Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

I’ve always been a little embarrassed to tell people that my favourite TV show is "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". The usual reaction is an uncomfortable laugh, and in one unpleasant instance, a response of “But you’re an intelligent man! Why would you like something like that?” Names have a lot of power in shaping opinions, and the sad truth is that many people have and will ignore this show simply because of its campy, dumb title.

Silly them. It’s an oft-heard cliche that you should never judge a book by its cover, but that couldn’t be truer here. Strip away misconceptions, and you’re left with one of the cleverest, wittiest and deepest programmes ever written. Make no mistake; the franchise’s beginning as a flop movie and a low filming budget do have impact here, but "Buffy" isn’t about special effects or tacky gimmicks. It’s about characters you embrace like family, and plots that break down and re-examine every teenage scenario in the book.

The single most important thing to know about this show is that it works on numerous levels. You can enjoy it if you just want some B-movie cheese or a fun hour to wile away, but its true heart is its use of metaphor. Creator Joss Whedon understands that horror and the supernatural works best when it echoes our own fears, and excellently applies this idea to adolescence. In the world of "Buffy", parents really can completely control your life, bullies transform into vicious animals, and an ignored young woman can become literally invisible.

Equally praise-worthy is the dialogue. Every single scene is crammed full of lines worth hearing, and the scripts have a massive verve and energy. The interaction between the ‘core four’ characters (Buffy, Willow, Xander and Giles) is a pure delight to watch, and the witty jokes often serve dual purposes of being both entertaining and providing meaningful character insight. Every episode is paced well and moves at a good level, never being boring, but never bombarding the viewer with too much information.

The series begins with Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) moving to the California town of Sunnydale with her mother Joyce (Kristine Sutherland). However, Sunnydale happens to be built upon a Hellmouth, a place where the barriers that separate our world from numerous demonic hells have worn thin. This means that the town has a crawling supernatural underbelly, with a gang of vampires led by a hideous ‘Master’ (Mark Metcalfe) proving the thorn in Buffy’s side throughout the season.

Buffy herself has been given a destiny she never asked for – she’s been chosen by whatever good force exists to be the Vampire Slayer, and ends up receiving superhuman strength, speed and stamina in return for what is often a very short and brutal life. Despite being generally sunny, Buffy wishes she could be a normal teenager, and the divide between her supernatural duties and all-too-human wishes is the crux of many an episode.

Fortunately, Buffy is not alone. On her first day of school, she encounters the English librarian Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head), who has been sent to be her Watcher. A Watcher acts to guide and train the Slayer, and Giles is in possession of hundreds of books that are a massive help in identifying and stopping whatever demonic force comes to town. However, his stereotypical stiff upper lip and preference for playing by the rules initially causes antagonism between he and Buffy, although their different views soon start influencing each other. It results in the development of a father/daughter relationship between the two, the growth of which is very charming to watch.

Other students prove very helpful in the fight against evil. Buffy befriends the shy, bookish Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan) and lovable loser Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon), who soon learn of her calling and vow to assist her. Their friendship forms the emotional core of the show, and all of the characters are given equal screen time and plot development. Elsewhere, snobby cheer queen Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter) acts as an amusingly shallow antagonist before revealing some surprising depth, and the mysterious Angel (David Boreanaz) provides Buffy with a love interest (and a shocking secret). While I would note that the acting performances are not necessarily stellar, all of the actors are perfect for their roles, and this is felt in the way the ensemble cast snaps together instantly. Alyson Hannigan in particular is a true delight, imbuing Willow with a disarming, endearing innocence and a smile that could light up a coal mine.

Season One takes a highly episodic structure. Each edition acts as a standalone piece, albeit with numerous levels. The ‘A’ plot typically deals with the arrival of a new monster or supernatural force in town, which almost always links strongly to a certain character’s emotional development (the ‘B’ plot). For example, the episode “Witch” has a monster plot about a dangerous spellcaster at its core, with the character thread of the generation gap between Buffy and her mother. In uncovering the mystery of the witch, Buffy ultimately learns that it’s possible for parents to be dangerously over-involved in their children’s lives, and gains a new appreciation for her own family. It’s simple, but effective in storytelling and emotionally satisfying.

Although I enjoy every episode here very much, a couple are slightly weaker than others. “I, Robot… You Jane” boasts some excellent Giles character development and a number of hilarious lines, but the central Willow plot is a heavy-handed exploration of Internet predators that leads an incredibly silly robot monster fight. Likewise, “Teacher’s Pet” has a to-the-point examination of teen sexuality let down by dumb monster costuming, and “Nightmares” plays out its titular concept using a very awkward sci-fi plot device about a comatose boy. Still, these episodes all have excellent parts, and make for engaging and interesting television, provided you ignore the odd cheesy effect. Other episodes such as the two-part opener “Welcome To The Hellmouth/The Harvest”, “Witch”, “Never Kill A Boy On The First Date”, “Angel” and “The Pack” are all highly impressive.

The undoubted highlight of this set is its finale, “Prophecy Girl”, in which the show hinted at the greatness it would attain in its next two seasons. The first twenty minutes are a master class of beautifully understated writing and acting, as we are shown just how much all of the characters have changed and grown over the year. The central plot is incredibly emotional, with Giles and Angel uncovering a prophecy that states that Buffy will die the following evening. Their discussion is unknowingly overheard by the Slayer, and the resulting scene in which Buffy tearfully tries to quit her ‘job’ is wonderfully written and acted. Sarah Michelle Gellar’s delivery as she utters the line ”Giles, I'm sixteen years old. I don't want to die...” is truly heartbreaking, and the rest of the episode really documents Buffy’s growth as she bravely goes to face her own demise in order to save others. Perfect!

Presentation-wise, the season is split across three discs (four episodes each) in an attractive box set. Extras are unfortunately low, although there’s a nice (but brief) interview with show creator Joss Whedon and actor David Boreanaz offering their thoughts on the season’s success. Joss also provides short discussions on a number of episodes and a commentary on the pilot; both these and the inclusion of the opener’s original screenplay provide a nice insight into the show’s conception and writing process. The video and sound quality is good, although some of the darker scenes occasionally look a little grainy – but nothing problematic, as this is mainly due to the quality of film the show was shot on, rather than the DVDs themselves.

Overall, I have highly enjoyed this box set ever since purchasing it years ago. Although "Buffy"’s second and third seasons certainly surpass this one’s quality, season one remains a testament to the power of strong acting and writing in a genre that all too often relies on cheap thrills and special effects. Ignore some of the campier elements and occasional production slip-up, and you’re left with a highly impressive introduction to a stunning series. Wonderful.

More "Buffy"
Season Two
Season Three
Season Four
Season Five
Season Six
Season Seven

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older