Buffy the Vampire Slayer 2x22 "Becoming Pt.2" Full Reaction

So, since I'm bored and procrastinating from work, I'm rewatching this. There was a comment I meant to leave when I first saw this reaction, and somehow I forgot. Maybe I left it somewhere else, so if I already told you this, forgive me. I wanted to wait to leave it to avoid spoilers for Angel's show, and now that you've seen all of season one, I can say this. Doyle from Angel was originally supposed to be Whistler. Whistler was supposed to appear on Angel the same way Doyle was, and I think Doyle's storyline (his being a demon, how he got his powers, his dying) was supposed to be exactly the same as it is now, only it was supposed to be Whistler's character in his place. Had Whistler appeared instead of Doyle, the whole thing with him in this two parter probably would have felt less forced, at least on rewatches.

Raven Dark

Okay I have to confess to doing something weird. Little back story: this show (and fandom) were how my husband and I met and got together almost 18 years ago. Now to the point: He doesn't watch reactions with me, but I loved yours here so much that I basically sat him down with the promise of, um, well, with promises of things, and made him watch. He absolutely *loved* it, and did exactly what I did when you saw Angel get back his soul - "Oh shit. God, this poor guy. Someone tell him!! Oh my god this is fantastic." 😂😂 Which was amazing in and of itself, of course. ...But then it occurred to me, the uber-embarrassing thing: I sat there for the sole purpose of watching *his* reaction of *your* reaction of Buffy. And if that's not indicative of how enjoyable you are, idk what is. ❤

Bixgirl1

Is someone aware of a certain Molly O Sullivan?! 👀

Liam Catterson

It’s a long way to Tipperary

Penny Knight

You always warm my heart 😁 Yeah that was not cool from Xander. Willow was doing something and Xander’s arrogance held importance over not just truth but also emotion. Selfishness is top priority for Xander and it’s sad to see

Liam Catterson

I’ll always happily accept the hug from you ❤️

Liam Catterson

Joss really loves to drive that sword in and twist it, doesn't he? This is the episode where I seriously jumped on the Boo Xander Train. Such a betrayal to Buffy and Willow. I think the scene where Spike first shows up to help Buffy with the cop is one of my favorites, as well as all the interactions with Joyce and Spike. To add to what others have said about the series finale feeling, I've read that Joss also wanted to be sure to end each season like a series finale in case they didn't get renewed. God I adore your reactions Liam, so much perfect ❤

Suzi

Oh Liam, sending you a long distance hug as I type thru my tears.

Suzi

I mean you're not wrong with both Becoming Episodes being one :P It honestly is such an impactful scene it stayed with me for quite some time. That may be a great testament to how this show is highly up there for me. Disbelief, hurt, they were there :( And you were spot the heck on with what you said about Xander, that is not what you do. That is not what a best friend does to another best friend, especially if you have an idea that your best friend's head space is not at the best of places because she might have to do the unthinkable. So for Xander to hide what Willow was doing and fabricate her side to this is completely selfish. Like I said, we heard what he had to say about Angel and this is a buffet for him. He gets what he wants. He is not factoring anyone else's feelings but his own.

Liam Catterson

The coming out analogy profoundly affected -- and still does -- so many people. That broke my heart, but I love the way Buffy left the door open. Your point about how this important scene is but one piece of the complex tapestry that is "Becoming" is spot on. A person could write pages dissecting these two episodes, and how they interweave the various plot threads of the two seasons so far, call back to WSWB and "Ted," and tell a complete story while setting up S3.

Rachael

I love the little bit of analogy we get in the scenes between Buffy and Joyce to essentially Buffy coming out of the closet to her mom, and her mom rejecting her. It's not an exact parallel, but "are you sure you're a slayer," "have you tried not being a slayer," "it's because you didn't have a strong father figure isn't it, "you need help," and then "do you think I chose to be like this? Do you have any idea how lonely it is? How dangerous?" And unfortunately, it ends with the parent kicking the child out of their house for being who they are. It's only a piece of the entire complex picture that is this episode, but that's pretty special for 1998.

KT

Excellent reaction. Welcome to the Buffyverse. You have survived the 1-2-3 punch of "Innocence,” "Passion," and "Becoming" (sorry, I count two-parters as one episode). I have seen this episode countless times, but I still sob inconsolably. “Close your eyes.” Poor Buffy, leaving Sunnydale in her Overalls of Sadness that she wore when she thought she killed a human ("Ted"), thinking she is all alone. “Now that's everything, huh? No weapons... No friends... No hope. Take all that away... and what's left?” “Me.” And that’s what gets me about The Lie. For me, speculating on hypotheticals if Xander had told the truth is beside the point. Xander had no right to make that choice for Buffy and Willow. Willow trusted her best friend since they were 5 year olds to convey her message. Buffy trusts Xander. He betrayed both of them. Willow was a Bangel shipper from the beginning. For Buffy to hear that Willow was cheering for Buffy to “kick his ass” when Willow knows how much Buffy loves Angel and that this is the hardest thing for Buffy to do, probably factored into Buffy feeling completely alone. Alone enough to leave Sunnydale after everything else: Kendra dying, allying with Spike to save Kendra’s killer in exchange for help with Angel, expulsion from school, wanted by the police for homicide, Giles being tortured, her friends injured, her mother kicking her out, and of course, killing Angel right when he got his soul back. It’s a tragic bookend to the S2 premiere. Welcome to the Buffyverse and stock up on tissues.

Rachael

RIGHT? As someone who ships Fitzsimmons to death and something ALWAYS happens to them, I should've learnt my lesson and yet, Liam still gets betrayed by hope xD DAMN YOU WHEEEDOOON!!!!!

Liam Catterson

Yeaaah, what Spike said was something a companion in one of the Doctor Who audios kept humming. It belongs to a series I love so much :P Haha I am glad my joy for the Spike Buffy team up was enjoyed. I love it when a theory comes true and it was so much greater than I had expected! And I just remembered from What's my Line about the weapons sooo yusss. It's strange seeing Buffy wield a sword but this is the same gal who came out with a rocket launcher sooo :P

Liam Catterson

LOL your glee at Spike and Buffy team up is everything and I also loved your anger at Snyder. I hate that dude. About your questioning Buffy's ability to know how to use a sword even though she used it for the first time? It has been metioned a couple times in the show that every slayer has the innate ability to use any weapon at their diposal that comes from previous slayers. Its the memories I think. I am sadistic for enjoying your pain at the end and I think that almost EVERYONE curses Whedon at the end of this episode LOL. Trrrriiviiiaaa: 1.) Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz practiced with sword fighting instructors and did some of the fighting themselves. 2.) The "Grr, Arr" monster says "Oh, I need a hug" instead, the first time a variation was used for Mutant Enemy Productions's slate. 3.) Spike's description of the end of the world as "goodbye Piccadilly, farewell Leicester bloody Square" is a quote from the song "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" by Jack Judge and Harry Williams.

Over the years I learned that Joss loves to break us. Over and over and over again lol. But we never learn our lesson haha. He gives you want you want but in a twisted, painful way - or in a way that for a moment is perfect and then suddenly awful and heartbreaking! I love and hate him for it. Have been waiting for your reaction to this, and I'm so glad you enjoyed the two part finale. So, so many more incredible seasons and story arcs to come! eep!

Holi117

One of the things I love about Joss. He always had future seasons planned in his head - some even on paper - and he plays each season with future in mind, and where he wants to take things... BUT he always made sure each season ends in a proper way, just in case they ever got cancelled. Love it.

Holi117

I'm usually a lurker, but I've been *waiting* for this episode and dude, I was heartbrokenly laughing at your delight when Angel got his soul back! I couldn't stop thinking, "oh god. In one minute. Thirty seconds. Ten. Pls stop looking happy this is killing me..." 😭😂 But it was awesome; this is one of the episodes I always love watching reactions of, and yours was amazing. Re; having the feel of a series finale: Funny you mentioned that, because in s1, they'd only been contracted for 13 episodes, so Joss made the decision that for that season - and if they got any other seasons out of the show - the fans would never feel slighted by a cliffhanger; that every season would be full and complete and capable of ending the show itself, even if there *was* a cliffhanger (which, I think we can all agree, this is. And also isnt. Lol). So I love that you tweaked on that! And also...um. Sorry for your pain? 😂 Brilliant reaction, can't wait for you to watch season 3!

Bixgirl1