Top 15 Best Scenes in BtVS
So, they've been arguing about/discussing The Top Fifteen Greatest Scenes in BtVS over at The
Buffy-Boards, and I thought I'd give a shot at making my own list.
With so many great scenes to choose from, I had a hard time, believe me. I tried to balance the scales with my choices, but there's no denying that they're mostly Buffy and/or Spike-centric. Not surprising considering they're my main interest in the series.
In no particular order:
#15 - Prophecy Girl
Giles/Buffy/Angel
I'm 16 years old. I don't want to die.
One of the most heartbreaking scenes in the entire series. Sarah is phenomenal in this scene, and it never fails to bring on the waterworks, no matter how many times I've been this episode.
#14 - Beneath Me
Spike/Buffy
"They put the spark in me and now all it does is burn."
A beautiful piece of writing performed even more beautifully. Spike's guilt is heart-wrenching, and Buffy's tears are real. She feels for Spike. A pivotal moment in their relationship and in their understanding of each other.
#13 - The Gift
Buffy/Dawn
"You have to be strong. Dawn, the hardest thing in this world is to live in it. Be brave. Live. For me."
Just thinking about this scene makes me cry. This is when Buffy becomes a real, bona fide Hero with a capital "H." The last shot of everyone's reactions to her dead body is a piece of pure cinematic genius. Hell, I even feel bad for Dawn in this scene.
#13 - Passion
Angelus/Willow/Buffy
"Passion. It lies in all of us. Sleeping, waiting, and though unwanted, unbidden, it will stir, open its jaws, and howl. It speaks to us, guides us..."
It's a small scene. It's when Angelus is looking through the window, and observing the phone call from Giles to Willow regarding Jenny's death. Willow's slide to the floor is nothing short of heartache defined, and the voyeuristic attitude Angelus takes on their pain is an enlightening one regarding his character. One of the very best of the series, imo.
#12 - Fool For Love
Spike/Buffy/Nikki
"Every slayer has a death wish. Even you."
A delicious scene that goes back and forth from 1980s subway in New York to an alley in Sunnydale. Spike, the truthsayer, is telling Buffy everything she doesn't want to hear but knows is right. You could cut the sexual tension between the two with a knife. We learn more of Spike's past and more about Buffy's fears and insecurities about being a Slayer.
#11 - Tabula Rasa
Spike/Buffy
"A vampire with a soul? Oh my god, how lame is that?"
This entire episode is comprised of equally amusing scenes, but the one that stands out to me is between Buffy and Spike. There's a delightful comparison to Angel made, and Spike defines himself as a "hero" and Buffy names herself Joan (an apt reference to Joan of Arc). Stripped of their preconceived notions of each other, Buffy and Spike automatically protect one and other, fighting side by side almost as if instinctively (Ready Randy? Ready Joan!)
#10 - Band Candy
Giles/Joyce
"[teenage Joyce] Screw you. I want candy."
The scene where Joyce and Giles steal the coat from the store and make out on the hood of the police car? Classic! You can't get much better than that.
#9 - Dirty Girls
Faith/Spike
"No more Starbucks for the wannabes, man. They've been spazzing for, like, hours."
You know what scene I'm talking about. In the basement. Yep. It's a real shame the sexual tension between these two never got a chance to cool down. Spike has never looked more beautiful than he did in this scene. And the jealous look on Buffy's face is enough to keep me happy forever.
#8 - Restless - Buffy's dream
Buffy/The First Slayer
"I walk. I talk. I shop. I sneeze. I'm gonna be a fireman when the floods roll back. There's trees in the desert since you moved out, and I don't sleep on a bed of bones."
As usual, our Buffy is defiant, rejecting the "role" she is supposed to play as Slayer. Cinematic-wise, this scene (the entire episode, really) is stunning.
The First Slayer tells Buffy that in order to be the Slayer she must leave her friends and work alone, which Buffy rejects. An important scene that allows us more insight into Buffy's strong character.
#7 - Pangs
The Core Four/Spike
"I just can't take all this mamby-pamby boo-hooing about the bloody Indians! You won! Alright? You came in and you killed them and you took their land. That's what conquering nations do. It's what Caesar did and he's not going around saying "I came, I conquered, I feel really bad about it." The history of the world is not people making friends - you had better weapons and you massacred them. End of story."
For me, this episode is important because it shows Buffy's clear desire to be a "normal girl", as manifested in her almost manic obsession with making the "perfect" Thanksgiving. Also, the episode is particularily interesting given it's obvious political message. The specific scene I'm referring too is the fight scene in Giles' flat. There's a certain ironic truth in Spike's words. Plus, Spike tied to a chair always makes for lively entertainment.
#6 - Innocence
Angelus/Buffy
"You were great. Really. I thought you were a pro."
I find Buffy and Angel's interactions endlessly fascinating, and this iconic scene is surely no exception. Angelus's pure and undiluted cruelty is beautifully justaposed with Buffy's loving innocence. Nicely played by both actors.
#5 - The Wish
"I have to believe in a better world."
"Go ahead. I have to live in this one."
Xander/Willow/Cordelia
The threeway bite. Need I say more?
#4 - Amends
Buffy/Angel
"Buffy, please. Just this once... let me be strong."
The miracle scene on the cliff. My heart hurts for Angel here. He hates himself so much and honestly thinks that the world be better off without him. Angel has been given a second chance.
Ooh, and fun fact; the area where Angel attempts suicide is the very same area where a corrupted Willow will attempt to trigger an apocalypse in "Grave".
#3 - Something Blue
Spike/Buffy
"Honey, we need to talk about the invitations. Now, do you want to be 'William the Bloody' or just 'Spike,' because either way it's gonna look majorly weird."
"Whereas the name 'Buffy' gives it that touch of classic elegance."
Buffy and Spike's "engagement" = pure comic gold. What's funnier is the reactions from the rest of the cast.
#2 - Chosen
Buffy/Spike
"I love you."
You knew I had to include this, right? I couldn't help myself. Buffy finally admits how she feels for Spike, but in typical ironic Joss fashion, it's far too late. Buffy leaves her man to save the world, and Spike dies a Champion. A perfect ending to a perfect series.
#1 - Seeing Red
Buffy/Spike
"It wasn't for you. I wanted something -- anything to make this feeling stop. I just wanted it to stop."
The AR. Surprised I'd choose this? Not as surprised as you should be. As terrible as this scene is to watch, it was nessesary for Spike's development. Without the guilt he felt from that scene, he wouldn't have felt the need to make amends and get a soul.
Besides that, the scene is actually very well-acted and beautifully shot.
Buffy-Boards, and I thought I'd give a shot at making my own list.
With so many great scenes to choose from, I had a hard time, believe me. I tried to balance the scales with my choices, but there's no denying that they're mostly Buffy and/or Spike-centric. Not surprising considering they're my main interest in the series.
In no particular order:
#15 - Prophecy Girl
Giles/Buffy/Angel
I'm 16 years old. I don't want to die.
One of the most heartbreaking scenes in the entire series. Sarah is phenomenal in this scene, and it never fails to bring on the waterworks, no matter how many times I've been this episode.
#14 - Beneath Me
Spike/Buffy
"They put the spark in me and now all it does is burn."
A beautiful piece of writing performed even more beautifully. Spike's guilt is heart-wrenching, and Buffy's tears are real. She feels for Spike. A pivotal moment in their relationship and in their understanding of each other.
#13 - The Gift
Buffy/Dawn
"You have to be strong. Dawn, the hardest thing in this world is to live in it. Be brave. Live. For me."
Just thinking about this scene makes me cry. This is when Buffy becomes a real, bona fide Hero with a capital "H." The last shot of everyone's reactions to her dead body is a piece of pure cinematic genius. Hell, I even feel bad for Dawn in this scene.
#13 - Passion
Angelus/Willow/Buffy
"Passion. It lies in all of us. Sleeping, waiting, and though unwanted, unbidden, it will stir, open its jaws, and howl. It speaks to us, guides us..."
It's a small scene. It's when Angelus is looking through the window, and observing the phone call from Giles to Willow regarding Jenny's death. Willow's slide to the floor is nothing short of heartache defined, and the voyeuristic attitude Angelus takes on their pain is an enlightening one regarding his character. One of the very best of the series, imo.
#12 - Fool For Love
Spike/Buffy/Nikki
"Every slayer has a death wish. Even you."
A delicious scene that goes back and forth from 1980s subway in New York to an alley in Sunnydale. Spike, the truthsayer, is telling Buffy everything she doesn't want to hear but knows is right. You could cut the sexual tension between the two with a knife. We learn more of Spike's past and more about Buffy's fears and insecurities about being a Slayer.
#11 - Tabula Rasa
Spike/Buffy
"A vampire with a soul? Oh my god, how lame is that?"
This entire episode is comprised of equally amusing scenes, but the one that stands out to me is between Buffy and Spike. There's a delightful comparison to Angel made, and Spike defines himself as a "hero" and Buffy names herself Joan (an apt reference to Joan of Arc). Stripped of their preconceived notions of each other, Buffy and Spike automatically protect one and other, fighting side by side almost as if instinctively (Ready Randy? Ready Joan!)
#10 - Band Candy
Giles/Joyce
"[teenage Joyce] Screw you. I want candy."
The scene where Joyce and Giles steal the coat from the store and make out on the hood of the police car? Classic! You can't get much better than that.
#9 - Dirty Girls
Faith/Spike
"No more Starbucks for the wannabes, man. They've been spazzing for, like, hours."
You know what scene I'm talking about. In the basement. Yep. It's a real shame the sexual tension between these two never got a chance to cool down. Spike has never looked more beautiful than he did in this scene. And the jealous look on Buffy's face is enough to keep me happy forever.
#8 - Restless - Buffy's dream
Buffy/The First Slayer
"I walk. I talk. I shop. I sneeze. I'm gonna be a fireman when the floods roll back. There's trees in the desert since you moved out, and I don't sleep on a bed of bones."
As usual, our Buffy is defiant, rejecting the "role" she is supposed to play as Slayer. Cinematic-wise, this scene (the entire episode, really) is stunning.
The First Slayer tells Buffy that in order to be the Slayer she must leave her friends and work alone, which Buffy rejects. An important scene that allows us more insight into Buffy's strong character.
#7 - Pangs
The Core Four/Spike
"I just can't take all this mamby-pamby boo-hooing about the bloody Indians! You won! Alright? You came in and you killed them and you took their land. That's what conquering nations do. It's what Caesar did and he's not going around saying "I came, I conquered, I feel really bad about it." The history of the world is not people making friends - you had better weapons and you massacred them. End of story."
For me, this episode is important because it shows Buffy's clear desire to be a "normal girl", as manifested in her almost manic obsession with making the "perfect" Thanksgiving. Also, the episode is particularily interesting given it's obvious political message. The specific scene I'm referring too is the fight scene in Giles' flat. There's a certain ironic truth in Spike's words. Plus, Spike tied to a chair always makes for lively entertainment.
#6 - Innocence
Angelus/Buffy
"You were great. Really. I thought you were a pro."
I find Buffy and Angel's interactions endlessly fascinating, and this iconic scene is surely no exception. Angelus's pure and undiluted cruelty is beautifully justaposed with Buffy's loving innocence. Nicely played by both actors.
#5 - The Wish
"I have to believe in a better world."
"Go ahead. I have to live in this one."
Xander/Willow/Cordelia
The threeway bite. Need I say more?
#4 - Amends
Buffy/Angel
"Buffy, please. Just this once... let me be strong."
The miracle scene on the cliff. My heart hurts for Angel here. He hates himself so much and honestly thinks that the world be better off without him. Angel has been given a second chance.
Ooh, and fun fact; the area where Angel attempts suicide is the very same area where a corrupted Willow will attempt to trigger an apocalypse in "Grave".
#3 - Something Blue
Spike/Buffy
"Honey, we need to talk about the invitations. Now, do you want to be 'William the Bloody' or just 'Spike,' because either way it's gonna look majorly weird."
"Whereas the name 'Buffy' gives it that touch of classic elegance."
Buffy and Spike's "engagement" = pure comic gold. What's funnier is the reactions from the rest of the cast.
#2 - Chosen
Buffy/Spike
"I love you."
You knew I had to include this, right? I couldn't help myself. Buffy finally admits how she feels for Spike, but in typical ironic Joss fashion, it's far too late. Buffy leaves her man to save the world, and Spike dies a Champion. A perfect ending to a perfect series.
#1 - Seeing Red
Buffy/Spike
"It wasn't for you. I wanted something -- anything to make this feeling stop. I just wanted it to stop."
The AR. Surprised I'd choose this? Not as surprised as you should be. As terrible as this scene is to watch, it was nessesary for Spike's development. Without the guilt he felt from that scene, he wouldn't have felt the need to make amends and get a soul.
Besides that, the scene is actually very well-acted and beautifully shot.