Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series) I, Robot... You, Jane (1997) User Reviews

I don't care, I enjoy this episode

[nightwishouge · 8/10 · 9 February 2022]

Buffy fans tend to mock the infamous I, Robot...You, Jane, citing terrible dialogue like the somberly delivered, "If you're not jacked in, you're not alive." But in context, the line is SUPPOSED to sound dumb. Miss Calendar immediately undercuts it by saying, "Thank you. Fritz, for making us all sound like crazy people." The writers understood what they were doing. You're not meant to take it all that seriously.

Maybe I'm primed to be more forgiving to this treatment of the "terrors of technology" parable because anxiety about the Internet/AI was running rampant in genre fiction in the '90s, and most of it was much worse than this. The X-Files tried it (season one's "Ghost in the Machine"), Are You Afraid of the Dark had a stupid episode about gigapets or whatever, the Sci-Fi Channel had original movies where people were getting attacked by sentient coax cables. IRYJ taps into more grounded fears about the information superhighway, albeit in a lighthearted way.

It's also the first time we see conflict between Buffy and Willow, which I think is handled well. It's telling that Buffy expresses her paranoia about Willow getting catfished through concerns about "Malcolm's" physical appearance, which Willow maintains doesn't matter if you really know someone's heart. I guess on her dating profile today she would describe herself as a sapiosexual. It's consistent with the series as a whole--Buffy falls for hunks that are not good for her, while Willow's love interests are excessively supportive but not appearance-focused. (I'm ignoring Kennedy here, as one should.)

On a more superficial note, I laugh like an idiot when Xander tries to hop the fence and falls screaming to the ground. I enjoy Buffy tailing someone in a trench coat and dark glasses, especially since the disguise doesn't even work. And Moloch looks pretty cool in his cyborg-demon form. I do like the reveal that he DOES love Willow, in his own way...he just has a very twisted definition of love.

Introduction to Catfishing

[drnikic · 7/10 · 12 April 2021]

Given this was still a pretty early stage of the Internet, it was quite prescient regards the deceptions people perpetrate online.

The other reason it's notable is the introduction of Jenny Calendar, a character most of us come to like.

Aged shockingly well

[mraajdar · 8/10 · 13 March 2023]

I find it interesting that older reviews trash this episode whilst praising others that are now considered problematic. I think that this one has aged a lot better than many of the more highly rated "classics". I'm certain that this episode was supposed to be a silly, tongue in cheek poke at tech skeptics of the time, but in hindsight some of the dialogue is practically prophetic. Willow and the others getting scammed and manipulated by the demon, as well as Giles lamenting the breakdown of human interaction and traditionally documented fact...it's quite chilling. If I didn't know that this aired over 20 years ago I'd think it alluded to fake news, catfishing, even online indoctrination and radicalisation. It doesn't stop there though, it also points out the *good* that tech can offer, including new types of connection, and access to information that used to be gated off by rich old white men. It wrestles and weighs all of these things far ahead of its time. It ties them off in an (arguably too neat) little "some tradition + some innovation working together saves the day" kind of way, and of course the execution is not so modern (with some very dated dialogue and spectacularly cheesy special effects), but honestly if that kind of stuff's a deal-breaker then Buffy is probably not the show for you anyway. On balance I was genuinely much more impressed with all it got right.

Haven't laughed so much in ages!

[caroline_hartley01 · 7/10 · 24 July 2008]

OK, so it may not be the most intense or scary episode of Buffy ever, but when you watch it for the first time in years, it is so funny!! Willow does indeed form a 'relationship' with the computer demon, but this is not the best bit of the episode.

I watched it last night with a friend, and we couldn't help laughing uncontrollably at the background characters - Fritz & Dave. For a start, is the name Fritz that common in California? His nerdy outburst at Giles is a moment of comedy genius! We also enjoyed Giles reading out the incantation to Ms Calendar to type...with his yelling it to add dramatic tension...we were curious as to how how Jenny would convey the varying changes to his tone with only caps and non-caps! OK, so the plot may not be strong. The most crucial plot moment was meeting Jenny Calendar and finding out that she knows all about demons and the like...but it is a great episode if you don't focus too hard on the general arc of the series!

That last line, tho....

[GraXXoR · 7/10 · 7 August 2019]

Is it possible that a single dialogue can define an episode? While I've never been a fan of the Scooby Doo Monster Of The Week style episodes, this rather non-cannon ep was vindicated by the final dialogue, IMO.

Not a keeper, episode wise, but a doozy of a final signs and portents type dialogue.....

Not the best monster-of-the-week, but it's fun

[aura772 · 7/10 · 27 June 2007]

This episode is important because we are introduced to Jenny Calendar, she will play an important role in the episodes to come... It is weird as it mixes the modern world of computers with the eternal one of books. An ancient demon teapot into the internet is really hilarious.

Willow's obsession with Malcom is a bit weird... How could she say she cares about some guy when she never saw him, when she has no idea of how he looks like. Buffy might be a more old-fashioned here, but eye contact is very important in a relationship... (That's sounded a bit dumb, but hey... watch this episode)

I presume Angel wasn't in this episode, so they can delay on presenting his relationship with Buffy... Or maybe he just didn't wanted to be around her for a while.

Introducing Miss Calendar as the team fight an online demon

[Tweekums · 7/10 · 29 January 2017]

This episode opens in Twelfth Century Italy as a group of monks bind the demon Moloch into a book; as they seal it away they say it must never be read… cut forward to the present day and the book is part of a consignment of books that Willow is scanning into the school computer. As she scans it the words disappear from the book's pages. Soon afterwards Willow meets Malcolm, a new online friend, Buffy is suspicious that he might not be what he seems but her concerns are that he may be a creep rather than something supernatural and evil. Willow isn't the only person effected; some of the boys in the computer club start to behave strangely and ultimately try to kill Buffy to prevent her from discovering Malcolm's true identity. Giles eventually figures out what has happened and enlists the help of computer science teacher Miss Jenny Calendar to bind Moloch again. Unfortunately by now his minions have built him a robotic body and kidnapped Willow; will her friends be able to save her?

This standalone episode might not be among the best but it is still rather fun and serves to introduce Miss Calendar. Robia LaMorte does a solid job in the role and is a welcome addition to the cast; her character's attitudes to technology are a nice counterpoint to Giles's more suspicious views. Having her be a believer in the supernatural was a fun little surprise and served to remove the need for excessive dialogue if Giles had had to persuade her. Moloch was a decent enough foe and having him put on the internet rather than coming back in the flesh made a change… a nice metaphor for the perceived dangers of the then new internet that plenty of people were still just learning about in 1997… now some details are more comic than intended. It was a bit of a pity that he ended up in a robotic version of himself; it seemed that this was done so that he could provide a direct threat and that ultimately Buffy could defeat him; I'd have rather liked it if Giles and Miss Calendar had finished him off. Overall a decent but not a classic episode.

BEST EPISODE SO FAR

[demoninthenet · 10/10 · 23 October 2020]

Especially after the previous episode, with the creepy "I'm a 240ish year old vampire and I'm going after a 16 year old"-vibe, this episode is a delicious treat.

I created my account on imdb just to give this 10 stars.

Aged really well.

P.S.: Love the techno pagan.

buffy 1x8 (sorry mixed up. the last episode was 7)

[jackDee-56565 · 7/10 · 9 November 2020]

A good but overall filler episode but not bad, not exactly note worthy butfun enough

One of the first in a long line of weak episodes after great ones.

[Son_of_Mansfield · 5/10 · 18 November 2006]

After the high of The Pack and Angel came...this. It's the weakest episode of the first season. The plot is a dull techno depression full of shots of a high school computer room. Exciting. The bad thing about a plot concerning computers is that someone has to sit in a nondescript room, staring at them. The baddie is one dimensional and it insults Willow's intelligence that she would fall for someone that transparent. All he says is, "I love you. I love you." She is smarter than that. The only reason that this episode isn't a total waste is because it does introduce Jenny Calender, who immediately starts rubbing Giles in ways which will become good. The two of them are perfect together. All in all, an almost entirely forgettable episode in between far better ones.

P.S. The supposedly comforting exchange between Buffy(vampire), Xander(preying mantis), and Willow(demon) in the courtyard is priceless. The look on their faces after the awkward laugh speaks volumes.

One of my favorites now...

[m-47826 · 8/10 · 12 June 2021]

I was probably too young to get the subtleties of that episode. I thought it was boring and a weird change of tone, from what usually was on the show. And just another 90s criticism on technology. But it is in fact really good. The message is muddled, but it is very satisfying seeing how it foreshadowed our current situation. Twenty five years ago. Second part of season one was always my favorite. Under its cheesy mid 90s aesthetic, it was pretty dark. To me this is where the show got really exciting, and the writing more precise. This episode in particular, introduced us to one of my favorite characters, Jenny Calendar. I love how perfect she was for Giles, but was also equally fine with her departure. Because it was spectacular and gave her character justice. Whedon said this series was his film school experience, but watching this and his later work, gave me the opposite impression. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was it, his most accomplished piece to date.

Episode 8 Review

[leecdewsnap · 7/10 · 7 November 2015]

SPOILER WARNING A reasonable episode I think. This shows how much technology has changed a lot since then though, because the computers then seemed so old compared to now. Again this episode is a stand alone story, but it incorporates the introduction of a character for the future which if you miss this episode, the next appearance of Jenny Calendar won't make much sense. This episode sets up the next season brilliantly, and although the individual storyline was not very well implemented, I feel that we got to feel for the main characters more throughout this. The only problem with the beginning of this episode, is that it is not very friendly for people who are partially sighted using words in another language and subtitles. I feel we didn't need to see this beginning bit, and this episode would have worked without it, using an explanation from Giles instead.

Possibly the worst episode of season one

[katierose295 · 3/10 · 13 July 2006]

The best thing I can say about this episode is that it introduces us to Jenny Calander, Giles' techno-pagan girlfriend. By season two, Jenny becomes an important and generally likable character, who's death drives the show in a dark, compelling direction. For now, Jenny is just the computer science teacher and who enjoys sparring with Giles. She likes computers, he likes books... a little conventional, but fun none the less. And it's nice to see Giles interacting with a grown up.

The rest of the episode, however, isn't very good. Being BTVS, even a bad episode has some interesting moments, but all in all this is one of the show's weaker efforts. It centers around Willow's online relationship with a demon-robot-thing who calls himself Malcolm and has infected the internet via an ancient book. To be fair, he does have a lovely speaking voice, but the ram horns are a bit much.

The episode is pretty dated, with computers repeatedly shown as mysterious and dangerous. (And since, I'm a technological idiot most of the time, who likes nothing better than to blame computers for everything that goes wrong in my life, you can trust me when I say this episode gets a little heavy handed.) I wish Angel had been around in this episode, as his computer ignorance and tendency to live in the past are often played for laughs over on "Angel." He'd add another computer-phobic element to the story. And its nice that Willow gets an episode, but she'll get far better ones than "I Robot...You Jane" in later seasons. If you're watching the show on DVD, you can probably skip this episode and not miss much.

My favorite part of the episode: Malcolm's changes to the world's computer system, from leaking FBI files, to embezzling funds from churches to fiddling with Sunnydale High's student book reports. "Nazi Germany was an example of a well ordered society... What?!?... I didn't write this."

When Robots attack

[Realrockerhalloween · 26 September 2016]

I, robot you Jane is a metaphor for the dangers of the internet as Willow is stalked by an online admirer who kills those close to her and abducts her from her home. Take out the supernatural angle it could be a lifetime caution movie that not everyone is friendly or should be trusted and parents need to be more aware of what their kids do while online.

Another aspect is Malcholm, the demon, doesn't seem to be the best villain the series produced as he has access to nuclear codes and the stock market yet never does true damage. Instead he spends time changing kids homework or talking to his girlfriend. If Joss had confide him to the school system only it would make for a nice monster of the week story instead of a meh I'll skip it attempt.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer:I, Robot...You Jane

[Scarecrow-88 · 6/10 · 3 January 2010]

This time, Buffy must contend with a demon named Moloch the Corrupter which has been released from a book that had him captured thanks to Willow who scanned the words binding him into a computer. Moloch pretends to be Malcolm, communicating with Willow and others in her computer class, manipulatively possessing them(..well, Willow herself is able to sense that something's not right about Malcolm, although she has fallen for him as they chat endlessly over hours). Fritz, a dedicated computer supporter, falls under Moloch's spell, willing to kill for him if necessary, gladly with honor to his master. Dave, another computer geek, but a kind and more innocent tech-head, also becomes loyal to Malcolm, only to see the error of his ways(..although, he does contribute in Moloch's finding a cybernetic body, similar to his demonic humanoid form centuries prior), paying the price for saving Buffy's life when she nearly is electrocuted in a shower. Giles, who doesn't adhere to the philosophy that computers and the Information SuperHighway are exceptional tools for the betterment of mankind in contributing literature to those who need it, must confide in Computer teacher, Ms Calender, if they are to remove Moloch from his new home. Meanwhile, Moloch is causing chaos and anarchy thanks to his power, demonic mischief running rampant as he wreaks havoc, using the Internet as a tool at his disposal. Buffy and Xander will have to face Moloch who has Willow prisoner at a recently closed Computer research facility, and it won't be easy since his new robotic body is equipped with strong steel. This episode honestly questions the harm(..and help)of computers and the Internet. Through the intense, heated(..but intellectually stimulating, and witty)exchanges between librarian and literary scholar Giles and computer specialist Calender(..we can see that potential fireworks might be present between these two), the clash between the use of books and the computer. Will books become obsolete because of the advent of the computer/Internet? There's some good food-for-thought in such a silly premise as a demon running roughshod throughout the Internet SuperHighway, falling in love with Willow, and her becoming enamored with him, realizing sadly the kind of monster he really is.

Jamison Ryan(..as Fritz), Chad Lindberg(..as Dave) and Robin LaMorte(Jenny Calender, the teacher butting heads with Giles, revealing herself to be a "technopagan" who has knowledge of the occult to his surprise)all co-star in this episode. Gellar is awfully cute in her little outfits and skirts in this episode. Funny epiphany at the end as our trio discuss the idea that none of them may ever have a reasonable relationship.

You Lost Me At Techno-Pagan

[injury-65447 · 7/10 · 18 July 2020]

It's fun, but hilariously outdated and goofy. Demon on the internet.

Goofy but fun

[ossie85 · 6/10 · 8 August 2022]

Willow accidentally scans a demon (Moloch) onto the Internet and it starts to take over people's mind. Moloch then becomes close to Willow on the Internet. When Buffy gets suspicious, Moloch recruits to students to kill Buffy. The new computer teacher Jenny Calendar comes to Giles for help.

Why It's So Good - The internet was very young at this point, so honestly, comes across as very cringe. But a message to not trust people on the internet? That's timeless.

Watch Out For - Buffy, Xander and Willow consoling each other about their relationships.

Quote - "To read makes our speaking English good." -Xander.

Back to Episodic TV

[kellyq12 · 7/10 · 27 November 2021]

After a thrilling episode with the big Angel reveal, this gets us back to several "episodic" style episodes where the individual storyline is the focus instead of the season's overarching story. A good but not great episode. Ms. Calendar is awesome though!

The One With The Demon In The Computer...

[taylorkingston · 10/10 · 28 November 2014]

I love this episode. It's so funny, mainly because of the outdated computers, but it also has some funny moments. It's a really good concept. A demon in a computer. Interesting.

In this episode, Willow scans a book, with information on a demon in it, but it's written in another language, something no one can read. She scans the book into the computer, so that they'll have another copy of it. But when she does that, it releases a demon onto the internet. This demon controls people and gets them to do his bidding. Which in this case, is getting rid of Buffy. Not because she's the Slayer, not directly. It's because this demon has fallen in love with Willow and disguised himself as a teenager on an online chat room. Willow begins to have feelings for him back, but Buffy thinks it's too good to be true. She's right. Anyway, this demon eventually gets himself a robot body, and the whole gang must stop him.

Overall, I give this episode a 10 out of 10.

Weakest episode of season 1

[Joxerlives · 4/10 · 4 January 2012]

'I Robot, You Jane'

The Good; Buffy's undercover look is hilarious. Here's Jenny, yay! The final scene with Buffy, Willow and Xander, sitting on the step bemoaning their lovelessness is WONDERFUL!

The Bad; The robot Moloch simply looks stupid, not as bad as the mantis but close

Best Line; Giles; "I'll be back in the middle ages" Jenny; "Did you ever leave?"

Observations and questions; No Cordy or Angel. Some pretty strong stuff here, necks being broken, Fritz self-harming (a topic we'll see again in Blood Ties) and Dave hanging himself. Willow's first boyfriend although you might note that Will has a picture of herself and Giles in her locker. Of course it's twelve years ago so all the computer equipment seems just unbelievably clunky. Xander refers to his uncle working at the computer firm, is that the infamous Rory? Ironically given that the younger Scoobies end the episode bleakly contemplating the future alone here Giles meets his future girlfriend. Are the monks who trap Moloch the same ones that create Dawn? ( they do nice work!) Possible the weakest ep of season 1; I'll give it 4/10

My Favourite So Far!!

[elifnurerol19 · 10/10 · 7 July 2022]

I guess it's a filler kind of episode but I loved it. I've always been fascinated by internet and computer stuff in pre-2000s series so I loved it! It makes it better when I imagine the same plot with smart houses, phones, literally everything. The "have you ever left middle ages" joke, Giles vs. Idiot boxez, the last scene where they laugh uncomfortably over their romance life some of the best things of the episode I remember tbh.

Not that bad

[madman_salv · 5/10 · 27 April 2007]

When a demon named Moloch is accidentally released into the Sunnydale computer system, he begins to go target Willow, by posing as a teenage boy named Malcolm and chatting with her through Internet connection. However, Buffy becomes concerned with Willow's growing relationship with this mystery boy and tries to uncover the truth. When she gets her nose in too deep, Moloch sends his minions to dispose of her.

As people say, lots of people dislike this episode. I agree that it wasn't the best but it definitely not the worst.It was quite funny at times and there were some great quotes in the episode. I give this episode a 5/10

The birth of solidale media demons.

[popsy964 · 10/10 · 3 February 2024]

Little did we know that when this episode aired and,when not a lot of us were into technology,no home computers,that this was a premonition of what we have nowadays on Social Media! A lot of reviews think that the episode was ridiculous and cheesy,probably by those who spend most of their time glued to Facebook,online dating and the rest,thinking it's the be all and end all of modern life! I loved the fact that Xander had the intelligence to be worried about not knowing who was in the chat room with Willow,could be anyone,thus sending warning signs to Buffy. If only more thought similar today!

The fact that this is the follow-up to "Angel" is almost as frustrating as the episode itself

[SLionsCricketreviews · 4/10 · 31 May 2017]

The single most important contribution this episode makes to the series that makes it somewhat essential viewing is the introduction of Jenny Calender, Sunnydale's computer science teacher who will play a large role in the shaping of events throughout the second season. Even the writing of the character feels disjointed from the preceding events in the show, she is overwritten and her character overwhelming for someone who has never previously made contact with the show. More irritating and disjointed is the fact that this episode, "I Robot You Jane" follows "Angel", the almost perfect embodiment of what the first season offers at its best.

This is the first completely Willow based episode of the series and follows her romantic adventures with someone on the internet, who unbeknownst to her, is a near thousand year old demon recently unleashed onto the school's network. The story is cheesy, the themes are a bit too heavy handed (the skepticism vs. optimism for the technological age, online dating) and the characters are slightly lacking in that spontaneous and refreshing energy of earlier episodes. What personally separates this episode from something like "Teacher's Pet" is that episode's many memorable character moments and humour, both of which are unfortunately a bit lacking here. The final scene with the trio contemplating their doomed love affairs thus far on the series is the finest moment of the episode and is hilariously depressing and touching. It's perfectly in accordance with the show in an episode that until then, doesn't quite fit.

Robia LaMorte plays Jenny Calender and she is great but the problems lie more in the writing of her character in this episode. She's overwritten for a character that the audience has never met previously and her scenes with Giles are a bit on the painful end of the spectrum, since their character interactions in no way correlate to the audience's awareness of their relationship. The many dialogues they share about technology are not particularly interesting, nor humorous, and I cannot help but feel that either the character should have been introduced in an earlier episode or her personality somewhat grounded for her first episode. Or, this episode could've just not existed to begin with…..that solves it too.

There are some issues in storytelling here that also bring the episode down. For example, there is a moment during one of Willow's dates with "Malcolm" where he perhaps accidentally, lets slip information on Buffy's past, which clearly alarms Willow. Rather than seeking Buffy and co, as would only seem natural for her character, she doesn't and she is largely absent from the group dynamic. It seems just a way to drag the story to its finish and elongate it into an hour long broadcast.

"I Robot You Jane" represents the worst of the first season, even more frustrating since it is the follow-up to "Angel", an episode of the highest class in the first season. It only really deserves a place due to it being the debut of a crucial character, Jenny Calender, and apart from that, the episode really struggles to fit into the series. The character interactions just don't have that same life here and for forty five minutes, something feels off. It doesn't utilize the cheesiness of an outlandish story the same way as an episode like "The Pack" did.

Medieval Techno Predator

[Aegelis · 10/10 · 7 March 2024]

A weird, wild hodgepodge that somehow works! Focusing heavily on the fear of technology, an ancient evil finds its way into the internet. Well, perhaps that isn't necessarily crazy, but how the beast influences others and finds its way out is quite beguiling as well as creative.

Buffy & crew are thrown into a tailspin, having to do some research both socially and incognito. Love as a weapon is deployed, used as a wedge to separate and destroy. Although some fractures occur, other bonds form. The showdown between good and evil results in a coordinated melee unlike any other.

Closing remarks tie together the series so far, revealing a bond that was perhaps there all along. Well worth the watch, even in the absence of vampires.