Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series) When She Was Bad (1997) User Reviews

The start of one of BTVS greatest seasons

[katierose295 · 7/10 · 18 July 2006]

When I try to convince uninitiated, BTVS-resistant people to give the show a chance, I usually recommend that they watch season two. Season one has some good episodes and some important story lines, but it's in season two that the show really starts to find itself. The characters are more fully developed, the story arc is the best the series will ever produce and the show itself becomes darker and more compelling. There are some slow-ish monster-of-the-week episodes. (For instance, "Bad Eggs.") But all in all, season two is a masterpiece of television. It shows where BTVS will be headed in the seasons to come. It still has some pretty funny episodes, but it's also features heart wrenching drama and forces the characters to make impossible decisions. Season two sets the stage for everything that will come after it, both on BTVS and "Angel." If you're going to watch either show, you MUST see this season to understand the true foundation of the serise.

The first episode of season two is actually wrapping up season one. Buffy comes home after a summer in LA and is acting strangely. She's distant and cold to her friends. She's angry and untrusting of Giles and Angel. Basically, she's being a real "bith-ca." Meanwhile, the Annointed One and his followers are trying to resurrect the Master. In order to preform the proper ritual, they have to abduct the people who were closest to him when he "died". Buffy is so traumatized from fighting the Master and dying herself (even if it was only for a minute)that she's making bad choices. She inadvertently places Cordy, Willow, Giles and Miss Calander in danger. She, Xander and Angel have to work together to save them and to stop the Master from rising.

The best parts of this episode are Willow and Xander. I love their relationship and history together. Watching them walk around the cemetery placing a "guess the movie dialog" game is really cute. And they are both genuinely concerned when Buffy starts acting so strangely. "She's possessed!" Still, when Willow get's kidnapped, Xander's main focus is getting her back. It's pretty shocking to hear him coldly tell Buffy, "If anything happens to Willow, I'll kill you." This is one of the first indications of how much Xander and Willow really depend on each other. They have been together all their lives and they love each other completely, even if it's not always in a romantic way. By the end of season six, Xander and Willow's relationship comes into even sharper focus as their love for each other saves the world.

On the downside, Buffy is really unlikable in this episode. Sure, she's all traumatized and mad, but... Geez! She seems to have "mean Buffy" spells once or twice every season (and through ALL of season six,) but her behavior in this episode is really extreme. She leads Xander on to make Angel jealous, she snaps at Giles and the Scoobies, she even manages to surprise Cordelia with her frosty attitude. And if CORDY thinks someone's being insensitive, that's REALLY saying something. Buffy's still a teenager and the weight of being a Slayer is hard on her. It's fairly easy to forgive her episodes of frustration and anger, when you consider how much responsibility she has at such a young age. Really, though, this just isn't Buffy's finest hour.

My favorite part of the episode: Snyder and Giles discussing Buffy's troublemaking tendencies and possible future in prison. Snyder's comment that he can smell trouble... "It's like a sixth sense" and Giles snide reply, "No actually, that's one of the five" is priceless.

Buffy has an attitude problem

[callanvass · 9/10 · 3 June 2016]

(Credit to Alex on IMDb) Buffy returns from her summer vacation after defeating the Master and is not the same fun-loving slayer she used to be. Her cold, distant behavior escalates when she discovers that the remaining vampire population are planning to resurrect the Master.

Buffy is heading into darker territory. Season one ended with a bang, but they hadn't even scratched the surface in season one. Season one was rather green. They were just starting to realize that they are legit. Bad Buffy was fun to watch. I'm so used to Buffy being the bubbly, charismatic heroine that it was somewhat surreal to watch at times. She treats her friends, her family, and everyone else mean. Her bitter and selfish attitude really made this show. Wait until you see the black dress she wears in a training scene. That was so hot! There are so many great scenes in this episode. The dancing scene with Xander and Buffy is harsh and downright cold. We even get a huge hint of a romance between Xander and Willow. There were hints before, but they really turned it up a notch here. Just like season one ended with a bang, season two starts off with a bang!

9.5/10

Trauma doesn't just go away

[ossie85 · 8/10 · 8 August 2022]

Buffy is back but she seems to be a bit distant. She leads Xander on, she is mean to Angel and nasty to Cordelia. She is still having nightmares that The Master has come back to life. Meanwhile The Anointed One is planning to bring The Master back to life but for the ritual to succeed you need the people that were near him when he died - Giles, Willow, Cordelia and Jenny.

Why It's So Good - Shows that Buffy's death still haunts her. It is a deeply traumatic event, and the show made sure that they didn't just sweep it under the rug. Buffy has flaws, and this season shows that.

Watch Out For - Giles killing Buffy, scary!

Quote - "Cordelia, your mouth is open and sound is coming from it. This is never good." - Buffy.

Now we're talking!

[Joxerlives · 10/10 · 9 January 2012]

When she was bad;

The Good; Buffy's 'Miss me' to the camera (which I inexcusably missed first time around). Xander and Willow's almost kiss (awwwwww! even the most foremost Tara/Willow or Willow/Oz fan must feel their heart breaking). Snyder and Giles' brilliant talk and walk and the first hints of Giles'/Jenny's attraction. Buffy's great training session with Giles, the incredibly creepy dream sequence where the Master-as-Giles tries to kill Buffy whilst Willow and Xander watch on unconcerned (she should have known it was a dream when Xander swapped his chocolate for an apple). The whole scene smacks of Freudian rape overtones, Buffy's father figure forcing himself upon her and penetrating her body with his fangs, you could see the whole Master/Buffy experience in these terms with Buffy acting out in the manner of a sex attack survivor. Willow not being able to say the word B-I-T-C-H and Xander not being able to spell it (LOVE Giles' expression in this scene). The great Hank/Joyce scene (I figure this is the summer by the beach Dawn later refers to in Blood Ties), Cordy's sympathy with Buffy and characteristic bluntness about the truth about Sunnydale. The Buffy/Angel bedroom scene and the smoking-hot Buffy dancing with Xander at the Bronze. The trap and rescue of the Scoobies, Buffy's cathartic smashing the Master's bones, especially Buffy killing 2 vamps at once. All told, fan-bloody-tastic and a whole new start for Buffy.

The Bad; The only thing I can find wrong with it is when the Scoobies figure out that Jenny is the vamps next target and rather than try to warn her just assume for no possible reason that they've already got her. Lazy writing! Also Willow wears her HORRIBLE yellow tights again

Best line; Snyder; "There are some things I can just smell, like a sixth sense" Giles; "Actually that would be one of the five"

What the fanficcers thought; a slightly different take on this story in a story called 'Merciless Mistress' that explores the metaphor of Buffy as a sex attack survivor, coming to terms with her ordeal and triumphing.

Questions and observations; So, you CAN bring a vampire back from the dead as we'll see later with Darla in Angel. One wonders why they don't try it more often but then with a few notable exceptions they don't really seem to care about one another so much. Joyce and Hank seem to have a pretty civilised divorce. The whole look and feel of this ep is different, as though the first season was just a trial run and now it's time for the real thing to begin. Firstly, we have all the Scooby's except Buff and Angel knocked out and all but Buffy, Angel and Xander tied up. Secondly rewatching this ep you're very much struck by the sight of Buffy torturing the vamp for information to save her friends, ramming a silver cross down it's throat, the vampire equivalent of a red-hot poker. HMMMMMM? Kinda puts 'waterboarding' and Abu Grahib in perspective, huh? Psychologists (and yes, that's the degree I'm doing in case you're wondering) have occasionally commentated on the way people object to torture in real life but are OK with it in fiction (Dirty Harry springs to mind). What they suggest is that we find it easier to accept when we can put a human face to those who are going to be saved, in TV and movies the correlation between the info gained and benefits are always very direct and evident.

10/10, now we're talking

Children everywhere... Like locusts, crawling around, mindlessly bent on feeding and mating, destroying everything in sight in their relentless, pointless desire to exist.

[bombersflyup · 10/10 · 18 July 2019]

When She Was Bad is about Buffy returning from vacation with an attitude and the Anointed One planning to resurrect the Master.

The tone continues on from the finale, mixed with humour. Not the show's greatest dialogue collectively, but plentiful of memorable moments. Buffy's in turmoil and in sexy bitca mode, Willow completely adorable with Xander. Quality music again, both at the bronze and on the drive to school. The scene with Buffy's parents at the beginning however, cringe-worthy.

Absalom: Your day is done, girl. I'll grind you into a sticky paste! And hear you beg before I smash in your face.

She's back

[Realrockerhalloween · 26 September 2016]

When she was bad is a favorite of mine due to The Master's minions attempting to resurrect him and Buffy suffering from post traumatic stress disorder from dying at his hand. Since Joss's script was originally ignored it gives is a chance to see who she use to be personality wise as the nasty popular girl leading men on, Xander during the dance to make Angel jealous, to speaking her mind no matter who's feelings are hunt like Corfu outside the bronze. She seems lost in thought and trying to close off those close to her. The Master's minions are very clever setting up the ritual, gathering her friends for the sacrifice without getting caught and yet fail horribly as later in it shows they can sense when humans are nearby. If they had set up extra security or had paid more attention it could've easily have stopped any interference. Isn't the Anointed One suppose to be special and working on killing the girl responsible for his Master's death?

The last shot of Buffy grinding the master's bones to make his bread is beautiful and sad. Buffy is sixteen years old having to overcome fear while destroying the nightmare man who still haunts her long after he was staked. She should be gone gossiping about boys and studying yet out there risking her life without a parade or recognition. Showing skaters do what they do because it's the right thing and they care about the fate of the world.

Immensely underrated, this is one of the best episodes of season 2

[SLionsCricketreviews · 8/10 · 10 December 2015]

It is difficult to explain why "When She Was Bad" has the IMDb rating it has. Not only does it tower above all other "Buffy" season openers, it also manages to be one of the most emotionally intense and disturbing episodes that the show has to offer. Of course, intense and disturbing do not guarantee a great episode, but when Joss Whedon is at the helm, great results are almost always achieved.

Buffy returns to Sunnydale after spending her holidays with her father, only to find life difficult to re-adjust to once she begins to have greater nightmares revolving around The Master. She begins to slowly ostracize herself from her friends to the point where she exposes a darkness inside of her.

"When She Was Bad" has a few key themes of "Buffy". As great and helpful as her friends are, Buffy will always be isolated in the world. No one can begin to understand the burden that she bares responsibility to. This idea is captured in as disturbing a way as "Buffy" will ever do so, during Buffy's nightmare where Giles attempts to strangle her to death. Not only is the acting utterly perfect, with Anthony Stewart Head (ASH) exhuming true cruelty, but Buffy's friends are oblivious to her psychological conflict. Buffy fears that she will fail as a slayer, and in the process, fail her mentor, Giles. The tension between the two characters is missed by Willow and Xander, who cannot begin to comprehend the psyche of being a slayer. And yet "When She Was Bad" perfectly rebukes the notion that Buffy needs to free herself from her friends, as we as an audience witness the disasters that result from such actions.

Buffy's behaviour towards her friends is particularly disturbing to watch as a viewer in this episode, and yet, equally brilliant and fascinating. Joss Whedon manages to weave in enough charm, without ever, upsetting the tone of the story. "When She Was Bad" is considerably dark, and in fact, one of the show's darkest hours. Yet, it is funny as almost all "Buffy" episodes are. The opening scene is excellent, as we see a spark between Willow and Xander. It becomes even funnier when Willow attempts to repeat that spark of magic to Xander later at the Bronze, to utter failure. It highlights an important notion of Xander, one that relates specifically to his emotionally naive state of mind. In Buffy's absence, he almost falls for Willow, but at Buffy's return to Sunnydale, he once again begins to hopelessly chase her. It links back to "Prophecy Girl", when a distraught Xander attempts to ask out Willow as a "backup" to the Spring Fling. This episode highlights Xander when it comes to romance: reckless, hurtful and immature.

"When She Was Bad" is the beginning of the "Buffy" that will become acclaimed. One notable improvement over the very mediocre first season is the music, which finally begins to blend with the episode itself. The scene at the Bronze makes excellent use of music, to create a dastardly and haunting atmosphere. One of the finest scenes of the episode takes place at the Bronze, as Buffy attempts to seduce Xander in her emotionally frail state of mind. Xander, who has had the biggest crush on Buffy since first laying eyes on her in "Welcome to the Hellmouth", does not reciprocate such feelings, as he too feels being cheated on. Willow is made to watch as Xander is driven further away from him, as Angel is made to watch their relationship become jeopardized. The scene uses the music perfectly, the camera work is excellent, and features a shining Cordelia moment: wailing on Buffy for her poor choices to deal with her problems.

Season 1 was home to very poor action scenes, due to a low budget. "When She Was Bad" is full of excellent action scenes, great stunt work, and further heightens the intensity of the episode. From this point on, "Buffy" can be watched as both an action/fantasy show as well as a teenage drama.

"When She Was Bad" is a truly excellent episode, that is one of the rare cases where the protagonist experiences a truly dark spell. Rather than resorting to some terrible "Monster of the Week" means of placing the heroine in a difficult position, "When She Was Bad" does so by following in the events of the previous episode. It is a near perfect wrap up to the first season finale, and lays the foundations for the excellent, but inconsistent second season.

"I hate that girl!"

[foamyfan15010 · 8/10 · 29 January 2009]

Season 2, with the exception of Season 3, is probably the best of the entire series and the first episode opens it up perfectly. I love 'bad' Buffy and her scene with Xander on the dance floor at the Bronze is... well, hot. I love his facial expressions while Buffy's grinding on him. Priceless. Plus, the scene with Cordy in the alley right before she's abducted really helps you see that Cordelia is more than just the bitchy, pretty, rich girl who makes snide comments and whines most of the time. She sees more than people give her credit for--more than even she herself does. I think her acting also really improves throughout this season.

Let's see... My favorite parts of this episode would probably have to be Xander and his constant misunderstanding of what's going on. Examples:

Willow: I mean, why else would she be acting like such a b-i-t-c-h? Giles: Willow, I think we're a little too old to be spelling things out.

Xander: A "bitca"?

and

Buffy: Come to The Bronze before it opens or we make her a meal.

Xander: They're gonna cook her dinner? I'll pretend I didn't say that.

Also, I'm loving Buffy's hair this season SO much more than the last. Less poof, more blonde. However, not loving Cordelia's extreme camel toe pants during her little talk about stains with Miss Calendar in the last bit of the episode. Gotta love the 90s... ;o)

Slow start to the second season of Buffy

[saxon-7 · 6/10 · 21 September 2006]

This may contain spoilers.

Summer's over and Buffy and gang return to school, but Buffy is acting strange, she's mean and distant and according to her father has been all summer. In reality she is suffering from last seasons finale, the near fatal meeting with the Master.

What this episode deals with is the problems of trying to protect your friends from .... well basically oneself. Buffy does this by acting mean towards Xander, Willow and even Cordelia. But one can not help but sympathize with her (I mean she was killed by the Master and then revived by Xander) after what she's been through, this however is almost always the wrong way to do it as is also shown here.

This dosn't leave the audience with one of the best episodes of the show, it even has some of the worst make-up and props seen in the show (Make-up on the main Vampire and the Master's Skeleton is obvious made out of plastic or rubber). While the idea is okay for the first episode of a season the production team didn't put that much effort into it and I was left with a feeling that this was just one to get over with.

Sarah Michelle Geller does a good job as the distraught teenager and Armin Shimerman is as always a hoot with his portrayal of Principal Snyder. I just love his strong dislike of the kids at Sunnydale high.

I give this a 6 out of 10 as I didn't feel that entertained in comparison with most other episodes, except by the scenes with Principal Snyder.

Mean girl

[kelboy10 · 8/10 · 29 August 2018]

This episode shows our protagonist bitter and the profound effect the recent situation with the master has had on her. Buffy is resentful and damn right mean to her friends. Returning to Sunnydale after spending time with her father in the summer, buffy has a care free attitude and a hardened shell. The traumatic battle with the master has left her psychological damaged with dreams and flashbacks. Not even Angels sweet tooth can charm her. At some point in life most teenage girls have a phase of the chip on their shoulder act and Joss Whedon has no retrains showing buffy has it too. After all she may be a vampire slayer, but many of Whedon's characters have human emotions. What's nice to see in this episode is although very dark is the side we see of Buffy its juxtaposition with Xander and principle Snyder providing humour works so well. Ultimately this episode leaves us guessing right till the end whether or not the master will be joining buffy in a return to the series. Buffy shows many months of frustration built up all in one episode!!!

When She Was Less Badass than in "Prophecy Girl"

[Slarti_Butt_Fart · 7/10 · 16 March 2019]

I will start off by saying that season 2 is the best and most consistent season of BtVS.

This episode is good but not great for the following reasons:

• Buffy acting like bitch of the year feels contrived. After she dies and comes back to life in "Prophecy Girl", she is confident and unafraid of taking on the Master. Here she acts as if the Master returning would be the end of the world. And why is she being a bitch to everyone anyway?
• Buffy crying at the end was a bit too mushy for my tastes.
• The Anointed One proves once again that he is nothing special.
• Lacks humour and creativity

Best moment: Buffy torturing a vampire by putting a cross in its mouth. Worst moment: Buffy provoking Angel.

An enjoyable premiere

[madman_salv · 8/10 · 27 April 2007]

In the second season opener, Buffy, having spent the summer with her father in LA, returns to Sunnydale a changed person. She still hasn't learnt to cope with the traumatic experience she endured with the Master and takes it out on those closest to her. Meanwhile, the Anointed One tries to bring The Master back from the grave.

I really enjoyed this episode.I actually thought it was a rather eventful and strong opener.This is the episode that Buffy acts as a bitch.I love seeing her like this and the dance with Xander was very sexy. Very good episode. It was very sexy and quirky. I give the episode a 8/10 because i enjoyed it very much and is impressive for a starter.

Emo Buffy

[kellyq12 · 7/10 · 1 June 2022]

The new season gets off to a different start with Buffy very emotional yet closed off over that whole The Master Killed Me thing. I'm glad that the Master didn't actually come back as that character already ran his course in s1. This episode feels like a bit like a holding pattern before the arrival of Spike. The last scene where Buffy realizes that Xander and Willow forgive her is actually quite sweet even with the overpowering cheese soundtrack.

Overrated

[da040926 · 5/10 · 31 March 2010]

I definitely expected much more from this episode considering all those the great reviews. I guess I am too naive to expect some plot & at least half hearted attempt for logic and credibility?

***SPOILERS***

Come on you ppl, vampires leaving beaten Xander in the library without drinking him ? Are we still talking vampires here ?!

Also vampires could have easily drunk whole Sunnydale + several nearby states while Buffy was on holiday. It really cries for presenting any excuse why they stayed hidden till Buffy returned.

Vapmires are really shown as sorry lot ... it makes me to pity them instead of fear / hate them. They should be strong, fast, predatory, scary, They are neither, sadly.

In S1 - Angel episode it was stated very clearly that vampires can not enter unless invited. Since then I have seen at least 5 episodes when they broke inside buildings without invitation. Including here, of course. I guess even vampires can probably learn some new tricks, huh ?

5 of 10 (for ice cream, Snyder scenes, sexy dance, shocked Cornelia and for attempt to show emotionally challenged Buffy)

The One With The Master's Bones...

[taylorkingston · 8/10 · 1 June 2015]

I think this episode is very entertaining. It's a great season premiere, although, not one of my favorites.

In this episode, Buffy comes home from Summer vacation to find out that the Anointed One and his followers plan to bring back The Master. This doesn't help with Buffy's nightmares. Everyone who was with The Master when he died is kidnapped, this means, Giles, Ms. Calendar, Willow and Cordelia are all taken and planned to be sacrificed. But of course, Buffy gets there in time, kicks some butt, and smashed The Master's bones with a sledgehammer. That's how I always take out my frustrations. That was joke, by the way.

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

Buffy is back; and the vampires want The Master to return as well

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 6 August 2017]

Since killing The Master Buffy has been visiting her father in Los Angeles but now the summer holidays are over so she returns to Sunnydale… and she isn't as she was before. She is offhand at best and cruel at worst; she is also tormented by nightmares about The Master. Things get worse when the vampires working for the Anointed One dig up The Master's bones with the intention of bringing him back. When Cordelia is snatched by vampires Buffy insists on going alone to rescue her even though it is obviously a trap… it is; just not for her. Now she will have to save her friends and hope that they can forgive the negative attitude she displayed since returning.

This episode provided a good start to the second season without really hinting at what is to come. I liked the fact that what happened with The Master has clearly had a profound effect on Bufffy's character even if, for one episode only, it has made her a far less sympathetic character… in some scenes even Cordelia is more likable! I also rather enjoyed the way everything appeared to be leading up to the return of The Master only for the vampire's plans to be thwarted and his bones shattered. At this point it remains unclear whether this season will have a main villain, a series on one episode unrelated threats or a combination of the two. The action is pretty solid during the final confrontation as Buffy works out her issues with the vampires. There are also some good laughs; mostly provided by Xander and the student-hating Principal Snyder. The cast does a fine job; they have clearly grown into their characters over the first season and are back on great form. Overall this isn't the best episode but it is still pretty good and serves nicely to bring us back into Buffy's world and set things up for the season.

Buffy the Porcupine

[Aegelis · 10/10 · 18 March 2024]

Every know someone who goes all prickly? Defences go up, compassion comes down, and for some reason, they just seem different. Summer break brought about a change in Buffy Summers, much to the displeasure of friends she had known the previous year and even family. Working through the emotional crisis, another threat emerges threatening to rip apart what little fabric is left of Sunnydale. Sure we've got action, suspense, but also we see a very real spiritual struggle that is highly relatable, even for characters who originally appeared shallow.

Ramping up on drama, there's some 'changing of the guard' well worth noting. Nothing is easily explained away, no cheap exits are taken, this is a very well-written story. Great kick-off to kicking vampires this season.

Middling Depiction of Consequences

[nysmbs · 7/10 · 17 December 2022]

It's good to see Buffy hasn't simply bounced back instantly from a near death experience and is actually dealing with trauma, even if the episode's emotional reach sort of exceeds its grasp here.

As someone who has experienced trauma, Buffy spends much of this episode in what we'd call survival mode. She's fixated on making sure another vampire doesn't best her, and her experience plays over and over again in her head against her will.

Some of Buffy's behavior is simply cold, which makes sense for a 16 year old navigating these types of emotions. The idea of shutting down socially, only trusting oneself, is an easy trap to fall into.

She does pull a weird stunt with Xander. A person who is shutting down socially as a consequence of being in survival mode doesn't usually pull that kind of attention-seeking nonsense. I can pass it off as simply teenage immaturity, but it feels like a stretch.

But the larger issue is the FAKE RESOLUTION. Buffy's friends know she has trauma, but they do nothing about it. Buffy at no point comes to grips with her trauma or examines what she must do to grow past it. Instead she smashes the Master's body with a sledgehammer, an outlet of emotions that, while cathartic in the moment, is not something that healing comes from.

The closest we get is simply Buffy's decision at the end of the episode to start paying attention to her friends again. While part of healing IS connecting with social bonds, we're never really shown HOW Buffy reaches the point where she once again feels comfortable speaking with them.

Again, it's not the worst depiction of trauma I've seen -- it gets a lot of things correct, especially for being written in 1999-- but it's certainly not the best either.