**I CAN'T WATCH!!** Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 Ep 8 "Shadow" Reaction: FIRST TIME WATCHING
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*I CAN'T WATCH!!* Buffy the Vampire Slayer S5 Ep 8 "Shadow" Reaction: FIRST TIME WATCHING
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I think Riley is the type of guy who needs a defined purpose. The initiative was his purpose and now that it's gone he's trying to make loving buffy and slaying with buffy his purpose but it's not working out. It's further exacerbated by the fact that buffy is preoccupied with her mom's health and generally keeps him a bit at arms length, this season anyway.
I agree, this is a good read on his character. It's a very traditionally-defined male gender role, being the needed protector with a job to do, and it's understandable that he would simultaneously respect a strong woman and wish he could be more helpful to her. It doesn't necessarily carry an insult, the idea that he wishes she needed him, because it could easily be more about what he thinks he lacks than it is about what he wants her to be. Yeah, they're not working, but there's not always a bad guy. Sometimes people just need different things, and when meeting someone's needs doesn't come naturally, it doesn't necessarily mean you're doing something wrong. It's just they're both in their early to mid twenties and being adults in relationships takes a lot of practice to do successfully.
Absolutely! I love your use of the word “defined” in your assessment here, cause that’s such an important distinction of his personality. Purpose isn’t necessarily enough, he needs clarity and instruction/ a role in that purpose. He doesn’t want to draw anything he wants, he wants to color within the lines and then get a sticker afterwards
@@miriam8376 That's why I never liked Riley but I never hated him either.Because he's not"a wrong guy"(unlike _someone else..._ 😒💢),he's just the wrong guy _for Buffy._
@@miriam8376i dont think it’s about gender roles. Riley said women back home could hold their own. I think he grew up around strong women. He admires buffy and wants to be with a woman like that. He wants an equal. And he thinks that’s what buffy wants as well. But yeah buffy is very distant he can feel she doesnt let him in completly and he wants and needs more from his partner. So this added to the trauma of losing his physical strengh and life mission …
The snake creature didn't attack Dawn because the orders it was given were "Find the Key and then return to me and tell me where it lies" -- not "bring it to me yourself."
Also the badies don't know the key is human yet, they still think it's a ball of energy.
I love the continued side joke that Anya finds bunnies terrifying. We saw it when she wore a bunny costume in the Halloween episode long ago, and she's still freaked out at even the mention of them. Heeeee.
I still think her Bunny costume was LEGENDARY
Whedon is a massive anglophile, so I always saw this joke as an extension of the one in Monty Python & The Holy Grail.
Riley's problem is Buffy doesn't need him. He wants to feel needed. But even in situations where she should lean on him, she doesn't. She sees it as not wanting to burden him, but he sees it as not being wanted or needed. The vamp is filling that hole by drinking off of him, he is giving them life and it gives him that sense of importance he is lacking.
He can't handle that a girl is stronger than him and doesn't need him.
It isn't Buffy's responsibility to make him feel needed. It feels like he's dealing with feelings of emasculation and Buffy is getting this terrible bs from Riley like it's her fault.
@@amillan2004 It is her responsibility to make him feel needed. When you are in a relationship, you rely on your partner for support, and they rely on you. But Buffy is always handling everything alone, the price she pays for being the slayer. Even worse, like the scene with Spike showed, he seems out of the loop and last to know things. And I'm sure he does also feel emasculated.
@@amillan2004 And to clarify, I wasn't justifying his behavior. It is still a major betrayal and not the way for him to handle his problems.
@@kims.5357 she needed that moment to vent. Weird that you think during a crisis like this that she's so responsible for what Riley's feeling. It feels so similar to the message in Barbie. Ken was acting this same way. Barbie wasn't responsible to bring Ken up. There is something so gender oppressing that a partner holds that much responsibility.
Buffy, the show in it’s entirety, is top tier. But seasons 2 & 5 just slay on a whole other level. ❤
It was Sandy, the vampire from 5x6 'Family' and was turned by Vampire Willow (offscreen) in Doppelgangland in the Bronze.
Demon-Lady: Find for me The Key, then return and tell me where it lies! *Literally 30 seconds later* Nick: what is this thing doing?
Sandy is the girl in the Bronze during the 1999 vampire attack led by with vampire Willow in episode Doppelgangland (S3E16). She appears in episode Family (S5E6) and in this one.
And in both episodes her new name is Plot Hole. VampWill *killed her* she didn't *turn her!*
@@Nicamon We saw Vamp Willow suck her blood, but we didn't see if she got sired afterwards. If she got her neck snapped instead then that would've left no possibility.
@@jp3813 She-literally-said IF you're good WE WILL MAKE YOU IMMORTAL and then she said *IF YOU'RE NOT...* and bit Sally!Sally was the example for:"IF YOU'RE NOT GOOD WE-WILL-KILL-YOU!" _It doesn't-make-sense_ for her to change her later!!!
The vampire that Riley was with is Sandy. She was bitten by Vamp Willow back in Dopplegangland and is a prime example of how this show never drops a detail. You only catch these things by watching it through a few times.
We have seen that vampire lady before. She was turned by vamp Willow back in Dopplegangland in season 3. She was in one of two other episodes i think
It's funny you should say about episode 7 because episodes 7 of Buffy are considered to be one of the strongest and most iconic episodes of the season. Usually where the "turning point" of the show happens. Season 1 we had Angel, season 2 was Lie to Me, season 3 Revelations, season 4 The Initiative, and now Fool For Love. No spoilers, just keep it in mind for seasons 6 and 7 🙂
here is Joyce's secret story: she worked in a nuclear power plant, next to a toxic waste dump! that's why Buffy has super powers!
Hen Riley says that Buffy needs him he couldn't be more wrong. Buffy is a strong independent woman who loves Riley but she doesn't need him. And that is something that he can't deal with. And I actually liked Riley.
The random doctor, Ben, introduced himself as an intern, aka a doctor-in-training.
In the Buffy forums Riley gets such hate. But in rewatches, I'm noticing that Buffy left him out and he couldn't handle it because he was used to being needed. He should have left as soon as he began to feel she didn't love him and couldn't...
I think fans are getting better about examining and warming up to Riley as a character as time marches on vs. when the show originally aired. He had the unfortunate timing of coming after Angel, even though the show tried to place a buffer before him with the Parker stuff. He's also one of those characters that doesn't get a lot of focus from his perspective, so it's hard for audiences to really relate to his feelings.
He should have talked with her about how he felt.
I've seen this season over and over again. I just finished all of season 5 of another reactors page but i always anticipate your reactions. I like your reactions.
Thanks so much!
Your analyses of these episodes are spot-on, the way I see it, esp wrt Riley. And yes, we've seen Sandy the vampire before. She came to us from Dopplegangland and Riley's first encounter with her at the bar was in Family.
There's some purposeful Color/Costume choices made in this episode. Riley's leather jacket, Glory's leather dress and Sandy the vampire's nail polish are all the exact same shade of Brownish-Burgundy. Coincidence? I think not...
I feel quite bad for the vampire lady and the demon snake. Not sure they deserved this.
I've always thought that scene with Riley allowing himself to be bitten then staking the vampire to be very close thematically to a serial killer type who murders prostitutes. I'm not sure we're supposed to feel quite that way about Riley doing this, but I do.
@@apulrang yeah it’s icky. At the same time it’s easy to forget Spike is literally that serial killer.
❤🐍🪦
@peterd9698 this. 😂😂😂 he is the serial killer/rapist/stalker 😂😂😂. His chip is his prison cell lol
JW actually said that this season's love interest for Buffy would be Dawn. Finding out her memories are all fake she still learns to hold onto and love her sister (not romantic but familialy, of course).
@nickreacts6394 Just wanted to mention, Riley wasn't lied to his whole life. Only in his college years after he was assigned to Dr. McCrazyPants. So maybe 2 or 3 (possibly 4 if he was a graduate working on his Masters). He was her TA so that usually is for juniors or seniors. We never really learn how old he is or if he ever graduated.
The Vampire Riley is with was last seen in Doppleganger .She gets eaten (and turned )by Willow the Vampire .
Actually, he meets her earlier this season in “Family” when he’s having a drink at the bar, and she flirts with him until he says he’s not interested in vampires because they’re never after his mind. So she had a three episode arc. Doppelgänger, Family and Shadow
You can't get eaten AND turned. Sally got eaten. The one Riley meets is called Plot Hole.
@Nicamon To make a vampire, they have to suck your blood and then you have to suck their blood. It's a whole big sucking thing. -Buffy
@@knday Exactly. And Sandy never bit VampWill back. Plus VampWill literally SAID:"If you're good boys&girls [we will make you immortal vampires] IF YOU'RE NOT..."and then she bit Sandy. *She-clearely-killed her!*
@@Nicamon VampWill definitely didn't turn her but maybe Sandy wasn't dead right away and one of the other vamps decided to make him a hot mate. It's not completely impossible, there woukd have been some time to do it. Different from Harmony - that was a plot hole.
i’m so excited for you to finish this season it’s one of my fav
Great episode as always.
The vampire in the bar that bit him, was the vampire that he talked to before at Willy's.
"Sandy, Sandy, Sandy. My heart belongs to another."
She was also on the episode Dopplegangland. Vampire Willow bit her.
"If you're all good boys and girls, we'll make you like us. But if you're not...Any questions?"
I don't think Riley grew up in the military - I think he grew up an all-American boy in Iowa, playing sports in high school, and probably went ROTC in college, then into the Army straight out of that environment. Then his high marks got him recruited for a special detachment, and that's when the drugging and brainwashing occured.
Riley is going about his issues over feeling Buffy doesn't love him the wrong way. She didn't state it outright in _Doomed,_ but her issues with Angel are leaking into why he doesn't feel she loves him. Buffy needs therapy before she started dating Riley, but he talked her into it being a good idea (in my opinion calling her "stupid" and "self-involved" was just the start of the issues that are starting to resurface with him now that he sees how deep Buffy's warnings in _Doomed_ about dating go [further than because Faith liked slaying a lot]). Outside of talking her into dating him, he hasn't talked to her much. _Hush_ wasn't just a metaphor for the episode, but for their relationship. Riley telling Buffy to cry on his shoulder isn't just going to make Buffy emotionally open in the way he wants. He doesn't understand Buffy's issues/emotions so he latches on to what he wants from her. Buffy has known Riley 14 months and he's been dating her 10 months. Buffy opened up to Giles in the way Riley is asking for starting on the episode _Helpless_ (before that said relationship was about their Watcher/Slayer dynamic), which was 22 month after Buffy met Giles. Riley is being impatient and not letting things happen naturally, and on top of that, he is asking these things of her when she is trying to be strong for her family. Riley misunderstanding the situation with Buffy and not talking to her about his issues is causing him to act stupid with vampires.
The Scooby Gang decided to put blame with Anya for Giles selling The Beast items, only for Anya to be the reason they know what is going on. Ugh! The last time I brought my annoyance at The Scoobies with this up, an argument said it was a spur of the moment decision to blame her so as to save Buffy from something she shouldn't have to worry about while her mom is sick. It doesn't matter that they didn't actively set out to blame Anya. Buffy needs to know what they aren't telling her. When Anya tries to tell Buffy, the group actively stop Anya by making her the scape goat. When Buffy pushes they continue by saying things like "Nothing to concern you" and "it's no biggie" which are also bogus statments. Buffy's the slayer. Her mom being sick isn't stopping the world from carrying on as usual (and on this show that mean Glory is trying to find the key by sending a snake demon into the world). Everything the group does in blaming Anya, makes the "Demon Lady" closer to winning, all because the group want to protect Buffy and give her space and time. But as she states, she can't do nothing. And _The Demon Lady_ "creaming her" is just another day in the life of being a slayer the group don't understand, much more than Riley. It was a good thing that Buffy saw through bad acting and Anya originally trying to self correct the group. It is the reason behind the snake being stopped. The group, whether they realize it or not, in trying to spare Buffy during a hard time, unintentionally started helping Glory even more than when they sold her the items in the first place.
And this is just one of the reasons I hate Riley.
This was another great reaction video, ThorNick - er, Nick! You had many good observations, reflections, and insights post-episode! ...Which isn't unusual - more to be expected, from you - but this video felt like an especially fitting time to acknowledge it. Thanks again for the great content!
As I understand it Glory could not pick another animal.
When Anya and the others explain to Buffy the spell the items bought by Glory can be used for, Anya mentions ancient people that were snake worshipers.
Therefore, I assume the spell only works on snakes.
The thing that makes Buffy and Riley's relationship troubles so frustrating - and why I think so many people don't like it - is that it's so messy. It's realistic that why, and it really comes down to lack of communication. Neither Buffy or Riley are completely in the wrong, or totally right. Buffy IS kind of pushing him away, and keeping things from him, and in a lot of ways taking him for granted. But at the same time, she's going through some of the hardest times in her life, and Riley is too wrapped up in his own insecurities to appreciate it.
It's just a really hard situation with no clean answers.
I think the scene that illustrates this the best is the one between Riley and Dawn. When he heard 'things aren't as intense as they were with Angel' what Riley heard was 'she doesn't feel as strongly for you'. But the important part was what came next: 'you've been really good for her'. Because the relationship with Riley has been a lot healthier and so much happier. In a lot of ways, it's a much more adult relationship than what Buffy had with Angel.
But Riley can't appreciate it, for all the reasons above.
It's stuff like this that makes me declare this the best season of the show. So good, can't wait to watch it with you 😊
Super fun reaction. Thanks!
I keep checking into see if you've seen my favorite episode of the series but its still a season away. This is a season six ep I'm referring to. I wish you had a 1 Buffy ep a week kind of schedule, but I get wanting to watch a variety of shows and maybe stretch things out. lol still every few months I come back and I'm like, "Is he there yet??????"
Is what Spike said to Riley true? Or has he picked up on Riley's insecurities & is simply doing what he's always does best? "Yoko Factor" redux. ❤🧡💛💚💙💜
The seemingly nice recurring doctor guy, which name is Ben btw(it's a bit shorter to design him), is an intern, if you want to be accurate.
TBH, I understand the philosophy behind not using magic to raise the dead, but there should be spells for curing illnesses... It's not going against the natural order, and other supernatural franchises do it (Harry Potter, almost every existing RPG games..., even in Lord of the Rings, the elves know some curative magic). It's just helping a bit the nature. In that sense, magic could be used pretty much like other kind of therapies. I mean, you can heal from the flu just by yourself, but it's still better if you have medicines to ease the pain/fight the infection. And it's not considered as going against the natural order. So why would magic be ?
I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the rest of the season because it is dramatic in the best way.
26:50 It's probably better that they didn't know that was Glory, If they knew it was her and tried to fight her she'd rip them in half. Buffy can't fight her so they'd be doomed.
I said at the time, Riley had the same problem as Angel did before he left for LA. As long as they are with Buffy, they will always be Robin. Buffy is Batman.
Definitely agree about Riley. Hating the behavior doesnt mean you have to hate the man. And I definitely appreciate Xander here as well. Hes not taking sides. He holds Riley accountable for his actions And offers support. So many people want to say hes jealous and still in love with buffy, that hes living vicariously through Riley, but I like to think otherwise. Xander is Buffy's metaphorical heart, its usually in the right place even when his actions don't always line up.
I don’t like that Riley turns Buffy’s mom having a tumor into a “poor me” moment. I know lots of people try to come up with a supernatural reason for Joyce’s tumor, but I actually like that it’s just a normal, human problem.
_bites my tongue so i don't give away anything_
glad you're enjoying this episode
He could advertise online then, it's not like the Internet wasn't a big thing then, it sure was. For some reason, this show has always been a bit behind the times in terms of things like the Internet and Cell Phones, they must definitely existed, and were used quite a bit by everyone. Not sure why the show was behind in that regard.
Popping in to give you a like and a comment. I'll be back, but I can't do most of season 5. It's good, but too real. I'll take the awkward dark reality of season 6 instead.
I mean I’m really enjoying this realism/ new dark direction this season, but I totally get it, it can be intense
It had to be a snake of some kind. The ritual was created by snake worshipers.
Posting my BUFFY REWATCH recap for ‘Shadow’. May contain spoilers.
I love this scene. It's total classic camp comedy style where the characters are all oblivious to what is going on and the audience totally knows what's happening. It's funny as fuck how Giles just hands that stuff to Glory without realizing that that's who they're looking for and none of the other characters realize it either. 😂
I'm so proud of Tara. 😁 She's finally including herself in with the Scooby researching and detective chatter. And they probably would have never figured out that crucial information without her thinking outside the box (or outside the books) and mentioning that who they're looking for predates all recorded information. Score for the blonde witch! I'm sure Willow was very proud too. 😊
I don't think it's a coincidence that Joyce got a tumor after the monks started messing with her brain
Totally agree. Buffy and Joyce had the most memories changed because they were the ones that Dawn supposedly lived with all her life. Buffy could stand the effect, but Joyce is just human. Notice that Joyce started complaining for headaches very soon after Dawn arrived.
But wouldn't that then imply that Joyce is experiencing the consequences of the monks magic? Which wouldn't really make sense as she didn't do anything.
@@Reganbowbegan I think the monks were in a rush and and Joyce became an innocent victim.
@@c.morgan722 never ever even thought of this, makes sense from a narrative standpoint
You’re the first commenter I’ve seen mention this. I think Dawn may be the cause of the tumor. Cell phone use has been found to be related to gliomas and here Joyce has a huge source of energy living in her house. I don’t know, just makes me suspicious
This particular monster of the week is one of my all time least favorites, it just doesn't look good in general but thankfully it doesn't take up more of the episode.
The things that Glory bought at the Magic Box were specific to a serpent worshiping cult, it's why she put the cobra into the jar for the ritual and hence the big snake.
Riley was so FINE!!!! I was so mad when she played in his face.
SPOILER
I thought this was another episode.......
Also...FUCK!Nick predicted Glory's identity like it was nothing!!!😱I guess being Thor means something...;-P
08:42 - 08:43 Dude...can you STOP predicting the show???😅
*****SPOILERS ******
Yeah me too ! Seeing Joyce face I thought it was the couch scene , was that the one you thought it was too ? I can’t wait to see his reaction but at the same time I dread it too haha
@@-Delilah *SPOILERS*
Anytime I see that image I get tricked. I don't think my brain thinks of the couch scene because there you don't see Joyce's face from above...probably it thinks of the scene around 30 min into the ep where she's in the obitory _with her eyes still open!!!_ Side note:WHY NOBODY CLOSED HER EYES DURING THE ENTIRE EPISODE???It's literally the 1st thing you see people doing to corpses!!!😫The most unrealistic part of that episode wasn't the vampire in the end,it was Joyce's open eyes!!!
@@Nicamon **spoiler response**
Morbid note but hope it helps: it actually is very realistic, eyes don’t naturally shut when deceased, if they were open at the time they stay that way, even if you try to shut them which is why it actually takes the work of a mortician to close and keep them closed post mortem. The eyes in the scenario you’re talking about wouldn’t be touched because they haven’t done a post mortem/autopsy yet (that’s why they are taken to the coroner) therefore everything must remain as is until after the certification then they are released to a funeral home/mortician. Hope that isn’t too creepy and helps you feel better about the realism 😊
@@rjafitzgerald SPOILER(?)
Oh,OK,I didn't know that. Thanks for the information.👍But you know...I would have expected someone like Buffy or Giles to do it or at least try...I don't suppose _they_ know that and since you always see people doing it in movies and TV shows etc I would have expected them to do the same without even thinking about it.
@@Nicamon
No don’t worry that makes total sense!! It’s one of those things most people don’t know because of the way movies and TV do it until they see it in real life or are taught it in mortuary school, med school or biosciences.
If my memory serves me right they consulted a professional in prepping the episode so that it would be as realistic as possible, I’m biased but I love when shows and movies do that 😊