Buffy The Vampire Slayer "Bargaining Part 2" 6x2 Reaction

If you're still looking for something in the genre/hitting the same feel as Buffy and Smallville maybe check out Roswell. Alias is also be really good though more action than supernatural. Felicity is also great but more 90s straight drama/comedy.

Leora Nechama

X-Files and Star Trek TNG are the best shows from the 90's. Very different but similar because they have "Monster of the Week" plus a continuing and developing story.

Gwenhwyfar Aine

True Blood would be PERFECT to watch after Buffy!

Gwenhwyfar Aine

Its a little after this time period but if you haven't seen True Blood you'd really like that show.

Other Boy Reactions

Try Dark Angel. It was a series starring Jessica Alba, directed by James Cameron (Terminator). Aside from Charmed, that was pretty close to Buffy in terms of kickass girl power, etc.

Fuiono Ching Sung

I like your reactions Steve, but I've gotta tell you, saying "that's not what *I* would've done" over and over is a weird flex. My man, when you've written genre-shifting, enduring franchises, that might be a fair call. Until then, it seems a little arrogant. At this point, having no faith that the writers have a plan seems an odd hill to die on, even if you don't love it as a choice. I don't by ANY means expect people not to have critiques, but you spend so much time second guessing and obsessing over small incorrect details (like Tara's power, which you seem to have inflated significantly in your head) that you often miss crucial and well-plotted things. S6 is my twin season with S2 - my favourites in terms of overall arc, despite them both having patchy qualities. It's a ride, that's for sure.

Renee Pope-Munro

he already watched the original. there are some episodes of it on his patreon here. although he never finished season 1, so i take that to mean he didn't like it too much lol.

cil

Yes he could of but I also think that would have been out of character for Giles. Even though Buffy is gone he still loves the other guys and wants them to be taken care of. I do agree that Giles understands her more than the others and while it may annoy him from time to time I do not think it really bothered him.

Katrina Anderson

I would like to see him react to Charmed. While its not really in the Buffy vein of shows I think he could get into it over time. The show has some really good moments that immediately spring to mind for me when I think back on it.

Katrina Anderson

I love Xander but his character as the uncanny ability to piss me off like no other. Since season 1 there have been moments where he is just well a douche. And then there are beautiful moments between him and others in this series that I couldn't imagine not being there.

Katrina Anderson

You are totally right about Tara. She does have magic but she was learning in season 4 & 5 and Willow surpassed her. Also remember that while Tara knew things about magic she was told that her magic came from being a demon etc by her control freak of a father. So while she knew stuff she didn't fully explore or engage in it. Willow has always been adventurous about learning magic ever since the beginning of the show. Tara can do magic but she definitely doesn't practice it the same way Willow does.

Katrina Anderson

Not hating on Tara because she is somewhat powerful for a witch, but I wonder what gave you the idea Tara was such a mega witch to begin with? Because I genuinely can't remember a single instance where she has done a spell without Willow (except when she hid demons from the gang)? In season 4, the entire time we saw her she was doing magic with Willow from the first time their hands touched to the spell they did to find Buffy in Faith's body. The only thing Tara did there was sense something was up with Buffy's energy... in 5, she did the spell to hide her 'demon' self, and the rest she did pretty much with Willow, and then Willow surpassed her magically. T: "I taught you tiny Tinkerbell lights...." W: "Okay, so I tinkered with the Tinkerbell." Unless I'm forgetting something??

AllieDoh

Roswell is the next show you should try.

Adam

What I will say about this season without spoiling anything: go into it with an open mind. Let Joss Whedon tell the story he is trying to tell (with Buffy, Spike, Willow, Xander, Giles etc) and approach it with as much of an open, adult mindset as you can. There are themes, subtext and ideas presented in this season that can't be appreciated unless it's viewed from an unbiased, fresh view.

Jade Yorke

The episode was ok but not one of the best. Charmed was ok when it was new but when I look back at it, being older, a lot of the episodes are ridiculous. I am not a fan of tv shows trying to do a take on a movie or other shows. There were also episodes that I am grateful no one was there to witness me watching (admit it, you all saw something somewhere where you are glad no one saw you see it). Also, as beautiful a woman as Alyssa Milano is, as the seasons went on I was worried that her crotch was going to pop out of the top of her pants. They just kept getting lower and lower. I guess some of the guys may have enjoyed that but, as a woman I found it infuriating.

Collector of Stuff

C’mon - what about Sleepy Hollow?

Trisha Griffin

Buffy>>>Charmed, imo. I really doubt you'd like Charmed on the whole.

Andrea

these comments are funny lol. all of the points he brought up in his reaction are valid, and just his opinion...which he's entitled to. i noticed that what really bothers people is when he dislikes episodes or storylines that are generally well liked in the fandom. i think some folks are here to have their feelings about the show validated. i'm not. steven, if you don't like certain scenes that i like, i'm A-okay with it. :)

cil

Dawn also saw the slain biker and took that as evidence that she was on the right path while she was looking for Buffy. She might not have been able to see that it was her sister on top of the tower, but she could have seen someone climbing up or standing on the platform, the same way Willow saw Doc but couldn't identify him (even if she'd known who he was, which she didn't as far as we know).

Superplin

Agreed. Watching Stephen try to react to it would be objectively hilarious but he’s going to find it painful 🤣

Flora Smith

also, i say all of this as someone who loved the show when i was younger but then when i tried to go back and re-watch it as an adult, i hated it.

cil

i don't think you'll like charmed. you've said on multiple occasions that you don't like "witch storylines". the show is extremely dated, to the point of being cheesy. you will not relate to it because it focuses on 3 white women. and if you have an issue with continuity, plots getting dropped, or characters occasionally acting out of character....you won't like it. if you're nitpicking buffy, you'll rip charmed to shreds because buffy is a significantly better show in every way possible.

cil

Season 7 is my personal favorite too.

J Scott Page

So my take on the Dawn scene is that it was a perfectly natural response for her to hope that Buffy is actually back. First, we know that she knows it's possible. She tried to raise her mother from the dead. She knows people can come back. Second, she misses Buffy so much she is desperate. Remember in the last episode when she curled up next to the Buffybot? Also...she's just a kid still. In that moment, she hoped so much that Buffybot wasn't wrong. To me...it would have been weirder if she hadn't reacted that way. She would have at the very least wanted to investigate it, which is what she did. She ran off looking for Buffy and yes, it was a big coincidence that she found her. However, once she realized she was close to the tower...she might have thought to look there. I would have because it's the last place Buffy was alive. As far as the Spike thing goes...they've been building this for YEARS. Spike has always had something with Buffy. In the beginning it was more a fascination based on him wanting to kill her. In season 4 that started to change because he started spending time with all of them. Remember his response when Faith was in Buffy's body and flirted with him at the Bronze? It was pretty clear he was into it. So season 4..there was an attraction. In season 5 we saw him actually realize he was in love with her. It was the moment he had that dream about her where he tells her he loves her...then he wakes up going "Oh please God...no." After that he pretty much spends most of the season trying to show her that he cares. Yes, he does get creepy with the Buffybot, but that's just Spike. I also think he realized at that point that Buffy couldn't care for him in the same way and he was desperate. He also realized how perverse it was though. It's just like in 601 when he was mad that the Buffybot was still flirting with him. He asked Willow why she hadn't fixed that yet. Anyway, I don't feel the show is "pushing" a relationship between them...I feel they've built something through seasons and seasons of backstory on Spike's side at least. Then we've also seen Buffy come to rely on Spike and trust him.

Terri

Not gonna touch on this episode cause I'm sure some already has. However, I WILL talk about Charmed... again. They maybe older characters and deal with adult crap vs teen crap, but it's still a great show. I have been addicted to this show since I was 13, not long after my mom passed away. Like I've stated in the past... season one is about them LEARNING about themselves, therefore NOT the best season in my mind. That doesn't mean they don't still learn about stuff in the others seasons, that kus means is slow paced and you don't really too much action. They do have good guys, bad guys and plenty of plot twists. You also get a LOT of well known actor's (plus) so you can say HEY, I KNOW THEM plenty.

Tammy L. Faulkner

I like Season 6 of Buffy because it changes up the formula; these characters feel a bit more real this season instead of cartoon caricatures that they sort of grown into over the years(i.e. Xander, Anya, etc.). Would I say the season is bad? Not really, it's just different. A different approach to the story that I feel you might enjoy down the line. Personally I don't think Buffy ever gets bad after Season 4, in fact I think I might like 7 the best because it hit a lot of notes I wanted the series to hit before it ended.

Daniel R

I like Tara but she's never been particularly powerful, nor has she been useful in the way you wanted her to be in this episode, so it would have been out of character if she could suddenly take on demons on her own.

Florence

The Dawn thing at the end WAS weird. Her being anxiously curious when the bot tells her that "the other Buffy was here and went that way" makes sense to me. Her deciding to climb the tower that she almost died at, without making a single sound... not so much. I don't think she knew Buffy was up there, since otherwise she would have been yelling "Buffy" at least a few times while on the way, THAT would have been in character for her. I thought Anya was in character though. She has always been portrayed as an autistic person and most of the time does things that really annoy the other characters to no end, without realizing that herself. Buffy seems to consider her as an annoying bug that she has to put up with because of Xander, Willow outright hates/dislikes her. Giles seems to be the one that understands her the best, if Anya complaining about him not leaving had really bothered him, he could've just fired her.

keldarien

I really don't think the new network interfered. And can you please go back in Season 4 and 5 and show where Tara ever fought. She's always been a support character, never went on patrols. She's a timid character. She's getting more assertive and the ax was the most assertive she's been. Tara only seemed powerful becuase Willow was just starting out with magic when they met. Willow's aggressiveness and drive for knowledge has led her to go way past Tara in the magic department.

Reed James

That's just how he reacts to shows, saying what he would do differently. Remember last season when he thought Dracula should have killed someone to prove he was a real threat and be the big bad? It's harmless, besides it always seems to take him a while to get used to a new season of Buffy.

Calvin Allen

P+C forever

Calvin Allen

You should definitely check more of Charmed. It won't hit the exact Buffy spot but it's in the same vein and just like Buffy, it takes a season or two to get its footing. It's not a lore show really, it's more about the relationship between sisters that happen to be witches. Yes, they're trying really, really hard to push Spike as a good guy. For me, he's been ruined since season 5. I thought he was at his peak in S2 and he was nice comedic relief in S4. After that, I don't like where his character goes. I won't say anymore on it cause I don't want to spoil anything. I agree with your point about Dawn going to the tower. I think it's a bit of a magical TV land happening there that she goes there first and just in time but I think her believing the Buffybot is believable. Dawn is desperate to hold onto Buffy and it's within Dawn's character to be irrational and impulsive so it makes sense to me that she'd take what Buffybot said and go running off, not because she believes Buffybot but because she wants what Buffybot said to be true. As far as Tara, she's never been that powerful of a witch. She was more powerful than Willow when they first met in S4 and Willow was in the floating pencil stage of her witchcraft but Willow has been more powerful than her for over a season probably.

Melissa

I second Joan of Arcadia. Great show, but was canceled and didn’t t really get a proper ending ☹️

Christine

This reaction was an improvement on last week. At least you weren’t grooming your beard directly into the 🎙. Thanks for that!

Vicky N

It would be really nice to see someone do Dark Angel. I've only ever seen two reactors that have got into it in all these years.

Stephanie Bedworth

You seemed determined not like anything because it’s not the way you would have write it. Anya have always been like this since she was stripped of her power. I don’t remember Tara being that powerful. Remember the fight she has with Willow last season about how Willow had become so powerful it frightened her? About Dawn believing the buffybot, my theory is that she sensed it was true because of her connection with Buffy. Remember she is part of Buffy. Also she really really miss her as it’s been established last episode. She was desperate to believe. And yes, it was reckless to run off, and convenient that she manages to guess the direction Buffy went, but it’s a small inconsistency that doesn’t bother me as much as it does you. The scene at the top of the tower was simply beautiful. And it’s absolutely plausible that Buffy, not understanding what’s going on is trying to get back to the last moment of her existence that made sense to her. And Dawn followed there because she spotted the tower from where the demon impaled by Buffy was. How come you are still asking where the Sunnydale police is after 5 season of watching this show? As for Spike and the possible romance angle with Buffy. It’s not really a new thing that “they” are trying to push. Spike attraction to Buffy was there from the start. His obsession with her was manifest during the whole season 5. He is convinced that he is in love with her and those feelings are what makes him care for Dawn even after Buffy’s death. “Fool for love” explained everything you need to know about Spike. As for Buffy, she has relied on Spike over and over again during season 5. R.I.P. Buffybot

Vicky N

With respect to other shows: I would suggest "Joan of Arcadia" (2003). It is about a teenage girl handling high school while dealing with supernatural interferences (interacting with a god figure). The difference would be that she herself has no super powers. I really liked the show because they way Joan is presented and the reactions of others to her feels very realistic.

Anitusar

Regarding Xander, I honestly don't know what Joss thought. I don't know why he always gave him crappy storylines, he kinda ruined his character, because he was my favorite character and never really wormed up to any other character except Wesley from Angel. I am not saying more because it would be a spoiler but I think Xander should have taken a similar route in Buffy that Wesley did in Angel. It's too bad really and always made me like Buffy as a show less. At least compared to Angel.

Primus

Steven, I say this with all due respect, I fear you are falling into the trap of trying to "solve the show" and it's effecting your perception of things that have been established for seasons. You say since Tara's also a witch like Willow, she should be capable of solving this particular story point and that doesn't even make sense. Tara is a witch, but has never used magic to actively fight demons. The irony here is that was the first demon Tara killed, The show was trying to subvert our expectations there, but since Tara "finally became useful" that was lost. I don't want to say anything on Spike and Buffy right now, but you so were focused on that pairing (they haven't even seen each other yet!) I feel like you missed out on the Spike and Dawn stuff this episode. Spike has been shown to be capable of selflessness. In S2 he put aside his differences with the Slayer and only cared about Druscilla making it out alive. Still evil, but a selfless act to save the woman he loves. Him and Joyce had a good relationship, they watched Passions together! And in S5 Spike was really there for Dawn. He was there when she found out she was the key, and held on to the truth when it mattered most. Anya is being Anya, so what changed exactly? If you think Anya is being "annoying" how about Xander? He proposes and then what...Nothing. I would be annoyed too? I would be frustrated too if my SO proposed and he told me I'm not allowed to tell anybody. Xander should really share the burden if you think Anya's acting out of character. All in all dude, love the reaction, no complaints about that. But IMHO, just kinda let the show try and tell the story it wants to tell and enjoy the ride.

Rafael Lemus

True. Poor Anya gets a bad rep. sometimes.

Primus

He did the pilot if you search for it, it should be on patreon.

Primus

I think One Tree Hill will be watched by one of his brothers, it was on a poll a couple of weeks ago.

Primus

Charmed is a really nice show. It's a little corny at first and the villain of the week is defeated really easy sometimes, but it's great for character development. Plus it has one of the greatest couples in TV show history in my opinion. It's out there with couples like Jim and Pam from the office.

Primus

Danielle

Dark Angel is probably the show closest in tone, but it is about tone...not an exact show copy. It's funny because Charmed was always compared to Buffy during that time period. They both were supernatural based shows that drew cult followings. Charmed is actually good, but it takes about 2 seasons to settle into something. It started as a monster of the week type thing. It eventually evolves...hitting a great peak seasons 3-8 into a drama much like Buffy with really interesting characters that have to live through a lot of tough life stuff while battling forces of evil. If you can give the show some time to find its feet...it really is comparable to Buffy in quality. There is a reason it was so popular that it developed such a following that they decided to even do a remake. Even Buffy really took a season to find its feet as well. There isn't any other shows comparable to Buffy from that time era besides Dark Angel and Charmed.

Terri

Lost Girl ❤️ someone else is a Lost Girl fan? I miss that show so much!!

Michelle Blkft

Ugh I agree! Absolutely hated Xander he was just a douche and could never let go of his obsession and territorial feelings about Buffy. And yea, I agree he always talks down to Anya. Not really into his character at all

J

I think I know what you mean as far as a show that 'feels' like Buffy. Buffy is the best version of a 90s teen drama. Most the similar shows in from that time are already on the channel, maybe try the original Roswell. More modern shows in the same tone (but no high school): Lost Girl, Grimm, & The Magicians

Mike Smith

🤣🤣that’s...very true

Flora Smith

Charmed is an interesting choice. If you have issues with how the writers occasionally solve the problems they create for themselves in Buffy, I can only imagine what you'd think of Charmed. Actually, come to think of it, that would actually be hilarious and entertaining. You should definitely react to Charmed.

Brian Rayburn

My exact thoughts.

Marshall Dante Robertson

I personally like Spike as a character. He has always had this weird attraction/crush on Buffy. I think his character this season is interesting, but you should always remember that spike doesn't have a soul... he just has the chip.

Mo

Yeah, it just occurred to me that they could have attempted a protection spell or that no harm spell for demons (like on Angel) after they did that locator spell.

Alexis Cardarella

Oh my gosh, I sooo hope you react to Charmed! Next to Once, and Buffy it’s one of my all time favorites! ❤️

Ceara Abrahamsz

i think he is still doing it the way he has been doing it if he does it any other way it would mess up the show both angel and buffy

saydez w

Anya comes across as annoying because Giles said he was leaving and then didn't & She and Xander agreed that they would become engaged when the world didn't end! If, as a lot of people think, Anya is autistic, then this would be unbearable to her, they both decided on something, organised and agreed and then she has to keep waiting while they either and put off and say to her "not yet"..!

CeNedra

I might have missed it, not sure, but did he mention Angel and if he is going to be reacting to it and if so, why not do it in parallel?

Bushviper

8 seasons

Calvin Allen

That’s certainly an interesting theory, but it’s not canon.

Flora Smith

I will say that Anya mentioning the engagement a lot is a little annoying, but I do think she has a reason for it. Remember she was a vengeance demon and was screwed over by men. She spent 1,000years hating men and had probably given up on love. Now she has Xander and is happy so it makes sense that she would want to keep talking about it. Also, I like Anya and I've always hated Xander. From his comments to Buffy and the way he talks down to Anya. He's my least favorite character.

Corey

Anya is acting like Anya. I don't know why you're so annoyed by her. Also when was Tara ever fighting demons with her magic? She has always only done little things here and there consistent with what we saw here

Calvin Allen

If you're wanting a show with the same vibe that happened in the same time period then Charmed is probably the closest thing to it. I personally can't get into Charmed so I get not really wanting to start that. For me I felt that charmed relied too much on monster of the week. Even more so than Buffy and Angel. Maybe give it a try. Maybe I'll be able to make it through this time. When Willow first met Terra, Terra was the more powerful witch. Terra hasn't gotten weaker, Willow has just blown past her. We learned this during their fight in season 5. And if you pay closer attention you can tell that Tara is a by the books kind of witch. There are rules and lines you can't cross and Terra believes in sticking to that. We learn this from her conversation with Dawn about ressurecting Joyce. Willow has demonstrated that she is willing to cross those lines and side step those rules on a few occasions (Giving the spell book to dawn to help bring Joyce back, turning to darkest magicks to get payback on glory, and now bringing back Buffy herself). Willow's Magick also seems to become more rooted in the offensive than Terra's as the show goes on. But even still, the last time we saw a protection spell being cast on the magic box store it took both Willow and Terra along with what looked like a pretty intricate and time consuming ritual involving special sand. Dawn's reaction comes from the fact that she deeply wants her sister back. You, Stephen, may not believe the Buffy bot when she mentions the other Buffy but Dawn who is still clinging to anything she can get that resembles a chance at getting a part of her family back. We learn this from her earlier scene of cuddling up to Buffy bot in the middle of the night. Dawn knows it's not her sister but it's the only thing that even comes close to having Buffy in her life. Irrational, yes, but not out of character. She goes back to the tower because it's the last place she saw Buffy alive so it's not that much of a stretch she would go there to start looking for her sister. Not really sure what your issue is with this plot point since you didn't go into much detail as to why you think it's not believable. I agree that Anya is pretty annoying in this episode. Honestly, I don't really know what the angle was with her character for the premier as it does come off pretty insensitive. I guess the writers might have felt part 2 needed humor to cut through what is a rather dark episode but even upon first watching it the jokes didn't land for me either.

Bryan Terry

Yes you should try watching charmed again its a good show one of my favs after buffy also you should try beauty and the beast cw show its really good to i think its on netflix or hulu oh and you should go back watching teen wolf its a good show

saydez w

i think when you say why would dawn go to the tower think about it thats where buffy died so if dawn knew buffy would not go home the one place buffy would go is back to the tower where she died if that makes since

saydez w

Charmed is amazing! I mean come on! 7 seasons, it was popular for a reason. Would definitely be so much fun to watch you react

J

It pains me that majority of BTVS viewers still don’t realize that Buffy is back because of Angel. Do you remember back in Season 1x08 of Angel “I will remember you” when Angel became human for a day, he gave it up because the Oracles said that the slayer will die “Albeit sooner in her case” and he said “then I’m here to beg for her life, and ask you to take mine back instead” that was over a season ago, Joss plans out everything, years in advance. He started talking about Dawn in the season 3 finale of Buffy, and she didn’t show up till S5x01!! The dude plans everything. There’s a lot being said about Joss nowadays, and I don’t know what’s true or not, but there are two things I know for sure, 1) Joss Whedon is a creative genius, and 2) every writer that came after him in the 90’s are a BETTER writers because of him

Billy

Charmed is one of my all time favorite shows! It’s starts off a little weird but it’s very amazing overall! They women are incredible actresses! Yes it has its faults but it’s great. You should watch it

Yonna

Charmed is amazing!!!!

Stacey

Oh!! And I’m really happy to see you back with the Buffy reactions again ☺️ I know you have a lot of shows to react to, so thank you for making this happen. Season 6 will be a bumpy, shocking and moving ride. Wheden admitted he kinda let go and took many things to the edge. Buckle up 🤩☺️

Michelle Blkft

I love the older shows from my childhood/teens as well. One that came out in 2012 but has the Buffy(ish) vibe to me is Beauty & the Beast from the CW i think? The main girl from that show started off in Smallville. I think it’s worth a look 😁

Michelle Blkft