Product: Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The Witch - Never Kill A Boy On The First Date [VHS] (1997)
Rating: 5.0
Gothic fantasy at its best
Looking back at the earliest 'Buffy' episodes, it's always hard not to get at least a little bit nostalgic. These two episodes are stand-alone ones, not really anything to do with the main story arc. That doesn't mean to say that they're not wonderful fun though. In a way, it's these episodes just as much as the big ones that make it. In these earlier years, the show was new and exciting. It's blend of action with drama and comedy made it a slow but undeniable hit with British and American audiences.'Witch' sees the introduction of Amy Madison, who was later to feature prominently in episodes such as 'Bewitched, Bewildered and Beautiful' and 'Gingerbread'. The supernatural intrigue story may seem old but it's the way it's told which makes 'Buffy' such a winner. There's pop culture references which punctuate the punchy dialogue and some hilarious comedy made from Buffy's formidable strength as she throws one cheerleader across the room whilst trying out a new routine.In 'Never Kill A Boy On The First Date', the audience gets to meet shy quiet Owen who has a penchant for Emily Dickinson and Buffy. Here a nightmare date brings a whole new quality to it, with the night ending at the Sunnydale Funeral Home.It's strange looking back because we know what's to come for the characters that we have grown to love. We know the fates of Angel, Joyce and Buffy. We know that shy retiring Willow becomes something else entirely. In this the show has really broken all expectations. It's managed to give its characters dimension without it appearing ludicrous. Looking back only goes to show how much they've changed in not only a realistic but also a touching way.