When Did It Really Pick Up?

POSTED BY: Schism
UPDATED: Friday, January 14, 2011 15:15
VIEWED: 10707
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SCHISM

Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:08 AM

Hi Guys,

I used to think Buffy was synonymous with "teenage girl bubble-gum drivel" and never once thought I'd even TRY to watch it.

Then I watched Firefly, and figured that if this Joss guy created Buffy too, then there must be SOMETHING to it.

So I rented disc one of season one with the intent to watch it. However I only got to watch one episode. My time on that weekend ended up being taken away from me, as per usual.

Anyway, I was completely underwhelmed by episode one.

Now if anything, I've learned that you have to reserve judgement with Joss' work. Give it an episode or two to gain momentum, and it'll take off like you won't believe.

So how long did it take for Buffy to 'take off', in your opinions?

I do plan to rent the disc again and give it another go at some point...

KWICKO

Sunday, March 29, 2009 4:58 AM

For me, it REALLY grabbed me by the end of Season 1. But it's important to slog through the rest of the season to get there, just because it lays so much groundwork for so much of the rest of the series.

Of course, I loved the opening scene of the pilot episode. It was the classic "girl-doing-the-wrong-thing-with-a-guy-she-just-met" scenario, but it had a twist that I just loved, and that told me this wasn't going to be your average teen-angst melodrama.

And man, I loves me some Darla. Julie Benz plays such a wimpy character in Dexter, but I just love her wickedness in the Buffyverse! (Don't get me wrong - I love Dexter, but I just want his girlfriend to rip someone's throat out now and again! And here he thinks HE'S a badass...)

\m/

I'm something of a ne'er-do-well
even though that's something I could never do well...

The "On Fire" Economy -
The Dow closed at 10,587.60 on January 20, 2001, the day GW Bush took office. Eight years later, it closed below 8000 on the day he left office - a net loss of 25%. That's what conservatives call an economic "success".

REGINAROADIE

Sunday, March 29, 2009 5:41 AM

I was kind of in the same boat as well.

For me, it was season 3 where everything fell into place. The first two seasons I'd describe as "good efforts". You can tell they had really good ideas and a clear vision. But they do stray into that amateurish/cheesy territory a bit much. Personally I felt that "Teacher's Pet" their third episode was the worst ep of the series. And with season 2, even though everyone considers the second two parter to be the turning point and the most emotional moment of the series, I personally was going "Do you not see the huge red flag right in front of you? Stop crying, bitch."

But season 3 is what I like to call the Sgt. Peppers year. It was the year that everything clicked, all the kinks were ironed out, and they were coming up with their best stuff, which amazingly enough continued through to season 5. I know everyone goes for "Hush" and "Once More, With Feeling" (which I think is their most overrated ep of the series). But for me, "The Body" is above and beyond the best ep of the series.

So stick with it. It's worth it.

**************************************************
"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

SINGATE

Sunday, March 29, 2009 7:32 AM

I would say season 2 is when the show really took off for me. In particular there are 2 events involving Angel which lend some maturity to the series. I won't spoil it for you but Buffy grows up quite a bit during this stretch.

_________________________________________________

We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far.

GROOSALUGG

Sunday, March 29, 2009 7:50 PM

I'd say about 1/3 of the way thru S2. S1 has a couple of episodes that hint at how great the show can be ("Angel", "Prophecy Girl"), and S2 gets off to a bit of a bumpy start with 3 or 4 pretty bad eps ("Some Assembly Required", "Inca Mummy Girl", "Reptile Boy") all grouped together, but if you can make it to eps 6, 7, 8 and beyond, you'll be rewarded for your patience...

CHRISISALL

Tuesday, March 31, 2009 9:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Groosalugg:
I'd say about 1/3 of the way thru S2.

I agree here.
Then 3 was awesome, 4 was excellent, 5 was painful, 6 was harsh & intoxicating, and 7 was a perfect finale.

The laughing Chrisisall

STORYMARK

Tuesday, March 31, 2009 9:18 PM

Keep in mind, Chris's opinion on seasons 5-7 are not of the widely-held variety.

Myself, I really liked 5, disliked 6, and was so-so on 7. Your mileage may varry.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

CHRISISALL

Tuesday, March 31, 2009 9:20 PM

I didn't mean season 5 was painful in a totally BAD way...

The laughing Chrisisall

KWICKO

Tuesday, March 31, 2009 9:30 PM

I *like* Season 5. To me, 4 was one of the weakest. I just never did like - ahem - certain people from S4.

Mike

just lying smiling in the dark
shooting stars around your heart
dreams come bouncing in your head
pure and simple everytime
now you're crying in your sleep
i wish you'd never learnt to weep
don't sell the dreams you should be keeping
pure and simple everytime

ZEEK

Tuesday, March 31, 2009 9:45 PM

I agree with those who say about 1/3 of the way into Season 2. Really Season 2 and Season 3 are where it's at. After that there's a lot of touch and go sputtering. Season 4 never worked well for me. Season 5 had it's good points. Season 6 was pretty bad overall. Season 7 again had some strong points but it had some very weak points as well.

Still it's better than most anything you're going to find on TV.

My personal Joss TV preference goes Firefly > Angel > Buffy > Dollhouse

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