Top 10 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Episodes
By: Phil Landry
Tags: Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Buffy, Top 10, Television, TV Shows

As an early 80s newborn, I hit my teenage years just as Buffy the Vampire Slayer started appearing on my TV. I feel like I grew up with this show. For me, Joss Whedon’s groundbreaking series is comfort food or a warm blanket on a cold day.

Warning: spoilers ahead!

David Boreanaz as Angel and Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy

10. Bad Girls (Season 3, Episode 14)

I am a sucker for Faith centric episodes and her arc in Season 3 is what makes the season one of the best in the series. Choosing Bad Girls at 10 might be a tad out of left field as I don’t see this episode mentioned in many top 10 lists, however, there is soemthing about Buffy and Faith teaming up to destroy Vampire nests that I just can’t get enough of. The way Buffy dispenses with the Big Bad in this episode is a difficult image to forget.

Faith and Buffy destroy a nest and dance at the Bronze

9. Something Blue (Season 4, Episode 9)

Something Blueis the funniest of the series and is a simple but enjoyable monster of the week episode. Willow performs a spell to let her will be granted and inadvertently casts spells that leaves Giles blind, Xander a literal demon magnet, and Buffy and Spike in love with each other. I can’t get enough of Buffy and Spike making marriage plans much to the disgust of everyone involved.

8. Normal Again (Season 6, Episode 17)

Normal again is a tragic look at Buffy in a mental hospital while having hallucinations of herself fighting Big Bads in Sunnydale. While most would consider this just a run of the mill Buffy episode, the ending resonates with me to this day. Could this possibly be true? Is everything we’ve watched to this point simply the workings of a young woman struggling with her mental health? It makes me wonder…

7. Doppelgangland (Season 3, Episode 16)

This is the second appearance of the Vampire Willow. The gang all believe Willow has been turned and it all sets up beautifully for the real Willow to arrive and prove she is not. Anya saves the day by sending her back only to be…well, I won’t spoil this one for you.

6. Becoming - Part 2 (Season 2, Episode 22)

Angel is now Angelus — no soul in this Vampire. Buffy must send him to Hell to seal the open vortex that is Acathia. The ending of Season 2 is perhaps the most heart-breaking moment I’ve seen on TV. I can’t imagine the strength required to make the choice Buffy does to save the world.

Buffy sends Angel to Hell

5. The Gift (Season 5, Episode 22)

Speaking of saving the world, the 100th episode of the series sees Buffy making the ultimate sacrifice in order to kill Glory, the Big Bad of season 5. Her death is necessary to save everyone, especially her sister Dawn. The ending is tragic, heart-breaking and extremely satisfying.

4. Hush (Season 4, Episode 10)

Yes, of course Hush will be on this list — how could it not? Despite the well known problems evident in season 4, this gem is not to be missed. The Gentleman arrive in Sunnydale and steal the voice of each resident. This episode is both funny and scary and the fact the majority of the episode features little to no dialogue is an exceptional achievement.

3. The Wish (Season 3, Episode 9)

Anya arrives in Sunnydale as the demon Anyanka and grants Cordelia’s wish that Buffy had never come to Sunnydale. What follows is a fantastic episode that features a Vampire ridden Sunnydale that includes a turned Willow and Xander. It’s perhaps the darkest episode in the series but easily one of the most enjoyable.

2. The Body (Season 5, Episode 16)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer can be silly and humurous at times while simultaneously tackling the most serious and dramatic things that can happen in life — and death. What I love about this episode is the lack of music. The sadness, panic, grief…you feel all of it and more. Death is so final and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. The Body is brilliant and tragic.

1. Once More, With Feeling (Season 6, Episode 7)

Buffy…as a musical? Yes, sign me up! The idea sounded ridiculous but the execution was flawless. The songs are fantastic, the singing is exceptional and the whole episode has all the feels. Anytime I’m feeling down, I throw this episode on and my day gets just a little bit brighter.