The look on Giles’ face when they all look at Buffy is so perfect. He’s so proud of her, he gives her a nod as to say, “well deserved”, she is quite literally his pride and joy.
The Class Protector scene never fails to bring a tear to my eye. The music in this ep is iconic, and I love that you can hear hints of the background theme earlier on, which finally goes full out when she accepts her award. And Wild Horses! 😭 She got her perfect high school moment. BUFFY APPRECIATION! In regards to the photobooth, the show released a Sunnydale yearbook which, if I recall correctly, included booth photos! :D And a lot of photos during the prom!
I adore this episode and its almost entirely due to the ending scenes. Xander protecting Cordelias secret and paying for her dress, the class protector award, and Angel showing up, the perfect music. Its just...chefs kiss
I'm with you on Buffy being the best person ever. I adore her. She's my single favorite fictional character in the history of fictional characters and has been for over 20 years. Edited to add: certain comments you made in this reaction have me more excited than ever to see your season 4 reactions!
I'm going to defend Angel a little on his timing. He did try to avoid having the conversation but Buffy insisted on having it. But try to look at it from Angel's perspective. He doesn't want to see Buffy in pain and probably just wanted to be quick about it so she could get over him quicker. Like ripping off a band-aid. Angel also might've figured she'd get over it quicker if she hated him. Obviously, this is not how it ended up.
Yes, he didn't want to have that conversation at that point, but she pressed the matter. That said, he kind of has to be a jerk earlier in the episode so the ending can hit the note they wanted.
Let me just say that your reaction to the Class Protector scene was perfect. You didn't talk, pause de video or anything like that. You were just immersed in the scene, letting your feelings flow, filling with pride and tearing up, it was great. I could tell you weren't caring about the cameras, you were caring about Buffy, and that's whats matter the most. Congratulations!
YES to all your comments on Buffy this episode. Buffy is honestly the greatest character of anything ever and she deserves the world. Loved watching your reaction to her finally getting recognition! Also, I love that you let your sisters do your make-up for Buffy's prom! It looks really pretty!
Giles steals this episode in the last 5 minutes. First by telling Wesley to "stop fluttering about" and then the smooth ASF way he takes Buffy's parasol and steps out of the way before she's even noticed Angel has shown up
The presentation of the Class Protector award is one of my Favorite Things Ever! Watching it again this time I noticed the expressions on the faces of Giles and the gang. They look so proud of her!
@@adrianrocha49 Harmony and her posse had nothing to do with the class protector award being broken. That was an entirely different vampire group in the season four premiere, which Harmony wasn’t even in.
@@scarlettmi I know, I just watched the episode. I think the reason I got confused is because the vampire that actually did it is also a dumb blonde that didn't what they were getting into appaently.
Wonderful reaction to this awesome episode! Love that you dressed up for it! Buffy is due so much gratitude, it's incredible to finally see her get a real moment of recognition. As for Angel breaking up with her just before the prom, I think the idea is he just can't pretend and lie to her through the whole night at the prom. They know each other too well and Buffy can already tell there's something going on and wouldn't have let it go. Personally I think Buffy would have taken it harder if he had lied and pretended nothing was up the whole night then told her later.
Totally agree! Someone waited a week to break up with me once for similar reasons. I can see why they did it... but rethinking the memories of the week where I thought everything was fine was really painful. I imagine everyone is different in what they prefer but I think Angel made the right call not to wait.
@@centroid I also think that way when it comes to Scott in 'Homecoming'. It was bad in the moment, but in the long run actions and memories built on lies aren't better.
Just like Buffy said "he's 240 years old, he doesn't GET the prom." Plus he was basically pushed by Joyce and he NEVER tells Buffy that her mom came to see him & warn him off.
the other kids don't know that he's her Watcher so it wouldn't have been proper. Wouldn't do her reputation any good dancing with a librarian (as far as the other kids are aware).
Jonathan being the one to give Buffy the Class Protector Award is so appropriate - since she saved his life in 'Earshot'. Of course, since 'Earshot' was originally skipped over in the original airing schedule that little detail was lost to us viewers at the time.
FFS, I'm 59 years old, I've seen this episode at least a dozen times, and at least a dozen more with Buffy reactors, and STILL can't make it through with dry eyes. The Sewer scene breakup, crying on Willow's lap, Zander buying Cordelia's dress, Buffy's Class Protector Award, Angel showing up. Good Lord, the angst, the emotion, the empathy. That Class Protector award especially... what an amazing payoff after watching Buffy suffer for her calling for three straight years. This episode was SO F#@KING PACKED.
Yup.... I'm sure what Buffy heard was that he didn't want HIS life to be with HER, but what he actually said was that he didn't want HER life to be with HIM, which is very different.
@@alooncnej4696 Buffy said "You don't want to be with me?" He did not say, nor say anything to mean that he didn't want to be with her. He didn't want her life to be with him. For her sake. So no, he did not say that (what she asked).
I was halfway through this reaction when I remembered the class protector scene was coming and I started crying just at the thought of it! This is a really emotional episode (especially for a 'monster of the week' episode) and I love that the students are so proud of their low mortality rate...even though it's still got to be 100x higher than any other school 😂
I think the Class Protector Award scene is the best "happy cry" scene in any movie or TV episode I've ever seen. I love watching reactors cry during this scene, because it's a happy cry. Also... it's not like I can claim my own cheeks are dry... so there is significant audience participation from me. (How was THAT for a labored euphemism?) For some reason, I'm not in the habit of thinking about the significance of the fact that Jonathan is the one who presents the award to her, but that scene is even more emotional if you think about Buffy and Jonathan's history.
The line angel says is also extremely important, and very specific, in a way almost designed to be read incorrectly. His “I don’t” is in response to her saying she didn’t want HER life to be with HIM- the immediate, and incorrect, read is that he doesn’t want his life to be with her. But he does want his life to be with her, just not at the cost to her of her life being with him.
I figured you'd cry during the award ceremony, I still do every time I see it. I love how you GET this show. As you said Buffy toiled in obscurity many long nights spent patrolling their 12 cemeteries and the result was the schools graduating class with the lowest mortality rate. That means something to those that survived and I'm glad they recognized her effort personally and publicly. If you don't know the band playing 'Wild Horses' is The Sundays, a UK band that only made 3 albums. I bought all 3 and love them. Their big hit was 'Here's Where the Story Ends', they were on MTV's 120 Minutes show with their video, I think you'll like it. ruclips.net/video/FHsip5xOenQ/видео.html
Joss and Marti (at that point she was promoted to number 2 once Angel started and David Greenwalt left Buffy to run Angel) talked about that on twitter 2 years ago when someone asked Marti about The Prom speech: 'That speech was allll Joss. He had it in his head from the start. I did, however, cry my eyes out while writing the end of Angel and Buffy. Like a baby. Also I think I was playing The Smiths or something equally heart killing. Just to get in the mood.' Then Joss replied: Marti, MARTI, how many of my lives did your talented heart save? #JossProtector (I cried for two hours straight writing that speech. Never been happier. And it was the score to SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, maybe just the last track on repeat, the whole time.) And Marti: Yeh. We did like that. We both cried and wrote. Come to think of it, some things haven't changed much. Those days! Those incredible days that, when I take a moment, I remember so clearly. ❤️ you then, ❤️ you now across the sea making new heroines, I'm sure.
I think that once Angel had resolved to break up with Buffy, he could not postpone telling her about it, for two reasons, firstly it would be dishonest (which is not in his nature) and secondly Buffy would know something was wrong (Angel would be troubled by the burden of deceit, and he could not hide it from her), and she would be more hurt in the long run had he kept his plans to end their relatonship from her. In my opinon this is one time when having been to hell and thus having some perspective on suffering helped Angel do what needed to be done. I'm sure he didn't want to break up or for that matter, hurt Buffy in any way, this was the best option.
Every person that ever watches Buffy, I wait and wait and wait for them to get to Prom and THAT moment. 😭💜😭💜😭 You cried about as much as I did to see her get noticed and appreciated like that.
Really moving episode, every time it brings tears! If all of this had happened to Cordelia in Season 1 everyone would have said that "She deserved it!" but after 3 seasons we have learned to know the human side of her and we feel sorry for her; Xander could have, yeah, luckily he still shows us how he's less immature than he sometimes seems, this guy has a big heart, that's why he's always forgiven in the end. Angel I understood immediately, he preferred that Buffy hated him to facilitate the separation, she as it is rightly pointed out remains an 18 year old girl who only wants what her heart tells her, in this case to have her life with him, which, however, would not have been right for either of them, given their inability to be truly happy together. I think Willow and Xander didn't make a point of taking Buffy to the Prom because she would certainly have refused and reiterated that they should go on their dates and have their dream nights without thinking about her. Oh yes Buffy has a heart of gold, she is very kind and selfless, unbearable to see her suffer so much ....... ..... thank goodness she finally had her dream moment too. It is significant that it was Jonathan who gave her the Award, being a bit of a symbol of those whom Buffy has always defended and helped, and really amazing to see for once a heroine recognized as such (although few there knew the whole truth) . I have no doubt that Giles would have invited Buffy to dance if Angel hadn't come, but it wouldn't have been the same, as good as their bond is, dancing with Angel was Buffy's dream and she deserved to have it, even though that was a goodbye dance. Ps Wesley and Cordy are the cringest couple in the series, XD
With Angel breaking up with Buffy before the prom (which makes him coming to the party to top off the perfect high school experience so much more emotional), I feel we talk a lot about how Buffy feels, but forget that it's as hard for Angel as it is for her. Also, your reaction during that scene - come on, aren't you happy you're getting a whole other series? ;>
I see what you're saying about Angel breaking up with her...why now? I think because he really loves her as much as she loves him, so I think of it as ripping off a band aid. How could he go on being in a relationship with her if he knew he was going to leave her? Plus she knew right away something was wrong so he couldn't lie if he wanted. I think it's even worse dragging things out.
It's funny to me that the Slayer is supposed to be a big secret yet every student in the school knows of her and the goings on and is appreciative of her efforts to keep them safe.
Totally fine with the idea of Wesley and Cordelia. She’s an adult and I don’t see any reason to tell her she’s not able to make her own decisions for herself. (To be fair, as soon as age gap reaches 15-20 years and up, I do start to feel a little odd about it, because one partner could have parented the other… but it’s still their choice as long as they’re both adults.) Still loved Cordy and Xander, though!!
I might be a morbid person or whatever but I can't stop thinking that one will have to live X years without the other because of the age gap.... That's why I don't like big age gaps. Makes me sad 😅
Not sure how old Wesley is meant to be, but assuming he's the same age as Alexis Denisof was at the time then Cordelia is 18 and Wesley is 33. Charisma Carpenter was actually 29 when this was filmed.
I always figured Wesley to be mid to at most late 20s at this point. Cordelia is an adult, and Wesley isn't powerful or assertive enough to manipulate or take advantage of her. While he was obviously attracted to her, HE actually never even made a move on her. She aggressively pursued him. So there's also no power dynamic he has over her.
Now let's think about it. Angel isn't originally American, and it's not like there was the concept of Prom in his time or it's importance to a modern day American teenager. He at least changed his mind and gave her the night she wanted. Buffy being a teen in dramatic love, is not going to hear it from her mother, so Joyce reasoned with the actual adult. The fact that she didn't go off on Buffy being with Angel after finding out about him and how old he is, plus what he did to them when he was evil, and in his past should have left her shook and in absolute protest with him being with her daughter. He understood and respected her feelings for her daughter's future. He knew it was coming to a head soon. You seemed to be ok with Angel and Buffy, but not Cordelia and Wesley. It's the same thing... but worse. Like he said, he is old enough to be her ancestor. During season 2 when the ghost couple invaded the school staff and Bangel, that was the episode where Joss was paying attention to David and how he played the part of the female lover. He was testing to see if he had what it took to be a lead male. That's when he decided to give him his own show. This was his breakout job that put him on the map.
Will you watch Angel in parallel from season 4 onwards? Because you definetly should. There's even crossover storylines. I know that you already know the later seasons of Angel but not the first ones if I remember correctly. I don't think that Angel wanted to have this talk before Prom - however she noticed that something was off and pushed him to talk. You can't really blame that on him because it was definetly not the moment he would have chosen. Regarding Wes and Cordelia - why is that so much of a deal? Wes is actually not much older than Cordelia. According to the lore he just finished Watcher school; being sent to Sunnydale is his first assignment. He's in his mid twenties, not more than 5-8 years older than Cordelia (which also happens to be the age difference between the actors by the way - Alexis Denisof is 5 years older than Charisma Caarpenter).
Angel was not breaking up with Buffy before Prom but Buffy found out Angel was holding onto something and forced him to tell that he is breaking up. Once Buffy started grilling him, there was no escaping, he had to tell the truth at that point.
0:35-0:39 Yes, lets watch Buffy enjoy her Prom. 🤣 Ends up more bittersweet. I love it when reaction viewers get excited over this one. Personally I enjoy what the student body does for her far more than Angel's bittersweet dance with Buffy at the end. 4:14-4:15 A lot of people roll their eyes at the fact that Tucker was turned down, but I look at why he was turned down. In high school where you live is just as much a key factor for bullying as being a geek or nerd and he has that working against him also. It definitely doesn't gives him the excuse of sending Hell Hounds to the Prom, but it gives more insight into Tucker's character just through visuals. 15:14-15:35 Now drop that pigs blood on her. 😁 Sorry. I'm a Stephen King fan and the visuals look so much like that was where it was headed sometimes. Angel tried to tell Buffy they should "talk" later, both when she brought up clothes for the Prom during slaying and about the "talk" itself. So, unlike Scott before Homecoming, I don't blame Angel for doing this before Prom. "I don't." He needed to say it whether true or not. And I doubt it was the truth. domi e cut out Buffy's line of "I'm just a swoony little schoolgirl, right." The problem is Buffy is ignoring a truth of that statement. Her entire relationship with Angel consisted of her being underage and in high school, her and Willow gossiping about it, having underage sex and ignoring the things that adults (The Mayor and her mother specifically, but even Giles, Willow and Xander to some degree) always brought up that were going to be roadblocks to the relationship. Wesley at least waited until Cordelia was 18, but even then, their flirting beforehand can be labeled as suspect for some. Faith even comment "jailbait" to Wesley at the beginning of the season. "Are we all catching up now" is one of my favorite Cordelia lines.
If your partner doesn't want to be with you they don't have to wait until you're ready to break up. Also Angel didn't want to break up like that Buffy forced him to.
This is how I picture it. Giles told Snider he was taking on an unpaid trainee librarian who needed experience working in a public library as a favour. Snider objected but Giles offered to convince him.
Xander often screws up. But...Xander knows about dysfunctional families. Now the rich bitch he made out with after years of mutual antagonism and then messed up with only to realize how much he cared...has a dysfunctional family and is now poor like him. Xander mans up and does the right thing - and doesn't brag about it either.
Buffy would not have allowed Willow to not go with Oz ("if she has to kill every last person on the face of the Earth"). Xander still holds a candle for Buffy, so going with him would be a Bad Idea. Demon Anya ("Men are evil. Will you go with me?") is much better.
I think Angel's timing was kind of perfect to illustrate the point. He is a 200+ year old vampire and it showed that he does not and will not ever be able to truly understand the world of an 18 year old girl. This was something so vitally important to her and it didn't even occur to him that it was the Worst Possible Timing. They love each other but it's just a thing that can't be, and this only demonstrated it even more. (I think it's also fair to point out that it was Buffy who insisted they talk about it in that moment as well).
I won't say anything aside that a certain number of your guesses and opinions give me "ear-to-ear" smiles (won't even tell if they were sadistic or euphoric). I'm eager that you see how all will tied up to what you know of the story.
Domi e I believe that Angel didn't want to talk about it but Buffy made Angel talk about it. If Angel had his way he probably would have broken up with Buffy after prom or after graduation.
06:50 - 07:46 💔💔💔💔 07:47 - 09:23 , 10:41 - 10:55 , 11:57 - 12:07 You see why I miss them as a couple?!?!😭😭💜💜💜💙💙💙 10:18 - 10:21 🥺🥺💔💔 13:48 - 15:39 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖 16:04 - 16:32 🖤🖤💛💛 19:54 - 20:29 I agree. I said that in my comment on the last ep. 20:49 - 21:07 "The downside of having giant Japanese anime eyes is that they're easy to read."This can apply to several Buffy's characters.Willow,Buffy,Faith... SPOILER 23:36 - 23:40 *IF ONLY!!!!!!!* I'm SO DISAPPOINTED that Faith never got to be in the opening credits!!!X"""-(((
I really love the character of Joyce and she really believes she is doing what is best for her daughter, but I believe her inability to truly accept the reality of what being a slayer means leads her to doing some frustrating things. Like here, I totally get why she doesn't want Buffy to be around Angel but she speaks as if her daughter has a normal life expectancy when she is already considered old by slayer standards. Must be difficult to accept your daughter is likely going to be dead before she can legally drink but that is Buffy's reality.
I fully agree (plus, while Joyce does it out of love, her meddling in Buffy's relationship behind her back irks me). At the same time, I think Joyce - or Buffy, most importantly - can't live every day having the realisation about Buffy's life expectancy in the front of their minds, because then what is the point to any of it? To, say, Buffy applying herself at all in school or in college? So many everyday things? Figuring out what is best for someone who is in Buffy's position is so difficult. And (understandably) some decisions on the show seem to be made to make Buffy more relatable to the viewers going through real-life experiences, than tailored to Buffy's life.
I’m 2 years late on this but why, why, why, does everyone hate on the Wesley/Cordelia attraction when she is 18, and he’s not that much older nor is he a teacher, or anything like that? And these same people (almost everyone) loves Angel and Buffy… when he’s much older, and she was 15-16 when they became an item in season 1? Talk about jailbait! It’s an incredible blind spot for so many people and it puzzles me to no end.
Culture has marched on. When this episode first aired, an 18 year old High School student, and someone in their late 20's would not have been considered problematic. The fact that she was 18 would have made all the difference. Now, Giles telling Westley to go for Cordy just feels eew.
SPOILERS . . . . the origin of the "tucker's brother" running joke is that the show originally intended to bring tucker back, but the actor ended up not being available. rather than coming up with a whole new character and backstory, someone suggested they just use tucker's brother.
@@David-ve5iq Yeah, I know. But I still try nothing but generic comments on anything in potential future episodes to avoid spoilers, just in case. And sometimes references to previous episodes, because those aren't spoiling at all.
@@kendavis8046 ???? If you are saying that you mention the older episode because it avoids spoilers, it still doesn't make sense to suggest that she MIGHT enjoy an episode that you know she has already seen. That's like suggesting that she might like to try watching a show called Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
I don't get Angel's motivation for being with Buffy AT ALL. And this ep illustrates my confusion. If Angel views Buffy as a child and young naive girl, and he needs to do what's best for her and end their relationship, then WHY was he engaging in a relationship with her to begin with??? If Angel views Buffy as an adult woman, then why does he so often infantilize her, why does he dismiss her judgement, disregard her autonomy, and make unilateral decisions for her/their life (as a partner should never do)????? I've never understood it 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 There's zero power balance or equal ground in this relationship
Angel was lying when he said that she was a young, naive girl, trying to push her away. As an immature young man who was turned into a particularly vicious vampire and then cursed with a soul to torment him for the rest of his days, think of him as a severely abused man whose emotional development was stunted. There are plenty of scenes in previous seasons that show him confused by the interpersonal relationships around him... Alley Box liked to point them out whenever she spotted them... so I, myself, don't really see that much of a power imbalance between him and Buffy.
@@TimStCroix *Many* grown men are emotionally stunted. That doesn't mean they get a pass to date young girls 🤦🤦 I wasn't referring to Angel telling Buffy she's young and naive, I was referring to how he treats her/handles her, which shows his opinion of her as young and naive
@@David-ve5iq That gets said a lot, but I highly doubt that. Perhaps in the conception period, but not when the show was being written and in production. Willow and Buffy call him "the older man" in the 3rd or 4th episode. Not to mention how they dress him in the first ep.
@@jamie7398 None of what you said shows the show implying Angel is 18/a teenager in season 1. Willow and Buffy are looking at a book on Angel and are specifically looking at passage from when he was around their age. It's never implied that's when he died/was last human. As for the dates across the shows, yes they weren't consistent and they changed course with his birth year/the period he was human. But he's always been an adult in the writing, never an immortal teenager.
Even after dozens of rewatches there r still 3 episodes that can make me cry and this is the first. Seeing Buffy being recognized for her efforts by so many is always the most heart warming thing ever.🥲
The look on Giles’ face when they all look at Buffy is so perfect. He’s so proud of her, he gives her a nod as to say, “well deserved”, she is quite literally his pride and joy.
It was the cutest look!! Proud father alert!!!
Buffy is pride and joy of all of us!
The Class Protector scene never fails to bring a tear to my eye. The music in this ep is iconic, and I love that you can hear hints of the background theme earlier on, which finally goes full out when she accepts her award. And Wild Horses! 😭 She got her perfect high school moment. BUFFY APPRECIATION!
In regards to the photobooth, the show released a Sunnydale yearbook which, if I recall correctly, included booth photos! :D And a lot of photos during the prom!
Omg LOVE THIS! Will eventually have to hunt down that yearbook!
And it's cool that it references the class protector scene twice in season 4, but I won't spoil how.
The Sundays - Wild Horses
ruclips.net/video/9i-0FB68LoQ/видео.html
@@grichard1585 I discovered The Sundays about 2 years ago because of this show/episode. Their 3 albums are perfection. Can't stop listening to them.
Wild horses by the Sundays, great cover of the song. Bloodstream by Stateless might have also worked especially because Angel is a vampire.
I adore this episode and its almost entirely due to the ending scenes. Xander protecting Cordelias secret and paying for her dress, the class protector award, and Angel showing up, the perfect music. Its just...chefs kiss
I'm with you on Buffy being the best person ever. I adore her. She's my single favorite fictional character in the history of fictional characters and has been for over 20 years.
Edited to add: certain comments you made in this reaction have me more excited than ever to see your season 4 reactions!
Buffy is my ideal partner!
Nice, brave, strong, selfless.... I LOVE HER ❤
I'm going to defend Angel a little on his timing. He did try to avoid having the conversation but Buffy insisted on having it. But try to look at it from Angel's perspective. He doesn't want to see Buffy in pain and probably just wanted to be quick about it so she could get over him quicker. Like ripping off a band-aid. Angel also might've figured she'd get over it quicker if she hated him. Obviously, this is not how it ended up.
Yes, he didn't want to have that conversation at that point, but she pressed the matter.
That said, he kind of has to be a jerk earlier in the episode so the ending can hit the note they wanted.
The main reason it happened is cos David Boreanaz was nearly 30 and he was getting too old to play her boyfriend.
@@David-ve5iq no, it happened cause he was getting his own show
@@dead_girl__ He happened to get his own show after they kicked him off. They only considered it because he's a larger than life character like Buffy.
@@ItsMeBarnaby People of different ages dont age at the same rate.
Let me just say that your reaction to the Class Protector scene was perfect. You didn't talk, pause de video or anything like that. You were just immersed in the scene, letting your feelings flow, filling with pride and tearing up, it was great. I could tell you weren't caring about the cameras, you were caring about Buffy, and that's whats matter the most. Congratulations!
YES to all your comments on Buffy this episode. Buffy is honestly the greatest character of anything ever and she deserves the world. Loved watching your reaction to her finally getting recognition!
Also, I love that you let your sisters do your make-up for Buffy's prom! It looks really pretty!
Thank you Lucy!!!
Giles steals this episode in the last 5 minutes. First by telling Wesley to "stop fluttering about" and then the smooth ASF way he takes Buffy's parasol and steps out of the way before she's even noticed Angel has shown up
The presentation of the Class Protector award is one of my Favorite Things Ever! Watching it again this time I noticed the expressions on the faces of Giles and the gang. They look so proud of her!
Gotta say he tried. "Not now, not here."
Buffy insisted. How can he resist when she insists?
SMG is incredible in this show.
That Class Protector award always hits me right in the feels and not matter how many times I see it, I always get misty.
Stupid Harmony and her posse breaking it. I hated that part.
@@adrianrocha49 Harmony and her posse had nothing to do with the class protector award being broken. That was an entirely different vampire group in the season four premiere, which Harmony wasn’t even in.
@@scarlettmi Really? Well, all I remember is Harmony did attack Buffy one time with her posse, I guess I got them mixed up.
@@adrianrocha49 That was way later into season five.
@@scarlettmi I know, I just watched the episode. I think the reason I got confused is because the vampire that actually did it is also a dumb blonde that didn't what they were getting into appaently.
This is one of my favorite episodes. Your reactions to the best parts are just how I did, too! I love the Buffy appreciation!
Yay! I’m so glad!!
Wonderful reaction to this awesome episode! Love that you dressed up for it! Buffy is due so much gratitude, it's incredible to finally see her get a real moment of recognition.
As for Angel breaking up with her just before the prom, I think the idea is he just can't pretend and lie to her through the whole night at the prom. They know each other too well and Buffy can already tell there's something going on and wouldn't have let it go. Personally I think Buffy would have taken it harder if he had lied and pretended nothing was up the whole night then told her later.
Yeah that's a totally fair point. There really was no way around it... IT JUST HURTS!!!
Buffy did push to deal with it now.
Angel did say 'not here, not now' but Buffy pushed him since his mind was clearly elsewhere and he gave in and said what was on his mind.
Totally agree! Someone waited a week to break up with me once for similar reasons. I can see why they did it... but rethinking the memories of the week where I thought everything was fine was really painful. I imagine everyone is different in what they prefer but I think Angel made the right call not to wait.
@@centroid I also think that way when it comes to Scott in 'Homecoming'. It was bad in the moment, but in the long run actions and memories built on lies aren't better.
Just like Buffy said "he's 240 years old, he doesn't GET the prom." Plus he was basically pushed by Joyce and he NEVER tells Buffy that her mom came to see him & warn him off.
honestly i wouldve loved to see a father daughter dance between buffy and giles
the other kids don't know that he's her Watcher so it wouldn't have been proper. Wouldn't do her reputation any good dancing with a librarian (as far as the other kids are aware).
That would have been SO heartwarming and great I totally agree!!
Jonathan being the one to give Buffy the Class Protector Award is so appropriate - since she saved his life in 'Earshot'. Of course, since 'Earshot' was originally skipped over in the original airing schedule that little detail was lost to us viewers at the time.
FFS, I'm 59 years old, I've seen this episode at least a dozen times, and at least a dozen more with Buffy reactors, and STILL can't make it through with dry eyes. The Sewer scene breakup, crying on Willow's lap, Zander buying Cordelia's dress, Buffy's Class Protector Award, Angel showing up. Good Lord, the angst, the emotion, the empathy. That Class Protector award especially... what an amazing payoff after watching Buffy suffer for her calling for three straight years. This episode was SO F#@KING PACKED.
Yeah, if you reflect on all the things Buffy has been through on this show, it's really nice to see her get a win.
Buffy: "I want my life to be with you"
Angel: "I don't"
Buffy: "You don't want to be with me?"
That's not what he said.
Yes he said that, but not because he didn't want to. Buffy understands
Yes, but it what she heard.
I agree, he meant he didn't want her to have a "half life" with him. Because with him she can never be normal.
Yup.... I'm sure what Buffy heard was that he didn't want HIS life to be with HER, but what he actually said was that he didn't want HER life to be with HIM, which is very different.
@@alooncnej4696 Buffy said "You don't want to be with me?" He did not say, nor say anything to mean that he didn't want to be with her. He didn't want her life to be with him. For her sake. So no, he did not say that (what she asked).
Haven't watched yet, but I wanted to make sure I didn't forget to say:
1) you're a good big sister
2) you look good! Your little sisters are talented
Aw thank you!! They’ll love to hear this!
10:17 - "I'm over the whole Buffy gets one perfect high school moment thing." Aww...just wait for it, Buffy!
I was halfway through this reaction when I remembered the class protector scene was coming and I started crying just at the thought of it! This is a really emotional episode (especially for a 'monster of the week' episode) and I love that the students are so proud of their low mortality rate...even though it's still got to be 100x higher than any other school 😂
Oh, with Praise You, Celebration and Wild Horses, well done in steering your video through the content match waters.
I think the Class Protector Award scene is the best "happy cry" scene in any movie or TV episode I've ever seen.
I love watching reactors cry during this scene, because it's a happy cry. Also... it's not like I can claim my own cheeks are dry... so there is significant audience participation from me. (How was THAT for a labored euphemism?)
For some reason, I'm not in the habit of thinking about the significance of the fact that Jonathan is the one who presents the award to her, but that scene is even more emotional if you think about Buffy and Jonathan's history.
just when i think I'm done crying at the "Class Protector" scene, "Wild Horses" starts playing and I'm sobbing again
This is one of the most affecting moments in the entire damn series. And thank you for leaving in Anya's promposal. :)
The line angel says is also extremely important, and very specific, in a way almost designed to be read incorrectly. His “I don’t” is in response to her saying she didn’t want HER life to be with HIM- the immediate, and incorrect, read is that he doesn’t want his life to be with her. But he does want his life to be with her, just not at the cost to her of her life being with him.
Your make up looks amazing! Love this episode so freaking much. One of the best buffy moments
Loved your emotional reaction Domi, and I love this episode. It is soooo wholesome.
"Buffy Summers. Class protector."
Doesn't matter how many times I've seen this. I always tear up at that.
19:30 I think Angel was going to wait but Buffy knew something was wrong and he didn't want to lie to her face.
I figured you'd cry during the award ceremony, I still do every time I see it. I love how you GET this show. As you said Buffy toiled in obscurity many long nights spent patrolling their 12 cemeteries and the result was the schools graduating class with the lowest mortality rate. That means something to those that survived and I'm glad they recognized her effort personally and publicly.
If you don't know the band playing 'Wild Horses' is The Sundays, a UK band that only made 3 albums. I bought all 3 and love them. Their big hit was 'Here's Where the Story Ends', they were on MTV's 120 Minutes show with their video, I think you'll like it.
ruclips.net/video/FHsip5xOenQ/видео.html
Joss and Marti (at that point she was promoted to number 2 once Angel started and David Greenwalt left Buffy to run Angel) talked about that on twitter 2 years ago when someone asked Marti about The Prom speech:
'That speech was allll Joss. He had it in his head from the start.
I did, however, cry my eyes out while writing the end of Angel and Buffy. Like a baby. Also I think I was playing The Smiths or something equally heart killing. Just to get in the mood.'
Then Joss replied:
Marti, MARTI, how many of my lives did your talented heart save? #JossProtector (I cried for two hours straight writing that speech. Never been happier. And it was the score to SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, maybe just the last track on repeat, the whole time.)
And Marti:
Yeh. We did like that. We both cried and wrote. Come to think of it, some things haven't changed much.
Those days! Those incredible days that, when I take a moment, I remember so clearly. ❤️ you then, ❤️ you now across the sea making new heroines, I'm sure.
"Class protector." Ugh. Just destroy me and tear my insides out.
I think that once Angel had resolved to break up with Buffy, he could not postpone telling her about it, for two reasons, firstly it would be dishonest (which is not in his nature) and secondly Buffy would know something was wrong (Angel would be troubled by the burden of deceit, and he could not hide it from her), and she would be more hurt in the long run had he kept his plans to end their relatonship from her. In my opinon this is one time when having been to hell and thus having some perspective on suffering helped Angel do what needed to be done. I'm sure he didn't want to break up or for that matter, hurt Buffy in any way, this was the best option.
Every person that ever watches Buffy, I wait and wait and wait for them to get to Prom and THAT moment. 😭💜😭💜😭 You cried about as much as I did to see her get noticed and appreciated like that.
The Buffy and Angel = Doctor and Rose paralell...
Class protector always makes me tear up.
Buffy earlier said she wanted her moment at the prom... but her slayer duties always get in the way.... and here she is, getting appreciated as both.
I was so excited to see you react to The Speech, always so touching
Really moving episode, every time it brings tears!
If all of this had happened to Cordelia in Season 1 everyone would have said that "She deserved it!" but after 3 seasons we have learned to know the human side of her and we feel sorry for her; Xander could have, yeah, luckily he still shows us how he's less immature than he sometimes seems, this guy has a big heart, that's why he's always forgiven in the end.
Angel I understood immediately, he preferred that Buffy hated him to facilitate the separation, she as it is rightly pointed out remains an 18 year old girl who only wants what her heart tells her, in this case to have her life with him, which, however, would not have been right for either of them, given their inability to be truly happy together.
I think Willow and Xander didn't make a point of taking Buffy to the Prom because she would certainly have refused and reiterated that they should go on their dates and have their dream nights without thinking about her. Oh yes Buffy has a heart of gold, she is very kind and selfless, unbearable to see her suffer so much .......
..... thank goodness she finally had her dream moment too. It is significant that it was Jonathan who gave her the Award, being a bit of a symbol of those whom Buffy has always defended and helped, and really amazing to see for once a heroine recognized as such (although few there knew the whole truth) .
I have no doubt that Giles would have invited Buffy to dance if Angel hadn't come, but it wouldn't have been the same, as good as their bond is, dancing with Angel was Buffy's dream and she deserved to have it, even though that was a goodbye dance.
Ps Wesley and Cordy are the cringest couple in the series, XD
Shout out to Tucker. Probably inspiring all sorts of people to get into evil.
Like his Brother??
@@wbrownshadow 🤫
@@wbrownshadow I don't know. If he had a brother, someone would surely remember him.
The eye makeup really highlights your surprised expressions. :-)
It didnt take all that many episode for this show to make me cry, but watching this was the first time it made me cry happy tears.
With Angel breaking up with Buffy before the prom (which makes him coming to the party to top off the perfect high school experience so much more emotional), I feel we talk a lot about how Buffy feels, but forget that it's as hard for Angel as it is for her.
Also, your reaction during that scene - come on, aren't you happy you're getting a whole other series? ;>
I love how much you love this episode
Buffy saved Jonathan from a very intimately human situation; it’s fitting that he be the one to give her the award.
Yeah I really wanted to kick Angel's ass for dumping Buffy before the prom! 😡 But I'm glad that they still went to Prom together.
I haven't seen this series (yes whole show) over 100xs and is still crying...you are!
Why is YOUR face the thing that's breaking my heart in this breakup scene?! 😭
You know, just when you thought you had Angel figured out, he show's up in a tux
I see what you're saying about Angel breaking up with her...why now? I think because he really loves her as much as she loves him, so I think of it as ripping off a band aid. How could he go on being in a relationship with her if he knew he was going to leave her? Plus she knew right away something was wrong so he couldn't lie if he wanted. I think it's even worse dragging things out.
It's funny to me that the Slayer is supposed to be a big secret yet every student in the school knows of her and the goings on and is appreciative of her efforts to keep them safe.
omg domi all dressed up for prom. cute! ☺☺
The guy that played the Priest marrying Buffy and Angel at 4:40 is called Joe Howard and he's in the first episode of Season 3 of Young Sheldon.
He was also cop George Frankly on "Mathnet", the Dragnet parody that was part of the math sketch comedy series, "Square One TV" on PBS.
Totally fine with the idea of Wesley and Cordelia. She’s an adult and I don’t see any reason to tell her she’s not able to make her own decisions for herself. (To be fair, as soon as age gap reaches 15-20 years and up, I do start to feel a little odd about it, because one partner could have parented the other… but it’s still their choice as long as they’re both adults.)
Still loved Cordy and Xander, though!!
I might be a morbid person or whatever but I can't stop thinking that one will have to live X years without the other because of the age gap.... That's why I don't like big age gaps. Makes me sad 😅
Not sure how old Wesley is meant to be, but assuming he's the same age as Alexis Denisof was at the time then Cordelia is 18 and Wesley is 33. Charisma Carpenter was actually 29 when this was filmed.
@@Michael75579 Wesley's never given an exact age. They list him as 25-35 when he started in Buffy 3 and 30-40 by the end of Angel.
I always figured Wesley to be mid to at most late 20s at this point. Cordelia is an adult, and Wesley isn't powerful or assertive enough to manipulate or take advantage of her. While he was obviously attracted to her, HE actually never even made a move on her. She aggressively pursued him. So there's also no power dynamic he has over her.
Now let's think about it. Angel isn't originally American, and it's not like there was the concept of Prom in his time or it's importance to a modern day American teenager.
He at least changed his mind and gave her the night she wanted.
Buffy being a teen in dramatic love, is not going to hear it from her mother, so Joyce reasoned with the actual adult.
The fact that she didn't go off on Buffy being with Angel after finding out about him and how old he is, plus what he did to them when he was evil, and in his past should have left her shook and in absolute protest with him being with her daughter.
He understood and respected her feelings for her daughter's future. He knew it was coming to a head soon.
You seemed to be ok with Angel and Buffy, but not Cordelia and Wesley. It's the same thing... but worse. Like he said, he is old enough to be her ancestor.
During season 2 when the ghost couple invaded the school staff and Bangel, that was the episode where Joss was paying attention to David and how he played the part of the female lover. He was testing to see if he had what it took to be a lead male. That's when he decided to give him his own show. This was his breakout job that put him on the map.
Will you watch Angel in parallel from season 4 onwards? Because you definetly should. There's even crossover storylines.
I know that you already know the later seasons of Angel but not the first ones if I remember correctly.
I don't think that Angel wanted to have this talk before Prom - however she noticed that something was off and pushed him to talk. You can't really blame that on him because it was definetly not the moment he would have chosen.
Regarding Wes and Cordelia - why is that so much of a deal? Wes is actually not much older than Cordelia. According to the lore he just finished Watcher school; being sent to Sunnydale is his first assignment.
He's in his mid twenties, not more than 5-8 years older than Cordelia (which also happens to be the age difference between the actors by the way - Alexis Denisof is 5 years older than Charisma Caarpenter).
I think studying the hellhound at the store was a matter of just taking advantage of an opportunity because the store had security cameras.
LOL Supports a two hundred year age difference between Buffy and Angel but thinks a ten year age gap between Wesley and Cordelia feels wrong.
Bangel has always had a timelessness to it. Perhaps because it wouldn't have lasted.
Its more like 15 year.
Shooting script for The BUFFY episode "Bad Girls" describes Wesley as "late 20's" so the general consensus is he is between 25-29.
The actors themselves are only four years apart with Alexis Denisof being older.
Angel was not breaking up with Buffy before Prom but Buffy found out Angel was holding onto something and forced him to tell that he is breaking up. Once Buffy started grilling him, there was no escaping, he had to tell the truth at that point.
0:35-0:39 Yes, lets watch Buffy enjoy her Prom. 🤣 Ends up more bittersweet. I love it when reaction viewers get excited over this one. Personally I enjoy what the student body does for her far more than Angel's bittersweet dance with Buffy at the end.
4:14-4:15 A lot of people roll their eyes at the fact that Tucker was turned down, but I look at why he was turned down. In high school where you live is just as much a key factor for bullying as being a geek or nerd and he has that working against him also. It definitely doesn't gives him the excuse of sending Hell Hounds to the Prom, but it gives more insight into Tucker's character just through visuals.
15:14-15:35 Now drop that pigs blood on her. 😁 Sorry. I'm a Stephen King fan and the visuals look so much like that was where it was headed sometimes.
Angel tried to tell Buffy they should "talk" later, both when she brought up clothes for the Prom during slaying and about the "talk" itself. So, unlike Scott before Homecoming, I don't blame Angel for doing this before Prom.
"I don't." He needed to say it whether true or not. And I doubt it was the truth.
domi e cut out Buffy's line of "I'm just a swoony little schoolgirl, right." The problem is Buffy is ignoring a truth of that statement. Her entire relationship with Angel consisted of her being underage and in high school, her and Willow gossiping about it, having underage sex and ignoring the things that adults (The Mayor and her mother specifically, but even Giles, Willow and Xander to some degree) always brought up that were going to be roadblocks to the relationship.
Wesley at least waited until Cordelia was 18, but even then, their flirting beforehand can be labeled as suspect for some. Faith even comment "jailbait" to Wesley at the beginning of the season.
"Are we all catching up now" is one of my favorite Cordelia lines.
Tucker's cutaway scene has to be the shortest yet most concise ever, love it. And yes Cordelia often got some of the best lines.
If your partner doesn't want to be with you they don't have to wait until you're ready to break up. Also Angel didn't want to break up like that Buffy forced him to.
"You know whats a good day to break up with somebody? Any day except valentines day!"
That quote has aged surprisingly terrible.
luckily in Italy we don't have proms ... and we don't even have engagement rings or wedding vows 😁
What was Wesley's cover story for being at the school? Was he the Assistant Librarian?
his cover was that it's a public place in the 1990's. nobody was really concerned about it.
This is how I picture it. Giles told Snider he was taking on an unpaid trainee librarian who needed experience working in a public library as a favour. Snider objected but Giles offered to convince him.
Xander often screws up. But...Xander knows about dysfunctional families. Now the rich bitch he made out with after years of mutual antagonism and then messed up with only to realize how much he cared...has a dysfunctional family and is now poor like him. Xander mans up and does the right thing - and doesn't brag about it either.
Buffy would not have allowed Willow to not go with Oz ("if she has to kill every last person on the face of the Earth"). Xander still holds a candle for Buffy, so going with him would be a Bad Idea. Demon Anya ("Men are evil. Will you go with me?") is much better.
I think Angel's timing was kind of perfect to illustrate the point. He is a 200+ year old vampire and it showed that he does not and will not ever be able to truly understand the world of an 18 year old girl. This was something so vitally important to her and it didn't even occur to him that it was the Worst Possible Timing. They love each other but it's just a thing that can't be, and this only demonstrated it even more.
(I think it's also fair to point out that it was Buffy who insisted they talk about it in that moment as well).
Domi "Oh Fuck my life."
I won't say anything aside that a certain number of your guesses and opinions give me "ear-to-ear" smiles (won't even tell if they were sadistic or euphoric). I'm eager that you see how all will tied up to what you know of the story.
I'm so looking forward to you watching Angel season one!
Domi e
I believe that Angel didn't want to talk about it but Buffy made Angel talk about it.
If Angel had his way he probably would have broken up with Buffy after prom or after graduation.
06:50 - 07:46 💔💔💔💔
07:47 - 09:23 , 10:41 - 10:55 , 11:57 - 12:07 You see why I miss them as a couple?!?!😭😭💜💜💜💙💙💙
10:18 - 10:21 🥺🥺💔💔
13:48 - 15:39 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
16:04 - 16:32 🖤🖤💛💛
19:54 - 20:29 I agree. I said that in my comment on the last ep.
20:49 - 21:07 "The downside of having giant Japanese anime eyes is that they're easy to read."This can apply to several Buffy's characters.Willow,Buffy,Faith...
SPOILER
23:36 - 23:40 *IF ONLY!!!!!!!* I'm SO DISAPPOINTED that Faith never got to be in the opening credits!!!X"""-(((
You look divine my lady, may I have this dance?
Isn't breaking up right AFTER Prom considered morally odious?
I really love the character of Joyce and she really believes she is doing what is best for her daughter, but I believe her inability to truly accept the reality of what being a slayer means leads her to doing some frustrating things. Like here, I totally get why she doesn't want Buffy to be around Angel but she speaks as if her daughter has a normal life expectancy when she is already considered old by slayer standards. Must be difficult to accept your daughter is likely going to be dead before she can legally drink but that is Buffy's reality.
I fully agree (plus, while Joyce does it out of love, her meddling in Buffy's relationship behind her back irks me). At the same time, I think Joyce - or Buffy, most importantly - can't live every day having the realisation about Buffy's life expectancy in the front of their minds, because then what is the point to any of it? To, say, Buffy applying herself at all in school or in college? So many everyday things?
Figuring out what is best for someone who is in Buffy's position is so difficult. And (understandably) some decisions on the show seem to be made to make Buffy more relatable to the viewers going through real-life experiences, than tailored to Buffy's life.
season 3 almost Done :P :)
I’m 2 years late on this but why, why, why, does everyone hate on the Wesley/Cordelia attraction when she is 18, and he’s not that much older nor is he a teacher, or anything like that? And these same people (almost everyone) loves Angel and Buffy… when he’s much older, and she was 15-16 when they became an item in season 1? Talk about jailbait! It’s an incredible blind spot for so many people and it puzzles me to no end.
Culture has marched on. When this episode first aired, an 18 year old High School student, and someone in their late 20's would not have been considered problematic. The fact that she was 18 would have made all the difference. Now, Giles telling Westley to go for Cordy just feels eew.
(Which is NOT me saying that it was okay, just that it was accepted.)
Tucker's brother
I'll just leave this here while she gets to season five and six lol
SPOILERS
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the origin of the "tucker's brother" running joke is that the show originally intended to bring tucker back, but the actor ended up not being available. rather than coming up with a whole new character and backstory, someone suggested they just use tucker's brother.
6 and 7
Any chance you will do a Graduation Day 2 part double feature next week? 😃
Rolling Stones are incomparable, but Wild Horses will always be Buffy, the Prom and the Sundays ... sorry!
you look cute af
charisma now have 51 years old, and alexis have 55 why the couple is wrong?
No spoiler, but you might enjoy the S2 finale!
She's watched the season 2 finale.
@@David-ve5iq Yeah, I know. But I still try nothing but generic comments on anything in potential future episodes to avoid spoilers, just in case. And sometimes references to previous episodes, because those aren't spoiling at all.
@@kendavis8046 ???? If you are saying that you mention the older episode because it avoids spoilers, it still doesn't make sense to suggest that she MIGHT enjoy an episode that you know she has already seen. That's like suggesting that she might like to try watching a show called Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
@@Logan_Baron I stand humbly corrected! :-)
I don't get Angel's motivation for being with Buffy AT ALL. And this ep illustrates my confusion. If Angel views Buffy as a child and young naive girl, and he needs to do what's best for her and end their relationship, then WHY was he engaging in a relationship with her to begin with??? If Angel views Buffy as an adult woman, then why does he so often infantilize her, why does he dismiss her judgement, disregard her autonomy, and make unilateral decisions for her/their life (as a partner should never do)????? I've never understood it 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 There's zero power balance or equal ground in this relationship
Angel was lying when he said that she was a young, naive girl, trying to push her away.
As an immature young man who was turned into a particularly vicious vampire and then cursed with a soul to torment him for the rest of his days, think of him as a severely abused man whose emotional development was stunted. There are plenty of scenes in previous seasons that show him confused by the interpersonal relationships around him... Alley Box liked to point them out whenever she spotted them... so I, myself, don't really see that much of a power imbalance between him and Buffy.
@@TimStCroix *Many* grown men are emotionally stunted. That doesn't mean they get a pass to date young girls 🤦🤦 I wasn't referring to Angel telling Buffy she's young and naive, I was referring to how he treats her/handles her, which shows his opinion of her as young and naive
Angel was only meant to be 18/19 at the start of Buffy Season 1 but David Boreanaz aged a lot.
@@David-ve5iq That gets said a lot, but I highly doubt that. Perhaps in the conception period, but not when the show was being written and in production. Willow and Buffy call him "the older man" in the 3rd or 4th episode. Not to mention how they dress him in the first ep.
@@jamie7398 None of what you said shows the show implying Angel is 18/a teenager in season 1. Willow and Buffy are looking at a book on Angel and are specifically looking at passage from when he was around their age. It's never implied that's when he died/was last human. As for the dates across the shows, yes they weren't consistent and they changed course with his birth year/the period he was human. But he's always been an adult in the writing, never an immortal teenager.
Xander A good guy? What show have you been watching?
Even after dozens of rewatches there r still 3 episodes that can make me cry and this is the first. Seeing Buffy being recognized for her efforts by so many is always the most heart warming thing ever.🥲