Season 6 of Buffy is among the best depictions of depression I've ever seen in film or on TV. For me, it's the only season where I actually like and identify with Buffy, who is otherwise not too high on my favourite characters list from the series. And although everyone remembers that Willow-Xander scene from the S06 finale, for me the scene of Buffy climbing out of that underground grave, out of her own will to live (as opposed to having been forced back to life) is equally powerful and a perfect-circle ending to that storyline.
So much goes Un said, by those of us who have something, others don't, or can't identify, share. Buffy selfishly know's that Spike will keep her secrets. So she shares with him this confidence, that the others can't understand, nore are they able to comfort her, where he can... You can tell a stranger almost anything, sometimes over a family member, or friend. I think Buffy knew Spike would never tell anyone about what Buffy told him, because at this time over anyone, he was trustworthy for her. She couldn't, feel anything, anymore, so he was there for her, loyal as he always tried to be. Buffy could at least be a little less numb, & open up to him. Spike would never betray her... 👨🏼💔👩🏼🥀💀🥀⛓️💔 That scene always takes you out of Sunny Dale, into Buffy's lonely moment, of pain, & her friends betrayal, & selfish actions, because they wanted her back. Sometimes, we just want to go. Because we know we're done. Sometimes, we all would love to have our pain & the burden end. So she of course told Spike. He wouldn't let her down.💔👨🏼❤️
Depression was the real "big bad" of season 6. Although I admit the season was a bit messy, it did an excellent job of portraying what it's like to go through hell. Buffy, Xander and Willow: They all went through hell.
Depressed for twenty years never went to therapy, now my intestines are swollen when I eat. I legitimately think I'm going to die from this. It's pretty painful. I guess this is my path. I'm so tired I just want to go to a doctor.
I expected Buffys resurrection to be a happy moment, but this speech hits hard, it showed the writers were gonna make sure cheating death had consequence
Meris it’s realistic and I know S6 is hated by a lot of people because of how dark it is and because Buffy is depressed for most of the seasons. However I love Joss/Marti (not sure who decided the story) for making it a season long arc which many other showrunners wouldn’t take that risk.
@@sarahxo2317 Oh I love season 6 now, I used to feel eh about the whole thing but now I'm older I get what it was going for and I can relate to the Scoobies struggles. Perhaps it takes people to be in their late teens to really appreciate it. There are weak parts to it and I still don't know how to feel about how Spike was left but overall it's one of my fav's
No, what she meant was it doesn't matter what he thinks. All the other stuff between them is more easily explained as she wanted death and Angel, she couldn't have one hand & couldn't bring herself to do the other. She was with Spike to get a semblance of both since neither were an option
I love how she describes it as “bright”. Dark would be a more expected adjective. But “harsh and *bright* and violent” carries so much resonance. I’m not even sure why, it just does. Wonderfully scripted and acted.
Jonathan Dodson Exactly !! I feel soo good in the dark mostly because I have really sensitive and fragile eyes and sun and light in general hurt me so much... So what Buffy said was so right for me...
Agreed. I found the description apt. When she said it, it reminded me of when I would get migraines and how the light would be so painful and searing. I understood perfectly though I had never thought about it in this type of metaphysical conversation.
@@nerdyjfresh Exactly the bright/light has ruined her rest in the same way brightness of any kind hinders sleep and rest thus the ''bright'' is emphasing her frustration at being awoke from her peaceful and eternal rest to the cold light of day ie. shitty reality.
You know what sucks most about their decision to revive her? They didn't even seriously consider that she was in heaven. They were determined to believe it had to be a hell dimension so they could dismiss any guilt and justify it. It was selfish, even though we understand it came from a good place. Giles was right to be furious with Willow.
@Andy Moreno But Angel's body was actually physically pulled into the portal. He never even died, he just physically went there. Buffy closed the portal with her blood and then her lifeless body hit the ground. She not only was clearly dead but she died in their dimension. There was no reason to believe her soul was trapped in Glory's dimension other than the fact that they wanted to believe it to justify resurrecting her.
I mean all up to this point the series has focused on hell dimensions and the like. There's never been any real talk about the other side of things, it's possible the gang just assumed everyone who dies goes to hell (either that or lazy writing)
@@gregjenkinson7512 Dimension are different from afterlife, you don't die and go to a different dimension While it's also called hell, I believe it's because the residents are mostly demons, and you go to a different dimension through portals not death and willow knew deep down that Buffy was dead btw, otherwise why would she choose a resurrection spell rather than try to find where Buffy's soul is supposed to be trapped
Honestly what pissed me off even more was Xander's comment the episode after she revealed she was in heaven, which basically broke down to "I like my friend, she wasn't here, now she is, so its good." Pretty selfish... then again thats not exactly surprising from Xander.
"At the first rehearsal of Irwin Shaw’s play, “The Assassin,” Producer Martin Gabel noticed a young actress gesticulating wildly instead of remaining motionless. Gabel shouted: “Don’t just do something; stand there.”
In my opinion this is the best moment of the entire series. They built an entire season explaining that she was going to Hell and they also made you believe that her friends rescued her from there. Then she calmly destroys everything we thought up to that point by saying that she was actually in heaven. Such an amazing show.
The fact that they (mainly Willow) kept insisting that she was in a Hell Demention as often as they did is the very reason I kept questioning why they were so sure up until the reveal.
Cheri Miss That’s what I always wondered when I would rewatch the show. What made Willow so sure?! Why didn’t she do a spell or something to try to find out before attempting such a spell? Now that I’m older I can see that it was selfishness on Willows part. I think most people questioned Willow and kind of pushed back against the idea of bringing Buffy back. She basically put fear into them and even bullied them into helping her with no real proof. Furthermore, why would Willow even assume Buffy went to a hell dimension? Smh. I feel like it somewhat showed what willow thought of her friend that the automatic assumption would be that Buffy wouldn’t be allowed into a heavenly dimension based on her own merit and life journey.
@@chamab.6800 They thought she was in a hell dimension because of the circumstances of her demise. That she had becomes locked on the dimension in which she had locked.
Shane Folan but why not check? That always bothered me that Willow was so unwilling to check and be sure. She’s usually thorough but perhaps arrogance for the better of her.
SMG said this was her least favourite season but it had some of the hardest hitting scenes and character depth. Buffy battle with depression was the realest thing the show ever did.
@Darapsa If you're talking about Sweet in Once More With Feeling, he was. Guy's name is Hinton Battle and apparently he was a stage performer for a long time. From what I can tell from behind the scenes stuff, Joss wanted to get him to play Sweet specifically.
@@Cool70sfreak Yeah, I know his history; damn fine performer. He is not titled on this show.This performance...nope. He was not given his due in the credits.
After expressing that she's in depression she left, walking from darkness to the light. Spike stays in the "dark" where he's safe. Darkness represents safeness here. Light represents torment. Love that ♥
Ah, I like that way of interpreting it :) I saw it more like, Spike was a safe choice to tell it to, because he can’t follow her into her world, she will always have the advantage (more grossly: nobody would believe him if he told etc).
"Death is your gift" Buffy gave her life to save the world...and was gracefully presented with eternal bliss. Buffy had ascended. She was torn and ripped from heaven. I'd be depressed too. Season six is not my favorite but I acknowledge it and understand her perspective.
so many people kept hearing that and thought that Buffy dying was her ultimate gift to saving really the universe, not just the world. But few saw the double meaning that Death would be the gift to Buffy, that her work was done and she would be at peace for all eternity. And that gift was ripped from her by Willow and her friends.
@@Vilandra2209 It is only one side of the meaning. There are at least three meanings to “death is your gift“ 1. As a slayer, death follows her and she brings death to her enemies and sometimes to those close to her 2. Buffy's death was the gift for Dawn. Since they share the same blood, both of them were to close the portal to Glory's world. By dying, Buffy made sure that Dawn can survive 3. By dying, her gift was to find an end to the darkness that followed her as part of being a slayer. As a gift, she was sent to heaven find be at peace for saving the world several times
@@Vilandra2209 Death was her gift to her sister - she saved her and gave her a chance at life, no longer the Key. Death was her gift to the universe - she sacrificed herself to stop dimensions collapsing in on top of each other, preventing unending pain and suffering for everyone. Death was her gift to herself - she battled for 5 years as the Slayer, fighting every evil in her path as part of the calling. It was that calling that led her to make the ultimate sacrifice by killing herself, and she was gifted the ultimate reward - an eternity in peace and bliss.
It shows a lot of strength from Buffy for her to not to be more resentful towards her friends. I know I would be. Especially considering that she walks through a lot more hell than the average person.
The sinister turn of the music at 2:48 still gives me chills. It is one of the biggest shocks I've ever seen on tv. It is why I can not understand why people have so much disdain for season six. It was the quintessential rollercoaster ride of emotions season. Everyone had a complete arc in that season unlike others and nothing came easy or without consequence.
Didn’t like the whole sex stuff especially Buffy when she was invisible giving spike head, Jesus that was so out of her character and to this day I feel like I could live without that episode! I understand t was finally her way of being free and doing what ever she wants since she’s invisible but they didn’t have to go this far and make her blow him! Oh and those three enemy boys? Ugh the worst most annoying enemies in the entire show! We went from awesome Gloria to Warren !
This scene really shows the mental strength Buffy had. Even though she would have had a right to hate them, she chose to bear it in secret, can you imagine, getting into heaven and your friends, in their selfishness bring you back? good intentions or not. How angry would we be.
"Knowing what I've lost" Damn, I die a little bit every time I watch something related to Buff being torn out of heaven. Her PTSD wasn't that bad as it should've been, yet everyone was judging her for losing it anyway
@@skynetprime82 The only redeeming factor is that they believed she was in a hellish place (due to how she died).. but, yes. It was incredibly selfish.
It is hard to hear. That's why Buffy hid it from her friends. They made this scene very real and accurate. Many people suffer from depression & do feel this way.
@@Lizfan2 It's selfish because they did it because they wanted her back, rather than doing it solely for Buffy's sake. They somewhat cover this in the conversation between her and Spike when they talk about having to dig themselves out. Her well-intentioned friends put her through a traumatic experience. They weren't thinking about the affect being resurrected would have on her.. it never crossed their minds.
This is proof enough for the that Buffy loves Spike. He was the only one she was willing to share her deepest secret with. She knew he wouldn’t judge her, or call her ungrateful. Their connection is deeper that the one she has with Angel.
hah! Had Angel been there she would’ve told him, but he was not. Watch the scene and you can see she didn’t plan on telling Spike in the first place and when she finished she looked shocked like she regretted telling him. She told him because she knew he didn’t bring her back so he wouldn’t feel guilt like her friends. It had nothing to do with ‘him judging her calling her ungrateful’ there is no connection between them here. Had any of her friends not been the one to bring her back, she would’ve told them. You don’t have to over exaggerate this scene to make it look like spike and Buffy had a special relationship because they really didn’t. Sure he was in love with her and would die for her, but so what? Big deal? That’s what people in love do for one another.
The single best, prophetic dialogue in the entire series. Clearly, someone on the writing staff had experienced depression symptoms at one point. Either way, simply the best scene in the series for me. This was "reverse depression". Very clever. Well done.
I was happy. Wherever I was... I was happy... at peace. I knew that everyone I cared about was all right. I knew it. Time... didn't mean anything. Nothing had form. But I was still me, you know? And I was warm. And I was loved. And I was finished. Complete. I - I don't understand theology or dimensions, any of it really... but I think I was in heaven. And now I'm not. I was torn out of there. Pulled out, by my friends. Everything here is hard and bright and violent. Everything I feel, everything I touch. This is Hell. Just getting through the next moment, and the one after that. Knowing what I've lost. They can never know. Never.
She jumped into a mystical purple evil cloud to save the world (again). I'm guessing they thought that it took her soul and was a portal to Glory's hell dimension.
Martin Coombes, exactly my thoughts. It was a portal to bring evil into the world, so everyone assumed that entering it and dieing inside of the hell dimension meant her soul was stuck there. As a viewer, I didn't see it that way.. but when they went this direction, it made sense to me. I can see it from the characters' point of view.
I always thought this speech was a great description of how people who are depressed feel. Or how life can bring us down. As Joss Whedon says: The real Big Bad of Season 6 was life itself.
Well, I do have to point out that How much she Trusted Spike with that information she said to him......how much the characters grew to respect each other...
Yeah, honestly the Buffy/Angel thing was awesome but got codependent after awhile. Even the show itself eventually made fun of it. Spike was different... not such a pure love, and a lot of character development happened from it. Even not being exactly healthy, it did grow to become something real... if confusing. Plus James is such a hottie.
Agreed. And it's not like you can avoid it. I honestly believed I had died at one point. A transformer blew right next to me at a stoplight. It was blinding.. I saw white, heard nothing, felt nothing. I wasn't upset, just curious. Like, wtf the happened.. how did I die? I refuse to leave until I find out. Those were my thoughts. Then, I was back in my car realizing it was just a transformer.
Such a deeply impactful scene. Extremely clever of the writers to make a return from death something other than joyous and filled with gratitude on behalf of the resurrected.
And Spike didn't react right away like the other scoobies. He listened to her so intently. Without any judgment. For me Spike and Tara were so right for buffy. Even though Spike started having dark intentions towards her. But he redeemed himself. I wished Tara survived too and always be Buffy's right friend.
How she describes it... its like Depression its what I have to go through every day... sometimes you just don't want to live in this world because of how hard and cruel it is. Every day, every single day, every single minute, second, every hour is a challenge, a battle. It hurts to sometimes even take a breath.
But oddly, Jose, even tho you may feel alone... Your not. Depression is shared. We all have some form of it. Some more then others. But, your not alone. We all feel like giving in, we all get deafening silence. Our nerve endings are raw, & exposed, & fray, in the wind. You are not only not alone, you are heard, just like Buffy, was heard. She knew what she shared with Spike, wouldn't be exposed. He would keep her secrets, to his lonely self. Because he truly cared & loved her. She meant everything to him. She felt safe to walk away. 🥀💀🥀❤️👨🏼👩🏼💔 Misguided at times, but he would never maliciously try an hurt her. Till he was kept from her confidence. Spike didn't want to be alone either. It sometimes can blur our reason, & perception of others. When he felt left out, he felt totally alone. We can identify with Spike, as well as Buffy, when the pain of being shut out, becomes only deafening, & cruel. As a Jab from Xanders un feeling mouth... Spike can identify with Buffy in her lonely pain... As we all do. 🥀💀🥀🤟🏼
@David Roberts it's always that way David. It reverts to money, or lack there of. Sadly. Meds often then not seem to make things worse, if we don't keep an eye on our own health reg. 💔🤛🏼 🤕💓
It’s amazing what kind of friends Buffy has. When they find out the truth, they have a short conversation coming to the conclusion that they aren’t going to apologize for bringing Buffy back and then they decided to just ignore what she told them all together. This show gives the perfect example of the type of “friends” you don’t want to make and what you need to cut from your life immediately or they will use you and leave you high and dry.
I partially agree. It's very common for those who have lost (or might lose) a loved one to think living, in any state, is the best and right option. It is for them.. because they don't want to let go. But, it's selfish. Like when a person is on life support and a family member ignores their wishes (when they've been made clear) & tries to force the hospital and court to make them stay that way. Love can turn to desperation very easily. So, those people may be a good "friend"/family member.. but .. at the same time - my biggest requirement for my friends is that they respect my wishes and choices. They can disagree; but, they must respect that ultimately, I get to say what's best for me. The single biggest way to lose me as a friend is to betray that trust.
I agree Melissa. In that same conversation, Willow even said, "I can make her forget she was in heaven." Like seriously?? Then some time later after the truth came out, Xander had the nerve to say you die, I'll just bring you back again." 😤
None of them had lives before she moved to Sunnydale. Hell, they'd all be dead if she hadn't. Come to think of it, Willow and Xander would be better off as dead, kinky, vamps as seen when Cordy's little Wishmaster moment threw everything into a Back to the Future II scenario.
I know if I was in a happy place, and my friends ripped me from that happiness, I wouldn't be able to talk to them for a long while. Her speech hurts and is heartfelt.
Lamont Gaston In the musical episode when Buffy sings about needing something to sing about:.. all the joy life sends, family and friends, knowing that it ends, well that depends, on if they know that when you take your bow, that you leave the crowd... there was no pain, no fear no doubt, till they pulled me out, of heaven, [I think I was in heaven]..so give me something to sing about. They cut to Willow's face.
@@carbon.the.christ5626 during "Once More With Feeling". After Buffy's first stance vs. Sweet, the music drops and Buffy confesses that she was in Heaven. The look on Willow's face says it all. That the selfishness of her friend's tore her out of paradise and Williow is mostly to blame since she was the one to cast the spell. A spell that the others didn't know how deep into darkness it really went.
The tone and dialogue of this season was amazing. This makes me think of when Spike explained how a Slayer can be killed and saying that a slayer can only be defeated if they wast to die. To think Buffy death brought her peace and not hell.Her perspective on Heaven and Hell is amazing. You can’t even fathom being pulled out of eternal peace and forced into a living hell only to struggle to live when you truly wish you were dead,in peace living in Heaven.Wow. That is traumatizing on all levels.
I think that this is one of the few moments when Buffy makes Spike absolutely speechless. Even him assumed that she was in Hell. Even him cannot think that the living world can be a horrible place. It makes this scene even more powerful (this and many others things) seeing him, which have always something to answer to, something to say, a guy with a lot of repartee, absolutely uncapable of saying anything.
@@julieb5122 Oh, really? Wow. I completely missed that... I thought that she came to terms with going to purgatory or something. Neither heaven nor hell. I'll have to re-watch it. Cheers. :)
I rewatched this episode today and have been rewatching Buffy (for the first time in 3 years since I fell into a deep depression) and was shocked at how much I related to this. It reminded me of coming home from the hospital after a suicide attempt a couple of years ago and people telling you to be happy and grateful to be alive (like when Willow told Buffy to "be happy" they saved her) though wishing they hadn't or that you weren't. Buffy's speech hit me much differently now and what it really means.
I hope you're doing better. I have very bad, non-remittant (non-treatable) myself. This has gotten a lot of views; but honestly, I only put it here after taking it off if the DVD for myself. I thought others may like them. If you ever want to talk to me, you can.
I imagine eternally missing out on what she described, with no hope of anything good to ever come, must be a somewhat comparable description of the difference between heaven and hell.
Who funds hell? Cos if Yahweh is a controlling shareholder, we gotta talk. And if hes not, we gotta talk. And if he cheeses out and tries to call it free will that you wound up in hell, then its time to stop talking, and leave your old religion far, far behind you.
Not exactly no hope because everybody dies eventually. She's still a hero and hero's get rewarded plus it's not like Buffy's seat was taken after she was pulled out of paradise. It would still be there because ..it's hers.
I could never understand why the scoobies ever turned on buffy after everything she put up with and did for them, shes good through and through but so often her friends would turn against her for things she couldnt control or did for herself - she deserves to do things for herself because she sacrifices herself over and over again for other people
And they didn't? Keep in mind they didn't start out with the power she had. In fact it has been pointed out (by Spike) that the only reason she has lasted longer than any other Slayer is because of her friends. They've taken the same risks together. And in some ways have paid bigger prices. Buffy sometimes in trying to do the right thing and spare her friends acts as the typical Slayer. That "Chosen One" mentality. However, that's also what got them killed. The main thing we see with this group is that like any family they have their disagreements. But when it's time to rally around and face Hell (literally). They fall in line without hesitation.
@@TRivera13 They most certainly didn't, they were selfish and self conceited people. They blamed her for running away in season 3, then in season 6 after she revealed they ripped her from heaven the scoobies decided to talk about it and agreed to never mention anything about "the ripping her from heaven incident" again, even willow proudly said "i can make her forget she was in heaven" is that what good friends do? And in season 7 they berated her for being chosen as if she chose to be a slayer. They might be on buffy's side but deep down inside they're ready to turn on her because of their own lackings.
Honestly, she does care what he thinks. She confided in him because she knew he could handle it, and he didn't bear any guilt, since he had no hand in it. She new she could trust him because he cared for Dawn while she was gone.
Anybody else besides me been in this mindset before and without even dying?? I feel like this legit is how things work between living, dying, heaven and hell and what happens in between it all...
Life is pain. You either learn to accept it and suffer well or you wallow in misery. The writers knew coming back to life had to be a process, even for such a strong character like Buffy.
I might be crazy but I think this scene confirms Buffy was in a mental institution because she said the same words the psychistrist said in 'Normal again' 2:49 her friends keep bringing her back to her hallucinations, the analogy is too perfect it's actually scary...
I used to always say, "I like being in big crowds, so that I can be alone more comfortably." This was just after my mother's passing, and I would go to bars and parties just to let the noise wash over me to escape my need to mourn. I felt that way again when Buffy said, "I can be alone with you here..." Depression can take many forms.
Whew lawd this hit my teenage mind HARD back in the day. Folks don't realize how unprecedented this arc/ dialog was for television. Buffy broke all types of walls.
I know exactly how Buffy feels. I once had an experience of the closest thing I could call Heaven. I was on a beach at night and the sky was filled with stars. The ocean waves lapped comfortingly on the shore and I could feel a warm breeze all around me as if invisible arms embraced me telling me without words that I would be fine. I heard the sweetest music I've ever heard and I walked along the beach and felt the cool chill of the sand beneath my feet. I eventually came across a lion sat on a rock with a strangely almost human voice and it was smiling a smile of pure love and trust. I gently stroked its mane and I could hear the soft sound of a symbol being played somewhere. In one very slow movement the lion jumped into the air and landed onto the sand walking away before vanishing. I walked on looking for it when I suddenly saw a brick wall with a land rover crashed through it, the driver a young woman was arguing about it on her phone. I turned to walk back up the beach communicating through senses that I wanted to stay and then I woke up in my bed feeling the terrible weight of life bearing down on me like a colossal weight. I was back in a cruel, miserable reality and I had lost my paradise forever. I really could have stayed there forever. Always😪
See, it’s things like this that are why the other Scoobies just really piss me off. First was when they were all high and mighty when she ran away after she had to kill Angel like seconds after he was ensouled. They forget all she’s ever done, and yes I know that Buffy can be very selfish sometimes, but she’s the one who makes the tough calls and the major sacrifices. I literally yelled at my screen when they kicked her out of her OWN house in the last season. They were so stupid and naive to think that going against the First Evil was going to be just another apocalypse. Buffy’s too good for them and they don’t deserve her love or the sacrifices that she’s made for them. Sorry, rant over, but seriously the other scoobies can just eff off in my opinion.
This is what I loved about Buffy. It didn’t jam religion, God, all of that down your throat. It treaded lightly on the whole concept of theology. I know now that Joss is a pig but him and the writers did so well scripting this scene
When I was a teen, I ranked the 6th season as the lowest. Now, as an adult, it's my 3rd favorite buffy season, (with season 3 as my top 1 and season 5 as my top 2) because of how serious they tackle mental health issues and drug addiction in this. The writing itself is so amazing and so terrifyingly real.
Thank you for making this show realistic, s06 was great imo it really show how depressed buffy was and honestly who wouldn’t? It took time for her to recover from what she went through and thank god it took her a whole season and not a few episodes 😂
I wonder sometimes how this season would have played out if she’d spoken like this to Tara from the get-go… not saying Tara cared more than Spike, certainly not, but I think Buffy would have been more open to accepting help and guidance from Tara. And then maybe her relationship with Spike could have been much less toxic - if she had an ally other than him to lean on.
This is a bit sad knowing this, what Buffy said it's like u would say I hope her friends didn't bring her back. Since she's already at peace wherever she is happy there, then later on someone will pull u out of ur happy place. So for u, u will really wish that didn't happen since ur already happy and peaceful there. But u were pull out and u came back in the world u don't want to come back anymore. And u don't have any other choice so it's a bit sad for that part u know, and Spike is just there listening not saying anything or his not judging Buffy he just listen. So that's why Buffy always go to Spike because Buffy knows Spike is just there ready to listen to her, and of course he understands her as well so Buffy is comfortable telling Spike anything. That Buffy cannot share wd her friends since they will judge her or say something or what, so only Spike is the only one she tells about her feelings that 😍😍😍❤❤❤
I like how she walks into the light and leaves him in the dark. In the end she is a good person and he isn't because he is soulless. But later on because of her he gets his soul back. Spike in a way becomes a man because of her light. In a contrast way, Angel chooses to be a hero and seek redemption after years of meaningless wanderings. He seeks it on his own. Amazing writing.
I always thought that it is poetic irony that the person whom she shared this very deep secret is "William the Bloody" - once a monster of a vampire reformed with a soul, like Angel. When her friends pulled her from heaven, it is logical - and on principle - she resent them. All of them. Willow, most of all. Reminds me of the quote from "Pet Cemetary" by Stephen King: *"Sometimes death is better."* And her confession is a very sobering explanation of depression. I know I felt this speech. Every nano-second of it feels like *hell.* A punishment you did not feel like you deserved, no matter how much of a hero you are.
It’s kind of funny willow was so worried that Buffy was in Hell…never considering the possibility she might be in heaven. It’s a compelling reason to let the dead stay dead.
There's parts of me that really don't like season 6 but Buffy's depression is something I'll always relate to. It speaks to the quality of the writing that something I understood as a 10/11 year old at the time is still finding ways to impact me as a 33 year old.
Jeez, I really feel this. Three years ago I went through a bad depression and thought about ending my life. I’m better now, but when I first watched this seven years ago I didn’t get it. Now I do. This is probably the beat depiction of depression in any media.
Hearing Buffy describe where she was, it something she doesn't say that interests me. She says she was happy, at peace, knew her loved ones would be ok and that she was glad to be finished. But she doesn't say that she saw her mother, or Tara, or Jenny Calendar or Kendra. Is it Heaven if you're by yourself???
I’m watching season six for the first time and I’ve been so frustrated with how little consequence bringing Buffy back actually had on the team, the only one suffering is herself😢 It’s so sad, but I think is great writing to know you can’t and shouldn’t use magic for those things
I think this conversation between Buffy and Spike pretty much sums it all up: everything here, in the real and living world is hard. We face loss after loss until we become one ourselves. For our loved ones that still live, that is. I hope Buffy’s description of Heaven is accurate, and we will all be with all our loved ones forever after we die. Most of all, wherever we go after death, I hope to see my family again. Especially my grandma, but hopefully everyone I’ve ever loved.
I kinda of feel this tbh. I was in a situation where I’d almost lost my life and idk what it was I felt but I’ve never felt a warmth like it it since. Idk if it was heaven or my brain just going into overdrive but it was euphoria at its finest. When I awoke in the ER I was a bloody wreck. I stayed like how buffy said how she feels here for months. I’m fine now but I’ll never forget those months.
I'm glad you survived. I do know that the brain becomes super active on the verge of death. And, if part of that means a sudden release of a lot of dopamine, you would feel euphoric. But.. I also think that, if we do have souls and an afterlife, it could be the brain also preparing to separate from "you". I tend to believe the latter, but I simply feel that in my gut & heart. It's not anything I can base on science; but, at the same time.. the more we learn about science (like quantum mechanics).. the more we realize that all of our previous assumptions were wrong. A particle changing location simply because we observe it (see, not touch or influence physically), is.. quite hard to explain. Yet, it's true. I can see how coming back from that would be hard. I do think that it happens often enough to others, that there's truly something too it. I did have one experience myself.. not like yours, but meaningful to me. I don't know if you've ever experienced this.. but, your brain has a way of working faster to the point where time essentially slows down. Like tripping and knowing you're going down, and going down hard.. for me, that makes me feel frozen. Like, it takes longer to hit the ground than it should, and during that time, it feels like I can't move. That has happened often enough.. but, once, it happened when a butterfly was in my field of vision. I could actually see it's wings flapping in slow motion. Just like how the movies will slow down a shot. I latter learned that our eyes take in more information than our brain actually processes. Essentially - we drop frames. However, our brains can speed up and actually work faster. That's why I could see the butterfly like that.. and that's why you feel frozen. You're thinking faster.. but it still takes the same amount of time for your brain and limbs to communicate. So, it feels like that isn't there. So, after that long-winded explanation... I had a transformer on a telephone pole suddenly blow up right next to me at a stop light at night. The light was blinding, and my brain went into overdrive. I couldn't see, hear, or feel anything. I actually thought I was dead. That there had been some major explosion (honestly, I thought nuclear), and that was that. It was over. It felt like quite a long time & I had awhile to think for what felt like minutes in that second. But, I wasn't afraid, or sad, or anything like that.. I was very calm and almost serene. What I remember thinking the most is -- I'm not moving on without knowing what happened. Eventually my vision cleared and everything came back. I realized that it was simply a harmless flash of light & was glad my foot had remained on the break pedal. The point is.. death is something people fear, but when the time came (as best as I knew).. I wasn't afraid at all. It felt oddly safe. I'm definitely not trying to compare my experience to yours - it's not the same. But I honestly wasn't expecting that reaction. Perhaps there's just something we instinctively know.
Spike was wise no to tell Buffy's sister and her friends what she told him of where she really was when they brought her back to save the city when it was under attack by demon bikers after 1 of them found out about her robot double that was built to take her place. They probably wouldn't have believed him anyway.
If you have passed though depression, you clearly understand what Buffy is saying.
Season 6 of Buffy is among the best depictions of depression I've ever seen in film or on TV. For me, it's the only season where I actually like and identify with Buffy, who is otherwise not too high on my favourite characters list from the series. And although everyone remembers that Willow-Xander scene from the S06 finale, for me the scene of Buffy climbing out of that underground grave, out of her own will to live (as opposed to having been forced back to life) is equally powerful and a perfect-circle ending to that storyline.
So much goes Un said, by those of us who have something, others don't, or can't identify, share. Buffy selfishly know's that Spike will keep her secrets. So she shares with him this confidence, that the others can't understand, nore are they able to comfort her, where he can...
You can tell a stranger almost anything, sometimes over a family member, or friend. I think Buffy knew Spike would never tell anyone about what Buffy told him, because at this time over anyone, he was trustworthy for her. She couldn't, feel anything, anymore, so he was there for her, loyal as he always tried to be. Buffy could at least be a little less numb, & open up to him. Spike would never betray her... 👨🏼💔👩🏼🥀💀🥀⛓️💔
That scene always takes you out of Sunny Dale, into Buffy's lonely moment, of pain, & her friends betrayal, & selfish actions, because they wanted her back.
Sometimes, we just want to go. Because we know we're done. Sometimes, we all would love to have our pain & the burden end. So she of course told Spike. He wouldn't let her down.💔👨🏼❤️
Depression was the real "big bad" of season 6. Although I admit the season was a bit messy, it did an excellent job of portraying what it's like to go through hell. Buffy, Xander and Willow: They all went through hell.
@stefanie bender so very true.
Depressed for twenty years never went to therapy, now my intestines are swollen when I eat. I legitimately think I'm going to die from this. It's pretty painful. I guess this is my path. I'm so tired I just want to go to a doctor.
I expected Buffys resurrection to be a happy moment, but this speech hits hard, it showed the writers were gonna make sure cheating death had consequence
Any other show it would be happy or Buffy would be sad for a few episodes then back to normal.
@@sarahxo2317 Yeah and her depression persists for most of the season, arguably all the way to Entropy.
Meris it’s realistic and I know S6 is hated by a lot of people because of how dark it is and because Buffy is depressed for most of the seasons. However I love Joss/Marti (not sure who decided the story) for making it a season long arc which many other showrunners wouldn’t take that risk.
@@sarahxo2317 Oh I love season 6 now, I used to feel eh about the whole thing but now I'm older I get what it was going for and I can relate to the Scoobies struggles. Perhaps it takes people to be in their late teens to really appreciate it. There are weak parts to it and I still don't know how to feel about how Spike was left but overall it's one of my fav's
It shouldn't.
"I can be alone with you here". Too bad Spike doesn't realise what a huge compliment that is.
really? i would have taken that as an insult, like i'm "chopped liver ": )
I took it to mean she can be entirely herself around him and doesn't have to put on any kind of performance.
I think he did :(
No, what she meant was it doesn't matter what he thinks. All the other stuff between them is more easily explained as she wanted death and Angel, she couldn't have one hand & couldn't bring herself to do the other. She was with Spike to get a semblance of both since neither were an option
Fear
I love how she describes it as “bright”. Dark would be a more expected adjective. But “harsh and *bright* and violent” carries so much resonance. I’m not even sure why, it just does. Wonderfully scripted and acted.
I love that bit, and it connects well with "Bargaining Part 2" and the beginning of this episode too, when Buffy was sensitive to too much light.
We sleep/rest/recharge in darkness. Darkness is soothing.
Jonathan Dodson Exactly !! I feel soo good in the dark mostly because I have really sensitive and fragile eyes and sun and light in general hurt me so much... So what Buffy said was so right for me...
Agreed. I found the description apt. When she said it, it reminded me of when I would get migraines and how the light would be so painful and searing. I understood perfectly though I had never thought about it in this type of metaphysical conversation.
@@nerdyjfresh Exactly the bright/light has ruined her rest in the same way brightness of any kind hinders sleep and rest thus the ''bright'' is emphasing her frustration at being awoke from her peaceful and eternal rest to the cold light of day ie. shitty reality.
You know what sucks most about their decision to revive her? They didn't even seriously consider that she was in heaven. They were determined to believe it had to be a hell dimension so they could dismiss any guilt and justify it. It was selfish, even though we understand it came from a good place. Giles was right to be furious with Willow.
@Andy Moreno But Angel's body was actually physically pulled into the portal. He never even died, he just physically went there. Buffy closed the portal with her blood and then her lifeless body hit the ground. She not only was clearly dead but she died in their dimension. There was no reason to believe her soul was trapped in Glory's dimension other than the fact that they wanted to believe it to justify resurrecting her.
I mean all up to this point the series has focused on hell dimensions and the like. There's never been any real talk about the other side of things, it's possible the gang just assumed everyone who dies goes to hell (either that or lazy writing)
Totally agree with you.
@@gregjenkinson7512 Dimension are different from afterlife, you don't die and go to a different dimension
While it's also called hell, I believe it's because the residents are mostly demons, and you go to a different dimension through portals not death
and willow knew deep down that Buffy was dead btw, otherwise why would she choose a resurrection spell rather than try to find where Buffy's soul is supposed to be trapped
Honestly what pissed me off even more was Xander's comment the episode after she revealed she was in heaven, which basically broke down to "I like my friend, she wasn't here, now she is, so its good." Pretty selfish... then again thats not exactly surprising from Xander.
Fine acting from both. Sometimes not speaking in a scene is harder than having all the lines.
She is brilliant.
"At the first rehearsal of Irwin Shaw’s play, “The Assassin,” Producer Martin Gabel noticed a young actress gesticulating wildly instead of remaining motionless. Gabel shouted: “Don’t just do something; stand there.”
Poor buffy when she realized death was her peace and her friends pulled out of heaven, she is somewhat right, reality is hell.
When the first slayer told her "death is your gift", she meant it in more ways than one.
Ender A gift for her for all she had done. A gift for Dawn, she sacrificed herself for her. A gift for the world, she stopped it from ending!
It was also her gift like the original slayer said
As the First Slayer said, "Death is her gift".
There is a saying that "Hell is empty because all the demons are here on Earth."
In my opinion this is the best moment of the entire series. They built an entire season explaining that she was going to Hell and they also made you believe that her friends rescued her from there. Then she calmly destroys everything we thought up to that point by saying that she was actually in heaven. Such an amazing show.
the early years were great-i think after season 3 it never really was as good again imho.
The fact that they (mainly Willow) kept insisting that she was in a Hell Demention as often as they did is the very reason I kept questioning why they were so sure up until the reveal.
Cheri Miss That’s what I always wondered when I would rewatch the show. What made Willow so sure?! Why didn’t she do a spell or something to try to find out before attempting such a spell?
Now that I’m older I can see that it was selfishness on Willows part. I think most people questioned Willow and kind of pushed back against the idea of bringing Buffy back. She basically put fear into them and even bullied them into helping her with no real proof.
Furthermore, why would Willow even assume Buffy went to a hell dimension? Smh. I feel like it somewhat showed what willow thought of her friend that the automatic assumption would be that Buffy wouldn’t be allowed into a heavenly dimension based on her own merit and life journey.
@@chamab.6800 They thought she was in a hell dimension because of the circumstances of her demise. That she had becomes locked on the dimension in which she had locked.
Shane Folan but why not check? That always bothered me that Willow was so unwilling to check and be sure. She’s usually thorough but perhaps arrogance for the better of her.
SMG said this was her least favourite season but it had some of the hardest hitting scenes and character depth. Buffy battle with depression was the realest thing the show ever did.
Buffy: They can never know. Never.
Sweet: Hold my microphone.
😅😅😅
I wish he was acknowledged at all in the credits.
@Darapsa If you're talking about Sweet in Once More With Feeling, he was. Guy's name is Hinton Battle and apparently he was a stage performer for a long time. From what I can tell from behind the scenes stuff, Joss wanted to get him to play Sweet specifically.
@@Cool70sfreak Yeah, I know his history; damn fine performer. He is not titled on this show.This performance...nope. He was not given his due in the credits.
After expressing that she's in depression she left, walking from darkness to the light.
Spike stays in the "dark" where he's safe. Darkness represents safeness here. Light represents torment.
Love that ♥
WoW never taught about it 😮
Kinda makes me think about the essence of the slayer and what it is. It is the safeness, while everyone else's happiness, except Dawn, is her torment.
Ah, I like that way of interpreting it :)
I saw it more like, Spike was a safe choice to tell it to, because he can’t follow her into her world, she will always have the advantage (more grossly: nobody would believe him if he told etc).
@@willow8186 Ahhh yes, yes it could work too ^^
Good speech.
The speech Buffy gave to Spike sure made him become speechles.
"Death is your gift"
Buffy gave her life to save the world...and was gracefully presented with eternal bliss. Buffy had ascended.
She was torn and ripped from heaven.
I'd be depressed too. Season six is not my favorite but I acknowledge it and understand her perspective.
so many people kept hearing that and thought that Buffy dying was her ultimate gift to saving really the universe, not just the world. But few saw the double meaning that Death would be the gift to Buffy, that her work was done and she would be at peace for all eternity. And that gift was ripped from her by Willow and her friends.
Death being her gift was told to her to represent what she was as a slayer. She brings death and death follows her
@@Vilandra2209 It is only one side of the meaning.
There are at least three meanings to “death is your gift“
1. As a slayer, death follows her and she brings death to her enemies and sometimes to those close to her
2. Buffy's death was the gift for Dawn. Since they share the same blood, both of them were to close the portal to Glory's world. By dying, Buffy made sure that Dawn can survive
3. By dying, her gift was to find an end to the darkness that followed her as part of being a slayer. As a gift, she was sent to heaven find be at peace for saving the world several times
@@clarky23 but wouldn't she get bored just being a floating energy ball? that isn't much of a gift to just be "warm"😭
@@Vilandra2209
Death was her gift to her sister - she saved her and gave her a chance at life, no longer the Key.
Death was her gift to the universe - she sacrificed herself to stop dimensions collapsing in on top of each other, preventing unending pain and suffering for everyone.
Death was her gift to herself - she battled for 5 years as the Slayer, fighting every evil in her path as part of the calling. It was that calling that led her to make the ultimate sacrifice by killing herself, and she was gifted the ultimate reward - an eternity in peace and bliss.
It shows a lot of strength from Buffy for her to not to be more resentful towards her friends. I know I would be. Especially considering that she walks through a lot more hell than the average person.
I think she was resentful in a different way. Instead of being openly angry she simply distanced herself from them.
I think buffy was angry that she found peace in death and was dragged back into reality when her friends thought she was in hell.
exactly and not to forget the fact that her so called ''friends'' were continuously horrible to her
The sinister turn of the music at 2:48 still gives me chills. It is one of the biggest shocks I've ever seen on tv. It is why I can not understand why people have so much disdain for season six. It was the quintessential rollercoaster ride of emotions season. Everyone had a complete arc in that season unlike others and nothing came easy or without consequence.
I never realised people disliked it so. It is the only reason to get through all those aweful college episodes. It is when the series is at its best!
6th is the best season IMO. People hate on it because it forces them to face reality. There's no big bad...just a bunch of fucking idiots.
Season 6 was awful but there were some profound moments in amongst all the awful. The dissonant sinister note at 2:48 agreed is amazing
Didn’t like the whole sex stuff especially Buffy when she was invisible giving spike head, Jesus that was so out of her character and to this day I feel like I could live without that episode! I understand t was finally her way of being free and doing what ever she wants since she’s invisible but they didn’t have to go this far and make her blow him! Oh and those three enemy boys? Ugh the worst most annoying enemies in the entire show! We went from awesome Gloria to Warren !
This monologue, and Gellar's performance, are both phenomenal. The way her voice gets just a little higher on "and now I'm not"... goosebumps.
This scene really shows the mental strength Buffy had. Even though she would have had a right to hate them, she chose to bear it in secret, can you imagine, getting into heaven and your friends, in their selfishness bring you back? good intentions or not. How angry would we be.
"Knowing what I've lost"
Damn, I die a little bit every time I watch something related to Buff being torn out of heaven.
Her PTSD wasn't that bad as it should've been, yet everyone was judging her for losing it anyway
Spike's face. OMG, the realization on how badly they fucked up.
I know this is just a show, but DAMN. This shit hurt. Can you imagine your friend telling you this? Let ALONE *FEELING IT*??
We all feel and understand the loss of a loved one but what her so-called friends did was selfish pure and simple
@@skynetprime82 The only redeeming factor is that they believed she was in a hellish place (due to how she died).. but, yes. It was incredibly selfish.
It is hard to hear. That's why Buffy hid it from her friends. They made this scene very real and accurate. Many people suffer from depression & do feel this way.
@@cetkat Why is it selfish to want to get your friend out of hell? IF they'd known she was in heaven they probably wouldn't have done it.
@@Lizfan2 It's selfish because they did it because they wanted her back, rather than doing it solely for Buffy's sake. They somewhat cover this in the conversation between her and Spike when they talk about having to dig themselves out. Her well-intentioned friends put her through a traumatic experience. They weren't thinking about the affect being resurrected would have on her.. it never crossed their minds.
This is proof enough for the that Buffy loves Spike. He was the only one she was willing to share her deepest secret with. She knew he wouldn’t judge her, or call her ungrateful. Their connection is deeper that the one she has with Angel.
Now you’re exaggerating. Just because you share with somebody doesn’t mean you’re in love with them.
hah! Had Angel been there she would’ve told him, but he was not. Watch the scene and you can see she didn’t plan on telling Spike in the first place and when she finished she looked shocked like she regretted telling him. She told him because she knew he didn’t bring her back so he wouldn’t feel guilt like her friends. It had nothing to do with ‘him judging her calling her ungrateful’ there is no connection between them here. Had any of her friends not been the one to bring her back, she would’ve told them. You don’t have to over exaggerate this scene to make it look like spike and Buffy had a special relationship because they really didn’t. Sure he was in love with her and would die for her, but so what? Big deal? That’s what people in love do for one another.
@@sandiego2380 she was keeping saying things intimate to him in the episodes after
@@sandiego2380 she could've say that to Giles, he would understands and wasn't one of those
"They can never know" is one of those lines that sticks with ya decades later.
It definitely does. I think this and her seeing Kendra dead and then "killing" Angel are my most memorable scenes.
The single best, prophetic dialogue in the entire series. Clearly, someone on the writing staff had experienced depression symptoms at one point. Either way, simply the best scene in the series for me. This was "reverse depression". Very clever. Well done.
I was happy. Wherever I was... I was happy... at peace. I knew that everyone I cared about was all right. I knew it. Time... didn't mean anything. Nothing had form. But I was still me, you know? And I was warm. And I was loved. And I was finished. Complete. I - I don't understand theology or dimensions, any of it really... but I think I was in heaven. And now I'm not. I was torn out of there. Pulled out, by my friends. Everything here is hard and bright and violent. Everything I feel, everything I touch. This is Hell. Just getting through the next moment, and the one after that. Knowing what I've lost. They can never know. Never.
She jumped into a mystical purple evil cloud to save the world (again). I'm guessing they thought that it took her soul and was a portal to Glory's hell dimension.
Martin Coombes, exactly my thoughts. It was a portal to bring evil into the world, so everyone assumed that entering it and dieing inside of the hell dimension meant her soul was stuck there. As a viewer, I didn't see it that way.. but when they went this direction, it made sense to me. I can see it from the characters' point of view.
I always thought this speech was a great description of how people who are depressed feel. Or how life can bring us down. As Joss Whedon says: The real Big Bad of Season 6 was life itself.
Veronika Daisy technically of demonic origin
cetkat I think a couple of evil things even made it out before she closed it.
Well, I do have to point out that How much she Trusted Spike with that information she said to him......how much the characters grew to respect each other...
Yeah, honestly the Buffy/Angel thing was awesome but got codependent after awhile. Even the show itself eventually made fun of it. Spike was different... not such a pure love, and a lot of character development happened from it. Even not being exactly healthy, it did grow to become something real... if confusing. Plus James is such a hottie.
People think death is always a bad thing. But it can mean peace and the end of suffering for some. Not talking about suicide, just death in general
It's always at the back of my mind as an option. Like quietly leaving a party through the back door with nobody noticing
Agreed. And it's not like you can avoid it. I honestly believed I had died at one point. A transformer blew right next to me at a stoplight. It was blinding.. I saw white, heard nothing, felt nothing. I wasn't upset, just curious. Like, wtf the happened.. how did I die? I refuse to leave until I find out. Those were my thoughts. Then, I was back in my car realizing it was just a transformer.
A favorite quote of mine is “Every man fears death. But what if death is the greatest peace we will ever come to know?”
This was such a great scene. I absolutely love the score during her monolog, especially when she says, "And now I'm not."
Such a deeply impactful scene. Extremely clever of the writers to make a return from death something other than joyous and filled with gratitude on behalf of the resurrected.
This show was so ahead of his time, this is masterpiece
I love it when Spike calls Buffy slayer
Spike’s the only one who seems to understand what Buffy goes through in life. He’s the only one she feels comfortable opening up to. Besides Angel.
And Spike didn't react right away like the other scoobies. He listened to her so intently. Without any judgment. For me Spike and Tara were so right for buffy. Even though Spike started having dark intentions towards her. But he redeemed himself. I wished Tara survived too and always be Buffy's right friend.
How she describes it... its like Depression its what I have to go through every day... sometimes you just don't want to live in this world because of how hard and cruel it is. Every day, every single day, every single minute, second, every hour is a challenge, a battle. It hurts to sometimes even take a breath.
I wish you healing, strength, vision, and humour.
As well as medication that lets you feel like a human, whatever that is. 💚💛💙🕉️⚛️🛐
But oddly, Jose, even tho you may feel alone... Your not. Depression is shared. We all have some form of it. Some more then others. But, your not alone. We all feel like giving in, we all get deafening silence. Our nerve endings are raw, & exposed, & fray, in the wind.
You are not only not alone, you are heard, just like Buffy, was heard. She knew what she shared with Spike, wouldn't be exposed. He would keep her secrets, to his lonely self. Because he truly cared & loved her. She meant everything to him. She felt safe to walk away. 🥀💀🥀❤️👨🏼👩🏼💔 Misguided at times, but he would never maliciously try an hurt her. Till he was kept from her confidence. Spike didn't want to be alone either. It sometimes can blur our reason, & perception of others. When he felt left out, he felt totally alone. We can identify with Spike, as well as Buffy, when the pain of being shut out, becomes only deafening, & cruel. As a Jab from Xanders un feeling mouth... Spike can identify with Buffy in her lonely pain... As we all do. 🥀💀🥀🤟🏼
Melissa R Amato that was beautiful.
@@officialclownbusiness7788 I hope it could help in some way, friend. 💓🤟🏼🥀💀🥀
@David Roberts it's always that way David.
It reverts to money, or lack there of. Sadly. Meds often then not seem to make things worse, if we don't keep an eye on our own health reg.
💔🤛🏼 🤕💓
It’s amazing what kind of friends Buffy has. When they find out the truth, they have a short conversation coming to the conclusion that they aren’t going to apologize for bringing Buffy back and then they decided to just ignore what she told them all together. This show gives the perfect example of the type of “friends” you don’t want to make and what you need to cut from your life immediately or they will use you and leave you high and dry.
I partially agree. It's very common for those who have lost (or might lose) a loved one to think living, in any state, is the best and right option. It is for them.. because they don't want to let go. But, it's selfish. Like when a person is on life support and a family member ignores their wishes (when they've been made clear) & tries to force the hospital and court to make them stay that way. Love can turn to desperation very easily.
So, those people may be a good "friend"/family member.. but .. at the same time - my biggest requirement for my friends is that they respect my wishes and choices. They can disagree; but, they must respect that ultimately, I get to say what's best for me. The single biggest way to lose me as a friend is to betray that trust.
I agree Melissa. In that same conversation, Willow even said, "I can make her forget she was in heaven." Like seriously?? Then some time later after the truth came out, Xander had the nerve to say you die, I'll just bring you back again." 😤
None of them had lives before she moved to Sunnydale. Hell, they'd all be dead if she hadn't. Come to think of it, Willow and Xander would be better off as dead, kinky, vamps as seen when Cordy's little Wishmaster moment threw everything into a Back to the Future II scenario.
I know if I was in a happy place, and my friends ripped me from that happiness, I wouldn't be able to talk to them for a long while. Her speech hurts and is heartfelt.
Fhuck her friends. They were insidious in resurrecting her
Remember willows face when she found out they ripped her out of heaven 💔💔
LaTonya Manley Yes, I felt so bad for her.. you could feel the guilt.
when did that happen
Lamont Gaston In the musical episode when Buffy sings about needing something to sing about:.. all the joy life sends, family and friends, knowing that it ends, well that depends, on if they know that when you take your bow, that you leave the crowd... there was no pain, no fear no doubt, till they pulled me out, of heaven, [I think I was in heaven]..so give me something to sing about. They cut to Willow's face.
Allison Hannigan was always great, but she really nailed it there. I burst into tears just on her expression the first time I saw it.
@@carbon.the.christ5626 during "Once More With Feeling". After Buffy's first stance vs. Sweet, the music drops and Buffy confesses that she was in Heaven. The look on Willow's face says it all. That the selfishness of her friend's tore her out of paradise and Williow is mostly to blame since she was the one to cast the spell. A spell that the others didn't know how deep into darkness it really went.
I will have these scene stuck in my head forever. Buffy was way ahead of its time for a WB/UPN/CW show.
Buffy is good at giving speeches
When I tell people "Once more, with feeling!" Is my favorite episode they assume it's because of the musical theme.
The tone and dialogue of this season was amazing. This makes me think of when Spike explained how a Slayer can be killed and saying that a slayer can only be defeated if they wast to die. To think Buffy death brought her peace and not hell.Her perspective on Heaven and Hell is amazing. You can’t even fathom being pulled out of eternal peace and forced into a living hell only to struggle to live when you truly wish you were dead,in peace living in Heaven.Wow. That is traumatizing on all levels.
And I was loved, and I was finished, complete... I believe in this kind of heaven
I think that this is one of the few moments when Buffy makes Spike absolutely speechless.
Even him assumed that she was in Hell.
Even him cannot think that the living world can be a horrible place.
It makes this scene even more powerful (this and many others things) seeing him, which have always something to answer to, something to say, a guy with a lot of repartee, absolutely uncapable of saying anything.
Best scene in the series.
They will never know how much she loves them.
On the upside, she's the only person in the world who absolutely knows what's waiting for her on the other side!
well, not really, there's always the possibility you can enter even just once
@@julieb5122 In the episode 'Once More With Feeling', she sings about how she can never go back.
@@delly5965 so she thinks, but as we go along the rest of the show, we see that's she's not so certain about it...
@@julieb5122 Oh, really? Wow. I completely missed that... I thought that she came to terms with going to purgatory or something. Neither heaven nor hell. I'll have to re-watch it. Cheers. :)
@@delly5965 Does she? I don't remember that. And why shouldn't she come back there the "next time" she died??
As an anxious introvert, I can say that “I can be alone with you here” is the highest compliment
I rewatched this episode today and have been rewatching Buffy (for the first time in 3 years since I fell into a deep depression) and was shocked at how much I related to this. It reminded me of coming home from the hospital after a suicide attempt a couple of years ago and people telling you to be happy and grateful to be alive (like when Willow told Buffy to "be happy" they saved her) though wishing they hadn't or that you weren't. Buffy's speech hit me much differently now and what it really means.
I hope you're doing better. I have very bad, non-remittant (non-treatable) myself. This has gotten a lot of views; but honestly, I only put it here after taking it off if the DVD for myself. I thought others may like them. If you ever want to talk to me, you can.
@@cetkat Thank you! Fortunately it has improved a little bit since then. I'm sorry that you experience a similar struggle as well.
I imagine eternally missing out on what she described, with no hope of anything good to ever come, must be a somewhat comparable description of the difference between heaven and hell.
I agree.
Who funds hell?
Cos if Yahweh is a controlling shareholder, we gotta talk.
And if hes not, we gotta talk.
And if he cheeses out and tries to call it free will that you wound up in hell, then its time to stop talking, and leave your old religion far, far behind you.
Not exactly no hope because everybody dies eventually. She's still a hero and hero's get rewarded plus it's not like Buffy's seat was taken after she was pulled out of paradise. It would still be there because ..it's hers.
I could never understand why the scoobies ever turned on buffy after everything she put up with and did for them, shes good through and through but so often her friends would turn against her for things she couldnt control or did for herself - she deserves to do things for herself because she sacrifices herself over and over again for other people
And they didn't? Keep in mind they didn't start out with the power she had. In fact it has been pointed out (by Spike) that the only reason she has lasted longer than any other Slayer is because of her friends. They've taken the same risks together. And in some ways have paid bigger prices. Buffy sometimes in trying to do the right thing and spare her friends acts as the typical Slayer. That "Chosen One" mentality. However, that's also what got them killed. The main thing we see with this group is that like any family they have their disagreements. But when it's time to rally around and face Hell (literally). They fall in line without hesitation.
@@TRivera13 They most certainly didn't, they were selfish and self conceited people. They blamed her for running away in season 3, then in season 6 after she revealed they ripped her from heaven the scoobies decided to talk about it and agreed to never mention anything about "the ripping her from heaven incident" again, even willow proudly said "i can make her forget she was in heaven" is that what good friends do? And in season 7 they berated her for being chosen as if she chose to be a slayer. They might be on buffy's side but deep down inside they're ready to turn on her because of their own lackings.
When your alarm goes off at 5 am.
🤣🤣🤣
Fr
This is too relatable 💀💀💀
Such a powerful scene love buffy..
This scene always sent a chill!
Honestly, she does care what he thinks. She confided in him because she knew he could handle it, and he didn't bear any guilt, since he had no hand in it. She new she could trust him because he cared for Dawn while she was gone.
Anybody else besides me been in this mindset before and without even dying?? I feel like this legit is how things work between living, dying, heaven and hell and what happens in between it all...
Zay Bing yes
Yes, most of the time!!
Yes. Band Candy rewatches help.
I don't believe in hell after death, per se.. I think hell is often a part of living. But, I do agree with you. I think this is how it works.
Life is pain. You either learn to accept it and suffer well or you wallow in misery.
The writers knew coming back to life had to be a process, even for such a strong character like Buffy.
her acting here is incredible - so layered
I might be crazy but I think this scene confirms Buffy was in a mental institution because she said the same words the psychistrist said in 'Normal again' 2:49 her friends keep bringing her back to her hallucinations, the analogy is too perfect it's actually scary...
Buffy: They can never know. Ever.
Buffy in the next episode: *literally sings about it*
Sarah is an amazing actress and this scene's so powerful..
It was 4 episodes, not 1, and the demon's magic forced her to sing her deepest secret. Blame Xander. LOL
This is absolutely brilliant. There is so much depth to her words. So much irony. Life is Hell after you know Heaven. So beautifully sad.
I used to always say, "I like being in big crowds, so that I can be alone more comfortably." This was just after my mother's passing, and I would go to bars and parties just to let the noise wash over me to escape my need to mourn. I felt that way again when Buffy said, "I can be alone with you here..."
Depression can take many forms.
Whew lawd this hit my teenage mind HARD back in the day. Folks don't realize how unprecedented this arc/ dialog was for television. Buffy broke all types of walls.
I know exactly how Buffy feels. I once had an experience of the closest thing I could call Heaven. I was on a beach at night and the sky was filled with stars. The ocean waves lapped comfortingly on the shore and I could feel a warm breeze all around me as if invisible arms embraced me telling me without words that I would be fine. I heard the sweetest music I've ever heard and I walked along the beach and felt the cool chill of the sand beneath my feet. I eventually came across a lion sat on a rock with a strangely almost human voice and it was smiling a smile of pure love and trust. I gently stroked its mane and I could hear the soft sound of a symbol being played somewhere. In one very slow movement the lion jumped into the air and landed onto the sand walking away before vanishing. I walked on looking for it when I suddenly saw a brick wall with a land rover crashed through it, the driver a young woman was arguing about it on her phone. I turned to walk back up the beach communicating through senses that I wanted to stay and then I woke up in my bed feeling the terrible weight of life bearing down on me like a colossal weight. I was back in a cruel, miserable reality and I had lost my paradise forever. I really could have stayed there forever. Always😪
See, it’s things like this that are why the other Scoobies just really piss me off. First was when they were all high and mighty when she ran away after she had to kill Angel like seconds after he was ensouled. They forget all she’s ever done, and yes I know that Buffy can be very selfish sometimes, but she’s the one who makes the tough calls and the major sacrifices. I literally yelled at my screen when they kicked her out of her OWN house in the last season. They were so stupid and naive to think that going against the First Evil was going to be just another apocalypse. Buffy’s too good for them and they don’t deserve her love or the sacrifices that she’s made for them. Sorry, rant over, but seriously the other scoobies can just eff off in my opinion.
Xander was the main culprit in all of that. Willow was always meek and don't even get me started on Dawn.
This is what I loved about Buffy. It didn’t jam religion, God, all of that down your throat. It treaded lightly on the whole concept of theology. I know now that Joss is a pig but him and the writers did so well scripting this scene
When I was a teen, I ranked the 6th season as the lowest. Now, as an adult, it's my 3rd favorite buffy season, (with season 3 as my top 1 and season 5 as my top 2) because of how serious they tackle mental health issues and drug addiction in this. The writing itself is so amazing and so terrifyingly real.
Whoever wrote her lines, knows about depression and how it feels
Thank you for making this show realistic, s06 was great imo it really show how depressed buffy was and honestly who wouldn’t? It took time for her to recover from what she went through and thank god it took her a whole season and not a few episodes 😂
All is violent, all is bright. And so I'm here, in a constant state... of dying alone
So beautifully written
They didn't give this show enough credit
For those that have had an NDE this speaks truth in ways no words can describe. You know what you have lost...for now.
This scene made me realize that Hell is relative, always is, always has been.
Sarah in season 6 should be studied. What a actor.
Right after she says "I think i was in Heaven" .... when she adds "and now I'm not" the music becomes slightly darker.
Maybe the best moment of this show.
Being happy and losing the thing that made you happy is a million times worse than going through something awful and trying to overcome it
I wonder sometimes how this season would have played out if she’d spoken like this to Tara from the get-go… not saying Tara cared more than Spike, certainly not, but I think Buffy would have been more open to accepting help and guidance from Tara. And then maybe her relationship with Spike could have been much less toxic - if she had an ally other than him to lean on.
I saw my sister watching this and this scene alone made me start watching buffy. Just the acting and the writing was brilliant
Best buffy scene ever
This is a bit sad knowing this, what Buffy said it's like u would say I hope her friends didn't bring her back. Since she's already at peace wherever she is happy there, then later on someone will pull u out of ur happy place. So for u, u will really wish that didn't happen since ur already happy and peaceful there. But u were pull out and u came back in the world u don't want to come back anymore. And u don't have any other choice so it's a bit sad for that part u know, and Spike is just there listening not saying anything or his not judging Buffy he just listen. So that's why Buffy always go to Spike because Buffy knows Spike is just there ready to listen to her, and of course he understands her as well so Buffy is comfortable telling Spike anything. That Buffy cannot share wd her friends since they will judge her or say something or what, so only Spike is the only one she tells about her feelings that 😍😍😍❤❤❤
Willow did what she wanted, period.
I like how she walks into the light and leaves him in the dark. In the end she is a good person and he isn't because he is soulless. But later on because of her he gets his soul back. Spike in a way becomes a man because of her light. In a contrast way, Angel chooses to be a hero and seek redemption after years of meaningless wanderings. He seeks it on his own. Amazing writing.
I hope nobody has to experience the feelings Buffy is describing here.
But people do, nonetheless.
I always thought that it is poetic irony that the person whom she shared this very deep secret is "William the Bloody" - once a monster of a vampire reformed with a soul, like Angel. When her friends pulled her from heaven, it is logical - and on principle - she resent them. All of them. Willow, most of all.
Reminds me of the quote from "Pet Cemetary" by Stephen King: *"Sometimes death is better."*
And her confession is a very sobering explanation of depression. I know I felt this speech. Every nano-second of it feels like *hell.* A punishment you did not feel like you deserved, no matter how much of a hero you are.
This show was so ahead of his time 🤌 by far !
The look on Spikes face as she told him were she was is heartbreaking 🥺 I feel so sorry for Buffy in this moment.
It’s kind of funny willow was so worried that Buffy was in Hell…never considering the possibility she might be in heaven.
It’s a compelling reason to let the dead stay dead.
There's parts of me that really don't like season 6 but Buffy's depression is something I'll always relate to. It speaks to the quality of the writing that something I understood as a 10/11 year old at the time is still finding ways to impact me as a 33 year old.
The way Spike refers to her as " Slayer" as a sign of respect between Warriors
Not even 4 minutes long and it’s one of the best scenes in the entire series.
Jeez, I really feel this. Three years ago I went through a bad depression and thought about ending my life. I’m better now, but when I first watched this seven years ago I didn’t get it. Now I do. This is probably the beat depiction of depression in any media.
Funny, isn't it? This is exactly what Holland Manners tells Angel. Earth is the Home Office for all that's bad.
Hearing Buffy describe where she was, it something she doesn't say that interests me.
She says she was happy, at peace, knew her loved ones would be ok and that she was glad to be finished.
But she doesn't say that she saw her mother, or Tara, or Jenny Calendar or Kendra. Is it Heaven if you're by yourself???
I’m watching season six for the first time and I’ve been so frustrated with how little consequence bringing Buffy back actually had on the team, the only one suffering is herself😢 It’s so sad, but I think is great writing to know you can’t and shouldn’t use magic for those things
I miss this show with its writing and great chracters
She is right and her world is our world (Earth) and it is hell! 😢 It’s a test to see if we can face the hard obstacles.
I think it's less of a test, and more about personal growth through hardships. I agree with you though.
It wasn't selfish. Willow didn't bring Buffy back just because she wanted her friend back. She thought she was saving Buffy from a hell dimension
@Robert Nicholson ...no one said anything about selfish 😂
@@Eluudie I meant to reply to a different comment. Someone said that Willow was selfish for bringing Buffy back
I think this conversation between Buffy and Spike pretty much sums it all up: everything here, in the real and living world is hard. We face loss after loss until we become one ourselves. For our loved ones that still live, that is.
I hope Buffy’s description of Heaven is accurate, and we will all be with all our loved ones forever after we die. Most of all, wherever we go after death, I hope to see my family again. Especially my grandma, but hopefully everyone I’ve ever loved.
That chord progression around after 2:42 is magic
Spike's reaction when Buffy mentioned heaven. He knows he can't go there.
I was in a coma. At peace. I woke up in excruciating pain. I always feel like buffy is the only "person" who understands
It's imposible to see this and not to cry...
I kinda of feel this tbh. I was in a situation where I’d almost lost my life and idk what it was I felt but I’ve never felt a warmth like it it since. Idk if it was heaven or my brain just going into overdrive but it was euphoria at its finest. When I awoke in the ER I was a bloody wreck. I stayed like how buffy said how she feels here for months. I’m fine now but I’ll never forget those months.
I'm glad you survived. I do know that the brain becomes super active on the verge of death. And, if part of that means a sudden release of a lot of dopamine, you would feel euphoric. But.. I also think that, if we do have souls and an afterlife, it could be the brain also preparing to separate from "you". I tend to believe the latter, but I simply feel that in my gut & heart. It's not anything I can base on science; but, at the same time.. the more we learn about science (like quantum mechanics).. the more we realize that all of our previous assumptions were wrong. A particle changing location simply because we observe it (see, not touch or influence physically), is.. quite hard to explain. Yet, it's true.
I can see how coming back from that would be hard. I do think that it happens often enough to others, that there's truly something too it.
I did have one experience myself.. not like yours, but meaningful to me.
I don't know if you've ever experienced this.. but, your brain has a way of working faster to the point where time essentially slows down. Like tripping and knowing you're going down, and going down hard.. for me, that makes me feel frozen. Like, it takes longer to hit the ground than it should, and during that time, it feels like I can't move. That has happened often enough.. but, once, it happened when a butterfly was in my field of vision. I could actually see it's wings flapping in slow motion. Just like how the movies will slow down a shot.
I latter learned that our eyes take in more information than our brain actually processes. Essentially - we drop frames. However, our brains can speed up and actually work faster. That's why I could see the butterfly like that.. and that's why you feel frozen. You're thinking faster.. but it still takes the same amount of time for your brain and limbs to communicate. So, it feels like that isn't there.
So, after that long-winded explanation...
I had a transformer on a telephone pole suddenly blow up right next to me at a stop light at night. The light was blinding, and my brain went into overdrive. I couldn't see, hear, or feel anything. I actually thought I was dead. That there had been some major explosion (honestly, I thought nuclear), and that was that. It was over. It felt like quite a long time & I had awhile to think for what felt like minutes in that second.
But, I wasn't afraid, or sad, or anything like that.. I was very calm and almost serene. What I remember thinking the most is -- I'm not moving on without knowing what happened.
Eventually my vision cleared and everything came back. I realized that it was simply a harmless flash of light & was glad my foot had remained on the break pedal.
The point is.. death is something people fear, but when the time came (as best as I knew).. I wasn't afraid at all. It felt oddly safe.
I'm definitely not trying to compare my experience to yours - it's not the same.
But I honestly wasn't expecting that reaction.
Perhaps there's just something we instinctively know.
It was a tremendous storyline having her be in heaven. I never saw that coming.
Spike was wise no to tell Buffy's sister and her friends what she told him of where she really was when they brought her back to save the city when it was under attack by demon bikers after 1 of them found out about her robot double that was built to take her place. They probably wouldn't have believed him anyway.
Ironically she sings the truth to them in a later episode.
This must be the most heartbreaking moment in the show.