Classics: BtVS 3:20 - The Prom

Overall Rating: 9.2

This episode ends so wonderfully that I almost don't care about anything other than that memory it leaves with me. But its real strength lies in a message that speaks volumes about the high regard Joss Whedon et al. have for their viewers by its maturity and insight.

Plot Synopsis:

Angel is in conflict - Buffy is talking about their future as a couple, including intimacy steps that imply an ever-increasing closeness (things like putting some of her things in Angel's home) and it's making Angel realize that they really have no future. When Joyce drops the hammer even further in a wonderfully written conversation about his intentions with Buffy, he realizes he can't go on with this charade, no matter how much he loves Buffy. Later, while on an exploration of the vast sewer system under Sunnydale, he reveals to Buffy that he can't go to the Prom with her and that he's leaving Sunnydale when the Ascension is over. Crushed, Buffy begs him to reconsider, but he firmly insists. Despite her unusual demon calling, he knows she'll need a normal life some day - he can't even sleep with her. The two go their separate ways and glumly consider their lonely futures. Buffy even tells Willow that although she thinks Angel is right in the long run, right now, she feels like she's going to die.

Meanwhile, as everyone at Sunnydale High gets in a tizzy about the prom, a few find themselves on the scrap heap and face the pain of exclusion. Anya - fresh off of 1000 years of hating men - turns to equally stricken Xander, who is dateless now that Cordelia is on her own and clobbering his social standing. He grudgingly agrees to go with her to avoid the shame of going stag. Another outcast has a far darker solution - he's training demons in his filthy looking abode...he's going after the prom. One of his beasts escapes and attacks the clothing shop where Cordelia is currently employed (while Xander is there learning that Cordelia's family is broke and her dreams have been crushed). Oddly, the creature isn't at all interested in Xander's attire...it goes after only those in formal wear. The video footage of the attack reveals the likely hellhound raiser - Tucker Wells...a shy social misfit who has evidently not found a date. Buffy, now furious that someone would attack the prom and ruin her friends' good times, vows to give them a lovely evening if kills her.

She sends Cordelia and Wesley to check out Tucker's home, Xander and Oz are to track down his friend and potential cohort and Buffy herself heads to the butcher's shop in town to pick up the lead on brains....Tucker has to feed his beasts something neurally disgusting and there are only a few places to get that kind of "meat." Unfortunately, she runs into Angel picking up a fresh supply of animal blood (awk...ward...) and this puts her in a rather sour mood when she returns with the proper address for psycho-boy's minions of the night. Unfortunately, when she arrives, she finds Tucker there alone...the beasts have already bee set loose on the school. While the rest of her friends are enjoying their prom experiences (even Xander and Anya, who get along oddly well despite the circumstances of their arranged date), Buffy tracks the demons and manages to kill all three, including one juuuuust outside the door to the gym!

When she finally arrives stag, she finds Angel there waiting for her. He reminds her that this changes nothing about their future, but he wants to give her the one perfect moment she so badly wanted to cap off her high school experience. The evening takes an even more overwhelming turn for Buffy when, after the normal awards have been given, Jonathan (the one from Earshot) takes the mic and calls Buffy to the stage. It's no secret that Buffy has done a lot to protect the students of Sunnydale High. Although she cannot publicly bask in any glory from all of her efforts, the school wishes to recognize her as their class guardian and award her with a symbolic umbrella in celebration of this being the class with the lowest mortality rate in school history.

The Skinny:

SABR Matt: Some might think the last second happy twist was a bit cornball. Those people can bite me. :) If that's corny, then it is a GOOD corny...it brings a tear to my eye EVERY. TIME. I guess I'm a softy at heart. This episode's biggest virtue is in delivering the message that love is NOT in fact all you need. There are many people out there right now who are involved in romantic relationships that are just not practical or particularly good for either in the coupling. They stay because they honestly do love each other...love very often overpowers our better judgments and makes us selfish (we know that when we are with this other person we feel happier and the thought of losing them makes us feel dreadful). Real love, however, doesn't begin until you reach the point where you can be unselfish in the giving of it. No one benefits long term from staying in a relationship that simply cannot work, no matter how badly the two might want it to.

This is a hard lesson for teenagers, especially, to learn. Every romance comes with mind-bending emotions that often leave young people blind to the future pitfalls. Even when those problems begin surfacing, teens tend to hang on for dear life to dysfunctional relationships. Here we have a resounding call for a longer view and a more mature outlook. Delivered first by Joyce (the PERFECT person to have that conversation with Angel), then by Angel and finally by Buffy. You need to do more than love someone to make a relationship last forever...real world concerns do in fact matter. That all by itself is enough to make me consider this episode a feature.

I'd give it a higher message score if not for the lingering concern I have over placing too much emphasis on a set schedule for the sequence of teenaged rites of passage. Half of the hardships faced in high school come from people not being ready to pass certain milestones on schedule. I wasn't ready to date at 16. I certainly wasn't ready to have sex in my undergraduate college days, and I don't think the enormous pressure that feel-good Hollywood teen romances and shows like this one put on kids to hit all the stages of maturation on schedule is doing us any favors. I can't be too hard on the writers for this, though. I am not certain that they intended to convey the message that those rites of passage are crucial to the teenaged experience...I think they were just honestly reflecting what teenagers THINK about those rites.

Stephanie S.: I don't think the ending of this episode is maudlin in the slightest. Given that Graduation Day is right around the corner, I think it's a very smart move to give us just this kind of emotional reprieve.


As you might've registered from my comments in earlier reviews, I love unsung heros. Recall, for example, that what moved me the most in The Wish was the alternate Giles' willingness to risk everything on his faith that other parallel universes are certainly better than his own. This time around, Buffy pushes the same button. That Buffy is willing to sacrifice her own happiness to ensure that her classmates have a perfect, demon-free prom shows with undeniable clarity why she is the protagonist of this series. And when her peers recognize her for her heroism, I don't find it corny. I find it appropriately sweet. There's a big difference.

Writing: 9.5 / 9.5

I call the reader's attention, in particular, to the scene between Joyce and Angel, the break-up scene between Buffy and Angel, and the amusingly written side-plot between Xander and Anya for examples of the well-crafted script.

Acting: 9.0 / 9.0


David Boreanez still sucks. But he's the only one in this episode. A good show by everyone else involved - particularly SMG.

Message: 9.0 / 9.0

I went back and forth from 10 to 8 to 9.5 and settled on 9. The overwhelmingly positive message about the need for love not to be blind pushes the show to at least an eight even including my concerns about overemphasizing things like the Prom. But the episode is also moved slightly further up the scale by the writers' implied beliefs regarding man-hating. Anya will play a very large role in later seasons, but her appearance here - her clucking about how men are all evil, directly countered by her desperate desire to be with one - says it all. :)

Highlights:

Anya: Xander!
Xander: Well, hey, it's demon Anya, punisher of evil males. Still haven't got your powers back? You haven't right?
Anya: No. I will, though. It's just a matter of time.
Xander: So now, how did that work? Women would wish horrible things upon their ex-boyfriends. You'd show up and make it happen.
Anya: That's right. The power of the Wish made me a righteous sword to smite the unfaithful.
Xander: Well, hey! Good luck with that. Hope it works out for you.
Anya: You know, you can laugh, but I have witnessed a millenium of treachery and oppression from the males of the species and I have nothing but contempt for the whole libidinous lot of them.
Xander: Then why are you talking to me?
Anya: (averts her eyes) I don't have a date for the prom. (BHAHAHAHAAAA!!!)
Xander: Well gosh. I wonder why not. It couldn't possibly have anything to do with your sales pitch?
Anya: Men are evil. Will you go with me? (LOL!!)
Xander: One of us is very confused, and I honestly don't know which.
Anya: You know, this happens to be all your fault.
Xander: My fault?
Anya: You were unfaithful to Cordelia so I took on the guise of a twelfth-grader to tempt her with the Wish. When I lost my powers I got stuck in this persona, and now I have all these feelings. I don't understand it. I don't like it. All I know is I really want to go to this dance and I want someone to go with me.
Xander: Be still my heart. Oh wait, it is. How come I got the short straw?
Anya: You're not quite as obnoxious as most of the alpha males around here. Plus I know you don't have a date. (snerk - Xander looks hurt)
Anya: Fine. Look, I know you find me attractive. I've seen you looking at my breasts.
Xander: Nothing personal, but when a guy does that, it just means his eyes are open. (hee!)
Anya: Whatever. Look, do you wanna go with me or not? (wow...LOL)

Oz: Anya, huh? Interesting choice.
Xander: Choice is kind of a broad term for my situation. See, it's either Anya or the sock puppet of love for this boy. (holds his right hand in puppet shape, speaks in silly voice) I love you, Xander. I'll never leave you. (LOL)
Willow: Well, if Anya tries to get you killed, put me down for a big 'I told you so.'
Xander: (puppet) Who's this Anya? Is she prettier than me?
Willow: She just better not try to cross me. That's all I'm saying. (aww)

Angel: Mrs. Summers.
Joyce: I'm sorry to, uh... Well, I would have called, but, you know.
Angel: Please, you're always welcome.
Joyce: My goodness, your place is amazing.
Angel: Yeah, I like a lot of space. I don't get out much during the day.
Joyce: No, you wouldn't. (Her gaze pauses on a set of manacles that are fastened to a wall.)
Angel: Can I get you something? I don't have any coffee.
Joyce: Oh, no thank you, I, uh... You don't drink? Beverages, I mean?
Angel: No, I do. It's just the caffeine. It makes me jittery.
Joyce: Oh. I understand Buffy spent the night.
Angel: I'm sorry about that. We came back after patrol.
Joyce: I, I'm not interested in the details. That's not why I'm here.
Angel: Okay.
Joyce: I'm here because I'm worried about you two. In general.
Angel: What happened before, when I changed, it won't happen again.
Joyce: That's not all I'm concerned about. I don't have to tell you that you and Buffy are from different worlds.
Angel: No, you don't.
Joyce: She's had to deal with a lot. Grew up fast. Sometimes even I forget that she's still just a girl.
Angel: I'm old enough to be her ancestor.
Joyce: She's just starting out in life.
Angel: I know. I think about it more now that she's staying in Sunnydale.
Joyce: Good. Because when it comes to you, Angel, she's just like any other young woman in love. You're all she can see of tomorrow. But I think we both know that there are some hard choices ahead. If she can't make them, you're gonna have to. I know you care about her. I just hope you care enough. (AWESOME! scene here)

Buffy: So it was blue and sorta short.
Willow: Not too shore, medium. And it had this weird, sorta fringey stuff on its arms.
Giles: (walking in) What's that, a demon?
Buffy: A prom dress that Will was thinking of getting. Can't you ever get your mind out of the hellmouth? (heh)

Buffy: (to Willow) We'll get you a dress. You know, we should check April Fools.
Cordelia: Don't go there! I shop there.
Xander: I myself am dipping into my road trip fund to procure a shiny new tux, so look for me to dazzle.
Giles: And I myself will be wearing pink taffeta as chenille would not go with my complexion. Can we *please* talk about the Ascension? (ROTFL!!)

Buffy: You need clothes. You don't have a tux, do you?
Angel: Since when did patrolling go black tie?
Buffy: For the prom, silly.
Angel: We have more important things to think about right now than a dance, Buffy.
Buffy: Sorry, Giles. I'll just be quiet. (LOL)
Angel: Come on, don't be that way. (A vampire drops from the roof, growling.)
Buffy: Not now. (stakes the vamp without even looking) I'm not being that way. Every time I say the word 'prom', you get grouchy.
Angel: I'm sorry. I'm just worried that you're getting too...invested in this whole thing.
Buffy: What whole thing? Isn't this the stuff that I'm supposed to get invested in? Going to a formal, graduating, growing up.
Angel: I know.
Buffy: Then what? What's with the dire?
Angel: It's uh, it's nothing.
Buffy: No, you have 'something' face.
Angel: I think we need to talk, but not now and not here.
Buffy: No. No, if you have something to say, then say it. (silence) Angel, drop the cryptic. You're scaring me.
Angel: I've been thinking... about our future. And the more I do, the more I feel like us, you and me being together, is unfair to you.
Buffy: Is this about what the Mayor said? Because he was just trying to shake us up.
Angel: He was right.
Buffy: No. No, he wasn't. He's the bad guy.
Angel: You deserve more. You deserve something outside of demons and darkness. You should be with someone who can take you into the light. Someone who can make love to you.
Buffy: I don't care about that. (so short sighted...so realistic)
Angel: You will. And children.
Buffy: Children? Can you say jumping the gun? I kill my goldfish. (LOL)
Angel: Today. But you have no idea how fast it goes, Buffy. Before you know it, you'll want it all, a normal life.
Buffy: I'll never have a normal life.
Angel: Right, you'll always be a Slayer. But that's all the more reason why you should have a real relationship instead of this, this freak show. (Buffy is stunned.) I didn't mean that.
Buffy: I'm gonna go.
Angel: (grabs her arm) I'm sorry. Buffy, you know how much I love you. It kills me to say this.
Buffy: Then don't. Who are you to tell me what's right for me? You think I haven't thought about this?
Angel: Have you, rationally?
Buffy: No. No, of course not. I'm just some swoony little schoolgirl, right? (that's right, Buffy...you are...whether you realize it or not)
Angel: I'm trying to do what's right here, okay? I'm trying to think with my head instead of my heart.
Buffy: Heart? You have a heart? It isn't even beating! (OOOOWCH!)
Angel: Don't.
Buffy: Don't what? Don't love you? I'm sorry. You know what? I didn't know that I got a choice in that. I'm never gonna change. I can't change. I want my life to be with you.
Angel: I don't.
Buffy: You don't want to be with me? I can't believe you're breaking up with me.
Angel: It doesn't mean that I don't ...
Buffy: How am I supposed to stay away from you?
Angel: I'm leaving. After the Ascension, after it's finished with the Mayor and Faith. If we survive, I'll go.
Buffy: Where?
Angel: I don't know.
Buffy: Is this really happening? (ouch)

Willow: So, that's it?
Buffy: That's it. Assuming we survive this Ascension thing, he's gonna leave town.
Willow: Well, he's a fool. He's just a big, dumb, jerk person if you ask me. And he's a super-maxi-jerk for doing it right before the prom.
Buffy: It's not his fault. He's 243 years old. He doesn't exactly get the prom.
Willow: But he should, if ...
Buffy: Will, it's okay. You don't have to make him the bad guy.
Willow: But that's the best friend's job, vilifying and grousing.
Buffy: Usually, yeah. But he's right. I mean, I think, maybe in the long run, that he's right.
Willow: Yeah, I think he is. I mean, I tried to hope for the best, but... I'm sorry. It must be horrible.
Buffy: I think horrible is still coming. Right now, it's worse. Right now, I'm just trying to keep from dying. (her face contorts in pain)
Willow: Oh Buffy. (Buffy leans over into Willow's lap and starts sobbing.)
Buffy: I can't breathe, Will. I feel like I can't breathe. (this scene is very sweet)

Xander: Okay, how long does it take you to buy a damn dress?
Cordelia: Xander! I, uh, I'm considering things a little more carefully nowadays. I don't want to get stuck with another dud. (defensive ZING)
Xander: Well this should work for you. It positively screams nympho. (counter-ZING)
Salesgirl: Is this a customer or a friend?
Xander: Neither. Just stopped by for my daily helping of bile.
Salesgirl: So you better get back to work and quit goofing. Mrs. Finkel so has it in for you.
Xander: You work here?
Cordelia: Yes. Yes, I work here.
Xander: But, uh, why?
Cordelia: I'm trying to buy a dress.
Xander: But don't you already have all the dresses? (all the dresses...LOL)
Cordelia: I have nothing, okay? No dresses. No cell phone. No car. Everything's been taken away because Daddy made a little mistake on his taxes. For the last twelve years. Satisfied? Are you a happy Xander now? I'm broke. I can't go to any of the colleges that accepted me. And I can't stay home because we no longer have one.
Xander: Uh, wow.
Cordelia: Yeah, neato. Now you can run along and tell all of your friends how Cordy finally got hers. How she has to work part time just to get a lousy prom dress on layaway. And how she has to wear a name tag. Oh, I'm a name tag person. Don't leave that out. The story just wouldn't have the same punch. (very sad scene...)

Giles: Tucker is planning to attack the prom tonight.
Oz: Once again, the Hellmouth puts the special in special occasion.
Xander: Why do I even buy tickets for these things, I ask you?
Willow: Wonder if I can take my dress back?
Buffy: (wakes up) Don't you dare.
Willow: But Tucker is going to...
Buffy: No! You guys are going to have a prom. The kind of prom that everyone should have. I'm going to give you all a nice, fun, normal evening if I have to kill every single person on the face of the earth to do it.
Xander: Yay? (ROTFL!!)

Buffy: Make not with the long faces. I got the address. Now the prom starts in a little while. I want you guys to go on and I'll catch up with you as soon as I put a lid on this jerk.
Xander: What? No way.
Willow: We can't just leave you, Buff.
Giles: Buffy, they're right. You need...
Buffy: To see taillights. Hit the door. I have everything under control.
Oz: Buffy, it makes sense to ...
Buffy: Have. A nice. Time. (LOL!)

Buffy: Angel's leaving me. He's leaving town.
Giles: Oh, Buffy, I'm sorry. I don't really know what to say. Um, I understand that this sort of thing requires ice cream of some kind? (aaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...Giles is awesome!)
Buffy: Ice cream will come. First, I want to take out psycho boy.
Giles: You sure?
Buffy: The great thing about being a Slayer, kicking ass is comfort food.

Jonathan: We have one more award to give out. Is Buffy Summers here tonight? Did she, um...(The crowd turns and finds her. She looks nervous at the attention)
Jonathan: This is actually a new category. First time ever. I guess there were a lot of write-in ballots, and, um, the prom committee asked me to read this. "We're not good friends. Most of us never found the time to get to know you, but that doesn't mean we haven't noticed you. We don't talk about it much, but it's no secret that Sunnydale High isn't really like other high schools. A lot of weird stuff happens here."
Crowd outbursts: Zombies! Hyena people! Snyder! (LOL)
Jonathan: "But, whenever there was a problem or something creepy happened, you seemed to show up and stop it. Most of the people here have been saved by you, or helped by you at one time or another. We're proud to say that the Class of '99 has the lowest mortality rate of any graduating class in Sunnydale history." (applause from the crowd) "And we know at least part of that is because of you. So the senior class, offers its thanks, and gives you, uh, this." (Jonathan produces a multicolored, glittering, miniature umbrella with a small metal plaque attached to the shaft.) It's from all of us, and it has written here, "Buffy Summers, Class Protector." (I be melting!!)

Wesley: Mr. Giles. I'd like your opinion. While the last thing I want to do is muddle bad behavior in front of impressionable youth, I wonder if asking Miss Chase to dance would...
Giles: For God's sake, man, she's eighteen. And you have the emotional maturity of a blueberry scone. Just have at it, would you, and stop fluttering about. (BWWWAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!)
Wesley: Right, then. Thanks for that. (Cut to the dance floor. Wesley and Cordelia begin to dance. Pan to Xander and Anya, dancing close.)
Anya: This isn't bad. (it's so cute watching Anya learn about human love! Cut to Buffy, watching the dancers. Giles comes up behind her.)
Giles: You did good work tonight, Buffy.
Buffy: And I got a little toy surprise.
Giles: I had no idea that children en masse could be gracious.
Buffy: Every now and then, people surprise you.
Giles: (looking past her) Every now and then. (Giles takes her umbrella and leaves. Buffy turns to see Angel at the door. They meet.)
Buffy: I never thought you'd come.
Angel: It's a big night. I didn't want to miss it. It's just tonight. It doesn't mean that I ...
Buffy: I know. I mean, I understand.
Angel: Dance with me?(awww)