I don't know how I missed that metaphor after all these years. He was such a good character, much better than Snyder. Flutie and the science teacher who was nice to Buffy were such a surprise. I don't think there are any other TV shows where teaches are that affirming in a genuine way. Season 1 has so many good life lessons. They really disappeared after Season 1. Even Season 2 dropped the allegory and metaphor in favor of melodrama. The only episode in Season 2 that retains the "Life Lessons" vibe of Season 1 is Ted. The happy ending kinda ruins it, but the first half of Ted is one of my favo ..read more

Season 1 of Buffy is the best because it called attention to real issues that young Americans face - immense pressure from their peers and adults to live up to exceedingly high expectations. Episodes like The Witch, Nightmares and Out of Sight capture this perfectly. We got lovable, sincere characters who defied stereotypes of what is cool and popular and got to watch them bond as they struggled to make their way through this nightmarish world. Then the show got popular and the writers had to cave to what superficial audiences wanted. Cool rockstars like Oz. Melodramatic love stories (ok, I ad ..read more

Well, I know one in every two here will tear me a new one for saying things like that about the established Buffyversal darling, but here's a couple of my subjective and biased thoughts regarding Mr. Daniel "Oz" Osbourne. Don't throw stones at me, but IMO that guy is one of the most (unfairly) overrated characters in the whole Buffyverse. Which itself did our mute Wolfboy a great disservice. He was a lucky guy, not a noble guy. When asked about that particular character four things usually come to mind. 1. He played guitar in a local high school band; 2. He was a werewolf. 3. He dated Willow ..read more

From Wikipedia: Buffy suffers a vision in which the Master, undead, kills her once again. The Anointed One plans to resurrect the slain Master in a ritual using his exhumed skeleton, with kidnapped Scooby Gang members as blood sacrifices. Buffy rescues her friends, then deals with her residual fear and anger by obliterating the Master entirely.   Wow, Season 2 is immediately off to a better start. I'd initially thought I'd be annoyed with the fact that we're still dealing with the Master and Colin but I'm not. While I find PTSD Bitchy Buffy super annoying I like that the show went there ..read more

The Good; Buffy rediscovers her life and confesses to Spike the truth The Bad; Not bad but lacks lustre Best line; Anya (on a books and coffee joint becoming just a coffee joint) "It's like evolution only without the getting better part" Jeez!; Spike self-harms a recurring theme in the series. Kinky dinky; Xander says he feels the need for some 'vigorous doing'. Captain Subtext; Buffy glances at Joyce's picture. Was she with her in heaven? Dawn bathes and dresses Buffy although you wonder how she didn't notice her bloodied knuckles before? Contrast the hug Buffy gives Dawn in 'Bargaining ..read more

The Good; First appearance of Glory and she's a kick in the head, love her exaggerated creeping up on Buffy and her rambling madness, panto style. Also clever the way Dawn is actually a little menacing when remarking to Buffy that Joyce will be home soon, is the tea she offers her mother poisoned we wonder for a moment? But the very last scene is beyond beautiful, Buffy stroking Dawn's hair for the first time, the way the Summer's girls seem to express physical affection for one another. Giles' wizard outfit and Anya's skill as a salesgirl are also great. Like the little Anya/Giles moment when ..read more

The Good; Lovely to see Anya singing in her gorgeous wedding dress again. Great scenes between Anya and Halfrek, wonderful Swedish scenes and a terrific ending. Also like Buffy's busy school day. The Bad; ? Best line; Villager; "Pelt him with fruits and various meats!" Women good/men bad; D'Hoffryn kills Halfrek to spite Anya, almost like killing one of his daughters. What the Frat boys do to the girl is horrible but doesn't warrant having your heart torn out. Jeez!; Frat boys with their hearts ripped out! Not the ep for you if you're arachnophobic (we know Willow is from 'Nightmares' but ..read more

The Good; The Orb theft and the wonderful battle between Buffy and the Troika. Tara and Willow getting back together and Dawn's delighted reaction to it. And Anya still looking for the vengeance. The Bad; Not so much bad as the ending and the bathroom scene are just shocking. Contrary to common belief you can see the jetpack under Warren's jacket as he's fighting Buffy although you wonder how Jonathon didn't notice? Warren doesn't so much abandon Andrew, he flies off and expects Andrew to follow him. Best line; Jonathon; (arrested and taken to the police station) "Uh oh. The BIG house" Wome ..read more

The Good; All of it, especially Tara's song and 'Going through the motions', Anya's solo is also a belter. Always leaving them wanting more, certainly true of the Spuffers in the final scene. Also love Tara's uncontrollable jazz hands during 'I've got a theory' and the ballet of morning in the Summer's house. The Bad; ? I think Giles' song is the weakest . No real fan of Spike's either. Best line; Giles; "Buffy needs backup" Women good/men bad; Xander's witches theory which he rapidly recants. Jeez!; Dawn getting the sack isn't nice. Kinky dinky; Sweet wants to claim Dawn as his child bri ..read more

The Good; Buffy fighting medieval knights on top of a mobile home. Again you never get this on Dawson's Creek! The Bad; Once again the budget can't really keep up with the concept. Also you can see it's a dummy when Buffy carries 'Dawn' (as indeed it is in many scenes at the end of Aliens because Sigourney had hurt her back) Best line; Xander; "We got company and they brought a crusade!" Jeez!; The scene between Dawn and Buffy in the camper van really brings home to you how much her life can 'Suck beyond the telling of it'. Kinky dinky; The female minion fancies Ben. Shouldn't she fancy ot ..read more