on-this-day-btvs

[on-this-day-btvs]

April 15, 2003

Dirty Girls aired for BTVS season 7, episode 18. This was the return of Faith to BTVS. Willow brought her back from LA after ATS 4x15 Orpheus.

This is the first appearance of Caleb, who would continue to appear in all (4) remaining episodes. Caleb is played by Nathan Fillion. This is also the first time that Faith and Spike meet when they look like themselves. Faith remembers meeting Spike before in S4, but Spike is not aware that he previously met Faith when she looked different. They have memorable conversations in the cemetery and Buffy's house's basement.

(This is also the first time that we see Faith and Dawn interact, but because of the monks they both remember each other from before.)

This episode also includes the only appearance of a Vulcan in the Buffyverse. (The most famous Vulcan is Spock from Star Trek.) As Andrew shares a story we see it as a flashback, with Faith fighting a Vulcan. Andrew thinks Faith killed a Vulcanologist, meaning a person who studies Vulcans. (For some reason in his flashback we see an actual Vulcan including pointy ears. It does not appear to be a person in cosplay.) Actually Faith killed a volcanologist, a person who studies volcanoes. The Potentials correct Andrew on his mistake, but not before Faith gets the upper hand on the Vulcan in his flashback.

#btvs #ep: 7x18 dirty girls #faith lehane #caleb #nathan fillion #faith x spike #spaith #vulcans #star trek #month: april #date: 15 #year: 2003

[on-this-day-btvs]

March 31, 1997

Never Kill a Boy on the First Date aired for BTVS season 1, episode 5. At one point Buffy is arguing with Giles to go on a date. She says one of the first iconic lines of the show.

BUFFY: This is the 90's. The 1990's, in point of fact, and I can do both. Clark Kent has a job. I just wanna go on a date. GILES: Well, I, I suppose it was a fairly slim lead… BUFFY: Thank you, thank you, thank you! And look, I won't go far, okay? If the apocalypse comes, beep me.

(image credit - S1 promo shots - to buffyversefans)

#btvs #ep: 1x05 never kill a boy on the first date #buffy summers #quote #month: march #date: 31 #year: 1997

[on-this-day-btvs]

March 26, 2003

Players aired for ATS season 4, episode 16. Gwen returns to team up with Gunn. They work together in formal wear to rescue a young girl at a dinner party.

This was the last appearance of Gwen Raiden. Gwen is played by Alexa Davalos and is in three episodes total, all in S4.

#ats #ep: 4x16 players #charles gunn #gwen raiden #alexa davalos #gwen x gunn #no idea what that shipname is #month: march #date: 26 #year: 2003

[on-this-day-btvs]

March 25, 2003

Lies My Parents Told Me aired for BTVS season 7, episode 17. In the Buffyverse timeline, these events should have occurred just before ATS episode Orpheus. However Lies My Parents Told Me aired one week later than planned. (*)

You can tell the intended Buffyverse timeline because in Lies Willow gets a phone call from Fred and heads to L.A. And in Orpheus Willow appears in L.A.

This was the last BTVS appearance of Drusilla, played by Juliet Landau. This was also the last appearance of Nikki Wood, and the second appearance of Nikki played by K.D. Aubert.

(* longer mod note below) According to wikipedia: "It [Lies] was originally intended to air on March 18, 2003, a day before the Orpheus, but was postponed due to the start of the Iraq War." The show was airing Tuesday night so this makes some sense. However, war criminal and President George W Bush made his infamous 13 minute speech on March 19, not March 18.

(mod note: So many US war criminals started this war and have faced zero real consequences, but that's not the point of this sideblog. Fuck US imperialism, in 2003 and today.)

#btvs #ep: 7x17 lies my parents told me #drusilla #willow rosenberg #nikki wood #kd aubert #USA politics #Iraq War #month: march #date: 25 #year: 2003

[on-this-day-btvs]

March 24, 1997

Teacher's Pet aired for BTVS season 1, episode 4. Angel notices Buffy is cold at The Bronze and gives her his jacket.

(Angel takes off his jacket.) ANGEL: I mean, you look cold. (He puts his jacket around her shoulders.) BUFFY: A little big on me. (Angel gives Buffy a semi-cryptic warning.) BUFFY: OK, I'll give you improved marks for that one. Ripping a throat out, it's a strong visual, it's not cryptic! ANGEL: I have to go. (Buffy stares after him.) BUFFY: Sweet dreams to you, too.

#btvs #ep: 1x04 teacher's pet #buffy summers #buffy x angel #bangel #angel #quote #month: march #date: 24 #year: 1997

[on-this-day-btvs]

March 19, 2003

Orpheus aired for ATS season 4, episode 15. Fred awkwardly flirts with Willow but Willow does not flirt back, mentioning she is dating someone back in Sunnydale [Kennedy].

This episode includes the last ATS appearances by Willow and Faith. This is the third ATS appearance by Willow, her others are in S2. This concludes Faith's three-episode ATS "redemption arc", her other appearances are in S1 and S2. Faith appears in six total episodes of ATS.

Willow is played by Alyson Hannigan. Wesley is played by Alexis Denisof. At the time of filming, Alyson was engaged to now-husband Alexis.

The shooter in the 1970s mind walk diner scene was played by Nate Dushku, who is Eliza Dushku's brother. This is Nate's only appearance in the Buffyverse.

#ats #ep: 4x15 orpheus #willow rosenberg #faith lehane #wesley wyndham pryce #winifred burkle #angel #eliza dushku #alyson hannigan #alexis denisof #alyson x alexis #nate dushku #fred x willow #frillow #once again #really not sure about these shipnames #month: march #date: 19 #year: 2003 #it feels weird to tag alyson and alexis

[on-this-day-btvs]

Taking a little break. Started Feb 20 and plan to return March 4. Monday March 18.

#mod post

[on-this-day-btvs]

February 18, 2004

Smile Time aired for ATS season 5, episode 14. In a 2005 Angel magazine poll this was voted as the readers' second favorite ATS episode. (IWRY was readers' favorite ATS episode in the same poll.) Angel gets turned into a puppet. Werewolf Nina is interested in (non puppet) Angel. Wesley and Fred's relationship begins.

(Angel magazine poll details)

#ats #ep: 5x14 smile time #angel #puppet angel #lorne #charles gunn #winifred burkle #wesley wyndham pryce #month: february #date: 18 #year: 2004 #nina x angel #wesley x fred #fredley #nangel #really not sure about these shipnames

[on-this-day-btvs]

February 18, 2003

Get It Done aired for BTVS season 7, episode 15. While trying to explain to Principal Wood why a gang of teenage girls (The Potentials) are training in formation in Buffy's backyard, Willow pretends that it's cheer practice. Even though she is carrying a large amount of non-cheerleading weapons.

WILLOW: Oh, hi. Hey. Well, Buffy... I see that our preparation for the school-pep-dance-cheer-drill contest are coming along. (loudly to the potentials) Bring it on!

(mod note: The first Bring It On movie came out in 2000 and starred Eliza Dushku, who plays Faith. Faith will reappear in S7 Sunnydale in a few episodes, following an off-screen car trip with Willow, as they both return from LA.)

This is the last appearance of Sineya. She appeared in three episodes, in S4, S5, and here in S7. Oddly she is credited as "Primitive" even though she has the name Sineya. Sineya is the first Slayer and was played by Sharon Ferguson.

#btvs #ep: 7x15 get it done #willow rosenberg #quote #Sineya #sharon ferguson #month: february #date: 18 #year: 2003

[on-this-day-btvs]

February 16, 1999

Consequences aired for BTVS season 3, episode 15. At the start of this episode Faith has accidentally killed a man, in the previous episode Bad Girls. By the end of this episode Faith has intentionally made several poor choices, including blaming Buffy for the accidental killing to Giles and assaulting Xander. She also officially joins The Mayor.

This is the last appearance of Mr. Trick. He appeared in five episodes, all in S3. Mr. Trick was played by K. Todd Freeman, who originally auditioned for the role of Spike.

#btvs #ep: 3x15 consequences #mr. trick #k. todd freeman #faith lehane #rupert giles #xander harris #assault #month: february #date: 16 #year: 1999

[on-this-day-btvs]

February 15, 2000

Goodbye Iowa aired for BTVS season 4, episode 14. This episode includes two excellent outfits for Buffy. She goes undercover at The Initiative as a scientist with a turtleneck and a white lab coat. She also outlines a hard hitting plan to attack a dangerous demon, while wearing sleepwear.

(Buffy gets out of bed with a fierce look.) BUFFY: I'm going to the crime scene to see what I can find out. You guys research the Polgara demon. I want to know where it is. When I find it, I am going to make him pay for taking that kid's life. I'll make him die in ways he can't even imagine. (The Scoobies all stare at Buffy, unimpressed.) BUFFY: That probably would have sounded more commanding if I wasn't wearing my yummy sushi pajamas.

(image credit to buffyversefans)

#btvs #ep: 4x14 goodbye iowa #buffy summers #scoobies #quote #month: february #date: 15 #year: 2000 #yes i'm counting giles as a scooby here

[on-this-day-btvs]

February 13, 2001

The Thin Dead Line aired for ATS season 2, episode 14. This is the zombie cop episode, although technically there are multiple zombie cops. Kate is the LAPD detective working with Angel in this episode.

This episode is also one of the three ATS episodes with an appearance by Anne. (She had previously appeared in BTVS S3 and S4. And she previously had other names, including Sister Sunshine, Lily, and Chanterelle.) Anne notices a problem at the Teen Center she runs, and brings it up to her friend Gunn. This is how Angel and the others first learn about the zombie cops.

(mod note: highly recommend the excellent meta essay on the episode Anne and the character Anne written by herinsectreflection. it includes commentary on Anne’s entire run in the Buffyverse.)

#ats #ep: 2x14 the thin dead line #kate lockley #anne #angel #elisabeth rohm #julia lee #essay reco #month: february #date: 13 #year: 2001

[on-this-day-btvs]

February 13, 2001

Crush aired for BTVS season 5, episode 14. This is a Spike-centric episode with lots of crushes revealed. At the start of the episode Spike is dating Harmony. (Harmony is shown above pretending to be The Slayer in Spike's bedroom.)

Over the course of this episode the viewer learns of several crushes, and several romantic relationships change. Dawn has a crush on Spike. Dawn reveals to Buffy that Spike has a crush on Buffy. Dawn used to have a crush on Xander. Drusilla returns and Spike professes his love for her, dumping Harmony. Later Spike professes his love for Buffy, offering to kill Drusilla. (But also he threatens Buffy that he'll let Drusilla kill her.) Harmony and Spike fight, Drusilla and Buffy fight. The episode ends with both Drusilla and Harmony dumping Spike and leaving. Buffy also punches Spike and leaves. Buffy later revokes Spike's invitation into The Summers house.

During the episode Spike and Buffy spend time together and Spike acts differently towards Buffy. (Note his unusual-for-him dress in the photo above, where he is sitting in The Summers kitchen.)

BUFFY: What … is this? The late-night stakeout, the bogus suspects, the flask? Is this a date? SPIKE: A da- Please! A date? You are completely off your bird! I mean... (in a much quieter voice) Do you want it to be?

Buffy reacts with disgust and is upset at the idea of dating Spike.

#btvs #ep: 5x14 crush #spike #sprusilla #spuffy #sparmony #drusilla #harmony #spike x drusilla #spike x buffy #spike x harmony #is sparmony the shipname? #quote #month: february #date: 13 #year: 2001

[on-this-day-btvs]

February 12, 2002

Older and Far Away aired for BTVS season 6, episode 14. The gang ends up trapped at The Summers house. Guests also include a non-Scooby friend of Xander's and Spike's demon friend Clem. Clem's demon appearance is "explained" to Xander's friend as a skin condition.

Tara - already aware of what has been going on between Buffy and Spike - inadvertently runs into Buffy and Spike alone in the hallway.

(Spike has put Buffy's hand on Spike's thigh.) SPIKE: I had a... muscle cramp. Buffy was, uh, helping. TARA: (grinning) A muscle cramp? In your... pants? (This flusters Spike and he leaves Buffy and Tara alone. Later as they all play cards Tara teases Spike further.) TARA: How's that cramp Spike? Still bothering you? SPIKE: What? Oh... yeah. TARA: Maybe you uh... wanna put some ice on it. (smiles innocently)

(mod note: apologies for Clem's photo, click on the image to see it full size without being cut off.)

#btvs #ep: 6x14 older and far away #clem #tara maclay #buffy summers #spike x buffy #spuffy #quote #month: february #date: 12 #year: 2002

[on-this-day-btvs]

February 12, 2003

Calvary aired for ATS season 4, episode 12. Gunn and Fred end their relationship. (They are shown above in happier times.) Also Cordelia (left) and Lilah (right) meet for the last time. This would be one of Lilah's last appearances. She would appear in three more episodes, all in S4.

#ats #ep: 4x12 calvary #cordelia chase #lilah morgan #fred x gunn #funn #i think funn is the shipname? #month: february #date: 12 #year: 2003

[on-this-day-btvs]

February 11, 2003

First Date aired for BTVS season 7, episode 14. Principal Wood goes out on a date with Buffy. Lissa goes out on a date with Xander. Spike and Anya are - respectively - jealous.

Lissa met Xander while she was shopping for rope at a local store. Lissa was played by Ashanti and this was Lissa's only appearance.

This was also the first appearance of a re-cast Nikki Wood. Nikki was played by K.D. Aubert in this episode. She had a second appearance later in S7. (Previous post on the previous Nikki Wood.)

(image credits to buffyversefans)

#btvs #ep: 7x14 first date #robin wood #buffy summers #lissa #ashanti #nikki wood #kd aubert #buffy x wood #xander x lissa #month: february #date: 11 #year: 2003

[on-this-day-btvs]

February 10, 1998

Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered aired for BTVS season 2, episode 16. Cordelia breaks up with Xander. He attempts to force Cordelia to fall back in love with him, planning to then get revenge by breaking up with her. But the magic spell goes wrong, so every woman in Sunnydale attempts to seduce Xander, except for Cordelia. This includes - among others - Amy, Buffy, Jenny, Willow, Harmony, Joyce, and Drusilla. Eventually the spell is lifted and things return to normal. Cordelia ends up returning to Xander at the end of the episode.

While Buffy still appears in several scenes, she is turned into a rat by a jealous Amy and is on-screen less than normal. This was done because Sarah Michelle Gellar was preparing for her first time hosting Saturday Night Live (SNL). Typically for an SNL episode the entire week leading up to the live episode is busy with work for the writers, host, cast and crew. That SNL episode aired on January 17, 1998.

#btvs #ep: 2x16 bewitched bothered and bewildered #xander harris #xander x cordelia #buffy summers #SMG #month: february #date: 10 #year: 1998 #xandelia #cander #sorry not sure of the shipname #buffy x xander #bander #because of the photo i am tagging this bander