*BEST. EPISODE. EVER.* BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER 6x07 REACTION l Once More With Feeling

[@domie]

celebrating my birthday the only way i know how: posting my reaction to the BEST EPISODE EVER!!! so freaking excited to talk about this one :)

[@JuneJaneb4]

Happy Birthday! Wish you all the best things, good people around and achieve everything you want! 🎂🥳💖

[@fiddiehacked]

🎂 🌼 ❤ Looking forward to your next series reaction! Note; the phrase "where do we go from here" was previously uttered by Cordelia, about the same time Joss began outlining / composing BtVS 6.7. Drunken Cordy was about to sing karaoke together with Gunn & Wes - you know the scene.😊

[@melenatorr]

Happy Birthday, from fellow Libran, celebrating today!

[@CvSp22]

So hapoy birthday domi🎉🎊. You have to look up here on KZbin Rocky Horror Picture Show Amber Benson, Anthony Head (just type it in the search bar) . It's not long, so throw in a short reaction video to this, you won't regret it. Everything else about this episode will be told by others. The two funniest details are the teen magazine in Dawns room (I think it's Justin Timberlake on the cover) and Spikes really pi**ed eye rolling look, when he starts singing and slams the crypt door back in its frame😂 .

[@ephinyus]

I'm not sure why I always cry through this entire episode. I've seen it dozens of times, but I still always cry! Loved this reaction!

[@meganwalker4703]

"No trauma dumping right now Ma'am, we're singing". Oh you had no idea what was coming.

[@domie]

that….. i did not!

[@J_Mock92]

LMAO right! This is one of the saddest and happiest episodes at the same time, while being super camp as hell. It's beautiful. I laugh, cry, and introspect everytime I watch it. I listen to the soundtrack fairly often tbh, and I friggin love it lol. I also totally agree with the breakdown about Alyson Hannigan's acting. There's something about the way she holds her expressions/mannerisms sometimes that can make me burst into tears immediately... I wish she'd sang at least a little more this episode, but she was quite uncomfortable with it, so it is what it is I guess

[@Nicamon]

@@J_Mock92 "This is one of the saddest and happiest episodes at the same time, while being super camp as hell."Also the next one.

[@J_Mock92]

@@Nicamon apart from this episode, Tabula Rasa has always been my favorite! This is actually my favorite season, which I suppose is somewhat controversial amongst a lot of the fandom, but I love it lol

[@popeye697]

Every song in this episode is trauma filled 😂

[@enicole1203]

I literally camp on Buffy reaction channels for YEARS waiting for this episode, hoping it didn’t get spoiled and they are as delighted about it as we were. I'm so happy for you, you made it!

[@aoife08619]

Also waiting to troll the reactor about dawn and ben/glory. 😂

[@enicole1203]

@aoife08619 oh yeah that's the other fun one 🤣🤣

[@kerrychristensen7204]

😂

[@PromptCriticalJello]

The network gave up 8 minutes of commercials for this episode. Joss had to call the executives and tell them that he could not cut 8 minutes of dialogue out because there were only 12 minutes of dialogue total. They had so much confidence in the show, so much confidence that they could raise the rates on the other commercial time, that they gave up 8 minutes of commercials. That does not happen. BTW they made the right choice.

[@donsample1002]

@@PromptCriticalJello The network didn’t give up any commercial time. They took the time out of whatever program ran next. The original UPN airing ran for an hour and ten minutes. Subsequent UPN airings cut 8 minutes out of the show. (Canadian networks did run the full episode in a 1 hour time slot, even in reruns, because Canadian regulations allowed for fewer commercials. When running shows produced for American networks they’d fill the extra time with PSAs, and other non-commercial content.)

[@talesyuki]

The episde aired the cut version in my country... It took me many a year to finally watch the full version. Worth it.

[@xyex]

​@@talesyukiOof, my sympathies you missed the full thing for so long. I've seen the edited version on Comet and it's missing so much good content.

[@talesyuki]

@@xyex Thanks! I try to think of that in a positive way, like, "wow, even years after the show ended I had the rare opportunity to enjoy something new about it" haha Took me so long to see Spike on his knees for Buffy!!! xD

[@that.ll_do_pig]

​@@talesyuki🤯

[@kateorgera5907]

The demon was played by Hinton Battle, a 3-time Tony Award winner best known for The Wiz and the Dreamgirls movie. He sadly passed away earlier this year at 67.

[@melenatorr]

Giles was right, too: it is a dancing demon, specifically as played by the wonderful Hinton Battle, who passed away just this year. I also loved him. Note, too, that he is one of the very few demons who not only survives the encounter with the Scoobies, but who wins: he got entertainment, unleashed havoc, never had to lift a finger to fight, departed on his own steam and terms, and even got the last word.

[@Turalcar]

It is the second time I can recall the correct suspect was quickly identified and immediately dismissed (the other one was the lunch lady in Earshot).

[@rfresa]

I think the only other ones who even survive are Dracula and Kathy!

[@xyex]

Yeah, most don't survive their encounter with Buffy. I've noticed a lot of people think it's weird he just leaves, but I suspect he's on a time limit as part of the ritual that summons him. Hence the midnight deadline for taking Dawn. Time was up, or at least close enough, so he left.

[@jonaskoelker]

@@Turalcar > [the other was Earshot] (warning: mild spoiler for one episode, about four episodes down the line.) Ooh! The(/a) theme of Earshot was suicide. In Bargaining (6x1-6x2) Buffy contemplates suicide; in Gone (6x11) Buffy says it would bum her out if she died, i.e. she's no longer suicidal. So the themes match up.

[@arthurspils2565]

Honestly he's one of my favourite villains from the show, his win's deserved imo

[@stormwreath]

James, Tony and Amber have all had musical training and/or a singing career alongside acting. Emma and Michelle have dance training. Alyson begged Joss not to force her to sing. Michelle said she'd rather dance than sing). Sarah originally didn't want to sing either, but to let someone cover her vocals; but when she saw the script and realised how many revelations and plot twists there'd be in Buffy's songs, she decided she wanted to sing those words herself even if it meant weeks of intensive voice training to prepare for the show.

[@invadertifxiii]

facts

[@METerrell]

Later when they did the musical number "Suits" at the end of an episode of How I Met Your Mother, Allison kind of regretted not doing more in Once More With Feeling.

[@JoshuaMartian-go3tm]

Not to mention a lot of autotune for Sarah. 😁

[@bugsby4663]

@@JoshuaMartian-go3tm Is there any evidence for that?

[@not-that-Chris]

​@@JoshuaMartian-go3tmyes a citation to your claim would be great.

[@rebeccamitchell8133]

If you look up the Rocky Horror Anniversary show, you can see Tony and Amber. Tony actually played Frank on the stage in England. Whole new look for Giles!!

[@Cacjams]

In the final scene at the Bronze, pay attention to the colors of the clothes the characters are wearing. Buffy: Red Giles: Green (Opposites) Willow: Purple Tara: Yellow (Opposites) Xander: Orange Anya: Blue (Opposites) But Buffy and Spike are both wearing red tops and black leather coats.

[@erich.1355]

Beautiful observation

[@JustJames83]

Woah! All these years and I never noticed 👏🏽

[@blisscrimson4309]

Cool insight :) This is why I love watching reactions and reading through comments. All the bits I didn't notice or have info on, tend to come out, which is very satisfying.

[@cait6327]

I never realised the final scenes are in the bronze! Thank you! 🙏

[@thombruce]

@@cait6327 Same! Twenty-three years and this is news to me... I wonder if this is the only time we see the Bronze lit up like that.

[@crossfusion1233]

21:45 Because she wasn't paying attention to the people around her. She's to wrapped up in her own trauma. The VERY thing Giles was singing about. It's such a small detail but its so effective!

[@andydufresne5297]

26:18 Giles says "She needs backup!" Anya and Tara immediately stand behind Buffy as her _backup_ singers. Gotta love it. (Also, it's amazing how this musical actually advanced the season plot arc and wasn't just a one-off.)

[@isaytheenay5961]

An interesting thing about this episode. When buffy kicks the steel door off it's hinges, it confirms that Buffy's strength has increased over the seasons. This is the same door that in season 1 episode 2, she confirmed she was unable to break down, and was forced to come through another way. Now she kicks it off it's moorings, as if it's not even there. It's an open question as to whether all slayers increase in strength over time. But Buffy's definitely did.

[@ferrisulf]

I mean, it's got an upbeat feel, while literally being "Depression: The Musical" 😆

[@domie]

😂

[@xyex]

Juxtaposition is Joss's favorite narrative tool.

[@ten5h1]

It’s not just A musical episode. It’s THE musical episode. It’s the one that started them all.

[@dantheman8103]

Arguably not true. Xena did their musical episode 4 years earlier and Ally McBeal did one the year before Buffy. I think there might have been a couple more as well but before the Buffy musical those were the ones people thought about. There was also the infamous cop rock where every episode was a musical episode (although not a good one). Buffy's blew them all out of the water and is considered by almost everyone to be the definitive one, not trying to take away from that. But the often mentioned claim Buffy did it first is definitely revisionist history.

[@willw6504]

@@dantheman8103 Indeed. Don't get me wrong, the Xena one is fantastic as well, but Buffy landed better and remains the standard to compare everything against. And, to my mind, so far everything has come up short. Buffy combines good songs, a production making good use of both songs and choreography, and most importantly - the songs further the plot. That last one is where most musical episodes fall flat. Once More with Feeling is one of the biggest turning points this season and sets up all of the major plots for the rest of the season (if not the show as a whole).

[@WordsDarkerThanTheirWings]

​@willw6504 Xena is probably my second favorite show of all time with Biffy coming in third, so I want you to get my meaning when I say this episode is the only reason I like musicals to this day, and it's the only reason I can appreciate "The Bitter Suite" from Xena now. I watched "The Bitter Suite" before I ever watched "Once More, With Feeling", and it fell flat to my 16 year old brain. Once I watched OMWF and realized how truly awesome musicals were, I was able to actually understand and catch how pivotal TBS was to Xena like OMWF is to Buffy.

[@Xhalph]

There's an old rule of thumb for writing musical theatre: By default, people speak. When their emotions become too intense for speech, people burst into song. When emotions become too intense for singing, they burst into dance. When Sweet (the demon) is in town, there's an additional rule: When emotions become too intense for dancing, people burst into... flames.

[@domie]

love this!!! LOL

[@katpiercemusic]

Also songs fill various functions in musical theater. Most famously you get the I Want song (I just wanna feel alive). Giles solo during training kind of fits into the aria mold. They've stepped away from the action and he's expressing his inner thoughts and emotions. Buffy can't hear him BECAUSE they are actually his inner thoughts and emotions. The title song from Sunday in the Park with George is another great example of this where she literally has an out of body experience halfway through the song.

[@TheBehenaught]

Some episodes, we wait for the reactions because they're fun, hilarious, and wild. Some we wait for because they're soul crushing, heartbreaking, and push the story. And sometimes, just sometimes, it's both. 🤣🥰

[@domie]

😂😂😂❤

[@moviebuff2024-o6m]

Round of applause for the entire cast. Blows me away every. single. time.

[@J_Mock92]

The reprise that Giles and Tara duet with each other (I think it's called "Wish I Could Stay") is so beautiful, and makes me tear up everytime. I think Amber Benson has a rather lovely voice, and Anthony Stewart Head has some pretty major pipes, especially when he's really within his comfortable range. ❤

[@J_Mock92]

Also, I actually listen to the soundtrack quite often tbh, and I switch back and forth between "Walk Through the Fire" and "Life's a Show" being my favorite lol

[@ProfArmitage218]

There was a Rocky Horror anniversary special on TV a number of years ago that had both Anthony Stewart Head (who has played Frank on stage) and Amber Benson singing songs.

[@J_Mock92]

@@ProfArmitage218 ooh, I'll have to see if I can find it to watch somewhere!

[@Theomite]

ASH's brother is Murray Head. So the singing runs in the family.

[@alooncnej4696]

The best musical episode ever. So important for characters development

[@domie]

100%!!!

[@anthonyschroeder8776]

Never watched xena eh

[@PIAEmergence]

@@anthonyschroeder8776 I was just about to mention "The Bitter Suite" As far as I know, this was the first musical episode of a "modern" tv series. Then all sorts of shose started doing it.

[@anthonyschroeder8776]

@PIAEmergence and just as or perhaps even more plot focused then buffy.

[@JoshuaMartian-go3tm]

I HATE musicals ... but I gotta admit, I enjoyed this one. This and Sound of Music are the only two I will watch and sing along to. 😅

[@FulcanMal]

"Oh my god did it sing" is probably my favorite joke in all of Buffy.

[@Talisguy]

I adore that the show deliberately wastes the two most expensive and elaborate shots in the episode on scenes that absolutely do not need them. The big, show-stopping group number is given to a random extra singing about his dry cleaning as a cutaway gag, and the scene where Giles, Xander and Anya discuss what's going on must have been a real headache to stage and film, as a several minute long tracking shot where they wander past a musical number and two dance sequences. That's an insane amount of effort to go to for a few quick gags, and that makes them so much funnier.

[@grapeman63]

That scene also contains the best, most understated, verbal gag of the whole episode when Giles says that he got a look at the bodies while the police were collecting "witness arias".

[@donsample1002]

The “random extra” was Buffy writer David Fury, and the parking ticket lady was writer/executive producer Marti Noxon.

[@jspettifer]

Random extra being David Fury - writer and producer of Buffy/Angel and later Lost and 24 And the parking meter singing is Marti Noxon

[@terrystickland219]

It's known (and amply demonstrated elsewhere in the series) that Joss will go to insane lengths for the one-shot.

[@paulkennedy8701]

They also have a pair of fire engines drive through the back of a long-tracking shot, purely for the effect, but they have to hit their marks perfectly with "...let it burn!"

[@stephaniebarker472]

I’m not sure if anyone else commented on this, but “Once more, with feeling!” is a common saying in musical rehearsals. Meaning, we’ve practiced this same piece of music over and over, now let’s do it one more time and put some real feeling behind it, as you would when performing it for an audience.

[@dragonstryk7280]

Interestingly, this is the only demon that had the option to "take a go" at Xander, and didn't.

[@TigerNightmare]

Well god damn it, I gotta drop everything and watch this right now. It is like the Super Bowl of episodes.

[@domie]

YASSS!!!

[@lostmyshoe2294]

I know! Now I’m gonna be late for work 😊

[@rfresa]

This episode is the whole reason I watch reaction videos!

[@terrystickland219]

Absolutely. It's 1 in the morning here and I'm supposed to be giving a presentation first thing tomorrow, but this has just dropped and there is no 福king way I am not watching it right now.

[@terrystickland219]

ETA: totally worth it. I related so hard to Domi's reaction, I'm now feeling 100% vindicated and/or called out, depending on how you care to view it.

[@brenthatcher5748]

Imagine how those of us who watched this episode as it aired felt. Out of the blue, a freaking musical. Minds completely blown.😮

[@radlee974]

See, I watched every week way back then but I vaguely recall being incredibly excited for this episode because I knew it was a musical via ads and whatnot. Obviously we all had different experiences but now you’ve got me doubting myself. lol. I swear I remember being pumped for the Buffy musical episode that was about to air. 🤷🏼

[@brenthatcher5748]

@@radlee974 You're probably right. Maybe I just missed the ads for it, but it was a shock to me. A wonderful shock of course.😁

[@mwanush]

​@@radlee974i remember it the same way.

[@DanielOrme]

@@radlee974 Your memory is absolutely correct. The episode was very heavily advertised in advance and reported on by the entertainment media. Musical episodes were not a big thing before this, so it was a pretty big story. We were even warned that it would be longer than the usual 60 minutes so those who taped the show could properly set their VCR's (remember VCR's?)

[@JoshuaMartian-go3tm]

I hated it at first watch when it aired. It grew on me.

[@Sang-woo218]

Anya’s bunny rant is my favorite moment of the episode

[@rjenyawd]

"This isn't real... I just want to *feel." - as Buffy goes in for that kiss, is WILD.

[@noahrobin1941]

Small bit of trivia: when Tara finds the spell @21:49, it (or maybe just the plant?) is called “Lethe’s Bramble”. “Lethe” is Greek for “forgetfulness” and is, in Greek mythology, the name of one of the rivers in the underworld from which the souls of the dead drank to forget their time on earth.

[@ChibiHoshiDragon]

It is why the kiss in Superman 2 is dubbed by fandom the Kiss of Lethe.

[@ferrisulf]

The world lost the amazing Hinton Battle (Sweets the demon) earlier this year. The man was so talented.

[@METerrell]

He won three Tony Awards over his career on Broadway. The first was for Featured Actor in Sophisticated Ladies, the second for The Tap Dance Kid, and his third for Miss Saigon. He choreographed this episode.

[@Theomite]

I just found this out and now I'm pissed I went all year not knowing.

[@ericc8705]

Yes... Tara is singing about EXACTLY what you think she's singing about while she's on the bed with Willow at the end of her love-song to Willow. In fact there's been interviews with Joss Whedon where he was honestly surprised that the network let him get away with that

[@PromptCriticalJello]

The dirtiest line he ever wrote.

[@terrystickland219]

His dvd commentary on this is excellent (paraphrasing here from memory, so caveats aplenty): "So, this is... pornography, and nothing I can say here is going to change your mind about that".

[@shadout]

The thing about that part of the song is that you couldn't be more implicit without changing the im rated to ex rated.

[@xyex]

​@@terrystickland219You know, I have the DVDs and I've never watched the commentary.... Well, I know what I'm doing after my October scary movie marathon is over.

[@seanstirling2685]

​@@PromptCriticalJello the line is you make me complete. How's that dirty?

[@neils123]

Regarding Giles' song and Buffy not hearing it - note that the two of them were running at different speeds during that number. So they're not really interacting during that time. Giles is singing, yes, but his song is really happening at the speed of his own thoughts. Meanwhile, Buffy is focused on the physical. It's like they're out of sync with each other in that moment. So I don't think she was lying about not hearing him - if she heard him at all it was just an incomprehensible buzz to her.

[@kurtsnyder4752]

Exactly like in their lives.

[@PromptCriticalJello]

Joss grabbed several musical tropes for this show. The whole episode is driven by the idea that the feelings are so strong the people just burst into song. There's the musical dialogue. Where people are talking in music. I've Got A Theory and I'll Never Tell are those types of songs. The external monologue. Where a person is letting their feelings out and everyone around them can hear it. Rest In Peace is that type of song. The internal monologue. Where a person is expressing their feelings but no one around them acknowledges it. Standing is an example of that.

[@WSK9002]

Fun facts about this episode, the Choreography was done by Adam Shankman and Anne Fletcher affectionately known as Mama, the two choreographed the 2007 version of "Hairspray" which Shankman also directed. After this episode was produced Sarah Geller and Adam Shankman developed a close bond, so close in fact, Shankman officiated Gellar and Freddie Prinze Junior's wedding in 2002.

[@danwiesdamageinc]

9:01 David Fury 14:30 Marti Noxon

[@angelawheatley4569]

"Going through the motions" is definitely my favourite. As someone who has been struggling with major depression for a long time, it really resonates with me.

[@JacopoBasanisi]

There are a million technical reasons for this episode to be the best, from the lyrics to the choreographies, but what got me was the extremely dark tone. It was basically a season finale for all those plot twists

[@dustyb58]

22:59 That exposition by the mask face guy when we're expecting another song is one of THE funniest things I think I've ever seen. It's so simple and stupid and brilliant.

[@jpsykes2011]

When it comes to TV shows having a musical episode BTVS set the bar. This bar is still yet to be met. The fact that this episode is not only SO much fun and clever, it is also not a 'throwaway" episode and it both tackles and moves forward the characters and story. My personal best episode of television ever.

[@NostalgiaBrit]

*Fun Fact:* If you ignore the conversation that Giles, Anya & Xander are having (with the background dancing window-cleaners, right after their _'I’ll Never Tell'_ book number), and instead listen _very_ carefully to the lady singing to the Traffic Warden, after she goes offscreen she actually continues her song, singing _"hey I’m not wearing underwear,"_ in a clear attempt to get out of getting a ticket! 😄

[@thombruce]

It's a lot clearer on the soundtrack for the episode. Still got the CD somewhere... Played that through till I knew every song by heart.

[@Madbandit77]

We call Traffic Wardens Traffic Cops here in the US. The lady is played by Marti Noxon, who was a staff writer/executive producer.

[@bigdream_dreambig]

Regarding Dawn, remember that was singing when she opened her box of "illicit goods." Her song got cut short when she was kidnapped, but she still began it with questions about if anyone noticed or cared about her, so I think it's reasonable to think that this feeling may be at the rood of her acquisitive behavior. (I remember once, when I was in a bad mental place, I crawled under my desk and stayed there for a bit. Sure, part of it was giving into the impulse to retreat from the world, but it was also a cry for help, with part of me hoping someone would care about me enough to notice and reach out.)

[@qianahill515]

It was so satisfying watching your face go from "I dunno about this..." to increasingly more and more obsessed. 🤣 Please don't worry. You are not alone. This episode really IS everything.

[@domie]

haha absolutely!!!

[@killianlpc]

Domi the fact that you got to this point witn only being slightly spoiled for this episode is amazing in itself. A lot of shows that do musical episodes never get it right, and it offers very little to the plot. This however is the exception. Not only is this an innovative episode in term of plot and foreshadowing, it's a damn good 'musical'. The songs are really good and well structured, and just work so well in the episode. There is also great comedy in the episode with the lyrics. Of course the massive reveal for the group is Buffy telling them she was dragged out of Heaven, Spike already knew this of course, and then Dawn repeats to Buffy 'the hardest thing in this world is to live in it' the exact words Buffy said to Dawn in The Gift S5 Finale. Spike getting fed up with singing is very funny towards the end, but what an ending when Buffy follows him. It was brilliantly done, and now with Buffy and Spike kissing, the whole direction of the show takes a strange turn with some brilliant, but disturbing episodes to follow. Love the reaction again. This really was a brilliant episode, Lorne from Angel would have loved this.

[@lionlyons]

Kudos to Nicholas Brendon and Emma Caulfield (neither of them have any experience - you can hear it - singing) killing the hardest song in the episode.

[@surrywilliams9115]

must be tuesday was night buffy came on easter egg

[@SweenyTodd98]

I'm dying at your facial expressions during the first number. Absolutely glorious!

[@domie]

thank you!! haha

[@stpetie7686]

Another great episode. Perhaps the best. Having watched the show completely through 8 or 9 times, Each time I see this episode I appreciate it even more. it just gets better and better.

[@benmason9755]

Domi: "I'm not worried about Xander and Anya." Oh dear, you sweet summer child ...

[@wfow1448]

I'm pretty sure he was the only demon on the show to actually defeat the entire Scooby Gang.

[@erikohman2294]

Aaaaaaa! I have been falling down an entierly different rabbit hole and honestly havent watched any kind of Buffy things for so long. Like.. Over a year. But this! Oh my goodness. Welcome to something truly amazing. I think my fav is "Ive got a theory". Amazing!

[@johncox7169]

Giles leaving was also setting up for his spin-off series "Ripper" (which sadly never came to be.)

[@alanbeaumont4848]

It was mostly so he didn't miss out on his children growing up.

[@davidedwards1705]

15:23 Take a moment to remember James Marsters is in a Band: "Ghost of the Robot." 27:24 The Look of Absolute HORROR on Willow's Face as she realizes what SHE did. Beautiful.

[@johncox7169]

Many TV series have done musical episodes, but I have always felt that Buffy did it the best.

[@domie]

absolutely must agree!

[@tomleonard830]

I agree, however I do have two contenders - Scrubs - "My Musical" and Batman: The Brave and the Bold - "The Mayhem of the Music Meister".

[@FeathermayPMVf2s0d1w5ds]

In my opinion this is the most important episode of this season. All the secrets came out. Also yes willow didn't like singing

[@ronfehr7899]

Giles thought his theory about a dancing demon wasn't right, when that's exactly what it was.

[@PromptCriticalJello]

A Tony Award winning demon. 😀

[@edwardthorne9875]

Possibly the best episode of the best program to ever be on TV. I saw it when it first aired, and ranted to myself for 40 minutes for 40 minutes afterwards! That first song, about Depression is so honest. And it took three years (!) to build up to the that final kiss. Great reaction brought tears to the eyes of this 70 year old man. (As of 3 days ago - Happy Birthday!)

[@moviebuff2024-o6m]

Aly really didn't want to sing, but also she had laryngitis so only sang a few lines.

[@stephaniebarker472]

Over an hour of content? Domi, you spoil us. I love that you knew there was a musical episode and yet you were still totally unprepared…as we all were at the time! Great reaction. Your love of this show and these characters shines through and you are a joy to watch❤

[@seanmcmurphy4744]

According to the DVD Hannigan asked Whedon not to give her a musical number, she was not confident about her voice

[@Philbert-s2c]

She was right.

[@trevor3013]

She regretted it though when she saw how it ended up right?

[@notoriouslybratty]

She was like ‘if only I knew about auto tune 😂 But the under your spell number was suppose to be a duet.

[@tomleonard830]

I think Michelle was kind of iffy about being asked to sing as well. But she was more than happy enough to dance.

[@jp3813]

A couple misconceptions among fans regarding this episode: 1.) "This is the first musical episode that actually advances storylines rather than being done just for fun." Xena Warrior Princess premiered The Bitter Suite in early 1998, which mends the very broken relationship between the two lead characters. 2.) "Everyone's secrets were revealed to other characters through songs." Only Buffy's, Xander's, & Anya's secrets were revealed musically. Dawn tells Tara about the former's argument w/ Willow, Giles' & Dawn's secrets remain intact, and Spike's secret was already revealed in the previous season.

[@eddiejravannen]

Lady with the parking ticket. Her last line was, "I'm not wearing underwear..."😂

[@tananario23]

That’s Marti Noxon.

[@notoriouslybratty]

I am still waiting for a reactor to catch that 😂

[@migmit]

@@notoriouslybrattyIt's not in the series, but it is in the official soundtrack.

[@notoriouslybratty]

@@migmit you can hear it faintly in the background when it aired and on my dvd box set. I know because while I missed it (said very faintly), my brother heard it immediately when I showed it to him back in the day. Just checked the Disney+ version and while quieter than I remember, it is still in there. Super faint though, I don’t blame people for missing it now.

[@alanbeaumont4848]

@@migmit You can hear it, it's amongst the background noise. Also the broom dancers in the background are also the vamps and the victim from the opening graveyard scene.

[@dneill8493]

Ahhh The episode where Xander causes someone to burn to death with no consequences.

[@iteachlit]

I’ve always wondered. Dawn’s reaction is so sketchy; are we sure she didn’t actually do it? 🤔

[@dneill8493]

@@iteachlit Maybe Xander took the blame for her but I think her reaction was like that just so everyone would think it was her

[@laurarico1200]

They started singing before Dawn took the amulet from the Magic Box. So, no, she didn’t

[@Dunybrook]

Several somones most likely. Puts a different spin on what haopens between him and Anya later on.

[@transientanus]

Bro, come on. Andrew is 100% a musical theater kid 😂😂😂

[@pdoll96]

You’re such a fan girl for this series-and I’m here for it

[@EliaAliceRaven]

I watched Buffy for the first time in 2015. I'm not kidding when I say I put this episode (yes, not even the soundtrack, THE ACTUAL EPISODE) on a loop as my life's background for MONTHS afterwards. YOU'RE NOT ALONE WITH THE OBSESSION !!

[@tomleonard830]

This was my first episode of Buffy. I heard there was going to be a musical, so I watched it. Then I went back and watched the rest in syndicated reruns while continuing on with season 6.

[@katlamb7627]

Yay you watched to the end! The musical grrr argh at the end is my favorite. 😊

[@abbesatty9498]

I like how the last verse from "were We Go From Here" was about the upcoming Buffy & Spike kiss

[@tomleonard830]

"The curtains close on a kiss, God knows."

[@willw6504]

@@tomleonard830 You can tell the end is near. (nothing to say - just wanted to finish the line).

[@CarefulWithThatAx]

The one-two punch of this and Tabula Rasa is gut-wrenching.

[@The-Underbaker]

"Is there going to be no dialogue at all this episode?" Oh you're in for a treat. lol Belated birthday wishes!

[@bigdream_dreambig]

With Giles, we have to remember that recently most of what he's been seeing is "dead to the world" Buffy, so it's understandable for him to have been thinking that maybe supporting her too much has been enabling her to shut herself off. Now that he knows what was really driving her mood, though, I would hope that his opinion would turn around and he would see that she needs him as much as ever.

[@rogerlie4176]

There is a lengthy bts video from OMWF posted here on KZbin. I'm sure you would enjoy it.

[@afasico9669]

This is the first video of yours I've seen. I was watching you getting so hyped even before they started singing, and I thought "This girl is going to burst with this episode. Self combust" It was a great reaction and it's a pleasure seeing people enjoying this show so many years later.

[@JuneJaneb4]

I like the way the song that Spike and Buffy sing together sounds. I like how they sing different words but do it at the same time because the meaning is similar. And how closer to the kiss she sings and then he joins in, I like how it sounds and how together they stop at 'feel' and kiss. It was well done and it looks different from all their episodes, like a standout episode, which it is.

[@Dunybrook]

Sweet might be my favorite demon from this show but several people did die. Buffy was severely depressed and possiby suicidal. Giles was picking up on that and thinks his leaving might shake her out of it. It was so much fun just watching you react to this.

[@NessOnett8]

Allyson Hannigan didn't want to sing because she wasn't a confident singer, so they didn't give her a dedicated song. Michelle Trachtenberg also didn't want to sing but had professional training as a ballet dancer, so they made her number a dance number instead. And SMG originally wanted to have someone dub for her, but after seeing the script thought she owed it to the fans for such pivotal revelations to be coming from her own voice. At least that's what I've been told.

[@dave29123]

11:25 remember, this was 2001...on a major tv network, not cable.

[@jrose0812]

Omg the Spotify intro 😂😂😂

[@domie]

🫣

[@marcuserickson4488]

Omfg first. Love ya Domi e. Hope u didn’t lose my book. I was the one who sent u that book about Buffy. It used to be in background in old location. Can’t wait to watch this 👋😊❤️😘👸

[@joshberninger8355]

Alyson Hannigan has a fear of singing publicly. She begged Joss to not have any solos or big numbers and preferably to not sing. Think her own sort of sing like is “I think this lines mostly filler”. Incidentally in season 1, during the nightmares episode her nightmare is about performing on stage in front of a crowd as well.

[@karppiboy]

The lenght of this video gets me excited

[@domie]

yay!! it was too hard to keep it under an hour so i just gave up haha

[@tomleonard830]

I forgot just how witty Joss' writing is. "I think this line's mostly filler." "She needs backup."

[@ernesthakey3396]

I loved that the dead guy after the credits sang his grrrr, aaargh!

[@transientanus]

So in the lead up to this on network TV, we would see previews for the musical that showed the actors in the sound booths; it was fantastic. Also you should ABSOLUTELY check out Amber Benson(Tara) and Anthony Head(Giles) in Rocky Horror Picture show.

[@NelsonVlog66]

The actor who played Sweet also played the Scarecrow in "The Wiz" on stage during the early 1970's. He passed away a couple of years ago.

[@Madbandit77]

@@NelsonVlog66 It was this year Hinton Battle passed away.

[@russellward4624]

Get chills everything I see Buffy kick in that door.

[@bigdream_dreambig]

0:40 So you're saying you've got a theory. (Or three.) 😉

[@maggiemm8867]

😂😂😂 love this

[@MrBanankartong]

I clicked on this so fast!!

[@domie]

yay!! thank you!!

[@melenatorr]

Hannigan didn't feel comfortable singing, so she didn't get a solo. She did sing a filler line, though!

[@HistoritorJimaldus]

And one line near the start: ‘I’ve got a theory, some kid is dreaming, and we’re all stuck inside his wacky broadway nightmare’

[@melenatorr]

@@HistoritorJimaldus Absolutely!

[@hkaayaakuu]

Happy Birthday Domi

[@domie]

thank you!!!

[@JoeLion55]

“Why couldn’t Buffy hear Giles? Was she ignoring him?” The entire episode was just toying with and riffing on tropes that are used in musicals. When character start singing, if other characters on stage can hear what other characters are singing, etc., don’t take any of that too seriously or literally or try to figure out what the “in-universe rules” are. The only rule that matters is: do whatever serves the artistic vision and advances the plot and gets the point across that the writers want to convey. Sometimes one character sings to another instead of speaking a monologue (Spike to Buffy). Sometimes one character sings to express his emotions, while another character continues about their normal activities unaware (Giles and Buffy). Sometimes characters speak to each other in a duet (Anya and Xander), and sometimes characters have a duet in the same room but are unaware of each other (Giles and Tara). Sometimes it’s an ensemble number where they’re all singing in harmony, and sometimes it’s an ensemble number where they are bouncing off of each other. All of this happens in typical musicals, so Joss was just playing with those ideas and having fun with them

[@paulkennedy8701]

I think you may have meant Giles and Tara rather than Giles and Anya.

[@hedinsee6830]

The real question is who the hell spoiled the fact that it is the musical episode.

[@domie]

no one from youtube- i’ve known about this ep since before i started reacting to buffy!

[@mrwhyt]

oh good you're watching the full length one, not the cut down for re-runs version. to add to triva : mustard man was writer David Fury and parking ticket lady was writer Marti Noxon

[@themediater]

I agree about this demon seeming fun, on a body count level he's pretty low even. I wanna see him and Lorne have a little duet as well or just comment on the rest of the characters dumb decisions and wacky lives.

[@joeslater2390]

The monster of the week is another Broadway king

[@samsonau8205]

If you buy the CD, you'll hear some of the songs just done by Joss and his wife accompanied by a piano. Joss had these songs figured out and written long before they shot the episode.

[@thomasbeauchamp3781]

RIP Hinton Battle!

[@Julia68yt]

11:00 After 20 years I just noticed that's basically the choreografie of "Wuthering Heights" 😂

[@trevellyann]

RIP Hinton Battle, 3 time Tony Award winning actor who played Sweet, the demon.

[@tedkord1968]

This is the episode I feel in love with Amber Benson. Her voice was amazing, and she looked so beautiful.

[@ryanclark6402]

1:03:46 No love for the mustard?!? As I posted elsewhere the other day, as a sound engineer I’ll admit to having bellowed “They got the mustard out!” more than once on stage while testing mics. That line was always intended to be entirely random, and it’s a hoot and a half if even one person on the crew has any idea what you’re referencing. 😂

[@grumpy_older_man]

I hardly ever see mention of these (immaturely humorous, but still hilarious) lyrics sung by Xander... You're the cutest of the scoobies/ with your lips as red as rubies/ And your firm yet supple tight embrace/

[@abbesatty9498]

I can bring whole cities to ruin, And still have time to get a soft-shoe in. -- Somethin's cookin', I'm at the griddle, I bought Nero his very first fiddle!