Buffy turns 20

[DigificWriter]

March 10th (today) marks the 20th Anniversary of the television premiere/debut of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the show that defined Joss Whedon's career and launched the "teen drama" genre to new heights by, ironically, breaking the barriers of that genre and several others, so, to celebrate, I figured I'd start this thread and ask people to talk about their favorite characters, episodes, moments, and memories of, about, and from the series.

I first discovered Buffy with the Season 2 episode "Killed by Death", which I watched with my sisters while sitting/laying on the edge of my parents' bed, and was immediately hooked, watching the series religiously from that point on while eventually going backwards to get caught up on Season 1 and the first 17 episodes of Season 2.

There was, admittedly, a period of time during Season 7 when I tuned out due to some very stron negative feelings about some of the decisions that were being made/had been made by Joss and the other writers at the time, but that experience led me to get heavily involved in the "Virtual Television Series" writing scene, so everything evened out in the end.

In terms of my favorite characters/episodes/etc., I've always been partial to Willow, Angel, Spike, Dawn, and Buffy herself, although there truly isn't a "bad" character from the series, IMO, and count Welcome to the Hellmouth/Harvest KbD, Beer Bad, Hush, and The Gift as my Top 5 favorite episodes, which is funny in that there aren't any Season 6 episodes that make the list even though, on the whole, it's my favorite season of the series.

Another thing that's sort of funny is that, although I've been attending conventions fairly regularly since 2013, it's taken me until now to do some Buffy-related cosplay, as I'll be spending next Friday and Saturday dressed as Spike and possibly Angel, Doyle, or Wesley.

Enough from me, though. The floor is now open for other Buffy fans to talk about the series for its 20th Anniversary.

 

[Ethros]

^ Beer Bad as one your favourite episodes? Ha fair enough, each to their own.

I started watching it when it first aired on BBC2, late December 1998 I recall, but it's still strange to think it's been nearly 20 years. Actually what's even more weird is I remember making a thread on here for the 10th anniversary. Can't believe that was 10 years ago!


I really liked Sarah Michelle Gellar's post on Instagram today about it-
https://www.instagram.com/sarahmgellar/?hl=en

20 years ago today, I had the greatest privilege to bring Buffy to your tv screens for the first time. It was a long and challenging road to get there. First the movie, then a passed over pilot presentation, and eventually a mid season time slot on a little known network. That first season, we liked to think of ourselves as the little show that could. While we knew the potential, I don’t think any of us saw the lasting impact our show would have. As an actor, you wish for that one role where you can leave your mark and forever be remembered, with Buffy I got so much more. She’s a feminist challenge to gender hierarchy. Buffy may have been the Chosen One, but I was the lucky one. Thank you to Gail Berman for always believing there was a show in that movie. Thank you to Joss Whedon, for trusting me to give life to one of the greatest female characters ever created. Thank you to David, for always being my Angel. Thank you to James for understanding that while Buffy and Spike may have been love/hate, I have nothing but love for you. Alyson, as any woman knows, you are nothing without the love and support of great female friends, so thank you for being that. Michelle, you will always hold a key to my heart. Thank you to all the incredible actors for seven seasons of amazing performances. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the incredible crew that worked tirelessly (and also really tired) to bring this show to life. And lastly, but most importantly thank you to all of you, the fans. We made this show for you, and your unwavering support has kept this show going long past our seven years. You are everything. And always remember..."if the apocalypse comes, beep me" #buffyslays20

I follow her on Twitter too, and love how often she posts Buffy memes and gifs etc. I totally get that those first few years after the show ended she probably wanted to try distance herself from it a little, who wouldn't, but it's nice now she's totally embraced it and you can always tell how proud she is of the work they did.


Quick favourite episodes for me would be the two epic Season 2 & 3 finales, Becoming and Graduation Day. Becoming I would say is probably still my favourite episode of anything ever.
I started watching Buffy when I was 14, I was already a huge Trek fan but Buffy really took over as my all time favourite show. By the end I probably did prefer Angel, but did clump them together as my favourites. I always thought nothing would come along to replace them, although other shows have come along since then to possibly pinch them to the topspot, B&A will always have a big place in my heart and espeically when I think of my years as a teenager (I think Angel ended just before my 20th birthday.) Which is why whenever I think of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" those first three seasons are what I always think of

I miss those guys sometimes

 

[DigificWriter]

^ Beer Bad makes my list of Top 5 favorite episodes because it's hilarious, and one of the few episodes during the fourth season that directly mirrors the series' earlier metaphorical examination of real-life scenarios as seen through the show's unique genre-bending lens.

Plus, it's just fun getting to see Sarah Michelle Gellar playing a cavewoman and hitting somebody with a tree limb.

 

[Sparkle Fabulosa]

I watched the pilot up until the Master showed up then I immediately changed the channel. I stumbled upon the series finale one night, loved it, and spent the next couple months with re-runs and DVDs.

Favourite characters are Willow, Spike, and Giles. Favourite episode is "Once More, With Feeling." And favourite villain is The Mayor.

Oh and I remember catching the end of "All The Way" on tv. It ended with Willow and Tara snuggling up in bed together and my thought was "Aren't they a little too old for sleepovers?" I didn't know about gay people at the time.

Also my mom accidentally bought me season 5 instead of 4 so I was really confused about who Tara was to Willow.

Long live The Slayer!

 

[Mudd]

"Once More With Feeling" is one of my favorites. "Band Candy," "Hush..." too many, really. "Normal Again" deconstructed the entire series in a scary/funny way.

Still my favorite TV series since the original Star Trek.

 

[Forbin]

I can't possibly choose a favorite anything about the show. It was love at first sight. That love was sorely tested in season 7, but the afterglow is still warm.

 

[DigificWriter]

I can't possibly choose a favorite anything about the show. It was love at first sight.

Shouldn't that be "love at first bite"?

 

[John Clark]

I remember tuning in to watch it on the Beeb and back in those days, if I thought a programme was going to be on my rewatch list, it got vhs'd. Having seen the film previously, I thought I'd just check it out but probably wouldn't keep it. That thought didn't even last the first episode. I upgraded to the dvd's as soon as they came out.

It sure doesn't feel like it was that long ago though. It's probably time for a rewatch.

 

[JD]

I came into Buffy towards the end of the show, but I instantly fell in love with it. Buffy was actually my first experiences with this kind of supernatural story, and it's now gone on to become one of my absolute favorite genres. Buffy was also the first time I ever saw a gay couple on TV.
When it comes to favorite episodes, the first ones that come to mind would be Once More, With Feeling, The Body, and Hush. I'm pretty sure there were other episodes I enjoyed just as much, but those are the first to come to mind.
My favorite characters were Giles, Buffy, Xander, Willow, Spike and Dawn.
Any of you guys and gals follow the comics? I read the first three collections of Season 8 and really enjoyed them, but ended up setting the series aside when I cut back on the amount of stuff I was reading.
I thought they were a pretty fun continuation of the series, and I got a big kick out of how the unlimited budget allowed them to really expand the scope of the series. I'm planning on getting back to it soon.

 

[Hugo Rune]

I used to have this show (and Angel) shipped to me on home recorded VHS to me at Uni as our house-share couldn't afford Sky. Due to the old VHS long-play record format, we'd get 6 episodes per video and all housemate plans would go out of the window for the weekend it would arrive.

It wasn't perfect, but it was brilliant and I will be ever-thankful for the free-form genius of Restless.

Hugo - wears the cheese too

 

[Ethros]

Any of you guys and gals follow the comics? I read the first three collections of Season 8 and really enjoyed them, but ended up setting the series aside when I cut back on the amount of stuff I was reading.
I thought they were a pretty fun continuation of the series, and I got a big kick out of how the unlimited budget allowed them to really expand the scope of the series. I'm planning on getting back to it soon.

I was gonna ask if anyone still reads these? Strange to think that these have been going for 10 years. They're on Season 11 now.
I myself gave up after Season 9, same here I really enjoyed the unlimited scope of Season 8, but by the end it had been so overblown and convoluted it was a complete mess. Then they acknowledged these issues and promised for s9 to downsize the story and make it more personal, but within about 6 issues there was a Buffy robot double/LMD thing and more plots that made no sense. Some really dull stories, and a whole two issues featuring none of the cast but some random boring kids who then join the gang for no reason and with no explanation whatsoever, apparently just so they could have a male gay character onboard. (Which I haven't got a problem with btw, just the way it was done was so clumsy and banging you over the head)
So I didn't bother with s10 or 11, I've flicked through the TPBs in bookstores, I wouldn't complain about reading it but it's just not something I would spend my money on anymore after the previous quality drop.

 

[Jax]

Buffy and Angel are still in my top 20 shows of all time even after all these years.

I remember watching Buffy in my teens and it was campy yes but it was so dam funny and thrilling all at the same time. The dialogue was snappy, the action was great and the story arcs generally handled with real class from Whedon and his staff. The fact their was a female super hero just added to the charm for me as it was something new and yes as a teenage boy, it was dam sexy too Buffy was as beautiful as she was strong. The show real strength lied in his secondary cast with all of them becoming as important IMO as the main character. Hell even some of the villains became fan favourites like Spike or Dru and the banter they had with the Slayer at times especially between Buffy n Glory was brilliant. I also loved the spin off Angel and felt at times the more mature darker themes edged the parent show at times and also felt better placed with Angel than the darker 6th & 7th seasons of Buffy. I can't believe no network has tried to produce another show in the Buffyverse even if not Angel, Faith or Giles then how about a new story with new characters.

I can't say I care for the comics, such story telling always ends up being OTT and as stated by Ethros above, overblown and convoluted. I would love to see a new show and hope Joss Whedon returns to his TV Buffyverse roots some day. Going back and watching Buffy today can still make me laugh so I have to admit I notice the stunt actors more these days so it does ruin some of the fights sadly. Also season 1 is hard to watch and is very dated but 2-7 are still worth a watch now and again.

Favourite seasons in order...
3
5
2
4
6
7
1

 

[Velocity]

I really enjoyed this show. Good characters and exceptional writing. Something you thought was forgotten or overlooked would be picked up again later (kitty fantastico) and plot threads were woven and later tied up. Intelligent humor. I don't know how well that will hold up over time because it was pretty topical for the nineties.

 

[dahj]

First I read the title as "dodge, you're getting old", then I remembered how much I loved Buffy so it's all good

 

[Mudd]

Brava for Hannigan's single lyric.

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[Sparkle Fabulosa]

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[Tuskin38]

I want to re-watch OMWF, but the version on Netflix is the shortened version for TV re-runs

 

[JirinPanthosa]

It's hard to pick a favorite episode because the show was so arc driven, and when the theme was successful the episode was usually really good. The Zeppo always stands out to me. Agree on Once More With Feeling, also The Wish and Superstar are toward the top. Becoming and Graduation day were two incredible finales, of course.

I didn't give it a real chance when I was on though I probably would have loved it if I did. I first watched it about two years ago but got totally addicted to it somewhere in season 2. 2-3 were the best period of the show. I prefer seasons 5 and 7 over season 4 and 6, though both those seasons had some standout individual episodes. The show never really had a bad period after the first half of the first season but there were some awkward bits with the Initiative and when season 6 was caught in between being depressing and being its usual fun self.

Favorite characters probably Buffy, Xander and Giles. I like villain Spike and I like soul Spike but I wasn't a fan of Chip Stalker Spike. Again, hard to pick favorites because there's not really a major character who wasn't awesome except I don't like how psycho-jealous they made Riley.

 

[JD]

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Whenever I see scenes like this, I always wonder who did all the drawings.

I want to re-watch OMWF, but the version on Netflix is the shortened version for TV re-runs

Weird, I would have expected them to have the original version. I think most of the other stuff they have is the original version rather than the syndicated one. How different are the two version of OMWF? I don't remember noticing anything missing when I watched it on FX back when they used to show Buffy all the time.

 

[Sparkle Fabulosa]

Whenever I see scenes like this, I always wonder who did all the drawings.

I could be way off but something tells me Joss was the artist. I just get that feeling.