DVD Review: Death Is Her Gift - Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Published January 23, 2008
Notable Mention: "Never Kill a Boy on the First Date"
SEASON TWO
"Innocence"
What people don’t get sometimes is that Buffy the Vampire Slayer was actually quite a dark little show. "Innocence" is the episode for me where any illusion that I had of Buffy as a typical teen drama was shattered. Angel, Buffy’s first love, is cursed — a vampire with a soul who can allow no happiness to enter his life or he risks turning evil again. Buffy, on her 17th birthday, loses her virginity to Angel — an act that destroys her world as a newly de-souled Angel becomes a deranged killer whose only obsession is to cause her pain.
It’s the ultimate symbolism against teen sex — a once caring and gentle Angel bares his fangs as a direct result of their night together.
"Passion"
I remember the first time I watched this episode I was completely riveted and affected. Beginning with Angelus’ monologue explaining passion and how it becomes almost like a beast ruling our lives, this episode delves deeper into Angel’s obsession with Buffy. He loves her and cares for her, which makes his passion her downfall. He watches her in her sleep and taunts her with this fact – and in an act of aggression kills a main character.
"Becoming Part 2"
The second season finale is not only quite possibly my favorite episode of the season, but one of my favorites in the entire seven-year run. The final showdown between Buffy and Angel occurs — and Joss Whedon sticks the knife in deeper (no pun intended) by bringing Angel back to the side of good, only to force Buffy to run a sword through him to save the world.
Notable Mentions: "Lie To Me," "I Only Have Eyes for You"
SEASON THREE
"Earshot"
Due to the various school shootings that were happening at the time this episode was slated to run, it was originally omitted from the third season and aired much later than intended. The funny thing is, this episode turned out to be one of my favorite in the entire season. As a result of slaying a telepathic demon, Buffy acquires its powers and begins to lose control — overwhelmed by everybody’s thoughts. In the maelstrom of insecure, horny, nervous teenager thoughts, Buffy hears one single voice: "Tomorrow you will all be dead." The comedic timing in this episode is particularly genius with some funny and classic scenes.
- DVD Review: Death Is Her Gift - Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- Published: January 23, 2008
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Writer: Alvaro
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#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.
Add your comment, speak your mind
(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.