10 Harsh Realities Buffy Fans Must Face

Buffy The Vampire Slayeris considered one of the greatest fantasy TV shows of all time for a reason, but even the most dedicated fans of the series can’t ignore that there are issues with the show. However, despite these flaws, we keep returning to the series and rewatching it over the years, because the good qualities and groundbreaking storytelling make it easy to enjoy it.

Even while we acknowledge some of the low points,Buffyremains fun and complex, and this makes it even more special to notice the quirks and specific details that only fans would identify. TheBuffyepisodes to watch before the rebootdemonstrate why we loveBuffyas well as why fans can identify the ways the show hasn’t aged as well in some respects.

10Xander’s Character Hasn’t Aged Well

Out of all the core characters inBuffy, Xander’s failings are the easiest to see when revisiting the series today. Each member of the Scoobies has their faults and goes through major development as the show continues, but Xander’s character doesn’t hold up as well when viewed through a modern lens, even if we can still see his purpose within the narrative.

Xander’s early dynamic with Buffy and the fact that she doesn’t share his feelings causes him to act out, and Xander can easily be swayed toward sexist behavior, caring deeply about the approval of other men. While there’s nothing wrong with having a character like Xander in a fantasy series, and he does offer a unique perspective in crafting the narratives, his flaws have become more obvious.

Buffyneeds Xander, and he’s a critical part of the Scooby dynamic, as he serves as a stand-in for the audience over the years. He serves as a representation of what it’s like to be on the outside of power and being chosen, which is just as emotionally intense. However, these good qualities are diminished by his actions over the years onBuffy.

9Buffy’s Relationship With Faith Could’ve Been Explored Further

One of the best and most underutilized character dynamics is between Faith and Buffy in season 3. Introduced as the new Slayer and Buffy’s foil in every way in the season 3 episode, “Faith, Hope & Trick,” Faith was exactly what the series needed. Her relationship with Buffy is complex and packed with subtext, and it’s easy to wish that Faith got more screentime as the series progressed.

Through her relationship with Faith, Buffy becomes a more complex character and learns a lot about herself and her role as the Slayer. The episodes when Faith returns in season 4 are some of the best of the show for this reason. As thebest vampire TV showof all time,Buffydidn’t stop at exploring the line between good and evil when it came to monsters and humans.

Faith was an amazing character because she had so much darkness inside her and was deeply flawed in a way that few of the show’s heroes had been. She was never a true villain or a character that Buffy could simply kill and forget about, and her ultimate redemption could’ve been deepened in the later seasons.

8There Were Social Issues Buffy Didn’t Handle Well

One of the reasons we loveBuffyand why it’s remained such a significant part of the cultural conversation is that it took on so many prominent social and cultural issues throughout its run. However, when a show is this beloved by so many, it’s only right that fans are able to see the flaws in addition to the near-perfect aspects of the series.

No piece of television is without fault, not evenBuffy. While there were groundbreaking discussions of sexuality, addiction, and gender roles,Buffyconsistently missed the mark when it came to race. The series featured few characters of color, and the show’s core cast was completely white. While this was in part due to the television landscape in the 1990s, it makes the series harder to watch today.

Additionally,Buffysometimes overreached in terms of preaching behavior and expectations to young audiences, like in the season 4 episode, “Beer Bad,” which has a dated outlook on sex and drinking. For all the progressive and positive moments that can be found inBuffy, there are also plenty of missed opportunities for better representation that the reboot has the chance to grapple with.

7Some Of The Filler Episodes Are Easy To Skip

The filler episode is a lost art in television today, and there’s a strong case to be made that these installments that don’t do much to further the plot are where shows likeBuffycan be the most creative. There are also exciting opportunities for character development and the exploration of interpersonal relationship dynamics that make the plot-heavy episodes more impactful in a filler episode.

Some of the mostcontroversial episodes inBuffy The Vampire Slayerwere filler episodes, and are ultimately unnecessary to revisit when returning to the show. However, no series is completely devoid of episodes that are easy to skip. SinceBuffysets such a high standard for even the most “throwaway” storylines, it’s significant when an installment of the series doesn’t live up to its potential.

Today, it’s hard to imagine a series getting a full order of episodes for so many seasons the wayBuffydid, making it remarkable that there are so few episodes genuinely worth skipping. Many of these were in the early seasons whenBuffywas still finding its footing, and exploring what fantastical metaphors would work best to grapple with coming-of-age and adolescent rites of passage onscreen.

6The Lore & Magic Systems Are A Little Inconsistent

Crafting a magic system is one of the most difficult parts of building any fantasy world, and it’s expected that there will naturally be some holes and inconsistencies. Fantasy fans enter into shows likeBuffyknowing that the lore won’t always be flawless, and that as the seasons progress, changes will have to be made to fit the story better within the series' internal logic.

However, this doesn’t mean there aren’t some confusing moments whenBuffymakes some significant changes to its rules. The story’s relationship to magic changes a lot inBuffy. As Willow gains power and uncovers new facets of magic, the series has to adapt quickly to the new dimensions, limitations, and when to use magic as an easy answer to the narrative’s problems.

This also comes through in the wayBuffybegins to rely more on monsters, demons, and mayhem rather than vampire villains in the later years. While it’s to be expected that a show likeBuffywill have a softer magic system to complement the themes and story rather than the lore, fans will catch these inconsistencies.

5The Early Special Effects Aren’t Very Good

When revisiting any fantasy show with a lower budget from the 1990s, it’s expected that there are going to be some dated elements, especially when it comes to the visual effects. ThoughBuffygained traction and had additional resources as the seasons progressed, audiences lovingly look back on the scrappy ways that the series created its monsters in the early years.

Part of the fun of watchingBuffy, and the reason it’s so nostalgic to watch it today, is in part because of these more campy, obvious VFX. There are some practical effects, makeup, and character designs that hold up brilliantly today, which is due to how clearly the writers and showrunners envisioned the world ofBuffy​​​​​​.

Conversely, higher-budget shows that rely too much on special effects can take the viewer out of the world, worsening the experience for the audience. While there are moments when the stakes and tension are diminished because the villains come off more silly than scary,Buffyfinds a good middle ground with its deft balance of humor and gravity in the narrative’s tone.

4Season 7’s Pacing Was Rushed Compared To The Original Ending

It’s well known thatBuffywas originally supposed to end with the season 5 finale, concluding on Buffy’s death as the ultimate sacrifice and act of love. While season 7 subverted audience expectations and allowed Buffy to find the hopeful ending she always deserved, the final season of the show wasn’t quite as tight as the would-be ending of the series.

After the darkness of season 6, audiences needed a return to form forBuffyseason 7, and the show’s last outing delivered in many instances. However, after teasing the end of the world so many times over the years and facing a litany of terrifying villains, the way season 7 raised the stakes with the First Evil wasn’t quite as impactful as it could have been.

There are some unforgettable moments inBuffyseason 7, like Spike’s monologue to Buffy in season 7, episode 20, “Touched,” but the way the conflict resolves in the last few episodes is a little too neat.Buffyseason 5 is far from perfect, but the structure and overarching storyline are well-imagined. Season 7’s vision isn’t quite as clear, which comes through for longtime fans during a rewatch.

Romance isn’t the main throughline inBuffy The Vampire Slayer, but like all thebest supernatural teen dramas, there’s plenty of romantic intrigue throughout the seasons. Buffy takes center stage as the protagonist, and her relationships are often the most fraught and compelling because of her position as the chosen one.

It doesn’t come as much of a surprise that the great loves of Buffy’s life are forbidden ones, as the poetry of a Slayer and a vampire falling in love is too good to resist. However, the show progresses, Buffy’s patterns emerge, and even the guys who are good on paper prove to be disappointing. Even Riley, the supposed ideal, couldn’t handle her power.

Of course, it would have been boring to see Buffy simply settled and happy with a great partner, but it’s tough to watch her make the same mistakes, as she’s an easy character to love. It’s clear that Buffy seeks out people who can never be what she wants or fit into her life, as this would mean she would have to be genuinely emotionally vulnerable.

2A Lot Of Our Favorite Characters Do Terrible Things

Redemption and the blurry line between good and evil are recurring themes throughoutBuffy​​​​​​, and they’re what make the story so complex. However, it’s tough to ignore the fact that most of the characters are pretty quick to forgive some shocking and borderline irredeemable actions when it suits them. There are extenuating circumstances, like the absence of souls, but this doesn’t make these scenes easier to watch.

Buffyseason 6 features many harsh, dark moments when the characters are at their worst, with Willow committing horrible acts of violence and Spike almost assaulting Buffy. Though both characters undergo redemption arcs and pay for their sins, they’re far from the only characters the show asks us to root for after they’ve done something unspeakable.

Angel might have changed his ways after being cursed with a soul, but his past actions are always an uncomfortable reminder of the darkness inside him. Even Giles proves himself to be capable of murder at the end of season 5 when he kills Ben to stop Glory. However, these moral complications are what setBuffyapart from typical TV shows and keep us invested.

1Everyone Is Way Too Hard On Buffy

Of course, Buffy has her flaws, and it’s impossible to watch the show without noticing her mistakes and failings, as this is what makes her a compelling character. However, in almost every season, Buffy is questioned, pressured, and made to feel worse by her friends when the weight of the world is on her shoulders.

This happens most prominently at the ends of seasons 2 and 7, when she has to kill Angel and gets little support for what an emotional toll this is, and then when the potentials turn against her because fighting the First is such an enormous challenge. It goes without saying that Buffy must face these personal obstacles in addition to the forces of evil.

However, it’s easy to get frustrated with the other characters when they treat Buffy so badly. She sacrifices everything she has, including her life, for the greater good, and is still criticized and judged by those closest to her. After spending so much time with Buffy, it’s easy to feel protective of her during these moments inBuffy The Vampire Slayer.