Buffy the Vampire Slayer - 5x16 “The Body” FULL REACTION

I'm actually rewatching this reaction, so I had to check and make sure I didn't already leave a comment on it before. I could have sworn I did. I don't know if I have the ability to leave all the thoughts I wanted to; I may come back and leave them later. But, other than the fact that I love this reaction and that this is one of my top three favorite episodes in the entire series, I will leave you with one disturbing thought about it. I originally thought that a line from season 4 that I always think of when I watch this one must have been a weird coincidence, even though deep down, I also knew it couldn't have been. Now I've since seen people mention that Joss had been planning for this episode since season 3, and it makes sense. In season 4's opener in the college book shop, when Buffy first meets Riley, there's the part where Buffy is talking about how expensive the books are. She says something about when her mom sees the bill for them. Buffy says, "I hope it's a funny aneurysm." It says how twisted and utterly brilliant Joss truly is.

Raven Dark

I think your cat is wondering why you're upset!

Sharon Owen

Whenever I watch the series, I always get delayed at this episode . I really need to be in the proper frame of mind to experience it. It's brilliant, but it means I'm going to have 'weepy face" for the rest of the day.

Thom Purdy

Thank you for sharing this reaction. You are braver than I.

Quantoto

I've always felt that Alyson Hannigan and Sarah Michelle Gellar have the same real life super power. If THEY cry YOU cry.

Thomas Stark

Hello - this is the YouTube recco where I was first introduced to you and your channel. I have since patronized, and watched through all of your Buffys, and season 1 of Angel. I'm now caught up to where I started and THANK YOU for doing *this* reaction. This series means the world to me, and this episode, I have seen numerous times. And I sob everytime. To see another male identified person enjoying the series, and having real emotions with it has been beautiful and validating. Seeing the show through new eyes has also been incredible. Since I first watched the series back when I was 20 years old (14 years ago). So thank you for giving me a chance to watch it like it was new again. <3

Okay. Going to try and get through this reaction. I’ve been putting off watching this reaction to this particular episode because I lost my Dad in October. And along with my sister I was one of ones to find him. This episode was running through my mind that day, weirdly enough. It really is spot on with what you go through in that type of situation. You don’t truly know just how right they got this episode until you go through it in real life. Ugh, okay, got to get this over with..❤️

Ceara Abrahamsz

It's very weird seeing it in widescreen. The 4:3 framing is super important for this episode. Not just the extra tight closeups, but like in the scene with the paramedic and Buffy where his body almost blocks Buffy completely, making her look tiny and overwhelmed. You lose a lot of that in the widescreen version. The 4:3 framing is intentionally claustrophobic and intrusive, and it's very effective.

Rachael

I think this is the first time I've seen it in widescreen. The episode is still powerful (I will always have a difficult time watching this episode), but the original composition makes it even more powerful and effective.

Rachael

The best dramatic exploration of the other end of grief I have also seen is the 1990 BBC movie Truly, Madly, Deeply. It makes me cry as much as this and feel cathartic relief at the end. If you’re not familiar, it’s worth seeking out.

Steve Maxey

I know I’m odd, but I live for episodes like this. That a story told well can make you feel deeply fora fictional character, someone who never actually existed, is for me one of the wonders of humanity. One of the little details I always note is the odd little smile Tara gives to Xander after she says “it hurts.” There is so much packed into that fleeting exchange of eye contact between a Tara and Xander: acknowledging that the pain itself is reassuring at such moments—it is evidence that we, at least, are still alive. And, of course, that this exchange goes unspoken, because it is contrary to common wisdom, because not everyone can or will understand. But Tara understands, and the fact that she does reassures Xander that he’s not crazy. And that is the joy at the deep core of this episode. That we empathize with the grief, pain, and sense of dislocation these characters experience reminds us that we are alive (for now), that we can still feel deeply, still be moved to tears and sorrow. It is one of the episodes I rewatch most frequently. And seeing a reactor experience that pain raw for the first time reminds us (or at least me) what it was like to feel that for the first time.

Steve Maxey

Fun fact: The Christmas flashback was written after the fact for the sole purpose of getting the opening credits out of the way so that they wouldn't interfere with the 911 scene.

Dipper

I've spoken about this on other reactor's videos, but as hard as this is to watch, I will forever be grateful for this episode. Before this episode portrayals of grief tended to be very Lifetime movie-esque, with the cathartic crying, and rather idealised reactions to loss (like everyone knows exactly how to feel, and if they don't then all they need is someone to have a heart to heart with them). None of that was my experience when I lost my grandma suddenly as a child, like there was literally zero media about grief that I could relate to and for ages, even as an adult when I did know better, I couldn't get rid of this small, nagging voice in the back of my mind that somehow I'd done the whole grief response thing 'wrong'. And then this episode went to air, and the opening scene with Buffy especially was so much like my own experience (the frantic attempts at CPR, the reversion back to a childlike state or a more childlike state in my case, waiting for help to arrive, the moment of realisation that the person is gone, the almost dream like state of shock you go into - my Mum and I at that point just sat in the lounge room and drank cups of tea, every now and then we'd get up for a refill and note that there was still a dead body in the other room, it was all very strange and civilised - and then of course the final breakdown of confirmation when death is officially declared). All of it was like 'OMG this is almost like watching a replay of that night', and it was the first time I had ever seen my own grief reaction displayed in any sort of media, and it helped me to finally understand that every response or thought I'd had at that time wasn't wrong, it was understandable and normal. It was a weird experience watching this episode for the first time, because I was devastated but also happy and cathartically relieved at the same time. It helped a lot, and I am very grateful to this episode's existence.

Claire Eyles

Same -- The Body has got to be the most brilliant episode of television that 90% of the time I skip when I'm rewatching the series. It's just so amazingly well done, but so painful to watch.

peggin

Thank you so much. I hope you're ok. We all were just as demolished as you by the end of the episode...and also the reaction. Watching it again was very tough.

Grace

I rarely rewatch this episode when watching reactors. It's a very well done episode and it's very powerful, but it's just so intense.

Steve Quast

Let's face it: the biggest bad in the entire Buffyverse is none other than Joss Whedon himself.

Steve Quast

This is a brilliantly done episode, and I hate it so very much. The art class was, of course, the way the whole episode was structured--the negative space that defines the central theme. I felt the scenes with Willow and Anya so much--I remember after my grandmother passed, I couldn't think of anything except not having anything black to wear to her funeral, and the whole bit where Anya just doesn't understand. It's so very REAL.

FernWithy

I hadn't noticed Willow mouthing "I love you" either. I've probably watched this episode 20 times. How wonderful to still be making new discoveries in this show. Geez Louise, I'm having trouble getting through these comments without crying. So many people have posted so many incredible comments.

UTU49

There are so many here who have said this more eloquently than I can but I do want to thank you for sharing this with us. It was so brave of you to allow us to witness your grief. Also, as I've said many times before, your insight on this episode brings out things I've never considered before.....even after multiple viewings. May I suggest that if you do decide to view this episode again, you may want to view it with Joss' commentary. Although it takes you out of the episode, which could be good or bad depending on your point of view, it also gives you some insight as to why the episode was written/filmed the way that it was.

The first time I watched this show, I was still unsure about Anya... until this episode. Then I realised, I am Anya. As someone with Aspergers, my emotions are very much an internal process, and expressing them externally is, let's just say, difficult, creating a sense of disconnect between myself and others. So like Anya in this episode, I am often observing people's behaviour more than I am understanding it. That said, I felt Liam's tears in this one. We all knew it was coming, which is both great and terrible at the same time... but I guess that's life in a nutshell. We love you, Liam, and remember what the sex-bot said... it's always darkest before the dawn 🧡

Oh boy. I just finished & i cried right along with you. I was dreading this one. No matter how many times i've seen it, it kills me. My dad died when I was 15 & that day is something you never forget, even the weird mundane things stick in your mind forever. This ep was just a beautiful heartbreaking masterpiece. A very unexpected turn. Much like real life. Episodes like this is why we watch reactors. I'm glad you got through it. 💗 Great reaction as always. XO

Sisnerdly

I have seen this ep at least ten times. It is one of my go-tos when I need a catharsis (the others are 90% Dr Who), and how much I cry usually depends on what is going on in my life at the moment. I'm 27mins into your full reaction, and so far I've already used half a dozen tissues. That is due in large part to the experience of watching it 'with' you. Your reactions were so genuine and unguarded that I am kind of wrecked, from a combo of the ep and empathy for you. Thank you for sharing this experience with us and for being willing to be honestly emotional on the internet. That takes a rare kind of strength and bravery, and my hat is off to you. I can't hug you in person, since I'm on the wrong side of the Atlantic, but I hope TorchwoodBoy (aka Alex) can do it for me. Along those lines, you guys will both need to support Liam Catterson when he eventually gets up to this ep. <3

Jean Olenick

I always think of this episode as one of the best made episodes of TV that I have no desire to revisit. I made the mistake of watching your reaction video while riding the bus home from work and I didn’t have any tissues! So hard trying not to cry right there on the bus, I am not sure what got me more-the episode or your reaction. Hang in there, we are all in this with you. :)

Melissa Murphy

An absolutely phenomenal, and painfully raw, episode of television. Others have already covered so many points, so I won’t repeat. One thing: Like you, I was initially not amused by the fake-out at the beginning. However, I now appreciate it. In contrast to the Cordelia-death fake-out in Season 3 (which only serves to briefly yank the viewer’s strings), this one is different. Like so many of the stylistic choices, it’s to illustrate a common form of grief; to desperately hope for a miracle even when it’s clear one is not coming. My mother passed away when I was 9, and I can still clearly remember how, in the immediate aftermath, I kept imagining that I’d turn a corner in out home and there she’d be, perfectly fine. Like Willow focusing on something trivial because she is otherwise powerless, Dawn’s denial, Xander’s anger, Anya’s lack of comprehension, and Tara’s empathy, it’s showing one more devastating kind of reaction we have to death. It’s hurtful on first watch, but I’m ultimately glad it’s there.

escalator_dropdown

Your reaction to this is THE most powerful one I've ever seen. Thank you for the bravery and honesty to let the pain show. Also, this is why I urge people to make it through season 1 episodes like 'Teacher's Pet', who could believe it's the same show, right? But this episode is such a marvel, criminal that the american tv awards didn't recognize it or the actors.

HuntingSwan

I haven't been commenting much lately because life has been beating me up somewhat. I lost a brother late in the year and a beloved pet on New Year's Eve day, among other things. This episode is very hard to watch ... and very real. For what it's worth, if you're looking for a cathartic cry - or even just a respectful treatment of loss - I don't think you can do better than this. It really is an amazing piece of work from all involved.

Bean's friend

I lost my Dad when I was 24 and had to take care of my 14 year old brother from that moment on. I saw my Dad in the morgue also and Buffy's line that Joyce isn't there anymore and that she's gone is the truest thing ever. The essence of my Father was completely gone and it was just a body.

Cheyne Johnson

I'm so sorry, Liam. Every time some one starts reacting to Buffy, I get excited to share the experience and then feel bad that they have to go through episodes like this one. And you especially had a appreciation and concern for Joyce throughout the show that made me dread this. So I'm very sorry. But know that we are all in it with you sending our thoughts and hugs. And please take your time to react to the next one. You are a reactor but you're a human first so take the time you need. <3

Miranda

I haven't read through the comments and it is likely someone else has said this and its also likely that you already know this, but, this episode is almost a must re-watch as soon as you can. At least for me, the 1st time I saw this, my head was just continually spinning and then blowing up and then melting, that afterwards, I knew I missed a bunch. There are so many small details that could go unnoticed due to the immense emotions one experiences while watching this

Mark Judge

Noticed you're using the widecreen 'extra special' edition. Made extra special in this episode by the production equipment that wanders into the left side of the frame of two-ish shots when everybody is in the hospital waiting area. Was so hoping that wouldn't be a distraction for you. The later seasons of Buffy were shot using widescreen equipment with the intention that they only be released in 4:3 format. Against Joss's wishes, Fox's DVD sales and distribution arm had other ideas about how they could make money. As such, sometimes production people and equipment find their way into the 16:9 scenes, in the portions of the frame that were discarded to get the intended 4:3 final cut.

David Boyd

I think this is the first episode when you see Tara as the strong moral center of the Scoobies. Her interactions with Willow, Xander, Anya, and especially her conversation with Buffy in the hospital demonstrate this.

Jarrod Wild

The look of absolute horror on Buffy's face immediately after she refers to her mom as a thing for the first time, the 'body', instead of mom, a pronoun, or by her name. This episode is so masterfully done in every way. When I rewatch this ep, I observe and appreciate all the acting, directing, and editing choices.

David Boyd

Just a comment while I pause for a little break. I've seen this episode countless times and I've never noticed when Willow mouthed "I love you" to Tara until you mentioned it. That shows that there are always new details to discover and why I think reactions are so important. Also as Tillow is my favorite couple you gave me yet another special moment for them which is so great. Okay now back to the reaction. I keep pausing cause of crying 😥

Jenn Rose

Drinking in the pub but thinking of an acceptable time to leave to watch this...I have issues Haha

Salv Mancuso

The rawest episode of television I've ever seen. No score, minimal sound, very quiet. I went through this with my dad and there's so much to identify with. Funny thing is I watched this when it first aired, when my dad was quite healthy and it seemed there was nothing to worry about. Then he got sick, and then he died, and I watched him take his last breath. And that first 24 hours after was surreal and it was like I was just drifting through it. I was mostly emotionless and barely reacting to the world around me. I've never had that experience since but I think I inevitably will again with my mother, and sooner than I might think.

Jarrod Wild

That's a good way of thinking about it, that's never occurred to me. I like its inclusion because this ep is all about realism and the drudgery of death, and for Buffy, slaying is that drudgery. It's unfair for her to have to decapitate a naked vampire in the presence of her mother's recently deceased body, but life doesn't wait for you to recover from loss. Also there's something ironic and macabre about Buffy's work specifically being about death. Like, she deals with death every day, just in a different way.

KT

Just like in the highschool and college year's of Buffy, the class lesson is always about the episode. "The negative space around the body" They keep jumping back to Joyce. She starts every new scene. The cinematography of this episode is just one of the things I love about it.

RavenSteal

Willow and Tara's first onscreen kiss in this episode was very deliberate as well. Joss didn't want their first kiss to be like an episode unto itself, like the only reason the episode existed was so they could kiss on screen for the first time; he wanted it to feel natural, like a natural part of the narrative flow. The network at the time was very nervous about allowing it, and expressed a lot of reluctance and reservation, at which point Joss Whedon literally told them they either left the kiss in or he would pack up his office and walk, end of show.

Claire Eyles

I don't think anyone expected attractive with this reaction. I think most of us just look for an honest reaction and that's what you gave us, besides there's more to what's attractive than a nice face, a smile and a laugh, like having the heart and soul to relate to and openly express a heart felt response to emotional pain. There is no right or wrong way to react to this episode either, you gave us you, your feelings, your reaction, and that's more than enough.

Claire Eyles

Well that was quite a reaction. There are many things that usually get said about this episode, and they will probably all be covered by everyone else. So I will just say that I am quite glad that the vampire was included at the climax. Whatever the actual reason was, for me it was important that this show not deny its identity as a fantasy show just because some might have thought they would have to in order to do this episode. This kind of show had genuinely only really existed for less than a decade at the time, and it wasn’t taken seriously by critics. The show had what it took to do a heart wrenching emotional drama, but it would have been a mistake if they had left out any element of fantasy while doing it, since that essentially confirms the opinion that fantasy can’t be serious in that way. Of course, that nameless, unclothed vampire (and Joss Whedon points out this is Dawn’s first time seeing a naked man) is the only bit of the fantastic in the episode (even Spike is absent) because that’s not what this episode is, but I think it was important overall that something supernatural happen, and that the message not be, “Okay, just the heavy emotional weight, no silly monsters.” The fantasy should not have been treated like fluff you dispense with when it’s time to be an adult, and it wasn’t. Well, that’s how I took it.

Koz

Hi, first of all I want to say that I don't thing anyone would fault you for waiting to react to this one. It would have been ok. Also, as for you not being attractive this episode...I must disagree. Compassion and empathy are attractive qualities. The fact that you care and are unafraid to show it is extremely attractive snot and all. :) Don't worry if you need to take a few days to regroup before the next one, this episode is rough. I always have to pause it a few times to sob for 10 or 15 minutes. I dread it coming on my re-watches even if it is well done.

Sarah

You're right, that was Willow and Tara's first on screen kiss. The network really resisted but Joss fought for it to happen right here. Nothing grandiose, just a small moment of comfort and love.

KT

A wonderful reaction to a horrible and brilliant episode of TV. For me, I've still yet to see an episode of TV depict death more accurately. Its hard to watch. Something that we feel so deeply within us that it's like our own mother died. I hope you rest and feel better. No need to immediately react to the next one.

Angela Colon

I have been so nervous for this, my heart's been pounding since Buffy has the red sweater on at the end of Ep15!!! It's absolutely brutal yet brilliant!! I so wanted to give you a big hug, so I hope my patreon subscription will suffice for that!!

Carmen Chaproniere

Thank you for sharing this Liam. I usually make it to Anya's speech before I start crying, but going through it again, with you, I cried about as much as you did. I was overdue for a catharsis of some kind. "The Body" is more than just an episode of a TV show. I think it's an incredible piece of film-making, but it also transcends film and television. It's such an emotional experience that it's difficult to analyze it.

UTU49

Oh and yeah the lack of music was definitely intentional and a powerful move. And yeah, no evidence of life after death whatsoever, but the comforting thing in that is we were 'dead' for ions before we were born and it didn't bother us, it's basically the same thing when our bodies stop working. We just no longer are aware of anything and so we won't be in any pain either. I don't think being dead is scary. I do think dying can be scary and painful and those left behind suffer greatly, but the fact that we get to live at all and make our mark on the world ever briefly, is incredible and something I know I'm thankful for. No matter what happens in the future, nothing will change the reality that we and those we love and lose, were here, existed, lived, loved, did things, that will always have been the case. I also think about how light from other worlds takes so long to reach us that some of those stars have already faded out of existence by the time their light reaches us, so I like to think of the light that exists when people we loved and lost (and ourselves before our deaths) lives on, stretching out through the universe reaching distant places long after our deaths. Sorry, I'm in a weird head space these days, but glad you appreciated the episode for what it is, even though it's a very painful one.

Jayna

Waiting for work to end so I can watch this.

Steve Maxey

😐 Yeah...

Collete L

Ah this episode. It really is painfully messy to watch even though it really is a spectacular piece of Television. I read somewhere that Joss poured his own loss of his own mother into writing this one, and it shows. I hope you feel better! Crying always makes sinus issues so much harder, and leaves you in a fog for hours.

Jayna

Yeah Anya's part in this always gets to me.

Jayna

I'm 7 minutes into the reaction & now I'm finding reasons to procrastinate on watching it. Not sure I'm ready to see one of my favourite reactor's heart break. I remember when this episode first aired, and how all of a sudden it was like seeing multitudes of critics suddenly get whiplash at just how fast they 180'd. Before this episode the majority of television critics at the time tended to dismiss Buffy as just a teenage genre show that wasn't really capable of doing anything too brilliant. And then this episode landed & the critics were all like "This is the finest hour of television that has ever aired, and it's Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Wait, what? Maybe we should start taking this show a bit more seriously". It was nice to see the show finally get its dues, it's just unfortunate that Joss Whedon had to stomp everyone's heart into a million jagged pieces to achieve that.

Claire Eyles

This is when Anya became a favorite of mine. I'll never forget how much I sobbed when I first watched it and she delivered her line. I am still upset that this episode and Sarah didn't win an Emmy.

Stephen Mintac

Yes I read that, or watched that interview. and Joss was all "no you can't leave! You die in s5!" and so like you say, they came to a mutual thing where her appearances would be limited in s4 so she could travel/ spend time with family / work on other things etc, and come back fresh for her s5 episodes. I think they both agreed Joyce deserved a proper storyline and ending.

Holi117

Wish I could give you a hug! I have seen this show in it’s entirety more times than I can count and this episode is still hard to watch. Anya’s speech always breaks my heart :( As hard as this episode is to watch, it truly shows how extraordinarily talented the cast is. Probably one of the best episodes of any television show I have ever seen, while also being one that I avoid rewatching because it’s so painful.

Kelly Keel

bless you. What a heartfelt, honest reaction. Thank you for uploading so quickly, and for being so genuine. Its a hard episode, but so well written and directed. I was crying along with you. Joss has spoken on this episode, and he was essentially saying he wanted to try and capture the "boringness" that comes after death - the shock, and the quiet, and the awkwardness and the sitting around not knowing what to do next and so on. He wanted odd camera angles to see things from Buffy's perspective - like lingering on the phone buttons as if in that moment she's forgotten how to use it, or her looking at the bottom half of the paramedics face, focused on his mouth and hearing words but not really taking it all in... Or when she goes to the backdoor and you can hear wind chimes and children somewhere playing in the distance - showing the way life is going on outside as if the world didn't just crash all around you. That opening scene with Buffy and Joyce was a oner, I believe - or most of it was. Joss said Sarah was just a real trooper, getting herself into that mind frame and everything.

Holi117

I hate that we can’t prepare reactors for this episode, I guess at the end of that last episode you know what might be coming but I don’t think anyone can be prepared for this episode. I’ve seen it many times and now only watch it in reactions and even I never feel prepared to watch it again. The acting is superb in this episode and Anya’s speech is just so pure and heartbreaking.

Becky Howell

The only time I ever re-watch this episode is when it's a reaction. Time to share the pain.

Zoot!

So I guess now we can tell you why Joyce wasn't in Season 4 that much. Kristine Sutherland had wanted to leave the show at the end of S3, Josh already had the Joyce illness and death storyline planned out for S5 so she agreed to stay on for that but wasn't given many episodes in S4 (I'm assuming as some sort of exchange for not leaving end of S3). Okay, now I'm going to watch the reaction

Claire Eyles

Right there with you. My feelings exactly. More than looking forward, I've been dreading this one for a while now, but still an exceptional episode.

Jayna

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Christine Ester

The time has come. To say I looked forward to this episode would be cruel, but even if it is devastating it is a phenomenal episode. I have my tissues ready and I know I'll be crying along with you. I'm sorry for the pain Liam, but we all had to go through it! Sending virtual hugs your way 😭❤

Jenn Rose

It's almost cruel watching a reactor march through season 5 knowing this lies ahead. Who would have thought, when watching "Teacher's Pet" or "I Robot, You Jane", the same show would one day produce an episode like this? Will sadly have to wait a while to watch this reaction. Having lost my mum at the start of the year, this most real episode of Buffy is probably a little too real at the moment.

Graeme McCutcheon

oh dear, here it is....

SbE

Ok so now I need to get the kids in bed and settled and send the hubbie to play the ps4 so I can sit with my cup of tea, 10 thousand tissues and an abundance of chocolate and weep for the next hour 😢

Shauni Livingstone

👏😭🥰💔😢🥺😭 Edit: The emojis were before I watched, and now that I have, I have no words. So will just leave it there. A brilliant reaction.

RavenSteal