We're nearing the end of season five, and as per usual we've hit the 'not great' episode of the final batch, 5x20 - Spiral.
Although, there are some nice character moments from the Scoobies, Amanda and Andrea talk about their MANY problems with the Knights of Byzantium, and how it brings down this whole episode.
Andrea brings up the parallels between Dawn and Ben that come about thanks to the massive exposition dump from the general of the Knights...(have we mentioned we don't like the knights?)
We're talking about "Tough Love" today on the podcast.
We spend most of the episode talking about the relationships between Buffy & Dawn, and Willow & Tara. (With a little Buffy/Giles on the side)
Amanda and Andrea chat about the interesting way in which some of the characters have matured, and how both of them felt the shift in the argument between Willow and Tara came out of left field.
Amanda and Andrea welcome back guest Lauren to chat about robot Buffy, real Buffy's vision quest and the nature of love. As well as how much fun SMG must have had being robot Buffy and how happy we are that Spike's taken a turn back towards the side of good.
Also, warning: Do NOT listening to the beginning of this podcast while eating...weird tangent that doesn't mix well with food.
Time to talk about "Forever." Buffy's still in shock, Dawn's lashing out and all the Scoobies are still grieving the loss of Joyce.
Amanda and Andrea chat about the slightly darker tone the show's taken, the vast difference between Tara and Willow's views on magic and how frustrated they are with Hank Summers. (plus how grateful they are for Angel in this episode)
Prepare your emotions, today Amanda and Andrea are talking about one of the most beautiful, effective and devastating hours of TV, The Body
Time for a rousing and occasionally rambling conversation about Buffy and her search for love. I know, you THINK this episode's about April, the sad robot girl, but it isn't, trust us. We also can't help but mention how much we love Xander this episode, he's ramped his lovableness up to 11 - especially when he's Puffy Xander.
Happy Valentine's Day! or Happy Single's Awareness Day! (depending whether you're Amanda or Andrea)
However you choose to 'celebrate' today, why not spend an hour or so with the ladies of Tiny Fences as they chat about 'Crush'.
It's mid-season revelation time in Sunnydale. Dawn and the Scoobies learn the truth about her and we, the audience, finally get new insight into the Ben/Glory relationship.
Yes, the Watcher's Council's back, and we learn HUGE new information about Glory, but the most important part of this episode, is possibly the greatest version of our theme song ever.
Enjoy, and you're welcome ;)
Is it a "Triangle"? Or is it more of a line?
This week Amanda and Andrea discuss the animosity between Willow and Anya and how it comes to a bit of an unsatisfying head in episode 5x11.
Giles may be getting ready to celebrate Gurnenthar's Ascendance, but Andrea and Amanda are saying goodbye to Riley.
On top of trying to deconstruct the end of that relationship, there's also talk about Joyce's condition, and a lot about how much Xander's grown for the better.
Amanda and Andrea sit down and review their 2016, which, overall, wasn't that bad, and look forward to 2017!
Happy New Year! Here's 'Listening to Fear'! (I'm a poet and totally know it ;) )
Amanda and Andrea freely admit that the weird alien/demon aspect of this episode is not great, but it's not alone it's terribleness. There's the terrible way they deal with mental health issues and the all the ways the non-Scooby men drive the ladies up the wall.
However, to off-set that, everything surrounding the Summers women is fantastic, along with the very realistic representation of illness affects not just one person, but those around them as well.
It's the last episode before Christmas, we're clipless and Andrea sounds terrible, but we needed to talk about "Shadow"!
Joyce is in the hospital and we chat about how that affects not only Buffy and Dawn but their relationships with those around them, especially with all the secrets in this episode. There's some discussion about Buffy villains and where Glory fits into that pantheon. Also, to our chagrin,we can 't help but note that Riley has tipped into a frustratingly annoying territory.
Also, stick around to the very end to hear about something super amazing that Amanda did.
Are you ready to listen to both Amanda and Andrea have revelations about Spike? Then you've come to the right place!
It's an amazing character-driven episode that delves deep into Spike's history, and while Amanda finally 'gets' why everyone likes Spike, it's Andrea who's brain seems to have exploded the most in this episode.
This week we welcome back the oft-mentioned Vanessa to the podcast as we finally learn more about Tara!
On top of learning about Tara via her sadly one-note family, we also chat about how the Giles/Buffy relationship is stronger than ever and Spike's frustrated feelings.
There's nothing like a battle with a super powerful, unhinged lady in red to soften the news that your sister's not really your sister, right Buffy?
We've got lots to talk about this ep; the big Dawn revelation, opening the Magic Box, new Big Bad in town, Joyce is still sick, Spike's upping his stalker game.
"Out of My Mind"? More like get this chip out of my head! With a weak 'A' plot featuring Riley and some Initiative shenanigans, we get to rely on the subplots with Spike and Harmony, and Joyce and Jaffy to keep things interesting this week.
Double the Xander, double the fun?! It's all about character growth for our favourite male, non-teacher Scooby this week.
We chat about confidence, weakness and seizing opportunities this week as we discuss 'The Replacement'
It's time for us to learn all about Jaffy! (#JaffyForever) Just how does having a little sister affect the Slayer? And how does she fit into the Scoobies?
We talk about that, but with a lot of Babysitter's Club references, and confusion as to why a 14 year-old (even one who lives in Sunnydale requires so much supervision)
Who's ready for some post-Halloween, live podcast goodness?! Amanda and Andrea were in Seattle for Geek Girl Con and did a live podcast of 5x01 for a wonderful crowd of con attendees.
There were songs, an impressive dance and some of the BEST predictions yet from Amanda
#JaffyForever
It's time for us to go on a journey through the subconscious of the Scoobies in Restless!
Amanda's confused, is this the finale? It feels like the finale.
We chat about Adam and the Initiative and how they never quite worked as villains, and the reconciliation of the Scoobies. We also touch on the the sad state of affairs for Riley and the even sadder fate of Maggie Walsh.
The WB would have us believe this episode is ALL about Angel being back in town and having a testosterone-off with Riley, but we know there's so much more going on!
Spike breaks up the team, and easily, it just takes a little needling here and there and all the lack of communication that's been building this season works in his favour.
Moon's in the title, must be werewolf time in Sunnydale again!
Obviously, with Oz back in town, stirring up feelings for Willow, we talk A LOT about that (like, a lot) and how it relates to her relationship with Tara and the rest of the Scoobies.
However, we do dedicate a little time to being happy about Riley finally picking a (the right) side, lamenting Adam's lameness and arguing about the Initiative!