2/10/08 - 2/17/08 Episode Discussion: Killed by Death

[SpikedBuffy]

Next up on the list.. discussing season 2's episode Killed by Death

Feel free to discuss this episode. What were your likes and dislikes, what did you notice, how many stakes do you give it for a rating?

[Joyce Summers]

Hmm a good stand-alone ep, but not the best.
I did like the storyline- and the demon was wicked scary. It was like scarier brother of Freddy Kreuger. Creep City Central. And the link to Buffy's past was good- with her Cousin Celia but otherwise the episode lacked....momentum. Yeah, I think that's it. I enjoyed the episode and I get into it everytime it happens to air or I'm pushing in random DVDs but if you're looking for a fast-paced episode typical of the Buffyverse, this is definitely not the it.
And I absolutely adored the scene between Xander and Angelus. Angelus could easily rip Xander's throat out where he stood yet he still stands his ground and essentially keeps the vampire away from Buffy as Angelus, being the coward he is, doesn't want to face against all the people Xander listed. Xander is definitely Buffy's white knight here and I love it.
I also love the scenes with Cordy and Giles. She just frustrates him so much and it's a nice comic relief from everything else going on in the episode; especially since his sarcasm flies right over her grossed-out head.

[LittleMissLikesToFight]

Pretty cool episode, one of my brother's favorites... not entirely sure i can say that personally. But it was nice almost to see Buffy pretty helpless, and creepy when Angel came to see her and Xander had to protect her.... though I don't think Angel would have killed her in the hospital even if he had the chance because i think it'd be too easy for him.

The idea was really interesting, i liked the misleading of thinking the doctor was doing something wrong when he wasn't... i did't like the flashbacks though, mainly because i think the two little girls were SO annoying. And yes, very Freddy Krueger meets Nosferatu.


I thought it was alright overall, i mean, a decent standalone and i like it, i wouldn't skip it or anything.

[Rebecca]

When I first used to watch Buffy this was certainly my favourite episode. This episode combined 3 of my favourite things: Buffy (obviously), medical situations and children, so you can see why I liked it so much.
I loved to see Buffy actually being nearly like a normal person for an episode as she's never really had any other injuries or illnesses. I liked the idea of the monster that could only be seen by people with a high fever, though there are a couple of goofs in this episode! Like, is there more than one Der Kindestod? As her cousin Cecila who got killed by it wasn't from Sunnydale.

Overall, after watching this episode again recently and having watched the rest of Buffy many times more this episode isn't everything to me that it used to be. It's a nice filler episode and I never tire of the first scene and the weak Buffy fight with Angelus, but it lacks the excitement and "What happens next" that many more better Buffy episodes have.

[Cangel]

I just have to say, it was pretty funny (for German native speakers) when Cordelia totally mispronounced 'der Kindestod'. Ever since that episode (and Gingerbread) I'm really asking myself what Joss has against Germans.

[Lyri]

one of my favorite episodes. i think it's because i like to see Buffy out of her element. she's sick, something we've never seen before, and it really hits her hard. all of them, i think, are a little knocked back by the fact that Buffy's not well enough to patrol. Even Cordelia steps up and goes out on patrol with Xander and Willow, cause she knows Buffy's not up to it and someone has to keep the town safe. (i love all of Cordy's heroic moments, it's a thing)

the fact that she can't fight off Angelus is another big moment in her life. she collapses in the middle of the fight and has to be rescued by the others, and then she's rushed to hospital, seemingly delerious, at least from the doctors points of view.

i loved the vulnrability of Buffy when her fear of hospitals is exposed, and how it came about. the flash back to Buffy and Celia playing was funny, especially since Buffy was playing a superhero, and 8/9 years later, she actaully became one.

i liked that Buffy decided to make herself sick again to fight the bad guy. it should how much she'd grown. yes, she's used to putting herself in danger every night facing evil, but purposfully making herself ill, something she can't fight back against, was something she would never have done before. i think this is the first time Buffy realizes that she must do whatever it takes to save the world. without this episode, Buffy would never have made the desicion to kill Angel to stop Acathla.

i loved Xander as Buffy's white knight. i'm not a Bander shipper, but i'm a big Xander fan, and the way he stood up to Angelus still makes me giggle.

Cordelia was good in this ep. she had lots of sarcastic lines, like the 'tact' thing. but she should her sweet, caring side by bringing Xander breakfast and sitting with him, even if they weren't talking, lol.