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Post by William the Bloody on Aug 18, 2003 3:08:46 GMT -5
Written by Joss Whedon
Directed by Joss Whedon
Air date: 6/2/97
As the Spring Fling dance approaches, Giles discovers an ancient book foretelling the Slayer's death at the hands of the Master.
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Post by beccaelizabeth on Jul 9, 2004 4:57:01 GMT -5
From the Watcher's Guide-
The moment Willow discovers the corpses of Kevin and his friends in the audio/visual room is a major turning point for the character. Form that point on, Willow becomes more proactive about her involvement with the Slayer. In that moment, she grows up.
Both Willow and the Master compliment Buffy on her dress, but the final exchange (Angel: "I really like your..." Buffy: "Yeah, yeah. It was a big hit with everyone.") was added during production and was not in the original script.
Pop culture IQ:
"Calm may work for Locutus of Borg here, but I'm freaked and I intend to stay that way."
Xander, upset by Giles's maddening reserve, referring to the emotionless cyborg characters on Star Trek
The massive demon coming up out of the Hellmouth at the end of "Prophecy Girl" had to be frightening, but the budget didnt allow for computer generated images. The masterminds at Optic Nerve ended up making tentacle "costumes". Each of the tentacles has a human being inside, manipulating it from within.
From the original teleplay:
The following scene, right after Buffy has turned down Xander's request that she go to the prom with him, was cut from this episode's script because of length:
Xander bails, wandering off under the archway. Buffy sits by herself on the bench, bummed.
Which is when the hail of pebbles starts.
The first few get Buffy's attention, tiny hard pellets hitting the ground around her. She stands as more start coming down.
People- including Buffy- all run for cover as the real shower starts. Buffy stands under the archway, watching the hail come down.
ANGLE: XANDER
Walking away, not near Buffy. He hears:
Student (O.S.): Check it out! It's raining stones!
Xander looks back over his shoulder.
Xander: Figures.
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Post by Rachael on Sept 8, 2004 0:29:18 GMT -5
*looks around* Where are all the other kids? Hmm. Well, I did the homework, anyway.  Okay. . .I have nothing in the way of a big, sweeping theme to talk about, 'cause this ep wasn't like that. It was, well - a season finale. But, still: Who thought Xander might really be talking to Willow in the teaser, when he was practicing on her for Buffy? Just for a split second? Nah, me neither. But I did like the Buffy/Xander/Willow triangle in this episode. Most especially, I liked that Willow has enough self-esteem and self-knowledge to refuse to be a consolation prize after Xander gets shot down by Buffy. You go, girl! (Yeah, still can't pull that off.) And don't let's forget "Willow's not looking to date you. Or, if she is, she's playing it pretty close to the chest." Yeah, for now. ;D Umm. . .good Joyce/good mom moment when she pulls that dress from the closet - she noticed that Buffy loved the dress, and just bought it for her as a surprise. Best. Mom. Ever. The dress itself. . .is interesting. Very sacrificial virgin, I thought. Which was appropriate when she walked down into the sewers to offer herself up as a sacrifice to save her friends from the apocalypse. (And make no mistake - she was doing it to save her friends, not the world. I think, personally, that having personal attachments and goals is one of the things that allowed Buffy to be so successful as a Slayer. I mean, "save the world" sounds impressive, but it's so huge that it's hard to get a grip on, emotionally. But "save Willow and Xander" (or Dawn) is a much more human proposition.) And, on the "virgin sacrifice" front - did anyone else think the Master was unusually gentle when he killed Buffy? I mean, other vampires are positively vicious, but he just took what he needed from her, and didn't hurt her any more than he had to. It's interesting. Umm. . .I'm gonna argue that this is the first obvious incidence of the "head, hand, heart, spirit" motif. Willow is Buffy's inspiration to go fight the master - her spirit. Giles provides the information needed to get Buffy where she had to be. Xander restarted her heart. Might be my imagination, but wouldn't it be cool if that division was established already in Season 1? And when she gets up, after dying, Buffy feels "different". Stronger. Why? Is it because she's integrated the others into herself, and so is the primitive version of SuperBuffy from Primeval? Or is there something that happens when a Slayer dies and then comes back? Maybe she's juiced up with twice the power, 'cause of being called twice? Okay, that's a stretch. Really annoying continuity badness (two incidents): Angel and the no CPR thing. ARGH! You. Do. So. Breathe. If you need/want to. Dammit. And also, MASTER BONES. There's all sorts of fanwanky explanations, but the fact remains that every other vampire in the history of the show dusts completely - even Kakistos, who's so old he's got cloven hands. The Master having bones is just a badly contrived way for there to be a threat of his return next season. And finally, good moments: Cordy biting the vampire. "See how YOU like it!" Hee! And, "Save the hypnosis crap for the tourists." That's my Buffy. Oh, and also, I forgot: "I'm not ashamed. It's the computer age. Nerds are in. They're still in, right?" And, question - do Slayers USUALLY deal with apocalypses on a regular basis? I'm thinking no. That Buffy was called in an unusual time - hence all the references to "the end days". So, she's special, and usually Slayers would just be dealing with a vampire or two a night. In fact, her "Three in one night. Giles would be so proud," made me smile, 'cause later three in one fight wouldn't be all that unusual. |
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Post by Lola m on Sept 8, 2004 16:48:32 GMT -5
*looks around* Where are all the other kids? Hmm. Well, I did the homework, anyway. **snicker** Hey, I did the homework, too! (I just fell asleep before I turned it in.  ) And I especially like that she helps him see, very gently, why she's saying no. She doesn't let him just blow it off as "you're rejecting me too" stuff, she makes him see (at least for a few seconds) what is so totally not good about inviting her to watch him mope around over another girl. I have always loved Xander's introductory lines in their conversation. Willow says: "What did she say?" and he replies: "Apart from no, does it really matter?" 'Cuz that's so true. Yes, it's best if the person you are interested isn't actively mean to you, but really - when you are interested and they aren't? That's pretty much it. Yeah, hindsight makes for 20/20 foreshadowing, but also for just some nice funny/cute moments. The dress is just sooooo classic gothic/Hammer movie/scary movie/young girl going to get killed. And eetah on Buffy's motives. Yes, as becca quotes from her Watcher's Guide, it's true that the scene where Willow finds the bodies is a turning point for her character. But also it's the moment afterward between her and Buffy that provides the motivation for Buffy to stay and fight the Master. Plus we get that wonderful, sad little ending line with Buffy telling Willow to "take care". Really saying "goodbye" in case she doesn't make it but not wanting Willow to know that. I've always taken it to be a kind of combo of psychological boost (see, you can't kill me for long!) and perhaps a bit of Slayer metabolism kicking in. I mean, she has super healing and what not, so wouldn't she also have super adrenaline and other stuff that would kick in when she's really got her back to the wall like this? But I like your idea of being called twice thing - that's a neat idea I hadn't considered before. I've always loved the classic misdirection of the prophesy. I mean, it did come true. She did die. It just didn't specify that she had to stay dead. Speaking of prophesies, though. On this latest rewatch I did wonder about the "and the slayer will not know him" bit. 'Cuz at the end, she does "know" him - she flat out says "I know who you are". Seems a deliberate choice of words from the writers. Now, the "not know" bit could just have been referring to her not knowing / recognizing him the first time. The mistaken notion they have that the creepy bus guy they killed at the morgue was the Annoying Annointed One. But still, it's an interesting puzzle. I found it interesting that the Master says to Buffy: "Prophesies are tricky creatures - they don't tell you everything." 'Cuz, 1) yep - certainly didn't tell you that she was gonna come back from the dead to kick your butt and 2) we should probably all paid a little more attention to this whole prophesy loophole thing during later BtVS and AtS episodes. (Anyone else think one of the Master's nastiest tactics was basically telling Buffy she was gonna be responsible for all the bad stuff he was gonna do because she's "the one that sets me free" just by doing what she's supposed to do - try to kill him. Makes me wonder how this affects her later thoughts and actions.) **nods** My own fanwank for the no CPR thing is that while they move air through their lungs in order to talk (or smoke ), they aren't really oxygenating their blood, etc. And so their breath doesn't have "life" in it. Which is total BS, because it would be more logical that they'd have better air to pass to someone because they didn't have to "use" anything. It would be the equivalent of like, an airbag or something. It's a fanwank that only works if you sorta squint and don't really think about it too hard. ;D Interesting question. How similar or different is Buffy's experience as a slayer compared to previous ones? Hmmmmm. Good food for thought. Lola |
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Post by Rachael on Sept 8, 2004 18:53:52 GMT -5
I've always taken it to be a kind of combo of psychological boost (see, you can't kill me for long!) and perhaps a bit of Slayer metabolism kicking in. I mean, she has super healing and what not, so wouldn't she also have super adrenaline and other stuff that would kick in when she's really got her back to the wall like this? Also a nifty hypothesis. 'Cause, that would account for her always being able to kick it up the required notch to kill the Übervamp after all, for example, when we think "This is it; she's had it." Super-adrenaline boost! The really cool thing is that means she's now triple-strength Slayer. ;D And also - I was watching a few bits of Season 7 recently, and this reminds me of Dawn's "ghost story" to the Potentials - she's telling them about Buffy dying the first time, I think - and they're all scared, and then she says something like, "Hey, it's Buffy. She always gets back up again." And then I remember the last battle, and Buffy's injured and down for the count. . .and then suddenly she finds the strength (or irritation) to get back up again. And HEY - so, when Willow called all the Slayers at once, did Buffy and Faith get yet another power boost? Oooh, I like - because it would also make Giles' assertion that nothing in the Codex doesn't come to pass wrong, as well - 'cause Jenny's monk friend (a monk? again?) had info that violated the prophesy, and all it took was someone to TELL Buffy, already, that the Annoying One was a kid. And then she did, so, know him. Proving that the prophesy was just as plastic as all the others. |
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Post by Lola m on Sept 8, 2004 21:46:40 GMT -5
Also a nifty hypothesis. 'Cause, that would account for her always being able to kick it up the required notch to kill the Übervamp after all, for example, when we think "This is it; she's had it." Super-adrenaline boost! The really cool thing is that means she's now triple-strength Slayer. ;D And also - I was watching a few bits of Season 7 recently, and this reminds me of Dawn's "ghost story" to the Potentials - she's telling them about Buffy dying the first time, I think - and they're all scared, and then she says something like, "Hey, it's Buffy. She always gets back up again." And then I remember the last battle, and Buffy's injured and down for the count. . .and then suddenly she finds the strength (or irritation) to get back up again. And HEY - so, when Willow called all the Slayers at once, did Buffy and Faith get yet another power boost? Again with liking this theory muchly. Because it's just so Joss, isn't it? That the addition of others doesn't weaken your power, it increases it. Every single show of his has that "your friends / family are your most important weapon" message. Plus, it fits real well into a grrrl power, feminist Joss view, doesn't it? Power shared turning out to be more powerful? Monks. Dude, they're freakin' everywhere! ;D Plastic prophesies. I like it. Bend them, shape them, mold them anyway you like them. Destiny is a very fickle thing in the Jossverse. Now that we're going back thru all the episodes, I feel like we should do something to make us all keep this firmly in mind. Maybe hang some "prophesies are tricky creatures" or "remember the plastic prophesy" samplers on the walls of the The Thrall Room. We can put them up next to Erin's "whenever there is a classroom scene, that's the theme" motto. Lola |
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Post by Rachael on Sept 8, 2004 23:09:51 GMT -5
Again with liking this theory muchly. Because it's just so Joss, isn't it? That the addition of others doesn't weaken your power, it increases it. Every single show of his has that "your friends / family are your most important weapon" message. Plus, it fits real well into a grrrl power, feminist Joss view, doesn't it? Power shared turning out to be more powerful? Oooh, I like. I even have a name for it: the Slayer Amplification Effect. The total power is much greater than the sum of the slayers.  I think we should. |
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Post by Onjel on Sept 9, 2004 12:32:02 GMT -5
Wouldn't Faith also get the power boost from the awakening of additional slayers? I like the Slayer Amplification Effect as a name for the phenom.
It seems like Buffy gets a power boost not only from a combination of powers (combo Buffy and the new slayers) but from getting royally p***ed off. (Can I spell that out on this board, by the way?). She comes back and hits them harder when they make her mad and uses her emotions to make her a better slayer, just like she advised Kendra.
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Post by William the Bloody on Sept 9, 2004 17:03:49 GMT -5
Wouldn't Faith also get the power boost from the awakening of additional slayers? I like the Slayer Amplification Effect as a name for the phenom. It seems like Buffy gets a power boost not only from a combination of powers (combo Buffy and the new slayers) but from getting royally p***ed off. (Can I spell that out on this board, by the way?). She comes back and hits them harder when they make her mad and uses her emotions to make her a better slayer, just like she advised Kendra. All through the series we see Buffy (and Faith) get more powerful as they get more pissed at their opponents. You are quite right in that this is what she tutors Kendra and also, in her speeches to the Slayerettes in Season 7. She believes in being fired up. She takes it "personal." It is what sets her apart from other Slayers. And yes, "pissed" is fine to use here. I am the admin for the message board and the language filters/censor are/is shut off. We consider ourselves a Mature site (but not an "Adult site") here, and a little language never harmed anyone. Cursing up a blue streak is frowned upon and would probably earn you a warning from a Technopagan. Repeated offenses would eventually earn you a Strike and in S'cubieland, three strikes and you are out. A link to the rules, such as they are, can be found at the top of every page on the message board. And once again, it a pleasure having you aboard. Vlad |
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Post by Rachael on Sept 9, 2004 17:19:52 GMT -5
Wouldn't Faith also get the power boost from the awakening of additional slayers? I like the Slayer Amplification Effect as a name for the phenom. It seems like Buffy gets a power boost not only from a combination of powers (combo Buffy and the new slayers) but from getting royally p***ed off. (Can I spell that out on this board, by the way?). She comes back and hits them harder when they make her mad and uses her emotions to make her a better slayer, just like she advised Kendra. Agreed on all points, ayup. Buffy taking stuff personally and getting all pissed off definitely makes her a more formidable foe. Also, I'm still in favor of the super-adrenaline rush when her back is to the wall. |
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Post by Lola m on Sept 9, 2004 18:47:35 GMT -5
Agreed on all points, ayup. Buffy taking stuff personally and getting all pissed off definitely makes her a more formidable foe. Also, I'm still in favor of the super-adrenaline rush when her back is to the wall. Yep, me too. And I really like the idea of slayer power increasing as the line splits - then going exponential when Willow, as you said, "connected" all the lines. Making a vast worldwide net of slayer energy, perhaps? Lola |
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Post by jeff on Apr 15, 2007 15:43:45 GMT -5
So the season finale, Joss really brings things together nicely for me.
Xander getting shot down from Buffy , yet still being there for her and bringing her back from the dead.
Jenny coming back after 3 episodes of no Jenny and she joins up with Giles to help out.
Cordy becomes much more friendly with the gang this episode, I suppose after having your life saved you tend to be more friendly to those who saved it.
I loved that Willow turned down Xander for the dance as well. She needed him to know she does not want to play second fiddle to Buffy when it comes to having his love.
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Post by jeff on Apr 15, 2007 15:48:45 GMT -5
I absolutely loved Buffy's reaction to finding out she was going to die. SMG played that scene so very well. I know I have said it before but Joss just amazes me how he can take a person like Buffy and could have so easily just made her an demon-ass kicking slayer and left her at that, but he went so much deeper and made us feel for her and relate to her and that scene really made me fall in love with her character.
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Post by Lola m on May 2, 2007 12:55:20 GMT -5
I absolutely loved Buffy's reaction to finding out she was going to die. SMG played that scene so very well. I know I have said it before but Joss just amazes me how he can take a person like Buffy and could have so easily just made her an demon-ass kicking slayer and left her at that, but he went so much deeper and made us feel for her and relate to her and that scene really made me fall in love with her character. OMG, yes! So good. When she says the line: "Giles, I'm sixteen years old. I don't wanna die", it just kills me every time. Perfect delivery. So much emotion before and then she's just so . . . calmly saying it. Saying what anyone would say. |
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Post by Lola m on May 2, 2007 13:00:50 GMT -5
Other things that struck me on my most recent FX re-watch.
I forgot how funny the Master could be. When he's all ranting about the earthquake "my time has come" and "glory, glory" and so on and then just turns to the Annoying One and says "Wadda ya think? 5.1?" ;D
There's lots of fun throwaway bits in here. Like when Giles is telling Buffy he won't let her go to fight the Master and is all "Do what I say!! . . . Alright?"
And the zombie walking vamps. Man, everytime I watch this ep, I notice them more and more. I'm always thinking, why so slow, dudes? Are they all tranced out? 'Cuz once Cordy zooms up and drives into the school (everyone's fave fantasy, well, other than blowing the school up like they get to do later) then the vamps are running at them. What fun to have been the extra playing the vamp who gets to do the cool Starsky and Hutch slide across Cordy's car hood. ;D
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