I think Riley telling Faith that he loves her (Buffy) might be the first time that someone said that to her unconditionally. The truly sad part it was not meant for her but it could have been if she lived her life differently. Fantastic job by everyone in the episode. Love episodes when actors get to play different than their norm. For Tara and Willow, I think they were testing the waters on how far they could go with censors and the audience. It was very different times 20+ years ago.
My favorite actress playing other character moment is Eliza as Buffy in the scene with Giles as she tries to convince him who she is. Everything from her walking in the door to after Willow officially introduces Buffy to Tara officially is purely how Sarah Michelle Gellar would do and say it. "You can't do that. It's wrong," is used so perfectly. This is the first time since Consequences we have seen Faith do something good (for use of a better word), and the first time it is acknowledged to the audience just how badly she wants to be that way and struggle to do so after all she's done. Watching Faith progress from saying, "You can't do that. It's wrong," as Buffy, in the mirror, so sarcastically, to saying it to vampires in the church, so genuinely, is wonderful. Having the credits say Sarah Michelle Geller as Faith and Eliza as Buffy was a bit of a genius move considering it isn't until later in the episode it isn't officially stated what is happenning. Another small way to help the more confused fans who might not still get it. Also, a fun little gimmick for the credits.
The most telling thing in this episode was near the end when we find out just how much Faith hates herself and what she's become. She wasn't beating on Buffy in Faith's body, she was beating on herself.
She should hate herself she's a terrible person. I won't forget that kind volcano expert she murdered poor guy. Expert "I'll scream" Faith "Who wouldn't"
SMG basically put on a master acting class in this 2 parter. She WAS faith.. in speech, cadence, facial expression and even body movements. It’s the little details that made her and Eliza’s performances so memorable
In my humble opinion, Eliza did it better. I see Buffy all the time. While with Sarah, eh, from time to time, expecially with facial expressions, sometimes it's just Sarah not Buffy but just Sarah or some other girl looks at other people.
@@paulinerobertson6836 The person above says that she sees Faith in everything so it contradicts your theory. Some already see Faith when you think it should be smth in between, her trying to pretend to be Buffy and that's why harder. It means that she mostly just portrays Faith for these people and they see Faith. And the second thing is that I don't see it sometimes. I look at her face and I see Sarah pretending to be a bad girl. The easiest full example for me is the scene with Spike. While her words are explicit the way she shows it... it's not that sexy. She makes a wry face and winces while saying it. That's not really how you tell a guy about great sex and especially if you want to advertise it to him. It doesn't really work that well. And Faith is a very sexy girl. I think she would do it differently. And I think that Sarah is behind Eliza in this, that's why she couldn't show it in Eliza's way. But I understand that since she's the main girl fans will be praising it as they always do.
I love how Mike worries about the "realism" of neighbors gathering outside while he's watching a show about 2 vampire slayers who magically switched bodies. 😅 They seem to miss the great credit at the beginning that said "Eliza Dushku as Buffy."
Yeah, Mike complains about the most insignificant stuff that's not "realistic", as if this was an Oscar-winning biopic or a documentary. It drives me nuts. Who cares if a show is realistic if it's entertaining?
@@Kevin_Karst Sometimes, a scene beeing realistic enhance the entertainment of it. This was the case here judging by the big laugh following the comment. Also a reminder that part of the success of this particular show (for me, at least) is the realism of the emotions juxtapose with the campy-ness of the dialogs or the situations.
Eliza Dushku does a good job playing Buffy and has a few really great moments. But Sarah Michelle Gellar absolutely crushes it as Faith, totally nailing her attitude, voice and mannerisms. It's sensational. My favorite part is when she sits down at The Bronze, wildly splaying her legs in a way Buffy never would. It's great.
Both Sarah Michelle Gellar and Eliza Dushku were brilliant in portraying each other's character. I give the trophy to Sarah, though, for the fight scene and the moment of reversal (which was edited out - I was hoping to see their reaction to that exact moment).
"BECAUSE IT'S WRONG" - I've just realised this very pointed delivery is a reference to Buffy doing the same when saying this to Willow in 2x6 Halloween!
You guys seemed to miss the significance of the final 'because it's wrong' utterance by Faith (in Buffy's body). Throughout the episode, she used it as a form of mocking Buffy's worldview, but by the time she says it in the church, you can tell she genuinely means it.
At the time (early 2000s) they just weren't allowed to explicitly show two lesbians kissing or things like that on tv. So they could only hint at it really heavily lol.
They were absolutely allowed to show two lesbians kissing...if they could use it as a one-off ratings stunt and market that episode as "the one with the lesbian kiss." The writing team, to its credit, was completely unwilling to play that game.
Love this episode. SMG amd Eliza really nailed the character mannerisms. And Faith's hatred for herself after having been treated like a regular person for a day is really powerful. Don't know what other commenters are moaning about. I thought Mike's comments about the realism of people standing around watching was funny, and it's the realistic bits that make it easier to accept the rest of it.
Thanks guys, enjoyed your reaction. One of my favorite episodes of season 4, probably after only Something Blue, Hush, and one more to come. This one was directed by Joss so it clearly is considered an important one. Can't say I recall where the direction or such was atypical to Buffy so I don't know where Mike was coming from but art is subjective. BtVS does have some more ambitiously experimental episodes (like Hush) but I don't recall this as one.
We had so many body swaps/personality swops etc in this show Giles/The Demon in A New Man, Buffy/Faith in this episode, and of course going back to S2 episode Halloween. We of course are seeing Faith have great fun in Buffy's body, sexually teasing Spike, but she does the ultimate betrayal technically raping Riley whilst inheriting Buffy's body we know at this point Faith is amoral having tried to sexually assault and murder Xander is S3 Consequences as well. Tara of course uses her powers to deduce that it isn't the real Buffy. A great conversation with Forest and Faith in Buffy's body. A super ending in the church when the two fight again and everything is restored. Riley feels guilty at the end, but he was totally unaware who it was. Faith of course is a great character in the Buffyverse, but an interesting juxtaposition at this point in that Faith with a soul seems as evil as Angel or Spike when they were soulless, even though we see her human side at the end . This episode and the preceding one were a great two-parter.
There’s some commentary here about Mike and how he reacts to the show and I just want to say to both guys that while any criticism should be taken constructively, don’t let negativity in. I have been watching the Buffy (and now Angel also) reactions from day one and I very much look forward to you both on Sundays and Tuesdays. I have always liked all [formerly] 3 of you. Each of you have your own perspectives and interpret the show differently. Joe is absolutely missed, but the reactions are just as great with just the two of you bouncing off of one another. Some reactions I’m nodding in agreement with Mike the whole episode and other times with Mikey the whole episode. Sometimes both of you. Keep it up guys and keep your reactions genuine. If an aspect of the plot bothers or bores you, continue to acknowledge it. If something blew your mind, continue to acknowledge it. You both provide us with great content, so please just remember that you are appreciated and please keep up the great work.
If everything Faith did before, like the killings, almost chocking Xander... wasn't enough to hate her. This episode is why I will never forgive her ! And why I don't get the love she gets ! I mean, I understand loving an evil character etc. But most people don't love her character because she's evil and a god big bad..., they want redemption for her and good things. But no matter how hard her life has been and the empathy I can have for her... I ABSOLUTELY can't forgive her for all she did, especially here ! She basically R word Riley, in posing for someone else. She has a soul, unlike Angelus. So what she's doing even if it comes from her hate for herself, is still terrible and her choices ! And she can't say it was someone else or she didn't have a soul like Angel can. Am I really the only one that can't and doesn't want to forgive her ??? XD
It seems that the current trend on a certain segment of the internet is that anything and everything should be forgiven because of 'trauma'. A word now so devalued that breaking a nail is "trauma" and those with exceptionally bad events in their lives no longer have an English word to use. Faith is an adult character entirely responsible for her actions. There isn't a real life equivalent of the situation between Faith & Riley so I would not use the R word. IMO Faith was clearly completely wrong. But the inability of Buffy's boyfriend to recognise a change in personality also demonstrates that he failed in the relationship, that he doesn't care about who is inside the bodyshell. Buffy can choose to accept or reject his preoccupation with the physical over personality.
Thank you! finally someone else who doesn't gush over Faith lol I've never understood the seemingly never ending forgiveness fans have for Faith, and yet berate others for much less (*cough Xander) I always wonder what would actually be enough for her not to be forgiven? killing a baby? probably not. As someone who has had a lot of trauma in her life, I understand why Faith is the way she is, but that doesn't mean she deserves forgiveness. Her character is the most unrealistic character development in the show for me.
I try to find forgiveness for anyone (irl or fictional) who I believe feels genuine remorse and who puts real work into their own redemption, but I do agree that viewers tend to easily forgive Faith for some really messed up stuff.
@nomadpurple6154 I don't think that's fair to Riley. He noticed more than the others did (besides Tara), and they've all known Buffy longer. He didn't go along with her trying to initiate the kinky sort of stuff that Faith is used to. He could tell something was off, and he thought that tender intimacy might be a good way to show her he cares. I'm not much of a Riley fan, but it's clear he genuinely loves Buffy. We've never gotten any indication that he's with her for her physical appearance. In fact, he didn't even realize he was attracted to her until another guy besmirched her honor and he flew into a rage. The man is genuinely smitten.
I give up. This is literally a perfect 10/10 episode and Mike is STILL complaining about random stuff and not getting into it at all. I really wish it was just Mikey reacting to the show, or that Joe would come back. It's just making me sad watching these great episodes while listening to Mike nagging about the most insignificant details and looking bored and annoyed.
@@SutraRein-xy4qr That's a bit of an exaggeration, in my opinion. I didn't want to fuel any hate with my comment, I just wanted to give an honest feedback. Calling him names is a bit unnecessary, tbh. No offense.
One of the skills in life is accepting that not everyone will have the same views as you. Providing it's not harming people then then an adult copes with it "Teenager in a huff" is not a good look.
It was pretty obvious at that point that Will and Tara would be one of the first lesbian couples in a TV show, sadly the network wasn't very open-minded and had to be careful what to say and do. After the show the woke mind virus infected the Western World and things went to the other extreme for a few years, but the pendulum is finally swinging back and hopefully finding its right position somewhere in the middle...
@@pinkylittleme Go woke, go broke. People have enough of that BS. We have a problem with it because it destroys young people's minds. No worries, you will learn that too one day, once you're cured...
I think Riley telling Faith that he loves her (Buffy) might be the first time that someone said that to her unconditionally. The truly sad part it was not meant for her but it could have been if she lived her life differently. Fantastic job by everyone in the episode. Love episodes when actors get to play different than their norm. For Tara and Willow, I think they were testing the waters on how far they could go with censors and the audience. It was very different times 20+ years ago.
Tara and Willow, just a couple of study buddies doing spells together
That was a spicy spell 🌶️🌶️
Well, different times. They couldn't show everything clearly so they had to be creative...
"Expecto Orgasnum 🪄".. wait, wrong universe..
Sometimes I think of them studying together and then I do a spell.
My favorite actress playing other character moment is Eliza as Buffy in the scene with Giles as she tries to convince him who she is. Everything from her walking in the door to after Willow officially introduces Buffy to Tara officially is purely how Sarah Michelle Gellar would do and say it.
"You can't do that. It's wrong," is used so perfectly. This is the first time since Consequences we have seen Faith do something good (for use of a better word), and the first time it is acknowledged to the audience just how badly she wants to be that way and struggle to do so after all she's done. Watching Faith progress from saying, "You can't do that. It's wrong," as Buffy, in the mirror, so sarcastically, to saying it to vampires in the church, so genuinely, is wonderful.
Having the credits say Sarah Michelle Geller as Faith and Eliza as Buffy was a bit of a genius move considering it isn't until later in the episode it isn't officially stated what is happenning. Another small way to help the more confused fans who might not still get it. Also, a fun little gimmick for the credits.
The most telling thing in this episode was near the end when we find out just how much Faith hates herself and what she's become. She wasn't beating on Buffy in Faith's body, she was beating on herself.
She should hate herself she's a terrible person. I won't forget that kind volcano expert she murdered poor guy. Expert "I'll scream" Faith "Who wouldn't"
SMG basically put on a master acting class in this 2 parter. She WAS faith.. in speech, cadence, facial expression and even body movements. It’s the little details that made her and Eliza’s performances so memorable
They did so well as each other, the little mannerisms were perfect.
In my humble opinion, Eliza did it better. I see Buffy all the time. While with Sarah, eh, from time to time, expecially with facial expressions, sometimes it's just Sarah not Buffy but just Sarah or some other girl looks at other people.
@@JuneJaneb4 Sarah had to be Faith pretending to be Buffy, for me that's harder. Eliza just had to be Buffy.
@@paulinerobertson6836 The person above says that she sees Faith in everything so it contradicts your theory. Some already see Faith when you think it should be smth in between, her trying to pretend to be Buffy and that's why harder. It means that she mostly just portrays Faith for these people and they see Faith. And the second thing is that I don't see it sometimes. I look at her face and I see Sarah pretending to be a bad girl.
The easiest full example for me is the scene with Spike. While her words are explicit the way she shows it... it's not that sexy. She makes a wry face and winces while saying it. That's not really how you tell a guy about great sex and especially if you want to advertise it to him. It doesn't really work that well. And Faith is a very sexy girl. I think she would do it differently. And I think that Sarah is behind Eliza in this, that's why she couldn't show it in Eliza's way. But I understand that since she's the main girl fans will be praising it as they always do.
@ YT can't handle my comment about s_e_x_y scene with Spike, removes it, lol
Eliza and Sarah spent a lot of time watching previous footage and studying each other's mannerisms.
They both did so well , down to the eyes!
Also, Riley didn't cheat on Buffy. He was raped.
@@migmit Exactly this
Willow "not driving stick" is such a Faith comment - notice Willow was absent for that - would have been a total give away.
I love how Mike worries about the "realism" of neighbors gathering outside while he's watching a show about 2 vampire slayers who magically switched bodies. 😅
They seem to miss the great credit at the beginning that said "Eliza Dushku as Buffy."
Yeah, Mike complains about the most insignificant stuff that's not "realistic", as if this was an Oscar-winning biopic or a documentary. It drives me nuts. Who cares if a show is realistic if it's entertaining?
@@Kevin_Karst Sometimes, a scene beeing realistic enhance the entertainment of it. This was the case here judging by the big laugh following the comment.
Also a reminder that part of the success of this particular show (for me, at least) is the realism of the emotions juxtapose with the campy-ness of the dialogs or the situations.
Mikey: 💁🏻♂💁🏻♂💁🏻♂
Mike: I don’t what you’re talking about…
Best part of this reaction; hilarious.
The episode that made me look up the word “stevedore” 😂
I did the same while editing 😂😭
Buffy results on reddit came up
Mikey
Eliza Dushku does a good job playing Buffy and has a few really great moments. But Sarah Michelle Gellar absolutely crushes it as Faith, totally nailing her attitude, voice and mannerisms. It's sensational. My favorite part is when she sits down at The Bronze, wildly splaying her legs in a way Buffy never would. It's great.
Both Sarah Michelle Gellar and Eliza Dushku were brilliant in portraying each other's character. I give the trophy to Sarah, though, for the fight scene and the moment of reversal (which was edited out - I was hoping to see their reaction to that exact moment).
"BECAUSE IT'S WRONG" - I've just realised this very pointed delivery is a reference to Buffy doing the same when saying this to Willow in 2x6 Halloween!
Mike: Nope. I don't know what you're talking about, Mike[y]. I don't know what you're talking about. Or this cutaway... completely unrelated!
Me: 🤣🤣
You guys seemed to miss the significance of the final 'because it's wrong' utterance by Faith (in Buffy's body). Throughout the episode, she used it as a form of mocking Buffy's worldview, but by the time she says it in the church, you can tell she genuinely means it.
At the time (early 2000s) they just weren't allowed to explicitly show two lesbians kissing or things like that on tv. So they could only hint at it really heavily lol.
They were absolutely allowed to show two lesbians kissing...if they could use it as a one-off ratings stunt and market that episode as "the one with the lesbian kiss." The writing team, to its credit, was completely unwilling to play that game.
Yup, first lesbian kiss on TV will be on this show a bit later.
@@PromptCriticalJello That would be the first one on American TV...some countries got there sooner.
@@nomadpurple6154 LOL, i can't believe that you think 'other countries' are real.
That's just a conspiracy theory and you fell for it. 😉
You misunderstood - Buffy (Faith) didn't say, "I've come to pray." she said "I've come to prey."
OH
The best redemption story in the history of television begins...❤
"I just come to pray." Or is it "I just come to prey."
HOW did you cut the line "Cause it's wrong!'? That's the payoff of the whole arc of the episode
Love this episode. SMG amd Eliza really nailed the character mannerisms. And Faith's hatred for herself after having been treated like a regular person for a day is really powerful.
Don't know what other commenters are moaning about. I thought Mike's comments about the realism of people standing around watching was funny, and it's the realistic bits that make it easier to accept the rest of it.
"They're gay, yay," 😂😂😂😂
Thanks guys, enjoyed your reaction. One of my favorite episodes of season 4, probably after only Something Blue, Hush, and one more to come. This one was directed by Joss so it clearly is considered an important one. Can't say I recall where the direction or such was atypical to Buffy so I don't know where Mike was coming from but art is subjective. BtVS does have some more ambitiously experimental episodes (like Hush) but I don't recall this as one.
not cheating, Riley was taken advantage of, more like SA
In someway she raped him
We had so many body swaps/personality swops etc in this show Giles/The Demon in A New Man, Buffy/Faith in this episode, and of course going back to S2 episode Halloween. We of course are seeing Faith have great fun in Buffy's body, sexually teasing Spike, but she does the ultimate betrayal technically raping Riley whilst inheriting Buffy's body we know at this point Faith is amoral having tried to sexually assault and murder Xander is S3 Consequences as well. Tara of course uses her powers to deduce that it isn't the real Buffy. A great conversation with Forest and Faith in Buffy's body. A super ending in the church when the two fight again and everything is restored. Riley feels guilty at the end, but he was totally unaware who it was. Faith of course is a great character in the Buffyverse, but an interesting juxtaposition at this point in that Faith with a soul seems as evil as Angel or Spike when they were soulless, even though we see her human side at the end . This episode and the preceding one were a great two-parter.
The raw Mikey energy at the start of these is 1/3 of why I am here
⚡⚡⚡⚡Powered by red bull
@@732ReviewCrew No free sponsors!!
Powered by caffeine ✅👀✅
Any time Mikey gets side eye from his reactor companions, I'm here for it.
Season 5 is near flawless, but Season 6 is my favorite. Season 7 is right up there too.
There’s some commentary here about Mike and how he reacts to the show and I just want to say to both guys that while any criticism should be taken constructively, don’t let negativity in. I have been watching the Buffy (and now Angel also) reactions from day one and I very much look forward to you both on Sundays and Tuesdays. I have always liked all [formerly] 3 of you. Each of you have your own perspectives and interpret the show differently. Joe is absolutely missed, but the reactions are just as great with just the two of you bouncing off of one another. Some reactions I’m nodding in agreement with Mike the whole episode and other times with Mikey the whole episode. Sometimes both of you. Keep it up guys and keep your reactions genuine. If an aspect of the plot bothers or bores you, continue to acknowledge it. If something blew your mind, continue to acknowledge it. You both provide us with great content, so please just remember that you are appreciated and please keep up the great work.
Thank you kindly
💯
Have either of you ever done spells with another guy?
No 🌶️🌶️🌶️⚡⚡
@@732ReviewCrew I did it once in college and then every day since then.
🏳️🌈💗
❤🧡💛💚💙💜
Tara 💃💃💃
It's not really cheating, but I would have to insist on a password from the moment I got my body back. Just saying.
My favorite part was when faith/buffy made fun of Tara’s stutter😂. Like it was so brutal but in a nonchalant realistic way. SMG plays bad so good😏😩
Honestly...same
Mikey
❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍
If everything Faith did before, like the killings, almost chocking Xander... wasn't enough to hate her. This episode is why I will never forgive her ! And why I don't get the love she gets ! I mean, I understand loving an evil character etc. But most people don't love her character because she's evil and a god big bad..., they want redemption for her and good things.
But no matter how hard her life has been and the empathy I can have for her... I ABSOLUTELY can't forgive her for all she did, especially here ! She basically R word Riley, in posing for someone else. She has a soul, unlike Angelus. So what she's doing even if it comes from her hate for herself, is still terrible and her choices ! And she can't say it was someone else or she didn't have a soul like Angel can. Am I really the only one that can't and doesn't want to forgive her ??? XD
It seems that the current trend on a certain segment of the internet is that anything and everything should be forgiven because of 'trauma'. A word now so devalued that breaking a nail is "trauma" and those with exceptionally bad events in their lives no longer have an English word to use. Faith is an adult character entirely responsible for her actions.
There isn't a real life equivalent of the situation between Faith & Riley so I would not use the R word. IMO Faith was clearly completely wrong. But the inability of Buffy's boyfriend to recognise a change in personality also demonstrates that he failed in the relationship, that he doesn't care about who is inside the bodyshell. Buffy can choose to accept or reject his preoccupation with the physical over personality.
Thank you! finally someone else who doesn't gush over Faith lol I've never understood the seemingly never ending forgiveness fans have for Faith, and yet berate others for much less (*cough Xander) I always wonder what would actually be enough for her not to be forgiven? killing a baby? probably not. As someone who has had a lot of trauma in her life, I understand why Faith is the way she is, but that doesn't mean she deserves forgiveness. Her character is the most unrealistic character development in the show for me.
I try to find forgiveness for anyone (irl or fictional) who I believe feels genuine remorse and who puts real work into their own redemption, but I do agree that viewers tend to easily forgive Faith for some really messed up stuff.
@nomadpurple6154 I don't think that's fair to Riley. He noticed more than the others did (besides Tara), and they've all known Buffy longer. He didn't go along with her trying to initiate the kinky sort of stuff that Faith is used to. He could tell something was off, and he thought that tender intimacy might be a good way to show her he cares. I'm not much of a Riley fan, but it's clear he genuinely loves Buffy. We've never gotten any indication that he's with her for her physical appearance. In fact, he didn't even realize he was attracted to her until another guy besmirched her honor and he flew into a rage. The man is genuinely smitten.
even faith hates faith! sad...
I will be tickled when you get the full story on Tara, as well as just how magic affects Willow.
Interesting foreshadowing in the conversation between Spike and “Buffy.”
You are going to be surprised to see where Faith goes from here.
I give up. This is literally a perfect 10/10 episode and Mike is STILL complaining about random stuff and not getting into it at all. I really wish it was just Mikey reacting to the show, or that Joe would come back. It's just making me sad watching these great episodes while listening to Mike nagging about the most insignificant details and looking bored and annoyed.
True! Let's just enjoy the show with Mikey and make fun of Mike being totally wrong every time he says something...
@@SutraRein-xy4qr Nailed it! 😂😂😂
@@SutraRein-xy4qr That's a bit of an exaggeration, in my opinion. I didn't want to fuel any hate with my comment, I just wanted to give an honest feedback. Calling him names is a bit unnecessary, tbh. No offense.
@@SutraRein-xy4qrRude and unnecessary.
One of the skills in life is accepting that not everyone will have the same views as you. Providing it's not harming people then then an adult copes with it "Teenager in a huff" is not a good look.
Tara backstory coming soon (or it might be in season 5) - it's got a twist.
Its pretty straightforward if you ask me
This comment is unnecessarily spoilery.
It was pretty obvious at that point that Will and Tara would be one of the first lesbian couples in a TV show, sadly the network wasn't very open-minded and had to be careful what to say and do. After the show the woke mind virus infected the Western World and things went to the other extreme for a few years, but the pendulum is finally swinging back and hopefully finding its right position somewhere in the middle...
The 'woke virus' is just being open minded and accepting everyone as they are. Why do you have a problem with that?
@@pinkylittleme Go woke, go broke. People have enough of that BS. We have a problem with it because it destroys young people's minds. No worries, you will learn that too one day, once you're cured...
Brainrotted MAGAt
What are you harping on about? What other extreme?
@@theprodigal They're just spouting buzzwords and rambling with no real meaning.