DVD Review: Death Is Her Gift - Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Published January 23, 2008
I miss having too many TV shows on my DVR. Ironically, the writers' strike gives a TV freak the perfect opportunity to stray a little from their usual habits and welcome some new blood into their DVD lineup.
If I could pick one show at random that should be watched by any true boob tube enthusiast regardless of tastes, it's Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Yes folks, the WB11/UPN9 "horror drama comedy sci-fi action thriller teen" hybrid that proved that a teen show could cross barriers into some incredibly groundbreaking material and use the “bump in the dark” monster smokescreen only to tenderly reveal heartbreaking stories and nuanced characters.
It‘s not important that one of the characters was an ex-vengeance demon who destroyed men’s nether regions, or that Buffy fought vampires in heels and sometimes frilly summer dresses. That took a backseat for the powerful moments, incredibly tight and layered writing, and chill-inducing scenes that made this series such a cult success.
If you’re reading this and are scoffing, then you have to rent the DVDs. Go into your Netflix queue and move Buffy season one up to the top of your long line of lesser shows. After you finish the uneven season one, please continue. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Better yet, purchase The Chosen Collection, the box set which houses all seven seasons of this extraordinary series.
While you're at it, stop reading so you won't be spoiled.
If you don't mind being spoiled and need more convincing, I wanted to compile my top favorite Buffy episodes, chosen for various reasons. Maybe some Buffy fans will come around and share their own little much-too-late eulogy for this great little show.
Just ignore the fact that Sarah Michelle Gellar’s stunt double looks absolutely nothing like her.
SEASON ONE
"Prophecy Girl"
The entire first season was light, airy, and the closest the series ever got to the Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie. "Prophecy Girl" has the scene that warns viewers that this tiny little gem of a TV show will become so much more. Buffy discovers what fate has in store for her and panics. In one particular scene, Buffy, defeated and emotionally spent, whimpers to her mentor and the only true father figure the series will ever give her, “Giles, I’m 16 years old. I don’t want to die.”
- DVD Review: Death Is Her Gift - Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- Published: January 23, 2008
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Writer: Alvaro
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Comments on this articleComments
#1, I agree Buffy is quite the underdog.
That's the crazy thing about Buffy. One person's Beer Bad is another person's Passion. (In normal speak one person's bad episode is another person's gem.)
There are SO MANY episodes I had to leave out. I was going to do my favorite Buffy moments as well but found this Web site that has 100. They did it better than I ever could.
Great review! I agree with most of your picks (not that any of them are bad, but you skip a few of my personal favorites) This is my absolute favorite show ever! I'm glad others are realizing how good it is. Thanks for the article!
For anyone who wants a good book about Buffy, check out: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy" Edited by James B. South.
I've always wanted to list the most essential of Buffy episodes. Perhaps to introduce a neophyte to the 'verse, the best place to start is with an ep from season 7. Let me hear you say, "WHAT?".
Actually, just the large-arc exposition home-video done by our dear narrator Andrew in 'Storyteller'. It's SO much better than years-earlier versions that last were done by Giles. Queue-up yours & see it as the 'Masterpiece' it is. Next suggest where to continue the initiation. Eps. can be shuffled. Time is not of the essence. Character FEELINGS are
often understood without 'requisite' developments.
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(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/73161)
Some excellent choices and most I agree with. I thought "The Body" was the best show of the series personally and "Becoming Part 2" the best season finale for any show I have ever seen. Some faves you didn't mention: Season 2's premiere "When She Was Bad," which Joss used to remind us that even when we win, sometimes what happens to us have consequences that resonate long afterwards. In season 4, "New Moon Rising," when Willow finds she must make a choice between an old passion and a new love. In season 5, "Family," which gives us Tara's family and the inclusion of Willow's pertner into the gang. Season 1, "The Puppet Show," gave us a wonderful twist on the ventriloquist dummy storyline and a great chaser over the credits when Buffy, Xander and Willow must perform in the annual "Talentless Show." Season Six's finale "Grave," when we get an unlikely savior to stop the season's big bad. Season Seven's "Storyteller," when Andrew videotapes Buffy and the Potentials as they about preparing to do battle. Season Seven also gave us the wonderful "Lies My Parents Told Me," when we see Spike square off with Robin Wood over an act of vengeance."
And of course, the two Halloween episodes, "Halloween," and "Fear,Itself" ("Who's the little fear monster?")
AS my wife and I both note, Buffy re-runs are *still* better than what passes for first run television most nights.