The last time we saw the Scooby Gang was not exactly everyone’s happiest day. The apocalypse was averted, yeah, but it was hardly their first and it came at quite a cost–the heroic death of Buffy. While previous seasons have certainly had their share of finale aftermath to deal with, nothing comes close to Buffy’s resurrection (not to mention the network switch from WB to UPN). I mean, when a show called Buffy the Vampire Slayer finds itself without the title character, what happens next? From the way various characters deal with their grief to the long-range repercussions of bringing Buffy back to life, death is only the beginning.

Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer: A Retrospecticus…

Why "Buffyworld" still matters | CBC Radio

I know S6 is fairly divisive among fans and I don’t necessarily disagree with many of the issues people have with it, but I think all the good stuff outweighs the bad–it’s just that the “bad” is a chunk of episodes that prove to be a little hard to digest. We’ll get there eventually, but it’s that period right after the mid-season mark where everything feels a bit too much like prolonged wheel-spinning before the season’s final stretch.

Sarah Michelle Gellar - Sarah Michelle Gellar Photo (38709081) - Fanpop

Angel, spin-off de Buffy: A Caça-Vampiros, retorna em nova série em quadrinhos

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honestly, there were probably just too many episodes to fill. I’m not saying seasons should have been as short as many shows are now (often in the 8-12 episode range), but I suspect every season of BtVS (Angel, too) would have benefited from only needing to make 18ish episodes instead of 22. As for Angel, I think the latter half of S3 is easily my least favorite stretch of the series. It’s just a lot of stuff I actively don’t care for, both in relation to character development and overall storylines. At least we don’t have to start with all that nonsense, though. So, without further ado…

Bargaining

  • Pt 1 Written by Marti Noxon, Pt 2 Written by David Fury / Directed by David Grossman
  • As with every premiere, things look better and better with each passing season. This grouping of Giles, Spike, and Tara are a fun trio you don’t get much of (or ever again?). Willow being the new boss in town while being telepathically all up in everyone’s brains is an interesting development that isn’t really utilized much.

buffycaps.tumblr.com - Tumbex

  • “That’ll put marzipan in your pie plate, bingo”–Buffybot proves to be an essential part of life for a variety of reasons (like keeping Dawn around), but he demeanor alone is enough of a reason for me. She’s just a lot of fun.

Buffy S6.E01 “Bargaining: Part 1” + S6.E02 “Bargaining: Part 2” – Forever Young Adult

  • Tara should’ve been in these new credits starting with this episode, if you ask me, and Willow is now the “and.” I remember being so bummed seeing the “Special Guest Star” credit for Anthony Stewart Head that first time as it was only a matter of time before he left Sunnydale (which proves to be a huge loss).
  • Based on all the sandwiches, Buffybot seems like she’d be a good kitchen worker with her committed work ethic and can-do attitude.

ettadunham.tumblr.com - Tumbex

  • Having Buffybot around all the time while trying to grieve real Buffy would surely be quiet the ever present knife in the gut. She does pretty well at the parent teacher conference, though, and actually gets a topic of discussion (school lunches) going.
  • Xander and Anya (well, Xander) haven’t told anyone about being engaged in the last five months, which is already such a bad omen for their doomed wedding. It’s a shame the very next episode after they get engaged has to poo-poo the whole thing. Oh well.
  • Willow’s got her mind set on Buffy’s resurrection and managed to get even Tara on her side, which is certainly an achievement based on what we know of Tara’s views on this topic (plus all the talks they have in coming episodes).

Best Buffy And Willow GIFs | Gfycat

  • Spike crapping all over the concept of school (mindless automatons) and then immediately backpedaling that Dawn should go is an amusing moment. 
  • The Buffybot’s head wound makeup isn’t great. A lot of other things look more polished than before so this thing on her head sticks out.
  • Giles and Buffybot’s time together finally convincing Giles his time in Sunnydale is over is a nice realization moment for him.
  • The whole scene of Willow killing a baby deer to use some of its blood in the resurrection spell is wonderfully upsetting.

greyhoundone.tumblr.com - Tumbex

  • Giles’ goodbye scene with everyone is emotional and saying goodbye to Willow last is exactly correct. Next time he leaves, for good, we don’t get another one of these so this is The Goodbye. Giles trying to just sneak away is kind of a jerk move, though. After everything they’ve all been through you can’t just suddenly leave without a farewell.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer S06 E01 – Clouding Over With Foreshadowing

  • I used to use that airport in Burbank (where Giles leaves from) all the time. It was the best airport. You could get dropped off at the curb and be on a plane within 10 or 15 minutes. At least I can fondly look back on flying with such ease.
  • Willow is all business at this resurrection, which is more intense than I expected it to be. The vomiting a snake bit, in particular, but really I’m just glad that bringing Buffy back from the dead is a fairly hard process (with many ramifications).

Buffy the Vampire Slayer S6E1 "Bargaining, Part 1" / Recap - TV Tropes

  • These Hellions have one setting the moment they get to Sunnydale–break stuff and burn things. And I would hope the home prices in Sunnydale are obscenely affordable due to all the demons and crazy nonsense like demon bikers ravaging the town.
  • Is Willow wearing a tracking bracelet, or something? How else could the Buffybot know how to find her.
  • Buffy lives! What a hellish reawakening, to suddenly open your eyes and be in a coffin–which you then have to punch and crawl your way out of (after being at blissful peace). What a harsh reality check.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer S06 E01 – Clouding Over With Foreshadowing

  • I imagine the wheels started turning in Willow’s brain about resurrecting Buffy pretty damn soon after Buffy died (right away, perhaps), so I wonder how much actual grieving she did before thinking the spell failed.
  • Hey look, for once the Summers home remains free of damage. The Magic Box also misses out on the rioting.
  • Wandering through what appears to be a hellscape is the last thing Buffy needs right after digging herself out of her own grave.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer S06 E02 – Personal hell.

  • Xander’s right, Willow shouting out “Hello?” to the mysterious light as they’re fleeing demons isn’t the brightest move.
  • Xander comments on needing some male friends, but he won’t really get that. He’s got Giles, Spike, and eventually Andrew. Those are really the only guys he’ll have in his life for the long term. Spike actually turns out to be one of his longer male relationships.
  • This main Hellion demon talks too much, like many villains.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Bargaining: Part 1 (TV Episode 2001) - IMDb

  • Shouldn’t everyone maybe recognize that Buffy, when they bump into her in the alley, is wearing what they buried her in and is clearly not dressed like the Buffybot?
  • Where the hell is Dawn running to after the Buffybot’s dying words (RIP, you were a welcome addition) about the real Buffy? It’s not as if she gave a current location, yet Dawn seems to have enough of an idea to run off by herself while demons are ravaging the town.

YARN | Where did I go? | Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) - S06E01 Drama | Video gifs by quotes | 8b7d41f1 | 紗

  • The tower built by crazy people still has working lights and electricity many months later–I guess they had pretty solid blueprints and a solar generator on there?
  • Willow, Xander, and Dawn all have shirts with numbers on them in this premiere and I remember a lot of “What do they mean?!?” thoughts on message boards at the time. 
  • Buffy wondering “Is this hell?” to Dawn seems quite reasonable, considering how her tumultuous second act of life gets started.

crossfit gifs Page 11 | WiffleGif

  • Buffy’s blank, morose face as she hugs Dawn at the end was such a telling moment when I first saw it 20 years ago. Buffy’s going to be pretty different now.

Heartthrob

  • Written & Directed by David Greenwalt
  • It has been a fairly sedate summer of Cordy, Wes, and Gunn doing business while watching out for Fred (who’s hiding away upstairs) since Angel’s been gone for several months at this point (which is quite the extended break). And Angel doesn’t look great in white, turns out. The things you learn.

Shangel's Reviews: Angel, "Heartthrob" Review (3x01)

  • Everyone gets a nice and calm reunion scene of Angel giving gifts, which is appreciated every now and then. 
  • “Special Guest Star Julie Benz” lets us know right away to expect Darla at some point and after the Dru surprise last season, I remember being suspicious of all flashback appearances. You never know when they’ll turn into a present day surprise.
  • The invite rule seems to fluctuate often when it comes to hotel rooms. In regard to Fred’s room (which could use more windows) he had to be invited in, but who knows what will happen next time re: vampires and hotel invite rules.

Angel" Heartthrob (TV Episode 2001) - IMDb

  • Cordy’s left crying on the floor after her first vision of the season, which is just a taste of the coming unpleasantness her visions will bring her (before the character of Cordy goes completely off the rails).
  • Cordy’s own personal ghost turns out to be a happy helper for bath time prep and enjoyment. I don’t think Cordy cooks much, but I suspect Dennis would also be pretty helpful in the kitchen.
  • The Angel/Darla flashback brings a bunch of Angel’s awesome Irish accent and who can ever say no to that gold.

3x01 Heartthrob | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs | Tumgir

  • James is really quite a drama queen and that vampire he pushes into the sun sure goes up in flames and dusts pretty quickly. If it were Angel I bet he’d just be slightly burned, if that.
  • The weird touch of the doctor sloughing some kind of goo off his face is always amusing.
  • Lorne’s makeup looks so much better compared to last year, plus I always appreciate the Caritas musical numbers. And Wes gets to be Mr. Big Man in his scene with Merl. Dick Solomon would approve of Wes taking money from his Merl payment fund as encouragement.

In Memory of Andy Hallet “Angel's” Lorne 8/4/75-3/29/09 #AngeltheSeries #Angel20 #RIPAndyHallet – TheNerdyGirlExpress

  • James just showing up at the hotel and the end fight suddenly starting so soon is a good change of pace.
  • And now we know what happens if a vampire cuts their heart out–or is there something else involved in the medical procedure this doctor offers? Magical surgery stuff, perhaps?
  • I also thought of the Ring of Amara, so Cordy mentioning it felt natural to me. There’s also some good old fashioned cases of cell phones working when they need to and then failing when the plot needs them to.

Angel 3×01: Heartthrob – Critically Touched

  • The shot of James watching the train cutting to him clinging to the corner of it is pretty funny. The train climax is pretty good overall, despite that silly train shot.
  • After dancing around it, Cordy finally mentions Buffy’s name in her final talk with Angel about where he’s at in regards to Buffy dying and it’s a good scene. All in all, I think this continues the tradition of each Angel season premiere being better than the last one.

3x01 Heartthrob | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs | Tumgir

  • Boom, Darla! Teenage Adem was right and here she is in Nicaragua all pregnant and pissed off.

That Vision Thing

  • Written by Jeffrey Bell / Directed by Bill Norton
  • Fred’s having Chinese food with the guys for once (“I’ve been forking with Gunn.”) when Gavin comes by, who Wesley remembers well enough from their brief meeting many months ago. He’s coming at Angel with a list of code violations, of all things, which is pretty funny.
  • Hey, more Jurassic Park dinosaur noises in Cordy’s claw demon vision–which leaves her with quite the gut and back wounds.

Unwelcome Commentary: January 2012

  • Fred’s a welcome addition to the gang with her delightful demeanor and constant laughing.
  • Wesley shouldn’t describe them as “dicks” again says Gunn, and I agree. I was just thinking about Gunn’s “Next time we’re hitting the last place first” line of thought earlier today while looking for something.
  • I like how Angel, Wes, and Gunn happen to not kill the old folks guarding the key since it turns out later they’re also good guys, so thankfully we’re spared Angel beating himself up about it.

That Vision Thing - Angel S03E02 | TVmaze

  • Lilah makes her season debut and with the Lindsay rivalry now a thing of the past, we have Gavin subbing in for him. Bleh. And hey look, Kal Penn pops his head out of Lilah’s office. Well, his fez covered head as there’s just exposed brain under there.
  • This is a good episode for Fred in addition to Cordy. She gets lots of amusing lines and screen time, what more can an actor ask for? The stuff where she likens Cordy to Lassie makes me chuckle.
  • Cordy’s diseased boil face is pretty heinous. Gunn’s advice about an aunty of his having gross crusty stuff is awful, as Angel says.

Shangel's Reviews: Angel, "That Vision Thing" Review (3x02)

  • Lorne will be more involved in things this season, which is good for us but not so great for his club it turns out.
  • Cordy’s “I don’t understand” scene is very effective. Let’s enjoy good Cordy scenes while we can, as they won’t happen a lot after a certain point.
  • I prefer Lilah as Angel’s W&H rival to Lindsay. They have good chemistry and she’s just having more fun doing this than Lindsay ever did.

Angel" Inside Out (TV Episode 2003) - IMDb

  • Fun fact, Skip is Roy (Pam’s fiance from The Office). He’s a pretty good strange looking demon with a personable demeanor.
  • The guy burning in the box is Billy. We will get to know him in a few episodes. Considering what we learn of his abilities, though, I guess he didn’t manage to touch Wes or Gunn at any point during their time together. Or maybe he wasn’t quite charged up enough after roasting?
  • Angel putting a rebar through Kal Penn’s head is a good moment. His threat to Lilah seems a bit empty, though.

Angel" That Vision Thing (TV Episode 2001) - IMDb

  • Darla attempts an underworld abortion, after trying everything else, only to find out this baby is coming into the world no matter what she has to say about it. I’ll try to say it all the time, but this baby stuff was never my favorite development as it happened. Connor turns out to be one of those characters everyone hates so to know that’s what we’re in for is a bit of a wet blanket.

After Life

  • Written by Jane Espenson / Directed by David Solomon
  • Boom, right away back into where the last one ended. I like that it takes three episodes to bring Buffy back from the dead and settle into a new reality. Spike and Giles don’t even find out about any of this until after the fact, which is an amusing (and telling) touch.
  • “Guest Star Amber Benson”–is this the only time there’s only one credited guest star?

The Rush Blog: Top Ten (10) Favorite Episodes of "BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER"

  • Buffy’s so broken and stoic as Dawn tries to ease her into home again. She just wants to know what else is different and have Dawn not ask her too many questions about anything, as she likely just doesn’t know what to say about her experience.
  • Spike being the one to recognize her hand wounds and know exactly 147 days yesterday (how long she’s been gone) probably goes a long way to connecting them in a way that others aren’t.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer S06 E03 – Buy one, get one free

  • Spike’s probably not too far off on what Willow’s willing to do. His face when he says “Oh, is that right?” is a good moment.
  • “There’s always consequences. Always.” They never really explain exactly, but The First Evil’s whole plan in S7 is one of the consequences of resurrecting Buffy. And that all leads to Buffy making more slayers, which leads to all kinds of further consequences in the comics. If you think about it, Willow bringing Buffy back from the dead ends up being a huge, universe-altering decision.

After Life" | The 8 Scariest Episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Ever | POPSUGAR Entertainment Photo 3

  • Scary screaming ghost Buffy throwing ghost glass and screaming about how they “were stained. [They] still are” and all that stuff about cutting the throat is one of the creepiest moments from the series. Anya’s face cutting is also wonderfully freakish.
  • Morose Buffy is one of my favorite kinds of Buffy. She just randomly has to leave, for patrolling, but really she just can’t be around people–which is where Spike comes in. I know there are different factions of people, but I say Buffy and Spike have great chemistry. This scene where Spike’s telling her “dozens of times, lots of different ways. Every night I save you” is a great example of it, even with Buffy barely saying a word.

Animated gif about love in Buffy, the vampire slayer by Private User

  • Dawn breathing fire is a great moment in an episode with quite a few of them.
  • “Technically that’s not a price. That’s a gift with purchase.” Anya sums up this demon’s presence well.
  • If you needed further convincing Buffy’s not quite the same woman we once knew, Buffy doesn’t banter at all with the chatty white floaty ghost lady. In fact, Buffy doesn’t say one word to the demon.
  • Dawn goes to school a couple days after the town was besieged by biker demons, which–of course–doesn’t seem to throw anyone out of whack too much.

A Random Assortment Of Things — Happy Birthday, Buffy

  • Buffy lying to everyone about having a hellish experience so they feel better about the whole situation only to then share her true feelings with Spike (in that wonderful alley scene) is one of my favorite episode endings.

That Old Gang of Mine

  • Written by Tim Minear / Directed by Fred Keller
  • Aside from Merl being kind of annoying, I guess, I’m not sure why Angel and most of the group seem to hate him or treat him so poorly. As they finally acknowledge after he dies, Merl was harmless and actually helped them on a number of occasions.

Shangel's Reviews: Angel, "That Old Gang Of Mine" Review (3x03)

  • This Alana dream flashback felt so out of the blue at the time as she’s almost from a different era. 
  • I think Wesley handles Gunn’s resistance to looking into Merle’s death rather well. Just a simple okay, that’s fine, if you don’t feel it then you don’t feel it.
  • Ugh, Gio is such an annoying character. The fact that I find the performance so forced surely doesn’t help, but he’s just awful.

Watch Angel season 3 episode 3 streaming online | BetaSeries.com

  • Gunn’s not very progressive on human/demon relations. He’s not as moronic as the rest of his old gang of bloodthirsty buddies (or the chatty Gio), but he could use a class or two on how to interact with those of different backgrounds.
  • Cordy’s timing in convincing Fred to go out for a night to Caritas is less than stellar, what with the gang assault they become part of.
  • So, Lorne didn’t see anything about the huge Illyria development in Fred’s future–that seems like a biggie to miss out on!

Angel" That Old Gang of Mine (TV Episode 2001) - IMDb

  • Gunn’s old gang of violent lunatics bursting into Caritas and laying waste to the place is always painful to watch. It’s a shame that one meek demon guy doesn’t eat all of their heads.
  • This one’s heavy on the drama and isn’t a bad episode, but it definitely wouldn’t be on my list of favorites. The Gunn/Gio exchanges just feel a little repetitive after a while. If only Fred had pulled that trigger.

Angel 3×03: That Old Gang of Mine – Critically Touched

  • Angel had to appreciate Wesley sticking up for him so much, even if he keeps his poker face on during the whole thing.
  • The Furies hovering all over and speaking in unison about wanting Angel’s equipment adds some brief amusement before returning to Gio and all that crap.

Mmmm... Angel. : r/ANGEL

  • At least now we’re done with Gunn’s old gang drama for good and Wesley gets to be Mr. Boss Man a little at the end.

Flooded

  • Written by Douglas Petrie & Jane Espenson / Directed by Douglas Petrie
  • Buffy vs the leaky pipe proves to be a fight she could not win. And jeez, that’s some massively faulty setup they’ve got going if such an explosion of leaks is possible.
  • I’m a fan of Buffy’s post-post-mortem humor. Putting aside the amusing nature of Buffy’s temperament, what about Willow and Tara? They live there, too, but do they pay rent or bills? What’s up with putting this all onto Buffy like she’s the only one who can work?

Buffy The Vampire Slayer | Buffy episodes, Friends episodes, Buffy

  • Anya’s suggestion of trying to monetize Buffy’s slaying isn’t the craziest thing in the world–I mean, Angel charges people for helping. And Anya’s way more patient with Xander about him dragging his feet about just even telling their friends they’re engaged than I would be.
  • While I understand Buffy’s point of view in regards to getting a loan, what in the world would make her think she was even a maybe? Oh, and here’s confirmation from this loan officer that homeownership in Sunnydale isn’t for those interested in making wise investments.

Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly : BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER ⏤ Flooded, 6.04

  • Buffy sure gave up on the demon that attacks the bank the moment it gets out of the front door. It couldn’t have been that difficult to cover that ground and catch up to it.
  • Dawn just opens a random book and picks a demon, which is exactly the right demon. That’s some kind of skill.

6.04 | Flooded

  • Giles and Buffy’s reunion is quite wonderful. I’d guess Buffy can probably appreciate him a bit more knowing that he had no part in her resurrection (I wonder what Giles told the Council about Buffy and why he went back to England). Giles is clearly a little heartbroken at Buffy’s sadness and the bizarre situation he finds himself in.

Mark Watches 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer': S06E04 – Flooded |

  • Jonathan shows up for the first time since S4’s “Superstar” with a couple friends, for once. If only he and Andrew never crossed paths with Warren they probably wouldn’t have gotten involved in the unpleasantness they eventually experience.
  • Buffy and Giles get lots of scenes together this episode, which is appreciated after him being off and away since she came back.

YARN | What? | Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) - S06E04 Drama | Video gifs by quotes | 4533daf4 | 紗

  • Warren was just prepared with a paper of Buffy’s information for whoever needed?
  • Giles and Willow’s kitchen argument scene is one of my favorite scenes of the series, I think. It feels so natural, both in how it comes about and where it goes. Giles seems to really take the gloves off with her re: the very, very questionable choices she’s been making.

Latest Flooded GIFs | Gfycat

  • Buffy’s fight with the M’fashnik demon is the first time in her life she actually cares about the property damage element of what she’s doing. Yay adulthood.
  • If Willow can do a locator spell to find out who sent a demon to Buffy’s home with murderous intentions then what’s the reason *not* to do that, again?Buffy the Vampire Slayer Rewatch: We Three Nerds from Sunnydale Are | Tor.com
  • “Who’s calling me? Everyone I know lives here.”–turns out it’s Angel and an off-screen, between networks reunion is in the cards.

Carpe Noctem

  • Written by Scott Murphy / Directed by James A. Contner
  • A nice quiet evening at Angel Investigations with reading, gameboy playing, and movie date night for Fred and Angel.
  • Cordy has to explain to Angel what’s obviously going on with Fred (her having a huge crush on him) and that it’s probably a good idea to let her know the reality of life. Hey look, an “I’m not a eunuch!” reprise.

Angel S03 E04 – Nope.

  • I like that Lilah finds Gavin so annoying she decides to proactively help Angel deal with him. I certainly understand.
  • Angel gets access to club records with extreme ease. This idiot employee had to have gotten fired, I would hope. I can’t help but laugh when the gym employee mentions how the three dead guys had nothing in common, then immediately follows that up with how they were all in the same pilates class.

Episode 3.04 – Carpe Noctem | RedemptionCast – An Angel Introcast

  • Marcus, the bad guy old man, is Ron Howard’s dad (if you didn’t know). Why would Angel be so cocky and unconcerned about magic? He’s been affected by all kinds of spells over the years, so once Marcus started up with the magic Angel should have quieted him up. 
  • Angel’s obviously not himself. I mean, even if Cordy didn’t immediately assume he’s been possessed she should consider all options.
  • It’s also quite unlucky that Angel calls the hotel when only Marcus is around.

Shangel's Reviews: Angel, "Carpe Noctem" Review (3x04)

  • The gay panic stuff with Marcus confusing Angel as gay with Wes isn’t the worst thing in the world, but it’s still not exactly funny at all. I could’ve done without it at the time, too.
  • I’m not sure what’s so enticing about interviewing hookers. I mean, what do they think is going to happen? She’ll become so enamored with them that she offers a freebie?

Season 6 — Current Season — Once More with Commentary

  • How does Marcus not know he’s a vampire? At the very least you’d think he would be able to tell he has enhanced strength, a thirst for blood, and his heart isn’t beating.
  • Oh yeah, I always kind of forget that Lilah and Angel makeout–in front of Fred, no less. “You told him to makeout with that woman on the desk?” is an amusing & well delivered line from Fred.Does anyone think Lilah actually like Angel?. | Buffy-Boards
  • Marcus seems like he was absolutely a sexual predator when he was young enough to be one.
  • Cordy says she was with Angel “pretty much the whole time” when they went to the gym, but she absolutely was not. She was flirting with all those guys while Angel perused private records.
  • Wesley certainly saves the day in this one, between figuring out what was going on and then undoing it.

Angel S03 E04 – Nope.

  • When she bursts into the courtyard to tell Angel that Buffy’s alive, Cordy seems so genuinely happy to share that news. It goes to show how much she’s grown, because once upon a time she would have been rather indifferent.

Life Serial

  • Written by David Fury & Jane Espenson / Directed by Nick Marck
  • Buffy appears to get back from her Angel meetup the same evening from when she left, based on the fried chicken exchange–but Giles’ head wound is completely gone. And she doesn’t share any information about their time together, now or ever.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer S06 E05 – Career Day

  • Audit for a semester? Is that just sitting in a class despite not being in the class? No tests, or anything?
  • Fun fact: this random girl who speaks first, Rachel, briefly reappears again a year from now in “Selfless” as the lady whose wish Anya grants–with bloody results.
  • I’ll leave the science of the Trio’s time displacement to fiction, as I’m sure it makes no logical sense. For instance, what did Tara see when Buffy was experiencing these occurrences? And the Trio seems to be on the same timeline as Buffy, but everyone else is going normal speed–yeah, best not to think about it.

Bottleblondegal: Buffy: Life Serial Bustier & Cardi

  • Buffy’s back from the dead and everyone’s right back to assuming her concerns (in this case evil lint) are nonsense even though you’d think she’s earned some trust by now.
  • Buffy should do MMA fights, or something, if she wants to make money at stuff she’s good at. Or, as Anya said, it wouldn’t be the end of the world to offer a paid service to those who are interested.

Once More With Extreme Prejudice: Two Champions Return to L.A.: August 2015

  • Where the hell is everyone else while Buffy’s fighting and killing these three demons? There are a couple guys, but it seems like there were more people around a minute ago. And as far as Trio challenges go, she’s handled both of these in short order. And all of Xander’s coworkers are kind of dickheads. Xander’s not too understanding either, really.
  • Giles’ green mug sighting.
  • Nobody ever notices this camera in the skull eye? Maybe there’s some magic cloaking element to it, otherwise everyone’s just kind of blind.

Buffy vs The Mummy Hand

  • Jonathan’s Groundhog Day mummy hand loop is a lot of fun. It’s such a moody, playful hand. “Fingers sold separately,” the hand with the tongs, and Buffy ripping the doorbell off are probably my favorite bits. There’s also Buffy stomping the hell out of Giles’ glasses.
  • Buffy turning to Spike to drink her sorrows away is something that she never would have believed this time last year when she was still with Riley and only had one death under her belt.

Once More With Extreme Prejudice: Two Champions Return to L.A.: Evil Lint

  • Clem makes his debut in the kitten poker game, which doesn’t really bother Buffy too much. I don’t think she would have put much effort into this task pre-death, either.

I see your hedgehog and offer you a fennec fox in return! : r/Eyebleach

  • I know Jonathan’s just trying to be amusing when he says that “real sexy the way she touched me with her fists” line, but Buffy didn’t hit him with her fists at all. She got one drunken partial kick in before falling down. And I always wished Jonathan, Warren, and Andrew had been non-Star Wars nerds. “Dorks love Star Wars” just seems done  to death.
  • How much money do you think Giles comes to the rescue with when he gives Buffy this check? 15 thousand?

Fredless

  • Written by Mere Smith / Marita Grabiak
  • Cordy and Wes do pretty well acting out a recreation of the Buffy/Angel romance while he’s off seeing a resurrected Buffy (which Angel also chooses to keep to himself). The mystery of the ages.

Shangel's Reviews: Angel, "Fredless" Review (3x05)

  • Hey look, Fred’s parents make their first appearance. The fact that they turn out to just be normal, loving parents is a nice change of pace from some dark, traumatic upbringing. Everyone else also assumes the worst, just based on their lived experience.
  • “She had recently relocated and was having trouble adjusting.” Nice and diplomatic, Wes.
  • Forlorn Lorne putting around his mess of a club in a robe while drinking and watching Judge Judy is always amusing. Is his down mood the reason he gives fairly crappy advice, or is he always so hit or miss?

Angel Season 3 Episode 5

  • Angel being startled by his own cell phone is a nice touch. And this bug thing stalking Angel in the sewers reminds me of Mimic.
  • It might seem like I don’t have a lot of thoughts about this episode, but it’s just a pretty fun one to watch with a good forward pace to everything.
  • Fred’s breakdown to her parents about being lost is effective and, like I said, a nice switch from something sinister being afoot. And good work Fred’s mom! She’s like an off-roading bus driver.

Buffy and Angel - Kyrumption (Cordy♥Angel) #242: @karazma: #Cangel forever. ❤ - Fan Forum

  • I wonder, would Fred have been better off going home with her parents? I mean, she has a rough road ahead of her and winds up sharing her body with an Old One while stuck in some other demon dimension. Last we see, anyway. Who knows what happened after.
  • While it’s a long story, I do like Fred’s fairy tale version of what she experienced in Pylea.
  • Cordy says she’s not sure about aliens, but as we come to learn one day in the comics–space ships and sentient alien bugs and all kinds of stuff exist in the Buffyverse.

Angel S03 E05 – Weird adorable.

  • Angel, Cordy, Wesley, and Gunn all share the sentiment that it must be nice to have supportive & loving parents. Of all the parents in the Buffyverse, only Buffy’s mom and Fred’s parents are at all nice people.
  • The bug creatures aren’t exactly good at walking.

Angel S03 E05 – Weird adorable.

  • Fred talks about how she’s not normal anymore, and in a couple years that will be truer than she could imagine. “I think I know where I’ll end up.” You don’t. No one does. But at least she feels good about things for now.

I’d say this was a great starting batch for BtVS and a very good bunch of Angel episodes, too, so let’s just ride that high while we can–which should be easy as the next chunk of episodes are also pretty good (almost Buffy the Musical time!). Here’s some trivia until then.

  1. How much cash did Xander bribe Willy the Snitch with when he was trying to find the demon with the Books of Ascension?
  2. What are the names of the three girls whose body parts were used to build a living dead girlfriend (sans heads) for Daryl Epps?
  3. What was Lester Worth’s address?

*Last week’s answers: 1) 5C506V6, 2) Rusty

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: A Retrospecticus – Season 6, Plus Angel Season 3
RATING: TV 14+
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 6 U.K. DVD Trailer
Runtime: ~16 Hrs. 50 Mins.
Directed By:
Written By: All These People

About the Author

Adem lives with his husband, dog(s), & cat(s) in an Arizonian city where any time not spent with/on the previously mentioned creatures is filled with writing, rowing, baking, and whatever else the day brings.