#becomingbuffypodcast

[becomingbuffypodcast]

S5. Ep6. Family

One of the most beloved episodes in the series, “Family” is unique for many reasons. Not only is it the first episode of the season that is both written and directed by Joss Whedon, something that is typically reserved for episodes 1 and 7, but it is also the first and only episode to focus primarily on Tara.

In a lot of ways, the episode is a part two to “No Place Like Home,” as the show broadens the theme of family to encompass the family we create as well as the family we come from. Buffy confides with Giles about her estranged father and embraces Dawn as a sister, Riley’s wrestles with being estranged from his Initiative family, and Tara rejects her blood family.

Dawn and Tara’s status as outsiders has naturally created parallels between them, yet the show has linked them even before Dawn appeared. Willow’s dream in “Restless” mirrors the opening scene in “Family,” where both Willow and Tara watch the cat (symbolizing Dawn) while Willow shares that she feels safe. Tara’s response that Willow doesn’t know everything about her, foreshadows this episode, and Tara’s predicament.

The style of the episode is also a bit different, with Passion of the Nerd pointing out that it feels like a bedtime fairytale. It begins with Tara telling Willow a story about the little cat searching for a family, and ends with Tara being accepted in the Scooby family, and Dawn being accepted by Buffy as her sister. There are damsels in distress, wicked families, magic, and of course, a happy ending.

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Sunday, November 24th

Cordelia: Why is it always virgin women who have to do the sacrificing? Wesley: For purity, I suppose. Cordelia: This has nothing to do with purity. This is all about dominance, buddy. You can bet if someone ordered a male body part for religious sacrifice the world would be atheist (snaps her fingers) like that.

~~The Shroud of Rahmon~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

A New Dawn in LA by crowncitydreams (Angel & Dawn, G)

[Chaptered Fiction]

Heartless, Chapter 12 by LSquared1501 (Buffy/Angel, T)

A Reincarnation in Sunnydale, Chapter 56 by DracoRim98 (Buffy/Angel, M)

The Right Swipe, Chapter 16 by DancingAngel0013 (Giles/Buffy, E)

After Life, Chapter 13 by Alwaysandforevermylove (Buffy/Faith, E)

Thin White Duke, Chapter 23 by CorsetedPrincess (Willow/Tara, Harry Potter crossover, not rated)

Forged in shadows, Chapter 9 by CloudSeeker (Angel/Lindsey, E)

The Prophecy, Chapter 5 by bookxish (Buffy/Angel, E)

Okay Dad, Chapter 4 by Work (Giles & Scoobies, T)

Opposite Attraction, Chapter 3 by MamaBewear (Angel/Spike, T)

Smoke and Leather, Chapter 9 by EagleAlwaysFliesAlone (Spike/OC, M)

For Science, Chapter 1 by mattilamb (Buffy/Riley, E)

Falling Into Darkness, Chapter 1 by FriedaBerlinFan (Spike/OC, not rated)

I noticed I had butterflies again, but this time I realised what was causing them, Chapters 1-2 by ImALeafOnTheWind (Willow/Tara, T)

The Transfer, Chapter 8 by Blackmysteria (Buffy/Spike, R)

Guitar Villain, Chapter 7 by RavenLove12 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Incarnate, Chapter 23 by Sigyn (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

The Degradation of Duality [Series Part 2], Chapter 63 by Ragini (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

The Great Escape from Oz, Chapter 8 by Melme1325 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Be Back Before Dawn, Chapter 18 by Blissymbolics (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Sold Out, Chapter 8 by Melme1325 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Ties to the World, Chapter 38 by The Danish Bird (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Let's Casually Change the Timeline, Chapter 4 by ClowniestLivEver (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

Perfect Clarity, Chapter 30 (complete!) by VeroNyxK84 (Buffy/Spike, R)

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork: Anya, Buffy, Drusilla, Dawn by x66r9u (worksafe)

Photo edits: Angel and Willow by kishinuma-yoshiki (worksafe)

Cosplay: vampire Willow by lauren-delorean (worksafe)

Comic video: Buffy Season 8 Episode 23 Preview Buffy VS Simone by Game Series

Fanvid: Buffy & Spike Channel - 1Million Views by Buffy & Spike Channel

Fanvid: Buffy & Angel || Hey mama by Wanda Snow

Fanvid: Spike & Buffy | Beautiful Trauma by KcchameleonProdz

Fanvid: Harmony & Drusilla (Spike+ Buffy) | Before he cheats by Tara's_Willowverse

Fanvid: Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Dancing Queen by Tara's_Willowverse

Fanvid: Buffy e Angel {AMV} Million to one//Camila Cabello by Vanessa Machado

Fanvid: Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Shake it off by Tara's_Willowverse

Fanvid: Waka waka | Buffythe Vampire Slayer | Comedy video by Tara's_Willowverse

Fanvid: Buffy the Vampire Slayer | House of Memories by Tara's_Willowverse

Fanvid: Tara x Willow | Buffy x Angel | Señorita by Tara's_Willowverse

Fanvid: Spike - Immortals by William Pratt

Vidlet: Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Warriors | Final battle by Tara's_Willowverse

Video: Editing random Buffy the Vampire Slayer scenes! | Part one by Tara's_Willowverse

Video: Editing random scenes from Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Part two by Tara's_Willowverse

Video: Editing random scenes from Buffy the Vampire Slayer! | Part four by Tara's_Willow

Video: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4 Opening Credits (Charmed Style) by Rotten Lemonade

Animation: Disney Channel Ribbon era: Buffy the Vampire Slayer next bumper #2 (FANMADE) by lovinthelawn

[Reviews & Recaps]

S5. Ep8. Shadow by becomingbuffypodcast

‘Listening to Fear’ by becomingbuffypodcast

One of the biggest faults of ‘Into the Woods’ by becomingbuffypodcast

S5. Ep11. Triangle by becomingbuffypodcast

Video: The Reckoning begins...and it took 12 years to get here by Matt Likes Comics

Video: S4E13: The I in Team by One Girl in All the World

Video: Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series): Why Is It So Great? by Fangs and Folklore

Video: Dirty Girls-Slayer Sunday by Jane Talks Buffy

Video: Ted as Blue Beard - Bluebeard, Buffy, and the Beast by Fairy Tales and Fangs

Podcast: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 3 Episode 8 - Lovers Walk - Audio-only by Sh*t 90s Shows Taught Me

Podcast: Episode 176: Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) by Queers Gone By with Caitlin Powell and Kate Butch

Podcast: Get It Done S7 E15 Buffy and the Art of Story by Lisa M. Lilly

Podcast: The Slay Lounge Podcast Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 1, Episode 1 by PirateCorps Entertainment

Podcast: Once More, With Spoilers: 1.01 Welcome to the Hellmouth | A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Podcast by Buffering: A Rewatch Adventure

Podcast: Once More, With Spoilers: 1.02 The Harvest | A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Podcast by Buffering: A Rewatch Adventure

Podcast: Welcome To The Pilot (Buffy The Vampire Diaries, Staffel 1, Folge 1) by Buffy The Vampire Diaries (in German)

Podcast: Restless by Buffy the Vampire Straya

[Recs]

Vid rec: let go • connor & angel by Winterevanesce {Kitty} recced by Priceless

[Fandom Discussions]

why did they give connor newly out trans girl swag by all-seeing-ifer

thinking about making a pack au where they actually stick closer to hyenas than whatever the fuck they did in that episode by camellcat

i still think about dru killing kendra by drusill

buffy telling tara "i can't believe i let spike do those things to me" by lesbianmarrow and dykemarcille

i think oz had the funniest character arc on buffy the vampire slayer by gestaltthing

Five unpopular opinions about the Buffyverse by kyliafanfiction

Spike saying I don't want the world destroyed because I like what's in the world by imissthembutitwasntadisaster and magpie-trove

spike and buffy would go to gay bars with willow and tara to attend drag shows by selkiemaidenfae

So little makes sense - does S5 have the weakest written Big Bad storyline? continued by MoonLight SY-3

Any ideas on what could have been done with Doyle if Glenn Quinn wasn't fired? continued by multiple posters

The Other Hellmouth continued by vampmogs and Stoney

Season 4 of Angel by Remote_Cat_5155

Did Angel and Spike receive martial arts training? by FoxIndependent4310

Tara and Willow by Familiar_Recover8112

This Could be Incredibly Stupid but ... [Tara and Willow making The First corporeal] by Expert_Frosting_8920

Five Minutes in and Buffy’s Already Relatable (2x21) by STheUselessLesbian

Giles Murderer by RecentCash7142

Is there a scene where [Spike] says he's done being crazy? by AggressiveSea7035

Just watched Season 5 episode 10 [Into the Woods] by Specialist-Orchid-80

Buffy rewatch with a new partner by annayek3

Innocent victim of the day [fawn killed by Willow] by timmorris82

Buffy being broke by SpeedHot3049

Why Giles, and not someone else? by No_Introduction_4136

Spike Once Rudely Said by Past-Throat-6788

Bezoar? Persimmons and Buffy monsters by EnvironmentOk5610

Xander's Riley speech in "Into the woods" by dacm1980

How big is Watchers Council staff? by dacm1980

My only gripe with season 7 by Realistic-Advance472

In Family.... [cousin Beth] by wonder181016

It should’ve been Andrew by purplemmmmm

I feel like in the later seasons Xander became Buffy’s go to friend rather than Willow by mavelits

Podcast: Does Buffy have tragic taste in men? (Part 2) by A Girl, A Guy and A Buffy Podcast

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[iwillrememberyoumarathon]

Bangel fans, we want to hear from you! During the run-up to the IWRY Fic Marathon in November, we’ll be getting to know each other through our Meet the Fandom series. Answer the questions here to join in.

What is your name?

Sarah

Where do you hang out?

Tumblr: @becomingbuffypodcast

Also @becomingbuffypodcast on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok Podcast: Becoming-buffy.castos.com

Do you create any fan works?

I have a podcast on Buffy (Becoming Buffy) and one on Angel (Investigating Angel). I create analytic essays on each episode on Instagram and Tumblr, as well as analysis videos (YouTube).

Funniest Bangel/Buffyverse moment?

Angel slipping in the doorway in Graduation Day.

What Buffyverse opinion would have you chased through the village with pitchforks?

Anya's death was a full circle moment for her character, and was earned.

How would you have given Buffy and Angel their Happily Ever After?

Angel shanshu'd and met up with Buffy after she formed the Slayer Academy and left it to Faith, Giles, and Willow. They live by the beach and Buffy breaks out the stakes every once in a while when the world needs her.

Last fic you read?

"Reprieve" by Scribes1015

Slay, Lay, Obey - Dawn, Fred, Wesley?

Slay: Fred

Lay: Wes

Obey: Dawn

Fill in the quiz so the fandom can meet you!

[buffysummers]

Omg I love your gif set for the 25th anniversary! Can you explain why you picked each shot for each character? I'd love an in-depth analysis 😍

Hi, thank you so much! ❤️ Of course, I'd love to talk about my thought process, because I really did put A LOT of thought into the shots I chose. I'm gonna break this down per character, but first I want to state that each mini gifset for each character (if it isn't obvious) is supposed to comprise of shots that represent the character in some shape or form. The large top gif is meant to represent which dynamic *I* find to be the most important to each character. Ok, now I'm gonna start! (for those curious, this is the set she’s referring to!)

Buffy:

This was simultaneously the easiest and most challenging one to make. How does one begin to describe such a complexly layered and brilliant character like Buffy Anne Summers? So, I started with her most obvious identifier: The Slayer.

For this, I chose the iconic Vampyr book shot, and the cross that Angel gives her. The cross shot is particularly significant, IMO, because I think the interaction between the two of them is what makes Buffy start to take what's happening pretty seriously. Yes, she was reluctant with Giles but then later asked him to prepare her, but at the time, the preparing her for "what" was nameless, formless, just an IDEA. Now, Angel tells her SPECIFICALLY what she has to face, which is The Harvest. I think this is the most where it all becomes very real to her.

I chose Buffy's grave to symbolize her sacrifice in "The Gift." One of Buffy's biggest defining traits is her selflessness and her compassion, and that's beautifully represented in her choosing to die so that her sister may get the chance to finally begin living.

The iconic shot of Buffy's scraped and bloody back! This represents the fact that she's a warrior and her willingness to keep fighting even after she’s been knocked down. But this scene also represents the burden of being a Slayer, and her speech about how she is the law is such a powerful moment because, finally, she understands what Faith was going on about in season three (although Faith was a bit misguided, she planted the seed.)

And, of course, Dawn and Buffy, which is Buffy's most significant relationship in the series, albeit platonic. And Buffy and Angel, which is Buffy's most significant romantic relationship in the series. Angel was integral to Buffy accepting her destiny as a Slayer. He was her confidant, her partner in crime, her companion, her first love and her first heartbreak. I chose that shot of them specifically because it’s the! scene! The scene where she loses her virginity and the entire trajectory of the show is changed forever. Poor baby really went through it!

I did not choose Giles/Buffy over Dawn/Buffy because Buffy is basically Dawn's mother, in a lot of ways. So, while Giles represents her father figure, a mother will always choose her child. Dawn’s arrival also officially ends Buffy’s childhood. While Buffy was forced to grow up very fast after she was called, there were moments where she still got to be a teenager. But after Joyce’s death, she resumes the role as Dawn’s mother and as a result she loses something she can never get back.

Giles:

Jenny Calendar's grave was selected to represent Giles' greatest love and his greatest loss (after losing Buffy, of course.)

I chose the shot of him smoking a cigarette in "Band Candy" to represent his "Ripper" side. There is no Giles without the Ripper, seeing as the Ripper is always right underneath the surface.

I chose the drawings from "First Date" both because it's funny (and not the first time he has comical drawings), but also to represent his duties as a Watcher.

I chose the shot of him in the Magic Box to represent that very important and significant time in his life, as well as the Scooby's. The Magic Box became their home for awhile, and it also gave him a newfound sense of purpose after spending the entirety of season four feeling rather listless and lost.

I had to include a shot of books, because, hello! Giles! But I chose the shot in "Hush” because not only does it show him physically reaching for a book to do research, but it shows him choosing to continue helping Buffy despite the fact that he is no longer her Watcher, and he no longer has a job. Like, he stuck around in season four because of his love for Buffy and because he believed in protecting the world.

Buffy and Giles... I mean, no doubt this is one of the most important dynamics of the show. I chose to use it for Giles and not Buffy for the reasons listed earlier, but also because Buffy is Giles’ entire reason for being in Sunnydale, and a lot of ways, she is his life. She’s his daughter!

Willow:

Willow is the only Scooby that gets a romantic interest as the most important dynamic, but she’s not the only Scooby that gets a romantic interest represented in her set. Choosing Tara was effortless and easy. While their relationship is far from perfect, Tara helps Willow discover who she is. Tara gives Willow strength to navigate the confusing feelings she was having for her, as well as strength to believe in herself and her power. She makes her feel special and seen. I think it is very important to Willow to feel special, and she even says this about Tara to Buffy, “The only thing I had going for me ... were the moments - just moments - when Tara would look at me and I was wonderful. And that will never happen again.” Tara represents both the light and the dark within Willow. Light, for her ability to love deeply. Dark, for how dangerous that passion can be if it’s lost.

I chose the shot of the pez witch that Oz gives Willow to represent, well, Oz, and the fact that she’s a witch. While Oz is not Willow’s ~greatest~ love, he helped Willow break out of her shell, and he made her feel loved and like she mattered for the first time in her life.

I chose the shot in “Villains” to represent Willow’s darkness and ultimately her greatest flaw: her thirst for power.

I chose the computer shot to represent her skills as a hacker. Before she was a witch, she contributed to the Scooby gang by being a skilled hacker and it made her feel useful, which did wonders for her confidence.

I chose the shot of her and Tara doing the spell with the rose to represent magic (I know I already have a shot of that but it’s Willow!!) and how the show relied on “doing spells” as a metaphor for sex.

The cat shot. Well, it’s cute and very witch-y lol. Also the shot is from “Restless” which does a deep dive of Willow’s insecurities concerning inadequacy and how horrified she is of her past self. That’s why Oz and Tara are seen gossiping about her.

Xander:

No disrespect to the Xanya and Cander shippers, but Buffy and Willow will forever be Xander’s most important bond in the series. Xander was literally willing to die for Buffy only two episodes into the show. He may have his problems, he may say insensitive and selfish things at times, but when Buffy and Willow are in danger, he is the first to volunteer to save them.

I chose the shot of him holding an axe in “The Zeppo” to represent his willingness to fight despite having no special skills whatsoever. It’s actually insane how willing he is to fight when he has such a higher chance of being killed. Also, “The Zeppo” is just an EXCELLENT character study episode.

I chose the shot of Cordy and the necklace for two reasons. The main reason is the fact that it’s a heart necklace, and Buffy has said that Xander is her strength and he was also the heart in their spell in “Primeval.” The other reason is that Cordy is in the shot, and I think she actually did a lot for him. Even though he cheated on her, I think Xander brought out a softness in Cordelia, and she also made him feel confident. There was a genuine connection there.

The shot of Anya and Xander at the wedding represents his immaturity. He knew he was not ready to get married, and yet he did not have the courage to speak up sooner. And his reasons for not getting married go far deeper than being too young and immature. It has a lot to do with his family, his fears of becoming like them, and his insecurities. I do think it was RIGHT for him to not get married, 21 is very young, but leaving her at the altar is selfish and immature. Literally the worst way to handle that situation.

I wanted to juxtapose that Xanya shot with a shot of the greatest thing he ever does: save the world. And he saves the world through his words that are fueled by years and years of love.

And last but not least, the plans he brings of the new high school. This represents the more obvious ways he IS useful. He fixes things! He puts Buffy’s house back together. Also, his job is a huge part of his identity since he’s the only Scooby that chooses not to go to college.

I also wanted to say that I intentionally chose the two shots of women having blood on their faces to represent the subversion of the show, and I made Willow and Giles have the black and white color gif to represent how their journeys mirror themselves at times. Giles sees himself in Willow and that is why he is so skeptical and adamant about how she chooses to practice magic.

For the anniversary set, I chose to do the four core Scoobies because they are the heart of the show, and a huge part of why Buffy thrives, survives, and remains grounded as the Slayer is because of the support and help she receives from her friends.

Thanks for the ask! I’m sure you’re the only person who will read this lol 🤪

[fuffygifs]

“Eliza Dushku just completely annihilates her role in this scene. Just the way she kind of goes animalistic and smells the knife as it’s coming out. She just does such a good job of showing this, like, animalistic, primal reaction to this knife that is almost more terrifying than the knife itself.” - @becomingbuffypodcast

[dailybtvs]

“I think this scene is not just about Xander. I think Willow has been feeling lonely this entire episode. Let’s look back at the beginning of the episode. Willow’s not feeling great. And that’s before she even knew Xander was with Faith. So, I think that she’s feeling left out. I think she’s feeling like Faith is taking all of her people away from her. I think that she’s probably felt left out her entire life until she met the Scooby Gang and they felt like her people, people she can trust. And so I think that watching Buffy hang out with Faith and not wanting to include her, and now hearing Xander’s been with Faith, it’s just the icing on the cake. And so, I think what she’s feeling right here is just absolute loneliness and hurt. And this just tipped it over the edge. […] There’s probably a little bit of Willow maybe feeling left out in the sense that now she knows Buffy has had sex, and Xander has had sex, and she hasn’t. And she’s not completely sure where her and Oz’s relationship stands. She feels like she has no one. And so, I think there’s a little more sympathy to be had for Willow in this scene because the situation just feels compounded by loneliness.” - @becomingbuffypodcast

[heatherbelart]

𝘐 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘙𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘠𝘰𝘶.

Buffy and Angel forever 💙🧡❤️

I was so delighted to be commissioned to paint this piece by the team behind the brilliant Becoming Buffy Podcast to celebrate their 100th episode! Head over to their Instagram (@becomingbuffypodcast) for the chance to win a print, or visit my Etsy store to buy one.

I have room for a handful of commissions over the next couple of months, so please get in touch if you’re interested.

Painted using procreate with digital oils on canvas.

[liam-summers]

Incredible analysis!

FINALLY, a podcast that actually gives Angel the appreciation and time he deserves 😭

[becomingbuffypodcast]

This episode displayed a noticeable shift in the show's portrayal of Spike. For 3.5 seasons the show has clearly indicated that Spike is a villain, and season 5 in particular has gone out of its way to emphasize this, especially in his behavior towards Buffy.

Stalking, verbal abuse, stealing of her clothing and pictures, and escalating to kidnapping, Spike's "crush" on Buffy has been consistently shown as toxic and wrong. The creation of the Buffybot is just another example of Spike's feelings of entitlement towards Buffy, and is a disgusting violation of her.

By having Buffy kiss a battered and bruised Spike, as well as showing the Scoobies feeling sorry that his toy was taken away from him, the show effectively reframes him as a sympathetic character. In doing so, the writers do away with seasons of lore and characterization, and actively put Spike and his characterization, ahead of Buffy and her autonomy.

Listen to our full episode recap of 'Intervention' wherever you stream your podcasts.

[becomingbuffypodcast]

S6. Ep7. Once More, With Feeling

The only episode of season 6 that Whedon writes or directs, “Once More, With Feeling” is the highest rated episode of the show, and easily the most popular. Nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Direction, unfortunately the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) neglected to include the title on the ballots for Emmy nominations in 2002 (rumor has it that it was Joss’ assistant that forgot to enter it) and attempted to remedy this by mailing a postcard informing its voters that it should be included, but the episode did not win.

Whedon, who has stated this is one of his favorite Buffy episodes, used a widescreen letterboxed format for filming (the only episode in the series to get this treatment), different lighting to bring out the sets more vibrantly, and long takes for shooting—These were designed to give viewers all the clues they needed to establish all the nuances of the relationships between characters. Davies commented that the intricacies of filming this episode were "infinitely more complicated than a regular Buffy" episode, and Whedon stated in the DVD commentary that he was ambitious to prove what television is capable of, saying "it just depends how much you care". -Wikipedia

Whedon commented that he was "obsessive about progressing a plot in a song, about saying things we haven't said", comparing the musical theater format to the fourth-season episode "Hush", in which characters begin communicating when they stop talking. “I actually think of it as a sequel to Hush, because singing is like being quiet. You say the things you wouldn’t otherwise say. So a lot of the emotions were building over the first few episodes of the season, and then they burst out, literally in song.” -Joss

He was adamant that they set up not just the episode, but the rest of the season and the rest of the series.

🎙️ Listen to the full episode analysis wherever you stream your podcasts!

💛 Becoming Buffy Podcast is a rewatch podcast that focuses on the themes, metaphors and foreshadowing of Buffy the Vampire Slayer

[becomingbuffypodcast]

S5. Ep17. Forever

"To me, the idea of wanting to defy death is just an inherent, almost mythological, iconic notion. It's something we can relate to... a universal longing." She adds that the idea for this episode arose from the idea that Dawn would be in the bargaining stage of mourning, and "if you were in Sunnydale and someone you loved died, you would absolutely call on the forces of darkness to resurrect them." -Marti Noxon

‘Forever’ is inspired by the horror short story by English author W. W. Jacobs, “The Monkey's Paw". In the story, three wishes are granted to the owner of the Monkey’s Paw, but the wishes come at an enormous price for interfering with fate. The final scene of the episode almost directly mirrors the story, where having made a wish that his dead son was alive, the protagonist throws the monkey’s paw into the fire when he hears his child knock on the front door.

Creating a good episode after an iconic one is pretty much an impossible task, and one the show has not been great at doing…until now. In some ways, ‘Forever’ elevates the impact of ‘The Body’ by showing us the next stage of grief—processing and living with loss as life continues. It would have done the characters, the story, and the audience a massive disservice to have the show move on so quickly, and in some ways, this episode packs an even deeper punch as the permanence of Joyce’s death sinks in. Death is forever. But so is love.

“What is grief if not love persevering? To lose someone we have lost does not erase the love we have felt for them, it simply moves the object of our love out of reach. Grief is the space left behind, and it is the work of loving someone who is gone.” -WandaVision

[becomingbuffypodcast]

Sarah Michelle Gellar fought against the decision to kill Joyce, saying in Katz’s book, “I was heartbroken. She wasn’t old enough to be my mom in real life, but she was just always such a calming presence to me. And I was dreading working up to that episode on every level: emotionally as a person and understanding that it meant losing Kristine. And Joss would keep saying to me, ‘it’s Buffy. We can bring anybody back. They all come back from the dead. Don’t worry. It’s not forever. But I was really sad. She grounded the character of Buffy. And at times on set, she grounded me because she was a mother in real life. And there were times where she could see me and the mom instinct kicks in: ‘You just need a hug. You just need to talk. Or, you need to take a nap.’ Whatever those things were, instantly my world would settle when Kristine was around.” -SMG

Kristine Sutherland said that the part was incredibly difficult due to the makeup and stillness. Apparently she only blinked once on camera, which they took out in post.

When asked why Joss decided to keep Joyce’s eyes open throughout the episode, Kristine said, “I think Joss wanted to make it really clear that this was real death. This wasn’t about vampires. I know some people have been critical of it, but I think that our society doesn’t really grapple with death at all. We make up dead bodies so that they look like they’re still alive, and shove them off to funeral homes and pretend they don’t exist. Our chickens and turkeys arrive neatly packaged in the grocery store so you can pretend you’re not really eating what you’re eating. I’ve found Europeans don’t have the same ‘ Let’s clean death up’ attitude. You go to the butcher, and it’s a lamb, it’s a chicken. It’s got its head on and its feet on. I can only imagine that their reaction to human death is not quite as antiseptic as ours is, as well. At an Irish wake they lay the body out on the kitchen table and everybody comes to look at it and have a big party. Not closing her eyes was part of that.” -Kristine Sutherland

Full episode analysis wherever you listen to your podcasts.

[becomingbuffypodcast]

S5. Ep7. Fool For Love

Another season, another fantastic episode 7. Often referred to as one of the most popular episodes of the series, “Fool for Love” is a compelling and attention-grabbing hour of television. Airing the same night as the Angel crossover “Darla,” “Fool for Love” masterfully brings the focus of the season back to the nature of the Slayer, while also confronting Buffy with her most human challenge yet—mortality.

Originally entitled “Love’s Bitch” after Spike’s iconic speech in “Lovers Walk,” the title, “Fool for Love” was taken from Sam Shephard’s play, focusing on themes of identity, destructive cycles, and the past haunting the present.

In an interesting repeat of Dracula’s own opinions of Buffy’s power, the show uses Spike’s past to attempt to convince Buffy that there is darkness inside of her. Yet, the episode cleverly casts doubt on the reliability of Spike’s narrative, directly contrasting and challenging his point of view. His attempt to compare his desire for death and danger to the Slayer’s nature might have some semblance of truth, but it’s not the full story.

Buffy’s ability to display self-control and responsibility with her power, while also using it for good, directly contrasts Spike’s unchecked desire for sex and violence. William’s crafting of the “Spike” persona is inauthentic and not a true display of identity as it is a direct response to his feelings of inadequacy and his desire for approval. He cannot change.

[becomingbuffypodcast]

While “Family” has several call backs to “Restless,” mainly regarding Willow and Tara’s relationship, it also heavily references “Goodbye Iowa.” A major theme of the episode, and season 4 in general, is the rejection of social indoctrination, as it prevents us from developing our authentic identity—something we see play out through Tara and her family in this episode. Not only did “Goodbye Iowa” see Tara sabotaging Willow’s demon finding spell, a subtle foreshadowing to the reveal in “Family,” but it is the episode where Maggie Walsh’s death triggers Riley’s identity crisis.

Confused and distraught, an angry Riley confronts Buffy for socializing with demons in Willy’s bar, pulls a gun on a human woman, and then begs Buffy for the truth. The episode ends with him being taken by his Initiative “family” to their hospital, and the last shot is of him clinging to Buffy’s bandana as his source of stability. Since that episode, Riley has rejected his indoctrination from the Initiative and Maggie but has not created an identity or purpose outside of it and her. Instead, he has relied on his relationship with Buffy to create meaning in his life, and thus establishing an unhealthy pattern of codependency with powerful women.

And here in “Family,” it’s no coincidence that Riley heads back to Willy’s bar as he seeks purpose through the rush of danger. And while he flirts with a female vampire, another powerful woman and the Buffyverse’s own symbol of stasis—the show intentionally moves past him, to include Tara and even Spike in the family shot—but not him.

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S7. Ep7. Conversations With Dead People

Awarded the 2003 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form, and named by Joss Whedon as one of his top 10 favorite episodes, “Conversations with Dead People” is one of only two episodes in the whole series that has the episode title appear on screen at the beginning and is the only episode with a specific date and time given. Interestingly, the date and time matched the original air date, which would have created a sense of a fourth-wall break for the audience, especially since there were no time jumps between commercial breaks.

Each of the four plots were written by a different writer, with Drew Goddard writing the Trio scenes, Jane Espenson writing the Dawn scenes, Marti Noxon writing the Willow scenes, and Joss Whedon writing the Buffy scenes. Scrapped ideas included The First appearing to Xander and Anya in the forms of Jesse and Halfrek; however neither Eric Balfour nor Kali Rocha were available, making this the only episode of the series where Xander does not appear in. Tara was also slated to return for the scenes with Willow, and the shooting script even includes all their scenes and dialogue in place of Cassie’s. Ultimately, Amber Benson turned down the appearance due to scheduling and a desire not to taint Tara’s character by having her appear as the villain.

In typical episode 7 fashion, “CwDP” jumps straight into the main season arc through the characters’ introduction to the big bad and the emphasis on the themes of connection vs fear/isolation. While entertaining, creepy, and surprisingly cohesive despite multiple storylines happening at once, what hampers the episode most is the season’s failure to deliver on the characterization, storylines, and plot points that it builds up in this moment. Sadly, this is the most terrifying that the First will ever be.

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Whether intentionally or unintentionally, “Out of My Mind” has several parallels to season 4’s “Doomed,” as both compare Buffy, Riley, and Spike through the themes of fear and purposelessness. Not only was “Doomed” the first episode that Mark Blucas was added to the credits, officially making Riley a main character, but it was also the episode that Buffy and Riley’s relationship began. “Doomed” showed Buffy going back to high school to face her fears of being vulnerable again in a relationship, while “Out of My Mind” shows Riley admitting to Buffy in the Initiative caves that “loving her is the scariest thing he’s ever had to do.”

“Doomed” showed Riley to be confident in his mission and sense of self, boldly calling Buffy selfish and stupid for letting fear paralyze her into stagnation, while “Out of My Mind” reveals a fully integrated and fulfilled Buffy, with Riley being the one frozen by lack of purpose.

And then there’s Spike. “Doomed” has him at his lowest as he is caught in stasis--unable to sate his bloodlust through drink or fight. While it’s easy to focus on his discovery that he can attack and kill other demons with a chip, it’s important to remember that this is also the episode where Spike begins to use his words to wound and separate the Scoobies. This again proves that the chip is not changing his nature, merely redirecting it.

In “Out of My Mind,” Spike’s continued inability to drink blood or enact violence on humans has led to a similar state of meaningless as Riley. Buffy’s thwarting of his chip removal is the last straw, as his frustration drives him into finding meaning in a new outlet—Buffy.