Buffy the Vampire Slayer Re-Watch: I Robot, You Jane (Season 1 Episode 8)

I think that’s because at its core the episode, once again, demonstrates how hard it will be for Buffy, Willow, and Xander to have normal lives now that they are connected to something bigger than they are.

While Willow begins to shame herself for falling for a demon on-line, Buffy chimes in by reminding her friend that the only boy making googly eyes with her thus far is a vampire. Xander also reminds us that he’s in the same boat, having nearly had sex with a praying mantis demon.

Another aspect of “I Robot, You Jane” that hits just right is the mystery angle.

Even while watching this episode for the fourth or fifth time, I still feel that same uneasy feeling about Fitz and Dave, unable to tell if either of them is actually catfishing Willow.

Even though we know the setup right away due to a flashback, those same creeped out feelings still resonate as Buffy goes to the empty locker room and nearly gets electrocuted.

And Jenny Calendar’s appearance is still mysterious enough that I think maybe, JUST MAYBE, she may be against Buffy.

With just the right amount of humor and heart, “I Robot, You Jane” feels like just the right setting for a filler episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, one that doesn’t feel overtly cheesy or eye-roll inducing. If this is the precedent for what we’ll see between plot lines in future seasons, then we are in good hands.

Pop Into Pop Culture:

• “Spider sense” is a direct reference to Spiderman.
• The title of the episode is an homage to Tarzan’s classic line, “I Tarzan, you Jane.”
• “With a little help from my friends,” is a reference to the Beatles song of the same title.
• “For those in our studio audience,” refers to the messages before an after many sitcoms that says, “Filmed before a live studio audience.”

The More You Know…

• You may recognize Robia LaMorte from her brief stint on Beverly Hills, 90210 as Jill Fleming, but if you’ve got a keen eye for music videos, she’s much more recognizable as “Pearl” from Prince’s music videos for “Diamonds and Pearls” and “Cream.”

Fashion Faux-Pas:

• Buffy’s teeeeeeeeny tiny skirt.
• Jenny Calendar’s crimped hair.
• Buffy’s tank top with a cartoon kitty on it.
• Does Xander’s shirt say, ‘Porn Star’?

Stay tuned for the next installment of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Re-Watch when a Buffy faces a dummy and Cordelia takes center stage singing a Whitney Houston hit!

Christine Laskodi

Christine is guilty of watching Hart of Dixie more times than the average human will in their lifetime. She's the host of Long Live the Hart: A Hart of Dixie Podcast (available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!) as well as co-host on The Shipping Room, a podcast devoted to television's greatest relationships. You can find some of her older television reviews at TV Fanatic and IGN. Christine eagerly anticipates every cheesy holiday movie that networks can throw at her, and current favorite shows include The Good Place, The Resident, Shark Tank, and All Rise.