The joy of the Season One scooby dynamics

My theory is that a good portion of the audience still watching in 2020 is doing so for critical, not entertainment purposes. Xander doesn't really fit.

My only real problem with Season 1 is this; why is Cordie a main character? She rarely has anything to do, one episode she shows up just to critique a dress.
 
AlphaFoxtrot said:
My only real problem with Season 1 is this; why is Cordie a main character? She rarely has anything to do, one episode she shows up just to critique a dress.
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I'd say it's because even when we don't see her, she is a force that directs the others. She is partly the reason the scoobies are together and she's helped forge who Willow and Xander are as people. She does have a part-Cordy-centric ep and is prominent in other episodes.
 
I believe Cordelia is supposed to contrast who Buffy used to be, and what she lost becoming a Slayer, something that bothers her in even season 1 (and comes to a head in season 3)

And I think it's a rule that all soap operas have at least one constantly conniving, narcissist female...though Cordelia got subverted from that in time. Perhaps ironically to be replaced by Willow from late s5 through season 6 (hmm, I'd be curious what Cordelia would see of Willow trying to destroy the world, either as Vision Girl, or a Higher Being...)
 
I love the season 1 Scoobie dynamic and how the characters are still gelling and figuring each other out; Buffy is relatively carefree and invested in trying to make it as normal high school girl with her new buds. Giles is quite stiff and stuffy but is also willing to adapt to Buffy's unique style, especially if she comes up with a solid argument for doing something differently.

But things couldn't have just stayed that way; they had to change and grow. With the growth comes depth and the group dynamic evolves. To me Buffy, Xander and Willow still feel like close friends on and through to S5, albeit with a lot of bumps along the way.
 
In S1 the show was still finding its way and hadn't yet developed the complexity it had in later seasons, but by far the best thing about S1 was the characters of the core 4 and the relationship between them. The chemistry and comic timing was good right from the start of Ep1 and got better throughout the season, and the scenes with all 4 of them in the library were nearly always great with funny dialogue delivered well and Giles physical reactions the icing on the cake.

Even in episodes like I Robot You Jane which objectively were not great, there were always some really nice moments.

I get that relationships change over time (and the show definitely improved) but that interaction between the core 4 is what I miss most about the later season especially S7.
 
Season 1 has always been my favourite. The Scoobies are so fresh and optimistic, just try to figure out where they stand in this new world they find themselves in. Even Giles. After season 3, while there are certainly good episodes, the just seem jaded.
 
Oromous said:
From "I Robot, You Jane":
Buffy: "Let's face it - none of us will ever have a normal healthy relationship."
Xander: "We're doomed!"
The Scoobies started laughing, then gradually stopped when they realized what they just said.

Easily one of my favorite Scoobies moments in season 1, also one of my favorite episode closing.
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Probably the best part of a not so great episode. I wonder if the writers always intended unhappy relationships for the Scoobies?
 
They are so young and cute. Full of fresh wit and jokes. I love the relaxed high school setting and the raw early chemistry.
 
The library felt like a character. It’s nostalgic and brings a sense of Innocence. Especially everytime you see cute little willow on the computer. I think the Library setting made the highschool is hell metaphor stronger. Also some of the best character moments for Cordy, Giles and Buffy are place there
 
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