Buffy 6x18 Early Access & Full

Such a personal reaction, Juliette, especially to that showdown between Xander and Spike and Buffy and Anya near the end. I have so many mixed feelings about all of it. Maybe if I watch your reactions a third time, some day (which I’m probably bound to do), I’ll discuss mine compared to yours. I just wanted to comment, though, on what you said about season six, in general. That it’s “darker, deeper and more depressing but more realistic”. You’re right on the money. Season six is my favorite season and that is exactly why.

As someone who always hopes and tries to be mature, but doesn’t always make the mark, I understand why Spike and Anya did what they did and I understand why Xander and Buffy felt what they felt. If I broke up with someone, even if it was completely my idea, I might still feel a bit … off about them having sex with a friend of mine (or enemy of mine, in the case of Xander). In my opinion, there’s no wrong or right to their feelings, although Xander coming at Spike to kill him is a bit different.

I really like this episode. We find out Anya is a vengeance demon again. I know that's not the direction you wanted her to take, but I think it's understandable. Despite her growth as a character, she has just suffered an incredible heartbreak. Not just a breakup, but she was literally stood up at the altar. How humiliating for her. Her coping mechanism is going back into her familiar comfort zone. Not necessarily the best choice, obviously, but it is understandable. We also get all the humorous moments of her trying to trick everyone into making a wish against Xander. Those scenes always crack me up. One thing this show does well is its ability to mix comedy and heartbreak together in a single episode. I do dislike the part where Buffy and Xander find the camera in the yard and immediately think it's Spike. Yeah, he did always creepily hang out in the yard a lot, but the camera thing just isn't his style. They already know The Trio has been messing with Buffy, so I don't know why they wouldn't think of them first. Xander really bothers me this episode. It was his decision to walk away from Anya on their wedding day, but then he wants to come in and act all mighty and righteous. Anya is right that Xander has no business judging her. Also it was a bit of a foul move to try to kill Spike knowing that he can't fight back.

Im guessing you already seen the next episode and I hope you are okay episode 19 broke me

I love how understanding Dawn is to Buffy. She's very mature for someone who's one and a half.

In regards to the next 2 episodes, I know you're doing Buffy and Angel interchangeably, but some reactors have found it helpful to watch Buffy 6x19 and Buffy 6x20 back to back, or at least fairly close to one another. Just an idea for you. Also this being season 6 you should always be prepared with tissues.

The miserable calm before the miserable storm. Ooh boy.

This episode--- is a lot. The next episodes--- are a LOT MORE...

TOTALLY agree with you about Willow and Tara. This episode has a lovely ending and it's happy but yes - they haven't dealt with what Willow did. The focus has been on her magic addiction, and Willow has done a great job of fighting it, but what she did to Tara was more than the magic addiction, it was a very toxic, abusive personality trait and they haven't dealt with it at all.

I agree with you. Xander may have genuinely believed that they never broke up and that they just needed time to work through everything, but the relationship should be assumed to be over after someone is left at the altar imo. It's sad to see that Xander trying to avoid his fear of becoming his father has only made him start to realize that fear with his heavy drinking and poor emotional control. As for Spike, I'm just glad (and honestly a little surprised) that he seems to be trying to move on after Buffy told him to for the nth time. He doesn't deserve to be attacked for what he did with Anya, but there are plenty of reasons he does deserve it.

On a less dire note, I really liked the homage to The Raiders of the Lost Ark with the disk the Trio used to point out the location of SOMETHING on the map of Sunnydale, ala the jewel in the staff of Ra headpiece pointing out the location of the Ark in the map room of Tanis (sadly without the fire). As for the remaining episodes of the season, I quote Samuel Jackson's character in Jurassic Park, "Hold on to your butts."

Juliette 💜 I've noticed you're putting these up an hour earlier now. Will this be the new time going forward? Because if so I very much approve! 8 or 9pm (depending on the time of year) instead of 9 or 10pm is so much more convenient. Thanks as always and I hope you have a great weekend.