A VAMPIRE THERAPIST??? - Buffy the Vampire Slayer Reaction - 7x7 - Conversations with Dead People

Full and early reactions on patreon: / thelexicrowd
The newest video in my editor reacts to series. This week I'm watching and reacting to Buffy the Vampire Slayer for the first time.
Buffy strikes up a conversation with a vampire who was once an acquaintance in high school. Dawn defends Joyce from a menacing creature.
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A young woman, destined to slay vampires, demons and other infernal creatures, deals with her life fighting evil, with the help of her friends.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an American supernatural drama television series based on the 1992 film of the same name. It was created by Joss Whedon under his production tag, Mutant Enemy Productions, with later co-executive producers being Jane Espenson, David Fury, David Greenwalt, Doug Petrie, Marti Noxon, and David Solomon.
The series narrative follows Buffy Summers (played by Sarah Michelle Gellar), the latest in a line of young women known as "Vampire Slayers", or simply "Slayers". In the story, Slayers, or the "Chosen Ones", are chosen by fate to battle against vampires, demons and other forces of darkness. Buffy wants to live a normal life, but as the series progresses, she learns to embrace her destiny. Like previous Slayers, Buffy is aided by a Watcher, who guides, teaches and trains her. Unlike her predecessors, Buffy surrounds herself with a circle of loyal friends who become known as the "Scooby Gang" - a reference to the animated franchise Scooby-Doo that features a group of friends solving mysteries together.
copyright disclaimer under section 107 of the copyright act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
#buffy #reaction

[@tehcoolemu]

The line delivery for "It eats you, starting with your bottom" was amazing. He treated it as if it had so much dramatic weight, even though it's just the Google Translate Fail version of "From beneath you, it devours."

[@lenr112]

That was one of the best lines ever.

[@ihateunicorns867]

I laughed so much at that when I first saw this episode.

[@donsample1002]

Danny Strong and Tom Lenk were in England for a fan convention when they were delivered their scripts for this episode, and they read them on the flight home. Danny was all “Wow, this is a great script!” and Tom was all “Dude! I kill you!” and Danny was “Yeah, but it’s great!”

[@tupac1971ever]

Never knew that, nice to hear he was okay with getting killed.

[@whedonobsessed]

I love them. Pretty sure they did a take where they did the 'check. check check' scene for 2 mins.

[@tupac1971ever]

@@whedonobsessed I hope that's on KZbin

[@whedonobsessed]

​@@tupac1971ever I've never been able to find any footage of it sadly. They talk about it in the dvd commentary.

[@EricHenning]

Danny has since won 2 Emmys as a screenwriter, and is one of the writers on SMG’s 2023 series, “Wolf Pack.”

[@TheWiseGrif]

Once "Cassie" dropped the act, she delivered her lines so savagely, i loved her performance here

[@Kap00rwith2os]

11:38 That was a line from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back 😆. FUN FACT: Tara was originally written in to talk to Willow but Amber Benson didn't want Tara to be remembered that way so they switched it up and went with Cassie. And YES Xander was supposed to be in this episode talking to Jesse from the first episode of BtVS, but the actor declined so they didn't include that segment. Also Halfrek was supposed to return to haunt Anya. So yeah this episode was alot more messed up originally 😂

[@rogerlie4176]

I'm glad it turned out as it did. Two more storylines would have made the episode too cluttered.

[@TheNakorius]

The thing is Jesse dies 7 years ago..so if the actor didnt have a younger brother who looked like him , then it would be strange to put a adult as a kid...who died so long ago that no one remembered him...

[@BrennaUrbangirl]

Uhm where did you hear that Jesse's actor declined to come back? All I can find on Jesse being part of the episode was it being considered, and nothing about him actually being approached to come back. Now Halfrek and Tara were definitely approached as both Kali Rocha and Amber Benson are confirmed as declining to return. But I can find nothing about Jesse's actor declining to come back or that he was even approached.

[@knowledge-girl]

@@BrennaUrbangirl Eric Balfour was approached but he had other commitments, and they decided that a lot of people wouldn't even remember Jesse.

[@estebang1779]

@@knowledge-girl I can remember my dates, but I think he was busy with Six Feet Under at that time.

[@BrightNeonBrilliancy]

I loved this episode for Dawn. It shows she's not just Buffy's kid sister anymore. She's capable of holding her own just like any other Scooby.

[@theadamabrams]

Funny, the Dawn scenes are the only thing I hate about this episode. The whole point of the First is that it is _not_ corporeal, so what was haunting the Summers house? Just an unrelated evil thing that's never relevant again??

[@BrennaUrbangirl]

@@theadamabrams Yeah that never made sense. Jane Espenson was like that Joyce was supposed to be the First. Yet everything that happened was physical unlike with Willow and Andrew.

[@astridramea2714]

​@@theadamabramsI have a headcanon. The first was pretending to be Joyce. And the thing that caused all the destruction, was actually Joyce, trying to prevent the First from speaking to Dawn and scare her away from the house.

[@jp3813]

@@astridramea2714 So Dawn ended up destroying her mother?

[@astridramea2714]

@@jp3813 yep.

[@Lucy-uv4hv]

My personal theory is that Tara is too pure a cinnamon roll for the evil thing to even attempt to look like her.

[@RLucas3000]

I’d like to believe this, but I think a better explanation is either 1) the enemy knows Willow is powerful, and just knew it couldn’t fake Tara well enough to convince her, or 2) Evil Willow’s attempts to restore Tara, though ultimately unsuccessful, somehow created a flux where the enemy couldn’t take her form. 1) makes more sense. It also shows no matter the threats it makes, the enemy doesn’t take Evil Willow lightly. (Neither does D’Hoffrin if anyone noticed. Willow is very very powerful.)

[@Manu-gf3yl]

She refused to come back for this episode. She thought its doing her character dirty

[@CeiStockport-nx2qi]

Actually, that was the in universe explanation when Amber Benson wouldn't come back. That the first evil could only take the form of someone who had darkness in them and Tara didn't have any

[@metapoulpo2745]

Actually Amber Benson decided not to come back in this episode. That's why it's not Tara facing Willow. ;)

[@yesie8375]

I guess I would of done the same if they killed me off

[@knowledge-girl]

@@yesie8375 She didn't want people to see Tara as evil.

[@kevinnelson66]

​@@knowledge-girlWhedon wanted Tara to come back evil, but Amber wasn't having any of that.

[@babs3241]

This one got an Emmy nom. It's a really great episode. Michelle Trachtenberg... wow. What a solo performance!

[@nostrum6410]

this ep has always felt like the beginning of the end

[@valinny8571]

@nostrum6410 I agree because this is the best ep so far and I may be in the minority but I can barely remember the eps after this. It's just one big blur. I really didn't like many eps after this and how the storyline takes another turn with the addition of certain characters.

[@Manu-gf3yl]

​​​@@valinny8571 surprised. It actually has a lot of good episodes imo. This one, the Episode with Anya, the opening Episode was also a nice introduction into this season. I loved Episode 9+10 when buffy faces the super Vamp, the Episode when dawn thought shes gonna be the new slayer, the fight with caleb, faiths return, the Episode where everyone Kicks buffy out of her own house, the Episode where buffy goes trough the Portal back to the beginning and refuses the Power of a demon and the final without a doubt. I also like the side Story with the principal and him wants to kill Spike. That gives us a bit backstory of the previous slayer. What i overall like about this season is the feeling that everything is bigger, more dangerous and helpless. Great villains, great side Storys. I just dont like the whole "Potential slayer stuff". They are kinda annoying + Andrew and willows new girlfriend.

[@jordanmatthewstelck]

"Oh, not it. Me." I remember watching this episode when it first aired and being so taken aback by the delivery of Azuras. Chilling, sinister, but slightly playful. So good.

[@MacAisling]

Andrew was much easier to manipulate into killing his friend than Johnathan would have been.

[@wolfgirl8282]

It's actually my favourite episode of the entire series and i know it's not for everyone but i get chills every time with this one. I just think it was perfectly executed to hit every emotion.

[@pyavuelsy]

Agreed ... and, now I ll have that song stuck in my head again for the next few days 😂

[@Logan_Baron]

"is this also a dead person" Well one of them. Spike is technically a dead person.

[@salyx]

My favorite episode of the season! What Dawn goes through is truly terrifying. Buffy & Holden have an amazing conversation. Willow’s scenes with Cassie are tense and heartbreaking. Soooooo gooooood.

[@johnmoreland6089]

Fantastic reaction! One of the greatest episodes of the entire series. I would have loved to see the evil posing as Tara herself, but Azura Skye was fantastic in her scenes, especially at the end.

[@Teeklin]

Episode 7 does go hard. Angel, Lie to Me, Fool For Love, OMWF, and CWDP. Never really noticed til now!

[@alooncnej4696]

Episodes 7 and 16 are so great

[@CSItefla]

Revelations (season 3) can be considered in the group too for different reasons. (but "The Initiative - season 4) I don't know.

[@alooncnej4696]

@@CSItefla the initiative is a really great episode

[@jp3813]

@@CSItefla Xander vs Harmony; Willow vs Spike

[@ibgvox]

Sweep episodes: 6-7 & 16. So, yeah, normally Joss wrote it.

[@HelloXrancidkitteh]

this is SUCH a good episode and such a great way to set up the big bad, officially. still, at this point, we don't know who exactly we're dealing with. this is definitely one of my favorite episodes of season 7. the whole thing- its SO good!

[@matthewquinn6172]

Joss wanted Amber Benson to come back, but she refused because she thought it was disrespectful to her character and to the fans to portray her in that way. So much integrity❤

[@theadamabrams]

I don't think it would be disrespectful to Tara, but it does make sense in-universe that if the Evil ever did impersonate Tara then Willow know instantly and would go so hard against it. In this episode the Evil tried to convince Willow not to use magic at all, so I think it avoided impersonating Tara in order to avoid Willow's wrath.

[@TheNakorius]

i think thats a bit conceited and unprofessional... a lot of actors play different roles..Amber wouldnt play Tara but the entity...like all the antagonists in the 1st episode..like angel/angelus one kills one saves..i rather think it was cause amber was pssed how she was offed

[@matthewquinn6172]

@@TheNakorius noooo I disagree. Amber didn’t want to come back in that way. She said multiple times that she didn’t want to do that to the fans. You can think what you want, but that is what she said.

[@TheNakorius]

@@matthewquinn6172 and how many celebrities lie to make themselves look better? i dont believe everything celebs say..

[@matthewquinn6172]

@@TheNakorius ok

[@kathrynweber9524]

Selfless and Conversations with Dead People are often my favorite episodes in the entire series (changes a bit based on mood, what I might be going through at the time) so Him generally suffers in comparison.

[@alooncnej4696]

Him is funny but yeah these 2 episodes are the best of the season and my favorites with the 18th

[@danwiesdamageinc]

Jane Espenson is well known for writing the funniest episodes of BtVS. This episode is very different than what she usually wrote.

[@kevinnelson66]

I would have expected this to have been written by Whedon.

[@BrennaUrbangirl]

@@kevinnelson66 Technically it was. There were actually 4 different writers for this episode. Whedon wrote the scenes for Buffy and Holden. Marti Noxon wrote the scenes for Willow and Cassie. Jane Espenson wrote the scenes for Dawn. And Drew Goddard wrote the scenes for Warren, Jonathon, and Andrew.

[@BrennaUrbangirl]

That's because she wasn't the only writer on the episode. While only she and Goddard were credited. She, Whedon, Noxon, and Goddard all contributed.

[@BrennaUrbangirl]

Trivia fact. Jane Espenson who wrote the scenes for Dawn in this episode confirmed that Joyce was supposed to be the same big bad that's using Cassie and Warren's likenesses when conversing with Willow and Andrew. So the only one in the episode that didn't have a visit from the big bad was Buffy. Though Holdon was connected to it via Spike.

[@jp3813]

So what was the Big Bad fighting in the house?

[@BrennaUrbangirl]

@@jp3813 I have no idea. All I know is that Jane Espenson, the writer for Dawn's scenes, said that Joyce was originally envisioned to be another manifestation of the First.

[@jp3813]

@@BrennaUrbangirl Ah, originally.

[@Junejane4]

It's funny because today somewhere I saw a moment from an ep where Buffy and Faith had an argument and Buffy was screaming at her 'We shouldn't do this like we are better than all other people' (smth like that) to which Faith replied 'But we are better'. And here she is, years after that saying the same thing that she thinks she is better than everyone else.

[@theadamabrams]

True. Another Faith / Buffy argument that's very different on reflection is the one on the roof in _Angel_ 1x19: "You're all about control. You have no idea what it's like on the other side! Where nothing's in control, nothing makes sense! [...] and nothing you do means anything. You can't even- Just tell me how to make it better." This line from Faith is almost verbatim something Buffy herself could have said in Season 6, while she was sleeping with Spike just out of numbness. If Buffy and Faith ever do meet up again, it would make sense for Buffy to be much more sympathetic towards Faith.

[@Junejane4]

​@@theadamabrams that's interesting observation. And we saw that she didn't handle the situation where she doesn't have constant control over herself that good. She couldn't just do things because she felt that she needed it, wanted it right now. She was constantly fighting with herself. It could be about spending some pleasant and rewarding time together with a guy but no. There was a lot of drama and aggression. Too much, unnecessary in my opinion. So everything became unhealthy very quickly. She says 'no, never again, this is disgusting' and comes back again 10 minutes later.

[@Nexusofgeek]

Different context though. Context is so vital in conversation and communications. In the Faith and Buffy argument you cited Faith was trying to convince Buffy that she could act a certain way because they were more powerful than other people. But in that one, morality rears its troublesome head. Kind of the same argument Magneto often makes in the X-Men where he justifies morally ambiguous actions in the name of his greater good and belief home superior trump homo sapiens. In the conversation with the vamp, Buffy is saying that her superior abilities are in constant conflict with her dealings with her friends and lovers whom she has found to be inferior, but the inferiority complex side comes from her having to reconcile her superior gifts with her interactions with everyone else which causes her to be anxious and guilty. Superb writing which only comes from developing the characters over a long period of time. An amazing episode!

[@kirstenstewart5758]

I love this episode, has the perfect balance that makes Buffy such an outstanding show - funny, witty, sad, surprising and genuinely scary.

[@ihateunicorns867]

Ah, this season's 'shit just got real' episode.I love this episode. Lots of different stories, all interconnected.

[@kalandkarazor-el3088]

One of the best episodes of the entire series!! Really hitting all the reasons that makes this show so special. Horror, comedy, and serious topics

[@Dilzik]

This is legit one of my favorite episodes because of the acting

[@AnatoleVGC]

The memes you do to start every episode are just priceless

[@grife3000]

"It eats you, starting with your bottom."

[@salyx]

That line is so funny.

[@jeffmartin5504]

Yup, Episode 7 is usually one of the best of each season or, at least, pivotal to the season's story arc 1x7 Angel 2x7 Lie to Me 3x7 Revelations 4x7 The Initiative 5x7 Fool for Love 6x7 Once More, WIth Feeling 7x7 Conversations with Dead People

[@Daddy_Nooo]

This episode is my favorite episode of the entire series. I was looking forward to this reaction so much! And it did not disappoint!

[@Manu-gf3yl]

This is one of my old time favorite episodes. Strong, different, many storys that lead to one thing: the evil dead. Great conversations, suspense and creepyness, with great twists.

[@AnatoleVGC]

This episode is amazing. I love the villain build up. With the first villain scene with past big bads, and this episode. Season 7 villain is kinda awesome

[@Girl4Music]

I know I throw SEASON 7 of ‘BTVS’ under the bus a lot but ‘Conversations With Dead People’ is exceptional! Just watched it again for only the very second time. The ability to write a character study all the while advancing the plot. To be able to provide strong character development all the while continuing on important plot development. It is so rare to find. It is by far my favourite episode of Season 7. And there is actually some good contenders in that season despite how much I say that I don’t like it as a whole. I mean ‘Same Time, Same Place’, ‘Help’ and ‘Selfless’ are really great episodes too but ‘Conversations With Dead People’ is on a whole other level of greatness. It’s probably up there with ‘Hush’, ‘The Body’, ‘Once More, With Feeling’ and ‘Restless’. The thing is though is that they’re all solely Whedon’s work. They’re all the creative, innovative brilliance of one mastermind of TV show making. ‘Conversations With Dead People’ isn’t. But I bet he wishes it was. Because it’s just as good in that it is epic dramatic storytelling all the while being thematically and narratively consistent with everything we have seen so far in the show. And that’s hard to do in a season that loses much of its consistency thereafter. I am extremely impressed. Jane Espenson, Drew Goddard and Nick Marck That was phenomenal. Well fucking done 👏👏👏

[@mrmidlife2546]

The strangest rule in the Buffyverse is that as soon as you're dead, you get the really interesting scenes for character development.

[@jp3813]

Willow, Xander, Anya, Dawn, Giles, etc...?

[@mrmidlife2546]

@@jp3813 More from the actor's perspective. Julie Benz (Darla), Robia LaMort (Jenny), Even David Boreanaz technically. Once your character is killed off, it's a pretty good bet that you'll get a callback to do something cool on the show later.

[@ibgvox]

Normally every Buffy episode had notes and/or rewrites from Joss (or Joss and Marti) but this one had 4 different writers: Joss did Buffy and Holden scenes, Marti did Willow and Tara, Jane did Dawn (she didn't know why Joss wanted it instead of trio scenes) and Drew did the Trio scenes.

[@circleofleaves2676]

The vampire Buffy is "chatting" with - it's so weird they use the same actor (Jonathan Woodward) to then go on to play a LIVE HUMAN character in Angel. He was Knox in Angel, the scientist guy who worked with and then dated Fred for awhile, and was the self-appointed high priest for Ilyria.

[@x-man9473]

That is one of the best lines in the history of the show. "Buffy. I'm here to kill you. Not to judge you"

[@lunawebster3748]

This is the only episode in the whole show that Xander is not in. Buffy and Willow are the only two who were in all 144 episodes.

[@blueberryrazz8637]

Xander is missing in this episode. I heard that he was supposed to have his own encounter with this entity in the form of Jesse, his friend from Season 1 who got killed. I guess they didn't have enough time to do everyone though.

[@t.c.thompson2359]

The episode in Angel set in WWII seemed to show that vampires sired by a vampire with a soul have a greater capacity for empathy than other vamps.

[@gehrehmee]

Great episode, GREAT reaction, love seeing these, THANK YOU. I was a little worried when you figured out the evil influence early on (that reveal hits different when it sneaks up on you) but the way you talked through it was lovely.

[@Girl4Music]

One thing I do want to note about Amber Benson coming back as The First in Tara’s likeness that Whedon probably didn’t even consider. Willow would figure that shit out faster than you can say “revelio”. Someone impersonating her lost lover? Yeah, no chance she’d fall for it. She loved her too much. Everybody sees it as Tara revolves around Willow. But actually, Willow revolves around Tara. To very uncomfortable levels. She would know immediately that that was not her Tara. This is not like when she didn’t recognise that Buffy was Faith in ‘Who Are You?”. When it comes to love - true love - Willow is extremely perceptive. Tara is her cornerstone to reality. So much so in fact, that she hasn’t even fully processed that Tara is dead. In her head - she’s still with her. Dead too. The first thing that would immediately snap for Willow is when Tara starts acting “out of character”, Willow’s fantasy would immediately end. And she’d know. Just like that.

[@arekschneyer3802]

This is one of my favorite episodes of Season 7!!!

[@palecorpse]

I discussed this with my kid, consent has become so normalized that there isn't a need to tell stories that makes the audience question their own belief system, in that area,. I like this because it marks progress.

[@invadertifxiii]

buffy may not of asked for it but she definitely deserves it and definitely worked for it😳

[@ihateunicorns867]

I really like the point where Willow realises it's not Cassie, but something malevolent that's just taken her form. With Willow's nerdiness and social awkwardness, it's easy to forget that she's incredibly clever. They play on this a fair bit in Buffy. Parker in _Beer Bad_ springs to mind, where he's pulling the same lines on Willow that he used on Buffy and you think she's going to fall for it, then she suddenly goes "Just how gullible do you think I am?" The girl's not stupid.

[@Girl4Music]

Not stupid when it comes to others but still severely lacks self-awareness and emotional maturity.

[@ihateunicorns867]

@@Girl4Music Do you stalk me? Yes, well I've expressed my view on Willow before. "Remember that time on the bridge where you sang to each other?" Remember? Just before you raped her. Good times.

[@Buffy8Fan]

Anyone who reads my comments knows I am harsh on every character at some point, but harshest on the OG 4. In this episode, I ease up entirely on Buffy because she does what few, if any, characters in most pop culture do. She gets to the heart of her issues. Most characters get to their surface issues when dealing with said issues, but very few delve into dealing with the heart of their issues. This was a fantastic episode for all the stories presented, but I particularly love Buffy's story with Holden. RIP Jonathan. Been around since S2. And the actor auditioned for Xander initially so he's been involved since the beginning of the show's inception. Everyone always has a great reaction to that smile Cassie gives where she ends up folding into herself. The opening joke was incredibly funny.

[@qrsx66]

We've seen Buffy saying the last thing Dawn would see is her defending her little sister. But DAWN didn't hear it.

[@rodolfoceballos6278]

Not surprised how you realized almost right away who Cassie was and what she wanted with Willow.... you're so intuitive!

[@idontknowwhoiamyet631]

21:12 I’m sorry but that face was too funny 😂

[@MrDWinter]

One of my all-time favorites - a top 10 episode for sure.

[@mrmidlife2546]

The crew were joking that they just kept saying to Azura: "smile bigger..."

[@kristen3880]

"you're entire life is a scary movie" lmao 😂😂🤣🤣

[@pyavuelsy]

This is one of my favorite episodes of the entire series ... It is definitely in my top 10, together with Hush, Doppelgangland, The body, Restless, obviously Once more with feeling, Tabula rasa and a few episodes that still have to come ... ... ... ... damn ... the more I think about it, I might have to extend the top 10 to a top 20 ... there are just too many excelent Btvs episodes. I almost forgot about Family, the whole dark Willow ark, School hard, Beer bad, Band candy, Earshot, Who are you?, Normal again, ... or maybe a top 30, because I have not even started with the season finals 😂

[@Manu-gf3yl]

Helpless, gingerbread, the gift and so much more

[@Dalkia6911]

Another fact, this is the only épisode where Xander make no apparences

[@Swooshez90]

There's something about those Buffy episode 7s!

[@Dunybrook]

The only way to get through this season with your faith in the show intact is to realize that every time somebody does something out of character or that doesn't make sense it's because of the evil big bad that is influencing everyone. Tucker's brother can get stuffed. He is not even worthy of having a name of his own. Jonathan was a powerful magic user so his blood might have been required for the spell.

[@HuntingViolets]

They wanted to get Amber Benson to play the First opposite Willow, but it didn't work out. It does kind of work this way, though, as you say.

[@kristen3880]

Tara actually was originally supposed to be brought back to life but Amber Benson wasn't available to come back so he changed it.

[@Girl4Music]

“I had had some issues with somebody on the show and it had kind of come to a head just as I was getting ready to leave… Leaving the show was sad, because there were some of the crew and the writers and some of the cast that I just adore… But I had made my peace with that person and the show, and I was done… I’m leaving everything in a good place… I don’t need to come back…” - Amber Benson The script for the episode with Tara can actually be found online. It’s not all that much better to be honest. Cassie was just as effective.

[@becca1189]

Great reaction as always!!! ❤🧡💛💚💙💜

[@jspettifer]

The singer - Angie Hart - is an Australian singer who appeared in an earlier episode of Buffy and also in a Firefly episode. She and Joss wrote this song for the episode. M

[@ihateunicorns867]

The lyrics really sound like she's singing "I fell into the moon and it covered you in poo". Like REALLY sound like that ...to the point where I can't understand how it can be anything else.

[@luc-i-guess]

The last episode with the love spell really reminds you that while this is a show about women empowerment, it is still mostly written by men :/. thankfully we have many episodes that get that perspective correctly ¨̮

[@Sasha5554]

There are so many Buffy episodes that I love that it would take too long to list. And this episode, unsurprisingly, is one of my favorites. The first time I watched it, I was terrified. But what still displeases me so much in this episode, even years later, is the Dawn scene. I understand that she might be scared and terrorized by this entity in her house, but why destroy the TV, the record player and the microwave with an ax, just to make their noises stop? It's such an absurd scene, and it makes Dawn even more immature, than she already is. Already I've never been a fan of her character, but when she destroys everything in their house, it just doesn't make any sense.

[@GeneBateman1970]

Josh wanted Amber to come back for this episode but she was busy with an other project

[@karollysiak1]

40:27 Jesse was supposed to appear in this episode but the actor was unavailable or something

[@ChevaliersEmeraude]

That's an interesting thing isn't it. Like, yeah, this episode is pretty great already, yet despite it being great, we know they had plans (like having "Tara" being the one speaking to Willow, or as you just said, bring back Jesse for Xander) that would have made this episode even greater! That's kinda weird when you think about this. Like, this is a big episode, yet we know there's been some behind-the-scenes element that stopped some actors from appearing the way it was initially intended.

[@Henrik_Holst]

wonder what they would have cut out to make place for a Xander part here.

[@BrennaUrbangirl]

Source, please. All I've found from my own search is they were considering for him to return but nothing about him actually being approached unlike Kali Rocha and Amber Benson both of whom were reported to have declined.

[@HuntingViolets]

This vampire was or will be on both _Firefly_ and _Angel_ in different roles.

[@MicukoFelton]

Jonathan was the only one of the three who had humanity. He was depressed and friendless and so he stuck with them, but he was never evil like them. I can never like Andrew, he's such a weasel.

[@matthewquinn6172]

Andrew is queer coded. He was in love with Warren and went along with whatever he wanted to do.

[@mparantha]

One of the best eps of the series

[@67Daidalos]

Girl, you could so much have been part of the writing crew of this show ! Actually, they considered to have the Evil thing come to Xander as Jesse. But Eric Balfour (Jesse's interpret) wasn't available. They were also considering having a scene with Anya who should have been visited by "Halfrek". But then again, Kali Rocha wasn't available either.

[@alooncnej4696]

Best episode of the season

[@jsbaldo5556]

I don't know anything but for this episode, I think it HAD to be joyce, The evil thing cannot interact with people at all so something in that house that scratched dawn was blocking joyce, Why would another evil thing block another evil thing, Something was up, Joyce was purpossly shown full of light.

[@fajenthygia5760]

This is a top 3 episode for me. So good...

[@Nexusofgeek]

I remembered this as one of the best episodes of season 7. Even now, so many years later, it is still so powerful

[@conkerzone]

Can't wait for the next reaction of Buzzy the vampire slayer.

[@Marwolaeth01]

Aside from what was said, I always thought there was a chance it really was Joyce as Dawn's visitation just doesn't follow the same pattern as when the big bad haunts anyone else. Either it was something else, or a badly written segment from a continuity point of view. I know it's been confirmed it is meant to be, but every time I watch, it doesn't fit with the rest.

[@that.ll_do_pig]

Or Joyce was really there, trying to keep the First away from Dawn?

[@wordyblerd7723]

Yeah this episode is so strong. The writing, acting, and direction were *chef's kiss*

[@cerrobueno]

It makes sense that Amber Benson didn't appear for this episode instead of Azura. If Tara had shown up in the library, then the first thing Willow would've done would probably be to hug her, which kinda gives away the whole non-corporeal thing to the viewers (it's OK, Lexi's up to episode 16 so it's not a spoiler).

[@IslandpferdeHaukagil]

Easily explained with Tara being a "ghost". Has anyone ever been able to hug a ghost? 😅

[@cerrobueno]

@@IslandpferdeHaukagil Nah, probably not, but a ghost did hug Buffy in S6 E3 😁

[@killianlpc]

Conversations With Dead People was a great episode and continues the build up to finale. We see similar here to that we first saw in S3 episode Amends with the torturing of Angel through the dead Jenny Calendar and other victims of Angels past. Cassie is of course not real, and plays psychological games by taking on the persona of dead people and getting under the skin of all the living trying to turn them on each other, with Joyce returning as well to appear to Dawn. Willow eventually sees that is not Cassie. The interesting thing about this episode was it was also trying to show how Charlatan Mediums can manipulate the living missing loved ones and pretending to speak to them. Revelations too with Spikes actions, and the the reappearance of the dead Warren, and the death of Jonathan.

[@leahshalek6144]

Pitting Dawn against Buffy weakens Buffy. It wants to weaken Buffy so it can beat her.

[@hardybryan]

I love this episode, but no one will ever be able to convince me that this wouldn't have been even better if Tara had rolled up.

[@valinny8571]

@hardybryn- TOTALLY AGREE.... how amazing would it have been if Amber was there, just twisting the knife into all the W/T fans. (which I know a lot would have hated it and I respect that) but simply on a emotional level, a million times better with her. But props to Azure Skye who plays Cassie, thought she did a good job anyway.

[@aliciasavage6801]

I cant believe you dont like the Trio - or duo now - they were some of the funniest episodes, the ones with them in it.

[@MINKIN2]

You like how Dawn cries? There is one hell of a big tear jerker coming up later, and you'll love it.

[@TigerNightmare]

I'm not sure what episode you're referring to, but if you intended to give this information to her in advance of when it happens, then it's a spoiler. Don't do this.

[@MINKIN2]

@@TigerNightmare It's Buffy. If you have made it this far, you already know that there will be a lot of crying. It's a given now. :)

[@donsample1002]

This was scripted to be Tara talking with Willow, but Amber Benson turned it down because there were a few … reality challenged … fans who might over react to “Evil Tara” and take it out on Amber.

[@matthewquinn6172]

Actually she knew her character would be killed. Joss told her at the beginning of season 6 that Tara would die, and they kept pushing it back till the end of the season.

[@BrennaUrbangirl]

@@matthewquinn6172 What does that have to do with anything? This isn't about Tara's death. This is about Tara returning for this episode and being Evil and Amber refusing to tarnish Tara's image and play Evil Tara. This has nothing to do with Tara's death.

[@trevor3013]

Lmao that intro

[@rydbthatsme]

One of the best episodes SO FAR😍

[@themediater]

I expect many comments will say this but I will say it just in case. It's all stuff from this episode, no future stuff/spoilers. Amber Benson was asked to come back but declined because she thought it would be too manipulative (she seemed more aware at the time than a lot of the writers about how many people latched onto Tara and the negative cliche/trope of killing off gay characters). So they went with Cassie instead, I think it works very well personally. I'm glad we don't see Tara being manipulated in another form or whatever. They were going to have another segment that they'd be cutting between all the others with Xander and his "dead person" would have been Jesse, from episode 1 and 2 of Season 1. As far as I know that never got beyond the early potential stages because I suspect the resounding response would have been "who is this?" and we never got much of their friendship cause he got killed so quick and they never bring him back up or even seem sad in like, episode 3. Again, I think it works because, one would assume they'd have to cut down x% of each of the other parts to fit that in and I can't see that making the episode better. I would have had Xander in like, a tiny scene that'd be him and Jesse talking but show it as just Xander has been trying to fill him in on everything that's happened and Jesse can't even get a word in to try and manipulate him or anything. "So yeah I was working for this evil barman who was making magic beer that turned people into cavepeople" or something like that, just show Jesse being really frustrated.

[@matthewquinn6172]

They could have brought Larry back! They had several interactions and he died in such a brutal way!

[@Girl4Music]

@@matthewquinn6172”hey dude, you come out yet? It’s really easy.” Don’t know how this would play on the weakness of Buffy but it would be funny.

[@Imaculata]

My favourite episode of the entire show.

[@peterswift5703]

How spike can attack people? He still have the chip

[@SS2Dante]

Holden must have been a *phenomenal* therapist in his living days if he was that good as a vamp XD

[@Girl4Music]

Perhaps he inherited some of Spike when he was sired by him. Technically, as a vampire, who you end up siring isn’t just your snack, it’s also your seed. Well, in true vampire lore it would be anyway.

[@danielbutler8103]

34:55 I think back then having the seasons at home on DVD wasn't as common, So most people would have seen that Season 3 episode 4 years ago. Not saying if it is the evil thing from season 3 or not.

[@Madbandit77]

Great opening, Lexi. 😎👍

[@astridramea2714]

What poor Buffster is unable to understand, is the simple fact. It's not a superiority complex if you are actually superior. She is simply better than all of her friends and family combine. Much better. In every way. Well, maybe with exception of Tara. But Tara have this whole being dead thing going on, so.

[@Girl4Music]

In some ways you could even say she’s better than Tara because at least Buffy doesn’t make herself a walking target. Tara’s only flaw. You can be empathetic to a fault. Forgiving your rapist for example without so much as a slap on the wrist. Tara was at the mercy of the plot and she made sure we knew it.

[@astridramea2714]

​@@Girl4Musicin some ways yes, in some ways no. Her character development was incredible and she achieved so much, but there always a place to grow. Especially considering where she started. Don't forget, she was abused her whole life, since the day she was born. Plus they simply didn't have time to address that. She didn't just suddenly forgiven Willow, she just missed her. Addressing the issue, discussing and dealing with it was on the way, it was just cut short. By a bullet.

[@Girl4Music]

@@astridramea2714 she barely had any character development! What do people even mean by this? What development? The girl was a plot device for most of her appearance.

[@astridramea2714]

@Girl4Music Every character is essentially a plot device. What character development got any of them? What character development got Anya? Or Xander? Or Dawn? Or Willow? Or Giles? Tara got enough guts to ditch her hellish family. She became much more powerful witch and a much more confident person. She learned to socialise, learn to live by herself. She learned how to make friends and recognise her personal boundaries. From someone who literally couldn't speak, when addressed publicly, she became spell-throwing, axe-welding, witty badass. Who can raise her voice figuratively and literally. Who builds a crucial and special bond with Buffy and Dawn and even with Anya. Let's be honest, if Tara was there, the whole ugly scene with Buffy and her "friends" would never happened. She got rid of the stutter, for f_ck sake! And let's not forget the iconic. From "What? Are you kidding, she's nuts!" To "It's okay."

[@Girl4Music]

@@astridramea2714 I’m not saying she wasn’t a significant character. It’s just she got shafted so much. Good representation and development - the way I understand it - is that you have enough screen-time to do everything. Willow certainly got that. Tara never did. She deserved so much more. I guess what I’m saying is that she did get some development but they undermined it. First by her forgiving what Willow did to her. And then by killing her off in such a way that wasn’t purposeful to her own arc but Willows. She has development but it’s nowhere near “incredible”. I think people want and wish it to be. But what little development she got was just made out to be as if it didn’t even matter. She became an autonomous person, for what? For that autonomy to be cruelly ripped away from her with a stray bullet. An accidental death.

[@rfresa]

I mean, who hasn't wished for a disposable therapist, so you could spill all your embarrassing secrets, get some useful insights, and then kill them afterwards?

[@DiegoFernandesLima]

I think the actress didn't want to come back, that's why Willow didn't see Tara. But you could also be right about why the evil thing didn't show Tara

[@TheDweller0690]

One of my favorite episodes

[@evatesche]

0:39 we needed the last episode with its light humor - before shit is starting to go down in Ep7 ;-)

[@Girl4Music]

Not if that light humour doesn’t make you laugh but just grit your teeth instead.

[@evatesche]

@@Girl4Music The episode has its ups and downs. I can fairly enjoy it for the sake of its place in the season and everything there is to come. Far worse episodes that aren't even funny (I think you know which ones I am talking about ;-) ).

[@Girl4Music]

@@evatesche the only funny moment for me in all of ‘Him’ is that Punch and Judy chase montage with Principal Wood listening to music. The rest of it is extremely cringe.

[@greatestgoalie25]

This is the only episode where Xander isn't involved. I wrote a fanfic giving him a story too (w Jesse from Season 1). Let me know if you ever want to read it. Love these reaction videos. Can't wait for you to get to the halfway pt of this season and the end of Season 4 of Angel.

[@yesie8375]

Always liked the episode that comes after this one. It’s one of my favorite of this season and I’m not too big on this season because of a few annoying characters we’ll see later on

[@mychunkyjordi7585]

The actress who played Tara(Amber Benson ) didn't want to come back because she didn't know she was being killed off