Buffy the Vampire Slayer || 3x20 || Full Reaction ☂️

AW I wanted to rewatch this one but it's gone qq

TaraFromTerra

Where is Buffy the Covid slayer when you need her? lol

Greg Davis (YT-nobody you need to know)

I've watched "The Prom" (S3E20) easily more than a dozen times and every time I watch Jonathan's speech, here come the waterworks. ❤❤❤ Actually, I probably spend more time crying than not crying this episode.

Bulldog

And gosh, it makes me think of all my teen clients who have been so bummed that COVID has taken their homecomings and proms and will likely this year, too. (Sorry...last comment.) :o(

Sandy S.

Also your reaction to hellhounds made me think about the hellhounds on Supernatural and how diff they are. :o)

Sandy S.

I always cry in this episode...every time. And whenever "Wild Horses" comes on in anything, I always think about this episode. Thank you for your videos! It's refreshing to see your real time reactions.

Sandy S.

it's left tragically unsaid too :(

matt bassil

my favourite episode is in season 3 as well, but most of my top 5 is yet to come. I still think 3 is the most consistently great season, but you have some v high highs left to see.

matt bassil

I love this episode. The end of season three kind of feels like a finale to an era (probably my favourite era) of the show. Also that breakup was the first time Buffy made me cry. Btw your point about Angel picking a bad time- he didn't actually want to do it then. Buffy sensed something was up and told him to spill the beans.

matt bassil

I cry every time I rewatch that Class Protector scene. BEAUTIFUL, FULFILLING, VALIDATING. Watch this again in 3 years and just cry.

RubyDian

I always cry in this episode. I cry at the sewer breakup (even though I’ve not been a bangel shipper since my early teens lol), I cry as Buffy collapses on Willow’s lap, and I cry as Jonathan takes the stage to give the award... Buffy finally gets the perfect high school moment, she was there, she was recognised... and Jonathan opening with “we’re not good friends...” as a callback to their convo in the tower when buffy stops him hurting himself is just... perfect. The prom scenes are some of my fav in the series too!

Holi117

Tim, OMG. Ignore my above response to your comment completely. I misread what you said. Jesus, I haz the dumb really bad today. Never mind, carry on. LOL Although, I still am not bothered by Wesley and Cordy, even though I get what you're saying.

Raven Dark

I think you might be referring to a different comment than I was. I deleted my comment (so that it couldn't be misinterpreted as being spoilery) so I can't see my comments or the replies now. Which means I'm not able to reply to that part of your comment here properly. But, I dunno, the idea of the two of them together just never bothered me. Maybe it should, but it just doesn't. *shrug* But as I said at some point in a comment on here, the fact that people have differing opinions about elements of this show is what makes it so great. Its why Buffy is still a hot topic 20 years later.

Raven Dark

That's true. In the same way, dogs who would be bred for dogfighting wouldn't exist if people didn't breed them, and the bulls bred to be killed by a matador would not exist either. Forcing existence upon these animals is cruel. There is no pain in nonexistence. I share the sense of sadness I imagine you feel knowing that the dodos are extinct, but that's just me thinking about it the wrong way. The dodos who don't exist aren't sad. They aren't anything. There is not a single dodo bird on the planet who is in pain. There are *billions* of chickens suffering right now. They matter. As a species, chickens are doing wonderfully. They've never been more successful. But not a single chicken knows that. Not a single chicken cares. Species is a just a category. It's the individuals in that category who matter. The dodos are lucky they aren't living as chickens are. It would have been better if these pigs had not been born: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVR7NjnMkIc

Bodertz

matt said "Honestly, a 23-24 year old dating an 18 year old just doesn't bother me." I used to be a common rule that to get appropriate dating ages you take the age of the male, divide by 2 and then add 7 to get the minimum age of the female. So if Wesley was 24 we halve it to get 12 then add 7 to get 19. Cordy at 18 is too young for him.

Tim St. Croix

Sorry, but I have to interject here. If, suddenly, everyone stopped eating beef and using other products that come from cows there would be no reason for those cows to even exist. Most (maybe all) cows are alive for a specific reason. They don't exist naturally having been bred for human use. Humans are actually a necessary part of their reproduction cycle through artificial insemination. I don't even know if it's possible for modern cows to even survive in the wild. I believe there are still herds of forerunner cows still in existence but I'm not sure if they can even interbreed with modern breeds. So, if we didn't use cows for food and other products their numbers would be reduced to only a few hundred specimens in zoos. By making use of cows we give millions of them a life... even if it is a short one.

Tim St. Croix

Knew I should have bought that second pack of tissues.

Ged Kelly

me too friend....... me too

Isac christensen

Some of the best Buffy episodes are ones where the supernatural menace is the B-plot at most, and almost irrelevant.

John Kress

Haha so i've been told! Unfortunately had some spoilers along the way since i've decided to try and watch at the same time/pace as alley but i'm excited/intrigued to see how these plot points come to be!

Georgina Cussans

Not seen beyond season 4? You've certainly got some stuff to experience.

Dan

I half agree with you: Wild Horses is a masterpiece - but I don't love the cover they used.

Nick Earl

That was a great reaction to a great episode. As almost everyone has mentioned, I always cry during the class protector scene. That moment is so well earned. They've been building up to that moment over the course of three seasons. Brilliant show running and writing. I also cry during the Willow and Buffy scene, when Buffy says: "Right now, I'm just trying to keep from dying." Gets me every time. "Men are evil. Will you go with me?" "For God's sake, man, she's eighteen. And you have the emotional maturity of a blueberry scone. Just have at it, would you? And stop fluttering about." I absolutely LOVED your analysis of the direction and camera angles used during the break up scene. Keep doing that, I love that shit. I can't believe that we only have two episodes left of season three and only one episode left of Supernatural. Looking forward to those reactions.

Kirby

Only about a hundred times.

Kirby

Yes. Yes. I love Xander. He's awesome.

Kirby

We have agreeance.

Kirby

Eh, if that's in regards to Cordelia, While we know he is taken with her, Wesley has not been seen spending an inordinate amount of time around her.

Loves Bitca

Absolutely loved your reaction and analysis. I love this episode due to the break up scene and the class protector award scenes. That award is so unexpected on us and it is perfect! It was such a brilliant idea and seeing things come together, even for one moment for Buffy, before the finale is such an emotional catharsis! Cannot wait for your finale double reaction!

Phoenix Dawn

You were so hyper at the start, it's infectious. And of course it helps that this is a good episode. It's no secret that I'm not a Bangel fan and this episode has quite a lot of it. But it also has the class protector award, which is just a gorgeous scene. Joyce just showing up at Angel's place feels a bit out of place to me. I see why they did it, but it's odd. Gracie got angry when you started talking about the class protector scene. What's that all about?

zerofk

The vast, vast majority are factory farmed. If they lived a good life, it's all the more sad it was robbed from them. A dog who loves her life deserves more than to have her head cut off because someone wants to eat her, and the same is true of the cows whose deaths I am culpable for.

Bodertz

It doesn't help that the first question everyone asks a reactor when they start Buffy is "Are you going to react to Angel?"

matt

:D So true, one of my fav moments

R J Walker (FumblesMcStupid)

Wow, I had forgotten how emotionally devastating and eventually cathartic this episode was. One thing I never did forget though is that split second villain origin story flashback. Rejection is a powerful motivator lmao

Blain H Granado

This might be my fave episode (not seen beyond season 4) Giles' reactions to everything this episode just kills me he makes my heart all mushy. Also when the hell hounds were chasing buffy then split, you saying "When ur in the bathroom and you hear your song come on" I DIED

Georgina Cussans

We got lucky in the UK and saw it in it's proper sequence. The emotional weight it added is pretty heavy.

Neil Carleton

Alley. I'm a cigarette smoking, Jack Daniels drinking 43 year old man and I'll freely admit that this episode (despite having seen it several times) makes me cry happy tears (including during this reaction). There's no reason you should feel bad about it. Don't go Blueberry Scone on us! ;-) It's one of the truly great Buffy moments.

Neil Carleton

There are a good few episodes that make me cry, you seem to be able to hold it together better than I do though lol

Nikolai5

Also, you may have been smooth before, but have you ever been "casually retrieving Buffy's parasol so her hands are free when she sees Angel before stepping out of frame" smooth?

Dan H

It's a fantastically cheese disco song. Therefore it is a terrible song that is absolutely perfect for a school dance.

Dave Ford

Why would you do that?

Dave Ford

Though Wesley would have been arrested by now.

Dave Ford

I must've seen this episode a dozen times and I'm sitting here weeping...once again.

Rae

Anyone else feel a little awkward listening to her before the ep speculating about all the light and plotty things they could do around it being set at the Prom? I'm sitting there like "no, they are just going to hurt you"

Dan H

Dude really?

Collinson

Agreed, sadly Giles doesn't get to dance with anyone :(

R J Walker (FumblesMcStupid)

Always get teared up when buffy gets the award. Though because I am not a Buffy /Angel fan I don't care for their scenes. Anya is a legend, enough said. So excited for graduation day 1 and 2, one of the best finalies.

Heather Macdonald

This is one of my favorite episodes in the show. SMG's great acting in the breakup and talk with willow, sassy/dad Giles, Class Protector (I don't think I will ever not cry at that scene). On the subject of Angel waiting til after the Prom, I think he may have been intending to but since he sucked at acting cool, Buffy caught on and forced it out of him early.

GrissilyBear

Really enjoyed this reaction. The Prom is not my favourite episode, it's good but it doesn't do a lot for me. The main scene that really gets me emotional is Buffy talking to Willow - "Right now I'm just trying to keep from dying" destroys me. Angel breaking up with her had to happen, and the Angel and Joyce scene was well done. The breakup is heartbreaking but also very well done. The prom is nice and it's great that her class gave her the award but for whatever reason, and I still don't know why, that moment just doesn't get me emotional. My reaction to Angel turning up at the end is the same as Ally's - doesn't move me emotionally but I'm happy that Buffy is happy. All up it's a good episode but just not one that is especially important to me. (Like I said, I'm well aware I'm in the minority here - from the comments I've read, I might be all alone in this opinion - so no need to come at me with reasons why I'm wrong.) The Graduation Day two-parter, on the other hand, I love. Can't wait to see Alley react to those episodes!

cheekyhobbit

I think this episode establishes that the class is aware of Buffy and thus would be aware that Giles is always around and clearly an important part of her life, so I don't think it'd be that weird for students to see them dance together.

cheekyhobbit

Buffy cries, I cry. The rule applies only to her, for me. SMG is incredible.

cheekyhobbit

It's a terrible song

cheekyhobbit

I really like Angel in that scene, too. Mature Angel is my favourite.

cheekyhobbit

Yes

cheekyhobbit

I mean, we don't know what their lives were like. Short, for sure, but maybe they were grass fed cattle that grew up on a nice farm...

cheekyhobbit

SMG was really crying and had to stop filming for 25 minutes in the breakup scene.

Magpie's Nest Productions

the guy playing snider was working on star trek ds9 at the same time he had to wear a tone of make up for that no idea how he did it.

Magpie's Nest Productions

I was going to say the same thing. And I could add to this comment but it would be a spoiler.

Vicky N

I also loved that it was Jonathan, because (I assume) he felt he wouldn't be there at all if it wasn't for buffy, in a very direct way and in a scene we explicitly saw. I dont know that there is another recurring character that could say that.

Tessa Grissom

In reality, Buffy spending so much time in the library and Giles hanging around her so much and taking an interest in her, like going to the hospital and dropping by her home, would have sent up a lot of red flags. Them dancing at the prom would have likely caused an investigation by that point. We know they got a sweet father daughter dynamic, but we saw that happening real time without the Slayer context, we'd all be a bit skeeved or worried.

Loves Bitca

Buffy: "I want my life to be with you" Angel: "I don't" Buffy: "You don't want to be with me?" That's not what he said.

Loves Bitca

Getting up the courage to ask her out may be all it took. I was basically Jonathan in High School, and didn't get confidence until I was out of high school. Over time since then catching up with high school people, I found out that during that time, there were 2 hot girls that were actually interested in me. One of whom had a friend of hers ask me if I was interested, but being a "Jonathon" I assumed it was a set up for mockery. Jonathon could have gotten up the courage to ask a girl out (Buffy said he looked like he was ready to ask her out) and it turned out she thought he was cute. Or she saw him rejected by some other girl and thought he was cute so asked him out herself.

Loves Bitca

When you said you want Snyder to be part of it, I just imagined Snyder actually being one of the Slayer gang, with Willow, Xander and them. "Summers, you drive like a spaz". You know since Cordy's kind of out of it now, I'm down for Snyder taking her spot.

Loves Bitca

You do know that Allyson Hannigan (Willow) and Alexis Denisof (Wesley) have been married for years, right? Someone has mentioned it already, haven't they?

Jeff Walker

How did you think Buffy and Angel were broken up then suddenly? lol

Steveo

Fun fact: The guy who played Tucker is the signing voice of the animated Aladdin. (Sorry if that was already mentioned I haven't read all the comments).

Corey

I always wondered if Angel having his own show isn't basically a spoiler that ruins his relationship with Buffy for reactors since now they are all expecting it to end and try to prepare for it.

Dove

Best thing about Tuesdays is coming home from work to a new Buffy reaction! And I don't know if you're aware or if it's an intentional choice, but Tuesday was the day Buffy was on when it was airing. So it feels quite appropriate. Thanks for the great content as always! Edit after watching: Wow Buffy getting the Class Protector award literally never fails to make me tear up

ModernArtery .

Hearing you talk about all of the things that you might see that would cause you to "lose your shit," all I could think of was: "Poor Alley, she's not going to have any shit left by the end of this episode." :-D

Bryce Carlson

Nobody mentioned an interesting "untold" story that seems to have happened with Jonathan. If y'all remember, back when Cordy first re-appeared at school after her impalement and Xander-breakup, Harmony mocked Cordy by tryng to set her up with Jonathan (the implication being that Jonathan was an undesireable dating option). More recently, we saw Jonathan suicidal and in trouble for bringing a rifle to school. So... the interesting "untold" story is how Jonathan went from that to showing up at prom with a spectacularly hot date!!! I guess we just have to imagine the answer to that for ourselves!

Mark Zima

SMG's acting/crying scene with Willow was so damn good!

Robin Gibbons

Alexis Denisof was born in 1966 so he would be about 33, and Charisma was born in 1970, so about 30. Only 4 years apart. It's funny how she and Alyson would flirt with him and then Alyson/Willow was the one to get him.

Koh_Kae

My 2nd favorite episode of the entire show.

Roy Ben-Ami

Walking casually between the corpses of innocent animals, he chuckles as he recounts the customer who buys their brains. I'm sorry cows. You deserved better than the life you were given.

Bodertz

Why? Just Why?

Shaun Houghton

Great reaction! A personal favourite this. For a start it is very funny. Anya's unique method of flirting is hilarious ("Men are evil... Will you go with me?") and leads to one of my favourite ever Xander lines ("One of us is very confused, and I honestly don't know which.") We also get Tucker's proto-incel 'excuse' for villainy and Buffy's awesomely indifferent reaction. And this is a huge episode emotionally with Cordelia's dress, the Class Protector Award and of course that final dance. Just a gem of an episode!

Ross Nolan

Words can't really express how much I adore the Class Protector scene. I cry. Every. Single. Time. 😭

Athena Polezogopoulos

Salix

Or Cleveland. We know from "The Wish" that there is demonic activity there. He could be useful.

Thom Purdy

Ok I watched it and started sobbing at “Is Buffy Summers here tonight?” 😭

Mary Kate

One of the scenes that I always tear up at right before it starts is the class protector scene. Soon as Jonathan steps up to the mic I start and it only gets worse as it goes on. Also so excited for the finale reaction!!

Josie Ball

I personally hope Angel goes to Detroit, that place could use him. LOL

Joel

Great reaction. As many times as I have seen this episode I didn't remember the MCplasma line. The prom reward scene is a favorite among fans, as it should be. An episode like this, and others like this , is why I ignore top episode lists. This show has so many great episodes any list leaves dozens of worthy ones out. Wish I could binge Alley reactions instead of waiting a week.

Allan Cornett

The class protector scene works so well because they took three season to build up to it on both sides. We’ve seen slowly that the students are aware of some of the weird things happening, and we’ve had multiple scenes where students are aware that Buffy isn’t someone to mess with. On Buffy’s side her feeling unseen by her peers, and how being the slayer has meant sacrificing a lot of her high school life have been long running themes: from her opening talk with Giles in Welcome to the Hellmouth, to out of mind out of sight, and homecoming especially they’ve shown her desire to feel a part of high school and be seen/appreciated by others. In that class protector moment her desire is fulfilled just as she’d given up expecting it and the background world building comes to the forefront in an iconic moment. To get the audience teary eyed from joy is an incredible achievement for any show.

Shashank

The Class Protector scene gets me me every time. I start getting choked up as soon as Buffy starts filling her cup at the punch fountain.

Rob Z

Of course, they could have done both - here's Satisfaction Skank Fatboy Slim/Rolling Stones mashup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlBRNvPWp3I

Dave Ford

Wild Horses if a fantastic song - but not what I'd call party or dance music, that cover isn't too much fun. Should have had some more Fatboy Slim.

Dave Ford

Yahoo

Dave Ford

I thought he was "poor kid"

matt

That's my interpenetration, based on how the character is being written and played. Someone might correct me, but I don't think we've ever been told his actual age.

matt

Oh, so he really is that age? That's interesting. I always thought he was, but without really being able to say why very well, and here, I was always worried I was way off and he might be like 37. Which to me, somehow, that would have been a bit much. LOL!

Raven Dark

I agree, I never had a problem with Wesley and Cordy either. He wasn't cruising the high school looking to score a student, he had a perfectly legit reason for being there when they first met. Wesley's character is being written, and played by AD, as early 20's. Honestly, a 23-24 year old dating an 18 year old just doesn't bother me.

matt

I take issue with Buffy here: "Celebration" by Kool & the Gang does not suck. It's a classic.

Nica Marie

I FELT SO BAD! i legit keep forgetting it 😭😭 im the worst with names

Alley Box

I also want to mention Joyce’s scene with Angel. Up until this point she hasn’t always come off as very sympathetic. But here I think she handles the conversation beautifully. It’s a little dismaying that she and Angel think they both know what’s best for Buffy ... who though young is not really just a “kid.” But overall her arguments are airtight, and she obviously bears no personal resentment for Angel, which is both correct and admirable.

Andrew Pulrang

Okay, one more thing, and then I'll get off the box. After I made the comment about her being 18 on whatever ep I said it for, there was that whole "Of age for WHAT?" shit. But on top of that, there was "How do you know she's 18?" Okay, um, like I said, I didn't see my saying she is 18 because of the reasons I listed in my above comment here, but that was worded almost like the replies were designed to force me to mention this episode, so that then the person could go, haha, gotcha, you're a spoiler, mods, get her out of here!". It was like some stupid sick game. Even through if you think about it, you know she must be 18 because hello, Graduation and Buffy's 18'th just happened. The person asking knew about THIS episode, but they also knew that the assumption of her age is pretty no brainer. It just gave me this really sick feeling, like they wanted me to be afraid of being caught. Really? Come on.

Raven Dark

I think one of the things Joss doesn’t get enough credit for with Buffy is how he carefully threads the needle between non-Scoobies being oblivious to the vampire/demon world and being somewhat aware of it in key moments ... but never making us feel that something is off in the overall depiction. It feels right that the students KNOW that Sunnydale has a violent supernatural problem of some kind, and that Buffy has been instrumental in controlling it ... and yet never really speaks of it or does anything about it themselves. We got hints of that in the episode where those two fairy-tale kids got the adults to persecute the Scoobies and their allies. Part of what motivated the adults was a rare recognition that their community IS infested somehow with dangerous demon-things and magics of some kind. And it also helps explain the Snyder situation that Alley talked about. He knows and doesn’t know, simultaneously. There’s a kind of willful ignorance in Sunnydale that I think helps people keep functioning, but it’s not a total blindness. It’s so well done.

Andrew Pulrang

Oh - and Fat Boy Slim, Kool and the Gang and a Rolling Stones - good luck with editing that :-)

Dave Ford

Andrew, yes, this too.

Raven Dark

Oh, that's so cool that they're still married. Marriages in acting hardly ever lest, it seems. That's beautiful.

Raven Dark

They got married 2003. They are still married and a very cute couple with very cute children.

Collinson

Agreed. Every moment of their breakup is carefully written to make it clear that neither Buffy nor Angel has fallen out of love. They are breaking up for more practical, forward-thinking reasons.

Andrew Pulrang

I've always loved Angel and Buffy (even though I agree with Angel's choice here and they aren't good for each other anymore). I agree, one being okay and the other not is sort of annoying. And I'm sorry, but I just can't see Wesley's actions as pervy. He's too damn sweet. The insinuation that I'm a creep because I think it's okay is just really insulting. If people don't like them together, fine, whatever, but implying that there's something wrong with me isn't fair. People wonder why I used to never comment. That was a nice way of making me wish I have never damn well started. Also, insinuating that people who date automatically have to be having sex is just dumb. You know, I always had the thought that Cordy and Xander never had sex. Because, duh, it's pretty obvious that Faith is his first.

Raven Dark

On the appropriateness of Wesley & Cordelia ... I would add that Giles summed up the question very well. “She’s 18.” Check. “And you have the emotional maturity of a blueberry scone.” Which I take to mean that while Wesley might be chronologically much older than Cordelia, (at least enough to possibly raise eyebrows), in terms of maturity he’s not that far off from where Cordy might be. I don’t know if we should entirely buy that argument, but I think it works pretty well here to settle the issue, to the extent it needs settling.

Andrew Pulrang

Johnathan is officially renamed “This Guy” from here on out.

Collinson

This is a fantastic episode and I'm not going to repeat what everybody else has said because there's just so much good. I am going to go all Giles-centric though because that's ma thing lol I love their talk after she's been given the reward, mostly for the remarkably smooth move where he takes the umbrella from her hand and then backs away as she turns towards Angel. It kinda encapsulates the Buffy-Angel-Giles dynamic of season 3 for me. And while I really like the final dance I can't watch it without thinking that everybody has a dance partner except Giles and I get all sad about season 2 :(((((( I head canon that he went for a bit of a walk until the last song was over because, man, the feels :((

R J Walker (FumblesMcStupid)

I love that it was Jonathan that gave Buffy her award. That guy has been through so much and deserved to be the one to award it. Also I don’t think you noticed but as well as covering for Cordi when asked why she was with Xanda he also covered for her when Buffy asked her and Wesley to go to the magic shop. They mention it’s next to the shop she works at and Xander steps forward and says he will go there making sure no one would find out she works there.

Collinson

I feel like I'm going through a breakup with this episode. I've learned in rediscovering Buffy that it's the character development that matters for me. The setting is cool, and some of the monsters are great, but the characters are everything.

Egan Bursk

I truly love your poster Alley. Also agree, Buffy cries I cry that's always been the case, that rule also applies to Willow and a little bit with Cordy. They all three do it to me.

Michael Roach

I've always thought it was a bit hypocritical to be fine with Buffy and Angel (which starts when she's 16) but not with Wesley and Cordelia.

R J Walker (FumblesMcStupid)

That Class Protector scene is so unexpected and it just makes it so rewarding. It's amazing to see that the rest of the class DOES actually notice Buffy's value.

kemperor .

I think it's high time you learned Jonathan's name..

Ashtara Levin

What makes me cry harder during the Class Protector part was when that damn music swelled up. Oh man, the tears. Also the scene with Willow and a broken Buffy just pulls the heart strings too. SMG's acting will do that to you. Weirdly, the first time I'd seen it,didn't shed a tear. But every rewatch, waaaaa! Fun fact- when I watched this series for the second time(on dvd,no streaming back when) I had happily and shockingly realized I had NEVER SEEN THIS EP! Somehow I skipped it. I had watched the series(out of order) when FX aired it, so they may have not shown in their schedule,or maybe I didn't record it that week.(I'm one of those old timers who recorded them on my vcr!) Anyway, when I realized I didn't see if before, it was like finding a lost episode or something! Imagine if you'd seen all of BtvS and one day someone says, hey, there's one episode we never aired. Check this out. Anyway, it was pretty cool. Love the call back shout outs from the students: Zombies, Hyena people...Snyder! And Giles saying Wesley has the maturity of a blueberry scone is always funny. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the Angel & Buffy 4eva! on the notebook. I don't know, it didn't seem like something she'd do(I know she's a teenage girl,but it just felt weird) When Alley said she was going to lose her shit if she sees Angel in a tux, I was like..ooh boy this is gonna be good, she's gonna flip. Was anyone disappointed she actually didn't lose her shit? You teased me Alley! ;) Ha, kidding. I just remembered, on last week's This Is Us, one character talked spoilery about her favorite episode of Buffy(which is my all time #1 ep too). I hope Alley doesn't watch that show, or maybe someone already sent her a warning message about it?

Val

I agree, seeing both parts of Graduation Day is a plus, so if Alley does them together, that would be awesome. She'd just want to split it into two for Youtube, so that she can get 10 minutes for each part without getting into copyright issues. That said, if she can't do it, I understand. Having to wait and see them separately has it's advantages, though. Yes, that would mean we'd have to wait for the other half, but that also means that Alley does, too, so hee hee.

Raven Dark

For an episode that has NO Faith nor Mayor, it still is such an important and great one. I love how it is confirmed that the students are so much more observant than the adults in Sunnydale. If we can just take a moment to compare it to "Go Fish" which was the episode leading up to the two part finale last season. Yeah...this one is so much better. I'm not sure what your schedule for next week is, but I am hoping that even though Turkey Day is mixed in there, we get both parts of Graduation Day...there will be no more Supernatural after Thursday. In the words of Lloyd Christmas: So, you're saying there's a chance!

aeronitz

Oh, I forgot to mention something that I always thought was kind of neat. Alexis Denisoff (Wesley) ended up marrying Alyson Hannigan (Willow). I don't know if they married while the show was running or when it happened (anyone who corrects me, be careful of spoilers, please, and you likely know what I'm referring to) or if they are still married, but apparently they met on set. I heard that, and when I picture them together, it's always really weird, but in a cool way.

Raven Dark

Thank you for making that distinction. That and several other subtleties tend to get lost in Angel’s decision; in his sacrifice.

Brandon Scott

ughhhhh. i love this episode. i was so excited for you. all these years later, this episode still slaps.

Danielle Murphy

How can you not feel that chemistry at the end! Amazing acting. And DAMNIT I was NOT going to cry, but then Ally cried and it made me cry and now we are both crying... LOVE this episode. Buffy got her moment and then some. She did deserve this.

KiwiJello

There's just one other thing I would like to add... Wiiild... WiiiiiIIIIIILLLDD... horses... couldn't... drag me awaaayyy...

UTU49

The knife is a Hibben Jackal! I have one too. I collect fantasy swords and knives because they are pretty. That was a must have for me!

Kelly Walker

One specific moment I don't feel gets enough love in this ep is the very careful wording from Angel in the sewer. Buffy "I want my life to be with you" Angel "I don't" On first viewing It's very easy to interpret that as Angel telling Buffy that he doesn't want to be with her! (Buffy even falls into this) But he's actually telling her that he doesn't want HER life to be with him! He want's more for her and I love that!

BHillzebub

I love this episode, and the reaction is wonderful, Alley. The class protector scene always makes me cry. And I too love what Xander did for her, and especially that it wasn't intended to be romantic, just a beautiful thing for one friend to do for another. A few episodes ago, with regards to Wesley and Cordelia, I mentioned that Cordy is 18, and of age. I got a few comments, asking how I know she's 18, and of age for what, as if I was being a creep. Of age for THIS. For the kind of thing that happened here. For going to dinner and a movie or something, I don;t know. Yes, I suppose I knew she was 18 because of this episode, but I didn't see it as a spoiler, because one can also assume she is 18 because most people tend to graduate at 18. Sometimes they are younger, but when they are, people tend to make a big deal of it. Buffy had just had a birthday at the time of the episode I made the comment on, her 18'th, so put those two things together, and Cordy is most likely 18 at that time. This episode just confirms it. Wesley with her doesn't bother me for a few reasons. One, I see him as being 25 or so, because there is a feel to me that he's supposed to be a lot younger and newer than Giles as a watcher. The actor looks older than that, but that happens a lot on TV, and at the time the show started, Carisma Carpeter was actually 27. She was the oldest cast member to play a teen. This means that at the time of this season, she would have been 30 or close to it. She was probably close to Alexis Desioff's real age. Also, Wesely is a gentleman, he is a very gentle soul, and he doesn't push, much like Angel.. And he isn't her teacher. He isn't a teacher at all, and he isn't her watcher, either. He isn't an authority figure over her, and he's not trying to use any authority over her to get her to go out with him. I guess also part of the reason he doesn't bother me is because when I was 18, I dated a guy who was 30 and it worked out. Anyway, I wasn't trying to be a creep, I was just trying to add a perspective, only I couldn't prove how I knew. I didn't see saying she was 18 as a spoiler for the reasons I said above, but proving how I know for sure would have been one at the time. As I said, great reaction as always.

Raven Dark

The class protector award is a fantastic moment of canonization, for something you never thought would be canonized. That no, the high school students do actually know what's going on and what Buffy is doing, and not just as a throwaway joke. It's immensely satisfying, and makes rewatching the first 3 seasons even more joyous.

KT

Xander revealing he's a comedy snob and has been trying to get selected as class clown was a nice character moment.

Superfan Giovanni

Love the library scene where Buffy completely takes the floor from Wesley and Giles, and starts delivering orders. Compare that to any scene in S1 or 2 to really understand how much she's grown as a character.

matt

Exactly! Most people miss that Xander pushes Cordy away from the Hellhound and then runs at it. Really good moment for him, even better than buying the dress.

matt

I knew you would love this episode. When you started talking at the beginning about different things you were speculating on seeing (the school prom, Cordy, Giles at the prom, Angel in a tux) I thought “Oh, is she going to be excited and emotional and have a lot to discuss afterward.” So many good things in this one and I still end up rewatching the scene at the prom when Buffy is given her award over and over. Giles’ quiet pride, Buffy’s surprise, and then the happiness. She gets the appreciation and acknowledgment she deserves. She’s having both a special moment and a normal moment at the same time. I was just in tears the first time I saw it.

Becky Landis

I can make it through the whole episode and then Jonathan steps up to the mic and the waterworks start.

Erica Schaefer

I'm kind of with you on Wild Horses. Definitely not my favourite Stones song and this cover just doesn't do much for me either.

DB

So much to unpack in this episode. Yes, Buffy/Angel needed to end. During their good moments, it was a great time and they were cute together but it wouldn't turn out the way we all wished. At least this was a better outcome than another brooding vampire franchise we all know ;-). I agree that it would have been touching if Buffy/Giles had a dance, but it would prolly been awkward for everyone to see Buffy dancing with the librarian. Xander paying for Cordelia's dress was really sweet and as a way to say sorry for cheating and putting her through hell. I love that they are not fighting and getting along now. Overall, this was a great episode to have right before the finale. Everyone got along, had a perfect prom/high school moment. 3 seasons, each episode of Buffy fighting evil and saving someone. That is a LOT of people saved so far and it was definitely unexpected that Buffy would be recognized for it. She did it all without asking for a thank you, but because it was the right thing to do. Now we wait and see how it's all gonna end this season.

Koh_Kae

Oh perfect timing - i've just made my final pot of tea for the day, and am settling down with some toast and this drops. Brilliant. Also love your predictions for S4. A secret gang of demon hunters based on campus is definitely a cool idea.

Dave Ford

Happy Buffy, smiling, holding that umbrella forever makes me teary. She never looked more lovely than in that scene <333 Also I've used Giles' "emotional maturity of a blueberry scone" in real life a couple of times. No shame.

DB

You got me for a second there Eric! I'm like what? No way those two are in her three favorites! :)

Val

It's 11.25pm over here. I didn't expect to cry before bed, and yet here we are.

Paddy H-K

I love Charisma's acting flourish of Cordelia being off her insult game while trying to still conceal she's employed. Xander always rushing head first into danger to prevent someone else from being mauled and the background "business" Cordelia's co-worker and boss were doing trying to pretend they could reasonably be in the same small room and somehow not overhear Cordelia.

Superfan Giovanni

Give it another shot, the cover version they play by 'The Sundays' is really great, in fact that whole album is strong. Most of the girls of my Jr. High we're oddly obsessed with it in connection to it being used in a specific scene in the movie 'Fear.'

Superfan Giovanni

I love this episode,but I never liked the song Wild Horses.

Allan Cornett

I tear up every time that scene comes up absolutely brilliant :) Happy moments are indeed needed. Great reaction as always and Keep up the good work moving forward :D

Isac christensen

I haven’t watched your reaction yet, but I know what your favorite scene is.

Allan Cornett

We crying in the club right now 😭

Dollface

My eyes literally welled up at the sight of the umbrella emoji in the email notification for this

MJ

Yup it got me again, it never fails to break me. Great reaction Alley, now it’s time to Graduate!

Ryan

Hilarious and oddly sweet that the majority of us are simulcrying across the globe while rewatching a show we all love along with Alley.

Superfan Giovanni

Jonathan awarding the Class Protector umbrella means so much more with the context from "Earshot," and it's a real shame the 90s viewers didn't get the full impact of that scene.

timetot

OMG, me too! LOL I read this and teared up. *Grumbles* Thanks, Mary Kate.

Raven Dark

One of my favorite episodes and one that always makes me cry.

Kitty

I love this episode sooooo much. (Once you're over 30, you probably shouldn't indulge in silliness like spelling "so" with a shit ton of extra "o"s. Ooooopsie.)

UTU49

Hopefully Youtube doesn't give you trouble with this episode. Lots of copyrighted music.

Tim Pierce

The lowest mortality rate of any graduating class in Sunnydale history! Woohoo!

Dan

Here it is. Favourite episode of the series. The students acknowledging all Buffy has done. The Prom. Class Protector. Wild Horses. Tears every time but so heartwarming.

Quinn

All I have to do is THINK the words, "It's from all of us, and it has written here, Buffy Summers: Class Protector" and I tear up. I'm tearing up right now and I haven't even watched this yet, lol

Mary Kate

Another well written episode in this season, and kind of sums up the series as a whole so far.

Keenan White

Right as I was making dinner I got the notif for this, perfect! Time for beer, a burger and crying profusely at the Class Protector Award scene.

Jamie Morgan

Only one word for this episode. WHOLESOME.

Shandler

One of Sarah Michelle Gellar's 3 favorite episodes, the other 2 are Ted & Gingerbread. Half of that sentence isn't true, you decide.

Eric Bushee

This is not my favorite episode of the Buffster, by a wide margin. But the Class Protector scene is by far my favorite moment in all of the Buffyverse.

Ryan

god I love this episode even though I don't ship Bangel, the class protector scene makes me sob. Also my favourite returning ex demon Anya really said "men are garbage, but I am lonely." and honestly who can't relate? We very rarely get to see The Scoobies happy and it is so sweet. Buffy especially finally getting the recognition she deserves is one of the best moments of the entire show.

Valkyrie

This one always makes me cry

Superfan Giovanni

Yay! Just what I needed to get me through lockdown here in the UK.

Collinson

Buffy Summers. Class Protector. ☂

Rafael Lemus