Despite its supernatural premise,Buffy the Vampire Slayeroffered a number of heartwarming stories, giving fans plenty of comfort episodes to pick from. Given that it first emerged in the mid-90s, it could be easy to fall into the train of thought thatBuffy the Vampire Slayeris dated and of its time. In truth, though, it’s more than held up in a variety of ways, making it a great show to revisit time and time again. That’s especially true with the now-confirmedBuffy the Vampire Slayerrevivalon the horizon.
Comfort, of course, comes in all manner of ways. When feeling low, some many turn to such tear-jerker episodes asBuffy the Vampire Slayerseason 5, episode 16, “The Body” orBuffy the Vampire Slayerseason 6, episode 19, “Seeing Red” for a cathartic release. For most, however,they look for something fun, uncomplicated, and breezy to distract them. It’s in that regard that the followingBuffy the Vampire Slayerepisodes truly deliver, in a myriad of ways, across the seven seasons that were initially broadcast on television.
10School Hard
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 2, Episode 3
Buffy the Vampire Slayerseason 2, episode 3, “School Hard” is exactly what the title suggests.It’sDie Hardset on the grounds of Sunnydale High, complete with Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) crawling through confined spaces. And in that regard, “School Hard” more than delivered and helped solidifyBuffy the Vampire Slayeras one ofthe best supernatural teen dramas on TV. Its stripped-back approach to its action was well staged and thrilling, led by Gellar and James Marsters, who made his first appearance as classic villain/antihero Spike.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Reboot Is About To Bring Back A Controversial Debate About The Original Show
Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s reboot will inevitably reignite a longstanding fandom debate, but there is no better time to face this question head-on.
Overall,Buffy the Vampire Slayerseason 2, episode 3, “School Hard,” set the tone for how good season 2 was going to be, but also works as a fun, self-contained caper in its own right. It gives each of The Scooby Gang perfect foils and something to do, with even Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) helping to craft stakes and solidify her place in the group. Amid all the action, “School Hard” didn’t scrimp on the heartwarming beats — most notablybetween Buffy and Joyce (Kristine Sutherland), who witnesses her daughter’s heroism for the first time. All this and more makes “School Hard” endlessly rewatchable.
9Band Candy
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 3, Episode 6
An episode about a group trying to sacrifice babies shouldn’t be fun, and yetBuffy the Vampire Slayerseason 3, episode 6, “Band Candy,” managed to thread that needle perfectly. It came courtesy of the titular candy reverting adults to more adolescent and hormonal states. As such, it was up to Buffy to be the responsible one, while Joyce and evenGiles (Anthony Stewart Head), at his most stevedore, got to be hilariously chaotic. Despite the stakes, the laughs and sense of fun come thick and fast amid pitch-perfect performances, no matter how much one has seen “Band Candy” before.
Buffy Reboot Will Keep One Important Aspect Of The Original Series
Along with bringing back Sarah Michelle Gellar, the planned Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot will keep an important aspect of the original series.
8Family
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 5, Episode 6
Buffy the Vampire Slayerseason 5, episode 6, “Family” was the episode where the much-beloved Tara (Amber Benson) became an official member of The Scoobies. Previousepisodes established Tara and Willow as the best couple. “Family,” however, was the installment that saw the others get firmly onboard — even a still soulless Spike, who, with a punch, proved Tara wasn’t the demon her abusive family claimed.It’s impossible not to get swept up, time and time again, in Tara and Willow’s love, and be uplifted when Tara emotionally finds a true family at long last.
7Halloween
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 2, Episode 6
Before “Band Candy,” there wasBuffy the Vampire Slayerseason 2, episode 6, “Halloween.” At the center of both was Ethan Rayne, one of theBuffy the Vampire Slayervillains that should return for the revival, even if in a new form. This installment saw everybody, including Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and the others, become their costumes. And it was just as hilarious as it sounds. Tables were turned and dynamics were shifted as Buffy and her friends got to essentially play different characters.It also played dividends regarding setting up threads for the future, making “Halloween” even more fun on repeat viewings.
6Fear, Itself
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 4, Episode 4
Proving that Halloween was always a fun time (for audiences),Buffy the Vampire Slayerseason 4, episode 4, “Fear, Itself,” brought more comforting chaos amid the backdrop of the popular holiday. This time they had to face their actual fears, whether that be becoming invisible like Xander, magic going awry for Willow, or bunnies in the case of Anya.Somewhat justified, in Xander and Willow’s case, it paves the way for their futures, with Xander perpetually overlooked and Willow ultimately losing control inBuffy the Vampire Slayerseason 6. It’s a poignant character study wrapped up in a fun adventure.
It definitely belongs on fans' annual Halloween rotation just for the reveal of Gachnar and his hilarious fate at Buffy’s hand…well, foot.
Despite the future and future resonance,Buffy the Vampire Slayerseason 4, episode 4, “Fear, Itself” is a largely self-contained story. Mostly taking place at a party, fans are as immersed in the eerie fun as The Scooby Gang themselves.There’s only a cursory nod to season 4’s divisive Initiative storyline, which only further lends to “Fear, Itself” being worthy of repeat viewings on its own. Not forgetting the witty humor, even amid the eerie, well-crafted spooks and character poignancy, it definitely belongs on fans' annual Halloween rotation just for the reveal of Gachnar and his hilarious fate at Buffy’s foot.
5Doppelgangland
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 3, Episode 16
ThoughBuffy the Vampire Slayerseason 3, episode 9, “The Wish” could have made the list, the spot had to go to its spiritual successor, “Doppelgangland.” Putting Willow in the spotlight was always a mark of a good episode or storyline and that was no less true here. It alsogave Hannigan room to play as Willow, Vampire Willow, and Willow posing as her vampire doppelgänger. The humor that comes from that alone makes for endless comfort watching, especially since everything turned out well. Willow ends up in a better, more confident place and her future love with Tara is further foreshadowed.
4Tabula Rasa
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 6, Episode 8
Buffy the Vampire Slayerseason 6, episode 8, “Tabula Rasa”, Latin for blank slate, gives the Scooby Gang just that when Willow wipes their memories a little too well. It was a hilarious bright spot amidthe dark tone ofBuffy the Vampire Slayerseason 6.Though it’s not without its bittersweet moments, such as Willow and Tara breaking up, it’s nonetheless a throwback to Halloween episodes ofBuffyseasons past. Each actor is essentially allowed to play a new take on the character and explore new dynamics. That’s especially true of Giles with Spike and Anya (Emma Caulfield) to hilariously rewatchable effect.
3The Zeppo
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 3, Episode 13
It’s no secret that, on occasion,Xander Harris was a problematic character on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. When it came toBuffy the Vampire Slayerseason 3, episode 13, “The Zeppo,” however, fans got to see Xander at his best. As the gang dealt with a group looking to reopen the Hellmouth,Xander quietly tackled a more low-key but no less important one. After all, that bomb would have killed his friends had he not coerced Jack O’Toole (Channon Roe) into deactivating it. It was a tense moment that capped off a fun, emotional journey.
The Zeppo
8.6/10
Nicholas Brendon was on top form as Xander inBuffy the Vampire Slayerseason 3, episode 13, “The Zeppo.” He was still his usual sardonic goofball self, but there was a quiet confidence and courage that built throughout the episode.The fact he went through all that he did and said nothing to his friends about it typified how much he’d grownduring that one episode. That’s the quintessential Xander fans hope to see in theBuffy the Vampire Slayerrevivaland why “The Zeppo” bears revisiting. That and the way it openly mockedBuffy the Vampire Slayer’s own recurring tropes.
2The Prom
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 3, Episode 20
Buffy the Vampire Slayerseason 3, episode 20, “The Prom,” is bittersweet in several ways, especially regarding the break-up of Buffy and Angel (David Boreanaz), and the imminent departure of the latter for his spin-off. Still, it’s extremely heartwarming and uplifting as well. And there wasnothing more emotionally resonant than Buffy finally being recognized for her life-saving efforts over the years,whenshe was named Class Protector and gifted a special award. Seeing her peers finally acknowledge her will forever be a comforting watch, even as it (and other elements) brings more than a tear to the eye.
1Once More With Feeling
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 6, Episode 7
As if anything else was going to take the top spot. There’s a reasonBuffy the Vampire Slayer’s musical episodeis its highest rated of all time. There were some heady themes at play, largely around the secrets we keep. Whether it be Xander and Anya’s wedding doubts or Buffy’s having been ripped out of heaven, there were some stark revelations for the characters to contend with. Nonetheless, it couldn’t have come in a catchier, well-choreographed, expertly-performed package. As such, “Once More With Feeling” is an endlessly quotable masterpiece of television and the peak ofBuffy the Vampire Slayercomfort watching.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Cast
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television series created by Joss Whedon, focusing on Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a young woman chosen to battle against vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexities of teenage life.
