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Post by Clare on Sept 21, 2008 10:31:53 GMT -5
1.00 The Unaired Pilot - Episode #000The pilot episode for Buffy the Vampire SlayerReview (also post a score out of 10) and discuss this episode. Thanks to Angel for this:
If you want watch this episode then visit this site - www.an-unforgettable-obsession.com/
Click on - Media > Video Clips > Television Shows and you should find the Unaired PilotAs the above link no longer works, here is another place to watch the unaired pilot episode: www.sidereel.com/Buffy_The_Vampire_Slayer/_watchlinkviewer/9516
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Post by cyclica on Sept 21, 2008 17:48:34 GMT -5
I posted this on another thread, but since you want me to repost it...
It was weird, it had harmony, jonathan with glasses, darla looking really young, and a totally different willow, but no angel, master or jesse. I heard somewhere that seth green was in it, but I couldn't see him.
I'm surprised they changed so much of it, there was some great scenes and dialogue (Buffy- I don't suppose you guys would be sweeties and attack me one at a time? Vamp- you watch too many movies. Buffy- you can NEVER watch too many movies!) The whole fight at the end was great, and so was the big spiral staircase in the library, though it must have taken ages to go to the upper level all the time. Also loved xander showing buffy around, I dunno why that scene had to be cut, I mean this was a 30 minute episode and it was expanded into 2 40 minute eps, surely they would have had more than enough room for it?
Did you notice, how willow was assigned to buffy's friend, buffy didn't come to her in this version. Also willow killed darla with a crusifix, at least I think darla died, it sounded like she was underwater blowing bubbles or something.
... As for a rating, I guess 6 out of 10. There are some parts I'm glad were changed or left out of the proper show, but it was still an entertaining episode.
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Post by cyclica on Sept 6, 2009 16:29:07 GMT -5
Is no one else going to review this episode?  Upon rewatching, I still found it enjoyable, but overall I'm glad they made changes to the ep instead of putting it on tv as it was. A few things I noticed- It was a bit strange how there was almost no background music. The fight scenes in particular seemed much more 'real' than on the proper show, and there were no 'poof' vamp dusting sound effects either. - Was that giles doing the 'in every generation' intro? If he was doing it from the start, why did we get some guy doing the voiceover during season 1, and back to giles for s2? - Buffy gives much more of an explanation to giles as to why she is 'retiring' from slaying in this version. It was a great scene that i wish had been put into the proper episode. - It turns out seth green didn't appear, although dingo's ate my baby was mentioned. And apparantly harmony is a fan. Nitpicking mode! - Why did darla pretend to be a human at the start of the ep? I know it's to fool the audience, but there's no reason for her to keep up the pretence for so long. - When she bit that guy, he didn't scream, and there was no biting sound effect. For all we know she could have just licked him. - Buffy can somehow tell whether a vamp's victim will become a vamp themself or not. Did she have this power on the proper show? I don't remember her ever using this power again. - Buffy deduces that the guy willow is with must be a vampire, even though in this version she didn't see him and his outdated clothes. I guess she assumed the only way willow can get a date is if the guy is a vampire. I'm sticking with my 6 out of 10 rating. There were some flaws, but it was still very entertaining, and not just in a 'look what the show could have been like' kind of way. |
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Post by partcynic on Sept 7, 2009 12:15:43 GMT -5
I'm going to do this one, but not until the end. I've avoided it because the repeat plot elements in this and WTTH would make it like watching the same ep twice in a row.
I think she was just playing with him (as we've seen other vamps do). I imagine she'd get off on allowing the guy to think he had all of the power, then suddenly wrenching it from him.
Yeah - it was odd watching this without any kind of soundtrack. It's be expected, though, as this was just a demo reel to pitch to networks, and putting effects in would have cost money that wasn't available (or at least uneconomic, considering the uncertainty as to whether the show would be picked up or not).
This is a good point. I can't recall her doing this either - though I guess that if a vampire had wanted to sire someone, they'd take the body with them instead of just dumping it in a random location. Perhaps that's what tipped her off.
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Post by cyclica on Sept 8, 2009 17:46:11 GMT -5
I think she was just playing with him (as we've seen other vamps do). I imagine she'd get off on allowing the guy to think he had all of the power, then suddenly wrenching it from him. Hmm that's possible. But I'm not sure, it seems like she waited quite a while just to bite some guy. It must have taken some time just getting to the school in the first place. And besides, in the 'proper' episode, wasn't she meant to be getting food for the master? Yeah - it was odd watching this without any kind of soundtrack. It's be expected, though, as this was just a demo reel to pitch to networks, and putting effects in would have cost money that wasn't available (or at least uneconomic, considering the uncertainty as to whether the show would be picked up or not). I understand the lack of soundtrack, but surely the guy could have screamed? Or even just sampled mr wilhelm? ;D This is a good point. I can't recall her doing this either - though I guess that if a vampire had wanted to sire someone, they'd take the body with them instead of just dumping it in a random location. Perhaps that's what tipped her off. Yeah, it would have been really strange if the vamps had intended for their victim to come back as one of them, and to wake up in some kids' locker.  |
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Post by Clare on Sept 9, 2009 18:19:33 GMT -5
If this pilot episode was what was shown instead of 'Welcome to the Hellmouth' and 'The Harvest' and someone asked me if I would continue watching the show, I probably would have said no. It's not that it was that bad - the premise was still there and there were some great parts - but the plot for the episode was weaker than in the 2 actual episodes (no Master or Harvest) and I don't think the characters' connections were as strong (as Cyclica mentioned, Willow was told to help Buffy with her classes instead of Buffy choosing to hang around with Willow). Buffy is more brunette in this episode - I don't think it really affects anything but Joss Whedon made her more blonde since he wanted to go against the stereotype of blonde girls being helpless victims in horror movies. No Angel in the pilot... To be honest, I don't think the episode missed him - in the actual episodes he informs Buffy of the Harvest and gives her the cross which saves her from Luke but since none of that happens in the pilot... No Jesse either - I think this is where the character connections is let down. Having Jesse in 'Welcome to the Hellmouth' and 'The Harvest' was what really got Xander and Willow involved with Buffy and we got to see them lose a friend and have to deal with that, whereas in the pilot nobody they know dies so we don't feel bad for them. The actress who played Willow in the pilot looks quite old compared to the others and plus she was another brunette. I know we've only seen her in this but I think Alyson Hannigan just brings more to the character than Riff Regan did. Same old Cordelia. She talks to Buffy because she likes her shoes  However, Cordelia doesn't nearly get staked by Buffy or bitten by a vamp in the pilot. The appearance by Jonathon was great since he makes a lot of small appearances throughout the early seasons of Buffy. Flutie calls Buffy "Bunny" (and "Bambie", "Betty", "Wilma"... lol) which a few more people go on to call her in later episodes -Willow's mom calls her it in 'Gingerbread'. Flutie still gets a good line in (even if it is a different actor who plays him here): "...We very seldom, almost never have dead kids stuffed in a locker. I have very strict policies about this." Also, when Flutie apologises to Buffy for the dead guy in the locker and she asks to see the body, would he really have let her see it? I know he doesn't want her to in the actual episodes. I thought the library in the pilot looked really good with the 2 tiers and the staircase and all but it probably would have made scenes longer and it would have been harder to film. Did you notice Buffy do a flip down from the top tier? Why didn't she just use the stairs - showing off?  Like in 'Welcome to the Hellmouth', when Xander overhears Buffy and Giles in the library, wouldn't Giles have known Xander was in there or was he too occupied to notice him come in? There didn't seem to be a real plot for the pilot except Buffy has to save Willow from a vampire, but I guess since this was just a pilot, you wouldn't want to be introducing story arcs. I'm glad they added the Master and co into the real episodes as that made me want to watch more to see how it developed. One of my favourite lines: "Ow. That was my favourite spine." - Buffy.  Also loved xander showing buffy around, I dunno why that scene had to be cut, I mean this was a 30 minute episode and it was expanded into 2 40 minute eps, surely they would have had more than enough room for it? I really enjoyed that scene too, I think that helped to bond Xander and Buffy nicely and it was a good introduction to the other students of Sunnydale High. It was a shame nothing like that was really done in the actual episodes - I think it was because of all the Luke/Master/Darla scenes, they just didn't have time to put this in and maybe they thought other scenes made up for it? It turns out seth green didn't appear, although dingo's ate my baby was mentioned. And apparantly harmony is a fan. I noticed that and did you hear Xander say: "Well, they don't know know any actual chords yet, but they have really big amps." They must learn some by season 2 then because Oz mentions they know 2 or 3... Why did darla pretend to be a human at the start of the ep? I know it's to fool the audience, but there's no reason for her to keep up the pretence for so long. I think she was just playing with him (as we've seen other vamps do). I imagine she'd get off on allowing the guy to think he had all of the power, then suddenly wrenching it from him. Hmm that's possible. But I'm not sure, it seems like she waited quite a while just to bite some guy. It must have taken some time just getting to the school in the first place. And besides, in the 'proper' episode, wasn't she meant to be getting food for the master? I can't remember if she was meant to be bringing someone for the Master. My theory is she just enjoyed playing with her food and making them think that she is this fragile girl and then turning on them when they least expect it - she enjoys the thrill of the "chase", so to speak. Wouldn't the guy have been suspicious of her anyway? I mean Buffy mentions how cold Angel is when she touches/kisses him, so wouldn't he have said something? Or maybe he wasn't bothered. Yeah, it would have been really strange if the vamps had intended for their victim to come back as one of them, and to wake up in some kids' locker. lol Unless they just wanted to cause a scene and freak some high school kids out. It was a bit strange how there was almost no background music. The fight scenes in particular seemed much more 'real' than on the proper show, and there were no 'poof' vamp dusting sound effects either. When she bit that guy, he didn't scream, and there was no biting sound effect. For all we know she could have just licked him. Yeah - it was odd watching this without any kind of soundtrack. It's be expected, though, as this was just a demo reel to pitch to networks, and putting effects in would have cost money that wasn't available (or at least uneconomic, considering the uncertainty as to whether the show would be picked up or not). I understand the lack of soundtrack, but surely the guy could have screamed? Or even just sampled mr wilhelm? ;D Sound effects would be cheaper than music tracks, right? Maybe they could've added in a few cheap dusting and/or fighting sound effects and not used all the songs (there were 4 different tracks throughout). Or, like Cyclica said, why didn't they just make their own sound - I don't see why the guy Darla bit didn't scream, or make any sound at all... Buffy deduces that the guy willow is with must be a vampire, even though in this version she didn't see him and his outdated clothes. I guess she assumed the only way willow can get a date is if the guy is a vampire. That bugged me too - I don't get how Buffy just jumps to the conclusion that there's something suspicious with Willow going on a date before Xander even mentions what the guy was wearing (did you notice the blonde vampire that Willow was with looked a little like Spike? ). Willow didn't even mention anything to Buffy earlier in this version about how she can't talk to guys either, did she? Buffy must have assumed from the way Willow dresses and what Cordelia says to Willow that she doesn't date much - or ever. Also willow killed darla with a crusifix, at least I think darla died, it sounded like she was underwater blowing bubbles or something. Lol, I think she did kill her since we didn't see her again - I didn't think a crucifix could be used to kill a vamp otherwise Spike would have burned to death in 'Beneath You' when he hugs one. How would Willow even know to use the crucifix against the vampire anyway? I know she saw it in Buffy's bag - maybe she just knew it from myths she'd heard... Overall pros: Some great dialogue, decent acting, ok introductions to the characters - most of them seem interesting, nice appearance from Jonathon. Overall cons: Lack of sound effects, no Jesse (so we don't feel bad for the characters), no real/strong storyline in the episode. Rating: 5.5/10 |
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Post by partcynic on Sept 10, 2009 5:40:26 GMT -5
cyclica: Well, she has the time to toy around with people. It's not like she's getting any older. I think that the first scene was just Darla hunting on her own, and that the later Bronze hunts were specifically for the Master. *** Clare: In theory, sound effects would be cheaper - but they're still pricy for what's essentially a demo reel (even the none-too-good dusting effects in the S1 cost several thousand dollars each time, and that includes the sounds they run together). Strangely, I think that it was cheaper to use band's music - since most of the groups that played at the Bronze were unsigned or up-and-comers, the show could probably get a reduced cost on the publishing rights (compared to what a major label might want), or else barter in its own favour. It's probably the myth explanation. I'd imagine that even people who dislike vampire stories would know that crosses, stakes and sunlight are supposed to be effective against them - it's something that's close to common knowledge.
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Post by cyclica on Sept 11, 2009 16:47:34 GMT -5
The appearance by Jonathon was great since he makes a lot of small appearances throughout the early seasons of Buffy. I wonder why it is that he appeared in the unaired pilot, but we don't see him again until season 2? I thought the library in the pilot looked really good with the 2 tiers and the staircase and all but it probably would have made scenes longer and it would have been harder to film. Did you notice Buffy do a flip down from the top tier? Why didn't she just use the stairs - showing off? I'm glad they got rid of the stairs. I can imagine how awkward it would be if the gang were constantly going up and down the spiral whenever they needed books for research. Also loved xander showing buffy around, I dunno why that scene had to be cut, I mean this was a 30 minute episode and it was expanded into 2 40 minute eps, surely they would have had more than enough room for it? I really enjoyed that scene too, I think that helped to bond Xander and Buffy nicely and it was a good introduction to the other students of Sunnydale High. It was a shame nothing like that was really done in the actual episodes - I think it was because of all the Luke/Master/Darla scenes, they just didn't have time to put this in and maybe they thought other scenes made up for it? I have since discovered that very similar 'showing the new kid the different groups of kids in the school' scene was used on both 'clueless' and '10 things I hate about you'. I guess joss removed it so they wouldn't seem like they were stealing other people's ideas. Wouldn't the guy have been suspicious of her anyway? I mean Buffy mentions how cold Angel is when she touches/kisses him, so wouldn't he have said something? Or maybe he wasn't bothered. Good point. I guess they hadn't yet established that vampires are cold. It's probably the myth explanation. I'd imagine that even people who dislike vampire stories would know that crosses, stakes and sunlight are supposed to be effective against them - it's something that's close to common knowledge. Agreed. Though I assumed that crosses, like garlic, were used to repel vampires, and it was only the buffyverse that decided that crosses burn. But then again, I know very little about vamps outside of buffy.  |
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Post by Clare on Sept 11, 2009 17:26:33 GMT -5
In theory, sound effects would be cheaper - but they're still pricy for what's essentially a demo reel (even the none-too-good dusting effects in the S1 cost several thousand dollars each time, and that includes the sounds they run together). Strangely, I think that it was cheaper to use band's music - since most of the groups that played at the Bronze were unsigned or up-and-comers, the show could probably get a reduced cost on the publishing rights (compared to what a major label might want), or else barter in its own favour. I understand the costs would be a reason. When you look at the Buffy pilot and then Lost's pilot which was filmed just 7 or so years later - and they spent millions on just that pilot episode - the quality of pilots has increased so much but then I guess that is to be expected over time and maybe it's because different people were funding those shows... I also think that by using unsigned bands as the main source of music on Buffy gave it more character and made it feel more "real" compared to shows which always use mainstream music. It's probably the myth explanation. I'd imagine that even people who dislike vampire stories would know that crosses, stakes and sunlight are supposed to be effective against them - it's something that's close to common knowledge. Agreed. Though I assumed that crosses, like garlic, were used to repel vampires, and it was only the buffyverse that decided that crosses burn. But then again, I know very little about vamps outside of buffy. I've read a few vampire novels and watched a lot of vampire films ('Blade', 'Interview With the Vampire', 'From Dusk Till Dawn', etc) but I can't really remember crosses ever being used to burn them... oh wait, I'm pretty sure in 'Fright Night' they burned one of the vamps with a crucifix too... The appearance by Jonathon was great since he makes a lot of small appearances throughout the early seasons of Buffy. I wonder why it is that he appeared in the unaired pilot, but we don't see him again until season 2? Maybe after Buffy got commisioned, Danny Strong had other projects he was working on and since Jonathan wasn't a main or secondary character they just left him out until Danny was available? It's fun to try and spot him in the season 2 and 3 episodes though - he appears in quite a few if only for a few of seconds. I have since discovered that very similar 'showing the new kid the different groups of kids in the school' scene was used on both 'clueless' and '10 things I hate about you'. I guess joss removed it so they wouldn't seem like they were stealing other people's ideas. Oh right. Plus Joss wanted the show to be different from other shows and movies... Did anyone realise that the school they attended in the pilot was called Berryman High School? I was just reading the script and I never realised before. I wonder why they changed it? Was it so they could make jokes from "Sunnydale High"? |
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Post by cyclica on Sept 11, 2009 17:45:00 GMT -5
I guess 'sunnydale' just sounds better than 'berryman'. Plus if they live in a 'sunny town', it emphasizes the contrast between the sunny town most people know, and the town at night, when the vampires come out.
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Post by cyclica on Sept 25, 2009 17:40:56 GMT -5
I'm going to do this one, but not until the end. Well since we've now reached the end of s1, did you still want to review this episode? |
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Post by partcynic on Sept 25, 2009 17:48:08 GMT -5
^ Not yet. It's not been long enough since WTTH for me to watch it objectively.
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Post by Twisted Slayer on Jan 17, 2010 20:20:36 GMT -5
1/10
I gave it a 1 for having Sarah Michelle Gellar in it!
It sucks ass!
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Post by cyclica on Jan 18, 2010 9:36:24 GMT -5
Why does it suck ass?
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Post by Twisted Slayer on Jan 18, 2010 17:04:29 GMT -5
Well, I'm not exactly sure. I don't know why, but it just doesn't sit well with me. But, the Vamps sucked. No pun intended.
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However, Cordelia doesn't nearly get staked by Buffy or bitten by a vamp in the pilot.
