Discussion of 7.12 "Potential" - Aired 1/21/03 (UPN-US)

[Buffy Summers]

Buffy and Spike begin to train the Potential Slayers, while Willow's magick determines that there is another Potential right at home in Sunnydale. To narrow down the search, Willow casts a locator spell, and it points straight at Dawn.

Source: TV.com

Discuss this episode here!

 

[Spikefan31]

This episode made me re-realize why I love Xander. His speech to Dawn at the end is just so touching, with the whole 'You're not special...You're extraordinary' thing. Highlight of the episode. Still, I'm not much of a Dander fan. I guess if I read the comics I might change my mind. Who knows?

 

[VisionGirl]

There were some slow parts to this episode. But overall I liked it. Have I mentioned how much I like Dawn this season compared to others? It's interesting & cool how Dawn & Xander (the "ordinary" ones) have a heckuva lot more courage & skill than the new Potentials (Amanda excluded, she rocked!). Yeah, they haven't been around very long, but neither had any of the Scoobies. They all had more moxie in season 1 than these Potentials ever do. I agree with Spikefan31, love Xander's speech. Yeah, you really need to read the comics: Dander has grown on me.

This is the 12th episode of the season, supposedly typically when Buffy's bday is celebrated. I guess she took Spike's suggestion from season 6 to heart about not celebrating her birthday any more.

Interesting that Amanda commentz that most students think Buffy is a high-functioning schizophrenic, when thinking about Normal Again.

 

[Willow My Love]

I need to get the rest of the comics I don't have... The last comic book store in town just closed down, so I have to wait for them to come into the used book stores.

I don't like Dawn. Never did. That being said, I think she was pretty gracious, but her flipping out when she might be a potential is stupid. I would think she'd be excited.

 

[Jules]

Both Buffy and Dawn say in this episode that Buffy would have to die for another Slayer to be called, but no other Slayer was called after Buffy died at the end of season 5.

I felt sorry for Dawn, Buffy's ignoring her because of the potential slayers and then at the end to find out she wasnt a potential. Xander's speech was heartbreaking, I felt for both of them.

 

[Zorinne]

When I first saw this, I really believed Dawn was going to be a potential. I was so excited for her, it was gonna be awesome! But then I realized Buffy would have to die and she would be left without a sister or mother or father (basically). Then, the sight of Amanda as the real potential was SO relieving!!

Also, not sure how I feel about Kennedy's constant flirting with Willow. How did she know Willow was a lesbian? She certainly doesn't convey it in her appearance or attitude in any way, and neither does Kennedy. So did someone tell the potentials about Willow and Tara? I am just confused how she knew. I'm sure there must be some little thing I missed.

 

[Riley's Way]

I think that Xander's speech at the end is the most beautiful one in the series, it seemed so real, & it was far from being as corny as the other speeches this season ..

 

[The Thirst Evil]

OK, technically Buffy is wrong when she says that she would have to die for another Slayer to be called. When she died at the end of Season 1, she became detached from the Slayer line, hence why Faith is called after Kendra's death and no Slayer is called after Buffy's death at the end of Season 5. Joss Whedon has apparently since realised this and corrected the timeline of events so it makes a little more sense.

I'm finding myself really liking Dawn in this Season. She's become a responsible and rational human being compared to the whiny, everything's-about-me brat the we've seen previously. Buffy must have done some serious training with her over the summer between Seasons 6 and 7.

The first time I watched this episode, the last scene made me realise just how much I love Xander's character. It really puts his characters' role into perspective, and proves everything that Cordy said about him in The Zeppo wrong. I like that he references Oz in that scene as well, it's been so long since he left, it's nice that he's not been forgotten

 

[PassionBecoming]

So, I was wondering last night if The First trying to open the Hellmouth in Sunnydale has anything to do with The Beast appearing in L.A. I'll have to watch and see!

-When it takes more than 1:30 to explain what happened less than halfway through the season, your plot line is too convoluted.
-Also, was thinking after the last ep that Buffy look soooo scrawny right now. Time to eat cheeseburgers!
-Love Spike helping train the Potentials!! And Rona, there are lots of non-Slayers that slay vampires. Silly.
-Shouldn't Spike's chip have zapped him when he pulled the redhead's arm up?
-"Instinct: Understand his, but trust yours." Love that.
-Sexy Spuffy moment. Heh.
-"Death is what a Slayer breathes." So positive, Buffy. But also, the Slayer line isn't through you anymore, so you die...and nothing happens.
-I like that Buffy always uses "us" and "we" in her lessons and speeches to the Potentials, never "you".
-Andrew wanting to go patrolling. Hahahaha.
-If Dawn wants to be involved in Slayer stuff, why doesn't she just ask to be in on the training? Buffy was doing things with her at the beginning. ???
-I don't understand why all of a sudden Willow would have more power but be screwing up simple spells. Makes. No. Sense.
-Catholic reference! Heh.
-Dawn as a Potential...it would make sense with the sharing of the blood thing, I suppose.
-Why would anyone want to be happy that Dawn is a Potential?? Being a Slayer isn't really a big prize...Like Anya said, Dawn may have just bought herself an early death.
-Love the Potentials in the demon bar. Heh.
-Bahahaha. Klem. Love.
-"I don't think you'd exactly believe me." Oh, Amanda, if you only knew...
-Buffy a high-functioning schizophrenic. Heh.
-So, Dawn went to slay a vampire without a weapon...??
-"It's not a body. It's leftovers." New vamp term.
-Awesome how they show Dawn acting out Buffy's teaching narrative on slaying. I also like the "trial by fire" teaching method. Works for Potentials, too!
-Keep thinking on your feet, Dawnie! You're doing good!
-I have always had such a hard time with the different ways Potentials have been handled on this show. Some have Watchers, some don't. Some were trained, some weren't. Some now they're Potentials, some don't. I don't get it.
-Another question: Wouldn't TPTB or whatever just keep making Potentials? I mean, if it's one Slayer per generation, wouldn't that generations Potentials then be de-activated and then another batch chosen? So, killing them wouldn't really help...
-Aw, Oz mention!!
-I've always love the Xander-Dawn big brother speech moment. Though S8 pretty much ruined that for me. It just drives home the fact that whether you have a superpower or not, you are important to the group.

 

[Charmander]

I love how Buffy just told Dawn to go to school after such a serious speech.

I like Andrew so much more when he's not part of the trio. Love his little Star Wars references too!

Aw, I've never been a huge fan of Xander but that speech was really touching. He's often been overlooked.

 

[The Thirst Evil]

I know this is kind of nitpicky, but...where the hell is Chloe in all this?

 

[gite63]

Good episode, just Dawn's scenes with yet one more Potential could have been shorter. Anyway, Dawn was really brave and smart and then graciously accepted that Amanda was the Potential - and what a fighter this one was!

Xander had a nice approach about Dawn being a Potential, not wanting to pressure her, while the others were all freaking out.

Willow remembering that "thing about Buffy and Dawn sharing the same blood" and Anya saying "Yeah, I never got that"

Buffy says in this episode that The First is in remission and they don't need to worry about it pulling Spike's strings for a while. She takes the Potentials for an *educational* night out and shows her faith in the girls when she locks them in the crypt - which builds their confidence, as we see later at home.

And in this episode, Buffy once more reinforces that Spike didn't have free will when killing those people - while Andrew had when he killed Jonathan.

Buffy and Clem seem to have become fast friends during the Summer that Spike was away - I presume because I don't see any other time when they could have bonded to a point that he knows Buffy's preferences concerning TV shows...

And now the lovely Spuffy moments...

Buffy worried about Spike's boo boo (yeah, Rona, you are totally right, that was hot!)

Buffy talking to Amanda and trying hard convincing herself that "it was over": "Well, it depends. Sometimes that's how people relate. Being mean to each other. Even mortal enemies— Then with the— And that leads to no good, absolutely no good. And much confusion. A-and then it's over. Absolutely, seriously, definitely over. And that's confusing too. The over part. Which it is. Over!"

And the pearl of the night: Spike's crypt was comfy...

And finally Xander... he was very insightful and gave Dawn what she needed at the moment. I liked him there.

 

[Give Us A Kiss]

Those "previously on" segments are getting too long... I heard on Once More with Podcast that the one for "Get it Done" is even longer...

Spike seems like he's back to normal

Looks like Spike has gained a bit of weight...

Rona, eww...

Buffy, they are just teenagers...

Buffy, Faith's death would make one of them the next slayer, not yours...

With everything that's going on, school must be hard for Dawn

Amanda has a weird face...

Andrew has a point, the girls are confused as hell and they don't know what will be next...

Andrew, please no more pop culture references...

Andrew has a point, Buffy is a huge hypocrite, especially when it comes to Spike...

Margo is a horrible name...

Is Dawn a potential ???

Anya, a Pope can resign, a slayer can't resign...

Anya, she's more mature than Buffy was at that age and I believe she can handle it better than Buffy did...

Clem

Cluffy ??? Eww...

Amanda ??? a potential ??? wow...

Amanda, you are not a vampire...

Dawn figured it out

Buffy, if a vampire is an animal than why are you bringing a vampire with you ???

Of course Spike misses his crypt, it had a TV...

Buffy

Smart one Dawn

Amanda staked her first vamp

Even thought Dawn and Xander are powerless, they are still useful

Next time: Willow transforms into Warren.

 

[DeadlyDuo]

Looks like Spike has gained a bit of weight...

James Marsters got so fed up of having to do shirtless scenes that he stopped working out in the hope of no longer being asked to do them.

 

[Fool for Buffy]

James Marsters got so fed up of having to do shirtless scenes that he stopped working out in the hope of no longer being asked to do them.

I'm not surprised, he is shirtless in half of season 6, even when he's not actually sleeping with Buffy.

 

[Priceless]

I think it's wishful thinking (well it is for me ) that Spike was shirtless for most of season 6. I've just watched the first 8 eps and he's been fully clothed throughout. I think he's probably shirtless (or more/less) in only about 6 or 7 eps. Although JM might have hated every minute of it and that's fair enough.

 

[TriBel]

I think it's wishful thinking (well it is for me ) that Spike was shirtless for most of season 6. I've just watched the first 8 eps and he's been fully clothed throughout. I think he's probably shirtless (or more/less) in only about 6 or 7 eps. Although JM might have hated every minute of it and that's fair enough.

Oh - For Goodness Sake! Here! I was going to make a very profound remark but you got lusty.



I was GOING to say that that perhaps this was erotic (below) and recuperated the (very mild) pornography of Season 6 and I'd found a nice quote from Audre Lorde “…pornography is a direct denial of the power of the erotic, for it represents the suppression of true feeling. Pornography emphasizes sensation without feeling. The erotic is a measure between the beginnings of our sense of self and the chaos of our strongest feelings. It is an internal sense of satisfaction to which, once we have experienced it, we know we can aspire. For having experienced the fullness of this depth of feeling and recognizing its power, in honor and self respect we can require no less of ourselves” but you spoiled the moment.

It (above) IS a very good chest isn't it? I DO find (below) erotic - but I find him catching a knife she's thrown erotic so what do I know?

 

[Priceless]

Oh - For Goodness Sake! Here! I was going to make a very profound remark but you got lusty.

View attachment 9060

I was GOING to say that that perhaps this was erotic (below) and recuperated the (very mild) pornography of Season 6 and I'd found a nice quote from Audre Lorde “…pornography is a direct denial of the power of the erotic, for it represents the suppression of true feeling. Pornography emphasizes sensation without feeling. The erotic is a measure between the beginnings of our sense of self and the chaos of our strongest feelings. It is an internal sense of satisfaction to which, once we have experienced it, we know we can aspire. For having experienced the fullness of this depth of feeling and recognizing its power, in honor and self respect we can require no less of ourselves” but you spoiled the moment.

It (above) IS a very good chest isn't it? I DO find (below) erotic - but I find him catching a knife she's thrown erotic so what do I know?

View attachment 9061

Ok I'm back in the room I find the closed door scene erotic, the way Spike's hand moves . . . and that moment in Flooded when he throws down the burning cigarette at Buffy's feet, and she grinds it out . . . *sigh

I understand why some people say season 6 as pornographic, but I always felt there was true feeling between them and what we saw didn't seem gratuitous. Season 7 was about a different relationship and there was meaning in them not having sex, but they still held and touched and stroked each other, so maybe that was more erotic. I shall pay special attention during my re-watch at all the times they touch during the season (like I wasn't going to do that anyway )

 

[TriBel]

Ok I'm back in the room I find the closed door scene erotic, the way Spike's hand moves . . . and that moment in Flooded when he throws down the burning cigarette at Buffy's feet, and she grinds it out . . . *sigh

I understand why some people say season 6 as pornographic, but I always felt there was true feeling between them and what we saw didn't seem gratuitous. Season 7 was about a different relationship and there was meaning in them not having sex, but they still held and touched and stroked each other, so maybe that was more erotic. I shall pay special attention during my re-watch at all the times they touch during the season (like I wasn't going to do that anyway )

LOL...Pornographic was a bit harsh - I think I wrote "mildly titillating" in this stupid article I'm writing. I didn't think it was gratuitous but she did agree she'd used him and I think that included his body. She definitely objectified him - I'm presuming this was why she apologised by calling him William. She may have been depressed but I think she suppressed her feelings for other reasons. What I liked about the scene (amongst other things!) was he fact that he took back control - that it's the beginning of a sense of self beyond the identity he's had imposed on him (a sort of very elegant - and god it was elegant - fight back. I like the little scowl he gives her in the crypt when she describes vampires as "animals". Yet he reminds the Potential's he's a vampire. it's not the vampire that he's unhappy with it's the animal analogy? IMO, it's definitely to do with touching but also to do with "seeing" - when people say "I see" in the sense of "I know" they're usually wrong. What I'm not sure about is how well he "sees" when she's there (love is blind sort of thing). He "knows" much better with his nose. I noticed when he returned with Andrew from the Mission-Mission, he says - I see - when summarising the situation. The interesting thing in that scene is the body language betrays them - Dawn looks away, Willow is wringing her hands (and I've just realised that if she is she's touching herself - which isn't as rude as I've made it sound - and he hugs himself just before he hits Faith). The body is more truthful than language.

Anyway - Potential - love the fight on the stairs when she throws the knife and he catches it. I thought it was designed to show how well they work together as a unit but it could also refer to what we were saying about sex and violence (unless that's just me LOL!). Love the way the cemetery is set out like a theatre. Love how hot he looks in this episode. Love the angel statues with their backs to the action. Love he has feathers on his sleeves (have you ever seen Spike in patterned clothing before (Xander's don't count)? I was wondering whether the fact that Dawn wasn't a potential reflected badly on the "Potential" of Spike and Buffy - I've since decided that they found a potential they weren't expecting in Sunnydale - so this reflects positively on them.

"They still held and touched and stroked each other, so maybe that was more erotic" - I think touch is far more important in this sense. If - in effect this is the embodied consciousness - then touching means their minds are coming together (read that anyway you want!) it's the difference between connection and the closeness she said they'd never had - and I think it takes us back to your erotic door! Oh god - I sound like a Mills&Boon romance.

 

[TriBel]

I shall pay special attention during my re-watch at all the times they touch during the season (like I wasn't going to do that anyway

They touch with their eyes. I was reading a book on touch (which was neither as boring or as rude as it sounds) and it talked about "touching with the eyes". There's a part I've only just noticed - it's in the bar. She says "down all the yak urine shots and pig's blood spritzers you want." and the potentials go "Yuk". She looks at him and smiles. He smiles back and looks away as if to say "I saw what you did there". It's brilliant! Just a fraction of a second but it looks as though they've known each other all their lives. In fact - it's the sort of look Willow and Xander would share.

"During my rewatch"? I've got all the Spike moments as clips so I don't have to watch the whole thing! That's either dedication, perverse or laziness - the jury's out on which. I've justified it as "research".