r/buffy

I have been rewatching Buffy as of late and i totally forgot about the episode when they all eat the candy and the grown ups become teens again. And GILES!! i was not expecting to crush on him hard this time around. He was a total bad ass in england.

I always find it interesting that nearly every Buffy and Faith fight, they crash through glass.

In "Revelations," they crash through Angel's patio glass door. In "Graduation Day," they crash through Faith's window. In "Who Are You," they crash through Joyce's house window.

It keeps happening, and it feels intentional.

My take is this: they are opposite reflections of one another. Faith is the dark mirror to Buffy — so what better way to show that than having them literally shatter glass between them every time they clash? They're breaking the reflection, fighting their other self, and landing on the same side of the shards.

Either that or Faith just loves glass, cause she does it to Angel too if i remember correctly

Just a thought lol

I just rewatched season 7 and tbh I used to get really annoyed with everyone turning against buffy but after my rewatch.. I think maybe they did have a point.. but buffy had a point too.

buffy was clearly under a lot of pressure and stress, she didn't have time to play easy and had to be tough. which is understandable, however all the potential slayers were just teenage girls that were clearly scared and needed help. it makes perfect sense for them not to risk their lives going back to the vineyard to face caleb considering what happened the last time they went.

because of the stress of being a leader and taking care of everyone, buffy did snap at everyone many times and belittled others in a way, there's only so much her friends can stand before they reach their breaking point too.. like when buffy jumps into that portal thing and just tells them to figure out a way to bring her back, all for nothing because she doesn't even accept the powers that were being offered to her, endangering the lives of her friends and potential slayers with that exchange demon due to her impulsive actions.

I don't think anyone of them was technically right or wrong. I think everyone was stressed, worried and desperately needed a break from each other for a bit.. which is why when buffy comes back home everyone seems to be getting on with each other better.

I thought it may be nice to chat a bit about how the show has impacted people's lives. honestly, I was too young when the show was on air. I literally only started watching it in 2005 after watching scooby doo 2 and developing a major crush on Sarah Michelle Gellar lol. I didn't understand it at all back then, was just watching it for her, I didn't even understand why the show was so hyped because 8 year old me couldn't understand anything beyond buffy being chosen to fight demons.

however few years later I watched it as a teen and actually fell in love with it. It was so unique and I felt like I could relate to it so much! I was a geek in high school who didn't really fit in too well with most of the crowd, and when I found out I was gay and had to keep it a secret from everyone (grew up in a very conservative place), watching the show really made me feel 'seen' or 'heard' in a weird way.. and even now as an adult in my 20s when life gets too much I go back to the show and feel empowered by buffy.. how shes constantly stressed with battling the demons but stays strong and powers through even if she doesn't always win. The metaphors in the show are remarkable. even my least favorite seasons have so many impactful moments in them!

Season 6 especially hits so deep when depression hits and you start doing crazy things.. i know season 6 isn't generally liked by most.. but I think it's perfect.. Its comforting to see that life can even crush down someone as strong as buffy... the issue I had with a show like sabrina the teenage witch was that sabrina was always so cheerful no matter how stressful her life got.. to the point it was annoying.. I know sabrina was technically a kids show but still.. whereas you can see in buffy how the pain of life can actually fuck you up.

So the original idea was for the First to appear to Willow as Tara in "Conversations with Dead People", but, after Amber declined, they swapped in Cassie (which felt like an odd choice).

I thought it'd be fun to compare the script (dated September 29, 2002) to the finalized episode (aired November 12, 2002). That's a 44-day turnaround. For the aired episode, I'm using a transcript (posted November 15, 2002).

Scene 1:

MUSIC CONTINUES UNDER:

INT. U.C. SUNNYDALE LIBRARY - NIGHT

The library is sparsely populated. We find WILLOW alone, studying at a table tucked between the stacks. It's a private, cozy alcove.

Willow is hunched over her book, clearly fighting fatigue. After a beat, she gives in and lays her head down on her book. Closes her eyes...

(Note: The script doesn't kick off Willow's (spoken) story until Act 2; the aired episode moved it up to Act 1.)

Scene 2 (Script):

INT. U.C. SUNNYDALE LIBRARY - NIGHT

CLOSE ON WILLOW

Who still sleeps on her book. But something rouses her. Her eyes flicker open. She sits up, sensing that she's not alone. Then her eyes fix on something. Stop.

REVEAL

TARA, sitting on the table, across from her. Willow just takes her in, too stunned to speak. Tara smiles.

Scene 2 (Aired):

29 INT. U.C. SUNNYDALE LIBRARY - NIGHT

Willow's still studying at the table, leaning her head over, propping it up on one arm, slouching a bit. Then someone starts talking to her through one of the nearby stacks. It's Cassie, from 7x04 "Help."

CASSIE

So, (Willow turns to look) this is the UC library, huh? It's so big. Hey.

WILLOW

I know you. I mean, I saw your picture.

CASSIE

(walks out from behind the stacks to Willow's table) Yeah, I know, it's kinda weird 'cause we never really met.

WILLOW

Or kinda weird because your're really dead.

CASSIE

Yeah well... (laughs)

WILLOW

Did I fall asleep?

CASSIE

No, no, I'm here. I mean, not-not here here... it's kinda complicated. Kind of ironic, too, you know. I wrote all that intense poetry about the end, and here I am again. Chatting you up.

WILLOW

Yeah, ironic.

CASSIE

I knew this would completely freak you out. It's just? (sits at Willow's table) she asked that I come talk to you. It's important.

WILLOW

She?

CASSIE

Don't worry. I'm not gona hurt you or anything?

WILLOW

Who asked you? What are you talking about?

CASSIE

She says she still sings.

WILLOW

What?

CASSIE

Remember that time on the bridge when you sang to each other? Well, she says even though you can't hear it, she still sings to you.

WILLOW

Tara?

Scene 3 (Script):

INT. U.C. SUNNYDALE - LIBRARY

Back to Willow's stunned face. Tara still sits across from her, still looking at Willow lovingly.

TARA

Hey.

Willow blinks.

WILLOW

Hey?

TARA

I'm sorry to wake you.

Willow smiles a little regretfully.

WILLOW

Ha...

TARA

Ha - what?

WILLOW

Is that like a dream joke thing? You're sorry to wake me, but I'm clearly not awake and if I was awake and you really were here, would you be sorry to wake me up? I mean, after all this time and - Oh God, I'm babbling. I'm dream babbling and it's the best dream of my life and I'm wasting it and-

TARA

(gently) I just meant, I liked watching you sleep.

WILLOW

Oh.

Now the emotion of it all really penetrates. Dream or not - Tara is near her. Talking to her. Loving her. Willow fights tears.

WILLOW (cont'd)

Oh... Oh God, Tara...

Tara gets emotional as well.

TARA

Shhhh, baby-

Willow reaches out to take Tara's outstretched hand, but Tara gently moves it away. Willow looks stricken.

WILLOW

Sorry. Sorry. I didn't mean to-

TARA

(regretful) It's okay. I want you to. But I don't think I can. Touch.

Tara shifts on the table, like she's about to stand up.

WILLOW

Wait! Don't! Don't leave-

TARA

I'm not. I was just - my skirt was bunching up.

WILLOW

Oh. (quickly/desperate) So we'll just sit. We'll sit here. And if the dream, or possibly ghosty, rules are no touching, that's fine. Just don't go. Okay?

TARA

Willow-

WILLOW

I think I'm kind of hyperventilating.

TARA

Will-

WILLOW

No, it's okay. Just...

Willow leans over. Tries to catch her breath. Disappears behind the table.

WILLOW (cont'd)

(O.C.) Give me a minute.

Tara walks around to her. Willow practically has her head between her knees. Tara kneels and meets her eyes, despite the awkward, crouchy positions.

TARA

Sweetie-

Willow is crying now. Like her heart is breaking.

WILLOW

It hurts so much. I miss you so much.

TARA

I know. I know-

WILLOW

I keep telling myself, better to have loved, right? And lost? Like, at least we had that. But sometimes I wish...

TARA

It's okay-

Willow sits up now. Almost panicky.

WILLOW

It's not okay! It's so much worse now. Like, you filled my life up. You made it bigger. And when you... The hole you left is so deep. I'm never going to fill it up. I'm never going to...

TARA

You can. You will.

WILLOW

How? You're gone.

TARA

But you're not. And you're strong. Like an Amazon, remember?

Willow can't help but smile a tiny rueful smile through her tears.

WILLOW

Big snotty weepy Amazon.

TARA

Gotta start somewhere.

They hold each other's gaze - connecting.

Scene 3 (Aired):

38 INT. U.C. SUNNYDALE LIBRARY - NIGHT

Willow's sitting at the table talking to Cassie, who's sitting across from her.

WILLOW

Tara, is it you?

CASSIE

She's sorry she couldn't come herself.

WILLOW

Why didn't she? I don't understand... I mean, if you can manifest yourself

CASSIE

She just can't.

WILLOW

Why not? I don't understand.

CASSIE

Because of what you did.

WILLOW

What?

CASSIE

You killed people. You can't see her. That's just how it is. I'm sorry.

WILLOW

But? But she's talking to you? And-and she can hear me? (starts to cry, looks up) Tara? Tara, I miss you. I miss you so much. (to Cassie) Can she hear me? What's happening. Did she say anything? What? Did she go away?

CASSIE

She's crying.

WILLOW

No. No, don't cry. Don't cry, sweetie. Talk to me.

CASSIE

She misses you, too. She wishes she could touch you.

WILLOW

Me too. Oh, me, too. Oh, God, Tara, it hurts so much. Everyday, it's like this giant hole, and it's not getting better.

CASSIE

It will. It can.

WILLOW

How? You're gone.

CASSIE

But you're not. You're strong, like an Amazon, remember?

WILLOW

I do. I remember.

(Note: We're now in Act 3.)

Scene 4 (Script):

INT. U.C. SUNNYDALE LIBRARY - NIGHT

We're back with Willow and Tara, who continue their conversation where they left off.

WILLOW

I don't know... I don't know where to start. (with difficulty) Tara. After Warren shot you. I had a very... dramatic reaction. I killed him. I mean, really, really killed him. And then...

TARA

I know. And I know what you tried to do.

WILLOW

You do? There's gossip where you are?

TARA

It's not like that. I just know.

Willow nods. Accepts this. Then-

WILLOW

It was horrible. I was horrible. I lost myself. The regular me.

TARA

You were grieving-

WILLOW

A lot of people grieve. They don't make with the flaying. (scared) I hurt so many people. All my friends. Buffy, Xander, Giles... I didn't care. I wanted to erase them all. I wanted to erase the whole world.

TARA

It wasn't you. It was the power.

WILLOW

But I am the power. It's in me. (quickly) Did I mention random destruction of property? The magic box is... not so much a box now-

TARA

(ignoring) The power is bigger than you, that's what I always tried to tell you.

WILLOW

I know. You were right-

TARA

You just have to stop. You can't use magic again. Not ever.

WILLOW

(confused) Black magic. Of course. But Giles says it isn't as simple as quitting it all cold turkey. He says I have to learn to use my power for good. The magic is in me now, and if I try to repress it, it's going to end up coming out again - in a bad way.

TARA

(shakes her head) It's too dangerous. You can't take the chance that you'll lose control.

WILLOW

I don't want to. I can't. But the stuff Giles and the coven taught me in England - it helped. (then) And, you know, all I have to do is think of the look on Dawnie's face - when I tried to... When I said such awful things to her. I never want to see that look again. I never want to cause that kind of pain.

TARA

I know you don't.

WILLOW

(hopeful) So I won't. I'm going to be okay.

TARA

(gently) Oh, baby. You're not listening. Don't you understand? You're not going to be okay. You're going to kill everybody.

OFF WILLOW'S STUNNED REACTION.

END OF ACT THREE

Scene 4 (Aired):

47 INT. U.C. SUNNYDALE LIBRARY - NIGHT

Willow's still sitting at the library table across from Cassie.

WILLOW

I don't know where to start. Um, after Warren shot you?you know all about that, what happened? It was horrible. I was horrible. I?I lost myself, the regular me.

CASSIE

Well, you were grieving.

WILLOW

A lot of people grieve. They don't make with the flaying. I hurt so many people.

CASSIE

It was the power.

WILLOW

I am the power. It's in me. Did I mention the random destruction of property? The Magic Box is not so much a box now?

CASSIE

The power is bigger than you are.

WILLOW

I know, but?

CASSIE

Things are more clear where Tara is, where we are. We can see your path, and you have to stop. You can't use magic again, not ever.

WILLOW

Black magic, of course. But Giles says it isn't as simple as-as quitting it all cold-turkey?

CASSIE

It's too dangerous. You can't take the chance that you'll lose control.

WILLOW

I-I don't want to. I-I can't. I never want to cause that kind of pain.

CASSIE

Of course you don't.

WILLOW

So, I won't. I'm gonna be OK.

CASSIE

She says...

WILLOW

What?

CASSIE

You're not gonna be OK. You're gonna kill everybody.

Willow stares at her.

Fade to black.

(Note: We're now in Act 4.)

Scene 5 (Script):

INT. U.C. SUNNYDALE LIBRARY - NIGHT

Willow still looks completely stunned. The way you would if your dead lover just told you you were going to kill everybody. Tara looks regretful - she hates to be the bearer of such tragic information.

WILLOW

I'm going to... what?

TARA

It's why I came. I needed to warn you.

Willow starts to grow increasingly agitated and tearful.

WILLOW

How do you know? What do you know?

TARA

(grimly) You don't want to know what I saw.

WILLOW

Oh God...

TARA

But if you stop. Completely. No more magic-

WILLOW

Right. Right. Stop. (then) But what about Giles? He made it seem like it would be just as dangerous for me to quit completely. Like I'll go off the deep end again.

TARA

You can't. Willow, if you do so much as another spell...

Willow is in a full blown panic now. Tara also looks scared. The fate of the world hangs in the balance.

WILLOW

I tried to stop. I tried. What if I can't do this?

TARA

Don't think that way-

WILLOW

How can I not? You're telling me I'm going to murder all my friends! (desperate) I'm not strong, Tara. I'm not an Amazon. I'm just me. Look what I did before...

Tara thinks... A horrible beat. Then-

TARA

There is one thing. One thing you could do to stop it.

WILLOW

What? Anything.

TARA

You could sleep.

A beat as Willow comprehends what Tara is saying.

Her expression shifts. Distrust and anger darken her features.

WILLOW

Who are you?

Scene 5 (Aired):

53 INT. U.C. SUNNYDALE LIBRARY - NIGHT

Willow's still talking to Cassie. Willow seems panicked, while Cassie is calm.

WILLOW

I'm gonna what?

CASSIE

That's why I came. We needed to warn you.

WILLOW

You saw my path? W-what do you know? What?what did you see?

CASSIE

You don't want to know what we saw.

WILLOW

Oh, God!

CASSIE

But if you stop?completely. No more magic.

WILLOW

Right. Right. Stop. W-what about Giles? He made it seem like it was just as dangerous for me to quit completely, like I'll go off the deep end again?

CASSIE

You can't. If you do so much as another spell?

WILLOW

I tried to stop. I-I tried. What if I can't do this?

CASSIE

Don't think that way.

WILLOW

Well, how can I not? You're telling me I'm gonna murder all my friends. I'm not strong. I'm not an Amazon. I'm just me.

CASSIE

Well, there is one thing?one thing you could do to stop it.

WILLOW

(eyes wide) What? Anything.

CASSIE

And you could see her. You wouldn't have to talk through me.

WILLOW

(softly) Tara?

CASSIE

That's what you want, isn't it?

WILLOW

Of course.

CASSIE

So go. Be with her. Everybody will be safe, and you'll be together again. It's not that bad. Really. It's just like going to sleep.

Willow suspects that something's wrong. She stands cautiously.

WILLOW

Who are you?

Scene 6 (Script):

INT. U.C. SUNNYDALE LIBRARY - NIGHT

Now Willow and Tara (who is really The First, natch') face off.

TARA/FIRST

The suicide thing was too far, huh? Huh. You seemed so ripe.

WILLOW

Tell me who you are.

TARA/FIRST

I stand by my opinion, you know. The world would be better off if you took a razor blade to your wrists-

WILLOW

Stop-

TARA/FIRST

You know to cut long, right? Up the arm. I can see it now, candle light... The Indigo Girls playing. A picture of your dead girlfriend on your bloody lap-

WILLOW

Stop. Stop using Tara this way-

TARA/FIRST

(mocking) Ohhh! You left a big hole! It hurts so much!

Now Tara/First moves in on Willow, seething with malevolence.

TARA/FIRST (cont'd)

You don't know hurt. This last year, it's going to seem like cake after what I put you and your friends through. I'm not a big fan of easy death... Fact is, the whole "good and evil, balancing the scales" thing? I'm over it. I'm done with the mortal coil. But, believe me, I'm going for a big finish.

Willow is chilled to the bone.

WILLOW

From beneath you it devours.

TARA/FIRST

Not it. Me.

With that, Tara/First smiles... And her smile stretches wider and wider until it becomes grotesque, like a macabre horror mask (CGI). The smile engulfs the entire face as the rest of TARA'S BODY seems to get sucked in by it. In an instant - The First is gone.

Off Willow, shaking and terrified.

Scene 6 (Aired):

58 INT. U.C. SUNNYDALE LIBRARY - NIGHT

Willow's standing, and Cassie's still sitting at the library table. Cassie seems smug and flippant now.

CASSIE

Suicide thing was too far, huh? Hmm. You seemed so ripe.

WILLOW

Tell me who you are.

CASSIE

(leans forward) I stand by my opinion. The world would be a better place if you took a razorblade to your wrist?

WILLOW

Stop.

CASSIE

I can see it now. (stands) Candlelight, the Indigo Girls playing, picture of your dead girlfriend on your bloody lap.

WILLOW

Stop it!

CASSIE

(mocking) Oh, baby, you left such a big hole. It hurt so bad. (serious, leans in) You don't know hurt. This last year's gonna seem like cake after what I put you and your friends through, and I am not a fan of easy death. Fact is, the whole good-versus-evil, balancing the scales thing? I'm over it. I'm done with the mortal coil. But believe me, I'm going for a big finish.

WILLOW

From beneath you, it devours.

CASSIE

(leans back) Oh, not it. Me.

Cassie sports a wicked grin, and then her skin rolls back, and her jaws flip back and she's turning inside out until she's a floating ball of flesh, then?poof!?she disappears altogether. Willow's left just standing there in front of the library table.

I've been trying to work on my writing more seriously, and part of that means actually putting work out into the world instead of just sitting on it.

This idea has been kicking around in my head for years. When the New Sunnydale pilot leaked I figured it was finally time to get a draft down on paper.

It's a Faith-centric elseworlds story set in present day after the events of the original show. Faith, a nomad in hiding comes across a kid with something old and dangerous waking up inside her.

Fair warning: it's a bit darker, slow burn and more character-driven than the original show, so if you're after the O.G Buffy formula this probably isn't it.

Some people will like it. Some won't. There's some twists and revelations on the lore that will dictate which way you go.

Either way I'm genuinely grateful to anyone who takes the time to read any of it.

Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pkeaKsEtw1NaOzMpSOV6JkZLQx9i-g-l/view?usp=drivesdk