I think the actual quote is something like "We have the edge because our brains are instruments of deductive reasoning. And the average suspect's brain is like day old banana pudding." And with that I've exceeded my RDA of H:LOTS. Although if I quoted the Dalai Lama like that, I'd look hella spiritual.

And bi-lingual.

That, too. :)

I was cleaning up my hard drive on my work PC today (about to shift to a new PC because it crashes every time I try to open Excel), and I came across not a few Buffy-related files. I came across an mp3 of "Blue", the song from "Conversations With Dead People", and it brought me right back to that episode. Even though most here believe the season went off the rails right after that episode, I don't think that diminishes the strength of that episode. (FWIW, I do believe the show lost its way after that, but I still remember a good number of events or moments throughout S7 that I'm not bitter, as others seem to be).

I can still remember that fluttery feeling I had in my stomach when that teaser ran, not knowing what was going to happen next, but knowing it was going to be huge. There are so many moments throughout the series where I had that feeling, I can hardly thing of any series (outside of the other ME shows) where that was true (Deep Space Nine, some X-Files).

All this is a long preamble to get some discussion going and find out what some of your favorite "fluttery" moments in Buffy, where you just weren't sure what was happening, but thrilled (or worried) about what was coming next. In my case, what comes immediately to mind is:

The CwDP teaser.

The end of "Interfvention" with Buffy (pretending to be the Buffy-bot) and Spike.

The dream sequence with Buffy and Faith in GDII.

"Giles, I'm sixteen years old. I don't want to die."

The end of "After Life", when Buffy tells Spike that she was in heaven.

There are many more, but that's a good start for now.

[Edited to fix quote.]

"Giles, I'm sixteen years old. I don't want to die."

*sob* I cry every. damn. time. Just the right amount of tremble in the voice. She fucking NAILED it. *sniff* excuse me, I have something in my eye.

I also nominate

"I can't breathe, Will, I can't breathe" from "The Prom"

and

"I felt your heart beat" (or "I felt your heartbeat", readings vary) from IWRY.

oh! and "We're not friends . . ." that was a great speech, and so full of anticipation, not knowing if it was good or bad.

Another fluttery moment for me:

Giles: "There is no spell."

The end of FFL where Spike fully intends to kill Buffy, and then can't.

That speech where Spike is going to drink from the chalice of Buffy's neck, and then .. can't.

Most of Spike and Buffy's first non-platonic interactions.

There endeth the Bitch submission.

Giles preparing to kill Ben.

Xander by the bomb in The Zeppo.

Willow flaying Adam.

The end of FFL where Spike fully intends to kill Buffy, and then can't.

Yes, this, coupled with the alley/subway scene that set it up.

Willow flaying Adam was (IMO) HFSQ squared. And yet, I can remember a few people on the board complaining that the flayed body of Adam didn't move after the flaying. Not that we're bloodthirsty, or anything. At the time it aired, for me it was more like, "I can't believe they showed that!" Even with the lack of a Standards and Practices unit at UPN, I couldn't believe it got on the air. Funny, I don't recall any groups protesting about it, though.

A moment that would have been "fluttery" had I not known that Seth Green wasn't re-joiining the cast, was when Oz entered Giles' apartment in "New Moon Rising".

Xander by the bomb in The Zeppo.

"I like the quiet." Yep.

Bitch entry: Crazy!Spike first seen in the basement, then him all curled up on himself as the villain's parade goes by (damn, I wish they could have got DB for some of that season.)

May not all fit the pattern, but these memorable buffy moments stand out off the top of my head.

Giles' moment of anticipation when he assumes the note "Upstairs" was left by Jenny.

Grieving Giles goes after Angelus.

Buffy kissing Angel before running him through with the sword. "Close your eyes."

Spike's face when he realizes that it is Buffy, alive coming down the stairs.

Giles running the Mayor through with the epee.

Spike standing up from his wheelchair.

Spike telling what he thought was the buffybot not to tell Glory as he couldn't bear the hurt it would cause Buffy.

Giles with the chainsaw.

"Mom? Mom? Mommy?"

Giles suffocates Ben.

Tired, more later, I think.

I think my favorite moment of all time is...

"No weapons, no friends, no hope...take all that away and what's left?"

"Me"

• twack*

Gets it done for me every damn time.