Buffy The Vampire Slayer 6x19 Seeing Red Reaction

[@axxwound1205]

“I’m starting to worry. This is far too happy.” You are learning.

[@gungho1284]

It's a "dead" giveaway, for sure.

[@julesreacts]

Took me long enough 🤣

[@colleenmarin8907]

Just like with Joyce twirling in her dress for her date

[@axxwound1205]

@julesreacts It took me way too long to figure out the pattern. Joyce is when is when I stopped trusting happiness 😄

[@JhadeSagrav]

​@@colleenmarin8907 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@lawrencewestby9229]

"Your shirt." Perhaps the most heartbreaking line in all of BtVS.

[@pedromicaelgama2275]

True. For me it's tied with "Mommy?" from episode 5.15

[@phueal]

That's Tara: always caring for everyone except herself!

[@balldalt]

@@pucho3699 Yes, agreed. 😭But that's from Angel.

[@jackmars931]

Gold Medal: "Mommy?" Silver Medal "Your shirt." Bronze Medal: "Close your eyes."

[@chanceneck8072]

I'm getting a t-shirt made for myself that says "your shirt" as an honor for Tara.

[@seanmcmurphy4744]

I love that the magical objects that give Warren super powers are a pair of balls.

[@JhadeSagrav]

😂😂😂 very subtle metaphor.

[@alanmackie6180]

And Buffy crushes Warren's balls. 👍

[@ashleytuchin7693]

I can't believe I never noticed that before. 😂

[@danh8804]

Season 6 Marti-phors be wildin

[@chessenthusiast]

Um, excuse me, they’re orbs.

[@crawdaddy1234]

"I'm so happy for Willow and Tara..." Yup, we all were...

[@julesreacts]

It was a nice moment...... before the crash 😟

[@MartinGonzalez-ke9uy]

@@julesreacts Guess it was needed for the crash to hit harder :(

[@do0ranfrump260]

I was rooting for Oz...

[@julesreacts]

I love Oz 💜

[@Nicamon]

@@do0ranfrump260 In my headcanon,now that Tara is gone,one day blue-haired Willow _will_ meet Oz once again...;-3 ❤🧡 (I know about the comics,I never read them,leave me alone y'all.🤫)

[@pixiesgarden8353]

James Marsters has said multiple times that the bathroom scene sent him into therapy because he was so traumatized by it. The part where Spike is replaying in his mind what he did, there was probably very little acting on James' part.

[@caseyh8386]

Must be an awful thing to even pretend to be doing. God knows it's hard enough to watch

[@DarrellPursiful]

And now you know why Warren is pretty much always at the top of the list of most despised Buffy villains.

[@danh8804]

Adam Busch is never given his due for the villain he created

[@DrLipkin]

Amber Benson (Tara) and Adam Busch (Warren) dated in real life for around 7 years. They were already a couple when filming this episode.

[@ImBigDave79]

Oh no, we're here. Been dreading this for weeks. (Commenting before I watch the reaction)

[@paulhammond6978]

Same. I'm taking a deep breath here before I press play to see this.

[@drewkorole]

The first and only episode with amber benson in the opening credits.

[@Nicamon]

Joss How Dare You Whedon,ladies and gentlemen.

[@SlayerBoiProduction]

Also i know we as online viewers only know you for your reactions but you seem like such a lovely human just like Tara. You remind me of Tara!

[@DrLipkin]

James Marsters described in an interview with Michael Rosenbaum that for season 6, the writer's room was instructed to come up with a list of all their personal darkest moments. One of the female writers described being dumped by her boyfriend in college and becoming convinced that if she could just sleep with him, he'd change his mind. The ex-boyfriend ended up having to physically remove her from his dorm room because she wouldn't take no for an answer. James went on to explain that the writers thought they could get away with Spike being in a similar mindset because Buffy has super powers. James rightfully points out that Buffy is the audience surrogate who they are asked to put themselves in the shoes of. So Spike isn't just assaulting Buffy, he's assaulting the audience. And the audience *doesn't* have powers. James said in the interview that he as so distressed he was curling up into the fetal position on the floor between takes.

[@JhadeSagrav]

Oh my gosh.😢😢😢😢 Bro.... This context makes it... Good grief.... So much worse. 😣😣😣😣😣😣😣

[@DanY-gx2dv]

The whole Buffy having superpowers thing was redundant considering they had her booted through a headstone in the scene prior to show she was in a weakened state. She kicked him off in the end yes but that's the only thing that stopped him. Interestingly we never hear Sarah talk about how it affected her.

[@shellc]

It was also Whedon and his sour grapes about Spike being so popular. I swear I remember someone saying he told them, 'Let's see if they still think he is a teddy bear after this?'

[@fszkVF]

If he actually said that (i haven't seen the interview) it would be proof (to me) that he did therapy for it. Because that's a really insightful take that would be hard to come up with by yourself.

[@le_petit_calimero]

One of the heaviest episodes of the entire show ... damn.

[@ZheToralf]

I have never seen that look of genuine horror on a persons face as you had when Tara was shot. I knew it would hit hard, but man you really went through it.

[@SeerMagicX]

The bathroom scene was to remind all the fans that spike is a monster. They've gotten way too in love with him at this point (when it aired), and thus why the scene was created.

[@caseyh8386]

Yeah totally. It's to show that because he has no soul his version of love is as dark as he is.

[@arc7375]

It was confirmed that Buffy the Vampire Slayer was _heavily_ inspired by (and based) upon the X-Men. Willow is the confirmed Jean Grey. And much like Jean Grey, we’ve seen Willow slowly and progressively get more and more entangled in magic, leading to a loss of control. And paying off this development that started in season 2, we now get to see the Buffyverse’s Dark Phoenix saga adaption.

[@MB.543]

I'm gonna wait until I'm in the right frame of mind to watch this reaction. The bathroom scene is the most traumatizing of the entire show for me, and I'm sure I'm not alone in that. This episode is a big part of why I've been worried for you, hun. You've always been such a sweet and sensitive person in your reactions. I've been dreading this a bit, and it's the reason I shared the roboApril quote on a recent reaction, the one about being patient when things are hard. It's good to see that it didn't disturb you enough to turn you off the show completely (based on your patreon post about having finished the season). Just gotta keep pushing forward and believing that things can be brighter on the other side of adversity. Hope you're doing well, and looking forward to your reactions to the rest of the season and the next one (after I make it through this one, that is 😬).

[@julesreacts]

Thank you 💜 I don't blame you if you want to give this one a miss, or certain parts of it. What happened in the bathroom was utterly shocking. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It's bad enough on its own, but to be there and WATCH as something like that happens to someone we love... It honestly was a lot 😔

[@MB.543]

@julesreacts No no, I will definitely watch it. If I'm gonna commit to finish the series with a certain reaction channel, I'm going to make myself watch the lowest parts. It's what makes the best moments that much more worth it in the end. I appreciate your concern anyway! Much love.

[@davidedwards1705]

There is a legend that James Marsters got into a shouting match with Josh as he didn't want to do it.

[@havok6280]

The most traumatic scene in the entire show was Joyce's death.

[@MB.543]

@havok6280 That's subjective. It depends on each viewer's personal experiences. The bathroom scene is way worse for me than anything to do with Joyce's death.

[@67Daidalos]

Poor Juliette. I hope you had the time to digest those events. This was the episode I dreaded the most for you to reach, as you were starting your reactions to the show and as I discovered how sweet and sensitive a person you are. This is definitely the one that shocked me the most of all the Buffyverse, and I suppose I'm not the only one. Fortunately I always kinda dissociated well when watching fictions, especially in imaginary genres (Fantastic/SF/Fantasy). So, as hard as loosing Tara - who was my favorite character, almost since the moment she appeared, and definitely after 5x06 Family - was, I don't think I cried, and I kinda accepted it for what it was. A necessary thing to happen for what's to come. Oh, and by the way, happy new year to you. Hopefully, BtVS will make you smile, and probably laugh again.

[@andreduarte8372]

Oh, man, this one's gonna hurt... 😢 What an episode to kick off the new year!

[@NanaAphesis]

James said in an interview that he passed out doing "that" scene and when he finally came to himself he wasn't speaking for a few minutes. He just heard Sarah constantly saying "I'm alright, James, I'm fine, really, I am" FUN FACT:Adam Busch (Warren) killed his girlfriend Amber Benson (Tara) as Joss joked "by the way. You're going to kill your girlfriend"

[@speedhuntr]

James is such a good guy! He's actually on the Cameo service. I hired him to make a quick little video as a wedding gift for my best friend, she was in love with Spike when we were growing up. It was my first Cameo and it was a month before the wedding so I wasn't sure it would be done in time. Cameo said it could take up to that long. In less than 8 hours, around 2 am the next day he had already completed it from what looked like his hotel room. Really, really impressed.

[@christianschoff2490]

He's not that good a guy. He's just anti rape. ​@@speedhuntr

[@NanaAphesis]

@speedhuntr What an amazing surprise! He's really sweet🥰

[@christianschoff2490]

@NanaAphesis he still wrote a song about his underage coworker and her feet.

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

"I'm really starting to worry because it all seems way too happy..."

[@andreduarte8372]

The motto of a true Whedonverse fan!

[@evatesche]

So we thought the 3 nerds were the most pathetic little villains Buffy ever had to fight. Turns out they are also the ones that caused the most devastating harm to the group. Tara dead, Willow crazy eyed, Buffy bleeding out.... And it hits even harder knowing that they are not driven by a soulless demon identity like most Buffy villains. They are just plain humans.

[@TheBigMe0w]

It's just so realistic. Look at how many don't take pathetic guys like that seriously until they eventually blow up and it's too late. Then it's "How could we have known?" It's heartbreaking how the threat they pose keeps getting dismissed while it keeps getting worse. Another aspect is the other two who just kinda go along with his toxicity because they mistake it for dominance and power. Then they're surprised at their own actions when Warren's ex calls it like it is. They get warped so drastically but subtly that they don't even notice how dangerous their thinking has gotten

[@evatesche]

@@TheBigMe0w Exactly! And we see it gradually getting worse through the season. From a "harmless" bankrobbery and timeline shenanigans to attempted r*pe and straight up murder within a few episodes. Still we mostly think they won't be any real threat to the Scoobies. Most reactor are at this point still wondering when the Big Bad for the season is going to show up. All the while the nerd have been wreaking havoc.

[@METerrell]

Dawn was all of us at the start of the episode. And by the end, well....

[@becca1189]

A yes, one of the most dreaded episodes. Like "The Body" it never gets easier upon rewatch -- especially watching someone else go through it. Plenty of us are crying while watching your reaction, I can guarantee that. You're such a trooper!!! Enjoyed your thoughts & insights. See you for Angel. ❤🧡💛💚💙💜

[@julesreacts]

Becca 💜 what a rough episode. Just too many awful things for one episode. Joss really hates us 🤣 have a lovely weekend!

[@leighbomaya]

Oh no...been waiting for you to get to this one. And that thumbnail just sums it up. Will wait a bit before watching this.

[@Itsjandz105]

I knew this would be a tough one for you. It is for all of us.

[@leighbomaya]

OK I couldn't wait. The trauma is all back again.

[@evatesche]

James Marsters went to therapy after having to act in that particular scene and has now a clause in all his contracts that he won't do scenes like this.

[@messyangel1169]

That’s a lie fans made up

[@evatesche]

@@messyangel1169 No I have seen interviews with him saying that. Don't know if those are still available nowadays, haven't looked it up in ages. But he said that. Trust me.

[@messyangel1169]

@ ok I’m going to look up the interview

[@zainuq]

@@messyangel1169 Interview where he is directly talking about this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZ2XgGmIp7qiatE&ab_channel=InsideOfYouClips

[@heather9857]

I’m not sure about the therapy but I definitely saw interviews with him speaking about the scene and he shared how deeply it distressed him .

[@blotcho84]

Sending hugs! ❤❤❤ We all need it for this episode 😿

[@melskmelsk]

This one's so hard to watch (and to rewatch along with reactors no matter how many times) 💔 Take good care Jules, appreciate you and your sensitivity ❤‍🩹

[@VeroniWatch]

The state of your tissue made my tears go "Game Over!" 🤣🤣 Thanx for the much needed comic relief there! 🤭❤‍🩹

[@julesreacts]

It's both interesting and sad to see the state of the tissues afterwards 😅😭

[@VeroniWatch]

@@julesreacts I agree 🤭❤‍🩹

[@cryptoeatstheworld3379]

One point to consider with the bathroom scene is that the beginning of Buffy and spikes sexual relationship started with an attraction that included violence. That is they would actually fight each other and beat each other up, and that created a sort of twisted forbidden attraction between them. Given that, you can understand why Spike has the wrong idea that if he can just get back to that twisted passion and violent interaction that she would want to be with him again. I mean, this sexual relationship was literally built on her saying no no no and him saying yes yes yes and then her saying yes yes yes. So even though he was wrong, I think reflecting on that puts the scene in its proper context.

[@Brandyalla]

Buffy: "I don't understand why!" Joyce: "Well, did you ever lead him on?" Buffy: "..." Buffy: "I do beat him up a lot. For Spike that's like third base."

[@julesreacts]

Yes, this is absolutely so true. And also when Dru left Spike, his idea to get her back was to torture her, so as terrible as it is.... it does make sense 😟

[@JuneJaneb4]

​@@julesreacts when Dru left him his idea was to go and get drunk crying over her, saying how unhappy he is as she stopped loving him because he is not a monster enough for her. Then he tried to ask magic to make her love him. And when this failed he came up with the idea that he should be a monster that she loved, because that's actually what Angel did to her, he tortured her so Spike decided to win her love this way, doing smth what he thinks she likes and will approve. That's what it was about.

[@cajah88]

@@JuneJaneb4 I mean... you can rationalize and excuse it that way for that instance even though every idea he came up with was... less than great, but Spike had a very unhealthy view of love/relationships even beyond Dru. His relationship with Harmony was also very toxic without the love element, and his obsession with Buffy was toxic, one-sided, stalkerish, and unhealthy even before they started the sexual stuff in S6.

[@xyex]

Yup. The only difference between the bathroom and every other encounter they had was that Buffy _kept_ saying no. Nothing changed in Spike's behavior here, this is what he's been doing all season. The change was entirely in Buffy's response.

[@drb6771]

Hi Jules. I hope you had amazing holidays!! This episode hit hard!😭😭

[@Sytrylt]

The hypocrisy in Xander here ! "Slaughtering half of Europe wasn't one o them" WELLL guess who probably offed more people than Spike ? YOUR EX FIANCÉE ! LOL

[@justinschubert9616]

I'm still playing catch up a season behind but I had to say something here. Watching when the show originally aired this episode crushed me more than any other. Brilliant episode but so, so painful. Adding Amber Benson to the credit sequence was just the icing on the cake.

[@corvus1970]

Of course Buffy doesn't have to tell anyone about Spike or anything else. It's her right to say as much or as little as she chooses. However, feelings simply ARE. Xander's feelings of hurt for not being confided in are valid as well. The problem wasn't that he felt excluded, the problem was how he reacted to that pain. It wasn't helped by the fact that he found out at essentially the worst possible time as well, but that's detail. Basically, we have very little control over how we feel. We have a lot of control over how we act. We've also seen repeatedly that Buffy has a tendency to shut people out and maintain types of emotional distance from her loved ones. This choice too is her right, but it comes with a cost, as all choices do. If you keep people at a distance too far and too long, they have a tendency to slip away.

[@Tantalus010]

So, I only have two things to say here: 1. Obviously, Tara's death was a huge, sad shock. At least you sensed something was up earlier in the episode when you said things seemed too happy. 2. Xander's reaction to finding out Buffy sleeping with Spike was Xander's bruised ego. All those times he told Spike that he didn't have a chance with Buffy? That was his way of coping with Buffy rejecting _him_ back in season 1. Xander sees himself as better than Spike, so to him, finding out that Buffy has slept with Spike reopened an old wound. Not saying any of this justifies his response or that he was right; just trying to give it some context. Hurt people hurt, and all that.

[@razycrandomgirl]

@@Tantalus010 xander is so weird. He's like one degree away from Warren imo. He could have definitely been in the trio.

[@adgato75]

@@razycrandomgirl Nonsense. If anyone fits in the trio, it's Willow. Who is a murderer ? Willow Who uses mind control to control a woman into a relationship ? Willow Who has a massive thirst for power and constantly abuses it ? Willow People give Willow a pass because she's a woman and shit on Xander because he's a man. It's bullshit.

[@razycrandomgirl]

@adgato75 that is interesting. I will give you that. They are both terrible friends to buffy. I think the reason xander gets more shit is because he's not even an interesting character. Also Nicolas Brendan isn't as versatile or charismatic an actor. He's one note and misogynistic like Warren. But I do agree buffy's friends aren't good friends at all .

[@tonydeluna8095]

Your two channels rock the house Jules!

[@leniloubettyboopbossyboots247]

I was dreading this episode for you. Poor Jules, I'm sending you a big virtual hug to mend your soul after this trauma. ❤‍🩹

[@rfresa]

Without a doubt the most controversial episode of Buffy. I love your empathy and ability to see both sides of every issue!

[@Legather]

The thing about Xander's anger, maybe in most other circumstances you'd be right about it not being anyone's business. However with it being not only a close group of friends but a group that relies on each other to survive the various meanies it becomes a bit more of a sticky situation. Especially when it's the pillar of your group, if someone becomes vulnerable to a character who even when he's safer he's still a dangerous unpredictable element with a history of acting up when the opportunity arises then it kinda puts the whole group in danger. It can also shake your confidence in the judgment of that person. Plus of course its with the guy who stuck his 'nose' into Xander's open wound, even self inflicted it's gonna sting. It's not a right or wrong thing, it's just how life is and as it turns out life is the big bad of season 6.

[@johnmoreland6089]

Yes, it isn't about Xander's "right" to know, but more that he, Buffy, and Willow always shared all of their lives before, so it comes as a shock to a friend when that vanishes suddenly. And it's probably very painful. And Xander verbalizes things immediately and later calms down and comes around. Willow, on the other hand, only thinks them or says them privately to Tara, because she also stated she couldn't believe Buffy didn't tell her about Spike. Yet no one gets on her for thinking or saying it. They only get mad at Xander when his transgression really isn't thinking or feeling it, but saying it to Buffy before calming down. Xander is a reactor first. But that's also why he's usually the first to jump into the fights or put himself in danger to protect his friends. And that aspect of his personality more than makes up for the idiotic things he says as a joke or in anger sometimes. Buffy and Willow and most of the other characters get it; I'm not sure why so many fans don't.

[@ErickWebster-mc2yg]

It kind of depends on the situation you can forgive certain things but never forget

[@texn7526]

16:28🤣😂Laughing so hard! Waits 5 minutes....😢😢😢What the hell!😱 "We can't have anything nice" 😟 Indeed. Thanks so much Juliette what a way to end a episode.🥺

[@julesreacts]

Tex 💜 my goodness, this episode.... Why 😭 This season has just been one big bad. I think season 6 itself is the big bad 🙀😢

[@BooneBluemel]

It's been ten years since I watched Buffy, totally forgot about this episode until now

[@paulfeist]

Jules - When you started this journey, I said I was waiting for a few very specific episodes... this was one of them. It's a rough one, but, a great one! I can't talk about that ending without risking spoilers... About Spike's scene in the bathroom, though. It was tough to watch, and shocking... We all like Spike. He's a great character, right? But don't EVER forget WHO HE IS! He is William the Bloody. He and Angelus, Darla, and Dru murdered, raped, and tortured their way across the world... He FED on pain, and suffering, and death. Spike trying to rape Buffy wasn't just "in character" for Spike, it was the very DEFINITION of his character.... even though we've been lulled into thinking he was the witless foil for our team of heroes. That "wake up" is one of the most jarring, shocking, moments of the entire series.... Then following that up with how the episode ended? They punched us in the gut, then broke our jaw for good measure. I wish I could say more without spoilers... but, I can't. Keep watching - there are more amazing moments and episodes to come! Bring tissues...

[@TheAirDuncan23]

Poor James Marsters - He HATED filming that particular scene. He made a clause in his actor contract that made sure he'd never have to act a scene like that ever again because how much it affected him.

[@actorattila]

I think it's really important that you take a look at the interviews, that James Marsters had done about that scene in the bathroom with Sarah. That entire scene is something he never wanted to do but due to contractual obligations he was going to potentially be let go from the show if he didn't, and at that time in his career he really struggled with that aspect and saying no to that. He talks about this in interviews, and well unfortunately he also talks about the fact that he spent many years in therapy haunted by shooting that scene. He's never ever wanted to do a scene like that before, that's something he's never wanted to act in. It's not an easy answer to why the no really didn't happen and he talks about that and interviews, but I really think you should listen to the interviews about him talking about this and how much pain shooting that scene has caused him. It's a big thing to understand What actors go through doing scenes like that, I can speak from personal experience that it's different for everyone, but even for me, I did a scene like that years ago in a short film, and I agree to do it and I wasn't saying it under certain conditions, but I personally held back my performance, and it's affected me to this day, so I'm a little happy that I held it back because if I would have gone full performance I am now a little concerned of how much I would feel from that in my life knowing how much the affected me giving half a performance. So whenever I've seen this scene, which is only once before cuz I've avoided it, it genuinely makes me feel for James and what he had to go through. Now I mentioned James only because I've never gone out of my way to look up the interviews about this they just popped up as I've listened to podcasts with james, so because I haven't searched for these discussions of this scene specifically, I don't know what Sarah had gone through with all of it, so I would recommend maybe looking into that about how all that went on Sarah's side.

[@bigdream_dreambig]

20:01 "Look at the state of my tissue, please." 😆

[@julesreacts]

It certainly did its duty 🤣

[@1matrix9]

25 pages left in the book of Buffy and this was a tough one when it first aired and that will never change.

[@allocat586]

ooof maybe the toughest episode in the series. This might be the angriest I've been at the shows writers.

[@alooncnej4696]

One of the best but hardest episode to watch. The acting the interactions are so great. A turning point for Spike and Willow's characters

[@sirilundgren4288]

As soon as I realized what episode it was I was like "oh no..." . This episode really doesn't hold back!

[@lilywong9672]

Did you notice Amber Benson/Tara was added to the opening credits? Cruel eh?

[@JohnMC61]

I've got to echo the previous comment by MB.543, knowing how genuine your reactions are, I really worried for you with the final episodes. I kept wanting to suggest binging everything from Seeing Red to the season finale, but I didn't want to even hint at spoilers, or forewarning of heartbreak. This episode almost completely finished off Spike for me. I'm glad you watched the rest, just for peace of mind. Take care Jules-huge hug-this season was rough.

[@julesreacts]

It is SUCH a rough season... My goodness. Why 😭😭 Thank you for no spoilers or hints! As tough as it may be, I do prefer to not know anything and be surprised (happily or not so in this case....) 💜

[@80smoviesfan]

Jules: i'm looking forward to this next episode. Me Knowing what's coming. Poor girl 😮😮😮

[@havok6280]

This episode is a swift kick in the orbs...

[@garymcallister4128]

Ha.

[@bigdream_dreambig]

The adage that "Good storytellers have to be Evil to their characters" is sure shown off in this episode.

[@davidmeadows5627]

This was the best reaction I've ever seen at the end of the episode! Jules, you're awesome! This is my third favorite episode of the entire series (next to Restless and Normal Again). This one really brought home the true to real life idea that literally anything can happen to anyone, regardless of their identity (political or otherwise), and that the universe literally doesn't care about people's ideological sensibilities. Joss Whedon has courage, and when I first watched this, I was so stunned and eventually realized that Joss has my eternal respect. No one is going to tell him how to run his show, and his unfiltered vision is all that matters! Absolutely incredible courage that we usually don't see from Hollywood today. RIP Tara!

[@michaelthompson1678]

Tara appreciates you watching this ep in a kitty shirt

[@melskmelsk]

She so would 😭

[@julesreacts]

Nawwww 😭😭😭

[@mel.a.bicket]

Oh! Talking about belonging as a reference to Spike. I love that. The scene in the bathroom is graphic. I love Spike. Spike has been the guy I was rooting for since his intro. But damn that scene reminds you that he doesn't have a soul. Did he love Buffy? Or was it a new way for him to express the desires the chip stopped and when she denied him (and he could hurt her) his soulless vampiric nature kicked back in? Tara 💔

[@anonymes2884]

A lot like 'Serenity' (edited for potential spoilers for other viewers), one of those ones that _actually_ hurts - i'm not a person that _ever_ feels "attacked" by TV shows etc. but this is one of those episodes where I sorta understand if people do. (Warren's arc is so powerful IMO and he's _so_ hated because it's one of those times when the show's usual metaphorical lens is _razor_ thin - he's basically just a misogynist, the vile, petty face of real-world hate. And of course ultimately he uses a gun, not magic, robots etc. Similarly Spike, where everything heightened is removed and we see what his sort of selfish "love" is _actually_ about)

[@evatesche]

16:32 the way they park the police cars has been bothering me for 23 years now 😅

[@julesreacts]

I can't remember if I've mentioned it in an episode yet, but I know I mention it from around this point or onwards 😅

[@pedromicaelgama2275]

@evatesche I'm with you on this one. This scene would drive me crazy if there weren't more disturbing scenes in this episode 🫣

[@JhadeSagrav]

The true worst part of Seeing Red.

[@tomswift3482]

Hello Jules 💜, a traumatic piece of work here. I knew the fate of Tara, but had no idea of where and when. This comes as a total shock I fully agree with your statement - “What she’s doing, who she’s doing … a right to privacy.” Especially from Xander, he has kept a few personal details from Buffy all along the way. And still is not admitting the depth of his feelings for Buffy. More lies and dishonesty in the show. Well, you said it, saying the episode was too happy, and you were right, unfortunately. 😅 As to the bathroom scene? I was immediately sure that you would be seeing a percentage of comments pointing out they were right - Spike was, is, and always will be evil. As horrific, and shocking, as that scene is, and more, it does make a type of sense, from Spike’s perspective, but no matter how one rationalizes, whilst it fits with the character they have created, it is a gross act, on the part of the writers, to make it play out this way. Even though Spike has been pushed to his limits in matters he has no experience with, it was a grotesque option, and should have been reconsidered. It comes off as a blatant manner of packing punches in the episode, especially knowing what they would be doing later in this episode. This scene was a “diversion” from the Seeing Red of the title, and as such, very unnecessary. 3:03 - “We need to forgive and forget …” even though it has a different context, it remains a future slap to the head. Out of all this mess, You, at 27:19 - “This is probably one of the worst conditions that my tissue has ended up in. It’s bad, um, yeah…” A statement which manages to be extremely sad, frustrated, and funny, all at the same time. 🥲 Out of curiosity ... Are you planning on including this in your current, rapidly progressing rewatch journey? And on a different note - It is amazing that even with you almost always to busy schedule, you still manage to stay up on Gucci! 🤣 I love the Portrait Gallery of Cats you wear here. Very nice! 😊 Have a lovely weekend, Jules. 👋💜 Take a break, of a day at least, and be good to yourself. Very Chill, for here anyway, around -10 C and predictions of snow from 1” to 8” ( 3 - 20 cm) Sunday and Monday - good times … to be staying in, so I lucked out I guess. Be Good, Be Well! 🤗💜

[@littlecitygirl]

When you said you were looking forward to seeing what happens in this episode my heart sank. In this series of monsters and demons it's probably one of the most horrific episodes in the series for me. Take care, Jules.

[@crawdaddy1234]

I'm never sure if it's indicative of me being a bad person for being excited to see people react to "certain episodes" such as this one.

[@LordNifty]

I do think Tara's death was a mistake on the writers' part that hurt the cast of this series in the long term more than it helped the story.

[@davidcrazyrides]

This episode still shocking to this day

[@Buffy8Fan]

It's always sad to see smiles the reactors have at the beginning of these episode's videos, knowing they won't be there long.

[@Itsjandz105]

Love your cat shirt!

[@julesreacts]

Thank you!! I'm looking forward to winter and I can wear it again 😅

[@sugardares]

Andrew's jetpack snafu is a necessary hilarity in all the darkness. That Tara was going to be killed was planned since last season, and it somehow leaked to the fans on the boards. The writers tried to do damage control on the boards and denied that anything would happen. Somehow, the episode aired early in Canada and made the rounds a week early. It must've been a really fraught time in fandom, as upsetting as it is all these years later, at least there's no need to wait for more episodes to see how everything shakes out!

[@SajirouPlays]

No wonder she was put in the opening, to alay all those rumors.

[@jamesjeremy]

@@SajirouPlays No, that's not why. Whedon wanted to fake everyone out this way since Season 1 with Jesse. But I think it backfired here because it seemed insensitive to a character fans loved. No one had yet gotten attached to Jesse.

[@jamesjeremy]

It was absolutely traumatic to go thru in real time, felt like Whedon being a dick to fans, not the characters.

[@sugardares]

@@jamesjeremy I listened to an interview with the writer of the episode who explicitly told fans nothing was going to happen and it came off really insensitive. It explains a lot of the rage over her death imo.

[@evatesche]

People are so sensitive to spoilers and stuff leaking beforehand nowadays. We in Germany found out about Tara's death throught the tv-guide. At least I did. Our tv-guide had a 2 weeks scedule. You could see the time the show would be airing, together with a tiny picture from the ep and a short description. For this ep and the next it was something like Ep19: "After Buffy foils his plan, Warren goes wild and shoots Buffy and Tara" Ep20: "Following the events of Tara's death,....blabla" The tiny picture for Ep19 showed Buffy lying shot on the ground, the picture for Ep20 was Tara dead in Willows arms, eyes red. Talk about spoilers 😆😆

[@valinny8571]

I saw this pop up on when on when on YT and the first thing I said out loud was OH SHIT. will watch now

[@just-a-guy-in-the-world]

That indeed is what this series does to a person. I pretend to be butch, but really my eyes just leak whenever something horrific happens. And yes, Warren is the worst.

[@SlayerBoiProduction]

Jules did you pay close attention to the opening credits? For the first time ever they added Amber Benson to the opening credits.

[@iwannawatchDavid]

Yes. I was very surprised there was no comment on that.

[@aliciasavage6801]

when you said you're looking forward to this episode... oh no honey, no you're not. none of us are.

[@MrCCSUN]

So I subscribed to your gaming channel. I’d like to make a suggestion/request. Slay the Princess would make a good play through.

[@julesreacts]

Ah thank you!! I'll keep it in mind, but a better place for gaming suggestions is the gaming channel 😊

[@MrCCSUN]

@ yes I agree. This was just the most recent. 🙃

[@Scripture-Man]

God, what an episode. _The_ episode, so memorable, where this season really put its foot on the gas. Love your reactions, as always. Don't be too hard on Xander. He was upset Buffy didn't tell him about Spike because he was feeling very alone, and was used to his best buddy always letting him in on her romantic interests. It didn't occur to him the Spike was never a romantic interest, purely a physical indulgence and one she was deeply ashamed of.

[@phueal]

We're not hard on him for being upset, we're hard on him for spitefully taking it out on Buffy and everyone else.

[@Scripture-Man]

@@phueal Yes, Xander makes mistakes (hHs biggest being the horrible lie in "Becoming Part 2"), but there seems to be a popular view that Xander has to be perfect while everyone else is allowed to be human and make horrible mistakes. Xander deserves more respect and credit, IMHO. He spent his life being victimized and belittled by everyone around him, even his "friends". The disdain Giles has for him is quite appalling. As the only Scooby member without powers to fall back on, his bravery and loyalty to Buffy is to be admired. Yes, sometimes he's tough on Buffy, and sometimes she needs it. Xander cares about Buffy so much, he's prepared to give her a harsh reality check, even if it makes her hate him. That's a true friend. His lecture about Riley in "Into the Woods" was harsh, but by her actions, Buffy clearly thought he had a point. If you surround yourself with friends who go out of their way never to say anything offensive, who will never challenge or rebuke you, you'll end up living in a soft, undisciplined world and quickly get into trouble.

[@phueal]

@@Scripture-Man I agree with everything you’ve said, literally every word. I would only add that he does have genuine downsides in his personality as well: especially jealousy, possessiveness over women he’s attracted to, and a self-centred spitefulness - all of which come out in spades in these couple of episodes. He doesn’t have any right to attack Spike after he and Anya sleep together or to lecture Anya about it: yes it is completely understandable that he would be personally hurt, but neither of them did anything wrong and ultimately it is a situation of his own making - he should not have been taking it out on them. Had he successfully killed Spike in that moment he would have been, to me, a murderer. Similarly he then gets _angry_ at Buffy for sleeping with Spike and for not telling him. The self-centredness of this is off the charts: it has nothing to do with him, and yet his only fixation is on how personally aggrieved he feels that she would sleep with Spike and not him, plus possibly some judgmental disgust towards her. No concern for what Buffy might be going through, how she’s ended up in that situation, what trauma she might have experienced being so close to an evil monster, or how he could constructively help her to escape a toxic relationship. And no apology from him for any of this. Instead we get an apology _from Buffy (!!)_ , which he wasn’t owed, and a vague acknowledgment from him that he might have given off a bad impression.

[@AmbersKnight]

I agree that the season put its foot on the gas as you put it at this point but for me what was already a journey down a pointless road with a reckless driver became a vehicle without any driver with the gas pedal jimmied to go full throttle. In short, I think the season went out of control completely in this episode and really the show never for me recovered from it. I put Tara's death as one of the worst dramatic decisions involving a character death right up there with Bobby ewing coming out that shower in Dallas. And the Spike scene I think is the scene that killed the show in as much as I think it was what prompted Sarah to decide not to renew her contract after season 7. I think they all had had enough and you can see it in the professional but tepid performances in season 7.

[@Scripture-Man]

@@phueal I think we can agree on much. I agree that Xander has negative personality traits. He's a deeply troubled individual with a lot of issues and sometimes he can be a jerk. However, nobody is perfect, and I'd say those really bad moments are only brief, they don't define his personality, on the whole he's a decent guy and highly mature for his age. For most of the series, Xander is a teenager, and like any teenager he has a lot of confused emotions and hormones, but overall he's well-meaning. By season 6, Xander is 21, still a very young man, and doing incredibly well for himself given the adversities he's faced. I see Xander as a typical teenage boy growing up in a tough environment. In the early days he's a tough cookie, apparently very strong and 'together'. He isn't quick to open up emotionally or show signs of weakness, which is probably why he's less likely than the girls to say "sorry". He uses his sarcastic humor to gloss over sensitive issues or internal pain. But as he matures, we see him becoming more candid, opening up about his feelings, admitting to having done wrong and messing up, as he does at the end of this episode. And in just the last episode he was on his hands and knees to Anya admitting his own guilt. Xander has done a lot of apologising lately. For me, the ultimate "apology" from Xander was "The Replacement", where he's split into two and all his self-loathing and regrets are on full show. *Spike and Anya* As for the issue of Spike sleeping with Anya. I don't think we should use this one, highly unusual incident to define Xander's entire character. It's a complicated situation. I agree that Spike was not at fault, but I'm quite black and white about marriage. In my book, if a man doesn't want to marry a girl then she is a single woman as far as I'm concerned. HOWEVER, it IS a gray issue. Spike and Anya hadn't called off the relationship and were merely going through a difficulty in their relationship which was very raw. Spike may not have been committing adultery but the timing of it was in very poor taste and it was definitely stepping on the toes of a man who was trying to salvage his relationship. In any case, I don't see Xander's anger with Spike as a bad thing. To me, jealousy and possessiveness is a good quality, it means you care about someone. Fighting for the girl you love isn't bad. In Xander's mind, Anya is virtually his wife which made Spike an adulterer, which by many moral codes is a capital offence. I don't think Xander should have been trying to kill Spike, but at the end of the day he's only a vampire, he's not a human. He has already died. But that situation is very grey and complicated.

[@TomGallagherSuperboyBeyond]

This is probably the most heartbreaking and infuriating episode of the show.

[@dougwoody332]

And now we meet the real Final Boss for Season 6, after Joss proves once again that you just need to have a crate of tissues on hand any time you fire up one of his shows. Probably won't need 'em, but every once in a while, boy, howdy, are you going to need 'em.

[@The-Underbaker]

At the very start of the episode, "I'm happy for them." - wipes a tear - Oh dear, wait until the end of the episode... While a lot of people are shocked at what Spike tried to do, and it is shocking, you have to remember that Spike is still actually evil and doesn't have a soul. The only person thinking straight about him is Xander. "It just happened, OK." "Oh like, errr, say, you're evil, get on me?" "You fought side by side with him when I was gone." "But I never forgot what he really is."

[@ronfehr7899]

Remember in the previous episode, when the trio of nerds were chasing down a coin? And afterwards they used it to locate something on a map? Apparently, it was the location of the Nezla demon cave.

[@evatesche]

Yes! Which leads them to the powersource they needed to be able to robb the van and get infinite riches (as they describe it).

[@samrobotsin]

Cut back & forth between the beginning & end for the most extreme before & after expression

[@julesreacts]

Yikes 🥺🥺

[@xxSydneyFox]

I bith hate and love how quickly the laat scene happens. Literally have no time to process what just happened

[@ashleytuchin7693]

Yeah, this is a tough one but not in the same way that other episodes are tough, due to THAT scene (more on that later). I admit to having my usual level of sadistic glee waiting for your reaction to the final scene. I think it's probably second only to Joyce's death in terms of the show's most shocking and heartbreaking deaths. I don't know if you noticed, but what makes it extra cruel is that Amber Bensen (Tara) was added to the opening credits just for this episode. Joss had always wanted to add a character to the credits just to kill them off, and I believe he even wanted to do it for the first episode. I also think it's great that in the end, after all the demons, goofy gadgets and magic, Warran gets fed up and just goes for a gun. It's somehow simpler yet far more dangerous and terrifying. At the end of the day, there's not much more dangerous than an idiot with a gun. As for Xander, I think that the root of his reaction to Buffy and Spike is jealousy. At his core I think he's always held onto his schoolboy crush on Buffy, so he resents her for choosing someone as despicable as Spike over himself. Now, to address the elephant in the room, the bathroom scene (skip this paragraph if you'd like to). The bathroom scene is by far the most distressing and uncomfortable scene in the entire show. That scene is the main reason why I don't understand why people still ship Spike and Buffy. Apparently James Marsters hated filming it and only agreed to do it if they could get it done in one take. He's also said that he had to spend a lot of time talking to his therapist about it and swore to never do a scene like that again. From what I read, the idea for that scene came from a female writer who based it on her own experience. Apparently, after a break-up she'd gone to her ex's place and tried to convince him to sleep with her again, believing she could make him love her again. As Marsters pointed out though, it creates a very different situation when the gender roles are reversed. On a "nicer" note, that final shot of Willow's eyes turning red is one of my favourite shots of the show. These last few episodes are going to be crazy Jules and you're about to see what this whole season has been building to. I can't wait!

[@mikechappell4156]

I haven't rewatched in a little while, but you definitely want to skip previews. I don't recall if the dvds had them or not. I really don't think jealousy is the key for Xander with Buffy. After all the time with Anya, I think he and Buffy were firmly platonic, probably since BB & B. Xander really, really, hates vampires. It was really out of character for Xander to allow Spike to stay with him for that period of time previously (S4?). He puts a lot of trust in Buffy and she seldom trusts him. Not that she is under any obligation to do so, but he has the right to feel betrayed for allowing him to continue to look like a chump, even if he should have stifled the urge to say it aloud while he was angry.

[@AnatoleVGC]

Im not ready for this reaction.

[@nicksaysboo17]

You started the episode so hopeful 💀

[@julesreacts]

Always. It's my biggest problem 🤣

[@johnnym7575]

Im so sorry. Sending love.❤

[@artiepavlov6022]

here we go...

[@ernesthakey3396]

Regarding the bathroom scene - the Buffy/Spike relationship this entire season has been toxic, or at least has had toxic elements. Both have treated violence as foreplay in previous episodes, and consent has often been ignored at the start of stuff. This took that toxicity to a whole new level, but it was foreshadowed. I believe James Marsters got a clause added to his contract that he'd never have to do such a scene again - it nearly wrecked him. This sort of thing happens in real life, too often, and it is abhorrent - we all just got a reminder that despite some of his endearing qualities, Spike has no soul. But even he was appalled at what he'd attempted.

[@chanceneck8072]

Oh and of course now I can finally say it: I have a "Most Hated Fictional Characters Of All Time" list. I don't keep that many spots on it occupied but it's very personal. Warren is #1 on that list.... 😅 I guess I don't even have to explain any further.... But now you know...

[@julesreacts]

Yep, I absolutely despise Warren!!!

[@NomenLuni1975]

I don't know if you noticed but Amber Benson was added to the main credits for the very first time. I've seen the episode many times, but the ending still devastates me. The bathroom scene is still hard to watch too. Apparently, James Marsters hated that scene and refused to do anything like it in anything he appeared in afterwards.

[@julesreacts]

Now I'm going to be traumatised when a character gets added to the credits, aren't I 😭😭

[@ShieldVids]

I agree that this needed to happen for the audience to finally get that Soulless Vampires are Monsters. The chip blurred the lines because what spike truly is could not be unleashed so he relied on his past traits to get by but that does not make him good because there is no desire to do good.

[@julesreacts]

Yeah, honestly, sometimes it can be easy to forget. We need that reminder from time to time, but this was a lot 😟

[@JuneJaneb4]

For years from the moment they got Spike as a regular Whedon was saying that he didn't know how and what to write for him. Since the moment producers and the audience love for the character made Whedon include him in main cast, this way he sabotaged the character, making other writers to figure out how to write him after that actually. Whedon's Spike is Spike from s2, a souless creature character for a couple of eps when he didn't even know what accent to choose British or Southern just weeks before filming it. So the majority of how we saw Spike before s6-7 was written by other people. They created this deep character, caring even without a soul character. Who demonstraited countless times that he's more than just a Whedon's soul/no soul pattern. And James did a great job presenting what he was given in the best way. So the reason of what you say "it's easy to forget" is actually because he was written by other people mostly. While Whedon and his female version aka Marti Noxon still were very committed to that souless creature idea and unwillingness to see more than that. Whedon based his whole other project Angel on that idea. And the moment when we actually saw him or his views really influencing a chacarter it's s6 and this episode in particular. For them he's not a person, he's a thing, an object. This whole season we see how Buffy says it numerous times "You're a thing, a disg*sting thing". And here they loved their idea so much that they insisted on it even despite the fact that main actors aka SMG was against it, they still made this scene and made it this way. And thus they succeeded in sending James to therapy. And calling into question the entire future of Buffy/Spike storyline since it's just only 1 season left after it. They wanted to use it for a new plot opportunity but they used an awful way to do it. Which for some reason didn't bother them at all. For them it is ok to write this first, trying to prove how bad it is at the same time already planning to write smth for them afterwards.

[@johncampbell756]

This is the only episode of Buffy that I have never seen. I dis liked the season enough that when my VCR failed to recird this, O didn't care. Ironically, Amber (Tara) and Adam (Warren) ended up dating for about ten years.

[@marcelocalegarojr7138]

James Marsters hated shooting the scene in the bathroom with SMG, same goes to her, but he still has issues watching that scene; I think the strongest thing about it is that for a brief moment, Buffy wasn't a slayer, she was just "Buffy" and was completely vulnerable.

[@marcelocalegarojr7138]

Hi Jules! ♥ How u doing hun? Are you a pisces? There are so many moments that I completely connect to you, we're both cry babies and I love it. Btw, every single time u said in 2024 "this is not happening/this cannot be happening" I said the same to my doctor whenever he told me "we're going to take you to rehab again this year" lmao.

[@sebastianwittmeier1274]

Xander helped defend Buffy from Spike. Buffy could have stopped Xander from doing that, she did not have to tell him more. It was like a lie by Buffy by omission each time she let him defend her.

[@shellc]

I watched this when it aired back in the day and have never gone back to it since, always skipping the episode on rewatches because it's gut wrenching and not like The Body gut wrenching where you can't stop sobbing and your insides are all in turmoil, more disgust and confusion about why anyone thought it was a good idea to film. I've seen some say it was partly Whedon's idea to show Spike wasn't the teddy many thought he was, but there are other ways that could have happened. If there was an actual reason to air it because it was the only way to move the story on, then maybe it would still be uncomfortable, but you would get why it was done. All this did was make everyone involved say they hoped never to have to do anything like this again. I know James has said he went to therapy over it, but the one person who hasn't really spoken about it was Sarah. She did say there were some days where she went home upset so I wouldn't be surprised if filming that scene was one of those times.

[@artman2oo3]

0:10 So many surprises, eh? Well this one might have a few!

[@cajah88]

I was dreading you getting to this episode because of two specific scenes. It can already be a very triggering episode, and I just didn't want to see your heart break. I hope you're doing well.

[@phueal]

People get very fixated on Spike not having a soul, but I really don't understand why. We have seen many instances of SA on this show, and almost all of them were by people with souls. This scene naturally gets a more visceral reaction than most because it's so vivid and you can easily imagine it happening in the real world, but objectively and morally speaking Spike's actions were actually much more mild than most of the SA we've seen previously. He at least was not acting selfishly (or at least not only selfishly) - since his conversation with Dawn he had become convinced that Buffy loved him, and he wanted to coax her into admitting it in the only way they had ever done before; he was trying to rekindle their romance, not to get his rocks off, and he was mortified as soon as he realised that his effort was being experienced as attempted SA by Buffy. On the other hand Willow had a soul (and purely selfish motives) when she mind-wiped Tara and gaslit her, all before climbing into bed to get snuggly. Jonathan had a soul (and purely selfish motives) when he compelled two twins not just into sleeping with him, but into committing "twincest" themselves. Faith had a soul (and purely selfish motives) when she tricked Riley into sleeping with her. Warren had a soul (and purely selfish motives) when he mind-controlled Katrina in an attempt to R her, then to share her with his friends, and ultimately he killed her. The swim coach had a soul when he tried to "give" Buffy to the swim team for their "other needs"; the frat boy had a soul when he attempted to R Buffy while she and Cordelia were unconscious in an upstairs bedroom; Amy had a soul when she magically turned a straight woman into a lesbian for Willow's benefit at the Bronze, and so on, and so on, and so on. When you consider how far Spike went in comparison to those other cases, what his intentions were, and how he felt about it afterwards, I actually think his actions were objectively less evil than them - and they all had souls. So I don't think the soul is relevant at all.

[@davidmeadows5627]

There is no evidence that Jonathan compelled those twins to commit "twincest." That's just a baseless assumption. Also, the soul is very relevant. Ask Angel.

[@phueal]

@@davidmeadows5627 I don’t get your point… Are you saying that you believe that the twins were already incestuous and therefore Jonathan didn’t compel them, and therefore it’s not R? Or are you saying that you think Angel without a soul is also a better person than all the examples I provided of people with souls committing SA? You’ve thrown a load of statements out about the twins, a soul, and Angel, but without any coherent point that I could deduce. Please elaborate further, because at the moment your comment makes no sense to me?

[@CindyTmsom]

Also faith literally tried to r Xander

[@phueal]

@ I don't remember that; I remember her trying to murder him though! So I think it happily works in the "horrible things done by people with a soul" argument because murder is bad as well.

[@davidmeadows5627]

@ I'm saying there was nothing incestuous at all. The twins never touched each other. What evidence do you have that they did?

[@BigIndianBindi-jy1cz]

the actor for spine hated doing that bathroom scene

[@julesreacts]

I'm honestly not surprised 😢

[@MB.543]

Yeah, I've seen the scene (or at least clipped reaction versions of it) so many times by now, and I've heard about what the actors had to say about it, that now what stands out to me the most when I watch it is Sarah's disgust and frustration and James' abject terror.

[@peechusrikswamy1743]

This is a very hard episode, hope you are doing ok after watching this. pls take care. Now i have a few thing i want to say regarding this ep, firstly with xander and what u said about it being buffy's business i get that but xander, willow and buffy don't have ordinary friendships they have been through some extreme stuff and if the person buffy was seeing happened to be a normal guy then they wouldn't have made a big deal its spike of all people who was their villain in season 2 and gradually they became used to his presence from season 3,4 and 5. Xander knows spike is a soulless vampire and how dangerous they can be, and maybe it could be some of his ego getting in the way but a part of him is genuinely worried for buffy's well being with spike. Spike may have done some good but he is not a sincere good being he might have faked it to get into buffy's good graces. My personal opinion on buffy and spike is that the writers should have never made them a romantic lead couple, spike is a very charismatic and playful character he works best when bouncing off of other characters and he could have been like frenemies with the core scooby gang. Maybe for season 6 buffy and spike worked as portraying a toxic relationship but when they tried to make it serious and romanticize it that's where their relationship falls apart. I only liked spike in season 2,3 and 4 even in season 5 he was acting problematic with buffy. I hate that the writers used spike's character in this way but i was fine if they used him to portray buffy falling into depression and self-hate, spike should be a dark shadow to buffy in season 6 but he over took her both in the narrative and fandom. That's is truly a big mistake the writers made in how they handled their relationship. Season 6 most of the main characters poorly and for me it is very mixed. All these are just my personal opinions. I hope its a good experience for you forward. Thank you.

[@NicholasCorvin]

*James Marsters was traumatized by shooting this ominous bathroom scene. He hated it. Who wouldn't...*

[@whisperienced]

And we're here. They often used Xander in the past as a writing tool to show that Buffy is right. I'd say this is the most egregious example. Still 3 episodes to go.