Buffy the Vampire Slayer 2x19 & 2x20 REACTION | Deadly Love and a Swim Team Secret! 

Sarah Michelle Gellar just absolutely BROUGHT it during that final possessed argument with Angel in 2x19. And then her face in the music room, when she's about to hurt herself - yeesh! Again, that fact that she never even got Emmy-nominated for this role is insane.

Buffy related to James because she feels that she killed Angel. When they had sex and he lost his soul, it is like Angel died. So in a way, she murdered Angel. That is her great guilt, and she can't forgive herself for that. Buffy is very hard on herself, and people who she relates to, she is similarly hard on. She can't forgive herself for killing Angel the person she loves, and so similarly she can't forgive James for killing the one he loved. Another parallel is the nature of the participants. Both James and Buffy are younger than the person they were in love with. And the person who was the elder, had a responsibility to end their relationships before they got too far and didn't. It is often overlooked, but the school wasn't haunted by 1 ghost, but rather by 2. Both James and the teacher were haunting the school. It wasn't just James who had the unresolved issue of needing to be forgiven. The teacher also had an unresolved issue of needing to forgive James. Forgiveness is a 2-way deal. And many often forget that the need to GIVE forgiveness is, and can be, just as powerful as the need to BE forgiven. Just as James needed to be forgiven for killing the one he loved, the teacher also needed to forgive the one who killed her. Just as Buffy needed to be forgiven for killing Angel, Angel needed to forgive her for killing him. This is such a beautifully written episode. A true masterwork.

This is THE place to be for Buffy reactions.

The performances by SMG and Boreanz are simply superb in the possession scene. Whedon has said that was when he knew there could be an "Angel" spinoff. That kiss at the end simply wrecked Buffy.

Snyder wasn't around a lot because Armin Shimerman was also working on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Quark at the time.

The actor who played James the Ghost, when he learned about the concept, thought "OK, SMG will do the scene first, and all I have to do is repeat after her". Nope. They made him do the scene on his own, and SMG repeated after him.

I think 2x19 gets mixed reviews, but I've always loved it. The acting is just so good - I think I heard somewhere that after seeing David Boreanez play Angel being taken over by the teacher, Joss realized he could handle his own show.

so early for one of my favorite episodes of this entire series. I Only Have Eyes For You is top tier!!!

We know that Buffy's dreams are prophetic. This episode introduces us to the idea that a prophetic dream can also reveal the past, and not just the future. This is something to keep in mind going forward with Buffy's dreams.

“Come on Xander fans, this is your moment!” A total of three people’s ears perk up 😂

I heavily subscribe to the theory that Angelus still loves Buffy but because he doesn’t have a soul and he’s extra psycho, even for a vampire, it’s this twisted, sadistic obsession. 2x19 just proves it. The way he’s behaving with her isn’t half as cruel as what we know he’s capable of (see dru) but he just can’t stay away from her. Honestly find it fascinating

The reason the ghosts became active was because they Sady Hawkins dance was coming up at school, the anniversary of their deaths. That was also why the boy asked Buffy if she wanted to ask him to the dance.

That is Wentworth Miller. He was in Prison Break, Legends of Tomorrow (first introduced in The Flash) and Resident Evil: Afterlife. He came out in in the early 2000's (i think, might be 2010's). I have loved him in everything I have seen him in.

For anyone wondering about Xanders ability to fight the coach, and pull Buffy up 1 handed, remember that he has been taking steroids for a few days now.

"Character is who you are when there are no witnesses." Cordy showed what her core character is when she thought Xander had mutated. She's still and always Cordelia Chase, but now we know she's got a genuine gooey center.

I Only Have Eyes For You is one of my favorite BTVS episodes. Such a tragic story. The song is beautiful, too. Bittersweet, in the context of the episode, but beautiful.

The manifestation is connected to Buffy's guilt about Angel. Yea, Cody!!! Yer so good at this. You should write something of yer own!

Their lockers are huge because bodies have to fit, lol

"Just what my reputation needs; that I did it with the entire swim team" --did you guys not treat us to that joke? How daaaare you! Great reactions guys.

I always thought I Only Have Eyes For You was a great stand alone episode, where the tragic love affair between the teacher and student from the 1950's is repeated down through the years by anyone who is influenced by it in the school now. Great writing here in a very atmospheric episode, in which we also have the Angelus/Drusilla/Spike triangle in the background. Interesting that Buffy has no empathy for the student in the incident, of course she is using her own experience of being hurt and reflecting this in her attitude. Another interesting thing about this episode is we hear Snyder and Police Officer mention 'The Mayor' for the first time. Great scene at the end when Spike is now able to walk and is plotting his revenge. This is very much in the style of X-Files type episode, great writing again

I always love Go Fish just to see Wentworth ❤️ ...and the pool scenes are funny af

Again I say that s2 has some absolute bangers. This is top top top in my rankings. SMG and DB knock it out of the park with the role reversal. Angelus definitely feels something for Buffy. He has all of Angel's memories from when they were together, he's in the background all the time when he had a soul and was Angel. He's obsessed with her which is why he hasn't killed her yet, where's he gonna focus his attention if he kills her. He's having fun tormenting her.. Your reaction is the highlight of my week.

Your reactions are great! BUT....the next two part:er episodes are going to blow both of you away!!!

11:23 - The Sadie Hawkins dance was the trigger. This is the first time the shcool has held the dance since the shooting. It 'woke them up.'

"I only have eyes for you" is interesting, and important for Buffy, cause she needs to learn to forgive herself. In fact, at the start of that episode, she's saying how she'll never date again, but then in "Go fish", she accepts an invitation from a guy. I love Dru suggesting a toddler to help Angel get over a dose of love XD Also, since you thought "Go fish" was weird, I have to ask, have you guys seen The Shape of Water? If not, you really should.

You two are so cute! The conversation about swimming and Cody saving Sergio was super sweet.

the music the bands play in this show at the Bronze actually is amazing. i've downloaded/saved a lot of songs from bc of Buffy.

The black lagoon episode was key in showing more about Cordelia with her cute little poolside speech when she thought Xander had turned into a fish thing.

Wentworth Miller is the actor who played Gage and he happens to be “out and proud”🌈 He’s a very interesting backstory being bi-racial and gay in Hollywood. Also, seeing Xander is swimwear reminded me of a film. Have you guys ever saw “Psycho Beach Party” made in 2000. This film is pure camp, queer and so much fun and Xander plays one of the leads. This film would also make for a great reaction video 😉😎🌈

Joss Whedon only wanted James Marsters (Spike) to be a small cameo role. Joss hated that Spike became a fan favorite. James said in interviews that Joss and he would always fight.

Yep that steam room guy is Shane West, from Walk to Remember, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and other stuff I assume

Yes, Wentworth played in Resident Evil Afterlive but he's more and well kow from his role of Michael Scofield in Prison Break. And the familiar face is Shane West. He played in A Walk to Remember (A must see romantic movie) TV show Once Again, Urgences, Nikita, Salem... Two episodes I really liked

Giles: Loch Ness Monster? Us: No, but next episode there's fish men. 😂

Love your reactions to Buffy. I Only Have Eyes For You is such a wonderful episode. Go Fish feels so much like a season one episode and really suffers being placed so late in the terrific season two episodes. It does have some very funny lines though. This episode did co-star a few actors who went on to better things: Wentworth Miller starred in Prison Break and played a villain on Flash; Conchata Ferrell is best known for your supporting role on Two & a Half Men; and Shane West co-starred in the TV series Once and Again and in ER and also starred in the movie A Walk to Remember.

The song in the beginning of “I Only Have Eyes For You” is “Charge” by Splendid. It’s not on streaming but it’s on RU-vid.

“What in the Slatheen is going on?!” Serious bonus points for the DW reference!

Y’all ohhhhh at the same time at the beginning had me crying 😂😂😂😂❤❤❤❤

Huge Buffy fan. I enjoy watching the reactions & reliving the show. I Never noticed til now that Charles Cypher (Sheriff Brackett from Halloween/Halloween Kills) was the coach !

Go Fish is indeed a weird episode. Definitely not among my fave episodes, and hated how Snyder, the coach and the swimming team treated Buffy (or women in general), but that's definitely not an unrealistic portrayal of people like them. And it was kind of like a "chill" episode to let the audience relax for a bit before the season finale.

I always chuckle at The Creature From The Blue Lagoon being Brooke Shields...

Speedo Xander is Best Xander. Don't @ me 😂

The coach for the swim team is Sheffish'Bracket from 78 Halloween

The song during the first episode is used in alot of Black Mirror episodes and rewatching this and connecting that was FANTASTIC

After this season the guy went to play in Prison Break & Law and order as a civil rights attorney.

So in Go Fish Cordelia really do say "Yes, I WOULD love you, even if you were a worm, Xander" 😂 - she would get him that rubber duck to play with

Here we go!

Because of the party I mentioned in that last video, the planners got a set tour. They were filming this episode. I got to meet the janitor, John Hawkes, who would soon be Oscar nominated for Winters Bone. The original student and teacher were Christopher Gorman (who David Greenwalt later hired as tge lead in Jake 2.0) and Meredith Salenger (Dream a Littke Dream, now married to Patton Oswalt). We were standing in The Bronze and could hear the scene. Buffy yelling, "Don't walk away from me bitch!" sounds really bizarre out of context. We didn't know the context until it aired. Spike couldn't walk the whole time. He really was hurt badly. I think the event was triggered by the date of the dance, plus Buffy bring there in that state with supernatural powers could have been a boost, plus the Hellmouth, etc. _____________ Go Fish is not one of the best of the season and leaves a lot of questions. Many I don't want answered. Wentworth Miller of Prison Break and Captain Cold of the Arrowverse. He was in Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010). Nick is 5'11". My high school did not have a pool. It does now. The swimmer who said it was in the steam was Shane West later in A Walk to Remember, Dracula 2000, and TV shows Nikita and Salem. What happened to the coach is one of those questions I don't want answered. So, the swimmers didn't know what the sauna drugs were doing to them. "The creature from the Blue Lagoon was Brooke Shields" is a favorite line from the episode.

Buckle up, babes!!! I love watching your reaction videos. It feels like watching the show for the first time

Eating the insides of the insides of the Oreo cookie first is the correct way to do it.

"Those boys really love their coach"

I luv these episodes!!! All of season 2 is so good!!! No skips!💗

I literally CANNOT WAIT until next week’s reaction.

Paranormal soap opera! Willow’s teacher era. Love that for her 💚 Citywide coverup tea! I know Angel’s bad now but damn 🥵 The spliced scenes w/ Buffy/Angel was great. Wentworth Miller, Shane West, Conchata! The cameos are a trip. Supportive Cordelia & her art skills! Willow’s interrogation 😂 The ‘walk me home’ line was gold 💀 Xander in his Speedo 😂 Awesome reaction guys 🖤

Cody & Sergio, tomorrow May 20, 2024 marks the 21st Anniversary of when "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" series ended it's run.

“We need therapy” should be the tagline of the show 😂

Yeah you have known idea how you will cry, but we are all here for you....also Gen x so we play with your emotions

29:08 phew well done Sergio, since he came on the screen ive been thinking resident evil at the jail as Chris Redfield lol and other things he has been in. 36:17 this is the true horror of tis episode

'Go Fish' is needed as light relief before the finale and I always appreciated it.

I’m loving that u guys are loving this show and it only gets better as the seasons go on.

29:55 You did NOT just say that! Snyder is a freaky little troll, though. So he just might.

I think I need my eyes checked. I just now realized the little neon - looking thing on the shelf is a cute li'l spook and not a crappy map of Texas.

Soon Becomming and Season 3 guys !!!!

I like the fish one, in fact all the super cheesy ones that feel straight from a classic b-grade movie.. but it probably could have been moved before the Eyes For You one.

After the horror hour comments, I just imagine Sergio swinging his legs on that high chair 😂 love the vids

"There's plenty more fish in the sea" 😂

You guys should watch the Buffy movie.

Finale next week!! I love these tw, esp Eyes for You, such good acting

I have been waiting for more buffy reactions loving this.

Oh my god I work on Hell’s Kitchen and I cannot believe Gordon is in every aspect of my life rn.

Guys, let this sink in: a guy asked girl on a date, she said no, and he just accepted that and walked away. It's honestly mindblowing. This show is pushing lots of boundaries.

Go Fish- not one of my favorites. But gotta love Cordy🥰🥰 bath toys 🙂‍↕️🫠

Your reactions are fun and entertaining. The thought process and trying to understand in real time is very good. Go Fish…. Yea it’s just weird. But I Only Have Eyes For You is a very sneaky profound examination of the Western concept of true forgiveness by the wronged given to the accused without the need for personal vengeance. Recall what Buffy tells everyone about the boy that murdered and his needed retribution. Buffy. has no concept of the power of forgiveness and the need. Buffy can not and never will until… she becomes the killer of her lover. Buffy will never be a killer so she thinks that punishment is simple and brutal. Buffy becomes a killer and only then can she feel the torment, the soul wrenching guilt, and the need to be forgiven If she does not fully grasp the power to forgive , then being the slayer is not about justice but vengeance She understands that there must be consequences and justice should be rendered But justice is not vengeance. The Gypsy curse on Angel was evil. It was to inflict pain and suffering without redemption. It’s only when the murdered teacher,as Angel who can not die by gunfire, forgives the boy, is he released from his eternal suffering. His soul is released… we don’t know what or where awaits but Buffy understood that the power is with the victim to forgive . Only by understanding the pain self inflicted can she understand how to forgive not just others but herself. Now Buffy can understand the difference between a true self love and selfishness that only benefits herself. This lesson is something very few will understand but is essential to Buffy becoming a strong, independent, and loving woman. Buffy has a long journey but take a step back and think how many people can’t understand the difference between justice and vengeance. That to love oneself is different than selfishness. And just like in Lie To Me, we have choices, they may be difficult, but we have choices that are either morally right or have evil intentions. And yes this was a philosophical question that can be avoided and just be part of a very entertaining episode with a classic do-wop song. That’s the greatness of BTVS. An episode can be many things at once and to different people.

Go Fish is so misplaced, even as a monster of week episode. I don't hate it, but something does feel weird about the whole episode. The unusual pacing, I don't know. 2x19 grew on me so much over the years, it could be basic "ghost story" but it works very well with the Buffy relationship with Angel and her guilt.

ive never seen the bottom half of cody so I'm not picturing a luxurious mermaid tail. he must be sitting in a tub of water just below the screen. it all makes sense now.

I love when Angel puts Spike in his place 😂

I remembered they had a promotion saying one of the characters would die. I was like Duh! Ms. Calendar, lol.

„What in the Slitheen“ - Waaah, you guys watch Doctor Who? ❤ I need reactions to the newest season from you guys.

Boys, strap in for next week

a great episode... and then a weird fish monster episode. honestly they should have swapped angel for spike and put this near the beginning of the season; it does not belong here at all.

wait is that wentworth miller

I❤ Buffy ( Thanks For The Reactions!)😭🫨🥰👨‍👩‍👧‍👧👻🎛🖥❤️‍🩹

Did you ever see ugly Betty the guy playing James was on of the love interests but wore glasses

Doing math in English class 😮 *tisk tisk*😉

24:42 CODY IS A DOCTOR WHO FAN??? 👀👀

I can't even comment cus I wanna talk about spoilers SO BAD!!!

LETS GOO

All I have to say is u 2 better have enough tissues for the season 2 finale that’s all I’m saying 😢

19 is suuuuuuch a banger episode! 20 well……..isn’t. I heard Joss say they wanted a sort of throw away episode before the epic 2 part finale so. It does have some great jokes. Once…twice….three times a fish guy!

Don't feel bad if you didn't like Go fish it is a low tear Buffy episode. I do have a slightly random question/request. Have you watched or been watching Interview with the Vampire? If so, what are your thoughts? If not, would you be up for reacting to it? It's a show I know you both would love.

Will you guys consider doing the old x-files? Thank you.

Xander is so hot to me...

If you do watch The First Omen, hopefully you at least watch the original Omen trilogy (The Omen, Damien: Omen II, The Final Conflict) before you do considering 3 characters from the original film appear in the prequel. Omen IV and the remake are not worth the time

🎬❤

Resident evil 5 when?.

2x19 I love how three different sets of actors perform the same scene and it never gets boring. 2x20 I've seen people enjoy this episode because it's so cringy and I've seen people hate it for it's cringe. Either way, four moments that cannot ever be enjoyed (at least for me) and are worse than cringe are: Buffy being sexually assaulted by Cameron; Giles, Xander, and Willow looking at Buffy while she complains about what Cameron did and brush it off, saying, _What's the big deal Buffy? Couldn't you handle yourself?_ Which definitely isn't the point; The coach explaining to Buffy that boys have other needs than feeding once dropping her in a sewer along with them; and Buffy insinuating what they did to their coach when saying, "They really love their coach." Those four moments are just horrible.

Go Fish a real filler of an episode to be honest, one of the worst of the Season. Some brilliant preceding episodes, Surprise, Innocence, Passion, I Only Have Eyes for You etc then this! Only thing is after this we are in for E21 and E22 two parter finale which is exceptional, and brings a thrilling conclusion to the Season Arc. Enjoy the last two, you will!