Every convention I go to, whether it’s the SWPACA in Albuquerque, New Mexico or Comic-Con in San Diego, they always have a panel dedicated to the musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, “Once More With Feeling.” This episode is amazing, and I’m a little bummed that Joss Whedon didn’t do more episodes like it.
But in a way, that’s what makes it such an iconic and memorable experience. It’s the one episode in the entire series that we can sing along to (unless you want to hum along to the beginning and ending credits, in which case we won’t stop you).
It not only gives us a chance to see into the lives of the Scooby Gang, but it also gives the Gang a glimpse at Buffy’s feelings after being brought back from the dead. Buffy sacrificed herself for her magical key/sister, Dawn, and in doing so saved the world from the dark god, Glory.
Her death should have been the end of it. The funeral happened and life moved on. But because of the world she lives in, the world she exposed her friends to, she was brought back.
This isn’t the first time Buffy escaped death. Her first death came at the hands of the Master, giving birth to Kendra. Xander then comes in, literally breathes life back into her lungs, and BOOM, two Slayers.
Of course, then Kendra dies and Faith comes in.
But I digress.
The panel opened with Juliet Landau (Drusilla) and her husband showing us the trailer for their project, A Place Among the Undead, a several part series focused on the multifaceted persona of vampires and vampire culture. So far, they have interviewed Joss Whedon, Charlaine Harris, Nathan Fillion, and others to get a feel for how fans of the horror genre approach the world of the undead.
I was not allowed to take photos or video of the trailer, but they did share that they are on IndieGoGo. Donations can earn you various kinds of Undead swag.
While my panel buddy and I agreed that the Buffy musical should totally have its own shadow cast ala Rocky Horror, Fox simply won’t allow it. Several others have tried to start shadow shows only to have Fox slap them with papers.
Come on, guys, it’s only one episode!
This musical is seriously the major highlight of any convention.
“Now I’ve gotta go, I’ll see you all in hell!”
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