Joss Whedon's FAVORITE buffy episodes

[Abbeycat]

It’s safe to say Joss Whedon fans are having a flippin’ fantastic week. The Avengers just made all the money, with a record-breaking $207.4 million domestic opening, and got the official greenlight for a sequel. Now, Buffy fans are getting insight into Whedon’s most cherished memories from the series with the announcement that Whedon’s 10 favorite episodes are airing as an all-day marathon on Logo May 19, starting at 10 a.m. ET.

See Whedon's picks under the cut

“Prophecy Girl” (112)

Buffy proved herself beyond doubt in the season 1 finale when she closed the Hellmouth and dispatched the dreaded Master.

“Innocence” (214)

Just say no, kids. To sex with your vampire boyfriend. Buffy’s decision to give it up unlocked the evil in Angel and kick-started an amazing half of season 2…

“Becoming Part II” (222)

…that was capped off by this (literally) soul-destroying episode in which Buffy sent Angel to Hell. As he was sucked into the void, Willow’s spell restored his humanity, but it was too late. The Slayer fled Sunnydale to the strains of “Full of Grace,” and so began the onslaught of Sarah McLachlan weepers that continue to haunt us via sad puppy eyes to this day. (Heightened the next hour when “Angel” played during Dawson’s Creek‘s season 1 finale. Epic.)

“The Wish” (309)

The first appearance of Anya! And as a slutty, psychotic Willow! After seeing Xander and Willow kiss the episode before, Cordelia wishes Buffy had never come to Sunnydale. Obviously, this was a terrible, terrible idea.

“Doppelgangland” (316)

Obviously Whedon has a thing for vampy Willow. He wrote this episode specifically for her.

“Hush” (410)

The only one of Buffy’s eps to be nominated for a writing Emmy. And its most powerful moments featured barely a single word of dialogue. What did it have? Heart-snatching, voice-snatching ghouls called The Gentlemen and proof that the Scoobies didn’t need their snappy repartee to get down to business (though we were more than happy to have their one-liners back the next week).

“Restless” (422)

Whedon’s more experimental episodes, the season 4 finale skimped on the slaying in favor of surreality. Each of the main characters traveled through a dreamlike state that hinted at what was in store for season 5, most notably the introduction of Buffy’s suddenly-there sister Dawn.

“The Body” (516)

You’d think Buffy would be desensitized to death. Then it struck home. The shocking, non-violent death of Joyce Summer hit Buffy harder than anything else on the series. Paralyzed, she crumpled into a ball on the floor of their home. Heartbreaking.

“Once More With Feeling” (607)

I’ve got a theory, it was the bunnies that made this one of Whedon’s faves.

“Conversations with Dead People” (707)

Buffy, Dawn, and Willow are all visited by ghosts from their pasts… or are they? This real-time episode was a series first and got to the heart of Buffy’s deeply conflicted psychology in the final season.


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[Hale Caesar]

Nice list. I thought Passion would be on that list😛

 

[Joshua]

Those are all of my favorite episodes too

 

[Taake]

Can't go wrong with an episode where there's two Willow's 😀

 

[wickedtiger86]

Wow. I don't know if I could handle this marathon. It's all so sad. lol

Most of these are my favorites too, though.

 

[Astral]

My two favorites "The Body" and "CWDP" made it. 🙂

 

[Jodast]

You've got to hand it to the guy, he has good taste in episodes 😀

 

[white avenger]

From the very first time that I saw Part 2 of "Becoming," I have always felt that the "Close your eyes" scene was the single greatest Buffy/Angel moment of the entire series, and that has nothing whatsoever to do with Spuffy vs Bangel. Sarah and David said more about Buffy's love for Angel, in fewer words, in that one scene, that in all of their other declarations, confessions, and assurances combined, plus it marked the single greatest turning point in their relationship in the entire series.

Plus, I'm a sucker for the old, "I could not love thee near so much, loved I not honor (or in this case, duty) more." I may age choked up just sitting here thinking about it.

 

[frenchy]

I just can't watch "Conversations with Dead People". It scares me too much... The all part with Joyce... Brrrr

 

[Jod]

Always wondered what JW's favs were. Hes one very cool guy!

 

[Jules]

When I got the Buffy DVD season 1-7 Box set, Joss lists his top 10 episodes of the show. There slightly different to the ones he's picked now. He does say in his interview though that his favorite episodes change all the time.

Here's his old list:

1) The Pack - ''My God, did we realise how dark we could go with this one. And it took us months to figure out that the episode wouldnt work unless one of ours was infected as well - one of the most valuable lessons for the rest of the show.''

2) Ted - ''John Ritter was a gentleman and a hell of an actor. And we got to start asking some of the really tough moral questions - just long enough to set up a swell act three break. Good act breaks are a thing of beauty forever.''

3) Passion - ''Death, La Boheme and Tony Head with a flaming baseball bat. Come on, people.''

4) I Only Have Eyes For You - ''Boreanaz plays a man possessed by a woman with dignity and passion. I start thinking about a spin-off. Plus a last frame to make people come back.''

5) The Wish - ''Dark, Dark and Dark with just a little bit of darkness thrown in. Plus the first appearance of ''Bored Now.'' Xander's hand on the back of Willow's head when they bite Cordelia. This is were we enter the tunnel, by way of the looking glass.''

6) The Zeppo - ''Deconstruction can be constructive! And wicked fun.''

7) Earshot - ''A mission statement for the show. Spoken by Buffy herself, after all the funny and the twisty and the creepy we could wring out of that premise.''

8) Pangs - ''To me, among the most radical and potentally offensive and necessary messages we ever played. American History has fictionalised itself, and in an attempt to deconstruct it, we found ourselves repeating it. We fight the same fight even if we didnt believe in the last one. Because that's what you do when someones fightint you. The bicycle cavalry shot is one of my all time favorite moments, on many levels. Most of all on the silly level, but also all the history stuff I was going on about.''

9) Fool For Love - ''So much came out of this wonderfully crafted episode, out of James and Doug and me just geeking on the diverse fun of it all. Tales of the Slayers. My Sunday Shakespeare readings. And a wonderful follow up with Angel's 'Darla'. If you havent seen them watch these two episodes back to back.''

10) Tabula Rasa - ''For me, a hugely proud achievement, simply because it came right after the exhausting musical, was gut funny and quite moving and proved that the episodes we really care about every season number 22 and not one less.''

11) Selfless - ''Bunnies. Sons (well one). Swedish. Stabbing. Good times.''

12) Conversations With Dead People - ''And from scheduling conflicts an idea is born...what if they never see each other? What if 4 people spend a night alone in four very different stories and we start it all with a song?''

''That's it. I've finished the list and its already started changing.''

 

[misskitty]

Most of my favorites are on there as well. Except I would add Family to the list cause I love Tara.

 

[TaraSpike]

This was really interesting to read! A lot of my favorites are on his list- although most of them are too emotional for me to watch many times, haha. I'd love to know his favorite Angel episodes too.

 

[Riley's Way]

What about The Gift, come onnnnn it's the only episode that makes me cry like a girl ..