It's the end of Angelus (for now), the end of Buffy's second season and the end of 16 millimeter film stock. Paul Maki joins the fun again as we take a look at the second half of this epic two-parter, Becoming. Giles has been kidnapped, Kendra has been murdered and Willow has resolve face. While Buffy tries to prevent the earth's impending destruction, her friends try to restore Angel's soul. To top it all off, Joyce finally learns of her daughter's secret life as a vampire slayer. All this show needs now is some heartbreaking piano music performed by Sarah McLachlan, and we've got a solid tearjerker on our hands... Oh, wait.

Who needs a hug?

As per usual, remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before beginning the episode on your DVD.

Crystal Smalling returns to the podcast for part one of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's second season finale, Becoming. Angelus wants to destroy the world. Spike just wants to grab Dru and skip town. Meanwhile, Buffy and her friends are trying to study for final exams. Everything comes to a head in this gripping finale that will have lasting effects on the next season and the series as a whole. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

Paul Maki returns for commentary on the twentieth episode from Buffy the Vampire Slayer's second season, "Go Fish". The promising members of Sunnydale High's swim team are shedding their skins, literally! It's up to Buffy and her friends to find the connection between these bizarre deaths and a recent crop of scaly sea creatures roaming the halls. Naturally, it all has something to do with the fall of the Soviet Union.... Naturally.

Please join Paul and I as we talk about Wentworth Miller, David Fury and the subtle message in this episode which warns us, "performance enhancing drugs are bad, m'kay?" Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the program on your DVD.

"I Only Have Eyes For You" is the nineteenth episode from the second season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Surrounding the day of the Sadie Hawkins Dance, a couple of ghosts from 1955 are possessing random folks at Sunnydale High, forcing them to play out a forgotten crime of passion, ending in murder and suicide. Things go from bad to worse when Buffy and Angelus become the next vessels for these tortured spirits.

Crystal Smalling (Three Chicks & A Mic and the Squint Squad) joins the show as we take a closer look at this episode about role reversal, heartbreak and forgiveness. In this commentary, Crystal and I discuss snakes, poltergeists and the possibility of a few hidden, subtle fashion statements.

Please listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

Eighteen episodes into Buffy the Vampire Slayer's second season brings us to, "Killed By Death". Buffy isn't feeling her Wheaties. The Scoobies take her to the hospital. While recovering from the flu, she learns the Children's Ward is being visited by a mysterious figure every night and killing kids who are too weak to fight back. Is it the Doctor and his questionable experiments? Is it the invisible, eye-popping monster with an underbite? Hard to say. I guess you'll just have to watch and find out. :)

Please join Paul Maki and I as we discuss the high level of gullibility of Sunnydale residents, Day for Night shooting and the debate over whether or not Power Girl was created for the show, or if she's a preexisting superhero (Turns out, she is in fact a DC Comics Character. I knew it!).

Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

Paul Maki returns for the seventeenth episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's second season, "Passion". Angelus is stalking Buffy, killing Willow's fish and leaving delightful, creep-o-gram drawings for the Slayer and her friends to find. Meanwhile, Jenny Calendar is working on a rare, forgotten spell to restore Angel's soul. Also, Joyce learns of her daughter's recent intimacy with an older man. Much older. Much, much older. In any case, relationships are tested, secrets are revealed and someone dies.

Please join Paul and I as we talk about building sets versus shooting on location, practical effects versus CGI, strong casting and even vampire etiquette. NOTE: You may hear it on occasion, but I was enjoying a plate of angel hair pasta during this recording. :)

Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

The fifteenth episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's second season is all about "Phases". I'm joined by Paul Maki, from Geek By Night. It seems that Sunnydale is in the cycle of the full moon. A werewolf takes this as an opportunity to go trolling for late night snacks. It's up to Buffy and her friends to stop the big, bad wolf from eating civilians, or worse yet, making more of its kind. And on a completely unrelated note (I covered that up pretty nicely), Willow and Oz are making moon eyes at each other.

Join Paul and I as we talk about continuity errors, visible crew members, exposition and expensive globes. That's right, globes. Please listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

Spiffy! The fourteenth episode from the second season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer brings us to Innocence. In the conclusion to this two-parter, Angel has lost a soul, but gained some swagger. This does not bode well for Buffy, after having done some "stuff" with Angel the night before. Thanks to Jenny Calendar's Gypsy ancestors, and their inability to let things go, Angel's cursed. Buffy soon learns the hard way that you really do hurt the ones you "love". Can she bring herself to do what must be done? Is there a weapon forged that can destroy The Judge? Do you really not know the answers to these questions by now?

Join Rachel Gatlin and I as we discuss inconsistent wardrobes, Gellar's heartbreaking performance, sexual milestones, an ever-expanding Sunnydale, a strange appreciation for matchbooks and the latest game to sweep the nation, Six Degrees Of Joss Whedon.

NOTE: UrbanDictionary.com defines "Wiggins" as:

The state of being uncomfortable or freaked out.

I want to go home, this place gives me the wiggins.

Just as before, please listen for the preemptive countdown before beginning the episode on your DVD.

Surprise is the thirteenth episode from Buffy the Vampire Slayer's second season. In this epic two-part event, Buffy's birthday has arrived, which basically seems to always coincide with lots of sex and lots of death. Go figure. Meanwhile, Spike and Dru are planning their own celebration, in honor of resurrecting the world's oldest and scariest Smurf (for now, but more on that later. Much, much later), more commonly known as The Judge.

Rachel Gatlin and I discuss wheelchair-bound vampires, the rules of pranking on party guests and the smooth pimpness of Angel and Oz. We also talk briefly about the passing of veteran, character actor, Vincent Schiavelli. Like I said, lots of sex and lots of death. Halfway through season two, and the party is still going strong.

As per usual, please listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

Twelve episodes into season two of Buffy the Vampire Slayer brings us to Bad Eggs. The school is pairing off students to take part in an early form of parenting, by using eggs. Unfortunately, these particular eggs are mind-controlling, energy sucking parasites. In Sunnydale, apparently, even your breakfast is evil and out to get you. Rachel Gatlin and I discuss shopping mall etiquette, overbearing mothers, gigapets and the excessive amount of stuffed animals on Buffy's bed.

Please listen for my preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

The eleventh episode from Buffy's second season brings us to "Ted". Rachel Gatlin and I sit down to watch one of Joss Whedon's favorite episodes. In it, a new man is suddenly showing up in the Summers household. He rather quickly and easily wins the trust and affection of Joyce and the Scoobies, but Buffy herself is convinced something is rotten in Sunnydale. Who is this man named Ted, and what's the deal with all the crazy malarkey going on?

Rachel and I discuss busy shirts, the surprising lack of an official soundtrack score album, the pros and cons of 16-millimeter film and the late, great John Ritter. He's a man known for expert, comic timing and genuine warmth and sincerity. Gone, but never forgotten.

Just as before, please listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

NOTE: Rachel and I briefly mention Ritter's passing, unable to recall exactly when it happened. Apparently, we were both mistaken. John Ritter died on September 11th, 2003, barely a week before his 55th birthday.

Rachel Gatlin and I keep the party going with What's My Line?, Part Two. In the tenth episode of Buffy's second season, Kendra shows up. She's called to Sunnydale as a replacement Slayer, after that brief moment from Prophecy Girl when Buffy died, just a little. Rachel and I talk about lipstick on Men, vampires who breathe, Seth Green's ever-changing hair color from scene to scene and the apparent absence of a dress code at Sunnydale High. This just in: Giles secretly collects action figures.

As per usual, please listen for a preemptive countdown before beginning the episode on your DVD.

Finally: the ninth episode from season two of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, What's My Line? (Part 1). Joining me for this two-part event is Rachel Gatlin, from Geek By Night. It's Career Day at Sunnydale High, and Buffy is considering a job in law enforcement. Meanwhile, Spike and Drusilla send three assassins after the Slayer. Rachel and I discuss the difficulty of ice skating, the meaning behind whacky neckties, the importance of potassium, and bad Jamaican accents. All the while, the battle of the hair rages on: Buffy Summers vs. Rachel Green.

As is generally the case with these commentaries, please listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

The Dark Age is the eighth episode from the second season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It seems that Giles was something of a miscreant during his formative years in England. One night of dabbling in the dark arts results in the death of a friend, the unleashing of a globe-trotting demon and a freaky tattoo. Now, Giles must own up to his sins of long ago, as his murderous past has caught up with him.

Throw in the slithering Ethan Rayne, the sexy Jenny Calendar and one nasty-looking demon, and The Dark Age is the place to be. Join me as I talk about unexplainable green lighting, a possible connection to Firefly by way of set decoration and one of the more baffling continuity mistakes in the history of this series. As per usual, please listen for my preemptive countdown before starting the episode on your DVD.

Slightly less than 7 years since they were released, Stu picked up the umpteenth reissue of the DVD set of Buffy season 2. Though the new fangled optical discs confounded him for some time, he was nonetheless finally able to make the episode Lie to Me appear on his computer screen and thus join John for a commentary.

Of course, the very fact that Stu made this purchase all but guarantees one of two things: either (a) the Chosen Collection will come crashing down in price or (b) Fox will announce a forthcoming HD release with shiny new bonus content. If it turns out to be option (b) then all you crafty consumers who waited more than 7 years will know who to thank...

Notes:
Lie to Me @ Buffyguide.com
Lie to Me @ TV.com
Lie to Me @ Wikipedia
Lie to Me screencaps @ Screencap Paradise
Buffy episode table @ RankItAll.com

It's all about chaos and costumes in Halloween, the sixth episodes from the second season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Willow becomes a hot ghost, Xander becomes a soldier, Buffy becomes a noblewoman and Cordelia is still Cordelia, but with cute, plastic cat ears. Ethan Rayne makes his first appearance and we see that Giles has a bit of a dark side.

In this commentary, I talk about volunteer work, trick or treat and the inconsistency of the vampire invitation rule. As usual, be sure to listen for my preemptive countdown before beginning Halloween on your DVD.

For the record, the last time I dressed up for Halloween, I was Leonard Shelby from the film, Memento. So, had I been in Sunnydale at the time, I would have been struck with short-term memory loss and a taste for murderous revenge. As Buffy would say, "It's good to be me." :)

Reptile Boy is the fifth episode from the second season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. While altogether funny and entertaining, it stands as one of the more well known Public Service Announcements of the series. What we learn here is that alcohol is bad, college guys are up to no good and if you discard your responsibilities, you just might get eaten by a giant snake monster.

Join me, as I discuss set dressing overkill, transparent clothing and the top notch acting performances from Nicholas Brendon and Charisma Carpenter. As is usually the case, listen for my cue to start your DVD for synchronization purposes. Remember kids, friends don't let friends drink and slay.

Please drink responsibly.... or I'll stab you with a spork.

Inca Mummy Girl is the fourth episode from the second season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. That much, I do know. Apparently, that's pretty much it. A few corrections I want to point out: In this commentary, I mistakenly refer to the actor playing Devon as the actual lead vocalist for the band, Four Star Mary. After researching the episode for show notes, something I probably should have done before the recording, I realize now that Jason Hall is an actor, playing the role of a musician. My apologies for the mix-up. Also, I talk about how Devon isn't in the show after season two. This is also false. Jason Hall appears quite a few times throughout season three, and at least once in season four. Again, I'm sorry for my ignorance.

Anyway, Inca Mummy girl gives us an abundance of at least three good things: Seth Green, cinematic lighting, quality music by Four Star Mary, Willow in an Eskimo outfit and special guest star, Ara Celi. Oh, and a mummy. Can't forget about the mummy. Okay, so that's clearly more than three good things. I can't help it, there's a lot to enjoy about this episode. I mean, it's another solid Xander-themed episode. What's not to love? You're not supposed to answer that. It's rhetorical.

The disembodied voice of Brandon Ortega joins me via speakerphone, or via my unstable psyche, I forget which. In any case, we talk about the second episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's second season, Some Assembly Required. As we first discover during this episode, in Sunnydale, there are many different ways to bring someone back from the dead. Two students apply the classic, Frankenstein method. They're hoping to revive the promise of a once great football hero. He's been totally off his game ever since he caught a slight case of death.

Unfortunately, the guy gets greedy and demands a mate. They decide to go after Cordelia Chase and her pretty, little head to complete the jigsaw puzzle of body parts. Sounds like the perfect plan to me. She is, after all, the apex of the cheerleading pyramid. If this episode teaches you anything, it's that dead guys need love, too.

Finally, I have returned from my extensive hiatus. I'm back, I'm bad and I'm spreading the Buffy love....Eeeewww. Nevermind. Forget what I just said. In an attempt to bring back some semblance of order and chronology, I tackle the opener for season two, When She Was Bad. In it, Buffy returns to Sunnydale after her own little hiatus. She brings along with her a major Joan Collins 'tude. Could her new Bitca vibes be connected to the resurrecting power of The Master's remains? Yeah, sure. Why not?

Meanwhile, Willow's got something on her face (a cuteness booger, I call it) and Xander does a little Dirty Dancing with the Buffster to the sensuous sounds of Cibo Matto. Well actually, it's more like he just stands there while The Slayer grinds up against him, but honestly I'd be paralyzed from the neck down, too. :)

It feels great to back in the saddle, and by saddle, I mean of course my squeaky computer chair!

Right on time, John and Brandon deliver another in absentia Buffy commentary. The episode in question, Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered, is a season 2 highlight which sees Xander channel the very best of The Average White Band as a love spell goes awry. Join the guys as they attempt to solve the greatest ethical conundrum posed in the entire 7 season run: if you were Xander, would you unwrap Buffy?

Fall TV mini-update: I just saw the pilot episode of Standoff and quite enjoyed it. Perfect timing then for Fox to order another 3 scripts and bring the running tally for season 1 to 19 episodes. Here's hoping they make it to 22...

In perfect time for me developing a sore throat, here comes a dusty volume from the archives to save the day. Although House of the Dead was the first commentary Brandon appeared on that was posted to the website, he and John actually recorded two Buffy tracks for season 2 episodes some time beforehand. To spare my vocal chords for the week I present the first of these, recorded for episode 3 of season 2, School Hard, in which a certain peroxide blonde makes his first appearance. And to think they were going to kill him off before the end of the season...