Discussion - S6E8 - "Tabula Rasa"

[tommo]

Tara stuttered when she lost her memory. That bothered me. How she's changed. But it's for the better. I loved how strong she was in objecting to Willow's use of magic. It's about time someone stood up to her. The thing that bothers me though, is who's going to do that now Tara's gone?

Poor Tara, all alone on the porch with Dawn hurting so much. I'm wondering how that will manifest itself.

Willow's complete acceptance of their separation at the end cut me to the quick. The way that she knows she's been caught out, not once, but twice. And that made me so mad, so frustrated and so worried. It's a slippery slope.

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"Give Tara besitos de Salma." She wrinkled her nose. "Little kisses."
"I will." Willow's eyes shone. "I can't wait to see her." ~ Unseen: Long Way Home

[AmberBensonFan]

quote:

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Originally posted by BBOvenGuy:
Okay, mid-episode here in LA, but I just saw the W/T fight and I noticed something that I just had to throw out to the group right away.

During the entire fight, Tara didn't stutter once.

Discuss amongst yourselves...

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Not during the fight, I don't believe she did... but once they lose they memories notice how Tara does revert back to the same, shy, stuttering, young girl from her first appearance in Hush?

Watch closely... her fertive smirks, her quick glances before she shyly looks elsewhere, her quick blinks, and - yes, a bit of a stutter all come big while everyone's doing the introductions... but the stronger Tara prevails because once things kick into high gear Tara seems to come back to the type of person she is now... not stuttering, not too shy, and I just really enjoyed watching the progression that Tara has taken over the past 37 episodes (yes, I'm a dork... I have a list suddenly replay for us in a moment.

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Enlightened Member #243
"Nothing I can do, you took my soul with you." AB OMWFquote:

[mucifer]

a few specky thoughts:

our giles topped them all in the mindless memory thingy. they were the only ones cept for buffy and spike with any chemesty.

is spike gonna be a bit of a new watcher? he has the demon knowledge and it was forshadowed in restless. interesting no memory relationship between giles and spike.

no chemestry at all between xander and anya and anya giles didnt really either that seemed force.

oh yeah and btw what exactly is spike? he's so intruiging!

funniest episode in a long long time and damn sad at the end rebecca kirshner outdid herself! kudos to her.

[This message has been edited by mucifer (edited November 14, 2001).]

[Roxton]

quote:

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Originally posted by rocketdyke:
nothing tops giles and anya kissing though. and the bunnies.

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I really enjoyed those scenes, they were priceless.

For me seeing Giles sitting on the plane heading back to England at the end of the episode was the hardest part of the evening. Granted Willow and Tara splitting up was traumatic, but we know that it was necessary, not only to save Willow but also the relationship, and in the end they will be reunited. However knowing that Giles is gone and will no longer be a critical part of the group is harder to accept. He can never be replaced.
quote:

[The Rose]

AmberBensonFan,

You are not a dork. I have a list too!!!!!

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Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.

Tara: Willow, I got so lost.
Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

Tara: Nobody messes with my girl!

[Puff]

AGH!!! Just watched it spoiler free, apart from the promo that they showed last week and it in no way prepared me or spuckie to deal with this episode.

Tara said everything to Willow that everyone was thinking and she said it so well. Willow even saying that she would not do any spells for a month even...and Tara saying a week. Willow couldn't even manage that

The end with the music and the packing just stunned me.

The only thing that really gave me any hope this episode was how Willow and Tara were still incredibly attracted to each other. And they were the only couple that were. But then is even attraction enough to build a lasting relationship on if Willow keeps up her spells? No

I can't believe Willow brings Amy back and it is so obvious that it is to fill the hole that Tara has left. (where has Tara gone btw?) And so she doesn't feel guilty about her use of magic.

My fingers are crossed for a 'Bad girls' kind of moment when Amy crosses the line and Willow finally see's sense. Until then I hope Tara is treated well by everyone and not hurt too much by Willow and Amy.

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"I'm not really much for the timber"

[Cici]

Other Caps are here: http://www.coax.50megs.com/images/tabla.html

Mmh.....

- Cici

[BBOvenGuy]

Bunnies! Bunnies! Bunnies!

Okay, I thought the thread could use a bit of lightness there for a moment.

What's up with this BS about "Tara's controlling behavior?" I had to go check the post out for myself. I'll bet that guy doesn't get many second dates. I'll bet he's used the words "uppity female" in his life, too. Sheesh.

Someone over on the FX thread pointed out that back in Season 3, Willow's answer to her feelings for Xander was to make them go away with a spell. Willow's been at this game for a long time. I would venture to say that even "Becoming" was a form of the same behavior, although in that case the spell found her, not the other way around.

Now she's paying the price for her choices. I can't help but wonder, though, if she's upset because she did the spell, if she's upset because the spell didn't work, or if she's upset because she got caught? I'm not sure I want to know the answer.

As for Tara, the thing I saw most in her was strength. Like I said earlier, she didn't stutter at all during the fight. She knew what was right and she knew where she was drawing the line, even though it was devastating to her. When she was standing there on the porch at the end, the look I saw on her face was one of resolve and grim determination. She knows what she's doing. It's tearing her up inside, but she knows what she's doing.

One more observation... I thought Tara figured out she was gay a lot faster than Willow did.

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Remember the Kitten Board Mantra: "Joss is nuts about Tara, Willow/Tara and Amber!"

"...while i'm here, can I just echo what that other guy said? I think it went something like this: Amber Benson.... Amber Benson..." - Joss Whedon, November 6 2001

[kilopto]

does anyone have the promo or knows what the promo for next week was about? my station doesn't show them....any info would be very much appreciated, thanks.

[Wiccagrrl]

Wow, that was rough. But absolutely amazing. I dunno, after actually watching it, sad as the ending was, I'm more convinced that they'll find their ways back to each other.

On a more shallow note, both girls looked amazing tonight.

And still not quite finding the "Giles leaving" thing believable. Yeah, I know ASH wanted to cut back (like Tara, I don't think we've seen the last of the character.)But it just didn't feel right, him leaving at this point. It felt, IMO, kinda contrived and out of character (Unlike Tara's leaving, which felt totally believable to me.)

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Tracy

Hear that Baby? You're my always.

[Rane]

i dont know what to say. i feel like this is one of the funiest Buffy's ever and one of the saddest as well. All of the gags were hilarious. i loved how most kept a little of their old selves. it makes me wonder when Anya and xander didn't have the pull willow and tara did. maybe there wont be a wedding.

i love it how Tara knew from the moment she saw willow that she liked her. yeah willow was a bit confused at first but soon found her way. just like it happened in buffyverse.

Buffy and Dawn as sisters. buffy the boss with super powers, Anya the shopkeeper... the bunnies, the spells, the sword fight. that was hilarious! the shark dude not so much but still a funny situation. *kittens turn into cats* or soemthing like that.

And then the heartbreak. *Wild at Heart* killed me too. Whenever Aly cries i just want to curl up in a ball. but we know tara is coming back for more episodes and that keeps me happy. i'm very worried about Dawn and her reaction to Tara's leaving. She must be so devastated. Giles leaving... sniffle...

I love spike but buffy and spike? i'll never get that ship.

And the previews for next week were incorrect since it's the musical but at least we got to see willow bringing amy back. Her excuse for it was a bit shallow though.

[gypsyfoot]

Well Joss et al have shot themselves in the foot again by blending comedy and angst in one episode. The traditionalists and award givers want to see either comedy or angst they don't know how to deal with people that can do both in the same program.
The loan shark pun was lame. Buffy's line at the beginning was funny, what were her words, if I could just stop saving his life things would be easier?

quote:

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Originally posted by Willowlicious:
P.S. I actually completely understand Dawn's behavior. She feels (rightly) that she's been abandoned by all her parental figures. Don't expect her to understand or care WHY Tara has to leave right now. Anger doesn't always make sense when the pain is that deep.

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I concur. Dawn stated last week how she felt when Tara/Willow fight. Dawn I believe is closer to Tara, they were both not scoobies together. Tara is more of a maternal figure than either Buffy or Willow. Who will make pancakes now? In a real life situation Dawns' schoolwork would be taking another major dive at this point.

The Willow/Tara situation has been covered by others so I won't say much. I am glad that when Willow talked about fixing Buffys' problem she meant a forgetting spell and not sending her back to heaven.
Why was Willow talking about this to the gang? Why not do the spell and tell the gang afterward if that is necessary. Is she looking for consensus to spread the blame? It wasn't just me that brought Buffy back we all agreed to it.

Willow/Xander "awakening" together, shades of their first kiss? Xander knowing they shouldn't be together but not knowing why, thinking she may be his brothers gf. Why does he suspect he has a brother?

Segue to Buffy/Dawn figuring out they are sisters.

Buffy, the slayer by another name and without memory of being so, was still the slayer. Like on her 18th birthday having her powers taken and still having to act like the slayer.

Plus other stuff I will for others to cover.

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Willow: ...or-or to do that thing with your mouth that boys like.
Buffy snaps her head around at Willow and gives her a shocked look.

[This message has been edited by gypsyfoot (edited November 14, 2001).]quote:

[Scoobiedoo]

Regarding the dawn situation... (please note that i have not seen this ep yet but i am a complete spoiler prostitute), over the past few episodes we have seen that buffy does not act like a parental figure to dawn, it is in fact Tara AND Giles, who are acting as her mother and father. And if i've got my spoilers right, giles left her this episode...as WELL as tara. She's lost both her parental figures...as well as still getting over the fact that her mother died last year, and her father, it seems, wants nothing to do with her.

I'd be pissed off too. It is selfish of her yes, i agree, but golly, she's only 15.

[MK]

quote:

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sayeth by Gypsyfoot:
Willow/Xander "awakening" together, shades of their first kiss? Xander knowing they shouldn't be together but not knowing why, thinking she may be his brothers gf. Why does he suspect he has a brother?

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It looked to me that when Xander lost his memory, he lost about 99% of his self-confidence as well. Basically, until they escaped into the sewers he was pretty much a wimp. So it's not surprising he couldn't imagine someone as good-looking as Willow being attracted to him. Thus the brother theory. (His face did light up for a second when Willow suggested maybe the two of them were together, but only for that second as he couldn't shake the not-good-enough feeling.)

At least he did finally discover his courage in the sewers, and actually put up a pretty good fight against the vamp.

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MK
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this sig line is all mine and you can't have itquote:

[Wiccagrrl]

Oh, on a lighter note, I think we should take all the gambling kitten stuff a big old shout-out to us Ok, so it probably isn't, but hey, we could use a little cheering up right now

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Tracy

Hear that Baby? You're my always.

[Blixxt]

quote:

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Originally posted by kilopto:
does anyone have the promo or knows what the promo for next week was about? my station doesn't show them....any info would be very much appreciated, thanks.

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There were two parts of it. The first showed Willow turning Amy the rat back into Amy the Witch, and happy that she had now found someone "positively inclined towards magic." It then showed Willow and Amy in the Bronze casting a spell at a group of guys forcing them to be Go-Go dancers. Don't worry that this is the writers suddenly making Willow "straight", however. *BEGINNING OF SMALL SPOILER.* This scene was described on a spoiler site a while back, and apparently Willow indicates to Amy in it that she's not interested in men, and the men are then jerks and so they decide to have some magical revenge. *END OF SMALL SPOILER*

There was also a bit with Xander mentioning that Willow was entering a dark place (yay, one of the characters noticed), and then the rest had to do with the Buffy/Spike relationship.

[This message has been edited by Blixxt (edited November 14, 2001).]quote:

[GODisTigger]

quote:

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Originally posted by BBOvenGuy:
Someone over on the FX thread pointed out that back in Season 3, Willow's answer to her feelings for Xander was to make them go away with a spell.

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Hey, that was me!
Ok, this was a pointless post.

Dquote:

[Dr.G]

Well I am handling all this sadness with my usual stoney faced stiff upper lippy manly dignity...

.

Damn, got something caught in me eyes.

[BBOvenGuy]

From out of left field comes this question... did anyone else think Michelle Branch looks a little like Robia LaMorte aka Jenny Calendar?

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Remember the Kitten Board Mantra: "Joss is nuts about Tara, Willow/Tara and Amber!"

"...while i'm here, can I just echo what that other guy said? I think it went something like this: Amber Benson.... Amber Benson..." - Joss Whedon, November 6 2001

[SciFiAcid]

Actually Bob, I thought she kind of looked like Veruca in a way... shrug

[This message has been edited by SciFiAcid (edited November 14, 2001).]

[Wiccagrrl]

Yeah, I kinda thought she looked like Veruca too.

[Utena]

This ep...woo. How eloquent of me. Woo!

The humor was the best of the season.

My roommate is finally seeing Tara's sex appeal. About damn freaking TIME!
It was angry Tara, I'm sure of it. Angry Tara is just...yowsahs.

Seeing W/T rediscover each other...holy mackeral, talk about fire! Two weeks in a row we've had steamy horny little wiccans! It was really quite amazing to see them so QUICKLY come to realize their attraction. It was undeniable magnetism. Amazing. Aly and Amber can make the screen sizzle with a single touch, a look. But we all have known this for the past two season, haven't we?

With all that goodness I knew would come pain soon after...and it did. Oodles and oodles. Willow crying, her shivery lip made me sob. ;.; Tara's tears as Willow walked away without saying a single word made me wail. Wah! Being unspoiled made it hit me that much harder! My wee heart...

They will come through. They will. How could such a couple destined to be, not? They will.

How cute is SMG? Her "but it was cool!" line made me roll back and giggle! So cute! Such an amazing actress.

Bunnies...bwahahaaaa...

[dusty]

Wow, this episode was one of the funniest I've seen in a long time. I laughed so hard throughout most of it, especially the whole exchange between Spike and Giles, 'Randy' and 'Joan' thinking they were superheroes, and "A vampire with a soul? How lame is that?!" I was saddened by the breakup, but I think they need this time apart and that they will get back together eventually. Willow completely betrayed Tara, so I understand why Tara can't stay with her, and I hope Willow comes to her senses soon. I also loved that this was the second episode in a row that ended with Buffy and Spike kissing!

[TaraMaclay]

First. Big Kitty Hug To April. (She/he asked for one)

That was one of the saddest one s that I've seen for awhile. W/T apart? Hope not for long. As much as I am a big fan of Amy's (Yay, she's back, FINALLY). I hope that Joss won't use her as a sub for Tara. Those two are menat to be together.

Anyway, hopefully they find something to do with Amy. Not just bring her back then get rid of her again.

I agree that Willow did mess up with the Magic though. You should never use it for selfish reasons. Although her intentions with Buffy arn't with out the possitives. But not using magic for every little thing. I've had a quite lengthly discussion/argument with a friend on that one. Let's jusat hope that our beloved couple are back together soon.

Oh! And I will miss Giles though. Here's hoping he'll make guest spots.

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IM: Taramaclay69
Guardian of VampTara
--
Look, I realize that every slayer comes with a expiration mark stamped on the package.. But I want mine to be a long time from now.. Like a Cheeto.
----
Cassandra: What do you guy's think of the ozone layer?

Buffy: Yeah, we got to get rid of that..
--

[Shaniezak]

quote:

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Originally posted by dusty:
I also loved that this was the second episode in a row that ended with Buffy and Spike kissing!

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And I thought it was very interesting that this scene was grouped in with a bunch of very sad ones--Giles leaving, Willow and Tara heartbroken.

'cause you know, it is pretty sad all around with those two--Buffy's really just using him, I think, in a desperate gamble to care about life again, and Spike is really in love with her but will probably never have the real kind of relationship with her that he wants to have . . .

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"But if I weren't leaving you, I don't know what I would do. But the more I go, the less I know: will the fire still burn on my return? To keep the path lit on the only road I know, honey, all I know to do is go . . ." -- Indigo Girls

"I know we're dying and there's no sign of a parachute in this chapel, little chapel of love, can't we get a little grace and some elegance? Why can't it be beautiful? Why does there gotta be a sacrifice?" -- Tori Amosquote:

[BBOvenGuy]

As good as Willow's intentions were with Buffy... and were they really, or were they just to assuage Willow's own guilt?... she should know by now that you don't change people's feelings with spells.

Willow was trying to do to Buffy what she tried to do with herself in "Something Blue." She's trying to heal emotional wounds with magic instead of waiting for time and life to heal them. It didn't work then. It wouldn't have worked now.

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Remember the Kitten Board Mantra: "Joss is nuts about Tara, Willow/Tara and Amber!"

"...while i'm here, can I just echo what that other guy said? I think it went something like this: Amber Benson.... Amber Benson..." - Joss Whedon, November 6 2001

[MK]

Agreed, Bob.
Thinking about Willow's 'future' in the episodes coming up, I suddenly remembered the scene of her and Tara sitting on the couch watching the show about the Salem Witch Trials. A bit of a premonition, maybe, of Willow's future magick addiction?

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MK
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this sig line is all mine and you can't have it

[AutumnT]

I'm pretty much convinced that the Big Bad this year is themselves. Buffy is engaged in a relationship that is bad for her. Willow is destroying her own relationship with her obvious addiction. Tara needs to find her strength outside of Willow. Dawn is acting out and stealing. Giles is removing himself from the picture. Xander is having doubts about his marriage. We don't need a traditional "big bad" this year. They are capable of putting themselves through the ringer. And it hurts much more than a "God" even.

I hope it all works out because for all the laughs this was a tough one to watch. Acting kudos to the gang though. They got angst down.

And Amber. She gets better every freaking episode. I'm really impressed with her. I always knew Aly was great, but I've been delighted to watch Amber as an actress this season especially.

[vicxen77]

I'm not much of of a poster, but I wanted to say that one of the saddest things for me was the way Tara spoke during the fight. Aside from the obvious anger, I also noticed that she seemed almost defeated in a way. It was as if she had lost a battle with herself- like she knew it was over, but didn't want to believe it. Heartbreaking really.
...but not as much as the end, when it really was over.

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"I think she's the window into Willow's soul..." -Amber Benson referring to Tara
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"Time is what turns kittens into cats!"

[delany]

oh dear.. oh deary me..
i don't know how i'm gonna live another day without crying again..*sob*
waahhh!!!! the look of pain on tara's face was heartbreaking. willow looked like such a child after the spell had been broken. like she had just been caught stealing from the cookie jar again for the 3rd time. oy my head.. what are we going to do with these two?
the only consolation is that tara WILL be back, and that they WILL be together. *sigh* it's the only way that i'll survive..

del