@@dlweiss even then brother she to me is the example of using daytime TV acting and child acting to where you know you are watching what acting is about.. Just wish she could of been A+ forever but she did the Molly Ringwald.. Rock your era and know when it's time to fade and come back every so often just to check if you still got it...
@@dlweiss I always think the last expression we see on SMGs face in Cruel Intentions is her mind trying to figure out how to turn it around, become a victim and restore her power.
I love how only Spike can distract buffy like this. Mum in danger, emotions high...but still totally distracted by him and loses all cares about other things.
2 real tearjerker moments in this episode. 1st when Buffy is crying while washing the dishes. Yes, she turned up the radio so she wouldn't hear her mom's ramblings. And yes, she was washing dishes that didn't need to be washed. Compulsive cleaning a sign of depression. 2nd at the end, when Buffy and her mom talk, and Buffy is able to be honest with Joyce about Dawn. Joyce's understanding of Dawn and her importance, not just to the world, but also to their family. Also, even just hinting that Joyce may not make it out of the surgery, is incredibly emotional and scary.
@@seanmcmurphy4744 I get to tense thinking Joyce is about to go off on Dawn again there that I am too releived when that doesn't happen for me to cry there. But I get it.
This is absolutely a thing that real-life carers go through every day: The moments where they're just too overwhelmed to be useful to the person they're caring for, and have to tune them out. In a saner world than ours they'd be able to hand over to another person for a while, and take a break to deal with their own stress... But all too often either there is no one else to help out, or they're just not there at the crucial moment.
I absolutely love that last scene with Buffy and Joyce. Despite knowing that Dawn isn't hers it didn't change the way Joyce sees or feels about her, and the way she entrusted her to Buffy knowing without a doubt that she would take care of Dawn. Tears every time.
The actress that played the queller has a long filmography. She was an Ewok in "Return of the Jedi", she was in the original "Total Recall", "Batman Returns", "Men in Black", TV shows such as "Seinfeld", "Bones", "Married... with Children", "The Lone Gunmen", "Dexter" and more.
looks like the queller was played by two people, one is Debbie Lee Carrington who you mentioned and the other is Barbara C. Adside whose legs ends at her knees. Or we don't really know, they are both only credited as "creature" (thanks Mutant Enemy) but AFAIK there where no other creature this episode besides the Vampire doing a suckjob for Riley but she is credited as "Vampire Chick" (Erin Leigh Price).
I spent some nights with my grandfather in the hospital, in the days and weeks before he passed. At some point, some of the medications he was on were messing with his mind. He kept seeing things move on the ceiling, and asking me if I was seeing them too. I was able to reassure him that it was just his eyes playing tricks on him (which was so much than explaining to him that he was acting crazy), but it was a rather terrifying experience. (Yes, they changed some of the medications after I mentioned it.) Especially since, as a survivor of Hitler's death camps (Auschwitz and Mauthausen, among others), he had some really bad memories to draw upon. So I think Buffy and Dawn's reactions to Joyce making with the crazy talk is perfectly understandable and relatable.
Stephen King once said that there are three categories for scaring people: The highest was terror, by which he meant getting to them by playing purely on their mental/psychological fears; the second was horror, which is to more simply show them something frightening; and the third is the gross-out. The Queller demon is a great example of the gross-out 🤮. Did you notice that it attacked Spike? It interpreted the chip in his head as some kind of mental illness, which makes a kind of sense.
Excellent pick up. Never thought about it before and it makes sense. Learned something new. What a great show with its attentions to small unmentioned things.
I don't remember how you felt about Joyce in the first couple of seasons of Buffy. But this episode especially always makes me think about how much she has developed as a character. At first she was annoying at times. She wasn't always so supportive of Buffy, and she had some bad moments around the time she found out Buffy's Slayer identity, Buffy ran away, etc. But here it is so good to see Joyce not only love Buffy but obviously so proud of her and confident in her as a grown woman.
Finally! Someone else who was reminded of 'Flukeman' from The X-Files when watching this episode! 😀 Both BtVS and X-Files are on my top 5 favorite TV-series of all time list and my mind *always* goes to X-Files when watching this Buffy episode. 😄
Oh boy ... as we live our lives we accumulate experiences both good and bad and sometimes they 'bleed' into the fictional things we watch and ratchet up the intensity by orders of magnitude. That closing scene where Joyce was being wheeled away to her operation slid me back over a decade to when I was in Buffy's shoes, watching helpless as my wife was being taken through to have some exploratory surgery to see how operable her cancer was. As I said .. oh boy ... ... ...
That was a good observation about the Queller being at home in the X-Files. As a matter of fact, the X-Files was almost at the end of its run when this episode aired but still massively popular. Also Buffy crying when she is doing the dishes, trying to remain strong and then the conversation at the end when Joyce makes her promise to take care of Dawn gives me the feels even 25 years after I originally watched it!
Sweetest Tara moment when she names her own constellations, and then the creepiest monster of the week on any show ever (except maybe the monsters in a Doctor Who episode I don't know whether you've seen yet) This was actually the only monster on Buffy that actually scared me. It just gives me the wiggins!
Spike keeps being at the right place at the right time😬😬Guess that means another vampire torture session for Riley🤣😂Great episode thanks so much Juliette💞Happy Friday!
Season 5 of Buffy is definitely the most Bingeable season of the show, IMO. When I was watching, we didn't have satellite TV, so I was buying the VHS tapes which were sold half a season at a time (What a racket). I specifically remember going through the entire second half in one sitting the day I got it, because I just couldn't *not know* what happens next (I'd be rubbish as a reactor). I was up until 4am and had Uni in the morning, I was exhausted, lol.
Season 5 has the best continuity, everything is motivated and foreshadowed. I first caught the show on over-the-air television and recorded the episodes on those streaky, noisy, badly syncd VHS cassettes, which I replayed until they wore out.
I don't think it was ever supposed to be that Riley was wanting to turn into a vampire. Just wanting to be needed. Like, really, even desperately needed.
That last scene between Buffy and Joyce at the end never ever fails to make me so emotional and that's thanks to how both actors play it perfectly. So tender and emotionally charged. It is really up there as one of my fave scenes of the show.
Thank you for another great reaction. This episode is just one of the reasons Buffy is a superior show. There is a horrible monster, vampire killing, and a mysterious group of soldiers yet it is all overshadowed by the real fears and emotions that a family goes through when there is an unknown medical outcome to a dangerous situation. Very few people are comfortable in a hospital setting. The wait when a parent or loved one is going to have a surgery that could have consequences is draining and emotional. It’s the scenes with Joyce, Buffy and Dawn that resonates. Buffy crying in the dark kitchen while she washes dishes to try and forget… what other show has the audience emotionally caught up with life while the supernatural is going on. Excellent reaction.
I love how much you love this show! Watching these reminds of when I used to watch Buffy/Angel with one of my best friends who has since passed. She had a brain tumor, so seeing Joyce and the girls go through it this episode hits a certain way but it's good to feel things - thank you Jules!
That thing was beyond gross. Riley didn't like that Spike was there, literally holding Buffy's hand (even though it was because he helped her up LOL). I'm so scared for Joyce, but also for Dawn. I love that Joyce accepts Dawn even though she knows Dawn isn't her child (biologically). The last scene is so emotional. I get you, Jules. 🥰
Joyce's storyline just wrings my heart out every time. It isn't just the way Sarah acts, but the way Michelle does. You really can believe these children are so afraid of losing their mother. And Joyce so fiercely wanting to protect Dawn, even knowing she's not her daughter, that breaks me, too. Riley is a serial cheater now. And now he's called the military back into his life. Last time they were in his life things did not go well for him. Or anyone around him.
It's a shame what's happening with Riley. I never thought that his character would go down that path. I've been rewatching season 4 and he's just so happy and loving 😔 so different to now.
your look said it all. good job holding it together as the tragedy mounted. it's hard to see Joyce like this, harder to see Buffy like this, a stark reminder that strength can fail even the strongest of us. as to the twists and turns...... they're not done twisting or turning yet. I honestly feel bad for Riley, he's seeking out anything that makes him feel. and I mean feel anything, good or bad. oh and I was always creeped out by the Fluke worm man in x-files too.
Hi Juliette! Happy to see another Buffy episode. Especially today is the anniversary of graduating high school! And happy to see you again! To celebrate on this day for me! 😊❤️😇
I think this is definitely one of the show's scariest episodes and the creature is definitely one of its scariest designs. I'm terrified by the idea of sleep paralysis, so the idea of waking up to a monster hovering over my is a big no-no for me. Cruelly though, Joyce's ongoing medical problems are far scarier than any supernatural critter. My grandmother had Alzheimer's, so the idea of losing my mental faculties is another big fear of mine, and watching someone else go through it is always heartbreaking. Buffy's minor breakdown while washing up is such a relatable and human moment, the poor girl has enough on her plate, but now she has to look after her mother too. It's too much for one person to deal with. Meanwhile, it's also hard watching Riley's descent into an incredibly dangerous lifestyle. He's always been so strong and upright, so it's hard to watch him go down this path. Finally, the reveal that Ben is somehow connected to Glory is shocking. He seems so genuinely nice and when I first watched it I thought he was going to be a competing love interest for Buffy. There are so many interesting but scary plot threads going on, I can't wait to see your reactions as they play out.
one of the nastiest monsters in the series, makes me sick every time i watch the episode. joyce is on the other pole - heart of gold! as for the moment when buffy breaks down and cries... god i know her condition! I went through this, waiting for my father's death, and my mother's after that.
A weird turn for Ben. Not expecting him to think killing Glory’s victims was a good idea. I suppose a rapid increase in mental patients could attract attention but a bunch of deaths would too. Not sure what was accomplished other than providing free beds for future victims.
Nobody ever includes the completelyTara & Willowstar-gazing/naming scene in their reaction :-( It is the only bit of this episode I like in an episode with very little to like in it, kerk
Great episode and great reaction. Though I would say it would be a bit odd for Ben to be Glory's boyfriend given his remark that he has been "Cleaning up Glory's mess my whole life" when would that relationship have started? Still plenty of possibilities.
Sure could have used mulder and Scully in this episode right? 😂 Yeah season 5 is really intense in that it is really good at building suspense, with dawn, glory, riley, Joyce, and now ben. You really want to watch the next episode to see what happens with these characters. Great writing in a fantastic season!
- Spike is the perfect "Chaotic" character. In this moment he is not "Good" but neither "Evil" and probably neither totaly "Neutral". He desires Buffy, he "loves" her but, no in a romantic way, he wants help her, but not out altruism, but to show her that he is capable to be good, without good intensions. Buffy is unlikely to be able to trust him, because Spike has not a soul, but a microchip and it is not a garancy like a soul! - Riley is betraying Buffy, and this situation is a conseguence of the mistakes of both. He should have expressed his discomfort to Buffy at being kept out of the situation with Joyce's illness, and Buffy should have noticed how badly he felt about being left out. Neither of them is acting with bad intentions or to hurt the other, but their relationship is becoming toxic and with many questions about their future together. Will love prevail or will they take different paths? - Ben'character is taking on a new dimension! He is relating to Glory, but in what way? He is a victim of circumnstance or he is a former ally who wants break up with his past? He will be an ally for Buffy against the beauty demon, or he will became a traitor to the Good Ones? - Very touching the confrontation between mother and daughter. We remember when Buffy said that sometimes she wants escape by her mission and seek protection in Joyce's arms, and now with the prospective to lose her, she is totaly helpless! See a sweet and brave heroine like Buffy so desperate and alone is truly drammatic but even human. She can't save her mother by a cancer, only science can do that, and that's all Buffy can do and is hope - Dawn in the end, is very close to be an adoptive daughter. She thoughts that her family is her real family and her "adoptives" mother and sister want protect her by the truth and love her as truly who she believes she is. Very sad and beauty..... Yes, Buffy is not the best girfriend at the moment, but she is absolutely wonderful as big sister! And Joyce.... well, she is one of the best mother in tv series :)
Hi Jules, loved your reaction to the Queller, couldn't help but laugh 😂. Definitely one of the creepiest and grossest with its vomit attack 🤮 but I'd still rather face that than the Gentlemen. As I said before I'd keep you posted on my personal top 5 scariest Buffy monsters and this is my #4 rank. 1) Gentlemen 2) Der Kindestod 3) ? 4) Queller 5) ?
S5 was so hard hitting, another brilliant episode showing the real anguish and anxiety when a parent becomes ill, and the trauma of having to deal with it for the children. Even though we know Buffy is strong she breaks down doing the washing up, and cries her eyes out, great acting. Again we see Dawn being the focus of strange reactions to her which is really worrying her now, and also we see Spike's obsession with Buffy becoming stronger, and Ben of course isn't what he seems. The Queller demon was one of the worst in the series. Another really good episode from S5. This strangely scores a low IMDB score of only 7.0
Hello, Jules!💜 9:18 - It's somehow comforting to know that Xander will never achieve adulthood, and remain an annoying hang about, his whole life.😅 Riley seems more out of it, following a path of delusion, as he sinks ever more quickly into self pity. I cannot say that I like what they did with Buffy here. She is worried, and wants to comfort her mother, who is making random statements, having delusional moments, and wandering around. So Buffy's final solution to all this is to pack her mom in bed, head down to the kitchen, and turn the radio on real loud. For all anyone knew, Joyce would have been better off sedated and in the hospital, with family and friends watching over her. I know Buffy is under extreme emotional pressure at the moment, but the writing in this section is simply jarring, and very out out of character.As always, my own opinion.😐 The fresh faced, new Doctor, turns out to be harboring secrets - there isn't too much of a surprise in that - I don't really trust too many of the new faces in Jossworld anymore. Nice summation in the Outro this day. You say you understand why Riley would do this... me too. He's totally lost the plot. I agree with your Riley prediction, but I also think that, each time Riley wanders off, and meets up with Vampire women, he is taking a huge risk, since Buffy could be patrolling, and stumble onto his addiction as well. She finds him, or she dusts him. I don't see it going any other way, as redemption isn't a big thing, for most characters in these 2 series. I am interested to see how all these threads play out, as the season progresses. This was an exceptional monster here. Grotesquely sickening, but exceptional!😱 I also liked the sad scene, between Joyce and Buffy. When Joyce regained lucidity, and discussed Dawn with her. Sad, but powerful. Joyce is a good person, a good mother, and I too, am hoping things turn out well for her. So much uneasiness and tension in this series anymore. I hope we get some answers next episode. Have a great weekend, Jules.💜🤗💜 Relax all you can, enjoy the cooler weather. Holiday here. I'll probably just have some hotdogs, and potato salad, whilst sweating!😜 .
Tom 😸💜 Honestly, I feel that Joyce would have been better off in the hospital as well. I do think that even if she were at the hospital, I don't think she would have been safe from the demon so it would have got her either way, but.... I guess they weren't to know her condition would be so fluctuating 😔 There's just SO much going on right now, with Joyce and Riley and Dawn and Glory.... it's been interesting reading the polarising comments with an almost 50/50 split for and against Riley's behaviour. For what it's worth, I like the guy. I just don't like his behaviour right now. I know why he's acting this way, and Spike is such a wily character for goading Riley the way he does. Riley is a very susceptible and insecure person, easily mislead when it comes to love. But for goodness sake, I wish he'd realise Buffy has something more pressing to deal with right now. I'll take a side of potato salad and a hot dog, hold the sweat 🤣 Enjoy your weekend, dear Tom. I might try and stay away from the computer a bit. I need a break from the screens 😔💜
There's two comments like this now, I'm guessing it's an inside joke that I don't know about 😅 but yes, Ben has some sort of connection to Glory. I'm sure we will find out in due time what it is!
Season 5 is my personal fav, so much going on and so many fantastic episodes. "Is that like her brother, boyfriend?" Wait, are you telling me there's a connection between Ben and Glory?
I actually hated the arc that Joss sent Reilly down. He did not need to be denigrated this way. But the overall story required it, I guess, and I love the entire series so perhaps it was needed. The inevitable mortal issues with ones' parents get us all. I'm old enough to have had discussions with my kids about mortality. On the other hand, new grand daughter, so the genes will live on! Kind of a morbid comment, but thank you for a once again great reaction.
I agree, Ken! It's sad to see Riley do what he's doing. I've been rewatching season 4 and adored Riley in the beginning. He was SO sweet, smiling, happy. To see what he's become now is just sad and I almost feel that Joss is punishing the character in a way, but I don't know why. Maybe we're just not meant to have nice things 😔
@@julesreacts I'm not sure now at what points Joss switched his main focus to Angel and let the other producers ( Marti Noxon in particular ) have control on Buffy. I know there's one ep coming up that's 199% his own work, though...
Yeah - a lot of this feels like they made a decision something had to happen to Riley, so they needed to come up with reasons for things to change. It's based in his character to an extent, but it feels like ramping up the whole "you're just the mission's boyfriend" things that Forrest was attacking him with in Season 4, and his noticing that Buffy isn't into him as much as he's into her gets ramped up into Riley telling Xander that "she doesn't love me" real quick.
AFAIK it was actually done (but this could be just a fan theory) due to the negative reaction among Buffy fans on the Buffyboards toward Riley. Fans at the time really wanted him to go. The reason I think this one is real is that this was the real reason why Spike is still alive since the fans loved him and FOX forced Joss to not kill him in S2.
@@Henrik_Holst The alternate theory (and one I have leaned toward based on the various character arcs) is that Buffy can never seem to find a good long-term relationship. Angel, then that damned Parker, then Riley, and you know the rest but I won't go into spoiler territory. I have a pretty good idea why Buffy's arc was set on this path, but it always seems more than a bit unfair.
My least favourite episode from Season 5. The Riley Thing seems a lot like a drug addict with a problem. They did try for a practical effect here with a little guy in a suit. A little X-files alien action. I do like them deciding to protect Dawn.
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I can't take SMG (Buffy ) crying in any movie or show she gets me every time
Except the ending of Cruel Intentions, of course. The one time her tears make us happy! 😁
@@dlweiss Not entirely.
@@dlweiss even then brother she to me is the example of using daytime TV acting and child acting to where you know you are watching what acting is about.. Just wish she could of been A+ forever but she did the Molly Ringwald.. Rock your era and know when it's time to fade and come back every so often just to check if you still got it...
@@dlweiss I always think the last expression we see on SMGs face in Cruel Intentions is her mind trying to figure out how to turn it around, become a victim and restore her power.
I love how only Spike can distract buffy like this. Mum in danger, emotions high...but still totally distracted by him and loses all cares about other things.
Scariest thing in the series: fear of losing a parent
2 real tearjerker moments in this episode.
1st when Buffy is crying while washing the dishes. Yes, she turned up the radio so she wouldn't hear her mom's ramblings. And yes, she was washing dishes that didn't need to be washed. Compulsive cleaning a sign of depression.
2nd at the end, when Buffy and her mom talk, and Buffy is able to be honest with Joyce about Dawn. Joyce's understanding of Dawn and her importance, not just to the world, but also to their family. Also, even just hinting that Joyce may not make it out of the surgery, is incredibly emotional and scary.
I tend to get leaky at the scene of poor Joyce in bed, with her daughters cheering her up.
@@seanmcmurphy4744 I get to tense thinking Joyce is about to go off on Dawn again there that I am too releived when that doesn't happen for me to cry there. But I get it.
This is absolutely a thing that real-life carers go through every day: The moments where they're just too overwhelmed to be useful to the person they're caring for, and have to tune them out. In a saner world than ours they'd be able to hand over to another person for a while, and take a break to deal with their own stress... But all too often either there is no one else to help out, or they're just not there at the crucial moment.
But also her saying "as precious as you are to me". Such a beautiful moment between them two.
I absolutely love that last scene with Buffy and Joyce. Despite knowing that Dawn isn't hers it didn't change the way Joyce sees or feels about her, and the way she entrusted her to Buffy knowing without a doubt that she would take care of Dawn. Tears every time.
[NODS] The monks chose the right family for dawn, definitely.
The actress that played the queller has a long filmography. She was an Ewok in "Return of the Jedi", she was in the original "Total Recall", "Batman Returns", "Men in Black", TV shows such as "Seinfeld", "Bones", "Married... with Children", "The Lone Gunmen", "Dexter" and more.
looks like the queller was played by two people, one is Debbie Lee Carrington who you mentioned and the other is Barbara C. Adside whose legs ends at her knees. Or we don't really know, they are both only credited as "creature" (thanks Mutant Enemy) but AFAIK there where no other creature this episode besides the Vampire doing a suckjob for Riley but she is credited as "Vampire Chick" (Erin Leigh Price).
The first victim of the quellor demon was the mailman that Glory drained earlier in the season.
SMG is so good as Buffy that when she cries, it always feels like it's a big deal.
Been thoroughly enloying your angel and buffy reactions. I cant fn WAIT for you get into buffy s 6 and angel s 4. Those are my favorites
Oooh awesome! I'm really enjoying Buffy S6 so far!
The episode a demon from space gets confused for an alien.
I spent some nights with my grandfather in the hospital, in the days and weeks before he passed. At some point, some of the medications he was on were messing with his mind. He kept seeing things move on the ceiling, and asking me if I was seeing them too. I was able to reassure him that it was just his eyes playing tricks on him (which was so much than explaining to him that he was acting crazy), but it was a rather terrifying experience. (Yes, they changed some of the medications after I mentioned it.) Especially since, as a survivor of Hitler's death camps (Auschwitz and Mauthausen, among others), he had some really bad memories to draw upon.
So I think Buffy and Dawn's reactions to Joyce making with the crazy talk is perfectly understandable and relatable.
Stephen King once said that there are three categories for scaring people: The highest was terror, by which he meant getting to them by playing purely on their mental/psychological fears; the second was horror, which is to more simply show them something frightening; and the third is the gross-out. The Queller demon is a great example of the gross-out 🤮. Did you notice that it attacked Spike? It interpreted the chip in his head as some kind of mental illness, which makes a kind of sense.
Excellent pick up. Never thought about it before and it makes sense. Learned something new. What a great show with its attentions to small unmentioned things.
I don't remember how you felt about Joyce in the first couple of seasons of Buffy. But this episode especially always makes me think about how much she has developed as a character. At first she was annoying at times. She wasn't always so supportive of Buffy, and she had some bad moments around the time she found out Buffy's Slayer identity, Buffy ran away, etc. But here it is so good to see Joyce not only love Buffy but obviously so proud of her and confident in her as a grown woman.
Finally! Someone else who was reminded of 'Flukeman' from The X-Files when watching this episode! 😀 Both BtVS and X-Files are on my top 5 favorite TV-series of all time list and my mind *always* goes to X-Files when watching this Buffy episode. 😄
YAY! We are not alone 😅
Oh boy ... as we live our lives we accumulate experiences both good and bad and sometimes they 'bleed' into the fictional things we watch and ratchet up the intensity by orders of magnitude.
That closing scene where Joyce was being wheeled away to her operation slid me back over a decade to when I was in Buffy's shoes, watching helpless as my wife was being taken through to have some exploratory surgery to see how operable her cancer was.
As I said .. oh boy ... ... ...
That was a good observation about the Queller being at home in the X-Files. As a matter of fact, the X-Files was almost at the end of its run when this episode aired but still massively popular. Also Buffy crying when she is doing the dishes, trying to remain strong and then the conversation at the end when Joyce makes her promise to take care of Dawn gives me the feels even 25 years after I originally watched it!
Yeah, it reminded me so much of that fluke worm creature! GROSS!
This last scene 😢
Sweetest Tara moment when she names her own constellations, and then the creepiest monster of the week on any show ever (except maybe the monsters in a Doctor Who episode I don't know whether you've seen yet) This was actually the only monster on Buffy that actually scared me. It just gives me the wiggins!
This monster was my scariest too so far! YIKES!
You know Jules, I don't think any one of us would blame you if you were take the weekend to binge watch/react to the rest of the entire series. :D
This is, by far, one of the gnarliet episess of the whole Whedon-Verse. Also a really consequential episode that sets up everything to come
I love 4:00pm EST, especially on Buffy and Angel days. 😊
🥰🥰
Spike keeps being at the right place at the right time😬😬Guess that means another vampire torture session for Riley🤣😂Great episode thanks so much Juliette💞Happy Friday!
Spike always knows where to be and what to say! He has this uncanny ability... he'd make a good guidance counsellor 🤣
Thank you, Texman 💜🤗
Season 5 of Buffy is definitely the most Bingeable season of the show, IMO.
When I was watching, we didn't have satellite TV, so I was buying the VHS tapes which were sold half a season at a time (What a racket).
I specifically remember going through the entire second half in one sitting the day I got it, because I just couldn't *not know* what happens next (I'd be rubbish as a reactor).
I was up until 4am and had Uni in the morning, I was exhausted, lol.
Agreed, season 5 more bingeable, but season 6 my favorite season.
Season 3 is for me the most because the second half has only great episodes
Season 5 has the best continuity, everything is motivated and foreshadowed. I first caught the show on over-the-air television and recorded the episodes on those streaky, noisy, badly syncd VHS cassettes, which I replayed until they wore out.
I don't think it was ever supposed to be that Riley was wanting to turn into a vampire. Just wanting to be needed. Like, really, even desperately needed.
Yep, I get that! He is extremely insecure, which is a shame.
That last scene between Buffy and Joyce at the end never ever fails to make me so emotional and that's thanks to how both actors play it perfectly. So tender and emotionally charged. It is really up there as one of my fave scenes of the show.
Thank you for another great reaction. This episode is just one of the reasons Buffy is a superior show. There is a horrible monster, vampire killing, and a mysterious group of soldiers yet it is all overshadowed by the real fears and emotions that a family goes through when there is an unknown medical outcome to a dangerous situation. Very few people are comfortable in a hospital setting. The wait when a parent or loved one is going to have a surgery that could have consequences is draining and emotional. It’s the scenes with Joyce, Buffy and Dawn that resonates. Buffy crying in the dark kitchen while she washes dishes to try and forget… what other show has the audience emotionally caught up with life while the supernatural is going on. Excellent reaction.
Yass! It’s buffy time Friday!
Joyce *literally* said "that MF is not real!" 🤣🤣🤣
i love Joyce so much.
Riley...no comment lol
loved the reaction :)
Riley is such a mixed bag in the fandom it seems!
@@julesreacts i really liked him in season 4 but season 5 made me have mixed feelings for sure.
Excellent reaction per usual, thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it 🥰
That ending shot with Joyce being wheeled into the operating room and then showing dawn and Buffy is so impactful and yes that demon is so disgusting.
That really is a horrific way to die. Remember how rank its goop smelled. Imagine having your mouth filled with that stuff. Yuck!
I love how much you love this show! Watching these reminds of when I used to watch Buffy/Angel with one of my best friends who has since passed. She had a brain tumor, so seeing Joyce and the girls go through it this episode hits a certain way but it's good to feel things - thank you Jules!
In the teaser Jules seems so excited to see an alien on the show. That didn't last long.
as a crazy person myself this one makes me extra nervous 🤣
HAHA 🤣🤣 check the ceiling when you go to bed!
That thing was beyond gross. Riley didn't like that Spike was there, literally holding Buffy's hand (even though it was because he helped her up LOL). I'm so scared for Joyce, but also
for Dawn. I love that Joyce accepts Dawn even though she knows Dawn isn't her child (biologically). The last scene is so emotional. I get you, Jules. 🥰
Joyce's storyline just wrings my heart out every time. It isn't just the way Sarah acts, but the way Michelle does. You really can believe these children are so afraid of losing their mother. And Joyce so fiercely wanting to protect Dawn, even knowing she's not her daughter, that breaks me, too.
Riley is a serial cheater now. And now he's called the military back into his life. Last time they were in his life things did not go well for him. Or anyone around him.
It's a shame what's happening with Riley. I never thought that his character would go down that path. I've been rewatching season 4 and he's just so happy and loving 😔 so different to now.
Hey Jules! Amazing episode, gets me every time! 😭😭
your look said it all. good job holding it together as the tragedy mounted. it's hard to see Joyce like this, harder to see Buffy like this, a stark reminder that strength can fail even the strongest of us. as to the twists and turns...... they're not done twisting or turning yet. I honestly feel bad for Riley, he's seeking out anything that makes him feel. and I mean feel anything, good or bad. oh and I was always creeped out by the Fluke worm man in x-files too.
I feel bad for Riley, too. I don't like what's happening with his character at all 😔
The Queller is definitely nightmare fuel...
This episode: the Summer's ladies are awesome, the queller is icky, & Riley... *what are you thinking*!!!
Lovely reaction! See you for Angel!! ❤🧡💛💚💙💜
The Summer's ladies 🥰🥰 a beautiful family. I love how we all just now accept Dawn as if she's always been there haha. Enjoy your weekend, Becca 💜
Hi Juliette! Happy to see another Buffy episode. Especially today is the anniversary of graduating high school! And happy to see you again! To celebrate on this day for me! 😊❤️😇
Aww I hope you enjoy 😸😸
I think this is definitely one of the show's scariest episodes and the creature is definitely one of its scariest designs. I'm terrified by the idea of sleep paralysis, so the idea of waking up to a monster hovering over my is a big no-no for me.
Cruelly though, Joyce's ongoing medical problems are far scarier than any supernatural critter. My grandmother had Alzheimer's, so the idea of losing my mental faculties is another big fear of mine, and watching someone else go through it is always heartbreaking.
Buffy's minor breakdown while washing up is such a relatable and human moment, the poor girl has enough on her plate, but now she has to look after her mother too. It's too much for one person to deal with.
Meanwhile, it's also hard watching Riley's descent into an incredibly dangerous lifestyle. He's always been so strong and upright, so it's hard to watch him go down this path.
Finally, the reveal that Ben is somehow connected to Glory is shocking. He seems so genuinely nice and when I first watched it I thought he was going to be a competing love interest for Buffy.
There are so many interesting but scary plot threads going on, I can't wait to see your reactions as they play out.
57 pages left in the book of Buffy and it must our Friday night date with Juliette.❤
one of the nastiest monsters in the series, makes me sick every time i watch the episode. joyce is on the other pole - heart of gold! as for the moment when buffy breaks down and cries... god i know her condition! I went through this, waiting for my father's death, and my mother's after that.
Just want to let you know that I'm on watching your next
Buffy episode i hope you have a wonderful weekend and
take care my friend Juliette.🇦🇺😸🤓🇦🇺
Thank you, Roger! I hope you enjoy 😸💜
This is a difficult season for sure.
Great reaction
Thank you 💜
A weird turn for Ben. Not expecting him to think killing Glory’s victims was a good idea. I suppose a rapid increase in mental patients could attract attention but a bunch of deaths would too. Not sure what was accomplished other than providing free beds for future victims.
Yeah, that is true.... Hmmm.
Nobody ever includes the completelyTara & Willowstar-gazing/naming scene in their reaction :-( It is the only bit of this episode I like in an episode with very little to like in it, kerk
Aww, sorry! Copyright issues make it hard to include everything we want to. Hopefully you can understand 💜
@@julesreacts I understand; it's just that it's one of my favourite Tara & Willow moments which, for spoiler-y, I cannot explain why. kerk
Great episode and great reaction. Though I would say it would be a bit odd for Ben to be Glory's boyfriend given his remark that he has been "Cleaning up Glory's mess my whole life" when would that relationship have started? Still plenty of possibilities.
Sure could have used mulder and Scully in this episode right? 😂
Yeah season 5 is really intense in that it is really good at building suspense, with dawn, glory, riley, Joyce, and now ben. You really want to watch the next episode to see what happens with these characters. Great writing in a fantastic season!
That alien thing was THE WORST. Hands down the creepiest thing I've EVER seen on this show!! Move over, Gentlemen 😱
The creature reminds me of a similar to one on the X Files.
That's what I said in the episode haha
- Spike is the perfect "Chaotic" character. In this moment he is not "Good" but neither "Evil" and probably neither totaly "Neutral". He desires Buffy, he "loves" her but, no in a romantic way, he wants help her, but not out altruism, but to show her that he is capable to be good, without good intensions. Buffy is unlikely to be able to trust him, because Spike has not a soul, but a microchip and it is not a garancy like a soul!
- Riley is betraying Buffy, and this situation is a conseguence of the mistakes of both. He should have expressed his discomfort to Buffy at being kept out of the situation with Joyce's illness, and Buffy should have noticed how badly he felt about being left out. Neither of them is acting with bad intentions or to hurt the other, but their relationship is becoming toxic and with many questions about their future together. Will love prevail or will they take different paths?
- Ben'character is taking on a new dimension! He is relating to Glory, but in what way? He is a victim of circumnstance or he is a former ally who wants break up with his past? He will be an ally for Buffy against the beauty demon, or he will became a traitor to the Good Ones?
- Very touching the confrontation between mother and daughter. We remember when Buffy said that sometimes she wants escape by her mission and seek protection in Joyce's arms, and now with the prospective to lose her, she is totaly helpless!
See a sweet and brave heroine like Buffy so desperate and alone is truly drammatic but even human. She can't save her mother by a cancer, only science can do that, and that's all Buffy can do and is hope
- Dawn in the end, is very close to be an adoptive daughter. She thoughts that her family is her real family and her "adoptives" mother and sister want protect her by the truth and love her as truly who she believes she is. Very sad and beauty.....
Yes, Buffy is not the best girfriend at the moment, but she is absolutely wonderful as big sister! And Joyce.... well, she is one of the best mother in tv series :)
16:39 - It actually was something more out of the X-files... Maybe a cross-over.
Seeing it’s now one of ur favorite shows, what’s been your favorite season so far?
I would say season 5 has been my favourite!
Another tough episode and the Queller demon gives me the ick!. Blood I can cope with, but slime - not so much!
That creature was hideous!!!!
It was the scariest thing I've EVER seen on Buffy! YUK!
@@julesreacts Either Master's younger brother or his house pet! They bear a resemblance!
So around this point, I always ask, have you seen How to Get Away With Murder?
I haven't!
@@julesreacts OK, just to see if you recognized the actor who plays Ben XD
Hi Jules, loved your reaction to the Queller, couldn't help but laugh 😂. Definitely one of the creepiest and grossest with its vomit attack 🤮 but I'd still rather face that than the Gentlemen. As I said before I'd keep you posted on my personal top 5 scariest Buffy monsters and this is my #4 rank.
1) Gentlemen
2) Der Kindestod
3) ?
4) Queller
5) ?
LOVE that you've left out the episode titles of ones I've not seen! You're awesome 💜
S5 was so hard hitting, another brilliant episode showing the real anguish and anxiety when a parent becomes ill, and the trauma of having to deal with it for the children. Even though we know Buffy is strong she breaks down doing the washing up, and cries her eyes out, great acting. Again we see Dawn being the focus of strange reactions to her which is really worrying her now, and also we see Spike's obsession with Buffy becoming stronger, and Ben of course isn't what he seems. The Queller demon was one of the worst in the series. Another really good episode from S5. This strangely scores a low IMDB score of only 7.0
👍
Are you suggesting there's a connection between Ben and Glory?
That's a wild theory. No idea how anyone could think that
@@ImBigDave79 They've never even been shown together!
Hello, Jules!💜
9:18 - It's somehow comforting to know that Xander will never achieve adulthood, and remain an annoying hang about, his whole life.😅
Riley seems more out of it, following a path of delusion, as he sinks ever more quickly into self pity.
I cannot say that I like what they did with Buffy here. She is worried, and wants to comfort her mother, who is making random statements, having delusional moments, and wandering around. So Buffy's final solution to all this is to pack her mom in bed, head down to the kitchen, and turn the radio on real loud. For all anyone knew, Joyce would have been better off sedated and in the hospital, with family and friends watching over her. I know Buffy is under extreme emotional pressure at the moment, but the writing in this section is simply jarring, and very out out of character.As always, my own opinion.😐
The fresh faced, new Doctor, turns out to be harboring secrets - there isn't too much of a surprise in that - I don't really trust too many of the new faces in Jossworld anymore.
Nice summation in the Outro this day. You say you understand why Riley would do this... me too. He's totally lost the plot. I agree with your Riley prediction, but I also think that, each time Riley wanders off, and meets up with Vampire women, he is taking a huge risk, since Buffy could be patrolling, and stumble onto his addiction as well. She finds him, or she dusts him. I don't see it going any other way, as redemption isn't a big thing, for most characters in these 2 series. I am interested to see how all these threads play out, as the season progresses.
This was an exceptional monster here. Grotesquely sickening, but exceptional!😱
I also liked the sad scene, between Joyce and Buffy. When Joyce regained lucidity, and discussed Dawn with her. Sad, but powerful. Joyce is a good person, a good mother, and I too, am hoping things turn out well for her. So much uneasiness and tension in this series anymore.
I hope we get some answers next episode.
Have a great weekend, Jules.💜🤗💜 Relax all you can, enjoy the cooler weather. Holiday here. I'll probably just have some hotdogs, and potato salad, whilst sweating!😜
.
Tom 😸💜
Honestly, I feel that Joyce would have been better off in the hospital as well. I do think that even if she were at the hospital, I don't think she would have been safe from the demon so it would have got her either way, but.... I guess they weren't to know her condition would be so fluctuating 😔
There's just SO much going on right now, with Joyce and Riley and Dawn and Glory.... it's been interesting reading the polarising comments with an almost 50/50 split for and against Riley's behaviour. For what it's worth, I like the guy. I just don't like his behaviour right now. I know why he's acting this way, and Spike is such a wily character for goading Riley the way he does. Riley is a very susceptible and insecure person, easily mislead when it comes to love. But for goodness sake, I wish he'd realise Buffy has something more pressing to deal with right now.
I'll take a side of potato salad and a hot dog, hold the sweat 🤣 Enjoy your weekend, dear Tom. I might try and stay away from the computer a bit. I need a break from the screens 😔💜
Jules, I hope you're resolute, with the break! Enjoy.😊
And in the midst of all this sadness, we learn just how much of a POS Riley really is.
Ooh, brave comment 😅 lots of Riley supporters in the comments. It's interesting to see this divide the fans!
So Jules, youre saying you think theres a connection between Glory and Ben?
@tomswift3482 you missed the joke, I think 🤔
There's two comments like this now, I'm guessing it's an inside joke that I don't know about 😅 but yes, Ben has some sort of connection to Glory. I'm sure we will find out in due time what it is!
@@samjohnson7869 I've always just assumed jokes were supposed to be humorous.
I avoid this episode whenever I can. I HATE the demon in this one. Truly scary and it just completely creeps me out.
Season 5 is my personal fav, so much going on and so many fantastic episodes. "Is that like her brother, boyfriend?" Wait, are you telling me there's a connection between Ben and Glory?
Hey now, you're being really unkind to the Queller. She was voted 'Most Likely to Become a Space Demon Supermodel' by her classmates in high school.
Wait, you think there's a connection between Ben and Glory? How? Why?
So this is the third comment like this and it's got to be some sort of inside joke said in the comments section of reaction videos or something 🤣
@@julesreacts These comments will probably continue as long as the Ben storylines and Glory storylines continue, just so you're aware.
I actually hated the arc that Joss sent Reilly down. He did not need to be denigrated this way. But the overall story required it, I guess, and I love the entire series so perhaps it was needed.
The inevitable mortal issues with ones' parents get us all. I'm old enough to have had discussions with my kids about mortality.
On the other hand, new grand daughter, so the genes will live on!
Kind of a morbid comment, but thank you for a once again great reaction.
I agree, Ken! It's sad to see Riley do what he's doing. I've been rewatching season 4 and adored Riley in the beginning. He was SO sweet, smiling, happy. To see what he's become now is just sad and I almost feel that Joss is punishing the character in a way, but I don't know why. Maybe we're just not meant to have nice things 😔
@@julesreacts I'm not sure now at what points Joss switched his main focus to Angel and let the other producers ( Marti Noxon in particular ) have control on Buffy. I know there's one ep coming up that's 199% his own work, though...
Yeah - a lot of this feels like they made a decision something had to happen to Riley, so they needed to come up with reasons for things to change. It's based in his character to an extent, but it feels like ramping up the whole "you're just the mission's boyfriend" things that Forrest was attacking him with in Season 4, and his noticing that Buffy isn't into him as much as he's into her gets ramped up into Riley telling Xander that "she doesn't love me" real quick.
AFAIK it was actually done (but this could be just a fan theory) due to the negative reaction among Buffy fans on the Buffyboards toward Riley. Fans at the time really wanted him to go. The reason I think this one is real is that this was the real reason why Spike is still alive since the fans loved him and FOX forced Joss to not kill him in S2.
@@Henrik_Holst The alternate theory (and one I have leaned toward based on the various character arcs) is that Buffy can never seem to find a good long-term relationship. Angel, then that damned Parker, then Riley, and you know the rest but I won't go into spoiler territory. I have a pretty good idea why Buffy's arc was set on this path, but it always seems more than a bit unfair.
So, are we saying there is some kind of connection between Ben and Glory?
Wait what
My least favourite episode from Season 5.
The Riley Thing seems a lot like a drug addict with a problem.
They did try for a practical effect here with a little guy in a suit.
A little X-files alien action.
I do like them deciding to protect Dawn.
The worst episode in the entire series IMO.