The Puppet Show

Transcript

Speaker: Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Speaker: So this might potentially turn into the Jenny Callender appreciation podcast as well.

Speaker: I love what they've introduced with that dynamic.

Speaker: I think it puts him in a really interesting position, the way he's having to interact with her.

Speaker: Just having another, a person closer to his own age kind of challenging him and giving him the sass rather than the students doing it.

Speaker: Xander makes a point and basically says, yeah, but Malcolm could be anyone.

Speaker: So it goes through this whole people can be anything they want to be online.

Speaker: Hello, everybody, and welcome back to previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Speaker: I'm actually losing track of where we are in the first season now.

Speaker: This is episode nine.

Speaker: And it is called The Puppet Show.

Speaker: Full disclosure, I have a bit of a fear of ventriloquist dummies, as I alluded to at the end of the last episode that we did.

Speaker: But despite that, I have to say, I actually I was bracing myself for that.

Speaker: And I enjoyed rewatching this episode a lot more than I thought I would.

Speaker: So where does it rank for you in season one so far?

Speaker: Yeah, I can take or leave the puppet show.

Speaker: I don't have a fear of puppets.

Speaker: So it doesn't give me the Wiggins, as Buffy would say.

Speaker: I actually, I find this one really funny.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And I think because it's got that sort of old time horror, you know, sort of almost like goosebumps.

Speaker: Yeah, it does.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Twilight Zone sort of feel about it.

Speaker: It feels like it's from another era.

Speaker: And then, of course, with the puppet being a 1940s puppet, 1930s puppet, it just has that very old feel about it.

Speaker: I think this is probably one of the first filler episodes of

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: For the show as well.

Speaker: So it's important in that sense because, of course, we do get these standalone filler episodes where not a huge amount of the overall story arc gets progressed forward.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And we're still sort of taking a break from vampires in this episode as well.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And, you know, the master is meant to be the big bad.

Speaker: And we've not seen him for a good few episodes now.

Speaker: But this one in particular is just so far away from that.

Speaker: There's not even a mention of the master.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Or really any, you know, I think they mention vampires and say, well, it's not vampires.

Speaker: And that's it, you know, so they're really moving.

Speaker: And I think because they've said that so many times now, it feels like it's so detached from the rest of the series.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: It is truly a standalone movie.

Speaker: Not to say that it's not a valuable episode because, of course, you know, we get to see the characters more.

Speaker: We get to like them and know them.

Speaker: And, of course, there's new characters are introduced, the main one being Snyder.

Speaker: Yeah, it's really important for that.

Speaker: And I think you need that because if you did just have, you know, the whole story with the master every single week, people would probably get tired of that quite quickly.

Speaker: Yeah, yeah.

Speaker: I say it's the light relief episode.

Speaker: And I think, you know, it's proof the fact that the next episode following this, it really ramps up.

Speaker: Mm-hmm.

Speaker: So, yeah, it's perfectly timed.

Speaker: And I think it's just what you need at this point in the series.

Speaker: Sorry, the season.

Speaker: Bloody American thing.

Speaker: But yeah, I like it.

Speaker: And I don't mind the whole puppet thing.

Speaker: either um so uh I was actually I was quite worried for you because I think the way that you were explaining that you would wouldn't be able to look at the screen when the puppet was on the screen I was like oh my god okay yeah because I feel that way about spiders so yeah I mean I don't like spiders either but I think for me it's more when a spider's in the room with me that's when I freak out

Speaker: I can't even look at a spider.

Speaker: I have really bad arachnophage.

Speaker: I mean, just talking about them makes me want to sort of do the dance, you know.

Speaker: We'll stick to my discomfort then for this episode.

Speaker: Give spiders a break.

Speaker: So I think the interactions between the gang are just so good in this.

Speaker: I mean, how the episode opens.

Speaker: It sets, I think what's really nice, though, again, as I said, it's really, it's so far away from the show that we've seen already.

Speaker: You know, it even opens up in a completely different setting.

Speaker: But it is, of course, there's an ominous scene.

Speaker: You know, the black and white, the weird voice, you know, I will be new.

Speaker: And just ominous music as well.

Speaker: Yes.

Speaker: And then we're in the middle of what we find out is the talent show or the talentless show, as Buffy calls it.

Speaker: And Cordelia is.

Speaker: She's going through a song.

Speaker: Singing is sort of the loose term for what she's doing.

Speaker: She's working through it.

Speaker: And I've got my first tidbit, actually.

Speaker: On the internet, there is a draft copy of the script for the puppet show.

Speaker: And if you want to read a completely different episode, then read the draft.

Speaker: It is so different.

Speaker: There's so many little adages.

Speaker: You can see, you know, there's little hints of the show that was aired, but it is so different.

Speaker: And the main difference is the beginning starts differently, but Cordelia sings Ironic by Alanis Morisette.

Speaker: rather than is it the greatest love of all?

Speaker: So, yeah, it's a completely different take for her.

Speaker: And, of course, it's more like it is a bit, you know, and isn't it ironic?

Speaker: She's sort of speaking it through and it actually says, you know, Cordelia speaks rather than sings it.

Speaker: But what is consistent throughout the whole episode and the draft episode is Giles' complete despair.

Speaker: Yeah, I mean, we're only in the first scene and we already have him removing his glasses.

Speaker: He's just like, I don't know what else to do with my life right now.

Speaker: He's just in, I think it's just how he sat there, his arms across the benches, the other seats.

Speaker: And he's, you can see, he's like near tears.

Speaker: He's like, please, next.

Speaker: No more.

Speaker: Please no more.

Speaker: No more.

Speaker: So we see very quickly that it's obviously him who's in charge of sort of auditioning people for this talent show.

Speaker: And it's like, oh, how did that happen?

Speaker: And the Scoobies, sorry, the gang, they arrive not to give moral support because, you know, friends don't do that.

Speaker: They're there to completely, utterly...

Speaker: Just mock him.

Speaker: Rip the shit out of him.

Speaker: And they're like, here he is, the great producer.

Speaker: One line that they should have kept in from the draft is, Buffy calls Giles Sir Andrew Lloyd Giles.

Speaker: Yeah, I wish they'd kept that.

Speaker: It's brilliant.

Speaker: She's like, here we go.

Speaker: See you later.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And the other big difference is the name of Principal Snyder.

Speaker: He was actually Mr. Miller.

Speaker: And he was the complete opposite to the Snyder that we meet.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: He's actually nice to Giles.

Speaker: He even thanks Giles for his involvement in the show.

Speaker: So this Snyder is, well, his original name was Mr. Miller.

Speaker: And it makes you wonder if they had any particular actors in mind at that point, because he just does such a good job of playing it the way we know him.

Speaker: Yes.

Speaker: Yeah, definitely.

Speaker: I know Armand Shimmerman, who was cast as Principal Snyder.

Speaker: He's actually interviewed a few times.

Speaker: And I know one of the stories is,

Speaker: where this episode, which of course is his first episode that he was in, he came along and he has this lovely sort of, um,

Speaker: anecdotes about having to work with Sarah Michelle Gellar of course there's a few scenes with her and he at the time and he admitted this he said I was I thought far highly of myself than I did of Sarah Michelle Gellar

Speaker: And he goes, I mean, I was a serious actor and successful.

Speaker: And I think he was on Star Trek at the time.

Speaker: And he had a regular show, et cetera.

Speaker: And he was completely blown away by Sarah Michelle.

Speaker: Of course, the other cast as well, but in particular, Sarah Michelle.

Speaker: And he went and approached her and apologised.

Speaker: He actually said, I'm really sorry if I may have come across as arrogant.

Speaker: Wow.

Speaker: Because I have been arrogant.

Speaker: That's really admirable.

Speaker: It takes good to do that.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And he was really thankful that he was given the opportunity to recur in the show moving forward.

Speaker: So he's such a good actor.

Speaker: He probably could have played this other actor.

Speaker: principle that they wrote but I'm so glad that they went for the Snyder principle that we have.

Speaker: And even the name just it's so evocative.

Speaker: It's so good isn't it?

Speaker: Yeah it's so so so good and I love that Giles refers to him as our Führer.

Speaker: Yes.

Speaker: Principal Snyder, who's forced Giles to become the producer of the talent show.

Speaker: And this whole bit is great where he just he explains that he wants him to have more contact with the students, which actually suggests that nobody actually goes to the library except these three.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Well, this is true.

Speaker: We know this.

Speaker: And he's like, yeah, you need to get out there more and actually interact with students and, you know, earn your wages here.

Speaker: And I love that Giles tried to explain that his chosen vocation was an attempt to minimise such contact.

Speaker: Yeah, I didn't actually, well, I don't want to be with any of the students.

Speaker: and Buffy's ribbing of him when she's like Giles into every generation one is born who must run the annual talentless show you can't escape your destiny and he's so he's like well you could always come and be part of the show and they're like no

Speaker: No, you're right.

Speaker: So it's a lovely sort of group interaction and the whole, the muck and laugh, you know, the timing of it.

Speaker: It's, yeah, it's, it's really, it's really nicely polished dialogue between them all.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Then of course you get Snyder.

Speaker: Yeah, the three of them are just happily mocking away and then he walks in and confronts them about leaving campus yesterday and he's pretty much, he's marked them out as troublemakers straight away.

Speaker: Yes, yeah.

Speaker: He does not like any of them, but he's

Speaker: really doesn't like Buffy no and um I don't know I mean did you ever have a teacher that we've spoken about you know sort of supportive teachers and you know we've got we've had Dr Gregory and Principal Flutie and Giles to a certain extent when he interacts with students apart from the whole you know too close for comfort thing um did you ever have a teacher that

Speaker: that hated you or didn't like you?

Speaker: Yes, I did.

Speaker: I thought it was really hard to believe with you.

Speaker: Well, I don't know to this day what it was, but she would kind of just ignore the fact that I was there.

Speaker: Not that I wanted to be asked questions, but she'd be going around asking everybody along the line a question and

Speaker: And she'd skip over me as if I wasn't there.

Speaker: She just ignored me.

Speaker: And then when my sister started at the school, I was like, it'd be interesting to see how she treats you when she finds out that you're related to me.

Speaker: And she did the exact same thing to my sister.

Speaker: Really?

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And she wasn't, if she wasn't a teacher, I particularly disliked, but I just could not work out what that was all about.

Speaker: And then there was, isn't it?

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: There was also then my home ec teacher who, who hated my guts, but I think that was because I couldn't thread a needle, as I said before.

Speaker: Oh yeah.

Speaker: I don't know.

Speaker: I think I had a lot of teachers that looked at me like Giles looked at Xander.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And you can tell Giles is really not impressed with Xander.

Speaker: And he's just, he's tolerating Xander.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Because he's friends with Buffy and Willow.

Speaker: And he thinks highly of Buffy and Willow.

Speaker: Yeah, I think I had a lot of teachers that they definitely looked at me like that.

Speaker: I don't think I had any that really disliked me or ignored me.

Speaker: But I did have issues with one of the, it was the deputy head or deputy principal.

Speaker: I mean, to be fair, in Snyder's defense, he is right about Buffy because she is at the center of it.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So he knows something's there and he's, you know, he's on the wall path because he's suspicious of her.

Speaker: The deputy head at one of my schools had a very similar suspicion and they were also right because I was always, it was my, you know, my troublemaker phase.

Speaker: But I never got caught.

Speaker: It was always, I would always be the one who came up with the idea.

Speaker: So I'd go, oh, yeah.

Speaker: Wouldn't it be funny if we did this?

Speaker: And then everyone ran and did it.

Speaker: The deputy head knew it was me.

Speaker: So they would always like appear and, you know, do like the Snyder thing.

Speaker: And I was like, oh, there's nothing.

Speaker: And I remember there was one occasion I just went, there's, you can't, there's nothing on me.

Speaker: You can't do anything.

Speaker: And they were like, I will one day, one day.

Speaker: So yeah, I had a Snyder Buffy moment.

Speaker: Are you sure it wasn't actually him?

Speaker: Yes, in a different... Yeah, it could be.

Speaker: It could have been him, you know, going up the ladder.

Speaker: It was before he moved to Sunnydale, obviously, as principal.

Speaker: Yeah, that'll be it.

Speaker: He's been here before, you see.

Speaker: He's like, I was at this school in England and...

Speaker: I had this exact problem.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: This little shit used to come up with ideas.

Speaker: So we also get the first interaction between, is it an interact?

Speaker: Well, rehearsal.

Speaker: And we see the dummy with the ventriloquist artist called Morgan.

Speaker: Yeah, so we get like a rundown of who, you know, we've got the tuba player, we've got Cordelia trying to sing, the magician guy, is he there?

Speaker: I can't remember now.

Speaker: Yeah, I think he is.

Speaker: There's a dancer as well.

Speaker: And after Snyder bullies the trio into taking part in the talent show.

Speaker: Which Giles loves.

Speaker: Yeah, he's just, he's like, at last.

Speaker: Yeah, he's like,

Speaker: well, serves you right.

Speaker: That's karma, isn't it?

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: They slump back down.

Speaker: We see Sid and Morgan doing their act.

Speaker: And Giles is not really impressed, but he's kind of like, oh God, here we go.

Speaker: Until Sid starts kind of insulting Morgan and everybody gets a good laugh out of this, including Giles.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And to be fair, if it actually was, I mean, I remember watching this thinking, is this actually him?

Speaker: So the actor who's playing Morgan, is he actually pretending to speak?

Speaker: And he does actually, you can just sort of see that his voice, his throat moves a little.

Speaker: So I don't know what research he did, but it's almost, it's believable that he is actually doing the Sid voice.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So, of course, it is not.

Speaker: It's a voice actor.

Speaker: But with an amazing sort of old, is it Bostonian accent?

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: I probably got that wrong.

Speaker: But I think that's what sort of makes it sort of old, oldie worldie feel as well, is Sid, the character or the voice.

Speaker: So, yeah, it's funny.

Speaker: I love this.

Speaker: I think, is this your favourite?

Speaker: Did you mention this was going to be your favourite?

Speaker: Yeah, the whole part with Snyder and Giles looking very smug when he's sort of roping them into taking part.

Speaker: Yeah, I'd say that's my favourite scene.

Speaker: But yeah, the way he talks about his predecessor as well.

Speaker: He got eaten.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: He may have gone in for all that touchy feely stuff, but he was eaten and he's like, you're in my world now.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: It's very creepy.

Speaker: It is.

Speaker: It is.

Speaker: Yeah, I do.

Speaker: I think he's, he's great.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: I think he, he's read them so well.

Speaker: Cause he's like, no, you are taking part.

Speaker: You're taking part in school activities.

Speaker: And you're going to be integrated more.

Speaker: And it's the worst punishment for these three.

Speaker: So, yeah.

Speaker: And then we're into the locker room.

Speaker: Mm hmm.

Speaker: Where we see the girl putting her ballet shoes in the locker.

Speaker: And, you know, once you see the locker room, you're like, oh, you know, yeah, it's going down, isn't it?

Speaker: Someone's going to die or be hurt or maimed.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Especially when she calls out, is anybody there?

Speaker: It's like, don't do that.

Speaker: Yeah, this is.

Speaker: Of course there is.

Speaker: This is your classic blonde girl on her own.

Speaker: Here's a noise.

Speaker: Is anyone there?

Speaker: And of course, this is where the whole idea for Buffy came around was Joss Whedon was, as a kid growing up, watching these films where the damsel in distress always gets attacked from behind, screams, all of that.

Speaker: And he came up with the idea thinking, wouldn't it be good if the girl brought back

Speaker: and that was the concept so it's nice that they've sort of put this in and uh very very vitally we hear this i will be made flesh just before it cuts to the intro so yeah shit's happened already yeah

Speaker: And after the opening credits, then we're back to talent show warmups and Buffy and Willow and Xander are trying to figure out an act.

Speaker: And Buffy's like, what am I going to do?

Speaker: Slay vampires on stage.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So this is in the draft script.

Speaker: There's a lot more back and forth about what they're going to be doing and discussing.

Speaker: And the suggestion of Shakespeare is brought up by Willow.

Speaker: And Buffy actually says, let's keep it to something American.

Speaker: And they actually end up doing a streetcar named Desire, a scene from that, which is, of course, not what they end up doing in the Ed show, which we'll mention later on.

Speaker: But yeah, there's a lot more back and forth.

Speaker: Again, it's just interesting because you get a little more about the characters and what they might have said and

Speaker: It's a nice one.

Speaker: We also learn a little about Willow, that she's a pianist or she plays piano, but not in front of people.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: A lot of people are like that.

Speaker: I was like, yeah, I get that.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: We also learned that Xander has nothing to give to any of the proceedings.

Speaker: I'm really shocked.

Speaker: Yeah, yeah, me too.

Speaker: And no saying this though, I am actually, I'm actually liking Xander in this episode much more than I have in previous.

Speaker: Yeah, because we've kind of abandoned the perving over Buffy thing for a little bit.

Speaker: Yeah, he's sort of, I think he's actually, he's moved on.

Speaker: He's matured a little.

Speaker: And, but at the same time, he actually, he personally, I think he, or Nicholas Brendan, he really comes into his own in this episode, you know, so he's,

Speaker: there's actually quite a lot of ad-libbing because the draft is so different to the finished script.

Speaker: And then, of course, what you get on the screen, you can't actually compare.

Speaker: But there's a few ad-libs that Nicholas Brandon was allowed to put in, which is a rarity.

Speaker: Because I know Joss Whedon was very, very, very particular about exactly saying word for word, verbatim, what was on the page.

Speaker: And yeah, I like Xander in this.

Speaker: I think he offers that light relief

Speaker: and his involvement with Buffy and Willow, it's not romantic in any way.

Speaker: And I think it's nice.

Speaker: It's a relief.

Speaker: Yeah, and he does do something heroic later on.

Speaker: He does.

Speaker: We'll get back to that.

Speaker: And there's actually, when Sid, which is the same scene, Sid and Morgan sit down, this is all part of the rehearsal side, and Sid comes out with some very inappropriate,

Speaker: not very polite towards Buffy and Willow comments.

Speaker: And Xander actually says, hey, that's enough.

Speaker: So you think, oh, finally, he's getting to grips with the fact that it's not appropriate to talk to people like that.

Speaker: So he's redeeming himself.

Speaker: for me yeah I mean we could say double standards but no we'll just we'll give them the benefit of the doubt okay yeah you you might have a different view well I think you have a different viewpoint but um I don't mind Xander in this in this episode yeah um and then we have some more Snyder

Speaker: Yeah, and Giles.

Speaker: I love that.

Speaker: Giles almost seems afraid of Snyder and it's just so adorable.

Speaker: He's definitely trying to make out, work out who Snyder is.

Speaker: Well, it's his boss, isn't it, really?

Speaker: So he's being very careful about what he says and what he doesn't say.

Speaker: And fortunately, because of that, Snyder sort of lets on that he's got his eyes on.

Speaker: those three as he's eyeing up Xander and Willow and Buffy.

Speaker: They're doing their prose rehearsal.

Speaker: And I think what's funny though is he's like, yeah, there's something about those three.

Speaker: There's something not right there.

Speaker: And you're thinking, of all the people to tell.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: You know, Giles is doing a good job of double agent there.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So Giles knows now that Snyder's onto them.

Speaker: And he's quite fixated on Flutie being eaten as well.

Speaker: He's like, oh, you know, he brought it on himself.

Speaker: It's because of his attitude.

Speaker: I won't have any of that here.

Speaker: Yes.

Speaker: And his comments on like how all the weirdness that's gone on in the school, spontaneous cheerleader combustion.

Speaker: Suicide.

Speaker: It's like, that's not supernatural.

Speaker: That's just, you know.

Speaker: And it's actually Snyder who jinxes this whole episode instead of this time when he's like, I just want it to be nice and quiet.

Speaker: Clean, orderly and quiet.

Speaker: You're going to see a very different Sunnydale hi.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: It's like, well, I'm not sure about that, mate.

Speaker: Not so much.

Speaker: Because it cuts straight to a girl's scream and when she finds yet another dead body in the locker room.

Speaker: Emily, the dancer, as we're told, because we probably wouldn't have picked this up at all.

Speaker: Giles is helping the police.

Speaker: So it is actually the first time that we have the police force.

Speaker: So it's only taken, you know, nine episodes of death, maiming, attacks, combustion.

Speaker: There's actually a line in the draft episode that Xander comes out with.

Speaker: And he even says, you know, I can't believe that the school hasn't been closed.

Speaker: Neither can I. I mean, what does it take to shut the school down?

Speaker: They reword that when Xander's like, yeah, I mean, we couldn't possibly be in the talent show now.

Speaker: It's too upsetting or something like that.

Speaker: So it's interesting.

Speaker: You can sort of see the origins of where the dialogue comes from.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So, but yeah, Xander says what we're all thinking.

Speaker: It's like, what, how the hell is this school still going?

Speaker: So, yeah, so Giles then goes and very publicly informs the students.

Speaker: The troublemakers.

Speaker: The troublemakers.

Speaker: You know, some very horrible information about their fellow people.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Her heart has been removed.

Speaker: And I think this is like the one mention of vampires where Buffy's like, was it them?

Speaker: And Giles is, I think not.

Speaker: So, you know, heart removal is, it's completely different and

Speaker: It's definitely a demon.

Speaker: Because he says there are demons that feed on human hearts.

Speaker: Yes, various.

Speaker: Various demons.

Speaker: But in this case, we see that a knife was used.

Speaker: So they reckon it was a human who killed her, but they're not sure.

Speaker: Yeah, it's one of these things.

Speaker: And I think, you know, they're going through all the possibilities.

Speaker: And even Willow.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: It could be anyone.

Speaker: It could be me.

Speaker: It's not, though.

Speaker: Yeah, they all just look at her like, okay.

Speaker: Bless her.

Speaker: And so they then start to go and interview.

Speaker: They do the detective work because the police don't do that here.

Speaker: Yeah, it's great, though, the way they cut between all these.

Speaker: Yes.

Speaker: They're asking students about, you know, when did they last see Emily?

Speaker: Did they notice anything strange?

Speaker: And I actually love Cordelia's exchange with Xander.

Speaker: I wrote this down.

Speaker: It's so funny.

Speaker: I mean, we were like best friends and Emma... Emma was like my best friend and he's like, Emily.

Speaker: Emily.

Speaker: So Xander's face is just...

Speaker: It's brilliant.

Speaker: I think what's nice is you're seeing another dimension for Xander.

Speaker: You've actually got someone that Xander looks down to.

Speaker: And we've not really seen that.

Speaker: We've not had that yet.

Speaker: No, but Cordelia just really... Wrong way.

Speaker: Yeah, they hate each other.

Speaker: He really dislikes Cordelia.

Speaker: You can tell he's like... They all come back together after...

Speaker: They've interviewed like all various other people.

Speaker: Can I just say as well, despite his dislike of Cordelia, I think it's quite mean what he says to her when she says, all I can think is it could have been me.

Speaker: And he says, we can dream.

Speaker: We can dream.

Speaker: Again, that was an ad lib by Nicholas Frey.

Speaker: You know, you're thinking he really makes the character.

Speaker: I think just giving him a bit of room really allowed him to just add a bit more of maybe himself to Xander.

Speaker: I think he really, you can see the character taking a bit more shape rather than just being...

Speaker: I love Buffy.

Speaker: All girls.

Speaker: I love Buffy.

Speaker: All girls.

Speaker: It's just a bit boring.

Speaker: So I'm relieved that they allowed him a bit more room.

Speaker: And then you've got the interaction with Buffy and Morgan and Sid.

Speaker: This is going to be another one of those episodes where I get confused about who is who.

Speaker: Because Sid is more... Yeah, I've done it already.

Speaker: Morgan is Sid.

Speaker: No, Sid is Sid.

Speaker: LAUGHTER

Speaker: But not at this point.

Speaker: Morgan is Sid at this point.

Speaker: They've kind of figured out from their interactions that the one thing that kept coming up was that people were suspicious of how Morgan was behaving.

Speaker: He was talking to his dummy.

Speaker: He keeps rubbing his head repeatedly like he's got headaches or something.

Speaker: So yeah, he's kind of prime suspect at the moment.

Speaker: Yeah, this actually does give me the Wiggins when he puts him in his box or his suitcase with all the old travel labels on, which I love.

Speaker: And just as he's closing the lid, Buffy looks down and the fucking puppet is looking at her.

Speaker: It's like, oh.

Speaker: So, yeah, again, in the draft script, it's actually Xander that notices that.

Speaker: And Xander is the one who's like, I think it's the dummy.

Speaker: Yeah, it's an interest.

Speaker: I mean, again, we get a bit more about Morgan.

Speaker: So Buffy being very intuitive and being that person who finds out about people and understands them.

Speaker: She notices that Morgan's uncomfortable and

Speaker: And again, another line that isn't used in the episode.

Speaker: There's actually one where Buffy actually says, just because everyone thinks Morgan is a freak,

Speaker: that's not necessarily the case everyone thinks we're freaks and we know that that isn't the case and I think that there's more to Morgan than we're not letting ourselves allow and I think that really sums Buffy up

Speaker: Yeah, it does.

Speaker: And she says something similar later on, a bit more extreme, but sort of a variation on that.

Speaker: Yes.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So, so yeah, so Buffy's, you know, coming up against Sid, literally, when she's trying to speak to Morgan and Sid is almost like he has a mind of his own.

Speaker: telling Buffy to leave Morgan alone.

Speaker: He's helped all he can.

Speaker: He's already answered your questions.

Speaker: Yeah, go away.

Speaker: So the gang all, you know, they come back into the library and it's just chaos.

Speaker: There's, I don't know, trinkets and bits of paper and all sorts of shit lying around now.

Speaker: And they are looking for who would be the organ donor, is it?

Speaker: So they're trying to think of who would be the next person.

Speaker: But they all have come to the conclusion that Morgan is the one who's definitely harvesting organs.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And Giles is still looking into the demon theory, but he's busy with a life in the theatre.

Speaker: Oh, yes.

Speaker: And Buffy's like, priorities?

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Murder?

Speaker: This is far, far more important.

Speaker: Xander then says, yeah, we couldn't possibly take part in the talent show because it's too upsetting.

Speaker: It's unthinkable.

Speaker: And as Giles says, the show must go on.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And he's reminding them that Snyder is keeping a close eye on them.

Speaker: So he's like, look, you know, I suggest you just keep an eye on Morgan.

Speaker: Yes.

Speaker: We don't want to kind of draw attention to ourselves at this point.

Speaker: No, no.

Speaker: And Buffy then does her stealth thing again, which she does so badly.

Speaker: And how she doesn't see the door open behind her when she's walking down the corridor and she's heading to the locker.

Speaker: I love that, you know, she's like two to the left and

Speaker: through to the right and boof, it smashes through the lock.

Speaker: And she's breaking into Morgan's locker to find the puppet.

Speaker: And then we get, this actually, to be fair, this made me start to think, and it's a great deliberate thing that they wanted you to think with Snyder.

Speaker: But this got me thinking, I'm like, is Snyder involved?

Speaker: Yeah, definitely.

Speaker: He's very suspicious looking.

Speaker: No offense to Mr. Shimmerman, but he could be a demon.

Speaker: Well played.

Speaker: It's his talent, of course, and his amazing acting ability.

Speaker: But you do get this impression that he's a demon.

Speaker: He's got to be a demon.

Speaker: He grabs her arm and it's just like we talked about Giles getting too close.

Speaker: There's something about the staff at this school just like touching students.

Speaker: Yeah, this is a lot more like threatening though.

Speaker: Yeah, it is.

Speaker: You know, you can get the impression that he's, he just doesn't like kids, which he actually says, isn't he?

Speaker: He's like, I just don't like, I don't like children.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So he's found his calling.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: But then on the other foot, he's like, you shouldn't be here.

Speaker: It's late.

Speaker: It's dangerous.

Speaker: Hanging around after hours.

Speaker: So, yeah, I do like those interactions with him and Buffy.

Speaker: So we then get the next scene, which is Morgan talking to Sid and Sid talking back to Morgan.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: I mean, did the penny drop for you at this point?

Speaker: Do you remember?

Speaker: No.

Speaker: Oh, really?

Speaker: Well, of course, you think puppets are evil anyway, so...

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So I was like, oh, of course, of course this, you know, he's saying, he's telling Sid he can't do it.

Speaker: And Sid's like, you know, just, just this one more and I'll be free.

Speaker: It's like, oh, you're a villain.

Speaker: Of course you are.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Creepy ventriloquist dummy.

Speaker: Of course you're the villain.

Speaker: So thank you and goodbye.

Speaker: I don't think I ever thought it was Morgan.

Speaker: I thought, well, no, Morgan's, he's the victim here.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: He was being manipulated or something.

Speaker: I was completely taken down the, the, the Snyder path.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: I thought it was Snyder.

Speaker: I was like, yeah, he's the, I was like, I mean, look at him.

Speaker: He's definitely the demon.

Speaker: He's evil.

Speaker: I was like, he's probably in cahoots with that dummy, you know?

Speaker: The two of them are very creepy in this episode.

Speaker: Talking about creepy, this next scene when Buffy goes to bed.

Speaker: Oh, God.

Speaker: This gets me.

Speaker: But before, I must mention Joyce's pyjamas.

Speaker: They're lovely.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: They are.

Speaker: I don't know if I would have ever noticed that until I was this age.

Speaker: So, but they do look so comfortable.

Speaker: So, yeah, costume winner.

Speaker: And Joyce is, she's taken a turn.

Speaker: She's like, well, of course I'm going to go and see you in your talent show.

Speaker: And Buffy's like, please don't.

Speaker: I just want it to be over.

Speaker: And Buffy then heads to bed.

Speaker: It's the noise.

Speaker: Yeah, it is.

Speaker: That gets me like that scurrying noise.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And this is like, that's the big part of, you know, why say I'm creeped out by ventriloquist dummies.

Speaker: And then clowns are very unsettling to me as well.

Speaker: It's when you go to bed and put off the lights, you start thinking there's something in here.

Speaker: Right.

Speaker: That's the big thing for me.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So I... Yeah, I get it.

Speaker: It's so relatable, this scene.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: It's the noise for me, really.

Speaker: It's so good because it does sound...

Speaker: It sounds like it could be any small animal, but then it's like, no, it's not.

Speaker: You know, you think, no, that sounds like a dummy.

Speaker: Yep, a dummy running across the floor.

Speaker: So, and then him appearing at the window when she turns the light on.

Speaker: Oh, yeah.

Speaker: And the next scene, then she wakes up and she sees...

Speaker: or thinks she sees something in her bed and she screams and Joyce is like, what the hell?

Speaker: But, you know, of course, nothing's there when they check.

Speaker: So it's like, oh, you the classic you you had a nightmare.

Speaker: And then she says, you shouldn't go to sleep with the window open.

Speaker: It's like, oh no.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: I think this scene though is, you know, bearing in mind Buffy is the slayer and how she behaves when her mum comes in.

Speaker: And she's like, honey, what is it?

Speaker: She's like, there's something in the bed.

Speaker: There is something in the fucking bed.

Speaker: She's like, are you sure?

Speaker: Yes, it's definitely that.

Speaker: It's definitely that.

Speaker: Look, look, look, look, look.

Speaker: And her mum's pulling all the duvet.

Speaker: You're thinking, we've all been there.

Speaker: We've all been there.

Speaker: And she plays it so, so, you know, thinking this is the slayer.

Speaker: And she still gets, she still needs her mum to, you know, look under the bed.

Speaker: And, you know, look, honey, it was just a nightmare.

Speaker: You're okay.

Speaker: You're fine.

Speaker: And it's so, it's so like, well, we've all, yeah, it's so real.

Speaker: I just love it.

Speaker: Yeah, that horrible moment where we know that it was definitely something that came in through the window and Sid was at the window.

Speaker: She did not leave the window open.

Speaker: Absolutely not.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So then we're on to the next day and we have Cordelia pleading with Giles to change the run in order.

Speaker: You know, she doesn't want to follow.

Speaker: the band the band yeah you know the mood's going to be all wrong everything and this is i love this oh yeah this is a great direction um so they actually they actually uh caldie and giles have some really good interactions in this episode and they don't have a huge amount in the series and

Speaker: But I have to say, whenever they do interact, they're always really enjoyable to watch.

Speaker: And this is the beginning of some of the most amazing lines that Giles come up with towards Cordy.

Speaker: To get out of it, he just stops and looks above her eye line at her hair.

Speaker: And it just stops her short.

Speaker: She's like, what?

Speaker: He's like, oh, no, sorry.

Speaker: It's your hair.

Speaker: She's hair.

Speaker: There's something wrong with my hair.

Speaker: There's something wrong with my hair.

Speaker: She runs off.

Speaker: And then Giles just smiles and he's like, Xander was right, worked like a charm.

Speaker: Brilliant.

Speaker: It's so good.

Speaker: I love that he's getting so much amusement out of these little, people are giving these little tips and he's just having a little bit of fun.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And he's actually, he's almost cheerful today.

Speaker: Yeah, he is.

Speaker: He's very smiley in this episode.

Speaker: When he goes up to me, he's like, hello.

Speaker: You look a bit worse.

Speaker: And then he's like, oh, no, she's not all right.

Speaker: Are you okay?

Speaker: What's the matter?

Speaker: And she's like, oh, something was in my room after asking for Morgan.

Speaker: And I like this interaction between Xander and Buffy.

Speaker: I think Xander's timing when he keeps saying, like a cat, like a cat.

Speaker: like a cat is great so yeah Buffy's she feels silly for saying it but she thinks Sid the dummy is real though I kind of I was struggling with their lack of faith in this theory considering you know this is the hell mouth we've had all manner of weird shit happening and you don't believe dummies are acting independently of their owners you think you don't believe Buffy

Speaker: So, but you know, it's fine.

Speaker: They don't learn this.

Speaker: And I think it's great.

Speaker: It's, you know, it's a bit of a crazy theory.

Speaker: But yeah, they should give her a bit more.

Speaker: A bit more support.

Speaker: Yeah, Jaws does his, he has an illustration just to prove a point.

Speaker: He's been looking into demons and he's found a brotherhood of seven demons who take the form of humans.

Speaker: And every seven years, there's always this little, oh, every seven years, that's now.

Speaker: Every hundred years, that's now.

Speaker: They need human organs.

Speaker: This Tuesday.

Speaker: At 5pm.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Or six on BBC Two.

Speaker: They need human organs to maintain their humanity.

Speaker: So that's convenient.

Speaker: Yes.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So they think, you know, is it Morgan?

Speaker: But Giles also points out that they do tend to be strong and Morgan looks to be getting weaker and weaker by the day.

Speaker: This actual scene, the next scene, was in the draft and personally I don't know how it survived or why it survived, but Sid is funnier in the draft.

Speaker: the original draft so when he gets put into the cupboard by the teacher who's lost patience with Morgan but the staring that Sid does at Buffy is all there you know the original so I mean bearing in mind it is an inanimate object that

Speaker: But how they focus in on his eyes, it does genuinely make you think he's staring at her.

Speaker: He's definitely staring at Buffy.

Speaker: And this, you know, the second scene where Morgan, he's clearly in distress and the teacher says, is everything okay?

Speaker: And he's not listening or anything, but you can see that he's clearly not very well.

Speaker: And Sid is now missing.

Speaker: Yeah, and he's very, like, you're really like, wow, he really needs this dummy for whatever reason.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: He just can't function without him by the looks of things.

Speaker: Yeah, I bet.

Speaker: So he's gone, and then we're back, we are in the library where Xander has Cid,

Speaker: He starts, so he took him from the cupboard and he starts doing a little routine, which creeps Buffy out altogether.

Speaker: And I don't blame her.

Speaker: I'm like, Xander, just fucking stop.

Speaker: Really?

Speaker: Right now.

Speaker: Yes.

Speaker: Oh, bless you.

Speaker: I actually, I remember the first time I saw this episode thinking...

Speaker: that dummy is going to stab you or something.

Speaker: You're just, you're winding him up.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: You're agitating him.

Speaker: You're asking for this.

Speaker: I just, I love Sandy's like, do you want to hear some off-color jokes?

Speaker: He does it very well.

Speaker: He does.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And Red Rum, which is at the end of this scene, that was ad-libbed as well.

Speaker: But I think it's him banging its head on the counter.

Speaker: It's like, it's not real.

Speaker: It's made of wood.

Speaker: Just approving a point.

Speaker: And you can tell Buffy's like, you're going to regret that.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: You can tell.

Speaker: Buffy's like, you know, don't piss off the puppet.

Speaker: And I love that Willow's like, well, what should we do about him?

Speaker: Should we put Xander in a cupboard or something?

Speaker: You can tell Giles is like, are you talking about the dummy or Xander?

Speaker: And again, something very similar was in the draft where Xander believes that Giles calls him a dummy.

Speaker: And then they did actually cut out quite a rude...

Speaker: or derogatory terms so it's like yeah okay I can see why they got rid of that but yes you can tell Giles is of the opinion that Xander is worse than the dummy

Speaker: And his patience is just wearing thin, definitely.

Speaker: So I love Willow's line in this where she heads off because they're going to be doing research.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Buffy's on patrol looking for Morgan, who's now on his own.

Speaker: Xander's looking after the dummy.

Speaker: Willow goes to help Giles with the research.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And she, it's just how she says it.

Speaker: She's so light and happy about it, but you can tell she's like, oh, once again, I'm banished to the demon section of the card catalogue.

Speaker: Oh, hey ho.

Speaker: It's just like, oh, you're sweet.

Speaker: She's so sweet.

Speaker: She's so sweet in season one.

Speaker: And Giles, my God, I mean, Giles says he's going to have a look in organ harvesting.

Speaker: And I'm like, wait.

Speaker: There's an organ harvesting section in a school library.

Speaker: Yeah, of course.

Speaker: Was there not one in yours?

Speaker: No, I mean, I heard rumours here and there, but I'm very jealous.

Speaker: Yeah, I think some of these books.

Speaker: Actually, in the Sunnydale Library, every book is real.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So they bought hundreds or thousands of books and adorned the shelves with all ex-library books.

Speaker: So all the little labels that you see.

Speaker: Yeah, I just love how much care went into that set and just setting everything up.

Speaker: It's great.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And I think, I mean, now I think we're very spoiled with, you know, the budgets of a lot of the TV shows that you get.

Speaker: And, you know, back then, bearing in mind as well, television sets weren't large.

Speaker: So the detail didn't need to be too great.

Speaker: for it to look real.

Speaker: And that's why you tend to get these bigger budgets for cinema films.

Speaker: Because, of course, the bigger the screen, the more you can see.

Speaker: And the care and attention that

Speaker: the props and the set builders and the departments on this particular production took was far higher than, you know, it was very superior compared to, you know, to other TV shows.

Speaker: And I think that's why it feels so, I say present, but it feels like it hasn't aged in that way because it's very real.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: You know, so the sets are real.

Speaker: You know, there's, you don't see, you know, the stacks, but there is a little reference to, particularly in this episode, you actually see a different side of the library, which we actually don't ever see again, but,

Speaker: um yeah it's that detail that level of level of detail that really adds to to the entire show um and in the meantime of course uh xander's setting up the the puppet uh in his chair and turns the head that looks more comfortable and we get that ominous music again yeah you're just waiting for something to happen yeah but it doesn't

Speaker: Not yet.

Speaker: Buffy's on the lookout for Morgan.

Speaker: She goes to the theatre, the auditorium, and calls out for Morgan, looking for him.

Speaker: I don't know what she thinks he's doing in the fire exit, but there we go.

Speaker: And she comes across Snyder.

Speaker: And I was just like, it's him!

Speaker: Yeah, it's definitely him.

Speaker: Because I was thinking this is a real little filler scene, but then obviously they're trying to make you think that, you know, he's very dodgy here because he just keeps turning up and he's like, it's not safe for you to be here alone.

Speaker: And she's like, oh, well, I can take care of myself.

Speaker: And he's just like, okay, and leaves.

Speaker: And you're like, what?

Speaker: You know, why does he keep showing up?

Speaker: It's hilarious.

Speaker: Yeah, he's a suspect.

Speaker: But they don't think that.

Speaker: Buffy doesn't go, there's something not right with Snyder.

Speaker: No, but I guess she's used to teachers.

Speaker: Creepy, creepy teachers.

Speaker: Suspicious of her.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And we're back in the library.

Speaker: Xander's doing pretending research and keeps looking over at the...

Speaker: the dummy who's just sat there.

Speaker: And Willow and Giles are in the stacks.

Speaker: So this is like one of the few times that we see this particular room.

Speaker: And the view that you get is through the bookshelf.

Speaker: And Willow's talking about, you know, some demons would harvest human hearts and brains and stuff like that.

Speaker: But one of the books on the shelf says Valley of the Dolls, which I like.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And she says that very rarely dolls and mannequins, like inanimate objects, have been known to harvest organs.

Speaker: So then you're like, oh, okay.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So it looks like Sid is the culprit.

Speaker: And I was there going, of course, I was right all along, of course.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Never trust a dummy.

Speaker: Never trust a dummy.

Speaker: And I love the scene, the camera play on this, where Xander walks over, gets a book, blocks the view of Sid, steps back, and Sid's gone.

Speaker: It's very easy.

Speaker: It's very easy to do, I suppose, but it's just so simple.

Speaker: It's clever.

Speaker: It's good.

Speaker: And the reaction when he's like, Sid's gone.

Speaker: He's gone.

Speaker: He's stood on the table.

Speaker: Giles looks like he's preparing for an earthquake.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Holding on to the shelves and then he puts his feet on like against the shelves as well.

Speaker: It's odd.

Speaker: Yeah, it's weird.

Speaker: It's like, all right then.

Speaker: It's a bit odd.

Speaker: And he's like, whoa.

Speaker: Let's not overreact.

Speaker: So Buffy is still on the lookout for Morgan and something is still in that room making noises and stuff.

Speaker: And she goes through like all of the costume and all the behind the scenes and unfortunately stumbles across Morgan's dead body on the floor and

Speaker: Then as she's stepping away, is this the one where she gets clobbered by a chandelier or something?

Speaker: Yeah, she sees this chandelier falling down towards her and it kind of cuts then so there was probably an outbreak.

Speaker: Oh yeah.

Speaker: And then when we come back, she's lying under the chandelier and yeah, we get that scurry in again.

Speaker: I'm not huge it's the scurrying that gets me yeah it's it's because it's just sounds like a rodent it's not yeah and then we get the the puppet stabbing or trying to stab Buffy yeah so now to me does this not sort of allow you to sort of go oh it's not real it's fine

Speaker: Yeah, it's very hard to make a puppet stabbing somebody look... Not like a puppet stabbing somebody.

Speaker: Not ridiculous, yeah.

Speaker: That said, if this was a horror film, I'd be running away, despite that.

Speaker: Yes.

Speaker: Yeah, it's just all psychological.

Speaker: I get so paranoid.

Speaker: I'm like, nope, I'm done.

Speaker: But in this case, yeah, I was like, hmm...

Speaker: Okay.

Speaker: I can live with this.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: It's fine.

Speaker: And yeah, so Buffy gets out, shoves the puppet against the wall and Sid is, he's moving and he's talking and everything without some guy's hand up his back.

Speaker: they are then, you know, talking about the fact that he's not going to get his way and she's not going to get her way.

Speaker: And, you know, you've, you've lost and no, you've lost.

Speaker: And they have that moment.

Speaker: They're like, what?

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: She's like, no, you'll never be human.

Speaker: And he says, yeah, well, neither will you.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: I'm sorry, what?

Speaker: It's great.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And we get the explanation then in the next scene.

Speaker: Yes.

Speaker: And this is my favourite scene, I think.

Speaker: It's very good.

Speaker: I think it's the open-mouthed awe of them all.

Speaker: They've all got their own little facial expressions of complete, utter disbelief of what they're listening and looking at and how the camera pans across.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: the four of them, while we're hearing about Sid's life and, you know, how he came to be a puppet.

Speaker: And he was a demon hunter before, which is, I think, just a nice... It sort of plays into sort of the Slayer lore a little.

Speaker: So he actually mentions the Slayer a bit later on and stuff, which is cool.

Speaker: And the...

Speaker: The whole premise is, of course, that he's been turned into a dummy who has been cursed by a demon that he got in the way of.

Speaker: And this demon, every seven years, has to harvest organs so it can remain in its human form.

Speaker: And he, of course, completely thought Buffy was the demon.

Speaker: But now it's obvious that they're actually on the same side.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: But he goes, you know, I should have.

Speaker: He even says, oh, the kid, meaning Morgan, said that I should have picked you guys to team up with.

Speaker: But it's because I thought you were the demon.

Speaker: I didn't.

Speaker: And he's like, you know, you can't blame me for thinking, you know, you're strong, you're athletic, limber, nubile.

Speaker: It's all very, oh, okay, steady on.

Speaker: He shakes his eyes.

Speaker: He's like, I'm back.

Speaker: Buffy's face, when she's looking at the other side, he's like, God, this guy is horrible.

Speaker: So, and yeah, so essentially he's giving the exposition, which Giles even points out.

Speaker: Yeah, he's really grateful that he doesn't have to do it.

Speaker: It's nice that it's someone else for a change.

Speaker: And he's got this, the most English thing happens, you know, the kettle starts whistling and he goes and makes his cup of tea in the background.

Speaker: And they then get this update that the demon needs to kill seven.

Speaker: Yeah, and he's killed six and he's got the heart and the brain.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So he's killed the six demons.

Speaker: yeah and so once he kills this other one that's it yeah the curse is lifted yeah and and he'll be free and and he's sure that the last one is in the talent show yeah that's what they have to look out for and i love this right on cue giles is like oh the show is about to show like what it's like it it's going to start i'm supposed to be there

Speaker: And it's like, shit, fuck.

Speaker: It just takes you out of all this and it's like, you know, you're talking about organ harvesting and then he's like, oh no.

Speaker: It's like, fuck, I need to go fucking hell.

Speaker: Fuck's sake, I've completely forgot.

Speaker: And it's just how he's like, the show, she's like, what about it?

Speaker: He's like, it's fucking happening.

Speaker: I'm like,

Speaker: Oh, no.

Speaker: And then Sid's like, yeah, get them to do a power circle.

Speaker: And he's like, what?

Speaker: He's like, you know, they stand around and get them geared up and ready to go.

Speaker: And he's like, oh, right.

Speaker: That way you can see who hasn't showed up.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And I love Ben's comment when Giles runs out.

Speaker: How did he get that gig?

Speaker: He's been asking himself that question from the beginning.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: From the first scene.

Speaker: It's great.

Speaker: And we're treated to a little more Cordy, who's having a little moment of crisis.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: She's nervous, bless her, about singing in front of all those people.

Speaker: And Giles is like, just imagine them in their underwear.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And she's like, ew, even Mrs. Franklin?

Speaker: And he goes, perhaps not.

Speaker: He's like, oh, no.

Speaker: Yes, okay.

Speaker: Roll the note.

Speaker: But, yeah.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: it's it's great but yeah i think it's i really do like the the the cordy moments yeah uh in this and um i mean she doesn't really i don't think she really acts interacts with with any other of the characters other than giles no just briefly where she makes some comments about you and the dummy should join the freak show or something yeah that's like okay

Speaker: And then this other moment where we get a bit more of the history of the Slayer and Sid's background.

Speaker: And he's like, oh, you know, so what are you then, you know?

Speaker: And she's like, oh, well, I'm the Slayer.

Speaker: And he's like, you are the Slayer?

Speaker: He goes, oh, I knew a Slayer once, you know, hooked up with her and...

Speaker: Yeah, I used to be human.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: It's like, you know, I am a guy.

Speaker: It's just I happen to be in this dummy body.

Speaker: And Buffy mentioned, she said, well, you know, your body isn't here anymore.

Speaker: And I'm guessing by freedom you mean...

Speaker: you know, you'll die.

Speaker: And he's like, yeah, but it's, you know, it's, it's what I want.

Speaker: And he's like, but if you do want to comfort me, I'm really glad that we don't have Xander being Xander in this episode because it's more than enough with the, this is replacement Xander.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: This is like what Xander would be years from now.

Speaker: If it goes unchecked.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And he'll be cursed.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And so Buffy and Sid are in the rafters awaiting so they can see down onto the stage where Giles does a really shit attempt at getting everyone ready to go.

Speaker: power thing he said yes the power thing thing thingy whatever it is i love how it's just a little thing but they're all so bewildered they're kind of like that's it that's it yeah this one goes is that it okay

Speaker: It's so awkward.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: The jump down that Buffy does, again, it's cool.

Speaker: And she didn't twist her ankle or anything.

Speaker: No.

Speaker: Impressive.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: I mean, yeah, I would have just landed on my knees.

Speaker: And so Sid's waiting up into the rafters.

Speaker: And they jump down.

Speaker: Everyone's there.

Speaker: Everyone's present.

Speaker: So that means that the demon isn't in the talent show.

Speaker: So Buffy heads back to tell the other two.

Speaker: And Giles is like, I've got to get on with this shit now.

Speaker: I've got to stay here and open the show.

Speaker: And this again just got me where Snyder is all in the dark and the low light.

Speaker: And Giles is like, what the fuck is this problem?

Speaker: And it's how, what I don't get though is how Giles sort of, he stalks off after Snyder.

Speaker: Yeah, and then they don't really follow that up.

Speaker: No, no.

Speaker: at all yeah that confused me it's yeah it does um and the whole dripping thing on Buffy when she lit oh she reaches up and it's a brain yeah and Sid is gone Sid's taken off again so at this point I was like shit he's been playing them all along and they even say they're like you know we've just literally said oh yeah I'm a dummy demon hunter

Speaker: And they're like, yeah, okay, fa-la-la-la-la, or whatever.

Speaker: But Buffy's like, no, it's not, Sid.

Speaker: It can't be.

Speaker: And they're looking into Morgan.

Speaker: Why has this brain been rejected by the demon?

Speaker: They notice he's taken a lot of sick days from school.

Speaker: And they find out from his medical records, which obviously Willow can get just like that, that he had brain cancer, which explains the headaches that he was having.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Oh.

Speaker: So they then, they realize that the demon's after a smart brain.

Speaker: And they just look at Willow.

Speaker: She's like, what?

Speaker: And it cuts to Giles.

Speaker: It's like, fuck Giles.

Speaker: Yeah, he's in there with, I think the guy's name is Mark.

Speaker: Yes.

Speaker: And he says to him, you're really smart.

Speaker: And you're like, oh, shit.

Speaker: I think, yeah.

Speaker: You know, you're thinking you don't necessarily, I think they just needed to show Giles.

Speaker: I don't think they needed Giles to be like, well, of course, if you measure the weight and this, that, the other, you'll be able to come up with this velocity.

Speaker: These are just words.

Speaker: We know he's intelligent.

Speaker: We know he's clever.

Speaker: We don't need this.

Speaker: And then, of course, this guy's going, oh, you're really smart.

Speaker: It's like, oh, fuck's sake.

Speaker: Okay.

Speaker: yeah would you really say that yeah and uh i i do love how willow's like well it's not going to be me that it's after and zander just is like you know what's the square root of 850 whatever it is and she just says it straight off and he's like yeah she's like oh right oh that oh okay okay

Speaker: but Buffy's like oh don't worry you know if you're with us nobody can get you basically jinx again yeah and they then turn their attention to Giles and it's when Xander says oh Giles can handle himself he's really smart he's not that fucking smart he's settling down

Speaker: Yeah, you think, oh dear.

Speaker: Silly man.

Speaker: Silly, silly man.

Speaker: Yeah, let's just get into here and to this guillotine and strap yourself in like, you know, what could possibly go wrong when there's a demon on the loose looking for a brain?

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: No sense.

Speaker: No.

Speaker: Smart man with no common sense.

Speaker: He's not very worldly.

Speaker: You think, oh, you silly man.

Speaker: I love how Buffy's like, Jaya!

Speaker: Something out of the library.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And what's...

Speaker: I know I keep referring to this draft script, but there's a janitor behind Buffy when she runs out of the library and he's there with his sweeping brush and stuff.

Speaker: There's actually an entire scene between, in different circumstances, a completely different scene between her and this janitor.

Speaker: And it gets completely cut, of course, and gets rewritten and...

Speaker: But I can't help but think when I saw it on the rewatch just now after reading the script, I thought, I bet they cast that guy and didn't tell him.

Speaker: He'd have been there all day, you know, as an extra, just sitting around in his janitor outfit.

Speaker: And then it would have just been that one and only scene.

Speaker: Mm-hmm.

Speaker: that they've used him.

Speaker: And I bet he went home that day thinking, what, that fucking waste of my time.

Speaker: So, but yeah, so Giles has got himself strapped up into a guillotine, which is now trained on his scalp.

Speaker: He's like, so what's the trick?

Speaker: And Mark's like, trick?

Speaker: And it's like, oh, Giles.

Speaker: Use your brain.

Speaker: Yeah, he realizes he's in the shit.

Speaker: They want his brain.

Speaker: And he's not really doing a very good job of proving that his is the right brain for this task.

Speaker: Are you sure you want this brain?

Speaker: Really?

Speaker: And Mark is really, thank God, he can't chop a bit of string with...

Speaker: It must be a stage act, because it's so blunt.

Speaker: Buffy gets to him, kicks him around.

Speaker: It's when she smacks him across his face, and you get the makeup coming through.

Speaker: Sorry, the demon coming through, not the makeup.

Speaker: Because, of course, he's a real demon.

Speaker: And it's Buffy's reaction.

Speaker: She's like, ew.

Speaker: She's like with her buffy stance.

Speaker: Ew.

Speaker: She gets completely turned off by it.

Speaker: And they carry on kicking each other's ass and stuff and fighting.

Speaker: And the little bit of rope snaps.

Speaker: And this got me.

Speaker: I was like, oh, no.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And thank fuck.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Xander appears and grabs it.

Speaker: So it's the fucking day.

Speaker: Stops Giles from being decapitated.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And then with this blunt axe, Willow's trying to chop through the lock.

Speaker: And Mark has reverted to demon form.

Speaker: I love how they do that.

Speaker: She kicks him into the box, you know, the secret box, and he comes back out as full-blown demon.

Speaker: Yeah, it's great.

Speaker: Yeah, a good way.

Speaker: And the demon's getting the better of Buffy until Sid turns up with his fucking knife again.

Speaker: and starts hacking away at the demon yeah i mean i i hope that this would help you sort of get over that that fear yeah yeah at this point i was like okay this is this is a laugh yeah yeah

Speaker: The demon falls into or onto the guillotine.

Speaker: Xander lets go, chops its head off.

Speaker: Giles is checking that his hair's still absolutely fabulous.

Speaker: It's like, don't worry.

Speaker: Don't worry.

Speaker: You're all right.

Speaker: Your hair looks... Yeah.

Speaker: Chef's kiss.

Speaker: It's fine.

Speaker: As does the rest of you here.

Speaker: As does the rest.

Speaker: Actually, this is one of... I really like this outfit on...

Speaker: on Buffy.

Speaker: It's like very straight square top, sort of like a little strappy top that she's got.

Speaker: It's very sort of Slayer practical outfit that she's got.

Speaker: And then Sid, sorry, I know it's meant to be believable, but I just can't, I can't get over the fact that this just looks like a puppet.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Stabbing the, the, the demon.

Speaker: And yeah, he, he slumps over and dies.

Speaker: It's all very sad.

Speaker: It is.

Speaker: Buffy picks him up.

Speaker: Which, I mean, she's so, I mean, at this point I'm like, oh, it is, it's quite a sad moment how she holds him and, you know, he's dead and he looks dead.

Speaker: He doesn't look inanimate.

Speaker: He looks like he's passed away.

Speaker: And whoever came up with this idea, because this is not in the original script, that the curtains open and all of the...

Speaker: Everybody is sitting there looking.

Speaker: All of the audience is watching.

Speaker: You've got Moppy holding this dummy.

Speaker: Giles on his knees just like, what the fuck happened?

Speaker: Oh my god, the demon has been... Headless demon.

Speaker: And it's Snyder's.

Speaker: I don't get it.

Speaker: What is it?

Speaker: Avant-Garde?

Speaker: It's brilliant.

Speaker: Oh, dear.

Speaker: Actually, I think I'm going to say that is my favourite line.

Speaker: Yeah, that is brilliant.

Speaker: That's peak Snyder there.

Speaker: It's so good.

Speaker: I think it's just the fact that it's just everyone is so silent.

Speaker: Yeah, it's like Giles' worst fears have come true.

Speaker: Everything he's been trying to avoid happening for the whole episode.

Speaker: We have to be discreet so he's not too suspicious of us.

Speaker: And it's like, not only are they all there, he's with them.

Speaker: And Snyder's like, what?

Speaker: It's Snyder's face, isn't it?

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And it's like, I don't get it.

Speaker: You can see him taking it all in going, yeah, I don't.

Speaker: Oh, it's so good.

Speaker: And I love as well, this is the first time and the only time that we get a continuation after the credits start.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And you get the... Well, Giles is now in the audience next to Snyder, which I love.

Speaker: I think that's really good.

Speaker: I'd love to know what he told him was going on about why he was there.

Speaker: It's great, isn't it?

Speaker: Anyway, yeah, so we see...

Speaker: the trio's stint on the stage they're in these little little rags and Buffy just doesn't want to be there

Speaker: at all and it's how she's like Oedipus Oedipus and she sort of like taps Xander's on his head it's really funny but this actual the whole sequence where they split the screen with the credits and

Speaker: This actually wasn't aired for a long time on the WB, which is the original network that televised Buffy.

Speaker: Because of the subject, so that the story that they're acting out, well, there's incest involved.

Speaker: And the network apparently said to Joss Whedon, we know it's Shakespeare, but does he have to sleep with his mother?

Speaker: It's like, it isn't Shakespeare.

Speaker: It's like 2000 years older than that.

Speaker: And yeah, so they didn't actually air anything.

Speaker: I think they did it the once.

Speaker: I mean, of course, it's on the DVDs and, well, the videos.

Speaker: But, yeah, so they didn't actually show this afterwards.

Speaker: And I think this is a real crime because it's so funny.

Speaker: And it's just, it's a good example of how uptight some of these people can be.

Speaker: Networks just worrying way too much about these things.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And you get some fantastic moments for Nicholas Brendan, Alison Hannigan and Sarah Michelle Gellert.

Speaker: They all, they just excel in this.

Speaker: yeah willow just runs off the stage which was ad-libbed apparently um so so nicholas brendan forgets his lines and he's like oh um um oh he does genuinely forget them and alison hannigan i think that this was they just did like one take i don't think they did that many and and she just thought fuck this and ran off

Speaker: And then Giles is looking just totally uncomfortable in the audience.

Speaker: I don't know these kids.

Speaker: It's so good.

Speaker: And there's something so funny about watching professional actors play bad acting.

Speaker: Yes.

Speaker: It's very funny.

Speaker: I love when that happens.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And they've got to be very good at actually doing that.

Speaker: And you actually, you've reminded, I was, I had to do a, I was in a talent show.

Speaker: at school and this was the school interesting where the deputy head teacher was like Snyder and it was an acting school we were linked to the BBC we would do things for Lambda and stuff and we performed this show and the show that we performed was a talent show so we were pretending to be characters

Speaker: taking part and we had to audition as our characters on the stage so this is what the audience would see and I played a drunk Scotsman

Speaker: And I had to do a Highland jig and everything, but pissed.

Speaker: I was about 13 at the time.

Speaker: So my godfather, who was Scottish, was very proud.

Speaker: He was like, yeah, well, he was in the audience at the time.

Speaker: He was...

Speaker: cheering me on and things.

Speaker: He kept saying how accurate it was.

Speaker: But the actual jig itself was the, you know, sort of the Highland jig, you know, where they dance across the swords and stuff, which he taught me.

Speaker: But there was another girl who, she was playing a gymnast and she gets herself all caught up and stuck in the middle of one of her, whatever it is that she does.

Speaker: And I remember at the time thinking, you've got to be really good at getting that wrong.

Speaker: If that makes sense, you know, so she had to do it and know how she, and she ended up having to walk off, you know, like a spider.

Speaker: And it always reminds me of this particular scene where you just think they're so good at doing it wrong.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So, and I think we do, seeing we've watched the entire credits, or we've got to the end of the credits,

Speaker: We've not actually mentioned at all the other character that we get in Buffy, which is the demon that goes across the screen at the end and says, grr, argh.

Speaker: Which is Joss Whedon.

Speaker: That's his actual voice.

Speaker: And Mutant Enemy, which was his production company, was named after his typewriter.

Speaker: Because he needed to come up with a name, apparently.

Speaker: But that sort of, that changes every so often.

Speaker: There's a few episodes later on in the seasons where they do little bits with that little demon.

Speaker: So it's always worth just, you know, keeping the credits on.

Speaker: That's one of the downsides of streaming now is that they always give you the option of just skipping ahead to the next episode when the credits start.

Speaker: So you'll miss a lot of this stuff now.

Speaker: Yeah, or it automatically jumps.

Speaker: as well which winds me up um so so much but but yeah you know so there's there's little bits and pieces like easter eggs as it were and uh it's yeah it sort of starts here you can see the so the beginnings of it but uh but yeah it's definitely worth um watching out for that little demon so how did you find that episode in the end then

Speaker: Yeah, it wasn't as bad as I had expected it to be.

Speaker: I still hate ventriloquist dummies, but I mean, I obviously couldn't spoil this at the beginning for anyone who hasn't seen it.

Speaker: But the fact that Sid turned out to be a good guy did help.

Speaker: to ease my fears slightly ease your pain yeah but that aside um there's just there's so much in this that like there's so many great lines the whole first scene is amazing and just the introduction of Snyder and yeah it there's there's a lot to love about this I still don't think it would be one of my favorite episodes and I know it is actually a lot of people really really love this episode yeah but yeah it's

Speaker: Yeah, I got through it.

Speaker: It was a lot better than I expected it to be.

Speaker: Your trauma is not so bad.

Speaker: No.

Speaker: This wasn't as triggering as you were expecting, which is good.

Speaker: I'm glad.

Speaker: I was a little worried because you mentioned it a number of times.

Speaker: Like, I'm dreading it.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: That said, now, if I start dreaming about dummies tonight, I'll be a bit...

Speaker: Well, you won't be the only one because Sarah Michelle Gellar actually had, she admitted to having nightmares after filming this.

Speaker: Oh, God.

Speaker: So, yeah, so you're in good company there anyway.

Speaker: So what was your favourite scene?

Speaker: Definitely the first scene, which is quite lengthy, actually.

Speaker: Just everything about it from Giles's reaction to Cordelia's singing, the way they taunt him about having to run the talent show.

Speaker: And then they're so smug about it.

Speaker: they have the encounter with Snyder puts them in their place and Giles is just very like vengeance at last he's smug I love it it's a great scene that's my favourite scene I love the one where Sid sits and talks him through his life how he turned out to be a dummy the complete sheer awe on all of their faces

Speaker: And then Giles' realisation that he should be elsewhere.

Speaker: We've all been there.

Speaker: It's like, fuck, shit.

Speaker: I'm late.

Speaker: I think that's my favourite scene.

Speaker: I think Sid, I actually really like the character of Sid.

Speaker: I think he's really funny.

Speaker: What was your favourite line?

Speaker: Again, there were so many great ones.

Speaker: I love Snyder's last line.

Speaker: I don't get it.

Speaker: But I think it's when Willow says, you know, it could be anyone.

Speaker: It could be me.

Speaker: I think I'm going to have to say I don't get it with Snyder.

Speaker: I originally didn't have that written down.

Speaker: But yeah, I think that that wins for me now.

Speaker: So Buffy's kill count is, wow.

Speaker: Yeah, non-existent.

Speaker: Snap.

Speaker: We do have deaths, obviously, but... We have a lot of deaths.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: There's a lot of organ harvesting.

Speaker: Yeah, there's the dancer, the tuba player, I don't know, the other girl, the other one, Emma.

Speaker: Emily.

Speaker: Emily.

Speaker: Okay, Cordelia.

Speaker: I'm like, yeah, you know, that girl.

Speaker: My best friend.

Speaker: Morgan.

Speaker: Morgan, of course.

Speaker: And then the demon.

Speaker: And Sid.

Speaker: And Sid, yep.

Speaker: And everyone's career on stage.

Speaker: Yes.

Speaker: Dies a sorry death as well.

Speaker: Giles doesn't get knocked out.

Speaker: He doesn't.

Speaker: Although he almost gets decapitated.

Speaker: Yeah, near decapitation is, you know.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: He's doing all right, but he's a stupid man.

Speaker: He's like, oh, yeah, okay, I'll just go and lie down in this guillotine.

Speaker: It's like, what the fuck are you thinking?

Speaker: It's like, all right, Marie Antoinette.

Speaker: What are you doing?

Speaker: Is that why you're always cleaning your glasses?

Speaker: So you don't have to see what we're doing?

Speaker: tell no one does he take his glasses off though oh he does i mean yep so we've got four the first one is in the very first scene um when he's just despairing about what his life has become when you know in the theater um and then he does it again in the next scene when they're watching morgan and the dummy

Speaker: And then later on, I think number three is in the library where Willow is telling him she's, you know, figured out that inanimate objects can harvest human organs.

Speaker: And then the last one.

Speaker: The last one is in the last scene I'd spotted.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So this is how bad I am at that.

Speaker: It always, I have to get to like 45 minutes into the episode and I'm like, oh, there it is.

Speaker: It's like you've missed the entire episode.

Speaker: So it's really ramping up then.

Speaker: It's getting serious.

Speaker: Oh yeah.

Speaker: I mean, he has a lot to be distressed about in this episode.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: I love how it's a form of expression for him.

Speaker: So he flips them off.

Speaker: You just break the arm of your glasses every time.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: He clearly doesn't have to pay the bills for his glasses.

Speaker: No.

Speaker: So, and outfits.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: What was your favourite?

Speaker: I just couldn't pick one.

Speaker: I'm terrible at noticing things.

Speaker: I love their little costumes at the end, though.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: They were funny.

Speaker: So I'll probably go for those.

Speaker: I think it's the leopard dress with the leather jacket.

Speaker: Not so much without.

Speaker: I think the leather jacket makes Buffy's outfit.

Speaker: And it's the scene where she walks down into the corridor.

Speaker: So she's going to break into Morgan's locker.

Speaker: And it's just that, you know, the knee-high boots...

Speaker: uh the the leopard print dress and then the sort of like the three-quarter length leather jacket um which is essentially the same length as her as her miniskirt um it's so buffy and i'm pretty certain they used that outfit in a lot of the promotional shots yeah um i might be imagining that but

Speaker: No, I think you do see it.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: It's so synonymous with the character.

Speaker: Speaking of characters, who was your favourite character in this episode?

Speaker: Oh, you're not going to be happy with me.

Speaker: It's the dummy, isn't it?

Speaker: No.

Speaker: It's the other dummy.

Speaker: It's Xander.

Speaker: Oh.

Speaker: Well, you know, I'm okay.

Speaker: I'm over it.

Speaker: I'm just so, like, spooked by dummy.

Speaker: I don't mind him.

Speaker: Yeah, I think for me, though, it's like, I know the last few episodes have been like, fucking Xander, don't like him.

Speaker: Getting in my, you know, I mean, I refuse to even talk about him on one episode.

Speaker: It's quite that bad.

Speaker: But yeah, I actually quite, I think he brought a lot more to this episode and made it a good episode.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So, yeah, so I'm going to say Xander.

Speaker: And of course, he saved the day.

Speaker: Yeah, he saved the life of our beloved.

Speaker: Vision in Tweed.

Speaker: So, yeah, so I'm going to say, Zandit Burt, can I have an honourable mention?

Speaker: Of course, I'm going to have one.

Speaker: Are you?

Speaker: Okay.

Speaker: Is it going to be the same?

Speaker: Probably is.

Speaker: Snyder.

Speaker: Yes.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: That's it.

Speaker: I just love, it's not, I don't think it's the best episode that he's in.

Speaker: But it's a great introduction.

Speaker: It's an amazing intro.

Speaker: And I think what's worse is in comparison to Flutie, you want to see more of Flutie.

Speaker: You don't want to see more of Snyder so much.

Speaker: Because you know, at the end of this episode, he starts out and you think, oh God, he's just an arsehole.

Speaker: And then you think, yeah, he's an arsehole with something else going on.

Speaker: Why is he like sloping around in the shadows and stuff?

Speaker: So, cause that, that wasn't resolved by the end of this episode.

Speaker: So, but yeah, I, I, I love the guy.

Speaker: I think he's great.

Speaker: Yeah, he really elevates this episode.

Speaker: He's got some great lines and he kind of creeped me out at times almost as much as Sid did.

Speaker: But I think, you know, it's more in an entertaining way because he's not a dummy.

Speaker: So that helps.

Speaker: Yeah, yeah.

Speaker: That's very true.

Speaker: So he's definitely honorable mention.

Speaker: Yes.

Speaker: And who is your favorite character?

Speaker: I'm gonna say Buffy because there's just so many so many points where I can relate to her just her fear of dummies and I also love the fact actually that before she realizes that Sid is on the same side she faces her fear and she tries to to kill him anyway

Speaker: Yes.

Speaker: Which I could never do.

Speaker: But I just, I like that.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So Buffy's your, yeah, okay.

Speaker: That just surprised me.

Speaker: I thought you were going to say some, I thought you were going to say the obvious, to be fair.

Speaker: Well, I'm trying, really trying not to be too obvious.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: It's like, anyway, Giles.

Speaker: So, yeah, I liked this episode.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: And I still like this episode.

Speaker: I find it funny.

Speaker: It's a good light relief.

Speaker: However, for me, the next episode is, in my opinion, one of the best.

Speaker: Yes.

Speaker: Agreed.

Speaker: It's fabulous.

Speaker: Yeah, it doesn't get the accolades or the recognition that I think it deserves.

Speaker: However, I do think it's in the wrong season.

Speaker: I think if it was in a future season, the concept of going through your worst nightmare is

Speaker: would have been amazing and why they didn't revisit this whole idea because they could have they could have worked this again because it definitely feels like a late something they should have done later yeah it's very i see you know you could have you could have had this episode but then you could have revisited when they were adults or you know other times of their lives yeah

Speaker: Yeah, because fears change as well.

Speaker: I mean, clearly not for me.

Speaker: I've had that dummy one knocking around for all my life.

Speaker: But they do change for most people.

Speaker: So I'm looking forward to watching that anyway.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Be nice to get away from organ harvesting as well.

Speaker: Actually watching this, I kept thinking about any other Anthony Head enthusiasts out there will know that he actually did play a very gruesome role, which involved having to cut out people's organs.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Repo man.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So slicing and dicing and, um,

Speaker: So check that out if you've got a strong stomach.

Speaker: Yeah, if you haven't seen it, I think it's really good.

Speaker: The music's really good.

Speaker: The music is fabulous.

Speaker: It's great.

Speaker: next episode, we'll be watching Nightmares, which is episode 10 of season one.

Speaker: So, yeah, I can't wait to talk this one through.

Speaker: Do you like this one?

Speaker: I do, yeah, I really do.

Speaker: It's going to be fun.

Speaker: Great.

Speaker: And we get back to the master as well.

Speaker: We do.

Speaker: We're back with that plot in case anyone's hot.

Speaker: They've just abandoned that whole thing.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: With his layer.

Speaker: It's cool layer.

Speaker: It's awesome.

Speaker: As Velcro sleeves and his Velcro cups.

Speaker: It is very dry PVC outfit.

Speaker: I miss that.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: Be good to get back to it.

Speaker: Yeah.

Speaker: So as always, thanks for joining us while we dissect the

Speaker: all our worst nightmares in my case and please let me know if you also hate ventriloquist dummies because I'll feel so much better and a lot less silly uh so you can follow us on x and instagram and tiktok just search for previously on buffy and yeah don't mock my fear please and be gentle and mock

Speaker: Bless you.

Speaker: I did actually have some puppet jokes, but I threw them out.

Speaker: They weren't very good.

Speaker: Anyway, on that note, we'll catch you next episode, which is nightmares.

Speaker: See you then.

Speaker: Next time on previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Speaker: The overall theme, I think, for this episode is not just facing your fear and your worst nightmare.

Speaker: What does that look like when it comes true?

Speaker: The episode itself for this series is one of foreshadowing.

Speaker: And Buffy does allude to the fact that sometimes...

Speaker: her dad turns up for the weekend I mean she kind of had alluded to the fact that her parents weren't together anymore she really looks forward to these weekends with her dad it doesn't sound like she sees enough of him as it is thanks for listening to previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer you can follow us on X Instagram or TikTok just search previously on Buffy

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