Buffy the Vampire Slayer Talk || Season 3 Q&A

Right now Alley’s using the slayalive guide: http://slayalive.com/showthread.php/3924-The-Buffy-Angel-watching-guide

Shashank

What is your watch order strategy for Buffy and Angel? Has someone mapped it out for you? Alternating by air date? (Mostly) continuous stretches within each show?

Dee Aitch

Love your reactions, best Buffy reactions around, think it would be intressting both for us and yourself to go back and watch your own reactions after you are done with season 7 :P

Leonard Ledung

i think she will like sp**** and ti***** and i dont think she will like br****

Sophia Connolly

i am so excited for you to get to seasons 5,6, and 7 they are absolutely my favorites, they have a much older tone as well. season 4 is definitely the weakest season in my opinion, but it does have some of the best episodes! this is just a theory i have for what ships you will like in the future (just for people who have already seen it, so alley please dont read past here

Sophia Connolly

I thought your comments about how cohesive Buffy feels (especially as opposed to Supernatural) were really on point. I always find it interesting listening to the Buffy writers in interviews (some good ones on Slayerfest 98 for instance) and how much they emphasize that Joss had ultimate control over pretty much every part of the story. Obviously, it was still a collaboration, but from the way people like Jane Espenson tell it the process seemed very centralized (which clearly worked).

Emma Ash

Refresh gang

steven kunhardt

Refresh Gang👀🔄

Taylor Richburg

REFRESH GANG

TaraFromTerra

Is it too soon for refresh gang?

Dollface

Took me a little while to watch this but it was fun to do, and by golly am I jazzed up for Buffy/Angel.

Koz

Nightwish too :)

Stewart Denew

A full course meal right here. Loved this. Y’know, beside THE ZEPPO slander :p

Blain H Granado

idk, even hinting like this is a spoiler. we shouldnt even alude to anything outside whats been watched

Mike Sharp

Ryan

Lol, this was fun - I don't have discord, so this was like being able to whisper without Alley hearing - thank you guys - that being said we probably shouldn't turn his into a habit, it's way too tempting and it'll likey turn the comment section into a lengthy chain of gibberish if we continue..

Ashtara Levin

Btw you're the first one I've ever joined on Patreon because I just couldn't wait for the rest of your season three reactions 😅 I love this season so much! ❤️ I'm really excited to see what you think of Angel !🤩

N.orgen

Liked the format! First one I got through. The others I stopped because I didn't need a run through of the season we've already watched.

N.orgen

Within Temptation is also good, if she finds that she likes Evanescence.

Lee Wilcock

"Buffy and Faith are kinda like sisters basically" haha crushed my lil shipper heart there for a second

iagas

I approve of the more casual approach to this wrap-up. When the entire series is complete, would be a good time to go back over season by season.

Eric Haefele

If you like Paramore, you should try Evanescence and Halestorm. :)

Shaun Stacy

I can't wait to see how your thoughts develop throughout the series! Love your commentary! 🥰🥰

BOO

"even if so that would eliminate the animosity of being able blame things on Buffy and the others. " You really think that? I don't. I think that, had she accepted, then it would have been resentment of having to take the largesse of rich friends. (And yes, I was speaking internally--as in this is the way the characters likely would have behaved, not how the script had to work.) Faith may couch her resentments as "I was hard done by," but I think the underlying problem is envy, and envy is not cured by charity.

FernWithy

For the record, my favorite Alley moment from Season 3 was Lover's Walk. All reaction watchers love the moment in Buffy when Joss decides he's going to use his well earned reputation for killing off characters to trick viewers into thinking he had just killed Cordelia. We all fell for it the first time and I mean ALL OF US. It's such a well executed moment from Cordy losing consciousness to the cemetery funeral to Buffy and Willow walking and talking and Alley fell for it in such a completely adorable way. This was easily my favorite moment from watching her react in Season 3, but I also want to mention my other favorite moments, Silent Alley. Some of my favorite moments are the moments when she goes silent, when the show is so good that really there's nothing to say and you're just watching someone lost in the moment watching an amazing show. I used to wonder what future generations would think of Buffy, watching Alley fall silent at certain moments tells me all I need to know. The show is special and it transcends generations. Thank you Alley for allowing us to share these moments with you.

Michael Roach

Because the common perception is "If only Buffy had......." Well Buffy's not real. Buffy didn't because that's the way it was written. That's where we get the difference between "If the characters had" and "If the show had". "Buffy could have done this to avoid that" is a good point. Because we are talking about character actions and what they could/should do. Saying "The show could have done this to avoid that" since the purpose of the show is the storyline, saying the show could have done that to avoid that, is saying a storyline should be different rather than a character should have acted different (in the concept of analyzing a character as a real person).

Loves Bitca

"If a home had been offered it would have been refused", even if so that would eliminate the animosity of being able blame things on Buffy and the others. "Faith refuses to believe that she can put her trust in Buffy". And that won't fly if we get rid of all the ways we see them not being inclusive of Faith. There is a clear case of Faith feeling abandoned and let down by pretty much all of the group and blaming them for a lot. If it were offered, but turned down we don't have that. Some backing up of this would be spoilery, so I'll try to remember to rebring it up when we get there. It's like the fact that Angel started to get through to Faith before Wesley and the council goons ruined it. But if he hadn't broken things then, then we wouldn't be able to have bad Faith. We could have avoided that if they didn't write it that Wesley did that. It's different to say that the characters could have done something to avoid something, but when we say they show could have we have to acknowledge that then we wouldn't have the great storylines. Buffy (and/or the others) should have done something, but for the SHOW to do it eliminates a storyline, or at least a plausible one.

Loves Bitca

I'm not actually sure we *were* supposed to think that it was Buffy's fault. I think that's a common perception, but I don't think it's necessarily one that was intended. Faith kept herself separate. In early episodes, Buffy was worried about her keeping to herself, and I think we were supposed to get the impression that they were friends and it was the betrayal of Mrs. Post that got things started. There's also the class element, where Faith is obviously in a different socioeconomic class than the others, and most important, her unrestrained emotions versus Buffy's more buttoned-up approach. At the end of "Revelations," Buffy explicitly says, "You can trust me," and Faith refuses to believe it. If a home had been offered, it certainly would have been refused, and the offer almost certainly would have been seen as an insult. (I mean, come on--as a, um, not rich person, I would certainly take it as an insult if a well-to-do friend thought I needed to be "saved," and Faith operates on an inflated sense of pride much more pronounced than my own.) So I think the plot would have proceeded in more or less the same way no matter what Buffy did, because the envy was about the fact that Buffy had these things in the first place, not that she didn't share them.

FernWithy

Yeah, especially the way the council works and acts.

Loves Bitca

"the show could have avoided the "they all ignored Faith" issue" But then we wouldn't have bad Faith, or her turning bad wouldn't have made sense. I believe they purposely wrote all this stuff as an indicator of part of WHY she can go dark and turn on them. The characters don't say it, but the point is that WE are supposed to pick up on this. So if the SHOW would have avoided it, then we wouldn't have this great storyline.

Loves Bitca

I like the Q&A format!

Maren Ayres

I'm glad to hear someone appreciate "Anne"--it's not disliked or anything, but it's one of my favorite episodes, because it's really ambitious and more or less succeeds at those ambitions. I love Lily becoming Anne, giving the same stepping stone to the girls--it was a step down for Buffy, but it's a step up for Lily/Anne, as she chooses the identity for herself for the first time. I think the show could have avoided the "they all ignored Faith" issue just by having an invitation that she declined. "Hey, Faith, look, we have an extra room at my house..."/"Hell, no, I got my own thing going on." Totally would have been in character. (It would have been weird with Giles, since he's a single guy who lives alone in what looks like a one-bedroom apartment, but the Summers place is big.) Because support isn't just a question of it being offered, but of it being accepted, and I think Faith would have a hard time accepting it, given her history.

FernWithy

I'm on the "meh" train, too. I get it, and I want to appreciate it more, but really, the only moment that lands for me comedically is when he walks in the choice Bangel speak and the music stops while they stare at him, confused, then just pick up as if he were never there. The rest of it? I just didn't care that much, and the b plot was exactly as silly as it looked in the parody of itself. I don't think it's the Xander thing; I like him, and I just don't care about this episode. I think it's just the episode itself. It came off as kind of contrived.

FernWithy

Great job Alley. Thank you so much for doing this for us.

Luke

I don't think you're wrong. Once you get fired from a job, they don't want to have anything to do with you so I think he's completely out of the loop.

matt

I feel you, man! I remember taking a lot of grief at work because I loved Buffy, and I would constantly tell people not to talk any shit until they've actually sat down and watched an episode. I didn't even know about internet fandoms back then, and I always felt like I was the only person in the world who dug this show.

matt

100% agree! Please don't feel like you have to edit your opinions.

matt

Oooof im so hyped for you to experience whats coming up.

Vincent Valentin

This was a perfect way to do the wrap-up! Thanks for putting in all that effort. I'm excited for what's coming next, especially since I never finished Angel! I'm gonna start watching it soon to keep ahead of you.

Hilde Olaussen

I'm exactly the same with The Zeppo. I see what they were doing, but for some reason it's all a bit "meh" to me. I feel the same about Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered, so for me it might just be that I don't connect with Xander that much. Maybe it's the same for Alley.

Hilde Olaussen

Oh I remember rot13! So cool. Let me try one. It's about S4.: Cbbe Nyyrl, fur vf tbvat gb or pehfurq jvgu gur Bm/Jvyybj oernx-hc

Val

Great Q&A. I'm with you on Angelus and S2 are the tops :D But S3 comes a very close second. I think it's the emotions in S2, even though I know S3 is more consistent and I love some of the episodes. I can't wait for S4 :D PS DO NOT WATCH THE ANGEL INTRO!

R J Walker (FumblesMcStupid)

Thanks for the hard work on this Q & A, just remember the end of next season(s) Q & A will have twice the shows, twice the questions and twice the work. Good luck.

Eric Bushee

I feel like there has been fanfics where instead of Buffy going to read Angel's mind, she goes to try and read Faith's to understand why. I think that was have been a big impactful decision to have done.... I think there was only one writer who intentionally wrote Fuffy subtext and it's the one who did "Bad Girls". He did the commentary on it and he spoke especially about the classroom scene where Faith pops up and draws a heart on the window for Buffy and Buffy follows. He said he was inspired by the same exact thing happened in his high school class, except the girls weren't. So I do think it Eliza definitely played it up a bit, but some of the writers were aware of what they were doing (Faith telling Angel he was keep Buffy warm for him, Faith originally written to kiss Buffy on the lips instead of forehead, ect), even if Joss wasn't. Also there's A LOT of Buffy/Faith fanfics in general and still creating new ones almost daily, so it's probably one of the biggest non-canon ships, if not the biggest in Buffyverse... I don't think there's any contact between Giles and the council. Remember Wesley told Giles that he didn't tell them that they were working together as the council wouldn't be happy about it. So I assume Giles had been cut off completely. I could be wrong lol...

Ash Lee Can

I have to admit I was sort of hoping you'd warmed to Xander more after 'The Prom' and his refusal to leave with Anya even though he was absolutely certain he was going to die. I mean I get why he's still your least fave, but you know hopes (he's my second favourite after Buffy herself.)

Ross Nolan

Great q&a! So ready for next week!

Paul Komoroski

Just have to say. Love the GIF.

Lee Wilcock

Lol someone was fishing for their ship with one of those questions. Anyway I'm super excited for the Angel and Buffy S4 reactions! yes this format is fine I enjoyed it!

Ana

WHoo1 So excited for this! also 90 mins? YES! gunna be good, not that I judge on length or anything...

HuntingSwan

I thought this was a great way to do the recap. Fantastic look back at your journey so far, and ahead into the unknown. I can’t wait to continue onward with you!

Superplin

Lol - this may actually be the first time I’ve used it myself :P.

Kirsten (Heavenli24)

Great wrap up, Alley. We are all excited for you to get into S4 and Angel (I guess, lol).

Chas Summers

This is so quaint - i've not seen rot13 used in years

Dave Ford

Just replying to say ditto with the Angel credits! Don't watch it for the first episode!

OliveJus

I'm about 15 mins in where you are talking about buffy inspring other movies/tv shows. There was a movie released this year ( i won't say the name of it) and i looked on youtube for a movie review of that movie. Everyone in the comments were like, isn't this movie a plot from buffy? and then comment section ended up turning into multiple discussion of buffy lol ppl were talking about their fav episodes, characters, etc lol

Justafox305

"what the f$&# did I watch?" Gold!

Superfan Giovanni

:D thats it....... that is my response.

Isac christensen

Indeed, its just an opinion and everyone has one, Would be boring if everyone loved the same things

Jon Dub

Thank you for your sacrifice. Perhaps having hot tea with honey and lemon for the Season 4 review will save your vocal cords a little bit. You are far from alone in your non-love of the Zeppo, it is very much a "love it or meh" episode. For me it was one I really didn't like at first, and now, well I still don't like it but I respect it. It was very well done, with all kinds of meaning, but it still isn't one I look forward to the re-watches of. (It is even one I sometimes skip when I watch other reactors who I don't like as well as I do you.)

David Neal

The first season of Buffy was only half a season, so the 2.5 seasons of Buffy can be an apt comparison to the first 2.5 seasons of Supernatural.

Kenny Teeology

That was so good. Thanks for taking the time to put that together.

Lostmyshoe22

Great video. I enjoyed that. I just wanted to say that I don’t think Buffy is the kind of fandom that gets upset when people have different opinions and preferences, although there are some rabid exceptions. Personally there are some in show relationships that are very popular with the fandom that I can’t stand but I’ve never really had a problems expressing my opinions. I think on the whole we like opinions. That’s what reacting is all about.

Paul Thomas-Humphreys

Good call on straight Q&A instead of just rehashing what you've already said. Enjoyed your predictions & as someone who's already watched through the series... well, no spoilers so let's just say "hmmm, interesting" :) I will say that as you continue Buffy & start watching Angel too you're almost certainly going to enjoy some episodes & characters, dislike others, be yelling "oh, **** you!" at various times & with different emotional responses.. so much the same as what you've experienced so far. And completely different too.

Stewart Denew

I approve of your music taste

Johnny Coleman

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Kirsten (Heavenli24)

"And yes, The Vampire Diaries copied/plagiarised a ton of scenes and plots from Buffy... and they didn't even try to change them enough to set them apart from the original!" What examples do you have in mind? You could use rot13 so the spoiler is hidden: https://rot13.com/ Gur bayl rknzcyrf V pna guvax bss-unaq ner: - Natry naq Fgrsna obgu orvat va n pbssva haqrejngre. - Bu ab, Fcvxr naq Qnzba jrer xvyyvat crbcyr nyy gur juvyr! - Naq gung'f cerggl zhpu vg. V'z fher V'z sbetrggvat fbzr boivbhf rknzcyrf.

Bodertz

I'm only about 20 minutes in so far, but I had to comment regarding the similarities between Angel's curse and Cas's Empty deal... when Cas talked about his moment of perfect happiness in 15x18, I was like, 'This is SPN, not Buffy, right? Have I watched so many Buffy reactions lately that I've somehow merged the 2 shows in my head?". And yes, The Vampire Diaries copied/plagiarised a ton of scenes and plots from Buffy... and they didn't even try to change them enough to set them apart from the original! As a Buffy fan since the 90's, I find it really jarring when other shows really obviously rip off Buffy.

Kirsten (Heavenli24)

Oh yayy! I didn't expect this till the weekend, what a nice surprise. I loved this new format, I agree with you - it sometimes takes years multiple rewatches to mull over an episode and notice everything so that you actually change your opinion or can bring something more than you already did the first time - and the show does such a good job at bringing stuff to the forefront when it wants to say something - that you don't normally miss much. Jumping between the topics was so engaging and I really enjoyed going over these questions with you, and it's not like this is set in stone - this is your "show" if you feel like posting an update video two months from now about this season - no one's stopping ya.. ;-) You are so fun to watch (stop apologizing! you are doing a wonderful job!) and I can't wait for next season(s)!!

Ashtara Levin

The only way you can piss off buffy fans is if you are not paying attention to what is happening on the show. There is nothing more frustrating than watching a reactor fiddling with their phone most of the time and then complain that they do not understand why something is happening in any given episode. I mean, I understand sometimes someone cannot pick up on some plot nuances when they first watch a show, I've done the same thing, but if it's because the reactor just is not paying attention, that's different. In other words, you have done a superb job in your reactions, genuine and interested is the best type of reactor

TheyCallMeJeff

In regard to the writing staff, the best decision was dropping Rob DesHotel and Dean Batali before the start of Season 3.

TheyCallMeJeff

Very much enjoyed the format you chose. It allowed you to express yourself in a more natural way. Near the end you mentioned how different it would have been watching the show as a lived experience as opposed to 20 years later. The vast majority of the fans that watched the show as it aired were living in a very different world, a much more disconnected one. The internet as a social experience was less than a skeleton of what it has become, and much of the fandom didn't even communicate with anyone outside of our friends groups about the show until the last few seasons, and even then it was long before memes were anything other than the title given to the idea of a "Thought Virus". There were pockets of the early fandom that did communicate or have meetups, but it was very rare in comparison to the size of the audience. Also, as a male, I was discouraged from watching the show by most of my peers. It was seen as a female teen drama, and the title was often used as a joke, even by the media at the time. Amazing how things change in such a short time. I'm 47, was in my mid to late 20's when it was airing, and grew up in a lower middle class, midwestern home that didn't have a color TV until I was 7 or more than 5 channels till I was in my teens. So many modern shows have a HUGE problem now, incorporating modern communication tech that they just say, F it, lets set the show in the past. Buffy and Angel aired when these changes were happening, and as you watch the rest of the series you'll see it's incorporation and how the writers dealt with it, which I think is brilliant looking back at it now. Have fun with season 4 and season 1 of Angel, and if no one has mentioned it, Listen to the credits for Angel Episode 1(Beautiful theme song by Darling Violetta), but don't watch them until episode 2 as it contains a BIG spoiler. Peace be with you.

Matthew Garrison-Perkins

As much as the edited clips in the s2 review were cool, I mostly care about hearing your reflections on the season, so a Q and A format is great. Hyped for the rest of the journey!

Shashank

Just so you know, we do appreciate your opinion even if they aren't the ones we hold. Don't ever feel like you can't say you dislike an episode or story arc!

Henry McFadyen

I like this format! And I'm excited to get into the new episodes! 🎉

Miranda

I really liked this wrap up style.

aeronitz

Perfect timing! I just finished my assignment, excited to watch!

Anthony C.

Ah, here’s a nice surprise!

Koz

Awesome timing!

Superfan Giovanni