At its core, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a show about relationships, whether romantic, platonic, or a hybrid of the two. One of the most understated, but also one of the most powerful relationships in the show is Buffy's ever-growing, ever-changing relationship with Death. Death, ultimately, is the uncredited character of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
"Giles, I'm sixteen years old. I don't wanna die."
As a character, Death begins its journey on the show as an antagonist. In her role as the hero, Buffy realizes in Season 1 that facing immortal vampires is simple in comparison to facing her own mortality, which she does in the Season 1 finale. In fact, it's not the seemingly never-ending onslaught of demons that causes Buffy to consider surrendering her destiny as the slayer, but rather the thought that committing herself to her role as the chosen one means having to choose at any moment to sacrifice her life for the sake of the world. Death is the alternate "big bad" of Season 1, and Buffy spends most of the season hiding from it. Then, in the season finale, she barely escapes its grasp, an experience that severely affects her in the beginning of Season 2.
Joss Whedon characterizes Death as random and, ultimately, very human. Death shows its unpredictable nature as it strikes down characters at their happiest (Tara) and at their strongest (Anya). In two notable cases, Death also acts above the fray of the supernatural. A human weapon, a gun, tears into Tara's heart, while a human malady, an aneurysm, bleeds into Joyce's brain. Death doesn't need magic to work its will nor can magic necessarily halt its execution of that will.
Death is permanent. Aptly called "undead," the vampires' "immortal" state is as tremulous as human life. Buffy can stake vampires, ending their immortality, but she defeat Death when it takes someone she loves. Death is heartless and does not undo what it has done. With its potential to strike at any moment, Death is the most formidable opponent in the series.
Death is your gift.
On the other hand, Death is also undeniably Buffy's talent. As the slayer, she is gifted with the power to "stand against the forces of evil." Throughout the series, Buffy refines this gift as each season she faces a seemingly unstoppable villain. She transcends her fear of Death from Season 1 and, instead, uses Death as her ally, forcing it upon anyone who poses a threat to her friends, Sunnydale, society, or the world. Buffy's relationship with Death has thus evolved. She learns to harness it for her own purposes.
Death is your gift.
Like most relationships on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Buffy's relationship with death changes throughout the series. In Season 5, Spike foretells the fatal flaw of all slayers as he notes, "Everyday you wake up, it's the same bloody question that haunts you. Is today the day I die? Death is on your heels, baby, and sooner or later it's gonna catch you. And part of you wants it - not only to stop the fear and uncertainty, but because you're just a little bit in love with it." For Buffy to be in love with Death should not be surprising. From Angel to Spike, she is drawn to her otherwise predestined enemies. She no longer hides from Death like she did in Season 1, but purposefully chooses its company in the Season 5 finale.
Death thus becomes her gift, her reward after her hard-fought battles as the slayer. "I think I was in heaven," she says. At the beginning of Season 6, Buffy even prefers Death over life. In her song to Sweet in Once More with Feeling, she compares Death to taking a bow. In other words, Buffy's relationship with Death is no longer one of dread, but one that she embraces as the culmination of who she is not only as the slayer, but also as a person. Death is simply where every step in life leads.
Death is your gift.
Finally, Death is Buffy's gift to her sister and the world. Buffy sacrifices herself so that Dawn won't have to and, in doing so, prevents an apocalypse. She makes a pact with Death: take me instead. What was in Season 1 her greatest foe is now her greatest friend because it allows her to fulfill her duty as the slayer to save the world and, more importantly, her loved ones. As a slayer, Buffy accepted that her life would be short-lived. Death's feelings toward Buffy, however, appear to change as well. For once, Death shows mercy, and what was ultimately short-lived was her after-life. Buffy and Death part ways in Season 6 with new respect.
Yeah, Buffy? What are we gonna do now?
By the end of the series, Buffy and Death have gone on a compelling journey together. Where did that journey lead them? The last scene of Season 7 shows Buffy taking a deep breath at all the life she has in front of her. Death will always be waiting for her in the shadows, but the key word is waiting. Buffy is ultimately a hero because she takes advantage of every minute until the day her old friend returns.
"Giles, I'm sixteen years old. I don't wanna die."
As a character, Death begins its journey on the show as an antagonist. In her role as the hero, Buffy realizes in Season 1 that facing immortal vampires is simple in comparison to facing her own mortality, which she does in the Season 1 finale. In fact, it's not the seemingly never-ending onslaught of demons that causes Buffy to consider surrendering her destiny as the slayer, but rather the thought that committing herself to her role as the chosen one means having to choose at any moment to sacrifice her life for the sake of the world. Death is the alternate "big bad" of Season 1, and Buffy spends most of the season hiding from it. Then, in the season finale, she barely escapes its grasp, an experience that severely affects her in the beginning of Season 2.
Joss Whedon characterizes Death as random and, ultimately, very human. Death shows its unpredictable nature as it strikes down characters at their happiest (Tara) and at their strongest (Anya). In two notable cases, Death also acts above the fray of the supernatural. A human weapon, a gun, tears into Tara's heart, while a human malady, an aneurysm, bleeds into Joyce's brain. Death doesn't need magic to work its will nor can magic necessarily halt its execution of that will.
Death is permanent. Aptly called "undead," the vampires' "immortal" state is as tremulous as human life. Buffy can stake vampires, ending their immortality, but she defeat Death when it takes someone she loves. Death is heartless and does not undo what it has done. With its potential to strike at any moment, Death is the most formidable opponent in the series.
Death is your gift.
On the other hand, Death is also undeniably Buffy's talent. As the slayer, she is gifted with the power to "stand against the forces of evil." Throughout the series, Buffy refines this gift as each season she faces a seemingly unstoppable villain. She transcends her fear of Death from Season 1 and, instead, uses Death as her ally, forcing it upon anyone who poses a threat to her friends, Sunnydale, society, or the world. Buffy's relationship with Death has thus evolved. She learns to harness it for her own purposes.
Death is your gift.
Like most relationships on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Buffy's relationship with death changes throughout the series. In Season 5, Spike foretells the fatal flaw of all slayers as he notes, "Everyday you wake up, it's the same bloody question that haunts you. Is today the day I die? Death is on your heels, baby, and sooner or later it's gonna catch you. And part of you wants it - not only to stop the fear and uncertainty, but because you're just a little bit in love with it." For Buffy to be in love with Death should not be surprising. From Angel to Spike, she is drawn to her otherwise predestined enemies. She no longer hides from Death like she did in Season 1, but purposefully chooses its company in the Season 5 finale.
Death thus becomes her gift, her reward after her hard-fought battles as the slayer. "I think I was in heaven," she says. At the beginning of Season 6, Buffy even prefers Death over life. In her song to Sweet in Once More with Feeling, she compares Death to taking a bow. In other words, Buffy's relationship with Death is no longer one of dread, but one that she embraces as the culmination of who she is not only as the slayer, but also as a person. Death is simply where every step in life leads.
Death is your gift.
Finally, Death is Buffy's gift to her sister and the world. Buffy sacrifices herself so that Dawn won't have to and, in doing so, prevents an apocalypse. She makes a pact with Death: take me instead. What was in Season 1 her greatest foe is now her greatest friend because it allows her to fulfill her duty as the slayer to save the world and, more importantly, her loved ones. As a slayer, Buffy accepted that her life would be short-lived. Death's feelings toward Buffy, however, appear to change as well. For once, Death shows mercy, and what was ultimately short-lived was her after-life. Buffy and Death part ways in Season 6 with new respect.
Yeah, Buffy? What are we gonna do now?
By the end of the series, Buffy and Death have gone on a compelling journey together. Where did that journey lead them? The last scene of Season 7 shows Buffy taking a deep breath at all the life she has in front of her. Death will always be waiting for her in the shadows, but the key word is waiting. Buffy is ultimately a hero because she takes advantage of every minute until the day her old friend returns.
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randiann
Nice post. And welcome to buffy boards! I look forward to having you here.
S
spikecakes
Great post. Never looked at death and Buffy that way before, you'll be loved here!