The 10th anniversary celebrity cast of “Dancing with the Stars” is strapping on their ballroom shoes and getting ready for their first dance on MONDAY, MARCH 16 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. This 20th season’s lineup of celebrity dancers includes a television icon, a party rocker, a football star and a Shark, to name a few. The reigning Mirrorball champion, Witney Carson, will be partnered with a surprise celebrity to be announced at a later date, completing the cast of twelve celebrity dance couples.
This season of “Dancing with the Stars” will be filled with surprises as we celebrate the last 10 years. The show will bring back fan favorite theme nights including Disney and Latin night and also introduce new themes, including Spring Break Night. Viewers will also have more access to the show than ever before with #DWTSAllAccess offering viewers a behind the scenes look with six live stream videos from key positions in the ballroom. Additionally, viewers will have access to the DWTS rehearsal studio like never before, with live streaming videos available throughout the week on ABC.com.
As announced this morning on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” the celebrities with their professional partners heading to the ballroom this season (in alphabetical order) are:
Noah Galloway partnered with Sharna Burgess
Robert Herjavec partnered with Kym Johnson
Patti LaBelle partnered with Artem Chigvintsev
Nastia Liukin partnered with Derek Hough
Riker Lynch partnered with Allison Holker
Charlotte McKinney partnered with Keo Motsepe
Redfoo partnered with Emma Slater
Michael Sam partnered with Peta Murgatroyd
Willow Shields partnered with Mark Ballas
Suzanne Somers partnered with Tony Dovolani
Rumer Willis partnered with Valentin Chmerkovskiy
NOAH GALLOWAY — A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Sergeant Noah Galloway was assigned to the 1st of the 502nd Infantry of the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Just three months into his second tour of duty, he experienced a life changing injury. On December 19, 2005, Galloway lost his left arm above the elbow and left leg above the knee in an Improvised Explosive Device attack. He was transported to Germany to receive medical treatment, remaining unconscious for five days. Galloway woke up late in the evening on Christmas Eve to learn he lost two of his limbs and sustained severe injuries to his right leg and his jaw. Galloway was then transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. After a long stint in recovery and rehabilitation, Galloway did what many disabled veterans do, becoming withdrawn, out of shape and depressed. The former fitness fanatic and hyper competitive athlete was now drinking, smoking and sleeping his days away. But late one night, Galloway took a long look in the mirror and realized there was more to him than the injuries so he set a goal to get back in shape, be healthier and inspire others. Now a personal trainer and motivational speaker, the father of three doesn’t take excuses from his clients, fans and followers. He continues to compete, participating in adventure races around the country, such as Tough Mudder, Spartan events plus numerous 5K and 10K races. A sought after public speaker, Galloway travels the country sharing his story, encouraging and motivating others to offer no excuses. Most recently, Galloway appeared on the November cover of Men’s Health Magazine, as he was named the publication’s 2014 Ultimate Guy. He’s also been a guest on numerous national talk shows including Ellen and The Today Show. A firm believer in giving back to those around him in need, Galloway recently created the No Excuses Charitable Fund, which raises money and awareness for organizations that mean the most to him, including Operation Enduring Warrior and the YMCA of Alabaster, AL. Noah is partnered with Sharna Burgess.
Follow Noah @noah_galloway
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ROBERT HERJAVEC — Robert Herjavec is recognized as the “nice” Shark on ABC’s Emmy Award-winning hit show Shark Tank. Born in Croatia, Robert and his family fled communism in the former Yugoslavia with just one suitcase and $20 to their name. Today he helps launch the entrepreneurial dreams of millions of Americans and is recognized as one of the world’s leading cybersecurity experts. As Founder & CEO of Herjavec Group, Robert has grown his cybersecurity business over 12 years from $400K in sales and 3 employees to $140 million in sales and 250 employees worldwide. Robert is a proud Dad, a bestselling author, a marathon runner, a Ferrari racecar driver and is thrilled to be able to soon say “a dancer!” Robert is partnered with Kym Johnson.
Follow Robert @RobertHerjavec
Follow Kym @kym_johnson
PATTI LABELLE — Beautiful simply does not describe the incomparable force known to the world as Patti LaBelle. Through the years, the songbird’s name has become synonymous with grace, style, and class. Her effortless ability to belt out classic rhythm and blues renditions, pop standards and spiritual sonnets has created the unique platform of versatility that the artist is known and revered for. For more than 50 years, Patti’s strong and soulful voice has left an indelible mark all over the world. This Philadelphia born entertainer captured her first hit in 1962, as lead singer of The BlueBelles and went on to receive worldwide acclaim with the trailblazing and genre bending trio, Labelle. A solo artist since the 1970s, Patti has created timeless songs that have helped cement her place as a music icon and garnered her numerous honors, including GRAMMY Awards, American Music Awards, NAACP Image Awards, New York Times bestsellers and more. From music to film to books, Patti has shown her diversity and broken down barriers as an entertainer and businesswoman, most recently launching a line of products, Patti’s Good Life. The same motivation that helped Patricia Louise Holte blossom from choir member to lead vocalist to solo artist is the same energy that keeps her fire burning at seventy years young. In addition to being a world-class artist and mother of five, Patti is just as well known for her philanthropy and willingness to share her blessings and gifts with the world. Patti is partnered with Artem Chigvintsev.
Follow Patti @mspattipatti
Follow Artem @artemchigvintse
NASTIA LIUKIN — Grace and beauty in the sport of gymnastics led Nastia Liukin to her crowning achievement as Olympic All-Around Gold Medalist at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, but winning five medals was only the beginning for this golden girl. After returning home, she graced the pages of countless magazines and appeared on various TV shows, while even being chosen as one of 2009’s most influential people. Liukin’s commitment to helping young girls with big dreams landed her a clothing line, SuperGirl by Nastia along with her very own gymnastics competition, The Nastia Liukin Cup. Nastia was a member of the creative team and a cast member for the Kellogg’s Tour of Olympic Champions, a national, 40-city tour that followed the 2012 Olympic Games. She remains active in the Olympic world as the Athlete Ambassador for the USOC’s Road to Rio tour, along with work as a the female television commentator at USA Gymnastics Nationals, Olympic Trials and the Olympic Games in Rio 2016 for NBC. Liukin is currently a junior and full-time student at New York University, majoring in Sports Management. Nastia is partnered with Derek Hough.
Follow Nastia @nastialiukin
Follow Derek @derekhough
RIKER LYNCH — Riker Lynch is an actor / musician / songwriter originally from Littleton, CO. He has been singing and performing since the age of 3 and was originally cast in Hollywood as Jeff Sterling, one of the members of the Warblers, the acappella group featured in GLEE. He appeared in seasons 2, 3 and 4 of GLEE, and also appeared as a Warbler in the 2011 edition of the Glee Live! In Concert tour. Riker is currently a singer and bassist in the Hollywood Records recording act R5, along with his siblings Rydel, Rocky and Ross Lynch (who plays Austin on Disney’s Austin & Ally) and best friend Ellington Ratliff. R5 has toured extensively throughout the world, playing over 150 shows in the last two years to sold out audiences, rapidly emerging as an exciting new voice in the world of pop rock, Riker will be partnered with Allison Holker.
Follow Riker @rikerR5
Follow Allison @AllisonHolker
CHARLOTTE MCKINNEY — 21 year old model and actress, Charlotte McKinney, is the centerpiece of the highly buzzed about Carl’s Jr. Super Bowl ad, the fast-food chain’s most successful to date with a staggering 2.5 billion media impressions in less than two weeks. She previously fronted a campaign for the iconic brand, GUESS. Charlotte began modeling full-time at the age of 17. In addition to modeling, she continues to build her acting career across television and film. This summer, she can be seen in “Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser,” co-starring with Christopher Walken and David Spade. Having spoken publicly about personal experiences with bullying, she continues to be vocal about the issue that the long term effects it has on its victims. Charlotte has a growing social influence with close to half a million followers on social media. She currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. Charlotte will be partnered with Keo Motsepe.
Follow Charlotte @char_mck
Follow Keo @keodancer
REDFOO — The man beneath the famous fro is more than just a charismatic character on the airwaves, he is a formidable entertainment force; performer, producer, actor, host, judge, innovator and fashionista. Bursting onto the world stage as one half of LMFAO, and scoring a swag of #1’s in more than 30 countries, his sound reflected a new movement in music, catapulting him into high demand amongst his musical alumni, collaborating with the likes of Kanye West, Pitbull, Will.i.am, fellow DJ’s David Guetta and Steve Aoki and performing along side Madonna in the 2012 Super Bowl half time show. His fresh, fun and fluro flavour has earned him countless nominations, honors and accolades from both his peers and party rockin’ fans including the American Music Awards, MTV EMA’s, MTV VMA’s, Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards and 2 of France’s most prestigious NRJ Awards. 30 million single sales later, 1.7 billion views on YouTube and Redfoo is just getting the party started. After a stint on the Australian X Factor judging panel, he is back in the U.S and ready to unleash his new smash hit, Juicy Wiggle. Redfoo is the first ever DWTS guest judge to appear as a contestant on the show. Redfoo is partnered with Emma Slater.
Follow Redfoo @Redfoo
Follow Emma @EmmaSlaterDance
MICHAEL SAM — Michael Sam was raised in Hitchcock, Texas and attended the University of Missouri on a football scholarship. Michael made history last year when the star college football player came out as gay ahead of the NFL draft, making him the first openly LGBT player to be drafted in any major American sport. As a college player at the University of Missouri, Sam was named a first-team All-American and Co-SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Sam’s bravery earned him the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2014 ESPY Awards. In 2014, he was named one of GQ Magazine’s Men of the Year and was a finalist for Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year. He recently became engaged to his boyfriend, Vito Cammisano. Michael is partnered with Peta Murgatroyd.
Follow Michael @MichaelSamnfl
Follow Peta @PetaMurgatroyd
WILLOW SHIELDS — Willow Shields is most notably recognized for her role as ‘Primrose Everdeen’ in the “THE HUNGER GAMES” franchise. The New Mexico native began acting at the age of seven when she followed her brother to an audition and booked a role in USA Network’s “IN PLAIN SIGHT.” She was in the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie “BEYOND THE BLACKBOARD,” as well as R.L. Stine’s “THE HAUNTING HOUR.” However, it was her break-out role as ‘Prim,’ the sensitive but strong younger sister to Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in the worldwide phenomenon “THE HUNGER GAMES” which bought her instantaneous international fame. Willow reprised her role as the caring, young healer in CATCHING FIRE and MOCKINGJAY PART 1. Fans around the globe now eagerly await the franchise’s climatic finale, MOCKINGJAY PART 2, which will be released this fall. Shields has always been very passionate about fashion and, very early in her career, caught the attention of several world-famous designers, including Marc Jacobs who was adamant about dressing the young starlet for a variety of events and award shows, even coining her as his muse in Nylon Magazine. Most recently, Shields made headlines with a cutting edge, eclectic look that turned critics’ heads when she appeared at NYC Fashion Week. Shields’ shares a special connection with her young fan base and consciously tries to inspire them to be positive role models in their communities. Leading by example, she is a vocal advocate for Operation Smile, a charitable organization that provides free surgeries to repair facial deformities for children around the globe. She also serves food at various homeless shelters including the Manna Foodbank, she participates in the STOMP Out Bullying Campaign. When a tornado devastated the town of Moore, Oklahoma in May, 1993, Willow traveled to the community to help with the rebuilding efforts. When she isn’t working, Willow loves immersing herself in books and indulging in photography, exploring it as a powerful art form for self-expression. Willow is partnered with Mark Ballas.
Follow Willow @willowshields
Follow Mark @MarkBallas
SUZANNE SOMERS — A trusted health advocate, very successful entrepreneur, and star of two hit TV series, Suzanne Somers has written 25 books, including 13 New York Times bestsellers, five of which were #1 New York Times bestsellers. Her last book, I’m Too Young for This!: The Natural Hormone Solution to Enjoy Menopause was an instant New York Times bestseller. Her new book, TOX-SICK: From Toxic to Not Sick, will be published by Harmony in April 2015. There are currently more than 25 million copies of Suzanne’s books in print. Her sizzling, sexy, sophisticated show “SUZANNE’S NIGHTCLUB” and her residency at the Westgate Hotel Las Vegas begins May 23, 2015. She received an Emmy nomination as Outstanding Host for “The SUZANNE Show,” her weekly series of one-hour health specials on Lifetime. She is a founder of ForeverHealth.com, an online resource to connect patients with doctors specializing in natural hormone therapy. Suzanne is partnered with Tony Dovolani.
Follow Suzanne @suzannesomers
Follow Tony @TonyDovolani
RUMER WILLIS — Rumer began her acting career as a child starring with her mother Demi Moore in the major motion pictures Striptease and Now and Then. She is thrilled to be continuing her For the Record journey playing the Basket Case in Dear John Hughes. Most recently she wowed LA audiences as Fran in the Baz Luhrmann production at DBA, having portrayed Juliet in its prior incarnation at Rockwell Table and Stage. She won acclaim as Mia Wallace/Beatrix Kiddo in FTR: Tarantino, which she also starred in at the Montreal Jazz Festival last summer. Ms. Willis is currently recording her debut album under the guidance of legendary music icon Linda Perry. Last year she starred in the pilot of Songbyrd for E! Network (based on the life of iconic songwriter Diane Warren). Known around Hollywood for her sultry vocals, Rumer and her band enjoyed a nearly 2 year Artist Residency at Hollywood hot-spot The Sayer’s Club. Her recent television credits include Workaholics, Pretty Little Liars and Hawaii 5-0, while her film credits include House Bunny, Sorority Row, Diary of Preston Plummer and many more. She wants to thank her family and friends for their continual support. Rumer is partnered with Valentin Chmerkovskiy.
Follow: @TheRue
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Hosted by Emmy® Award-winning host Tom Bergeron (“America’s Funniest Home Videos”) and Erin Andrews (sports host & “Dancing with the Stars” Season 10 finalist), “Dancing with the Stars” is the hit series in which celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which are judged by renowned ballroom judge Len Goodman, two-time Mirrorball champ and actress Julianne Hough, and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.
Jon M. Chu’s Wicked, the long-awaited cinematic adaptation of the Broadway musical, soars as a dazzling spectacle that captivates audiences with its lush visuals, heartfelt performances, and rich storytelling. The film, the first in a two-part series, delves into the origins of Elphaba and Glinda, exploring their unlikely friendship and the events that transform them into the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Glinda) lead the cast with exceptional performances. Erivo’s powerful vocals and nuanced portrayal of Elphaba’s internal struggles bring depth to the character. Grande, in her most notable film role to date, is both hilarious and heartfelt as Glinda, perfectly capturing her charm and comedic timing. Supporting performances by Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero), Michelle Yeoh (Madame Morrible), and Jeff Goldblum (the Wizard) add layers to the narrative, enriching the world of Oz with compelling subplots.
Chu, known for his work on Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights, brings his signature style to Wicked, blending vibrant visuals with emotional resonance. The production design by Nathan Crowley is stunning, vividly rendering Oz with grandeur, from the Emerald City to Shiz University. Paul Tazewell’s costume design is equally striking, updating the Broadway look with cinematic flair. The score, by Stephen Schwartz and John Powell, retains iconic musical numbers like “Defying Gravity” while incorporating new arrangements that heighten their cinematic impact.
Critics have hailed Wicked as one of the best musical-to-film adaptations in decades, rivaling Chicago and Mamma Mia. Chu’s decision to split the adaptation into two parts allows for a deeper exploration of the story, giving audiences time to connect with the characters and their journeys. Fans of the Broadway show will appreciate its faithfulness to the source material, while newcomers will be enchanted by its universal themes of acceptance, ambition, and friendship.
With Wicked, Jon M. Chu has delivered a masterpiece that sets a new standard for musical adaptations. The film is a visual and emotional triumph, showcasing unforgettable performances and a meticulously crafted world. Whether you’re a fan of the original musical or new to the story, Wicked is a must-see cinematic event.
Rating: 3.5/5
Devara Part 1 dives deep into the heart of coastal India, merging high-stakes action with rich, emotional storytelling. Directed by Koratala Siva, this movie delivers both visually arresting cinematography and a gritty, dramatic narrative that examines the impact of power, loyalty, and revenge. The film stars Jr. NTR as Devara, alongside Saif Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor, both in pivotal roles. With its mix of action, suspense, and drama, Devara has quickly become a must-watch on Netflix.
The film is set in a fictional coastal region, where Devara, played by Jr. NTR, emerges as a man caught in the crossfire of a world rife with ambition and betrayal. The narrative pivots around land issues and the power struggles within the community, which expose Devara’s journey from a common man to a feared figure within his circle. Saif Ali Khan’s antagonist is a complex and calculated character whose machinations add depth to the storyline, setting the stage for a high-stakes conflict with Devara.
The film uses classic Bollywood tropes of revenge and honor but explores them through a modern lens. Devara’s journey is marked by his raw emotional drive and relentless courage, and the character’s depth makes him a gripping protagonist. Janhvi Kapoor adds a softer, more vulnerable counterbalance as Devara’s love interest, providing relief amid the film’s intensity.
Jr. NTR shines in the title role, embodying Devara with both intensity and vulnerability. His transformation into this hardened figure is subtle and believable, allowing viewers to empathize with his struggles. Saif Ali Khan, as the antagonist, is charismatic yet menacing, bringing layers to his role that make him much more than a standard villain. Janhvi Kapoor, while not the primary focus, delivers a grounded performance, effectively conveying the emotional depth needed in a film as intense as this.
One of the strongest elements of Devara Part 1 is its cinematography. Siva and his team bring the coastal setting to life, with expansive shots that capture the rugged beauty of the region. Each scene is meticulously crafted to capture the landscape’s natural colors and textures, lending authenticity to the story. The high-quality production value, along with the tight pacing and impressive action sequences, ensures that the audience remains engaged from start to finish.
Korotala Siva’s direction keeps the narrative’s emotional core intact while focusing on action and drama. The way he layers tension and reveals character motives adds a degree of realism rarely seen in mainstream cinema.
At its core, Devara is about the moral complexities that arise when survival and loyalty collide. It tackles themes of power, corruption, and revenge, all within a tightly woven plot that never strays too far from the human element. The film also dives into social issues, shedding light on the systemic corruption affecting the lives of ordinary people in coastal India. Devara’s journey is one of self-discovery and confrontation with societal norms, and this depth keeps the film compelling beyond its action sequences.
The film also sets up exciting possibilities for Devara Part 2, hinting at an even deeper exploration of these themes, as the stakes rise and alliances shift.
Devara Part 1 combines strong performances, beautiful cinematography, and a gripping storyline. While it does lean on some familiar tropes, the story’s authenticity and Siva’s nuanced direction make it a worthwhile watch. The movie’s pacing, engaging plot twists, and character-driven drama make it hard to turn away.
Rating: 4.3/5 Devara Part 1 is a compelling drama that balances action and emotion, making it a standout in Netflix’s lineup. It’s perfect for viewers looking for a powerful storyline mixed with well-executed action. Highly recommended for fans of Bollywood cinema and anyone who appreciates stories with moral complexity.
Trigger Warning: Discussions of sexual assault and rape.
In a lot of ways Buffy the Vampire Slayer was more than just a TV show…it was a feeling.
No. But it did change the way heroines were written and showed the world how awesome and self-aware supernatural comedies could be. In the mid-’90s to early ‘00s, Buffy influenced everything from fashion trends to the way we speak. The linguistic feature of speakers ending declarative sentences in an upward inflection (like everything is a question). This phenomenon, known as ‘upspeak’, became popular in the mid-90s to the horror of many a boomer.
Buffy was progressive in many ways for its time. A strong (yet at times, admirably vulnerable) relatable heroine. Buffy was cool, independent, and brimming with quippy comebacks. Buffy’s creator, Joss Whedon, may have turned out to be the bad guy but he did create an admirable main character and immerse us in her world. Buffy was one of the first primetime network shows to have a gay main character and a lesbian relationship. Lesbian-identified Willow Rosenberg ushered in a new age of sapphic style that helped generations of queer young people come out.
Throughout the show, Buffy has not one but two hot, badass vampire boyfriends. What’s not to love?
Well, as it turns out; a lot of stuff. Like many shows from that era, Buffy doesn’t always adhere to the morals and values of 2024. I am, and have pretty much always been, a Buffy obsessive (to varying degrees). Even I can admit the main cast wasn’t exactly diverse. There are of course insensitive comments and jokes that wouldn’t fly today, but what I want to focus on is the show’s treatment of sexual assault.
In Western culture, rape is seen as one of the worst that can happen to a woman, perhaps even worse than death. Throughout the series, Buffy (and her female comrades) is assaulted numerous times and threatened with rape even more.
Season 1 Episode 6 – The Pack
In probably one of the weirdest plots, an early ‘monster of the week’ episode. Buffy’s closest male friend is possessed by the spirit of a hyena on a class zoo trip (it happens).
To a lot of modern fans; Xander is the archetypal ‘toxic nice guy’. Identifies as a feminist but regularly slut shames his female friends and has different rules of conduct for them than he does for himself. Regularly treats his romantic partners as less than or infantilizes them. Xander’s questionable behavior aside, this is the first episode where his true nature perhaps shines through.
Up until this point he had been attracted to Buffy. The slayer’s disinterest in anything other than friendship had caused him to act petulant and snidey in ways only a teenage boy can. As loathe as I am to compliment Nicholas Brendon (‘Xander’) the complete personality shift he embodies for possessed Xander is laudable. He’s confident, cruel, and highly sexual. Even vampiric some might say.
Possessed Xander’s newfound animalistic urges lead him to attack Buffy with a strength that matches her own supernatural strength. In an uncomfortable scene, he pins her to a vending machine and tells her: “The more I scare you…(SNIFFS)…the better you smell.”
Buffy escapes by knocking Xander unconscious and remarks to Willow that Xander “tried his hand at felony sexual assault”. It could be argued that Buffy is making light of her trauma by joking about it. However, at the end of the episode, Xander pretends he remembers nothing about his possession but then admits to Giles that he does.
Other more popular recurring characters are forgiven for their horrific behavior due to their lack of souls (being vampires). However, the show never makes clear exactly what a soul is and how it affects a person’s intrinsic goodness. It is unclear what happened to Xander’s soul during his brief possession but the instance is never brought up again.
Season 2 Episode 20 – Go Fish
Yet another ‘monster of the week’ episode; the school’s swim team gets turned into sea monsters (again, it happens). Buffy goes on a date with a member of the swim team when she turns down his advances he locks his car door stopping her escape. When he tries to touch her she breaks his nose on the steering wheel. Buffy is blamed by the school for the way she dresses, almost every woman has heard that at least once!
The episode culminates with Buffy being thrown into a sewer with the monstrous swim team by the evil coach. The coach remarks that ‘his boys have already eaten “but boys have other needs”. Threatening our 17-year-old heroin with gang rape. Buffy of course jokes about her predicament and is saved in the nick of time.
It could be speculated that as Buffy is a metaphor in itself that the writers were trying to make a statement about how female victims of young male sports stars are treated.
Season 6 Episode 1 & 2 – Bargaining
Season 6 is extremely controversial within the Buffy fandom. Arguably the most polarising of the seasons. Whether you love it or hate it (I love it, just putting that out there) everyone agrees it’s the darkest season. Fittingly the season opens with Buffy being brought back from the dead and digging herself out of her own grave.
A gang of heavily pierced demons is attacking the town and is torturing the Buffybot (a replacement robot for the erstwhile slayer obviously). The head demon refers to Buffybot as “nothing but a toy, a pretty toy” in a sinister and arguably sexual way before we see her being torn limb from bionic limb.
If that’s not bad enough the head demon threatens Buffy’s friends (Xander, Anya, Tara, and Willow) by saying; “we’re just gonna hold you down and enjoy ourselves for a few hours”. He also brags about his gang’s “anatomical incompatibilities that tend to tear up little girls”. The blatant and graphic threat of gang rape disturbed a lot of fans. Was this a sign of things to come with the new direction the show was going in?
Season 6 Episode 19 – Seeing Red
And here we are. We couldn’t talk about the most controversial season of Buffy without discussing its most controversial episode. Seeing Red has fan favorite Spike (vampire) attempting to rape Buffy in her own bathroom after she is injured while vampire slaying.
Throughout most of season 6 Buffy and Spike kindled a sexual relationship. Despite the writers prefacing the two as a metaphor for a toxic relationship, the couple are championed by fans to this day.
The scene itself is horrific. I can recall watching it when it was aired at the age of 12 hesitantly through my mum’s plants it was that awful. On a recent rewatch I committed myself to watching it again thinking it can’t be as bad as I remember, despite always fast-forwarding that bit on my videos (yes, I’m that old). It was as bad as I remembered.
The scene was heavily choreographed with alternating close-ups of Buffy and Spike (separately) to inspire the audience’s empathy with each character. Along with the being so brightly lit, the scene is extremely disorienting. The choice of lighting makes the actors look all too human.
Encouraging empathy for both victim and perpetrator during a rape scene is an interesting premise. Personally, I liked how multilayered and complex Buffy and Spike’s relationship was for what was billed as a teen drama. But I, like many, was traumatized by this scene. James Marsters, who played Spike, calls shooting the scene; “the darkest professional day of my life” (Marsters J, 2024) and sends him to therapy. Buffy herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar (Gellar S, 2024) is quoted as saying that she skips that particular episode while watching with her young family.
Many conspiracies were discussed after the airing of the episode. Many thought that it was creator Joss Whedon’s way of getting the audience to hate Spike. Whedon made no secret about hating Spike and had to be talked into making the series regular due to his popularity. As tempting as it is to blame Whedon, he was barely involved in the show at the time.
It is commendable that Marsters (outing myself as a fangirl here) is willing to honestly talk about how the episode affected him personally and the fanbase. Unfortunately, the show failed to properly address Buffy’s trauma. Despite showing her having PTSD-like flashbacks to the attempted rape when seeing Spike again in Season 7.
To me, Buffy has always embodied everything that is great about being a woman. She’s strong, resilient, and unapologetically feminine. Her story is one of triumph against all odds while still staying true to herself and empowering her friends along the way. As Buffy is a feminine story perhaps it is appropriate that it shows the unfortunate side of being a female presenting person. Women are assaulted regularly and usually by close friends someone they are on a date with or someone they’ve had a sexual relationship with. Many have argued that the handling of these scenes was clumsy or even irresponsible. This may be true but having someone as inspiring as Buffy Summers overcome and thrive after an assault could prove that anyone can and make victims feel less alone.
Buffy is, as always, a source of strength for many.
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