Episodes that are a good intro to Buffy

[MentPatient]

Earshot is an okay one, but she might miss out on the Joyce and Giles on the police car... twice. Unless you get her to watch Band Candy as well.

How about a retardedly funny episode? Like Fear, Itself.

 

[Black Eye Guy]

Actually, and I know I keep changing it, but I would go for Band Candy, cuz it's so funny and there's not to much history in it that's not explained in the episode. Earshot, to continue the joke from Band Candy, and because it's brilliant. Then Fear itself because it's hilarious, and again there's nothing that needs to be explained.

 

[Edmund Blackadder]

Personally, the more I think about it, the more i'm leaning towards something else.
Take you friend to your room. Tie them up and beat them over the head with the entire DVD....no, VHS is bigger....the entire VHS collection screaming WHY DONT YOU LIKE IT YOU INSANE FOOL........then calmly put on Welcome to the Hellmouthy and tell them they are not moving until you have sat through themall.

 

[Angel's vision]

I'd go for Innocence and Becomming 1+2 i got into Buffy that way, plus the cliff hanger of her leaving sunnydale made me want more.So they would too!

 

[nerd4hire]

They're releasing a DVD with 8 selected episode from thoughout the series in September, and here's the eps they chose.

1. Disc 1 The Pack (1.6)
2. Halloween (2.6)
3. Passion (2.17)
4. The Wish (3.9)

Disc 2
5. Helpless (3.12)
6. Fear Itself (4.4)
7. Hush (4.10)
8. Same Time Same Place (7.3)

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=5886

I'm thinking part of the purpose is to get Buffy virgins hooked, so maybe this pertains here.

 

[Joamna]

Hm I always try to make the choice of episode personal when getting someone hooked, I think about (or find out if I don't already know) what other shows and/or movies that the person likes and than I choose from that. I also don't want to spoil too much, so I'll probably choose something from season 1-3, most likely season 3 since that is an awesome season.

I would probably also stay away from episodes that are considered the greatest by fans, since I think many of those episodes are good just because you know the backstory of the characters etc. Like Tabula Rasa, maybe one could like it, but I don't think I would appreciate it half as much without the character knowledge..

(Eh, though once I got a friend hooked by showing him OMWF and Tabula Rasa, but e was pretty much hooked already from just hearing about the show.. )

 

[BocaDelInfierno]

This is an awesome list

They're releasing a DVD with 8 selected episode
1. Disc 1 The Pack (1.6)
2. Halloween (2.6)
3. Passion (2.17)
4. The Wish (3.9)

Disc 2
5. Helpless (3.12)
6. Fear Itself (4.4)
7. Hush (4.10)
8. Same Time Same Place (7.3)

Although, The Pack, not so much. Part of the problem is that now that we live in different cities, we never watch TV together, I don't even know what shows she watches anymore (honestly, I suspect she doesn't really watch TV much.) But in high school we were hard core X-Files fans. She likes a show that claims a person evolved and has a bone and muscle structure that allows him to stretch and fit through a 6x9 vent, but tell her vampires and demons are real and she thinks it is silly. I should tell her Mulder would believe.
Maybe I will pick from this list. Everytime I think I have them picked out, I think of another ep that is awesome. I might have to resort to drugging her.

 

[nerd4hire]

I know that X Files episode. The monster is icky. Someone who liked that ep might like Same Time Same Place, although there's a lot of story continuity from previous eps involved there. I would like to slightly alter my previous recommendation to the last 2 eps of Season 6, and Same Time Same Place.

I agree on The Pack not belonging on that list. Personally I would have replaced it with The Witch for an early Buffy episode.

 

[Croft Storm]

Episodes like Hush, Restless OMWF and The Body aren't great choices imo, because they don't really give a good impression of the show. If they really like it then they might be disappointed to find out that the other episodes aren't like it. And if they don't like it...well that's a failure.

Season finales are usually the best episodes but still a no-go. The Gift is, in my opninion, the best Buffy episode in many ways. But without all the complex back story of the season, it loses its charm. And its a shame to waste it.

Some people have said Earshot, not an episode that I think of much, but actually quite a good choice here. I'd still favour Welcome to the Hellmouth though, even as a first episode its packed with excitement like Jesse's death.

 

[BuffBuff]

this is a toughy, for there are so many outstanding episodes. if she's never given BtVS a shot, i would say show her episodes from early on in the series, so that you don't spoil anything for your friend. there are definately awesome episodes in s2 (which is when the writing really started to pick up and find its niche). i would definatley go with Innocence & Becoming pt.2, then throw a comical episode at her, like Earshot. if she doesn't get into the show by then, then it doesn't look like she'll ever get into it. i wouldn't really recommend showing s1 to her just yet until she's gotten into the show, s1 is good, but it is weak considering it's the first one. Innocence & Becoming pt.2 are extremely strong episodes with great writing & acting, they have excellent quirky dialogue and great characters, and Earshot is just so funny (especially with Xander & the jello at the end).

if you show her anything after s3, she's probably going to be pretty confused when she goes back to watch from the beginning, b/c she might be expecting things that won't happen for quite a while. anyways, good luck bringing your friend into the fold. i hope you succeed, b/c she won't be disappointed when she gets through the entire series.