Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series)

The Initiative (1999)

Marc Blucas: Riley Finn

Photos 

Quotes 

• [Willow is advising Riley how to initiate a conversation with Buffy at a party] 

  Willow Rosenberg : Okay, she's wearing the halter top with sensible shoes. That means mostly dancing, light contact, but don't push your luck. Heavy conversation's out of the question.

  Riley Finn : So what do I do?

  Willow Rosenberg : [surprised]  Ask her to dance.

  Riley Finn : Right. Dance... Wait. No.

  Willow Rosenberg : What's the matter?

  Riley Finn : I can't dance.

  Willow Rosenberg : Then talk. Keep eye contact. Funny is good, but don't be glib. And remember, if you hurt her, I will beat you to death with a shovel.

  [Riley looks back at her, very surprised] 

  Willow Rosenberg : A vague disclaimer is nobody's friend. Have fun!

• Willow Rosenberg : Why should I trust you?

  Riley Finn : Just sort of hoping you'd think I have an honest face.

  Willow Rosenberg : I've seen honest faces before. They usually come attached to liars.

• Professor Maggie Walsh : You know the rules. You know I hate exceptions, and yet somehow you feel your exception is exceptional.

  Willow Rosenberg : Oh, but...

  Professor Maggie Walsh : It is. To you. But since I'm neither a freshman nor a narcissist, I have to consider the whole class. If your friend can't respect my schedule, I think it's best he not come back.

  [Willow, looking hurt and miserable, walks off] 

  Buffy Summers : [walks up to Walsh]  You know, for someone who teaches human behavior, you might try showing some.

  Professor Maggie Walsh : It's not my job to coddle my students.

  Buffy Summers : You're right. A human being in pain has nothing to do with your job.

  [walks away] 

  Professor Maggie Walsh : I like her.

  Riley Finn : Really? You don't think she's a little peculiar?

• Riley Finn : I can't believe it... I choked.

  Willow Rosenberg : You really, really did.

  Riley Finn : You don't understand. I'm good at things. That's what I do. Work hard, apply myself, get it done.

  Willow Rosenberg : Well, you failed extremely well.

• [last lines] 

  Buffy Summers : Uh, last night... at the party, you wanted to tell me something?

  Riley Finn : Oh, yeah. Very important stuff... I don't remember any of it now. But you would have been fascinated, possibly even moved... Did Willow tell you I like cheese?

  Buffy Summers : You're a little peculiar.

  Riley Finn : [smiles]  I can live with that.

• Willow Rosenberg : Okay, say that I help and you start a conversation. It goes great. You like Buffy. She likes you. You spend time together, feelings grow deeper and one day, without even realizing it, you find you're in love. Time stops, and it feels like the whole world's made for you two, and you two alone, until the day one of you leaves and rips the still-beating heart from the other who's now a broken, hollow, mockery of the human condition...

  Riley Finn : Yep, that's the plan.

  Willow Rosenberg : I figured it was.

• [first lines] 

  Forrest Gates : Women. Young, nubile, exciting. Each one a mystery waiting to be unlocked. Think any of them are gonna show? 'Cause the party'd be lame if we lack for hotties... Professor...? You with me?

  Riley Finn : No. I'm with this large pile of ungraded papers, due at 3:00.

  Forrest Gates : How are you gonna learn anything if you keep doing schoolwork? Oh... Check her out. Is she hot, or is she *hot*?

  Riley Finn : She's Buffy.

  Forrest Gates : Buffy? I like that. That girl's so hot, she's buffy.

  Riley Finn : It's her name, Forrest.

  Forrest Gates : You've established first contact? Excellent. What do you think of her?

  Riley Finn : You know, I never really thought about what I think about her.

  Forrest Gates : A girl that cute in the face, and you form no opinion?

  Riley Finn : No, I mean... she's all right, I guess. She's just kinda... I don't know... Peculiar.

  Forrest Gates : Peculiar?

  Riley Finn : Yeah.

  Forrest Gates : Hey, Graham.

  Graham Miller : Huh?

  Forrest Gates : What do you think of the blonde chick? Mattressable, n'est-ce pas? Riley's not down. Doesn't like her.

  Riley Finn : I don't dislike her. She just... she never feels like she's really there when you talk to her. I like girls I can get a grip on.

  Forrest Gates : I bet you do.

  Riley Finn : Not that way. Just a little less ready for takeoff all the time. There's definitely something off about her.

  Graham Miller : Maybe she's Canadian.