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LuckyandBrownie t1_j9r8xvc wrote

The music is great, I still sing songs from it, and my go to insult is his eyes are beady. But I think it is so long lasting and special because of how well it fit the show. It wasn’t about the music it was about the characters expressing themselves, so every song is more memorable and meaningful.

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AmnesiaInnocent t1_j9riea7 wrote

Yes, one thing the article didn't make clear was that unlike the Psych, Scrubs or Flash musical episodes (those are the only other ones mentioned that I've seen), the songs in "Once More with Feeling" continue (or finally expose) season-long subplots, like Buffy's feelings after being pulled out of Heaven, or Tara's concern about Willow's use of magic....not to mention having the lyrics sprinkled with Easter Eggs for the fans such as the mention of bunnies or Xander's curse from the Chumash Indians from "Pangs" (S04E08)

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schleppylundo t1_j9s4ulw wrote

In a well-written traditional musical (so excluding sung-through ones like Les Miserables and Hamilton) music numbers are used to express feelings and emotions that the characters couldn’t or wouldn’t express through words alone. Making that part of the actual conceit of the episode and its dramatic fallout was a stroke of brilliance.

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[deleted] t1_j9wzwo8 wrote

But... It's guy love.. Between two guys.

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raziel_r t1_j9rj9x8 wrote

Don't think any other series did a musical episode anywhere near as well even after all this time.

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G_Liddell t1_j9stiu2 wrote

There's always Galavant

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redAppleCore t1_ja0vt6z wrote

If Galavant counts (which was amazing!) then I would like to make my vote for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Their musical numbers were amazing

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NasherBasher t1_j9tspz0 wrote

What about the Magicians?

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Deferential_dreams t1_j9vbmxw wrote

The Magicians had fun musical episodes (except the final one that just wasn’t good), and the cast had some really strong singers. That said, I have a hard time comparing because The Magicians didn’t use original songs, compared to musical episodes in shows like Buffy or Scrubs.

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tagen t1_j9vqgp6 wrote

You’re right about their singers, god damn

Especially Elliot, I still get the Dont Get Me Wrong song stuck in my head

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214ObstructedReverie t1_j9xez5r wrote

Man, that show really changed Take On Me for me forever....

Used to be a happy Reel Big Fish cover, and now it's all just sad.

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argentoromero t1_j9wp03l wrote

It seems like someone hasn't seen the musical episode of Todd and the Book of Pure Evil.

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shwaar t1_j9qz8l3 wrote

Personally, I liked the song, “Walk Into the Fire” or whatever it is more, but yeah, that whole episode was fire

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i_love_anachronisms t1_j9rgips wrote

Its arguably the best song from an episode filled with greqt music. I always had a soft spot for 'Going Through the Motions '. 'Under Your Spell' is a great little ready ready pop song. And who can forget the bunnies.

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bros402 t1_j9s1ykg wrote

AND I WIL WAAALK THROUGH THE FIIIIRE

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Tyster20 t1_j9s634e wrote

I think they are talking about the episode which is also titled "Once more with feeling"

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noairnoairnoairnoair t1_j9s2ab4 wrote

BUNNIES AREN'T JUST CUTE LIKE EVERYBOOOODY SUPPOOOOSES

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tamarzipan t1_j9t1cp3 wrote

They’ve go them floppy ears and twitchy little noses

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ShookPichu t1_j9v0zmk wrote

And what’s with all the carrots? Why do they need such a good eyesight for anywayyy?!

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krazy_kat_laddie t1_j9r920v wrote

They got...the mustard...out!!!!!!

But yeah, fun episode. Going Through the Motions sure hits harder as an adult. I must sing that to myself at least once every couple of weeks. Wish there was more love for the Xena musical episode that set off a bunch of these other musical episodes.

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bros402 t1_j9s2fes wrote

I love "She's not even half the girl she...ow"

Have you listened to the podcast Buffering the Vampire Slayer? It's from musician Jenny Owen Youngs and her ex-wife, Kristin Russo. She wrote a song for every single episode of Buffy.

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pa79 t1_j9v9n6q wrote

> I love "She's not even half the girl she...ow"

And "I think this line's mostly filler", Alyson Hannigan's only line in the song because she's bad at singing.

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bros402 t1_j9vepuw wrote

I like how they let Michelle Trachtenberg dance instead of sing because that is what she was more comfortable with.

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214ObstructedReverie t1_j9u9aqt wrote

I've been having a bad, bad day. Come on won't you put that pad away?

Those two throw away songs were great little cameos.

Mustard guy was David Fury, and the parking ticket lady was Marti Noxon, both writers/producers on the show.

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shadowdra126 t1_j9ro5j0 wrote

Dragon con does a “buffy” horror picture show live shadow cast with this episode each year and it is so much fun

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thrilling_me_softly t1_j9tnmaq wrote

They wrote their own songs not covering popular songs of the time. The songs had meaning to the plot and while only three of them could sign well, that’s didn’t really matter. It’s reveal of Buddy went to heaven and not he’ll when she died moved the plot along. Musical episodes tend to have no meaning to the story but this one was important to it. I still listen to the songs on Spotify every few months.

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ladyKfaery t1_j9sxlij wrote

Let me rest in peace is awesome, my fave song from this episode. The choreography alone.

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chameleonmessiah t1_j9tma9l wrote

‘So, you’re not staying then?’

Popping his out of the grave like the gopher at the end of Caddyshack. Perfect from James Marsters.

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KnotSoSalty t1_j9x3k3h wrote

That song completely turned me around on the Spike/Buffy relationship. All of a sudden he was undead Billy Idol and I got it.

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TheBSisReal t1_j9t8fkl wrote

And then they did a throwback to it in season 7 with a new song for Anya, “I’ll be Mrs.”

Mrs. Anya Lameass Made Up Maidenname Harris.

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tqbh t1_j9sxfjj wrote

It was not only a fun musical but had also a shocking revelation at the end, which was the high point of this season. This was also the last episode where Whedon was heavily involved (he wrote the music and directed it) outside of directing the finale. Think of him what your will now, but after he "left" the show became very mediocre.

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mikepictor t1_j9v264y wrote

"I can bring whole cities to ruin, and still have time to get a soft shoe in."

I've always loved that rhyme

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ds2316476 t1_j9ss5e5 wrote

Funny! I still hear the "I have a theory!" song every time someone has an idea or a theory.

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HOBOwithaTREBUCHET t1_ja4numj wrote

Just a PSA: Some editions of this episode are shorter than others. Be careful when purchasing it online. Make sure you're getting the full 50 minute version and not the 43 minute, TV edit.

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