Buffy is one of those shows that I didn't like at first. While I absolutely love novels geared towards teens I tend to not like t.v. shows like that. Why? I hate high school drama story lines and that is usually what those t.v. shows offer. The first three seasons of Buffy is like that and those are my least favorite seasons. Plus, out of all of them, season 1 is my least favorite. It is definitely the weakest story arc and is full of too many cringe worthy moments. With that said, yes, I'm starting with season 1.
I wasn't sure what to go with here. With the X-Files there were overreaching themes that spread out throughout the entire nine season story. Even in their stand alone episodes you could find a pattern to them. So much stuff tied together and overlapped in so many ways that even when they stood apart they were connected.
Buffy is not like that. Yes, there is a story arc each season. And yes, sometimes the events of one season directly effects events in later seasons. And there are many moments that are a direct nod to stories that are to come. But pretty much every episode of Buffy involves defeating an evil. Not investigating it only for it to be covered up. There is closure at the end of each episode. And what themes would there be to talk about? Vampires? They appear in pretty much every episode - especially if you are counting Angel & Spike - not to mention Drusilla & Darla. Witches & magic? Again, that's pretty prevalent. Maybe not in the first few seasons but definitely later on with Willow and then Tara. Friendship? That is the underlying theme to every single episode.
But then I was like wait a minute, friendship. And not just friendship, but relationships in general. That is what Buffy is all about. The relationships between a group of people thrown together in the fight against evil.
New shows are rough. They throw a bunch of people together and hope it sticks and works out. The first two episodes were a little shaky and awkward - especially, I gotta admit, Jesse's character - but by episode three things fell into place pretty good. Plus, Jesse was dead.
Willow, Xander, and Jesse are established old friends. Cordeila is the leader of the popular girls and Jesse is in love with her. Buffy is popular girl material but decides she doesn't actually care for Cordeila so she throws her lot in with the others. Giles is the new librarian and Buffy's new watcher. Angel is a mysterious guy that keeps showing up and giving Buffy cryptic warnings and gifts - which actually sounds kinda creepy. At first Buffy doesn't like him but she starts to warm up to him. Xander is jealous because he loves Buffy. And Jesse is dead, turned by Darla and killed by Xander. And Willow and Xander are determined to help Buffy fight the forces of evil.
Now I know that is not delving very deeply into these relationships but it is only the first four episodes and everyone is still in the stage of establishing themselves within their newfound friendships. I have a lot that I want to say but I also want to save it for when it's actually time to talk about it. For now I'll leave things here. I will say it is interesting watching these relationships play out - especially since I already know how they are going to end.
My favorite episode? Probably "Witch." First of all, it's the first Monster of the Week episode and it shows that Buffy's fight against evil doesn't include just vampires and other demons or monsters. As a matter of fact, in this episode it doesn't even include a monster. Her fight also isn't limited to supernatural beings, it includes humans as well. Amy's mother, Catherine, is a very human witch who is very evil. She swaps bodies with her daughter, magically maims any cheerleader who gets in her way, and actually casts a spell on Buffy to kill her. She is selfish, cold-hearted, self-centered, and has no problem with actually taking someone's life to achieve her goals. Yet Buffy stops her just the same. Which is not to say that Buffy is here to stop any evil human. Catherine isn't running around Misery style maiming people. She is using supernatural means to do it. But she is a human, not a soulless vampire. This episode establishes that Buffy is here to stop any supernatural threat, even if it is a human threat. Buffy isn't here to police humanity but she is here to protect it from the very forces that they are unaware of being out there.
This episode also establishes that Xander and Willow are in this for the long haul. In the first two episodes they were trying to save their friend Jesse. Jesse is now dead but they are refusing to walk away and let Buffy fight the forces of evil on her own. They are determined to help her even when they are not sure how to help. This episode firmly establishes their friendship which is the core story line for the entire run of the t.v. show.
So, the first four episodes?
Welcome to the Hellmouth - Season 1, Episode 1
Synopsis - Buffy transfers to a new school looking to put the past behind herself only to find out that her war against evil will never end. She meets Xander, Willow, Cordeila, Angel, Giles, Darla, and the ill-fated Jesse for the first time.
The Harvest - Season 1, Episode 2
Synopsis - Picking up directly after the previous episode, Buffy and Xander try to save Jesse only to find out that they are too late. Meanwhile, the Harvest that Angel warned her about is happening and Buffy must stop it or the Master will be freed. (Side note: Harmony is introduced for the first time.)
Witch - Season 1, Episode 3
Synopsis - Buffy and Amy try out for cheerleading but everyone who gets in Amy's way gets eliminated from the squad by magic. (Side note: This is Amy's first episode.)
Teacher's Pet - Season 1, Episode 4
Synopsis - Xander is in love with the substitute science teacher but she's actually a giant praying mantis.
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