Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series) Bargaining: Part 1 (2001) User Reviews

BtVS's best season begins

[jaywensley2004 · 7/10 · 26 February 2015]

Viewers, and for that matter the BtVS crew, didn't know when Buffy jumped if the show was done.

Then Whedon found a new home and the show's darkest but most meaningful season begins with "Bargaining." "Bargaining 1 & 2" are not the show's best episodes. But they set up exquisitely the season's Big Bad by providing a reason for Buffy to wonder "Is this Hell?"

Season 6 is the show's most metaphysical. BtVS was always filled with symbols and metaphors, but with Buffy's asking of Dawn the nature of their existence, Whedon and Co. are taking viewers into the meaning of the story. In Season 4's finale, "Restless," Xander visits the "Heart of Darkness." "Restless" is well regarded for its prophetic elements and with "Bargaining" the journey prophesied begins.

Its a sad, brutal and pointedly banal ride. At season's end the world will be saved by the most prosaic object imaginable: A yellow crayon. But Buffy's question will remain: "Is this Hell?"

Buffy-Bot Takes Center Stage

[Samuel-Shovel · 7/10 · 10 April 2018]

In part one of "Bargaining", we head back to Sunnyvale, presumably a few months after the death of Buffy. The gang seems to be coping pretty well but are extremely busy in warding off evil. Buffy-bot has now taken over as Buffy for the public eye. The gang doesn't want evildoers knowing that the slayer is dead and Dawn wants to stick around and use Buffy-bot as her legal guardian. With the help of Spike, they continue to kill vampires. Giles has decided to leave Sunnyvale and give The Magic Box to Anya. When a vampire learns that Buffy is a robot, he spreads the word to a demon biker gang who run ransack over the town and expose Buffy-bot for what she really is. After much preparation, Willow attempts a spell to bring back Buffy from the grave.

With the final shot of the episode, we can see that Buffy is back. Well that didn't last long... I knew she'd come back eventually but I figured they'd draw it out longer than just one episode! No matter. She seems to be stuck in her coffin so it'll be interesting how to see how she comes back.

Best show's episode(s) wannabe, but failing

[abbabash · 8/10 · 5 June 2008]

In Region 2 DVD's, "Bargaining" is the only two-part that is melted in one feature-length episode. I do state that if they chose to make it a single episode, cutting out the bad parts, it should be my favorite. But the biker demons are one of the silliest and lamest villains in the whole show! That said, the resurrection of Buffy by Willow is the single most revolutionary, heretic, moving scene of the show! For the first time, the witch is using overall blackest magick. Beginning with her slaughtering bambi, then the pentacle (she, Tara, Xander, Anya and dead Buffy), then the snake from her mouth: they are all Voodoo charms. But Willow got through Voodoo: she raised the dead from her tomb and gave her a conscience! Buffy was a putrefied cadaver: not even Jesus Christ did the same! Lazarus was dead just by a couple of days, not months! No wonder if Willow feels omnipotent!

Buffy's Back

[katierose295 · 10/10 · 1 September 2006]

What happens after the story ends? After the battle is over? After the hero is gone? Where do you go next? This season is all about confronting these questions. It deals with some of the shows most disturbing and dark story lines. Develing into grittier plots and more adult themes. In fact, it's too dark in places. Really, this isn't my favorite season. BTVS has always spanned genres. A little bit of comedy, a little bit of drama, a little action, a little sci-fi, a little romance... It works because it all blends together so well. But, in season six, there isn't much sign of the light hearted comedic/romantic side of the show. It's pretty much 22 episodes of crying and misery. That said, season six has some of the show's deepest story lines and best episodes. ("Once More With Feeling" alone is worth giving the season a chance.) Season six is about the problems that the Scoobies bring on themselves, and a lot of the troubles they'll have later start here in "Bargaining Part One." If you're going to watch season six, you have to see this episode.

"Bargaining Part One" deals with Willow attempts to bring Buffy back to life. Since Buffy died through supernatural means, Willow has convinced herself that she might be stuck in a hell dimension somewhere. She's desperate to get Buffy back and she's willing to defy nature to do it. Meanwhile, the Scoobies have been trying to convince the residents of the Hellmouth that the Slayer is still alive. They have the Buffy-bot patrolling with them, and going to Dawn's school functions so everyone sees "Buffy." Unfortunately the demons are catching on to the ruse. Giles decides leave Sunnydale and go back to England. The Scoobies wave him off, scared to tell him (Or Dawn and Spike) that they plan to raise Buffy that very night. At first things seem to be going well, but then demon bikers interrupt the ritual. The Scoobies have to retreat, but they have no idea that the spell worked. Buffy is alive and well again... Only she's still in her coffin.

There are some great parts to this episode. The Scoobies going on their own vampire hunt is pretty fun. Spike is swearing at them to keep up. The Buffy-bot is telling knock-knock jokes. Willow is giving them instructions via telepathy. Anya is nagging Xander about announcing their engagement. Yet, amazingly they really seem to be getting along without Buffy. Kidding around and fighting evil on their own... They just don't realize it. I also really like Willow, Xander, Anya and Tara's short-staffed Scoobie meeting. Willow tells them that they'll be raising Buffy the next night and Xander balks. Who voted Willow the boss? Tara and Anya look at him like he's crazy. "You did. You said, Willow should be boss. Then we voted on it and it was unanimous. You made a little sign that said 'Boss of Us.' You put sparkles on it." Really funny stuff. Plus, they bough the mystical Urn of Osisris on e-Bay, which is just brilliant. Giles good-bye scene at the airport is sweet and heartbreaking all at the same time. Especially when he hugs Willow. And I feel so sorry for Spike when the Buffy-bot starts telling him how attractive he is. He doesn't want to be reminded of how he had Warren make her for him. A look of shame and sadness and longing for the real Buffy crosses his face and he quickly has to get away from her.

Of the all them, though, Spike surprisingly enough is dealing with Buffy's death in the most mature fashion. Giles is leaving the country, which seems more like running away from his memories in Sunnydale than a desire to go back to England. Willow is obsessed with getting Buffy back no matter how many rules she has to break or lines she has to cross. Tara knows that Willow's wrong, but she's going along with the plan anyway. Anya and Xander have reservations, too, but they don't want to be the ones to back out. Dawn is acting like the Buffy-bot is really Buffy, even sleeping next to it for comfort. Only Spike is really confronting Buffy's death head on. Caring for Dawn like her promised her he would back in "The Gift" and silently keeping count of the days since she died. Without Buffy he really has no reason to stay in Sunnydale. He could go back to Dru, or to LA, or move on to someplace else. But he's too committed to the Scoobies to just walk away.

On the down side, I sometime think that it would have been better if Buffy had stayed gone. We have the Buffy-bot and the Scoobies. We could have just had season six without her and I would be spared all her angst.

My favorite part of the episode: The Buffy-bot goes to parent/teacher day at Sunnydale High. "School is where you learn."

Resurrection part 1

[Realrockerhalloween · 5 October 2016]

Buffy has died now her friends pick up the pieces and love on. They hunt cemeteries to slay vampires, moved into her house to take care of Dawn and keep up the buffybot repairs so demons don't know she died. What I find interesting is how much they've grown as a family that they would keep Buffy's memory alive and take care of her house along with her sister instead of letting her be taken away. Also Im surprised no one knows she's gone as she has a grave unless it's a shallow one or how the underworld believes she survived the fall unless news doesn't travel far or they think it wasn't that high.

Another aspect is how lonely Dawn feels cuddling up with the Buffy bot for comfort and feeling like a part of her is gone. Her friends can't picture a future without her planning a resurrection spell to bring her back and screw with natural order. Very powerful commentary on the lengths people go on during grief that it kills them inside, wish they could be brought back and picture what the future would be like if they were apart of it.

People grieve in different ways

[ossie85 · 8/10 · 21 August 2022]

While the BuffyBot and the gang take over the slaying of Sunnydale, Giles decides that he is finally leaving Sunnydale. This is bad timing as Willow, Xander, Anya and Tara are bringing Buffy back to life that night - not telling Giles, Spike or Dawn. Also, the BuffyBot's cover is blown and a group of biker demons are coming to take over Sunnydale.

Why It's So Good - A Buffyless Buffy? Never!! This episode is an interesting insight on the scoobies surviving without Buffy's friendship and leadership. Giles' and Spike's guilt over Buffy's death is very sad, and something to be touched on, Willow's improper use of magic is disturbing and Xander's fear of telling people he is engaged is a red flag. The Buffybot provides many good one liners.

Watch Out For - Cuppa tea, cuppa tea, almost got shagged, cuppa tea.

Quote - "Well then why are you torturing me? You know, I used to punish people like this when I was a demon. I made them double-check spreadsheets for all eternity." - Anya talking to Giles.

world without of Buffy...

[radonjicsandra · 10/10 · 22 February 2009]

In the end of season 5 Buffy died and three month letter we find out that nobody know's that.Buffybot is slayer now and Scobbies help's her to do that.Spike is with them to.We see that they tries to cope with Buffy death.We see that Buffybot is not perfect and Spike is first to say that she never be exactly like Buffy.So Willow decide to do the spell and rise Buffy from dead.Only Anya,Xender and Tarra know about that.Gilles go back to England,Down want her sister back and Spike...Spike is just grate.His emotions is seen in just one line:"She'll never bi exactly like Buffy..."His voice crack with tears when he sad that and that broke my heart.

Grave and no new slayer!

[njboden · 8/10 · 3 September 2020]

This was an enjoyable and significant episode for all the reasons that have been explained in depth by other users (Armageddon avoided, funny Buffy bot, significant events like Buffy's death and resurrection and Giles' departure) but there are 2 main problems that have so far gone unmentioned, nor are they listed in the goofs section for this episode.

Firstly, if the Scooby gang want to keep Buffy's death a secret why bury her in a MARKED grave?!!

Secondly, the last time Buffy died, Faith appeared. No other slayer took her place in this episode though, despite there being a 3 month gap from death to resurrection. Why?

The One Where Buffy Comes Back To Life...

[taylorkingston · 8/10 · 30 September 2014]

I enjoyed this episode so much. But it was a bit strange to see an episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, with pretty much, no Buffy in it.

After Buffy died three months ago, Willow, Xander, Dawn, Giles, Anya, Tara and Spike have taken over Buffy's responsibilities. They even trick you in the beginning, making you think that Buffy was still alive. But alas, it was Buffy-bot. Buffy-bot has taken the role of real Buffy, so no one realizes that she's dead. Especially the demons and vampires of the world. Sunnydale would become a permanent nesting ground for every low life near Southern California. Willow and Tara now live with Dawn and take care of her. Spike often babysits her as well. And of course, Willow being super witch, has hatched a plan to bring Buffy back to life. The end of Part 1, ends with Buffy crawling out of her grave.

Overall, I give this episode an 8 out of 10.

She who believeth in me...

[Joxerlives · 6/10 · 23 April 2012]

The Good; SMG is just wonderful as the Buffybot, credit it to her that she can remember all the dialogue at the end of the teaser. Another nice Anya/Tara scene and Dawn and Buffy reunited is always a joy. Love the way that the Buffybot is such a hit at Dawn's parent/teacher day. Possibly the coolest Spike moment ever when he kicks the Hellion off the bike.

The Bad; The Hellions are deeply stupid. There's only 15 of them and they appear to be killable by conventional methods (some are even human) so why don't the SDPD just shoot them? The fat vamp seems to burn awfully fast, Dru and Darla on Angel take far longer.

Best line; Xander; "House o' chicks relax, I am a man, I have a tool!"

Women good/men bad; Razor is nastily misogynist so Tara let's him have her axe. Good for her!

Jeez!; Will kills Bambi! Even though she's a machine you feel so sorry for the Buffybot. The sight of Buffy's corpse is upsetting but not as much as her crawling out of her grave.

Kinky dinky; The Hellions threaten to rape the Scoobies.

Captain Subtext; Love the Willow/Tara/Dawn house. In the comics Willow talks of the pair being tempted of just taking Dawn and the three moving out of Sunnydale, forming their own little lesbian family. Spike can't be with Buffy so he takes the closest thing he can get, babysitting Dawn. Xander appears to like the Backstreet Boys? Hmmmmm? Dawn and the Buffybot, awwwwww! Xander and Giles hug at the airport. Xander says he needs more male friends.

Kills: 1 vamp for Spike and one for the Buffybot. One fawn and one demon for Will. A demon each for Xander and Anya. Tara's first kill plus 3 demons for Buffy Buffy: 96 vamps, 35 demons, 6 monsters, 3 humans, 1 werewolf, 1 spirit warrior & a robot Giles: 5 vamps, 2 demon, 1 human, 1 god. Cordy: 3 vamps, a demon Will: 6 vamps + 1 demon +1 fawn. Angel: 3 vamps, 1 demon, 1 human Oz: 3 vamps, 1 zombie Faith: 16 vamps, 5 demons, 3 humans Xander: 5 vamps, 2 zombies, 1 a demon, Anya: 1 vamp and 1 a demon Riley; 18 vamps + 7 demons Spike; 3 vamps and 2 demon Buffybot; 2 vamps Tara; 1 demon

Total number of scoobies: goodbye Giles and goodbye Buffybot so 6 Xander, Willow, Buffy, Anya, Tara, Spike

Spike; good or bad? (new column to handle one of the most pressing questions of the series) Spike is fighting alongside the scoobs and taking care of Dawn but also pouring scorn on the schooling system and thinking the chaos and destruction looks fun.

Buffy and Dawn more than sisters? Dawn not only gives Buffy the will to live but she seems to just instinctively be able to sense that she's back and find her amidst the chaos. Once again it's implied that that there's a deeper connection between the 2 sisters.

Questions and observations; Very long 'previously on Buffy', the series now very much rooted in it's own mythology. Love Tara the vamp hunter, note she feels the need to get a leather coat for her warrior princess phase. Note Giles and Spike actually share a joke together. The numbered shirts appear which I actually didn't notice first time around. Buffy looks to have put a little weight on whilst dead and it suits her. The Buffybot remarks 'I don't eat', deliberate joke? Dawn is back in touch with her dad. The Buffybot appears to be breaking her programming and almost becoming a real girl. Check out the scene where the Scoobies are saying goodbye to Giles at the airport, it looks like Spike is sitting behind Giles (JM's stand in?).

One good thing is that they kept Dawn. She wasn't that popular with the fans and it would have been very easy to write her out, she would have simply gone to live with her dad and she and Buffy could have had an offscreen reunion as Buffy and Angel do. But they kept her and the show is all the better for it. Surely if Willow can fix a decapitated Buffybot she can fix a limbless one? So what happens to the bot? I remember reading an excellent fanfic called The Sentry where they repair it and leave it hooked up to an electricity supply in a remote cave, programmed to come to the rescue if anything ever happens to the Scoobs (very 'Demon with a glass hand' if you ever watched The Outer Limits). To judge by Buffy's appearance when she comes out of the grave she dyes her hair. You notice that the 'power shot' at the end of the opening titles isn't actually Buffy at all, it's actually the Buffybot.

I almost stopped watching Buffy at this point, I was so disappointed in these opening eps but I'm glad I kept with it.

Marks out of 10; 6/10

Razor: Well, I better back off or you might, what? Pull a rabbit out of a hat? Anya: Don't! Don't do that! Why would she do that?!

[bombersflyup · 7/10 · 14 November 2018]

Bargaining is a double episode about the gang trying to raise Buffy back from the dead and Buffybot posing as the slayer.

The first half's terrific, but it falls away once the demon bikers interrupt the spell. Spike has been significant in far better episodes than this one, but this might be the character's high point right here. The demon bikers are terrible and without Giles or Buffy/Buffybot, it should have stayed with Spike and Dawn as the others failed to maintain the quality. The end was poor, they couldn't come up with something better than Buffy not speaking and then going and standing where she died.

Spike: Oh, poor Watcher. Did your life pass before your eyes? Cuppa tea, cuppa tea, almost got shagged, cuppa tea.

Killing a deer?

[drnpltsy · 2/10 · 2 August 2023]

The episode was pretty good, entertaining, intriguing and gripping, but How do you shoot a scene where you can brutally kill a deer, even if it's just for the sake of acting? Whoever writes a script like this most likely hates animals and it's surprising that no one objected to it. Other than that, it shouldn't be this easy to understand that the slayer is a robot.

The episode was pretty good, entertaining, intriguing and gripping, but How do you shoot a scene where you can brutally kill a deer, even if it's just for the sake of acting? Whoever writes a script like this most likely hates animals and it's surprising that no one objected to it. Other than that, it shouldn't be this easy to understand that the slayer is a robot.