top ten reasons you should watch buffy the vampire slayer
Made for challenge 8 at picspammy.
DISCLAIMER: THERE ARE MILD SPOILERS IN THE FOLLOWING SERIES OF PRETTY PICTURES. THE MOST THAT WILL BE REVEALED ARE NAMES OF CHARACTERS, VAGUE PLOT POINTS, AND SOME CHARACTER RELATIONSHIPS. (NOTHING MAJOR WILL BE REVEALED.) THERE IS ALSO A HIGH DOSAGE OF SARCASM. IT MAY BE DRY DUE TO LACK OF USE. HERETH ENDS THE DISCLAIMERETH.
So you say you haven't watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer yet?
I'm sorry, some people find this confession of yours amusing. Anyway, as I was saying --
Okay, I'm sorry. Obviously we're going to have to give them a minute.
Done, guys?
Okay. Let's move on.
Chances are, you have heard of this show. Most likely multiple times. Perhaps you've heard of it so much, you're sick of hearing about it. Maybe that's why you haven't watched it yet. The truth is, though, there are no excuses as to why you haven't watched this epic show, this cocaine for the eyes.
None whatsoever.
I don't care the reasons you've been feeding your friends, family, loved ones. These reasons are not enough. You are a pathetic excuse for a member of the human race. Am I being too harsh? You tell me. (The answer is no, I am not.) The good news: you can correct this grave misdeed and go back to being a noteworthy member of television-watching society. All you have to do is watch the show.
"But, Michelle," you might ask. "Why should I watch this show? I have no intention of watching this show." Thank you for asking. I have prepared a list of the top ten reasons.
(For those of you reading who have already watched all seven seasons, Congratulations! You have proven your worth in this society of ours. Allow Angel to thank you properly. [Spike is, um, tied up at the moment. *snicker*])
it's not the show you think it is;
Yes, there are vampires. That's kind of inevitable on a show called Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But what you fail to realize is that they aren't the core of the show. Trust me, I'll be the first to admit that the premise of the show doesn't sound appealing. (I actually polled my flist before I started watching the series to ask if I should watch, stating that -- and I quote -- "I'm trying to decide whether I want to risk watching a show about vampires and demons.") It's not a show about vampires and demons. They're simply there to help tell the story.
the range of genres;
Honestly, this show has a bit of everything, from action to romance to comedy to drama to horror. It even has a bit of musical in it. And, really, whatever genre it's in, it's doing quality work. This isn't a "teen show," not even close. This isn't even a drama. Or a dramedy. It's an actidramedorrorcal.
the underlying meanings;
You get what you make of it. You can see a soul-sucking demon, or you can see an underlying metaphor about life and what it does to the soul. It can mean as much or as little as you'd like. You get to decide. (But go for the deeper meanings. Joss Whedon didn't painstakingly plan this stuff out for lazy bums like you to just sit around and watch this show for its face value. Please.)
the funny;
Buffy is undoubtedly one of the funniest shows you'll ever watch. The thing is, you wouldn't expect it, because it's not a sitcom. It's not a show you'd typically think was funny. But not an episode goes by without making you crack up at least once. It uses countless jokes which reference other episodes, to reward loyal fans, and obvious jokes for the newbies. And it's not afraid to make fun of itself and its genre, which is even better.
the continuity;
"That's your scary costume?"
"Bunnies frighten me."
"I know this place."
"Little Miss Muffet counting down from 7-3-0."*
You know how Veronica has apparently been raped at Shelly's party both in December and in the summer? And how Sylar is one day a puppy-loving, doting father, and the next day a maniacal serial killer? That would never happen on this show. A side comment made one season can be mentioned again, or even explained, years later. Something said one season might be hinting at something that happens two seasons later. There are countless running jokes, which make them even funnier to fans. When something happens on this show, it isn't just forgotten the next episode, or a few episodes later. It's like an actual world in there -- one where the people are believable, and psychologically recognizable, and where the time line actually makes sense. And it's one of the reasons you have to watch this show from the beginning -- to appreciate the flawless continuity.
the ensemble;
This cast is amazing. The way each character interacts, the way they take care of each other, everything. There's no way to describe their relationships, because it's something you just have to watch.
the spike&buffy dynamic;
They're hilarious. They bicker. Then they don't. They will make your heart ache in all kinds of ways, both good and bad. They're proof of evolution.
spike;
Really, you have to see him to understand what makes him amazing. But here's a tiny preview of the awesomeness that is Spike:
Click to viewbuffy;
Buffy is one of the best characters in television history. It's everything about her -- her witty remarks, her personality, the way she loves her friends and family, the way she'll do anything for them, the relationships she has with certain vampires. She's the epitome of "woman power." Joss Whedon is a feminist, which is obvious when you watch this show. She has her weak moments, but in the end she's one of the most amazing people you'll never meet.
it'll stay with you;
Most shows you watch, and you enjoy, and you feel good having watched them. But at the end of the day, it leaves you just like everything else you've ever watched. Buffy is a show that will never leave you. It might be in a small way, in that you'll just always be rewatching the series. It might be in the bigger way, in that it'll help take your mind off of heavier things. But once you've watched this show, it'll never leave you. It'll stay with you, and you'll be happier for it. I mean it.
Okay, still not convinced? I don't really know what to say to you. Maybe watch this trailer for S1.
AND REMEMBER: S1 is the show's worst. Don't judge this show for its first season if you don't like it. I didn't.
In conclusion, Buffy the Vampire Slayer has great actors, beautiful people, and is critically acclaimed. There are at least ten reasons you should watch this show, but, really, there are many more. What more do you people want?
No more wasting life away, guys. Pop in a Buffy DVD. (If you're going to be wasting away watching television, might as well waste away in style.)