That's an interesting idea, it does have a feel that there's something we're missing, and a deleted scene would definitely explain this.
Why is OMWF so highly regarded?
- Thread starter Robb Stark
- Start date
That's an interesting idea, it does have a feel that there's something we're missing, and a deleted scene would definitely explain this.
I understand that you should always be trying to expand your writing horizons, but OMWF made me cringe throughout. What were they smoking in Joss's house?
Though for full disclosure, I've yet to find a musical that I do like, although if memory serves me, the Sound of Music came close to being not all that bad the first time I saw it as a kid, that is, before my older sister forced me to sit and watch it with her about a bazillion times and now as an adult I'm not sure how I feel about it. Repeated exposures tend to have that numbing effect.
The Bronze
Have you tried the South Park movie? The best ever musical
thetopher
Member of the Church Of Faith
I agree that its not as great as a lot of people say it is, I'm not that hot on musicals, but I think its a lot of fun.
Lots of character revelations about Willow/Tara, Spike's feelings towards Buffy, Anya/Xander, Giles.
I actually like all the songs, and I think, given that not all the actors are musically inclined, they do a marvelous job (especially SMG who has 3 songs!)
One last thing that does mare it out as a unique episode- the good guys lose.
Oh, sure Sweets doesn't take Dawn or Xander to be his hellbride, but he still goes away by choice, he's not beaten.
All the characters feel far worse at the end than at the beginning, the fractures in the group are visible from this episode onwards and just get worse from there.
Plus Spike and Buffy snogging at the end, that should be a major clue about all the bad stuff to come. *shudder*
Lots of character revelations about Willow/Tara, Spike's feelings towards Buffy, Anya/Xander, Giles.
I actually like all the songs, and I think, given that not all the actors are musically inclined, they do a marvelous job (especially SMG who has 3 songs!)
One last thing that does mare it out as a unique episode- the good guys lose.
Oh, sure Sweets doesn't take Dawn or Xander to be his hellbride, but he still goes away by choice, he's not beaten.
All the characters feel far worse at the end than at the beginning, the fractures in the group are visible from this episode onwards and just get worse from there.
Plus Spike and Buffy snogging at the end, that should be a major clue about all the bad stuff to come. *shudder*
christina
[No message]
It's a good episode, because singing is an effective way of enhancing the emotional impact of what is being portrayed.
Some people hate musicals as a concept and will never get it because the effect does not work for them and that's too bad.
Also, if you get all analytical, Xander summoning Sweet is a bit suspect as a plot device and it first seems like it was done just for the sake of "Does this mean that I have to... be your queen?" joke.
However, you can construct some kind of a motive from what he says after admitting guilt:
Xander: "Well, I didn't know what was gonna happen! I just thought there were gonna be dances and songs. (to Anya) I just wanted to make sure we'd... we'd work out. (nervous smile) Get a happy ending."
It appears that Xander probably found a few lines of text somewhere describing how summoning this demon makes people reveal their secrets via singing, and thought it would be harmless method of finding out what was on Anya's mind regarding their upcoming wedding, and perhaps he even wanted to use it as a way to confess his own fears. You still of course have to question how come he didn't think anything bad could happen, but it is what it is.
Before getting into deep analysis of this sort, one should also always remember that Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a consciously silly show that constantly jumps from camp and jokes to dramatic moments within the same episode. If you took the humour out of it, it would be a very different show, and plots like this would probably also have to be constructed differently. From my experience, however, I think you'll find the show much more enjoyable if you are not trying to constantly compare the show to how people act in real life. In the end it's all metaphor, reflection and entertainment. Take from it what you will. I find OMWF very entertaining and I even connect with some of the lyrical subjects beyond the context of the show.
Some people hate musicals as a concept and will never get it because the effect does not work for them and that's too bad.
Also, if you get all analytical, Xander summoning Sweet is a bit suspect as a plot device and it first seems like it was done just for the sake of "Does this mean that I have to... be your queen?" joke.
However, you can construct some kind of a motive from what he says after admitting guilt:
Xander: "Well, I didn't know what was gonna happen! I just thought there were gonna be dances and songs. (to Anya) I just wanted to make sure we'd... we'd work out. (nervous smile) Get a happy ending."
It appears that Xander probably found a few lines of text somewhere describing how summoning this demon makes people reveal their secrets via singing, and thought it would be harmless method of finding out what was on Anya's mind regarding their upcoming wedding, and perhaps he even wanted to use it as a way to confess his own fears. You still of course have to question how come he didn't think anything bad could happen, but it is what it is.
Before getting into deep analysis of this sort, one should also always remember that Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a consciously silly show that constantly jumps from camp and jokes to dramatic moments within the same episode. If you took the humour out of it, it would be a very different show, and plots like this would probably also have to be constructed differently. From my experience, however, I think you'll find the show much more enjoyable if you are not trying to constantly compare the show to how people act in real life. In the end it's all metaphor, reflection and entertainment. Take from it what you will. I find OMWF very entertaining and I even connect with some of the lyrical subjects beyond the context of the show.
Fuffy Baith
2017 (and 2016) Cutest BB member
It's the singing and the fact that everyone conveys their true feelings. Everyone finds out Buffy was in heaven, Tara finds out Willow used a spell on her, this was all good stuff. I do like some of the songs, not all of them, so I think it's a fun episode but it's not one of my top 10 favorites episodes of the show. I go back and re-watch a lot of other episodes before I watch OMWF. It's not bad, but I don't know if it's as great as everybody thinks.
bespangeled
Scooby
Yeah - my understanding is that it was the first musical done as an episode of a running show, and it was the only one that moved the plot forward. I love the duet between ASH and Amber - amazing voices. And I see it as pivotal points for all the characters.
Buffy has held things in for too long, and she's still very angry.
Xander and Anya are completely afraid of talking, and even more so - of listening
Giles is standing in the way of Buffy growing and accepting challenges
Willow pulled Buffy out of a heaven dimension
Tara was betrayed and roofie raped by Willow
Dawn can dance....okay....not much there.
Oh, and Spike is tired of being friend-zoned but he really cares about Buffy.
I see the entire season as dealing with consequences, and this episode is where the chickens came home to roost.
Doppelgang
Always Believe
Why wouldn't this episode be highly regarded! It was a daring thing to do. And it payed off because there was enough serious stuff going on for it to not get too cheesy or sentimental. The meaning, and expression of meaning of the characters through song was spot on.
It's one thing to have an original idea to do something like this, but its another thing to execute it all so well, and nigh on perfectly to my mind. Its then followed by the episode tabula rasa, where they all forget who they are, which seemed quite apt also. Its like after the release of all that emotional energy they had to start from scratch.
But then I am biased as this point in the buffy verse was when I was most hooked, all the way up to the ending of season 6 with Willow and Xander. It was such an original season from start to finish, not going into the usual predictable patterns of a typical bad guy to beat, gave it a different structure that kept you guessing what was going to come next.
It's one thing to have an original idea to do something like this, but its another thing to execute it all so well, and nigh on perfectly to my mind. Its then followed by the episode tabula rasa, where they all forget who they are, which seemed quite apt also. Its like after the release of all that emotional energy they had to start from scratch.
But then I am biased as this point in the buffy verse was when I was most hooked, all the way up to the ending of season 6 with Willow and Xander. It was such an original season from start to finish, not going into the usual predictable patterns of a typical bad guy to beat, gave it a different structure that kept you guessing what was going to come next.
Blaze
[No message]
Wesley Pryce
AGREE
EVIL UU
Scooby
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2011
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- 1,755
[MENTION=12738]bespangeled[/MENTION]
Nah. LEXX did just that in 1999 ( Brigadoom ) and Xena in 1998 ( The Bitter Suite )
Nah. LEXX did just that in 1999 ( Brigadoom ) and Xena in 1998 ( The Bitter Suite )
Xin Rong
I was thinking that, that Xena episode is awful!
Wesley Pryce
[No message]
white avenger
white avenger
The main reason that I hold this episode in high regard is that it was the first exposure to Buffy that I had ever had with the exception of the movie. In fact, it's the first time that even knew that the series was on the air (We seldom watch regular TV in our house, preferring the History and Discovery Channels and movies) I was asked to tape it for a friend who was going to be out of town when it aired.
But it was Buffy and Spike's kiss at the end that sealed the deal. Any show with a couple of actors who could put that much passion into a kiss and avoid an "R" rating...
But it was Buffy and Spike's kiss at the end that sealed the deal. Any show with a couple of actors who could put that much passion into a kiss and avoid an "R" rating...
Wesley Pryce
Angel Investigations
Echoing the thoughts of a lot of people here,i love this episode but its not on my top 10. It's great,the singing the music and the character development. I love this episode and the 6th season(my second favorite). Still,my only gripe is when people say they like this ep but then comment negatively on the rest of the 6th season. because without the previous six episodes of season 6 the content being sung aloud wouldn't make any damned sense,so how can you like this ep without appreciating the contextual narrative of the songs. there,i feel better now 😀 .anyways,i know everybody has there opinion, no worries 😛 But I love this episode a lot,but still I find it a tad overrated,but it is quite great. 🙂
bespangeled
Scooby
I love it - but having been shown it before I was a fan it nearly kept me from watching the show. I had no idea what was going on, and aside from ASH and Amber, the singing ranged from good (Marsters) to meh SMG. So I had no reason to like it.
Now I like how it puts things together and I like how it fits into the overall seasonal plot.
MarlieTheSlayer
Bangel shipper
WillowTaraHolic
Novice Witch
I find this episode really distinctive, I adore the flow and the blends of development. The creativity behind this piece, this episode is really inspirational. The art of emotions was a unique way to explore Buffys character development, which is amazing in this season. That’s why I adore this episode not just because of the risk because the fact it succeeded. BTW Buffy's solo towards the end about her experience in heaven was breathtakingly beautiful. 🙂 That is why I love "OMWF"
AnthonyCordova
By suffering, learning
The little psychological insights into the characters in the various asides and stuff like that are nice, but overall I don't rate it THAT highly. I'm not a big musical fan either though.
I really like OMWF, but not because I think the episode has exceptional writing or plot. I never have been happy with the conclusion of the episode (Xander being the one behind the summons); it never has made sense to me. But you know, the music is great and I like how the writers used the songs to reveal character feelings and development. It's a fun and creative episode and for me that's enough to like OMWF to the degree that I do.
I don't think I have ever considered it as a favorite episode of the show though.
I don't think I have ever considered it as a favorite episode of the show though.
Ethan Reigns
Scooby
It seems that Xander takes the blame even though Dawn is the one who stole the talisman. Maybe Xander was covering for Dawn. Sweet does mention the talisman that klepto Dawn took:
SWEET: (chuckling) I don't make the rules. She summoned me.
DAWN: (to Sweet) I so did not. (to others) He keeps saying that.
SWEET: You have my talisman on, sweet thing.
Sweet reaches to touch the necklace Dawn is wearing. She cringes in fear, cowers away from him.
DAWN: (very nervous) Oh, but, no, I, I, um, uh, this, at, at the Magic Box, on the floor, I was, I was cleaning, and I ... forgot ... but ... I didn't summon anything.
On this basis, I would say that Sweet's arrival was Dawn's fault - Xander had nothing to do with the necklace and maybe they were setting up for a Xander / Dawn pairing that never happened in the show (but was part of the comics).
SWEET: (chuckling) I don't make the rules. She summoned me.
DAWN: (to Sweet) I so did not. (to others) He keeps saying that.
SWEET: You have my talisman on, sweet thing.
Sweet reaches to touch the necklace Dawn is wearing. She cringes in fear, cowers away from him.
DAWN: (very nervous) Oh, but, no, I, I, um, uh, this, at, at the Magic Box, on the floor, I was, I was cleaning, and I ... forgot ... but ... I didn't summon anything.
On this basis, I would say that Sweet's arrival was Dawn's fault - Xander had nothing to do with the necklace and maybe they were setting up for a Xander / Dawn pairing that never happened in the show (but was part of the comics).
thetopher
Member of the Church Of Faith
Apart from the fact that Xander summoning Sweets is confirmed in S7 'Selfless' (when Anya is singing)- he's doing it in his sleep with Sweets talisman clutched in his hand.
So Dawn was telling the truth...ish. It's more likely Dawn then stole the Talisman from the shop, the little klepto.
I agree that the whole scenario seems more likely to be caused by Dawn messing with stuff than Xander, but then a lot of the S6 writing is uncharacteristically lazy and nonsensical.
So Dawn was telling the truth...ish. It's more likely Dawn then stole the Talisman from the shop, the little klepto.
I agree that the whole scenario seems more likely to be caused by Dawn messing with stuff than Xander, but then a lot of the S6 writing is uncharacteristically lazy and nonsensical.