And behind door number 22... a guide to some music of the more traditional kind
Catherine Munn and Jacob Martin list their Top 5 programmes to watch over the festive period.
And behind door number nine... some dazzling musical delights
The complete arts guide, for week 9
Before this term, I’d never even seen a single episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (unlike most people who seem to have watched a couple here and there). A short while ago I decided to fill this glaring void in my TV knowledge - so I watched the entirety of Buffy (all 144 episodes!) in just four weeks. Now that I’m done, I want to recommend Buffy to you all; not only as a brilliant piece of television, but also as a captivating emotional experience.
The most compelling TV shows are risk-takers and Buffy often breaks away from the norm. Of course, I watched Buffy a long time after it was first aired, but the episodes that seem to be regarded as Buffy’s greatest all have a “leap-of-faith” at their heart. The Season 4 episode ‘Hush’ for example survives almost entirely without dialogue and Season 5’s ‘The Body’ provides a representation of death unlike anything most shows would dare to do. Also, who can forget ‘Once More, with Feeling’ from Season 6 - the fact that the musical episode worked (and worked well) acts as evidence of creator Joss Whedon’s genius.
Throughout the series, Buffy effortlessly (and frequently) attains the level of emotional resonance that other shows struggle (and often fail) to reach. The character-based drama is beautifully written, and it definitely helps that it’s portrayed by such a fantastic cast. Somehow, every situation (however full of vampires and demons it may be) is relatable and very much real. I can’t really talk about emotion without mentioning the show’s tear-jerking moments, there are certainly a fair few in Season 5 and towards the end of Season 6 that had me crying my eyes out.
Buffy is able to engage with viewers on so many levels largely as a result of the strength of its characters. Buffy herself makes for a kick-ass heroine, and her depth and complexity make her more accessible than your average superhero. One of the most striking features of the show is its treatment of female characters. No list of the best Buffy characters would be complete without Willow, who is a beacon for individuality in all its forms and - like Buffy - someone to whom the audience can relate. Then there’s Spike, probably the most interesting vampire on the show, given the range of human emotions he displays for a member of the undead. Another compelling walking-talking corpse is Angel, who even has his own self-titled spinoff show (which ran concurrently with the main Buffy series).
As I said earlier, you may (like most) have seen a couple of Buffy episodes. But I’m really not here to recommend just a few - the truth is that every single one in the series has something to be impressed by. With the (slightly dated) first season excepted, Buffy consistently provides high-stakes drama with loads of plot twists. It certainly gives a lot of horror films a run for their money in terms of scare-factor too. I’d be really surprised if you’re not creeped out (or just plain terrified) by The Gentlemen, Dark Willow and Caleb (believe me, this list could go on).
I’ve really enjoyed my Buffy experience; it’s a brilliantly complete story and an incredible journey. Buffy isn’t just a show about vampires, it’s about growing up - with vampires along for the ride. And when it’s all over, Dawn asks, "Buffy, what are we gonna do now?" I don’t know about you lot...but I’m going to watch Angel.
How old are you?
...um, why does it matter how old he is?
What's your favourite colour?
I only ask because it is just dawning on me how young everyone is. I remember watching it the first time round as a teenager and thinking, wow, this is shit.
I thought the characters were pretty one-dimensional and the show stretched out for far too long. Spike was just annoying with that stupid accent and Angel's dark brooding was almost as bad as Pacey's on Dawson's Creek. Buffy, Willow, and Faith were all fit though.
I got into Buffy through the Top Trumps cards (I know, I know.) I loved it and knew all the storylines but I never actually watched the show, just read all the books. Happy days.
#4, everyone's at uni, why are you surprised at how young we are? We're mostly going to be 18-22, so we will have all been 8-15 when it aired.
And while you're entitled to your opinion, Simon watched the whole thing and his view is probably more accurate than your wonderfully descriptive words 'shit', 'bad', 'annoying' and 'fit'. Not to mention Buffy almost always reaches the top 5 of official lists of the best TV shows ever made. But then everyone else must be wrong and you must be right.
Aw Lizzy, I had the Top Trumps too! Plus I had those 'Tales of the Slayer' books. We were all so cool 
I enjoyed Buffy even if it was a little lame at times. The musical episode is full of win.
Oh well, if it makes the official lists then that changes things.
Honestly, you really have to be a specific type of person to find people celebrating something they like, and then crap all over it and tell them how stupid they all are for liking it. Why not go spend your energy on something you enjoy rather than ruin that experience for others?
Who called anyone stupid? Seriously, point that one out? On a second read, yes, the first post does seem rude. Sorry. However, I never said anyone was stupid.
I am however allowed to say that I felt the programme was tedious, repetitive, and somewhat lacking in ideas by around season 4. I did watch the show and didn't hate it, but let's not pretend it was something beyond what it was - a teen angst series with a a slightly different background. AND come on, saying it made the top 5 list is just a bit silly as a) people who vote in those polls are generally a bit odd and b) any countdown show, replete with its cast of unfunny comedians (Steve Tomkinson) and 80s' d-listers is usually crap (though, like Buffy, still worth watching).
I'm not a naysayer, I liked the piece on State of Play (a programme I enjoyed watching) and I liked one of the recent that girl from Derwent articles.
Dan x
I enjoyed this. Buffy was quite formulaic in the early years, but really took off later on - especially the episode where her mother died of a stroke and it showed how she dealt with it.
I remember thinking Angel was disappointing, though.
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