Episode Trivia
A little tour
details | 1 comment | suggested by Jess
When Willow drains Rack of his power in 6.21 Two To Go, she says:
“I just wanna take a little tour”.
He said the same thing to her in 6.10 Wrecked, before filling her with magics.
All about the power
details | add a comment | suggested by Jess
In 6.21 Two To Go, Willow says to Buffy:
“I get it now. The Slayer thing really isn’t about the violence. It’s about the power.”
The episode 7.01 Lessons begins and ends with Buffy saying:
“It’s all about the power”.
Asthmatic Jonathan
details | add a comment | suggested by TwoToGo-Grave
In the episode 6.21 Two To Go, Xander, Dawn, Jonathan, and Andrew are running from the Magic Box, when Jonathan stops and says:
“I just need to breathe.”
This could be a reference to 2.20 Go Fish, during which Jonathan states that he is asthmatic.
Bill Norton
details | add a comment | suggested by Jess
Bill Norton directed the Buffy episode 6.21 Two To Go, and the Angel episodes 2.13 Happy Anniversary, 3.02 That Vision Thing, 3.12 Provider, 4.05 Supersymmetry, 4.12 Calvary and 5.05 Life Of The Party.
He has also directed episodes of John Doe, Hack, The Fugitive, Roswell, Them and The Invisible Man.
Black magic effects
details | 9 comments | suggested by Jess
In 6.21 Two To Go, Willow’s eyes and hair went black from the dark power she had gained. She also gets weird veiny skin. The first time we saw a witch draw on dark powers was in 1.03 The Witch when Catherine Madison’s eyes also went black. Catherine’s daughter Amy introduced Willow to Rack, from whom Willow gets power in this episode. Willow’s eyes previously turned black in 5.19 Tough Love and 5.22 The Gift when she used powerful magics on Glory after she brain-sucked Tara.
End credits
details | 14 comments | suggested by Jess
Cast listings in the closing credits in TV shows are usually reserved only for background characters with unimportant parts, or those with no speaking roles, but occasionally main characters are listed there when their appearance is to be a surprise. Examples of this in the Buffyverse are in 6.21 Two To Go, in which Giles makes a dramatic entrance at the end of the episode; the Angel episode 2.01 Judgement, in which Faith (Eliza Dushku) is visited by Angel; and 2.22 There’s No Place Like Plrtz Glrb, in which Willow appears at at the very end of the episode. In 5.08 Destiny, Christian Kane’s name was omitted from the opening credits to make his character Lindey’s arrival a surprise.
Jurassic Park
details | 1 comment | suggested by Jess
When Willow’s whirlwind moves towards the police station in 6.21 Two To Go, we see a cup of coffee in a police car which ripples in time to her approach. This is an obvious homage to Jurassic Park, where a cup of water moves to the footsteps of an approaching T-Rex.
Nirvana
details | add a comment | suggested by Jess
In 6.21 Two To Go, Spike says, “Here we are now, entertain us”. This is a line from the Nirvana song ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’.
One down
details | add a comment | suggested by Jess
Willow’s final words of the episode 6.20 Villains were “one down” so the next episode’s title (6.21 Two To Go) is a continuation of that: “One down… two to go.”
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
details | 7 comments | suggested by Jess
In 1.03 The Witch, Buffy said, “That’s our Sabrina”, and in 6.21 Two To Go, Andrew said:
“Do we sit around waiting for Sabrina to disembowel us?”
They are both referring to Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, which has been a comic, cartoon and TV show, about a teenage girl who’s, yes you guessed it, a witch.
Season six timeline
details | add a comment | suggested by Jess
From the episode 6.19 Seeing Red until the end of this season’s finale 6.22 Grave, all events occur within around 24 hours. According to Tara’s grave in 7.04 Help, these episodes occur between May 7th and May 8th 2002.
Spider-Man
details | add a comment | suggested by Jess
Spider-Man is a popular Marvel comic starring Peter Parker, who leads a double life as superhero Spider-Man. Made into two successful movies starring Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. There are many similarities between Peter and Buffy, as she too is trying to lead a normal life, and (occasionally) make a living, whilst saving the world. Spider-Man has been mentioned in numerous Buffy and Angel episodes, including:
- 1.07 Angel - The Master says, “With power comes responsibility”, which is the motto of the Spider-Man comics and movie.
- 1.08 I Robot, You Jane - Buffy says, “My spider-sense is tingling”.
- 4.12 A New Man - Riley says to Buffy, “You’re strong. Like Spider-Man strong”.
- 5.05 No Place Like Home - Ben suggests Buffy’s strength comes from a “Radioactive spider bite”.
- 6.04 Flooded - Anya and Dawn argue over if Spider-Man charges for helping people - Xander reminds them that “Action is his reward”.
- 6.21 Two To Go - Andrew says, “Lex Luthor had a false epidermis escape kit in Superman Versus the Amazing Spider-Man Treasury edition”
- 7.05 Selfless - Xander says, “This isn’t springy high-flying fun!”
- 7.10 Bring On The Night - Andrew says “My spider-sense is tingling”.
- 4.17 Inside Out - Cordy says “That’s it? I get away with bringing the world down around you and two eensy words tingle your spider sense?”
- Additionally, Buffy stuntman Erik Betts was director Sam Raimi’s choice for doubling actor Tobey Maquire for the movie Spider-Man, but was told by the costume designer that his shoulders were too large. Nicholas Brendon auditioned for the role of Spider-Man in the movie.
Star Wars
details | 15 comments | suggested by Jess
George Lucas’s Star Wars films are a cult phenomenon. They are referenced numerous times in the Buffyverse. The original trilogy included the movies Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return Of The Jedi (1983) and the movies The Phantom Menace (1999), Attack of the Clones (2002) and Revenge of the Sith (2005) were made later on.
- 2.01 When She Was Bad: when Xander and Willow play Guess the Movie from the tag line:
Willow: “Use the Force, Luke.”,
Xander: “Do I even have to dignify that with a guess?” - 2.03 School Hard: Spike told Angel that, “You were my Yoda!” Yoda was the ancient Jedi master who became the mentor and teacher for both Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker.
- 3.13 The Zeppo: A visual reference to Star Wars is seen when Xander runs into the corridor and runs back out with the gang members chasing him. Han Solo does the same thing in Star Wars.
- 3.19 Choices: Buffy says that Faith has turned to ‘the dark side’.
- 4.01 The Freshman: Xander confuses the Star Wars Jedi code quoted by Yoda in The Phantom Menace.
“Hate leads to anger…no wait…Fear leads to hate, hate leads to the dark side.”
Also in that episode, the old frat house that the vampires are holed up in is the Psi Theta house. If you write those two greek letters together, and pronounce them together, you get Sith.
- 4.04 Fear, Itself: Xander says to Oz, “Sensing a disturbance in the Force, Master?”
- 5.08 Shadow: Buffy using the chain to choke Sobek the snake-demon is reminiscent of Princess Leia killing Jabba the Hutt in Return of the Jedi.
- 5.17 Forever: Ben calls Glory’s minions “Jawa rejects” after the small hooded and robed creatures in Star Wars.
- 6.05 Life Serial: Andrew paints a Death Star from Star Wars on the side of the gang’s van. It’s the Empire’s revised design from Return of the Jedi, which Jonathan says is flawed.
- 6.21 Two To Go: Andrew says:
“We’ve got maybe seconds before Darth Rosenberg grinds us all into to Jawa burgers and not one of you bunch has the Midichlorians to stop her.”
These are all Star Wars references: Darth is a title given to a Sith Warrior (such as Darth Vader); Jawas are the hooded creatures who live on Tatooine, and Midichlorians are micro-organisms which exist in all living things.
In that episode, Andrew says another two Star Wars quotes:“Laugh it up, Fuzzball.”
“…in a galaxy far, far away…”
- 6.06 All The Way: Tara and Willow see a couple dressed as Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker kissing in the Bronze. Willow asks:
“Do they know they’re brother and sister?”
- 6.09 Smashed: we see that the three nerds own a mint condition (though out of its packaging) 1979 Boba Fett action figure. Though Boba Fett was first introduced in The Empire Strikes Back (made in 1980), the earliest Boba Fett figure was made in 1979, before the film was released.
- 6.13 Dead Things: Jonathan and Andrew play fight with green light sabres.
- 6.18 Entropy: Warren calls Jonathan “Padawan”.
- 7.07 Conversations With Dead People: Jonathan and Warren have the following conversation, all quotes from Star Wars:
Warren: “Come on, “If you strike me down…”
Andrew: “I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine…That boy is our last hope.”
Warren: “No, there is another.” - 7.12 Potential: Xander says to Andrew:
“Say Skywalker, and I smack you.”
- 7.11 Showtime: Andrew says, “I’m bored. Episode I bored.” He’s referring to George Lucas’s disappointing movie Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. He also says: “Um, deflector shields - deflector shields up!”
- 7.09 Never Leave Me: Warren/The First says, “I’m like Obi Wan”. He also says to Andrew, “We’re right in the trench, and the exhaust port’s in sight.” This is a reference to the scene in Star Wars in which the Death Star is under attack.
- 7.10 Bring On The Night: Andrew says:
“I’m like Vader in the last 5 minutes of Jedi with redemptive powers minus a redemptive struggle of epic redemption which chronicles…”
He’s referring to the last scenes of the final Star Wars movie Return of the Jedi. He also says:
“I admit I went over to the dark side, but just to pick up a few things, and now I’m back.”
- 7.16 Storyteller: there are two framed Star Wars comics on the wall in Andrew’s opening scene.
- 7.18 Dirty Girls: Andrew says:
“But like so many tragic heroes, Faith was seduced by the lure of the dark side.”
- 1.06 Sense And Sensitivity: Cordelia’s line “Jar Jar is getting his own talk show” is another reference to Star Wars.
- 1.05 Rm W/A Vu: Cordy says to her ghost, “Hey, hey - Phantom Dennis, put that back.” Jane Espenson says in her commentary fo the episode that she insisted the ghost be called Dennis to be able to pun the title of The Phantom Menace which was in cinemas at the time.
- 1.11 Somnambulist: Cordelia references Star Wars again when she calls Penn “Psycho-Wan Kenobi”.
- 2.03 First Impressions: Gunn says to Cordelia and Wesley,
“You two? I find Deevak, I’m gonna need more than C-3PO and Stick Figure Barbie backin’ me up, no offence.”
C-3PO was a droid in the Star Wars films, designed to assist with etiquette, customs, and translation so that meetings of different cultures run smoothly.
- 5.11 Damage: Andrew says (about Dana): “Driven insane by Yoda-knows-who.”
- 5.10 Soul Purpose: Spike references Star Wars, when he says “Sorry Mr Vader, but I don’t have an itch to join the evil Empire.”
- 4.15 Orpheus:
Wesley: “Sorry. I think my sense of humor’s trapped in a jar somewhere.”
Willow: “It does seem like you’ve given in to the grumpy side of the Force.”
Start as you mean to go on
details | 2 comments | suggested by Jess
Like the season six opening two-parter 6.02 Bargaining (Part Two), the episode 6.22 Grave did not have any opening credits since it followed directly after 6.21 Two To Go. The teaser for 6.21 Two To Go was therefore extra long. Xander announces at the start, “This is what happened this year…”
In the UK, on its first broadcast, the season finale was split into its two parts and so Grave had opening credits, which named Anthony Stewart Head as a special guest star. In it’s original state, Anthony Stewart Head (Giles) was not credited in the guest cast list because Joss wanted the viewers to be surprised to see Giles back.
Steven W. Bailey
details | add a comment | suggested by Jess
Steven W. Bailey, who played the African demon in the cave at the end of season six played Ryan in the Angel episode 3.04 Carpe Noctem. he plays Steve in My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance. He has also been in Mix Tape, Chestnut Hill, Will & Grace, Becker and Nash Bridges.
Superman
details | 6 comments | suggested by Jess
Comicbook hero Superman has been epitomised in many comics (by DC Comics), movies, TV shows (eg. Lois and Clarke, Smallville - in which James Marsters played Brainiac), cartoons (eg. The Adventures of Superman) and even a musical. He and the world he lives in have been referenced many times in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel:
- 1.05 Never Kill A Boy On The First Date: Buffy says, “even Clark Kent has a job”, alluding to Superman’s alter-ego.
- 2.05 Reptile Boy: Xander’s chances of ever belonging to a fraternity of rich and powerful men are rubbished by Cordy as likely only “in the Bizarro world.” The Bizarro world is a weird, back-to-front version of the real world in Superman.
- 2.11 Ted: Cordelia says of Buffy, “But she’s like this Superman.”
- 3.09 The Wish: Cordelia says to vamps Willow and Xander:
“No. No! No way! I wish us into Bizarro Land, and you guys are still together?! I cannot win!”
- 3.12 Helpless: Oz and Xander discuss which colour Kryptonite hurts Superman. Writer David Fury said in his DVD commentary for the episode that he wasn’t sure which Kryptonite was which so wrote this scene as such.
- 3.13 The Zeppo: there are a few references to Superman: Xander’s line, which he acknowledges as a “Jimmy Olsen joke”:
“But, gee, Mr White, if Clark and Lois get all the good stories I’ll never be a good reporter”
He also name-checks the Daily Planet’s editor Perry White, Superman’s alter ego Clark Kent, and his colleague Lois Lane. Cordelia’s jibe “You must feel like Jimmy Olsen” is another reference to the Daily Planet’s youngest photographer.
- 4.11 Doomed: Forrest says to Riley,
“Granted they’re a little rarer than the one’s you grew up with on that little farm in Smallville.”
Smallville, Kansas, was the small town where Clark Kent (Superman) grew up.
- In 4.17 Superstar, Xander mentions Kryptonite again.
- 5.02 Real Me: Xander says, “She can turn this place into the fortress of solitude again”. Superman built the Fortress of Solitude in the North Pole as a place where he could relax and keep his souvenirs.
- 6.11 Gone: Andrew mentions Superman’s nemesis Lex Luthor. Buffy also mentions Bizarro World again.
- 6.21 Two To Go: Andrew says:
“Lex Luthor had a false epidermis escape kit in Superman Versus the Amazing Spider-Man Treasury edition”.
- 7.10 Bring On The Night: Andrew says, “An evil name should be something like Lex” He’s referring to Superman’s nemesis Lex Luthor.
- 1.19 Sanctuary: While Faith flips through the channels, we briefly see a Superman cartoon.
- 1.21 Blind Date:
Wesley: “The human eye is only capable of registering a small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. But if Brewer were somehow equipped to see outside that range…”
Cordelia: “She’d be Superman.” - 4.02 Ground State: Gwen says “what are you, Lex Luthor?” to Elliott when she finds out he’s double-crossed her.
- 5.10 Soul Purpose: Lindsay references Superman when he’s talking about Spike:
“I mean, he hasn’t sewn a big red S on his chest yet, but he’s getting there.”
- 5.12 You’re Welcome: Cordelia ends her seeming obsession with the Bizarro world when she says:
“What Bizarro-world did I wake up in?”
Teleportation
details | 1 comment | suggested by Jess
Teleportation is when someone or something moves instantly from one place to another. Willow and Tara did this spell in 5.13 Blood Ties to temporarily get rid of Glory, though they weren’t sure of where they sent her. Some demons (such as vengeance demons) have the ability to teleport. When Anya became a demon again she helped the Scoobies by teleporting (6.21 Two To Go), though her teleporting rights were taken away from her when she undid a vengeance spell in 7.02 Beneath You.
Test that theory
details | add a comment | suggested by Bakatulip
The episode 6.21 Two To Go ends with the dialogue below:
Dark Willow: “There’s no one in the world with the power to stop me now.”
Giles (making an heroic entrance): “I’d like to test that theory.”
In The Long Way Home, Part 2, Amy leans out the window of the castle looking down at her army of the undead, and says:
Amy: “A hundred slayers and there’s not one person here who can take me on.”
Willow makes an entrance: “As a friend of mine once said… I’d like to test that theory.”
Where’s the plan?
details | add a comment | suggested by Jess
The following scene was cut from the episode 6.21 Two To Go:
Clem: “We don’t have a plan. Don’t we at least need a plan?”
Dawn: “Buffy and her friends never have a plan. They just sort of… jump in and don’t know what they’re doing.”
Clem: “And this works?”
Dawn: “They never really let me come along. Guess we’ll find out…It’s okay. I mean they usually come back in one piece.”
Wiccan teleporting
details | add a comment | suggested by Shirty Girl
In Two to Go, Willow transports Buffy, Dawn and herself from Rack’s room to the Magic Box. There is a similar transportation via spinning in 6.07 Once More, With Feeling, when Willow and Tara waltz from the park and into their bedroom during the song “Under Your Spell”.
Willow’s jacket
details | 14 comments | suggested by MagicBone
In 7.04 Help, Xander takes Willow to the cemetery to see Tara’s grave. While they’re there, Willow is wearing the same dark denim jacket she wore in 6.20 Villains, 6.21 Two To Go and 6.22 Grave, after Tara died and she went evil.
Won’t hurt you
details | 2 comments | suggested by Jess
In 6.21 Two To Go, Buffy says to Willow:
“I said I didn’t want to. I didn’t say I wouldn’t.”
This is similar to what Spike said to Drusilla in 2.22 Becoming (Part Two):
“I don’t want to hurt you… That doesn’t mean I won’t.”
X-Men
details | 3 comments | suggested by Jess
Buffy creator Joss Whedon is a huge comics fan, particularly the Marvel comic X-Men. His dream came true when, post-Buffy, Joss wrote the Astonishing X-Men comics. The comic has been referenced numerous times in Buffy.
In 5.05 No Place Like Home, Riley says, “Giles, you got that Danger Room set up out back?” The Danger Room was a training room in the X-Men.
In 5.19 Tough Love, Xander reads an X-Men comic while in the Magic Box.
In 6.21 Two To Go, Jonathan says Willow is like the “Dark Phoenix” who was a character in the X-Men comics.
In 7.06 Him, Xander calls Spike a “nimrod”. Xander himself was called this by a soldier in 2.14 Innocence, and Spike called Warren a nimrod in 6.09 Smashed. Nimrod was a figure in ancient Babylon, and was also an X-Men character.
In 7.10 Bring On The Night, Andrew mentions Apocalypse, who was also an X-Men character (”Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Andrew, bad guy. You think I’m a super-villain like Dr. Doom or Apocalypse or The Riddler”).
Gwen Raiden in Angel’s season four appears to have been inspired by Rogue from the X Men - the two had great powers which could harm other humans by touch, and had to wear gloves to protect others.
Joss Whedon has said that the X-Men character Kitty Pryde (AKA Shadowcat) was a large influence for the character of Buffy.
[Goof] Stunt doubles
details | add a comment | suggested by Jess
You can clearly see Willow and Buffy’s stunt doubles in 6.21 Two To Go as Buffy dives after Willow and falls on her.
[Goof] Willow’s hand
details | add a comment | suggested by Jess
When Willow drains Rack in 6.21 Two To Go, she holds his face with her right hand. This changes to her left in the next shot. The hands then alternate for a while.