ONTD Original: Foreshadowing of Future Events in Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Hello again, Lovelies!
Welcome to the 9th installment of the ONTD Original Series: Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Today, I've decided to focus on the foreshadowing of events in the show. Some of the foreshadowing was more obvious. Some of it was more subtle. Some are potentially coincidence. But you know what? There are two things I don't believe in: coincidence, and leprechauns. Although it's entirely possible some of the events weren't planned and just lined up with previous quotes/lines in the show, leprechauns aren't real...to the best of my knowledge.
FYI: This one is a JOURNEY, y'all. So grab a drink, a snack, and settle in, because there's a lot to unpack!
Also, IMAGE HEAVY. So, be prepared for many cuts.
Disclaimer: The post is my opinion/take, and not intended to say "THIS IS WHAT IT IS!" (even though it is...duh). I love commenting back and forth, and I'm absolutely open to opposing views, but please be kind and respectful to each other. These posts are bringing me such joy in the middle of intense isolation, and I truly enjoy making these posts and commenting back and forth with my fellow Buffy fans. <3. That being said, let's jump in!
[Give me something to sing about...]
Foreshadowing: The Arrival of Dawn Summers
Dawn was predicted and hinted at, at the end of season 3, and in the finale of season 4. There are reports online that he who must not be named informed Sarah Michelle Gellar that she would have a sister before Graduation Part 1 was done filming. Let's look at all of the instances where they were definitely might have been referring to Dawn:
Faith: "Look at you, all dressed up in big sister's clothes." - S3E21
Faith: "Oh yeah, miles to go. Little miss muffet..." - S3E22
Buffy: "They smell good, don't they?"
Faith: "What?"
Buffy: "Clean sheets. Like Summer."
Faith: "I wouldn't know."
Buffy: "Right. I forgot."
Faith: "I noticed."
Buffy: "I wish I could stay, but..."
Faith: "No, you have to go."
Buffy: "It's just with..."
Faith: "Little sis is coming, I know. So much to do before she gets here." - S4E15
Buffy: "I think I need to go find the others..."
Tara: "...be back before Dawn." - S4E22
Foreshadowing: Riley leaving Buffy/Why he leaves
The moment everyone was waiting for: Riley leaving. Ahhh. Celebrations. Fireworks. Buffy not having to be apologetic for being strong. Some say this is reaching. I say this is 100% foreshadowing his departure.
Willow: "Ok. Say that I help. You start a conversation, it goes great. You like Buffy, she likes you. You spend time together, things grow deeper. And one day without even realizing it, you find you're in love. Time stops, and it feels like the whole world's made for you two, and you two alone. Until the day one of you leaves and rips the still beating heart from the other, who's now a broken, hollow mockery of the human condition."
Riley: "Yep. That's the plan." -S4E07
Riley: "Why hello little lady. Can I hold those milk pails for you?" (Fragile male needs to rescue the girl)
Harmony: "Why thank you, but they're not very heavy. Why have you come to our lonely, small town, which has no post office and very few exports?" - S4E22
Riley: "Thought you were looking for your friends. OK Killer. If that's the way you want it. Guess you're on your own." *walks away* -S4E22
[I need something to sing about...]
Foreshadowing: Willow Coming Out as Gay
Willow definitely foreshadowed her discovering her sexuality in the next season. I don't care WHAT the online boards say about it!
Willow: "It's horrible. That's me as a vampire? I'm so evil, and skanky. And I think I'm kinda gay."
Buffy: "Well just remember, a vampire's personality has nothing to do with the person it was."
Angel: "Well actually... that's a good point." -S3E16
Foreshadowing: Dark Willow
There is a LOT of examples for this one, so I'm only going to list a few...
Willow: "Well, I've been going through her files and researching the black arts for fun...educational fun...and I maybe able to work this."
Giles: "Willow, channeling such potent magics through yourself, it could open a door that you may never be able to close." -S2E21
Willow: "Put the blame where it belongs..."
Willow then gets supplies to work a spell of revenge, invoking Satanus and the Devil...? Yeah.
Vamp Willow: "Bored now... this is the less fun part. When there isn't any screaming." -S3E09
*also insert: Willow reacting to Glory brain-sucking Tara, trying to use magic on Xander to de-lust, her will-be-done spell in "Something Blue", using magic to fix arguments, Tabula Rasa, etc.*
Dark Willow: "Bored now..." - S6E20
Foreshadowing: Giles Murdering Ben
Tara: "You're a killer!" -S5E22
[Lifes a song you dont get to rehearse]
Foreshadowing: Xander Losing an Eye
Buffy: "Didn't anyone ever warn you about playing with pointy sticks? It's all fun and games until somebody loses an eye." -S3E02
Dressed as a pirate in S6E06
Xander: "I see more than anybody realizes because nobody's watching me."
(and the rest of this long, long dialogue)
Dawn: "Maybe that's your power. Seeing. Knowing." -S7E12
Foreshadowing: Buffy and Faith Switching Bodies
Buffy: "You're not the one being single-white-femaled here." -S3E03
Faith: "Look at you, all dressed up in big sister's clothes."
Buffy: "You told me I was just like you. That I was holding it in."
Faith: "Ready to cut loose?" -S3E21
OP Note: I realize this dialogue is being used as double-duty in this post. Fight me.
Foreshadowing: Joyce's Death
Buffy: "Can't wait til Mom gets the bill for these books. I hope it's a funny aneurism." -S4E01
[And every single verse]
Foreshadowing: Discovery that Buffy's Power is Rooted in Darkness
This one was an interesting one to piece together. Buffy struggles with the concept of being associated with darkness or anything evil. Let's dive into this...
Adam: "She's uncomfortable with certain concepts. It's understandable. Aggression is a natural human tendency. Though you and me come by it another way."
Buffy: "We're not demons."
Adam: "Is that a fact?" -S4E22
Dracula: "I have yearned for you. For a creature whose darkness rivals my own..."
...
Buffy: "How do you like my darkness now?"
At the end of this episode, Buffy asks Giles to be her Watcher again, to discover more about where her power comes from, and mentions that Dracula saw darkness in it.
Then, in season 7 episode 15, we find out that the first Slayer was created by infusing a girl, chained up, with demon spirit to give her the power to fight demons. (There's also a fight in Buffy throughout season 6 where she struggles with the concept of 'coming back wrong')
Foreshadowing: Buffy's Friends Abandoning Her
We all know Buffy's friends are trash. But in season 4, Gachnar WARNED HER! And every person around her (minus Oz) ended up doing exactly that in season 7.
Gachnar: "They're all going to abandon you, you know."
Buffy: "Yeah, yeah."
Foreshadowing: Buffy's Death
There's the more obvious one, "Death is your gift..." but there was also...
Faith: "Oh yeah, miles to go. Little miss muffit counting down from 7-3-0." -S3E22
(Apparently this episode filmed/aired 2 years before 'The Gift', where Buffy sacrifices herself to the save the world; there's 730 days in 2 years)
Buffy: "It's so late..."
Tara: "Oh, that clock's completely wrong..." -S4E22
(This was one year later, so it would've been closer to 365, not 730)
Buffy sitting in the taped outline of a dead body in S5E14 - 8 episodes before she actually dies.
So, ONTD... were there any foreshadowed events that you think I missed? Are there any on here you think are completely wrong? Sound off in the comments!
To see the rest of the posts in this series:
Post 1: Ranking 'Series Regular' Buffy the Vampire Slayer Characters
Post 2: Top 10 Buffy the Vampire Slayer 'Hellmouth' Metaphors for Real Life Struggles
Post 3: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: In Defense of Season 6
Post 4: Top 10 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Episodes to Fight 2021
Post 5: The Fashion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Post 6: Character "Best and Worst Moments" from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Post 7: Top 20 Quotes/Lines/Dialogue Moments from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Post 8: Top 15 "Wee Little Baddies" from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Sources: My brain, 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Welcome to the 9th installment of the ONTD Original Series: Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Today, I've decided to focus on the foreshadowing of events in the show. Some of the foreshadowing was more obvious. Some of it was more subtle. Some are potentially coincidence. But you know what? There are two things I don't believe in: coincidence, and leprechauns. Although it's entirely possible some of the events weren't planned and just lined up with previous quotes/lines in the show, leprechauns aren't real...to the best of my knowledge.
FYI: This one is a JOURNEY, y'all. So grab a drink, a snack, and settle in, because there's a lot to unpack!
Also, IMAGE HEAVY. So, be prepared for many cuts.
Disclaimer: The post is my opinion/take, and not intended to say "THIS IS WHAT IT IS!" (even though it is...duh). I love commenting back and forth, and I'm absolutely open to opposing views, but please be kind and respectful to each other. These posts are bringing me such joy in the middle of intense isolation, and I truly enjoy making these posts and commenting back and forth with my fellow Buffy fans. <3. That being said, let's jump in!
[Give me something to sing about...]
Foreshadowing: The Arrival of Dawn Summers
Dawn was predicted and hinted at, at the end of season 3, and in the finale of season 4. There are reports online that he who must not be named informed Sarah Michelle Gellar that she would have a sister before Graduation Part 1 was done filming. Let's look at all of the instances where they were definitely might have been referring to Dawn:
Faith: "Look at you, all dressed up in big sister's clothes." - S3E21
Faith: "Oh yeah, miles to go. Little miss muffet..." - S3E22
Buffy: "They smell good, don't they?"
Faith: "What?"
Buffy: "Clean sheets. Like Summer."
Faith: "I wouldn't know."
Buffy: "Right. I forgot."
Faith: "I noticed."
Buffy: "I wish I could stay, but..."
Faith: "No, you have to go."
Buffy: "It's just with..."
Faith: "Little sis is coming, I know. So much to do before she gets here." - S4E15
Buffy: "I think I need to go find the others..."
Tara: "...be back before Dawn." - S4E22
Foreshadowing: Riley leaving Buffy/Why he leaves
The moment everyone was waiting for: Riley leaving. Ahhh. Celebrations. Fireworks. Buffy not having to be apologetic for being strong. Some say this is reaching. I say this is 100% foreshadowing his departure.
Willow: "Ok. Say that I help. You start a conversation, it goes great. You like Buffy, she likes you. You spend time together, things grow deeper. And one day without even realizing it, you find you're in love. Time stops, and it feels like the whole world's made for you two, and you two alone. Until the day one of you leaves and rips the still beating heart from the other, who's now a broken, hollow mockery of the human condition."
Riley: "Yep. That's the plan." -S4E07
Riley: "Why hello little lady. Can I hold those milk pails for you?" (Fragile male needs to rescue the girl)
Harmony: "Why thank you, but they're not very heavy. Why have you come to our lonely, small town, which has no post office and very few exports?" - S4E22
Riley: "Thought you were looking for your friends. OK Killer. If that's the way you want it. Guess you're on your own." *walks away* -S4E22
[I need something to sing about...]
Foreshadowing: Willow Coming Out as Gay
Willow definitely foreshadowed her discovering her sexuality in the next season. I don't care WHAT the online boards say about it!
Willow: "It's horrible. That's me as a vampire? I'm so evil, and skanky. And I think I'm kinda gay."
Buffy: "Well just remember, a vampire's personality has nothing to do with the person it was."
Angel: "Well actually... that's a good point." -S3E16
Foreshadowing: Dark Willow
There is a LOT of examples for this one, so I'm only going to list a few...
Willow: "Well, I've been going through her files and researching the black arts for fun...educational fun...and I maybe able to work this."
Giles: "Willow, channeling such potent magics through yourself, it could open a door that you may never be able to close." -S2E21
Willow: "Put the blame where it belongs..."
Willow then gets supplies to work a spell of revenge, invoking Satanus and the Devil...? Yeah.
Vamp Willow: "Bored now... this is the less fun part. When there isn't any screaming." -S3E09
*also insert: Willow reacting to Glory brain-sucking Tara, trying to use magic on Xander to de-lust, her will-be-done spell in "Something Blue", using magic to fix arguments, Tabula Rasa, etc.*
Dark Willow: "Bored now..." - S6E20
Foreshadowing: Giles Murdering Ben
Tara: "You're a killer!" -S5E22
[Lifes a song you dont get to rehearse]
Foreshadowing: Xander Losing an Eye
Buffy: "Didn't anyone ever warn you about playing with pointy sticks? It's all fun and games until somebody loses an eye." -S3E02
Dressed as a pirate in S6E06
Xander: "I see more than anybody realizes because nobody's watching me."
(and the rest of this long, long dialogue)
Dawn: "Maybe that's your power. Seeing. Knowing." -S7E12
Foreshadowing: Buffy and Faith Switching Bodies
Buffy: "You're not the one being single-white-femaled here." -S3E03
Faith: "Look at you, all dressed up in big sister's clothes."
Buffy: "You told me I was just like you. That I was holding it in."
Faith: "Ready to cut loose?" -S3E21
OP Note: I realize this dialogue is being used as double-duty in this post. Fight me.
Foreshadowing: Joyce's Death
Buffy: "Can't wait til Mom gets the bill for these books. I hope it's a funny aneurism." -S4E01
[And every single verse]
Foreshadowing: Discovery that Buffy's Power is Rooted in Darkness
This one was an interesting one to piece together. Buffy struggles with the concept of being associated with darkness or anything evil. Let's dive into this...
Adam: "She's uncomfortable with certain concepts. It's understandable. Aggression is a natural human tendency. Though you and me come by it another way."
Buffy: "We're not demons."
Adam: "Is that a fact?" -S4E22
Dracula: "I have yearned for you. For a creature whose darkness rivals my own..."
...
Buffy: "How do you like my darkness now?"
At the end of this episode, Buffy asks Giles to be her Watcher again, to discover more about where her power comes from, and mentions that Dracula saw darkness in it.
Then, in season 7 episode 15, we find out that the first Slayer was created by infusing a girl, chained up, with demon spirit to give her the power to fight demons. (There's also a fight in Buffy throughout season 6 where she struggles with the concept of 'coming back wrong')
Foreshadowing: Buffy's Friends Abandoning Her
We all know Buffy's friends are trash. But in season 4, Gachnar WARNED HER! And every person around her (minus Oz) ended up doing exactly that in season 7.
Gachnar: "They're all going to abandon you, you know."
Buffy: "Yeah, yeah."
Foreshadowing: Buffy's Death
There's the more obvious one, "Death is your gift..." but there was also...
Faith: "Oh yeah, miles to go. Little miss muffit counting down from 7-3-0." -S3E22
(Apparently this episode filmed/aired 2 years before 'The Gift', where Buffy sacrifices herself to the save the world; there's 730 days in 2 years)
Buffy: "It's so late..."
Tara: "Oh, that clock's completely wrong..." -S4E22
(This was one year later, so it would've been closer to 365, not 730)
Buffy sitting in the taped outline of a dead body in S5E14 - 8 episodes before she actually dies.
So, ONTD... were there any foreshadowed events that you think I missed? Are there any on here you think are completely wrong? Sound off in the comments!
To see the rest of the posts in this series:
Post 1: Ranking 'Series Regular' Buffy the Vampire Slayer Characters
Post 2: Top 10 Buffy the Vampire Slayer 'Hellmouth' Metaphors for Real Life Struggles
Post 3: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: In Defense of Season 6
Post 4: Top 10 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Episodes to Fight 2021
Post 5: The Fashion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Post 6: Character "Best and Worst Moments" from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Post 7: Top 20 Quotes/Lines/Dialogue Moments from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Post 8: Top 15 "Wee Little Baddies" from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Sources: My brain, 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
