Project Buffy: Mission Accomplished & Top 5 Tearjerkers
May 22, 2009 by Kath Skerry
Update: After just posting that video of Tom Lenk, it got me thinking about BUFFY. So here’s a blast from the past – this was originally posted last March, but it’s not a bad thing to talk BUFFY once a year, right?
-March 2008-
Done and done. I set out on a mission to watch the entire series of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and I finished…in an impressive amount of time if I do say so myself. Although I spent about four weeks casually watching the first season, I tackled the last 6 seasons of the show in just about a month, and actually watched season 4-7 in a whopping 18 days.
But now I get it. I get the whole BUFFY fandom and why millions of people are still obsessed with this show even years after it went off the air. It’s beyond brilliant. BUFFY is a masterful blend of drama, humor, tragedy, pop culture, sex, with just enough of the scary to ‘wig’ you out. I expected to like Buffy. I mean all these fans and critics couldn’t be wrong. But I don’t think I ever expected to become so obsessed about a show that I didn’t fully get to experience living with for seven years. And as some of my Buffy-loving friends (like Dan and Rae) can attest to, I became completed enthralled in all things Buffy. Simply put it’s a brilliant TV show, the likes of which I have never seen, and it’s fully deserving of all it worship.
I’ve been getting a ton of email (honestly I was floored by how many of you showed interest in ‘Project Buffy’) asking for my thoughts on the show. To be honest, the idea of trying to breakdown my reaction to seven years of TV was a bit daunting, so I thought I would try another approach. I’m going to be sharing some of my favorite moments of PROJECT BUFFY in various Top 5 lists. What those lists should be, I’m not sure, and I’m hoping to get your help. But to kick things off I thought perhaps I would start with the Top 5 moments that made me shed a tear.
Project Buffy – Top 5 ‘Someone Hand Me a Tissue Because I Can’t Stop Crying’ Moments
Here are some of the (many) moments (in no particular order) that I found myself emotionally drained while watching BUFFY. No way were there just five times I cried (more like five times an episode sometimes), but for some reason these moments just really stood out to me. Am I a big ‘ol baby or did these moments get to you too?
- Buffy receiving the ‘Class Protector Award’ – The tears were flowing when Sunnydale High not only recognized Buffy for her kick ass way of saving everyone’s life, but also acknowledging that strange things always seemed afoot at their little high school. Kudos to Buffy for ensuring the class of 1999 had the lowest mortality rate in the school’s history.
- Joyce’ death in ‘The Body’ – The entire episode of ‘The Body’ was so haunting that I was on the verge of tears from beginning to end. From Buffy’s realization that her mother was dead, to Dawn’s emotional breakdown, to Willow’s constant changing of her clothes – so painfully sad. But the moment that put me over the edge was Anya’s emotional breakdown. Emma Caulfield was so perfect in her innocent portrayal of the mystery of death. I think I watched that scene three times and cried harder each time.
- “But I don’t understand! I don’t understand how this all happens. How we go through this. I mean, I knew her, and then she’s, there’s just a body, and I don’t understand why she just can’t get back in it and not be dead anymore! It’s stupid! It’s mortal and stupid! And, and Xander’s crying and not talking, and, and I was having fruit punch, and I thought, well Joyce will never have any more fruit punch, ever, and she’ll never have eggs, or yawn or brush her hair, not ever, and no one will explain to me why.”
- Buffy’s dead…again – The first time Buffy died I didn’t give it too much thought. I mean, she was the title character of a relatively new show. I knew she was coming back. Plus it was so early in the series I didn’t feel much a connection with the character. But when Buffy unselfishly plummeted to her death in “The Gift” I was a wreck. The whole scene of her jumping and falling into the abyss was brilliantly constructed. But what really made me lose it was the raw emotional breakdown of Willow and Spike upon seeing Buffy’s body. Gut wrenching.
- Xander & Willow: BFF 4-eva – Xander’s ‘yellow crayon’ speech in the Season 6 finale really got to me. I think because it was such an honest moment. I don’t believe that Xander ever thought his speech would help to save the world. I think he was resigned to dying and if he was going to die he wanted to be beside his best friend, even if she was the one responsible for the apocalypse. I’m glad they never lost the Xander and Willow relationship through the course of the show. I loved those two crazy kids.
- “You’re the One, Buffy” – Spike’s “You’re the one” speech to Buffy in ‘Touched’ had me wishing I could find my own living dead to love. By this point I was a full on Spike girl and always believed that his feelings for Buffy were true – even if he had the oddest way of expressing himself. Something tells me this isn’t the only time you’ll see this moment pop up in my Top 5 lists.
- “Hey, look at me. I’m not asking you for anything. When I say I love you, it’s not because I want you, or because I can’t have you. It has nothing to do with me. I love what you are, what you do, how you try. I’ve seen your kindness and your strength. I’ve seen the best and the worst of you and I understand with perfect clarity exactly what you are. You are a hell of a woman. You’re the one, Buffy.”
So there’s my Top 5 in this category. I’m fully expecting a slew of comments reminding me of other heart wrenching moments that I overlooked. Good. Bring ’em on and let us all relive the moments again.
Big thanks to all of you who encouraged me through Project Buffy. You weren’t wrong. Talk about time well spent.
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I love Spike and Buffy together. That scene in particular was amazing!! Glad you liked the series. My husband and I got into the show after it was off the air as well. We bought all the seasons and watched straight through. We had so much fun. Are you going to give Angel a try too? That show was also pretty great. Except for the series finale which I can’t blame them for. It had more to do with the way they were cancelled. Whedon was not happy and it shows in the finale.
I think I’ll get to ANGEL at some point in time. I’m actually going to be taking on SUPERNATURAL next. 50 million insane fangirls can’t be wrong..LOL.
I think you did a good job and picked all the moments I would have chosen! I would love to see a top 5 funniest moments list – there were some hilarious moments throughout the season (a ton having to do with Andrew, mind you).
I think a lot of people will choose “when Angel died in season 2” as a really sad moment but it didn’t effect me much because I watched it this year like you and I KNEW he was coming back (as he has his own show!). Speaking of – when you watch the Buffy / Angel crossover “I will Remember You”, you will come upon another tear jerker moment… no one could possibly resist crying at the end of that one.
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I’m impressed and surprised you didn’t choose “Becoming Part II.” That’s the one that many would go for as their number one tear jerker. And really, it is one.
One lesser known tearjerkers in my book is “Family.” The beautiful show of love for Tara in the end of this episode is just wonderful and gives me happy tears every time.
Honestly, I loved Buffy, but Angel just warms my heart. with the dramatic changes in Wes, Cordy/Angel love, Wes/Gunn/Fred…Granted, it took me til season 2 to really get into it.
Okay, I’d like to see Top 5 favorite songs from OMWF, Top 5 reasons why you hate Dawn, and top 5 funniest moments.
Do Top 5 Best/Shocking Death scenes!! lots of good ones to choose from!!
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How excited am I that you picked Supernatural next? It will go so much faster than Buffy because once you start, you can’t stop. I’ll sit down to watch an episode before bed and 4 hours later it’s 3am and I am screwed.
Glad you liked Buffy. I am going to rewatch S6 & S7 here soon. Just because. And if you only watch one episode on Angel, it needs to be the puppet episode. Ask Dan. It made me pee in my pants a little.
I know what you mean about those ‘can’t stop crying’ Buffy moments. I was so intensly attached to the show, that when Buffy was depressed about being reborn, I had to stop watching the show, because I couldn’t stand to see everthing so messed up. I was so attached that it was like it was my best friend who was sufffering, and it was awful! I couldn’t watch that last season, no matter how much I adored Buffy! It made me too sad! Now that I’ve got some distance (and I’m all growed up! :-P), I’ve GOT to watch that season! I must know how it all ends!
Glad you enjoyed the greatness that is Buffy 🙂
I’d have to agree with the I Will Remember You ep from Angel as a biggest tear jerker moment, which I think still counts as a Buffy moment even if it was on Angel.
I also would add the end of Seeing Red and the beginning of Villains when Tara is shot. I think it affects me more know that I know about it than when I first saw it because there was that initial shock as it happened and the ep ended and we had to spend that week trying to process what we had just seen. Also in the killer and me when Willow breaks down about letting Tara go, so sad and raw.
Loving that you mentioned Xander cuz I knew you weren’t initially a fan, and of course Spike in Touched is awesome. Touched, End of Days and Chosen have some of the best Spuffy moments of the show.
How about the top 5 Spuffy moments… I don’t think I could pick just 5, so good luck with that haha.
Buffy killing Angel at the end of season two is probably my number one. Sure, I knew he was coming back, but it still gets me every time.
Yeah, the yellow crayon speech made me cry…a lot! Well, any heartfelt moment with Xander and Willow will make me cry because they have a wonderful friendship.
Even the finale of Buffy made me cry because it was the last episode.
I’m glad you enjoyed your Buffy Journey! That’s awesome that Dan convinced you to check it out, because it honestly was quite the event, and yes – STILL has fans obsessing over it all those years later (SEVEN years already? Really? Wow, doesn’t seem like that long ago).
Xander and Willow were SO BFFs 4Eva. I even shipped them at one point … until Anya and Tara came into the picture, that is. Then it was Xander/Anya love and Willow/Tara love for me! But BFF wise, Xander/Willow is where it’s at.
And Joyce’s death … STILL makes me sob like a baby. Just the way that entire episode was shot, the silence, the whole … unbelievableness (is that even a word? My online Mac spellcheck says no!) that someone HUMAN could die of natural causes … just so utterly crazy. And SMG rocked that ENTIRE episode, too, she really did.
Unfortunately I’m not on the Buffy/Spike love train, as I left my heart in Buffy/Angeltown. I wasn’t really a fan of Spike at ALL (though I loved James Marsters), which prompts me to believe a Buffy Project of my own is in order! I now own Seasons 1, 4, 5, and 6 … so if I can build up my collection, I could do a re-watch (rather than a first time watch, like yourself). I am doing a rewatch of Angel (which you should check out NEXT! It’s really superb), and am amazed at how much I love Cordelia and hate Kate (which is the opposite of the way I felt “back then”).
Looking forward to more Top 5s from you … how about Top 5 Ships? I know mine changed often throughout the series as new characters were introduced and old characters left, died, and did other great things.
Buffy was one of my favorite shows, although I haven’t seen any episodes in a while. Angel is another good choice, but definitely watch Supernatural next. I am anxiously waiting for Supernatural to return. The relationship between Sam and Dean is the reason to watch, but the stories are a lot of fun and scary enough to get my heart racing sometimes. I don’t participate in the crazed online fandom, but I recommend the show to anyone I think might enjoy it. It deserves more viewers.
I remember I started watching Buffy when I was twelve, and I didn’t understand anything about seasons or finales or anything related to how shows are made. When I saw Buffy die in “The Gift” I cried for like a week. I thought that was the end of the show and that I would never see Buffy again. No death in television has ever made me feel like that again, and it’s not only because I was young and innocent, but because I have never seen anyone sacrifice him/herself the way Buffy did.
I would love to see a top 5 Buffy quotes-although each episode contains so many you might have to do it by character! I love the moments you chose for this top 5 but I’ve definitely got to add Becoming Part 2-just rewatched that one and I still cry like a baby! And, of course, all of Chosen. Happy tears(we win! Buffy tells Spike she loves him! Spike’s a hero!), sad tears(Anya), and tears of respect for the hard work, talent, and dedication that went into seven years of wonderful entertainment! I’m in the midst of composing blogs on Myspace dedicated to my ten favorite episodes(what a task that was narrowing down such amazing work) and would like to see your picks. I’m thrilled that you have joined the Buffy fandom!
What episode was it in season 3 when Xander makes it known that he slept with Faith and we later see Willow crying in the bathroom stall? It was a very touching moment – she was with Oz (at that time) and knew she and Xander wouldn’t amount to anything, but I’m sure it still hurt to know that someone you’d had a crush on for so long had been with someone else.
Anytime Willow cried it broke my heart – she was such a sweet character…well, until she tried to end the world. Even then you had to love her!!
I have yet to watch Buffy… but I just thought I’d make sure that people are aware of the fact that there is actually a season 8 of the show- in comic book form. I believe that it is by Dark Horse comics, and the first arc was written by Joss Whedon (who writes lots of awesome comics).
Yes, Kath, Billiam is right, you immediately need to dive into the Season 8 comic books. It’s a monthly comic, but the first 2 arcs have already been compiled into graphic novels. It’s every bit as amazing as you would think it is. (And even cartoon Xander is super sexy with the eye-patch. 😉 )
I’m an old-school Buffy fan, all the way back from episode 1, so pretty much any episode from the high-school years brings me to tears because of the fuzzy memories I have about those episodes. I’d never seen anything like it before and it was an exciting experience.
The moments you listed would definitely be on my list, but I think I would also include Buffy’s death in “Prophecy Girl.” I think I remember reading that you didn’t particularly care for that episode, but for some reason that one always gets to me. When Buffy walks into the library and hears about the prophecy and she looks at Giles with wide eyes, brimming with tears and says “I’m 16 years old. I don’t want to die.” Ugh. It kills me.
So glad you finally got on board with my Buffy, Kath! I have to say one of the saddest moments was Angel’s death. That was like putting a stake through my heart! Welcome to the fold!
using hulu, i’ve started my own project buffy, but im only on episode 4
yaaaay! i’m so glad you’re a spuffy gal. that spike. he makes the loins go all atwitter…
Glad it was a success! You totally prompted me into watching the series again–I’m up to the Dopplegangland ep of Season 3–one of my all time faves. (I keep finding myself saying that as I watch them…”Oh, I LOVE this one…”)
How about Top 5 Oz/Willow moments. Since I’m immersed in the cuteness that is them, I’m mourning their impending breakup! (My #1 is a tie between the Animal Cracker/Sweetest Smile conversation and in “Surprise” when Oz asks her out and Willow “said date”. Cuteness!!!
Oh, Angel’s death for me is probably number two – I can’t believe it’s not on your list – though I agree with all of your other moments – possibly with the exception of Spike’s speech – I loved the speech but it didn’t make me teary.
My number one, however, is definitely from the Angel episode I Will Remember You. Even if you don’t start watching Angel soon, you HAVE to watch that episode asap. It’s AMAZING. And legendary in the Buffy fandom, even if its a Angel episode. Have you seen it?
I totally agree, the episodes where Buffy’s mom dies and the Xander/Willow moment always makes me cry, and when Angel died (which looks like a crier for many other people). The other moment that makes me cry is when Buffy is talking to Spike about how when she died they pulled her from Heaven, where she was happy and at peace. I always wondered how her friends could think she would be any where else but heaven, she gave her life for the world to live.
As for the lists, some of the things that come to mind would be, Top 5 Twists, Top 5 Guests Apperances (Joh Ritter in I think season 1 when he was a robot would be a favorite), Top 5 Hookups (the one that comes to mind is when Buffy’s mom and giles hooked up, but there are plenty of other relationships that I think get forgotten). Those are only a few I can think of, but congrats on finishing the series!
Is it bad that I sat and CRIED reading your top 5 tearjerker episodes? Full blown tears.
Buffy getting the Class Protector award may be my favourite moment of the whole series. Gets me every single time. As does Willow’s breakdown when Oz leaves in season 4.
How about a top 5 fights list? BtVS has some great fight scenes!
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GOOSEBUMPS AGAIN YOU ARE EVIL.
The Class Protector one makes me cry every single time. It is the best thing EVER. Oh my god. And I would definitely put “Family” before anything on Angel. That’s not Buffy! It’s Angel! What’s next, Firefly? Come on, they all hate her and she’s all awkward and they’re all afraid of Willow being a lesbian and they think Tara’s all WEIRD, and then they all stand up and say that they are her family and kick her abusive family out forever? That is killer!!!
Buffy is great…i managed to finished ALL 7 season within 14 days…it was an impressive feat (for myself atleast). Then i proceeded to watch angel in reverse…which was it good idea because it got progressively worse…
Wow – congrats, GMMR! Buffy is certainly worth watching (as is anything Joss Whedon touches). Love your Top 5 Tearjerkers … and I agree with most. Anya’s speech in The Body … gives me shivers just reading it.
I watched all 7 seasons on Netfilx after reading this post last year (and then promptly went out and bought the box set!!) SO many wonderful moments – I can’t wait to rewatch the series again. I am 4 seasons nto Angel now as well. (I Will Remember You? Total heartbreak….) Thank you so much for reviewing it when you did – I would never have found it otherwise!!
So, Supernatural, hmmm?
I’m going to watch SUPERNATURAL this summer if it kills me!
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Thanks to Dr. Horrible, my best friend had me sit down and watch Firefly. Now I’m watching Dollhouse and working my way through Buffy. I just finished season 2 this past weekend. How I went so long without knowing and/or appreciating the genius that is Joss Whedon, I’ll never know. I’m just thankful for the TV-on-DVD and Hulu revolution, so that I can finally correct the error of my ways.
Buffy is one of my favorite TV shows of all time. I missed when you origimally did Project Buffy. So many peple laughed the show off and it never did get the Emmy credits it deserved. Well written and what a cast of actors. It is truly a one of kind type of show. I wished they did a movie after it went off the air to give us a taste of Buffy’s life after the series finale. The fan verse and written stuff is ok, but not the same as the actual actors, on the actual screen with Whedon’s words!
I’m also definitely stuck in the Buffy/Angel relationship- I think I slipped into a depression after season three… Buffy and Angel need to be together! I love Spike, but I loved him more when he was really bad and with Dru in season 2. Anyway, Buffy is the most amazing show ever made, enough said. I need to watch the other Joss shows…
i just finished watching all buffy for the 50th time.. i watch it pretty much every day haha. LOVE IT. i never watched it while it was on tv i was like 8 when it started but im hopin that they do make a buffy movie (better than the old one) im thinking so because all of a sudden vampires are really popular i guess from twilight which is so lame vampires DO NOT SPARKLE. but maybe a good thing will come from twlight because other than that it sucks