Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Years ago I would catch episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer whenever I could. I think that started somewhere around season 5. I absolutely loved the chemistry between Buffy and a blond vampire named Spike. Yes, I knew that Buffy’s first and perhaps greatest love was Angel but since I never watched episodes in the earlier seasons with Angel I was all about Spike. Delicious, yummy, dreamy Spike.

Well, I decided recently to watch all seasons of Buffy back to back. I have now watched season 1 and 2 and I am just starting season 3. Let me tell you I now understand the fan obsession with Buffy and Angel. I am a woman divided now…just like Buffy. Hot, hot, hot!

The basic story, if you don’t know, is that Buffy is a teen vampire slayer. She and her best friends and her “watcher” the school librarian all fight vampires, demons, ghouls, etc. There happen to be a lot of them in their town of Sunnydale, CA because it sits on top of a “hell mouth”. Right from the beginning Buffy is also assisted by a seriously good looking guy named Angel. She finds out later he is a vampire but unlike other vampires he has a soul and therefore a conscience. They fall in love and the chemistry sizzles.

At the end of season 2 (spoiler alert) they sleep together and the curse that gave him a soul is broken as he finds true happiness…the exact opposite of what the curse was intended to do. He reverts back into a soulless, monstrous vampire and he even kills or attempts to kill Buffy’s friends. Buffy realizes that she has to kill him before he offs more of her friends and has a chance to open the gate to hell. Just as Buffy is about to kill him, Angel gets his soul back via fledgling witch named Willow, who is also Buffy’s best friend. Unfortunately it is too late, even though Buffy has her boyfriend back he has already opened the portal to hell and only his blood can close it. To save the world Buffy stabs a very surprised and confused Angel and pushes him into hell. I bawled my eyes out that whole episode it was so emotional. My husband by this point is also hooked on the show and just as heartbroken by the end of Buffy and Angel.

BUT, in season 3 he escapes from Hell somehow. Hell moves at a much slower pace than our time does though so even though he was only gone for 3-4 months our time, he was in hell for longer than that. When he escapes Buffy captures him and locks him up because he is like a wild, feral animal that doesn’t recognize her or know what is going on. She begins to think she may have to kill him again. Alas though he escapes from his bonds and tracks Buffy to where she is fighting a monster. Angel dispatches the monster for her and suddenly realization hits him. He calls out Buffy’s name and collapses to the floor putting his arms around her waist like a child hugging her and crying. Buffy too starts crying uncontrollably too as they both realize they have been reunited. I am crying just thinking about how beautiful it was.

Of course tonight I watch episodes 4-8 and see how Angel and Buffy get along when they have to discuss everything that transpired…the curse breaking, Buffy murdering him to save the human race, sending him to hell to be tortured. I think they have a rough road ahead and because I know that later on Buffy takes up with Spike, she and Angel will slowly come to realize it can never be. But heck if I know the train will wreck eventually I am along for the ride! I just have to remember that I also REALLY like Spike so I have a lot to look forward to.

I highly recommend this series. It has action, sci-fi, a strong story, lots of laughs, lots of tears, and a seriously kick butt heroine.

After Buffy I am going to start on the Angel tv series…a spinoff that lasted 5 seasons and followed Angel after he leaves Buffy and Sunnydale.