Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series) The Prom (1999) User Reviews

Tucker... You know, Andrew's brother

[katierose295 · 8/10 · 4 August 2006]

Throughout seasons six and seven Andrew will get blamed for devil dogs attacking the prom and be referred to as "You know... Tucker's brother." Part of the Trio and later a "hostage" of the Scoobie gang, Andrew becomes a pretty important character as time goes on. If you want to get the jokes about his origins, then you have to look to this episode. Tucker is Andrew's brother and, like his sibling, he's got a thing for raising demons. This is also the episode where Angel decides to leave town, so if you're watching the show on DVD you really shouldn't skip "The Prom."

The episode revolves around, obviously, the Sunnydale prom. Buffy is determined to go with Angel, but he has other ideas. After the Mayor's lecture in "Choices" and a visit from Joyce, Angel thinks it's time that he and Buffy call it quits. Claiming that she deserves better than a life in darkness with him, he breaks things off with her. Buffy is heartbroken, but doubly determined to ensure that at least her friends have a good time at the prom.

Meanwhile, Cordy's father has made a few mistakes on his taxes (for the last 12 years) and the Chase family has lost everything. In order to afford a prom dress, Cordeila has taken a part time job. She and Xander are having one of their patented "I hate you, I hate you more" arguments, when a devil dog bursts into the shop and attacks a boy in formal wear. It seems that Tucker, a Sunnydale student, has been training an army of demons to attack the prom and all things prom related. He has his reasons, of course. (Specifically, he couldn't get a date.) And now, Buffy has to stop Tucker before everyone's night is ruined.

There are some good parts to this episode. Buffy's "Angel and Buffy 4-ever" notebook cover is pretty funny. And I think that Angel's nightmare about Buffy dying is great. He dreams that he's marrying Buffy and then she suddenly she bursts into flames. He's leaving town because he's afraid that he'll destroy her if their romance continues. It's really well done. Also, I love that Xander paid off the balance of Cordy's dress. How sweet is that? His date with Anya is hilarious,too. Their romance will span the next several seasons so it's cute to see them on a first date. And the other students giving Buffy the Class Protector Award is just beautiful. Really, I think it's one of the nicest moments of the season.

On the downside, Willows right. Angel really could've waited until AFTER the prom to break up with Buffy. Still, he pulls it out at the end.

My favorite part of the episode: Angel and Buffy dancing at the prom. Is it sappy and manipulative? Yep. Does it still completely work and make me sigh and smile and wish that things could just work out for them? Yep.

Great Ending

[Jakemcclake · 9/10 · 16 February 2010]

I have watched basically all of the Buffy episodes. Most of them are depressing and dark. Buffy (Sarah Gellar) appears to add some lightheartedness to these, but, they are generally sad. However, the ending of this episode would have been a great ending to a Buffy movie.

Most of this story is the same dark Buffy story. However, in this one, we get deeper into Buffy's ugly world, than usual and see the effect that it has on her. Also, in the ending of this episode, there are some great scenes combined with terrific music. I have watched this ending many many times. I turn the volume up when Buffy enters the prom, to get the full impact here. From the time that Buffy enters the prom, this one contains a very touching scene followed by a somewhat romantic ending.

Marti Noxon did a terrific job writing this one.

Breaking up is hard to do

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 18 May 2018]

Angel has been thinking about what the mayor said to him about his relationship with Buffy... the mayor might be an evil demon but Angel fears what he said was true so decides to end their relationship. She is shocked and upset, especially since he ended the relationship days before the school prom. She is still determined that her friends will have a great night. At first it looks as if the only problem will be what they should wear and with whom but then a ferocious hellhound attacks a boy trying on his tuxedo in a cloths shop. It appears that somebody has trained the creature to attack people in formal wear... this person must really hate the prom. As her friends have a great night Buffy sets out to deal with the threat.

This was a solid episode despite the fact that the main threat isn't introduced till half way through the story. The early part contains some downbeat moments as Angel and Buffy's relationship comes to an end, it also contains some fun as Anya asks Xander to the prom. The scene were Xander starts goading Cordelia in the dress shop was also impressive as he learns she has fallen on hard times and then switches to being kind. Early on we get a dream sequence featuring Buffy and Angel; as it started I thought it was a little obvious but it managed to subvert my expectations totally. The hellhounds provide some decent action before the touching finale were our protagonists all enjoy their prom. Overall a bittersweet episode with plenty of character development and some decent action.

A Buffy with a happy ending!

[jaywensley2004 · 23 February 2015]

As Season Three reaches its climax ("Graduation Day" is next) Sunnydale High School goes to the Senior Prom. This provides opportunities for several emotional high moments for our Scoobies, especially if you are a committed Buffy watcher. "The Prom," delivers its best moments for those who have been watching the show regularly.

Xander discovers Cordelia's shameful secret and in response he performs an act of such grace and style that Cordy is forever changed. Anya joins the human race soul AND body. And Buffy's classmates end their group denial, and in a spectacularly well-crafted speech by Jonathan (he of the suicide attempt in "Earshot") present a gift that will become as iconic as the Cladagh ring.

Most episodes of Buffy have bittersweet endings. This appears to be a style choice because "The Prom" is set-up to end joyously but then finds a chasm to throw itself into. But the end scene is actually pretty forgettable and unimportant, nothing happens that we didn't know was going to happen. But SMG's expression as she's getting some punch (the fruity kind) is the real climax of "The Prom." Earlier in the episode she states that the Senior Prom is meant to be the "best night of our lives." Buffy gets hers. And an umbrella.

The class protector

[ossie85 · 9/10 · 12 August 2022]

Angel and Joyce talk and Joyce tells him that he has to do the right thing for Buffy, Angel then proceeds to break up with Buffy and move to Los Angeles. As Prom night approaches, the gang go shopping for formal wear. Xander finds out that Cordelia is broke and is surprisingly sincere. But they are then attacked by a formal wear hating hellhound that is being controlled by Tucker.

Why It's So Good - Buffy it an outcast, but it doesn't mean she isn't noticed. An inspirational ending, that gave me goosebumps. Angel and Joyce having a tough conversation that was a long time coming, and Buffy being heroic through her own pain.

Watch Out For - Yay?

Quote - "And I myself will be wearing pink taffeta as chenille would not go with my complexion. Can we please talk about the Ascension?" - Giles.

Xander: Well gosh, I wonder why not. It couldn't possibly have anything to do with your sales pitch? Anya: Men are evil... Will you go with me?

[bombersflyup · 9/10 · 2 December 2019]

The Prom is about Angel ending the relationship with Buffy, after others have weighed in.

A memorable episode for the breakup segment and everything related to it, but not much else. Self-sacrifice shows how much you really care, though in this case I think Buffy would be better off with Angel in her life. However it does allow for the greatest spin-off in television history. The hounds and the prom rather weak and the speech lame and doesn't really fit with the show's framework. It does allow for the playing of "Wild Horses" by The Sundays, a great song and the hounds mastermind's reason for the attack though, a hoot.

The One With The Hell Hounds...

[taylorkingston · 8/10 · 3 June 2015]

I enjoy this episode. It's a little weird how forced the evil situation felt to me. It felt like an episode about the prom, but since it's Buffy, they had to have some kind of evil entity, so they randomly chose someone who was going to destroy the prom.

In this episode, everyone is getting ready for the prom. Finding dates, picking dresses, etcetera. But whilst in a store with Cordelia, Xander gets attacked by a beast, who imminently dismisses him and goes for someone wearing a tux. Cordelia points out that the beast went for a nicely-dressed man instead of Xander, leading the group to believe that the beast, known as a Hell Hound, is being trained to attack people in formal wear, right before the prom. Buffy finds where the Hell Hounds are being kept and stops their "master" from releasing them on prom night. At the prom, everyone's having fun, except for Buffy, since Angel declined her offer of being her date. But eventually, Angel shows up and dances with her. Also, Angel plans on leaving town after the Mayor's ascension. And guess who Xander goes to prom with: Anya, the ex-demon.

Best part of the episode: When Buffy gets the Class Protector award at the prom.

Worst part of the episode: The Hell Hounds, they look super creepy.

Overall, I give this episode an 8 out of 10, which in my ratings book is: Awesome.

I give it a nine, just for the sake of it.

[m-47826 · 9/10 · 26 June 2021]

It actually deserves an eight. Second half of season three, is too serialized to stand on its own. I love Earshot. It is very funny and insightful. Choices is good too, but the way good guys act there, really get on my nerves. The Prom, is another one of my favorite episodes. So many memories are related to this one. Tracks heard at the prom, from two of my all time favorite soundtrack CDS. Cruel Intentions and the official album for the series, obviously. That had me buy another copy of it, for listening to « Wild Horses » too often. Buffy receiving the cute little umbrella, as a token of her classmates appreciation. That was the scene everyone talked about at school, the next morning. Anya return, and Cordelia and Buffy's prom dresses. Are things that spoke to me personally, and is a mixed bag of emotions, every time I watch this episode. It makes you laugh, cry and cringe all at once. The hellhounds are the scariest looking thing, and Buffy and Angel's final breakup, is heartbreaking but necessary. Which makes it harder to watch. I still hate Joyce, though. And those little bits of offbeat humor, are what lifts your spirit up. I usually like prom episodes, but Buffy's is hands down the best in my book.

Wild Horses

[soooraah · 10/10 · 30 September 2009]

Definite spoilers so don't read on if you don't want to be spoiled! OK so After all the hell-hounds are toast and Buffy returns to the dance all dressed up for the prom and Angel shows up (breathtaking moment BTW), the band is singing "Wild Horses" (originally by the Rolling Stones) while they danced. Who sang this version? Is it the group "The Sundays"? It sounds like it but I can't find confirmation anywhere! This episode is probably one of my favorites. The whole "insert character here" is going through a phase and we don't like her/him" and vice versa stuff gets old after so many episodes and this was a great change of pace. It seemed every episode someone in the group was angry, distant, overly happy, awkward, or something else I can't think of and dealing with social problems for 10 episodes in a row gets old quick. Where was I? This and the season 3 finale are my favorites in this season.

This should have ended season 3

[lisamajohansson · 10/10 · 25 August 2018]

Doing a rewatch on the series and as before I get the feeling that this should have been the season ending. I never felt strongly about the mayor as supervillain and after the amazing prom episode the last two episodes is a bit ... meh.

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww!

[Joxerlives · 10/10 · 27 February 2012]

The Good; All lovely, touching beyond belief and yet still plenty of action and funny stuff, works better when you have an emotional investment in the series. The music especially is excellent plus the wedding sequence must have sent many a Bangler's heart aflutter. The class protector award and scene where Joyce has 'The Talk' with Angel are just wonderful.

The Bad; Again, could only be bettered if it had Dawn and Faith in it. In truth the devil dogs do look rather stupid but who cares, this is genius.

Best line; Buffy; "Giles we get it, miles to go before we sleep" (somehow I can't imagine Robert Frost being quoted on Charmed)

Character death; Does the guy at the menswear shop live or die?

Shot; No but Buffy uses her crossbow to good effect.

Tied up; Only Tucker

Knocked out; For once everyone stays conscious

Women good/men bad; Tucker wants to kill everyone at the prom because he couldn't get a date. JERK! Anya meanwhile has after a 1000 years of avenging men's wrongs nothing but contempt for them. But still wants to go to the Prom with one.

Jeez!; Tucker feeds his pets on cow brains, yuck! Probably not as cruel as making them watch all those prom videos.

Kinky dinky; Anya; "I know you find me attractive, I've seen you looking at my breasts" Xander; "Nothing personal but when a guy does that it just means his eyes are open" Wes thinks Cordy in her prom dress is 'hot'. He's not wrong.

Calling Captain Subtext; Will and Buffy in each other's arms on her bed.

Guantanamo Bay; What exactly do they do with Tucker? Turn him over to the police on charges of Hellhound raising?

Where's Dawn? Nowhere to be seen this week but you figure one day she might have the same talk with Spike or The Immortal that Joyce has with Angel.

What the fanficcers manipulated; pictures of bride Buffy often combined with pictures of bride Echo from Dollhouse as a Fuffer's delight

Questions and observations; We'll never see Tucker again (although he might always show up in season 8?) but of course he's Andrew the Nerd's brother. Buffy dislikes Kool and the Gang's 'Celebration'? For shame! Even Oz gets all teary at 'We are family'. Everyone looks dynamite in their prom gear and the relationship with Giles and Buffy has such a resonance. Looking at Alexis in his tux you could imagine him being James Bond. Buffy writes 'Buffy and Angel 4ever' in her homework book. Sorry Spuffers, I think that settles it. The scene where Cordy and Xander meet at the prom is so great, you finally know she's forgiven him. According to Jonathon thanks to Buffy this year's class of SDH has the lowest mortality rate ever. I don't know if anyone counted but what must the rest of them have been like? As we see the end of the Buffy/Angel romance we see the beginning of Anya/Xander. Wes very much part of the group now and get's to dance with Cordy. Love to know a little more about Jonathon's date, was she from his therapy group? Poor Giles is the only one left stag for the evening. You wonder what Faith is doing across town, she must know the Prom is occurring?

Is the guy who wins the class clown award the one referred to in Conversations with Dead People as going insane?

Marks out of 10, 10/10 Buffy on such a roll.

Sometimes people can surprise you

[naskotenev · 10/10 · 16 October 2021]

One nice episode I liked the most when the Buffy Angel Award came dancing and she experienced a perfect moment in high school the way she wanted and deserved.

The Prom

[elenalulu · 2 September 2018]

I love this episode. When they present Buffy with the class protector award I was tear up. Even after watching this episode hundreds of time. Wild horses is the perfect song for Angel and Buffy to dance to. I ship Angel and Buffy

Prom night

[Realrockerhalloween · 2 October 2016]

Buffy's special night approaches wanting everything to be perfect. Yet a student who couldn't find a date raises hell hounds to wipe out the goers. Very beautiful episode showing Dander getting his ex Cordy the beautiful dress she couldn't afford yet was working off and Buffy gets a class protector award. It shows that Xander holds no hard feelings about the break up maturing by putting it behind him and the class realizes Buffy has a special purpose for coming when she did even though they may not be fully aware of what it is.

Another factor is Tucker Wells motivations are weak showing he won't make it in the world since he can't out high school past him and wants revenge instead of letting it go. This he is the weakest villain for Buffy face only to be saved by the creatures he raised that are scary in appearance and in the way they attack.