The Buffy and Angel Trivia Guide // McCarthy hearings

The title of the episode Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been? is based on the questions posed during the trials held by the Committee on Un-American Activities associated with Joseph McCarthy. The most famous question was, “Are you now, or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?” Footage from one of these hearings is seen in the episode. The theme of paranoia and fear in the episode is commonly associated with McCarthyism.