The Quintessential Buffy Episode by Whisper

BUFFYVERSE

The Quintessential Buffy Episode

POSTED BY: WHISPER
UPDATED: Monday, December 8, 2008 11:40
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VIEWED: 7358
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Sunday, August 3, 2008 3:49 PM

If you could only show one episode to a new viewer, what episode would that be?

Which one do you think is the quintessential buffy episode that showcases all of what makes the show great?

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Sunday, August 3, 2008 5:01 PM

JADEHAND

Well, my favourite episode, and one I would show first, is "Hush"(season 4, episode 10). Though there are bits of knowledge of previous episodes that make things in this episode mean more, I think it's hard to find any episode outside of season 1 that doesn't feel the same. So maybe sticking with "Welcome to the Hellmouth"(season 1, episode 1) is the way to go?
Of course anyone one says "Once More With Feeling" or "The Body".... I'll agree with.

"It's all so clear. We can see the madness perfectly from here." - Asylum Satellite 1 - Happiness is the Road - Marillion

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Monday, August 4, 2008 4:54 AM

CHRISISALL

OMWF, definitely!!!

Dancing Chrisisall

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Sunday, August 10, 2008 5:16 PM

LISSA

Maybe this is cheating, but I always like to show two: Surprise and Innocence. Unless it's a guy, then maybe The Zeppo? I don't like to show an episode that is too late in the series because those tend to be really loaded with history and/or super spoilery.

~lissa, retired spwhore

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Sunday, August 10, 2008 5:42 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)

I *would* suggest Once More With Feeling, but there's a lot of history in that one, too. Not so much in the scenes, but you kind of need to know who and what these people are so that the music and lyrics make sense to you. Once you're completely ensconced in the Buffyverse, you realize that every single line, every single word, was labored over to make sure it fit perfectly the character singing it. It's amazing, really. I watch is probably more than any other episode, but I hesitate to show it to the uninitiated.

Hush would be a good choice. Or one of the episodes with Angellus, such as when he does nasty things to Jenny Calendar... That episode shows what Joss is capable of having his characters do, and how really evil he can be.

The pilot is a good one; it sets the tone for the show with the opening scene with Darla, because you just expect it to be the typical horror-movie-stupid-girl-gets-killed-by-monster scene - and then the whole dynamic gets flipped, letting you know you're not in for your average horror show.

Spike coming on board in Season 2, and his run-in with The Annointed One (or "The Annoying One" as he refers to him) is pretty classic; I didn't see THAT coming - but I loved it!

Mike

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Monday, August 11, 2008 5:07 AM

MER

Once More With Feeling or Storyteller.

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Monday, August 11, 2008 5:32 AM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Quote:
Originally posted by Whisper:
If you could only show one episode to a new viewer, what episode would that be?

Which one do you think is the quintessential buffy episode that showcases all of what makes the show great?

http://whispergraphics.deviantart.com
http://www.myspace.com/vet_techtiff

The quintessential Buffy episode for me would be 'Surprise'

I feel by that episode Buffy had really found it's feet and you can tell the writers are planning an arc of epic proportions.

It is by no way my favourite episode but it had it all:
Super villains, humour, drama, horror and the gang all in, trying to overcome insurmountable odds. The essence of what Buffy was to become and were I trying to encourage people to start watching Buffy I'd show them this episode as bait.

Some of the greatest episodes come too late and are too intricate with story arcs to introduce people to. So much as I love HUSH and RESTLESS I wouldn't start off with those.

Once More with feeling -- though great is a one off, and really it would have people thinking they are going to get a musical every week. Out of context this episode isn't as funny. Part of it's joy is in seeing all these characters whose relationships with each other have been established previously suddenly take on a new slant with the musical theme.

I recently introduced a couple to Buffy who had never seen it before and I simply told them, see out season 1, it's not great but watch it for the cheesy humour and with the understanding that what you watch now will reward you heavily later on with some astounding drama, humour and horror. Also the fights get better!

:D

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Monday, August 11, 2008 8:58 AM

EMBERS

Quote:
Originally posted by Whisper:
If you could only show one episode to a new viewer, what episode would that be?

Which one do you think is the quintessential buffy episode that showcases all of what makes the show great?

I always start w/OMWF, sure there is a lot of backstory they won't get... and some spoilers for the future...
but the episode is a gem!

Starting w/Buffy's first season is problematic because it is kind of cheesy.

New Firefly fans should check this out: http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=2&t=15816

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Monday, August 11, 2008 3:43 PM

CANTTAKESKY

Surprise.

If they can stand it at all, it will turn into a two-episode viewing.

And then three...

--------------------------
Lacy, gently wafting curtains.

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Monday, August 11, 2008 3:52 PM

FUTUREMRSFILLION

No no no no no no no! Hush! the creepy dudes and the like no talking!

vaguemrpointygesturingisall

I am on The List. We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"

FORSAKEN original

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Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:39 PM

HEROUVCANTON

School Hard.

You don't have to have any previous knowledge, is a great stand-alone story, has Dru and Spike, as well as Angel/Xander interactions.......

Dear Diary: Today I was pompous and my sister was crazy. Today, we were kidnapped by hillfolk never to be seen again. It was the best day ever.

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Wednesday, August 13, 2008 4:55 PM

KWICKO

Quote:
Originally posted by HerouvCanton:
School Hard.

You don't have to have any previous knowledge, is a great stand-alone story, has Dru and Spike, as well as Angel/Xander interactions.......

Dear Diary: Today I was pompous and my sister was crazy. Today, we were kidnapped by hillfolk never to be seen again. It was the best day ever.

You're right, of course - good episode, no prior knowledge really necessary, lots of good stuff all around - suspense, humor, more humor... it gives a pretty good overall indication of the "vibe" that the Buffyverse puts off.

Mike

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Wednesday, August 13, 2008 4:57 PM

KWICKO

Quote:
vaguemrpointygesturingisall

That scene still cracks me up - the look on everyone else's faces, trying to figure out exactly WHAT the hell Buffy is talking - or not talking - about. Priceless!

M

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Wednesday, August 13, 2008 9:17 PM

OPPYH

Prophecy Girl

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Thursday, August 14, 2008 2:02 AM

MANWITHPEZ

Important people don't do field work.

I would show someone "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered", but not because it would help them understand the show. Because it would make them think the show was about Xander. Then I would follow it up with "The Zeppo"...and just to rub salt in the wound..."Hell's Bells"...Just cause I think he did the right thing (if he didn't exactly go about it the right way).

I would say that "Surprise" covers it. It will never be a huge favorite of mine, and it leads into questions about Angel that would be bettered answered if the viewer found out on their own. Or, if you really want to be vindictive about it...show "Faith, Hope, and Trick"...and try to explain that one. It's kinda all over the place, but if they stuck with it just to find out what was going on, they'd be rewarded with one of the better season arcs in Buffy.

Kaylee: "What's so damn important about being proper? It don't mean nothing out here in the black."
Simon: "It means more out here. It's all I have..."

http://manwithpez.livejournal.com

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Thursday, August 14, 2008 7:52 AM

KWICKO

Or "Passion", just to show how much of a bastard Angelus can be...

Mike

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Thursday, August 14, 2008 8:17 AM

PHOENIXROSE

You think you know--what's to come, what you are. You haven't even begun.

Quote:
Originally posted by Kwicko:
Or "Passion", just to show how much of a bastard Angelus can be...

I don't think that would be the best thing to start off on...

I don't think 'Hush' would be a good starting point either. Good as it is, it requires too much backstory to really understand what's happening within that silence.

Not done with the series yet, but I'd definitely say starting at or at least near the beginning is the way to go.

You may say I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one.

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Thursday, August 14, 2008 8:46 AM

WHISPER

Thanks for the recs everyone.

While I love Hush and OWMF, I agree that those may not be the eps that really show what the show is on average. I think those are rewards for sticking with the show for a while.

Prophecy Girl is probably a good one. I consider it the best episode of the entire 1st season, which the majority of season one even makes me cringe. School Hard I hadn't even thought of... good suggestion.

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Saturday, August 23, 2008 3:30 PM

BLUEREDGREEN

I'd say Storyteller would be good. Has a lot of what Buffy is and really isnt hard to understand even without prior knowledge. Very emotional and influencing. Not my favorite, but a good one to see to learn what the series is.

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Thursday, September 4, 2008 7:03 AM

WENDYPOPS

Quote:
Originally posted by OPPYH:
Prophecy Girl

I'd have to agree.

As amazing episodes as OMWF, Hush & others are, you really have to already be familiar with and like the programme before you can fully appreciate them.

School Hard is also a good choice.

I guess it depend on the new viewer. I would say tailor the first viewing to something you know they're going to connect with.

--------------------

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Monday, December 8, 2008 11:40 AM

INSTANTKARMAGIRL

Quote:
Originally posted by lissa:
Maybe this is cheating, but I always like to show two: Surprise and Innocence. Unless it's a guy, then maybe The Zeppo? I don't like to show an episode that is too late in the series because those tend to be really loaded with history and/or super spoilery.

~lissa, retired spwhore

Totally agree with you.

I couldn't saw OMWF because not everyone would get the cheekiness right of the bat.

~**~
"How come you're flying about with us brigands? I mean, shouldn't you be off bringing religiosity to the Fuzzie-Wuzzies or some such?"~Cap'n Mal

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