Summary
Buffy the Vampire Slayeris still an amazing TV show, and even in 2024, it’s worth watching for the first time. TheBuffy the Vampire Slayercastis led by the incredibleSarah Michelle Gellar as the titular character, a high schooler who is born into the role of the Slayer. Buffy Summers’ journey throughout the show is dramatic and tense, but each of her adventures alongside the Scooby Gang against all manner of supernatural threats is a brilliant watch.
The show is still so popular, even decades after its initial release, that there are an astonishing number ofBuffy the Vampire Slayertheoriesthat alter its outlook altogether. While the show is a product of its time in some ways,it’s also ridiculously ahead of its time in others and is an overall timeless classic.Buffy the Vampire Slayerstands as one of the best TV shows of all time, and if you haven’t already seen it in 2024, it’s an essential addition to your watchlist.
9 Harsh Realities Of Rewatching Buffy The Vampire Slayer
From Angel’s obsession with Buffy to Faith’s problematic storylines, there are several harsh realities fans have to face when rewatching the show.
7LGBTQ+ Representation
Tara & Willow’s Relationship Is Groundbreaking
LGBTQ+ representation in TVis extremely important, especially in recent years, and is one of the many reasons thatBuffy the Vampire Slayerwas so ahead of its time. Their relationship continues to be one ofthe most iconic LGBTQ+ couples in TV history.Willow and Tara are one of the first gay pairings to be featured so prominently on TV,and in 2024, they’re still incredibly relatable and heartwarming to watch. What works so well about them is that they’re not perfect whatsoever, and are just as flawed and normal as any heterosexual couple.
It’s so satisfying when they do get together properly in season 5, following dozens of episodes filled with teasing and implications.
WhileBuffy the Vampire Slayeris definitely guilty of implementingthe bury your gays trope,Willow and Tara’s love story is still worth investing in, even if it results in heartbreak.Both are powered by supernatural and magical abilities, which makes them even more interesting in general. Tara and Willow’s relationship is undoubtedly a bit of a slow burn, but it’s so satisfying when they do get together properly in season 5, following dozens of episodes filled with teasing and implications. The two’s profound tale isn’t the most important story inBuffy, but it’s one that audiences will forever remember.
67 Seasons (& Angel) To Enjoy
Lots Of Fantastic Episodes And A Spinoff
Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s original release date of 1997 means that there is plenty of the show to enjoy.The influential teen drama has a total of 144 fantastic episodes for audiences to enjoy,and once those are finished, there’s theAngelspinoff to watch as well.Buffy the Vampire SlayerandAngel’s viewing orderis layered as the two shows work in tandem together. For example,Buffy the Vampire Slayerseason 4 lines up withAngelseason 1. Watching in chronological order is a little complicated because some story arcs are included in both, but it’s still worth attempting.
Angel: The Best 60 Seconds From All 5 Seasons
Buffy spin-off Angel had some terrific moments, but some 60-second sequences in each of the show’s seasons were particularly memorable.
David Boreanaz’s character Angel leavesBuffy the Vampire Slayerin the season 3 premiere, but his departure isn’t permanent, and he continues to appear in the show periodically despite also being inAngel.Every season of the spinoff includes rich content that contributes to the lore of the parent show,and even some of theBuffy the Vampire Slayercharacters appear inAngel, too, including the titular character herself. Although Buffy and Angel’s relationship is complex, both shows do a brilliant job of pulling the pair back together, time and time again.
5Strong, Powerful Female Lead
Buffy Summers Is A Powerhouse
Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers is an absolute ‘90s legend. Buffy is one ofthe best female leads in a TV showever, and she is remembered for the presence she creates on screen. The titular character’s journey is a wild one, starting with her arrival in Sunnydale and her discovery that she is the Chosen One. Throughout the show,Buffy faces all manner of demons, monsters, and vampires so that she can protect her friends, family, and the entire world from the unhinged threats that she encountersin every episode.
Buffy is a teenage girl, and these issues are also proof that she is a lifelike and understandable character.
Buffy Summers has some harsh realities, though. Her relationships that pan out across the show are often too much of a distraction than a benefit to her, and some of the arguments she has with the other members of the Scooby Gang are sometimes ridiculous. However, Buffy is a teenage girl, and these issues are also proof that she is a lifelike and understandable character. As protagonists go, Buffy is an ideal character to be front and center in the battle against evil. She’s smart and brave, but she also knows her limitations, which creates story-worthy conflict.
4Incredible Storylines That Are Both Funny And Dramatic
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Mixes Comedy And Theatrics Well
One ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer’s best qualities is its stories.The show is known for including plotlines that widely range from deeply emotional to completely nonsensicaland hilarious.Buffyis great because it knows when to be light-hearted, but at the same time, it never shies away from true drama. For example,Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s most shocking deathwas Buffy’s mother, Joyce, in season 5’s “The Body.” This is easily one of the most heartwrenching moments in the show, and Buffy’s discovery of her mom in their living room is incredibly jarring.
Is simply hilarious to watch, especially when she catches her mother and Giles making out in the street.
However, some storylines lean heavily on comedy, intentionally or not. A great example of this is “Band Candy,” which is one ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer’s funniest episodes. It sees the Slayer turn into a babysitter aftersome Halloween treats cause Sunnydale’s adult population to start reliving their teenage years, which is simply hilarious to watch, especially when she catches her mother and Giles making out in the street. Some ofBuffy’s comical stories are only that way because they are cringey instead, such as Xander and Willow’s romance or Dawn’s attempt at becoming a cheerleader.
3Brilliant ’90s Dialogue
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Is A Product Of Its Time
Buffy the Vampire Slayeris a TV show that is full of ‘90s nostalgia, and its dialogue reflects this. Despite ending in 2003,there are plenty of quotes fromBuffythat audiences still reference years after its conclusion.Even in 2024, some ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer’s most cringeworthy linescan be appreciated for what they are. Willow’s ways of explaining her sexuality provide some perfect examples of this, and while some of her remarks probably wouldn’t be well received nowadays, it still shows how much effortBuffyputs into being inclusive of its queer characters.
13 TV Shows That Will Drive Your ’90s Nostalgia Wild
The 1990s saw a variety of TV shows for viewers of all ages and with different tastes, and some of them have the power to evoke a lot of nostalgia.
Buffy the Vampire Slayeruses slang that is very ‘90s, too. Phrases like “wig out,” “sitch,” and “ubersuck” are commonly heard throughout the show. Even though this type of dialogue is no longer used on TV, at least not on shows that weren’t set in the 1990s, it works inBuffy.It may be quite cheesy, which is standard for a TV show of this age, but the Scooby Gang are actually quite modern in their time.Buffy the Vampire Slayeris undoubtedly illogical at times, but one realistic thing is the show’s choice of wording.
2Amazing Character Development
The Scooby Gang Become Interesting People Throughout The Show
If there is one thing thatBuffy the Vampire Slayersucceeds at, it’s character development. Buffy’s character arc is one that isn’t discussed enough, and she deserves more praise for how she changes throughout the show.She learns how to deal with the pain of her sacrifices well and is mature enough to understand that the greater good is her ultimate goal. By the end ofBuffy, the titular character is unrecognizable compared to the teen who is introduced in the pilot. Willow’s journey as she starts to discover her sexuality is also a prominent storyline.
Some of her best character development comes from her ability to still have a strong friendship with Xander after their split.Buffy and Spike’s relationship inBuffy the Vampire Slayeris definitely problematic, but even the villain manages to redeem himself at times. Spike begins the show as a controversial and chaotic figure, but over time, he learns that being an ally to Buffy is beneficial to him.There’s no doubt that Spike’s behavior is awful sometimes, but it’s worth noting that he later reflects on his misdeedsand acknowledges his wrongdoings.
1The Musical Episode
Buffy’s Song And Dance Story Is Iconic
Like several other TV shows,Buffy the Vampire Slayerhas a musical episode.Season 6’s “Once More With Feeling” focuses on the fallout of Buffy sacrificing herself for her loved ones,her unexpected revival, and the difficulties that the rest of the characters face in keeping their respective secrets. Thesongs inBuffy the Vampire Slayer’smusical episodecombined with a typical supernatural-focused story for the show may seem like an unusual mix, but the result is actually spectacular. The use of music helps each of theBuffycharacters talk about the weight sitting heavily on their chests.
While the underlying theme is profound, “Once More With Feeling” is still a feel-good watch and one of the best episodes ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer. Not all of the cast members are the best singers, but they can carry a tune, and some are notably talented. For example, Amber Benson, as Tara, is particularly strong, and the way she serenades Willow is absolutely beautiful and a tearjerker. It’s hard not to laugh when characters like Giles, Spike, and Xander chime in with the songs,but their commitment to the episode is also easy to appreciate at the same time.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Cast
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television series created by Joss Whedon, focusing on Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a young woman chosen to battle against vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexities of teenage life.
