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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Marathon
Season 1: Disc 1
1. Welcome to the Hellmouth
Buffy Summers, The Chosen One, arrives in Sunnydale, California trying to forget all the talk about her destiny and the vampires, only to discover that the quiet, small American town sits atop a Hellmouth and a master vampire is about to be brought forth. With the help of her new Watcher, Giles; and new friends Xander and Willow, Buffy tries to do her sacred duty while also leading a normal teenagers life.
My Thoughts:
First part of a 2 part premiere... does a good job at introducing the characters... love the opening scene. Is an opener that will suck in most people in my opinion.... especially vampire fans. Episode cuts with "To Be Continued" right at the perfect time to make sure people will come back for the second episode. Great start to what I always considered an awesome series!
2. The Harvest
Buffy gradually learns to accept her role as the Slayer and prepares to battle the Master's minions in order to stop the Harvest, a ceremony which will free the Master from his prison in the sewers. Willow and Xander are confided in by Giles about the existence of Vampires and Demons and, although overwhelmed, pledge to help Buffy in her fight.
My Thoughts:
Great continuation to the series opener. Throws in some of the unexpected to keep you guessing. I always thought the vampires was done great for a TV Series. I love how they look when they show their "true selves"... and love the way they burst into dust when they are destroyed. It has been a while since I done this marathon.... I think I will be having a good time!
3. The Witch
When several cheerleaders are involved in strange accidents that cause them to spontaneously combust or leave them without eyes or a mouth, Buffy and the gang suspect that one of the cheerleader wannabes is practicing witchcraft and is trying to eliminate her competition.
My Thoughts:
"The Witch".... even though a good episode has never really been a favorite of mine. I don't even know what it is about it that puts me off... but this one just slightly does. I always liked movies/series about witches before... so it is not the subject matter. I don't know... maybe it is all the cheerleading... as I was never much of a cheerleader fan. I always wondered after this episode if we would ever see Amy's mom again... going from the final scene of the episode one could think it would be possible.
4. Teacher's Pet
When Xander and most of the male population of Sunnydale High fall for the substitute science teacher Miss French, Buffy tries to warn him that she may not be what she seems when she sees the well-proportioned female specimen scare off a vampire.
My Thoughts:
Much like "The Witch"... this one was never much of a favorite of mine. Once again not really a bad episode... but I never liked the whole giant insect monster. but over-all a decent episode... worth the time put into it.
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Disc 2
5. Never Kill a Boy on the First Date
Buffy sets her sights on the mysterious and brooding Owen and she opts to go on a date rather than help Giles prevent a prophecy about an unstoppable vampire rising to help the Master.
My Thoughts:
This was a good episode... really enjoyed it. Buffy learns a lesson on just how much her being a slayer effects her personal life... and you also see how the outcome can sometimes be less then perfect.
6. The Pack
While enduring the annual field trip to the Zoo, Xander and several other students enter the quarantined Hyena pen and leave in an altered state. Xander begins acting strangely, sniffing Buffy and being cruel to people, including Willow; and Buffy becomes convinced that he has been possessed by the spirit of the wild animal.
My Thoughts:
This episode was just a lot of fun... Xander is in a bit of trouble once again... and of course it is Buffy to the rescue!
7. Angel
After saving her from a gang of vampire warriors, Angel and Buffy's "relationship" grows until he reveals his true self to her. Angel is really 'Angelus', a 240-year-old vampire who has a reputation for being the most violent creature to ever walk the Earth. Faced with the reality that her possible true love is an enemy, Buffy must ask herself - can a vampire really be a good person or must she do her sworn duty and destroy him?
My Thoughts:
Great episode where you first learn a lot about Angel... Where Buffy and the gang first learn that Angel is actually a vampire.
8. I Robot, You Jane
Willow, saddened by Xander's affection for Buffy turns to the chat rooms and meets a charming boy on-line, ignoring Buffy's concerns about Internet freaks. Meanwhile, the rest of the gang discover a demon trapped in the school computer network.
My Thoughts:
This is another one of those episode that while good... is not one of my favorite episodes. And one I really can't put my finger on why I feel that way. It is also the first time we get to meet Jenny Calander.
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Disc 3
9. The Puppet Show
The new principal forces Giles to run Sunnydale High's annual talent show and Buffy, Willow and Xander have to perform against their will. Things get worse as the talent show proves to be a deadly place when one of the participants is found with her heart removed and the clues all point to one boy and his ventriloquist puppet.
My Thoughts:
This is another of those fun episodes.... the dummy in this episode was just hilarious. So much so... that this one ranks up there as one of my favorite episodes.
10. Nightmares
When strange things begin happening to the students at Sunnydale High, it seems that everyone is living their worst nightmares. Buffy and the gang must hold together to stop the phenomena before reality and the nightmare world become one.
My Thoughts:
Another of my favorite episodes... Nothing like seeing one's nightmare come to life... and if I am not mistaken the only time through-out the series that you see Buffy as a vampire.
11. Out of Mind, Out of Sight
When a seemingly evil invisible force centers around Cordelia, Buffy investigates and discovers that a student who was ignored by all her classmates, including Willow and Xander; became invisible by their perception of her and she plans revenge on Cordelia because of her popularity.
My Thoughts:
A good episode... but one that really isn't anything all that special. Worth the time put in to watch it.... but nothing here to make you think wow!
12. Prophecy Girl
With the help of Angel, Giles discovers an ancient prophecy which foresees that Buffy will die if she fights The Master. Upon hearing of her doom, Buffy is met with the biggest decision of her young life.
My Thoughts:
The final episode of the first season... Was a great episode! I enjoyed it very much Loved the part when Xander brought her back... and she was then all business and jumped right back into the mess. Another episode I consider one of my favorites.
Over-All Season 1 Thoughts:
Well... not to bad... one season in one day!... of course this is a short season... not like I could do any other season so quickly. I am sorry that this is such a short season... as The Master was always my favorite of the "Big Bads"... so I would have liked to see more episodes with him in them. Over-all I would say a strong start to the series... even though I personally don't think the series really took off till the second season.
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I joked in the other thread about Buffy being the very absolute best TV show period. In reality, you have to have a fairer, more balanced opinion. After all, there's so much stuff out there and you have to keep it in context. So I was wrong and I should refine what I said. It's actually Buffy Season Two. It just doesn't get better. It is utterly sublime. I just wanted to set the record straight! :P
Ahem. Anyway, I agree with your comments about Season One overall. Did you know it was a short season because it was a rushed production? Another show got cancelled apparently and Buffy was the quick replacement. Makes you wonder, how many other great shows are having to rely on dead man's boots?
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Did you know it was a short season because it was a rushed production? Another show got cancelled apparently and Buffy was the quick replacement. Makes you wonder, how many other great shows are having to rely on dead man's boots?
Buffy was a typical mid-season replacement show. The first season even had a contained story-line. It was surprisingly successful and a second full season was ordered.
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I have to watch Buffy sometime again. If only my unwatched TV Show pile wasn't so big (about a hundred unwatched season sets :laugh: ). I did even buy Buffy on VHS in the beginning just to have chance to see it in English.
Buffy and Friends are both great examples for how a dub can lessen the great humor of a show.
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Season 2: Disc 1
1. When She Was Bad
Buffy's got a new, not-so-nice attitude; the Anointed One plans to resurrect the Master.
My Thoughts:
A good start to the second season. I like how they made it so Buffy had to deal with all that she went through during the end of season 1.
2. Some Assembly Required
Someone is building a woman using body parts from different girls ... and Cordelia's head is on the wish list.
My Thoughts:
Another decent episode... enjoyable... but nothing special really.
3. School Hard
Spike and Drusilla come to town, and Spike invades Parent-Teacher night.
My Thoughts:
Excellent episode! Definitely one of my favorites. The episode that started the Spike craze that swamps the Buffy fans... Even though I like Spike well enough... I don't know why he is as well liked as he is.
4. Inca Mummy Girl
Buffy and Joyce offer to take in a foreign exchange student, but instead get a life-sucking mummy who's taken an interest in Xander.
My Thoughts:
Another good episode. First it is a giant insect... then it is a mummy girl... poor Xander just has no luck what so ever.
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I liked Spike because he was little bit of British in a very American show. Ok, he was really American too and sometimes his pronunciation would betray him, but otherwise it was an interesting angle and a mine of great lines. I can't remember if it was this or season 3, but he agrees to help Buffy and he mentioned Manchester United as a reason for humans to live!
I know Giles was British, but he was a typical stuffy Englishman (at least in the early days and offset by the Ripper legend), so Spike represented the irreverent punk rebels.
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Spike was my favorite - much sexier than the other male characters! :drooling: See...I do like the British even if though he was only a "little bit of British" and "really American". There's hope for me yet! :laugh:
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Season 2: Disc 2
5. Reptile Boy
Buffy accompanies Cordelia to a frat party, but it's not much fun ... they're offered as sacrifices to a reptilian demon.
My Thoughts:
Another really good episode... I kinda like the way the snake demon came out in this episode... it reminds me of a drawing I did many years ago in art class... A drawing that was even displayed in the schools art night showing they had... though it didn't win best sketch of the night... I took 2nd place... they for some reason preferred a scenic landscape instead of a drawing of a demon from a teen's over active imagination.
6. Halloween
Someone from Giles' past wreaks havoc on Halloween, causing Buffy and the gang to be transformed into their costumes.
My Thoughts:
One of my favorite episodes.... I always loved Buffy's Halloween episodes. This is the first one they had... and in my opinion....probably the best one. I loved how they all turned into their costumes... pretty cool idea.
7. Lie to Me
Buffy's childhood crush comes to town, but he's not looking to reminisce... he's looking for immortality as a vampire.
My Thoughts:
Another really good episode. Buffy's friend from the last school she was at appears in Sunnydale.... dying... and he believes his only hope is to become a vampire.
8. The Dark Age
Ethan returns and Ms. Calendar is in danger when a demon from Giles' darker days comes to Sunnydale.
My Thoughts:
Another episode I enjoyed a lot.This time Buffy must face a demon from Giles' past. I thought the demon was pretty cool... and loved the way they got rid of it.
Season 2: Disc 3
9. What's My Line (Part 1)
As the gang endures career week, Spike sends assassins after Buffy and sets out to cure Drusilla; a new Slayer comes to town.
My Thoughts:
A great 2-parter... with the introduction of Kendra... the new Vampire Slayer. I thought it was pretty smart how they brought in the second slayer... and how they got around the "There can be only one" deal. I also liked how they made it so you didn't know who Kendra was in the beginning...making her look like one of the assassins after Buffy.
10. What's My Line (Part 2)
Buffy must team up with Kendra to save Angel when it turns out that his death is necessary to cure Drusilla.
My Thoughts:
The second part was just as good as the first... 2 different slayers... 2 different styles... one great episode.
11. Ted
Everyone except Buffy loves Joyce's new beau, who turns out to be more than meets the eye.
My Thoughts:
Time for Buffy's mother to fall for someone that isn't human.... another good episode with funny man John Ritter as a robot bent on taking Joyce as his own. I have been a long time fan of John Ritter and is good to see him doing something other then comedy.
12. Bad Eggs
The gang must adopt eggs as "babies" for their Health class, but there's more than yolk inside these eggs.
My Thoughts:
Decent episode... but nothing really special. I did get a kick out of the brother vampires.
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Season 2: Disc 4
13. Surprise (Part 1)
Drusilla reassembles the Judge, an unstoppable demon; Buffy and Angel consummate their relationship.
My Thoughts:
The first part of a great 2 parter. The first time they have Buffy's Birthday on the show... which becomes pretty much a topic that comes up once each season.
14. Innocence (Part 2)
Angel loses his soul and his demon self takes over; Buffy must deal with him and stop the Judge.
My Thoughts:
A great second part... Angel becomes the "Big Bad" of the season after a night of total happiness with Buffy. I thought Angel made a great bad guy... very cool. And I must say... I loved the way Buffy dealt with The Judge... not to mention the fight between her and Angel.
15. Phases
The gang tries to save a werewolf from a poacher.
My Thoughts:
Another episode I really liked a lot... I remember when I first started to watch the series... I was wondering if they would touch on werewolves at all... and they really did!... making a werewolf be one of the main recurring characters for a couple seasons.
16. Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered
Things get dangerous when all the women in Sunnydale - except Cordelia - are after Xander due to a love spell gone wrong.
My Thoughts:
This is a good strong episode... but more of a fun episode then anything else.
Season 2: Disc 5
17. Passion
Angel continues to torment Buffy; Jenny tries to curse Angel with a soul again.
My Thoughts:
This one is an excellent episode!... and one where we must say goodbye to a recurring character.
18. Killed by Death
A raging fever sends Buffy to the hospital, where her fever enables her to see a normally invisible monster that preys on children.
My Thoughts:
Another really strong episode... one that I definitely enjoyed.
19. I Only Have Eyes For You
The tortured ghost of a former student haunts SHS, reenacting the murder/suicide he committed.
My Thoughts:
Another episode I liked a lot... and deals with ghosts... another subgenre that I liked a lot... and would have liked to seen Buffy face more in the show.
20. Go Fish
When it appears that something is targeting the swim team, Xander goes undercover to find the truth.
My Thoughts:
This one... even though a good episode... it is not one I would call a favorite. I have no particular reason for it being on a lower scale for me.... but for some reason just did not impress me as much.
Season 2: Disc 6
21. Becoming (Part 1)
Angel prepares a ritual to awaken a demon that will suck the world into hell.
My Thoughts:
The first part of the season finale... which is always good strong episodes... well for the most part.. can think of one finale that didn't make much sense to me... but that will come in a later day. Not only does Buffy and the group find out that they have a chance to restore Angel's soul... but we see the return of Kendra the Vampire Slayer.
22. Becoming (Part 2)
Buffy's life is a mess when her mother discovers her secret life, and she's expelled from school and forced to make a heart-wrenching decision when both Angel's and Willow's rituals succeed
My Thoughts:
An excellent ending to the second season. We see the ongoing and upcoming changes to Buffy's world in this episode.
Over-All Thoughts of Season 2:
This was a great season... arguably the best season of the series! I thought Angel made a great "Big Bad" and that David Boreanaz did a wonderful job playing both Angel and Angelus. There is one problem I have with this set... and has nothing to do with the shows themselves... That is the animated menu on these discs... I thought they were very cool the first time I ever saw this set... but it quickly got tiresome having to go to 2 to 3 different screens just to turn on each episode! Way too over done for practical use. Which brings us to another thing I don't like about these sets... but this one is for all the season sets.... what is with not having a play all feature! I especially miss this feature when I am having these marathons! Other then that... it is a great set for an awesome season!
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well for the most part.. can think of one finale that didn't make much sense to me... but that will come in a later day.
You mean the season four finale, do you? :laugh:
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As long as it has been since I watched all these episodes (about a year).... I am a little confused about which season is which... but yes I believe that it was season 4. :P
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Season 3: Disc 1
1. Anne
It is the end of summer vacation, and Buffy is still missing. Willow, Xander, Oz, and Cordelia are attempting to keep the Sunnydale vampire population in check during Buffy's absence... with only moderate success. They miss having the Slayer around, but more than that they miss their friend. Meanwhile, Buffy has been working as a waitress in L.A., going by her middle name, Anne, and trying to forget her old life. But of course, someone always needs the Slayer's help...
My Thoughts:
This was a good episode... Thought it was strong season premiere... I liked that they brought back Lily... a girl that thought she wanted to become a vampire... thinking they were misunderstood... this was until she got to see for herself.
2. Dead Man's Party
Buffy returns home, but finds that picking up the pieces of the life she left behind may not be as easy as she had hoped. Her mother is trying to accept her back with open arms, but she doesn't seem to trust that Buffy won't just run away again. Her friends seem happy to see her, but their odd behavior makes it appear that they silently resent Buffy for taking off. And, of course, before these problems can be laid to rest, the dead of Sunnydale start to rise.
My Thoughts:
This one I liked quite a bit... got a taste of zombie action in this episode... and that is always fun.
3. Faith, Hope and Trick
A new Slayer arrives in town. Faith, who was called after Kendra died, seems like a fun-loving, wacky teenager who fits right in with the gang. Buffy worries that Faith may be taking her place in her friends hearts, and then begins to suspect that the new Slayer may be hiding something.
My Thoughts:
The first episode with Eliza Dushku as Faith... I remember the first 1 or 2 times through this series how I really disliked the character of Faith... but after watching it several times since... I have really grown to enjoy her. Definitely a good episode!
4. Beauty and the Beasts
A student is found savagely mauled in the woods, on the night of a full moon, and the gang worry that Oz may have escaped from his cage. However, Buffy discovers that Angel has somehow escaped Acathla's hell-dimension and returned to earth. Because time moves differently in that dimension, he has endured centuries of torture and is now little more than a wild animal. Now Buffy must find a way to tell the gang that Oz may be innocent and to keep them from killing Angel.
My Thoughts:
Once again... a good episode.. this one touches a little on the Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde story. And if that is not enough... we get some Werewolf action as well.
Season 3: Disc 2
5. Homecoming
When Cordelia flaunts her sure win for Homecoming Queen it awakens the prom queen within Buffy and they fight for the title. Meanwhile, the new vampire in town, Mr. Trick, rallies a group of tough vampires, demons and mercenaries together to play a game with the two Slayers, "Slayerfest '98."
My Thoughts:
I don't know what more to say other then this is just a fun episode!
6. Band Candy
Mr. Trick enlists Giles's old buddy Ethan Rayne to manufacture and distribute boxes of candy which turn the adult population into uninhibited, irresponsible teenagers. While the adults are indisposed, the mysterious Mayor Wilkins pays a tribute to a demon.
My Thoughts:
This episode I always had mixed feelings about... on one hand I liked seeing the town go nuts the way they did... on the other hand... I always disliked the character of Ethan Rayne. And by this point... this being his third appearance... I got to the point of sick of seeing him.
7. Revelations
Xander finds out about Angel's return to Sunnydale and promptly informs the gang who confront Buffy with the fear that he may turn evil again. Meanwhile Faith finds herself under the wing of a new Watcher, Gwendolyn Post, a prim and proper Englishwoman who seems to be intent on showing up Giles at every turn.
My Thoughts:
A good episode....Though I have to admit... even the first time I watched this one... I saw this episode's "bad guy" coming well before they revealed it. I had a problem with that character from first sight.
8. Lover's Walk
Spike returns to Sunnydale a broken vampire. Drusilla has left him, and he will do anything to win her back, including kidnapping Willow and Xander to force Willow to prepare him a love spell. Will Willow do the spell, or can the Scoobies prepare for tragedy?
My Thoughts:
This episode was another good one... Got a bit of a taste of the upcoming Spike when he fights along side of Buffy and Angel against a whole group of vampires.
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The first episode with Eliza Dushku as Faith... I remember the first 1 or 2 times through this series how I really disliked the character of Faith...
What? Not liking Faith?! :o
I still think it was a mistake by Eliza turning down the lead in a Faith spinoff and instead doing Tru Calling. That would have had the potential of a worthy successor series.
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LOL... like I said... she definitely grew on me. I would have liked to see how they would have done a faith series... but I am happy to have the serason plus of Tru Calling... after all it is my favorite of the short lived series! :)
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you're coming up on one of my favorite episodes (especially for one particular scene). The Episode is "Bad Girls"... You'll figure out the scene :drooling:
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I am looking forward to that episode.... I always liked it too! :drooling:
Unfortunately not sure how many episodes I will get watched today... as I have a lot to do today... I hate when real life gets in the way of my DVD watching!(http://www.countingcows.de/stop.gif)
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you're coming up on one of my favorite episodes (especially for one particular scene). The Episode is "Bad Girls"... You'll figure out the scene :drooling:
I am looking forward to that episode.... I always liked it too! :drooling:
Well! Now I'm gonna have to watch the episode, as I can't remember what the heck it might be you are talking about. ???
Not that I need much of an excuse to watch Buffy ;D
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Season 3: Disc 3
9. The Wish
Wanting to be rid of Xander for good, Cordelia comes to the conclusion that Buffy is the cause of all her problems and makes a wish that Buffy had never come to Sunnydale. A demon grants the wish and Cordelia's world suddenly changes.
My Thoughts:
This has always been one of my favorite episodes... I loved getting a peek at the alternate reality of what Sunnydale would have been like if Buffy never made it there. I really liked the vampire version of Willow and Xander. This is just one of those episodes that is just pure fun to watch.
10. Amends
While the gang prepares for their Christmas vacation, Angel is haunted by visions of his violent past. The ghost of Jenny Calendar appears to him and reminds him in great detail of the evil deeds he has performed. At first she almost seems to be taking pity on him, but gradually her counsel grows more sinister.
My Thoughts:
Another really good episode... and if I am not mistaken the only Christmas episode in the entire 7 year run of the series. Not to mention our first look at "The First Evil" which would later come back for the final season.
11. Gingerbread
Picking the wrong night for mother-daughter bonding, Joyce discovers the bodies of two children in the park, apparently sacrificed in an occult ritual. Deeply disturbed by what she has seen, Joyce rallies the adults of Sunnydale, convincing them to rid the town of all magical and occult influences. Soon, however, it becomes apparent that Buffy, Willow, and Amy are themselves considered a part of the occult threat to Sunnydale.
My Thoughts:
And this makes all 3 episodes on this disc good ones... Another episode I liked a lot. If I am not mistaken this episode also has another first... the first (and possibly only?) time we see Willow's mother. This is also the episode that Amy turns herself into a rat and stays that way for a very long time... till Willow can figure out how to change her back.
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Season 3: Disc 4
12 . Helpless
For her upcoming 18th birthday, Buffy declines the Scooby gang's offer of a big party, hoping to celebrate with quiet reflection and a traditional trip to the ice show with her father. Suddenly, Buffy finds that her Slayer abilities are fading, perhaps completely. Is this some natural event in the lifecycle of the Slayer, or is it something more sinister?
My Thoughts:
This was another good episode. The vampire in this episode was so weird... it was nuts.
13. The Zeppo
When Xander realizes that he isn't needed by the gang as much as he'd like to believe, his quest to prove he's cool leads him to an unforgettable night that finds him consorting with fast women, raising the dead and rolling with a dangerous crowd that could put Sunnydale in a world of hurt. Meanwhile, Buffy, Giles and the rest of the crew engage in a furious battle with the Sisterhood of Jhe, an all-female demon apocalypse cult that intends to reopen the Hellmouth and bring about the end of the world.
My Thoughts:
I always found this one to be more of a fun episode then anything else... an episode that seemed to center more on Xander then anything else. It is a good episode... but not one I would consider a favorite.
14. Bad Girls
While on a mission to retrieve an amulet before a powerful demon can use it to restore his strength, Faith introduces Buffy to her reckless method of slaying which leaves Buffy wanting more of the wild life. Meanwhile Giles is trying to keep his cool in front of the insufferably stuffy new watcher, Wesley Wyndam-Pryce.
My Thoughts:
This is a really good episode... with the help of Faith.. Buffy starts to explore her wilder side. I personally mostly enjoyed the 2 beautiful slayers dancing with each other in the Bronze. What more can you ask then that! This episode also introduces Wesley as the girls new watcher. After watching him on Angel... I actually forgot just how much of a dork Wesley was on Buffy!
15. Consequences
When Faith refuses to face up to the consequences of her actions, Buffy tries to get help from Giles and Angel. When Xander goes to confront Faith alone, however, he may be biting off more than he can chew.
My Thoughts:
This was a good continuation to the last episode.I enjoyed every minute of it.
Season 3: Disc 5
16. Doppelgangland
Anya convinces an unsuspecting Willow to assist her with a spell that will return her amulet and, with it, her Vengeance Demon powers. Willow, sensing something wrong with the magic, balks at the last minute and disrupts the spell. Instead of returning the amulet, the spell summons the vampire Willow from the alternate universe in "The Wish" and sets her loose in Sunnydale.
My Thoughts:
This is another of my favorite episodes! I love pretty much everything about this one... the alternate universe was very fun to see! And then there is the fact this is the first episode where we meet Anya. It was also fun to see how Buffy would have turned out without Giles and her friends. Just a fun episode all the way around...
17. Enemies
As a part of her new alliance with the Mayor, Faith tries to seduce Angel so that he will again lose his soul. When that fails, the Mayor summons a powerful demon to remove Angel’s soul with dark magic.
My Thoughts:
This is another episode I liked a lot... I love how they played the game with Faith to learn what she knew. Not to mention how Angel hit Xander when he walked past him as he did. Another episode that was a lot of fun.
18. Earshot
After an encounter with a demon with no mouth, Buffy is infected with the demon's blood and she gains the ability to hear people's thoughts. At first her newfound ability is useful for cheating on schoolwork and eavesdropping on the thoughts of those around her, but when the voices continue to flood her mind, she realizes that she cannot control the power. Amid the chaos, Buffy hears a killer planning a mass murder at the school. Now she must keep herself from going mad long enough to prevent a catastrophe.
My Thoughts:
Even though this is a good episode... it is one of those ones that is nothing really special. More of a filler episode then anything else.
19. Choices
Buffy receives an acceptance to Northwestern University, but what should be a happy surprise turns sour when she realizes that she may not be able to go away to school and still fulfill her duties as the Slayer. Buffy manages to intercept the Box of Gavrok, a container of mystical energy that is vital to the Mayor’s Ascension. But when Willow is captured, the gang must decide whether they can give up their best chance at preventing the Ascension to save Willow’s life.
My Thoughts:
Another good episode... I really liked how Willow stood her ground against Faith. Willow really showed a lot in this episode.
Season 3: Disc 6
20. The Prom
The biggest night in High School life is just around the corner, when strange creatures start appearing around town attacking anyone in formalwear. Meanwhile, Angel tells Buffy that he wants her to have a chance at the normal life that he could never give her. He plans to leave Sunnydale after the Ascension. Buffy must put aside her own pain and try to track down the source of the demonic Hellhounds in time to save the Senior Prom.
My Thoughts:
This one is another that is more of a filler episode then anything else. But this one I liked a lot... I thought it was funny seeing how they had Hell Hounds going after people wearing formal wear just to ruin the Prom. Another fun episode.
21. Graduation Day (Part 1)
The gang receive some valuable information from their old enemy Anya, who has actually witnessed an Ascension. She reveals that the Mayor plans to transform himself into pure demon, something that has not been seen for thousands of years. When Angel is poisoned by Faith, Buffy faces Faith for the final time in order to get the only cure to the poison: the blood of a Slayer.
My Thoughts:
Another really good episode... you have Angel in the midst of dying and Buffy facing Faith for their final battle... in the hopes to save Angel. Lots of really good action in this one.
22. Graduation Day (Part 2)
During their battle, Faith manages to escape from Buffy, so Buffy forces Angel to drink her own blood to rid his body of the poison. With Buffy in a coma, the gang must devise a plan to defeat the Mayor once and for all.
My Thoughts:
This is a great ending to the 3rd season. Really action packed... with the whole senior class getting in on the fun this time! And tell me... what high school kid didn't dream of blowing up the high school!
Over-All Season 3 Thoughts:
This is another really good season. Though I never really cared for the mayor as the big bad... he is probably my least favorite of any season... maybe second least favorite. I think the menus on this season set was done much better then season 2... not as animated.. so you don't have to go through as many menus just to play the episode... much better.
Now that season 3 is over... I am going to take a slight break from Buffy so that I can have a Weekend Movie Marathon... then I will start season 4 of Buffy on Monday morning.
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Season 4: Disc 1
EPISODE 1: THE FRESHMAN
Buffy's initial trouble adjusting to college life is soon overcome when she discovers the only difference between high school and college is that the monsters are bigger and badder.
My Thoughts:
This was a good episode. I know when I first watched this series I was concerned how the change to college life and the slayer into adulthood would effect the series. There was some problems in this area... but they were able to pull it off. But more on this later. The first episode of the new season was right good... I enjoyed every minute of it. Especially with Buffy finding out that Vampires can still give her a run for her money, so to speak.
EPISODE 2: LIVING CONDITIONS
A series of nightmares converging a soul-sucking demon leave Buffy convinced that the best way to deal with her overly perky college roommate is to simply kill her.
My Thoughts:
Another good episode. Buffy friends don't trust her that there is something unnatural going on... thinks she is just having trouble dealing with the change in her life. I think my favorite scene in this episode has to be when Oz and Xander realize they didn't tie Buffy up tight enough. :hysterical:
EPISODE 3: THE HARSH LIGHT OF DAY
As Buffy begins a new relationship, Spike returns to Sunnydale in search of a fabled ring which allows vampires to walk unharmed in the light of day.
My Thoughts:
Another good episode... we find out that Harmony is now a Vampire... I thought I saw her get bite in all the confusion of Graduation Day: Part 2... Buffy learns a lesson in love... and has to fight an invincible Spike.
EPISODE 4: FEAR ITSELF
A Halloween party at a campus frat house takes a frightening turn with the sudden appearance of blood-sucking bats, zombies, and a demon that plays on everyone's innermost fears.
My Thoughts:
Now... this episode was just plain fun... A lot of fun! I always loved the Halloween episodes. and this one I definitely enjoyed from the beginning all the way to the hilarious ending. You just had to love it when that Fear Demon showed himself.
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Season 4: Disc 2
EPISODE 5: BEER BAD
Buffy starts behaving strangely after sharing a pitcher of Black Frost beer with a group of fellow college students at the campus pub where Xander bartends.
My Thoughts:
This episode.. while it is ok... is probably one of my least favorite episodes. I don't even know why I dislike it... I don't want to say the episode was far fetched... as what Buffy episode isn't? But to me it just didn't fit in well with the rest I guess.
EPISODE 6: WILD AT HEART
Willow's feelings of jealousy over a sexy singer at the Bronze are confirmed when she discovers the woman is a werewolf who has her eye on Oz.
My Thoughts:
This episode I enjoyed... I thought it was a good... emotional ending to the whole Oz/Willow thing. Made for a strong episode.
EPISODE 7: THE INITIATIVE
Buffy begins a relationship with Riley Finn unaware that he is part of a military organization tracking down and experimenting on the demons and vampires of Sunnydale.
My Thoughts:
OK... let me go on record of saying I never liked the Initiative story-line... and was never much of a fan of Riley either. so to me... this one was a decent episode... nothing more.
EPISODE 8: PANGS
Warned that Buffy may be in great danger, Angel returns to Sunnydale just as the spirit of a Chumash warrior rises to avenge the death of his people.
My Thoughts:
Pretty cool episode... now that Spike is neutered we are starting to see the more funny Spike... I did find a Thanksgiving episode of Buffy a little on the strange side... but I think they definitely pulled it off.
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Season 4: Disc 3
EPISODE 9: SOMETHING BLUE
When Willow casts a spell in hopes of getting over the pain of losing Oz, the exact wording she uses causes mayhem among her friends.
My Thoughts:
This was a good episode... I enjoyed it. There was a lot of comedy on this episode.
EPISODE 10: HUSH
From out of a fairy tale comes a group of murderous creatures known as the Gentlemen: first they steal everyone's voices, then they begin to collect human hearts.
My Thoughts:
This is an excellent episode... one of my favorites of the whole series... and definitely my #1 favorite for season 4. I loved "The Gentlemen"... possible THE best demons in the entire series... at least in my opinion. This is also the episode where Tara and Willow meet... which was something I forgot till I saw her in the episode.
EPISODE 11: DOOMED
As Buffy and Riley struggle to come to terms with each other's secret identity, a Vahrall demon begins gathering objects for a ritual that will reopen the Hellmouth.
My Thoughts:
This episode was another good one... I did enjoy it. In this one they go back to the site of the high school to stop demons from opening the Hellmouth. And in this episode Spike learns that even though he has been neutered he can still fight demons without the chip in his head causing him tremendous pain.
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Season 4: Disc 4
EPISODE 12: A NEW MAN
Feeling suddenly old and useless, Giles drowns his sorrows at a pub with an old friend and sorcerer Ethan Rayne and winds up with much more than just a simple hangover the next morning.
My Thoughts:
This one was another of the fun episodes for me. These single episode stories that are put in there for fun is what saved this season for me as I never cared much for "The Inititive" story line. Even though I always hated the character of Ethan Rayne... I was almost happy to see him in this season since it had little to do with the season long story line. If I am not mistaken... this is the last we see of him though.
EPISODE 13: THE I IN TEAM
As Spike tries to elude The Initiative's commandos, Buffy gets a look at the Initiative's underground complex and discovers she's not as welcome as she first thought.
My Thoughts:
It is an alright episode to me... since I don't care for the main story line.
EPISODE 14: GOODBYE IOWA
A death inside the Initiative tests Buffy and Riley's relationship, and reveals that there are sinister and deadly aspects of the organization that not even Riley knows about.
My Thoughts:
Once again.. an alright episode... they are setting up the ending of the main story line here in the last couple of episodes.
EPISODE 15: THIS YEAR'S GIRL
As Riley joins Buffy in the hunt for one of the Initiative's creations called Adam, Faith awakens to find she's been given one last gift from Mayor Wilkins.
My Thoughts:
This one perked me back up a bit! Faith is back! Now things are getting interesting again.
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Season 4: Disc 5
EPISODE 16: WHO ARE YOU
After magically switching bodies with Buffy, Faith pays a visit to Riley - leaving Buffy in the hands of the Watcher Council Special Ops Unit who've come to take Faith back to England.
My Thoughts:
Another good episode. If I am not mistaken this is the last we see of Faith till the final season of the series.
EPISODE 17: SUPERSTAR
Buffy suspects reality has somehow been altered after an unpopular former Sunnydale High student named Jonathan becomes the coolest and most popular person in town.
My Thoughts:
This is another one of those I just didn't care much for... I realize the whole alternate reality was supposed to be ridiculous... but it was a bit too ridiculous for my taste.
EPISODE 18: WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
While Adam is recruiting an army of vampires and demons, Riley and Buffy's passionate lovemaking unleashes a group of poltergeists inside a frat house.
My Thoughts:
This episode was good... I enjoyed it quite a bit. I really liked the whole haunted house feel to it... as that is one of my favorite horror sub-genres.
EPISODE 19: NEW MOON RISING
Oz's surprise return to Sunnydale causes complications in Willow's current love life and leads to his transformation into a werewolf and subsequent capture by Riley.
My Thoughts:
How couldn't I enjoy this one? The return of Oz... him realizing the truth of how Willow's life has changed. very enjoyable.
Season 4: Disc 6
EPISODE 20: THE YOKO FACTOR
As Spike and Adam plot to drive a wedge between Buffy and her friends, Angel returns to Sunnydale, only to be attacked by Riley and a group of Initiative commandos.
My Thoughts:
Another good episode... Spike does a great job of pitting the group against each other.... playing to each of their fears.
EPISODE 21: PRIMEVAL
Xander, Willow, and Giles join forces to magically imbue Buffy with supernatural powers in order to do battle against Adam and overthrow his plans for creating a "demonoid" army.
My Thoughts:
The final show-down between Buffy (and the gang) and Adam. We finally pretty much see the end of The Initiative. And we get one huge battle that is just fun to watch all the chaos of.
EPISODE 22: RESTLESS
After battling Adam, an exhausted Buffy, Willow, Xander and Giles all experience dreams in which they encounter a strange, savage woman - and The Cheese Man.
My Thoughts:
Let's see.... what do I say other then "huh?"... you get some homages to the past seasons... and a few nice hints into the upcoming season all thrown together in one huge dream of an episode.... all jumbled into an episode where you really aren't sure what it is you are seeing. And what about "The Cheese Man".... talk about no sense what so ever! I think I would have personally preferred the last episode to have been the season finale... but this is definitely an episode to get you to scratch your head over.
Season 4 Final Thoughts:
OK... this has to be my least favorite season of the series... As I have touched on before I never thought much of the new boyfriend, Riley... and I just couldn't stand the whole Initiative story line. Sure... there was some really good episodes in this season... especially one of my all time favorite episodes, hush... but when you dislike the season long arc so much... it makes it hard to enjoy that season on a whole.
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I understand what you mean, because that's how I feel about the latter X-Files seasons. As the overall arc became more obvious, it was more obvious I'd hate the damn thing! Still yet to finish season 9... :bag:
That said, I always liked Season 4. It was certainly the weakest up to that point, but to me it felt like a natural progression with the military getting involved and Frankenstein-ish experiments. And Riley was alright! I also liked the link with Angel. Such a shame the change in networks meant that could only be vaguely implied from now on.
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Season 5: Disc 1
EPISODE 1: BUFFY VS. DRACULA
An uneasy encounter with the legendary Count Dracula leaves Buffy desiring to learn more about herself and thus asking Giles to once again be her Watcher.
My Thoughts:
This is another of my all time favorite episodes. It is an episode you knew from the beginning of the series that they just had to do!.. and I think they did a great job with it. I think Nicholas Brendon (Xander) played his part in this episode perfectly... to the point of stealing the show. He was just hilarious in it. I also had to laugh when Giles wanted to jump back into the pit with the 3 sister vampires.
EPISODE 2: REAL ME
As Dawn begins a journal recounting her life with the Slayer, she encounters a madman who tells her she "doesn't belong" and a group of vampires led by Harmony.
My Thoughts:
Another good episode to introduce the character Dawn... Buffy's little sister. When I got my very first look at Dawn I thought it was going to be too big of a change and was the beginning of the end of the series... but I was proven wrong. I found myself really liking her from her very first episode. Though it did take me a little getting used to the whole idea of who she was and how she was just added the way she was.
EPISODE 3: THE REPLACEMENT
When Xander blocks a Toth demon's magical blast from hitting Buffy, he wakes up the next day to find a doppelganger has taken over his life.
My Thoughts:
More of a fun episode then anything else... Nicholas Brendan once again gets to show off his talent.
EPISODE 4: OUT OF MY MIND
As Riley's friends beg him to see a medical specialist at Sunnydale General hospital, Harmony and Spike kidnap the same specialist with hopes he can remove Spike's chip.
My Thoughts:
This is a decent episode.. not one of my favorites... It is more of an episode to tie up some loose ends from last seasons main story line.
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Season 5: Disc 2
EPISODE 5: NO PLACE LIKE HOME
While on her nightly patrol, Buffy finds a glowing orb which leads her to suspect there's an unnatural force behind both her mother's growing illness and her sister Dawn.
My Thoughts:
Another good episode... in this one we find out exactly where Dawn came from... and we meet the new Big Bad for the season. Glory. I wouldn't say Glory is my favorite of the Big Bads... but she is pretty cool. I will definitely enjoy this season more then the last.
EPISODE 6: FAMILY
Tara inadvertently puts everyone in danger when she secretly casts a spell on her friends after her family arrives in Sunnydale to celebrate her birthday.
My Thoughts:
Another good episode... this one centering around Tara... In this one we find out why she stopped that spell for locating demons from working last season.
EPISODE 7: FOOL FOR LOVE
After being impaled by a vampire, Buffy turns to Spike, who claims to have killed two Slayers, in an attempt to learn how other Slayers met their end.
My Thoughts:
Another episode I liked... In this episode there is a flashback showing Spike getting turned into a vampire... and him defeating 2 different slayers. They kinda messed up here though... in the second season.... in the episode School Hard Spike said that Angel was his sire... but yet in this episode it shows Drusilla siring him.
EPISODE 8: SHADOW
Buffy has to face both her mother's critical illness and the growing threat of Glory's continuing search for the Key.
My Thoughts:
This is a pretty good episode... I liked the snake creature... but I have to admit this episode (not to mention the upcoming episodes) was/will be hard for me to watch... what with my mother being ill at the moment.
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Season 5: Disc 3
EPISODE 9: LISTENING TO FEAR
A spider-like Queller demon arrives in Sunnydale and begins killing mental patients at the hospital just as Joyce is admitted for her surgery.
My Thoughts:
This was a decent episode... though I do not know where whoever wrote the above overview for the episode got that it was a spider-like demon. Other then the fact that it could crawl on walls/ceilings... it looked more like a giant beetle then a spider. And it's head kinda reminded me of the X-Files episode The Host... the leech creature they discovered.
EPISODE 10: INTO THE WOODS
Certain that Buffy doesn't love him the same way he loves her, Riley finally decides to confront her and offer her one last opportunity to give their relationship a chance.
My Thoughts:
And this is the last we see of Riley for a while. If I remember right he does come back for 1 single episode. This one... to me... was not a bad episode... but really wasn't anything special either.
EPISODE 11: TRIANGLE
While Giles is in England trying to uncover information about Glory, Willow and Tara accidentally summon up an angry troll who used to go out with Anya.
My Thoughts:
This one is another of those fun episodes... played more for laughs then anything else... or just as much for laughs at least. It is a pretty cool episode... I liked how Anya and Willow kept at it throughout the episode... trying to pull Xander in the middle of it all.
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Season 5: Disc 4
EPISODE 12: CHECKPOINT
Buffy finds out that she has seriously underestimated Glory after Giles returns from England and then the Watcher's Council arrives to review her Slayer skills.
My Thoughts:
I liked this episode a lot... first Buffy was all scared and worried about the Watcher's Council... then I just loved how she turned it all around on them and let them know how it would be whether they liked it or not. This episode was just a lot of fun.
EPISODE 13: BLOOD TIES
After learning that she is the Key in human form, a distraught and disbelieving Dawn makes her way to the hospital's mental ward where she encounters Glory.
My Thoughts:
Another really good episode that keeps the season long arc moving forward.
EPISODE 14: CRUSH
Buffy is shocked to discover Spike is in love with her, a situation made dangerously worse by Drusilla's unexpected arrival back in Sunnydale.
My Thoughts:
Another fun episode... loved the reaction Xander gave to the news that Spike was in love with Buffy... I had to laugh myself when he started up! And it was great to see Drusilla again.
EPISODE 15: I WAS MADE TO LOVE YOU
The gang encounters a powerful robot named April who is determined to find Warren, the man who built her to love only him.
My Thoughts:
Another episode that was made more for fun and laughs then anything else. And the way they went from something so fun to something so direly serious at the very end was the perfect way to go in my opinion.
Season 5: Disc 5
EPISODE 16: THE BODY
Buffy, Dawn and their friends find themselves dealing with the painful events surrounding Joyce's sudden and unexpected death.
My Thoughts:
Wow!... what to say about this one other then it is an extremely powerful episode. I am a person that has had to deal with death quite a bit in my life... and let me tell you... Joss Whedon did an awesome job at displaying how it feels to suddenly loose a loved one. He definitely hit it right on by my experiences at least.
EPISODE 17: FOREVER
Unable to accept her mother's death Dawn enlists Spike's help in gathering the ingredients needed to cast a spell to bring her mother back from the dead.
My Thoughts:
Another good episode. What kid wouldn't want to try to get their mother back... think it was a place the show had to go to from where it left off.
EPISODE 18: INTERVENTION
While Buffy travels to the desert on a quest to find the Primitive, the gang back home encounters a very realistic Buffybot who seems to be in love with Spike.
My Thoughts:
A good episode... a fun one mixed with bringing the season long arc further.Was hilarious when Xander and Anya thought Buffy was getting it on with Spike in the graveyard... and I have to say... I agree with Buffy in this story... they couldn't tell just by the way the Buffybot was talking and acting that it was a robot?... especially as shortly after they dealt with the other robot girl? That part was a little hard to buy.
EPISODE 19: TOUGH LOVE
Glory angrily leaves Tara in a mindless state after realizing she is not the Key, an act which pits her against all the powerful and dark magic Willow can summon.
My Thoughts:
The episodes are starting to really draw you in by now... as the season long arc is coming close to a closure.
Season 5: Disc 6
EPISODE 20: SPIRAL
Glory finally realizes Dawn is the Key, and Buffy surprises her friends by telling them best option for staying alive is to leave Sunnydale.
My Thoughts:
Very good episode... lots of action to keep you glued to your seat.
EPISODE 21: THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD
Willow uses magic to try and rouse Buffy out of her catatonic state after Glory kidnaps, and then disappears with, Dawn.
My Thoughts:
This one is a good episode... but a bit on the weird side... though that is to be expected since it is what is going on in Buffy's mind after Glory captures Dawn.
EPISODE 22: THE GIFT
Refusing to believe that killing Dawn is the only way to save the universe, Buffy prepares to do battle against Glory - and finally realizes the true meaning of "her gift."
My Thoughts:
Another great episode... with lots of action and a surprise ending.
Over all Season Thoughts:
This season has been much better then the last in my opinion. No more Initiative... and I didn't miss Riley at all once he left. Though... I do have to admit that Glory really isn't a favorite of mine of the "Big Bads"... but it she wasn't the worse either. This was definitely a season that kept my attention and didn't bore me one bit.
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The Body is amongst the finest television writing I've ever seen. We are probably similar in our experiences, Pete, and I agree he captured that terrible, awful feeling so well. There are entire films set around the death of a character that miss the target by some margin. Yet this one-off episode about a arse-kicking cheerleader nailed it, as you say. It's so powerful, raw and real, and it's very special when a writer in any medium makes that personal connection. I got the same thing from a passage in a book called The Soulforge by Margaret Weis, so much so that I wrote to her. She replied that she had recently lost her mother and just poured her heart into the chapter. I wonder if Joss Whedon was doing something similar? That said, books can get away with being a bit abstract, but a TV show or a film has to be far more designed. All the more credit to him to be able to put those feelings into context.
I thought he used Anya's demon character brilliantly; outside of sci-fi, she's a rather flippant and "silly" character, here used to channel a reaction we struggle to put into words. The whole episode is edited perfectly as well and I loved the vampire at the end. He was very different to the usual style, in keeping with the rest of the episode.
In comparison, another of my favourite series, The Sopranos, never came close to this standard IMO. A strange comparison you might think, but when Nancy Marchand (Livia Soprano) sadly died, I expected something really insightful to write out her character, but they fluffed it in the worst way. They meant well, I'm sure, but to me it suggested that David Chase was near his limit despite a mantelpiece weighed down by awards. With this episode, Joss Whedon showed he has an incredible range as a writer and it's that range that invests the entire run of Buffy. He's probably having too much fun, but I'd like to see a serious character drama by him (Paul Haggis, Million Dollar Baby sort of thing). I have a feeling it would be of a very high standard.
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I am currently watching Roseanne Season 2 where our Joss has written a lot of the episodes :)
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I am currently watching Roseanne Season 2 where our Joss has written a lot of the episodes :)
I did not know that. Thanks!!!!
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He was the story editor for most of the season and has written four episodes himself.
On some lines during the season I have to think, that those sound like they came from him.
For example:
Darlene: How come the liquor cabinet is open?
Becky: I don't know. Maybe the wine had to breathe.
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He was the story editor for most of the season and has written four episodes himself.
On some lines during the season I have to think, that those sound like they came from him.
For example:
Darlene: How come the liquor cabinet is open?
Becky: I don't know. Maybe the wine had to breathe.
:hysterical:
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Season 6: Disc 1
1. Bargaining (Parts 1 & 2)
The gang resolves to bring the Slayer back from the dead - and succeeds, despite being hindered by a band of biker demons.
My Thoughts:
I can't remember how this aired on TV... but on the DVDs it plays as a double length episode. I think they did a good job on bringing Buffy back. This was of course the first episode to air on the new channel. Was a decent episode.
2. After Life
As Buffy adjusts to life after resurrection, a shadowy presence menaces her sidekicks - a side effect of the spell cast by Willow to bring the Slayer back.
My Thoughts:
Another good episode... They now need to deal with the repercussions of bringing Buffy back.
3. Flooded
A trio of young wannabe-big-bads cause trouble, while Buffy shoulders grown-up responsibilities such as running a household.
My Thoughts:
Another decent episode... and when I say decent episode I mean nothing really bad... but at the same time nothing really stands out as being special in the episode. I have mixed feelings about the trio... first of all... how can you take them seriously on them giving Buffy such a hard time... but at the same time they are just so fun to watch... they are just plain hilarious.
Season 6: Disc 2
4. Life Serial
The Slayer struggles to readjust to life in Sunnydale by attending classes with Willow and working with Xander, while the Geek Trio test her abilities with a secret campaign of harassment.
My Thoughts:
Once again... a fun episode. The trio each taking turns to see how much they can mess with Buffy's head gives us plenty of fun hijinks to watch. I have to admit... I loved the mummy hand that Buffy had to deal with in the magic shop... that was about as fun as it could get for me. I enjoyed every minute of this episode.
5. All the Way
Dawn sneaks out on Halloween and gets into a dangerous situation with a teenage vampire.
My Thoughts:
If I am not mistaken... this is the last Halloween episode of Buffy.... at least I don't remember a Halloween episode in the final season. It was a fun episode... and I have to admit... Anya looked might fine in her Charlie's Angels costume! Another episode I really enjoyed.
6. Once More, With Feeling
A mysterious force impels the Scooby Gang to burst into song, revealing their true feelings.
My Thoughts:
OK... my asbestos suit is on... don't you all flame me at once... but I HATE this episode! Of course that could have something to do with the fact that I do not like musicals at all!
7. Tabula Rasa
Despite Tara's misgivings about her overindulgence in magic, Willow does a spell that goes awry and gives the gang amnesia.
My Thoughts:
This one was a lot of fun too... enjoyed the episode... but I must say at this point they must be running out of ideas for the demons... whats with a guy with a shark head for a loan shark... yes I get it... he is a loan shark... but come on! LOL
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I can't stand musicals either, but I absolutely love OMWF. It may simply be because they had a demonic reason to burst into song. Normally I detest musicals because they act like it's perfectly normal to sing at the top of their lungs with a full dance troupe bouncing into shot.
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LOL... tell me about it... what is that all about... just suddenly bursting into song and dance like it is a completely normal and acceptable thing to do in everyday life. I believe if someone did that in real life they would be in an asylum in no time! :P
I know what you mean about the cause being demonic... but unfortunately that just didn't help it enough for me. Of course there is the other problem I have... and this is really where I lose most people....
But I do not like music. Yes I mean all types of music. I am not a fan of any kind... and I do not own a single music CD or anything like it. Yes I have been told I am weird... and maybe I am in that line of thought... but what can I say... I just don't enjoy music at all.... and for the most part I can put background music out of my mind while watching movies or shows. But that becomes difficult when it comes to musicals. :P
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There must be something, Pete! You're even ruling out traditional classical scores? Or even really simple themes, like John Carpenter? :suicide:
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lol... lets put it this way... I wouldn't personally care if all forms of music suddenly disappeared from the face of the Earth. :P and yes.. that includes classical scores... or simple themes. I usually just zone the music out as much as possible while watching TV.
I really... and honestly do not like any form of music.
That being said... my daughter absolutely loves music... she is in the school choir... and yes I have had this discussion with her music teacher... who is still amazed by me... but then she also says in this case she is even more impressed with me... as I never miss a single concert that my daughter is in. But hey... she is my baby girl... I can suffer for an hour or so for her. :P
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<completely ignores comment about not liking music> :o (yes, I LOVE music)
OMWF is one of my favorite episode of Buffy. While I don't especially like musicals usually, I love how Joss advanced the story through the songs. It is an episode you can't really skip if you want the whole story.
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Now... that is true... there is no way to skip this episode. So much important info comes out of it. Which is a bit unfortunate for someone like me... if there is anyone else out there like me! :laugh:
But that's ok... I can take it... I lived with this my entire life... you all wouldn't believe some of the reactions I have gotten through-out the years!... but none of the reactions bother me... all is good... everyone one has different tastes to a point. and mine in this area is just to an extreme.
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I'm with Sebastien on this one :o
Maybe I should just :guitar: it. :laugh:
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LOL... believe me... I think I have seen some jaws dropped that far in real life when I mentioned it. :P
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LOL... believe me... I think I have seen some jaws dropped that far in real life when I mentioned it. :P
Speaking of jaws.... what would that movie be without the music? Not as suspenseful that's for sure. (Nice set up Pete :tease:)
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Speaking of jaws.... what would that movie be without the music?
And Jaws is far from the only example..
I don't remember where I saw that, but on a TV show, they wanted to show the effect of the music on a movie. So what they did is film a woman playing the piano, and you see a man through the window, outside, walking toward the door, getting in, and approach the woman with his hand in his back. They played it 4 times: Once without music, once with goofy/fun music, once with suspenseful music and finally with romantic music. They did that without showing what he has in his hands, and then asked people what they thought he had in his back. I'm sure you can figure out what was said with each music yourself ;)
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lol... after all these years I got to the point where I don't even notice it playing all that much... like I let it slip through one ear and out the other without even realizing it. It's like I am hearing it... but it isn't registering. So it is really like I don't know what I am missing. I basically just completely ignore it.
but I know what you mean about how it helps with certain scenes.
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I was thinking something similar to Sebastien. Pete, you must be wrong! I bet your subconscious doesn't mind music and responds to it just the same as "normal" people! :tease: Here's a test: play the shower scene from Psycho, but with Laurel & Hardy's cuckoo theme. Still scary? No way!
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LOL... the shower scene is not scary to start with :P
I am not saying music don't have it's place in movies and such... just saying that I personally ignore it... and I do not like music in general.
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For those of you still not having this great series:
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So be fast, you won't regret it :)
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Yes... Highly Recommended! :thumbup:
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Roseanne is just full of Buffy people. First Joss as story editor in season 2. Now in season 3 there is a small appearance by Alyson Hannigan as a friend of Becky and of course Glenn Quinn (known as Doyle from Angel) as Becky's boyfriend Mark Healy.
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Season 6: Disc 3
8. Smashed
Spike discovers that his chip now allows him to hurt Buffy; it seems Buffy came back wrong somehow. Willow reverts Amy to human form and the two party with magic.
My Thoughts:
This was another good episode. Obviously Willow goes nuts with her magic addiction.
9. Wrecked
Willow nearly gets Dawn killed after going to see a warlock for a dose of magic, and thus decides to go told turkey on the magic.
My Thoughts:
This is also a good episode. This is the episode that Willow hits rock bottom.
10. Gone
A social services worker threatens to take guardianship of Dawn. Meanwhile, the Geek Trio accidentally turn Buffy invisible with a ray gun.
My Thoughts:
This is another one of those episodes that is little more then just fun. I try and try... but I just can't take the Trio seriously.
Season 6: Disc 4
11. Doublemeat Palace
The Slayer takes a job at a burger joint, and suspects that something demonic might be going on.
My Thoughts:
This is one of the ones that is a decent episode... but just nothing all that special about it. Just a basic good episode.
12. Dead Things
Warren kills Katrina and frames the Slayer for it.
My Thoughts:
Decent episode... and at least the Trio is finally seems somewhat evil and slightly more serious in this episode.
13. Older and Far Away
Dawn feels like the odd-girl out on Buffy's birthday, leading to a fateful wish that leaves the Slayer and her friends trapped in the Summers' home with a demon.
My Thoughts:
Ahhh.... Another Buffy Birthday episode... these are always entertaining. I felt they had a good concept for this one... and was really into it. Though I do have to admit I think the way it ended and how they finally got out of the house a little bit of a cop-out.
14. As You Were
Buffy is jolted by the reappearance of Riley, who needs her to help him - and his new wife - track a demon egg nest.
My Thoughts:
And Riley is back.... for what I believe is the final time in the rest of the series. Also (if I am not mistaking) the end of the Buffy/Spike sexapades. A decent episode... though nothing too special.
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Season 6: Disc 5
15. Hell's Bells
On the day of his wedding, Xander gets cold feet after he's shown a disturbing glimpse into the future.
My Thoughts:
This is a good episode. This is another one that has a lot of comedy mixed in with the serious stuff.
16. Normal Again
A demon's venom causes Buffy to hallucinate, convincing the Slayer that she's a normal girl in a mental ward, that her parents are alive, Dawn never existed, and her Slayer life is a delusion.
My Thoughts:
This one I liked a lot... has always been one of my favorites. Even if this story line is used in every Sci-Fi/Supernatural Thriller series out there. Just off the top of my head I seen it in both Charmed and Smallville. But I think this episode was done well... I enjoyed every minute of it.
17. Entropy
Anya, secretly a demon again, attempts to get vengeance on Xander.
My Thoughts:
Enjoyable... but just a basic good episode... nothing extra special about it really.
18. Seeing Red
Warren acquires a pair of demonic orbs that imbue him with strength and invulnerability, and he faces off with Buffy.
My Thoughts:
Good episode... one that ends with the beginning of the true "Big Bad" of the season.
Season 6: Disc 6
19. Villains
Tara's sudden death pushes Willow over the edge. After magically saving Buffy from her own wounds, Willow - consumed by anger and dark magic - hunts down Warren and tortures and kills him.
My Thoughts:
I really hated seen Tara out of the show... but I have to admit... I loved Evil Willow... She is very cool when consumed by the magic like this... and looking for revenge.
20. Two to Go
Buffy and Xander must protect Jonathan and Andrew, who are next on Willow's list. The Slayer is no match for Willow, who has drained Rack of all his powers.
My Thoughts:
Another good episode... Willow doing all she can to get to the final 2 members of the Trio geeks.
21. Grave
Giles faces off with Willow, but she drains him of his powers. This much power causes her to feel all the suffering in the world, so she decides to end it... the world, that is.
My Thoughts:
A great way to end the season... I loved how they finally ended this one... with Willow being stopped without harming her... and with who stopped her. Definitely something not expected by the first time viewer.
Overall Season 6 Thoughts:
This season... in my opinion... is one that started out a bit on the slow side.. but really picked up quite a bit. By the end it has some of my favorite episodes with one of my favorite "Big Bads". Over all... well worth the time put into it to watch.
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Season 7: Disc 1
1. Lessons
Buffy and Dawn fight off vengeful spirits in the newly rebuilt Sunnydale High.
My Thoughts:
This was a decent start to the new season... not the best of season premieres... but not bad either.
2. Beneath You
A giant worm-like creature begins stalking a young girl. As the gang begin to investigate, they realize it's appearance in Sunnydale may be linked to Anya
My Thoughts:
Once again.... not a great episode... but not bad either. A basic Buffy filler episode.
3. Same Time, Same Place
Buffy, Xander and Dawn are unable to find Willow, who has inadvertently made herself invisible to her friends, and vice versa. Willow's return to Sunnydale is marred further by a demon, Gnarl, who relishes the skin of his victims.
My Thoughts:
This is the first episode of the season I really enjoyed. Willow is back... and once again... magic goes wrong.
4. Help
Novice counselor Buffy begins trying to help the students at Sunnydale High, including Cassie Newton, a girl who predicts her own death.
My Thoughts:
Another good episode... enjoyed it quite a bit. This one had Zachery Ty Bryon (Home Improvement) in it.
Season 7: Disc 2
5. Selfless
After Anya grants a particularly gruesome wish, Buffy feels that she must kill Anya.
My Thoughts:
Once again... a good episode.
6. Him
Dawn and Buffy fall for the school quarterback, whose jacket is enchanted.
My Thoughts:
A decent episode.... though nothing really special... just another basic filler episode.
7. Conversations with Dead People
Buffy chats with a former classmate and current vampire, Dawn is visited by Joyce, and Willow is visited by an imposter pretending to have a message from Tara.
My Thoughts:
Another one I enjoyed... was a really strong episode. I especially enjoyed the segments with Dawn and Joyce.
8. Sleeper
As Dawn and Willow recover from their chaotic night at the Summers house, Buffy probes a series of grisly murders that may be the work of Spike.
My Thoughts:
A good episode... starting to really set up the season long storyline by now.
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I joked in the other thread about Buffy being the very absolute best TV show period. In reality, you have to have a fairer, more balanced opinion. After all, there's so much stuff out there and you have to keep it in context. So I was wrong and I should refine what I said. It's actually Buffy Season Two. It just doesn't get better. It is utterly sublime. I just wanted to set the record straight! :P
For me, it is S1. I really like S2, and I think the Innocence, Passion, Becoming arc surpasses S1. There are also certain individual episodes in later seasons that I rate pretty high. But when taking the *entire* season into account, S1 is my clear favorite.
There is a tendency even by die-hard Buffy fans to disregard S1 as fluffy or lightweight (outsiders think of the entire series that way, I suppose). That viewpoint always amazes me. I mean, you practically get it hammered in with the very first episode that you have to look beneath the *surface* of that bright and sunny California town. Consequently, you often get only a glimpse of the serious stuff and only in passing. And while the stories are seemingly simple, it is a careful constructed simplicity, intended to highten the metaphors and to allow a more complex web of associations.
Anyway, I wouldn't go as far as calling Buffy (or a specific season of Buffy) the best TV show. It's not even my favorite TV show anymore. But it remains a very special one.
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I would never dismiss season 1. It's just I think they were more settled and ambitious for season 2 and made the characters exactly what they wanted them to be. I always thought it was a shame they couldn't keep the Master for another season as he was such a good example of classic vampire lore. As seasons wore on, they got less consistent, but it's episodes like Hush proved the quality beyond anyone else. As I was saying the other day, I really do think that The Body is the pinnacle of TV writing. Of course, that's only TV that I have seen!
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I agree... I loved the first season... but for me personally the show really came into it's own in the second season. The first season being so short didn't help it either... I mean it didn't really have the time to get the characters settled in the way the way most season 1 series are able to do.
I also would have loved to seen The Master go on for another season... he was one of my favorite of the "Big Bads"... but of course as much as I would have liked to seen that happen... I wouldn't want to give up seeing Angel going bad to get it. :P
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Season 7: Disc 3
9. Never Leave Me
Spike is held captive in the Summers home while the Scoobies ponder their options in the aftermath of his murder spree.
My Thoughts:
Decent episode with some good action.... other then that a pretty basic episode.
10. Bring On the Night
Giles arrives with three apprentice Slayers, the Scoobies research the origins of the First to find a way to rescue Spike, and Buffy fights the Ubervamp.
My Thoughts:
And the "Potential Slayers" has arrived. I remember the first time I seen this season (as it aired) I wasn't so sure about this storyline... but I grew to enjoy it very much. I also thought that the Ubervamp... as they call it... was extremely cool. did a great job on him.
11. Showtime
Buffy stages a showdown with the Ubervamp with the Slayers-in-training as her audience, then rescues Spike.
My Thoughts:
Another episode I really liked... the final fight between Buffy and the Ubervamp was great.
Season 7: Disc 4
12. Potential
Buffy and Spike establish a boot camp to prepare the potential slayers for combat with the First, while a spell from Willow reveals another potential living in Sunnydale.
My Thoughts:
This episode was really good. I especially enjoyed watching the scenes where Dawn and her school friend goes up against the vampire at the school by themselves. Not to mention finding out who the new potential slayer is.
13. The Killer in Me
Courtesy of a bitter Amy, Willow turns into Warren after kissing Kennedy; Buffy contacts the government to get help with Spike's misfiring chip.
My Thoughts:
This was a decent episode... Advances the season long story a little... but for the most part is a stand alone episode.
14. First Date
Buffy accepts a dinner invitation from Principal Wood, who reveals that he's a former Slayer's son.
My Thoughts:
A decent episode... Xander has his normal luck with the ladies in this one.
15. Get It Done
The Scoobies are rocked by a suicide within their ranks. After lambasting everyone, Buffy jumps through a portal on a quest for knowledge.
My Thoughts:
Another decent episode...I understand they had to get all this stuff in... but this season is really strong on the season long storyline.... and sometimes that gets a little tiring. I felt that a bit in this episode.
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Will you be continuing your review into Season 8, Pete?
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No can do Jon.... Never had the opportunity to get any of the comics. I have wanted to check them out though.
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I'm waiting for a collected version in the UK. It's hard to get hold of our own bloody comics, let alone American ones!
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A while back ago I looked on Ebay at the prices for the first Buffy comics... but there was just no way... Wow! they were definitely out of my price range for a lousy comic book! :P
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Season 7: Disc 5
16. Storyteller
Andrew films the Scoobies for a documentary on Buffy, while Sunnydale High is rocked by a sudden outbreak of student violence.
My Thoughts:
This one I didn't care much for at all. You can see where they tried to lighten things up a little... and yes that was needed about now... so that is a good thing. But some of this episode was just little too silly for my taste.
17. Lies My Parents Told Me
When the Scoobies fail to nullify the First's hold on Spike, Principal Wood and Giles team up to kill him. Meanwhile, Spike relives the day he became a vampire.
My Thoughts:
This one was a fun and interesting episode. One I enjoyed quite a bit...I like how it goes into Spike's past... and the fight between Spike and Wood was a great one.
18. Dirty Girls
Faith returns to Sunnydale just in time to meet the First's evil agent, Caleb.
My Thoughts:
Faith returns... how could I not like that?... and top that off with Caleb showing up... talk about a really good episode! I thought Caleb was one of the best bad guys in the series... and he was only in a small handful of episodes. Of course Caleb was played by Nathan Fillion... star of Firefly.
19. Empty Places
Buffy takes another beating from Caleb, then tries to lead the troops back to the wine cellar. Instead, she gets kicked out of her house as the gang decides Faith would make a better leader.
My Thoughts:
This was a good... but kind of slow episode for my taste. Kinda like a calm before the storm type thing.
Season 7: Disc 6
20. Touched
A depressed Buffy gets comfort from Spike. Meanwhile, the Scoobies capture and interrogate Bringer, and Faith leads an attack on the Bringers' arsenal.
My Thoughts:
And this is where the real action going into the end of the series begins. This episode perks you right up (after the last episode slowing you down)... and primes you for the rest of the series.
21. End of Days
Faith and some of the Potentials are injured by a bomb. Buffy retrieves a mystic scythe and uses it against Caleb; Angel turns up to give her a hand.
My Thoughts:
Lots more fun and action in this one... First I loved the fight between Buffy and Caleb... it is one of those fights that when you think it is over you get plenty more. And I have to admit I couldn't help myself but to literally laugh out load over Angel's reaction to Buffy telling him that Spike has a soul now. It was so fun.
22. Chosen
Buffy comes up with a plan: The gang makes an attack on the First's army, aided by Willow, who performs a powerful spell to imbue all of the Potentials with Slayer powers.
My Thoughts:
Talk about going out with a bang!.... The final episode ever of Buffy! I really loved every minute of it... there is lots of action and lots of destruction. I have to admit... the first time I saw this episode (when it originally aired) I was a bit surprised with some of the ones that survived... as well as some of the ones that did not. This episode remains one of my favorite endings to a series.
Over-All Season 7 Thoughts
Well.... I really touched on this on the last episode write-up... but I have to say... This was a fun season. Sure it had some episodes I wasn't thrilled with... but it was definitely fairly constantly entertaining. As I said above... I loved how they ended the series... even though you knew it was all over I still ached for more. To this day I would love to see a reunion movie or something to catch us up on Buffy and the gang.
I really had a great time having this marathon. I put a poll up on one of the forums I frequent here (I use this everywhere I post) to see what marathon to do next... and I will now admit this was not my first choice. But now that it is over I am glad it got chosen (That's right... Buffy really was the Chosen One!) as I forgot just how much I truly did enjoy this series.
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I thought the ending was so clever. It brings the basic premise, the drive for the show, to a satisfying close, without losing the characters and situation so they can carry on in some form. Even if it has to be comics.
I say that with a slight sneer and I don't know why! I love comics and Joss Whedon is an accomplished comics writer. It's just it'll never replace the show, no matter how good it is.
I still have the very faintest of hope that Ripper might still get commissioned. That was going to be a British BBC series centred around Giles returning to England and battling typical English demons. Potentially with guest spots for a certain witch or Slayer. It had so much potential.
Oh well. Doubt it'll happen now.
EDIT: Just thought, Pete. A couple of characters did of course continue in Angel Season 5. Will you be having an Angel marathon then? I don't think you can truly call this done... :devil:
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I know what you mean... I had hoped for a spin-off of some kind myself. I had heard the rumors of a Ripper series... which would have been great if they would release it here on DVD... or better yet... play it on the BBC America channel we get here. I also had hopes for a Faith series at the time. I would have even settled for a Spike movie that was rumored. But I now think none of them really have a chance of coming. :(
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The latest news on Ripper (spread by both Whedon and Head) is that it might be a one-shot TV movie on BBC next summer.
As for US TV, Whedon and Dushku recently made a 7 episodes deal with Fox for a new series named Dollhouse. Of course, this may take a while due to the WGA strike.
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Yeah... I read about Dollhouse... so far the premise sounds kinda iffy to me... but if anyone could pull off such a series it is Whedon and Dushku. So I am looking forward to checking it out once it happens.
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That's great news about Ripper if it comes off. The way UK TV works, you may not appreciate how brilliant that could be. The BBC is currently riding high on shows like Doctor Who and Robin Hood (straightforward entertainment) and will be looking for anything similar to get their hands on. The only mark against Ripper is they might think it needs Buffy fans to get it going, but if they do go ahead and it succeeds, a series may not be far behind. Besides, Anthony Head is very popular here even before a guest villain spot on Who and a regular appearance on Little Britain.
Finally, the BBC is publicly funded. We Brits still have to buy a licence every year, which I don't mind, because they have a tendency to try more ambitious, quality things without having to worry too much about it being a commercial success.
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First I thought, ok, that happens and shrugged it away, but: I am watching the third episode of the fourth season and I saw way to often that a stunt double was making the fights.
Not that I am suprised but I never regognized the switch in the first three seasons. But this double (if it is a new one) lets here face be seen too often during fights.
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Wow... apparently I don't watch that closely... because that is something I never noticed! :P
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Wow... apparently I don't watch that closely... because that is something I never noticed! :P
If you have time, rewatch the fight between Buffy and Spike in the third episode ("The Harsh Light of Day") where she takes the Gem of Amara from him (just one example). It happend before but only in this season.
It's a bit annoying because it steals the illusion.
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I will have to rewatch that scene and check it out (though I may be sorry I did now!) :P
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Not that I am suprised but I never regognized the switch in the first three seasons. But this double (if it is a new one) lets here face be seen too often during fights.
Buffy's stunt double did change during the series. But I do not know when though. The first one was the same, who did the stunts for the Pink Ranger of the Power Rangers. This is why the producers made the gag, that Buffy called Kendra "Pink Ranger" in the second season :laugh:
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Season 6: Disc 1
2. After Life
As Buffy adjusts to life after resurrection, a shadowy presence menaces her sidekicks - a side effect of the spell cast by Willow to bring the Slayer back.
I watched this episode yesterday evening and after it I felt really depressed because of the scene where she told Spike that she was in heaven and was ripped out of it by the scooby gang.
Although she said that they must never know I am sure this will become an issue sooner or later.
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Yes, I remember that. A very dark twist...
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yes... it was a strong episode emotionally.
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6. Once More, With Feeling
A mysterious force impels the Scooby Gang to burst into song, revealing their true feelings.
That was freakin' hilarious! I like musicals in general and I always like a good fun episode. I liked the musical episodes in "Xena" and I sure liked this one.
But as I said the ripped-out-of-heaven-thing was bound to come out.
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Didn't want to spoil it on ya... but yup.. it sure did. I don't like musicals at all so like I said... it was pretty much torture for me to get through.... but the episode did have some important stuff happen in it.
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And it is done.
I've never ever watched a whole "Buffy" episode on TV but after the successful recommendation of "Friends" I took a leap of faith and bought the whole "Buffy" collection.
(http://doena-soft.de/phpdvdprofiler/images/thumbnails/5039036036375.4f.jpg)
I watched the movie beforehand (I like Kristy Swanson ;)) and on November, 25th the pilot to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". Today I watched the final episode "Chosen" and the spin-off "Angel" will be delivered in january.
It was a very funny show and I liked it a lot. I found it interesting that "Buffy" didn't use season cliffhangers but killed off the bad guy at the end of the season. Non-cliffhanger shows have become rare in recent years. And I have to admit that the killing of the bad guy was often a bit unsatisfactory, it often felt to easy. It's the same thing with "Smallville". There they use cliffhangers, but the problem is solved in the very first episode of the new season and it seldom felt "real" (e.g. the 2nd meteor shower cliffhanger or the Zod cliffhanger).
But as I said, in the great picture it was a very good show and I hope that "Angel" can stand up to this (I will miss Buffy's remarks just before killing a demon).
Does anyone know the reason why Anya was the chosen one to be killed off in the finale (Spike had at least a reason)?
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PS: Does anyone know the "Season 8 comic books"? I'm not sure it will be the same, because I think the actors made the show and not necessarily the story.
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Does anyone know the reason why Anya was the chosen one to be killed off in the finale (Spike had at least a reason)?
As far as I know, it was at the request of Emma Caulfield. She wanted her character to be killed of just to make sure, that she can leave the show, in case there would have been an 8th season.
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Oh, there could've been an 8th season?
Btw: Were there ever two consecutive episodes that weren't directly connected where Buffy had the same hair cut?
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Oh, there could've been an 8th season?
I just remember that while season 7 was airing and being produced, it wasn't clear awhile if that season will be the last (though it looked like it).
And that Emma Caulfield made clear in interviews, that if there would be an 8th season, she will not sign on for it.
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I'm waiting for a collected edition of Season 8. I think the success of the show was an even split between the actors and the story. Plus Joss Whedon is a long time comics writer, so it should be pretty good.
I'm not sure there was going to be a true eight season. Maybe another spin-off. But I thought the way they ended season 7 was brilliant because they altered a basic dynamic of the show and still left it open. It's ages since I saw it, but I was left with the feeling that they had drawn a line under it and for it to continue, it really would have to be a spin-off.
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17. Lies My Parents Told Me
When the Scoobies fail to nullify the First's hold on Spike, Principal Wood and Giles team up to kill him. Meanwhile, Spike relives the day he became a vampire.
My Thoughts:
This one was a fun and interesting episode. One I enjoyed quite a bit...I like how it goes into Spike's past... and the fight between Spike and Wood was a great one.
While looking for irish folk songs, I stumbled across this today:
http://acathla.webou.com/declenchespike.mp3