Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Once More, with Feeling

Episode number 107 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Once More, With Feeling - was an episode breakthrough for international television. It was a musical, so daring and bold, where the cast did all their own singing and the creator wrote all the music and lyrics. It was an amazing achievement and as a big Buffy fan I have to admit I was not disappointed by the episode. The CD is also brilliant, and as well as all the songs from the episode, it has some scores and suites from other episodes, like Hush and Restless, two of my other favourite epiodes beside OMWF.

Here's my track-by-track guide to ONCE MORE, WITH FEELING...

TRACK 1 - OVERTURE/GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS
Nice overture, and Going Through the Motions is one of the many comedic highlights of the episode while also showing Buffy's discontentment with her life. A great song, but would've worked better with the sound effects from the episode.

TRACK 2 - I'VE GOT A THEORY/BUNNIES/IF WE'RE TOGETHER
Awesome track, and...Read more

Everyone involved in Once More With Feeling - from Joss to Christophe, from Jesse to Marti, from every mainstay and guest star to each extra or backup dancer - is to be thanked and praised. A musical episode is a huge undertaking and it was pulled off brilliantly.

Once More, With Feeling was a true musical. Sometimes, folks burst into song for no reason; other times, it was just the right time and place. It offered funny tunes (The Parking Ticket), a jazzy duet (I'll Never Tell), showstopping ballads (Under Your Spell, Standing), the group numbers and more. The hour was replete not just with songs but with emotion. It moved the stories, the people and the plots forward. This episode shook up almost every friendship and relationship and altered the course of the season. Secrets were revealed, hearts were broken, lives were changed.

Much like I pay heavy attention to the writing in a regular episode - the dialogue, the snappy our-show-only lingo to which we've grown fond, grown...Read more

"Once More with Feeling" is a definitive "Buffy" episode. It displays the zany humor of the show, the dark brooding emotions, and the daring ability to take risks by the show's cast and creator. The cast's voices are good - not all great - but good and the songs honestly reflect the lives of the characters at this point in the show's development. Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy)'s voice is occasionally flat, but her stunning "Something to Sing About" is a heartbreakingingly honest performance. Other cast members whose voices excel include Amber Benson (magical Tara), Anthony Head (bookish Giles), and James Marsters (cynical vampire Spike). All efforts are put forth to create an incredible piece of pop culture that outshines many of its predecessors and, most likely, many that will follow.