Buffy the Vampire Slayer - 4x16 "Who Are You?" FULL REACTION

I know you say that this is the literal center of the series in terms of raw number of episodes (since Season 1 was short). But to me the emotional or thematic middle of the series has always been in the middle of 4x13 ‘The I inTeam,” when Riley says “Buffy. When I saw you stop the world from, you know, ending, I just assumed that was a big week for you. It turns out I suddenly find myself needing to know the plural of apocalypse.” Professor Walsh has just recognized her as a Slayer—a Representative of the U.S. army and thus its government—a symbol that a wider world is paying attention to her in particular, and she has become aware that she’s not just taking harder classes on a bigger campus, but, by letting herself become known by the Initiative, she is, in a way, stepping onto a larger stage that extends beyond Sunnyvale High and Sunnydale itself (and the secretive Watchers Council). Yes, the entire season has been trying to tell her that she’s not in high school any more, but for me it is a moment that rings that bell in a whole new way.

Steve Maxey

Sarah Michelle Gellar is amazing in this episode she’s such an underrated actress.

Sarah McKinlay

One of my absolute favorite episodes of the show. I don't think I've ever seen a body swap done better than this. The acting is on-point. Both of them feel like the other person. It's fantastic.

Angela Colon

You know at the time Faith poisoned Angel, he was helping people stay alive and she was killing people. Valuing her soul over Angel's soul, well ya know there's also the souls of the number of students the mayor would kill at graduation and maybe that number matters too. Rape is applicable when consent is taken away; you can use other terminology but it's also damaging to tell other people that they can't use that terminology.

Pate

I am firmly on Faith's side when it comes to Buffy stabbing her to save Angel. I don't particularly blame Buffy for the choice she made to do that, as she was only 18 years old at the time, involved with a much older man (from the tender age of 16...), and was definitely not thinking clearly. But Giles should have stepped in to say that it was completely inappropriate to value the life of a vampire who'd already lived 240+ years, over the life of a 17/18 yo girl just because she was on a destructive path (or, hey, Angel could have said so himself? But even he valued his own life over Faith's...truly a low point for his character). Anyway, on another note...I'm disappointed with Riley for sleeping with Faith/"Buffy" in this episode, because he could tell something wasn't right but he acted on his desire for sex with "Buffy" anyway. If my girlfriend suddenly started acting strangely before sex, asking me if I wanted to hurt her, I would be concerned and no longer in the mood...I'd want to discuss what she said and why. I have heard the excuse that "Riley is just a guy after all", but that's not good enough. If your sexual partner is acting off right before sex, it should signal to you that something isn't right and that maybe they're trying to use sex in a "self-harming" or otherwise unhealthy way. That's worth talking about. Also, people keep using the word "rape" to describe what Faith did to Riley. There are many forms of sexual assault, and the word "rape" refers to the specific form that involves non-consensual *penetration* of an orifice with a penis or other object (this is the case in most jurisdictions in most places, because penetrating someone's body without their consent is a specific form of bodily violation). If Faith had penetrated Riley's anus while she was having sex with him as Buffy, then, yes, she would have raped him. As it stands, she did indeed sexually assault him, though it would probably be termed something like "sexual assault via deception". This isn't just quibbling over terminology; it's just important to not throw words around as if they mean nothing when talking about these issues. It's not a matter of creating a hierarchy of sexual assault or anything like that; it's just important, especially to most survivors, that there are specific words available to describe specific experiences. Anyway, that said, I feel badly for Riley that he was deceived into sharing his body and feelings with someone he didn't know or want to do that with. I also feel badly for Buffy, because her body was used for that without her consent as well. And I feel bad for Faith, because she has clearly had such messed up issues/experiences surrounding sex that she doesn't even know what it's like to attach feelings to the act, or to care/be cared about by whoever she's doing it with. Bad feelings all around. It's a complicated episode.

cs

I'm just happy that you're giving Tara a chance! <3 She's amazing and sweet!

Stephen Mintac

So this is when Willow became a ventriloquist! Good catch, Claire!

UTU49

There's a goof in the scene when Buffy, Tara, Willow and Giles arrive at the Church to try and get in. If you look at Alyson Hannigan when Willow's saying the lines, "but we can't...you don't understand" Alyson's lips aren't actually moving.

Claire Eyles

I can never remember what a stevedore is... even though I've looked it up numerous times. It's a piece of information that won't stay in my brain. I keep thinking it's a hat. I think it finally stuck in my brain now, though. It's some kind of dock worker, right?

UTU49

I liked Riley in this episode as well, I liked how he just wanted to connect with who he thought was Buffy and not play games and engage in meaningless sex like Faith thought sex to be. He was sweet, and genuine, and tender, and I do love the notion put forth that a man isn't always simply an animal giving into their lust, but that they too can want that intimacy and connection. If they had only written Riley a little more consistently I probably would've liked his character a lot more.

Claire Eyles

So Willow's not driving stick anymore. And I thought they were just 'doing spells together'. :D

Claire Eyles

Fuffy: Oh, oh! When I had psychic power, I heard my mom think that you were like a stevedore during sex. Do you want me to continue? Giles: Actually, I beg you to stop. Fuffy: What's a stevedore? That head tilt that Eliza does always cracks me up. I also did not know what a stevedore is. Turns out, basically Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront. Not too shabby there, Giles.

Rachael

Even with the moments she has in this episode to pause and reflect, Faith is clearly disintegrating and approaching the metaphorical rock bottom.

Jarrod Wild

He did very briefly pop up, one might say like warm champagne.

Jarrod Wild

She raped Riley and Buffy simultaneously. Pretty twisted.

Jarrod Wild

Ah yes, the only blight on an otherwise great two-parter. "You slept with her?" Nah Buffy. She raped him.

Second_Strike

Great two-parter. As for spoilers, I'd avoid reading YT comments altogether tbh! There's been many times that I've wanted to say what episodes/seasons I'm looking forward to seeing, or a quote that has future significance, but I resist the urge and generally say nothing at all. A lot of people don't have that filter. Knowing what's to come, and how bloody awesome this show is, I'd hate for anything to spoiled.

Not only is Tara the one to notice Buffy isn't Buffy, Faith immediately clocks Tara as gay. This is a fun episode, but it is quite dark. Faith is shockingly cruel. She seems to want to "desecrate" Buffy's body by asking RIley to do things to it that Buffy previously hasn't wanted to do with him. She bullies Tara, who has never done anything to her. The Watchers Council are absolute monster, though we already knew that.

Moon Logic

Can I just say, Xander lasting 7 minutes with wild and exciting Faith for his very first time is nothing short of miraculous. I always thought her line should have been “7 seconds” lol

Richard Lucas

I love watching Faith learn about how both the loving support AND the expectations placed on her by friends and family have helped shape her. There are a number of moments, but the one where it clearly hits home for her is in The Bronze after Willow spots the vampire. The looks that pass between her and Willow before that “And....I should go slay him” it’s clear that she’s suddenly realizing in a whole new way how love and support and moment-to- moment expectation of certain behavior are all wrapped up together. Who Buffy *is*, what her friends love her for, is the choices she makes in the world and the values those choices reveal. This is one more Joss-written episode in a long line from “Lie to Me” that underlines the importance of choosing, of choices made, and how those create whatever meaning your life may have to those around you.

Steve Maxey

I'm so glad you've been warned about spoilers in general...Around these seasons it reaches a new level (I see them a lot on the youtube comments as well, and sometimes they take the form of hints and nudges and "inside" jokes but they're all highly avoidable), hopefully mods will take care of that. Great reaction to one of my favourite episodes of S4!! 💕 SMG and ED are *outstanding* in this.

I'm sure they didn't have time (and didn't need to), but I always imagined they got each other to play their "real" lines first, and then impersonated their opposite number in front of the cameras. They were both superb.

Ian O'Donnell

This pair of episodes is among my favorites to rewatch. SMG and Eliza Dushku do such a great job playing each others' characters. We learn the Watchers' Council has a paramilitary arm. Faith has a kind of personal breakthrough. Willow and Tara cast a steamy spell. Fun callbacks ("seven minutes" and "hyena energy"). Great reaction to a great episode.

Rob Z

Your reaction to the "stab" and the "spell" scenes was so priceless as with the Spike scene. Can't wait for the next reaction.💜

Catherine Thurmond

Hello to the imagery

Nick Velasquez

Didn't you say how Eliza does such a good job playing Faith? Well, Sarah does too! And vice versa. Holy shit those mannerisms etc. Both do an amazing job here.

Eliza

I'm glad you've gotten general warnings about spoilers. Buffy fans are super nice, but we are also very excitable. Somewhere between Buffy season 3 and season 6, the fandom gets overly excited like a chihuahua... and pees on the floor a little bit. One could be charitable and just see it as enthusiasm... but it's actually urine.

UTU49

"Seeing [Spike] very briefly pop up." Was that a euphemism?

Ian O'Donnell

Oh Liam .. your face when you thought Buffy/Faith had stabbed Willow 😲😲😲😲 Bless you 😍

"I am, you know?" "What...?" "Yours." I SCREAM EVERY TIME. Tara is so goddamn cute, I love her so much

Ritchie

Squeeee!

UTU49

Whooohooo been waiting all day for this 😶🤣