March 2015 celebrated 18 years since the very first episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer aired on TV for the very first time. Joss Whedon brought us seven incredible seasons of a show that is considered as playing a huge part in changing the way that women are portrayed on TV. The character of Buffy Summers proved that woman can be both kick ass and feminine. The show was funny and serious, managing to be a supernatural show that addressed real life human problems.
It’s been 12 years since the last episode aired, yet it still continues to be regarded as one of greatest TV shows of all time. Whilst not every episode will go down in history for being amazing, the show did have some real gems. In fact, there are barely any episodes that we wouldn’t watch again and again.
To celebrate a show that will forever be a cult classic, we have chosen just 4 of our all time favourite Buffy episodes – and believe us it was hard! Enjoy!
Once More, With Feeling
Was there anyone who didn’t love the musical episode of Buffy? We hope not! We think it possibly could be one of the greatest episodes of any TV show ever aired. Yeah we went there! An all singing episode of the show probably sounded like the worst thing ever when the idea was presented, but what we got was pretty amazing.
Thanks to a demon that is summoned, Buffy and the gang are forced to burst into random song throughout the episode, each one expressing their feelings and secrets through the medium of song. Anya and Xander realised that both were scared of marriage, Spike gave away the fact he thought Buffy was using him, Giles revealed his plan to return to England, whilst everyone finally found out that Buffy had been in heaven.
The Body
This episode was equally brilliant and devastating. For anyone who has experienced losing someone they love, this episode will leave you emotionally wiped out by the end. In The Body, the episode starts with Buffy arriving home to find her mother dead on the couch – after suffering a brain haemorrhage. The whole episode takes place without any background music, adding to the sadness of the story. Buffy isn’t a superhero in this episode, she’s simply a young woman who has lost her mum too early.
One moving scene is when Anya, a former demon, is struggling to process the way that humans die. Her monologue is both heartbreaking and fresh.
“I don’t understand how this all happens. How we go through this. I mean, I knew her, and then she’s- there’s just a body, and I don’t understand why she just can’t get back in it and not be dead anymore. It’s stupid. It’s mortal and stupid. And Xander’s crying and not talking, and I was having fruit punch, and I thought, well, Joyce will never have any more fruit punch ever, and she’ll never have eggs, or yawn or brush her hair, not ever, and no one will explain to me why.”
Just one watch of this episode will explain why it’s considered as being their greatest ever episode.
Hush
The silent episode! Over 25 minutes of this episode has no dialogue at all yet is still considered one of the best episodes. Crazy? Maybe, but if you watch the episode, you will know why! It relies on the brilliant acting of the cast, as well as visual storytelling – and it works!
The episode deals with a group of fairytale ghouls named ‘The Gentlemen’ who come to town and steal everyone’s voices so that no one can scream when they take their hearts. Buffy and the gang must work out what has happened and how to stop the murders, whilst not being able to properly communicate with each other.
The episode was nominate for an Emmy Award and is on all top episode lists!
The Gift
What show is brave enough to kill off their main character twice? Buffy the Vampire Slayer was! Okay, she died for like a second in S1 but it still counts. However, when they killed her off in The Gift, there was something a lot more devastating and final about it. For a lot of reasons, it could of served as the last ever episode (but we’re glad it didn’t).
With Glory wanting to sacrifice Dawn to open the gates of Hell, Buffy makes it clear to all of her friends and family that she is prepared to do anything to save her sister. What they didn’t expect was that she was even prepared to sacrifice herself – and she did!
We still can’t get the image of Spike weeping over her dead body out of our heads!
And here are 4 more because we really couldn’t choose: Innocence (S2, Ep14), Becoming Part 2 (S2, Ep22), Graduation Day Part 2 (S3, Ep22), Chosen (S7, Ep22).
We know you’re dying to rush off to rewatch these amazing episodes. In fact, we advise you to stick on Netflix or your DVDS and watch from the very beginning! However, for those who are in need of a new TV to full enjoy the experience, we have plenty of cheap televisions for you to choose from.
Take a look on our website or contact us by ringing 0121 327 3273 and a member of our team will be happy to help.
