This is just fabulous. Such a meaningful, emotional and tense episode. It reveals more than any other what it means to be the Doctor. I love the coda where they visit the elderly Latimer. And the Doctors sad, angry vengeance on the family. Just magnificent. 10/10 Tennant is great in this. As are Freema and Jessica Hynes

Someone vulnerable experiencing coercive control , is usually isolated from friends, glad Buffy has reach out at last

I guess I've seen enough Doctor Who to instantly recognize the whole scene at 9:30 was some localized time jumping/fluctuation. And with the white hole scene in Red Dwarf.

Man, this is such an uncomfortable episode to watch, but that's the point, isn't it? This is the episode where the Trio go from comedy relief villains, to properly vile. As for Buffy and Spike, you could fill a text book with their toxic relationship. That scene in the Bronze is probably the most disturbing scene in the entire show. Spot on analysis as always, Jules.

Slowly watching the show and wow I can't with the body horror :( it's too gross. Does it get any better Jules? Or does the intensity stay about the same? I love the characters but it can be hard to stomach for me. Love the reactions❤️

Watching Tara and Buffy at the end there and can't help remembering you shouting "She's a demon!" about Tara when she sabotaged the "finding demons" spell right back in S4. She was never part demon but is a whole angel!

I love this show....

Buffy atop Spike, hitting him while calling him all the things he his, which is what she believes herself to be is very reminiscent of Faith atop Buffy in season 4, where Faith was beating her face, projecting all the things she hates about herself. I’m so glad you caught it! And in-keeping with their dynamic as mirror images of each other (Buffy with love and support, family and making all the righteous decisions in life vs Faith with no-one, alone and making the bad decisions in life) both arrive at a crisis in their lives where they each fight a vampire they have a grudge against, crying their hearts out while stating everything about themselves that they hate. An ensouled Buffy beats a soulless Spike, stating that he (and she) is disgusting, soulless and cannot feel anything. And she begs Tara to not forgive her. A damaged-souled Faith beats an ensouled Angel, stating he (and she) are bad, evil, and don’t know what evil is. And she begs Angel to kill her.

“It’s wrong. _I’m_ wrong. Tell me that I’m wrong, _please!_ […] _please_ don’t forgive me!” - Buffy. “I’m evil! I’m _bad!_ I’m _evil!_ Do you hear me? I’m _bad!_ […] Angel _please_ just do it. Just kill me…” - Faith

The reason the trio are such an uncomfortable reveal as bad guys is because its been a central theme of the show that people are basically good and monsters are basically bad. The central theme of this arc is that no monster is required for people to be monsters to other people - vampires and demons are almost cartoonish in the face of himans decising to do teally bad things to other humans. And Spike's arc is the inverse - sometimes the 'monsters' are capable of being better than what they are made to be .

In some ways the darkest episode of the series.

I get why people are uneased about this episode... I mean, you are supposed to be... That's the point. But I saw down there a comment of someone being infuriated that this episode could have been aired on TV. I didn't answer it cause I thought what I have to say might interest other people than just the author of that comment. Personnally, I think it's a very good thing that fictions portraying people doing things like the Trio here were widely diffused was a good thing, and possibly that they should have been more of those. It's not like they portrayed it as something good. It was, from the beginning, shown as something bad. What people doesn't seem to realize/remember, is that mentalities have changed A LOT in the past 20 years. I grew as teenager in the 90's, and it wasn't uncommon to hear other guys telling very sexist jokes, and laugh along. And it was kinda ingrained in my young male brain that "as long as a girl say 'yes', then it's not a r4pe". I was exactly like Jonathan when Catrina yells their truth at them. Though I perceived that what the Trio was doing was bad, I couldn't have pinpointed it without Catrina throwing the 'r' word. And though I hadn't touched a woman beforehand, I admit that if the situation would had presented it to me, I would totally have taken advantage of a drunk/drugged girl (though I dare to think I wouldn't have made her in that state myself). Since that episode (and a few other fictions I could have read/watched around that time period), I like to think that I wouldn't anymore. This episode was an eye-opener for me. And I hope it was also for other men. At least, I like to think that it made me a better person.

I agree. This is a rough episode. In a completely different way than most of the others, like "The Body". This is very much Buffy's internal battle. That & having how dangerous The Trio is being hammered home. Particularly chilling in that, magic aside, what they're doing are things that people have actual done. Of course, the show uses magic as a metaphor for drugs & in that sense it's spot on. Lovely reaction, as always!! See you for Angel! ❤🧡💛💚💙💜

Where is Giles? We need him.

Brilliant reaction. This show was definitely ahead of its time in showing the dangers of incels like the Trio.

Hello, Jules. 💜 A very grim, dark episode here today. Some excellent scenes, especially between Buffy and Tara - emotionally wrought, with some fine acting by both. 🥰 Just as you finish your wish for Buffy to have some alone time, the show goes against your wishes. I realize, as a couple of commentators keep posting, over, and over again, that Spike is a vampire, and therefore "evil", but his bit, at 7:57, is like a betrayal to what he seems to have been trying to achieve for a number of episodes now. Going away from the idea that there is more to him than vampire, he instead just dumps it and tries to convince Buffy that she is almost worse than him because she is denying her inherent evilness. Your later point, that Spike loves Buffy, is true, from Spike's point of view, is well taken, and I agree. It may not match a casual observer's standards, but from his own point of view, it's true and sincere. 🙌 Some of the dialogue and actions in this one also seems very familiar - Spike and Buffy, outside the police station - he "took care of it", the math problem - so many saved versus one mistake - seems like lines taken from back when Faith killed the - who was it - the Mayor's assistant? accidentally, and tried to cover it up by taking care of it - dumping the body in some water someplace. Then, subsequently telling Giles, Buffy did it, as Warren, Jonathan, and the other dude, try to foist the blame on Buffy here. 🤔 And, too, as you mention - at 23:36 - where you recall and compare, the fight with Spike, to the fight between body swapped Faith and Buffy. Which takes it out of the foreshadowing category, straight into cut and paste. 🤭 Yes, Buffy made the right choice by talking to Tara - who is the closest to an adult, and the only non shallow entity amongst Buffy's circle., offering help and an ear, as opposed to empty platitudes. Warren, "the other guy", and Jonathon, aren't big bads, just evil - Warren by being a serial, Jonathan by remaining weak and easily forced, and the other guy simply by becoming a Warren toady. Something very appropriate needs to happen to each of them. One thing which struck me as I watched this today, which, I imagine, many Whedon Fanaticals will disagree, something reviled becomes beloved in a future Whedon offering. Have a very fine Saturday, Jules 💜🤗💜- It's going out or takeaway Saturday for you, It was Laundro and takeaway for me tonight, So I hope you enjoy your day, the same, or more, than I did. Be Well. 😊

I am so upset about the end, it’s tragic af and I hate it but I love it at the same time

This episode is just…ick. Bad vibes. Sad vibes. And it really just brings you down. I absolutely love season 6, but the themes of depression and addiction get so dark. It can be hard to watch at times. If it helps, season 7 has some lighter moments so it’s something to look forward to.

" Are you drowning or waving, I just want you to save me" 🎶🎶

Buffy didn't come back wrong. There are plenty of girls that sleep with bad boys, or guys they don't much care for, or general deuchebags. It's been happening for a long time and will continue to happen.

I love how you can remember the name of the random security guard Rusty, but not Andrew 😂

Buffy's ferocious self-judgement is a well-established part of her character. Way back in Season 2's I Only Have Eyes For You she identifies herself with Ghost James and so refuses to offer him any forgiveness because she can't forgive herself. Even after experiencing forgiveness via ghost proxy and hearing Giles' wise words ("To forgive is an act of compassion, Buffy. It's not done because people deserve it, it's done because they need it.") she still says she still can't understand why James was forgiven. When she has to send Angel to hell, her guilt is so great she has to run away. When she finds her mother's body, she tortures herself with the idea that she could have done something to save her. When Dawn is taken by Glory, just the memory of having a momentary thought of giving up and letting Dawn die is enough to hurl her into catatonia. So it's no surprise that she ends this episode by begging to NOT be forgiven. Thank goodness for Tara, whose soulful warmth and understanding (the things Spike, who does love Buffy, can't give her) are the only things that can balance Buffy's despair.

👍

The most evil villain is one with a soul. Ultimate irony, a staple of the Buffyverse.

Nope, just US Government electronics workmanship (workmanchip?)

Welcome to the darkest episode of Buffy yet. It’s good, though, with the themes it brings up. But it’s not very enjoyable. This whole season is quite dark. Some people really don’t like it. I do, though.

Turning dark again. Now poor Buffy thinks she came back wrong. She doesn't have her mother. She has to care for Dawn, make a living and save the world. I'm surprised Joyce made enough at the gallery to handle all the day to day expenses. Dad should still be paying child support and yes they should have sold the house and downsized. The boys are bad. Warren is a creep. Spike is evil but he is also unfortunately an idiot. He took care of the body indeed. Now Im no fan of Spike but he does love people though not generally in a healthy way. He loved Drusilla and I believe he loves Buffy. Poor buffy looking for people not to make allowances for her because she is the slayer. Looking for a moral compass.

SMG is such a good actress!

31 pages left in the book of Buffy and I'll say what many of us feel. When we watched this series when it first aired we all wish Juliette was with us. I'm not trying to make her a senior like myself, but she is the perfect partner.

This episode made Tara my favourite character. The warmth and non-judgment she shows Buffy is so beautiful. I first saw this episode while I was going through a depression and related to Buffy begging for a simple explanation for why she was feeling and acting the way she was, and seeing Tara just hold her and accept her was so comforting to me. Even today I always feel just a little bit better when Tara is on screen, like I can feel my shoulders drop and my blood pressure lower.

I think the way the three nerdy boys progress from being silly and funny to being horrible and dangerous is very much part of the point of the story of this Season. Warren is the worst - I think that moment when Katrina accuses them all of rape is such a good scene - the other two have never realised it in that way until then. And Tara's scenes with Buffy in this episode, along with her scenes with Dawn earlier, even though she had broken up with Willow. Well, Tara really is the sweetest and kindest main character in the Buffy universe. This episode is tough, but so good.

Season 6 has its fair share of good and...less good episodes, but its definitely a tough watch at some points. And this is for sure one of the tough ones. Good performances from the main cast but its still icky

If you have ever lost anyone to violence, you know that part of the grief is that it wasn't part of some grand evil plan. It usually happens because someone was stupid, careless and thoughtless.

You, like Buffy, like the rest of us fell into the trap. Not taking The Trio seriously, and this episode changes everything. It suddenly takes a turn for the serious and the power dynamic of The Trio has shifted. The double punch of having the R-word thrown in his face and then Warren taking things too far was a huge wake up call for Johnathan. All he ever wanted was to just belong and have friends. It's why he gets along with Andrew more than Warren, because Andrew feels the same. However, Andrew unlike Johnathan is intrigued and thrilled by the idea of getting away with murder instead of being horrified by it. Warren is a complete sociopath. The Trio is no longer the comedy relief but actual villains willing and capable of causing real harm. They are now dangerous.

🙌🙌👏👏👋👋✨✨🌟🌟⭐⭐🌠🌠🌠🌠

Hey Juliette, guess the truck what? I made a new video! Title Rollin With The Butcher Sqaud

This episode is dark and scary. Perhaps the scariest thing of all is the absence of Giles. Things felt much more safe when he was around.

It’s not unrelatable. Sure her particular circumstances of being ripped from heaven isn’t something most people have experienced. But what she’s going through-the depression and self hatred-people experience that all the time. I find season six the most relatable season to my own experience. I was first diagnosed with depression in my adolescence and four decades later, I’m still struggling. Periods of my life has felt like hell on Earth. It’s a terrible existence.

Jules: How do they expect a slayer to live, to feed themself, to clothe themself? Faith: Want, Take, Have!

How PAINFUL this episode is is part of why I love it so much. Season 6 of definitively my favorite episode. People have said that it is externally the most depressing season, and the most boring season (because it doesn't contain the level of overarching Big Bad that other seasons do). This season's focus is more on Evil That Lives Inside Of People; which I think is infinitely more interesting. ❤ I always appreciate a strong r*ape call-out; ESPECIALLY getting it in early. I feel like this is Joss whedon's way of perquisite that he doesn't approve of g*rape 🙃

Geeks stuck in arrested development fanboy land who won’t grow up and who are truly dangerous and skanky...

❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍

So I enjoy Spike the character most of the time up to around this point and the actor is obviously very charming and likeable but to me Season 6 does start to feel like the Buffy and Spike show. It coincides with starting to feel like there are less cool demons and such as well with the villains being the three nerds. I really like how Tara reacts to the stuff at the end of this episode, she'd be a great friend to have in a crisis. Buffy breaking down is so heartbreaking.

Like you said, the scene when Buffy is puching Spike is similar to the one with Faith, but if you'll notice, also Spike's behaviour mirrors Faith's: he thinks he can just dispose of the body and that solves the problem, and he can't understand why Buffy won't accept that. He also uses Faith's arguments, if Buffy has saved so many people, one dead girl doesn't matter. I think a lot of that makes Buffy feel so bad about being with him. She's never believed things are that way, and she can't just let go of her values, otherwise, she really would be "wrong" I feel so bad for Kathrina. She's not even getting justice. And I do have to question the coroner. How does he rule it a suicide when she was hit in the back of the head?

You really shouldn't like this. Buffy is damaged and Spike is a manipulator. He is taking advantage of Buffy while she's in this messed up state