Who Are You? • S04E16 • TPN's Buffy Guide
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Passion of the Nerd reviews Who Are You? From Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 4, Episode 16. Directed by Joss Whedon. Written by Joss Whedon. Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar as Faith Lehane/Buffy Summers. Nicholas Brendon as Xander Harris. Alyson Hannigan as Willow Rosenberg. Marc Blucas as Riley Finn. James Marsters as Spike. And Anthony Stewart Head as Rupert Giles. Guest Starring Eliza Dushku as Buffy Summers/Faith Lehane. Emma Caulfield as Anya. And Amber Benson as Tara Maclay.
Just FYI, captions are going to take a day on this one because I heavily altered the script in the video editing process. This one was a bear.
Passion of the Nerd your here! Your finally here!!!
I hope you don't drive yourself cuckoo when you get to Restless!
Drunk driving is on the drunk person. Therefor drunk sex unless forced by other would be on the drunk person. There really is no deception like body switching in the real world so I don't think those two could be done with rape. Consent doesn't have to be verbal
Of course a man could get raped, if you knew where the other parts came from you would know this is the odd thing to be added into the rape definition. And the only good thing added by them.
The answer is that feminists don't care about men but want to put everything as rape against men. Read the first comment first.
m.ruclips.net/video/yCDQB6Tx9Tk/видео.html
The ones that say all of anything agianst women sexually is rape say men can not get raped.
When she said “stop inching... you were inching”.. she sounded just like Buffy
“What do you want from... her?” is such a fascinating line.
RetepAdam it's almost protective. She hates/envies Buffy's life enough to literally switch her body but she's so extremely cautious her. So interesting.
I tend to view that line as indicative of the sisterhood under the shadow self/enemies issues between Faith and Buffy. They are bound together in some inexplicable, slayerly way, a mystical sort of family. They can hate each other as much as they like, try to kill each other a few times, and yet they are still sisters, and always will be.
This is why I think Faith so readily takes the opportunity to return to Sunnydale with Willow years later. Yes, it's an important step in her redemptive arc. Yes, it's a choice that brings a much loved recurring character into a finale whose themes would feel incomplete without her. But I also believe being told that Buffy needed her help was a major factor. She didn't go back to Sunnydale just for her own needs, or those of the writers. She went to help her sister slayer.
"What do you want from... her?" is as much about Faith's uncertainty in the face of love and acceptance as it is about Faith suddenly fearing she's found out someone is using her sister. In the moment, the hypocrisy of worrying about that when she's in the process of stealing that sister's life is beyond her comprehension. It's a moment of genuine caring for her sister's well-being. Yes, sisters fight, and may even use boyfriends as weapons against each other, but they are still family, and that tie is deeper than the fight of the moment.
When foreshadowing the coming of a different kind of sister for Buffy, the lines were given to Faith, over and over again. The only time the foreshadowing was given to anyone else was in Restless, when Tara was speaking for Sineya (the first slayer) and we got that lingering shot of the neatly made bed. I don't believe this is accidental, or a coincidence brought on by the use of the Slayer Dreams writing tool. This is Joss clearly pointing out the theme of sisterhood. It doesn't just exist between Buffy and Dawn. It is an important piece of the Buffy and Faith relationship.
Eventually, Buffy's two sisters end up on opposite sides of a fight, with Buffy in the middle. The blood sister (in whose place Buffy had previously chosen to die) ends up siding with the mutineers (actively being the one to throw Buffy out, albeit apologetically). The slayer sister tries to cool the situation (recommending Buffy sleep on her idea) and then apologizes for failing to do so, in a conversation that ends with Buffy tearfully giving her blessing and support to Faith as a slayer.
To me, that is Joss and co. showing us not only Faith's growth, but that Buffy's two sisters hold equal roles in her life. They're both beloved frenemies to her. They're both strong young women who won't be cowed by Buffy's power and influence. They both have the capacity to apologize and break her heart in the same breath. They are both her sisters, both her family.
@@LucyLynette Altohugh this seems way a deeper and beautiful take on the "what do you want from her?" line, I always saw it like she was incredulous of somebody really loving somebody, instead of wanting something from that person. Is she already feeling sisterly feelings towards her?
And she can’t comprehend actual caring love that doesn’t have an ulterior motive.
@@brittonius2 because deep down Faith still loves and cared for her sister, Buffy.
"You're not gonna kill these people"
"Why not?"
"Because it's wrong"
It's interesting how a dialogue that's seemingly so banal and uninspired, is so powerful given the context.
Great review, as usual
So true, her parody and trying on buffy's life because she can't understand the sincerity behind it ..until she walks a mile in Buffy's shoes literally. Then she two understand the sincerity behind it.
Yeah, it sounds off kilter.... like faith is trying to get the words to sound right but can't really get it fully right... and the fact she is so basic with the words as well also means her total loss of deeper understanding on why you should not 'kill those people'. It's the most extreme 'bad' act one can do after all, and she merely just states it as being wrong because she honestly don't get why it might be wrong.
It's at least not until the end that the actually get it... and it's the bit that'll have an effect on her in the companion Angel episode later on.
And how it goes from Faith mocking what she sees as Buffy's "hero speeches" and self righteousness to her actually meaning it by trying to save the people in the church from the vampires.
@@kinagrill I actually took it the exact opposite way. Sure, earlier in the episode when she said it to the mirror she was being facetious. She didn't believe or understand what she was saying, and she was mocking the perception of Buffy she was still holding. In the church, Faith has total understanding of the why behind the wrong. She experienced Buffy's life to an extent and had been exposed to more humanity and caring and true good than she ever had in her life. Riley didn't want anything, Willow didn't want anything, Joyce didn't. They were just being good to Buffy-Faith because it was right, because it was love.
And those vampires shouldn't kill those people because it is wrong
That scene when Faith literally beats herself up in the church is just so powerful and heart wrenching
Im not a huge fan of the freaky friday trope, I just think its overdone. But this is a great example of the trope executed perfectly. I think both Eliza and SMG play each others characters very well, but I think SMG totally nails it. Her physicality as you mentioned, but also she nails Faiths speech and cadence very well in particular. Eliza as Faith has a very specific way of saying the word "about" she almost says it like a Canadian, and if you pay attention, SMG says it exactly the way Eliza does. SMG definitely did her homework and studied Eliza's portrayal
Also
"Our pasts must be grappled with, certainly, but the past doesnt write the present, we do"
Wow
Yeah I am not entirely sure if its Canadian, it just sounds Canadian to my uneducated ears
I think this episode might contain Sarah Michelle Gellar's best performance on the entire series, and that's saying a lot. Eliza Dushku displays some range here, showing in advance why she'd be so good in Dollhouse.
For comparison, look at the Charmed episode where Paige and Phoebe switch bodies. The performances aren’t even in the same solar system. Alyssa turns Paige into a bubble-headed bimbo and Rose makes Phoebe a robot. But look at Star Trek: Voyager. When Seven downloads The Doctor into her implant it’s almost like they dressed Robert Picardo as Seven. Jeri Ryan was perfect.
@@flee4342 completely agree! That Charmed episode was soooo awkwardly painful to me because they couldn't pull off each other's mannerisms and it was so blatantly obvious they weren't themselves, yet Piper totally didn't notice till their powers went astray. On the other hand, in that same episode, Piper and the older guy did a great job with portraying each other.
13:15 "a character acting in bad faith" - that's also a literal description of this episode
So true !
SMG gets a lot of flak as an actress from what I see on the internet, but I hold up this episode as evident that she can really rock a scene when she's in the zone. Her acting as Faith is impeccable. Just top to bottom it's great work.
I seriously cannot wait for 5x5 and Sanctuary
SonicRulez Five by Five is my favorite episode of Angel season 1, so very curious to see how that gets tackled
I’ve never seen anyone talk crap about her acting ever. Not sure what sources you look at.
I think most of the crap SMG gets is from her films, which have been duds for the most part. She's a solid actress but I always thought she did better with television than with movies.
@@Shadowman4710 as someone who grew up watching SMG (I know what you did, Buffy my ENTIRE adolescence, Grudge, Cruel Intentions), I can agree she's much better on television than movie. Out of the movies I mentioned I feel she was really only best in Cruel Intentions- the script and material of which gave her A LOT to work with, let's be real
Both Sarah and Eliza play each other beautifully in this episode, Sarah's Canadian ooting and abooting is spot on. Eliza's nervous twitchy buffy qualities are excellent. Its like they're auditioning for each others roles.
Faith and Spike both were able to read out Willow and Tara's relationship easily
Which makes sense. Spike has always shown himself to be one of the more perceptive characters when it comes to relationships and Faith is more worldly (for lack of a better term) than most of the scoobies when it comes to such matters.
Spike is a poet at heart - a romantic. That's still there even as a vampire. Hell later on he even notices that buffy is crying and instead of thinking 'weak slayer' he tries to comfort her, even if it's not really something he is full capable off as a unsouled being.
@@kinagrill Just my opinion, but I think he is capable of that, just not for selfless reasons. He comforts her because Buffy being in pain causes himself emotional discomfort.
@@timf7413 well he can't be selfless - he is a selfish creature on a basic level. It's part of what makes him also later on seek aid in getting his vampire-condition dealt with.... and instead ends up with a soul :P
@@kinagrill That's my point. If you look closely you can read most, if not all, of his supposed "empathetic" behavior (pre-soul) as a reflection of selfishness to spare himself pain.
"You can't do that, because it's naughty" is one of my favorite Buffy lines for daily use
okay but that line Giles said about subtext rapidly becoming text fit so perfectly there!! lol
I always appreciate the way you talk about sexism, gender, sexuality, and now, sexual assault.
They are heavy topics that this show has sometimes gotten wrong and also right. Thank you for digging into the hard stuff!
I always loved SMG's portrayal of Faith, as someone else noted below, SMG nailed Faith down to the way she says "about". There are a few things that she did so distinctly Faith that it amazed me. She truly is an amazing actress!
20 years ago was a long ass time in the world of concent. We were only starting to talk about an enthusiastic yes being the only concent, it was fairly average in those times that as long as the person didn't say no, fair game, or you could even question their "no". Me tooovemnet has really made a huge impact on our understanding of concent. It's great to look back and see where we were wrong.
That scene "Who are you ? What do you want from her?" always kills me. The panic in her face, as she believes she has found some secret deception in Buffy's life. Faith sees affection and recognises it as manipulation. Her instinct is panic but also almost protective " what do you want from Her?" The one of the only times recently Faith is shown to even care for Buffy in anyway. Faith has done horrible things, has encountered horrible things, but the soft façade of love is the thing that scares her to the point that her own façade breaks. This is also such an interesting scene as it's the only time the episode's title makes it into the dialogue ( in this episode " Who are you? What do you want from her?" In many ways you could almost see the episode title as being 'flat' 'obvious' and 'cliché' ...but in many ways the title is alluding to this moment that changes Faith. It's less a question of identity and more a questioning of love..." who are you, that could love ?'. Sorry this is just a rant about some thoughts I had XD
Same. Powerful moment that everyone can relate too (even if not directly). She'd spent S3 conditioning herself to believe the world only makes sense when you detach yourself from feeling and react how others perceive you, playing a persona (in her case the bad guy) as a defense preventing anyone getting close. Was the moment she had to re-evaluate her entire perception of the world, really good acting by Sarah Michelle Gellar there.
love how the "because it's wrong" line is said mockingly early in the episode but when repeated by Faith later on is said with so much impact.
It's a travesty Sarah Michelle Gellar was never nominated for an Emmy during Buffy's run episodes like this shows her range with in the character
I love this episode and it really shows a lot about Faith. My favorite scene is Faith in Buffy's body beating up Buffy in Faith's body at the end. Just the moment of her screaming at her own face that she hates her and she's disgusting really shows how much Faith just hates herself at that point. Her reaction to Riley saying I love you is important too. Faith just doesn't understand what it is to actually be loved without that person wanting something in return. It's why I think Angel ends up being her one true friend, he's the only one who understands what she's going through and the only one who never gives up on her (even after she hurts his friends).
"I am, you know, yours".
OMG.
A good friend of mine believes, and I agree, that SMG should have won an Emmy based on her different readings of "...because it's wrong."
Perfect description of Anthony Stewart Head & Eliza Dushku's scene.
"If you really are Buffy... You'll, errrr.... let me tie you up..... without errrrrr.... killing me". LMFAO
Honesty one of Giles' best pieces of dialogue in the series IMO.
First thing first. Riley was raped. There is no confusion. We are on the same page. I do wish they would have gone deeper in that.
However, Buffy's reaction is a human reaction. It's not right. It is not the best way have handled it. But it is understandable. I think they do a pretty good job of exploring her issues in the next episode. Her claiming that Riley should have "known" is just her projecting and trying to control the narrative of the situation. Something preventable as in "I did it, you could too". As it stand neither one of them are at fault, but, yet something bad has happened.
I once had a conversation with a friend whose girlfriend had been raped. He told me that he felt like such an asshole because after the initial shock, fear and sadness, there was this feeling he couldn't shake. What if she would have just waited for him to pick her up? What if this, what if that... anything to change the outcome of the situation. What if it was preventable? He knew it was awful, but that's where his mind went. He never told that to her. He never mentioned it and tried the best he could to be supportive. They eventually broke up. Their relationship became strained. It was on both sides.
fleshTH Sad to hear that. I hope she remained strong even after the rape and hope it wasn't solely for that reason that they moved on from each other (not blaming either of them).
But yes, I agree that Buffy's reaction at the very least is believable even if not right. Matter of fact, had she not I might accuse the series of sweeping it under the rug, which is something it rarely does and thus becomes heavily noticeable in those few instances it chooses to. I think its handled swiftly enough so that it doesn't become "annoying", although I can appreciate if someone watched it during its initial broadcast that they'd be frustrated not knowing how long it will drag out.
Thing is Buffy however good she is, she's also fallible. Oh Hecate is she ever fallible. I'd need to watch the episodes again but maybe she had a difficult time grasping the idea that Riley could be a victim in all this, or maybe it was downplayed in favor of the sheer and utter fury towards Faith for both of them.
Compound this with Xander's attempted rape and murder (Consequences rather than The Zeppo) which is certainly common knowledge with the gang and we can understand if not agree with the way Buffy reacts not just here but very shortly after.
I think every violent situation has it's own significance. I see the lack of consent in Riley's situation and I think the show treats it poorly because Riley doesn't react (he lacks character in general). If it was me in Riley's situation, I would defenetly feel disgusted and betrayed, and certenly had issues with Buffy because she looks exactly the same as the person who'd have rape me, but he says nothing... so it's understandable that Buffy feels that way, it fits Rileys reaction.
While in your friend's situation, it looks more like the cultural thing we are fighting against this days: whenever a woman is raped, we tend to wonder how she could have prevent it, we blame her for it. It's awfull but it happens in our minds even when we don't think like that (I am a woman and a feminist and it happens to me: it's cultural). It's good to see it and understand it. But there's not comparaison between this two situations, I think. Not because Riley is a man but because of his reaction and character arc.
I don't think it's a "cultural thing". I don't think it is a "Blame the woman" thing. Sorry, I'm not a feminist and I think things are far more complex than that. When a young boy gets raped, you'll hear the same thing. People asking "Why didn't they say something? Why didn't they do something?" It's about having control and infinite knowledge.
There's a guy I used to go to school with. We were friends through most of high school, but kind of went different paths. He had a birthmark on his face that covered half of it. He was teased a lot though school. I always tried to be a good friend to him. After highschool I moved away. I never really thought about him until many years later I heard that he got divorced and killed himself. I remember thinking "What if I would have reached out to him?" "What if he would have said the right thing to the right person?"
My point here is that it isn't just rape and it's not just women. We all have a need to control life. There's always this variable that we, in hindsight, think we should have seen. But we didn't. No matter how obvious it might seem. The easiest way to deflect the situation is to blame the victim. Terry Crews is going through this right now.. He is not a woman. The one thing that we have to remember is that it is the person is a victim. It doesn't matter why or how. They are a victim.
fleshTH I think you're right, every victim is different and we tend to want to control everything, and we also tend to blame the victims (in general).
I am sorry, I didn't mean to say that everybody thinks that, I ment to say that it happens to some people even when we don't think the person should know better. I don't feel the need to discuss more about the situation of women in the world here because it's not the point. I think we essentially agree in the main topic
So glad you are back! I was missing your intellectual take on Buffy and your calming voice while you speak!
lyn baker yes, my first thought was I've missed this!
I agree. I am always pleased to see a new episode whichever show it is about.
I think about this dialogue a lot. Not in regards to killing people, but for doing the right thing because it's the right thing - the highest reason
Wow I've never picked up on SMG taking Dushku's mannerism. And thanks for calling out Faith's sexual assault. It's something the fandom often ignores. And it's one of the reasons why I always find the freaky friday trope uncomfortable to watch. Even watching Faith explore Buffy's naked body is painful to me. I hate seeing someone loose the agency of their own body. Anyway, can't wait to see your review for five by five!
The subtlety worked well for me. Since i was young enough to still forming my ideas about relationships without immediately sexualizing them, I saw the love and affection between them first. By the time it clicked for me i saw them as 2 people in love, not just women having sex. That’s something that has stayed with me and was a great way to learn about same sex relationships
It's been too long.
I was starting to suffer from withdrawl.
My favorite part was when she said to Giles "Faith took my body, I don't have time for bondage fun."
I always read buffy's discomfort with faith's rape of both riley and her own body as a psychological discomfort with her own intimacy with riley, not necessarily her blaming him for faith's actions. I think Sara plays this perfectly, where buffy seems (to me) just horrified at what her own body has done to both of them, and, after all the convoluded experiences buffy has with her own intimacy and sexuality, a horror that her one sexual relationship that didn't end immediately in abandonment or heartbreak is now no longer pure in her own mind. She just came to tems with sex and intimacy in this relationship, and now she has to immediately redefine that after this, and her coldness towards riley in coming episodes is her pushing away that physical intimacy, regressing into her previous psychological association with sex and intimacy as vestibules for heartbreak, pain, and had choices she doesn't want to have to make again. THIS is why faith's comment toward Angel in sanctuary about what she did to "the other one" of buffy's boyfriends has soooo much emotional weight- we see faith realize the depth of buffy's insecurities in sexual relationships mirrored in Angel and the weight of just how badly this action guts buffy. I also think this is the action that psychologically motivates buffy's sexuality with riley though the rest of their relationship, and even in later ones as she graples with these wounds, now triply inflicted, which, for buffy, are a loss of "innocence" with angel, abandoned by parker and scott hope, and now her body made an object as faith uses it to rape her boyfriend
ok, I had to stop the video to type this comment: I'm SOO GLAD you saw the parallels of Faith saving Buffy and Buffy saving Faith. Like almost shot for shot, the dust revealing the savior. This brings me such joy! Ok back to the video.:)
Starting from this episode Faith’s story arc is my favourite arc of any character ever. It’s so gut wrenching and difficult to watch and beautiful. It’s probably one of the top things that makes me cry when I rewatch Buffy/Angel. Faith’s self hatred and search to find the good in what she hates really resonates with me.
I always saw the 'It's awake' comment more of a jab at Faith's monstrous reputation rather than at a sexist angle
And to put across the Council as just thugs. They'd be smuggling weapons for the Protestants and Catholics in Ireland if they weren't Watchers, mark my words.
exactly, seeing it as sexism is looking tooooo much into it
I agree with this. I don't think it was sexism. I think it was more to show that they have no regard for human life. They are task oriented and the job is all that matters. Which I think is perfectly illustrated in the dialogue
*COLLINS:* "Giles doesn't work for the Council anymore. For that matter, neither does Buffy Summers. What you are, miss, is the package. I deliver the package. I don't much care what's inside."
Even what Weatherby said.
*WEATHERBY:* "He may not care, but I do. The Watcher's Council used to mean something. You perverted it. You trash. We should have killed you while you were asleep."
José Sarango plus in Halloween Michael Myers is referred to as 'it' which is talking about him being pure evil
I think it can function on both levels. They see her as evil, but more significantly as a tool of the watcher’s council that’s been corrupted. They also see her as “package” that they need to transport. Either way, they do not see her as a person, and devaluing and dehumanizing women is pretty much inextricably linked to a long history of sexism. The fact that all of these watchers council reps are men is probably not an accident.
Great video, one thing I see differently though. I don't think Buffy's issues with Riley following this episode are because she thinks he cheated. I think what we have are two people dealing with being assaulted in different ways. Part of Buffy's reaction is because Riley's body was as the instrument to assault her, as her body was used to assault him. I think it makes sense that this makes things so awkward, especially as they are not talking to each other about it. This is why Jonathan's advice is so important because he gets them talking things out and dealing with their issues.
I thought she was mostly hurt because he didn't recognize her. She eventually recognized Giles, but the man who is in love with her didn't realize that something was off.
I don't think she really knows exactly why she's upset, she's just feeling a lot. I think the not recognizing her is part of it, as is him being part of her assault (against his will, but when are feelings logical).
Exactly; and Riley wants to pretend it was nothing, minimizing her feelings and repressing his. Of couse she's a mess.
Riley did not know that it wasn't Buffy he was sleeping with; he wasn't able to consent because he didn't have the information. Like it or not, that is rape by deception. Riley was raped and he was used to rape Buffy, they are both victims.
I think Buffy does actually love Riley, but not the way he wants her to. Riley wants to be someone's entire world, as he makes Buffy his entire world. That's how he defines love. Buffy can't love anyone that way, not with the responsibilities she carries. Even with Angel, in the end, she had to choose the world. That's ultimately the issue with Riley, she can't be his everything, and she shouldn't have to be, that's not a healthy love.
Consent is not that hard to understand, the line is quite clear. A person has to know what they are consenting to and be able to safely say no. Riley didn’t know what he was consenting to because he didn’t know Buffy wasn’t in control of her body. It doesn’t matter if he would have had sex with her if she was in her body or not. That would be a completely different scenario. Had he known what was actually happening he would have been very distressed about what was happening to Buffy and anxious she not be harmed.
(You're back, yay!)
Both this episode and trope rank pretty high on my lists, for many reasons. Faith is a fantastic character, and this crossover is the turning point in her arc. Not gonna say a lot here, but waiting anxiously for the Angel videos!
On the consent part, this is a subject that most definitely didn't age well in the entire buffyverse. There are a lot of instances where things were ignored, or glazed over. To me, the worst will always be Willow and the memory spells, though. There is a brief mention of the psychological abuse part, both in OMWF and Tabula Rasa, but the script never returns to Tara's established emotional trauma, or to the sexual aspect of it (they show them together after Willow made her forget).
defrostedrobot77 Agreed. The Scoobies talked a lot about Willow' s addiction, and how she endangered Dawn, but it never really seemed like they knew how far things had gone with Tara...
Actually, Spike fell in love well before this (we've since learned that he fell in love with her sometime during Becoming, Part Two.)
I was also coming down to comment on that! Spoilers for later seasons, obviously, but in Crush we find out that Drusilla left him back in season 3 because she could tell he'd fallen for Buffy (even though he couldn't yet).
It's possible this moment helped him figure it out, though!!
You nailed it again! I love that you mentioned that Faith raped Buffy and Riley & that the show reinforced the misguided notion that a woman can't rape a man with Buffy's phrasing "you slept with her". Also Buffy's feeling of betrayal for Riley not being able to tell her apart from Faith just bc she could tell Giles from a demon perpetuates the "you should've known better" line of reasoning that so many ppl use to victim blame rape survivors. I still like that Buffy the Vampire Slayer tackles the topic of rape(and a lot of other heavy subjects) so much bc even if you don't like how the show handles it at least it makes you think or talk about it.
I think that the way the relationship between Tara and Willow developed is the most natural, sweetest way in Buffyverse.
One of my fav eps, both roles were played pretty dam well, especially when the actors knows eachother's mannerisms and behavior. I loved how buffy's life and her influences started turning and affecting faith, almost like she was becoming the slayer she was suppose to be. But I didn't like how buffy lashed out at riley, it's not like he'd know.
On a sidenote, I always wondered if buffy flirting with spike as faith is what sparked his infatuation with her. I'm glad I'm not the only one
I nearly screamed when I saw a new episode review! 😁
4:13 - YESSSSSSSS!!!! This makes me so happy that someone else had the same notion about the potential of this moment!
Just wanted to add that at the "intimate moment", from about 6:23 on, the scene is shot in such a way that you can almost see the woman's face as Faith's rather than Buffy's. SMG is half in darkness, her eyes are deeply shaded, her hair is in shadow, and there are moments where I kept thinking (partly due to SMG's face-acting, too) that I was looking at Eliza Dushku.
Not, of course, that Riley "should" have perceived anything of the kind (sorry, Buffy) -- how COULD he? But I think it's a way for us to see Faith's reaction to Riley's "I love you" as truly her own reaction peeping through the facade of Buffyness.
I think Sarah nails the physical aspect of the swap best but Eliza nails the accent swap best, particularly in the scene with Giles
I just watched the clip where she meets Giles and good lord is she amazing. In fact I initially thought the video was pitch-shifted during processing since her Buffy voice is so different from her Faith voice
So happy to see this. Thank you Ian! Always appreciate your work and thoughts on Buffy and Angel. (I loved the Big reference so much!) 😁👍
This whole episode is such a fantastic character study of Faith. Definitely BTVS in it's groove.
The fact that anyone back when this season came out diddnt get that tara and willow were falling in love after this episode is kinda ridiculous.
Not gonna lie, I never really appreciated this episode, till this video. Lots of thought provoking stuff here, and it really is an important episode for Faith's character development, and for Willow and Tara. Never really thought about it before. Looking forward to the Angel crossover episode review! ♥️
Christine Luceus This is one of my all time favorite episodes of the series, more than OMWF
Gingy The Cat Even more than Surprise and Innocence?
Geese, i haven't seen those episodes in years and i still remember their names. Joss will always be awesome.
That speech Sarah gives to Spike awakened many things in me as a kid.
I enjoyed the freaky Friday trope. I think it's fun watching how the actor handles playing a different character. SMG did such a wonderful job portraying Faith! I like how the first thought Faith had was to take a bath. It was like her wanting to clean off the "Buffy stench" and start again fresh. I really liked the mirror scene as well. It made the body swapping feel authentic. Also, It was refreshing there wasn't a "reset" at the end of the episode. Some TV shows have a tendency of making all characters have amnesia about the whole body-swap experience and no big ramifications occur afterwards. The X files episode _"Dreamland"_ is a perfect example... The only ramification after that episode was Mulder finding a clean apartment and a water bed. Though funny, it undermines any lesson the character has learned in that episode. I'm glad Buffy opted for the messy and impactful ending.
I know that the consent dynamics of Buffy's reaction to Faith's actions are pretty messed up, but I do find it believable that Buffy's initial reaction was to blame Riley for somehow not figuring our it wasn't her. It's not by any means a fair reaction, and the show absolutely should have done more to address that, but it is a very human one for reacting to a scenario that was out of her control.
Giles didn't look into her eyes and realize it was her either...
I know, I'm not saying it was right of her to react that way, I'm saying it's very human to initially blame him for not having prevented it somehow, even though he was victimized as much as her. I just wish the show had made it more clear that she was wrong to do so.
I love that they had Faith redeem herself somewhat at the end, like ok she's not totally good but more a healing process. Also interesting that she was "Buffy" at the time.
When I think of Season 4, I think of "This Year's Girl" and "Who Are You?", along with The Yoko Factor but that's not upon us yet. I love the insight that you bring to these reviews and the episodes that while a lot of it I have been aware of, I've never properly found the words to express and you do so elegantly. Thank you for that. I would also like to point out that in the scene of Riley and Buffy and Buffy has realized that Riley slept with Faith, it's an unusual moment for Buffy to be so... unfair when it comes to these matters. Yes, Buffy and Faith have a sordid history. Faith is a tender spot in Buffy's past when it comes to her loved ones and in particular, her beloved. But the betrayal that Buffy feels that Riley has committed is more unfair than I think is deserved and a bit misplaced for Buffy as a character. Think of her line in The Yoko Factor to Willow and Xander, "If I was more open minded about the choices you two make, my whole brain would fall out!" Buffy is holding Riley to the same standards of intimacy that she would hold Angel, which is a lot of the other subtext that I read in that scene. It holds a certain, "well Angel would have known" vibe to it. Riley and Buffy have been dating for a total of what, 3 or 4 months when this occurs? It's asking a bit much of her boyfriend of that long to peer into her eyes and know it isn't her inside.
Kat Welham Riley doesn't even know about Buffy's relationship with Angel yet or why his own role this time would be significant for Buffy. Buffy even tells Willow that she skipped past the 'Angel-y' parts of the Faith-saga when filling Riley in about the past year. How is Riley supposed to know how to react when he's only given bits & pieces of the story?
I did't misunderstand. I was carrying on the conversation in saying that Riley doesn't understand a lot about the situation, not just the "supernatural" aspects to it.
I think Buffy's reaction, while not appropriate, is understandable and forgivable. She's such a superwoman that we forget she's human, with human foibles, and lashing out at an inappropriate target when one is hurt is extremely human. She does get over it in the next few episodes. When the spouse or partner of a rape victim finds out about the event, they can respond in many different ways, from considering the person soiled (more than one relationship has ended because of sexual assault) to overcompensating in sympathy to, yes, blaming the victim. It happens. Recall that at this point Buffy is a real neophyte at relationships. It isn't at all surprising she screws up from time to time.
Oh my god, IAN! You've done it again! I can't even begin to explain how much I love your videos and how much more you're making me love my favourite show - something I didn't even think was possible.
THANK YOU for addressing the informed consent portion of this episode. It's something that's bothered me here and (AHEM) a few other times throughout the series. :-/
I was never a huge fan of Faith before this episode, probably because I first watched the show as a vindictive, self-absorbed teen who hated anyone Buffy herself was against (except Spike). However, I really grew to understand Faith and her internal conflicts after watching the episode and I get her even more so after watching this vid. Great as always Ian!
Hey I love your videos, Buffy is one of my all time favorite shows and it’s because I found your channel that I tried watching it! Thank you so much, keep it up!
Don't forget Angel
_"You gotta have Faith..."_
I'm watching these as I watch Buffy for the first time and almost every one of your videos is making me cry, you have an incredible way with words
I saw this come up and did the dance of joy.
Then I watched it. And it was amazing.
Thank you, this episode was always really hard for me to watch and I always loved it because of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s performance but it was almost painful to see what Faith is going through and the self hate. I know that feeling of the past waking you up at night and having to let it go, yet being unable to at times.
WOOOOOOOOOOOO you've returned to talk about one of my favorite crossover arcs!
My gods I love this series and your commentary on it. I wish you got the views you deserve! The work and thought you put into these is evident in every single frame.
Who's here early bc #NotificationSquad 👊 Thank you POTN for another awesome video!
What a BANGER of an episode
I love the small instance just right after they switch back in the church and Buffy grabs at her chest, probably because of her heart beating and in that moment, Buffy realizes how much Faith hates herself and the pain that she's in. ( despite what she was yelling during their fight ). I believe its once again addressed at the end of the episode when Buffy replies to Riley's comment about Faith having had her fun and Buffy's "yeah..."fun".." was her thinking back on that moment in the church. its later shown on Angel too.
"A biscuit!!" Omg, loved that reference. Haven't seen that in years!
Again, another amazing piece. The writers and the cast breathe new life into the tired Freaky Friday trope.
Other Freaky Friday stories I really enjoy are the "Superior Spider-Man" story arc and the classic Fantastic Four story "This Man, This Monster."
Both of those stores, and this one for that matter, have elements of the bad guy trying to take over the other person's life, only to find themselves becoming more like that other person.
I just wanted to tell you how much I love your videos. I've watched all the buffy and angel episode analyses several times, and find your perspective and your script and editing absolutely wonderful and thought-provoking. I've learned so much just from watching these videos, and have actually teared up a couple of times because the way you put these together is just so... so well done and emotionally resonant. Thank you so much!
i love this episode, and your interpretation of everything is so revealing, and totally spot on. You have a knack for illustrating exactly why we fans feel so connected to these scenes. Thank you!
It seems as though these episodes follow my life as you make them. Everytime you come out with one and the explanation you go into, I find myself understanding so well as I’m going through something that aligns with the show. Forgiving myself is something for example I am trying to do.
Wow man seeing the finished product this was a really good and well put together video. Good job Ian
So this is kinda funny, I had no idea that Faith had a surname until you said "Faith Lehane" Also I am completely on board with the ideas about Tech = Masculine and Magic = Feminine but would you call it borrowed when Giles and his teenage crew got invollved with the Tatoo demon? or was that genuine magic, I dunno. It's a neat connection and when you said Willow has essentially shed her "tech self" there was a thought or two;
Shes gonna use tech to get the codes decoded for the Adam Finale, if you want to dig that deep then techness probably has some secondary meaning there since Adam gives her self solving codes and thinking about it, when she goes on her magic diet in S6 she does make a point that she is relying on tech again. Not sure what that means for metaphor but hey! Awesome video, looking forward to the Angel ones :D
You didnt know Faith had a last name? filthy casual... jk, I didnt know until I saw an art print at a convention with her name on it lol.
Iirc, Giles and his crew were channelling the demon into themselves - so they were really invoking the demon and it was doing the magic.
They came up with Faith's last name when the table top game was being written. The author wanted to know it.
I refuse to accept "Pratt" as Spike's real last name. Canon be damned.
(Is it really canon though? I don't remember reading it in any of the canonical comics, and it definitely wasn't mentioned in the show)
They mentioned it in season 11? Crap. #NotMySpike
Great! Good interpretations, editing and speed! Please make more
I love your videos because they give me another perspective that I probably won't have myself for years, and I look forward to watching the show again and again as my opinions mature
I really love how you anslyse how the experience of being buffy helps faith to understand the value of being "good"..
But there is also the other side: buffy starts to understand how it feels to be faith, how hard it must be if no one gives you any respect, compassion or friendlyness..it might not really sink in right now, but i think it opens the door for what comes later..and it helps us, the viewer to sympathise with her
You included everything that needed to be included in this review. Superb job, Ian! Thank you!!
Love your reviews as usual, and I’m so grateful for all you do! However, I do sometimes feel you hold characters to an almost superhuman moral law - yes, Buffy’s reaction to Faith sleeping with Riley may be, when all is said and done, treating him unfairly, however it’s still a human reaction, and these human vulnerabilities in the character is what makes the show so great. So while I agree, I can understand why the characters often feel things (like Riley feeling hurt that Buffy closed off to him) that may be, on paper, unethical. Aside from that, you are incredible ❤️🙏
If yall don't appreciate that Big reference idk what to say
Ian, I'm trying to remember, did you discuss in detail the "subtler, ugly stuff" in one of the previous guides? I remember there were moments mentioned about Xander's behaviour, but what were the moments with Buffy and Riley?
I mean, I SUPPOSE I could just watch every guide again...
Ok yeah I'll probably do that.
You mean the feminism or female empowerment or lack thereof? I believe it is in reference in part to topics such as the patriarchy of the Council and Slayers and in part to views treated fine in 2000 (Parker's "toilet seat" comment) would not fly today, and how we interpret implied rape back then (Dragon Age directly addressed it as such and it was not counted as part of a content warning yet Watch_Dogs and Beyond Two Souls did despite being more subtle) as opposed to now.
I had to wake up at 5 for work, but getting to watch this video while I was getting ready just about made it worth it!!
I think I started watching your channel when you were halfway through season 2 of Buffy, and I rewatched the show then because I was reminded how much I enjoyed it. I'm going to have to do the same now, I think, because I had forgotten just how good this episode is. Good content, sir.
great to see another of your Buffy videos - these are awesome!
Another amazing in-depth and immaculately presented analysis!
This always struck me as a powerful episode because of Faith’s actions.
I agree that Buffy shdn’t have acted as though Riley cheated on her with Faith because Faith was deceiving both Buffy and Riley. And, as you said, Riley couldn’t give informed consent.
I wish i could hit the like button a dozen more times. I don't know why this popped up in my feed, but i miss watching Buffy a hell of a lot. And your analysis helped me to better understand what i originally watched when i was a teenager.
I am so glad you're making these! I actually got ten of my friends into Buffy from your video "Why you should watch Buffy"
As much as Riley gets a lot of crap, I do really like how he wants a sincere relationship with Buffy. The scene where Faith rapes him is both heartbreaking and depressing because even though Riley's put a lot of responsibility on Buffy in their relationship, he does genuinely love and care for her deeply. He's just too self dependent on Buffy.
I love your videos so so so much. And especially your explanation of Faith throughout both series because in my own personal opinion Joss didn’t do a great job at showing exactly why Faith decided to turn to the mayor and do everything that she did. A lot of people love Faith (she’s my absolute favorite fictional character) but some don’t and I think it’s because they don’t understand or don’t empathize with what she really went through. And because each show was centered around a main character and their friends, Faith didn’t necessarily fit into that so we didn’t get to delve into her psyche as much as I wish we could have.
"I could ride you at a gallop until your legs buckled and your eyes roll up" - sound a little bit like a certain poetic dream from a few episodes later, right?
I just realized too that when Faith was beating down Buffy in her own body.. she was actually punching and hating on herself more than the one who was inside her body
The O scene, lol. I can suddenly hear Filnbrain scream *"symbolism!"*
So I’ve always loved this episode but never understood why faith’s reaction to riley’s I love you was so powerful to me personally and you have finally put it to words, so first off thank you for that. Also, this might be my favorite episode of buffy after fool for love and because of this episode and the angel two parter faith has become one of my top 5 favorite buffyverse characters. Also I’ve been at the same point faith is mentally in the past and love, friendship and caring about others pulled me out, just like it did faith.
Welcome back! We've missed you
Time to rewatch Buffy again! Great video 👍
Damn I can't believe how much I love your channel!
Yess!!! New video!
was so happy when i saw this in my subscribtion box! keep it up, your videos are the highlights of my days!
OMG I'm so happy you are back!!! Your video on "Helpless" made that episode become my favorite episode. You and Joss must share an ancestor. It's a real gift what you do. I'm so happy to see new videos from you.
I also remember this episode giving us Adam at his most interesting and philosophical. All around great video as always
@12:50 until I just heard you say this, I thought I was the only person who still gets that bothered at times about old mistakes, screw ups, etc. love your channel and Buffy reviews, and even more so when you tie it to how much it all syncs with real life. Wonderful stuff!
I wish Faith had her own show 💖
You're back! Glad to see your videos again. Keep up the good work
the second "because it's wrong" is SMG's greatest line delivery.
The biggest plothole in this two-parter is the Watchers Council. Why would they keep tabs on Faith while she is at the hospital, arrest her, and then try to kill her when she shows even a LITTLE resistance? Like, they understand that she not only is stronger than anyone they could send but that she has killed innocents already and would put up a fight. They wait for her to come out of a coma when the easiest solution to this problem would be to kill her while she's defenseless and have a new Slayer who could be controlled.
Yay! You're back! Fantastic news and an excellent, insightful analysis as always :)