Faith, Hope & Trick • S03E03 • TPN's Buffy Guide
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 17 окт 2024
- Patreon: / passionofthenerd
Twitter: / iannitram
Facebook Page: / thepassionofthenerd
Facebook Forum: / 1395995467105368
Tumblr: / thepassionofthenerd
Subreddit: / thepassionofthenerd
Website: www.thepassiono...
Discord: / discord
Amazon: www.amazon.com...
Music Credits:
"Favorite Secrets" by Waylon Thornton
/ waylonthornton
Sources
Buffy - Myth Metaphor and Morality (A book that helped me understand some of the deeper themes to the series): amzn.to/2LHW1JK
The Passion of the Nerd
P.O. Box 20161
Boulder, CO
80308
Passion of the Nerd reviews Faith, Hope & Trick From Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 3, Episode 3. Directed by James A. Contner. Written by David Greenwalt. Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers. Nicholas Brendon as Xander Harris. Alyson Hannigan as Willow Rosenberg. Charisma Carpenter as Cordeila Chase. David Boreanaz as Angel. Seth Green as Oz. And Anthony Stewart Head as Rupert Giles. Guest Starring Eliza Dushku as Faith Lehane.
"Wet Floppy Naked Angel," which was the original title for his spin-off.
Sounds like... Heaven.
...falls from a portal and onto Buffy's Ring 👀
@@evaserration6223 god that must have hurt.... or broken the ring.
I can't breathe!
The reveal that there was no spell was so masterful, I remember crying realizing that Giles knew Buffy was carrying an emotional burden and that he wanted so desperately for her to let it go.
+Michael Duque Broke my heart. An amazing demonstration of how much better showing is than telling with your characters.
+Passion of the Nerd How many times have I watched this, and I totally didn't realize that Giles was doing it on purpose?! He is really the best.... Wonderful video as usual, probably one of my favorites so far ( Lie to Me is sublime)
+Michael Duque I still think there's something disturbing (*and* sweet, at the same time) about Giles' behaviour in this episode - lying to Buffy and successfuly manipulating her. But I'm apparently alone in this. Maybe I just have trust issues?
+Michael Duque Agreed. That's one of the best moments ever. Loved how Willow was so gobsmacked by it too.
Yes. It rights some wrongs from the last episode.
I always saw Faith and Kendra as two extremes on a personal life duty scale that Buffy tries to balance. Although, as you said, Faith is definitely a more fleshed out character.
It reminds me that Buffy isn't just the current slayer, she's probably the best (well, she grows in to it) which isn't always obvious to me in a narrative that focuses on a person in a role past down the generations. Aang isn't necessarily the best avatar, Picard isn't necessarily the best captain of the Enterprise and so on.
I love that part of the Buffyverse. We have this thought that the best of the best are unapproachable beings who just do that thing they do all the time. But Buffy is not only written well and seems so human, that is a big part of what makes her the best. The Chinese slayer Spike killed, Kendra, they didn't stand a chance because they stuck to the rules. And Faith strayed to far from her morality.
And just to share my favorite line from the episode: "I think what my daughter's trying to say is, "Nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah."
+Yosi Berman Joyce is SO awesome in season 3 (She's brainwashed in "Gingerbread", damnit!), and in general, actually. I'm having a hard time thinking of a fictional mother I love more than Joyce.
+Yosi Berman Yeah, I loved Joyce for that!
"A devious act of fatherly love" I think that sounds so poetic.
Giles was great. He always had Buffy's best interests in mind, no matter what the situation. You can tell that throughout the series he grew to care for her almost as his daughter than someone he was just supposed to keep watch over.
I also really liked Mr. Trick. I thought he brought a modern sensibility and a kind of breath of fresh air to the show when he was around.
+Casey McGeorge Yep. Its a shame they never really seemed to know what to do with him.
+Passion of the Nerd I like the fact that he was modern. It was always said that as a vampire, the real you comes out. Most vampires we see are always older and so steeped in tradition. To see a vampire take a modern approach to everything is refreshing. Why not outsource your killing, like in slayerfest? Why not make a change with the world?
+Casey McGeorge Thats actually a really brilliant thought, I never really considered looking at it like the with Mr Trick. But yeah, he was a cool character and it would have been great if he stayed on longer or he was a recurring character that would randomly rock up back in Sunnydale.
Biggest "Slayer homosexual coming out metaphor" part for me in Becoming Pt.2 was "Have you ever tried not being a Slayer" - made my skin crawl. Like, damn it Joyce!?!
Of course, in this case, Buffy's response should've been, "Yeah! A lot!"
@@rowynnecrowley1689 And, following the slayer homosexual coming out metaphor, that's still often the answer.
I love the fact that Willow's picture of her and Giles in her locker was from season one, implying that they knew each other well before Buffy got there and the scooby gang was even a thing and not knowing Giles was a Watcher. That's just nerd Willow befriending the new librarian, I love it.
"Wet, floppy, naked Angel falls from a portal and lands on Buffy's ring." I love you, man. 😂
+Daniel Young (conchashima) And where exactly did the ring end up? Because I'm picturing an accidental Prince Albert. lol
This is what we should've had in Surprise/Innocence. He had time to put on leather pants? Wait. He *owned* leather pants at that time??
I always interpreted Cordelia's comments about Faith as rooted in envy, as she prefers to be the centre of attention.
I get the impression that the Watcher's Council generally consider Buffy to be a cosmic mistake after the debacle at her previous school, and are secretly hoping she'll get killed and pass the mantle onto someone who can be more easily controlled. It explains how neglectfully they behave throughout the series and the disdain they hold Giles in.
I hate to say it, but I think kendra is the slayer the watcher's council wanted and that's kind of why she died so easily. The watchers council wants somebody to follow the rules, kill vampires, and die so that the next one can be called. Kendra doesn't cause problems. Buffy does. And Faith REALLY does.
Faith is one of my favourite characters because of how sure she is of everything she does on the outside, but how clear her insecurities are once we see more of her. There's something relatable about that.
Great guide!
+2and1things same, the end of Who Are You? in season 4 was really painful to watch, I love the Buffy/Faith dynamic
I just love that she was the first (besides Cordelia) to ever really call out the good Buffy has in her life ya know? The mother, the friends, the loyal Watcher/father figure it was a breathe of fresh air to see a character that was like "listen I get the whole slayer thing but you've got it made in so many other ways so calm down"
She just fascinated me but that's also probably because i have more in common with her than anybody else on the show lol
Faith is such a wonderful clusterfuck of a person. She is so very nearly irredeemable, yet you always hope she can step back from that brink of (self) destruction. She is also, to me, an epitome of an anti-hero that dips deeply into villain territory at times (or, if you will, someone who constantly fluctuates between chaotic good, chaotic neutral, and chaotic evil).
“It’s good you were an only child” I love the emphasis on that and then 2 seasons later...
I still get chills when Giles reveals that there is no spell.
Buffy: Oh, the one that nearly bit me mentioned something about 'kissing toast'. He lived for kissing toast.
Giles: [alarmed] You mean, Kakistos?
Buffy: Maybe it was taquitos. Maybe he lived for taquitos. What?
Giles: Kakistos.
Buffy: Is that bad?
This was one of my favorite Buffy lines from the episode. No gripe about it being omitted, though. You're right, at this point there's so much good stuff going on. I'm surprised that you are able to narrow it down to only 10 minutes or so. Really enjoy these videos.
Had to subscribe because of that funny comment on Buffy .
Massive lol at Willow not raising her hand and having a picture of Giles in her locker!! genuinely never noticed that and it's geniously hilarious! :D
And I think Giles and Buffy's father/daughter relationship is so special.
Genuinely never considered, and I don't think it was ever actually addressed that Willow might have had a crush on Giles? So weird to think about now!
@@margaridabaptista3712 Remember Willow also says in season 4 when Giles is singing, "now I remember why I used to have such a crush on him." lol.
@@SashaRicky Totally forgot about that! Wow, this just keeps getting better and better 😂
@@margaridabaptista3712 😂😂
Dude, the end of this guide made me tear up. Thanks for making Buffy commentary sound like poetry. I love this show. :)
Dude! Me too! Lol. Giles fatherly love always gets me!!!
I was gonna say this too for some reason the last few lines in this video hit a soft spot for me. My eyes did want to water a little. I love these videos as a long time Buffy fan and love it when the the things I love get analyzed. Best to everyone , Marvin 😀
Jgotmilk555 he can bring me to tears
Faith is one my favorite character. I would've liked to see more inner actions with her and Joyce, Joyce was such a great mother figure for faith
I can't wait for "The Wish" and pretty much all of your commentary on Anya. She is one of my favs.
^^yes!!
Faith and Buffy are both lost and alone in the beginning of season 3. Faiths efforts to find a home fail and she ends up ever more lost and alone while Buffy takes her lumps, deserved or not, opens up, thanks to Giles tricks, and ends the season surrounded and appreciated by colleagues, family and friends.
Man, you stuck the landing so hard on the significance of the title.
And, I mean, a Wayne's World gag is also always appreciated.
That quote from the Bible is also the original title of the serious teen drama film that someone gave the misleading English title "Twist and Shout", leading US reviewers and audiences into complete misunderstanding of the deep issues in that film.
Yay for Faith! While I love all the characters, Faith is easily my favorite. She has the freedom to do and say more than the true heroes or the true villains, and for a relatively small character, she has so much development! Also, I absolutely love the way she talks.
I love the way you speak of the buffy&giles relationship.
Anthony portrays his fatherly love for her so beautifully.
You nailed it yet again. This is a great episode. After "Anne" that focused on resolving the events of Becoming, and Dead Man's Party which was... pretty annoying, we got a great wonderful episode that sets the tone for the entire season and sets everything in motion.
I really love that moment when Buffy finally opens up about Angel, and I loved Faith from the start (Probably because I have a huge crush on Eliza Dushku).
A thing I don't really like is how Willow tries to push Buffy into a relationship so soon after Angel. You don't have to be Buffy's best friend to realize she still needs time to get over it. Willow was thinking more about herself, I think. She will, of course, get a chance to learn how hard it is to accept the death of someone you love...
+Rupti Doolooroodoo True. As people pointed out to me previously though, she didn't clearly understand the circumstances of Angel's end. For all she knew he's been dead for nearly a year. And I get the best-friend compulsion. When you're single you sometimes wish your best friend was single. When you're in a relationship you want your best friend to be. Been. There.
“He’s the watcher of the active slayer”
Here’s the thing...Buffy isn’t the active slayer anymore. She’s A slayer but Faith is THE active slayer. It’s Faith’s death that will call a new slayer. Buffy still has her slayer abilities but she’s not the slayer. A slayer was never meant to be resurrected and the ancients who created the slayer never accounted for that, so she kept her abilities because she can’t lose them but she’s basically a phantom slayer
So now the show is just Buffy The... Buffy? So she's not the Slayer anymore? But she can still do Slayer things? Doesn't this mean that Faith technically could replace Buffy and nothing would happen? Or Kendra was supposed to replace Buffy, but because Buffy is still alive, she's not the Slayer anymore, yet has her abilities still?
@@Kratos-GodOfWar she's still a slayer so the title still make sense. the slayer line just doesnt pass through her anymore. if she dies again, there's no new slayer called. faith is the active slayer because it's her death that will call the next one.
@@nicholecharo1263 which is exactly why there was no new slayer called after The Gift
I can only hope that you gain as much pleasure from making these reviews as i and many others experience from watching them. They are of a quality rarely seen on TV let alone RUclips.
Well played Sir :)
Ooooh, I completely forgot - About the whole Giles not being invited to the Watchers' retreat thing:
First of all, whenever discussing the watchers council, it's important to remember one thing - The watchers are DICKS. They are a metaphor for the patriarchy, and they are a symbol of authority, which is always a bad thing in the Whedonverse. And in this particular season, abuse of authority is an especially prevalent theme. So, again I stress - Never expect good things from the watchers council, and you will never be disappointed.
But this particular instance of watcher assholery is especially interesting, for me - The fact that Giles wasn't invited to the tea-party-thing implies that the watchers council holds Giles in low regard, and that is in line with a little theory I have:
SPOILER ALERT FOR THE REST OF THE SERIES
Basically, I think the position of watcher of the active Slayer is considered to be a sign of lack of respect, rather than the other way around. Think about it - the Slayer is considered by the council to be nothing more than a weapon, as she is the very definition of replaceable, and is not even offered the honor of a salary by the council for the inevitable sacrificing of her life. Therefore, being the Slayer's direct watcher must be equivalent to being the guy who oils and cleans tank parts in the military, in the council's eyes. Remember who the people we see being offered the job of active watcher in the show are - Giles and Wesley.
Giles is definitely capable, but he is also a "rebel" (by, err, british standards), with a troubled past of magic-abuse and a tendancy toward violence. His nickname is "Ripper", for god's sake! These qualities make him a good fit for Buffy, but they obviously don't look good in the council's eyes. MAYBE the council sent Giles to America to keep him from making trouble for them in England?
As for Wesley, do I even have to explain why his appointment as active watcher is not a sign of respect? I can clearly imagine his father sending him to America with an "I hope this finally turns you into a man!" expression, while the rest of the council stand behind him, sniggering. The council were pretty much *trolling* Wesley when they appointed him to be Buffy and Faith's watcher.
So, that's my theory. I think it's consistent with everything we see in both shows, but feel free to poke holes in it.
+Guy R Cool theory, this actually makes a lot of sense to me! The Watchers Council didn't really make any sense up until season 7 when the slayer mythos is expanded on. I never understood why Giles wouldn't be invited to prestigious events if he was good enough to be the slayer's watcher. But your theory actually makes a lot of sense. Good man!
+NotSoSuperPete Thank you!
+Guy R I like this and may bring it up again when it becomes clear how dickish the council is. Which I think is coming up in Helpless. At this point in the series though I found it confusing.
+Guy R I would say Giles is a rebel by anyone standards - what, summoning homicidal demon is not dangerous enough for you "red blooded" yanks?
But yeah I agree with the rest of your theory:)
I'm VERY late to the party but...
I like this theory, although I have always had another one (that can fit with this one I guess). This is also based on the tv show NOT the other stuff that directly contradicts this but makes no sense to me so I ignore ;)
I don't think Giles has the right school tie. So much in organisations like the Watchers Council are based on which school you went to. Wesley strikes me as somebody who went to a the 'right' school. He's got the overbearing self confidence that he knows better than Giles despite that making no sense at all. He is massively condescending. Post was too (I know she's evil, but still). Her digs are sometimes obvious and sometimes soooo subtle (the standards dropping line as she removes the tea bag from the cup is my favourite). Travers I'm sure is also 'in the club' although there's less evidence because he's Giles' boss and would therefore treat him like that. I can't remember if there are others.
All these people sound and act a little posher than Giles too. I appreciate that for non Brits it's difficult to pick up on tiny things like that but I definitely get that vibe. Don't get me wrong Giles is posh but there are levels of posh lol
My point is that, while Giles is frustrated and angry about the behaviour of these people, he mostly acts as if this is not unexpected. Also, Giles doesn't have the hallmarks of the 'right' school type. Some sources say he's upper class, which may be the case, but he doesn't strike me as somebody who has loads of money. I doubt that the Giles family could afford Eton for example. But in much of this strata of British life going to a place like Eton is an automatic 'in' to the club. Trust me, the Etonians were always invited to the retreat.
Yay! I really love this episode. And also Faith.
ya, Faith is my favourite character of both shows. her journey is just so complete and put together so perfectly
I never realized that Willow could have a crush on Giles. That's both cute and creepy.
+Ben Grieve She outright says it in Where the Wild Things Are. "Now I remember why I used to have a crush on him." Though I don't blame you if you put that episode entirely out of your mind.
+SimplyAnime101 Yeah, I've forgotten about a lot of the bad episodes after season 3.
+Ben Grieve Totally missed that as well. It's so fitting though that she'd have a crush on a librarian.
+Ben Grieve I think mostly cute. Creepy would be if it went the other way.
+Passion of the Nerd True.
Joyce: It's probably good you were an only child.
Ian: huh
Me: *wilt*
This, sir, is why your recaps are the best.
So happy to see this in my subscriptions! Excellent review, as always. Giles' love for Buffy and the way he deviously helps her get what's bothering her off her chest pulls on my heartstrings so much. If only we all had a Giles looking out for us...haha.
I do love this episode, mostly cause I love Faith. lol. Happy that you're into season 3 now, it's my favorite!
4:53 The ring that Scott gives Buffy is not just an unusual friendship ring, it’s an identical ring to the one Angel gave her in ”Surprise”, shortly before he lost his soul. That’s why Buffy was so shocked and dropped the ring Scott gave her.
I think that was the creator a) being ironical and b) speaking from Scott's perspective.
Faith and mr.trick were great additions to the show, i wish Mr. Trick had lasted longer on the show. I think it would have been interesting to have the mayor,faith and mr.trick try to start the ascension and buffy having to face all three. Eliza played faith so well, she became one of my favorite characters just because of how tragic her story is and the whole redemption arc on angel.
Man, do I love me some Mr. Trick. Like Ethan Rayne, a great character that didn't get nearly enough screen time.
I was obsessed with Buffy growing up. I havent been able to bring myself to watch the show in recent years as I want the wonder and love of the show to continue in memory. In saying that I have watched your videos all day and love your enthusiasm and commitment. Keep up the great work.
I feel pretty stupid how I didn't realise until now that 'hope' in the title of this episode was referring to Scott Hope :/ I don't know why, I think it was because Scott was a fairly one-dimensional character of no significance to me personally, whereas Faith and Trick really stood out. I also adore Trick, and I wished he was in more episodes - I think it was because he reminded me of Spike, how he arrived in Sunnydale looking to take on a Slayer, and his general sassy attitude. I suppose he could be seen as a place-holder for Spike in season 3 in a way, as that was the season that Spike wasn't in (except for Lover's Walk, of course), despite Trick's interesting individual personality. Thank you for another great review, I'm looking forward to more :)
Great review. I noticed the 'Willow having a crush on Giles' when I first saw Buffy (back in the late 90s) because I had a crush on Giles, too. Geek library girl that I am.
As always, a great review. If I didn't watch Buffy almost every day on Pivot, any one of your videos would convince me to check out the show. And if anyone did "friend zone" you in high school, they really lost out. Thanks for such superior work!
I'm so excited for these videos! Also one word to describe the season: responsibility.
Gods, I love this season. Faith is a great contrast to Buffy and the 'two paths' have such deep meanings too, I'm glad they fully realized the potential instead of just marking Faith off as a bland side character.
Yes, you have no idea how much I look forward to your buffy guides :) I especially love faith and season 3 so glad it's been uploaded.
Well done, I particularly enjoyed your final line - lovely
Just something I discovered when reading through Sartre's philosophy:
Sartre has a theory called Bad Faith, in which people act in ways which betray their true nature under social pressures, thus becoming a dark reflection of themselves. Isn't it then interesting (and probably done on purpose) that Faith is the dark reflection of Buffy, free of social pressures yet acting inauthentically. Therefore, bad Faith is an embodiment of Sartre's Bad Faith theory.
Dammit Joss, you clever bastard.
10:09 Nice use of the music when Angel walks away into the smoke leaving Sunnydale for LA at the end of the season.
I just realized you were back a few days ago and IMMEDIATELY devoured them wanting desperately for more to be available... I have been waiting for this one with bated breath and I have to say that ending made it all worth it. (Along with the repeated naked Angel shots... never to be discounted.) I really loved that you pulled out the play on words in triplicate...
Also, Faith is one of my all-time favorite characters based most on the juxtaposition of her and Buffy as with Buffy and Kendra before her. I read a short fic(Freudian Split: www.fanfiction.net/s/4516407/1/Freudian-Split) where they were brilliantly referred to as the Id(Faith), Ego(Kendra), and Superego(Buffy).
But I digress! Also, depicted in this episode is one of my favorite ancillary(and most underused) villains: Trick. He is so stylish and modern... and he was the one character who had the most realistic world view for such a Sci-fi show. Why was there so little diversity in Sunnydale? (Aside from the fact that black people would see no reason to move into a living breathing scary movie since one of the principals rules of scary movies is that black characters usually go first!) And why DON'T vampires use guns? (I mean, come on! They are said to be so easy to get black market and I can't imagine how much easier they would be to access when amoral with superpowers!) It was bon mots like these that seemed to breach the fourth wall via Trick. Only to never find any real ground in this "reality".
Anyway, wonderful job as always! Loved it!
P.S. I would love to hear back your thoughts on the assessment I commented to the Innocence review about the reasons for the vast disparity between Angel and Angelus. See ya next review!
+TheOnly1tonid Oh, yeah... Scott Hope is one of my absolute least favorite romantic interests because her 'interest' in him felt less like growth or a sense of hope for the future and more like an attempt to live up to the expectations of her friends to an extent to get back to normal and be less of a fifth-wheel. He was in no way reflective of her type (which seems to become a recurring theme where the Scoobies's choices in companionship for her are concerned). And while I could understand how flattering his attention was at the time, it's disastrous to allow yourself to hand your life over to your friends in penance for some perceived or even actual wrong...
+TheOnly1tonid You're absolutely right about the freudian division of the slayers, but don't you think that Buffy is the Ego, and Kendra is the Super-Ego? From what I know, The Super-Ego is the part that's all about restraint, while the Ego is the part that tries to balance between the Id and the Super-Ego.
+Guy R Hmmm... that's a good point! But I didn't write the story... I'll have to consider it...
I love the ending of this episode so much with the end result of the binding spell or whatever. Even after having come back to Sunnydale and to school and her friends, there was still the huge burden of the truth about how killing Angel went down. What Giles did is subtle yet wonderfully motivated--it's one of the best Giles moments for me in the whole series. This and two others--in season 2, the night after Angel turns and he tries to console Buffy when he drops her off at home and again in season 2, the episode when he goes all Ripper trying to take down Angelus and Buffy punched him and then hugged him at the end.
One of my top five favorite characters has now made her introduction. This brings the total up to three now (after Welcome to the Hellmouth and Inca Mummy Girl).
Ah, the return of the stinger, featuring floppy, wet, naked Angel. Everything I could have wished for and more. :)
Excellent insight, as always!
In love with this episode guide! Learning so much that I missed the first time watching this show. All the slut shaming is a pretty accurate portrayal of how teenagers behave both then and now. The only surprising thing is that there isn't more mean girl behavior.
Oh, darn! You made me cry again... Thanks for these wonderful reviews!
It's always nice when a new video pops up in the feed!
Best Buffyversary week present ever. Let me start by saying HELLO GIRL CRUSH!
Surprisingly enough, Eliza Dushku and David Boraneaz are the only Buffy actors I knew going into the show the first time. I liked most of the episode except for said return of "wet, floppy, naked Angel." JUST when Buffy was starting to get over him! Then again, the whole Bangel arc of Season 3 is nauseating to me.
I wonder what could've happened if Xander was in the room where Buffy talked about what happened. I might have to save that for a fanfiction.
Anyway, I love the verse from Corinthians. The whole chapter is a wonderful read. It also ties into my Buffy headcanon about what her gift actually is. But I'll save that for another recap. For now, looking forward to next time!
I watched this show when I was 14 and was completely obsessed. Oh how much I missed and how much more I appreciate it now when I'm 20
This was an intense episode. I appreciate your in depth analysis.
Yet another great, poignant and elegantly made video Ian. Season 3 really is one of my favourites, I loved season 2 with Angelus being around, I just really love all the episodes where Angel loses his soul, both on this show and the spin off. But for me, season 3 is the most exciting, and as I think you kind of pointed out, this episode is where it really starts to kick off. Faith's introduction to the show just really shifts this season into gear.
One continuity gripe with Kakistos- I know this is buffy, and pretty much anything can happen but I find it odd that The Master was so old that he had started to resemble the demon inside of him. Kakistos is so old that...... He's slowly turning into a cow? hmmmm... Anyway, Im sure in a show like Buffy, with the diversity and almost limitless fashion of its content and its universe in general, and with the great writing that it could be explained haha.
+thunder1soldier .................................................................cow....kistos.....
+Passion of the Nerd Oh my god *high fives for unintentional pun* well spotted my friend haha
I just found this channel and I gotta say that I love you for making this!
Just wanted to tell you agin how much I LOVE your work!
I love your reviews! One thing about this one though - about Giles not being invited to the retreat. You said he was the watcher for the active slayer - but he wasn't. Buffy wasn't the active slayer at this time, she was an anomaly. Faith was the active one. I always interpret the Councils strange behaviours towards Giles (and Buffy) after season one as because they really didn't know what to do with them. They suddenly had two slayers, and the active one was... well.... kinda crazy pants! The other one was rebellious and couldn't be handled so the only way they could "punish" her bad behaviour was by being dicks to Giles.
I agree with you because Buffy died. I don't think the council had a slayer brought back. So why not treat them like crap because messed up the order.
This comment might have been made before, but the band playing at the Bronze that episode was Darling Violetta, who btw made the Angel theme song ♥
For me this is where Season 3 realls kicks off. Minus Scott Hope (agree that he is kind of annoying) the introductions of Trick and, especially, Faith are really well presented here. Can't wait to see you talk about how Faith will change during this season. Also loved how Giles manages to give Buffy that great moment of relief from killing Angel. Just yet another fantastic moment that makes me love their relationship.
Can we talk about the use of "Close Your Eyes" as Buffy is telling Giles and Willow about killing Angel? I really hope PotN will talk about Season 2, because that particular piece of music is just heartbreaking and so important to this show.
I only noticed it on my second rewatch but it is so heartbreaking!
Will you upload this time next week or normal Tuesday?
+abductkaz Tuesdays are always the target.
Dude, I love the way you write these, seriously!! :)
I love the look of fear on snyder‘s face when the mayor calls him after buffy is re-enrolled in school and the lie giles tells buffy to help her heal from angel‘s death
I really love the title of this episode.
Another excellent review! I'm already eagerly awaiting your thoughts on Band Candy, The Wish and Doppelgangland, which are my favourites of season 3. As someone who'd like to practice and do more video editing for reviews of a similar style to yours: which program/software do you use?
+EkseteraEksetera I record with Adobe Audition and edit in Adobe Premiere. Though I use about 5 percent of the software's capabilities. My editing knowledge has atrophied quite a bit since college.
oh my god! I never took it as Giles lying about the spell completely, just that it changed with the knowledge that it wasn't an 'evil' being sent to hell. this makes so much more sense, given the Buffy/Giles dynamic. this from someone who considers herself good with subtext, metaphor etc. bah! thank you anyway (and just to be annoying, wanted to mention the lovely little moment when Buffy mentions 'kissing toast' and Giles dashes offscreen to the library. anyway, kekistos)
Love listening to your take on arguably my favourite TV show !
Keep up the great work 😀👍🏻
Aww, you made me cry again, Ian. Damn you.
Great episode of buffy, great episode of the guide, man if something like this existed for other shows, the fandoms we could revive...
Just discovered this guide. Binge watched. Amazing work.
Giles using that ploy on Buffy shows me he knows Buffy willing to do anything to help others . As he said,he wanted used a binding spell. So even tho Buffy would be uncomfortable she still will serve/help others. Ex prophecy girl
Ugggh why did you play One Last Moment at the end! I can't wait for your finale videos.
Good spot on the Willow-Giles thing not noticed that before. Not sure I would call it a crush or not. Either way don't find it creepy. This is a really good episode and a fine return to form after DMP. Faith's debut has to be one of the best of the show's and Mr. Trick's introduction is impressive too. Nice review.
+Bored Now I believe in Beer Bad or Where the Wild Things Are she open cops to the curls. Thanks for the good word.
What was the deal with the angel dream thing with the ring? Was there symbolism or deep meaning there?
How come your videos are the only ones i'm getting notifications on my phone for?
Not that i'm complaining, but is it something you do from your end?
+Idanu Boyo Nope. Thats all controlled through your account. Though I've noticed with my account and subscriptions the behavior isn't totally consistent.
+Passion of the Nerd I keep the RUclips notifications off, but I still get notifications from your stuff too,
+Veikko Elo Sweet! And I'm sorry?
I cannot believe you didnt mention the excellent joyce teasing Snyder with 'nyah,nyah,nyah nyah"
Geat video! Keep'em coming, dude!!
Great video, Ian! And don't ever be bothered by our petty quibbles here in the comments section, we're just geeking out. Your videos are the greatest!
I think Cordelia's slut-shaming comments about Faith are more a testament about Cordy than Faith - Cordelia is afraid of the competition, so to speak? It's interesting that *Willow* doesn't slut-shame Faith at all here, given that she will do so constantly once she develops a rivalry with her ("She's just this cleavage-y slut-bomb, going around all, hey, look at me, I'm wicked cool, I'm five by five" "Hey, Buffy, have you heard of this Varuca chick? Voice like an albatross, dresses like Faith"). Cordelia is, by her own words, "the ditziest bitch in Sunnydale", and I guess Faith threatens her. I don't think this is meant to be seen as the *show* criticizing Faith's sexuality.
SPOILER ALERT! for the whole show.
I'm a bit uncomfortable discussing this whole issue too much, because it reeks of misogynistic problems, but I do *not* think that this is a flaw in the show. Fact is, Faith was always written as a promiscuous person, and the show doesn't shy away from discussing the issues that come out of this character trait, but I never thought that the show was *criticising* this character trait. Yes, Faith is a sexual person who eventually becomes "evil", and the show would tie some of her "evil" behaviour to her sexuality ("Who Are You" comes to mind), but the show would also allow Faith to *keep* her sexuality after her redemption arc. At the end of the show, when Faith is portrayed as heroic, she would still be portrayed as promiscuous, just like she was before her redemption arc ("I'm thinking about looking up that guy with the whip"). She doesn't lose her promiscuity when she loses her "evil"-ness.
I think the show only criticizes Faith's tendancy to shut off people, the tendancy that leads to loneliness (Which is, of course, the 8th deadly sin, according to Joss Whedon). It uses sexuality sometimes to discuss that tendancy, but it doesn't criticize the sexuality by itself. That's how *I* read, the show, anyway.
What else? I loved your deconstruction of the episode's title, and yeah, Scott Hope is kinda like Owen from "Never Kill a Boy On The First Date" in his ridiculousness. And you're absolutely right about the thing on consequences in 'Buffy' - The show was always character first, plot second, and I love it for this.
This season is going to be a lot of fun.
+Guy R Great stuff as always. I had forgotten about post-prison Faith. Hmmm...how to weight that into the discussion without spoiling?
As I mentioned in a different comment about Cordelia, my thought is that it's sometimes hard to properly find that line between a character saying something that is believable for them to say but crappy, and accidentally endorsing the statement as the writer of the episode, especially in a show so heavy on 'message.' Think Xander.
But I think we can ultimately forgive a show with this level of ambitious writing. But this is FAR from the last time we'll have to.
+Passion of the Nerd Hmmm... That IS a problem. How do we choose which statements are just characters being characters, and which statements are the show's message? We usually interpert what characters say based on our own experience/opinions/personality. We decide that, for example, Giles' "to forgive is an act of compssion" line is the show imparting a message, because it *feels* like a message to us, and because we agree with that message. And we decide that, for example, Xander's "you little slut" comment is just Xander being Xander, because of subjective elements like the acting (Nicholas Brendon plays it as if Xander is joking - IN MY OPINION), and because WE don't think that Buffy is acting like a "slut". It's all opinions. It's all emotions.
There is no way of actually deciding which interpertation is correct in a logical manner. That is the "problem" with all art, I think - Art is not about fact and logic, it is about emotion and personal experience. It's about subjective things, not objectivity. In the 'Dollhouse' episode "Grey Hour", one of the vault thieves starts talking about a Picasso painting in the middle of a collection of "lesser" paintings, and he says: "These other guys, they painted what they saw. But this guy, he painted what IS. That's what art's for - to show us who we are." Art is about the personal experience of every person in it's audience. There's nothing factual about it. Because of this, I think we can only ever talk about how we perceive any piece of art, and we have to always keep in mind that our opinions are not facts. So if something FEELS like the show is being slut-shaming, I'll call it out, while keeping in mind that my opinion is not objective. If something FEELS like the show is just letting the characters being themselves, then I won't criticize the show for being slut-shaming in that instance, even if a character is saying the most literal slut-shaming things possible.
The real problem, of course, is that this means that there is no ground for ever condemning a piece of entertainment/art for promoting things that we find dangerous. A nazi propaganda video, for example, would be just as valid as an episode of 'The Smurfs'. Any criticizm we might bring up against it would be subjective, and therefore meaningless. How can we solve this issue? The only way is to either judge everything at face-value, which would mean the effective end of art, or to give everything a free pass. I prefer the second option, but I'm very conflicted about this.
Jesus, this post ended in a different place than it started on.
+Guy R Did we ever get a back story on Faith? Always felt that she came out of a really sh*&tty family...abusive father perhaps, or an alcoholic mother--y'know, real "Lifetime Movie of the Week" kind of stuff, which would explain a lot about her: her jealousy of Buffy's life, especially. This would explain a lot of why she "leeched" on to the Mayor's caring of her, you know? And the Mayor became her "Watcher," of course, in that she was trying to build her own family a la Buffy. And don't forget that her new Watcher (her "mother figure") turned out to be a repeat of her (possible) real mother's emotional abuse.
So I never thought that Faith was "evil" in the classic sense. She was buffeted (no pun intended) by life, and so her warped view was understandable.
Mindy Newell I don't think *any* human being is "evil". Human beings can do "evil" things, for all sorts of reasons, but in the end, these people are always to be pitied. Not to get all christian on you (I'm an atheist, and even if I wasn't, I was born jewish, so...), but even completely monstrous sadists, like for example Angelus, are in fact victims of their own minds.
SPOILER ALERT!
Faith is simply the *clearest* case of this - She does truly horrible things, but her life story is just incredibly sad, and she is just so, so *lost*. The show always liked to keep her past as vague as possible (which was a good step, IMO), but we do know that her mom was an alcoholic, and it's hinted in this episode that she used to beat Faith ("My dead mother hits harder than that"). Faith never says ANYTHING about her father, which can be interperted in several different ways...
The comics delve into Faith's past in some very interesting ways, too, but I'm not gonna spoil them here :)
I've always been moved by Faith's final conversation with the Mayor in "Graduation Day", when she starts talking to him about her early life in Boston ("Firecracker, that's what my mom used to call me"), but stops herself mid-sentence. She does it several times in that conversation, and it's just such a subtle, yet painful character trait. And it's a character trait that never really goes away, too - Faith never really opens up about her past to people, even after her (incredibly painful and beautiful) redemption arc.
I've always felt that, in many ways, Faith is what Angel was always meant to be - she is a character who's done truly horrendous things, but who was so painfully *human* that the audience roots for her reformation, rather than calling for her head. She is the most underused character in the entire Buffyverse, IMO, and that *still* pisses me off. It's a good thing that the comics recognized this flaw, and gave her a permanent, leading role.
+Guy R : Thanks for reminding me-- I do remember those bits of dialogue now that you've mentioned them. And I totally agree with everything you said.
Btw, I'm also Jewish. L'Chaim! :-)
Buffy said my name!!!!! in this episode :)
Another great video thank's
My name never gets mentioned in Buffy 😏
Man, I love Mr. Trick. Shame he was relatively underused for how good he was.
I love all of them Buffy, Cordelia, Darla but idk Faith just melts my heart lol
Faith, is the final spark that turned a great series into the greatest series (equal with Firefly). She i believe is Buffys id. Season two we see Buffy growing up until she can make the grown up decision to kill Angel, now as she is more mature, there are parts of her nature that she is fighting, these i think are externalised through Faith. This finally comes to a head at the end of Buffy vs Dracula where she goes back to Giles for further help and training.
Around the 6:10 mark, you observe "notice which Scooby isn't in the scene." Your are referring to Xander right? Why point this out? Am i missing something about Xander's overall character?
Xander was the one who told Buffy that Willow said to "Kick his ass" referring to Angel, when in fact Willow was trying the spell again to restore his soul and needed Buffy to wait as long as possible to give her a chance to get it to work.
Just one of the many many many reasons I hate Xander.
Any Buffy fan looking for a good book should check out "Go Ask Malice: A Slayer's Diary." It's a very well written, insightful prequel to the arrival of Faith on the show.
Tenía ganas de ver de nuevo la serie entera, esto es el equivalente pero la versión resumida. Genial
You know what this episode is? It's the first of the REAL episodes of season 3, the first 2 were entertaining enough but this is the first episode that becomes part of the season "arc". It gives us important characters and themes and isn't just about putting the end of the previous season to bed. It's the true start of season 3 on season 3 issues.
The end of that review made me tear up a little!
I think that Scott Hope really is a metaphor for hope. In Anne the demon in charge of the sweatshop of Hell said that Hell was the total absence of hope. Then later in Buffy's dream Angel told her to go to Hell. So I think that Scott is sorta like the hope that is keeping Buffy from going to Hell (metaphorically/ mentality) over Angel. In Beauty and the Beast the school counselor tell her about how if you let love control you it becomes your master and you become its dog. Scott is also the lifeline that is all that is keeping love from controlling Buffy and making her a slave to it. I think Scott Hope is a metaphor that works on multiple levels.
Yay! I've been looking forward to this all week. I am very curious. Do you have any ideas or theories as to explain how Angel returned? That lack of information always bugged me. Probably the only downside to this episode. I'm glad he returned, just with I knew how or why.
+SarahNade Speaks I always figured it was the Powers that Be mcguffin. Why let a champion rot in hell when theres a war between good and evil?
I just figured it was the power of *is handed a paper* ...who? Huey Lewis? Cease and what now?
Sorry, guys. Hold that thought.
+Passion of the Nerd That works for me! I'll take it. Thanks.
+Passion of the Nerd Didn't the first bring back Angel? it was mentioned in that episode where the first was tormenting him.
+Illusionz Man The First claims they did it, but Buffy has a line accusing it of just taking the credit but not actually doing it. So it's up for speculation but basically only options are either The First or "The Powers That Be"
I can't wait until you get to Angel's series.
As A 90s teen, we watched all of these shows Buffy/Angel, 90210, Saved by the bell etc. is because 80s where we were kids, everything was larger than life, which now is considered barbaric, evil, greed, etc. 90s, ill admit, depression and real rebellion were everywhere. Many teens committed suicide. If you had an issue or felt differently, esp depending on where you live, and what was considered cool. From hip-hop style all way to grunge. I was friends with girls who an attitude like Cordeilla (who I btw) , or girl like Faith(def love lol) all way to girls like Willow(not into witchcraft lol) and even Buffy herself. Growing we related to these characters on so many levels, because many kids did die in 90s, early 00's because they were so alone. So, watching shows like this we learned things and saw someone who you can relate to. And by watching their character arch nobody got hurt in the process or learned a lesson.
I think Faith is who Buffy would be without her friends and Giles. Kinda how she is in the Wish. Not totally but somewhat alike.
+phoenixrockz 14 Yep. Thats where it's heading.
+Passion of the Nerd And Cordie's slut shaming I think was an act of jealousy because Faith was out there on the dance floor while she is not and while Faith is an over sexualizing person by attracting Xander and felt threatened by her.
see, i always believed it that there was a spell. the binding spell had to exist because they didn't want evil angel coming back and terrorizing them. i think Giles legitimately wanted to create that spell, but upon finding that Buffy had cured Angel, no longer saw him as a threat to keep out, and in an act of complete compassion, cancelled the spell, telling Willow, "there is no spell." as in, it's no longer needed.
Love the Wayne's World overdub with naked Angel. Would really love some more firefly.
Hope as in Scott Hope! What is wrong with me, I only just got that.
You got it three years sooner than I did! 😂
Omg, can't wait till you do the band candy episode :P
You've missed something and omitted my favorite part!
I think it's hinted at more than once (and not always so subtle) that Willow had a (harmless) crush on Giles throughout half the show :P She even says it out loud when she and the scoobies go to The Espresso Pump to find Giles playing guitar and singing.
The coming out metaphor lands pretty well in the Buffy comics though!