Ted

Season 2, Episode 11, Aired

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8.2
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Buffy has parental issues when Joyce comes home with a boyfriend, the computer expert and master chef Ted, whose charming personality impresses everyone. Everyone except Buffy that is, who is not at all willing to give her mother up to someone new. Even Willow and Xander seem to love him, and Buffy must find a way to prove that her fears about Ted are something more than simple jealousy.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (28)

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  • (Hi, have you met...?) Ted

    6.0
    "Fair"
    By joxerlives, Jan 19, 2012
    A prize for whoever can get that joke

    The Good;
    Really the more Joyce in an episode the better it is. She was originally due to be a very minor character as in the movie but the cast and crew all fell in love with Joyce/Kristine Sutherland and the writers kept giving her more and more to do. She's excellent here, the pained scenes between Buffy and Joyce are wonderful in their awkwardness (note Joyce just tells the police that Ted fell, still trying to protect her daughter, it's Buffy who admits she fought with him). Full marks also to John Ritter playing essentially an evil version of his character from 8 Simple Rules. Great scene where Buffy plays nurse to Angel (which she also enjoys doing later with Riley and season 7 Spike and later fantasises about doing so in uniform in the comics). Buffy taking out some frustrations on a very unfortunate vamp (Giles still accompanies her sometimes) plus Giles and Jenny beginning to get back together. Cordy's miniskirt and knee boots are smashing. Lovely scene between Buffy and Joyce at the end although not the best they'll ever have.

    The Bad;
    Labours a bit in the middle and the robot makeup is a bit dodgy (although if it's 50s technology maybe it should be crude?)

    Best line;
    Giles; "I believe the subtext here is rapidly becoming a text" (one of my great favourites which I use often) plus "DO let's bring that up as often as possible" when Cordy remarks on the Eyghon affair. Also great;
    Cordy; "Buffy's a superhero, shouldn't there be different rules for her?"
    Willow; "Sure in a facist society"
    Cordy; "Yeah, why can't we have one of those?" (Wait until 'Shiny happy people')

    Questions and observations;
    Willow and Xander discuss The Captain and Tennile. Quite weird as their last big hit was in 1980 and that would have been before they were born. More the sort of talk a bunch of 30 year old scriptwriters would have. Xander suggests Buffy play 'the naughty stewardess' which is probably the one outfit SMG hasn't worn for a men's magazine. Giles becomes the 3rd Scooby to be shot, Buffy and Joyce knocked out. How exactly does Willow analyse Ted's cookies using a microscope?
    Ted's creator, like Willow, Daryll Epps and ultimately Warren seems to be a recipient of the Hellmouth energy genius. No Oz. Buffy's antipathy to Ted actually seems pretty unreasonable although did any child of a divorce ever not want their parents to get back together? (I always think of the hair dye ad where the two little girls tell their dad that he'd be a great catch for someone, in real life you just know that if their mother was still alive they'd want him to get back with her and if she was dead they'd want to keep him for themselves).
    Big question, what did Dawn make of Ted? Did she like him as Joyce did or did she share Buffy's hatred? Due to her comments in 'I was made to love you' I think probably the latter. Surely being only 16 Buffy should have a solicitor or at very least an adult with her when the police talk to her? Shouldn't Joyce contact Hank and tell him what's going on? Ted threatens to put Buffy in a mental institution which she was in before (and if 'Normal Again' is to be believed remains in until she regains her sanity again at the end of 'Chosen'). Slayer healing is referenced for the first time, Buffy telling the detective that she doesn't bruise easily. Just as Buffy is repeatedly saved by her fashion sense Cordy discovers Ted's secret lair due to her sense of interior decoration (which we see again later in 'Rm w/a vu')
    All told 6/10, a standalone ep that's ok in itself, it's strengths largely lying in the dialogue. The series increasingly relying on the relationships between the characters rather than the demon of the week, no bad thing.
    moreless

  • Mom's got a boyfriend and there's gonna be trouble! *possible spoilers*

    8.5
    "Great"
    By whenIpray2U, Apr 06, 2011
    First off, I thought this episode was really good. It's like STEPFORD HUSBANDS. The initial tension with Buffy and Ted as her mother's new boyfriend was predictable, but not unbelievable. The viewers and Buffy can tell right from the beginning that there's something just not right with Ted. He's a little . . . too perfect. And everyone seems to like him a little too much.

    I really felt for Buffy. I thought they played out the emotions really well. I could relate, believe, and feel for her dilemma; when her mom won't believe her but she knows Ted's a creep, and when she thinks she killed a human man. Ted really plays an evil creep well. And honestly, I was not expecting the ending at all. I liked it, though I could see how some people might not.

    All in all, though not contributing to the vampire storyline whatsoever, it was still a thoroughly enjoyable filler.moreless

  • Ted

    8.5
    "Great"
    By TrueTvWatcher, Oct 13, 2010
    Ted was another great episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This episode was more of a character building episode. It had a little action, definitely some drama, and a few good laughs as usual. I enjoyed watching how this story played out, as it was hard to figure Ted out at first. There were subtle clues along the way of unraveling the mystery, which turned out to be quite disturbing! This episode also saw the reconnection between Ms. Calendar and Giles. This is also the first episode where Cordelia seems to really hang out with "The Scooby Gang". It was also interesting to see Buffy dealing with this issue, as many kids and viewers have been in the same place. This episode shows just how relatable this show is to its viewers.moreless

  • Season 2, Episode 11.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Wanted23, Apr 16, 2009
    Joyce meets a man named Ted, whom everybody but Buffy likes. After he goes through the things in her bedroom, including her diary, Buffy becomes infuriated. She tries to take her things back and Ted smacks her, causing Buffy to kick him down the hallway and down the stairs. Joyce checks and he has no pulse, making Buffy a murderer. However, Ted isn't really dead.

    This is one of my favorite episodes so far. I liked seeing John Ritter in a non-comedic role. I liked that Buffy was also a murderer and the tole it took on her. Plus, Jenny shooting Giles with the crossbow was awesome. Excellent episode. :)moreless

  • "That's right little lady, you killed me." - Ted

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Loony-Boo, Apr 15, 2009
    Gee, John Ritter is scary! I loved this episode, my favourite episode of season 2. Joyce has got a boyfriend, something has got to be wrong there. Joyce gets a new boyfriend, Ted, who seems really nice and even I liked him even though I knew something was wrong with him. Then he threatened Buffy at the Miniature Golf Course and I thought he was going to be a demon or a vampire (mostly a demon.)

    Then he hit Buffy and, good for her, she fought back and supposedly killed him. I felt so sorry for Buffy knowing that she didn't do anything wrong and everyone thinks she has. I loved the scene were Ms. Calender accidentaly shoots Giles with the crossbow, even though I shouldn't have, I laughed. Then Ted came back, dunno how, and had another fight with Buffy. Buffy was getting beaten and even stabbing him in the arm didn't work, it just showed a bunch of wires and other gizmos. I feared for Joyce when he went atfer her and then knocking her out. But I don't think a dainty push like that would have knocked someone out unless Joyce had a very high pain threshold.

    I thought that Ted keeping his girlfriends in his basement until they die is really sick. And the wierd thing is, that's what sick people do in the world. All in all I loved this episode and will probably be watching it over and over again!moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • TRIVIA (6)

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    • In "When She Was Bad" Xander suggests playing miniature golf, but Willow reminds him there is no miniature golf course in Sunnydale. But in this episode, the gang heads out for an evening of mini golf. This seems an awfully short period of time for an entire miniature golf course to be built, up to code, and ready for customers. Additionally, Xander seems very familiar with the "5-par cuckoo clock," as if he'd tried it many times before.

    • The white shirt Joyce is wearing in the picture on Ted's desk is the same white shirt that she wears at the dinner table in the next shot.

    • In the classroom where Giles talks with Ms. Calendar, there's Hebrew writing on the blackboard behind him, saying: "Everyone's smart, everyone's wise!", "Torolet", and "Michael Greg Saint Jones".

    • When Ted gets up from his work station, he marks the board for his 25th sale. But as Buffy skulks her way to investigate his cube, the mark on the board is gone and he's back at 24 sales.

    • The way Xander holds his flashlight when they are searching Ted's place changes from shot to shot. It also changes from being off before he opens the closet, to on when he opens the closet.

    • When Ted hit Buffy the first time, it looks like he hits her on the left side of her face. But when the Detective asks her where Ted hit her, she points to the right side of her face.

  • QUOTES (21)

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    • Angel: Loneliness is about the scariest thing there is.

    • Giles: Whatever the authorities have planned for her, it can't be much worse than what she's doing to herself. She's taken a human life. The guilt, it's... it's pretty hard to bear. It won't go away soon. Cordelia: I guess you should know, since you helped raise that demon that killed that guy that time. Giles: Yes, lets bring that up as often as possible.

    • Buffy: (about Ted) I just have so much to deal with, I don't need some new guy in my life. Angel: Well, maybe your mom does. Buffy: Well sure, if you're gonna use wisdom.

    • Joyce: (about Ted) He redid my entire system at the gallery, freed up a lot of my time. Buffy: To meet new people. And smooch them in my kitchen.

    • Xander: Oh my god. Come on! Willow: Where are you going? We need to find some evidence. Xander: We found it. Willow: Why? What was in the closet? Xander: His last four wives.

    • Cordelia: (about Buffy) But she's like this Superman. Shouldn't there be different rules for her? Willow: Sure, in a fascist society. Cordelia: Right! Why can't we have one of those?

    • Xander: Hey, Cordy! Nice outfit. Cordelia: Oh, very funny. Xander: Not really. Cordelia: What are you saying? Xander: Nice outfit? Cordelia: Well, why don't you just keep your mouth shut?

    • Xander: You wanna go to the utility closet to make out? Cordelia: God, is that all you ever think about? (pause) Okay.

    • Xander: Willow, are you the best human ever. I adore you. Well, that's the cookies talking, but you rock!

    • Ted: So, Buffy, I bet the boys are lined up around the block tryin' to get a date with you. Buffy: Not really. Willow: Oh, they are, but she's only interested in... uh, her studies! 'Book-cracker Buffy', it's kind of her nickname.

    • Buffy: You died. Ted: That's right, little lady, you killed me. Do we have something to say about that? Are we sorry?

    • Buffy: Angel's sources say the contract's off. Xander: How is Angel? Pretend I care.

    • Buffy: Fine, fine, I'll give Ted a chance. I'll play mini-golf, and I'll smile and curtsy and be the dutiful daughter. Do I have to like him? Angel: Kiss me. Buffy: Finally, something I want to do.

    • Buffy: Willow, tell me you didn't keep any parts. Willow: Not any big ones. Buffy: Oh, Will, you're supposed to use your powers for good. Willow: I just want to learn stuff. Cordelia: Like how to build your own serial killer? Xander: It's so hard to rent one nowadays.

    • Ted: Buffy, how about a nice game of Parcheesi?

    • Xander: Can you say "overreaction?" Buffy: Can you say "sucking chest wound?"

    • Buffy: So far, all I see is someone who apparently has a good job, seems nice and polite, and my mother really likes him. Xander: What kind of a monster is he?! Buffy: I'm just saying there's something a little too clean about this clown. Willow: He's a clean clown! I... have my own fun.

    • Xander: Who was the real power, The Captain or Tennille? Buffy: Um, who are these people? Xander: The Captain & Tennille? Boy, somebody was raised in a culture-free environment. Buffy: I was just... Willow: Thinking? Buffy: No, not thinking. Having a lot of happy non-thoughts.

    • Buffy: So mom's like, "Do you think Ted will like this?" and "This is Ted's favorite show," and "Ted's teaching me computers," and "Ted said the funniest thing," and I'm like, "That's really great, Mom," and then she said I was being sarcastic, which I was, but I'm sorry if I don't wanna talk about Ted all the time. Angel: So, you gonna talk about something else at some point?

    • Xander: You're having parental issues, you're having parental issues... Willow: Xander... Xander: What? Freud would've said the exact same thing. Except he might not have done that little dance.

    • Buffy: Vampires are creeps. Giles: Yes, that's why one slays them. Buffy: I mean, people are perfectly happy getting along, and then vampires come, and they run around and they kill people, and they take over your whole house, they start making these stupid little mini-pizzas, and everyone's like, "I like your mini pizzas," but I'm telling you, I am— Giles: Uh, Buffy! I believe the subtext here is rapidly becoming, uh... text.

  • NOTES (5)

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  • ALLUSIONS (11)

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    • Cordelia: I don't get it. Buffy's the Slayer, shouldn't she have-- Xander: What, a license to kill? "A license to kill" is a popular phrase originating from the James Bond novels and films. 007, an agent of the British Secret Intelligence Service, has an official sanction to use deadly force when necessary.

    • Buffy: I guess we're Thelma & Louise-ing it again. The 1991 movie, Thelma & Louise, is the ultimate female buddy-flick. The film focuses almost entirely on the strong relationship between the women and is a good choice considering the no men, no romance requirement (though both appear in minor roles).

    • Ted: How about a nice game of Parcheesi? Parcheesi is an ancient game from India. In modern America it is available as a board game from Milton Bradley.

    • Giles: The advantages of layers of tweed. It's better than Kevlar. Kevlar is the material which is used to make bullet proof vests. While Giles is joking with his comment, he is probably correct. Kevlar works well in protecting against bullets but not against knives or crossbow bolts.

    • Xander: So either our boy was a Mormon... In context, Xander is referring to the fact that Ted had (at least) four wives. The Mormons are a religious group which previously allowed members to take several wives, though they have now stopped the practice.

    • Cordelia: But she's like this Superman. Superman is the crime fighting super hero of comic books, movies and television.

    • Xander: I mean we are talking creature feature here, right? Xander inquires about the nature of Ted by comparing him to the horror movie monsters. These movie are sometimes called creature features after the monsters in them.

    • Salesman: Back to the salt mines. Digging in a salt mine is an image often associated with slave labor.

    • Buffy: Like Stepford. Buffy references the 1975 film, The Stepford Wives, in which a group of suburban housewives are nothing more than brainwashed drones.

    • Xander: I think maybe we're in Sigmund Freud territory. Xander posits that Buffy's problems with Ted are psychological by invoking the name of the Father of Psychotherapy, Sigmund Freud.

    • Xander: Who was the real power, the Captain or Tennille? The Captain and Tennille were a 1970's singing duo who also had a television show. Since the show was on in 1976-77, Xander must have seen the re-runs.

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