Monday, March 08, 2010

My Top 50 Buffy Episodes Part 9

Penultimate list. Sorry for the delay, I've been sick last week and just about recovered so I'll be catching up properly on reviews and the like.

6: Becoming Part 2 (Season 2, Episode 22)

Devastating episode. How can this not be high on anyone's list? Buffy and Angel do the ultimate battle and the latter is sent to hell when he becomes good. Tough call, Buffy. Plus the use of a certain Sarah McLachlan song really does highlight the episode.

7: The Body (Season 5, Episode 16)

I've always found it laughable when certain critics have dismissed this series as a kids show because there have been plenty of episodes to dispel that theory. This one, which examined the death of Joyce Summers and the gang's truthful reactions to her passing is sublime television. And sadly more relateable now that I've lost my own mother.

8: Chosen (Season 7, Episode 22)

I know some fans are divided with this finale but compared Angel's nihilistic Not Fade Away, this to me was a far better way of ending Buffy's seven year run. Plus we got a whole new generation of slayers, the consequences of which are dominiating the current eighth season in comic book form.

9: Nightmares (Season 1, Episode 10)

Ah, nightmare episodes. The one where Giles couldn't read, Willow had to go on stage and Xander got chased by a clown. More seriously was Buffy being turned into a vampire by the Master and the episode's undercurrent of child abuse.

10: Innocence (Season 2, Episode 14)

The second part of the most defining story in the series history, I loved the big battles between between Buffy and Angelus as well David Boreanaz's easy as hell transition into the murderous vampire. He really does outdo himself here.

2 comments:

  1. Sorry you were sick, hope you're feeling better now? I was wondering where you had got to!

    Great set of episodes, though Nightmares, is not one I would rate so highly.

    I think I prefer Not Fade Away, but Chosen is still one of my favourite TV show endings. Joss certainly knows how to ends shows with a bang!!

    The Body is the episode I think that shows Buffy is more than just a fantasy/kids TV show. It handled Joyces' death more realistically than nearly every other show I've seen handle death. Many shows tend to de-sensitise us to the idea of death (including Buffy and Angel to an extent) but this episode reminds us how truly horrifying it is.

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  2. I'm on the mend, bit of a head cold now but nothing compared to last week, which was a pain and a half.

    Nightmares I just love that episode and The Body was one of those episodes that deserved an Emmy. Writing that good should never be ignored, regardless of genre.

    Six Feet Under deals with death beautifully but I get what you meant with The Body though. Given that I've lost my own mum, its a truer episode to watch.

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