Forever (Buffy episode)
Encyclopedia
"Forever" is the 17th episode of season 5 of the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The Scooby Gang attends Joyce's funeral, and Angel visits to pay his respects. The day after the funeral, Dawn attempts to bring her mother back to life. Also, Glory learns that the Key is in human form.
selects a casket for her mother with Giles
and Dawn
. Dawn expresses her concern that their mother would not have appreciated Buffy's choice. Later, the gang gathers for dinner at the Summers residence and discusses plans for the funeral, excluding Dawn from any decision making.
Spike
, while bringing a bouquet of flowers to the Summers home, runs into Willow
and Xander
. A brief spat occurs when Xander misinterprets this as Spike taking advantage of the situation to get closer to Buffy, while Spike insists that he was attempting to pay his respects to Joyce, as she was the only one of Buffy's "lot" that ever treated him decently. When it becomes clear that Xander won't be convinced otherwise, an irritated Spike throws the bouquet down and storms off, and it is only after he departs that Willow and Xander discover that he hadn't included a card with the flowers and recognize the sincerity of the gesture.
The next day, a group of people gather at a cemetery for Joyce's funeral. Dawn leaves with Tara
and Willow while Buffy remains at the grave. Hours later, after the sun has set, Angel appears beside her. Inconsolable regarding the loss of her mother, Dawn reveals to Tara and Willow her intent to perform a resurrection spell. After making love, Anya
tells Xander how special it is to be able to create life, and how sex has become much more meaningful. Tara tries to convince Dawn that magic can't be used to alter the natural order of things, such as life and death, and tells her that Wiccans took an oath disallowing resurrection. In the graveyard, Angel does his best to comfort Buffy when she worries how she will continue without Joyce's strength, and if there was any chance she could have saved her mother. Angel offers to stay in town for as long as she needs him, and Buffy asks him to stay with her forever. The two kiss sweetly but pull away, knowing nothing more can happen. Buffy expresses her gratitude, and he stays with her until the sun rises. Ben encounters Jinx, saying that he will not help Glory and he is tired of her games, but accidentally makes a comment that leads Jinx to conclude that the Key is human. Not wanting Glory
to learn this fact, Ben stabs the minion with his own knife.
The next morning, Dawn is sulking over Willow and Tara's refusal to help her. As she leaves, Willow magically pulls a book out from the bookshelf to make it noticeable. Alone, Dawn retrieves the book, identifying the section about resurrection spells. Later, at the Magic Box, Dawn sneaks up to the loft after Giles tells her that's where he keeps his most dangerous books. She slips several items into her backpack. While collecting dirt from Joyce's grave that night, Dawn is caught by Spike, who recognizes her actions, but shocks her by offering to help.
Meanwhile, Giles is seen drinking at home, reminiscing while listening to old records. Spike, claiming to dislike seeing Summers women "take it so hard on the chin," makes Dawn promise not to tell Buffy of his involvement in her plans. Glory fumes about Ben after Jynx returns to her wounded, but quickly cheers up when he informs her that the Key is human. In the home of a man named Doc, Dawn and Spike receive an incantation, but learn that they need a Ghora demon's egg and a picture of Joyce. Doc advises Dawn that the results might not be what she wants and that if she wishes to undo the spell, she must tear up the image. Spike takes Dawn to a Ghora demon nest, where he plays interference with the three-headed demon while Dawn gets an egg, which she drops in her haste. During their second attempt, Spike is bitten by the Ghora, but kills it in turn.
Tara realizes that A History of Witchcraft is missing from their shelf and after concluding that Dawn took it, she and Willow decide to call Buffy. Buffy hears about Dawn's spell just as she is finishing it upstairs in her room. When Buffy confronts her, the two girls get into a vicious argument about their different ways of dealing with their mother's death. Dawn accuses Buffy of being so busy arranging everything that she doesn't care that their mother is dead, earning herself a slap across the face from her sister. Buffy immediately regrets her action and admits that she's keeping busy so she doesn't have to deal with the situation, because when she stops then her mother is really gone. During their argument, a figure emerges from Joyce's grave and walks toward the house. A shadow passes by the front window followed by a knocking on the door, and Buffy, hoping it's Joyce, rushes to answer the door. Dawn immediately realizes the inherent dangers of the spell and rips up the photo, and when Buffy answers the door all she finds is an empty step. This is too much for Buffy and she starts to cry, finally facing the reality of her mother's death. A sobbing Dawn hugs her, and they collapse to the floor united in grief.
says, "To me, the idea of wanting to defy death is just an inherent, almost mythological, iconic notion. It’s something we can relate to...a universal longing." She says the idea for this episode arose from the idea that Dawn would be in the bargaining stage of mourning, and "if you were in Sunnydale and someone you loved died, you would absolutely call on the forces of darkness to resurrect them."
The magical-resurrection plot thread of this story bears a strong resemblance to the 1902 short story The Monkey's Paw
by W. W. Jacobs
.
Plot
BuffyBuffy Summers
Buffy Summers is a fictional character from Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise. She first appeared in the 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer before going on to appear in the television series and subsequent comic book of the same name...
selects a casket for her mother with Giles
Rupert Giles
Rupert Giles is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The character is portrayed by Anthony Stewart Head. He serves as Buffy Summers' mentor and surrogate father figure...
and Dawn
Dawn Summers
Dawn Summers is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and introduced by Marti Noxon and David Fury on the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, portrayed by Michelle Trachtenberg. She made her debut in the premiere episode of the show's fifth season, and subsequently appeared in every...
. Dawn expresses her concern that their mother would not have appreciated Buffy's choice. Later, the gang gathers for dinner at the Summers residence and discusses plans for the funeral, excluding Dawn from any decision making.
Spike
Spike (Buffyverse)
Spike, played by James Marsters, is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Spike is a vampire and played various roles on the shows, ranging from villain to anti-hero. For Marsters, the role as Spike began a career in science...
, while bringing a bouquet of flowers to the Summers home, runs into Willow
Willow Rosenberg
Willow Rosenberg is a fictional character created for the fantasy television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer . She was developed by Joss Whedon and portrayed throughout the TV series by Alyson Hannigan...
and Xander
Xander Harris
Alexander LaVelle "Xander" Harris is a fictional character in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as well as in numerous items in the series Expanded Universe, such as comic books, tie-in novels and video games...
. A brief spat occurs when Xander misinterprets this as Spike taking advantage of the situation to get closer to Buffy, while Spike insists that he was attempting to pay his respects to Joyce, as she was the only one of Buffy's "lot" that ever treated him decently. When it becomes clear that Xander won't be convinced otherwise, an irritated Spike throws the bouquet down and storms off, and it is only after he departs that Willow and Xander discover that he hadn't included a card with the flowers and recognize the sincerity of the gesture.
The next day, a group of people gather at a cemetery for Joyce's funeral. Dawn leaves with Tara
Tara Maclay
Tara Maclay is a fictional character created for the fantasy television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer . She was developed by Joss Whedon and portrayed by Amber Benson from the fourth to the sixth season until the character's death. Tara is a shy young woman with magical talents who falls in love...
and Willow while Buffy remains at the grave. Hours later, after the sun has set, Angel appears beside her. Inconsolable regarding the loss of her mother, Dawn reveals to Tara and Willow her intent to perform a resurrection spell. After making love, Anya
Anya Jenkins
Anya is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She also appears in the comic book series based on the television show. Portrayed by Emma Caulfield, the character appears as a guest star in the third and fourth seasons of the show before...
tells Xander how special it is to be able to create life, and how sex has become much more meaningful. Tara tries to convince Dawn that magic can't be used to alter the natural order of things, such as life and death, and tells her that Wiccans took an oath disallowing resurrection. In the graveyard, Angel does his best to comfort Buffy when she worries how she will continue without Joyce's strength, and if there was any chance she could have saved her mother. Angel offers to stay in town for as long as she needs him, and Buffy asks him to stay with her forever. The two kiss sweetly but pull away, knowing nothing more can happen. Buffy expresses her gratitude, and he stays with her until the sun rises. Ben encounters Jinx, saying that he will not help Glory and he is tired of her games, but accidentally makes a comment that leads Jinx to conclude that the Key is human. Not wanting Glory
Glorificus
Glory is a fictional character in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Also known as "Glorificus," "That Which Cannot Be Named," "The Abomination," and "The Beast," she appeared during the fifth season of the program and was portrayed by Clare Kramer.-History:Glorificus is a god from a...
to learn this fact, Ben stabs the minion with his own knife.
The next morning, Dawn is sulking over Willow and Tara's refusal to help her. As she leaves, Willow magically pulls a book out from the bookshelf to make it noticeable. Alone, Dawn retrieves the book, identifying the section about resurrection spells. Later, at the Magic Box, Dawn sneaks up to the loft after Giles tells her that's where he keeps his most dangerous books. She slips several items into her backpack. While collecting dirt from Joyce's grave that night, Dawn is caught by Spike, who recognizes her actions, but shocks her by offering to help.
Meanwhile, Giles is seen drinking at home, reminiscing while listening to old records. Spike, claiming to dislike seeing Summers women "take it so hard on the chin," makes Dawn promise not to tell Buffy of his involvement in her plans. Glory fumes about Ben after Jynx returns to her wounded, but quickly cheers up when he informs her that the Key is human. In the home of a man named Doc, Dawn and Spike receive an incantation, but learn that they need a Ghora demon's egg and a picture of Joyce. Doc advises Dawn that the results might not be what she wants and that if she wishes to undo the spell, she must tear up the image. Spike takes Dawn to a Ghora demon nest, where he plays interference with the three-headed demon while Dawn gets an egg, which she drops in her haste. During their second attempt, Spike is bitten by the Ghora, but kills it in turn.
Tara realizes that A History of Witchcraft is missing from their shelf and after concluding that Dawn took it, she and Willow decide to call Buffy. Buffy hears about Dawn's spell just as she is finishing it upstairs in her room. When Buffy confronts her, the two girls get into a vicious argument about their different ways of dealing with their mother's death. Dawn accuses Buffy of being so busy arranging everything that she doesn't care that their mother is dead, earning herself a slap across the face from her sister. Buffy immediately regrets her action and admits that she's keeping busy so she doesn't have to deal with the situation, because when she stops then her mother is really gone. During their argument, a figure emerges from Joyce's grave and walks toward the house. A shadow passes by the front window followed by a knocking on the door, and Buffy, hoping it's Joyce, rushes to answer the door. Dawn immediately realizes the inherent dangers of the spell and rips up the photo, and when Buffy answers the door all she finds is an empty step. This is too much for Buffy and she starts to cry, finally facing the reality of her mother's death. A sobbing Dawn hugs her, and they collapse to the floor united in grief.
Production details
Writer and director Marti NoxonMarti Noxon
Martha Mills "Marti" Noxon is an American television and film writer first known for writing and producing Buffy the Vampire Slayer.- Production :...
says, "To me, the idea of wanting to defy death is just an inherent, almost mythological, iconic notion. It’s something we can relate to...a universal longing." She says the idea for this episode arose from the idea that Dawn would be in the bargaining stage of mourning, and "if you were in Sunnydale and someone you loved died, you would absolutely call on the forces of darkness to resurrect them."
The magical-resurrection plot thread of this story bears a strong resemblance to the 1902 short story The Monkey's Paw
The Monkey's Paw
"The Monkey's Paw" is a horror short story by author W. W. Jacobs. It was published in England in 1902.The story is based on the famous "setup" in which three wishes are granted. In the story, the paw of a dead monkey is a talisman that grants its possessor three wishes, but the wishes come with an...
by W. W. Jacobs
W. W. Jacobs
William Wymark Jacobs , was an English author of short stories and novels.-Writings:Jacobs is now remembered for his macabre tale "The Monkey's Paw" and "The Toll House"...
.
Continuity
- Willow magically pulls out the book that deals on Resurrection for Dawn, which shows Willow is willing to alter life to ease one's pain. This is crucial in Season 6.
- Angel next appears on the last two episodes of season 7.
Arc significance
- Dawn is shown thinking of and performing a Resurrection Spell. Tara shows her fear and stern belief that it is wrong to mess with the natural selection of life, but Willow is shown to be a little more lenient. This foreshadows Willow's ever increasing use of magic wrongly and the resurrecting of Buffy she does in the Season 6 opener.
- Ben also reveals to Glory's minions that the key is a human being. In previous episodes Glory didn't know whether the key was a human or an inanimate object and so this leads her closer to revealing Dawn's identity.
- The record Giles is shown listening to (CreamCream (band)Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
's Disraeli GearsDisraeli GearsDisraeli Gears is the second album by British supergroup Cream. It was released in November 1967 and went on to reach #5 on the UK Albums Chart. It was also their American breakthrough, becoming a massive seller there in 1968, reaching #4 on the American charts...
, specifically "Tales of Brave UlyssesTales of Brave Ulysses"Tales of Brave Ulysses" is a song performed by the 1960s group Cream. The lyrics were written by artist Martin Sharp, and the music was composed by Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce. Arranged by Robert Stigwood, the song is featured on Cream's album Disraeli Gears. Sharp had written the words on the...
") is the same record he played for Joyce in "Band Candy".
External links
- "Forever" at BuffyGuide.com