Buffy The Vampire Slayer 6x08 - "Tabula Rasa" Reaction

[@purpleiguana208]

Wouldn't it be hilarious if the only thing they could remember was "Ben is Glory?"

[@Logan_Baron]

That would have been even funnier than the King Ralph line, if the first thing Xander said when his memory came back was "Wait, Glory is Ben".

[@Theomite]

...Jesus Christ that's brilliant. It's been 15 years since I watched this show and I never thought of that.

[@ohsnap7879]

Ben is WITH Glory

[@sharneelphick9889]

OMG YES 😂😂

[@Nixie_536]

😂perfect 💞

[@dusk78]

Remember the season 4 finale, Restless. In Xandar's Dream, Spike was wearing the same suit and Giles said he's like a son to me. It was foreshadowing this episode.

[@LeshaAnn]

Dale Dorsey Remember "Dopplegangland"? Willow, upon meeting her alternate-universe vampire self: "So evil...skanky... and I think I'm kinda GAY!"

[@Idanuboy]

he also talked about "a shark on land" in his dream ;)

[@writingalias4401]

amazing, never caught that

[@purefucknmetal]

In Something Blue Spike also says "its like you're my father" to Giles when Buffy and Spike are under the engagement spell

[@sacrament182]

He was also wearing the same suit, except the tie changed to a bow tie.

[@DB6195]

“How could you after what Glory did to me?” That line always hits me the hardest. It shows that Willow gave no thought to the consequences or what could go wrong with a spell affecting someone’s mind. Especially when Tara’s has been messed with before and Willow had no clue how that would factor in. Never mind ignoring all the trauma that came with it. Tara said it plain and clear, Willow violated her. Then she violated everyone. Leaving Willow probably hurt Tara as much as anyone else. But it had to happen. For both of their own good.

[@kingcrimson2643]

@cline193 Not to mention Tara slept with Willow after forgetting getting mad at her. It was more than just violating her mind.

[@juzujuzu4555]

Willow made Tara her slave in reality. And the fact that she was willing to do that shows a really dark side of her personality and he she actually feels about Tara. Its horrible thought because Willow is such an amazing character. Thank god we can think it was the magic that fcked her mind.

[@TheYasmineFlower]

@@juzujuzu4555 Yeah, but I think Willow's willingness to go that far is mostly related to her desperation for control and acceptance. If you recall Restless, Season 4 finale, Willow clearly doesn't feel secure about even her best friends staying with her, not even Xander. Her parents are distant at best too. Willow is terrified of the people she loves leaving her. It doesn't excuse what she did in any way, of course - though I suppose that Tara reacting so incredibly rationally about it, trying to work it out and forgive Willow and not hating her for it, shows that Tara sees, at least in part, why Willow resorts to the things that she does. No big surprise, though, since Tara is the most empathetic of all the Scoobies.

[@fangsabre]

Like as much as we all think of the nerds as being the big bad for the season, it's actually totally willow the whole time

[@Buffy8Fan]

@@kingcrimson2643 I always saw that as the reason why Willow never got angry at Spike for 'Seeing Red.' She's guilty of it also.

[@codyw1]

It's so very telling of Xander's self-esteem level, even when amnesiac, that his first assumption is that Willow must be his brother's girlfriend.

[@addiletsplay1996]

Yeha, its rarely ever talked about

[@SweenyTodd98]

I think this episode is a perfect example of classic Joss Whedon. Bizarre situations, lots of laughter, and then at the end suddenly you're crying.

[@anerye1763]

The saddest funny episode. The funniest sad episode.

[@alainaj7344]

Couldn't have said it better myself

[@Windupchronic]

Tabula rasa is a latin phrase meaning blank slate.

[@handeaykan8419]

İ remember when i study philosophy. John Locke

[@iloveyourunclebob]

The Sims has the Tabula Rasa coffee table that I'm pretty sure is a shout out to this episode because they do the same with Harry Potter names.

[@kindle9920]

Yeah, it's commonly known from John Locke's "Blank Slate" theory of the soul, that people are born as blank slates

[@user-dw6fz4du1m]

copy/paste: they had an ep of lost called tabula rasa, too. it's one of the more common zeitgeisty philosophical concepts that pop culture in the 00s utilised.

[@steamgoth4surf427]

Lol 🍻🍻🍻

[@iloveyourunclebob]

Spike thinking that he's a noble vampire with a soul always breaks my heart.

[@reesewithoutaspoon]

He at least became one

[@NoThankUBeQuiet]

Why because he thinks he needs a soul to be good? I agree

[@Nicamon]

@@NoThankUBeQuiet Because vampires *SHOULD* need a soul to be Good!That's THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF HAVING A GODDAMN SOUL!!!>O< I will *NEVER* be able to enjoy Spike as a character because *he makes NO GODDAMN SENSE!!!* You *CAN'T* be Good without a soul,otherwise vampires are no different than humans and slayers are just a bunch of mass murderers!!!X-O

[@valeriamonti2590]

@@Nicamon why does he make no sense ?

[@Nicamon]

@@valeriamonti2590 I literally explained that in my previous comment.🤨In a pretty angry but I believe sufficiently clear way.Vampires have no souls so they shouldn't be *able* to be Good.Otherwise having a soul has no meaning and vampires are just like humans and Slayers should be considered mass murderers for killing them without a trial or even when they have JUST come out of their graves before they even harmed anybody.

[@AshLee92490]

I don't think Dawn's blaming Tara. She just doesn't her to leave. Tara's probably the person she's closest to and seeing her leave hurts. She probably also don't know the full depth of what's transpired between her and Willow and being their biggest shipper, well, no one likes seeing their ships sink. Also, Dawn's a child of divorce. Tara's always looked out for Dawn, even back in "The Real Me" in season 5. Tara really became a mother figure(I imagine that she was doing most of the raising of Dawn after Buffy's death), so seeing Willow/Tara breakup and seeing Tara leave is probably like seeing her parents breakup again. Her own mother dead, her sister died, dad's nowhere to be found, now Tara's leaving, can you imagine the abandonment issues? That moment between Tara and Dawn hits me in the feels because I love their bond and relationship, which is very underrated and you see Tara trying to comfort Dawn (her pseudo child) despite the fact that she's the one actually going through the bad breakup, and the look on her face when Dawn runs always from her. Her heart shatters even more than it already had. Great moment between those two...

[@NatGeodeWild]

Ash Lee Can Ikr i kind of get why dawn avoided her but I would of avoided willow over Dawn.

[@nodiggity4283]

Also the musical episode kinda showed dawn's motives for being mad "does anybody even notice? does anybody even care (about me)"

[@veronicapomar6010]

Things were changing around her and i think that's what bothered her the most.

[@AshLee92490]

@@NatGeodeWild I think she had that trust of Tara not leaving her. With Tara being the biggest parental figure since Joyce's passing, Tara leaving is a major blow. Think of how many kids who's parents have divorced but at their kids wish they worked it out and been what they percieved to be a happy family at the time. Besides the percieved fight she'd witnessed, she thought that they were okay. The one person thay she probably felt that ubderstood and took care of her is leaving. It probably reminded her of her dad Hank leaving too. I think people underestimate how not only Willow/Tara's relationship was to her, but her personal relationship with Tara as as well...

[@fangsabre]

Reason 273 why I dislike Dawn

[@MagusAgrippa8]

"Time... time is what turns kittens.. into cats." Such a dang funny line.

[@ItsChesh]

I never noticed it, but Xander at the end laughing at a joke that he remembered pretty much means that everyone’s memories (the old and the new) just flooded back. Which actually shows and justifies everyone’s response at the end of the episode: Buffy - everything. Dying. Living. Her mom being found dead. Dying again. Being pulled out of heaven. I’d be at the bar too 😂 Dawn - probably just remembered her parents divorce and Hank leaving. Which is probably why she’s more upset than angry because she’s living the same thing AGAIN. I actually have to give Dawn credit here and say that her “tantrum” was justified. Looking at Tara exit the door with a box just brought back too many memories. I think Tara and Willow’s actions don’t need explaining but it’s refreshing to rewatch this with you to realize things I didn’t notice before. :>

[@Idanuboy]

This actually made me think, wouldn't it have been interesting if the spell breaking would have "reset" their memories to their original ones, where Dawn wasn't there?

[@sirmoonslosthismind]

@@Idanuboy what would that have done to dawn, who has no "original" memories?

[@lessismore8533]

No one could EVER be sane if they were Buffy😂..

[@douglas2938]

Giles always seems to land on his feet whenever there's any funny business with memories/personas going around. First Joyce, now Anya.

[@renoidu76]

21:00 Giles vs Skeleton: best tiny fight ever in Buffyverse!

[@victorsixtythree]

A nod to Ray Harryhausen's crowning achievment, the skeleton fight from Jason and the Argonauts (1963). No CGI, just Ray alone in his workshop moving little figures one frame at a time... kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJ2pm4GMic58Z8U

[@renoidu76]

@@victorsixtythree The more you know! Thanks!

[@victorsixtythree]

So...because of this comment I searched up Ray Harryhausen on KZbin and found this excellent tribute video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eH6ogIB-htqej8U which I had not seen before. It's an excellent tribute and overview of Harryhausen's career. I looked at the upload date and saw that it was just uploaded to KZbin yesterday! What a coincidence!

[@tselliot3410]

Yaaaaaas

[@spangelicious837]

This is third. Harmony and Xander is second.

[@juzujuzu4555]

I just realized, Buffy aka Joan just saw what Spike's aka Randy's deep personality really was. He didn't have a soul, but everything else what he said was truth in a way. Buffy understood that, and was so tempted that she had to turn her head away from him at the bar. But then she gave up to temptation. Never really got the peaces put together before.

[@lessismore8533]

Nice observation Honestly this shows how amazing soulless Spike is. Angelus could never..

[@Logan_Baron]

Remember in Restless when we saw Spike in that same grey suit, with Giles saying he was like a son to him, and them talking about a shark but on land.

[@spangelicious837]

Only Joss would give us the visual pun that is the loan shark. LOL Umad? Dawn? Nah. ;) Buffy is Joan (of Arc) and Spike is Giles's son, and Anya and Giles are engaged and the wacky just keeps giving with this episode. One of the funnier ones, even with the really twisted and messed up reasons that it all happens. Namely, Willow continuing to violate Tara and now everyone else. So much for a week without magic. Couldn't even go one day. SMH.

[@iloveyourunclebob]

The loan shark really made this episode better and it's already amazing. One of my top 10 for sure.

[@shady_the_one]

Forget a day, she didn't go a minute.

[@Buffy8Fan]

This episode is known and/or referenced as both "the happiest sad episode of BtVS" and "the saddest happy episode of BtVS." After Show Reactions rant from 8:45-9:10 shows exactly why there are certain fans out there who believe what Willow does is a type of rape with the memory spell. Although sleeping with Tara during the memory spell and knowing Tara was mad at her is actual rape. I've always been on Tara's side and cannot justify any of Willow's S6 actions, including those in this episode. However I don't think Giles only option was to leave town again, although, unlike what I thought about Willow's actions, I do understand why he thought he had to.

[@alexh8613]

The foreshadowing of using Michelle Branch's song "Goodbye to You" was amazing. Not just for the obvious, Tara and Giles saying goodbye, but Buffy saying goodbye to her past life, to enter this new destructive stage of her life centered around Spike. The line "goodbye to everything that I knew," fits perfectly for the next 6 months.

[@lessismore8533]

I mean side but to be fair Spike was the ONLY one that under her the most cus he explained death long before her. Things were only crazy cus she was depressed. And of course Spike didn’t get his soul yet..

[@BloodBunnie]

Spuffy are my happiness. *sigh*

[@lewisbough6109]

Tabula Rasa literally means "blank slate" but it's also a belief in psychology that humans are blank slates upon birth before ideas are imprinted on them by the world around them.

[@NCC-1701_no_bloody_a_b_c_or_d]

There's also an episode in Criminal Minds that explored that idea of a serial killer losing his memory, should the man without memory of his actions be held accountable for the man who killed.

[@randy_n]

Randy is a fine name

[@agarqueen9126]

Indeed xD

[@Margot1704]

🤣

[@thecaptain6184]

Whatever you say Desperate For a Shag N.

[@judigemini178]

Haha!

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

"All Gone With the Wind with the rising music and the rising...music." Baby shark Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo dooo... This episode starts off being so hilarious. I love it. And then... Love your reactions as always!

[@tsukigalleta]

If Xander quoted you, he did it 20 years ago... So is it a time loop quote? I don't think Dawn is blaming Tara. She and Willow became her parent figures when she lost both Buffy and her mom, so Tara leaving is for her like losing a parent. Again. Everybody's suffering so much in these episodes, but Dawn's suffering is being as quiet as Buffy's. Not even the audience is paying attention to hers because the focus is on Buffy's. This episode is a much needed refreshment from all the angst. Between my favorites too! And the ending is such a mix of even more angst AND the glorious scene of Buffy and Spike making out. Didn't they look like they were trying to swallow each other??

[@menachemsalomon]

I have a running deal where I try to point out every time ASR preempts a character's lines. It happens quite a bit, sometimes even word for word. So this time, she just did it a couple of episodes ahead. This episode is, I think, one of the funniest. The characters not being themselves, yet acting like themselves. I agree about Dawn; even if she understands why Tara has to leave, she's still mad. Boy, that kid really needs a therapist to help her deal.

[@juzujuzu4555]

I don't think Dawn is even mad or had tantrum, or perhaps she used that to mask the "more embarrassing reason". I think the situation is too stressful/anxious for her to handle at the moment. She was already out, probably getting away from the situation like in Real me. And now she just ran inside to hide from that same situation.

[@JackKramme]

Fun fact: Tabula Rasa is Latin for blank slate. A reference to them losing their memories

[@coldservings]

This is the episode that broke Giles' character. He's leaving because Buffy was basically using him as a crutch. Well, there's no shame in using a crutch when you have a broken leg. Buffy doesn't have a metaphorical broken leg. She has multiple fractures of both legs and needs not a crutch but a wheelchair. And Giles is taking that away from her. How can this be the same guy who was fired by the watcher's council for having "a father's love for the child." I am a father and I can't imagine abandoning my daughter in that much pain. He might have had an excuse when he thought she'd been pulled out of a hell dimension. But knowing what he knows now? I understand, of course, that Anthony Stewart Head wanted to spend more time with his family in England. No shade on him. But the writers did Giles' character dirty here. There are things they could have had Giles do that would have been consistent with his character: Going to the watchers' council to browbeat them into paying Buffy a salary, for instance, or getting therapists who are aware of the supernatural world who can help Buffy (and future slayers) deal with things like trauma and depression. Instead, they broke the character. Mind you, Season 6 remains my favorite, but that's despite things like this, not because of them.

[@LilyJars]

I completely agree with this - Giles picked the absolute worst possible time to leave Buffy. Her entire life was falling apart, this was literally the time where Giles should have been there for her. Also agree that all those suggestions would have made better reasons for the actor to leave the show for a bit

[@Qualimar]

I think Buffy subconsciously picked the name 'Joan' because of Saint Joan of Arc - it was her natural heroism thing showing through. Also Willow is very lucky she knows Buffy and Xander for a lot longer than they knew Tara - if it came to a vote i know which witch would have been kicked out of the Scoobies after this and it wasn't the one who actually left.

[@tiagopsilva2]

EPIC season. That's the highlight of the entire series for me, it reminds me of such mixed feelings. Buffy really marked my heart.

[@blotcho84]

Buffy was probably feeling heroic Joan of Arc vibes when she thought of the name, I think it's kinda nice Also Michelle Branch and t.a.t.u are cool :D

[@awarriorstill]

I always thought it was because it's kinda, sorta similar to Joyce.

[@blueamaranth9419]

Also, she was nearly burned at the stake.

[@nodiggity4283]

Awarriorstill Joyce+ Dawn

[@CloudslnMyCoffee]

I always thought it was because it is a form of John…its a plain name, the opposite of the conspicuous name Buffy. I think the Joan of Arc angle explains why it was Joan instead of Jane

[@niysiah7623]

Spikes scream face when the door opened tho. xD

[@FarcryPJ]

“I never turn my computer off” *Aggressively Faints* But in all seriousness this was awesome. One of my favorite episodes as well. Keep it up!

[@norasmith2474]

I was legit obsessed with that Michelle Branch song after the episode, downloaded it and played it very frequently for the better part of a year. And I know Dawn is a teenager and she's all moody but I felt so bad for Tara during that moment on the porch.

[@moonfisher]

Same. I learned it on guitar because of this episode.

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

nora smith listened to it last week on the way to work 🙂

[@marceline_mal]

Can’t blame Dawn though. She’s been through some horrible things, with her mum dying, then her sister dying, her father not being the slightest bit interested... now the one person she looks up to and connects to the most is leaving. She must be feeling so hurt and abandoned.

[@peggin169]

Lauren Marceline -- Exactly. Dawn isn't upset that Tara is leaving Willow, she's upset that Tara is leaving HER.

[@norasmith2474]

That's why it hit me so hard. Tara was this outsider with a stutter and really self conscious and low self esteem. She found a family in the Scoobies, love with Willow and this safe place. And now she's leaving it all behind cause the person she loved the most betrayed and assaulted her mind? Yeah, I feel for her so much.

[@NostalgiaBrit]

The episode makes me roar with laughter, but the ending makes me cry so hard!

[@jareththegoblinking3191]

Willow there are simpler ways to make someone feel better after being pulled from Heaven. Vacation out of town perhaps, maybe go LA......Ok scratch that

[@juzujuzu4555]

Actually there pretty much ain't anything that can make you feel better, except time and its effect is essentially memory loss.

[@phantomgames8433]

Unfortunatlly Willow did this to herself, never thought the consequences of her wrong choices, including resurecting Buffy. Tara is completley rigth, she can't be with Willow when willow ignores their wornings and messes with their minds, hurting them with magic. I can'r blame Tara. I don't think too Dawn deosn't blame Tara. She is upset because she is leaving. Dawn loves Tara. Dawn and Buffy have been trough a lot of things. I'm really sad for them. the song is one of my best soundtrack songs.

[@russellward4624]

No she thought of the consequences, she just didn’t care. The scoobies can be incredibly selfish.

[@lessismore8533]

@@russellward4624umm what did Anya do that was selfish tho? (I’m not talking shout her demon days…but after)..

[@russellward4624]

@lessismore8533 who's talking about Anya?

[@alanbeaumont4848]

If you watch Giles singing 'Standing in the Way carefully you'll see that there is a deliberate discontinuity so that he keeps entering shot from the wrong direction . It is filmed like a dream sequence. Buffy can't hear him because the song is only in his head; he's too British to sing out loud!

[@raggarbergman]

Well Randy/Spike did have the same clothes like in the dream in Restless while being on the swing. :)

[@cenedra2143]

"Oh he's like a loan shark right?" Oh bless you 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@marclewis5505]

She is smart!😁

[@daliden]

This was the first instance of the Michelle Branch song being featured on TV; the Charmed episode came two years later. So you could have obsessed over it for two years longer if you had watched Buffy when it first aired! (But fortunately you didn't, we wouldn't get these reactions then...)

[@Mortigantoj]

From the episode Restless: Giles: "Spike's like a son to me" 🤔

[@April7739]

This episode is so hilarious throughout. Love it! And the Spuffy kiss at the end melts me every time.

[@rwwilson21]

Michelle did this before Charmed. Actually, this was her first television show appearance. And if you listen closely this "Goodbye To You" version is different than the studio recorded version(other than the fact that it's live)

[@nodiggity4283]

yeah i remember looking up the song a few years ago to relisten and was like, wait this ain't right. Though I do believe there's a full length of this version

[@rwwilson21]

Funny that you say that. About a year ago I came across an interview on youtube that she did, talking about doing this performance, how she did the show version differently on purpose and how she wished she hadn't lost the recording of it because she wants to give it to the Buffy fans.

[@nodiggity4283]

interview sounds cool i'll try to look it up

[@TheMichellemo]

"ta-bU-la ra-sa" is latin for "blank slate" playing on the idea that in this episode the characters can't remember anything and are all blank slates.

[@terpcj]

I vehemently disagree with Giles leaving. I totally get how he wants to tough-love Buffy into adulthood, but c'mon. She just got wrested from capital-H Heaven fer cryin' out loud and she's still learning to be a parent to her sister besides. "Oh, you're living in Hell? Well, let me just dump a little more Hell on you. Love you. Buh-bye." Feh. I do sort of miss not getting a scene with Giles and "Randy" being all tweedy and sharing a swing together a la "Restless". I didn't care for the easy self-justification of bring Buffy back. There are some big moral issues at play. I honestly wanted at least an episode of deep-seated guilt, tears, and recriminations. You know, like your average American Thanksgiving. That said..."Randy Giles".

[@spangelicious837]

Yeah, Giles's logic is seriously flawed. And they could have easily given him a more plausible reason for leaving, but I can't say more about that just yet.

[@iloveyourunclebob]

@@spangelicious837 I don't want to imply anything so just in case *DO NOT CLICK READ MORE* I hate it, but I also appreciate showing that adults fuck up too

[@reuangel]

I don't think she would never learn if he was always there... Like on "All The Way" when Giles had to spank Dawn for her bad behaviour and Buffy went to bed. I guess if Giles kept delaying his travel, he would never leaved.

[@fangsabre]

See.. theres a reason why we dont get that though. It's because Willow is the villain of season 6. Like the whole time. From 6:1 to the finale, its Willow. Theres no big bad, but willow brought back Buffy anyways without a care or thought and just assumed it was the right thing to do because she wanted it a d she could. She thought messing with Tara's mind was ok because she wanted them to stop fighting and she could. She thought she could erase all the bad feelings because she wanted to a d she could. And then later it becomes a lot more obvious. Willow is the villain of season 6

[@jongon0848]

It's also hypocritical of Giles since he tells Buffy when he comes back that the most adult thing a person can do is ask for help.

[@mavoc3094]

Anyone else feel like we are watching a train wreck in super slow motion. "You think you know. What's to come, what you are... You haven't even begun."

[@jean-paulaudette9246]

20:45 ASR: What about the people that own that house? You just broke the mailbox! Tomorrow, when the mailman comes, they're not gonna get their mail. ...Also, that was an awesome backflip.

[@rayjulien4739]

Tabula Rasa (clean slate) First thing Buffy does...is protect Dawn!

[@toshomni9478]

I'm sure that bringing Buffy back to life in the grand scheme of things resulted in her saving the world many times over but I like how the dangerous ramifications of it continue to play out for the rest of the series. Much as people love Buffy and Spike being together it also was definitely was a sign of an impending apocalypse.

[@Jason_xofilos]

One word: Addiction On many levels. We are definitely no longer in high school or college per se but dealing with life. Buffy’s childhood is dead and she definitely an adult now beyond her responsibilities as a slayer.

[@emanymton713]

The name Joan is an Easter egg to how Buffy the vampire slayer came about...she was originally going to be Joan the immortal waitress, I believe.

[@RitsychServare]

Your reaction to Giles and Spike's mistaken father-and-son relationship by going for that embrace is priceless! 🤣haha yeah it was the biggest "WTF that's hilarious" moment in the show... in my opinion (I laughed my head off at their own deductions to their relation 'cause it seems to make sense in this context even though it's so wrong haha). Also, I think Willow's obsession with magic had been progressively worse over time that she underestimated herself (seriously, going for a week let alone a MONTH is still a stretch for someone who needs to break a habit or end one's bad behavior--one must give it one day at a time). As for Giles' leaving, when I first saw this, I was pissed at Giles because I felt like it was definitely the wrong time 'cause Buffy needs her the most but seeing this now, it became necessary 'cause Buffy wasn't going change anything or even try to help herself. She was simply "going through the motions" and I'm sure that as long as Giles is around, she doesn't really have to face certain responsibilities like Dawn, or to be that parental figure when Giles can handle it while she just DOES WHAT SHE'S HAS TO DO.

[@pennyknight3251]

Giles made the wrong choice. He is like a Father to Buffy. If your grown up child is suffering from depression you don’t abandon them to work it out on their own. Also in leaving he is abandoning Dawn.

[@rjwalker1726]

@@pennyknight3251 I think he made the wrong decision for them but the right one for himself. I think it's the first time he's put his own well being ahead of Buffy's. I know he said it was all about her but I think that there's also a big slice of 'I can't do this any more'. It's been building since S4 but with the death of Joyce and Buffy, and having lost Buffy once before and Jenny, plus, that talk with the buffy bot about 'that's the watcher-slayer relationship' - he knows she'll likely died before him and I think he can't be there for that again. I totally get why people get angry at him, if you see it from the other's perspectives that's fair. But if you see the last 5 years from his perspective? I mean, he's not actually her father, he's like a father and would like to be like her father iykwim but he's NOT her father. IMO he's somebody who has reached the end of his rope, knows he can't help and could do more damage than good. Maybe it turns out he was wrong but could he actually have made a difference? We'll never know.

[@TheJessy8888]

@@rjwalker1726 the show was not supposed to go that direction, giles was supposed to be there for both dawn and buffy but the actor Anthony Head has had enough of being far for so long from his family and daughters, he had to have a break from the show and go spend more time with his family, hence in both seasons 6 and 7, he is as a guest star.

[@rjwalker1726]

@@TheJessy8888 Yes, but how would S6 have gone if he'd stayed? Did they intend on driving a wedge between them? Because it seems the whole point of the season was Buffy on her own. I'd have been interested to see what they'd have done differently but I can totally understand why he wanted to go back to the UK They still needed to justify Giles leaving though and I don't think they did a stellar job of that. In the end you've got the reason that was given and then my speculation on subtext lol

[@TheJessy8888]

@@rjwalker1726 well i guess if he had stayed, he would have talked to buffy and pushed her to accept her part of responsability towards dawn... doing what he does best, guide her to be better as the slayer and as a person... as you said, even if anthony head didn't ask for a time out, they would have found a way to keep him distant so that buffy can be the parent figure for dawn and not giles.

[@amandabagwellpruitt2541]

OMG!! I loved your face at 18:29 when Spike and Giles hugged!!!

[@havok6280]

Giles seems to get lucky every time there's a spell cast. Band Candy. Hush. My favorite Michelle Branch song is Game of Love with Santana. This is a close 2nd though.

[@beachgirl4583]

In Hush, Olivia was his girlfriend. It’s sort of unlikely that Giles doesn’t have a long term relationship (aside from Olivia, whom we barely see, and Miss Calendar). I would have liked it if he and Joyce had reconnected; they had good chemistry.

[@rjwalker1726]

@@beachgirl4583 I don't know, I think it's been shown that it only works with people already in their world (it didn't work with Owen, and Olivia bailed as soon as she knew, everybody else's dates were in some way supernatural or in the know). It's why it worked with Jenny, and I guess it might have worked with Joyce, they were just starting to get on friendly terms when she died :( tbh I don't think Giles was ever ready to commit again, he dated Olivia because she lived on a different continent so he didn't have to get too serious about it. It's not only because of what happened but because Jenny died because of her association with him. If they hadn't been together she wouldn't have been trying to make it right with him and Angelus would have had no reason to kill her.

[@beachgirl4583]

R J Walker, How much closer to “in their world” could Joyce be? The mother of _the Slayer_ ? Remember, the Scoobies knew nothing about the hellmouth before Buffy moved to Sunnydale. 🤷‍♀️

[@rjwalker1726]

@@beachgirl4583 I was actually meaning with someone other than Joyce, I may not have been that clear. I meant that until he owns the magic shop we don't see a lot of adults who are in the magic world who aren't evil. S5 I guess he was a bit busy to think about picking one of them up :/ I really liked Giles and Joyce becoming friends in S5, I imagine they didn't have much reason to see each other in S4 and maybe the space helped them get over the Band Candy incident lol I also imagine there might be times that Joyce needed to talk about her illness but didn't want to talk to Buffy or Dawn about it, she might have talked to him. Had she lived it might have happened. It wasn't a ship I was actively wanting but if it had happened I think it would have been very cool. And Buffy would have hated it lmao ;)

[@Ant1803]

The lyrics at the end of the musical episide, Giles and Tara both sing about having to leave which is what they do in this episode.. (Play ASReacts OMWFelling at 21m44s)

[@victorsixtythree]

Having seen this episode made me scream when I re-watched "Restless" (specifically Xander's dream with the swing set).

[@Cliohna]

MILD? SPOILER Yes, after that I seriously started to question when Joss planned all this stuff and other things as well...I know a lot of people say there are many plot holes in the mythology etc., but I really can't think of much (because I always forget the examples) other than the one with vampires and the breathing (S2E22 Drusilla fainting 'cause Spike got her in a choke hold, and there is another scene which I will not mention).............I just got an idea why that would not have to be a plot hole. Okay, never mind! But still: such details always make me squeal as well. Genius!

[@victorsixtythree]

And...HOLY CR*P...I re-watched that scene from Restless AGAIN and this time noticed something ELSE that I had missed the first few times... ...they made mention of a LAND SHARK. Are you KIDDING ME??

[@riopato2009]

The goodbye to you version on Buffy resonated to Shan because she already liked the song but she totally missed the emotional overtones that set the mood of the scenes. This version was heartbreaking which reflected the of loss for Buffy as well as it was for Willow and even Dawn having to experience the people she loves abandoning her again. The Spuffy kiss was actually sad in contrast to the previous episode since their kiss in OMWF was about Buffy feeling something for Spike. The kiss in the ending of Tabula Rasa was more about Buffy using Spike as a distraction from the pain and loss she is feeling at that moment.

[@deltablaze77]

4:10 That totally relatable moment when you realize you are Xander.

[@danalynch8889]

The first time Buffy series ran I heard her sing and immediately bought her cd album.

[@GreatGarloo]

"And when the stars fall I will lie awake/You're my shooting star" Yes I had that song on heavy repeat way back when. It's so lovely.

[@kingcrimson2643]

Funnily enough this is a popular name for tv shows. Buffy, Lost, The Justice League Animated series and i think Dollhouse all had a episode with this same name.

[@beachgirl4583]

Fierce Crimson Speedster a.k.a. Edward, Dollhouse didn’t have an episode with that title, but Adele talked about “the tabula rasa” in one of the episodes, possibly “Needs” (I’d have to rewatch again). Lost was referencing John Locke (they weren’t very subtle with their references; Buffy’s writers were much, much better than Lost’s).

[@dawnochs2018]

Stargate Atlantis had an episode too.

[@antonbrakhage490]

"Time, time, time is what turns kittens into cats."

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

I always think of this as the 1st ‘true’ Spuffy kiss. Before this it’s always been because of magic. Even the kiss at the end of the previous episode could’ve been the last remnant of a spell. This one is pure intent.

[@JupiterThndr]

I also found it odd that Spike's Actor James reverts back to his natural accent when he says "Randy Giles" then goes back to the cockney accent

[@pillmuncher67]

In ancient Rome, a tabula was a writing board or tablet, often covered in wax and written on with a small spike, so it could easily be erased again by smoothing the wax. rasus/rasa is the past participle of the verb radere, to erase. So, tabula rasa means erased writing board.

[@TheRubberDuck77]

The irony of this, Willow goes on to host a show introducing other doing magic

[@VolatileSupernova]

I love how Dawn and Buffy immediately take to each other and meld so well, makes me happy :) EDIT: Whoa I watched this back in the day and didn't realize that was Michelle Branch lol, random.

[@catrin3944]

You’re reaction to the shark hahaha this is a favourite of mine too. Such a funny episode after a mostly dark opener to the season.

[@catherinethurmond4776]

Honestly I dont know if I've told you lately but i love your reactions to this show and Angel. You make the show have a fresh air feel if that makes any sense. 💜

[@RayvenQ]

I'm glad you got the loan shark thing, so many reactions I've seen where they just don't get it. So yes, you're smart lol

[@echalone]

I NEVER FIGURED THE LOAN SHARK THING OUT BEFORE! lol xD thanks actually :D

[@frozenpiper2]

This is probably my favorite episode. I've watched it more times than any other.

[@beachgirl4583]

This, and Band Candy are my top two... uhoh, I nearly forgot Doppelgängland. Edit: I *did* forget “A New Man”. I love it when Giles scares Professor Walsh.

[@TrevorMcNeil-e1y]

Tabula Rasa is latin and literally means "Blank Slate." It is also the closest thing to a comedy episode in season 6.

[@x-man9473]

The previous episode was very comical.

[@kingbrutusxxvi]

I hated it at the time but I think, in retrospect, Giles did need to leave. Buffy just wasn't growing up (for lack of a better term) as long as she had Giles there. She repeatedly made him parent Dawn and do all the difficult things she wanted to avoid. I get that she was the slayer, and how time-consuming that is, but she was too dependent and needed to stop using him as a crutch. That was actually a really loving and responsible thing for Giles to do. Still hated to see him go, though. ... BTW, did anyone notice that "Vampire #3" was played by a David Franco? Maybe, maybe not?

[@CloudslnMyCoffee]

Not to mention things couldnt go so spectacularly off the rails with Giles around

[@Richard_Ashton]

And it's twice that Sean Lennon has appeared on Buffy, once with Cibo Mato and now with the wonderful Ms Branch. To anybody really old (like me), don't you think his stance is exactly like his dad?

[@agarqueen9126]

OMWF and this one!!!!! My favorites 😊 The first time I saw this one I laughed out loud pretty much throughout! Joss is a genius!

[@allis143]

I love how you were shocked as hell but still singing along.

[@valinny8571]

Also one of my very faves of the series, and probably favorite in season 6. I think I've seen Tabula Rasa as many times as Hush, which is a lot. So Shan, did you think this was the funniest sad episode or the saddest funniest episode? Are you pissed off at Willow? btw- did you see how much Lethe's Bramble Willow had stashed away? Makes you think how much has she used the stuff to wipe minds? And where did she get such a big supply? Costco? :) I've always thought Tars's smackdown of Willow was Amber's meatiest/best scenes in the entire series. It's like a completely different Tara. She's come such a long way from the painfully shy girl in S4. The writers never have really given her great dialogue/scenes she can sink her teeth into, but that scene at Xander's was great for her. I love how she brings up Glory. Nice going Willow, you can't ever wait 24 hours before you use magic after your girlfriend asks you NOT TO!! I always think of Tabula Rasa when I hear Goodbye to You.

[@touchstoneaf]

I just found your reactions this morning and I've watched so many of them already! These are so entertaining, thank you. I cannot wait for you to watch Smashed, oh dear God it's going to kill me that it's going to take you another week to get to that one, because, Smashed!

[@Cliohna]

I think you won't have to wait, she uploads Buffy and Angel episodes on Fridays and Saturdays. Today she uploaded 2 Angel episodes and 1 Buffy episode... EDIT: my bad, she actually uploaded 3 Angel episodes. Well, I guess I don't know if she uploads another Buffy episode on Saturday then...sorry.

[@vwlssnvwls3262]

4:13 "I'm Xander" You should be proud. Xander is one of the best of the bunch!

[@emanymton713]

Anya, stop saying Himble in the spells... that’s obviously the word in common that keeps summoning bunnies. Also, re-rewatching your Buffy reactions. Hello again Shan 😄

[@TOMMYFARRWALES]

interesting fact, Giles left cause they were working on a giles spin-off set hear in the UK, which didnt happen but news keeps poping back up even now for the idea, i like to see that.

[@juzujuzu4555]

If Anthony Stewart Head would play Giles, I would watch that spin-off. Also I would watch Spike spin-off, and I wouldn't mind if they had to resort to whatever to explain his aging looks. Somehow I really don't understand how the hell they just could left Buffyverse without any following spin-off. And I just mention, don't want to go any further, cancelling Firefly... pretty much the only show that had even richer potential universe.

[@LilyJars]

@@juzujuzu4555 They did have a spin off, the Angel series. And I guess the comics too. Imo the Joss Whedon regime was too stressful / intense / horrific and everyone was so burnt out they needed a huge break

[@Emmatheenergyhealer3345]

From the second I started watch in you react I was wondering how you were going to react to Spuffy... I think it was in something blue in season 4 you said you "ship them" and I was like omg yes!. Awesome reaction as always 😊

[@larrycopes506]

This episode has a very awesome closing the song and visuals was just so fucking sad/beautiful.

[@thecaptain6184]

ASR: you can cut the sexual tension with a knife Me: no it's way to strong

[@metroplex7986]

How does one do a decent episode to follow-up "Once More, With Feeling"? Honestly, how? It's a near impossible task. Well, They throw an episode with loads of emotional twists, wrapped in highs and lows. That's how. Glad you're enjoying the ride, Shan. Three cheers for Randy Giles, and Giles sword-fighting with a skeleton!!!

[@kathleenrunas9435]

Trivia. Michelle Branch appeared in both Buffy and Charmed singing the same song on the same week. 😅 I remember watching Charmed on Wednesday then seeing her again singing the same song in Buffy on Thursday. 😂

[@blacktronlego]

I don't think Dawn blames Tara, she just hates the whole situation. I think she'd react the same way if it was Willow.

[@Lonii04]

„And I think im kinda Gay” 😂

[@blacktronlego]

it's tab-yoo-la rar-sar, it's direct translation is 'scrapes tabler' from the days when thing were recorded on wax tablets, (heating and) scraping them would delete the information. Blank Slate has the same meaning.

[@voidserum2156]

When I first saw this episode and willow went THAT far to use the spell I was LITERALLY SHOCKED AND ANNOYED

[@Kevashidaz]

I'm glad you knew that song before seeing this. It's a great song, but this was the first place I ever heard it, so for me it's forever tied to Tara moving out :'(

[@jean-paulaudette9246]

27:36 Correction: Samwise Gamgee: If it happens once, it'll never happen again...But if it happens *twice* it'll surely happen a third time.

[@lynnevetter]

This episode was fabulous for us few Glies/Anya shippers. Lol

[@lynnevetter]

You'd be surprised how often I get to say "hippity hop all over my vulnerable flesh".🤣🤣

[@tyrone7635]

That Austin Powers impression was priceless and so is that song

[@merlynbollegala528]

watching Michelle Branch in this episode was the first time I heard of her. Its what made me learn to play the guitar and was the first song I learned :)

[@Nixie_536]

One of my fave episodes ❤ among so many. Hush,becoming pt one and two,faith and buffy showdowns.. the musical and so many more beyond that :) Dark Willow 🥰💕 What a beautiful mind Joss has and we are lucky to have been here to witness :)⚘

[@MadBoyChes]

Honestly I can not blame tara what Willow did was a massive violation of trust and it is not okay

[@robinschicha4712]

Randy and Giles are hugging - pure horror on your face!!

[@12chapin]

Willow violated all their minds. Spike thought he was a layback lazy Sherlock.

[@jasonmac1990]

I've seen this episode multiple times and I never put the shark/loan shark thing together

[@nodiggity4283]

really?

[@beachgirl4583]

I also see a silly homage to 70s era Saturday Night Live’s land sharks.