Recommend the series in one episode

Athena

Athena

The original one-eyed chicklet
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Black Thorn
If you had a non-Buffy watching friend, but could only use one episode to convey the brilliance of Buffy to them, which one would you choose and why?

I think I would go with Hush. It's superbly crafted TV in itself, but it's also very funny and possibly the scariest BtVS episode. I'd choose it, because if my friend's a horror fan, it's great horror. If they're not, I can explain that no other episode is that scary but others are just as funny, if not more so. It's also a great standalone episode, so you don't really have to explain much about the characters or backstory beforehand.

What would you use to convert a friend?
 
I'd go with Prophecy Girl as it better matches the tone of the series. I think if I were introduced to the show via Hush I would be disappointed as nothing else really had that same vibe or matches up to it. All of the episode subsequent to seeing that would be judged based on that and the show would be viewed as 'lesser' than the introductory episode. Whereas with Prophecy Girl it has light moments, teen angst, and showcases the deeper mythos of the slayer; it's a better representation of the TV show. I think I would rather be introduced to the series from that episode versus getting an 'unfair' introduction via Hush.
 
I think I'd go for School Hard. It has my favourite cast, with Cordy, Spike, Dru and Angel all together. It shows Buffy trying to balance home/school life with slaying. It has Snyder being weasely and Joyce being mothersome. It highlights everyone's character in this one episode.
 
Skanky Vamp
Skanky Vamp
That would be another good one.
HowiMetdaSlayer
HowiMetdaSlayer
mothersome :p
I think I would choose Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered. I think it accurately represents the show and the characters, and it's hilarious.
 
Depends on that non-Buffy watching friend. 😉

Is he (or she) is open minded and at least "ok" with musicals, then "OMWF", because there is everything, the show is about, condensed and maxed out in that single episode.

Otherwise "School Hard" would be a solid pick.

But overall, I really doubt that whole convert thing...

if there isnt enough interest, just to start watching Buffy S1 E1, I dont know. "Welcome to the Hellmouth" and "The Harvest" are a great start "if" you are a potential Buffy Fan.
 
I think I'd pick maybe Band Candy. It's got the great comedy and the dark twist at the end. Those are my favorite Buffy EPs. I started my nephew off with OMWF and now he loves Spike, so maybe I should show him School Hard or Lovers Walk. Lol.

Hush is a great episode, especially of they are a horror fan. But it's kind of in its own league. Plus I don't want to introduce someone to Riley that early on 😉. Lol
 
Would it be boring to say Welcome to the Hellmouth. I actually think it's a great opener, and a good representation of the show and what's to come. Plus, it doesn't spoil anything!

But if I had to go with a one off ep, I would probably go with Halloween, or Band Candy.
 
I believe in introducing people to new shows by letting them watch from the beginning.
So I would say Welcome to the Hellmouth.

If I had to pick something else I would probably go with Earshot.
It's a favorite of mine. Starts out extremely funny, then turns and gets more serious.
That change is something the show does very well in several episodes and I would like to pick an episode that shows that.

/SK
 
School Hard. I think it's extremely well written and basically has a solid dose of everything that makes BTVS the show that it is. It's the spirit of the show in a nutshell.

It's also close enough to the beginning that you don't have to know a ton of personal history to "get" it. It's before everything became about who's doing who.
 
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