Two episodes a week will be starting soon. No eta, but we will be doing it ASAP especially as we finish several live reactions and deal with Easter weekend (our usual recording weekend, but holiday plans limit this )
"A couple seasons ahead of us.." Yep, 6 more seasons, 22 episodes each.🤣 My standard comment for this episode: Goodbye Buffy The Gray, Hello Buffy The White!
@@sebastianwittmeier1274 well, at night, it sure still looked white! (Artistic license - clearly it was also not soaking wet despite her falling in water.)
Thank you for saying “both their feelings are valid” because most reactors crap all over Xander in that cringe scene. They hate him because he acts like a cringe teenage boy and when he saves her life, they usually don’t give him any credit.
He is exactly what a generic 16 year old boy is described as! He has valid feelings, and expressed them in a healthy way. He handled the rejection a little sour but he got his feelings hurt over Angel but still was there and cared when needed! He's doing great Not to mention Buffy was what Cordelia currently is at the high school they go to, so her hanging out with Willow and Xander is important to notice. She was the pretty, popular girl. That was the equivalent of Xander asking Cordelia out in my eyes! Mikey
I've seen some reactions and no one craps on xander for inviting buffy to the dance, almost all reactors are rooting for him. They give him crap about how he reacts after she rejected him. He says he has been rejected a lot of times so theres a point you have to know how you control your feelings, but he apologized right after, so he deal with it better than most.
@Square-ow7oq yes, he reacted like a teen. She 'hurt' him and said something he knew would hurt her. Absolutely wrong of him, but some make it out like it's evidence that he's some horrible scumbag 'sexuat' instead if just a hurt teenager who said a mean thing. Yet the people who bash Xander will be the first to defend any of the girls if they say something mean. FYI, Buffy did nothing wrong. She handled that as close to as perfect as you can.
The first season wrapped up neatly because that was the plan for the show. It was all filmed at once in 1996 and completed 6 months before it aired in March '97. It was a , "mid-season replacement" show, created as a backup to replace a show that 'might', be cancelled. Before the internet, networks ALL ran shows from September, the start of that year's season, until that season ended in May. There were NO new shows in summer and ALL shows were intended to run the entire season. Mid-Season Replacement shows filmed a shorter season, 9 or 13 episodes, all at once with a very small budget and with very little faith from the network and really any future. These were, 'throw away' shows designed to just fill up air time until the network got to the next season's shows and more often than not, NEVER aired.
@@davidbergfors6820I believe that the actors were still signed up for 5 years. Obviously they wouldn’t get paid if it didn’t continue or if the studio drops them but keeps them around if they are needed.
@@davidbergfors6820 For who? There is zero risk for the studio. They can kill the contract at any time. And none of the actors had anything before hand - except SMG in a daytime soap - and they’d probably were pretty happy to get further seasons.
@@jspettifer signing up for a 5 season deal means you can't look for other things. If you promise to return, you can't go for other options, it's carrer suicide for an actor for something as uncertain as a "maybe it will air"
The characters writting, chemistry, the acting, the villains, storylines, and some masterpieces to come, this show is one of the best ever and inspired a lot of other shows
@@732ReviewCrewI wouldn't read anything past the first line because spoilers, but the first thing they write on the page is the show's opening monologue and then, "Put bluntly, this show is the reason TV tropes exists".
Yeah spoilers everywhere and lots of commenters give stuff away by accident. Sometimes having a comment moderator is a good idea. Even just someone saying oh next week is something can give stuff away and rob impact. Or some accidentally saying someone is a favorite (if said about anyone beyond core crew of Buffy, Xander, Giles, Willow, Cordelia) since that can give away stuff.
In case you want your "Giles-knocked-out-list" to be complete from the start: Giles has so far been knocked out 4 times: in "The Witch" by Amy's mom, in "Never Kill a Boy on the First Date" by the fake Anointed One vampire, in "The Pack" by the zookeeper, and in this episode by Buffy.
Yeah... That's this shows "Daniel death count". If you know, you know. Although personally I was tracking all the casts death counts at one time and where I left off Daniel was surprisingly not in the lead.😂
Xander gets a lot of hate and flack for acting like a 16-year-old boy (i.e. immature) but when it counts, he steps up. And Mikey, I have the final Giles Knockout numbers. We can compare at the end of the series!😜
I started on this episode so I'm missing a few but I love how Buffy is the first to knock out him (for my list) I know I'm missing at minimum the hyena guy knockout
@@732ReviewCrew Yep, those are the only two this season. For reference, I divided my list by physical KO, mystical KO, chemical KO and head trauma (non-KO).
Yes, when the season finale was written, the show had not been renewed. The reason Buffy felt more powerful, imo, is because after her death, she fully committed to being the slayer.
After 1 season, Willow and Xander were my favorite. After 7 seasons, it was Buffy. 27 years later, having seen the show dozens of times, it's still definitely Buffy. I'm so excited for you to all go through these seasons and see how your opinions will change (or not change!). Great reactions! I'll be trying out your Patreon for season 2.
Thank you! Season 2 will premiere with a free full length, as does every season. So that will help you decide, we always offer a sample so you know what you get!
They definitely did not know if this show would go beyond S1. Joss wrapped it up nice and tidy in case it didn't. It was picked up for 2 seasons after S1.
Buffy being stronger is a metaphor. She finally accepts that being the slayer is part of who she is, so it cements her strength and brings it all together. Get used to things being metaphorical. Metaphor and foreshadowing will be everywhere going forward (there's a reason Buffy is taught in universities).
Prophecy Girl definitely the best episode of S1. Many who are new to the show complain about the special effects, but have to bear in mind this is 27yo show, and S1 did not have a massive budget, plus the writers were conscious of the fact they never knew if it would be recommissioned. Here you can really see the direction of the show changing, giving all the characters so far much more purpose. This incredible show just gets better and better, you will love S2. Some comic relief also, this show has the best one liners ever. The Master ' what do ya think, 5.1' and 'By the way I like your dress'. SMG'S acting is superb here. When she says 'I'm 16 years old I don't want to die' you really feel her anguish. Great enthusiastic reactions guys to S1, from mid season 2 onwards this show goes like a roller coaster and never stops with some amazing episodes. S3 is just out of this world, S5 is just off the charts!
Easily the best episode of the season. The show has been getting a little more serious since the midway point and this one provides a glimpse into what it will eventually become.
I think it's part of the show's vampire lore that the older a vampire gets the more they take on a demon, Nosferatu, look. They are a demon inhabiting a human body and I guess the idea is that the human part fades over time. Really old vampires also have some mental powers, able to mesmerize and control humans, especially the more weak-minded humans. When Buffy meets the master for the first time, she's freaked out about the prophecy and the Master is able to easily influence her. When she meets him again on the roof she's much stronger mentally and is able to resist him.
Yeah, I love how Willow stood up for herself. It must have been tough, bc she'd had the chance to go to the dance with her crush and fulfill her fantasy. But she set a healthy boundary there that many adults struggle with. Love it! Yeah, I agree that Joyce can be pretty dismissive of Buffy and her feelings. It's hurtful if a parent thinks you're overreacting and Buffy must have felt so helpless and alone. Her speech to Giles was top notch. It must have been tough for Giles to ask her to go when her dying is literally his worst nightmare (as shown in a previous episode). And he's so brave for trying to stop the master himself! Angel's "I have no breath" line is kinda funny. A great finale to a great show. I just adore the humor as well as the character growth and real tangible feelings and life lessons. It's a show about growing up. And Buffy overcame her fear, took responsibility and faced her fear. Although it's much more terrifying and traumatic than most of us probably ever had to deal with. Can't wait for your take on S2!
Excellent reaction and a good ending to your first season. BTVS is a show that requisition patience, thought, and understanding the pacing of the show. It takes reactors several episodes, usually the first season and into the second, to get what’s going on and how to not judge this show by others. New viewers have a generation of shows that borrowed or outright stole from Buffy so you think you have a benchmark of what is to come with the series and characters. Sorry to tell you, wrong. It takes time to view Buffy on its own … like we did when it was broadcast originally. Lastly, Joss Whedon came from a family of television writers. He understood the relationship with the audience and characters. He understood that it needed time and character development to get the audience to want to be with the story he wanted to tell. The tide is about o begin. I think it is great to have a goal of 2 episodes a eeek. I am happy with that decision. However, there will be future episodes that you will find will take up more time and need 40 minutes to react during and after the episode. Some will suddenly happen and you will probably look at each other and go… what? We gotta talk. Your fans/ viewers will understand and ❤more than likely enthusiastically agree. That is what makes Buffy unique and special. It hits a groove of excellence and then has some episodes that are on a different level , both from a story perspective and emotional gut punch. Keep up the fun and entertaining reactions . Looking forward to being with all 3 of you while you discover BTVS.
Yes, after any earthquake, people in CA try to guess the magnitude - or at least before cell phone age. With this season being so short, this was a mid season replacement show of Savannah. Don't even remember that show. Good chance the Buffy crew did not know by the time of the final episode if it was renewed or not. This was the start of the WB network focusing on the teen and 20's market. Dawson's Creek, Charmed, Felicity, and others would follow soon after.
This is the best episode of the season. We really see how well Sarah acts emotional scenes. The part where she says "I don't wanna die" with the voice crack always gets me 😭 I'm sure enough people have told you how much better it gets as it goes on 😂 the show grows with the characters, so this season we have all the trials and tribulations of being a teenager in high school. Xander's crush on Buffy and Willow's crush on Xander. Buffy coming to terms with balancing being a slayer, dating and having a social life. As the seasons go on, the themes become more adult. A lot of people dislike Xander so I like that you guys don't rag on him all the time. He can be a jerk at times but as far as 16 year old boys go, I don't think he's that bad. Giles getting knocked out is a running joke 😂 I don't know exactly how many times it happens but the tally must be high! Can't wait for season 2. It is my second favourite season of the show.
Her saying I didn't want to die was probably the most emotional acting we've seen from her or anyone in this series so far and it's amazing. As per Xander, sometimes we don't agree with his decisions but he is a 16 year old boy, into a girl out of his league who is his friend. It makes him relatable. He puts himself out there and tries. Occasionally he will do dumb things like try to peek at Buffy when she changes or ask Willow if she'll go to the dance, but he makes up for moments of bravery like when he wouldn't let the coach leave the hospital or when he punched follower of the robot demon!
Joss Whedon made me enjoy Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sarah Michelle Gellar made me love Buffy Anne Summers. She really shows her acting skills in that scene.
@@Swooshez90 He also saved her from the vampire in 1x02 when they were coming out of the manhole. He probably saved all of them when he attacked the zookeeper at the end in 1x06.
Remember that the prophecy said that the Anointed would come to the Slayer, and she "would not know him." So that was the first clue. Then the prophecy said that she would die, however, it was written prior to CPR being a thing.
That's not a coincidence. That's not how coincidences work. The Hellmouth opening passage didn't "just happen" to be where Giles works. Giles's real job is not librarian. He obtained the information and then made sure to be hired to work at that school, and in that library. It's a deliberate action, not a coincidence. As for why it was under the school... well... if it was under the hospital we'd be wondering "why is it under the hospital, though?". It was bound to be somewhere. It's probably random (and still not a coincidence). Unless whoever approved the plan to build that school... I have no idea...say 50 years ago? 100 years ago? I don't remember when Sunnydale was founded... knew something and did it on purpose, for some reason.
Way back in the 1st episode, when Buffy goes into the tunnels to rescue Jesse, Angel told her to head towards the school. The 1st hint that the Hellmouth is under the school.
Buffy quailing at the Prophecy was brilliant and put the hook in me way back when. SMG shows her chops in a no-holds-barred scene that really ups the emotional ante for the show. And now comes the brutal opera of season 2.
Pretty sure that fruit punch mouth is a reference to Hawaiian Punch TV commercials. In the 1990s Punchy (the mascot) would ask someone if they wanted a nice Hawaiian Punch. When they said yes/sure then Punchy would hit them in the mouth
Remember that in Nightmares episode, Buffy dreamed that the Master killed her. Buffy, as the Slayer, has prophetic dreams. Giles hints at this when he confronts Buffy at the Bronze in episode 1.
It's simply fear. The more fearful or stressed Buffy becomes, the more she loses her slayer powers Hence why in the initial fight with the master she was such an easy beat. While in the later fight, she got over her fear of the master and proved to be more durable.
Loved the reaction/discussion. This is my favorite season one episode and I feel the one that really steps up and sets the tone for what's to come. Overall, to me this one is feels more real, dangerous, and emotional. That said, you have a lot to look forward to because IMO this episode would not even be in my top 20 (maybe not even top 30) for the show. As for favorite characters (of the ones you've meet; many characters I love still to come) it is really hard to say, but probably Buffy & Giles (love their relationship in the show). However, nobody cries better than Alyson Hannigan. Looking forward to two episodes a week (then it will only take you a little over a year to finish Buffy, not counting Angel). 😀Still, regardless of how long it takes you guys, I'm here for the entire ride.
Imagine taking 7 years to finish the show... I actually found the show at the beginning of S4. It was before the DVDs came out; so, I watched S4-S7 and then watched S1-S3.
Given that biology teacher is probably that dude from the end of "Teacher's Pet", constantly repeating "no more, no less", it is indeed a terrible fate.
To be fair to Joyce, she probably thought Buffy was acting the way she was acting dance. Buffy wasn't exactly forthcoming with informationto negate that during their conversation.
Giles gets knocked out so many times it is a real wonder he doesn't have a traumatic brain injury. Buffy was my favorite character when I first watched the series, but Willow was who I was most protective over until she was able to take care of herself, then that protectiveness switched to another character. When I finished watching season one, I thought that Willow might start learning to be a techno pagan with Jenny since she was the computer teacher and Willow was good with computers. I thought that might be an interesting road to have gone down. And I thought Xander might start taking martial arts classes so he could learn some basic fighting skills. Both would have made sense if they had done it. The high school is built over the hellmouth because the hellmouth is a metaphor for high school. High school is hell. That is what Joss has said in interviews, anyway.
It was confidence, she died and came back, meaning the prophecy was fulfilled. Knowing that she had no doubts and most likely believed she would win, but how she stopped the master from using mind control, I do not know. Buffy is stronger than most vampires, vamps have to be ~400 to match buffy, est from feat of strengths, she is at Luke Cage level, 3 tons
huh, didn't realize Buffy was a 12 episode season 1... So it seems like it was a mid season addition to the broadcasting. I did some digging (read a wikipedia page) and indeed, Buffy replaced another show in the middle of the regular season. Let's go forth! I enjoy this memory lane walk with y'all!
The fruit punch mouth may have been a reference to Hawaiian Punch Commercial (1975). Just do a search on RU-vid and watch. There was no cliffhanger cause this was a mid-season replacement and they didn't expect a 2nd season. Once it was picked up the 1st season was loosely used as a template for future seasons.
Pretty sure they filmed all of S1 before airing the first episode, so they had no idea if it would be successful, and so couldn't know if it would be renewed. Also, yeah, it pretty much broke every record. To the point that other networks complained that the methodology for estimating viewership is skewed, since there is no way a mid-season replacement on a tiny network is THAT popular.
The Master has permanent red stain round his mouth from eating ppl for so many years. Buffy made a Kool-aid stain mouth joke... At least that's how I always saw that.
I recommend everyone check out the Buffy movie 🎬 made in 1992. Explaines the first season lore wise and explains how Buffy already know how to fight before she starts training with Giles.
Buffy isn't a vampire, she didn't suck any Master blood. Remember at the start of the season, it's a whole big sucking thing? And if she were a vampire she wouldn't have needed CPR. Sheesh! 🤣 Mikey got it covered.
@@732ReviewCrewyep, Mikey did bring that up in the post-episode discussion. The other clue was no vamp face. In episode 10 we did get to see Vampire Buffy, and she was badass. 😊
From what I remember the show debuted in the summer during a hiatus season. Networks would sometime do a pilot season during that time of shows that they didn't have the most confidence in so they ordered a 12 episode season to premiere during the summer to see how the public received it. Based on the ratings of the 1st few episodes the network immediately ordered a full season. That's why this episode really felt like a finale and didn't have a typical cliffhanger that would lead to the next season. I think that they treated each season as though they might not get another season which I really liked about the show. You didn't have to wait for the next season for closure to what happened this season.
"are you just getting bullied in school?" if the bullying is severe enough to engender buffy's reaction, at her age and maturity level, i would definitely take it more seriously than joyce does.
We called him The Annoying One. The "I quit" scene is one of SMG's best acting. And I think it's one of the best she looked in the series. Unpopular opinion: I hated the bit where the theme song plays. They had filmed the entire season before the first episode aired. One record that was not broken was ratings. I think the highest it ever made was in the 60s or something. I love that Willow and Cordy, as well as most viewers, don't notice the bloody hand print on the TV in the AV room.
@@732ReviewCrew They played the theme song right when she finally accepted her role of being the slayer. A far cry from 1x01. Will it ever be played again?
I think there's some fan debate over the exact meaning of "fruit punch mouth". I always thought it meant he had fruity-smelling breath, but it also makes sense that it refers to the color.
The thing about Giles getting knocked out is that at a certain point it becomes a series joke, and Giles and other characters start making comments about it in the show. I'm sure there's a wiki somewhere with a comprehensive list.
He's a typical teenage boy! He has his faults but he also manages to stand up and fight non vampire things(the robot episode he punched a follower, the little league coach) . When he is needed he is great, as long as hormones don't get him off track.
a Slayers life is hard...cruel even, Giles treats Buffy very well...but in the bigger picture of things...a Slayer is a warrior that stand on the line between good and evil...and ultimatley they are seen as expendable, one dies...next one comes...their sacrifice is a necesary hing to keep back the tide of evil...no matter it's shape or form. most Slayers in history never made it past their 18th birthday...they either died or sacrificed themselves or were persecuted by other humans who didn't understand that a woman was allowed power (that was mostly in the older times as you can imagine).
@@dutchkel And, I read but haven't verified, that she hasn't seen Angel onscreen since episode 7. Just going through the episodes in my head, that might be right too.
You should really go previous episodes and note down how many times Giles has been knocked out and how, I think your list would be pretty big by now lol
Buffy feeling stronger after her fight with The Master will be addressed on the show but, you will need some patience to get there. I would love to comment on if it is similar to Twilight but, the extent of my Twilight knowledge is from short snippets of trailers I have stumbled into over the years.
Ah, I wish you would rewatch some of your predictions as the time goes on or maybe write them down. It's tough to hold my tongue and not make some remarks but I'm committed to not spoiling anything. ✊
It actually helps to watch the movie before S1 since you get a few jokes in the first two episodes that you totally miss otherwise and moreso it made this episode much more dramatic as right at the start it shows Slater’s getting killed for real and then coming back and being portrayed by the same actress but as a totally different Buffy slayer so back when this first aired, even for all those who already hear S2 was picked up, many really took it seriously when she dropped into the water and were in shock that they had no taken it so far as to not just kill even a principal but the main main and sure we’d have SMG back for S2 but she’d be a different person with a different family, memories, so the S1 Buffy really would be killed off. It wasn’t like oh sure of course she is gonna get saved somehow there is another season plus that is what always happens anyway (only back then when they took a scene that far in a show like this actually was not at all routine). Seeing the movie first might make new viewers knowing show goes on for so many seasons take the scene more shockingly and horrifyingly. Also it lets it sink in more that she really was killed here, the master did get her even if she was revived and brought back but he had gotten her gone gone in that scene and if you recognize trauma well you can see PTSD on her the whole rest of the episode, she didn’t at all face down anything or get over it and become secure in being a slayer thus all sorts of stuff like haunted look at the skeleton right before suddenly claiming to be all cool to just go party. All sorts of stuff did go down in that scene for real even if they yeah in this case they did bring her back as the same her.
They filmed all of S1, before the first episode aired, not knowing if there would be a S2, And I don't think S2 was announced until after this episode aired, so Buffy's survival after drowning wasn't guaranteed to viewers like it is now. The different feel of the episode is in large part because it's considered one of two turning points the series as a whole take to being known for what it's known for and it's the series finale. The emotion Buffy, Giles, and Angel have during Buffy finding out she'll die is a great moment and one of the reasons this episode is considered such a turning point of the series. The way Xander acts when he's turned down is wrong. It's how he chose to express being turned down. Being a teenager is only an excuse to a point and not all teenager react that way when turned down, so I think being a teenager is valid... to a point. Then he's just being a jerk no matter his age. I get being upset, but being mean and rude only shows he was horny about a girl, not that he really liked her the way he kept proclaiming all season. His own pride is hurt and he doesn't care that in the long run Buffy's feelings matter. Going to Angel for help later in the episode is great on his part, but I don't see it as redemption for the words he says to Buffy when she turns him down. And his _I don't care about the world I care that Buffy's about to die_ still comes off a little obsessive considering the stakes Jenny just got done laying out. It's good that he wants to help Buffy, but it doesn't make him look good in saying he doesn'r care considering the whole point in what Buffy's doing is that she does. I love the fact that Willow tells off Xander for, as she puts it, "You think I want to go to the dance with you and watch you wish you were at the dance with her?" He doesn't consider Willow's feelings anymore than Buffy's. I would feel bad for Xander if his reaction to Buffy hadn't have been rude, but I can't get behind that. Why is it that Willow takes characters dying in the school this episode so hard when it's been happenning all season. What makes "this different" as Willow states to Buffy later, over any other moment in the school? Willow knew other kids, also. It's never been there world. The school was never really a safe haven. It's a public building. No invite needed. And demons have killed there before. Why is this Willow's realization over _Witch, Teacher's Pet, The Pack, I Robot, You Jane, The Puppet Show, or _The Invisible Girl?_ Even the episodes I didn't mention had connections to the school in a way that said the school has always been there world because it's in Sunnydale and Sunnydale belongs to the supernatural, with the slayer being a part of both worlds (normal and supernatural), but trying to keep the bad parts at bay. If The Master drained Buffy instead of leaving her alive for her to drown, the prophecy would have been fulfilled and there would have been no resurrection. It's been months and the driving moment was Drivers Ed (not an official driving test for her licence) class, which means she already had her permit at that point. Now she has her liscence as no one is in the passanger's seat. The song represents Buffy accepting being the slayer (even if she doesn't like it). Nothing changed She's not actually more powerful. She just feels so because she now accepts who she is and that makes her feel the confidence of being the slayer she didn't feel before. I think Mikey's opinion on it is also spot on and ties in well. Reguarding plot outside The Master and episodic bad guys in S1, your left with mean girl Cordelia having kicked Buffy from her pack of friends for choosing to hang out with Willow, who's friends with Xander. Willow likes Xander, who likes Buffy, who likes Angel who is unattainable. It's almost too basic for character growth given the amount of episodes. That's the real frustration behind people saying give the show time and critisizing S1. Mike having no complaints is refreshing because people usually do during S1, especially.
lol nah she aint the slayer, she is THE slayer lol love the slayer lore, but they take forever to reveal all the lil details lol "cordi is part of the crew now" indeed, many loved her, i was always meh about her lol but def a good character.
I think you missed something in the Joyce dress scene. Did you notice Joyce said, “The way you’re eating, we can afford it”. Meaning: “the reason that you’re not eating is of no concern of mine.”Depression, etc. “oh, I noticed. I just have time for you”.
