Does Buffy the Vampire Slayer get a bit silly?

[FancyARoot]

Yes, I know it’s silly from episode 1. But does it get ridiculous? Is it worth persevering with?

I must have watched a few back in the day as I knew who everyone was etc, but I never really watched it. Recently started watching from S1E1. I’m now on season 3 where Angel has just come back and it’s all going very woolly. Then I read ahead a few episode descriptions and just though ‘eh!? That sounds daft’

Should I stick with it? Or has the best already been?

Thanks!!

''I was just answering the question which was asked about why his infidelity might undermine his credentials as a feminist.''

But it doesn't. Being a feminist doesn't mean one has to have saintly virtues, I have gay mates who cheat on their male partners with other men. I have female mates who cheat on their husbands. I don't see how people having affairs and enjoying sex is in any way misogyny or misandry unless they pull a Harvey Weinstein and treat women solely as sex objects and nothing else but whoever said Whedon did that?

I already answered that question getherout. If you don’t think that at least two of the three specific things he was accused of would undermine his feminist credentials then we’ll have to agree to differ. The gaslighting accusation is a moot point I grant you.

No Angel had been secretly watching Buffy before she moved. He knew she was going to be called up as slayer before she did and watched it. It is creepy when you think about it even if it is painted in a romantic light.

I remember watching the resurrection episode years ago and thinking ‘you utter morons, where the fuck did you THINK she’d be resurrected from!?’

But I can’t remember many other details. Forgot all about Riley until seeing his name here!

No Angel had been secretly watching Buffy before she moved.

It wasn’t totally his choice though to be fair, that odd neutral demon man led him to her.

People standing together and ensuring there is equality between both genders and all people is feminism
Ah, that wave of feminism that is actually about women making life better for everyone Yeah, I can see why Joss would subscribe to that one too. I prefer my feminism to centre women. I'm old-fashioned that way although thankfully modern feminism is coming back round to that way of thinking.
I think all the 'problematic' storylines are valuable actually. They can prompt discussions about consent, control, abuse of power (both Angel and Joss in RL). There are lots of interesting academic essays about every aspect of Buffy from the apparent emasculation of Spike to the underlying homophobia in the portrayal of Willow as a witch. Years ago, I spent a rainy holiday in Scandanavia reading through some of them.

I do like Buffy but there are quite a few duff parts. I loved Seasons 3 and 5. 4 is a bit meh. 6 was ok for about half then the more the Trio were in it, the stupider it got. Willow was great though. Series 7 is dire. Utter utter drivel. I hated it and felt it ruined it as it went out on such a low point. The Potentials were just whiney and irritating.

Dawn was an abomination. Should have died.

The Dawn storyline was awful. I'd almost successfully wiped it from my memory

Why post spoilers, folks? OP only wanted to know if it was worth continuing to watch.

@TheSparklyPussycat I was thinking that, she doesn't even need to watch it now with all these replies ha.

Series 3 is one of the best!

OP said she was up to season 3 and had watched in the past so knew about Willow being a lesbian, and about the resurrection episode. I don't think anyone has posted any details that spoil episodes she hasn't seen

@AnneOfQueenSables a pretty monumental spoiler in the form of a certain family member if you haven't seen passed season 3! That's been mentioned more than once.

chipperish.com/podcasts/still-pretty/

Still Pretty is a good Buffy rewatch podcast - it doesn't flinch away from problematic Whedon, the sexism, the racism and the homophobia.

I think Buffy is great but I don't watch it uncritically, it doesn't have to be without flaws to be worthwhile. Some of the best and most powerful TV and film has huge issues around representation, and inclusion. That is because society is flawed, so are (white male😉) writers.

Season 3 is the best - Eliza Dushku 😍

I love Buffy, but if you've got to midway of Season 3 and you're not enjoying it, then it probably isn't for you.