Buffy VS. Swim Team 🏊🏼‍♂️ - Buffy the Vampire Slayer s2e20 Reaction & Commentary

[@henninggirl261]

I do feel bad for Wentworth Miller. I always thought it was cute when he waved to her. Like, “hi my new friend Buffy!”

[@TheBuffSummer]

Oh yeah, I liked that too 😊 - Maria

[@GAZMAN2002]

Buffy has always been an ally

[@aliciasavage6801]

he wasn't talking about swimming, he was being a creep.

[@spamfilter32]

There was a survey done in the 1980's of college athletes where they were asked, "if there were a drug that is undetectable that would guarantee they would win a gold medal in the olympics, but they would also die within 5 years, would they take it." 25% of respondents said yes.

[@nuffyj8614]

I appreciate Sam already picking up the gang not having time/patience for Buffy’s struggles outside of slaying. I still love this show, but rewatching it as an adult, I realized they’re not the friendship goals I thought they were when I was growing up. Great characters, but for a show that focuses on « Buffy’s such a great slayer because she has friends, » the relationships bug me sometimes…often…

[@krose6451]

Sam. Sometimes we get hints of how good they could be but that makes the shortcomings all the clearer

[@sharonsimmons6427]

I think it highlights a lot of our real life friendships from high school. Some are life long, but many didn’t ever get us on a deeper level. Our brains aren’t enough fully developed, and our world views are rather broad. Yet, many kids that haven’t experienced much in life, have a hard time understanding those that have experienced much in their short time on earth. I do think they get better about this, but tbh I’m not certain. I do remember it constantly bothering me, when I watched it originally.

[@claudiapinto3669]

This episode is weird but I'll be honest, I love the humor in it: the oreo cookie joke, demons with high cholesterol, and Willow cracking Jonathan. Also, Xander and Cordelia.

[@TheBuffSummer]

Fair enough. I think I like Cordy and Xander around the pool scene the best, but there are a couple more good moments 😄 - Maria

[@krose6451]

​@@TheBuffSummerThat is one of the scenes that most readily comes to mind when I think about the show

[@zenithquasar9623]

I don't love the sexism that keeps popping up in Cordelia's comments. This show has a few of those moments that really bug me.

[@loftus4453]

Yeah, weird but fun is a great description!

[@Itsjandz105]

Three times a fish guy……..

[@NessOnett8]

"Boys have other needs" is such a wild line. Decades later I still can't believe that made it in.

[@CharismaSpencer]

even wilder when the coach falls in and it cuts to Buffy saying "those boys really did love their coach...." 😳

[@Starbits7]

I thought it tracked. He blamed Buffy for the swimmer attacking her & he dismissed any issues people had with his team. He's just as pervy as the monster that tried to go after Buffy.

[@HelloXrancidkitteh]

@@Starbits7 I think t tracks too. he is the bad guy in the episode. he literally fed the nurse lady to them with no remorse and he turned his team, teen boys, all into fish monsters without their consent- they didn't know he was turning them into monsters. he was a full on creep who only cared about the win. and the line is drawn at him saying that? lol

[@hesterparnham-ellis6135]

The coach is the real monster in this episode.

[@krose6451]

Agreed

[@gungho1284]

Yeah, he's like the Dr. Moreau in this episode.

[@HuntingViolets]

Again.

[@serinas4465]

So when you ask if the monster will come into the steam room in the beginning, the answer is yes.

[@bookworm1808]

It really does feel weird how easily it was brushed off by Buffy’s friends that a guy locked the car door and basically tried to assault her. That just seems like bad writing and or weird priorities

[@pamelastoesz733]

Agreed. Supernatural powers or not, that situation is traumatic.

[@nicholasjh1]

Not disagreeing, but part of the theory of the show is what if a woman had the power. Men and women alike often don't bat an eye at attempted sexual assault of a man, and while it may not be right there's a partial basis for it. Men in general don't feel as vulnerable, neither does Buffy. I'm not disagreeing with you, but I did think this is where they could be coming from.

[@heavenlyshadev783]

I only just thought of this on this rewatch, but maybe they were so into the ocean and didn't want to talk about anything else because they were already half turned into fish monsters by that point and the ocean was really calling to them.

[@LadyGreensleeves33]

20:00 - She was checking him out UP UNTIL SHE NOTICED IT WAS HIM and then she freaked out about him faking being on the swim team 😂

[@psychokitty9325]

Which is kind of the opposite reaction to Willow's 😂

[@Buffy8Fan]

I don't forget the episode exists upon my own rewatches, but I don't mind bypassing it more often than not. My favorite part is Cordelia's growth when she thinks she's talking to Xander and actually speaking to one of the fish creatures (formerly one of the other boys).

[@krose6451]

Which is so weird to me as its one of the ones I most remember and look forward to from the early seasons

[@Buffy8Fan]

@@krose6451 One of the things I enjoy about individual episodes, as well as the fanbase, is how all over the map the enjoyment to non-enjoyment each episode is. With most shows it quite obvious which are favorites and which are least favorites. With the Buffyverse, it's not as easy to tell. As an example in S1 many people complain about 1x04 and 1x08. My least favorite is 1X05.

[@loftus4453]

Cordelia did look great sitting in the stands in that one scene. Then again, Charisma Carpenter is a gorgeous woman. She always looks great.

[@amandabaker4678]

"This is no boating accident" is a reference to _Jaws_

[@lyndsycarson8302]

I’ll be honest the xander and cordelia and spike and drusilla episodes are always my favorite. But i’m so stoked to be watching this over again with two people that appreciate the fashion and charector development put into this show as much as I do. can’t wait, every week ♥️

[@TheBuffSummer]

That's lovely to hear! Thank you so much 🙏✨ I'm so looking forward to the next one and the overall season three 😋I probably prefer the fashion of this season, but I have my favourites throughout the show and we'll see what the next one brings - Maria

[@clareb9957]

I think I've heard from others that this was originally written for season 1 and was just used as a filler here. It would certainly fit in more last season

[@krose6451]

I think I like so much because it has season 1 energy

[@johncampbell756]

The one defense I have for having Willow as a substitute is that a lot of teachers might be against teaching at a place where they are replacing murdered teachers. The guy with Buffy in the car, when he asked she was wearing a bra, and then locked the doors, was no longer talking about swimming.

[@afry6400]

In my high school back in the 80s some of the Jr and Sr students could be aids to the teachers and occasionally could teach a class so to me this wasn't all that unusual. Even taking over a class for a few days if the teacher was out sick happened on a rare occasion. I guess maybe filling out the rest of the year might be a bit of a stretch though. Things might have changed over time and this show airing a good 12 years after my time the laws and rules might have changed.

[@johncampbell756]

@@afry6400 I graduated in 1987. We didn't have that at my school in NJ. Not even in the honors classes. Those are the only classes where I could imagine that working

[@TheBuffSummer]

Totally fair - about Willow. I was kind of perplexed by the bra question. It didn’t fit with swimming or hooking up in my head, the way he asked it as well. Definitely took me a minute - Maria

[@zenithquasar9623]

"The creature from the Blue Lagoon was Brooke Shields" is one of my favourite jokes.

[@rogerlie4176]

Not many reactors will get that joke since The Blue Lagoon is nowadays a more or less forgotten movie.

[@gungho1284]

I just noticed this time around. Jonathan screams out for help while getting dunked and then bitches at Buffy saying he didn't need her help.

[@krose6451]

At the time being saved by a girl had a different view by alot of society. It also might have been upsetting that one of his friends/acquaintances didn't step up to help him instead

[@krose6451]

At the time being saved by a girl had a different view by alot of society. It also might have been upsetting that one of his friends/acquaintances didn't step up to help him instead

[@Madbandit77]

​@@krose6451 But Jonathan doesn't have any friends. That's why he tried to join the swim team.

[@krose6451]

@@Madbandit77 proper friends no (and I relate) but still some people your on better terms with and are sort of school friends/friendly in one class with

[@Madbandit77]

@@krose6451 But we really don't get to see Jonathan interact with anyone outside of the Scoobies until the sixth season and that doesn't end well for him.

[@monkimallow]

I am more surprised that Giles didn't worry about her when ahe mentioned it.

[@kimhaze1790]

With Oz they have a stoner, a van, and a dog. Official the Scooby Gang

[@tayloroliva9403]

Maria that blue color top looks so good on you! Great reaction as always, this episode has grown on me over time. It’s not one of the all-time greats for me, but such a fun, nostalgic episode

[@winteryblackfyres]

even the "bad" episodes usually have great comedic moments (except maybe beer bad? lol) also the reactions to the more deranged writing decisions are pretty entertaining

[@airawynsummers]

Beach bonfires are perfect in the winter. It's really cold, like below 60, but you get to wear your warm clothes and hang out with your friends in front of a big fire.

[@andrewdunn8778]

With regards to the "steroids and injuries" line, I guess I assumed when I first watched this is that people who get injured will take steroids to recover. Whether or not it's with the writers meant, it's what makes that scene makes sense. The TWO gangrape jokes in this episose were really something. Because of the coach's monologue, if someone ever asked you for an explanation of something, start with "After the fall of the Soviet Union..."

[@HuntingViolets]

He was not talking about swimming. It is bizarre how she's assaulted and none of her friends care much (Xander, later, but just about "privileges").

[@afry6400]

I think they got used to the idea that she was strong enough to handle normal guys getting rough with her pretty easily and she seemed fine if not a bit miffed. Now if it were Angel or some other beasty then they might have shown a little more concern.

[@russellward4624]

Xander was the 1st to use the term "scoobies" in the Episode "whats my line? Part 1" from S02, but there was a Scoobie reference in S01 episode 11 where Willow is wearing a scoobie-doo t-shirt and Buffy is dressed like Daphne(and she would go on to play her in the live action films).

[@peterd9698]

Yeah.. it looks weird how Xander lifts Buffy out. She can do a standing leap over a high gate and bend a rifle barrel with two hands.. and she had two arms to his one. She should have been scrambling up his arm like it was a bit of rope and bouncing out of there like she was on the moon. The episode is a bit like Teachers Pet in that the longer you think about it, the more awful and bad taste it is. Personally I love it. 😎 “Boys have other needs” “Those boys really love their coach”

[@krose6451]

This is one of my favorite episodes. Im happy to come across someone else in the comments that likes it.

[@hillrp1]

Maybe the reason Buffy didn't climb up Xander's arm is she was worried her super strength would just pull him down? Not exactly the most solid concern from a Physics perspective, but Buffy's never been the strongest academically, so I could hand wave it away as something she was worried about?

[@noahrobin1941]

*** desire to have a couple of pounds of sushi delivered to their house intensifies ***

[@bugwaterbuffy]

I affectionately call this 'the episode where wentworth miller is a fish'

[@TheBuffSummer]

😂😂 - Maria

[@DaDunge]

I just relaized their obession with the ocean early on is likely from the treatment too.

[@noahrobin1941]

Utterly random etymological trivia: @1:27 there’s a reflection of the moon on the ocean in the background. There’s an English word for this (“moonglade”) but I prefer the Swedish word: mångata (where “gata” means “road”). Disclaimer: I don’t speak Swedish even a little bit. I think I have this right, but feel free to correct me (or provide context/details!) if you actually speak the language.

[@carlypowell_7]

The fish puns kill me in this episode. The writers went to town on them

[@katherineelizabeth6052]

Loving your reactions to my favorite show! I look forward to them every week. I followed Movie Budz because I really enjoyed Sam's and Steph's insight into a great series of movie picks, and now getting to know Maria's style of commentary has been awesome. I appreciate Sam's depth of insight on the show and Maria's way of discussing the episode at an equal depth as it appears at the time without spoiling it. I also love the asides about 90s fashion and trends. They were wild! This episode is pretty forgettable, but it has some funny moments. However, in the arc of the season, I appreciate the light pause of the darker Angelus storyline, while also giving him an appearance to keep him on our minds, before the season finale. Can't wait to see what you two think of "Becoming"! This is one of my favorite finales: season seven (of course), then three, then two.

[@TheBuffSummer]

Thank you so much for the support and feedback! I appreciate you continuing to check out our videos 😊🙏 - Sam

[@krose6451]

19:43 I thought Sam would miss the moment but Maria was there to direct him back lol though I wish we'd gotten to hear his thought

[@menachemsalomon]

Xander has that army training in the back of his mind, and now he has that special fish steroid strength. So lifting Buffy one-handed makes sense. And next year maybe he'll try to play some football. I can see Cordelia really falling for him. There is reason to believe that Cordelia and Xander have not, at this point, gone beyond kissing and first base, I guess. Some subtle reference or something sometime in Season 3, which I can't reference further, for obvious reasons.

[@AnthonyHurtz]

I'm here for you both every week!!! Much love ❤️

[@TheBuffSummer]

So lovely to hear! Thanks so much Anthony 😊✨ - Maria

[@maggiemm8867]

Same. Even with these Buffy episodes. But at least they don't happen much.

[@TheBuffSummer]

@@maggiemm8867 thanks so much! 🤗 - Maria

[@zenithquasar9623]

This episode is WTF, but that transformation scene practical is sooo good!

[@sharonsimmons6427]

I think a lot of people miss a subtlety of when Cordelia is mean or suddenly very swallow and uncaring towards Xander. It’s when she’s feeling vulnerable or really overwhelmed by her feelings for him. She was very into him in his speedo (re-watch and listen to what she says when she first sees him from the legs up.) The fact that she was so overcome with his good looks, and immediately shouted, because she was upset that other girls were seeing that much of him, made her try to play it off as her being embarrassed by him.

[@GreenParlour0749]

I did wait to watch this because it wasn’t a favorite episode of mine. But I definitely don’t want to miss a reaction.

[@laquorious]

I'm here, I watched it and will continue to. I enjoy your commentary. 😊

[@TheBuffSummer]

Thanks so much! It’s lovely to hear! ✨😊 - Maria

[@chimaxx]

Years before I watched the series, I somehow ended up seeing this episode twice. I thought it was typical, and season 1 sorta confirmed that, until season 2 took a small shift at Halloween/Lie to Me, and then a big shift at Buffy's birthday.

[@lyndsycarson8302]

I did actually watch the video, if you read the books, the sea monsters are mentioned 😂 it’s super funny.

[@TheBuffSummer]

Lovely to hear! 😊 Do you mean Buffy books? I’m curious about the sea monsters 😁 - Maria

[@MenMjau]

I do remember this episode but I always think it's in season 1 for some reason Looking forward to the coming episodes!

[@TheBuffSummer]

I guess it’s understandable. Oh yeah, me too! - Maria

[@lesyablackbird]

i think of this as the lovecraft episode.

[@Gosperella26]

Out of every line, Jonathan peeing in the pool is the only one I remembered...why?

[@TheBuffSummer]

haha I can understand that - Maria

[@RB-vo4gi]

It’s funny that Jonathan calls out for help but then gets mad when’s Buffy helps. Also… Why would Snyder hire a sub when he can have Willow do the same job for free haha?

[@alwanyuli]

I enjoyed this episode for multiple reasons 😋😛😊😉

[@TheBuffSummer]

Fair enough 😄 - Maria

[@zemoxian]

How can anyone forget “After the fall of the Soviet Union…”

[@noanRUA]

This was an odd one! For some reason I rank this on the creepier end of the scale than a lot of Buffy episodes..

[@becca1189]

Whenever I rewatch something (including watching reactors) I never skip episodes. It's not so much that I don't want to skip certain episodes as that I just don't quite feel right if I do. It's just a mental thing & it doesn't do me any harm. So, yeah. I could, in theory, skip this one. It would just be too weird. ❤🧡💛💚💙💜

[@Darkjade93]

I don't understand how the scene with Xander in Speedos is forgettable 😅 that and Cordy's reaction lol. But I only ever vaguely recall the fish monsters when thinking back over the early seasons' monsters and plots

[@CharlesinTampa]

This was one of the first episodes of Buffy I saw during the shows original run (I was too young to get into the series). I remember enjoying it then. But I acknowledge it's one of the weaker episodes now.

[@ErickWebster-mc2yg]

How the hell did Xander escape that sea monster

[@serinas4465]

So, Cordelia would still love you if you were a worm.

[@TheBuffSummer]

😄👍🏻 - Maria

[@alicequinn505]

Oz is also Shaggy _and_ Scooby, in one

[@psychokitty9325]

😂

[@davidterhune8277]

Love the Lionel Richie "3 Times a Lady" reference. "Once? Twice?" "3 times a fishguy" Also - "The creature from the 'Blue Lagoon ' was Brooke Shields"....and "the skin's the best part" This episode feels incredibly out of place. Possibly the network thought everyone would be tuning in for the "Angel's lost his soul" storyline so maybe it's a good place to put an allegedly potentially less than super-popular episode. Which would also help create even more anticipation for the 2-part season finale

[@insolencestar]

this is a super weird episode, yeah, but i loved your reactions regardless, which is quite a feat!

[@TheBuffSummer]

Yeah, a weaker one. Thanks so much! 😄🙏🏻 - Maria

[@russellward4624]

The grades for sportsmen are a big issue in the usa because the universities and even highschools make money off them. The better the sports teams are the higher the number of students is which increases funding. A number of universities have been shown to nearly force student's into easy tracks of classes to ensure their eligibility. Then when they graduate, their diploma is worth nothing because its in comprehensive basketweaving.

[@afry6400]

Yes, I did watch it through. I think this was an era of odd filler episodes here and there. Some of them manage to have a bit of character advancement but sometimes it's just a fun or odd sidestep from the main series plot... or sometimes both.

[@yajairanava1717]

I'm watching everything episode with you guys it so much dun

[@TheBuffSummer]

That’s great to hear 😁 - Sam

[@squeezie_b8895]

Maybe the broken bones were being linked to increased risk taking?

[@drewrayg]

I don’t think sunnydale is far from the beach. It’s set in California. Living in California I can go for months without going to the beach. It’s only like 15 minutes away and I still don’t go.

[@shaynestewart9297]

I too forget about this episode. However watching it again it was quit interesting.curious about the backstory to this.

[@1pknail]

There are moments in this episode that I enjoy and I appreciate the homage to Creature from the Black Lagoon (which is just about the only classic movie monster they had yet to reference -- other than zombies, I guess). But this is definitely one of the weaker ones, and it feels especially weak this close to the climax of the season. And the rape "jokes" are pretty disgusting. I liked the use of Angel to give a clue that something is wrong with Gage's blood. But I don't get what his plan was -- turn Gage into a vampire and give *him* the honor of killing Buffy?

[@krose6451]

Angel'sreason forgoing after Gage was killing someone Buffy knew then sending him into Buffy's path so Buffy has to kill vamp him knowing she failed to save him and Angel only targeted him for turning becauuseof her and added quilt and issues due to Buffy bla ing herself for Angel loosing his soul. He already did it once earlier in the season.

[@oleanderwyvern]

I have a major major squick about skinning/skin suits/etc. It makes my insides crawl and gives me nightmares. Even for this vid I had to close my eyes on certain scenes. The first time I watched this, I only did so because I didnt want to miss any major plot things, and just about hurled doing so - safe to say I was pissed when there were no major plot things and then I had nightmares for a week. Now I know better and always skip this episode. Always.

[@aranerem5569]

Hello, have you seen Tarzan The Fearless?

[@whodovoodoo2313]

I actually like this episode. I wouldn't consider it a season 1-level episode. I definitely think it's a season 2-level episode. I think the novelty of ocean, whacky fish creatures, Xander nakedness, and soviet hijinks keeps my interest. Maybe it's because I don't particularly care for the Angel drama, which I don't think was handled logically, that I like that this episode lets us not think about that.

[@RedMenace71]

One of the lesser episodes of Buffy, but not a bad palate cleanser for the banquet of Becoming parts 1 & 2, which are still some of my favorite tv ever.

[@tateperson]

This episode was honestly a 5/10 to me but seeing Wentworth made it go to a 7/10

[@TheBuffSummer]

Totally fair 👌🏻 - Maria

[@sarkyblueeyes9357]

This is definitely one of the weaker episodes of season 2 and the show at large. I feel like they could have found something for Angel, Spike and Dru to do instead of this, but maybe Spike and Dru were limited to a certain number of episodes in their contracts.

[@raymondgilbert1341]

The episode does not seem to fit in anywhere, I get that, but I like it on its own merits. Its just funny. Its a little break from all the heavy Angel drama going on at the moment and I don't mind it.

[@TheBuffSummer]

I get you - Maria

[@alex.9398]

Yes I watched and it does feel out of place and most people don't like it but oh the next two

[@TheBuffSummer]

Thank you! Oh yeah, the finale 🤐 - Maria

[@alex.9398]

No problem @@TheBuffSummer

[@sirmoonslosthismind]

i have no idea what you're talking about. s2e19 is followed immediately by s2e21.

[@Madbandit77]

I saw what you did there. "Go Fish" is oddly placed before the two-part season finale and comes off as a first season episode, but it's still enjoyable.

[@kilian-one-l]

This is definitely a weird one, something about it doesn't really feel much like a Buffy episode

[@TheBuffSummer]

The weaker writing maybe? - Maria

[@joymallory3405]

to me this episode feels like a scrapped idea for season 1 that they pulled back out later when they needed filler

[@TheBuffSummer]

I like season one a lot, but I can see that. This episode, though, had weaker writing than most if not all of it - Maria

[@lillimarq]

It's not the greatest but it's a breather before the storm.

[@NessOnett8]

I never forgot about this episode because it always struck me as so immensely out of place. Such a silly and nonsensical plot leading up to the big finale. And it was always the epitome of the "Bad" season 1+2 episodes. Whenever I hear people say the early seasons are bad, but it gets better, this is the first thing that comes to my mind. I wish I could forget about it. edit: I did watch to the end.

[@nuffyj8614]

I was just thinking the other day, « did I miss the swimming episode? Surely that would have already happened by the end of season 2… » It really doesn’t fit.

[@RB-vo4gi]

In my mind it’s not necessarily a bad episode, but it’s right at the end of season 2 and it kind of destroys the build up/tension. Last episode was the banger I Only Have Eyes for You and then after this one we have the finale. Who decided to put the episode here?

[@HuntingViolets]

"Ran like a woman." Ugh for that bit of dialogue. I think it's more about running because you're afraid than the quality of the running, but still ugh.

[@donnilloyd1355]

1 of the FEW episodes that TOTALLY turned me off of the show. Thank GOD that most of the other episodes made the series, GREAT. Like the way you two made a crappy episode, barrable. Thank you, Both.

[@ms_scribbles]

With the exception of a couple things, mainly involving Cordy, I hate this episode. It's so stupid, and not even the funny kind of stupid.

[@feudist]

Definitely a weak note in the runup to the operatic climax. Cordy coming through with some pithily unsympathetic humor is the high point.

[@knowledge-girl]

Um, yeah, I'm pretty sure this was voted as one of the worst if not the worst episode of the entire series.

[@AnatoleVGC]

I hate this one. Its one of the episodes that make me question people that have season 2 as their favourite

[@nuffyj8614]

I don’t think there’s a single season of Buffy that I like every episode. A dud or two isn’t going to pull down the whole season, especially when it’s not one you *have* to watch for the season arch. Honestly, I personally always forget if this is a season 1 or 2 episode, so when I’m thinking of favorite seasons, it’s not even a factor.

[@AnatoleVGC]

@@nuffyj8614 I understand that, season 2 worst episodes are completely irrelevant to the season. But when I think of favorite season I consider it as a whole. And season 2 weak episodes are few, but pretty bad. I also think most other season have way less weak episodes