Converting the non believers

[Clem Rocks]

Ok so i'm finally got my gf to agree to watch Buffy and Angel to see if she likes it, but she doesn't have the channels they're on, i seem to remember there are a few sites where you can watch it for free, legally, but i can't remember what they were, anyone know?

and also, what episodes should i get her to watch?

For Buffy i was thinking The Gift, but that might be too spoilery if she decideds she likes it huh? or maybe that one in Season 4 where Buffy drops a book on Riley's head, that was the first episode that i saw that started my love of Buffy and let's face it, after seeing Riley getting smacked on the head, how can you not love it?

any ideas for episodes guys?

 

[Blondie Bear]

I'm having almost the same thoughts for possible episodes to show my classes on that one day we may not have anything to do (I've scheduled in a make-up-for-snow-days day). I wanted to show them something fun, not too sad, and not needing a lot of backstory to understand. So far, I've thought of Hush, The Wish, Doppelgangland, and possibly Restless.

Hope that helps you a little bit.

 

[Karol]

If I was her, I´d like to watch the first one... I know there are some GREAT episodes, but it´s so weird to watch a series going on, when you don´t know what´s happening, you know the characters and don´t get the inside jokes... I´ll have to say to her, every single scene, what that really means, and explian the jokes etc.

I think the only episode I could watch without the begining is OMWF, cause could be "Just a musical", but it´s the only onw in 7 yrs so.. not a good exemple.

I still vote for the Welcome to Hellmouth, but it´s just me xD

 

[Urgent Power]

I'm not really for your ideas (nothing personal of course). I wouldn't start with end of season episodes, especially not in season 5, it's too late. And I wouldn't start with season 4 (which I love by the way, but it's not so good plot-wise). I wouldn't start with heavy episodes, I would prefer something light and even funny. A few months ago I showed someone "Something Blue", and she really liked it.
Another advice is, if you know this person well, know what genre she likes, it will help you find something that is not a long shot. Or if you think they would like a specific character, or a couple. For example, if she's romantic she would like Buffy-Angel episodes, 'cause they're pretty romantic. See where I'm going?

 

[Kean]

I'm having almost the same thoughts for possible episodes to show my classes on that one day we may not have anything to do (I've scheduled in a make-up-for-snow-days day). I wanted to show them something fun, not too sad, and not needing a lot of backstory to understand. So far, I've thought of Hush, The Wish, Doppelgangland, and possibly Restless.

Hope that helps you a little bit.

I would not go with Restless, people who love the show sometimes don't get that ep, I think it would scare them off.

It may not be the best ep of the series but I think Anne is a great episode to show newbies. It's has all the great Buffy elements, isn't bogged down in backstory that it can't be watched on it's own and it is interesting enough that people will not only want to see what happens next but they will also want to know what happened before she ran away.

Ands plus it has a truly fantastic line...'I'm Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and you are?"

 

[Urgent Power]

I would not go with Restless, people who love the show sometimes don't get that ep, I think it would scare them off.

It may not be the best ep of the series but I think Anne is a great episode to show newbies. It's has all the great Buffy elements, isn't bogged down in backstory that it can't be watched on it's own and it is interesting enough that people will not only want to see what happens next but they will also want to know what happened before she ran away.

Ands plus it has a truly fantastic line...'I'm Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and you are?"

I'm not sure about Anne. You do need to know what happened in season 2, with Angel and all. Becoming is a very intense episode. If you didn't see all the things that happened between Buffy and Angel, it wouldn't have the right affect on the person who's watching it for the very first time. Also, this episode is pretty depressing. And there's no interaction between Buffy and the others who are such an important element in the main character's life.

 

[yellowcrayon]

I'd suggest just starting at the beginning. As far as early episodes though, "Angel" is one of my favourites... But I do think "Welcome to the Hellmouth"/"The Harvest" is a good place to start. You get introduced to the characters and get a good feel for them.

And in answer to your other question, you can watch them for free on Facebook, now, via Hulu. Good quality, and legal. 🙂

 

[Clem Rocks]

I would show Welcome to the Hellmouth, but even i find that one abit boring. What about School Hard? Brilliant episode, and i don't think you need much backstory for it, do you?

and isn't Hulu USA only? i forgot to mention we're both in the UK...

 

[Karol]

Yes.. It´s US only >.<

And I now Welcome to Hellmouth is boring xD But what can I do? School Hard it´s a better option... I don´t think it´s taht brilliant, but it´s funny.

You could watch Angel...

But if you girls doesn´t care, you could watch any episode you like... My bf watched Joyce´s death arc cause he was interested... Without watching S1, S2, S3, S4.... Ahahaha

 

[atticus]

I say go with the prom. Funny, light, sad, and it shows the character relationships well, with out needing loads of back story, and i think if you want someone to like characters straight of, this is a good one. Xander buys Cordy the dress, Angel show's up at the dance, and Buffy gets a broken heart but still, saves the day, and get's a little toy suprise. I showed this episode to my girlfriend, she loved it and then she started from episode 1. She a full fledged buff and angel fan now.

 

[Sweetescape]

hmmmmm I'd tie them to a chair and make them watch all the seasons back to back 🙂
seriously though I'd go with welcome to the hell mouth or whats my line part 1 and 2 just because i love those eps.

 

[palabravampiress]

I'd go for something on the super creative and interesting side, like "Hush." That's a good stand-alone kind of episode that really shows off the talents of everyone involved in the making of the show. It's got humor, genuine thrills and chills, romance, action... the whole Buffy package.

You might also try "Passion," which is just a beautiful episode from start to finish, or "Fool for Love," which has some really neat jump cuts. One of my personal favorites, "The Body," may be a little too sad for a first-time viewer, but it's incredibly well-made. If you're looking for something more lighthearted, you might go with the Halloween episode in which they all become their costumes (I love that one!) or a "Magic Oops" episode like "Tabula Rasa" or the one in which all of the women stalk Xander. Basically, I'd show a standalone sort of episode that's off the beaten path.

 

[Karol]

I'd show a standalone sort of episode that's off the beaten path.

I think the opposite... A stand alone it´s just an episode. If the point is tho make the other really need to watch the show, needs to be that episode with a "what now?" in the end. Or at least a "what just happend?".

I think stand alones are good when you´re just watching Buffy, not trying to obsses someone xD

 

[JenniferAlice]

I agree with sweetescape, I'd have them watch every episode, start to finish, that's how I got into Buffy, my ex boyfriend made me watch them all, and then Angel, and then Firely.

 

[Clem Rocks]

Still need to know a site where she can watch them legaly guys, i think i saw one mentioned on Whedonesque a few weeks ago where you could watch Buffy, Angel and Firefly, maybe WB? anyone remember?

and is anyone gonna suggest an Angel episode? XD
i'm thinking maybe the Pylea two-parter...

 

[Karol]

Don´t know a site that isn´t US only.... And I don´t know, need patience to watch thing on sites, huh?

Angel? Nah.. I don´t like the Pylea history so... I´d say, again, City of.. the first one xD

 

[Tueuse de Vampires]

The first time I successfully converted someone was with 'The Wish'. The good thing about that one is that it doesn't just show this whole goofy stuff, but seems a lot more like a show you can take serious.

 

[Airam]

As far as watching online theres Beta: TheWB.com - It's TV Online. I'm not sure if its US exclusive though... try it out.

Episodes... if you really don't want to just go with the pilot, I'd go with either Halloween or School Hard like you mentioned. Otherwise I'd skip to S4 and do either Hush, Something Blue, or Pangs. I think Intervention would be a fun one too. And I think Tabula Rasa is a great choice as its funny as hell but also storyline engaging and has that 'leave them wanting more' quality 🙂

 

[Karol]

But Tabula Rasa isn´t funny if you don´t know the characters... What´s funny about Anya and Giles kissing, if you don´t know Anya and Giles?

That´s my problem with stand alones, and too much inside jokes kind of episode. People will find "just cool"... it´s funny for us cause we know the history.

 

[Girl with Sword]

I think that when starting someone off, always go from the beggining, not neccisarily Welcome to the Hellmouth but a good season 1 ep like Angel or the Pack. I know someone who's only seen OMWF and she wants to start from the beggining but now it will be so diffrent, she knows to much. Maybe it's because I never got that lateral experience with Buffy(I started in season 4 reruns, and watches all over from there)but I think others should.