Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series) I Only Have Eyes for You (1998) User Reviews

Haunting

[ossie85 · 9/10 · 9 August 2022]

Sunnydale High is being haunted by the spirit of two dead lovers. One is a student James Stanley and the other a teacher Grace Newman. The two are possessing people and causing havoc in the school. James is also connecting to Buffy. Angelus follows Buffy to the school.

Why It's So Good - Arguably Marti Noxon's greatest writing performance, so very well written. Abusive relationships can't be salvaged, and the gender swap between Buffy and Angel was amazing.

Watch Out For - Huge arm in locker!

Quote - "Oh, no, no. No. No cool. This was no wimpy chain rattler. This was 'I'm dead as hell, and I'm not gonna take it anymore.'" - Xander.

One of my personal favorite episodes.

[m-47826 · 8/10 · 16 June 2021]

It is too good to be considered a guilty pleasure. Everything about it, is perfect. Even the little flaws, like not explaining why the ghost suddenly decides to come back. But like in Killed by death, you can easily figure it out yourself. It also has two of my other favorite songs heard on the show, this season. Charge and I only have eyes for you, completely captured the mood of the episode. Which is both scary and a real tear jerker, with wonderful acting. Even from actors who gave bellow average performances so far... And you learn a couple of more things there. Including Snyder's real role, in next season's big bad, plan.

really good story and acting

[pvpK25 · 8/10 · 13 August 2021]

I am here as an Angel fan, but was surprised by how well this was written. I really like the premise and the way they managed to synch the two stories- James and grace vs Buffy and Angel. Love how Angel was Grace and Buffy was James- nice switch. And it works because of the chemistry and acting, of course.

Read somewhere in an interview that Joss W decided David could anchor his own show after watching him act out Grace in this episode. Couldn't agree more.

One of my favorite episodes

[katierose295 · 10/10 · 28 July 2006]

I really love this episode. It uses the monster-of-the-week format to explore the deeper emotions and motivations of the characters. Giles and Jenny, Spike, Angelus and Dru, and of course, Buffy and Angel are all explored. The entire second season has been building to a confrontation between Angelus and Buffy. But first, she has to face her own guilt over the loss of Angel's soul. She loved Angel and feels responsible for what happened to him. If she's ever going to defeat Angelus, she needs forgiveness. That's what "I Only Have Eyes For You" gives her. Personally, it's one of my favorite episodes.

"I Only Have Eyes For You" is hard to explain in a few paragraphs. The episode is constructed on two levels. First of all, the high school's being haunted. It seems that a Sunnydale student named James fell in love with his teacher back in 1955. The teacher, Grace, tried to break things off, because she wanted James to have a normal life. They argued and he shot her. Distraught, he then turned the gun on himself. Now the couple's final moments are playing over and over in Sunnydale High's hallway. People become infected, making them act out James and Grace's argument and the shooting. Not only that, but snakes are appearing in the cafeteria, wasps are swarming out of nowhere, and other poltergeists-y events are happening throughout the school. Giles is convinced that it's Jenny's ghost, but the Scoobies aren't so sure. They investigate and realize that it's James that haunting the place and that they need to exorcise him.

On the second level, there is Buffy and Angel's relationship. Buffy acts openly hostile towards James, but as the episode progresses, it becomes more and more apparent that she's identifying with him. James killed the woman he loved in a fit of passion, and Buffy destroyed Angel when she slept with him and he lost his soul. James and Buffy both blame themselves and, now, they're after the same thing: forgiveness from the people they love. The episode concludes with Buffy and Angelus in the school, playing out Grace and James's last fight. Only instead of infecting the another man, James chooses Buffy to play his part. With Angelus as Grace, the words of the argument take on a whole new meaning. Suddenly, Grace crying that she she just wants James to have a normal life, becomes Angel saying it to Buffy. And when Grace and James finally find resolution and Grace tells James that she loved him with her last breath, it's also Angel whispering it to Buffy. It's beautifully done.

There are so many great parts to this episode. Buffy and Angel's scenes are just wonderful. And I love the way Grace and James' argument is edited and replayed over and over with different actors playing the parts. Also, Gile's wanting to believe that Jenny is trying to contact him is so sad and sweet. I'm not sure he ever fully recovers from her death. He really loved her. On a lighter note, Snyder snapping that he's seen "JFK" and knows all about the conspiracies that he's sure Buffy's involved in is hilarious. And you have to laugh at Cordy and Xander speculating that if the school is destroyed, they might automatically graduate. What teenager wouldn't have though of that angle? Also, this episode introduces some new things to the Buffyverse. Angel's mansion is shown for the first time. Willow's interest in magic is sparked after reading through Jenny's techno-wicca files. And this is the first time we get a mention of Sunnydale's Mayor, who will dominate season three with his cheerful, evil, '50s TV Dad-ness. Anybody who can frighten Snyder has just got to be fun.

On a side note, "I Only Have Eyes for You" is also later cited in the "Angel" episode "Waiting in the Wings." Where he and Cordelia are possessed by dead lovers at a ballet.

I don't have any real complaints about this episode. However, I do wish that they had brought up that rose quartz necklace of Jenny's again. Willow gave it to Giles, and that's the last we see of it. It should have been reintroduced in later in the series. Maybe in season five after Joyce's death he could have been looking at it. It would have reinforced Giles' sense of loss. Also, since Angelus destroyed Jenny's computer in "Passion," I don't see how Willow could have gotten any files off of it.

My favorite part of the episode: Spike standing up out of his wheelchair at the end. I wonder how long he's been biding his time, faking his injury and plotting. Angelus and Dru should have suspected that he was up to something, considering how calm and quiet he's been acting. When Spike stops fighting back and starts smirking like he knows a secret that nobody else is in on... Then he's usually cooking up a plan of his own.

Awesome

[delrod4 · 10/10 · 25 February 2007]

This is one of my very favorite episodes in the entire series. As mentioned in the comments of others, the way Buffy identifies with James is touching, and Giles' explanation of the nature of forgiveness is a beautiful revelation.

In the scene in which Buffy and Angel are possessed by the dead lovers, I am always stunned by the acting. Sarah-Michelle Gellar does not often get the chance to display her true acting ability in Buffy, but this is definitely an exception. This scene makes me cry every time I view it. It also makes a lot of sense in terms of the ghosts' story -- the teacher can never forgive James because every time she possesses someone, that person dies. But when she inhabits Angel, he can't die from a gunshot wound, so the ghost finally has the ability to meet up again with her lover and forgive him. What a great story.

For me this episode capitalizes on the emotional roller coaster that is season 2. It is not easy to just sit down and watch if you want something light and fluffy, but if you want to see one of the best episodes in terms of layers and acting then I highly recommend it.

One of my Top Ten Buffy Episodes

[trix_n_min · 10/10 · 27 May 2008]

Everything about this episode is perfectly done. The cast are, as usual, outstanding, the storyline is creative and clever and it is easily one of my favourite Buffy episodes from all seven seasons. I think the reason it is so good is because is differs from the usual good vs bad notion of the show, with the spirits in this case being real people with a past and they are not cut-and-dried evil, but people you actually really feel for. The storyline of James & Grace fits in so well with the Buffy/Angel saga that is currently unfolding, and the part when they take on the spirits of James & Grace is so emotional and dramatic, it really touches you. The fifties theme is fantastic and it really helps if you love the theme song for the episode, as it gives the episode so much warmth and feeling. Love this episode of Buffy, definitely in the top ten for me.

One of the best Buffy episodes !

[gracecfletcher · 10/10 · 17 September 2020]

This episode made me cry in the best way possible! When watching, it felt self contained as in anyone could watch even if they have never seen Buffy before. That being said, I would recommend watching the show from the beginning as the context makes this episode more heightened and emotional. The 'monster' Buffy must face is a poltergeist who is heartbroken and lingering inside the school. The heartbreak the ghost feels in many ways mirrors Buffy's own heartbreak about Angel which kept me engaged. The emotions were well done and messy as all heartbreak tends to be. It is a cathartic episode, and has many parallels running along side Buffy and Angels' tumultuous relationship which I loved to death. Give it a watch if you are looking for an emotional release I promise it won't let you down!

Snyder: I'm gonna look at all the pieces carefully and rationally, and I'm gonna keep looking until I know exactly how this is all your fault.

[bombersflyup · 10/10 · 19 August 2019]

I Only Have Eyes for You is about a ghost reenacting its tragic romance, through the school's inhabitants.

A unique, extremely clever and thoroughly engaging episode and one of my favourites. A mammoth effort put into a particular story that doesn't add to the overall. All the characters shine here. Quality music in the opening scene that can be forgotten as well, as it doesn't have a memorable moment to attach it to.

Giles: To forgive is an act of compassion, Buffy. It's-it's... it's not done because people deserve it. It's done because they need it.

The One With The Fifties Flashback...

[taylorkingston · 10/10 · 11 June 2015]

I really love this episode. It's so good. It's interesting and different from the other episodes. I just enjoy it so much. It's one of my all-time favorite episodes from this season.

In this episode, Sunnydale High School is being haunted by the ghosts of a former student, who fell in love with his teacher, and then since she didn't want to be with him, she dumped him, and he did a murder-suicide, back in the 1950s. The ghost of the student is trying to recreate that night, so he can find peace. But since the story always ends the same way, an innocent man accidentally kills an innocent woman, but he has no idea why. It's not until Buffy and Angel are in the school and the student posses Buffy, whilst the teacher possess Angel, can the two spirits finally make peace.

Best part of the episode: When Buffy and Angel make up whilst being possessed.

Worst part of the episode: The snakes.

Overall, I give this episode a 10 out of 10, which in my ratings book is: Freaking Ridonkulous.

The ep that got Angel his own show

[Joxerlives · 6/10 · 30 January 2012]

The Good; Lovely romance, lovely analogy of Buffy and Angel, Gile's mourning Jenny and a great tribute to the power of forgiveness. Wonderful scenes with Spike, Angelus and Dru too

The Bad; Fairly little, a good ep although not a great one. Some pretty dodgy zombie makeup to be truthful

Best line; Buffy; "Something weird's going on!" Xander; "Isn't that our school motto?"

Character death; The teacher, another SDH faculty member bites the dust

Shot; Angel(us) by Buffy

Women good/men bad; Buffy's anger is focused at James, an obvious substitute for Angel. Cordelia is outraged at the idea of the Sadie Hawkins' dance, not a huge fan of gender equality, obviously.

Questions and observations; Whenever a gun appears in Buffy it's never good. Always nice to see Shakespeare paraphrased in a US teen show. What happens to the janitor who shot the teacher? Presumably without Giles' testimony and no gun the charges against him are dropped. We have the first confirmation that Snyder and the police are in on the conspiracy regarding Sunnydale and first mention of the Mayor. Spike getting out of the wheelchair at the end speaks of great things to come.

6/10 good ep without being brilliant,

Perfection

[jordisjohansson · 10/10 · 13 June 2022]

This episode is a masterpiece. Smg were amazing. Everyone should watch it. The whole storyline were so good. It was really really really good. This is ofc on my top 3 buffy episodes.

A very good premise, but underdone execution

[frankelee · 5/10 · 12 October 2018]

This one aged a bit poorly, 20 years later have Giles through in a comment about a teacher grooming an under-age student would seem to be a necessity. I liked the overall idea of the episode though, it just was kind of lame in how it played out, and then the ending was just without setup and foreshadowing. It wasn't satisfactory at all because it was just random. And then also the grooming part.

Over reacting

[hour4chris · 8/10 · 20 March 2011]

First off I do not intend to spoil anything, but am using the disclaimer anyways. This episode has been reviewed more than once and so the merits have been judged. That being said I hate people who use POP psychobabble to review things. The Ghost was 17 at the time of his "death" which in most states makes him in the age of consent if not legally an adult. Yes he had a love affair with a teacher. Big deal. She did not seem to be taking advantage of him and there was no evidence put forth in the episode that he took advantage of her to get good grades. Joss did nothing wrong portraying this "relationship." She realized that it was a mistake and that the student needed to live his own life and date girls his own age but he was obsessed it was NOT her fault, and only a Right wing bible thumper would read more in a story meant to be about redemption and forgiveness, in my opinion. All that being said the acting was tremendous as was the story. David and Sarah hit it out of the park with their final scenes together.

An enjoyably ghost story

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 18 September 2017]

As the night of the Sadie Hawkins' dance approaches Buffy sees a couple arguing; the boy can't accept that their relationship is over and produces a gun. Buffy jumps him and suddenly there is no sign of the gun and even though the couple remember what happened they have no real idea why they had the argument. Later, during class, Buffy has a vivid daydream; she is still in the classroom but it is 1955 and a student is flirting with a teacher. There are other strange occurrences; a hand reaches out of Xander's locker and grabs him and suddenly the cafeteria is crawling with snakes. Willow investigates shootings at the school and discovers that on the night of the Sadie Hawkins' dance in 1955 a student shot and killed at teacher he had been in an illicit relationship with before committing suicide. It seems the event is doomed to be repeated unless something can be done to give him some sort of peace.

This was an enjoyable ghost story; I liked how the nature of the threat wasn't immediately obvious and how Giles went off on the wrong track thinking Jenny must be involved. There were some impressively creepy moments; especially if one is scared of snakes or wasps. We are reminded that Principal Snyder knows his school is located on the Hellmouth and learn that the mayor is also aware of this. The ultimate resolution is one of the best; largely because it isn't how anybody planned things; any further details would spoil it. The final moment is also great as we learn that Spike isn't as incapacitated as we, and Angel, had been led to believe; it will be very interesting to see what happens with him next. Overall this was a pretty impressive episode.

Very creative episode

[kellyq12 · 8/10 · 5 June 2022]

I feel like the ghosts at the 1950s dance (or versions of that, a 'la dream sequences) is way overdone in TV and movies, but this one carries way more weight because of the way Buffy and Angel are affected by it. So the first half of it was very slow to me, but the last parts of it were very powerful!

weirdly casual about a pedophilic relationship

[nysmbs · 5/10 · 2 January 2023]

Really weird episode in the sense that we learn about a teacher getting romantically involved with a student and every character is just OK with that for some reason. Not so much as a single comment about grooming.

There's also a little airtime for spike, dru, and angel, but they mostly just spin their wheels during it -- Yet another scene where Spike is annoyed, Dru is horny, and Angel is trolling. The actors all clearly have strong chemistry and it would've be nice for the writers to find them to find new beats.

It's not the *worst* episode of Buffy. It has some fairly strong horror elements and the original mystery builds intrigue. But in the end it's a weak filler episode.

Forgiveness must be earned

[Realrockerhalloween · 1 October 2016]

I only have eyes for you is a favorite of mine as it explores two ghosts from the past who's story parallels Buffy's & Angel's. James was a student who fell in love with his teacher and killed her when she tried to break it off. It parallels Buffy because she was seeing an older man who she loved more then life itself and killed him metaphysically when they slept together causing him to lose his soul. Now, like James, feels angrier mixed with guilt over the act and can't move on until they feel forgiven. Very beautiful story intertwined as the words at the end when the ghosts possess them basically telling each other how they feel matching up perfectly with the current situation at hand and allowing them all except Angelus to move on.

The only problem for me is the haunting make no sense besides the reenactments such as the bees surrounding the school, snakes in the cafe and hand in the locker. It feels more like they were trying to copy Mary Lou instead of an original story line. Another aspect is the police chief asking Synider if he wants to go by the gang attacking story showing they are aware of events surrounding the town and ignore it. It doesn't seem to be working since it keeps happening with a huge body count and makes you wonder why they won't do anything.