Family

Season 5, Episode 6, Aired
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Episode Summary

As the gang get ready to celebrate Tara's birthday, her family arrives in town to take her back home. She resists, but her father insists that she come back with them before the family curse turns her into a demon on her 20th birthday.
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Fan Episode Reviews (24)

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  • Willow and Tara 4ever!

    7.0
    "Good"
    By joxerlives, Jan 20, 2012 Report Abuse
    The Good;
    The wonderful face off in the magic shop at the end and the too beautiful scene where Tara and Willow dance on air.

    The Bad;
    My Name is Earl aside rednecks get a hard time on US TV and this is no exception.

    Best line;
    Will "See that's where you're the dummy"

    Women good/men bad;
    Hugely misogynistic, the whole family lying to their womenfolk to keep them enslaved. Donny threatens to beat his own sister, Xander threatens to break him into pieces if he tries (and this is why we love Xander!). We learn for the first time that Hank is in Spain 'living the cliche' with his secretary. According to Buffy Hank now 'bailed' on the Summers girls.

    Jeez!;
    The demon's sores are icky

    Kinky dinky;
    Tara calls Willow a 'vixen'. Riley meets Sandy the vampwhore at Willy's. Of course Sandy is the poor girl Vampwillow bit at the Bronze in Dopplegangland which is some pretty damn brilliant continuity. Spike and Harmony have sex but he's secretly thinking about Buffy. Buffy promises Riley 'outfits' in return for his help, looks like Xander and Anya aren't the only ones who like to play dress-up? (The Duchess and the Highwayman? The Strict Headmaster? Princess Leia in the gold bikini? The cowboy and the rancher's daughter?)

    Captain Subtext;
    Maybe it's just me but I always thought there were hints of attraction between Buffy, Glory and her Key? It starts here with Buffy describing Glory as Cordeliaesque (and one day Cordy too will be a hell-goddess). She also says that she's 'exciting and new'. Tara's mega-cute story of Miss Kitty is obviously Dawn once again. Spike saves Buffy for the first time.

    Apocalypses; 5,

    Scoobies in bondage:
    Buffy: 8
    Giles: 4
    Cordy: 5
    Will: 3
    Jenny: 1
    Angel: 4
    Oz: 1
    Faith: 3
    Joyce: 1
    Wes: 1
    Xander; 1
    Dawn; 1

    Scoobies knocked out:
    Buffy: 15
    Giles: 10
    Cordy: 6
    Xander: 8
    Will: 5
    Jenny: 2
    Angel: 6
    Oz: 3
    Faith: 1
    Joyce: 3
    Wes: 1
    Anya;1

    Kills: one demon each for Buffy and Spike (does the 3rd just run away?)
    Buffy: 86 vamps, 30 demons, 6 monsters, 3 humans, 1 werewolf, 1 spirit warrior & a robot
    Giles: 5 vamps, 1 demon
    Cordy: 3 vamps, a demon
    Will: 4 vamps
    Angel: 3 vamps, 1 demon, 1 human
    Oz: 3 vamps, 1 zombie
    Faith: 16 vamps, 5 demons, 3 humans
    Xander: 5 vamps, 2 zombies, a demon, a demon
    Anya: a demon
    Riley; 12 vamps + 7 demons
    Spike; 1 demon (now in the service of the Scoobies)

    Scoobies go evil:
    Giles: 1
    Cordy: 1
    Will: 2
    Jenny: 1
    Angel: 1
    Oz: 1
    Joyce: 1
    Xander: 3

    Alternate scoobies:
    Buffy: 6
    Giles: 3
    Cordy: 1
    Will: 2
    Jenny: 2
    Angel: 3
    Oz: 2
    Joyce: 2
    Xander: 3

    Recurring characters killed: 9
    Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara

    Sunnydale deaths; Harmony kills the poor sales clerk
    84;

    Total number of scoobies: 7
    Giles, Xander, Willow, Buffy, Anya, Tara, Riley

    Xander demon magnet: 5(6?)
    Preying Mantis Lady, Inca Mummy Girl, Drusilla, VampWillow, Anya (arguably Buffy & Faith with their demon essences?), Dracula?

    Scoobies shot:
    Giles: 2
    Angel: 3
    Oz: 4
    Riley; 1

    Notches on Scooby bedpost:
    Giles: 2; Joyce & Olivia, possibly Jenny and 3xDraccy babes?
    Cordy: 1?
    Buffy: 3 confirmed; Angel, Parker,Riley, 1 possible, Dracula(?)
    Angel: 1;Buffy
    Joyce: 1;Giles, 2 possible, Ted and Dracula(?)
    Oz: 3; Groupie, Willow & Verucca
    Faith:2 ;Xander, Riley
    Xander: 2; Faith, Anya
    Willow: 2;Oz and Tara

    What the fanficcers thought;
    Once read an interesting one where Tara's family were actually Texas Chainsaw Massacre types and by the end whilst they'd been wiped out the Scoobies had lost everyone except Willow, Tara, Dawn and Riley. In the follow up story Willow and Tara ressurect Buffy 'Bargaining 1&2' style and she discovers Dawn has become become a cross between Lara Croft and Ash from the Evil Dead series (but still with both hands). Meanwhile Faith defeated the First and shared her power with the Potentials but was presumed to have perished in the collapsing the Hellmouth. But whose is that gorgeous female hand holding a scythe breaking the surface at the Sunnydale crater...?

    Questions and observations;
    Of course an unknown Amy Adams plays cousin Beth, hasn't she done well since! Riley comments that a lot of young people are experimenting with shortness nowadays. Well HE certainly isn't! Dawn thinks only losers drink alcohol but seems to have a great time during her first visit to the Bronze. Contrast Tara now to the girl we first meet in season 4 her stutter is gone. When her family come back so does it. Looking at SMG exercising in this ep you really believe she could be a Slayer, her athleticism is incredible. But she's TOO THIN, like Courtney Cox in some of the later seasons of Friends. Prefer the way she looks in season 1. Just me or do the demons look like clowns? Clever shot when Riley is in Willy's Bar, we think it's Spike at first.
    Marks out of 10; 7/10
    moreless

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  • A brilliant episode; Tara's secret is revealed and one of the show's best scenes happens towards the end.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By TwistedConverse, Jun 20, 2011 Report Abuse
    Family is another fantastic episode of Season 5 and it's one of those episode that you can't help but love. It's emotional, sad and yet quite (dare I say it) heartwarming towards the end. It really pushes Willow and Tara's relationship further and is a classic of the show.

    This is the first episode all about Tara; she's a highly popular character and this episode is one her fans are going to love. I am a big Tara fan myself so I really loved this episode and thought it pushed the bounds of the relationship between Tara and the entire gang a lot furhter. So far Tara has been just "Willow's girlfriend" but from here on she becomes a valued member of the gang.

    I loved the entire storyline of the episode; Tara's family got me very angry and that is something the episode is meant to do. As with Willow, it made me love Tara even more as I learnt what she grew up with and why she is so shy. She breaks out from her shell from now on and I'm glad of this. Her father was a supreme idiot and my only wish is that Buffy had smacked him around the head!

    The Glory storyline was also furthered here as we learn more about her and her ways. Her references to a vampire slayer as "common" were quite insightful and I loved the bit at the start were she just threw the bricks and stuff from the collapsed building off her and said quietly "Okay. Now I'm upset". Clare Kramer is awesome.

    The last 5 minutes were truly outstanding. The Scooby Gang's speech was just wonderful and so nice for Tara to know she's wanted and accepted. A truly amazing piece of writing from Joss. Then the bit in the Bronze with the dialogue between Willow and Tara and then the floating- you either love it or hate it! I love it but I can see why some may hate it- it's a bit cheesy! Willow/Tara fans will like it though.

    Family is a fantastic underrated episode that really brings Willow and Tara even closer. It has some many great moments and is an episode that almost everyone will enjoy. A terrific episode.moreless

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  • Family

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By TrueTvWatcher, Oct 28, 2010 Report Abuse
    Family was an amazing episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I really enjoyed watching this episode because there was lots of action, drama, intrigue, revelation, and humor. I thought that the story of this episode was a very good way to solidify Tara to the scooby gang. We learned more about the mysterious woman in red, and saw more of Ben at the hospital. This series in general has a theme of be careful what you say, and what the characters say is very important not only in their reallity, but to viewers trying to figure things out. I thought it was great what Buffy said to Riley after he told her he unpacked her things already, having already seen the entire series, but it holds true to my prior statement. I also thought it was great that Willow and Tara are growing closer together, and I also like seeing the use of Magic in the series. This is a very important episode where we get our base knowledge about the woman in red.moreless

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    0 0

  • Tara's dysfunctional family arrive to 'celebrate' her 20th birthday,Buffy fills Giles in on the latest big bad (who is shiny & new!)& the origins of The Key (aka Dawn Summers) and Spike & Harmony share an intimate moment as Spike's mind wanders!!moreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    By swanstoon, Sep 11, 2009 Report Abuse
    This is the episode that all Tara fans have been waiting for as we get to learn a lot more about Ms Maclay & her family history.And even if you're not a Tara fan (and shame on you if you're not) there is much to like about this episode.

    The set pieces where the gang move Buffy out of her dorm room and where Spike has erotic thoughts about The Slayer while making love with Harmony are priceless and Michelle Trachtenberg continues to grow into her role as Dawn and appears to be yet another inspired piece of casting.

    But 'Family' is all about Tara & Amber Benson gets another chance to strut her stuff & truly shines as a character actor of immense depth.

    And the final scene is pure magic!moreless

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    0 0

  • Season 5, Episode 6.

    8.0
    "Great"
    By Wanted23, Jul 11, 2009 Report Abuse
    Tara's 20th birthday is approaching, and her family arrives in town to bring her back home. She resists, and her father reminds her that she will turn into a demon on her 20th birthday. So, Tara casts a spell on her friends so they won't see what she really is.

    I really liked this episode. It was a little weird until the end. The end was amazing when they all said that they were family. I loved that Buffy and Dawn defended her, and then they all did. Plus, Spike hit her and she's 100% human. Plus, Dawn got her a broom for her birthday. LMAO. Great episode. :)moreless

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    0 0
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • At the end when they are all at the Bronze, Dawn complains that she has to wear a stamp and Xander says that it is so that she can't drink(and you see that Xander, Buffy, Giles and Riley all are). Both Buffy and Xander should have the stamps on as well. Buffy turned 19 in the middle of season 4, so she isn't even 20 and Xander shouldn't be that much older than her. Edit
    • Harmony talked about a bargain at April Fools and came to Spike's crypt with bags from the store. April Fools was the dress shop which Cordelia worked in season 3 when her father lost all his money. Edit
    • Guest Star Amy Adams (Tara's cousin Beth) was nominated for an Academy Award in 2006 for her 2005 performance in "Junebug," and also in 2008 for her 2007 performance in "Enchanted," making her one of only three, to date, BTVS guest stars to have been nominated for the Oscar for acting. Joel Grey (Doc) won for 'Cabaret' and Lindsay Crouse (Prof. Walsh) was also nominated. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • Music "Tears Are In Your Eyes"-Yo La Tengo "American Shoes"-Motorace "Cemented Shoes"-My Vitriol "I Cant Take My Eyes Off You"-Melanie Doane Edit
    • Tara is the only Scooby who had a birthday on-screen besides Buffy. Edit
    • This episode confirms Tara's place as one of the Scoobies, a fact which she has been very insecure about in this and previous episodes. Although not yet in the main credits, she is now a full-time member of the group. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Glory: (to Lei-ach demon) You have the cutest little suppurating sores! Has anyone ever told you that? Edit
    • Donny: So all these books got spells in 'em? Turn people into frogs, things like that? Xander: Yeah, we're building a race of frog-people. Edit
    • (Spike punches Tara in the nose and they both react with intense pain) Willow: (angry) Hey! (with dawning realization) Hey... Tara: He hit my nose! Willow: And it hurt! Uh, him, I mean. Buffy: And that only works on humans. Spike: There's no demon in there. That's just a family legend, am I right? Just a bit of spin to keep the ladies in line. Oh, you're a piece of work. I like you. Tara: (softly, to Willow) I'm not a demon. Willow: You're not a demon. Tara: He hurt my nose. Willow: Aw. Spike: Yeah, you're welcome. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Buffy: It's a rat race. Rat race is a term frequently used to describe modern working conditions. The comparison being to rats used in experiments that are forced to race through mazes. Edit
    • Buffy: I saw a great sweater at Bloomies but I kinda want me to have it.
      Bloomies is short for Bloomingdales, a major department store that opened in the 1860s in NY and is still going strong with stores all over the US. Edit
    • Xander: Oh, that was a tangled web of lies, sweetie.
      Attributed to Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832), a British writer, the full quote is: "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!" Edit

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