All those who think that Buffy should also get a frickin paycheck, raise your hand! 🙋♀️ Also: I think James Marsters said something about how he decided that Spike was fond of Joyce cuz he kinda needed a mom in his life.
@@everuby1438 yes and the “fool for love” episodes shows women in his past failed him. He tried to find splice not just from Buffy herself but Joyce as well
About the "adulting" thing, possibly the best piece of advice I ever got came from my mother when I asked her when I would feel like an adult, when I would know what I was doing. She said "none of us know what we're doing, dear. We just muddle through until we find out what works, and we remember it." Hearing that from a doctor and mother of three who somehow juggled parenting, working in an understaffed department, housework and having some kind of a social life was honestly really comforting. We are learning what to do, even if we make mistakes, and that is all we have to do.
Seems to me that part of being an adult should be understanding that concept (and grokking that other people feel it too). Maybe it begins when you understand that other people are also people? I know that's supposed to happen pretty young, but maybe it's a first step? The first time I got the glimmer of somebody else's humanness, I think I was about ten. My dad was typing something and misspelled "geography" as "georaphy." He said it out loud and something about the way he pronounced it sent me into fits of giggles. I couldn't explain to him at the time why I was laughing, but I think it was a subconscious realisation that _I_ would not have reacted that way; the funny look he gave the screen and the way he said the word was something only an entirely different human with a personality other than mine would have done.
Travers: You're late. Buffy: Yeah. Giles: Was there an attack? Buffy: Yeah. Travers: We can begin the interview at last. We'll skip the more obvious questions. *Buffy puts her sword down on Travers's book* Buffy: There isn't going to be a review. Travers: Sorry? Buffy: No review. No Interrogation. No questions you know I can't answer. No hoops, no jumps *Watcher almost interrupts* and no interruptions. See...I've had a lot of people talking at me the last few days. Everyone just lining up to tell me how unimportant I am. And I've finally figured out why. Power. I have it. They don't. This bothers them. Glory came to my house today. Giles: Buffy, are you... Buffy: Just to talk. She told me I'm a bug I'm a flea. She could squash me in a second. Only she didn't. She came into my home and we talked. We had what, in her warped brain probably passes for a civilized conversation. Why? Because she needs something from me because I have power over her. You guys didn't come all the way from England to determine whether or not I was good enough to be let back in. You came to beg me to let you back in. To give your jobs, your lives, some semblance of meaning. Watcher 1: This is beyond insolence. *Buffy throws her sword into the wall* Buffy: I'm fairly certain I said no interruptions. Xander: That was excellent. Buffy: You're Watchers. Without a Slayer you're pretty much just watching Masterpiece Theater. You can't stop Glory. You can't do anything with the information you have except maybe publish it in the Everyone Thinks We're Insane-Os Home Journal. So here's how it's going to work. You're going to tell me everything you know. Then you're gonna go away. You'll contact me if and when you have any further information on Glory. The magic shop will remain open. Mr. Giles will stay here as my official Watcher, reinstated at full salary. Giles: *Coughs* Retroactive. Buffy: To be paid retroactively from the month he was fired. I will continue my work with the help of my friends. Female Watcher: I don't want a sword thrown at me... but civilians. We're talking about children. Buffy: We're talking about two very powerful witches and a thousand year old ex-demon. Anya: Willow's a demon? Watcher 2: The boy? No power there. Buffy: "The boy" has clocked more field time than all of you combined. He's part of the unit. Willow: That's Riley-speak. Xander: I've clocked field time. Buffy: Now you all may be very good at your jobs. The only way we're gonna find out is if you work with me. You can all take your time thinking about that. But I want an answer right now from Quentin cause I think he's understanding me. Travers: *Clears throat* Your terms are acceptable. *Scoobies cheer* Buffy: See? No begging. Travers: Oh, Rupert. Giles: Quentin? Travers: When we inventoried your shop we found a bottle of single-malt scotch behind the incense holders. Giles: It's not, you know, during working hours. Travers: I think I could use a glass. Buffy: Just a minute. Glory. I wanna know. Travers: Well, there's a lot to go through. Buffy: Just tell me what kind of demon I'm fighting. Travers: Well, that's the thing, you see. Glory isn't a demon. Buffy: What is she? Travers: She's a god. Buffy: *Her eyes widen* Oh.
This was such a great surprise to come home to after finishing my evening shift at a minimum-wage job that makes me feel like less of an adult than I feel I should feel like... something something feel. Awesome analysis and timely words of wisdom on the nature of adulthood. Just in case no one's said it in a while, thanks for everything you do on this channel. You contribute a lot to this fandom and it must be daunting having committed to a project that's going to take several more years to finish. I hope you're still able to find the 'passion' in Passion of The Nerd!
Great comment, I couldn't agree more in terms of the excitement and gratitude I feel every time a new episode drops. And, in case nobody has told you recently, you're doing great too. Just gotta keep on keeping on. Sometimes I think that's the essence of what being an adult is.
Agreed, Angelus was cool and Spike too but they didn't feel unbeatable and out of reach. Glory definitely did. If anything, her and s7 the First were the only ones that genuinely terrified me, but I think Glory did it better.... and technically she was the only villain who did kill Buffy.
Was anyone else pissed off that Buffy didn't negotiate a salary for herself in this episode? A) She's the one doing all the work! B) Wouldn't she be a much better Slayer of she didn't have to hold down Slaying and another job?
@@rhiannonlee7063 Yeah its what everyone seems to talk about with this episode. Like I love Giles but he's not really doing much at this point and clearly doesn't need the money. But Buffy's money struggles are a main plot point.
Didn't realise it til years later, but totally. The Watcher's Council has that vast payroll and bureaucracy but Buffy is the only one who isn't paid? Considering Kendra and how affluent Giles seems to be, seems pretty clear in the rare event a Slayer survived into adulthood a Watcher's salary - seemingly enough for Giles to live comfortably unemployed in season 4 - was expected to cover her needs.
Please, please for the love of Spike finish this series!!!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 It's too good not to finish!! I need your view on my favorite season (season 6)! I love every video!! Well done as usual!!
Lyndal Wilson --I prefer to ignore the existence of that movie. Penny's supposed to be the hero of those stories, with Brain as her sidekick, solving the crimes and foiling the bad guy's plots, while Gadget bumbles around making Inspector Clouseau look hyper-competent.
@@defrostedrobot77 The point is she's so good and so aware of her surroundings as a slayer that she could do that and not be concerned about accidentally hurting him
LOVE this episode. Spike and Joyce scenes are my favorite ever. It makes you like both of them so much more. Spike forgets his facade when he's around her, and Dawn too sometimes, and just becomes his pre-vampire self in a way.
Absolutely. The second time they meet, she asks him if they met before and he tells her she threatened him with an axe and told him to stay away from her. Most people would have probably thrown him out but she takes the time and gets to know him, probably because she was lonely. I think joyce was the first to see spike as a good guy.
Buffy dressing down the Council is one of my favorite moments in the show. When I watched the episode live, I fist pumped as she gave them what they deserved. Granted, now I understand why the episode ended the way it did. One passionate speech isn't gonna change an institution with its roots in patriarchal misogyny. It's a nice speech but the Council has been around as long as the Slayer has and one speech won't make them change fully. That's why I feel the Council was done away with in Season 7, their group needed to burn to the ground so Buffy and her friends could change the rules by series end. That was bleak and long winded but that's me in a nutshell 😆
While this isn't my favorite episode, it had one of the biggest impacts on me. Buffy's "Power" speech speaks to me to this day. Every time I'm in a position and someone tries belittling me, I just remember "You guys didn't come all the way [from England] to determine whether or not I was good enough to be let back in... You came to beg me to let *you* back in... to give your jobs, your lives, some semblance of meaning." Know your worth.
But even then Buffy still hadn't realised her own financial worth with regard to this vastly wealthy organisation with a seemingly massive payroll that's conscripted her into the most important job on earth.
This is one of my favorite episodes of S5-and yes I have a LOT of them. This is where Buffy basically becomes the head of watcher organization, if not in name. I think it can also be seen to be the point where she begins relieving Giles of his responsibility as "head of the Scooby family." After this episode, Buffy is pretty much the one calling the shots.
Glory is my favorite Buffy villain and this episode is part of the reason why. I love when villains get tired of the hero’s crap and just directly intimidate them. But it’s Glory so she does it in the most fun and entertainingly evil way.
It’s weird how timely your videos hit me! “Know thy self”, and Shakespeare’s, “to thine own self be true…” are the mantas I’ve been coming back to since my early 30s. “Becoming an adult” never happened for me. At 47, I hate that I still act like I’m about 8 years old in my response to people. I constantly end up looking for validation from peers. Then I beat myself up for that feeling till I eventually, realize…why am I trying to meet someone else’s standards. That’s probably subconsciously why I relate to Buffy. I never really saw that till this video and it helps me have an easier time accepting my “range” of qualities as an “adult.” Thank you for your exploration of this show because I never understood why it affected me so deeply when I watched it, and its still changing me.
"I'm fairly sure I said no interruptions" I reference this constantly when people seem to think I am not serious about my personal baddassery. Also I'm a HUGE Farscape fan, so I LOVE that you referenced Muppets Sex and Trauma!
Another lovely video, Ian. Watching Buffy grow up and struggle with adulthood hits different when you’re watching in your mid 30’s vs watching when you’re a teenager. I also adore Spike and Joyce’s relationship, and when he drops the jokes when he can tell Buffy is serious. It’s that kind of thing that really makes me love him as a character. Also Sarah’s acting when she says that “.....oh.” *chef’s kiss*
I watched Checkpoint today! What perfect timing. I’ve been re-watching Buffy and Angel through in order, alternating, and watching your videos after each episode. I’ve finally caught you up and was sad I wouldn’t have this one to watch today… but here you are!
Not sure why I didn't realise at the time that Buffy - when realising she has the power - demanded backdated pay for Giles, but it didn't even occur to her to demand the same for herself from one of the most important vocations on earth that the forerunners of this clearly very wealthy organisation unwillingly conscripted Buffy into. Becomes even more relevant next season.
“buffy is the one” okay 7x20 spike. you made me gasp with that one. loved this! really interesting analysis with some stuff that i hadn’t picked apart before!
"Buffy is the one." truly struck something deep inside me as a spuffy shipper, even when Spike tells her this years later she still doesn't fully accept it until that moment, Sarah's performance in that scene is beautiful because you can see from her eyes Buffy gasps all the implications (good and bad) being the one (the one slayer, the one woman for spike, etc.) has. Also, I want to point out a small detail that you mentioned because I think we can see you're a Spike fan like me (even named my dog after him), but Spike and Joyce's relationship is very important to me, you can see the respect he has for her, even fondness. Knowing what happens next hurts me beyond words that Spike wasn't there, and we didn't get to fully see his reaction to it. Moreover, it's the little things that distinguish Spike from every other vampire that make him so brilliant: his love for Dawn, his respect for Joyce, his twisted feelings for Buffy - often almost pure, showcased in selfless acts like this one, or what we know is his role at the end of the season, or with Dawn in the beginning of Season 6 -, it's just not normal 'soulless' vampire behaviour. Which got me thinking about Rasputin - in the end there must be forgiveness for the sins, so one can sin. "In order to be forgiven, one first had to sin" seems to be the doctrine the season 6 writers placed on Spike and his infamous scene which leads to his redemption arc. That's what I absolutely love about Buffy, every season feels like it lays the foundation for the following ones.
This is such a GREAT comment! I always thought Spike was a well written character esp after Watching “Fool for Love” and his miserable past which made me feel bad for him. He’s not only endured women who failed him in the past but had mommy issues too. It makes sense why he clings to Buffy’s family. Poor thing is still somewhat lost. Spike only told Buffy about the slayers he defeated back then, but Buffy (unlike the audience) doesn’t know his whole backstory . She would understand him alot better
This is the first video I’m watching after catching up from the last month of rewatch binging Buffy/Angel and POTN reviews. It’s so good to have a new fix, and also dreadful to be waiting with everyone else for the next installment. Keep up the good work.
Great analysis! I completely agree that most of us don't feel like full adults for a pretty long time--and those that force it usually end up disappointed. So it's probably healthy to hit 30 and think "Wait. I'm an adult now? Really?"
Quinn! Hi! Long time no see. Google wants my phone number, so I’ve lost (for now) my main account- had to make this one because I’ve been locked out for about 2 months while transitioning through two temporary cell phones to this final (for several years) new phone. ~beach girl
This is my stand up and cheer moment. This is my penultimate "Buffy as feminine power" scene, and when I'm trying to get someone to watch the show it's this scene I have in mind. Something about Checkpoint just...reset my love for the show. As someone who was a bit miffed over Riley and a lot miffed over Angel, this episode and that speech is what got me through to some of the most important parts of the series. It felt like finally coming up for air after a season and some change of floundering around with the Initiative. Buffy is a daughter and a big sister, she's a girlfriend and an ex, she's a high school and then college student. She's a girl, who is becoming a woman. But in this episode, she's the Slayer, and she stops allowing anyone around her to forget it. I aspire to the level of self confidence that this Buffy has... and it's all the more heartbreaking later when she doesn't have it anymore.
Great analysis, but I think you missed a power dynamic - misogyny. Or specifically, Spike’s negging of Buffy in the cemetery. Spike wants Buffy’s affection. She has power, so he tries to make her feel insignificant.
....eh, I'd agree if it weren't for the scene starting with Buffy using her power to make *Spike* feel insignificant/belittle him. Theirs is always a tit for tat
@@spikesecho724 agree. Sure Spike is one of the villains in this show but LATELY he’s actually done genuine things that aren’t evil. It all started in “Fool for Love” when he was about to kill her but changed his mind. Buffy has no idea how much Spike’s been holding back. I only justify her being harsh on him when there’s a legit reason. Other than that, Buffy is just annoying
I loved this review! I began watching Buffy as a child and have been developing a new perspective through this series since I discovered it at 15. Now, at 22, I believe adulthood to be such a relative term because, if the point of existentialism is to create meaning out of the intrinsically meaningless universe, then we have the power to choose what being an adult means to us, instead of giving in and comparing ourselves to stereotypes and putting up with diminishment by institutions or society. As per usual, thank you, Ian, for such a wonderful analysis!
Checkpoint, mainly the speech Buffy gave to the Council, was my personal introduction to the show. I was 14 at the time and I was stressing hard over an exam that seemed impossible to do. So... My parents showed me that scene. And surprisingly, even out of context, not knowing the show at all (except that it had a certain Spike my parents were drooling over) it helped me a lot. I still get warm fuzzy feelings every time I rewatch it.
The power dynamics and ultimate flex by Buffy makes Checkpoint my favorite episode of my favorite season of Buffy. Thanks for continuing to cover this show and Angel!
I'd love an hour-long loop of Buffy throwing the sword and saying, "I'm fairly sure I said no interruptions." One of the top badges Buffy moments of the show.
14:29 “… but authenticity is about self discovery, and acceptance. Knowing yourself. No one gets to hold the definition of what slayer is over buffy because being the slayer isn’t about accumulated knowledge, or living up to someone else’s tests and standards. It’s who she is. Buffy is the one.” 💛
God, this was such a good analysis. Every time I watch your breakdowns I find there's so much more to an episode than I ever saw myself. The (now somehow incredibly clear) parallel to the need to keep people poor, and struggling, and looking up to their leaders was never apparent to me before. I was always like "why doesn't the council pay Buffy? Why does she have to work crappy jobs?" It's, uh, sort of obvious now. Thank you for putting that question to rest for me.
Thank you for making these! I have been watching your Buffy videos for years as they have come out and now I am watching Buffy and Angel simultaneously with my roommate who has never seen either series before and we love watching your videos together (although, we are starting to run out of video). Anyways, your analyses bring so much joy and catharsis and my roommate always says, “I can’t wait to see what Passion of the Nerd has to say about this episode.” Thanks for everything you do and making my love of my favorite series more enjoyable with each rewatch and making it beautiful for newcomers as well. We feel joy, sadness, passion, and so many emotions watching your detailed and thoughtful videos. We love you!!
Thank you. Your Buffy reviews are NOT just UA-cam videos. I can’t explain that further. But I have a feeling you know exactly what I mean. So thank you so very much.
So many wonderful little details: 1) They try to make Tara and Willow feel wrong for practicing magic "without a license," indicating they are trying to put them under the same structured, patriarchal power they put the Slayer under. 2) Anya being nervous about being killed for being a demon so she goes all in on the normal girl. 3) Xander having more real experience than all of the Watchers put together, highlighting the difference between the bureaucrats and the ones who actually put int he work. Also him sticking up for the books that the Watchers are taking. He's come a long way from hating books. 4) The Watchers look down on Buffy for using Spike for information while doing the same with him (they could have killed him but chose not to; I wonder if they appreciated him killing Nikki Woods for them, since she was a rebel Slayer who was one of the longest lived). Also the idea that they have their own system of education with the female Watcher having written her thesis on Spike. 5) Buffy using her leverage to uplift her friends and get Giles his job back (with backpay!). The one thing missing is them interviewing Joyce and Dawn; I would've loved to see the tongue lashing Joyce would give these people who put her daughter (and her! she was almost killed by the vampire they chose for the cruciamentum) in danger so many times from such a young age. And Dawn taking the chance to complain about her sister, as kids do.
@@defrostedrobot77 Personally, I think Giles, while a good mentor to Buffy, was a terrible mentor to the rest, Willow included, he never actually tried to tutor her with magic besides the most basic of instructions, and considering that was when she was a teenager, she'd ignore it anyway. If I was Giles, I'd set Willow up with the Devon Coven sometime around Season 3.
On the othe hand here, Anya is an unrepentant murderer who fully celebrates her millennium of murder, and only hides ot because the Watchers would rightfully be appalled, and Willow and Tara are kids playing with matches, and this leads to disaster down the road because because being held accountable isn't something they do, leading to multiple deaths. The show seems to be saying that the Watchers are bad for holding the Scoobies accountable, but their actions show that accountability would do them and others a world of good.
I had a very specific theory about 2:02-2:15 besides "the feels" it brings, but it would have been a bit too spoiler-y even for this channel's videos. Something I have always loved about Buffy that the others in the group don't do very often, if at all, is she will admit her wrongs when it comes right down to it. I bring this up because of 3:01-3:10 Douglas Petrie does I don't know much of what he did for the show in the high school seasons, but I would be curious. _Revelations_ does speak volumes as to why I don't remember his writing credits from that time. That is a harder episode for me. Concerning Dawn's sluething, I don't consider it a big deal as even with three people knowing she is the key, they wouldn't consider Dawn sneaking around a threat to them talking or even with her threatening to figure it out. We'll get to my issue on the subject when a later episode is talked about. I've seen it argued that because of the situations Buffy handles in the high school years she is an adult. I make another argument in that just because she is going through all these slayer-related issues she is still very much a child; learning what it means. This season is the first season where I think she starts acting like an adult and learning how to do be one and not just act like a kid who has to deal with grown-up situations.
Also so many Russian references and the imagery with the scythe makes me curious as to the writers affiliation with communism or Russian literature and culture in general.
How relevant the issues are with council control, religious control, adult control, authoritarianism are today. Y'know I look at Buffy, at the things she does, how she messes up, forgetting that she is barely an adult. Then we get the likes of the Watchers who are either blithely ignorant of their wrongness or actively wanting to reject their reality and substitute it for their own no matter to whose detriment and think why can't we have the more capable but still fallible kid in control? Who cares about age when they lack the wisdom to back it up?
Thank you for your insights as you often times say things that make me feel as though I am not alone in my thoughts and feelings concerning life and all its confusion. You are an awesome and beautiful soul and I enjoy all that you do!! Please never stop. 💖👏🏻👑🙏🏻
I'm 24 now and I still feel like a child :( I make such stupid mistakes, all of the time, my perspectives still feel immature and sometimes I meet people I consider adults and realise they're a few years younger than me, they seem so much mature and it's just bluh. Thanks for the talk at the end.
I am now rewatching this episode and I suddenly realize that it is a perfect metaphor of how adulting feels like - the hits just keep on coming, and you can't catch a break. On the unrelated note. My two favourite lines addressed to Spike in this episode are: "I love what you've neglected to do with the place" and "I wrote my thesis on you" :))
I love this episode and Buffy's speech. One thing that retroactively frustrates me about seasons six, however, stems from this episode. (spoilers ahead). In season six Buffy is working a crappy job to barely pay the bills, whereas Giles in this episode gets years of backpay from the Watcher's council while he also was paid by the school as their librarian and has magic box money....Buffy is the reason he gets this backpay! I really feel like Giles should've stepped up as her Watcher and given her some help in season 6, or the Watcher council should've tried to pay, if nothing else to re-exert control over their "instrument." What did they do 50 years ago when women couldn't work? Surely there must've been some financial compensation, at least to keep them off the street. Season 6 is all about how Buffy lacks a support network, so for plot reasons all her friends have a giant Buffy blind spot that's infuriating and this is part of that for me. Great video, as always.
I always assumed that watchers traditionally "paid" for slayers living expenses or whatever by keeping them under control, with their watchers and such, so that what, for instance, Giles would get paid would also be Buffy's, but since she's so independent that was never really an option and I don't think Giles considered it, if that makes sense. His gift or loan of money in s6, while generous, I'm sure, doesn't really feel right when she has to work a fulltime job and singlehandedly raise her sisters (disregarding her obvious depression) when slaying is really her true fulltime job, with immense risks to her own life and safety, not to mention others. Basically I completely agree with you, it's distasteful imo.
@@MedicinalPoet Then there's Willow and Tara who moved themselves into Buffy's house, did nothing to sort out the financial problems that accrued when Buffy was dead, dumped them all on her when she got back, and then continued living in her house rent free while she worked a crappy minimum wage job.
I just wanted to say that I appreciate your episodes so much. You have such great depth and insight and I adore listening to your voice (it has a beautiful tone to it and is very soothing to listen to). It is lovely to revisit a show which was such a big part of my teenager years and to gain appreciation for it in a different way as well as examining myself and the world we live in. Thank you! And somehow, I seem to cry each time I listen to one of these!
The thing I love best about this show is that, while institutions and bad guys are always seen hoarding power to the point of abusing others, Buffy is usually seen to be sharing power when the subject comes up. It varies in subtlety, ranging from Buffy giving props to all the scoobies during her power speech here, to Buffy literally sharing all of her power with the potentials in the finale. Or, my personal favorite, the s7 premiere, which is bookended with Sarah Michelle Gellar saying "It's about power," once at the end as the First, and once at the beginning as Buffy, who says it just before she hands her stake to Dawn. Even the body language in "Lessons is telling. The First stands over a kneeling, cowering Spike while Buffy is kneeling before Dawn, and stands only after she's passed the stake over.
Really enjoyed this. I was always taught growing up but adulthood is embracing choice and accepting responsibility for the consequences; as well as a willingness to shed a certain amount of selfishness as you get older and continue to work towards honest self improvement because that doesn't end with school. We can always grow, and that's a good thing. And as you said, it's not really about others opinions.
ugh of course on the day that i really needed it you pulled through. this is one of my favorite episodes of buffy and might i suggest leaning even further into your personal relation to the show and it's themes for future episodes. i think we all as viewers cherish it and, because buffy is such a personal and emotional experience for all of us, really love when others share their own, not necessarily philosophical, connections to the show. we all love you and can't wait for the next video, whatever it may be.
Seeing her get the power back and tell off the Watchers was very satisfying. Giles should've done it sooner he wasn't even employed by them anymore. Spike had a human side to him, you could see it after Joyce died.
7:06 Throwing a powerless Buffy in there with a normal vampire would have been bad enough but they used one who was a cannibalistic serial killer even before he was turned.
Buffy is a genuinely good person with a true sense of right and wrong. That's something that the Council consistently fails to understand. The reason she doesn't just kill them all or even tell Glory that the Watchers have the Key, so Glory could kill them for her is because IT'S WRONG.
This episode made me think about Faith, remember there are 2 slayers, not just Buffy the council lost Faith, gave her a faulty watcher, did nothing for her while she was in the hospital.and let her live in a crappy motel. Why do they have any wright to interagate Buffy and Giles when Faith is still lose? Why did it take Angel to try to rehabilitate her instead of the council?
Honestly, overhearing conversations being had by your elders which they do not want you to hear is so a thing I experienced I find dawn completely normal in this way
Buffy's speech and Spike and Joyce watching Passions - two of the most memorable scenes of the whole series The Council pretty much represents what the Elders represent in Charmed in the sense that they actually don't do anything, they need the "instruments". And use every chance they can to show they are the ones who have the power.
If Dawn "detectiving" was an intentional reference to MT in Harriet the Spy I'm even more impressed. Loved this guide for one of the most underrated episodes imo.
When I first watched Buffy at 13 yrs old I looked forward to rewatching as I grew up, to see how my perspective on the seasons would change as I became/passed Buffy's ages. I haven't been disappointed so far. Right on track with this video. For the last few months I've been living by myself for the first time and it hit me hard that I'm doing "adulting" things, but I'm so far from being independent. Very grateful that my parents are covering my college expenses, but beyond some basic budgeting I don't know shit about money. And I know these are privileged person problems, but I just feel like someone should've taught me
My opinion about Joyce & Spike’s relationship, that I only realized after watching the series a few times- I’ve now watched the whole series 189 times from beginning to end! Also watch my favorite episodes too many times to count!- Anyway back to Joyce & Spike…… We eventually saw how much Spike loved his own mother, as the series went on. Which made me think/realize that Spike thinks of Joyce, as he did his own mother. He sees how hard she works, raising 2 daughters on her own, as a single mother…… Just like his own mother did! That’s why I think their relationship worked we well…..
We finally got "Buffy" on Disney+, woohoo!! "Buffy" (and "Angel") was like my bible growing up, now maybe my kids will grow up and learn from it too (and this episode in particular was SO empowering, I absolutely loved it when she came in with the sword and Uno Reversed it on them lol)😊💖
@@XXBaishaXX I'm over in Australia...and I made a mistake- it was Disney+ not Netflix (there are so many streaming services now!! And only about 2 or 3 good shows on each service lol sigh)
I dunno, I just don't see it as a kids' show. Too much sex and violence. It used to be on prime time for teens and collegers during the hours when kids were sent to bed for school the next morning. I saw it as a young adult of 1998 (the show's primary audience).
Glory is one of my favourite villains in the whole series, second only to Angelus, and I like her more conceptually and him more in execution. Just someone so powerful that she doesn't take life seriously. You tie this into the adulthood thing and this fear that your life is passing you by, that you're not good enough, that life is too hard for you -- and here's Glory. Someone who doesn't feel any fear, and is absolutely certain of her place in life. It's just so excellent, and I think Clare Kramer really kills it at the role.
Re this title, I think there's at least one additional layer of meaning. Gaming & save checkpoints come to mind; I'm not sure who the player is. *edit* i.e. quest progression
3:10 SO TRUE man! Buffy contradicted herself with that not-needing-Spike comment. If he didn’t have feelings for her, I’m sure he would’ve rejected her that favor
9:50 "Apollon temple in Delhi" pretty sure you meant to say the Temple of Apollo in *Delphi*, not Delhi! Delphi and Byzantium were Greek cities, Delhi is in India.
Fun fact: The actress that played the female Watcher with glasses also played Big Rhonda in episodes of That 70s Show. ua-cam.com/video/Z6MH3kGK73w/v-deo.html
All those who think that Buffy should also get a frickin paycheck, raise your hand! 🙋♀️
Also: I think James Marsters said something about how he decided that Spike was fond of Joyce cuz he kinda needed a mom in his life.
"Lies My Parents Told Me" in season 7 kind of implies that Spike has mommy issues too...
@@everuby1438 "implies", more like confirms, no?
@@MedicinalPoet Yes I was trying to be subtle-ish to avoid spoilers, but I'm guessing that the majority of TPN viewers have seen the rest of the show
@@everuby1438 well shucks, I fucked up then
@@everuby1438 yes and the “fool for love” episodes shows women in his past failed him. He tried to find splice not just from Buffy herself but Joyce as well
About the "adulting" thing, possibly the best piece of advice I ever got came from my mother when I asked her when I would feel like an adult, when I would know what I was doing. She said "none of us know what we're doing, dear. We just muddle through until we find out what works, and we remember it."
Hearing that from a doctor and mother of three who somehow juggled parenting, working in an understaffed department, housework and having some kind of a social life was honestly really comforting. We are learning what to do, even if we make mistakes, and that is all we have to do.
Seems to me that part of being an adult should be understanding that concept (and grokking that other people feel it too). Maybe it begins when you understand that other people are also people? I know that's supposed to happen pretty young, but maybe it's a first step?
The first time I got the glimmer of somebody else's humanness, I think I was about ten. My dad was typing something and misspelled "geography" as "georaphy." He said it out loud and something about the way he pronounced it sent me into fits of giggles. I couldn't explain to him at the time why I was laughing, but I think it was a subconscious realisation that _I_ would not have reacted that way; the funny look he gave the screen and the way he said the word was something only an entirely different human with a personality other than mine would have done.
This is so just! Love your mother thinking!
Travers: You're late.
Buffy: Yeah.
Giles: Was there an attack?
Buffy: Yeah.
Travers: We can begin the interview at last. We'll skip the more obvious questions.
*Buffy puts her sword down on Travers's book*
Buffy: There isn't going to be a review.
Travers: Sorry?
Buffy: No review. No Interrogation. No questions you know I can't answer. No hoops, no jumps *Watcher almost interrupts* and no interruptions.
See...I've had a lot of people talking at me the last few days. Everyone just lining up to tell me how unimportant I am. And I've finally figured out why.
Power. I have it. They don't. This bothers them.
Glory came to my house today.
Giles: Buffy, are you...
Buffy: Just to talk. She told me I'm a bug I'm a flea. She could squash me in a second. Only she didn't. She came into my home and we talked. We had what, in her warped brain probably passes for a civilized conversation. Why? Because she needs something from me because I have power over her.
You guys didn't come all the way from England to determine whether or not I was good enough to be let back in. You came to beg me to let you back in. To give your jobs, your lives, some semblance of meaning.
Watcher 1: This is beyond insolence.
*Buffy throws her sword into the wall*
Buffy: I'm fairly certain I said no interruptions.
Xander: That was excellent.
Buffy: You're Watchers. Without a Slayer you're pretty much just watching Masterpiece Theater. You can't stop Glory. You can't do anything with the information you have except maybe publish it in the Everyone Thinks We're Insane-Os Home Journal.
So here's how it's going to work. You're going to tell me everything you know. Then you're gonna go away. You'll contact me if and when you have any further information on Glory. The magic shop will remain open. Mr. Giles will stay here as my official Watcher, reinstated at full salary.
Giles: *Coughs* Retroactive.
Buffy: To be paid retroactively from the month he was fired. I will continue my work with the help of my friends.
Female Watcher: I don't want a sword thrown at me... but civilians. We're talking about children.
Buffy: We're talking about two very powerful witches and a thousand year old ex-demon.
Anya: Willow's a demon?
Watcher 2: The boy? No power there.
Buffy: "The boy" has clocked more field time than all of you combined. He's part of the unit.
Willow: That's Riley-speak.
Xander: I've clocked field time.
Buffy: Now you all may be very good at your jobs. The only way we're gonna find out is if you work with me. You can all take your time thinking about that. But I want an answer right now from Quentin cause I think he's understanding me.
Travers: *Clears throat* Your terms are acceptable.
*Scoobies cheer*
Buffy: See? No begging.
Travers: Oh, Rupert.
Giles: Quentin?
Travers: When we inventoried your shop we found a bottle of single-malt scotch behind the incense holders.
Giles: It's not, you know, during working hours.
Travers: I think I could use a glass.
Buffy: Just a minute. Glory. I wanna know.
Travers: Well, there's a lot to go through.
Buffy: Just tell me what kind of demon I'm fighting.
Travers: Well, that's the thing, you see. Glory isn't a demon.
Buffy: What is she?
Travers: She's a god.
Buffy: *Her eyes widen* Oh.
Thanks, I honestly wouldn't be mad at al had this been included in the video. It's been a long time!
@@alanhegewisch4486 I'm guessing including it 8n the video would've been a copyright issue.
Thanks!
Thank you, kind sir, for writing this whole thing down
Possibly my favorite scene in the series.
Buffy realises she can't hit Quentyn, but Giles says that he can.
Because she's a hero, you see. She's not like him.
Well that and she can kill him with one blow
This was such a great surprise to come home to after finishing my evening shift at a minimum-wage job that makes me feel like less of an adult than I feel I should feel like... something something feel. Awesome analysis and timely words of wisdom on the nature of adulthood.
Just in case no one's said it in a while, thanks for everything you do on this channel. You contribute a lot to this fandom and it must be daunting having committed to a project that's going to take several more years to finish. I hope you're still able to find the 'passion' in Passion of The Nerd!
What a great comment❤️
Great comment, I couldn't agree more in terms of the excitement and gratitude I feel every time a new episode drops.
And, in case nobody has told you recently, you're doing great too. Just gotta keep on keeping on. Sometimes I think that's the essence of what being an adult is.
As much as I love Angelus and Wilkins, Glory is the first villain on the show that made me feel like there was no hope.
She was the one villain Buffy had no chance against until the end.
In a way you were right because even though they won at the end of the day they still lost.
Agreed, Angelus was cool and Spike too but they didn't feel unbeatable and out of reach. Glory definitely did. If anything, her and s7 the First were the only ones that genuinely terrified me, but I think Glory did it better.... and technically she was the only villain who did kill Buffy.
@@LydiaIsSweetthe Beast from Angel also gave me that feeling.
Was anyone else pissed off that Buffy didn't negotiate a salary for herself in this episode?
A) She's the one doing all the work!
B) Wouldn't she be a much better Slayer of she didn't have to hold down Slaying and another job?
This! Great speech, but why didn't she demand a salary for herself?? I actually expected that to be pointed out in this video.
@@rhiannonlee7063 Yeah its what everyone seems to talk about with this episode.
Like I love Giles but he's not really doing much at this point and clearly doesn't need the money.
But Buffy's money struggles are a main plot point.
Maybe she needs to hold another job as part of her cover. Like the way Clark Kent has to be a reporter because he can't let anyone know he's Superman.
Didn't realise it til years later, but totally.
The Watcher's Council has that vast payroll and bureaucracy but Buffy is the only one who isn't paid?
Considering Kendra and how affluent Giles seems to be, seems pretty clear in the rare event a Slayer survived into adulthood a Watcher's salary - seemingly enough for Giles to live comfortably unemployed in season 4 - was expected to cover her needs.
No plot holes. Probably slipped her mind cuz she's just a person like you or me.
Please, please for the love of Spike finish this series!!!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
It's too good not to finish!! I need your view on my favorite season (season 6)! I love every video!! Well done as usual!!
Beyond the Pink Panther reference, MT's previous best known role was as Harriet the Spy.
She'll always be the cute little best friend on Pete and Pete to me
Harriet the Spy was my introduction to MT too 😆
Ummmm inspector gadget??
Lyndal Wilson --I prefer to ignore the existence of that movie. Penny's supposed to be the hero of those stories, with Brain as her sidekick, solving the crimes and foiling the bad guy's plots, while Gadget bumbles around making Inspector Clouseau look hyper-competent.
It's Pete and Pete or bust.
The sword throw when she says I'm fairly certain I said no interruptions is one my favorite scenes in the series. She's so badass
@@defrostedrobot77 The point is she's so good and so aware of her surroundings as a slayer that she could do that and not be concerned about accidentally hurting him
@@defrostedrobot77 You're the fish!
@@LivyRivy , 😂 Good one. Sorry, Boris.
LOVE this episode.
Spike and Joyce scenes are my favorite ever. It makes you like both of them so much more. Spike forgets his facade when he's around her, and Dawn too sometimes, and just becomes his pre-vampire self in a way.
Absolutely. The second time they meet, she asks him if they met before and he tells her she threatened him with an axe and told him to stay away from her. Most people would have probably thrown him out but she takes the time and gets to know him, probably because she was lonely. I think joyce was the first to see spike as a good guy.
@@werlost so true
Yes I love his William self. The pre vampire
Buffy dressing down the Council is one of my favorite moments in the show. When I watched the episode live, I fist pumped as she gave them what they deserved. Granted, now I understand why the episode ended the way it did. One passionate speech isn't gonna change an institution with its roots in patriarchal misogyny. It's a nice speech but the Council has been around as long as the Slayer has and one speech won't make them change fully. That's why I feel the Council was done away with in Season 7, their group needed to burn to the ground so Buffy and her friends could change the rules by series end.
That was bleak and long winded but that's me in a nutshell 😆
I'd say "clear-sighted and expressive" 🙃
@@jaycievictory8461 Thanks 😄
While this isn't my favorite episode, it had one of the biggest impacts on me. Buffy's "Power" speech speaks to me to this day. Every time I'm in a position and someone tries belittling me, I just remember "You guys didn't come all the way [from England] to determine whether or not I was good enough to be let back in... You came to beg me to let *you* back in... to give your jobs, your lives, some semblance of meaning."
Know your worth.
Oooooo! Thank you, I didn't even know that I needed to hear this today! 🙏
But even then Buffy still hadn't realised her own financial worth with regard to this vastly wealthy organisation with a seemingly massive payroll that's conscripted her into the most important job on earth.
… and I needed this today. Thank you.
This is one of my favorite episodes of S5-and yes I have a LOT of them. This is where Buffy basically becomes the head of watcher organization, if not in name. I think it can also be seen to be the point where she begins relieving Giles of his responsibility as "head of the Scooby family." After this episode, Buffy is pretty much the one calling the shots.
Glory is my favorite Buffy villain and this episode is part of the reason why.
I love when villains get tired of the hero’s crap and just directly intimidate them. But it’s Glory so she does it in the most fun and entertainingly evil way.
It’s weird how timely your videos hit me! “Know thy self”, and Shakespeare’s, “to thine own self be true…” are the mantas I’ve been coming back to since my early 30s. “Becoming an adult” never happened for me. At 47, I hate that I still act like I’m about 8 years old in my response to people. I constantly end up looking for validation from peers. Then I beat myself up for that feeling till I eventually, realize…why am I trying to meet someone else’s standards. That’s probably subconsciously why I relate to Buffy. I never really saw that till this video and it helps me have an easier time accepting my “range” of qualities as an “adult.” Thank you for your exploration of this show because I never understood why it affected me so deeply when I watched it, and its still changing me.
I'm not a big fan of season 5 but I do love Checkpoint and that end speech. "I'm pretty certain I said no interuptions." Badass!
"I'm fairly sure I said no interruptions"
I reference this constantly when people seem to think I am not serious about my personal baddassery.
Also I'm a HUGE Farscape fan, so I LOVE that you referenced Muppets Sex and Trauma!
That's warm, _velvety_ Muppet sex according to Cards Against Humanity.
Another lovely video, Ian. Watching Buffy grow up and struggle with adulthood hits different when you’re watching in your mid 30’s vs watching when you’re a teenager. I also adore Spike and Joyce’s relationship, and when he drops the jokes when he can tell Buffy is serious. It’s that kind of thing that really makes me love him as a character. Also Sarah’s acting when she says that “.....oh.” *chef’s kiss*
Yes I love Spike too
I watched Checkpoint today! What perfect timing. I’ve been re-watching Buffy and Angel through in order, alternating, and watching your videos after each episode. I’ve finally caught you up and was sad I wouldn’t have this one to watch today… but here you are!
Not sure why I didn't realise at the time that Buffy - when realising she has the power - demanded backdated pay for Giles, but it didn't even occur to her to demand the same for herself from one of the most important vocations on earth that the forerunners of this clearly very wealthy organisation unwillingly conscripted Buffy into.
Becomes even more relevant next season.
“buffy is the one” okay 7x20 spike. you made me gasp with that one. loved this! really interesting analysis with some stuff that i hadn’t picked apart before!
"Buffy is the one." truly struck something deep inside me as a spuffy shipper, even when Spike tells her this years later she still doesn't fully accept it until that moment, Sarah's performance in that scene is beautiful because you can see from her eyes Buffy gasps all the implications (good and bad) being the one (the one slayer, the one woman for spike, etc.) has.
Also, I want to point out a small detail that you mentioned because I think we can see you're a Spike fan like me (even named my dog after him), but Spike and Joyce's relationship is very important to me, you can see the respect he has for her, even fondness. Knowing what happens next hurts me beyond words that Spike wasn't there, and we didn't get to fully see his reaction to it.
Moreover, it's the little things that distinguish Spike from every other vampire that make him so brilliant: his love for Dawn, his respect for Joyce, his twisted feelings for Buffy - often almost pure, showcased in selfless acts like this one, or what we know is his role at the end of the season, or with Dawn in the beginning of Season 6 -, it's just not normal 'soulless' vampire behaviour. Which got me thinking about Rasputin - in the end there must be forgiveness for the sins, so one can sin. "In order to be forgiven, one first had to sin" seems to be the doctrine the season 6 writers placed on Spike and his infamous scene which leads to his redemption arc.
That's what I absolutely love about Buffy, every season feels like it lays the foundation for the following ones.
This is such a GREAT comment! I always thought Spike was a well written character esp after Watching “Fool for Love” and his miserable past which made me feel bad for him. He’s not only endured women who failed him in the past but had mommy issues too. It makes sense why he clings to Buffy’s family. Poor thing is still somewhat lost. Spike only told Buffy about the slayers he defeated back then, but Buffy (unlike the audience) doesn’t know his whole backstory . She would understand him alot better
This is the first video I’m watching after catching up from the last month of rewatch binging Buffy/Angel and POTN reviews. It’s so good to have a new fix, and also dreadful to be waiting with everyone else for the next installment. Keep up the good work.
Great analysis! I completely agree that most of us don't feel like full adults for a pretty long time--and those that force it usually end up disappointed. So it's probably healthy to hit 30 and think "Wait. I'm an adult now? Really?"
I just turned 50, my youngest kid just turned 18, and I don't always feel like an adult... 🤷
Quinn! Hi! Long time no see.
Google wants my phone number, so I’ve lost (for now) my main account- had to make this one because I’ve been locked out for about 2 months while transitioning through two temporary cell phones to this final (for several years) new phone.
~beach girl
@@missnaomi613 ,
50+ here, and same.
The Church of the Algorithm officially certifies this video in the ones and zeroes of The Recommending Holiness.
This is my stand up and cheer moment. This is my penultimate "Buffy as feminine power" scene, and when I'm trying to get someone to watch the show it's this scene I have in mind. Something about Checkpoint just...reset my love for the show. As someone who was a bit miffed over Riley and a lot miffed over Angel, this episode and that speech is what got me through to some of the most important parts of the series. It felt like finally coming up for air after a season and some change of floundering around with the Initiative.
Buffy is a daughter and a big sister, she's a girlfriend and an ex, she's a high school and then college student. She's a girl, who is becoming a woman. But in this episode, she's the Slayer, and she stops allowing anyone around her to forget it. I aspire to the level of self confidence that this Buffy has... and it's all the more heartbreaking later when she doesn't have it anymore.
"her yummiest yummy sushi pyjama speech yet"
Great analysis, but I think you missed a power dynamic - misogyny. Or specifically, Spike’s negging of Buffy in the cemetery. Spike wants Buffy’s affection. She has power, so he tries to make her feel insignificant.
....eh, I'd agree if it weren't for the scene starting with Buffy using her power to make *Spike* feel insignificant/belittle him. Theirs is always a tit for tat
@@spikesecho724 agree. Sure Spike is one of the villains in this show but LATELY he’s actually done genuine things that aren’t evil. It all started in “Fool for Love” when he was about to kill her but changed his mind. Buffy has no idea how much Spike’s been holding back. I only justify her being harsh on him when there’s a legit reason. Other than that, Buffy is just annoying
Of course he wants affection. After watching “Fool for Love” I understand that now. He has a miserable past, esp with women
was just thinking about how all 3 institutions are patriarchal and Buffy challenges the paternalistic status quo just by her existence
I loved this review!
I began watching Buffy as a child and have been developing a new perspective through this series since I discovered it at 15. Now, at 22, I believe adulthood to be such a relative term because, if the point of existentialism is to create meaning out of the intrinsically meaningless universe, then we have the power to choose what being an adult means to us, instead of giving in and comparing ourselves to stereotypes and putting up with diminishment by institutions or society.
As per usual, thank you, Ian, for such a wonderful analysis!
Thank you. I needed to read this.
Checkpoint, mainly the speech Buffy gave to the Council, was my personal introduction to the show. I was 14 at the time and I was stressing hard over an exam that seemed impossible to do. So... My parents showed me that scene. And surprisingly, even out of context, not knowing the show at all (except that it had a certain Spike my parents were drooling over) it helped me a lot. I still get warm fuzzy feelings every time I rewatch it.
"Willow was a demon?"
One of my favorite jokes in the whole series.
The power dynamics and ultimate flex by Buffy makes Checkpoint my favorite episode of my favorite season of Buffy. Thanks for continuing to cover this show and Angel!
Yes! Nothing the joy of a new video from you! I hope that you had a great Thanksgiving!
I'd love an hour-long loop of Buffy throwing the sword and saying, "I'm fairly sure I said no interruptions." One of the top badges Buffy moments of the show.
14:29 “… but authenticity is about self discovery, and acceptance. Knowing yourself. No one gets to hold the definition of what slayer is over buffy because being the slayer isn’t about accumulated knowledge, or living up to someone else’s tests and standards. It’s who she is. Buffy is the one.” 💛
The way you break these down, it’s honestly fantastic.
God, this was such a good analysis. Every time I watch your breakdowns I find there's so much more to an episode than I ever saw myself. The (now somehow incredibly clear) parallel to the need to keep people poor, and struggling, and looking up to their leaders was never apparent to me before. I was always like "why doesn't the council pay Buffy? Why does she have to work crappy jobs?" It's, uh, sort of obvious now. Thank you for putting that question to rest for me.
Thank you for making these! I have been watching your Buffy videos for years as they have come out and now I am watching Buffy and Angel simultaneously with my roommate who has never seen either series before and we love watching your videos together (although, we are starting to run out of video). Anyways, your analyses bring so much joy and catharsis and my roommate always says, “I can’t wait to see what Passion of the Nerd has to say about this episode.” Thanks for everything you do and making my love of my favorite series more enjoyable with each rewatch and making it beautiful for newcomers as well. We feel joy, sadness, passion, and so many emotions watching your detailed and thoughtful videos. We love you!!
Can't even tell you how excited I am every time I see that you've posted a new video. Incredible analysis. Thank you so much!
Thank you. Your Buffy reviews are NOT just UA-cam videos. I can’t explain that further. But I have a feeling you know exactly what I mean. So thank you so very much.
This was always one of absolutely favorite episodes. I adore your breakdowns of the episodes.
These videos always come out when I most need them
So many wonderful little details:
1) They try to make Tara and Willow feel wrong for practicing magic "without a license," indicating they are trying to put them under the same structured, patriarchal power they put the Slayer under.
2) Anya being nervous about being killed for being a demon so she goes all in on the normal girl.
3) Xander having more real experience than all of the Watchers put together, highlighting the difference between the bureaucrats and the ones who actually put int he work. Also him sticking up for the books that the Watchers are taking. He's come a long way from hating books.
4) The Watchers look down on Buffy for using Spike for information while doing the same with him (they could have killed him but chose not to; I wonder if they appreciated him killing Nikki Woods for them, since she was a rebel Slayer who was one of the longest lived). Also the idea that they have their own system of education with the female Watcher having written her thesis on Spike.
5) Buffy using her leverage to uplift her friends and get Giles his job back (with backpay!).
The one thing missing is them interviewing Joyce and Dawn; I would've loved to see the tongue lashing Joyce would give these people who put her daughter (and her! she was almost killed by the vampire they chose for the cruciamentum) in danger so many times from such a young age. And Dawn taking the chance to complain about her sister, as kids do.
@@defrostedrobot77 Personally, I think Giles, while a good mentor to Buffy, was a terrible mentor to the rest, Willow included, he never actually tried to tutor her with magic besides the most basic of instructions, and considering that was when she was a teenager, she'd ignore it anyway.
If I was Giles, I'd set Willow up with the Devon Coven sometime around Season 3.
On the othe hand here, Anya is an unrepentant murderer who fully celebrates her millennium of murder, and only hides ot because the Watchers would rightfully be appalled, and Willow and Tara are kids playing with matches, and this leads to disaster down the road because because being held accountable isn't something they do, leading to multiple deaths.
The show seems to be saying that the Watchers are bad for holding the Scoobies accountable, but their actions show that accountability would do them and others a world of good.
I had a very specific theory about 2:02-2:15 besides "the feels" it brings, but it would have been a bit too spoiler-y even for this channel's videos.
Something I have always loved about Buffy that the others in the group don't do very often, if at all, is she will admit her wrongs when it comes right down to it. I bring this up because of 3:01-3:10
Douglas Petrie does I don't know much of what he did for the show in the high school seasons, but I would be curious. _Revelations_ does speak volumes as to why I don't remember his writing credits from that time. That is a harder episode for me.
Concerning Dawn's sluething, I don't consider it a big deal as even with three people knowing she is the key, they wouldn't consider Dawn sneaking around a threat to them talking or even with her threatening to figure it out. We'll get to my issue on the subject when a later episode is talked about.
I've seen it argued that because of the situations Buffy handles in the high school years she is an adult. I make another argument in that just because she is going through all these slayer-related issues she is still very much a child; learning what it means. This season is the first season where I think she starts acting like an adult and learning how to do be one and not just act like a kid who has to deal with grown-up situations.
I’m adding “cries every time I hear something inspirational” to my TPN guide bingo sheet. Thank you.
Also so many Russian references and the imagery with the scythe makes me curious as to the writers affiliation with communism or Russian literature and culture in general.
Thank you Ian, deeply needed and timely as ever, I appreciate you, always
How relevant the issues are with council control, religious control, adult control, authoritarianism are today.
Y'know I look at Buffy, at the things she does, how she messes up, forgetting that she is barely an adult. Then we get the likes of the Watchers who are either blithely ignorant of their wrongness or actively wanting to reject their reality and substitute it for their own no matter to whose detriment and think why can't we have the more capable but still fallible kid in control? Who cares about age when they lack the wisdom to back it up?
Thank you for your insights as you often times say things that make me feel as though I am not alone in my thoughts and feelings concerning life and all its confusion. You are an awesome and beautiful soul and I enjoy all that you do!! Please never stop. 💖👏🏻👑🙏🏻
This episode is a personal favorite of mine, there is so much going on and as always TPTN has done a great job in breaking it down!
Yeeeeeeeeeees! Keep em coming you are singlehandedly getting me through law school!!
I just discovered your page yesterday, I love these episode breakdowns 🙏🏾 thank you sm for existing & doing one of the greatest shows to ever exist
I'm 24 now and I still feel like a child :( I make such stupid mistakes, all of the time, my perspectives still feel immature and sometimes I meet people I consider adults and realise they're a few years younger than me, they seem so much mature and it's just bluh. Thanks for the talk at the end.
This episode was really firing on all cylinders, just wonderful writing and performances from every single actor, such a treat.
Shoutout to Buffy’s mid-speech sword throw, which is a top contender for my favorite Buffy-has-a-sword moment
I love what you do in your channel : really analyzing and not just criticizing.
Thank you!
I am now rewatching this episode and I suddenly realize that it is a perfect metaphor of how adulting feels like - the hits just keep on coming, and you can't catch a break.
On the unrelated note. My two favourite lines addressed to Spike in this episode are: "I love what you've neglected to do with the place" and "I wrote my thesis on you" :))
I love this episode and Buffy's speech. One thing that retroactively frustrates me about seasons six, however, stems from this episode. (spoilers ahead). In season six Buffy is working a crappy job to barely pay the bills, whereas Giles in this episode gets years of backpay from the Watcher's council while he also was paid by the school as their librarian and has magic box money....Buffy is the reason he gets this backpay! I really feel like Giles should've stepped up as her Watcher and given her some help in season 6, or the Watcher council should've tried to pay, if nothing else to re-exert control over their "instrument." What did they do 50 years ago when women couldn't work? Surely there must've been some financial compensation, at least to keep them off the street.
Season 6 is all about how Buffy lacks a support network, so for plot reasons all her friends have a giant Buffy blind spot that's infuriating and this is part of that for me.
Great video, as always.
Giles did give Buffy a check in S6 to help her out.
Didn’t Giles give Buffy some money after her mum died and she was struggling to the pay the bills? 💕
I always assumed that watchers traditionally "paid" for slayers living expenses or whatever by keeping them under control, with their watchers and such, so that what, for instance, Giles would get paid would also be Buffy's, but since she's so independent that was never really an option and I don't think Giles considered it, if that makes sense. His gift or loan of money in s6, while generous, I'm sure, doesn't really feel right when she has to work a fulltime job and singlehandedly raise her sisters (disregarding her obvious depression) when slaying is really her true fulltime job, with immense risks to her own life and safety, not to mention others. Basically I completely agree with you, it's distasteful imo.
"What did they do 50 years ago when women couldn't work? " - No concern when most slayers don't make it past 17
@@MedicinalPoet Then there's Willow and Tara who moved themselves into Buffy's house, did nothing to sort out the financial problems that accrued when Buffy was dead, dumped them all on her when she got back, and then continued living in her house rent free while she worked a crappy minimum wage job.
This channel is non stop bangers
I just wanted to say that I appreciate your episodes so much. You have such great depth and insight and I adore listening to your voice (it has a beautiful tone to it and is very soothing to listen to). It is lovely to revisit a show which was such a big part of my teenager years and to gain appreciation for it in a different way as well as examining myself and the world we live in. Thank you! And somehow, I seem to cry each time I listen to one of these!
The thing I love best about this show is that, while institutions and bad guys are always seen hoarding power to the point of abusing others, Buffy is usually seen to be sharing power when the subject comes up. It varies in subtlety, ranging from Buffy giving props to all the scoobies during her power speech here, to Buffy literally sharing all of her power with the potentials in the finale. Or, my personal favorite, the s7 premiere, which is bookended with Sarah Michelle Gellar saying "It's about power," once at the end as the First, and once at the beginning as Buffy, who says it just before she hands her stake to Dawn. Even the body language in "Lessons is telling. The First stands over a kneeling, cowering Spike while Buffy is kneeling before Dawn, and stands only after she's passed the stake over.
Nice insight. You nailed it.
Really enjoyed this. I was always taught growing up but adulthood is embracing choice and accepting responsibility for the consequences; as well as a willingness to shed a certain amount of selfishness as you get older and continue to work towards honest self improvement because that doesn't end with school. We can always grow, and that's a good thing. And as you said, it's not really about others opinions.
I've been looking forward to this one!
ugh of course on the day that i really needed it you pulled through. this is one of my favorite episodes of buffy and might i suggest leaning even further into your personal relation to the show and it's themes for future episodes. i think we all as viewers cherish it and, because buffy is such a personal and emotional experience for all of us, really love when others share their own, not necessarily philosophical, connections to the show. we all love you and can't wait for the next video, whatever it may be.
Seeing her get the power back and tell off the Watchers was very satisfying. Giles should've done it sooner he wasn't even employed by them anymore. Spike had a human side to him, you could see it after Joyce died.
I think Giles knows how quickly they could deport him
I live for this videos. Your insight about every episode is...just GREAT
7:06 Throwing a powerless Buffy in there with a normal vampire would have been bad enough but they used one who was a cannibalistic serial killer even before he was turned.
12:05 kind of a double reference when you remember that Michelle was in Inspector Gadget the movie!
Another great video as always. Definitely one of my favorites.
I love Buffy’s speech. I have filed it away for future use.
They took Buffy’s power on her 16th birthday
Buffy is a genuinely good person with a true sense of right and wrong. That's something that the Council consistently fails to understand. The reason she doesn't just kill them all or even tell Glory that the Watchers have the Key, so Glory could kill them for her is because IT'S WRONG.
They’re finally paying Giles again, and Buffy doesn’t kill humans. She has a strong moral core, more than anyone else in the series.
This episode made me think about Faith, remember there are 2 slayers, not just Buffy the council lost Faith, gave her a faulty watcher, did nothing for her while she was in the hospital.and let her live in a crappy motel. Why do they have any wright to interagate Buffy and Giles when Faith is still lose? Why did it take Angel to try to rehabilitate her instead of the council?
Fantastic review - thanks Passion of the Nerd!
Yay! It’s been TOO LONG! More please!
Honestly, overhearing conversations being had by your elders which they do not want you to hear is so a thing I experienced I find dawn completely normal in this way
Buffy's speech and Spike and Joyce watching Passions - two of the most memorable scenes of the whole series
The Council pretty much represents what the Elders represent in Charmed in the sense that they actually don't do anything, they need the "instruments". And use every chance they can to show they are the ones who have the power.
Exactly. Like the episode where Q erases Leo's memory and forces him to find piper but then interferes in the test.
Shoutout to Buffy’s mid-speech sword throw, which is a top contender for my favorite Buffy-has-a-sword moment (beaten only by the Becoming pt 2 duel)
Lol, I’ll be sixty next year and I’m still waiting to be struck by the sudden feeling of adulthood….
Same here.
Thank you for your content! I was so happy to see a new episode. Really enjoyed the deep dive👏
If Dawn "detectiving" was an intentional reference to MT in Harriet the Spy I'm even more impressed.
Loved this guide for one of the most underrated episodes imo.
When I first watched Buffy at 13 yrs old I looked forward to rewatching as I grew up, to see how my perspective on the seasons would change as I became/passed Buffy's ages. I haven't been disappointed so far. Right on track with this video.
For the last few months I've been living by myself for the first time and it hit me hard that I'm doing "adulting" things, but I'm so far from being independent. Very grateful that my parents are covering my college expenses, but beyond some basic budgeting I don't know shit about money. And I know these are privileged person problems, but I just feel like someone should've taught me
Absolutely. While s6 is not my favorite season of buffy, i relate to it a lot more now than I did when it aired.
Thanks for yet another reminder that even though I've seen this entire series multiple times, I still haven't REALLY seen it.
My opinion about Joyce & Spike’s relationship, that I only realized after watching the series a few times- I’ve now watched the whole series 189 times from beginning to end! Also watch my favorite episodes too many times to count!- Anyway back to Joyce & Spike…… We eventually saw how much Spike loved his own mother, as the series went on. Which made me think/realize that Spike thinks of Joyce, as he did his own mother. He sees how hard she works, raising 2 daughters on her own, as a single mother…… Just like his own mother did! That’s why I think their relationship worked we well…..
Sunny delights. Thumbs up.
Great video about this episode! BTVS is definitely a show I learned a lot of stuff between the lines from
Brilliant - that adulting bit really hits home!
We finally got "Buffy" on Disney+, woohoo!! "Buffy" (and "Angel") was like my bible growing up, now maybe my kids will grow up and learn from it too (and this episode in particular was SO empowering, I absolutely loved it when she came in with the sword and Uno Reversed it on them lol)😊💖
in which country may i ask?
You're so lucky, where do you live I'm getting a VPN right now
@@XXBaishaXX I'm over in Australia...and I made a mistake- it was Disney+ not Netflix (there are so many streaming services now!! And only about 2 or 3 good shows on each service lol sigh)
My (now) hubby bought me the Buffy and Angel boxset DVDs when we were first dating- lol he knew the way to my heart😂💖💖
I dunno, I just don't see it as a kids' show. Too much sex and violence. It used to be on prime time for teens and collegers during the hours when kids were sent to bed for school the next morning. I saw it as a young adult of 1998 (the show's primary audience).
Love it when these pop up on my feed.
To quote Charlie Brooker: Your 30s is when you realise that none of the adults in your life had any idea what they were doing either.
Glory is one of my favourite villains in the whole series, second only to Angelus, and I like her more conceptually and him more in execution. Just someone so powerful that she doesn't take life seriously. You tie this into the adulthood thing and this fear that your life is passing you by, that you're not good enough, that life is too hard for you -- and here's Glory. Someone who doesn't feel any fear, and is absolutely certain of her place in life. It's just so excellent, and I think Clare Kramer really kills it at the role.
Re this title, I think there's at least one additional layer of meaning. Gaming & save checkpoints come to mind; I'm not sure who the player is.
*edit* i.e. quest progression
I really needed this tonight. Thank you.
OMG how come I only discovered your cannel like last month or so?! Such a great job with these analises, please keep it going👏
3:10 SO TRUE man! Buffy contradicted herself with that not-needing-Spike comment. If he didn’t have feelings for her, I’m sure he would’ve rejected her that favor
9:50 "Apollon temple in Delhi" pretty sure you meant to say the Temple of Apollo in *Delphi*, not Delhi! Delphi and Byzantium were Greek cities, Delhi is in India.
This was wonderfully made good sir
These videos are close to being therapy.
I love to watch every new video😍 thanks for your art ✨
That Speech is dark chocolate amazing and I love it.
Fun fact: The actress that played the female Watcher with glasses also played Big Rhonda in episodes of That 70s Show.
ua-cam.com/video/Z6MH3kGK73w/v-deo.html