Very powerful episode. I have to agree that the Anya breakdown was the thing that really got to me. I almost cried. Almost cried. Everybody did themselves proud with the episode. Writing, acting, directing, everything was well done, creative, and refreshing.
FTR I called the vampire thing as soon as Dawn entered the morgue. It was very predictable.
I think the purpose of the vampire scene was to interject a moment of normality into the episode, to serve as a point of comparison.
Did anyone notice how theatrical the ep. was? Four scenes, each one played out in real time, no music, no fast cutting, nothing spared from us. Truly incredible.
Thanks for correcting my error; I know I had gotten it wrong.
It wasn’t the original Bierce story I was referring to, really, but the short film version, which I saw a couple of times in school over the course of my education. The snap back at the end of the “ambulance/miracle/no, wait” sequence was so reminiscent of the final moments of the film.
On a different topic, I have to disagree with slackergirl; I kind of wish Spike had been there. I’ve gotten the feeling over the past few episodes that, no matter how the relationship with Buffy went, Spike genuinely liked Joyce. I wonder just how strongly he’s going to be affected when he finds out – and whether or not he’ll be surprised by it.
– Bob
I have never experienced death.
I’m nearly 30 years old and no-one I’ve ever been close to has died. I’m not looking forward to the first time it happens.
Last night’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” gave me some emotional experiences that were new to me. I’ve never had a television program touch me in a completely new way. I fully expect that when someone I love dies it will feel somewhat similar to how last night’s show made me feel.
It should get an award. The best television, the best ART, causes, not an emotional reaction (Temptation Island, Eminem, and Robert Mapplethorpe notwithstanding), but an emotional connection.
Oy!
Thanks, LateComer.
I have no idea what’s up with my memory, but obviously I’m not using it for Buffy storage.
My friends tell that I was there and I watched that scene, but damn if I remember seeing it.
Sigh.
That’ll teach me to do 3 other things while watching the show, eh?
::Goes off to review an episode guide to avoid this problem in the future::
Jeyen
I too look forward to Spike’s reaction, as well as how Buffy deals with him in the process. I just feel that he’s been a little too campy lately, and it may have changed the tone to have him there. If he’d been too somber or upset it might have been too much to have that on top of Anya’s breakdown, which was definitely a centerpiece of the episode, maybe even the season.
There was an episode a while back that closed with Spike and Buffy sitting on her back steps quietly, I believe when Joyce was first in the hospital? I hope that the seeds of whatever is to become of Spike and Buffy lie in that, and will be explored in the weeks to come.
May I take this opportunity to say my dad sucks?
Since I work Tuesday nights, I get my dad to tape Buffy and Angel for me. Yesterday, he decided to watch a movie, and only got the tape in the VCR to tape Angel. I wasn’t too concerned with it, but now that I read this thread, I’m supremely POed! Fortunately, I know someone who tapes every episode. Will borrow. Yes. All will be good.
Yeah, that was the one where Spike decided to blow her head off with a shotgun despite the chip in his brain, and when he went searching for her, he found her in tears on the back steps and sat next to her.
Regardless…last night’s episode was simply a masterpiece. The eerie silence prevalent throughout really added to the surrealistic feeling it presented. Anya’s speech was heartfelt - no sarcasm like her usual dialogue. Willow’s indecision as a means of focusing on something other than the death of her best friend’s mother was a really interesting touch. Xander’s cool rage was much akin to how I feel in similar situations, so I almost felt that his character is a kindred spirit. Tara’s development as a character is coming slowly, but last night helped. Dawn’s breakdown in the hall in the middle of high school students also struck a chord in me, as I am a high school student and I can’t even begin to wonder how people would react to something like that happening in my school. Buffy’s confused state and her shell-shock were acted beautifully - I didn’t see Sarah Michelle Gellar, I saw Buffy.
As far as dramatic episodes go, this is the best one I have ever seen, hands down; maybe even the best episode of Buffy, ever.
After reading the entire thread with me tonight, my wife Peggy insisted on adding a few comments of her own, which follow.
– Bob
Peggy Schroeck writes:
I was reduced to tears, I thought it was the best near to portrail of a real life experience as you can get from an episode because it was done so serious and straight.
Buffy’s shock, Williow’s avoidance and confusion, Xandor’s rage, Dawn’s denial, Tara’s comfort ans concern, Anya’s heartfelt plea for understanding, all different shards of that broken glass, when someone we know dies.
On the contrary, as mrvisible stated:
The whole point that I commend the writers of Buffy in doing is their ability to make the real horror of this show visible, i.e.: Real Life. The vamp-slaying scene was the everyday, the COUNTERPOINT to the real horror; that of Joyce’s cold lifeless body, just lying there the Visible Proof that Mommy’s not coming back.
Notice vampires have always been the backdrop, even camp compared to Buffy’s relationships with her family, the Scoobies, Giles, the Watchers, school, boyfriends, in a nutshell the life of a high-school now post-high-school student.
Even what was scary about Spike to Buffy wasn’t that he was a vampire. No! It was his abilty to connect to her emotions, and the fact that he wanted to out with her. Like for all of us reality is what is really scary.
And this episode touched on the hardest part life has to offer – the loss of a loved one.
I agree <sniff, tear>.
– Peggy
Oh…mygod
I could not believe how well done this epi was. I studied tv and film. This epi could be used for student projects and research on film techniques. It was so impressive. The off center shots to reveal how the individuals were out of sync/out of sorts. The solitary shots that reveal how alone they felt - particularly the Anya in the car shot. The lack of music - and then in the car with Xander and Anya, the external sounds coming in again.
The feelings of calling the ambulance for someone you love and the fear and uncertainty - I related.
The feelings after a death - each character experienced a standard emotion. It was so intense. I related to these feelings. It pained me to see the different reactions and how much they hurt. All the scenes everyone has mentioned… boohooboohoooo.
The whole opening sequence was amazing to me. Buffy was going through the motions. The “mommy” really did hit hard.
The Kiss - I thought it was nice. It just seemed appropriate for two people that care about each other.
The vamp in the morgue - This kind of touched on the whole idea that life will continue on through the whole process. It is hard to deal with and often jolting, but it is reality. Things happen that you cannot avoid.
Death is a horrible thing but something we will all deal with at some point. This was an amazing presentation. Since Kristine (sp) Sutherland was leaving anyway, they picked an amazing way to handle her exit.
Everyone on the show - cast and crew - should be proud.
slackergirl:
How did you confirm it? Because I just re-watched the episode, and it was clear this time she said “Everyone’s so sweet!” Which wouldn’t be a goof.
Jkayla: Was Kristine Sutherland leaving the show because they were killing off Joycee, or vice-versa? I haven’t heard either way. Has Kristine gotten a bigger role on another show?
I liked Joyce. I didn’t like her in the early seasons, before she knew Buffy was the Slayer, because every scene she was in turned into a dopey “Hmm, why’s my daughter going out at 10 p.m. with a stake? There must be a car wash fund-raiser or something?” Lois Lane scene.
Once she knew Buffy was the Slayer, she became more of a real person. A likeable one. I’ll miss her.
I’m going to have to disagree with everyone else here about the quality of the show…
OK, I’m lying. It was probably the best episode I’ve seen. Honestly I haven’t thought as much of BtVS recently, but this episode was completely masterful.
Hopefully this sort of quality will continue.
Yes, that’s my kind of show – one where a vampire shows up in order to supply the episode with a “moment of normality”.
It was a very good episode. The reactions and behavior were very real.
One point I really liked was Giles’ first look of exasperation when Anya hugs him at the hospital, which changed to sympathy as he realized her grief was genuine. That was perfectly acted by Mr. Head. At that moment, Anya really became one of the group.
This was a stunning, incredible show. I recently lost someone very close to me, so this episode really put me through the wringer, but I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.
Five, according to all the rumors I’ve heard, Kristine and her family were moving to Europe. (Italy or France, not sure which.) That, and she wanted to do something besides “Buffy’s mom”.
Thanks Lauralee.
Thanks Lauralee.
Here’s the oft mentioned scene, quoted from that link:
Some of Tara’s speeches in this episode reminded me of the dream episode where Tara spoke for the First Slayer. She does a great job as the conduit-o-wisdom.
I was totally impressed by the shot of Anya and Xander in the car. It was really beautiful, really, and you knew right away that Anya was just as hurt by Joyce’s death as the rest of the Scooby Gang. I also loved the perspective shift as they arrived and the camera was looking down on the car, but pulled back until it was in the dorm room.
I dreamed that I got a parking ticket last night.
It occurred to me yesterday that the title of this episode, “The Body,” is the title of the Stephen King novella that was turned into the movie Stand By Me. That story, of course, also dealt with how a small group of friends dealt with life and death, and centered around a barely-glimpsed body. A nod from Joss to one of his influences, perhaps.