I was going to wait before diving into this series, but I'm in my hometown for a couple of days, which means I don't have much to do. In the end, boredom won out.
I know a little more about Buffy than I did Firefly going in, like some of the characters, a couple episode plots here and there, but not much beyond that.
I just finished "Welcome to the Hellmouth." It reminded me that the 90s were a simpler time. It was a surface-level introduction to the overarching plot, with a nice twist of "to be continued" at the end there, which I wasn't expecting. Buffy and Xander look like the more easily likable characters, though I imagine once they develop Willow out of her "timid nerd girl with bad fashion" archetype a bit (I'm just assuming this will happen because how can it not?), she will be likable as well. I liked Giles a lot, too, and look forward to his backstory. Cordelia was a ***** and I can't see myself liking her, Jesse was just there, and I recognize that mysterious guy that encountered Buffy as Angel, so I'll look forward to him later on. The humor hasn't stuck with me yet, but as always I know you need to give the show time to hit its stride. See, what makes this a little more exciting than Firefly is that I know all the stories will be fleshed out and I don't expect to have many questions at the end.
One thing I expect to happen is a lot of characters coming and going. From what it sounds like with guest spots, it's not rare for characters to appear for a string of episodes, resolve their conflict, and then leave. This should be interesting, but at the same time sad since if the character development is good, I'll miss them.
A potential complain could be that the action felt a little stiff. Hopefully that gets fleshed out a bit. Other than that, nothing really stood out to me as not enjoyable. This show has a lot of potential, and I look forward to getting into it.
A fair word of warning: season 1 is generally considered pretty bad. The show gets much better during season 2.
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I think someone is being way, way too sensitive. Do we have to stop saying "You got owned" in order to not offend black people due to slavery? - wg64Z
Really? I liked season 1. I liked the villain of season 1 a lot, actually.
One of the interesting things is how a number of "guest spot" characters get extended stays as main characters and even reach the title. Since I had almost no data on the show when I started watching, it was interesting to see when someone got promoted to the credits.
-- ® Friend Foundation ® I'd never be jealous of a ten-year-old girl with a full mustache. -Moth366 (AIM on 10/19/05)
I don't think I've ever gone back to watch a Season 1 episode after my first watching. It is not good.
After that things get much better. Hopefully you can deal with Season 1. I'd almost encourage you to skip some of the worse episodes, but they all have little things that get referenced later so ehhh.
I really hope people watch the spoilers though. Even saying something like "X gets better in Season 4" is spoiler-ish to me, since in a Whedon show the fact a character LIVES until Season 4 is not guaranteed. =p
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No amount of planning will ever replace dumb luck.
From: Ness26 | #004 I really hope people watch the spoilers though. Even saying something like "X gets better in Season 4" is spoiler-ish to me, since in a Whedon show the fact a character LIVES until Season 4 is not guaranteed. =p
Yeah, I run into this a lot in watchthrough topics over on the TV board. Bugs me to all hell, like when someone says "so-and-so gets added to the main credits two years from now" and it's like WTF WHYYYY.
Also, yeah, middle of season 2 takes a huge step up quality-wise. You'll know when you get there.
Yeah, there's two Buffy topics on the TV board right now and I get really angry reading them. People are saying things "oh, the next episode is really bad" or "I can't wait to see his reaction to the next episode!" Geez, just let him form his own opinions on things.
Though us saying Season 1 is worse than the rest is mainly just to make sure he actually GETS to Season 2 so I think it's okay. <_<
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No amount of planning will ever replace dumb luck.
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http://img.imgcake.com/nio/81edpngej.png edwardsdv and swordz9 are basically the comedy heel tag team of this topic, why would people be taking them seriously?
From: Ness26 | #009 Though us saying Season 1 is worse than the rest is mainly just to make sure he actually GETS to Season 2 so I think it's okay. <_<
So, it appears that episodes one and two are basically just one really long pilot episode.
Let's talk negatives. I don't really like how they resolved the "to be continued" part with "oh hey she has a cross necklace it hurt his hand and she ran away." That was pretty anticlimactic. Also, I hope they don't resort to the surprise vampire trick often. It's a nice trick in certain situations, but it was pretty obvious that Jesse was a vampire when they found him. By the way, was that Michael C. Hall as Luke the vampire? Xander is kind of an illogical idiot. The fighting still seems stiff. I don't buy Buffy being an expert fighter and killer of vampires. The vampires just seem inept at combat. Luke's power levels were definitely low.
Other than those complaints above, I can still see the potential in the show. I also need to remember that this is fifteen years ago and the production values aren't as high as they are now. Sarah Michelle Geller still looks nice, though. Good outfits chosen for her. The humor is okay, though some of it is falling flat, and it's a lot of sarcastic humor which can get repetitive. Giles' line at the end was the best though. "The world is doomed." I can always dig a sarcastic, cynical Brit, and Buffy has some good lines here and there.
I'm not discouraged by the first two episodes, but I'm preparing myself for a slow start.
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From: TheKoolAidShoto | #007 I'm actually gonna start watching it after Christmas
damn you for starting without me, snowpork
Knowing my style, you'll be caught up to me in no time.
And has been expressed, keeping spoilers to a bare minimum is much appreciated. I don't want to neuter conversation, but I also don't want to catch onto anything that may be coming. I'm already trying to do my best to avoid IMDb so as to not catch wind of any guest spots or names from the credits I don't know yet. I'm always more than happy to discuss where I'm at in the show, though.
I'm not worried about stopping prematurely. I'll make it through Season 1.
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I suppose it doesn't hurt to go in with no expectations and slowly raise them over time. I mean, that's what I did.
Although I personally feel that some of the later seasons had more drama than I would have liked. Lots of little drama llamas all over the place cutting into the funny and the action even.
-- ® Friend Foundation ® I'd never be jealous of a ten-year-old girl with a full mustache. -Moth366 (AIM on 10/19/05)
I don't speak much in these topics because I also hate the spoiling and psuedo-spoiling of upcoming events, but those watch-through topics are my most refreshed topics of the past few months. As for Season 1, I agree that saying Season 1 is bad so keep at it until Season 2 is complete truth. I helped out a friend watching this show last year, and Season 1 was a dredge. But once we hit Season 2, everything clicked and the next five months was all Joss, all the time. I hope nothing else is said towards you about what's to come or what to watch or "I can't wait to hear your thoughts about what comes next" because that's awful to try and avoid.
Season 1 is memorable, but tough, and when you get through it, you will be rewarded for it. Looking forward to more, and welcome to the hellmouth.
P.S. ...I actually hate that you're doing this. I mean, it's awesome you're watching Buffy and all and I love this topic so much already, but... those songs, Zazi! Those songs, XD XD XD
Ahhhh... oh well, maybe by the end of year, you'll have listened to twenty of 'em, XD
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Pyre GIR (9:26:57 PM): You lack a basic grasp of human nature that can only be learned through living IamSoCool84321 (9:28:07 PM): ur dumb
Yeah, my expectations aren't much beyond "people say this show is awesome and I've seen two other projects by the creator that I've loved so I imagine I'll love this too, eventually." I mean, there are certain episodes I'm aware of and am looking forward to, but other than that I know nothing. It's exciting. Firefly was a great viewing experience because I was totally clueless about everything. I'm hoping to have the same thing here, and just sustain it longer over the course of seven seasons.
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From: Mega Mana | #018 P.S. ...I actually hate that you're doing this. I mean, it's awesome you're watching Buffy and all and I love this topic so much already, but... those songs, Zazi! Those songs, XD XD XD
Ahhhh... oh well, maybe by the end of year, you'll have listened to twenty of 'em, XD
I've listened to, like, 25% of the songs! It's coming along. I'm a recent college graduate. What's ahead of me but copious amounts of free time as I struggle to get hours at my current job and start job hunting?
But yeah, I should listen to some of those songs. I'll do that now since I don't want to start another episode at this hour.
A better episode than the first two, to be sure. The humor was overall better, the character interactions seemed a little more fluid, as did the little bits of action. I enjoyed the opening of the episode, with Giles talking to Buffy about joining that "cult." It did a good job setting the tone for the episode. Additionally, the actors did better jobs with their characters here. They are all still the same, just acted better. Xander is less of a bumbling idiot (though still one), Willow is less socially awkward, and Buffy is more believable as a Slayer. Cordelia is still awful, though. I'm not liking her role as b**** s*** happens to and doesn't realize it was the good guys that saved her. I'd say I hope she gets a bigger role later on, but I really just kind of hope she goes away. Buffy's mom is pretty lame as well. For awhile I wasn't liking the guest character, but the twist with her being her mother made things better. Good stuff. Giles is probably my favorite character so far. I like the way he handles himself, and he often has the best lines in the episode.
One thing I'm not looking forward to is the pending romances involving Buffy, Xander, and Willow. Xander likes Buffy, it appears Willow likes Xander. Xander is friend zoned by Buffy, and Willow is friend zoned by Xander. Somewhere along the line these feelings are going to muck stuff up, and I don't look forward to it. It all seems forced. It's high school, though, so this kind of drama is expected.
Things are getting better. I'm excited to see what kinds of supernatural foes get introduced over the course of the series. It'll be a place where the writers' creativity shines. This was a standalone episode, which was fine. I'm thinking I may enjoy more the episodes that have to deal more with the main villian, who I'm assuming is the Voldemort lookin' guy from the pilot episodes.
First off, that intro thing is really cheesy, but I kind of like it. I wonder how many potential viewers it scared off during the initial run of the series.
This episode was decent. Predictable, for the most part, but decent. It turns out what I wasn't looking forward to started become prevalent right away. Xander gets jealous of Angel, Willow starts getting all obsessive-like over Xander, and Buffy may even be beginning to like Angel. It's just a bunch of romance stuff that is stupid to be seeing this early in the series. Also, it's weird how easy everything appears to be for the team. They found all the right answers in relatively little time without taking any (well, I guess one that was easily resolved) wrong steps along the way. Willow is a hacker extraordinaire, Giles is a highly knowledgeable with all the connections, and Buffy can kick ass with stiff, rigid ease.
That's not to say everything is bad. The plot was fairly interesting, even though it was obvious from the introduction of Natalie French. Maybe that was the point, though? I don't know. I try not to be TOO critical. The actors continue to settle into their characters well. The potential is still all there, and I look forward to the first episode that simply clicks and everything falls into place.
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Best show ever. Now, I applaud your effort of typing up a full review for every episode, but its fate, I doubt anyone would type more than say 40 of those before getting very bored of that. And there's 144 episodes.
Ha, I mean, I've reviewed the series before, talking about each season, but each episode in depth, that's gotta get boring for you pretty fast, especially for episodes you weren't really loving.
-- One Piece: Pirates with style! -= Metal Gear Solid: Tactical Espionage Action =-
Right on, but if you ever do get bored of doing the write-ups, don't let it stop you from marathoning through the show. Blasting through it as fast as possible is excellent.
-- One Piece: Pirates with style! -= Metal Gear Solid: Tactical Espionage Action =-
Eh, I wouldn't call these "full" reviews. It's not like I'm taking notes while the episode is going on. It's more or less I jot down the thoughts that come to my head after I've seen the episode. I'm not giving a summary of the episode, I'm not trying to discuss every turning point, and I'm not trying to evaluate every action by every character. Sometimes I don't feel like saying much, so I don't. Sometimes the thoughts are coming to me easily, and I just keep typing until I feel I've said all I want to say. I don't have a formula. If something sticks out in my mind, I'll put it down. I can naturally type a lot, so it's not a chore for me if I'm feeling it.
But I hope people enjoy my ramblings. That's really all they are.
EDIT: Also, if I've failed to mention, or go into depth about, any part of an episode you wanted to hear more about or discuss, feel free to ask my opinions on it. I'll gladly share them. A lot of times I'll probably fail to mention something because it just wasn't fresh in my brain when I was typing this up.
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Eh, I don't want to blast through the series. Something that should be as good as this should be savored. These writeups help me do that. I hate that feeling you get when you've marathoned a series, and then you have the empty feeling when it ends. If I go slowly, it'll feel like more of a build up.
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From: Cybat | #030 awesome, I am watching through too, but I just started season 7 over the weekend so I won't say anything except tag.
are you going to watch Angel too once you get to season 3?
I haven't decided on if I'm going to watch Angel simultaneous with Buffy or not. Simultaneous would be fun, as it's like a fun little "Meanwhile, in Angel-land..." aside to each episode. We'll see how invested I am in the Angel character when we get to that, and I'll make a decision then.
Cordelia is still awful, though. I'm not liking her role as b**** s*** happens to and doesn't realize it was the good guys that saved her. I'd say I hope she gets a bigger role later on, but I really just kind of hope she goes away.
But its Charisma Carpenter! How can you just want her gone, if nothing else she is great for eye candy!
-- (Maniac64 at work) Guns don't kill people, Kinder eggs do. I saw it in a post on GameFAQs. ~FAHtastic
Perhaps when I'm in the middle of the greatness of the series, I'll look back at Teacher's Pet and think "wow that episode was pretty awful" but right now, I try not to be too critical. Being overly critical will make me not enjoy the show, and I want to enjoy the show! For now, I'm just accepting this as a slow start and acknowledging that the potential is still there. Perhaps it would be a different story if this were 1997 and the show didn't have the reputation it does now, but luckily I don't have to find out what my reaction would be in such a scenario.
From: muddersmilk | #033 Cordelia is still awful, though. I'm not liking her role as b**** s*** happens to and doesn't realize it was the good guys that saved her. I'd say I hope she gets a bigger role later on, but I really just kind of hope she goes away.
But its Charisma Carpenter! How can you just want her gone, if nothing else she is great for eye candy!
Eh, she doesn't really appeal to me that much, for whatever reason. Sarah Michelle Geller has been so much tastier so far.
So at some point you should find and watch the original version of the pilot (what was given to the network), I am truly amazed they gave this show a chance. Willow is a different actress and vampires slowly degrade into piles of flour, among other differences.
-- (Maniac64 at work) Guns don't kill people, Kinder eggs do. I saw it in a post on GameFAQs. ~FAHtastic
ZaziGuado posted... From: muddersmilk | #033 Cordelia is still awful, though. I'm not liking her role as b**** s*** happens to and doesn't realize it was the good guys that saved her. I'd say I hope she gets a bigger role later on, but I really just kind of hope she goes away.
But its Charisma Carpenter! How can you just want her gone, if nothing else she is great for eye candy! Eh, she doesn't really appeal to me that much, for whatever reason. Sarah Michelle Geller has been so much tastier so far.
We are going to have to agree to disagree on this one. Clearly we have some taste differences.
-- (Maniac64 at work) Guns don't kill people, Kinder eggs do. I saw it in a post on GameFAQs. ~FAHtastic
From: ZaziGuado | #031 We'll see how invested I am in the Angel character when we get to that, and I'll make a decision then.
Watch it anyway. My friends had to really push me to watch Angel since I wasn't a huge fan of his character, but I ended up liking it more than Buffy. You'll know when the spin-off starts. Most people suggest to watch the shows in the order they aired so you get the most out of any cross-overs. I didn't do this, but from other watch-through topics I've seen it looks like people really enjoy it when they do, so try it if you can.
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No amount of planning will ever replace dumb luck.
From: muddersmilk | #037 ZaziGuado posted... From: muddersmilk | #033 Cordelia is still awful, though. I'm not liking her role as b**** s*** happens to and doesn't realize it was the good guys that saved her. I'd say I hope she gets a bigger role later on, but I really just kind of hope she goes away.
But its Charisma Carpenter! How can you just want her gone, if nothing else she is great for eye candy! Eh, she doesn't really appeal to me that much, for whatever reason. Sarah Michelle Geller has been so much tastier so far.
We are going to have to agree to disagree on this one. Clearly we have some taste differences.
I'm more girl next doorsy than the average male, I think. Plus, her character is a total *****. I don't fall for *****es, for the most part.
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From: Ness26 | #038 Watch it anyway. My friends had to really push me to watch Angel since I wasn't a huge fan of his character, but I ended up liking it more than Buffy. You'll know when the spin-off starts. Most people suggest to watch the shows in the order they aired so you get the most out of any cross-overs. I didn't do this, but from other watch-through topics I've seen it looks like people really enjoy it when they do, so try it if you can.
Well, if it's to take advantage of cross overs, I'll have no problem watching them simultaneously. I love me a good cross over and cameo.
Not to get all low brow I'd never muhaha, but yes SMG is way way hotter than Cordelia, plus well I always take naturals over the alternative I'm just sayin' folks. /pervin'
Cordelia is a fun character, she grows a lot lot over the series too, especially in Angel. Heaaavily recommend Angel, a damn fine vampire detective show.
-- One Piece: Pirates with style! -= Metal Gear Solid: Tactical Espionage Action =-
I agree with Ness. You probably won't care too much about Angel by the time his show starts, but he is a much much better character in his own show, which is arguably just as good or better than Buffy, and watching them at the time is fun. There are only a handful of times they crossover in any way, but if you are going to watch them both, might as well.
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Oh yeah on the watching Buffy and Angel simultaneously thing. Personally, first I rocked the Buffy DVD box, then after marathoning that I marathoned Angel.
Worked pretty well that way, they don't really need to be watched simultaneously. I can tell when episodes tie together, but for the most part it's not necessarily to watch them that way, only a couple episodes really benefit from that much.
Plus, the last season of Angel is after the last season of Buffy, so they're not airing simultaneously at that point.
-- One Piece: Pirates with style! -= Metal Gear Solid: Tactical Espionage Action =-
Oh, and Luke the vampire is played by Brian Thompson. He's been in some fairly big stuff, a couple episodes of X-Files, a small cameo in The Terminator, but I always remember him as Shao Kahn from Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
-- Xbox Live Gamertag: ffmasterjose Your favorite Trapper's favorite Trapper
#43 is the type of thing that annoys me (let him form his own opinions -- he is three episodes in, why does he need to know what seasons you think are good or not), but it isn't really spoiler.
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No amount of planning will ever replace dumb luck.