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Original poster

What are your 'essential' Buffy episodes?

137 replies

gloominous · 11/03/2019 11:51

I watched Buffy during its original run and have always been a big fan but my best friend has never seen it. All the episodes are currently on Prime and she mentioned the other night that she'd be amenable to a 'highlights' version.

Obviously I have my own favourite episodes which I've returned to (many, many times) over the years but I've never rewatched all seven seasons in chronological order. So I wondered what everyone else would consider to be the essential episodes of each season that would give a complete newbie a sense of the overall story?

Obviously the ideal scenario is that she'll love it so much that she binges the whole thing without me but I like to be prepared Wink

OP posts:
LoudestRoar · 11/03/2019 16:08

@Orangeday You may know already, if you're a Buffy fan, but the one with 2 Xanders, the other Nicholas Brendans twin :-)

CalmDownPacino · 11/03/2019 16:10

Oh I am glad to see a couple of agreeing posts!! I hated the way they wrote Buffy when she was with Riley. She changed completely, let herself be totally taken over by him. He wasn't even an interesting character. Season 4 is my least favourite because of that beige muppet in camo!

10IAR · 11/03/2019 16:16

Season 4 is also my least favourite because of him!

Maggie had the opportunity to be another massive female character in Buffy's life and it all felt a bit lazy and stereotyped to make her a baddie.

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Orangeday · 11/03/2019 16:17

I did know that LoudestRoar. I also read that his twin was in some other episodes when Nicholas wasn’t available for one reason or another, but never found out which ones. Does anyone know?

10IAR · 11/03/2019 16:18

Kelly Brendon was body double in some scenes but I don't think they ever disclosed which ones. They're alike but not identical enough for him to have stood in close up.

Orangeday · 11/03/2019 16:20

Ahh that makes sense. Will be looking out for broad shoulders on my next watch through 😂

Orangeday · 11/03/2019 16:21

And yes to boring Riley. Zzz. Parker was a good character though. Sooo hateable.

CalmDownPacino · 11/03/2019 16:23

Agree about Maggie. They could have made so much more of her but of course she had to turn out to be a baddy! Riley can get to feck, it's Spike for the win!

ThatFalseEquivalenceTho · 11/03/2019 16:40

I enjoyed 2 episodes of S4.

Hush. And the one where Spikes tied to a chair at Giles place getting shot by arrows. He’s fucking hilarious.

CalmDownPacino · 11/03/2019 16:44

Is Parker the lad who she slept with and then he didn't want anything to do with her afterwards? I always thought it was strange how they played that out, isn't that what kids do in college - sleep with lots of guys/girls?! Yet we were meant to believe that Buffy was mad for him and devastated to learn it was just a hook up!

MrsWidgerysLodger · 11/03/2019 16:44

You made a bear!

QuantumWeatherButterfly · 11/03/2019 16:46

I'm glad there's so much hate for Riley - means I can have him all to myselfGrin

The only episode I really love that I don't think anyone else has mentioned is Fear Itself from season 4.

TwinkleTee · 11/03/2019 16:49

I've just started watching them from the ver beginning all the way through in order. Also been listening to the podcast "Buffering the vampire slayer" which is an amazing accompaniment. They also watch each episode and talk about it in depth as well as a 90's fashion bit. so good!

CalmDownPacino · 11/03/2019 16:53

Oh you can keep him all to yourself Quantum. Preferably in a box under the stairs where we never have to see him again Grin

CalmDownPacino · 11/03/2019 16:55

Any episode with Drusilla ranks pretty highly too IMO. I loved her. Juliet Landau has also liked 2/3 of my comments on her facebook page too!

DoveGreylove · 11/03/2019 16:56

They are showing it on SyFY now everyday 3-5pm :) I have started watching it recently. I forgot how much I loved it!

QuantumWeatherButterfly · 11/03/2019 17:02

Shh, CalmDownPacino - don't give away all my secretsSmile

Dontgiveamonkeys1350 · 11/03/2019 17:11

The one where their voices get stolen. Those dudes are freaky

Orangeday · 11/03/2019 17:12

I identified with the Parker stuff :(
Remember Buffy’s only experience was Angel and the intensity of his love. She’d never been the chaser before and was totally lost for how to react. And then Willow kicked his ass. 👊

10IAR · 11/03/2019 17:22

Juliet Landau follows me on Twitter!

Ok so she follows most fans but still Grin

I love her! Spike is awesome too, esp around season 6.

Faith I felt came over better in Angel or rather I think they made the most of her in Angel.

Willisleepeighthoursagain · 11/03/2019 17:26

Love once more with feeling - I know the words to the songs! Blush

Figgygal · 11/03/2019 17:30

Passion
The gift (my absolute favourite)
The body
Once more than feeling

Series 2 and 5 finales

Despise everything about Series 4 with the initiative and Riley and Professor Walsh and Adam. And restless maybe I just don't get it

Figgygal · 11/03/2019 17:33

Once more WITH feeling even Angry

britnay · 11/03/2019 17:37

My husband and I are part way watching the whole thing. We are currently on season 6.
Tell her to do herself a favour and watch it all from the beginning :D

Snappedandfarted2019 · 11/03/2019 17:43

Hush, The body, I love majority of season 2 and 3 for me they were the best seasons of the entire series