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Post by William the Bloody on Dec 30, 2003 2:40:03 GMT -5
Written by Jane Epenson
Directed by Michael Lange
Air date: 11/23/99
Warned that Buffy may be in great danger, Angel returns to Sunnydale just as the spirit of a Chumash warrior rises to avenge the death of his people.
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Post by Michelle on Jul 30, 2006 7:45:27 GMT -5
We continue our countdown of the 2006 Sizzlin’  Episode Festival! Buffy : You know what? I should have my own Thanksgiving. I can cook the meal, just like my mom does, have all you guys over. It'll be great. Willow : Buffy, earlier you agreed with me about Thanksgiving. It's a sham. It's all about death. Buffy : It is a sham, but it's a sham with yams. It's a yam sham. Willow : You're not gonna jokey-rhyme your way out of this one. Buffy : I know... But I want it. It's like Professor Walsh was saying about sense memory. I smell a roasting turkey, and I'm 8 years old. I liked having that to look forward to. Everything's different now. Willow : Well, I suppose there could be slight yams. "Hey, can we come rocketing back to the part about me and my new syphilis?" [/b] That’s right, we’re discussing a big fan favorite, Pangs! Written by Jane Espenson, this episode is positively quip-tastic. Discusss some of your favorite lines! Laugh at the slapstick! Take the BBC Entertainment Cult Homepage quiz for “Pangs” here and see how well you do! Ponder some of the deeper underlying themes: the true meaning of family, the melding of different cultures, and the use of cheesy publicity stunts to boost ratings.  You can read the transcript here. Oh, oh! And read Spring's very astute analysis here! |
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Post by Queen E on Jul 30, 2006 20:07:04 GMT -5
I always thought how interesting it was that the crossover between Buffy and Angel really was a three-episode arc: "The Bachelor Party" provided the vision, Angel went to Sunnydale in "Pangs," and Buffy went to LA in "I Will Remember You."
On a purely practical note, it was, as far as cross-promotion goes, very well orchestrated...
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Post by leftylady on Jul 31, 2006 19:17:11 GMT -5
I posted this on the "I Will Remember You" thread, but it fits here too: Ah, ain’t love grand? And the choices we make in love. It’s so coincidentally handy that we have both “IWRY” and “Pangs” together for our Episode Festival, for they both so speak to love, Buffy and Angel and the never to be. In Pangs we find Buffy in full-maternal mode gathering her family in the ritual of love and thankfulness, but who’s there but not there? Angel. Outside, in the dark, walking away yet again. By his own choice, excluding Buffy from the decision. But who’s inside, at the table, invited though not entirely welcome – Spike!! Then I Will Remember You, a chance for love without impediments, and Angel gives it all away. Again by his own choice, excluding Buffy from the decision. Angel never learns. We really should think of Something Blue with this, since it followed right after Pangs/IWRY. Buffy and Spike choosing to express their love. Yes, choosing. Willow’s spell only specified marriage. The results of lovey-dovey, kissy-face? Where did that come from if not somewhere inside them? Angel, hanging around, choosing to be alone again. And Buffy choosing to move on? She’s flirting with Riley, but where’s the fire? We know who’s got the spark. I love the richness in going back on these old episodes. |
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Post by Onjel on Jul 31, 2006 20:00:34 GMT -5
I always thought how interesting it was that the crossover between Buffy and Angel really was a three-episode arc: "The Bachelor Party" provided the vision, Angel went to Sunnydale in "Pangs," and Buffy went to LA in "I Will Remember You." On a purely practical note, it was, as far as cross-promotion goes, very well orchestrated... Oh, definitely. Masterful, actually. How he interwove the storylines, to show us an essential step in Buffy's maturation, which is what I think her break from Angel really was, whether or not it was orchestrated by him. He didn't take away the day for her growth, but because he figured the world needed both of them to fight evil and of course, he couldn't bear the thought of her dying. Never mind that she, being human, is destined to die whether he likes it or not.  Oh, I'm rambling here too!  |
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Post by Karen on Aug 2, 2006 16:12:43 GMT -5
Copying over from the Festival Thread, I said: Aaaaack! I only got 70% correct. I am so ashamed, especially since 'Pangs' is my all around favorite Buffy episode.  Jane Espenson rocks! There are so many quotable quips from Pangs. So much funny! "You made a bear!" And I love the scene near the beginning:
Anya : (Inscensed.) What's she doing? Xander said he was going to dig. I want to see Xander dig.
Buffy : That's part's just ceremonial.
Anya : Well, it bites. She's not rippling at all. Oh. Look, there he goes. (We see Xander begin digging in earnest. She sighs.) Look at him.
Willow : Very...Diggy.
Anya : Soon he'll be sweating. I'm imagining having sex with him again.
Buffy : Imaginary Xander is quite the machine.  Interesting how we hear about the Anya/Xander sex and then he gets the funny syphillis. Fantastic announcement post, Fotada. Love it! |
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Post by Karen on Aug 2, 2006 16:29:02 GMT -5
I always thought how interesting it was that the crossover between Buffy and Angel really was a three-episode arc: "The Bachelor Party" provided the vision, Angel went to Sunnydale in "Pangs," and Buffy went to LA in "I Will Remember You." On a purely practical note, it was, as far as cross-promotion goes, very well orchestrated... I'm assuming that was entirely accidental. The S'cubies are just naturally awesome. Love the 3ep arc comment. It all flowed so nice. Too bad they couldn't have kept both shows on the WB for more crossovers. I liked them. |
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Post by SpringSummers on Aug 2, 2006 17:41:37 GMT -5
I always thought how interesting it was that the crossover between Buffy and Angel really was a three-episode arc: "The Bachelor Party" provided the vision, Angel went to Sunnydale in "Pangs," and Buffy went to LA in "I Will Remember You." On a purely practical note, it was, as far as cross-promotion goes, very well orchestrated... You really need to add "Something Blue" in that list of related eps too - Buffy goes from having a "special day" with Angel (and his cookie dough), a day that she desperately wants to remember, but can't, no matter how hard she tries . . . to having a "special day" with Spike (and his newly baked chocolate chip cookies), a day that she desperately wants to forget but has a hard time forgetting (she even mentions the possible need for a "forgetting spell"). I love "Pangs!" |
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Post by Karen on Aug 2, 2006 19:44:54 GMT -5
I always thought how interesting it was that the crossover between Buffy and Angel really was a three-episode arc: "The Bachelor Party" provided the vision, Angel went to Sunnydale in "Pangs," and Buffy went to LA in "I Will Remember You." On a purely practical note, it was, as far as cross-promotion goes, very well orchestrated... You really need to add "Something Blue" in that list of related eps too - Buffy goes from having a "special day" with Angel (and his cookie dough), a day that she desperately wants to remember, but can't, no matter how hard she tries . . . to having a "special day" with Spike (and his newly baked chocolate chip cookies), a day that she desperately wants to forget but has a hard time forgetting (she even mentions the possible need for a "forgetting spell"). I love "Pangs!" Oh, yes! Got to love the continuity. |
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Post by Michelle on Aug 2, 2006 19:57:48 GMT -5
Spring, I'm so glad you mentioned "Something Blue" as part of the arc. I agree 100%! Here are some things I noticed as I watched "Pangs": When we feel vulnerable we turn to what makes us feel safe.- Feeling vulnerable without her mom around, Buffy looks to the comfort of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. She turns to her father figure Giles as a substitute to co-host the gathering.
- Willow, thinking of her recent breakup with Oz, agrees with Buffy that it’s a good time for comfort food.
- Xander becomes deathly ill, and for the first time refers to Anya as his girlfriend.
- Spike, recently chipped, hunted by the Initiative, and rejected by Harmony, turns to the Scoobies. He feels safe with them because they’re the stalwart goody good guys.
What gives us comfort can also bring us misery. We look to our family in times of need, but they are also often the cause of our stress. - We must put up with family member’s new significant others (Willow says, “Ooh! We can not invite Anya!” but Buffy points out that she’s part of the Xander package)
- And we struggle to tolerate our family’s differing view points. The square off between Giles and Willow is a classic case of a family disagreement over politics. (Willow again: “I happen to think mine is the level head, and yours is the one things would roll off of!”) Ironically, Buffy the slayer of demons is the one most bothered by the fighting.
- Sometimes family members let us down. Giles doesn’t have a ricer; Willow brought frozen instead of fresh peas; Xander arrives at the festivities chock full of germs, but without any rolls.
- We say things in front of our family that we later regret. Xander does it twice: first he sticks his foot in his mouth in front of Anya (“You don’t talk to vengeance demons, you kill them!”) and later lets it slip that Angel was in town.
But through it all, our family is there for us.Buffy : Wasn't exactly a perfect thanksgiving.
Xander : I don't know. Seemed kinda right to me. A bunch of anticipation, a big fight, and now we're all sleepy.
Giles: And we did all survive.
Buffy : I guess that much is true. First Thanksgiving on my own, and we all got through it. Aah...now I'm feeling comforted. Love this episode! |
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Post by SpringSummers on Aug 2, 2006 20:56:31 GMT -5
Spring, I'm so glad you mentioned "Something Blue" as part of the arc. I agree 100%! Here are some things I noticed as I watched "Pangs": When we feel vulnerable we turn to what makes us feel safe.- Feeling vulnerable without her mom around, Buffy looks to the comfort of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. She turns to her father figure Giles as a substitute to co-host the gathering.
- Willow, thinking of her recent breakup with Oz, agrees with Buffy that it’s a good time for comfort food.
- Xander becomes deathly ill, and for the first time refers to Anya as his girlfriend.
- Spike, recently chipped, hunted by the Initiative, and rejected by Harmony, turns to the Scoobies. He feels safe with them because they’re the stalwart goody good guys.
Nice observations Fotada - and they fit very well with the overall theme of people needing a place to belong . . . of invaders who take that place away, who themselves are looking for a place to belong . . . the overall challenge of sharing the earth and its resources, of the need to be goody-good guys, but the need also, to look out for number one . . . It really is a wonderful episode. Great insights all around - and I definitely agree with them. Thanks for sharing them. |
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Post by Anne, Old S'cubie Cat on Aug 2, 2006 21:57:19 GMT -5
Good comments, Fotada. "Pangs" is one of my favorite episodes, and this is part of why I love it - the sense of family, good or bad.
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Post by Michelle on Aug 3, 2006 8:29:09 GMT -5
Good comments, Fotada. "Pangs" is one of my favorite episodes, and this is part of why I love it - the sense of family, good or bad. I have to say, I was thinking of you and your recent family issues when I wrote my comments! I'm so glad you liked them. |
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Post by Michelle on Aug 3, 2006 8:32:58 GMT -5
Spring, I'm so glad you mentioned "Something Blue" as part of the arc. I agree 100%! Here are some things I noticed as I watched "Pangs": When we feel vulnerable we turn to what makes us feel safe.- Feeling vulnerable without her mom around, Buffy looks to the comfort of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. She turns to her father figure Giles as a substitute to co-host the gathering.
- Willow, thinking of her recent breakup with Oz, agrees with Buffy that it’s a good time for comfort food.
- Xander becomes deathly ill, and for the first time refers to Anya as his girlfriend.
- Spike, recently chipped, hunted by the Initiative, and rejected by Harmony, turns to the Scoobies. He feels safe with them because they’re the stalwart goody good guys.
Nice observations Fotada - and they fit very well with the overall theme of people needing a place to belong . . . of invaders who take that place away, who themselves are looking for a place to belong . . . the overall challenge of sharing the earth and its resources, of the need to be goody-good guys, but the need also, to look out for number one . . . Thanks, Spring! It means a lot to me that you commented. I really loved your Spikecentricity analysis! I watched the episode and would think of a comment to make, and then remember "Oh yeah, Spring already said that." That happened more than once. |
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Post by leftylady on Aug 3, 2006 11:32:52 GMT -5
Spring, thanks for mentioning the Pangs-IWRY-Something Blue connections. I had started some ideas on that on the IWRY thread. Yes the 3 connect so well.
Another thing in common:
**in Pangs Angel shows up to protect Buffy (from the shadows but still trying to protect)
**in IWRY Angel gives up everything because he cannot protect Buffy as a mortal
**in Something Blue we have Spike, for the one and only time, voicing his concerns about protecting Buffy (in the crypt during the demon onslaught)
Of course Spike is being chauvinistic under a spell, while Angel is just being Angel.
I love how everything connects in the whedonverse!
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