It stands on its own, in a way that Once More With Feeling doesn't. OMWF is a ton of fun, but there's too much plot going on for newbies, IMO.
A couple of other episodes that I've had luck with in terms of ensnaring new viewers are Halloween and A New Man. There is enough time spent establishing the status quo before the characters are transformed that it's fun for everybody!
You've made me want to rewatch it! I can't say what my favorite episode is; too hard of a choice. But Fool For Love is perfect, for all the reasons you listed.
I don't have any canon ships I'm really passionate about, but that moment at the end of this episode when Spike comforts Buffy on the porch is when my head first lifted in interest to that pairing. It's such a great scene in a great episode.
It's a very Spike-centric episode, to be sure, but Giles gets one of his most touching moments, the Scoobies are hilarious during the snacking/slaying scene, and Dawn gets a moment of being slightly awesome as well. I like both Spike/Dru and Spike/Buffy (friendship or more) and there's plenty of both relationships in this one. The porch scene is a lovely counterpoint to all the bombast that led up to it. Quiet and companionable, which is always a good place for them to end up.
I agree, it's one of the best episodes, and mostly because of how it's putting things in perspective. Only that terribly written historical scene, where Victorian gentlemen are behaving like modern school bullies... Arrrrgh, that stupid moment always make me angry, because otherwise episode is perfect.
I must be more of a misandrist than you are, because the bullying from the "gentlemen" doesn't actually seem that impossible - except that there are women present. I don't think that bullying is anything new, or that Victorians were non-practiioners. It takes a lot of horrible behavior to build an Empire, after all. That said, the scene doesn't make much sense from a historical accuracy viewpoint. The modes of dress are too diverse to tell what kind a gathering could possibly be taking place. The women are too brash and outspoken to be "ladies". It's just very odd.
I've chosen to handwave it as William's weirdly inaccurate memory of his perceived humiliation. Because, on the emotional level, it works. It's his catalyst to give up absolutely everything that he was. It's real...for him.
I've chosen to handwave it as William's weirdly inaccurate memory of his perceived humiliation. Because, on the emotional level, it works. It's his catalyst to give up absolutely everything that he was. It's real...for him. Actually, it's an excellent explanation and a great way to come in terms with that moment. I should try it.
Oh yes. I tend to credit Season 6 for doing the same to me, but it was probably this episode that first did it. No, that's not right. It was the moment in School Hard when Spike turned his head to look at Drusilla for the first time. Just, guh. This episode just cemented it.
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A couple of other episodes that I've had luck with in terms of ensnaring new viewers are Halloween and A New Man. There is enough time spent establishing the status quo before the characters are transformed that it's fun for everybody!
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I don't have any canon ships I'm really passionate about, but that moment at the end of this episode when Spike comforts Buffy on the porch is when my head first lifted in interest to that pairing. It's such a great scene in a great episode.
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Only that terribly written historical scene, where Victorian gentlemen are behaving like modern school bullies... Arrrrgh, that stupid moment always make me angry, because otherwise episode is perfect.
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I've chosen to handwave it as William's weirdly inaccurate memory of his perceived humiliation. Because, on the emotional level, it works. It's his catalyst to give up absolutely everything that he was. It's real...for him.
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Actually, it's an excellent explanation and a great way to come in terms with that moment. I should try it.
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YES. TOTALLY.
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