Once More with Feeling: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Script Book (Paperback)

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This edition of "Once More, With Feeling" proves once again that the "official" volumes associated with "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" are top drawer. What we have here is much more than the script, but let us start with that, because this is a Joss Whedon script, and if you have ever read one of these efforts you know that he tosses around editorial comments with gleeful abandon. For example, the script begins with the TEASER, which immediately explains how there is NO TEASER, but sketches what he would like to see if they have the time. Even if you have the entire script memorized, you will still have fun reading Joss' stage directions. This is essentially the shooting script, which is just a way of saying that you are not going to find lots of stuff that ended up on the cutting room floor, especially since the episode ran eight minutes over anyhow.

Once you finish the script, you happily discover you are not even halfway through the book yet. There is a list of "Musical Terminology from the Script" that helpfully explains not only the basics such as melodies and verse, but also the pop culture references to Carmen Miranda's coconuts, Seventy-six (bloody) trombones and "Koombaya." Then we have "I've Got a Theory," where Joss not only explains about the genesis of this musical episode, but also offers insight on the role of music in the series (there is an especially interesting section that talks about "The Body"). Marti Noxon offers insights on the production problems and other behind the scenes personnel provide additional details, including the literary idea of nonstop dancing (i.e., "The Red Shoes"). "Something to sing about" provides a musical look at the episode, explaining the rational behind the various types of music. Of course, we already know that the strength of the songs were that they were so wonderfully character drive. "Where Do We Go From Here?" covers the rest of the season in answer to the musical question that closes the episode.

Obviously, by this point we have more than gotten our money's worth from this volume but now we get to the color photographs taken mostly from the episode and then you get sheet music for all of the major songs (i.e., not for the bit pieces "Parking Ticket" and "They Got the Mustard Out"). That is certainly a lot for your money and a lot more than just the script and/or the sheet music. When you have a rare individual like Joss Whedon, who puts together a first rate-television show that keeps finding ways of establishing high water marks, and who also takes care of the show's fans in terms of products like this, then supporting him and his efforts through out patronage is both a privilege and a pleasure.