“Bored now” - Willow. 🙌🏽

Something about Dawn finding Tara really adds into the loss. Especially the episode before where she was happy to see them back together and then this.

I don't think the actor who plays Warren gets enough praise for his portrayal. Out of all the big bads, even Angelus, Warren was the one I just absolutely despised the most. Yeah, he had his funny moments at the beginning, but throughout the season you see him just sinking lower and lower.

The final scene between Willow and Warren is so intense not only in terms of directing but the writing. Great work by Marti Noxon during a time (Feb-Mar '02) in which Joss was almost fully concentrated in Firefly.

"I'll help, but I'm helping Willow!" I LOVE Anya in this arc! I won't go fully into it here (I'll wait until the finale) but she is honestly the unsung MVP of this arc.

Willow has been flirting with the edges of evil for a looong time. Not with cartoon evil, but very human evil, which a lot of the time is at a very low simmer, where you can’t even recognize it. How long ago was it that Willow seriously considered magically cursing Oz to punish him for cheating? Or when she’s attempted to or actually used magic to control someone else without their knowledge or consent?

13:09 I've always loved how they brought back "Bored now." Such a simple phrase, but so much more chilling if you go back and watch older episodes after this. And yeah, meet the hidden Big Bad of Season 6: Willow the Warren Flayer!

Dawn breaks my heart in this episode.

Even after many, many viewings, I find that Dawn’s reactions to these situations still hits me hard.

We ALL feel you, girl and we are here for you!!! Trust me, we’ve all been there, done that. Sweet, sweet Tara... I will NEVER be over it.

Adam is a great actor, he does a great job of making you hate his character, during the time of filming he was dating Amber, I still find it weird and creepy that his character Warren killed Amber's character Tara, also the infamous line "bored now" from Dark Willow, was used by vampire Willow in season 3.

Funny that Tara's only kill was with an axe to the back of a demon. "Axe not gonna cut it."

Weren't sure if you would cry for Tara after mourning for weeks. Whedon said; "Hold my beer".

Just gonna say the Scoobies should be THANKING Anya for getting her vegenence back on. Because it came at such a convenient & helpful time!

I love how he looks at the camera when she talks about the trials. heheh

It is fantastic how incredibly well done Willow’s transformation was done. She has come so far from episode one, season one, and yet it’s still her and her transformation has happened so gradually that it’s totally believable. The downside is, she has been building her self confidence around magic and power, not around her own self worth... and this is why she can’t see it. But only a show as good as Buffy can pull this character transformation.... what a journey lies ahead for Willow!

I recall saying that if a character becomes too power, usually the writers have to cripple them so they aren't OP. The other way, that I didn't mention, was to turn them into an antagonist for the hero to overcome.

I just noticed Kyle's shirt. That's amazing. (the hips might be a little wide though.)

0:29 "i'm not telling you guys where I am in the episodes but I am WRECKED right now" some superfan might start to believe you're on episode 10 of season 6 :-) hahaha

What's terrifying the most about what Willow here in the end (or I should say Dark Willow) is that, when she was using the bullet to torture Warren, she ended up forfeiting it as a means to destroy him (using the same weapon he used to destroy Tara) and INSTEAD, opted for something no one had ever seen before in the Buffyverse: flaying. 😱😱😱 The most f'ed up thing anyone's ever done here that's Supernatural. It made the previous Big Bads seem less threstening compared to what Dark Willow could do.

I wonder if we've come to the point where Warren meets his end... :Watches MacKenzie's expression as Willow officially joins House Bolton:: Yeah, we're there. Fun times...

I love Kyle's shirt! LOL, I immediately noticed it after he unzipped his hoodie and burst out laughing!

6:32 - I like how she says she doesn't kill humans. Apparently Buffy's forgotten those Knights Of Byzantium that she killed on top of the bus in Season 5. They were human as well

On Spike knowing about that place. He's more than a few times shown the capacity to know about things like this. When you think about it he was under Angelus's tutelage and was with Drusilla for a very long time. Both showed an interest in the deeper legends of the world. Willow "You're not a bad person. Not like me." All a matter of experience. This is a favorite arc, and yet losing Tara, Willows understandable fall, still kills me. We really never know till we're there. Yay when not but there can be little presumption before the trial. Sometimes I think before we were born there was fear of this place but also that sense, like that college guy asking people to punch him in the gut with confidence, until someone does it a little too hard.

"Willow just saved you... lots of hospital bills" -- Oh, that's right, in the U.S. people have to pay for health care. Here in Canada the hospital stay and all treatment would be free. There's still a nominal fee for the ambulance ride.

Amber Benson, who plays Tara, was dating Adam Busch, at the time his character killed Tara off. Leading up to the filming of the episode, Joss told Amber how her character was going to die and she without thinking about it told Adam before he read it in the script. I talked to someone recently who had different views than mine about Anya who didn't seem to understand why I thought the Scoobies hypocrites for chastising Anya for becoming/being a vengeance demon. Willow doing what she does here and the Scoobies always chastising Anya for being a vengeance demon was one of many moments I was thinking of. Willow is still considered their friend the main group's friend, but they push Anya even further away when they realize what she did after Xander left her at the alter. I personally think its hypocritical even if others do not. This episode aired May 14, 2002. The first four Harry Potter books had been released and the first movie had been released at the point of this episode airing. Warren may be a murderer but Willow is also now. When numerous people start watching BtVS for the first time, there is almost always some mention of how wonderful they find Willow. My mind always fast forwards to what I think their reaction to this may be years down the line. It isn't just that they have recently resurrected someone (Buffy) once already. It is also that they weren't supposed to and that Tara died of natural causes rather than mystical causes. Willow has called on gods and goddesses before, but the fact that she was once again attempting to break the rules to resurrect Tara was probably why Osiris came personally when he normally wouldn't have. Willow's arc this season always makes me wonder about Amy's mom, Catherine Madison, from the third episode of the series. If the Scoobies knew Catherine, would they have been trying to help her? What was in her past that gave her the same black eyes Willow now has? My guess is that she focused on the good aspects of her childhood which was cheerleading, because Amy's dad who we know was her high school sweetheart left her as we also know is the man she actually gave her heart to and she never got over it. Perhaps he was actually Amy's dad and Amy doesn't know. So Catherine wanted to focus on cheerleading to ignore the pain on him leaving only she couldn't do it anymore at her age, so she took her recreational activity skills as a witch and advance them until Amy one day woke up in her mother's body. This is all head-cannon of course. Willow just always makes me curious about Catherine.

Thanks again, you two. This is such a dark season, but it has been a great ride.

"It's been 84 years..."

I'm glad that Mackenzie had some time to process the prevoius episode, and mourn . (And I remember hoping against hope that Tara wasn't really dead in my own week between the episodes.) At least you guys were able to have some laughs between the tears. And true, there wasn't a lot of time in the ep to mourn Tara - mainly with poor Dawn; but I did find a little more reaction, particularly from Buffy, in later re-watches than I noticed on my first time through. And the after-watch conversations between you two have become so quality every time now.

I LOVE Kyle’s shirt 😍🙌

I'm glad you saw the call back to vampire Willow. Vamp!Willow herself is massive foreshadowing for what Willow has become now. There's always been a lot or rage and resentment bubbling bellow the surface of Willow and she's never managed to deal with her insecurities in a healthy way that actually addresses them. Instead she finds something cool and clings to it, reinvents herself with a new cooler image but she's still the same girl underneath her new mask. We saw that in the last episode of season 4 in her nightmare. And now that she's dosed herself with dark magick those dark impluses and repressed anger and insecurities aren't being held back anymore.

We don't kill people... Knights of Bysant: Hey!!! Faith (although alive): Don't kill people? Am I chopped liver for you Buffy?

Yeah Willow turning ultra powerful like Jean Grey turning into the Phoenix is always fascinating to watch. Terrifyingly exciting. And I forgot to comment on this but Kyle's 'Buffy will patrol shirt' is 👍👍👍

If you want some fun, re-watch Welcome To The Hellmouth, re-watch this, and marvel at the development of Willow Rosenberg's character and Alyson Hannigan's range of acting.

We are at the big twist Willow is the big bad of the season

Love your shirt so much. Had to laugh again and again a few times during this otherwise dark episode. Keep it going you guys!! Greetz from Germany.

The problem with Willow is that she's concerned with vengeance, rather than justice. She chastises Warren, "You took her away - from _me,"_ making herself the victim instead of the late Tara. She's so occupied by her own pain that she _left Tara's body alone_ for Dawn to find. So I agree with Dawn. Justice demands Warren's life, perhaps even extrajudicially. But it's on behalf of the murder victim, _not_ her girlfriend. Willow went after Warren for selfish reasons, and that's taking her down the path to the Dark Side.

Compare this Willow to the Willow that got bullied by Cordelia in the early years 😮

I know I'm late to this comment section but man, Alyson Hannigan knock it out the park this season. I know she hasn't done much besides "Fool Us" but I hope she returns to either a hero or villain role soon. Kinda hoping she does a villain role because it really showcases how good she is.

Honestly the hospital bills would have been murder.

Mackenzie, I love your analysis. They are so spot on. Great work, guys.

Can't wait for the rest of the season! Loving watching y'all!

I had a very Willy Wonka reaction to her killing Warren: "No. Don't. Stop."

That last part is always an emotional roller coaster for me. Warren killed one of my favorite characters, so finally being rid of him is nice. But at the same time seeing Willow in so much pain is gut wrenching, and then the thought that adorable little Willow who has been my favorite from the start of the show is at a point where she's now basically on par with her vampire alter ego (love that callback) where she'll finally stop torturing someone just because she got bored with it is hard to watch....and bouncing between all three of those at once is quite the ride. And I always get hit with the tears when they show Dawn stayed there the entire time. That would be me.

Kyle!!! Huge props and thank you for that shirt youre wearing!! Good call it lightens the mood a bit I randomly looked at your shirt in the middle of this episode-terror and had to laugh. thanks man

A powerful Sith Willow has become.... Henceforth to be known as Darth... Wolliw.

I lovve the Buffy tshirt lol

Adam Busch never gets enough credit for Warren's slow descent through this episode

10:23 All Hail Darth Rosenberg

For real, season 6 is my FAV!!!!!!

If I remember correctly Whedon intended for Willow to break bad from the start. If Hannigan didn't prove to be so popular it could have happened as early as season 2. I actually thought they were going to kill Willow off and bring Jonathan bring as the cousin oliver magic expert for season 7.

3:47 - “Let’s talk about my *skin* troubles” 13:09 ….

FYI Spike could hurt Buffy even with the chip.

The team became their own worst enemies during season 6.

Ah, the ending of all ending of seasons!!!!!!! Buckle up, bitches, here we friggin' go!

4:27 I'm British I don't get it

Amazing episode

Amooor eterno a willow y Tara ❤️

I don't get people being angry that Tara got killed on the show. It's just a story. We needed the tragedy to make Willows turn to the dark side make sense. The show wouldn't be interesting if there's no real stakes and no real tragedy.

Rationalizing Willow's response is evil in itself. Vigilante justice was outlawed in the old west for a reason. Wanting anything other than jail time for Willow is not ok.

They never explain or mention what happened with Osiris.

Ooooooooooo here we go.

GREAT acting from Michelle Trachtenberg !! ;

Vengence is Willows!!

Question: 10:38, did Willow just summon the First Evil, who took the form of Warren's ex-girlfriend?

Kinda hate that I'm caught up on the Buffy vids...that waiting a week is horrible! Really looking forward to Mackenzie's reactions to season 7.

Omg the emotions

ugh. im excited to see the wrap up of this season. the very end of next episode, she is going to freak out and im stoked to see it. lol also, amazing shirt. am jealous. :)

Season 5 the body... gets me everytime..

So I'm going back in forth in my mind as whether know or the season final is the best time to address why this final storyline was so controversial. Since it was the whole reason I initially became aware of it in the first place I've got quite a few thoughts. I'm hoping that Kyle will at least mention it at some point.

Thus contuining the trend of killing every Season long Big Bad, from The Master to Warren, every Season Big Bad's been killed.

Sorry to be a bother but all but two episodes of season 4 seemed to have disappeared from the Buffy playlist, same with season 2. Not sue if it’s my end but I’ve tried both Apple TV and iPad and they aren’t there same with the two part graduation episodes. All are on your main feed but not the playlist. Again sorry to be a pain but could you look into it? I love your reactions and like to rewatch them and it’s obviously easier using the playlist.

does anyone know what they use to make there reaction videos ?

Well, Joss Whedon and the writers did a very good job setting this up ever since Glory Brain Drained Tara and how something began with good intentions can turn so negatively and violent as well, like love. Similar to Spike, he claimed to love Buffy then he assaualted her.

Okey really been looking forward to this and a lot of cover, but something you guys said confuses me. If it had only been "a minute since we film the last episode to this episode" how you go through several days of mourning? Clearing I'm messing something. Glad Mackenzie did some time to process though. That scene with Dawn really got to me too. Maybe it's a coincidence, but it was interesting to see Mackenzie holding that cross tightly when she talked about not knowing what she'd do in that situation. I wonder if that held any special meaning to her, just a nervous gesture or both. I mean I something fidget when certain items in tense periods, but they don't have any spiritual significance.

Harry Potter's first book came out in 95 or 96, so many years before this.

Yeah, evil willow ia awesome, but this episode is super hard. Next episode is more fun but might still make you cry. Have tons of fun, I love this season.

I never thought about it, until now, but what happens is06x19 and 06x20 is really the reason why Buffy didn't want to return and why she has felt the way she has for the majority of this season, also what she talks about in the Fifth Season Finale, how can one live in a world if these are the choices, if everything and everyone you love gets stripped away? Also think it is ironically sad when Dawn finds Tara's body, it mirrors Buffy finding their Mother in the Fifth Season. I think Dawn understands her Sister more now because unlike Buffy, Dawn just sits in a corner, she couldn't move, I am not knocking Dawn for this, but she just froze.

the thing that will never not bother me is that skinning anyone alive does NOT kill them instantly .. they suffer for hours after... and I hate how fast he got to die.

A little surprised those mentioning Faith haven't debated whether or not she counts as Faith is,of course, also a Slayer and not a 'normal' person. What conventional prison could have held her? Guessing that kind of discussion already came up when they watched those episodes? Just curious why Mackenzie is wearing a cross? Is it just for aesthetic reasons for the show or is she religious? Or both? Agreed with others that Dawn has had a rough time of it too. Know a lot of fans have said she came off as too self involved and whiny but going back and watching these it's a wonder they didn't have an episode where she was put in an institution.

That skinning scene was fucking graphic considering when this came out and what time was aired

The first quiditch on film was 2001, and this came out 2002, so it appears they did copy the snitch. Im sure its a clever multifaceted reference and I just dont see it.

Yes, another one has reached the point where we can stop lying about the Trio as the big bad. The wool has been removed from your eyes, and you can see the true Big Bad of season 6, Dark Willow

The only complaint I had with this episode was the rather hypocritical viewpoint that Buffy had. I mean this was a girl that had no problem with the idea of feeding Faith to Angel, and other actions that she had taken with Faith or even the Knights of Byzantium. How exactly was Waren any different from Faith or the Knights?

For a couple of reasons, Tara's death hits harder than some of the other gut punches from this show. Also, on Xander being the judgemental auntie. Not so much. In this, he's the character that's willing to tell others when they're being a fool. Much like Cordelia early, and Anya up til recently. Ignore it at your peril. Finally, the end of this season is why there's no way you can think that Spike and Buffy should ever work. Season 2 and 3 are an expo on why Angel and Buffy are exactly the wrong people for each other. That leaves Riley, and the Buffy character's self-destructive taste and choice in romance.

Tara's death is probably one of the most painful TV moments I've seen. Of any character (other than Buffy, cause, well, Buffyverse), Tara is the least deserving of death. She was so pure and kind. It's like they killed a baby, or a baby bunny. Okay, not a great example from Anya's perspective, but you know what I mean. You know the terrifying thing, how many of us that sat there, just after we acknowledged Tara was dead, wished it was Xander instead. Warren! Damn him. I agreed with Buffy, but a little bit of me didn't and kind of took a sick enjoyment from his dying. You know, until his skin came off, cause, yuck. I do totally agree with you that if Willow was a guy, he wouldn't have been so big in his britches. Warren is such a toxic misogynist. If you go back to his first episode, you can really see it even back then I think we mostly glossed over it as we were distracted with worrying about his girlfriend dying, clapping when she left him, and rooting Buffy on the kick some robot ass. I remember the April (robot) saying stuff like good girlfriends don't cry as it's emotional blackmail. Warren says he built her to be a girlfriend, but he really just built her to be a slave. Plus, in this last season, he has really shown how lacking he is in empathy and his utter disregard for any human life other than his own. I really wished Buffy had kicked him in the balls sometime, so we could go back and watch it a bunch of times.

love this episode. as Kyle said, S6 is very much more intense than the others. I'm kind of on the fence about Buffy's "we don't kill humans", because ... she kind of does. In "Lie to Me", she leaves Ford locked in with Spike and Dru, knowing they're going to kill him. She told Angel they'd come back for the body later - she fully expected him to be murdered, not turned. And even though she failed, she deliberately tried to kill Faith in "Graduation Day, Part 1" - partly to save Angel, but partly because Faith betrayed her Slayer calling ("as justice goes, it's not un-poetic") and betrayed Buffy's friendship. I almost wonder if it would have been more impactful if she'd spoken to those situations instead of leaning on The Rules.

Everybody wants Willow to kill Warren... at first... We agree with Dawn and Xander because this man is just as bad as the monsters they usually fight! But then she literally skins him alive and quickly the cheers go to "oh"s.. Not like that 0_0 This episode really leaves you shell shocked because you never would have imagined her doing something like this. Not so casually. Not so violently. Not so abrupt. I love it

I’ve been waiting

I find it funny that the actors that play Tara and Warren dated. For like a long time and during this time I believe.

uhm I hope this isn´t to dark but when I re-watched that Willow Warren scene it absolutely reminded me of a rape scene. The things that were said etc and the hate. Idk delete this comment if if you want, that´s the vibe I got this time. Bah. Love you guys!

Was it intentional to edit it so that Warren thinks women are all mimes?

And just like that all of the Scoobies' relationships have fallen apart. Fun fact..Sarah Michelle Gellar felt that Buffy & Xander were meant to end up together.

Willow did nothing wrong.

I'm not sure if BtVs/Whedon admits this but this story line is from the X-Men. When The X-Men are fighting the Hellfire club in pitch battle. Then Mastermind kills Cyclops alter, then Jean Grey Flips out, loses it, and becomes Dark Phoneix. The X-Men defeat the Hellfire Club but at the price of Jean Grey becoming the Dark Phoneix and almost killing the X-men. Done waaaay better in the comics. The movies were just hot trash

I'm one of the few who disliked Willow in this episode and I've never liked her since. For me she can be understood, and maybe forgiven, but never trusted again.

It's good that Willow kept her sense of humor, "Axe not gonna cut it," is dark but still funny. Honestly I don't recognize her in this season, so out of character with the flagrant use of magic and the addiction. I recommend watching AfterShowReactions' viewing of the end of last episode and this one, she watched them back to back.