More to the point, I don’t think she’d make the mistake of falling for that particular vampire. After all, Spike tried for ages to kill her. Although he has aided the Scoobies, it’s only because he’s been chip-neutered.
Without the chip, Spike would be consumately evil. Even with the chip, he’s by no means nice – as evidenced by the kitty poker incident, and by stealing from the Magic Box basement.
Friend of mine is a big mucky-muck in Hollywood, knows her for long time, sez she’s a bitch for a long time.
I thought it was great. Some of the details really bugged, but overall I was impressed.
We were debating over what will get cut when they rebroadcast at the regular length in a few weeks. I think the parking ticket, and maybe the whole street scene surrounding it, as well as some of Dawn’s dancing will go. I hope they keep the Mustard snippet though, that was hilarious.
I like the kiss, but the big jaw dropper for me was definitely in the previews for next week.
It doesn’t seem so odd that she would go for Spike. In some ways he respects her more than the Scoobies. He’s always there for her and he proved himself by taking care of Dawn. There’s a different dynamic here than there was between Buffy and Angel. Angel always felt like a father figure, more experience, older, leading her to things.
Spike’s an equal. She’s an adult now, and she knows she could take him in a fight, and he knows it too - good or bad. She also got to see the worst first, and his growth as a character. The chip in his head doesn’t make him care for Dawn. He’s growing a soul whether he wants one or not.
I hope that made sense, I must sleep now.
I am quite surprised at how much I enjoyed it - I think all of the comments in this thread are basically spot on (e.g., ASH doing great, some parts a little weak, etc.) but what put me over the edge was the sheer ambition of it - can you imagine the cojones required to envision, craft and pull something like this off? Especially because it did advance the overall storyline in so many ways…Love the Whedon!
Okay - so what is going on with Giles and…in the previews? Why the heck are they kissing? - just a tease that happens due to some minor magic thing that is a non-issue are something bigger???
My respect for Amber Benson and Emma Caulfield knows no bounds, and ASH is, of course, a god.
“Dawn’s in trouble. It must be Tuesday.”
I had to stop the tape I was laughing so hard.
Well, I’ll admit to a bit of bias where Spike’s concerned because I’ve always loved his character, even when un-neurtered.
The opposite of Hate is Love. I believe that Spike’s always been attracted to Buffy from the get-go. And soul or not, he does love. He’s proven that he’ll go through a lot for Buffy and I think that means something to her. Plus because she started off disliking him, she didn’t care what he thought of her so it was easier for her to be 100% herself.
Knowing someone knows all about the dark parts that you can’t share with those you are closest too and still loves you, well, it’s a heady thing.
Oh yeah, I’ve been a huge ASH fan from day one. My favourite times are when he loses that stoic britishness and goes all Ripper. :: shudders :: Mmm MMMmmm mmmmm.
I disagree. Spike’s shown more than once in the past that he dislikes having feelings for Buffy and that’s he’s conflicted about it.
I remember one episode (I think the one where we were shown how he was sired) where he was ready to go and kill her (brought a shot-gun, was it?) and when she was sitting outside crying, he lost all will to kill her and tried to comfort her.
His song wasn’t about hating Buffy, it was about hating how much he loves her knowing that she will never feel the same because of what he is.
I love musicals. I loved last night’s show too.
While I’ll admit that things kind of fell apart near the end, the show had enough strength to pull it all off. A lot of the little touches really held things together.
For instance - I just enjoyed how the show was directed. The opening pan through the house was fun and really set the tone perfectly.
The music has been covered well already. Let me just add:
Amber Benson: Wow!
I’ll reserve my comments on the end kiss until I see where it’s going. Right now I feel that they made it believable, but I’m still not sure if I like it.
The preview: :eek:
See Buffy. See Buffy jump the shark in a big way.
Gawd was that show lame! Sure, there was some plot development, but they had to toss that in to make up for torturing us with those lame songs.
Okay, maybe I would have thought it was a cute one-shot thing if I hadn’t sat through such a disappointment of a Halloween ep last week, and if they hadn’t promoted it like the second coming.
When the hell did Xander summon this guy and why? And he booked just because he didn’t want to marry X? Lame.
I agree as to the best (and IMO just about the only good) line ethillrist.
Glad they found the appropriate use for Anya - dress her in underwear.
Did any of you have a bad feed for the show? Mine (Channel 50 Chicago) would digitally break up periodically for brief periods.
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What the fuck is going on between Giles and Anya? Very disappointing of Giles. Perhaps it might at least lead to some development on Anya’s part. Is this just because they realized how dead the wedding subplot has gotten?
Speaking of the Parking Ticket scene, just a few feet on, did anyone catch the gorgeous synchronized street sweepers? It looked just like something from Anchors Away.
I liked that “Bunnies” mis-matched thematically, going rock-opera, instead of musical. Though I would have killed for Spike going “Stop right there!”
Dawn has a lovely voice, but she didn’t sing very much. Do you think she had trouble?
Spike’s number… I wanted more Billy Idol, and there was this weird hesitation just as the camera changed before he charged the funeral.
But I loved the credits, opening and closing.
Very dense show. Advanced all the subplots in ways I never thought possible. Very useful, forcing an interior monologue exterior. Sped up the season by a seriously large bit. I now doubt that Willow is the Big Bad… she wouldn’t have been caught this soon, if she was.
And people say Buffy “jumped the shark” when the concept was mentioned. Looks like not.
I love musicals (what gay man doesn’t?), and I adored last night’s Buffy ep, “Once More, With Feeling.” I had no problem with the Spike-Buffy denouement because, knowing JW’s plot twists and ingenious narrative tricks, there’s no way that’s as straightforward as it appears. It was not only a terrific stunt episode for the November sweeps, but it was also a major advancement of the storyline.
You have to give the cast mad props for singing and hoofing through a musical. I liked that most of the cast can’t sing because it gave an air of reality to the spell that made ordinary people sing and dance. SMG’s voice was thin, but on-key, but James Marsters-well, he tried his best. ASH was wonderful, but the major surprise was Amber Benson–boy, can she sing!
Highlights
[ul]
[li]Anya’s rockin’ bunny break[/li][li]The opening number, “Goin’ Through the Motions” with the vamp and demon chorus[/li][li]The incomparable Broadway star, Hinton Battle, as the song and dance demon (he was the Scarecrow in the original Broadway production of The Wiz).[/li][li]Line that made me laugh out loud–“She needs backup.”[/li][li]Tara’s love song to Willow had me in tears[/li][/ul]
I hope this episode comes out on CD and DVD ASAP. My tape will wear out–I played it last night and again this morning as I got ready for work.
Michelle was on a local morning radio show yesterday, and they re-aired it this morning. She said that she feels very ‘vulnerable’ when singing, because she feels she’s just not good at it. She originally asked Joss to not make her sing at all, but he basically guilted her into a small number and agreed to extend her dance number.
Must… stop… reading… this… thread… until… episode… viewed…
-BK
It was much better than Cats. I’m going to watch it again and again.
Loved it.
I think they “helped” SMG out a bit with her singing. I loved her Fire song, but it did sound a bit produced…not that there’s anything wrong with that.
I will also admit that I became a bit weepy when SMG did her bit about being pulled out of heaven…it wasn’t so much what she was singing but the look on her face.
Can I have my own yummy love stricken vampire boy toy too?
Hinton Battle also played Cat in Red Dwarf.
So that’s who that was. You could really see that he was a pro at this, his performance was so polished and classy compared to the others.
I also liked the opening number with Buffy and the vamps, probably the best use of SMG in the show. Some amusing moments, like the horned demon dying in mid-line. Tara’s song was the best written and best sung, it really stood out.
Overall, they didn’t Jump the Shark. That’s good. On the other hand, it certainly wasn’t as good as The Body or Hush. I give it a solid B+, with an A for effort and taking chances.
That’s just for the American pilot, which was never aired (as far as I know).
I LOVED IT!
I thought SMG did great for a non-singer, and she really sold her numbers. The songwriting was fantastic. The funny little touches - “she needs backup” and the little vampire chorus - “Ow!” at the beginning - were hilarious. Some of the emotional/plot points advanced were wonderful - Willow’s look when Buffy reveals that they yanked her out of heaven almost made me cry.
Anthony Stewart Head was amazing. Marsters was amazing. Benson has a beautiful folk-voice. Hinton Battle - OH MY GOD - I would pay money to watch that man dance and sing with demon makeup or without it. He is the coolest thing in show business. I want to see him turn up on “Angel” and duel with Cary.
Oh, and as for Gellar’s athleticism - I just read a foofy interview in some fitness magazine - she has been doing martial arts since she was a kid. She IS an athlete. Whether she is the tough streetfighter her character is supposed to be, or a graceful athlete who looks great fake-fighting on television, you can’t deny the girl has strength and flexibility. So 
My friend K went to high school with her, confirms the stuck-up bitch rumors, although who the hell knows. Someone who has been acting in soaps since childhood probably didn’t have the most normal, healty upbringing. I get no pleasure from knowing she’s a bitch - I continue to be a huge fan of her show.
Dayumn, Joss Whedon. Da-YUMN!
And the previews for next week had me with my fist in my mouth. Giles and…ANYA?
I loved it. From the opening credits to the scenes from the next, woo hoo! Thoroughly enjoyable. The musical approach was a perfect way for characters to get out some buried secrets/feelings without any awkward exposition that would be necessary in normal circumstances.
Spike is hot. Tara’s voice is lovely. Buffy more than made up for a weak voice with her movements and depth of expression. All around, good show.
I thought the same thing, but then realized that Xander was not necessarily telling the truth. Remember that Xander has an enormous soft-spot for Dawn, and has been trying to recapture some of the crush/admiration that she used to feel for him. Also, Dawn clearly put on the demon’s amulet from her stash of stolen jewelry, and we know she’s been shoplifting. Before Xander claims responsibility, Dawn guiltily babbles about how she came to be wearing that necklace. So I don’t think we know everything yet.
I’m hoping that Giles kissing Anya is more the result of the demon’s lingering effects, and that looks to be what Buffy will blame her kiss with Spike on. We’ll see. Can’t wait for next week.
I agree with pretty much everything said earlier, but I have to add that Michelle Trachtenberg is right, she can’t sing. She may have been hitting the notes, but she sounded like a strangled five-year-old while doing it. She looked great dancing, though, moving confidently with that scared look on her face. She really can act.
I find it interesting that Willow didn’t sing much. Even in the “Fire” song, she only got that one throwaway line “I think this line is mostly filler”. I guess she gets the big drama next week.
About the preview for next week: Don’t forget that this is UPN, and they’ll sell any program with sex. They’ve been known (with ST:Voyager) to take someone’s 30 second dream and sell it in the promo as the plot of the episode.
My bet is that Anya’s getting cold feet and dreams of Giles, thus leading to her tearful “Don’t leave me!” line.