When Buffy the Vampire Slayer first appeared on TV, the younger version of myself couldn't get past its embarrassing title. I was sure that the show, which ran weekly on TV, wasn't any good just because the title was so cheesy. The few episodes I stumbled upon surfing the channels did not make me interested in the story and characters. Who could enjoy watching a young girl beating the hell out of monsters?? Not me.
Last year, out of boredom, and after I read several positive reviews, I decided to give it a try. I had it all perfectly planned, you see. If my eyelids won't get heavy and in demand for sleep after the midnight hour, I would watch a Buffy episode. I was still certain that it was a teen fantasy drama and I, this time an adult, will not like it. That's how I started. I watched the majority of the first season with the sole purpose of falling asleep. And then I stopped falling asleep and started really watching. I realized that the writing and the acting wasn't that bad... They were actually pretty damn good, considering the low budget and the sometimes awful special effects (especially the first season). Episode by episode, line by line, scene by scene, it started growing on me. By the 5th season I was loving it! And when it ended, I was disappointed in myself that I waited that long to get over my prejudice and misconceptions.
Yesterday, I started watching it again, while waiting for the current favorite shows to finish filming. But that's not the real reason. Ever since I finished it last year, I missed it. I kept thinking about it. I kept comparing the newer fantasy TV Shows, like Grimm and Supernatural, to it and they seem bland, now that I have witnessed the original. It did not only grow on me, it got stuck and it won't go away. And I'm perfectly fine with it. Saying the title out loud is still embarrassing, especially when I'm in the company of people who have no idea what I'm talking about or they decided (like my younger self) that it's not worth it. And that's why I'm making this short list with the things I loved about it.
1. The writing, the dialogue, the humor and the drama
Last year, out of boredom, and after I read several positive reviews, I decided to give it a try. I had it all perfectly planned, you see. If my eyelids won't get heavy and in demand for sleep after the midnight hour, I would watch a Buffy episode. I was still certain that it was a teen fantasy drama and I, this time an adult, will not like it. That's how I started. I watched the majority of the first season with the sole purpose of falling asleep. And then I stopped falling asleep and started really watching. I realized that the writing and the acting wasn't that bad... They were actually pretty damn good, considering the low budget and the sometimes awful special effects (especially the first season). Episode by episode, line by line, scene by scene, it started growing on me. By the 5th season I was loving it! And when it ended, I was disappointed in myself that I waited that long to get over my prejudice and misconceptions.
Yesterday, I started watching it again, while waiting for the current favorite shows to finish filming. But that's not the real reason. Ever since I finished it last year, I missed it. I kept thinking about it. I kept comparing the newer fantasy TV Shows, like Grimm and Supernatural, to it and they seem bland, now that I have witnessed the original. It did not only grow on me, it got stuck and it won't go away. And I'm perfectly fine with it. Saying the title out loud is still embarrassing, especially when I'm in the company of people who have no idea what I'm talking about or they decided (like my younger self) that it's not worth it. And that's why I'm making this short list with the things I loved about it.
1. The writing, the dialogue, the humor and the drama
What makes Buffy the Vampire Slayer to rise above its occasionally low value production, is the remarkable writing. The dialogue is filled with snappy/witty lines and pop culture references .The story arcs allow the characters to grow and drastically change, and in the same time remain believable and relatable. Buffy and her friends, the Scooby gang, grow on screen. We can see them as high school students, college students and then finally, as adults. While Buffy might be considered mainly a fantasy drama, it doesn't lack comedy. In fact, its comedic side kept me watching at first.
2. Strong characters
2. Strong characters
Buffy is a feminist TV Show, no doubt about it. I may not be The Avengers' biggest fan (or Firefly) but Joss Whedon is a god when it comes to feminism. His female characters, in general, are independent, intelligent and self sufficient. Buffy is beautiful but the men in the show aren't attracted to her because of her looks. Her presence demands respect. And she saves the world, again and again.
With that being said, it doesn't mean that only Buffy, Willow and Anya are the only strong characters in the show. Oh no. The men are also thoughtfully and thoroughly written. They all, men and women, have qualities and imperfections. They make mistakes, fail and rise again.
3. Relationships, hardships and death
With that being said, it doesn't mean that only Buffy, Willow and Anya are the only strong characters in the show. Oh no. The men are also thoughtfully and thoroughly written. They all, men and women, have qualities and imperfections. They make mistakes, fail and rise again.
3. Relationships, hardships and death
Another incredible thing about Buffy the Vampire Slayer is how it deals with normal human interactions. Over the course of the series, Buffy (and her friends) befriends and unfriends people, she falls in and out of love and when her mother dies, she has to quit college and join the workforce, to keep up with the bills. She's also left in charge of Dawn, her little sister. It's not only about the supernatural in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It also deals with many real life problems.
4. The vampires and other monsters
4. The vampires and other monsters
Twilight taught young girls that you can love a vampire and he can love you back, hence humanizing to great degrees, this supernatural creature. Buffy shows that vampires are evil to their core. Lacking the human soul, they become the blood frenzied monsters and feeding becomes their raison d'être. Although Buffy is a vampire slayer she is also the only one capable to fight other creatures of the night, crawling in the shadows. She assumes the role of the town's protector and Sunnydale never lets her get bored. Being the Hellmouth, the place is filled with every creature imaginable, already existing in mythology or invented by Joss Whedon. Like the creepy dudes from "Hush".
5. It's OK to be different
5. It's OK to be different
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is all about being different, the odd one out. Buffy is the Slayer (big emphasis on THE). There isn't anyone like her, not while she's alive. Her best friend, Willow, is gay and she's also a witch. Anya is a former demon, learning the human ways and falling in love with a human boy. And yet, they accept each other without questioning. And that's what makes this show so great. You don't have to hide who you are because chances are that everyone's a little different. And you'll always find your own little group to fit in.
If you haven't watch it, give it a try. You might like it!
If you haven't watch it, give it a try. You might like it!