Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The Complete First Season (1997)

For the first time, Whedon has provided us with all the terrors of high school (remember those?) in a horror genre setting. Not only that, but he provides a confident, cool FEMALE character to trounce the bad guys. Whether you're a fan of the genre or a teenage feminist, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) provides a niche for the unpopular misfits in high school, but looks upon them as heroes. Were you as uncomfortable as Xander (Nicholas Brendon)? As geeky as Willow (Alyson Hannigan)? As quick with an aphorism as Oz (Seth Green)? The series proves that high school is indeed survivable no matter who you are, even if you're cliquish Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter). And in the end, the more unpopular you were - possibly the more important you were to your teenage community.

Mix in your favorite teacher (or librarian) played by Anthony Stewart Head (who should play "Doctor Who" after he's done with "Buffy") to be the requisite horror genre British pseudo-scientist, and Buffy's single mom (Kristine Sutherland) and you're all set to go with the most intelligent sci-fi TV series possibly written for this age group. (The next closest thing being the intelligent, yet non-sf "Freaks & Geeks".)

I'm not kidding. It's amazing how quickly these characters grow in the first season and their responses remain true to life despite the extraordinary situations they're thrown into. Creator Joss Whedon has become one of the most talented writer/directors working in the industry today, despite the fact that "Buffy" is most of what he's been doing for the last five years.

As far as what you get in this box set, you're in for a treat. This is the full first season, not just the half previously released on VHS; including the season finale "Prophecy Girl" - where we see just how heroic Buffy really is, despite her adolescence and fear of death. Also present throughout the series are teenage issues of emotional/sexual conflict ("Teacher's Pet") and problems with acceptance ("The Pack"). Specific highlights also include Whedon's commentary for the two part premiere as well as the first appearances of Angel (David Boreanaz) and Jenny Calendar (Robia LaMorte).

Remember, Buffy's not JUST about vampires. In fact I think it's safe to say that vampires are secondary to the emotional undercurrent of the show, if not a particular episode's plot. Forget "Felicity" and shove off of "Dawson's Creek", this is the one for the adults.

The set begins with the two-part series premiere, "Welcome to the Hellmouth" and "The Harvest." These episodes introduce Buffy, a sophomore in high school and the Slayer chosen to fight the forces of darkness; Willow, the shy technology-savvy redhead; Xander, the goofy regular guy who happens to have a serious crush on the Buffster; Cordelia, the shallow queen always ready with an acerbic comment; and Giles, the staid school librarian and Buffy's watcher. Some important secondary characters are also introduced, like Angel, Buffy's future boyfriend, and Darla, Angel's vampiric ex-flame. The storyline involves the plans of the Master, a vampire, to escape his prison and wreak havoc at the same time that Buffy has just transferred to a new school (after being kicked out of her old one for burning down the gym). Naturally, she and her friends avert the catastrophe.

"The Witch" is a great episode, looking at both mother/daughter relationships and being pressured by parents to succeed. When the cheerleading squad meets various mystical "accidents," one-by-one, Buffy has to investigate. The trail apparently leads to Amy Madison, a gawky girl turned second-string cheerleader. She's moving up the ranks as her competitors go down... One of the best episodes in the set.

"Teacher's Pet" features Xander, as he and all the other guys go gaga for a new substitute teacher. But Buffy's suspicious when she sees the teacher do a head-twist, Exorcist-style. Unfortunately, Xander's already in her trap...

"Never Kill a Boy on the First Date" is a more humorous episode. Buffy tries to have a social life, but those pesky slaying commitments keep getting in the way. She finally ends up dragging her date to the funeral home when they find that an ancient prophecy is coming to pass...

In "Angel," the mysterious Angel's secret is revealed: he's a vampire! (As if it were a surprise to anyone.) But when Buffy thinks he's fed on her mother, she has to make a decision: can she bring herself to kill him?

The spotlight's on Willow in "I Robot, You Jane." When introspective Will starts an online romance, Buffy's a little worried. But when it turns out that there's a demon in the Internet - and that he's Willow's "boyfriend" - things get particularly hairy. This episode introduces computer teacher and technopagan Jenny Calendar, Giles' sometimes girlfriend and a pivotal character in Season Two.

"The Puppet Show" is the series' token creepy-ventriloquist's-dummy episode. Giles has been drafted for the school talent show, but several of the participants have turned up rather dead. Buffy suspects one of the stranger kids' ventriloquist dummy is behind the deaths. Though this episode is not the strongest of the season, an enjoyable and unexpected twist makes it still eminently watchable.

In "The Pack," Xander's started to act funny - snarling at his friends and hanging out with the bullies. It all started when he entered the hyena cage at the zoo. But can Buffy figure it out before things get out of hand and somebody gets...well, eaten?

"Nightmares" brings everyone's worst nightmares to life. Buffy's father tells her he doesn't love her, while bookworm Giles forgets how to read. The Master seizes the opportunity to try to make a break for the outside world, and nearly succeeds. Worth it if for nothing but Cordelia's bad hair day.

In "Out of Mind, Out of Sight," an invisible girl is terrorizing Cordelia and her associates. She comes to Buffy for help, and Buffy gives it (albeit very reluctantly). But when the attacks coincide with the crowning of Cordelia as the new May Queen, problems arise - big surprise.

The set ends on a high note with "Prophecy Girl." Giles finds a prophecy that predicts Buffy's death at the hands of the Master. It deals very clearly with Buffy's bleak realization of her own mortality, and ends with a showstopping showdown between Buffy and the Master. Quite possibly the best episode in this set.

I can't recommend this boxed set highly enough. Extras, like interviews with Joss Whedon (the creator) and David Boreanaz (Angel) round out the set. A worthwhile purchase both for Buffy fans and those wanting to see what the fuss is all about.

(1) The most important factor that gives the television series more depth than the movie is clearly the character of Angel (David Boreanaz), although the creation of the Scooby Gang is huge as well. But even more impressive than the fact that a vampire with a soul is in love with the Slayer is the fact that Joss Whedon holds off on this revelation until the seventh episode ("Angel"). For the first six episodes Angel was Mystery Guy, Stealth Guy, Cryptic Guy, and then in the first truly memorable moment of the series, Buffy learns the truth as Angel's face morphs in her bedroom. Creating these star-crossed lovers is where this television series start an operatic story arc that culminates in "Becoming: Part II," the show's zenith. (2) Related to this is the Master (Mark Metcalf) story arc that defines the first season. Each subsequent season of Buffy has similarly been defined by a pair of story arcs, usually dividing the season in half: Season 2 starts with Spike & Dru and then Angelus takes over in the second half. Of course, this helps set up the thrilling season finales each year as the Master/Angelus/Mayor/Adam/Glory meets their fate. But it also means that throughout the season things are brewing and building. In other words, the order of the episodes matters.

(3) As Joss Whedon has often told us, the subtext of "BtVS" is that High School is Hell. I was surprised that over half the episodes from the First Season dealt primarily with the horrors of going to high school, as opposed to expanding the Buffy mythos. Living up to the unreasonable expectations of parents ("Witch"), having a crush on a teacher ("Teacher's Pet"), school cliques ("The Pack"), meeting someone on the internet ("I Robot, You Jane"), facing your worst fears ("Nightmares"), being ignored by everybody ("Out of Mind, Out of Sight"), and even just trying to go out on a date ("Never Kill a Boy On the First Date") are dealt with in Season One. (4) The final obvious strength of the show would be the characters and the actors playing them. Willow (Allyson Hannigan) might by the all-time best Best Friend, and watching the character grow over the years has been fascinating. Poking fun at the pomposity of Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) never grows old, but I have to admit that I think Xander (Nicholas Brendon) is the [punch line] of way too many jokes. Then again, one of the show's masterstrokes is that Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter), who represents everything about high school that the others hate, gets dragged into being a member of the gang. It is also clear in retrospect that Joss Whedon's knows how to use the characters and acting talent he stumbles across. Elizabeth Anne Allen (Amy Madison), Robia LaMorte (Jenny Calendar), and Mercedes McNab (Harmony) are all introduced in first season episodes and brought back for even greater fun in future episodes.

Watching the first season episodes of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" makes it clear that the show certainly started strong. Yes, there are some efforts that could be a lot better: my groaner is "Teacher's Pet" although others have problems with "Witch," "I Robot, You Jane" and "Out of Mind, Out of Sight." But all of those episodes suffer in part because they are the farthest removed from the core of the Buffy mythos. But the "Welcome to the Hellmouth/The Harvest" pilot, "The Pack," "Angel" and "Prophecy Girl" are first-rate efforts, and that's a third of the initial season right there. However, as soon as you watch "When She Was Bad," the first episode from Season Two, it is clear that the show had gotten a LOT better. So I would really give Season One 4.5 stars, which rounds up on the strength of Sarah Michelle Gellar's performance and especially her "I don't want to die" speech in "Prophecy Girl." Killing Buffy only makes her stronger.