Buffy the Vampire Slayer - 5x18 “Intervention” FULL REACTION
Added 2020-01-22 00:18:49 +0000 UTCEnjoy!
Comments
I love this episode. Buffybot is kind of hilarious despite her being gross. This episode truly depicts the duality of spike. He makes the Buffybot because he wants to feel something, but even that isn't what he truly cares about. He cares about Buffy and Dawn. it's such a great Spike episode because despite his sex bot you still love him that he cares enough not to tell anyone.
Angela Colon
2020-01-22 17:29:30 +0000 UTCI’ve just noticed now the parallel/contrast of the two scenes depicted Spike being thrown on the bed exactly the same way by the buffybot and then Glory and being first staged staked by the buffybot and fingerstabbed by Glory.
Vicky N
2020-01-22 12:49:31 +0000 UTCYes the idea of the buffybot was gross but the execution was perfection. Another Jane Espenson written episode. As usual James Marsters and SMG are phenomenal.
Vicky N
2020-01-22 12:41:58 +0000 UTC"Spike, you're covered in sexy wounds." A fave comedic episode.
David Boyd
2020-01-22 11:08:01 +0000 UTCTiny episode detail before I launch into your reaction: I didn't notice it until maybe my third or fourth viewing of this episode, but when BuffyBot goes upstairs to "change", she comes down wearing flats instead of heels. (I just wanted to share that because it makes me laugh every time.) Regarding your reaction - I've seen this episode more times than I can count, really (as implied by the above note lol), and I - and the fandom as a whole - have a tendency of examining the show in the most minute detail; obviously, the meta for BtVS is insane. But I was genuinely startled tonight, 20 years after I first saw this, by your insight. I can't believe I never put that together: the parallel between a Buffy who is wondering if she's turning into stone, and one who is made with the sole purpose of loving someone. I'm...legitimately stunned. God. Thank you for that. Not only was it something that's entirely escaped me on multiple viewings and have never heard anyone mention before, but it adds such a lovely layer to what they were doing here. Which brings me to... The Buffy/Spike dynamic. I actually see this as one of the most definitive episodes in terms of Spike's character development. If you reach back into s3, in Dopplegangland, where Angel implies that a vampire's personality is drawn directly from their human self, and examine the Spike/Drusilla relationship and consider season 5's Fool For Love, I've always thought it gives you a pretty clear picture of who Spike is on the inside: someone who loves so wholeheartedly as to eclipse everything else. Clearly, he's still soulless, and evil, but in Spike's case, that's more background static; he's very much like Buffy in that he forms genuine attachments and defines himself by those things and people he loves. I think it's one of the reasons Spike has always been able to really understand Buffy's motives, and identify her soft underbelly, even when she couldn't. This episode felt like a tipping point for Buffy, where she was finally able to understand that about him, too; that love is his driving force. (And, as an aside, something I've always thought was really interesting was how love was interpreted amongst different vamps: Angelus is appalled by it, Drusilla aware in an otherworldly way of it's importance, Darla disdainful of even her own, etc. For Spike, it's something he's always prided himself in, something that makes him a stronger character.) And, granted, he *is* still a demon and that should be a factor for her, but I find this episode delightful for the way they examine both sides of him: loving and obsessive, selfless and self-serving. Okay, I'll stop there lolol. (I could ramble all night about character development.) Thank you again for introducing me to a brand new thing to love about one of my favorite episodes! Loved your reaction - can't wait for the next!
Bixgirl1
2020-01-22 09:23:46 +0000 UTCDid I already mention that you’re my favorite reactor?! My gosh... Your analysis of even the smallest detail in this show really amaze me. 😊 Anyways, Tara got to shine on this episode and I’m all for it. Buffy Bot is everything! Sarah is just perfect at everything she does. This episode served its purpose which is to let the audience recover gradually from the last few episodes.
Stephen Mintac
2020-01-22 08:44:22 +0000 UTCLove seeing SMG playing a happy part for a change. Spike did a good thing but he hardly mentioned Dawn when talking about why he didn't snitch to Glory: “Anything happened to Dawn, it'd destroy [Buffy]. I couldn't live, her bein' in that much pain.” That's so dependent on his being obsessed with Buffy and how bad HE would feel that I still put it in the 'selfish' category.
Bruce Trogdon
2020-01-22 05:50:36 +0000 UTCThe "turning me into stone" thing also ties in nicely with slaying being a metaphor for becoming an adult. Loss wears you down and makes you numb, but responsibility and just the drudgery of every day life also tends to do that, just more subtly. And you might not realize you've developed that coping mechanism until you expect yourself to be really emotional about something and it doesn't come. And it's hard not to blame adult life itself, like numbness is an inevitable byproduct, but it doesn't have to be. It just requires some attention, maybe a spirit guide or at least a therapist.
KT
2020-01-22 02:54:20 +0000 UTCYes, you can tell that there is something genuinely there with Spike with his feelings...I almost feel that James Marsters almost does too good of a job playing Spike and creating such a layered performance that makes us actually feel for him. But like you said, you still have to remember that he has no soul which is why he makes decisions like Buffy sex robot. The whole thing with the bot mispronouncing Giles' name came from people talking to Joss and claiming to be such fans of the show and then calling Giles with a hard g, Giles with a soft g.
Katherine Thoreson
2020-01-22 02:48:40 +0000 UTCI kind of love the Buffybot, SMG is just so cute and it's a cool to think about a robotic replica actually having their own distinct identity. And she had little moments of humanity like when she wondered why she didn't feel satisfied after killing vampires, or when Giles calls out for Buffy's help and Buffybot goes to save him and gets injured. I liked April too. All of Buffybot's lines feel like a meta joke about the fandom's obsession with Spike and Spuffy. Making fun of some fans' refusal to see Spike's flaws or take his creepy/evil behavior seriously because he's charming and hot. "You're right, he's evil. But you should see him naked, I mean really."
KT
2020-01-22 02:44:03 +0000 UTCMy favourite thing about this episode is that they took something ludicrous (the Buffybot), and used it to develop the relationship between Buffy and Spike. For the first time ever, Buffy was grateful to Spike for something, and Spike has legitimately earned a little bit of trust. For me that is the most significant element of this episode. That conversation between Buffy and Spike at the end -- we've never seen anything like that before.
UTU49
2020-01-22 02:09:14 +0000 UTCGood luck y'all picking your fave 3 for Liam's review.. for this season 3 just isn't enough 😢🤔🤔
CeNedra
2020-01-22 01:50:43 +0000 UTCYay! This is such a great episode, lots of funny moments. :D
AngelicMouseGirl
2020-01-22 01:47:14 +0000 UTCWhat was the other funny one this season?
Holi117
2020-01-22 01:25:45 +0000 UTCLove this episode a lot. Some good light heartedness after all the heartache of the past 2 episodes, and SMG was awesome as buffybot! I love how buffybot and anya bonded haha - anya can be so smiley and is so forthright she really vibed wkth buffybot lol! “How is your money?” “Fine, thank you for asking!” Haha! I just cant help adoring poor spike. I know the robot is gross but he was so attentive and caring to buffybot. Could have done awful things to it, and instead cuddles it, kisses it, talks to it and um... other things. He seems like a giver lol. I think he is maybe starting to grow or change, its just so much harder for him to do without a soul, and without any help, guidance or encouragement. I loved the call back to restless this episode in the desert and the backing music... and lkced that buffy recalled it as well. Soooo excited for the last 4 episodes of this season, and for your season review! I think overall s5 might be my fav.
Holi117
2020-01-22 01:25:09 +0000 UTCTwo very hilarious Spike-centric episodes in one season??
Jarrod Wild
2020-01-22 01:06:58 +0000 UTCI told my brother I loved him last summer -- which is something we've rarely done in my family. He responded almost exactly the way Dawn did.
UTU49
2020-01-22 01:06:55 +0000 UTCWhoop my day of checking emails every 10 mins finally paid off 💃💃💃 Thank you Liam 😍
CeNedra
2020-01-22 00:49:37 +0000 UTCOnly on a Joss Whedon show can they take an idea that is disturbing and gross in theory and make it sweet and delightful in execution.
peggin
2020-01-22 00:43:26 +0000 UTC
