As a huge fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and as a librarian, Anthony Head meant a lot to me. It makes me even sadder when we consider that he is the third Buffy cast member to pass away in just a year and a half. I saw Head in person once, striding through a cemetery on the way to shoot a Buffy scene back in season seven, and I'm not kidding, I was living in Los Angeles back then and got to see the show being filmed a few times.
I can't write too much more. Please feel free to post a comment. What was your favorite Giles scene? I loved the one in the Espresso Pump. On the serious side, the one where he cried in Buffy's arms after losing Jenny.
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Billie Doux loves good television and spends way too much time writing about it.
RIP Tony Head. You will always be our Giles.
ReplyDeleteJust gonna repeat what James Marsters' said in his tribute, there's a hole in the world.
ReplyDeleteHe did a lot for Buffy that was never dialogue, it was presence and poise, a smile or a look that expanded the character in ways that elevated the entire production. Yes to both of those scenes, but I think my favorite was when he took up a bat and fought Angelus, not as a hero but as man on a mission he had no intention of walking away from. The direct aftermath of course was his argument with Buffy where she held him. That entire scene was just incredible.
ReplyDeleteI also have to mention one of his roles that I adore, as a goofy dad in Imagine Me & You. He has a scene late in the movie where he begs his verbally abusive wife to treat him as a human being for once. It was unexpected and touching, bringing nuance to a relatively minor character.
Miss you already Giles.
I read the news here, just now, it hit me like a bucket of ice water. Then it all came rushing back: I saw an image of Giles in his tweed jacket, standing there with his hands in his pockets, smiling that sweet, slightly sad, peaceful smile of his. Always made me feel so peaceful, "Everything will be all right". I feel so sad, but I also feel Giles's peace in me, and I'll always carry that with me, within. Love you very much our friend, godspeed to where you're going. I'm sure you have a good book or two packed for the road.
ReplyDeleteIf I recall correctly, Giles listened to Creams's "Tales of Brave Ulysses " while mourning Joyce.
ReplyDeleteSo I am listening to that song now.
Such a shock. I have been thinking about all my favourite Giles moments, not least of which is "Do you like my mask? Isn't it pretty". Loved his delivery of so many, many lines.
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow Brit I loved seeing his character develop throughout the seasons. So much exasperation!
Tough year for the Buffy crew.
Giles was consistently one of my favorite people on Buffy. Anthony Stewart Head always made it feel grounded and real, even at its most out there. Like Michelle Trachtenberg last year and Nicholas Brendon earlier this year, this cuts deeper than I would have thought.
ReplyDeleteSMG sharing Buffy and Giles’ dialogue from "Lie to Me" in her tribute post on Instagram made me cry.
ReplyDeleteMy mind keeps going back to the funny moments. There’s a bit from “The Freshman” that I love. Giles arrives late to fight the vampire gang and offers to help fight evil. The other Scoobies just keep walking, and Giles goes, “Evil this way?” I love Anthony’s delivery of that line. It’s so funny and cute.
I think I’m going to watch “Band Candy.” Or maybe a season 4 episode.
RIP, Tony.
I keep thinking about the Nescafé ad campaign. I would love for him to be my nextdoor neighbor, offering me coffee.
ReplyDeleteI first saw him in Merlin. He was Uther, so a very different role than Giles! It's kind of funny how much your perception of someone can change depending on what you saw first. Because no matter when I saw him in other things, my first thought was always "Oh, it's that jerk!" It probably didn't help that the second role I saw him in was for Doctor Who, where he was also a jerk.
ReplyDeleteThe "Lie to Me" scene is probably my favorite of Giles, although the very end of "Helpless" gets to me too. Really any scene where he is gentle and parental with Buffy.
I'm still a little in shock. It doesn't feel real.
Oh my... the scene where he kills Ben, saying that Buffy can't do it but it must be done. I'm a huge fan of Ted Lasso and that last episode, I said to my daughter that he didn't look well. And I was nervous for him.
ReplyDeleteI love the scene in Season 6 of Buffy, where Willow says, "Nothing can stop me now," and the door to the Magic Box opens, and it's Giles (or maybe Ripper), who says, "I'd like to test that theory." And I felt so buoyed up and grateful in that moment: Giles to the rescue!
ReplyDeleteI've seen Mr. Head singing one of the songs from Rocky Horror; I guess you all know that he starred as Frank N Furter in a production of The Rocky Horror Show in the West End in London. And he was FABULOUS as Frank! An actor who can play both Giles AND Frank N Furter ... what a marvelous acting range he had.
Sort of a bittersweet moment, but I always laugh a little at that note that Giles leaves that says "I've gone." What a British phrase. And when he comes back and immediately gets knocked unconscious just like old times 😂 Also, just any scene where he and Spike go back and forth. What a legend. RIP
ReplyDeleteAs I finished the newspaper last Sunday, I saw the article. Hit me like a brick. Loved so much his album Music for Elevators, must have listened to it more or less a 100 times. Michelle, Nicholas and Anthony will be missed immensely
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite actors from the show. RIP.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to say: thanks for providing a space here to mourn and come together on Anthony Head's passing. The way media have reported on Mr. Head's passing felt strange: dry and factual, nice-to-know-style, a event to divert you. There is no emotional connection or investment there. So it's nice to visit here and sit a bit with people who have real emotions about it.
ReplyDeleteStijn, you're so welcome. I have particularly liked all of the different acting moments we've been describing. because there were so many. He was such a wonderful actor. We loved him.
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