User Reviews

"Villains" picks up right where "Seeing Red" left off. In fact, the rest season plays out like one long episode, so it's hard to separate the individual parts. The entire season has built up to Willow's dark turn and you really shouldn't miss the pay off. These really are some of the best episodes of the season. "Villians" sees the end of Warren and the beginning of Willow becoming the worst Big Bad in Sunnydale history.

"Villians" revolves around Willow's reactions to Tara's death. After getting shot by Warren, Tara collapses on the bedroom floor dead. Willow calls on Osiris to bring Tara back, but her death was by human means and there's no chance for resurrection. Willow wants vengeance. Learning that Warren was responsible, she heads to the Magic Box for some magical fire power. Charging up on black magic, she stops by the hospital and cures Buffy. Then, she heads after Warren. Buffy and Xander warn her that killing humans' is outside the Scoobies jurisdiction. But Willow is too far gone to listen. She's determined to kill Warren no matter what the cost. Meanwhile Spike heads for Africa, where he embarks on the Demon Trials. If he wins, he'll get to be "what he was" again. Willow continues tracking Warren into the Sunnydale woods, ties him up and tortures him. The Scoobies arrive, desperate to stop her wrath, but it's too late. As they watch in horror, Willow strips the skin off Warren's body and sets him on fire. Then she sets out after Jonathon and Andrew...

There's a lot to like about this episode. I love Dark Willow. The grief and rage crackles around her like lightening, as she tracks down Warren. The first time I saw this episode and I realized that she was actually gonna flay Warren alive, my mouth just about hit the floor. How could that be Willow? But, in retrospect, it was as if this was her path all along. Her flashes of temper and her reliance on magic goes all the way back to season two. Her dark turn really does make perfect sense.

I don't think that the title "Villians" is referring to Warren, Andrew and Jonathan. I think that it's referring to Spike and Willow, who are reflections of each other. Last episode "Seeing Red" had Spike try to rape Buffy. He was the villain and now he's trying to redeem himself with his quest. Last episode had Willow redeemed from her magic addiction, happy and content with Tara. And now she's become the villain, on her own quest to kill the Trio. Spike and Willow have always had similarities. At the beginning of season six, why didn't Willow tell Spike about the resurrection spell? Spike says it's because he would have tried to protect whatever kind of Buffy came back. Willow says it's because he (and Giles and Dawn) wouldn't understand. Reading between the lines of their explanations, Spike's saying that Willow is dark enough to risk bringing back a zombie Buffy. And Willow's saying that Spike's light enough to try and prevent her from delving into black magic. They see something of each other, through their individual facades. Willow is generally light, with a hidden darkness inside of her. Spike is generally dark, with a hidden lightness inside of him. In "Villians" it's as if the two of them are tapping into that hidden part of themselves and passing by each other. Spike is going upward towards the light and Willow is headed down into the dark.

Starting back in season five, Willow and Spike have had a subtle connection to each other. As if they understood the other on a level that most people didn't. When Glory hurt Tara in "Tough Love," it was Spike that warned Buffy that Willow would be out for revenge. And after Glory kidnapped Dawn and Buffy went into her catatonic state in "Weight of the World," Willow told Spike not to think about going after Glory for pay back. They each knew that the other would be thinking about vengeance. And when they discuss the people they love, they both do it in terms of a light or glow. Cecliy was "effulgent" ("Fool for Love.") Buffy seemed to "glow" ("Hell's Bells.") Tara's "light" was snuffed out ("Villians.") They both see love as a fire, but it often causes them to get burned. Plus, there's the name thing. William and Willow, which is kinna cool.

On the down side, where did Warren get that robot of himself? Did he just have it pre-made in case of an emergency? Also, I'm sorry about Tara's death. She proved herself to be the most stable, responsible, goodhearted person in the Scoobie gang and she didn't deserve to die. Finally, did Dawn really sit in that bedroom all day with Tara's body and not even call 911? What if Tara could have been resuscitated or something?

My favorite part of the episode: Willow's, "Bored now." A nice homage to Vampire Willow back in season three and proof that Angel was right about someone's personality influencing their vampire-self.

... for season six's Big Bad. It wasn't those impotent poorly organized nerds - Warren, Andrew, and Jonathan, and I for one am glad. Warren's ultimate evil plan was to...get balls??? (see previous episode). No, the Big Bad is Willow. This twelve step magic recovery storyline has just been a ruse all along. When Warren's bullet ( a stray one even) hits Tara, who has just been reunited with Willow, and kills Tara instantly, and no spell will bring her back, Willow heads straight for the Magic Box, immerses herself in the darkest magic and turns into "Dark Veiny Willow". Her target is Warren, who doesn't even know he's a target at first, but after he visits the sorcerer Rack he is informed that it is not the slayer who is after him, but a force of darkness the fury of which he has never seen before.

Warren's attempts at escape are clumsy to say the least. Why not change form? Why not teleport to an alternate country or even an alternate universe? The guy is penny smart and pound stupid. As for the remaining Scoobies, they try to stop Willow, although at first only Buffy wants to stop Willow. She explains that if Willow kills, it will destroy her in the process.

What about the other two members of the nerd trio? For now Andrew and Jonathan are safe in jail. For now. How does this one turn out? We still have a few more episodes to go in season six folks, so watch and find out.

My main problem with this episode as with all of the episodes in season six after Joss Whedon pretty much dumped the executive producer job on Marti Noxin, is that the dialogue seems somewhat mechanical rather than rolling trippingly off the tongue. You just don't feel the camaraderie between the Scoobies anymore, although the dialogue tells you it is there. SHOW me, don't TELL me. The only thing that wreaks of truth is Willow's pain and hatred. She's doing great as the big bad so far.

In "Villains", Willow is out for vengeance after the death of Tara. While Jonathan & Andrew rot in a cell, Warren scrambles around Sunnyvale trying to avoid Willow at all costs. He builds a robot to trick Willow but this only slows her down; it doesn't stop her. The rest of the gang tries to get to Willow before she does something she may regret. But Willow's dark magic is on a whole other level. Buffy tries to drop Dawn off with Spike while she pursues Willow only to discover that he's skipped town. Dawn hangs out with Clem instead. The gang discovers that Anya has returned to her vengeance demon days after she can feel Willow around town like a radar. Anya, Xander, and Buffy chase after Willow into the woods and watch in horror as she removes Warren's skin from his body and then ends his life. Meanwhile, Spike is off in a desert somewhere where he confronts a demon in a cave. He asks to be put through a trial that will change him... or something. I'm not sure yet.

We're really revving up for this season finale! Willow's new look is awesome! The black hair, black clothes, black eyes, it's all great. And even though she's portrayed as a pseudo-evil and villainous figure, you can't help but side with her as a viewer. Sure, maybe the way she dealt with Warren was a bit sadistic, but it almost feels as if she's not even herself anymore, the power of the magic has taken over. She may never be the same after this whole experience.

Xander learns that Anya has returned to being a vengeance demon in this episode but everyone is so busy with the Willow crisis that no one has time to process this new information. Also if she's a demon again, why is she still running The Magic Box? That seems weird to me.

I also found it weird that Dawn wasn't more upset by Tara's death. By the end of the episode, her and Clem are palling around like it's no big deal. Maybe her brain is a bit warped. Having your sister return from the dead probably changes your expectations surrounding life and death. So who knows?

Besides these two issues (and the fact that Spike is able to show up seemingly in South America or Africa or wherever the hell he is after leaving Sunnydale the previous night and probably having to hide during the day since he can't ride a motorcycle in the sunlight), this is a good episode. Willow's never been one of my favorite characters but she rules during this. I love a woman fighting back against these misogynistic men like Warren; it's great. This season overall has been one of my least favorites of BtVS but I'm starting to warm up to it as we approach the finish line.

Following the shock ending of 'Seeing Red' Willow calls the God Osiris to try and bring Tara back to life. Xander and the paramedics try desperately to stabilise Buffy and it seems to be working. Jonathan and Andrew sulk in jail. Warren thinks he has killed Buffy but is informed otherwise. Willow uses magic to go after Warren and to try and kill him.

Why It's So Good - Willow explodes with grief. Her addiction takes over, and she becomes a true and genuine threat to Buffy and the world. It was somewhat darkly satisfying seeing her track down and ultimately kill Warren.

Watch Out For - The well known trio.

Quote - "Or, we could rent videos. I've been dying to see 'The Wedding Planner.'" - Clem.

The Good; DarkWillow saving Buffy then her relentless pursuit of Warren. The Geeks in jail, the heartbreaking scenes with Buffy, Dawn and Xander.

The Bad; Surely the Sunnydale police must need to get lengthy witness statements from Buffy and Xander? Wouldn't they hang around the house after the paramedics report the shooting? Buffy appears to have heart surgery yet keep her top on. Also the bullet seems awfully high in her chest to have damaged her heart.

Best line; Xander; "I've had blood on my hands all day, blood of people I love"

Women good/men bad; Everything that comes out of Warrens mouth. DarkWillow states that he has a big thing about the Slayer because he wants to dominate powerful women.

Captain Subtext; Jonathon is very nervous of his prospects in prison, Andrew by contrast is surprisingly blase(?) Clem says he's been dying to see The Wedding Planner?

Guantanamo Bay; DarkWillow tortures Warren

Scoobies to the ER; Buffy to the operating table. You wonder if DarkWillow saved Buffy or if the surgeons or Slayer healing would have done it anyway?

Apocalypses; 6

Scoobies in bondage: Buffy: 8 Giles: 4 Cordy: 5 Will: 4 Jenny: 1 Angel: 4 Oz: 1 Faith: 3 Joyce: 1 Wes: 1 Xander; 2 Dawn; 4

Scoobies knocked out: Buffy on the operating table Buffy: 18 Giles: 12 Cordy: 6 Xander: 12 Will: 8 Jenny: 2 Angel: 6 Oz: 3 Faith: 1 Joyce: 3 Wes: 1 Anya;3 Dawn; 2 Tara; 1 Kills: DarkWillow kills Warren Buffy: 107 vamps, 56 demons, 6 monsters, 3 humans, 1 werewolf, 1 spirit warrior & a robot Giles: 8 vamps, 2 demon, 1 human, 1 god.

Cordy: 3 vamps, a demon Will: 6 vamps + 3 demons +1 fawn.

Angel: 3 vamps, 1 demon, 1 human Oz: 3 vamps, 1 zombie Faith: 16 vamps, 5 demons, 3 humans Xander: 6 vamps, 2 zombies, 1 a demon, Anya: 1 vamp and 1 a demon Riley; 18 vamps + 7 demons Spike; 8 vamps and 4 demons Buffybot; 2 vamps Tara; 1 demon Dawn; 1 vamp

Scoobies go evil: Willow and how! I almost think that what's more disturbing is the way DarkWillow just leaves Tara's corpse lying there on the floor soaked in her blood, compare that with Dawn who stays with the body of the girl she loves because she doesn't want her to be alone.

Giles: 1 Cordy: 1 Will: 2 Jenny: 1 Angel: 1 Oz: 1 Joyce: 1 Xander: 4 Anya; 1 Dawn; 1 Buffy; 1 Alternate scoobies: DarkWillow Buffy: 8 Giles: 4 Cordy: 1 Will: 4 Jenny: 2 Angel: 3 Oz: 2 Joyce: 2 Xander: 4 Tara; 1 Dawn;1 Spike; 1 Anya; 2

Recurring characters killed: 12 Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara Sunnydale deaths; 94

Total number of scoobies: 2- by the end of this ep Willow's well and truly gone, Dawn still not fully part of the team, sent to hide with Clem, only Xander and Buffy remain. The scoobies at their fewest since 'Welcome to the Hellmouth'.

Xander, Buffy, Xander demon magnet: 5(6?) Preying Mantis Lady, Inca Mummy Girl, Drusilla, VampWillow, Anya (arguably Buffy & Faith with their demon essences?), Dracula? Scoobies shot: Giles: 2 Angel: 3 Oz: 4 Riley; 1 Buffy; 1 Tara; 1

Notches on Scooby bedpost: Giles: 2; Joyce & Olivia, possibly Jenny and 3xDraccy babes? Cordy: 1? Buffy: 4 confirmed; Angel, Parker, Riley, Spike. 1 possible, Dracula(?) Angel: 1;Buffy Joyce: 1;Giles, 2 possible, Ted and Dracula(?) Oz: 3; Groupie, Willow & Verucca Faith:2 ;Xander, Riley Xander: 2; Faith, Anya Willow: 2;Oz and Tara Riley; 3; Buffy, Sandy and unnamed vampwhore Spike; 2 Buffy and Anya Anya; 2 Spike and Xander

Spike; good or bad? Spike in Africa where the demon says that he's been 'castrated', a vamps ability to kill once again compared to sexuality.

Dawn in peril; 10 from Willow!

Dawn the bashful virgin; 9

What the fanficcers thought; One called 'Deserving' that always sticks in my mind is where Season 7 Willow is tortured by nightly visits from Warren's ghost who cuts her flesh. In the follow up story she eventually realises that it's not Warren at all but her guilt manifesting itself magically. She forgives Warren and forgives herself, dreaming only of the happiness she knew with Tara from then on. Another good one is that Glory has brainsucked Faith so in the follow up Willow brainsucks Warren before she kills him and uses his mental energy to cure Faith, restoring our favourite dark haired Slayer's sanity once more.

And a lovely one where Tara's ghost visits Dawn, As Dawn Lay Snuggled in her Bed

Questions and observations; Interesting philosophical debate between Xander and Buffy, Xander wonders if Willow is justified in going all Punisher, Buffy says she can't be (prehaps because of what happened to Faith in Bad Girls or her in Dead Things?). Andrew is a fan of Mathew Broderick who of course starred with Michelle Tractenberg in Inspector Gadget. The cave paintings on the wall in Africa depict a man tied up and flayed alive and with his mouth sewn up just like Warren. Despite it all your heart still stops when you think Warren has killed Willow with the axe.

Here's a question, presuming this is in real time how did Spike get to Africa so fast? In Angel he remarks he's never been on a plane before? Marks out of 10; 8/10

First of all its a good episode, the writing is okay, directing was average the only good thing here is to see the dark hair Willow who is seeking revenge on Warren after he killed Tara. I love dark Willow she is so bloody powerful, and the actress Alyson Hannigan looks hotter with it.

The only problem I have the morality tone, compassion that Buffy express. When Dawn and Xander agrees that Warren need to get his punishment, our saint Buffy thought other wise. I have problem with that, when a human being kill another soul, he/she doesn't need to live. So be it, but truth being told I"m sick with the moral shove to my face.

And Spike left town? WHO THE HELL CARES?! At the end was pretty cool though, when Willow skin Warren with a poof! 'One down, two to go.'

The exciting start of an epic three parter as Willow becomes a dark witch after Tara is killed. I find it sad as Willow wails over the dead body of her lover, pleading with the gods to being her back and can't handle losing another love of her life. She sucks in magic at the shop to gain vengeance on Warren taking on a frightening appearance of dark hair and black eyes knowing she wants their blood on her hands. All season it has been leading up to this as Tara's worst fears come to life as she let it consume her turning this gentle creature into a monster who grabs what she thinks is her target only to find a robot.

Buffy on the other hand is angry for being shot yet her slaying duties won't allow her friend to take a life or be lost in misery. It shows in the end the slayer must out the greater good above all else. I find it sad that Tara is gone as she never hurt a soul, they just got back together and gained confidence only to be cruelly snatched away.