This episode was a complete triumph on every level. It set a pinnacle for all musical episodes of television to follow. Welcome to the Spuffy Ship! I’ve been riding this beautiful ship for two decades! ❤️
As far as musical episodes go this was an absolute masterpiece. The reveals that comes from this are incredible, the music itself is really good, and the lyrics tie into the whole story. Some good perceptions by you regarding Willow, we will see. The ending is just perfect for the fans, which changes everything going forward.
OMWF is the indisputable gold standard of TV musical episodes. It seems like only BtVS could make what, in other series, usually only just amounts ino gimmicky filler into brilliant narrative development.
Actually not true. Xena Warrior Princess' "The Bitter Suite" was another excellent example of a musical episode that contained important narrative character and plot development and it pre-dated Buffy's attempt. And as much as i like OMWF, i consider Bitter Suite the superior and more powerful of the two.
@@theokojak2183 Bitter Suite definitely preceded OMWF, and both ended major story arcs, Xena’s probably even more major. i do prefer OMWF, my fave episode of TV ever. i just wish i could persuade one reactor to react to Xena!
@@RLucas3000 You should check out Chosen One Reactions, she reacted to the whole series of Xena on her Patreon and has reactions to selected episodes on her youtube channel too. She really loved the show and some of her reactions to it are so powerful. Really recommend her!
@@RLucas3000 Same! I've seen a ton of Buffy reactions but I can't seem to talk anyone into reacting to Xena and honestly it's so sad. That show is just as worthy of getting a new generation of fans!
I love that so many reaction channels have discovered Buffy in the last couple years, and I love watching people's faces when they realize this is a musical episode if they didn't know in advance.
I love this ep because it advances the plot and doesn’t stop it dead by making the musical episode merely a gimmick. And Whedon wrote all original songs, they didn’t just try to shoehorn in old pop songs. And everybody was brave for doing their own singing and dancing when it was outside their comfort zone. After all, the spell made them sing and dance but didn’t magically make them good at it. They sang like they would have if it happened to them for real. Some much better than others, but they all went for it 150%. Great reaction!
I love the fact that they aren't professional. Adds to why it's so great. Something the Les Miserables movie is criticized for. A little different in concept (as Buffy wasn't sung live, but none of the actors being professionals was the substitute making them similar ideas in nature), but they both show off more real voices rather than how to professionally change them.
I think it does make them better in some ways. Not necessarily their vocal quality, but to be able to sing in tune and on rhythm without training is no small feat.
Some notes - Hinton Battle, who played the demon, is a three time Tony Award winner. It makes more sense to me that it was bunnies, not Xander, who summoned the demon. James Marsters, i.e. Spike, is an American singing in an English accent. Two of the writers had cameo appearances. David Fury was the mustard stain man and Marti Noxon was the parking ticket woman.
This is one of the best episodes of any tv-series ever, every song is perfectly written and if you analyze them you see that they are all about truth and the revalation of each characters inner secrets. My personal favorites are "Rest in Peace" and then "Walk Through the Fire". And I love Willow's reaction to the big reveal, and her "my lines are mostly filler" is so good. Tara and Giles are definitely the best singers, tho that is not quite fair since they are both professional singers, and James Marsters is also the singer for the band Ghost of the Robot. Also, fun facts, the woman singing to the cop about her parking is Marti Noxon one of the producers and the guy singing "they got the mustard out", is David Fury one of the writers. I cannot wait for you to continue the series, that is all I'm going to say about that...
I would say Ozymandias is as good as this, and Twin Peaks the Return part 8 is the best episode of anything ever. However that episode is not for the masses. Also I got to say that the final episode of Twin Peaks from 1991 is as good as this, but again that again is not for the masses.
Its interesting to me to think about how the songs really are about truths, things you would prefer kept secret - and spike sings how he wishes he could bury his love (for buffy), how his heart is breaking knowing she doesn’t feel the same and he both feels alive with her and miserable at the same time because of that; but if she would have him he would do anything, be anything she wanted; be her willing slave, deny her nothing… So many people say he doesnt love her because he is soulless, but the songs reveal truths and secrets, so what he sings must be how he truly thinks and feels.
To be fair to Spike, it's hard to sing in character with an accent that isn't yours. Although, James Marsters has his own band in real life called Ghost of the Robot. I always think of the Honeymooners when I see that intro. I'm glad you enjoyed this episode so much, I was worried.
not gonna lie, I clicked on this because of your thumbnail. I love that you know about Dr Horrible's Sing Along Blog and Singing in the Rain. I also think Xander gets off lightly considering someone freakin DIED because of this nonsense. Its my favorite epidsode along with Hush. Joss needed Buffy to talk about her feelings but realized Buffy would never do that unless she was in a cheesy musical, so he made it happen. Loved Rest in Peace, James has a great Rock voice.
For the scene of Willow and Tara singing and then cutting to the Magic Box, you got the edited version on streaming. The original (on the DVD) had commentary from Joss that said, "this is as close to porn as anything I've written". The original had Tara floating and singing, 'You make me complete. You make me com-" cut to magic box. You aren't imagining things, it was even more blunt in the original cut.
Xander beeing the one summoning the demon and him just disappearing was for convenience. The emotions and messages in the songs were the important part, everything else would have been too plot heavy if they also had to find out a way to fight the demon etc. Alyson and Michelle both askes Joss not to get musical number on their own as they didn't feel comfortable singing. That's why Willows lines "are mostly filler" and Dawn dances. Michelle has a background in ballet and offered to dance instead of singing.
@@partycitydumpster I'd say it's more because she believes that everything is going well. Every problem she has can be solved easily with magic. Dead friend....solved. Angry girlfriend....solved. There is nothing she can't handle right now in her mind. She's not going through the amount of highs and lows that would cause her to break out into song as often.
Once the promos and magazine articles for this episode came out, fans were scoffing at the idea of a Buffy musical, like the idea didn't fit... yet it became one of the best episodes of the entire series, and possibly of all television!
The level of excitement I get when Buffy uploads happen.... its the best. And thanks for allowing those of us who have watched the show (ALOT) to be able to re experience it with you. 💕💜💙💕
Even though they stopped the bad guy's plan. . .this didn't really feel like a victory. Not after the big revelation that showed the team the damage they caused.
This is my favourite episode of Buffy and the one I seen more times. Most musical episodes are just filler but like you said this episode progress the story, a lot of important things happened in the episode, is very plot relevant. They have been keeping secrets and now they have to sing about it, Buffy would have never told his friends about being in heaven so the plot had to force her to do it and doing it by song was such an amazing idea. The songs are original (so many musical episodes just use already existing songs), the lyrics are great, it just... it's the perfect musical episode. And yes, Tara and Willow scene is definitely meant to be what you are thinking.
Loved the look on his face when he realized the reveal of being in heaven was going to be mentioned in song. Xander's been a Scooby for nearly five years and he didn't realize it would be more than "dances and songs." 🤦♂🤦♀ (and the head canon theory that he's covering for Dawn never made sense to me). It was only the last episode that he got cold feet, so getting worried and wanting the "happy ending" makes more sense. But after doing things like chastising Willow (and seeing her use magic) for a de-lusting spell, he should have known better.
I agree with the Dawn thing. People try and pin it on her because the majority of the community dislike her, but it makes zero sense. How would she know about the demon when they literally shield from doing research 99% of the time, and why would she want a musical demon anyway? Whereas we DO know that Xander has a history of messing with magic for personal reasons, ill intention or no.
I like the explanation that it was actually a third party. The necklace was sitting in the magic shop where anyone could handle it. Dawn stole it after the singing had started, so it wasn't her. But I really think Xander would have come clean sooner if it were him, and it is in his character to take the blame to protect Dawn. Maybe Anya was right, and it was the bunnies! There could a secret cabal of evil demonic bunnies causing mischief, and she's the only one who's been around long enough to notice.
@@rfresa SLIGHT SPOILER FOR _OLDER AND FAR AWAY_ (SEVEN EPISODES FROM THIS ONE) None of that, to me, really counters against Xander having cold feet and the fact that I don't think he would come clean. Plus having it not be him also means needing a reason for why he would continue admitting to it being him even as of _Older and Far Away_ to Dawn, which makes little sense even, and especially, if he thought it was Dawn. At best you could say he is trying to get her to admit it, but if he is willing to take her blame, why does he need her to admit it seven episodes after he took the blame. And as for a third party, fans could play that game with everything in-universe. Without support, it doesn't make sense, to me, to be a third party. I'll stick with "Xander did," it as it doesn't require explanation except cold feet about the wedding, and that plays into the arc (and fears) of the season (and this episode), as lots of the singing truth that they hid up until this point do.
Still an amazing achievment all these years later. They absolutly nailed this one... so very hard to do! And the songs written by Joss himself. This is one of the highlights of all of Television. BTW, Joss had to deal with the networks to add an extra 10 minutes of program time just for this. 10/10.
I loved how much you were grinning from ear to ear throughout the video. Definitely watch the behind the scenes of this! It's a lot of fun! The cast says this is the top 3 most difficult episodes to do in all 7 seasons. Usually musical episodes are fillers, but this one had a ton of major revelations. This was one of the first musical episodes on a tv show. Also, I love they got Hinton Battle to play the demon. His voice and dancing are stellar!
They didn't beat him. He was summoned, and as part of the clause he would take the summoner as his bride. Or husband I guess. He also wanted the Slayer to burn. But ultimately what he wanted was chaos and pain through song. He wanted 'entertainment'. He was satisfied. 'There's not a one who can say this ended well. All those secrets you've been concealing? Say you're happy now, once more with _feeling.'_
Here is the title of a video to search on UA-cam for behind the scenes of this episode of Buffy. Buffy 6xEX Behind the Scenes of Once More With Feeling
A saying for (good) musicals is: If you can't say it, you sing it, If you can't sing it, you dance it. Meaning, it is sometimes easier to express big and strong emotions in songform and when there are no more word to sing you dance your heart out to express what you are feeling. Wheedon pretty much took that and ran with it. There is a reason all the secret are apilled here: The songs convey all the big emotions their not saying and at the end even that isn't enogh for buffy and she just tries to dance her emotion out. Because that is the 'funny' thing: It's not that Buffy doesn't feel emotion. It is just that dispair overrides much of her other emotions. I rememeber a time in my life where i felt similar. I had had a big Incident that made me switch schools and at te new one i didn't even try for friends anymore. I had three more years and the outta there. But I am a deeply empathetic person and I noticed how _little_ I cared about anyone around me. At some point I visited our school counsellor and I told her that i was afarid of becoming cold and numb and hard and that i didn't _want_ to lose my empathy, but I also couldn't make it stop. What she said to me has stuck with me till this day, almost 10 years later: "If you are worried about becoming hard, then you are not yet. You aren't emotionless, because then you wouldn't care. You are just hurting and you need to find your way out of that and I think the est will come back when you do." She was right. In the end i did not make anymore firends at the school, but I made lots of friends in college and I visitd her once a week at first and later biwekly until I graduated from highschool.
I think the timing of a musical episode in the season is perfect - it's a common idea with a lot of musicals that characters *sing* what they cannot *say*, and that is seen frequently this episode.
"What is this? And why do I have a big smile on my face?" That about sums it up. Wonder if Liam Duke would be cool with you reacting to some of his his drunk rewatch?
So excited! Tabula Rasa is next. I can't wait to see that reaction. One of the funniest episodes in the show. This one is amazing, but I think the next one is my favorite.
Tara’s corset was hiding a device to levitate her off the bed in the full version. It’s interesting watching reactors to this episode..the “real fans” immediately recognize how amazing it is, and the ones who are reacting to just get subscriptions are so so on it..
Sometimes I think you sweat the judging too much. It’s an easy 10. People literally have recreated this episode on stage and have hosted sing-a-longs with large groups of people.
About Tara and Willow. “It is what I think it is, right?” Yep. It is what you think it is. I just wish it wasn’t because it is rape/sexual assault and that’s never made clear. And I hate that. Willow performing on Tara while Tara is under her spell means that Tara hasn’t given full consent because she hasn’t got full information. And if she did have full information, you know she wouldn’t have asked Willow to go down on her. Maybe it wasn’t Willow’s intention to have sex with her when she did take away her memory of the fight they have about her abusing magic, but the fact she chooses to do so anyway makes this a violation of Tara’s body as well as her mind. Willow date-raped her own girlfriend and it’s completely glossed over.
I actually don't think it was either Xander or Dawn. Dawn stole the necklace after the singing had started, so it wasn't her. Xander would have come clean or shown some sign of guilt earlier if it was him, and it is in his character to take the blame to protect Dawn. But the necklace was just sitting in the magic shop where anyone could walk in and handle it. Maybe Anya was right, and it was bunnies! There could totally be a secret cabal of evil bunnies in this world, and Anya's the only one who's been around long enough to notice. 🐇
The demon Sweet was performed by Hinton Battle, a three times Tony Award winner for his appearances in Musicals. Anthony Stewart Head performed in some musicals, so as Frank N. Further in the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Amber Benson also performed as Janet Wise. See: ua-cam.com/video/-LH43hTh5KI/v-deo.html (sorry for the bad quality). James Marsters singing in his band Ghost of the Robot, see ua-cam.com/video/KR9KxkNVuPU/v-deo.html
3:11 THAT look right there is very good you did great sir. 9:54 Joss had some fun with her singing that line. LOL. 10:48 That look from Allison deserves an award. The pure HORROR as she realizes She ripped her Best Friend out of Heaven itself. Liked. Subbed and Rang the Bell.
The striking difference of ‘Under Your Spell’ being about how Willow helped Tara come out of her own shell and step into her own light juxtaposed with it also being about how Willow chooses to mind control Tara and take her ability to be who she really is away. And the reprise of it with the line: “Willow, don’t you see? They’ll be nothing left of me.” It just makes me wonder just how many times did Willow put a spell on Tara without her knowledge? And I don’t just mean memory or mind controlling spells. Love spells? Augmentation spells? How often did she alter or even erase Tara’s personhood? And how often, once Tara learned the truth, did she think and worry about it? Because I know I certainly wouldn’t be able to trust Willow at all again. That would be a betrayal so deep to me I’d have to remove her from my life permanently because I couldn’t live my life plagued by the constant anxiety that the love of my life took my autonomy away from me and may still be doing so while they are still a part of it. Especially because my self-worth or self-value is grounded in my ability to assert myself as an individual. In being able to be ME in all that I am and do in every conscious waking moment of living. I place such an importance on my sense of self that if there was someone in my life that I loved and that claimed to love me back that actively attempted and successfully took that from me even just the once and I came into awareness of that betrayal of trust… they’d never be allowed to see me ever again.
@@heathern8043 And in ‘Tabula Rasa’ she says “How could you do that to me after what Glory did to me?“ because it was practically the same thing. Glory took her sanity, Willow took her memory. But both are taking away her autonomy or messing with her ability to make informed decisions.
yeah, this iit's a fantastic episode. and it was the first show to do a musical episode, which really takes some balls. the actors playing Spike and Giles had recorded before, but it was new for everyone else.
@@theokojak2183 I think it’s because it’s not as popular of a show. At least not in the supernatural area of TV anyway. Buffy is supernatural show but it carries a lot of the themes, narratives and lessons of Xena which is why I very much enjoy watching it myself as a longtime Xena fan as I care more so about the realistic and representational side than the supernatural side.
@@Girl4Music Its strange because back in the day both Hercules and Xena were two of the biggest and most successful shows internationally (way bigger than Buffy ever was globally) and Xena especially has carried a strong fan following for many years after- until 2015 Creation were still running conventions for the series and have a comeback one planned for this year. But with the newer generations, Xena seems to have slipped through the cracks. It's not a supernatural series (though it does have some episodes that deal with supernatural elements) but as you say its themes, narratives and lessons would definitely i feel attract anyone who's enjoyed Buffy, and Buffy and Angel really had more of a chance for their own success from the precedents and groundwork that Hercules and Xena set. I keep trying to spread the word about both shows and appreciate your thoughts, Emma.
@@theokojak2183 Xena is my all time favourite show so you’re very welcome. I try to teach why the show is still relevant to watch in this day and age as often as possible
Xander knowing of the Demon always looked like a last minute rewrite, it's a huge plot hole in the episode. One point of interest: the Xander/ Anya duet ended with the two of them collapsing in laughter. The very next scene was them complaining of the whole thing. For years it didn't make sense for me, until it came to me: it was the actors that were laughing, not the characters. They were having a ball filming the scene. Dawn was stealing things not because she wanted them (she couldn't be bothered to take out the price tags), but to be caught - and noticed. She felt nobody cared enough about her to notice her misbehavior. Everybody was too wrapped up in their own problems. And, except for the plot hole, I give this episode a 10/10. In plot, music and characterization. It was a turning point in TV history, as from then on many tv shows started getting experimental with format. I single out the Stargate: Atlantis in which a main character sang a funeral song for a friend, intercut with a pitched battle.
I always thought they collapsed into laughter in those old musicals of the 50's . Which is why they recreated it here. The first time I watched it was when it originally aired and I was honestly expecting that ending. Check out " Good Morning" from "Singing in the rain"
Dawn had some infections in her throat/lungs/vocal cords and that's why they had to cut her singing and gave her dance routine instead. Also the reason why her sound is so light and sounds like young child. I was sad when her singing was interrupted as it sounded good and I would have liked to hear she reveal what she feels.
Hey men great video first time watcher I’ll go back to see all reactions on buffy I’ve been a follower of you for a while on supernatural love the raactions on there pretty sure liked all of them I agree I like Tara and willow but if they broke up it be fine couse I think it’s Thea betrayal of trust invasion of privacy loss of freedom of choice I forgot what the argument was about but if Tara was up upset and against willow that is here right as a human being to feel like that making her forget is messed up
This was a brilliant innovative idea at the time. It's been copied so much that I want to kill myself every time a show does a musical episode now. I stopped watching The Flash after the musical ep, plus the 2nd proposal in the same season (which may actually have been the same episode...).
This episode was a complete triumph on every level. It set a pinnacle for all musical episodes of television to follow. Welcome to the Spuffy Ship! I’ve been riding this beautiful ship for two decades! ❤️
As far as musical episodes go this was an absolute masterpiece. The reveals that comes from this are incredible, the music itself is really good, and the lyrics tie into the whole story. Some good perceptions by you regarding Willow, we will see. The ending is just perfect for the fans, which changes everything going forward.
OMWF is the indisputable gold standard of TV musical episodes. It seems like only BtVS could make what, in other series, usually only just amounts ino gimmicky filler into brilliant narrative development.
Actually not true. Xena Warrior Princess' "The Bitter Suite" was another excellent example of a musical episode that contained important narrative character and plot development and it pre-dated Buffy's attempt. And as much as i like OMWF, i consider Bitter Suite the superior and more powerful of the two.
@@theokojak2183 Bitter Suite definitely preceded OMWF, and both ended major story arcs, Xena’s probably even more major. i do prefer OMWF, my fave episode of TV ever. i just wish i could persuade one reactor to react to Xena!
@@RLucas3000 You should check out Chosen One Reactions, she reacted to the whole series of Xena on her Patreon and has reactions to selected episodes on her youtube channel too. She really loved the show and some of her reactions to it are so powerful. Really recommend her!
@@RLucas3000 Same! I've seen a ton of Buffy reactions but I can't seem to talk anyone into reacting to Xena and honestly it's so sad. That show is just as worthy of getting a new generation of fans!
@@theokojak2183 I'm gonna have to check it out based on your recommendation! Thank you!
One of the soundtracks I never leave home without, yes, Buffy had CD's out at the time.
I never bought the Buffy one but I bought the Xena's
The CD came out much later after fan demand.
I love that so many reaction channels have discovered Buffy in the last couple years, and I love watching people's faces when they realize this is a musical episode if they didn't know in advance.
Me too, the confusion, the suspicion the dawning realization. Catnip.
Yah I was 11 when this episode was new..
I love this ep because it advances the plot and doesn’t stop it dead by making the musical episode merely a gimmick. And Whedon wrote all original songs, they didn’t just try to shoehorn in old pop songs. And everybody was brave for doing their own singing and dancing when it was outside their comfort zone. After all, the spell made them sing and dance but didn’t magically make them good at it. They sang like they would have if it happened to them for real. Some much better than others, but they all went for it 150%.
Great reaction!
I love the fact that they aren't professional. Adds to why it's so great. Something the Les Miserables movie is criticized for. A little different in concept (as Buffy wasn't sung live, but none of the actors being professionals was the substitute making them similar ideas in nature), but they both show off more real voices rather than how to professionally change them.
@@Buffy8Fan but three people in the cast ARE professional singers.., Anthony Steward Head, James Marsten and Amber Benson.
@@nej2147 They all sang occasionally. But it isn't their career was my point.
I think it does make them better in some ways. Not necessarily their vocal quality, but to be able to sing in tune and on rhythm without training is no small feat.
Some notes -
Hinton Battle, who played the demon, is a three time Tony Award winner.
It makes more sense to me that it was bunnies, not Xander, who summoned the demon.
James Marsters, i.e. Spike, is an American singing in an English accent.
Two of the writers had cameo appearances. David Fury was the mustard stain man and Marti Noxon was the parking ticket woman.
definitely bunnies
One of the best buffy episodes ever made, the album is played at least once a week in my house 😂
This is one of the best episodes of any tv-series ever, every song is perfectly written and if you analyze them you see that they are all about truth and the revalation of each characters inner secrets.
My personal favorites are "Rest in Peace" and then "Walk Through the Fire".
And I love Willow's reaction to the big reveal, and her "my lines are mostly filler" is so good.
Tara and Giles are definitely the best singers, tho that is not quite fair since they are both professional singers, and James Marsters is also the singer for the band Ghost of the Robot.
Also, fun facts, the woman singing to the cop about her parking is Marti Noxon one of the producers and the guy singing "they got the mustard out", is David Fury one of the writers.
I cannot wait for you to continue the series, that is all I'm going to say about that...
I would say Ozymandias is as good as this, and Twin Peaks the Return part 8 is the best episode of anything ever. However that episode is not for the masses. Also I got to say that the final episode of Twin Peaks from 1991 is as good as this, but again that again is not for the masses.
Its interesting to me to think about how the songs really are about truths, things you would prefer kept secret - and spike sings how he wishes he could bury his love (for buffy), how his heart is breaking knowing she doesn’t feel the same and he both feels alive with her and miserable at the same time because of that; but if she would have him he would do anything, be anything she wanted; be her willing slave, deny her nothing…
So many people say he doesnt love her because he is soulless, but the songs reveal truths and secrets, so what he sings must be how he truly thinks and feels.
To be fair to Spike, it's hard to sing in character with an accent that isn't yours. Although, James Marsters has his own band in real life called Ghost of the Robot.
I always think of the Honeymooners when I see that intro.
I'm glad you enjoyed this episode so much, I was worried.
not gonna lie, I clicked on this because of your thumbnail. I love that you know about Dr Horrible's Sing Along Blog and Singing in the Rain. I also think Xander gets off lightly considering someone freakin DIED because of this nonsense. Its my favorite epidsode along with Hush. Joss needed Buffy to talk about her feelings but realized Buffy would never do that unless she was in a cheesy musical, so he made it happen. Loved Rest in Peace, James has a great Rock voice.
It's pretty remarkable that only Anthony and James had any kind of musical background. Amber in particular has a phenomenal voice.
For the scene of Willow and Tara singing and then cutting to the Magic Box, you got the edited version on streaming. The original (on the DVD) had commentary from Joss that said, "this is as close to porn as anything I've written". The original had Tara floating and singing, 'You make me complete. You make me com-" cut to magic box.
You aren't imagining things, it was even more blunt in the original cut.
I know on tv reruns they also cut out the m word in I've Got a Theory.
The last line in the song with the woman and the hydrant was "I'm not wearing underwear."
Xander beeing the one summoning the demon and him just disappearing was for convenience. The emotions and messages in the songs were the important part, everything else would have been too plot heavy if they also had to find out a way to fight the demon etc.
Alyson and Michelle both askes Joss not to get musical number on their own as they didn't feel comfortable singing. That's why Willows lines "are mostly filler" and Dawn dances. Michelle has a background in ballet and offered to dance instead of singing.
I headcanon that Willow doesn't really sing much because she is so powerful, other people's magic doesn't work as well on her.
@@partycitydumpster I'd say it's more because she believes that everything is going well. Every problem she has can be solved easily with magic. Dead friend....solved. Angry girlfriend....solved. There is nothing she can't handle right now in her mind. She's not going through the amount of highs and lows that would cause her to break out into song as often.
“I smell power…”
Also in the nightmare episode back in season 2 Willow is afraid to sing on stage.
Or it was season 1. They blend a bit for me.
Once the promos and magazine articles for this episode came out, fans were scoffing at the idea of a Buffy musical, like the idea didn't fit... yet it became one of the best episodes of the entire series, and possibly of all television!
The Hydrant wasn’t there….trio made it invisible
The level of excitement I get when Buffy uploads happen.... its the best. And thanks for allowing those of us who have watched the show (ALOT) to be able to re experience it with you. 💕💜💙💕
Even though they stopped the bad guy's plan. . .this didn't really feel like a victory. Not after the big revelation that showed the team the damage they caused.
That’s why Giles’ line in “Where Do We Go,” is “…and we kind of won, so we sound our victory cheer.”
This is my favourite episode of Buffy and the one I seen more times. Most musical episodes are just filler but like you said this episode progress the story, a lot of important things happened in the episode, is very plot relevant. They have been keeping secrets and now they have to sing about it, Buffy would have never told his friends about being in heaven so the plot had to force her to do it and doing it by song was such an amazing idea.
The songs are original (so many musical episodes just use already existing songs), the lyrics are great, it just... it's the perfect musical episode.
And yes, Tara and Willow scene is definitely meant to be what you are thinking.
Loved the look on his face when he realized the reveal of being in heaven was going to be mentioned in song.
Xander's been a Scooby for nearly five years and he didn't realize it would be more than "dances and songs." 🤦♂🤦♀ (and the head canon theory that he's covering for Dawn never made sense to me). It was only the last episode that he got cold feet, so getting worried and wanting the "happy ending" makes more sense. But after doing things like chastising Willow (and seeing her use magic) for a de-lusting spell, he should have known better.
Xander has always been kind of a hypocrite when it comes to Willow and Buffy’s actions
I agree with the Dawn thing. People try and pin it on her because the majority of the community dislike her, but it makes zero sense. How would she know about the demon when they literally shield from doing research 99% of the time, and why would she want a musical demon anyway? Whereas we DO know that Xander has a history of messing with magic for personal reasons, ill intention or no.
@@BrightNeonBrilliancy I think it's mostly Xander fans who do that.
I like the explanation that it was actually a third party. The necklace was sitting in the magic shop where anyone could handle it. Dawn stole it after the singing had started, so it wasn't her. But I really think Xander would have come clean sooner if it were him, and it is in his character to take the blame to protect Dawn.
Maybe Anya was right, and it was the bunnies! There could a secret cabal of evil demonic bunnies causing mischief, and she's the only one who's been around long enough to notice.
@@rfresa SLIGHT SPOILER FOR _OLDER AND FAR AWAY_ (SEVEN EPISODES FROM THIS ONE)
None of that, to me, really counters against Xander having cold feet and the fact that I don't think he would come clean. Plus having it not be him also means needing a reason for why he would continue admitting to it being him even as of _Older and Far Away_ to Dawn, which makes little sense even, and especially, if he thought it was Dawn. At best you could say he is trying to get her to admit it, but if he is willing to take her blame, why does he need her to admit it seven episodes after he took the blame. And as for a third party, fans could play that game with everything in-universe. Without support, it doesn't make sense, to me, to be a third party. I'll stick with "Xander did," it as it doesn't require explanation except cold feet about the wedding, and that plays into the arc (and fears) of the season (and this episode), as lots of the singing truth that they hid up until this point do.
I love that all the songs have a purpose. So many musical episodes are just songs for the sake of songs without saying anything.
the fact that you didnt know you were going in to a musical and were totally surprised made my day.
They packed so much into this episode - and it's worth a re-watch after you finish the season too
Joss knew that most of his cast had a history of song and dance and wanted to put it to the test. This predated Dr. Horrible by some time.
Still an amazing achievment all these years later. They absolutly nailed this one... so very hard to do! And the songs written by Joss himself. This is one of the highlights of all of Television. BTW, Joss had to deal with the networks to add an extra 10 minutes of program time just for this. 10/10.
I loved how much you were grinning from ear to ear throughout the video. Definitely watch the behind the scenes of this! It's a lot of fun! The cast says this is the top 3 most difficult episodes to do in all 7 seasons. Usually musical episodes are fillers, but this one had a ton of major revelations. This was one of the first musical episodes on a tv show. Also, I love they got Hinton Battle to play the demon. His voice and dancing are stellar!
They didn't beat him. He was summoned, and as part of the clause he would take the summoner as his bride. Or husband I guess. He also wanted the Slayer to burn. But ultimately what he wanted was chaos and pain through song. He wanted 'entertainment'. He was satisfied. 'There's not a one who can say this ended well. All those secrets you've been concealing? Say you're happy now, once more with _feeling.'_
I love how you unknowingly predicted that they would have buffy reveal where she was through song 😂
Here is the title of a video to search on UA-cam for behind the scenes of this episode of Buffy.
Buffy 6xEX Behind the Scenes of Once More With Feeling
A saying for (good) musicals is: If you can't say it, you sing it, If you can't sing it, you dance it. Meaning, it is sometimes easier to express big and strong emotions in songform and when there are no more word to sing you dance your heart out to express what you are feeling.
Wheedon pretty much took that and ran with it. There is a reason all the secret are apilled here: The songs convey all the big emotions their not saying and at the end even that isn't enogh for buffy and she just tries to dance her emotion out. Because that is the 'funny' thing: It's not that Buffy doesn't feel emotion. It is just that dispair overrides much of her other emotions.
I rememeber a time in my life where i felt similar. I had had a big Incident that made me switch schools and at te new one i didn't even try for friends anymore. I had three more years and the outta there. But I am a deeply empathetic person and I noticed how _little_ I cared about anyone around me. At some point I visited our school counsellor and I told her that i was afarid of becoming cold and numb and hard and that i didn't _want_ to lose my empathy, but I also couldn't make it stop. What she said to me has stuck with me till this day, almost 10 years later: "If you are worried about becoming hard, then you are not yet. You aren't emotionless, because then you wouldn't care. You are just hurting and you need to find your way out of that and I think the est will come back when you do."
She was right. In the end i did not make anymore firends at the school, but I made lots of friends in college and I visitd her once a week at first and later biwekly until I graduated from highschool.
I think the timing of a musical episode in the season is perfect - it's a common idea with a lot of musicals that characters *sing* what they cannot *say*, and that is seen frequently this episode.
"What is this? And why do I have a big smile on my face?" That about sums it up. Wonder if Liam Duke would be cool with you reacting to some of his his drunk rewatch?
So excited! Tabula Rasa is next. I can't wait to see that reaction. One of the funniest episodes in the show. This one is amazing, but I think the next one is my favorite.
Randy Giles lololol! I love it as well.
I don't think I've seen anyone else catching the "in her tight... embrace" gag.
LETS GO!!!! Your smile through out this reaction is what we've all been waiting for 😁
Tara’s corset was hiding a device to levitate her off the bed in the full version. It’s interesting watching reactors to this episode..the “real fans” immediately recognize how amazing it is, and the ones who are reacting to just get subscriptions are so so on it..
I still don't understand how Anya managed to do that dance in those giant heels (or why she would choose house slippers with heels to begin with).
"Truth In A Song' that's what I call this ep🤣...💖
Sometimes I think you sweat the judging too much. It’s an easy 10. People literally have recreated this episode on stage and have hosted sing-a-longs with large groups of people.
Yessss you made it to THE Musical Episode 😄👍
“Is this a musical?” Nope, it is THE musical.
Yep. This happened and it is MAGICAL! Oh, and this was originally supposed to happen in season four instead of "Hush."
Spikes song is my fav in the ep.
Did anyone comment about how the Mustard Out Man was David Fury and the Hydrant Wasn't There Woman was Marti Noxon?
He’s here people this is not a drill!
hahaha, brilliant!!!
About Tara and Willow.
“It is what I think it is, right?”
Yep. It is what you think it is. I just wish it wasn’t because it is rape/sexual assault and that’s never made clear. And I hate that. Willow performing on Tara while Tara is under her spell means that Tara hasn’t given full consent because she hasn’t got full information. And if she did have full information, you know she wouldn’t have asked Willow to go down on her. Maybe it wasn’t Willow’s intention to have sex with her when she did take away her memory of the fight they have about her abusing magic, but the fact she chooses to do so anyway makes this a violation of Tara’s body as well as her mind. Willow date-raped her own girlfriend and it’s completely glossed over.
I actually don't think it was either Xander or Dawn. Dawn stole the necklace after the singing had started, so it wasn't her. Xander would have come clean or shown some sign of guilt earlier if it was him, and it is in his character to take the blame to protect Dawn. But the necklace was just sitting in the magic shop where anyone could walk in and handle it.
Maybe Anya was right, and it was bunnies! There could totally be a secret cabal of evil bunnies in this world, and Anya's the only one who's been around long enough to notice. 🐇
I'd be inclined to agree, except that Joss and the cast say differently, and definitively say it was Xander.
The demon Sweet was performed by Hinton Battle, a three times Tony Award winner for his appearances in Musicals. Anthony Stewart Head performed in some musicals, so as Frank N. Further in the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Amber Benson also performed as Janet Wise. See: ua-cam.com/video/-LH43hTh5KI/v-deo.html (sorry for the bad quality). James Marsters singing in his band Ghost of the Robot, see ua-cam.com/video/KR9KxkNVuPU/v-deo.html
This was before Dr Horrible, which is of course also amazing!
3:11 THAT look right there is very good you did great sir. 9:54 Joss had some fun with her singing that line. LOL. 10:48 That look from Allison deserves an award. The pure HORROR as she realizes She ripped her Best Friend out of Heaven itself. Liked. Subbed and Rang the Bell.
This is definitely my favorite episode of the show. There are a few, later that come close, but none gives me quite this range and potency of feels.
Xena's The Bitter Suite came before this and is even more powerful in my opinion.
Always a good time to see a new reaction to this episode 😂😂
as a huge fan of this episode, i hate the giant leaps you take.. i want more reaction on this!!!
Copyright laws... sux, but you can apparently see the whole thing on his patreon.
It's $1 on his Patreon to view full reactions the moment they hit UA-cam, and $5 for full reactions 10 weeks ahead. Pretty reasonable, I would say.
@@nej2147 copyright? I think if they talk through most of it they wouldn’t need to cut as much
Best episode of the series. Somewhat upset we had to wait 4 months to upload this season
I have the original cd with all the songs 😁
Geeked out nation when Buffy and Spike kissed each other you saw the first kiss of the absolutely best amazing couple in Buffy the vampires slayer
Tara song "under your spell" that my jam
The striking difference of ‘Under Your Spell’ being about how Willow helped Tara come out of her own shell and step into her own light juxtaposed with it also being about how Willow chooses to mind control Tara and take her ability to be who she really is away.
And the reprise of it with the line: “Willow, don’t you see? They’ll be nothing left of me.”
It just makes me wonder just how many times did Willow put a spell on Tara without her knowledge? And I don’t just mean memory or mind controlling spells. Love spells? Augmentation spells? How often did she alter or even erase Tara’s personhood?
And how often, once Tara learned the truth, did she think and worry about it? Because I know I certainly wouldn’t be able to trust Willow at all again. That would be a betrayal so deep to me I’d have to remove her from my life permanently because I couldn’t live my life plagued by the constant anxiety that the love of my life took my autonomy away from me and may still be doing so while they are still a part of it. Especially because my self-worth or self-value is grounded in my ability to assert myself as an individual. In being able to be ME in all that I am and do in every conscious waking moment of living. I place such an importance on my sense of self that if there was someone in my life that I loved and that claimed to love me back that actively attempted and successfully took that from me even just the once and I came into awareness of that betrayal of trust… they’d never be allowed to see me ever again.
It’s even more messed up considering Tara’s family background like I still don’t know how the heck Willow thought that was an acceptable thing to do
@@heathern8043 And in ‘Tabula Rasa’ she says “How could you do that to me after what Glory did to me?“ because it was practically the same thing. Glory took her sanity, Willow took her memory. But both are taking away her autonomy or messing with her ability to make informed decisions.
Every secret comes out.
Absolutely love this episode but does anyone else have an issue with the fact that Xander caused a person's death and no one seems bothered by it.
It was really the bunnies who did it. They just made Xander think it was him.
There is a behind the scenes for this, it's great
This is the best musical episode to me personally
yeah, this iit's a fantastic episode. and it was the first show to do a musical episode, which really takes some balls. the actors playing Spike and Giles had recorded before, but it was new for everyone else.
Xena did a musical episode first with ‘The Bitter Suite’.
@@Girl4Music Yep people keep having to be reminded of that it seems. Xena definitely deserves more recogntion for getting there first.
@@theokojak2183 I think it’s because it’s not as popular of a show. At least not in the supernatural area of TV anyway. Buffy is supernatural show but it carries a lot of the themes, narratives and lessons of Xena which is why I very much enjoy watching it myself as a longtime Xena fan as I care more so about the realistic and representational side than the supernatural side.
@@Girl4Music Its strange because back in the day both Hercules and Xena were two of the biggest and most successful shows internationally (way bigger than Buffy ever was globally) and Xena especially has carried a strong fan following for many years after- until 2015 Creation were still running conventions for the series and have a comeback one planned for this year. But with the newer generations, Xena seems to have slipped through the cracks. It's not a supernatural series (though it does have some episodes that deal with supernatural elements) but as you say its themes, narratives and lessons would definitely i feel attract anyone who's enjoyed Buffy, and Buffy and Angel really had more of a chance for their own success from the precedents and groundwork that Hercules and Xena set. I keep trying to spread the word about both shows and appreciate your thoughts, Emma.
@@theokojak2183 Xena is my all time favourite show so you’re very welcome. I try to teach why the show is still relevant to watch in this day and age as often as possible
Walk Through the Fire is my favorite too.
I have you on Patreon but here I am, watching you on you tube 🤷♀️😍😂
Lol I feel ya. So I just watch both.
So allyson Hannigan was so against singing, thats why most of her lines are only filler
That is still one of mine and my sister's favorites ❤
Xander knowing of the Demon always looked like a last minute rewrite, it's a huge plot hole in the episode.
One point of interest: the Xander/ Anya duet ended with the two of them collapsing in laughter. The very next scene was them complaining of the whole thing. For years it didn't make sense for me, until it came to me: it was the actors that were laughing, not the characters. They were having a ball filming the scene.
Dawn was stealing things not because she wanted them (she couldn't be bothered to take out the price tags), but to be caught - and noticed. She felt nobody cared enough about her to notice her misbehavior. Everybody was too wrapped up in their own problems.
And, except for the plot hole, I give this episode a 10/10. In plot, music and characterization. It was a turning point in TV history, as from then on many tv shows started getting experimental with format. I single out the Stargate: Atlantis in which a main character sang a funeral song for a friend, intercut with a pitched battle.
I always thought they collapsed into laughter in those old musicals of the 50's . Which is why they recreated it here. The first time I watched it was when it originally aired and I was honestly expecting that ending. Check out " Good Morning" from "Singing in the rain"
One of their best episodes imo
Dawn had some infections in her throat/lungs/vocal cords and that's why they had to cut her singing and gave her dance routine instead. Also the reason why her sound is so light and sounds like young child. I was sad when her singing was interrupted as it sounded good and I would have liked to hear she reveal what she feels.
Hey men great video first time watcher I’ll go back to see all reactions on buffy I’ve been a follower of you for a while on supernatural love the raactions on there pretty sure liked all of them I agree I like Tara and willow but if they broke up it be fine couse I think it’s Thea betrayal of trust invasion of privacy loss of freedom of choice I forgot what the argument was about but if Tara was up upset and against willow that is here right as a human being to feel like that making her forget is messed up
"Hopefully it's a good episode" OH THIS ONE IS A RIDE :D !
Awesome!
FTA
💗
Like 700
This was a brilliant innovative idea at the time. It's been copied so much that I want to kill myself every time a show does a musical episode now. I stopped watching The Flash after the musical ep, plus the 2nd proposal in the same season (which may actually have been the same episode...).
Xena got there first ;-)
@@theokojak2183 I had no idea. I guess that's what established the tradition of them being atrocious.
NGL, I hate this episode and I hate what it spawned.
Good, keep hating.
NGL, I feel bad for you.
@@goldenageofdinosaurs7192 Why? I'm fine with hating awful things! Some people enjoy badly written cringe tv musical episodes and some don't.
utter garbage episode