At the end of 1.09 The Puppet Show, Xander, Buffy and Willow nervously performed a piece from the Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex, written by the Greek playwright Sophocles (496-406 B.C.). Xander played Oedipus, Willow played the Priest of Zeus, and Buffy played Jocasta, Oedipus’ mother/wife.
Willow suddenly ran off the stage in fright - which was not part of the script. Alyson thought it seemed right that Willow would have stage fright. This fear was taken up by writers and showed in several future episodes, such as 1.10 Nightmares.
In 4.11 Soulless, Angel references the play to Connor when he says:
“And now my boy’s in love. All hearts and flowers. But doesn’t it freak you out that she used to change your diapers? I mean, when you think about it, the first woman you boned is the closest thing you’ve ever had to a mother. Doing your mom and trying to kill your dad… Hmm, there should be a play.”
Related episodes: 1.09 The Puppet Show, 4.11 Soulless
Comments on this trivia
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Oriana on May 26th, 2005 at 6:30 am
I absolutely love that scene. It still makes me laugh just thinking about it.
Smash on November 5th, 2005 at 2:31 am
When I read the play for English 30, I couldn’t help but wish they had done the whole thing. Would have been much less boring than reading it. Don’t be fooled kiddies, it may look like fun when you’re favorite tv stars are doing it, but in truth is is actually painful to read!
paigers91 on April 4th, 2007 at 3:27 am
wow i’m just now having to read it in class…the story line seems interesting but the actual story is sooo boring. i’m glad i can look back on that episode and try to laugh at the parts they played