#literally cordelia dating xander to be close to buffy...

[twelverriver]

cordy is interested in owen while buffy is in 1x05, cordy is interested in angel while buffy and angel are dating, cordy is interested in wesley while he’s buffy’s watcher but not interested in him when he isn’t anymore.... i’m sensing a theme

[someonefantastic]

reasons why Cordelia should’ve been allowed to crossover to BTVS one more time to say her goodbyes like Angel did:

the scoobies could’ve seen how much she’s grown since high school

the absolute delight of Xander finding out and realizing that his whole him and demons thing now extends to literally every girl he’s dated

more Cordy and Willow friendship because I love how they canonically kept in touch

just getting closure in general, maybe her properly apologizing for how she was in high school or all of them realizing where the paths their lives took led them, getting the chance to recognize the ways in which they’ve grown and laugh about the times they shared

Cordy getting to kick butt! And show that she’s no longer bait girl!

her last scene paralleling her first scene. maybe she and Buffy joke about how she’s now “close to all those shoes” or Cordy shares a weapon or tome with Buffy like how she shared her book with Buffy in 1.01 or one of them makes a comment about vamp nail polish--just imagine the possibilities

the fact that Cordelia was there from the start, literally in the theme song right off the bat, and then proceeded to only be mentioned twice by name after she crossed shows still bugs me and I really wish she got to have a final proper send off on Buffy

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Tuesday, June 25

Willow: You dreamed about Angel again? Buffy: Third night in a row. Willow: What did he do in the dream? Buffy: Stuff. Willow: Oh! Stuff! Was it one of those vivid dreams where you could feel his lips and smell his hair? Buffy: It had surroundsound. I'm just thinking about him so much lately. Willow: You two are so right for each other. Except for the, uh... Buffy: Vampire thing.

~~Buffy Episode #17: "Reptile Boy" ~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Spuffy Coffee Shop Date (Buffy/Spike, G) by heyh0wdyhey

His Heartstrings (Are So Thin) (Buffy/Spike, E) by MadeInGold

Hate Me (Buffy/Spike, M) by violettathepiratequeen

[Chaptered Fiction]

it takes a village Ch. 1 (Ensemble, Unrated) by WillowBee326

The Watching of Watchers Ch. 2 (Buffy/Faith, T) by Scar_Eve

In Case You Haven't Noticed... Ch. 35 (Buffy/Giles, E) by Sdhuskerfan

Vampyr Chronicles: A Crack In The Sky Ch. 4 (Buffy/Spike, M) by MrPerfectCell

In the Company of Witches and Slayers: Ch. 78 (Willow/Tara, E) by VladimirHarkonnen (TheLightdancer)

Rewind Ch. 7 (Angel/Cordelia/Wesley, unrated) by Enigmatist

Casts Shadows Ch. 3 (Ensemble, T) by arcanedreamer

Blasphemy Ch. 17 (Buffy/Spike, M) by wickedrum

bloodclaim Ch. 1-2/2 COMPLETE (Angel/Spike, G) by tigriswolf

Devil Inside Ch. 3 (Buffy/Willow, M) by Xyex

The Degradation of Duality [Series Part 2], Chapter 12 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Ragini

Spiked, Chapter 4 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Maxine Eden

Boyfrenemy, Chapter 18-20 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Lady Emma

Ever After, Chapter 9 (Buffy/Spike, T) by Desicat

Revelations, Chapter 2 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Niamh

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork:Buffy the vampire slayer human au () by jeskerthefool

Manip:Episodic art for BtVS 01.09. ��The Puppetshow”. () by revello-drive-1630

Video: Tara + Willow - Love was out to get me () by Faith Victoria

[Reviews & Recaps]

Mothman's Buffy Rewatch: Season 3, episodes 11 and 12, "Gingerbread" and "Helpless" by mothmans-wedding-photographer

ReWatch: Angel - S3, E 21 - 22 by kimannebb

ReWatch: Angel - S3, E19 - 20 by kimannebb

ReWatch: Angel - S3, E17 - 18 by kimannebb

[Fandom Discussions]

the mystery of why angel was Like That as a vampire by moistvonlipwig

your fav hcs of buffy & angel by bangelism

Spike being the first to realize that Tara's family were manipulating her by tara-fantastico

this plot of willow and xander having a forbidden affair by lesbianmarrow

I don't care for Andrew by isagrimorie

willow/cordelia but while cordelia and xander are dating. by lesbianmarrow

They orginally cast a chubby girl to play Willow by lesbianmarrow

i need a buffy episode like the lower decks episode of star trek next generation where it follows a group of random normie students at sunnydale high by lesbianmarrow

by lesbianmarrow

I know a lot of people aren't fans of season 7 of Buffy, but there truly are some hidden gems among the mess. by buffysummers

i might be nearing the breaking point again though where the character writing is getting too bad for me to care. by transmutationisms

willow being so excited to tell everyone she's dating a guy in a band is so funny by lesbianmarrow

the "never be friends" quote by greensaplinggrace

You guys talked so much shit about season 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, when season 6 literally exists. by madisonwasmurdered

Dawn Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) by

rating the (canon) buffyverse ships based on how much i like them by anthonysalazar

I feel like when Angel went evil, Buffy closed herself up, not just to romantic relationships but to friendships as well. by there-are-many-ways-to-smile

Does a good young Giles fanfic exist? by whersmacheese

Tara is so gorgeous by rosehathaway13

Why Hate Buffy? by Organic_Individual52

Should there be more active slayers? by Careful_Persimmon_61

Is there anything about the founders of Sunnydale? by OppositeTooth290

Buffy's gratitude kiss to Spike in Intervention by debujandobirds

If there was a OMWF episode in Angel, what would the songs be for each character? by Kat-Attack-52

We were robbed of Willow/Faith in S7 by maybebitterxox

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

Join the editor team :)

[prose-for-hire]

Clueless

Pairing: Angel x reader

Request: As I said, Spike will always be my favorite, but every now and then you gotta mix it up. 😅 So here comes my Angel request! 😀 The scoobies find out he has a human girlfriend. And when they meet you they get the impression that you have no idea of the supernatural. So they try to subtly prod if you're aware of what Angel is. You on the other hand are enjoying to play with them. Pretending to be clueless as hell even though you're well aware. 😂 Thank you Darling! 💞

Requested by: @kind-wolf​

A/N: I really enjoyed this one !! Reader is older than the Scoobies and works in the school library. The timescale is reaaally made up. Giles left to open the Magic Box while the Scoobies are still in high school.

[Also i know the gif has nothing to do with anything but it makes me giggle every time so I had to use it !!]

You were the new School librarian. Giles had left to open the Magic Box but still always managed to be in your library when you turned around. The excuse at the moment was that his personal collection had been left behind, but you new there was something more going on. You had a boyfriend that told you of the real side of Sunnydale.

His name was Angel. You had met him after dark, a shining ember amongst all of the despair. He was kind to you and you had kept running into each other until he decided it must be fate. So he asked you on a date. It was the Bronze and you both stuck out like a sore thumb – him for his dark clothing and because you were both slightly older than the regular clientele. You and Angel had been going steady for a while now. He was heavy into courting and doing everything properly. He wanted to keep you happy and ensure you felt safe with him at all times.

He called you his sunshine. You were the one thing that made his un-life worth living. The brightness in the centuries of black. The fiery flame of passion that could never be put out. You were his light. A kind of salvation he didn’t know he needed. All of his guilt. The doubt. The brooding about whether he was enough for you, for the world. For any of it. You filled in these cracks with light. With love and the most important thing: hope.

He knew that he needed to limit the amount of people that knew about you together to a minimum. You hadn’t understood why at first, but one evening when you had been wrapped around each other in bed, he confided in you. His relationships were not destined to last. Literally. He told you everything, almost reducing the both of you to an emotional mess. You laid there, underneath the sheets as you both recounted the worst moments of your lives. The secrets, the fears. Everything.

“Are you embarrassed about dating a human? Is it frowned upon in vampire… culture?” You asked, half embarrassed and half fascinated. He shook his head as you were still speaking, clasping a hand to yours and brought it to his unbeating heart.

“I, uh, just want this for us. You’re too special to me, y/n. I don’t want anyone else to ruin it. I love you more than you can imagine”

“You love me?” You ask, eyes shining with emotion. He nodded, pulling you into him as you told him how much you loved him back. Your voice muffled as you rested in the crook of his neck. He held you to him so delicately as if he was scared that you would break. That if he didn’t hold tight enough, you would disappear into nothing.

The Scoobies had caught glimpses of you around school and sometimes after school when you popped into the magic Box to ask to speak with Giles. Just to ask for tips on your new job in the library (and to check if he had stolen any of the dusty occult books you had started to lock away in case he was snooping again). You didn’t really know the Scoobies, you just recognised their faces from around school and now obviously you had heard the lowdown from Angel. But you weren’t so familiar that you could tell which one the slayer was if you were asked to pick her out of a line up.

One afternoon after you called your goodbyes to Giles and nodded at the teenagers on your way out of the store, talk quickly turned to you. Anya, Xander, Willow, Buffy and Cordelia were all whispering before the door had even closed properly behind you. The Scoobies loved to gossip. And each of them had their own titbit of information that they had heard from someone who had heard from someone else about you. Even Giles had become involved in the discussion as he had started to become aware you were making his life difficult and

“I heard they mastered kung-fu judo which is the most lethal form of martial arts”

“Apparently they were fired from their last school for literally throwing students out for talking too loud in the library”

“Well, they’re apparently an undercover agent planted by the CIA to monitor the supernatural”

“I heard that one – but they’re FBI, not CIA”

The piece of information they found most interesting was that you were human. Despite being the coolest librarian like, ever. Most of the librarians the student body had come across were positively fossils, most recent librarians not included. Suspected kung fu martial arts hybrid training aside, you didn’t have any supernatural powers to speak of. As far as anyone was aware. So, this became the most interesting thing about you, until Cordelia told all.

“They’re totally sleeping with Angel!” Cordelia said, as everyone looked extremely interested in this news, “I saw him open a door for them as if they were in some period drama! Way over the top but their eyes said everything! They’re having sex”

“You can’t tell that from a look”

“You can!” Anya insisted as Cordelia nodded along.

“Yeah, I can tell from hot librarian and the salty goodness that is Angel” Cordelia replied matter-of-factly.

“Do you think they know he’s-” Xander mimed fangs and held his hands up to imitate a vampire, “They can’t know. Why would anyone want to do that with Angel?” Xander insisted as the women of the room, and Giles, stayed silent. He looked around looking for some support for his statement but got nothing.

But now the fact was, they were concerned that Angel hadn’t told you about himself. The vampirism. The soul. The curse. So, the meddling kids decided it was their duty to make sure that they were acquainted with you and made sure you knew who Angel really was. Which was exactly what Angel presumed was going to happen. They were convinced that they were worried about how clueless you obviously were, but also it was their duty is seemed to get involved in other people’s personal lives.

This had been the plan, but it appeared that you were a very busy. You never stayed long hours after the school day ended like Giles used to. Nobody could follow you home because you always sped off in a shiny car. Plus, you often wore headphones in the corridors so you didn’t have to talk to the students.

It had been a while after their plans to befriend you and they had almost given up seeing you in your private time. They wanted to make sure the rumours weren’t true. That Angel wasn’t taking advantage of some clueless human.

Unfortunately, the whole gang stumble into you both while they’re on patrol. On date night. their eyes widen, it looks so normal. You’re both sat in the restaurant in the window seat and they all just stopped and very obviously stared. As if you were zoo animals. They noticed that Angel had ordered human food and had been moving it around the plate a little for appearances. This confirmed it. they decided they needed to save you. Who knew what horrible bad luck would befall you if you kept dating a vampire. 

Angel looked a little embarrassed when he sensed being watched and looked up to see none other than the people he had wanted to keep this from. Buffy had scowled at him, shaking her head. She wasn’t impressed that he would do this. Especially if you didn’t know – it wasn’t fair she decided. You noticed his look but didn’t comment until the group had walked past with their wooden stakes badly concealed under their jackets.

After your meal, you walk back together (he always insists on walking you to your car) and you softly ask why he was embarrassed. You wondered if it was because you were a librarian. You tell him you know people don’t think it’s a great job, but you really enjoy it.

“They just don’t think us being together is a great idea” He said and you nodded along. You understood. There was a history there. The Slayer obviously is the only one that makes and breaks the rules.

“Well lets introduce them to me properly?” You offer, trying to soothe him. Reduce the fretting. He had wanted just one thing. One good thing that was yours and his. “I know they’ve been trying to talk to me all week. I’ll make some lemonade and you can invite them over” You offer. He nodded, curling an arm around you as you walk together both in thought.

It had been a week and the day was finally here. You were meeting the... friends? Weird kind-of family? Annoying brats that were always under both of your feet? 

Angel had gone out to pick up some blood from the butchers before it closed now that the sun was down. This left you hosting solo for the moment. You showed them to Angel’s living room and started to offer them lemonade and snacks. They start dropping hints instantly to try and gauge whether you know about Slayers or vampires. For some reason, you decide to play dumb.

“Have you, uh, ever seen Angel’s teeth up close?” Willow asked, barely above a whisper.

“Yes, we do kiss if that’s what you’re asking sweetie. Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll have your first kiss soon” You smiled at her mock-sympathetically as you turned to the rest of the room.

“What about, ah, those specialist books I told you about, y/n? Have you read them as of late?” Giles questioned, his hint much craftier than the younger members of the group. The books had been vampire history and very specifically passages were highlighted about Angels past.

“Oh yes, Angel said he would give me the overview - he’s read them before” You smile as Giles shook his head and started to clean his glasses. This wasn’t a lie, Angel had told you instead of reading through that book he would tell you anything that yo uwanted to ask. Every gruesome detail if that was what you needed. But you had told him you cared for the person you knew now instead. “Isn’t he just the perfect man?” You continue, smiling dreamily (which if you’re honest isn’t even an act). 

“Man isn’t the word I’d use” Xander muttered and Buffy had to elbow him to make him be quiet. You frowned, but they didn’t realise that you had caught onto what they were doing. Angel entered and the room quietened. He nodded at everyone but came straight to sit beside you.

You sat comfortably, leaning against Angel as chatter started to warm up a little again. After a while, there was a bit of doubt from some in the room whether meddling was the right thing to do or not. You appeared friendly and you definitely cared about Angel. And he definitely cared for you. His eye was always on you and he had kissed your forehead more than once when he thought the others were wrapped up in conversation.

“Do you like Halloween? What about vam-” Cordelia was cut off as she yelped and scowled as someone had stepped on her toes to get her to be quiet. Especially after he had already said something himself that could have made things obvious. You and Angel shared a look and then a shrug as conversation started up again.

You excused yourself to make more lemonade after three more not-so-subtle-hints about your man’s true identity and Angel followed you. Meanwhile, they were whispering about how clueless you appeared and how familiar you both were in front of them – as if you were going to hide that you were in a committed relationship. You knew this as Angel was telling you everything that they said, between light kisses he was pressing against your neck. From your position pressed between his body and the kitchen counter you were grinning as you rested a hand against his side and used the other to lock your hand with his. He hummed softly, only able to get through this strange indirect interrogation was that he knew he always had you.

When you returned and offered everyone refills, one of them asked while you were pouring, “Does, uh, Angel like garlic bread?”

“You might have to ask him on that one, we’re still getting to know each other” you smile sweetly before catching Angel’s eye. He raised his eyes at you but didn’t say anything to ruin the fun. In fact, he had a glint in his eye too. This was the reason he loved you, you turned even a potentially serious situation with the Slayer into something that you could make fun.

 “Uh, have you ever seen Angel in the light?” the questioning continued.

“Have you seen his face? He’s beautiful in any lighting” You smiled sweetly, looking over at him again. He shook his head at you and you knew he’d be blushing if he had any circulation.

“Yeah but- in the daylight?”

“No, he has a sun allergy, isn’t that right sweetie?” You smiled around the room at their horrified faces. They knew it! They knew Angel had been lying, they just needed to find a way to break the news to you. Or warn him away from you.

When asked about his (and your) sleeping habits, you replied, “Some nights he’s dead to the world” You smile, “He sleeps really deep, sometimes I have to check on him – it looks like he isn’t breathing” You have to stifle a laugh at this one as Angel snorts out loud. It was awkwardly covered by a cough and he had to leave the room to hide his laughter.

He was happy with you, the only sunshine he wasn’t allergic to apparently. He was so happy in this relationship he was often worried that Angelus was only around the corner. You caught him stuck in his head, worrying about the what-ifs but you always offered your comfort any way you could. He was glad of you being there for him. Willow and Giles had been talking of working on a way to lift the curse, or at least make it so that it wasn’t so simple for him to change back into Angelus. That was the last thing any of them needed.

The evening started to darken further and conversation had started to lull. You were trying to think of a way to politely hint yourself that maybe it was time for them to go (your hints a lot more subtle and well-practiced than theirs). But before you had chance to open your mouth, you were interrupted, “Demons. Thoughts?” Anya asked bluntly. Nobody cut in this time, they wanted to hear your response now they suspected Angel was lying.

“The ones that creep in late at night when you’re trying to sleep? I try and just ignore them, or get a book to read if I really can’t sleep” You say smiling as you knew Angel had heard that one too when some plates clattered in the other room. You knew him inside out and, although rare, when something like this tickled him it really made him smile. You just wished he had been in the room so you could see his expression. His face lightened when he smiled and you told him all the time his smile was your favourite feature of his. He would also probably be shaking his head at you, trying to discourage you from getting into too much trouble with them.

Angel returned to the room and you couldn’t help yourself. You stood up and instantly closed the space between you. You looped your arms around his neck and kissed him softly on the lips. It was only a lingering peck, nothing too scandalous as these were students at your job. You always missed him when he wasn’t close by. You felt like a lovestruck teenager when he was around and admittedly, so did he. Giles saw the way you both looked at each other. Moved around each other, anticipating  and saw how real it was. It was the same he had with Jenny. He couldn’t let the rest of the group ruin this kind of love. It was rare and he wouldn’t wish it on anyone to lose it (not even the man with the face that tore his from him).

Giles shook his head as Buffy was about to shout something to break you both apart. Something about demons and vampires. About Angel and evil. His apparent lying. To try and warn you. She closed her mouth, rolling her eyes.

 “We need to go patrol- uh, not patrolling, just – walking. At night” She muttered instead, taking her jacket and giving Angel a hard stare.

“Make sure you watch out for vampires. There’s a couple extra stakes in the weapon’s closet if you’d like to take them” You smile sweetly, “You can never be too careful, some bite” you teased before kissing Angel on the cheek and reluctantly moving from his arms which were loosely looped around your waist still. You started walking over to clear the coffee table from the glasses everyone had used when they visited. Leaving the others wide-eyed and eventually laughing at the way you had kept up the pretence so well.

[chasingfictions]

Which of the BTVS characters do you think are queer? (Besides Willow and Tara obviously)

oh baby. ALL OF THEM kfjkdsfsdf i actually wrote a fic about how it's literally all of them <333

but like, buffy? bi. spike? BI and a slut. giles??? also bi and a slut. xander???? bi with a strong preference for men if he sat down and thought about it and also He Dresses Like That come on. dawn???? is way too excited about willow and tara and has way too many close female friends to be straight. anya???? is one thousand years old. cordelia???? is maybe one of the straighter scoobies but she and buffy had a definite Thing. oz???? come on im not even gonna go into it. harmony???????????? will date anyone who is hot and mean to her, their gender is irrelevant. riley??????? very repressed but something was happening with forrest. clem??????? gay boy.

[skullhaver]

It's 2021, and I'm watching Buffy for the first time.

The Virgil on my Buffy journey is my long-distance girlfriend, who has loved the show for years. We just finished season 4, and I wanted to write about my favorite episodes so far. I suspect some of my faves are beloved by most fans, but others are weird, personal picks. Buffy fandom, please don't come for me.

I thought this post would be short but I was wrong.

Hono(u)rable Mentions: "Band Candy" S3E6 and "Halloween" S2E6

Both these episodes have fun premises where the Scoobies run around Sunnydale after it was upended by zany, chaotic dark forces. "Band Candy" is fun for devil-may-care teen Giles. "Halloween" is fun for 18th-century-ditz Buffy. These are both very good, and are the sorts of episode I can imagine happily rewatching in the future. I just have more to pontificate upon for the other episodes on this list.

10. "Ted" S2E11

I can’t say I enjoyed this episode, but it did take me for a wild ride. Probably nobody else has strong feelings about this weird story where Buffy's mom dates a stereotypical cheesy family man, who turns out to be a controlling abuser, who turns out to be a robot. I remember shouting at the screen, "Did Buffy just kill a human man?? Is it okay in the moral logic of this show for Buffy to kill a human if he's a direct physical threat to her??" I knew Buffy would have deeper stories than the monster of the week formula we'd seen so far, but this early in season 2, I had no idea when or how that would happen. This was the episode that finally taught me that Buffy is largely not interested in moral ambiguity, or in exploring what it means to be good or bad. Except for season-defining exceptions like Faith and Angel, evil characters are simplistically, essentially evil. But it was wild to believe for a moment that Buffy murdered her mom's abusive boyfriend and would have to live with the consequences.

9. "Helpless" S3E12

When Buffy tries to be genuinely scary, it succeeds with aplomb. The premise of this episode is dumb and contrived ("Giles has to remove Buffy's powers without her knowledge for a seeeecret test by the Watcher's Council") but the chase and fight in this episode are some of the most tense and spooky scenes of the whole series so far. Buffy's vulnerability makes the stakes feel real in a way few other episodes manage. And Buffy's victory is all the more satisfying because she can't punch her way out of this problem, she has to be smart and creative. The fridge horror, of course, is that Giles would endanger her like this in the first place, but that gets sorted out over the emotional arc of the next few episodes.

8. "I Only Have Eyes For You." S2E19

Another spooky episode, this one a classic ghost story of forbidden love ending in murder - but with the twist that the ghosts possess people's bodies to have them reenact their final moments. I love stories about breaking a doomed-to-repeat cycle. I love weird shit like the snakes manifesting in the cafeteria. And I really loved the choice to have Buffy and Angel come to understand their feelings about their own relationship by embodying these ghosts - especially how they embodied different genders than their own to better fit the "roles" of the haunting story, thus subverting the expected pattern. I found this episode clever, poignant, and effective.

7. "Who Are You?" S4E16

"Faith and Buffy switch bodies" is a wild premise, but the real joy of "Who Are You?" is watching Sarah Michelle Geller being an extremely talented actress for 45 minutes, portraying a totally different character. Watching Faith confronted by kindness and love from Buffy's mom, Riley, and her friends, then getting launched into an existential crisis over it is so great. Also, I just dig a good church fight.

6. "Hush" S4E10

As stated above, love an episode that reminds me that these people are talented actors! Featuring demons that render all of Sunnydale unable to talk, we get to watch great physical comedy right next to tense, silent fight scenes. The visual creepiness of the Gentleman and their straight-jacketed weird little helpers is hard to beat. "Hush" is such a clever episode that it ascends monster of the week status to become almost Twilight Zone-esque. Also, for the first time, Buffy sees Riley doing his Initiative thing, and Riley sees Buffy being the Slayer, but they can't talk about it?? That's good shit.

5. "The Wish" S3E9

Both "Something Blue" and "The Wish" feel like the writers decided to use fanfic premises on their own show... so obviously I like them a lot. But getting to watch a dark timeline AU with interesting world-building and attention to detail, a hilarious and horrifying Cordelia POV, AND a smirking kinky vampire Willow? Hello?? And the fact that the Wishverse comes up again in "Doppelgänger" (another truly fun episode) only improves my opinion. I imagine this is the kind of episode fans simply love coming back to.

4. "Restless" S4E22

This David Lynch-ass dream sequence was a weird choice for a season finale, but an extremely ambitious and cool episode. I should say up front that I love David Lynch-ass dream shit. There were creative and well-executed scene transitions as characters moved seamlessly from one dream room into another. Several memorably neat shots - Willow running between endless curtains as she tries to get onstage, Buffy alone in a vast desert with a weirdly high camera angle. And I got myself all excited thinking that the First Slayer would maybe become a different kind of antagonist - maybe not even fully revealed in this episode, or maybe an Id-like aspect of Buffy herself. But I forgot Whedon gonna Whedon, so the First Slayer had to be someone Buffy could punch in the end. And the First Slayer is sadly yet another primitive-themed, emotionally-stunted character of color for this show. Most of her lines in this episode are literally voiced by a white woman speaking for her, and of all the dumb quips to make, Buffy had a line about her hair being unprofessional? Also, I'm a lesbian, so the fact that the most explicit act of intimacy between Willow and Tara this show has allowed us to see occurs in Xander's horny dream sequence... it’s unforgivable, Joss. This episode was one of my favorites ever, deeply marred by some bad writing choices.

3. "Lovers Walk" S3E8

Spike, perhaps the best non-Willow character in this show, is back in Sunnydale, a hilariously heartbroken mess of a man, hell-bent on getting his former girlfriend Drusilla back. (Drusilla left him for a fungus demon.) So Spike breaks into a magic shop to get ingredients for a love spell, where he runs into Willow, who is getting ingredients for a de-lusting spell, because she is worried she and Xander will be too thirsty to behave appropriately in public with their actual partners, Oz and Cordelia. This is a hilarious moment just to exist. This is all the episode needed to do to satisfy me. But the fact that Spike then kidnaps Willow, and it ends with tragic stakes of everyone's relationships coming apart, not to mention me genuinely thinking Cordelia was dead for a minute there - wow. Chef’s kiss. The episode is balanced shockingly well between Spike being an ominous villain, and being the sort of lovable semi-evil (more gremlin-like) side character he'll become in season 4. What a wild ride.

2. "Graduation Day" S3E21-22

I'm counting this two part season finale as one because it's my list and I'll do what I want. "Graduation Day" feels like a quintessential Buffy episode executed to perfection. It has Buffy reaffirming her position as a moral heroine, sacrificing her own blood to save Angel's life even when she thought she had to kill Faith to save him. It has Buffy and Faith (or Buffy/Faith, as I prefer to think of them) getting to square off in a dramatic, tough fight. It has a lot of Mayor Wilkins, a character I truly adore for some reason. Nothing like a public administrator who plays mini golf in his office, wants you to chew with your mouth closed, and will kill a graduating class of high schoolers to gain immortality. The catharsis of the whole school getting to fight back against evil, instead of just Buffy against the world - a real joy. This episode misses the top spot for two reasons. "A special vampire poison and the only cure is the blood of a Slayer" is too contrived for me to let slide, and also I had to see Cordelia and Wesley kiss.

1. "Becoming" S2E21-22

Buffy’s season finales really do have good stories and satisfying payoff. First off, Buffy starts this episode by punching a cop and fleeing from the law. Later, Spike also punches a cop. A.k.a., Buffy said blue lives don't matter. Second - I haven't gotten a chance to comment on this yet, but all throughout season 2, evil Angel is such a joy to watch. As regular Angel, David Boreanaz makes exactly one face ("I am a kicked, angsty puppy") and bless his heart, it gets so tiresome. As evil Angel, he is so expressive, dynamic and terrifyingly creative in his badness. And I love his weird threesome energy with Spike and Drusilla. But also, it's so hard to watch Buffy suffer as she deals with her evil boyfriend doing evil things. Her ultimate choice in this episode, to kill Angel even as Willow's spell restores his soul, gave me some real big feels! Also, this episode marks the first moment of Willow doing big, plot-shifting magic on her own, solidifying her transformation from computer nerd to witch! 

Also, shout-out to the many good smaller moments in this episode: Spike making awkward small talk with Buffy's mom, Buffy constantly dunking on Principle Snyder, and Giles being tortured by visions of Miss Calendar (RIP Miss Calendar, I was your biggest fan.)

"Becoming" is an excellent season finale and the kind of Buffy episode I imagine I will want to re-watch in the future just for nostalgia's sake.

[takaraphoenix]

Buffy: Season 2

I took a slight break from my BtVS rewatch because some new seasons to shows dropped that I didn’t want to put off until after I finish the rewatch. But now I’m back on it and I just finished season 2!

1. Favorite character of this season?

Cordelia! She has come so far already since the airheaded, self-centered cheerleader, to see her integrate into the Scoobies, her relationship with Xander but also the way her dynamic with Buffy and Willow changes is amazing.

2. Outstanding minor character (positive or negative)?

Oz. Considering he is in less than half the episodes this season, I would count him as a minor character at this point. And I just love Oz so much, he is such a sweet, gentle weirdo. Him becoming a werewolf, getting put in the know, his relationship with Willow. He's so adorable and fun.

3. Favorite character dynamic?

The Angelus-Spike-Drusilla dynamic is amazing. For one, I love Spike/Drusilla so much but I also truly love the way their dynamic flips this season. Season 1 was all about Spike taking care of Drusilla during her time of need, season 2 is all about Drusilla taking care of Spike.

Only that this season also adds Angelus into the mix and it is so fascinating to watch. I love the bickering between Angelus and Spike, I love the love-triangle they have going on. Seeing Angelus as just this pure raw bad guy and the contrast to Angel, as well as getting to experience this dynamic of ¾ of the Fang Gang is so great.

4. Favorite canon romantic ship?

Tough choice this season, because there are both Xander/Cordelia as well as Oz/Willow, which are both two of my favorite ships. Xander and Cordy are one of the very few straight couples where the bantering and bitching actually works for me, I love the growth they shared together.

And yes, as a lesbian, I am loving lesbian!Willow very, very much, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the Oz/Will in the time-period it happens, not to mention... I can really make that work, even with lesbian!Willow, because Oz is literally the safest guy to fall for, honestly. First he is the most cliche guy to fall for because guitarist in a band, but then we get to know him and he is just so kind and accepting and soft and sweet. If you're a lesbian in deep denial about your own sexuality yet, that's the kind of guy you can easily pick to look straight.

5. Least favorite canon romantic ship?

Mh... tough one this time. I love Spike/Drusilla, Oz/Willow and Xander/Cordelia and I don't dislike the Giles/Jenny either, it works while it works. If I'd have to go least favorite, which doesn't mean dislike, it'd then be Giles/Jenny. Mainly because of the lying. Everything could have been avoided if Jenny had been upfront about this after learning who Giles and Buffy really were. Because then the rules would have been clear too – no sex for Angel – and thus... this entire season could have been avoided. Instead, she kept her heritage and reason for being there to herself, no one made the rules clear so they could be broken and chaos could ensue, breaking Giles' heart in the process. Also... not a fan of the fridging, though unsure if it'd really count as fridging because while her death was used for the sake of Giles' man-pain, that wasn't the reason for her death – she did die for valid reasons. Like, the bad guy killing the one person who gets close to stopping their plans? Makes sense.

6. Favorite episode?

It's a tie between two two-parters, actually. If that is too much cheating, I would take the conclusions of each two-parter and say those tie. But it remains a tie.

The two-parter episodes 09 and 10 “What's My Line?”. Kendra! Seeing those two slayers team up. The personal contemplation Buffy has to consider about her possible future, or lack thereof. Also really loving Drusilla/Spike as villains.

And the finale, episodes 21 and 22, “Becoming”. It was such a good conclusion of everything this season had been working toward. Yes, I am still very salty about Kendra's death and I hate that she only returned just to be killed off, but the rest of it and the conclusion where Angel's soul had been restored but Buffy still needed to sacrifice him and it just breaks your heart.

7. Least favorite episode?

Harder, because there were three duds in this season for me. Episode 5 “Reptile Boy”, because just... college boys preying on high school girls to sacrifice them to a reptile demon...? Really?

Episode 12 “Bad Eggs” was just... bland. There's always a bland one, one so boring that I kind of forget about it. Season one's was “Never Kill a Boy on the First Date” and this season it's this.

And the third in the set was episode 20 “Go Fish” which is just so weird and also cringey in a way, because the coach sacrificing Buffy to become the fish monsters' sex-toy was... yikes? And the body-horror of skin splitting open and fish-people emerging from them? Just, everything about this episode aside from the Xander/Cordelia was real bad.

8. Favorite Monster Of The Week?

Harder, because this season didn't have a lot of those, actually. Most episodes came with obstacles that the vamp trio put into their ways. I guess Ethan Rayne? I loved how he brought another layer to Giles' story and character, I also generally love the Halloween episode.

9. Least favorite Monster Of The Week?

When “sudden child-death” was turned into a German monster in episode 18 “Killed by Death” and Buffy literally got to fight Death in a hospital? That was just... strange. Like, even with the episodes I disliked, the villains were kinda “meh” or at least reasonable, but this one was off.

10. Rate the overarching villain!

Amazing. Honestly, I truly love Angelus and the contrast this paints considering we have seen kind, loving, good Angel in season 1. Also, major props to David for his acting. Angel and Angelus are so distinctively different yet still share enough characteristics because they are the same character. I also love the moral dilemma this puts Buffy in, to go up against her former lover.

Bonus: Other thoughts?

It was already annoying last season that they just... don't tell Joyce the truth, but this season, it becomes simply ridiculous. If Buffy's secret was something she would be guarding close to her heart, yes, okay – but between Giles, Willow, Xander, Cordelia, Oz and Jenny, she honestly just tells it to everyone who is even remotely close to her.

And last season, Darla already went into the house and seriously injured Joyce, could have easily killed her. A thing that would have been avoidable if they had looped Joyce in and she'd know not to invite strangers she never saw before into her house. For me, that episode will forever be the one where they should have told Joyce. But now we're one more season and many more dangers in.

And there really isn't any valid reason not to tell Joyce, because we tell literally everyone else.

Sure, she then learns the truth in the finale, but not because she is being told, rather because she witnesses the dusting and Buffy's hand is forced, which just sucks.

Aside from the Joyce-thing, I really did enjoy this season, there were a lot of episodes I really liked, even beyond the four that tied for my favorites – honorable mentions go to Oz becoming a werewolf in “Phases”, naturally “Halloween”, Giles-centric content in “The Dark Age”.

[kevoreally]

#BuffyAt20 - S03E08 “Lover’s Walk”

> OKay, first thing’s first: is it Lovers or Lover’s? Wikipedia has the first one, Hulu has the second. Very confusing.

> Another fake-out opener where someone is being hyperbolic about the world ending but it’s just grades or something.

> Willow got a 740 verbal on her SATs. Like, I think she’s being too hard on herself, but I get not feeling academically fulfilled by that. I think I got 700? I don’t remember. My math sucked, that’s for sure.

> That Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel reference has endured the test of time.

> What is Xander’s score if it’s close to 740? We joke about his grades a lot but like. Get serious, son.

> Willow, that top is so loud.

> Omigod, I’m looking forward to going back to pretending Xillow never happened soon.

> Cordelia testing well is good continuity with “Band Candy.” And I loved them following up on SAT scores. I think these might have come out a little quick, but it’s fine.

> “That was my sarcastic voice.” “Y’know, it sounds a lot like your regular voice.” “I’ve been told that.” I feel you, Oz.

> Cordelia’s terror at the idea of double dating IS A DANGER SIGN, XANDER.

> I have Buffy’s SAT score memorized: “1430, Buffy, you kicked ass!” (A friend got the same score on her first take.)

> “Now you can leave and never come back.” I actually love Cordy here, a rarity for me lately.

> Pretty sure the shot of Spike crashing into the Sunnydale sign is just a retouched copy of the one from Season 2. Not a problem, just funny.

> I wasn’t sure I had the energy to do my #BuffyAt20 right now but this theme song is giving me life.

> I don’t get Spike’s obsession with Sinatra in this episode but sure.

> Oh man, remember the Factory? It’s a slot on my Buffy Monopoly board.

> Do we feel the flashback to when Dru left Spike that we get in Season 3 keeps in line with what we’re presented here? Dru accusing him of loving Buffy as far back as now? Hm.

> Literally the episode where Cordelia and Xander break up is the episode where it most seems like they’re a happy couple. And even then, they’re horrible to each other half the time. Sigh.

> Oz giving Willow the PEZ Witch is still one of the best things ever. I really wanted a wolf PEZ for Oz.

> Okay, a friend and I recently discussed a fan poll where people voted on their favorite mate for Willow and it made me uncomfortable that Oz was winning. But… I get it.

> There’s a lot of focus on Giles packing in this scene.

> Ooh! Worth noting: the guy who wrote this episode wrote three of my favorite #Daria episodes! He’ll also later write “The Zeppo.”

> This episode laid a lot of interesting potential for Buffy to be able to leave Sunnydale. Not forever, but, even if just for college. It was interesting.

> I wish I could make Buffy Now see how much Giles treated Seventeen Buffy like an adult over this Angel situation. He could’ve been SUUUCH a prick. And their relationship got really awkward for a while there, and I don’t think Buffy was entirely fair to him. Or probably him to her too. Fathers and daughters, man.

> I spent a whole dumb Xillow scene typing that last one. Not sorry.

> I’ve said it before but it’s wild that Buffy’s house never changes once in 7 seasons. The cinematography changes so much that it feels like a different house.

> How does Angel not hear, or even sense, Spike right outside the Mansion? Still recovering from Hell, I guess? Coz otherwise, wtf?

> I do love Spike waking up on fire.

> What happened to Spike’s car between Seasons 3 and 4 anyway? Where’s that story?

> “This is just too much.” Some real gentle language there, Spike.

> The Magic Box is, like, the same SHAPE we see in Season 5. But the layout isn’t totally right. And the back hasn’t been blown out yet. The storefront is the same. They moved the register away from the door. Hmm.

> Ooh, that Spike shot of grabbing the shop owner becomes his credits shot.

> Hey! It’s the Mayor! I forgot he’s in this one. And Allan! He’s pretty cute, tbh.

> “Boats did have canons. And a loose one would cause it to rock.” Lol.

> The way that the Mayor celebrates sinking that putt makes me wonder if he hadn’t been expecting it, haha.

> Where is Angel getting hair gel from in the Mansion? How is this a priority? Then again: same question at Derek Hale sleeping in a train yard.

> I’m not loving the dramatic beat when Angel tells Buffy she should leave. Like. Buff. Shouldn’t you? Sigh.

> Willow is trying to do magic on Xander without his consent. That’s actually an interesting portent for Season 6.

> Xander and Willow, like, really try and hold their own against Spike here. Mad respect.

> Alyson Hannigan shows such amazing vulnerability in the scenes with James Marsters, it’s bonkers. And then how it flips on a dime to be comedic. Wild chemistry, those two.

> OOOH, Dru accused Spike of going soft for teaming up with Buffy, eh? Interesting…

> HA! The “chaos demon, all slime and antlers” line was a favorite among fans, so we loved finally seeing him in Season 5.

> “I haven’t had a woman in weeks.” Blech. “Well, unless you count that shopkeeper.” Double blech.

> “I’m not a real witch, you know.” Heh.

> It. Is. SO. Clever. That Willow sends Spike to Buffy’s house. Holy. Shit.

> You know who else is a good version of Cordelia Chase? Valencia from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Becomes a good person in, like, half the time it’s taking Cordy…

> Ugh, I hate coincidence moments like that. Buffy heard Spike on the phone when her mom happened to call? Sigh.

> YAAS, the Joyce/Spike bond! We needed more of this!

> Joyce Summer is Top 5 TV Mom material.

> “You get out of this house or I will stake you myself.” GEDDIT, JOYCE!

> Lol, remember how Buffy is going to start sleeping with Spike? This show, man.

> Spike just called Angel a “poof.” Nice.

> “What if they were kidnapped by Colombian drug lords?” CORDELIA. STOP.

> Oz smelling Willow is… interesting.

> Buffy is so eager to kill Spike.

> Did Buffy rip off Sookie Stackhouse with this love triangle or vice versa? Angel being Bill, Spike being Eric. Hm.

> Buffy always made kicking in doors look so cool.

> What exactly are we supposed to make of Spike’s observation about Buffy and Angel being in love here? I mean, he’s right. But. Like. What, they needed someone else to tell them?

> “I won, right? Kicked his ass?” “You were real brave. Do you need to barf.” Classy.

> “Give me a third option.” “He’s so drunk he forgets about us and we starve to death.” HA.

> AAAAAnd they kiss, aaaand Oz and Cordy show up, aaaand it’s horrible. AAAAND Oz is the only one who composes himself maturely, like always.

> Cordelia getting skewered was… so weird.

> They’re having this vampire fight, like, in the middle of downtown Sunnydale right now. I get that it’s probably 3am or something but omigod.

> Oh yeah, the storefront is definitely the same a when it’s the Magic Box.

> Seeing Buffy, Angel, and Spike standing side-by-side is a hoot.

> The “let’s give baby a taste” stuff Spike does is… No.

“ “Baby like his supper?” No. No he doesn’t.

> The table Spike stakes this guy on is, like, probably the same table he and Anya bang on in Season 6, haha.

> The holy water bombs are so cool. Why don’t they use holy water more often?

> The resolution of this Spike story is… so Spike. You know, we probably would’ve never seen him again if they didn’t love James Marsters SOOO much.

> Remember when they made us think Cordelia died? Like, right after she found of Xander cheated on her? This story was, like, one of the lowest points of the show. I’m sorry but it was. I remember laughing out loud when we found out Cordy wasn’t dead. That’s not something you wanna get a laugh on.

> What was the point of this story arc, though? “Don’t cheat or someone could die?” This is a ‘Blood on the Pavement’ type parable here. Way more Dawson’s Creek than Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

> I remember thinking Cordelia was going to be blind, because of the “I can’t see you” thing. I don’t know how being skewered would blind her.

> Okay, CAN WE TALK about the nailed-up broken sheets of wood at the Mansion entrance? It is the weirdest thing, it looks like a child’s tree fort.

> Buffy, if you think you’re fooling Giles and your friends into believing you don’t want Angel, you are sorely mistaken.

> Angel, be a big boy, let the seventeen year old girl go.

> She has to step through his weird cobbled-together wooden doorway! And it’s gone, like, after this episode! Wtf!

> This maudlin montage of all the characters being despondent was, like, the biggest bummer. Why do I love Season 3 so much?? This is such a downbeat point for the show.

> And there’s Spike riding off into the sunset. See you in a year, William.

[bizarrebird]

Getting back into the old Buffy rewatch. For the record, these are probably gonna be sporadic as I gotta kinda sit down and watch and type scene by scene, but I like doing them, so I’m gonna keep going with it. This episode, which in most shows would be really fillery, I’m gonna cover cause it has one of the most iconic speeches in the whole show, the big Lie to Me spiel from Giles. This episode also deals with some heavy themes and interesting developments for Buffy, and I’m always about that good character stuff for my best girl

So here we go with Season 2, Episode 7: Lie to Me

And we’re starting in a creepy playground. Promising. Drusilla’s here, trying to eat a kid. Like I’m amazed no other vampires have already gotten here. Kid this is Sunnydale, the fuck are you doing? Luckily Angel shows up and scares the kid off (probably to go get eaten by a sludge monster off screen, this is fucking Sunnydale don’t leave your kids unsupervised) He and Drusilla have a weird moment where she clearly knows her and remembers things about her mother. It’s because of this history that he tells her to take Spike and go, but Dru knows Angel won’t actually hurt her. She tells him how she knows he’s fallen for Buffy just as Buffy shows up on a conveniently close roof to watch them get a little too close for comfort and then OPENING CREDITS

To school we go where we find Jenny Calendar and Giles talking about the surprise date Jenny’s planning for them. It’s flirty and cute and I’m sure nothing will mess up this relationship in the very next episode (remember kids, if you’re happy Joss Whedon hates your guts and wants you dead) Sad Buffy is here and she and Giles start talking shop. Giles encourages her to take the night off to go be with her vampire boo (which is sweet, thanks new dad) but Buffy’s a little iffy on that. Next we go to Cordelia being precious in a class where Buffy and Willow are passing notes about the girl she saw Angel with the night before. They leave the class and start talking about it as Xander gets there and immediately wants to know about Angel possibly doing bad things

Okay like, I get that this is supposed to be funny or endearing or whatever, but it just comes off amazingly creepy that Xander “has a happy” when he hears about Buffy’s current boyfriend doing something wrong, cause that means he might have a chance with her. This is beyond ‘cute funny crush’ territory, it’s just obnoxious, why do they hang out with Xander, like ever

ANYWAY

It’s time for the main plot of the episode to start, so here comes Ford, Buffy’s old friend and former crush from her last school, who’s apparently transferred to Sunnydale for his senior year. And oh man, another guy who Buffy knows and is talking to, here comes JEALOUS XANDER TO THE RESCUE. And isn’t that just super endearing. Buffy and Ford explain how they know each other and Buffy’s clearly super thrilled to see him (which doesn’t stop Xander from being a complete and utter tool the entire time, of course it doesn’t, nothing can stop him, literally nothing) Buffy invites him to the Bronze with them that night and takes Ford off to the admissions office in time for Xander to be super gross

Cut to the Bronze where Scoobies + Ford are playing pool and swapping stories. Xander’s still just feeling extra dickish this episode (when is he not) and Buffy goes to get a soda, only to find Angel conveniently brooding by the counter. Across the room, Willow and Xander tell Ford a bit about Angel, how he’s dating Buffy and is older than her (with all the times this comes up it’s really, really rare that it’s mentioned that the age difference is a little sketch, but hey, vampire love story, what’cha gonna do?) When asked, Angel says he stayed in last night and Buffy knows he’s a giant liar face, so she goes back over to Ford and after a very awkward introduction with him and Angel, Buffy pulls Ford out of the club to take a walk, where they talk a little about Angel before Buffy spots a vamp and tries to distract Ford... but that doesn’t quite go as planned and he follows after her (hello ominous music what are you doing here) and gets a full view of the stakeage, which doesn’t seem to surprise him at all. He tells her that he already knows she’s the slayer

We go to Willow and Buffy talking on the phone about the situation and how it’s kind of a relief for Buffy honestly. Meanwhile, Ford heads into the creepiest warehouse possible where there’s a club of people dressed like vampires hanging out and listening to intense music. Ford seems to be sort of in charge here and pops some pills as he promises that soon they will have the chance to ‘die young and stay pretty’. If you didn’t get that Ford is creepy yet, we then see him mouth the difficult to hear speech of a vampire creep in a movie that’s playing in the background of the club

Back to Willow, who gets a knock at the door as Angel arrives to ask her for help. After a little awkwardness (which is super precious, I honestly wish these two had more scenes together, they’re both very much comedic actors who play off each other so well) she invites him in. He asks her to track down information on Ford, which... kinda gives Willow pause and she asks if he’s jealous. Angel admits that he kinda is, cause Buffy is the one shining light in his guilt hole of misery, but he’s still pretty sure there’s something off about Ford. Willow immediately finds something, checking the records and finding that Ford doesn’t actually go to their school. Before she can do more, she has to shove Angel out of the room as her mom calls up to her, and she promises to find more info for him later. He asks her not to tell Buffy

And we very soon see at school the next day that Willow is terrible at lying to Buffy and is instantly a nervous wreck as soon as she sees her, very quickly making an excuse to leave. Giles arrives to give Buffy info so she can contact him that night in case something goes wrong. He’s vaguely concerned when Ford already knows about the vampire situation, but Buffy explains she didn’t tell him, he somehow just already knew (which no one finds suspicious. at all) That night, Buffy takes Ford on a tour of Sunnydale and they spot two vampires heading into the school. She gives him a cross as she leads the way in. They get separated when one of the vamps tackles Buffy over the railing. Ford manages to subdue the other and makes some kind of deal with her we don’t see the end of. Buffy handles her vamp easy and finds Ford alone, saying he dealt with the other one

Meanwhile Xander, Willow, and Angel check out a lead that takes them to the creepy vampire fanclub warehouse. All of them are immediately weirded out, cause they actually live in Sunnydale. They get approached by a groupie, who tries to talk to them about the ‘lonely ones’ (which is like a cool name for vampires or some kinda creepy supernatural species, but not here. all vamps are assholes here. Yes even Angel. Sometimes especially Angel) Angel comes over to shut her down and she goes all tumblr on him saying that he doesn’t get to say who’s valid and leaves. Angel says they should get out cause he knows this type, vampire fans who are really, really upset Twillight won’t be out for a few more years. But that doesn’t explain why Ford is there, so now they definitely know something’s up with him

Back at the library, Buffy’s called in Giles and Jenny, and finds that she pulled them away from their date at a Monster Truck rally, cause Jenny thought it would be a good change for him. Oh Jenny, honey no, you’re trying but... no, no, no. Buffy gets things back on track to talk about the vampires near the school. She already sent Ford home and as she’s mentioning the vamp he took out, she spots a familiar picture in a book: the girl Angel was with the other night. DUN DUN DUNNNNN. Turns out that’s Drusilla, who Giles says is Spike’s lover who was thought to be killed in Prague (idk where that info is coming from, but I’m guessing the Watcher’s Council??? God, they just suck at everything, can’t even keep track of which vamps got dusted) but surprise! She’s... okay well not alive, but not dust, you get the picture. As Giles goes to look for more books on the matter (Oh Giles, don’t ever change) he runs right into a vampire, who literally no one noticed was just rifling through his office this whole time I guess. The vamp makes off with a book and Giles is very offended, but Buffy points out the more pressing point that Ford said he killed that vampire

We go to Dru, trying to get her dead bird to sing to her as Spike enters to ask abut her trip outside the other night. She doesn’t give him much of an answer, even when he brings up Angel, but she’s more about the bird until he tells her a little sharply that it’s dead cause she didn’t feed it, just like the last one. Dru gets all sad and pouty so Spike gets sweet again cause he crumbles when his lady love is sad. He apologizes and offers to get her a new bird just as Ford??? walks right through the front doors???? Spike wonders aloud if he has security here (apparently not, they just don’t make good vampire help like they used to) Te vamp from the library shows up with the book as Ford makes an offer, trying to talk Spike into the typical villain “you have 30 seconds to live/talk” thing. At Dru’s prompting, he reluctantly does the thing and Ford explains he wants to be a vampire. Spike’s hesitant cause he doesn’t really like Ford (not his type, he likes his men taller and more broody) but Ford offers a trade, him getting all bitey for the slayer

And that brings us to Buffy’s place as Angel arrives to tell her Ford isn’t what he seems. GASP Nooooo really? Who could have guessed???  Anyway, Angel tells her the deal about the creepy vampire place and how he and Xander and Willow have all been talking behind her back about this (definitely not for the first time showing in some ways, Buffy is still on her own, and her friends will other her when they need to) She’s mostly not happy about the behind the back going and demands to know about Drusilla. Before he tells her, Angel asks if she loves him (not out of the blue or manipulative at all) Buffy says she does and still wants to know. Angel tells her Drusilla was the worst thing he ever did. Before he turned her, she was a pure, sweet girl (troubled by visions although I think that comes up more when this story is revisiting in Angel: the series) and Angel drove her insane, killing her family and eventually driving her into a convent before he finally turned her. Buffy’s clearly a little sorry she asked, but they gotta get back to the present and Ford, cause they still don’t know what his fucking deal is

This brings us to one of the creepier brightly lit scenes of the series thus far, where Ford encounters Buffy at the school and asks if she wants to come out again with him that night. The camera angles are all spinning and super ominous and it’s actually shot in a really interesting way that I’d get way more into if I was a different kind of film nerd. But I’m not, so we go into the school where Buffy runs into Willow and Xander, who she’s not super happy with, who ask if she knows what’s up, she does and is still (understandably) upset and leaves. Xander can only think about the fact that Angel was in Willow’s room, showing that he’s not just concerned about the guys Buffy dates, but in any woman he’s remotely connected to showing any interest in any other guy

Moving on we go to Ford and his creepy crew, who are super jazzed about the lonely ones coming to bless them. None of these fuckos would make it ten seconds in the rest of Sunnydale, how are they alive in this bunker. But before the vamps can show, Buffy gets there first and Ford subtly signals to have the door shut behind her. Buffy is not pleased especially with Ford’s excuse of ‘everybody lies’ and tries to convince him and everyone else that they’re being stupid and that vampires are picky about who they turn... until she realizes what he was up to and that he was going to give them her (this realization goes fast cause we’re running short on screen time and need to move things along) Ford admits to it as Buffy realizes she’s been trapped in the bunker with them, the door’s rigged so it can only open from the outside and the vampires are on there way as soon as the sun sets. Buffy looks for another way out, but there isn’t one. She tries to talk Ford into letting the others go, but they’re real dumb and won’t listen

Brief scene of Spike getting his forces ready and bringing Dru along. Back in the bunker, Buffy tries the door again, conveniently getting her and Ford up onto this separate upper platform thing for serious talks. Ford admits that the others are probably just gonna be snacked on and won’t get changed (here he crosses the moral event horizon) but he’s cool with it because he will deffs get changed. Buffy tries to explain to him that being a vampire isn’t as glamorous as he thinks and that it basically just makes your body host to a demon (okay tbh for all the focus on vampires and souls here, the show could really do a lot more with it, but that’s another post for another time) Ford then dramatically admits that he’s already dying

And honestly, Ford is a good tragic villain and sometimes I wish they had done more than just a single episode with him, largely because of his connection to Buffy and her past and what that could mean for her as a character, but alas, this is a Joss Whedon show where he only pretends to give a shit about his female characters. Like shit the actor plays this scene really well and it’s a super interesting idea to explore with how the supernatural could fix common problems, but at a cost, and Buffy is super heavily impacted by it, but nah, not gonna make this a long running thing, why bother

ANYWAY Buffy takes a second to compose herself and then tells Ford that she’s sorry for what he’s going through, but he’s still a shit and even dealing with his health issues doesn’t make what he’s doing okay (cool motive still murder.gif) What solidifies Ford’s shittiness is that he calls the other people sheep, just doing the vampire stuff for kicks and giggles, but he doesn’t have a choice. Buffy disagrees, saying that yeah, the hand he’s been dealt is a terrible one, but that doesn’t justify what he’s doing now.

And like, okay, for all btvs’s flaws, it very much hammers in an ‘ends don’t justify the means’ message, which is honestly super cool, and I wish more shows would do that now. For the most part (and there are definitely exceptions to this, which I will cover when they come up) when people screw up in Buffy, there are consequences, and they can be fucking harsh

God, okay, this moment with Ford and Buffy up here is so good, someone yell at me later to write more about it

Ford somehow managed to knock out Buffy???????????? right as the vamps get there. Okay sure, fine. The vamps start eating everyone  (surprise, surprise) and Buffy spots Dru, who’s away from everyone just being weird and obvious in her glowing white dress. Buffy holds a stake to Dru’s chest and threatens Spike, who calls for everyone to stop. Following Buffy’s demands, he lets all the groupies go. The groupies wise up and run and Buffy gets Spike to back off enough for her to throw Dru at him and have time to escape, the door shutting behind her, trapping the vamps... and Ford

Buffy gets out right as the Scoobies arrive. She says they should go, cause the vamps are gonna get free eventually, but the have to come back... for Ford’s body. Back in the bunker, we see the vamps trapped and Spike admitting that Ford did in fact give them Buffy. We don’t get to see exactly what went down and in the next scene, Buffy’s walking into the bunker and she finds Ford’s body, unsure whether or not he’s been turned

Sometime between this scene and the last, there’s been a funeral and Ford has been buried (vamps are very patient and only wait till the most dramatic moment to rise, clearly) So we go to Buffy and Giles in a graveyard where Buffy puts flowers on Ford’s grave. They talk about how Buffy wishes this could be easy if she could just hate him and how she thinks Ford wanted to be the villain, but he was really just scared. She talks about how nothing is ever simple anymore and how she doesn’t know who to trust and it’s all just so confusing. Giles says that’s just part of growing up and Buffy asks if it ever gets easy. Vampire Ford pops out of the grave and Buffy stakes him without thinking

Giles repeats her question and asks what she wants him to say and Buffy says the show title “Lie to me” And here comes that iconic speech

“Yes, it’s terribly simple, Good guys are always stalwart and true Bad guys always distinguished by their pointy horns or black hats We always defeat them and save the day No one ever dies And everybody lives happily ever after”

And Buffy calls him a liar as we go to credits

FINAL THOUGHTS: Okay, there is... a looooot to unpack in this episode. You could write entire essays on it, and I’m sure people have. But the main thing is that morals are complicated and Buffy doesn’t know how to deal with it all the time, but she does her best. This is a really, really solid episode and definitely worth some analysis.

Next up, Season 2, Episode 8: The Dark Times (only cause Ethan Rayne is here and I love him)

[buffster]

Something Blue (BTVS 4.09)

This is part of my ongoing Buffyverse Project, where I write notes/meta for every episode in an attempt to better understand the characters and themes of the shows. You can find the BTVS list here and the ATS list here. Gifs are not mine.

I loved that Something Blue allowed us to sympathize with both sides of the Willow vs. Scoobies conflict. I’m annoyed when Willow snaps at everyone and interrupts Buffy and Riley’s date, which forces me to recognize truth when Willow says no one wants to deal with her heartbreak anymore. The episode was also really funny.

We discover in the first scene that Willow has been going to Oz’s place alone. She’s clinging to the relationship and fully expects him to return. This is also when Riley and Buffy really get going, which has to be a painful reminder for Willow. I had forgotten about Willow and Buffy’s conversation in the graveyard and in hindsight find it pretty sad. Some of Buffy’s issues with Riley were already present but she basically never dealt with them. I don’t believe the implosion of their relationship was all on Riley. I think he sensed some real issues but just handled it all wrong. 

Buffy: Riley seems so solid. Like he's not the type to give a girl grief.

Willow: Get out. Get out while there's still time.

Buffy: I know. I gotta get over the whole bad boy thing. There's no good there. Seeing Angel in L.A. - even for five minutes - hello to the pain.

Willow: The pain is not a friend.

Buffy: But then I can't help thinking, isn't that where the fire comes from? Can a nice, safe relationship be that intense? It's nuts, but part of me believes that real love and passion have to go hand in hand with lots of pain and fighting-

I’ve never gotten the bad boy thing. It’s all cool on television but in real life it’s dealing with a serial cheater at best and visiting a jail at worst. No, thanks. Anyway Buffy definitely has a thing with it which, if I wanted to get analytical, would say goes back to her father and her fear of healthy relationships. Riley could have been forever and committing to that is scary. But when you know Angel or Spike can’t last you don’t really have to commit or face your fears of ending up like your mother. I think Buffy has a lot of issues with Hank (made worse by her first relationship being a nightmare) that go unresolved. I’m not saying Riley and Buffy would have lasted forever, but I don’t think she ever really gave that idea a chance. 

Buffy: That's it. The invalid amnesiac routine is over. Kitchens closed 'til you tell me something useful about the commandos.

Spike: I'm trying to remember. It was very traumatic.

Buffy: How long are you going to pull this crap?

Spike: How long am I gonna live once I tell you?

Many people have wondered why Buffy didn’t stake Spike in season four and consider it a plot hole. I don’t doubt wanting to keep James Marsters around was a contributing factor, but I think we can also find signs Buffy had something for Spike in this episode. I don’t think it was love--just a weird sense of companionship mixed with physical attraction. They’d been rivals for so long they were practically pals (and his affection for Drusilla had always made him seem pathetic and more human to everyone). When they take him prisoner Giles is content to ignore Spike but Buffy sits by the side of the bathtub and teases him. They’re already developing that classic trope of the two people who fight so much you just figure they’ll eventually screw. Giles even notes that if they don’t kill each other soon he might lend a hand. 

Willow’s solution to the Spike problem is a truth spell. In season six her going straight for a magical solution would have raised eyebrows but now everyone thinks it’s brilliant. It was probably frustrating for Willow that her magical help abruptly became an issue. 

Giles: Willow may have had a helpful idea. She seems to be coping better with Oz' departure, don't you think?

Buffy: She's still got a way to go, but yeah -I think she's dealing.

Spike: What are you people, blind? She's hanging on by a thread. Any ninny can see that.

There’s an interesting irony in Spike being so good at reading people he doesn’t care about in the slightest. He’s proven right when Willow returns to Oz’s room and finds his things gone. She’s devastated and returns to moping around until she finally decides to get drunk. Xander and Buffy don’t approve. 

Xander: We’ve all got pain, Will--

Willow: Like what? Poor me, I live in a basement? Oh, yeah-that’s dire!

Buffy: I’m taking you home now.

Willow: I don’t want to--

Buffy: You’ll thank me when you still have a friend in the morning.

That made me so sad, especially given Xander’s usual attempts to cheer his friends up even when he’s feeling bad. It highlights a typical Xander issue--human problems tend to go unnoticed in all the supernatural chaos. Xander isn’t going to have a spell go awry and cause mass chaos when he’s upset so people just leave him to deal. 

Willow: Isn’t there some way I can make it go away? Just ‘cause I say so? Can’t I make it go poof?

This quote points us to a major underlying issue of Willow’s: she doesn’t like to fix things the hard right way. She loves magic because (aside from the power) it allows her to take short cuts. She doesn’t want to take the long, hard, and human path to healing and (later) forgiveness. This episode is one where you can really see Willow slowly going down the rabbit hole with magic and no one realizes what’s going on. 

Giles: A spell? I don't think it's wise for you to be doing that alone right now. Your energy is too unfocused. 

Willow: That's not true. I said I was off. Not incompetent.

Giles: I only meant that you're grieving, and it might be best if you took a break from doing spells without supervision.

Willow: So I get punished 'cause I'm in pain.

Giles misses the main things Willow is saying here: one, she does not like to be thought of as incompetent and two, she considers taking a break from magic a punishment. Willow craves approval and is already too reliant on magic. She is also deeply insecure and seeks to use magic to fix that (”if I had any real power I could have made Oz stay with me”). Buffy starts to tell her that she doesn’t want Oz to stay because she forced him but gets distracted. We avoided an important question--does Willow have a problem with enslaving Oz?

Buffy: One more word out of you and I swear--

Spike: Swear what? You're not going to do anything to me. You don't have the stones.

Buffy: Oh, I've got the stones. I've got a whole...bunch of stones.

Spike: I get this spell reversed, they'll be finding your body for weeks.

Buffy: Make a move. Please. I'm dying for good slay.

The sexual tension is pretty blatant in this scene. They’re leaning towards each other and you half expect them to kiss. Buffy is clearly attracted to Spike but too proud and disgusted to ever do anything with him (and that’s if she ever even admitted it to herself). 

We revisit the idea that our heroes are “doomed” when it comes to love. Willow calls Xander a demon magnet and causes him to literally attract demons because of her spell. Giles becomes blind, which was interesting because he does see things but often willfully ignores them. Buffy and Spike think they’re in love and getting married. 

Buffy: My wedding! I'm getting married! Can you believe it?

Riley: I don't think "no" is a strong enough word.

Possibly my favorite scene was when Riley runs into Buffy and believes she’s getting married. I laugh every time. She manages to save face when the spell is over by claiming she was teasing him over his panic when he saw her looking at wedding dresses. 

Xander: Something about Willow and her grief-y poor-me mood swings. So, so tired of it.

Anya: You mean I don't have to be nice to her anymore?

Buffy: We're all tired of it, but what's it have to do with what's going on?

I saw a post mentioning it’s pretty obvious Anya is autistic, which was like--lightbulb! I find her character annoying at times but one thing I identify with is her being a bit stumped by certain emotions and social appropriateness. Anyway, one big neon warning sign the Scoobies miss is Willow being offered vengeance demon status. Heartbreak is one thing, but being recognized as a possible force for never-ending vengeance is a whole other level that clearly points to some deeper issues. It doesn’t surprise me that Anya doesn’t think much of it; she probably thinks her similar capabilities are a normal way to feel. But the hatred and drive for that kind of thing isn’t something every human is capable of. After all, Cordelia was not given the offer after the Wishverse. But Willow turns down the offer and bakes everyone cookies and all is forgiven.

Other Best Quotes:

Buffy: Honey, we have to talk about invitations. Do you want to be "William the Bloody" or, like just "Spike"? 'Cause either way it's gonna look majorly weird.

Spike: Whereas the name "Buffy" gives it that touch of classic elegance.

Giles: Stop whatever you're doing. You smell like fruit roll-ups.

Spike: This is the crack team that foils my every plan? I am deeply shamed.

Character Notes:

Riley Finn: Buffy catches him helping hang a sign about the meeting of the UC Sunnydale Lesbian Alliance, telling us he’s a good, community-involved guy. He loves to cruise. 

Anya Jenkins: When she sees Willow is sad she says she’d burn Oz’s entrails if she still had her powers. Xander says that’s sweet. Anya is able to help when a demon attacks. She was turned 1120 years ago.

Amy Madison: Willow’s spell briefly turns her back into a human, but she’s back in rat form before anyone sees.

Buffy Summers: Buffy still doesn’t know how to drive. When under the spell she asks Giles to give her away at her wedding rather than her father and wants ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ for the first dance.

Rupert Giles: He’s touched Buffy wants him to give her away. Despite his reluctance when Willow was in high school Giles now depends on her help when it comes to magic.

[jennycalendar]

Imperfections (37/?)

ao3

i feel weird about the upcoming plotline & chapters but. they’ll probably hold up ok when they’re part of a finished story so i think i should keep them in

“Hey,” Faith tossed a box of Pop-Tarts to Giles, “can we get these?”

Giles gave Faith a long-suffering look and said, “Bloody hell, I’ve got two of them now.” Jen started laughing.

“What?” said Faith defensively.

Jen tried to speak through her laughter, waved a hand vaguely, and kept laughing.

“Ms. Calendar always tries to sneak Pop-Tarts in,” Oz explained, placing a few cans of soup into the shopping cart. “Last time she and Giles had a tug-of-war in the juice aisle.”

Faith looked at Giles, looked at Jen, and handed Giles five more boxes of Pop-Tarts.

“Stop that,” said Giles indignantly. “Jenny, stop laughing, this is your Slayer we’re talking about. You should be concerned about her eating habits.”

“I found the eggs, Giles!” Xander called, running up with four cartons in his arms.

Giles pressed his hands to his face. “They’re breakable.”

Jen seemed to finally manage to stop laughing, took the Pop-Tart boxes from Giles, placed three in the cart, put the rest back, and said, “Xander, really, you’ve got to be more careful with the eggs.”

“We’re keeping three?” said Faith with satisfaction.

“Oh, completely,” Jen agreed. “Okay. How much stuff do we have that’s actually on the shopping list?”

“Fruit,” said Buffy cheerfully, placing a box of raspberries carefully on top of one of the remaining Pop-Tart boxes. “And I’m pretty sure Willow’s off getting baking chocolate.”

“Where’s Cordelia?” Xander asked, looking around with genuine surprise. Jen took the eggs from him.

Buffy frowned. “You know, I’m actually not sure.”

“Hey, Giles, do we need Easter Peeps for whatever it is we’re doing right now?” Cordelia asked, hurrying up to the group with a large bag of brightly colored marshmallow chicks.

“It’s my first round of shopping for our holiday dinner in December,” said Giles exasperatedly, “and I made sure to tell you all that in the car, and no, we already have Pop-Tarts. That’s enough artificially flavored garbage to—”

“Aww, Easter Peeps!” Jen hurried past Giles, taking the bag from Cordelia. “I don’t care that we’re winter-solstice shopping, those never go out of season.”

“For the love of—” Giles stepped forward, trying to tug the bag away from Jen.

“I’m sorry, tug-of-war? Are we five?” Jen said with mock indignance, and stepped on Giles’s foot, taking this opportunity to pull the bag of Easter Peeps away from him and collide with a shelf of cat food.

“This is great,” said Xander to Willow. “I wish my parents fought over Easter Peeps in the middle of a grocery store.”

“No. No, you don’t. Stop encouraging her.” Giles took the bag of Easter Peeps from Jen and handed it back to Cordelia. “I am trying to draw some kind of line.”

“What if I said they were for me?” Jen inquired.

“And me,” said Faith hopefully.

“Oooh, Easter Peeps!” said Buffy with interest.

Jen smiled a little wryly. “Fine,” she said, “I see your point. No Easter Peeps.”

“Communication is an important part of a healthy relationship,” Willow teased.

Faith gave Jen a brief grin before taking a look at her copy of the shopping list. No one had gotten the frozen peas for Giles’s chicken pot pie yet, so she decided to go and get those. “Be right back,” she told the group, and headed into the frozen section.

To her surprise, she saw that pretty blonde physics teacher from school crying directly in front of the frozen peas. Great. Now Faith was going to have to walk past her to get the peas, and there was going to be an inevitable awkward moment whether or not the physics teacher recognized her. Trying to decide how best to play this one, Faith hovered nonchalantly by the aisle.

A short woman with caramel-colored hair came up to the physics teacher. “I’ve found the cupcake mix,” she announced. “We can do some angry-vengeance baking together now.” She hesitated, looking at the teacher. “You feeling a little better?” she asked sympathetically.

Relieved, Faith took a step forward. Maybe now they’d leave.

“Oh, yeah, crying in a grocery store does wonders for morale,” sniffled the teacher. “I’m pretty sure I already saw five people I know here, and two of them are faculty members.”

“Come on.” The other woman patted the teacher awkwardly on the shoulder. “Buck up. We can go get some hot chocolate and talk about—”

“God, I wish no one could see me like this!” the teacher burst out. “Or—or even hear me!”

Faith was just about to decide that the frozen peas were definitely not worth watching this mortifying spectacle and leave, but then the other woman’s face—changed. It wasn’t exactly horrifying, but it was definitely not human. “Done,” said the woman, and suddenly the pretty physics teacher was gone.

“Hey!” Faith shouted. The woman turned, her face still creepy and very demon-y. “What the hell did you do to her?”

Behind her, she felt a hand on her shoulder. “Faith,” said Jen a little reprovingly, and then, upon seeing the demon, “Oh. Wow. Okay.”

Without a word, the demon vanished.

“Oh, wow, that’s reassuring,” said Jen, her grip tight on Faith’s shoulder. “Did she—you’re okay, right?”

“What?” Faith looked over at Jen. “No, I’m fine. I’m more worried about the other lady.”

“The other who now?” Willow inquired from next to Jen.

Buffy sprinted into the aisle, fists up. “What’s going on?” she demanded.

“Faith’s shouting at nobody in a grocery aisle,” said Cordelia, strolling over to stand next to Buffy.

“Not nobody,” said Faith indignantly.

“Yeah, there was a creepy demon lady who disappeared a few seconds after I showed up,” Jen added helpfully.

“And the physics teacher,” Faith put in.

Giles frowned, rolling the shopping cart up to the group. “The physics teacher?”

“Shit,” said Faith. “Uh, I don’t remember her name. Blonde lady, really pretty. Lots of crying.”

Jen’s eyes widened. “Ms. Emerson?”

“Yeah!” Faith beamed at Jen. “That sounds familiar. Ms. Emerson—why do you look so worried?”

“No, it’s just—” Jen waved a hand. “Some substitute teacher was asking me about Ms. Emerson a few days back.”

“Substitute teacher?” Xander repeated warily.

“Ooh, yeah.” Willow winced. “Substitute teachers do tend to be a little weird in this town. Remember that one who was a praying mantis?”

“Awesome,” said Jen exhaustedly. “I turned on a demon teacher’s computer.”

“Is that a euphemism?” Xander asked.

“So not the time,” said Cordelia pointedly.

“Let’s not jump to any unwarranted conclusions,” interrupted Giles. “Faith, what happened to Ms. Emerson?”

“Well,” said Faith slowly, “she was crying about something with her friend, and she was all I wish no one could see me like this, and then the friend turned into that demon and Ms. Emerson disappeared.”

“No one can see her,” said Giles slowly. “Perhaps—”

“—her friend took that one literally,” Jen finished. “Where was Ms. Emerson?”

“In front of the frozen peas,” said Faith. “Why?”

Jen stepped forward, giving a worried-looking Giles a reassuring smile. Carefully, she walked towards the frozen peas, reaching out in front of her. “Ms. Emerson?” she said carefully. “Are you there?”

“Oh, right,” Faith added hastily. “Ms. Emerson also said something about how she didn’t want anyone to hear her.”

Jen yelped and tripped over something, grabbing at something else to hold her steady. “Hey, Rupert?” she called. “Can you come over here for a second?” She shifted to a kneeling position on the floor, placing her hand on thin air. “Hi,” she said. “Okay. Just—hold on to me, all right? We’re going to try and fix this.”

“Ah,” said Giles weakly. “She’s found Ms. Emerson.”

“So I’m guessing we save shopping for a later date?” Xander inquired uncertainly.

Willow carried a grocery bag in, handing it off to Faith when she entered the kitchen. Buffy and Faith were putting the groceries away, Giles was making pasta, and everyone else was clustered awkwardly around Ms. Calendar and Ms. Emerson at the kitchen table.

“Hey,” said Ms. Calendar with a tired grin. “Thanks for finishing up the shopping.”

“No problem!” Willow smiled back. “How’s Ms. Emerson doing?”

“Pretty well, considering that this is her first contact with the supernatural world,” Ms. Calendar replied, pointing to the pen and paper in front of Ms. Emerson. “She’s been communicating with us via more traditional means. Turns out that the substitute history teacher is some kind of weird demon lady, because she’s the person who Faith saw with Charlotte.”

“Charlotte?” Xander repeated.

“Ms. Emerson,” Ms. Calendar explained, glancing over at the empty chair next to her. “She and Anya have been pretty close for the last few days. Apparently, Anya’s provided something of a listening ear through some hard times.”

“Someday,” said Giles, placing a stack of plates down on the table, “Snyder will get what’s coming to him for all these bloody demons he keeps putting on staff.”

“Oh, no, I think the praying mantis was actually thanks to Flutie,” said Ms. Calendar thoughtfully. “Also, I really want to hear more about that tape Buffy said you made on proper filing.”

Ms. Emerson tapped the pen pointedly against the table.

“So how exactly do we fix this?” Cordelia asked. “Anya’s vanished into thin air, and we don’t know if she’s coming back any time soon.”

“Before we figure out how to help Ms. Emerson, don’t we need to figure out why Anya came here in the first place?” said Oz thoughtfully.

All eyes turned to him. “What do you mean?” said Willow, surprised.

Oz smiled at her. “Well,” he said, “if we know why Anya decided to grant Ms. Emerson’s wish, we’ll know why she was there for Ms. Emerson to begin with. And if we know that, we’ll know how to get her to come back.”

“That is a really good point,” said Ms. Calendar, jumping up from her chair and crossing the room to Giles. “Rupert, put someone else on dinner duty. You and I need to get into research mode.” Without waiting for Giles’s answer, she grabbed his arm, pulling him into the other room. Over her shoulder, she called, “If anyone wants to ask Ms. Emerson any useful questions, definitely do that too, okay?”

“I think you should cover that, Will,” said Xander, nudging her gently.

“Yeah, Willow,” said Faith in what was a surprisingly genuine tone of voice. “You’re a smart chick. Go for it.”

Quietly, Willow slid into Ms. Calendar’s seat, feeling a little weird to just be looking at an empty chair. “Um, hi,” she said.

The pen moved. On the paper, Ms. Emerson’s neat cursive spelled out hello.

Willow tried to think of a useful question she could ask. “So, um, how did you meet Anya?” she asked carefully.

She was in the staff room at the same time I was, Ms. Emerson wrote. She made me a cup of coffee.

“Hey,” said Faith suddenly. “Was there anything weird about Anya?”

“Well, duh, she can turn people invisible,” said Cordelia, examining her nails.

“That’s not what she means,” Willow realized aloud. “Ms. Emerson,” she continued, “was there anything distinctive you noticed about Anya? Like, a birthmark, a scar, some weird piece of jewelry—”

The pen began to scribble very fast.

“Bingo,” said Faith, beaming at Willow.

Willow peered over at the piece of paper. Anya gave me a necklace to wear, it read. She said it was a good-luck charm. I don’t have it on me anymore—I think it disappeared along with her. Is it possible that this necklace could be linked to her somehow?

“All right, someone go tell Giles and Ms. Calendar about this,” Willow instructed the room. “Ms. Emerson, can you draw what the necklace looks like? Just a rough approximation should be fine.”

“Ooh, you’ve got the leader thing down pat,” Buffy teased gently, pausing by the table to smile at Willow. “I’ll finish up that pasta for everyone.”

[buffystylez-blog]

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Directed by: Reza Badiyi

Written by: Ashley Gable and Thomas A. Swyden

Starring: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alyson Hannigan, Nicholas Brendan, Anthony Head, Charisma Carpenter, David Boreanaz, Mercedes McNab, Armin Shimerman, and Clea Duvall

Welcome to the penultimate episode of season one, in which feeling figuratively invisible leads to be literally invisible. And batshit. Also, Angel is back briefly to conveniently forward the season arc. But who cares because fashurn!

Outfit 1

I loved this outfit. I even had something close to it. I had a plain white t-shirt and a knee length pink skirt. The cut of the t-shirt wasn’t the same, because the cut was so fucking hard for me to find. The skirt was a little different - Buffy’s is a cherry pattern. Mine was floral. It was one of those lined skirts with a sheer overlay that were so coveted in 1997-1998. It also had a frill around the hem. But it was close enough.

Sadly I did not have the boots. Buffy wears these boots or similar in most episodes of season 1. I wanted them so badly. But tragically I could not.

Real talk - my legs are ok. But I have small feet and defined calves. And I know what you might be thinking. You’re thinking ‘so?’ or ‘what does that mean?’ Well, I’ll tell you what it means. It means knee high leather boots were not possible for me. I’d try on a size 7 boot, try to zip them up, and have them stop halfway up my calf. The tears wouldn’t come then, no, not in a shoe shop or department store. They’d come later. At home. But also some times in a shoe or department store. So I usually wore sneakers with my ‘Buffy outfit’ much like I did with my ‘Dharma outfit.’

But don’t worry about Little Sallie because I’m ok now. Years later I found some boots that zipped during the ‘pirate boots’ craze of 2006. And you can find stretchier versions of knee high and over the knee boots now. Also I don’t really want to wear knee high boots any more. Though given late 90s fashion is seeping back into our consciousness I’ll probably end up fighting tears in a shoe or department store very soon.

Her hair here is great. Is it more blonde?

The jacket from Never Kill a Boy on the First Date appears to be back and it is not unwelcome.

Xander and Willow appear to be matching again. When this happens it never seems to be Xander dressing better. It’s always Willow dressing worse. Though to be fair this isn’t bad from Xander.

Giles’ tie deserves attention.

And we do have a wonderful reference to them being the Scooby Gang.

I want that shirt. I have a thing for t-shirts. I’m something of a collector. Mostly because they’re usually white and I spill a lot of food on them. I went through a phase of buying vintage t-shirts and band t-shirts. Not buying a band t-shirt at a gig was like the proverbial tree falling in the forest: did it happen at all?

Cordelia is looking quite presidential in this episode, which makes sense given she’s vying for May Queen with... Nobody. She’s decided to serve up some Jackie Kennedy realness for the campaign, which I like.

This is during the campaign. Harmony is trying to match without overshadowing. She is doing a very good job because no one would look at her and Cordelia and think she’s winning any elections with a mess like that. No wonder she gets pushed down the stairs.

Outfit 2

I can’t tell if this is a brown leather jacket or a black leather jacket.

This is blurry, so it’s unclear, but is she wearing some kind of leather pantsuit for hunting? Has Harmony inspired Buffy and if so, are we still in the nightmare realm from last episode?

It might be black. But still. The high ponytail is good.

Cordelia is looking royal as fuck. I think this was during a time when the whole Shakespeare-style, punk princess kind of thing was in. It may have started with Romeo + Juliet and continued into films like 10 Things I Hate About You and Gwyneth Paltrow’s awards style after Shakespeare In Love. This appears to be crushed velvet, probably designed to crush Cordy’s enemies.

Outfit 3

Cordelia is winning everything this episode. Buffy’s look is... Ok. But Cordelia’s game is too strong. This is what she wore when she was officially elected May Queen. It is incredible.

Buffy, meanwhile, is not doing well. It feels like she’s half-dressed for school and half-dressed for slayage. It’s too matchy-matchy for my liking.

There’s also a jacket. This fifty shades of blue look is making me blue. As in sad. I do love those sunglasses.

Cordelia is doing the slaying here. You can’t see it here but she’s matched the dress with a yellow ribbon headband. Buffy should be paying more attention. This appeals to me a lot because I do love a nod to the 50s and 60s. I had a similar dress to this around 2007. It’s white with gold thread and I don’t think it fits anymore, which is depressing. I liked to wear it while holding one of those old school champagne glasses. The glass would preferably be filled with champagne. And refilled regularly.

We should all be paying attention to Giles’ tie game, which is very strong.

This week’s villain is a girl who was ignored so much at school she became invisible, meaning you don’t always need superpowers or an invisibility cloak or a cyborg body to become invisible. Just a shitty high school experience.

This is Marcie, the girl in question, pre-invisibility:

This is Marcie post-invisibility:

I feel very bad for Marcie. High school is bullshit. But it’s ok because after Buffy stops her from mutilating Cordelia at the Coronation she's taken away to be trained as an assassin. WHICH IS AWESOME.

Outfit 4

I wear things like this to work, but without the boots. And weird graphic on the t-shirt.

Buffy’s hair looks pretty much flawless here.

Xander’s shirt seems about right.

It’s post-election and Cordelia is back to her pre-campaign wardrobe.

Pretty sure I saw this at H&M last week. That should scare me, but it doesn’t. Maybe I’m settling in to middle age.

And that’s it! Next up is the season finale. We’re now just one episode away from... Buffy’s haircut. You have no idea how excited I am. 

Until then, Slayerettes.

Screencaps from Screencapped.Net

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Tuesday, November 22

Spike : Help me. (Buffy shoves him back and he goes tumbling.) Ohh! What part of help me do you not understand? Buffy : The part where I help you. Spike : Come on, I'm parboiling out here. Buffy : Want me to help make it quicker? Spike : Invite me in. Giles : No. It's fairly unlikely. Spike : Oh, damn it! Look, I'm safe. I can't bite anyone. Willow, tell' em what I did. Willow : You said you were gonna kill me, then Buffy. Spike : Yes, bad, but let's skip that part and get to the part where I couldn't bite you.

~~Buffy Episode #64: "Pangs"~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

All I See is the Slayer (Buffy/Spike, M) by thedreadslayer

Once and Never Again (Buffy/Angel, T) by angelus2hot

Deliverance (Buffy/Spike, ) by VeroNyxK84

[Chaptered Fiction]

Bound Chapter 32 Coming Clean? (Buffy/Spike, unrated) by spnae

Absolute Destiny Ch. 7 (Buffy/Faith, T) by Forgotten Conscience

Shadow Over Hellmouth Ch. 23 (Buffy/Tara, M) by Tuxedo Mark

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Reunion (Book One of the Reunion Trilogy) Ch. 30 (Ensemble, M) by MCorey1317

Dies Irae Ch. 4 (Ensemble, T) by michael t

All That Is And All That Seems Ch. 40 (Buffy/Faith, M) by Malk McJorma

Waiting On My Spaceship, Chapter 6 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Chelle

The Road to Hell...., Chapter 27 (Buffy/Spike, E) by All4Spike

Baby Love, Chapter 25-26 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Niamh

Things Changed Ch. 2 - Belonging (Cordelia, T, Harry Potter xover) by Buffyworldbuilder

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[Reviews & Recaps]

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Angel Season 3 by wikiangela

[Fandom Discussions]

it’s like you have to stop yourself from tearing your hair out by badrecognition

Thinking more about the Tento di Cruciamentum by petpluto

i think about holden telling buffy she might think she’s better than the men she dates by badrecognition

“then i have to get close to spike,” you literally do not. by badrecognition

the First was so fucking funny. by badrecognition

i know s4 of angel got a lot of bad rep bc of the incest angle by badrecognition

Giles’ whole, “which shouldn’t prevent you from eventually procuring some more gainful form of employment, such as I did” line is such utter crap by petpluto

the Unseen trilogy by oveliagirlhaditright

the “first date” script by silvermars

I really wish they would have leaned more to the Xander from the end of The Zeppo by Ok-Carpenter-9778

It is absolutely mad that the show tries to make Buffy look bad for working in fast food by Brilliant-Problem605

Just started season 3 on my rewatch again and miss Joyce… by cutestcatlady

Cordy was my first mean girl Crush by The810kid

Faith’s first appearance possibly foreshadowed a couple episodes earlier. by icrystalizedx

'Think before you speak' - These characters often did the opposite of that. by Opening_Knowledge868

After the events of Chosen by GreyStagg

Thought I got rid of these by eVoesque

You’re organising a “Buffy special” at the cinema by Weezlecheesle

Is the Boom comic series over? by Dapper3031

I love the friendship Angel & Faith have by Almighty_Push91

Spike and Joyce by PopularScarcity2243

angel in what’s my line by all-seeing-ifer

for anyone who has read the “Unseen Trilogy” by oveliagirlhaditright

Some of the ways people talk about Drusilla is a bit odd? by gh-0-stcup

[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

PUBLICATION: Buffy's Forgotten Replacement Has an Incredibly Cool Backstory by Screen Rant

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[prose-for-hire]

Puppy love

Pairing: Spike x reader

Request: idea! willow practicing her magic skills by trying to grow a plant instantly. spike mocks her then willow calls him a bitch & he somehow turns into a dog & freaks. then reader finds puppy!spike stuck in some fence near the graveyard & takes him in & cares for him & rambles about their life/interests cuz now they have fluffy friend! then wakes up to see regular spike on the dog bed & freaks. Maybe later they go back to graveyard looking for pup & spike saves from attack & heals them @ his crypt?

AN: I changed the start a little from the original request, hope that’s okay. Right, so, I was in a full on debate with myself about what breed of puppy Spike should be transformed into. I chose a lil black lab cos they’re cute

Also, there is now a teeny tiny second part to this

Xander and Willow were supposed to be having a double date with Oz and Cordelia, but they had met first to try a de-lusting spell as they had been cheating on their respective partners. You had no knowledge of this, you didn’t usually get tangled in the drama like the rest of them, although they were all your friends.

Little did anyone know that Spike had rolled into town in a drunken stupor, overhearing Willow’s conversation at the Magic Box about her upcoming spell. He figured where he could find them and planned to force her to make a love spell so that he could make Drusilla love him again. He was desperately lonely, a broken heart that couldn’t be healed as Drusilla had cheated on him.

Willow was focusing, closing her eyes and trying to make sure her focus was on magic and nothing else. But when the door swung open, it sent Willow into a panic and when she saw that it was Spike storming in demanding a love potion, she couldn’t help but shout what she was feeling.

Son-of-a “Bitch!” was all that Willow shouted out loud, having been interrupted by Spike sending the magic she had started to manifest straight for him. She moved to look at him as she said it, her magic working in such mysterious and sometimes literal ways. It backfired and Willow’s eyes widened, after a black Labrador puppy appeared from behind a cloud of smoke where Spike had been stood before.

She opened her mouth to say something but only a giggle escaped her lips. The puppy growled at her, scampers off. He made it as far as a graveyard before he spoke to himself in confusion, having seen his reflection in a puddle.

“Woof!” Bloody hell! I’m a sodding puppy! I’m gonna kill that good for nothing little witch when I-

He started to scamper away from his reflection, but he was cut off from his non-verbal little rant, as he was running towards a crypt for shelter and got caught on the fencing. The wiring was caught, digging into his flesh slightly. He let out an angry little growl and started to struggle but with no luck.

At this very moment, you were ambling through the graveyard and you happened upon a little puppy who had been tangled up in the wiring. You gasped, he was the cutes little pup with the brightest blue eyes. They were almost human and he was so small, with a loud voice despite the size. You melted, rushing straight over to him and trying to comfort him. He snapped at you, but you loved animals, understanding he was probably a little stressed. You manage to untangle him and start to check his wounds – they are scratches but you decide you’ll have to try and keep an eye on him and take him home. You were so excited to find a little furry friend, despite his apparent grumpy temperament. You carried him home, whispering softly as you did.

“Come in little one, welcome to your new home” You smile, snuggling into him and kissing the top of his head. He snaps at you and you move him from your head, stroking him and whispering that you understood. Instead you showed him around your small house - he must have been through a lot so you would work up to kisses and snuggles.

You fed him and made sure he wasn’t more hurt than you thought and then decided he should have a name. All you could come up with was ‘pup’ for now. You made a small nest of blankets in the corner of your room, so that he had somewhere to sleep. However, when it got to bedtime after the pup exploring the house for most of the evening, he refused to settle. He just kept scampering back up to sleep in your bed. No matter how many times you scooped him up, he returned to the same spot.

“No, you have a little nest here!” You explain, lifting him again and nestling him on top of the blankets on the floor, “Pup, no!” you try to half-heartedly scold him, but his little face made it too hard.

“Woof” No bloody way am I sleeping on the floor like some animal – why don’t you sleep on the floor you bloody-

“Aw, you little sweetheart! Are you talking to me? Are you?” You whisper, stroking his soft fur adoringly.

“Woof woof” I will kill you and your little friends and if you – oh, that actually feels nice – no, you bloody don’t trick me into – behind the ears, love – that’s it

“You like that, huh? A little scratch behind the ears? I think we’re gonna be good friends little one” You grinned as he started to finally relax in your presence. You paused, deciding you would have to give in and let him sleep here just this once.

“Woof” Don’t stop! What are you doing you strange bitch-

“Okay, you’ve twisted my arm – you can sleep on the bed, but you can’t hog the covers” You joked, dogs can’t steal covers, you giggle. The pup moved his head to the side, almost as if he was studying you closely. His eyes seemed human, he was such a little sweetheart your heart was melting. You were so pleased you had found him. You settled in bed and the pup curled up beside you.

You stayed up that first night, excitedly checking on your new friend, making sure you hadn’t dreamt him up. He didn’t appear to be too bothered about the little grazes from the fencing but you wondered whether you should take him to the vets. You considered checking if he was chipped, or getting him chipped, but something inside told you he might not handle that too well. Maybe a hunch.

It had been a week and the pup was getting more used to you. Your little furry friend could be a little bit of a grouch but you always won him around with snuggles and scratches behind the ear. He was very talkative, little yips as if he was telling you something very important, and he seemingly liked the affection you were giving him.

You continue over the next few weeks to curl up with the pup in the evenings and ramble about anything and everything that came to mind. Sometimes, you could swear pup was actually listening.

“Sometimes I get a little lonely, the Scoobies are all so nice but they’re all coupled up and I feel a little left behind. Is there something wrong with me, pup? Where’s my big romantic story?”

“Woof” Nothing wrong with you pet, except maybe you’re a little too trusting letting a beast like this into the house and expecting to remain unscathed

“Stop, little one! That tickles!” You giggle as his tiny teeth start to playfully snap at your hand. He settled back down, and you continued to speak, “At times, I feel like I’m making things worse instead of helping with the slaying. I made Buffy let Spike go the last time he was here. He seemed to mean well, getting rid of Angelus and all. Everyone thinks I trust too easily – see the good even when there’s none there. I feel stupid, like a child”

“Woof woof” Rot! You’re not stupid! Bloody seen enough of your lot to see that you’re the best of them, pet

“Willow says Spike came back the other week, but he disappeared. His eyes looked so sad when I saw him come back. I wish he had love like him and Drusilla had…” you sigh again, stroking the pup softly as you were in deep thought.

“Woof. Woof. Woof!” Mad bloody bint doesn’t love me – she sodding cheated! Don’t get me started, I mean – a chaos demon?! You don’t want love like that, believe me pet

“Aw someone’s chatty! I know, I know I have you. My favourite little man” You cooed and this time, the cute little pup didn’t grumble like he usually would, instead he leaned his head onto your lap. Snuggling you without prompt.

Over the next couple of weeks, the pup had slowly started to sleep closer to you, as if he were seeking to protect you which made you giggle. He was so small, he was all bark and no bite. He snuggled up nearer you in the night, enjoying your body heat. You both got used to each other, sometimes you swore he was actually speaking to you. You both enjoyed snuggling up in the evenings, and you showed pup all of your favourite shows. You took him on little walks although he still hadn’t mastered fetch.

You were becoming used to each other, until one morning everything was different. You woke up one morning, a strange weight over you, finding a man lying in your bed. No, not a man. A vampire. You scream, looking around wildly for the pup – he made you feel safer. Your screaming made him stir, “How did you even get in?!” you shrieked, moving away from him. Spike realised he’s back to himself and started to run, pulling your duvet from your bed and around him and out the door.

Spike had a weird affection for you after this, feeling like he really knows you. Gets you. He shared your loneliness, wanting to take it from you as you had started to make him feel better. From what you said to him, he felt that he understood you, you’re a romantic. Like him. You’re loyal. He found himself having an innate need to protect you. Look out for you. Wants to hold you and be held by you again. He missed it more than he found himself missing Drusilla.

You were lonely without pup. His little blue eyes would be all mopey and lost again. You needed to find him, you just hoped that he hadn’t been eaten by one of Sunnydale’s many predators.

You walk into the graveyard, looking for pup. You hadn’t lost hop in finding him. He was so innocent, you were worried he was stuck again. Spike had decided to stay in Sunnydale rather than going after Dru. He watched you walk into the graveyard, sighing, rolling his eyes at how oblivious you are. Just taking a stroll when anything could be hiding in the shadows. He swiftly stepped out of the shadows to tell you this, but another demon beat him to it.

You squeal, stumbling and falling backwards as Spike swiftly steps in front of you and beats it up, protecting you from the threat. There was a strange familiarity and need to hug Spike as a thank you, maybe even scratch him behind the ears.

“Come on, pet, I’ve got some of those candies you like” He offered, gesturing towards an abandoned crypt with no explanation. Gestures his head again for you to follow him as you just stare dumbfounded. You feel conflicted, like he was offering you candy to get into a van. But you followed him, trusting his intentions. Knowing, somehow, that he was being sincere. His demeanour towards you appeared to change since he was in Sunnydale last. He almost appeared to have affection for you and you couldn’t help feeling something for him although you couldn’t name it.

“Why are you being nice, Spike?” You ask after he hands you your favourite snacks that he appeared to have actually bought from a shop. There was a receipt and everything in the bag. You were now both sat in a crypt that he had appeared to have done up to look like a house.

“I was the pup you were dotin’ on oh so kindly. Red’s spell gone wrong” he explained with a shrug. You cringe a little, you had poured your heart out over that month or so you were together.

“Oh, uh, you want me to pay you to… stop you from telling people? You’re gonna eat me, aren’t you?” You asked, sighing rather than screaming this time.

“Nothing like that, pet… uh, you give good hugs” he admits with a shrug. You nod slowly as if this made sense. He was missing the affection, being held. He enjoyed it and he wanted it again. Only with you, though.

You’re very trusting and he knew he could talk to you. He started to talk about his most intimate feelings, telling you of his loneliness. Heartbreak. He told you in detail, everything that happened with Drusilla. You were sat, hanging on every word for most of the night. Your eyes started to water, your sobs strangled as you tried not to cry in front of him. You move in to hug him and to your surprise, he wrapped his arms around you in return. His own eyes threatening to spill over as he thought about his past that he had just laid before you so honestly. It was strange, he wasn’t used to being so honest about his past – but it was only fair. You had told him a lot about yourself.

Not willing to leave the warmth of each other’s embrace, you followed him and slipped into bed beside him. You both held each other through the rest of the night and well into the day. You snuggle into each other wordlessly. It became a common occurrence, with Spike staying with you in Sunnydale rather than returning to look for Drusilla. He doesn’t even joke about biting you, that often, he just wants the security of your arms, as you want his.

[kevoreally]

#BuffyAt20 - S03E05 “Homecoming”

AND HERE WE ARE! I am finally caught up on #BuffyAt20 with this liveblog! Very exciting. Season 3, Episode 5, “Homecoming.”

> It’s weird to see these kids talking about something normal like a dance. Not funny weird. Weird weird.

> Why is Willow talking about this being their “last homecoming” as if they’ve ever been the types to celebrate homecoming? (Didn’t Cordy almost get Bride Of Frankenstein’d at last homecoming or something?)

> Is it homecoming or Homecoming? I’m not going to get it right, that’s for sure.

> I actually don’t think going in Oz’s van is the dumbest idea. It's at The Bronze, not The Plaza.

> Why are they talking about a limo for homecoming anyway?? Is this a thing? I thought that was just Prom. And yet I remember no mention of a limo once we get to the actual Prom.

> Wow, in a rare instance, Cordelia’s tactlessness is actually useful. I mean, she’s not calling out Scott in defense of Buffy so much as from a complete lack of social awareness, but it still proved useful.

> “The judge will accept that as a yes.” Bless Oz forever.

> Okay, Buffy is still a little zoned out, but she’s a fairly decent girlfriend in that first scene.

> Was that Angel dramatic curtain pull really as intense as the music tried to tell us? Probably not.

> I actually loved and still love the “Buffy hiding Angel” arc. I think it makes a lot of sense. I think it could’ve been better executed at times, but I still enjoy it more than, say, XILLOW.

>This smash-cut to the break-up is actually almost laughable. Who wrote this one? … Written AND directed by Greenwalt? Huh.

> This was such a weird three-episode arc, this Scott Hope thing. We literally never see him again after this episode, and he’s only mentioned again I think once in Season 7.

> He barely gives a reason for dumping her! YOU AGREED TO GO TO HOMECOMING WITH HER LAST NIGHT! What a chump. You can do better, B.

> Woof. The Twins. Hello, boys.

> Them watching her is such an interesting note to close the teaser on, because it still yet doesn’t give away any of the SlayerFest stuff, you just think “assassins.”

> No, seriously, every week this theme song gets me.

> THE MAYORRRRRR!!!!!!!

> Also Deputy Mayor Allan. Love him. Was he Deputy Mayor? I suppose I’ll be reminded soon enough.

> The germophobe stuff was such an odd and interesting quirk to add to this villain.

> “Dirt. And germs. And mayonnaise.” This performance, man.

> “You have all my faith.” HA!

> It’s cute that these senior portraits were used in the “official” Sunnydale High Yearbook. (Which I own, of course. (It’s… not great.))

> “Open to all mankind.” There’s that slut-shaming again.

> Xander actually does occasionally show emotional concern for Cordy and it’s… almost nice? But then this is the episode where he starts cheating, so… nvm.

> Eddie’s friend Nicole on #FreshOffTheBoat looked just like Faith and I loved it.

> See, and now here Buffy and Faith are talking about being sexually empowered. Isn’t that so much nicer than slut-shaming?

> UGH, the scene where Buffy’s favorite teacher doesn’t know her. I feel this too hard.

> I find it hard to believe any teacher has not heard of Buffy. THAT NAME ALONE.

> Also hard to believe there’s no make-up dates for senior portraits. And seriously? When Buffy didn’t show up after Cordy said she’d get her, no one else went?? 🤬

> “just because you were Guacamole Queen when you were three” - is that in response to Buffy saying she was Fiesta Queen a moment ago, when Cordelia wasn’t present?

> Yeah, my IG post had me wonder if Buffy should’ve backed off, since this is all Cordy has, but no. This is actually great. I root for Buffy all the way. Go for blood.

> "...and whatever the hell you are, my brother. You got them  spiny-looking head things. I ain't never seen that before." "I am Kulak, of the Miquot Clan." "Isn't that nice." Loool.

> “Ladies, gentlemen, spiny-head-looking creatures.” Seriously, Mr. Trick was great.

> OH NO, IT’S HERE. The dreaded Xillow.

> Seriously, can I just blackout during this?

> There’s even a soft pop hit playing in the background. STOP TRYING TO BE #DAWSONSCREEK.

> I’m sorry - eighth grade COTILLION? WHAT? (Meanwhile, I was in seventh grade when this aired.)

> Xander asking Willow how far she and Oz got is only inappropriate because of what comes next. It would’ve been so nice if they could’ve been comfortable opposite-sex friends who could talk about those sorts of things.

> This whole scene is so painfully awkward. Who actually wanted this? STOP DANCING.

> Okay it’s over bye, bye, byeee.

> This whiteboard reminds me of #CabinInTheWoods

> Okay, Buffy. Like. Why do you think anyone is going to laugh at you making fun of Cordy? We all know it’s beneath you.

> “A lot of people came to my welcome home party.” “They were killed by zombies.” “Good point.” HA.

> Okay, you know, Willow and Xander’s guilt pushing them to work harder for Cordy almost makes it worth the moment in THIS episode. But its continuation after this is just dumb.

> Like. At the very least, can’t Willow let Buffy see her database too? Wtf?

> “As Willow goes, so goes my nation” is something I say a lot, except with Nico.

> I straight up thought Buffy was just drinking directly from a bottle of wine just now.

> I like this song during the compaign montage. And hey, it’s Fastball! https://youtu.be/e97XbcKy8ZU

> I liked the Lisa Loeb song from earlier, so I may as well link to that too: https://youtu.be/NDdivQ8n5Ug

> Aww, it was so nice of the promo department to lend Buffy a headshot to use for her campaign posters. 🙄

> Remember last week when Scott’s two oldest friends were both killed, including one by the other? And we were supposed to, like, feel sympathy for him?

> How long is this campaign going on for? Where is Buffy getting the funding for all of this?

> WHY WOULD WILLOW *NOT* HAVE SHOWN BUFFY THE DATABASE? Sigh.

> JONATHAN!!!

> Cordelia only gave Jonathan $6? Even in 1998, that was nothing. At least make it $10!

> Vulcan Death Grip - that’s not the right name, right? I feel like even I know that one.

> “is that any more tacky than your faux ‘I’m shy but deep’ campaign posters?” “...yes.” Ha. And, yes.

> ”How can you think it’s okay to talk to people like this?” SERIOUSLY, BUFFY. I’m finding it hard to understand how liking Cordelia at this point in the series.

> Like right here. Cordelia *purposely* goes to physically push Buffy, assuming the Slayer would never push back. The moment Buffy actually defends herself, Cordelia calls her “sick.” That’s uncanny.

> Okay, “vapid whore” wasn’t great. But. ...Y’know. 🤷🏻‍♂️

> For real, I still keep expecting it to turn out there’s some kind of horny homecoming ghost that’s going to be revealed as the source of this Xillow nonsense. But no. Never.

> “I’m talking about us.” Loooool, of course you are, Willow. Watch out for anvils, everyone…

> “The limo was not cheap, work it out”? What the fuck? 🤭🤣

> Okay, but for real, the setup here of how Cordelia came to be mistaken for Faith? I actually do find that amusing. And it was 1998, so you could still just barely get away with the Germans making that mistake without saying, “Okay, but all that tech and they got it wrong?” It was a magical time.

> Their dresses are gorgeous and timeless, by the way. And the color scheme evokes thoughts of #TRON for me, that orange and almost-teal green.

> Omigod, it’s a TV in the woods, hooked up to a VCR. Maybe it wasn’t such a magical time after all, haha.

> I want a SlayerFest T-shirt.

> I vividly remember “She’s a Slayer, I’m a Homecoming Queen” from the commercials.

> Faith just hanging out at this dance is so cute. There weren’t nearly enough stories with Faith actively involved as a good guy.

> I haven’t ever listened closely to “She Knows” by Four Star Mary, I don’t know how much sense Oz writing it for Willow makes, but believe I’ll be looking into it before I blog it.

> Giles psyching out Willow and Xander is friggin’ adorable. I love that Giles starts to loosen up this season. Is it a response to seeing the change in his returned Slayer? Hmm.

> I love Buffy just lobbing a bear trap at someone.

> I can’t tell if the hunter is cute. I wanna say mostly. I wonder if this was supposed to be Whats-his-name from “Phases”?

> Okay, it’s vindictive, but Faith’s revenge on Scott still makes me giggle. What?? That was a very unceremonious dumping.

> And we never saw Scott again. Who was his date anyway? What became of Scott after this? Other than, y’know. Gay.

> Giles is so on point in this episode. He’s fun and caring and charming. What a wonderful highlight in a lot of mess.

> Omigod, I almost forgot about Cordy’s spatula.

> Hm. This making Cordy realize she loves Xander is… interesting.

> And then her fortifying after Buffy goads her - and being smart enough to recognize that’s what she’s doing. Huh.

> Oh wait, she forgot to mention the telephone, nevermind, she still dumb.

> “No, this is better, for - oh.” Ha, tho.

> Buffy is leaving a voicemail on Giles’s landline. Lol.

> The spiny demon offering to cut off the hunter’s leg is actually kind of a nice gesture. New OTP.

> Wait, Buffy’s voicemail actually went through? Interesting.

> “I spent a year’s allowance on this dress.” And the muffins?

> Loving Buffy’s “pick up a yearbook and prove I went to high school” speech here, tbh. Writing and performance.

> How did this guy not just turn around and stab Cordelia while she was swatting him?

> “Cordelia, the spatula.” Haaa.

> This tech is some real #VRTroopers-looking shit.

> How have I not yet mentioned the Gorch reappearance here? And how much I love it? So fun.

> Wow, Buffy goes down hard when she gets hit with that stand. Damn.

> I do sort of love Cordelia talking Gorch into fleeing. He’s just stupid enough for this to work here.

> “I don’t recall them mentioning corsages” - that’s what tips them off? Sigh.

> “I need some wet toilet paper.” “Yeah! That’ll help.” Okay, lul.

> NOOO, goodbye, hot German twins! RIHotness.

> Seriously, cute plan tho, making them fire on each other. I wonder if their Dad/Handler ever got his money. Also, so like, what happened at school the next day, with this shot-up wall?

> The Mayor immediately offers his hand to Mr. Trick, that’s endearing. He’s a very endearing villain.

> “This is a very important year for me.” “Election year.” “Something like that.” Snerk.

> “The children are our future. We need them. I need them.” Like, does he mean ‘to eat’ here? I don’t think so, actually. He talks in Season 4 about having a children’s museum dedicated to himself.

> HA, SEE, I KNEW IT: “long story,” “got hunted,” “apparently not that long.” And also written by David Greenwalt. Gotta watch those, brother!

> Oh hey Devon!

> This scene does completely make me laugh still, not gonna lie. When he’s switching the crown over the two winners’ heads and our girls just walk off. Classic.

Speaking of classic - next week, a very classic episode, with another character reappearance, “Band Candy!” Looking forward to it. Especially now that I’m finally caught up! :D :D :D

[kevoreally]

#BuffyAt20 - S03E03 “Faith, Hope, and Trick”

This here’s a major one, folks! Season 3, Episode 3, “Faith, Hope, and Trick” - which does not technically have that Oxford comma in it but I can’t really help myself.

> To start, this is definitely a very special episode to me. I'm not sure why. I think this was the first episode of Buffy I ever watched both live AND completely caught up.

> Plus, Buffy getting back into school, Faith being introduced, the ostensible villain and love interest are introduced, it's a lot!

> The opening scene in particular is one that always makes me smile. "Oh I like you giddy." Squee.

> I don't think we were allowed to go off campus for lunch, even as seniors. We did have our own cafeteria though.

> "Prepare to uncouple. ... Uncouple."

> "I don't believe she slays either." "Oh I hear she can but she doesn't like to."

> "You're supposed to stop me when I do that." "I like when you do that." Oz was dream boyfriend.

> “He didn't try to slit our throats or anything. That's progress.” CORDELIA, WHY DO YOU TALK.

> Thanks for making me think calling my female friends "slut" was permissible, Xander.

> "Yes, date, and shop, and hang out and got to school, and save the world from unspeakable demons. You know, I wanna do girlie stuff." Hero ✌️

> Also there's something to that last line mirroring her encounter with the First Slayer at the end of Season 4.

> Happy Burger? Where's The Doublemeat Palace??

> I really loved Mr. Trick, he should've survived to wreak more havoc in the future.

> Drive-Thru Guy is cute.

> I was super fascinated back in the day with the concept of Kakistos, like The Master, devolving into a more animalian form.

> Jeez, twenty years later and this theme still gets me pumped. Can't wait to see what it's like in 2048.

> OMIGOD, THIS DREAM SEQUENCE. We were OBSESSED with interpreting these dreams. Now, as an adult writer, I get that it was probably mostly nonsense.

> "GO TO HELL! ... I did." Dat face. And like, yea, what was that even supposed to mean?

> I've literally worn a Claddagh for 20 years because of this show. It's only incidental that I'm Irish. No lie.

> Buffy, why are you playing with the letter opener in front of Snyder? Why would you goad him? Sigh.

> "I think what my daughter is trying to say is: nyah nyanya nyah nyah" Joyce for days.

> There's a real and palpable shift in tone from the last time Buffy stood in this library.

> Demon Pizza is a great band name

> When asked about the Acathala ritual, knowing it’s a lie, Giles gives a great performance as someone who is used to the teens telling him his stuff is boring so he doesn't bother filling in the details.

> They really go full throttle on Willow being a "Wicca" from Episode 2 and just don't stop, huh?

> HAHA, you can see Faith sexydancing in the first shot of the Bronze scene. Not too obvious though.

> Scott is uncomfortably earnest.

> "Plus bonus points for use of the word 'mosey.'" Yes, Oz.

> THERE'S THE WORD "SLUT" AGAIN - thanks, Cordy!

> Disco Vampire is pretty cute. Also, I love the way Eliza moves in this scene.

> "I don't think that guy thrives on sunshine." Yes, sometimes this is just me tweeting Buffy quotes I love.

> OH, SCOTT, WHYYY.

> Weekly shout-out to Christophe Beck for his amazing work. Love you, bro.

> "It's okay, I got it. You're, uh, Buffy, right? I'm Faith." HOLY CRAP, I ACTUALLY LOVE HER FROM LINE ONE.

> Buffy always did a great job of crafting scenes that could later be used perfectly in the Previously's.

> Ugh, and Faith calls her B right away. I love it. I'll say right up front, I don't personally ship it, but I see it.

> "Wow, they should film that story and show it every Christmas" is something I said a lot for ten years.

> Like, I get the need to explain how this situation with Faith being called happened to the audience, but why is Cordy the mouthpiece here?

> "Xander, find a new theme." For real tho.

> Buffy bringing up The Three here is FASCINATING, because now they seem more like a footnote in the grand scheme of things. And as someone who had spent the summer catching up on Seasons 1 and 2, I *LOVED* it when it came up.

> "It's a long story." "I got bit." "Apparently not that long." They will definitely reuse this joke.

> FIVE BY FIVE!!!!!

> Omigod I love Giles's wistful waxing on about the Watchers' retreat.

> Like. But if they don't like Giles, why is he in charge of the active Slayer? Are they just hoping she'll die soon and they can just have the next one better-trained? ... I withdraw my question.

> "Raise your hand if ew." Also something I said a lot. I love Willow's smirk, though. Sexuality is a spectrum, baby.

> I need a coffee mug that says "Sunnydale: Home of the Big Brewin' Evil"

> Buffy is way over this second Slayer WAY fast. Girl, Kendra died. Think about that.

> "Acathala. Angel. Me. Sword."

> "Next time I kill Angel, I'll video it." Today that would be "Livestream it."

> As a continuity buff, I really love the stroll through Sunnydale High that they give Faith.

> I also say "aboat" a lot because of the way Faith says it here.

> It's just TOO RANDOM that Faith ALSO bumps into Scott Hope and hits it off with him. TOO RANDOM.

> What hair color does Cordelia think Faith’s hair is, if not brunette?

> It's, like, not even homecoming, it's not weird that Buffy hasn't made a move on Scott yet, everyone needs to chill on her ass.  

> "I don't care if there are 100 Slayers." Snerk.

> Mr. Trick needs to stop eating all of the food service industry workers in this town. That's two in one episode!

> I don't know how we're supposed to feel about Joyce doting on Faith but I love it. Especially because it's not at the expense of Buffy.

> JOYCE *IS* THE BEST MOM EVER, BUFFY, DON'T FRONT.

> "It's probably good you were an only child." SNERK AGAIN.

> Legit, though, stuff like that's wild. When this aired, that had a whole different context than it does watching the completed show.

> "Two of you fighting is safer than one, right?" "I guess." ...How is the answer to that not just yes? It’s math.

> Oof, "Slayer Pride Parade." I thought that was cuter at 12 than I do now.

> Buffy really does start way too agitated every time with Faith in this episode. It's not a good color on her.

> "What is it, the Angel thing?" Oh Faith, I was rooting for you.

> "Why are you lips still moving, F?" That's still a great mic-drop moment.

> "My dead mother hits harder than that." But not as hard as that anvil.

> "She has almost no deck. She has a three."

> "I used to love a good kayak."

> Fun fact: my dad came home with our Honda CRV during this scene. It was my first car. RIP, Serenity </3

> "Maybe he lived for taquitos - What?"

> Leprechauns still aren't real in the Buffyverse, right? I hope so.

> Scott seems really sweet but he's way too pushy. Then again, soft virgins often are. I would have wasted a LOT of time being in love with Scott Hope in high school. Only for the bastard to come out in college, rrrgh.

> 20 years later, I've still never seen a single Buster Keeton film.

> Getting her a ring is SO PRESUMPTIVE that it makes me root against him. If they wanted the imagery, they should've been, like, a Claddagh keychain or something. Not literally the same prop.

> I was definitely surprised to learn Faith's Watcher was dead, legit.

> Faith's landlord looks like Greg Brady, and I have literally always thought this.

> "Broads like you"? What?

> "Like you took care of your Watcher?" On the one hand, harsh. On the other, retaliation for the Angel stuff. But mostly the first one.

> It's weird that Faith just returns to this same hotel room to live in after this. You don't even take a different room? Another hotel? If this was Power Rangers, she would go and live with Buffy, just saying.

> “First rule of Slaying: don't die.”

> I love when Buffy kicks things at bad guys, haha.  

> I also love this ENORMOUS STAKE. Truly fantastic.

> "You hungry?" "Starved." Okay we get it.

> They ultimately never assigned a new Watcher to Faith. Wesley was sent because Giles was fired. Huh.

> I listened to the audio clip of this "Angel was cured" scene, like, a BILLION times. (Thanks, Psyche Sound Archive!)

> "So I told him that I loved him, and I kissed him, and I killed him." 💔

> I love that it's Willow and Giles here for this.

> "There is no spell." Classic Giles.

> Considering Buffy was, like, expelled and wanted by the police, Scott should ABSOLUTELY be reasonable about how weird she is if he is at all genuinely interested.

> I'm sad we didn't get more of this "Buffy has a normal boyfriend" arc. We don't even get many episodes of it with Riley, and anyway surprise he also hunts demons. Buffy never had a Harvey Kinkle.

> Oh hey, Mansion, we're gonna be seeing a lot more of you this year.

> As "Close Your Eyes" was one of the themes that made me fall in love with television score, obviously this scene laying the ring to rest meant a GREAT DEAL to me: https://youtu.be/6rom5MQhaMY

> And then there's dat ass! Welcome back, David.

As Dark Willow would say, two to go!