Buffy the Vampire Slayer Talk || s3e20 "The Prom" ☂️ 

Jonathan's speech giving Buffy the award for Class Protector is hands down one of rhe best scenes in the entire series.

I love that Buffy’s perfect prom moment has nothing to do with a guy and everything to do with her status as a protector of others.

My favorite part of this episode is when he say there are a lot of weird things that we don't talk about, and someone yells Snyder it gets me every time.

"You have the emotional maturity of a blueberry scones," is one of my favorite lines. The delivery was just perfect.

Also, Giles in this episode... from offering ice cream to that super proud look he gives Buffy, I just love Giles so much!

Can we talk about Sarah Michelle Geller’s acting when she breaks down to Willow. 🥺🥺

I love how Jonathan is giving the award to Buffy and talking about her saving people, when she stopped him from taking suicide a couple of episodes ago...

sees the umbrella in the title- alright, here I go crying again...

That Class Protector speech ALWAYS makes me cry.

This episode is perhaps the single sweetest moment the show has EVER had.

Alley: "Why am I going to actually cry?" Me: I'm a 52 year old male, who watched the series when it first came out, has seen it through the entire run at least 4 times since then, and has and/or is currently following several BtVS reactors on here and I AM sitting here tearing up over that moment. So, why you ask? Because it a fricken' awesome moment in the series.

Start of the episode: "If we get to see Angel in a tux, I'm losing it" End of the episode Angel shows up in a tux: "Eh, I'm over it". Note: That's not a criticism. I get it, that it had changed by that point.

Xander attracts the oddest collection of females: preying mantis molester teacher, Inca mummy girl, evil slayer, and ex-vengeance demon. Heck, even Willow is a witch-in-training.

Buffy's so selfless. The way she's determined everyone else have a good time when she can't. She pushes through her heartbreak to get the job done. I love her.

Giles is my TV dad forever I love him. Anthony Stewart Head is a sweetheart, I've met him at a con and he gives great hugs.

Brad Kane, who plays Tucker in this episode (who raised the hell hounds), was the singing voice for Aladdin in the original animated movie (and its sequels).

This episode has the most wholesome scene in the show with Buffy getting the Class Protector award. The supernatural goings on at Sunydale are very much an open secret. But this is the moment where she gets appreciation for it where often she's ignored. I love it.

I adore demon Anya coming back for this episode to corner Xander into being her date 😂 I love this episode

"We're proud to say that the Class Of '99 has the lowest mortality rate of any graduating class in Sunnydale history" is one of the greatest lines in the history of television.

Enjoyed the breakdown of the Angel/Buffy scenes and the increasing distance between them. To make it even cooler, the very first shot of them in the episode, Angel is literally right next to Buffy's face, about as close as he can get.

I watched Buffy when it first aired in the 90s. Even 21 years later that Class Protector moment makes me tear up. So sweet!

Alley: are we reaching that step in the relationship! Me, knowing what happens: 😬

Wild, Wild Horses couldn’t drag me away...(from this reaction)

Throughout the season there are scenes where it is obvious that the other students know how strong Buffy is and that culminates with her Class Protector award. Having Jonathan give it to her was perfect, he would never be considered as one of the popular students but he is one that Buffy directly saved and not through physical prowess but just by talking to him.

"I don't know what to do with it." You kill a deputy mayor Alley

I was in high school at the same time this series first aired, and was almost the same grade level as these characters were supposed to be. I remember wishing the real prom could've been that cool. Also, Buffy getting the Class Protector award is one of her defining moments. Not the relationship drama with Angel, or those times she shows how much she wishes she could be normal. That award scene is the culmination of three seasons of heroism, and the impact one person can have on those around her. Anyways, I'm glad you enjoyed the prom. But it's over now, and so is the school year. There's only one thing left to do now...

The class protector moment seems like a sweet, touching, opposite version of Carrie.

Sees any part of the class protector scene, even out of context. Buffy fan: cries Hears "Wild Horses." Buffy fan: triggered Welcome to the club. It will be like that forever.

dude, that award for Class Protector gets me every time. So good. Like of course they knew weird stuff was going down and Buffy always seems to stop it, so to get the appreciation after all she has had to give up to protect people was great way to address that leading up to graduation. Anya is the coolest character, she's just so no filter socially awkward, she has some of the best commentary.

“I know. I mean I understand.” Is a line that kills me. She’s utterly devastated but knows that it’s the right thing and they get their last perfect moment together. Nothing else in the world matters in that moment and it’s beautiful.

The KNIFE holy crap that's awesome. So intense looking lol

This episode is awesome. The scene at the prom where Buffy received the award for class protector will always be my favorite scene from the entire series. She truly deserved it being recognized for her heroism always putting her own life on the line to save and protect others.

One of the few good episodes where Buffy actually managed to save the day just in time for a normal prom. Angel being there and putting what he said aside to dance with her was great.

side note: Cordelia Chase deserves better

I think Angel giving her one last dance at her prom is what she AND he deserved. I think it was well earned and it was their goodbye. The last romantic moment that he could give her before they both knew it had to end. I was a perfect ending to their 3 year love story. Giles dancing with her would have been dorky cute but not epic enough in terms of story. Especially knowing that Angel is about to leave the entire show. That ending was perfect.

Alley talking about Principal Snyder's arc and the potential of him teaming up to save the school. Had me just................. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

This episode was one of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s favorites! She said it captured the show and what it felt like to be in high school and what it had to say really well.

Btw, now that you know about Angel's show, watch buffy and angel alongside each other. That way the rare crossover bits will make more sense.

Omg so close to the season finale!!!!

She has wanted, since episode one, to feel like a "normal" girl, like she has a place at this school. Saying that she wants to open up a yearbook one day and feel connected. She finally gets a piece of that during the prom.

I'd like to point out that Angel did try to delay the conversation but Buffy persisted. But even if he didn't he wasn't obligated to wait if he wanted out of the relationship.

Here it is!! One of my favorite episodes in the entire series. Actual recognition! Sunnydale DOES understand something is going on, and that Buffy is on the job! I love it.

Anya asking Xander to prom always makes me smile. Joss’s most famous quote about this show is “characters happy show bad”. Dude really can’t take rejection. She said “No” hell hounds it is. Think about this the schools deaths have declined since Buffy moved there how many people died in sunnydale before.☂

"The lowest mortality rate of any sunnydale graduating class" :)

The look on Buffy's face around 18:28 when Jonathan's giving the speech is so great. Like she's so happy and also so shocked that they would recognize everything she's done for them. Such a great moment.

I always thought the same of why couldn't Angel wait a week, as an adult, or real adult, was in late teens early 20's when this came out, I see now that it's probably more of a, "If I don't do it now I never will" kind of thing, that if he didn't do it while he has the resolve he won't have the strength to later.

I CANNOT forgive you for the HSM2 and the WAP cut aways. Ugh. Everything about this reaction video was on point.

A truly beautiful moment for a thousand reasons that of Buffy's awards ceremony; to begin with it was Jonathan who handed Buffy the umbrella, he who is ideally the symbol of those who were saved and helped by Buffy, and then it all happened the same night she dreamed of dancing with Angel and instead it was found alone and heartbroken, yet capable of putting aside her pain to save everyone. It is good that Sunnydale's students are smart people and that they have realized that they live in a "particular" city and that among them there is a brave heroine :) Really sad to see Buffy cry like that, Sarah really cried in that scene and they had to stop filming to calm her down, she loved the Bangel ship too, like so many of us; luckily Angel finally decided to give Buffy the dream dance (I have no doubt that Giles would have been dancing with her if Angel hadn't come). Cordelia and Wesley are the most cringe ship ever seen, legendary Rupert in encouraging his colleague to throw himself on her XD

Every time I get back to Buffy (and Angel) I keep remembering how good acting can be and how bad most of the current shows are. I suppose the same goes for writing too.

That scene of Angel and Buffy getting married always gets me ‘cause it’s Angel’s endgame (at that time) 😭💔

The opening of Jonathan's speech has a whole different feel to it if, like most of us back in 1999, you haven't seen _Earshot_ yet. His "we're not good friends" line makes you think that she's about to be hit with one more high school humiliation.

"Buffy Summers, class protector" is my favourite scene of season 3. Joyce meddling in Buffy's relationship like that is one of my pet peeves. I don't disagree with the points she made, just how she went about it. Buffy is on the cusp of (yes, very young) adulthood. It's very much Joyce's place to guide and advise, but when it comes to running her daughters life, it's time to take the back seat. I think she should have had that conversation with Buffy and show her trust in her daughter instead of going to Angel behind her back. (Yes, I realise this is what worked for the storyline they wanted, with Angel making the break.) Though I also sometimes think that trying to make Buffy have a "normal" relationship works better for the series and it's goal of being about real life issues, than necessarily for her life as a slayer.

Re: Cordelia’s situation. Think back to Reptile Boy. After they had killed Mikita, companies were going bankrupt, fortunes were being lost. Cordelia’s father totally would have been the sort to worship Mikita back in his college days. The fact that it took some time for the IRS to catch up with him aside, it suggests that Cordelia’s trip to that frat house was the proximate cause of her father losing his fortune and of her prospects disintegrating. Her father’s demonic greed in the first place was of course the ultimate cause. But still, I’ve always thought it sweet that they at least laid this very ripe possibility that Cordelia unwittingly contributed to her family’s demise.

Great reaction to an awesome episode! The class protector scene still chokes me up, and I'm 50 and have watched it a hundred times. And YES, the way Giles instantly reaches for the umbrella when he sees Angel, and the look on his face! He's happy for Buffy, but I think he also looks proud of Angel. This episode sees Angel finally grow up, finally make the mature decisions, and in the end we see that Buffy is okay with that because she also did some growing up. So did the entire class. And even ANYA looks happy for Buffy during the award scene! One of the best episodes, period. :)

Your editing kills me every time! With the dial-up tones and song cues I’m always dying laughing 😂

My heart is bursting from all the effulgence. This episode makes me cry every damn time, multiple times > B/A break, Buffy and Willow talk and cry, then the whole prom thing, especially Jonathan's speech. Even cried during your reaction. 😭😭😭

I love this episode. I'm a big fan of monster of the week and it's so cool to see how they work in a B-plot, _especially_ if the A-plot concerns some kind of revelation or empowerment moment for Buffy. This is such a good Marti Noxon episode. That three-tier punch at the end with Buffy getting the award, proud papa Giles (looking foine btw hmu) and then that gut-wrenching bittersweet slow dance? Come ON. Angel saying that he can't be the person to lead her into the light and the episode ends with all of the people she's been busting her hump protecting putting the spotlight on her to thank her? All the work she's done, all the pain she's endured. Buffy gets acknowledged! Celebrated! This episode is such an exercise in catharsis. Please tell me we're getting part 1 and 2 of the finale at once.

Any time Sarah cries, I’m done.

"I'm leaving, I have my own show starting." loooooooool

This is the one where I cry every single time. This is the one that I know I need tissues. Every. Single. Time. There are other episodes that make me have the "feels" but this is the one where I flat out cry. A little fact: Sarah Michele Gellar lists this one in her top 5 Buffy episodes.

I love that Jonathan was the one to give her the Class Protector award. I always get emotional. One of the best Buffy moments.

MY BROTHER HAD THAT EXACT SAME KNIFE IN HIS ROOM GROWING UP!!! He bought it at Hot Topic because he thought it looked cool. I never knew it had anything to do with Buffy. I’m dead! lol

i agree about the father daughter dance, i would’ve literally cried like a baby

"I think awful is still to come. Right now I'm just trying to keep from dying... I can't breathe, Willow. I feel like I can't breathe!" 😭😭😭 The acting and dialogue is too perfect. It perfectly captures total heartbreak. Takes me back there every time. Makes me weep every time. 😭

You helped get me through 2020, for that you deserve an award lol

the umbrella was the cutes thing they could have given her ,this episode was so sentimental ,Love this and The Dress Come On...Really Good episode

Even with angel being blurry you can still tell he's crying

Snyder outside the butcher shop: why couldn't they be dealing drugs like normal people?

I have rewatched Buffy probably close to 15 times at least and I still cry during Jonathans speech every time, Its so perfectly well done!

You're allowed to cry. I've seen this episode a fair amount of times and I tear up at the umbrella every time.

Sarah Michelle Gellar has said the scene where Buffy is given the Class Protector awards is her personal favorite of the entire series.

When Buffy cry, you cry, even if you are a man i have to confess 😅 Always work always will. Amazing. So you did not expect to be THAT much inside the show 😎

One of the many things I love about you, Alley, is you get me thinking about things like blocking that I subconsciously enjoy but never really consciously noticed before.

Just for the record, a quick search has DB at 6'1" and SMG at 5'4". I'm pretty sure I heard they often went out of their to make Sarah look taller.

That Class Protector moment always hits me in particular because it was Jonathan who gave that speech. Especially when you take Jonathan’s arc as a whole together, and remember how Buffy saved him in EARSHOT from a natural horror, suicide. She protected from both the supernatural as well as the natural. It’s a very layered moment once you’ve seen the entire series. Beautiful.

I watched this episode when it aired, and probably like 10 times since then, and I cry every time I see Buffy get the award. Every time.

I love this ep! The award always makes me cry. So satisfying for her classmates to acknowledge Buffy after we’ve seen her go through so much.

Buffy: "I cant change. I'll never change!" Me: No that would be the vampires actually.

Dunno if anyone else mentioned it, but this is Sarah Michelle Gellars favorite episode. Like everyone else, I got teary eyed even on watch #12 or so. So many great moments.

Tucker Wells was played by Brad Kane, who provided the voice for Disney's _Aladdin_

LOL cant wait to watch all your reactions up until season 7 finale! Loved this show back in the day, it will always have a special place in my heart

I'm not crying you're crying. What a lovely moment.

Truly great, which is brilliant considering how unlike a regular episode it is. Creature of the week is now the sub plot. Giles is indeed awesome and has Buffy's back emotionally and the actual prom is genuinely moving even to us old dudes (I'm only 4 years younger than Anthony Stewart Head). Possibly the first series where characters are shown maturing (or not at times) throughout, which adds genuine depth to their stories and makes them believable despite the fantasy genre. Shout out for Angel. No he couldn't wait a week, his nerve might have gone and he's recognized he is both a danger to Buffy and doesn't (because he loves her) want to deceive her by acting as if everything is OK. (I wonder if he told Giles about that dream too?)

Hellhound rejection guy...keep him in mind. The last 3 episodes of this season are all iconic. Sarah Michelle Gellar legitimately broke down in that scene with Willow to the point they had to shut down the set, she believed Buffy belonged with Angel. Alas...amazing things in store for Angel regardless. As much as I love Buffy, Angels series is even better, darker and more like Supernatural. 😍

This is Sarah Michelle Geller’s favorite Buffy episode. So sweet...

Don't freak out about the knife. Even if they're functional, knives like that are primarily show pieces, meant to be displayed alongside figurines or other collectibles. You don't have to disembowel anybody with it. ALLY: "I wasn't expecting...such an emotional rollercoaster." YODA: "Much to learn you still have." The shot you're referring to is a lens choice to create dimensional effect. They probably used a 50mm lens for the out-of-focus shot because a 50mm has a very shallow depth of field and it's very easy to step out of focus by an inch or so. The reverse shot is with a standard wide angle, probably 25mm (not enough spherical distortion for an 18mm) but the effect is intended as you described. A shot with 2 people is called a "two shot" and the other is called "over-the-shoulder" and juxtaposing the two is called "shot/reverse shot." And you were right about the height-to-power indicator in the blocking; that's Film School 101. Also the best use of The Sundays' cover of "Wild Horses" since FEAR (1996).

The knife is called a "Jackal" and it was made by Hibben. You can also see it on the big screen in Star Trek: Generations and you're very right, it's way cool. I've had mine for 20 years and it's just a neat piece for sure.

When Willow cries I cry when Buffy cries I’m done💔

Well in Angel's dream buffy is putting even Katniss Everdeen to shame. Bad joke so I walk away now after the slow drumroll ;)

Giles can't dance with Buffy. He is a school employee, a recognizably older man in a position of authority, and a chaperone. Despite their existing relationship, that would just really appear all kinds of inappropriate. Giles and Buffy both know that. Even though they have a familial like bond, that is private. You may be over Buffy&Angel, and they may be over it as well but their love is forever. Even if it isn't active, it will always be present in their feelings and how they relate to each other. It is an eternal, fairytale like love even if they refuse to acknowledge it.

I alwayssss bawl during this episode. During the breakup, the award, and then the beautiful Wild Horses scene. I think that last scene is honestly more appreciated (dare I say sacred?) once you watch both series in full. Listening to that cover by The Sundays makes me want to cry every time I hear it 🥺

The class protector award is even more meaningful with the context of “The Wish”, where we SAW a version of Sunnydale and Sunnydale High without Buffy, and so, FULLY see the impact and the difference she made. I mean, lowest class mortality rate vs monthly memorials!

Alley: I don't know how I feel about Buffy and Agel. Me: Furiously trying to get through these eps to get to I Will Remember You.

Speaking of the break up scene, when she turns away and angel is in the background he wipes tears away while she's not looking which breaks my heart everytime...

12:37 NOT THE TRAPPED IN THE CLOSET LYRICS 😂💀

Weapons should be hung on the wall, or on a dedicated little shelf. Not that anyone needs more than one weapon on their wall. Just in general - edged weapons over the fireplace type thing. Milo Ventimiglia was in that hall dancing at some point, as one of his first ever acting gigs. The Sundays were so good then, at the height of their career. " Just because my Dad made one little mistake with his taxes, for twelve years."

Regarding the sewer breakup scene, my feeling is that Angel told her then because he didn't want to constantly have it on his mind. Also, he probably felt like he wouldn't be able to say it if he waited too long. And finally, allowing her to think about having a normal relationship would be like deceiving her.

THE WAP EDIT IS THE BEST THING EVER

This episode! "The Good Life" by Cracker, and "Wild Horses" by The Sundays. So iconic! The fact that Buffy got the recognition and admiration from her peers, not by Cheerleading or being pretty or popular, but by doing the very thing she wanted to avoid. Being the slayer 😎🤘🏻

Is it weird that I always get a little teared-up at the Class Protector scene? *reads comment section* Oh, cool. Phew!