Passion

Season 2, Episode 17, Aired

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9.6
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Angelus continues his obsessive torment of Buffy by visiting her during the night and leaving presents in her bed. Meanwhile, Ms. Calendar tries to make amends for deceiving Buffy and Giles by attempting to translate the Gypsy curse to restore Angel's human soul, with dire consequences.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (43)

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  • Running out of superlatives at this point

    10
    "Perfect"
    By joxerlives, Jan 19, 2012
    Passion

    The Good;
    Angelus's lyrical narration. Buffy and Joyce having 'The Talk' (you imagine one day Buffy will do the same with Dawn?). Jenny and Angelus' confrontation at the school. Buffy saving Giles at the factory. The twist in the tail.

    The Bad;
    It seems rather stupid that Buffy simply warns Joyce to keep away from Angelus, because that's going to keep her safe? In the past we're told that Angelus drove Dru mad by killing everyone she loved and nailing puppies to stuff. Here he just tells Joyce that he and Buffy had sex, doesn't even do it nastily. Although Will's fish aren't nice.

    Best line;
    Any and all of Angelus' narration. Plus Spike stopping Dru from helping Angelus "Not fair if he doesn't tag you"

    Wheldon cliches;
    Character death-1 (Jenny the 3rd recurring character to die)

    Bondage-0

    Knocked out-yep, Giles again

    Shot-0

    Women good/men bad-0

    Kinky-dinky; Angelus/Spike/Dru

    Questions and observations;
    Wonderful scene where Jonathon and friend actually come into the library to borrow some books (reminiscent of the opening scene in Friends where they turn up at Central Perk only to find the couch taken for once). Surely Angelus doesn't need an invitation to enter a public area like a school? Or has Jenny done a spell to keep him out and the school motto meant it didn't work. Equally does the invitation rule apply to cars? Presumably Angel has also been to Giles' house in order to put Jenny's body in Giles' bed. We must assume Giles and Jenny have had sex before if she has a key to his place and he's not suprised to find her in his bedroom. Once again, roses don't seem to repel vamps in the Buffyverse. Does Joyce not question why the 40+ school librarian keeps popping around the house to see her teenage daughter? Willow collapsing into Joyce's arms is a sign of how close Joyce has become to the rest of the Scoobs.
    Jenny is the 3rd recurring character to die, making it one every 10 eps or so, the shock and brutality of him killing her is awful. Giles knocked out again. Willow's dad is called Ira and he seems quite strictly Jewish. Willow says she's his only daughter, what about sons? I was always suprised fanficcers didn't make more of Buffy and Willow's sleepover after Willow finds her fish? If you can restore Angel's soul why not do that to all vamps? Although Buffy the Vampire Resouler is probably not such a good series.
    10/10, running out of superlatives here
    moreless

  • Probably my absolute favorite of the entire series. Truly shows what this show is capable of.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By BrushiePenguins, Jan 30, 2011
    I watched Buffy in its entirety for the first time very recently. Though I did find the whole show enjoyable, I firmly believe that the second and third season were its high point, and no season after that really reached the same heights. That said, looking back at the entire series, this is the episode that impressed me the most. I think that it's the first episode that truly showed what the series was capable of. Angelus was an extremely interesting villain not only because he was so completely malicious, but also because you already had an emotional investment in the character before he turned. To an extent I feel like this is also why Faith worked in season 3. This show was great at getting you invested and then pulling the rug out from under you.

    For that reason, I think the moment of this episode that absolutely left me breathless was the death of Jenny Calendar. I really liked her character and the relationship she had with Giles. Her death scene was perfect. They made no indications that the character wouldn't be around long. She'd only been on the show for half a season, she and Giles were just making up after a fight, it seemed like she was just beginning to make it as one of the show's main characters. When Angelus was chasing her through the school, I barely felt any sense of danger. I was so sure she'd get away. That's why when Angelus finally caught up and snapped her neck as though it were nothing, I was absolutely shocked. It was the instant I realized that absolutely no one on the show was safe.

    The subsequent scene involved Giles is absolutely heart wrenching to watch. So much so I think it's the only time I closed my eyes during a scene on this show. Everything about this episode works, from the narrations, to Angelus's delight in the pain he's causing, to that final scene when the floppy disk hits the ground. The fact that it's hard to watch is, for me, what makes it so great, because it really, truly does make you feel something for the characters. Buffy in its finest hour.moreless

  • Passion

    10
    "Perfect"
    By TrueTvWatcher, Oct 14, 2010
    Passion was burning hot in this great episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I really enjoyed this episode as it closed and continued some great story lines. There was a lot of character development going on in this episode with most of the main characters. Ms. Calendar was working on a way to restore Angel's Soul, but he killed her, unfortunately he missed a disk with the spell on it. It was also interesting to see how Angel, Spike, and Druscilla all get along in their own little world. This episode definitely helps viewers become more attatched to the characters. Giles is heartbroken and nearly destroyed over whats happened. Over all this is another Classic episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.moreless

  • Passion: one of the best in the series

    10
    "Perfect"
    By talielle, Jun 26, 2009
    Like i said, this is one of the best-well written episode in the series. I loved the Angel dialoge in the beginning and end. It was very hard to watch the part when Gilles sees Jenny dead, and watch Angel kill her. The last part with the floppy disk on falling through the cracks was very important because it gives hope Angel can turn good again. The part when Angel talks to Joyce was also very good because i felt through the whole thing that he was going to attack her. I am glad that they reversed Angel's invite into the house. I love this episode. It's one of those episodes you can watch over and over again. It is one that cannot be missed!!moreless

  • Season 2, Episode 17.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Wanted23, Apr 19, 2009
    Buffy needs protection for herself and for Joyce after she discovers that Angel sneaked into her bedroom while she was sleeping. I loved Angel's narration about passion. I don't think there's ever been a narration in the show before. Sarah Michelle Gellar looked really good in this episode. I liked when Buffy told Joyce about Angel. I can't believe Angel sneaked into Willow's room and killed her fish! Drusilla is too weird, though. Angel is still hot. I loved when Buffy, Willow, Xander, and Cordelia walked out of The Bronze and Angel killed a victim right next to them and they didn't notice. I loved the whole Jenny and Angel scene. Excellent episode, and definitely a series classic. Way to go, writers!moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • TRIVIA (8)

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    • When Giles firsts confronts Angel he throws a Molotov cocktail on the table, but later on when Buffy chases Angel up the stairs we see another fire in the background with no discernible way as to how it spread there.

    • After Angel kills Jenny, he places her on Giles' bed. There has never been an episode where Giles invites Angel in, so we must assume that he has been invited at some time that we did not actually see onscreen.

    • Not a mistake, but a nice subtle touch: As Giles is collecting his weapons to go after Angelus look at his record player as the camera pans the room. The turntable is still turning and the arm is still down on the record.

    • When Jenny begins to print out the spell, you can see the paper moving as well as hear the printer. When the scene changes to Jenny jumping up startled you can still hear the printer but the paper isn't moving.

    • Jenny asks Angel how he got into the school, yet she'd stopped him in the hallway in Innocence so she should already know that he can get into the building.

    • In the scene where Buffy and her mother talk sex with Angel, one of the camera lenses has a speck in the top right corner.

    • On the gravestone, it says Jennifer Calendar. But we know her real name is Janna Kalderash.

    • When Miss Calendar starts running away from Angel, he says, "I need to work up an appetite," but then he doesn't even bite her. Joss Whedon notes in the commentary that there had been a lot of discussion between the writers whether Angel should bite Jenny or kill her in another fashion. Ultimately, they decided on the breaking of her neck because it showed Angel's contempt for her and how, to him, she wasn't even worth drinking. Perhaps this line was written before the decision.

  • QUOTES (17)

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    • Giles: The ritual go alright?
      Willow: Oh, yeah, it went fine. Well, it went fine until Angel showed up and told Buffy's mom that he and Buffy had...well, you know....that they had....you know. You do know, right?
      Giles: Oh, yes. Sorry.
      Willow: Oh, good, cause I just realized that, being a librarian and all, you maybe didn't know.
      Giles: Oh, thank you. I got it.

    • Giles: So Angel has decided to step up his harassment of you. Cordelia: By sneaking in her room and leaving stuff at night? Why doesn't he just slit her throat or strangle her while she's sleeping or cut her heart out? What, I'm trying to help.

    • Cordelia: Oh God. I invited him into my car once. That means he can come into my car whenever he wants! Xander: Yep, you're doomed to have to give him and his vamp pals a lift whenever they feel like it. And those guys never chip in for gas.

    • Angelus: Well, maybe next time I'll bring you with me, Spike. Might be handy to have you around if I ever need a really good parking space.

    • Buffy: It's so weird. Every time something like this happens, my first instinct is still to run to Angel. I can't believe it's the same person. He's completely different from the guy that I knew. Willow: Well, sort of, except... Buffy: Except what? Willow: You're still the only thing he thinks about.

    • Spike: Are you insane?! We're supposed to kill the bitch, not leave gag gifts in the friends' beds. Drusilla: But, Spike, the bad teacher was going to restore Angel's soul. Spike: What if she did? If you ask me, I find myself preferring the old Buffy-whipped Angelus. This new, improved one is not playing with a full sack. I love a good slaughter as much as the next bloke, but his little pranks will only leave us with one incredibly brassed-off Slayer! Angelus: Don't worry, Roller Boy. I've got everything under control.

    • Buffy: Willow, I thought I might take in a class. Figured I could use someone who knows where they are.

    • Cordelia: So, Giles is going to kill Angel, then? Xander: Well, it's about time somebody did. Willow: Xander! Xander: I'm sorry, but let's not forget that I hated Angel long before you guys jumped on the bandwagon. So I think I deserve a little something for not saying "I told you so" long before now. And if Giles wants to go after the fiend that murdered his girlfriend, I say, Faster, pussycat. Kill, kill.

    • Angelus: The ritual of restoration. Wow. This... this brings back memories. Jenny: Wait, that's your... Angelus: Oh, my cure? No, thanks. Been there, done that, and deja vu just isn't what it used to be.

    • Jenny: I know you feel betrayed. Giles: Yes, well, that's one of the unpleasant side effects of betrayal.

    • Jenny: I might be a little late tomorrow. Do you think you could cover my class until I show? Willow: Really? Me? Teach the class? Sure! Jenny: Cool. Willow: Oh, wait. What if they don't recognize my authority? What if they try to convince me that you always let them leave class early? What if there's a fire drill? What if there's a fire? Jenny: Willow, you're gonna be fine. And I'll try not to be too late, okay? Willow: Okay, good. Earlier is good. Will I have the power to assign detention? Or make them run laps?

    • Angelus: Passion. It lies in all of us. Sleeping...waiting... And though unwanted... unbidden... it will stir... open its jaws, and howl. It speaks to us... guides us... Passion rules us all. And we obey. What other choice do we have? Passion is the source of our finest moments. The joy of love... the clarity of hatred... and the ecstasy of grief. It hurts sometimes more than we can bear. If we could live without passion, maybe we'd know some kind of peace. But we would be hollow. Empty rooms, shuttered and dank... Without passion, we'd be truly dead.

    • (The group are in a heated discussion when Jonathan and another student enter the library) Xander: Excuse me, but have you ever heard of knocking? Jonathan: We're supposed to get some books. On Stalin. Xander: Does this look like a Barnes & Noble? Giles: This is a school library, Xander. Xander: Since when?

    • Giles: In my years as... Watcher... I've buried... too many people. But Jenny was the first I've loved. Buffy: I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't kill him for you... for her... when I had the chance. I wasn't ready. But I think I finally am. I can't hold on to the past anymore. Angel has gone. Nothing's ever gonna bring him back.

    • Jenny: Angel, I have good news. Angelus: I heard. You went shopping at the local boogedy-boogedy store.

    • Buffy: So what you're basically saying is, 'just ignore him, and maybe he'll go away'? Giles: Yes. Precisely. Xander: Hey, how come Buffy doesn't get a snotty 'once again you boil it down to the simplest form' thing? Watcher's pet.

    • Giles: Look, it's classic battle strategy to throw ones opponent off his game. He's trying to provoke you. To taunt you. To goad you into some mishap of some sort. Xander: The nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah approach to battle? Giles: Yes, Xander, once again you've managed to boil a complex thought down to its simplest possible form.

  • NOTES (10)

    ADD NOTES

    • This episode is third in Joss Whedon's list of his top ten favorite episodes according to his personal letter included in the Australian Chosen Collection Box-set. The episodes on this top ten list are not ranked, but are put in order of which episode aired first.

    • Background Music: The music that is playing at the very beginning of this episode, beneath Angelus' voiceover, is "Never an Easy Way" by the British band Morcheeba. It was released on their 1996 "Who Can You Trust?" album.

    • According to Joss in an interview, there was much discussion over whether Angelus should have his vampire face on, or his human face on, when he killed Jenny. But it was decided Angelus would have his vampire face, because Joss thought the viewers would be disturbed if they saw Angel's face killing Jenny.

    • The French title for this episode is "La Boule de Thesulah," which translates "The Orb of Thesulah".

    • Even after the un-invite was done on Cordelia's car, she still had it strung with garlic and crosses.

    • Oz (Seth Green) was originally supposed to die in this episode. Jenny Calendar was supposed to die in an earlier episode, Innocence.

    • Joss says the way Angel kills Jenny is very "insulting" to Jenny, herself, because he does not bother to feed on Jenny, he just snaps her neck.

    • Anthony Stewart Head (Giles) said this was his favourite episode and Joss Whedon taunted him by saying this was only his favourite episode because he was in a lot of it.

    • The picture of Buffy in the Summers kitchen is a publicity shot of Sarah Michelle Gellar that was used in the August '97 issue of Entertainment Weekly.

    • The choral voice heard during the graveyard scene belongs to actor Anthony Stewart Head.

  • ALLUSIONS (10)

    ADD ALLUSIONS

    • Xander: Does this look like a Barnes & Noble? Barnes & Noble is a popular book store around the United States. This is funny because two people walk in to check out books and Xander didn't even realize that he and his friends always have meetings in the library.

    • Xander: A visit from the pointed tooth fairy.
      This is how Xander characterizes Angel's visit to Buffy's room while she is sleeping. Traditionally, when children lose a baby tooth, they leave it under their pillow, and while they are sleeping, the Tooth Fairy takes the tooth and leaves money in its place.

    • Willow: I have to go over to Xander's house just to watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" every year....Although it is worthwhile to see him do the Snoopy dance.
      "A Charlie Brown Christmas" has aired every December since 1965. It was written by Charles Schulz, and features the characters from his "Peanuts" cartoon strip (including Snoopy the Beagle, who does a funny dance when he's happy). Willow, who is Jewish, explains to Buffy that her father might not like seeing crucifixes hung up in her room, since he apparently won't even let her watch this Christmas cartoon on TV.

    • Background music: Ah! tu sol comandi, amor! [ Ah! Love, you alone guide us!]
      When Giles returns to his house to meet Jenny, there is a long-stemmed rose on the door and opera music playing inside. The music is from Act I of Puccini's "La Boheme." As Giles walks upstairs, Rodolfo sings: Oh, beautiful maiden,... ...Oh, how sweet your face looks, its beauty softly kissed by the gentle moonlight. In you, sweet maiden, I see the dreams of love I have dreamt about forever. The climactic point comes when Giles drops the champagne glasses, realizing that Jenny is dead. At this point, Mimi joins Rodolfo and sings: Ah! Love, you alone guide us!

    • Shop keeper: Sold a couple as New Age paperweights last year. God, just love those New Agers, boy. They helped send my youngest to college.
      New Age-ism is a grab bag of mostly fringe spiritual beliefs (including crystals, channelling, reincarnation, pyramid power and banal music) which became popularized near the end of the 20th Century.

    • Spike: No fair going into the ring unless he tags you.
      A reference to the tag team matches seen in professional wrestling. In these matches two teams of two or more fight one at a time. When one wrestler wishes his teammate to take over he must tag his hand before they can trade places.

    • Xander: I say "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!"
      The 1965 movie Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! is about the murderous rampage of three women. Xander invokes the movie to express his pleasure over Giles going to kill Angelus.

    • Xander: Those are his everyday weapons. These are his good weapons. The ones he breaks out when company comes to visit.
      Various household items are often kept in two classes: everyday and guest. More common examples are dishes or towels that are used only when company arrives.

    • Angel: It might be handy to have you around if I ever need a really good parking space.
      Angel mocks Spike in his current wheelchair bound condition by saying the only thing he's good for is to allow them to park in a handicapped parking space.

    • Buffy: A no shoes, no pulse, no service kinda thing.
      A play on the common policy is restaurants and other public places no shirt, no shoes, no service. Buffy is seeking a similar restriction to keep out the pulseless vampires.

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