I Robot, You Jane

Season 1, Episode 8, Aired

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7.6
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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...moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (38)

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  • Willow dates a demon

    8.5
    "Great"
    By Phunner1416, Jun 13, 2011
    In this episode, you see that Willow accidentally puts a demon on the web, and he quickly becomes one of the gang's most challenging enemies yet. The demon not only manages to enslave students at the school, he manages to break up the Scooby Gang. This episode was pretty good, it shows the second and final time that Willow falls for a demon, the first time being when Willow fell for the Master's minion in Welcome to the Hellmouth. It was also pretty cool seeing the giant robot being electrocuted at the end of the episode. All in all a pretty good episodemoreless

  • A demon is trapped in a book by priests in 1400s Italy. In present day, the tome ends up in the school library; Willow scans it and the demon enters the computer. Soon after, Willow meets a seemingly perfect boy online. Love it or hate it I love it...moreless

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By Jay-Spacedust, May 15, 2011
    This review contains spoilers.

    Well, I knew when first watching "I Robot, You Jane" that this would be a Marmite episode love it or hate it. And most people seem to hate it! But personally, I love it; it has such an intriguing premise, and really taps into a new fear people posing as something other than themselves online that was becoming apparent in the late 1990s.

    But looking on TV.com as I write this review, I find that it's actually currently the lowest rated episode of the season, coming in at 7.6. I think it ranks far higher than this, and I enjoyed it more than say, "The Pack".

    This is one of the several first season episodes to feature no Angel (Cordelia doesn't appear also), absolutely no vampires, and no Master or mention of the overall season story arc. No doubt this is much of the reason that some don't like this episode to begin with, but as I've touched upon in several previous reviews while I love those story arc-heavy later entries, I also love these early episodes, for having so much variety and, to put it simplistically, wondering what the "monster of the week" will be this week.

    After two Xander-centric episodes previously in the season ("Teacher's Pet" and aforementioned "The Pack"), finally Willow gets one focused around her. And that alone makes for a good episode in my opinion, as Willow is such an interesting character (especially in these early episodes before all of the characters "became cool"), and Alyson Hannigan plays her perfectly.
    Some have questioned Willow's sudden change in personality, but I have never had any problem with this, as I took it that Moloch was so convincing and manipulative that he won her over as he did his over minions.

    But probably the most notable thing about the episode is the introduction of Robia LaMorte as brash IT teacher Jenny Calendar. Her interaction with Giles is great, and thankfully they brought her back for a number of return appearances instead of making this just a one-off guest character. Strangely, I'd actually forgotten about Ms. Calendar until coming to watch this episode on DVD tonight to review.

    The plot itself... again, some totally hate it, but I think it is so intriguing. Even beyond the whole dirty old men element, as the internet and chat rooms became an issue in the late 1990s, concerns grew that anyone could make out to be anything on-line (does that make sense?). And this episode puts a unique spin on that. A couple of fellow reviews seem to take it to literally no it does not mean anyone you meet on-line will turn out to me a giant demon, just, if you sleep with someone, does not mean they will turn into a murderous vampire... get where I'm coming from? It's more of a metaphor, a spin on a particular fear.
    It is dated in some respects (check out the ancient hand scanner, use of modems, and such), but I don't see how that can be considered a minus the episode uses what was around at the time.

    Although some knock just about everything about the episode, I personally found it to play out very well, and if nothing else, had great helpings of the show's trademark humour (for some reason, I love Xander's comment about his Uncle working at the factor "in a floor sweeping capacity"). The thing that has always most stuck in my mind about this episode, ever since first watching it on BBC Two way back when, was when Dave dared defy Moloch, who then opens up a blank computer document and writes Dave's suicide letter to his parents; Dave is found dead soon after. For some reason, this always creped me out.

    Of course, after such a build up, especially over they mystery over who / what "Malcolm" is, the final act can come as nothing but an anti-climax. And it certainly is that; but worse still is the terrible robot costume of Moloch, that looks like something straight out of a kid's Saturday morning show. I suppose the limited first season budget prevented them from doing anything more lavish, but the whole element from the realisation of Moloch now being a robot, down to the dodgy costume itself really lets the final act down, and this is the only thing that stops this episode getting a 10 from me.

    Some rank this episode as the weakest of the entire show's run. While I can appreciate that some might not like it, I can definitely think of worse. I think many compare it to the later, sharper episodes, but I feel if watched as a "stand alone" story, this episode is really good. As I say, it is only the disappointing final act, complete with terrible robot costume, that knocks this otherwise intriguing episode down from a 10 from me. But I personally really like this one enough to give it a 9.5. It's not that bad folks! The worse thing is the TERRIBLE episode title it does the episode no favours, is somewhat of a spoiler, and is enough to put some people off from the start!moreless

  • There's a demon in the internet!

    7.5
    "Good"
    By SMGslayer97, Mar 13, 2011
    This episode was so odd, though not bad, when a demon of the very very old world gets lose on the internet. I really liked the concept of a demon being lost on the internet, the old world of demons meeting the modern world of technology. The oddest part has got to be near the end though when the demon, Moloch, forges this huge metal robotic stuit. The first season was full of these odd and unique yet good episodes and concepts.moreless

  • Great...Willow gets a love interest and he is a computer demon.

    6.3
    "Fair"
    By mattsafreak, Mar 13, 2011
    I really didnt like much about this episode. It was so cute to see Willow all happy about someone she met online ("on line for what?") Unfortunately, he is a demon who has been trapped in cyberspace thanks to some books Willow was scanning for Giles. One of the redeeming things in this ep was that we meet Ms Calendar for the first time and see how she interracts with Giles. (Lots of mutual attraction there!) As far as demons go, Moloch was one of the lamest I have seen in Jossverse ever. Nothing redeeming or mildly interesting about him.moreless

  • My Mini review...

    3.0
    "Bad"
    By lindauk, Mar 13, 2011
    Best Scene:
    Ther is not things that I like about this episode. it really has to be one of the only episodes out of all of Buffy that I actually dislike.

    Worst Scene:
    Its not a scene that I dislike about this episode it is more the whole basic storyline that I dislike. Just the idea that scannign words into the computer releases a monster onto the internet. its not plausable to me. There are already enough monsters on the net without there being any supernatural ones.

    Funniest Moment:
    Again this would be the general interaction between Giles and Jenny.

    Best Quote:
    I like the interaction that we first see between Janny and Giles in this episode. This is one of the many time throughout her stint on Buffy that Jenny Calender and Giles bicker about the difference between books and computers. Jenny: I know your ways are strange to you, but soon you will join us in the twentieth century - with three whole years to spare!

    Worst Quote:
    Ummm... which one to pick.

    12th out of Twelve.moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • TRIVIA (10)

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    • In the opening scene, one of the monks says an Italian word incorrectly. He states "viene" when in fact the correct wording to use would have been "vieni".

    • When Malcolm scrolls through the student registry, looking for Buffy, it is just the same few pictures over and over again.

    • The software Willow is using to scan books is called Scanner Pro. The surveillance software Fritz is using to watch Buffy at the computer plant is called Watcher Pro. Both have the same style and color scheme in their logos, suggesting the same software company.

    • 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.

    • As Giles listens to the radio in his office, listen carefully to the announcer. It is the uncredited voice of show creator Joss Whedon.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • Buffy says that the only guy she's liked since moving to Sunnydale turned out to be a vampire. She's obviously referring to Angel but she is apparently forgetting Owen.

    • When Moloch threatens Dave and Fritz shows up to kill him and make it look like a suicide it is not clear where Fritz comes from. The camera shots have shown us the entire room, including the corner that Fritz steps out of. And there's no sign or sound that the door opened. Although it's possible that Fritz was in the room the whole time, and only showed himself once Dave knew he was about to be killed.

    • Buffy is watching Dave at the high school. He gets in his car and in the next scene he's at the CRD office building with Buffy still watching him. Since Buffy's Slayer powers do not include superspeed, it seems strange that she was so easily able to follow him without a car.

  • QUOTES (19)

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    • Ms. Calendar: Hi. I got your message. What's so urgent? Giles: (nervously) Um... Thank you for coming. I need your help. But before that I need you to believe something that you may not want to. Uh, there's, uh... something's got into the, um... inside, um... (takes a breath) There's a demon on the Internet... Ms. Calendar: (calmly) I know.

    • 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?

    • Buffy: Whoa! You're the Late Girl. Willow: I overslept. Buffy: Till fifth period?

    • Giles: Hoping and betting, that's what we've got. Ms. Calendar: You want to throw in praying? Be my guest.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • Fritz: The printed page is obsolete. Information isn't bound up anymore. It's an entity. The only reality is virtual. If you're not jacked in, you're not alive. Ms. Calendar: Thank you, Fritz, for making us all sound like crazy people.

    • Xander: Are we overreacting? He's in a computer, what can he do? Buffy: You mean besides convince a perfectly nice kid to try and kill me? I don't know, how about mess up all the medical equipment in the world? Giles: Randomize traffic signals. Buffy: Access launch codes for our nuclear missiles. Giles: Destroy the world's economy. Buffy: I think I pretty much capped it with that nuclear missile thing. Giles: Right, yours was best.

    • Buffy: You're a computer geek, (stops to rephrase herself) genius.

    • Ms. Calendar: What is it? Giles: (trying to hide the apparently supernatural origin of a book) Uh, nothing, um, a diary, yes. I imagine that's what it is... Well, it's been so nice talking to you. Ms. Calendar: We were fighting. Giles: (distracted) Must do it again sometime, yes... Bye, now.

    • Moloch: Don't you see? I can give you everything! I can control the world! Right now a man in Beijing is transferring money to a Swiss bank account for a contract on his mother's life... Good for him.

    • Buffy: Hey, did you forget? The one boy I've had the hots for since I've moved here turned out to be a vampire. Xander: Right, and the teacher I had a crush on? Giant praying mantis? Willow: That's true. Xander: Yeah, that's life on the Hellmouth. Buffy: Let's face it: none of us are ever gonna have a happy, normal relationship. Xander: We're doomed!

    • Giles: When I've examined it, you can, uh, uh... skim it. Ms Calendar: Scan it, Rupert. That's scan it. Giles: Of course. Ms Calendar: Oh, I know our ways are strange to you, but soon you will join us in the 20th century. With three whole years to spare! Giles: Ms. Calendar, I'm sure your computer science class is fascinating, but I happen to believe that one can survive in modern society without being a slave to the idiot box. Ms Calendar: That's TV. The idiot box is TV. This is the good box! Giles: I still prefer a good book.

    • Xander: (to Giles) You released Moloch? Buffy: (sarcastically) Way to go!

    • Buffy: I can just tell something is wrong--my spider sense is tingling. Giles: Your spider sense? Buffy: Pop culture reference...sorry.

    • Xander: I mean... sure, he says he is a high school student -- but I could say I'm a high school student. Buffy: You are. Xander: Okay, but I could also say that I'm an elderly Dutch woman... Get me? And who's to say I'm not if I'm in the elderly Dutch chat room? Buffy: I get your point... (beat) I get your point! This guy could be anybody -- I mean he could be weird, or crazy, or old, or... he could be a circus freak -- he's probably a circus freak!

    • Giles: I'm, I'm just gonna stay and clean up a little. I'll, uh, I'll be back in the middle ages. Ms. Calendar: Did you ever leave?

    • Buffy: CRD, whatever that means. Xander: Calax Research and Development. It's a computer research lab. Third largest employer in Sunnydale 'til it closed down last year. (everyone stares at Xander) What, I can't have information sometimes? Giles: Well, it's just somewhat unprecedented. Xander: My uncle used to work there. In a floor sweeping capacity.

    • Ms. Calendar: You're here again? You kids really dig the library, don't you? Buffy: We're literary. Xander: To read makes our speaking English good.

  • NOTES (6)

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  • ALLUSIONS (8)

    ADD ALLUSIONS

    • Xander: With a little help from my friends? This is a reference to the Beatles' song, "With A Little Help From My Friends".

    • 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."

    • 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).

    • 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.

    • 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".

    • 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).

    • Giles: Couldn't you just stop Moloch by entering some computer virus. The deus ex machina of the day seems to solve all nasty problems with a skillfully placed computer virus. See for example the movie, Independence Day.

    • Buffy: I can just tell something's wrong. My Spider Sense is tingling. From the Spider-Man comic books. When danger was near, Spiderman would get a tingling feeling called his Spider Sense.

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