Buffy | Reaction | 6x07 | Once More, with Feeling | We Watch Whedon 

Kyle is me when I watch this episode. 😁

The part were Buffy is dancing, she's not dancing for her life. She's trying to commit suicide. If spike hadn't been there she would have burned.

I could not disagree more with you more re: the genre not being the right avenue for this revelation. One of the most central points of musicals is expressing what you can’t in spoken word, through song. That’s also the whole concept of this demon, that he removed the barriers for information to be shared, whether intended or otherwise. The story is building solely towards that moment.

That Tara and Giles reprise mash-up of their songs still astounds me with its brilliance.

If you think about it, it makes sense to how Buffy reveals that she was in heaven to her friends because the point of the musicals were to bring out what the characters were hiding and that was that last of it for Buffy to reveal. Her singing about pleading to give her “something to sing about” was basically asking what’s her point of living and since she had nothing left to sing about, she was gonna have to dance herself to death

Willow's horror face when Buffy reveals that she was in heaven breaks me every time

The thing about doing the reveal in the musical is because they. Here's the thing, and I always say this people, The Scoobies are absolute SHIT when it comes to communication. We see it time and time again, ever since season 1, and all these years later, after many miscommunications and blow ups, they still haven't learned (except maybe Tara as we'd seen last episode with her confronting Willow, but even that turned into a bit of a blow up). That's why this episode needed to happen. They only way they're say what they need to say is if they're forced to say it. Buffy was ready to take her secret to her second grave. Xander and Anya weren't going to reveal their fear about marriage to each other. Where Giles wanting to leave before was due to Buffy not needing him and him wanting to finally live his life, now it's him realizing that he's holding Buffy back. There you have Willow who's genuinely believing there's nothing wrong in her life, barely singing a word, as there's nothing for her to sing. They needed to be forced or we'd end up in a season of secrets and blow up in like the last 2-3 episodes... What makes this episode superior than other musical episodes in television is that not only is it self aware, but it's actually important to the various plots in the show. Most musical episodes are just a random episode with singing and dancing and you just go on like it didn't happen. This isn't that...

I could listen to Anthony Head sing all day long

Fun Fact: Joss Whedon said he was most surprised & impressed by Emma Caulfield’s musical abilities of all the cast. (As he already knew of Anthony, Amber & James’s musical backgrounds.)

I think what makes this episode so good, is that the musical aspect of it isn't just a gimmick. Each song actually moves the plot forward, and the songs say a lot about each character and their secrets. There are no filler songs in here. Every song is important to the progression of the characters and sets up the stakes for the rest of the season. There have been a lot of shows since Buffy that have attempted a musical episode, but often most of the actors don't actually sing themselves and the songs aren't as well woven into the story. Of all the musical episodes, this is the definitive one in my opinion.

This episode reminds me of how much I absolutely love Spike's arc through the series.

This is like the try not to sing challenge and Kyle lipsyncing is every Buffy fan's reaction.

Buffy may never have told her friends about being in heaven without it being in a song. Most of the characters sang things that they probably never would have said out loud, the most obvious being the Xander and Anya duet. (The getting out of the mustard stain, of course, merited a song.) Sweet's spell made Buffy reveal her secret in song.

17:10 The reveal had to be done as part of the musical. The whole point of the songs brought on by Sweet's spell is the characters saying out loud what they have been keeping to themselves. Sweet says as much during his song - "All those hearts lay open; that must sting", and what he sings in his final performance - "All those secrets you've been concealing, Say you're happy now, once more with feeling . Now I gotta run. See you all in hell!"

Hey, people who insist on saying stupid stuff like "Are you at Episode __ yet? Ooh, it's my FAVORITE episode ever!" etc. -- Aren't you just SOOO GLAD you told her to be expecting something great here, so that you can now be disappointed because she didn't have the response you wanted her to have? Hahaha, you people ruin *everything.*

To be honest, my favorite song in this is Giles song about feeling that he is keeping Buffy from growing up. And the short duett between Anthony and Amber is golden.

Just a friendly reminder the events in this episode were caused by Xander messing around with a talisman. A talisman which he knew at the very least would bring singing and dancing which he did not bring up at all until the very end. People are dead now because of Xander Harris' negligence and the show just glosses right over that fact.

Love this episode. The song with Tara and Giles gets me every time.

That " under your spell" song is my jam

This was a very strange and underwhelming reaction to what might be one of the best episodes of television ever made. I'm not gonna go into most of my problems, because they're more personal pet peeves and annoyances I have with all of this channel's buffyverse reactions, so nobody but me should really care. But I thought it was super bizarre how Mackenzie brings up a dislike at the end, which is absolutely fine and fair, but then it's just cut off and there's no actual discussion or elaboration of it. Talk it out. Help me understand where you're coming from. I do have to wonder if the somewhat underwhelming reaction came as a result of people hyping it up too much beforehand though. If so, shame on them.

The key to Spike and Buffys kiss is right in the lyrics. Buffy sings “this isn’t real, but I just want to feel.” There’s no telling where things could go, but at least for this episode Buffys feelings are she knows it’s not real but she needs a connection and Spike makes it clear that he’s been lacking a connection and he needs Buffy to complete him. It’s very clearly more real to him than it is to her.

"But it is kind if true because she is under her spell cause they were mad last time..." That's called irony.

As for the reveal, this is the only way it could happen. Buffy wouldn’t have let it out if she didn’t have her inhibitions lowered by having to sing her feelings. So they wouldn’t have found out. Also, it adds a layer to the hurt for Willow to have this expectation that everything in cheerful and people are singing but the content of what they are singing is this incredibly painful thing. It’s not just Buffys reveal. All of the characters reveal something. Tara reveals that she is disgusted and feels like she has to leave willow over the betrays. Giles feels like he’s preventing Buffy from growing. Xander and Anya are questioning the wedding and their whole relationship. Buffy is questioning her purpose. Dawn is questioning if she matters. Spike is expressing why Buffy is so important to him and why this is no longer just a lust filled obsession. It wouldn’t make sense if among all of those confessions Buffy didn’t reveal what’s been driving her character this season. And like you said in order for it to work it would have to be incredibly well written and done. This is arguably the best musical episode of a television show still to this day. The music wasn’t forced into the episode, it genuinely feels natural and furthers the plot. So it could have come off as hokey but in this situation it definitely works. The episode does leave off with one of the weakest songs of the bunch, but truly the most important question of the season. Where do they go from here? Now that everything is out in the open where do each of the characters go? How do the interact with one another knowing they can’t unknow what they’ve learned. That question is going to drive the rest of the season.

Rest In Peace is my all time fav. Also Spike and Giles AMAZING voice.

Doing the revelation in a musical sense makes complete sense actually, particularly for these characters. Why? Well, we've already tried without music and using a lot of words and non verbal tactics so for the last few episodes (how many days have passed since Buffy's return from the dead? also, is that how long since Xander last promised Anya that they were gonna announced their wedding? etc.)... how else could some of them confess their secrets? Interesting how all of them shared everything TO US, the audience, with the exception of Willow. Yeah so Alyson didn't want to sing but then her own thoughts and feelings felt more mysterious and that made me wonder about who really summoned the coolest demon in the Buffyverse lol I was surprised it was Xander tho 😲

Also, why would a musical be limiting for *_that_* moment when you know it actually sticks to mind words poured out from a person's mouth in a song: _"'There was no pain. No fear nor doubt 'till they pulled me out... of heaven. So that's my refrain: I live in hell 'cause I've been expelled... from heaven. I think I was in heaven.''_ Sure, it would be so easy 😶 if Buffy could just... tell it like it is... but this was a moment of truth that I believe was done so well... at least in a show like this. The spell made them confess in the moment they least expect it.

Awesome episode. This is where Whedon had so many very emotional archs that were so emotional that they could really only be expressed through song. And I'll say it again, most of them can get away with saying they didn't know where Buffy was but not Willow. She knew what spell she cast. It was a resurrection spell. She just wanted her friend back and used magic to make the world as she wanted it. She knew exactly what she was doing.

When there’s nothing more you can say, you sing. What there’s nothing more to sing, you dance. This is how musicals function

I stumbled over this vid and basically the channel 10 minutes ago and the gentleman to the right is just as much fun to watch to as the Buffy episode.

This is why newbies shouldn't watch with big fans. If I was watching it for the first time and this dude was mouthing the words along with every song and like, freaking out about something that was about to happen, I would have to kick their ass out of the room...

James Marsters(Spike) also sings lead and plays guitar in the band Ghost Of the Robot. They're pretty good. Anthony Stewart Head came from a musical theater background and is an acomplished guitar player. His older brother is singer/actor Murray Head who had a hit single "One Night In Bangkok" from the musical Chess in 1985. I believe Anthony sang backup on that song.

Sweet did say he was leaving them to sing once more, with feeling. A parting "gift" per se.

I remember reading Joss Whedon wanted the musical episode so Buffy's friends could find out she had been in "heaven", as she otherwise never would have told them.

Kyle is all of us rewatching OMWF 😂

The thing about Giles this season is not if he is helping or not. Its about if he SHOULD be helping cause buffy is just expecting him to solve thing that should be hers to solve (like when she made him talk to dawn). She is using him to avoid responsabilities and he feels his presence is keeping her from growing up. And the xander and anya thing is more that they had this fear that they didnt want to face, her struggle with mortality and his struggle with becoming his parents

Dawn's in trouble, must be Tuesday

I feel sorry for Mackenzie, this episode was taken from her, by our hubris for it (Kyle singing every song next to hear could not have felt at all inclusive, but I get him doing it), she will never get a chance to see this again for the first time and view it without knowing or having been left out by the person she was watching it with.

My favorite episode of TV to watch and absolute favorite to watch reactions to. I still re-watch some every time i see the thumbnail pop up> That is why it pains me to see MacKenzie seem to be "meh" about it. I imagine that Kyle, like myself has the episode in constant rotation in his head and can quote the entire episode verbatim, dialogue and music, but i don't think anyone wants to hear that from either of us. I am going to blame 2020 for breaking MacKenzie a bit because anyone who loves MLP like she does should, under less soul killing times in our society, feel the joy and whimsy of this experience. That is how I am going to rationalize and remember this reaction because it will pain me to watch it again and have part of me die inside. At least Kyle really enjoyed himself

Fun fact Sweet is the most powerful entity in all of the Buffyverse

No matter what happens the Buffy/Spike dynamic is a very interesting dark road

I'm so happy I'm not the only person in the world who sings along silently!

I love how even the monster that appears at the end of the credits sings

Kyle lip-synching the words to all the songs is what has restored my faith in humanity

Apart from the music, that is amazing, this episode is just more amazing stuff underneath. So dense with meaning and references. When buffy loses her innocence back in season 2, she ends her birthday with Joyce... And Joyce has lit a candle, and asks: Aren't you gonna make a wish? And Buffy answers: No. Im just gonna let it burn... And here we are again. A new sense of innocence lost. Brilliant.

They got... the mustard... *out!!!!!*

The songs are all great and this episode is excellent because all the secrets are revealed with the songs, a lot of lines mean something for characters, this season is so important and audacious. Enjoy the journey :)

Forever an iconic episode, one of my favorites! That end reveal was done so well and really hits me in the feels every time. At the risk of starting a fandom argument, I would also like to point out this is another prime example of Xander getting let off without any consequences. What he did so nonchalantly led to at least 1 person dying and many others being put in danger, but no consequences once again. Ugh, sometimes I really love him and others I just....grr argh...🤦🏻‍♀️

Spuffy is still LIFE!! 💙

Between Kyle lip syncing every single word and Makenzie's face at the end, this was worth it :D

Besides the fact this episode is just the best, to see Kyle that excited makes this episode three twice as better!! Actually there were some other times in which his excitement went through the screen, I love it. When Tara was saying goodbye to Giles and she went with ¨grrrrr arrrrr¨, when Willow approached Tara and Glory saying ¨she´s with me¨...I loved how he just stood up his chair in excitement!!

Happiest of Birthdays, Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers) she turns Thirty-Five, this week, as am I on October the 18th. I didn't know we are the same age, I thought she was hot here, still thinks she is hot now. :0)

Finally once more with feeling booya. Ya it’s a musical....the best musical. One of my favourite episodes of tv ever. Sweet was a demons who wasn’t attracted to Xander the demon magnet. #spuffyforever

Didn’t I see you in a clip as one of Bad Horse’s posse?

It was really fun to revisit this one so many years later. Miss Mac. This one must be so tough to film and edit a reaction to. Awesome job, guys.

It’s so interesting to hear someone say they feel like music/musicals are limiting in expressing deep thoughts and emotions, because I feel exactly the opposite. In my opinion, music can very explicitly showcase emotions, and when done by musically informed individuals, music can display emotions in a more complex manner. For example, “I think I was in Heaven…” the notes chosen for that entire line, and specifically for “heaven,” are very intentional. “I think I was in” lifts ever so slightly, indicating a positive/uplifting thought. But of course it’s minimal because she’s not all that happy about it, what with her not being there anymore, and/or barely remembering it. Not to mention she’s back in a figurative “hell on earth.” Then there’s the “heaven” bit. It starts off holding onto a note slightly higher than the previous…and then slides into a lower note that is either flat or sharp (I’m unfortunately not aware but I’d bet on sharp). It’s a very unnerving note that is uncomfortable to hear - just like the revelation itself. It’s an uncomfortable moment for everyone. And this is what all good musicals do, they tell stories in the songs. Songs are the means through which characters express their deepest thoughts and desires. I remember Whedon talking about how he wanted to do a musical episode ever since season two, but he knew he had to wait for a “perfect storm” of storylines for it to be worth it.

I thought Mackenzie would like it more 😭 Kyle made up for it tho with his singing along ❤️

I see like me you know EVERY WORD of this

Sweet's not actually credited as such, the makeup work IS Sweet by.. so that's where that name comes from. Not even named IN show.

This was the episode that turned this show into an obsession for me!! Always happy when reactors get to this one.... 🎉🎉🎉

Oh did you see the singing GRR ARGH at the end?

I gotta give her props, she gave a real honest assessment, even with all the "your going love this " "are you there yet" then add the co star constantly looking over at her she must have felt like an exhibit in a zoo, everyone watching for the tell tail signs of total enchantment of a TV show. anybody ever known a person that got so many Christmas gifts that by the time they opened all of the gifts they ask "is that all"

There's a bunch of behind the scenes videos of this episode on RU-vid. You guys should definitely check some of them out. Also, a lot of theater groups have put this on as a play and some of them are great. Check those out as well. They're on RU-vid too.

I'm doing the yearly redux of the series, and I just finished S4/E1, "The Freshman". Xander at one point, in the Bronze when encountering Buffy, says the line "Once more, with even less feeling." I've been a fan of this show since the original run, and until today I never caught that.

The 🏔️ of Buffy Classics

The songs aren't actually the dialogue of this episode, the songs are the things that the characters DON'T say. That's the whole point of this episode, they sing what they really feel, the things they would never say out loud. They've also said it's pretty much just the counterpart to "Hush" where things were reversed, they had a lot to say but couldn't speak.

Yeah, where do I begin with this episode? This is easily one of the top 10 episodes of the entire series. This is simply a work of art. I think I'm already on record as stating that the last few episodes have not been my favorites. But damn, this episode pulls the entire thing up all by itself... ...and look real Spuffy kiss.

Most-all?-of us were singing along just like Kyle. 2 things though as I have not seen these in a while-was the scene with Xander asking if he had to be Sweet's Queen a deleted scene? I don't remember that part when it originally aired. And a minor negative is that we see Buffy reveal her problem at the beginning of the season - which I had forgotten - to Spike so it takes just a little bit of the sting out of it here. But Willow's reaction is always great. Alyson Hannigan did a terrific job with that shocked face. P.S. I'm glad they got the mustard out!

Absolutely LOVE everything about this episode!! Except the twist that it was actually Xander... I get he’s insecure about getting married but this seems too far fetched. Since this season is so committed to the not so interesting Dawn’s a kleptomaniac storyline - I think the blame should have just been on her accidentally. She’s young, it seems more likely she did it by accident than Xander purposely inflicting this. I feel like the writers didn’t want to pin it on her because her character already gets a lot of heat & annoyance from fans.

A lot of people knock Joss Whedon for this episode, my response is simply this, Haters Gonna Hate. I can't believe Joss Whedon wrote the bulk of this Musical over a Summer! "Rest in Peace" really got me over some romantic hardships in High School, I am not going to lie. Something that I always didn't realize until recently, this episode sets up every character's storyline for the rest of the season.

Spuffy, Bike, buike, Spuffike

Totally been waiting for this one forever. THE BEST Buffy episode.

The way she scrunched up her face during the kiss it was almost like she has an aversion to necrophilia.

There's so much I would like to say about this episode and your reaction but I'm afraid I'll accidentally spoil something, so...🤐 Amber Benson has such a lovely voice, it's a pity she's never made an album. She did record a song with James Saez called 'The One I Need' and it is beautiful.

I was lucky to go to a sing-along show at a Chicago theater a few years after this was broadcast. Not too long afterward, TPTB shut down all such showings for rights issues.

Mackenzie wasn't plot-based spoiled, but spoiled nonetheless. It's why all spoilers of all kinds are impossible to avoid. The episode before this was Dawn-centric so the rest of the cast could practice and rehearse. Michelle Trachtenberg didn't have as much singing. The Halloween episode could have easily been Willow-related also as both actresses asked Joss Whedon for little singing and Michelle told him she was more of a dancer. The demon isn't actually named Sweet. The fanbase (possibly because of the crew) took to calling him that because the credits described his makeup that way. I personally still prefer the general Lord of the Dance reference. The name Sweet is odd to me. Kyle mouthing the lyrics was great. _Under Your Spell_ is about the fact that Tara is under a spell of Willow's she isn't aware she is under and that makes the song, and especially what happens at the end of the song, dark. The reprise is about Tara learning the truth of what Willow has done to her. Hinton Battle, who played the villain got the job because he was loved by the crew for his work in _The Wiz._ "His penis got diseases from a Chumash Tribe" is in the episode _Pangs._ Interesting how Buffy became interested in Spike after he told/sang what he really wanted about to her: "leave [him] be" and let him "rest in peace." Dawn references how illegal being Sweet's queen would be and yet that is how old Buffy was when Angel first became attracted to her. Dawn unintentionally and brilliantly outed how messed up Bangel was from the beginning. I love the reactions of the Scoobies to Buffy telling them she was in heaven. So all the deaths Sweet caused can be laid at Xander's feet because he had cold feet and was too dumb to acknowledge the spell he cast would have consequences. I love the idea that Sweet may like to watch the chaos, but he doesn't start it, he just comes in and does what the spell requires of him when summoned. Xander should have learned better after the whole _S1 Buffy was going to die facing The Master prophecy_ that not everything will be as it says in a book ("I just thought there were going to be dances and songs" 🙄). He didn't even speak up when Dawn was blamed. It wasn't until the group realized it wasn't Dawn that he said anything. I agree with Mackenzie. Xander got away from the queen clause too easily.

Kyle so I've been singing reenactments to this musical with my cute dogs as stars because I'm a little obsessed with them. But it also has music for the series and next with scene reenactments during the soundtrack that is farther down the line that Kenzie can't see. Thought I'd let you know so you can pick and choose for her if you're interested. It's not monetized, it's just for fun and because I love this musical so much. That and I got a request for that and Beauty and the Beast, which I'm not up to yet. Also if you feel like re reacting and singing I have no problem with that. WOW I never noticed the I'm under your spell, literal part, oh that makes it kind of painful. Ashamed to say I had a couple of off notes at the end of that one and I couldn't redo it cuz the dogs finish their bones. Good for them but only so much marrow you can give a dog at once. And yes the romantic songs got graphic that was definitely tough to do with dogs, but I worked around it. And Kyle I want to hear you saying those Xander, Spike and Sweets parts, you looked really into it vocally (okay I gave your lipsticking everyone I want all of it, and Kenzie I wouldn't care even if you messed up every note, passion is fun, even if I technically go nuts at every one I do, other people I'm just happy to watch). Just think about it, it worked for Why So Awkward they did like this rap music video it was great. I'll admit I'm picking about musicals but this was perfection. The Buffy songs and the Tara/Giles duet especially just make me cry. I even did a rare speaking part cuz I just couldn't be disrespectful to that last one. I've been told I nailed that last one. Love the highlighted skills too you can tell Michelle was classically trained as a dancer. It was been hilarious Xander was taken as his Queen and they had to go rescue him. I think the feelings towards Spike are pretty simple. He's not Angel so he doesn't have a soul and it would be mean to curse him. So he has no inner guide, he just has Buffy as his guide on good and evil. You'd have to be Mother freaking Teresa to make that work and she ain't dating, not even while she was alive. No killing off my second favorite character Kenzie 😡, I kid, all theory's are welcome and unanswered 🥰. I think Xander should talk it out, but I totally understand his fear of marriage. If my parents were like his, or like mine actually, the whole drunken Christmas fights thing that he had to sleep on the lawn, the potential abuse implied back in season 4 at the end in Restless? No one like that is actually going to be comfortable with marriage even if they're stupid enough to think it's romantic for 10 seconds when they think they're going to die. But he needs to talk! I honestly hate when plot lines like this happen where basic communication is the problem, baring it's incredibly severe like in the case of Oz. @17:41 Kyle, that had potential 😉

Even watching your reaction, I couldn't do anything but sing it. It's impossible to stop. You go Kyle!

Mackenzie's face at the end is me.

This had to be hell to edit Fan Theory.

Thanks so much! I love this season more than maybe I'm supposed (?) to and this episode is a lot of why.

I still can't imagine why anyone in Sunnyvale would have a funeral at night

I just got this channel and the baby distracted me during the intro, so I got the info that one on You didn't watch the episode from the animation. It took like one second to figure which one. Score for singing along :).

It gives me SO much life to see Kyle mouthing the words!

The demon (Sweet) actor is from broadway, so it makes sense you like his voice. He is excellent! Aslo he's shaped like a heart, which i appreciate

"...and you can sing along.." and SMG looks straight into the camera with those GORGEOUS eyes, shining hair, glowing complexion and those LUSCIOUS lips and I WANTWANTWANTWANT. This Treasure, Mr. Prinze, is BEYOND measure, don't mess up.

This was a happy surprise. I forgot this episode was so early in the season. Loved both of your reactions!

Lol Kyle singing along is me every time I rewatch this episode 🤣

Spike's like a low pressure area, meteorologically speaking. A tornado or hurricane.

Love watching these reactions repeatedly for this episode

This is the final episode in mybook.

The last song(s) wasnt "residual". Sweet literally says "Once More With Feelings" before he leaves.

My favorite thing in this entire reaction is Mackenzie’s face during the Spuffy kiss:)

Not trying to be sexist because I myself was all for it when I saw it originally, but I don't think I've ever met or seen a lady that wasn't totally for the "Spuffy" dynamic.

I love the look of understanding and fear in her eyes as she realizes they are about to kiss and how terrible of an idea it is lol

Interesting that you were slightly critical of the fact that so many big character moments were done in the musical episode- its just kind of funny because originally Sarah Michelle Gellar was super self-conscious and didn't consider herself a singer so when she heard about the episode she was going to have someone else sing her lines for her and just lip sync. Then she read the script and realized that the crux of Buffy's season arc was going to happen this episode, in song. Since it was an important episode for Buffy and not just a filler episode, she bit the bullet and sang all her lines herself.

So you liked Sweet's voice? He was played by Hinton Battle, who is basically a Broadway legend.

Catch what ticketed woman Marti Noxon was offering the police officer?

They should show this episode in movie theaters like rocky horror picture show. So that we can all sing and cry along. We can come dressed as our favorite charactor, in which ever costume we liked best for them.

Hi Kyle and Mackenzie ^^ I became a huge fan within a few months and I'm hyped for every single episode of your Buffy and Angel videos :) thanks alot and best wishes. stay healthy

Anya and Xander - he's got his f*ed up family and 20 years of trauma to work through, so his fears are perfectly legitimate/reasonable, it's not just vague or unrealistic worry. And Anya has her own f*ed up relationship history and spent centuries as a vengeance demon because of it, so I'm gonna call her relationship + mortality issues reasonable as well. ;)