Once More, with Feeling 

In this musical extravaganza, Sunnydale residents find themselves bursting into song, and flame, when a demon attempts to make Dawn his bride.

Director:

Joss Whedon

Writers:

Joss Whedon (created by), Joss Whedon

Stars:

Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Emma Caulfield Ford

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Sarah Michelle Gellar	...	Buffy Summers
Nicholas Brendon	...	Xander Harris
Emma Caulfield Ford	...	Anya (as Emma Caulfield)
Michelle Trachtenberg	...	Dawn Summers
James Marsters	...	Spike
Alyson Hannigan	...	Willow Rosenberg
Anthony Head	...	Rupert Giles (as Anthony Stewart Head)
Hinton Battle	...	Sweet
Amber Benson	...	Tara Maclay
David Fury	...	Mustard Man
Marti Noxon	...	Parking Ticket Woman
Daniel Weaver	...	Handsome Young Man
Scot Zeller	...	Henchman / Tap Dancing Victim
Zachary Woodlee	...	Demon / Henchman
Timothy Anderson	...	Henchman

Storyline

Sunnydale is alive with the sound of music as a mysterious force causes everyone in town to burst into full musical numbers, revealing their innermost secrets as they do. But some townsfolk are dancing so much that they simply burst into flames, and it becomes clear that maybe living in a musical isn't so great after all.

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Plot Keywords:

girl kidnapped by a demon | demon wants to marry a teenage girl | singing demon | teenage girl kidnapped | introspective song | 

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 November 2001 (USA)

Filming Locations:

1800 Stewart St., Santa Monica, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mutant Enemy, Kuzui Enterprises, Sandollar Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Buffy comments, "So... Dawn's in trouble... must be Tuesday." This, of course, refers to the timeslot in which UPN broadcasts the show.

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Goofs

The demons that Buffy kills in the Bronze disappear and reappear, and change positions, between shots as she dances.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Buffy Summers: [singing] Every single night the same arrangement / I go out and fight the fight / Still I always feel this strange estrangement / Nothing here is real, nothing here is right / I've been making shows of trading blows / Just hoping no one knows / That I've been going through the motions / Walking through the part / Nothing seems to penetrate my heart.

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Crazy Credits

The episode's name is displayed after the opening.

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Alternate Versions

This episode originally aired at an extended length that ran over the hour-long format (approx. 8 minutes over) and was edited down to fit an hour long time slot for each re-airing. The footage cut included the title and overture, Buffy entering the Magic Box and some corresponding dialog, part of the song "I've Got a Theory", the entire song "What Can't We Face," dialog when Dawn enters the Magic Box, after the song "Under Your Spell," and before the song "I'll Never Tell," a verse of the song "Let Me Rest in Peace," some footage in Dawn's bedroom, Dawn's dance number with Sweet's minions, the end of the song "Why Don't We Dance Awhile," a verse of "Walk Through the Fire," dialog when Buffy first encounters Sweet and after the song "Life's a Show," and the song "Where Do We Go From Here" is shorter along with followed dialog between Spike and Buffy.

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Connections

References Pinocchio (1940)

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Soundtracks

What You Feel (Reprise)
Written by Joss Whedon
Performed by Hinton Battle

User Reviews

"Once More" Hits a High Note

Plot (From DVD Case): A demon named Sweet descends upon Sunnydale in search of Dawn, his arrival causing everyone to burst into song and dance - and eventually into flame.

Review: Out of all the episodes of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Six", this has to be the must see episode. The episode is very similar to what "Xena Warrior Princess" did back in 1997 with the episode 'The Bitter Suite', taking the main character's hidden problems and having them face them through singing. This is the episode of Season Six where everything seems to come to its peak; Buffy begins to come to reality about being torn from heaven by her friends. Willow's growing addiction to magic is creating a gap between her and Tara. Xander and Anya are having doubts about their marriage. Dawn's habits of stealing are getting her in trouble, and Giles believes he is only standing in his slayer's way by staying in America. Plus, Spike's love/hate obsession with Buffy takes a shocking turn in the end.

Aside from being and awesome episode that digs into the character's psychologies, it also has clever and entertaining music. There is a track on this episode that everyone will like. All the actors have wonderful voices, and Joss Whedon writes magnificent lyrics for them to sing to. "Going Through the Motions", "I'll Never Tell", "Under Your Spell", and "Walk Through the Fire" are among the songs which you will hear. The episode is able to use the lyrics of the songs and make them humorous and heartbreaking.

This is a must-see episode for any "Buffy" fan. It is heartbreaking, emotional, funny, and overall well done. After watching 'Once More, With Feeling' you'll agree that "Buffy" is music to your ears.

Episode Air Date: