What are your 'essential' Buffy episodes?

[gloominous]

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

Ah, DH and I are doing a rewatch of Buffy and Angel at the moment - we are up to season 4 Buffy (Adam has just killed Maggie Walsh) and season 1 Angel (Wesley has replaced Doyle and Angel has become a bit flustered by a hot demon lady...). We watch a couple a night alternating between the two series.

Hate Riley (although finding him slightly less irritating this time round) and not looking forward to Dawn appearing, bleurgh. Also never liked Tara.

Love Buffy (obvs), Spike and Giles. Xander and Willow sometimes. Parker was totally obnoxious, A's was Riley's soldier chum who didn't like Buffy.

Hush is definitely still creepy, that silent gliding and grinning . Hard to say what my favourite Buffy episodes are, there are too many. Once More With Feeling is actually very sad.

One of my favourite Angel episodes is Smile Time (where he is transformed into a muppet), comedy genius.

and season 1 Angel (Wesley has replaced Doyle and Angel has become a bit flustered by a hot demon lady...)

Doyle is my favourite Buffyverse character - possibly my favourite fictional character of all time. Bangel and Spuffy sink like the Titanic in the face of the Doyle/ Cordy ship, for me. My MN username is a Doyle quote.

I hate Wesley.
I do not accept the latter 101 episodes as canon not that I've rewritten them to all include Doyle or anything oh no not me

Oh I loved Doyle too

"Is that it am I done"
Still gets me now

I appreciated Doyle a lot more this time round.

Am I being dim but was he always meant to be written out when he was and repacked part way by Wesley or was that a way of dealing with Glenn Quinn dying (I'm not entirely clear on the chronology of filming season 1 and his death). DH thinks the latter, he is convinced there was some dodgy CGI going on in his last scene 🤔

He was written out because he was dealing with his addiction issues, if I remember correctly.

I sob at that line every time

Glenn didn't die until 2002 - he left Angel in 1999. They're not faking his presence with dodgy cgi to cover up the fact he is already dead
His face does look really weird just as he says 'too bad we'll never know', though - just before he goes demon face. Kind of shiny - and a bit wet. I presume it's just a poor transitional shot.

Just watching the musical episode on Syfy channel, a big big grin on my face.

I loved Buffy, she was just brilliant! Want to do (another) re-watch now

Gachnar, Once More..., but The Body is the one that hit me like a sledgehammer, the first 3 min continuous scene is extraordinary. Probably one of the truest depictions of death I've ever seen in a show.

Great thread all xx

@Disfordarkchocolate - I watched that too. My 6 week old baby was transfixed during the singing parts.

I’ve got my eye on this...

Funny I have just started re watching Buffy on prime (despite all the dvds stuffed in the loft!). Just finised season 3.

I like The Pack when Xander turns evil. I also like the two with the vampire Willow/Xander. Where Alyson Hannigan plays both the good and the bad in the same episode is really well done.

So many good episodes it is hard to pick some.

Following this thread I started watching some of the highlights mentioned on here. I'm just on season 3. Anyone care to share their Angel highlights so I can prepare? I loved Angel but I'm not as familiar with all the episodes as I am with Buffy