Thursday, June 12, 2008

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" DVD Review - Pilot

Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Pilot

My 11 All-Time Favorite "Buffy" Episodes

Jenny D - TwoCents Staff Writer
jennyd@thetwocentscorp.com

“In every generation there is a chosen one. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.” And lucky for us, it was Sarah Michelle Gellar. From the show that produced more talent than probably any show ever, it is hard to believe that Buffy The Vampire Slayer was viewed as just a teen show. It may have been, but we have actors and actresses like SMG, Alison Hannigan (HIMYM and the American Pie movies), Seth Green (Austin Powers movies, numerous other movies and TV credits), David Boreanaz (Bones), James Marsters, Michelle Trachtenberg (Gossip Girl, Ice Princess, Eurotrip), and the list goes on and on. It is fun to look back and see the episode that started it all. 1997 seems like so long ago, but watching this episode brings back so many memories!

Continue slaying...

9 comments:

  1. Buffy The Vampire Slayer
    Pilot

    My 11 All-Time Favorite "Buffy" Episodes

    Jenny D - TwoCents Staff Writer
    jennyd@thetwocentscorp.com

    “In every generation there is a chosen one. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.” And lucky for us, it was Sarah Michelle Gellar. From the show that produced more talent than probably any show ever, it is hard to believe that Buffy The Vampire Slayer was viewed as just a teen show. It may have been, but we have actors and actresses like SMG, Alison Hannigan (HIMYM and the American Pie movies), Seth Green (Austin Powers movies, numerous other movies and TV credits), David Boreanaz (Bones), James Marsters, Michelle Trachtenberg (Gossip Girl, Ice Princess, Eurotrip), and the list goes on and on. It is fun to look back and see the episode that started it all. 1997 seems like so long ago, but watching this episode brings back so many memories!

    As we open on Sunnydale High, we see a pretty normal school. A couple breaks in to have a little fun. Too bad only one of them is alive. We are introduced to Darla, an innocent looking schoolgirl. Oh wait, she is a vampire. And then there is the song. The theme song that still gives me goose bumps.

    Buffy looks like a normal girl as she lays in bed, but instead of dreaming about boys and shopping, she is dreaming about vampires, grave yards and weird rituals. Luckily mom wakes her up to go to school. Her first day at Sunnydale high. Mom gives her words of wisdom as she leaves the car “And Buffy, try not to get kicked out.” As she walks in, we are introduced to Willow and Xander, Buffy’s soon to be best pals and Sunnydale High outsiders. A she leaves the office, someone bumps her and she drops the contents of her purse. While normal girls have makeup, cell phone and wallets, Buffy drops stakes. Xander rushes over to help her and meet the new girl. Since he is so suave, the conversation so well. She walks away and he tries to stop her to give her a stake she dropped.

    In class, Cordelia makes friends with Buffy. They get along well; she tells her that if she hangs with her, she will be fine. Cordelia’s true colors come through as she makes fun of Willow. Cordelia identifies Willow as “one of the losers”.

    We now meet Giles, who totally freaks Buffy out with his weirdness and coming on a bit too strong about the vampire stuff. Buffy runs off. She talks with Willow, Xander and Jessie and Cordelia comes up to tell them about the dead guy in the locker. Buffy, being the slayer, immediately looks into it. Only after asking a bunch of questions that make everyone think she is weird. She finds out that the guy died from a vampire bite and immediately goes to Giles. She is angry because she wants to be left alone, but Giles explains that she is the chosen one and stuck with the duty. Xander overhears them talking and is a bit confused, or at least more than normal.

    As Buffy utters the words “Come one, this is Sunnydale. How bad of evil can there be,”
    We see a ritual being done by Luke and others to bring back the Master. Fun fact, Brian Thompson, who plays Luke, was also the Judge in season 2. Buffy is on her way to the Bronze, when we see a mysterious figure following her. It is Angel. After they chat, Angel tells Buffy of the opening of the Hellmouth and the Harvest. He gives her cross and leaves.

    At the Bronze, Willow leaves with a guy that turns out to be a vampire. She nearly stakes Cordelia, and her social status continues to go down. Darla makes friends with Jessie and we find that they lead the two of them to the cemetery. Xander confront Buffy and they leave to look for Willow. The two of them arrive in time to stop the vampires. We end the episode with Buffy being thrown into a crypt and Luke coming at her. To Be Continued….. the three words I hate most.

    Well, that was number 11 on my list. Would it have made your top Buffy episodes list? My main reason for choosing this episode is because it is the first one and you have to give props to the episode that started it all! Next week I will be reviewing number 10 on my list, “Chosen”, the series finale (season 7 episode 22). Please leave your two cents in the comment section or e-mail me at JennyD@thetwocentscorp.com. I will see you next week!

    ReplyDelete
  2. For me I would have chosen the finale of the first season where Xander the man with no powers saves the day. I would have said it was a two parter and only counts as one episode. I don't remember the name.

    I love the series finale and think it has some of the greatest music the show ever used. The final battle is one of my favorite pieces of music, next to the gift and of course everything from Once More With Feeling.

    I look forward to what you chose next.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh yeah! I remember, the one where Willow is ready to destory the world and Xander stops her? HMM, you will have to wait and see if that is on my list. I am starting at the bottow and working my way to number 1, so there is plenty of episodes to go!

    ReplyDelete
  4. That's the sixth season - evil Willow? I can't remember what Xander does in the first season finale though.

    Looking forward to the top 10!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Actually I meant the Season One finale where Angel and Xander find Buffy drown and Angel can't save her because he has no breath and Xander has to be the hero and revive her. Classic Whedon. I forgot Xander saves the day a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've never seen this show before, but happened to watch a episode called "I only have eyes for you" cause Christopher Gorham was a ghost in it. Not bad, but don't quite know the premise of the story. Like what kind of powers does Buffy have, and how did she get the job to fight evil??

    ReplyDelete
  7. Talk about a loaded question, Karen! Where to begin? Really, you just need to watch them all! :)

    Jenny - I am very interested to see what your top episodes are... I have my list all ready to compare! I love this show! BTW - My son is named Xander.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Karen-I agree, you need to watch the show. She doesn't really have "powers" like other super heo like characters. I beleive FX show reruns every day, or may I suggest renting the season from Blockbuster or netflix. What did you think of "I Only Have Eyes for You". That is actually in my top 11!
    Mat-I remebered that Xander saved Buffy at the end of Season 1 because Angel had no breath and Buffy needed CPR. GOod call though.
    Rachel-I look forward to hearing your top eps.

    ReplyDelete
  9. well, I liked it. I must say that it got me intrigued, but I was a bit dissappointed that Chris Gorham didn't have a bigger part, cause thats why I watched. (he is one of the reasons i am reviewing "Popular") But i did record 2 episodes this weekend that i plan on watching to see how it is.

    ReplyDelete

TheTwoCents Comments Policy