BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER 3x21 REACTION l Graduation Day (1)

[@notoriouslybratty]

The mayor definitely sees himself as a father and not a sugar daddy. I understand the confusion though because Faith sexualizes things but the Mayor doesn’t seem interested in that type of relationship (maybe because he already had and outlived a wife).

[@feudist]

I love the contrast in how each Slayer prepares for the confrontation. Faith, raging joyfully on the punching bag. Buffy, solemnly staring at herself in the mirror, dreading both victory and defeat.

[@Lucy-uv4hv]

Regarding the "Why is Anya still playing the High Schooler role" question - I feel like this tells you a lot about Anya and how her mind works. She's very logical and literal ("Men like sports. I'm sure of it.") so my headcanon is that she became human and went "I was pretending to be a human high schooler and now I'm human... so I guess I'm also a high schooler". 😆

[@Logan_Baron]

I figured that she, and other Vengeance demons created an identity to get in and get the wish. (avoiding spoilers). She had to actually get enrolled in the school to get to Cordy. She needed legal papers to do so, along with the proper transfer paperwork. I figure it's all mystically created and filed, but it's all official. So now she's stuck in that identity. She Could just not go to school, but A. She's got nothing else to do, and B. Truant officers or whatever would be checking up for why she isn't at school and getting her into trouble. Can't get a job if she's supposed to be in school......

[@n0namesowhatblerp362]

Considering the episode "Doppelgangland", i dont think she wanted to stay in high school. " Im 1000 years old. Give me a fricken beer!"

[@Henrik_Holst]

@@Logan_Baron Exactly, she is stuck in the persona that she created (she said as much in The Prom to Xander) to be able to infiltrate Cordelia's inner circle of "friends".

[@holi117]

@@Henrik_Holst exactly. She explains what happened. She was a high school girl when she tried to get cordy to wish. When she lost her powers she got stuck in that persona - so she literally feels and acts like a high schooler, only she’s like over 1000 years old with all the memories and experiences lol. It must be very confusing for her, to suddenly be human after all that time, all those hormones and emotions lol

[@rfresa]

I do wonder where she lives, and if she actually somehow adopted some real people as her parents. 🤔

[@Logan_Baron]

Buffy was all Ready to kill Faith. But then the look on Buffy's face as soon as she stuck the knife in her..........

[@DaveVampireSlayer]

Xander once again confirms the goodness of his character, tries to dissuade Buffy from becoming a murderer, because she would lose herself, and despite the attentive attentions of Anya (a surprisingly growing character) he chooses to stay in his place by the side of friends even in front to such a grave danger. Will it cost him his life? Who knows ... this is a series where no one, not even the heroine, is safe! Maybe it's good to fear for Oz too, he and Willow are at the height of their love, and you know how it can end in these cases and in series like this. The relationship between Faith and the Mayor is more and more interesting and profound, it's really surprises a Villain as human as Wilkins who cares so much for her minion that he considers her as his daughter. The similarities with Buffy and Giles are so many, too bad we are talking about an Evil guy and a lost girl, now a ruthless killer. I am sure that if Angel's poisoning had occurred in different circumstances, and not by Faith, Buffy would never have thought of sacrificing her ex-friend by choosing to put herself at risk, but between Ascension and resignation to the final loss of Faith led our darling to that decision. True, Buffy immediately regretted and didn't give her rival the killing blow, but for a moment she really came to want to kill another human being. Here too we see a masterful antithesis, the one between the sad frailty hidden behind Faith's cruelty and this vengeful side behind Buffy's usual goodness.

[@Logan_Baron]

"Buffy will be making her own decisions and not answering to anyone". A very good analogy, not answering to the Watchers Council at the same time she is going off to college, when people have to start really making their own decisions.

[@blotcho84]

Your grad gown is actually the right color :D

[@procrastinator99]

"Vacuous tramp" has been one of my all-time favorite insults since I saw this show. (not for use, mind you, I just think its hilarious).

[@becca1189]

Love how lil' sis' cap and gown are the correct color!

[@RubyDianArts]

14:50 "Jesus, Buffandra!" I love buffy's red pants, this is one of her more iconic outfits. Buffy vs Faith is so enthralling. This ep and the last has some of my favorite Xander moments. I kind of wish their talk went into more, but it's fine. He actually is honestly concerned with someone else's feelings and wanting them to be okay (Cordy, Buffy), versus the end of season 2 where he lied because of his own feelings. Anya's personality is so great lol On to the finale!

[@domie]

Completely agree!! I love it!!

[@1nelsondj]

Yes it's how one of her action figures is dressed and she's wearing this outfit on the cover of "The Watcher's Guide Volume 2".

[@blacktronlego]

The Council needs the Slayer far more than the Slayer needs the Council.

[@1nelsondj]

Everyone but Wes was really good this episode, Xander is loyal and brave and brings information to Giles & Buffy about the ascension. (He also saved the day in 'Earshot.') Willow was adorable as always, Oz was Oz and Giles supported Buffy against the council that fired him. Yes Anya is fun, she speaks her mind like Cordelia does only being human again is still new to her (it's been 1,100 yrs.) so she has conflicting emotions. Personally I was so tired of the on-again/off-again Bangel this whole season, so glad to let it go. The show itself spoofed it in 'The Zeppo', how they kept going there for emotional drams.

[@martybeck8978]

The mayor made it very clear he does not like that whole "sugar daddy" angle. Glad you are enjoying the ride. I lean more toward the later seasons but I really love the later S3 run.

[@domie]

It's been so exciting! And yep I def misinterpreted the mayor's intentions in many moments... But it only made Part 2 more shocking!

[@1nelsondj]

@@domie On another occasion he told her she's so pretty she should show her face more, her response was, "Yeah, right."

[@Logan_Baron]

@@1nelsondj But that's very much a father thing to say. And Faith's "Yeah, right" was basically the response we all have to the Mayor going from talking about killing people to making wholesome fatherly comments. Her face said pretty much the same thing when he gave her milk and cookies.

[@frakkintoasterluvva7920]

Faith, I'm a family man! Now, let's kill your little friend." - Mayor Richard Wilkins in a nutshell.

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

But Faith is into it?

[@zabukazar]

"Look at you. All dressed up in big sister's clothes."--Faith. I like that line.

[@idontsignin]

Ok little miss muffet.

[@Mollyanholly]

lol

[@invadertifxiii]

indicating that buffy is ready to take that next step like faith

[@miriam8376]

The contrast between how Giles generally treats Buffy-supporting her choices and following her lead-as opposed to how the mayor treats Faith-pushing her to change how she appears and behaves to suit his values and occasionally infantalizing her-is so stark in this episode. It really drives home why Faith truly gets lost as the shadow version of Buffy’s stronger identity. The way fatherly influence is contrasted between the two men is so telling.

[@LittleMissDivine]

I just think Kristin Sufferland is such a beautiful woman! And this fight choreography is just

[@Swenglish]

At the beginning of the episode, Xander says he's pretty sure he's gonna die. At the end of the episode, Anya tells him he's probably gonna die if he stays. He chooses to stay. Whether or not he actually dies, the decision has the same amount of weight because he's aware that he might and he's willing to take that risk, not because he thinks it's small but because he thinks it's worth it. For all his flaws and all his selfish decisions and self-sabotaging, that is definitely a heroic moment. A small, quiet heroic moment, which is really where Xander shines, as we've seen before. The point isn't necessarily that he will die, but that he knows that he probably will. Faith also knows that she might die and embraces that possibility, but for much sadder reasons.

[@David-ve5iq]

Willow's got graduation goggles at 4:00 lol.

[@domie]

It’s so realistic, I love it!!

[@Logan_Baron]

I'd never heard that term before ASR said it about Willow on this episode.

[@HH-hd7nd]

24:55 Actually that's kind of not the case. The original plan was to kill Wesley off after a few episodes, however some of the writers and also the audiences really liked him which is why they expanded the character's story arc.

[@Nicamon]

Why is that the audience keeps liking characters that I *really* want to get killed?!?!First Spike and now Wesley too?!?!JUST LET THESE DUDES DIE ALREADY!!!>O

[@sjbenson5618]

Omg lol that’s what Ally box did for the graduation episode :) she dressed up in a graduation gown. You domi are the best. Look at you dressed up in big sisters clothes lol

[@ShadowDogProduction]

Who else wants to see a crossover reaction between her and Alley. Lol

[@sjbenson5618]

@@ShadowDogProduction Yeah I do :) please

[@christianmosqueira1985]

Cliffhanger of 1999! Plus the outfit was a nice touch 😊

[@cortezthomas5446]

Buffandra the Vampire Slayer has a nice ring to it! Lmao. Iconic!

[@tracycromer3418]

Buffy felt horrible when she thought she killed Ted.

[@nosfe4161]

I feel like throughout the whole ordeal of Faith working with the mayor theres always been an air of redeemability about her, and props to Eliza for that. And yeah the mayor seems to genuinely care about Faith and their relationship is very much a father-daughter type thing that Faith never seemed to have, mirroring Buffy and Giles in that regard. Curious, how much of Angel have you seen?

[@SgtSplatter782]

if you read the book Go Ask Malice you get a glimpse into Faith's life before she ends up in Sunnydale from her point of view and boy she's broken and hurt well before her watcher finds her and begins her training. With that in mind it's easy to see why she so readily went to the Mayor who treated her more like a person and family than her own blood relations did.

[@kendavis8046]

Epic fight scene. Now awaiting the part 2 of the finale reaction!

[@domie]

One of my favorite fight scenes (probably my favorite)!! Can’t wait to share Part 2 :)

[@JustJames83]

No one person is all bad or all good, I believe it’s all about the choices we make everyday that defines who we are as a person. Faith made some bad choices along the way and one of the many things I love about this show is that it shows you where those good/bad choices lead to

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

And it only gets BETTER!

[@edwardthorne9875]

You are a sweet and smart person. So glad you get the emotions of these adventures, and are willing to share them. On to Graduation Day!

[@notoriouslybratty]

I so glad I am not the only one that gets excited when I see Joss Whedon wrote the episode. He has got so many amazing episodes to his credits.

[@n0namesowhatblerp362]

Giles came from a rougher background than Wes, its very appearant. Giles did not act quite as loyal to them as Wes did. He didnt even give her the handbook. Im certain Wes would have done that if he had been her watcher first.

[@spamfilter32]

Buffy had a Watcher before Giles, who also didn't give her the handbook. It seems giving the Slayer the handbook may not be as common as we think.

[@idontsignin]

I love that fight scene. For me it's the 2nd best fight in the buffyverse.

[@iddyrye5452]

FYI, when this episode originally aired it was postponed because Columbine high School shooting just happened. The network thought it was insensitive. I think it aired about a month later. Don't ask me what they replaced it with. Back then it was on The WB; Dawson's Creek, Felicity, Charmed(the original)...

[@jaysavage8791]

Yeah I feel Buffy never gave it her all when fighting faith or angel for that matter. Buffy could definitely kick Faiths butt 5 by five lol

[@Buffy8Fan]

Its always great to hear domi e's theories. I never understood the _I'll miss everything_ that Willow refers to as a sickness. Buffy's attitude of it made more sense. I love how after what Snyder saw, his attitude towards The Mayor changed. I love how knowing and seeing some of the show with Angel she still worries about him being poisoned. Faith can fall off the building all she wants, but Buffy lost the whole purpose of going there the second she took the knife with her. Angel needs the blood that's now dripping all over the ground and truck. Everybody look for the crewmember during Buffy and Faith's fight. 😁😉 Anya is playing the role of high schooler because as she said to D'Hoffry in _Dopplegangland_ she is now stuck at that age without her magic. "Do you know how boring twelfth graders are?" And she's failing math. 🤣

[@serinas4465]

Which never made sense to me. If there is one subject Anja should be good in, it would be math!

[@Buffy8Fan]

@@serinas4465 SPOILERS I don't think she becomes interested until she works in the store so its more out of boredom that she is failing it in school, just like many high school kids.

[@Jontor11]

Wonderful reaction as always Domi. You probably know that you should watch Buffy/Angel after this season. There are some really cool cross over episodes in Bs4/As1 and Bs5/As2 and also in later seasons of Angel that you probably have already seen.

[@invadertifxiii]

it has always been a father daughter type of relationship with the mayor and faith, never romantic or sexual in any way

[@invadertifxiii]

im pretty sure the give us a kiss was meant as take the first shot

[@spamfilter32]

Yes, it is a reference to hitting her. Also, Faith conflates sex and violence, so it is a dual inuendo for both the violence of the fight to come and a hidden desire for sex.

[@tracycromer3418]

Wes I believe comes in angel season 2.

[@menachemsalomon]

So, looking back at your predictions, how'd you do?

[@tracycromer3418]

Anya came cuz she felt cordilla so she came and then she lost being a demon and cuz of Xander Anya stays.

[@Nicamon]

I'm not quoting anything from this video because I should quote pretty much everything.

[@stargazer1682]

4:29 Did you just refer to Buffy as "Buffanda" as being her full name? Fun fact, Buffy is conventionally short for Elizabeth.

[@domie]

Lol yes I’ve done that a few times haha. No way it’s short for Elizabeth, I’m shocked!!!

[@stargazer1682]

@@domie I've amused myself (and a few others) with a hypothetical conversation I wrote recently, where the Scoobies argue about Buffy's full name. Willow and Xander are confused, while Giles naturally knew full well what it probably was;. Then it devolves when Giles asks if it's spelled with an "S" or a "Zed" which confuses Xander even more that a former librarian "mispronounced the letter Z". But you have to admit, "Elizabeth Anne Summers" does have a nice ring to it.

[@whocaresreallly5886]

Well Buffy's middle name is Anne so Buff Anne isn't too far away

[@wbrownshadow]

Ahhh dang just like in true buffy fashion you should skip Part 2 for 2 months like we originally had too for full true reaction

[@dplunk13]

Eliza Dushku is so charming that after all Faith does I still root for her. She's Spike level bad character that you still love.

[@w33d533d]

I haven't seen anyone ever really address it, but The Mayor's attraction to faith is because of his own desire to die, he is immortal but can be killed after he ascends, so all this is a way for him to die on purpose, if you remember he spoke about how he watched someone he loved die and how it wasn't pretty when he was trying to scare Angel and Buffy apart from each other. The Mayor sees something in faith, perhaps having compassion on her, knowing she is lost and doesn't really fit in, and is clinging to that meaning he gets from being a father figure to someone who needs it since she isn't getting it elsewhere, normally we might would have God in that place where we have nothing else when we run out of personal reasons to justify our lives/existences but I guess that's out of the question for him.

[@reenmomo4501]

Their relationship is very beautiful. He is the father she never had, and I think she is the daughter he never had. When he offers her the apartment and she wants to thank him inappropriately, he immediately says he's a family man or something like that. In my opinion, he doesn't have any children, but the responsibility he has to the city and the citizens makes him feel like a family man. And I think that either he couldn't have children or he knew that it would be selfish to be a parent, given his special status of immortality

[@tananario]

This reactor has some … odd … ideas about the parental figures in this show. Giles as a rule follower???!!! Has she not been paying any attention to the Ripper episodes. As in more than one? And her massive misreading of the Mayor and Faith!! It’s explicitly stated he is NOT her sugar daddy. Honey, you even included that in your video! The Mayor and Giles are FATHER figures. Not friends, their true dads. And the constant misread of Joyce, omg.