Recently, I lent a friend all seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It's hard to imagine that its been five years since Buffy left the airwaves. We've been lucky enough that there have been some pretty good television to take its place (I'm thinking Lost, Heroes, and BSG). While discussing the series there were some moments that I completely didn't remember. Since there was no new shows on due to the writers strike I thought it would be a good idea to relive all seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Here are some thoughts: Season six and seven weren't as bad as I remember. Season three wasn't as good as I remember. The writing still better than anything currently on TV. So I thought why not rank your top ten Buffy episodes. Well, ten turned into fifteen, fifteen to twenty, and twenty to twenty-five. So without further ado my top twenty-five Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes:
Hush - Season 4 - How do you think this was pitched to the studio? "What if we did an episode where there was no dialog for 75% of it?" Pretty gutsy if you as me. As crazy as this sounds this "silent" episode is the epitome of the series. Silence made the acting shine. The gentlemen, the villains of the episode, are still the creepiest things that I have ever seen on TV. Even creepier than Pennywise from IT. The music is perfect in every scene. In short it's an experience that is difficult to describe and must experienced for oneself. - Once More With Feeling - Season 6 - I hadn't seen this episode since it originally aired almost seven years ago. This is, of course, the Buffy musical episode. Honestly, I have forgotten the brilliance of this episode. Although the performances aren't perfect they are given perfectly in character. The writing again is brilliant and considering that a good amount of the dialog is in song and verse that's impressive. This episode is also funny. I've never laughed harder while watching Buffy.
- The Body - Season 5 – No spoilers here. One of the toughest episodes I’ve ever had to watch of any show. Gut wrenching, jarring, real. A gem of an episode.
- Fear, Itself - Season 4 – I really love this episode. It’s fun, scary, disturbing and cool while developing the characters, telling the story and moving the season story arch along. That’s not easy to do.
- Restless - Season 4 – Joss really turned up the weird in this episode. After the climatic battle with Adam the Scoobies huddle up for some down time at the Summers’ home. Each falls into a slumber and has a somewhat abstract dream. The cool thing about this episode is that it has so many different layer. Multiple viewings is required. "I wear the cheese; the cheese does not wear me."
- Becoming Part 1 & Becoming Part 2 - Season 2 – The climatic ending to Buffy’s best season. So much is unveiled/shown in these episodes, how Buffy became a slayer, how Angel got to Sunnydale, how Angel got his soul back and a gut wrenching end for the star crossed lovers.
- Innocence - Season 2 – Angel becomes his old self and Buffy wields a rocket launcher. A ROCKET LAUNCHER!
- Passion - Season 2 –We finally get to see how evil Angel really is. And he’s really, really evil.
- Conversations With Dead People - Season 7 – Yea, I’m surprised to see this episode so high too. What makes this episode work for me is the fascinating conversation between Buffy and Holden.
- The Wish - Season 3 – What would Sunnydale be like if Buffy didn’t move there when she did? Well, it wouldn’t be pretty. Of course Vamp Willow steals the show. It’s also the first appearance of Anya.
- Doppelgangland - Season 3 – Vamp Willow comes back but Sunnydale is a better place much to her chagrin.
- Prophecy Girl - Season 1 – The season one finale shows how good this show can be.
- Graduation Day Part One & Graduation Day Part Two - Season 3 – The climatic showdown between Buffy, Faith and the Mayor. It’s not as emotional as the season two ending but the end of season three ends with a bang.
- Fool For Love - Season 5 – Seeing how Spike killed two slayers is interesting but how Spike treats Buffy at the end of the episode shows the dichotomy that torments him.
- Seeing Red, Villains, Two to Go, Grave - Season 6 - I'm grouping these four together for since these episodes, the final four of the season, saved the sixth season. I think I figured out why the sixth season is my least favorite. It's dark, too dark. There are no good times for the Scoobies (musical aside). Nothing makes the characters endearing. It's nothing but pain and bad decisions. These episodes are the payoff for one tough season. The rise and fall of Dark Willow is one heck of a ride.
- Halloween - Season 2 – The obligatory Halloween episode with a twist. It’s just fun to watch this episode. The role reversals is a nice twist to the season. But of course in the end Buffy saves the day.
- Superstar – Season 4 – Gets on the list just for changing the credits to make it look like Jonathan was the protagonist.
- Band Candy - Season 2 – Adult acting like teenagers, cats and dogs living together mass hysteria!
- Angel - Season 1 – Angel is reveled to be a vampire and the star-crossed portion of our story begins.
- Surprise - Season 2 - Buffy & Angel get physical but it ends badly.
- Checkpoint - Season 5 – The council returns and puts the Scoobies through the paces and Xander has field time. Who knew?
- Triangle - Season 5 – We get to find out what Anya was like before the whole demon thing.
- Lies My Parents Told Me - Season 7 – This episode solidifies season seven by tying Robin and Spike together and putting them in the Thunderdome.
- What's My Line Part One & What’s My Line Part Two - Season 2 – Two slayers? I thought there could be only one? Oh wait, that’s the other thing.
- The Zeppo - Season 3 – It’s the end of the world and Xander misses out. But luckily for us his night is more interesting.