The scene where Buffy finds her mom's body always devastates me. To see Buffy deteriorate from the invincible slayer ("Mom?") to a disconcerted mortal ("Mom...?") to a terrified child ("Mummy...?) is heartbreaking, to say the least. But the entire episode is beautifully written, and all the dialogues are spot-on.
Also when she says to Dawn, "Mommy had an accident..." That will always hurt, because she seems so much younger. Buffy is a character that has been through so much, but the Mommy, and the fact that she says "accident," remains me she's younger
This episode brings back memories of a really dark time in my life. My mom is alive, thank God, but back then we were going through some really ugly stuff, and I was really scared for her. This is episode depicts my worst nightmare.
The episode with Ted also tackled domestic violence, and how victims arent believed by the people around them. Joyce, Xander and Willow didnt believe Buffy when she said Ted threatened her because Ted was "nice" to them.
The entire episode where Joyce passes away DEFINITELY takes the cake for me. Joyce was an important person to all of the Scooby Gang, and to see them all grieve for her in their own ways is very poignant and moving. 😭💔
As always, I agree with you! The Body is probably the most devastating look at grief I’ve ever seen. It’s also my second favorite episode after The Gift. Most people usually talk about the Anya monologue, Willow/Tara’s first kiss, or Buffy’s initial reaction when talking about this episode. But for me, the scene where Buffy breaks the news to Dawn destroys me every time.
It's interesting bcuz today I was just buying a bday card for this 1 woman. I met her in college. She's not my real mom but she became a mother figure to me. She also doesnt have kids of her own so I figure that's one reason she appreciates our relationship. A mother or mom figure is a precious person & losing one would obviously be traumatic
I must admit that Anya's speech was the part of the episode I liked the least when I watched "The Body" for the first time. Because it is played as if Anya has no understanding of humanity and death because she's a vengeance demon. But she was born a human, so the concept of death shouldn't be totally alien to her. But then it dawned on me that these questions come up no matter if you're demon or human. Even if you have lost friends and relatives before it's just so hard to understand what had happened. "Why?!" is a question that will always be in your mind in such situations.
for me it was the episode with the girl who was so overlooked and forgotten she actually turned invisible. as a kid i was so scared of being ignored and forgotten that i would actually turn invisible. as silly as it sounds it’s a scary thing being and outcast and it taught me to be kind to everyone, even the people i don’t usually talk to
Its amazing how well Buffy still holds up to this day. The writing, the acting, the characters.. it was all so well done.. and for that it will remain legendary. I’d only watch a reboot if it’s with the old cast and them dealing with getting older while still fighting to save the world. Will probably never happen but one can dream.
There are comic series, that continue storyline of both Buffy and Angel, but they suffer greatly with Dragonball syndrome. Over time Buffy fights stronger and stronger foes and it leads to ridicolous scenarios, like (SPOILER!) Dawn becoming god in demonic dimension with Xander as her boyfriend.
Some kind of spin off dealing with a slayer academy would be pretty awesome with focus on say 4 different slayers who are friends, with maybe some of the old cast making cameos, either that or bring back the animated series. I would not want a reboot where different actors play the old characters.
Buffy was so ground breaking in many ways, and dealt with issues in a way that the audience could really identify with and understand. Even after all these years it's still as relevant as it was back then.
anya has one of the best character development arcs ever. we saw her go from literal demon to a demon analyzing and being sympathetic to human emotions to becoming human and having to figure out her own emotions and learn to live.
I don't know why but there's this part that really stuck with me. After Buffy digs herself out of the ground, Spike can tell what's happened to her without asking her where she came from or what happened because he can see her wrecked fingers from digging herself out. He's angry with everyone not for bringing her back, but for leaving her in the ground to dig herself out. He explains that he knows how awful it is because he had to dig HIMSELF out.
That doesn't make music sense to me though considering 'Fool for Love' implies Spike was sired at night meaning he would not have had to wait until sunset before leaving his grave
“The Body”, the attempted rape scene and the allegory and blunt storylines of homosexuality in the show was great writing. The scene when Buffy’s mom finds out she’s a slayer was so great. Being gay and seeing that scene always hit me differently.
As someone who went through a similar experience as the episode "the body", it shocks me that a show about vampires and demons has one of the most relatable and realistic depictions of death in the moment with a parent.
I'm terribly sorry for your loss. I hope you found some solidarity in knowing that you aren't alone, and that people really do know how you felt in that moment. And I hope you have loving, gentle support in your life.
SMG's acting in the bathroom scene was on point. She made me totally forget that Buffy is not helpless right until the moment she throws Spike across the room.
I have a friend that was trying to get me to watch Buffy for years. I always told her no, get outta here. She made me watch the episode about grief and I immediately went back and watched this series from the beginning. Thank you, KS.
I keep trying to get my best friend to watch the show. We turned teenagers when season 6 was in last half. It's a show that makes you regret not seeing it sooner don't you think? Lot of people judge it by its name, but get shocked by the storytelling and mirroring real life issues.
Im re watching buffy as well and im blown away by how clever the show is, all the foreshadowing of future seasons that they very carefully and in some cases stealthily place in the earlier seasons that ive only picked up on now watching it all again.
I’d add to this list “narcissistic parents”, Amy’s mom envied her to the point of switching bodies with her… that topic was not acknowledged back in those days the way it is nowadays, still BTVS tackled it.
During lockdown this year, I watched Buffy for the first time and I felt like I went through my own grief when Joyce died. I messaged friends who had seen it before with “THEY KILLED THE MOTHER?!”
For some reason I will think about that episode every once in a while. She was living in such a toxic house hold and after watching that episode you can really see why Tara is the way she is and I feel like people don’t talk about that enough.
gosh, even the shortened clip of Anya's grief filled rant about Joyce being gone still managed to choke me up. watched the show thousands of times and there's so many moments in the show that NEVER ceases to make me cry. also, James Marsters (Spike) HATED having to film that SA scene. he said in an interview that he begged Joss to find another way around it and that he didn't have to act that out and Joss said no. ( for good reason, he had a huge reason why Spike had to go that low and have that wake-up call for the events that follow, plus other reasons ).
I agree that Spike needed a strong "rock bottom" moment, but I disagree that they had to take that route. Honestly, I consider it a lazy choice. If the aim was to show Spike that he needed a soul (and a conscience) and was somehow less than human without it, why the choice of an act that countless ordinary humans perpetrate with statistical regularity, soul or no? Also, why the claim that vampires lack a conscience when he's demonstrated having one on many occasions? (The way he looked after Dawn after Buffy's death wasn't a way to win points with her; the way he helped Dawn behind Buffy's back would've *cost* him points with her; Spike clearly befriended both Dawn and Joyce and cared about them and had a conscience where all three women were concerned, *including* his reaction to having hurt Buffy in the key scene. On top of that, and I'm likely in the minority viewpoint here: I think it's unfair to judge Spike's behavior in that scene the way we would judge the behavior of a human. Partly due to that claim that he inherently lacked a conscience (so it's not fair to judge him for not acting according to one), but also partly because Buffy literally trained him to not take no for an answer -- to not take her "no" seriously. Not just in the way she waffled all the time through the season, but also when she sexually assaulted him after he told *her* in no uncertain terms to get out and stop yanking him around (but of course that act gets played for laughs and isn't taken seriously). I really have a hard time judging the two assault scenes by the viewpoint that the show clearly wants me to (though I *am* glad that they were able to mend fences by the end, and showcase positive, caring, intimate friendship, even if it never went past that in the live-action seasons).
@@Arkylie to be honest Joss Whedon wanted to make the fandom hate Spike, and the best way to do that was to ask his writers to brainstorm the ugliest and lowest deeds a man could do and one of the writers came up with the idea of her own experience of violence. That is, the screenwriter had tried to rape her boyfriend and never forgave herself for it, living with the remorse of that day forever, and it was the worst thing that came out of the screenwriters' experiences
Not forgetting how angel turned bad after buffy and him got intimate (as well as Parker being an ass), her parents divorced, poor Joyce in the body.. friends betraying her in season 7 and so much more.. this was and always will be the best series! It grew with us.
A lot of people see it as this HORRID step away from the rest of the show and that’s kind of the point. It’s the point of the season and it’s too bad that people are so shitty about season six and seven
Honestly I feel like you could do a second list of Top 10 Times Buffy The Vampire Slayer Tackled Serious Issues like gun violence, alcohol abuse, setting healthy boundaries, etc
"The Body" was an amazing episode. It always got me but after my mother passed away, the episode has become so much more. I just start sobbing because it's so moving, powerful and honest to life. The speech that Anya gives was honestly part of my thought, I didn't voice my thoughts but I seriously was thinking along those lines. I love Buffy and I honestly wish more people would watch it because it did explore some serious topics.
The death of Joyce episode was powerful but my personal favorite part was how the show addressed homosexuality. The willow/tera relationship is easily one of the best in tv history.
The see red scene was actually a story that happened in reverse to one of the writers she thought if she could sleep with her ex one more time he'd take her back year's later she pitched it for the show. James hated filming it for obvious reasons. No interviews from Sarah on how she found it
I didn’t realize it as teenager when this show was airing, but as an adult, I’m going to call out Willow and Tara for being freeloaders at Buffy’s house. I know they were using it as a plot point, which as a struggling adult now, I appreciate. But there were three adults there. I know they were students, but they could have picked up a part time job and contributed as well. Damn freeloaders 😂
I’ve been obsessed with Buffy since it came out. I was 11 at the time, so Buffy was a defining part of my teen years and really shaped me into who I’ve become. I wasn’t fond of the sixth season’s dark tone when it came out, but now as a 37 year old who has struggled with depression and addiction issues, it’s hits in a completely different way. I love that about this show. I’m still watching it 20 years later and finding new meaning in it. It’s still my favorite show of all time. Also, Spuffy for life
I refuse to watch the Spike assaulting Buffy episode. I feel like Joss whedon dropped that situation in the show just to be a jerk to James marsters. He wanted people to hate Spike bc of his own agenda. But I never felt that was the true character of Spike. Nope.
Considering he never did that to anyone else I would have to agree. Even when Spike was evil and could have easily done that to countless women before killing them he never did. To his credit I don't think Angelus did either. Even for blood thirsty soulless vampires it was out of character, especially for Spike with his character growth. I never really thought about the motivation behind that decision for Joss, but it makes sense. Now I wonder if the finale was truly about giving Spike a hero's death or just finally getting to kill Spike like he'd always wanted but doing it in a way that would not create backlash.
@@soflirty84 Joss couldn't even kill Spike properly without getting fans outrage and therefore made Spike come back in Angel as a ghost where the two of them have the best "married couple that hates each other" dynamic - just wanted to say this as not many people watched Angel and therefore don't know that Spike didn't truly disappear! :D
@@alixthomazi I know he was on Angel. I did watch that, but Joss did get to kill off Spike in the Buffy finale even if he did bring him back in Angel. That was probably somewhat satisfying for him unfortunately.
mmm... I'm not sure I agree. Spike was always rash and emotional. Wore his heart on his sleeve and made stupid mistakes due to his emotional state. To me it fits.
@@mking1982098 Except it literally doesn't fit. He was obsessed with Dru ever since she sired him. Even attempted to kill Buffy to prove his love to her, yet he never once tried to force himself on Dru.
Every time I rewatch Buffy (and Angel) I see deeper and different meanings to all these metaphors. The whole show is so well written and the cast were phenomenal. No matter what you're going through in real life, you'll be able to relate to the show in different ways, not to mention it's so great to watch. Ignoring the ranking, this list was actually a really good cross section of some of Buffys greatest themes.
Honestly, I never understood why people loved Angel more than Spike. As humans: Angel- drinking, prostitutes, fighting Spike- sappy love poetry Vampires without souls: Angel- sadism, nearly kill Buffy & friends, actually kill Jenny Calendar, decided to end the world Spike- try to defeat Buffy but end up befriending Scooby Gang and helping save others. Fell in love with Buffy and formed a real bond with Dawn. With their souls: Angel and Spike both were good men who saved people.
@@kataw0404 Angel did all of those things as Angelus when he is without a soul and is evil, when he has a soul he is good guy that is full of an eternity of remorse of all the things Angelus did.
@@kataw0404 I feel like Spike only united with the gang when he was souless because of the chip in his head. He had no one to fight except the demons. Had Angelus as a souless vampire been in the same position he could have united with the gang same as Spike, we'll never know.
@@seancollins7447 exactly! Angel had to be under a curse to be a good man. Spike was a good man without magic and chose to get his soul back even knowing it would lead to him being tortured by feeling guilty about past victims.
The fact that so many of these are from season 6 reminds me why it's my favorite. I didn't watch Buffy until I hit my thirties, so the teen issues didn't resonate with me, but, wow, did all of the adult situations from season 6.
I just lost my mother this weekend and man did they nail it with "The Body". I have such a new found respect for that episode now that I have gone through it. I was starting to cry just watching the snippets on this video. I have no idea how I am going to handle it when I do my rewatch. I know it is going to bring back memories of what I am going through now.
For me the darkest episode on a social issue is Riley and self harm when he allows himself to be fed upon. I also found the issue of social isolation dealt with in Invisible Girl to gnaw away at me.
Great list. This could have been turned into a top 15 or even 20 as there a few others that should be discussed. The first that comes to mind is Ted. How charming someone can be but possessive and violent underneath but it also plays on the recently divorced woman dating again and that’s something you don’t think too much of until you watch the show as an adult. The loss of your virginity, now this is obviously shown in many shows but in Buffy, B,W and X all had completely different experiences at different stages of the show. Also Xander’s fear of becoming his father which was his one true fear was a huge part. I think we all fear that we may take after parents worst traits at least once in our life.
The Seeing red episode is absolutely horrendous storytelling as whether or not the relationship between Buffy/Spike had toxic elements, there was nothing in Spikes' character to suggest he would rape a woman (quite the opposite) before or after this one storyline. The story continues with Buffy taking "some responsibility" saying that She too was a monster in the way she treated him. It was just absolutely awful and I remember reading at the time that all of the other show writers were sick about this episode and wished it had never been permitted. Is it possible in real life for people to continue in relationships after such an event? Yes. But the story doesn't have a toxic spiral of a relationship, it ends with Spike sacrificing his life for Buffy and She tells him that She loves him (though he doesn't accept it.) In general, the romance between them other than this one episodes shows a contrast of what love can be - the highs and lows - but this scene completely derails what the story should have been, and as a survivor of sexual abuse I found it tacked on and not helpful at all.
I only got to watch this show some three years ago, for the first time and was surprised at how well it held up, and how it tackled difficult topics. The one gripe I had was when I found out the rape scene with Spike was Josh Whedon's vendetta on James Mardsen for becoming too popular and fans strongarming him to keep Spike, where he wanted a different endgame. So, he wanted to tarnish him.
The episode of joyce death brought tears to my eyes when I last watched buffy at the ahe of 45+. Most down to earth episode. It is my second favorite episode after once more with a feeling.
Just this past September James Marsters came to Canada the day he arrived happened to be my girlfriend's birthday and she loves Buffy The Vampire Slayer so I took her to see him. The 2 had a great conversation. She asked him to sign this large poster she drew of Spike herself. Marsters himself was impressed even encouraged her to keep drawing.
That serious change of mood where we're watching everyone grieve over Joyce and I've got tears in my eyes then suddenly a cut to DID YA LIKE OUR VIDEO????
Watching the later seasons as an adult really hits different. Being in your 20s is a really confusing and difficult time. Some people are in college, some are working, some don't know what the hell they want to do with their lives. Some people are battling addiction or depression while some are getting married. I've never seen a show capture what young adulthood feels like as well as BTVS. The show was always at its best when it was using the supernatural to serve as metaphors for the harshness of real life.
I was not even a regular watcher of Buffy, but I happened to see that episode called "The Body", and I never forgot it. It was devastating, real, and so thought provoking. To actually witness what it is like for someone to find their loved one dead - there are no words. I have Buffy in my queue to go back and watch all of the episodes.
A good compilation, but should have included S3 Consequences in number 2 on list as well as Spike n Buffy in Seeing Red. In Consequences Faith sexually assaulted, and tried to murder Xander when he tried to stop her, she also technically raped Riley in S4 when inhabiting Buffy's body. This should have been included as both incidents were every bit as disturbing as the Seeing Red episode.
The difference is the show doesn't really address those issues or at least doesn't frame them as sexual assault or rape nor do they seem to have anything to say about it after it happens. So they are not really tackling those issues.
@@calvinallen3424 yes omg! Like someone tried to tell me that Buffy addresses grooming and statutory rape because of bangel but BANGEL WAS FULLY ROMANTICIZED IN THE SHOW like the only reason they didn’t end up together was because the writers preferred spuffy
The body broke my heart. I couldn’t imagine losing someone like your mom. It was so well written and really tackled that issue in a good way. And also the scene with Spike and Buffy in Seeing Red. I saw it once but now when I watch that episode I have to skip the scene because it’s uncomfortable for me to watch since I lived through 4 situations like that
You skipped Thanksgiving, “ It’s a sham. It’s a sham with yams. It’s a yam sham.” And things such as racism but mostly I agree. Joyce’s death is Still hard to take after all this time.
I remember that episode where a demon goes into a computer to go into the internet and pretends to be a male human in order to manipulate willow beaches 🤔
As someone who lost a good friend not long ago do to a very shocking to everyone cause, I knew what would be at the number one spot, and I started crying when Anya said part of her speech.
Damn these clips are clear as F. Did Buffy ever get a Blu-Ray release cause these look much better than the grainy episodes when they were first released?
Yeah, it was remastered But the remastering isn't liked a lot because the screen ratio changes (not how it was intended and the camera crew is consequently seen in a few scenes) and the coloring of the episodes changes which makes some scenes that were shot in the day, but had originally been colored to look like nighttime, keep the bright colors and in some instances break the story
For me the best thing is that this show manage to bring out all this really serious and hard issues with huge amount of fun. I mean, we have a lot of serious drama on TV, and it's so nice to see a fantasy show, talking about all this through methafors with demons and vampires. (Sorry for my English, not a native speeker)
Just to say on the death of joyce (the mother of buffy) unlike all the deaths that there have been in the series, she was not killed by a vampire or a demon, she is died of a disease that any human could have
I am not usually a fan of sad episodes but the body is such a powerful depiction of grief and how some people process it. In the attempted rape at number 2 what followed is unusual as Spike does feel real remorse and ends up doing something about it where most people that have done this type of thing often blame the victim or say they will change but not manage it. 😳🏴🇬🇧🤠
Yeah like punishing, torturing, time out, detention, suspension, expulsion, public humiliation, grounding, confiscating, lost and found, dying, suffering, remorse, regret, distress, shame, guilt, and grief
When I was a teen and first saw season six, it struck me as too slow and preachy. Now as an adult and having dealt with a lot of what she goes through there, I find it all too real and really well done.
This show really tackled the serious issues in a very well acted way. When Joyce died that was one of the hardest episodes to watch. This show felt so relatable with what the Scooby Gang went through.
The scene where Buffy finds her mom's body always devastates me. To see Buffy deteriorate from the invincible slayer ("Mom?") to a disconcerted mortal ("Mom...?") to a terrified child ("Mummy...?) is heartbreaking, to say the least. But the entire episode is beautifully written, and all the dialogues are spot-on.
perfectly put
Also when she says to Dawn, "Mommy had an accident..." That will always hurt, because she seems so much younger. Buffy is a character that has been through so much, but the Mommy, and the fact that she says "accident," remains me she's younger
This episode brings back memories of a really dark time in my life. My mom is alive, thank God, but back then we were going through some really ugly stuff, and I was really scared for her. This is episode depicts my worst nightmare.
One of the most outstanding episodes of ANY show. It was so real. And so heartbreaking. I remember when it aired and it was mind blowing. 💔💔💔
The body certainly was one of the best episodes of all seven seasons
The episode with Ted also tackled domestic violence, and how victims arent believed by the people around them. Joyce, Xander and Willow didnt believe Buffy when she said Ted threatened her because Ted was "nice" to them.
Yep. It was scary how he got away with everything just because everyone liked him.
The entire episode where Joyce passes away DEFINITELY takes the cake for me. Joyce was an important person to all of the Scooby Gang, and to see them all grieve for her in their own ways is very poignant and moving. 😭💔
As always, I agree with you! The Body is probably the most devastating look at grief I’ve ever seen. It’s also my second favorite episode after The Gift.
Most people usually talk about the Anya monologue, Willow/Tara’s first kiss, or Buffy’s initial reaction when talking about this episode. But for me, the scene where Buffy breaks the news to Dawn destroys me every time.
ABSOLUTELY! Joyce dying was a HUGE tearjerker for me.
@@tariqthomas9090 foi tão triste 😭😭😭
It's interesting bcuz today I was just buying a bday card for this 1 woman. I met her in college. She's not my real mom but she became a mother figure to me. She also doesnt have kids of her own so I figure that's one reason she appreciates our relationship. A mother or mom figure is a precious person & losing one would obviously be traumatic
It really hits home for anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one.
Anya's speech in The Body makes me cry every time. Definitely the number 1 moment in Buffy!
I agree. I never took a liking to Anya, but I really felt for her during that moment.
It’s so poignant and it doesn’t leave your mind after your done
I teared up hearing just that small part lol. Its just so raw and I know the feeling.
@@l.b.9522 yeah, me too. I can never not cry.
I must admit that Anya's speech was the part of the episode I liked the least when I watched "The Body" for the first time. Because it is played as if Anya has no understanding of humanity and death because she's a vengeance demon. But she was born a human, so the concept of death shouldn't be totally alien to her.
But then it dawned on me that these questions come up no matter if you're demon or human. Even if you have lost friends and relatives before it's just so hard to understand what had happened. "Why?!" is a question that will always be in your mind in such situations.
It's a running joke in the fandom that the big bad of season six was life.
It sure was, everyone was going through it. Life is everyone’s enemy. Hell, they were safer and happier fighting vampires and demons.
It’s not actually a joke. That’s a direct quote from the writers in the season 6 dvd commentary…
@@datickywickygurl I’ve never seen the DVD commentaries. Good to know.
That's not a joke. Joss himself said as much.
Frfr. Lord. Lol
Its rare to see a 25 year old show be this relevant today. It really was the best show ever produced
I wouldnt go thst far
@@samanthasims7123 What's the best show produced for you then
@@m56214 honesty now nxt
My line is 'television peaked with Buffy'
for me it was the episode with the girl who was so overlooked and forgotten she actually turned invisible. as a kid i was so scared of being ignored and forgotten that i would actually turn invisible. as silly as it sounds it’s a scary thing being and outcast and it taught me to be kind to everyone, even the people i don’t usually talk to
My fav episode in season 1!!!!!
Its amazing how well Buffy still holds up to this day.
The writing, the acting, the characters.. it was all so well done.. and for that it will remain legendary.
I’d only watch a reboot if it’s with the old cast and them dealing with getting older while still fighting to save the world.
Will probably never happen but one can dream.
That’s what I was thinking to everything else is rebooting I really hope I wish one day they might decide to reboot
@@tammiepage6489 I hope so too 🙏🏻
Joss has been canceled & nobody else could pull it off. The greatest possible mercy is we never see another Buffy show in any incarnation.
There are comic series, that continue storyline of both Buffy and Angel, but they suffer greatly with Dragonball syndrome. Over time Buffy fights stronger and stronger foes and it leads to ridicolous scenarios, like (SPOILER!) Dawn becoming god in demonic dimension with Xander as her boyfriend.
Some kind of spin off dealing with a slayer academy would be pretty awesome with focus on say 4 different slayers who are friends, with maybe some of the old cast making cameos, either that or bring back the animated series. I would not want a reboot where different actors play the old characters.
Buffy was so ground breaking in many ways, and dealt with issues in a way that the audience could really identify with and understand. Even after all these years it's still as relevant as it was back then.
anya has one of the best character development arcs ever. we saw her go from literal demon to a demon analyzing and being sympathetic to human emotions to becoming human and having to figure out her own emotions and learn to live.
I don't know why but there's this part that really stuck with me. After Buffy digs herself out of the ground, Spike can tell what's happened to her without asking her where she came from or what happened because he can see her wrecked fingers from digging herself out. He's angry with everyone not for bringing her back, but for leaving her in the ground to dig herself out. He explains that he knows how awful it is because he had to dig HIMSELF out.
That doesn't make music sense to me though considering 'Fool for Love' implies Spike was sired at night meaning he would not have had to wait until sunset before leaving his grave
The show is ALL about tackling serious issues !!
“The Body”, the attempted rape scene and the allegory and blunt storylines of homosexuality in the show was great writing. The scene when Buffy’s mom finds out she’s a slayer was so great. Being gay and seeing that scene always hit me differently.
I always found that episode a rather good allegory for coming out (I'm straight, BTW). Brave for its day...and they only got braver.
That makes two of us ♥️
Specially since Buffy had a I dont want to talk about it now, I am busy saving everyone, just accept it attitude
As someone who went through a similar experience as the episode "the body", it shocks me that a show about vampires and demons has one of the most relatable and realistic depictions of death in the moment with a parent.
I completely agree. I had a similar experience to that episode too. :/
I'm terribly sorry for your loss. I hope you found some solidarity in knowing that you aren't alone, and that people really do know how you felt in that moment. And I hope you have loving, gentle support in your life.
So sorry about your loss 😔
@@evoLTenshi Really sorry about your loss 😪
SMG's acting in the bathroom scene was on point. She made me totally forget that Buffy is not helpless right until the moment she throws Spike across the room.
Legit forgot she was a war machine for a second there
Totally agree and definitely goes to show that even the strongest of us can “freeze” in the moment.
@bugsy220791 she was also injured from a fight earlier in the episode, so she wasn't able to fend off Spike as easily as she normally could.
I have a friend that was trying to get me to watch Buffy for years. I always told her no, get outta here. She made me watch the episode about grief and I immediately went back and watched this series from the beginning. Thank you, KS.
I keep trying to get my best friend to watch the show. We turned teenagers when season 6 was in last half. It's a show that makes you regret not seeing it sooner don't you think? Lot of people judge it by its name, but get shocked by the storytelling and mirroring real life issues.
I wanted to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer for a long time but sadly I couldn't find a TV channel that showed it until about a year ago 😢
I rewatched buffy this summer season 6 hits me harder now that I'm an adult that season really did tackle series issues
Im re watching buffy as well and im blown away by how clever the show is, all the foreshadowing of future seasons that they very carefully and in some cases stealthily place in the earlier seasons that ive only picked up on now watching it all again.
I’d add to this list “narcissistic parents”, Amy’s mom envied her to the point of switching bodies with her… that topic was not acknowledged back in those days the way it is nowadays, still BTVS tackled it.
Also willow's parents who completely neglected her.
@@DrawingPicturesame with Xander's, if I remember well
During lockdown this year, I watched Buffy for the first time and I felt like I went through my own grief when Joyce died. I messaged friends who had seen it before with “THEY KILLED THE MOTHER?!”
Okay, Spike trying to force himself on Buffy is an unacceptably abhorrent crime. But the departure of a parent from life REALLY brings you to tears.
For me, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is the best show I’ve ever watched. It’s truly my favourite and I’ve rewatched it recently for the fifth time.
There's also the one where Tara's family shows up and can't accept her for herself and her powers and want to take her home and convert her.
For some reason I will think about that episode every once in a while. She was living in such a toxic house hold and after watching that episode you can really see why Tara is the way she is and I feel like people don’t talk about that enough.
0:39 *Financial Hardship*
1:52 *Separation Anxiety*
2:58 *Intimate Partner Violence*
3:56 *Depression*
5:01 *Addiction*
6:07 *Coming Out*
7:00 *Minor Mistreatment*
8:10 *School Violence*
9:31 *Interpersonal Misconduct*
10:59 *Grief*
gosh, even the shortened clip of Anya's grief filled rant about Joyce being gone still managed to choke me up. watched the show thousands of times and there's so many moments in the show that NEVER ceases to make me cry.
also, James Marsters (Spike) HATED having to film that SA scene. he said in an interview that he begged Joss to find another way around it and that he didn't have to act that out and Joss said no. ( for good reason, he had a huge reason why Spike had to go that low and have that wake-up call for the events that follow, plus other reasons ).
I agree that Spike needed a strong "rock bottom" moment, but I disagree that they had to take that route. Honestly, I consider it a lazy choice. If the aim was to show Spike that he needed a soul (and a conscience) and was somehow less than human without it, why the choice of an act that countless ordinary humans perpetrate with statistical regularity, soul or no?
Also, why the claim that vampires lack a conscience when he's demonstrated having one on many occasions? (The way he looked after Dawn after Buffy's death wasn't a way to win points with her; the way he helped Dawn behind Buffy's back would've *cost* him points with her; Spike clearly befriended both Dawn and Joyce and cared about them and had a conscience where all three women were concerned, *including* his reaction to having hurt Buffy in the key scene.
On top of that, and I'm likely in the minority viewpoint here: I think it's unfair to judge Spike's behavior in that scene the way we would judge the behavior of a human. Partly due to that claim that he inherently lacked a conscience (so it's not fair to judge him for not acting according to one), but also partly because Buffy literally trained him to not take no for an answer -- to not take her "no" seriously. Not just in the way she waffled all the time through the season, but also when she sexually assaulted him after he told *her* in no uncertain terms to get out and stop yanking him around (but of course that act gets played for laughs and isn't taken seriously). I really have a hard time judging the two assault scenes by the viewpoint that the show clearly wants me to (though I *am* glad that they were able to mend fences by the end, and showcase positive, caring, intimate friendship, even if it never went past that in the live-action seasons).
@@Arkylie to be honest Joss Whedon wanted to make the fandom hate Spike, and the best way to do that was to ask his writers to brainstorm the ugliest and lowest deeds a man could do and one of the writers came up with the idea of her own experience of violence. That is, the screenwriter had tried to rape her boyfriend and never forgave herself for it, living with the remorse of that day forever, and it was the worst thing that came out of the screenwriters' experiences
Not forgetting how angel turned bad after buffy and him got intimate (as well as Parker being an ass), her parents divorced, poor Joyce in the body.. friends betraying her in season 7 and so much more.. this was and always will be the best series! It grew with us.
Season 6 could be this entire video.
Season 6 was VERY underrated and it has become my favorite season
A lot of people see it as this HORRID step away from the rest of the show and that’s kind of the point. It’s the point of the season and it’s too bad that people are so shitty about season six and seven
@@crystaltiaratuesday If it makes you feel any better Season 6 seems to be vintercated by history 🤔
The entire show could
Honestly I feel like you could do a second list of Top 10 Times Buffy The Vampire Slayer Tackled Serious Issues like gun violence, alcohol abuse, setting healthy boundaries, etc
That's the great thing about Buffy It had a level of realism to it
I never understood why Willow or Tara didn't get a part time job to help Buffy since they were living in her house
Too busy saving the world maybe?
@@BooneErica so was Buffy
@@R3CKL3SSHARMONY I think in the commentary the writers said buffy wanted them to stay at school
@@samdynamightdkdbk4053 People in school work also. And on top of that Buffy, who was working was also depressed.
@@Buffy8Fan almost as if I didn't say that. They could but that doesn't mean they have too
The episode where Joyce died, man. I’ll never forget it. Death is the one thing The Slayer can’t defeat.
I rewatched the Dark Willow episodes last night and I was even more crushed by it than I was years ago.
When Xander keeps telling her he loves her and she breaks always makes me cry
Those are some of my favorite episodes
"The Body" was an amazing episode. It always got me but after my mother passed away, the episode has become so much more. I just start sobbing because it's so moving, powerful and honest to life. The speech that Anya gives was honestly part of my thought, I didn't voice my thoughts but I seriously was thinking along those lines. I love Buffy and I honestly wish more people would watch it because it did explore some serious topics.
So sorry for your loss 😢
@@fanofeverything30465 thank you.
@@loewenalia No problem 😊
The death of Joyce episode was powerful but my personal favorite part was how the show addressed homosexuality.
The willow/tera relationship is easily one of the best in tv history.
Started getting teary eyed at the end. This show is awesome. I'm gonna go do a rewatch now. 😊
Dawns self harm after finding she was the key shoulda been up there.
In short, Season 6 got *REAL!*
God, when Buffy calls out "Mommy".... I can't even handle it
"interpersonal misconduct" is an interesting way to say "sexual assault". 🤦🏼♀️
sounds like HR speak
They can't say that phrase without RUclips potentially blocking or taking down the video.
@@athenaamethyst8385 I swear, it's like we're regressing back to the fucking 50's in a lot of ways.
The see red scene was actually a story that happened in reverse to one of the writers she thought if she could sleep with her ex one more time he'd take her back year's later she pitched it for the show. James hated filming it for obvious reasons. No interviews from Sarah on how she found it
"I love you."
"No you don't. But thanks anyways."
I didn’t realize it as teenager when this show was airing, but as an adult, I’m going to call out Willow and Tara for being freeloaders at Buffy’s house. I know they were using it as a plot point, which as a struggling adult now, I appreciate. But there were three adults there. I know they were students, but they could have picked up a part time job and contributed as well. Damn freeloaders 😂
I’ve been obsessed with Buffy since it came out. I was 11 at the time, so Buffy was a defining part of my teen years and really shaped me into who I’ve become. I wasn’t fond of the sixth season’s dark tone when it came out, but now as a 37 year old who has struggled with depression and addiction issues, it’s hits in a completely different way. I love that about this show. I’m still watching it 20 years later and finding new meaning in it. It’s still my favorite show of all time. Also, Spuffy for life
Buffy is still the best piece of fiction ever written.
Ugh I love this show so much. I feel like everyone should watch.
I agree...I loved this show too. It was the show that got me into watching vampire TV shows later on throughout my life.
or or or rewatch :)
I refuse to watch the Spike assaulting Buffy episode. I feel like Joss whedon dropped that situation in the show just to be a jerk to James marsters. He wanted people to hate Spike bc of his own agenda. But I never felt that was the true character of Spike. Nope.
Considering he never did that to anyone else I would have to agree. Even when Spike was evil and could have easily done that to countless women before killing them he never did. To his credit I don't think Angelus did either. Even for blood thirsty soulless vampires it was out of character, especially for Spike with his character growth. I never really thought about the motivation behind that decision for Joss, but it makes sense. Now I wonder if the finale was truly about giving Spike a hero's death or just finally getting to kill Spike like he'd always wanted but doing it in a way that would not create backlash.
@@soflirty84 Joss couldn't even kill Spike properly without getting fans outrage and therefore made Spike come back in Angel as a ghost where the two of them have the best "married couple that hates each other" dynamic - just wanted to say this as not many people watched Angel and therefore don't know that Spike didn't truly disappear! :D
@@alixthomazi I know he was on Angel. I did watch that, but Joss did get to kill off Spike in the Buffy finale even if he did bring him back in Angel. That was probably somewhat satisfying for him unfortunately.
mmm... I'm not sure I agree. Spike was always rash and emotional. Wore his heart on his sleeve and made stupid mistakes due to his emotional state. To me it fits.
@@mking1982098 Except it literally doesn't fit. He was obsessed with Dru ever since she sired him. Even attempted to kill Buffy to prove his love to her, yet he never once tried to force himself on Dru.
Every time I rewatch Buffy (and Angel) I see deeper and different meanings to all these metaphors. The whole show is so well written and the cast were phenomenal. No matter what you're going through in real life, you'll be able to relate to the show in different ways, not to mention it's so great to watch. Ignoring the ranking, this list was actually a really good cross section of some of Buffys greatest themes.
Spike is so lucky that Angel didn't find out about the bathroom incident.
Honestly I WISH Angel would have found out about it😂😂
Honestly, I never understood why people loved Angel more than Spike.
As humans:
Angel- drinking, prostitutes, fighting
Spike- sappy love poetry
Vampires without souls:
Angel- sadism, nearly kill Buffy & friends, actually kill Jenny Calendar, decided to end the world
Spike- try to defeat Buffy but end up befriending Scooby Gang and helping save others. Fell in love with Buffy and formed a real bond with Dawn.
With their souls:
Angel and Spike both were good men who saved people.
@@kataw0404 Angel did all of those things as Angelus when he is without a soul and is evil, when he has a soul he is good guy that is full of an eternity of remorse of all the things Angelus did.
@@kataw0404 I feel like Spike only united with the gang when he was souless because of the chip in his head. He had no one to fight except the demons. Had Angelus as a souless vampire been in the same position he could have united with the gang same as Spike, we'll never know.
@@seancollins7447 exactly! Angel had to be under a curse to be a good man. Spike was a good man without magic and chose to get his soul back even knowing it would lead to him being tortured by feeling guilty about past victims.
The fact that so many of these are from season 6 reminds me why it's my favorite. I didn't watch Buffy until I hit my thirties, so the teen issues didn't resonate with me, but, wow, did all of the adult situations from season 6.
Joyce's death was just crushing
I just lost my mother this weekend and man did they nail it with "The Body". I have such a new found respect for that episode now that I have gone through it. I was starting to cry just watching the snippets on this video. I have no idea how I am going to handle it when I do my rewatch. I know it is going to bring back memories of what I am going through now.
So sorry to hear about your mom :(
@@bookdear Thank you.
So sorry for your loss 😢
Oh that's so sad for you but I hated my mom and was glad that she died.
@@dysy0013 You serious?
For me the darkest episode on a social issue is Riley and self harm when he allows himself to be fed upon. I also found the issue of social isolation dealt with in Invisible Girl to gnaw away at me.
I'm know I'm one of millions but had the biggest crush on Buffy growing up
I had a crush on the whole cast ngl
Great list. This could have been turned into a top 15 or even 20 as there a few others that should be discussed. The first that comes to mind is Ted. How charming someone can be but possessive and violent underneath but it also plays on the recently divorced woman dating again and that’s something you don’t think too much of until you watch the show as an adult. The loss of your virginity, now this is obviously shown in many shows but in Buffy, B,W and X all had completely different experiences at different stages of the show. Also Xander’s fear of becoming his father which was his one true fear was a huge part. I think we all fear that we may take after parents worst traits at least once in our life.
What about when Tara dies and willow kills the killer...They left out a big one.
Everyone needs a dose of Buffy these days.
The Seeing red episode is absolutely horrendous storytelling as whether or not the relationship between Buffy/Spike had toxic elements, there was nothing in Spikes' character to suggest he would rape a woman (quite the opposite) before or after this one storyline. The story continues with Buffy taking "some responsibility" saying that She too was a monster in the way she treated him. It was just absolutely awful and I remember reading at the time that all of the other show writers were sick about this episode and wished it had never been permitted. Is it possible in real life for people to continue in relationships after such an event? Yes. But the story doesn't have a toxic spiral of a relationship, it ends with Spike sacrificing his life for Buffy and She tells him that She loves him (though he doesn't accept it.) In general, the romance between them other than this one episodes shows a contrast of what love can be - the highs and lows - but this scene completely derails what the story should have been, and as a survivor of sexual abuse I found it tacked on and not helpful at all.
Even without that scene the relationship is still toxic and a depression fling.
I always felt like that was OOC for Spike. It just not in his personality to do that when he's such a softie.
@@jaythe90skyd49 What does OOC stand for?
@@gingershellkittens6620 out of character
@@jaythe90skyd49 me too
I only got to watch this show some three years ago, for the first time and was surprised at how well it held up, and how it tackled difficult topics.
The one gripe I had was when I found out the rape scene with Spike was Josh Whedon's vendetta on James Mardsen for becoming too popular and fans strongarming him to keep Spike, where he wanted a different endgame. So, he wanted to tarnish him.
* Joss and Masters
@@m56214 *Marsters
Buffy The Vampire Slayer is my favorite TV Show of All Time!
Honestly the magic being a metaphor for sexual freedom and fluidity then turning it into an addiction is a tragic and disgusting thing
The episode of joyce death brought tears to my eyes when I last watched buffy at the ahe of 45+. Most down to earth episode. It is my second favorite episode after once more with a feeling.
That Spike & Buffy scene remains hard to watch but was the catalyst for Spike to truly become the hero we knew he could be.
Plus it gave us the awesome Dawn's "Wake up on fire" speech!
I remember "Earshot" got pulled because a school shooting had just happened!!!
yup
i just finished my buffy and angel re-watch marathon
Where can i get it to download?? Was born 2001 but I really love it. I'm a big fan of the actresses
Just this past September James Marsters came to Canada the day he arrived happened to be my girlfriend's birthday and she loves Buffy The Vampire Slayer so I took her to see him. The 2 had a great conversation. She asked him to sign this large poster she drew of Spike herself. Marsters himself was impressed even encouraged her to keep drawing.
That serious change of mood where we're watching everyone grieve over Joyce and I've got tears in my eyes then suddenly a cut to DID YA LIKE OUR VIDEO????
Watching the later seasons as an adult really hits different. Being in your 20s is a really confusing and difficult time. Some people are in college, some are working, some don't know what the hell they want to do with their lives. Some people are battling addiction or depression while some are getting married. I've never seen a show capture what young adulthood feels like as well as BTVS. The show was always at its best when it was using the supernatural to serve as metaphors for the harshness of real life.
I was not even a regular watcher of Buffy, but I happened to see that episode called "The Body", and I never forgot it. It was devastating, real, and so thought provoking. To actually witness what it is like for someone to find their loved one dead - there are no words. I have Buffy in my queue to go back and watch all of the episodes.
A good compilation, but should have included S3 Consequences in number 2 on list as well as Spike n Buffy in Seeing Red. In Consequences Faith sexually assaulted, and tried to murder Xander when he tried to stop her, she also technically raped Riley in S4 when inhabiting Buffy's body. This should have been included as both incidents were every bit as disturbing as the Seeing Red episode.
The difference is the show doesn't really address those issues or at least doesn't frame them as sexual assault or rape nor do they seem to have anything to say about it after it happens. So they are not really tackling those issues.
@@calvinallen3424 yes omg! Like someone tried to tell me that Buffy addresses grooming and statutory rape because of bangel but BANGEL WAS FULLY ROMANTICIZED IN THE SHOW like the only reason they didn’t end up together was because the writers preferred spuffy
@@HBOMAXtvmoviesyoutube Everyone says that but that's actually not the case I looked up the age of consent in Calieforner It's 16
Joyce's death was a traumatizing episode and i don't think ill ever be able to stomach that again
Wimp.
This show is the greatest show of all time and still relevant today!
Anya's realness when Joyce dies hit so hard. She may have not understood it, but she captured how we all feel when we lose someone we love.
The body broke my heart. I couldn’t imagine losing someone like your mom. It was so well written and really tackled that issue in a good way. And also the scene with Spike and Buffy in Seeing Red. I saw it once but now when I watch that episode I have to skip the scene because it’s uncomfortable for me to watch since I lived through 4 situations like that
The whole series deals with real stuff, because these are characters are written as real people, in a world that's a universe with fantasy elements.
Top 10 Times Spider-Man Tackles Serious Issues!
You skipped Thanksgiving, “ It’s a sham. It’s a sham with yams. It’s a yam sham.” And things such as racism but mostly I agree. Joyce’s death is Still hard to take after all this time.
Yes i waited for another Buffy video yesssss
Same!
Don't you just love it when non-Buffy channels talk in depth about the show
Agreed
Buffys mom Joyce passing still keeps me wailing. I know it’s a show but hits a raw nerve of grief.
Earshot was particularly eerie to go back and watch given what happened the next day.
Exactly what happened the next day? I'm new to the Buffy series, did something happened on set?
@@itsmeharperjacksons6633 She's probably referring to the Colombian shooting 🔫
They pushed the airdate back for that reason
Thank you for doing this episode ♥ Buffy is one of the best deepest smartest shows ever made ♥
Yes Ms mojo always talks about my favorite shows love her !
Still my favorite show to this day! So deep
I remember that episode where a demon goes into a computer to go into the internet and pretends to be a male human in order to manipulate willow beaches 🤔
As someone who lost a good friend not long ago do to a very shocking to everyone cause, I knew what would be at the number one spot, and I started crying when Anya said part of her speech.
Dammit, this show was and still is amazing. To this day I can't watch the scene where Joyce dies without bawling as if it were the 1st time.
Damn these clips are clear as F. Did Buffy ever get a Blu-Ray release cause these look much better than the grainy episodes when they were first released?
Yeah, it was remastered
But the remastering isn't liked a lot because the screen ratio changes (not how it was intended and the camera crew is consequently seen in a few scenes) and the coloring of the episodes changes which makes some scenes that were shot in the day, but had originally been colored to look like nighttime, keep the bright colors and in some instances break the story
For me the best thing is that this show manage to bring out all this really serious and hard issues with huge amount of fun. I mean, we have a lot of serious drama on TV, and it's so nice to see a fantasy show, talking about all this through methafors with demons and vampires.
(Sorry for my English, not a native speeker)
Just to say on the death of joyce (the mother of buffy) unlike all the deaths that there have been in the series, she was not killed by a vampire or a demon, she is died of a disease that any human could have
I am not usually a fan of sad episodes but the body is such a powerful depiction of grief and how some people process it. In the attempted rape at number 2 what followed is unusual as Spike does feel real remorse and ends up doing something about it where most people that have done this type of thing often blame the victim or say they will change but not manage it. 😳🏴🇬🇧🤠
Number one was in the right spot! One of the saddest episodes of Buffy
My all time favorite show. It's so much deeper than it appears to be
My only complaint on Earshot was the choice of Gun Jonathan was gonna use on himself. And how did he manage to bring it to school its not small.
The Body is one of the best episodes! I’ve only been able to watch the Seeing Red scene once as it was just so hard to watch.
Im amazed that this show was played on YTV back in the day. It was such a mature contrast to the rest of their programming.
The episode with Jonathan and the gun was banned in some countries because of Columbine.
Yeah like punishing, torturing, time out, detention, suspension, expulsion, public humiliation, grounding, confiscating, lost and found, dying, suffering, remorse, regret, distress, shame, guilt, and grief
I remember rewatching Joyce's death and calling my mom right after. Absolutely broke my heart.
my Fav show from back in the day
When I was a teen and first saw season six, it struck me as too slow and preachy. Now as an adult and having dealt with a lot of what she goes through there, I find it all too real and really well done.
This show really tackled the serious issues in a very well acted way. When Joyce died that was one of the hardest episodes to watch. This show felt so relatable with what the Scooby Gang went through.
I can't really say for top 10, but there should another of Charmed tackling serious issues. Not the reboot since that's still going, the original.
What will still never make sense to me is why jonathon had a sniper when he was simply going to kill himself it makes no sense!!