Confessions of a BUFFY Newbie
January 3, 2008 by Kath Skerry
Hello, my name is Kath, and I have a confession to make. Until this past month I had never seen one episode of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. I’ll give you a minute to gasp in horror. Are you done? Ok, now that the confession is out of the way, I feel I get a brief moment to explain why. Let me first say that there is no doubt in my mind that BUFFY is worthy of its status as a pop culture phenom. I don’t doubt for one second Joss Whedon’s brilliance as a writer or his influence on TV as we know it. Me missing out on BUFFY all came down to a matter of timing. The show started in 1997 – the same 1997 that just happened to be my Junior year of college. To be specific, the show premiered on March 10, 2007 – which would be 11 days before I turned 21. I’m telling you all of this to make my point that when BUFFY premiered, TV wasn’t a priority. There was the occasional viewing of FRIENDS and 90210 but I didn’t make much time for TV back in the day. The second season of BUFFY coincided with my senior year of college (which also coincided with the premiere of Dawson’s Creek and the launch of my TV obsession). And let’s face it, it’s not often one picks up a new show after two seasons, right? So yeah, I missed out.
But, I always vowed that BUFFY would be the one show I would watch whenever I was done with this little hobby known as GiveMeMyRemote.com. And while I’m not putting away my laptop just yet, the writers strike has afforded me the opportunity to watch season one, and I took advantage.
I’ll be honest, I’m a bit nervous even attempting to share my thoughts on S1. I know how protective BUFFY fans are of their show and after only one season, I feel like I am in no place to offer commentary. So with that, I ask that you remember that these comments are that of a newbie. I haven’t seen any episodes past season 1 and believe it or not I’m not really spoiled. I know there’s a guy named Spike, Willow ends up a lesbian, Buffy has a sister, and that they have a musical episode, but other than that I don’t really have any idea what to expect (so please don’t spoil it for me).
So what did I think of Season 1 of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER….
- Overall I really liked the first season. I found myself coming to the end of one episode and eagerly looking forward to the next – always a good sign. I thought the pacing of the show was really strong and was surprised by how easily the vampire lore was rolled out (I learned something new with each episode). I was also surprised as to how involved I was in the weekly demon/vampire vs. Slayer/friends battle. I expected the demons to be a bit hokey, but it was all quite interesting and I got into it quicker than I thought.
- After watching S1 I’m really interested to quickly get to later seasons if only to see how the dialogue developed. It’s difficult to watch a show that was very timely and astute in pop culture references in 1997, ten years later. I mean, I hate to think that the use of “wig” (as in I’m “wigging” out) was that popular in 1997 but I’m sure it was. It had to be because Buffy said it…a lot. The clothes and the dialogue were a bit cheesy, but I kept reminding myself it was a decade old and that was to be expected.
- I’m fully prepared to duck and cover while dolling out this comment, but I found the acting pretty dreadful. Sarah Michelle Geller overacted in pretty much every scene and her acting was unbearable at times. She seemed to settle in more as the season progressed, but those first few eps….damn. But I will say this, Geller looked like Meryl Streep when compared to the acting of Charisma Carpenter in the early eps. Ouch. Before you throw rocks, go back and watch S1 again and tell me honestly if Charisma could have landed on a show today with those acting chops. I cringed whenever Cordelia came on screen. I know she’s a better actress now – I loved her on Veronica Mars, but back then….painful. On the brighter side, I was surprised how much I enjoyed Alyson Hannigan’s, Willow. She was adorable and perhaps the only one that was truly believable as a high school student. At this point, I’m still pulling for her and Xander (although I do know in the end she prefers the ladies). Xander is great but I found that I liked him best when he was playing a darker part (remember that ep when he was the hyena? He was really fantastic in that episode). I’m already a big fan of Giles, but still found it odd that no one would question a librarian that spent that much time with the students. I’m so cynical.
- David Boreanaz….ok, ladies I am now starting to get it. Young Angel was hot. He’s never really done much for me, but the white tee shirt and the leather jacket. Yowza.
- The plots as they related to the underworld were really fascinating and more of the caliber of feature film than a show on the now-defunct WB. I’m a bit of a scaredy cat (that’s an understatement) and at times I was a wee bit scared by the demons, but I think that showed just how good it was. I already mentioned the hyena episode, but how sick was that? We’re talking cannibalism here people. Crazy!! And the ep with the dummy at the talent show? I always thought dummies were creepy but now…ugh. I thought the ep with the girl who became invisible because she was ignored was especially interesting (although the ending with the FBI agents was awfully forced and didn’t make sense at all). But in general, the underworld kept me quote intrigued in every episode…a surprise to me.
- Favorite episode: “Angel” – I like the Buffy/Angel relationship and I thought this was a particularly well acted episode. Oh and lots of Angel, which was fine by me.
- Least favorite episode: “Prophecy Girl” – I thought it should have been one of those 2 hour episodes. It all seemed a bit anti-climactic and convenient to me. I’m going to miss the Master – I thought he was pretty funny.
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I’m not hardcore, but I do enjoy Buffy & Angel. And I felt the same way about SMG’s acting….Charisma Carpenter shines more in Angel as her character grows.
I was never a Buffy fanatic, but I did watch re-runs of the first and second season as well as the seventh when it aired. Although I don’t feel as strongly against the acting of SMG as you do, I definitely thought that Alyson Hannigan was one of the strongest part of the show. And, Buffy gives us one of the best musical episodes ever with the seventh season’s “Once More, With Feeling.” Enjoy watching it, and keep us updated!
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The Writer’s Strike has me rewatching Buffy and Angel from the beginning (again…) but this time with someone who has never seen it. It makes it a lot more interesting to watch it with someone unspoiled and hear their comments. We spend a lot of time making fun of their clothes and strange acting choices, especially from Season 1. Now that we are on Season 4 though he is completely hooked and has embraced his Angel man-crush. No better way to spend the Writer’s strike in my opinion 🙂
I am thrilled that you are finally watching buffy! 🙂
You comments brought those episodes back into my mind. Thank you!
The musical episode was in the 6th season i believe. Also Tabula Rasa the episode right after is almost as amazing.
Hopefully you’ll be able to pick up Season 2 soon. It just gets better and better.
I think Season Two is the Jossiest season, which means only the goodest things. Season Three ain’t bad either. Season Four is enjoyable but patchy cough*Initiative*cough*. Season Five has “The Body,” which stands out as probably the best 44 minutes ever to air on the WB. I kinda jumped out after that, because Buffy was all weird, and Spuffy was anathema to me (heresy, I know), but still, a landmark show. Changed my life, it did.
Oh man, get used to “wig.” That word is timeless in the Buffyverse. They were still getting the “wiggins” well into the 7th season.
Most people I introduce to the show find season one a tough pill to swallow, so if you’re digging it so far, you’re going to flip for the rest of the series.
Glad you are getting a chance to catch up on Buffy. I actually wasn’t a fan till about the second season or so – I agree that the show got even better as it went along, though I admit to not having kept up with it as much in its last season. The story arc with Angel in the second half of season 2 (don’t worry, no spoilers) was probably my favorite of the series, though I also liked season 6 a lot.
We’re the same age then… Because college/age was the EXACT same reason I didn’t watch Buffy when it was on the air… But several years ago I watched all the seasons thru… And of course today, it’s one of my favorite shows of all time! I just bought Season 6 (my fav) and rewatched it again this week!
I didn’t catch Buffy the first time around either– I only saw it in about ’04. So the high-waisted jeans and awkward teen acting totally hit me in the face as well. Charisma Carpenter irritated the hell out of me too — although I guess she’s supposed to be irritating?
Wait til you meet Eliza Dushku as Faith. I nearly pulled my hair out.
I’d save some cash and look into buying the CHOSEN COLLECTION (full series box set). Supposedly it’s really nice and I’m rather jealous since I purchased each season as it came out.
You’ll have to start watching Angel after S3 of Buffy too.
I am rewatching S5-7. I am not as obsorbed in it as I was back in the day but it’s fun to watch. There are some episodes that still make me cry. I loved Angel. And Spike. And Oz. Cordy grows on you. Keep updating us. With everyone doing the re-watch or watch for the 1st time thing? It’s fun!
Finally Kath, this was like pulling teeth trying to get you to watch this since I’ve known you.
I can see some of the acting seeming off and some of the references a bit off as well but if you watched from Day 1 as I did, these are still golden moments.
Cordelia was actually one of my favorite things when the show premeired. She was the closest thing to who the original Buffy was from the film and I lurve the film. She was a bitchy one line slinging machine and the perfect foil for Willow and Xander. The ultimate nemesis.
SMG’s acting is a bit odd and it took her a few episodes to find Buffy’s voice but I don’t htink she was bad. She had to reimagine the whole character from what fans of the film had in their minds and I thought she was magnificent but yes, she gets better and better as the seasons go on.
So glad you’re finally on board.
I actually finished re-watching season 1 yesterday and I was making some of the same comments, so no one will stone you 🙂
It really does get better–better acting, thicker plots, less hokey sound effects, but I think there’s always a little cheese-factor due to limitations in budgets and special effects of the time.
And man, it just doesn’t get much better than Angel in a v-neck white t….except for…well, you’ll get there.
And I agree with another comment, start watching Angel when you start season 4. If nothing else, you’ve got to watch through to Angel 1X08. Best Buffy/Angel episode ever.
Just to echo everyone else’s sentiments, you will absolutely love the rest of the series. It is truly amazing. Considering I hate all things fantasy-related (Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, anything of the sort) it was a big jump for me to start watching, but I am so glad I did. I don’t think a series finale has ever made me so emotional. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts as you continue with the next seasons! It only gets better and better.
Trust, me the show gets so much better. Seasons 2 and 3 are fabulous. Seasons 4 and 5 are good too but, for me, it’s a little like comparing seasons of The Office. Season 2 is the bar by which every other season is compared. While Season 3 is really great, it’s just no comparison to the awesomeness that is Season 2. The same applies to Buffy. (really, the same comparison could be made to BTVS Season 1 and TO Season 1 — similar in their immaturity and near non-resemblance to later seasons).
Also, the Buffy/Angel relationship ranks right up there with Jim and Pam for me so the show suffered some, in my eyes, once that dynamic was no longer in the mix.
Personally, I didn’t care for the last two seasons but that has a lot to do with the show as a whole, but especially Willow, being so much darker. I’m not in to Witchcraft, etc, so when that started to be a focus, I was out. I also hated Buffy with Spike so I’ve not seen most of those last two seasons. It just turned into a show where so much of what I originally loved about it was gone.
Once you get to Season 4, AFTER the Thanksgiving ep (Angel has a cameo), you MUST do whatever you can to watch the “Angel” ep entitled “I Will Remember You”. It is a cross-over and adds more to the Buffy/Angel relationship than I could ever explain. Whatever you do, you have to watch this Angel episode. It is THE BEST of that series to me.
Anyway, I am so glad you are watching Buffy. It remains one of my Top 5 shows, ever. Keep us updated on your thoughts!!
I re-watched S1 recently and was surprised at how weak the acting was–it gets MUCH better. David Boreanaz in particular.
Interesting. May have to try this now too. I just finished watching Firefly for the first time ever and what a great series that was. So this may be another show for me to watch during the strike.
I remember being a buffy newbie! Good times. I’m a little young, so I completely missed the train when it premiered, but I didn’t feel too much dissonance with the acting or crazy 90s jargon. Then again, four years ago, I wasn’t really watching shows with a critical eye. Plus, I’m a sucker for ships and I LOVED angel/buffy. Seriously, it was intense. I stopped watching consistently after season 4, when riley and spike started appearing…. >.
Ah, to experience the joy of Buffy for the first time. I can only try to remember and sort of imagine… To reiterate what another poster said above, if you were in fact drawn in by Season 1, even with criticisms as noted, you will be blown away by Season 2. I’ve seen the finale of Season 2 at least 5 times, probably more, and cried every time. The last couple of seasons definitely showed a little bit of strain, but it’s so worth watching the whole thing.
I’m sure other people have said this, but…just wait for season 2. For realsies. I always thought of season 1 as the “meh” season…things were still being worked out, the actors were all really young and new. But season 2 on? Watch out. I predict full-blown obsession by the time you finish. Please continue to update us on your progress and thoughts. It’s interesting to read the POV of a Buffy newbie, especially 10 years later. 🙂
haha yeah man the acting is stiff the best actors on the show are giles and anya their characters really grow through the whole thing i love it and anya is so funny.
this series was one of my favorites, pre-office. (and roswell – how awesome was that show????) one name sums up this series for me – Spike. he kept things alive (ironically!), hurtling through at the best moments in the show’s history. season two is when i fell in love, and i guarantee gmmr will, too! =)
Hi Kathy,
It’s Courtney; I met you at the WGA rally in Cambridge, and I remember your telling Joss Whedon about how you had just seen your first Buffy ep the night before (or so). I’m so glad you’re pursuing the series! I have to admit, Season 1 is not my favorite, but it did do a good job for a mid-season attention-grabber. You’re really going to enjoy going through this series, and even when you think “What the heck are they doing??” (wait till Season 5, you’ll see), you’ll love it in the end–especially how characters develop and evolved.
As for Cordelia? She really shines especially in Angel. Let me know if you start watching that one, too.
Some of the acting in the early seasons was bad, but the actors improved greatly, especially Alyson and David. When they announced the Angel spin-off, I didn’t think David could carry a show, but I was proven wrong, I admit it.
Agreed with most everyone else — seasons 2 and 3 are the best, but I also have a fondness for season 5. There’s some standout episodes in that one.
season 1 is by far the most uneven season. they really started to get their bearings in season 2 and then the show just got better and better! keep watching!
I had the exact same experience you did earlier this year. I’m now finished with the entire series, and I have to say that I agree with most of your assessments of S1. If you’re digging the Buffy/Angel stuff, just wait for the end of S2 – it will rip your heart into a million little pieces, Joss Whedon style. S3 is certainly a highlight – if you liked The Master, you’ll like The Mayor even more. The show becomes much deeper and darker as it advances, but it feels appropriate to the aging of the characters and the changing world.
The quality of the show varies a lot. One thing that annoyed me in the early seasons was how Buffy’s mom was just a shill for the plot – her personality and parenting style seemed to change depending on whether Buffy needed an obstacle, or a supportive mommy. There are a few other characters who fall prey to this, and it’s a flaw.
Buffy was never meant to be a particularly lovable character, really. Most of the people around her are, but she’s a dangerous loner and she’ll continue to be so. She goes through a lot of trials and tribulations. There is one major character inconsistency that bothers me, although I can come up with explanations for it – Buffy fans will know what I mean when I say that what Buffy does at the end of S2 doesn’t seem to match what she does at the end of S5. Obviously the circumstances are not exactly the same, but it bothered me nonetheless.
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Hey, we definetly need to read about your POV in Boston seeing Joss. Fun times!
hahha, i read your opening sentence and LITERALLY GASPED IN HORROR. then i read the rest. and chuckled a bit because you knew it was going to happen. just thought i’d share…
and good for you for discovering it! buffy is awesome and awesome and awesome…and awesome.
and i’m looking forward to more buffy posts as you watch them. it just gets better (my favorite season is 5, but enough about me…)
the acting does get better too, fortunately.
Great to hear the view of a fresh set of eyes to BTVS. The entire series is good, but I would probably rate S2, S4 and S5 as the best whole seasons.
However make sure you don’t let anyone tell you any spoilers for the other seasons. There are a lot of moments that simply have to be experienced without any prior knowledge.
Wow, a Buffy n00b? I’m jealous. Buffy is my favorite show and I remember how awesome it was to watch the first time around not knowing what was up next. I didn’t watch seasons 1 & 2 live, and only started watching season 3 because my my then 12-year-old sister said it was great.
I really hope you end up liking the series overall; seasons 2 & 3 were definitely my favorite. I do still watch “Angel” from season one when I’m feeling depressed and want to see what I’ve always considered “the perfect man,” well according to my much younger, naive, and romantic high school self. Enjoy!
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I am so excited that you have finally gotten into Buffy. Buffy was the first show that I was fully obsessed about and I would stay up late to watch it even though I knew I would be tired for school the next day, but i didnt care. I was crazed and obsessed and I loved every minute of it. My favourite season is season 3 so when you get to it, make sure you let us know what you think. So exciting.
Waiting for the next podcast. Patiently…lol