Once More, with Feeling

Episode aired Nov 6, 2001
TV-PG
50m

IMDb RATING

9.7/10

11K

YOUR RATING

Sarah Michelle Gellar in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)

Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Once More, With Feeling

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Action Adventure Drama Fantasy Romance

In this musical extravaganza, Sunnydale residents find themselves bursting into song, and flame, when a demon attempts to make Dawn his bride.In this musical extravaganza, Sunnydale residents find themselves bursting into song, and flame, when a demon attempts to make Dawn his bride.In this musical extravaganza, Sunnydale residents find themselves bursting into song, and flame, when a demon attempts to make Dawn his bride.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

9.7/10

11K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
Two of the show's writers, David Fury and Marti Noxon, have small singing parts. Fury can be seen singing "They Got the Mustard Out" outside the magic shop when Buffy checks to see if other people are singing. Noxon sings about a parking ticket ("I think that hydrant wasn't there") while Giles, Xander, and Anya are walking on the street after Xander and Anya's duet.

Goofs
Tara runs into a pole in the Bronze while she is performing her back-up dance to "Something to Sing About." While the pole is not visible in the shot, Tara bumping into something before she goes out of frame in the background is noticeable. Likewise, if you look closely, you can see actress Amber Benson desperately trying to suppress a laugh as she straightens out her wardrobe after bumping into the pole.

Quotes
Dawn Summers: [excited] Oh, my God. You will never believe what happened at school today.
Buffy Summers: Everybody started singing and dancing?
Dawn Summers: [pauses, deflating] I gave birth to a pterodactyl.
Anya: Oh, my God. Did it sing?

Crazy credits
At the end when the Mutant Enemy logo is displayed, the monster sings "Grr, ah" in falsetto (sung by Joss Whedon).

Alternate versions
This episode originally aired at an extended length that ran over the hour-long format (approx. 8 minutes over) and was edited down to fit an hour long time slot for each re-airing. The footage cut included the title and overture, Buffy entering the Magic Box and some corresponding dialog, part of the song "I've Got a Theory", the entire song "What Can't We Face," dialog when Dawn enters the Magic Box, after the song "Under Your Spell," and before the song "I'll Never Tell," a verse of the song "Let Me Rest in Peace," some footage in Dawn's bedroom, Dawn's dance number with Sweet's minions, the end of the song "Why Don't We Dance Awhile," a verse of "Walk Through the Fire," dialog when Buffy first encounters Sweet and after the song "Life's a Show," and the song "Where Do We Go From Here" is shorter along with followed dialog between Spike and Buffy.

Connections
Featured in Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Behind the Scenes of 'Once More with Feeling' (2003)

Soundtracks
Overture/Going Through The Motions
Written by Joss Whedon
Performed by Sarah Michelle Gellar

User reviews56

Review

Featured review

10/10

Once More, With Feeling

Wow, this episode was amazing. I'd love to see Joss write a Broadway musical one of these days.

I love the music. The songs are just amazing. Just like I loved the music from Dr. Horrible.

I loved James Marsters (what a great voice, what a surprise) and Anthony Head's songs... and Amber Benson's voice was lovely. I also loved the one called "the Parking Ticket"... hardly noticeable in the show, it is truly hilarious and I loved how they sneaked it in... "it isn't fair, that fire hydrant wasn't there..." etc.

People who don't like musicals aren't gonna like this much. They don't like people bursting into song in the middle of a story. To these people it's not logical. My husband hates musicals, but I continue to drag him to them much to his dismay (after all, I have to watch his football).

However, the one thing about a musical, is it allows the character to express emotions and feelings that one normally can't do in speech. Plus the songs are beautiful.

I'm glad I got to see this. I'm at the party several years too late, but I do think this is one of the best Buffy episodes... it's different, but quite brilliant.

I loved the kiss at the end.