Today, May 20, 2003, the last episode of the unlikely hit, Buffy the Vampire Slayer will air on UPN. In order to appreciate the end, one must come full circle to the beginning (which has been a very prevalent theme in BtVS these last seven years. To that end, and after a moment of silence, here I am reviewing Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season One DVD set.

To say that I’m a fan of Joss Whedon’s television version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer would be a gross understatement. A statement closer to the truth would probably scare you and embarrass me, so I’ll refrain.


1997: The obsession begins…

In every generation there is a chosen one. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer

Never having been a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer the movie, I paid little attention to the one commercial I saw on the WB network for a new mid-series replacement television series of the same name, created by the same man: Joss Whedon. Never having been a channel surfer, or much of a T.V. watcher in general, I tuned into the second episode of Buffy at the insistent recommendation of a trusted friend. Before the catchy credits song was finished, I was hooked.

Many themes have been prevalent in this television series, the full circle theme being only one. Joss has been known to have plot arcs in his head as far ahead as four years, so a loyal viewer can therefore remember foreshadowing that goes back into this first season. There are very few, if any, discrepancies, even down to the smallest detail.

But of course, the first season of any hit show is usually a bit different than the final episode. The characters are still developing, the actors are still feeling each other out, and the plot lines must be set. This is no exception. But even from the beginning, one cannot deny the amazing writing: pop culture references intertwined with some of the wittiest dialogue I’ve ever come across. This season set the stage for the next six seasons and built up a small, but fiercely loyal following. You wouldn’t believe how fiercely loyal we can be.


The Episodes:

Welcome To The Hellmouth/The Harvest - Original airdate: March 10, 1997. Written by: Joss Whedon. Part 1 Directed by: Charles Martin Smith. Part 2 Directed by: John T. Kretchmer

Buffy comes to Sunnydale after being expelled from her last High School, hoping be a "normal" teenager. She soon meets the school librarian, who is her Watcher, and Xander and Willow. She also discovers that the Master Vampire is planning a Harvest, which will free him from his underground prison and allow him to start an apocalypse. 9 out of 10

The Witch - Original airdate: March 17, 1997. Written by: Dana Reston. Directed by: Stephen Cragg.

In an attempt to be "normal", Buffy auditions to become a cheerleader, but is threatened by a witch who is going to any means in order to get rid of the competition. 7.5 out of 10

Teacher's Pet - Original airdate: March 25, 1997. Written by: David Greenwalt. Directed by: Bruce Seth Green.

Angel gives Buffy a cryptic warning. Xander runs into trouble when he falls for a substitute teacher who tries to eat him. 6 out of 10

Never Kill A Boy On The First Date - Original airdate: March 31, 1997. Written by: Rob Des Hotel and Dean Batali. Directed by: David Semel.

Again striving for a "normal" life, Buffy goes on a date. She thinks she circumvents the prophecy about an “Anointed One”, but we find out at the end that she doesn’t. 8 out of 10

The Pack - Original airdate: April 7, 1997. Written by: Matt Kiene and Joe Reinkemeyer. Directed by: Bruce Seth Green.

After a school trip to the zoo, Xander and a group of bullies are possessed by the spirits of hyenas. 6 out of 10

Angel - Original airdate: April 14, 1997. Written by: David Greenwalt. Directed by: Scott Brazil.

The sexual tension between Buffy and Angel intensifies, and she learns that he is a cursed vampire (cursed to have a soul so he feels remorse for all the people he’s killed). They realize their feelings, know a relationship can’t work, and continue to fight said feelings. 10 out of 10

I Robot, You Jane - Original airdate: April 28, 1997. Written by: Ashley Gable and Tom Swyden. Directed by: Stephen Posey.

A demon is scanned into the school intranet and we meet Ms. Calendar, the new computer teacher who turns out to be a techno pagan who flirts with Giles. 6.5 out of 10

The Puppet Show - Original airdate: May 5, 1997. Written by: Rob Des Hotel and Dean Batali. Directed by: Ellen Pressman.

Buffy, Xander and Willow are forced to be a part of the school talent show and they learn that a ventriloquist's dummy is a trapped demon hunter. He and Buffy have to band together to stop a demon killing Giles. 6.5 out of 10

Nightmares - Original airdate: May 12, 1997. Written by: David Greenwalt. Directed by: Bruce Seth Green.

Sunnydale resident’s nightmares all become reality, and Buffy has to enter the mind of a comatose boy to stop the nightmares. 8.5 out of 10

Invisible Girl (Out Of Mind, Out Of Sight) - Original airdate: May 19, 1997. Written by: Ashley Gable and Tom Swyden. Directed by: Reza Badiyi.

A female student literally becomes invisible when she is ignored one too many times, by students and teachers alike. Now she is trying to pay those people who hurt her back, starting with Cordelia Chase. 8 out of 10

Prophecy Girl - Original airdate: June 2, 1997. Written and directed by: Joss Whedon.

Giles reads a prophecy that tells of Buffy’s death as she faces the Master, and she bravely confronts him regardless. When she does, in fact, die at the Master’s hands, it is Xander who breathes life back into her, as Angel has no breath to give. Revived, Buffy hunts and kills the Master. 10 out of 10


Cast and Characters:

We, the loyal viewers, have seen cast members come and cast members go, but here is where it all began:

In the opening credits…

Buffy Summers ~ played by Sarah Michelle Gellar ~ Buffy is an average 16 year old girl who has just been handed some fairly odd news: She is the One and Only Slayer, and a lot of this season is her trying to balance that with also having a “normal” life.

Xander Harris ~ played by Nicholas Brendon ~ In Season One, Xander has a huge crush on Buffy, much to the consternation of his longtime best friend, Willow.

Willow Rosenberg ~ played by Alyson Hannigan ~ Ah, the character who has changed the most… Willow starts in this season as a sweet, innocent, nerdy high school girl. Having been friends with Xander as long as she can remember, Buffy completes the trio, and it is this friendship, the core “Scooby” gang, that saves the world many times in the next seven years.

Cordelia Chase ~ played by Charisma Carpenter ~ Cordelia Chase is every high school’s head cheerleader, only with a sharper wit, more biting tongue.

Rupert Giles ~ played by Anthony Stewart Head ~ Tony’s character, called "Giles", is the school librarian, and Buffy’s Watcher. He is part of the Watcher’s Council, a group dedicated to helping the Slayer.

Recurring character who next season will become a main credit character:

Angel ~ played by David Boreanaz ~ Searching for redemption, the dark and brooding vampire with a soul, Angel offers assistance to Buffy whenever he can, and tries not to fall in love with her.


DVD Extras:

~ Joss Whedon commentary on Episodes 1 and 2
~ Theatrical Trailers
~ Interview with Joss Whedon and David Boreanaz
~ Original Pilot Script
~ Photo Gallery


Miscellaneous notable quotes and trivia:

~Charisma Carpenter originally auditioned for the role of Buffy, and Sarah Michelle Gellar was initially cast as Cordelia.

Angel: Fed on a girl about your age... beautiful... dumb as a post... but a favorite among her clan.
Buffy: Her clan?
Angel: Romany. Gypsies. The elders conjured the perfect punishment for me. They restored my soul.
Buffy: What, they were all out of boils and blinding torment?

~Joss Whedon supplies for the voice for the Mutant Enemy monster who says "Grrrr....Argh" at the end of each episode

Xander: How can I say this clearly? I don't like you. At the end of the day, I pretty much think you're a vampire. But Buffy's got this big old yen for you. She thinks you're a real person. And right now I need you to prove her right.
Angel: You're in love with her.
Xander: Aren't you?

~In Season One, all of the Sunnydale High School corridors are actually the same set, redressed by designers between shots. Bigger budgets in later seasons allowed more corridors and classrooms.

Giles: Dreams? That would be a musical comedy version of this. Nightmares, our, our nightmares are coming true. foreshadowing the musical episode in Season 6.

~Both James Marsters, who later plays a recurring and then main character, Spike, and Nathan Fillion, who plays the big bad Caleb in season 7, originally auditioned for the role of Angel when the show was first being cast in late 1996.

A small final note: Today marks the end of an era for me, and I just wanted to extend a small note of gratitude and appreciation to the following fellow watcher, who has always understood (and fed) my Buffy psychoses (mainly because she was in the padded white room right next to mine): Juanita, for the hundreds and hundreds of hours we have spent emailing, researching, meandering… you are my Scooby gal!




Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age