Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Prophecy Girl

Season 1, Episode 12, Aired 6/2/97

Episode Summary

Giles discovers an ancient prophecy which states that Buffy will face The Master and she will die. Upon hearing this, Buffy breaks down and tries to quit her Slayer duties. But when vampires massacre a group of students on campus, she realizes that she must face her destiny in order to save her friends... and the world.moreless

9.3

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Cast & Crew

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Sarah Michelle Gellar

Buffy Anne Summers
Nicholas Brendon

Alexander 'Xander' Harris
Alyson Hannigan

Willow Rosenberg

Fan Episode Reviews (49)

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If it had ended here it would still have been great!

10

"Perfect"

By joxerlives, Jan 11, 2012 Report Abuse

Prophecy Girl

The Good;
Buffy's unjustified (but very human) rant at Giles, the wonderful slow motion fight with the vamp whilst Cordy is parking with a guy. Buffy accepting her fate for the sake of her friends and family.The Buffy/Master confrontation and her final battle with him. Xander listening to country music, the white man's blues. Xander practicing on Willow and Willow consequently turning him down. Cordy and Will finding the bodies. Cordy's car trick and the girls fleeing in terror. The Buffy/Joyce scene. Love Buffy's dress.

The Bad;
The tentacles from the Hellmouth look pretty weak. Also I thought the boy who get's killed is the same one as in the last ep but it's not, Cordy seems to have a new guy every week. I always think that's lame on TV, characters get boyfriends/girlfriends one week who mean the world to them then they're forgotten about the next ep.

Best line;
Angel; I like your dress
Buffy; Big hit with everyone

Questions and observations;
Buffy dies for the first time and is bitten by a vampire for the first but by no means the last time. Giles get's knocked out for the first time (by Buffy!). Jenny's back, yay! Presumably the reason Cordy is being so nice to Will and isn't mad at her boyfriend du jour is that it's one of the signs of the apocalypse?
So if Buffy had died for real what would have happened? Presumably Angel would have defeated the Master? Or the Initiative? No offence to Kendra but I figure this would have meant that Faith would be the Slayer and consequently Dawn would be HER sister. Faith would never have gone bad and Joyce would get over her grief by adopting Faith and Dawn as her foster children. Even so, in the Buffyverse death isn't necessarily for ever...?
Note that when Buffy comes back from the dead they play the show's theme full blast. According to Joss the theme starts off like a conventional horror theme but then kicks into rock and roll thrash because it signifies that Buffy and co won't conform to the horror stereotype, they won't take it any more. So we have Buffy dying just as the prophecy says, like all the Slayers before her but she rebels and comes back. If you wanted to see a feminist subtext, she refuses to be the victim, to accept the gender role assigned to her. I don't know if Joss intended it but someone at The Bronze once pointed out that the Scoobies are actually the cliched victims you'd find in any horror film, the sexy blonde, the athletic hunk, the bitchy cheerleader, the hapless nerd, the wiseass jerk and the stuffy authority figure. But in Joss' show the victim's fight back and win.
Angel has a phone and Giles' know's his number.
Buffy actually says she feels stronger after Xander brings her back. She shouldn't of course, she should be weak as a kitten so maybe this is God's/the PTB's doing?
Now of course, at the end of this we see the characters walk off into the sunset and we have no idea if there will ever be a second season? If the series had stopped there it would have been a good ending and fondly remembered, we'd assume the Hellmouth was closed and that our characters would go on to lead fairly ordinary lives. Except for Angel, of course?
Couple of interesting lines. Xander says that if Willow is interested in Buffy she's playing it close to her chest. Cordy remarks that she doesn't know why she and Willow bother with boys and Willow agrees 'I hear you'
5/5 even with the stupid tentacles

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"What Can I Say? I Flunked The Written"

9.5

"Superb"

By bigbandtheory, Jul 17, 2011 Report Abuse

Watching the first season of the terrific 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer', Ive found the show progressing in my point of view. When I first started this show i was mainly focused on the title "Vampire Slayer", and I had a great feeling of disbelief that a show with "VAMPIRE SLAYER" in its title could have this excellent character devolupment a genious story and I surely never thought it would be THIS good. Reaching the episode "Angel" , I had no doubts that I would be with this show till the end. I cannot mention enough that Buffy is a show where the vampires play a secondary part on the story. This is a genious teen show that is only second in my favourite teen shows to the Amazingly brilliant Freaks and Geeks.
While I had severe problems with "The Pack";"Teachers Pet" and "I Robot... You Jane", "Angel;"Out of Sight,Out of Mind";"Nightmares" and "Profecy Girl" were more than enough to make me want (compulsively) continue.
This episode is the best out of season 1(which for me sufered for some of the actors;mainly Cordelia and Angel,and the very weak episodes I mentioned early) and for me, it gave a very strong "90s" feeling that made me wish I had surrendered to this show sooner.moreless

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Giles learns from an ancient prophecy that Buffy will die when she faces The Master, who is finally about to rise. I don't consider it to be the series classic that some do, but a reasonable finale to the (highly underrated) first season...moreless

8.5

"Great"

By Jay-Spacedust, May 21, 2011 Report Abuse

This review contains spoilers.

Watching and reviewing the first season of the terrific 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer', I've had a number of surprises when reading other people's reviews. Mainly because so many rank this season as if it's terrible whereas just about any BtVS is good BtVS (especially considering this was done on a much smaller budget, and surely isn't worse than the weak sixth season?!). Secondly because so many strong episodes people seem to dislike (and in a couple of cases, I dislike the few that people rate highly). And that trend kinda continues with this season finale sure, it's okay, it gets the job done, but I wouldn't necessarily rank it as the all-time classic that some reviewers do. There are far cleverer episodes in the first season, whereas this one for much of the time just kinda consisted of lots of running around and screaming.
(Oh, and please note, I'm not for a second knocking anyone else's point of view, just putting my own thoughts forward) =)

I do love the first season, for its perfect blend of comedy, drama and mild horror, and champion it against those who bash it. But I'll be the first to admit that one of the weaker points was the shakily-handled season arc regarding the whole Master thing. It never seemed to be developed all that clearly (he would often disappear without mention for a number of episodes), and the whole thing with the Rising was never that clear either; what, is it just that enough people have to be killed and turned into vampires to give him "the power" to rise again? Who knows. And that kinda reflects in this season finale. Yes, it's the much awaited showdown between the Master and Buffy, and don't get me wrong, it's very good, but there just feels to be so much regarding the whole Master plot that was never really filled in, making it maybe a little difficult to fully get behind the events seen here.
(As some have commented, this was only a 12-episode "half season"; if it was the more typical 22-episode season pattern that would have followed, no doubt the whole Master arc would have been much more developed and fleshed out.)

Anyway, to back up slightly, the episode starts off with Xander trying to be brave enough to ask Buffy to the upcoming prom. This kinda sowed the seeds for many of the more character-driven "emotional" stories that would follow in subsequent seasons. Likewise, when Buffy overhears the prophecy that she will die, we get a very "dramatic" Buffy scene. I know some love this scene; I'm not knocking Sarah Michelle Gellar's acting abilities for a moment, but to be honest, this kinda thing isn't really my cup of tea (how British of me!).

The scene where Willow and Cordelia find the room full of murdered (by vampires) students is very strong and quite unexpected, and is one of the most notable points of the episode.

The second half of the episode covers the final showdown between Buffy and the Master. As commented above, it's all done ably enough, but just didn't seem to me to be as sharp as some of the first season's clever offerings. That said, it's a reasonable enough season finale I love the shots of the vampires lumbering towards the school (even if it did kinda blur the line between vampire and zombie properties, as the show sometimes did) and leads to an exciting climax.
While I kinda try to review episodes for the "here and now", and not continually look further on into the series, later "apocalyptic season finales" would be done on a much grander scale. To remember is, that this was just the first season (heck, this episode was filmed before the first ep even aired, so they didn't know if it would catch on), so things were done on a much smaller budget. And with that in mind, the climax of this episode could have come off far worse.

The end of the episode wraps things up nicely with the Master defeated (and the library a wreck), all of the characters head off to the Bronze. As mentioned above, due to the first ep not even having aired when this was filmed, it was unknown if the series would be renewed, so this ending served to "tie everything up" in case it was the end. Thankfully, we were treated to six further seasons.

All-in-all, a fair season finale, it gets the job done (and heck, it's the only episode where the main theme plays during the course of the actual episode!), but it just didn't seem as sharp as many episodes of the era for me, and I don't rank it the series classic that some do. That said, it has its moments, and for that I still give it a fair 8.5.

---First season review---

Well, what can be said that hasn't already been said? 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' in many ways changed the face of US TV in the late 1990s, bringing in sharp dialogue, and emotional storylines mixed in with mild horror themes. Was it a comedy? Was it a drama? In truth, it was a bit of both. Soon, there were many imitators and wannabes, but for many of us, BtVS will always be the original and the best.

As mentioned in my review above, some people seem to knock the first season an awful lot. And I personally think it is unjust. Yes the whole Master story arc is handled rather sloppily (and both he and Angel are absent for a number of episodes), but that is made up for by some of the extremely creative storylines, and brought to life by a very able cast. (By the way, do I have a favourite cast member? Back when the series burst onto BBC Two in the U.K. in late 1998, I kinda fancied Willow, kinda wanted to be Xander, but in a way, was mostly drawn to Giles in terms of character and not just for the whole Brit connection thing).

But anyway, to return to my original point, sure this season doesn't have the wider-spanning storylines that later seasons would see, but it still has some terrific "stand alone" episodes. In fact while I know many will disagree with me in a way I did miss not getting so many of these stand alone tales in later seasons, in favour of the many more "advance the main season plot" instalments.

"Welcome to the Hellmouth" gets the series off to a flying start (broken up into two-parts, with the second titled "The Harvest" for repeat runs), after which comes one of my favourite episodes, the great (and underrated) "Witch". Other personal favourites include "Puppet Show", and in my opinion the best episode of the season is "Out of Sight, Out of Mind". Heck, I even liked "I Robot, You Jane" (which is infamously unpopular in the fan community), though it was let down by an embarrassingly bad final act.
Only "Nightmares" do I consider to be a dud episode from the season (ironically, some *love* this episode), as it feels to me to be a cheap, last-minute filler. A couple of other episodes (maybe "The Pack", for example) have signs that the series isn't on full form yet, but on the whole, just about every single episode has something to offer; If nothing else, some hilarious lines.

Whether you're a fan of the first season or not, I think it's hard to deny the creativity (especially considering the budget, much smaller than later seasons), the introduction to some great characters, and the often super-sharp scripts. Personally, I love the season... and can't wait to re-live the second season, which sees the show get even better.moreless

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Season 1, Episode 12.

10

"Perfect"

By Wanted23, May 20, 2011 Report Abuse

Giles discovers a prophecy which states that Buffy will face the Master and she will die. OMG, this was a dramatic episode and an amazing season finale. I liked all the drama when Xander asked Buffy to Spring Fling. Then he asked Willow. Aw I felt bad for all of them. Cordelia's boyfriend was smokin' hot though! Rawr! Wow! Buffy set the Master free by going down and facing the Master. She set him free by dying! I loved when Cordelia drove the car through the school. And YAY, Buffy died but she's back! I liked when Giles said, "What's going on?!" and Jenny yelled, "Guess!" Buffy finally defeated the Master! Awesome episode! Great season finale!moreless

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The climactice season finale!

10

"Perfect"

By Buffycharmgeek, May 20, 2011 Report Abuse

This is what could convert any person into a buffy fan in my opinion. the episode concludes the first season excelenting and provided suspense, drama humour and all the other elements needed to make a great show. If i were to choose an episode of buffy that was my favourite this would by mine the dynamics are brillaint the thrill of the hellmouths beat in the libary the shock at buffy's temporary death all make it brillaint to watch. apart from buffy (sarah michelle geller) looking very hot and buetifulin this episode the story sums up everything the show is about and gives all the characters a moment in this episode if i were to have done an ending for the show it wouldnt have stemmed much further from this plotline!moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
ADD TRIVIA
- The death of the Master is the first and only vampire death (in both Buffy and Angel) where bones were left afterwards. All other vampires have disolved completely into dust, including their clothes (except for a plot point ring). Edit
- While the earthquake is happening, Xander and Willow run under the stairs at The Bronze. While they get under, you can see Alyson put her hand on the stairs. While her hand is on them, you can see people running down and you can actually see someone step on Alyson's fingers and hear her give a little scream. Edit
- When Buffy tells Giles and Angel that she is retiring from her Slayer duties, she yanks her cross necklace from her neck and throws it to the floor. Judging by both the angle and the force she used to pull it, the chain would undoubtedly break. But when Buffy comes back to the library, she sees the necklace sitting on the table and fastens it around her neck with no problem. Edit
Notes
ADD NOTES
- According to the Watcher's Guide, Joss Whedon has stated that this is the episode where Willow "officially" grows up, after seeing the students slaughtered in the AV room. Edit
- Ironically enough for a show titled Buffy the Vampire Slayer, half of the first season episodes do not even have a vampire appear: Witch, The Pack (1x06), I Robot, You Jane (1x08), The Puppet Show (1x09), Nightmares (1x10) (only the Master and the Anointed One) and Out of Mind, Out of Sight (1x11) (not counting Angel). Many fans must have noticed this because many of the non vampire-centered season 2 and 3 episodes show Buffy at least at one point on patrol. Edit
- There are some striking similarities in this episode to the film version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Both Buffys must face a vampire king on prom night. Both girls wore a white dress with a leather jacket thrown over it. Interestingly, small screen Buffy is wearing Angel's leather jacket, and big screen Buffy is wearing love interest Pike's leather jacket. Edit
Quotes
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- Buffy: You have fruit punch mouth. Master: What? (She punches him) Edit
- Buffy: Giles, care? I'm putting my life on the line battling the undead. Look, I broke a nail, okay? I'm wearing a press-on. The least you could do is exhibit some casual interest. You could go "hmm". Edit
- Buffy: Xander, you're one of my best friends. You and Willow... Xander: Well, Willow's not looking to date you. Or if she is, she's playing it pretty close to the chest. Edit
Allusions
ADD ALLUSIONS
- Isaiah 11:6 In this episode, one of Ms. Calendar's on-line colleagues uses Isaiah 11:6 to describe this particular "End of Days" scenario, which Giles is kind enough to quote for us. Ironically, Isaiah 11 is a prophesy of the coming of the Messiah; one who will come to save the world, rather than destroy it. Edit
- The Master: Where are your jibes now? This may be a reference to the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare. In the play, when Hamlet finds the skull of the old court jester, Yorick, he speaks to it saying, "Where be your jibes now, your gambols, your songs, your flashes of merriment that were wont to set the table on a roar?" (Act V, Scene i) This may imply that The Master is speaking to Buffy as to one who is already dead (which, in a sense, she is). Edit
- Xander: Calm may work for Locutus of the Borg here, but I'm freaked out and I intend to stay that way. In the TV show Star Trek: The Next Generation, the Borg are a race of emotionless cyborgs who travel around the galaxy assimilating other races. A well known episode concerns Captain Picard being assimilated and becoming a Borg known as "Locutus." Edit