Feb 26
Phases
There’s a werewolf stalking Sunnydale and Buffy and the gang discover that it’s one of their own. Buffy tries to protect Sunnydale from the beast’s appetite, and protect the nocturnal beast from a werewolf bounty hunter who doesn’t care that his trophy is human 27 days a month. Angelus starts some trouble. Willow convinces Oz she still wants to see him, despite everything.
Directed by: Bruce Seth Green
Original Air Date: January 27th, 1998
Guest Stars:
- Seth Green as Oz
- Camila Griggs as Gym Teacher
- Jack Conley as Cain
- Larry Bagby as Larry Blaisdell (as Larry Bagby III)
- Megahn Perry as Theresa
[edit]
Trivia:
- In the beginning of the episode, Oz fixates on the cheerleading trophy that contains Amy’s mom from the first season episode, “Witch”.
- Giles’ first car seen on the show was an ancient silver Citroen, first seen in “The Witch”. The license plate was 2GPU947. During the filming of “Phases” the car refused to start so some members of the Buffy crew had to push the car from behind. They can be seen through the rear window in one scene.
Quotes:
Willow: “Well, I like you. You’re nice, and you’re funny. And you don’t smoke. Yeah, okay, werewolf, but that’s not all the time. I mean, three days out of the month I’m not much fun to be around either.”
Cordelia: “Sorry, we haven’t all perfected that phony ‘girl next door’ bit.”
Willow: “You could be the girl next door, too. If Xander lived next to a brothel!”
Key Events:
- Oz becomes a werewolf in this episode, a defining characteristic of his character for the remainder of the series.
- Zander discovers that Larry’s misogynist ways are a smoke screen…Larry is gay and he thinks Zander is also gay.
Rating:
Jason:
Kathleen:
Troy:
In Other News:
A Dollhouse podcast is in the works, stay tuned for details!
Video Clips
“Huh.”
Moonpie
More words…
February 27th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Even with the crappy hunter in it, this is one of the my favorite episodes this season… but that has more to do with my being a huge Oz fan than anything else. He is the master of understatement. I wouldn’t call it the best episode of the season, but it’s up there for me.
You guys keeps rockin on with the episodes, I am still listening and enjoying the hell out of them.
March 1st, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I actually kinda liked “Phases”, mostly because of all the “awww” Oz and Willow moments.
Least fave moment? Buffy bending the incredibly fake gun.
Best moment? Giles’ outrage over Cain’s suggestion that he and Buffy are, well, acting on their baser urges. He’s so funny when he’s ticked enough to be ticked, but not quite at Ripper levels. (Funny side note, they aired the ep of MI-5 with ASH on Saturday night…one I’d previously missed. He was, um, quite tasty)
Yay to a Dollhouse Podcast!!! I’m so excited to hear what you all think of the show. Three eps in, it’s definitely finding its feet, and all we can do now is hope and pray that Fox gives it time to find its feet. (Why FOX, Joss? WHY??)
Keep up the great work!
March 2nd, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Hey guys, love the podcast. Just wanted to say that the actor who plays the Hunter in this episode also plays Sahjan on Angel.
March 3rd, 2009 at 8:18 am
Good show watchers. I too liked this episode. The only thing I’ll say is that I for some reason like the werewolf costume/makeup better in these early episodes than the newer version that they use in later seasons. Even thought it is less animated than the next version, it seems to me to be more menacing and classic. The later version looks more like a demented ape trolling around on all fours.
March 6th, 2009 at 3:52 am
Great news about a Dollhouse podcast! But keep this Buffy ones coming, they’re great!
March 10th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Hey, I just wanted to stop by and thank you for creating this awesome podcast. I have a super long commute to school and listening to your podcast makes it so much more bearable. I’m excited to hear that you will be doing a Dollhouse podcast. I will definitely be tuning in!
March 11th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Random note since I don’t see the Boards…did everyone but me know about the “Buffy The Vampire Slayer: The Score” soundtrack release from Christophe Beck. I found it while idly trolling iTunes. I’m a sucker for soundtrack scores, and think that Beck’s work really helped to ramp-up Buffy’s emotional impact. Try listening to “Close Your Eyes” (Buffy/Angel Theme) or “Sacrifice” (from the Gift) or “Slayer’s Elegy (from “The Wish”) without getting a little misty-eyed!
Ok, random comment moment over – moving along, nothing to see here…