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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 5 Episode 9

Listening to Fear

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AIRED: 11/28/00

A Queller demon lands in Sunnydale in a fiery meteorite and begins killing all the mentally ill people it can find. Meanwhile, Joyce has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, and while she waits to undergo her operation the tumor is making her act increasingly unusual. Buffy must find and defeat the demon before it senses her mother’s madness and makes her its next victim.moreless

FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (12)

Hard to watch Joyce so vulnerable

7.0

By joxerlives, Jan 20, 2012

The Good;

Some great acting from SMG and KS with Joyce's madness. Lovely Buffy/Joyce/Dawn scenes, especially when they're in bed together. In many ways though this is Riley's ep, see him take charge of the military team, he's back in his place.

The Bad;

Not a great deal

Best line;

Joyce "My dear sweet brave Buffy, what would I do without you?" (always brings a tear to my eye)

Jeez!;

The Queller is HORRIBLE! Ben demonstrates his ruthless side.Poor Dawn spends the entire episode quaking in fear at either the Queller demon or mad people (including her mother) shouting at her. Buffy breaks into tears and I don't blame her. The scene where Joyce, always the tower of strength in Buffy begs for her daughters to take her home like a frightened child is heartbreaking.

Kinky dinky;

None this ep, too much happening

Captain Subtext;

Joyce works out that Dawn isn't her natural daughter but doesn't care because she still belongs to her and Buffy, she's precious and they love her. She makes Buffy promise to take care of her. When Joyce asks what she'd ever do without Buffy you can see Buffy wondering what she'd ever do without her mum?When Anya suggests that the radiation from the meteorite might cause sterility Riley and Xander look alarmed but Giles doesn't, given up on the idea of having his own children?

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: 2 vamps for Will and one demon for Buffy

Buffy: 86 vamps, 32 demons, 6 monsters, 3 humans, 1 werewolf, 1 spirit warrior & a robot

Giles: 5 vamps, 1 demon

Cordy: 3 vamps, a demon

Will: 6 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; 18 vamps + 7 demons

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; 6 mental patients

89;

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

Riley; 2; Buffy and Sandy

What the fanficcers thought;

Buffy has sex with the Quellar demon. No, I'm NOT kidding either! 'Quelled'

Questions and observations;

Our first hints that Ben is not all he appears. Will finds the dead body again. Graham again, yay! He should fix his beret though. Dawn saves Joyce through her quick thinking, she's a Summer's girl alright. Joyce's insane remark about about Buffy being 'disgustingly fat' is all the more ironic given how painfully thin SMG looks this season. The vamps Willow stakes look like they're female wrestlers or something? Really this ep hits Buffy where she hurts, she can face all the dangers of being a slayer as long as she has her friends and Joyce and Dawn to come home to. When her home life is threatened that really unnerves her

Marks out of 10; 7/10

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Listening to Fear

9.5

By TrueTvWatcher, Oct 28, 2010

Listening to Fear was a superb episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's fifth season. I really enjoyed watching this character driven episode. This is a very emotional season, and I personally relate to this episode as my step mother also had a brain tumor. I think that the writers of this episode, season, and series are all brilliant in connecting viewers to the characters. Riley is really starting to doubt his importance to Buffy and she is to preoccupied with every thing that is going on to notice. The story of this episode was interesting, and a good way to tie Ben to Glory. Joyce has always been more or less in the background of the series, and this episode really connects her to the viewers. I really enjoy watching the gang research, and discuss their findings, as the information is interesting and complex and the characters make it seem as if this was really happening. I can't wait to find out what happens next!!!!!moreless
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Season 5, Episode 9.

6.5

By Wanted23, Jul 14, 2009

A Queller demon lands in Sunnydale in a fiery meteorite and begins killing mentally ill people. Joyce has a brain tumor, and while she waits to undergo her operation, the tumor is making her act increasingly unusual. Buffy must find and defeat the demon before it senses her mother's madness and makes her its next victim.

This episode wasn't bad at all. I thought the storyline was a little weird though. Anyway, the plot and monster and Joyce thing were definitely all weird. However, Buffy's amazing cry scene made this episode for me. The plot was just way too weird and Sarah Michele Gellar's acting was outstanding. Great episode. :)moreless
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A good episode with a somewhat weird plot but a few great lines and the continuation of one of the main arcs makes it a worthwhile episode.

8.5

By TwistedConverse, Nov 06, 2008

Listening to Fear is an episode where the side plot is more interesting than the main one. The whole alien thing was a bit too sci-fi for Buffy but it worked well and the demon of the week was brilliant; very creepy and disgusting. The two things that keep the episode better than average are the continuation of the Joyce arc and a few classic Anya lines.

The demon summoned from outer space was just a bit out there for me. It was enjoyable but it just didn't feel like it fitted in with the mythology of the show well and felt a bit like a sci-fi hack job. Fortunately, it is mainly believable and not as sci-fi as two certain episodes of "Angel" that just felt completely out of place. I could accept the idea of the space demon and I must admit, it was a pretty cool idea.

The Willow/Tara scene at the start was one of my favourites. I'm a huge fan of theirs- I love their relationship and think they have fantastic chemistry. I liked learning Tara's own versions of star constellations too Willow! Then the meteor crashing down to Earth ruined the moment but it looked good so I can forgive it.

The Queller demon was very interesting and unique; it could have easily been fake and completely unbelievable but the costume looked great and it was quite menacing, what with it following Joyce around. The revelation that Ben was involved in it's summoning was shocking the first time. Not so much these days; there are some things in the show that still shock me but this isn't one of them. Ben annoys me but seeing as he is part of one of my all time favourite villains, Glory, I can forgive it.

The Joyce arc was the real highlight here. I felt it had a really sleepy, monotonous atmosphere around it (a very good thing as it's not supposed to be pulse pounding drama) and I could really feel Buffy's pain here. I love the bit where she breaks down crying when washing up. I felt really bad for her and Dawn also. Some really good scenes.

Anya was hilarious here (as usual!) and one of my all time favourite Anya lines is said here; where she refers to the Queller demon as the "space lamb". Anya is just the awesomest character. I love her so much.

Listening to Fear is a bit out there but for the most part it works. It's not amazing or groundbreaking but it's very enjoyable and a worthy addition to the season. A great episode.moreless
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It's A Bird, It's A Plane...It's Slimmy?

6.1

By lenzinoH20, Jul 15, 2008

Listening To Fear-A Queller demon lands in Sunnydale in a fiery meteorite and begins killing all the mentally ill people it can find. Meanwhile, Joyce has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, and while she waits to undergo her operation the tumor is making her act increasingly unusual. Buffy must find and defeat the demon before it senses her mother's madness and makes her its next victim.

Probably the weakest episode of the season, "Listening to Fear" starts out intriguing when a comet falls from the sky and lands in Sunnydale, but quickly turns into a dreary mess. While the Queller demon looks pretty creepy and the way it slims it's victims is disturbing, the plot just weakens as it goes along and doesn't build as much suspense as it should. It doesn't help when Riley gets involved and brings the Initative back with him. All the guest stars are one note as well as Riley is getting on my nerves. The scenes of Riley and the soldier boys investigating were boring and grew very tedious. Also, finding out Ben summoned the Queller wasn't much of a shock.

The only interesting development is Buffy being so overwhelmed by the responsiblity she has on her shoulders.

Just the sight of Buffy crying her eyes out as she washes the dishes is one of the saddest moments of the series as Buffy finds herself helpless and defeated. All and All, "Listening To Fear" is a mediocre(ish) episode with some disturbing scenes, but the plot just doesn't sit well with me.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

EDIT

Sarah Michelle Gellar	Buffy Anne Summers
Nicholas Brendon	Alexander 'Xander' Harris
Alyson Hannigan	Willow Rosenberg
Marc Blucas	Riley Finn
Emma Caulfield	Anya
Michelle Trachtenberg	Dawn Summers

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

EDIT

Barbara C. Adside	Creature	Guest Star
Debbie Lee Carrington	Creature	Guest Star
Paul Hayes	Older Night Watchman	Guest Star
Charlie Weber	Ben	Recurring Role
Bailey Chase	Graham Miller	Recurring Role
Amber Benson	Tara	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (4)
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- In this episode we discover Ben has some sort of an involvement with Glory, though at this point no one is aware of what kind.
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- So the Scoobies are the only ones who noticed a meteor fall to Earth? I would think that it would quickly gain national attention.
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- When we see Joyce's reaction shot in the middle of Dawn's "jello speech", we also see Dawn on the left, and her lips are ridiculously not moving in time to what we hear her saying.
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- Willow goofs on the date of the last meteoric anomaly. The Tunguska blast happened in 1908, not 1917.
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QUOTES (9)
ADD QUOTES
- Joyce: ...those eyes! Those eyes! They look like gasoline puddles!
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- Joyce: Dawn... she's not mine, is she?
  Buffy: No.
  Joyce: She does belong to us, though.
  Buffy: Yes, she does.
  Joyce: And she's important. To the world. Precious. As precious as you are to me... Then we have to take care of her. Buffy, promise me. If anything happens, if I don't come through this...
  Buffy: Mom...
  Joyce: No, listen to me. No matter what she is, she still feels like my daughter. I have to know that you'll take care of her, that you'll keep her safe. That you'll love her like I love you.
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- Willow: You know what's weird?
  Tara: Japanese commercials are weird.
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- Willow: Oh, I feel just like Santa Claus... except thinner, and younger, and female. And, well... Jewish.
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- Riley: Oh, that might be toxic, don't touch it.
  Xander: Oh yeah, touching it was my first impulse. Luckily, I've moved on to my second, which involves dry-heaving and running like hell.
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- Willow: Something evil crashed to earth in this and then broke out and ... slithered away to do badness.
  Giles: In all fairness, we don't really know about the slithered part.
  Anya: Oh, no. I'm sure it frisked about like a fluffy lamb.
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- Riley: Oh, yeah. I'm sorry about last time. Heard I missed out on some fun.
  Xander: Oh, yeah, fun was had. Also frolic, merriment, and near-death hijinks.
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- Dreg: Sir forgive me. I just want to understand. Why summon the Queller?
  Ben: Why do you think? Because I'm cleaning up Glory's mess. Just like I've done my whole damn life.
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- Xander: Look at how teeny Mercury is compared to, like, Saturn. Whereas in contrast, the cars of the same name...
  Giles Xander, please, we have work to do
  Xander: I still don't see why we have to come here to get info on a killer snot monster
  Giles: Because it's a killer snot monster from outer space. I did not say that.
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NOTES (4)
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- Willows "I dont want to be the one who finds the bodies anymore" comment dates back to earlier this season's episode "Real Me" when she trips over the body of Mr. Bogedy, to season 1 "Prophecy Girl" where she found dead students and Season 4's episode "Doomed" when she found the dead guy in the bed.
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- The crazy guy at the hospital who said "There's no data there..." while looking at Dawn is the same guy that Glory fed on when she was trying to make the monk talk.
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- For some reason, Bailey Chase (Graham) is uncredited in this episode.
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- In all the supernatural beings that Buffy and co. have dealt with, the creature in this episode is the first one to have come from outer-space.
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ALLUSIONS (4)
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- Xander: Festive piñata? Delicious candy?
  
  Piñatas are hollow cardboard or papier-mache figures usually filled with candy or toys. Piñatas are most often used at birthday parties where they are suspended by a rope, people are then blindfolded and try to break open the Piñata with a stick so that the contents spill out.
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- Xander: (about the planets) Look at how teeny Mercury is compared to, like, Saturn. Whereas in contrast, the cars of the same name...
  Mercury and Saturn are, obviously, planets. They're also American car companies. Saturn is a newer company which currently sells 3 series of vehicles — the L-Series (mid-size sedans/station wagons), the SC-Series (sporty coupes), and their most popular S-Series (compact sedans). Mercury is a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, which manufactures mid-to-full-size sedans and sport utility vehicles.
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- Willow: (looking at the stars) That's Canis Minor, and Cassiopeia.
  Canis Minor is "the lesser dog," one of Orion's hunting dogs. Cassiopeia is Andromeda's mother from the legend of Perseus. Both of these stars are most visible in North America between November and March.
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- Dawn: There's a girl at school told me that gelatin is made from ground-up cow's feet, and that if you eat Jell-O, there's some cow out there limping with no feet.
  Dawn isn't as far off as Buffy would have you think. Gelatin is a protein which is obtained from collagen, typically from cows' bones and skin. The bones and skin are immersed in acid, and the eventual solution is processed to make gelatin.
  
  Jell-O is a specific brand of gelatin dessert. It's common to refer to all gelatins as Jell-O, kind of like Kleenex.
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