Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Season One)
In every generation there is a chosen one.
She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness.
She is the slayer.
The moment the wolf howled, the theme song started and the opening credits rolled I gleefully smiled. I was about to re-enter the world of Buffy Summers. A girl, like many, is just trying to figure out and navigate the awkwardness of being a teen by day while being a kickass, stake-holding vampire slayer by night.
I remember loving this show so much growing up. It was one of the earliest introductions I had into the supernatural landscape of horror, especially involving teens, and seeing someone as beautiful as Sarah Michelle Gellar (my childhood crush 😍) kick butt made me a dedicated fan.
However, I guess I wasn’t as diehard as I thought because I fell off the show at some point, only watching certain episodes from the later seasons. Therefore, my recollection of storylines, twists and characters are a bit foggy.
To rectify that, I am re-watching the show in its entirety to reclaim my lost title as “a fan of the show”. Let’s sharpen our stakes, enter the Hellmouth and slay into Season One.
Coming in at only 12 episodes this season, I was shocked to see it was that short. However, I think that being reintroduced or even introducing a friend to this show, benefits from having a tight-compact season that gets directly into the action and characters without any of the unnecessary fluff.
For the first season we have a “monster of the week” format where each episode (with the exception of ep. 1, 2 & 12) focuses on a singular demon, monster or supernatural being that our 4 main characters: Buffy, Giles, Xander and Willow have to stop from causing further harm and death.
I really liked this format because not only did it introduce an array of interesting villains episodically, but also helped to depict Hellmouth as a looming threat with its evil it unleashes to residents of Sunnydale. The show is great at using these villains as an allegory for the anxieties that teens face in high school and I appreciated that the villains mostly had storylines that dealt with the issues we felt in high school: loneliness, popularity, social life, unrequited feelings, friendships and self-esteem.
The core ensemble had their individual and necessary strengths to contribute towards successfully stopping the demons rather than simply being minions to Buffy. That helped to keep my interest in them as characters, especially when they appeared on-screen sans Buffy. Speaking of which, let's get into the main and secondary characters we meet:
Buffy Summers: Buffy has a natural charm, sweetness and allure about her, however it’s not long before we see that she is also exceptionally witty, fearless and highly skilled at fighting the scary monsters. All while being packaged in this petite, blonde teen. It’s due to this dichotomy that we are intrigued by this character. Although she’s sometimes overwhelmed by the responsibilities that fall solely on her, she embraces her destiny and displays qualities in each episode that make you understand exactly why she is the chosen one. What I liked about her this season is that amidst the craziness, she’s still a normal teenage girl throughout the show. Dealing with high school issues that don’t bypass her because of who she is. These vulnerabilities made her more relatable and grounded. We got to see what her insecurities and fears are particularly in episode 10: Nightmares and 11: Out of Mind, Out of Sight. By the end of the season we see that she is 100% confident in her role as the slayer and accepting of her destiny.
Willow Rosenberg: Oh Willow. I just can’t help but want to protect her at all costs. Observing her this season reminded me a lot of myself. Someone who was a wallflower, quiet and reserved, doesn’t attract too much attention. Yet also wants to be seen, acknowledged and appreciated badly. She is the most sympathetic character and represents the teen experience from the POV of an overlooked outcast. Willow is modelled as the Velma of the gang; the smart one whose knowledge and tech-savvy help to solve the mystery that week. Giving her a role and purpose that no one else (besides Giles perhaps) can fulfil. What I like is that although she’s sweet and naïve, she isn’t some weak, flimsy leaf blowing in the wind. She has strengths and can stick up for herself when she needs to, mostly in relation to how people treat and view her. She has more agency over herself and recognition of her value than most give her credit for and the fact that she expresses that is really refreshing. Her shining moment is in the episode titled I, Robot…You, Jane.
Xander Harris: Xander is a charismatic and entertaining character that is in the show to shed light on the teen boy perspective and the “nice guys finish last and get friend-zoned” trope. He’s somewhat of a mashup between Shaggy and Fred from Scooby-Doo. However, I do question what specific skill he brings to the group? Deep down we know he wants to be as close to Buffy as possible in an effort to get her to go out with him thus his actions are selfishly motivated, which causes some conflict within the friend group. While he does act immature at times, he shows his loyalty as a friend. I appreciated that about him most and we get to see that highlighted in the episode titled Prophecy Girl.
Mr. Giles: The English librarian who has all the expository information and knowledge about the demons, supernatural beings and vampires. His library is as tightly attached to his character as his blazers and waistcoats are. He’s a watcher — who is a mentor and trainer to Buffy and spends the season helping her claim her destiny as the chosen slayer. Beyond that, he serves as a parental figure and voice of reason to the gang. Often fascinated and perplexed by their teen shenanigans. Albeit weird that he spends so much time with the kids and his dusty books, it was lovely to see him have a potential connection this season with Ms. Calendar, the computer science teacher.
Angel: Although not appearing much in the show, the times he does are interesting. Every teen protagonist needs their love interest to throw them off guard and he does that alright. Intriguing Buffy and in turn being intrigued by Buffy until he realises his feelings for her. Which creates its own conflict and star-crossed dynamic: being that he’s a vampire and she’s a slayer. He may not be innocent but he is helpful and has saved the gang from near death the rare times he surfaces from the shadows. In the finale episode Prophecy Girl, we get to see him put aside his role as a vampire in favour of his love of Buffy.
Cordelia Chase: What is there to say about Cordelia that she wouldn’t say about herself. Probably the most self aware and unaware character at the same time, makes her a beloved bully that is necessary to the show. What she represents, is the true horror of high school…a popular girl. Although she is a secondary character and is there to insult the gang at every chance she can, she does provide many funny moments in the show where we can laugh with her and at her. However, we do get to see why she behaves this way in the episode: Out of Mind, Out of Sight . It provides a deeper insight into her insecurities and issues she faces within high school. Making her more than just a one-dimensional character.
The writing is the shows’ biggest strength. The dialogue feels more authentic than most shows released today, which is ironic because you would think it would feel dated given that it has already been 20+ years since it premiered. I guess sarcasm, wit and quirky remarks never go out of style and there are plenty of those that will have you chuckling. The show also understands how to portray its characters pretty well. It is able to typecast them just enough so that we can get a sense of who they are and what role they play in the show (the nerd, the popular girl, the goof etc.), but also goes against those stereotypes too. Finding the perfect balance between what we already have come to know and what we are intrigued to uncover. As mentioned before, this show works well as an ensemble despite the show centred on a titular character. Each character serves a puzzle piece to the picture and without them it would feel incomplete.
Every episode is tight, fun and never dull. Packed with great action, mystery and character building. My favourite episodes were I, Robot…You, Jane and The Puppet Show. There were heartfelt scenes with Willow depicting her feelings about her chances at love as well as some creepy moments with the ventriloquist dummy in the latter episode which reminded me a lot of Goosebumps’ Slappy and sprinkles of Chucky in Child’s Play.
The practical makeup and effects on the villains were really good, especially the vampires. The snarly face still holds up by today’s standards.
But no show is without its kinks and this season has a few which just made me smirk.
The fact that Giles basically hangs out with teens all day and even at night baffled me. Everyone seemingly is oblivious to this fact, with the exception of Cordelia who comically calls it out from time to time. I guess parents and other authorities don’t exist in Sunnydale. Also, how can these just kids go to Bronze…a club and on school nights! I never understood that, I guess it’s more of a social hangout spot rather than an alcoholic serving establishment. Albeit a cool set piece, I always wondered what the rules were surrounding this club 🤔.
The fight scenes and comical punching sounds were something I had to get used to again.
While the practical effects were good, some of the CGI was questionable, but this is a WB show (now CW) and their CGI on their shows have always had that restricted-budget look to it. If you know, then you know.
Overall I really enjoyed this show, cementing its place as one of my favourites. I would highly recommend it to watch for any first timers who have not seen the show before but understand its pop culture relevance in the 90’s nostalgia zeitgeist.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer gets 5 out 5 crossbows 🏹
Comment below with your thoughts on BTVS: Season One 💭
