Top 15 Favourite Buffy The Vampire Slayer TV Episodes
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- 1997–200350mTV-PG9.7 (11K)TV EpisodeDirectorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonEmma Caulfield FordIn this musical extravaganza, Sunnydale residents find themselves bursting into song, and flame, when a demon attempts to make Dawn his bride.Episode 7 of Season 6 is my favourite episode of the entire series because Buffy the Musical works beautifully (it was a risky premise and could have easily failed big time) and is smart and genuinely moving in places while being hilarious in others.
Top marks to all the cast but the standout vocal performance goes to Amber Benson as Tara. She really should be on Broadway.
Another favourite standout moment is 'I'll Never Tell'. - DirectorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganBuffy, Dawn, and their friends deal with the aftermath of Joyce's death.This episode did really deserve major award recognition however the lack of it takes nothing away from this sublime piece of television making.
While it's a difficult watch (for all the right reasons) it captures the loss of a loved one very accurately without the usual staples of endless sobbing and sad music playing dictating the viewers emotional response.
Special shout outs to Sarah Michelle Gellar who gives her finest performance here ; she really demonstrates how significant and cruel it is to lose a parent. Also to Emma Caulfield as Anya who delivers a heartbreaking monologue. - DirectorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganWhen everyone in Sunnydale loses their voice, the Scooby Gang must silently solve the mystery of the monsters who stole their ability to speak.One of the shows trademarks is it's witty, pop-cultural dialogue so it was a brave move to do this episode as a silent one. Of course it pays off in spades and is a major success and highlight of the entire series.
By far the creepiest episode of the series. The design of the villains 'The Gentleman' is a great part of this and their physicality. They float delicately in the air, faces are frozen in a permanent grin and their gentile but deliberate gestures all contribute to them being the best ever monster of the week on the show.
However there is much humour in the premise also and the comedy that follows the losing of the characters voices ranks as some of the best of the series' entire run. The scene with Giles and the projector really does stand out.
I think this episode is a great introduction to Tara played by Amber Benson and her relationship with Willow. - DirectorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganBuffy, Willow, Xander, and Giles experience dreams in which they are pursued by a mysterious figure.The enjoyment of this episode does improve on repeated viewings of it. There are so many layers to it - inner-psychology of the main four characters, foreshadowing of events to occur in the later seasons, character studies of Buffy, Xander, Willow and Giles which touches on issues that go back to season 1 while introducing new ones to be explored in the future as well as the main plot of The First Slayer.
I enjoyed Willow and Xander's dream sequences the most as they concentrated on them as characters more while Buffy and Giles' dreams were more focused on The First. - DirectorNick MarckStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganAfter being bested in a fight by an ordinary vampire, Buffy asks Spike to explain how he killed two Slayers many years earlier.One of my absolute favourite episodes of the series and in TV in general. 'Fool for Love' is a showcase for the talents of James Marsters as the main focus is on Spike. It really fills in a lot of blanks about the history of the character and the Buffy-verse as a whole. It is actually paired with the Angel episode 'Darla' and while you don't need to watch both to enjoy the individual episode ; they compliment each other beautifully. Darla is of the same high standard as this Buffy episode. Epic in scale and rich in character ; it is a delight to watch this double feature to be fully engaged in the tangled back stories of these fascinating characters. It's like one giant history lesson.
The episode is very well directed with the flashback of Spike fighting with the 1970's Slayer on a subway train being a total highlight. However my best loved scenes are the ones which feature Spike, Darla, Angel and Drusilla. I am a big fan of the Vampire family and to have them all together is just beyond awesome. It's a testament to the actors and writers that they created these characters who work great solo and equally as a unit. They share such chemistry in their scenes in any combination. It really is special to see their shared histories in this character piece of a show. The four of them walking in slow motion while at the Boxer Rebellion, China in 1900 is truly epic and goes to prove my point. - 1997–20031hTV-PG8.9 (3.9K)TV EpisodeDirectorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganIn an effort to distract Buffy from the Ascension, the mayor instructs Faith to poison Angel.There are many great moments in this episode ; these include :
1. The Buffy and Faith showdown - always fantastic to see them going into battle against each other. Brilliant fight choreography. Thrilling to watch.
2. The Mayor entering the library scene to taunt the Scooby Gang.
3. Anya scenes - she's always a scene stealer and the potential of the character is shown in this episode.
In general the episode offers some great dialogue such as this gem from The Mayor while eating Gavrock Spiders in preparation for his ascension ....."Mmm. My god, what a feeling. The power of these creatures. It suffuses my being. I can feel the changes begin. My organs are shifting, changing, making ready for the Ascension. Plus these babies are high in fibre. And what's the fun in becoming an immortal demon if you're not regular, am I right?" - DirectorMichael GershmanStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganFaith awakens from her coma and seeks revenge against Buffy.Lots of positives in this episode. A break from the main (mostly unengaging) Initiative arc of Season 4 , The Mayor scenes , Joyce being present (after being absent for most of Season 4) , the dream sequences and of course having Faith back in the show even if it is only for this and the following episode.
She was sorely missed in the Season Four episodes prior to this. However having that break makes her return all the more dramatic. I think it actually serves the story and characters well that Faith didn't awaken from her coma earlier in the season. A big thread of the episode is that The Scoobies and the world in general have moved on while Faith has been having sleepy time. This wouldn't have been so impactful if it was Episode Five of Season Four for example. - DirectorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganSpike strikes an unlikely alliance with Buffy to keep Angel from destroying the world.The second part of this two parter concentrates on Buffy while the previous instalment had Angel as it's focus.
This is quite the emotional episode ....obviously Buffy having to sacrifice Angel is the biggie however Buffy and Joyce's conflict is another intense moment. Paired together they drive the title character away from her life in Sunnydale. A happier moment is Xander by Willow's bed side where he declares how much she means to him and how much he wants her to wake up. Very heartfelt scene. Lastly a scene where Giles sees his ex love Jenny Calender in form of a hallucination hits all the right notes. Anthony Head really effectively displays the heartbreak Giles feels.
It really did serve as a good season finale with wrapping all the season long storylines while introducing new threads. This episode and the consequences of the events that occur in it really introduces a lot of new storylines going forward in the series. Willow becoming a witch ; Spike working with The Scoobies ; The Mayor's arrival as Big Bad of Season 3 ; Faith's activation of becoming a Slayer following Kendra's demise. Lots of good stuff to build upon in the seasons that follow. - DirectorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganAs Glory prepares Dawn for a bloodletting ritual that will open a portal to another dimension, Buffy and her friends prepare for battle.Another excellent powerful season finale. The episode is split into two acts - the first being full of character moments then finally on to one very well executed, extended action piece with a extremely heart-rending climax. Whedon really does craft a moving Season Five Ending that packs an emotional punch.
The episode opens with a special previously on segment which starts from the very beginning of the series and goes through all of Buffy's experiences. The opening montage of clips gradually increases in speed. This serves to show us that everything that came before has lead to this point .... this episode. It can also be viewed as Buffy's life flashing before her (and ours) eyes as it's stated it does before death. Also it's a nice way to mark the show's 100th episode.
Character continuity is always good in this show but this episode especially also displays the same with plot details. Things which seemed stand-alone earlier in the season become important plot points such as The Troll Hammer and The Buffy-Bot. All woven together. Very good writing. - DirectorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganHaving switched bodies with Buffy, Faith enjoys freedom. Meanwhile, Buffy finds herself at the mercy of the Watcher's Council.Lots of pros in this episode ; just a few - Dushku and Gellar's stellar acting ( they really do pull off each other's characters amazingly well), brilliant character development particularly for Faith, Willow and Tara, exceptionally great writing. One of the best of Season 4.
To elaborate on Sarah Michelle Gellar and Eliza Dushku's stellar performances. They nail each other characters with their mannerisms by facial expressions, body movement, speech patterns and so on. SMG gets more to do then ED which is a shame but that is a minor quibble of an outstanding episode. - 1997–20031hTV-PG9.2 (4.1K)TV EpisodeDirectorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganOn Ascension Day, Buffy and her friends prepare for the ultimate battle as they face off against the mayor and a horde of vampires.
- DirectorDavid GreenwaltStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganCordelia's wish for a Buffy-free Sunnydale comes true, plunging her into a world where vampires have control of the town.
- DirectorDavid SolomonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonEmma Caulfield FordAnya's violent and deadly act of vengeance leaves everyone stunned. Buffy must put aside her feelings and take action before more people die.
- DirectorJames A. ContnerStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonEmma Caulfield FordAfter sucking all the energy out of Giles, a powerful Willow sets off to destroy the world.
- DirectorDavid SolomonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganAfter Angel breaks off their relationship, Buffy single-handedly battles three fearsome hell hounds so that her classmates can enjoy their senior prom.