The word "Mommy" has never been more poignant than in these last two episodes. In her state of fear and then grief, even Buffy, the all-powerful Slayer, finds herself becoming a vulnerable child at heart again 😢😢 The reversal of Dawn's and her roles at the end is so powerful - Buffy going from berating Daen for messing with magic, to _wanting_ her beloved Mom to be there;.and Dawn going from desperately trying to reverse the heartbreaking loss, to realising she may have brought back a monster version of Joyce, whom Buffy would have to kill... Then Dawn is the one who says "It's all right" to her big sister as they both collapse in tears... 😢😢😢 These episodes are just off the emotional scale!!
Sarah Michelle Gellar's acting is so impactful. I've been rewatching these episodes MANY times for the past years and they ALWAYS make me cry. I'm actually happy that you've got to watch these, Jules. Fantastical world apart, Buffy's themes will always be contemporary. That's magic.
My two favorite things in this episode: 1. Spike telling off Xander and explaining that he like Joyce, just for who she was and separately from Buffy. 2, The fact the Spike decides to help Dawn resurrect Joyce. It suggests a way of understanding where Spike is in terms of Good and Evil. Through various circumstances, he's come to like and ally himself with people WE like. But he still lacks a soul, and therefore has no moral compass. So all he can process is wanting Joyce back. He doesn't really factor in the moral implications of it.
I always loved that Angel showed up for Buffy. And I love that Spike shows up for Dawn, for Joyce. And yes, it always makes me tear up hearing Giles listen to that song...
@@julesreacts "How is Forever? Does Forever work for you?" The name of this fantastic episode. Angel's appearance is a gift to the fans, of course he would come back to be there for Buffy! Even for one night he had the correct instinct to go and comfort her. Even after all these rewatches, makes me tear up every time. The writers know what they are doing.
@@NerdySwede Despite him leaving, the fact that they were filming the other show Angel at the same time kept them stuck with the character here too because by promoting him in one show they were promoting the other one as well, which they needed. At the same time their inability to even question a single thing he did since that could harm the Angel project is shown as well. So this way a guy who wandered around her for some time while she was a teenager and then bled out her virginity which leads to killing other people and almost ending the world and leaving after all this eventually, while she (at the request of the authors) was still whimpering about how wonderful it all and their story was, this guy was praised and promoted by 2 shows at the same time. This and the over-romanticized storyline we see here.
The tears just keep on coming, don't they Jules? I'd honestly forgotten that we see Joyce's funeral, I thought the episode started after the funeral before leading into the Angel scene. Speaking of that scene, it's beautiful, isn't it? It's a good thing Joyce's death lined up with Angel's epiphany. I like that this episode establishes that resurrection is not a great idea in the Buffyverse, because in fantasy shows like this, death can quickly become reversible and meaningless. As you said, if they had brought Joyce back it would have meant the previous episode was all for nothing, which would have felt cheap. The final scenes with Buffy and Dawn were so powerful too. I also think this episode marks a significant moment in Willow's character development. She's starting to tread a little closer to the Dark side, letting a grieving teenager access dark and dangerous magic. Finally, I love that Spike genuinely cared for Joyce, they always did have nice relationship. You can tell he genuinely cares for Dawn too, he really does have a soft spot for Summers women. Hopefully you'll get a break from crying next week, Jules.
I absolutely love that they managed to get David Boreanaz for this episode. It just feels so right that Angel was there for Buffy during one of her greatest crises.
The choice for Buffy to be railing against the spell, telling Dawn they can't let it happen, and then as soon as there's a knock at the door, turning with a look of hope, is SO GOOD. It breaks my heart every time, her face when she opens the door crumbling into disappointment despite herself. And Dawn is the one who has to make the choice.
I think Giles would find it very difficult to mourn with others around. It's very much something he would mostly do in private - maybe out of concern for Buffy as well. He might not want her to see him being so upset and broken. And maybe the "stiff upper lip" of his character as well. Seeing him in that moment was a rare and wonderful insight into Giles when no one is looking 💜
Joss Whedon wasn’t a big fan of Spike (there are plenty of stories out there about it), but Marti Noxon (who wrote and directed this episode) loved the character. And I think she understood that he needed a moment that wasn’t included in “The Body”. And honestly, I break every time he says “I liked the lady.”
The role reversal between Buffy and Dawn at the end is a wonderful psychological twist. Dawn feels needy because Buffy has been withholding her grief to keep functioning. At the end Buffy breaks down and in her grief and need accepts the idea of bringing Joyce back with black magic. Dawn sees herself in Buffy, how wrong she was, and has to be the strong one, destroying the picture.
My heart always breaks when Buffy says "mommy" with that look in her eye. That when she heard that knock she suspended all rational for that brief moment. 😢
What gets me is when Buffy says "I have to keep working. Because once I stop, then Mom is really gone." (Or something along those lines). That's exactly how I felt when my mom passed last year. I spent my days keeping busy, and then at night I would cry myself to sleep because I couldn't stop myself from thinking about Mom.
@@Thundarr100 Mine is always "Who's gonna take care of us" that gets me. It's such a warm comfort to have the care of a mother who truly loves you. And now, that's only a memory. You're going through something huge and all you want is the comfort of a parent, to feel cared for in a way that only a parent can, but that's no longer an option
I had to take Spike's side during his encounter with Xander and Willow outside the Summers home. He and Joyce had a special relationship, and I could sense his sincerity in bringing the flowers.
@@julesreacts When reactors reach episodes or movies that make them cry a lot, I always worry about you reactors getting dehydrated. Then I think to myself, "I wish I'd sent them some Gatorade."
"Mom was the strong one in real life " Joyce was Buffy's rock, along with Giles. Spike bringing flowers for Joyce is heartbreaking because you know he will be turned away. I understand Dawn wanting her mom back but resurrecting her from the dead is dangerous. I think this episode is inspired by The Monkey's Paw.
I've watched this series through over a dozen times, and still, your reactions and just these clips, bring tears. I love that Spike really was saddened by Joyce's death. And Angel being there for Buffy....where's my Kleenex😭😭😭. Your reactions are the best because you truly love the show and the characters. Best wishes to you Jules.
We all process grief in different ways and the show is just great at focusing on the characters’ reactions which seem so true to life. Giles mourning for Joyce, Spike bringing the flowers because he liked Joyce and even the wonderful touch of the Buffy and Angel theme song playing as they kiss. It’s another well written acted and produced episode of this magnificent show
I wonder how the priest would feel if someone told him that witches were present at the funeral, that vampires were sleeping in the crypts and graves around, and so on... all things that are not in his favorite book.
"I don't want to cry anymore". Yeah, good luck with that Jules. This episode is a sad one too. But it's good "sad". Somehow Buffy and Dawn found each other at the end...
After the emotion of The Body, the pain keeps on coming. That scene at the end with Dawn and Buffy is a killer. And well rememembered, Jules - Giles listening to Tales of Great Ulysses by Cream is such an emotional call back to Band Candy. And to be honest, really I want to slap Willow for enabling Dawn and then trying to act like nothing had happened. Phew, I think I need to go lie down now! :)
I love that Angel showed up and was sorry Riley couldn't. Picking a coffin yikes. Very Monkey's Paw. Joyce was nice to Spike. I did like their friendship, though he would have eaten her if he was hungry. Evil! Now I assume this is post Angel sleeping with Darla. Yes same song he was playing when he and Joyce hooked up during Band Candy. Twice !!! I do love how the mythos that was created keeps getting woven back into the story. Joel Grey is one of the best guest stars they got. Along with Lindsay Crouse: Dr Walsh. Monkey's Paw. Mommy. Gut wrenching. Spike lacks judgment. And Anya wants a baby. Things are happening.
I love the Buffy/Dawn scene at the end. SMG knocked it out of the park again. I knew that scene was going to crush you Jules. Not spoiling anything but don't worry, you will have eps to laugh at again(as you already have seen with Intervention)
Yeah, the spell was not the way to go. Joyce was not coming back as we knew her. Even the ways it's filmed, when we see her feet, is very Pet Sematary...
I know Angel hasn't popped in alot this season. But it was a definite that he would be here for Buffy on this. On a side note, Spike trying to bring flowers show that he gave a shit in the end when it came to Joyce.
I thought I was completely ready for this reaction because i remember the episodes big moments but i forgot the Giles listening to the music gut punch and started tearing up ;(. This is an important character devolpment for Willow and Tara's seperate relationship with magic, I'm glad you picked up on it because a lot of the fandom doesn't.
It is pretty obvious that Tara and Willow feel differently about magic, to be honest! Tara feels more "earthy", and natural.... like wanting to do the right thing, you know? Willow I think is newer to magic, so maybe doesn't have that same "respect" that Tara does. I'm not sure if that's right or wrong, but it's how I felt watching this episode!
I might not remember everything, but I do try! I reckon it's due to the hours spent editing the episodes, and also that I've been rewatching them hehe 💜
@jaypee9575 sooooooooooooo many things!!!! (Sorry) He was the original Mc Original amus in Chicago Original wizard in wicked That's off the top of my head, I'm sure people will fill in his resume (joel grey...his daughter was the girl in dirty dancing)
Another powerful episode. The connection between DB and SMG is amazing. It's great to see the relationship between Buffy and Dawn continue to grow and deepen.
jules, almost the whole way through: it’s not gunna work. she’s gunna come back wrong. jules as dawn breaks the spell: what if it actually was same jules same.
After the fallout from Joyce's death you can feel the pain of Dawn in Forever where she just can't accept her mother's death, and would do anything to being her back. This of course is a very basic human emotion experienced by many. You can see how Tara is annoyed with Willow for lending some assistance. Tara becomes very wary of Willow's increasing power, a perception here re the Willow/Tara power shift, and the tensions increasing with them. Another good point raised is the anxiety and pressure of having to deal with arranging funeral, wake, catering, etc even the admin involved after death in having to contact banks, pension companies, solicitors, etc etc etc it is really draining. Some terrific scenes with Dawn and Buffy at the end you can almost feel the anguish for the two of them. Brilliantly acted, again how this show did not receive awards is crazy, it should definitely be retrospectively recognised and awarded at the Emmys in the future for its contribution to TV drama. We know this show can be very light hearted with great comedy moments, but when it hits hard it really hits. This is what makes the Buffyverse shows so brilliant they cover every type of human emotion so well. On reflection I think you will watch all the episodes again and will appreciate them even more.
Aw yeah it was, at 8:06. If you haven't heard much Cream, at least listen to the 'Disraeli gears' album that this ('Tales of brave Ulysses') is from. Or even just 'Sunshine of your love', my favorite riff to play. Sorry I'm so late, I've got a lot of subscriptions and I try to watch in upload time order.
I've only been to three funerals, and I never want to keep what I wore to each one. After every funeral, I get rid of the clothes I was wearing. It's like they've been tainted by the grief I feel and no amount of washing can get the grief out.
I can totally relate. I've got a dress in my wardrobe that I wore to one, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to wear it again. Sometimes it feels like we are all alone in the world, and then you hear someone say something like you just did and it reminds us that we are all connected, all the same, in some way or another 💜
The ducklings refused to watch. They said they've already cried too much. So it was just the alpacas and little Moggy. Moggy likes the alpacas better because she gets to be really tall with them, she sits on their heads. I did tell her can't watch X files because she's still too young. Hope you are doing good and have a wonderful day.
Sad stuff is best to watch during times of emptiness in your life. There's an ironic reaction where it helps. Which actually is a useful metaphor for whatever Spike is going through here.
This episode was inspired by the short horror story by W. W. Jacobs called 'The Monkey's Paw' - a mother uses the magical paw to bring her son back from the dead, not knowing that its purpose is to punish those who meddle with the natural order of things.
I always look at this episode a little more like the traditional post-character death type of episode, where as the previous one was the never been done before emotional type of episode, if that makes sense. A better way to explain it would be that many shows do the funeral episodes for character deaths, while BtVS is the only one that shows the real (immediate moments to hours after) characters discover the body and the grieving process of that time-period.
Hi Juilette. You must get a lot of suggestions for shows to watch but here's mine… Star Trek The Next Generation. The first 2 seasons were poor but if you try a couple of episodes from season 3, I think you'll find that this is a superb show. It's also a "happy place" - the world of this show is so aspirational, so beautiful, so optimistic. There's also Star Trek Voyager, too which I think you might enjoy. Just a suggestion! :-)
This was exactly the era where I got DEEEEEEPLY emotionally invested in the whole show. And I must say, rewatching this is kinda hard.... But I know I'm amongst friends here. I can speak openly. But yeah... These rewatches with all you guys, these reactions have opened my eyes again. I've come to terms that this is my all time favorite show now. It's not only entertaining as hell, it also teaches you so much about LIFE and about who you truly are....
It still sometimes makes me pause and blink and think about the beginning episodes of Buffy. I don't think any of us expected it to impact us in the way it has 💜
You handled 2 difficult episodes very well. They are hard. Forever is a solid transition from The Body to the final flourish to the end of season 5. When this aired , we had a long wait between The Body and Forever How long??? The entire month of March That’s right… there was a gap of over a month. Imagine the way we felt and the episodes first 15 minutes are the casket selection, the funeral, and Angel attending. It made this episode have even more impact than you can imagine Buckle up. The next 5 super episodes will be an experience . Good luck
Jules: I don't want to cry in this one! Me:Well, you're GONNA. Buffy's dad is the worst. First being a dick in the nightmares episode, then being a dick in flashback in "Becoming". I know Willow was trying to help, but giving Dawn that book was very wrong. Spike really did care about Joyce. I always get angry at Xander for how he treats our fang boys.
Well, you know how to pick those moments.... Magic indeed. If you want to try the most magical show that ever was, try someday "Twin Peaks". The best of its kind
Aweeee, Angel came through for Buffy 😢I was wondering if he would get his crap together and see Buffy when she needs it most. Great episode thanks so much Juliette🥰Also I hope Angel doesn't find out about Spike, I feel the dude needs a break from all the 💩being thrown his way lately😯
It was sooooo awesome to see Angel again! Goodness, I miss him here. I'm so pleased that he was there for Buffy. I wish they could work things out, I really do 😭 Have an awesome weekend, Texman 💜
I don't like a few minor changes to Willow's personality this season. In someways she's gotten more childlike and isn't making as smart of decisions. None of this has anything to do with Willow/Tara, which I think is the best developed relationship on the show. But her helping Dawn was not smart. There was a scene on another episode where Tara was telling her a story and she was responding like a child. It felt very out of character. That was the same song Giles was playing.
Willow is acting very much in character Restless was the midpoint of the story started long ago. It is the updating like a theatre playbill.BTVS is not a show but more of an epic novel. It’s told in 144 chapters. The first 12 are the prologue with the next 132 chapters the main story. Like reading Dickens, much is going on in and until you know the story you can’t put the pieces together. Like Madame DeFarge in Tale of Two Cities, the knitting has more. weight when you know the full narrative
I agree, as the show comes to this point I always find myself liking Willow less. Her character loses a bit of it's charm and she seems to become petty and as you said, childish.
Throughout the show, Joss Whedon has always followed the idea from _The Monkey's Paw,_ that everything has a cost and nothing is ever gained without losing something. That magic, violating the natural order of things, is not a be-all-end-all and that the price will have to be paid. And of course, as in the _Monkey's Paw,_ Whedon will give you what you wish for, but in the worst possible way. Examples that come to mind are Willow and Xander getting together and Angel's re-ensoulment. There will be others, of course; be careful what you wish for is not just a lesson you learn from Anya. In this episode, the homage to _Monkey's Paw_ is much more explicit, in the something that may (or may not) be some form of Joyce Summers, which disappears as soon as Buffy opens the door. Okay, we're done with Joyce's death, there will be no more reason to cry, so you can put away your box of tissues... Oh, don't wish for that, please. Anyway, thanks for sharing, Madam Juliette.
Makes me wonder how this would have gone down if Riley had never left. Would Buffy have been leaning on him in this sad time, would he have been the one standing with her at the grave? Would Angel have come still? What would the dynamic of these events have been?
I love most of this episode but Dawn's story line takes me out of it a bit. I know tons of people that don't, but that's that. The last one was so real and this mostly continues it but then it feels obligated to do this. Also Dawn talks about Buffy avoiding her but she's the one who asked to stay at Willow and Tara's.
Hello, Jules.💜 Very little to say about this one today, beyond Xander consistently reaffirms my feeling that he is the worst character - bluster and shallowness. His defense of Buffy's honor, is always heavily tinged with jealousy, and he is tedious. Mine own opinion - not that popular, I know, but it is mine. Yes, good call on the song - Tales of Brave Ulysses - and the lyrics would certainly imply deep feelings which Giles harbors for Joyce. A lovely tune.🥰 Willow is a big girl, and has done big time spells. It is far past time for her slippage back into naivete when it comes to magic and people's intentions - it seems I'm a bit of a grouch today...😅 Again. The most empathic characters here were the 2 vampires, with Tara and Giles being the adults. Buffy and Dawn may now be on firmer footing. In better frames of mind to move forward with each other. I agree with everything you have said here. However, not being big on horror movies you probably wouldn't know that in all the many resurrection films, it never, ever ends well... for anyone. Not to say that it would be beyond Joss to actually bring the character back, so he could use her to, once again, crush your soul. Dawn made the right choice in the end. 🤔 I have no idea where this is going, in the near future. If the story will move ahead, or linger over all this misery for a few more episodes. It has gone both ways in the past. I look forward to the next offering. I'll see you there.😊 Jules,💜🤗💜 have a great weekend. Enjoy the time and move on from this past week. Stay warm. Mine will be all cake, ice cream, and frivolity... I'm sure of it. 😅 At least the weather will be somewhat decent!🤣
Tom 💜 going back in time - a fair bit! I've got so much catching up. I need to do better. Wasn't it wonderful to see Angel in this one? He and Buffy will always be my "forever" pairing with this show. As much as I am intrigued by Spike and Buffy together, it's Angel and Buffy for me. ALWAYS! They have the cool music to go with it, too 😜 💜💜
Perfect timing! I just uploaded, too . A bit more uplifting content maybe, but still. 😅 Am curious to find out now if you noticed the audio cue when Angel and Buffy kissed. I told you, I've been rewatching the show myself recently, thanks to you and The Lexi Crowd and a few others. And I noticed the song and I was almost freaking out.... 😅 I paused and yelled "You CRUEL bastards!!!" 🤭😔😭
Yep, and she doesn't believe anyone who says using magic can be dangerous, she's repeatedly brushed aside Giles' warnings and now she's not listening to Tara.
I don’t think Willow meant for her to try that spell. She wanted Dawn to have answers about resurrection and maybe the dangers and harms so that Dawn would realize that what Tara and Willow were saying about why resurrection is dangerous was coming from a real place. I don’t think Willow would have ever have intended her to perform that spell. Also, Sarah’s performance at the end of this episode is masterful. When Buffy cries, we all cry. 😢
@@ulrichs3061 I agree with the first part of this statement, not the latter. She would not have wanted that for Buffy and she was not that far gone at that point.
@@ulrichs3061 I believe she did not think the book would be harmful, as she said to Tara, more to rationalize to herself that she didn’t do anything wrong.
@@matthewquinn6172 No, she would not have wanted that for Buffy, but when it comes to magic she almost never seems to think about possible consequences. If she really thought the book was harmless, why would she have done it secretly? Although Willow is my favorite character, her careless use of magic sometimes scares me.
The spike scene is interesting because while it may be true that he liked Joyce and they got along, he is also stalking Buffy. They know about his crush, like Xander calling it his "doomed obsession" but they don't know he's been stealing her underwear and other clothes, hanging around outside her house and commissioning a sexbot in her image. That somewhat undercuts the sweetness of the scene to me, they'd be even harsher if they knew and Joyce would be sickened presumably if she had known.
Good catch about Rupert's music, I didn't catch that my first watch. I'm a bit surprised you didn't anticipate Angel's appearance.😮 The tailed man in the alt-magic shop was Broadway triple threat Joel Grey. Catch him in the films Caberet or Remo Williams. Zombies were done right in the Zeppo episode, but perhaps Dawn was trying to bring Joyce back fully alive. ...or the writers tweeked the Buffy-verse for convenience. It's amazing how many callbacks (and foreshadowing!) occur in nearly every episode, it makes re-watches so interesting. 😅 😊
Joss Whedon wasn’t a big fan of Spike (there are plenty of stories out there about it), but Marti Noxon (who wrote and directed this episode) loved the character. And I think she understood that he needed a moment that wasn’t included in “The Body”. And honestly, I break every time he says “I liked the lady.”
Spike has respected Joyce ever since she hit him with an axe. And she's commiserated with him about Dru leaving him, and they've watched Passions together. He definitely liked her. You don't need a soul to like someone.
The word "Mommy" has never been more poignant than in these last two episodes. In her state of fear and then grief, even Buffy, the all-powerful Slayer, finds herself becoming a vulnerable child at heart again 😢😢
The reversal of Dawn's and her roles at the end is so powerful - Buffy going from berating Daen for messing with magic, to _wanting_ her beloved Mom to be there;.and Dawn going from desperately trying to reverse the heartbreaking loss, to realising she may have brought back a monster version of Joyce, whom Buffy would have to kill... Then Dawn is the one who says "It's all right" to her big sister as they both collapse in tears... 😢😢😢 These episodes are just off the emotional scale!!
the saddest part is when buffy says "mommy" and goes open the door 😭
Sarah Michelle Gellar's acting is so impactful. I've been rewatching these episodes MANY times for the past years and they ALWAYS make me cry. I'm actually happy that you've got to watch these, Jules.
Fantastical world apart, Buffy's themes will always be contemporary. That's magic.
My two favorite things in this episode:
1. Spike telling off Xander and explaining that he like Joyce, just for who she was and separately from Buffy.
2, The fact the Spike decides to help Dawn resurrect Joyce. It suggests a way of understanding where Spike is in terms of Good and Evil. Through various circumstances, he's come to like and ally himself with people WE like. But he still lacks a soul, and therefore has no moral compass. So all he can process is wanting Joyce back. He doesn't really factor in the moral implications of it.
Jules: "I dont want to cry"
Joss: maniacally laughs while twisting his mustache
I always loved that Angel showed up for Buffy. And I love that Spike shows up for Dawn, for Joyce. And yes, it always makes me tear up hearing Giles listen to that song...
I'm such a sucker for Buffy and Angel 🥰😭 their music when they are together!!! It's been so long...
And Giles... 😭😭
@@julesreacts "How is Forever? Does Forever work for you?" The name of this fantastic episode. Angel's appearance is a gift to the fans, of course he would come back to be there for Buffy! Even for one night he had the correct instinct to go and comfort her. Even after all these rewatches, makes me tear up every time. The writers know what they are doing.
I don't even really care about Angel or Bangel but this is my favorite scene with Angel in BtvS
@@NerdySwede Despite him leaving, the fact that they were filming the other show Angel at the same time kept them stuck with the character here too because by promoting him in one show they were promoting the other one as well, which they needed. At the same time their inability to even question a single thing he did since that could harm the Angel project is shown as well.
So this way a guy who wandered around her for some time while she was a teenager and then bled out her virginity which leads to killing other people and almost ending the world and leaving after all this eventually, while she (at the request of the authors) was still whimpering about how wonderful it all and their story was, this guy was praised and promoted by 2 shows at the same time. This and the over-romanticized storyline we see here.
@@Junejane4 It is also a fictional character
The tears just keep on coming, don't they Jules? I'd honestly forgotten that we see Joyce's funeral, I thought the episode started after the funeral before leading into the Angel scene. Speaking of that scene, it's beautiful, isn't it? It's a good thing Joyce's death lined up with Angel's epiphany.
I like that this episode establishes that resurrection is not a great idea in the Buffyverse, because in fantasy shows like this, death can quickly become reversible and meaningless. As you said, if they had brought Joyce back it would have meant the previous episode was all for nothing, which would have felt cheap. The final scenes with Buffy and Dawn were so powerful too.
I also think this episode marks a significant moment in Willow's character development. She's starting to tread a little closer to the Dark side, letting a grieving teenager access dark and dangerous magic.
Finally, I love that Spike genuinely cared for Joyce, they always did have nice relationship. You can tell he genuinely cares for Dawn too, he really does have a soft spot for Summers women.
Hopefully you'll get a break from crying next week, Jules.
I absolutely love that they managed to get David Boreanaz for this episode. It just feels so right that Angel was there for Buffy during one of her greatest crises.
YES 😭😭
The choice for Buffy to be railing against the spell, telling Dawn they can't let it happen, and then as soon as there's a knock at the door, turning with a look of hope, is SO GOOD. It breaks my heart every time, her face when she opens the door crumbling into disappointment despite herself. And Dawn is the one who has to make the choice.
This
The reuse of "Mommy" there is absolutely brilliant, too.
Good ears for picking up on the Band Candy song! Always loved that detail and knowing Giles is mourning too.
I think Giles would find it very difficult to mourn with others around. It's very much something he would mostly do in private - maybe out of concern for Buffy as well. He might not want her to see him being so upset and broken. And maybe the "stiff upper lip" of his character as well. Seeing him in that moment was a rare and wonderful insight into Giles when no one is looking 💜
Joss Whedon wasn’t a big fan of Spike (there are plenty of stories out there about it), but Marti Noxon (who wrote and directed this episode) loved the character. And I think she understood that he needed a moment that wasn’t included in “The Body”.
And honestly, I break every time he says “I liked the lady.”
The role reversal between Buffy and Dawn at the end is a wonderful psychological twist. Dawn feels needy because Buffy has been withholding her grief to keep functioning. At the end Buffy breaks down and in her grief and need accepts the idea of bringing Joyce back with black magic. Dawn sees herself in Buffy, how wrong she was, and has to be the strong one, destroying the picture.
Willow nudging a book out for Dawn to notice is another example of Willow ignoring warnings she doesn't want to hear about using magic.
Yeah, for sure. I really thought that Tara would be so upset with her for that.
My heart always breaks when Buffy says "mommy" with that look in her eye. That when she heard that knock she suspended all rational for that brief moment. 😢
What gets me is when Buffy says "I have to keep working. Because once I stop, then Mom is really gone." (Or something along those lines). That's exactly how I felt when my mom passed last year. I spent my days keeping busy, and then at night I would cry myself to sleep because I couldn't stop myself from thinking about Mom.
@@Thundarr100 Mine is always "Who's gonna take care of us" that gets me. It's such a warm comfort to have the care of a mother who truly loves you. And now, that's only a memory. You're going through something huge and all you want is the comfort of a parent, to feel cared for in a way that only a parent can, but that's no longer an option
Like the man said, "It’s funny. The day you lose someone isn’t the worst - at least you’ve got something to do. It’s all the days they stay dead."
I had to take Spike's side during his encounter with Xander and Willow outside the Summers home. He and Joyce had a special relationship, and I could sense his sincerity in bringing the flowers.
Yes!! Spike and Joyce really had a special little relationship 💜
Always gets to me when Angel walks up and takes her hand. And Buffy knew he’d come. 😢
😭😭😭
"I don't want to cry anymore." Oh, my poor sweet girl.
I tried SO HARD and Angel was like, "Hold my cup of blood."
@@julesreacts
When reactors reach episodes or movies that make them cry a lot, I always worry about you reactors getting dehydrated.
Then I think to myself, "I wish I'd sent them some Gatorade."
On the heels of a masterpiece, Forever is an underrated gem that gets kinda forgotten in the shuffle
And again, I send you a big hug. Now I have to wipe away MY tears.
You have such a kind heart. Watching you cry makes me cry and I'm a 54 year old man.
💜💜 Aww thank you, Bugsby!!
The song Giles is listening to is Tales of the Brave Ulysses by Cream
"Mom was the strong one in real life " Joyce was Buffy's rock, along with Giles. Spike bringing flowers for Joyce is heartbreaking because you know he will be turned away. I understand Dawn wanting her mom back but resurrecting her from the dead is dangerous. I think this episode is inspired by The Monkey's Paw.
Joyce would definitely have come back wrong.
I've watched this series through over a dozen times, and still, your reactions and just these clips, bring tears. I love that Spike really was saddened by Joyce's death. And Angel being there for Buffy....where's my Kleenex😭😭😭. Your reactions are the best because you truly love the show and the characters. Best wishes to you Jules.
John 💜😭 this was such an emotional episode. Angel.... and their special music 😭😭 thank you for your kind words, I'm so grateful to have you here!
We all process grief in different ways and the show is just great at focusing on the characters’ reactions which seem so true to life. Giles mourning for Joyce, Spike bringing the flowers because he liked Joyce and even the wonderful touch of the Buffy and Angel theme song playing as they kiss. It’s another well written acted and produced episode of this magnificent show
I wonder how the priest would feel if someone told him that witches were present at the funeral, that vampires were sleeping in the crypts and graves around, and so on... all things that are not in his favorite book.
"Keeping our heart and our tissues as intact as possible" - what a great phrase.
It's a hope that we can only wish for 🤣
"I don't want to cry anymore". Yeah, good luck with that Jules. This episode is a sad one too. But it's good "sad". Somehow Buffy and Dawn found each other at the end...
After the emotion of The Body, the pain keeps on coming. That scene at the end with Dawn and Buffy is a killer. And well rememembered, Jules - Giles listening to Tales of Great Ulysses by Cream is such an emotional call back to Band Candy. And to be honest, really I want to slap Willow for enabling Dawn and then trying to act like nothing had happened. Phew, I think I need to go lie down now! :)
I love that Angel showed up and was sorry Riley couldn't. Picking a coffin yikes. Very Monkey's Paw.
Joyce was nice to Spike. I did like their friendship, though he would have eaten her if he was hungry. Evil!
Now I assume this is post Angel sleeping with Darla.
Yes same song he was playing when he and Joyce hooked up during Band Candy. Twice !!! I do love how the mythos that was created keeps getting woven back into the story.
Joel Grey is one of the best guest stars they got. Along with Lindsay Crouse: Dr Walsh.
Monkey's Paw.
Mommy.
Gut wrenching.
Spike lacks judgment.
And Anya wants a baby. Things are happening.
I love the Buffy/Dawn scene at the end. SMG knocked it out of the park again. I knew that scene was going to crush you Jules. Not spoiling anything but don't worry, you will have eps to laugh at again(as you already have seen with Intervention)
Yeah, the spell was not the way to go. Joyce was not coming back as we knew her. Even the ways it's filmed, when we see her feet, is very Pet Sematary...
I know Angel hasn't popped in alot this season. But it was a definite that he would be here for Buffy on this. On a side note, Spike trying to bring flowers show that he gave a shit in the end when it came to Joyce.
Spike and Joyce were honestly such great little friends! It's frustrating that he was bullied away from mourning her.
@julesreacts Yeah. He didn't get alot of credit for that scene.
Angel and Buffy together are still the most iconic.
I adore them SO MUCH
I always thought that Ben might’ve been unable to fully thwart Glory’s plan, and that’s why he wasn’t able to properly unalive Jinx.
I thought I was completely ready for this reaction because i remember the episodes big moments but i forgot the Giles listening to the music gut punch and started tearing up ;(.
This is an important character devolpment for Willow and Tara's seperate relationship with magic, I'm glad you picked up on it because a lot of the fandom doesn't.
It is pretty obvious that Tara and Willow feel differently about magic, to be honest! Tara feels more "earthy", and natural.... like wanting to do the right thing, you know? Willow I think is newer to magic, so maybe doesn't have that same "respect" that Tara does. I'm not sure if that's right or wrong, but it's how I felt watching this episode!
What a good memory. Yes, that was the same song that was played on Band Candy.
She has photographic memory
I might not remember everything, but I do try! I reckon it's due to the hours spent editing the episodes, and also that I've been rewatching them hehe 💜
Ben should have said "I would never do that to an innocent.... cat" lol "It's not a person!" was such a dumb follow-up
Ben needs to just stand up to Glory instead of hiding every time she shows up.
8:10 Yes.
That lizard guy is a Broadway GOD!!!!
He's always so familiar to me when I watch this episode, but I can never figure out what it is I know him from.
@jaypee9575 sooooooooooooo many things!!!! (Sorry)
He was the original Mc
Original amus in Chicago
Original wizard in wicked
That's off the top of my head, I'm sure people will fill in his resume (joel grey...his daughter was the girl in dirty dancing)
Winning an Oscar for playing the Master of Ceremonies in the 1972 movie version of Cabaret isn't too bad either.
Another powerful episode. The connection between DB and SMG is amazing. It's great to see the relationship between Buffy and Dawn continue to grow and deepen.
jules, almost the whole way through: it’s not gunna work. she’s gunna come back wrong.
jules as dawn breaks the spell: what if it actually was
same jules same.
We will never know 😥
After the fallout from Joyce's death you can feel the pain of Dawn in Forever where she just can't accept her mother's death, and would do anything to being her back. This of course is a very basic human emotion experienced by many. You can see how Tara is annoyed with Willow for lending some assistance. Tara becomes very wary of Willow's increasing power, a perception here re the Willow/Tara power shift, and the tensions increasing with them. Another good point raised is the anxiety and pressure of having to deal with arranging funeral, wake, catering, etc even the admin involved after death in having to contact banks, pension companies, solicitors, etc etc etc it is really draining. Some terrific scenes with Dawn and Buffy at the end you can almost feel the anguish for the two of them. Brilliantly acted, again how this show did not receive awards is crazy, it should definitely be retrospectively recognised and awarded at the Emmys in the future for its contribution to TV drama. We know this show can be very light hearted with great comedy moments, but when it hits hard it really hits. This is what makes the Buffyverse shows so brilliant they cover every type of human emotion so well. On reflection I think you will watch all the episodes again and will appreciate them even more.
Aw yeah it was, at 8:06. If you haven't heard much Cream, at least listen to the 'Disraeli gears' album that this ('Tales of brave Ulysses') is from. Or even just 'Sunshine of your love', my favorite riff to play. Sorry I'm so late, I've got a lot of subscriptions and I try to watch in upload time order.
I hadn’t even noticed it was the band candy song. Wow good catch!
Great reaction, you are very sweet and emotional. At least you were tissue prepared for this one.
Martin, thank you!!
Love your reactions. This part of the season is rough, as i get older it affects me more deeply
Thank you, Michael!!
I've only been to three funerals, and I never want to keep what I wore to each one. After every funeral, I get rid of the clothes I was wearing. It's like they've been tainted by the grief I feel and no amount of washing can get the grief out.
I can totally relate. I've got a dress in my wardrobe that I wore to one, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to wear it again. Sometimes it feels like we are all alone in the world, and then you hear someone say something like you just did and it reminds us that we are all connected, all the same, in some way or another 💜
Sending lots of love & big hugs! Lovely reaction, as always. See you for Angel!! ❤🩹🧡💛💚💙💜
I do love my Friday night cry with you, Jules.
Well, at least we are both dealing with our emotions on a regular basis 😅
@@julesreacts Healthy, right? 😆
Also if Dawn wanted to bring her mom back the safe way, she should have gathered the Dragon Balls.
This episode reminded me of Pet Sematary for Dawn's wish.
One thing about the Dark Magic in the the Buffyverse is it always exacts a toll and usually that price is in Blood & Tears.
beautiful reaction. Thanks for this.
My pleasure 😊 Thank you for watching!
49 pages left in the book of Buffy and Juliette is my favorite person I have watched this show with. It's been a true joy.
THANK YOU!!! That is so lovely!!
The ducklings refused to watch. They said they've already cried too much. So it was just the alpacas and little Moggy. Moggy likes the alpacas better because she gets to be really tall with them, she sits on their heads.
I did tell her can't watch X files because she's still too young.
Hope you are doing good and have a wonderful day.
Yes it was the same song from Band Candy.
Sad stuff is best to watch during times of emptiness in your life. There's an ironic reaction where it helps. Which actually is a useful metaphor for whatever Spike is going through here.
This episode was inspired by the short horror story by W. W. Jacobs called 'The Monkey's Paw' - a mother uses the magical paw to bring her son back from the dead, not knowing that its purpose is to punish those who meddle with the natural order of things.
Happy Friday!!! 🥰🥰No more tears Jules!!! 🥺🥺
I always look at this episode a little more like the traditional post-character death type of episode, where as the previous one was the never been done before emotional type of episode, if that makes sense. A better way to explain it would be that many shows do the funeral episodes for character deaths, while BtVS is the only one that shows the real (immediate moments to hours after) characters discover the body and the grieving process of that time-period.
Told you this was the REAL weepie!
Hi Juilette. You must get a lot of suggestions for shows to watch but here's mine… Star Trek The Next Generation. The first 2 seasons were poor but if you try a couple of episodes from season 3, I think you'll find that this is a superb show. It's also a "happy place" - the world of this show is so aspirational, so beautiful, so optimistic. There's also Star Trek Voyager, too which I think you might enjoy. Just a suggestion! :-)
This was exactly the era where I got DEEEEEEPLY emotionally invested in the whole show.
And I must say, rewatching this is kinda hard....
But I know I'm amongst friends here. I can speak openly.
But yeah... These rewatches with all you guys, these reactions have opened my eyes again. I've come to terms that this is my all time favorite show now.
It's not only entertaining as hell, it also teaches you so much about LIFE and about who you truly are....
Dang it... Finished now with the reaction...
Biggest cry of the week..... of course.... 😔
What else is new?...
It still sometimes makes me pause and blink and think about the beginning episodes of Buffy. I don't think any of us expected it to impact us in the way it has 💜
You handled 2 difficult episodes very well. They are hard. Forever is a solid transition from The Body to the final flourish to the end of season 5. When this aired , we had a long wait between The Body and Forever How long??? The entire month of March That’s right… there was a gap of over a month. Imagine the way we felt and the episodes first 15 minutes are the casket selection, the funeral, and Angel attending. It made this episode have even more impact than you can imagine
Buckle up. The next 5 super episodes will be an experience . Good luck
Jules: I don't want to cry in this one!
Me:Well, you're GONNA.
Buffy's dad is the worst. First being a dick in the nightmares episode, then being a dick in flashback in "Becoming".
I know Willow was trying to help, but giving Dawn that book was very wrong.
Spike really did care about Joyce. I always get angry at Xander for how he treats our fang boys.
I'm so surprised about Buffy's Dad to be honest.... 😥
👍
Well, you know how to pick those moments.... Magic indeed.
If you want to try the most magical show that ever was, try someday "Twin Peaks". The best of its kind
It was the same song, yes.
Jules reacts is the best !
Aweeee, Angel came through for Buffy 😢I was wondering if he would get his crap together and see Buffy when she needs it most.
Great episode thanks so much Juliette🥰Also I hope Angel doesn't find out about Spike, I feel the dude needs a break from all the 💩being thrown his way lately😯
It was sooooo awesome to see Angel again! Goodness, I miss him here. I'm so pleased that he was there for Buffy. I wish they could work things out, I really do 😭
Have an awesome weekend, Texman 💜
hug
😭😭
I don't like a few minor changes to Willow's personality this season. In someways she's gotten more childlike and isn't making as smart of decisions. None of this has anything to do with Willow/Tara, which I think is the best developed relationship on the show. But her helping Dawn was not smart. There was a scene on another episode where Tara was telling her a story and she was responding like a child. It felt very out of character.
That was the same song Giles was playing.
Willow is acting very much in character Restless was the midpoint of the story started long ago. It is the updating like a theatre playbill.BTVS is not a show but more of an epic novel. It’s told in 144 chapters. The first 12 are the prologue with the next 132 chapters the main story. Like reading Dickens, much is going on in and until you know the story you can’t put the pieces together. Like Madame DeFarge in Tale of Two Cities, the knitting has more. weight when you know the full narrative
I agree, as the show comes to this point I always find myself liking Willow less. Her character loses a bit of it's charm and she seems to become petty and as you said, childish.
Throughout the show, Joss Whedon has always followed the idea from _The Monkey's Paw,_ that everything has a cost and nothing is ever gained without losing something. That magic, violating the natural order of things, is not a be-all-end-all and that the price will have to be paid. And of course, as in the _Monkey's Paw,_ Whedon will give you what you wish for, but in the worst possible way. Examples that come to mind are Willow and Xander getting together and Angel's re-ensoulment. There will be others, of course; be careful what you wish for is not just a lesson you learn from Anya.
In this episode, the homage to _Monkey's Paw_ is much more explicit, in the something that may (or may not) be some form of Joyce Summers, which disappears as soon as Buffy opens the door.
Okay, we're done with Joyce's death, there will be no more reason to cry, so you can put away your box of tissues... Oh, don't wish for that, please. Anyway, thanks for sharing, Madam Juliette.
Box of tissues has had to be replaced! I'm going through boxes like no tomorrow these days 🤣
Makes me wonder how this would have gone down if Riley had never left. Would Buffy have been leaning on him in this sad time, would he have been the one standing with her at the grave? Would Angel have come still? What would the dynamic of these events have been?
I love most of this episode but Dawn's story line takes me out of it a bit. I know tons of people that don't, but that's that. The last one was so real and this mostly continues it but then it feels obligated to do this. Also Dawn talks about Buffy avoiding her but she's the one who asked to stay at Willow and Tara's.
Hello, Jules.💜
Very little to say about this one today, beyond Xander consistently reaffirms my feeling that he is the worst character - bluster and shallowness. His defense of Buffy's honor, is always heavily tinged with jealousy, and he is tedious. Mine own opinion - not that popular, I know, but it is mine.
Yes, good call on the song - Tales of Brave Ulysses - and the lyrics would certainly imply deep feelings which Giles harbors for Joyce. A lovely tune.🥰
Willow is a big girl, and has done big time spells. It is far past time for her slippage back into naivete when it comes to magic and people's intentions - it seems I'm a bit of a grouch today...😅
Again. The most empathic characters here were the 2 vampires, with Tara and Giles being the adults.
Buffy and Dawn may now be on firmer footing. In better frames of mind to move forward with each other.
I agree with everything you have said here. However, not being big on horror movies you probably wouldn't know that in all the many resurrection films, it never, ever ends well... for anyone. Not to say that it would be beyond Joss to actually bring the character back, so he could use her to, once again, crush your soul. Dawn made the right choice in the end. 🤔
I have no idea where this is going, in the near future. If the story will move ahead, or linger over all this misery for a few more episodes. It has gone both ways in the past. I look forward to the next offering. I'll see you there.😊
Jules,💜🤗💜 have a great weekend. Enjoy the time and move on from this past week. Stay warm.
Mine will be all cake, ice cream, and frivolity... I'm sure of it. 😅 At least the weather will be somewhat decent!🤣
Tom 💜 going back in time - a fair bit! I've got so much catching up. I need to do better.
Wasn't it wonderful to see Angel in this one? He and Buffy will always be my "forever" pairing with this show. As much as I am intrigued by Spike and Buffy together, it's Angel and Buffy for me. ALWAYS! They have the cool music to go with it, too 😜
💜💜
Perfect timing! I just uploaded, too .
A bit more uplifting content maybe, but still. 😅
Am curious to find out now if you noticed the audio cue when Angel and Buffy kissed. I told you, I've been rewatching the show myself recently, thanks to you and The Lexi Crowd and a few others. And I noticed the song and I was almost freaking out.... 😅
I paused and yelled "You CRUEL bastards!!!" 🤭😔😭
5:48 YES, HUN!! 🥹🥰🫶
I knew it!!
Let's have a bro-hug heart-to-heart! 🤗❤️🤗
YES!!! THEIR SONG 😭😭😭😭😭😭 It was SO GOOD and broke me at the same time!!!
@@julesreacts same. Absolutely...
Another tough one 😢
It was a surprise that Joyce died because i didn't see this season when it was originally on WB and Sci Fi, have a wonderful weekend Juliette.
🙋🐈⬛🇦🇺
It was a shocker to us. The show was on the WB network . It aired on Tuesday nights with Angel on afterwards.
Oh wow, really? I'm sorry, Roger! It's definitely hard to watch 😭
❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍
Willow was so wrong for doing that. She made the situation for Dawn much worse. Once again, Willow Rosenberg is a selfish person
Yep, and she doesn't believe anyone who says using magic can be dangerous, she's repeatedly brushed aside Giles' warnings and now she's not listening to Tara.
I was so surprised, to be honest. Tara was right 😥
I don’t think Willow meant for her to try that spell. She wanted Dawn to have answers about resurrection and maybe the dangers and harms so that Dawn would realize that what Tara and Willow were saying about why resurrection is dangerous was coming from a real place. I don’t think Willow would have ever have intended her to perform that spell. Also, Sarah’s performance at the end of this episode is masterful. When Buffy cries, we all cry. 😢
Willow always uses magic to solve problems, of course she meant Dawn to try.
@@ulrichs3061 I agree with the first part of this statement, not the latter. She would not have wanted that for Buffy and she was not that far gone at that point.
@@ulrichs3061 I believe she did not think the book would be harmful, as she said to Tara, more to rationalize to herself that she didn’t do anything wrong.
@@matthewquinn6172 No, she would not have wanted that for Buffy, but when it comes to magic she almost never seems to think about possible consequences. If she really thought the book was harmless, why would she have done it secretly? Although Willow is my favorite character, her careless use of magic sometimes scares me.
The spike scene is interesting because while it may be true that he liked Joyce and they got along, he is also stalking Buffy. They know about his crush, like Xander calling it his "doomed obsession" but they don't know he's been stealing her underwear and other clothes, hanging around outside her house and commissioning a sexbot in her image. That somewhat undercuts the sweetness of the scene to me, they'd be even harsher if they knew and Joyce would be sickened presumably if she had known.
Good catch about Rupert's music, I didn't catch that my first watch. I'm a bit surprised you didn't anticipate Angel's appearance.😮 The tailed man in the alt-magic shop was Broadway triple threat Joel Grey. Catch him in the films Caberet or Remo Williams.
Zombies were done right in the Zeppo episode, but perhaps Dawn was trying to bring Joyce back fully alive. ...or the writers tweeked the Buffy-verse for convenience. It's amazing how many callbacks (and foreshadowing!) occur in nearly every episode, it makes re-watches so interesting. 😅 😊
Joel's also been in a few Horror anthology shows before BTVS; like Night Gallery, for instance. 🧛♂🧟♀
Seeing Angel was a WONDERFUL surprise!! I still think of that moment with them and their special song. Beautiful!!
Joss Whedon wasn’t a big fan of Spike (there are plenty of stories out there about it), but Marti Noxon (who wrote and directed this episode) loved the character. And I think she understood that he needed a moment that wasn’t included in “The Body”.
And honestly, I break every time he says “I liked the lady.”
Spike has respected Joyce ever since she hit him with an axe. And she's commiserated with him about Dru leaving him, and they've watched Passions together. He definitely liked her. You don't need a soul to like someone.