When Did It Really Pick Up? by Schism

BUFFYVERSE

When Did It Really Pick Up?

POSTED BY: SCHISM
UPDATED: Friday, January 14, 2011 05:15
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VIEWED: 9326
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Saturday, March 28, 2009 6:08 PM

Hi Guys,

I used to think Buffy was synonymous with "teenage girl bubble-gum drivel" and never once thought I'd even TRY to watch it.

Then I watched Firefly, and figured that if this Joss guy created Buffy too, then there must be SOMETHING to it.

So I rented disc one of season one with the intent to watch it. However I only got to watch one episode. My time on that weekend ended up being taken away from me, as per usual.

Anyway, I was completely underwhelmed by episode one.

Now if anything, I've learned that you have to reserve judgement with Joss' work. Give it an episode or two to gain momentum, and it'll take off like you won't believe.

So how long did it take for Buffy to 'take off', in your opinions?

I do plan to rent the disc again and give it another go at some point...

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Saturday, March 28, 2009 6:58 PM

KWICKO

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." -- William Casey, Reagan's presidential campaign manager & CIA Director (from first staff meeting in 1981)

For me, it REALLY grabbed me by the end of Season 1. But it's important to slog through the rest of the season to get there, just because it lays so much groundwork for so much of the rest of the series.

Of course, I loved the opening scene of the pilot episode. It was the classic "girl-doing-the-wrong-thing-with-a-guy-she-just-met" scenario, but it had a twist that I just loved, and that told me this wasn't going to be your average teen-angst melodrama.

And man, I loves me some Darla. Julie Benz plays such a wimpy character in Dexter, but I just love her wickedness in the Buffyverse! (Don't get me wrong - I love Dexter, but I just want his girlfriend to rip someone's throat out now and again! And here he thinks HE'S a badass...)

\m/

I'm something of a ne'er-do-well
even though that's something I could never do well...

The "On Fire" Economy -
The Dow closed at 10,587.60 on January 20, 2001, the day GW Bush took office. Eight years later, it closed below 8000 on the day he left office - a net loss of 25%. That's what conservatives call an economic "success".

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Saturday, March 28, 2009 7:41 PM

REGINAROADIE

I was kind of in the same boat as well.

For me, it was season 3 where everything fell into place. The first two seasons I'd describe as "good efforts". You can tell they had really good ideas and a clear vision. But they do stray into that amateurish/cheesy territory a bit much. Personally I felt that "Teacher's Pet" their third episode was the worst ep of the series. And with season 2, even though everyone considers the second two parter to be the turning point and the most emotional moment of the series, I personally was going "Do you not see the huge red flag right in front of you? Stop crying, bitch."

But season 3 is what I like to call the Sgt. Peppers year. It was the year that everything clicked, all the kinks were ironed out, and they were coming up with their best stuff, which amazingly enough continued through to season 5. I know everyone goes for "Hush" and "Once More, With Feeling" (which I think is their most overrated ep of the series). But for me, "The Body" is above and beyond the best ep of the series.

So stick with it. It's worth it.

**************************************************
"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

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Saturday, March 28, 2009 9:32 PM

SINGATE

I would say season 2 is when the show really took off for me. In particular there are 2 events involving Angel which lend some maturity to the series. I won't spoil it for you but Buffy grows up quite a bit during this stretch.

_________________________________________________

We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far.

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Sunday, March 29, 2009 9:50 AM

GROOSALUGG

I'd say about 1/3 of the way thru S2. S1 has a couple of episodes that hint at how great the show can be ("Angel", "Prophecy Girl"), and S2 gets off to a bit of a bumpy start with 3 or 4 pretty bad eps ("Some Assembly Required", "Inca Mummy Girl", "Reptile Boy") all grouped together, but if you can make it to eps 6, 7, 8 and beyond, you'll be rewarded for your patience...

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Tuesday, March 31, 2009 11:04 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by Groosalugg:
I'd say about 1/3 of the way thru S2.

I agree here.
Then 3 was awesome, 4 was excellent, 5 was painful, 6 was harsh & intoxicating, and 7 was a perfect finale.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Tuesday, March 31, 2009 11:18 AM

STORYMARK

Keep in mind, Chris's opinion on seasons 5-7 are not of the widely-held variety.

Myself, I really liked 5, disliked 6, and was so-so on 7. Your mileage may varry.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Tuesday, March 31, 2009 11:20 AM

CHRISISALL

I didn't mean season 5 was painful in a totally BAD way...

The laughing Chrisisall

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Tuesday, March 31, 2009 11:30 AM

KWICKO

I *like* Season 5. To me, 4 was one of the weakest. I just never did like - ahem - certain people from S4.

Mike

just lying smiling in the dark
shooting stars around your heart
dreams come bouncing in your head
pure and simple everytime
now you're crying in your sleep
i wish you'd never learnt to weep
don't sell the dreams you should be keeping
pure and simple everytime

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Tuesday, March 31, 2009 11:45 AM

ZEEK

I agree with those who say about 1/3 of the way into Season 2. Really Season 2 and Season 3 are where it's at. After that there's a lot of touch and go sputtering. Season 4 never worked well for me. Season 5 had it's good points. Season 6 was pretty bad overall. Season 7 again had some strong points but it had some very weak points as well.

Still it's better than most anything you're going to find on TV.

My personal Joss TV preference goes Firefly > Angel > Buffy > Dollhouse

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Tuesday, March 31, 2009 11:51 AM

STORYMARK

For me the high point is 2-4, kind of a trilogy dealing with the relationship between Buffy and Angel, the ups and waaaay downs, and then moving on for both.

And while I like the character they added in 5 (trying to be non spoiler-y), they, along with a couple other things, did change the dynamic enough that it didn't quite feel like the same show anymore. Not in a bad way, mind, just different.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Tuesday, March 31, 2009 1:08 PM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Season one of Buffy was an oddity for the most part. However it was clear to see from the onset that this was a very different kind of show, so while I didn't really gel with the majority of season one, the last episode did enough to establish the Slayer mythos. Enough at least to have me tune in once season two came out.

From there it just played out better and better.

Favourite order.
Season: 3, 4, 5, 7, 2, 1, 6

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Tuesday, March 31, 2009 2:08 PM

CHRISISALL

Season 7 is my favourite, but the seasons before it made that possible. Generally, 3 seems to be the fan fave one.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Sunday, April 5, 2009 1:29 PM

SCHISM

Well I re-rented disc one of season one.
Watched the first three eps, and will watch the fourth one tonight.

I get the impression that you definetely see Joss grow as the series grows.

One of the things about Firefly that drew me in was his use (or lack of use) of cliches. He avoided them or toyed with them, but never fell victim to them.

I noted a few cliches in the Buffy eps I watched.

The british scholar who's always referencing some ancient text.

The Master's behavour, movements, and speech.

The other vampire's grovelling to their master.

It wreaked of old horror movie cliches.

But already after a few eps it seemed to be more of a joke than anything intended to be serious. I'm already seeing a more unorthodox side of the Master.

Can't wait to see more!

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Saturday, January 16, 2010 7:11 AM

PCCH7

for me it picked up in season 3.. Season 1 & 2 is just entertaining for me, but season 3 and after it became a great show for me.. And there´s more of Spike, which is always great.

"Summer Glau can simply walk into Mordor.."

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Monday, January 18, 2010 9:03 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Quote:
Originally posted by pcch7:
for me it picked up in season 3.. Season 1 & 2 is just entertaining for me, but season 3 and after it became a great show for me.. And there´s more of Spike, which is always great.

"Summer Glau can simply walk into Mordor.."

The T.Rex they call JANE!

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Monday, January 18, 2010 1:33 PM

OPTIMUS1998

Man, Reading through all these posts, brings up a lot of memories, including the fact that it's been at least 5 yrs since i watched my buffy box sets...
dang...

i would have to agree with the general opinion sated here, that it "got good" latter half of 2- season 3.

i always try and keep the seasons straight in my head by the "big bad" for the season. let's see if i still have my list right (spoiler mode....ENGAGE!!)

Select to view spoiler:

Season 1 - The Master (I type that and i now see john simm in my head...damn WHO-inverse!!!)
Season 2 - Spike/Dru/Angel
Season 3 - The Mayor
Season 4 - Adam/ The Initiative
Season 5 - Glory
Season 6 - Warren/Jonathan/Andrew (Darth Rosenberg - how i have always referred to Dark Willow )
Season 7 - "the One" (one true evil) or some such

now i'm gonna have to make time to re watch again!

Make Cartoons, Not War
- Sue Blu
Once, while having sex in a tractor-trailer, part of Chuck Norris' sperm escaped and got into the engine. We now know this truck as Optimus Prime.

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Monday, January 18, 2010 1:34 PM

OPTIMUS1998

stupid double posts...
my internets are being stupid.
couldn't have anything to do with the fact that i am trying to d/l ALL the eps of "The Tonight show with Conan O'Brien" Before he goes off the air...

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Thursday, January 13, 2011 3:59 PM

CLJOHNSTON108

I discovered Buffy midway through Season 2, and watched through Season 3, but when I went back and watched Season 1 I knew I'd have fallen in love with it right here...

Giles: Dig a bit in the history of this place. You'll find a, a steady stream of fairly odd occurrences. Now, I believe this whole area is a center of mystical energy, [comes back with four books] that things gravitate towards it that, that, that you might not find elsewhere.
[sets them on the table]

Buffy: Like vampires.

[He puts the volumes into Buffy's arms one by one as he lists off various monsters and demons.]

Giles: Like zombies, werewolves, incubi, succubi, everything you've ever dreaded was under your bed, but told yourself couldn't be by the light of day. They're all real!

Buffy: What? You, like, sent away for the Time-Life series?

Giles: Ah, w-w-w-yes.

Buffy: Did you get the free phone?

Giles: Um, the calendar.

Buffy: Cool!

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Thursday, January 13, 2011 5:15 PM

PRETTYXPISTOL

I had watched Buffy when it was on TV. The whole I'm in love with a vampire thing really got me hooked plus she kicked some ass and was very pretty. She does share the first and middle name with me as well :)

I lost interest when Willow turned gay and Spike fell in love with Buffy. I am now catching up with series thanks to Netflix and I'm halfway through season 5.

Secretly I hoped Giles and Buffy would do it! -_-

My favorite episode has to be the musical one!

[Inara: It's all right. I mostly keep to myself. When I'm not whoring.]

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Friday, January 14, 2011 1:14 AM

PERFECTPARADIGM

prettyxpistol - I've gotta say I find that pretty disturbing.

Season 2 is one of the best seasons to me, and also to a lot of other people. Though season 1 doesn't measure up to a lot of other seasons, it still has some great dialogue and Joss moments you might miss on first watching.

For example, I didnt notice this line on first viewing.

Girl #1: The new kid? She seems kind of weird to me. What kind of
name is Buffy?

Girl #2: Hey, Aphrodisia!

Girl #1: Oh, Hey!

Which I only actually noticed when reading the script on the DVD, but anyway...

I think things picked up considerably in season 2. That was a fine effort! Does that sound condescending at all? Coz it wasn't meant to be...

Also, I liked season 6 the most of the last three seasons. I know a lot of people didn't like that season but I found it powerful because, despite the fact that all this stuff was happening at the same time, there really were moments of 'oh, I felt that'.

I like to view BtVS as a whole. Each season has its place and had value to me in some way.

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Friday, January 14, 2011 5:15 AM

ZEEK

Oh man if you're worried about the master being too much of a cliche horror movie villain then you'll be happy with the rest of the series I think. The rest of the big villains tend to turn things on their head more.

and OPTIMUS1998 just had to fix your spoiler fail:

Select to view spoiler:

The one? Buffy didn't fight Neo in the final season. Pretty sure his matrix version would kick her butt 10 times over.

Season 7 was The First. The First Evil. Now apologize to Chrisisall.

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