Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series) Bring on the Night (2002) User Reviews

The Potentials show up and start annoying me

[katierose295 · 7/10 · 7 September 2006]

Around this point in the series, I stop identifying the episodes by their titles. From season one onward, I usually think of the episodes using their actual names. But, in season seven it's like all the titles start sounding alike. Plus, for the next four or five episodes basically nothing happens. Everything's all interchangeable. So, instead of thinking of this episode as, "Bring on the Night," I usually mentally call it, "The One Where the Potentials Show Up and Start Annoying Me." I HATE the Potentials. I'd rather have a half dozen Rileys and Dawns than even one Kennedy. (The only Buffyverse character who I actually dislike as much as the Potentials is Connor over on "Angel." And at least he gets the occasional beat down.) For the rest of the BTVS, the Potentials are just... There. Constantly there. They won't go away, and they multiply like a roach infestation. They just sit in the Summers' house and talk in their horrible fake accents. Whining and complaining and taking valuable screen time away from the characters who actually matter. If you're watching the season on DVD, I guess you shouldn't skip this episode. It introduces the UberVamps, and the Potentials and it brings Giles back to town. But, honestly, it feels like it's just spinning it wheels in a lot of places.

"Bring on the Night" (or "The One Where the Potentials Show Up and Start Annoying Me") revolves around the Potentials showing up and annoying me. Giles brings them to Buffy's house for safe keeping. It seem that the First is out to destroy the Slayer line, by targeting every girl in the world who COULD be a Slayer. It's killing them one by one, so even if Faith dies no new Slayer can rise. (It's never explicitly stated, but the way I understand it, if Buffy is killed again, a new Slayer won't be called. Otherwise, there would be three Slayers after season five's "The Gift." Faith IS her replacement Slayer.) With the Watcher Council destroyed, Giles says that Buffy has to care for the Potentials. Plus, more will soon be coming from all over the world. (Apparently, none of them have parents.) These three Potentials are welcomed in to the Summers' home. There's Kennedy, an out-spoken, Pontential who already has her eyes on Willow. And Molly and Annabel, who are both English and basically interchangeable.

Meanwhile, Spike is still being held captive by the First. Buffy is desperate to save him. She heads back to the Christmas tree lot where she first encountered the First back in season three's "Amends." Going down into one of the caverns beneath it, she comes face to face with an Uber-Vamp. Buffy fights it and looses. She barely escapes with her life. As Giles' explains it, UberVamps are Neanderthal Vampires. Stronger, older and more primitive. (Although, I do think that Giles' would know that real Neanderthals had a surprisingly rich culture and weren't the mindless savages portrayed in pop-culture, but I digress...) As long as the UberVamp is guarding the First's caves, Buffy can't get to Spike. That night, Annabel (or Molly, which ever) runs away from the Summers house. She soon killed by the UberVamp. Buffy is savagely beaten by the UberVamp herself. The Scoobies find Buffy and bring her home, but they are at a loss as to how to proceed. Buffy gives a rousing speech, swearing to bring the fight to the First.

There are some good parts to this episode. I really like Dru so it's nice to see her... Even if she is the First. And I think it's pretty funny that of everyone the First impersonates, Drusilla is the only one it can't get "right." Spike is completely unimpressed with it's attempts, scoffing, "She was crazier than that." And I'm glad that nobody argues against rescuing Spike. I kept expecting Xander to vote to leave Spike in the hands of the First. But, he didn't. I guess he does kinna like Spike a little underneath all their hostility. I also love Anya, Dawn, and Buffy trying to intimidate Andrew. He insist that the First isn't a very scary name, "like Lex or Volldamort..." Andrew is such a great addition to the Scoobie gang. I just adore him.

On the down side, have I mentioned that I hate the Potentials? I have no deep insights into the creative processes of this show. I basically just like watching the episodes and then discussing them. But for the life of me, I can't imagine what the writers were thinking when they decided to clutter up the show with these idiotic, interchangeable brats. Are we really suppose to LIKE them?! BTVS is a show about friendship, and loyalty, and a small group of people (and the occasional demon) fighting to make the world better. It's always been the Scoobies vs. the Big Bad. Even when they have to enlist help, (like in season three's "Graduation Day") it's characters that we know and care about, or situations that mean something more. The Potentials add nothing to the show. They have no deeper metaphorical significance. They aren't interesting or likable. They don't even provide any new story lines beyond their "the First evil wants us dead!"-ness. Why couldn't they have gone to live in some OTHER house? Buffy could still be protecting them, just from across town. Why do they have to be in every d*nm scene, stealing screen time from Anya and Xander and -God, help me- even Dawn? WHY, WHY, WHY?!?!?! Also, was Buffy really dreaming about Joyce or was it the First? The First got into Angel's dreams back in "Amends," but it isn't really mentioned this season. Can it still do that? If so, why doesn't it do it more?

My favorite part of the episode: Willow trying to research the First on her computer. "Oh, here it is the First... Bank of Delaware. Opps, sorry."

The potentials have the WORST English accents ever...

[roryhughevans · 9/10 · 10 June 2010]

Their accents are literally unbearably bad. It's like they're doing imitations of what a really bad English accent might sound like if you held your nose and started speaking through a rolled up cardboard tube. As an English person, and human being, I'm offended. Anthony Stewart Head (Giles) must have been livid. Are there no English people in America who could have been cast in the role instead. The appallingness of their accents is only made worse by the fact that Giles is standing next to them, speaking properly.

Elocution lessons please!

Otherwise it's a good episode...

Points deducted for appalling "English" accents

[drnikic · 7/10 · 1 May 2021]

Jeez, were there no British-born SAG members they could cast as Potentials? Even Dick Van Dyke would blush to do those accents.

I agree with another reviewer, Kennedy may not have the appalling accent, but she's annoying all the same.

I found this episode quite disjointed and "bitty"

Kennedy ugh

[renibilibok · 12 May 2020]

All I wanted to say is that 18 years later, Kennedy still annoys me to hell.

Here come the Turok-Han!

[Joxerlives · 8/10 · 20 July 2012]

The Good; The epic fight between Buffy and the Turok-Han. Love her speech at the end!

The Bad; See above. Also it seems weird that Spike can be tortured by drowning when he doesn't breathe but I guess the reflex is still there? And most obvious of all why doesn't the Turok-Han finish Buffy when it has the chance? Or at least take her prisoner? I know she likes her job but considering what's at stake (pardon the pun) surely Buffy should just continue taking some sick days and prepare for what's ahead? ASH's name in the title spoils the surprise of Giles showing up.

Best line; Dawn; "There's blood on this. The First must have made a sacrifice. Or a music video" (too much MTV for you my girl!)

Women good/men bad; Buffy has pics of Dawn, Joyce, Willow and Xander on her desk but none of her dad?

Jeez!; Watching Buffy getting the stuffing knocked out of her is HORRIBLE! Not to mention the gruesome murder of the terrified Potential and poor Spike getting waterboarded.

Kinky dinky; According to Anya demons used to boast about their evilness. Dru/First says Spike used to like it when they'd 'Giggle, wiggle, squeal' and says she'd be bad if Spike likes it (Dru's dance move reminds me of Kate Bush doing Wuthering Heights!)

Captain Subtext; And here's Kennedy who can convey an awful lot with just a look, you can see how Willow's mind is already working when Dawn asks her 'Does she want to eat?". . Andrew seems to think that a good leader should have shiny hair.

Guantanamo Bay; The gang still not hesitating to torture Andrew, even little Dawnie in on the act.

Scoobies to the ER; No which is weird?

Apocalypses; 7,

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 Spike; 2

Scoobies knocked out: Anya by the First and Buffy by the Turok Han Buffy: 20 Giles: 12 Cordy: 6 Xander: 15 Will: 9 Jenny: 2 Angel: 6 Oz: 3 Faith: 1 Joyce: 3 Wes: 1 Anya;7 Dawn; 4 Tara; 1 Spike; 1

Kills: Buffy: 117 vamps, 60 demons, 6 monsters, 5 humans, 1 werewolf, 1 spirit warrior & a robot Giles: 8 vamps, 2 demon, 1 human/1 god.

Will: 6 vamps + 3 demons +1 fawn+1 human.

Oz: 3 vamps, 1 zombie Faith: 16 vamps, 5 demons, 3 humans Xander: 6 vamps, 2 zombies, 1 a demon, 1 human Anya: 1 vamp and 1 a demon Riley; 18 vamps + 7 demons Spike; 9 vamps and 6 demons Buffybot; 2 vamps Tara; 1 demon Dawn; 1 vamp + 1 demon Scoobies go evil: Giles: 1 Cordy: 1 Will: 3 Jenny: 1 Angel: 1 Oz: 1 Joyce: 1 Xander: 4 Anya; 1 Dawn; 1 Buffy; 1 Spike; 1

Alternate scoobies: Buffy: 8 Giles: 4 Cordy: 1 Will: 5 Jenny: 2 Angel: 3 Oz: 2 Joyce: 2 Xander: 4 Tara; 1 Dawn;1 Spike; 1 Anya; 2

Recurring characters killed: 13 Jesse, Flutie, Jenny, Kendra, Larry, Snyder, Professor Walsh, Forrest, McNamara, Joyce, Katrina, Tara, Quentin Travers.

Sunnydale deaths; the poor Potential Annabelle 102

Total number of scoobies: 9, Giles and now add the first of the Potentials Xander, Buffy, Dawn, Willow, Anya, Spike, Giles, Kennedy and Molly 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

Dawn the bashful virgin; 9

What the fanficcers thought; Some good and bad on this one. Buffy captured by the First but rescued by Invisible Marcie from 'Out of Sight, Out of Mind' is cute. In a similar style Buffy rescued by invisible Dawn because they never did think to give the Nerd's raygun back. One truly schizo story stands out where Buffy is captured by the Turok-Han and then gangraped by it and the other Sunnydale demons. Just when you think it can't get any darker in the follow up story Joyce's ghost appears to her and gives her the resolve to kill the Turok-Han (castrating it in the process!) rescue Spike and escape.It ends with the greatest line, something like "In our darkest hour we all cry out to our creator, whether god or mother. For some loves can bring us strength from far beyond the grave" And if you like things a bit more kinky an amazing one where Buffy ends up a ponygirl hitched to Santa's sleigh!

Questions and observations; Nice to see Dru back again. The last time we shall ever see Joyce/Kristine Sutherland on the show (sob!). I know we've been told that the vision Dawn has in CWDP is The First but is this the real Joyce here? It appears to Buffy in her dreams which we haven't seen it do before and seems very encouraging? Anya in glasses, have we seen that before? Why doesn't Buffy carry more weapons when she goes after Annabelle. Once again when faced with the Turok Han Buffy sensibly retreats whilst old Faith or Kendra might have fought to the death. I always thought the Turok-Han was huge but looking at it here it seems just normal human height. Does the First need Buffy and Spike to open the Hellmouth, is that why it keeps them alive? Shouldn't the scoobs take Buffy to hospital if they think she has internal bleeding? Marks out of 10; 8/10

Unbreakable

[pulikd · 10/10 · 7 October 2022]

Something is special about this episode, but what is it exactly? Is it the visual effects? They may look good, but there aren't many of them here, and they have never been the biggest highlight of the show. Is it the practical effects? They are good, for sure, but things like vampire make up have never been a challenge for the show. It is always well-done on the show. So, there has to be something else. It can't be the music. Where the episode has it, it is brilliant at doing its job, not to mention the beloved music theme by Nerf Herder. But again, nothing new in that regard. What, then, the acting, maybe? Not exactly because, again, it has always been up there, it has always been strong.

All of the above matter, but they are not the core of the episode, not the heart of it, not what drives it. What drives it is the story it tells. And this is it. This is where things require an explanation. But this is not about how season seven is growing stronger in this particular episode, not about how this episode uses some past material and how it is significant for the show in general, no, not even that is what makes "Bring on the Night" as strong as it is. What does is Buffy, the main character, and this is about her character arc here. This is where things get really interesting.

Picture this. There is a character in a story. The character has a goal and works hard to get what they want. The character deals with obstacles on their way, and by the end, the character becomes a different person. For example, Han Solo in 1977's "Star Wars" is selfish and only works for the money. But the events of the story change him, and by the end, he is selfless and fights for someone else, not for himself or a reward. This is a character arc. The character starts out as one person and ends up as someone else. A coward can become brave. A fool can become intelligent. A liar can become honest. And so on. This is one type of character arc, the common one, the one that is widespread and better known. But there is another. One that is more complicated and isn't often used. It isn't about becoming someone else. It is the opposite. It is about staying who or what you are no matter what.

An example is 2016's "Hacksaw Ridge", a war movie about a combat medic who was desperate to save as many lives as he could and, in general, just wanted to do his part for the common good. But his religion and his personal life experiences would not let him take a human life. By the end of the movie, regardless of the horrors seen or endured, he'd still go to battle unarmed. Like every other time during the movie. There is even a moment where someone talks to him after a massacre and says any man would be screaming for a weapon after something like this. There would be more death and bloodshed after that conversation, but the hero would stay true to himself anyway. That's what this is about. A scenario that would change anyone, break anyone, but not the hero. And this is what Buffy has on "Bring on the Night".

The supernatural opponents she has to deal with, the everyday life and, in general, all the pressure, it is too much here, both physically and mentally. Buffy keeps being warned in friendly ways by those around her who care about her and don't want her to get hurt, but she has no time to take care of herself, or just won't because the problem to solve is so big she cannot rest no matter how tired she has now become. She has been trusted with more unexpected responsibility, not that she did not have more than enough already, whatever personal space she has left is nearly gone. There seems to be nothing but hostile forces working against her now, because the people around her, though they care about her, cannot help her for good reasons. It's all on her and she won't give up. She keeps going. And what she has to go through in this episode is something that would make anyone lose all hope and give up. She has had to fight a very powerful opponent nobody even knew existed till this night. She has had no rest for nights and days now. She has no way to reach the one soul who is both physically capable to help her in this fight and holds her most dear. He's being held prisoner by the enemy and has his own tests to endure.

She has been hurt in the fight against a monster never dealt with before. She has never been hurt this bad. She's lucky to have survived. Beaten up and bloodied, knocked out unconscious and left for dead under a pile of rubble. Found and now brought home by her friends and companions. Now awake with all of them talking about her in another room. Talking about how everybody in here was only counting on her and she's now out of the equation. Sarah Michelle Gellar's performance here is something special after all. You don't need any words spoken. You just need to look into those eyes and you'll see what she's going through. And this is when she goes to that other room and gives them all one hell of a speech. About how there's no turning back, about how her will is as strong as ever regardless of the pain and fear. About how she isn't going to stop, about how they are going to win. And that mouth of hell may as well choke on someone. After all she's been through, she still got that spirit. She won't let anyone see her defeated, she won't let them panic and lose their faith in her. Nothing has been able to break either her body or her soul. That is Buffy the vampire Slayer.

Some unanswered questions

[mdub98003 · 6/10 · 29 December 2009]

I agree that the "potentials" are annoying, Also, I love Spike's comments about the First's Drusilla not being crazy enough. However, I am unclear whether Giles is actually Giles (I am being good and not reading episode comments until I see the episodes!). When we saw him last, he had an ax coming at his head, then "poof", he shows up with three slayer-wannabes.

I actually take the show for what it is, and I let the storyline reveal itself without thinking too much about it. However, I am also trying to figure out what role Principal Wood plays. He found Johnathan and buried him, and now he is questioning Buffy's "manifestations of evil" web search (then smiling eerily afterward). Is he evil (seems like it) or will he have a minimal role?

Oh, well! I guess time will tell!

Old and improved

[ossie85 · 8/10 · 5 September 2022]

As The First waits for night so that the Ubervamp can come out and play, Buffy and company contemplate their next move. Giles arrive with three potential slayers. The First, under the guise of Drusilla, is trying to convince Spike to join the evil side.

Why It's So Good - This is a really gritty episode that surprisingly works well. The First/Drusilla appearing to Spike is great, and I especially like when Spike can see the differences between The First and Drusilla. The arrivals of the potential slayers and Giles (with a head? - Sleeper) will no doubt set up the rest of the season. Andrew provides some good one-liners. What's up with Wood?

Watch Out For - And it cost them their lives! Plus this is Marti Noxon's last Buffy script.

Quote - "Hello people of the future. Kids of today like Red Bull and, uh, Jackass." - Dawn.

The episode that prepare us for the end.

[JuanPabloLinares · 7/10 · 12 March 2008]

I been reading comments from katierose295 and I agree with almost all of them, especially the one for this episode. So I just want to add what I like about "Bring On The Night".

I enjoy when they make references about episodes in the earliest seasons. Like the Christmas tree lot first saw in season three's "Amends". You usually forget that details.

I especially like the savage beating that the UberVamp gives to Buffy, I think I never saw Buffy so hurt for anyone. Even Giles and Willow was concerned about internal bleeding! So when a character is hurt like that, always happen in the final episodes, so this is an exception that prepare us for a nice ending.

Finally one of the best motivational speeches in the whole show. "There is only one thing on this earth more powerful than evil, and that's us". Is kind of touching see Buffy all hurt and talking about winning and about being tired of wait.

I apologize about my English, I'm learning...

Giles Returns to Town

[Samuel-Shovel · 6/10 · 28 December 2018]

In "Bring on the Night", the First is starting to gain power. It tortures and plays with Spike, trying to convince him to join its side with the help of an ancient vampire resurrected by the blood of Spike. Giles shows up with Slayers in training, ready for the coming of the apocalypse. The Watcher's Council has been totally annihilated. He brings 3 in training but one gets spooked and runs off. She is killed by the ubervamp. Buffy is battered and hurt pretty bad by the ubervamp. As the episode ends, she prepares the gang for all out war.

This episode (for whatever reason) felt a lot more focused and on point than the last 2 episodes. It set up the power of the ubervamp well, we are now getting a better sense of the First (although it is still fairly vague and mysterious, but maybe that's the point), and we got introduced to some new characters.

Willow looks like she might have a new love interest, the principal continues to act strangely, and we got the return of Giles. I'm curious about Giles return. I don't know how he could have possibly dodged the sword coming at his head that we never say the results from. Is this another trick from the First? I hope not. Giles is a character we sorely need to round out the gang.

Also, what is the deal with Buffy's mom? Is this the First playing tricks? Is she helping from beyond the grave? I suppose time will tell.

It's odd that no one suggests getting Angel to help. He's got his own apocalypse happening in LA but it's odd that no one even mentions that it's practically hell on Earth a few hours drive from Sunnyvale. I feel like that would be headline news. Regardless, this is a solid bounce back episode for BtVS.

CW's current ways, are seeping through this finale season...

[m-47826 · 7/10 · 13 July 2021]

Season 7 so far, is trying to be like the early seasons. And not getting it. It's the shallow and unsubstantial show, BTVS always refused to be. Whose idea it was to have those tacky cliffhanger endings?... Even if it tried to capture old magic, with episodes like « conversations with dead people » or throwbacks to old seasons plots. It is nothing but a very disappointing and literal revamping of former monsters-of the-week, from the high school years of the series. The new Sunnydale High setting, can't make the usual drama occurring there, look good. And even though episodes like « Him » are a fun watch. It is clear the spark is gone. Even the soundtrack don't sound like it used to. And you're surprised to hear it include Coldplay and The Shins, now. The Anya centric episode lacked the usual layers of interpretations, and Spike's tortured soul drama, on « Sleepless » is excruciating. But Aimee Mann's scenes, made it worth it. Killing off Jonathan and keeping Andrew, was a mistake too. But I guess viewers liked him... Buffy herself, randomly becoming part of the school staff, was weird. And it's surprising she wasn't suspicious about it too. To me « Same place, same time », is one of the few genuinely good episodes, of the first half of 7th season. And deserves the attention for the frightening creature it introduced, and the return of the First.

It's ON!!!

[skay_baltimore · 5/10 · 9 August 2010]

Anya (to the Scoobies, who are discussing The First): "Please...how many times have I heard THAT line in my demon days? 'I'm so rotten they don't even have a word for it. I'm bad. Baddie bad bad bad. Does it make you horny'? 'Or terrified'. 'Whatever'"

Aaaahh...but seeing Dru again -- even a Dru/The First hybrid -- made me realize how much I've missed her. "There, there, pet...soon as the moon comes you'll have your carnage. Little girls tear so easily; like pink paper. 'Til then we'll have our way with THIS one" (pointing at Spike).

Willow has a bad experience with magic.

Giles appears -- unannounced -- at Buffy's front door, with three Potential slayers.

Buffy's suggestion that somehow Spike will help tip the scale toward victory in the battle against The First seems -- how shall I put it? LAME?!!!!!!!!!

Dru/The First: "Tried to enlighten little Buffy, didn't you? Spilled, spilled, spilled our secrets like seed. (reaches down to touch her dress at thigh level, slowly starts pulling up her skirt) But you forgot, I say what you tell and what you know. I say when this is over. (lets go of her skirt and puts her hands behind her head) And I'm not done with you yet. Not nearly."

Buffy and Giles go to where Buffy had originally discovered the entrance to The First's underground lair back in season 3 ("Amends"). Buffy finds it by accidentally falling into it, then encounters a Turok-Han -- a Neanderthal vampire (a vampire even vampires fear, according to Giles). She spikes him, but nothing happens. He's really strong, and she just manages to escape. Ooooohhhh...it was Soooooo Scary!! (Not)

I know it's a bit of an oxymoron (that terms ALWAYS makes me think of a dumb bull), but the violence in this episode against Spike seemed unnecessarily excessive.

And then there were 2 Potentials...(buh-bye Annabelle. I feel like we hardly knew ya.)

And the Uber-Vamp has a chance to kill Buffy outright -- and then just walks away? Meh.

And Buffy's little monologue at the end? Yawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwn!

But the real fault of BtVS is that it attempts to tear asunder the most powerful, primordial evil from the most powerful, Omniscient good -- G-d. And the self-appointed saviors have separated themselves from G-d while attempting to fight that primordial evil. By doing that they are, without question -- doomed, regardless of how they choose to script the ending. All they have left is their own collective arrogance. What they keep butting up against, as a result, is the reality that collective arrogance, without a connection to the primary source, is fundamentally alienating and isolating. (That's why they feel so alienated and isolated, despite their best efforts and intentions to combat evil.)

It's quite easy to see behind the curtain of the writers and producers. They are merely peddlers of arrogance and despair. Not surprisingly those two traits often go hand in hand. The real beauty of watching BtVS is knowing exactly how the current puppet masters will fall. It's how they always fall -- by their own arrogant, desperate hands. The only question is: how many followers will they lure into their nets before it all goes up in flames?