8 Things I Learned Watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer for the First Time in 2024

I absolutely loved it Buffy the Vampire SlayerBut I just watched the whole thing from start to finish in 2024, and I learned a lot. After years of watching random episodes in order and watching clips on social media, I finally sat down and consumed the show in full, and now I understand the hype. Buffy Summers’ role as the Slayer is intriguing, but as I watched her grow and embrace her fate, I was excited to start season 1 all over again. Buffy the Vampire SlayerIts defining moments drew me in, but the underappreciated parts kept me engaged.

Now that I’ve seen it, like many other viewers, I hope that the revival of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will happen. Sarah Michelle Gellar was amazing as the titular characterAnd I was surprised to find out that there were other actors who almost played Buffy Summers. The adventures of the Scooby gang are like nothing I’ve ever experienced before, but the thing I appreciate the most about Buffy the Vampire Slayer Turns out I really didn’t understand the show until my first full watch-through.

8

Vampires are not the only supernatural creatures

I never realized that there are also demons, mythological animals, and more

Given the title of the show, I always assumed that Buffy the Vampire Slayers main villains are exclusively vampires. However, by season 1, episode 3, “Witch,” I was proven otherwise. In fact, even Buffy’s first introduction to The Gate to Hellmouth explains that demons are something that sets up the possibility for all manner of supernaturals to appear.

One thing I really liked about Buffy Is that it knew when to walk away from vampires and focus on other creatures, And there weren’t many times that I felt overwhelmed by images of blood and fangs. Even though there was, naturally, a focus on vampires, I loved episodes with other threats. Wizards, the undead, and even robots appeared throughout the show.

I also enjoy it very much Buffy the Vampire Slayer Incorporated monsters from real mythology, such as Moloch the Corrupter and the Hellhounds, and It was interesting to learn more about the legendary beasts. While the various vampires were definitely my favorite, I was glad the show wasn’t one tone when it came to its monster of the week.

7

Cordelia Chase is so much more than a bad girl

Charisma Carpenter’s character is pretty cool, and I want to be her friend

Still watching Buffy the Vampire SlayerI was absolutely obsessed with Cordelia Chase. I was initially unsure about the character in the first episodeAnd I thought her only purpose was to fill the mean girl archetype. However, as each season went on, I realized that she was so much more than the box she was put in.

One of Cordelia’s best quotes in Buffy the Vampire Slayer was by far her first line of the series, in which she immediately insulted Willow’s fashion sense and cemented her personality in seconds. Over time, Cordelia realized that there is more to life than high school, and Her allyship with the Scooby Gang made her a more empathetic person.

She originally seemed to have a lack of intelligence, but she later started to recognize vampires and even fought alongside her peers in “Graduation Day, Part Two” before she left to be one of the 13 Buffy characters to appear in Angel. Charisma Carpenter did an amazing job of playing the vapid 16-year-old, and I was shocked to discover that the actress was over a decade older than her character in season 1.

6

Buffy doesn’t kill every vampire

Buffy Summers has a soft spot for certain vampiric figures

Another misconception I had about the show because of its title was that Buffy Summers was going to kill every vampire she crossed paths with. However, I was ultimately proven wrong with the characters of Angel and Spike. Ironically, none of the characters were angels, But I liked what they brought to the show in their own ways.

Both men were vampires who offered some form of allyship to Buffy, though Spike definitely took some time to break out of his villain arc. Angel was Buffy’s true love, ultimately, even though their story was far from perfect. My main issue with Buffy and Spike’s relationship in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Is that I thought it didn’t make sense. Although he grew up and redeemed himself somewhat, their romance was understandable.

Buffy initially did not return his feelings, but the support he offered after Joyce’s death played a part in her changing her mind. However, he was such a tyrant that it was strange that her outlook on him had ever altered, especially considering Buffy S Controversial spike scene in the bathroom, which was harrowing. I’m glad she didn’t kill Angel, but my jury is still out on Spike.

5

Giles is the best Buffy character

Anthony Head as Buffy’s mentor is incredible

I was a huge admirer of Anthony Head’s Giles and his work in general, so he played a big part in me finally sitting down and watching the whole show. I knew that Giles was a role model for Buffy and Her main link between the real world and her destiny as the SlayerBut as I watched more and more episodes, I realized that he was so much more than a voice of reason and a plot device.

Giles was a complex and deeply layered character, but I didn’t expect him to be as hilarious as he was. The season 3 episode “Band Candy” was when I truly fell in love with Giles. His quick wit and sarcasm were spectacular, but his reaction to the Halloween candy showed a new side to him.

Giles made out with Joyce in the middle of the street, argued with Buffy like a stupid teenager while lighting a cigarette, and even punched a police officer until they were lost. “Band Candy” is undoubtedly the best Giles episode of Buffy the Vampire SlayerAnd it was a refreshing change from his usual strictness.

4

Willow has different relationships than with Tara

Willow Rosenberg had a past before becoming an LGBTQ+ icon

Willow and Tara were one of the most iconic LGBTQ+ couples in TV history and proved it Buffy the Vampire Slayer was ahead of his time. I was aware of their relationship long before I watched the show, but I didn’t realize that Willow discovering her sexuality was such a significant storyline. Her most significant other relationship on the show was with Oz, who I was aware of as a character.

However, when I saw their relationship on screen, I was surprised how messy Willow’s love life was before she realized she was gay. Willow’s repeated infidelity with Xander was amazingAnd I was a little disappointed in you, Especially since she was so on and off again with Oz.

But I was glad that she came to terms with who she is. Even though her relationships after that weren’t exactly smooth sailing, Willow was much more comfortable in her own skin and was better at communicating what she wanted. I was fine with Tara falling victim to the bury your gay trope, especially as Willow’s character development made her deserving of a happy ending.

3

There is more death in Buffy than expected

Most episodes include a shocking death

I knew there would be, realistically, some death in there Buffy the Vampire Slayer. However, it was much more than I was prepared for. Almost every episode of the show has at least one death, if not more. however, What I appreciated was the variation in how the diseases were performed. Of course, Buffy stabbed many with a stake, and that was generally the go-to killing method throughout.

But there were some other inventive and intense killings as well. For example, the season 1 episode “The Puppet Show” included deaths by guillotine and organ removal. My heart is often broken during the less violent deaths, though.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s most shocking death was when Joyce Summers unexpectedly slipped away in her living room and was found by Buffy in the season 5 episode “The Body.” This was painful to watch as a viewer and one of the most intense scenes in the entire show. Tara being shot and noticing her own blood on Willow’s shirt before collapsing is incredibly jarring too. I always thought Buffy was a primarily feel-good showbut this murder is what I wanted, so I didn’t make a mistake.

2

Buffy’s musical episode is not so cheesy

“Once more, with feeling” is actually heartbreaking

The songs of Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s musical episode, “Once More, With Feeling,” was stuck in my head for ages. When it comes to a musical episode of a TV show, I always expect it to be cheesy and cheerful, however BuffyS attempt was more emotional than I expected it to be. While it’s definitely full of uplifting moments, it’s not enough to distract from the fact that the fallout from Buffy’s sacrifice and her resurrection is still lingering.

This was really impressive, as the song and dance side of the episode didn’t cheapen the story. Tara and Willow’s duet was even more of a tearjerker because I knew their time together was coming to an end. Giles and Buffy in the Magic Box, as they trained and sang together, was a brilliant way of highlighting how their relationship has changed over the seasons.

It was difficult to choose a particular standout song, mainly because Everyone’s secrets that rose to the surface After they lost Buffy were so engaging. “Once More, With Feeling” isn’t the most depressing episode ever, but it undoubtedly tugged on my heart strings more than I predicted.

1

Buffy is possibly the most ’90s show ever

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is massively reflective of that era

One of the most notable things I picked up on when watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer was that the show was a product of its time. The 90s were a particularly recognizable time for fashion, slang and pop culture, And Buffy Make sure to mention me in every episode. There were many contentious lines in it Buffy You’d never hear on TV today, but they were fantastically reflective of the times and reaffirmed that the Scooby gang were actually just normal kids outside of their supernatural adventures.

I even had to look up what some of the 90s slang in Buffy ment. The earlier seasons were mainly filled with 90s throwbacks: floppy disks, pagers, even landline phones. A lot of the characters’ clothing choices were questionable at times, but other looks I absolutely loved, like Willow’s chokers, leopard print and leather everywhere, and metallic makeup. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Made me nostalgic for a time I barely remember, but it was pretty fitting.