And S3 begins! I have very mixed feelings about this episode. What I really wanted to see here was a dark and gritty tale about Buffy's isolation. I wanted to see her slowly fix the emotional issues that were plaguing her from the events of "Becoming Pt. 2" (2x22). I wanted this to last at least three episodes and be entirely focused on Buffy. Well, it's pretty obvious I didn't get what I wanted at all with this, but that isn't to say it's no good. On the contrary, it's a pretty solid episode with moments of genuine insight. It's just really not what I was looking for.
The episode begins with an amusing scene back in Sunnydale where the remaining Scoobies are attempting to keep the vampire population down and hoping that Buffy returns. Oz's failed thrown stake and subsequent "that never works" always cracks me up. My problem with this scene, along with all the scenes taking place back in Sunnydale, is that they, while amusing, feel like a lightweight distraction from what I really want to see: a runaway Buffy. That story is simply too important to combine it with Cordelia and Xander worrying about their hair style.
Anyway, I loved Buffy's dream with Angel on the beach. It shows a vision of all she truly wanted since becoming the Slayer: a nice normal boyfriend who she could spend a romantic evening on the beach with. "Buffy vs. Dracula" (5x01) shows her actually having a brief moment like this with Riley before everything quickly turns dark and rains them away. She then wakes up and we find out that she's been impressively taking care of herself in the real world. This makes it obvious that she isn't running away from 'responsibility' but rather just from being the Slayer. We can tell, though, that even through the depression Buffy is not fully hardened yet. She has taken the first step into adulthood but is still a young girl inside that basically just wants to be held. We find out later that this away-from-home experience made her realize for the first time that when it comes to Slaying she will always be alone; no one else can ever share that burder with her (until the beautiful end of the series).
One of the few scenes in Sunnydale I thought was meaningful is the Joyce and Giles conversation. She blames him entirely for being the cause of Buffy's disappearance. They have a really important exchange which brings out the focus of this entire episode: identity. Joyce says, "I blame you. You've been this huge influence on her, guiding her. You had this whole relationship with her behind my back. I feel like you've taken her away from me." Giles responds, "I didn't make Buffy who she is." Joyce answers, "And who exactly is she?"
During the summer, alone, Buffy has been thinking that she has two distinct parts to her being: the Slayer half and the human half. After the events of "Becoming Pt. 2" (2x22) she wanted to completely rid herself of the Slayer 'half.' The problem with this, and what she ultimately realizes through helping the helpless Lily, is that she isn't two distinct halves. She is one whole which is evenly blended between the Slayer and the human. There is no separating the two. My answer to Joyce's question is that Buffy is a unique individual who posesses great strength and empathy, neither of which are completely related with the fact she is the Slayer. Being the Slayer amplifies her strength, but as we saw in a flashback during "Becoming Pt. 1" (2x21), Buffy possessed great inner strength before even knowing what being the Slayer meant.
The first moment when Buffy realizes that being the Slayer is part of her no matter what is when she decides to help Lily. Lily tells her she doesn't know what to do; she doesn't know how to exist without relying on others. As much as I really wanted a dark and gritty Buffy story, the theme of identity works pretty well. When caputured, the demon Ken tells the two girls, "What is Hell but the total absence of hope? The substance, the tactile proof of despair." We find out quickly that Lily is at the point of this dispair, but Buffy is certainly not. A guard walks up to the new group of slaves, asking them who they are. They must reply with, "I am no one" or receive a beating. When Buffy's turn comes she puts on a perky grin and completely regains her identity by responding, "I'm Buffy. The Vampire Slayer. And you are...?" This is a fantastic "I'm back!" moment and was well earned. Also, as a bonus we get a satisfying extended fight sequence where Buffy rips apart hoards of demon guards.
The final scene in Buffy's apartment with Lily is very intriguing. Lily gains confidence from her experience with Buffy and wants to 'become' her now previous persona, Anne. Lily still hasn't found herself yet, like Buffy hadn't while being Anne. But adopting the Anne persona makes her feel like something still with hope; someone who underneath the isolation has a lot of power and self motivation. While being Anne was a step backwards for Buffy, it proves to be a step up for Lily. This is a truly hopeful and heartwarming ending. It's also great knowing that 'Anne' will become a useful person in society when she appears on AtS.
I wanted an extended dark and gritty tale and I got something different. Since the writers took the lighter route I'm glad they had Buffy home at the end of the episode. The darker route I wanted would have warranted multiple episodes though. Overall this is a very good episode that misses the mark in a few places.moreless
It is the end of summer vacation, and Buffy is still missing. Willow, Xander, Oz, and Cordelia are attempting to keep the Sunnydale vampire population in check during Buffy's absence... with only moderate success. They miss having the Slayer around, but more than that they miss their friend. Meanwhile, Buffy has been working as a waitress in L.A., going by her middle name, Anne, and trying to forget her old life. But of course, someone always needs the Slayer's help...
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 Sarah Michelle Gellar |
Buffy Anne Summers |
 Seth Green |
Daniel 'Oz' Osbourne |
 David Boreanaz |
Angel |
 Nicholas Brendon |
Alexander 'Xander' Harris |
 Alyson Hannigan |
Willow Rosenberg |
 Charisma Carpenter |
Cordelia Chase |
 James Lurie |
Teacher |
Guest Star |
Michael Leopard |
Roughneck |
Guest Star |
Harley Zumbrum |
Demon guard |
Guest Star |
Larry Bagby |
Larry |
Recurring Role |
Kristine Sutherland |
Joyce Summers |
Recurring Role |
Watch Online
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
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TRIVIA (9)
ADD TRIVIA-
We learn that Buffy's middle name is Anne.
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When Xander and Cordelia kiss, the music that plays is the same theme that played when they first kissed in the episode "What's My Line?" (2).
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This is one of the few times that students other than the Scooby Gang are in the library. This became a running gag among the show's fans.
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During Belly Love's performance at The Bronze, Xander and Willow are seen from an overhead shot. Xander's left hand is on his stomach and appears to be holding a clear plastic cup. The shot dissolves to a closer shot and Xander's left hand is now down below his waist and the cup is gone. The music plays uninterrupted indicating that the dissolve shot does not involve elapsed time.
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In the fight scene at the end of this episode, Buffy is wearing a pair of Nike shoes. After Buffy climbs the chain to join the others, she is suddenly wearing a pair of Keds.
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One of the high-angle shots of Buffy on the platform fighting demons reveals a camera and its crew on the left. Buffy even throws a demon in their direction.
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When Buffy pushes the old man out of the way of the oncoming truck, you can see Buffy's stunt double's flesh colored kneepads as she rolls off the hood and onto the street.
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When the old man steps onto the open street when Buffy is talking to Lily, at first his pant legs are hiked up enough to show off his boots, then down to cover a different pair of shoes, then up again, then down again.
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When Buffy is fighting all the demon guards on the platform, you can see not one, but many safety mats for them to land on in the background all around where they are being knocked off.
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QUOTES (18)
ADD QUOTES-
Willow: You came to visit me... you came with books? Are they books for me?
Oz: Well, actually, they're kind of for me.
Willow: I don't get it.
Oz: Well, it's sort of a funny story. You remember when I didn't graduate?
Willow: Well, I know you had a lot of incompletes, but that's what summer school was for.
Oz: Yeah, well, you remember when I didn't go? -
Giles: I mean, you know, I appreciate your efforts to keep the vampire population down until Buffy returns, but if anything should happen to you, or you... should be killed, I should take it somewhat amiss.
Willow: You'd be cranky?
Giles: Entirely. -
Ken: (to Buffy) You've got guts. I think I'd like to slice you open and play with them.
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Buffy: I don't want any trouble. I just want to be alone and quiet in a room with a chair and a fireplace and a tea cozy. I don't even know what a tea cozy is, but I want one. Instead, I keep getting trouble, which I am more than willing to share.
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Buffy: So, probably go faster if we split up.
Lily: Can I come with you?
Buffy: Okay, where did I lose you on the whole splitting up thing? -
Xander: Yeah, the slaying isn't getting any easier, either.
Oz: I don't know, I think we're kinda getting a rhythm down.
Xander: We're losing half the vamps.
Oz: Yeah, but... rhythmically. -
Lily: Chantarelle was part of my exotic phase.
Buffy: It's nice. It's a mushroom.
Lily: It is? That's really embarrassing.
Buffy: Well, it's an exotic mushroom, if that's any comfort. -
Willow: I'm trying to get to cute, really, but I'm still sort of stuck on strange.
Oz: Well, I'd be willing to bargain down to eccentric, with an option on cool. -
Cordelia: Las Palmas was a nightmare resort. They order you around, and make you have organized "fun". And I use sarcastic quote marks. Plus the fact, there are cockroaches in Mexico big enough to own property.
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Xander: I can't wait to see Cordelia! I can't believe I can't wait to see Cordelia.
Willow: I wonder what our first homework assignment's going to be! Hey, you're excited over Cordelia, okay? We've all got issues. -
Buffy: Hey, Ken, wanna see my impression of Gandhi?
(She brings her weapon down on Ken's head, killing him)
Lily: Gandhi?
Buffy: Well, you know, if he was really pissed off. -
Guard: Who are you?
Buffy: I'm Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, and you are? -
Larry: This is our year, I'm telling you. Best football season ever. I'm so in shape, I'm a rock. It's all about egg whites. If we can focus, keep discipline, and not have quite so many mysterious deaths, Sunnydale is gonna rule!
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Buffy: Stay with me.
Angel: Forever. That's the whole point. I'll never leave. Not even if you kill me. -
Xander: Okay, and the, uh, second problem I'm having... 'Come and get it, Big Boy'?
Willow: Well... W-well, the Slayer always says a pun or-or a witty play on words, and I think it throws the vampires off, and, and it makes them *frightened* because I'm wisecracking. Okay, I didn't really have a chance to work on that one, but you try it every time.
Oz: Uh, if I may suggest, 'This time it's personal.' I mean, there's a reason why it's a classic. -
Buffy: I woke up one morning and was all.. 'Hey, I need to change!' I'm just so bad, what with all the sex, and the envy... Oh I just suck at undercover.
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Cordelia: What's the plan?
Xander: The vampire attacks you.
Cordelia: And then what?
Xander: The vampire kills you. We watch, we rejoice. -
Willow the Vampire Slayer: That's right Big Boy. Come and get it.
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NOTES (9)
ADD NOTES-
The actor playing Ken, Carlos Jacott, will later appear on Angel in the episode Bachelor Party, and on Firefly in the episode Serenity. This makes him one of Joss Whedon's "hat-trick" actors (actors who have appeared in all three of Whedon's television shows).
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At the beginning of this episode, Oz is wearing a t-shirt that says "25 cent peepshow" on it. Xander wore this same shirt in Season 1.
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From this episode the show now has a much improved version of the opening theme song.
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Beginning with this season and continuing through the rest of the series, the show is now shot using the more expensive 35mm cameras, whereas the first two seasons were shot using the cheaper 16mm models. This is why the Scoobies and their surroundings now look noticeably fresher and more colorful for their final year in high school.
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This is the first time in the show Buffy says: "I'm Buffy, the Vampire Slayer."
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As of this episode, Seth Green is now a regular cast member and is featured in the opening credits.
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Julia Lee's character Chantaralle from season 2's "Lie to Me" returns here using the name Lily.
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This episode marks the end of Anthony Stewart Head's narrative voice-over about the history of the Slayer.
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In the October 1, 1999 issue of Entertainment Weekly, Michael Gershman, the director of photography, said this was his favorite episode.
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ALLUSIONS (8)
ADD ALLUSIONS-
This may be a visual play on the spirit of workers rising up against their oppressors; Buffy actually uses the symbols from the old flag of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as real weapons. This is a very powerful image which brings others to mind, such as the union sign scene from the film Norma Rae and propaganda posters from the days of the Cultural Revolution/Cold War.
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Diner Name: Helen's Kitchen
The name of the diner where Buffy works while in L.A., Helen's Kitchen, is probably a reference to Hell's Kitchen, the famous grimy-n-gritty section of New York. It's also fitting for the episode's theme, as Ken takes Buffy and Lily into a hell dimension.
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Oz: If I can suggest: 'This time it's personal'? I mean, there's a reason it's a classic. Oz quotes a little Jaws: The Revenge, the fourth and final Jaws film released in 1987, when the gang is in dire need of some snappy quips with the absence of the ever-witty Buffy.
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Rickie: How much can we afford with this much?
In the film version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer David Arquette and Luke Perry did a very similar scene, where the boys dumped out their coins and asked the waitress what they could afford.
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Buffy: Wanna see my impression of Gandhi?
Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948) also known as Mahatma, was a revolutionary leader in promoting religious tolerance and self-rule in India. His efforts led to the independence of India from Britain in 1947. While he may have be "really pissed off" he is most known for his non-violent approach. -
Buffy: We've gone public.
Normally a person goes public, making something formerly a secret generally known, willingly. Here Buffy uses the expression to refer to the fact that their rebellion is now widely known.
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Xander: Look, I don't mean to poop the party here...
A play on the expression party pooper. A party pooper is a person who ruins everyone's fun at a party by not having fun themselves. It's grown to mean anyone who squelches another person's enthusiasm.
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Xander: So you guys might want to duck and cover.
Likely a reference to the war survival movies of the 50s. Students were instructed to duck and cover, kneel on the ground with their hands over their heads, in the event of an bombing. In retrospect, it seems like a rather unlikely way to survive a nuclear blast. Given that the show is set in California, this could also be a reference to a school taught earthquake drill.
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Chosen
S 7 : Ep 22
Aired 5/20/03 (43:43)
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End of Days
S 7 : Ep 21
Aired 5/13/03 (42:39)
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Touched
S 7 : Ep 20
Aired 5/6/03 (42:40)
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Empty Places
S 7 : Ep 19
Aired 4/29/03 (42:41)
Season 3 Episodes
See AllEp 22
Graduation Day (2)
Ep 21
Graduation Day (1)
Ep 20
The Prom
Ep 19
Choices
Ep 18
Earshot
Ep 17
Enemies
Ep 16
Doppelgangland
Ep 15
Consequences
Ep 14
Bad Girls
Ep 13
The Zeppo
Ep 12
Helpless
Ep 11
Gingerbread
Ep 10
Amends
Ep 9
The Wish
Ep 8
Lover's Walk
Ep 7
Revelations
Ep 6
Band Candy
Ep 5
Homecoming
Ep 4
Beauty and the Beasts
Ep 3
Faith, Hope and Trick
Ep 2
Dead Man's Party
Ep 1
Anne
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