Buffy the Vampire Slayer:

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: I Robot, You Jane

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HIV / AIDS (PSA Spot)

In 1418, a group of Italian priests use magick to trap the demon Moloch in a book, only to be released if the book is ever read aloud. In 1997 Sunnydale, the computer teacher, Ms. Calendar, is working on a project to digitally scan all the books in the library. When a new arrival, in a strange language, is scanned, Moloch is released into the computer... and into every computer connected to it. Now Buffy must face Moloch's human minions, while Giles must figure out how to exorcise a demon from the Internet.
Meanwhile, Willow meets a nice boy online. His name is Malcolm... Read full recap »

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Writers:: Thomas A. Swyden Ashley Gable

Director:: Stephen Posey

Stars:: Anthony Stewart Head (Rupert Giles); Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase); Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg); Nicholas Brendon (Alexander 'Xander' Harris); Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Anne Summers)

Recurring Role:: Robia LaMorte (Ms. Calendar)

Guest Star:: Pierrino Mascarino (Thelonius); Edith Fields (School Nurse); Damon Sharp (Male student); Joss Whedon (Radio Host (voice)); Jamison Ryan (Fritz); Chad Lindberg (Dave); Mark Deakins (Moloch)

The surveillance software Fritz is using to watch Buffy at the computer plant is called Watcher Pro. edit »
Buffy's school record appears on two computer screens. When it first appears, the file reads:

Name: Buffy Summers
Birthday: 10/24/80
Status: Sophomore
GPA: 2.8
Absences: 1
Athletics: None

The second time we see it, it reads:

Name: Buffy Summers
Birthday: 05-06-79
Status: Senior
GPA: 2.8
Absences: 1
Athletics: None

Not only does this information contradict itself, but we later learn that even the birthdate is wrong. We are told in several later episodes that Buffy was born in 1981, not 1980. We never learn her exact birthday, but she does say that she is "a Capricorn on the cusp of Aquarius" which would place her birthday between January 17th and 20th. edit »
As Giles listens to the radio in his office, listen carefully to the announcer. It is the uncredited voice of show creator Joss Whedon. edit »
When Willow opens her locker, a picture of her and Giles can be seen hanging on the door. In later episodes, she mentions that she had a crush on Giles during this period. edit »
Just as Xander and Buffy try to get into the room where Moloch and Willow are, a sealed door shuts them off. That apparently was the only way into the room in that hallway. Give it a minute or two, and they bust into the room with Moloch through some door that appeared. edit »

Nicholas Brendon was 26 years old when this episode was made, although he portrayed a teenager. Robia LaMorte, who portrayed his teacher, was 27 years old. edit »
This is the first time we see Willow's house. edit »
This is the first appearance of Jenny Calender (Robia Lamorte) on the series. edit »
If you look at Xander's shirt in the beginning of the episode, when he's in the computer lab with Willow, you'll notice that his shirt says "Porn Star". edit »
The character of Jenny was originally going to be called "Nicki" but was changed to avoid confusion on the set because Nicholas Brendon is generally called Nicky by the cast and crew. edit »

Buffy: (to Willow) So, you've been seeing a guy, and you don't know what he looks like? Okay, this is a puzzle. No, wait, I'm good at these. Does it involve a midget and a block of ice? edit »
Buffy: Whoa! You're the Late Girl.
Willow: I overslept.
Buffy: Till fifth period? edit »
Giles: Hoping and betting, that's what we've got.
Ms. Calendar: You want to throw in praying? Be my guest. edit »
Ms. Calendar: You really are an old-fashioned boy, aren't you?
Giles: Well, I don't dangle a corkscrew from my ear.
Ms. Calender: That's not where I dangle it. edit »
Giles: Things involving the computer fill me with a childlike terror. Now if it were a nice ogre or some such, I'd be more in my element. edit »

Thelonius: By the power of the circle of Kayless...
The name of the lead monk, "Thelonius," is probably a reference to Jazz great Thelonius Monk (1917-1982). Monk was a piano jazz musician who composed many famous pieces such as "Round Midnight" and is often credited with the creation of "bebop." edit »
Thelonius: It is Moloch. The Corrupter. He walks again.

As with all demons in Buffy, this one is completely invented to meet the needs of the story. The name, however, is a reference to a bull god who was worshipped throughout the Near East. We do not know the god's original name, but the Hebrew writers of the Torah referred to the deity as "molech" or "king" and claimed that the god was an idol to which the people sacrificed their young children. So far there has been no archeological or anthropological evidence to support such a cult (not to mention the fact that a society which sacrificed its own children would probably die out very quickly). edit »
Buffy: He's gone binary on us.

Binary code is a code made up of only zeros and ones and is the most basic level of computer languages. edit »
Title: I Robot, You Jane.

A double reference. In the old Tarzan movies, the main character's jungle upbringing was demonstrated with poor English such as "Me Tarzan. You Jane." That line became a famous catchphrase, used to describe any stupid person or anyone who would try to force their attentions on a woman.

Also, I, Robot is the title of a collection of pivotal short stories by Isaac Asimov, which included many of the early robot stories which broke SF robots out of the turn-on-their-creator "Frankenstein" mold they were stuck in prior to his writings. Otherwise, it presumably would have been entitled "Me Robot, You Jane". edit »
Moloch: I've shown you a new world, Dave. Knowledge, power...

When Moloch discusses plans with one of his new student minions, Dave, he sounds a lot like Hal, the homocidal computer from Stanley Kubrick's 1968 classic 2001: A Space Odyssey, who's increasingly condescending and menacing remarks were distinctively punctuated by Hal's repeating the name "Dave" (the astronaut he's tormenting, played by Kier Dullea). edit »

7.5
00
GotalSaiyajin
member since: Jan 27, 2007
I Robot, You Jane
The Bottom Line: "Nerve-wracking"
The introduction sequence in Italy was lame ...Continue »
10/18/08 08:31am | report abuse
9
10
sequel90210
member since: Apr 21, 2008
I Robot, You Jane
The Bottom Line: "Average"
guess it's only Willow's epi I don't like... ...Continue »
09/01/08 01:25am | report abuse
7.9
00
12678
member since: Feb 5, 2008
I Robot, You Jane
The Bottom Line: "Not my favorite storyline"
Rank #135 - Season: 1 Episode: 08 - Rating: 7.9 ...Continue »
05/30/08 01:40pm | report abuse
4
00
ggoblin31
member since: Apr 1, 2008
I Robot, You Jane
The Bottom Line: "Painful to watch"
Cautionary tale of meeting people online is potentially the worst episode of the entire series. ...Continue »
04/01/08 08:03am | report abuse
7.8
00
tvloverduh
member since: Sep 11, 2005
I Robot, You Jane
The Bottom Line: "Painful to watch"
What?! ...Continue »
03/10/08 03:46pm | report abuse