I got the sense that Oz told Tara to run as a warning to get away from him before he changed. He was aware how hurtful he could be in werewolf form, and he was goving her a chance to get away.

You know what's hilarious, when you labeled the characters Dorothy, tin man, lion, and scarecrow... They were currently on their way to Oz...

Everyone just walks right into Giles' home, no knocking. I like it. Giles doesn't.

the show used "casting spells" as a stand in for having sex. This was heavily implied when Willow told Tara, "I hope you don't think I only come by to cast spells." i.e. "I only come over to have sex." Add in how erotic the spell casting was when the 2 were together.

For some context, Willow and Tara were groundbreaking at the time this aired. They were one of the first lesbian relationships depicted between series regulars on mainstream television. For many of us growing up this was the first we saw of a genuine same sex relationship depicted in media at all. Unfortunately with the time period, that did mean the show had to do things like blow out the candle in this episode, *implying* rather than showing quite often.

Buffy's reaction to Willow telling her about Tara was kind of like Riley's reaction to findout about Oz being a werewolf. It just took Riley longer to be okay with it.

When Oz said he could smell her , it was meant to imply they had been intimate, tv standards were still very strict during this Era we only had Wilson Cruz on my so called life , Ellen who got cancelled and Will and Grace had just come in to the scene in 1998 and kept the characters in mostly non sexual relationships due to censors . seeing same sex kissing was a a major no no on tv so a lot was implied. Dawson creek which started season 2 of Buffy had one gay character added during its season 2 and never really showed him in relationships. So willow being in a gay relationship, not her being gay without a trace of her love life, but in a actual relationship was major! The US version of Queer as folk would come out the same year willow came out 2000. You won’t see much in pushing the envelope on Buffy until later seasons when it moved networks. By the time the show is getting ready to end you have what was called the gay tv explosion with queer as folk, will and Grace, queer eye, the L word and Noah’s Arc, all on tv.

Honestly unless you had existing queer people within your friend group, no one was super likely to pick up on such a thing back then. It just wasn't a thought that even crossed most peoples mind. Buffy's reaction was definitely not standard sadly, her being wigged out but then moving directly into to supportive acceptance was basically the best many of us dared hope for when we thought about coming out to people. Joss had to fight pretty much constantly to get Willow and Tara to happen, there were no other WLW couples on tv at the time like this. The writers intentionally slow walked their relationship so the network wouldn't realize the show was setting them up to be a romantic pairing, as their network would have shut it down had they realized, and then when this point came Joss used the clout the shows popularity gave him to basically force the network into allowing it. Even still the network forbid most physical displays of affection between them, hence why this episode doesn't get to end in a kiss on screen. Tara's actress, Amber Benson, has commented on how she spoke with queer friends at the time to learn how she could convincingly convey their relationship in her performance even though they weren't allowed to show much physical affection on screen. She really understood what this would mean to people at the time. Things have come a long, long way since those days.

During the original run not only would the audience see the previously-ons, we had a whole week of promos, which were essentially in today's lingo "spoilers". If there was going to be a special guest coming up, you would be informed of that fact in every commercial break throughout the week.

I remember watching Willow and Tara back in my childhood, their relationship seemed so warm to me.

I'll never understand why people would want to spoil such great moments in these episodes with the previously on, but some people just don't care about spoilers and that's cool too! It's just wild that you wanted to find out about Oz one second into the episode and not when he showed up in the perfectly planned and editted surprise entrance. Just FYI, there were no "previously on" entrances during the original airing nor the original DVD releases, they were added during syndication. So you're also not getting the original experience we did there either.

I think the deal with the wolf is that Oz has lots of pent-up wolfiness inside him due to not changing on a normal schedule, and that's why it can come out any time if his control slips. I also think that's related to the apparent character change you noted in Oz. I think aspects of the wolf were already asserting themselves mentally, throwing off his normally calm and reasonable style. The way he got physical with Tara was very un-Oz-like, but it makes total sense in that context IMO. Also, in Oz's defense, he went through a hell of an emotional rollercoaster this episode. He thought Willow was available and that they were on track to get back together, and then this comes out of nowhere? I can understand him being surprised, disappointed, hurt, and annoyed at Willow for hiding something this important from him (even though the situation was super complicated on Willow's side). Tillow has my whole heart.

Poor Tara, she's always getting chased by something.

The Initiative probably couldn't change Oz's werewolf behavior. Their chips induced pain as a negative stimuli to punish demons for being violent. Since they noted that Oz now becomes a werewolf via negative stimuli, a chip like Spike's would make Oz lose his cool and become the wolf rather than stop it.

Essentially Oz saying he could smell Willow on her was meant to be the hideen 'get past the censors' confirmation that Willow and Tara had been physically involved for a while already, she just hadn't put it out there to anyone yet until now.

By this stage, Tara and Willow had been dating (in secret) and are implied to be having a sexual relationship. Its just that being 25 years ago, the show was under a lot of pressure to basically not show any of this, so it has been done so far through metaphor. Them "casting spells" together, moaning and writhing around on the floor in that Buffy/Faith bodyswap episode, is intended to represent sex I believe.

The only mistake Oz made was not telling Buffy in Wild At Heart what had happened. He never had control over the wolf inside. He tried his best but it was all beyond his control that's why he had to leave because he loved Willow so much but knew it was her that would always bring the wolf out in him. Xander gave him the impression in this episode that she was still single. It's a tragic love triangle with three people, who we really like so much. It's great that Riley shows how much he cares for Buffy by helping to free Oz. Oz makes the ultimate sacrifice again knowing they can never be together as Willow is the trigger for his transformation. It was great to see Tara and Willow back together again. One the better episodes of S4.

It felt necessary to make a hot chocolate in my I ♥ Buffy mug for this reaction. This ep always hits me so hard, I love Oz with my whole heart 😭

“Did he [Oz] have to sacrifice something bad for it?” Wow good question. I never thought of that. He kind of makes it sound like it was just hardcore meditation, but you never know

Willow and Tara were already together, the show just didnt show it openly because of the station that the show was aired on in the 90's

Willow finally got the closure she needed!

This one hurts but its also so good. Willow hits the jackpot twice with love interests. I also really love the previously ons a lot

definitely one of my favorites of this season

Glad you are so careful not to even look at the title to avoid spoilers!! I would say it will be even more important not to be spoiled next season

You’re not experiencing it the way it’s supposed to be tho because you’re watching the botched remastered widescreen version :( it has different/ worse special effects, lacks all the original filters, has ai upscaled closeups replacing wide shots etc you’ve gotta switch to the DVDs to see the best original version

If Buffy is dorothy, that makes Giles Glenda the Good Witch.

Cass.... remember: SPIKE IS NOT A GOOD! He is a Bad Guy, a Cool Bad Guy, but a Bad Guy. It is not weird that he accepted to collaborate with Adam to have what himself wants. Buffy reaction to Willows'outing is perfectly in line with her character. She was upset at first just because that was unexpected, Buffy believed Willow would tell her about her doubts about Oz, but in the end her love for Willow and her empaty preveailed over everithing else. And, another important thing, Buffy by accepting Willow, she accepted Riley's doubts about the supernatural :) Tara is an amazing character, very sweet and lovable, and a LGBT couple in the 90s it was not a given

I absolutely love the opening scenes where Tara reacts to Oz's presence because it does a fantastic job setting up the emerging conflict between Oz and Willow. Overall the writing was top notch and they did a good job in giving Seth Green character a dignified ending unlike some other shows that just kill off a character.

Finally, between work shifts, get to watch this.

I know you asked why Oz was freaking out about Tara wearing Willows sweater. I think the implication has always been that they slept together. The writers have gone on record to say because of the 90’s they couldn’t explicitly show a lesbian couple on tv. That the spells were metaphor for them hooking up and dating. It’s why they all seemed so sexual so far. From what the writers have said, I think they’ve been physical for quite some time. Remember she didn’t want to tell Buffy about her “new friend”. Willow wasn’t ready for them to meet. Just food for thought.

Riley is military. He can't just up and quit. At the end of this ep, he has quite literally deserted. He's facing a very long time in Military Prisons. I've written at least three fics inspired by this episode; one of them focussing on that 'blue-haired meeting'. I find it strange, if understandable, to see all the focus on spoilers; back then you could not avoid them unless you stayed away from ANY Buffy media, especially fansites, between episodes, so reactors today really are not getting the same experience. On the other hand it;s kinda wonderful to hear all the specualtion and theories almost 'as live' as 'twere :-) Sadly, even after this came out ~ wording deliberate ~ there were still people who refused to accept Willow & Tara as a couple, and some the hate that Amber Benson received was truly disgusting. In real life, she is very different from Tara; even swears to make Forrest blush ;-) kerk

Seth Green came back for the closure Willow and Oz needed to move Willow and Tara forward. Sadly, same sex couples on TV so rare and, in real life considered so taboo that what there were a lot of fans who didn't get it and didn't understand what was happenning and didn't realize why the gay girl wouldn't revert back to liking guys, because that's how it worked at the time on TV. Willow and Tara were a groundbreaking step forward.

I never thought that Willow and Tara were kidding themselves before this episode; I thought they were already in a relationship, even a physical one. I just thought that the cultural norms of the time didn't let them fully depict their relationship on-screen. It really did break new ground for a depiction of a same sex relationship.

What you're missing is Willow and Tara have been in a romantic, physical relationship for a while at this point. We just haven't seen it it on camera because Willow has been keeping it secret from the gang.

Head canon theory: Oz was always kinda emotionally shut down. Him working on his wolf might have meant opening the door to suppressed emotions in order to control them. In other words, he's like a baby at hanging his emotions, so now that they're more unlocked, his anger comes out in sort of immature ways.

You've mentioned several times -- both here and on previous videos -- that "Seth Green was really famous and therefore..." However, you're off the mark there. Seth Green had been a somewhat successful child actor, but this T.V. show is when he first broke out and really made an impression as a young adult actor. (Also as Dr. Evil's son in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, which was released only 5 months before Oz's first appearance in BtVS.)

So glad that you fully appreciate the wonderfulness of ❤💕💓💖TARA💖💓💕❤

That wasn't another werewolf that attcked the soldiers early on, it was just a demon that happened to be shaggy.

I don't think Buffy was "freaked" exactly at the reveal of Willow's feelings for Tara. She was surprised and needed a few minutes to process. Perfectly normal reaction. It's that colonel who most annoyed me in this episode, but I'll save my comments on that for later.

21:24 Buffy: "Riley, you found out that Willow was in an unconventional relationship and it gave you a Wiggins. I have to tell you some stuff." "Um, I was involved in a kind of unconventional relationship. My vampire lover tried to kill me and destroy the world." "My bff Faith was in an unconventional relationship with the Mayor who turned out to be a snake demon" "Now I pay money to Spike, another vampire obsessed with me, to help me slay. Also an unconventional relationship" "Xander? Dating a 1120 year old vengeance demon. Unconventional relationship" ". . . Wait . . . where are you going?"

yeah we had a huge amount of the episodes "spoiled" for us every week with the trailer for the next episode when i was watching this at 11 years old, and it was still good. I think you're right, knowing what happens doesn't ruin it. people need to stop freaking out about the tiniest spoiler.

Loved the Wizard of Oz idea. Giles is the Wizard then, no? Anya HAD been the wicjed witch. Now she's Glenda?

Episode 4x18: 40 minutes of Buffy and Riley doing it as explicitly as you can on evening television. Episode 4x19: Don't even get a kiss between Wil and Tara, just "I'm going to make it up to you".

No, no, if you skip the "Previously on Buffy" think of the surprise when Oz turns up!

I used to record these episodes on video back in the day! I didn't know the episode names so I'd make them up 😂

to me it seems like suppressing the werewolf on full moons means that it's always there fighting to get through so the slightest bit of emotion lets it out easier. so i think it wasn't really oz reacting like that but the wolf making him act on his emotions way more than he normally would. we have proof of that when they caught willow and xander kissing. he was remarkably calm in dealing with that when the wolf was let out regularly with the pressure valve of the full moons. oh, and we're not going straight to love. they've been romantically involved for a while but the network required them to imply it rather than show.

Even when avoiding episode titles and "previously on " montages, a familiar name in opening scene credits can tip the more observant viewer off.

*Not Fun Fact* This episode was censored in Italy back in the day. I've read the coming out scene between Willow&Buffy online before I could actually _see it._ 04:35 - 04:49 (SCREAMING INTERNALLY!!!!!) 12:34 - 13:20 🤍🤍🤍🤍😭😭😭😭This ep is so beautifully hard because I love _both_ Oz&Tara so much!!!! 16:41 - 16:47 She really is!!😭🤍 18:30 He's so tiny!!T^T 🧡 20:25 - 20:31 💚 20:52 - 20:58 😭😭😭😭😭💔💔💔💔💔 22:05 - 22:09 Powerful headcanon material right there.❤🧡 22:51 - 23:04 ❤🤍 30:45 - 31:14 I wouldn't have connected the dots either way because New Moon is like the exact _opposite_ of Full Moon so _why_ should I have thought of werewolves and therefore Oz??

Just found your channel and subscribed immediately. I'm starting at ep 1 but came to this one to comment, hoping you'd see it. BTVS is my favorite show of all time. Can't wait to hear and see your reactions to each episode

There was actually a novel that followed Oz on his walkabout that led to him being able to control his transformation. I don't remember much about it because I read it more than 20 years ago, but it gives some explanation about what he did.

Slayers, and vampires, and witches. Oh my...

When I watched Buffy, I always watched the previously on, but I never knew a single name to a single episode. Well maybe one or two.

People who watched the show live on TV would see the 'Previously on...' , but wouldn't necessarily know the episode title. (If I remember correctly, the title is shown on-screen in exactly two episodes of the show. I won't say which, but it would make a good 'Buffy' trivia question..) Some TV guides might have included the title as well, but I don't remember that happening where I live.

You kept saying things like Oh Willow and Tara are finally going to... finally gonna be a couple, or whatever... it was my understanding that they already had. They were already together. Already a Thing. They were, right? What do you all think?

Tillow forever ❤️‍🩹

The funny thing is: back when this episode first aired, gay relationships were SO uncommon on TV, and audiences were SO accustomed to not thinking about them, that a not-tiny portion of the viewers were legitimately BLINDSIDED by this episode's "reveal" that Willow and Tara were having romantic feelings for each other! ALL the very obvious clues and queer-coded stuff just flew completely over their heads up until this episode, and some people actually accused the show of springing this on audiences "out of nowhere." My how times have changed (for the better!). :)

Super cute, to me, that you didn't seem to realize that Willow and Tara were already... "sleeping together" ....by this episode. lol Because the network wouldn't allow them to show any physically romantic moments between the two at this point, we got magic that looks a whole lot like having a big "O" instead. :D

Even back then.. and hell I was a teenage boy at the time (though more of a Xander than an.. well yeah :P) anyhow, the ~very~ first time I saw them in that scene together when they met with the pretend "witches" who wanted to throw a bake sale or wahtever. I remember thinking and saying to someone right then "They're setting them up for a romance!" - And I was SO excited when it came true. Groundbreaking for so many people.

Giles felt like a 3rd wheel in this episode no character development

Yeah, if you're gonna watch "Previously on"s then hiding the title serves no purpose. The super studious don't even watch the guest cast lists (or have that blurred out) so they don't know that people will be in it until they actually show up in the episode. As you point out, that's not the case in reality (heck, the person coming back may have been in the promo commercials leading up to the episode, besides the PO and the titles). I'm sure 100 comments have already pointed out that it was still a full moon when Oz turned during the day, they have like 3 nights of it? Now I'm curious if there's Billow fanfics out there. The chip is a literal chip that can magically detect human status and administer pain appropriately. It's best not to worry about the details of it, as it was manufactured by McGuffin Enterprises. It feels like the Willow/Tara relationship was actually further along than you imagined it at this point.

I think if you enjoy the previously ons, then there's no reason not to look at every episode title. Not that there's any issue with avoiding it either, just saying you probably shouldn't worry about any of it too much. No ep title is gonna give you more info than a previously on lol. And, like, I know there's some reactors who really avoid all the ep titles till after they've watched it because they're worried about spoilers--which is totally cool for them!--but I've really enjoyed seeing you "look ahead" a little and speculate on what might be coming. It's one of those things that feels really charming and unique about how you watch and process a series, and I don't think anything will be lost if you manage to "guess" what's coming correctly once in a while. Just my opinion--most important is to do what feels right to you!

It’s important to remember that this show was airing in the 90s at a time when gay people were not as accepted as we are now. willow and tara’s storyline was the first of its kind on tv and so a lot of their relationship unfortunately progressed offscreen due to network censorship. joss tried to get around it by using magic as a sort of metaphor for their love like in the body swap episode where they did a spell and it seemed really sexual. I think at this point they had already kissed and most likely even slept together which would explain why oz freaked out when he smelled willow on tara and why tara was wearing willow’s sweater after they talked in her room (there was also that scene where buffy got back from being with riley and noticed that willow spent the night in tara’s room) there are definitely hints here and there that allude to them having already taken the next step in their relationship in some form but because of homophobia we never got to see it which is also why we didn’t get to see them kiss at the end of this episode although it’s implied.

Notice the total lack of shock and excitement at 4:40 ... that's why people shouldn't watch the "previously on", that's why

I also thought Ox's reaction was a little out of character when I originally watched this waaaay back. However what you need to keep in mind is that, probably for the first time, Oz had true emotion with Willow, and it all broke down. He left, obviously went through something big to control Wolfie, and then came back in the hopes that it could be fixed; to smell/hear Tara/Willow would perhaps jeopardise his planned rekindling and as such his resolution emotionally, so his anger, and subsequent wolfing out linked presumably to his control process, kinda makes sense.

Sometimes a random werewolf is just a random werewolf

I think Oz integrated the wolf part of himself to gain control of it, but when he got emotional and stressed he lost control of it. The same way he started losing control of himself to the wolf when the moon was full before; even before the full shift. And yeah, Willow and Tara have pretty definitely been together for awhile now. The network just wouldn’t let them show that, at all. Going back over he conversations, a lot of it is just thinly disguised relationship stuff, with spells standing in for sex. “I’m not just coming over for the spells.”

I think that he can control when he turns, the full moon lasts about 3 days. Strong emotions can be a trigger as we saw. I think that it hurt Oz to leave just as bad as it hurt Willow and he was probably thinking of her he entire time he was away while he was learning to control it. So it would be believable that he'd be aggravated if she moved on, it would have been safer to tell him immediately. He probably felt betrayed too.

OZZZ is back yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

A new moon indeed

No need to apologize for assigning Xander as the Scarecrow. That's the best character in the quartet -- and the smartest! (Remember that each of the three companions constantly demonstrate the trait they thing they lack while adventuring t=with Dorothy.)

Yearly reminder that Oz *LITERALLY* did nothing wrong. 🙄

Amber Benson’s Tara is not my crush on this show that’s SMG’s Buffy but Tara to me now is just so incredible, angelic and hot.

If you haven’t seen tv series True Blood(2008) check it out.

If you harken back to Seaon 3, "Dopplegang Land" where Vamp Willow comes and gets close with our Willow and she is like "I think I am kind of gay". The seeds were planted. In fact, I have my own personal theory that's probably baseless but we actually had another seed planted earlier than that but this is too much of a reach I think ahah. In the Season 2 episode "Phases", when we first found out that Oz is actually a werewolf, the werewolf hunter mentions that it follows intense sexual energy. So, they conclude that werewolf would go to the Bronze. But just before werewolf enters the scene, Willow and Cordelia are whining about boys and Willow says "yeah, guys, a couple of guys!" I feel like at that moment, she might be showing signs of bi/queerness and might even have some sexual tension with Cordelia because the werewolf drops right in between them!...But I am sure I am reading way too much into it lol.

14:31 Cass breaking down 5th wall of cinema. Addressing character, directly. "Hey Oz, stop it..."

I didn't miss the bad werewolf practical effects. Go Tara! I am glad Willow picked her.

Great thoughts on all the themes ❤‍🔥

**Spoiler here, please don't read if you don't want to know the end of the show ** Watching this episode makes me really sad that they not only didn't bring Oz back for the final battle, but also that I had forgot about him by that point 😔 he was such big part of willow's development as a character, I wish we had seen him again there just at the end. Rather than that weird romance willow had in the last few episodes.

A little sad you chose to spoil yourself with the Oz return in the Previously On 😭 - because that moment coming as a shock is so different when you are expecting him to show up any second versus the out of nowhere cut to him just suddenly *THERE.* There weren't "Previously On" clips in the original airing or on the DVDs. I'm happy for you if you enjoy them but to me they are not worth the spoilers. 🙃

Okay I had to think about it; and: Tin- Heartless (spirit) Staw -Brainless (intellect) Lion -Cowardly (strength) Xander is often referred to as having courage. This is usually referred to as "heart" in the Buffyverse, but will stick to courage. In one episode, he's also seen as strength. Willow is often associated with spirit, I think this fits well with heart because, especially when we think of having passion or expression, it comes from the heart. Then finally, Giles, a no-brainer 🤣 is the brains. Now; for most of the film the tin man has no heart, the straw man has no brain, and the lion has no courage, BUT these attributes we always apart of them they are on the search for Oz so they can take back the missing piece that completes them. In other words, I think these attributes are actually what they are meant to represent and body much like our characters do. I think this is part of the message of the movie as well - we may go through periods where we feel detached from these parts of us, but that doesn't mean they're not with us, we just have to do the work to bring it to the surface again. So that being said; Will is the heartless/heartfelt tin man Giles is the brainless/brainy strawman Xander is cowardly/courage lion. Which I guess aside, from Spike and Giles is also what Cass said. 💁‍♀️

I like Cass' interpretation of Oz and Willow's relationship compared to Willow and Tara. I think that actually helps explain why Oz's reaction to learning about Willow and Tara was so out of character for him. When we all first met Oz, he was very chill about everything. Maybe that was partly because he hadn't had a serious relationship to be highly emotional about at that point. But after becoming a werewolf, developing a very deep relationship with Willow, and having that broken because of how he was / wasn't handling his werewolf self, he got very invested in fixing himself and getting back with Willow. He'd never been that fully invested in anything before -- that was part of Oz's character, being a bit aloof and easygoing. So when something completely unexpected came up -- Tara -- he freaked out. And that revealed that his control over the werewolf was only partial. Worse, his control work may have made it worse -- made the werewolf in him a little less predictable, and a little more tied to his immediate emotions. There's a little head canon in there. But that's my theory of it all.

Spoiler comment for us previous watchers... I really wish Oz came back in season 7 instead of Kennedy being a thing.

Don't let this allow you to look at any titles you shouldn't. Some of them are actual spoilers.

I love willow and tara.... Beyond that 🤐🤐🤐 I'm not about to instigate an argument. People say things "weren't seen" back then because they weren't in your face... disagree. They say it wasn't accepted because of how executive's handled it... Disagree for society, not executives. People praise how things have evolved... disagree (taken TOO far) But, love Willow and Tara.... Politics be damned. So much for 🤐🤷

I totally get why you watched the previously on, but when you were saying how you'd watch those but not check the title, I had to explain to my spouse why I yelled "But the previouslies are even MORE spoilery!"

Yeah ppl just generally hate all episodes related to riley. "Omg buffy and riley had sex the entire episde. How dare they?" Some even say its cause of the own experience they made in their childhood, which i get ofc. But the rest is just riley hater. The episode was a nice ghost story with its twist. Very chaotic and inscrutable, until everything unfolds. It gave a certain different vibe which i like and appreciate. It also shows that what their relationship lacks: communication! That was the whole point for them. But the center of this episode was the relationships between each other. Willow & Tara, Xander & Anya. Sex is a major part at one point in our life. Especially at college. We tend more towards physical relarionship than a serious relationship. We all learn this aspect asp. Sure not everyone, but its still common and natural. We also had interesting and funny moments. Anya and spike, the fight between xander and anya, as well as giles singing. I mean: common!!!! There are less enjoyable episodes than wtwta. About this episode now: I think it serves its purpose for Oz having a full circle moment. Especially for him and Willow. She can finally realise that her heart belongs to tara now and she accept it. She can openly speak about it to buffy. An important moment for buffys character. Buffy doesnt judge her sexuality. This makes her an open and tolerant friend.

I know that you are aware of this, but I still have to say it. Just in case you don't. Every viewer on your site, could say that this episode SUCKS. That does NOT always mean that it does suck. What ANY reactor has as a number of viewers, that number is nowhere near the number of viewers that watched the show. In real life and real time. So, you can take the advice as "from a subscriber advice", but never take it as "100% truth from all viewers advice".Do with this comment as you will. Great Postn by the way.

For Oz? I think Buffy would have killed in his defense if forced by exigent circumstances. She has killed at least two humans in self defense by this point.

I never understood the title aversion for reactors; if the point is to experience the show like we did then, we knew the titles. Like you said, it adds to the excitement. And then telling people to avoid certain titles does the reverse, it puts an expectation on that particular episode. I love Oz but I agree with what you pointed out that what Willow has with Tara is more intense. Oz was the perfect first boyfriend, and his stoicism made him round out the Scoobies quite well. I like that Buffy herself had a chance to empathize with Riley's position of shock, so they both got to experience the flip side of their argument.

Yes girl! Those 'Previously On' moments were EVERYTHING. Especially if we missed an episode, we'd get caught up quickly once the new episode started. It was even more exciting when the episode would end and we'd get a glimpse of next week's episode. THAT was what we always looked forward to and made us keep coming back to watch the show. I would be there on that night at 8pm sitting in front of the TV. Bathroom breaks and snack breaks during commercials lol. Just about every day of the week I'd watch Buffy, Dawson's Creek, Felicity, Charmed, Angel, Xena on the weekends and yes I'll admit I also watched 7th Heaven as well. Eventually I added Veronica Mars, Gilmore Girls, Hidden Palms, Point Pleasant, Dollhouse, Tru Calling, The O.C, Summerland, Ringer, Privileged, The Secret Circle etc. That's just off the top of my head lol. Girl, my week was always full lol. I then began to make big poster calendars with weekly TV schedules on there and tape them up on my bedroom wall so that my sisters would know when a certain show was airing on that specific weekday. Oh man, I miss those days. Those early years of The WB/The CW were the place to be.

I ❤Tara.

She has great here.

Yeah you probably picked it up in editing. The creature in the beginning looked similar to a werewolf but was a different creature from what Oz became. ps: I vaguely remember something about the crew referring to Oz's new werewolf fursona as the "swamp ape". All fours was a big mistake IMO. We can detect wolflike qualities as deviation from a human default, eg "he had a wolflike demeanour".. but the moment a human goes on all fours we think "monkey".

No Oz is a Scorpio..anytime williow eas in danger like when she got kidnapped by faith. Oz personality breaks. That's not that odd when a guy feels like or women since someone is on there territory they handle it in different ways. But women just move smarter. But trust they'd snapp too😂

Previously ons give away returning guests and storylines. Werewolves turn on three days, the full moon and the day before and after. I need to read your notes before I try to correct things you already figured out.

"Tara's so perfect." Yep. "Tara's so great." Yep. "I love her so much." Sigh, me too.

Jealousy does serious damage to a guy's calm. I'm not saying it justifies anything, but it *is* an explanation. He didn't exorcise his werewolf side, he just found a deeper "zen" than even he is known for. He probably based a lot of that zen on the idea that, if he got his werewolf side under control, then he'd be able to start things up with Willow again. And suddenly realizing that Willow is dating someone else (and yes, he probably could smell **that** on Tara) was a serious disruption of that zen. It's an important lesson, by the way, for anyone who's going through "recovery" of any kind and predicating their recovery on the idea of being with someone at the end of it. Not only is it not fair to *that* person, but if it turns out you *can't* be with them, then your whole recovery will come crashing down. You need to build it on a different foundation, a more stable one. You need to do it for yourself.

If things like the episode title and the "previously on" are spoilers, they're spoilers that the production team wanted to share with the viewing public. Of course, "the viewing public" is large, and what is best / most fun for one viewer might not be what's best / most fun for another. I do think that "spoiler culture" at large has the dial turned a little bit far towards caution, and that the definition of "spoiler" is so broad that we really should have more than one word to encompass all the different things people mean by it.

Another fantastic reaction. I hope you are watching Angel even if you aren't reacting to it because it's a great show and there is some very interesting crossover.

Most reactors don't want to get spoiled and most viewers like that. You do get that we prefer to see "OMG Oz is back!!!" rather than "Oh Oz is back in this episode." It's the emotional REACTION. There's only 1 first time reaction. But you do you.