"Family" (5x6) | *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* Reaction

[@May-ro5ow]

I really hate when Buffy reactors get flooded with “fans” who try to force their own views on them. It’s absolutely ridiculous and exhausting-the only part of the fandom that I truly can’t stand. It’s completely unfair to judge someone’s opinion of a character in a story they haven’t even finished watching. Not only do you influence their reactions and make them afraid to express their genuine thoughts, but you also spoil future storylines. Smart reactors can tell right away that there’s a reason for the unnecessary hate. The rest of the Buffy fandom needs to start calling out these people because they keep doing this to all the good reactors. It truly ruins the experience and makes the fandom as a whole look difficult.

[@vampyre_with_a_suntan]

"Smart reactors can tell right away that there’s a reason for the unnecessary hate." Thankfully.. a lot of the "newer" Buffy fans/reactors seem to have enough online literacy to realize whats going on - even if they never really quite acknowledge it. I remember doing a deep-dive on this whole thing over the course of a couple evenings .. maybe about 5-6 years ago - mainly prompted by a situation not wholly unlike the one that Cass talks about in the opening monologue. And what I learned during that is that a lot(!) of it is much more organized than it might appear.. closed facebook groups, tumblr, etc. all roads leads to certain fandom communities basically having a go at certain reactors (if not all of them, really) at certain times in the shows timeframe. So.. if it quacks like a duck, or many ducks are quacking the same type of quacks at the same time - people shouldnt really be fooled as to whats actually going on.

[@May-ro5ow]

@@vampyre_with_a_suntan Wow… I shouldn’t be surprised, and yet I am. If people put this much effort into making the world a better place, we’d be living in a utopia by now. It’s disheartening to see such organized negativity when that energy could be used for something positive.

[@NerdySwede]

Yeah, I've watched reactors love characters I don't really like (like Angel and Riley) and I would never comment on their feelings. Like, it's a tv-show it is not that deep, let people enjoy what they enjoy.

[@May-ro5ow]

@@NerdySwede Same! There are a couple of characters that I have a hard time with, but in over 20 years, I’ve never made anyone feel bad about liking or loving them. Not just because it can spoil the experience, but because I believe you have to be a real 🫏 🎩 to rob people of any sort of harmless joy.

[@JhadeSagrav]

I agree with all of this. In fact, i LIKE when people enjoy a character I don't, because it means they can give me a different perspective on them. Different people enjoy different flavors, and that's what's fun about it! Sharing our thoughts on those differences. Why do people want to ruin that for everyone else?! 😣😣😣

[@Forsaken6261981]

Don't let people influence or shame you about liking a character or subplot in any show. No one needs to be like that. I never did that with Riley or shamed the Bangel shippers for quite obvious reasons to pick apart. While the show was still ongoing Spike was probably my biggest reason to keep watching whether the ups or downs. Now that it's been over 20 years since, my favorite has changed slightly, but he's still a top tier for me. We all have reasons to like a show: A specific character, specific relationship, or even specific plot/subplot/theme.

[@tommyross3298]

Yup. This. ^^^ Etc.

[@Talisguy]

Buffy's choice makes extra sense if you remember that Giles is the only Scooby who's a convincing liar. Nobody else can lie to save their lives.

[@SeerMagicX]

I love dawn giving her a broom (and how happy she is about it).

[@JhadeSagrav]

And straight up blocking whatever explanation Giles was giving about his crystal ball. 😂😂😂 Gosh i love this show.

[@PaperbackWizard]

Your opening monologue was perfect. Even among established fans, people take the shipping way too seriously. There are legitimate points of discussion, particularly Spike's lack of soul, but in the end, people ship characters because it's part of the fun of being a fan. People need to remember that other people are entitled to enjoy the show however they see fit, especially new fans. And yes, there's plenty of spoiler territory when it comes to Spike and Buffy, so now is absolutely not the time for the comments section to be getting into it all.

[@PaperbackWizard]

Now that that's out of the way, this is one of my favorite episodes, start to finish. I love the "we're family" moment best, of course, but there are plenty of comedic moments in the episode, too, as well as complicated, deep moments. Really, emotions are all over the map in this episode, and in a very well-written way. Some shows (and movies and books) struggle to balance the light and the heavy, the happy and the sad, the comedic and the tragic, but this episode knew what it was doing. As a writer, I aspire to be this good at navigating emotions in my stories.

[@williambowman2326]

@@PaperbackWizardExcellent thoughts . It has such an uplifting final scenes that the brilliant writing is overlooked. Buffy is a great guide to study storytelling in a grand fashion not common today.

[@stephaniebarker472]

I appreciate the sentiment of your comment, but just saying “there’s plenty of spoiler territory when it comes to Spike and Buffy” is a spoiler in itself.

[@PaperbackWizard]

@@stephaniebarker472 If you'd listened to her opening, then you'd know she'd already guessed that. Frankly, it's commenters throwing around terms like "Spuffy" that need to watch what they're saying, not me.

[@stephaniebarker472]

@@PaperbackWizard I did listen to her comments very carefully and from what she said, as I interpret it, is that she has no idea one way or the other about how far the Spike-Buffy relationship will go (see 6:47-7:00). Just beacuse many fans ship these two characters doesn't automatically mean it's a thing within the show... even if there is an assigned nickname (note: "Foriley" or "Fuffy", for examples). But I do know that specifically saying "there's plenty of spoiler territory" is unequivocally a spoiler.

[@OneiLean]

My problem with people complaining about Spuffy in the comments is that there is a danger that it could head into spoiler-ish territory for things that happening later in the show. Honestly try your best to ignore the eye rolling commenters and just enjoy your Spuffy shipping

[@cogline]

Agreed, but his is a spoiler

[@fionaearl6601]

I feel like so much of the anti spuffy discourse is reliant on *a certain episode in season 6* that these fans are pushing his characterization post that onto reactors who just enjoy his character at this point and it is soo frustrating! Is it canon? Yeah, but not yet lol

[@footballhead101]

James Marsters once confirmed at a podcast that he was made a regular on the show as a sort of replacement to Cordelia. Someone who'll tell them his brutal honesty no matter the scooby gang likes it or not.

[@Ebbagull]

Spike and Anya together kind of filled that roll

[@maruskaehrensdorfer]

STOP leaving spoiler comments! And for those who don't know, this is called FICTION. Get over yourselves and watch something else if you don't like how a KZbinr reacts to a show. I personally like Spike a lot more than Angel.

[@RedundantHuman-CandyBites]

👌🏼

[@TheDemonicPenguin]

Also, it's worth pointing out, in terms of representation and when this episode came out, it was really important that Tara not be part demon. As in: being gay (ie. which is coded as being a witch here) is OK! These days it wouldn't matter so much, but then it was important for a lot of people to see. I know it was the first time I had seen it on TV.

[@williambowman2326]

Buffy was one of the targets for the decency groups and especially after Surprise. I have often thought Gingerbread was the reaction to pressure groups. Willow and Tara were a target and having Tara be a constant and decent was a way to address both sides. One side wanted the relationship gone and the other wanted it very outward and torrid. Luckily we have one couple that makes you smile when you see them together just the way they are.

[@rfresa]

​@@williambowman2326 Another episode that was probably a reaction to outside pressure is Where the Wild Things Are. It felt very pointed that Buffy and Riley were having hot, sweaty sex for most of the episode but Willow and Tara couldn't even hold hands.

[@arielcarmona6660]

@@rfresa No, that was more a narrative choice in WTWTA because if you recall the evil was brought about by a repressed person with antiquated views harming the kids. So it made logical sense that it would be projected that way. Buffy and Riley's hot sex fueled the mystical happenings by design, if that makes sense

[@DrawingPicture]

Really like that way of seeing it: "Anything can happen because it's a paranormal world. " - like anything would be able to be explained

[@EchoTru24]

Can't remember if it was Joss or another of the show runners, but they were quoted as saying something like "It's not physics, it's metaphysics". To apply the laws of the natural world to the supernatural world is silly.

[@stpetie7686]

Some people need to look up the word "fiction".

[@calvinallen3424]

Tara is my favorite character

[@justinpilla5741]

I used to hate her Tara--thought was boring and annoying. Now I love her--she's so sweet and compassionate. One of my favorites.

[@BenBanjo87]

I love that Tara is such a kind, loving and empathetic person, in spite of having had such a terrible family to grow up in; and that she has found a much better one with Willow and the Scoobies. Let us remember that we don't have to be defined by our roots.

[@justsayin2777]

What I loved about this episode is the whole coming out arc. So many people in the LGBTQIA are told they are evil growing up and I loved that this episode focused on the found family aspect, that when you are rejected by your bio family (who thinks you are evil), you find the tribe that just loves you for you. So important especially in 2000 and frankly still important now. I definitely cried when I saw this first air lol

[@Phoenixdark1]

I roll my eyes at the people who roll their eyes about a Spuffy plotpoint. Spuffy all the way, baby :) That's some good content.

[@Lucy-uv4hv]

Also, re: comments - absolutely, people forget that as a new viewer, you have no idea which characters are widely liked, hated, divisive etc. And that they've had 20+ years of discussing every aspect of the show and fandom, while you're still watching. Best to ignore or take with a pinch of salt any comments stating that their opinion of a character/ship/event is the 'right' opinion - the Buffy fandom is so active that some people forget what's fanon and what's canon when it comes to things like shipping and show lore anyway.

[@williambowman2326]

These discussions took place during, directly after, and during the time between each episode. I was the only boy in a group of dedicated teen girls and the debate, feelings , and arguments about Buffy and who she should be with has been going on since Innocence and heated after Passion.

[@Lucy-uv4hv]

@@williambowman2326 And those discussions are fun! It's great that they're still taking place! What's not great is when people flood the comments of reactors' videos with hot takes that they insist are the only right opinion (e.g. "How dare you like X character/ship!"), or rely on knowledge of later seasons and leave the reactor feeling like they're inches away from being spoiled.

[@demitwice]

i'm sorry you got annoying comments about spuffy lol i don't understand why people watch reaction videos if they don't want to see reactions??

[@migmit]

You right, actually. Unsubbing.

[@NerdySwede]

@@migmit Bye Felicia

[@migmit]

@@NerdySwede ?

[@Patriciobuenisimo85]

Does she need moderators?

[@huntingswan1174]

Ignore these kind of comments. They can never be appeased and aren't worth the effort. Just be yourself, I may not always agree with you but I will never attack you for a different opinion, I'll just offer my own in a respectful way.

[@krthompson7519]

Just entrenched fandom drama; people see someone even starting to seem like they’re falling into one “camp” or the other and they react on their gut, regardless of how out of proportion it is when you’re watching the show fresh and haven’t been part of these ongoing conversations. (And regardless of how out-of-proportion some of it is even within-fandom. As you say, it’s a show! Here for entertainment!) Glad you’re firm about letting yourself watch how you want to watch.

[@bigdream_dreambig]

"Is that Amy Adams? Am I thinking of the right person?" Yes it is, and yes you are! Good catch! 😁 That's baby Amy Adams in the very first year or two of her on-screen career!

[@crawdaddy2004]

The most mind-boggling pre-stardom cameo in any Buffyverse medium is Ben Affleck in the 1992 movie - he’s on the opposing basketball team. 😂 Also, Hillary Swank is the friend that buys the yellow leather jacket.

[@arrividerci17]

Don't pay too much attention to those kind of comments. There are a lot of people that love Spike. Some people are just annoying and take everything too seriously and literally

[@migmit]

Yeah. And it's mind-boggling how people can be willingly blind.

[@nayalaa]

Cass, I'm pretty sure I commented on your Patreon about this already, so I'll keep it brief here, lmao. Spuffy is amazing! The haters can argue with the wall! One of my favorite parts of the show is seeing the relationships between the characters change and grow. I'm sorry you've been discouraged from reacting genuinely, but please know that there are plenty of us that ship Spuffy and we will defend your right to feel how you feel! If you fall out of love with Spuffy, that's fine too! The point is that you experience and enjoy the show however YOU want.

[@lezlezzin]

ugh this episode always makes me cry, even watching reactors react to the end!

[@andwhatifI...]

It's ridiculous that you had to explain that it's possible to separate entertainment and reality, RIDICULOUS. Especially with that part of how can you like him, he's a soulless vampire ...well if we go with that route how can you, for example, ship angel and buffy, a teenager and a 100 something years old guy, that kinda thinking would rule out enjoying this show all together. My god, come on people.

[@trufamilybromontqc]

People take it too personal . Im not a buffy and spike shiper but i can't deny that spike is my favorite character. I get hate in the comments for liking Angel so don't worry about it and let you're reactions be authentic . Because every buffy reactor gets some kinda hate for multiple different reasons ,you can't please everyone unfortunately. so be you❤

[@lgbtorion]

Spike is a great character and spuffy is a great ship. People who hate on them are lame and ruin the fun of the show. He is a beloved fan favorite for a reason and you don’t have to feel guilty for liking him or shipping him with Buffy. Anya used to be a vengeance demon who tortured men for centuries but she’s with Xander now and no one bats an eye at that. Same with Angel who used to be just like Spike before he was forcefully cursed with a soul. I encourage you to just enjoy the ride that the writers are taking us on (cause it’s a good one) and try to ignore the antis in the comments even though I know it’s hard cause they’re extremely annoying.

[@thequeerfantastic]

*applause* Good on you for that opening speech. I'm so glad you stood your ground and laid all that out for folks. I hope people will really listen, and that those types of commenters will hold their tongues from now on. Amazing reaction as always! Every time I see a new Buffy video from you, I click *so* fast. Your wrap-up thoughts were so smart, compassionate, and well thought out. Thank you.

[@jakefavre]

She'd dump her fanboy boyfriend for Spike in real life guaranteed, I don't care but when Spike is on screen her face doesn't lie

[@carnilia]

Gotta say, watching Buffy’s relationship with Dawn and how it changes and develops definitely hits different now that I have a child. I’ve always loved it, not saying otherwise, but it’s just another part of this show that is so good that it can have a whole prism of meanings if you engage with it at different stages of your life. (Ugh I f’n love this show!)

[@peoforsgren7411]

100% agree with and support your opening monologue. If some overly enthusiastic fans want to comment on your journey, reactions and theories from an all-knowing perspective… this is not the forum.

[@kellygilbert736]

Spike is fun to watch. Period. Thats why we like him. Everything you said was so valid hun. And you are right to just trust the writers and see whatever happens. People should let you just enjoy the ride ❤️

[@JhadeSagrav]

Had to come back to mention how much in charge Buffy is in that scene, and how well everyone knows it. Everyone is reacting to the new information, asking questions, Tara is explaining, but no one is making decisions. When Buffy first says, "Take her," NO ONE, i mean NO ONE, fights it. Not Willow who loves her, not the gang, not Anya as a "fellow 'demon'," and not even Tara herself. Yet the second that Buffy flips it and defends Tara, WHOO BOY, the team rallies to Tara's defense as well. That woman is a LEADER. They trust her judgement 100% even if she first seemed to make one decision, then immediately switches it. Buffy is standing up for Tara? WE ALL STAND UP FOR TARA. EVEN TARA STANDS UP FOR TARA NOW. "Dad, just go. _I got Buffy at my back now, what the cuss are YOU gonna do?"_ 😂 BRO. WHAT A SLAYER!

[@Teeklin]

Spike is a great character from a great actor and everyone loves to see him on screen because he kills it. He's a horrific character that's murdered countless children and raped countless women and caused more pain than any human being that's ever existed as a soulless demon. But he's a well written, well acted, and very entertaining character and I don't know anyone who doesn't like him on screen.

[@KT-iy9vc]

I think it's entirely possible that the 2 most well-liked characters at this point in the series are Anya and Spike. No telling how many people those 2 combined have killed. Lol we BTVS fans must be a bloodthirsty bunch.

[@alfredneuman1916]

Sadly there is a very long list of human beings who caused more pain and death than Spike and Angelus combined.

[@eduardofilippi7698]

​@KT-iy9vc To be fair, Buffy is a very active serial killer.

[@williambowman2326]

@@KT-iy9vcExactly. That’s the best way to explain Buffy. The superb writing makes Anya and Spike , evil that would make Pol Pot squeamish,favorites and Riley lowly regarded . Now that’s storytelling.

[@luciazaviacicova3594]

Just like Angel did

[@Itsjandz105]

I just love this episode. The end always makes me get teary eyed. I always thought Willow and Oz had the most adorable relationship and it couldn't get any better, then they introduced Tara and well I was wrong. Long live Tillow?

[@stevebravo4697]

I came across your channel on accident. I love Buffy. This was an amazing reaction. You just gained a new subscriber

[@leesmith9299]

i think the moderator(s) should keep you away from debates that are fuelled by opinions based on knowledge of the full show. and people should not have them in the first place. to me they're a spoiler. let the reactors build their own opinions gradually uninfluenced as we all did the first time we watched.

[@coreyissus]

Yeah for KZbin it’s easy to do and turn her away from, but on Patreon (which is typically less of an issue) there is no control, so some stuff slips through the cracks, but yeah overall we’ve avoided true spoilers but not any of the loud discourse and bipolar feelings that have come up on a few things and characters here and there throughout the show😭

[@JhadeSagrav]

I had to go back and rewatch your reaction to "You just gotta go through me." 🥰🥰🥰 I love your genuine reactions. I love to see those perfect moments between the writing and the reactor.

[@shabadoo25]

Yep, Amy Adams. She guested on a West Wing ep too.

[@Clare1207]

Oh for goodness sake, people need to get over themselves, it's a TV show and people can like whoever they like. Ignore the people kicking off. I am a huge Spike fan, have been since I watched the show when it was first airing, he's fun and charming and such an interesting character to analyse. Do I like serial killing sociopaths in real life? No, of course not, but this isn't real life and he's a fun character. I also personally do prefer him for Buffy over Angel, mainly due to the insane chemistry between Buffy and Spike and how utterly dull I find Angel. However, I have no issue with anyone preferring Angel, I just don't see the appeal. Angel to me is just, if not more, toxic for Buffy. She gets with him when she is 16 and he's over 200 years old, even if we're just going by his human age, he was an actual adult when he was turned so it's just creepy and the mental power dynamics are just so messy. So many people who hate Spuffy go on about Spike being souless, toxic, etc. but the way I look at it, souless Spike is 100% more capable of love and care (albeit in a selfish way) than souless Angel who was just pure psychopath. Angel also had his soul forced upon him (twice) so it's not like he just wanted to be a better person or anything. Anyone who ships Buffy/Angel but has an issue with Buffy/Spike due to him being souless or toxic is deluding themselves about how toxic Angel was with their weird co-dependent, doomed to fail relationship while she was practically still a child. Also anyone projecting their hate on to your reaction based on things that may happen in the future need to back off and just let you enjoy the series and like the characters that you like.

[@paulinerobertson6836]

Yeah that seems to be a thing with people who hate Spuffy/Spike. Like were blinded by him because of how good James is so we forget what Spike is? No were completely aware but were also aware that he is just a character and were not hoping to be with him in real life 🙈People don't seem to get that we just enjoy him. His chemistry with Sarah is also great.

[@NerdySwede]

The Spike haters are so boring, just ignore them. People who think they are morally superior because they only like "good" characters are the worst. IT IS FICTION! Also please note that people like Anya, that tortured men for a thousand years, never get this much hate so - yeah, the haters are inconsistent and also idiots.

[@NerdySwede]

@@simonuguk5671 ignore it? they have an entire episode about it like???

[@NerdySwede]

@@simonuguk5671 I agree with Kendra deserving more, she was done very dirty. The other things are history and I understand they don't want to dwell on it too much, like Anya's history as well.

[@mrmassacre3366]

BOO to those that left negative comments about the spike thing. Keep your irrelevant opinions to yourself and let the reactor have their own experience. Stop ruining the show for people that don't know what's coming.

[@pieceofgosa]

Just for clarification (although I'm pretty sure you know this & were just using a turn of phrase) Dawn is absolutely a real human. Flesh & blood, soul, the works. It's just that instead of being created in the... traditional human manner, she was created with magic. The memories, of course, are magical fabrications but it seems (to me anyway) that the monks used a sort of "process generation" to create the memories. That is to say, instead of crafting each memory individually they inserted one memory (Joyce falling pregnant with Dawn) kind of like a seed & then the years of memories that followed were generated from that starting point. So the memories that everybody has are what WOULD have happened if Dawn had been around.

[@peterd9698]

Sort of random, but I had the same metaphysical pondering at that comment. :) (And practically, a “The Wish” type spell seems less work than fabricating an entire history.. or that Jonathan episode)

[@lynnef1988]

I don't really comment much but I love your reactions and a lot of the people in the comments of Buffy reactions are very weird about it. Just enjoy watching the show, and the majority of people watching you react love that. The annoying comments are sometimes the loudest, and I think these people forget sometimes that you are watching it for the first time without context. Keep being excited and curious about it! I hope you get no more "spoilers".

[@tehcoolemu]

I love Tara in general, and this episode in particular, so so much. :') I thought Tara's emotional rollercoaster during the final confrontation in the Magic Box was especially well done. (Apparently a lot of Tara's tears were genuine, because the scene made Amber Benson so emotional.)

[@abbesatty9498]

The vampire who hit on Riley in Willys bar is Sally, whom vampire Willow killed back in "Dopplegangland".

[@MrOneILoveALot]

Megan Gray is the actress

[@ceceliam9014]

I interpreted one of the levels for the "women in the family have demon in them" and "magic makes it worse" to be that the women in the family have power (in terms of witchcraft), and the patriarch of the family enforces this demon myth to prevent them from using their power, and force them to be subservient even though they are the ones with power. It's a metaphor the show often utilizes: a woman having power and people who don't like that trying to force her down.

[@mschanandlerbong4145]

It’s your viewing experience. Like/dislike what you want and don’t worry about a small percentage of toxic people. I absolutely love your reactions and how thoughtful you are.

[@RedundantHuman-CandyBites]

Agreed 👍🏼 🫶🏻

[@RedundantHuman-CandyBites]

I wish you didn’t care what people think. If you like Spike, you like Spike. They are characters and no one is allowed to dictate who you can or cannot like or tell you how you should feel about them. This is your channel. Like who you like, no caveat’s needed. I judge the people who comment and are colouring your honest enjoyment of the show. It’s an experience you can only have once and they should let it be. Any smart person wouldn’t judge you for how you watch and interpret a show. 😘

[@BobCrabtree-ev4rz]

You know you could,by just substituting a name here and there,post this on every single reaction channel..and it would fit perfectly.Super hardcore fans of every movie/TV franchise are very..protective.

[@RedundantHuman-CandyBites]

@@BobCrabtree-ev4rz. I hope condescending me made you feel good. 👍🏼

[@BobCrabtree-ev4rz]

@@RedundantHuman-CandyBites That was absolutely not my intention at all.I was agreeing with you(I thought),when you said "..no one is allowed to dictate who you can or cannot like..".."This is your channel". I read the comments of fans to reactors who watch THEIR movie/tv franchise 'the wrong way'.Perhaps I could have phrased it better...again,no disrespect was intended.Sorry.

[@RedundantHuman-CandyBites]

@@BobCrabtree-ev4rz oh well I feel like an utter Jack-HAT!! Sorry. I thought you were making fun of me for being a super nerd and insinuating that everyone who watches too many shows sound the same. I think I have been online WAY TOO MUCH lately. Sorry for being a spazz-attack. 😮

[@BobCrabtree-ev4rz]

@@RedundantHuman-CandyBites No worries.I'm glad we got it sorted.

[@cbe1737]

Little Easter egg- the female vampire that Riley met at Willy’s Bar is Sandy from Doppelgangland (Vampire Willow episode from S3) 🙃

[@Nicamon]

Except VampWill *killed* Sandy,she didn't *turn* her.🙄

[@cbe1737]

@@Nicamon willing suspension of disbelief can go so far 😂

[@Nicamon]

@@cbe1737 One thing is suspension of disbelief,another is plot holes.🤦‍♂Why can't people just admit that this Easter Egg is cute but makes no damn sense?No one's gonna eat you if you admit this show has some consistency problems!

[@ernesthakey3396]

​@@Nicamon Vampire Willow bit Sandy, and dropped her to the floor. That doesn't mean Sandy died at that moment, leaving it open to go either way. And Vampire Willow had been talking about making things like they were in the other reality. So clearly she could have been thinking about recruiting, which means she could well have turned Sandy off-screen.

[@Nicamon]

@@ernesthakey3396 Yes,it does mean that. To become a vampire Sandy should have bitten VampWill and she never did,since VampWill proceeded to ignore her after that and was buisy with Anya and Human Willow.Besides it seems *no one* has *_listened_* to what she said!🙄She said:"If you're all good boys&girls we make you young and strong forever and ever...we'll have fun(AKA turn you into vampires). If you're not...(KILLS Sandy)."She was literally using Sandy as an example of what happens if you DON'T play along with what VampWillow wants(=making everyone into vamps),which implies *DYING.*

[@holi117]

God, how fking annoying that you got all those whiney comments. You are allowed to enjoy the plots and characters you like, their opinions are just their opinions! You are allowed to enjoy and find fun or cute whatever you want. Honestly, please ignore all the haters. It never ends. Ever. (With love, ANOTHER spuffy shipper and spike stan)

[@TatteredTootsy]

she's not even the first reactor I've seen have to justify liking Spike. There's a very vocal minority of "fans" who feel like they have to berate people for enjoying a fictional character on a tv show, it's actually ridiculous.

[@vampyre_with_a_suntan]

@@TatteredTootsy A lot of it has nothing to do with them wanting justifications.. it's just a round-about way of trying to harass reactors for not liking what they like. All the moral arguments, all the buzzwords.. the purity tests, all of it is designed to bully and subdue - theres no right answer that can be provided that will satisfy them - it's not done in good faith. The goal is simply to make reactors tone down their own thoughts and feelings on certain subjects/characters.. and more importantly - not talk about it out loud. Thats seen as a win to a lot of those "fans"

[@StephanieNics]

There are some very passionate Spike haters in the fandom. He's a strong character, so people feel passionately about him. Personally, I love Spike. He's one of my all-time favorite characters. He is mean and EVIL but smart and HILARIOUS and often brutally honest. However, if Spike were a real person, I would loathe him and want him to be locked away forever. You can like a bad guy that is fictional and still be a good person yourself.

[@tinesess3521]

Wow..im shocked! I love spike, but not spuffy really. But i thought most people loved that idea, so i am absolutely floored there was a lot of push back. You should just watch and react however you want ❤

[@tetamale4280]

I love having seen you become a true Buffy fan, it is something that fills my heart when I see people reacting to the series, but you, you understand girl, you are one of the real ones, you are on the team 💖✨

[@Buffy8Fan]

Xander and Buffy's conversation was exactly what many people in the fanbase thought about Tara at the time. This episode was written and she was loved. Nowadays the _we don't know what to think_ idea is barely there. Action: Spike punching Tara in the nose. Spike's expectation: _It was a good thing everybody._ Only an accurate expectation because not asking her permission is the only way the chip would have activated. Otherwise he's just a soulless creature wanting to hit Tara in the nose. Although that was just as much the point with him because, "[He didn't] care what happens." Men trying to keep the women in line. So my guess is cousin Beth believed it so much she hated Tara for doing what she either couldn't or was convinced was wrong.

[@luciazaviacicova3594]

Ignore rhe hates. You are free to like Spike and him being in love with Buffy. Don't let them bully you into not liking something that you like

[@tehcoolemu]

Impressive restraint in your intro. I hate it when people fail that hard at keeping in mind what information / experiences someone else is basing their attitudes off of. Even if they don't technically invoke actual spoilers / "future" knowledge, they tend to interpret "past" scenes through a very different lens than a first-time viewer. Imagine them reading through a mystery novel for the second time as part of a book club. They catch all the little breadcrumbs because they know what to look for, they interpret all the evidence correctly because they already know the right answer, and so of course they criticize first-time readers in the group who interpret things differently. Sigh. There's also the fact that creators of media tend to have powerful tools to get you to interpret things the way they want you to. Is the unorthodox battle plan being described a bold and gutsy tactic that the enemy will never see coming, or is it the height of folly and sure to get everyone killed? Depends on what the backing score is doing, and how the characters we're following react to being told about it. Likewise for whether an insubordinate character is a hero or a villain. They can show the protagonist doing something downright psychopathic, and get the audience to cheer for how badass they are. Combine all that with a subject that's divisive even among fans who have watched the whole show, and that people have very strong and confident opinions about, and you have a recipe for toxicity and chaos in the comments. I hope it doesn't affect your enjoyment too much! Stay strong, and I hope people find some chill.

[@mjtpli]

Your puppy seems to know every time when you’re doing your concluding comments and it’s time for a bit of camera time. A showbiz natural.

[@LadyGreensleeves33]

There are people who have major issues with characters and plot points, and honestly, IGNORE THEM. They ruin the fun entirely. Its fiction. Oi. Spike's gift is to shake things up 😂

[@MikhDunham]

I love how you handled the disconnect between the comment section and your reaction. You should never feel bad for liking certain elements, and I'm glad you don't. I also think that this discussion is too early - it would be great if ppl could relax a bit with their opinions about certain people until we get to the last season.

[@ianbuckley2347]

Keep doing what you're doing. It works for me and i love your musings on how the show might go. I'm just so glad you're enjoying it as much as you are.😊👍

[@cherdiane]

Spike is an evil, soulless vampire, but he's an extremely charming evil soulless vampire.

[@robertmckenna3994]

The return of Sandy. We haven’t seen her since Willow killed and turned her in 3x16 Doppelgangland.

[@frugalseverin2282]

Typo alert: 3x16.

[@Nicamon]

She *killed her.* Period. She never *turned her.* 🙄

[@robertmckenna3994]

@@frugalseverin2282 👍

[@ernesthakey3396]

​@@Nicamonno, she BIT her. The Master bit Buffy too, but the bite didn't kill her - drowning in the water did.

[@Nicamon]

@@ernesthakey3396 Again...listen to her monolouge.

[@WithGreatReluctance]

Thank you for being reasonable, nuanced, and media literate. :)

[@corgiluver9718]

Such a good Tara centric episode, love it. Always enjoy your terrific thoughtful reactions to this show.

[@apulrang]

Great opening commentary. I think we tend to underestimate how many TV and movie fans genuinely get confused between "liking" things within the world of the story and "liking" how the story is being crafted and performed. I've seen the difference described as Watsonian vs. Doylistic -- referencing Sherlock Holmes stories which are written by real-life author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but told by Dr. Watson who is a character inside the stories. I think most people do understand the difference ... but sometimes lose track of whether they are evaluating happenings in-universe or evaluating the story as a piece of art. I often get the feeling that fan feuds would be reduced by at least 50 percent if everyone fully understood the difference and were better able to know which perspective they are taking at any given moment.

[@DaDunge]

30:15 Buffy is not helicopter parenting becuause she's protecting the world, she's helicopter parenting because she's protecting her sister. Buffy understand that whatever the bad guys have planned for Dawn it's likely not going to be good for Dawn, hence her being protective. Which is of course the intention of the monks, they gave Buffy a reason to be protective of the key that is above and beyond the desire to save the world.

[@williambowman2326]

Great comment. That’s exactly on the mark. The love of a Mother- Older sister is the bond that is forged out of love.Creating Dawn to be in Buffy’s family is intentional. We know that Buffy’s legend is known around the worlds and is strong enough to bring Dracula to Sunnydale. The European Monks are first shown speaking a language that is Eastern European, like Dracula.

[@rue...whenwasthis]

yeah that's why they made Dawn her sister, because her innate need to save the world as the slayer would not have been enough, she needed to love Dawn in the way that people could love

[@shabadoo25]

I'm 99% sure this isn't a spoiler but I'm pretty sure by this point it's been mentioned that Tara's mother has passed away.

[@alanbeers4808]

In Hush, "she had a lot of power". Definite past tense.

[@arielcarmona6660]

I think it has been implied but I don't remember if it was directly said by this time in the show

[@helenroberts1107]

I love Spike ❤ I don’t care what anyone else says. He’s a funny character. It’s a tv programme. Get over it

[@alysharichards3757]

As a founding member of the Spuffy society I implore upon you to feel no shame. 😂

[@cedricdallaire3324]

Amen

[@nayalaa]

No seriously. We get a bad rap when it's the non-Spuffy shippers that are spoiling things for Cass?! Why do people hate good television so much!?

[@ChildishDeVito]

There is a very loud portion of the fandom that despises Spike/Spuffy, but try not to worry about it too much. The fandom is very passionate, and people sometimes get a little wrapped up in their own thoughts and feelings on characters and plots etc. People want authentic reactions and what some people like in media absolutely doesn't represent what they think is acceptable in real life ❤

[@Henrik_Holst]

Besides it being a difference between the two shows one could also make the argument that the evil demons is drawn to the Hellmouth in Sunnydale while the good demons actively avoid it, hence there are exclusively evil demons in Sunnydale but a mix in other places like LA.

[@rue...whenwasthis]

that's always how i saw it too!

[@Greg-e2r]

I absolutely get what you're saying about separating IRL from a a show. In my personal life, I would much rather be with a guy like Riley, but when I'm watching a show I would rather be entertained and Spike to me is more entertaining than Riley. Please keep being genuine and don't worry about comments having different views. We should all be able to disagree and still get get along.

[@meggo329]

Spuffy rules

[@williambowman2326]

Really wonderful reaction to an episode that just sucker punches you. The Magic Box scene with Tara ,The Scoobys, and the loathsome Father gets me every time. Typical Buffy writing. It’s getting you emotionally without realizing one of the themes of the season is brought out to the front… what is a family? Starting with Buffy and Giles dealing with how do you talk and when do you talk about “ adoption”, is it real or separate? Then Tara has an adult version of “ adoption and does it mean she has added or ended a family. The debate is lost in the happy/ crying ending. Just a wonderful episode and also the challenge to how we define family and who makes up a family. Sadly, welcome to the never ending debate about who is right for Buffy. This show created helicopter fans that are protective of Buffy and who she should see. Watch out , there are no survivors. The only comment I have learned is that Parker is an SOB. It’s been this way from the beginning. I found Buffy along with girls in my Freshmen years Since Angel killed Jenny in Passion, there are some that will never forgive him and since that point there was a problem with a guy with some of the girls since. I am still friends with several of the girls, now women, that we started with Buffy in the spring of 1997. I learned to become Switzerland and have no opinions on any love interest. Except to spit on Parker. Love your reactions and hope you keep having fun.

[@JhadeSagrav]

Whenever one of these debates pops up, I'm going to be a troll and tell them I ship "Barker" or should that be "Puffy"? 🤔😁🤣 That should derail the conversation plenty.

[@amydolan932]

Girl, you get to have your own opinion about things, that's why we're watching right? I remember way back in high school, watching this with my friend and it was so fun just to talk with her about our opinions. Keep doing your thing.

[@angelus1738]

I hate Spuffy, but I like Spike.With that being said, it doesn't matter whether you are a Spuffy shipper or not. Nobody should be dictating your views. Just because I dislike it, doesn't mean everyone else has to. Like what you like or don't like what you don't like, it's your journey through the Buffyverse after all, not ours.

[@ernesthakey3396]

Regarding Riley, yeah, Buffy is definitely taking him for granted. She does have a lot going on. But I like to ask myself whether, if Angel were still in town as her true love, she would be holding him at arm's length like she does Riley, or of she would be trusting him with the truth and relying on his emotional support. I think she treats Riley like Mr. Reliable, there when she wants him to be but otherwise off in the wings waiting. If it were Angel, she'd be leaning on him a lot more for help, I think. Meanwhile...Riley has no other purpose in his life. He's out of the military. He no longer works at the college. He has no job. The only reason he's still in Sunnydale is that Buffy is there. He needs to have a purpose, and at the moment the only purpose he has is "be Buffy's boyfriend when she needs him." That isn't enough - Buffy shouldn't have to be everything he needs. Something has to change, clearly.

[@swamptastic]

I always viewed the conversation between Buffy/Xander about Tara as a very close-knit friend group being a little jealous about one best friend having a new 'best friend' (from the lens of the early 2000s 🙄). That late teens, early 20s immature possession of our friends and protection of the friendship dynamics as they always have been, and discomfort around the friendship changing. Like Willow felt jealous about Anya and Riley coming into the group, and Xander feeling jealous about Willow and Buffy going off to college :) I LOVE the show for exploring how friendships change over time as the characters age. They've been through so much shit its easy to forget how young they really are. I also think Buffy, Xander, and Willow are nonconfrontational people when it comes down to it and thankfully for them, have enough world-in-peril stuff come up that they can sideline understanding and processing their own emotions about things which is why, in my opinion, we see things fairly regularly just build up and build up until it all comes to a head and they have to confront it. LOVE your reactions too! Thanks for sharing with us.

[@killianlpc]

Family was a great episode where you feel that the group really are a solid unit. Spike is hilarious at the end again when he punches Tara to prove she is not a Demon, and calls out Tara's father. The interesting juxtaposition here with Tara and Willow using magic to get their way. We see this dynamic changing as Willow gains more power. Was somewhat interesting too to see Amy Adams in a one of her first roles before becoming Hollywood A-lister, as it was seeing Pedro Pascal in S4 episode The Freshman, and Jeremy Renner popping up in Angel episode Somnambulist.

[@somerotter]

Comment sections are a hive of scum and villainy, and too many commenters think they are being clever when really they are just sharing their opinions on events you have not yet seen. A lot of people like Spike. A lot of people don’t. I wouldn’t pay too much attention to the comments. Those debates have been running for 20 years, among people who have seen the entire show 12 times, and they shouldn’t be something you are subjected to during your first watch.

[@RunningTogether]

Love your reactions! I hope the various comments about Spike don’t spoil anything about what may or may not happen with him. Keep giving your take, I’m sure most of us get it and are here for that!

[@tetamale4280]

“We’re family” always gots me

[@Awldyn137]

Love your reactions. Please don't pay any attention to idiots in the comments who criticise anything you say or do. You owe them nothing. Keep up the great work!

[@DanielOrme]

Buffy has never been more My Hero than when she says 24:32 "You just gotta go through me." When I think about it, it may be the biggest reason I watch reactions, to re-experience moments like that by witnessing them in others. Yours was wonderful!

[@paulieluppino1856]

14:25 ..."She's like an evil Cordelia"... I mean... Cordi isn't exactly evil, but she's not that far away...

[@justinpilla5741]

Vampire Cordelia would have been fun to see. I can imagine an awesome side universe where Harmony and Cordelia are vampires running wild through the world.

[@paulieluppino1856]

@@justinpilla5741 They'd probably rant to each other till one kills the other...

[@christianperrin964]

I really liked your opening statement - very articulately stated. Pay no heed to the moaners, whatever they are saying 😊

[@matthewhearn9910]

In a TV universe full of demons who take delight in causing all the pain and trauma they can, it’s very telling that basically the whole fandom is in agreement that Tara’s dad is the most evil monster the Scoobies ever encounter.

[@frugalseverin2282]

I wonder if they took the false memories idea from the 1982 classic scifi film "Blade Runner". If you haven't seen it I highly recommend it. This is a great episode having nothing to do with the main plot of the season, it was about time they explained Tara sabotaging that spell last season and the look she had when Willow said she's one of the good guys. I imagine it undercut her self confidence her whole life up to now. That confrontation moment always makes me tear up. "We're family." Gets me every time.

[@rue...whenwasthis]

okay but Spike punching Tara in the face is PEAK BTVS comedy

[@LeeCarlson]

Buffy has seen the fragility of life, so she is extra-protective of Dawn. You are now coming up on two of my favorite episodes in the series.

[@m_h_1988]

Karma is beautiful 🥺

[@Artemis_in_the_Woods]

I was going to leave a comment related to the episode, then dog appeared and now all I can think of is those EARS! SO CUTE!

[@Dylan_Platt]

Great episode, great reaction. Don't let the dumb comments get you down, you're awesome and yours continue to be among the very best Buffy reactions on KZbin.

[@jonny_mazerati9410]

Yes half the people love spike and half love angel it’s a split. Don’t feel bad. I however am team Riley 😁

[@ronfehr7899]

I'm trying to remember where I first saw Amy Adams, bur I do remember that she had blonde hair in the movie, and that her character was getting married. So when she appeared on this episode, I didn't yet see her as someone famous, just as someone that I recognized.

[@sash471]

Regarding Spuffy. Feel free to ignore the angry anti-Spuffy/Spike's. They're in the minority and they're just bitter and hypocritical. They literally do that to ALL the reactors who start shipping Spuffy. To them, you're yet ANOTHER person who got on board of the Spuffy ship and they're frustrated. That's what's going on, to answer your question. Spuffy is much better. That's why. Get over it.

[@tetamale4280]

one of my faves episodes and one of the best too, this season is EVERYTHING

[@bigdream_dreambig]

Regarding your pre-video discussion, please don't let overly-invested but ultimately blind and foolish commenters ruin things. The rest of us are perfectly happy and fine here with you. 😊

[@cedricdallaire3324]

I'm into Spike all the way! Team Spuffy here

[@EchoTru24]

The avid Spike haters are some of the most toxic people in the fandom, unfortunately. He has a couple of absolutely awful moments and they can't see beyond that. They simply cannot tolerate anyone with a different opinion to them or a different insight as to why we love Spike. He's one of the most well written characters of anything I've ever seen. He's deeply flawed, and I feel sad for the people who can't get on board with characters with layers and insist on tearing down the people that can. Says a lot about them.

[@Desibeatnik]

Sandy in the bar is the same Sandy that we saw vampire Willow bite at the Bronze.