First time Joss didn't write the season opener but I guess he was concentrated launching both series into their best seasons imho: Buffy S5, Angel S2. Even though Joss was on set during this episode: there is a pic of him in the scenes where Buffy fights Dracula. Marti Noxon said this was a very chaotic episode: they broke the story many times and did reshoots. Maybe Joss directed one of them.
Yeah, this episode was pretty funny. The writers kept saying 'let's do a vampire like Dracula!', 'someone like Dracula!', and someone (I think it was Joss?) said 'why not actually Dracula? He's public domain.'
This isn't the first time the actor that plays Dracula work with Sarah Michelle Gellar. They were both of the soap opera All My Children were she played the daughter of the star Erica Kane.
No, its my favorite season and I think a lot of people's favorite as well. This season's whole arc/theme was alluded to and put together so magnificently!!!
Season 5 is a popular season... but I love that almost any of the seasons can be someone's favourite. There are probably 5 or 10 brilliant things in every season.
Woot! Now I'm glad that I got myself caught up, so I can join in the fun of seeing Mackenzie's introduction to season 5. I'm trying to imagine how exactly Kyle will say "Grr argh" at the end.
Season 5 is my favorite Buffy season. It fits together as a whole story better than any other season in my opinion and it's just so good all the way through.
Mackenzie needs to react to the video with the embedded compilation of hints/clues from earlier episodes - after she learns a bit more about Buffy's sister.
Monday and Kyle and McKenzie reviewing Buffy! Huzzah! I'm with Kyle on favorite season being 5. Edit and side note that I meant to mention. I never met him, but the late Jerry Nelson, who voiced The Count on Sesame Street for many years was the brother of a very close friend, who I was fortunate enough to play in a band with for around 20 years. It's been a while since I watched this episode, and I forgot that Xander made that reference about the accent.
What's weird for me here is the fact that the actor who plays Dracula also played Sarah Michelle Gellar's character's step-brother on the soap opera "All My Children". Also, Xander continues to be a demon magnet!
another fun reaction to begin what is also my favorite season from start to finish.... poor Xander, falling under more thrall and butt monkey magic..... lol and hello Rebecca! loved Kyle's wild eyed struggles not to tip anything in this reaction....
Love this season. It is my favorite season. "Get out of here." 'They don't even move.' The blase attitude is exactly why I am on Buffy's side for anything slayer related when the Scooby gang are yelling at her over slayer related things. She was being one hundred percent, nojokes, please do as I ask, serious. And Xander ends up paying for it by first not doing as told and then not taking a vampire seriously as he makes fun of Dracula (Dracula even initially says he has no interest in Xander before the jokes against Dracula start). Xander is lucky being Dracula's "spider-eating man-bitch" is all that happens to him (although anyone willing to read the comics knows where that goes). Willow is in the same boat as she doesn't listen and then becomes hypnotized. She is lucky he focuses on Buffy and Xander. Despite that I do find what happens to Xander wonderful comedy moments. What I love about this version of Dracula is that they work with the tropie-ness of the Dracula myths and weave it into the Buffy lore. "With Angel its understandable that there'd be transference." Jealous or not (which Riley is, to the point of being a moron - but he has been that way since Xander explained his false POV of Angel's curse in _The Yoko Factor_ ), that doesn't even makes sense. Dracula not actually being dead is excellent. Can he even die? Who knows. The smile at Buffy's sister was different. I'm used to the dropped jaw surprise and confusion. I liked the difference in comparison to other reactions.
SPOILER-ETTE WARNING: Before the "Season 8," et. al. series of BTVS comics on Dark Horse, IDW had the franchise, and they did a fun miniseries [like 4 or 5 issues] of "Spike Vs. Dracula" ~ with lots o' Drusilla, too!
@@LeshaAnn SPOILER FOR COMICS I know. I've read them. I actually consider them canon as there is some time between AtS S5 and BtVS S8 that I believe the IDW comics cover. Plus there are minor spoilers in the IDW comics leading into S8. But my comment was referencing Xander and Dracula's relationship in S8 and not anything in the IDW franchise.
Love all this talk! Just in case... can we avoid mentioning how many seasons there are or what season the comics start up with. Not at all a big deal. I just really want to try to leave those mysteries a secret if possible. Gotta keep Mackenzie guessing until the end. I'm not planning on telling her when the last season is. You're welcome to say ANYTHING in the comments, as long as you put "SPOILER" right before the paragraph or sentence. Overall, I LOVE your comment though! I love that Drac!
Does anyone remember Happy Days? In the first season, Richie had an older brother named Chuck. In later seasons we never saw him and he was never mentioned again. Hmmm....
This was my first episode I've ever seen of Buffy, and I began it mid episode, so I missed the beginning. In the last scene, I was wondering if it was somehow important. It wasn't until I saw the show's original run back to season 1 where I finally realized that this episode was the introduction to Buffy's little sis.
Rudolf Martin was in a TV movie about the true(ish) story of Vlad Dracula. I think it was called the dark prince or something and they kinda did this for promotion I think. Also rudolf and Sarah Michelle gellar knew each other already cause they worked on a soap opera together
I never realized, after we all know what we know of "Rebecca", how much that last scene the girls nearly have the same mannerisms. Just like sisters do. This is going to be a long 16 weeks!
When this episode first aired we furiously went through the archives of previous episodes to see if there was any mention of Buffy being an only child in the dialog. We could not find any.
You are not alone. I even had a crush on Michelle (the actress playing the little sister) when she first appeared. ^^ And before anyone think it is creepy, I was the same age as me and her are both born 1985. :p
This season and the writting so great...even if i don't understand why i don't see a lot of people prefer season 6, i understand for some reasons but it is nice to see other opinions. For the arc the 5 is the best, 3 is my favourite because a lot of strong episodes and the second half is perfect. But season 6 for characters wow... This season opening is my less favourite but that was the most unexpecting ending ;):D enjoy it !
Fun, cheesey open. "Wow, that was gross." Cracks me up. Guess thrawl immunity is vampire to vampire. Now we know if she would have fell under Drew's hypnotism. Glad the little sis is back, pretty small part so I get forgetting her name. Give it time, it'll come to you. Season 3 is my favorite but Tara in episode 1 alone is already a better character to me than most of her season 4 presence so, happy to say the least. This season made me love her. Riley... Well he took a few watches and a little more experience.
Not the greatest episode but that surprise at the end when you saw the "sister" made me excited to know what's in store for this season. Like, who is she? when is she? WHY is she? lol I'd say season 5 is arguably the best season FOR ME particularly because how this season's episodes just gave me such a rollercoaster of emotions. That's all I'm gonna say about it!!!
Here here! So much to be revealed! So many goodies in store! Such a strong story! Just overall incredible! I m so beyond excited for Mackenzie to see how it all unfolds!
@@FANTHEORYTV Yeah I'm curious as to how she'll react to all the highs and the lows of the episodes down the road 'cause I think if one's able to get through this whole season, I'd say one is almost prepped for the next ones to come... but that still depends on the person I guess.
Faith literally tells Buffy in the Season 3 finale that her sister will arrive soon, and that Buffy herself would die in exactly two years (the finale of Season 5). The Season 4 finale has the First Slayer using Tara as an avatar to tell Buffy explicitly that her sister will be called Dawn.
This season is also my favorite and I think as time has gone on it has becoming many people’s favorite as well. I think the fans still prefer S3 but S5 has been rising up the ranks.
It’s actually pretty even between the both, but yes more people are appreciating Season 5 which is good because it’s not only my favourite but also the best in my opinion.
This one was never my favorite, but I think that's largely because of the deceptive ad campaign the summer before, which really played Dracula up as the Big Bad....and he just wasn't all that impressive. But it's a fun little episode anyways and Giles in the chick pit of death never fails to amuse me, as well as Xander being the spider eating man bitch. Oh and hey Buffy's little sister...cough Rebecca cough cough. It's been a very long time. I've really missed you. Season Five isn't my favorite, that honor still belongs to S3 but it's become my second choice in recent years, just edging out S2.
Who else would have been a more appropriate version of Renfield than Xander? 13:04 You've already been told her name in the previous episode. 15:00 For me, it's a close call between this season and season 6.
Season 5 is very well done. Great start off to the season. Buffy won't be a vampire. you have to be near death while drinking the blood of the vampire. Sire, is the word. Dracula I don't think is dead just left town.( buffy no longer under his thraw no need for him to stay). Who is this young lady with the pink shirt?
Sorry I still didn't have time to watch your other reactions, guys! I'm late with everybody! T_T But I just wanted to say, how come you don't know Rebecca yet, Mackenzie?? :P Thank you so much, guys!!!
Technically, I do feel season 5 is the best. But I still have a soft spot for season 2. The combination of entertainment value and emotional impact was at its peak.
Love this season, but I also think people in general are too hard on Buffy seasons. The show overall just has amazing quality after S1. For example, S4 has some of my favorite episodes of the show. And despite the 4 or 5 episodes for the main plot that suck, the rest of the season is so re-watch-able and amazing.
I just became part of the Whedon tier but for some weird reason this month Angel got blocked on me I was able to watch both Buffy and Angel last month now only Buffy. What's up?
First time Joss didn't write the season opener but I guess he was concentrated launching both series into their best seasons imho: Buffy S5, Angel S2. Even though Joss was on set during this episode: there is a pic of him in the scenes where Buffy fights Dracula. Marti Noxon said this was a very chaotic episode: they broke the story many times and did reshoots. Maybe Joss directed one of them.
#FunFact
This is THE season for me the whole plot, ending (no spoilers, DW) character interactions all of it, I adore.
Yeah, this episode was pretty funny. The writers kept saying 'let's do a vampire like Dracula!', 'someone like Dracula!', and someone (I think it was Joss?) said 'why not actually Dracula? He's public domain.'
Not even a question. Season five is far and away the most glorious season of Buffy.
"There was no penetration." I wonder how many takes Sarah Michelle Gellar went through to get that line out.
Season 5 is huge and is probably the best season from buffy it hits every single emotions cant wait for this reactions of this season .
Wolf_feels it sure does. You’re gonna laugh and cry so much. Tissues will be needed.
Enrico Anotde agreed hahahah. Cant wait
Hey look, two of SMG's old All My Children co-stars were in this episode, her TV husband and step-cousin!
Step-brother! Erica married Dmitri, and he played Dmitri's son.
@@sadfaery and he was SMG's love interest.
Season 5 is one of my favorites and s6 so can't wait!
Kyle's face at the end of the episode hahaha! OMG. Perfect. Season 5 is also my number 1 season as well :D So hyped
This isn't the first time the actor that plays Dracula work with Sarah Michelle Gellar. They were both of the soap opera All My Children were she played the daughter of the star Erica Kane.
Came to the comments JUST to see if anyone would bring that up! I fucking lived for soaps back in the day. I miss them😥
No, its my favorite season and I think a lot of people's favorite as well. This season's whole arc/theme was alluded to and put together so magnificently!!!
It really REALLY was! Snaps all around!
This is also my favorite season of Buffy. There is so much to look forward to.
This episode really replays alot of the things in prophecy girl. There was a lot of Dracula influences to the Master.
Season 5 is a popular season... but I love that almost any of the seasons can be someone's favourite. There are probably 5 or 10 brilliant things in every season.
This is true! Even in any one of our least favorite seasons!
Woot! Now I'm glad that I got myself caught up, so I can join in the fun of seeing Mackenzie's introduction to season 5. I'm trying to imagine how exactly Kyle will say "Grr argh" at the end.
🤣
Seasons 5 and 6 are my favorites.
Lindsey Stein seasons 5 and 6 are peak buffy
@@sarahxo2317 definitely. 5 and 6 are the best.
Season 6 saw Buffybot's demise. I miss Buffybot. She was fun.
Season 5 is my favorite Buffy season. It fits together as a whole story better than any other season in my opinion and it's just so good all the way through.
Season 5 is Buffy's best season, definitely. Season 6 is a close second.
Agreed!
I was one of those people who rewatched all the seasons again to make sure I didn’t make a mistake when I saw the ending 😂.
Mackenzie needs to react to the video with the embedded compilation of hints/clues from earlier episodes - after she learns a bit more about Buffy's sister.
Please feel free to send any suggestions or links to fantheorytv@gmail.com
Thanks so much for the suggestion! 😃
Monday and Kyle and McKenzie reviewing Buffy! Huzzah! I'm with Kyle on favorite season being 5. Edit and side note that I meant to mention. I never met him, but the late Jerry Nelson, who voiced The Count on Sesame Street for many years was the brother of a very close friend, who I was fortunate enough to play in a band with for around 20 years. It's been a while since I watched this episode, and I forgot that Xander made that reference about the accent.
13:00 Oh, he's adorable!
😂❤
What's weird for me here is the fact that the actor who plays Dracula also played Sarah Michelle Gellar's character's step-brother on the soap opera "All My Children". Also, Xander continues to be a demon magnet!
another fun reaction to begin what is also my favorite season from start to finish.... poor Xander, falling under more thrall and butt monkey magic..... lol and hello Rebecca! loved Kyle's wild eyed struggles not to tip anything in this reaction....
My favourite season too!!!
So happy you are here. This is my favorite season!
Hooray! This is my personal favorite season too. So much fun and drama! Rebecca Begins!
Love this season. It is my favorite season.
"Get out of here." 'They don't even move.' The blase attitude is exactly why I am on Buffy's side for anything slayer related when the Scooby gang are yelling at her over slayer related things. She was being one hundred percent, nojokes, please do as I ask, serious. And Xander ends up paying for it by first not doing as told and then not taking a vampire seriously as he makes fun of Dracula (Dracula even initially says he has no interest in Xander before the jokes against Dracula start). Xander is lucky being Dracula's "spider-eating man-bitch" is all that happens to him (although anyone willing to read the comics knows where that goes). Willow is in the same boat as she doesn't listen and then becomes hypnotized. She is lucky he focuses on Buffy and Xander. Despite that I do find what happens to Xander wonderful comedy moments.
What I love about this version of Dracula is that they work with the tropie-ness of the Dracula myths and weave it into the Buffy lore.
"With Angel its understandable that there'd be transference." Jealous or not (which Riley is, to the point of being a moron - but he has been that way since Xander explained his false POV of Angel's curse in _The Yoko Factor_ ), that doesn't even makes sense.
Dracula not actually being dead is excellent. Can he even die? Who knows.
The smile at Buffy's sister was different. I'm used to the dropped jaw surprise and confusion. I liked the difference in comparison to other reactions.
SPOILER-ETTE WARNING:
Before the "Season 8," et. al. series of BTVS comics on Dark Horse, IDW had the franchise, and they did a fun miniseries [like 4 or 5 issues] of "Spike Vs. Dracula" ~ with lots o' Drusilla, too!
@@LeshaAnn SPOILER FOR COMICS
I know. I've read them. I actually consider them canon as there is some time between AtS S5 and BtVS S8 that I believe the IDW comics cover. Plus there are minor spoilers in the IDW comics leading into S8. But my comment was referencing Xander and Dracula's relationship in S8 and not anything in the IDW franchise.
@@Buffy8Fan I just thought you might wanna read them; I should have recognized a fellow Whedonverse Completist!
@@LeshaAnn 👍
Love all this talk! Just in case... can we avoid mentioning how many seasons there are or what season the comics start up with. Not at all a big deal. I just really want to try to leave those mysteries a secret if possible. Gotta keep Mackenzie guessing until the end. I'm not planning on telling her when the last season is. You're welcome to say ANYTHING in the comments, as long as you put "SPOILER" right before the paragraph or sentence.
Overall, I LOVE your comment though! I love that Drac!
Good guess; it's Rebecca of Sunnydale Farm. 😉
Does anyone remember Happy Days? In the first season, Richie had an older brother named Chuck. In later seasons we never saw him and he was never mentioned again. Hmmm....
[SPOILERY COMMENT]
They must have all gone to the place that Buffy's sister came from!
And the little boy in one of the last few seasons of Married With Children. He went upstairs and never came back down 😂
This was my first episode I've ever seen of Buffy, and I began it mid episode, so I missed the beginning. In the last scene, I was wondering if it was somehow important. It wasn't until I saw the show's original run back to season 1 where I finally realized that this episode was the introduction to Buffy's little sis.
magic713m yes Rebecca or Becky was talked about in season 1.
@@GC5295 yeah there was that time in S2 when....nah, that would be spoiling... :)
Shadowman4710 no season 5 spoilers. 🤫
@@GC5295 Yeah that one escaped you, didn't it?
YUP! I know exactly where you're going and I LOVE you for it!
Season 5 is also my favorite.
That last 30 seconds made the whole episode lol
Rudolf Martin was in a TV movie about the true(ish) story of Vlad Dracula. I think it was called the dark prince or something and they kinda did this for promotion I think. Also rudolf and Sarah Michelle gellar knew each other already cause they worked on a soap opera together
@@MrLorenzovanmatterho That would have made sense since Freddie's middle name is "Thedark".
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ my favorite season! Great villain, great fighting style, Buffy looks her best! Yaaaaas all around
I never realized, after we all know what we know of "Rebecca", how much that last scene the girls nearly have the same mannerisms. Just like sisters do. This is going to be a long 16 weeks!
Y'all!
🤣
My favourite season too, for a myriad of reasons! I’m looking forward to seeing what you make of Rebecca ...
You guys!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣
Aww this is my favorite season too 😊 now I don't feel alone
I just now realized that I'm watching the same episodes y'all are!
Also, I'm with Kyle about this being my favorite season!
When this episode first aired we furiously went through the archives of previous episodes to see if there was any mention of Buffy being an only child in the dialog. We could not find any.
Season 5 is also Kyle's favourite season? Marry me. XD
I'm so excited to finally get to watch your reactions on this one (and season 7 in the future).
Season seven is my favourite season not a popular opinion but it’s my favourite
Season 5 if my favorite season of television of all time!!!!
6:38 That's a look :)
Season 3 is still my favorite season, but season 5 is the most cohesive from beginning to end. This should be quite enjoyable for MacKenzie!
My favourite season 😍😍
Ditto!
You are not alone. I even had a crush on Michelle (the actress playing the little sister) when she first appeared. ^^ And before anyone think it is creepy, I was the same age as me and her are both born 1985. :p
@@MrLorenzovanmatterho Yes I was 14. :) Just two months older than Miss Trachtenberg.
NICE! And thank you for no spoilers! 😃I honestly did not know she was born then! #funfact
It's my favorite season, too. If the first half of season 2 was better, season 2 would be my favorite.
My fave Buffy seasons: 5,6,4,3,2,7,1
My (Kyle) list: 5,3,6,2,7,1,4
This season and the writting so great...even if i don't understand why i don't see a lot of people prefer season 6, i understand for some reasons but it is nice to see other opinions. For the arc the 5 is the best, 3 is my favourite because a lot of strong episodes and the second half is perfect. But season 6 for characters wow...
This season opening is my less favourite but that was the most unexpecting ending ;):D enjoy it !
Fun, cheesey open. "Wow, that was gross." Cracks me up. Guess thrawl immunity is vampire to vampire. Now we know if she would have fell under Drew's hypnotism. Glad the little sis is back, pretty small part so I get forgetting her name. Give it time, it'll come to you. Season 3 is my favorite but Tara in episode 1 alone is already a better character to me than most of her season 4 presence so, happy to say the least. This season made me love her. Riley... Well he took a few watches and a little more experience.
I used to think she was pretty astute, but she hasn’t noticed Rebecca at all in the last 4 seasons. Curious.
🤣This is going to be the defining joke of our series! You guys are too much!
Not the greatest episode but that surprise at the end when you saw the "sister" made me excited to know what's in store for this season. Like, who is she? when is she? WHY is she? lol I'd say season 5 is arguably the best season FOR ME particularly because how this season's episodes just gave me such a rollercoaster of emotions. That's all I'm gonna say about it!!!
"How?! What?! How?!"
@@holi117 🤣🤣
Here here! So much to be revealed! So many goodies in store! Such a strong story! Just overall incredible! I m so beyond excited for Mackenzie to see how it all unfolds!
🤣🤣🤣
@@FANTHEORYTV Yeah I'm curious as to how she'll react to all the highs and the lows of the episodes down the road 'cause I think if one's able to get through this whole season, I'd say one is almost prepped for the next ones to come... but that still depends on the person I guess.
I love season 5, so excited you're here 💃💃💃
Yay!!!
Faith literally tells Buffy in the Season 3 finale that her sister will arrive soon, and that Buffy herself would die in exactly two years (the finale of Season 5).
The Season 4 finale has the First Slayer using Tara as an avatar to tell Buffy explicitly that her sister will be called Dawn.
I'm so excited to see you react to Season 5!
THANK YOU! ME TOO!!! :-D
This season is also my favorite and I think as time has gone on it has becoming many people’s favorite as well. I think the fans still prefer S3 but S5 has been rising up the ranks.
It’s actually pretty even between the both, but yes more people are appreciating Season 5 which is good because it’s not only my favourite but also the best in my opinion.
This one was never my favorite, but I think that's largely because of the deceptive ad campaign the summer before, which really played Dracula up as the Big Bad....and he just wasn't all that impressive. But it's a fun little episode anyways and Giles in the chick pit of death never fails to amuse me, as well as Xander being the spider eating man bitch.
Oh and hey Buffy's little sister...cough Rebecca cough cough. It's been a very long time. I've really missed you.
Season Five isn't my favorite, that honor still belongs to S3 but it's become my second choice in recent years, just edging out S2.
Who else would have been a more appropriate version of Renfield than Xander?
13:04 You've already been told her name in the previous episode.
15:00 For me, it's a close call between this season and season 6.
Let's let her forget things... I like it that way...😉
First appearance of Buffy's little sister Dawn.
Season 5 is very well done. Great start off to the season. Buffy won't be a vampire. you have to be near death while drinking the blood of the vampire. Sire, is the word. Dracula I don't think is dead just left town.( buffy no longer under his thraw no need for him to stay). Who is this young lady with the pink shirt?
Yeah, but I hoped Mackenzie would think it were possible! :-D
He comes back in the cannon comics
Sorry I still didn't have time to watch your other reactions, guys! I'm late with everybody! T_T
But I just wanted to say, how come you don't know Rebecca yet, Mackenzie?? :P
Thank you so much, guys!!!
Because I'm such a newb!! I have seen her in ads before for Buffy but truthfully Rebecca is a mystery!
@@FANTHEORYTV LOL, I got that, Kyle :P
Yeah, looove season 5!!!
Amen!
My favorite season too. The sister is Harriet the Spy (don't know if you saw that movie).
She's the reason I like tomato and mayonnaise sandwiches. 😂
Nona from Pete and Pete
Technically, I do feel season 5 is the best. But I still have a soft spot for season 2. The combination of entertainment value and emotional impact was at its peak.
Love this season, but I also think people in general are too hard on Buffy seasons. The show overall just has amazing quality after S1. For example, S4 has some of my favorite episodes of the show. And despite the 4 or 5 episodes for the main plot that suck, the rest of the season is so re-watch-able and amazing.
I just became part of the Whedon tier but for some weird reason this month Angel got blocked on me I was able to watch both Buffy and Angel last month now only Buffy. What's up?
Odd! They should both be available under the Gold tier always. I will ask Kyle to check the Patreon. Thanks so much for being a subscriber!
And did you recognize the hulking figure on the bluff that Buffy saw when she drank of Dracula's blood?
The final season on The WB.
Usually S2, S3 and S5 wins many of the polls by fans and critics. My order: 3-5-2-4-6-1-7
This is my favorite season too... 5374216 that's my order, though 7 and 3 are pretty damn close.
The guy that played Dracula was Sarah m gellars love interest on the day time soap all my children
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️