Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel the Vampire

[Iron Man]

I've also only recently started watching Buffy - I'm four episodes into season three - and I kind of hate myself for not watching many years ago, but oh well, better several-years-after-the-end than never. Buffy is one of those shows that it's almost pointless to praise because it pretty much goes without saying that it's brilliant; it's like The Simpsons, Lost, or The Sopranos at their best. It's incredibly satisfying, though, when you experience something you haven't before, but have always heard is great, and find that it really is, and Buffy so far is as awesome as its reputation. No, season one isn't outstanding - it's really fun, but lightweight - but holy crap, season two really is a massive leap forward; one of the best seasons of television I've ever seen. I'm loving season three so far.

Season Three only gets better. I'm watching through for the first time and am up to the finale of Season Three, and I've loved pretty much every one of the past twenty episodes.

 

[Iron Man]

I knew "Graduation Day" was gonna be good, but it completely exceeded all of my expectations.

Spoiler

More of the Mayor's weird relationship with Faith, Buffy vs Faith, their shared dream, Angel feeding off Buffy, Willow and Oz sleeping together, and then that perfect final battle. Having all the students form into an army under Buffy's command was a great idea, and while it could have come across as cheesy, it actually worked considering how many times she's saved all their lives. Plus, Xander got to use his military expertise again and Cordelia staked her first vampire. The final moment with the Scooby Gang staring at the destroyed school was a really fitting ending.

Looking forward to Season Four (and Season One of Angel).

 

[ComicChick]

i need to get back into this. i'm mid season 3 of angel and i had to wipe out my computer.

 

[Iron Man]

I've watched the first episodes of Buffy Season 4 and Angel Season 1 so far. Both were pretty good - nothing mind-blowing, but solid. Angel's premiere did a decent job of setting up the series' premise and differentiating it from Buffy, and had some really entertaining moments (especially with Cordelia). The way he killed Russell was one of the coolest ways a vampire has gone out. The little link with Buffy - the silent phone call - was a nice little connection too.

 

[Nemi]

I've watched the first episodes of Buffy Season 4 and Angel Season 1 so far. Both were pretty good - nothing mind-blowing, but solid. Angel's premiere did a decent job of setting up the series' premise and differentiating it from Buffy, and had some really entertaining moments (especially with Cordelia). The way he killed Russell was one of the coolest ways a vampire has gone out. The little link with Buffy - the silent phone call - was a nice little connection too.

On his show, did Angel seem like he was written differently at all to you?

 

[Thebumwhowalks]

I knew "Graduation Day" was gonna be good, but it completely exceeded all of my expectations.

Spoiler

More of the Mayor's weird relationship with Faith, Buffy vs Faith, their shared dream, Angel feeding off Buffy, Willow and Oz sleeping together, and then that perfect final battle. Having all the students form into an army under Buffy's command was a great idea, and while it could have come across as cheesy, it actually worked considering how many times she's saved all their lives. Plus, Xander got to use his military expertise again and Cordelia staked her first vampire. The final moment with the Scooby Gang staring at the destroyed school was a really fitting ending.

Looking forward to Season Four (and Season One of Angel).

'more of the Mayor's weird relationship with Faith'

I didn't think there was anything 'weird' about their personal relationship, the Mayor was her surrogate father.
He genuinely cared about her in that way, he was too busy trying to take over the world, so did not have any kind of family, and I guess Faith never had much in the way of family either, so when they started working together that's the relationship that developed, they each had that gap in their lives.

btw, I am giving away no spoilers, but season 4 is pretty damn good, despite what some fans say about it, having some very good plot arcs and some of the best eps of Buffy, it has what most fans cite as *the* best ever episode of Buffy, and I would have to agree with them.
Season 5 however, man, that is the best season, my favourite anyway, I rank them...

1. Season 5
2. 3
3. 2
4. 4
5. 7
6. 6
7. 1

edit: Also, there is one big crossover with Angel season one and Buffy s4, after watching 'This Year's Girl' and 'Who Are You?' in Buffy season 4, you watch the two part story in Angel with Faith, 'Five By five' and 'Sanctuary', these are some of the best eps of both shows, you are in for a real treat.

 

[Iron Man]

On his show, did Angel seem like he was written differently at all to you?

A little. He was a bit goofier and a little more light-hearted despite his brooding moments, but that could be attributed to the fact that he wasn't crossing paths with Buffy and seeing what he couldn't have every five minutes.

'more of the Mayor's weird relationship with Faith'

I didn't think there was anything 'weird' about their personal relationship, the Mayor was her surrogate father.
He genuinely cared about her in that way, he was too busy trying to take over the world, so did not have any kind of family, and I guess Faith never had much in the way of family either, so when they started working together that's the relationship that developed, they each had that gap in their lives.

And none of that strikes you as weird? But seriously, I see why that kind of relationship formed and it was really well written, but it was pretty twisted too. I really liked the way the Mayor and Faith became a dark mirror of Giles and Buffy.

btw, I am giving away no spoilers, but season 4 is pretty damn good, despite what some fans say about it, having some very good plot arcs and some of the best eps of Buffy, it has what most fans cite as *the* best ever episode of Buffy, and I would have to agree with them.
Season 5 however, man, that is the best season, my favourite anyway, I rank them...

1. Season 5
2. 3
3. 2
4. 4
5. 7
6. 6
7. 1

edit: Also, there is one big crossover with Angel season one and Buffy s4, after watching 'This Year's Girl' and 'Who Are You?' in Buffy season 4, you watch the two part story in Angel with Faith, 'Five By five' and 'Sanctuary', these are some of the best eps of both shows, you are in for a real treat.

I've quite enjoyed Season 4 so far. I'm looking forward to seeing the episode that's considered the best of the series now too. And wow, you rank Season Five above Season Three? That must be a pretty great season...

 

[lorenzovanmatte]

Yeah, couldn't agree more with what everyone's been saying, 2&3 just rock, they set the standard for TV generally. The later seasons are still great but can't really compare in my opinion, these are halcyon days for the show!

BENEATH YOU

Spoiler

The Good;
All the Spike/Buffy stuff and some nice scenes with Xander and a potential love interest (maybe she wasn't demony enough for him?). Also love Dawn threatening Spike
The Bad;
More dead potentials, ugh! Stupid looking worm, I expected something more Tremors. Also it attacks Nancy in her house but then just goes away? The mad Spike and Buffy scene at the end goes on too long.
Best line;
Spike; "When did your little sister become unbelievably scary?"
Women good/men bad;
Anya still tempting the scorned
Jeez!;
Spike punching Anya isn't nice
Kinky dinky;
Xander lists unwanted pregnancy as one thing Buffy will have to help the high school pupils with. Spike refers to 'Getting it hard and servicing the girl'.
Anya exclaims "Oh penis!"
Captain Subtext;
The little look Spike and Xander give each other when Nancy wonders if any Scoobies haven't slept with one another. Once again virginal Dawn is threatened by a huge phallic symbol. Anya calls her latest dupe 'Honey'.
Guantanamo Bay;
Buffy knows that a bastinado is a hardwood club used to torture prisoners in Turkey. Giles would be proud.
Scoobies to the ER;
Missing scenes;
Apocalypses; 7,
Wheldon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)

Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 4
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 2
Dawn; 4

Scoobies knocked out:
Buffy: 19
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 14
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;5
Dawn; 4
Tara; 1
Kills:
Buffy: 108 vamps, 58 demons, 6 monsters, 3 humans, 1 werewolf, 1 spirit warrior & a robot
Giles: 8 vamps, 2 demon, 1 human, 1 god.
Cordy: 3 vamps, ½ a demon
Will: 6 vamps + 3 demons +1 fawn+1 human.
Angel: 3 vamps, 1 demon, 1 human
Oz: 3 vamps, 1 zombie
Faith: 16 vamps, 5 demons, 3 humans
Xander: 6 vamps, 2 zombies, 1½ a demon,
Anya: 1 vamp and 1½ a demon
Riley; 18 vamps + 7 demons
Spike; 8 vamps and 6 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp + 1 demon

Scoobies go evil:
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1
Buffy; 1

Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 5
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1
Anya; 2

Recurring characters killed: 12
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara

Sunnydale deaths;
94

Total number of scoobies: the Dawnster is finally part of the Scoobies, about time too. Great line when Dawn says assemble the gang and Xander points out that the 3 of them ARE the gang.
Xander, Buffy, Dawn

Xander demon magnet: 5(6?)
Preying Mantis Lady, Inca Mummy Girl, Drusilla, VampWillow, Anya (arguably Buffy & Faith with their demon essences?), Dracula?

Scoobies shot:
Giles: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 4
Riley; 1
Buffy; 1
Tara; 1

Notches on Scooby bedpost:
Giles: 2; Joyce & Olivia, possibly Jenny and 3xDraccy babes?
Cordy: 1?
Buffy: 4 confirmed; Angel, Parker, Riley, Spike. 1 possible, Dracula(?)
Angel: 1;Buffy
Joyce: 1;Giles, 2 possible, Ted and Dracula(?)
Oz: 3; Groupie, Willow & Verucca
Faith:2 ;Xander, Riley
Xander: 2; Faith, Anya
Willow: 2;Oz and Tara
Riley; 3; Buffy, Sandy and unnamed vamp****e
Spike; 2 Buffy and Anya
Anya; 2 Spike and Xander
Spike; good or bad?
Dawn in peril; 11
Dawn the bashful virgin; 9
What the fanficcers thought;
Questions and observations;
Lovely moment with Xander and Buffy in the car when he tells her the SDH kids are lucky to have her. The worm rather reminds me of an old horror film call 'Blood Beach'. Spike has his old hair back, he gradually resembles himself more and more over the season. Love Buffy's Daisy Duke line "Where I go to get my scorn on!" Always thought Nancy was the same girl who was a White-hat in The Wish but she wasn't. Nice pun on 'Beneath You', remember 'Fool for Love'. Spike assumes the same Christ-like pose he showed us in Restless.
Marks out of 10; 7/10

SAME TIME SAME PLACE

Spoiler

The Good;
Some lovely emotional stuff between Willow and her friends, some funny stuff with Anya and Willow but best of all paralysed Dawn is hysterical, especially love the remote control gag.
The Bad;
Not much
Best line;
Dawn (unable to move her lips) "Stop talking about vomit!"
Women good/men bad;
Jeez!;
Skinned vandals and eyeless Gnarl. Gnarl cutting Willow and eating her flesh in front of her is awful.
Kinky dinky;
Captain Subtext;
Dawn wonders when anyone in the Scoobs are ever going to ask for help when they need it, still some emotional baggage from Normal Again. Anya observes that the spell she and Willow do is a 'little sexy'. Willow seems to agree then catches herself on. Note Anya wants to do more spells afterwards but Willow refuses.Why not Winya? They could both share Xander between them and he'd sure be happy. Remember Anya eschewed the company of men for a thousand years, maybe she and Halfrek were more than just friends?
Guantanamo Bay;
Scoobies to the ER;
Nope, Willow heals herself
Missing scenes;
Apocalypses; 7,
Wheldon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)

Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 4
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 2
Dawn; 4

Scoobies knocked out:
Buffy: 19
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 14
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;5
Dawn; 4
Tara; 1
Kills: 1 demon for Buffy
Buffy: 108 vamps, 59 demons, 6 monsters, 3 humans, 1 werewolf, 1 spirit warrior & a robot
Giles: 8 vamps, 2 demon, 1 human, 1 god.
Cordy: 3 vamps, ½ a demon
Will: 6 vamps + 3 demons +1 fawn+1 human.
Angel: 3 vamps, 1 demon, 1 human
Oz: 3 vamps, 1 zombie
Faith: 16 vamps, 5 demons, 3 humans
Xander: 6 vamps, 2 zombies, 1½ a demon,
Anya: 1 vamp and 1½ a demon
Riley; 18 vamps + 7 demons
Spike; 8 vamps and 6 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp + 1 demon

Scoobies go evil:
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1
Buffy; 1

Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 5
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1
Anya; 2

Recurring characters killed: 12
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara

Sunnydale deaths; the vandal
98

Total number of scoobies: the Dawnster is finally part of the Scoobies, about time too
Xander, Buffy, Dawn

Xander demon magnet: 5(6?)
Preying Mantis Lady, Inca Mummy Girl, Drusilla, VampWillow, Anya (arguably Buffy & Faith with their demon essences?), Dracula?

Scoobies shot:
Giles: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 4
Riley; 1
Buffy; 1
Tara; 1

Notches on Scooby bedpost:
Giles: 2; Joyce & Olivia, possibly Jenny and 3xDraccy babes?
Cordy: 1?
Buffy: 4 confirmed; Angel, Parker, Riley, Spike. 1 possible, Dracula(?)
Angel: 1;Buffy
Joyce: 1;Giles, 2 possible, Ted and Dracula(?)
Oz: 3; Groupie, Willow & Verucca
Faith:2 ;Xander, Riley
Xander: 2; Faith, Anya
Willow: 2;Oz and Tara
Riley; 3; Buffy, Sandy and unnamed vamp****e
Spike; 2 Buffy and Anya
Anya; 2 Spike and Xander
Spike; good or bad?
Dawn in peril; 12
Dawn the bashful virgin; 9
What the fanficcers thought;
Anya places Dawn in a Girl Scout pose, read more than a few dodgy fanfics over the years that place her in THAT uniform!

Questions and observations;
Nice that we still have Joyce's picture scattered around the house but who are the couple in the pic by the phone? Aunt Arlene? Grandma and grandpa Summers? Note the scorched mummy hand in the box Anya brings from the Magic Box. Dawn seems to be a CSI fan. Surely she hardly needs high heels she already towers over all the other girls.
Marks out of 10; 7/10

 

[Nemi]

A little. He was a bit goofier and a little more light-hearted despite his brooding moments, but that could be attributed to the fact that he wasn't crossing paths with Buffy and seeing what he couldn't have every five minutes.



And none of that strikes you as weird? But seriously, I see why that kind of relationship formed and it was really well written, but it was pretty twisted too. I really liked the way the Mayor and Faith became a dark mirror of Giles and Buffy.



I've quite enjoyed Season 4 so far. I'm looking forward to seeing the episode that's considered the best of the series now too. And wow, you rank Season Five above Season Three? That must be a pretty great season...

I remember him also being a bit more shy and having a bit of trouble talking to women which was pretty funny.

Yeah, couldn't agree more with what everyone's been saying, 2&3 just rock, they set the standard for TV generally. The later seasons are still great but can't really compare in my opinion, these are halcyon days for the show!

BENEATH YOU

Spoiler

The Good;
All the Spike/Buffy stuff and some nice scenes with Xander and a potential love interest (maybe she wasn't demony enough for him?). Also love Dawn threatening Spike
The Bad;
More dead potentials, ugh! Stupid looking worm, I expected something more Tremors. Also it attacks Nancy in her house but then just goes away? The mad Spike and Buffy scene at the end goes on too long.
Best line;
Spike; "When did your little sister become unbelievably scary?"
Women good/men bad;
Anya still tempting the scorned
Jeez!;
Spike punching Anya isn't nice
Kinky dinky;
Xander lists unwanted pregnancy as one thing Buffy will have to help the high school pupils with. Spike refers to 'Getting it hard and servicing the girl'.
Anya exclaims "Oh penis!"
Captain Subtext;
The little look Spike and Xander give each other when Nancy wonders if any Scoobies haven't slept with one another. Once again virginal Dawn is threatened by a huge phallic symbol. Anya calls her latest dupe 'Honey'.
Guantanamo Bay;
Buffy knows that a bastinado is a hardwood club used to torture prisoners in Turkey. Giles would be proud.
Scoobies to the ER;
Missing scenes;
Apocalypses; 7,
Wheldon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)

Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 4
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 2
Dawn; 4

Scoobies knocked out:
Buffy: 19
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 14
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;5
Dawn; 4
Tara; 1
Kills:
Buffy: 108 vamps, 58 demons, 6 monsters, 3 humans, 1 werewolf, 1 spirit warrior & a robot
Giles: 8 vamps, 2 demon, 1 human, 1 god.
Cordy: 3 vamps, ½ a demon
Will: 6 vamps + 3 demons +1 fawn+1 human.
Angel: 3 vamps, 1 demon, 1 human
Oz: 3 vamps, 1 zombie
Faith: 16 vamps, 5 demons, 3 humans
Xander: 6 vamps, 2 zombies, 1½ a demon,
Anya: 1 vamp and 1½ a demon
Riley; 18 vamps + 7 demons
Spike; 8 vamps and 6 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp + 1 demon

Scoobies go evil:
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1
Buffy; 1

Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 5
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1
Anya; 2

Recurring characters killed: 12
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara

Sunnydale deaths;
94

Total number of scoobies: the Dawnster is finally part of the Scoobies, about time too. Great line when Dawn says assemble the gang and Xander points out that the 3 of them ARE the gang.
Xander, Buffy, Dawn

Xander demon magnet: 5(6?)
Preying Mantis Lady, Inca Mummy Girl, Drusilla, VampWillow, Anya (arguably Buffy & Faith with their demon essences?), Dracula?

Scoobies shot:
Giles: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 4
Riley; 1
Buffy; 1
Tara; 1

Notches on Scooby bedpost:
Giles: 2; Joyce & Olivia, possibly Jenny and 3xDraccy babes?
Cordy: 1?
Buffy: 4 confirmed; Angel, Parker, Riley, Spike. 1 possible, Dracula(?)
Angel: 1;Buffy
Joyce: 1;Giles, 2 possible, Ted and Dracula(?)
Oz: 3; Groupie, Willow & Verucca
Faith:2 ;Xander, Riley
Xander: 2; Faith, Anya
Willow: 2;Oz and Tara
Riley; 3; Buffy, Sandy and unnamed vamp****e
Spike; 2 Buffy and Anya
Anya; 2 Spike and Xander
Spike; good or bad?
Dawn in peril; 11
Dawn the bashful virgin; 9
What the fanficcers thought;
Questions and observations;
Lovely moment with Xander and Buffy in the car when he tells her the SDH kids are lucky to have her. The worm rather reminds me of an old horror film call 'Blood Beach'. Spike has his old hair back, he gradually resembles himself more and more over the season. Love Buffy's Daisy Duke line "Where I go to get my scorn on!" Always thought Nancy was the same girl who was a White-hat in The Wish but she wasn't. Nice pun on 'Beneath You', remember 'Fool for Love'. Spike assumes the same Christ-like pose he showed us in Restless.
Marks out of 10; 7/10

SAME TIME SAME PLACE

Spoiler

The Good;
Some lovely emotional stuff between Willow and her friends, some funny stuff with Anya and Willow but best of all paralysed Dawn is hysterical, especially love the remote control gag.
The Bad;
Not much
Best line;
Dawn (unable to move her lips) "Stop talking about vomit!"
Women good/men bad;
Jeez!;
Skinned vandals and eyeless Gnarl. Gnarl cutting Willow and eating her flesh in front of her is awful.
Kinky dinky;
Captain Subtext;
Dawn wonders when anyone in the Scoobs are ever going to ask for help when they need it, still some emotional baggage from Normal Again. Anya observes that the spell she and Willow do is a 'little sexy'. Willow seems to agree then catches herself on. Note Anya wants to do more spells afterwards but Willow refuses.Why not Winya? They could both share Xander between them and he'd sure be happy. Remember Anya eschewed the company of men for a thousand years, maybe she and Halfrek were more than just friends?
Guantanamo Bay;
Scoobies to the ER;
Nope, Willow heals herself
Missing scenes;
Apocalypses; 7,
Wheldon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)

Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 4
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 2
Dawn; 4

Scoobies knocked out:
Buffy: 19
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 14
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;5
Dawn; 4
Tara; 1
Kills: 1 demon for Buffy
Buffy: 108 vamps, 59 demons, 6 monsters, 3 humans, 1 werewolf, 1 spirit warrior & a robot
Giles: 8 vamps, 2 demon, 1 human, 1 god.
Cordy: 3 vamps, ½ a demon
Will: 6 vamps + 3 demons +1 fawn+1 human.
Angel: 3 vamps, 1 demon, 1 human
Oz: 3 vamps, 1 zombie
Faith: 16 vamps, 5 demons, 3 humans
Xander: 6 vamps, 2 zombies, 1½ a demon,
Anya: 1 vamp and 1½ a demon
Riley; 18 vamps + 7 demons
Spike; 8 vamps and 6 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp + 1 demon

Scoobies go evil:
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1
Buffy; 1

Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 5
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1
Anya; 2

Recurring characters killed: 12
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara

Sunnydale deaths; the vandal
98

Total number of scoobies: the Dawnster is finally part of the Scoobies, about time too
Xander, Buffy, Dawn

Xander demon magnet: 5(6?)
Preying Mantis Lady, Inca Mummy Girl, Drusilla, VampWillow, Anya (arguably Buffy & Faith with their demon essences?), Dracula?

Scoobies shot:
Giles: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 4
Riley; 1
Buffy; 1
Tara; 1

Notches on Scooby bedpost:
Giles: 2; Joyce & Olivia, possibly Jenny and 3xDraccy babes?
Cordy: 1?
Buffy: 4 confirmed; Angel, Parker, Riley, Spike. 1 possible, Dracula(?)
Angel: 1;Buffy
Joyce: 1;Giles, 2 possible, Ted and Dracula(?)
Oz: 3; Groupie, Willow & Verucca
Faith:2 ;Xander, Riley
Xander: 2; Faith, Anya
Willow: 2;Oz and Tara
Riley; 3; Buffy, Sandy and unnamed vamp****e
Spike; 2 Buffy and Anya
Anya; 2 Spike and Xander
Spike; good or bad?
Dawn in peril; 12
Dawn the bashful virgin; 9
What the fanficcers thought;
Anya places Dawn in a Girl Scout pose, read more than a few dodgy fanfics over the years that place her in THAT uniform!

Questions and observations;
Nice that we still have Joyce's picture scattered around the house but who are the couple in the pic by the phone? Aunt Arlene? Grandma and grandpa Summers? Note the scorched mummy hand in the box Anya brings from the Magic Box. Dawn seems to be a CSI fan. Surely she hardly needs high heels she already towers over all the other girls.
Marks out of 10; 7/10

I'm curious what you'd have to say as well. Did Angel seem like he was written differently on his own show than he was on Buffy?

 

[lorenzovanmatte]

On his show, did Angel seem like he was written differently at all to you?

Yeah, I figure they had to flesh him out a little so that he could carry the series by himself. Also do you note that whilst Angel is no great fighter in 1-3 of Buffy by the time he get's his own show he's more or less invincible?

Love the Mayor and Faith's relationship, like Spike and Dru they do genuinely seem to care for one another despite it all. But Angel S3 features the best weird coupling of them all,

Spoiler

Wes and Lilah

BBB is the ep that got me hooked although I didn't start hitting the web about Buffy and going to conventions until season 6

BENEDICTION

Spoiler

The Good;
The return of Justine but this ep will always be remembered for the incredible scenes between Angel and Holtz. They strike you as a pair of weary emotional boxers slugging it out to the last. I especially like the moment where Angel rages at Holtz for stealing his son and Holtz points out that he kept Angel's son alive whilst Angel(us) killed his.
The Bad;
Angel just leaves a set of vamps lying on the floor of the club.
Best line:
Justine; "How did you survive?"
Holtz; "My hatred kept us alive" HOOOOoooooooooo!
also like;
Fred; "He's survived an unspeakable hell dimension. Who hasn't? It doesn't mean you can leave him on the streets of LA"
Jeez, how did they get away with that?
Holtz forcing Justine to stab him with the icepick
Apocalypses: 5
Angel Cliches
Inverting the Hollywood cliche;
In disguise; 8
DB get's his shirt off; 12
Cordy's tatt; 10
Cheap Angel; 9
Fang Gang in bondage:
Cordy: 5
Angel: 11
Wes: 6
Gunn; 4
Lorne; 3
Fred; 2

Fang gang knocked out:
Cordy: 12
Angel: 14
Wes: 5
Doyle; 1
Gunn; 1
Lorne; 3
Groo; 1
Kills: 2 vamps for Angel. 2 for Connor as well and we can add in the demon he killed in The Price
Cordy: 5 vamps, 3½ demons
Angel; 41 vamps, 57 and 1/2 demons, 7 humans
Doyle; 1 vamp
Wes; 12 demons+3 vamps, 2 humans
Kate; 3 vamps
Faith; 16 vamps, 6 demons, 3 humans.
Gunn; 10 vamps+ 11 demons.
Groo; 1 demon
Fred; 1 vamp
Connor; 2 vamps and one demon
Fang Gang go evil:
Cordy: 2
Angel: 2
Gunn; 1
Wes; 1

Alternate Fang Gang:
Cordy: 2
Angel: 8
Fred; 1

Characters killed:
46
Recurring characters killed;
8;
Total number of Angel Investigations:
6, Angel, Cordy, Gunn, Fred, Lorne and Groo

Angel Investigations shot:
Angel: 12
Wes; 1
Packing heat;
Wes; 6
Doyle; 1
Angel; 2
Gunn; 1

Notches on Fang Gang bedpost:
Cordy: 4 ?+Wilson/Hacksaw Beast+Phantom Dennis+Groo
Angel: 5; Buffy, Darla and The Transcending Furies
Wes; 2; Virginia and the bleached blonde
Gunn; 1 Fred
Fred; 1 Gunn
Groo; 1Cordy

Kinky dinky:
According to Fred's gizmo Connor is 'Hot'. Gunn dislikes the idea of tracking Angel's teenage son's 'emissions'.
Captain Subtext;
Groo and Lorne, their scene together very reminiscent of a scene in season 5 Buffy with Xander and Riley at the magic shop. But the Groo does it SOOOOO much better than Riley does "If she asks" Awwwwww!
Know the face, different character; 4
Parking garages;
5,
Guantanamo Bay;
Buffy characters on Angel; 16
Wetherby, Collins and Smith. Angel, Cordy, Oz, Spike, Buffy, Wes, Faith, Darla, Dru, The Master, Anne, Willow and Harmony
Questions and observations;
One thing I've noticed in working my way through Buffy season 6 and Angel season 3 is that I keep leaping ahead wanting to watch more and more Angel and not Buffy. Note that the PTB's decide to save Justine through CC's vision. Holtz is quite religious believing god gave him Connor. You genuinely get the impression that they do love each other. Interestingly Fred refers to 'being at the bottom of the ocean looking upwards'. Does Holtz go to hell? Is he an evil man? The only evil thing I can think off he does is slitting Wes' throat but that's Justine and we've no idea that he even knew about it.
Marks out of 10; 8/10, an ep of great emotional depth and poignancy

TOMORROW

Spoiler

The Good;
The ending is amazing, simultaneously heartrending and (literally) uplifting. Also love the touching Groo leaving scene and Fred's vamp impression.
The Bad;
The drive in film is Courage Under Fire which was brought out to little acclaim in 1996 so I'm not sure why it should be being shown again? How does CC drink the mockna and not stain her magnificent teeth?
Best line:
Lilah; "Mind if I join you?"
Wes; "On many levels and with great intensity"
Jeez, how did they get away with that?
Connor cuts the head off Holtz's corpse. Wes tells Lilah post sex 'I wasn't even thinking of you when you were here', god, talk about the most heartless post-sex line EVER! And just for a second the mask slips and you can see the hurt in Lilah's eyes.
Apocalypses: 5
Angel Cliches
Inverting the Hollywood cliche;
In disguise; 8
DB get's his shirt off; 12
Cordy's tatt; 10
Cheap Angel; 10 Angel thinks 50 cents is enough for a teenagers allowance. Even CC observes that he's 'tight with a buck'.
Fang Gang in bondage: Angel chained and in a box
Cordy: 5
Angel: 12
Wes: 6
Gunn; 4
Lorne; 3
Fred; 2

Fang gang knocked out: Angel is tasered into unconsciousness
Cordy: 12
Angel: 15
Wes: 5
Doyle; 1
Gunn; 1
Lorne; 3
Groo; 1
Kills:
Cordy: 5 vamps, 3½ demons
Angel; 41 vamps, 57 and 1/2 demons, 7 humans
Doyle; 1 vamp
Wes; 12 demons+3 vamps, 2 humans
Kate; 3 vamps
Faith; 16 vamps, 6 demons, 3 humans.
Gunn; 10 vamps+ 11 demons.
Groo; 1 demon
Fred; 1 vamp
Connor; 2 vamps and 1 demon
Fang Gang go evil:
Cordy: 2
Angel: 2
Gunn; 1
Wes; 1

Alternate Fang Gang:
Cordy: 2
Angel: 8
Fred; 1

Characters killed:
46
Recurring characters killed;
8;
Total number of Angel Investigations: Byebye Groo who unfortunately we'll never see again on the show although he shall return in the comics. I heard one rumour that in season 5 Harmony would have a 'Naked Musclely Hunks' calender and Fred would look at it and recognise one of the models as the Groo. Byebye Angel who's taking a dip at the bottom of the ocean, byebye CC who's taking a break as a celestial being and byebye Lorne who's off to Vegas. This officially leaves AI as Gunn, Fred and Connor, back to the same number as in the first episode of the show.
3, Gunn, Fred, Connor

Angel Investigations shot: no but Angel tasered again, it seems to be a highly effective weapon against vamps.
Angel: 11
Wes; 1
Packing heat;
Wes; 6
Doyle; 1
Angel; 2
Gunn; 1

Notches on Fang Gang bedpost: Lilah and Wes
Cordy: 4 ?+Wilson/Hacksaw Beast+Phantom Dennis+Groo
Angel: 5; Buffy, Darla and The Transcending Furies
Wes; 3; Virginia, the bleached blonde and Lilah
Gunn; 1 Fred
Fred; 1 Gunn
Groo; 1Cordy

Kinky dinky:
Lilah and Wes, once again Wes is violent as hell with Lilah yet this seems to turn her on and she ends up having sex with him. She seems intirgued to know what it's like to have your throat cut (one day she'll find out) Groo offers to rub CC's shlugtee which is actually Pylean for neck but that's not what she thinks he means. CC and Angel 'try out bedrooms' in the Hyperion. CC refuse to tell Connor the facts of life as Angel requests but one day she will graphically 'fill in the blanks for him'. Connor comments on CC's beauty.
Captain Subtext;
Lilah thinks Fred is cute.
Know the face, different character; 4
Parking garages;
5,
Guantanamo Bay;
Buffy characters on Angel; 16
Wetherby, Collins and Smith. Angel, Cordy, Oz, Spike, Buffy, Wes, Faith, Darla, Dru, The Master, Anne, Willow and Harmony
Questions and observations;
How does Lorne get on a commercial flight even with his fedora disguise? Connor refers to Holtz's home as having white cliffs which implies he's from Dover. Sorry to say goodbye to the Groo, your heart breaks for him but he does the honourable thing with dignity like the hero he is. CC looks at a season 1 pic of her, Wes and Angel demonstrating just how much things have changed (not least her hair). The scene where CC talks to an image of herself is very reminiscent of the scene in Xena where Aphrodite chats to her own reflection in the mirror. Connor refers to Angel as the Prince of Lies who Angel will encounter in 'Why we fight' (also underwater). Note when CC and Angel are finally getting together she's dyed her hair blonde, just like Darla and Buffy.
Well, Joss and co not exactly scared to shake things up and leave us with a hell of a cliffhanger! Hugely powerful ep, so many aspects to praise.
Marks out of 10; 9/10

 

[Nemi]

I did notice that. On Buffy he seemed to get by on being a lot older and more experienced than the typical vampires then when he got his show he almost turned into Batman.

 

[Iron Man]

I did notice that. On Buffy he seemed to get by on being a lot older and more experienced than the typical vampires then when he got his show he almost turned into Batman.

A terrible Batman, though. Like when he used his grappling hook in "Lonely Hearts" and tore down the beam instead of shooting up to it

 

[Iron Man]

Just watched "In the Dark". Oz needs to move to L.A. and join Angel's gang. He was already one of my favourite characters, but his interaction with Angel and Cordelia was golden and I think he'd be great on the show. It would be a shame to split him up from Willow, though.

 

[flickchick85]

I've also only recently started watching Buffy - I'm four episodes into season three - and I kind of hate myself for not watching many years ago, but oh well, better several-years-after-the-end than never. Buffy is one of those shows that it's almost pointless to praise because it pretty much goes without saying that it's brilliant; it's like The Simpsons, Lost, or The Sopranos at their best. It's incredibly satisfying, though, when you experience something you haven't before, but have always heard is great, and find that it really is, and Buffy so far is as awesome as its reputation. No, season one isn't outstanding - it's really fun, but lightweight - but holy crap, season two really is a massive leap forward; one of the best seasons of television I've ever seen. I'm loving season three so far.

You're in for some good times. t:

Despite not loving the arc in Season 4, I have to say that season has some of the most brilliant episodes.

 

[Sawyer]

I feel like season 4 and season 6 are complete opposites in my mind. Season 4 had great individual episodes, but a lousy arc. Season 6 had a great arc, but I really didn't care for a whole lot of the individual episodes.

 

[Primal Slayer]

I've quite enjoyed Season 4 so far. I'm looking forward to seeing the episode that's considered the best of the series now too. And wow, you rank Season Five above Season Three? That must be a pretty great season...

Well it is the season that almost ended the show so you can imagine how big it will be.

 

[flickchick85]

I feel like season 4 and season 6 are complete opposites in my mind. Season 4 had great individual episodes, but a lousy arc. Season 6 had a great arc, but I really didn't care for a whole lot of the individual episodes.

Actually, I have a pretty equal feeling about both seasons: I didn't like the arc in 6 much more than the one in 4 (I think s6's arc was better in concept than execution), but those seasons exclusively contain my top 3 all-time favorite individual episodes: "Restless" (s4), "Hush"(s4) & "Once More, With Feeling"(s6). A couple of other of my top 10 all-time faves came from those seasons as well: "This Year's Girl"/"Who Are You"(s4) & "Tabula Rasa"(s6).

And wow, I ALSO rank season 5 above season 3 (though just barely, as I truly love both). I thought I was alone! Season 5 weirdly reminds me of a Harry Potter book - it's arc is a bit more of a very well-plotted mystery (the little clues sprinkled throughout that hint at what's going on really remind me of Rowling's writing), and it feels a bit more like a stand-alone story than the other seasons to me. In fact, when converting skeptical people to Buffy, I often choose that season to do so, because it's not as "goofy" or "teen angsty" as they probably expected, and as I said, it's stand-alone enough for them to have not needed to see the prior seasons in order to get it. So far, it's worked every time, then once they're hooked, we of course go back to the beginning.

 

[Iron Man]

Well it is the season that almost ended the show so you can imagine how big it will be.

It almost ended the show? Was it nearly cancelled after that season?

 

[Primal Slayer]

It almost ended the show? Was it nearly cancelled after that season?

Ya. WB cancelled it due to disputes with Joss over budget. Which started a bidding war between networks and UPN ended up winning. When you get to season6 you shoudl watch the promos for UPN. Which leads to a full season of no direct cross overs between Buffy/Angel.

 

[Iron Man]

Ya. WB cancelled it due to disputes with Joss over budget. Which started a bidding war between networks and UPN ended up winning. When you get to season6 you shoudl watch the promos for UPN. Which leads to a full season of no direct cross overs between Buffy/Angel.

Oh, I see. Thanks for the info. I'm really looking forward to seeing Season Five now!

 

[Havok83]

Ya. WB cancelled it due to disputes with Joss over budget. Which started a bidding war between networks and UPN ended up winning. When you get to season6 you shoudl watch the promos for UPN. Which leads to a full season of no direct cross overs between Buffy/Angel.

If I recall correctly, WB promoted The Gift as the series finale for Buffy. That was very misleading for people that werent keeping up with the backstage news.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Ya they did. They didnt want people to watch it on a new network. But they did give them a "thank you for the wonderful 5 years" right before the The Gift aired.

 

[Nemi]

Oh, I see. Thanks for the info. I'm really looking forward to seeing Season Five now!

I swear I think you might have single handely brought discussion back to this thread

 

[lorenzovanmatte]

I think season 5 doesn't have the grandeur of season 2/3 but it's a big step up from 4. Oz as a permanent member of Angel Investigations would have been priceless, I'd have loved to have seen him and CC hook up! (she always had a thing for guys in bands and men with a supernatural streak). Maybe one taciturn guy is all any show can take however?

A sizeable faction of fandom would actually have preferred Buffy to have ended at the end of 5 but the majority are like me and supremely happy to have another 2 years, although I think they were right to end it at 7.

HELP

Spoiler

The Good;
A real heartwarmer/wrencher, some lovely stuff here. And Willow visiting Tara's grave. Plus Amanda!
The Bad;
Can we really believe that jerk face wouldn't be interested in a girl as gorgeous as Dawn?
Best line;
Buffy the Student Counsellor; "...and all that shi...guff!"
Women good/men bad;
The SDH boys are loathsome scum who want to sacrifice Cassie for their own greed. They need a damn good killing! Cassies dad is a drunk but loves his daughter and would never hurt her. Cassie's friend Mike thinks making boy's crazy is part of girl's job.
Jeez!;
Threatening Cassie with the meat cleaver, ugh!
Kinky dinky;
Xander thinks Googling is some form of sexual act? Cassie speaks of her unused thighs in her poetry.
Captain Subtext;
One student fears that they're gay but it might just be an excuse to date Buffy. Willow tells Xander she's 'over you sweetie'. However she also used to write Doogie Howser fanfic (Alysson Hannigan now starring with Doogie Howser himself aka Neil Harris in 'How I met your mother' wonder if that was on the cards when they wrote this?)
Guantanamo Bay;
Buffy threatens the student with coins in his locker who reminds me a LOT of Jonathon.
Scoobies to the ER;
Missing scenes;
Apocalypses; 7,
Wheldon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)

Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 4
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 2
Dawn; 4

Scoobies knocked out:
Buffy: 19
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 14
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;5
Dawn; 4
Tara; 1
Kills: 1 vamp and 1 demon for Buffy
Buffy: 109 vamps, 60 demons, 6 monsters, 3 humans, 1 werewolf, 1 spirit warrior & a robot
Giles: 8 vamps, 2 demon, 1 human, 1 god.
Cordy: 3 vamps, ½ a demon
Will: 6 vamps + 3 demons +1 fawn+1 human.
Angel: 3 vamps, 1 demon, 1 human
Oz: 3 vamps, 1 zombie
Faith: 16 vamps, 5 demons, 3 humans
Xander: 6 vamps, 2 zombies, 1½ a demon,
Anya: 1 vamp and 1½ a demon
Riley; 18 vamps + 7 demons
Spike; 8 vamps and 6 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp + 1 demon

Scoobies go evil:
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1
Buffy; 1

Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 5
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1
Anya; 2

Recurring characters killed: 12
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara

Sunnydale deaths; poor Cassie but like Joyce through natural causes
99

Total number of scoobies: 4, welcome Willow back to the gang
Xander, Buffy, Dawn, Willow

Xander demon magnet: 5(6?)
Preying Mantis Lady, Inca Mummy Girl, Drusilla, VampWillow, Anya (arguably Buffy & Faith with their demon essences?), Dracula?

Scoobies shot:
Giles: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 4
Riley; 1
Buffy; 1
Tara; 1

Notches on Scooby bedpost:
Giles: 2; Joyce & Olivia, possibly Jenny and 3xDraccy babes?
Cordy: 1?
Buffy: 4 confirmed; Angel, Parker, Riley, Spike. 1 possible, Dracula(?)
Angel: 1;Buffy
Joyce: 1;Giles, 2 possible, Ted and Dracula(?)
Oz: 3; Groupie, Willow & Verucca
Faith:2 ;Xander, Riley
Xander: 2; Faith, Anya
Willow: 2;Oz and Tara
Riley; 3; Buffy, Sandy and unnamed vamp****e
Spike; 2 Buffy and Anya
Anya; 2 Spike and Xander
Spike; good or bad?
Dawn in peril; 12
Dawn the bashful virgin; 9
What the fanficcers thought;
Read a lovely one once where in order to honour Cassie's memory Dawn takes Mike to the winter dance in her place and they have a wonderful time.
Questions and observations;
Amanda for the first time, by a long chalk my favourite potential, I think she's just wonderful. Surely Tara's gravestone should have an epitaph? Glenn Mornoshower who plays Cassie's dad is one of those actors you see EVERYWHERE in films and tv. Buffy borrows Dawn's clothes, suprised they're not too tall for her. Dawn's dialogue seems very Law & Order, a show MT guest-starred on. Buffy resents being referred to as Dawn's sister just as she didn't like being known as Willow's friend at university. Wouldn't it make more sense for Spike to tackle the demon who he can hurt rather than the boys whom he can't?
Marks out of 10; 7/10 ( this mark becoming something of a habit in season 7)

SELFLESS

Spoiler

The Good;
Lovely to see Anya singing in her gorgeous wedding dress again. Great scenes between Anya and Halfrek, wonderful Swedish scenes and a terrific ending. Also like Buffy's busy school day.
The Bad;
?
Best line;
Villager; "Pelt him with fruits and various meats!"
Women good/men bad;
D'Hoffryn kills Halfrek to spite Anya, almost like killing one of his daughters. What the Frat boys do to the girl is horrible but doesn't warrant having your heart torn out.
Jeez!;
Frat boys with their hearts ripped out! Not the ep for you if you're arachnaphobic (we know Willow is from 'Nightmares' but she appears to keep it in check)
Kinky dinky;
Love Will's miniskirt and booties, you forget what a hot momma-yomma she can be sometimes! Buffy comments that Anya 'boned a troll' whilst Anya refers to the 'sweaty' part of a relationship.
Captain Subtext;
Xander refers to himself as 'giddy' which even Willow comments isn't a very masculine term.
Guantanamo Bay;
Buffy is prepared to kill Anya for the greater good, Xander doesn't want to. Buffy makes a good point that Spike, Angelus, The Master etc never chose to be evil, Anya chose to become a vengence demon once again and poses an ongoing threat to humanity. Also do we doubt that Xander and certainly Giles would have killed Angelus in season 2 if they could have?
Scoobies to the ER;
Missing scenes;
I would love to have seen the scene where D'Hoffryn looks at the slaughtered frat boys and says someone should phone Maxim and cancel 12 subscriptions, perhaps a comment on the Buffy/Angel girl's tendency to strip off and pose for that particular magazine seemingly at the drop of a hat (or a large cheque/free publicity for their upcoming projects?). Also interesting on the commentary is that they wanted Halfrek to appear to Anya in 'Conversations with Dead People'.
Apocalypses; 7,
Wheldon Cliches (with kind permission from Boo)

Scoobies in bondage:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 5
Will: 4
Jenny: 1
Angel: 4
Oz: 1
Faith: 3
Joyce: 1
Wes: 1
Xander; 2
Dawn; 4

Scoobies knocked out: yep, Xander
Buffy: 19
Giles: 12
Cordy: 6
Xander: 15
Will: 8
Jenny: 2
Angel: 6
Oz: 3
Faith: 1
Joyce: 3
Wes: 1
Anya;5
Dawn; 4
Tara; 1
Kills: demon spider for Buffy
Buffy: 109 vamps, 61 demons, 6 monsters, 3 humans, 1 werewolf, 1 spirit warrior & a robot
Giles: 8 vamps, 2 demon, 1 human, 1 god.
Cordy: 3 vamps, ½ a demon
Will: 6 vamps + 3 demons +1 fawn+1 human.
Angel: 3 vamps, 1 demon, 1 human
Oz: 3 vamps, 1 zombie
Faith: 16 vamps, 5 demons, 3 humans
Xander: 6 vamps, 2 zombies, 1½ a demon,
Anya: 1 vamp and 1½ a demon
Riley; 18 vamps + 7 demons
Spike; 8 vamps and 6 demons
Buffybot; 2 vamps
Tara; 1 demon
Dawn; 1 vamp + 1 demon

Scoobies go evil: Anya does although she's not technically a Scooby at this point
Giles: 1
Cordy: 1
Will: 3
Jenny: 1
Angel: 1
Oz: 1
Joyce: 1
Xander: 4
Anya; 1
Dawn; 1
Buffy; 1

Alternate scoobies:
Buffy: 8
Giles: 4
Cordy: 1
Will: 5
Jenny: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 2
Joyce: 2
Xander: 4
Tara; 1
Dawn;1
Spike; 1
Anya; 2

Recurring characters killed: Halfrek but she's evil so she doesn't count-12
Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara

Sunnydale deaths; 12 frat boys dead but alive again by the end of the ep
99

Total number of scoobies: 4,
Xander, Buffy, Dawn, Willow

Xander demon magnet: 5(6?)
Preying Mantis Lady, Inca Mummy Girl, Drusilla, VampWillow, Anya (arguably Buffy & Faith with their demon essences?), Dracula?

Scoobies shot:
Giles: 2
Angel: 3
Oz: 4
Riley; 1
Buffy; 1
Tara; 1

Notches on Scooby bedpost:
Giles: 2; Joyce & Olivia, possibly Jenny and 3xDraccy babes?
Cordy: 1?
Buffy: 4 confirmed; Angel, Parker, Riley, Spike. 1 possible, Dracula(?)
Angel: 1;Buffy
Joyce: 1;Giles, 2 possible, Ted and Dracula(?)
Oz: 3; Groupie, Willow & Verucca
Faith:2 ;Xander, Riley
Xander: 2; Faith, Anya
Willow: 2;Oz and Tara
Riley; 3; Buffy, Sandy and unnamed vamp****e
Spike; 2 Buffy and Anya
Anya; 2 Spike and Xander
Dawn in peril; 12
Dawn the bashful virgin; 9
What the fanficcers thought;
Read a bizarre one once where Buffy and Xander are captured by the demon spider and Buffy get's impregnated by it (which is normally Cordy's job?). But in the follow up story they both escape after Buffy beguiles the spider with her feminine wiles and strangles it with it's own web because SHE's the Black Widow, she mates and then she kills (she certainly did with Angel!). You know what they say about the female of the species? http://www.t-s-s-a.com/stories/show-story.php?story=Buffy-WebOfDesire.txt (ONLY if you're 18 plus and VERY open minded)
Also a much funnier one is where Anyanka's bunny fear stems from her cursing an unfaithful man to 'Go like a bunny forever' whereupon he is turned into a killer rabbit which goes on to attack Gabrielle in the Xena ep 'In sickness and in hell' and takes on the Monty Python's Knights of the Round table before being finished off by the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch!
Questions and observations;
Very little Dawn in this one (plenty of her next ep), she only has one scene but it's Anya's ep so that's ok. A wonderful tour de force showing us all how much we've learned to love and care about Anya who was introduced as a one-note character 4 years back but who is now a regular and so deserves to be! Especially love her little vengful stare when she first meets D'Hoffryn.
Buffy still doesn't know about Xander's lie in Becoming pt2, another point against Normal Again being true but you wonder will he ever really pay for what he did? Dawn's advice to Willow about fitting in is reminiscent to that given to Bart by Homer Simpson. It never occured to me until this ep but much like the end titles for season 6 having the Buffybot at the end this season actually has the First-as-Buffy.
Unfortunately the last we'll ever see of D'Hoffryn or Halfrek. Anya comments she's good with math which is weird as we heard that she was failing it in season 3 (maybe running the Magic Shop improved it?). Anya's invented surname is Jenkins, did we know that before? A vengence demon's 'soul' is referred to? The final scene is very reminiscent of the final bit 'The Harsh Light of Day'.
Marks out of 10; 10/10 first of the season

 

[Nemi]

Lorenzo are you reading the comics?