TV on DVD marathon: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Sometimes you just need to dust off your favorite TV shows on DVD and have a proper marathon, but some shows may have been lucky enough to get an extended run that makes it difficult to sit through every single episode. Having been in this position countless times, there will be a new weekly feature of giving suggestions for more bite-sized marathons of various shows. Kicking off the lists will be Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Joss Whedon's first successful television series. For those who wish to see some of the essential and/or frivlously fun episodes, here we go:

Season 1:

"Welcome to the Hellmouth/The Harvest:" How can you have any marathon without the pilot episode? This two parter sets up perfectly what fans will come to expect of this show: solid drama, wacky banter, Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) getting hit in the head, everyone getting caught up in that love/lust thing, crazy fashion, and some supernatural goodness.

"The Witch:" This was the first non-vampire related story of the series, and the ending may still have the ability to send chills up your spine. Besides, what non-high school cheerleader wouldn't love watching combustible cheerleaders kickoff the mystery behind this episode's big bad? There is also the matter of Xander (Nicholas Brendan)'s first major attempt to claim Buffy (Sarah Michelle Geller) as his girlfriend while all she has her eyes on are a set of pom poms.

"Angel:" When it is finally revealed why Buffy's mystery friend Angel (David Boreanaz) is going to help realize the best and worst love story that could be found on the WB circa 1997. This episode also marks the many returns and incarnations of the vampire Darla (Julie Benz), love her or hate her, she was pivotal to many storylines on Buffy and spin-off Angel.

"Prophecy Girl:" Joss Whedon's first episode as a writer and director was also the first season's dramatic finale where Buffy faces off against her season-long nemesis, The Master (Mark Metcalfe). Yet, the focus is less on the fact Buffy is about to go into a battle that she may very well die during, but on the fact it will take place on the night of her school dance (and her desire to be a normal kid for a night). This episode is heartbreaking and cracklingly funny. This may be the eptiome of Buffy's struggle between her two lives (civilian Buffy and the slayer).

Season 2:

"Ted:" This episode goes down as the most highly-watched episode in the history of the series, thanks in part to guest star, the late John Ritter as the title character, Buffy's mom Joyce's latest boyfriend. Ritter was pitchperfect as the too perfect to be real, Ted. This chilling look into the hazards of what could happen when a divorced parent introduces a new beau into their child's life has it's own science fiction twists, but it is kind of exciting to see where the writers managed to take this particular story.

"Suprise"/"Innocence": This two-parter is Joss Whedon's self-professed favorite episodes of the series, and there is a very good reason, it is probably the most epic love story and battle over the course of a mere two episodes. Buffy faces her seventeenth birthday and how few slayers ever even reach that age, and she undergoes a number of coming-of-age rites of passage. Concurrently the season's current villains, Spike and Drusilla (the perfect contemporary Sid and Nancy homage pairing of James Marsters and Juliet Landau), plot to destroy every person who feels any sense of goodness. There are a number of game-changing twists that cannot be referenced here for the uninitiated, but let's just say that by the end of "Surprise," anything you once assumed about the series will be thrown out a window. By the time "Goodnight My Love" begins to play at the end of "Innocence," everything will be explained, but just like Buffy, you won't believe where we've ended up.

I Only Have Eyes for You: Some may be surprised to find this episode on the list because it technically doesn't feature any major story changes, in fact, it is pretty much a reiteration of the battle lines that were drawn in the previous episode selection. Yet, this ghost love story about a teacher (Meredith Salenger) and student (Christopher Gorham) that died in a murder/suicide, following their affair, who possess pairs to keep reliving their deaths, is a carefully crafted episode that has a perfect balance between whimsy, romance, comedy, and drama. Every storyline echoes the central plot in some way, and the final twist involving the final duo posessed by the doomed lovers may be a genuine surprise. This is also reportedly the episode that inspired Whedon to give Boreanaz his own show.

"Becoming Part I"/"Part II:" This two-parter spans two and half centuries of time from where we begin to where we end. Each moment of the final days involving the end of Buffy's junior year and the big bad's plot to end the world are carefully laid out here. It is all about becoming who you were meant to be, and what you are willing to do in order to get there. This ends up being most true of Spike (whether he really wants the world to burn), Xander (what is he willing to do for his friends), Willow (and her wicca ways), Angel (if a soul really make a man), and Buffy (if she can put aside her personal allegiances for what is best for the world). It's also bittersweet flashing back to the moment Darla changed Angel's entire life during a fateful meeting in an alley, or when Angel first saw Buffy, when she found out she was the Slayer. Then it's just fun to watch the final battle and when Buffy makes her final choice between following her destiny or giving it all up for love and presumed happiness. All you can be asked is, "How can you not shed a tear, or think you should when Buffy tells Angel, "Close your eyes?"

Season 3:

"Band Candy:" This fun episode sees all the adults of Sunnydale revert to their teenage selves for one night thanks to some funky band candy being sold by the current high schoolers. It's just really interesting watching Giles and Joyce, who are the polar opposite of their grumpier adult selves in this alternative reality, run amok as Buffy has to play parent to both of them.

"The Wish:" Another alternative reality episode, but it does foreshadow quite a bit of the changes that will come with the imminent graduation from Sunnydale High School. Cordelia makes a wish to the vengeance demon Anya (Emma Caulfield) that Buffy never came to Sunnydale. Only she doesn't realize that if Buffy never arrived than the vampires would overtake Sunnydale, Xander and Willow would be vampires, Angel would be a pathetic plaything for dominatrix Willow, and Giles would be leading up a resistance to keep the few humans left alive with town werewolf Oz (Seth Green).

"The Zeppo:" The entire episode is a love letter to Xander Harris, by painting him as a pathetic loser who really doesn't have a defined role in the Scooby Gang. This brilliant episode follows Xander on his own adventure while the rest of the gang is seen in brief interludes and perpetually preparing to head into some epic battle that is never seen. This near parody of all the regular episode plotpoints really shows why Xander is important to this world as he tries to save it without anyone noticing or any supernatural aid, but he does have a really cool car.

"Earshot:" This episode was pulled from it's original airdate because it features a student with a gun in a clocktower, and was set to air just days after the Columbine shooting. When fans finally were treated to this episode, there were many surprises in store (particularly the identity of the shooter and their actual purpose). The majority of the episode follows Buffy as she is afflicted with the ability to hear people's thoughts and the powers increase expotentially to the point where she may lose her mind from hearing all of the conflicting voices.

"Graduation Day Part I"/"Part II:" The culmination of Buffy's senior year brings about a lot of changes and the by now standard battle to end the apocalypse that happens each season. This year Buffy is fighting the mayor (Harry Groener), who is trying to become an ancient demon and kill everyone, with the help of the other vampire slayer, Faith (Eliza Dusku). There is also the matter of Angel's impending departure for his own spinoff to deal with.

Season 4:

"Harsh Light of Day:" This episode signals the first crossover event between Buffy and sister show, Angel. This is also the return of James Marsters, now a series regular, and all of the drama and silliness that Spike brings with him. This time, he is searching for a gem that will leave any vampire that wears it unkillable. He takes advantage of Buffy being distracted by her first date since Angel left, and a poignant concert from Bif Naked.

"Pangs:" Thanksgiving is the holiday in question, and the villains are Native American spirits that are hellbent on killing any of their oppressors (they also accidentally mistake Xander as one of them). There is also the reappearance of Angel (who sees everyone but Buffy), and the slayer trying desperately trying to cook her first Thanksgiving dinner on her own. This off-kilter holiday has a good mix of action and hijinks to make it really enjoyable.

"Something Blue:" This quirky episode follows a recently dumped Willow (Alyson Hannigan) try to get over her pain by casting a spell that goes wrong, and now anything she tells people to do then they must do. Xander becomes a demon magnet, Giles goes blind, and Buffy and Spike get engaged (the first dance song is not to be missed). From here, chaos ensues with some oddly prophetic moments thrown in.

"Hush:" This silent film homage is chilling and eerie. There are also some major developments in the coupledom of Anya and Xander, and Buffy with her new beau Riley (Marc Blucas). This is also the only episode to be Emmy-nominated for best writer, Whedon. 

"Superstar:" This episode lovingly imagines a world where fan favorite b-character (he was even in the unaired pilot), Jonathan (Danny Strong) is the world's most popular celebrity/philanthropist/athlete/swimsuit model/rocket scientist/vampire slayer. Here Buffy is doubting her capabilities, but slowly begins to realize that something may be wrong where someone is a better slayer than her. The twists taken are brilliant, and like "The Zeppo" really pokes fun at the seriousness of certain episodes without marginalizing their validity.

"Restless:" The entire episode is one large dream, following each character's dreams during the post-epic battle movie marathon since in the previous episode the season's villain was destroyed there instead of in this episode, the season finale. The episode beautifully blends a wrapup of this season's shifting tides from high school to college, and the beginning of the journey that will take place during season five. There are also a number of fun brief cameos by performers that are no longer with the series on a regular basis.

Season 5:

"Buffy vs. Dracula:" Buffy finally meets the most famous vampire in literary history, and you won't be disappointed. The season opener is light and a good reintroduction to the characters after a summer away, but also jumps right back into the adventure. It's one of the more light hearted episodes in what will slowly develop into one of the darker and more mythology-based season's in the show's history.

"Family:" This episode establishes where Willow's now confirmed girlfriend Tara (Amber Benson) belongs within the Scooby Gang, as her family comes to visit and try to take her home. It's frightening at times, and has a really sweet ending (that inevitably leads to tragedy). Yet, for now this episode is heartwarming and a respite from Buffy's problems.

"Triangle:" Some may be surprised to see this episode listed and not the preceeding "Into the Woods" where Riley leaves Buffy. Yet, this episode is intriguing because it follows how Buffy deals with being dumped for non-monster related reasons, and how Anya and Willow must learn to share Xander. There is also a troll and Spike's first declaration that he loves Bloomin' Onlons. What's not to love?

"The Body:" This episode features the death of a major character in the series and how each of the characters must deal with their loss. It's a powerful episode that really highlights the various talents of the entire cast, and poses some powerful questions. It may also be jarring to those that realize the distinct lack of monsters for the majority of the episode and the fact that there is no score so that you are forced to feel as uncomfortable as the characters are in their every pause during this time.

"Intervention:" This episode tackles head on two major season-long plotlines, Spike's coming to terms that he is in love with Buffy and she does not love him, and the fact that the god Glory needs to find the illustrious key (i.e. Buffy's baby sister played by Michelle Trachtenberg) in order to get back to her home dimension. The plots collide as Spike is kidnapped and tortured for information, and he must choose whether or not to save himself or protect the Summer sisters. The choice will surprise you, but not more than how Buffy chooses to handle the situation once Spike is out of Glory's clutches.

"The Gift:" The hundreth episode of the series is both a standard finale involving a big bad, but also honors the tradition of the series. It really does highlight how far the series and its characters have come after five years of battling demons week to week. The final moments, and Buffy's choice this time of her life, her family, and the best thing for the world may shock viewers right down to that final heartbreaking and poignant shot.

Season 6:

"Once More with Feeling:" Before Whedon wrote the musical Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, he dabbled in musical theatre with this escapist fantasy episode where the entire town of Sunnydale falls under a spell that turns everything into a musical. The entire cast provides their own singing, for better or worse (mostly for the better), and knocks it out of the park. There are also major developments in every key relationship of the series.

"Tabula Rasa:" Amazingly the episode immediately following the instant-classic musical is far from a letdown. The episode is what has now become the near traditional parody, homage, lovefest about what the series is about where all the characters fall under a spell to forget who they are (for a short time). They reform a variety of relationships, and certain dynamics are lovingly messed with as everyone tries to figure out who they are meant to be with (with a few mistakes). If anything, Spike's realization that he is a vampire, a good vampire even, is worth the entire exercise.

"Hell's Bells:" Xander and Anya's much anticipated wedding day falls on a dreery day where no one really seems to want to be there except for the bride. Everything about this wedding may make you cringe in a funny way, but the heartwrenching steps to the altar that take place are so lovely. When you finally hear the wedding march play, you may not fully believe the tragi-comedy that you have just watched.

"Normal Again:" If this episode had been a season finale, someone would have started picketing the network for the controversial ending. This episode follows Buffy as she is injected with a serum that makes her think that she is a crazy girl in LA who thinks that the events of the entire series are real, but no one else does. It's chilling to consider how different the series would have been if the entire series were dreamed, but then again, maybe it could still be.

"Seeing Red:" This episode signals a major shift in what has thus far been a rather stand-alone episode filled season six. Everything comes together as Buffy and Spike finally come to terms over their affair and Willow reconnects with girlfriend Tara. It also is the first episode to feature Benson in the credits, for a very important reason that is revealed in the final seconds before the credits roll.

"Grave:" Evil Willow is trying to destroy the world, and Giles has returned to help stop the out of control wicca from ending the world. This lament on the dark nature of the season really has genuine laughs and endearing moments as the gang comes together for this important cause. Buffy makes some major revelations about how she feels towards her family, and Xander tries to become the heart of the family again. Damn the yellow crayon that becomes such a major part of this episode for making such odd sense in a completely out there way.

Season 7:

"Lessons:" This episode returns Buffy to Sunnydale High School, where Dawn is an incoming freshman. There are quite a few references to older seasons that take on a new meaning during the final episodes. Also, it is made clear why this should be the final season from the get-go in a positive way, Buffy is coming full circle. The question of where Spike left at the end of season six is better answered here, in an oblique way.

"Selfless:" This episode follows the origins of Anya, and shows "deleted" moments from the series that better explain the choices she has made throughout the series. Caulfield beautifully plays out the comedy and tragedy of her character every week, but she really shines here a little more brightly than usual. There is also a bonus musical number that would have certainly been worthy of "Once More with Feeling."

"The Killer in Me:" This episode finally deals with Willow's lingering pain from her actions of season six in the most unconventional ways. She begins to have her body slowly taken over by Warren (Adam Busch), the man she killed last season, and must fight to stay Willow. The real question would be: is this not justice for her misdemeanors? It's really interesting to see how Hannigan and Busch were able to match each other and where the lines between their performances are drawn.

"Storyteller:" This is the last real stand-alone episode of the series, and it's a wonderful look at the Scooby Gang from an outside, Andrew (Tom Lenk), who was once their supposed nemesis and is now their very own fanboy. The episode still ties in the season-long plot, but the comedy of Andrew's narration really makes for a delightful recap of what has happened and where we need to go from here.

"Lies My Parents Told Me:" This episode highlights who Spike is, by showing his early years as a vampire and the mama's boy/wannabe poet that he was as a human. There is also a re-examination of Buffy and Giles with their turbulent father-daughter dynamic. The counterpointing of these two plotlines really is interesting because they don't ever fully blend together, but each have powerful relationships being displayed. Is there a point where listening to your parent going to be harmful to you?

"Chosen:" The final episode of the series is a must-see as Buffy faces down the First Evil and her minion Caleb (Nathan Fillion) with the help of the entire game (in particular a guest-starring Boreanaz and Marsters, who is about to jump to Angel). It pays loving respect to the history of the series with more than a few callbacks (Giles declaring "The Earth is definitely doomed"), but takes the entire mythology of the show to a new level. Fans will be both satisfied, but curious as to what could have happened after this. That's why some may want to look for the eighth season comicbooks that show what Whedon would have done. In the mean time, enjoy Buffy and her cookie dough-ie goodness.