Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

1997 - United States

A somewhat belated television reincarnation of the box-office flop of the same name, Buffy The Vampire Slayer (originally intended as a vehicle for Beverly Hills 90210's Luke Perry), was given a complete make-over by screenwriter/executive producer Joss Whedon to become a hip, smart, slick and razor-sharp series for Warner Bros' fledgling TV network. Indeed the show takes the teenage angst of series' such as Beverly Hills 90210 and deftly interweaves it with the wonderfully unlikely concept that beautiful all-American teenaged high school girl, Buffy Summers is 'The Slayer', the latest in an ages old line sworn to protect humanity from the forces of darkness which lurk unsuspected under our very noses. (Quite literally in the case of Sunnydale, Buffy's home town which is built over the Hell Mouth, an active portal between earth and other, much darker realities). 

Leading a talented ensemble cast, Sarah Michelle Geller as Buffy is a winsomely engaging actress who's performance perfectly treads the delicate line between emerging young woman facing all the problems of the onset of maturity and a dynamically dangerous killing machine with a style and aplomb that's a pleasure to behold. Her teacher in all things 'Scully' (Slayerspeak for the paranormal), is Giles the school librarian, also known as 'The Watcher.' But the real strength of the series lies in the way that it deals with serious emotional issues of personal growth, friendship, loyalty and most crucially, love, with an assuredness which is never at odds with the more overtly action/adventure elements that form the basic bedrock of the premise. 

Buffy the Vampire Slayer cast

The love interest for our heroine comes in the form of reformed vampire, Angel, who after bedding the Slayer loses his soul to the forces of darkness. (The character proved so popular that a 1999 spin-off series, Angel, continued to follow his adventures as he relocated to LA, and hooked up with Buffy's old rival-cum-sidekick, Cordelia Chase as a broodingly cool and hip vampiric private detective). Meanwhile as each season progressed, the senior series continued to extend and explore the rich tapestry of its own established mythology in ever more unexpected and adventurous ways, and as always it was in the area of character growth that the richest rewards were to be found. 

Buffy herself continued her sometimes turbulent and painfully emotional development towards the maturity of true adulthood, while a totally unexpected, but impressive and sensitively handled growing lesbian love affair for the gentle Willow, and the return of old adversary Spike, assured the show was in seemingly fine shape to carry forward for a total of 7 seasons. 

Buffy The Vampire Slayer went for the emotional jugular then finished the viewer off with an adrenaline-powered stake to the heart. It was hot, sassy and sexy. It's was also a hellmouth full of fun.

Published on November 30th, 2018. SRH.

Read Next...

The Practise (USA)

David E. Kelley series centring on the partners and associates at a Boston law firm.

Also released in 1997

Out of This World

British TV's first attempt at a science fiction anthology series.

Also tagged Fantasy

Knightmare

One brave child, the Dungeoneer, with the giant, horned 'Helmet of Justice' on their head, against the forces of evil.

Also tagged Fantasy

Oz 1997

HBO's first one-hour drama series was set in an experimental prison where the intention was to rehabilitate the inmates during their period of incarceration - however, the different factions end up constantly at war with one another

Also released in 1997

Ashes to Ashes TV series

It's 1981: the year of the Royal Wedding, the Brixton riots, Bucks Fizz winning the Eurovision Song Contest – and the year that Gene Hunt takes the Met by storm.

Also tagged Fantasy

Food for Ravens

Drama profile of Aneurin Bevan, noted for his tenure as Minister of Health in Clement Atlee's government which spearheaded the creation of the National Health Service

Also released in 1997

It's Ulrika

One-off sketch show showcasing the comic talents of Ulrika Jonsson, written by Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer and starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams

Also released in 1997

Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 2 review

The emotional stakes are raised as Buffy and Angel fall in love. But their union will lead to the unleashing of terrifying and deadly consequences...

Also starring Anthony Stewart Head

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Earshot

John Winterson Richards reviews his definitive episode of BVS. A mouthless demon infects Buffy with the ability to hear everyone's thoughts, but what starts out as a useful power soon turns into a curse.

Also starring Anthony Stewart Head