BEST GUEST STARS!!! - Buffy the Vampire Slayer Reaction - 7x10 - Bring on the Night

[@nathanielbacon2661]

I'd argue it was absolutely necessary for Spike to attack Buffy in a horrifying way. He didn't have a soul and that WAS the point. He could never stop being a monster until he got it back and she was dangerously trusting him (the way we were as an audience). It's the same thing as Angel and Angelus. He isn't responsible for his actions in the same way. The soul is what makes him capable of true empathy and also guilt.

[@ndestructible1659]

Joyce has not aged since season 1. Kristine Sutherland was at the reunion they had years after the show ended, and she still looked ageless and beautiful.

[@miriam8376]

Well, she is a woman who knows how to moisturize.

[@HopelessHermit]

..... vampire?

[@ndestructible1659]

@@HopelessHermit I'm starting to wonder.

[@godmagnus]

She looked the same in Honey I Shrunk the Kids

[@KT-iy9vc]

I think the whole point of the bathroom scene was that it DID make sense. He was evil. He was still the "I'm going to find Dru and torture her until she loves me again" guy. After the bathroom he realized yes I'm still a monster and I need to get that soul back to not be a monster.

[@grife3000]

Add in the fact that pretty much every sexual encounter between them started off being framed as a rape until she decided to "give in", it was very much in established character for the season as well. The miracle is that he saw this flaw finally and decided, whether out of selfish love or some unexplained force, to go and get a soul for her.

[@rukbat3]

@@grife3000 Yeah, I don't think he DID realize that what he was doing was wrong until he finally looked at Buffy's face and realized how hurt she was by what he was doing. He was just thinking about all of the other times when all he had to do was keep pushing until her "no" turned into "yes." And he wasn't capable of seeing that this time was different until she pushed him off.

[@turbulentlobster]

After, like, 20 years, SMG's delivery of her "Mouth of Hell" speech still gives me chills.

[@anonymes2884]

One of the best fictional speeches ever IMO - still gives me goosebumps 20 years after I first saw it.

[@kevinnelson66]

Right up there with Rocky's speech to his son in Rocky Balboa(2006).

[@0tifa0zell0]

I love this speech but nothing comes close to the presidents speech in independence day

[@jp3813]

@@0tifa0zell0 Keyphrase: "One of".

[@Dunybrook]

The theory about Giles is actually pretty brilliant because we never saw him knock on the door as it could have been one of the potential slayers and we never saw him touch anyone or anything after he was attacked. Buffy's speech was really something in this episode. Seem to hearken back to things Angel had said to her when they first met and even what she learned from Sid the demon hunter puppet from season 1 and when they combined in order to defeat Adam and everything she's been through. Vampires with a soul are always big players in apocalypse or maybe the First just wants Spike to betray Buffy because he is close to her.

[@Rabidpygmy]

I think the point is that it’s killing all the potential slayers first, then go after the last two slayers. If it kills them first anyone could be activated. An unknown.

[@Sytrylt]

For me, the bathroom scene was necessary ! My cousin thinks like you, and I told her what I'm about to say here : Spike is Funny, he does better in seasons 5 and 6. BUT people forgot what he was ! Even me ! We forgot that under the love, and good things he did, he was still a demon without a soul. And that he did those things for selfish reasons. The way he acted with Buffy in season six... She used him, clearly, so it was not just him. But he was making her feel worst, just for her to come back to him. Those past two seasons, a lot of people forgot what he was, and what he was capable of. The bathroom scene was necessary. Because it not only reminded us of that, but also, it did it in the worst way possible. That chock, that disgust... that was important. We needed to feel it, to realize how much we were wrong about him, just because he was not an enemy anymore, didn't mean he was a good guy. Not only that, but also, it was NECESSARY for Spike ! He needed to go too far (more than during is relationship with Buffy in season 6) so he would realize too, that he needeed his soul back ! Spike without a soul, never hated himself for what he has done, so he couldn't be good for Buffy, or be a good person. HE was just a demon, forced not to kill. But that one action, made him realize he was a monster like she said. So now... he does have guilt, he does hate himself for what he did. Basically, people thought he had character development (and he did at some level) but they forgot that it doesn't makes a soul. Even in those seasons (5 and 6) Spike does things that are incredibly selfish and wrong. The Buffy bot, his all relationship with Buffy... It was BAD, not as much as the bathroom scene, but... really bad still. That was proof too. Proof that he didn't truly changed. And a pathway to the bathroom scene. For me, it was not out of nowhere, or unnecessary. It was way overdue. Because a creature like that, without a soul... His character development could not have happened if he stayed that way ! Not really. Because doing things for selfish reasons or because you are forced too, is not being a good person.

[@halohalo929]

Perfectly stated

[@wyterabitt2149]

I think it's more than that. He did actually change. Being kept in line was artificial, but somewhere along the line something else did genuinely grow, an actual good part of him. The entire premise of him being able to stop and realise when the attack happened is kind of meaningless without this character development being true. During a point where that demon part was able to break out again, due to Buffy not having any protection from the chip, Spike got it back under control due to something that wasn't there before and fully grasped that he did not want to hurt someone. It's not just about showing he is still a vampire, although that is a part of it. It's about showing that he is still a vampire but one that has actually changed. He realises this and goes to get a soul.

[@jesseclark3697]

Yeah Giles said the First can't touch anyone. And when this episode first aired I remember being very worried about the fact that Giles never touched anyone.

[@ryanbrooks8045]

This is why this is my favorite season. People hate on it but the 5th and 7th seasons show peak Buffy as a character.

[@nathanielbacon2661]

I adore Season 7 and part of the reason is moments like this, where we see Buffy's epic, brazen strength. She's come so far and she's such an inspiring, powerful leader.

[@OmegaShredder19]

James Marsters has said that filming that bathroom scene in Seeing Red actually traumatized him. He hated filming that scene.

[@smylyface]

I have a different perspective on the Spike assault scene. If you think about it, Spike and Buffy began their affair by beating the crap out of each other. Physical violence always played a huge part in their relationship. Buffy also has slayer strength so Spike wouldn't truly be able to assault her because she could (and did) knock him across the room. I think the real reason that scene was so disturbing was because Buffy tried reasoning with him as though he were a man instead of punching him in the face and tossing him out of the bathroom. Then there's Drusilla... remember when she left Spike? He said he was going to win her back by kidnapping her, tying her up and torturing her until she loved him again. That mindset sounds insane to us but we need to consider how Spike was sired by Drusilla and she was the only woman he'd ever loved. For 150 years Drusilla was the only experience he'd had with love and she was batshitcrazy. When he looked into Buffy's eyes after she kicked him off of her he saw the fear and pain he caused her and knew right then that having a chip was never going to be enough. He needed his soul back so he wouldn't be capable of doing anything that would make her look at him that way again. Soulless Spike wanted his soul to win her back but once he had it he realized he didn't deserve her.

[@juliusross5571]

What he did to Buffy fucked him up foreal he was hurt by it so much but he was still in love with her as he told her no other woman have his heart like Buffy do he told her it was still all about her he was crazy about Buffy

[@Dudeamis17]

If you can forgive Angel for Angelus killing people you can forgive Spike for what he did without a soul.

[@jp3813]

Although Spike has been killing w/ his soul intact.

[@Dudeamis17]

@@jp3813 no, the first was using Spike as a weapon to kill.

[@em-pr5jv]

I don't agree. I don't like Angel nor Spike. But, what Spike tried to do to Buffy in Seeing Red made me dislike him slightly more than Angel. But, I still dislike them both and I don't care for either of them. There is no excuse for what Angel did, but there is also no excuse for what Spike did.

[@jp3813]

@@em-pr5jv There's no excuse for all the things that Faith-as-Buffy did in "Who Are You", but you're not gonna blame Buffy for that just b/c they switched bodies, are you?

[@jp3813]

@@Dudeamis17 True, but that's something that can't be compared to Angel.

[@Swooshez90]

Buffy's speech always makes me tear up. A lot of people rag on this season but I like it.

[@Nicamon]

There are several isolated moments of this season I am able to appreciate,but the season _as a whole_ really not that much.X-/

[@Swooshez90]

@Nicamon it's middling for me as a whole. I prefer it to seasons 6, 4 and 1 but don't like it as much as 2, 5 and 3.

[@Nicamon]

@@Swooshez90 My rank is: 1)Season 3 2)Season 1 3)Season 4 4)Season 5 5)Season 6 6)Season 2 7)Season 7 so...draw your own conclusions....😅

[@Swooshez90]

@Nicamon that's an interesting one! I don't know many people who rank season 2 that low. Mine is 1) Season 2 2) Season 5 3) Season 3 4) Season 7 5) Season 1 6) Season 4 7) Season 6 I have an intense dislike for the Spuffy relationship which is why 6 is my least favourite but I know that's unpopular 🤣

[@Nicamon]

@@Swooshez90 I *HATE* the Spuffy relationship...and I hate Spike!Which is why my 2 top seasons *are the ones where he's not there!!!* And part of the reason why S2 is so low!;-P

[@invadertifxiii]

But that's the thing i think people got so comfortable with spike they forgot he still didn't have a soul

[@greatestgoalie25]

The best Buffy speech in the entire series. So great to hear it again w fresh eyes and ears (yours). You will get some more answers in a few episodes about the things you want to know about.

[@peaceisnature]

Lexi - I'm convinced you are psychic! In nearly every reaction there will be many moments in which you know what a character will say or do before they do it! (like the drooling, when was Jonathan ever good etc!) and I love to see you see you were right when the moment drops!

[@Nexusofgeek]

or a good actress and she's seen the ep before and and good at acting suprised, altough I don't think so, guess there is no certain way to be sure

[@peaceisnature]

@@Nexusofgeek I don't think it's an act. I think Lexi is just very perceptive and knows the characters really well.

[@TheGabygael]

the athroom scene is there to show that he in fact didn't change, everything he did that season towards buffy was for selfish reasons (or out of respect in regards to Dawn) Just like in season 5 he sounds as though he's always saying the blunt truth even though it hurts, he's not. He says whatever he can to get under their skin to either hurt or manipulate them and playing with their fears is the most fun way to do it, considering who he was when he was human (a troubled romantic artist) having a good perception of human emotions is his power he can use to play with people

[@claricehoffer1874]

I always figured the atempted drowning of a vampire wasnt so much for cutting off oxygen it was to cause the pain of water logged lungs. Shooting or stabbing them with metal them also doesnt kill them but it still hurts like hell.

[@valeriem.8112]

Yes sometimes you can see some mistakes in Buffy like : Angel can’t do cpr cause he can’t breathe- and Darla is being strangled and she says: « I don’t breathe you idiot, you can’t strangle me!! » and right now spike is being tortured by drowning, which makes no sense… Or another thing : the initiative can electrocute the vampires to incapacitate them and capture them , but in ANGEL , Gwen try to electrocute him and it doesn’t hurt him - she says something like « you should be fried!? » … I don’t know if the producers ever explained these things …

[@DaveVampireSlayer]

Final speech: GOD I LOVE THIS WOMAN! ❤❤❤

[@karinhuddleston6232]

The podcast "Buffering the vampire slayer" has two full episodes about this scene alone. It's an awesome conversation I think that you would really enjoy listening to. "Enjoy" might be the wrong word, but it was an insightful interesting conversation that included professionals that work with sexual assault survivors.

[@siggilinde5623]

You had the perfect timing to upload this episode. Thank you! I really really needed to hear Buffys speech at the end. It strangely helps when you feel like you're about to be swallowed by some bad things going on in life.

[@andreduarte8372]

I for one know they'll choke on you! Hang in there!

[@jenhalbert3001]

The rape attempt in seeing red was necessary because it gave Spike a reason to want his soul back. Not a good reason, but a reason all the same. And I believe you said something about willow being a good which. Best which in the western hemisphere, according to Giles at the end of s6.

[@marekkozub8957]

One of the best speeches of the entire series.

[@airawynsummers]

If Spike had been redeemed without having a soul it would have broken the show. Buffy can kill vampires for simply being vampires because they have no soul, are evil, and cannot be redeemed. Sure, the fact that it's POSSIBLE to give a vampire a soul mucks up the works a little, but it's so incredibly rare that we can handwave it as not being an issue. But if Spike can become a better person, then every vampire has that possibility. Now Buffy's not a monster hunter, she's a serial killer. The show had to demonstrate that Spike without a soul was undeniably evil, and they needed an inciting incident to push him towards getting a soul so he could truly be redeemed. HOWEVER, Buffy is a show that runs on metaphors. For example, Angel turning to Angelus was an explicit metaphor for an abusive boyfriend. But the bathroom scene with Spike *is not a metaphor*. Nobody's abusive boyfriend tries to end the world, even if it might feel like it. But Spike's attack on Buffy was rooted in real world attacks, which forces you to try and make a real world analogy to souled/not souled, which is impossible. If you want a metaphor for what happened in the bathroom scene, it's already foreshadowed, from Buffy's nightmare in the first season to Spike constantly telling Buffy that she's dark like him. Spike should have attempted to turn her into a vampire. It would have been an absolutely captivating moment and it would not have changed a single thing about Spike's journey, because it's essentially the same thing. In fact, if you want to erase what happened in the bathroom, pretend that Spike tried to turn her. (I'm not fond of euphemisms, but I'm not familiar with what KZbin censors, so I'm trying to play it safe.)

[@9ansean]

I'm not much on euphemisms either, but I also no little about KZbin censors, so I'll try to follow by example. I agree that it would have been better as metaphor. I know it could be easy to say "Well Angel did far worse things and far more of them over more than a century before he got he's soul and for a while after losing it again. Why should we feel any worse about what happened with Spike in just one scene? Wouldn't it have been even worse the other vampire who was driven by sadism than later motivated by power reassurance?" The difference is partially the analogy aspect (at least in terms of the season two stuff you described) but also the use of suggestion. We never saw the the worst of what happened. Most notably with Drusilla. It was with hinted at or summarized. When you actually have to witness something like that, it tends to be a lot harder to deal with. Thus one has to put EFFORT into either processing or forgetting what happened. Especially for character in an ongoing relationship. Even if it was destined to change. Trying to turn her would indeed have fit that same power reassurance goal with the same resulting regret, mission, and after effects of the storyline.

[@rydbthatsme]

This whole season is my favorite! Never a dull moment throughout and keeps getting better til the end!

[@Nicamon]

I completely disagree with all you said,but I'm glad you were able to enjoy this season.Good for you.👍

[@rydbthatsme]

@@Nicamon disagree with whatever you want it’s facts, the created that way because it was the last season.

[@Nicamon]

@@rydbthatsme I wouldn't call what you said"fact",I would call it"personal opinions". In _my_ opinion this season is the dullest,most boring and most forgettable of them all. I'm glad it's not for you but,again,I wouldn't say it's a _fact._

[@rydbthatsme]

@@Nicamon considering your obvious bias towards Spike your opinion lacks credibility

[@Nicamon]

@@rydbthatsme Why?I was commenting the 7th season as a whole,I didn't even _mention_ Spike. You did.

[@CvSp22]

The bathroom scene was necessary to remind that a vampire without a soul is still a monster with little to no impulse control. And to show the lowest point, so low that even this monster gets, that this wouldn't work and needs to change. Spike could be forgiven, cause in opposite to humans, he has no soul. The Questions are: Could be a human be forgiven as well? Would it be healthy for a victim, if it does? Pretty sure, that there is not a general answer that works for everyone, but maybe it helps some to find peace and self confidence again. This is what i love about shows like Buffy or oldschool Star Trek: Showing some stuff to think about, without preaching which is 'the right one and only answer'.

[@danielbutler8103]

7:33 The First did show up in Angel's dreams so it could be The First.

[@TigerNightmare]

To finish beating the dead horse, I have read stories, true stories, of rapists who are genuinely repentant. I remember a story where a woman ran into an ex on a bus. Rather than avoiding him or pretending he wasn't there, she approached him and extended a greeting. When he recognized her, he immediately broke down crying. Since the attack, he had developed a significantly stronger sense of empathy, and has been haunted by his actions. He was endlessly apologetic and wanted more than anything to take it back. Surprised by his remorse, and recognizing that he was also traumatized, she forgave him. And not just to tell him what he wanted to hear, but meaning it, believing he's now a better person, and it would be a kindness to help him believe he's truly a better person. I understand the impulse to just throw people in prison forever, torture them, whatever sadism fits the mood, but that's a real Christian (or most religions) conservative mindset, and it doesn't work. We should want reform, repentance, empathy. We don't forgive Spike just because we want to forget the bathroom scene, we forgive Spike because he can't forgive himself. He has turned into a complete person and not just a demon with a personality, and because of Buffy's words, it's given him strength and hope.

[@invadertifxiii]

Giles didn't knock, Remember, she opened the door before hand. Also he didn't touch anything, the potential held the books, although I could swear he leaned his hands on the table

[@jeffkoenig7402]

I always just figured stuff like that can be pantomimed. A real person can make it look like they're leaning on a desk that isn't there, and the opposite would be true, too. Plus the First would have had plenty of time to pick up little tricks and fake outs to be more convincing despite its corporeal limitations when doing that whole "pretending to be someone the person it's messing with cares about" thing, which it does a lot.

[@darthekul1]

"She was crazier than u " i think thats a compliment to drusilla cause the first is a pale imitation of queen dru lol

[@lenr112]

Faith also had a watcher before Giles. Kakistos killed her.

[@cerrobueno]

Kissing Toast?

[@dynamo116]

Another awesome reaction Lexi, so excited to see your reaction!! Buffy's speech at the end always gives me chills, when she switches the speech from being beaten and scared to the mouth of Hell is gonna swallow her whole "and it'll choke on me" bit, absolute bad ass b*tch moment! Btw the Turok-Han is the little monster at the end of all the Buffy episodes after the credits, the one that goes "grrr, arghhh"

[@ibgvox]

Thats the first and only episode officially written (well, co) by co-showrunner Marti Noxon. She had a maternity leave at the start of Season 7 but she came back before 7x07 (she wrote Willow's scenes in CWDP 7x07) and that, as well as writing 'only' 3 S6 episodes, is the best example as what happens when you have a 24/7 work co-running a series like this.

[@dylanburton4955]

Oh I remember this been a very stressful episode as I was watching it

[@douglas2938]

0:00-6:00 In hindsight (no spoilers) at this point it seems they had wrote themselves into a corner by putting so much stock on "having a soul" because if Spike could just choose to not be evil and stick with it, why would Angel immediatly revert to Angelus just by losing his soul? He's already done all of the work by then, he has all the incentive he might need, and yet the beast just takes over... Therefore, for Spike to be good, he needed a soul. Then the problem is how he'd arrive at that decision. While _that_ works and even makes sense (lust is as animalistic as hunger), I kinda wish they'd found another way.

[@AnActualWolf]

I think Lexi provides the exact reason why it's important to forgive Spike (not simply ignore it because its upsetting): I want to see how he grows. I can't think of any other example in media where someone commits a sexual assault and has an arc that's couched in his self-hatred and desire to "make it right" (knowing full well everything he does just doesn't make what he did alright; knowing full well that Buffy deserves to hate him forever). As much as I despite assault, I don't believe people should be locked away and forgotten like garbage. Part of me really wants to believe that people can change--come to their senses on the hurt they've caused someone and then commit their life to making up for it.

[@alicequinn505]

Fun fact: 8:50 when they put water over actors, it's usually glycerin of some kind, because water isn't as shiny. Fun fact, made even more fun by it being Andrew

[@The_One_In_Black]

The angel with a soul will pay a big role in the final battle, but it's not foretold on which side he'll fight.

[@WilliamLucas-hy8mx]

Buffy ends up looking like Cynthia from Silent Hill 4 after the Turok vampire fight. The first woman that dies in the train station.

[@MrSupertallblackman]

The way people disassociate the bad actions from soulless Spike and the good is concerning. Soulless Spike is a monster who despite loving Buffy spent all of season 6 abusing her physically, mentally and emotionally. That's not even to mention all of the horrible things he's done as a vampire. Oh but wait you'll have people romanticize an excuse that behavior as well. Soulless Spike is complex don't mistake what I'm about to say but he's a bad guy a complex bad guy but still bad. Spike with a soul is fundamental different from him without.

[@Nicamon]

Sorry to repeat this for the umpteenth time 🙄 but I *don't* see all this difference. I never shipped Spuffy,I never denied their relationship is toxic but so was the relationship between Oz and Veruca and they both had a soul,so was the relationship between Warren and Kathrina and they both had a soul,so was the relationship *between Willow and Tara* at one point and they TOO had a soul and they were both"Good"character(in case you're tempted to make the argument of"yes,but both Warren and Veruca were awful people"...well,Willow is not,but she too managed to be toxic with her partner for a period!)...being COMPLEX is IN ITSELF a HUMAN trait!!Spike had moments in which he was very sensible and selfless and it wasn't for a "selfish"desire to be with Buffy(people keep using the"selfish"argument as if humans are not selfish themselves),plus during S6 _Spike was not the only toxic person in the couple!!_ Buffy was being toxic too but no one blames that on her lacking a soul(despite her being technically a"zombie"!). The fact Spike is toxic *can't* be blamed on his soulness because he was more than capable of being NON toxic as well,when he wanted! _Just like any souled human being!_

[@Woodger7]

I'm really not a fan of the redeeming the rapist trope, so I definitely subscribe to the lore-theory that a vampire with vs without a soul are two completely distinct entities / characters. Otherwise Spike's story would be unbearable in S7. Always found it strange as well that the writers didn't make the distinction as clear as they do with Angel & Angelus. *Minor spoilers for all season 7* That's also why I've never been on board the Spuffy (Bike?) ship at all. Romaticising anything up to the end of season 6 is crazy, and there really isn't very much development for Buffy & souled Spike in season 7 either.

[@knowledge-girl]

Serial killers have souls, and they still kill people.

[@MrSupertallblackman]

@@Woodger7 As Darla says the human they were informs everything they are. Parts of the human being that Liam and William make up what became Angelus and Spike. This assumes that everything Spike did before getting the chip is redeemable but his attempt at rape. Well if this is your point let me pose a question for you. How do you know Spike has never raped anyone before this and if he has is it only ok because you don't personally know about it?

[@MrSupertallblackman]

@@knowledge-girl Yes...I agree...I didn't say anything to the contrary

[@allisonlussier248]

“I think we’re okay.” Famous last words lol

[@Nexusofgeek]

I disagree with you on the whole Spike thing. He was a demon all along, even if he was changing as a result of the influence from Buffy and the gang and I think they let their gaurd down because of the chip. This was the show reminding you, vampires, even ones with nobel tendencies and nature are still a danger and I think it's a good arc with Spike being disgusted enough in the aftermath to seek his soul. But it is a controversial decision being debated to this day.

[@danielbutler8103]

30:55 They said in the episode that the plan was to kill the Potential Slayers then Faith and then Buffy.

[@nedzed3663]

Lexi, Lex, Giles is dead. You're going to have to come to terms with his untimely and unceremonious passing in the line of duty, fighting the good figh.......oh wait, nevermind, he's totally alive!!!!!

[@B-Dad]

Shame he can’t hug anyone…or touch things. Have I said too much?? 😱😱

[@nedzed3663]

​@@B-DadAbout that

[@xkathrynx1830]

Lexi reaction. Lets go ! Happy sunday 🙂

[@dynamo116]

Hey Lexi, I know this is a long shot but I think you would love Xena: Warrior Princess! It's an old show from the 90s but I've watched another reactor who completed the Buffy series which was her favorite btw but she ended up loving Xena even more!!

[@alicequinn505]

Same, I made that decision too, to let go of that scene, even though it's not something I feel should be forgiven, because it's not fun to continue the show otherwise. The way I think about it is more meta, and just tell myself the screenwriters screwed up.

[@Nexusofgeek]

Also remember there was no Slayer called at the end of season 5 because it was a mystical/magical death not a natural one :-) but yes, the Slayer line at this point lied with Faith, but with the council gone and the potentials targeted, not sure that even matters anymore

[@TheMonkeyShowOnline]

It's so weird and frustrating how many reactors I've seen get SO upset by the bathroom scene, as if it doesn't make sense (it does), and that it makes Spike an irredeemable character, ever AFTER getting his soul back (it doesn't)... ...yet still LOVE Willow, and want her and Tara back together SO badly, even though Willow essentially raped Tara by erasing her memories and then sleeping with her while under the effects of a spell. It's such a blatant double standard, especially since what Willow did was FAR worse. Spike was attempted rape. Willow was actual rape. Spike had no soul. Willow did. Spike immediately had so much guilt and disgust that he went seeking out a soul. Willow denied responsibility and tried to fuck with Tara's memory AGAIN after being confronted (aka continued gaslighting). I think Willow was mostly redeemed for these actions (though her rape was never directly called out as much as it should have been), and Spike was also redeemed, yet after the fact, Willow's actions get a real life tabula rasa, while Spike's actions are STILL harped on and condemned by fans 25 years later.

[@MicukoFelton]

Ikr. Willow literally tried to end the world when she had her soul. Spike didn't even have his soul at that time.

[@kolorsoftherainbow4295]

Not to mention the things Faith did to Xander and Riley…

[@HopelessHermit]

If I could have an animal as a pet I'd choose an ubervamp

[@heather9857]

We didn't see who knocked on the door and one of the girls had the books ; ) 27:33 I thought you were going to break out into a Zeppelin song for a moment there lol.

[@12chapin]

Giles is in England managing a soccer team😆. Hello

[@andreduarte8372]

One of my favorite episodes of the Buffyverse! The whole 10 episode-long build-up to Buffy's speech with its ominous mood, the dreamlike atmosphere of so many scenes, the symbolical and titular references to the night in this one... It's all one huge masterclass in hype building. Too bad the season kinda drops the ball and becomes a bit messy starting with 7x11, and never lives up to the potential (heh) it set up, but it’s a great ending nonetheless.

[@Manu-gf3yl]

"Becoming messy from 7x11"??? I think episode 11 is one of the best episodes ever on buffy. At least when it comes to the final Showdown between buffy and the uber Vamp. There are also some other great episodes after that. I liked the Episode surrended by dawn and her believing she is the new potential slayer. Faiths return and the fight against caleb. Not to mention the Episode when everyone turn off of buffy and she had to leave her own home. Overall one of the best seasons if you ask me

[@andreduarte8372]

@@Manu-gf3yl Dude... Spoilers...

[@Manu-gf3yl]

@@andreduarte8372 dude, she watched it already

[@jsbaldo5556]

Actually if you pay close attention they never show gyles hug buffy, Right before they could hug the girls ran in front of him, I also think they did not show giles touch anything.

[@kristafarrelly8212]

Love your reactions Lexi they are the best your love of the show is same as me 😊 been following for a while but first time commenting for me ❤😊 this season is Epic you will 💗 it one of the best for sure 👌

[@METerrell]

Hope you were keeping up with Angel while watching this. I know there's some stuff you don't want to see in it, but there's some important things that happened in it.

[@balldalt]

I can't wait for you to watch the rest of the season!

[@paulhammond6978]

DId Lexi actually write this episode? She guessed the next line so many times!

[@killianlpc]

Another terrific episode building up towards the epic ending of the Series. Again we see Joyce appearing to Buffy, but Buffy knows now it is not real. Some light relief with Dawn and Anya revelling in the interrogation of Andrew doing 'bad cop and bad cop'! When Buffy has the encounter with the Turok-Han, we can see alone at the moment she hasn't the power to defeat it, and this is shown again by her second encounter. However, she gives a superb speech at the end reminiscent of the speech in S5 Checkpoint when she calls out The Council. We can see Spike as well totally believe Buffy will save him him even though he is tormented by Drusilla and tortured by the Turok-Han. Giles of course survives his attack in London, and turns up with a few potentials, but at this moment it is not enough. Principal Wood again we think is not what he seems, and a funny scene when Dawn says over the symbol in the basement they are burying a time capsule and says 'kids today drink Red Bull and watch Jackass'. All in all a brilliant build up to the end of the show with Buffy's brilliant speech at the end.

[@CharmedPhoenix3]

Buffy talks as if the slayer line still flows through her, when it's likely Faith. However as the issue isn't 100% clear. The First won't kill Buffy, as her death could activate another Slayer and that accomplishes nothing. As Buffy states in the episode - they want to kill the potentials and THEN the slayers, killing the potentials First, means that when and if it kills Buffy and Faith - there wouldn't be any potentials to activate. Hence destroying the entire line. The First also views Willow as an extreme threat, you will find out why.... but it makes multiple attempts to neutralise Willow - firstly by attempting to eliminate her via "Cassie" and promising a reunion with Tara, which clearly failed and now posseses her anytime she tries any form of magic - this is too prevent her from using Magic as the First knows how powerful she is (and even more so as Dark Willow)

[@jbwade5676]

Poor Buffy 😢

[@jermainesneed1002]

I hope this helps in regards to your Spike questions. Spikes dilemma is complicated. He wasn’t in love with Buffy as he sexually assaulted her. He was in lust. He couldn’t truly love without a soul. He was upset because he was found out to not be good enough for Buffy. His point was to become a man worthy of her. Once he hit his soul the guilt of it rushed over him. It’s also when the first could take advantage of him. The Trigger made him kill without remorse. Or memories. That’s why when he remembered what he did.

[@peaceisnature]

Did Giles throw books... Oh yeah... Course he did... 😕

[@notoriouslybratty]

Lol, I wonder if it is hard to watch Giles play a completely different character in Ted Lasso since it is her favourite character.

[@danielbutler8103]

23:27 Giles didn't know on the door he was just there when it opened, Also he didn't put the books on the table he told one of the Potential Slayers to get them.

[@jsbaldo5556]

I know you probably know by now but Joss hated Spike and meant to kill spike off , he didn't hate spike until the network said they had to keep spike and Joss planned to unalive him on the show, Joss wanted the show to be about Overcoming life with highschool, and evil , and vampires represented evil, So when Joss made the relationship with spike and buffy it was suppose to show this was dark and TOXIC and teach people a lesson, but when people LOVED IT joss couldn't believe it, And since the network pressured Joss into keeping spike forever Joss decided to really show how bad spike is and vampires are with no soul so he created the bathroom scene to slap the audience awake, But spike was still needed by the network and maybe joss grew to like a spike storyline who knows So to fix it they gave spike a Soul and redeem him but also remind the audience that what he did should not be easily forgiven so they showed the flashback as a reminder.

[@MarkusR144]

Spike didn't get his soul to atone or because he wanted to change. He did it because he thought that's what's gonna get him back into Buffy's pants. It was basically the love bombing part of the abuse cycle, he just didn't really understand that it's gonna fundamentally change him forever.

[@WilliamLucas-hy8mx]

16:02 - If only Giles was mythtaking his underwear off ngl

[@spikesecho724]

They definitely went the wrong route with the bathroom scene. It was suppose to show Spike not consciously aware of what he was doing, kind of crazed from desperation in the moment, then he "knocks out of it" and "wakes up" after Buffy kicks him off. James did a great job of showing how horrified he was after Buffy knocks him off, and how confused he was about what he'd just done, but attacking Buffy in that way certainly wasn't the only way to motivate Spike towards seeking his soul and seeking real change. Some fans think it was, but I don't. I'm not even a writer and I can think of several other alternative ways to motivate Spike.

[@x-man9473]

Because the writers did it intentionally as a middle finger to the fans of Spike and Spuffy. They came up with that lame excuse after getting so much backlash. The same way they did for Tara's death in that episode. Both incidents did nothing to help the overall character arcs and people are still trying to find a way to justify it in their heads.

[@aliselynch]

Its my opinion joss extra hated Spike and what he felt forced into (Spike not dying in S2) and he wanted to keep trying to convince the audiences he was evil and not to root for him and Buffy.

[@TheBigMe0w]

Hahaha, loved your intro! 😂

[@bobapjok4241]

I have never seen Drusilla in any other movie or tv show. is this her style of acting or is it just the Drusilla character that she does

[@garricksmalley1733]

Sometimes answering your questions during the intro and outro by talking to my tv is 3/4 of the fun. Now I need to check in on where you are on Pateron 'cause... Spoiler, Spoiler, Spoiler, Spoiler. Love to you.

[@becca1189]

❤🧡💛💚💙💜

[@JustJames83]

That bear behind you creeps me right out, always staring off into the distance, never saying anything, never moving… it’s possessed… it’s the first!

[@pamelameadows9717]

Becoming so complicated to beat everybody Willow decides Pizza to make it easy on everyone. But leave it to the one vegetarian out of nine people to have to have it her way. Personally I think that vegans and vegetarians should have to carry their own food around or play separate orders they pay for themselves. I never noticed when there's a group discussing getting food that the vegetarian is the only one that doesn't say great thank you but if it's okay could you make half of that vegetarian. No they just state their dietary needs without any kind of politeness. I made a new friend who didn't have a place to stay and invited her to stay with me. All she did was complain. How about be glad you got a place to sleep and take care of your own food. Then there was constantly telling me what all was wrong with Jacksonville not having more vegan or vegetarian choices in the restaurants. After a couple of months of this I wanted to tell her well why don't you go back to Seattle where you came from that you seem to love so much! It just seems like most vegans vegetarians have a bad attitude. Maybe it's a lack of real protein. I remember watching Ladies of london. One of them who was a viscountess to be invited all her friends for a formal dinner. During the dinner with your in-laws were hosting two of them just kept complaining and switching food with other people. Instead of just quietly not eating what they didn't like. BTW they were asked about food preferences or allergies prior to the dinner.

[@Marwolaeth01]

The first not being able to touch anything has inconsistencies. In Amends “Jenny” touches Angels brow, which I really wish wasn’t there. But this is why I question if it was really Joyce who visited Dawn rather than the first. The devastation of the house looks like physically interacting with the real world to me and did not fit the first as they describe it. Unfortunately I think it is just an example of someone messing up when they wrote and shot it. And bathroom scene again. Spike didn’t know what he was doing was wrong at the time due to being soulless. Afterwards when he realised what he nearly did, that was the catalyst that made him realise he needed a soul to be good. No bathroom scene, no soul searching.😂

[@rhiannonlee7063]

I don't think The First was actually touching Angel in Amends. It's the same as when The First as Dru "touched" Spike's cheek. It's not a real touch. It just looks like it's there. The same way it can look like it's sitting as Spike and Buffy. It can't actually move anything, though.

[@Teeklin]

Your rant in the beginning about Spike's devolution into a rapist not making sense really ignores the context of season 6. Vampires can't feel love, all they feel is passion and sexual attraction and desire and they want what they want. Spike has always only done what he's done to help Buffy because he wanted Buffy and knows that doing those things would get him to her. In all of season 5 he had no concept of what Buffy was actually feeling and didn't care. He abducted her and was going to kill Drusilla not because he feels actual love for Buffy of course, but because in his twisted mind THAT is what love is. The same with the Buffybot. He has no capability of selflessness or empathy or compassion because he has no soul and never did. Then in season 6, he finally gets what he wants. He put the nice guy tokens into the GirlMachine for long enough that she finally loves him, that's what he thinks. He doesn't understand that she's using him to cope with her own trauma. He doesn't understand that she's a real person with real feelings and take into consideration what's best for her. He just wants, needs, desires and now after finally not-murdering for long enough, she gives herself to him! Yay! But then he continues to be nice to her like always and she doesn't want him anymore. She takes away his toy and he starts throwing a temper tantrum. He doesn't understand why he hasn't murdered anyone and complimented her hair and she still doesn't want to fuck him. And all season long Buffy has been saying no, stop, we can't, it's wrong, don't do that and he's been pushing her boundaries. And every time before that she finally gave in and they fucked in an alley or behind the tree in the backyard and ended with them flirting and him getting what he wants. So he goes to do the same thing only now she asserts her boundaries and has some self esteem and doesn't just give in to this abusive relationship. His character development makes perfect sense, people just don't really like to see it because he's played off as such a comedic sidekick for so long. But in universe, from the perspective of a vampire who is incapable of love or guilt, it entirely makes sense.

[@Buffy8Fan]

Here's how I see the bathroom scene. Spike without a soul should never be trusted again after the bathroom scene, just as I never trust Willow romantically again after erasing Tara's memories and sleeping with Tara. Willow had a soul so she'd have to lose it for me to trust her on that level and we know (somewhat) what she'd be like if soulless, so I'm not sure if she could be trusted romantically unless it was another soulless creature or a human monster. Truthfully, what else could the writers have done to say Spike went too far and he, as a character, made the realization that he needs to change? Spike knows he messed up and willingly left to get a soul so it wouldn't ever happen again. Spike can be forgiven because he isn't Spike or William anymore. With a soul, he has memories of his soulless self, so he isn't William, but he isn't his soulless self either. He is an entirely different person made up of his soulless self and his human self in the same way Angel is made up of Angelus and Liam. Drusilla not quite acting like Drusilla, but still acting crazy. I would love to ask her actress about that. I always believed S7 Joyce was The First because she ends up saying things Joyce would never say. And in this episode the people who say she dreaming, I stick to Buffy would never dream her mom acting the way she does. Even "do you really think your ready Buffy?" sounded like Joyce. The times in S7 just sound like The First trying to throw Buffy and Dawn off. I love the speech Buffy makes at the end.

[@x-man9473]

The problem is that the scene didn't need to happen at all. >In season 5 episode 18, Spike demonstrated that he would do anything for Buffy (except give her space apparently) purely because he loves her. >In season 5 episode 14, he even alluded to giving up on evil altogether because of his love for her, before she cut him off. >So, he definitely would have gotten his soul back if she assured him that it was the way to her heart. If she let him know that she loved the protective and supportive side of him, but hated the demonic side of him, Spike would have definitely went to get a soul. Maybe he would have pondered the thought for a few episodes. But that's the conclusion he would have came to. I just don't accept that whole "this Seeing Red incident had to happen" excuse people keep throwing out. There were a variety of different storylines that would have led to him getting his soul back.

[@Buffy8Fan]

@@x-man9473 SPOILERS FOR ANGEL COMICS _AFTER THE FALL_ At no time while soulless from _School Hard_ to _Grave_ is Spike doing anything that isn't selfish in some way. Whether its about his feelings for Buffy, his survival, friendship towards those he likes in the group, and sisterly feelings towards Dawn. Not giving Buffy space is a selfish thing and building a robot is gross. Because the memories of the human persona of Spike is a great guy the demon/soullessness in Spike takes those memories and assumes "what he does foe Dawn and Buffy" is great (making Buffy also say so, when really the demon is warping the intentions. Same thing with _Crush._ He thinks he's done this great thing, but there is a reason that is the episode Buffy disinvited him. His views on how he handled things make him think he handled things well, thus why he's confused at being disinvited as Buffy slams the door in his face. Same with being around after Buffy dies. That's about his soullessness convincing him that his human feelings are real. But once Buffy is back, he latches onto her issues of not wanting to be around her friends who brought her back and hangs around someone who starts using him in depression and he doesn't care because he's soulless. Buffy has talked and yelled at Spike both about not having a soul, and he scoffed at her, so I disagree that he would get his soul back under assurances of being with her. And if being with her was the assurance to get him to do so that is a selfish thing as it is an unhealthy reason to do it. He wouldn't ponder it. He would consider it to much like Angel and Buffy not worth it. The writers wrote Spike as was because he was soulless and had memories of William. The demon hated what he did because his memories of William were like that and also because he hated Angelus , an admitted rapist. So when soulless Spike realized Buffy meant no this time, he hated on himself and wanted to make sure it never happened again. As a Spike and Spuffy fan through and through, I have never seen any moment from _School Hard_ to _Grave_ where Spike didn't have selfishness to his actions and feelings. Even the choice to get a soul was in part about knowing he wouldn't get the girl unless he did. He just didn't know it until he got the soul. This is canon thinking. Angel tells Gunn this when Gunn becomes a vampire in the canon comics _After the Fall_ and assumes he's still a good guy for killing vampires, but is actually the villain.. Angel spells it out for him in this exact same way I've done with Spike. The bathroom scene is far from the only rape/sexual assault scene on the show (at last count 38 in the entirety of The Buffyverse). Most people's issue's with it are either how it was shot or they look at Spike as someone who would never do that. That's the way he looks at himself, which becomes part of the problem.

[@x-man9473]

@@Buffy8Fan That makes 0 sense. The comment that I wrote falls under selfishness. >I didn't say that he was going to get his soul back "because it's the right thing to do". I said he would get his soul back because he would assume its the way to Buffy's heart. It's selfish and would be in character. >He literally teamed up with Buffy in season 2 to win Drusilla back. He's a hopeless romantic. He would literally do anything to win over or get back the women he loves. Him getting a soul back for Buffy is 100% in character for him. I don't get your argument about "selfish motives".

[@Buffy8Fan]

@@x-man9473 I assumed you were saying he was a selfless character. My point is Spike doesn't do any of his good guy acts out of selflessness. Even the idea for getting his soul back is based is selfishness. So him choosing to get his soul back is a necessary scene in order to get to a reason why he feels he needs to. He even debates with himself about why he did and why he didn't concerning the bathroom scene. Him being a hopeless romantic doesn't mean it doesn't come from selfishness. Where it seems we disagree is that I don't believe its within character for him to want one until he realizes what he nearly did in the bathroom. You do. And I believe Spike being soulless and therefore selfish is the reason he wouldn't make the decision to get a soul until the bathroom scene. You don't. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

[@alooncnej4696]

Chilling speech. I like less this part with the potentials and i think this season aged less good than season 4 for example. A little disappointed by Giles writting this season. Great ending and seeing all the characters together they went through hard things and the last big bad and plot is logical even if i prefer seasons 5 and 6.

[@Girl4Music]

Yeah, don’t care about what’s going on in this episode. I don’t care about the plotline at all. But I’m with you on your Spike rant. It was unnecessary. I’ve said it before. I’ll say it again. If you don’t want the flower to grow, you don’t plant the seeds. Stomping on the growing flower just because it’s growing is fucked up. You planted it. You’re going to ruin your creation because you believe it shouldn’t grow? Not even going to give it the opportunity? Leaves a horrible taste in the mouth. As interesting and juicy as it was to see Spike turn abusive to Buffy once he realizes he can hit her again, I really do think having him attempt to rape her was going too far just to remind us that he was soulless vampire. Willow did rape Tara. She’s not a vampire. Or soulless. What’s her excuse? But of course we’re not supposed to see it that way. Even though it is. Like I would be better with accepting the Spike ARing bullshit if it was addressed that humans that have souls can be just as evil and do just as worse things as a soulless vampire or demon can. In order for me to even question Spike’s capability to be or do good because of his nature as a soulless vampire… you have to convince me that Willow was justified, that Anya was justified, that Warren was justified. … for murdering people. Humans. With souls. Until then, I question nothing.

[@grrrrbabyverygrrr8165]

Ayeeee! Im early

[@hardybryan]

I'm sorry, what do you think you saw Giles touch?

[@Nicamon]

Uhm...the chair?When he sat down? 16:07

[@The_One_In_Black]

I'm really curious what you think of Kennedy. A lot of people hate her, but I always felt like she was exactly the person needed to motivate [SPOILER] at this particular moment.

[@Nicamon]

I was surprised to see all the Kennedy hate. We all miss Tara and we forever will 🤍 but Kennedy is fine IMO.🖤❤

[@commonstragedy]

The bathroom scene shows how a desperate person can slip and do a horrible thing.

[@Nicamon]

04:30 - 04:34 *IF-ONLY!!!!!!!* 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄💢💢💢 05:35 - 05:54 It *_would_* be hilarious. Again...IF-ONLY!!! 12.55 - 13:00 LAMEST-BIG BAD-OF ALL-TIMES!!!😓😓😓 16:00 - 16:03 Love the reference.😉💛 18:23 - 18:33 😂👏👏👏 20:51 - 22:16 😎💛

[@DesireFoRorrim]

Honestly considering both sarah and james deeply dissagreed with the scene in seeing red I fully feel like as fans we can disregard it as non canon. It helps me at least cause season 7 spike is so good and its so sullied when u keep that in mind. Obviously its horrible and deserves all the criticism.

[@MrSupertallblackman]

That's not how it works but disillusion and denial is a hell of a drug that a lot of people take.

[@philipabelanet5476]

Has everyone just forgotten that Spike didn't have a soul then?

[@TigerNightmare]

It's really hard to care about how actors feel about the stories they do. SMG thought it was a mistake to kill Joyce, and of course she admits she was mistaken after it became one of the best episodes of television of all time. Some actors have even worse instincts and can't separate characters they play with themselves, some refusing to play roles where they die or lose a fight.

[@Nicamon]

@@philipabelanet5476 Does everyone keep forgetting that _you don't need to be souless_ to assault someone?!?🙄💢I'm sorry,I can't excuse Spike's action thanks to his soulness as I do with Angel&Angelus because,as I keep repeating,Souless Spike already behaves like a regular human,he's not a pure monster like Angelus is so I can't adfirm that"he has no control over himself"...HE DOES! He proved it many times!! It's just that _in that specific moment_ he was convinced he was doing the right thing...like many souled humans do.ù____U

[@darthekul1]

On the one hand james was forced to do that scene cause joss whedon was so bitter over his popularity and wanted to make it clear how toxic his behavior pre soul actually is , cause I always ihated the spike buffy ship and and Angelus being a rapist is basically Canon, and I think that the type of guy spike was in real life would've tried to assault her before, but its a clear example of joss whedon trying to ruin someone's charachter out of spite like a certain angel season 4 charachter who bangs a child they held as a baby