I totally loved the musical because it was so original. The lyrics were very witty and progressed the storyline a lot. The whole 'look' of the episode was really great as well - from the opening credits and Bufy walking through the cemetary singing 'Going through the motions'.
Hinton Battle was fab as well. I was expecting the worst and even though SMG's singing was a little bit nasal at times, I thought everyone did a great job. The only song I don't like is Giles' song I think - it's so wussy. Have you seen the rest of season 6 yet? I'm really enjoying them but they're very very dark so Once more with feeling is probably the only light moment in a currently dark season. I have all of the songs in mp3 - they've grown on me like mould like you would not believe. I walk along singing the different harmonies from "Walk through the fire" - which is actually very well done ... OK, enough gushing from me. =)
I guess this isn't the point
to tell you that I am totally TOTALLY in lust with James Marsters / Spike? *grin*
I mean until I started watching season 6, I was still wanting Ewan McGregor
for Christmas. *grin* Did you love Moulin Rouge as much as I did? Saw it three
times at the cinema and am totally loving the DVD.
But in terms of Buffy - I haven't liked Angel in a very long time. I downloaded
the episode Darla recently but that was just because it was the second part
of "Fool for love" which was that amazing Buffy episode which continued
from "Fool for Love". Fool for love has eclipsed Hush as my 'favourite'
Buffy episode.
I enjoyed Tara Benson's voice, too. They all did their own singing. SMG was
given the option of having someone dub her lines apparently but in the end decided
to do her own singing after all. There's a cute little 6minute 'behind the scenes'
documentary which you can download from Morpheus / Kazaa.
I'm glad they got Hinton Battle to be Sweet. His dance routine was sensational
and his lines during "walk through the fire" were great. You're right
that the ending was a bit bizarre. I also find it weird that Xander would have
summoned the demon. Some of the theories that fly around are that Willow did
it and enchanted Xander. The truth was that apparently A. Hannigan was so reluctant
to sing that Joss let her off the hook. That's why Dawn gets to dance more than
she sings etc. In a way though it fits in nicely that Willow doesn't sing b/c
she's the mystery this season. Don't worry I won't spoil. =) I got sick of Angel
as a broody mopey character quite quickly and have always liked Spike - even
evil Spike. I hope they don't wreck his character.