Aspergers here and health professional. Anya by coincidence has Aspergers type characteristics but I'd say she isn't a good representation fo Aspergers. She has the social issues thing which works perfectly well with her being an ex demon. But there really are no other asd characteristics. She's perfectly ok with groups of people and excessive stimuli (right at home in a busy magic shop with a million customers). No stereotypical movements/nervous ticks. No issues with physical contact or eye contact. Etc. ASD doesn't have to have all the things of course but when we have a very good explanation for the 1 ASD trait and see no others, I think we can say she doesn't have ASD. That said, I can very much also say that ASD viewers may still connect with her because of that trait. Anya is one of my favorite characters as well and that's partly due to her bluntness and social awkwardness. Also the theory that dawn is what a bunch of monks THINK a 15 yr old girl is like has definitely been my head canon for a while too. That theory does seem to have become popular on the interwebs
Aspergers too. I always identified a lot with Anya for this reason, but I really appreciate your points on how she doesn't have problems with overstimulation, etc. In my social group, we tend to refer to people like this (knowingly humourously) as "protosperge" in the sense that sometimes only a few of the traits come through in a particular generation. Not enough to make someone full ASD, but the symptoms which do occur definitely coming from the same place.
Also Asperger's. I've liked Anya from the beginning. Her directness, her lack of social awareness. I thought on it some and her lack of social skills makes sense when you consider she forgot what it was like to be human and has to relearn everything. I disliked Dawn intensely. What a little brat!
Wow!!! Very thorough. Seriously, I'm not being sarcastic. I'm no expert about aspergers, but what I know about it, I remember sayin' to a couple of friends I think I might have it. They laugh like I was joking. I just shrugged my shoulders, didn't say anything else. LoL!!! IDK, but I loved when they made Anya a regular. Hated the series finale for what they did to her. Hahaha!!!
Hey, I'm a pretty high-functioning autistic woman and just personally, I really relate to Anya's portrayal. I don't have much problems with eye-contact- I went under the radar until my late teens, as a lot of autistic girls do, (though I do have meltdowns and some really annoying sensory overload issues) so most of the ASD parts of my life are closer to things like people reacting badly to my bluntness and a lot of social missteps and intense obsession. I love that she doesn't know what to do with her emotions, I love that it makes her so happy to be good at her job, I especially love that TPN talked about Xander's little 'behaviour corrections' because I get a LOT of that from friends and family. Just adding my two cents.
When I saw that episode when Joyce died, I bowled my eyes out. I had just graduated highschool and my grandma had passed away, and I could tell my mom's heart broke ... Now that I'm 33, my mom is in her deathbed battling renal cancer and kidney disorder, and honestly I can't rewatch that episode again. Triggering af
As a kid the episode where Dawn tries to bring Joyce back scared the hell out of me. Especially the bit where you see Joyce's shadow through the curtains. I think that had Dawn not ripped the picture in half and they'd opened the door zombie Joyce would have tried to eat both Buffy and Dawn. And Buffy having to kill her mother even as a zombie would have broken her.
Buffy: I didn't ask for this. I don't even know... What is she? Monk: Human. Now human. And helpless. Please, she's an innocent in this. She needs you.
I love how this line seems to call back to the two episodes (Helpless and Innocence) where Buffy seems the most vulnerable. You automatically end up feeling more empathy for Dawn.
Kind of the ultimate emotional blackmail by the monks though looking at it cynically. Fabricating 14(?) years of memories of a sibling relationship so that the Slayer would protect their MacGuffin with her life.
@@alexwright4930 it is manipulation but she is more than just a cover for the Key; she's a human and as much as i dislike her character, she's a real human in this universe
@@alexwright4930 Sorry or the length, not a chew out, just a small point that ballooned. My only problem with what you're saying is your labeling of Dawn as a MacGuffin. She could have been, and in a to a degree idea of "the key" is, however Dawn is a full character, and on top of that a metaphorical representation of Buffy herself. Like with the Lost Arch in 'Raiders", when a potential MacGuffin significantly alters the course and metaphorical meaning of a text, other than by just being a trigger of the apocalypse or the goal of a quest, it ceases to be a MacGuffin.The oxford def of MacGuffin is "an object or device in a movie or a book that serves merely as a trigger for the plot". While dawn triggers the plot for season 5, she also has autonomy. While the Arch triggers the plot of '"Raiders", the search for it and its ultimate leading Indy to not only reopen himself to the idea of faith, but take to take a full leap of faith, humbling himself and accepting that there are forces larger than him and more powerful than his curiosity and ego: He closes his eyes when the arch opened. That was not a deus ex machina, but character-earned divine intervention, and one that would have struck him dead as well had he not rejected his own nihilism and passed that test. That "raiders" digest is my non spoiler way of discussing Dawn's roll in season 5, although "Buffy"s is more Sartreian, or Absurdist, and Kierkegaardian. In the same way, I would argue that the Maltese Falcon, the Dragon Balls in the original "Dragon Ball", the scrolls from "Journey to the West", both Fiona and the Swamp in "Shrek", and the Dragon Scroll in "Kung Fu Panda" are all potential-MacGuffins that transcend to be something far more important than the definition of that word allows for.
_"I've always wanted to try that thing with worms where, if you rip it in half, you get two worms. Do you think that'll work with you?"_ The 'two halves' theme of this season continues with Glory's line...
I like Glory's reaction to Buffy managing to hurt her with her attacks, like what Glory's been doing doesn't count as assault or attacking. "You hit me!! What're you crazy?? *punch* You can't- *punch* just go around- *kick* hitting- *punch* people! What were you- *kick* born in a barn?"
To be honest, I didn't mind the whole "Dawn might be evil" thing they did in the episode. From someone who watched Season 5 when it aired, I didn't fully trust Dawn because I was putting myself in Buffy's stylish but surprisingly affordable shoes. I expected her to be connected to the Big Bad (I was right but not in the way I thought) and when Buffy saw the picture where Dawn was flickering in and out, I felt vindicated. I literally screamed "I KNEW IT!" at my screen. Her Manchurian mannerisms seemed more like a sibling playing the innocent kid act in contrast to the older sibling acting out, but at first viewing, I was mostly in the mind set of "She HAS TO be evil". Then when the monk said that she doesn't know she isn't real, that's when I felt guilty for judging Dawn harshly and started to warm up to her as a character, as a person. It actually made the experience intriguing to watch. But that's just me.
The fake out is just what's happening on the surface in that scene when Dawn brings Joyce the tea. Like most everything else on this show it has more layers. For a while now Dawn has been aware that something is wrong with her and now even her mother and sister are starting to say things to make her question her existence, like the crazy guy on the street in Real Me that she never told anybody about and which probably was not the first time something like that happened. She is desperately trying to play the role of the good daughter in order to keep her world together as it threatens to slip away.
Same. I too watched as it aired. The series stared my freshman year of highschool been hooked ever since. Ur spot on about Dawn tho definitely couldn't trust her in the beginning but she grew on u slowly very slow lol
@@toshomni9478 Wouldn't it be the first time that's happened, since she's only been alive for a few days at that point? It's not like the monks would give her fake memories of people questioning her existence. But I agree with everything else. It's really just the music and camera angles and context that make Dawn seem evil in that part of the episode. The voice she's using to suck up to Joyce before Buffy gets home is a little played up, but it's still not a flat out lie to me.
I was trying to figure out who the clock was ticking for. I’d guess Joyce, but Buffy’s clock has been ticking at least since Graduation day. But, I guess that one was digital and doesn’t click, per se...
I love buffy's fight against glory in this episode. She's been plowing through everything with such ease honing her slayer powers in which she gets so cocky instead of hitting glory she goes for an intimidating neck hold to get swatted away like a fly and the lock of shock and awe on buffy's face afterwards really sums it up for me.
Also, Ian, you're not an only child are you? Making nice with your parents when the other sibling isn't around is how you win fights with your older brothers and sisters. Dawn's just doing what a younger sister does.
Even as the older sibling. Yes, she's doing the snide, points scoring thing and it's doubling to seem creepy to us not yet fully aware. So totally agree with you Dave 🙂, but can also see Ian's perspective on it.
I'm the youngest of 3 and I never did that, or at least never like this. The scene in itself might make sense, but the way it's played by Michelle Trachtenberg, the way they film it with a slight zoom in, and the music in the background, it's made to look creepy and make us think that she's evil and something will happen to Joyce. And that's what's wrong with this scene. And without this creepiness, the scene serves no purpose at all.
The writers really had to make Riley the MOST pathetic thing ever before kicking him off the show. I mean, even without the military career, he was shown to be a smart and accomplished guy... why is he doing NOTHING?! Maybe that was why they brought him back in season 6 and gave him a perfect life to rub in Buffy's face.
sharksandsheep yes, that moment in S6 was Riley being useful for the season arc, but here in season 5 he had already shown problematic behaviour towards the relationship and it getting worse here was very realistic on how things don't work, and Buffy not loving him was very telling on how she feels about men and what she needs
Your take on the Buffy/Riley relationship is so insightful. Using physicality alone to try to close distance is something I think a lot of people go through in a failing relationship. One where you don't feel like you can address what the real problems are, or are scared to (Riley), or are willfully ignoring them and just kind of taking what you need to avoid getting hurt (Buffy). When you contrast that with Buffy's relationship with Angel it's even more telling. They had strong physical chemistry, and were affectionate, but for the most part were never sexual. They couldn't be. Yet Angel was always the person she went to with her woes and doubts and deepest hurts. I'd say more about that and Buffy's relationships but it crosses into spoilers 😆
This is how I always sum up their relationship. Two kids, not really understanding the whole relationship thing. A lot of people take sides, I can't. Everything's rooted in neither able to or wanting to go deeper and figure out what each really wants.
@@barbarabaker1457 like in season 4 when their relationship was new and fresh Buffy neglect her friends. Now in season 5 Buffy slayer background takes importance with mom and friends.
My favorite favorite favorite villian! I wish she had more fight scenes with the gang and Buffy of course but I heard its because of budgeting constraints. I also noticed Drusilla never really had a fight scene with Buffy in season 2. Barely when she returned in season 5
James Marsters has been infusing his character with so much depth and life from day 1, he can never be praised enough. Great point about the seamless inclusion of Dawn as well, it is very respectful to the audience's intelligence and Michelle Trachtenberg's chemistry with the rest of the cast is fantastic.
I interpreted Dawn's quasi sinister behavior as her still reeling from her fight with Buffy. Like she's asking herself, "How could I not be real? Of course I'm real, and I love our Mom. I'll make her a nice warm drink. Real people do that." Also, love you video. Thanks for all your hard work.
I thought this as well. Also with the awkwardness of trying to pretend that she wasn't super worried about their mom's headaches and that everything would be fine. I took the "you don't have to to worry about Buffy" part as trying to reassure their mom that Buffy can look after herself and Joyce shouldn't worry more than she needs to.
I got WAY more out of this review than I originally thought. "No Place Like Home" is one of my personal faves. I feel like just about everyone gets a moment and it's beautiful. Literally been waiting for the one for YEARS. Patience is becoming my strongest virtue.
Monique Ocampo, “Five words or less.” “Out for a walk, b*tch!” Personally, I prefer “A bear! You made a bear! Undo it. Undo it!” & “Is everyone here very stoned?”
I like : "Well Well... What's this I spy, with my little eye.... A Demon... That would be... Oh yeah. A thing on the list of whose a#s's I'm able to kick...."
I too have heard this theory about Dawn being the monks' version of a teenage girl...for some reason it never quite sat right with me. I think my issue with this headcanon is that it then becomes too easy to handwave away any inconsistencies in Dawn's storyline. It's literally just 'a wizard did it', no? My own personal theory was always that after finding out that Buffy was the slayer, Joyce overcorrected and coddled Dawn to a ridiculous degree. Then Buffy and the other scoobies followed suit. This seems logical to me and makes some of Dawn's more egregious behaviour (slightly) more tolerable.
It's a trifecta of your brilliant observation, how the Monks fashioned Her, and the fact that She's brand new. The perfect storm for a preposterously juvenile entity. 💖
I must say, it doesn't really sit right with me either. Part of me thinks that if Dawn is the monks' version of a teenage girl, then it's not the bits they got wrong that stand out to me, rather it's the bits they got right i.e. almost all of it. Not convinced that those monks could have designed/created a teenage girl as convincingly realistic as Dawn is in almost every aspect. I have to believe that whilst they mystically created a human and altered everyone's memories to include her, the creative process didn't involve them actually designing the intricacies of her personality. I do like your theory though :)
Great video! I do like that head canon. It makes a lot of sense. Also, I must have seen Spike’s “five words’ over a dozen times, but it still makes me grin and chuckle like it were the first time. Marsters was born to be Spike.
There's no need to apologize (classical definition) so much about going into Buffley's sex life. It is not sex negative to point out to people that focusing on sexual relations to the neglect of personal relations can doom a relationship. In fact, it is sex positive to deal with both spheres of intercourse objectively and interchangeably.
Agreed, also since sex often is filled with and manifests our emotional dynamic with our partners, a failing emotional relationship focused on having more intercourse to "reassure us about it" would be like trying to start a fire with soaking wet wood. Try as you might, it either won't happen or be a short-lived mess.
I really enjoy revisiting every episode with you and your brilliant insight into each one! I've been an obsessive fan of the show since it started and you've made me realize just how many things I missed-or never fully thought of. Thank you! I appreciate what you do!
Just like the actual quality of the show by season five, I feel like you've got the guide feeling so wonderfully fluid and confident. This was fantastic.
The scene where Dawn is all weird offering tea to Joyce, back then when I first watched the episode (and well, several re watching after that) Ijustified it as being weird because of simple teenager behavior, when you fight with a sibling, or at school or whatever, that affects you, you act pretending as nothing bad happens so just your parents don't ask anything, but the acting is all weird because one is not totally fine. So in my point of view, Dawn was affected by how Buffy treated her, she had time to think about it and she was scared because in her world, Buffy would never harm her and suddenly her big slayer sister accuses her for being a thing rather than family and demands to stay away from her mother, Buffy making clear saying "My mother" instead of our, so Dawn acts weird because of fear, and probably even wondering if Joyce would have a reaction like Buffy because Dawn doesn't know what's going on... so the tea offering might be a peace offering made weird because of fear and/or anger.
my favorite spike moment is that gentle look he gives buffy after she pulls him out from behind the tree. and the way he speaks is pure william, makes me pause and melt every time
Monk: My journey is done, I think. Buffy: Don't get metaphory on me. We're going. Monk: You have to...The Key. You must protect the key. Buffy: Fine. We can protect the key together, okay? Just far far from here. Monk: Many more die if you don't keep it safe. Buffy: How? What is it? Monk: The key is energy. It's a portal. It opens the door. Buffy: The Dagon Sphere? Monk: No. For centuries it had no form at all. My brethren its only keepers. Then...The Abomination...found us. We had to hide the key. Gave it form, molded it flesh, made it human and sent it to you. Buffy: Dawn. Monk: She's the key. Buffy: You put that in my house? Monk: We knew the Slayer would protect. Buffy: My memories, my mom's... Monk: We built them. Buffy: Then unbuild them. This is my life you're... Monk: *Coughs* You cannot abandon. Buffy: I didn't ask for this. I don't even know...What is she? Monk: Human. Now human...and helpless. Please. She's an innocent in this. She needs you. Buffy: She's not my sister. Monk: She doesn't know that. *Dies*
Those last few sentences you leave us with here... man. This hits the spot as anyone can relate to how life has those few moments of respite sprinkled here and there in the midst of one long continuing chaotic journey. You have an uncanny talent for distilling lessons from these shows my friend. Amazing.
At the end, right after you said, "because soon enough, and somewhat inevitably, they won't be" I was expecting a future shot of Buffy saying, "Mom...Mommmy?" just to tug at the heartstrings.
I know you've been at this for 5 seasons now, but I'm still so floored by how good you are at breaking these episodes down to all of their tiny, juicy bits. Your method of contextualizing them with relatable themes allows me to appreciate a show I already love so much more.
Thanks Ian! Another fantastic video, I absolutely love the depth of your analysis! When I was younger, season 5 was possibly my least favorite season, but as I got older it steadily grew in favor until it became my absolute favorite. I don’t know another piece of fiction that has managed such a feat. Something I wanted to mention and I hope you will explore in future guides is Dawn’s metaphorical relationship to Buffy. I believe that just as the Scoobies have such a connection to her, Dawn is metaphorically Buffy’s inner child personified and given human form. The way Joss and company figured out how to do this within the context of the show is just genius, but I think it was likely the original idea all along. As growing up is the central theme of the show, and each season has dealt with a step on that journey (season 1- accepting responsibility, season 2- living with integrity, season 3- individuation of the shadow self, season 4- individuality vs conformity), season 5 tackles the subject of having to fully embrace your adulthood. And since themes are literal in this show, Buffy can no longer be a child because Dawn is now the child who needs protecting. I find it very interesting that even though Buffy strongly desires to be the baby and find comfort in her mother but cannot due to Dawn’s presence, by the end of the season she has fully embraced her responsibility to protect Dawn with her very life. It seems in the context of the show, nothing is more important than keeping your inner child alive and whole, while still finding a way to live as a responsible adult with integrity.
I can't wait for you to get to "the Body" as it is quite possibly one of the pieces of fiction that has had the most impact in my life. And let me tell, I consume a shit ton of movies, games, books, comics and series, so it really is a compliment. But yeah, season five is a fantastic season of television that offers a lot in terms of character development, themes and overall fun too. Your videos are always a highlight too, as they offer different perspectives, and I don't think i'd be as in love with this show as I am if it wasn't for your videos.
I was always impressed by the casting of Buffy and her mother. They seem not only physically similar, but also have similar speech patterns and emotional energy.
Just watched all the guides had to offer, all sad when i realized how long it takes you to get one of these videos up, and bam you hit us with this. Well done sir. May the road to the finish line (that is the season finale) have fewer hurdles and a shorter distance. Keep up the great work.
Marsters makes every second of everything count. Somehow Spike carries the last few seasons, even though nothing at all needs carrying and is so strong.
This is among the best of your work, Ian. I love this episode, always have and the fact that so many fans either ignore it or actively dislike it continues to baffle me. As you point out, this is where the plot comes together. Certainly introducing the season's "big bad" this early on was a bit daring but I think for the most part, it works, thanks to Claire Cramer's wonderfully over the top performance as Glorificus. It does make the appearance of the Knights of Byzantium (who are obviously "little bads") a bit problematic-and IMHO they never quite work-but you can't have everything. ITA about the monk's delivery of the line "she doesn't know that" to Buffy in that scene. It really does convey just how helpless Dawn is at that point in the show and SMG's response to it is absolutely pitch perfect. Great entry into the guide.
Oh my god I wait for these Buffy reviews religiously. Been here since S2 reviews ended and so hoped we’d have The Gift by 2020, but each review has been worth the wait. I’ve never finished a review saying “god this wasn’t worth it”... and *THAT’S* the Passion of the Nerd. Thank you so much Ian!!
I totally agree with you in 5:03 I remember how shocking the Monk's revelation was and how it changed everything in that moment. I was young and I'm over 30 now and that dialoge is really touching. What you say about the empathy and compassion for Dawn. I'm a teacher now and somehow I recall that moment every time my students get on my nerves, trying to be a better version of myself. I really love your videos, they're helping me a lot these hard days. Hugs from Patagonia, Argentina.
I just want to say thank you for making this content. I’ve been an avid buffy (and angel) fan since it first aired in the UK, and watching your take on all of the shows deeper themes has allowed me to fall in love with it all over again. It’s brought me so much joy. I look forward to the next one!
I love how relatable the Buffy series can be to everyone. Your insights on every episodes makes me realise it even more. I've been a massive fan of Buffy since a very long time and I'm always amazed by things I never noticed before. All the links to philosophy and culture references you make are always on point and powerful. Thank you for your hard and dedicated work. I really love it. Greetings from France
Excellent review as always, Ian, and so worth the wait! It's easily one of my top 10 episodes. It's the one where the dynamic between Buffy and Dawn changes dramatically. I love Dawn (and was that bratty little sister myself), and seeing Buffy's love for her shining through so glaringly is just beautiful to watch. Also, it's the one where we see Glory for the first time, and I love her entrance, the way her small figure apears in the giant hole she's walking through, apparently contradicting your expectation of bestiality, and yet - not. Anyway, I love it, and you did it justice.
OG Buffy fan here, unable to rewatch the show myself at this current time, I went searching for some Buffy videos on youtube and fell into the black hole of these Buffy guides. I can't believe after 2 days of binge-watching every Buffy guide, mostly crying through them, I've now caught up and now will watch the next one when it goes live. You have such a powerful insight on what's going on inside the human experience. I can go watch all of the Angel Guides and have you rip my soul open a few 100's times more. Thank you for doing these videos. seriously. I've learned so much, not just about the show and seeing in an all-new light but also about myself, with a few very pointed moments mirroring my own life right now. I've been dealing with some heavy stuff and in watching these videos I've found some light among the darkness, some peace among the chaos. These guides could easily be missed as someone talking about their favourite show and why they like it but they are so much more. They are the exploration into the suffering we all feel as humans that binds us together, reminding us we are not alone. I hope you know these videos are so important and have made a huge impact on my life in such a short time. Thank you so much.
I headcannon Dawn's offness slightly differently. Dawn has been created by the monks to be calibrated to Buffy. She needs to be someone Buffy believes is her sister and will do anything to protect. So Buffy's expectations about little-sister-dom are projected onto Dawn. She acts artificially young in part because that's how big sisters often think of their little sister. In terms of the spell, this makes more sense, because I think you understate how bad a job 3 monks would do making a California teenager just based on their own experiences if that's how it worked. And it makes Dawn mre interesting as a character, because her behaviors tell us something about what Buffy is projecting.
WOW, you blew me away with this one. Anya being an early representation of asperger’s on TV really makes sense. And your friend Autums observation about Dawn being created by the monks therefore acting like they think a teenage girl would act totally puts a better spin on some of the dawn things.
Thank you for pointing that out about Dawn being written as a twelve year old originally and about the monks. I personally love Dawn but sometimes I'd get confused by how young she'd act especially because when at the time I watched this season I was about her age. Makes way more sense now that you said that
Is it bad that I chuckle at literally every single glory pun made, both by Ian here, and by the series in general? Idk, I just find them endlessly amusing.
I just rewatched this episode today and there’s some interesting details that I don’t think others have mentioned, not even in Mark Fields book. First, the title of the episode, obviously refers to The Wizard of Oz. But Mark Field writes that it has to do with Dawn being like a Dorothy-like figure who is in this reality or world out of place. However, I would argue that the character that is more identified as Dorothy is Glory. Her whole plan for the Key, as we learn much later, is to go home. Like Dorothy repeats at the end...”There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home...”. Funny that Glory breaks one of her heels at the end of the episode....and doesn’t go home. Second, the spell that Anya told Buffy about, by the sorcerer Cloutier, was called “tirer la couvetoure”, which Willow translates as “pull back the curtain”. This is also a reference to the the wizard of oz, as at the end, Toto pulls back the curtain and reveals that it’s no wizard, but really just a guy operating a machine. Finally, although it’s noted that they never mention Glory’s name in this episode (despite it being in the script), it’s clear they were going to call her Glory because there’s a small throwaway line from Anya that hints at her name. In the scene at the Magic Box, when the scoobies are exhausted from all the grand opening commotion, Anya is the only one who is peppy and standing at the cash register, and she offers suggestions to Giles about managing the store. Right before Giles interrupts her by offering her a job, Anya says: “and The Hand of Glory packs some serious raw power...”. Interestingly, she says this just as Buffy is currently being pummeled by the hands of (a yet unnamed) Glory.
you nailed it. i grew up watching buffy, it went into syndication right when i turned 13, and i always just feel like i'm at home in sunnydale. watching buffy is more like hanging out with friends than television.
Im so glad you called out the fact that Buffy used Riley for mostly sex. And how empty that can be. I call it a "sexual fling that lasted way too long". Ive been there
1. It’s not “a fact.” It’s speculation. 2. @Shadowman, I disagree. Riley was an unbalanced power situation. I don’t think she used him for sex. She didn’t have much experience with “normal” relationships. She used *Spike* as an emotional damper, of sorts. Sex was the “gravy,” not the purpose of their season 6 fling.
Oh! I'm having the best Thursday night! I'm just coming out of Instagram cuz Trixie Mattel did a live video and played a few song of her new album, which is really cool btw. And now you uploaded a new Buffy video! Thank you Ian ❤
I just feel compelled to Mentone this, because willow straight up says "dawn's the baby" And as the elder sister who grew up with a baby sister, I have a unique relationship to dawn's character. I both love and hate her. I feel wildly protective and adore her, but dear God, she enjoys the living daylights out of me. And that's because i can understand ALL of buffy's frustration from her perspective as the older sister. The one whose forced to act more grown up, while the younger sister gets to act much more immature than was acceptable at the time for the elder sister. That's a very real dynamic for siblings, so it never bothered me in a character sense. Dawn irritates me BECAUSE I have a younger sister of my own (whom I cherish more than life itself now that I'm an adult). But I know that feeling, intimately so. I remember being frustrated beyond all belief that my sister wouldn't get in trouble for the same stuff that I would've gotten chewed a new ass for doing. I remember being so irritated with her because she was always breaking my stuff, always assimilating my hobbies, always clinging on to me like she wanted to do everything I did, but then she'd come along and mess it all up. But that's just life with a younger sibling. As is the feeling that you somehow have to compensate and be more mature in order to shelter and protect them. As the oldest sibling, I very much internalized a sort of parental role and became a dort of secondary parent for my sister. (Doesn't help that our childhood was a wreck and I was very literally parentified). But the point is, the eldest often matures more rapidly as a product of being the eldest and therefore being the natural leader among siblings. So for dawn's character, it never seems out of place or unreasonable for her to act slightly younger than her age, because in my experience "the baby" of the family acted EXACTLY that way. I don't need any forecourt headcanon for dawn's character to make perfect sense to, or for Dawn and buffy's dynamic to work. All I need is to remember my own lived experience. Which, minus the superpowers, was that dynamic exactly.
If I remember right, James Marsters was only supposed to be there for a couple of episodes or at least only season two. But he really wanted to stick around so he tried to figure how to make Spike more interesting and decided to play up Spikes love for Drusilla. If that's true, I find it really interesting that an actors choice can lead as far as not only coming back to the show, but also striking the role of main love interest. Loved the video as always. It's amazing how much emotion you can carry through a video essay!
i always read the dawn acting weird with joyce bit as dawn trying to suck up to joyce and seem like the good kid so if buffy were to 'tell on her' to joyce when she gets back (remembering dawn doesnt know anything of whats going on besides buffy seemingly just being an asshole to her) then joyce will be on her side. this is a tactic i used to use as a kid when my brother and i had a fight and i wanted my mum to side with me if he told on me.
This episode was low key hilarious with a mixed of beautiful scenes. Buffy and Giles in the magic shop like come on. That scene brought back memories of my father and me where he dress like weirdo and I gave him that same Buffy look. Giles is essentially Buffy's father figure " where she received guidance. Spike lol I'm okay with Dawn.
I enjoy listening to you Late at night, in the quiet. LOVE that way you speak, you are very comforting and soothing. Thank you for doing these video and I love all things Buffy/ Angel.
I have Asperger. You are absolutely right about Anya. I have always connected with her behaviour and expressions. I just love the scene where she explains how she's feeling about the death of Joyce - fruit punch, etc - and it always makes me teary.
One of the reasons why I love Anya, is she is blunt enough to ask ''But I already have their money? Who cares what sort of day they'll have?'' with a geniune vibe of wondering?
the way I always explained Dawn's age-inaccurate behavior was that she's the baby and was treated that way much longer than what is usually expected. when her parents split up she was 10 and probably wanted a lot more attention than she got. She also has an older sister who has burned down a school gym, died, come back to life, been accused of murder twice, run away from home, and blown up her high school ON TOP of daily slayer stuff. I think yes, Dawn acts younger than most 15 year olds, but not so much younger that I don't believe her as a person
I am so UPSET that I have caught up with you, but now I will watch my YT subscription list obsessively waiting for the next episode. Damn, boi. Favorite channel on UA-cam. Will join Patreon after this incredible binge. Thank you.
My Dawn headcanon of why she’s sometimes a lot less mature than her age- she’s like four months old. That was always a good enough reason for me. I never really had the Dawn hate a lot of others did, I was so caught up in the “it’s so cool how they just inserted a sister in there!” And like I said- I thought of her as supposed to be acting a little younger than her age. And, I’m now the parent of a 12yo. Trust me when I say that kids of that sort of age (12-14) get mighty immature sometimes.
Back when I worked mainly with elementary and then high school, I didn't think Dawn was all that accurate to a 12-14 year old... well after teaching middle school, I totally take it back! I teach 7th grade, 12 and 13 year olds... and they are at least this immature if not waaaaay more.
hi! over quarantine i decided to rewatch buffy and im so happy i managed to come across your channel during my binge. honestly, your videos were what i was looking forward to each time i started a new episode. they made me appreciate this series in a way i never had before. hope you’re doing well, and i hope there’s more videos to come!
I think people thought the ticking clock was a Body reference rather than a Gift reference because there's a lot of headache stuff at this point in the show and the guide.
Aspergers here and health professional. Anya by coincidence has Aspergers type characteristics but I'd say she isn't a good representation fo Aspergers. She has the social issues thing which works perfectly well with her being an ex demon. But there really are no other asd characteristics. She's perfectly ok with groups of people and excessive stimuli (right at home in a busy magic shop with a million customers). No stereotypical movements/nervous ticks. No issues with physical contact or eye contact. Etc. ASD doesn't have to have all the things of course but when we have a very good explanation for the 1 ASD trait and see no others, I think we can say she doesn't have ASD.
That said, I can very much also say that ASD viewers may still connect with her because of that trait. Anya is one of my favorite characters as well and that's partly due to her bluntness and social awkwardness.
Also the theory that dawn is what a bunch of monks THINK a 15 yr old girl is like has definitely been my head canon for a while too. That theory does seem to have become popular on the interwebs
This is especially helpful because I always wondered why she behaved like that even before she became a demon.
Aspergers too. I always identified a lot with Anya for this reason, but I really appreciate your points on how she doesn't have problems with overstimulation, etc. In my social group, we tend to refer to people like this (knowingly humourously) as "protosperge" in the sense that sometimes only a few of the traits come through in a particular generation. Not enough to make someone full ASD, but the symptoms which do occur definitely coming from the same place.
Also Asperger's. I've liked Anya from the beginning. Her directness, her lack of social awareness. I thought on it some and her lack of social skills makes sense when you consider she forgot what it was like to be human and has to relearn everything. I disliked Dawn intensely. What a little brat!
Wow!!! Very thorough. Seriously, I'm not being sarcastic. I'm no expert about aspergers, but what I know about it, I remember sayin' to a couple of friends I think I might have it. They laugh like I was joking. I just shrugged my shoulders, didn't say anything else. LoL!!!
IDK, but I loved when they made Anya a regular. Hated the series finale for what they did to her. Hahaha!!!
Hey, I'm a pretty high-functioning autistic woman and just personally, I really relate to Anya's portrayal. I don't have much problems with eye-contact- I went under the radar until my late teens, as a lot of autistic girls do, (though I do have meltdowns and some really annoying sensory overload issues) so most of the ASD parts of my life are closer to things like people reacting badly to my bluntness and a lot of social missteps and intense obsession. I love that she doesn't know what to do with her emotions, I love that it makes her so happy to be good at her job, I especially love that TPN talked about Xander's little 'behaviour corrections' because I get a LOT of that from friends and family. Just adding my two cents.
"Back at home, Joyce has a headache." my heart is sad.
And his sigh, ugh. Because we’ve seen it all
When I saw that episode when Joyce died, I bowled my eyes out. I had just graduated highschool and my grandma had passed away, and I could tell my mom's heart broke ... Now that I'm 33, my mom is in her deathbed battling renal cancer and kidney disorder, and honestly I can't rewatch that episode again. Triggering af
As a kid the episode where Dawn tries to bring Joyce back scared the hell out of me. Especially the bit where you see Joyce's shadow through the curtains. I think that had Dawn not ripped the picture in half and they'd opened the door zombie Joyce would have tried to eat both Buffy and Dawn. And Buffy having to kill her mother even as a zombie would have broken her.
Glory's tip toe approach with a cartoon "shh" told me everything about that character in one quick scene. I love Glory and this season so much.
That was just a mean ending... We all know what that metronome is counting down to and I just have to say, "It's stupid. It's mortal and it's stupid."
Bro that was a mean reference 💔💔
Buffy: I didn't ask for this. I don't even know... What is she?
Monk: Human. Now human. And helpless. Please, she's an innocent in this. She needs you.
I love how this line seems to call back to the two episodes (Helpless and Innocence) where Buffy seems the most vulnerable. You automatically end up feeling more empathy for Dawn.
Kind of the ultimate emotional blackmail by the monks though looking at it cynically.
Fabricating 14(?) years of memories of a sibling relationship so that the Slayer would protect their MacGuffin with her life.
@@alexwright4930 it is manipulation but she is more than just a cover for the Key; she's a human and as much as i dislike her character, she's a real human in this universe
@@ChrisWalkerTalker plus a real human with the abilities to create portals*
*Thanks S10 comic!!
@@alexwright4930 Sorry or the length, not a chew out, just a small point that ballooned. My only problem with what you're saying is your labeling of Dawn as a MacGuffin. She could have been, and in a to a degree idea of "the key" is, however Dawn is a full character, and on top of that a metaphorical representation of Buffy herself. Like with the Lost Arch in 'Raiders", when a potential MacGuffin significantly alters the course and metaphorical meaning of a text, other than by just being a trigger of the apocalypse or the goal of a quest, it ceases to be a MacGuffin.The oxford def of MacGuffin is "an object or device in a movie or a book that serves merely as a trigger for the plot". While dawn triggers the plot for season 5, she also has autonomy. While the Arch triggers the plot of '"Raiders", the search for it and its ultimate leading Indy to not only reopen himself to the idea of faith, but take to take a full leap of faith, humbling himself and accepting that there are forces larger than him and more powerful than his curiosity and ego: He closes his eyes when the arch opened. That was not a deus ex machina, but character-earned divine intervention, and one that would have struck him dead as well had he not rejected his own nihilism and passed that test. That "raiders" digest is my non spoiler way of discussing Dawn's roll in season 5, although "Buffy"s is more Sartreian, or Absurdist, and Kierkegaardian. In the same way, I would argue that the Maltese Falcon, the Dragon Balls in the original "Dragon Ball", the scrolls from "Journey to the West", both Fiona and the Swamp in "Shrek", and the Dragon Scroll in "Kung Fu Panda" are all potential-MacGuffins that transcend to be something far more important than the definition of that word allows for.
_"I've always wanted to try that thing with worms where, if you rip it in half, you get two worms. Do you think that'll work with you?"_
The 'two halves' theme of this season continues with Glory's line...
I like Glory's reaction to Buffy managing to hurt her with her attacks, like what Glory's been doing doesn't count as assault or attacking.
"You hit me!! What're you crazy?? *punch* You can't- *punch* just go around- *kick* hitting- *punch* people! What were you- *kick* born in a barn?"
To be honest, I didn't mind the whole "Dawn might be evil" thing they did in the episode. From someone who watched Season 5 when it aired, I didn't fully trust Dawn because I was putting myself in Buffy's stylish but surprisingly affordable shoes. I expected her to be connected to the Big Bad (I was right but not in the way I thought) and when Buffy saw the picture where Dawn was flickering in and out, I felt vindicated. I literally screamed "I KNEW IT!" at my screen. Her Manchurian mannerisms seemed more like a sibling playing the innocent kid act in contrast to the older sibling acting out, but at first viewing, I was mostly in the mind set of "She HAS TO be evil". Then when the monk said that she doesn't know she isn't real, that's when I felt guilty for judging Dawn harshly and started to warm up to her as a character, as a person. It actually made the experience intriguing to watch.
But that's just me.
The fake out is just what's happening on the surface in that scene when Dawn brings Joyce the tea. Like most everything else on this show it has more layers. For a while now Dawn has been aware that something is wrong with her and now even her mother and sister are starting to say things to make her question her existence, like the crazy guy on the street in Real Me that she never told anybody about and which probably was not the first time something like that happened. She is desperately trying to play the role of the good daughter in order to keep her world together as it threatens to slip away.
Same. I too watched as it aired. The series stared my freshman year of highschool been hooked ever since. Ur spot on about Dawn tho definitely couldn't trust her in the beginning but she grew on u slowly very slow lol
@@toshomni9478 Wouldn't it be the first time that's happened, since she's only been alive for a few days at that point? It's not like the monks would give her fake memories of people questioning her existence.
But I agree with everything else. It's really just the music and camera angles and context that make Dawn seem evil in that part of the episode. The voice she's using to suck up to Joyce before Buffy gets home is a little played up, but it's still not a flat out lie to me.
The ticking clock is a low-blow, sir.
R B the lowest
Agreed!
I was trying to figure out who the clock was ticking for. I’d guess Joyce, but Buffy’s clock has been ticking at least since Graduation day. But, I guess that one was digital and doesn’t click, per se...
I love buffy's fight against glory in this episode. She's been plowing through everything with such ease honing her slayer powers in which she gets so cocky instead of hitting glory she goes for an intimidating neck hold to get swatted away like a fly and the lock of shock and awe on buffy's face afterwards really sums it up for me.
Also, Ian, you're not an only child are you? Making nice with your parents when the other sibling isn't around is how you win fights with your older brothers and sisters. Dawn's just doing what a younger sister does.
Bahahaa. I'm second youngest of 6. So much yes to this! I have thought this every time I've rewatched this
As the youngest of four siblings, I second this statement.
I could buy it a little more if not for the creepy music that went with it.
Even as the older sibling. Yes, she's doing the snide, points scoring thing and it's doubling to seem creepy to us not yet fully aware. So totally agree with you Dave 🙂, but can also see Ian's perspective on it.
I'm the youngest of 3 and I never did that, or at least never like this.
The scene in itself might make sense, but the way it's played by Michelle Trachtenberg, the way they film it with a slight zoom in, and the music in the background, it's made to look creepy and make us think that she's evil and something will happen to Joyce.
And that's what's wrong with this scene. And without this creepiness, the scene serves no purpose at all.
"Yes, Riley has no life" - I don't know why this line makes me laugh out loud every time, but it does. Poor Riley!
We're so close to the Riley break up it's not even funny.
The writers really had to make Riley the MOST pathetic thing ever before kicking him off the show. I mean, even without the military career, he was shown to be a smart and accomplished guy... why is he doing NOTHING?! Maybe that was why they brought him back in season 6 and gave him a perfect life to rub in Buffy's face.
sharksandsheep yes, that moment in S6 was Riley being useful for the season arc, but here in season 5 he had already shown problematic behaviour towards the relationship and it getting worse here was very realistic on how things don't work, and Buffy not loving him was very telling on how she feels about men and what she needs
For somebody not having a life, Riley was very sexually active with Buffy sooo big silver lining 😁
Your take on the Buffy/Riley relationship is so insightful. Using physicality alone to try to close distance is something I think a lot of people go through in a failing relationship. One where you don't feel like you can address what the real problems are, or are scared to (Riley), or are willfully ignoring them and just kind of taking what you need to avoid getting hurt (Buffy). When you contrast that with Buffy's relationship with Angel it's even more telling. They had strong physical chemistry, and were affectionate, but for the most part were never sexual. They couldn't be. Yet Angel was always the person she went to with her woes and doubts and deepest hurts. I'd say more about that and Buffy's relationships but it crosses into spoilers 😆
but we wanna hear you say moreeee
@@mayrarae 😂😂😂
This is how I always sum up their relationship. Two kids, not really understanding the whole relationship thing. A lot of people take sides, I can't. Everything's rooted in neither able to or wanting to go deeper and figure out what each really wants.
@@barbarabaker1457 like in season 4 when their relationship was new and fresh Buffy neglect her friends. Now in season 5 Buffy slayer background takes importance with mom and friends.
Glory has entered the chat
My favorite favorite favorite villian!
I wish she had more fight scenes with the gang and Buffy of course but I heard its because of budgeting constraints.
I also noticed Drusilla never really had a fight scene with Buffy in season 2. Barely when she returned in season 5
Sanity has disconnected from chat.
James Marsters has been infusing his character with so much depth and life from day 1, he can never be praised enough.
Great point about the seamless inclusion of Dawn as well, it is very respectful to the audience's intelligence and Michelle Trachtenberg's chemistry with the rest of the cast is fantastic.
I interpreted Dawn's quasi sinister behavior as her still reeling from her fight with Buffy. Like she's asking herself, "How could I not be real? Of course I'm real, and I love our Mom. I'll make her a nice warm drink. Real people do that."
Also, love you video. Thanks for all your hard work.
I thought this as well. Also with the awkwardness of trying to pretend that she wasn't super worried about their mom's headaches and that everything would be fine. I took the "you don't have to to worry about Buffy" part as trying to reassure their mom that Buffy can look after herself and Joyce shouldn't worry more than she needs to.
I got WAY more out of this review than I originally thought. "No Place Like Home" is one of my personal faves. I feel like just about everyone gets a moment and it's beautiful. Literally been waiting for the one for YEARS. Patience is becoming my strongest virtue.
Same. I think this actually makes one of my top 10 episodes just due to great execution of everything.
“All its glory.” Love that
Brandon Ross *its
Chesterette thanks
I bet it just called out to him.
Me, too
Fun fact: James Marsters's favorite line is in this episode.
Also: ALL HAIL GLORIFICUS, SHE HAS ARRIVED!
Monique Ocampo,
“Five words or less.”
“Out for a walk, b*tch!”
Personally, I prefer “A bear! You made a bear! Undo it. Undo it!”
&
“Is everyone here very stoned?”
I like :
"Well Well... What's this I spy, with my little eye.... A Demon...
That would be... Oh yeah.
A thing on the list of whose
a#s's I'm able to kick...."
Sherrick Official Personal Vlog,
“...things I can kill.”
ua-cam.com/video/8ZffowBhV_M/v-deo.html
"Out. For. A. Wallk...Bitch" is my favorite also, along with "And you're what? Shocked and disappointed? I'm evil"
I adore every Spike's lines in this topic... and many many others...
"Buffy is the greatest Slayer that ever lived." -Joss Weadon
I too have heard this theory about Dawn being the monks' version of a teenage girl...for some reason it never quite sat right with me. I think my issue with this headcanon is that it then becomes too easy to handwave away any inconsistencies in Dawn's storyline. It's literally just 'a wizard did it', no?
My own personal theory was always that after finding out that Buffy was the slayer, Joyce overcorrected and coddled Dawn to a ridiculous degree. Then Buffy and the other scoobies followed suit. This seems logical to me and makes some of Dawn's more egregious behaviour (slightly) more tolerable.
It's a trifecta of your brilliant observation, how the Monks fashioned Her, and the fact that She's brand new. The perfect storm for a preposterously juvenile entity. 💖
I must say, it doesn't really sit right with me either. Part of me thinks that if Dawn is the monks' version of a teenage girl, then it's not the bits they got wrong that stand out to me, rather it's the bits they got right i.e. almost all of it. Not convinced that those monks could have designed/created a teenage girl as convincingly realistic as Dawn is in almost every aspect. I have to believe that whilst they mystically created a human and altered everyone's memories to include her, the creative process didn't involve them actually designing the intricacies of her personality.
I do like your theory though :)
I was waiting for “Out for a walk. Bitch.” You didn’t disappoint! One of the best lines! Great review!
Great video! I do like that head canon. It makes a lot of sense. Also, I must have seen Spike’s “five words’ over a dozen times, but it still makes me grin and chuckle like it were the first time. Marsters was born to be Spike.
Never forget Glory accidentally tore down a building by throwing a temper tantrum
There's no need to apologize (classical definition) so much about going into Buffley's sex life. It is not sex negative to point out to people that focusing on sexual relations to the neglect of personal relations can doom a relationship. In fact, it is sex positive to deal with both spheres of intercourse objectively and interchangeably.
Agreed, also since sex often is filled with and manifests our emotional dynamic with our partners, a failing emotional relationship focused on having more intercourse to "reassure us about it" would be like trying to start a fire with soaking wet wood. Try as you might, it either won't happen or be a short-lived mess.
I really enjoy revisiting every episode with you and your brilliant insight into each one! I've been an obsessive fan of the show since it started and you've made me realize just how many things I missed-or never fully thought of. Thank you! I appreciate what you do!
Also, Dawn has only been a human girl for 6 months.. So, actually, maybe she's really mature for her age?
2 months in this episode :)
Buh-dum-bump
Just like the actual quality of the show by season five, I feel like you've got the guide feeling so wonderfully fluid and confident. This was fantastic.
The scene where Dawn is all weird offering tea to Joyce, back then when I first watched the episode (and well, several re watching after that) Ijustified it as being weird because of simple teenager behavior, when you fight with a sibling, or at school or whatever, that affects you, you act pretending as nothing bad happens so just your parents don't ask anything, but the acting is all weird because one is not totally fine. So in my point of view, Dawn was affected by how Buffy treated her, she had time to think about it and she was scared because in her world, Buffy would never harm her and suddenly her big slayer sister accuses her for being a thing rather than family and demands to stay away from her mother, Buffy making clear saying "My mother" instead of our, so Dawn acts weird because of fear, and probably even wondering if Joyce would have a reaction like Buffy because Dawn doesn't know what's going on... so the tea offering might be a peace offering made weird because of fear and/or anger.
16:02 Wow. I never noticed the foreshadowiness of the Mayor there back in Season 3. Nice catch PTN. 😉
I'm 30 and still get ice cream face.
I'm more prone to ice cream or burrito shirt
I actually love Xander's " Shopkeeper's Union" bit, it wasn't harsh but loving and he punctuated it after Anya corrects herself with "that's my girl!"
my favorite spike moment is that gentle look he gives buffy after she pulls him out from behind the tree. and the way he speaks is pure william, makes me pause and melt every time
Monk: My journey is done, I think.
Buffy: Don't get metaphory on me. We're going.
Monk: You have to...The Key. You must protect the key.
Buffy: Fine. We can protect the key together, okay? Just far far from here.
Monk: Many more die if you don't keep it safe.
Buffy: How? What is it?
Monk: The key is energy. It's a portal. It opens the door.
Buffy: The Dagon Sphere?
Monk: No. For centuries it had no form at all. My brethren its only keepers. Then...The Abomination...found us. We had to hide the key. Gave it form, molded it flesh, made it human and sent it to you.
Buffy: Dawn.
Monk: She's the key.
Buffy: You put that in my house?
Monk: We knew the Slayer would protect.
Buffy: My memories, my mom's...
Monk: We built them.
Buffy: Then unbuild them. This is my life you're...
Monk: *Coughs* You cannot abandon.
Buffy: I didn't ask for this. I don't even know...What is she?
Monk: Human. Now human...and helpless. Please. She's an innocent in this. She needs you.
Buffy: She's not my sister.
Monk: She doesn't know that. *Dies*
Those last few sentences you leave us with here... man. This hits the spot as anyone can relate to how life has those few moments of respite sprinkled here and there in the midst of one long continuing chaotic journey. You have an uncanny talent for distilling lessons from these shows my friend. Amazing.
At the end, right after you said, "because soon enough, and somewhat inevitably, they won't be" I was expecting a future shot of Buffy saying, "Mom...Mommmy?" just to tug at the heartstrings.
Nice thing is, at this point, I didn't even have to include it for it to be there for everyone anyway.
I know you've been at this for 5 seasons now, but I'm still so floored by how good you are at breaking these episodes down to all of their tiny, juicy bits. Your method of contextualizing them with relatable themes allows me to appreciate a show I already love so much more.
Thanks Ian! Another fantastic video, I absolutely love the depth of your analysis!
When I was younger, season 5 was possibly my least favorite season, but as I got older it steadily grew in favor until it became my absolute favorite. I don’t know another piece of fiction that has managed such a feat.
Something I wanted to mention and I hope you will explore in future guides is Dawn’s metaphorical relationship to Buffy. I believe that just as the Scoobies have such a connection to her, Dawn is metaphorically Buffy’s inner child personified and given human form.
The way Joss and company figured out how to do this within the context of the show is just genius, but I think it was likely the original idea all along. As growing up is the central theme of the show, and each season has dealt with a step on that journey (season 1- accepting responsibility, season 2- living with integrity, season 3- individuation of the shadow self, season 4- individuality vs conformity), season 5 tackles the subject of having to fully embrace your adulthood. And since themes are literal in this show, Buffy can no longer be a child because Dawn is now the child who needs protecting.
I find it very interesting that even though Buffy strongly desires to be the baby and find comfort in her mother but cannot due to Dawn’s presence, by the end of the season she has fully embraced her responsibility to protect Dawn with her very life. It seems in the context of the show, nothing is more important than keeping your inner child alive and whole, while still finding a way to live as a responsible adult with integrity.
Beautifully said.
Erin Haury
Thanks!
“I’m 1,120 years old; give me a beer!”
Joyce resting on the couch, the ticking clock at the end...I’ve never been more excited and anxious to get to an episode...well, perhaps Restless.
Ian gives that Eric Balfour credit more screen time on this channel than his character got in the entire show 😂
i feel like my entire life has been leading up to this point
James Gatz it’s not my fault glory put her fingers in my brain
@@jessicamessicaa Wait! Are you quoting Kristen Bell?
I can't wait for you to get to "the Body" as it is quite possibly one of the pieces of fiction that has had the most impact in my life. And let me tell, I consume a shit ton of movies, games, books, comics and series, so it really is a compliment. But yeah, season five is a fantastic season of television that offers a lot in terms of character development, themes and overall fun too. Your videos are always a highlight too, as they offer different perspectives, and I don't think i'd be as in love with this show as I am if it wasn't for your videos.
This is a very underrated episode
I was always impressed by the casting of Buffy and her mother. They seem not only physically similar, but also have similar speech patterns and emotional energy.
Just watched all the guides had to offer, all sad when i realized how long it takes you to get one of these videos up, and bam you hit us with this. Well done sir. May the road to the finish line (that is the season finale) have fewer hurdles and a shorter distance. Keep up the great work.
Marsters makes every second of everything count. Somehow Spike carries the last few seasons, even though nothing at all needs carrying and is so strong.
What an excellent review! That bit when buffy is saying how dawn always acts a certain way and then stops herself? Gutted, everytime.
This is among the best of your work, Ian. I love this episode, always have and the fact that so many fans either ignore it or actively dislike it continues to baffle me. As you point out, this is where the plot comes together. Certainly introducing the season's "big bad" this early on was a bit daring but I think for the most part, it works, thanks to Claire Cramer's wonderfully over the top performance as Glorificus. It does make the appearance of the Knights of Byzantium (who are obviously "little bads") a bit problematic-and IMHO they never quite work-but you can't have everything. ITA about the monk's delivery of the line "she doesn't know that" to Buffy in that scene. It really does convey just how helpless Dawn is at that point in the show and SMG's response to it is absolutely pitch perfect.
Great entry into the guide.
Oh my god I wait for these Buffy reviews religiously. Been here since S2 reviews ended and so hoped we’d have The Gift by 2020, but each review has been worth the wait. I’ve never finished a review saying “god this wasn’t worth it”... and *THAT’S* the Passion of the Nerd. Thank you so much Ian!!
As an individual on the autism spectrum, I’ve always related to Anya.
The ending had me crying...poor Joyce. Fantastic vid as usual!
I've watched Buffy about six times now, but watching your reviews makes me want to watch it again!
I totally agree with you in 5:03
I remember how shocking the Monk's revelation was and how it changed everything in that moment. I was young and I'm over 30 now and that dialoge is really touching. What you say about the empathy and compassion for Dawn.
I'm a teacher now and somehow I recall that moment every time my students get on my nerves, trying to be a better version of myself.
I really love your videos, they're helping me a lot these hard days.
Hugs from Patagonia, Argentina.
And all it’s glory ... bravo man
Dude, your closing lines always get me teary. Stop that. :)
The monks gave Joyce the tumour when they altered her mind with memories of Dawn, there I said it 😔
I thought so also.
That's what I thought as well. Like something the monks did left something not right in Joyce's head
I can't die until you get to the Body. I've been anticipating it since I found this channel.
I was just thinking today, wow it's been a long time since Ian had posted in the Buffy Guide
"And all its Glory."
BOOOOOOO
*Sees profile picture* Aayy~~~!
I just want to say thank you for making this content. I’ve been an avid buffy (and angel) fan since it first aired in the UK, and watching your take on all of the shows deeper themes has allowed me to fall in love with it all over again. It’s brought me so much joy. I look forward to the next one!
Almost twenty minutes long? You spoil us! Thank you!
Glory was my favorite big bad of either show.
I love how relatable the Buffy series can be to everyone. Your insights on every episodes makes me realise it even more. I've been a massive fan of Buffy since a very long time and I'm always amazed by things I never noticed before. All the links to philosophy and culture references you make are always on point and powerful. Thank you for your hard and dedicated work. I really love it.
Greetings from France
Well those last few seconds filled me with such an insane amount of pain. and then the credits music. Like a radio in a kitchen or something.
Excellent review as always, Ian, and so worth the wait!
It's easily one of my top 10 episodes. It's the one where the dynamic between Buffy and Dawn changes dramatically. I love Dawn (and was that bratty little sister myself), and seeing Buffy's love for her shining through so glaringly is just beautiful to watch.
Also, it's the one where we see Glory for the first time, and I love her entrance, the way her small figure apears in the giant hole she's walking through, apparently contradicting your expectation of bestiality, and yet - not.
Anyway, I love it, and you did it justice.
OG Buffy fan here, unable to rewatch the show myself at this current time, I went searching for some Buffy videos on youtube and fell into the black hole of these Buffy guides. I can't believe after 2 days of binge-watching every Buffy guide, mostly crying through them, I've now caught up and now will watch the next one when it goes live. You have such a powerful insight on what's going on inside the human experience. I can go watch all of the Angel Guides and have you rip my soul open a few 100's times more.
Thank you for doing these videos. seriously. I've learned so much, not just about the show and seeing in an all-new light but also about myself, with a few very pointed moments mirroring my own life right now. I've been dealing with some heavy stuff and in watching these videos I've found some light among the darkness, some peace among the chaos. These guides could easily be missed as someone talking about their favourite show and why they like it but they are so much more. They are the exploration into the suffering we all feel as humans that binds us together, reminding us we are not alone. I hope you know these videos are so important and have made a huge impact on my life in such a short time. Thank you so much.
I've literally been checking your account daily waiting for this! Yay!!
I headcannon Dawn's offness slightly differently. Dawn has been created by the monks to be calibrated to Buffy. She needs to be someone Buffy believes is her sister and will do anything to protect. So Buffy's expectations about little-sister-dom are projected onto Dawn. She acts artificially young in part because that's how big sisters often think of their little sister.
In terms of the spell, this makes more sense, because I think you understate how bad a job 3 monks would do making a California teenager just based on their own experiences if that's how it worked. And it makes Dawn mre interesting as a character, because her behaviors tell us something about what Buffy is projecting.
Ooooh, this is the most convincing theory I've heard so far! Thank you!
Omg just hearin Buffy & Dawn:
What’s wrong with mom?
I don’t know.
tearrssss
WOW, you blew me away with this one. Anya being an early representation of asperger’s on TV really makes sense. And your friend Autums observation about Dawn being created by the monks therefore acting like they think a teenage girl would act totally puts a better spin on some of the dawn things.
Thank you for pointing that out about Dawn being written as a twelve year old originally and about the monks. I personally love Dawn but sometimes I'd get confused by how young she'd act especially because when at the time I watched this season I was about her age. Makes way more sense now that you said that
Is it bad that I chuckle at literally every single glory pun made, both by Ian here, and by the series in general? Idk, I just find them endlessly amusing.
I just rewatched this episode today and there’s some interesting details that I don’t think others have mentioned, not even in Mark Fields book. First, the title of the episode, obviously refers to The Wizard of Oz. But Mark Field writes that it has to do with Dawn being like a Dorothy-like figure who is in this reality or world out of place. However, I would argue that the character that is more identified as Dorothy is Glory. Her whole plan for the Key, as we learn much later, is to go home. Like Dorothy repeats at the end...”There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home...”. Funny that Glory breaks one of her heels at the end of the episode....and doesn’t go home.
Second, the spell that Anya told Buffy about, by the sorcerer Cloutier, was called “tirer la couvetoure”, which Willow translates as “pull back the curtain”. This is also a reference to the the wizard of oz, as at the end, Toto pulls back the curtain and reveals that it’s no wizard, but really just a guy operating a machine.
Finally, although it’s noted that they never mention Glory’s name in this episode (despite it being in the script), it’s clear they were going to call her Glory because there’s a small throwaway line from Anya that hints at her name. In the scene at the Magic Box, when the scoobies are exhausted from all the grand opening commotion, Anya is the only one who is peppy and standing at the cash register, and she offers suggestions to Giles about managing the store. Right before Giles interrupts her by offering her a job, Anya says: “and The Hand of Glory packs some serious raw power...”. Interestingly, she says this just as Buffy is currently being pummeled by the hands of (a yet unnamed) Glory.
you nailed it. i grew up watching buffy, it went into syndication right when i turned 13, and i always just feel like i'm at home in sunnydale. watching buffy is more like hanging out with friends than television.
This was so good and built so well that I had to stop myself from just hitting the replay button.
Im so glad you called out the fact that Buffy used Riley for mostly sex. And how empty that can be. I call it a "sexual fling that lasted way too long". Ive been there
She appears to make a habit out of that.
1. It’s not “a fact.” It’s speculation.
2. @Shadowman, I disagree. Riley was an unbalanced power situation. I don’t think she used him for sex. She didn’t have much experience with “normal” relationships.
She used *Spike* as an emotional damper, of sorts. Sex was the “gravy,” not the purpose of their season 6 fling.
Riley is so damn fine. I could do NOT let his sexy go nevertheless exit my bedroom...ever! 😅
Oh! I'm having the best Thursday night! I'm just coming out of Instagram cuz Trixie Mattel did a live video and played a few song of her new album, which is really cool btw. And now you uploaded a new Buffy video! Thank you Ian ❤
These episodes always seem to go by too fast. This didn't feel like 20 minutes. Excellent episode guide, Ian. I loved every bit of it.
a video of you ranking, or breaking down all the relationships in buffy somehow, would be GOLD
LOVE this season! And I adore your hard work, please never get tired of this!
Have all the upvotes in the world for this episode.
I just feel compelled to Mentone this, because willow straight up says "dawn's the baby"
And as the elder sister who grew up with a baby sister, I have a unique relationship to dawn's character. I both love and hate her. I feel wildly protective and adore her, but dear God, she enjoys the living daylights out of me.
And that's because i can understand ALL of buffy's frustration from her perspective as the older sister. The one whose forced to act more grown up, while the younger sister gets to act much more immature than was acceptable at the time for the elder sister.
That's a very real dynamic for siblings, so it never bothered me in a character sense. Dawn irritates me BECAUSE I have a younger sister of my own (whom I cherish more than life itself now that I'm an adult). But I know that feeling, intimately so.
I remember being frustrated beyond all belief that my sister wouldn't get in trouble for the same stuff that I would've gotten chewed a new ass for doing. I remember being so irritated with her because she was always breaking my stuff, always assimilating my hobbies, always clinging on to me like she wanted to do everything I did, but then she'd come along and mess it all up.
But that's just life with a younger sibling. As is the feeling that you somehow have to compensate and be more mature in order to shelter and protect them. As the oldest sibling, I very much internalized a sort of parental role and became a dort of secondary parent for my sister. (Doesn't help that our childhood was a wreck and I was very literally parentified). But the point is, the eldest often matures more rapidly as a product of being the eldest and therefore being the natural leader among siblings.
So for dawn's character, it never seems out of place or unreasonable for her to act slightly younger than her age, because in my experience "the baby" of the family acted EXACTLY that way. I don't need any forecourt headcanon for dawn's character to make perfect sense to, or for Dawn and buffy's dynamic to work. All I need is to remember my own lived experience. Which, minus the superpowers, was that dynamic exactly.
If I remember right, James Marsters was only supposed to be there for a couple of episodes or at least only season two. But he really wanted to stick around so he tried to figure how to make Spike more interesting and decided to play up Spikes love for Drusilla.
If that's true, I find it really interesting that an actors choice can lead as far as not only coming back to the show, but also striking the role of main love interest.
Loved the video as always. It's amazing how much emotion you can carry through a video essay!
I think he was just meant to be a television version of a bonus level mini boss at first.
i always read the dawn acting weird with joyce bit as dawn trying to suck up to joyce and seem like the good kid so if buffy were to 'tell on her' to joyce when she gets back (remembering dawn doesnt know anything of whats going on besides buffy seemingly just being an asshole to her) then joyce will be on her side. this is a tactic i used to use as a kid when my brother and i had a fight and i wanted my mum to side with me if he told on me.
I should be asleep, but I saw this and HAD to watch. This series is seriously my favorite thing.
The pain in your voice every time you mention that one character slays me each time
This episode was low key hilarious with a mixed of beautiful scenes. Buffy and Giles in the magic shop like come on. That scene brought back memories of my father and me where he dress like weirdo and I gave him that same Buffy look. Giles is essentially Buffy's father figure " where she received guidance. Spike lol I'm okay with Dawn.
I enjoy listening to you Late at night, in the quiet. LOVE that way you speak, you are very comforting and soothing. Thank you for doing these video and I love all things Buffy/ Angel.
I have Asperger. You are absolutely right about Anya. I have always connected with her behaviour and expressions. I just love the scene where she explains how she's feeling about the death of Joyce - fruit punch, etc - and it always makes me teary.
One of the reasons why I love Anya, is she is blunt enough to ask ''But I already have their money? Who cares what sort of day they'll have?'' with a geniune vibe of wondering?
One of the best episodes! Beautiful review! And Glory punching though that concrete pillar and buffy dodging is EVERYTHING!
the way I always explained Dawn's age-inaccurate behavior was that she's the baby and was treated that way much longer than what is usually expected. when her parents split up she was 10 and probably wanted a lot more attention than she got. She also has an older sister who has burned down a school gym, died, come back to life, been accused of murder twice, run away from home, and blown up her high school ON TOP of daily slayer stuff. I think yes, Dawn acts younger than most 15 year olds, but not so much younger that I don't believe her as a person
An excellent entry. Noted the "ebb and flow' of quiet time vs. encroaching dread during the run.
What a GLORIOUS start of the day. Thank you for uploading! TTFN
love this episode. the dawn reveal is so wild. and that trance scene with the flickering bedroom and picture is super eerie.
You're one of my favorite youtube channels, keep up the great work!
I am so UPSET that I have caught up with you, but now I will watch my YT subscription list obsessively waiting for the next episode. Damn, boi. Favorite channel on UA-cam. Will join Patreon after this incredible binge. Thank you.
My Dawn headcanon of why she’s sometimes a lot less mature than her age- she’s like four months old. That was always a good enough reason for me.
I never really had the Dawn hate a lot of others did, I was so caught up in the “it’s so cool how they just inserted a sister in there!” And like I said- I thought of her as supposed to be acting a little younger than her age.
And, I’m now the parent of a 12yo. Trust me when I say that kids of that sort of age (12-14) get mighty immature sometimes.
Back when I worked mainly with elementary and then high school, I didn't think Dawn was all that accurate to a 12-14 year old... well after teaching middle school, I totally take it back! I teach 7th grade, 12 and 13 year olds... and they are at least this immature if not waaaaay more.
hi! over quarantine i decided to rewatch buffy and im so happy i managed to come across your channel during my binge. honestly, your videos were what i was looking forward to each time i started a new episode. they made me appreciate this series in a way i never had before. hope you’re doing well, and i hope there’s more videos to come!
I think people thought the ticking clock was a Body reference rather than a Gift reference because there's a lot of headache stuff at this point in the show and the guide.
Like I said, missed opportunity on my part