Somebody sell me on Buffy The Vampire Slayer,

[Guest Just J]

What is with all the hype? I like all types of associated subjects. I even tried to watch several episodes of Buffy. The thing is, my tastes in entertainment say I should like Buffy, but I don't. The initial Buffy thread got retired and ever since then there have been more to take it's place. Being a huge Sci-Fi Horror fan I can't see the "cultism" in the television series at all. I promise to keep an open mind so feel free to reply. I just have to know why this show is so revered.

[Guest JMA]

I feel it's best to watch the series from the beginning. I've watched Buffy since it first started airing.

[Guest Just J]

I feel it's best to watch the series from the beginning. I've watched Buffy since it first started airing.

I see what you are saying. There are several TV series that are that way. But being a fan of campy type movies I the Buffy movie, for what it was. So when to series was announced I was there. But, IMO, it just didn't translate well to television. I understand they went a different direction for the series, but I just didn't buy it.

[Youth N Asia 0]

Start at the beginning. Watch the first 2 seasons. If you're not completly hooked after the season 2 finaly then the show isn't for you.

[LaParkaMarka 0]

Might even want to start out with another Whedon show, Firefly. If you can like that, you'd like Buffy. Some people just can't get past the name "Buffy The Vampire Slayer", and it sticks with em even if they give it a shot. Firefly doesn't have the same stigma though.

[Mole 0]

This is a review I wrote on the third season for my journalism class. Maybe it well help, if not, I'll try to sell it to you some more.

 

In 1992 a man named Joss Whedon penned a movie called “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” The film had an interesting idea behind it; a young high school girl has mystical powers to fight the evil in the world. However, the movie itself wasn’t interesting and flopped in the box office.

Fast forward five years later, and Joss Whedon wanted to do a TV show based on the movie. Groans could be heard across the country and people were wondering how could one make a show about this horrible movie? As it turns out the television series, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” put the movie to dust, just as Buffy does to a vampire.

If you listen around to the reaction about this series, you’ll hear that it is “gay.” Of course none of these people have seen BTVS, they just assume it’s “gay.” Well they assumed wrong. Ever since the show made its premiere on the WB network, there has been a cult following. If it wasn’t for BTVS, the WB network might have gone down the drain.

It wasn’t until the third season when the series found its groove. Buffy Summers – played by the very talented Sarah Michelle Gellar – once again has to save the world from being taken over by evil and even worse, she has to finish her final year at high school.

Buffy has to fight vampires and demons every night, and then she has to go home and finish her homework. The next night she has to stop ravage dogs from killing students at the prom, and then go to the prom herself. Then she has to let everyone in the school know about her abilities so she can save the school on graduation day. The writers have done such a great job at reflecting these two lives that Buffy has, and what she has to deal with.

Every year Buffy has to face off against a “big bad,” but this year someone has the same strength and abilities that she does; another slayer. Faith (Eliza Dushku) the vampire slayer enters the beginning season fighting the dark side, but eventually joins it. Buffy and Faith have completely different personalities, but with the same abilities. It is almost as if twins are dueling each other, but one being the evil twin and the other good.

Buffy doesn’t just have to fight Faith in the epic battle to save the world, but also Faith’s father figure Mayor Richard Wilkins III (Harry Groener) or better known as the Mayor. The combo of Faith and the Mayor make for two of the best heels in the last 10 years on the small screen.

The Mayor is an interesting heel because it is very hard not to like him. He has great sense of humor and his presence on the screen makes it hard for the audience to boo him. Even though he is such a likeable character, the Mayor is just as evil as any bad guy there is. The Mayor plans to ascend into a giant snake, destroy graduation and eventually take over the world. Yes his plan is to turn into a giant snake, which sounds really cheesy and it is. If it weren’t for the giant snake idea, this season couldn’t be touched by any other storyline there is.

Most shows usually stick to one type of genre, but BTVS mixes more than one together. In one scene there could be a big fight scene, which is followed by a scary one and then ends with a comment that could have a person rolling on the floor with laughter. The mixture of these genres is what makes this show so amazing. There aren’t too many shows that can put all of these different aspects together; it just shows how talented Joss Whedon is.

There are many television shows that aren’t watched by enough people. When BTVS was still on the air, not enough people watched the series. Thank goodness to the technology of this century because people could any season on DVD. Go out and get season three on DVD, I guarantee you’ll like it.

[Guest Just J]

The thing is that I really did try to get into the show for the first season. I also see past the name Buffy, Laparka. The movie was in a totally different direction then the show went. Now Mole, I didn't hang around for the third season, so I'll get back to you on it. Bu through the years, I have no idea how long it ran, I did catch random episodes. The one of those I liked the best was the one with the zombie football player. Why? I don’t know.

[Youth N Asia 0]

Season 1 is spotty...2 through 3 is where it hits its stride.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Watch Season 2 from start to finish. I used to be like you in the same regard and it ended up that my big problem was that I caught bits and pieces and never really knew what was going on. Season 1 is good for getting a feel for all the characters and season 2 is where you really find yourself attached to most of them.

[Ripper 0]

Here is the problem. Season one is campy, ends with fuzzy happy endings and are one off shows that don't really matter. The dialouge is cute, the fight scenes suck....the first season is average TV with a few incredibly bright spots.

 

Then there was season two when it became episodic. It had two parters. It had a one big story that it went with season long. It was like a 22 hour movie. The endings weren't all fuzzy...some of them were down right tragic. The fight scenes got better, and the Characters grew and developed and it became one of the great shows on television.

 

But the problem is, Season 2 is also really REALLY good because of the characters that you know and have become invested in while watching season 1. Therefore, you NEED season 1 to get the full effect of season 2. And it is tough to get people to stick around for 12 eps of season 1.

[Mole 0]

I actually got sold on the show after watching season 1. Now that I look back at season 1, I don't know how I got sold on it because it is the worst season.

 

Ripper is right about having to watch season 1.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

The main reason Season 1 was only 12 eps and was "spotty" was because it was essentially a pilot season that the station(WB at the time IIRC) was looking at to see if the show was any good.

 

As others have said, Season 2 and 3 rock the casbah so to speak(Though Season 2 has a lot of filler eps but they all contribute to the main arc somehow as would've been shown in my TSM essay which Dames never completed, heh). Season 3 is my fav. season despite not yet having it on DVD(See my Xmas list answer). Season 4 has a decent arc however the greatness comes in the standalone episodes(Hush, Restless and others). Season 5 also has a great arc and is pretty similar to Season 3 in terms of mixing great episodes with a great arc.

 

Watching Season 1 by itsself won't corrale any new fans in(With the apparent exception of Mole, heh) however if you watch the next seasons as well then you feel more for the characters as well as the storylines involving each.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Maybe you could say which eps. you saw and what you didn't like about them.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

If you want me to "sell" you on it - here it goes.

 

To like anything you must become familiar with it. The cast of Characters is rich, each one having their own appeal. The characters have also evolved, yet still kept a core-piece of their personality throughout. There are only one or two characters that I don't really like and that's not bad considering the ensemble nature of the show - and it's not that I hate them, I just don't like them. Ultimately, you must like Buffy herself - since she is the main character and the focus of nearly every episode. If you can't believe SMG can kick Vamp-ass and save the world. If you don't find her sympatheic and cannot relate with her struggles, then you can't be sold on the show. With that said, here are some character discriptions.

 

Xander - I start off with Xander for a reason. In Season 7 he is called "The Man who See's things". He does not have any superpowers. His only two real skills are carpentry and some military knowledge (having been "transformed" into a soldier during a halloween mishap which turned all the characters into their costume... he retained some of the knowledge given to him during this time that has come in handy in a few eps.) All-in-all Xander Harris is a regular guy. He represents us. At the start of the show he was the bumbling, sarcastic, goof who pawned for Buffy. After high school, he found himself at a crossroads - living in his parents basement and realizing that he had no real use "in the gang". It was here that Xander met Anya and they had a fling - which evolved into a relationshop - which involved into a marriage proposal - which broke down when Xander saw the future (and his parents own relationship) and realized that it would be best for Anya to not marry. By the end he was really the only character who "grew up". He had a full-time job, he owned a car, had his own house... He matured.

 

Buffy - Buffy Summers has a burden. In the film her struggles were not expounded upon. In the series, she died in season 1, had to kill the one she loved to save the world in season 2 as well as leaving home, in season 3 she dealt with the return of Angel and by the end of that season -essentially- had to leave wonderland and her prince charming. Season 4 was her transition phase into adulthood and college life which involved bad roommates, bad boyfriends, bad professors, and bad beer. Season 5 had the introduction of a sister and the death of her mother - in what has to be the most emotional episode in the shows history. Season 6 had her returning from the dead after having sacrificed her life to save the world (again) and the emotional effect that had on her. Season 7 had the pressure finally taken off Buffy when, in the end, she was no longer "The Chosen One" and was no longer alone to fight the evil in the world. "Buffy" is about rising to the occasion, even if you don't want to. It's about having the weight of the world on your shoulders, and even if you can't take another step - you still have to. It's about Life. It's about Struggle. It's about learning that you really aren't alone in the world - unless you cut yourself off from it.

 

Giles - Probably the most complex character on the show. The best way I can describe Giles is with an exerpt from "The Gift" (Season 5 Finale)..

 

GILES: Can you move?

BEN: Need a ... a minute. She could've killed me.

GILES: No she couldn't. Never. And sooner or later Glory will re-emerge, and ... make Buffy pay for that mercy. And the world with her. Buffy even knows that... (reaches into his pocket, takes out his glasses) and still she couldn't take a human life.

 

Shot of Ben listening.

 

GILES: She's a hero, you see. (Giles puts his glasses on) She's not like us.

BEN: Us?

 

Giles suddenly reaches down and puts his hand over Ben's nose and mouth, holding them shut. Ben struggles weakly as Giles keeps him still. Giles keeps his calm expression throughout.

 

Giles is the father figure. He started out as a bumbling librarian, but we learned in later eps. that this was merely a front. That he had a dark past which came back to haunt him on occasions. The love he feels for Buffy is that a father would have for a daughter. Part of that is knowing when to hold tight, and part of that is knowing when to let go, and part of that is doing whatever it takes so that no harm comes to them. The role of the watcher is to not get personally involved with the Slayer - to not have an emotional connection - but Giles couldn't do that with Buffy.

 

Willow - Ok, here's the character I don't like. Have someone else talk about Willow. The only thing I can say about Willow is that Tara was the best part of her. Tara was a soft-spoken, oft-shy, angel. Straight up. She was an Angel. She had such understanding and compassion, there wasn't really a harmful bone in her body. And when she was killed, it sent Willow on a murderous rampage.

 

Dawn - Ok, here's the second character that I don't like. I really liked Dawn in Season 5 - where she started out as the Bratty sister of Buffy, then turned into a more sympathetic character. In "The Gift" there is a scene where Dawn is preparing to die, and she makes such slow and careful movements when putting her shoes in the right spot - it was just heart-wrenching. In "The Body" where Buffy (and Dawns) mother dies, Buffy has to tell Dawn -in school- what had happened. Very emotional stuff. After Season 5, Dawn just got annoying. Someone else can expand on that - is it Ripper of Cavi who is the big dawn fan here?

 

Spike - I don't know if I could do Spike justice. Just watch Season 5 and you'll get the full evolution of Spike.

 

Anya - Anya is goofy. She's a former-demon-turned-human who lacks the social nuances which makes her come-off as insensitive. She hates Bunnies... how can you not love her?

Edited December 5, 2003 by RavishingRickRudo

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Another great thing about Buffy is the variety. You get the whole shebang here. They do _everything_ well (cept maybe computer animation *groan*). Humour is really their forte as they have done some stuff that is on par with the greatest of comedies. Action is better on Angel, but it's still good here. Drama is their second strong-suit. I'll put "The Body" up against ANYTHING from ANYWHERE in the drama dept. Horror was more for the first 2 seasons, they dropped that stuff pretty fast and opted for the more season-long story-arc and big bad. Which is probably the best quality of Buffy - the Season 5 story-arc in particular was B_R_I_L_L_I_A_N_T. *Every* episode had meaning and relevance and it all came together in the "The Gift". They did all the big things well and they did all the little things well - which is the most important. Finally, their gimmick episodes rule. "Superstar" featured a nerd named Jonathon casting a spell making him the most popular, successful, etc. person on the planet and the opening montage even was tailor made with him as the star! "Hush" was done mainly in silence. "Once More with Feeling" was the best inclusion of music (it was a musical) that I have seen. It actually managed to develop characters and further storylines. "Restless" was Joss's dream episode, and by that I mean he had the majority of the show in the dreams of 4 characters - Buffy, Willow, Xander, and Giles. Best representation of Dreams that I have seen - how he made the transitions and how the characters accepted them and the cheeseman - fucking amazing.

[Youth N Asia 0]

I started watching durring season 2. So I knew how good it was and I could watch season 1 without a problem.

[Guest stardust]

I actually didn't get hooked on Buffy until Season 5, I think. I'd watched episodes here and there from Season 1 to 5, but it wasn't something I was really in to. Then I started watching in Season 5, and really got into the show during Season 6, and since then have kinda been playing catch up, watching how everything built up and came along. Honestly, I enjoy the earlier seasons more now that I know what happens in the end. Then again, I tend to pay a lot of attention to character development, and even when I know how a story is going to end, I'm fascinated by the way it all happens and gets to that point.

 

I think the primary reason why Buffy fans are such huge and loyal fans of the show is because, even though there are fantasy elements, the characters are very believable and real. Add to that the fact that Joss Whedon is an amazing writer and storyteller, and deftly entertwines drama and science fiction/fantasy and fuses it all together with a sense of humor that is not only smart but that is also very indicative of the kind of humor you would normally experience. It isn't the canned, haha funny you see on a sitcom, but rather a more subversive, sarcastic humor, humor that makes you think. Whether it be a quip or the juxtaposition of a situation, none of it is gratuitous, and is all very craftily done. When fans of Buffy and Angel talk about the two shows, we normally mention Joss, and how well-written the two shows are. We also talk about the characters with a familiarity and as if we're on a first-name basis with Spike and Buffy and Willow. For me, it's the storytelling, and the characters. Those two things just happened to catch my interest later on in the series rather than early on.

[Hank Kingsley 0]

"Once More With Feeling" is actually what got me hooked on Buffy, after I downloaded it out of curiousity. From there I just bought every DVD set and am now a devoted fan (although I prefer Angel to Buffy)

[Youth N Asia 0]

"Once More With Feeling" is actually what got me hooked on Buffy, after I downloaded it out of curiousity. From there I just bought every DVD set and am now a devoted fan (although I prefer Angel to Buffy)

BAH!

 

While I like Angel it continues to disapoint me. They seem to start seasons strong and then poop out.

[Mole 0]

Damn, I was going to do what RRR did but he beat me too it, since I was still sleeping...

 

I'll see you on Willow then.

 

Willow - Willow Rosenberg is a very interesting character on the show. She started out as a nerd who was only good at one thing, school. She wasn't very popular in school and only had two friends in Buffy and Xander. She then gets a boyfriend in the senior Oz(Seth Green) and starts to get more 'cooler'. While this is going on, she starts practicing a little magic, little stuff like picking up a pencil. When she goes to college, she cuts her hair and Oz breaks up with her. She starts seeing Tara and finds out she is gay. She starts practicing more and more magic and finally finds out she is a pretty powerful witch. Her character grows with in itself, but she was pretty mature when she was younger.

 

Blah, that sucked. I am sure Youth could do a better job.

[Mole 0]

"Once More With Feeling" is actually what got me hooked on Buffy, after I downloaded it out of curiousity. From there I just bought every DVD set and am now a devoted fan (although I prefer Angel to Buffy)

BAH!

 

While I like Angel it continues to disapoint me. They seem to start seasons strong and then poop out.

Season 2 wasn't like that at all. I think they ended pretty strong...

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

Angel lacks a certain unexplainable quality that drove buffy for years.

[Youth N Asia 0]

"Once More With Feeling" is actually what got me hooked on Buffy, after I downloaded it out of curiousity. From there I just bought every DVD set and am now a devoted fan (although I prefer Angel to Buffy)

BAH!

 

While I like Angel it continues to disapoint me. They seem to start seasons strong and then poop out.

Season 2 wasn't like that at all. I think they ended pretty strong...

Season 2 was a weak ending with Pylia. (sp) The first half of seasons seem to be great. Holtz, The Beast...then they end dumb. Conner, Jasmine.

[Mole 0]

I liked the Pylea ending.

[Guest Vitamin EC]

I don't think Angel seasons "poop out", I just think that for a couple of seasons they have hit a peak early on and whatever comes afterwards can't live up to it, which isn't to say it's bad... just not as good. Personally, I think quite a few Buffy seasons peaked midseason too, Season 2 and 4 come to mind immediately for me.

 

Aaanyway. Buy Buffy on DVD, I really don't think it matters what season, just sit down and watch a couple of episodes one after another. I think you can get hooked on quite a few mediocre shows doing that, let alone something of the quality of Buffy.

[Guest JMA]

Here is the problem.  Season one is campy,  ends with fuzzy happy endings and are one off shows that don't really matter.  The dialouge is cute, the fight scenes suck....the first season is average TV with a few incredibly bright spots.

I couldn't disagree more. Season one is far from campy. Buffy meets Dracula, now THAT was campy. I still maintain the first season was great TV.

[Mole 0]

I couldn't disagree anymore.

 

Season 1 sucks compared to any other season, even season 4.

[Hank Kingsley 0]

The only episodes I really enjoyed in Season One were "Nightmares" and "Prophecy Girl". I guess "Welcome to the Hellmouth" too, but really only because that was the first episode.

[The Dames 0]

For once, I agree with Mole 100%. I didn't like the first season much and the only reason I liked it all (aside from Prophecy Girl and Angel, which were awesome) was because I had already gotten accustomed to the characters in later seasons, so I viewed it as a prequel of sorts.

 

Dames

[Guest JMA]

I couldn't disagree anymore.

 

Season 1 sucks compared to any other season, even season 4.

How is season four better?

 

We had Riley shoved down our collective throats by Marti Noxon and Oz left. The only thing I REALLY liked about season four was "Hush." Other than that it was bland.