawn than just sisters.
Dawn the bashful virgin; 9 NOT ANY MORE! Joyce's little girl is all slutted up and hot to trot! It's a bit much that Buffy criticizes Dawn's outfit considering some of the stuff SHE used to wear in season 1&2, the leopardskin miniskirt from BBB as exhibit A (and that was BEFORE she got hit with Xander's love whammy!)
What the fanficcers thought;
The cliche of an enchanted object or spell going wrong making one character irresistable to all is a feature of more fics than you can shake a stick at!
Questions and observations;
Note Buffy still drives Joyce's Geekmobile. Badly! Oz's old favourite 'The Theme from a Summer Place' is used for when the girls fall in love whilst when we switch to split screen the music get's very Charlie's Angels (who doesn't love a bit of funk guitar? That's why Wonder Woman is the greatest superhero, she has her own funk guitar band that follow her everywhere). We know that CC doesn't have a sister but wouldn't it be wonderful if the head cheerleader was her cousin or something? Did RJ's brother know Daryl Epps?
If Xander was on the SDH swimteam shouldn't he have his own athletics jacket? Dawn refers to Monty Python's Spanish Inquisition sketch, been hanging with Xander WAAAYY too much! Buffy's hair looks very similar to SMG's porn star character's in Southland Tales. In the latest comics Buffy accuses Xander of being a cradle robber/paedophile for shacking up with Dawn, suprised he doesn't remind her of RJ.
Now of course in the comics Buffy and Dawn are also competing over a guy, this time it's Xander. But Dawn seems to have won this time. Of course I'm sure he wouldn't object to being shared by all three Summer's girls.
Marks out of 10; 10/10, I know a lot of people don't like this one too much but I love it, in a pretty serious season it's such a fun, amusing romp, could only be better if Faith, Joyce and Tara were present. The first ep I watched this season and then immediately went back and watched it all again then watched it for a third time the morning after. All hail the pushy queen of slut-town!
HIM
The Good;
ALL OF IT! Just wonderful, love it to death, amongst many favourite bits have to be Dawn falling off the audience stands, Dawn's lapdance, Dawn's catfight, Buffy seducing RJ, the split-screen stuff, Spike and Buffy wrestling over the rocket launcher, Buffy subtly screwing Dawn over for RJ's affections, Xander's KISS plan for getting the jacket back, the list goes on!
The Bad;
Nada, it's all terrific! Actually rather stupid that D'Hoffryn has just 'changed his mind' and now wants Anya killed. BUT he might have just wanted her to suffer for a while or might be in league with The First? Then again the demon might be sent by someone else Anya wronged now that D'Hoffryn no longer protects her?
Best line;
Xander (reminding Spike of their 'plan') "Grab it!"
Women good/men bad;
RJ's dad used his enchanted jacket to seduce the girls (in fairness to RJ and his brother they don't know that, they just think they're popular because they're goodlooking football stars). One question that occurs, 23 year old teaching assistant Buffy seduces 16 year old RJ (statuatory rape in California) and it's every schoolboy's fantasy. Imagine if that was Dawn and a male staff member, what would we think?
Jeez!;
I know it's hysterically funny and a little bit sexy but Dawn's cheerleading routine just makes me cringe, you feel for her every time. Which of us haven't embarassed ourselves trying to impress the object of our affections? You also feel bad for Buffy when a distraught Dawn cuts up her outfit. Buffy implies that Joyce would be ashamed to see how Dawn is acting but rapidly realises that this is a step too far and takes it back. Then again when you look at Buffy and Spike and 'teenage' Joyce and Ripper on the hood of the police car in 'Band Candy' you wonder if she'd actually be shocked at all? Maybe it runs in the Summer's family?
Kinky dinky;
Dawn in a cheerleader costume (Xander hopes Buffy get's a new one), giving RJ a lapdance then has a great big girly catfight complete with hair pulling, scratching and rolling around on top of one another. Buffy puts on her plaid schoolgirl skirt (to make herself look younger?) and get's it on with RJ on the school desk. She'd look better with a white blouse but then she might as well tie her hair in pigtails and start singing 'Hit me baby one more time'. Buffy describes Dawn as a slut-bag/hussy and thinks should go down to the docks and wait for the fleet to come in. Is that how she supported herself in LA prior to getting her waitress job in 'Anne'? Or maybe why she no longer seems to need to work at the DMP despite her counsellor job only being part time? (for the cheap seats I am IN NO WAY serious!) No more so than the bleached blonde Angel says Wes had sex with in season 2 actually being Spike or Willow and Cordy being in the closet together in School Hard means they're both gay so please don't whinge. Although come to think of it Willow....?) Buffy almost seems to indulge in ahem, self-stimulation when RJ walks away for the first time after putting the whammy on her. Xander thinks back nostalgically to the events of 'Bewitched, bothered and bewildered', nice to see Jenny, Joyce and human Harmony again (and the last time we'll see CC in any way on Buffy). Xander smiles at the memory of BBB, Willow looks uncomfortable whilst Anya gives a little look of jealousy. Xander confesses a sexual attraction to Dawn but feels guilty about it (although he says he misses when Dawn used to have a crush on him). Weirdly he says 'Daddy likes' even after he told Warren off for a similar phrase. Buffy says Snyder was always 'on her' and 'riding her'. Buffy alludes to porn star Anna Nicole Smith. Dawn thinks Buffy is hot and is seemingly envious that she has 'sex that's rough'.
Captain Subtext;
In a riposte to the evidence for being Bi Willow wants to turn RJ into a girl so she can love him. Then again Willow says her attraction isn't about physical presence which is interesting when you think of her later comments to Kennedy that she fell in love with 'A woman rather than women'. When Anya points out that RJ's 'physical prescence has a penis' Willow says she can work around it. Like Xander she confesses a sexual attraction to Dawn 'Right there with you buddy!". Spike is meanwhile back in the closet, at Xanders? RJ's brother was worried that he found poetry under his younger brother's bed. Spike seems fascinated by the 'Angel' figurines at Lance's house.
Guantanamo Bay;
Scoobies to the ER;
Missing scenes;
Apocalypses; 7,
Whedon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)
Scoobies in bondage: unless Buffy and RJ got up to some?
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 4
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 2
Dawn; 4
Scoobies knocked out:
Buffy: 19
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 14
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;5
Dawn; 4
Tara; 1
Kills: one demon for Buffy at Anya's
Buffy: 109 vamps, 62 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+1 human.
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 6 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp + 1 demon
Scoobies go evil: not evil but mad with lust certainly
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1
Buffy; 1
Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 5
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1
Anya; 2
Recurring characters killed: 12
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara
Sunnydale deaths;
99
Total number of scoobies: 6, Anya and Spike back in the fold
Xander, Buffy, Dawn, Willow, 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 produces the rocket launcher Xander procured for her in 'Innocence'. You can't help but think that might have been useful against Glory and Adam and especially The Beast which AI are currently battling.
Giles: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 4
Riley; 1
Buffy; 1
Tara; 1
Notches on Scooby bedpost: so exactly how far does Buffy go with RJ? Her blouse is off, her bra is on, she's straddling him but we've no idea what's going on beneath the skirt for either of them or what happened before Xander interrupted? 3rd base? 4th base? Come to think of it Xander tells her to get off RJ but then just walks out leaving them to it (check out the little look Buffy and RJ trade, as if to say "We've still got time!") She later refers to him as her 'lover' so I'll put him down as a possible. Equally we've no idea what RJ and Dawn got up to before dancing at the Bronze but without any definite evidence (and RJ denies they did anything even though she was so hot) I think we'll safely assume that Dawn is still 'hymenally challenged' as they said on Clueless, even in the Bill Clinton sense.
Giles: 2; Joyce & Olivia, possibly Jenny and 3xDraccy babes? Cordy: 1?
Buffy: 4 confirmed; Angel, Parker, Riley, Spike. 2 possibles, Dracula+RJ(?)
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; 2 Buffy and Anya
Anya; 2 Spike and Xander
Dawn in peril; 13 but self inflicted this time. Again Buffy's love for Dawn seems to overcome the power of the spell implying a deeper connection between her and Dawn than just sisters.
Dawn the bashful virgin; 9 NOT ANY MORE! Joyce's little girl is all slutted up and hot to trot! It's a bit much that Buffy criticizes Dawn's outfit considering some of the stuff SHE used to wear in season 1&2, the leopardskin miniskirt from BBB as exhibit A (and that was BEFORE she got hit with Xander's love whammy!)
What the fanficcers thought;
The cliche of an enchanted object or spell going wrong making one character irresistable to all is a feature of more fics than you can shake a stick at!
Questions and observations;
Note Buffy still drives Joyce's Geekmobile. Badly! Oz's old favourite 'The Theme from a Summer Place' is used for when the girls fall in love whilst when we switch to split screen the music get's very Charlie's Angels (who doesn't love a bit of funk guitar? That's why Wonder Woman is the greatest superhero, she has her own funk guitar band that follow her everywhere). We know that CC doesn't have a sister but wouldn't it be wonderful if the head cheerleader was her cousin or something? Did RJ's brother know Daryl Epps?
If Xander was on the SDH swimteam shouldn't he have his own athletics jacket? Dawn refers to Monty Python's Spanish Inquisition sketch, been hanging with Xander WAAAYY too much! Buffy's hair looks very similar to SMG's porn star character's in Southland Tales. In the latest comics Buffy accuses Xander of being a cradle robber/paedophile for shacking up with Dawn, suprised he doesn't remind her of RJ.
Now of course in the comics Buffy and Dawn are also competing over a guy, this time it's Xander. But Dawn seems to have won this time. Of course I'm sure he wouldn't object to being shared by all three Summer's girls.
Marks out of 10; 10/10, I know a lot of people don't like this one too much but I love it, in a pretty serious season it's such a fun, amusing romp, could only be better if Faith, Joyce and Tara were present. The first ep I watched this season and then immediately went back and watched it all again then watched it for a third time the morning after. All hail the pushy queen of slut-town!
CONVERSATIONS WITH DEAD PEOPLE
The Good;
All of it, pretty damn amazing the whole thing. In a pretty intense and serious episode I do like Dawn's fun anchovies song and dance not to mention her marhsmallow in the microwave (love to try that but then it didn't turn out too well for her)
The Bad;
The only problems I have is that there's no Xander and that the Cassie role was so blatantly supposed to be Tara. If it is The First that visits Dawn it's actions seem remarkably tame AND it seems to be able to move stuff with it's will which it can't do later. Also why put on the big show, why not just appear to Dawn as it did to Willow and Andrew? Maybe it is Joyce but the First is somehow manipulating her and only allows it to put over what it wants Dawn to hear? If it is The First trying to mislead Dawn why does it try to get her to leave the house?
Best line;
Holden; "Who knows, maybe I'll win?"
Buffy; (almost pityingly) "No, I'm the Slayer. You're not leaving this graveyard"
Women good/men bad;
We learn that Hank cheated on Joyce and that was the reason for their divorce.
Jeez!;
Holden hitting Buffy in the face with the virgin Mary statuette. Dawn getting all cut up. Cassie/The First's description of how she imagined Willow committing suicide.
Kinky dinky;
When confessing to Holden Buffy says that during her sex with Spike she felt she deserved to be punished which explains some of the violent/S&M nature of their relationship. Buffy says she hates the way vamps equate sex, pain, death and love but then as Spike said, they are evil, they should be treading on the darkside. Looking back on her previous boyfriends Buffy observes she sure can pick them, every one a doomed romance. There were rumours at SDH that Buffy was dating a really old guy but did this mean Angel or Giles? ("Older man, very handsome, likes it when I call him daddy") Holden says he is 'chatting Buffy up'. Spike effortlessly picks a hot blonde up at the bar. Buffy refers to Spike 'taking me over completely' and 'doing such things to me'. Holden refers to guy talk in 'nailing a girl'.
Captain Subtext;
So if Spike sires his blonde after picking her up in a bar does he do the same thing with Holden? Buffy confesses she feels superior to her friends and lovers but feels guilty about it. This suggests that Faith is actually the ideal girl for her as they're equal in every way. Scott Hope, Buffy's boyfriend from season 3 has now come out of the closet which must be a relief for her as it means their break up wasn't her fault. But apparently he told everyone she was gay which given her track record with guys might be the best option for her?
Note that Jonathon and Andrew actually want to be part of the Scooby gang which Andrew at least will achieve.
Guantanamo Bay;
Scoobies to the ER;
Missing scenes;
Supposedly we were to see Xander visited by Jesse and Anya by Halfrek but they couldn't get the actors which was a great shame.
Apocalypses; 7,
Wheldon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)
Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 4
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 2
Dawn; 4
Scoobies knocked out:
Buffy: 19
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 14
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;5
Dawn; 4
Tara; 1
Kills: Buffy kills 1 vamp
Buffy: 110 vamps, 60 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+1 human.
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 6 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp + 1 demon
Scoobies go evil:
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1
Buffy; 1
Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 5
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1
Anya; 2
Recurring characters killed: 13 byebye Jonathon, with us from the untransmitted pilot who came good in the end.
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara, Jonathon
Sunnydale deaths; Jonathon and Spike's victim
101
Total number of scoobies: 6,
Xander, Buffy, Dawn, Willow, 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
Buffy; 1
Tara; 1
Notches on Scooby bedpost:
Giles: 2; Joyce & Olivia, possibly Jenny and 3xDraccy babes?
Cordy: 1?
Buffy: 4 confirmed; Angel, Parker, Riley, Spike. 2 possible, Dracula+RJ(?)
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; 2 Buffy and Anya
Anya; 2 Spike and Xander
Dawn in peril; 13 once again but this time she deals with it herself
Dawn the bashful virgin; 9
What the fanficcers thought;
Loads of fic where Joyce's real ghost visits both Dawn and Buffy, how wonderful if we could see the mother we loved and lost again if only for a minute. Interesting to see Dawn in Ash from Evil Dead mode, once read a fic where Tara's family are actually Texas Chainsaw Massacre types and kill everyone in the season 5 Scoobies except for Tara, Riley, Willow and Dawn. However when Tara and Willow ressurect Buffy she finds that Dawn has now turned into a combination of Ash/Lara Croft (but still has both hands). Meanwhile Faith defeated the First and shared her power with the Potentials but was presumed to have perished in the collapsing Hellmouth. But whose is that gorgeous female hand holding a scythe breaking the surface at the Sunnydale crater...?
Questions and observations;
I take it that the Dartmouth Holden refers to is a college in the US rather than the town in Devon? By the commentary we know that it isn't really Joyce who visits Dawn but her warning that Buffy wouldn't choose Dawn in the end turns out to be prophetic. Dawn's battle with The First(?) references The Excorcist, Die Hard (glass in feet), The Shining, The Amityville Horror, Poltergeist, Highlander and especially the Evil Dead films . Andrew says he found Klingon easier to learn than Spanish but then as an artificial language it would be simpler. 'Insane troll logic' again. Kit from 'Lessons' reccurs although offscreen. Someone in the Summer's house likes Mariarchi music as it was also on their radio in 'Quelled'. Lovely music at the Bronze, is that the same band as in Dopplegangland? Is Jason Wheeler the guy who won the class clown award in The Prom? Holden has studied 2 years of Tae-Kwan-Do which is SMG's martial art. Buffy refuses to commit on the God question despite the effects of crosses and holy water on vamps. Considering how much real horror there is in Dawn's life you'd wonder that she watches a horror film? JE refers disparagingly to Charmed on the commentary. Holden refers to the SD mental hospital which was presumably built after season 5.
Both Spike and his date smoke in a bar which I didn't think you could do in California. Buffy still suffers from the Slayer deathwish to a degree to judge from some of the things she says.
How old is Buffy? Holden says she's 21 but if she's 15 in season 1 surely she's 22/23 now? The girl Spike picks up in the bar reminds me a lot of Christina Applegate. Holden seems to be a remarkably human vampire but then people sired by Spike and Dru always seem to be. So this was filmed in a real graveyard? I'm not sure I'd like my loved one's grave used as a prop in a TV series, especially with Holden sitting on it? Dawn can do magic, living with Tara and Willow all those years must have paid off.
Apparently they had to cut 9 minutes off this ep. WHY can't we have Buffy Special Edition DVDs with all this footage restored and commentaries for all the eps?
Marks out of 10; 9/10, only failing to be 10/10 due to no Xander and no Tara. This one I watched 4 times, twice with the commentary.
The Good;
All of it, pretty damn amazing the whole thing. In a pretty intense and serious episode I do like Dawn's fun anchovies song and dance not to mention her marhsmallow in the microwave (love to try that but then it didn't turn out too well for her)
The Bad;
The only problems I have is that there's no Xander and that the Cassie role was so blatantly supposed to be Tara. If it is The First that visits Dawn it's actions seem remarkably tame AND it seems to be able to move stuff with it's will which it can't do later. Also why put on the big show, why not just appear to Dawn as it did to Willow and Andrew? Maybe it is Joyce but the First is somehow manipulating her and only allows it to put over what it wants Dawn to hear? If it is The First trying to mislead Dawn why does it try to get her to leave the house?
Best line;
Holden; "Who knows, maybe I'll win?"
Buffy; (almost pityingly) "No, I'm the Slayer. You're not leaving this graveyard"
Women good/men bad;
We learn that Hank cheated on Joyce and that was the reason for their divorce.
Jeez!;
Holden hitting Buffy in the face with the virgin Mary statuette. Dawn getting all cut up. Cassie/The First's description of how she imagined Willow committing suicide.
Kinky dinky;
When confessing to Holden Buffy says that during her sex with Spike she felt she deserved to be punished which explains some of the violent/S&M nature of their relationship. Buffy says she hates the way vamps equate sex, pain, death and love but then as Spike said, they are evil, they should be treading on the darkside. Looking back on her previous boyfriends Buffy observes she sure can pick them, every one a doomed romance. There were rumours at SDH that Buffy was dating a really old guy but did this mean Angel or Giles? ("Older man, very handsome, likes it when I call him daddy") Holden says he is 'chatting Buffy up'. Spike effortlessly picks a hot blonde up at the bar. Buffy refers to Spike 'taking me over completely' and 'doing such things to me'. Holden refers to guy talk in 'nailing a girl'.
Captain Subtext;
So if Spike sires his blonde after picking her up in a bar does he do the same thing with Holden? Buffy confesses she feels superior to her friends and lovers but feels guilty about it. This suggests that Faith is actually the ideal girl for her as they're equal in every way. Scott Hope, Buffy's boyfriend from season 3 has now come out of the closet which must be a relief for her as it means their break up wasn't her fault. But apparently he told everyone she was gay which given her track record with guys might be the best option for her?
Note that Jonathon and Andrew actually want to be part of the Scooby gang which Andrew at least will achieve.
Guantanamo Bay;
Scoobies to the ER;
Missing scenes;
Supposedly we were to see Xander visited by Jesse and Anya by Halfrek but they couldn't get the actors which was a great shame.
Apocalypses; 7,
Wheldon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)
Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 4
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 2
Dawn; 4
Scoobies knocked out:
Buffy: 19
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 14
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;5
Dawn; 4
Tara; 1
Kills: Buffy kills 1 vamp
Buffy: 110 vamps, 60 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+1 human.
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 6 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp + 1 demon
Scoobies go evil:
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1
Buffy; 1
Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 5
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1
Anya; 2
Recurring characters killed: 13 byebye Jonathon, with us from the untransmitted pilot who came good in the end.
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara, Jonathon
Sunnydale deaths; Jonathon and Spike's victim
101
Total number of scoobies: 6,
Xander, Buffy, Dawn, Willow, 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
Buffy; 1
Tara; 1
Notches on Scooby bedpost:
Giles: 2; Joyce & Olivia, possibly Jenny and 3xDraccy babes?
Cordy: 1?
Buffy: 4 confirmed; Angel, Parker, Riley, Spike. 2 possible, Dracula+RJ(?)
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; 2 Buffy and Anya
Anya; 2 Spike and Xander
Dawn in peril; 13 once again but this time she deals with it herself
Dawn the bashful virgin; 9
What the fanficcers thought;
Loads of fic where Joyce's real ghost visits both Dawn and Buffy, how wonderful if we could see the mother we loved and lost again if only for a minute. Interesting to see Dawn in Ash from Evil Dead mode, once read a fic where Tara's family are actually Texas Chainsaw Massacre types and kill everyone in the season 5 Scoobies except for Tara, Riley, Willow and Dawn. However when Tara and Willow ressurect Buffy she finds that Dawn has now turned into a combination of Ash/Lara Croft (but still has both hands). Meanwhile Faith defeated the First and shared her power with the Potentials but was presumed to have perished in the collapsing Hellmouth. But whose is that gorgeous female hand holding a scythe breaking the surface at the Sunnydale crater...?
Questions and observations;
I take it that the Dartmouth Holden refers to is a college in the US rather than the town in Devon? By the commentary we know that it isn't really Joyce who visits Dawn but her warning that Buffy wouldn't choose Dawn in the end turns out to be prophetic. Dawn's battle with The First(?) references The Excorcist, Die Hard (glass in feet), The Shining, The Amityville Horror, Poltergeist, Highlander and especially the Evil Dead films . Andrew says he found Klingon easier to learn than Spanish but then as an artificial language it would be simpler. 'Insane troll logic' again. Kit from 'Lessons' reccurs although offscreen. Someone in the Summer's house likes Mariarchi music as it was also on their radio in 'Quelled'. Lovely music at the Bronze, is that the same band as in Dopplegangland? Is Jason Wheeler the guy who won the class clown award in The Prom? Holden has studied 2 years of Tae-Kwan-Do which is SMG's martial art. Buffy refuses to commit on the God question despite the effects of crosses and holy water on vamps. Considering how much real horror there is in Dawn's life you'd wonder that she watches a horror film? JE refers disparagingly to Charmed on the commentary. Holden refers to the SD mental hospital which was presumably built after season 5.
Both Spike and his date smoke in a bar which I didn't think you could do in California. Buffy still suffers from the Slayer deathwish to a degree to judge from some of the things she says.
How old is Buffy? Holden says she's 21 but if she's 15 in season 1 surely she's 22/23 now? The girl Spike picks up in the bar reminds me a lot of Christina Applegate. Holden seems to be a remarkably human vampire but then people sired by Spike and Dru always seem to be. So this was filmed in a real graveyard? I'm not sure I'd like my loved one's grave used as a prop in a TV series, especially with Holden sitting on it? Dawn can do magic, living with Tara and Willow all those years must have paid off.
Apparently they had to cut 9 minutes off this ep. WHY can't we have Buffy Special Edition DVDs with all this footage restored and commentaries for all the eps?
Marks out of 10; 9/10, only failing to be 10/10 due to no Xander and no Tara. This one I watched 4 times, twice with the commentary.
Stunning episode, and I think the last truly genius episode of the show. Up there concept-wise with "Hush," "Restless," "The Body" and "Once More With Feeling."
I love when she drops pizza sauce on Buffy's shirt and just shrugs, "Eh, she'll think it's blood." Which is reflected when Anya sniffs the shirt in "Never Leave Me" and says, "I don't think this is blood. I think it's pizza sauce."
Which, while true, is also evidence of Buffy's growing self-importance as shown in the rest of the season.
Yeah, this has been speculated quite a bit. But if you look at the next episode, the people Spike buries in the basement are not all hotties you might meet in a club. So he probably had a variety of seduction techniques. Maybe he just chatted to Holden about sports or something.
Joss does this a lot. Presents us with the opposite to a given character so that we can see how unlike them they are, then gradually takes the original character through completely understandable changes so they come out looking exactly like their opposite. He did it with Giles, Willow, Angel, Wesley, and here Buffy.
Also a reference to the fact that Fabrizio Fillipo, who played Scott Hope, was at the time starring in Queer as Folk.
Calling Satsu...
It's called "Listening to Fear."
Presumably to deliberately show up the difference between the "fake" horror on the TV and "real" horror she was about to experience.
Well, he is evil.
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If the series had been similar to the film then I think that an excellent series would have fliopped. It was not a good film by any means. The series on the other hand was great, that's why I have the entire series.
Re.: Conversations With Dead People.
Facts about this episode:
It won the 2003 Hugo Award for "Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form".
Spike has no dialogue.
It's the only episode aside from Once More, With Feeling to have its title appear on-screen at the beginning.
Last, but not lleast, is the fact that it's the only episode not to feature Xander. His absence makes sense given the title and the length issue, I suppose. It also illustrates how a show, and particularly this one, can benefit from the removal of one of its important constituent elements. This episode has plenty of focus on each of its plot threads, which get a good chance to breathe. Really liked the Dawn scenes; it's actually quite rare for this show to do genuine creepiness. (No offence, Dawn!)
Dialogue:
Jonathan: "Me neither. Desde abajo te devora."
Andrew: "It eats you starting with your bottom." According to the episode's Wikipedia entry, this is actually a correct translation!
Facts about this episode:
It won the 2003 Hugo Award for "Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form".
Spike has no dialogue.
It's the only episode aside from Once More, With Feeling to have its title appear on-screen at the beginning.
Last, but not lleast, is the fact that it's the only episode not to feature Xander. His absence makes sense given the title and the length issue, I suppose. It also illustrates how a show, and particularly this one, can benefit from the removal of one of its important constituent elements. This episode has plenty of focus on each of its plot threads, which get a good chance to breathe. Really liked the Dawn scenes; it's actually quite rare for this show to do genuine creepiness. (No offence, Dawn!)
Dialogue:
Jonathan: "Me neither. Desde abajo te devora."
Andrew: "It eats you starting with your bottom." According to the episode's Wikipedia entry, this is actually a correct translation!