My 25 favourite episodes of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer
It's way too hard to put in order of how I like them so instead they'll just go in chronological order. Please note that these are the episodes I like the most, and not necessarily the best episodes, if you know what I mean.
The list may change.
The list may change.
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- DirectorJohn T. KretchmerStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganBuffy's mother and friends become trapped inside Sunnydale High School when a vampire named Spike launches an attack against the Slayer on Parent-Teacher night.I love Spike in this episode. I think it reveals a lot about his character - without showing too much. He is one of the most likeable villains (and heroes). I love the scene where Cordelia is praying for Asprin, and how Buffy is still trying desperately to protect her secret from her mother.
- DirectorBruce Seth GreenStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganOn Halloween, Buffy and her friends patronize an unusual costume shop where customers turn into whatever costume they are wearing.This here is one of my favourite episodes of all time, where the characters become their costumes. It's hilarious for many reasons. One, because it is Xander who becomes the tough guy, and two, because Buffy is a helpless princess, terrified of cars. There is the continuing development of the Willow/Oz relationship without them having actually met yet. Ethan Rayne makes his first appearance - and what a fantastic character he is. I don't know how many times I've seen this episode, and I still adore it.
- DirectorBruce Seth GreenStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganBuffy and her friends discover secrets about themselves as they battle a werewolf, its hunter, and their own emotions.This is the episode where Oz realises he is a werewolf and Xander finds out Larry is gay. Both stories are tremendously funny. I love the Oz/Willow relationship =)
- 1997–20031hTV-PG8.7 (4.4K)TV EpisodeDirectorJames A. ContnerStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganAs Valentine's Day approaches, Xander tries to improve his love life through witchcraft and finds himself with too much of a good thing.Every female in Sunnydale is hopelessly (even violently) in love with Xander! Aside from being a great episode, there is a lot of character development for Xander. He realises a lot of things about himself, and it reveals his true strength of character and feelings for Cordelia.
- DirectorDavid GreenwaltStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganAs Buffy and Cordelia vie for Homecoming Queen, a group of killers gather to participate in SlayerFest '98.In this episode Cordelia and Buffy are forced to get along when they find themselves targets in Slayer Fest '98. Cordelia is mistaken for Faith but funnily enough, she and Buffy come to a sort of understanding. Some good character development there.
- DirectorMichael LangeStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganAdults throughout Sunnydale behave like immature teenagers after they eat cursed candy.The adults are children! Need I say more? Well, I will because I have to say that it is hilarious because Giles and Joyce get together. Snyder becomes an honorary member of the scooby gang and Ethan Rayne is back again.
- DirectorJames Whitmore Jr.StarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganAfter discovering the corpses of two young children bearing a symbol linked to the occult, Joyce spearheads a campaign to rid Sunnydale of witches.The first time I saw this episode I was pretty spooked. I was young, I guess, but this spin on the classic fairytale Hansel and Gretel was an interesting display of how easily people can be manipulated.
- DirectorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganWhile casting a magic spell, Anya and Willow accidentally summon Willow's evil double from an alternate universe.Evil Willow comes to the actual version of Sunnydale and hilarity ensues.
- DirectorRegis KimbleStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganA mouthless demon infects Buffy with the ability to hear everyone's thoughts, but what starts out as a useful power soon turns into a curse.This episode is awesome because we finally know what everyone is thinking. Oz is philosophical, Cordelia... well she literally says what she thinks and Xander truly does only think about sex. This is also the episode where Buffy finds out her mother and Giles slept together (on the hood of a police car!)
- 1997–20031hTV-PG9.2 (4.2K)TV EpisodeDirectorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganOn Ascension Day, Buffy and her friends prepare for the ultimate battle as they face off against the mayor and a horde of vampires.Epic battle.
- DirectorMichael LangeStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganOn Thanksgiving, Buffy encounters the spirit of a Native American warrior whose people were wiped out by settlers.For some reason this is the episode I watch the most... I'm not sure why but I just really love it. Spike and Buffy's banter, Anya and Xander's developing relationship, Angel being in town without Buffy knowing (and he's not evil)
- DirectorNick MarckStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganOne of Willow's spells causes her statements to become reality, with consequences both entertaining and life-threatening.Buffy and Spike go from at each other's throats to being engaged. Giles is blind - perhaps mercifully so, when it comes to Spike and Buffy. D'Hoffryn is a great character.
- DirectorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganWhen everyone in Sunnydale loses their voice, the Scooby Gang must silently solve the mystery of the monsters who stole their ability to speak.Great, spooky episode. Whedon proves he can get by without witty dialogue. Love it!
- DirectorJames A. ContnerStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganWhile attempting to redefine her relationship with Riley, Buffy must also stop demons that are determined to reopen the Hellmouth.Spike is trying to kill himself because he can't kill any more (lol). It's just great.
- DirectorMichael GershmanStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganEthan Rayne returns to town and transforms Giles into a demon. Spike is the only one who can help.Giles is a demon! I love when he gets out of the car to chase Professor Walsh down the street!
- DirectorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganBuffy, Willow, Xander, and Giles experience dreams in which they are pursued by a mysterious figure.A great foreshadowing episode.
- DirectorNick MarckStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganThe Watcher Council travels to Sunnydale to review Buffy's skills as a Slayer; meanwhile, Glory puts her search for the Key into high gear.Anya trying to hide the fact she used to be a demon from the watcher's council - good times!
- DirectorMichael GershmanStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganA weary Buffy seeks to regain focus by embarking on a quest with the First Slayer; Spike cavorts with his very own "Buffybot" and Glory instructs her minions to spy on Buffy's friends in the hopes of ascertaining the Key's true identity.Two words: Buffy Bot!
- DirectorNick MarckStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonEmma Caulfield FordBuffy's powers are tested by Andrew, Jonathan and Warren, who seek to expose and exploit her weaknesses in an effort to destroy her.That part where time repeats itself. Smashing Giles' glasses. I had tears in my eyes, it was so funny.
- 1997–200350mTV-PG9.7 (11K)TV EpisodeDirectorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonEmma Caulfield FordIn this musical extravaganza, Sunnydale residents find themselves bursting into song, and flame, when a demon attempts to make Dawn his bride.A Very Buffy Musical =)
- DirectorDavid GrossmanStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonEmma Caulfield FordWhile trying to find a way to make Buffy forget about her afterlife experience, Willow inadvertently casts a spell that erases everyone's memories.Let's forget the serious undertones and Tara leaving at the end of the episode and focus on the memory loss. Giles and Anya think they're engaged. Buffy calls herself Joan. Spike calls himself Randy and thinks he's Giles' son. Willow and Xander think they're an item. So funny.
- DirectorMichael GershmanStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonEmma Caulfield FordAfter Dawn talks to a guidance counselor about her feeling lonely, she accidentally puts a spell on Buffy and her friends, trapping them inside the Summer's house with a sword-wielding demon.Despite the fact Dawn is one of my least favourite characters, this wish scenario where nobody can leave the house is great.
- DirectorMichael GrossmanStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonEmma Caulfield FordBuffy has to keep the ever increasing number of potential Slayers from panicking while Giles and Anya seek answers from the Beljoxa's Eye.Buffy's fight with the uber-vamp. So great.
- DirectorJames A. ContnerStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonEmma Caulfield FordBuffy takes the Potentials to a demon bar and then to a vampire nest, in order to teach them the art of slaying. When Willow casts a spell to seek out the next Potential, the spell leads them to believe that Dawn may be a future slayer.Lots of character development here, and I actually like Dawn in this episode lol
- DirectorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonEmma Caulfield FordAfter killing Caleb, Buffy conceives a plan to defeat the First once and for all. Willow invokes a magic spell that alters the ancient Slayer spell and gives Buffy the allies she needs to fight the Uber-Vamp army. An epic battle ensues and several good friends are lost. At the end, Buffy faces a completely new problem -- one she's glad to have.Series finale - epically awesome