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| Writer: | Joss Whedon |
| Director: | Joss Whedon |
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There's not much I can say that hasn't been said already about "The Body." It's a brilliant masterpiece that is further proof that the Emmy Awards are meaningless. I will not lie--this is a tough episode to watch and, honestly, I am repulsed by the idea of dissecting and analyzing it. In light of this I decided not to take very many notes, not discuss many of the details, and not nitpick about specifics.
This episode is presented in a manner that parallels our actual lives. Even shows that are based on 'reality,' such as the endless slew of cop, law, and medical dramas, are in reality very little like our actual lives, or even the lives of people in those professions. I've lost a loved relative and was there during the following hours after her death. What I experienced was unlike anything I'd ever experienced before in my life--this odd numbness where I couldn't feel, couldn't think, and felt like I was hearing people speak through an audio fog. To think that an episode of television could capture that unique feeling, and then convey it to complete perfection, seems like nonsense. After all, when a beloved character on a television show dies, you've got to have the endless sobbing and swelling sad music.
Somehow, though, Joss Whedon has done it. It's well known that he wrote this episode from his own experience of seeing death. That must be why what is on display here is unbelievably powerful--a work of 'life,' if you will. "The Body" isn't about Joyce at all, but rather the "negative space" around her body--as in, how this death affects everyone close to her. And affect everyone close to her it does, in a major series-changing way. From this point on Buffy the Vampire Slayer is not the same series. Some see this full-on dive into darkness as the wrong direction. I, on the other hand, see it as a welcome path. The characters have gotten older, so it's time the series got older with it. What follows through the end of the series is dark, complex, compelling, and at times absolutely riveting.
How about Sarah Michelle Gellar? This girl puts out amazing performances on this show so often, I often forget just how talented she is. There's not one moment in this entire episode where I don't buy that she's feeling exactly what I felt in my own experience. Whedon uses a whole variety of simple techniques to help us see through Buffy's eyes and feel Buffy's heart: quick cuts, hopeful dream flashes, odd framing, blurring, and brash physicality (among other things). Additionally, the complete lack of any music is a unique and gutsy move by Whedon, but it pays unparalleled dividends here. Instead of pointing each technique out let me just say they all work perfectly for me and wonderfully add to the realism that Whedon has achieved here.
The one specific thing I feel the need to discuss is the vampire in the final act. The first time I saw the episode I must admit that I was pulled out of the sense of realism that Whedon spent the entire episode holding onto. I even felt that it really hurt the episode. Since then, after hearing Whedon's commentary and rewatching the episode several times, it just doesn't bug me anymore. I accept Whedon's reasoning at face value, and it makes well enough sense from a story perspective. It is meant to show us that even in the face of tremendous personal tragedy the world outside still goes on. This is shown in different ways throughout the episode which include Buffy staring blankly out her back porch and hearing the sound of children laughing, Xander getting a parking ticket, and then finally Buffy being forced into a very ugly fight with a vampire. For Buffy, this fight represents her day-to-day life forcing itself on her, not caring that she's experiencing tremendous loss. I agree that the episode would have been just as potent without the vampire, but it being there doesn't bother me anymore.
I want to apologize if you wanted a more detailed analysis from me. "The Body" is not complex nor is it meant to be. Simply watch the episode, listen to Whedon's commentary, put yourself in Buffy's shoes, and the episode will review itself. This is a piece of life that is rarely depicted outside of each of our lives. On display are emotions so naked and raw that we're forced to see just how beautiful and magnificent human life can be. As Anya will soon say in "Forever" (5x17), "I'm not ready to make life with you. But I could. We could. Life could come out of our love and our smooshing and that's beautiful. It all makes me feel we're a part of something bigger. Like I'm more awake somehow." Anya, you nailed both the confusion of death and the miracle of life. Now, as Willow says, " I wanna be there for Buffy." As do I.
| - | Minor Pros/Cons (+/-) |
| Pros: | |
| + | Buffy simply tells Giles "she's at the house," which is a simple way to get Giles over asap thinking Glory is there. |
| + | Anya being a lot more concerned about Xander's hand being in wall now than she would have been before. |
| + | Xander's little smile after Tara says, "it hurts," which offers him a brief break from the numbness--a feeling of life. |
| + | Tara offering Buffy any help she needs. I'm reminded of Tara being Buffy's cry doll in "Triangle" (5x11), which was one piece of their growing bond. Their scene together here is another piece. These building blocks add up to why Buffy chooses Tara for assistance in "Dead Things" (6x13). |
| - | Quotes |
| TARA: | There's a Santa Claus? |
| ANYA: | Mm-hmm. Been around since, like, the 1500s. He wasn't always called Santa, but you know, Christmas night, flying reindeer, coming down the chimney -- all true. |
| DAWN: | All... true? |
| ANYA: | Well, he doesn't traditionally bring presents so much as, you know, disemboweled children, but otherwise... |
| TARA: | The reindeer part was nice. |
| JOYCE: | Damn it! I hate this oven. It burnt. |
| BUFFY: | Oh, no, it's just blackened, you know, it's, it's Cajun pie. |
| GILES: | Shall I open another? |
| JOYCE: | Oh, do you think we dare? |
| BUFFY: | As long as you two stay away from the band candy, I'm cool with anything. |
| JOYCE: | You are a demon child. |
| BUFFY: | I live to torment you, is that so wrong? |
| WILLOW: | No, no, I-I, I should, I should wear the purple The purple, I, I, I think the purple, it's just that it's so, I don't know, i-it doesn't mean something bad? |
| TARA: | I think it's, um ... royal. Purple means ... royalty. |
| WILLOW: | Well, I can't see Buffy at the morgue and be all royal! "Oh, I'm the king of everything, I'm better than you!" I have to be supportive, I, Buffy needs me to be supportive, I... God, why do all my shirts have such stupid things on them? Why can't I just dress like a grownup? Can't I be a grownup? |
| XANDER: | I'll tell you what it is. It's the frickin' doctors. I mean, they just let her out, you know? Clean bill of health. Dig a hole in your skull. Here's a band-aid. Next! |
| WILLOW: | Xander... |
| XANDER: | They should have checked her over, they should have had her in. Well, don't we have enough monsters in this town, the doctors gotta help 'em out? |
| WILLOW: | Xander, I-I don't think it was ... any ... it just happened. |
| XANDER: | Things don't happen! I mean ... they don't *just* happen. Somebody... I mean, somebody's got... |
| WILLOW: | Okay. Let's go. Come on, you and me. Come on. |
| XANDER: | You know I can't take you. |
| WILLOW: | Damn straight. |
| ANYA: | I don't understand how this all happens. How we go through this. I mean, I knew her, and then she's, there's just a body, and I don't understand why she just can't get back in it and not be dead anymore. It's stupid. It's mortal and stupid. And, and Xander's crying and not talking, and, and I was having fruit punch, and I thought, well, Joyce will never have any more fruit punch ever, and she'll never have eggs, or yawn or brush her hair, not ever, and no one will explain to me why. |
| WILLOW: | We don't know ... how it works... or why. |
| TARA: | Did I miss something? |
| ANYA: | Xander decided that he blames the wall. |
| ANYA: | I wish that Joyce didn't die... because she was nice. And now we all hurt. |
| TARA: | My mother died when I was seventeen. |
| BUFFY: | I didn't know. I'm sorry. |
| TARA: | No, no, I didn't mean to... I'm only telling you this because... I know it's not m-my place, but... There's things... thoughts and reactions I had that... I couldn't... understand... or even try to explain to anyone else. Thoughts that... made me feel like I was losing it... or, like I was some kind of ho-horrible person. I know it's different for you... because it's always different, but... if you ever need.... |
| BUFFY: | Was it sudden? |
| TARA: | What? |
| BUFFY: | Your mother. |
| TARA: | No. Yes... It's always sudden. |
| BUFFY: | Dawn? |
| DAWN: | Is she cold? |
| BUFFY: | It's not her... it's not her... she's gone. |
| DAWN: | Where'd she go? |
| - | Score |
| 100 | P |
Represents a "perfect" score. Is near-flawless (with zero major mistakes) and has a valuable lasting impact on the series; intelligent and emotionally gripping.
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| - | Awards |
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| - | Screencaps |
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| - | Comments (50) |
| 1. | bookwormJan 10, 2007 (Wed) | |
| "A daughter's duty I suppose!" And another important thing to add up to Whedon's greatness: The first girl-on-girl-kiss is in this episode!!! |
| 2. | RickJan 10, 2007 (Wed) | |
| Your right to say the series really does change forever after this episode, and in my opinion, for the better. The complexity of the last three seasons is wonderful. And the darkness, oh, how I love the darkness. |
| 3. | FallenJan 10, 2007 (Wed) | |
| With all the great episodes that come after this one, it's hard to think of The Body as anything but the peak of the show. It doesn't get any better than this episode, and I think everyone in the world can related to it in some form or another. It's the true meaning of art to inspire those feelings in people, and an episode like this shows just how seriously Buffy deserves to be taken as art. |
| 4. | DingdongalisticJan 11, 2007 (Thu) | |
| Probably the second best episode after Normal Again. Mike, your comment about the Vampire at the end pulling Buffy back into reality reminded me strongly about the way Buffy's life is defended as reality in Normal Again. It's the first time it seriously strikes you that Buffy's life is much worse than reality. |
| 5. | SpMoJan 13, 2007 (Sat) | |
| It's also interesting to see a fight without music. |
| 6. | EmilyJan 14, 2007 (Sun) | |
| I really felt that the vampire made the ending much more powerful. The scene where Dawn reaches out to touch her would not have worked so brilliantly otherwise. |
| 7. | robgnowJul 20, 2007 (Fri) | |
| The episode that I consistently cry while watching. It gives me a stomach ache about halfway through, but its SO brilliantly done that I have to rewatch it. Joss has my undying respect no matter what he produces after this. I can't imagine any other show on television or cable showing the immediate aftermath of a death like this. The killer moment for me? Buffy chasing Giles from the hallway and trying to tell him it's too late to help her mother. That moment when she yells, "We're not supposed to move the body!" and that awful moment afterward when you can see the horrible realization of what she just said on her face. SMG did such a phenomenal job with such a simple hand over mouth/eyes wide gesture that just physically slaps me every time. |
| 8. | Argo PlummerAug 22, 2007 (Wed) | |
| I just watched I Was Made to Love You on FX. Tomorrow they will show The Body. I am alternately excited to see this brilliant piece of television and nauseous to have to experience it again. I recently listed my top 5 Buffy episodes of all time for a friend and this was my number 5. It is probably the best episode of the series, but not my favorite because it is too difficult and painful to watch. The difficulty and pain come not from the acting, which is superb, or the writing, which is spot on, but from the truth that those two things illuminate--the pain, confusion, and numbness that come from losing someone. For me, it always makes me think of my grandfather, who died alomst four years ago. I think it's a testament to this episode that the mere thought of watching it tomorrow can bring me back to the joy of my grandfather's life and the sorrow of his death. |
| 9. | JamesSep 8, 2007 (Sat) | |
| I've always thought the vampire fight at the end was a sensational addition (not really in a good way, of course). It was just such a horrible thing to happen to them. It wasn't so much the fact that they were attacked by a vampire that made it horrible, it was the fact that they were attacked by a naked man. Contrasted with Buffy and Dawn's grief, his nakedness seemed like the ultimate disrespect. The girls were so young and lost in that moment, and it gave me a really uncomfortable feeling as though he was preying on them in an almost paedophelic way. Very disturbing, but truly great writing. |
| 10. | gabrielleabelleNov 12, 2007 (Mon) | |
| Absolutely heart-wrenching episode. I usually start crying when Buffy's doing CPR. I don't stop until the end. It's amazing what Joss manages to do with no music and just long scenes. The series doesn't get any better. It is a painful episode to watch, though, and it does mark the point in the series where everybody has to grow up. Buffy, of course, because she no longer has her mom. That's something she struggles with until the end. I give the biggest props to Joss for taking such a risk with this episode and for suceeding. |
| 11. | buffyholicNov 27, 2007 (Tue) | |
| This is a beautiful episode and a masterpiece but really painful to watch. SMG does a wonderful job here and the look on her face when she calls Joyce "the body" and she starts realising the truth is heartbreaking and the fact that there´s no music. I cry through the whole episode. Joss Whedon and team did it again. |
| 12. | Elia Dec 2, 2007 (Sun) | |
| I've never been so shaken up during an episode ever....but the Joss' directing and EVERYBODY's acting was just sooo freaking good that it almost brought me to tears. I usually hate shows or movies that try to be TOO REAL (a lot of independent movies try this) but end up completely lack the enjoyable factor and the entertainment factor. But this just WORKED on all levels. And again, I find more and more similarities between myself and Xander everytime I watch this show. Because that is exactly how I would be. |
| 13. | Plain SimpleFeb 28, 2008 (Thu) | |
| I can only agree with what everyone above says. This episode for me is the best of the series because of the emotions and feelings it elicits. But it couldn't watch it too often. It leaves me completely numb. Which it wouldn't do, if it weren't so utterly brilliant. I'm re-watching the entire series on dvd and ever since season 5 came into view I was both wanting and dreading this episode. Amazing. When I first saw the episode I had mixed feelings about the vampire. It didn't fit for my feeling. When watching the episode again, it didn't bother me much, but I'm still not sure if the episode wouldn't have been better without it (for me, that is). Joss Whedon's reasoning makes sense, but it is still something that takes you out of the moment a bit. For Buffy vampires might be daily life, for me they are not. Luckily it is near the end of the episode and the powerful scene after the fight draws me right back in. |
| 14. | wilpy1Mar 14, 2008 (Fri) | |
| Best. Episode. Of. TV. Ever. |
| 15. | leeMay 4, 2008 (Sun) | |
| em, is everyone insane... best episode ever????? a 100 pt rating??? come on. yeah it a good ep, moving, emotional blah blah blah. boring too after the 1st time u see it. OK, here goes. B v D, out of my mind, no place like home, FFL, in2 the woods, checkpoint, crush, and the last 5 are all better. So its actually the 13th best episode of the season. |
| 16. | JadenJun 5, 2008 (Thu) | |
| ahhh yes this only comes in just after that scene from star wars two when anikans mom has just died. yeh that had me crying big time. however i actually liked forever better. |
| 17. | ChanceJun 21, 2008 (Sat) | |
| The speech by Emma Caufield (Anya) about not understanding death is one of the most heartbreaking things I've ever heard. Truly brilliant. |
| 18. | StephJul 14, 2008 (Mon) | |
| I was always a little confused as to why Willow was changing her clothes so much. Was that symbolic somehow or just a way that she was expressing her grief? |
| 19. | StephJul 14, 2008 (Mon) | |
| Also, concerning that blue sweater that Wil was looking for the entire time, did Anya actually find it? I think there's a short scene when she's sitting down on it, then Anya picks it up and stuffs it back inside of the dresser without Willow seeing. I feel like that might mean something too. |
| 20. | RayJul 27, 2008 (Sun) | |
| I think this was the first episode of Buffy I ever watched (flipping through) before formally watching the series; the vampire scene being the most memorable since I caught it later on in the episode. When Xander punched the wall (I had reservations about this because it felt like overdone tough man acting), it immediately reminded me of Joyce talking to Buffy behind the wall in Restless. God I love this show. |
| 21. | PaulaAug 8, 2008 (Fri) | |
| Steph, Willow's constant change of clothes stems (according to some interview) from Whedon's experience of his own behavior following a death in his family or among his friends (I forget which). One's brains don't really function normally in such circumstances and it's easy to become obsessed with little details like what you should be wearing. And having experienced such situations myself, it rang very true to me. So not really symbolic, no. It's just the way real people tend to react to sudden shocks like this. Regarding the sweater: Anya didn't know Willow was looking for it, and she just stuffed it away without Willow seeing. I guess that might possibly "mean something", but I personally took it as just another piece of reality. |
| 22. | InfernoSep 2, 2008 (Tue) | |
| Simply put. The single greatest hour in the history of media. Im talking film, documentaries, television, music, everything. I have never witnessed a masterpiece like this episode. I watched BtVS from WTTH, to Chosen. Greatest show ever, but this episode is....well...Remarkable. There is nothing more to be said. After losing my father a few months back, it becomes even more powerful. I am currently rewatching the series, and am only 4 episodes away from this one. I must admit, I am scared to watch it. I tear up (yes, i am a straight guy) everytime I watch it, but now that I have actually endured what Buffy has endured, I am not sure how I will handle it. I may have another meltdown. When an episode of television, or film, or music, or whatever, can illicit that kind of response from its audience. It is a masterpiece. This is the best of the best IMHO. |
| 23. | N2NOtherSep 4, 2008 (Thu) | |
| Easily my favourite episode of the entire series. I watched it last Friday, teared up and now just reading the moments everyone is bringing up made me tear up again. I've watched a lot of TV in my life and no other show bears repeat viewing and remains as entertaining as ever as Buffy. I genuinely miss this show. |
| 24. | from asturies, spainSep 6, 2008 (Sat) | |
| Television can't get any better than here. Everything in this episode is perfect... except the sad gut feeling one gets every time I watch it. But, wait a minute, that's another point in its "perfectness", isn't it? When one of my closest, and dearest, relatives died after a long and painful illness I couldn't bear to watch the body, I just felt so depressed and anguished... After watching this episode, maybe, just maybe, I'll be ready to face the experience when it comes again. Because I know I'm not alone. And life goes on. Thanks Mr Whedon. |
| 25. | adastraSep 6, 2008 (Sat) | |
| The most perfect episode of television ever, as everyone already mentioned. I watched this about 3-4 years ago when I first got very curious about Buffy, and it was really shocking because I had no idea what the episode was about (someone just recommended it). On top of that, back then a member of my family recently had a brain tumor removed which kinda made things worse for me (though the tumor wasn't malicious and everything went well). After that, for some reason it still took me until early this year to really start watching the show for real. I just rewatched it and I noticed that Anya has a very important moment in the episode when she breaks down in Willow's dorm - if I'm right, this is the first time ever we see her showing real emotion without being overly literal, snappy or disrespectful or something. And this scene also explains that she really does have a hard time trying to be a 'real' human. |
| 26. | JadenSep 16, 2008 (Tue) | |
| "now remember you're not drawing the body but the negative space around it" simply brilliant way of describing the episode just wish i could have picked up on it while actually watching the episode. |
| 27. | TonySep 22, 2008 (Mon) | |
| Anya finding the sweater and stuffing it was for a bit of comic relief... It's not supposed to mean anything, lol. The vampire at the end I think needed to happen. The show is about the evil villians. You had to have something in there to remind people that their's still evil lurking about. |
| 28. | ChanSep 23, 2008 (Tue) | |
| There's also a terrific bit of continuity with the scene where Giles is sitting alone in his flat listening to Tales of Brave Ulysses. It's the same song he played for Joyce during Band Candy, and it wasn't just a quick flash - it ran for about 30 seconds and he tells her to listen to the next bit cos it's really great. Small detail, but it shows you how much Joyce meant to Giles, as well. |
| 29. | NixOct 26, 2008 (Sun) | |
| An aside for anyone wondering what they've missed: the Brace Ulysses stuff is in _Forever_, the next episode. |
| 30. | SuzieNov 7, 2008 (Fri) | |
| Anyone who has ever lost anyone can relate to this so much because of the simple fact that when someone you love dies, you have no swelling music to save you from the reality that that person is gone forever. And I can't even read, much less watch the part with Anya breaking down without crying and wanting to give her a hug. Xander and his numbness of the hand in the wall. You don't feel anything. And that's just what Buffy feels when she is brought back from heaven, but at a greater scale. Joss Wheadon does a great job breaking your heart. |
| 31. | AndrewDec 1, 2008 (Mon) | |
| Hmm. I dunno. On the one hand, yes, it was a pretty good portrayal of death and immediate aftermath. From a purely artistic sense, you can admire it for that. But I don't actually think "The Body" is a particularly good Buffy episode. It's not terrible; I'd certainly rather watch it than any of the really bad ones; but it certainly wouldn't make my top 10 list. In the first place, it does an unexpected Genre Shift. Buffy is fundamentally a Fantasy show; that's most of the reason I watch it. I'm not saying you can't do bereavement in Fantasy; I suppose my complaint is that nothing in the episode (other than the totally forgettable and irrelevant vampire at the end) couldn't have been done in, say, a soap opera (though I'd be the first to admit that it probably wouldn't have been done as well). Secondly, and call me a Philistine here by all means, my essential problem with the episode is that I didn't much enjoy watching it. Except perhaps for Willow's tearful clothes-changing, most of the episode was downright painful to watch. And that's not a good thing. Incidentally, I note, in passing, that Spike doesn't appear in this episode at all. Is this the only episode in which a credited character has zero screen time? |
| 32. | SanjuroDec 1, 2008 (Mon) | |
| Why is the fact that it's painful to watch "not a good thing?" And it's not like this is the first (or last) time that Buffy really hit you in the gut. Passion, Becoming, Pt. 2, and later on The Gift, After Life, Dead Things, etc. The Body is indeed painful to watch, but that's what makes it so fascinating; any other show would have pumped up the melodrama ad made it cliché, mmaaaaayyybbee good for a few tears, but quickly forgotten. But The Body stays with you. It drops all the fantasy to show detractors just how real Buffy is. And I think Spike never showed up because it's about how Buffy and adolescents must deal with death, well, death that really affects them. The next episode gives us some very brief but touching moments from Giles and Spike on the matter. |
| 33. | AdamDec 29, 2008 (Mon) | |
| You just obviously don't understand the concept of the episode if you think this does not deserve the praise it gets. This episode is truly brilliant-- no question about it. |
| 34. | Exit8buffyJan 16, 2009 (Fri) | |
| I didn't like how Joss played with us in the beginning thinking that Joyce wasn't dead -- he must've gotten a laugh with that part. The best scene would have to be the one with Xander, Willow, Anya and Tara in the dorm room. Everything in those parts are great -- from Anya's speech, to Xander punching the wall to Willow not knowing what to wear <-- My favorite line for that part was "I can't see Buffy at the morgue and be all royal"... I laughed at that amongst all the serious sad parts. |
| 35. | NixJan 26, 2009 (Mon) | |
| I must concur with Sanjuro. This episode is, perhaps, not good entertainment: nothing this painful could be considered entertaining (at least not in large doses). But it's undoubtedly good art. This episode taught me something about the human condition: perhaps not something very pleasant, but something important nonetheless. And personally I value that more than forty minutes' entertainment. (As long as not all the episodes are like this. Fortunately most of the rest, even in season six, mix some humour in with the grimness.) |
| 36. | MaddybeeMar 7, 2009 (Sat) | |
| This episode was wow.... definitely an origninal compared to all of the others.
The emotions in "the body" just seem to scream out at you, the music or should I say lack of music - made it sadder, i couldnt catch my breath by the time episode finished~ I was that upset. I knew that Joyce was going to die before I watched this episode, I came across it on the internet by an accident one day, when reading I presumed I wouldn't be phased by her death- that it would just be another event: How wrong I was. I loved the scene with Dawn, when she is crying in the bathroom immediately you think it's the news of her mothers death in result of her crying but instead her tears are over a socially trivial matter. The art class was effecting too, especially how Dawn finds her negative body when she is given the news. I was overwhelmed by the actors/actresses in the episode. I really loved Anya's "fruit punch" speech- what a tear jerker it really set me off and how she picked up the ble jumper and hid it away. Brilliant actors that really get you 'lost in the moment'. It's so hard to pick out highlights in this episode because it's fascinating from start to finish. |
| 37. | Nathan.TaurusApr 18, 2009 (Sat) | |
| Here we have a great episode in terms of what it does for television and one of the greatest of the series, no doubt. It's on fans top 10 favourite episode lists alot although I'm not sure why. I myself like it but it is nowhere near my top 10 of the season for the very reason that I cannot watch it time and time again. It's not of much entertainment value for me which is what my top episodes of a season are made up of. I love the concept and execution of it but in all it's a once in a long while viewing. |
| 38. | MortenApr 19, 2009 (Sun) | |
| Just finished watching it for the second time. I find the scene with the vampire at the end very fitting. The fight results in the uncovering of Joyce's body, something Dawn hadn't the strenght to do. The symbolism here, while maybe unintentional, is obvious. The first scene shows some brilliant acting from Sarah, and my only complaint lies with her vomiting, which seems somehow out of the broken-staccato rythm of the scene. I can of course appreciate that it is done to realistically portray the shock of the character - especially in a segment of televised entertainment wherein such scenes are often depicted in the exact opposite manner. As strong as that scene may be, the first manly tears rolled down my face during the scene where Willow is trying to decide what to wear. Much more than portraying confusion, Hannigan shows us a character whose 'power' in this scenario is reduced to being there for her friends. In that case, with no other way to contribute, selecting the right outfit poses a frighteningly genuine problem. Also, and this might seem a tad harsh - Alison Hannigan is just a terrific tragic actress. She conveys the lowest extremes of emotion more skillfully than anyone on the show. This is true of everything she has been in. To put it inappropriately blunty, she's a very convincing weeper. Sadly, I find the dorm-room scene to be hindered by Anya's outburst. Emma Caulfield is a decent actress, but here completely fails to convey the emotional confusion of her character and, watching it, my eyes dried up, and i kept wishing for the camera to get off her. More than an emotionally confused Anya, I just see a confused Emma Caulfield. This is my only point of criticism All in all, a terrific episode, certainly my favorite of all the episodes up to this point. This is propably because I watch the show for character development and interaction only. The occasional Gummi-demon is just to keep it from overwhelming. This is my first comment here, I hope it's not a complete waste of anyones time - I'm kind of new to this. |
| 39. | mikejerApr 19, 2009 (Sun) | |
| Morten, thanks for the comment! A comment like that is certainly not a waste of anyone's time! :) |
| 40. | JoeWMay 23, 2009 (Sat) | |
| Wow, Morten--I couldn't disagree more about Emma Caulfield's outburst in the dorm room. To me, it and Amber Benson's interaction with Buffy at the end are two of the most heart-wrenching and beautifully acted moments of the episode--and therefore of the series. When Anya says "and no one will explain to me why!" I choke up every time. I think it's superb acting, and amazing coming from an actress who is usually just a terrific comedienne.
Magnificent episode. I've gone through what Buffy has, and it's clear that Joss Whedon was writing what many of us have experienced. |
| 41. | EmilyMay 31, 2009 (Sun) | |
| Morten, I've got to agree with JoeW- the way Anya's speech was delivered was unbelievable, IMO- and I think with most other people's opinions. That whole scene in Willow's bedroom was beyond well done- perfect, like the rest of the episode, but to me, the best part. Wow. I agree with many people who say this isn't perfect in terms of entertainment value, but to me, that's not what Buffy is all about- there's more to it than just entertainment. (And as long as not all the episodes are like this one, I'm fine with it.) Just....WOW. |
| 42. | SeleneJul 11, 2009 (Sat) | |
| Truly a brilliant episode of TV. For me it ranks right there with M*A*S*H's Abyssinia, Henry for the sheer emotional impact.
The look on SMG's face after she tell Giles they're not supposed to touch the body, realising she just referred to her mother as only a body is devastatingly powerful. The whole dorm room scene, with Willow's "I can't be all royal!" and Anya's "Why?" speech are as good as it gets. Plus Willow and Tara's first onscreen kiss and it happens organically, without a big fuss being made over it. Tara and Buffy's scene at the hospital was sweet and I loved the touch of humour when Willow, Xander, and Anya come back with their arms full of snacks "We panicked." I always thought the vampire in the final scene was the Universe's (aka Joss') way of letting Buffy know that much as she may want to, she won't get the luxury of wallowing in grief; that life isn't going to let her. |
| 43. | Blue FanAug 19, 2009 (Wed) | |
| A fantastic review Mikejer, as usual. I agree with you (and possibly most people who has wirtten here before) in this is one of the 10 best episodes of the entire series.
However, I couldn't possibly say that it is THE BEST episode ever. Like Andrew, I watched the series because of the fantasy and humour. Altough, the episode really portrays what death of a beloved one means to a person, it lacked the kind of mixture between humour and fantasy that series represents so much. In my opinion, this episode doesn't top Doppelgangland or Hush. All in all, one of the greatest episodes ever made in the series. Thanks for your reviews, and this possibility of seeing this amazing story from another and new perspective. |
| 44. | ShelbySep 22, 2009 (Tue) | |
| Heartbreaking in every possible way. Rather than just finding her dead and going straight to the funeral and moving on as any other series would do, we see what are truly the pivotal moments of the death of a loved one. I love how realistic every aspect is, the vomit, the lighting, the rib cracking, there is not a second of comfort allowed. We have to go through every second just as the characters do. What is particularly upsetting about this episode is that this is an event that could happen to any one of us at any time. It's not about apocalypses or vampires...it's about something that is very real to each and every one of us, something we'd rather not be faced with but will be at some point. This episode is the perfect example for me of Joss and his team achieving what they always strive to, to make the audience feel the way the characters do. I felt like there was a hole inside of me, I felt sick, I didn't know how the show was going to go on after such tragedy. I'd rather not willingly feel that way again, but it makes for an excellent example of how great Buffy is. |
| 45. | Nathan.TaurusNov 16, 2009 (Mon) @ 7:21pm | |
| This is without a doubt one of the most over rated episodes in the series. First off the episode is a fantastic piece of television and deserves a rating of somewhere in the 90s, but it is one that I cannot watch again and again with enjoyment.
A lot of people rate this in their top 10 best episode lists, but I wonder if they are putting it in because they enjoy it or because it is one of the best episodes. I know it is great artistically, but it isn't an episode that I have in my personal top episode list. I liked the opening scene and the part where Xander is trying to blame someone for the death and Willow offers to fight him and he responds that he can't take her. That part was really touching and still a little funny. I also have to disagree with many fans about Anya's crying. This didn't seem to fit in with the scene because Emma just couldn't pull it off. Fantastic episode, just not one of my favourites. |
| 46. | LeeluNov 16, 2009 (Mon) @ 9:00pm | |
| @Nathan.Taurus: I have to disagree with you a bit. This episode is extremely cathartic, which for many is enjoyable. Tons of people love to watch movies that move them, make them feel extreme emotion, whether it be good or bad. Think of all the ladies (and men) that enjoy watching tearjerkers, and they tend to watch them over and over. Basically, just because the episode is harsh emotionally doesn't mean it isn't enjoyable. The catharsis element is part of what makes it enjoyable. And yes, I personally can watch this episode over and over again. Frankly, I freaking love it. It is, in my opinion, a shining example of a pretty much darned perfect hour of television. |
| 47. | Nathan.TaurusNov 22, 2009 (Sun) @ 8:55pm | |
| Leelu: I agree that some people like watching sad movies or shows; just like any genre; like romantic, horror, comedy etc. I can watch this episode repeatedly, although I just don't get as much enjoyment as many of the others.
I will admit that some scenes in movies have made me feel sad for what's going on and I still enjoy the movie, but I actually find it sadder to watch the last minutes of 'The Gift'. |
| 48. | FinallyFinishedDec 22, 2009 (Tue) @ 9:28pm | |
| This is my first comment, but I really wanted to give my input on this episode, personally because of the brilliance of the writers and the actors.
I also finally finished the series for the first time this Saturday after starting it at the beginning of the year on Hulu (I suffered a several month gap due to my inability to find a place to watch Season 5.) This episode for me personally, would be within my top ten, maybe my top five. This episode made me the saddest I had ever been while watching this show. Xander, Anya, Tara, and Willow's part was one of the most well-acted scenes I have ever seen on television. All of them are able to pull off their separate ways to grieve so well. From Xander's desperation to find something to blame for it to Willow's panic about how to appear to console her friend to Tara's soft strength to be the grounded one to help the others. Then finally Anya, whose "I don't understand" speech was one of the best monologues on the show. The writers of Buffy are excellent at pulling off heartwrenching monologues, such as Xander's confrontation with Willow in the season six finale. I can't leave out Sarah's incredible acting ability in the beginning of the episode. From her scared "Mommy?" to her final cry of "We're not supposed to move the body!" I couldn't help but feel for her as she stumbled blankly through the house. Overall this episode really showcased all of the actors' abilities and I remember sitting and staring at the screen in silence after the episode, awestruck. |
| 49. | VictoriaFeb 6, 2010 (Sat) @ 7:59pm | |
| "I didn't like how Joss played with us in the beginning thinking that Joyce wasn't dead -- he must've gotten a laugh with that part." I don't know about a laugh. I loved that bit, it kind of makes me think of the beginning of S6 when Spike sees Buffy again and he says something along the lines of, "I want you to know that I saved you. Not when it counted, of course. But every night after that... I saved you, in a million different ways." It's like armchair quarterbacking your life. People do it all the time. Haven't you ever... had a fight or an argument with someone and after-the-fact thought back to something more effective you could have said? Or, in a more personal experience, when you lose someone you love be it through death or just the circumstances of life pulling you apart, you always look back, sometimes in dreams and just... wonder if something could have happened differently. It's natural, but... not really very funny. :( It's very sad, esp in this case. |
| 50. | StephieFeb 28, 2010 (Sun) @ 8:00pm | |
| This is such a beautiful episode. Anya's speech is beyond touching, and reminds me of what it's like to explain death to a child. This episode displays so well how brilliant of an actress SMG is, and just how sadistic Joss Whedon is. |
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