When the WB network announced it was developing a series based on the 1992 movie "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," hardly anyone took them seriously. However, over the five seasons they had the show, WB won over both audiences and critics.

Following the path they started with the X-Files DVDs, Fox is releasing season-long boxed sets of Buffy, and Season 2 has just hit shelves on six discs. This was the show's first full season (a mid-season replacement the year before, it only had 12 episodes), and it really had its first chance to grow. Buffy and her supporting cast all became better-rounded characters, and the storylines became more complex and interesting. The writing team put their characters through a tragic (in the most classical Greek sense) arc.

Disc One, adorned with a picture of Buffy herself, opens with an animated menu that takes the viewer on a swooping turn through one of Sunnydale's twelve cemeteries. Containing the first four episodes, the disc features the Scooby Gang's return from summer vacation, loyalty and science gone wrong, the horror of parent/teacher night, and the fun of foreign exchange students.

Disc two (episodes 5-8) gives us frat parties, Halloween (the holiday vampires consider "amateur night"), the return of someone Buffy knew from her old high school, and a look into the not-so prim and proper history of stuffy librarian Giles. There are a few bonus features on this disc, including script and commentary from writer/director David Greenwalt for the first episode, "Reptile Boy." The commentary proves interesting, if for nothing else than to see what bad ideas from the writing staff get shot down.

Disc three (9-12) has a two-part story dealing with the ramifications of season one's finale, a new love interest for Buffy's divorced mother, and a skewed look at that old practice of nurturing an eggbaby for health class. Writer Marti Noxon provides a giggly commentary for both parts one and two of "What's My Line," and the script is also included.

Disc four (13-16) delves strongly into the realm of the supernatural, with an immortal demon called the judge, ancient gypsy curses, werewolves, and witches casting love spells. The first episode, "Surprise," includes a spoiler-filled interview with creator Joss Whedon, so you would do best to watch that after the episode. "Innocence" continues that interview, also giving us Joss commentary during the episode and the shooting script.

Disc five (17-20) continues Buffy's downward spiral in both her love life and her physical health, the school's past echoing into the present, and even a bout of cheating sports teams. Once again, Joss Whedon provides interviews for "Passion" and "I Only Have Eyes for You" that are very informative, but best watched after the episodes in question.

The final disc in the set has only two episodes, the season-ending "Becoming," parts one and two. The emotional catharsis towards which this season has been building is finally achieved in the show's own inimitable style, mixing humor, fight scenes, and romance into one. Joss chips in again with another informative interview, but leaves the episodes to speak for themselves. This disc is rounded out with three features covering production design, the creation of the show's monsters, and the design of the make-up. There are four art galleries (stills, sketches, set designs, and blueprints), a series of trailers and tv spots, and cast and crew biographies.

The set has nice fold-out packaging, with pictures of the series' stars on each disc. The set includes a booklet with writing/directing credits, original airdates, and brief synopses of each of the episodes. The package itself is covered in pictures of Buffy and Angel cast in tones of red.

The episodes are a mixed bag in terms of appearance. Buffy is, by nature, a dark show not just in themes, but also in terms of lighting; at least half the scenes take place at night. In most of the episodes, the color is superb--rather than swallowing the picture, the shadows range wonderfully from jet black to more subtle grays, keeping the characters distinct on even the darkest nights.

However, there are a few episodes (Inca Mummy Girl, Lie To Me) where the picture quality is significantly less--choppy, flat, and while still a few steps better than video, aren't quite up to the standards of what one might hope to find on a set such as this.

This is a great set for fans of the show, or even those who have been wondering what the hype is all about. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 2 is full of well-written episodes, acted superbly by this young cast. The presentation and special features vary in quality, but the good ones are very, very good. With more than 20 hours of material for only a few dollars more than a typical DVD, this package is a good bite.


Recommended:
Yes

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