Buffyverse Episodes Poll!?

43. Normal Again (Buffy Season 6, Episode 17)


Air Date: 12 March, 2002 Viewing Figures: 5.01 IMDB Rating: 8.4

Horror director Rick Rosenthal (Halloween II) brings a real spooky, air to this tense, psychological Twlight Zone style conundrum episode. It bringing into question Buffy's entire existance as the Slayer up to this point being called into question is something people either love or it pisses them off royally 😀. Hot take maybe, but I think its one of the best episodes of the whole show and I'll leave it there😛


Coming next time a far more less disivsive later seasons episode.
 
42. Conversations with Dead People (Buffy Season 7, Episode 7)


Air Date: 12 November, 2002 Viewing Figures: 4.83 IMDB Rating: 8.9

One of the standout episodes from the final season, and one which makes a statement for the rest of the season. Its a fun concept with Buffy, Dawn and Willow (Xander sits the episode out), all involved in their own encounter with a dead person all in different forms. Its a really atomospheric, tense, but typically subversive and witty episode. For the fans who are not so hot on S7 this is probably more their speed. The episode works so well because the gimmick is effective as a standalone, but its also an effective device to set up the story of the season, through what Buffy learns from a now Dead School Friend, and the more emotional stories involving Dawn's Poltergeist's encounter with Joyce, and Willow's bizarre encounter with a recently departed student who appears to be sending a message from Tara. Michelle Trachtenberg is once again fantastic giving another criminally underrated turn. The twist and the end of the episode really lands and changes the course of the season.


Next time we jump back from the final season to the first season with an episode which always gets mixed reactions, but I think is one of the best of that season.
 
41. The Pack (Buffy Season 1, Episode 6)


Airdate: April 7, 1997 Viewing Figures: 3.42 IMDB Rating: 7.2

An episode in danger of being overshadowed by a silly and cheesy MOTW gimmick (like many other season 1 episodes), ends up being one of the more impressive takes on High School Bullying. The methaphor for the most part works, and is used to explore the darkerside of teen angst and massculity. Its also an episode which is a great character study for both Willow and Xander. Willow has one of her finest moments to date with the "And Now I know" gottcha moment with Xander in the cage. Nicholas Brendon has a lot of fun playing a villain for the episode and gives his best performance to date. Its impressive just how dark this goes for a S1 episode, including the tragic fate of a certain pricipal. A shocking moment, not least since at the time fans would have expected Flutie to last at least the first season. Not perfect, but it leaves its mark and who doesn't love the Dodge Ball scene and that coach!😛

 
All these got 32 points!

40. Fool for Love (Buffy Season 5, Episode 7)


Airdate: November 14, 2000 Viewing Figures: 5.66 IMDB Rating: 9.1

An important episode in Buffy's character arc in what for many is her greatest season. Going to local Vampire Spike who she now has a love to hate style relationship, the episode digs into some major Buffyverse lore, with a Spike history lesson (like only he can give), on how he killed 2 slayers in the past. Its not only a big episode for Buffy, but its one of the most inconic Spikecentric episodes, and maybe his last truly great episode. The spark between the two characters is never more distinct, the direction, editing, and period detail is all there to match. It even has a surprisly tender conclusion. It makes a effective crossover with the "Darla" episode over on Angel telling the other half of the story. Its one of the very best season 5 episodes, and that season's pretty packed.



The Body (Buffy Season 5, Episode 16)


Airdate: February 27, 2001 Viewing Figures: 5.97 IMDB Rating: 9.7

One of the few episodes to break through to the elitist Awards cliques/critics circles. Its true that many Buffy episodes over the seven seasons are unique and different from most tv at the time, but this is truly unlike any other episode of the show to date. A beautifully devasting, emotionally gripping, tender, and vivid depiction of what its like to come to terms with a personal loss. What makes the episode so tragic is Joyce's loss was so unexpected, the writers fooled us, meaning we feel the shock alongside Buffy. We are very much in her headspace throughout as we are with the other characters. Its a raw, stripped back, uncompromising episode of TV. A break from the norm, no demons etc.. until the very end of the episode which is a great scene in itself. Top rate acting also, the lack of music a crucial choice. Its worth saying that there are one or two quirky character moments, nicely thrown in just to show these are the shame characters we've followed over mulitple seasons. The episode deserves the praise it gets, the only thing that works against it is its so hard to watch.


The Trial (Angel Season 2, Episode 9)


Airdate: November 28, 2000 Viewing Figures: 4.67 IMDB Rating: 8.8

Angel's tug of war with Wolfram & Hart over dangerous, but vulerable ex-vampire and ex-lover Darla comes to its peak with a smooth Twilight Zone gimmick at the core of this episode. After some back and forth between the verious factions early in the episode, Angel locates Darla who it turns out is dying from Syphilis. After an emotional singing session at The Lost/Lorne's bar (Julia Benz was terrified of singing), Lorne tells Angel the only way to save her is to undergo three challenges/trials at a mystery location hosted by Valet called Jeeves (a bit on the nose😉). Its turns out that Trials will put Angel's own existance in danger, in more than one way. The Trial scenes are the standout of the episode, that is until a wonderful gut punch ending, one of the best twists Angel the show ever pulled off.


Coming next time a slick and iconic early Buffy S3 episode.
 
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