From avid tv followers to informal watchers, most viewers are aware of the idea of the musical episode. While it might look like an uncommon selection, musical episodes have develop into a ceremony of passage for a lot of standard TV reveals, together with The Simpsons, Community, and nearly any CW collection that lasts for a few seasons. Musical episodes existed previous to Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s tackle it, however Season 6, Episode 7 “Once More, With Feeling” arguably popularized the idea into trope standing— and for good purpose.
Musical episodes which have adopted in its footsteps have mistakenly attributed its effectiveness to its catchy authentic songs, which is an comprehensible false impression. After all, the episode’s soundtrack charted 49 on the Billboard 200 within the US and obtained stellar opinions from critics. Although its wonderful musical numbers definitely contribute to what makes the episode nice, the actual purpose “Once More, With Feeling” is the gold normal for musical episodes is as a result of the writers understood that musical numbers as a medium perform as monologues that reveal a personality’s true emotions.
“Once More, With Feeling” expertly units up Season 6’s development. The episode dives into character motivations and the group’s interpersonal relationships by having a musical demon power the folks of Sunnydale to sing about their present conditions.
In this season, Buffy, performed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, is coping with despair attributable to her expulsion from a peaceable afterlife, which she laments within the episode’s opening quantity, “Going Through the Motions.” In the Season 5 finale, Buffy sacrificed her life to avoid wasting the world. Originally, the franchise was supposed to finish along with her demise in Season 5, however the collection was renewed for 2 extra seasons. Naturally, Buffy the Vampire Slayer would not be the identical with out its titular heroine, so Buffy was revived by her pals firstly of Season 6.
Exploring Buffy’s Feelings Through Song Was a Brilliant Choice
Although Buffy’s revival was essential for the collection, her traumatic sacrifice could not be cheapened by having it not have an effect on her totally, so utilizing this episode’s musical monster to dig deeper into her emotions surrounding her return from the lifeless was an excellent selection. While this might’ve been achieved in a “present do not inform” trend, this extra perception into her character got here at a breaking level within the pacing of the season. Buffy’s out-of-character moods and actions had been progressively escalating in earlier episodes, however could not be the first focus of the present as a result of at its core, Buffy is a “monster of the week” fashion dramedy. Sacrificing Buffy‘s campy tone and premise would have been counterintuitive as a result of the present is beloved for these causes.
With the assistance of some comedic songs breaking the stress of dramatic songs, the episode felt proper at dwelling within the Buffy universe. So did the supernatural premise of the episode, which not solely made extra sense than different TV reveals’ convoluted reasoning for musical episodes, but in addition got here at an ideal time within the storyline for the remainder of the characters. Often, musical episodes revolve across the points of 1 character— sometimes the principle character who bumped their head or went on a drug journey or no matter purpose is given to elucidate why everyone seems to be singing and dancing in good unison. While that may work, the spirit of a musical is to discover every of the characters, not simply the protagonist.
Characters Gain Nuance Through Song
In the episode, every of the characters achieve a brand new degree of nuance both by a solo or a duet. The viewers learns one thing new about their relationships, insecurities, or future plans. It would really feel unnatural— and to not point out boring— for this info to be uncovered by the characters immediately deciding to be uncharacteristically susceptible or by the writers randomly tossing a gaggle remedy session within the present. By sticking to each the spirit of the franchise and the spirit of musicals, “Once More, With Feeling” mastered the idea in a manner few different franchises have managed to observe.
In addition to revealing info to the viewers, “Once More, With Feeling” employs the “in-world” vs “out-of-world” musical tactic to disclose secrets and techniques to the opposite characters. Out-of-world songs are performed on to the viewers, unheard by the opposite characters. In-world songs are the other. Buffy, Spike, Zander, and Anya are all compelled to take part in in-world songs that trigger them to say issues they needed to maintain non-public, like Buffy revealing she did not need to come again to life to her guilt-stricken pals.
The secrets and techniques revealed on this episode immediately progress the season’s storylines, which makes “Once More, With Feeling” greater than a one-off character examine. In reality, it is crucial episode of Season 6. There’s nothing mistaken with enjoyable musical episodes that add little significance to the general plot, however they’re arguably missed alternatives as a result of musicals present distinctive storytelling strategies value using.
“Once More, With Feeling” Uses Musical Tropes Flawlessly
Musicals additionally present stylistic strategies that “Once More, With Feeling” used flawlessly. From the overture main into the opening quantity to the group dance quantity and harmonies celebrating the dry cleaner, it was clear the artistic workforce behind the episode knew musical episodes must be greater than some vaguely related jukebox songs carried out by actors who’re uncertain tips on how to emote whereas singing.
The solid actually leaned into the duty, which made the episode all of the extra pleasing to look at. The musical demon himself, performed by Hinton Battle, was the cherry on prime, offering viewers with clean vocals match for a suave and memorable villain. It’s clear the episode was a joint effort with the solid and crew each making certain the musical episode trope was performed justice.
Overall, Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s model of the musical episode reigns supreme as a result of it does the whole lot a musical is meant to do, and it does it exceedingly properly. Pulling off a musical episode of this caliber is not any small feat, however those that need to observe go well with have to look no additional than “Once More, With Feeling.”