Their Best Season.

[atticus]

* Spoilers *

I think everyone must have a season where they really love or connect with a character. As the show progresses, our views of the characters often change, they make choices or react in ways we don't like, but sometimes you get the rare season where they get almost everything right, even the bad stuff. 🙂

So I'm just wondering what season do you consider the best season for each character.

I'm going with the main characters who have appeared in the opening titles of both shows. And I'm throwing in Tara because she appeared in one opening title.

Give an explanation if you want, but there's a bloody lot of characters, so you don't have to.

Feel free to remove some characters. 🙂

Buffy.
Xander.
Willow.
Giles.
Spike.
Anya.
Dawn.
Cordelia.
Angel.
Tara.
Oz.
Riley.
Wesley.
Gunn.
Lorne.
Fred.
Connor.
Harmony.

Buffy: Season 5. Loses her mum, gains a sister, makes some hard choices and saves the world.

Xander: Season 7. He grows up, and holds the gang together. Gets badly injured, but is still there for the last fight. And his relationship with Dawn is a highlight.

Willow: Season 5. Has to take care of Tara. Shows herself to be a good leader, and her use of magic improves. Plus she hurts a god. 🙂

Giles: Season 2. His father/daughter relationship with Buffy grows. He's there to support her when Angel goes evil, even when he kills Jenny. Plus we get a glimpse into the Ripper days.

Spike: Season 2. Bad ass Spike. In love with Dru, and hating Angelus so much that he teams up with Buffy.

Anya: Season 5. Becomes a "working gal" (not that kind 😀) and a "useful member of society".

Dawn: Season 6. She gets Buffy back, but not the sister she knew, loses Tara. Deals with more issues than someone her age should have to, self destructs a bit, but is ok again at seasons end.

Cordelia: Season 3 (Angel). Is willing to die to help people, and is willing to become part demon to continue helping them.

Angel : Season 3. (Angel). Daddy Angel. 😀

Tara: Season 6. She matures, and becomes more confident, and proves she doesn't need Willow to be a strong person.

Oz: Season 2. His calm reactions to finding out he's a werewolf and that demons exist are classic, and him and Willow falling in love, is just too damn cute.

Riley: Season 4. He punches Parker, so that's cool.

Wesley: Season 4. (Angel). Bad-ass Wesley. 😀

Gunn: Season 2. He's only in the last few episodes, but dealing with his sister becoming a Vampire is my fave Gunn moment, also his scene in Wolfram and Hart is funny stuff.

Lorne: Season 2. The Pylea arc. Just awesome. 🙂

Fred: Season 5. Fred and Illyria. Amy Acker at her best.

Connor: Season 3. His relationship with Holtz, and plan to get rid of Angel, and he was such a nice baby. 🙂

Harmony: Season 4. (Buffy). Harmony returns as a vampire, falls in love with Spike, and fights Xander. 🙂

 

[Sunshine]

I think season six was big for all of them.

 

[Rayne]

I'm not going into each of them either but I'm with Sunshine about season Six for nearly all of the BtVS characters...except Buffy. I think season Seven was her best. When she showed what she was capable of. When she really grew up and you could see the full scale of change in her.

 

[Crazy Flakes]

Buffy - Season 3. While her "BAWWW, ANGEL" moments were pretty damn annoying at times, I liked how she really became a much darker character in this season.

Xander - Season 3. He was goofy and hilarious, but not to a ridiculous extent like he was in season 1.

Willow - Season 5. I always thought that this season featured a perfect blend of Nerdy Willow and Witchy Willow.

Giles - Season 2. I think he had the most development in this season, what with developing a much more father-daughter-esque relationship with Buffy and losing Jenny.

Spike - Season 5. I loved how he was lovesick over Buffy, but kept trying to be evil in spite of it.

Anya - Season 5. She was just at the height of her hilarity.

Dawn - Season 7, DEFINITELY. It was the season where she finally became more than the annoying little sister, although she didn't get enough time to really prove herself because of all of the annoying Potentials hogging screentime.

Cordelia - season 2. Gotta love Bitchy Cordy.

Angel - Angel season 5. He was much less "I'm so broody, blah blah blah" than he was in the other seasons. Plus, he didn't actually have a personality until the later seasons of Angel, so anything before around Angel season 3 is pretty much out by default.

Tara - Season 6. She really became more than just Willow's love interest in this character. It sucks that she was shot right when we realized what a great character she had become.

Oz - Season 2. The thing about Oz is, he's absolutely awesome in doses, but too much of him can make him seem terribly redundant. In season 2, there's just enough of him to appreciate.

Riley - Season 5. I know a lot of people think he was too whiny in this season, but I thought he became more than just Soldier Guy and had more than a few funny one-liners.

Wesley - Season 4 of Angel. He was so dark and sexy. Mmmm.

Gunn - Season 1 of Angel. He was such a badass.

Lorne - Season 4 of Angel. I thought he really lightened up an otherwise way too dark season.

Fred - Season 5 of Angel. She was just adorable this season.

Connor - Season 5 of Angel. I actually really liked him in the two season 5 episodes he was in. Maybe if he'd shown up a little more, I would have forgotten how awful he was in seasons 3 and 4. MAYBE.

Harmony - Season 4 of Buffy, if only for the epic fight between her and Xander.

 

[Revolver]

Buffy - Season 5. SMG was really pushed to new heights this season doing the scenes involving her mother's death, and she had to develop a relationship with a sibling that hadn't been on the show before and make it seem natural.

Xander - Kind of a tough one. Xander was placed kind of in the same type of roles throughout the whole series, always being the funny guy, the angry guy, or the supportive guy. I think I'll go with season three since "The Zeppo" is pretty much the definitive Xander episode.

Willow - Season six seems a natural choice given the new territory Alyson had to enter, but I feel like deducting points from her for not really participating in the musical. Still, I can't really think of another season where Willow went through as much (and Alyson, thereby) as this one.

Giles - Season 2. There was the Jenny's death drama, the reveal that Giles hadn't always been the uptight Watcher that he'd become....and of course also a lot of great scenes where Giles was just the uptight Watcher he'd become.

Spike - Season 4. James is at his most hilarious in this season, and really gets to be in the best of both world's as far as his character is concerned. He gets to play "the good guy" for the first time, but he's still really a "bad guy." All the moments where Spike has to remind them that he's evil are great fun.

Anya - Season 5. It's really a close call for Anya, but this is the first season where she really has a prominent role and has to step up her character.

Dawn - Season 5....really it's the only season where she seems like a truly important character. After this, she's just Buffy's sister who kind of hangs around in the background and gets herself into trouble ever other week.

Cordelia - Season 2 of Angel. I feel like this season had the best balance of what made her character great. They let her character grow, but she retained a lot of the qualities that made her great. They started to move away from this and dull up her character in season 3, and season 4 was definitely not a shining moment for Charisma.

Angel - Season 2 of Angel as well. Season 1 Angel (both the character and the series) still seemed to be trying to find it's identity unique from Buffy. Angel was still too quiet and broody. With the Darla storyline, DB got to take Angel into much darker territory, and the Pylea storyline allowed him to play Angel having a bit more fun than we were used to as well (his happiness that he's able to be out in the sun and not turn to dust is good stuff)

Tara - Definitely season 6. Her character almost has no personality in season 4. In season 5, we learn more about her as Willow's girlfriend, but in season 6 Tara actually stands up for herself and even gets a little sassy with Spike. And her death scene, of course, had a bigger impact than anything else her character was allowed to do.

Oz - Season 4. Even though he was around for all of season 3, season 4 had the episodes that really defined him and completed his storyline. We get to see him with Willow, we get to see him struggle with his inner demon (or wolf), we get to see him leave, and we get to see him lose Willow forever.

Riley - Meh. He never really did much.

Wesley - Season 4 of Angel. We get to see Wes do things we'd never have thought he'd do....but we also get to see him relapse into the dorky Watcher and Head Boy that he was in "Spin the Bottle."

Gunn - Season 5 of Angel. His turn as lawyer, and role in Fred's death gave him a chance to do some things he hadn't done on the show before.

Lorne - Definitely season 2 of Angel. The whole trip to Pylea told us so much about Lorne and was a lot of fun.

Fred - Season 5 was the best for Amy, though largely due to her turn as Illyria and not just Fred. Fred's death scene was well done by both actors, and then she turned around and played Illyria. Amy really got to show her range as an actress at that point. Also fun to see her switch back and forth between these two extremes in some episodes.

Connor - Season 5 because he was in much less of it and much less annoying in all the scenes he was in.

Clem - The extremely underrated Clem spinoff. It only lasted three episodes, but it was pure gold throughout all of them. There were kitten poker scenes, beauty pageants entered, and of course demon man and human girl romance (what the hell am I talking about?)

 

[hazzard]

great thread.

Buffy: season 6. my favourite buffy season--i love the darkness of her character and the way in which she finds herself again.

Xander: season 1 or season 7. i loved xander's quirkiness in season 1 and the way the relationships between him and buffy and willow grew. in season 7 he really proved himself the "heart" and grew up majorly. i love his relationship with dawn and buffy.

Willow: while i love season 6 and willow's arc, i think i'd say i prefer her in season 2 or 4. 2 because she's adorable and nerdy and learning how to fit in and 4 because she completely blooms at college and i loved oz.

Giles: i hate giles in season 7. probably seasons 1 and 2. just classic giles and the gang.

Spike: season 6 and 7. 6 because of his "relationship" with buffy and what it does to her and to him and what he does because of it, and 7 because he comes back a good man and ultimately a champion who knows how to express himself to buffy and who is more than deserving of her love and respect.

Anya: season 6. love her and xander. interesting to watch her deal with the break-up.

Dawn: season 6. deals with way more than anyone her age should have to. deals with it gracefully despite a little klepto issue. love her relationship with spike. she really grows up at the end and into season 7.

Cordelia: seasons 1-3 of angel. i hated what happened to her in season 4 and that whole arc. i love cordy finding herself through work with angel, getting the visions, falling in love with him. she grew into such a beautiful person and it was a shame to kill her off that way.

Angel: season 2 of buffy and 1 and 2 of angel. i loved angel and buffy together. then i loved him finding his feet and doyle and cordelia in la, and i thought the darkness of season 2 and his obsession with darla and dru was really good.

Tara: season 6. i love tara and willow so much, but i loved the way tara grew after she left willow for a time. i love the friendship between her and buffy.

Oz: season 4 with willow. oz and willow were epic and it absolutely broke my heart when he left, and then again when he came back and left again.

Riley: season 4 i guess when we're just getting to know him. he seemed like a sweet guy. there's a lot of riley hate, but there's something to be said for a genuine guy who discovers that his whole life is based on a lie, or something that he didn't know he was signing up for, and who deals with it and comes out of it a better person.

Wesley: oh wes. i'd have to say season 5 of angel. wesley is such a brilliant character with such an amazing growth across buffy and angel. i'm a die-hard fresley and his role at wolfram and hart and his love for fred and relationship with illyria were all brilliant.

Gunn: season 5 of angel. gunn was a good person, a solid character, and i loved that he grew up so much yet returned to spend his last day with anne at the shelter. never forgot where he came from.

Lorne: season 2. loved the pylea episodes and learning lorne's history.

Fred: season 5. she was still sweet fred but in a powerful position and showcasing her smarts and talents. i loved her with wesley, and although her death is one of the saddest things i've ever seen on tv, it made for a really interesting arc that proved amy acker is a brilliant actress.

Connor: season 5 i suppose. he was only in a little of it, but i thought the fact that he got his memories back and reacted with the poise and self-awareness of a person who was finally sure of himself and who expressed gratitude for what angel did for him was a great end for his character.

Harmony: season 5 of angel. cute yet always slightly evil. just funny harm.

 

[Willow-Tree]

Buffy: I'm going to have to go with season five and season seven. In season five, she lost SO much. (Her mom, Riley, and knowing Dawn was her sister). She was pretty much...dead...for season six, so it was good to see her come together again in season seven.

Xander: Season seven. He finally stops being the sidekick and comes into charge. Also the very end of season six.

Willow: Season five. I think this is the time when she is actually very happy with herself and her life. She got over Oz, is in love with Tara, found a lifestlye (Wicca)she loves, and has all her friends alongside her.

Giles: Season two. He was right by Buffy's side, doing whatever he could to help her, even after losing his girlfriend.

Spike: Season seven. He gave up his life to save all of his friends.

Anya: Season seven. Although many people may dislike her because Buffy disliked her, there is honestly no reason to. What would you do if your fiancee left you at the freaking altar? She so slipped up a bit. How many times has Buffy done something wrong?

Dawn: Season seven. She is more than the annoying little sister, and does whatever she can to help her sister and her friends.

Cordelia: Season five of Angel. Even though she was in one episode, this was the real Cordy. She was mature, yet still had that sarcastic and bitchy edge to her.

Angel: Season one of Angel. He always had something to be depressed about, but this is when he was the least depressed.

Tara: Season six. I still can't get over that she's dead, but this is the season that she finally came into her own, standing up for what she believes in.

Oz: Season two. How he dealt with his werewolf-ness with ease and just went along with whatever.

Riley: I guess season six. He seemed to be the happiest in his lone episode.

Wesley: The short period of time in season five (of Angel) where he was with Fred.

Gunn: Season five of Angel. He was leading a good life then, and seemed to be happy, even though he wasn't with Fred any longer.

Lorne: Season two. I really can't go into more explenation.

Fred: Season five of Angel. She was still her smart, kind of naive self, yet she was kind of sassy, in a way.

Connor: When he was a baby. Ugh.

Harmony: Season five of Angel. She was trying to help out the best she could.

 

[caritas08]

Buffy. - 5. It was interesting to see her dealing with personal stuff that wasn't solely boyfriend related. Her arc in Seas 3 with Faith was good though.

Xander. - Season 6

Willow. - I like Season 2 and 3 early Willow best.

Giles. - Season 2 Giles with Jenny.

Spike. - Season 5 of Angel.

Anya. - Season 4. I didn't like Season 4 much but she helps me get through it.

Dawn.- Season 7

Cordelia.-Season 2 of Angel. Still snarky but more noble.

Angel. - Season 1 of Angel. I love how he accepts Cordy, Wes, Doyle, and Gunn to help him.

Tara. - Season 6 of Buffy. Interesting to see her independent of Willow.

Oz. - Seasons 2 and 3 of Buffy.

Riley. - I can't stand him but he was more tolerable at the beginning of Season 4 before he and Buffy got together.

Wesley. - Season 3 and 4 of Angel

Gunn. - Season 2 of Angel.

Lorne. Every episode he was in but I'll pick Season 4 cause he and Fred are the only thing that got me through that season.

Fred. - Season 5 of Angel

Connor. - Agree with the "when he was a baby" comments posted above.

Harmony- Season 3 of Buffy. She annoys me as a vamp.

 

[The_Final_Cylon]

Buffy. Season 5
Xander. Season 7
Willow. Season 2
Giles. Season 5
Spike. Season 4
Anya. Season 7
Dawn. Season 7
Cordelia. Season 3 (Angel)
Angel. Season 2 (BTVS)
Tara. Season 4
Oz. Season 3
Riley. Never
Wesley. Season 5 (Angel)
Gunn. Season 1
Lorne. Season 2
Fred. Season 2/3/4/5
Connor. Season 4
Harmony. Never

 

[caitaintdead]

I won't do ALL of the characters, but lets see what I can do.

Buffy. Call me crazy... But Season 1 Buffy is just the cutest. All bubbly and wearing short skirts with those massive rings! Also we get her "I don't want to die" speech in Prophecy Girl. And vampire Buffy.
Xander. Season 7 I guess. He's kind to Dawn, and the poor guy loses an eye 🙁
Willow. Season 4 Willow has a lot of growth and heartache, and we really start to see just how powerful her magic is becoming. I think she looks her prettiest and cutest here as well.
Giles. I thought Season 3 was a good season for Giles. I enjoyed seeing him realise that he was becoming less and less of stuffy watcher type, and really enjoyed the Giles/Wesley scenes. I definitely saw a lot of growth in his character here.
Spike. Season 2. There really is no other comparison.
Anya. Season 4 for sure! So many of my favourite Anya-isms are here, and I love when she gets all naked for Xander!
Cordelia. Season 2 Cordelia is my favourite combination of Cordelia. I actually like her here, before she became to arrogant, and after she started to grow. Perfect.
Wesley. Sexy, beginning of Season 4 Wesley just makes me HAPPY! In my opinion it's the only decent part of Season 4 😉