Graduation Day (1)

Season 3, Episode 21, Aired

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9.4
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EPISODE RATING: Superb
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The gang receives some valuable information from their old enemy Anya, who has actually witnessed an Ascension. She reveals that the Mayor plans to transform himself into pure demon, something that has not been seen for thousands of years. When Angel is poisoned by Faith, Buffy faces Faith for the final time in order to get the only cure to the poison: the blood of a Slayer.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (15)

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  • A taste of things to come

    8.0
    "Great"
    By joxerlives, Jan 19, 2012
    The Good;
    The battle between Buffy and Faith is epic and a long time coming. Note that for some reason Buffy feels the need to put on her shiny red leather trousers before deciding to kick Faith's delectable butt?

    The Bad;
    Couldn't Buffy just let Angel have some of her blood in batches whilst chugging down iron pills by the handful? We know the Mayor's impervious to harm but why don't they just grab him and tie him up when he's in the library?

    Best line;
    Willow (guessing who the Graduation Speaker will be) "Seigfreid? Roy? One of the tigers?" (according to Lorne in Angel Seigreid is actually evil, Roy not so much) beating Xanders 'We're going to need a bigger boat' from Jaws. Xander also paraphrases Private Hudson from Aliens (who in turn is paraphrasing every Vietnam film you've ever seen).

    Character death;
    No but Angel on the brink. Faith's murder of the professor and her glib remark about it marks the nadir of her fall from grace. But you note that even then she wants her victim to turn around so she doesn't have to look into his eyes. When she chucks herself off the building it's her first suicide attempt but she'll make another later in Angel.

    Shot;
    Angel with Faith's bow and arrow

    Tied up;
    Buffy and Faith handcuffed together

    Knocked out;
    Angel and Faith in a coma

    Women good/men bad;
    Actually the relationship between Faith and the Mayor is lovely, especially when we see her in her dress. Faith also refers to her childhood in Boston again and you feel her pain. As for Xander he neatly sums up the male of the species;
    "Yes, men like sports. Men watch the action movie. They eat of the beef and enjoy to look at the bosoms"
    Buffy tells Wes 'I love it when you take charge, you man you' but one day she will. Will and Anya still have hostility.

    Jeez!;
    Faith killing the harmless old prof is beyond horrible. Plus the Mayor's eating the spiders (liquorice?). And Buffy sticks it to Faith with her great big knife

    Kinky dinky;
    What must the Professor and his neighbours think when Faith arrives on his doorstep dressed as she does? Probably how much does she charge per hour? I for one am glad we don't get to hear the end of Anya's shepherd story.

    Calling Captain Subtext;
    Again, violence and intimacy with Faith and Buffy who even penetrates Faith's body with her knife. Faith's goading Buffy about Angel's pain could once again be seen as sexual jealousy. Faith to Buffy "Give us a kiss". Faith also refers to Buffy as 'big sister' (does this make Joyce mom and Dawn her little sister?)

    Guantanamo Bay;
    Buffy is quite prepared to feed Faith to Angel to save him

    Scoobies to the ER;
    Buffy get's a hiding at Faith's hands and Angel nearly dies through poisoning

    Where's Dawn?
    Presumably Buffy get's little sis out of town alongside Joyce.

    Questions and observations;
    Where's this anti-vamp poison been all these years? It would have come in useful, don't you think? Stonkingly good in almost every respect with the promise of even better things to come in pt 2. Love Will's chopper bike. Nice that Willow and Harmony make up before Harmony gets all bumpy. Can anyone please explain to me why exactly the Mayor wants to be a giant snake? What is his plan for Sunnydale? Buffy breaks from the Watcher's Council and won't come back into the fold again until season 5. Just what are the odds that Anya, the only living survivor of an Ascension just happens to be at SDH? Is that the work of God/the PTB?
    Faith's method of surviving her fall off the roof is reminiscent of Catwoman in Batman Returns. Love Giles and Wes fencing which will come in useful for both later.

    Marks out of 10;
    8/10
    moreless

  • Graduation Day (1)

    10
    "Perfect"
    By TrueTvWatcher, Oct 17, 2010
    Graduation Day (1) was another terrific episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This episode had lots of information and plots to play with. The Mayor of Sunnydale is about to Ascend and become a pure demon, capable of destruction and devistation beyond comprehension. This was a great episode that puts all the pieces in place for the season finale. This episode finds Buffy realizing that her relationship with Angel is pretty much over for good, and the rest of the Gang are dealing with the fact that they may die on Graduation. It was so awesome and touching what the Senior Class did for Buffy at the Prom. It was a token of appreciation she never expected! This episode was appealing because it relates to the fears we all go through in High School, and graduating. I really enjoyed the story lines, action, drama, and intrigue in this episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer!!!!!moreless

  • Season 3, Episode 21.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Wanted23, May 03, 2009
    Graduation Day is approaching, and Faith shoots Angel with a poisonous arrow. After searching for a cure, they discover that the only cure is the blood of the Slayer. So, in order to give Angel the blood of the Slayer, Buffy fights Faith, but things don't end as planned.

    I loved this episode. It's one of my favorite episodes of season three, just because of the Buffy/Faith fight. I liked when Lester said, "Put that away! I'll scream!" and Faith said, "Who wouldn't?" LMAO! I love Eliza Dushku! Plus, the Buffy and Faith fight at the end of the episode. It was well choreographed and the end was awesome.moreless

  • Another Fantastic Episode.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By RosAzzo, Jun 22, 2008
    Faith was always up to something bad ever since she joined the Mayor on the Bad side of things.

    She has managed to Shot Angel with a Posoinous Arrow, she did not kill him but he can die.

    The only thing that can save him is Faith's Blood and we saw the big fight between Buffy and Fait.

    The Winner was Buffy but will Buffy manage to save Angel in time?

    I hope so.. How will the Mayor feel when he finds out what happened?

    It seems that whenever Buffy needs help from the Council they are enver there to help... A Very Good Episode. It seems that this Series just keeps getting better!moreless

  • When Slayers Collide

    9.7
    "Superb"
    By lenzinoH20, Jan 31, 2008
    Graduation Day, Part 1-The gang receive some valuable information from their old enemy Anya, who has actually witnessed an Ascension. She reveals that the Mayor plans to transform himself into pure demon, something that has not been seen for thousands of years. When Angel is poisoned by Faith, Buffy faces Faith for the final time in order to get the only cure to the poison: the blood of a Slayer. Well, it's finale time, and Part 1 of this chaotic finale is quite amazing. All the changes and storylines that have been going on this season are at the center of the episode and each character is going through some emotional stress as Graduation Day is right around the corner. Buffy and Angel are still struggling to get by as they as no longer together but suddenly Angel is poisoned by Faith, bringing them closer once again. Like always, Sarah M. Gellar and David Boreanez convey a wonderful sense of dread as Buffy struggles to find a way to save the love of her life while Angel struggles to hold on to dear life. The most interesting development of the situation is the cure for Angel's sickness is the blood of a slayer. It's a brilliant plot device as it leads to big showdown between the 2 slayers that has been building up since the last time they saw each other. And what a fight it was, one of the biggest fights between 2 characters so far, and the setting actually makes it so much better. Both Sarah M. Gellar and Eliza Dushku show some great tension between the characters as they literally fight to the death. But it's also a shocking development as Buffy stabs Faith, it's a huge step for Buffy as she's willing to kill for love. It's a great sequence as Faith punchs Buffy and falls off a building willing to kill herself to beat Buffy yet she is saved by a large truck.

    There are also many other great moments in the episode, like the Mayor's confrontation with the Scooby Gang in the library. It continues to show how versatile the Mayor is as he can be so peachy yet intimidating at the same time. Not to mention, when Giles stabbed him with a sword and he merely gave some quality advice about settling an example to the kids as he cleans the sword is brilliant. There are some funny scenes between Xander and Anya, she even provides some knowledge about the Ascension. The character is already becoming a fitting new cast member as Emma Caulfield plays the character perfectly. Then, there's Willow losing her virginity to Oz which is a sweet scene as both characters consummate their relationship. Lastly, is Buffy's quiting of the Watcher's Counsel which is an intense scene as Wesley pretty much left hanging dry. A superb Part 1 as Part 2, or course, is much better!moreless
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  • TRIVIA (6)

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    • Although Buffy knew that Angel needed to drain the blood of a slayer, she stabs Faith which would cause Faith to lose most of the blood that Angel needed to be cured.

    • In all other episodes there is a brick wall between the bank and Sunnydale Cinema, with Main Street making a right angle turn to the left. Yet as Faith stands on the ledge after Buffy stabbed her a truck drives straight down Main Street and the brick wall is now gone.

    • When Giles puts the sword into the Mayor, it look like he puts it right where his shirt buttons are (in the middle of the shirt). But in the next shot, the hole is a bit more to the left.

    • During Faith and Buffy's fight Faith falls on the concrete floor and gets some white dust on her pants, but a few shots later it is gone.

    • When Angel enters the apartment just before he says "Not my best entrance", the boom mic is visible right over his head for just a couple of frames.

    • When Joyce annnounces "Buffy, I'm Home", the boom mic swings down and then up again just at the right side of the doorway.

  • QUOTES (17)

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    • (Faith pulls out a knife.) Lester: Put that away! I'll scream! Faith: Who wouldn't?

    • Wesley: Buffy, they're very firm. We are talking about laws that have existed longer than civilization. Buffy: I'm talking about watching my lover die.

    • Buffy: Mom, graduation is a pointless ceremony where you sit around and listen to a bunch of boring speeches until someone hands you a little piece of paper that says you graduated, which you already know, and maroon does nothing for my complexion so don't argue, okay?

    • Faith: Well, look at you. All dressed up in big sister's clothes. Buffy: You told me I was just like you. That I was holding it in. Faith: Ready to cut loose? Buffy: Try me. Faith: Okay then. Give us a kiss.

    • Buffy: I'm just glad Faith is such a suck shot. Giles: We're sure it was her? Buffy: Well, I've narrowed down my list of one suspect.

    • Angel: Anything in there that connects him to the mayor? Buffy: I looked through it, but the only thing I understood were the commas.

    • The Mayor: "The several races of man will be as one in their terror and destruction." Oh, that's kind of sweet. Different races coming together. Buffy: You never get even a little tired of hearing yourself speak, do you? The Mayor: That's one spunky little girl you've raised. I'm gonna eat her. (Giles puts a sword in The Mayor's chest) The Mayor: Whoa! Now, that was a little thoughtless. (takes out the sword) Violent outbursts like that, in front of the children.

    • Buffy: If the mayor's trying to hide, I say we go seek. Wesley: Ah, by attempting to keep a valuable clue from us, the mayor may have inadvertently led us right to it. Buffy: What page are you on, Wes? 'Cause we already got there.

    • Xander: Guess who our commencement speaker is? Willow: Siegfried? Xander: No. Willow: Roy? Xander: No. Willow: One of the tigers? Xander: Come out of the fantasy, Will.

    • Harmony: I hope we don't lose touch. Willow: No, we'll hang out. Oh, I'm gonna miss her. Buffy: Don't you hate her? Willow: Yes, with a fiery vengeance. She picked on me for 10 years. The vacuous tramp. It's like a sickness, Buffy. I'm just missing everything. I miss P.E. Buffy: I think it's contagious. The whole senior class has turned into the 60's. Or what I would have imagined the 60's would have been like, you know, without the war and the hairy armpits.

    • Cordelia: Well, you've really mastered the power of positive giving up. Xander: I've been lucky too many times. My number's coming up. And I was short. One more rotation and I'm shipping stateside. You know what I mean? Cordelia: Seldom, if ever.

    • Xander: Come on guys, the suspense is killing Angel.

    • Anya: Men like sports... I'm sure of it. Xander: Yes, men like sports. Men watch the action movie. They eat of the beef, and enjoy to look at the bosoms. A thousand years of avenging our wrongs and that's ALL you've learned?

    • Harmony: You know, I really wish we would've got to know each other better... I mean, you're so smart, I always wanted to be like that.

    • Buffy: I just love it when you take charge, you man you.

    • Willow: Ugh, this is so frustrating Oz: Nothing useful? Willow: No, it's great. If we wanna make ferns invisible or communicate with shrimp, I've got the goods right here. Oz: ... our lives are... different than other people's

    • Buffy: I don't need you crowding me. Angel: I didn't think I was. Buffy: No, of course you don't. You just show up at the prom and then you disappear into the ozone. For all I know, you left town. Angel: Are you mad at me for being around too much or not being around enough? Buffy: Duh! Yes!

  • NOTES (11)

    ADD NOTES

    • This is the second time Faith tries to kill Angel. The first time is earlier in season 3 in the episode "Revelations".

    • We learn that Willow rides a bike to school. Apparently she lives rather close to the school.

    • Joss said the part that Angel slips while entering in the professor's office was put as kind of a homage to David Boreanaz, who is pretty clumsy. Also, they wanted to do a funny entrance, not only the incredible-out-of-nowhere ones.

    • When the Mayor confronts the Scoobies in the library, he picks up a random book and reads, "The Beast will walk upon the earth and darkness will follow. The several races of man will be as one in their terror and destruction." This is the arc that took place in Season 4 of Angel.

    • It is unclear where Anya lives, how she gets money, and how she could afford a car. Perhaps D'Hoffryn compromised (since he would not give her her powers back) and agreed to give her money. She could have a job, but it would be hard for a high school student to find one that pays enough to buy a car and pay rent, bills, etc.. Still, such things have never been explained in the actual show.

    • The motto on the SHS yearbook is "The Future is Ours."

    • During their fight, Buffy repeats Faith's line from Enemies: "Stick around." Only, she means literally.

    • Willow loses her virginity in this episode.

    • In this episode, Buffy says that Angel will be her last "office romance". She contradicts herself only a few months later, in season 4, and years, in season 6.

    • At the start, Cordelia complains that she wanted the graduation robes to be teal and not maroon in colour. In the original script it was the other way around, she wanted the red but the school went with the blue.

    • Although Angel is able to come into the Professor's home uninvited, it is explained in the Angel episode "Lonely Hearts" that the invitation rule no longer applies when the owner of a home is dead.

  • ALLUSIONS (8)

    ADD ALLUSIONS

    • Teacher: (while playing hangman with his students) Heh, they always go for the 'E'.
      Of course they do: "E" appears more in the English lexicon than any other letter. It has roughly a 12% share and is trailed by "T" (9%), "N" (8%), and "R" (7%).

    • Buffy: Take a beat to love the synergy. Most likely, Buffy is referring to the term "beat" as it is used in screenplays and other scripts to refer to a pause in the dialog.

    • Xander: We're going to need a bigger boat.
      Xander quotes a line from the movie Jaws when they saw how big the shark was. The picture of the demon that the Mayor will become is so large it takes up three pages of the book.

    • Oz: But you got the swinging Habitrail going.
      Habitrail is a brand of plastic tubes and such used for hamster (or other pet rodent) housing.

    • Buffy: The Box of... I want to say gravlox.
      Gravlox is a type of cured salmon.

    • Buffy: The Mayor's trying to hide. I say we go seek.
      Hide and go seek is a children's game where all but one of the participants hides (say behind a tree) and one tries to find the others.

    • Willow: Siegfried?... Roy?... One of the tigers?
      Siegfried and Roy are a famous Las Vegas act featuring trained white tigers.

    • Cordelia: Wow, you've really mastered the power of positive giving-up.
      A play on the book The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. The book is a famous, early, self-help book that promotes self-esteem and feelings of success. Cordelia mocks Xander and his doomed feelings by contrast with the ideas of the book.

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