😭😭😭

Mostly to simplify my reply to the person asking about box sets, so I can just put all the photos in one place.

Bought immediately when they came out. 24 & 23 years old respectively.

I watched until season 6 last time and got too depressed. Trying again and when I got to this scene, I realized it's the best show of all time. The two best actors in the show and they do this. Amazing. No sarcasm.

These used to belong to my mom but now they belong to me! After I watched the whole series from ages 10-12, I lent this same set to my best friend. They’ve been well loved! Only 4 episodes per disc. The menu music feels very nostalgic.

Amazon, Funko, EE live from Wed.

Long time coming! I love that all these years later we are still getting new products

Some observations from my rewatch:

I like that Once More with Feeling turns the stereotype of a musical on its head.

- In a lot of musicals the “I want” song is about wanting adventure or something new. Buffy just wants to WANT to be alive. This is further accentuated by the overture, with Buffy staring at her alarm clock while the rest of the house is in motion. Then at the magic box you have Giles going to work and Xander and Anya wedding planning. They are all “going through the motions” of their day, but Buffy is the only one really noticing it as unpleasant.

- None of the characters sing about something happy, except Tara. None of them are happy at this point in the story. It really sets up the tone of the season well.

Giles is constantly interrupted in this episode, either by the rest of the Scooby gang or by musical numbers happening in the street. This is an effective way to illustrate what Giles is feeling at this point in the season. The Scoobies are more than capable of taking over his role as watcher and he’s not just unnecessary, he’s “standing in the way” of their growth.

Buffy shows multiple times that she is depressed, and only Giles seems to notice something is wrong.

- She does her normal rallying speech in I’ve Got a Theory, but she’s flat emotionally. There’s no passion behind it. Giles calls her out on it a couple of times.

- Giles leaves because he’s trying to get her to snap of it. He thinks tough love will help Buffy. Obviously it doesn’t and she actually REALLY needed him to lean on, but I do think backing off on doing everything for her was a good call.

- Buffy has no idea if Dawn got off to school ok. She has the same attitude when Dawn gets kidnapped. She leaves it up to Giles. She’s completely mentally checked out from things that used to matter to her.

Something to Sing About

- My favorite number by far in the whole episode. It’s such a unique way to reveal Buffy secret.

- Buffy doesn’t just reveal where she was, she reveals how much she resents her friends for bringing her back. Probably because she feels like it means there is never any escape from her responsibilities. Hell she might be worried they’d drag her back again if she died again. She feels like a player on stage being forced to perform.

- Spike as Buffy’s lifeline. He’s the only one for several episodes who makes her feel anything. This is the start of that. The curtains close on a kiss god knows 😉

So anyways, I think this episode is brilliant. I always have.

Going off of my last poll…

Bangel fans, it's time to sign up for another year of
the I Will Remember You Marathon!

We're just 2 weeks away from November, when we will be publishing one new Buffy/Angel fanfic every day in honor of the Ange episode "I Will Remember You," which originally aired on November 23, 1999.

Along with fanfiction, the marathon has grown to welcome submissions of artwork, including fan art, edits, and gifs.

This marathon first got its start in 2004, more than twenty years ago, and we need both new and returning participants to keep it alive.

To join in the 2026 IWRY Marathon:

Writers sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeitH5nLWTGiT6Ncnk3tSW3mBUMwSxsA2fIb4PXa41drGP4KQ/viewform

Artists sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdyELfa2Wq1ohxu3blgB7Lx-wKJsDnLKZ15rUJgOKu093sLJw/viewform

What kind of stories are accepted?

We will accept any piece of fanfiction, of any rating, that is 500 or more words long and focused on the relationship of Buffy/Angel (and/or Buffy/Angelus). Your story must also be complete and can't be a crossover with a non-Buffyverse fandom. We don't accept stories that have been previously published.

Where will the stories be posted?

The stories will be posted to the 2026 collection on the I Will Remember You Marathon Archive on AO3. We will provide instructions about how to post your story to the AO3 collection closer to the event.

Can I help out?
We would love to have you join in whatever capacity is best for you. Some roles to consider include:
• Beta reading
• Supporting the writers with reviews and comments on fics
• Promoting the marathon on your platform of choice

Something that I didn’t really appreciate on my first watch of Buffy 20 years ago was how fantastic the character development is. Spike’s arc is such a perfect example of this - he has so many eras. Big bad, not that bad, impotent vampire in need of help, impotent vampire willing to help, buffy obsession, Buffy’s guilty pleasure, soul journey spike, soul having spike.

What’s your favourite spike era? For me, it’s chip spike needing help, acting unashamedly like a scoobie and kinda getting away with it. (I’m talking pangs, something blue, etc. ).

(Pics are mine, snapped in moments I’ve felt his gorgeousness needs to be captured)

"We have, one more award to give out... is... Buffy Summers here tonight?"

any other potters out there write fanfic about what mugs they've made their favorite characters would pick?

tons? because it's totally normal and cool to assign mugs to the Scooby gang during your insomnia hours?

phew that's a relief.

anyways tell me I'm funny and this is so spot on

I have the exact some one as pictured above, I know there is a lot of different versions out there. Would love to see your ones.

Billionth rewatch and just noticed this random ass human rallying with the Demon Biker Gang 😂

Spike and the Summers women will always be special to me

Hi what made Drusilla so loyal to her sire Angelus as she fell into line when he came back in season 2 of Buffy and was having an affair with him much to Spike's anger?