The worst part about what Willow did, is that Buffy had to re-experience everything that lead her to the depressed state in the first place. Her mum dying, dying herself, remembering she was torn from Heaven. Willow made her relive all of that at once.
17:14 is an underrated moment of acting by SMG. You can see the waves of emotiones rush over her, while she gets her memories back. The one second she is normal and all of a sudden she remembers. I know that feeling very well. I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer a few years ago and for a very long while, this was how I would feel every single morning. Waking up and feeling normal and happy for 2 whole seconds until the realisation of my situation kicked in. It was like a sudden splap in the face, like your breath is drawn from you, as soon as I remembered. SMG captured this moment perfectly.
💜💜 yeah, absolutely so true. Those few blissful moments when you wake and then suddenly BAM you remember.... 😔 I'm sorry you had to deal with that awful feeling!
Thank you both. I am doing good. Still on medication but tumors have not been growing the past year. I am in my mid thirties and was diagnosed 3 years ago.
Willow proves here that she IS the rank amateur that Giles scolded her about. She was incredibly careless while doing a spell that Tara warned her was wrong and was a violation
I can't think of another show that is so effective at doing these kinds of 180-degree shifts from laugh-out-loud hilarity to devastating heartbreak. A perfect follow-up to "Once More with Feeling".
It takes a lot of storytelling finesse to follow an episode like Once More With Feeling and Tabula Rasa delivers it in spades. So much comedy, so much emotion, so much hurt - this one cuts really deep and I love that they went there, even though Giles leaving is a big, bloody, gaping wound.
It is a daring and audacious choice to follow a musical episode with one that has a song as powerful as the one they used here. Michelle Branch, acoustic and raw....spectacular.
Spike was wearing the very same suit as he did in the season 4 finale, 'Restless' Well spotted. Favourite line (which seems to have been cut out of this video): "Time, Mr. Ssspike, is what turnssss kittenssss into catssss." I was just looking up the IMDB credits for this episode, and I just discovered that the actor who played the loan shark sadly died almost exactly one year ago.
Tabula Rasa was a great innovative episode with comedy overload. There was foreshadowing here from S4 finale Restless with Giles and Spike saying he was his son etc. We see Willow again going to the dark side with addiction to magic for her own selfish purposes, mirroring serious drug addiction. As they all have no memories this lends itself to great comedy. A brilliant use of Michelle Branch's gorgeous ballad Goodbye To You that was specially recorded version for this episode. Willow is her own worst enemy devoured by her love and lust for Tara who feels total betrayal after what Glory did to her mind in S5, it's almost a metaphor for coercive control, and of course we see 'Spuffy' is now very real. One very funny bit is where Buffy and Spike are in the graveyard, and Spike says' maybe I'm a vampire with a soul', and he 'helps the helpless' the tagline of course from the show Angel. Just a brilliant innovative episode.
I know that Willow is desperate to make everything better fast, but her magic use is just...it's too much. You are completely right, it will take time. Spike:(Randy):"Oh, god, how I must hate you..." Giles:"What did *I*do?!!" Spike:"RANDY GILES?!!! Why not call me "Horny Giles"or "Desperate for a shag Giles?" It's really sad that Willow and Tara fall for each other all over again, only for the revelation that Willow completely betrayed her and broke her word only a short time after promising to go without magic.
As per the joining spell in 4x21, Willow is Buffy's metaphorical spirit, Xander is her metaphorical heart, and Giles is her metaphorical mind. She was kissing Spike at the end of this episode because she has lost her mind.
Great reaction! There are few shows that can make one laugh and cry in the same episode like Buffy. 6x7 and 6x8 are two of the best episodes of the series for sure.
Yes, the spell was intended to only do a mild mind wipe of Tara and Buffy. But the ember that jumped out of the fireplace ignited the remainder of her forget-me flowers amping the spell up considerably.
Willow has been turning to magic to deal with her emotions since season 3, with the "de-lusting spell." Then in season 4 she said, "If I had any real power, I could have made Oz stay with me," and tried to make her feelings go away with magic again. This pattern of behavior has been building for a long time.
This episode is my 2nd favorite episode, next to 6x07. It also explains my hatred for bunnies. We all sing the songs from 6x07 all the time, and anytime I hear "I've got a theory" in a show I say "it must be bunnies". Have a great day.
Great one Jules! The last episode is a hard act to follow, but I think they did it! This is one of the funniest episodes in the series. Joan and Randy, Anya (with her bunnies) and Rupie. 🤣🤣 But that ending sure is devastating.
Spike said something very prophetic in Episode 3 of this season as he was walking away from Xander: "Thing about magic, there's always consequences. Always!" Joss Whedon's mission statement with resurrecting Buffy was that they couldn't use the cheap way out. Right now Willow doesn't seem to believe in the consequences, even when they've cost her the woman she loves. Lots of things to explore this season as Everyone grows.
1 week? I don't think she even made it 1 hour. This is an amazing portrayal of addiction. Just like most addicts, Willow thinks she can control it, but doesn't realize just how much it is controlling her life.
Wow, you noticed Spike was wearing the same suit as he did in Restless! Usually only people who have watched this show multiple times pick up on that.😏
36 pages left in the book of Buffy and few shows can mix laughter and tears at this level. Juliette has the sense of humor and humanity to appreciate both.
If you imagine that we thought the series was over after "The Gift". I didn't expect them to get BETTER after that. And The Gift is still my #1 all time favorite episode, because "emotional damage" 😅. But the writing in season 6 over all is just SO god damn good. This time around, I'm really watching for the characters rather than worrying how they're gonna beat the next big baddie or avoid impending doom. And they really did a great job here fleshing out pretty much every character.
This is definitely one of the most depressing endings in _Buffy_ for me. Tara is leaving Willow and moving out; Giles has left the country; Dawn is basically reliving her parents' divorce with Willow and Tara's break-up; and Buffy is again sunk in post-resurrection misery, and even kissing Spike. _The Body_ may be the saddest episode overall, but this ending left my mood very low when I first saw it.
@@julesreacts i think about that. It's like they knew they had to give us that emotional high before metaphorically eviscerating us. The spoonful of sugar before the medicine, so to speak.
I think it's significant that everyone of the core Scooby Gang worked out their name (or at least a version of it) except for Buffy. Spike didn't either, but his alliance with them has always been tenuous at best, fueled either by shared interest, money, or his obsession with Buffy. But I think it represents how alienated Buffy feels from those closest to her right now, and it explains her finding comfort in Spike, the other outsider.
Also, "what a rollercoaster of an ending" I think you can say that about the entire season, it sure has huge ups and downs, a credit to Buffy's stellar writing team
In fact, when I first saw this, I didn't think, "Giles is fighting a skeleton!" No, I thought "Giles is fighting a stop-motion skeleton!" -- as if that was a completely different type of creature. 🤦♂
10:24 It's both hilarious and adorable how they work out they are sisters, just from their instinctive banter 😂😂 And so sweet too that 'Joan' is determined to protect 'Umad' from the start, even before they work it out ❤❤
Jules, your reaction to this episode was the same as mine when I first saw it❣ I laughed so hard and then bawled my head off at the end. Once More With Feeling is an exceptional episode. This is such a great follow up that keeps the momentum going.
Why is it... I saw this episode when it first aired near 30 years ago, I've seen it MULTIPLE times ever since, and -- why is it that it *destroys me EVERY DAMN TIME...
"Oh no this is so sad! I refuse to accept this ending, oh no Giles is on the plane! I refuse to be with out Giles.....WHAT!?!" classic Jules reaction to the unexpected.
As heartbreaking as the end of this episode is, it's still one of my favorites. I love how your make-up complements the flowers on your top/dress. Very pretty!!! Lovely reaction, as always (glad you kept the laughter in)! See you for Angel!! ❤🧡💛💚💙💜
Another Great one. There were a lot of very good episodes in season 6. Nice Send up of angel and his lame back story. Rupie. Poor Buffy, she was so happy. Sort of a season one buffy. It was all very sad but I think the saddest thing was buffy desperately seeking Spike.
Such a crazy episode! And I love the perfect musical montage at the end; great use of the song, plus I remember being so shocked/confused/delighted at that last shot!
The thing that bums me out, is that around this time we came so close to having a Gilles spinoff called "Ripper", co-produced by the BBC. I can't remember the reason why we didn't get it (it might have had something to do with the fact that Buffy, Angel, and Firefly were all in production at the same time and Whedon had too much on his hands) but damn I wish we got it.
@@TheNighthawke502 I suppose it might be possible Whedon was developing the _concept_ of Dollhouse at this time, but that would be about as much as he might have been "dealing" with it. These episodes aired in the fall of 2001. Firefly wouldn't premiere until 2002. The last of the three to end was Angel, in 2004. Dollhouse didn't premiere until 2009. I honestly don't think he even began considering developing Dollhouse until after he knew there wouldn't be a sequel movie to Serenity.
Dawn: Her mother died, her father never came, her sister died, Giles left, Giles leaves again, and Tara moves out. She's lost so many parental figures in the past year
This episode showcases the two extremes of Buffy in one - it's hilariously funny, but with a tragic, gut-wrenching conclusion. It's the perfect follow up to Once More With Feeling, forming quite a powerful pair of episodes. It was such a good idea to soften the fall-out of the previous episode with the kind of whacky supernatural hijinks that this show does so well. That shot of the amnesiac gang opening the door and screaming is one of the most iconic moments of the show. 🤣 You can tell that the cast and writers had a blast with the memory wipe plot. At the end though, we come crashing back to reality. That sudden shot of Giles on the plane is especially heartbreaking. Apparently the real world reason for his departure was that Anthony Stewart Head wanted to spend more time with his family in England, which is understandable. I believe there were also plans for a Giles spin-off at the time, called Ripper. As for Willow and Tara, it's heartbreaking, but Tara definitely needed to get out of there. Let's face it, Willow has become more than toxic, she's downright abusive. Not only could she not even go a few hours without magic, but her go-to response to difficulties is to violate those closest to her by messing with their minds. The metaphor for abusive relationships and addiction are obvious, but very effective. See, that's why I don't mind the Big Bads of this season being a bit of a joke, because these personal struggles are the far greater problem this time round. I'm looking forward to the next one Jules, things are certainly getting tough.
No spoilers here. It's worth remembering when, how, and from whom Spike learned about being in a relationship. All his experiences come from Drusilla and Angelus and after he became a vampire. It's hardly a solid foundation. And Buffy is in no place to act as his moral compass, and her own headspace is a sad place to be. Let's say that season 6 Spuffy is 'complicated'. However, it did not turn me away from being a Spuffy shipper on the whole, but my full take would be spoilery, so I'll leave it until the end :)
LOL I love seeing your emotional reaction to these heartbreaking scenes. I don't think I'd enjoy watching Buffy again without your beautiful reactions! So, another totally awesome, unique episode. I guess after something as special as "Once More", you can't exactly go straight back to a "regular" episode. I think this episode would have seemed a lot more special were it not sitting in the shadow of "Once More". By the way, I think SMG looks particularly beautiful in this episode, especially the opening scene. I LOVE her white sweater, the tied-back hair, and IMHO the "moonlight" is extremely flattering of her skin.
If there is one thing this show does really well, it is evoking emotions. It makes you both laugh and cry in a single episode. (Such as this one) Even the episodes that aren't as good as other episodes do this. However, there is one exception to this, and I will comment on that episode when we reach it. I hope that's not a spoiler. I hope you have a great weekend, and if I forgot to say this earlier, happy (belated) birthday!😊
About the musical, be careful, it's great but those songs are so catchy you will find them hard to get out of your head. :-) I remember watching it at a special screening at Comic Con one year soon after it aired. Everybody sang in unison like at a Rocky Horror Show screening and even recited lines of dialogue. "Dawn's in trouble? Must be Tuesday" which is funny because the show aired in seasons 2-7 on Tuesday nights. Loved it!
Willow saying "And I think I'm kinda gay" is a call back to "Doppelgangland" in season 3. Let's hope she doesn't share any more traits with her vampire double.
The happiest/sad or saddest/happy episode of the series. As sad a it is to say, Tara needed to leave. Willow was not a good girlfriend anymore. I wouldn't have even given her the chance Tara did. Giles, on the other hand is making a mistake because he knows Buffy is depressed as he sang in the last episode, "Is my slayer too far gone to care?" He knows this isn't just a case of Buffy struggling to grow up, but is treating it like it is. She is depressed and needs help. In more ways than the people who resurrected her are going to be able to give. The ember jumping out of the fireplace ruined the spell and erased everyone's memories instead of just Tara's and Buffy's, as Willow planned. Lets say the spell did work properly. Was Willow just going to make Giles forget not to go as that would play into the problem in some way, shape, or form? Buffy would either just be depressed about that, which would have Willow do the spell again, or the spell would have her not care Giles left. Either way, Willow ends up right back where she was at the end of this episode. That is how addiction works. Good on Tara for leaving the toxicity. I love that she compares depression Buffy and horny Spike makeouts to Buffy and Angel. Buffy hasn't ever had a healthy relationship and so many people still want to see Angel as a good thing, especially at this point. But whether Angel was healthier than this or not, he was never really a healthy relationship, and neither was Parker, or Riley, or even Scott Hope (who had the most potential to be if Angel hadn't returned from Hell).
I get that. And I respect her decision. It's just that I have warmed up to Tara so much, she has actually become my favorite character of the show at this point and it just hurts too much to see/ let her go like that.
@@chanceneck8072 SPOILERS Not dating a core four member doesn't always mean characters will leave the series (although it can mean that as the show revoles around the original group of four and all other characters support them - Tara even admitted an in-universe fact on that when she stated she and Dawn weren't Scoobies). Tara is still around, she just won't be in a toxic relationship anymore or as heavily involved with the core group's activities.
Exactly, if the spell had worked as intended, how was Willow planing on keeping this up? Would she go to Giles, Xander, Anya and Dawn to convince them to just never mention "heaven" to Buffy ever again?! None of them would agree to keep this up, especially Giles.
It's another awesome Buffy the Vampire Slayer Friday today especially with another humorous episode and everyone losing their memories I'm kinda sorta hoping Buffy and Spike get together eventually but I hope you have a wonderful weekend and thank you my friend Juliette. 🎃👻🎃🇦🇺
I think that the line that sums up buffy and spike right now is Buffy's"...but I just wanna feel'. It's not ALL there is to their relationship of course, but I think that in this particoular moment Buffy wants something that ties her to this life and Spike is perfect for that especially because of their wird relationship, that holds affection (love?) and also despise..a feeling that Buffy has for herself right now.
I think this episode shows pretty well how Buffy is using Spike to feel something else then pain (not that Spike isn't using her as well but he acts from a place he interprets as love). I'm not going to dissect their relationship here, I'll wait for later to avoid spoiling you but it's one of the most interesting relationships in a series that is known for extraordinary character development.
Remember that just before Buffy kissed Spike last episode her line was "I just want to feel". This second kissing is still in the same state of mind. Desperation, wanting to feel something. Losing herself. Not dealing with things.
Agree! Buffy knows Spike is bad, she just wants a connection. This reflects reality; many people have hookups with inappropriate partners just to avoid feeling lonely
I love that you laughed so much in this episode! It's definitely one of the funniest episodes of the show. Of course, I learned to be very careful with this show, since they usually follow up making us laugh so much with some soul crushing tragedy. 😂 Edit: 23:17 oh Haha yup, exactly! 😂
Jules! 💜Hi! 👋- a wave from yesterday. Spike jumps right into it, at 1:19 - “All Gone With the Wind, with the rising music… “🥲 , and Buffy’s rejection, puts the musical episode to bed. Willow has given up her Scooby spot, or lost it. She has become detrimental to everything they are trying to achieve. So self centered. She constantly claims to be acting in the interest of others, but, all the while, she knows she acts only for herself. She shuns human interaction, and tries to force the easy path with magic, something which she has fooled only herself into believing she understands. And her actions have made Buffy the person she has become, wanting to leave the day to day for others to handle. I agree with Tara wanting to leave, wholeheartedly. 🤔 Randy & Joan - what a team! That little snipe at Angel - a vampire with a soul, network rivalry. 😅 18:28 - You pretty clearly stated the name was on the drum, identifying the singer as Michelle Branch (I really like her music. I have since she first appeared 😊) Fewer and fewer folks listen to lyrics anymore, or reactors comments it would seem, maybe it’s just a syllable count limit - reach the mark, and attention span has been met. 😜 It is certainly sad that Giles is leaving, he should have thought twice and bundled Willow, in his stead, that would have been a positive outcome for sure. Tara gave her an ultimatum, but I fully believe Willow agreed to a week simply to end the conversation, she had no intention of stopping. The fault lies with Willow, she agreed, fully knowing her promise was false. 🙄 Great catch with the suit! 🙌🙌 And I am glad you left your long laugh in. It is a reaction channel after all, and laughter is the very best reaction. 😊 Even Bonnie seemed to enjoy it! 🐿 A tough episode - slipped some very humorous things in, throughout, the growing sadness of the scenes. One thing I noticed, but maybe it was left out of the original, or edit, owing to length, but Xander and Anya, appear to be the only unresolved couple in the episode. Everyone else had a meet or two, except them. Probably nothing, just not needed. Great, but sad episode. As the Doctor said - “ … the bad things don’t necessarily spoil the good things, or make them unimportant… “, but these writers sure try hard to do so. Have a great Saturday, Jules 💜🤗💜- hit those shops 🥰- you’ve got Summer coming on full, and that opens all manner of possibilities - enjoy the weekend! Have a great time, and Be Well. 😉😊
Tom 👋💜 a wave back at you! Summer feels well and truly here today. I've just been outside watching the birds (maybe 3 babies?? Definitely 2!) and it's rather very warm! Back inside now, but hoping to get a few minutes of sun each day for precious vitamin D! I wish Giles didn't go. I understand why he did but... often, he was the only voice of reason. How are they going to manage without him? But that's the whole point of him leaving, I guess. I know the gang is older now and can take care of things by themselves if given a chance but... I don't know... I feel we saw them grow up from young teens. I just want to take care of them! It was a great episode to laugh along with (until the end) and I enjoyed it very much. We definitely need more laughs in between the sea of sadness this show has given us 🤣 Enjoy your weekend, dear Tom ☺️💜
I HATE Giles for leaving. You don't leave someone when they are at their most vulnerable, but many people do that in real life, as well. Buffy is life. Love this episode.
18:35 Ok, raise your hand who else has at some point or another in their life just cried their eyes out to this song? 🤔✋️😔😭 It doesn't matter how often, but I must admit, I did that, too. The worst parts were when you were just going to some of the roughest times and just couldn't get this song out of your head. It's the perfect song for this scene, no doubt. But it also amplifies the pain you feel, if you feel pain. At least that is how I feel about it and I've come close to having some potentially dangerous thoughts once or twice when I was emotionally unstable, listening to this song. I'm not trying to critique this song, I actually just wanted to emphasize how powerful I think it is. It is a very sad song. I just added a small share of personal history with that, perhaps someone else has had some similar experiences and we can talk about that. I've often used music as an emotional catalyst and this song here in particular always reminds me of THE MOST PAINFUL experiences that I had ... 😅
Ok, I have to clarify for context, I only ever listened to this song from this episode! 😅 It's crazy how you can get some entirely new context when you listen to music in a different environment. Because I just looked up the song and it's actually a pretty positive and happy, beautiful song. 😅🤭 So, keep in mind, when I say "sad", it's all of the Buffy context. And it's been the way that I used that song for the longest time. Like I said, as an emotional catalyst. But now, I'm thinking if I could perhaps sing that song myself. I've done my fair share of self-improvement, starting to build myself a happy life after my depression. I feel like the roughest parts are over now and when I listen to the song isolated from the Buffy context, it actually makes me feel pretty good and I want to sing it... 😅
Honestly I don't think I've heard this song before! Michelle Branch brings back memories from the 00s though, so that was really cool to see someone like her on the show 🙌
the night the rabbits almost took over sunnydale!.. 😁and now seriously - after you have already seen the previous episodes, I can already say it: in its own way, this season is no less difficult than the previous one. You can see for yourself that things are not going well with the Scoobies...
Spike in this episode is interesting. With his memories, he knows he has a chip in his head that will hurt him if he attacks humans. Without his memories, one would expect him to act like any other vampire. You can explain away him not attacking Buffy as him subconsciously still being in love with her, but what explanation is there for him not being tempted by the rest of the Scoobies? Did he just eat before he went to the Magic Box? Or has something about Spike changed on a deeper level? Time will tell.
Great reaction. I enjoy your thoughts on the Buffyverse and Doctor Who. And also, your make up and hair with the outfit was on point here! Loving the look *chefs kiss
Wait wait, you thought it was Michelle Branch on the drums? 😂 I couldn't tell if that's what you said. She was the singer/guitar player, and that's one of her most well-known songs. That gave me a chuckle when you said that.
Did you see that big bag of Lethe's Bramble? How many times has Willow used it to make people forget(mainly Tara) Not cool Will. And one of my favorite Tara/Amber scenes of the series is her smackdown of Willow at the beginning of the ep. The writers gave the Amber some juicey material to work with for a change and thought it was acted really well. She is not the shy Tara anymore who we first met back in S4.
Yeah, this is exactly what I said in the episode where we see Willow first use the Lethe's Bramble! I am convinced she's used it before, and not just on Tara :(
Been waiting forever for you to see this one. So much humor, and yet so much pain. Did you notice all the many forshadows coming to fruition? Remember Spike and Giles in the dream episode? and yeah, it was Michelle Branch, and if I remember correctly, this is one of the places where she got her start/break. I still cry during the end, and her music just fits so well, and makes me cry even more. Better get another box of Kleenex though, this roller coaster aint stopping anytime soon.
Your face, from tears to laughter at the very end there... priceless. I always think back to the episode where Willow accidentally made Buffy and Spike fall in love and how unnatural it seemed then, but now it seems so right somehow. I also always find it amusing to remember the irony that it was Faith in Buffy's body that first sparked Spike's romantic interest.
Ooh was that when it all started, with Faith? I'm trying to think back to when Dru left him because the slayer was "all around him", as she said. Interesting!
@@julesreacts True. Dru often saw things before anyone else, including the audience. But I've rewatched this series often enough to see that there is a clear shift in Spike's attitude after the encounter with Faith/Buffy. It's certainly possible she just caused something in Spike's subconscious to come to the surface. Or Dru just sensed the future, as she certainly had prophetic visions.
The first few episodes of season 6 were sooooooo depressing, I almost gave up on the show. But then in episode 7 Buffy sang, "I've been making shows of trading blows..." and it hooked me again. Which led to this, my favorite episode of all time, just for the sheer comedy genius of it. Fun fact: Anthony Stewart Head (Giles) is only 8 years older than James Marsters (Spike), so the whole father/son bit is hilarious on another level.
Your love for Giles makes me so happy. 😊 And when I heard the song at the end, I had to look up who sang it because it sounded so familiar. But just said her name like it’s common knowledge lol.
I love this episode. I felt so bad for Tara. I was a bit confused by Dawn's reaction to Tara leaving. It appears to me that she blames Tara for leaving. Spike this whole episode was hilarious. Randy Giles!
@@KelliFranklin I think she feels like Tara is abandoning her. Tara and Willow where a sort of surrogate parents for Dawn when Buffy was away. This feels like a divorce scene. (And Dawn has experience with a parental figure moving out) It's not fair, but quite understandable.
@@gstar1084 I think that's true as well. Dawn would definitely have abandonment issues considering the people she has lost. I was probably a bit unfair in my assessment of Dawn. I think it's just me but she gets on my nerves quite a bit. Lol
@@ulrichs3061 I think that could be true as well. No one except Tara knows how far gone Willow is at that point. Dawn probably wouldn't have known what was going on.
I don't want to give you any spoilers, just remember when you thought that Oz had left, you did see him again in another episode, so keep having hope that you will see them both again for one more episode. I also LOVE the bit when spike is thinking he's on the mission of Angel, makes me laugh every time.
I respect your way to phrase that. I think being able to not spoil something is an art and a skill. 😅 And you certainly have some of that skill. I have been schooled in that art for over ten years now, since I became friends with someone (Patrick) who is just about as much of a film nerd as I am and we both share a deep and passionate love for films and tv shows and we show each other some of our favorites on regular occasion, that the other one has not seen yet. And I started out relatively poor with the "non-spoiling", there have been a couple of moments where his expectation was tainted by something I said before we watched. But nowadays, he and I would consider myself a "master" of that art... 😅a
