Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season Six (R1: Release Date:
July 6, 2003; R2: Available Now)
Special Features:
Disc One:
Commentary for "Bargaining" by Marti Noxon and David Fury
Disc Two:
Commentary for "Once More With Feeling" by Joss Whedon
Karaoke Sing-Alongs
David Fury's Behind The Scenes Of "Once More With Feeling"
Easter Egg
Disc Three:
Commentary for "Smashed" by Drew Z. Greenberg
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Panel Discussion
Buffy and Angel Trailers
Disc Four:
Behind The Scenes Featurette for "Buffy Goes To Work"
Easter Egg
Disc Five:
Commentary for "Hell's Bells" by David Solomon and Rebecca Rand Kirshner
Commentary for "Normal Again" by Rick Rosenthal and Diego Gutierrez
Disc Six:
Commentary for "Grave" by James Contner and David Fury
Featurette: Season Six Overview: "Life Is The Big Bad"
Featurette: "Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Television With A Bite"
Outtakes Reel
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My Review of the Special Features:
Karaoke Sing Alongs:
I was looking forward to this for its kitsch value, but was ultimately disappointed. This is because from my point of view, the two most "singable" songs (or as Anya would put it, those with potential to be "breakaway pop hits") are Tara's "Under Your Spell" and Spike's "Rest In Peace". We get
neither of these. Instead, we get "I've Got A Theory/Bunnies/We're Together", "I'll Never Tell" and "Walk Through The Fire".
Yes, Anya's dreaded "retro pastiches".
David Fury's Behind The Scenes Of "Once More With Feeling":
This is actually very interesting, it's like David Fury with a handicam documenting the famous musical episode. They show scenes from the handicam intercut with final footage, and even go back to recording sessions, etc. This is much longer than the version that was previously downloadable from the net. Interesting things revealed include that Buffy sometimes uses completely CGI stakes when dusting vampires, so she's really not holding anything; also, SMG's knife throwing during Giles' song was also fully CGI.
Disc Two Easter Egg:
From the Language Menu of "Once More With Feeling", hit up on your remote, highlighting a hidden "B". When you click enter, you'll see a brief autograph signing session for the "Once More With Feeling" CD featuring Joss Whedon, Amber Benson, and Michelle Trachtenberg. Oh, and 500 fans crazy enough to stand in line.
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Panel Discussion:
Very nice! This hour-long feature was filmed right after season six as the cast has no idea what's in store for them in season seven. It features Joss Whedon, Marti Noxon, DP Raymond Stella, Production Designer Carey Meyer, and cast members Alyson Hannigan, Nicholas Brendon, Michelle Trachtenberg, James Marsters. Notice who's missing?
My favorite was when Joss was asked, "A lot of people hated Season Six for being too dark. How do you explain that turn the show took?"
Joss: "Umm... (pause)... Oops?"
Behind The Scenes Featurette for "Buffy Goes To Work":
If you're a Buffy fan, you must be thinking: "They made a special feature for 'Doublemeat Palace,' one of the worst episodes of all time???"
Relax. It's a feature where they interview cast and crew about their first jobs, and what their dream jobs would be. Short and sweet. Oh, "Warren" said he wants to be a "fluffer". LOL!
Featurette: Season Six Overview: "Life Is The Big Bad"Different from those from the previous seasons. They used to go episode by episode, giving tidbits about each. This time around, they go by character. Not as informative and insight-filled as it used to be.
Featurette: "Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Television With A Bite": A well-produced 45 minute TV special. I'm not sure if this is the same as the show that aired on Biography, but it covers the entire Buffy phenomenon from Joss' initial concept ("Rhonda, The Immortal Waitress" - no kidding!), to the movie flop, resurrection of the concept for television, casting controversies, and major plot highlights from Season One to Early Season Seven. Very well produced, and in the 6 DVD seasons so far, the first and only time SMG has actually participated in
any special feature.
Outtakes Reel - Much like that in the Season Five boxed set, fun but a bit too short. And SMG still apparently commits no bloopers.
Hmm... I wonder if that's contractual for her?
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Small complaint: I just started watching this, and noticed that there was a short edit in the "Willow killed Bambi" scene. They cut out a few frames, like when the fawn's legs were struggling. It was fairly obvious from the music jump, and I confirmed it with my tape of the original UPN broadcast. I'm not sure if that will also be the case when the R1 is released.
