"Becoming, Part 2" REACTION - Buffy 2x22 Commentary (Early Access YouTube)
Added 2024-06-28 23:42:09 +0000 UTC
Comments
One of my favorite episode of Buffy (and I think I'm not the only one here) but one that is hard to watch for me. I won't go into a deeper analysis because you clearly understood what the show was trying (and succeeded) to do during season 2. Buffy is essentially a metaphor about growing up dressed in a fantastic/fantasy way (especially during the high school time of the show). Others in the comments detailed some great analyses too (especially Land Howard Johnston) so what could I add? So I will talk about my personal feelings for the show and how, in strange ways, it mirrored my own life. I already told in another episode (I think it was for 2.19) how my feelings changed a lot between my first and my second time watching the show and how the second time was more emotional to me. I started watching Buffy in 2000 (during season 4) at age 11. So when the show ended in 2003, I was 14. It had become my favorite show by then and my favorite character was Buffy because I identified so much with her (even though I couldn't tell why). I rewatched it again shortly after I turned 20 and couldn't help noticing some strange coincidences between Buffy's journey this season and my own teenage years. Like Buffy, I met my first boyfriend at age 16 and he was older than me (not as old as Angel, he was only 19). Buffy struggled a lot with her feelings for Angel because of the fact he was a vampire as I did because we were gay (and yes, it was still considered as an un-normal relationship at that time where I lived). Like Buffy, I lost my virginity with him on the night of my 17th birthday. And finally, he tragically died a few months later in a car accident. Watching Buffy going through the same pain and the same guilt I had to deal with at that time made me empathize a lot more with her character (and it happened again during further seasons of the show). I will end this way too long comment with discussing about the "coming out" scene with Buffy and Joyce. I still think it was intentional from the writers ("Have you tried not to be a Slayer" and 'I didn't choose to be like this" in particular) and it felt very real and grounded to me. The first sentence my own mother told me when I came out and told her about the death of my boyfriend just a few days after his passing were: "Maybe it's just a phase". I can't stress out enough how painful it was. Thankfully we had the opportunity to speak again just a few hours after that and it went smoother. Only the unexpected news made her say these awful words and I'm glad I didn't have to iive the same thing Buffy did. I usually am a big Joyce fan but I can't forgive her for what she told Buffy in this episode (Yes I do know she is a fictional character and I don't have to forgive her; it's just a way of speaking^^). Kicking out your own child from your home simply because he or she or them are different from what is considered to be the norm is one of the worst thing a parent could ever do. Especially when they are at their most vulnerable and need you desperately. And even if Joyce clearly didn't want Buffy to really go, the words were said and you can't expect an adolescent to understand you meant otherwise than the actual words you said. Sorry for the rant but it was an important thing for me to express. I hope you (and by you I mean all of you on Tyler's patreon as well) were not uneasy with me sharing a very personal moment of my life and I apologize if it was the case. It's just something I felt I could do here because of the awesomeness and kindness of Tyler and those who share with him his journey through this great show that we all love.
Aurelius 19
2024-08-16 21:29:34 +0000 UTCYeah I think I'll be re-watching the ep I've already seen and making a video of that π
Tyler Alexander
2024-07-03 06:16:15 +0000 UTCI only discovered your first/middle/last Buffy reaction a couple of weeks ago. And then when I saw you had early access to this I sub'd! This was my all time favourite episode of any TV when I was younger (I watched it when it first aired on BBC2). Lots to unpack in it, and I too loved the flashbacks last episode and everything about this ep. I can't wait for season 3 - will you watch the episode you've already watched as you'll have a new perspective, as you've gotten to know these characters. (I'd suggest watching it even if it's not an on camera rewatch)
Sharon Owen
2024-07-02 12:28:56 +0000 UTCSomething that I do notice that gets overlooked is the scene with Joyce and Spike. Joyce obviously doesn't realize Spike is a vampire and therefore dangerous, so she is relaxed around him, while Spike knows exactly what is happening and who he is, and yet... he sits in the chair next to Joyce. Calm, looking around and making small talk with her.
Mayra Martinez
2024-07-02 04:44:38 +0000 UTC
