Best Buffy Moments: "Who's going to take care of us?"

Season 5, Episode 17: "Forever"
NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED.

[@ColleenCheung]

"I do these things because... If I stop, then she's really gone." That is the truest statement on grief I could ever possibly think of...

[@thebrandtub]

yeah it's an unforgettable moment in this show but well executed acting!!!!!PERIDO

[@erin_3569]

One of my best friend killed himself, last year. These feels so true

[@HeyMyLifeIsLibby]

Supernatural elements aside, this show was so real.

[@8605kittykat]

@@erin_3569 my brother killed himself in February 2019. The feelings Buffy talks about are so true. Your emotional metor gets tapped out sometimes and your just at a loss of what to feel.

[@paddy8582]

Exactly so true, I lost a friend to Suicide this year and I practically overloaded myself with work, going out, drinking, just to distract myself from what happened

[@Slingblade87]

How does Sarah Michelle Gellar not have an Emmy? HOW?

[@claudiamcdonald1406]

she does she won an Emmy for playing Kendall hart on all my children just not for Buffy unfortunately

[@CronoXpono]

They’d never give science fiction the king of reverence it deserves when deserved.

[@shellc]

She has a daytime Emmy but as someone said they are reluctant to give them to sci-fi/supernatural shows. The only Emmy's the show got was back in S2 for make up and soundtrack. Sarah did deserve more recognition but at the time i'm sure the show was seen as a cult rather than mainstream so it didn't get as much attention. She was also nominated for a GG in 02 but didn't get that either.

[@Whitneypyant]

She does have one but wasn’t for buffy.

[@rickymoranjr9609]

Slingblade87 same reason Nina Dobrev didn't get an Emmy for her performance in the Vampire Diaries.

[@terrenced7742]

I've always loved how they switch mentalities in this scene. Buffy knows the danger of trying to bring someone back, and also isn't acknowledging her feelings about Joyce. But as she finally lets it out, she can admit that she's scared of life without her and wants her mother back no matter the cost. Meanwhile, Dawn wanting Joyce back is rooted in her loneliness, but once she realizes she's not alone and that she and Buffy are in it together, she can finally let Joyce go and is the one to end the spell. This is just an amazing scene.

[@mineonlyedwardcullen]

I wish that she didn't "break" the spell:'(

[@sofacushion8153]

@@mineonlyedwardcullen But what if what came from the grave wasn’t.. like Joyce at all.

[@jackielehman8945]

@@mineonlyedwardcullen magic always has a price...

[@charlottehalsall5488]

I love this! I especially love the part at the end where she opens the door and truly finally stops, Joyce is gone. Then she breaks fully.

[@FadzaiSimango]

@@mineonlyedwardcullen Whatever was walking towards that house was definitely not the real Joyce. Have you ever heard of _Pet Sematary_ 👀? Besides, we know that, in this show, natural human deaths cannot be successfully reversed. Joyce died from normal, human, medical complications. Dawn would not have been able to resurrect her properly.

[@timmycakes001]

Sarah Michelle Gellar delivering one amazing performance after another. Severely underrated actress

[@vincentcushnahan5292]

💯

[@greenlee7smythe]

She’s the best!

[@VultureClone]

I always liked how they never showed Joyce here. It makes it more creepier not seeing her or knowing if she was normal or not. I think it's safe to say that she wasn't.

[@Sonya_Blade_1]

VultureClone I also think that Buffy would have trouble dealing with Joyce, a disastrous violent fight would take place with one ending up dead. Kind of like "The Body" scene with the naked vampire in the hospital.

[@HowCaseySeesIt]

VultureClone I never thought of it that way and now I'm creeped out

[@Xylarxcode]

It's based off a story called The Monkey's Paw. There are many similarities between the two, including the fact that they never reveal the resurrected person. Rather, they leave it up to the reader/viewer's imagination. It left a much stronger impact that way. Worked for the book, works for this episode.

[@ericgrosse2648]

That and she wasn't available to film for that ep

[@mineonlyedwardcullen]

I wish that they had changed it so stupid Dawn didn't "destroy" the picture"::@ :'((U) I want to see how Joyce looked like!And why didn't she say something?!She just knocked on the door!:O:'((U). 2

[@johnpalermo2422]

The acting in this scene was really 2nd to none. Buffy was an incredible series PERIOD.

[@rickymoranjr9609]

John Palermo don't forget the Vampire Diaries

[@dcgraca108]

Ricky Moran Jr Compared to Buffy, Vampire Diaries is Twilight. Buffy was way ahead of its time. TVD was just another Supernatural teen drama with no heart. Sure it had good moments, but none as good as Buffy

[@rickymoranjr9609]

dcgraca true but still both shows were good and had great acting

[@elmstreetnightmare1]

@@rickymoranjr9609 lmao you must be joking. How embarrassing

[@rickymoranjr9609]

@@elmstreetnightmare1 nope

[@dakvesser9588]

I love how when buffy is explaining stuff dawn's face sort of drops and she realises what buffy is saying.. such a good scene

[@spoc1989]

She was almost twenty years old when her mom died. Even if she's the Slayer. It's to much for a young person :(

[@dangerousvampiregirl]

Sooooo true! And poor Dawnie just 14 :(

[@SaraJohnstone91]

She was 20. Her birthday episode was right before this.

[@CrashQueen101]

I am 28, my mom just died 2 months ago. I cant do this.

[@defaultyorker6096]

Sorry to hear it. I can only imagine how hard it is, no matter how old you are. Hope you're doing OK.

[@heatherlouisesullivan8766]

So sorry to hear I was 24 it took a long time hope your ok

[@tf7621]

Oscar worthy. She's such an amazing actress. Gosh this scene is so heartbreaking

[@alwaysglistening]

I know, its gets me everytime. Def Oscar worthy, shes amazing.

[@ags5696]

It is not very often that Emmys, Oscars, and Grammys are given to those who actually deserve them.

[@alwaysglistening]

Very true.

[@EvanRockwell1]

tatiana f I agree that they should have won an award for this but Im assuming you mean Emmy.

[@antonioluis5974]

+Darnell Major Why dissappears Joyce?

[@justmyopinion1795]

oh the voice cracks...sarah michelle gellar is quite literally amazing....the way she says "whos gonna take care of us" it tears me apart cus she just plays buffy so broken and defeated and shows that even a strong warrior like buffy is vulnerable and in pain

[@benjaminwevera.k.azorexxtr389]

Paige Welburn women are stronger than men, that's what i've heard

[@benjaminwevera.k.azorexxtr389]

Ava Rodriguez i didn't say all men either. But Buffy is a powerful heroine and Wolverine powerful antihero, not to compare them but they are both strong

[@adamwatson2914]

The Joyce zombie is the scariest thing you never see in the series, it's a slight take on The Monkey's Paw.

[@torimatteson3248]

Adam Watson i agree.

[@thelegendofthem6120]

I had forgotten about that! So true!

[@mineonlyedwardcullen]

I wish that they had one episode about howi t would have been if Dawn hadn't "destroyed" the picture:'(

[@ldylkr]

@@mineonlyedwardcullen It's scarier and sadder not knowing. Joyce deserved peace in the end.

[@northernsupernova1]

she was totally fine, the spell worked. Same as when Buffy was ressurected a few months later

[@coreywarejko651]

I love how Buffy not crying when her mom died and at the funeral was addressed. She bottled everything up because she wanted to be strong for everyone and then it exploded right here. Most shows would have the characters cry and move on by the next episode. To me this felt more realistic this way.

[@kieramcgregor]

Not really, it’s always to make buffy look the strongest and the best and everyone around her the opposite. They all put her on such a high horse.

[@coreywarejko651]

@@kieramcgregor I guess we’ll agree to disagree. This felt natural to me and it was nice to see the emotions of Joyce’s death carry on for several episodes.

[@alejandremaylaa4647]

Well that's because Buffy don't want to show everybody her weakness since her mom died, so that's why she's not crying and all she's only showing a brave face or she's telling herself that, she's not going to cry, she's not going to cry something like that. But Dawn notice and think maybe Buffy don't care at all that their mom died and then she's not showing anything any feelings towards it. But deep inside Buffy it's killing her so that's why she keeps doing something just like her mom doing. And that's the one Dawn don't get it but Sarah's acting here is really one of a kind she's amazing and all. Her emotions and all it's so natural her crying wow!! She's the best ever I love Buffy ever that 😍😍😍💕💕💕💕

[@maxonite]

@@kieramcgregorNot crying during stages of grief doesnt really have anything to do with being strong

[@EBrown-cr1gr]

When my mom died, I broke down at her bedside. Then for the next 7 to 10 days straight through arrangements and the funeral service I basically did the same thing. It's a weird stage of grief where it's not real so you can actually focus on everything and everyone else. When they all went away and the service was over, it started setting in and that's the hardest of all

[@thomaswenn6049]

both actresses were amazing in this scene they bounced off each other so well and Dawn's reaction was reasonable

[@Nepthu]

Reasonable! It's one of the few times she was reasonable. I think one reason Buffy didn't break down earlier is because Dawn had the market on being melodramatic covered. It can be hard to show your emotions over a death when someone else is wailing the way Dawn does.

[@thomaswenn6049]

Yes and that just a part of Dawn's character really.

[@AliceInsanity]

Yeah, most of the series she was a selfish and annoying brat...

[@dangerousvampiregirl]

To this day i can't still understand such harsh criticism to Dawn. I really love her, even when she's "being melodramatic". She's super real to me, and has had a very difficult existence, not only because she's just energy xD (And that is a huuuuuge one - identity crisis elevated to the highest level). She's a teenager with her problems, has always been compaired to her sister (who has superpowers) and of course keeps so many secrets from her, their father left them when she was just a child, etc. I really get her. I love Michelle portrait as well, she plays Dawn delightfully. And of course i really love Buffy and Dawn relationship, it melts my heart, and this particular scene is so touching.

[@AliceInsanity]

I do agree that she had it tough but I always felt like she was letting her frustration out on Buffy. If she could have at least tried to get along with her and talk to her I would have been okay with it. Even as a teen with huge problems one should be able to emphasize with others and see that everyone has problems while with Dawn I felt that she was always stuck in her own little world. I mean, for example, why would she steal from the magic shop? It's not like she never had anyone who'd listen to her; she was friends with Willow and Tara and Xander but singled herself out quite often. So while her life is hard she is in no way innocent that some things went wrong and that her relationship with Buffy wasn't the best. Buffy's done so much for her (even though she also made mistakes and was sometimes too harsh due to her being overwhelmed by everything) that I would have at least wanted her to try to understand Buffy a little better.

[@aloevera3932]

I lost my mom when I was 15. When I was told that my mother died I acted similar to Buffy. An hour later after I learnt the news I sat at my table to do my homework. My aunt who came at that time said she was shocked to see me not crying but just sitting there working. After I finished homework I wanted to go to the art school I was attending and the only thing that stopped me was that i was afraid I would faint somewhere on the street. I continued going to school and took a day off only for the funeral. Everyone thought I was being too stoic but in fact I just thought that if I had stopped, just lied on my bed and cried, I'd have gone crazy. Because if you're busy then you don't have the time to think about your grief. So it makes it easier.

[@mjlopez5522]

i'm sorry to hear that. you're stronger than a lot of us. i don't think i don't know i would survive such loss.

[@ningyding]

15 too. I was exactly the same.

[@wave201988]

🙏🙏🙏🙏💔💔💔💔😢😢😢😢

[@drixcaster5169]

I'm sorry for your loss.😔 Everyone deals with their grief in their own way, and sometimes, we act so strange because we still don't know how to process the loss of a loved one. It's just...so hard to get through with it.💔

[@vimtocat1741]

It always pisses me off when people act like that. Like people don't always burst into tears on the spot, if there's one thing I've learned from experience it's that the stages of grief aren't really a step by step thing but a random cycle, you can be numb one moment and angry the next, it always takes time.

[@STARSTyranT]

Sarah again just proving no-one can do a better emotional breakdown than she can. It's absolutely heartbreaking to see Buffy so broken. Sarah is unbelievable. When she asks Dawn "Who's going to take care of us?" is honestly one of the hardest things you have to watch in the entire series.

[@ricstormwolf]

Damn. SMG has some serious acting chops. Her performances like this are just heartbreaking.

[@elizabethcrespo7225]

This is some of the best acting I have ever seen. So raw.

[@LegendTamerA]

I'm sorry, but this made me cry. My mom means so much to me.

[@dangerousvampiregirl]

Yes, so true. Both my mom and my sister, such a beautiful scene.

[@vincentm.7462]

Ashley H I cry every time I watch this. Sara Michelle is such a great actress, truly underrated

[@americanitalianisrael4008]

I wish Sarah M. Gellar would come back to the cinema. She is a great actress.

[@tibaazher2792]

Really she's and she still the best actress

[@geekista]

She tried. I loved the show Ringer

[@zyaravie911]

People hating on Dawn, you know Buffy's character wouldn't have such in depth emotional connection if it wasn't because of her little sister. We've seen her being a tough young slayer but it's amazing to also see her transforming gracefully into adulthood and somewhat motherhood as well. Both ladies are such amazing actresses and this scene has to be the best, strongest and most emotional ever. There's no way they could just read the script and act it out. They're natural talent!

[@hybridbutterfly3908]

Buffy had depth and emotional connection the whole series. It's what made her such an iconic character. She's always been a thoroughly explored multifaceted person.

[@cmm5542]

The courage Dawn showed in the end ripping up the picture to save Buffy, at the same moment accepting her mom was really gone after all she had done to try and get her back - it was the bravest and most unselfish act in the whole series. I CANNOT understand how anyone hates Dawn; she was an incredibly strong character and VERY mature for her age and circumstances. As a secondary school teacher, I would much rather have had Dawn in my class than Buffy.

[@tmage23]

They frequently wrote Dawn as a much younger character, almost infantilizing her at times. Not Michelle Trachtenberg's fault but some people can confuse the actor with the character.

[@zacmumblethunder7466]

​@tmage23 I akways took the childishness to be a sign that no matter what magic was used in creating her, she was emotionally much younger than her appearance.

[@ChaseSummers]

The acting from Sarah is so real, pure talent.

[@anatoldenevers237]

Chase Summers I love your username and profile picture

[@itsmeharperjacksons6633]

Dawn was so necessary to Buffy during this season. The scene was so beautifully heart wrenching

[@gretchenmejorada]

Sarah Michelle Gellar is the only actress that makes me cry everytime she has a crying scene! I've tried not to but tears just keep rolling! daaaammn!

[@atsangel777xd9]

it's good she ripped it. I loved it when buffy sunked it in and said mommy then dawn was the one to rip it so emotional

[@mineonlyedwardcullen]

what the HELL DO YOU THINK IS "GOOD" WITH THAT?!:@ THIS DESTROYED THE WHOLE EPISODE!I WANT TO SEE HOW JOYCE LOOKED LIKE!:'(AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY SHE SAID NOTHING,WHY SHE JUST KNOCKED!

[@mineonlyedwardcullen]

@@lonelykittycat what?!:S

[@Olivetree80]

@@mineonlyedwardcullen umm wtf

[@pokeylovescoffee5638]

@@mineonlyedwardcullen wtf

[@BabyBash23]

@@mineonlyedwardcullen u don't kno shit about drama u shouldn't even b watching a show this good sorry bro

[@skynetprime82]

damn good acting by both ladies, it felt so real to me

[@MAXKIDDO8888]

If there was any justice in this world Sarah Michelle Geller (just for this scene alone) she would have an Emmy statue for playing Buffy

[@hybridbutterfly3908]

She was nominated for the hat season for a Golden Globe but lost to Jennifer Garner for s1 of Alias.

[@fableSimmer]

When they embrace and fall to the floor crying, just sitting in the doorway: I’m a wreck every time.

[@ronaldsanfran]

I love the writing in this series. I totally get each side's perspective

[@valeriewinter6217]

I love the writing too, but I don't get Dawn's perspective. Simply because I can't relate to such an immature, self-absorbed, self-loving and egoistical person. Anyone with eyes would have seen Buffy was really hurting, only a person I described above wouldn't have.

[@1cheness]

Valerie Winter Because she was in pain too ? When you loose someone or you are in extrem pain, it's not easy to understand such obvious things. Remember when Buffy couldn't speak with Joyce's doctor and answear to his easy questions ? That was the same for Dawn who couldn't understand why Buffy didn't cried.

[@hybridbutterfly3908]

@@1cheness There's a difference between disassociating (Buffy) and blaming (Dawn) others.

[@kieramcgregor]

@@valeriewinter6217 ugh of course you can’t. Y’all hate anything and everyone that doesn’t kiss buffy’s ass 24/7 in the show

[@naimasophie]

​@@valeriewinter6217 Hurting yes but how much ? She never saw Buffy cry so of course you wonder if that death is THAT hurtful

[@jaydubbs8277]

Ill admit. As a fan i ddnt like dawns character on the show at all. HOWEVER, i LOVED how buffys character developed as a result of dawns presence on the show. It gave buffys more depth bc now you got to see her go from teen vampire slayer concerned abt boys to more of a motherly figure. And season 5 is def my second fav season after season 3.

[@michaelrauch8629]

Justin Webber agreed

[@alsmit4876]

Completely.agree

[@hybridbutterfly3908]

Concerned about boys and nightly patrols, MotW, full-time job for 3-4 months while renting her own apartment, averting apocalypses, etc.

[@brycel4692]

that was why they brought her. They knew that they were going to have joyce die (and giles leave) at some point and needed something to tie her to the "real " world.

[@SonyaKano]

This practically foreshadows Buffy's resurrection. People coming back wrong...How she was torn from Heaven.

[@sylviecharlois1165]

That episode, and all those about Joyce's death, rang so true. I know... I lost my mother when I was 29. And I so relate to Buffy and Dawn, I always break down in tears watching this. I have rarely seen my personal grief and heartache so well portrayed... The way Buffy says "Mommy" when she hears the knock on the door.... So heartbreakingly true...

[@rcslyman8929]

The entire death of Joyce arc was the biggest gut-punch in all of BTVS. Not to diminish others, like say Tara's death, but... there was someone to blame. Someone to kill. Some reason for it (like Angel's death) or a noble sacrifice (Spike's death... and Anya's for that matter). Or just someone to hate over it (Fred's death). Joyce? We had nothing. Grief. Mom's dead. For no real reason other than life is freaking cruel. The writing, the acting, all reflected that so damned perfectly. Right down to that cold, strong front of the person that feels they have to be the adult, to be the rock for everyone... while they are dying on the inside.

[@zlatkajupe]

I watched this show years ago. I didn't realize how great of a show it was till now. This scene alone, alone with Anya crying over Joyce, are such accurate representations of grief. How it effects everyone differently. Buffy is trying to keep it together, Dawn doesn't understand why she's emotionally cold. Anya not understanding how someone can be here one minute and gone the next. Very powerful scenes and superb acting.

[@z15503]

Wow. Shout-out to every one who has lost their mom.. I can't imagine the pain you have been in.. I'm so sorry. This scene shows the real life burdens older siblings must constantly bear when they become orphans. Reguardless of age.

[@Timburgess03..]

Frick, that gets me everytime when Buffy goes mommy and rushes to the door, and dawn rip the picture just to find Buffy to open the door and see nobody there so heartbreaking! 💔 I know a lot of people found Dawn to be annoying and a brat.. I will admit I even couldn't stand her but i realize now that Dawn was just a teenager than.. And as she grew up she mature into a strong woman like Buffy! These two wow this was absolutely a chilling moment! Loved every moment of it!

[@mineonlyedwardcullen]

I wish they could have let us seen how it would go if they Did so Joyce was Alive again😢😭💔 Stupid Dawn who broke something so it was "over'!:@ 😢 😭 💔 Stupid director!It could have been a so great episode!

[@ricardosanchez1276]

2 things 1) this scene was such a "Pet's cementery" reference 2) Sarah is the greatest and most sentimental main character EVER

[@josephmanno4514]

Actually, it goes back much farther than Pet Sematary, to "The Monkey's Paw."

[@CryWolf-sm9iw]

Dawn a wise man once said “sometimes dead is better”.

[@christineroby983]

SMG carried those show on her back! This girl can act

[@babypink7303]

The acting is incredible...😻

[@Lordsuhn]

Sarah Michelle Gellar is amazing!

[@StivenBonillaNY]

Incredible

[@benjaminwevera.k.azorexxtr389]

She's definitely most greatest actress of all time, same with Eliza Dushku, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Fairuza Balk

[@alsmit4876]

@@benjaminwevera.k.azorexxtr389 Alyson Hannigan too ! I prefer Eliza in Buffy than in Dollhouse she played Faith so well !

[@benjaminwevera.k.azorexxtr389]

@@alsmit4876 me too

[@pnwperidot]

My God Sarah absolutely broke my heart in this scene, what an underrated actress.

[@DanY-gx2dv]

Their crying at the end kills me.

[@biglenci]

it’s always so powerful when they show buffy being emotional. in every second of her life she has always been the protector. never allowing herself to be human. so when she finally breaks it makes the scene that much greater and you can only imagine how much emotion she has built up.

[@joshivy2331]

Buffy's face when the knocks at the door brings her back to her childhood of her mommy

[@Gayredheadbitch94]

I relate so much to Buffy in this scene its unreal "Who's going to take care of us" 2 years ago I lost by best friend, my role model, my anchor, My father After acting as his support and back up nurse when my mum was busy, he passed away from his long-term battle with Cancer. The day it happened I felt like I was broken inside, like I had lost a part of myself. Not just a parent. I miss him so much sometimes I feel like I'm broken and a part of me will never be fixed. But then I look at my sister and my mum, then I remember what my dad said "Work together, be a team". My mum is a single parent, aside from having her boyfriend now. She's lost the love of her life and father of her kids. Her soulmate. She broken inside and though the pain gets easier, she will never stop missing my dad. My sister is good at hiding her feelings much like myself. The only times she truly cries or shows how she feels is when she is under the influence. Her depression not helping much with that either. She's 20 now and the loss of dad never helped either of us, sometimes telling me how much she misses him. I'm the eldest but I've always been resilient, coming out of things stronger and learning from my mistakes. I never show how much I'm hurting. Willing to put the need of others before myself, because the most important thing to me is those I care about. My loved ones. Be they friends or family So I keep protecting my sister and mum, my friends and my family. They are my rock, my anchor. Without them I would be lost. At my worst and weakest moments they have been there for me. and I don't know what I would do without them

[@MossiLP]

You are not alone! I experienced nearly exact the same what you are writing. Except... i had a totally mental breakdown last year (8 years after the death of my mother) at that moment my head was realising that "everyone is okay" - meaning my dad and my brother are stable, and can continue without the urgent need of my help. At that exact moment I was falling so deep and it was a huge pain with therapy and stuff to come out of that. What I want to say: Take care of yourself, don't forget to think about you also. You are strong! Much Love! ♥

[@babygirllynn2264]

I love this scene it's my favorite Dawn moment because Buffy is always there for her taking care of her and always being strong but this time it's the other way around Dawn sees Buffy break down and realizes she's not alone in this and comforts Buffy like Buffy always did with her I love how Dawn and Buffy are holding each other at the end and Dawn is saying it's okay this time Dawn was the big sister for Buffy Sarah and Michelle are amazing in this scene

[@TomUK737]

SMG is one of the most underrated and (outside of Buffy) underused actresses. This scene was incredible, hope we get to see her in some good roles in the future

[@anatoldenevers237]

Tom yeah, Buffy just amazing, she's my second favorite female character ever, and probably top 5 or 6 overall

[@knightcrawls327]

Wow, after all these years this still makes me cry.

[@lesterwhite2088]

When I stop then she's really gone. The saddest line in history

[@mjlopez5522]

[@vincentm.7462]

Her voice crack breaks my heart I just wanna hug them both

[@CREN13Queen]

This scene is so damn good. Like Dawn finally realises that Buffy has been shouldering all of this in part to take care of her, and then when Buffy turns and says "Mommy" she's the one who needs someone to take care of her and that makes Dawn step up and do the right thing. I love it

[@conradschmidt251]

How comes it that she doesn't have an oscar yet? Her acting is amazing! This whole scene is so heartbreaking...

[@dangerousvampiregirl]

THEIR acting, i think both are superb in this scene.

[@conradschmidt251]

Michelle was okay. I think her acting is a lot weaker than Sarah's.

[@sebastianstolz9214]

Dark Angel because shes Not a Slut fucking Harvey weinstein 🤣😎

[@kalicunningham9139]

Two amazing actressesz powerful scene. They were both amazing. Michelle was such a good young actress here.

[@ExplorHits]

Back in the day I watched "The Body" episode over and over again, and in 2012 I lost my Mom in the exact same way Found her on the couch at night Since then I can't bring myself to watch that episode again

[@alwaysglistening]

Ohana awww im sorry :(

[@iprobablyforgotsomething]

I hope you are doing okay nowadays. That must've been terrible to not only lose her but to have it linked in your mind to a thing you previously enjoyed immersing yourself in for a bit of enjoyable escapism. I wish you wellness and healing.

[@anatoldenevers237]

O my god, I'm sorry about your mother

[@Neurodivergent-j1f]

I’m truly sorry you had to go through that. She’s in a better place, and she’s waiting for you when it’s your time.

[@aldoenniomarrali4024]

SMG is great. True, deep, expressive. She will always be the best and I'm sure she will back on the top.

[@Kiiddy]

I think Joyce's death was truly the most heartbreaking and difficult moment in Buffy history. What was so heartbreaking about all of this, is that Dawn thought and felt she was the only one suffering and that needed her mother back. She assumed Buffy's emotional strength was as strong as her slayer/physical strength. Once Buffy has confessed that she's been working to maintain their home, lives and from dealing with the loss of their mother, its Buffy's first moment to really open up fully and allow herself to mourn. This is where Dawn realises that she misunderstood her sister, that in-fact she is not alone with her emotions and doesn't need to go to these extreme and problematic lengths, as Buffy really is here, both emotionally and physically. This is where Dawn's overwhelming emotions are replaced with logic and she reverts the spell out of kindness towards her sister, saving her from seeing what most likely... would have been horrific to both see and experience. This is the part that's so heartbreaking, she puts her sister through everything Dawn went though in a coarse of days, in just a matter of minutes... leaving Buffy to lose her all over again at her doorstep. Understandably, we see Buffy collapse and give into the overwhelming emotions she had been suppressing and let them spill into their house and into Dawn's arms, something Buffy was trying and working so hard to avoid, only to protect Dawn and be strong for her. Ultimately, what Dawn did was cruel, but also kind. She created a scary and emotional predicament for her sister, but in doing so, she forced her to mourn her mother (something she needed to do) and then took her mother away from her again. In my opinion, this is where the show changed forever. The Buffyverse was tipped upside down when Joyce died, which makes perfect sense. When your parents are gone, your world, life and reality is never the same. You're filled with fear, uncertainty, doubt and anxiety. Buffy showed huge character development from this episode onwards. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was no longer a show about defeating monsters and demons, it was a show on defeating and surviving the fears and worries of adulthood without your parents, taking care of what they left behind for you and your siblings. Ensuring you keep yourself and the rest of your loved ones happy and alive. Something we all can relate to now, or hopefully... much, much later.

[@SquareInsider]

SMG was pulling up some truly deep emotions from somewhere real. Acting or not, she crossed the line into that eerie, uncanny valley, where you can't tell if it's acting or real.....even for a moment. Something only a few actors in the world can pull off. Yeah, I said it. Also, it is known that when she said "I FELT YOUR HEARTBEAT...." and looked up at Angel, in that amazing crossover episode of his show (where he becomes human again, for a day), her acting was so authentic that she really started crying and David accidently said "Sarah...." to comfort her, instead of Buffy. And they kept it in. Amazing.

[@SpyroCynderFan]

Hands down one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the entire show.

[@tommykelly3133]

The fact that this type of thing was explored in a fictional fantasy show, just makes it all that more powerful to watch incredible acting from SMG .

[@hagglemyivan]

"Mommy"!!!

[@gillysummerss]

When she said whose gonna take care of us i seriously almost lost it. That was so deep

[@JediWitness2]

This and many other Amazingly POWERFUL scenes with that always perfect and amazing music, incredible acting, scripting, directing is why this is listed as one of the top ten TV series in TV history and one of my personal top 3.. maybe even number one as I think about it. No show has had as many powerful moments, teaching moment that warns you about the dangers of dealing in witchcraft and the occult unlike books and movies like Harry Potter which does just the opposite.. especially season six where Willow goes off the deep and turns into Darth Willow showing how dangerous the dark side really is. This show has SO many teaching moments without being preachy and many have said in various comments how this show helped them get through many hard times in their lives because of the Deep lessons contained within it.. just fantastic. This show should be in syndication and on every day, I don't know why it's not.. have to look into it I think.

[@MegaScooter458]

god sarah michelle gellar is outstanding at emotional scenes. Every moment in this show that made me cry was from her acting making you feel it all too

[@alvarorivas9896]

For me, this clip has more sadness packed than the whole The Body episode. Bravo

[@xxhorror13]

I remember when I 1st saw this episode my heart dropped when you see the zombie Joyce's shadow walk past the window. Really scary

[@gemaclemente7556]

Sarah Michelle Gellar is such an amazing actress, her performance in this scene is sublime

[@alexanderkosnikov6475]

And some people still claim Sarah cannot act. :/ She was remarkable as Buffy. Always on point, selling everything she did.

[@BruceCruce]

she did some of the best acting ever seen on television in this series, her moms death scene is insanely good

[@cmm5542]

She was a GREAT actress. I don't actually like Buffy's character at all, but Sarah's acting skills were worth watching even when I couldn't stand the power-hungry message she was promoting by Season 7.

[@fredrickstrassburg4132]

Wow Sarah's slap was phenomenal

[@LucPicard-hnrstwyz]

I love how Sarah Michelle Gellar is expressing her feelings and when Sarah cries, I picture me comforting her, hugging her and wiping her tears.

[@satur9dreamer]

there are so many god damn great scenes in buffy. totally inspired nearly every other tv-show that came after it, regardless of genre.

[@Kabeyavictoria]

That scene scared the shit out of me back then

[@Tricker-the-licker]

Such a heartbreaking moment...... and still the best show ever.

[@bobgand4158]

its crazy to think buffy's only 20- ish here, burdened with bills, taking care of dawn dealing with the death of her mother and being a slayer. damn.

[@MeganAngel315]

Then having to deal with a break up, a demon god trying to kill her sister, having to quit school in order to raise her family. Like damn and her friends never once paid fucking rent when they lived in her house and didn't help with bills and why couldn't willow fix the damn pipes with magic for her.

[@cmm5542]

It's supposed to show real life at it's darkest, this show. Many more people live like that and deal with their own 'demons' every day than we can imagine. Even more so in past generations and less privileged parts of the world. Buffy is not alone.

[@dominiquemoore481]

Man buffy was soooo freaking iconic. Mannnn I miss the 90's early 2000. Lord they need to bring it back idc if it bombs.

[@Longhairedvato]

Man SMG definitely deserved an Emmy nomination for one of the two Joyce episodes.

[@Karlozmdz]

Omg i love buffy is my favorite tv show ever!!!!!!!

[@vincentm.7462]

This series was so dimly lit. Even day scenes seemed dark

[@nicelydone31]

i love how buffy after her rant, ran for mommy and dawn had the strength to tear the photo and make her zombie disappear. such a wonderful, emotional episodes (joyce death and funeral)

[@magick333]

if anyone ever dares say btvs isn't the best show ever in history I'll show him this episode.

[@michelvanderlinden8363]

When my... ex, formerly my fiancé, passed away, I felt helpless. I started doing a bunch of stuff, gathering pictures of her, trying to find old online accounts of her, old videos. I started talking to people, seeing if I could in some way help them with that sort of stuff. I felt incredibly useless, but I did so regardless. Talked to her mom, her sister, her (our) friends. For a couple of days, nonstop thinking about anything that she could have used during the nearly 10 years I knew her. It wasn't until later it kicked in; I did it because once I'd stop finding "old things" or finish finding them, I would never, ever find something new of her ever again, because she was gone. Thats when reality kicked in. As long as you're busy doing something, anything, after someone passes, it's like they're not really out of your life just yet. This episode was so immensely strong and powerful, and both actresses here nailed it in ways a lot of actors and actresses can only dream of.

[@naomichadwick4223]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Hang in there dude

[@iprobablyforgotsomething]

Never finding anything new again... That is a really accurate nutshell-description of a terribly sad circumstance. I'm sorry you went throught that. For me, it was remembering things my grandma regularly said / did and her support of me, that she would never do again, never offer to me again. I had to put the memories (and physical momentos) away, and still I rarely unpack them. It's like a star in the sky burned out. Sure, there are others, but *that one star* that you always looked to, that was a constant presence even when you weren't looking at it, is gone and never coming back. The sky may look the same to others, but there's a particular blank space in it that you know with certainty was once filled with light but is no longer.

[@ResidentScrub]

Buffy: who’s gonna take care of us Me: 😭 Buffy: Mommy Me: ☠️

[@Stefano4791]

Where’s the Oscar? Best scene ever.

[@LeslieLili]

This scene is for me the most sad of the show..for so many reasons. The music....the ambience in the house so dark...buffy and dawn are alone and broken....and we realize that Joyce....a Mother is really dead and will never come back....😔

[@Jonathan-rr1we]

There will never be a show like this again, not even close.

[@jackboone4747]

You know as I rewatch Buffy I now understand dawn was just being a kid, but she was too much at times and she could never shut up and listen.

[@cmm5542]

I find it surprising how many viewers mention how Dawn never shut up and listened, but no one ever points out that Buffy herself also never shut up and listened to anyone else if she didn't want to either. Spike was the only one who would call her out on her self-centredness, and she abused him for it. Is she supposed to be above normal human rules and civility and empathy just because she's a superhero? I don't like that about this show.

[@li528ify]

At least they have each other

[@ghostface6901]

She says mommy just like when she found Joyce on the couch. Excuse me while I go cry

[@alainaj7344]

This scene makes me cry everytime.. it's so emotional and it amazing how great their talent is.. this is a very beautiful scene

[@BalletBullet1]

I think Sarah would have gotten an Emmy if people took Buffy seriously and didn’t see it as some teen soap opera with vampires.

[@chrispeplinski7306]

buffy had a great moment realizing how important her mother was and having to fill the void joyce left.

[@nephtys369]

Buffy subconsciously holding back on that slap shows her love for her sister. Because a full strength one would have probably killed dawn.

[@Lee-zw5km]

This scene 😭

[@HP1818]

This conversation was a wake up call for Dawn. Finally seeing Buffy grieving and crumbling. She couldn’t allow her sister to go through losing their mother again, if she came back wrong.

[@aryastark575]

This scene scared the crap out of me. No show did creepy the way this show did. It was amazing.

[@tryforthesky2224]

How to take me from zero to weeping in 3 minutes.

[@kaeteegage4846]

It's heartbreaking because even though she's the slayer, has the most responsibilities and is suppose to be the "adult" she's still just a 19 year old girl who just lost her mom. I was 33 when my mom died and I felt like a little kid.

[@kurtbastelt]

i ALWAYS cry during this scene...

[@annashaw8219]

The sound of Sarah’s sobbing really got me 😭

[@paddy8582]

Seriously this show is a MASTERPIECE and SMG is just incredible- No other supernatural show will ever come close to being as good as this!! Apart from the original charmed 👏🏼

[@MEIAMDYLAN]

Agreed and I wonder if Shannen was helping her run lines during that time. Sarah and Shannen have been best friends for years… besties4life

[@rebeccaann5364]

Buffy said who is going to take care of us. I can so relate to that when ur parents die, u feel like a lost kid . I don't care how old ur are.