4:20 “Plus there are the arms. I mean...why does it have arms? Isn’t that redundant? Isn’t a snake basically a terrifying scaled arm already? I mean I’m JUst saying” Edit. Sigh. Why do you do this to me? 11:31 “I mean...probably not a penis. It could always be a penis, really. Now that I think about it. Aleister Crowley might’ve been thinking penises on the Lust tarot card. Which would mean that the beast’s crown then was a crown of penises? ...wait..What were we talking about?”

Sometimes I think Ian started the Angel and Firefly guides to prolong the day when he has to really speak about The Body. But it’s like a slow train coming Ian and you can’t avoid it forever.

Anytime someone feels like Spike is making a good point is a red flag that you should just go and talk to the person spike is talking about

I don't think Buffy was ever in love with Riley, she did care about him and there was a strong physical attraction there, specially at the beginning, but if anything she was in love with the idea of being normal, of having a normal boyfriend and a normal life with a normal future that included normal things like weddings and children, but also Buffy only gives Riley a chance when he shows he is not just normal, but also "a little peculiar" she wants to want normal, wants normal to be the thing that completes her and makes her happy, but ultimately normal is simply not enough for her, she stays with Riley because she sees how much everyone around her, her friends, her watcher, her mom, all love that she has a normal boyfriend and thinks that if she tries hard enough she can make herself fall in love with him

I've always just thought Joyce had a brain tumour because Joyce had a brain tumour. I find it more poignant. Buffy can defeat all the supernatural monsters in the world but she can't defeat the natural random "monster" that is her Mother's decline in health.

Let us not forget Joyce dropping the plate in Surprise. Tumors can take years to develop into something detectable.

I think there's actually an argument in favor of taking relationship feedback from Spike. For all of his (gaping) faults and (even more gaping) relationship issues, he's consistently portrayed as one of the most emotionally perceptive characters on the show. Even here, the entire reason he's able to bait Riley is because he immediately identifies Riley's state of mind, which none of the other Scoobies have been able to figure out despite spending far more time with him.

I really hate the fan theory you mentioned around 10:30; that the introduction of Dawn is what supposedly caused Joyce's disease. I love Dawn as a character, and I think she's been unfairly blamed for a lot of other problems in the Buffyverse, but that's not the main problem I have with it. I really think Joyce's brain tumor is a watershed moment for Buffy's progression as a character and for the way in which the show progresses around her. The interplay between Glory being the largest existential supernatural threat Buffy has ever yet faced and her mother's disease being the largest threat she's ever faced that she can't just punch into jelly is supposed to be the highlighted disparity for most of this season. Buffy is an actual superhero who has saved the world multiple times, and still she is forced to come to terms with the fact that someone whom she loves is in some normal mortal danger unconnected to any of the special things that she does, and there is nothing that she can do to help. Most of the season arc is predicated upon the human banality of Joyce's disease being very purposefully contrasted against the deific power of Glory, and I really hate that some people who don't like Dawn's inclusion in the story would forego all of that just because they're grasping at reasons not to like her.

you know when you put text on the screen for less than a second you're forcing me to rewind and smash the spacebar a dozen times in a row. do you like causing me pain or is this about power... "It's about power"

The show says to the fans: It's not a magical illness; it's just something Buffy has to deal with, because everyone has limits The fans say to each other: Maybe it's a magical illness.

Season 5 really seems to be the season where the "band candy" episodes are fewer and far between. And there are more...you know..."reality" episodes. The demons sometimes are just more background noise.

Hey. I know you probably won't see this comment but I started watching these by sheer accident and it actually persuaded me to go and watch the entire show. I'm currently up to s3 and having the time of my life, so thanks a lot

Tara: Maybe she's not in the books. Willow: What do you mean? Tara: I mean, what if she's not a demon or a sorceress or a spirit or whatever these books cover? What if she's something else altogether? Giles: Something new, you mean? Tara: Something old. So old it predates the written word. Willow: Giles, the Dagon Sphere. You said that was created to repel... Giles: That Which Cannot Be Named. Willow: So I'm thinking maybe she... Giles: Predates language itself? Xander: Hey if it means I don't have to read anymore, whoo. And might I add a big hoo. Giles: If Tara's right, then we're blind. There's no way we can determine her moves, her habits, where she'll turn up next. *Giles turns around and Glory is standing right there waiting to purchase some items* *I like the dramatic musical sting* Giles: Oh, I beg your... Glory: Uh huh. I want these. Giles: Yes of course. Did you find everything all right? Glory: No problemo. *Xander, Tara, and Willow awkwardly wait* Giles: Your receipt. Thank you. *Glory leaves* Giles: She could be anywhere. But if she's as powerful as Buffy says I imagine it won't be long before she makes herself known.

Oh baby, this part of the season feels like an anxious pit in your stomach

Good thing Joyce makes it out OK by the end of the season, right? 😳😳

I could've sworn Joss said that the whole point was Joyce's illness being something non-magical. Thus, not caused by Dawn or related spells.

Also, I think Joyce's brain issues pre-date the conception of Dawn - Buffy has a dream in an earlier season in which, inexplicably, Joyce drops a dish (which she does again later, much more pointedly and prominently) and that could either be a simple slip of the fingers or it could have been the earliest indication of something wrong in her head.

I find it interesting when people remember this episode as the bad-looking snake episode. I see it as the continuation of the end of _Fool for Love_ with her and Spike on the steps and in this episode she is realizing the powerlessness to go with not being able to help her mom, which is why she needs to beat up the snake so insistently. I rarely took notice of the snake's arms so the suit and how it moved never bothered me. I just saw it for the metaphor of Buffy not being able to help her mom that it was meant to be. Lots of the fanbase forget that Spike is a "gross creep" because he can come across so charming and be genuine friends with people in the process of being soulless. It's what made Spike as a character so interesting. Riley lets what Spike says get to him for the same reason the Scoobies did in _The Yoko Factor,_ "trouble [in Buffy and Riley's relationship] was stirupable." I think the scene between Riley and Dawn may have been nice, but I don't think Riley should take what Dawn is saying about Angel making Buffy cry as a reason she doesn't love him. I think Riley shows a problem with how he sees things by assuming Buffy should let him comfort her or there'd be a problem with the relationship. He has misconceptions about what she needs vs how he wants the relationship to be and that is causing problems for him where there shouldn't be any. Even once she tells him she can't be emotional in front of him because she wishes to be "strong." When Riley was a part of The Initiative, he convinced himself he and Buffy were on the same page about things. Without The Initiative he either realizes they aren't or doesn't understand that they never actually were and his problems slowly become more and more center stage story. Riley unintentionally turned himself into a poor man's version of Angel. No identity other than being Buffy's boyfriend. I never liked how The Scoobies tried to throw Anya under the bus of blaming her to Buffy when Anya was the one who sussed out Giles mistake of selling items together that he shouldn't have sold to Glory. It really does show where the group ranks Anya despite her being the first domino to why Glory doesn't win by the episode's end. I never subscribed to the theory of Dawn making Joyce ill. There was never enough to support it. Buffy doesn't have to suffer the hardships alone, but being told she is alone by everyone, friends or foe, because of her calling has always made her feel that she has to do so alone and therefore makes others, like Riley, feel the way they do and in return they don't understand why Buffy acts the way she does, which is where the Scooby anger at the beginning of S3 comes from (although they never really did ask without being harsh about it and blame her either). I like the idea that even after opening up in season 4 the last episode dream sequence with the first slayer caused Buffy to close off even more as she had a conversation with a character who is at the root of all the slayer's loneliness and silent suffering. Such a great representation for the metaphor of blooming adulthood on a fantasy show.

Aww, now I'm really sad about Sandy. I hadn't realized she was in three episodes! That was cruel of Riley. He sees things in a very black and white manner, so, even if she wasn't a threat, he decided Sandy was evil because she was a vampire. That might be why he and Buffy never connect as well. He doesn't want to reconcile with the grey areas of life.

This was a nice surprise in the morning! Thanks Ian

The people who came up with that lame "it's Dawn's fault" excuse for Joyce becoming ill and dying are doing the exact same thing that Riley and Buffy are doing at present--not facing reality. The whole point of Joyce's illness and her ultimate death (in "The Body," though of course she actually died sometime before Buffy came home in "I Was Made to Love You"--which is doubly sad because Buffy was sitting with April, keeping her company until the robot "died," while Buffy's mom, with whom she could have been with at the crucial moment and maybe have actually made a difference instead of in Buffy's fantasy in which she did make a difference, was ACTUALLY dying. Okay, got off topic for a minute. Sorry. As I was saying, the whole point of Joyce's death was that there are moments of R-E-A-L-I-T-Y in everyone's life that nothing can be done about. Even in the mystical world of BTVS, this truth is still.... Well... Truth.

Between this review and the last Buffy review I watched the whole series for the first time. I found your reviews towards the end of my watch of season 4 and am hooked - went back and saw them all. Seasons 5 and 6 are my favourites so can't wait to see your coverage of them - love season 5 so far - all the best from Scotland

And life goes on. .... with another episode of guide! Yayyyyyyyyy 😊 omg I never realized Sandy was from doppelgangland 😯

Ian from now on every time your videos make me cry I will be saying that you poked me in my feely bags.

It's funny, I just passed up where you are in the guide in my rewatch with my mom, who hasn't seen it yet. All of a sudden, I seem a whole lot less intelligent regarding the show now that I can't just parrot your points. As always, I eagerly await your upcoming videos.

I'm supposed t be getting ready for work but this is more important.

I haven't heard that theory about Joyce before, but I'm not inclined to subscribe to it as the show makes a special point on multiple occasions (including this episode) that what is happening to her is not supernatural in origin. That would seem like a walk back of the entire thematic significance of the entire arc built around Joyce's illness IMHO.

m God do I love Spike little manipulations how he performs it always reminded of a line from one of my favorite books that goes "A person will believe a lie either because they are afraid its true, or because they want it to be true". His words shouldn't be taken seriously but he knows just the perfect pay to pick at their insecurities that it works every time and often does more lasting damage then any plan he had come up with in past seasons.

What a nice find at 4:30 am when you can't sleep.

The editing here? Truly beautiful, a masterpiece

These three episodes are probably the low point of season 5 for me, but as always, your review makes me think I should probably give them another look.

I really love all the insight you do on Riley as a character. He's not my favorite and as you said he's probably the least compelling character. I've always had a certain distaste for him just like many fans but I did a rewatch this quarantine with my fiance (his first time watching) and I found myself more empathetic towards Riley than ever before. Him saying Buffy doesn't love him has always stung to me but really paying attention and seeing why he truly believes that is what stuck out this time around. I loved you pointing out how Riley has completely lost his individuality and now he only exists as Buffy's boyfriend. That's where he finds comfort and he thinks he's failing at that too, the one thing he has left. I never thought about him being afraid to have the conversation because it could confirm his worst fear and then he'd really have nothing. On this past rewatch by the time they broke up and Riley left, that last conversation they have in the Magic Box, I was nearly crying. I just finally understood Riley and how he felt and got to this point. The ultimatum he gives is not fair at all but I did feel all of his feelings in that moment are justified. I'm really looking forward to your review on Into The Woods.

IT'S HERE. But honestly, I lost my Mum earlier this year, and this part of season is now deeply, deeply painful to watch, because it feels so real.

"Is it inevitable that Buffy will scar and harden against the constant and upredictable onslaught of an uncaring universe? Is it necessary that we sacrifice a part of ourselves on the altar of adulthood?" Ok I didn't need such a profound analysis on an episode that has never been a "standout" for me. T-T To be honest I get emotional everytime I hear Tara's voice on Buffy's dreams, specially because of what she says.

I think that when you’re a fan of something as layered as Buffy, especially a long-time fan, there’s a tendency to get tunnel-visiony and to romanticize the bits of the show that made you a fan in the first place. As time has gone on, there have always been certain hooks that keep me tied to the show... characters or their relationships, or themes, or styles of writing, or what have ya. One of the things I love about your guides is the attention you pay to the parts of the show that, personally, make me do the Buffy-shot-BLEEUURGGH-face. The things (ahhermRileyhm, par example) that I basically try not to think about. But these things are IMPORTANT. And my tendency to not want to think about them sometimes makes me lose perspective when it comes to all of the show’s moving parts. It’s so refreshing to be presented with information and viewpoints that I, frankly, don’t even usually care (or want) to consider. Every time I watch a guide, it’s like being introduced to the underwater bulk of the iceberg. It’s made me appreciate and love the show that much more just for being able to see it with fresher eyes. Hope that makes some semblance of sense. Basically what I’m trying to say is THANKS IAN LOVE YOUR GUIDES, THEY ROCK but, uhm, I got into the boxed wine tonight. So.

I honestly think losing Angel/Angel leaving had a longer lasting impact on Buffy than perhaps some ppl realise. Yes, you can argue it was first love and how young she was. [Minor spoilers for later in the series] But Buffy opens up to Angel - finds it easy and natural to be vulnerable with him - in a way she just doesn't with anyone else. And we see that even after his actions in s2. Even after he leaves. Ian acutely pointed out that this season is the beginning of Buffy growing harder/tougher as opposed to strong, but even this season and s7, when she becomes almost pure business/slayer, consider how she responds to Angel. Consider their interaction at the grave. Her radiant joy when he turns up unexpectedly when she's fighting Caleb. His delight in watching her fight. Her total trust in him being the last stand if she doesn't make it. It doesn't matter how much time goes by, or how hard she's grown, she immediately falls back into willingness to be vulnerable with him. Sometimes even joy. She has always felt known by Angel. I think he's the one relationship she has where she feels she can be both slayer and woman honestly and unapologetically. Losing that around S3/S4 has a very significant impact. Which is why even the short interactions she has with him following that are so powerful.

I thought about going to sleep (it’s about 3:30 in the morning where I am) but then I saw PotN posted a new video and thought, “Eh, sleep’s not that important.”

I never blamed Dawn for causing the brain damage to Joyce but instead always thought of it as the cost of the magic done to the Summer’s family. Magic has a cost, and Joyce ended up being the one to shoulder the brunt of that cost.

The *boop* killed me :D

Thank you for another great episode guide! It made me realize something about Riley and Spike that I hadn't really thought about before. Both of them (along with the rest of the Scoobies) were dealing with some kind of identity crisis in Season 4, but I never realized how the similarities between them carried over into Season 5. Both of them currently lack a meaningful, personal identity because their identities are pretty much defined by their love for Buffy. Of course, Spike is soulless and lacks true free will, so he's not really capable of formulating a personal identity through choice. However, Riley's predicament is entirely a result of his own choices, which makes it somehow more tragic. It's also interesting to see how these parallels between Spike and Riley are revisited in Into the Woods. Can't wait for your thoughts on the rest of Season 5!

Your videos rekindled my love for Buffy massively. Just wanted to let you know. I only stumbled upon your Why you should watch Buffy video because I wanted to convince a friend to watch the show with me and binged all your Buffy guide videos that were out at the time afterwards. Now my friend and I are only four episodes away from the series finale, he has become a massive fan and we're gonna watch Angel next and now whenever you upload a Buffy video it is the highlight of my day. You're awesome!

The little extra editing jokes in this episode were solid gold 👌

[spoilers I guess?] Me: sees Joyce in the thumbnail Me: *complete and absolute panic*

I get so excited when I see a new episode come up :)

This channel is so incisive, and your readings of these episodes relate so wonderfully to situations we've all gone through at some point. I found particular comfort in this one, with Riley's crisis of purpose, but these guides are one of the reasons I've been able to come to terms with my own and begin to work through it by exploring new avenues. These commentaries add so much to my enjoyment of the show! Thank you for making them, even if ice ages pass between uploads :)

love these, thanks for making them!

Oh yay! A new TPN vídeo always makes my day, and it’s been a heck of a day. Thanks!

You always provide additional insights, gifting me more appreciation for episodes I've seen many times. Thank you, Ian. In this case, specifically, thank you for the bits about Riley and Buffy's respective arcs.

Your season really does calm me and relax me. I've seen all of Buffy but something about your recaps is just wonderful to listen to when I'm alone playing video games or making art.

I get so excited every time I see one of your Buffy or Firefly guides in my notifications. Yes, I would in fact LOVE to listen to you validate my adoration for these characters.

I grew up watching and rewatching Buffy, this show shaped me and helped me in so many levels, and let me just say that finding this channel was one of the best things of the past year. Thank you, you can’t imagine how much I appreciated every single video you made. I think I’m gonna carry some of your words around for a long time.

I just want to say that I discovered this channel a couple weeks ago and burned through all the episode guides as fast as I could. I absolutely love your insight and thoughtfulness and I can't wait to see you proceed through the rest of these shows. I've loved them for years, but haven't always dived into the deeper meanings. Thank you for taking on such a monumental process and sharing your thoughts with us. I look forward to more!

I'm never happier to see an upload than I am here. Keep up the amazing work!!

Thank you Ian for making these videos. Words cannot do them justice.

the inevitability you bring up at 13:30 was addressed in the Breakfast Club when Ally Sheedy says, "when you grow up, your heart dies."

Oh man. I've pretty much binged your Buffy reviews over the last few days, and realized I'm at the end. Looking forward to the rest! Thanks for a great series of reviews so far.

that thumbnail made every single one of your subscribers clench up

Thanks for your thoughtfulness, Ian! Such a treat, as always. I rewatched season 5 after the last video. I felt like the scoobie gang because there’s a deadly force just outside (pandemic), but then we need to do dishes or go to work or work on our relationships.

This made my day. I began my own buffy rewatch because of your chanel and I'm looking forward to your s5 analysis

I just binged your whole guide in under 3 days. I need the rest. Please, get back to it. You’re giving me an entirely new perspective on the show and you’re really thorough and funny. Keep up the awesomeness.

Ohhh I really loved this episode guide, well done!!

These videos are so great, and end up actually helping me understand myself better as well as the episodes.

Love reliving the episodes through these! Thanks!!

Thanks so much for your videos! I'm always so excited when I see a new one!

Last time I was this early I actually remembered I hadn't finished the show yet and still had time to binge episodes.

Damn, over six years and still going strong! Can't believe you're still doing it

I just... really enjoy watching these. I'm watching all of Buffy with my mom (yay quarantine) and I can feel her getting hooked.

Buffy is the best character in the show, and your analysis of her arc over the various seasons reminded me of why this show is so special to me. I can’t articulate it half as well as I’d like, but there’s something transcendent about Buffy’s growth over the seven years we see of her, each season marked as pivotal moments in her development. I still can’t get over how amazing this show is

I am so happy to see another Buffy video from you!

I love your videos! You do justice to a well loved and vastly underrated show :) Thank you!

Great review Ian, please please keep this coming , season 5 is my favorite and I can’t wait to see you review on episodes like The body or The weight of the world. And also, Spike changes so much this season...

It really says a lot that I completely forgot about the whole snake thing. And...this is where I REALLY start hating Riley. Because of how he reacts to this situation. That he makes this all about him. I like this insight on Riley buuuut... I'll save my angry screaming for later!

It's always so exciting to get a new buffy guide !!

I really love this analysis. Thank you so much.

I know that it is a painstaking process to put out another episode but I just enjoy so much the direction of each episode that it is hard to not want more. Thank you for your hard work and interesting views.

I love your guides, always the best !! Thank you so much!

Yay your Buffy guides are back!

omg!! I have been binge-watching this along with buffy for the first time!!1 this amazing and can't wait for the next!!1

Jeejj so happy to see you again

Please keep making these. Love your Buffy vids.

How did I miss this upload for 13 hours? Ian, gorgeous video as always. I'm really looking forward to going with you into the next two episodes!

Thank you Ian, your videos are always a sunlight in these gloomy days.

Yes! Nothing like a new TPN video to start a day!!!

Awesome video as always. It's really cool to see how much your video editing has improved over the years too.

Great video as always

This was all so perfectly said. Especially about the conversation Riley isn't having. Your videos are always a welcome sight :)

Really miss your buffy’s videos. love it

Always love your videos Ian! Season 5 is one of my most rewatched seasons yet I somehow always skip this one. Guess it’s time to give it a rewatch!

Woooo! I love your Buffy guide!! 😄😀

Oh my goodness! Thank you for another episode guide

The most pleasantly surprising notification ive ever gotten did not expect this

I love and enjoy your videos, thank you very much!!!!

That shot of Buffy at the got me, damn you! How can you always make me cry?

Finally a Buffy upload.... dude I was WAITING

Hyped for what you have to say about this arc!

You nail it every time!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

It makes my day everytime you post a video

Beautiful video as always. It was tragic, Riley, young and losing everything but a random relationship feeling lost and knowing it can't last deep down, that could cause a lot of people to have some temporary insanity. Buffy, constantly shutting down because it hurts too much to trust to let others in, to feel with them. We are not meant to be islands and it's hard to watch her do it alone every single time, barring the right person pushes at just the right time. Space is good and healthy at times but as a pattern it can be destructive and make you feel isolated, even resentful without realizing. Joyce, speaking of alone, having to be so delicate to protect the kids while simultaneously being vulnerable in front of them... Ouch.

Another great analysis, thanks!

I love your review videos. It does kinda suck that we’re only getting one every 4 months or so. I guess it’s necessary. Keep up the good work!