Buffy - Earshot S3 E18 - Full Reaction

Yeah going to the tower with a rifle seems too forced of a misdirect. But one possible explanation for the rifle could be that's the only gun his parents had for hunting.

"Fun Facts" (not really fun): I was in junior high (years 7-8) when Columbine happened, and when this episode later aired. Parents and educators experienced a bit of a moral panic in America, and we students who dared to dress in black, wear long coats, or even wear shirts with band names on them were questioned, and threatened, unless we told them we were part of the "Trenchcoat Mafia" (the name the killers at Columbine called themselves, and barely anyone else did; my principal (headmaster) seemed to think this was some sort of international gang). Would be more traumatic if it wasn't for an earlier moral panic that I experienced living in America when I was younger, the "Satanic Panic". Worth looking up. It affected Australia too. Buffy eventually airing this episode had a real, and noticeable effect of chilling everyone out, and not harassing innocent kids as much. This episode was the first network television, as far as I know, that addressed school shooting and teen suicide.

Being able to hear other people's thoughts would be both a gift and a curse. Yeah, you would be able to tell who is genuine, but you'd also hear so much horrible stuff as well. I think I'd have to pass on that particular talent. Best part of this episode is surely Buffy finding out about Joyce & Giles hooking up! "You had sex with Giles?... On the hood of a police car?... TWICE!?" 🤣

Such a great episode. One that, when it was due to air back in 1999 , the Columbine High School massacre happened just a week beforehand. So this episode wasn't shown, at least in the US, until much later on. During season 4 of Buffy. I remember seeing it in the UK, I think. It was a long time ago now. But I do think the overall message is positive. It was important for Buffy to speak to someone like Jonathan and make him realise that there's a reason people are ignoring him, because they're so busy thinking about themselves. It might not be a positive thing, but it is often a high school way of thinking. Of course Jonathan was a red herring in the end. But it was an important lesson nonetheless. Side note, Larry being out and his grandmother setting him up is so great and I love it. Have a great week, Juliette!

One week before this episode was supposed to air, The Columbine High School massacre occurred, so they delayed it for quite some time and showed a rerun instead. It was the worst school shooting in American history that sadly is no longer the case. America loves our guns. grr. Anyway, I thought it would be interesting to put this episode in historical context.

Speaking of the live viewing experience... I'm always kinda envious of reactors, because they get to see this episode here, when it was intended to be seen. We didn't. By pure and unfortunate coincidence, this episode was originally scheduled to air exactly one week after the Columbine High School massacre. Understandably, out of sympathy for the families of the victims and a desire not to be seen to be exploiting the tragedy, that broadcast was pre-empted, and a rerun was hastily plugged in its place. This episode ultimately would not air until September, two weeks before the Season 4 premiere.