Day 30: What You Think Made Buffy So Great

I don't even know where to begin. Buffy is my favorite television show because it stands above the rest in a plethora of ways. So I've decided to make a top-ten list.

Reason 10: Variety
When I found out that we were going to watch Buffy in my AP English class, I was upset for a single reason: I don't do horror. Because you year the title Buffy the Vampire Slayer and assume that it must be a horror show. But it's so much more than that. It's drama. It's comedy. It's action. It's adventure. It's sci-fi. It has a musical episode. And a silent-movie type episode. Buffy is a little bit of everything, sometimes all at once. Some of the funniest lines come in the midst of the most intensely dramatic episodes. And Buffy is still effectively written in every single aspect of those genres.

Reason 9: Humor
I love the humor found in Buffy. I already mentioned that there are plenty of humorous quotes. I also love that the characters are able to laugh at themselves and find humor in their own situations.

Reason 8: Unpredictability
Buffy is not a predictable show. I mean, it's original premise was about what might happen if the blonde girl who always got killed first in a horror movie was actually the only one who could stop the monsters. The first scene of the show reveals that when a "bad-boy" brings a girl into the school to create mischief, the girl is actually a vampire and kills the boy. Then in the opening two-part episode, one of the characters that seems like he will wind up being a regular is killed off. How's that for doing the unexpected. Not to mention the plot twists in nearly every episode. Plus the times that other main characters, such as Jenny or Tara, are killed off. Or even the times that Buffy herself dies. Then there are the humorous, ironic cuts between scenes at times. The show is unpredictable, and I love it.

Reason 7: Continuity

There is a remarkable sense of continuity in Buffy. Episodes are referenced seasons later, both in meaningful ways and simply in passing. The foreshadowing is phenomenal - most significantly in the lead-up to Dawn's appearance in the show. I just love that so many events in the show remained important for years to come. In addition, many of the themes of the show were carried from the series premier to the series finale. As were many character arcs. It's hard to find this elsewhere.

Reason 6: Dialogue
When I first watched Buffy the entire way through, I was grabbed by the dialogue. It's snappy and unique. At times it's humorous. At others, it's meaningful. The conversations sound real, not fake or corny - and when they are they're portrayed is such. I have trouble narrowing each episode down into even 20 memorable and/or meaningful quotes.

Reason 5: Risk-Taking
Joss Whedon took a lot of risks with Buffy over the years. Most significantly are the episodes "Hush," "Restless," "The Body," and "Once More With Feeling." And the best thing about what happened when Whedon took risks is that he was able to turn something that could be a gimmick into something immensely meaningful. The best episodes and best moments of Buffy stem from risks that were taken and turned into great successes.

Reason 4: Depth  
I've loved a lot of TV shows over the years, but I've gotten bored of many of them. Given, it took a number of years for me to hit that point, and I'm only into a year of Buffy. However, most other shows that I've loved I've never continued to rediscover. I re-watch episodes and learn nothing knew but instead laugh at the same jokes and cry at the same intense events. But with Buffy, I continually learn more. Each episode re-watch brings me new understanding of something - a character, a theme, underlying meanings. There's just so much new information to discover yet. Furthermore, I believe that this is the reason that some universities offer courses and degrees in Buffy Studies.

Reason 3: Superb Acting
The actors who make up the cast of Buffy are phenomenal. They really make their characters come to life. Furthermore, there exist so many times that they go above and beyond the call of duty to make their characters real to the audiences. Times such as Sarah Michelle Gellar in "Who Are You?", James Marsters in "Seeing Red," Alyson Hannigan in any painful scene, Emma Caulfield in "The Body," the entire cast in "Once More with Feeling," and so much more.

Reason 2: Emotional Intensity
I love the emotional intensity of Buffy. My favorite moments of Buffy are those that are most painful. Not because I enjoy pain, but because they are so beautifully crafted. Only can Buffy make me so sad when a character experiences pain. Only can the final scene of "The Gift" leave me so broken. Only can Buffy, as my favorite BtVS reviewer puts it, "emotionally bring me to my knees," and "punch you in the gut and then kick you while you're down." Buffy, emotionally, is painful, and beautiful, and real.

Reason 1: Characters
I wouldn't love Buffy if it weren't for the characters. I began to watch the series itself because I fell in love with the character Buffy. But the more I get to know these characters, the more attached to them I feel. I love to watch them develop and mature. I love to watch their relationships with each other. I love to continue to watch and discover their stories - their hopes, their dreams, their strengths, their weaknesses, their joys, their pains. Their depth and realism continues to awe me. Without such amazing characters, Buffy could not be as incredibly amazing as it is.



For more reasons that I also agree with see this article from my favorite Buffy review site: "Ten Things Buffy Does Best"

Day 29: Episode You Hate That Everyone Else Loves

This category comes down to two different subcategories for me.
On the one hand, most people seem to love the episode "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered." Some would even argue that this is the most humorous episode of BtVS. I just don't understand the hype. A bit humorous, perhaps, but not one of my go-to funny episodes. And I feel that, for the most part, it contributes little to the rest of the show as a whole. I understand the value of a good standalone, but this just doesn't match up to other high-level standalones in my eyes. So, I don't hate it, persay, but I don't find it as enthralling as most people seem to.
An episode I can't stand, on the other hand, is "Lies My Parents Told Me." I understand its value, but I just hate watching it. In particular, this episode ruins Giles for me. Thankfully, I can still re-watch the series and enjoy Giles up to this episode, but after it I just can't like him anymore. This may be partially due to the fact that my two favorite characters are Buffy and Spike, and Giles treats both of them incredibly badly in this episode. It also breaks my heart to see the mentoring relationship between Giles and Buffy be broken in this episode. Despite the argument that Buffy had grown past a need for Giles, I think that you don't generally grow out of a mentoring relationship like that one. But maybe that's just me. Either way, on a subjective level, I can't stand this episode.

Day 28: Character You Love to Hate

Here's the deal: Glory annoys the crap out of me. The first time I watched the series, I had a really difficult time getting through Season 5 simply because I couldn't stand watching Glory. She is the popular, rich girl that no one can stand for being self-centered and dumb and getting away with both because she has the power to. Hate Glory. So much.
But I eventually came to realize that the fact that Glory is so annoying is part of what makes her a fantastic villain. She's a god, for crying out loud. She's supposed to have all that power and be able to do whatever she wants without ever really having to deal with the consequences.
So, as much as there are times that I can't stand to watch her, Glory's irritating nature is what makes her a good villain, and, as such, is the character that I most love to hate.

I must add, though, that Principal Snyder gets an honorable mention.

Day 27: Cutest Moment

There are so many cute moments of Buffy. I could name endless ones. But the one that comes to mind at the moment is in "Triangle" when Spike is rehearsing an apology to Buffy for his contribution to her breakup with Riley and Riley's leaving town. This is just one of the many moments where he tries to do the right thing to show Buffy how he feels about her, screws up even in his rehearsal of an apology, and then starts over again. I love it.

Other cute moments include:

• The end of "Amends"
• Angel talking to Buffy in "Helpless" about when he saw her before she became the Slayer
• Xander's speech to Dawn in "Potential"
• Spike and Buffy in "Touched"
• And lots more...

Day 26: Favorite Scooby Moment

My favorite Scooby moment was the call back to "The Harvest" in "Chosen." I love that even after all they've been through, Buffy, Willow, and Xander can still talk about trivial things while Giles wants to talk about saving the world. It shows a lightheartedness in the group that's been missing for some time, but I think that "Chosen" is one of the most optimistic episodes since the early seasons, so it fits here. And, I don't know, I just think it's really cute. Also, "The earth is definitely doomed!"

Day 25: Favorite Buffyverse Saying

"The hardest thing in this world is to live in it"

The fact that the two episodes in which this line appears are my top to favorite episodes certainly comes into account. In addition, I think it says a lot about real life. Every day can be a struggle. What I really like, is that this phrase is used in an inspirational way. I can't quite find the words to explain how great this particular Buffyverse saying is, but I really like it.

I also read somewhere once that Buffy is the origin of adding the letter "y" to the end of a noun to make it an adjective. (e.g. focus-y). I've begun to use this frequently and didn't realize that it was weird until I used the word teacher-y and people looked at me like I was crazy. Then I realized the only other friends I know who do the same thing frequently are also Buffy fans.

And, you know, I could probably list quotes for days. But I'll just list a few of my favorites.

Meaningful Quotes 

“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.” – Buffy, Becoming Part 2 (2x22)

"Strong is fighting! It's hard, and it's painful, and it's every day. It's what we have to do. And we can do it together." - Buffy, Amends (3x03)

"My life happens to, on occasion, suck beyond the telling of it. Sometimes more than I can handle. And it's not just mine. Every single person down there is ignoring your pain because they're too busy with their own. The beautiful ones. The popular ones. The guys that pick on you. Everyone.  If you could hear what they were feeling. The loneliness. The confusion. It looks quiet down there. It's not. It's deafening." - Buffy, Earshot (3x18)

“But I don't understand! I don't understand how this all happens. How we go through this. I mean, I knew her, and then she's, there's just a body, and I don't understand why she just can't get back in it and not be dead anymore. It's stupid. It's mortal and stupid. And, and Xander's crying and not talking, and, and I was having fruit punch, and I thought, well, Joyce will never have any more fruit punch ever, and she'll never have eggs, or yawn or brush her hair, not ever, and no one will explain to me why. “ – Anya, The Body, (5x16)

“Dawn, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will *always* love you. But this is the work that I have to do. Tell Giles ... tell Giles I figured it out. And, and I'm okay. And give my love to my friends. You have to take care of them now. You have to take care of each other. You have to be strong. Dawn, the hardest thing in this world ... is to live in it. Be brave. Live. For me.” - Buffy, The Gift (5x22)

“Life's not a song. Life isn't bliss. Life is just this. It's living. You'll get along. The pain that you feel you only can heal by living. You have to go on living. So one of us is living.” – Spike, Once More With Feeling (6x07)

Funny Quotes 

“But... cute guy! Teenager! Post-pubescent fantasies!” – Buffy, Never Kill a Boy on the First Date (1x05)

“Are we overlooking the idea that she may be very attracted to me? She's possessed.” – Xander, When She Was Bad (2x01)

“Oh! I know this one! Slaying entails certain sacrifices, blah blah biddy blah, I'm so stuffy, give me a scone.” – Buffy, Inca Mummy Girl (2x04)

“Oh, he's a vampire! Of course! But the cuddly kind, like a Care Bear with fangs.” – Cordelia, Halloween (2x06)

“You won. All right? You came in and you killed them and you took their land. That's what conquering nations do. It's what caesar did, and he's not going around saying, "I came, I conquered, I felt really bad about it." The history of the world isn't people making friends. You had better weapons, and you massacred them. End of story.” – Spike, Pangs (4x08)

“And I'm just supposed to help you out of the evilness of my heart?” – Giles, A New Man (4x12)

“A d- Please! A date? You are completely off your bird! I mean - Do you want it to be?” – Spike, Crush (5x14)

“Easy. We burn the house to the ground and collect the insurance. Plus, fire? Pretty. You guys, I'm kidding. Okay, it's, it's bills, it's money. It's pieces of paper sent by bureaucrats that we've never even met. It's not like it's the end of the world. Which is too bad, you know, 'cause that, I'm really good at.” – Buffy, Flooded (6x04)

“Be free, kittens!” – Buffy, Life Serial (6x05)

Day 23: Two Characters You Wanted to Get Together That Never Did

I actually think that most of the relationships that I wanted to see happen actually happened on the series. There are a number of relationship revisions I would have liked to see. I want Buffy and soulful Spike to wind up together eventually. I wish Xander and Anya had gotten back together post-wedding-that-wasn't. I wish that Giles and Jenny could have had a longer relationship. I wish that Xander and Willow could have wound up together in a different way. I wish Tara and Willow's reunion could have lasted longer (but appreciate all that we got because of Tara's death). But I can't think of a time that there were two characters I thought should get together that didn't.
Now, if we were talking about Angel, I'd have more to say about this - particularly in terms of relationships that never got a chance to really start (Angel & Cordy; Wes & Fred) - but I'll save that rant for another time.

Day 22: Best Xander-Centric Episode

I think that the best Xander-Centric Episode is definitely "The Zeppo." A big part of Xander's arc through the years is him finding confidence in who he is and in his abilities. Most Xander-Centric episodes that I can think of revolve around him trying to find such a sense of confidence. In "The Zeppo," the rest of the Scoobies imply that it is too dangerous for Xander to join with them in the fight against demons. Cordelia, as she tends to, rubs this in further, which is extra salt in the wound after their break-up. What I like particularly about this episode is that when Xander finds himself up against a supernatural occurrence of his own, he is able to take care of it himself without becoming super not-confidence Xander. I should add that when Xander is lacks confidence to an extreme degree, I get annoyed, as this is often when Xander's worst traits are accentuated. In "The Zeppo," when Xander is unable to get help from the rest of the Scoobies, he figures it out by himself by at least acting the part of confident, which, in actuality, shows the confidence that he has. In addition, the juxtaposition of the uber-dramatic scenes among the rest of the Scoobies and Xander's own troubles is hilarious, which only adds to the excellence of this episode.

Day 21: Best Willow-Centric Episode

Sorry for the delay in posts. I haven't been around internet since Friday morning.

I keep having to remind myself that this says "best" and not "favorite." So I'd have to go with something from the end of Season 6. I just rewatched "Villains," "Two to Go," and "Grave" in an attempt to determine which of these three is the best, and I still can't figure it out. So for the first time, I completely refuse to choose. The entire arc of these three episodes shows us so much of who Willow is, where she came from, and who she has come to be. It sums up much of her character arc to this point in the series so incredibly.

"Villains" shows us once again Willow's tendency to use magic to deal with painful situations. Willow reacts to Tara's death by jumping back into the use of magic, and continually uses magic to take action in an attempt to ease the pain of Tara's death.

Before today's rewatch, "Two to Go" seemed an uneventful episode in between the other two. But today, one of Willow's lines stood out to me:

Willow: Let me tell you something about Willow: she's a loser. And she always has been. Everyone picked on Willow in junior high, high school, up until college with her stupid mousy ways and now - Willow's a junkie... The only thing Willow was ever good for - the only thing going for me - were those moments - just moments - when Tara would look at me and I was wonderful. And that will never happen again.

This line is so important to what comes in "Grave." We come to understand, really understand, how Willow sees herself as a character. By the standards of the world, by her own standards, she is nothing. She is worth nothing - undeserving of any sort of love. But Tara loved her for who she was, and that really meant something. For Willow to lose the only person she thought could love her unconditionally meant losing any sense of self-worth. And that is what led her to this point.

The episode "Grave" only makes things worse. We are already well-aware that Willow can't handle pain. When Willow takes the magic from Giles, she is able to feel all the pain in the world. So she once again turns to magic, this time to end the world entirely. But Xander is able to stop her. Why? Because he loves her at her worst. This is where her statement in "Two to Go" becomes important. Her greatest personal pain stems from the fear that no one will love her if they see all her faults. But as she stoops to her lowest point, trying to end the world, Xander still loves her. And she can deal. Because coping with personal pain is somehow always easier when there's someone that loves you standing by your side. Because it's easier to find a sense of self-worth when someone else tells you that you're worth something.

All that said, I have to admit that I wasn't looking forward to writing this post. I've never been as enamored with Willow as many BtVS fans. But watching this three-episode arc reminded me how well Willow's character arc was crafted (minus a few details here and there). And these three episodes are fantastic. If I had to choose a favorite of these three, it would be "Grave," for how it shows other characters. But looking for best, I cannot separate the three because none fully represent as much as all three do together.

Day 20: Best Spike-Centric Episode

I would have to say that the best Spike-Centric Episode is "Fool for Love." More than any other Spike-centric episode, this one gives us immense insight to Spike as a character. Particularly, the episode shows Spike when he was still William. His life as William seems to be the origin of his romantic nature. Furthermore, the way he was treated as William also is the origin of his bad boy ways - his method of getting back at everyone who thought less of him and for making up for the social outcast he was. The episode also marks a turning point for Spike. At the end, rather than taking revenge on Buffy for rejecting him, Spike sees her pain and takes compassion on her. The episode wraps all in one episode who Spike was, who Spike is, and who Spike is going to be.

Day 19: Character You Like That Everyone Else Hates

I love Dawn. And she never annoyed me. I mean, I feel like I saw her through Buffy's eyes as the annoying kid sister, but I feel like that's part of what her character was supposed to be. I mean, I know lots of people point out that Buffy was way more mature at the same age, but I would point out that Buffy was more mature because she had to grow up early as the Slayer. And I think that because she had to grow up early, Buffy tried to protect Dawn from that world so that Dawn could stay a kid for as long as possible. Not that Dawn appreciated this, but what teenaged girl would?
People also say Dawn's whiny. But think about what she faced in Season 5 alone. She found out she wasn't real and all her memories were made up by monks. A hell god was trying to find her in order to ritually kill her. Her mom had a brain tumor and, after successful surgery, died of post-op complications. She was kidnapped and nearly killed only to be saved by her sister who died in her place. And I note that that's just Season 5. She's had a tough time of it, so of course she's not going to be happy all the time. And she's going to act out when no one seems to notice her existence much less the fact that she's dealing with deep inner turmoil. Is she always fun to watch? No. But do I see where she's coming from? Most definitely.
I also wrote a couple of days ago that Dawn is the Buffy character that I relate to the most. I understand her feelings of being invisible in the midst of pain, so she has a special place in my heart.
But even with my personal biases, I think Dawn gets a way worse rep than she deserves.

Day 18: Character Who Didn't Get Enough Screen Time

The character I think didn't get enough screen time would have to be Jonathan Levinson. Not him in high school, but him from the point he realized the darkness Warren brought into the Trio and beyond. I think there was some depth to Jonathan's realization of the evil that was emerging in the group that could have been more meaningfully explored. And from that point on, I always wanted to see him join the Scoobies. He would have added an interesting dynamic, and I came to feel for him as he found himself trapped in a bad situation in which he no longer had any sort of control, so of course I wanted to see him join the "good" side in a significant way. I held out hope even through most of "Conversations with Dead People," but then Andrew killed him. And then for the rest of the season we were stuck with... Andrew. I do appreciate Andrew's arc, particularly from "Storyteller" through "Chosen," but I would have been much less annoyed if Jonathan had been the one to join forces with the Scoobies.

Day 17: Character That You Relate to the Most

Please don't hate me... But the Buffy character that I relate to the most is Dawn, particularly in Season 6. I've spent much of the last two years dealing with personal crap. And most of the friends that I see every day have either been oblivious to the obvious or have ignored it completely. The song "Dawn's Lament" in "Once More with Feeling," could have been my personal anthem last year. Have I been through the ridiculous amount of crap that Dawn has? No. But I understand what it feels like to be going through a hard time and send out cries for help only to go totally ignored and belittled by the people around me.

Day 16: Episode You Like that Everyone Else Hates

One of the many episodes of Buffy that I enjoy that everyone else hates is "Beer Bad." I find it quite humorous, actually. I know that the  "Don't drink alcohol - it turns you into a bumbling idiot" message is a bit overt for the Buffyverse. However, I find watching cave-Buffy to be hilarious. And this episode also displays some of Xander's better traits. Furthermore, I find it entirely satisfying to see cave-Buffy's actions toward Parker rather than the sulky, regular Buffy's actions toward Parker. Overall, this is one of the episodes of Buffy that I go to when I want to watch a funny episode.

Day 15: Favorite Male Villain

I feel entirely torn in choosing a favorite male villain. There are two that I find entirely chilling and effective as villains: Angelus and Warren Mears.
Angelus is an immensely dangerous villain: one of the most dangerous vampires of his time. And his psychological warfare against Buffy is frightening. In addition, he has many great lines and is acted well by David Boreanaz.
Warren Mears is a chilling and effective villain because he is so real. Watching his presence in Seasons 5-6 is watching a misogynist boy turn into a true psychopath. His entire goal in life is to get whatever he wants however he can get it, trampling on anyone in his way. Most disturbing is his treatment of his ex-girlfriend in "Dead Things," though "Seeing Red" offers a deeper insight into his evilness as well. Warren as a villain truly scares me because, unlike many villains and monsters in the Buffyverse, Warren is the image of so many real-world men. In a season where life is the "Big Bad," Warren adds another element of dark reality.

Day 14: Favorite Female Villain

I apologize in advance for the lame blog post because I honestly can't decide. Here's the deal: most of the female villains on Buffy annoy the crap out of me. In some cases (i.e. Glory) this makes them a good villain. But that doesn't mean that I actually enjoy watching them.
So, the best answer I can think of is The First Evil when it takes female form. The First's many female character forms are chilling and effective as villains. The First Evil is able to take many good-guy female characters and manipulate their traits to be evil. I am mesmerized when watching them. So that is my answer.

Day 13: Favorite Potential Slayer

I'm going to be honest, I never latched on to the potentials all that much. I don't dislike them, I just never felt emotionally attached to them like I do most other BtVS characters. So it's difficult for me to choose a favorite.
But I suppose if I had to choose I would have to say Amanda. There's just something about her dorkiness from the first time she appears in the show (Help if I remember correctly). She was only the only potential I was every legitimately sad to see die. In fact, the first time I realized that she was one of the potentials who died in Chosen, I went into denial until I confirmed it in a source other than the episode itself.

Day 12: Least Favorite Episode

Choosing my least favorite Buffy episode has been difficult. There are certainly a number of sub-par ones in existence, but none that I really hate. And even the sub-par episodes have redeeming lines and moments.
I suppose if I had to pick... I'd have to go with "Doublemeat Palace." It just never really grabbed me. And the wig lady, though a definite plot twist, wasn't the greatest monster-of-the-week. Mostly, when watching it, I just get bored.

Day 11: Least Favorite Romance

This is another one of those posts that could easily make me rather unpopular. My least favorite romance is, without a doubt, Spuffy. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, it refers to the romance between Spike and Buffy. If you remember from previous posts, these are my two favorite characters in the Buffyverse. However, I don't like the two of them together in Season 6. I really wish I could say differently, but, I can't.
Also mentioned in previous posts, I fell in love with Spike after he fell in love with Buffy. He tried so hard to prove himself to her from his epiphany moment in Season 5 through the end of the series. And I really do believe that he loved her that entire time.
But romance simply can't be a one-way street. Buffy was really good for Spike, but a romantic relationship with Spike wasn't good for Buffy. Their relationship was damaging to Buffy from the beginning. In "Once More with Feeling," Buffy sings in "Coda" of her budding relationship with Spike "This isn't real, but I just wanna feel." When Buffy was pulled out of heaven, she became emotionally numb to the world, and the only way she saw out of that was to jump into a relationship that would at least allow her to feel something. Spike was her escape from the deep depression she faced after being resurrected. She used him to avoid the painful healing processes that she needed to work through. But because she knew it wasn't right, she felt worse about herself in the end.
If the romance had happened differently; if it hadn't been so damaging to Buffy, I would have loved it. After making it all the way through the series twice, and knowing that Spike returns in Season 5 of Angel, I've actually come to want Buffy to wind up with Spike rather than Angel, because once a strong friendship formed between Buffy and Spike in Season 7, I think they would be good for each other. However, as their Season 6 romance exists in the series, it is my least favorite romance in BtVS.

Day 10: Least Favorite Season

My least favorite season of Buffy would have to be Season 1. Don't get me wrong, I still love Season 1, and I'm a lot more tolerant of its campiness than a lot of Buffy fans seem to be. The dialogue was fantastic. But, most of the time, it didn't have that emotional pull that really sucked me in in the later seasons. "Angel" had some intensity to it, but true emotional intensity was never reached until "Prophecy Girl" in Buffy's "I don't want to die" speech. The depth that Buffy reached in later seasons was just never quite matched by Season 1.

Day 9: Favorite Romance

Choosing a favorite romance has been difficult for me. There are many very good ones, but few that have really grabbed me. In fact, the only one that ever really grabbed me was Buffy and Angel (or Bangel, as most fans refer to it). So I suppose I would have to say that it's my favorite.
However unrealistic the romance may be, I have always gravitated toward such types of romance. (Think classic chick flick.) I can't say I understand why I love such types of romances, but I do. And because I had a preconceived notion of Buffy and Angel being together for years before I discovered that anything else existed, I felt rather attached to it for a long time. In fact, if the Angel-Cordy romance didn't exist on AtS, I would probably still cling to the idea of Buffy and Angel eventually winding up together. But when you return to Seasons 1-3, I still love to watch Buffy and Angel as a couple.
For the record, though, this post was required to be about my favorite romance. If I had to choose a best romance, it would have to be Willow and Tara because they're the best and most realistically functioning couple.

Day 8: Favorite Friendship

My favorite friendship in Buffy is definitely Buffy and Spike in Season 7. I like that each will stand up for the other to no end. And I think they understand each other better than any of the other characters understand them that season, so the friendship means a lot at that point. I think that understanding creates one of the deepest friendships in the Buffyverse. I love to see that depth, and that's why, among the many fantastic friendships in Buffy, Season 7 Buffy and Spike is my favorite friendship.

Day 7: Least Favorite Male Character

Few characters in the Buffyverse annoy me much. But least favorite male character has both Riley and Xander in the running.
Riley I actually loved in Season 4. It was his inability to deal with weakness in Season 5 that got to me. I don't think he was ever quite able to be okay with the fact that Buffy was stronger than him. I also think that he dealt well with Buffy's inability to lean on him emotionally at toward the beginning of Season 5. While I understand that in a relationship, both parties should be able to lean on each other emotionally. But I think that Buffy literally felt that she couldn't lean on anyone emotionally or show any sign of emotional weakness when dealing with her mom's illness or Dawn's true identity. That's something Riley should have worked through with her rather than judging her for. And while the relationship was clearly over, I never appreciated the way he left. Or the way he reappeared in Season 6 for that matter. And it's left me with a distaste for the character.
Xander annoys me for seeing things in black-and-white. There is no gray in Xander-vision. Xander's hatred for Angel drives me crazy, especially prior to Innocence. Then Xander's unwillingness to forgive most other characters for any wrongdoing drives me crazy as well. I think the only girls he ever lets off easily are Cordelia and Anya, who he dated, and Willow whom he'd known most of his life. But no one else was ever allowed to make mistakes. Perhaps it's the forgiving side of me that can't stand Xander's unwillingness to forgive, but it seriously irritates me.
That being said... I'll narrow my least favorite male character down to Riley. At least Xander has some ultra-redeeming moments and adds humor. Beyond love interest, Riley brings nothing.

Day 6: Favorite Male Character

For being such a feminist show, there certainly are a lot of fantastic male characters to choose from. I'm a big fan of Angel, Spike, and Giles.
But if I had to choose... I would have to go with Spike. And for the record, the fact that he's attractive has nothing to do with it. Spike's character arc is fascinating. From big bad to forced good guy to his love of Buffy to becoming souled to his world-saving sacrifice in the Buffy season finale. I love to watch him develop, especially later on as he continually screws up at trying doing the right thing and then works to fix it over and over again. I don't think I really felt attached to Spike until he developed his crush on Buffy. Because, by the end of Season 5 for sure, I really think he loved her. And I felt for him because I knew that it couldn't go both ways. But I'll save my rant on Spuffy for a later time. Either way, I think his love for Buffy made him a better person... er, vampire... but you catch my meaning. Plus Spike has dozens of fantastic lines. And James Marsters's acting is brilliant.

Day 5: Least Favorite Female Character

At risk of being hated by many people, I must admit that my least favorite female character on Buffy is Faith. I can appreciate her character arc, particularly from Consequences through Orpheus, but I just don't enjoy her that much. I've never found myself emotionally attached to her as a character, whereas my emotional attachment to other characters is a major part of what draws me to the show in general. Especially the first time I watched the series and before I discovered the depth of her character arc, I found that she grated on my nerves. Again, I've grown to appreciate her as a character, and her character arc of redemption is one of the most complex in the Buffyverse. However, unlike other characters who I appreciate, I have never grown to love Faith.

Day 4: Favorite Female Character

My favorite Buffy character is definitely Buffy herself.  Buffy is the character that first hooked me on the show. Her role as a strong female lead is fantastic. Furthermore, her character is made even more effective by the skillful acting of Sarah Michelle Gellar. But really, I think Buffy as a character is fantastic.
Particularly, I like Buffy's character arc, from rejecting her slayer calling to accepting it to really taking ownership of it. Furthermore, she grows up as a person, from teenager to young adulthood, facing all the challenges of growing up along with her life as the slayer.
Two aspects of Buffy's character that others often pick at is "Depressed Buffy" of season 6 and "General Buffy" of season 7. First, I love and feel for Buffy through her depression in season 6. I think the depression is realistic, and she tries to deal with it the best that she can. Is it enjoyable to watch a depressed main character? Generally not. But I have an understanding of where she's coming from. Then, General Buffy of season 7 never actually bothered me. Did she make a few risky decisions that backfired? Yes. But I think she was doing the best she could. It's also possible that my love for the character blinds me to her faults. But I will continue to love her nonetheless.

Day 3: Favorite Song Used in an Episode

Isn't this a loaded question... So I'll split it into two portions. First, I'll take a look at my favorite song in the musical episode, "Once More with Feeling," and then I'll look at my favorite popular song used in an episode.

My favorite song from "Once More with Feeling" is "Something to Sing About." The song has multiple levels to it as a description of the show itself and the episode as a whole. The artistry of the song fantastically enhances Buffy's uncertainty about life. Plus it's just fun to sing along to.

My favorite popular song used in an episode is Michelle Branch's "Goodbye to You" at the end of "Tabula Rasa." It brings a great deal of emotion to an already heartbreaking scene as the relationships of the Scooby Gang gang fall apart. And, again, it's a song that I like in the first place.

Of course, the music of the Buffyverse is fantastic in the first place. And it deserves much more detailed analysis. I'm thinking of writing a book...

Day 2: Favorite Episode

My favorite Buffy episode is definitely "Once More with Feeling." I can watch it multiple times in a day. I own the soundtrack. I know all the lyrics and can spout off numerous non-musical quotes. And I'm looking into buying the script book. Yep, definitely my favorite episode.
The episode was love at first sight for me. Given, it helps that it's a musical episode, and I'm a music major. But even more than just the music, I am continually amazed with the episode's depth. Some of this depth can be credited to the music. For instance, have you ever paid attention to how much the musical style of each song fits the given character/situation? And I love the concept that the characters must use music to express the thoughts and feelings that they otherwise cannot. Because of this, episode becomes both a culmination of a great deal of character development up to this point and is the source of the character development for the rest of the season. In true Joss Whedon style, an episode shooting concept that could be a simple gimmick, but is turned into something immensely effective and meaningful.
I could probably ramble on about the rest of the specifics, but I'll save that for a full-episode analysis. Just know for now, that I think that "Once More with Feeling" is fantastic.

Day 1: Favorite Season

My favorite season is without a doubt Season 6. Part of this I credit to the fact that when I first watched it I was having an especially difficult week, and it was comforting to jump into the pain of the Scooby Gang thereby ignoring my own troubles. But to this day, if I need a Buffy fix, Season 6 is where I turn.
In accordance with this, I love the concept of life as one of the season's Big Bads. I think the Scoobies as young adults had reached a point in their lives where they realize that life is hard and start to face some of the struggles of the real world. The concept is very relatable to the average viewer. Furthermore, it is well-executed in both writing and acting.
The character arcs of Season 6 are also fantastic. And many of them are culminations of things that have been developing for a long time: Buffy's inability to continue facing the real world, Xander's feelings of inadequacy, Willow's use of magic to deal with any of life's difficulties, Giles' feeling that his role in Buffy's life must come to an end, and Spike's devotion to Buffy. It breaks my heart to see the characters I love fall apart, but I also appreciate the emotional intensity it brings.
If I had to choose one word to describe Season 6, it would be "intense." The season pushes boundaries like never before, and the musical episode "Once More with Feeling" is only the beginning of this. Buffy's deep depression, Buffy and Spike's destructive relationship, the killing of Tara in the same episode actress Amber Benson first appears in the opening credits, the meta episode "Normal Again," and so much more. Season 6 took risks - and was successful.
So Season 6 is my favorite season. Hands down.

30 Days of Buffy

Before embarking on my analysis, I have decided to embark on a journey of 30 Days of Buffy. Like other 30-day challenges, I will have a category to respond to each day. I intend to use my response as a way to solidify some of my own opinions as well as to introduce any readers to some of my foundational thoughts regarding BtVS.

30 Days of Buffy:
Day 1: Favorite Season
Day 2: Favorite Episode
Day 3: Favorite Song Used In An Episode
Day 4: Favorite Female Character
Day 5: Least Favorite Female Character
Day 6: Favorite Male Character
Day 7: Least Favorite Male Character
Day 8: Favorite Friendship
Day 9: Favorite Romance
Day 10: Least Favorite Season
Day 11: Least Favorite Romance
Day 12: Least Favorite Episode
Day 13: Favorite Potential Slayer
Day 14: Favorite Female Villain
Day 15: Favorite Male Villain
Day 16: Episode You Like That Everyone Else Hates
Day 17: Character You Relate To The Most
Day 18: Character Who Didn’t Get Enough Screen Time
Day 19: Character You Like That Everyone Else Hates
Day 20: Best Spike-centric Episode
Day 21: Best Willow-centric Episode
Day 22: Best Xander-centric Episode
Day 23: Two Characters You Wanted To Get Together That Never Did
Day 24: Favorite Example of 90s Special Effects
Day 25: Favorite Buffyverse Saying
Day 26: Favorite Scooby Moment
Day 27: Cutest Moment
Day 28: Character You Love To Hate
Day 29: Episode You Hate That Everyone Else Loves
Day 30: What You Think Made Buffy So Great

I hope you enjoy this! I know I will.