DVD Review: Death Is Her Gift - Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Published January 23, 2008
"The Gift"
Buffy’s 100th episode is, in my opinion, the best season finale in the show’s history.
Throw in a major big bad battle, a marriage proposal, and a main character’s poetic death and you’ve got a great ending to an excellent season.
Notable Mentions: "Fool for Love", "No Place Like Home", "Checkpoint"
SEASON SIX
"Once More With Feeling"
Everybody knows that the show had a musical. The funny thing is, this episode was absolutely amazing. Joss Whedon not only directed, but wrote and composed the music. It pushes the story along and you never feel like it’s corny – but actually rather inspired.
"Seeing Red"
Even though I actually loved the sixth season, I did feel that all of the episodes almost ran into each other perfectly and it’s hard to highlight specific ones. Regardless, "Seeing Red" is Buffy the Vampire Slayer at its darkest. This is where things explode and go completely out of control with no restraint. Spike’s attempted rape of Buffy and the final 20 seconds that result in a main character’s death leave a viewer slack-jawed.
Notable Mentions: "Tabula Rasa", "Life Serial"
SEASON SEVEN
"Conversations with Dead People"I actually consider this to be the special episode of the season. Every season in the last four had one ("Hush", "The Body", "Once More With Feeling"). This episode takes three characters and has them talk to - like the title says - dead people for the entire episode. The chilling intro song combined with the episode’s revelations are great television.
"Dirty Girls"
Even though I do like the series finale "Chosen," I like "Dirty Girls" even more. They introduce a new evil character, Caleb, and make the situation even worse for the heroes. The speech/sermon given by Caleb in voice-over is creepy as hell and sets up the beginning of the end perfectly. Also, poor Xander.
Notable Mentions: "Get it Done", "Chosen"
- 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.
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.