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Teacher's Pet is the fourth episode of the first season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Starring: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase)

And: Anthony Stewart Head (Giles)

Guest Starring: David Boreanaz (Angel), Ken Lerner (Principal Flutie), Musetta Vander (Fake Natalie French), Jackson Price (Blaine), Jean Speegle Howard (Real Natalie French)

Co-Starring: William Monaghan (Dr. Gregory), Jack Knight (Homeless Guy), Michael Ross Verona (Teacher), Karim Oliver (Bud #1)

Contents 1 Plot Overview 2 Notes 2.1 Monster of the Week 2.2 Body Count 2.3 Music 3 Arc Advancement 3.1 Happenings 3.2 Characters 3.3 Referbacks 4 Trivia 4.1 The Show 4.2 Behind the Scenes 4.3 Allusions and References 4.4 Memorable Moments 5 Quotes

[edit] Plot Overview

[edit] Notes

[edit] Monster of the Week

• Natalie French: Substitute teacher Natalie French turns out to be a "She-Mantis," a giant praying mantis that preys on virgin males. In order to find men to fertilize her eggs, she releases a pheromone which attracts all males. From there, she picks them off, drugs them and locks them in a cage where they're kept until needed. At that time, the mantis lays its eggs, forces the male to fertilize them and bites his head off. Like regular mantises, the She-Mantis has a natural aversion to bat sonar. Vampires like the one with the claw hand also seem to find her unsettling.

[edit] Body Count

#	Whom	By Whom	How	Where
1	Dr. Gregory	"Miss French"	Decapitated	Offscreen
2	Clawed Vampire	Buffy	Staked	Picket Fence
3	"Miss French"	Buffy	Hacked to Pieces	Basement

[edit] Music

• "Already Met You" by Superfine: At the beginning of the episode, Superfine is the band playing on stage at The Bronze. The song they're playing is "Already Met You," which also appears on the first soundtrack release for the series.

• "Stoner Love" by Superfine: At the end of the episode, starting when Xander starts smashing mantis eggs and ending in The Bronze, "Stoner Love" by Superfine can be heard in the background.

[edit] Arc Advancement

[edit] Happenings

[edit] Characters

• Buffy and Angel: While delivering a vague warning about something coming for her, Angel gives her his leather jacket. Not only does the coat foreshadow their future relationship but also will be seen regularly from time to time as a visual motif through out the series.

[edit] Referbacks

[edit] Trivia

[edit] The Show

[edit] Behind the Scenes

• International Titles: Because Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an international phenomenon, the title of this episode has been translated into several different episodes to go along with the redubbed show. Some of these names are listed below:
  • French: "Le Chouchou du prof" ("The Teacher's Pet")
  • German: "Gottesanbeterin" ("Praying Mantis")
  • Italian: "La mantide" ("The Mantis")
  • Japanese: "先生のお気に入り" ("Sensei no Okini'iri" - "Teacher's Pet")
  • Portuguese: "O Queridinho da Professora" ("The Teacher's Favorite")

[edit] Allusions and References

• The Exorcist: In the 1973 horror film The Exorcist, Regan MacNeil (portrayed by Linda Blair) is possessed by Pazuzu, a demon which causes her body to do things that would otherwise be impossible. At one point in the movie, Regan's head turns 180 degrees to look behind her, just as Miss French does when she senses Buffy looking at her through the window.

Buffy: We are talking full on Exorcist twist.

[edit] Memorable Moments

• Xander admits that his middle name is Lavelle.

[edit] Quotes

• Buffy: I'd say it's nice to see you, but then we'd both know that's a big fib.
  Angel: I won't be long.
  Buffy: No. You'll just give me a cryptic warning about some exciting new catastrophe and then disappear into the night.

• Angel: He's coming.
  Buffy: The Fork guy?
  Angel: Don't let him corner you. Don't give him a moment's mercy. He'll rip your throat out.
  Buffy: Okay, I'll give you improved marks for that one. Ripping the throat out, it's a strong visual. It's not cryptic.

• Xander: Those that can, do. Those that can't, laugh at those who can do.

• Xander: So there's something else out there besides silverware man? Oh, this is fun. We're on Monster Island.

• Buffy: Do you know Miss French, the teacher that's subbing for Dr. Gregory?
  Giles: Yes. Yes, she's lovely...well, in a common, extremely well-proportioned way.

• Buffy: So, I'm an undead monster that can shave with my hand. How many things am I afraid of?
  Giles: Not many. And not substitute teachers, as a rule.

• Principal Flutie: We all need help with our feelings, otherwise we bottle them up, and before you know it, powerful laxatives are involved. I really believe if we all reach out to one another, we can beat this thing. I'm always here if you need a hug, but not a real hug, because there's no touching in this school.

• Cordelia: I'm not saying that we should kill a teacher every day just so I can lose weight. I'm just saying, when tragedy strikes, we have to look on the bright side, you know? Like, how even a used Mercedes has leather seats.

• Giles: Um, this computer invasion that Willow's performing on the coroner's office. One assumes it is entirely legal.
  Buffy: Entirely!
  Willow: Of course!
  Giles: Right. Wasn't here...didn't see it...couldn't have stopped you.

• Xander: Well, needs should, you know, needs should definitely be met as long as it doesn't require ointments the next day.

• Giles: You were right, all along, about everything. Well, no, you weren't right about your mother coming back as a Pekingese.

• Buffy: Virgins? Well, Xander's not... uh... uh... I mean, he's probably—
  Willow: —Gonna die.

• Buffy: There are no books, but it's dark and musty. You'll feel right at home.

• Blayne: Hey, all right, now I can get out of my cage...into yours. What'd you do that for?

• Willow: What do we do now?
  Giles: Abject prayer and supplication would spring to mind.