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EARLY ACCESS: Buffy s1 e1/2

🕑 Added 2024-08-06 13:12:04 +0000 UTC

Comments

Raven Dark

Ohhh, wow, my bad. I made a mistake, I'm sorry.

Charity Konusser (the chonus)

"who DeBarge is, but to elaborate, he's a singer from the 80s, probably most known for a song called Who Is Jonny," No - you're thinking of El DeBarge, one of the members of DeBarge. "DeBarge" was the group, and their song "Rhythm of the Night" was their biggest hit. El DeBarge had a solo career outside the family group, which is where his song "Who's Johnny" comes from.

Kate Bee

The first time I watched Buffy, I binged it over the course of like a week that I was off work, and all I did was eat, sleep, and watch Buffy. It was the most hedonistic week of my life, and I LOVED IT.

Robert Reichle

Well, it just gets way better and better for the most part. These first two episodes are just a nibble of an appetizer.

Mitch M

I'm really excited for this, but having watched the show with younger family members a couple times (and seen reactors occasionally struggle with the fandom), I think it's important for older fans to acknowledge that Buffy occupies a very unique spot in cultural history that is (reasonably) very challenging for some modern viewers. It's a show that is simultaneously very representative of its time and also incredibly progressive for it's time (and ours, even, still, in some areas). As example, Ashleigh's frustration with the mentally challenged line is absolutely reasonable, but that's partly because she wasn't there when the R-word was still acceptable in social circles. "Mentally challenged" was being coined as the progressive term, and Buffy's adoption of it does mean something. Equating it with stupidity is still a problem, but society changes in baby steps. Like many things with Buffy, it feels regressive because it's behind where we are now, but it's actually more progressive than much of 90s and early 2000s culture was in reality. The honest truth is that media made today, that is progressive for today, will feel dated and problematic 25 years from now. Even the most progressive of us will appear problematic at times to future generations. It's the way time and society work. It's how we grow and get better as people. But expecting a TV show to anticipate what people will find morally right three decades later than its creation is an impossible, unreasonable task, and that means watching older media can be uncomfortable at times. So to Ashleigh I would say that part of enjoying older media is resigning yourself to being faced with moments like this and trying not to let it color your perception of the whole. I recommend an attitude of "So this is what the late 90s were like. I'm really glad we're still growing in this area and have made so much progress since then." It seems to make for a happier experience for everyone. And to Buffy fans who feel the urge to defend something beloved (and I know that feeling--Buffy's journey was central to my development as a compassionate human), remember that Ashleigh's working from a different context and be patient.

Jen F

I am SO excited for these reactions!! Buffy is the most amazing ride. There’s also some great spoiler free podcasts out there if you need some extra Buffy content between watches.

Raven Dark

Now that I've finished both full reactions, I'll try to answer as many of the questions you had as a can. Those I can't answer without spoiling, I won't answer. Epstein-Bar (Cordelia said, "Nobody cool has Epstein-Bar anymore.") is a highly contagious virus. I think she said that because, although people still get it, it's not one of those things we hear about much anymore. People thinking others make up illnesses to be cool is a thing. Someone offered a link that shows you who De Barge is, but to elaborate, he's a singer from the 80s, probably most known for a song called Who Is Jonny, which is in the movie Short Circuit, also from the 80s. Near the start, when Buffy was talking to Principal Flutie, you were asking him to tell you what Buffy did that was so bad at her old school. While you were asking him this, he said, "You burned down the school gym." Her mom also mentioned her skipping classes, which we saw her doing again in the episode. Here, she did it to deal with vampires. Her mother said, "It's happening again." This tells us that she was probably doing it before for the same reason. It's the classic thing where the superhero does things in order to fight evil, and those who don't know about their other identity think they're just being a bad kid or a bad student. No, Buffy's mom doesn't know she's the slayer. Giles said to Willow and Xander, "Okay, Buffy's the slayer, don't tell anyone." Xander and Willow found out without Buffy intending them to, but people aren't supposed to know, and that includes her mother. In the moselium, when you thought Buffy looked defeated about the chain, i think she just happened to be looking at it. Her look wasn't defeat, it was annoyance because she knew Angel was there again--she assumes, because he followed her again. When Buffy was talking to Willow and Xander saying that stuff about the way the vampires looked being just a trick of light, she wasn't lying. She was illustrating how people tend to try to rationalize what they don't understand, saying the kinds of things they say. She was doing this because Willow and Xander were still trying to deny what they saw out of fear. She went on to say, "That's what I thought the first time I saw a vampire." Yeah, I don't like the "mentally challenged" comment either, Ashleigh. I have learning disabilities, so believe me, I get it. I know a different time doesn't make right, but you've got to keep in mind this show is over 20 years old. On your poll for Buffy, people tried to warn you it doesn't always age well, and they weren't kidding. There are some real clunkers, but the show also does some very progressive things for the times, and thankfully, it isn't riddled with those types of problems. Most of the dialogue is very good. Do some handwaving if you can. Great reactions, and I'm super excited you're getting into this iconic show.

Jacob Colson

"Oh, there's a whole underground lair under the school." Did Ashleigh not read the title of the first episode "Welcome to the Hellmouth"? Lol

Jacob Colson

"You're just great and a ball of sunshine" just immediately made me think of Steal My Sunshine by Len. Lmao

David Hunter

So excited you're starting this up! This 1st season was aired in 1997 to give you some media/references context (especially with some upcoming episodes). The Bronze is also going to be the popular hangout place (think Sunnydale's version of The Mall to be honest). A lot of the bands that play there were chosen by the creative staff off of demos and CDs sent in and the music is a large part of the appeal of the show (you can actually find soundtracks of the band music and TV score). The score mostly in S2 onwards was done by Christophe Beck (you'd best know him from his work on a little Disney movie called Frozen!)

Jonathan Hall

That's hilarious

Joe Blankenship

This is my first time watching this show too. I've always been a fan of the movie--had a huge crush on Kristy Swanson back in the day. I was sorta expecting the show to re-tell the origin, instead of just picking up where the movie left off. Maybe Ashleigh will check out the movie at some point. Paul Reubens is really funny in it. And another Donald Sutherland movie to check off the list.

Raven Dark

Woo hoo! I love this show. I can't express how happy I am that you are into this, Ashleigh. I came here just to listen to your thoughts on the show for now so I could watch the full reaction later, and I was sooo nervous you wouldn't vibe with it. What a happy surprise that you did! Haha, you about killed me at the end, playing it up as if you didn't like it. You little stinker. LMAO. And what I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall during that conversation with Hubbin where you have to tell him. *points and laughs* This is going to be so much fun.

Raven Dark

Seriously? I had no idea. That's awesome.

Kevin Charley

Dolly Parton was an uncredited producer on Buffy, too.

The Mindful Witch

Ok I finally finished the two watch-alongs and then came to watch your thoughts here. I wasn't sure how you felt during the actual show but to hear your afterthoughts is such a relief! This show is the "Dolly Parton" of shows for me. Top tier, iconic, and just amazing overall. You have just signed on to watch one of the best shows of all time and I'm sooooo here for it! Thanks Ashleigh! ~ Ryan

Mark Lee

Agree, you should watch the original. It provides the backstory of how she became a Slayer, which was the reason for her moving to Sunnyvale. Several of the actors are no longer with us. Rutger Hauer, Paul Reubens (Pee-Wee Herman), Donald Sutherland and Luke Perry. You can sneak it in on a Monday or Friday, or do it on Wednesday as the prequel to the TV series!!!

R Kelly Coker

Who doesn't love a waifish, beautiful blonde kicking butt! She's a thief too, cuz she stole my heart. So did Willow.

Charity Konusser (the chonus)

it's hard to reply without spoiling. It's not just "asshole to work for" and "cheated on his wife" though. And there is no such thing as consensual sex when your job and livelihood depends on the man saying you should have sex with him.

Adam Doyle

In my opinion it is not necessary to watch, only providing a few plot points, which the show itself ends up covering... aside from some good acting performances

Adam Doyle

Agreed... trying to be spoiler free, some actresses were harassed including a minor, and many cast members were threatened with firings, or forced to do embarrassing scenes, or have their parts cut, if he didn't like them personally.

Richard Stegman Jr.

The movie was released in 1992 with Kristy Swanson as Buffy and Luke Perry. The series came much later.

Scott Margeson

Some shady stuff to female staff and actors... but can't really divulge without spoiling things about the series (from my POV).

Gio Vidrio

SMG has always been able to grip me in a chokehold every time she was on tv, and when she was Daphne in Scooby Doo that was endgame for me. 🥵❤️🤣

TheSingulatarian

Underground cavern smells like poop.

TheSingulatarian

El Debarge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAQSZhazYk8

TheSingulatarian

Epstein Barr is stuff Rosane does on Epstein Island.

TheSingulatarian

Allison Hanigan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmmAdbDF1xA

TheSingulatarian

Time-Life had a book publishing division that would do book series usually sent by mail order, a book a month about topics like the old west or WWII or American Indians. And I think they did one about spirits and other spooky topics.

TheSingulatarian

Can somebody please explain to me what Joss Weadon did that got him Hollywood cancelled? My understanding is he was kind of an asshole to work for but, I've had asshole bosses. He cheated on his wife. Which by Hollywood standards would make him a saint. And he had consensual sex with the women on his shows. Is there something else?