Friday, Dec. 21, 2001

"Once More, with Feeling," Buffy the Vampire Slayer

You could apply the title of this audacious musical episode to the whole season of Buffy, which survived an acrimonious move from the WB to return smarter, funnier and dramatically richer than ever. Who'd have thought creator Joss Whedon (who taught himself piano to write the episode's surprisingly tuneful score, as well as the nimble lyrics) studied his Sondheim along with his sarcophagi?

(UPN)