Too much work, a nasty cold and the depressing result is for over a week I haven’t managed to read one book. So what to do instead, well there is always the comfort of TV series.
Last Friday, we had a real geek evening, crisps, dip, some nice quality beer and selected favorite episodes of Buffy the vampire slayer. In other word a recipe for a perfect evening. The question were, which of all episodes should we watch..? In the end we decided that one or two per season is probably optimal. To be honest it actually proved to be difficult to pick out just one or two, but a decision was made and the following were selected;
Welcome to the Hellmouth, in the first episode we meet Buffy Summers at her first day at Sunnydale High, were she gets to know Willow and Xander and of course Cordelia and her entourage. Buffy tries to have a fresh start but in the end she have to fight of some of the towns vampires. In all this she also meets Giles her new watcher, who try to get her to embrace her destiny. In Halloween Buffy and her friends get their costumes at the new costume shop in town, Ethan’s. Unfortunately during the evening they all turn in to whatever costume they’re wearing. The wish, when Cordelia’s wish for a Buffy-free Sunnydale comes true we are shown a alternative and chocking world. Doppelgangland, Anya lures Willow to cast a spell that will get her talisman back, the result is the summoning of Willow’s evil double from the alternate universe. Choices Annoying watcher Wesley tells Buffy she can’t leave Sunnydale to go to a finer college, she then focus to sabotage the Mayor’s Ascension plans. While Buffy can’t leave Willow has more than a few fine college to choose from, oh and we se her use a bit magic (go Willow!) The Initiative Riley realizes he has a crush on Buffy and Spike is captured and find himself in a demon research facility. Hush, creatures straight out of a fairytale steals all voices of Sunnydale and sets out to collect hearts.
Unfortunately we didn’t have time to watch all of our favorite episodes this evening, so a new one is planned as we speech 😀
This lovely night reminded me how much I miss this epic series, so here is my (short) stroll down Buffy lane, season 1-4;
Season one
The big bad: the Master
Shocking moment: Angel is a vampire (well to be honest, it wasn’t really surprising or chocking, but still), Buffy dies
Favorite episodes: Welcome to the Hellmouth, Nightmares
Quotes:
[Buffy]“This is not gonna’ be pretty. We’re talkin’ violence, strong language adult content.”
[Willow] “I’m not ashamed. It’s the computer age. Nerds are in. They’re still in, right?”
[Cordelia] “What is your childhood trauma?!?!”
Season two
The big bad: Angelus (Spike and Drusilla really never feels evil enough, but they are just brilliant)
Most annoying or surprising character: Joyce Summers, she just rubs me the wrong way. The introduction of a new slayer
Shocking moment: Angel losing his soul, Angelus killing Jenny (poor Giles) and of course when Angel gets his soul back just minutes before Buffy stabs him in the heart and sends him to hell. My heart gets broken every time, so sad, so chocking.
Favorite episode: Halloween, Innocence, Passion and Becoming part 1&2
Quotes:
[Spike]“If every vampire who said he was at the crucifixion was actually there, it would have been like Woodstock”
[Buffy]“I got older.”
[Oz]“It’s okay, I’m-I’m sorry I almost ate you”
[Buffy]“No, it doesn’t stop. It never stops. Do-do you think I chose to be like this? Do you have any idea how lonely it is? How dangerous? I would love to be upstairs watching TV or gossiping about boys or, god, even studying! But I have to save the world. Again.”
Season three
The big bad: the Mayor (my absolute favorite villain, he is brilliant!)
Most annoying or surprising character: the arrival of a new slayer, Faith
Shocking moment: To be absolute honest there is no real shocking moments this season, Faith fall from grace is interesting, but it is no real surprise. Then there is the end of the love story that is Angel and Buffy, not as chocking as one might expect but it is ever so sad! The Wild horses score from The Prom are soooo setting the mood)
Favorite episode: Band Candy, the Wish, Doppelgangland
Quotes:
[Mayor]“Well, this is exciting, isn’t it? Clandestine meetings by dark of night, exchange of prisoners. I just, I… I feel like we should all be wearing trenchcoats”
[Buffy] “Sure. We can work out after school. You know, if you’re not too busy having sex with my MOTHER”
[Giles] “Because it has to be.”
[Faith]“You’re gonna love it, B. It’s just like fun, only boring”
Season four
The big bad: Adam
Most annoying or surprising character: Adam (what a tame big bad!), oh and there is Riley, you sort of don’t like him just because he isn’t Angel. Poor guy, he didn’t stand a chance.
Shocking moment: Unfortunately there isn’t really any shocking moments in this season, ok there are a few good episodes but all in all season 4 isn’t the strongest or most memorable season of the bunch. The only really good thing is the introduction of Tara and the impact she has on Willow, oh and there is Spike, a season with Spike always gets an extra plus.
Favorite episode: The Initiative, The Wish,
Quotes:
[Spike] “hate being obvious. All fangy and ‘grr!’ Takes the mystery out”
[Xander] “Well, how about this: we whip out the Ouija board, light a few candles, summon some ancient unstoppable evil? Mayhem, mayhem, mayhem; we show up and and kick its ass.”
[Giles] “We can’t let you go until we’re sure that you’re impotent or..”
Well, there it is a short summary of a brilliant series and its first four seasons. I could probably write a whole blog post just about one season at a time, and who knows maybe I will in the future. But for now this will have to do.Do you have any favorite episodes (or character) in these first four seasons?
The dogs of Edinburgh is a prequel to the hit series, I was thrilled when I found this graphic novel since I’m a big fan of the TV series.
the road so far... 