Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Graduation Day" A two-part season finale that really stood out. It's a major showdown between slayer rivals Buffy and Faith, one fighting to stop the ascension of a major demon (a.k.a. the town's mayor) and the other working for that villain. Angel ends up injured, Faith gets stabbed by Buffy and put in a coma, Buffy almost gets smothered to death, Buffy and Faith bond in a dream, the entire town goes to hell in a hand basket, Buffy fires her irksome by-the-book watcher Wesley, Angel leaves town for good and, at the graduation ceremony, the mayor turns into a giant snake, which the entire student body helps to take him down. Now that's school spirit.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Surprise" & "Innocence" Yes, we're cheating a little by putting these two hours together, but so what? They ran together as a perfect pair, and while "Innocence" is quite possibly the best episode of the series, executed heartbreakingly well, it still needed the slow seduction and sexual tension build-up of "Surprise." No other episode of this vampire fantasy paralleled real life better, with Buffy losing her virginity to Angel and then having him literally turn into a total bastard (after he loses his soul because of his moment of complete happiness). Of course, then she had to hunt him down. (See kids, sex isn't all its cracked up to be.) Oh, and it was her birthday. A truly sucky birthday. It's got romance, heartache, action and backstory -- everything you could ever want in two hours and then some.
Angel, "Hero" This episode may be considered a bit on the cheesy side, with a monster-of-the-week theme and some really lame special effects. However, it was the first time that we really found ourselves emotionally attached to Angel as a show and not just a Buffy spinoff that we were compelled to watch only because our favorite characters were on it. Instead, Doyle (a demon who often looked human and had a powerful love for Cordelia) stepped out of his sidekick role and made the ultimate sacrifice by going on a suicide mission to benefit the greater good. His touching facial expressions as he punched Angel, kissed Cordelia and revealed his true self to her were perfectly played without being overly treacly. Okay, it was a little sentimental, but whatever. By having Angel Investigations lose one of its team members early on, this episode hammered home the show's dark edge, warning us that in Angel's line of work, there were bound to be casualties on both sides.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Hush" If you thought that Maryann cutting out human hearts and making people eat them was weird, you clearly haven't seen what the Gentlemen can do. These creepy humanoid creatures float through the air stealing voices (since screams can stop them) and then cutting the still-beating hearts out of seven different victims. The silent screaming is what really got to us. We also appreciated the fact that many of the couples and friends on this show had been having trouble communicating, but it was only when all vocal means were taken away that they were able to really open up to each other. Kind of brilliant. Even the Emmys thought so, as they gave this nearly dialogue-free episode a nomination for best writing.
Angel, "Smile Time" Grouchy vampire gets turned into a puppet. Do we really need to elaborate? This hilarious episode, filled with one-liners and zingers galore about Angel's felt status, just made us laugh and laugh, even after multiple viewings. Where else are you going to see a cranky-but-cute puppet turn into a vampire? Nowhere, that's where.
Angel, "Reprise" Kate tries to kill herself? Great. Best episode ever. Also, Angel has sex with Darla, and for a brief moment we think that he might have achieved a moment of pure happiness, but of course not, it's Darla. The Wolfram & Hart lawyers were in full effect, Angel learns that the home office of W&H isn't all its cracked up to b, and there's a special magic glove. Oh, and emotional upheaval... like always.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Who Are You" Your typical old body-swapping episode, but in the case of Buffy and Faith, it means new bodies with a lot of fist-fighting. Also, it gave the actresses, especially Sarah Michelle Gellar, a chance to really break out of the roles they'd been playing for a while. While Faith is in Buffy's body, SMG gets a chance to dress trashier and act outrageously and carelessly, while Buffy in Faith's body just trying to convince everyone that she's not an evil slayer. After their showdown, Faith took a train out of Sunnydale for a good long time. Too long.
Angel, "Not Fade Away" This series finale had so much going on that we're not even entirely sure where to start. From the sweet, tender moments as each beloved member of the team bids farewell to their lives as they prepare to go down in a blaze of glory to the loss of Wesley, we were in tears. The final scene featured the remaining staffers bravely facing a dragon and a whole host of demons in the face of imminent death. Our pride swelled, but our hearts broke a little.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Once More With Feeling" The words "musical episode" shouldn't go with a show as dark as Buffy, but it totally and completely worked. From a lovesick Spike so annoyed with his feelings for Buffy that he screams through the cemetery to a beautiful Tara who has been mesmerized by wicked witch Willow crooning a sentimental love song to Anya's fear of bunnies returning in the "I've Got a Theory" medley, it's just beautifully crafted. We loved it from the classic Hollywood film credits to the lingering leading-couple kiss as the curtains closed. Perfect, and damn if those songs aren't catchy.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Earshot" This episode, like "The Graduation," was initially held from airing because of concerns about school shootings after Columbine. However, when it did finally air, loyal, somewhat patient fans were well-rewarded as the show was fabulously done. Buffy's got a cut that's infected with demon blood, and while she panics that she'll look ugly, she instead becomes telepathic and is able to listen to everyone's thoughts. She overhears one student's plan to kill everyone, but then gets cured of her ability (thanks to Angel) before she can figure out who it was. With some investigating, she discovers that it was Jonathan. She finds him in the school clock tower with a rifle but stop him before he can injure anyone, including himself. Tough subject matter well-handled. And plenty of Jonathan, who becomes awesomely evil later on.
Angel, "Awakening" Vampires are used to living in the dark, but humans tend to freak out when they're without the sun. So Wesley and company hatch a plan to bring out Angel's dark side in order to stop "The Beast," which involves strapping him down in a prison, a creepy little man tapping into his mind and Angel having sex with Cordelia. We're not huge fans of that last part, but it did mean that we got to see the humans purposely bring out Angelus. And Angelus is awesome.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "The Body" Buffy's mom dies! This is a tragedy for any teenager, but especially a slayer who has such a small family and is used to being able to fight off death everywhere else. There are tear-jerking moments as Buffy breaks the news to her sister Dawn. No supernatural elements here, just horrible natural causes and some stellar acting.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "The Becoming, Part 2" Angelus, in his full and wrathful self, wreaks havoc in an attempt to awaken the demon Acathla, whose sole purpose is to suck the entire world in to Hell. Buffy, still reeling from the fact that her first lover turned into a heartless, soulless vampire set to destroy the world, battles him even while trying to get Willow to save him. However, Willow isn't quick enough, and the only way to stop the world from ending is for Buffy to drive a sword through Angel's stomach. Yeah, every girl wants to stab their boyfriend and send him to hell sometimes, right? She sweetly kissing him before sticking in the blade just made this even more touching and gut-wrenching to watch.
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Ven 25 Sep - 13:10
