That scene where Spike realizes it’s not the Buffy bot is one of my favorites. Marsters is so good at acting with just his eyes and facial expression. Really special moment. ❤ Season 6 has grown on me during my many rewatches. It’s definitely a big shift in tone, but this season has some of my favorite episodes.
I like this episode so much for all the spike moments: The way he looks at her when he first sees her. How he always gets on her level when talking to her, where as most of the others are talking down at her. His speech about how he always saves her, every night. He tries to talk all evil/badass when Buffy first comes to his place and she just notices that he hurt his hand. Something she probably wouldn't have given even a notice at last season. The Scene where he is at the tree with Xander is interesting. I think its true. But its also might be that Willow didn't want to include Spike and Giles because they might object to doing something that could potentially hard Buffy's soul. (Willow didn't know that Spike tried to help Dawn bring Joyce back)
Love hath no greater gift than one would lay down their life for another. At the end of season 5 that's exactly what Buffy did. She knowingly, willingly and selflessly sacrificed her life to save not only her sister, but the entire world. That's not something to be punished for. But it is something that's rewarded.
Some people might get annoyed with this comment, especially since Willow is loved by so many fans. But I kind of feel like she is to blame in this situation. Scoobies too, but especially Willow. Obviously she had good intentions (at least to some extent) and was definitely afraid that Buffy was in hell but… they never checked it. She (along with Scoobies) just went for it, which was selfish and irresponsible. On top of that, it always bugs me that Willow was expecting gratitude from Buffy. It breaks my heart that she has to deal with the consequences of other people’s choices and put on a brave face. I don’t know, maybe I’m too harsh. Also, I wish I could write more on how I feel about this but I’m struggling to put my thoughts into words, my English kind of sucks :D
I don't think there's anything to get annoyed about with that comment. I'm pretty sure I said something similar in the outro actually, so we'll share the hate together, haha. 👍
I love they didn’t rush anything about Buffy be back and how it affected her and the gang. At same time I'm glad they didn't wait so much to reveal Buffy was in heaven (or somewhere peaceful) The Anya with the knife reminds me Evil Dead.
"The amount of trauma Dawn has experienced at that age." Interesting observation when you take into account she's just around the age Buffy was at when she got her abilities/responsibilities.
The fact that Spike has done what he's done in his past and yet is still loved by so many viewers just goes to show you how talented an actor James Marsters is, the way he can take a character of such despicable evil and make us afraid, make us love, make us hate, and make us LAUGH (at least me anyway), it's a pleasure and an honor to be able to witness such a talent on of all things, network television. Of course it's all because of the writing and directing as well
I agree, he's a great actor. I 100% agree with the direction too. I've seen pretty good actors be quite terrible with poor direction, and pretty average ones be great with good direction.
"I can't tell you what it means to me." Yeah. She really can't... She needed to share, and she could tell Spike. Spike deserved to know. And he can handle it.
After Life was a great episode where Buffy reveals to Spike that was pulled out of Heaven, (foreshadowing here when Buffy said before 'is this hell) We see Buffy again experiencing her depression, which from the death of Joyce onwards is always there. She says to Giles in S5 Finale The Gift, ' I don't want to live in a world like this if these are the choices, if everything keeps getting stripped away'. Spike also reveals in S5 episode Fool For Love 'every slayer has a death wish, even you'. Buffy is obviously not the same since coming back, she has been torn out of heaven, and does not know how to deal with life now. Of course she was right when she said to Dawn at end of The Gift ' the hardest thing in this world is to live in it' and she was right. Great acting from both SMG and James Marsters in this episode, we can see the Spuffy relationship growing. This episode sets up a great Season arc. I can understand why some fans dislike S6, but I thought it was a great Season, much more adult due to network change from WB to UPN.
It was shaping up to be my favourite season until the last couple of episodes I did (20 & 21). They haven't been bad, there's just an element I'm not too keen on. I'll wait and see how they wrap it up before deciding on the season as a whole. That said, even if it's not an epic finale, I'll still have fond memories of a lot of this season.
I always think fans treat Xander like he's a grown adult making decisions, and while 21 is an adult they are still very young at this point and learning how to be grown-ups, most people are still in uni at this age. I think Willow and Buffy are allowed more room and acceptance to make mistakes but Xander isn't, and I honestly think one of the reasons is from season 4 he starts to look a lot older than than Xander should. During this season the actor is around 30/31, when in reality when we think about the actual age of Xander it's more like Finn Wolfhard (Mike in Stranger Things) who is currently 21 or Tom Holland in his first Spiderman film (roughly). Your perception changes when you see a full-grown adult in a role that should be a kid or young adult. Look at Charisma Carpenter. At the start of Buffy she was 27 and in season 3 of Angel she was about 32 which gives the impression Cordy is a lot older and wiser than she should be at 21.
Yep. That's a long time. The fact that Spike is keeping track... ❤️🩹 From the Buffyverse Wiki / Fandom site: "He softens and helps clean up her wounded hands. She asks him long she's been gone; Spike has counted the days, all 147 of them. When the Scooby Gang arrives and immediately surround the Slayer, Spike slips out."
I believe we make our own hell here in this world. So I can understand how Buffy feels life is hell, especially with all she has to deal with. And I hope there is a Heaven the way she described it. Not a world full of mansions and fluffy clouds; that's just our projections of what we'd like. But a place where we feel warm and loved and Complete.
My view of Heaven is me in my hometown as it appeared when I was growing up during the 1970's and 1980's reunited with family and friends who have since passed.
There are Lots™ of little things in this episode (some are teeny tiny), many of which I didn’t pick up on for ages and some which I’m only seeing on this rewatch. Fear not, I’m not going to itemize, just know that this is one of those episodes which rewards rewatches. Here are a couple I like (which didn’t make the edit): This amuses me no end, because it’s exactly the sort of thing that tickles my brain in a way it likes: @5:00 (ish), Spike says “get some stuff…Mercurochrome, bandages…”. Mercurochrome is (or was) an antiseptic containing (no great shock) mercury; it was banned in the US IN ‘98 (because, no great shock, mercury), about three years before this was broadcast. But it was initially used as an antiseptic in the early 1900’s; Spike’s been around a lot longer than that, and may simply be used it being the thing to use and lapsed on the fact it wasn’t around anymore, or wasn’t keeping up with the news and didn’t know it had been banned. I like the idea that Spike isn’t up to speed on the latest medical developments. The moment I really like though is @2:45 (again, ish), which only I clocked recently. When Dawn is cleaning Buffy up, she says “Knew you were under that dirt somewhere”. Given what Buffy’s just been through, I have to believe that phrase hits her kind of hard. Enjoyed your thoughts as always; cheers.
That's funny. Spike's a very bright guy, but I'm not sure he'd even be that bothered about keeping up with current events. I wouldn't blame him; he's been around a looooong time, so he's probably over it, lol. That said, he must have quite a lot of spare time on his hands, and he's stuck indoors for most of the day. There's only so much of Passions one can watch without wanting to kill yourself, again. 😂 Now you mention it, I remember her saying that. I'm not sure whether or not I made the connection though. Cheers. 👍
Poor Buffy. She had completed her destiny, and now she has to start all over. And of course she would feel that this world is Hell. I don't blame Willow and the others, cause they were worried that she was being tortured like Angel was when he was sent to a hell dimension, but their good intentions don't help Buffy right now =(
Willow gets way to much forgiveness. The viewers all remember Willow from the first 34 episodes. She was the perfect friend, always looking to help others, etc. This is not the time but that Willow the Scoobys love and the audience roots for has not existed since Season2, Episode 22. For those not familiar with this concept, Willow’s reckless behavior and real lack of concern for her actions has been a growing part of Willow since the very end of Season 2 and continues through the next 3 seasons. So your thoughts about Willow for me are on the mark. Your first instincts for this show are often correct. You should not doubt yourself. I enjoy your posts and takes on the show. Keep up the great work.
Thanks, William. I will say that my comments regarding the upcoming 'junkie' storyline will probably ruin everything I said about Willow after this one. I kinda suggested that it 'came out of nowhere' but I didn't really mean her _use_ of magic, but rather an all out 'magical drug' addiction, which, after patrons explained it more, I realised it got that wrong. I'm not even sure I meant what I said, but it's done now so whatever, haha. Thanks for watching this one.👍
@@jaypeakay5864 Don’t beat yourself up about Willow and how she is with magic and her personality changes. Buffy fans have watched these episodes, talked about, and debated them for years. Most will act all knowing and wise. Do not listen to the rewriting of history crowd. It is not difficult if you watch episodes again and pay attention to details that have meaning only due to the fact you know what’s coming.. I can act wise when I call out the killer in a murder mystery…. The second time around. Trust me when I tell you that no one I knew that watched the show when it aired guessed, imagined, or thought what happens with Willow( and Buffy) . The shore does a great job misdirecting the viewers thoughts and perspectives only to make them logical when the changes are manifest. You do a great job and your thoughts and predictions are recorded. Most of the experts had no clue and were shocked like everyone else.
I like the idea that we don't know where Buffy was, but we do know that to Buffy not feeling the burden of being the slayer is heaven. I also like to think she might have been with her mother and that's why she felt so complete. It adds another layer to the ick of what the Soobies already did, in my opinion.
![FNAF vs TF2 - Episode 2 [SFM]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/z5b3V2-VLb0/mqdefault.jpg)
That scene where Spike realizes it’s not the Buffy bot is one of my favorites. Marsters is so good at acting with just his eyes and facial expression. Really special moment. ❤
Season 6 has grown on me during my many rewatches. It’s definitely a big shift in tone, but this season has some of my favorite episodes.
He's a fantastic actor; definitely one of my favourites in this show.
"Did you cut the throat? Did you pat it's head?!"
I patted its head. Forgot to do the first part.
I love the scene in the graveyard where she walks in front of the angel statue and it looks like she has wings
Wow, I don't remember that. I'll have to take another look.
I like this episode so much for all the spike moments:
The way he looks at her when he first sees her.
How he always gets on her level when talking to her, where as most of the others are talking down at her.
His speech about how he always saves her, every night.
He tries to talk all evil/badass when Buffy first comes to his place and she just notices that he hurt his hand. Something she probably wouldn't have given even a notice at last season.
The Scene where he is at the tree with Xander is interesting. I think its true. But its also might be that Willow didn't want to include Spike and Giles because they might object to doing something that could potentially hard Buffy's soul. (Willow didn't know that Spike tried to help Dawn bring Joyce back)
I agree. I love this episode for the same reason. I’m a Spike fan though. He’s my favorite character from the series. His story arc is incredible.
I love how this demon sounds like Demon Anya in The Wish
Love hath no greater gift than one would lay down their life for another. At the end of season 5 that's exactly what Buffy did. She knowingly, willingly and selflessly sacrificed her life to save not only her sister, but the entire world. That's not something to be punished for. But it is something that's rewarded.
Some people might get annoyed with this comment, especially since Willow is loved by so many fans. But I kind of feel like she is to blame in this situation. Scoobies too, but especially Willow. Obviously she had good intentions (at least to some extent) and was definitely afraid that Buffy was in hell but… they never checked it. She (along with Scoobies) just went for it, which was selfish and irresponsible. On top of that, it always bugs me that Willow was expecting gratitude from Buffy. It breaks my heart that she has to deal with the consequences of other people’s choices and put on a brave face.
I don’t know, maybe I’m too harsh. Also, I wish I could write more on how I feel about this but I’m struggling to put my thoughts into words, my English kind of sucks :D
I don't think there's anything to get annoyed about with that comment. I'm pretty sure I said something similar in the outro actually, so we'll share the hate together, haha. 👍
Agreed. Willow not being certain on her soul location but also because she wanted gratitude
I love they didn’t rush anything about Buffy be back and how it affected her and the gang. At same time I'm glad they didn't wait so much to reveal Buffy was in heaven (or somewhere peaceful)
The Anya with the knife reminds me Evil Dead.
Your acceptance if a potential Buffy-Spike relationship is so neat compared to some of your very early reactions :D
"The amount of trauma Dawn has experienced at that age."
Interesting observation when you take into account she's just around the age Buffy was at when she got her abilities/responsibilities.
But Dawn didn't get Slayer strength and intuition
The fact that Spike has done what he's done in his past and yet is still loved by so many viewers just goes to show you how talented an actor James Marsters is, the way he can take a character of such despicable evil and make us afraid, make us love, make us hate, and make us LAUGH (at least me anyway), it's a pleasure and an honor to be able to witness such a talent on of all things, network television. Of course it's all because of the writing and directing as well
I agree, he's a great actor. I 100% agree with the direction too. I've seen pretty good actors be quite terrible with poor direction, and pretty average ones be great with good direction.
"I can't tell you what it means to me."
Yeah. She really can't...
She needed to share, and she could tell Spike.
Spike deserved to know. And he can handle it.
If you look at Buffy's facial expressions and focus on her tone, this episode screamed depression. SMG is a phenomenal actress.
She really is. The whole series was blessed with some phenomenal actors who knew their characters inside and out.
After Life was a great episode where Buffy reveals to Spike that was pulled out of Heaven, (foreshadowing here when Buffy said before 'is this hell) We see Buffy again experiencing her depression, which from the death of Joyce onwards is always there. She says to Giles in S5 Finale The Gift, ' I don't want to live in a world like this if these are the choices, if everything keeps getting stripped away'. Spike also reveals in S5 episode Fool For Love 'every slayer has a death wish, even you'. Buffy is obviously not the same since coming back, she has been torn out of heaven, and does not know how to deal with life now. Of course she was right when she said to Dawn at end of The Gift ' the hardest thing in this world is to live in it' and she was right. Great acting from both SMG and James Marsters in this episode, we can see the Spuffy relationship growing. This episode sets up a great Season arc. I can understand why some fans dislike S6, but I thought it was a great Season, much more adult due to network change from WB to UPN.
It was shaping up to be my favourite season until the last couple of episodes I did (20 & 21). They haven't been bad, there's just an element I'm not too keen on. I'll wait and see how they wrap it up before deciding on the season as a whole. That said, even if it's not an epic finale, I'll still have fond memories of a lot of this season.
I always think fans treat Xander like he's a grown adult making decisions, and while 21 is an adult they are still very young at this point and learning how to be grown-ups, most people are still in uni at this age. I think Willow and Buffy are allowed more room and acceptance to make mistakes but Xander isn't, and I honestly think one of the reasons is from season 4 he starts to look a lot older than than Xander should. During this season the actor is around 30/31, when in reality when we think about the actual age of Xander it's more like Finn Wolfhard (Mike in Stranger Things) who is currently 21 or Tom Holland in his first Spiderman film (roughly). Your perception changes when you see a full-grown adult in a role that should be a kid or young adult. Look at Charisma Carpenter. At the start of Buffy she was 27 and in season 3 of Angel she was about 32 which gives the impression Cordy is a lot older and wiser than she should be at 21.
Loved this episode! It creates such a dramatic setup for the season!
I think you misheard. Spike told Buffy she was gone for 147 days.
“148 days today. But today doesn’t count.” ❤️
Wow, how did I mishear that TWICE? I didn't notice it in the edit either. 🤦♂ Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
Yep. That's a long time. The fact that Spike is keeping track... ❤️🩹
From the Buffyverse Wiki / Fandom site:
"He softens and helps clean up her wounded hands. She asks him long she's been gone; Spike has counted the days, all 147 of them. When the Scooby Gang arrives and immediately surround the Slayer, Spike slips out."
I believe we make our own hell here in this world. So I can understand how Buffy feels life is hell, especially with all she has to deal with. And I hope there is a Heaven the way she described it. Not a world full of mansions and fluffy clouds; that's just our projections of what we'd like. But a place where we feel warm and loved and Complete.
That's the dream! I'm not sure I believe it, but who knows, right? 🤞
My view of Heaven is me in my hometown as it appeared when I was growing up during the 1970's and 1980's reunited with family and friends who have since passed.
@@jaypeakay5864 It's the last great adventure! No one knows!
@kevinnelson That sounds like the Nexus in Star Trek: Generations
That "Anya with a knife" scene is carved into my brain!
Haha, it was almost carved into hers too! 😲
"I'm sure you looked really glamorous cutting up your face"
There are Lots™ of little things in this episode (some are teeny tiny), many of which I didn’t pick up on for ages and some which I’m only seeing on this rewatch. Fear not, I’m not going to itemize, just know that this is one of those episodes which rewards rewatches. Here are a couple I like (which didn’t make the edit):
This amuses me no end, because it’s exactly the sort of thing that tickles my brain in a way it likes: @5:00 (ish), Spike says “get some stuff…Mercurochrome, bandages…”. Mercurochrome is (or was) an antiseptic containing (no great shock) mercury; it was banned in the US IN ‘98 (because, no great shock, mercury), about three years before this was broadcast. But it was initially used as an antiseptic in the early 1900’s; Spike’s been around a lot longer than that, and may simply be used it being the thing to use and lapsed on the fact it wasn’t around anymore, or wasn’t keeping up with the news and didn’t know it had been banned. I like the idea that Spike isn’t up to speed on the latest medical developments.
The moment I really like though is @2:45 (again, ish), which only I clocked recently. When Dawn is cleaning Buffy up, she says “Knew you were under that dirt somewhere”. Given what Buffy’s just been through, I have to believe that phrase hits her kind of hard.
Enjoyed your thoughts as always; cheers.
That's funny. Spike's a very bright guy, but I'm not sure he'd even be that bothered about keeping up with current events. I wouldn't blame him; he's been around a looooong time, so he's probably over it, lol. That said, he must have quite a lot of spare time on his hands, and he's stuck indoors for most of the day. There's only so much of Passions one can watch without wanting to kill yourself, again. 😂
Now you mention it, I remember her saying that. I'm not sure whether or not I made the connection though. Cheers. 👍
Poor Buffy. She had completed her destiny, and now she has to start all over. And of course she would feel that this world is Hell. I don't blame Willow and the others, cause they were worried that she was being tortured like Angel was when he was sent to a hell dimension, but their good intentions don't help Buffy right now =(
And when she comes back it is dark, demons are running around destroying stuff, things are on fire...sounds a lot like hell...
@@ernesthakey3396 Yep, that was not the best night to do it...
Willow gets way to much forgiveness. The viewers all remember Willow from the first 34 episodes. She was the perfect friend, always looking to help others, etc. This is not the time but that Willow the Scoobys love and the audience roots for has not existed since Season2, Episode 22. For those not familiar with this concept, Willow’s reckless behavior and real lack of concern for her actions has been a growing part of Willow since the very end of Season 2 and continues through the next 3 seasons. So your thoughts about Willow for me are on the mark. Your first instincts for this show are often correct. You should not doubt yourself. I enjoy your posts and takes on the show. Keep up the great work.
Thanks, William. I will say that my comments regarding the upcoming 'junkie' storyline will probably ruin everything I said about Willow after this one. I kinda suggested that it 'came out of nowhere' but I didn't really mean her _use_ of magic, but rather an all out 'magical drug' addiction, which, after patrons explained it more, I realised it got that wrong. I'm not even sure I meant what I said, but it's done now so whatever, haha. Thanks for watching this one.👍
@@jaypeakay5864 Don’t beat yourself up about Willow and how she is with magic and her personality changes. Buffy fans have watched these episodes, talked about, and debated them for years. Most will act all knowing and wise. Do not listen to the rewriting of history crowd. It is not difficult if you watch episodes again and pay attention to details that have meaning only due to the fact you know what’s coming.. I can act wise when I call out the killer in a murder mystery…. The second time around. Trust me when I tell you that no one I knew that watched the show when it aired guessed, imagined, or thought what happens with Willow( and Buffy) . The shore does a great job misdirecting the viewers thoughts and perspectives only to make them logical when the changes are manifest.
You do a great job and your thoughts and predictions are recorded. Most of the experts had no clue and were shocked like everyone else.
20:50 I do enjoy how u edit your videos 😂
Haha. With the sheer amount of dumb stuff I say during reactions, I feel like I could use that meme 20 times per edit. 😂
I like the idea that we don't know where Buffy was, but we do know that to Buffy not feeling the burden of being the slayer is heaven. I also like to think she might have been with her mother and that's why she felt so complete. It adds another layer to the ick of what the Soobies already did, in my opinion.
Possibly reunited with her mother and cousin in Heaven.
Or maybe there's a dimension where all slayers go for peace after they are finished.