I will preface this review by saying that Buffy the Vampire Slayer has some of the best episodes of television that I've ever seen. Both 'Hush' and 'A New Man' are absolute masterpieces in my book, and for very different reasons. This show really shines when it stops trying to develop the characters' story arcs and just focuses on those individual episodes with narratives that are completely disconnected to the larger storyline. The secret formula for a fantastic episode seems to be: something odd has happened, Buffy and friends will need to put an end to it immediately and after a few setbacks they do just that.
But aside from those standalone episodes, the writing on this show really does fail to give the viewer what they want almost every step of the way. Just about every likable character gets killed or is written off after doing something horrible to another character. The writers really did have pretty much no self-awareness on that front. The moment you begin to root for someone they're done for and it's all for the sake of over-dramatization and shock value: i.e. Trying to be edgy or shocking and thinking that its good writing. Good writing would be developing strong characters and allowing them to learn, overcome struggles and become their greatest versions. This happens almost never in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Some examples:
Cordelia becomes the likable comic relief and then falls into a pit and gets a metal rod through her stomach. For a moment they make you think she's dead because they cut to some random ass funeral afterwards (there goes that cheap writing again) and then Cordelia breaks up with Xander and shortly after ends up leaving the show forever.
Oz was awesome. Cheats on Willow and then leaves. Good work team.
Willow finally becomes a bad ass witch/wicca. Rather than make her a pivotal helper in the series they make her addicted to it so that she has to stop doing magic altogether. Amazing news.
Tara is super likable. Willow will treat her horribly. But don't worry they'll get back together just in time for Tara to get shot in the chest and die.
Giles (maybe the best character on the entire show) is trying to leave Buffy almost every season because he feels like he is not needed. Time and time again he says he's going back to London, and well- eventually he does go back to London and you know the rest. Here's a tip: if everyone loves a character then make that character useful.
Joyce's death was not necessary and was completely forced. They did get to make the revered "The Body" episode after she passed away though. But honestly, it would not surprise me if they wrote her off solely so that they could make the episode in the first place. That's because they don't know how to write long term character arcs. Like I said before, they're much better at writing short stories.
The Spike narrative is possibly the worst. Back when shows had ratings, this show's ratings came in with SPIKE all over them. People wanted nothing more than for Spike to turn good and to get together with Buffy. The writers kinda/sorta give the people what they want but in a way so horribly executed that they shouldn't have even bothered trying. TLDR: Buffy uses Spike, knowing that he is madly in love with her and then tells him to get away from her and move on. Their tale comes full circle with a pretty graphic sexual assault scene because these writers just cannot do anything right.
I could go on but I don't need to. Watch the show, there's so many great episodes. But don't feel like you need to finish the series because you'll be irked way more than you'll be satisfied.
I give this show a 6 out of 10 overall. But I will give many of the individual episodes 9s and 10s all day long.
But aside from those standalone episodes, the writing on this show really does fail to give the viewer what they want almost every step of the way. Just about every likable character gets killed or is written off after doing something horrible to another character. The writers really did have pretty much no self-awareness on that front. The moment you begin to root for someone they're done for and it's all for the sake of over-dramatization and shock value: i.e. Trying to be edgy or shocking and thinking that its good writing. Good writing would be developing strong characters and allowing them to learn, overcome struggles and become their greatest versions. This happens almost never in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Some examples:
Cordelia becomes the likable comic relief and then falls into a pit and gets a metal rod through her stomach. For a moment they make you think she's dead because they cut to some random ass funeral afterwards (there goes that cheap writing again) and then Cordelia breaks up with Xander and shortly after ends up leaving the show forever.
Oz was awesome. Cheats on Willow and then leaves. Good work team.
Willow finally becomes a bad ass witch/wicca. Rather than make her a pivotal helper in the series they make her addicted to it so that she has to stop doing magic altogether. Amazing news.
Tara is super likable. Willow will treat her horribly. But don't worry they'll get back together just in time for Tara to get shot in the chest and die.
Giles (maybe the best character on the entire show) is trying to leave Buffy almost every season because he feels like he is not needed. Time and time again he says he's going back to London, and well- eventually he does go back to London and you know the rest. Here's a tip: if everyone loves a character then make that character useful.
Joyce's death was not necessary and was completely forced. They did get to make the revered "The Body" episode after she passed away though. But honestly, it would not surprise me if they wrote her off solely so that they could make the episode in the first place. That's because they don't know how to write long term character arcs. Like I said before, they're much better at writing short stories.
The Spike narrative is possibly the worst. Back when shows had ratings, this show's ratings came in with SPIKE all over them. People wanted nothing more than for Spike to turn good and to get together with Buffy. The writers kinda/sorta give the people what they want but in a way so horribly executed that they shouldn't have even bothered trying. TLDR: Buffy uses Spike, knowing that he is madly in love with her and then tells him to get away from her and move on. Their tale comes full circle with a pretty graphic sexual assault scene because these writers just cannot do anything right.
I could go on but I don't need to. Watch the show, there's so many great episodes. But don't feel like you need to finish the series because you'll be irked way more than you'll be satisfied.
I give this show a 6 out of 10 overall. But I will give many of the individual episodes 9s and 10s all day long.