After Show Thoughts - Buffy Season 6 (Season Overview)
Added 2018-12-02 11:45:44 +0000 UTCSorry this is a little late, a lot of editing goes into making it... that being said... I have not even started Angel's thoughts video.
Please do not attack me for my opinions on the Spike thing.
Also please no spoilers..
Comments
I think that theory about Spike babysitting the eggs for money to give to Buffy is great. If they had done it that way, they could have really made it work. They could have done one extra scene where after all of it is over, Spike is like, "Buffy, I did it for you. I wanted the money for you." That would have worked because Buffy would have had to have been like, "Well, shit, what the hell am I supposed to do with that?" LOL And, actually, I have a theory about Spike saying "Bitch is gonna see a change." Whenever he talked about giving Buffy what she deserved, he was saying it either to the Demon, or saying it so the Demon could hear. OK, bear with me here. When Spike first got into the cave to see the Demon, listen to what the Demon said. "You were a legendary warrior, and you let yourself be castrated." In other words, he's become weak over a woman. The Demon was disgusted by this. In my mind, if the Demon knew Spike was there to get his soul for Buffy, he would not have given it to him. He would have told him to fuck off. The Demon had to think Spike was there to become what he was as a vampire, in order to hurt Buffy. So Spike pretended to be doing that. So, at the end, the Demon appeared to trick him into getting his soul, when in fact, Spike was tricking the Demon. I know, I might be just talking shit, or maybe I'm just headcannoning too much because I hate thinking that something I love has holes, but that's the way I always saw this. I also agree with everything you said about Spike's treatment of Buffy. I love the way you explained the bathroom scene. Spike thought he could make things right if they had sex, so he was pushing too hard and ignoring her saying no, because he doesn't have a soul and everything with him is fucked up. That said, I also agree, what he did was attempted rape, and it was awful to watch. BUT, I also think they did a fantastic job of redeeming him in season 7. You saw that season already, so you know which parts I'm talking about.
Raven Dark
2020-07-30 07:57:37 +0000 UTCSeason 6 was rough but there are some eps that I like, and i have to say that i loved tara too and was sad that she died but i loved oz more and him with willow were so awesome. And I really dont ship spike with buffy. I get it the idea of them but they would be toxic for each other. And I never liked riley either and angel was never the right guy for her. It's too bad dean Winchester never meant her cause buffy and dean would have been great together:) oh and I liked dawn at times but she could be annoying. I loved Anya and I was mad at Xander for leaving her. But I knew they were never going to last. The trio was so annoying and they were the worst villains in the show.
Margo adams
2019-01-13 20:16:28 +0000 UTCYou point out a very good thing here about season Six. Buffy keeps pushing away Spike in a very aggressive way, she is depressed we know that but also she is very damaged with men, abandonment issues with his dad, the whole Angel/Angelus trauma, and sudden leaving of Raily, Buffy has a lot of issues and is taking it all against Spike. What I think is really sad is that Spike may think that is ok and he deserved this treatment... more exploration could lead to Spoilers but anyways this is a very interesting dynamic of Season Six.
Amarantax
2018-12-04 17:28:21 +0000 UTCI liked your review and thoughts on the season. You gotta not let yourself be bothered by people disagreeing. I dont agree with all your thoughts but that doesnt matter. Thats just an excuse for fun debates 😁 i also really appreciated your calm and thoughtful approach to Spike and Buffy’s arc this season. It makes me so mad that the writers started off building their friendship, showing Spike being supportive, helpful, and Buffy coming to need him and rely on him even more, feeling she can be herself with him... and then after Smashed they just started tipping it all in a complete 180... i genuinely think if Buffy had let him, he would have been so loving to her. But she constantly hurt him anytime he tried to get close to her. Used and abused him. I think thats why spike started getting cocky. Like she wont let him into the light with her and keeps telling him how gross he is and what a monster he is, and then keeps clming back to have sex and hit him some more. He wants to be near her, with her, and she wont let him love her and care for her and be a man for her, so he becomes cocky. He cant be in her light so he thinks the only way is to try and bring her into his darkness... then that seeing red scene just is awful. There was no intention to do that, it just happened. He lost control of his demon for a few seconds for the first time in years. Wven unchipped he had good control of the demon when he wanted or needed to. You just see the hurt, confusion and desperation in his eyes, he isnt seeing or thinking straight - and the second she kicks him off and he realises what he almost did... you can see the shame and remorse in his eyes, the disgust. I just wish the writers had taken them on a different path. *sigh* i guess they wanted it to be twisted and toxic and give spike a good push to go get his soul.
Holi117
2018-12-04 01:02:39 +0000 UTCI think people saw it, but the idea--at least for me--was that Xander had actually *learned* that lesson by "Restless," so kind of sliding back seemed... unnecessary and kind of melodramatic.
FernWithy
2018-12-03 07:30:42 +0000 UTCAbsolutely. So many scenes throughout the show point to Xander's anxiety about commitment as it relates to his own family.
cil
2018-12-03 02:38:13 +0000 UTCYou hit the nail on the head. Well said.
Leenis
2018-12-03 02:25:03 +0000 UTCI’ve even read something that points out there was a foreshadowing in season 4, Restless. In Xander’s dream he constantly ends up back at the basement with someone pounding at the door, which we find out later is his father. But every time it comes to that, Xander always says, “That’s not the way out.” He is looking up to the top of the basement stairs where behind that door is where his parents live....with their own messed up marriage.
Katherine Thoreson
2018-12-03 00:32:02 +0000 UTCIt's interesting that you thought that Xander leaving Anya at the alter was just unnecessary drama because I actually think it was foreshadowed way back in season 5 and makes total sense within the context of his character. Especially when you go back and re-watch the series and catch all the sly remarks he makes about his dysfunctional family and fear of commitment.
cil
2018-12-02 23:30:59 +0000 UTCYou gave a great overview of the season, some of which I agree with, some not. But after rewatching six seasons with you, I've come to realize something. I think some of us who saw the show when it first came out have somewhat lower standards for TV shows than people today. When Buffy first aired, it was one of only a tiny number of TV shows of any genre that were really, really good, deep, and all-around high quality. At that time, TV was still widely assumed to be garbage. It might be fun and diverting, but nobody considered any TV to be in the same league with great literary novels or even movies. Buffy was one part of the first real wave of really excellent TV. So even a bad episode of Buffy, or a troubling plot development like Tara being shot, or Spike attempting to rape Buffy, were still so much MORE than the 30-odd inoffensive but disposable shows that made up most of the rest of TV. Almost no matter what happened, during those first airings, all I could think was, "Holy crap. This is ON TV!" But now there are dozens of TV shows to choose from, for every taste, that have long-term plots, deep character development, rich backstories, and high production values. So audiences are more critical and discerning. Which is good! But some of us still have a bit of that awe ... that amazement and happiness that such things are on TV, even if some of it makes us sad or angry.
Andrew Pulrang
2018-12-02 22:00:18 +0000 UTCBefore and After the attempted rape i never liked spike, but the only thing i like about him is his funny side, i just don't find him interesting, and in my opinion he and buffy together just doesn't fit for me.
Anouar
2018-12-02 21:27:04 +0000 UTCI really, really enjoyed your thoughts and opinions on Season 6 Shan. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this video. I always value your thoughts on this show, more than once you have given me something to think about that I never would have considered before.
Michael Roach
2018-12-02 21:18:43 +0000 UTCI seem to recall what I understood as a look of realization when Buffy pushed Spike away as he was attempting to rape her. It seemed to me that he knew he had crossed the line.
Ron Fehr
2018-12-02 21:06:56 +0000 UTCI pretty much agree with your rankings. From worst to best, Season 1, Season 4, Season 7, Season 6, Season 5, Season 3, Season 2. But you kind of have to give Season 1 a pass because they were just getting started, they were a mid-season replacement, the show hadn't really taken form yet and they had a smaller budget. No such excuse for any of the other seasons. In Buffy, Joss only really does the shock death out of nowhere for major characters. Jenny, Joyce, Tara, all very sudden. I can't think of an important character in Buffy who dies an inevitable death with a slow lead up where you can really process what's happening. I'm not sure which of the two is a more emotional gut punch... but maybe the fact that you responded more to Jenny's death than Tara's tells you. At least in Jenny's case you understand she's in danger and might or might not get away. Tara's dead before you know what's happening. The other reason is probably that Seeing Red has other horrible things to focus on - you've just watched an attempted rape on screen, and Buffy has also been shot... It's a lot to take on board in a short time. Passion is all about Jenny and Giles.
J.D.
2018-12-02 20:59:35 +0000 UTCReally thoughtful review, I'm impressed! I just let it wash over me when I first saw it. :D
Will
2018-12-02 20:54:21 +0000 UTCThe only thing that I really disagree with you about is the trio. This season was about the gang fighting their inner conflicts and each of their characters were darker and weaker versions of themselves. If Buffy were to face a villain as strong as glory or as manipulative at angelus or as insane as the mayor in season six she would have lost and or died in a second. The trio were lame to show how truly low the scoobies were at this point. warren and his team could actually pose a challenge to Buffy because she was so messed up after being brought back to life. Willow with her magic, Xander with his marriage, Giles leaving. all these things were the real big bad of the season. The trio was just another layer to those conflicts
Christopher simeon
2018-12-02 19:50:44 +0000 UTCI think throwing the word "bitch" into the mix was slightly too much. Taking it out, would have given an equally strong misdirection (e.g., "the Slayer is gonna get what she *deserves*"), but with less possibility of quibbling afterwards. I count it as a slip on the part of the writers, but only a small one.
igor.kh
2018-12-02 19:38:23 +0000 UTCThree excellent questions. (I actually really enjoy Normal Again as a meta-commentary on some of the other issues around the later seasons - disappointing villains, Dawn's retconning, etc. - but had to finish the quote!)
Michael Mountain
2018-12-02 18:22:44 +0000 UTCI feel like Xander's story lines consistently get shafted because he is the one member of the group with no powers. It's easy to create drama when you're a "superhero" but when you're just a normal guy, the writers have to find boring human stuff to create drama. "Hey Xander hasn't had much to do this season, let's destroy his relationship." Also I was gonna try to avoid commenting on Spike since I figured everybody is gonna have something to say, but as somebody who has disagreed with your opinions on Spuffy before (though I would never attack you for it) I would say I basically agree with your thoughts on their relationship here. They best way you can describe their relationship is "toxic." I do disagree with the examples you gave not equaling sexual assault, but it is SUPER common in toxic relationships like this one for things like that to happen and for the relationship to continue. So yeah. Toxic is the best way I think it can be described. Great reaction vid as always Shan.
Second_Strike
2018-12-02 16:25:39 +0000 UTCI'm amazed more and more with how your overall thoughts of the show keep paralleling mine. I agree with your favorite episodes, I agree with your least favorite. I agree with you about Spike, Tara, the trio, Buffy's depression, Giles and just about everything you said. The funny part is, most of my opinions and the opinions of the fandom in general, were formed over years with over-analyzing and re-watches over and over. We had the benefit of the show existing for over 20 years. You are going through it for the first time and you're damned spot on! You're really smart and put together for being such a young'un. I think that's why people love watching your reactions in general. We all went through most of the same emotions and thoughts and you are able to process it all in and express it well. Keep up the good work Shan!
Brandon Wiesner
2018-12-02 15:51:05 +0000 UTCThanks a lot for making this video (I know you've said is a lot of work). I was really intrigued about your thoughts for this season, (This might be the most toughs provoking season after all) and as always you don´t disappoint. I think you made a very good analysis of the Spuffy relationship (totally agree with you), and so fast too, it takes me years to understand the toxic dynamics they had. I think the "Bitch is gonna see a change" was a misdirection though, a writers trick to create a WTF moment it the end, but well, it works. Anyways you are a Jewell Shan, you make a great work, one more season to go.
Amarantax
2018-12-02 15:22:21 +0000 UTCHappy Birthday!
KiwiJello
2018-12-02 14:51:25 +0000 UTCThank you for answering questions, special on my birthday thank you. Totally agree with you about the Spike situation. Gosh, season 7 already.
Emma goldsbrough
2018-12-02 14:50:55 +0000 UTCI think the spike/buffy scene in "Seeing Red" was the catalyst for Spike to finally see that he was still a monster, even though he was trying so hard not to be. He wants to be a good man for Buffy. That is all he wants. But he finally realized he has the capacity to still do harm. The crux of that is he was able to hurt her even with the chip. And he did hurt her. I think when he realized the capacity to hurt her physically was one thing, but he hurt her emotionally, and that was the line he crossed that woke him up. When Dawn told him that he really hurt Buffy, the look on his face said everything I needed to know. He hates himself for hurting Buffy. Not like they hurt before with the physical hitting, but the emotional annihilation he put on her. Anyway, I am rambling. Don't worry what people think about your opinion on this. We can all get along! :)
KiwiJello
2018-12-02 14:50:11 +0000 UTCYou can agree or disagree, but why would anyone attack another person for opinions expressed on a thoughts video about a fiction show it's beyond me, even if I know that happens on the internet a lot. I enjoyed your thoughts, and mostly agree with you (except for "Normal Again", I like that episode a lot). I hope you keep doing these videos, even if they're a lot of work, and can we please have a Dark Shan the Spoiler Slayer pic or thumbnail because I really need it now?
Khanach
2018-12-02 14:40:42 +0000 UTCsaying stuff like this is a spoiler and its been planned for for a while .
Zac0002
2018-12-02 14:28:03 +0000 UTCI agree with you with the spike situation, all their sexual encounters may not have been 100% consensual because at one time or another they have both said no but it happened anyway, so it wasn’t classified as rape because let’s face it, they both have the strength to push the other one off if they really didn’t want to have sex. The bathroom scene however was attempted rape, buffy may have been saying no more than once but spike has heard her say no before he didn’t really take her seriously until she actually kicked him off and said “because I stopped you, something I should have done a long time ago”. I’m personally glad that you didn’t cringe or insult spike in 7x01 Shan, hopefully that means you’ll have an open mind about him and not ride him off as a character.
Kelly Marie
2018-12-02 14:16:57 +0000 UTCI agree with you on all of your Spuffy points. I am also pleased that you weren't a fan of Normal Again because I often see it on others favorite episode lists and I think... How? What? How?
Lisa Irv
2018-12-02 14:16:43 +0000 UTCShan, don't worry about people attacking you for your thoughts on Spike. You actually broke it down very smartly, understanding all the nuances and context. I don't like Spike and I think he's a monster, but that doesn't mean I don't understand why he would think violent aggressive sex would get Buffy back. Their whole relationship had blurred boundaries between violence and sex.
HuntingSwan
2018-12-02 12:35:13 +0000 UTC
