Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Recap/S2/E06 Halloween

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.

Spike: Tomorrow's Halloween. Nothing happens on Halloween.
Drusilla: Someone's come to change it all. Someone new.

It's Halloween, and Principal Snyder forces Buffy and her friends into chaperoning small children while they trick-or-treat. The Scoobies head off to a newly opened costume shop. Keen to impress Angel, Buffy picks out a beautiful 18th century style gown. The shop owner, Ethan, compliments her taste and offers her a deal. Willow decides to go for the "sheet over the head" ghost outfit, and Xander buys a toy gun to go with his army fatigues from home.

Later that night, Ethan seems much less innocuous as he chants to an evil-looking statue in the back of his shop. At the same time, Drusilla feels that something has changed in the air. She informs Spike that that the time is ripe to attack the Slayer. Ethan's spell takes effect, and everyone wearing a costume from his store turns into the respective persona. Willow becomes a literal ghost, able to walk through walls, Xander a trigger-happy soldier, and Buffy a hapless 18th-century noblewoman.

Willow rushes them to Buffy's house, where they find that Cordelia has not been affected by what she's wearing—a cat costume—because she bought her costume from a different, high-end store. Willow alerts Giles to what's going on, and it becomes clear that the problem arose at the costume shop. They head to back to Ethan's, where it's revealed that Giles and Ethan know each other. He orders Willow to leave and then interrogates Ethan to learn how to reverse the spell.

The Scoobies, led by Angel and Xander, manage to take refuge in an empty warehouse; however, they're quickly tracked down by Spike and his minions, who are hot on their heels. Just as Spike is about to kill Buffy, Ethan breaks and reveals that the spell is emanating from the statue, which Giles hurls to the floor. Buffy reverts to her old self, and with his minions reverted back to children Spike beats a hasty retreat. The next day, Giles heads back down to the costume shop to confront Ethan, but the shop has been cleared. He'll be back...

Tropes used in Halloween include:
  • Abandoned Warehouse[context?]
  • An Aesop: Willow awakens on the porch, no longer a ghost and happy to be alive. She reflexively starts to put the sheet back on, but thinks better of it and ditches it. "How She Dies" by Treble Charger starts up as she strides confidently away.
  • Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking: Snyder says that Buffy's usual plans for the night will be put on hold. "Halloween must be a big night for you. Tossing eggs, keying cars, bobbing for apples, one pathetic cry for help after another."
  • Attempted Rape / Percussive Therapy: Cap'n Larry (?) accosting Buffy in an alley. Luckily, Xander comes to the rescue and tackles him.

"It's strange, but beating up that pirate gave me a weird sense of closure."

Willow: [under her breath] She couldn't have dressed up like Xena?

"Janus, I call forth your spirit. Hear my cause, seize the night for your purpose. Come, appear, and show to us that which is infinite power. The mask is transformed into flesh and blood. Your holy presence curdles the heart. Janus! Take the night!"

  • Bridal Carry: Seeing Spike coming, the Scoobs make for a nearby warehouse, with Angel carrying the helpless Buffy.
  • Buffy-Speak: Xander and Larry's greeting. "Hey, Lar. You're looking Cro-Mag' as usual."
    • Willows asks if Angel was mad about Buffy's lateness due to an unscheduled slayage. "Actually," Buffy recalls sourly, "he was pretty un-mad."
    • Buffy examining her costume in the mirror and beaming. "I'll show him I can coif with the best of 'em."
  • Bully Hunter: Buffy, on accident.
  • Calling Me a Logarithm

Xander: She must be right. We must have some kind of amnesia.
Buffy: I don't know what that is, but I'm certain I don't have it. I bathe quite often!

  • Cassandra Truth: Buff and Willow dropping the bombshell that Angel's a vampire. Cordelia thinks they're just trying to scare her off.
  • Catgirl: Sadly averted with Cordelia. There is another feral-looking cat demon amongst the cursed trick-or-treaters.
  • Cheap Costume: Xander can't afford a costume, so he instead buys a toy gun to go along with his Army Surplus fatigues. "Call me the two dollar costume king, baby."
  • Classical Mythology: Janus, who isn't quite as maniacal as this show would have you believe.
  • Comically Missing the Point: Buffy plowing Xander's tormentor into a soda machine. The impact knocks loose a cola, which Buffy grabs excitedly, ignoring Xander who stands aghast.

Xander: Do you know what you just did?
Buffy: Saved a dollar?

    • Buffy opines that Willow should quit hiding, as she's missing the entire point of Halloween.

Willow: Free candy?

Willow: It's too bad we can't sneak a look at the Watcher diaries and read up on Angel. I'm sure it's full of fun facts to know and tell.
Buffy: Yeah. It's too bad. That stuff is private.
Willow: Also Giles keeps them in his office. In his personal files.
Buffy: Most importantly, it would be wrong.

  • Crash Into Hello: Oz crashing into Willow as she's wearing her ridiculous ghost costume, continuing the theme from "Inca Mummy Girl". Subverted in that with the sheet over her head, Oz doesn't even realise she's Eskimo Girl.
  • Cringe Comedy: Buffy showing up at The Bronze with pieces of straw sticking out of her hair. Cordy snidely compliments her on the "Street Urchin" look.
  • Curse Cut Short: Buffy immediately disobeying Willow's order to stay put. Xander overrules her. Buffy blabs some more about her hopes someone nice will marry her, "possibly a baron." Well, this Baron is here to serve you a nice glass of shut the hell up, lady.

Xander: Ma'am, in the Army we have a saying. Sit down and shut the--

  • Department of Redundancy Department: "Must have been wonderful," Buffy sighs forlornly. "Put on some fantabulous gown and go to a ball like a princess, and have horses and servants, and yet more gowns."
    • Willow's verdict on her new costume is that it just "isn't me." Buffy's having none of that.

Buffy:And that's the point. Look, Halloween is the night that not-you is you, but not you -- you know?

  • Disproportionate Retribution: A pleasant older woman answers her door, unaware that the demon mask-wearing kids have reverted to the real thing. She looks in her basket and apologizes: she's run out of candy. Try saying that with a hand around your windpipe, lady.
  • Distress Ball: While grappling with another vampire (during which Buffy is no help at all), Angel turns to Buffy in game face. Buffy screams and runs out of the house.
  • Double Entendre: Angel tells Buffy that the noblewomen of his time bored him. "I always wished I could meet someone... exciting. Interesting." He's referring to Buffy, but it also explains his attraction to his sire, Darla.
  • Dramatic Wind: Signifies that Ethan's spell has taken hold.
  • Edible Bludgeon: A pair of them in the teaser: Upon being knocked down, Buffy looks up and sees a mook vampire coming at her. She reaches for something. The vamp get beaned with a gourd, and then with a whole pumpkin.
  • Embarrassing Rescue: Xander moves to defend Buffy's honor, only for Buffy herself to appear out of nowhere, arm-twist Larry and tell him to beat it, which he does.

Xander: A black eye heals, Buffy, but cowardice has an unlimited shelf life!

  • Escort Mission: Snyder's assignment: Take the kids treak-or-treating and return them safe and sound, or you're (What else?) expelled.
  • Everything's Better with Rainbows: Willow's rainbow suspenders. Foreshadowing high-fives itself.
  • Exact Eavesdropping: With Buffy gone, the remaining Scoobies go look for her. Angel points out that she's helpless while under the spell. Only he says it loudly enough that Spike, who's behind a nearby tree, overhears him. Nice one. Spike has assembled a posse of kid-demons, and tells them that "the tenderest meat you've ever tasted" is out there, and all they have to do is find her first.
  • Expansion Pack Past: This is the first time Giles's old nickname (Ripper) is used. It also introduces his shady past.
  • Expospeak Gag: Xander's rejoinder to those who believe he and Buffy are "Just Friends."

"I like to think of it less as a friendship and more as a solid foundation for future bliss."

    • Buffy telling Giles to get a life, suggesting that he go to this place where "you sit in the dark, and there are these moving pictures, right? And the pictures tell a story."
  • Face Framed in Shadow[context?]
  • Fainting: Willow proclaims that they need to find -- a gown-wearing Buffy appears in the frame behind Xander -- "Buffy!" A couple more demon-kids move to surround them. Xander says they have a situation, and Willow asks Buffy what they should do. Buffy faints dead away.
  • Failed a Spot Check: Willow explaining that they have to go get Giles, telling Cordy to sit tight. Cordelia sneers, "Who died and made her the boss?" Behind her, Willow walks straight through a wall. Buffy sees this over Cordy's shoulder, and her eyes go wide.
    • Averted with Angel noticing that Buffy's door is open.
  • False Camera Effects[context?]
  • Fish Out of Temporal Water: An SUV rounds the bend with its headlights on, and Buffy cowers behind Xander. A DEMON!!

Willow: That's not a demon. It's a car.
Buffy: What does it want?

  • Foreign Cuss Word: Willow's line, "Wild on me equals spaz" was cut when the episode was shown on the BBC because in the UK, "spaz" is an offensive term often used to describe a handicapped or disabled person.
  • Forgotten Friend, New Foe: In the shop, Giles and Ethan have their reunion. Giles greets Ethan by name. "Hello, Ripper.", Ethan snarks. He asks if Giles isn't pleased to see his "old mate."
  • Foe Yay: Giles/Ethan. Fanon says they used to be lovers during his "Ripper" days.

Ethan: What? No hug? Aren't you pleased to see your old mate, Rupert?

Cordelia: Oh, he's a vampire. Of course! But the cuddly kind. Like a Carebear with fangs?

  • Got Volunteered: Principal Snyder, holding a clipboard, rudely yanks back a passing student and informs her that she's "volunteering." Xander notes that Snyder is using a loose definition of the word "volunteer." Seconds later, it's too late, as Snyder slaps his hand on Buffy's shoulder. Willow looks glum and Xander amused as Snyder hands Buffy a pen to sign up, but then both look horrified when Snyder hands them each a pen of their own.
  • Halloween Episode
  • Hidden Depths: "Everything's switching. Outside to inside." Giles reveals his inner Ripper, Willow shows her leadership skills, Xander his future potential as a Badass Normal, and Buffy the vulnerability she hides beneath her perky persona. Cordelia of course remains Cordelia.
  • I Just Want to Be Normal

Buffy: Dates are things normal girls have. Girls who have time to think about nail polish and facials. You know what I think about? Ambush tactics. Beheading. Not exactly the stuff dreams are made of.

  • Improvised Weapon: At the climax of the teaser, Buffy chucks a stake at the vampire mook. He blocks it with a scarecrow's pumpkin head. Buffy eventually yanks a signpost out of the ground, sweeps the vamp's feet with it, and stakes him with the pointy end.
  • Instant Plunder, Just Add Pirates: Larry's pirate costume turns him into (what else?) a swarthy buccaneer.
  • Intangible Girl[context?]
  • It Was Here, I Swear: Giles reenters Ethan's store, which has been cleaned out. He finds a card that simply says, "BE SEEING YOU"
  • It's a Long Story: Back at the house, Angel's baffled as to what's going on. Cordelia gives him the skinny: "They don't know who they are, everyone's turned into a monster, it's a whole big thing. [bright smile] How are you?"
  • Jack Bauer Interrogation Technique: Giles tells Ethan to break the spell and leave town, and that if he does, he gets to live. Ethan starts to wisecrack how scared he is, but Giles lightning-quickly punches him and knocks him to the ground. Ethan lies on the floor, and, though deflated, muses that maybe the Ripper isn't dead after all. Giles repeats his question and wing-tips Ethan in the ribs. Ouch!
  • Lame Excuse: Buffy feebly telling Snyder that she can't chaperone the kids, since her "carpal tunnel syndrome" tragically prevents her from holding a flashlight.
  • Laser-Guided Amnesia

Willow: Buffy, are you hurt?
Buffy: (confused) Buffy?
Willow: (to Xander) She's not Buffy.
Xander: Who's Buffy?
Willow: Oh, this is fun.

  • Last-Second Word Swap: The doorbell rings, and Buffy happily says that it'll be Xander, who will go "non-verbal" when he sees Willow. Willow looks pensive. Downstairs, Xander flips over Buffy's getup when she opens the door. Buffy curtsies in response, but excitedly tells Xander, "wait'll you see--" Willow appears on the stairs wearing the ghost sheet. "--Casper."
  • Let Us Never Speak of This Again: Buffy trying to apologize for the Larry incident. "Do you mind, Buffy? I'm trying to repress."
  • Linked-List Clue Methodology: In the library, Willow and Giles lay out the backstory again. He asks what her costume is, and she tells him she's a ghost. Warily, Giles examines her fetish-wear and asks, "The ghost of what, exactly?" Willow covers herself up and gets defensive, describing Cordy's catsuit for some perspective. This points them to a clue, namely that Cordy didn't change. Willow says that Cordy got her costume at Party Town, but the rest of them got theirs at a new place, "Ethan's." Giles' glaring eyes indicate that he recognizes the name.
  • The Load: Buffy seems to be channeling the spirit of Willie Scott in this episode, complete with Anvilicious blabbering about how women aren't supposed to fight.
  • Macho Masochism: Xander feeling cheated at Buffy not allowing Larry to turn him into hamburger.

Buffy: OK, then I promise, from now on I'll let you get pummeled.
Xander: Thank you.

  • Masculine Girl, Feminine Boy: Xander feels unmasculine when Buffy fights his battles.
  • The Matchmaker: Exploited by Buffy while attempting to stall Giles. During this dizzying exchange, Buffy is surreptitiously beckoning to Willow to come in, but she's too slow. Finally, Giles has had enough, and Buffy blurts, "--Miss Calendar said you were a babe!" (Willow looks at Buffy all "I can't believe you just went there.")

Buffy: She said that you were a hunk of...burning...something or other.

  • No Snack for You: Xander and the uncooperative soda machine.
  • Not What It Looks Like: Angel twiddles his thumbs at a table in The Bronze. Cordelia, like a well-manicured vulture, swoops in for the kill. Angel says he's waiting for Buffy, and Cordy reveals that she's there to be meet a member of Oz's band, but he seems to have flaked. On cue, Buffy enters and quickly spies the pair of them smiling together.
  • Offscreen Teleportation: Ethan's body vanishes as soon as Giles turns his attention to the statue.
  • Ominous Multiple Screens: Spike reviewing a tape of Buffy's fight at the start of the episode. The images play on a GLaDOS-style halo of TV sets mounted on the factory ceiling. (Angel later sends them crashing through the floor in "Surprise".)
  • Our Ghosts Are Different[context?]
  • Pimped-Out Dress[context?]
  • Pistol-Whipping: Xander clocking a demon-kid with the butt of his rifle.
  • Plot Hole: When Buffy and Angel move to the kitchen, they find the door open. A vampire has gotten in. This isn't possible as a vampire can't come in uninvited.
    • Although I suppose it's possible that the vamp is really a kid wearing a Dracula costume.
  • Pre-Ass-Kicking One-Liner: As soon as Giles shatters the statue, we cut to the warehouse, where Xander's gun has reverted to a toy. The mini-demons are kids again. Spike looks around, confused, and then Buffy's wig comes off in his hand. Uh oh. Buffy, now her old self, gets up, and, with a sunny smile, starts kicking Spike's ass. "Hi honey. I'm home."
  • Princess for a Day: Buffy plans to dress like a noblewomen to suit Angel's tastes. "Call it a blast from his past."
  • Promise Me You Won't X: Buffy calling to Willow to come out and show off her new costume. Willow reluctantly obeys ("Promise me you won't laugh?"): her hair is up, and she's wearing makeup, a black leather skirt, and a midriff-baring brown top. Va Va Voom.
  • Really Gets Around: Larry inquiring as to whether Xander and Buffy are a couple. When the answer is negative, he's psyched, because he heard Buffy is "fast."

Xander: I hope you mean "like the wind."

  • Reset Button: Averted. Xander gains the knowledge and skills of an experienced soldier after Ethan's spell. This is handy in later episodes.
  • Reveal Shot: We open on a pumpkin stand. The camera pans down to reveal a sign informing us that Halloween is two days away, and a jack-o'-lantern. --Hey, where's the Batman Cold Open? Aha, here it comes. Buffy comes flying into the frame and lands on her derrière, smashing the jack-o'-lantern.
  • Ritual Magic: Ethan, clad in ceremonial robe, chanting to a bust of Janus in the back room of his shop. Ethan anoints his own eyelids and forehead with some grease, and declares that himself a servant of chaos. Nothing ominous about this at all.
  • Screw Learning, I Have Phlebotinum / Took a Level in Badass: Solider Xander.
    • Giles, whose "sniveling tweed-clad" persona might, according to Ethan, be just an act.
  • Security Cling: Buffy spend such of the episode sidling behind Xander. Later, when the lights go out in the house, Buffy reflexively grabs Cordy, who snits, "Do you mind?"
  • Sensei for Scoundrels: Xander pacing up and down and giving his children a Patton-style speech on how to scam extra candy.

Okay, on sleazing extra candy -- tears are key. Tears will normally get you the double-bagger. You can also try the old 'you missed me' routine, but it's risky. Only go there for chocolate. Understood?

  • Shaped Like Itself: Oz complimenting Cordy's attire, consisting of a unitard with cat ears and drawn-on whiskers. "You're like a big cat."
  • She Cleans Up Nicely: The effect Buffy was going for. Inverted with Willow's purposely trashy outfit.
    • Buffy attempts to get Willow to do the whole "coming down the staircase" thing to impress Xander, albeit dressed as a hot goth rather than a fairytale princess. However, Willow backs out and comes down the stairs... in a traditional "sheet" ghost costume.
  • Shut Up, Kirk: Giles is surprised he didn't guess Ethan was behind the "Halloween stunt." He goes on that it's "sick" and "harms the innocent."

Ethan: Oh, and we all know that you are the champion of innocents and all things pure and good, Rupert. It's quite a little act you've got going here, old man.

  • Skewed Priorities: Cordelia whining about her ruined costume and how Party Town willl never give her deposit back.
  • Smash Cut: Willow noting that it's too bad they can't read up on Angel in the Watcher diaries. Buffy, in a mischievous tone, agrees that it's too bad, as Giles keeps them in his office with his personal files, and that stuff is private. "Most importantly, it would be wrong." Cue to Willow and Buffy cat-burgling their way into Giles' office.
    • Drusilla sensing that "someone new" is about to turn Halloween on its head. Creepy music swells, and we cut to Ethan in ceremonial robes, reciting a paen to his Janus bust.
  • Stop Helping Me!: Buffy studying a drawing of a 1775 noblewoman and moping that she'll never be like her. Willow tries being supportive, pointing out the freakishness of the girl's tiny waist. "Thank you," Buffy snorts. "Now I feel better."
  • Stop or I Will Shoot: Unable to shoot a pack of kid demons, Xander lays down some warning fire, causing them to retreat.
  • Suspiciously Specific Denial: Buffy stealthing her way toward Giles' office in search of his files. She paws around carefully and darts her eyes left. Then right. Coast is clear. She starts to stride toward the office, but Giles suddenly calls to her from the book cage, startling her.

Giles: [notices her] Buffy! Excellent.
Buffy: Nothing! --Hi!

  • Talking Is a Free Action: Spike grabbing Buffy and leaning in for the kill. Elsewhere, Giles has ample time to interrogate Ethan, figure out that he needs to destroy the statue to break the spell, raise the bust on high, and shatter it. When we cut back to the warehouse, Spike still hasn't bitten down.
  • This Is Something He's Got to Do Himself: Giles sending Willow out of Ethan's shop so she won't have to see what comes next.
  • Thou Shalt Not Kill Muggles: Xander, his toy gun now replaced with a real military-issue rifle, is shooting at some demonic targets. A short demon happens by, and Xander takes aim -- but Willow warns him that there's still a little kid in there.
  • Truce Zone: Demons and vampires traditionally avoid hunting or attacking on Halloween and "take the night off" because they believe it to be an idiotic cliché. Needless to say, there's always a few idiots who spoil the broth.
  • Try to Fit That on A Business Card: Buffy, Lady of Buffdom, Duchess of Buffonia!
    • Cordelia inquiring as to whether "Mr. I'm-the-lead-singer-I'm-so-great-I-don't-have-to-show-up-for-my-date-or-even-call" will be playing at The Bronze that night.

Oz: Actually, he's just going by Devon now.

  • Upper Class Twit: Aristo-Buffy.
  • Verbal Backpedaling: Willow's rescue of Cordelia, who seems immune to the nasty spellwork."Your name is Cordelia, you're not a cat, you're in high school and we're your friends! ...well, sort of."
  • Villain Exit Stage Left: Spike's humiliating retreat.
    • Also one of the worst in the show; it's especially obvious here that there's literally no reason for Buffy to just let him get away.
  • Wait Here: Though to be fair, this version of Buffy can be forgiven for not trusting Angel with a face like that. She'd rather stick with "the man with the musket."
  • Walk in Chime In: In Ethan's shop. Giles and Willow quickly discover the bust of Janus, whose eyes are glowing green now. Giles explains that he's a Roman god who represents the division of self. "Male and female, light and dark..." Ethan's voice cuts in:

"Chunky and creamy. Oh! No, sorry, that's peanut butter."

  • We Need a Distraction: Buffy making U-turns around Giles to prevent him from spotting Willow inching toward his office. "Look at ME when I talk to you!"
  • What Year Is This?: Willow asks Buffy what year she thinks it is, and the answer is 1775.
  • What the Hell Is That Accent?: SMG's attempt at an English accent. Suddenly, David Boreanaz's Irish brogue doesn't seem so bad.
  • Wig, Dress, Accent: Buffy rounds out her costume with an appropriately humongous brown wig.
  • Workaholic: Giles proposing to Buffy that they send their night off practicing some battle techniques. Buffy says he needs to get a life, and Giles protests that he has many relaxing hobbies. Like "cross-referencing."
    • Played for laughs as the girls are perusing the Watcher Diaries for hot babes from Angel's time. Buffy finds one who's particularly "coiffed." Willow notes that this lady was probably "a noble-woman or something" and that being pretty was her job. Then clearly, Buffy retorts, "this girl was a workholic."
  • You Must Be Cold: Soldier!Xander puts his army shirt around Cordelia's shoulders; she's so pleasantly surprised she doesn't even snark at him.
  • You Remind Me of X: Angel, ignoring Cordelia, gently asks Buffy if she's okay. She says yes, smiles, and walks off arm-in-arm with him. "Hellooo?," says Cordy, "it felt like I was talking, my lips were moving, and..." Xander tells her to give it up. "You're never gonna get between those two. Believe me, I've tried."
  • You Are in Command Now: This marks the first occasion that Willow takes charge of the Scoobies when Buffy is incapable for some reason.
  • You're Not My Type: Angel doesn't actually say it; Willow does. She later turns out to have been on the mark, as Angel used to find the noblewomen of his era (of whom Cordelia is a modern avatar) to be a horrific bore.
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